GRAVETTE — Country roads were still slippery the first of last week so students got a break from school Monday and Tuesday. Fortunately temperatures were pretty moderate during the day and our snowfall melted a little each day. Brisk winds made it necessary to bundle up but businessmen (and women) were busy shoveling, clearing the sidewalks on Main Street when I went to work Monday. City crews bladed the street early the next morning and their covering was slushy when I went home for lunch. Several snowmen around town gave evidence that not all the vacationing students were staying in by the fire.

Sister Nancy stayed with Mama Monday and again Tuesday morning while I went to work and dropped by the grocery store. I visited Aunt Leta on my way home from work, Tuesday and that evening brother Richard called to check on Mama. He was working in Lawton, OK, trimming trees and doing cleanup after their recent ice storm.

I made a tuna pasta salad for lunch Wednesday and after lunch made a brief call to Nancy. While we were talking someone came to the front door and slipped away. When Mama told me she had heard a knock I checked and found our visitor had left a bag of apples and a bag of homemade cookies (chocolate chip with coconut) and candy. We enjoyed spaghetti and garlic bread for supper and Jim and I listened to the Hogs gamewith the Georgia Bulldogs that evening.

Nancy and her daughter Laura came by Thursday morning before going on a shopping trip.

Snowflakes were falling thick and fast shortly before I left for work Friday morning but the snowfall had slowed by the time I went out the door. After a few hours at work I walked down the street to visit Care and Share where I found a few valentine goodies. The nurse who visited Mama that afternoon told of getting her car stuck in themud the previous day.

I went out early Saturday morning to deliver our recyclable items to the collection trailer and take Jim’s check to the bank. The mail carrier brought a sweet valentine from a friend on Stagecoach Road with an envelope full of tiny sparkling red hearts. In early afternoon Jim and I watched the Hogs pull off an exciting overtime win over Auburn, then drove across the tracks to get much-needed haircuts. We watched the NASCAR race that evening and I wrote a letter to my friend in Tulsa filling her in on Gravette folks.

We took a friend with us to Southwest City Sunday morning and I prepared a late breakfast when we returned. Leta’s caregiver called to say the weather report had caused her to cancel her Super Bowl party plans. I clipped coupons from the Sunday paper while Jim watched golf coverage, then put an arm roast and vegetables in the oven. The roast was ready and I made gravy just about the time the big game began. I was cheering for the Colts but I had to admit the Saints really earned their win.

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon so don’t forget to say “I love you” to those who are special to you. Call your spouse at work just to say “I love you”. Leave a small treat on a coworker’s desk. Sit down together for a cup of tea or hot chocolate and really listen to each other. Make a few extra cookies or cupcakes and share with a neighbor. Frame a small photo in an inexpensive frame and share with a friend. Indulge a chocolate lover’s sweet tooth with a few pieces of premium chocolate.Call or write someone you’ve lost touch with. Pay a bill anonymously for someone who’s having hard times financially. Yes, there are lots of ways to make someone’s day!

-Susan Holland

Opinion, Pages 4 on 02/10/2010