Betty’s Week
By Betty Shearer
Cleaned not one—but two—refrigerators on Thursday and Friday. Now at my house that’s a monumental task. Don’t know how one person can get so much into a fridge. I very carefully clean Mom’s each week, sometimes even wipe up the spills.
Mine is a different story, I just keep stuffing stuff in and when it overflows I open containers, find the green mold, and toss it. Had a couple of garbage bags full last weekend. Made a resolution to check shelves, veggie bins and meat keepers, every week. That will last maybe one week.
Reason for this clean up was moving my new large fridge out to the sunroom, and replacing it with a smaller one that fits in the kitchen. This is making my life much easier, since I can now open the back door, and have my microwave back in the kitchen.
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After this chore was completed, it was off to Panola County, where we enjoyed the wedding of our last unwed niece, Madison Kilgore, and her fiancee, Woody Drake.
When I started over about three in the afternoon, the sun was shining brightly on the hill. A few miles after I turned onto the Pope/Water Valley Road, I ran into Noah’s Flood. It rained so hard my windshield wipers would not keep the water off. I drove in this (very slowly) until I got to Chapel Hill Church’s parking lot, where I pulled off and waited about 15 minutes for the rain to stop.
I continued my journey, driving comfortably in a moderate rain for about a couple of miles. The flood returned and I finally got to the Back Porch Restaurant in Pope. Stopped again for another 15 minutes. Had a lot of company here—some 15 to 20 cars were also stopped. Finally made the last few miles, got to the Cole home and found that it had barely sprinkled.
Jimmie and I ran up to Mom’s to check on her and give her supper (Brother Bo and Carolyn were in Oklahoma for a wedding of her nephew). They got up early Saturday morning and made it back for Madison’s and Woody’s wedding. In Courtland we found limbs and even half a tree down in one yard and Mom’s driveway had washed severely—the flood apparently struck there, also.
Back to the Cole’s, where we dressed, then it was on to the rehearsal dinner at the Country Club in Batesville. This, of course, was hosted by the groom’s parents, Joy and Bill Drake. It was a very elaborate affair—food was delicious and the fellowship delightful. At our table were the organist, Sheree (last name escaped) and vocalist and pianist, Susie Van Dyke, along with Ginny and Rance, Jimmie and Bill, and me. Susie had a connection with Panola County Playhouse and United Voices of Praise, during the years Ed was a member of UVP. She remembered him.
I told these musicians my sad story, that I’m completely unmusical—can’t find middle C on the piano, turn on the radio, or the stereo. Sheree says, “You know we do give lessons.” Told her my piano teacher had advised me to just wait and let God give me a harp, knowing that was my favorite instrument. She says, “I also play the harp.” I can see me taking harp lessons, would be the disaster to top all disasters. Told all the musicians I’d just be content to listen to them. The male vocalist was at the next table and I didn’t even know about him until the wedding. The music at this wedding was probably the best I’ve ever heard. The fourth member of the musical team was a 17-year-old violinist and he was tremendous. The musical selections were some of my favorites. With all the music in the Phillips family, though I knew this would be excellent.
On Saturday morning we enjoyed a brunch at the home of Betsy Ferguson. Food again was delicious and it was good to get in some more visiting with all these great people. We were outside under tents and the weather was nice, even though a shower did pop up.
We checked on Mom before going to the brunch, left her food for lunch, and started to get her use to the idea that she was attending a wedding that night. She says, “I don’t think I’m going to feel like going.” We said, “Oh, Mom you’ll probably be fine when it’s time to go.”
Went back after the brunch and she still was not sure she was going to feel like going. Didn’t press her, but got her outfit ready and fixed her hair.
Jimmie and I had prepared snacks for the wedding party to enjoy during the photo shoot. So, we left Mom and carried this up to the church. We’re both pretty good cooks and had made some delicious little tid-bits, but the hit of the afternoon was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which we made for the children in the wedding party. Seems that adults like these things, also. This group ate mostly food, left our little sweet goodies alone. Made Bill happy—he does have a sweet tooth.
After we dressed for the wedding, Jimmie and I went to reason with Mom. She still was not going. We reminded her she was the only grandparent and she really should be there, that it would mean a lot to Madison and Woody, and also to Gina and Don.
Finally she says, “Well I guess I can do it.” Got her dressed and her remark was, “Boy, I really look good.” She had a wonderful time and I’m sure she will remember this occasion for a long time. Many folks stopped by to speak to her, including Kay Kay Smith. It was good to see her.
After the wedding, Jimmie and I took Mom home, fed her and she got her ready for bed, before we came back for the reception. The church was standing room only, but I’m sure there were three times as many at the reception—invitation was for either or both.
I know that many came to the reception only, knowing that there would not be room enough in the church for everyone. Taking Mom home was a profitable move for us, because when we returned the early folks were beginning to leave and we got a parking spot front and center. Bill was parked about a half mile from the Country Club, some of our party was on the tennis court, and others were almost as far away as Bill. We offered to deliver them back to their vehicles, but they decided they needed the exercise after all the food we’d eaten. Decorations were beautiful, the food was again delicious, and we enjoyed watching the younger set dance. Bill and Jimmie’s grand, Ian, was so cute, as were the other children. Musicians were mostly local, with Madison’s uncles, Flip Phillips (drums) and William Corerro (guitar), playing and they were very good. Also in the band was long-time friend, Calvin Flint.
Madison was a beautiful bride and her dress was so pretty. However, she decided to sit on the train. Waiting for the photographer, she wadded it up and plopped down on the steps. Jimmie and I cautioned her, but it was too late and her remark was, “It doesn’t matter.”
We also thought she was going to get the giggles when they began the vows, however, after a few words, she got it under control. Gina and Joy were both beautiful mothers and their dresses were exquisite.
The rest of the wedding party was beautiful, with the bridesmaids in lovely dresses, and the groom and his attendants in classic black tuxes.
All the flowers (bouquets and arrangements) were hydrageas and a rose that I do not know the name of—but they were beautiful. Anne and James Haynes’ daughter was the decorator.
The entire wedding was just perfect.
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Was so sorry to learn of the death of long-time friend, Tommy Mills, when I returned home. If I needed help with my vehicle, he always came with a smile. Last time he had to rescue me was a couple of years ago when I parked the van off the driveway and it rained during the night. Buried it to the axle. Went inside, called Tommy and he says, “I’ll be right there.” He was and in a minute he had me back on hard surface.
We talked a few minutes and then we were both off to work. He and Ginger were in Ed’s first youth choir and they have always been good friends. Will miss Tommy and my sympathy is extended to Ginger, Jeff, David, and Nikki, and the entire Mills and Thompson families.
