BARRY'S COOKING

October 29, 2014

By Olivene Godfrey

I have been reading a report on electric blankets, and my mind goes to the electric blanket on my bed.  Before I retire for the night, son, Barry pre-heats my bed.  On crisp cold nights it feels wonderful to snuggle under the electric blanket and feel the heat, ensuring a comfortable experience.

After I retire for the night, Barry tucks me in and once again, I am reminded that at a certain age, the child becomes the parent.

A number of years ago, I had to give up cooking our meals.  Barry took over in the kitchen.  He has become a good cook.  He said he started cooking out of necessity.  But, now he has become more interested in preparing more dishes.  He cooks a roast with new potatoes once a week in the crock pot.  He wants to learn to cook more dishes, especially roast beef gravy.  I'm going to try to put together a recipe of making gravy that he can use.  I made it for many years, but did the cooking so often, I didn't measure anything.

He is planning his Thanksgiving day dinner now.  We always buy a butterball turkey breast.  If you follow the directions you can't go wrong.  Barry uses a food thermometer in everything he cooks, to be certain the food is fully done.

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

SUNDAY'S SCENIC DRIVE

October 21, 2014

By Olivene Godfrey

Here in Georgia's highlands, the weather is just about perfect with a bright blue sky and plenty of sunshine.  There is a nip in the air that reminds us that autumn has arrived.  Soon, the leaves will turn brilliant fall colors before falling to the ground.

This past Sunday, Barry drove us to my doctor's weekend clinic to have my monthly blood test.  (I am anemic.)  Afterward, Barry drove us on a scenic tour around our county, with breath taking views of the mountains.

Then, Barry drove us to the old neighborhood where he grew up.  There had been few changes, but for the most part the place seemed to have been in a time capsule, a real live Mayberry.  Our old house where we lived for 15 years looked the same.  Barry was three years old when we moved there and eighteen years old when we moved in 1978 to our home which is located on a foothill of Grassy Mountain.

We have a magnificent view of the mountains when the leaves fall from the wall of trees located at the edge of our front yard.  We love our house and view, but Barry occasionally likes to drive to the neighborhood where he grew up.

Barry and his long time friend, Larry, rode their bikes all over town.  They played in the stream at the American Legion grounds near our house, and took their fishing rods to a nearby lake to fish on lazy summer days.  It was a more innocent time and I don't ever remember worrying about Barry as he and Larry roamed around the neighborhood.

Our Methodist Church was only a couple of blocks away.  I can still remember the church bells ringing on Sunday mornings.  I have warm memories of being a Sunday School teacher for the kindergarten class for a number of years at the church.

It's nice to roam down memory lane occasionally, but the present time can be good, too.

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

THOUGHTS ON UPCOMING 87TH BIRTHDAY

October 13, 2014

By Olivene Godfrey

I've been thinking about my upcoming birthday December 10th.  I will, Lord willing, be 87 years old.  This morning, while meditating before I got out of bed, I thought of how each decade of my life had brought new experiences.  I wondered if the final decade had arrived in my life.

I come from a long line of women who live to ripe old age.  My Aunt Helen lived 103 years.  I wondered if I even wanted to live that long.  For a while, I thought of the past and there were times of great joy and periods when my heart hurt and ached like a toothache.  But, somehow I survived.

I don't think I would still be alive today if it wasn't for the tender, loving care of my son, Barry, and Tam, my caregiver and personal assistant.  Then, I also each day and night, thank the good Lord, for watching out for me, and to be with me, regardless of what the next decade may bring.

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

PAINFUL WEEKEND & TAM'S BIRTHDAY

October 7, 2014

By Olivene Godfrey

We had a cool weekend, sort of a nip of autumn.  As I write this (Monday), the temps are warmer, with plenty of sunshine.  Our patio plants are still looking pretty except for the petunia's, which had been beautiful.  Barry carried it to the woods yesterday.  All of our tree leaves and shrubbery are still pretty and green.

I had a painful weekend.  For some time I had been using an electric heating pad on my arthritic knees.  A few days ago, I had the pad control turned up on high.  I was resting in my recliner when I felt a burning sensation.  I discovered I had burned a large spot on my left upper leg.  Later, the spot had turned into a large blister.  After suffering from the pain, Barry researched burns on the internet and said I appeared to have a second degree burn.  Today, the spot appears to be healing.  I learned a lesson - not to use the heat pad on a high setting.

Yesterday (Sunday) was Tam's birthday.  I had given her a gift and card on Friday.  She said she had a great weekend which was spent with her family.  She brought Barry and me each a piece of her birthday cake.  I am a diabetic and am allowed one dessert a week.  I haven't had a real dessert in months.  (I do eat a cookie after meals.)  Tam said the cake was made "from scratch" by her daughter, Carrie.  I look forward to eating some of it.  It is chocolate cake with chocolate icing, which is my favorite.

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

P.S.  Barry and I loved the sinfully delicious chocolate cake.