Peeping through my Venetian blind, I gazed at the Yellow World of September – yellow leaves, yellow butterflies, yellow bitterweed, yellow haze.

September seems a slow, warm, lazy month as summer dies and fall comes to life.

Out and about I ran into James Jones at the P.O.. He’s improved with age.

At Tabby D’s I conversed with Bill Harper, Allen and Nelle Wiggins, Maggie Shelley, Margaret Bennett and her sister, Debbie Jackson, and John Taylor, escorting his mother, the lovely Abbie Taylor.

I especially enjoyed a talk with Bill Harper of Monroeville, over here in the “Dimple of Dixie” on business.

He shared his pleasant memories as a boy, shopping in an old-fashioned grocery, run by my cousin, Ralph Cobb, in Monroeville.

I asked Bill if he had ever seen Harper Lee, the famous author who lives in Monroeville. He had, many times. His mother knew her as a friend when Bill was a boy.

Once, when “Nelle” Lee was visiting Bill’s mother, he was “cutting up,” as boys do. She patted him on the head and said, “Such things as you are why I’m not married.”

Each Friday the Friday Lunch Bunch gathers to eat and talk. These ladies are Nina Keenam, Helen Griffin, Helen King, Helen Phillips, Betty Sue McInnish, and Lucy Martin.

Dr. Wayne and Lenora Johnson hosted a dinner prepared by Bill and Maria Thigpen but served in the Johnsons’ home. Joe Wingard was a guest.

The meal featured “butterflied” chicken, Lebanese rice, Parker House rolls, salad with shallot vinagrette, creamed spinach, and Baklava, which was as sweet as twenty Christmases.

Seen at the Samurai for dinner were Laura Darby and her mother, Helen Griffin, John and Amy (Pitts) Dugger and their daughter, Ingram, and Lane Prevett and Macy Martin.

Lane was celebrating his 16th birthday, August 31.

Mrs. Darby and her husband, David, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary August 29.

Lenora Johnson has a beautiful pot of purslane at her home, as well as a wall, covered with Confederate jasmine.

Seen at Smoothies for supper were Brian and Jennifer Earnest.

Judy Henley, Andalusia Class of 1988, tells me she’s from Grundy, Virginia. I wonder if I have cousins there by the dozens.

Byron Mathews of New York City, formerly of Andalusia, was among my gentle readers who wished me well during my recent illnesses.

Another well-wisher was Ellen Law of Hixson, Tennessee.

People are kind.

One of my readers has a question. In an old issue of our newspaper, dated December 24, 1929, a car was given away by Covington Stores on the Square. The reader wants to know who won that car. If you know, you can call one of the ladies at the local museum (222-0674).

The Covington Historical Society met August 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Dixon Memorial of the public library.

Dr. Morgan Moore, president, called the 409th meeting to order.

Bill Law prayed the invocation.

The pledge to the flag was sounded.

Jan White, who videotaped the meeting, led in the state song, “Alabama,” as Sue Wilson, vice-president, played the piano.

Guests stood and introduced themselves.

Nancy Robbins, secretary, distributed copies of the minutes.

George Harmon Proctor, treasurer, distributed his report.

A sympathy card was signed to the family of Jackie Gantt, a charter member of the CHS. A memorial book is to be selected for the library.

Mrs. Gantt was ever faithful to the Society, to her family, to her church, loved and admired by all who knew her.

Sue (Bass) Wilson reported from the Museum Committee.

The high utility bills were noted.

Mrs. Wilson introduced Mattie (Jones) Freeney, who spoke on the history of black schools in this area.

Among the subjects discussed were Woodson High School, a history room at Woodson, the Freedman’s Bureau, Julius Rosenwahl (a Jewish sponsor of black schools), Booker T. Washington, 92 students per teacher in the early days, Tuskegee Institute, J. P. Hutchison, County Line School at Searight, the Bradley School at River Falls, Covington County Training School (CCTS), Headstart on Whatley Street, Ralph Bunch, busing, the black junior high in Florala, Bethune, Andalusia Middle School, the first black school in Andalusia, C. C. Baker, Beulah Church, Norville School, horses and wagons, and Dr. Berry.

Refreshments were provided by Linda Castleberry of Red Level, Bill Law, William Blocker, and Wyley Ward.

Johnnie Girdner and I enjoyed a conversation recently. She’s looking forward to her 91st birthday November 1.

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 Miss Mattie Waters. Who was she? Poor Mattie – gone and forgotten.

Recent birthdays are those of Eugene Fields, an American, newspaper poet, known as the “Children’s Poet,” and Sarah Orne Jewett, an American writer, whose essays in The Country of the Pointed Firs are beautiful to the ear and to the heart.

Mr. Fields wrote poetry for newspapers. Once upon a time it was common for newspaper poets to be paid to create poetry for issues of the paper. Another famous newspaper poet was James Whitcomb Riley, who wrote “Little Orphan Annie.”

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.