Friends. What makes a friend? Why are some folks just naturally drawn to others? The nature of friendship will, I suppose, always be a mystery...to me, at least. I don't have friends that I go and do things with and there are many reasons for this. First, I guess, is my nature. I'm very...um, some would say reclusive...I say easily able to entertain myself. Secondly, this illness limits what I can do. Thirdly, there's not much to do around here and not much extra cash to do it with!! All that said, I'd like to talk about the friends I have had in the past and have now.
July 28 was my birthday. I got a call from Colorado and, lo and behold, it was Kay Ann Mitchell...one of my very oldest friends! We grew up across the street from each other and went to school together from kindergarten through high school. I hadn't talked to her in about 10 years but the conversation was amazin'...it was like we had talked a week ago! We are both still much the same as we were growin' up. We did some reminiscin' and both of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

Today I received a book in the mail from another dear friend...this one I have never seen in person. Her name is Shirley Ann and I met her on Dogster, a site where every dog has it's own web page and the conversations are between dogs via their human typists. It's a great place where most of the banter is good natured and like minded pups can form groups with others who share their interests. I've gotten pretty close to several women there and, if I had the money and the means, I'd go visit some of them. This is one of Shirley Ann's pups and Inky's best friend!! Her name is Beatrix and she is a rescued Boston Terrier/Boxer mix. She's a beauty!

Another really special friend is my cousin Joy. She lives pretty close to me and yet we almost never see each other...I guess we are both busy with our "stuff". Anyway, recently Sebe and I went to visit with Joy and her husband John and had a fun time shootin' pool and takin' photos. I shot the one of her cat Garfield wrestlin' with the kitty next door...he must have the patience of a saint!

Yesterday, another cousin and good friend, Barbara Dayle, dropped in and we had a great chat. We almost never get the chance to visit and she lives next door!! It's just a shame that the pace of most folks lives don't allow for a lot of visitin'!

Another person that I consider a close friend is the woman who cleans house for us every other week. Her name is Doretha and she and I have much in common. Plus, she is one of the sweetest people I know! The other day, Nanie was workin' out in the yard and Doretha and her sweet husband Robert saw her and stopped to help...this was after both of them had already worked a full day. If I didn't already think she was the bee's knees, helpin' my Nanie would have made me love her and Robert!

There are others I could write about but I think I'll save them for another time. Things are status quo here in the backend of beyond! Absolutely nothin' goin' on but that's ok...some of us like it that way!!