Smoke Signals and other news
Sitting on my front porch this week, I observed a rather large group of cardinals resting in an oak tree in the far corner of my yard. At first, I only noticed the four brightly colored males. I was impressed to have that many. Then as the females began to move around, I realized there were many more. It’s been a while since I have seen that many together in one place. I decided they were telling me it was time to put out the feeders for the winter season. I have done so and although no cardinals have been feeding yet, several other species have let me know they are pleased to visit the feeder.
Saturday, I spent the day at the White Oak Festival and BBQ Battle. A beautiful fall day served as the setting. I saw so many old friends and met many new potential friends. There was a film crew. Somehow, I was the one sitting at the forefront of the Chamber of Commerce booth when they came our way. I quickly looked around for someone to be the spokesperson, but the job fell to me. I don’t know who they were with, so I guess I won’t see it. The gentlemen who headed the group had a lovely British accent (he was from London) and I commented on how much I loved it to which he replied how much he loved my accent. It was his first trip to Mississippi and I’m sure there is much more to his story.
When your daughter calls you from Georgia and is obsessed with finding a specific 6foot Nutcracker (doll) that Walmart carries, you, of course, join the hunt-on line for me while she was driving to several Walmart stores in her area. During the chase, she discovered a 4-foot Nutcracker that CVS stores carry that seem to be in great demand. The chase switched to CVS stores. Triumphantly, she managed to find not one but three of the prized Nutcrackers – one at each of three stores. She would be using these at her store in Georgia but wanted two more for her store in Byhalia. That would be up to me to find. The only store in the area that showed having them in stock was in Olive Branch, so off I went. By the time I arrived, maybe fifteen minutes later they were already gone with the only other place showing them in stock on Union Avenue. We reluctantly agreed that it wasn’t logical to make that drive since they could easily be gone before I got there. The search continues.
Sunday, November 17, is the one-year anniversary of the unexpected passing of my husband, Doug. It has been a hard year adjusting to his being gone, working to clean out four sheds, the house, and a garage full of his collection of “treasures” (this is an ongoing process), having major surgery, taking on an additional “part-time” job, and dealing with my own ongoing health issues. Family, friends and God have been there every step of the way. Earlier in the year, I wrote that I hoped to replace my failing floors and finish the house this year. The project restoring the floors, which must be done first, begins this week. This will be the major project in the restoration.
I would love to report your news, activities, etc. Please share your news with me either at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901 246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.