I FELL FLAT ON MY BACK LAST THURSDAY... BUT I THINK I AM OKAY NOW
BY OLIVENE GODFREY
On Thursday afternoon, for the first time in a year, I had a traumatic IBS attack in my bathroom that afternoon. I felt faint and called Barry at his shop and he was here in about five minutes. Meanwhile, I wasn't rational and decided to walk to my bed to try to stop the fainting feeling. Next thing I knew, I was laying flat on my back next to my bed. Barry rushed in and found me and the mess I had made. He checked me and had me a take a shower and then he cleaned the aftermath of my fall.

We both had a restless night and have colds we probably got in a doctors' office as that seems to be the only place I go to now. On Friday night, I still didn't sleep any as I relived the trauma of the episode. Last night (Saturday), Barry and I both had a good night's sleep. But, I have felt weak and ache all over today. Part of my pain may be due to this dreary rainy Sunday which affects my arthritic bones.

I hope in a few days I will feel better. I will be grateful for your prayers.

See you next time.

NOTES FROM LEGAL PAD

By OLIVENE GODFREY

As I write this, it's a rainy Sunday here in northwest Georgia and the weather is warmer than it's been recently. The temps didn't rise above freezing for about two weeks. Son Barry is hoping the rain has washed away the salt and ice remnants from
the roads. He has driven over to the Home Depot hardware store to browse around and I guess he will bring me a report on the roads. A week ago, the roofer's workers began repairing the roof of our house which was damaged by a recent wind storm.
I was also suffering from some sort of virus while trying to cope with my home insurance claim. I don't think I would have been able to keep going if it hadn't been for the assistance of my friend and neighbor, Genevelyn. Thanks to her, everything has been taken care of and Barry and I can relax, knowing our house roof is in good condition now.

One recent day, I was dusting in my office and I picked up a book which was on my desk and a packet of yellowed newspaper clippings fell into my hands. I removed the large paper clip and starting looking at the articles and columns and then I spied a column written July 20, 1969 by the late well known and beloved Celestine Sibley. And I recalled the cold winter day when I met and had a chat with the wonderful woman.

Our Georgia State Senator, Bill Fincher, invited Barry to be a page in the Senate when the Georgia General Assembly was in session that year. On that day, while Barry, who was about eight years old, served as a page along with a friend from our town, Senator Fincher introduced me to Celestine Sibley who was covering the General Assembly along with other news people. At that time I was working as a correspondent for the Atlanta papers and The Associated Press. Besides the news articles I had published feature articles in the papers with my byline.
Ms. Sibley had read my articles to my delight and she said she enjoyed them. She chatted with me for about 20 minutes. When the sessions ended Barry and I and his friend and parents along with Senator Fincher had our picture made with then Gov. Jimmy Carter, who later became President Carter of the U.S. I have the picture hanging on the wall in my office and it brings comments from visitors to my office.

I received an interesting e-mail from English friend, Annie, this week. She is living in England after spending over 20 years in South Florida. Annie is a talented artist (she writes and paints) and is skilled in a wide variety of things. She has traveled all over the world and her letters read like English novels which I love to read. She had called me shortly before Christmas while she was visiting friends in South Florida, including my niece, Connie, who is bravely fighting cancer and all of her Georgia relatives,including me, are praying for her.
See you next time.

FRIGID WEATHER, WEIGHT GAIN AFTER EATING TOO MUCH HOLIDAY GOODIES, & MORE

By OLIVENE GODFREY

As I write this, the sun is shining brightly and the temp is up to 30 for the first time in over a week here in Georgia's high country. Fortunately, our electric power hasn't been out and our trusty heat pump has been keeping us warm and cozy during weather in the teens which is rare here. I haven't ventured outside our house since Christmas day which we enjoyed at my sister, Jeanette's home in nearby Dalton. On, Thursday a blanket of light snow covered the frozen ground and farm ponds and icy roads were dangerous. The weather folks say we will have a warm-up trend in a few days which I am looking forward to.

I regret to report that during the holidays,I gained about five pounds. My niece, Charlene, had baked a delectable German chocolate cake and I ate a large piece. Then, Jeanette, who makes the world's best chocolate fudge, gave us a tin for Christmas and I ate more of it than I should have. And, I nibbled on rich holiday delicious foods here all week. I have resolved to lose the five pounds as soon as possible.

I return to the blood doctor's office in Calhoun, Georgia, this coming week for a blood test and another booster shot which I am beginning to need. It has been a month since I had a shot and Barry says I may need to go back to the two-week schedule as I am running out of energy and becoming fatigued again. I am taking the shots to control my anemia and for a while I have a lot of energy after a shot.

Last Saturday night, I watched the TV shows Crook & Chase and The Marty Stewart shows on cable RFD-TV. I knew they were reruns and I had recently seen them before but they were so entertaining I decided to watch them again. Crook & Chase did a tribute to Elvis and Marty Stewart's fast paced show has become a favorite of mine. His wife, country music artist, Connie Smith is a regular on the show and they are a delight to watch together. I related to Lorianne Crook's recollection of seeing Elvis live with her mother and telling her mother he had sang a particular song just for her. Her mother replied that no, he was singing it to her. My late husband, Ralph, and son Barry attended a live Elvis show in Atlanta during his prime and it was the most exciting live performance I have ever seen. And, like Lorianne, I am a still a die-hard Elvis fan.

After I watched the TV shows, I told Barry that I remembered parts of the shows but some parts seemed new to me. I was worried about my scatterbrain condition. Barry reminded me that some nights when I watch television I fall asleep during the shows. That makes me feel better-I think.

See you next time.

EAT THE PEAS, HOPE FOR FUTURE

By OLIVENE GODFREY

It's a Southern tradition that if black-eye peas are eaten on New Year's day good luck and prosperity are assured through out the year. In my parent's home, we were always told,"This year you will receive a dollar for each black-eye you eat today." I can't find black-eyed peas and hog jowl a delicacy even though my son, Barry, does. But, with the state of the economy as it is, I may just stuff myself with black-eye peas and also another food I"m not fond of-turnip greens. Some folks say if you eat turnip greens on New Year's day you'll have plenty of "greenbacks" during the year.

The past year has not been the best of years for Americans. Yet, we are alive and a new year brings some promise of better things to come. A good New Year's resolution is to strive to grow as a person. Elliot Paul wrote, "Whatever isn't growing wears out." Our Creator could have made us like a spider, the creature that has nothing to learn. He is born with completely developed instincts, knowing just how to be a model spider. But human beings must struggle to achieve maturity . And the dullest life possible is one devoid of struggle. Without discipline in our lives we tend to create a dull, childish personality. Life is made richer by exertion. And, if the economy doesn't improve during 2010 many of us will have obstacles to overcome.

But, now as we begin a new year, we can count blessings we do have. Sometimes while struggling too hard up the side of our mythical mountain we miss some beautiful scenery because we could only see the peaks. I try to be a realistic optimist. And, I think the individuals who made our country great were realistic, yet optimistic. And, in the months ahead it will be important for us to hold onto our optimism and not to give up and to remember that we've seen bad times before and overcame them. And, weather or not, you dine on black-eye peas, I hope that the upcoming year will bring you happiness.

See you next time.