I wonder if everyone is enjoying this pleasantly long spring as much as I am. I know it gets hot in the day, but the mornings on my front porch are still cool and peaceful, with the sound of the singing birds, chirping squirrels and the occasional hum of a distant lawn mower. The many rains we have been getting are bringing with them cooler weather for a day or two. I know when summer gets here, it will probably plunge in with a vengeance.
I found it to be the same in West Monroe, La. when I went to my vacation home on Friday, June 2 and came back on Tuesday, June 6. My mobile home there has a large front deck, furnished with the covered glider my daughter and son-in-law, Chelle and Kenny Ellis, gave me for Mother’s Day, and also a three-piece patio set, a gift for the same event from my grandson, Clayton Jones.
The first morning there, Saturday, June 3, I sat out for a few minutes, but the humidity ran me back inside. A couple of hours later, it started to cool and the rain came in, only for an hour or two, but the cooler weather stayed. I love enjoying nature from my front porches, both in Union and West Monroe and dread when the weather will not be welcoming me there.
My son, Travis Welch, went to Louisiana with me, got my desk chair assembled and mowed the lawn again. (Seems the lawns are constantly needing mowing. A small problem compared to the beauty of the season.) With my laptop desk and chair in place, the curtain opened in front of my desk, and good music playing in the background, I got a new chapter done to a work-in-progress novel. I have four started and have found a happy ending for this one, so I am moving forward with it. I believe in happy endings, and I can’t imagine writing anything that doesn’t have one.
While I was in Louisiana, I had visits from both of my sisters, Pat Beacht, Carol Booth, and my niece, Rhonda Albritton Gauthreaux. Carol, Pat, Travis and I went to see the movie “Snatched” while we were there. Pat had seen the previews and thought it would be good. I put aside my skepticism for her sake, pretty sure it was going to be too rowdy and R-rated for our taste. Personally, I found parts of it funny, but it was mostly silly and raunchy. Not the movie of choice for Christian ladies like my sisters and me, especially since “Gifted” and one other inspirational movie was also playing. Travis enjoyed the movie more than we “girls” did. I have noticed over the years that kinds of humor are appreciated differently by the generations.
Travis and I attended church on Sunday at Community Baptist Church in West Monroe, where the pastor, Rev. Danny McIlveene preaches and his lovely wife, Rae Ellen, is a strong behind-the-scenes leader. They are longtime friends and I plan to go back for their 50th wedding anniversary this month, which will be celebrated at the church.
The trip to Louisiana also delayed this column. I am now aware of the deadline times — I was thinking Tuesday noon, when it was Monday. Oops! I am very sorry about that one. It will not happen again. I take my work very seriously! I have been contacted by some lovely people, who welcomed me to the column, Annie Duette, Ralph Germany and Malone Nicholson, and especially an email from Sue Addy, who thanked me for taking over the column and gave me much needed encouragement and support.
What I am NOT getting though, are items of interest to citizens of Union from anyone here. You will quickly be bored with me if all I have to write about is myself. I work as an administrative assistant, which is just a fancy word for clerk, 36 hours a week at the local Tyson Feed Mill. Most Sundays find me in church either at Redeemer Baptist Church in House, or at the church in West Monroe, when I am over there. I sing a solo in church less often than I did in the past. (The lyrics are harder to remember.) My novels get worked on erratically. I watch some television after work and socialize a bit on Facebook, and that is mostly my life.
I need to hear about things going on in your world. Yes, we are very interested. To send items of interest and news, my contact points are gingersnapwelch@gmail.com or leave a voice mail at 769-222-7055. Get your items of interest to your Union Community News by Sunday evening at six o’clock p.m. I have a Monday noon deadline, and I get my column ready on Sunday afternoon, because I go back to work on Monday morning.
Have a lovely week and may the Lord’s blessings shower over you.
