Write Queen Writes From Her Little Piece Of Heaven

Freda Brooks Phillips Douglas had an autobiographical-history book “Cherish the Past” published in 2002, has her second book of fiction “Winds of Change” ready for the printer and has her third book on the front burner. She also wrote a weekly personal essay column for 17 years.. Freda lives alone with her cat Jewely and loves to hear from her readers.

Well, I am in my fourth month as a resident of Alabama, settled here like I was born here. Maybe that is because the terrain hereabouts reminds me of my native Pennsylvania. In reality it is because my adoptive family surrounds me with such love as I haven’t felt since my husband John died in 2001. I know there have been a few people who cared for me in the last six going on seven years, such as James who spoiled me something fierce and couldn’t ever seem to do enough for me, like Gary, my medical careperson who never tried to pull the wool over my eyes and who was always honest with me or Bess, who always sent me postcards no matter where Jim and she went and usually arrived home before I ever received the cards. And there was always Jewely, but she is a story unto herself.

But there is no greater feeling than having love showered on you despite your faults, your age and your eccentricities.

The countryside around where we live is absolutely beautiful. I have watched out my window in the morning to see the trees bare, gradually coming to life, and now they are practically in full grandeur. We had a late frost a few weeks ago, and that stunted, but didn’t kill, their beauty.

Linda has two bird feeders outside my window. One is for the bigger birds and one is for hummingbirds, The hummingbirds are no larger than a large bumble bee, but do they ever eat.
Last week the feeder went empty so quickly Linda thought she might not have screwed the bottom of the feeder on tight enough. She checked it and finally decided the little birds had big appetites.

Twice we have gone sightseeing after church. Jason drives a truck and has found many spots to show us. Jason is just like a homing pigeon. Once he’s been a place he can always find it again. He makes a great tour guide.

Properties are well maintained in our neck of the woods, and most have lush green, manicured yards. Surprising to me, most of the homes are single level, some one and a half stories, but very few taller than that. Of curse those with money very often have what I call mansions which are breath-taking, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable in such opulence.

Do I miss my Florida friends? Of course. You don’t live in a place for more than 20 years without a tug in your heart for those you left behind. Do I regret resettling to Alabama? No, I don’t. Am I happy here? You are happy where you are loved, and I am loved.

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