I AM PROUD TO BE CALLED A "TREE HUGGER"

July 30, 2012

By Olivene Godfrey
A few days ago, we had a couple of tall, majestic trees cut down.  The tree service man said the trees were partially dead because of the insects that have invaded our area since warm temperature lengthens the growing season.
Call it what you wish, but tens of millions of Americans are now convinced that climate change is real, and our planet is getting hotter.
I've always loved trees and have thought of them as the Cherokee Indians who once roamed our area did.  The Cherokee called a tree "brother" and only took from the trees what was needed.  I love living in the lush green North Georgia mountain land where we still have a lot of trees.
I remember when I attended a dinner and a man seated near me was sounding off about "tree huggers".  He said he would like for our National Park and forests to be cut down and the land paved.  I'm not a violent person, but it was hard for me not to punch the idiot in the nose.
I recently read an article on the internet by Shamus Cooke, who wrote that, "Believing the climate change exist implies you are somewhat aware of the massive consequences to humanity if the global economy doesn't drastically change, and fast".  I agree.
As I write this, I am "under the weather", and hope I'll feel better soon.
Tam will be taking a trip with her family to the Smokies for a few days this week, and I hope they have a great time.  I'll miss her, but I know she needs a holiday.  See you next time.
(As told to Tam)

NOTES FROM MEMO PAD

July 20, 2012

By Olivene Godfrey
Earlier this week I had an appointment with my audiologist in Dalton to have my hearing aids adjusted.  The volume was increased and I'm hearing better.  I still have a problem hearing people who speak real fast.  It sounds to me that the words are slurred and all run together like a loud noise.  If you have good hearing, be grateful.  It never crossed my mind when I was young that I would lose my hearing.
I had an appointment yesterday with my primary care doctor, who I've been seeing for 25 or so years.  She knows all about my health.  She changed one of my medicines which I will start taking in a few days.  I'm always a bit apprehensive when I take a new medicine, but this one should help me.  A blood test showed I'm now eligible for a booster shot which always gives me more energy.  I will be getting in touch with my blood doctor in Calhoun about this next week.
We have hired a roofer to replace the shingles on the back of our house which were damaged in a recent wind storm here.  Actually, we are getting a new roof on the back of the house.  About a year or so ago, we had to have the front half of the roof replaced.  I'll be glad when it's done, but I dislike the noise when the roof is being installed.  The work should begin in a week or so.  Our house insurance will cover the price for it, thank goodness!
The weather here is hot and muggy with scattered showers.  We have had a lot of thunder and lightning, but little rain this week.
When I'm alone, I often think of my recent lengthy hospital stay with double pneumonia.  I've been told I had several close calls.  Sometimes I wonder if there was a reason I was spared.  I do enjoy my life more now.  See you next time.
(As told to Tam)

MORE ABOUT SUMMER STORMS

July 11, 2012

By Olivene Godfrey
When I woke up early yesterday, our electric power was off, and my first thought was, "Georgia Power, how could you do this to me when I bragged on you so in my last blog?"  Then, son Barry came to my bedroom with a powerful flashlight and told me we'd had a humdinger of a storm earlier that morning.  I had slept through the storm and then the power came on filling the house with bright light.  Out here in the country, the darkness without lights at night, is jet black and scary.  I realized the power outage was an act of God, and Georgia Power had been on the ball repairing the damage.  So, all is forgiven to Georgia Power.
During our rare wind storm earlier this week, we had some damage to the roof of the house.  The house insurance agency people have been out to inspect it.  Barry had filed a claim and the agent is suppose to call him today.  We are still looking for a reliable roofer.  During the wind storm our power stayed on which was a relief.
We take our power for granted until we don't have it.  Barry and I can't sleep when the power is off at night.  So, we both "sawed logs" last night.
More storms and hot weather are in the forecast for every day this week.  We had two inches of rain during the recent storm.  Our patio plants are thriving in this hot weather.
My neighbor/friend, Genevelyn, and her friend, Troy, paid me a nice visit yesterday while we were waiting for a storm that never came.  Genevelyn is very scared of storms.
I told them about my maternal grandfather who was a Methodist circuit horse back rider when my mother was a child.  He was terrified of storms.  My late mother often talked about his fear.  He would have every family member get out of bed and get dressed when a storm hit them at night.  I find it interesting that he had female family members remove hair pins, as he was afraid lightning would strike the hair pins.
See you next time
(As told to Tam)

THANK GOD FOR SPARING OUR AREA DURING HEATWAVE STORMS AND ALSO THANKS FOR GEORGIA POWER AND OUR HEAT PUMP

July 5, 2012

By Olivene Godfrey
During the days when we were having 100 plus temps I stayed inside our house.  I've been relaxing in my new sitting room in one area of the large bedroom.  Son Barry selected a very comfortable recliner for the room and has ordered a new slip cover for a wing chair I had in my office.
The days when the hot weather was so oppressing were the hottest ever recorded in the South the weather people reported.  I don't remember such hot weather in my long life.
This week we are having temps in the 90's and the air quality is still bad.  Barry says during the week last spring when I came down with double pnemonia, the pollen count was an incredible 6,000!  We believe that is what triggered my serious illness.
I have been keeping up with my long-time friend, Jeanette Greeson's brave fight against cancer by reading her posts on facebook.  Please remember her in your prayers.  She is indeed a STEEL MAGNOLIA!
Our crepe myrtle bush was planted in July 2000 in memory of my Mother who died that year.  Every year on Mothers birthday, July 4th, the first blooms appear on the bush and did this year, too.  The bush was given to us by my sister-in-law, Joyce when mother died.  See you next time.
(As told to Tam)