Betty’s Week
We did get through with work on the paper Monday in time for me to get to the auditorium for the Water Valley Community Band Concert, even made it in time to help Betty Davis on the gate. This is always fun, because we get to visit with each person as they arrive and Monday night we also got to present those attending beautiful programs, created by Carol Sartain Shields, and give each a delicious candy cane.
I was disappointed that so few attended. Even though it was a cold, blustery night, this program was worth the effort of bundling up and getting to the auditorium. The music was wonderful and the band gave an outstanding performance. They were down in number, but still sounded like a much bigger group of musicians. We were aware of many in the audience who normally play with the group. On the way out, Janice Crow Joyner remarked, “It felt strange to be sitting in the audience—I really wanted to be on the stage playing.” She said that Judy Sartain, who did not play either, was of the same opinion. I’m sure both of these ladies will be back in their seats for the next performance.
Also noticed Barry Caulfield, Joe Gurner, and probably others I can’t remember, present but not playing. Then there was a large number of long-time band members just not there.
Again, congratulations to Director Stanley Crow, and the entire band, on an outstanding Christmas concert. If you missed it you really missed a wonderful evening of entertainment. The group not only played all the special Christmas music, but lots more, including excerpts from the ‘80s and from the movie ET. They also played “Blue Christmas,” which for the first time since Ed’s death I got through without crying. Betty Davis was watching, so I held in the tears. If we’d both cried we probably would have caused a flood—it’s been about nine years since Ed played his last concert with this group.
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These roller coaster temperatures are keeping everyone with sinus problems and arthritis aches. I’m ready for 70 degrees and sunshine.
Last Wednesday morning it was cold, but it did not keep the Dunn’s Country Store breakfast crowd away. I’m always amazed that these men come out rain, shine, sleet or snow (or even heat of summer). Now last week I’d have pulled up the blankets and slept in had I not needed to deliver the Heralds.
On the subject of the paper, let me advise you that this week’s paper will be regular schedule and will contain the Christmas Greeting Section.
For the two weeks following this, however, (dated December 27 and January 3) our deadline for all material, ads and news, will be Thursday, December 21, at 5 p.m. and Friday, December 29 at noon. The papers will be in the stores on December 26 and January 2. Post office will also deliver on these dates.
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A few weeks ago Amos Harvey came by the office, looked at the printers trays we have displayed there, and decided that they’d make good cases for his and Coulter’s boys. He bought a couple and for this we are most grateful and were so glad to learn that they were being enjoyed. These trays belong to the Mississippi Ag Museum Print Shop, where we volunteer. The proceeds from the sales are used to buy supplies so that we can continue the operation there.
Then last week Amos came back by and brought his wife, Coulter Fuzell, whom I was so glad to meet. She owns Yalo Studio and is just a delightful person. I’d visited with Amos several times, but Coulter and my paths had just not crossed. Snooky Williams kept urging me to go visit her shop and meet her, but time just never permitted. I’m so glad she finally got by the Herald. One day I do hope to get in to see her studio and enjoy another visit.
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We had lots of company at Moms on Friday. Got to meet another of her nurses, Pam Aven, who lives near Crowder. She shared her blood pressure story with me. Seems that her blood pressure had always run low, but recently decided to elevate. Her doctor gave her medication. It worked a little too well and hers bottomed out, she passed out and her client had to call 911. She got to come off her meds. Mine has not cooperated that well yet. Told her I didn’t want to hit the floor, but would like it to get back into normal range.
Went back to see Dr. Hall today (Monday) and he upped my dosage, so hopefully it will be straight soon.
Also, Debbie Aven (Nancy Aven’s daughter-in-law) and Mom’s next door neighbor, along with Debbie’s grands and the neighbor’s daughter, came by to deliver a fruit basket from the Courtland Baptist Church. It was so good to visit with Debbie, to meet Mom’s neighbor and see the girls. Debbie’s daughter is married to Bill’s nephew.
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We did eat well this weekend and I had to cook very little. Each time I went into the kitchen someone called and offered food. I never turn down a meal. Don brought vegetable soup for Friday lunch and left enough for supper. All I had to cook was cornbread and a peach cobbler. Then on Sunday Jimmie had enough food left from their pastor and deacons’ supper Friday night for lunch on Sunday—ham, lima beans, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, lemon pie and banana pudding. Again I made cornbread and Bo cooked mashed potatoes and made broccoli and cauliflower salad.
Sunday was a gloomy day and I traveled home in the rain both going and coming.
Our morning service was presented by Don and Rose Marie McCain, retired missionaries from Portugal, who now live in Tupelo. Their program was most interesting and they had so many artifacts from that country. Don is an artist and he had created the art for their Sunday School material, which was printed by Southern Baptist. Both are school teachers and are now teaching in Tupelo—he in the art department and she as a math teacher in a Christian school.
Our night service was the mission study for Lottie Moon Offering emphasis. The study was on China and we saw an outstanding slide show, along with three studies. These were by Travis York, Cindy Dickey, and Margie Pilcher. The only problem with this program was that we just did not have enough time—China is a huge country and there is so much interesting information.
At the conclusion Becky York and her daughter, Jennifer Swinkowski, had prepared representative dishes from this country and they were delicious. We were not just served samples—we got a complete meal.
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Since this will be the final paper you’ll receive before the Christmas holiday, let me wish you a merry Christmas.
This has been a short year. It’s hard to believe that the next paper we mail will be after Christmas.
We’d better get our shopping, decorating, and cooking done.
