WOW!

A year and a half of news - how could I go so long without sharing my thoughts.  Says a lot about my state of mind.  Much loss, too much heart break, in my life in that year and a half.  How do people worm their way into your life and then just pull out - no goodbyes, no hugs, nothing - just gone.  

In August of last year my brother-in-law did just that!  He was my friend and he died without even a good bye. In October a dear friend of many years lay dead at her computer while we waited on her at the Tea House.  Just gone - no goodbyes, no "Love you", nothing.  November brought the deadly stroke that started the illnesses that took my Father in January.  Then another friend in June.  In July Mother had two major blockages repaired and I am convinced they were from a broken heart.  It is so hard when nothing brings joy to the broken hearted - the ones you love.

Some days my heart hurts with the missing of these family and friends and some days I laugh with joy at my memories.  That is the way I want to be remembered - with joy and laughter!

Then a miracle was born in June and my heart starting melting and came out of shock.  God knows our needs better than we do and he knows what we are going through every day.  My fourth granddaughter was born bringing much joy and happiness.  The birth of this child reminded me that life will go on - we have no control over God's plans for each and every one of us.  

Now on to the present and the future with joy in our hearts!

About my little farm - out of 34 yard birds, I have 10 left (9 hens and 1 rooster).  I am on the verge of transferring them to my daughter's farm as they have become very demanding and hard to handle.  The coyotes and hawks have killed off most of my feathered friends and the snakes (removed two in one day from the laying box) and opossums (we trapped 6 in one week) are getting more eggs than I am getting.  I think next Spring I will start over with a new batch and see how I manage.  With no food here, maybe the varmints will move on to greener pastures.  I have acquired a beautiful Land Shun that will be hard to part with. 

It has been a hot summer here in central Georgia.  One of the wettest springs that I can remember, but when the rain left it left for weeks.  Even my rosemary dried on its own. The hibiscus is droopy and woody and the blooms have fallen off without opening.  What the weather hasn't killed, the chickens have and they have enjoyed a wonderful crop of tomatoes while I had none!  

Thanks for visiting and remember to Keep Smiling!

Belle

Update on Me

Mid spring temperatures hovered daily in the low to mid 90s and the rain failed to quench the thirsty ground surrounding my drooping and withered plants.  I am so glad I followed the desires of my heart in planting an early garden as it appears those that planted later will do without.  The Roma II green beans have supplied our table with meal after meal of delicious beans with a few gallons for the freezer.  The zucchini has laughed at the lack of water and continues to burst forth with blooms and fruit.  It is has been a joy to share the abundance with friends and neighbors who are no longer able to garden or just don't have time. 

We have enjoyed radishes, tomatoes, bell peppers, red potatoes and okra to date and are looking forward to the late planted cantaloupe, watermelon, and cucumbers to grace our table soon.  Hubby has watered every other day for the last few weeks to keep the plants alive and this weeks rain was a blessing. 

It isn't even summer yet and the sweltering temperatures have kept me in the pool on a regular basis.  Even though I have had to fight the wasp with every trip, I have thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon cool offs.  The plants and grass don't have enough water in them to sustain the wasps and even though I really don't feel like sharing, the little devils insist on getting a drink the minute I splash the surface.  Wasp stings don't bother me so much, but the little ones are not happy about the fearsome stings.  Last week granddaughter number two told me it was time to get out of the water because I looked like a raisin.  Little does she realize that has absolutely nothing to do with the water - it has a lot to do with my age, but I wasn't telling her that!

Speaking of which - I really got a lift when the same granddaughter ask me on Thursday what I had done.  I ask what she meant and she says "Yesterday you looked old, but today you look young and beautiful!"  A perfect lift to my day!  Yes, I am perfectly aware that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but I can gloat for just a little while.

As most of you know I am a seamstress.  I have been sewing since I was eight or nine years old.  I started learning at my grandmother's knee on a quilt top and it has progressed over the years to one thing and then another.  The five years I worked "taking in sewing" has probably been the most fulfilling and joyful of my entire working life.  It is so fulfilling to take a flat piece of material and turn it into something useful and beautiful.  I have made my own clothes for many years and clothed my children until they learned about "labels" and refused to wear the garments I made for them.  This came to mind as a result of a most pleasant visit this week from a friend of 15 to 20 years.  I was showing her my sun bonnets and aprons which I have turned out in droves and she had the most puzzling look on her face.  I ask what was wrong and she admitted that she didn't know that I sewed.  Well, there you go!  I thought this friend know all about me and here I surprised her with a very important part of what makes me - me!  She told me I could make good money sewing for people.  I had to laugh as I had one dress hanging behind her that was in process for a neighbor and another two boxes of material waiting to be cut and sewed.  Yes, taking in sewing is a lucrative business and one I thoroughly enjoy.

In all honesty, sewing is so intricately a part of me that I guess I take it for granted.  I have gone years without picking up a needle and thread, then I start a project and another and another like I am possessed. 
It is the one job that I have undertaking that was a labor of love and joy. 

A piece of advice for all you mothers of daughters - teach them to sew!  If you don't know how, make sure they take a class in sewing either at school or at you local community recreation department. 

Closing for now so until until next time . . .

Happy Reading!
Belle

I went to a funeral a couple of weeks ago for a man in our community.  I really don't remember much about him, but his children are or once were an important part of my life.  I consider this man's son and his wife an uncle and aunt.  The two middle children are there on the edge of my memory, but nothing memorial about our relationship.  The youngest was my first playmate at the age of around 3 or 4.

Living in the country in the 50s was a lonely existence, especially for small children.  Things changed as we got older, but our nearest neighbor was one mile away and my playmate was two miles away.  Our mother's got us together when they could and even though I don't remember much about our play I do remember the friend.  Her parents split before the start of school - their divorce was another first for me.  So I didn't run into my friend again until junior high school.  I was a little taken aback that she seemed not to know me.  This continued through high school.

At the funeral I realized she really didn't remember me in school.  As I walked up to offer my condolences, I advised she probably wouldn't remember me, but . . .  Her response was of course I remember you!  You were my first playmate and I haven't seen you in 55 years.  Well, that explains it - through the last 6 years in school, she didn't know who I was and didn't remember.

Finding old friends is such an eye opener!

Happy reading!
Belle

Another Stroll Down Memory Lane

Well, Thanksgiving is well behind us now and preparation is ongoing for the celebration of Christ's birth.  Some days it just makes me tired and some days I approach it all with a joyful and peaceful heart.  I believe rest is the key.  The temperatures are just now getting uncomfortable and the days are definitely shorter.  Many days I just want to sleep - remaining under the warm covers and not venturing out.  But that doesn't have anything to do with the season but with the changes my old body no longer adjust too so quickly or well.

I had such a surprise on Friday when a friend showed up.  This isn't an ordinary, run of the mill friend.  This was the one person I felt attached to, completely trusted and thoroughly enjoyed her company during my school years.  She was in my wedding in September of 1969 and after that day I never saw her again until Friday.  I can't imagine a more memorable day.  I have always believed that you could tell a true friend in the reuniting.  They were no dead spots - we were laughing as she exited her vehicle and we chattered like we had never been apart.  Easy, comfortable, trying desperately to catch up on all the years and yet knowing we both have been down paths we won't share yet.  I say yet because there is so much surface stuff to gather and share.  It pleased me greatly that my friend found her soul mate early on and has had a happy life. I can't wait to get together again and learn more about her children and family.



I learned that I wasn't the only person that was lost in a world of confusion and insecurity when school let out for the last time.  I didn't realize that I would lose touch so quickly with those so dear to me and that we would all move on in such a hurried manner.  In my older years, I have found that I have plenty of time to locate and reunite with those that I have missed so much. 

Hubby and I have really enjoyed our shopping trips this season.  Never one to enjoy crowds, we have managed to have a little fun this year with our shopping experience.  Both of us are "people watchers" and we have certainly enjoyed the shows put on for us by the other shoppers.  I made my first trip to the Bass Pro Shop in Macon recently.  Of course hubby made his first visit at their grand opening, but I bypassed that trips and the many he has made since then.  Of course, wouldn't you know, all it took was a "I want" from my grandson to get me to trek right down there and get the item.  A beautiful store, it is great for just browsing, but they also had some great bargains over the weekend. 

Then on to the Bass Road Mall and a wonderful visit to Jo Ann's.  I could spend a whole day in this treasure.  A quick visit to Dick's Sporting Goods - prices on the high side - and then to Sticky Fingers for a tasty smoked turkey club sandwich.  Barnes and Nobles was our Waterloo and we spent a couple of hours browsing the books and games.  Found some deals on several books to add to our Stuart Woods' collection.  I am missing only three now so it is close to complete.  I am thinking I need to make a return trip this weekend as I didn't get close to Dillard's or the other shops.  I am so glad the regular football season is past and hubby is not glued to the television on Saturday afternoons.  I have a partner in my shopping experience and a driver to get me where I want to go without me having to fool with the traffic.

Looking forward to all the get togethers with friends and family and already some are overlapping and I know I won't make it to all of them, but you can bet I will hit as many as possible.  Dinner has to be made, so until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Homeless

Homeless!  Does that word bring to mind a person with no home, no warm fire to come home to, no hot meal waiting at the end of a long day?  It is definitely that, but one can be homeless emotionally when they have left the home or town they have called home.  Many years ago, my husband (who was in the Air Force) was stationed in Charleston, SC.  It was so exciting to be moving to a new town, home, area and I was looking forward to the adventure.  It took a few weeks to get settled in and take care of all the essentials.  My first unsettling experience was at the post office.  Our house was in a little community called Ladson.  I stepped into the post office to the jabber of the employees and low, I couldn't understand a word being said.  The nice gentleman looked at me and said "What?".  Not may I help you or what do you need, just "What?".  That was the only thing I understood during my first visit to this lovely little building.  The rest I wrote down and somehow managed to get my address recorded and my mail started.

I left feeling so frustrated.  I didn't know the people in this area spoke a different language.  I came to really not like that post office.  The people seem to be nice but we just did not communicate.  I also had my first major accident turning into this same post office. 

As the days drifted by, the loneliness drifted in.  I was doing a lot of sewing and that kept me busy, but I had no one to talk to.  It wasn't long until I went to work at a day care center in our neighborhood.  The communication in itself was not a problem, but the attitude of these people were strange.  One infants parents wanted the child to sleep all day so they could play with him all night.  Another was fed so much and he was so large his fingers looked ready to pop.  I had the infants - all 8 of them - alone!  Two were ready to move up to another class, but there was no room, so I had two toddlers in with the 6 infants.  I loved the babies, but went home exhausted everyday, knowing the same was waiting the next day.  I didn't last long, 6 months was all I could handle, before I went looking for something else.  Sears saved my sanity! 

The friend problem had not been solved.  As much as I talked to those precious infants, not one of them talked back.  The other workers were nice as could be, but they were as busy as I was and there was no time for chatting. 

It took some time, but as the new neighborhood filled up we met new people.  It made things much easier, but it still wasn't home.  My point is that a house doesn't make a home.  Family and friends are the foundation of a home and happiness.  During this Holiday season I commiserate with those away from their home.  Remember your friends and families are anticipating your return visits and the days are not quite as full as they would be if you were at home with them. 

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Time for Reflection

The week before Thanksgiving is always my time of reflection.  There is always so much to be thankful for, but there is also so much that I feel I could have done differently.  Not a time for regret, just a time of adjusting ones thinking so that in the coming year my actions and reactions can be more positive and fulfilling.

With only a month and a half left in this year, there is not much time left to accomplish great things, but today is the first day  - well you know. 

I have made new friends and reconnected with old friends this year - there are two that I have spoken with but not really re-established a relationship with and that is a project that I hope to rectify soon.  It has brought my heart joy and comfort to see these people again; to remember the joys of youth; and to take many strolls down memory lane.  Forty plus years ago we all parted and started on our life journeys.  For twelve years our journeys were focused on each other and then we were declared ready to start our life without instruction.  It is interesting to see what paths each chose to follow and the changes we have all been through.  It is a sad fact that we, as a whole, have not been a healthy group and many have been lost in that 40 years.  Dear ones, know that you were missed at our great reunion.  Thank you Dawn for bringing much sunshine, smiles and joy into many lives this past year.

Every day my faith becomes deeper and I am in awe of the works of God.  God is far from being dead as I am witnessing daily, but the pull of the world on our youth is a frightening thing.  Our youth must be guarded and guided to follow in the steps of our Lord.  Pray for our youth which is our tomorrow.

Hubby and I have had a healthy year without any major calamities.  We experienced the loss of hubby's father this year, but by the grace of God it was not a long, drawn out sickness.  Missed by family and friends, his loss had a sobering effect on his family. 

We also had two marriages in our family this year which is always a celebration.  I am now looking forward to hearing of upcoming births from some of our younger ones.  Nothing brings joy like the birth of a child!  The first of the grandchildren are entering their teen age years and that is always an interesting time.  There are so many changes that a person goes through at this age.  It is a most difficult time and one of great change.  I love to hear the sound of their voices changing.  I know it is frustrating to them and sometimes embarrassing, but it shows they are in transition from childhood to manhood.  We have four boys in our group and five girls and I can't wait until these girls reach their age of maturity and the changes they will go through.  I am so glad they all have stable parents to guide their thoughts and actions.  So much to look forward to!

The families will all gather next week to catch up on "what's happening" and to fill their stomachs with every one's favorite recipes.  I look forward to seeing and visiting with each and everyone.  My wish for you is a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving! 

Until next time  . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle