CATCHING UP A LITTLE

I hope this photo brings a smile to your face as it did to mine. TRUMAN CONNER is always a faithful contributor, even if I have been very slow getting the news out lately. By the way, when I told him how much I liked the photo, he's the one who gave me the priceless title: "An Old Man and His Cat"! The cat's name is Stanley. (In his lap.)

I hope this inspires more of you to send me some pictures and stories of your own. This past year and a half has not been an easy one for any of us. However, it has certainly wrought plentiful changes in our lifestyles. To date, the only times I have been away from my little cottage have been the two times my daughter Carajean drove me to be vaccinated at a COVID-19 drive-thru site. My next outing will probably be to my doctor for a way overdue checkup. Then to the dentist to do something about the tooth I broke as well as the crown I popped off while flossing. I don't look forward to these visits!

This past week I had a visit from an employee of the DPS. My driver's license expired on my last birthday in 2020. As I no longer drive, I was notified that an official I.D. would be required in lieu of a driver's license. I informed them that during the pandemic, due to my health, I would not be able to visit their offices for the necessary paperwork and photo. I was surprised a few weeks ago to hear from this nice gentleman that if I could send a photo of a certified copy of my birth certificate, he might be able to make what they called a "homebound visit". My cameras are kaput, and I do not have an iPhone. However, the small android tablet I have, thanks to my son Matthew, takes photos. I'm not very proficient, but I made more than one attempt and I finally got a good enough picture they could verify I was born in the U.S.A. 

The appointment was set and "Johnny" came promptly at 11 am this past Thursday. He proceeded to charm me and my daughter Carajean while getting all the necessary paperwork done and my photo taken in record time. I foisted chocolate chip cookies on him as he left the premises twenty minutes after his arrival. I complimented him on his professional as he was leaving and he leaned in and said, "Don't tell anyone. You'll ruin my reputation." 

This past Mother's Day was a little tough. It was the first one in many, many years I did not have a card or gift or visit from my oldest child, Craig. I teared up when I opened the gift bag from Carajean. Pictured above is a small quilted memento she had professionally made from some of Craig's ties he had left here with me. Being in new car sales for many years, he wore dress shirts and ties. As his favorites were made by Jerry Garcia, I bought many of them through the years as gifts for him. This is so lovely on my sofa, but I think it will make a beautiful wall hanging someday. (No bare walls in my house!) I plan to leave it to one of Craig's children.

A cute story about the quilted memento...When Carajean was working with the ties and how to display them, she had them laying out on the floor. All of a sudden, Floki jumped right in the middle of the ties! Floki, of course, was Craig's cat. We think that he could smell Craig on the ties. 

Floki was adopted by Carajean's daughter Audrey and her husband, but they are temporarily housed at Carajean's. (Most of you know that Carajean's dad is BOB BURTON.)

Carajean and her family attended a wedding in Amarillo recently. The young bride was her daughter Ashlyn's best friend from early childhood. Ashlyn gave the Maid of Honor's speech. BOB and Ann went as well since they knew the young woman, and it was a chance to see most of the family. This photo was taken the night of the rehearsal dinner. Sandra is a physician friend of Carajean's since they were in college together.

This is mostly news from my neck of the woods. Let me hear from you and what's going on in your lives! Photos are always welcome.

Until next time..

Peace and love,

Marilyn