I’m so glad I was introduced to my wonderful little church, Mt. Bethel Methodist down 81 East. It’s also great that we have those annual parades I can watch for free from my back yard. I love the Christmas decorations and always enjoyed the Geranium Festival too, sigh, I won’t get to see that this year. We have so many great stores that keep us fed, clothed, and help us in many other ways. I’m glad I found tom-ato plants at Food Depot a couple of months ago. I love the smell of them, plus the little tomatoes are delicious. Something keeps digging up the beans I’ve planted and, when I go out to water them, I see the crunched remains. I will plant them one more time and cover it to keep pests out hopefully.

  I had another blessing this week. As I let Shadow out the door for her evening porch rest, I saw a police car parked down the road. I see them occasionally in this area and am glad to have them around, anytime! I looked out the window at 10 p.m. and the vehicle was still over there with the lights on. I said a little prayer for the one in the driver’s seat and got ready for bed. The next day I found out there had been a protest on the Square and several law enforcement officers had surrounded our little town for safety. I was sad to see the next morning that the statue had been removed in the center of our Square. That was a piece of history, as far as I’m concerned, and I’m sorry to see it go. I used to take my two youngest grandkids up there. We’d read the words on the statue, admire all the plants, and then stroll over to PJ’s for a sumptuous lunch. I enjoyed checking out the Brown House too, and seeing history books, and lots more. I always liked the huge nutcrackers on the Square around Christmas, just outside the building where I first worked for First National Bank, back in the sixties.  

  I enjoyed taking my grands to the Square just before Halloween for the treats handed out by all the stores. I remember going to the little convenience store that now houses Holy Smokes. I still miss Ward Drugs but am glad I was moved to Walgreens and I do love their drive-thru! I liked buying groceries at Zack’s, and of course washing my car at Zack and TP’s neat carwash next to the Night Owl.    The grandkids liked the little horse they could ride outside a grocery store that is now Moye’s. I loved going in Planters Warehouse for my annual seed purchases. I used to catch a ride to Atlanta via the Greyhound bus station right beside the Brown House.   

  But things can’t stay the same forever. I’m glad we have Publix, CVS, and of course Auto Quick, Castrol down 81 East, Ace Hardware and lots more. I don’t have to drive up to Southlake anymore, or any of the malls I used to frequent.    I love Hardees gravy and biscuits, an occasional sin I must have! I enjoy Zaxby’s and Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell actually has safe food, and a dollar menu!  I like Wendy’s too and they’re also located near the Henry Hilton. Oh, that’s another blessing, my neat little brick ranch right next to the Performing Arts Center and within walking distance of  the Square. I grew up being able to walk to all my favorite stores, and still have that blessing. Let’s keep McDonough and Henry County safe and keep the love going too.