Wednesday, November 09, 2005
JANUARY....1999
On the first day of 1999 Becky came down and had breakfast with me. She stayed till after noon because she brought black-eyed peas for our lunch…..any old Southerner knows you simply have to have them the first day of the year for luck in the year ahead. Now I suppose there is a good reason for the tradition but since I’m a “move in” (back in 1945) I never really knew why or thought to ask. Some of you may know the answer but I do know the tradition is taken seriously in these parts.
It began sleeting in the afternoon and it was cozy to be in. I crocheted all day and Becky did some cross-stitch. The sleet stuck to everything during the night and the power went off at 2:30 a.m. It wasn’t restored until noon that same day. I dressed as warm as I could (our home is all-electric) but Becky had a propane kitchen stove so kept bringing hot coffee down and a bowl of hot chili at noon. It was getting pretty cold by then and I was grateful to see the electricity back on.
The sleet froze the bird feeders so I went out periodically to unplug them and to scatter feed on the ground. In severe weather they really suffer but people make the effort to feed at those times. My heater didn’t work in the absence of power so their water was also frozen. Many of the trees as far as I could see were burdened with the weight of ice and at these times we pray no wind will come as it snaps more branches off and the smaller bent trees break off at the trunk.
The year started out with severe weather and lasted until the 10th of the month before the ice began melting. I always feel sorry for the animals that must endure the hardship of winter and for the working folks who have to get out in it. I well remember those cold winter days and how miserable it could be giving driving tests.
I had dental and dermatology appointments in Springfield on the 11th and I was thankful the roads were open so I could make the drive. I did a 360 degree turn getting out of our driveway but by the time I made it to the main street I didn’t have any more problems. Dr. Laughlin thought my rash was better so gave me another prescription and told me to keep using it. My tooth problem was a crown that came off and not a broken tooth as I feared. Dr. Beasley replaced it with a temp and I was on my way home, shortly.
I hadn’t been hearing well at all so I had an appointment with our local clinic to have my ears checked. Our PA took one good look and headed for the irrigation equipment…..when she finished I could hear a pin drop out in the waiting room. I was amazed but more so when she showed me what came out of my ears. Unbelievable. It seems the rash I had kept sloughing off into my ear canal and over six months it amounted to me hearing less and less. I was so happy to discover it wasn’t something I had to accept permanently or chalk up to “old age.” I finally won one of the battles. I was gaining confidence all the time. A few good things were beginning to go my way.
John and Barbara had invited Becky and me to attend the Mardi Gras Ball with them as Barbara was in one of the crews. George was invited also and we arranged for him to drive here and then go with Becky and me. Becky and I bought long dresses for the Ball and fortunately my rash was well covered. It was not on my face or hands so I felt comfortable in going. We left the next morning and ran into heavy rain not far from home. I drove to Memphis, Becky drove to Jackson and George drove the rest of the way. Traffic was heavy, of course, but we made the trip fine. When we arrived at 5:00 p.m. everyone was home to greet us. John fixed a catfish and shrimp supper and we had a talk-a-thon until very late. It is such a treat for all of us to be together we didn’t slow down until late…..and then crashed.
The next day was “the dance.” The day was spent in high expectations and preparations for the evening. Barb and John made sure we were versed on when to be ready, how we would get there, etc; We arrived at the Ball and were shown our table…… the decorations and festivities were such a joy to watch. I don’t think anyone can celebrate Mardi Gras like folks around New Orleans. The long line of the crews danced around in individual costumes and the promenade ended with the King and Queen appearing and taking their seats to observe the festivities of the night. I know there isn’t a king or queen anywhere whose clothing could compare to the flash and intricate beauty of their attire. The Queen was dazzlingly beautiful and her movements were grandiose and dramatic in a white gown with a train a mile long. She was literally covered with sequins. The King was regal and his clothing was very colorful.
After all the pomp and circumstance we were given the night to dance away. To tell you how it felt to be in a long dress and dance with each of my sons at the Mardi Gras Ball is impossible. On a scale of 1 to 10.…..it was 1,000. Once in a while something happens in motherhood to make you sure there is no greater joy than being someone’s mother. In my case, three “someone’s.”
It is an occasion that will forever be kept in that place where I house all favorite memories……one place in time that can never be duplicated.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
It began sleeting in the afternoon and it was cozy to be in. I crocheted all day and Becky did some cross-stitch. The sleet stuck to everything during the night and the power went off at 2:30 a.m. It wasn’t restored until noon that same day. I dressed as warm as I could (our home is all-electric) but Becky had a propane kitchen stove so kept bringing hot coffee down and a bowl of hot chili at noon. It was getting pretty cold by then and I was grateful to see the electricity back on.
The sleet froze the bird feeders so I went out periodically to unplug them and to scatter feed on the ground. In severe weather they really suffer but people make the effort to feed at those times. My heater didn’t work in the absence of power so their water was also frozen. Many of the trees as far as I could see were burdened with the weight of ice and at these times we pray no wind will come as it snaps more branches off and the smaller bent trees break off at the trunk.
The year started out with severe weather and lasted until the 10th of the month before the ice began melting. I always feel sorry for the animals that must endure the hardship of winter and for the working folks who have to get out in it. I well remember those cold winter days and how miserable it could be giving driving tests.
I had dental and dermatology appointments in Springfield on the 11th and I was thankful the roads were open so I could make the drive. I did a 360 degree turn getting out of our driveway but by the time I made it to the main street I didn’t have any more problems. Dr. Laughlin thought my rash was better so gave me another prescription and told me to keep using it. My tooth problem was a crown that came off and not a broken tooth as I feared. Dr. Beasley replaced it with a temp and I was on my way home, shortly.
I hadn’t been hearing well at all so I had an appointment with our local clinic to have my ears checked. Our PA took one good look and headed for the irrigation equipment…..when she finished I could hear a pin drop out in the waiting room. I was amazed but more so when she showed me what came out of my ears. Unbelievable. It seems the rash I had kept sloughing off into my ear canal and over six months it amounted to me hearing less and less. I was so happy to discover it wasn’t something I had to accept permanently or chalk up to “old age.” I finally won one of the battles. I was gaining confidence all the time. A few good things were beginning to go my way.
John and Barbara had invited Becky and me to attend the Mardi Gras Ball with them as Barbara was in one of the crews. George was invited also and we arranged for him to drive here and then go with Becky and me. Becky and I bought long dresses for the Ball and fortunately my rash was well covered. It was not on my face or hands so I felt comfortable in going. We left the next morning and ran into heavy rain not far from home. I drove to Memphis, Becky drove to Jackson and George drove the rest of the way. Traffic was heavy, of course, but we made the trip fine. When we arrived at 5:00 p.m. everyone was home to greet us. John fixed a catfish and shrimp supper and we had a talk-a-thon until very late. It is such a treat for all of us to be together we didn’t slow down until late…..and then crashed.
The next day was “the dance.” The day was spent in high expectations and preparations for the evening. Barb and John made sure we were versed on when to be ready, how we would get there, etc; We arrived at the Ball and were shown our table…… the decorations and festivities were such a joy to watch. I don’t think anyone can celebrate Mardi Gras like folks around New Orleans. The long line of the crews danced around in individual costumes and the promenade ended with the King and Queen appearing and taking their seats to observe the festivities of the night. I know there isn’t a king or queen anywhere whose clothing could compare to the flash and intricate beauty of their attire. The Queen was dazzlingly beautiful and her movements were grandiose and dramatic in a white gown with a train a mile long. She was literally covered with sequins. The King was regal and his clothing was very colorful.
After all the pomp and circumstance we were given the night to dance away. To tell you how it felt to be in a long dress and dance with each of my sons at the Mardi Gras Ball is impossible. On a scale of 1 to 10.…..it was 1,000. Once in a while something happens in motherhood to make you sure there is no greater joy than being someone’s mother. In my case, three “someone’s.”
It is an occasion that will forever be kept in that place where I house all favorite memories……one place in time that can never be duplicated.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
