NANA NOTES

Master Gardener Field Trip

What started out to be a dreary day turned into a gardener's heaven.  Leaving at 7:00 am in a yucky rain didn't do much for my spirits but being a faithful member of the new Master Gardener class in Pike County I loaded up and took off.  We were to do a nursery tour today as part of our class experiences.  Fifteen of us met at Penney's parking lot (the meeting place of choice in McComb) and grouped up in cars.  I wanted to "buy" so of course I offered to take my "hauling vehicle".  Delores, Carolyn, Virginia and I were off in the caravan waiting to see what was ahead.  We couldn't wait to see each place.  The first three had trees, shrubs, etc.  That was interesting, but we wanted some COLOR!!  Around 11:30 we began to make noises about food too!  We stopped at a nice little seafood place and ate.  I'll just tell you that no one left hungry and I used the stop as a photo op!!  Nice looking group, don't you think?  Those of you who didn't make it were missed.  After leaving the restaurant, we headed off for some more stops. A gentleman named Rodney gave a tour of the nursery starting with the seedling room.  Their potting soil comes to them in 18 wheelers!  They have these wonderful little machines that pop out the seedlings to be potted.  They throw away more seedlings that we could ever plant.  I was amazed.   Then the heavens opened up and the color came down.  You have never seen such beauty or heard such wonderful words--"you may purchase!"  Did these people go crazy or what? He took us to all the greenhouses and showed us all the plants.  He said the workers were constantly weeding because he couldn't stand the thought of his plants going out with any weeds in them.  He said that usually his drive ways were sprayed daily.  Everything was orderly and watered by hand.  I was surprised by that. The other places we'd been used automatic sprayers.  We were asked to turn in our list and the plants were pulled.  I began to wonder if we were going to have enough room to bring the Master Gardeners back!!  Flats of plants were put into every conceivable place in every vehicle!  When the visit was over everyone collapsed onto the benches and had a good laugh.  It had been like a feeding frenzy!  What fun.  Thanks for the tour!

Things are "bustin' out here---

We've been waiting and waiting and it's finally happened!!  Snowbelle finally had her babies--or as Sam said, "them baby goats just busted outa her, Nana!"  I don't know how long it takes goats to have babies, but Papaw H told us about a month ago that it would be any day now.  She had two--one is all white and the other one is white with a black head.  We don't know what they are yet, but I'm saying that the all white one is a girl and the black and white one is a boy.  I think the boy will be Stuart Little and the girl will be the bird in the Stuart Little 2 movie, but I can't think of her name right now.  I'm sure I'll get comments on that!  For those of you who don't know, Snowbelle (aka Goaty Goaty) was my birthday present several years ago.  She was presented to me by my children and grandchildren with a big purple bow around her neck.  You've never seen me so happy. Last summer Papaw H (Shelly's dad) brought over two more (one was a male) and you know where we're headed with that!!!  We'll have goats "bustin' out everywhere now.  Oh, but what fun!!

Franklin County Industry Luncheon

Today's the day!  It's finally here!! And I get caught in my pajamas out by the pool by our Representative!!  Cool move, Nana.  Of course, he was two hours early--just coming by to say he couldn't be there for the luncheon.  Tables are set, flowers are fixed, food is cooking--guests are arriving--by the CARLOADS!!  It was awesome.  I called Mary Lou the night before to ask her about protocol.  She mentioned a couple of things and then said "oh, you know, kind of like at Pauline's at Christmas!"  I knew what I was in for then.  The cooks (Shelly, Robert and Tommy) did a great job with the chicken; Janice and Linda had everything ready at the house; Cookie and Libby helped bake cakes and Sabrina came by just in time to help put out the table cloths and flowers.  We looked calm on the outside but were paddling like &%#@ underneath!!!!!  We even got Mary Lou in the KITCHEN and I have proof!!!   If any of you got sick--she did the rolls.  We didn't get a count but Janice said there was at least 150 people.  Maybe not that many but a lot.  It was great fun.   Ed and I got a great surprise after the luncheon.  We got an "official" ride on the lake.  What a payback!!  Thanks Mary Lou, Tim and David for the great afternoon. Number three down--now for some fun. 

GCM Convention--two down

I made a flying trip to Greenwood for my Awards presentation for the Garden Clubs of MS State Convention.  It was to be a three day event (all while staying at the beautiful Alluvian Hotel being pampered in style).  Due to the fact that we had the Industry Luncheon--more later--I went, did my part--and came home.  Susan and I were the only two there from Pine Burr.  We enjoyed lunch on Wednesday at the 1st UMC and watched as Bennie Campbell from Atlanta did gorgeous arrangements as his sidekick cracked funnies. This arrangement had at least 25 pink roses in it and was beautiful.  For those of you who are "garden clubbers", he's a stickler for mechanics.  My awards program went well.  Pine Burr was rewarded for their flower show last year, "Desperate Housewives".  It won the most creative show award, the standard flower show award for the Natchez Trace District for club size, a schedule award, and a National Award for a standard flower show in a public place.  How I wish I could have had some more club members there to receive this award since they all worked so very hard to put this show on.   Right after the awards luncheon I loaded up and headed south to get ready for the Industry luncheon. Two down and one to go!!

Heigh Ho, It's off to GCM Convention I Go- - -

Well, today's the day--whether I'm ready of not.  The National Awards Chairman has not returned my books and they are going to be overnighted to Greenwood.  NO RIBBONS!!  The order was lost says the national chairman.  It will be a bummer to be giving out beautifully prepared certificates with no gorgeous ribbons to go with them.  I'm just hoping the books of evidence get there.  I'll be returning home right after my awards luncheon on Wednesday to get ready for the next hurdle--the Industry Luncheon at Cotton Branch which has grown from 70 people to 104!!  More on that later!

"Come for a Visit"- - -

Over one hurdle and on to the next!  Pine Burr Garden Club had it's spring flower show on Friday at the Meadville Convalescent Home in Meadville.  What a blessing it was.  Putting on a flower show is a stressful thing (we always joke about garden club ladies having to be healthy and strong!!).  It takes two good days to get set up and organized.  Taking over the dining room of the nursing home is serious business--we got comments like, "where we gonna' eat?",  & "where we gonna' play bingo?" Everything had to be done in one day but we pulled it off and it was BEAUTIFUL!!   The residents were so happy to have us there.  They loved seeing the beautiful flowers.  They were awed by the arrangements and delighted by the punch and cookies.  They were pleased by the extra visitors too.  This was some of the horticulture (we had 104 pieces).  There were 24 designs and two special exhibits.  There wasn't a bad one in the group.  Two of the blue ribbon winners had to leave early.  Sara, me, Karen and Cookie were there to have our pictures made.  You can tell we were very happy.     I'd be "slacking" as Josh says if I didn't show you my design.  The class was entitled "Listen to the Music". And, oh, by the way, I did win the top award--Designer's Choice and the coveted Barbara Herring Award (new one--for the top design in the show)!!  I'm happy, and tired, and blessed by the feeling of warm fuzzies that we shared with the residents.  It was worth every minute of it. Cookie, Paulette, Becky, Karen and I sat on the front porch of the nursing home talking after the long day.  Sore feet, tired legs and weary bones-yep, it was "Flower Show Day".

Blessed Easter- - -

Since I am moving at warped speed this week and for the next two weeks I want each of you to know that I hope you all have a wonderful blessed Easter.  I truly can't wait for church tomorrow.  The Lenten season is so somber and on Easter Sunday the heavens open up and the music is glorious.  We will have our family with us and I'm sure there will be hidden eggs and picture opportunities.  I hope to share that with you later.  Have a great day!

The BIGGEST Horse- - -

The boys and I had an outing.    We went to the Pike County Coop to see the world's biggest horse--Goliath.  Ben, Sam, Libby, Leigha, Spencer and I went over and took a peek.  They were right!  As Sam said, "That sucker is big."  He weighed 2400 pounds and drank 20 gallons of water a day.  His hooves were 14 inches in diameter.  I can't remember how much he ate, but I imagine it was however much he wanted to.  We all had fun and the kids just kind of ran around looking at everything.  Ben and Sam buried themselves in a stack of potting soil.  I was glad they could climb out.  After seeing the horse we went to Burger King and ran into Mr. Charles and Eva Nell with Kenna Leigh and Noah.  It was a fun afternoon.

Master Gardener

At this point in my week I am grossly stressed--Pine Burr Garden Club flower show on Friday, GCM state convention next week, Franklin County Industry luncheon next Thursday and what do I do???---sit down to tell you that I am now a Master Gardener intern!!  It's something that I am excited about and that I have wanted to do for a long time.   Several of the Garden Club ladies tried to get the Extension Service to do it here in Franklin County years ago but couldn't get it done.  This past February I decided to join my friends Delores Feldman and Gay Austin in Pike County and take the class.  We attended 40 hours of on line webcam classes with MS State. Now I'm required to do 40 hours of volunteer work and I'm official.  Since Ed says all my jobs are non paying, I shouldn't have any trouble getting my 40 hours! lol

I've been challenged- - -

Jennifer and her friend did this--100 things about me.  I thought Jennifer's was the coolest thing I had ever read.  I don't know Doni but her's was good.  She has a sense of humor that I would enjoy.  Anyway, I said I could never do that; I couldn't think of enough things.  It took me a week.  Here goes:

1. I was born on June 22, 1947 in Booneville, MS.
2. I have two brothers, no sisters, and am the oldest child.
3. I graduated from Murrah High School in Jackson, MS.
4. I went to MSCW (now MUW) for four years but did not graduate--I do not regret this.
5. I met my husband there.
6. I am a daughter, sister, mother, wife and grandmother.
7. I am a friend.
8. I am loyal to a fault
9. I have three children--2 sons and a daughter.
10. I have nine grandchildren--6 boys and 3 girls.
11. I haven't thrown up since I was eight years old--that includes a bout of food poisoning and pregnancies.
12. I love animals and have lots of them.
13. I like to play bridge.
14. I am not old enough to drink coffee.
15. However--I love Starbucks white chocolate mocha frappuchino!
16. I think hominy stinks!
17. I love EGGPLANT!
18. I played "cooking show" when I was little wearing my mother's high heeled shoes and pretended I was on tv.
19. I love to cook if I don't have to.
20. Emeril is my idol.
21. Paula Deen is my other idol.  They both have cooking shows.
22. I have had cancer--I survived.
23. I have had my heart broken--I survived.
24. I've flown in an airplane with Ed as the pilot.
25. I've flown in a hot air balloon with Ed as the pilot.
26. The day my dad died Ed and I were picked up from a boat in the Gulf by a seaplane.
27. I love to watch birds and butterflies.  They are miracles to me.
28. I believe that a day is wasted if you don't laugh.
29. My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11.  Reading those words have helped me with everything especially #'s 22 and 23.
30. I was scrapbooking before scrapbooking was cool.
31. I collect Santas and Hallmark Ornaments.
32. Ben and Jerry need my phone number.  Ice cream is my favorite food.
33. I have run 5k's 10k's, and a 13k.  That was in my other life. (I actually have trophies.)
34. I love my gray hair; it validates my experience.
35. I'm proud to say that I have most of the good qualities of both my grandmothers.
36. I'm bossy--that came from my dad's mother.  If I were a guy it would be ok and called something else.
37. Sunsets make me cry.
38. So do newborn babies.
39. Christian music is my favorite.
40. Lots of things are different for me now that I've had cancer.  Some things don't matter; some things matter more.
41. When I was young I wanted to be a singer or a dress designer. 
42. I am neither.
43. I sing in the church choir.
44. I play the piano--just for me.
45. Flowers are a passion.
46. Gardening is an effort.
47. I once owned a flower and gift shop.  I loved it and was very good at it.
48. I hate Valentine's Day because I owned a flower and gift shop.
49. I still like presents though.
50. For the last 14 years my morning wake up has been a little boy (one of Jennifer's) getting in the bed with me.
51. I think I will miss that when it stops.
52. I am proud of all our children.  They are all college graduates and have good jobs and happy families.
53. I was given a goat with a purple bow around her neck for my birthday.
54. I've also received three long horn cows for my birthday.
55. For Mother's Day I was given power tools and I "build stuff".
56. I have taken the Master Gardener course and I am now an intern.
57. I never wanted to move to the farm but after one night wondered why we hadn't always lived here.
58. I don't like that the roles have been reversed with my mom and me.
59. I've always wanted to publish a cookbook.  I will one day.
60. Purple is my favorite color.
61. I'm organized in an unorganized way.
62. I'm adamant about having a clean car.
63. "I can't stand it when it's sticky."
64. I appreciate Ed more than I ever tell him.
65. Ed and I have been married almost 38 years and I love him more now that I did the day I married him.
66. I now understand what love is.
67. I like the beach anytime
68. I don't like the sand.
69. Reading at the beach when it's raining is a favorite thing to do.
70. I love when Ed cooks--especially steaks and bacon.
71. I like to fish especially when I catch more than Ed.
72. I enjoy my volunteer work--I'd like to do more.
73. I think I've decided that my "talent" is hospitality.
74. My favorite TV shows are Grey's Anatomy and Survivor.
75. I love to go to new grocery stores.
76. Hobby Lobby is my new best friend.
77. Diet Dr. Pepper is my drink of choice.
78. I don't like to exercise.
79. I want to lose 20 pounds.
80. I'd rather have on pajama pants or jeans and t-shirts than anything else.
81. I am lucky enough to have household help or my house would be a mess-I hate cleaning.
82. I am a Master Flower Show Judge.
83. I had the polio vaccine on a sugar cube.
84. I had my ears pierces on the day that Martin Luther King marched down North Side Drive in Jackson.  We watched it.
85. I have been to Alaska and to Australia twice.
86. I'd like to go to Tuscany.
87. I haven't flown commercially since 9/11.
88. Airports and large crowds of people cause me stress and fear.
89. My church is my safe house.
90. If I could I would help everyone.
91. Ed is my strength, my protector, my helper and my friend.
92. My joy comes from the Lord.
93. My faith is important to me.
94. The same minister that baptized me married Ed and me.
95. I try to smile often.
96. I believe it's easier to be nice to someone than to be rude.
97. I love to find pennies on the ground.
98. Hot cookies are the best kind.
99. Crawling in the bed with Ed and the cats, watching tv, reading and eating popcorn and cokes is the best Sunday afternoon I can think of.
100. Having all my family within a 12 mile radius is a blessing?  Yes, it is!

I didn't think I could do it, but I did.  I hope you weren't bored!

Women of Faith

The girlfriends went on a trip this past weekend.  Libby Brown, Sharon Huff, Charlotte Jones and I went to Shreveport to a Women of Faith Conference.  We loaded our car and went to Peoples Bank for Myra to take our picture--a scrapbook moment!  We were laughing before we got out of the driveway.  I knew it was going to be a good trip. Myra took the picture but called us back to tell us we needed to come back and get her.  I told her we would.  She said no that she had to work but for us to find some good looking guy to put suntan lotion on our backs.  We all laughed and told her we weren't going to the beach.  When we told her where we were going she laughed and said she was a lot less mad than she was when we drove off.  A true friend!!  If laughter is good for digestion than our dinner was fully digested.  We stopped in Monroe and ate.  Of course we had to go to Target--and can you believe they didn't have a Starbucks!!  We made it to Shreveport and checked in to the hotel.  The Pre-conference started at 9:00 the next morning.  It featured Sandi Patty and Patsy Clairmont and was called "All Cracked Up".

Patsy Clairmont is a spunky little lady with quite a story.  If you haven't read her books or heard her speak, you should.  She will have you in stitches with her stories.

Sandy Patty is one of Jennifer's favorites.  When Jennifer was 10 years old, I carried her to a concert in Jackson.  All Jennifer could do was cry.  We went several times to hear her--once in Baton Rouge and stood in line forever to get an autograph.  Last year, I stood in line to get an autograph for Jennifer and have a picture made with her.  I told Sandi about Jennifer and the crying and told her also about how she had grown into a wonderful mother with four boys.  She autographed a CD for the boys and a book for Jennifer.  Well, this year I did the same thing again.  The children's book that Jennifer wanted has been out of print--but will be back in print soon.  I saw Sandi pray with a girl in the hall and wipe the tears of a woman who just wanted to speak with her.  She really is a nice person.  Sharon was nice enough to go and get my camera from the car so I could get in line and have the books autographed for Jennifer and Tiffany.  A lady in line was sweet enough to take the picture of Sharon and me with Sandi.  What a day!  I forgot to tell you that I called Jennifer when Sandi was singing.  You guessed it--she cried again!!  She said, "just let me listen."                                                

Kathy Troccoli has been one of my favorites for a long time.  She has an awesome voice.  In my car when I play her CD's I think I sound just like her!  As one of the ladies said at the conference--she's keeping my body for me here on earth.  I plan to claim it when I get to heaven. 

Ask one of the girls about:  The Purse Driven Life, and the Holy No

There were several more ladies there--Thelma Wells, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Donna VanLiere, Anita Renfroe and the group Avalon.

Contageous Joy--I forgot to mention that! The name of the conference--and the way we felt the whole weekend.  Lots of music, laughter, joy and feeling the spirit!

IJN