Betty’s Week
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By Betty Shearer
While living in Pope I use Jimmie’s computer to write the weekly column. It’s totally different to my office computer. Every few weeks I hit a key that completely wipes out a column. Jimmie takes over and after searching for about an hour, there is no solution except for me to compose a second column.
You notice that I state second column. I compose off the top of my head these days – have done this now for many years – first using hot type make-up, then teletype to program the semi-computers and finally changing over to direct computer composer in the late 1990s.
First columns were written in long-hand on a legal pad, then keyboarded by our linotype operation. Finally I got brave enough to do the job, writing completely on the keyboard. We used Apple equipment in the office and I have almost conquered this computer’s keyboard.
Last week was one of those week’s that the column was eaten by the computer. As I was proof reading the column, I found a lower case, that needed to be a cap – word was also. I wiped out the lower case “a,” intending to replace it with cap “A.” Have no idea what key I struck, but the entire column, except the lower case “lso” was lost. Jimmie spent her hour searching and then I rewrote. You are never successful in completely reconstructing the column. After Jimmie had proof-read the column and sent it to David, I remembered a paragraph I had forgotten.
Jimmie says, “Too bad, just include it next week.”
That info was that we’d visited the Valley the Friday before to pick up a prescription, visit David and Mel, pick up the mail at the office, and run by the house to water the plants. As we pulled through the parking lot I did not see either Mel’s or David’s vehicles. Jimmie took my key and went in for the mail – just stayed in the van. Jimmie was in the building for a while and I had no idea what was keeping her, as I was sure she knew where my mail basket was. Heard a vehicle coming through the parking lot, turned around and there was David’s parked car – recognized it by his Turkey Tag. He’s changed cars since I left the Valley, but still has his tag and I’m glad. Jimmie met the new Herald employee, Ben Fugler, and reports he’s very nice. David came out with her and we enjoyed a delightful visit. Do miss my Herald family.
Enjoyed a delightful visit with long-time friend Glenn Gabbert. Glenn, who is from Batesville, and I were students at Northwest Junior College in the mid-1950s – even had a few classes together. We remembered most of the teachers during our time there – knew them all, even though many of them had not taught us. We also recalled many of the students who were not in classes with us, but we knew who they were, where they were from, who they dated, what their major was and lots more. At that time NMJC had less than 400 students.
Then Glenn married a Yalobusha girl, Harriet, who worked for the post office. Their first son, Bill, was a class ahead of Jim, but they were both in the band, so as most band members were close. Bill and his family live in Georgia. The Gabberts had a second son, John, much later. He was also in the band. He and his family live in Senatobia. John and one of his sons work for Entergy. The other grandson is training as a lineman for T.V.E.P.A.
Usually when Glenn was in the Valley, he’s stop by to say, “Hello” and if time permitted we’d reminisce a little.
Sure did enjoy the visit with him.
Our weather last week was wet and cold for a couple of days, alternating with a couple of warm sunny ones. Bill even saw trees with a thin coat of ice – he gets up earlier than me. Said it was beautiful, but was glad it did not last. Caroline did not visit over the weekend – must have had a more interesting event in Amory. Without Caroline, we don’t see much of Cade, so we had a pretty dull weekend.
We celebrated another family birthday Sunday – birthday was actually Monday, the 28th. Carolyn was 73 – hard to believe. She even had to bake her own cake. Jimmie did cook lunch for her, though.
Last week was a non-medical visit one for me. However, we’ll make up for it this week and next. On Friday I have a PET scan scheduled early and then on the 8th I see Dr. Yates. Think Rance sees his doctor in Memphis on Monday, March 7, and Bo has a couple of appointments in Oxford later in the week. Wanda will have her check-up on Wednesday. Keep all of us in your prayers.
