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Betty’s Week

By Betty Shearer

Normally I begin the highlights of my week with Wednesday morning and that’s because on Monday and Tuesday  we usually have to concentrate on paper production—not very exciting. Also, on the first two days of the week not much happens on Main Street or in the city. The good stuff is usually during the last part of the week when I’m in Batesville. 

Last week was an exception. On Monday, we watched a rather heated discussion concerning the ringing of the Presbyterian Church chimes, which we all enjoy. However, two prominent citizens had a difference of opinion on the volume and frequency of the playing of the chimes. Have not heard the outcome of this discussion, but as for me and the entire Herald staff, we vote for the continuance of this very uplifting part of our days.

Then on Tuesday, the chimes were turned off, but it was not because of the discussion,  it was for an exciting event. A documentary is being filmed about the life of the late William Faulkner. Water Valley was selected as the venue to film two events in his life. One, the wedding of Faulkner’s wife to her first husband, and the setting was Water Valley First Presbyterian Church. The filming took several hours and we spent much of our time out on the street watching the production. Needless to say, work got behind.

Then shortly before noon, David asked Mel to go over to the Presbyterian building behind the church where the star of the film, Eric Roberts, was getting ready.

She waited almost an hour and asked permission from Mr. Roberts to take his picture, in his Faulkner make up and costume.

He agreed, but was very specific as to how he was to be portrayed. Mel did everything required and it took quite a bit of time. David had to give Mel the assignment, because he was to attend Rotary, even though he usually doesn’t have time to go to meetings on Tuesdays. At the end of her task, she came back to the office and was so excited to show me the great shots she had gotten. 

Turned on the camera and there was  no picture. Checking she found that David had not put in a card. She began screaming, “I’m going to fire him, I’m going to kill him, I’m going to beat him up!”  

My question was in what order do you plan to do these things. She then says, “Where is he?” 

When I told her he was at Rotary, she said, “He never goes to Rotary, why today?” 

I didn’t know, but my guess was that someone really important was the speaker. Found out that he was the speaker and his pain was softened by my compliment that he was important, even though I didn’t know he was the speaker. I think the story is better than her great picture would have been—The star probably would not think so.

After this all settled down, of course we were running even later with paper production. Then Mel had a new program to transmit pages to the printer, so this caused further delay. It’s a miracle that you got a paper in the mail last week and that I had papers to deliver on Wednesday morning.

Was a beautiful morning, though, and it was good to see so many folks out and about. I was especially glad to see so many fathers or grandfathers with the youngsters, out for some fun. They had fishing boats and four wheelers and I know it was going to be a fun day. Made me wish I had grands to get out and enjoy the day with. I’m sure I can borrow some, though if I ever have time for fun.

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Going over to Batesville Thursday morning, as I turned onto Eureka Road off Pope/Water, right on the side of the road were three of the cutest little kittens—little balls of black fur. With no traffic behind me, I just stopped and watched them play for a few minutes. Sure did want to pick them up, but knew that I could  not care for them. So I left them, hoping the next passerby would have a heart for kittens. They were not there when I returned late in the afternoon and I did not see them on either of my trips on Friday. 

Further down the road I had to stop and wait for the crossing of two Mrs. Turkeys —one just before the fire station and the other about Pisgah Church. These birds amaze me—they just amble across and it does not seem to bother them that they are in danger. If I had been a vehicle, traveling at the usual speeds of 55 to 65 mph, those poor turkeys would have been road kill. I was glad I had no traffic and was just ambling along taking in the beautiful scenery. 

Added to the road side gardens this week were masses of Black-eyed Susans. Am missing a favorite dog though, which has been greeting me almost every morning for several years. I slow down for him. He sits beside the road, ready to chase me, which he does for about a 100 feet. I think its a black collie, but for the past couple of weeks it had not been out, so I’m afraid some speedy vehicle had gotten him. I do get attached to these animals that I see on a regular basis.

Arrived a little later than usual at the nursing home and found Mom awake, eating her oatmeal. Breakfast had arrived early and her nurse had come in to give her meds and had  stayed to feed Mom until I arrived. Took over and she ate all her food, but did not want to drink anything. 

That’s really unusual, because Mom likes her coffee, juice, and milk. She stayed awake all morning and again at  lunch she ate well and even drank her tea and milk. Stayed up all afternoon and drank water, which is very important. Then on Friday she would not wake up. Tried every possible way to get her to wake up—nothing worked. Then about 4:45, she opened her eyes, ate her supper and probably stayed awake all night. Left her with Jimmie and came on home.

We had a good Father’s Day service at Woodland Hills, with the return of Bro. and Mrs. Bobby Douglass to bring the message. He’s an outstanding preacher and I’m sure a great pastor. All fathers were presented a boutonnière. We had many fathers present—think we had more men in the worship service than women. In the choir we were evenly divided—five men and five women. Usually we have 15 to 20. 

However, we did have three regular choir members on the mission trip and I’m sure others were at family gatherings.

Our family is running out of fathers. Only have two brothers and one brother-in-law with children. Coming along, are two nephews-in-law, with one child each. We’re looking forward to a time of family fellowship again and are thinking about occasionally gathering in the quad at the nursing home. May have more family than we can handle, but we all like to cook and usually cook way to much, so we’ll probably be able to entertain anyone who shows up.

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