FRIGID WEATHER IN GEORGIA'S HIGH COUNTRY

November 24, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

It isn't even officially winter and we're having a very cold day with temperatures in the 20s and 30s.  Barry had some chores today and wore his heavy coat he only wears in extremely cold weather.  There is a sharp wind which makes it seem even colder.

Since I have a problem talking on the phone now because of my hearing impairment, Tam has been making calls for me.  She called my sister in-law, Agnes, who lives in Northeast Georgia last week.  Agnes told Tam her family news which Tam passed along to me.  Yes, Tam is a jewel.

Tam has been realizing now since she quit smoking that smoking is not only a nasty habit but expensive.  She was able to buy her new laptop computer with money saved after she quit smoking recently.

With the colder weather, my arthritis in my knees and back of my neck are almost more than I can bear these days.  I can't take any pain medicine stronger than Aleve because of my queasy stomach, so I suffer a lot.

Barry has bought food for our Thanksgiving dinner, and we should have a good meal.  I hope each of you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

GENEVELYN'S VISIT, SKIN CARE, TAM'S NEW LAPTOP AND BLACK BEARS

November 17, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

Last week, Genevelyn, paid Tam and me a nice visit.  She was a good neighbor to me until she recently moved to town.  She reports that since she sold her farm and bought a house in Chatsworth, she's been happy and we're glad but miss her.

Genevelyn is good for my ego.  She always comments on my "beautiful complexion" and insists I don't look 86 years old (Tam agrees with Genevelyn).  I give the credit to genetics as my mother's skin was still beautiful when she died at age 92.  Also, avoiding the sun will keep your skin from being as wrinkled.  When we lived in Florida years ago, I had a light tan for awhile.  Then, I developed an allergy to the sun and had to stop sun bathing, which was a blessing.

Speaking of skin, Barry and I had the "winter itch" during our recent "cold snap" and he got out our large humidifier and that solved our problem.

Tam bought a new laptop computer last week and was so excited, she was a joy to behold!  As I write this on Sunday afternoon, I will be eager to hear if she played with the laptop all weekend.

Since we live at the foot of a mountain, we often see wild animals in our yard.  But, all of our neighbors - as well as Barry and me, are unhappy with the black bears that are wondering around the neighborhood.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

I'M THANKFUL FOR SO MANY THINGS THIS THANKSGIVING

November 10, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

Among the many things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving is life itself.  I'll be 86 years old December 10th, Lord willing, and I'm well considering all my ailments.  This past year, I had eyelid surgery which was a success as my vision and appearance have improved.

I'm thankful for my son, Barry, and for all the many things he does for me every day.  I wouldn't be able to stay in my comfortable home if I didn't have Barry to care for me.

And, thank God, I have Tam, my wonderful caregiver, friend, secretary and editor.  Because of Tam's assistance, I'm able to continue to write more, for publication.  She also helps me to shower and so much more.

And, thanks to Barry, I have a very nice sitting room at one end of my bedroom, which gives me much comfort and also privacy.

I'm also grateful to good friends (you know who you are) who do so much for me.  I'm blessed.

I was grateful this morning for our magnificent view from our front window of the sun coming up over the mountains, casting light on the pretty farm next door with its large pond and picturesque barn.

I'm grateful for the e-book I had published.  And, I hope my BIG ONE will be accepted for publication soon.  And I permit myself to daydream that it will be a best seller and make me rich and famous.  Yeah!

On a serious note, I am also thankful for my sister, Jeanette, who is the only member of my immediate family still living.  I don't see her often as neither of us drives anymore.  Tam or Barry would take me to Dalton to see her, but it's a big ordeal to go out, so most of my outings are for doctor appointments.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

THANKSGIVING DINNERS - PAST AND PRESENT

By Olivene Godfrey

Thanksgiving dinners in my life seem to all merge together until we moved to our house in 1978.  My late husband Ralph would build a fire in our large fireplace on Thanksgiving morning.  Then he would settle in his recliner in front of the TV and prepare for a day of watching football games and eating a bountiful dinner.  Meanwhile, I would be in the kitchen cooking the dinner I had been preparing for a week or two.  The day before Thanksgiving, I would have made candied yams, green beans, pumpkin and mincemeat pies.  I had also brought out the holiday linens, china and flatware for the special day.  Some years we would have guests but most of the time, Ralph, Barry and I would dine alone and we'd eat the delicious food until we were about to pop.

After Ralph died in 2002, we went out and ate in a restaurant which wasn't a pleasant experience.  I cooked dinner until I became too feeble to cook and Barry took over the kitchen.  A couple of years we ate Thanksgiving dinner with Tam at her family home and enjoyed it.

This year Barry has more experience in the kitchen.  So, he's going to cook a butterball turkey breast for our Thanksgiving day dinner.  If you follow the instructions on the breast, it will be delicious.  He can manage a few side dishes and we'll have a good dinner.

See you next time.  Comments welcomed.  (As told to Tam)