Smoke Signals and other news

Byhalia’s election for a new mayor will be on March 19. To date, only two candidates have qualified. If you live in the city limits of Byhalia, get out and vote for the candidate of your choice. Don’t let just a few people choose the new leader. The town has many challenges ahead that will require strong leadership.

This past week has gone quickly. I have enjoyed two birthday dinners during my birthday week. We saw some sweet Facebook posts about dinners, dates, and flowers on Valentine’s Day.

I began my interviews for the upcoming South Reporter’s Profile edition. These are always interesting. Every person has a story if we just take the time to listen.

Some time ago, I decided that I wanted to know more about people while they were living rather than attending their funerals and hearing about things they did that I never knew about.

Here’s a little something I read recently that I never really thought about. Don’t spring into garden clean-up too soon. Wait until temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees.

Many butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are currently wintering in dead leaves and hollowed-out stems of last year’s plants. Let them be.

Potts Camp and Byhalia continue registering kids for spring/summer baseball, softball, and t-ball. Get those kids signed up. It will be an experience they will never forget. They may find a new passion. If anyone is interested in coaching or is in a position to coach a team, reach out to those doing the sign-ups. I’m sure they will gladly tell you how to do either.

When I scheduled my knee replacement surgery months ago, it seemed so very far away. It is less than two weeks away, and it is getting real. Plans are made, the suitcase will soon be packed, and my kids plan to be there. I usually stay with the patient, so this will be a new experience for me-both for the surgery and recovery. I have had other surgeries but nothing recently.

This week, I visited my surgeon and went for my preop appointment. I’m already off all supplements and will come off two more meds this week to make my surgery safer. My body does not like this arrangement, but it has to be. My car must go in for maintenance this week. I have one more interview for the Profile edition, and I must go to work for several days as assistant Park and Rec. manager.

I often wonder what to write about. Sometimes, it comes easy, but occasionally, it is not so easy. Just when I think there is nothing else to say, one of my wonderful readers reaches out and updates me on an event or expresses appreciation for my article because it has helped them in some way. I so appreciate your emails and calls.

Coping with the loss of a loved one can be so very difficult. People politely ask how I’m doing since my husband’s death. I am usually okay; at least, I think I’m doing okay. Then, a sound, smell, or memory pops up, and a tear rolls down my cheek. A visit to the graveside is not easy. I now realize what a daze I was in during those difficult days. I will think something like, I’m surprised I didn’t hear from some friend, and then look at the guest book or read through my messages and realize they were there for me. So much was just blocked from my mind during that time. It did not seem real, and still, in many ways, I’m just waiting for him to come home, but he is already home and pain-free after many years of suffering.

Please share your news with me at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.