HILDA ...

Hilda is my Mother. She's 82 years old & lives in a small town northwest of Orlando, Florida. Her & my Dad -- who passed away 20 years ago -- moved there in the mid-80's from upstate New York.

My Mother was a "G.I. War Bride" from World War II. My Dad, in the military, met my Mother in England. I guess it was love at first sight. I found out a few years ago Dad popped the question a week after meeting Hilda.

Mom is very active & in great health. She does all the things the ... ah ... "experts" say to do; she exercises, eats the proper foods, doesn't smoke or drink & keeps her mind active, doing daily crossword & Sudoku puzzles. Mother drinks several cups of hot tea a day. It's good for her & very British.

My Mother is also a "knitter". If she's sitting down -- in a chair, a passenger in a car -- or even an airplane -- she has her needles & yarn. She makes everything & anything -- sweaters, afghans, gloves, hats. You name it. If it can be made from yarn -- Hilda can make it.

I sometimes worry about my Mom, living alone way down in Florida. I travel down there to see her usually twice a year. Additionally, in the Spring -- before the mosquito's start invading -- I fly her up here to spend a week with me in Arkansas.

I sometimes think of moving to Florida. If something happened to either one of us, we are not close geographically. It takes some time & planning to travel. It's not as if we lived across town from each other. It's hard to help out if you're 800 miles away.

So ... I keep the thought in my head. I know with all the rain & cold weather we have had lately -- with Winter coming soon -- the thought of ... "Floridays -- Blue Sky's & Ultra Violet Rays" ... has a larger & larger appeal.