Published: November 04, 2009 07:50 am      

Despite a few mishaps, feeling blessed

Dorothy Milligan

Byng correspondent

580-332-6217

Several in our community have had mishaps during the past week or so, but in each case, we think they’ve been blessed because their condition could have been much worse, and they’re all better today.

Eddie Christian, for example, suffered a renal carcinoma — that’s kidney cancer to us laymen. A disturbing diagnosis to be sure, but after tests showed the tumor to be confined to one kidney and that Eddie’s heart was able to withstand surgery, he didn’t even have to leave Ada to have the kidney and the offending tumor removed.

He suffered considerable pain for the first few days, but was expected to be released from the hospital Saturday.

Betty Burns was also expected to go hone from the hospital after several days treatment because of irregular heart beat. Her condition has improved as a result of changed medication.

Bill Dixon, New Bethel’s Sunday School director, whose homespun modern parables always inspire and often amuse us, is going to be offering us some re-run devotionals for a while because his penmanship skills have been impaired. The grain release mechanism on a feed mill at his Southern Proteins suffered a malfunction.

In attempting to repair it, Bill injured his right index finger and required surgery. That finger is now slightly shorter, and it is still very sore We’re glad the finger joint was not involved, and he has files on his devotionals and thus can offer us re-runs.

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A few of our folks have been on trips. My walking buddies, Betty and Vestel Cole got back from a week’s trip to Pagosa Springs, Colo. They had gorgeous weather seeing snow only on the mountains. Betty enjoyed water aerobics every morning .

The exercises were capably led by 89 and 91-year-old women who are town residents.

The Coles played bridge three times that week with people who live in Pagosa. They were surprised and appreciative of the efforts the town extends toward vacationers.

Richard and Abby Barron made a week-long trip to Arches National Park, Utah, where they recited their wedding vows five (I think) years ago.

They have traditionally gone back each year on their anniversary. Their son, Mitch Garris, bunked at our house.

I, who usually rattle like a marble in my big old house, had ‘no vacancies’ last week . Tonya Dunagan, an LPN, has transferred from the Veterans’ Center at Moore to the one at Sulphur. She is currently staying with me.

Robert Dunagan who has been helping with renovating the house his parents, Dale and Tonya, have bought in Ada also stays at the Milligan hostel. Dale, New Bethel’s pastor, usually stays with us on the weekend. We had an enjoyably full house last week.

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After several days of rain, Friday finally offered sunshine for two Friday night events. The New Bethel youth attended an inspirational “House of Horrors” at a Tulsa church. The young-at-heart adults gathered for a wiener roast at Ruth Ann Taylor’s home. Fun!

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Our Church had a work day Saturday to give the Dunagans a hand with their newly-purchased home in Ada. Application of a new roof had resulted in a pile-up of old shingles, but the 13 people who devoted a few hours to cleaning the yard and the garage did an unbelievable amount of work.

The work force included, besides the Dunagans and their across-the street neighbors, Dave and Jodi Jackson, the following: Taylor Smith, a girl from the NB youth department, and these adults: Calvin Nolen, Wes Eidson, Charles Jones, Gary Cobb, Homer Howell, Jerald Harris, Lowry Allen and yours truly. Jodi and I each made a pot of stew and she made some delicious cornbread. Some of us may have had some sore muscles the next day, but I heard several say they enjoyed a productive morning.

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Several of you came and gathered pears last week, and after all the rain, I assumed there wasn’t much fruit left. I was wrong. My doorbell rang Saturday afternoon, and a man who introduced himself as John Hart said, “I came by a couple of years ago and you let me pick up some pears; I wonder if I could do that again”

“There were a lot left on the ground,” I told him. “But we’ve had so much rain, I haven’t looked to see what shape they’re in. You’re welcome to whatever is out there.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m getting them for the deer.”

The doorbell rang again in about 30 minutes, and Mr. and Mrs. Hart were standing on my porch smiling. “We got a pickup load of pears, and we got your barnyard all cleaned up. Here, I have something for you.” He handed me a quart of blackberry jam and two packages of frozen meat.

“This is deer sausage,” he said. “I grind five pounds of bacon with 20 pounds of deer meat. Most say it’s really good.” I thanked him profusely and we agreed we’d see each other next year, “The Lord willin’.”

For supper that night, I made biscuits (from Bisquik) while Tonya cooked deer sausage and eggs.

Mr. Hart, you’re very right. Your sausage as well as the blackberry jam is delicious. Thanks for the clean barnyard as well.