Busy time of year
December 11, 2016
This is always a busy time of the year for most everybody, and I am no exception. Last Sunday was the concert at the high school. They all sounded great, with Jaylyn sounding the best of all to me. The new instructor, Miss Lewis, ventures away from “standard” music from time to time, and makes it work very nicely. The last song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” went from mild to wild with a mix and interruptions of different songs. The concert had a bit of sadness because of the wreck Mrs. Vanlandingham was involved in. Each of us were given a ribbon to wear to honor her. Sadly she passed away this week. Many thanks to Miss Lewis, her assistants, and the talented young people for great entertainment in Alva.
Cleo and I aren't as speedy as we used to be so passed on the tour of homes. We also needed to go by and see Joann Cole and wish her happy birthday. Not only did I get to wish her happy birthday, but got to see several friends and relatives. The snacks were a plus to the visit. Virginia and Susie did a very good job celebrating mom's birthday.
I was a bit concerned when Jaylyn won an “ugly” contest. My first thought was my picture had been entered in an ugly grandpa contest. I was relieved to find it was an ugly sweater competition. Whew, dodged a bullet there!
Cleo had a doctor's appointment at Cherokee on Friday and we had planned to eat there. The classy restaurant was closed and as we drove up to the door of the Dairy Mart, the lights went out, so we decided it was an omen to not eat in Cherokee.
Cleo had eaten at the Angry Bull one other time and decided to have me try it with her. I was a little concerned when no waitress was forthcoming. A friend of mine wandered over and told us one lady was working the bar and the food tables, then tipped her off we were there. In a flash she waited on us. I tried a Ruben Wrap (corned beef and sauerkraut) with sweet potato fries and it was excellent. I had to go over to the bar to pay out, and ran into a couple of guys I knew. When I saw the pool tables and the barkeep drawing a draft beer, my mind went back about 30 or 40 years to another chapter in my life. Sure glad Cleo saw enough potential in me to wait out the immature period of my life. I guess some people might say she is still waiting.
I went to Blackwell for Josh's freshmen basketball game. It was a really good game even though we lost. Josh doesn't play a whole bunch, but I enjoy every minute he is in there. If you are at Blackwell at food time and like Chinese food, there is a Golden Dragon Restaurant across the street from Walmart that is pretty good. The less than $7 buffet price tag was a pleasant surprise too.
As I turned south on Main Street to go to the game I saw flashing lights coming at me from far away. When I got downtown, I realized they weren't hunting for me at all. I found a good spot to park and watched a really nice Christmas parade. There was a cement truck with lights everywhere. The drum was turning and was decorated also. Even the local fire truck was lit up. Kay County Electric had a couple of dressed up trucks, and there were several floats from organizations. I called the sponsors, the Blackwell Chamber of Commerce, to ask about how many floats there were, but they didn't call back. I did think it was strange they had ball games the same time as the parade, but it worked out fine for me.
One group of unsung heroes at Christmas are the men and women that take time out from their lives to bring happiness to so many people, young and old, by playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus. I see JL White Bill and Mrs. West on Facebook in their costumes from time to time. Alva's Paul And Deb Corr do the honors here. It is amazing how all of them look so natural, like they were born for the parts. 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. They'd been worn all week and needed the air.
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