Peeping through my Venetian blind, I saw Miss Flora Covington come through my garden gate with a bouquet of pink daisy mums in her arms, which she later said was for me.

She was the last in my little party to arrive.

I had invited the Covington sisters for tea and a new parlor game I wanted to try.

Miss Flora, Miss Cora, Miss Dora, and I settled down to hot biscuits, dripping with butter and stuffed with freshly made pear preserves (thanks to Miss Cora).

After our tea, we tried a game called Andalusia Alphabet.

Two or more players can enjoy this game.

Each player is supplied with paper and pen. Someone will need a timepiece.

One writes the alphabet in a column on his paper. Then, by each letter, he lists words or phrases that begin with that letter of the alphabet. One can list as many words by each letter as he wishes. For example, under A, one can write Andalusia High School, Andalusia Motor Company, etc.. All words must have something to do with Andalusia.

All stop when an amount of time agreed upon has ended.

Then, in turn, each reads what he has written under the first letter of the alphabet, so that all may approve. Then turns are taken to read the next letter, and so on. A point is awarded for each word or phrase. The player with the most points wins.

I hope I got that right. I learned it from the Portly Gentleman.

By the way, I saw the Portly Gentleman Tuesday at the Surly Mermaid on the Golden Square.

He was talking to a group of charming ladies who had taken lunch at the Mermaid for their monthly meeting. This fellowship group calls themselves the Unique Divas, a subdivision of the Andalusia Activity Center.

Present were Shirley Veasey, president; Lois Castleberry, Thelma Glisson, Amy Bullock, Betty Knowles, Angela Williamson, Hazel Anderson, Linda Wiggins, Sharon Cobb, Narcis McClain, and Linda Tucker.

Also seen out and about were Linda Adkison, Scott Riley, Mike Holloway, Brian Earnest, Joyce Fuller, Wayne Knox, Betty Brewer, Bridget (Baisden) Lord (AHS Class of 1974), Hannah Dozier of Dozier (we both took piano from the lovely Louise Barrow), Dr. Rainer Birk, Helen Johnson, Nell Ainsworth, and Patty Ashworth.

Seen at Ophelia’s for some Italian dishes were Lenora Johnson and Alejandra Scruggs, who was visiting “the Dimple of Dixie” from Pennsylvania.

Lenora was enjoying chicken alfredo; and Alejandra, the eggplant parmesan.

I appreciate stories of good deeds by our citizens.

I heard this one last week.

Marie (Pruitt) Pierce has made customized laundry bags for her great-grandchildren, Sarah Brabner and Clay Brabner, as well as for her granddaughter, Emily Pierce, a freshman at Troy and the envy of her “dorm” because of her handmade laundry bag.

That’s not all. Marie does up Emily’s laundry each time Emily comes home. What a grandmother!

Seen at the Sonic were Benny and Betty Gay, a pleasant couple.

Anyone who attended or finished Samford University and is interested in a yearly meeting of Samford graduates living in Covington County, please call Joe Wingard.

Seen at the Samurai for supper were Chet and Mary Beth (Weant) Thrash.

Seen at the P.O. were Dennis Bauer and Patricia, and Jerri Stroud.

Mr. Topper Propper was upset about the fast speed with which some drive on East Three-Notch.

When he was fussing about it, he said, “It’s not a drag strip, you know!”

Clay Clyde Clump overheard and added, “It’s not a funeral procession either.”

Colonel Covington told his sisters and they told me that he received a call from a man with a strange accent. The man informed the Colonel that his (the Colonel’s) computer was broken, but the man’s company could repair it – for a price. The Colonel let the man go on and on about the damage to the Colonel’s computer. When the man finally stopped, the Colonel laughed and said, “I don’t own a computer.”

Seen at Hook’s were Alma Knowles, Gary and Ann Goodson, Randy “R” and Sherry Kelley, Judson Blackstock, John and Gloria Collier, Mary Lynn (Pierce) Edgar, Abb and Vicki Riley, Katie Riley, and Mona Green, a specialist for gifted children in the Geneva City School System, and her two children, Sara Green, an eighth grader in the Geneva school system, and Isaac Green, a freshman at Troy University. The Greens were having supper at Hook’s on their way to Brewton to see the Geneva/T.R. Miller football game.

Mona’s husband, Todd Green, is an assistant coach for the Geneva Panthers.

Mary Lynn Edgar welcomed the Greens to Andalusia and chatted away with Mona as if they had known each other all their lives. By the time the Greens left Hook’s, they and Mary Lynn were best of friends and gave each other big hugs.

That’s Southerners for you!

Mary Lynn told me a story about Jimmy Wilson. Each time there’s a home game for the Andalusia Bulldog Football Team, Jimmy has a chair waiting for Mary Lynn’s mother, Marie (Pruitt) Pierce, who attends home games to watch proudly her granddaughter, Mary-Morgan Pierce, a varsity Bulldog cheerleader and a member of the AHS Band Color Guard.

Mary Lynn appreciates the kindness to her mother by Jimmy and Sue Wilson. Sue sits next to Marie and has her own pride in the game. Her grandson, Steadman, is also a member of the AHS Band.

Does anyone know how to remove chewing gum from the sidewalks hereabouts?

Does anyone know how to remove pecan stains from fingers?

These are questions from my gentle readers.

Sunday last I enjoyed a visit at McDonald’s with Tony Tucker, AHS Class of 1971. Tony reminded us to have a blessing before we ate, bless his soul.

Seen out and about was Donnie Gray.

The gloriously golden days we have been enjoying of late remind me of a line from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, “all in the golden afternoon.”

I appreciate the beautiful fall arrangements on the Golden Square and all over town – the pumpkins, mums, and hay bales. Blessings be on those who beautify!

Have you seen, gentle reader, the roses of Andalusia in all their glory?

Drive down Church Street, gentle reader, and admire the coral vine with its delicate, twining ways and pink blooms.

John Hill, one of the most important gentlemen in the history of Andalusia, passed away last week. He loved music and sang in his church choir. In the following poem, the bond between Mr. Hill and music is emphasized. The poem is called “Poem for John Hill’s Funeral” and was read at the funeral.

 

So long a time hath music been my friend

That it is meet it be so till the end.

So often hath sweet music comforted

That it is meet it comforteth again.

Ah, music, which inspires us all life through,

Which moves us to what good that we may do,

That leads us in our faithful Savior’s ways,

And lifts our hearts to sing immortal praise!

 

So, swell the choir with hallelujahs sung;

Enrich the air with golden bells far rung;

Let orchestra and organ sound abroad,

And music lead us onward to the Lord!

(JCW)

 

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. Box 1582, Andalusia, Alabama 36420.

The mysterian is the member of the AHS Class of 1926, still living.

Born this week were Virgil, Roman poet, author of the Aeneid; Helen Hunt Jackson, American poet who wrote “October’s Bright Blue Weather”; and Noah Webster, American lexicographer (dictionary maker).

October 15 was Poetry Day. Did you read a poem?

October 12 was Columbus Day. Did you sing “Oh, Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean”?

“In 1492 Columbus sailed the blue!”

Miss Ellen Barrow, who once taught English at the AHS, introduced me to “October’s Bright Blue Weather” by quoting it to me one bright, October day, bless her soul. As long as she lived, I sent her a copy each October as a thank-you. I hope I remember to read it each fall until I fall. Do you likewise, Mrs. Jones, and gentle readers.

Helen Hunt Jackson also wrote a novel about the mistreatment of Indians, called Romona. It was made into a movie, which had a theme song, “Romona.” The Portly Gentleman recalls one day at the AHS, during lunch, that Mrs. Jackson came up in discussion, and several of the teachers in the teachers’ lounge began to sing “Romona.”

They knew all about the novel and “October’s Bright Blue Weather,” too; and the Portly One did not. How green he felt. Among the teachers singing that day were Carolyn Rankin, Annalee Simmons, and Ellen Barrow, and, I think, Sarah Baugh.

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.