Betty’s Week

Just when, after last week, I thought a week could not get any more boring, it did. This week my outings have only been to the bath house. That’s Mom’s old house, now owned by Carolyn and Bo. I’m sure glad it was kept in the family. Never thought that when I built that handicapped bath I’d be the one using it. Mom was there when it was being built and was looking forward to trying it out. 

Unfortunately she broke her hip and spent the rest of her life in the nursing home. Her five years stay there were not bad though. We’ve been watching news reports about nursing homes with staff who abuse residents. Mom had wonderful care and I’m sure the nursing home in Batesville is still excellent. 

Only complaints we ever had during our five years there were with a couple of newly hired staff and their employment was immediately terminated. Also sometimes the food left a little to be desired, but mostly it was pretty good. Do hope that these homes with problems are soon up to par, because the residents need the best of care. 

We got Caroline back for the last part of the week and over the weekend. Her school had to be closed due to a shortage of teachers, due to testing positive for Covid. Great-nephew Briley was out of school a day or two  due to a shortage of bus drivers. Multiple drivers tested positive for Covid-19. For several days the well drivers made dual routes, while students were at the school extra hours, waiting to be delivered. Covid is really causing a rescheduling in our lives. 

Again, I urge everyone to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and social distance. We all need to do our part to get this pandemic under control. I know I so want to get my life back to normal and I’m sure everyone does, so let’s all do our part. 

On Thursday and Friday, while Caroline was with us – her running buddy, Cade, was not  out of school. She made Pa Bill take her in the truck to wait at the driveway for Cade’s bus to deliver him, then it was off to the shop to play and to the pastures to check the cows and calves. They ride the side-by-side and four-wheeler.  On the really cold days they played games on phones, tablets and computers. No more cartoons on TV. They were having so much fun that it made me wish I knew how to use these devices for fun and not just for work.

We’ve been fortunate that when the temps dropped  way below freezing there has been no precipitation. So no impassable roads and no power outages. That’s great because the Cole house is totally electric. Did have one cold morning though, due to a broken glass in one of the den’s huge windows. Don’t know what caused the breakage. The window had stood strong for probably 50 years, along with two patio doors and four more windows – about 40 feet of glass. 

Window had been ordered a week or so ago and finally arrived. The installer thought he had time to get the job done before the cold weather and rain arrived. He missed by an hour or so, but thankfully the rain only lasted for a few minutes. The cold wind persisted and I was glad no one got frostbite or pneumonia.

Bill was the only member of the family that suffered in the cold weather. He was sent on all the errands and also had his chores on the farm that cannot be left undone. Cows have to be fed and he says they eat lots more in cold weather. Calves have to be checked on, too. Also Dog Buddy had to be penned each night. Jimmie says Buddy, during other cold spells, had always taken out the warm blanket put in dog house and also torn off the extra wrap they put around his house. 

This time he left it all intact and actually slept in the dog house, not even coming out early in the morning to bark and wake us up. Decided that Buddy was not  as dumb as they thought he was – maybe just more cold tolerant.

I know that many classmates and friends will be sad to learn of the death of my brother-in-law, Paul Shearer, early last week. Paul has fought a battle with an infection from an earlier back surgery and other health problems. He was a wonderful little brother – he was almost a year younger.  We’ll all miss him, but he had enjoyed a very useful and enjoyable life.

Also, was sorry to read of the death of long-time friend, Robert Callahan. Sympathy is extended to his wife, Jeanette, the children and all the family. After we phased out our print shop, the Callahans did all of our printing. Their shop is still in operation in Oxford, being run by his family.

Today, Monday, is a beautiful  sunny day. Too bad my doctors’ appointments are tomorrow and  Wednesday. Tuesday I’ll see Dr. Yates at Baptist Oxford and will probably get another infusion of the maintenance drug. Then on Wednesday it’s off to Baptist Desoto for a check-up with my surgeon, Dr. Engle. This will be almost five months following the surgery – hope it’s the last time I need him. Everything seems to be going well, but I request continued prayers. They are appreciated and effective.