Patch Blog: An Intimate Conversation Between Facebook Friends!

Mayme, our Canasta-loving, Bingo-playing, television wrestling-enthusiast, and yes, once-upon-a-time, the "Navy beans and Hot Rolls Out of the Oven" Champion out of Atlantic, Iowa, has got to be one Chortling-in-Heaven Momma, about right now!

I'm thinking she's thinking..."the baby of the family" is comin' right along, what with the way the world is turning these days!  No jail record, an up-and-coming Arcadia Patch Blogger, she keeps a well-ordered house, now that her two lovely daughters lately test the computer desk and the television screen with a white glove (jk!), no curdled milk nor mold in this CountryGal's Kenmore refrigerator, and, when nose-prompted, cleans up after Sadie has "had her way" in the never-ending toilet-training phase.  (Do adult dogs revert back to their own so-called "pampered" days?  I know the answer to that one...it all "depends.")

I'm thinking Mom would be harkening back (as I often do) to the time in my life when "things were not always coming up roses" and she was feeling motherly concern and, helpless, almost two thousands miles away.   I remember and will never forget a troubled remark she softly spoke forth one quiet morning during one of our yearly visits to family and friends. 

We were in her well-used kitchen, she fussing with the noon meal and I, basking under the warmth of the summer's sun coming in the window with a young Dana on my lap.   We had been home two weeks, had completed the first round of breaking bread with those we had left behind in 1948, and about to begin the second round before we headed back to Arcadia, sharing memories and stories that brought tears of joy and much merriment as our families "caught up" with each other.

"I haven't heard you really laugh yet...."

My Momma could still read me like a book. I suppose if I thought about it a bit, I could tell you what my startled reply was. I will say this...she spoke the truth.

Is the laughter of childhood, so pure, so mischievous, so giggly, so contagious, so ridiculous at times, not to be entertained by the so-called adult we grow up to be? I think not!

Well, Mayme Cranston, this Blog via Facebook, is for you:

Astrology - Today's Taurus Horoscope

You'll barge into work today on a mission: to let the Powers That Be, not to mention your subordinates, know exactly how indispensable you really are. Don't let anything -- or anyone -- hold you back.

Jessica Frank: good morning, Betty. What an interesting horoscope for a Saturday, when most people don't work. I already know you are indispensable! 

Deb Clemson Sorum:   Indispensable is so true Jessica!  Good morning ladies!  Happy Saturday :)

Moi:  So NOT TRUE!  I moved a few succulent plants around and did two loads of wash, but otherwise havE spent my timmy gumming Gummy Bears and watching murder mysteries on HLN!  Living the life of the "idle rich!"  :)

Again, Moi: I wonder how Nora Roberts is spending her timmy!  :)

Jessica: Ah...I suppose you need to let it know how indispensable you are. There are certainly other keyboards :)  Nora Roberts probably spends her time writing, like you, and doing everyday things.

Jessica: Betty, for many books that she writes, she follows a pattern and is so comfortable in her niche that it comes more easily to her. Genre writers are not writing at the level you are. You are expressing new and interesting feelings and opinions. Think of Salinger who published only 3 novels (although he wrote another that he chose not to publish).

Betty: Jessica....have you had too much coffee today?  :)   I know that her "seduction" scenarios are very much of the type that has me either envious or swooning and of which I am not capable even in my dreams...!!!   I can't write of material not experienced so I may be doomed to "Facebook" forevah!!!!   And there goes those damned royalty checks!  :)

Jessica:  Betty, write about what you know and feel. You have a creative writing style and I'm sure you have enough for a novel.

Moi: My good and loyal friend...if I "do" and if there "is"....you are my heroine!  >3  

Jessica: You do and there is! ♥

Moi   LOL

Jessica:  One thing I've learned is that when I am trying to write, I need to turn off the self editor until I'm done. Otherwise, I get caught in the moment and lose my train of thought! On FB, we all just type are thoughts; typos happen ♥

Deb:  I am so enjoying this conversation between two of my favorite ladies!  :)

Moi:  Want a Gummy Bear?  :)  ♥

Deb:   I would love one :)

Jessica:    yep! ♥

"Moi:  Come and get it!"

Deb: K, how warm is there now?

Moi:   You talkin' to me, Deb?   Weather...suppose to rain HARD later on Sunday, but right now, it is beautiful!  We need the rain.

Deb: So can I come when it's not raining :)  (I know I am being difficult tonight)

Moi: I was thinking "charming" but the Gummy Bears are long gone!  :)

Deb: Any Snickers left?

Jessica: We can pick some up on the way, Betty :)

Moi: FYI....most of the time, it is NOT raining and yes, you can!  That goes for you, too, Jessica! 

Deb:  Jessica we could go together in my Mustang!  It would be a Thelma and Louise kind of trip :)

Moi: Jessica.....that was my next comment!!!!!! 

Deb: Nope, no cliffs!

Deb: Laughing at the Sally Fields comment!

Moi: Ladies.....picture the three of us...in a bar, in Atlantic, just being US!  :)

Deb: I could see it.  Would they run us out of town?  :)

Moi: Of course...otherwise, my Blog would not be worth self-editing!  :)

Deb: Would make for a great story!!!

Jessica: Yes, Betty, we really like you ♥  I can picture us sitting in the bar. I think we'd manage to get ourselves in trouble so that Betty can blog about us :)

Moi: Am scooting out now....got to finish up some stuff before 7:15 but this has been fun!  I REALLY like you young ladies!  You make me feel so young, too!  :)

Jessica: Enjoy your evening, Betty. I REALLY like you too!

Deb: It was fun Betty!  I am working on coming to the all class reunion, would so love to meet you in person :)  Have a great rest of your night >3

Moi: Everything is arranged from here, Deb....airline tickets, motel, car rental, etc. We are so excited to be coming back (daughter Mary is coming)! And will see Jessica and Linda on our way back from Illinois. Night!!!

Deb: Then I will make it happen, even if I have to work in the car while Dave drives!  :)

The music fades in the background as the three Facebook Friends waddle or toddle off to do something less important...in their respective homes in Iowa City, Iowa; St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Arcadia, California.

At this point, we can pretty much deduct that perhaps Leonardo DeCaprio has replaced Brad Pitt as Heartthrob No. 1, as you can plainly see Jessica and Deb are way more interested in Gummy Bears and Snickers than that cute Dude in the Thelma and Louise thriller.  Personally, I am still devoted to George Clooney (there's just something beguiling about a man with a two-weeks growth of graying beard) and to Bryan Cranston (with a head of hair, please) a close second....

I could, if I wanted to, tell you so much more about these two high-spirited Facebook Friends.  What I really want you to do, but you have to be in the Season of Eighty Years and Older, is to ask your youngest grandchild to show you how to sign up for Facebook.  You will meet an extended family that will uplift your spirits, make your day, who will caution you about taking good care of your car and your health, offer to bring soup if only you lived closer, send you love (by typing <3 and it magically turns into a "heart")  when you don't even know you need it. .and make you believe you are far more talented than you know you really are.  Whether or not you "adopt or include them in your Will" is up to you!

FYI...IF (and there is no reason for me to believe otherwise) Romans 8:28 continues to hold forth in my 87th year here on Planet Earth, we three will meet in person (though not as strangers for it seems as if we have known each other forevah!) come July, for the first time in familiar territory...Iowa, at the Chamber of Commerce's All-Class Reunion for Atlantic High School.  There will be dancing in the street, the first inklings of propaganda says so.  If they want "Charleston"...I'm their girl!  From my favorite chair, methinks, but these feet WILL MOVE!

So, if you have been paying attention to what you have been reading thus far, you will know this:

1)  Cut loose that pure, innocent, mischievious, rambunctious, ridiculous child within you.  Let that child show you that reaching a "certain age" is not a firewall or barrier to LAUGHTER, and that it is perfectly okay to do something "silly" with no apologies needed!

2)  Even if you have to bribe the grandchild to show you the ropes, consider joining Facebook, for all the reasons listed above, scroll back seven paragraphs...

I am sure that Jessica and Deb (and there are more just like 'em) will shower you with blessings as they have done with me.... 

And, yes, indeed, I am clicking away to young Mark Elliott Zuckerman a blessing or two....wouldn't hurt! 

Until the next time....CG/CW