REMEMBERING THE DAY WHEN I SAW FDR IN PERSON

By OLIVENE GODFREY

During my lifetime, I have seen many famous people, and have interviewed some of them. But, the one that stands out in my memory was Franklin D. Roosevelt, the thirty-second president
of the United States. Elected to four terms in office. he served 1933 to 1945 and is the only U.S. president to have served more than two terms of office. He was a central figure of the 20th century during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Roosevelt created the New Deal to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy and banking systems. Although recovery of the economy and reform of the economy was incomplete until almost 1940, many programs initiated continue to be instrumental in the nation's commerce, such as FDIC, TVA, and the SEC.
One of his most important legacies is the Social Security system for which I am grateful.

While I was a child when I saw FDR, he made a strong impression on me. Before I could read, my daddy read the daily newspaper to me. When I learned to read, I read the newspaper faithfully every day. I think that was when my love affair with newspapers and my fascination with politics began.

My family and I lived in Chattanooga during the 1930s and during that period, President Roosevelt paid a visit to our city. Mother found out the route the president's motorcade would travel that day. And when the day arrived, Mother loaded my twin sisters who were small children and myself in the car and she drove down one street where people had lined the road. Mother drove on until she came to an isolated stretch of road and she parked there and we stood on the side of the road. Soon, the motorcade was beside us and the president was in an open car and he looked at us and flashed his charming smile and waved his arm. I was awestruck while the motorcade disappeared from view. And, those moments are still vivid in my mind.

During this year's presidential election of a U.S. President, we need a strong, wise leader. I hope and pray that the new president will be able to meet the challenge our nation faces today.

See you next time.

"FISH" DREAM SENDS MEMORIES RUSHING BACK TO OTHER TIMES

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I recently dreamed that I was fishing on the shore of a lake and,to my surprise, I caught a large bass, my favorite fish to eat. For some reason, in my dream, I was fishing alone and then I woke up. I was confused and when I got up I told son Barry about my dream. He reminded me that I haven't had any fresh caught fish to eat in about ten years and he said I may be craving a bass dinner.

I had never liked to fish and then I married a man, my late husband, Ralph, who was an avid fisherman. He was too ill to fish for several years before he died five years ago. Barry inherited his extensive fishing gear and has a large collection of fishing gear himself. But, Barry has been too busy with all of his responsibilities to go on a fishing trip. So, it has indeed been a long time since I have eaten any bass, my favorite food fish in the world. As the day went on, memories of all the fishing trips Ralph and I took during the 55 years we were married rushed back into my mind. We fished in Georgia and Tennessee and North Carolina and Florida.

One winter, in the 1950s, Ralph who had "magical talented hands" built a small boat on our large enclosed back porch in Dalton.
In the spring, he launched the little motor boat at one of the TVA lakes in the area. Meanwhile, Ralph and Jeanette's husband, Charles, went fishing a lot and always caught a mess of bass which we ate at one of our fish fries. Jeanette and Charles bought a boat and they and their children and Ralph and I spent many enjoyable days at a TVA lake in Tennessee. We would go boat riding and eat picnic lunches and Ralph and Charles would fish and show off water skiing. One day, the men decided to "teach" Jeanette and me to ski. I was an immediate flop and refused to try again. Jeanette came up out of the water and she said later she had never been so scared as she was when Charles sped across the lake with Jeanette screaming a few choice words to Charles. Finally, he stopped the boat and we never tried that sport again.

I remember some of the crazy things Ralph and I did, such as the time we took the little boat out in the Tennessee River oblivious to the barges and large boats that travel the river and could have caused our boat to capsize. In the late 1950s Ralph and I moved to Florida. Ralph and his sister, Agnes's late husband, Alvin, fished often in the Gulf of Mexico and always caught a lot of fish which Agnes would fry in a large cast iron pot. Later, we moved back to Georgia and Ralph bought a larger motor boat. Ralph's late brother, Ray, owned a cabin on a northeast Georgia lake, and we spent many enjoyable times then with the Godfrey family. And, sometimes, Ralph would go over to the cabin and fish with Ray. When he was too ill to be able to drive, he asked me one day if I thought he was well enough to go over to Ray's cabin to fish. Gently, I reminded him that he could no longer drive. I saw the sadness in his eyes and he never mentioned fishing again.

I hope Barry can find time to be able to go fishing in the spring and summer this year. And, perhaps he will bring home a mess of bass for dinner.

Se you next time.

DINING AT THE PICCADILLY & INFO REGARDING LIFE-SAVING FOODS

By OLIVENE GODFREY

For the first time in about a year, son Barry drove us to Hamilton Place mall in Chattanooga last Sunday. It was only the second time in three years that we had dined at the Piccadilly cafeteria in the mall, our favorite place for Southern cooked food. Since I fell and broke my right shoulder and arm in 2005 and later had other health problems, including anemia, I haven't been able to venture very far from home without being exhausted.
I have felt better lately and felt ready to make the trip last Sunday. The Piccadilly is about 50 miles from our house and I was tired when we returned home but I enjoyed the outing.

I have finally realized that with such an array of delicious foods at the Piccadilly I shouldn't let my eyes be bigger than my stomach. Now I am more selective. On Sunday, I chose roast beef and made from scratch delicious macaroni and cheese and a cornbread stick. For dessert, I had a large serving of delectable strawberry shortcake, my dessert for the week. I am getting hungry now just thinking about it. I hope to return to the Piccadilly soon.

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In the 2-8-10, 2008, issue of USA Weekend magazine, I read that oatmeal acts to lower blood cholesterol and reduce hardening of the arteries, says new research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. After 15 years of study, James W. Anderson, M.D., professor of medicine and clinical nutrition, at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine says the science about oatmeal and lower cholesterol is stronger than ever. Some of you may remember that I have been telling you for several years that when I started eating oatmeal every morning for breakfast, my cholesterol lowered dramatically.
I still eat oatmeal every day. Fortunately, I like oatmeal and it is easy for me to eat it and not have to worry about my cholesterol anymore. Why not give it a try?

And I read in the 8-2-07 issue of USA WEEKEND that lots of studies say eating whole grains, including popcorn, may prevent heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Other whole grains that I like are brown rice and wild rice and my old oatmeal. I love popcorn but I get it stuck in my teeth and have to spend a long time with the dental floss after eating it. But, it is good to know that it is a nutritious grain.

See you next time,

GOOD MEDICAL REPORT & A BUSY WEEKEND

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I recently had lab work at my family doctor's office in Chatsworth. The report showed that my labs were good and I am to continue to stay on the iron pills and to return to the doctor's office in three months to be rechecked. I am feeling a lot better now but my lack of stamina is frustrating to me. In my mind, I think I can do certain things. But I've discovered that, in reality, I don't have enough energy to do all I want and need to do.

So, for the present, I will limit myself to one outing a week.
And, I will pray that my old strength will return in time. I'm not giving up and am determined to be more active in the future. A couple of weeks ago, I felt pretty chipper so I went with Barry to buy groceries at Ingle's super store in Chatsworth.
The store is attractive and spacious with a wide variety of foods and other stuff. I enjoy eating good food and shopping at a store like Ingles is an adventure for me. Son Barry is used to buying groceries alone and with my detailed list he zooms through the store. He has to walk slower with me and sees groceries and other items he hadn't noticed before which results in impulsive buying for both of us. Still, I enjoyed the trip.
But, I was too stimulated to relax much that afternoon and had a restless night with aches and pains as I wasn't used to walking so much. So, I wasn't able to eat out on Sunday.

Last Saturday, I was determined to try the grocery shopping again. As we entered the store, I saw a couple I haven't seen in a long time. We had a nice little chat before starting our shopping. Then, I saw several other people I know which is unusual since our county has grown so much. I don't usually see anyone I know when I am around town. We were out of some things we buy in bulk and with our high inflation, we had another large grocery bill. I made the trip better than I had the previous week and slept more that night.

On Sunday, Barry and I went to Dalton and ate a delicious lunch at Ryan's. I am allowed one sugar dessert a week and on that day I had a small bowl of hot apple cobbler pie that has a tender, flaky crust. The pie was topped with a dollop of soft vanilla ice cream. When we had finished our meal, Barry drove us the short distance to the mall and we got good quick haircuts at MasterCuts. I was beginning to feel tired and the mall was becoming crowded so we came back home. We had chores to do at home and I went to bed that night at 8:30 PM. and fell into a deep sleep. I felt fairly good Monday but decided anew that I will only go out once a week until my energy level improves.
See you next time.