Decisions, Decisions!

 I am packing a suitcase this morning. 

Decisions, decisions. This one was more or less taken out of my hands. I could say no, what with the pandemic and all, but who says no to someone who has put so much effort and love into making it possible for me to do something I wanted to and couldn't?

I've not made many decisions since March. Except to stay inside and twiddle away the hours. That was a no brainer! After all, I am in the 'age bracket' where Covid could really do some damage. 

But, I hadn't seen some of my children all year and I miss them. My son was calling me, telling me about a Boat Parade of Christmas Lights on Joe Wheeler Lake back in Alabama. I am afraid I said more than once how much I would love to see him go floating by in his boat, all decorated. He won one of the divisions last year. 

He had plans to come up for Christmas this year. I was excited about that. But, he decided that if his Mama wanted to see that Boat parade, he'd make it happen. He got a Covid test (negative, of course) and drove up to spend Thanksgiving with what part of the family is here. Now, we are heading to Alabama....

Do I have concerns.... YES. But, the only time we will stop will be for potty breaks and gassing up the vehicle. We are going with tons of masks, plastic gloves, disinfectant and food to eat. And, while down there, the Parade will be the only outing we do. 

How could I say NO to all he did to make sure his Mother is there to see that Parade she talked about? Are we stupid? Probably. Are we going to be careful, extra careful? You better believe it. 

Blessings on Thanksgiving Day

 We got through Covid Thanksgiving!! 

                                            Different to be sure but we did it.

The gathering around the table was small, just those folks we felt safe with. I just hope that next Thanksgiving will be normal. You know, lots of people. As for food, this year we had turkey and goose and all the trimmings. And, we were so blessed to just be together. We were well, had some family around us, and we had food to eat. God is good!

How was your Thanksgiving? So many people were without their families this year. That's so sad. But, it sure makes you appreciate what you do have when you have it. 

Happy Thanksgiving

 I did not want to let Thanksgiving go by without telling each of you how thankful I am for your friendship. I miss you. 

A lot has happened since my last post. It took awhile but I think I have finally come to terms with this 'getting older' thing. It was tough. My husband always said that when his time came he would accept the Lord's wishes. But me.... I announced to anyone who would listen that this old girl would leave this world kicking and screaming. 

And, I pretty much am doing that.

I finished doing a revised edition to a book that I wrote way back in 1991. Do you realize that was 30 years ago? Holy ..... You know what I mean. I had said I'd never do it. But, my daughter kept pushing for me to upgrade that book. (It's a history of a town in Alabama).  I think she needed a project and she hopped onto my bandwagon with full force. I would have never made it without her.

A big box of printed books arrived today from the publisher.

So, that project is now marked off my bucket list. Hallelujah.

Quite by accident I started a You Tube channel.

You ask how in the dickens a person does that.... by accident.

Some time back I wanted to post a video to this blog (or maybe it was my FB) and it kept telling me I had to go through YouTube to do it.

So, I posted it on YouTube so I could use the link. And, then I discovered I had a few people that liked my video and then a few more and so I was hooked.

One thing about YouTube, I completely control my posting schedule. I always felt with  blogging that you needed to post frequently and then you needed to check everybody else's blog and leave a message and so it just became overwhelming for me.

I want you to know that I miss you. I will post ever so often. I will check your posts when I can. I will leave a comment when I can but please don't expect a lot out of me. I am just getting old and tired. 😀. 

Oh, good gosh. I sound like I am on death's door. Not true at all. There's some really good LONG LIVING genes in my family so I should just shut up about it. Don't you just hate people that whine? 

So, have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Much Love From Latane

To Friendships and Goodbyes

Time just seems to be marching on whether we can get out and enjoy it or not. That makes us have a lot of time to reflect, plan, contemplate. That can get you in a whole lot of trouble or it can simply your life.

I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to simply my life. I am strung far too thin, can't seem to finish what I know I must or find joy in the tasks I have thought were the most important. 

You just have to make priorities! 

I have loved blogging. Been at it about 12 years. And, in 12 years I've gotten older and slower and needing to make priorities. So, I am going to say goodbye. 

I am going to miss all you wonderful people, my blogging buddies. I've cherished your friendships and won't forget you. You've brightened my life so very much. I've learned lots, cried with some, laughed with others. That's what friends do. 

I am going to keep my facebook account open. (have to have some way to keep  up the grandkids who think social media is the only way to go these days). 😀 If you like, look me up on facebook and send me a friend request. I'm listed as Willie Latane Barton. 

I wish you the very best, now and always. Keep on keeping on!! With love, Latane

My Only Sea Voyage

 It was 1959 and my husband and I were standing on deck, hanging onto two toddlers and keeping an eye on our 7 year old. We were waving goodbye to our friends on the pier. The Navy band was playing 'California Here I Come.' After two years of duty on both Hawaii and Midway Island we were headed home.

As the ship pulled away from the pier, I took the lei from around my neck and toss it into the water. Tradition had it that if the lei floated back to land, you would return to the islands, as well. But, sadly that has never happened.

We made our way down to our 'stateroom'. Hey, we were on a military transport ship. No stateroom. I remember two sets of bunk beds, a porthole, a closet, a head (that's bathroom in sailor talk). Maybe there was more. I don't know.

As the ship eased it's way out of the harbor, there came a loud announcement over the speaker. "This is a drill. This is a drill. Put on your life vests and report on deck".  I was beginning to feel weird... already. I'd taken a dramamine, not working. And, we weren't out of the harbor yet. Oh boy, I knew I was in trouble. 

As hubby helped the children with their life vests and was headed out the door (do you call it a door or a hatch?) anyway. There I am struggling with that darn life vest. I got it half on and hurried after them. 

Once we were on deck hubby took one look at me. 'You have your life vest on backward.' So, I turned it around. And, I am getting more and more unsteady. We are given instructions on what to do in case we started to sink. I had been so stupid. The week before I had gone down to the theatre and watched the movie 'Titanic'. Duh.. Bad Idea. Drill over, we go back to our room. And, I hit the head and then the bunk. 

And, I stayed there for most of the entire trip, unable to stand up. Hubby kept saying that this is the calmest sea he's ever been on. Well, Goody for him. But, it doesn't feel that way to me.  Every time I stood up, I threw up. 

He took over the care of the children, a two year old, a three year old and the 7 year old who thought she was big enough to take care of herself and did. When he dressed our little three year old daughter, he had one requirement out of me. 'would you please brush her hair?'  She had Shirley Temple curls that would be tangled. And, I had to tie the little sashes on her dresses.  And, back on that pillow  I would go. 

Every mealtime hubby would take the children down to eat. The steward would ask, 'Missus sick again today?' and hubby would nod yes. So, the steward would bring fresh oranges and packs of saltines for him to bring to me. 

The voyage took six days if I remember correctly. When we finally sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge and docked in San Francisco I was one happy woman. I bet hubby was happy too. Now maybe some of his babysitting chores could be shared. I was never so glad to put my feet on land again! Oh hallelujah! 

I had lost 10 lbs. that week. Not my favorite way to diet, I tell you.

As you can imagine, I have never been on a cruise or taken a ship again. Nope, that trip cured me of any future voyages on the sea. 

A Fire-breathing Dragon

                                        You can just feel Fall in the air! 

Yesterday was one gorgeous day so Shirley and I escaped our four walls and did a little fun stuff.

We went to a nice restaurant next to a creek. We've been there before so we knew the food would be great. And, they were doing a great job keeping everyone safe during this virus. So we felt that it was the best place to get some yummy food. 

When I saw collards on the menu... well, that decided it for me. They came with Memphis Barbeque chicken and french fries. It was soooo good. 

Shirley got a Cobb Salad with extra shrimp. It looked good, too but since we moved to Virginia 20 years ago, I've eaten so much seafood.... I'm about tired of the stuff! So, bring on the collards!!

I'd been seeing a gift shop on facebook and asked if we could stop there. It was huge, a big 2 story house with every room crammed full of things. It was just tooo much! I bought some large tomatoes and a bag of orange slices. Wish I'd gotten more tomatoes. Best tasting ones I've had in forever. 

There were some nice pumpkins and mums outside.

We stopped then to check out a fire-breathing mosaic dinosaur. He wasn't in the fire mode. But, I know he does that because there was a propane gas tank attached to his tail.😁

Our next stop was Evans Farm Market. It's small but did offer a nice photo-opt area. 

 Time to head home. Tummy full, naptime!!