Oak Grove Cemetery

Oak Grove is a tiny community in

extreme western Itawamba County, MS.

My grandmother on Mama's side was

reared about a half mile from the

cemetery where Daddy was laid to rest.

Most of Mama's kinfolk are buried

at Oak Grove, including her mother

Lorette. As you can see from the

photo above, Daddy's grave is very

close to his mother-in-law's. This

was no accident: he cared very

deeply for Mawmaw.

I helped design both MawMaw's

and Daddy's tombstones. I added the

scripture to the bottom of

MawMaw's tombstone: I picked

the fonts, middle heart content,

and verse at the bottom for

Daddy and Mama's stone.

Daddy's brother and best friend,

Uncle Donnie, has a concrete

finishing business. I was pleased

that he took Daddy's veteran plaque

and made it a little more sturdy

and impressive.

Mama doesn't know I took this

photo. I thought it was very

meaningful...

Healed...

Pre-tonsillectomy...

Post-tonsillectomy...

Can you tell how much pinker

the throat looks now compared

to the dull color before surgery...

or is it just me?

The tonsils (I'm supposing)

were the tissue behind

the openings beside the uvula.

My first follow-up with the

doctor since surgery is Monday.

I'm going to ask why the

holes look so whapperjawed...

Foundation Christmas Party

The Foundation had our annual

holiday party at the Columbus Club

(http://columbusclub.com/).

I wish I had thought to bring my camera!

This members-only club has been in

existence since 1887.

We had heavy hor d'oeuvres

(including sushi and roast beef),

a full bar, and desserts.

There was also a gentleman

who played and sang holiday

tunes at the baby grand

the entire four hours we

were there. It was all wonderful!

Beth's New Birth

Congratulations,

Bethie, on your

realization of

God's predestined

love for you!

From one month to another...

Here is the tree right outside

my apartment balcony showing off its

color the first week of November.

Here's practically the same scene

a month later. Eat your hearts out,

Memphis and Tupelo friends!!!

(This was a few days ago.)

I took this shot just moments ago.

It has nothing to do with the seasons.

I lay the rugs on the carpet when

I prepare to sweep the floor

where they usually lie.

For some reason, Maria

decided to attack each one

and pummel it into a heap.

Here she is acting innocent

when I made the photo...

Blondie!

I went blond on Saturday.

What do you think?

Pre- and Post-Tonsillectomy

Ever see Little Shop of Horrors?

Above are the very tonsils that

Dr. Gupta would a few days later

call "big and disgusting."

What do you think?

The poinsettia was a get-well gift

from the Foundation.

They also sent some soups.

Above are Jim and Em threatening

to swab my throat with alcohol

if I took this photo.

I'm such a rebel...

This photo of Maria pretty much

was the theme of this past week

in my apartment.

Em had a sinus infection,

I'd had a tonsillectomy, and

Maria was tolerating us.

A few days post-surgery...Now this

is what I call big and disgusting--

even though the tonsils are no more.

Well, Em, we might be sick,

but we're still adorable!