We were busy as bees on Memorial Day weekend. I ordered hamburgers from the HOSA burger fry on Friday so avoided a decision on what to fix for dinner. Saturday was a very full day. Jim left early to go work in Tahlequah, Okla., so I went back to sleep for about an hour. After I awoke and had breakfast, I visited the farmers’ market and bought some fresh spinach and a small head of cabbage. Then I made a shopping trip to Care and Sharewhere I was delighted to find two interesting books, two pairs of shoes that fit me and some unique gift items.
That afternoon I drove out south of town and followed the yellow balloons as I meandered down a winding country lane to the end of Huntington Road. There I found the lovely home of Janice and Eddie Waters and joined the crowd that had gathered to help them celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.Area friends and relatives from out of town enjoyed the tasty refreshments as we visited around the pool and in the shade of a tent erected beside their rustic barn. When I returned to town, I visited briefly with my sister Nancy and her husband and saw their new baby pigs before returning to fix Jim a late supper when he came in from work.
Memorial Day was one of those rare Mondays when I didn’t spend a long day at work. After breakfast, we drove up to our son’s home where Jim helped Joe do some wiring to power the pump for his new pool. Although the weather was a bit cool the youngsters were anxious to get in the water. In the afternoon Joe fired up the grill and cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and smoked sausages while Heather made pasta salad and added baked beans, chips and potato salad for a delicious meal topped off with sliced strawberries and whipped cream. My nephew Jason came to eat with us and we enjoyed a brief visit with him.
Last week I made a pair of trips to school in addition to my usual activities. Wednesday afternoon, I went to the upper elementary school for granddaughter Alyssa’s third grade awards ceremony and was pleased when she won honor roll and art awards. Then on Thursday I attended grandson Matthew’s second grade awards presentation where he won honor roll and music awards. We’re proud of both the grandkids and all the other youngsters who were recognized for outstanding performance. It’s always a pleasure to be around these young folks who greet each new day with boundless energy and bubbly enthusiasm.
This past weekend was a busy one too. Jim and I went out to eat Friday evening and, when we returned, I dropped in at the open house in the studio at 104 Main Street. A giant canoe draws attention in the front window, and the gallery is filled with striking nature photographs by Silas Byers and a myriad of creatures fashioned of telephone wire by Pete Rundquist, AKA man-o-wire. I nibbled on fresh fruit and veggies, nuts and cheese as I browsed among the shop’s quirky offerings. One attendee remarked that the business gave Gravette the feel of “a little Eureka Springs.”
Saturday morning, Jim was off to work at Tahlequah again, so I made a return visit to the farmers’ market where I purchased tomato plants, broccoli and radishes. Then I went to the renaissance fair where I was transported back to the time of gallant knights and courtly lords and ladies. A few raindrops fell, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the battling knights in armor. A seamstress, jewelry makers, a poet and other craftsmen plied their trades, and many “townsfolk” strolled around gnawing on giant smoked turkey legs. A pair of horsewomen guided their well-groomed steeds around the park much to the delight of those who stopped to pet the sleek animals.
Sunday afternoon, we visited the grandchildren and Jim asked Matthew, who’s just finished second grade, what he was going to do with all his free time this summer.
“I know what you could do,” Matthew promptly replied. “You could take me fishing!”
So I guess we’ll plan to kick off his vacation by taking him to the fishing derby at Centerton next Saturday.
In mid afternoon, I rounded out the weekend by attending another 50th wedding anniversary open house. A good crowd was gathered at Heritage Baptist Church to help Lavon and Rickie Stark celebrate a half-century of married life. I enjoyed flipping through their wedding album, admired the photographic displays and visited with the honorees and other friends while sampling the delicious cake and punch.
After supper that evening we listened while the Razorbacks played their second game of the day. Unfortunately, it was not such a merry occasion as a loss ended their season and sent them home until next spring.
Susan Holland works for the Westside Eagle Observer. She is a lifelong Benton County resident. She can be reached at [email protected].
Opinion, Pages 6 on 06/05/2013