This February will be remembered with lots of snow and ice, but not around here. Good!
Not only were George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays observed, but some others celebrated, as well.
Long-time friend Anne Foutch Gilpin had a birthday Feb. 6. Her former teacher cohorts celebrated her birthday with a bridge luncheon.
Anne has also been recently hospitalized with congestive heart failure. In talking with her on her birthday, she said that she was still dancing and granddaughter, Hailey is living with her.
Another birthday celebrity is Dr. John Carpenter, pastor at First Methodist, on Feb. 8. His family gathered at Outback Steak House in Cookeville for lunch, and then adjourned to their home for cake and ice cream. He also shares a birthday with his son, Brian. 
Those celebrating with him were his wife, Kathy, and grandsons Wesley and Collin, Brian and his family, Megan and their children, Jodi and Josh and Becky Roberts. Good friends, Mike and Juanda James from Nashville also joined them for the day.
Celebrating birthdays for the remainder of February are: Nathaniel Theriaque, Keith Blair, Sammie Foster George in Chapel Hill, Toni Nolt, Paul Oliver, Kitty Thomas, Tiffany Curtis, Doug Ward, Doyle Smith, Emily Webb, Todd Lassiter, Zachary Poss, Casey France and Gladys Simpson on Feb. 29 (Leap Year). Observing anniversaries this month are:  Derrick and Shea Colwell, Mike and Missy Clendenen, and Miranda and Jamie Waggoner.
The Children's Etiquette Workshop had a short session on Feb. 8, but was in full swing on Feb. 15 with some good helpers: Gail Bishop, Betty Jo Hardiman, Jen Sherwood, Kristie Driver and Deliah from Alexandria.
This coming Saturday we will meet at 9:30 a.m. in order for some to attend the Sweetheart Pageant that morning.
Get-well wishes to: Lewis Conklin, Vickie Wampler from back surgery, Guylene Atnip and Gail Bishop for outpatient surgery, Hoyt Odom.
Sympathy and prayers to Kathy Hendrixson and family in the death of their mother, Lou Ada Neal. Also to Kristie Driver in the death of her cousin, Kimberly Pecor from Sparta.
Guylene, who has been helping with the Etiquette Workshop, told me last week that she rode on Trailways every Saturday for a month. She attended a Charm Workshop at Cain-Sloan. Of course, she had a good driver, my dad..
To get out of the snow and ice, Larry and Pat Tatum have just returned from a cruise on the Norwegine Pearl. They toured Cozumel, Key West, the Everglades, Marco Island, Naples and Sanabel. They also visited friends in Stuart, Florida enroute to the port.
Larry said the best trip was the one home, up I-75 the day after the big snow. They did enjoy sunshine in the 80's. Sounds good to me!
Regreted the death of Shirley Temple, talented child movie star. My mother named me after her. Then she was disappointed when I couldn't dance or sing like her, although I did take dancing lessons when we lived in Tullahoma.
Hope everyone enjoyed their Presidents' Day holiday.
Closing Thought: (taken from a church newsletter) Son:
“Dad, I read where my birthstone is the ruby. What is yours?” Dad: “The grindstone.” Amen.