Close to Nowhere

• Rain is always such a disappointment during the annual Pilgrimage. And yet, being in April, I imagine rain is a constant worry for Garden Club members.

The Mississippi State Extension office here had a quilt show during Pilgrimage this year. Janet Jolley, county director, and I, along with the rest of the Extension staff, had a quilt show at the Presbyterian Church probably 10 years ago. It was past time for another one!

There were approximately 50 quilts hanging at the Extension office. And there wasn’t one there that I didn’t really like. I met quite a few of the Happy Quilters also. The quilt group meets every first and third Thursday at the Extension office -- every skill, from beginner to very advanced, so if you’d like to join a great bunch of ladies, 9 a.m. on Thursdays is a good time to do it.

• My oldest granddaughter Meredith hit a very important milestone this past weekend. She celebrated her 21st birthday with hubby Tim, best friend since childhood Robin, and Tim’s friend Andrew, kayaking on the Spring River in Arkansas.

The pictures look spectacular. I understand all that glorious running water and rippling waterfalls was cold though.

They left the baby with her dad and his wife, who live in Calhoun City. Meredith and Tim are very first-time parents. Mere is on all these online parenting boards and does research on when he’s supposed to roll over, sit up, etc.

She has already decreed that until Shepard is at least 2-years-old, his car seat will be facing the rear. But that’s a good rule.

Since her dad and Rexanne don’t know anything about babies (six daughters and I think three or four grandchildren between them), Mere sent a list of “rules” for them.

Rule No. 1: “He usually eats about every two to three hours.” And then a list of how much formula to mix with how much rice. It’s not written on either of the cans.

Rule No. 2 (my favorite): He usually goes to bed around 9:30. Lay him propped up on his elephant and give him a bottle. He should go right off. When he wakes up during the night, prop a bottle up for him.

Meds: I think he’s teething. I sent Ora-Gel for night or day. It’s a last resort. Rub just a tiny bit on the two bumps on his bottom gums.

Her dad said he was going to frame it and give it back to her when she has a second baby.