Peeping through my Venetian blind, I could see in my imagination the flowers of September – morning glories, the Cypress vine (both red and white), golden aster, spider lilies, trumpet vine, abelia, honeysuckle, Confederate rose, lantana, gloriosa lily, zinnias, petunias.

Seen out and about this week were Terry “Doc” Neal and his ’34 Chevrolet, Ed Buck at the P.O., Ottis Reynolds, Gene Ammons, John David Kimbro at Hook’s, Sherry (Whiddon) and her grandson, Kenneth Townsend, Dennis Bauer, J. C. Dean, and Don and Cheryl Cotton.

The Portly Gentleman told me of a telephone call from Wayne Hicks, his best friend in junior high and senior high in Montgomery. They talked over health and growing old and still found something to laugh about. Wayne and his wife Brenda attend First Baptist, Montgomery.

It was Labor Day, and Wayne and Brenda had been to the 67th annual Greek Orthodox Church’s Barbecue to buy their lunch. Their plates contained a pile of barbecue, camp stew, slaw, and “light” bread. Greek pastries were available separately.

I grew up in Montgomery, and looked forward to this fundraiser all year long.

It is a tradition in the capital city.

Colonel Covington and his sisters, Miss Cora, Miss Dora, and Miss Flora, included me in their guest list for a peanut boiling at Covington Hall this past weekend. Also in attendance were Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville, Clay Clyde Clump, Miss Priscilla Primme, and Mr. Topper Proper,

My, it’s hard to beat salted, green peanuts!

Seen at Larry’s were Larry and Margaret Sanders and Mr. and Mrs. David Barton.

Epitaphs fascinate me. I come across suitable ideas for these little final greetings every now and again.

For example, a gravestone could read, “You’re next.”

A teacher’s epitaph could simply read “3:00 P.M..”

“Miss Betty” Mitchell, the Travel Queen, got up a load of 53 Buskoteers to travel to Atlanta August 18 to attend the New York Broadway musical Motown at the fabulous Fox Theater.

Before the performance the group dined at the Mary Mac Tea Room. The food and service were “great,” and everyone had a great time.

I came across a note given me during my recent illness.

Sunday, May 17, Abigail Lee played “I Surrender All” at the Ann Martin Memorial Piano in the opening assembly of the Baraca Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church. This piece was followed by “How Great Thou Art,” a duet with her piano teacher, Martha Givhan, church organist.

In attendance were Abigail’s parents, Randall and Katie Lee and Abigail’s older brother Colby.

Abigail played despite a cast on her arm, following a broken wrist.

September 8, teachers, retired from the Andalusia High School, met for a Dutch-treat lunch at David’s Catfish House at ll a.m..

This makes about five years that Amy Spurlin and Jenny Pitts have organized this get-together for their fellow retirees.

After a blessing by Willie Thomas, the educators enjoyed a meal, a year’s worth of gossip, and a cake, baked by Mary Avery for dessert.

Attending were Roland and Angie Brown, Jerri Stroud, Louise Yeargain, Delores Boyd. Pat Stewart. Willie and Thelma Thomas, John Beasley, Elaine Manning, Brunetta Patterson, Emma Locke, Wayne Sasser, Gwin Burkett, Sam Shakespeare, Debbie Posey, Joe Wingard, Louise Anderson, Linda Mellown, Beth Wilkes, and Katy Sue Wells.

Several told what they had been doing since last year.

During “Show and Tell” Mr. Beasley shared an ENLARGED, framed picture of his first grandson, John Austin Beasley III, first child of Jody and Kristy Beasley.

A good time was had by all.

The Covington Rifles Camp 1586 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans met September 3 in the Dixon Memorial of the Andalusia Public Library.

Commander John Allen Gantt presided.

Randy “R” Kelley, immediate past commander, led in prayer.

Pledges were extended to the flags.

Kelley led in “Dixie,” accompanied by his wife Sherry (Parker).

All stood.

A business session followed.

The program, “Public Relations,” took the form of a round-table discussion.

A sixteen-page booklet, explaining the SCV and answering the public’s questions, was distributed.

A sample question was about slavery as the cause of the war. If only 3 percent of the soldiers held slaves, why did 97 percent of the others go off to war? What was their interest?

The recent controversy about one of the Confederate flags has resulted in a backlash. Over 300 new members in Alabama have joined the SCV. Locally, membership has increased, too.

Mike Williams, state SCV adjutant, was on hand to lead in the discussion.

Kelly Veasey shared a Springfield rifle, which led

Joe Wingard to mention Longfellow’s poem, “The Arsenal at Springfield.” Wingard repeated Longfellow’s thesis that if all the money and power spent on weapons had instead been spent on education, there would be no need for “arsenals and forts.”

The meeting was adjourned with a prayer by “Hank” Roberts, followed by refreshments.

Ann McGowin sent a hot, pound cake. Rosemary Gantt provided a lemon-cheese cake. Wanda Davis contributed a pecan cake.

Attending were Mike Williams, reared at Harmony, state adjutant for his 4th year, Jimmy Cobb, Derick Davis (local adjutant), Joe Wingard, Sir Francis McGowin, Larry Shaw, Brandon Veasey, Kelly Veasey, “Hank” Roberts, Curtis Hampton Thomasson, Morris Mullen, Randy Kelley, John Allen Gantt, Charles Coker and his son Charleston, both from Greenville, Will Bumpers, Steve Rabren, Vaughn Bowers, and Jimmy Hallford.

Once again, I ask the citizens of Andalusia to join the Covington Historical Society and pay its annual dues of $25 to help preserve the history of our county, whether you attend meetings or not. Mail to CHS, P.O. 1582, Andalusia, Alabama 36420.

The mysterian is Miss Mattie Waters. Who was she? One reader asked if she were a midwife. There may have been a Mattie Waters who served as a midwife, but not the one I have in mind.

Recent birthdays include that of Anton Dvorak, the Czech composer who wrote The New World Symphony, containing that plaintive piece, “Going Home.”

Now, gentle reader, allow me to join Buffalo Bob Smith in encouraging each of us to be in his place of worship this weekend, Lord willing.

Fare thee well.