Moon over Pisgah Forest September 30. 2007

Hey did you happen to see the Moon tonight? Last week it was so beautiful big and round. I guess you might call it a Harvest Moon. But tonight it appeared to be lop sided. Joann called me (on her way from the trip to northern Florida) wanted me to see the moon. I had already seen it on TV. I was watching the Yankees game and they showed it over New York. I e-mailed Becky in Venice to make sure she saw the moon. Now I know Italy has the same moon we do but I don't know if it is night or day at this time over there.

What is that you say, why was I watching the Yankees game?

Well, the Rays played in the afternoon and I promised John M. I would root for the Yankees except when they play the Rays.

Besides there was nothing on but football, hockey, and boxing.

Sunday is the last Rays game this season. I am going to be in withdrawal for quite a while.

We left St. Petersburg last October 3rd at sundown and arrived in Pisgah Forest at dawn. It was a beautiful trip, very little traffic. Of course Joann and Veronica did the driving and I just kept them on course which was easy because there is a gadget on Joann's Van that tells when you are going North, South, East or West. Actually, I did not need that gadget because we had the Moon to guide us.

Hope you saw that gorgeous moon.

Love and prayers from here to there

Basically Betty  Sunday, September 30. 2007 @ 13:15

What Day is it anyway? September 27. 2007

I should have known this was Thursday because yesterday was Take It Easy Day.  So I had two, no make that three, Take It Easy Days this week.  That's Tuesday, Wednesday and today.  Of course watching my Rays get beat up by the Yankees is like a hard days' work.

Joann and Bill are going to a family birthday and will be gone the weekend. Good friends Ron and Sue are coming over from South Carolina to see that I behave myself.

That's the news from here. Hope your week has been as pleasant as mine.

Love and prayers from here to there.

Basically Betty  Thursday, September 27. 2007 @ 21:50

Tuesday Mix September 25. 2007

Joann always closes the double doors and puts the bar on for me every night before we go to bed.  Last night she called me to come see the moon.  When I got there and saw that big beautiful moon it just made the perfect ending to another day. 
 
So after a restful night's sleep I woke refreshed and ready to  take on whatever the day had in store for me.  When I opened the drape the sun was shining brightly just like the moon had been the night before. 
 
I had to check my calendar to make sure this was not Wednesday because that's my "Take it Easy Day" and today sure comes under that category.  Well, it was not a complete  waste because I spent most of it watching the Humming Birds feeding at their Feeders.  They are so tiny, not much bigger than a beetle.  And when they whiz by my door going back and forth from feeder to feeder you have to look closely because they look like a bug in flight.  Another thing happening in our back yard is the falling leaves. 
 
Well, I don't know about you but I will be watching the Rays play the NY Yankees this evening.  Hope the Rays win.  Hope you all (except John M._) root for the Rays.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Tuesday, September 25. 2007 @ 19:39

Two subjects for the price of one: September 24. 2007

Right at this very moment my younger Daughter Becky and her friend Jimmie are on board a plane soon to take off for Italy. 
Becky loves Italy and rightly so because her Grandparents on her Father's side came from Italy. 
There will be a side trip to Geneva Switzerland where Becky will teach a class in Pilates.
We will be in touch with e-mail.  Safe trip over and back Becky. 
 
The next subject is the CLOCK.
 
Before I went to bed last night the clock was set to the proper time and when I woke at 8:15 this morning I checked the other clocks in the apartment and they too were 8:15.  Before starting this I checked it and it was right on the money at 2:15.
I am not going to try to figure out why it works sometimes and not other times.  I will just be happy with it when it does work. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there



Basically Betty  Monday, September 24. 2007 @ 19:07

The Clock September 23. 2007

You all know my Grandson James.  Well, James thinks every time he goes into town he has to bring me something.  He makes sure I have Jelly Bellys in my Candy Dish.  One day he brought me a Night Light shaped like a Tea Pot.  The gift I want to tell you about this morning is the most interesting of all. 
 
He heard me say I could not see the clock in my bedroom with out getting up from the bed so he bought me a clock that reflects the time on the ceiling. 
 
I guess the best way to explain how it is working is to tell you about last night going to bed at midnight the clock showed 12:00.  I woke up when the clock showed 5:15 and I thought how could this be I feel rested and ready to get up for Church. 
Sitting on the side of the bed pondering this situation I noticed the morning light coming in around the drape at the window.  I learned early on that the sun does not come up at 5 AM here. 
It has to make it over the mountain before we see it.
 
So when I came out into my apartment to check my other clocks I found it was 8:20 not 5.  Now the question is how could this clock be the right time at midnight and three hours off the next morning?  One wall of my bedroom is smack up against the mountain could that have anything to do with the  missing three hours?  Will I ever know or will I have to just add or subtract three hours at any given time.  Any suggestions?
 
See you in Church.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Sunday, September 23. 2007 @ 15:56

Boot, Boot whose got the Waffle Stomper? September 21. 2007

 The weather is not worthy of a mention today.   I do have a really neat neighbor story to relate to you. 
 
Joann and Bill often take a walk in the neighborhood after dinner.  Since day one they have met and talked with several of the neighbors and that way know them all by first names. 
 
Most of these friends have a dog.  Not little lap dogs but big dogs.  From a distance you might take them for a Doe.  Well, this story is about one of those dogs.
 
J & B stopped to talk with nearest neighbor Will and he invited them up on the porch to rest a spell.  While talking with neighbor Will, a van pulled up and a man got out.  He asked if Will was the proud owner of a waffle stomper.  Yes was Will's quick answer, then he began to laugh as the man brought him a hiking boot.  Although they never heard it called that before, they assume it has something to do with the deep tread on the sole.  As the conversation unfolded, they learned Will had left his boots on his porch earlier after a walk.  One of the neighbor's dogs had taken one of them home and left it for his owner to find.  Fortunately, he did not chew it up and Will has vowed never to leave them out again.
 
Thanks Joann and Bill for sharing this story.
 
The Rays are playing Boston tonight.  Hope we win.
 
Let's get together tomorrow.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, September 21. 2007 @ 18:10

This and That September 20. 2007

I am a little behind in my knitting.  But it is "Take it Easy Day"
At least for another two hours it will be. 
 
The day started out with a visit from a delightful Home Health Nurse named Ann.   Come to find out she and her husband are from Venice, Fl.   They bought some land and built a cabin on it. She is into the jewelry making business so she and Joann had a lot to talk about.  She is also an artist. 
 
Well, the plan was to go walk on the trail again.  I was ready to go about 3 PM when Bill told me Joann's car was in the shop and since I can't get up into his truck that's when it became "Take it Easy Day".  
 
Things happen for the best.   The Rays game was on at 3:30 today and had I gone to walk I would have missed it.  We did not win but it was a good game.
 
Pleasant happenings --  had a phone call from Jean H. and Adith D.  It's always good to hear from my Church friends. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Thursday, September 20. 2007 @ 09:34

Blue Skies and white clouds through the Sun Roof September 17. 2007

Went into town with Joann today.  She had to make a stop at the Post Office and the Grocery and she also wanted to stop at the Trail and walk around it a couple of times.  What she did not mention was that she planned for me to walk on the Trail also.   Well, I said "no, I don't want to" but she must have thought I said "oh I would love to" because she had the door open and telling me I should walk to the second tree and back.
Well, I did just that and I would not want her to know but I feel better for having walked.
 
Next stop the Grocery store.  I sat in the car and she opened the Sun Roof so I would get some air.  I put my seat in a reclining position and watched the white clouds and blue sky  while she shopped.   I thought about taking a nap because the game is on late tonight but I was so enthralled with the scene through the hole in the roof - it was like watching a painting being painted by the Master Himself. 
 
Oh and by the way, I noticed another color on the trees on the mountains.  It is a rusty red. 
 
Hope your day was as pleasant as mine has been.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Monday, September 17. 2007 @ 20:23

An Artist's Mecca September 15. 2007

That  is  how I would describe the view of the mountains as the leaves begin to turn.  As I sat in the parking lot of the shopping center while Joann did her shopping I noticed the many colors that are coming.  There was yellow, orange, and red and later on I remember from last fall a bit of purple here and there.
 
So we head for home and pulling into the drive way I look at the trees all around our house and they too are showing these same colors.  There must be a hundred trees in the back yard and I cannot remember them being bare of leaves during the winter but they were.  I watched the new leaves coming into place in the spring now I will watch them change to beautiful hues and fall to the ground. 
 
What a way to spend my  "Golden Years" .   I live in a perfect world.  I have a loving family here and one on the other coast and they make sure I am happy and comfortable.   I have many friends and we keep in touch by e-mail. 
 
I had an e-mail from one of those friends today and he told me how very hot it is still in Florida.  Going out today I had a jacket on.  I think it may have gotten up to 65 degrees.  I am sure my sweat glands have forgotten how to work. 
 
Becky and John are going to the Rays/Mariners game tonight in Seattle.  We are not getting it on TV.   Becky is going to call me from the game at the 7th inning stretch and we will sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" together. 
 
Hope to make it to Church tomorrow.
 
Love and prayers from here to there 
Basically Betty  Saturday, September 15. 2007 @ 19:00

Weather report plus September 14. 2007

There's only one way to describe the weather today -- nasty!
It is barely 60 degrees and the rain is coming down in sheets.  Since the weather is not a good subject I have been going into the archives of my mind looking for some experience that may be of interest.  This is what I have come up with:
 
I went with a group of girls from the office to Pittsburgh to see a play.  We went up on the train.  I remember it like it was last week.  I wore a beautiful purple dress with a scoop neckline and it had sequins all over the bodice.  The weather was such that I did not need a coat.  We had dinner at The 7th Avenue Hotel and then on to the play.  We had a great time but like always it's time to head home so off to the train station we went. 
 
Oh did I mention this was during the war so when we got on the train finding a seat was not easy.   Well, I did find one and we are on the way home when a soldier comes through drinking from a bottle of beer.  We were supposed to give up our seats to the Service Men and Women so I got up to give him my seat and as he passed me to take the seat he spilled the remaining beer in the bottle all over the front of my dress.  I was upset and the soldier was so sorry but my concern was how was I going to explain reeking with beer on my clothes to my Mom and Dad.   
 
My home was not far from the Train Station and that meant I would not be able to air out as I would like before getting home.  I was hoping my parents would be in bed but no they waited up for me.  
 
My Mom asked me what happened to my dress and I explained to her exactly what happened.   Much to my surprise both Mom and Dad thought it was hilarious. 
 
I guess the moral of the story is "don't worry over spilled beer".
 
Oh yes, the dress.   Even the Dry Cleaner could not make it look good again.   I did not want it hanging in my closet to ruin my other clothes so I hung it in the basement.  For all I know it may still be there. 
 
Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow but if not -- wasn't it Jimmy Durante that used to say "I've got a million of them".  I don't have quite that many but a few more to be sure.
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
 
 
Basically Betty  Friday, September 14. 2007 @ 22:07

It is all about Wednesday September 12. 2007

Today was a typical Wednesday here on this side of the mountain.  Well, typical for me at least.  Ever since Joann and Becky were of school age I designated Wednesday "Take it Easy Day". 
 
I was a typical stay at home Mom doing the laundry on Monday, ironing on Tuesday so come Wednesday I was ready for a day of rest.  Thursday meant weekly grocery shopping and then on Friday clean the house from top to bottom.  On Saturday I would take the girls to the Beach or if the weather was not favorable we would hit the Mall.  In the early days it was Central Plaza.  Back home in Ohio we had to go to Pittsburgh to shop so when Tyrone Square opened we found our way out there just to look in the beautiful shops more often than I will admit. 
 
On Saturday evening we would as a family watch our favorite TV programs and then off to bed to get rested for Church on Sunday morning. 
 
I don't do laundry on Monday, iron on Tuesday, Grocery shop on Thursday, clean my apartment on Friday  - but I still Take it Easy on Wednesday. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there. 
Basically Betty  Wednesday, September 12. 2007 @ 22:53

NO BLUE SKIES TODAY - EVEN THE WEATHER KNOWS IT'S 9/11 September 11. 2007

This morning as I turned the page of my desk calendar I had a flash back of six years ago.   I was living in Florida and woke earlier than usual.  I turned the TV on (which I never did because maybe some of my neighbors were still sleeping) and saw a plane crashed into the Tower.  I never dreamed anyone could do such a thing on purpose.  But someone had and it was Pearl Harbor all over again. 
 
I have a friend whose Nephew worked in the Twin Towers but did not go to work that day because he was not feeling well.  
 
Bill's Mom and Gust left yesterday after a short visit and it was nice to see them both.  Jo-An is a Rays fan also and we watched the game together.  She sends me all the clippings from the St. Pete Times about the Rays so that I can keep up with the team and the individual players. 
 
Interesting news - my Daughter Rebecca has an article and pictures showing the different exercises used in Pilates in the current issue of "Pilates Style" magazine.  Your family is proud of you Becky.
 
Had calls from Terry and Barbara this week.  Also, weekly phone visit with Adith.  So good to hear from my friends.  I miss you all.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
 
Basically Betty  Tuesday, September 11. 2007 @ 18:17

I hate Goodbyes September 8. 2007

This morning I said goodbye to my Cousin Margaret Ann and her Daughter Sherry.  We had such a nice visit getting caught up on family news.  We did take one sight seeing trip which was very pleasant.  We went to the College Campus looking for a White Squirrel.  We did see one but he was not being very sociable always hiding behind a tree.  When he realized we did not have any food for him he took off.  At least  MA and S got to see a White Squirrel.
 
They were headed for Atlanta to meet up with other family members and 7 of them are going to the Braves game this evening.  I am excited for them.  I hope the Braves win for them and the Rays win for me.
 
It was hard to say goodbye this morning but I did so enjoy the visit.  Hopefully, they will come again.  
 
Joann has gone shopping and as I saw her out my door I noticed some beautifully colored leaves in tact so I got my picker upper and went out on the patio and gathered them up.  I have them on the refrigerator.  They are young leaves but oh so colorful.  Can't believe it's that time of the year already. 
Becky used to send me colored leaves when she lived in  Oregon and I always had an arrangement of them on my front door.   Unbelievable that I can step out my door and there are enough leaves to cover all the doors in the neighborhood.
 
Bill has just given me some good news.  His Mom Jo-An and Gust are coming tomorrow.  Jo-An always brings news from my Church friends and all the latest on the Rays.  So I will be looking forward to tomorrow.
 
I'll be in touch.
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
Basically Betty  Saturday, September 8. 2007 @ 17:13

Between the Dome and a Hard Place September 5. 2007

It's Wednesday, September 5th at 6 AM.   This was my Husband's birthday. 
 
The reason I have not written sooner like on Monday when I got home or even yesterday is because I am trying to get back to normal like before going to the Hospital.  It has become a slow process so I am just going to tell you about the interesting Nurses I met on that last shift. 
 
There was a lovely blonde who I guessed was maybe 19 but was amazed when she told me she was 29.  Had been married right after High School and had a Husband and four Children.  Her name was Nikki and come to find out she lives in the same area we do.  She was a delight and was responsible for giving me my medication which was not a pleasant thing.  Oh they were terrible tasting but her smile and encouragement helped a lot.
 
Then the other Lady who came in the day before all dressed in blue with a blue scarf on her head.  This day she was in beige with a beige scarf on her hair.  She,too, had a distinct accent and I asked where from and she told me she came from Africa.  This was interesting because I don't remember ever meeting anyone from Africa before.  She had worked in the Embassy  before coming here. 
 
You remember hearing about Mark - well he came in to wish me well before he went off duty knowing that I was due to go home on Monday.  I appreciate the good care he gave me. 
 
All  the Nurses were amazed at my interest in the Devil Rays.  You know the Rays have their Farm Team up here so they all knew of the Rays . 
 
The only game I could get on the Hospital TV was the Braves.   The Doctor knew I wanted to get home to see the Rays game on Monday so when the Blood people could not get any blood he took over and got enough blood for the test to determine if I was ready to go home.   Thanks Doctor even though we lost I was happy to be able to see the game.
 
It is now 7 AM and I think I will rest awhile before the day begins because I am looking forward to this week end as special since my Cousin Margaret Ann and her Daughter Sherry are coming for a visit.  Margaret Ann is something like 10 weeks older than me and She and her two Sisters that also live in Orlando are like Sisters to me rather than Cousins. 
 
I will close now hoping all is well with you all.
 
Thank you Joann for keeping up with the Postings.  You did a great job.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Wednesday, September 5. 2007 @ 09:28

Day Four in the Hospital September 1. 2007

The day started with Mark and Gene, the night nurse and CNA coming in to wake me.  Two more caring men I've never known - outside of my family. They remind me of the men at LSPC - so willing and helpful.  Mark actually looks like a nurse because he wears a white jacket and slacks. 

Then came the lady with the beverage cart.  She had an accent and I had to ask her what accent it was because accents fascinate me.  She told me she is from Great Britain and when I told her she sounded like the Queen Mum, she was thrilled. 

The nurses today have been Lynn and Heather but for some reason Mary was called into work in place of Lynn.  Heather and Erica are both studying to be nurses and will be great.  They have all been very nice and helpful.  Heather played basketball in high school.  She is tall and slender.  She threw a paper towel across the room into the waste basket and I said, "two points". 

Then the doctor came in and told me after two days here on liquids, I can finally have food.  Not real food, but better than liquids.  He also said my bloodwork was normal and I can probably go home Monday. 

A young man named Tom, who is a physical therapist, is helping me.  He put me through some exercises.  I told him I hoped I get home in time to see the Rays play the Yankees because I missed the sweep of the Orioles.  This didn't set too well with him because he's from Baltimore. 

Veronica drove up with her friend Erin who came along for company. Friends Ron and Susan were to visit.  Becky comes in tomorrow night. 

So that was my day and I hope yours has been as pleasant as mine.

Love and Prayers from Here to There.


Continue reading "Day Four in the Hospital"

Basically Betty  Saturday, September 1. 2007 @ 21:39
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