Betty’s Week

 Arriving at Dunn’s Store Wednesday morning, I jumped out of the van and heard what I was sure was a gaggle of geese. Listened and sure enough the sound was unmistakable. Watched to see if they were going north and they were. This is a surer forecast for spring than the ground hog or the weatherman, in my estimation. However they’ve let me down this time, since I woke up to a snow covered yard at Mom’s Saturday morning and now we have a prediction of more white stuff coming in tonight. Do hope tonight my geese are right and the weathermen are wrong.  I don’t like snow and I really hate ice.
  Monday it was so cold that we drew straws to see who’d get lunch and I lost. It definitely felt colder than the 39 degrees shown on the van thermometer and it was misting rain. Folks were taking the prediction of snow and ice seriously.         Larson’s parking lot was full—I was parked almost at Main Street. All checkers were busy and I took my groceries out—didn’t have much. We ate pork steak sandwiches and potato salad—tasted good. Cold weather just seems to make you hungry.
  Also, I’d had very little to eat over the weekend so my tank was empty. Fruit, nuts and a sandwich now and then was my fare from Thursday to Sunday. On my way in Saturday night Bo did call as I was going into the house and informed me he’d kept the pinto beans and fried potatoes hot. They really hit the spot. Carolyn had made cornbread, but I was eating so many potatoes that I passed on this and it really hurts to let a piece of cornbread go.
  They were telling me the latest exploits of grandson, Briley, and Jimmie’s grand-daughter, Caroline. Seems these two have taken up wrestling. Carolyn says Briley will get Caroline down, but pretty soon she’s on top and with her weight he is trapped. Even with this, they don’t get out of sorts with each other—that’s remarkable for a one and two year old. They do play really well together.
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  I was unable to attend our Valentine Banquet Saturday night at Woodland Hills, but the report was that it was a wonderful affair.
  Food was excellent, as always.
    Louis Green was kidding Becky York about wanting a refund on his tickets. Said when he heard the entertainment he compromised with Becky, telling her he’d only request a refund on one ticket. Louis is a clown, but went on to tell me what a great night of entertainment I’d missed.
  Selected as Valentine King and Queen were Ruby and James Bennett. They couldn’t  have made a better choice. The Bennetts are pillars of the church and are such wonder folks.
  There was a capacity crowd. We have seating for about 100 in the fellowship hall and the reported attendance was a 100. We can always open up some Sunday School rooms if necessary, so they’d have had room for me if I could have gotten there.
  Sunday night Bro. Lynn began our winter Bible study in Colossians and I really learned a lot. This will continue for the next three Sunday nights, beginning at 6:15. If you’d like to attend you will be most welcome.
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  Today the Herald staff have all been very busy, trying to get a paper together before the bad weather hits. Could be that none of us can make it into the office tomorrow. Then on Wednesday morning we may not get papers delivered. If the roads are icy you will just have to read the Herald late—I can’t drive on snow or ice and don’t think the delivery man from Batesville will either.
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  I’ve never been an Olympics watcher—simply because I’ve not had the time. Betty Davis usually kept me informed as to what was happening. However, when you’re sitting in a nursing home room, you get to see programs that you have never had time to see. Was interested in getting to see gold medallist Bode Miller attempt to break a record. I was so sorry that it didn’t happen for him. Think even his staunch competitors were disappointed that he didn’t make it.
  One of the events I have seen during the years is the ice dancing and it was tremendous this year. The Russian team was phenomenal and I just knew there was no way the U.S. team could best them. They did and it was so beautiful—still having trouble believing their performance.
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  Word came a little while ago that long time Main Street merchant, Mr. Paul Parker (the oldest member of our Main Street Family), had died. Loved “Mr. P”and through the years had spent many enjoyable hours visiting with him. He was a remarkable man—knew a lot about everything.
  When Ed and I were remodeling our house the first time, Mr. Parker came by and told us not to buy any tiling equipment—we were welcome to borrow his. Then he went on to tell us to just call him when we were ready to do this chore and he’d come and help us. We didn’t let him do it—but I’m sure we would have had a better job if we had—we did listen to all his instructions though, without which we’d never have gotten the job finished.
  Have his book and often take it out and read a bit. Love the book, but it was more fun to listen to him tell about all the events in his life. I especially enjoyed his stories about the early days in the store, time spent in the military, and his experiences with his daughter and his grandsons.
  My sincere sympathy is extended to grandsons, Parker and Todd, and his entire family.