Betty’s Week

by Betty Shearer

    It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Today (Monday) has been a beautiful, but frigid, day. Sunshine has been abundant, had it not been I think we’d all have frozen.

  I don’t know that I’ve ever seen temperatures so erratic—highs in the 70s on Saturday, plummeting to the teens Sunday night. Prediction is that they will rebound by the end of this week and we’ll again see highs in the 70s.

  I like the 70s. As most of you know, I hate cold weather and I really dislike snow – with the worst being icy conditions. Was listening to the news this morning I heard that 42 inches of the white stuff had been dumped on some area (was too late to hear where). I really wanted to know this destination, so I could buy friend Bob Tyler a ticket. He likes snow and has been trying hard to get some of the white stuff into the Valley. I keep shooing it away. Thought I might satisfy him by just sending him to snow country for a visit.

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  Finally got around to Christmas shopping Friday. Jimmie and I completed our list and got home in daylight, which makes Mom happy.

  We checked our list twice, found something for everyone and were home by four. I’d parked my car and we’d used her’s for shopping. When she delivered me back to my vehicle, she says, “Now what do you want to take?” I had it made, she had all the gifts in her car, so I says, “Just take them all to your house, I’ll have to bring them on Wednesday, anyway.” Am I not smart? I knew she get them all wrapped up beautifully—a chore which I don’t like. If I have to wrap a gift, it gets stuffed into a bag with some tissue paper.

    She, on the other hand, spends hours professionally wrapping each present. I used to do that and I have more time now than I did then —must have gotten lazy in my old age.

  We stopped shopping long enough to enjoy lunch at one of our favorite places—The Beacon. It had been a long time since either of us had been there (really think it was before Ed died, date I recalled was Dec. 19, 2003). It was a fun day—not stressful at all.

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  Grocery shopped at Larson’s early Saturday morning and then went over to Mom’s. Shopping in this store is always fun—get to visit with friends, find what I need easily, and the prices are great.

  I made lunch for Mom and me—the rest of the family had other things to do on Saturday. Then I cooked several dishes for Christmas dinner.

  I Came on home right before dark. Arriving at the junction of the Pope/Water Valley Road and Hwy. 315, I was stopped by a Panola County deputy. He asked where I lived, so I introduced myself and told him about seven miles east on 315. He started finding me an alternate route, and we found there was no easy way to get around this blockage. His suggestion was back to the Eureka Road, then take the Good Hope Road to 6 and into Oxford then down 7 home. Well I liked my alternate route better—backtrack to Pope, then down 51 to Oakland and into the Valley on 32.

  He explained that a woman had been found, who had been missing since the night before, and they were getting her out. She’d crossed Hwy. 315, going into the wooded area beyond. This has happened on so many occasions. However her accident was worse than most. She was following an ambulance carrying her daughter and apparently failed to see the stop sign. We do sympathize with this family in their loss.

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  Finally arriving at home, I talked with the Davises and they were going to the Cossar Park Restaurant to eat and invited me. All the children and grands were there and I sure did hate to miss all this fun, but I was just worn out. Sat on the couch and watched TV for a while before going to bed.

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  At lunch on Sunday, I caught up on all the family news. The Coles had had their Christmas dinner and gift exchange on Saturday and Jimmie gave us an update on all the ailing members of this family. Most are improving.

  Brother Terry had called and he and his family will arrive for a day of visiting the Friday after Christmas. So, we’ll have two days of stuffing.

  Niece Misty reports that the Griswald Christmas in Courtland is causing quite a stir. Says folks are driving from all over to view it. With this encouragement, there’s no telling what Brother Bo will come up with next year.

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  Have received Christmas cards from many family members and friends. I do appreciate them so much—they just brighten each day.

  One note was from Bob and Mary Samuels of BeBee, Arkansas and they said “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

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  Talked to Jim a few minutes ago and he reports that he’s enjoyed playing some great concerts this year. Over the weekend he was in Roswell, playing with the symphony there. Reported a nice drive up and back and being part of a group that presented an exciting program of music. Said on his return trip he saw up close one of the biggest elk he’s ever seen—his report was that it was as big as his Xterra. I suspect that this might be just a bit of an exaggeration.

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  The Christmas Section is complete—has been taken to the printer.

  We’re all working on the main section now, and it will be going to press tomorrow (Tuesday). The entire paper will go into the Post Office for delivery on Wednesday.

  That will complete the business end of this Christmas Season, with time left for a few days of leisure to celebrate the Season. Thursday is the very best day for a holiday to fall.

  Even with all the great times I had so far this year, this being the fifth anniversary of Ed’s death and the days of the holiday being exactly the same, it’s  a bit sad. Was also the last Christmas we got to spend with Ludie.

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  Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.