Smoke Signals
Rain at last – such a blessing. I know we need much more than one day’s rain. My grass may grow enough to have to be cut one more time this year! My helper has been able to clean out flower beds and clean off the fence line that it has just been too hot to do. He has been able to pressure-wash the front porch and ramp and seal it again with a waterproof seal. If weather and my health allow, we will tackle the back porch this week. Our next big project will be to clean out the large shed. We completed cleaning out three of the sheds in the spring. After that, we can clean out the garage and hopefully the attic. The collections cover more than 50 years, and my Doug was a collector and hoarder. If he thought we could someday use it, he bought it. Some of it, I have certainly used or been able to find someone who can, but some I have no idea what to do with!
We were blessed on Friday to have the chief surgeon at Le Bonheur perform the life-saving heart surgery on my great-grandson. The Lord was with all involved. The surgery that was expected to last eight hours was over much sooner. They were able to close the hole in his heart and make a major improvement to the valve issue, though it may need further repair in the future. He has been moved to the step-down unit after several days in the ICU. His appetite has not returned, but he is stronger each day.
It is good to see the progress around the town of Byhalia. Badly needed repairs are underway on the bridge on Highway 309 South by MDOT. While an inconvenience currently, we will soon be experiencing easier driving when heading south. Maybe they will get to the bridge on Hwy. 178 in town and the one near Victoria. Hopefully, the promised sidewalk repairs around town will be forthcoming by the town of Byhalia, along with some of the other overdue projects.
Elections are coming our way in November. Do your research and make your best choice, then go to the polls on election day and cast your vote. Every vote does count. Early voting is also open at the Chancery Court Office in Holly Springs, as well as voting by mail for those who qualify. My parents voted by mail for many years and were happy to still participate in the election process. I was called upon during the most recent elections to serve as a poll worker. It was a very enlightening experience. Many safeguards are put in place to ensure the election process is held to the highest standards.
It’s the time of year for all my doctor appointments. Some I rescheduled while I was in Georgia. I even had to go to a doctor while I was in Georgia. It is certainly not something I enjoy, but I try to go to all of them. Fortunately, I am able to drive myself to most of them. It is good that most have moved to locations that are easier to get to than the downtown offices. This getting older business isn’t any fun.