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Betty’s Week

By Betty Shearer


    A nine year project got completed last Wednesday afternoon.
    Nine years ago I chipped my left third molar. It didn’t hurt, there were no sharp edges to cut my tongue or jaw, so I ignored it. Ed and I had planned a trip to Denver and Colorado Spring, where we met Celeste and Jim for a five day vacation.—I sure didn’t want to mess that up. Don’t think I even told Ed about the tooth.
    We went, had a great time, visiting the base in Colorado Springs where Ed had served much of his service time, eating at some of the places he remembered and going to the top of Pike’s Peak. Then in Denver we visited lots of museums, The Molly Brown House, attended a wonderful concert, ate some delicious food, including elk medallions (one of my favorite meats) and  enjoyed lots of other things. We also toured a lot of the country—often see places we viewed on TV travel logs.
    Back at home the tooth was forgotten. A couple of weeks later we, out of the blue, packed the van and went for a foliage trip to Arkansas. In three days we were in Hot Springs, Eureka Springs, Fayette-ville, Huntington, Heber Springs, then back through Mountain View and Helena. When we took the time for a trip, we believed in getting our money’s worth.
    Still ignored the tooth. With 2003 being a major election year, we came back to the final paper before Election Day—now with county elections there is much advertising, for which we are grateful–and lots of news.
    Completed the election session and it was straight to the holiday day rush. Tooth was still on the back burner.
     Of course Ed’s death between Christmas and New Years left me not caring about a tooth. This did leave me with the knowledge of why God gave us those wonderful three months, and why and how He made me realize what was important—certainly not a broken tooth.
    Well some four years later tooth reared its head again, this time in the form of an access. It wasn’t bad, didn’t even hurt, was just sore. I did decide it needed attention so I called Dr. Barry and he sent me to Dr. Perry to see what could be done.
    I did get a bone graft (this on the day of my 70th birthday party),  and survived it. Bad part was that Jim flew in and we had a great steak dinner—I ate a baked potato. Was fun though.
     We then began watching the tooth—it’s never hurt. However during my September regular check-up and cleaning, Dr. Barry and Courtney stated, “That tooth has to come out. It has broken completely into and you may swallow one of those pieces.” That got my attention and I’d been working on a day to schedule the extraction. Finally got to ground zero last Wednesday. Tooth removal was simple, with no pain.         However, I hate the deadening process and was a little (maybe a lot) apprehensive about the whole procedure. My blood pressure went sky high and is still not back to normal.
    The entire staff was concerned about me and I do appreciate them. I finally was allowed to drive home. My prescription was to be a couch potato (found out I’m good at this) and drink plenty of fluids. Diet was soft foods for a few days and I was amazed at how many good soft foods are available—a body could get fat on this diet.
    Tooth is still doing great. My sinuses are better and my aching shoulders are improving. Do hope to get back to my normal healthy state in a few more days.
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    After work on Thursday,  it was a trip to Larson’s and then to Mom’s for the weekend. The foliage is still beautiful.Coming on home Sunday morning I was surprised that it had survived the Saturday night storms, with high winds and rain.
    Wasn’t ready for the drastic temperature change, though. Burned up in short sleeves on Saturday and then froze coming home with a jacket and the heater on. The animals must have known the change was coming because all day Saturday I watched the squirrels storing pecans.         They decided that the shortest route to their hiding place was across Mom’s porch and there was a steady line crossing. Also the deer were out in large numbers—saw almost a dozen in one herd. I was amazed that I saw no dead animals on the road, except for the armadillo and opossums.
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    We enjoyed having Bro. Mike Fondren fill our pulpit again on Sunday. He’s an excellent speaker. Mike came to the Valley in seventh grade (his father the late Rev. James Fondren, was called to a church here) graduated from WVHS, attended Moorehead Junior College, then went  into the Air Force. He had many business ventures, before being called into the ministry. His wife, Edna, accompanied him and they are parents of five grown children.
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    Misty brought great-nephew, Briley Wright, down for a visit Sunday Afternoon. He’ll celebrate his first birthday on the 22nd and it’ amazing to see this child who came into the world at about a pound and a half, now almost 15 pounds and so active. He is a cutie.
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    Joyce and Larry House attended the Sweet Potato Festival in Vardaman over the weekend and on Monday morning they came by to bring me a sampler plate of the goodies being made with this delicious vegetable. I do like sweet potatoes–never met it in any version I didn’t like. All these treats are wonderful. Thanks so much for thinking of me. Now I want to find recipes for everything on this plate.
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    Was so sorry to learn of the death of long-time friend, Martha Edwards. Heard about it just before funeral time last Thursday. Sympathy is extended to Dr. Steve, Tommy, Mike, Nell, all the grands, and the entire family.
    Martha was Jim’s special friend. He never went down the street that he didn’t come back with a flower. She instilled in him his life-long love of flowers.
    Martha’s special child for me is, of course, Steve. I do love the other three, but Steve and I go back to when he was a baby and toddler. I remember walking him at the midget racer even before Jim was born. He’s still a handsome man, but he was a beautiful, adorable little tyke. And now he’s my optometrist.
    We’re all going to miss her.
    As I set her obit, I was amused at the children’s comment on her housekeeping. I remember that Martha often told us to either visit her at night or on cloudy days—she didn’t want us to see her dirty windows. Well, she didn’t need to bother about Ed and me—my windows have never been washed except when important company was coming—then Jimmie did them.
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    We also extend sympathy to the family of Mrs.Mildred Young. Mrs. Young was Mom’s roommate in the nursing home. She was a wonderful person, as were all her children. Many in the area will remember her. Her husband was interim pastor at Sylva Rena back in the 70’s and some of this congregation had kept in touch with the family.
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    Congratulations to the Blue Devils on yet another win. We wish for them a victory Friday night as they meet Cleveland East Side. –––
    Have enjoyed watching the merchandise go into our neighboring new business, J’s on Main, owned by Jonathan Sharp. Mom Janice dropped in for a minute to say “Hello”. Hadn’t seen her in some time—she retired and stopped coming to see us. I’m looking forward to finding time to tour the shop—items on the walk are beautiful.
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  Stopped by to vote on my way in this morning—was number 57, I think. Threw off their schedule, because I’m usually one of the last voters of the day. Knew we might be late getting through this afternoon and I didn’t want to forget.
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    This is Harvest Fest Week at the MS Ag and Forestry Museum in Jackson. I’d let it slip up on me. Really didn’t know whether Jimmie and I would be able to go, but she worked out the schedule and we’ll be there Friday and Saturday. T. J. will go earlier.
    If you get a chance come on down. This event is lots of fun, as well as being very educational. The cotton gin, grist mill, and sawmill, will all be operating, the print shop will be open, the blacksmiths will be working, they’ll be making sorghum, ladies will be quilting, spinning, and weaving, there will be lots of entertainment, some good food and lots more. Hope to see you there.
    The museum is located off 55 on Lakeland Drive, second exit off to the left.

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