Posted: Jul 13, 08 2:01pm
You have been asking me to write again. Here it is. I want all my friends now and friends to be to commit on it. I promise I will appreciate it and have no hurt feelings. I am here to learn.
A typical Week-end
Bea had tried several diets but none seemed to help. Then, one day she joined the Recreation Center to walk. It was only forty five dollars a year and that wouldn’t be missed. So determined, she walked five days a week. Before long, she could walk five miles a day and family and friends noticed how trim she was getting. Her friend Polly decided to join and walk with her. It was more fun that way and laps passed faster. Each day, walking was more important than eating and people were noticing the difference.
About a month later, Rae wanted to join them but she was not a senior. Her membership would cost over $300.00 a year. She suggested walking at the Civic Center where a two mile track was out doors that led to the duck pond where five lapses were two miles. And twice around the entire track would be eight miles. Bea and Polly agreed, to get her to walk. Seeing no one could go twice around, the plan was to work up to it. Rain had been sparse for the past four months. However, the streams around the paved walking trails were still deep with water. Beautiful oak trees shaded the water and rocks on the rivulet.
Ripe and red blackberries flourished along the banks. Lively grey squirrels jumped from tree to tree with a cautious eye. The three ladies talked and laughed as they ambled up the hill and back down. Around the curve little chipmunks were eating wild cherries that had fallen from the trees onto the trail. The beauty of nature sprang out everywhere and even the green lawns and fields were immaculately manicured.
Upon approaching, the baseball fields they were getting winded. Huffing past the soccer fields they made a pit stop at the toilet. Refreshed they were ready to ramble leisurely to see where the footpath ends. They meandered around the duck pond across the bridge and moseyed along the shaded track past the gazebo, the picnic tables and the playground to the gate. They looked at each other and Polly said we have walked four miles. Rea smiled as not to believe it and said she needed to get home. It was much fun and took about an hour.
Rae left for home and Polly and Bea set out for Helen Georgia. The interstate was busy but at the next exit the country road took them to the Veterans Highway. They crossed over two mountains and wondered if they had taken the right exit. Soon a sign to Helen relieved the anxiety. Although they had taken the long way, it was a nice drive.
After finding a park, they searched for a restaurant. The Chattahoochee River ran through the park and a nice Tavern was located on the bank. Huge rocks and shoals with tubers floating by amused them as they waited for their food. The atmosphere was refreshing on this hot day and the cool breeze made the food taste better. The salad was too big but delicious and the burger with fries was more than one wanted.
After lunch, they sauntered over the little German town comprised of shops with salesmen vying for every exchange of commodity possible. There was no shortage of variety in products. Many colors of beautiful flowers adorned the garden beds. It was an enticing place. Covered wagons drawn by horses provided tour sites for interested tourists.
It was hot and the day was coming to an end when they stepped out the door onto the street. A sudden downpour of rain began to fall. That was alright since this was the first rain of the season. With no umbrella, they walked across the road down the hill to the car and headed for home. They tried a shorter route and got lost. The help of an insurance company sent them on the way through Toccoa where they had planned to stop at the nursing home. They went in and were greeted heartily. Also, were told the whole facility had experienced a virus and some were still sick. After a brief visit, they headed for home.
The next day, the three went to the Civic Center and walked. After lunch Bea, said that she felt that one of the virus germs had homesteaded inside her body for some peculiar reason. She was weak and teary eyed and soon the germ threw everything north and south until the cavity was completely empty. All she wanted to do was sleep.
Thursday, Rae called and said her son, Ian was playing on the All-Star team in Inman. She asked if Bea would like to go. Bea would never turn down the chance to watch her grandson play. In the sweltering, heat, they met at the Recreation Center to go to Inman. It was an uncomfortable ride even with the AC on most of the way. Then, the ball field was about 98 degrees. The game was going in favor of the Mt Pleasant team. When Ian’s turn came to bat, he got on first base. They had two outs and the guy on second got out. Bea just got up and went to the bathroom. Three little girls came out of the stall that Bea went in. She looked down and saw a large black widow spider about six inches from the floor in her flawlessly spun home. Her eyes were stayed on Bea. Those little girls had to get close to her because it was a small booth. Bea walked out and got help and the beautiful black creature with a red hour glass decor was soon flushed.
Back to the team, Bea sat down. The rain came down and umbrellas went up. The game was suspended for a while then restarted. They played a half inning and the rain and lightening returned. The game was suspended until the next day. On the way home Ian and his friend Ski were starving. Soon, they were content and arrived home safely. They slept well all night but the next morning, found that the storms raged during the night blowing trees down and washing top soil down to the branch. Thank God no one was hurt and they got a good rain with cooler temperatures.
Leona Phillips
©July 2008
