The Coffee Ladies of Linden have been having a hard time with COVID-19. These eight to 10 ladies have gone from years of meeting every afternoon, seven days a week, to no meetings at all.
They started years ago upon retirement, and they don't even call what they've been doing "meetings."
"We're not a club. We just gather," says member Jo Miller.
They don't drink coffee either.
"Not at our age," they say.
They usually have a place and a general time.
'It varies."
No subject matter.
"But we always have plenty to talk about."
They do have one activity. It's a ritual. They take their medicines together.
"We all take some medicine, so when we meet we just take our pills and with a glass of something we say, 'Cheers!" Then we all take our medicine. It's a lot more fun."
The group met at a local convenience store for years but moved to city park when the store closed. Then, they went to a member's carport, and finally to Crump's Food Store, happily, for several recent years.
"When COVID came, Crump told us they'd have to close the area. They were so sorry. Told us to come back. Said they'll make room," Miller said.
So they gathered in Miller's backyard. It was perfect.
"I have so many pecan trees. Shade, and wind's always blowing. So we just pushed the chairs apart and put our masks on for a while before COVID got bad. This is where we'll come when COVID's over."
The group has dwindled. Three members who have passed away are Susie Evans, Cissi Lanier and Charlie Reece Harris. Remaining members are Ruby Dowd, Jo Miller, Georgie Morris, Johnnie Hennon, Sandra Johnson, Stella Ellington, Iva Joyce Lake and Betty Hetherington.
"Sometimes we'll have three or sometimes 11," Miller said. "Stay from 3 to 5. Plenty to talk about. Grandchildren. Someone will tell a joke they've heard. We're really just checking on each other."
The ladies say they are just thankful for their blessings, and gathering makes senior years happier.
No politics, of course. And if that COVID keeps hanging around, it had better watch out. The Coffee Ladies may figure out a way to quarantine it.