Betty’s Week
Turkey hunters and crappie fishermen were out en mass early last Wednesday morning. When I was exiting my driveway shortly after 5 a.m., I had to let three fishing boats pass. They were headed to the north side of Enid. Then out at Dunn’s there were lots of boats, and fishermen purchasing bait. Vehicles were parked everywhere, even in the church parking lot.
There were not that many breakfast eaters in the store, so I asked where all the folks who drove those vehicles were. Was told that they park there to car pool to turkey hunting venues. Guess that lessens the noise, which might scare the turkeys, and also saves on the gas bills. These hunters may get as smart as the turkeys.
The dogwoods have just popped open and are so beautiful—must be getting close to Easter. It’s hard to believe that it’s only 10 days away and it is later this year than usual. In earlier years, I was concerned about getting that new dress, shoes, etc. in time for the big day. Now all I need is an apron. When you cook biscuits, sausage, tater tots, and gravy, you don’t want to wear a new dress to get covered with grease.
Can’t remember when I last had a new Easter dress—probably the last year Mom could see to make one for me—oh, how I’d like to have those days back. Remember the days when we not only had to have a new dress and shoes, but also a matching hat and gloves. When I compile the Looking Back column, I often see dresses in the ads that I owned and wish they were available today. In the 50s and 60s there were some pretty fashions.
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At Thursday’s Lenten Luncheon in First United Methodist Church Rev. Stacy Douglas, pastor of Coffeeville United Meth-odist Church, brought the message from Ezekiel’s account of the parable of the valley of dry bones. In the parable, of course ,God was able to resurrect the dry bones, give them muscles, skin, and breath breath into them. God, as all believers know, can do anything and he does it for us if we have the faith. Without faith there is no Spirit and no life, so we were admonished to have the faith that is required to live in the example of Jesus’ life and to share with those who don’t know Him. Rev. Douglas also interspersed some musical interludes into his sermon, which is a remarkable talent. We were served a delicious barbecue lunch, complete with baked beans, cole slaw, chips and wonderful desserts. The final lenten service of this year will be Thursday, beginning at noon. Bro. Bobby Jones, associate pastor of Jumper’s Chapel Congre-gational Methodist Church, will be the guest speaker. Shirley Berry will bring the special music. Everyone is invited to attend.
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Fifty-three years ago Ed and I were childless. On April 5, our family increased at 6:10 in the morning. A precious little baby boy came into the world in Dr. Spears Clinic and he was ours. Jim Shearer has been a wonderful blessing. We took him home at 9:30 and about 65 folks came by in the afternoon to welcome this child—think he’s been the center of attention every since. As I look back, it amazes me that we had so much assistance with raising this child—he is a product of Main Street, other family and friends, Camp Ground Baptist Church (and other churches in the city), and the Water Valley School System. Happy 53rd, Jim!
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Got to Batesville ahead of the storms Thursday afternoon(actually they never got as bad as predicted). Mom and I had a great weekend. She was very alert, counted the birds, could see colors and even knew I had on short sleeves. Weather was so nice on Friday and Saturday. Coming home late Friday afternoon, I had very little traffic, so I drove slowly and got to enjoy all the dogwoods, and azalea still hanging, as well as a second crop of wisteria—all of it was so pretty. Going over Thursday, I did not have time to look at anything but the road. A little Jeep was on my bumper most of the way and I drove 60 and 65 miles an hour. Knew if I slowed down it would pass me and just might wind up head on with an on coming vehicle in one of those curves. We were on the subject of sin in Sunday School (discussing what we refer to as little or large) and we all know that sin is sin.
One of my smart elect class members said, “You were sinning by breaking the speed limit. I admitted that I was, but with a good reason. No sin is sin, he says—just kidding me. I prayed hard for the driver of that Jeep, because Jim had owned one many years ago and I know they flip easily. Some of those curves are tough, my old van will hang in there, but I didn’t know how well that Jeep was going to handle that speed and those curves. We made it to Batesville and I breathed a sigh of relief when he turned off shortly into the City limits.
On Saturday morning Brothers Bo and Rance came over to mow my weeds. While they were there I picked up around the yard and emptied about 50 old flower pots, some of which I left dirt in, hoping to fill them with flowers later. Many others were past using, so I trashed them. The boys know how I hate lizards and Rance, who enjoys teasing me, says, “Sis, I saw a lizard about a foot long in the back yard. Started to get off the mower and catch it for you.”
I had a hoe in my hand and says, “You see this hoe, it will do damage to that lizard and also to a stupid brother.” Bo and I had to push Rance on the riding mower out of the west yard ditch—another of Ed’s unfinished projects. He put in a drain for the gutter downspouts. Rain caught him with about 30 feet left to install. Trench was dug, but pipes are still on the rack. Makes it hard to get a mower across, especially in wet weather. Yard does look so much better—almost looks like I have a little grass—and I do appreciate all the boys do for me. It’s great to have such good brothers, even if they are a bit of a pest at times (mostly Rance!).
Heard a cute great-grand niece story this week. Don and Gina’s granddaughter (Madison and Woody Drake’s child), Wallis, was playing on the sunporch at grand’s house. She wanted to go outside, though. They all kept telling her no she had to stay inside. Dog Sadie came to the door, barked, and was let in. She ate, drank some water, and then played awhile. When ready to go back out she went to the door and barked. Don let her out. All the while Wallis was watching. Worked for Sadie, so she decided to try it. Stood at the door, went “arf, arf” and everyone just had to laugh. Don got up and took her outside. This child is only 15 months old and I predict that she will be the barkingest child in the family—probably in Batesville.
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The annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet will be held Monday night. Tickets are $20 and you do not have to be a member of the Chamber to attend. These banquets are always so much fun, with great entertainment, an interesting speaker, lots of good information, the presentation of the Braswell Hatcher Award, and introduction of Chamber and Ambassador officers and directors for the new year. Come on out and enjoy this great event.
