I was truly sorry to learn of the death of Dr. Warren Lovell on July 15. I had heard this news from a family member two days before the obituary was printed. I had always hoped to meet Warren in person because he was so helpful to me in our telephone conversations about my husband Jim when he was so sick. Jim and Warren were cousins. Regrettably, the paper came out after my chance to at least say goodbye.

In taking my usual walk around the neighborhood, I decided to find out how many steps it entailed. It wasn’t easy, using my hand and fingers to tick off the numbers. I got up to about 1,500 when someone on the route stopped to talk and I lost the place. Anyway, it was certainly not 10,000 — a popular goal. I imagine it’s about 1,600. A pedometer would help, and whatever the distance, I need to keep at it.

With all the politicking we’re being subjected to, I’ve been surprised at the many leaders who continue to speak about our government as a democracy. We don’t have a democracy. It’s called a Constitutional Republic! I should stop watching television. It irritates me so much. Sometimes, even and especially our animadvertive candidates.

For Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day — I forgot which — a special friend brought me a white azalea. That’s always been a favorite flower of mine because of the pretty old song “When the White Azaleas Start Blooming;” and that’s the only line I know. My daughter, who owns the green thumb in our family, planted it for me and it was nicely thriving. Imagine my dismay when I looked out the window on Saturday and instead of a husky green plant, there remained a hole where someone or something had removed it. Do raccoons like azaleas? That is the second one I’ve lost. There was another given to me as a memento of my sister Alta Mae’s funeral and it died, too. I considered the new one a replacement. It’s most distressing. Whether one is five years old or 95, as the case may be, life’s small pleasures are very important.

I think the “bald is beautiful” line came from chemotherapy, but I am getting tired of deliberate Daddy Warbucks heads among so many men. Hair is fair, so there. I like well-trimmed hair and do not like grungy beards. How about a neatly trimmed moustache á la Clark Gable or Ronald Coleman? OK, so I may be an anachronism.

Holladay Drive is really lookin’ good. It shouldn’t be long now. I would have liked to see some dates in the cement but everything can’t be perfect. When the barriers are gone, life will be so beautiful! Thanks, guys.

Laugh Line:

An irritated wife said to her indolent husband, “If it weren’t for my money, that Rolex on your wrist wouldn’t be here.” She further added, “If it weren’t for my money, this comfortable, expensive chair you’re sitting in wouldn’t be here.” And then the coup de grace, “If it weren’t for my money, that Mercedes in the driveway wouldn’t be here.”

“Madame,” he told her, “if it weren’t for your money, I wouldn’t be here!” (Courtesy of John Hagee.)