An Act of Kindness

Hey, Y'all,
I just happened to think of something the other day that happened about 55 years ago. I had been married about a year and a half to my first husband, Charles. We had a child, Carol, who was just about 6 months old, and were visiting his sister and her husband, Ocie and Orville Blankenship, who lived in Cumberland, Kentucky.

It was my first time to meet Ocie and her family. It was a very important time to me, because Ocie was the oldest girl in Charlie's family and much loved and respected by all of them. Ocie was the peacemaker in the family. There were two sets of children in Charlie's family. The older set, of whom Ocie was one, and the younger set, of whom Charlie was one. There were misunderstandings between the older and younger ones, and Ocie was the major peacemaker.

I can't remember ever seeing Ocie more than just that one time, but we had a lovely time the week that we visited her and Orville. They were wonderful people, and I think they are both passed on for some time now. We picnicked and went swimming, and all the fun things that one does in the summertime in the mountains of Kentucky.

Now, the act of kindness...since I was a very young bride, it was important to me to make a good impression on my husband's family, so I tried very hard to be helpful. The first morning we were there, I offered to help make breakfast, and Ocie had mixed up the biscuits, and showed me how to pinch off a piece of dough, roll it out in my hands and pat it, shaping a biscuit. So I did the biscuits as she showed me.

Then, when everyone came in to eat breakfast, she told them how I had made the biscuits and what a wonderful job I had done. Now, that was a little thing she did, but it made a lot of difference to me. I knew that I had not really made the biscuits, but her praise was an act of kindness, and I have always remembered how much it meant to have that word of priase from her.

It was a wonderful thing that she did and I hope that through the years I have passed on little acts of kindness to others, giving praise when and where it was needed. Ocie was a dear lady. Everyone loved her. Above, see picture of me with Ocie. I wanted to put it on the blog last night when I posted, but couldn't find it. I did find it this morning.

Well, that is it for today, and this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you, and I know you won't forget to be kind to someone tomorrow. Bye for now.

Today - A Reinforced Realization

Hey, Y'all,
This morning we actually got up in time again to go to church, and it was easier emotionally for me today. Always the first time back to church when one has been out due to illness, is very emotional. (At least it has always been so for me.) I only choked up a couple of times this morning.

After church, we saw Jessie's baby, Kyah, and she is adorably beautiful with little rosebud lips and soft pink skin. Kyah was sleeping, so I didn't get to pick her up, but eventually, I am sure I will get to hold her.

Gramps and I left church and proceeded on to The Captain's Galley restaurant for lunch. I had been craving fried oysters so that is what I ordered, and Gramps had the catfish filets. We really enjoyed our lunch and then we slowly proceeded out of the restaurant. As I was walking slowly with Gramps, holding onto his hand to help give him balance, I was struck anew at how feeble he has become over the past year. If he had looked at my face, he would have seen the tears streaming down my face.

You see, I was remembering how strong he used to be, and how he walked all over Jefferson City in his younger days. I remembered how very vital he was when we met, and could only compare the difference to how he is now. He will never know if I can help it, how sorry I feel for his disability now. He is my sweet darling, and I love him so dearly.

When we left the restaurant, he said, "Just take me home, and don't go anywhere else before we do. I am hurting in my legs, and my seat is tired." So I did.

After we returned home, we changed into sweats, and he is in bed resting right now. I am in my multipurpose room, blogging, and listening to the Game Show Network. One of my favorite channels on tv. I will be working later on the quilt piecing. I moved my worktable around so I could watch tv while I sew. I still have the kitchen to clean (not a lot, but some).

Yesterday, I went to carry off the trash, and then spent a couple of hours doing shopping at the Walmart. Then the rest of the afternoon at home, and Teresa and I spent a couple of hours chatting online. She and I do that quite often, and Carol calls me usually once or twice a week on her way home from work. They keep me going by keeping in touch. Occasionally, I get to chat with Allie for awhile, and Mark comes over once or twice a week.

Friends and family are so very important and help to keep me grounded and not so very lonesome, because I spend a lot of my time at home, and I still need those contacts. Fellow bloggers help me to maintain my sanity as well. I appreciate all so very much. Gramps spends so much time in bed, it is almost like he is not here.

Well, I think I will close off for now. I look forward to having our neighbors in to have supper with us tomorrow evening. I will be preparing vegetable beef soup for supper along with cornbread muffins. I may even get the kitchen floor mopped in the morning, if I get up feeling industrious. ha.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Love to each of you, my friends. Hope each of you has a good night's rest and wake up ready for a brand new day. Bye for now. More tomorrow sometime.

An Afternoon Out

Hey, Y'all,
Yeah, we had an afternoon out after being indoors for five days. It was a beautiful day, and after I had returned from having my auto serviced, Gramps and I left for Knoxville.

We arrived at Imazo's and switched cars so all could ride comfortably (my car being a little constricting for two little old ladies to climb into the back) and then went to pick up Mae at her house.

A discussion over where to eat (always there is a discussion which goes something like this:)
Me: "where shall we eat?"
Imazo: "it really doesn't matter to me. Where do you want to eat, Dub?"
Gramps: "I don't know, but what are the choices?"
Imazo: "Cracker Barrel, or Applebee's, I guess."
Gramps: "Cracker Barrel, then"
Mae: "Cracker Barrel is good. It has been a while since I've been there".

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

So, we went to Cracker Barrel, and Gramps had his usual: The Old Timer's Breakfast.
After we ate, we took Mae back home and we went on to Imazo's home and sat and chatted for awhile. We reflected on remembrances of Hugh and she was telling us about having a lot of decisions that have to be made. Jeff was coming by at five today to take her to the bank to take care of some things financial. After giving her a hug and a kiss, we left for Mae's house to visit with her for a while.

We talked with Mae for a while, and I munched on some chocolates from one of the dishes of them she keeps on the coffee table. We sat in her living room and talked about all kinds of things. We left after about an hour and headed home.

Even though we enjoyed our time out of the house, we were glad to be back home. I made some raisin bread toast, and coffee as an evening snack.

When Gramps was getting ready for bed this evening, he mentioned that our house is the exact duplicate of a house we were in this morning. I asked him where we went this morning. He didn't know, but he thought we slept there at that house that was the same as this one. He said it even had all his clothes there. I asked him wonder how that was. He said, "Maybe it was magic." I said, "yes, maybe it was."

Just an example of his growing dementia, but it is a very gentle thing. He is quite humorous sometimes, and says some really funny things. Unfortunately, right now, I can't think of any of them. He has such a dry wit, and I love him dearly.

Tomorrow morning, I have trash to carry off to the local dumpsters, and groceries to purchase. I guess I'll have to visit the J.City Walmart, and get some things I need there. I am feeling withdrawal symptoms from not being at the Walmart for a whole week. Ha ha.

Well, not much going on here this evening. Monk is on television, and then Psych follows it, then bedtime for me. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for tonight. I hope each of you has a good night's rest and wake up ready for a brand new day. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Cabin Fever

Hey, Y'all,
Cabin Fever has hit this household (at least one person in the house), and tomorrow, we escape!

Yesterday morning began at 5 a.m. with Gramps getting up and eating breakfast, then coming back to bed until afternoon. I worked most of the day yesterday on the quilt that I am piecing for grandson, Will, who is stationed in Minot, North Dakota at the U.S. Air Force base. Hopefully, I will get it finished before summertime gets there. ha.

I took the leftover pizza sauce and baked a pizza for our lunch and supper yesterday. It was really good! I will be making pizza one of these weekends and having friends, Mark and Allie, Judy and Gene, and Judy's mother, Marion, over for food and games.
I am a real game lover, and they are too, as well. Gramps is not much for games any more, but that is okay.

The need to clean out the files in my filing cabinet kind of weighs on my mind, but not too heavily. I must purchase some manila folders to store the files before I begin purging the files. That requires a trip to the getting place "Walmart". We still have a large amount of snow on the ground, and the back roads still have some ice on them. That is why I am reeling from Cabin Fever...haven't been out since Sunday, and not dressed in anything but nightgown and housecoat since we had our neighbors in for supper on Monday evening.

Not many comments either on my blog, so I am wondering...is there anyone out there reading? I certainly hope so.

Tomorrow, I have scheduled a trip to the auto service dept. of the Morristown Toyota to have my car serviced. If I can get up the energy, I intend to vacuum out the car before I take it in. They always wash the outside of the car as part of the service contract I have with them, and I hate to take it in dirty on the inside. It kind of looks like someone is living in the car...magazines, dirt in the floorboard, paper towels unrolled on the back seat...oops, you really don't want to envision that mess, I'm sure. ha.

Also, Gramps and I are planning on going into Knoxville tomorrow to spend some time with Imazo and Mae. We will go to eat somewhere and then maybe take them shopping or something. I know Imazo and Mae both have Cabin Fever as well as I.

Mark and Allie are in the process of purchasing a home in Sevierville, and will no doubt rent out the home they are living in after they close the deal, and move. They assure me that they will continue to be in close touch after they move. We shall see.
I joked with them saying "yeah, we move back up here and have someone to help us, and then they move away.".

Well, time to sign off for the day. Love to all of you. This is Blabbin' Grammy closing out for the time being. Bye for now.

Silence All Around

Hey, Y'all,
Today has been very quiet...A good time for reflection, which I seem to be doing a lot of these days. I was up early this morning, after a night of strange dreams. Too much pizza last evening? I don't know. It was good, though.

We had a delightful time last evening with our neighbors, who came to eat with us. Their children are delightful and so full of enthusiasm. After supper, we cleared off the table and played a couple of fun games: Aggravation, and Dominoes.

The pizza that I made was almost demolished. I had just enough left for my lunch today. (Gramps slept through lunch).

Gramps got up this morning around 9 a.m. and had breakfast. He decided that he was still tired and needed to go back to bed. So he did. I then decided that I would work on Will's quilt today.

It was very quiet in our home today. I had a lot of time to reflect on the past few weeks. I know my husband is worried about my health, because of the way my siblings' health problems brought about their deaths. I keep trying to reassure him that I am much healthier than they were. He keeps asking, "Don't you have the same things they did?". I attempt to make him understand that my condition is much better than theirs and that he should not worry about me.

The wind has been blowing outside our home today, and if I listen carefully, I can hear the wind chimes blowing and tinkling loudly. The snow has begun to fall again, and they promise some more accumulation. By the weekend, however, the sun is supposed to melt what is out there, and bring warm temperatures to us.

I called Imazo today and she told me she had just finished folding and boxing up twenty shirts that had belonged to Hugh. What a chore she has ahead of her, and I feel for her. If I could get to Knoxville right now, I would be there helping her.

Friday, I have plans to take my car in to Morristown to be serviced. I really need to clean it out, but I don't do that kind of thing when the weather is cold.

Around 5 O'clock this afternoon, I prepared a couple of scrambled eggs and some toast, made some green tea, and +sat down to have my supper. I had gone in to wake up Gramps to see if he wanted to get up and have something to eat. About the time that I was halfway through eating, he came in, looking for food. (The offer of food almost always has a positive result.) I prepared the same for him, and heated a cup of coffee for him.

So now, the night is drawing nigh, the wind blows, the snow falls quietly, and my reflections draw near to an end for today. I will be back at my sewing machine in a few minutes, and the sound of the television broadcasting "American Idol" will be filling my multipurpose room as I work on Will's quilt. This has been a productive day, and I look forward to a night's rest.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. May each of you feel God's love and peace within your hearts. Bye for now.

Snow A'Plenty

Hey,Y'all,
Yes, here it is a beautiful snowy day. The weather people had told us it was coming, but it was supposed to begin as rain and change to snow. Ooops! Fooled them, didn't it? When I discovered it was snowing, I pulled back the curtain that I usually keep closed in my work/craft/computer/sewing room. (I could just call it my multi-purpose room, couldn't I?)

The house is filled with the aroma of pizza sauce cooking on my stovetop. Hmmmmmmmmmmm, it does smell great. Chopped onion, olive oil, garlic, oregano, tomatoes, a dash of sugar, to sweeten the tomatoes, all of the above simmering in a kettle. I am making pizza tonight to serve to my guests, Scott, Laurie, Mitchell, Olivia, and Gabriel. It is my first attempt at making pizza, so we will see how it turns out.

Gramps is sleeping still, and the house is quiet, except for the tapping of my computer keys, and the clothes dryer in the kitchen. Well, there is the tinnitis that constantly hums in my ears, but I hardly notice it most of the time. For that I am most grateful.

We went over to Mark and Allie's last evening and had a really fun time. Our friends, Judy, Gene, Mark and Karen, and Mark and karen's daughter, Lauren, were there also. Allie served up some delicious snacks, along with some thatwere brought by Judy. I tried not to eat too many because of the salt content. The cameraderie was wonderful! We were sure the Steelers were going to lose, but as you may know, they won it in the last two minutes. Allie, being from Pennsylvania, is a dyed-in-the-wool Steelers fan. We whooped and hollered like crazy people. Ha.

I talked a few minutes to Imazo this morning and she was talking about how beautiful the snow is. Mae called while I was talking to Imazo, so I talked to her for a while as well. She said the snow has stopped falling there in Knoxville, but it is still going pretty strong here in New Market.

My pizza sauce is getting close to being ready to cool, and it is not long until lunch time. I think I may make me a cup of hot tea to go with my sandwich. I had never had hot tea until I was married for the first time, and we went to Indiana. While I was there, I was introduced to hot tea. It took a while for me to grow accustomed to drinking the stuff. I had grown up drinking coffee, and now the two are kind of on equal drinking levels, so to speak. I like them both. It depends on what I am going to be having with them. Sweet foods call for coffee, sandwiches and toast and other kinds of things call for hot tea.

Imazo seems to be doing okay, but I know it will definitely take some adjustments before she can completely deal with Hugh's passing.

Well, that is about all for now. Lots of things to get done today. More later. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Love to all of you. Bye for now.

Sunday Morning

Hey, Y'all,

What a beautiful morning it was! In more ways than one, it was wonderful. Gramps had finally decided he was ready to return to church on Sunday mornings. We had breakfast and readied for church.



It is difficult to describe how I felt upon entering the church. There was an inner feeling of joy in my heart, but also a great sadness, thinking of my two brothers, who had passed on during the last 30 days. I was so close to tears, that it was difficult to speak without showing my sadness. It was a momentous occasion, coming with Gramps hand in mine as we slowly made our way from the car into the church.



People were greeting us, and asking how we were, and just generally pleased to see us there, and I was feeling all these inner emotions, and it was all I could do to keep the tears from running down my cheeks. We had not been back to church as a couple since we were in Illinois with our grandson back in August. Of course, people were also speaking of how sorry they were about John's and Hugh's passing. It was wonderful, but difficult at the same time.



I thought of Imazo, and her children and grandchildren, and prayed that she was being comforted by those around her. I thought of Darlene and her children and grandchildren, and prayed also that they were being comforted by those people around her.



We went in and found a place to sit, then the music started. All three of my siblings who passed away during the past thirteen months loved music, as I do as well. I could not sing, but could only bow my head and pray as I listened to the music all around me, and think about how they must be singing praises to our Heavenly Father and His Son right now.



By the time they got to the hymn to take up the offering, I had myself composed, and was able to join in softly with the music.



Our family was a singing family. Back in the late 1930's, when we lived in Possum Valley, we would gather around on Sunday afternoons with one of the Stamps-Baxter paperback songbooks and sing the hymns that were in it. Of course, we didn't always have the tune exactly right, but that didn't stop us from singing anyway. All of us, from my Mom and Dad, to my brothers, Bill, Ralph, Hugh, John, and my sister, Margaret, and I - we all joined in and sang joyously.



In later years, my sister and I would sing while we did the dishes, she washing, and I rinsing and drying them. I hated doing the dishes, but singing seemed to make it go faster and better. She sang the alto part and I sang the melody.



It was a wonderful morning this morning, with my husband beside me, sitting and standing at the appropriate times. When the service was over, we put on our coats, and headed out the door, glad that we had once again been in the house of the Lord.

Thank you, Lord, for your comfort and love to each of us.



This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the day. Love to each of you who read this. More tomorrow. Bye for now.