Betty’s Week
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Betty’s Week
By Betty Shearer
Last Monday and Tuesday we had more traffic in the office than we’ve had since the pandemic started. It was good to see so many out and all were wearing masks and observing social distancing.
The activity continued Wednesday morning, even between six and seven a.m., there were more folks than usual in the businesses along the paper route. Loretta at Sprint Mart was so busy, she was having trouble keeping up. I just waited until the customers were taken care of before collecting and we enjoyed a brief visit.
Don’t know what has caused this upswing of folks getting out, but maybe we’ve turned the corner on this pandemic. In Larson’s I visited with Larry Sprouse, who shared the sad news that a long-time friend of mine and his, math teacher Sara Nell Trusty Champion had passed. We both loved her and shared a few memories.
Also in the gathering was Faith Henderson. Larry’s first question for Faith was, “Do you know this lady?”
Faith grinned and says, “Since I was a little girl.”
And she had, because her grandmother, the late Mary Henderson, ran the cleaners next door. This business was purchased by her grandfather and when he passed, Mary took over. Faith often came to work with Mary.
Then Larry said, “She helped raise my daughters, also.”
Well, it wasn’t me that helped with his girls, it was Ed, but I did enjoy them. Faith’s older sister, Dana, was one of Ed’s students and she was an excellent musician.
Sara Nell will be missed by her family, former students and other friends, and certainly by me. She often brought in news for Town & Country Garden Club and other events. She was one of the Herald’s appreciated volunteers. She was always a joy to visit with in the office and was Ludie’s across Clay Street neighbor, so we often visited in one of the yards and occasionally went in for a visit with her and Elvis – usually for her and Ed to work on some musical event, while Elvis and I visited. Sympathy is extended to her family.
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Thursday I cleaned out both fridges, so I needed to get rid of the garbage (stuff that the squirrels, crows, opossums, deer, coons and other critters will not eat – found that none of these animals like cabbage).
Then I went to the office and checked to see if there was anything I could do to help with the production of the Christmas section. Santa still had not shared any of his letters from children in the Water Valley area. Through the years, he’s been so good to share these with us. Just last week, I had trouble getting Looking Back compiled – had to stop and read many of the “Letters to Santa” from years ago, and they were so cute. Why back then I actually knew what the children were asking for – dolls, teddy bears, baby beds, Easy Bake Ovens, BB guns, wagons, bicycles, etc. Now I just type what they’ve ask for and don’t have a clue what it is. Thankfully Santa sent a big stack Monday and we will share them in next week’s paper. They are some of the best in years.
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Most folks are decorating, even out in the country and the displays are so beautiful. Michael Redwine and his staff have our church decorated from front to back. The foyer, sanctuary and fellowship hall are over-the-top and it just brightens the week to assemble for worship.
I have no one coming to my house for Christmas, so my lone decoration is the wreath hung on the front door – I have a bird that is enjoying it. A little wren scares me to death each night when I arrive home. Know it’s going to be there nesting, but when it flies over my head I still jump. Glad I’m able to provide a holiday home for one of God’s creatures, though.
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Finally got to Nurse Practitioner Cinnamon Foster Friday for a six month check up – missed the last one due to Covid and Mom being in her last days. Cinnamon and nurse Margaret Eubanks are always a pleasure to visit with. Blood pressure was a bit high, but other than that I hope I’m okay – blood work will tell. I feel great and that’s always a blessing.
Brothers Bo and Rance arrived at the house just as I was leaving for my appointment. Sorry that I didn’t get to visit but was grateful for their cleaning up my yard – they are great brothers.
Again, I checked in at the office to see if I could help – waited on a few customers and answered the phone a few times. Mel and I also enjoyed lunch together and I went on home middle of the afternoon to wash my sheets – they were overdue. I had missed last week – I have extra sheets but who wants to fold a set of those huge sheets. However, I could have changed to Ed’s side of the bed, it was clean.
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Saturday members of Woodland Hills gave out candy canes and this is a fun mission. I had not been able to help since Mom entered the nursing home years ago and I was really looking forward to participating. Woke up with sneezing, coughing, and dripping sinuses – don’t think anyone would have wanted even a free candy cane from me, so I stayed home.
Later in the day I intended to run over to Panola County, but this trip kept getting interrupted, so I’ll deliver papers next week – didn’t have any food to deliver.
Watched a bit of TV and was sorry to hear of the death of Mississippi’s own, Charley Pride. He was an excellent country musician and I always enjoyed hearing him perform. Other news was that the Cleveland Indians are changing the name of their team, due to presumed racial bias. I’d always thought it was an honor for a race of people who were strong, resilient, and willing to sacrifice whatever the cost to persevere to be honored. If someone wanted to name something for me or my family, I’d certainly be proud.
Maybe I just see things in a different light to others – don’t think I’m wrong. I’m watching my Cardinals to see if they have a convention to try to get St. Louis to delete their name – don’t think that’s going to happen, birds are smarter than that.
Also, just think, what if the gators, bears, tigers, etc. decided that they want their names off sports teams or other items. If I were a member of one of these teams, I’d be frightened. Why, the entire sports world might be wiped out. Don’t worry teams, these animals are smarter than that – I’m sure they also believe it’s an honor to have teams named for them.
Top news of the morning Monday was that the first Covid-19 vaccinations would be given today and that possibly by February this vaccine would be available in medical offices, and pharmacies as readily as is flu shots today. Sounds great to me.
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Sunday Bro. Rob Jones and his family were on a short holiday vacation, with a visit to the Ark and then on to visit with her parents in Ohio. He had to get it in early to be in church during Christmas week and then after the new year school starts back, work begins in the greenhouses and on their farm.
We enjoyed sermons by Bro. Caleb Davis, a classmate of Bro. Rob’s at Blue Mountain. Blue Mountain is a great school and educates and equips some excellent God-called preachers.
After having missed food and fellowship with Bud and Wanda McCluskey last week, it was so good to again have Sunday lunch and fellowship with them. It’s always good to have a back-up family and they’re the greatest.
Guess I’d better stop rambling and get on with this week’s production of the paper. Hope everyone has a great week, get all the shopping, wrapping and decorating done and are ready to enjoy next week’s holidays. The Cole/Kilgore family has it made—we’re just going to eat and visit.
