My grandchildren have returned from summer camp in Missouri, so my anxiety level has dropped tremendously. I am so glad they are once again, if not with me, at least within driving distance of a couple of hours. I will spend time with them over the next few days and be restored once again.
My class reunion was terrific. The short visit that we shared was so enjoyable and it was a blessing to hear the testimonies of so many. The majority of our rebellious group of graduates have turned their focus toward God, family, and community (which is now worldwide). As I looked around and watched my many classmates, I realized that I only had a close relationship with a handful of people, but I considered all of them friends. I didn't detect not the first bit of animosity or trepidation of the part of my fellow classmates and everyone seemed truly happy to be part of this event.
The smiling face of Ricky T., the sparkling eyes of Mike C., the smiling faces of Carol H., Susan D., Darlene P., Mary Ann J., Pam P., and on and on, was a wonder to watch. Some of these people had not changed one bit - Carole Ann G. knows the secret to the fountain of youth - but some I would never have known. Warren H. and wife Camilla were the same as 41 years ago as was Rhonda P. Faye and Kaye exhibited the same enthusiasm as I remember in school and shared their love and excitement of the event. Next time we would like to add some of old teachers to the mix - that should add even more flavor to our pot!
I have re-established contact with these people and have no intention of losing them again. We will move on with each of our lives, but we have added a few old friends back in the mix and they fit just fine! Thank you Dawn C. for all your work, your tenacity, and your motivation to keep going and move forward.
I am now ready to move on to other projects I have put on hold. It will be a busy summer! July 4th is coming up this weekend. It is shaping up to be fun filled and busy! A lot going on to celebrate the birth of our great country. July 4, 1776 seems a long time ago, but the impact of the actions taken by our founding fathers and the dreams they had for this country will be everlasting. It took many years to attain our freedom and to establish the groundwork of this great nation. It is a time for coming together and remembering what this nation stands for amid the tumult and desperation many of our countrymen are now facing. It has been a long time since the people of this country stood behind a common goal and I am afraid there are wolves in sheep's clothing trying to get a foothold in our government.
My daughters' birthday is July 3rd so we will be celebrating double on that day. Goodness, time sure flies. It seems only yesterday that I rocked a tiny bundle to sleep while singing "You Are My Sunshine." I thank God for her and her brother. They have both taught me a lot and been a true blessing in my life.
A little bit of rain last night will put me in gear next week to get the garden worked, picked and some things replanted. With more rain in the forecast for today, it will be a busy time. Any ideas on how to get rid of the poison ivy that is growing like wildfire in my yard this year? I know - very carefully! I have several shoots that have really taken over, but as allergic as I am to the sap, I have been hesitant to try to move it to the burn pile.
Well, I have much to do and little time to accomplish all the things on my list. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Homesick
My granddaughter called me from summer camp last night. My grandson and granddaughter are at summer camp in Missouri and I have missed talking to them this week. I was so-o-o-o excited to hear from her and listen to all the fun things they have done this week. I then my mind started racing - was she okay? Did I hear a slight tremble in her voice? Was she homesick? Did something scare her? You know, a thousands questions starting swirling through my mind and of course, the worry. They will be home in 4 days and 3 nights. Will she be okay until then?
Then I started rationalizing. They are more than half way through the week (6 days) and she has done fine until now. She is just starting to get homesick. She is ready for her Mom and Dad and the comfort of knowing they are close by. She is just ready to be at home!
My sister and I spent 2 weeks every summer with my Aunt and Uncle in Alabama. The first 4 days were fine, but after that it was all down hill! I wanted to go home and had no intention of even trying to have a good time. My Aunt and Uncle had no children and there was absolutely nothing to do at their house. Their yard was small and filled with bird feeders and bird baths and vine covered arbors, which were perfectly beautiful, but not practical when you put two country girls in the middle of them. My Uncle's idea of curing our boredom was to put my sister and I to work in the yard. Boy was that a mistake! Anyway, my homesickness during this time had nothing to do with missing my Mom and Dad and a whole lot to do with missing my stuff and the great outdoors. I just wanted to be in "my" space!
They will be home on Monday and I will breathe a sigh of relief! I look forward to seeing them next weekend.
Until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle
Then I started rationalizing. They are more than half way through the week (6 days) and she has done fine until now. She is just starting to get homesick. She is ready for her Mom and Dad and the comfort of knowing they are close by. She is just ready to be at home!
My sister and I spent 2 weeks every summer with my Aunt and Uncle in Alabama. The first 4 days were fine, but after that it was all down hill! I wanted to go home and had no intention of even trying to have a good time. My Aunt and Uncle had no children and there was absolutely nothing to do at their house. Their yard was small and filled with bird feeders and bird baths and vine covered arbors, which were perfectly beautiful, but not practical when you put two country girls in the middle of them. My Uncle's idea of curing our boredom was to put my sister and I to work in the yard. Boy was that a mistake! Anyway, my homesickness during this time had nothing to do with missing my Mom and Dad and a whole lot to do with missing my stuff and the great outdoors. I just wanted to be in "my" space!
They will be home on Monday and I will breathe a sigh of relief! I look forward to seeing them next weekend.
Until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What will you do when your parents are gone?
I have often wondered what affect the loss of my parents will have on my life. I talk to one or both of them every day, but only see them at the most weekly. I look at my mother who has lost both parents and is the only surviving sibling and wonder what her life must be like. I am not dependent on my parents or my sister, but the knowledge that they are there gives me emotional and psychological support. I know I can pick up the phone and talk to any of the three. What would I do if that was not an option?
I have often wondered what affect the loss of my parents will have on my life. I talk to one or both of them every day, but only see them at the most weekly. I look at my mother who has lost both parents and is the only surviving sibling and wonder what her life must be like. I am not dependent on my parents or my sister, but the knowledge that they are there gives me emotional and psychological support. I know I can pick up the phone and talk to any of the three. What would I do if that was not an option?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Early Summer
If Summer has just arrived, what would be the appropriate name for the past two weeks of 90+ temperatures and breath taking humidity with no rain? I know most of Georgia has received some kind of rainfall, but not on my side of the mountain. I must be in some kind of trough where the rain refuses to fall. Neighbors on the north and neighbors on the south have gotten good soaking showers while we sit here and swelter as the garden slumps further and further to the ground. If this is a taste of the rest of the summer, then we are in for a scorcher.
The only thing thriving is the heat loving pests! As an outdoor person, I am fighting at the bit to get back outside and piddle in my flowers, herbs, and garden. Have you noticed that city folks have flower gardens, whereas country folks have flowers and gardens. Country folks don't have flower gardens, they have vegetable gardens or just plain gardens. The same applies to the yard. City folks have a lawn and country folks have a yard. Country folks cut the grass while city folks calls lawn maintenance to trim the lawn. When I lived in the city, I was a thing of wonder to my neighbors. I cut the grass, trimmed the shrubbery, planted my flowers and even put in a few tomato plants. How was I to know that women in the city didn't do such things. To each his own! I do things that bring me joy and I do like to share a smile with others.
I have been on a hiatus from writing for the past few weeks. No new ideas have poked their way into my sprightly brain until last night and then "Katie" appeared and she is trying to develop into a story line. We'll see where she goes, but she does not seem to be in a hurry to get put on paper.
We enjoyed a family get together this weekend with nieces from central Georgia. As always we had a great time with all the babies and children. We ate lots of good fish, hush puppies and cole slaw along with hand pattied hamburgers and some delicious hot spicy sausage. My brother-in-law can find the best of the best in the food line. His jalapeno ranch dip was just right with the fresh veggies from the garden. We never even got to the watermelons which are still on ice and just waiting to be cut. Some homemade ice cream would have gone well with the peach cobbler, but it wasn't really missed either as everyone was stuffed. We had a lot of laughs as we did the "remember whens" and took home new memories to be shared at a later date.
The kids enjoyed the pool even though the sun was blistering to the adults. I am already looking forward to Hubby's birthday in July (he'll turn 50 this year) when hopefully they will all return for more good food and fellowship. Where in the world does the stamina go when you get older? I can't ever remember the sun bothering me as a child, but it sure takes its toll on me now.
I have been nostalgic this week. I think our upcoming class reunion has sparked some memories that were lost in the everyday shuffle of life. As a child and young adult, almost all of my social activities were centered around our Church and sometimes were extended to a few other kids in our community that attended other churches. (Another city/country thing - City people live in a neighborhood whereas Country people live in a community.) I found that classmates are not the only people that have disappeared from my life. Some friends that were really close and I truly loved and enjoyed being with are gone from the area and I have no idea which direction they have taken. Some of this is my fault as I am typically a home body. I hate funerals and as weird as it sounds, funerals are a major contact source in this day and time. I think maybe this year I will have to attend the Reunion at our church and see just how many I can reconnect with, or at least locate, before I have to attend their funeral.
Before this gets too morbid I am signing off. Until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle
The only thing thriving is the heat loving pests! As an outdoor person, I am fighting at the bit to get back outside and piddle in my flowers, herbs, and garden. Have you noticed that city folks have flower gardens, whereas country folks have flowers and gardens. Country folks don't have flower gardens, they have vegetable gardens or just plain gardens. The same applies to the yard. City folks have a lawn and country folks have a yard. Country folks cut the grass while city folks calls lawn maintenance to trim the lawn. When I lived in the city, I was a thing of wonder to my neighbors. I cut the grass, trimmed the shrubbery, planted my flowers and even put in a few tomato plants. How was I to know that women in the city didn't do such things. To each his own! I do things that bring me joy and I do like to share a smile with others.
I have been on a hiatus from writing for the past few weeks. No new ideas have poked their way into my sprightly brain until last night and then "Katie" appeared and she is trying to develop into a story line. We'll see where she goes, but she does not seem to be in a hurry to get put on paper.
We enjoyed a family get together this weekend with nieces from central Georgia. As always we had a great time with all the babies and children. We ate lots of good fish, hush puppies and cole slaw along with hand pattied hamburgers and some delicious hot spicy sausage. My brother-in-law can find the best of the best in the food line. His jalapeno ranch dip was just right with the fresh veggies from the garden. We never even got to the watermelons which are still on ice and just waiting to be cut. Some homemade ice cream would have gone well with the peach cobbler, but it wasn't really missed either as everyone was stuffed. We had a lot of laughs as we did the "remember whens" and took home new memories to be shared at a later date.
The kids enjoyed the pool even though the sun was blistering to the adults. I am already looking forward to Hubby's birthday in July (he'll turn 50 this year) when hopefully they will all return for more good food and fellowship. Where in the world does the stamina go when you get older? I can't ever remember the sun bothering me as a child, but it sure takes its toll on me now.
I have been nostalgic this week. I think our upcoming class reunion has sparked some memories that were lost in the everyday shuffle of life. As a child and young adult, almost all of my social activities were centered around our Church and sometimes were extended to a few other kids in our community that attended other churches. (Another city/country thing - City people live in a neighborhood whereas Country people live in a community.) I found that classmates are not the only people that have disappeared from my life. Some friends that were really close and I truly loved and enjoyed being with are gone from the area and I have no idea which direction they have taken. Some of this is my fault as I am typically a home body. I hate funerals and as weird as it sounds, funerals are a major contact source in this day and time. I think maybe this year I will have to attend the Reunion at our church and see just how many I can reconnect with, or at least locate, before I have to attend their funeral.
Before this gets too morbid I am signing off. Until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Late Spring Update
A very fruitful two weeks!
I have been to a Tax Assessors class and learned a lot of very useful information. We had a veteran instructor who enlightened us on the many property tax laws and the effects of exemptions on the property taxes we pay. I was pleased with my week as I learned a lot and also met a lot of interesting and wonderful people.
My venture into hatching duck eggs was successful in one way and not so in another. The first duck to hatch was wonderful. No, not at first as he was covered in slimy goop and floppy, but in a few hours time he was waddling slowly and his down dried to a wonderful cream color. His entire life lasted only 36 hours as I found him stiff as a board with no clue as to what had ended his little life. He ate and drank within the first 12 hours and seemed fine when I last checked on him/her. I still have a couple of eggs in the incubator, but am not very hopeful on their hatching after so many days. I am not one that is easily discouraged and intend on trying again.
I have raised the roof over the death of two of my squash plants. It appeared that some varmit had played around in the hill and destroyed my plants. I checked again yesterday and found some foul looking bug chomping away at the stem right at ground level. As much as I dislike Sevin, the garden got a good dusting with the offenders getting an extra good dose. Probably not going to be able to save the hill, but maybe they won't spread to the neighboring plants. I will replant to replace the lost plants in a week or so to keep a good supply coming all summer. Potatoes, beans, squash and beets have been delicious and we will soon have some broccoli and eggplant. Hurray for summer food!
My hummingbirds are emptying their feeder every two days now and with the onset of higher temperatures and longer days I will soon be filling the feeder every day. They are so beautiful to watch as they zip and zoom around the porch and through the trees.
We have Catalpa worms for the first time in 6 years. Water helps everything! Almost all the leaves on one tree have been devoured and half of another tree. We will be catching lots of fish this year! I know the Catalpa is the best fish bait in the world and from experience I know catfish love them!
My grandson is moving forward by leaps and bounds in Boy Scouts. I am so proud of the work he has done. The Boy Scout organization gives boys an extra boost in preparing them on their journey toward adulthood. He has set his goals and is following through towards attaining those goals. Congrats to Joseph!
I am looking forward to the next two weeks. A family cookout this weekend and a visit with neices I don't get to see near often enough and then my class reunion. I can hardly wait to see friends I have not seen or heard from in 41 years.
I am reading a most enjoyable book by Dan Brown -The Lost Symbol. Intriguing!
A little apart here - I have heard through the grapevine that much fun has been made of my simple writings. I am a simple person - which does not mean I am simple minded. My blog is written so my friends and far away family can keep in touch with my daily doings and is not written in order to expound with hate filled comments the situations of others and their lives. If I can bring a smile to your face even if produced as a result of derision, I have accomplished a goal. My hope is to make everyone smile! I can't change your heart, but I can put a smile on your face.
Thanks for visiting and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I have been to a Tax Assessors class and learned a lot of very useful information. We had a veteran instructor who enlightened us on the many property tax laws and the effects of exemptions on the property taxes we pay. I was pleased with my week as I learned a lot and also met a lot of interesting and wonderful people.
My venture into hatching duck eggs was successful in one way and not so in another. The first duck to hatch was wonderful. No, not at first as he was covered in slimy goop and floppy, but in a few hours time he was waddling slowly and his down dried to a wonderful cream color. His entire life lasted only 36 hours as I found him stiff as a board with no clue as to what had ended his little life. He ate and drank within the first 12 hours and seemed fine when I last checked on him/her. I still have a couple of eggs in the incubator, but am not very hopeful on their hatching after so many days. I am not one that is easily discouraged and intend on trying again.
I have raised the roof over the death of two of my squash plants. It appeared that some varmit had played around in the hill and destroyed my plants. I checked again yesterday and found some foul looking bug chomping away at the stem right at ground level. As much as I dislike Sevin, the garden got a good dusting with the offenders getting an extra good dose. Probably not going to be able to save the hill, but maybe they won't spread to the neighboring plants. I will replant to replace the lost plants in a week or so to keep a good supply coming all summer. Potatoes, beans, squash and beets have been delicious and we will soon have some broccoli and eggplant. Hurray for summer food!
My hummingbirds are emptying their feeder every two days now and with the onset of higher temperatures and longer days I will soon be filling the feeder every day. They are so beautiful to watch as they zip and zoom around the porch and through the trees.
We have Catalpa worms for the first time in 6 years. Water helps everything! Almost all the leaves on one tree have been devoured and half of another tree. We will be catching lots of fish this year! I know the Catalpa is the best fish bait in the world and from experience I know catfish love them!
My grandson is moving forward by leaps and bounds in Boy Scouts. I am so proud of the work he has done. The Boy Scout organization gives boys an extra boost in preparing them on their journey toward adulthood. He has set his goals and is following through towards attaining those goals. Congrats to Joseph!
I am looking forward to the next two weeks. A family cookout this weekend and a visit with neices I don't get to see near often enough and then my class reunion. I can hardly wait to see friends I have not seen or heard from in 41 years.
I am reading a most enjoyable book by Dan Brown -The Lost Symbol. Intriguing!
A little apart here - I have heard through the grapevine that much fun has been made of my simple writings. I am a simple person - which does not mean I am simple minded. My blog is written so my friends and far away family can keep in touch with my daily doings and is not written in order to expound with hate filled comments the situations of others and their lives. If I can bring a smile to your face even if produced as a result of derision, I have accomplished a goal. My hope is to make everyone smile! I can't change your heart, but I can put a smile on your face.
Thanks for visiting and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
GHS '69 Reunion
Graduation brings to an end the wonderful growing up years of our lives. By the time we graduate from high school, we should be prepared to go to work, maintain a vehicle, and establish a home - not a house, a home. The friends and acquaintances that we have spent the last 12 years of our life with are all going in different directions. We cry, hug and promise to keep in touch, but as the summer wears on, those contacts are gone - sometime for good. We never know what God has in store for these fellow graduates and when or if we will see them again.
These fellow graduates have big dreams and big plans for their future no matter what their field of interest. Some will get married and start a family, while others will go on to college or tech school and receive more training. It doesn't matter where they go or what they do, they will still be part of your past - your history.
The men that graduated in the late '60s were facing the draft unless that were deferred and many waited with baited breathe to see if they would be called to fight in Viet Nam. Others planned on joining their choice of the armed services when they graduated. Jobs for women in the 1960s were limited compared to the options available today. Secretaries, bookkeepers, teachers, clerks, bank tellers, doctors, lawyers, or work at one of our many mills were the extent of the choices.
Now we are in 2010. We have been out of high school for over 40 years and here are a few things we have learned.
We've come a long way, baby!
Happy reading!
Belle
These fellow graduates have big dreams and big plans for their future no matter what their field of interest. Some will get married and start a family, while others will go on to college or tech school and receive more training. It doesn't matter where they go or what they do, they will still be part of your past - your history.
The men that graduated in the late '60s were facing the draft unless that were deferred and many waited with baited breathe to see if they would be called to fight in Viet Nam. Others planned on joining their choice of the armed services when they graduated. Jobs for women in the 1960s were limited compared to the options available today. Secretaries, bookkeepers, teachers, clerks, bank tellers, doctors, lawyers, or work at one of our many mills were the extent of the choices.
Now we are in 2010. We have been out of high school for over 40 years and here are a few things we have learned.
- money doesn't bring happiness
- you can't buy health
- work is what you do not you who you are
- friends are not always going to be there
- you will change more in the two years after graduation than in all the 12 years leading up to graduation
- nothing is forever
- think before you do something stupid - some mistakes just don't go away
- keep in touch with God - the more communication you have the better
- expand - your friends, your interests, your knowledge
- parenting doesn't come with a manual - your parents made mistakes, you'll make mistakes, and your children will make mistakes - get over it
- those people who thought they ruled the world, only ruled their world not yours
- if you don't die, you will get old
- be nice - it is harder than being mean, but more people like you
- stand up for what you believe in
- if you are not proud of who you are then something is wrong
- nobody is perfect, be happy with yourself
- nobody else can live your life - it is yours and yours alone - just be ready to talk to God about it one day
- don't waste precious time
- laugh and cry and then get on with it
- it is the small stuff that completes the big picture
- don't let someone else tell you what a good time you had
- protect your memories, they put a smile in a rainy day
- watch the hummingbirds and listen to the crickets
We've come a long way, baby!
Happy reading!
Belle
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