stand (back) up

I was raised in a Repulican family and voted that way many times in my life.  I can guarantee you my parents are rolling over in their graves concerning what is happening right now.  The shift to downsizing began when my father was still a USDA employee.  They closed the Dyersburg office and he was required to travel for several years before he could retire.  He went to inspect the Cuban boat people coming over to make sure there were no plants riding over with them. That was the year Lauren was born and he was in Florida on Thanksgiving.  We took a family pic of the three month old first grandchild posed with the rest of us.  There was California sometime during those days and other inconvenient places for a guy who just wanted to be at home with his cows.  He retired as early as he could at the age of 55  to much hoorah.  I don't remember when the dinner was, but I was there.  His years in the Air Force gave him enough time to be able to do that. He was still manager of the farm for many years.  Tim Bruce took his job and ended up doing airport duty in Memphis.

Daddy loved his job and his country.  Raised as a depression era kid, son of a tenant farmer, he survived growing up with three sisters out toward Roellen.  When he fell out of the barn loft and broke his arms, the sisters had to wipe his butt.  True story!  He was somewhere in the middle, age wise.  My favorite picture of his family is all of them gathered as young people.  Sister died first from colon cancer and was followed by Ginner and then Daddy.  Katherine Rose is the only surviving child of that brood.  And she is 90. We talk occasionally.  I will spare y'all the details of all the other deaths in the family.  They were numerous, just like with all families.

There are not many of us Staffords left.  Me, Bubba, Tommy, Susan and Pepper.  Plus LP and Reaves and Adam and Peyton.  Mama and Daddy were gifted with three grandchildren but never got to see Elizabeth Reaves.  They had been gone for several years when she was born.  Dat baby seriously loves being here on the farm.  I have moved since she was born from "the old house" to the "new old house."  We lived in Charlie's house for 34 years before it was remodel time.  Then I came back home to the cabin.  There is a spot over on the ancient handmade stairs where LP once sat with Bubba waiting for Thanksgiving dinner.  Precious stuff.  

I assume I will die while I am living here because where am I gonna go?  I cannot see to drive so my daughter takes me to where I need to go.  I still have to work because um...well you know.  My side job since retirement has been reporter/sitter/errand runner/you name it.  During the 80s I became very interested in palliative end of life care.  It's all about comfort and reviewing the life that is about to be gone.  My clients and I have talked a lot over the years about their memories.  During my three years of Joy I learned all about her life from East TN over here to West TN where she was a social worker at the local hospital.  That is actually how we met.  I was an employee there and both of my parents were volunteers.  Gaga helped to establish the gift shop that is no longer in operation.  

Sometimes I worry about what we are leaving for future generations.  But then, I know that God is in control and it will all be okay if I do the next right thing.  That is faith in action ^j^

oh karoline!

In my off time I tend to watch a lot of stuff on YouTube and caught a PBS clip today to the White House press secretary fielding questions from reporters about what's gonna' happen this week.  "Well, it's a beautiful Monday morning and we have a BIG week planned!"  I'm sure you do girlfriend.  Bossmen are steady grifting.

My lone peach tree has survived thus far.  Last year it was all bloomed out and the cold bit it.  No peaches here at Casa Poopie. We did have apples and those trees are beginning to bloom too.  My friend brought me some art supplies and I have dabbled but not really gotten serious yet.  Taking pics right now and thinking about it.  Mary Gwyn Bowen is an old and dear friend.  During the time of our 40th high school reunion, she took a lot of pictures to do her magic on the canvas.  It seriously is like a wildlife reserve out here.

Rosie the cat continues to bite and fight my bare feet in the early mornings when I get up.  It takes quite a few kicks to satisfy her so that she will go eat the food (that is already there.) I have taken to not putting my teeth in because they hurt which means it's time for an adjustment.  I will pencil that in along with a visit to the glasses guy.  I can't see shit.  

It's cold here.  Still spring I reckon, and Easter is coming ^j^

the money piece

I had no clue what that was when Nina and Chucky told me I had one at my last cut.  I am going gray slowly and have this Bonnie Raitt kind of thing going on up front.  Slowly moving away from color and embracing my old self, so to speak.  I'm proud to still have hair!  Today has been rainy and gloomy so I'm cleaning house and doing laundry.  LP is on the way to see Babygirl for the first time in about a month.  The weather has not been easy for travel plus there was a spring break cruise for Elizabeth and her family.  Mucho fun for all involved!

Mary Beth has been honing in on "the messy middle" that Jesus chose as his way of life.  Today she talked about the parable of the lost sheep and centered her sermon on how Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders for eating with sinners and tax collectors.  To which he replied that the shepherd would most likely go looking for the one lost sheep and carry it home to have a party.  Now, if I were the shepherd I would just take the lost one back to the flock and pray that the other 99 were still there.  But that is not our God.  He is with us when we are lost and lonely and will leave the rest to come get US!  

We have very "juicy" air around here right now with a week full of rain headed our way.  Lots of rain!  April showers, I suppose.  The tulips are already blooming and actually wide open because it's so warm.

My friend recently bought a used Tesla at a great price because, y'all know why.  I took a ride in it and was amazed at the quiet and simplicity with a bonus trunk up front.  We are of similar beliefs about the state of our union but dang.  A deal is a deal!  Plus it helps with the environment.  I think that the cybertrucks are the problem...lol.

Y'all be grateful and joyous and help others when you can.  It's what Jesus would do ^j^

censorship

You can call me a conspiracy theorist if you want.  It took me THREE tries to post a telling interview with Jeffrey Goldberg and his co-worker from the book festival in New Orleans.  Knowing that Zuck is on the "special list" at the White House, I have noticed that a lot of things that are  posted require a title and or multiple tries.  Kinda' like if you really want to do this, prove it.  On this particular piece I did.  What happened was a very sloppy mistake which they tried to blame on Goldberg who really did not like being in that situation.  They called him names and denied everything which led to his bombshell disclosure.  And the insults have continued.  

What strikes me most about this administration is their quick to judge stance.  "Everything wouldn't be like this if Biden had....xyz.  You cannot base a serious presidency on other people.  That is the coward's way out.  Just own up to mistakes and retain credibility.  Plus don't cut the safety net right out from under us.  That is all we are asking.  I have said before that I do believe the federal government's services contain some waste and abuse and I don't like that.  However, it takes time to sort out who's using who in this game and Musk has not done that.  Well, his team, I mean.  The one team " team member " we never hear about is that poor woman who got roped into being the official director.  Crickets from her.  And not her fault, bless her heart.  I wouldn't open my mouth either.  Had it been me, though?  I would have gone on my planned vacation to Mexico and talk to y'all when I get back.  The truth is, she was scared not to.  She needs her job, just like a lot of federal workers.  

Watching that student being kidnapped by the black cars and masks and whatnot gave me a chill.  Because it could happen to any of us if we say the wrong thing.  Political power at the local, state and federal level is a reality I have understood for years.  Corruption and greed are every day's business in the crony world. I campaigned hard for several candidates and watched over and over again as they took the loss and kept on trying.  My state is blood red so I am in the minority.  Not that I'm blue all the way, by any means.  I am more of a progressive.  Having voted for many Republicans, I chose to not vote on party lines but on the issues and the individual candidate.  But then I'm "woke" like that.

We had a crisis this morning as LP was talking to Reaves on the was to school and they accidentally ran over a cat.  I could hear the wailing on her mom's phone and it wasn't even on speaker.  It took both mamas and a long conversation to talk her through the trauma.  Life is hard to take when you are seven.  They chatted about all the cats and dogs we have had and what happened to them.  That is the basis of therapy, I believe.  Life is hard for all of us, actually.  Bad things happen and we are in deep pain.  My experience has been until we grieve a loss, it still haunts us.  One of my favorite songs of all time is Get Over It by The Eagles.  "I'd like to find your inner child and kick its' little ass!"  My one and only karaoke performance..lol.

I'm not sure how many days into Lent we are, but I see Easter coming ^j^

"everyone makes mistakes"

But then "everyone" isn't in charge of national security.  By now, "everyone" is aware of the leaked discussion about Yemen to the editor of The Atlantic.  This mistake has been downplayed by everyone at the White House, including the president himself.  Oopsie!  It is what it is.  One random observer noted that if they think Russia and China and our other adversaries are not able to listen in as well, they are delusional.  

One of the countless things that I think are ridiculous about this administration is their plan to sell corporate sponsorships for the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn.  My friend made the remark that they will probably be having a yard sale there next.  Funny, and true.  It's all about the money to these people.  What really slays me is the down home people here in my little burg who defend any and everything that they do.  One said:" I am happy to see someone become a billionaire and better themselves."  Honey, please.  They will eat you for lunch before you even know it has happened.

Meanwhile, Musk is demanding an apology from the people at The View for making fun of his kid that he's put out there for ridicule himself.  I doubt he will get that apology.  The powers that be are investigating people who are vandalizing Teslas as "domestic terrorists" saying that they will be hunted and prosecuted.  Like we don't have other pressing matters to deal with!

It boggles my mind that the priorities are so centered on retribution and cutting the little people out of the loop.  Sure, there is a certain amount of fraud and abuse.  Take your time and figure out where it is rather than just shutting the whole thing down.  Trump promised not to do that yet his minions are actively pursuing.  Somebody stop the madness!  

I reckon it is what it is.  Let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya ^j^

trolling

These past couple of days have been "call Janie stupid" on FB.  It never ceases to amaze me that folks have nothing better to do than fight on the internet.  Jesus don't like that.  Nor does he like fighting of any kind.  So many Christians in this country operate on exclusion and whatnot.  I don't really understand the trans thing but if they have the money for the life change, maybe it's a good thing.  At least they won't be trapped in their other selves like one of Elon's kids.  

I was chastised for posting political things on the FB platform for everybody to see.  Some of my "friends" might be offended or mad at me.  I was absolutely floored because I never thought of it that way.  My friends tend to be reasonable live and let live sort of folks who are across the political spectrum.  Many of them read this blog and enjoy it.  As far as the feed goes?  I should probably not throw out political memes and just focus on kitties and puppies.  The political stuff is where the trolling comes in and it can be brutal.  But?  Every single time I fight the good fight, so to speak, my true friends surround me with support.  It is pretty tiring and I don't have room in my life for people calling me stupid and an idiot.  Consider yourself blocked kids.

One of my favorite phrases is "If you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem."  The sad thing is that everybody has their own "solution" to things and if we don't agree, they get nasty.  It is the way of the world now.  I refuse to give up.  If I can plant a seed that might make some younger person think, REALLY think, about what is going on in our world, I will speak out.  I have that much of my mother in me.  That woman could raise hell, in spite of her genteel upbringing.

The weather looks nice so I'll hit the porch and enjoy the sun.  I was sitting out back yesterday doing chair yoga and thought about those people back in the day that had TB and got rolled out in wheelchairs at the sanitarium.   Just a thought, as Belle would say.

Remember who you are...and from whence you came ^j^

we the people

In case you haven't been paying attention, we are in a constitutional crisis of epic proportions.  My feed is flooded with trolls who have had a good dose of the koolaid and believe that Musk knows what he is doing.  We all know that Trump doesn't, even the Republicans.  His presidency was bought by Musk money with the condition that Vance would be his running mate.  If you dig deeper than the surface, that is evident.  And now this non-elected official DOGE person is meeting about a top secret anti China war deal.  Umm.  Dude has businesses all over the world, including China.  Wonder how long it will take him to leak that?

The tariffs are absurd and anybody who thinks that they will be immune to the consequences has their head in the sand.  Yes y'all....it will hit you too.  And when it does?  You can whine all you want, but you defended it.  Three people present at the committee meeting that I watched yesterday presented evidence of asking Musk to appear before them and "splain" what's going on.  He has declined to appear, choosing instead to grandstand and disrupt an Oval Office presser with one of his 13 kids who wiped boogers on the desk.  No wonder Trump is using the little one...lol.  Today's picture was of him surrounded by children at school desks as he announced the implosion of the education department.  "Give it to the states" he says.  Well, a little advance notice would be nice, ya' know?  I live in a very red state where Republicans rule.  

It really doesn't matter that the Democratic party is "disappointed".  They dropped the ball by letting Biden hang on until six months before the election.  Period.  He was obviously demented and throwing Kamala out there at the last minute was a desperate action that failed.  This is a prime example of how the two party system fails us.  

As for the judicial branch?  Y'all keep it between the lines because you are our only hope in a system where Congress is dysfunctional as hell.  There is no reaching across the aisle or by-partisanship anymore.  It's all one party against the other.  And we the people are the losers in this game ^j^