surprise surprise!

Well, just like my 80 year old wise father said would happen, they seem to be getting their heads out of their asses in Washington and figuring that no matter WHICH party gets the credit, those checks better go out. It has been good for most people who barely pay attention to the complex operation that is US government to actually get riled up enough to jam the phone lines. Extremism in any form is not the way to get where you want to be. Nobody has the right to force their opinions and views on you just because you help elect them. When push comes to shove, we have to make some noise and let 'em know how they got there and what's up out here in middle class land. After all, we're picking up the tab for the other 50%. I would probably have been called a commie in the fifties, but now I'm just one of those crazy liberals who believes that peace is possible. And yes, I know there are rich Dems too.

Politics at the local level are always exciting in a small town, and ours was no exception. We had one sheriff for a number of years who was famous for mistreatment of prisoners if they didn't suit him. During those days lots of whiskey got passed out on election day. Come to think of it, that's probably why the liquor stores close now! The jail sat close to the center of town, old and crumbly brick and my uncle Jimbo took me and my KY cousin up in there one day to show us where we most definitely did not want to end up. He was like that...would do something on a whim. There was an ancient icehouse nearby where they ground it from big blocks lifted with huge tongs. There was a scrapyard/pecan business nearby owned by one of the few Jewish families who lived here. All of that is gone now, replaced by a new jail and a huge city utility company. I remember when I was a child and we would pull up to the window at the dry cleaners owned by my mama's best friend's parents. Their steamy place sat on the corner past the icehouse.

It was a time of innocence that our children really never knew. By the time BG was in the sixth grade, there were mandatory DARE programs and random shootings. The crack and meth that were are so prevalent among those who have nothing better to do than kill themselves is taking a toll on law enforcement and innocent people. Our county is relatively poor, depending on just a handful of industries to support our economy. None of this was something I ever really understood until the last few years. But, like somebody said, they don't really know what they missed so, it's okay. I'm just glad I have those memories.

We did the weekly breakfast thing at the doughnut shop today with chocolate iced for the road and a couple of pigs in a blanket for BG. About half of their SS class showed up and grabbed the next three tables. It was the Methodist breakfast version of dinner on the grounds ;) No fried chicken or casseroles. There were a couple of stops, one at the pharmacy and the other to pick up and drop off (again) clothes to be altered for their shrinking little selves. It is hot, humid and looking like it could come a thunderstorm in a bit and that's fine with me. Bring.it.on.

^j^