Smoke Signals and other news
As I sat in the floor trying to figure out how to get up, that commercial I always hated ran through my mind. You know the one - “I’ve fallen and - “ I never quite understood it until the last few years. What do you mean, you can’t get up. I’ve always managed to get up even when I thought it was not possible. This time I tripped over something – who knows what but probably my own feet. As I was falling, I’m thinking how ridiculous and this is probably going to hurt. Nothing seemed to be broken although there was pain. Olivia came running into the room asking, “What was that noise?” but quickly figured it out. We tried everything to get me off that floor. With the right knee still tender from knee replacement and the left shoulder weak from an old rotator cuff injury, I was pretty much stuck. My nephew and a neighbor came to my rescue and stood me back on my feet with ease without comment. It is just one of the joys of getting older.
Saturday night I got to go see Mary Claire show off one of her many talents as she danced her heart out in the Kudzu Theater production of “Pippin.” Although she was recently in a car wreck and also had to have a wisdom tooth cut out, she pushed through it all. Her love of theater started when she attended the Byhalia Area Arts Council Drama Camp two months shy of her eighth birthday. She tried many hobbies along the way including softball and gymnastics but then discovered dance around the age of nine and combined that with theater. Although a college girl majoring in Mechanical Engineering, she always finds time to dance. It is a complete joy to watch her. She has landed a roll in her favorite show “Newsies” in September and will again fit it into her busy schedule. As long as I am able, I will be there to watch her dance.
We have had a successful summer baseball/softball program in Byhalia with only a couple of weeks to go. Yes, it has been hot, but parents and kids have been great. We have focused on teaching with all ages. Since very few places have a summer program, we are blessed with children from across the county and even neighboring counties. I’ve met so many new children and parents. Many are children of former players. I love seeing some of those former players come back and umpire, coach, prepare the fields, make a few needed repairs, enroll their own children, or simply come back where they played to watch a game. What’s next you ask? We are currently enrolling for fall soccer ages 3- 12. Register at Byhalia-MS.com or in person at Byhalia Town Hall. We will again offer adult coed softball. Contact me for information on that.
I am concerned that the recent tick bite may have resulted in my developing the Alpha-gal Syndrome causing my body to not be able to process certain meats. I am waiting for the blood test confirmation. After many episodes of being extremely ill, I am avoiding mammal meat until I get those results. I know others who have developed this, and it is definitely not something I wanted. Due to my food allergies, my food choices were already limited.
I would love to report your news. Contact me at jchwagg@gmail.com, 901 246-8843, or on Facebook – Clair Wagg.