somebody loves me

I worked late, stayed up late and slept late in that order.  Right about the time I was beginning to wake up good the dogs went ape shit and I noticed two ATT service trucks outside getting ready to bury a new line!  Praise be.  I may be the last one on the line but they've been diligent trying to fix the problem.  They are the only affordable option where I live in the boonies.  Plus they have my wireless account as well so they better play nice.  The two guys were nice and polite and had the job done in 30 minutes.  Now we don't have to worry about filling in the septic tank around the rigged up splice.  Good job!!

I watched the debate a piece at a time and I was very impressed with Bernie and EW.  Out of the whole bunch they were the only ones who seemed to be unified.  I also enjoyed Pete and Beto.  The rest of them...meh.  We shall see who comes out swinging tonight.

My Kroger run was today and I didn't spend much.  Mostly I eat turkey sandwiches, chips and dip.  I know that doesn't sound extremely healthy but I balance it out.  While I was there I visited with my brother at the fuel center and found him chatting with a customer.  Everybody and their mama'n'them know Bubba.  He gets to wear his signature plaid shirt and jeans to work now.  

Y'all be careful out there.  It's a crazy world, but we live here~ Mac McAnally

e

making do

Bless my little rural heart.  The only internet available to me is high speed DSL from ATT but the buffering is so bad I can't watch the debate live.  Never fear.  My trusty bad ass phone is super fast.  There are only a few I'm interested in hearing anyway.  A handful.  I mean dude....they came out of the freakin' woodwork!  So now it's sketchy on my phone.  Lerd.  I'm reading a really interesting book by Jim Hightower named "If the Gods had Meant for us to Vote they would have Given us Candidates. "  Written from the populist perspective he covers a lot of ground concerning politics in general through the year 2001.  If you're curious, check it out.  I'm intrigued with his knowledge of how big corporations run the elections basically.   UNLESS we get out and vote.

I attended mass today and was also intrigued by that.  I learned something about the ritual of communion.  As a non-Catholic instead of just sitting there like a dummy and making folks walk over me, I took my place in line and crossed my arms over my chest.  And I received a blessing.  That's pretty cool and I'm glad the others gave me a heads up. I hugged them all, more than once before I left for my next adventure.  I felt an arm come around my neck during the service and it was Christine sitting behind me.  We whispered about how we missed that sweet and spunky thing.  

Next stop was Lupo's for water only with the girlfriend's club.  Broke and on the way to work, I was.  My new client and I read books and talked politics and life.  It was a good experience.  And the great news is my friend just called and said he has a bag full of crappie for me!  I almost stopped there on the way home.  

Peace be still ^j^

you are my sunshine

When I opened the door to Lauren's apartment Reaves was sitting in Lauren's lap and she grinned real big and said Gaga!  Talk about melting a heart.  She jumped down to give me a big old hug and we proceeded to play up a storm. Her older buddies were in and out so there was no nap prior to swimming.  She and Lauren will BOTH be asleep by six I'm sure.  They are finally working on the Dyer county portion of 412 but it's going slowly.  

I said my goodbyes to Lorna and the kids and tried my best not to cry but did anyway.  And it's still coming.  I have learned to love that little tribe as my own.  I'll be looking for cheap airfare to Melbourne.  Life is all about change and moving forward.  

I don't have a lot to say right now because I'm kind of in a mood.  It will pass like it always does.  

Keepin' the faith on that one ^j^

beyond blessed

For the second Sunday in a row I  have been inspired by our new senior pastor's words.  I can't actually describe her except that she is REAL and my mind never wanders.  I actually listen to what she is saying.  Part of that is that she comes into the congregation while speaking or praying.  Down to earth.  As a lifelong member of that church I can honestly she's a close tie with Dell King as my favorite.  Remember that lady I almost hit yesterday?  I kid you not, she drove into the church parking lot in front of me.  Same car, same old lady hairdo.  I wonder if she's following me????

It's hot. Again.  Pretty soon the irrigation systems will kick in and we'll be counting the days 'til fall.  It's nature's way.  So are the two funerals coming up this week.  I will be busy with that among other things.  No idle hands here.

In the words of Kristen Hampton "just be nice."

^j^

near miss

I came within inches of T-boning an elderly lady who went out of turn at a four way stop.  I got there first, she was next and we both went at the same time.  Poor little thing just waved at me!  Good thing I have new brakes and good reflexes.  

I'm pimping windows again and have quite the inventory.  All are from the red log cabin that we call the homeplace.  Daddy's nekkid ladies are in full bloom.  They always remind me of when he died on August 4th.  Tommy picked a bunch and put them by Mom's chair.

No news here except that OITNB is out and I'm loving it.  Once again, I am easily entertained.  

Y'all stay cool and be nice.  Always nice.

Tortuga!

bittersweet

I headed out this morning to have a quick visit with my friend from Seattle before she leaves to go back.  They are neck deep in digging through their late mother's stuff.  As I approached the house I started to cry and when we went out back to chat we were both crying.  Finding yourself as an orphan even at our age is a sobering experience. We cried and shared our feelings openly and it was excellent closure.  I ended up with a sack full of Ben and Jerry's pints as they were cleaning the freezer.  It will be a long time before I see these folks again and that makes me even sadder.

After that I interviewed with my new client and I think we'll get along just fine.  She used to work in the histology lab around the time I hired into the clinical part.  Her daughter and I went to school together.  What goes around comes around.

It seems that all of the losses lately have me in a mood where I'm fine one minute and the next minute I'm crying.  I realize that is normal grieving so I'm allowing the tears to flow.  My good friends are moving next week far away and that's tugging at my heart too.  

I will always find something to be grateful for, even in the midst of loss and change.  That's the faithful side of me and I thank God for it.  This too shall pass, as Mr. Yates would say.  And always leave room for the spirit to work ^j^

in between and lean

Also a part of sitting with folks, besides getting attached, is finding other employment when they pass away.  The need is there it's just a matter of getting hooked up with the right people.  I have lots of contacts so I'm sure something will come up in God's time.  I am rich in many other ways besides money. One of the things that I wonder about the ultra rich is if they are truly happy.  Or even if they have a clue how the rest of us live. You can only spend so much money in your lifetime so why not do some good with the surplus?  You wouldn't even have to give up your lifestyle.  Just share.  And be nice.  Can you imagine how much money Jeff Bezos could do with buying school supplies and whatnot.  He would never miss it.  Neither would the Walton family.  Both businesses are guilty of underpaying their employees.

One of the things we talked about the other day was just that.  Our genius solution to a lot of the problems would be letting people retire with Medicare at  60 or 62.  That opens up the job market for the younger folks who NEED jobs.  My retirement age to receive full benefits is 70.  By then you're not able to enjoy being in good enough health to play a little before you die.  Otherwise, we just work until we drop dead on the job and nobody collects what we have paid in.  It happened with my late husband.

Anywho, my cousins are on a roll and a blinged out official Gig the Goldfish bus will be headed to Detroit on Tuesday for the Democratic debates.  He has a primo spot across from the Ford Theater and I feel sure he'll make his presence known.  Good luck buddy!!

This break in the heat has been heavenly but I'm sure it won't last.  There is still August and September to deal with.  The Dyer County Fair is usually hot as the dickens but people flock there anyway!  Tradition, so to speak.  My birthday almost always falls during fair week.  Both of parents and I worked there in one capacity or another.  Daddy was the director one year while Mom manned the office with the late Red Henson.  That was when it was by the graveyard.  

Namaste ~

 

lost as a goose

My plan was to go to exercise then head to Lake county for a final road trip to Silvertop.  Oops. Forgot to set the alarm and got up at 1030.  I got woke up enough to hit highway 78 with a few stops along the way.  Note to highway department:  Once you pass Bogota,  78N is a crappy road and an accident waiting to happen.  Just saying.  I left Lorna's with a hand drawn map to Ms. Virginia's house because my google map thingy wasn't working.  I ended up in Samburg!  At least I got a nice view of Reelfoot as a bonus.  I'll see Virginia next time around.  

Another day, another death.  My dear friend Mary Beth's mother passed away.  She was one of my mom's buddies back in the day and they played bridge together during the time when they all met every other Tuesday evening at somebody's home.  That will be funeral #4 in 2 weeks.  I'm beginning to remind myself of Grandma Mazur in the Stephanie Plum series, always headed out for a viewing.

Blessings abound ~

strength in numbers

I had lunch with a group of politically like minded ladies today and enjoyed it a lot.  It was kind of like a little support group or a tribe with a common purpose.  Some were new to me others I had past ties with.  Another not for profit organization was discussing business.  People really do want to make a difference.  I got to see Rachel with the recycle bunch for the first time in months which almost made me cry.

One of the occupational hazards of healthcare is that people die.  Every day.  A good provider will act as coach and advocate for each and every patient.  This is especially true with elder care.  And you know what?  When we lose one it's always sad but often a passage of peace to those who are suffering severe physical pain just from the aging process.  Far too often families wait until the last few days to consider comfort care only.  Part of it is the paperwork.  A DPA signed ten years ago and not available is no good.  Otherwise they go full force at saving lives.  It's the law.

How sad that the quality of life is often in the hands of those who make a hefty profit.  I've worked for all kinds and it's all the same everywhere.  Unless you an educated healthcare consumer you're just a little fish in a great big sea.  I can't remember how many times I saw folks come in the Er with a paper sack full of pill bottles.  They don't even know what they're taking!  The system is broken.  We need healthcare as a right.  If that sounds socialist, so be it.  Considering the fact that the 2020 proposed budget includes cuts to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid.  Ahem.

I will go to mass for maybe the 2nd time in my life and I just hope somebody shows me when to kneel.  I will hug and kiss friends that I could probably never see again because that connection to Dyersburg will be gone.  

Appreciate, always.  Both families that I have worked with have told me about a million times.  It's just my faith y'all.  

Keep it close ^j^

and the heavens opened up

I found myself at a second funeral within a week this morning.  This one, though not family, it felt like it because of close ties through the years.  The clouds were gathering as we left for the graveyard and the wind picked up.  Pretty soon the thunder started to rumble and by the time the service was done, it was a monsoon.  Picture all these mourners being escorted in the pouring rain to the limo by men with umbrellas.  It happens though.  The weather does not respect death.  In an odd sort of way it was the perfect send off for a fireball of a lady.

I visited with my cousin prior to paying my respects concerning a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.  More later on that.  We are definitely on a mission with a purpose.  

I had a supper of fresh sweet corn last night and I'm still picking silk out of my teeth.  Man was it worth it though!  There is nothing better than farm to table food.  Thank you lord for the farmers who make it happen.

Grace and peace ~

farmer's tan

I don't stay in the sun very long anymore, even at a pool because I had a pre-cancerous lesion removed from my arm a few years back.  Actinic keratosis is what it's called.  Therefore, I have tanned arms just from being out and about and that's it. They are about four shades darker than my legs!  High five to Vicki for letting me hit up her pool and thanks to both she and Mary Beth for the corn.  Share the bounty, as they say.

As Methodists will do, pastors come and go.  Today was the first time I got to hear a sermon by our new senior pastor and she is AMAZING.  I was mesmerized as she spoke about Mary and Martha and Jesus.  She put a whole new spin on things for me.  She is laid back, funny and very knowledgeable.  A real keeper to round out the rest of our outstanding staff.  

I sold a few windows yesterday to a very appreciative couple that is getting ready to decorate a new house.  I am sharing my mother's recipes on another page called From the Back Burner.  I would never get organized to republish the book so this is my way of sharing her legacy.  Go check it out sometime and like it.  Yes, that was me pimping out myself.  

Keep it merry and bright ^j^

and yet they laugh

I have seriously backed off on posting political stuff because it just seems to add fuel to the fire.  My trolls are always on watch for a chance to tell me how ignorant I am for not liking Trump. Prior to his presidency I was not really active and or informed about a lot of things.  The past three years have been an embarrassing nightmare for our country in the global community.  I was discussing politics with a friend the other day inquiring about party affiliation.  His response was "you know me well enough to know that I am neither."  And honestly, I hover in the center like he and many others.  What bothers me the most is his tendency to whip those sheep of his into a hate filled frenzy.  They scare me with that mob mentality.

No Jackson until at least next weekend due to work and other obligations for Lauren and Reaves.  I'll be back at the funeral home on Monday to pay my respects to a wonderful lady and her family.  The bonus will be getting to see Stella!  It's odd how things come around full circle in many respects.  Ethan's funeral was all James Taylor and I went to my first JT concert with Ms. Ruth's daughter and Gary as teenagers.  Subtle nuances of the universe are everywhere if you slow down enough to notice.

I spy with my little eye a cool front coming next week and that is a miracle in and of itself.  Highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s.  That is a rare surprise for July.

As always, keep the faith ^j^

plan C

My intention was to head to Jackson early this morning but I was afraid to go without getting that grinding checked out with the brakes.  200 bucks and 2 hours later it was done.  Little by little I'm getting that trusty old thing back into shape.  With only 143K miles on a Toyota motor it should have lots of life left.  Hopefully.

A dear friend to many passed away this morning and though I knew it was coming, it was a crushing blow.  Not only did I spend a lot of time with her recently but I've been a friend of the family my entire life.  I could tell you stories but I won't.  Me and her kids were thick as thieves back in the day.  And we had fun!

I'm broke as a  joke due to the unexpected car repair but that's okay.  I've been there before many times and karma always treats me well in times of need.  You know that emergency fund all the financial experts advise?  I've never had that.  Fortunately I had the minimum balance in savings to cover half the cost.  

My house is a wreck because I've been coming and going so much.  I should learn organizational skills from my dear daughter but I'm afraid it's too late to change at this point!  Right now I just feel like letting the tears flow.  Pass the kleenex.

Love one another ^j^

you've got a friend

My very first and still strong musical crush was on James Taylor.  He was my answer to the sugar sweet pop in my younger days.  Carole King.  Linda Ronstadt. I grew up on that and cherish all of it even though I like a lot of different genres.  You're just as likely to see me jamming to AC/DC or new artists.  It's just part of my psyche that needs to be fed.  

At the funeral home today I just closed my eyes and went to neverland when the JT instrumentals were played.  I silently sang the words to myself remembering the joy his music brought me over the years.  Though Ethan was only in his 20s, he idolized the man and played very much like him.  I gazed around at extended family by blood and divorce and every other way that we all get raised up together.  And that gave a real sense of community in that moment.  I knew the history.

I now seem to have grinding brakes so I'm going to get that checked out before I go to Jackson tomorrow.  Gotta protect those rotors and whatnot.  I'm manifesting riches to be able to pay for it.  Hold that thought.

Y'all play nice and think at least one positive thought today.  The more the merrier!

workin' through the pain

I'm back to exercising again following the dog bite incident and it feels good.  I think I overdid with the weights and bands first round and got my shoulders flared up so I'm using one pound weights.  I'll graduate until it hurts too bad!  CBD cream is an amazing cure for joint soreness.  

The sun still hasn't come out and that's okay because it will hit 110 pretty quick once it does.  It is the day of handmaids so there's that to look forward to.  I went for a wellness checkup at the GYN provider I've seen for years.  He was out on medical leave so I saw an NP instead.  And then I received a notice that I owed 400 bucks for a covered service.  I called BC and they told me it was a network thing.  I called the GYN clinic and they were ready for me and in the process of fixing it.  I love it when that happens.  My mammogram provider is also in network so I'll be current on preventives.  

No politics today.  I've decided to go stealth and just do what I do without inviting conflict.  I'm too old to fight.

Peace out ^j^

and then i think ....well

Ramble alert.  I think it's a full moon thing and my mind is all over the place.  After a day at work  and a visit from Mamye, me and the critters are somewhat settled in listening to music and chilling.  Barry's monsoon is over and I can hear the ree a rees telling me it's last light.  All is well.

Um.  I'm not trying to start any crap but what the hell is Trump thinking by attacking personally members of Congress?  Every time he opens his mouth he puts another nail in his coffin.  And the GOP remains silent.  Disgusting, I tell ya.

Imagine, if you will, a world in which Democrats treated minorities like the Republicans do.  Do you not think there would be some stink on that shit?  I don't understand the koolaid drinkers and white nationalists.  Where the hell do they think from whence they came?  Short sighted ignorance and devotion to a party that is not what it once was.  I remember it in a kinder and gentler way prior to Nixon. That is when I became a Democrat as a teenager.

In other news I fried mini green tomatoes last night and they were to die for.  I can tell you that I do not recommend the Dyersburg Dairy Queen because I waited a long time today and my burger was cold.  Next time I get a hamburger it will be from Dave's.  With onion rings.

God is good.  All the time ^j^

days gone by

My family is dwindling at an alarming rate to where I have one aunt and a few cousins left plus their offspring.  One of those offspring died sadly at a very young age yesterday.  That is somehow worse, you know?  We expect the elderly to pass and even though it hurts, it's not a shock.  This was.  His mother died several years ago so he joins her in heaven.  

I never had a sister and always wanted one but would have probably fought her like a pit bull.  Instead I have female cousins that I call sister, two in particular.  We are the Reaves girls baby boomer generation so to speak.  We come from strong stock and have a lot of spirit.  And so do OUR offspring.  As long as we are alive, the tradition is carried on.  

Barry is giving us a real monsoon which I suppose is good for the crops.  Won't have to run the irrigation system anytime too and my tomato plants just might make it!  I picked some tiny green ones and sliced them up into little bites to be fried.  The only ripe ones I've had so far had blossom rot.  

So here we are in a world where the leader of our country should be solving problems and is, instead, insulting people of color who are elected officials and talk back to him.  What.An.Idiot.  I don't want him dead or anything.  Just out of office by whatever means.  Preferably in jail.  

Happy Monday to you and yours.  May all your dreams come true ^j^

i need a keeper

No, I don't mean like a guy one.  I need somebody who understands my ADD to help remind me where my stuff is.  I have tried really hard to be organized and still I'm the one who leaves her keys on the counter or loses the debit card.  I've had THREE this year alone.  My house is a sloppy mess....not nasty but quite strewn about where I end up looking for an hour for something I saw yesterday and don't know where I put it.  That kind of keeper.  

I have no dishwasher except my two hands so if I cook at all the sink fills up with dishes and I hate washing them with a passion.  That is why I stopped by El!Patio! for a to go fiesta bowl.  I can make two meals out of that, just saying.  I went back to Kroger to get some more of the special chips and they are flying off the shelves, I tell ya.  There are also BBQ, sea salt and cheddar.  Ritz owes me a commission for pimping their product.  

So while I was in Kroger the remnants of Barry began to creep up from the south making that weird light in the sky with shelf clouds and what not.  The bottom fell out as I hit Samaria Bend and as well as I know that road, I had to slow down and look for the lane.  Now it's just humid.  Meh.

Keep smiling.  Keep shining!

idle hands

I got to sleep late today which was lovely.  I decided to change the sheets and Lily wanted to help.  She covered herself in the top one making a big lump on my clean stuff.  After rolling around a bit she crawled on out.  I swept and scooped and otherwise cleaned up a bit.  It was bad y'all. 

I've been on the phone all day which is what you do when you have time to burn.  Yaya called me to give me a Carney update and ask where those to die for chips are at Kroger.  Of course that turned into a marathon conversation about our mutual history.   It's a very long story, one that you can't make up.

I'm not aware of anything that might be a catastrophic event except for southern Louisiana breaking off and floating into the gulf.  It seems the Trumpsters are getting an ass whooping what with dude resigning over Epstein.  Like rats jumping ship, I tell ya'.  

I think the dog bite is going to be okay after two rounds of antibiotics.  I got a billing email today from the provider that performed my yearly GYN exam.  It is my understanding that my insurance covers things for wellness so there's some investigation to be done there.  If not, I'll cancel the mammogram.  The charge for a yearly wellness exam including pap was $398.  That is absurd.  I'm hoping it was just coded wrong.

I am sharing recipes from my mother's cook book on From the Back Burner.  It's a hit and miss type of thing but I try to post one recipe a day in honor of mom.  July 17th is daddy's birthday and he would have been 88.  I'm not sure I want to live that long unless I'm mobile and at peace.  That means it's up to me to stay that way.

^j^

a reason to be

Lately I have found myself coming and going in a lot of different directions.  The whole point of retirement was to give my body the rest it needed to recover from that bad shoulder injury.  When push came to shove I began to work because I had to in order to make ends meet.  It's amazing to me the number of folks who just keep on doing what they're doing even when they're not able.  A lot of people enjoy work.  Keeps them "busy".  At this point in my life, I'm all about seizing the day and its' happy moments.  I will do what I have to do in order to survive.  

I'm on the first of three days off so I managed a Kroger run and a stop at PetCetera for flea and tick chews.  Can't be sleeping with three dogs if they're crawling with critters.  It's quiet here now and I can hear them snoring.  My thoughts are with the folks on the Gulf Coast as they deal with way too much water.  I know that feeling, though not at that magnitude.  Flood stage for the Mississippi at Caruthersville is about 30ish but in flat ass Louisiana it's about 17?  And then here comes the hurricane.  Slow moving mofo.  

Since I'm stuck with the trusty Camry for another year I got the oil changed ( on time ) and scouted prices for a tuneup.  Now that you can't hear me coming a mile away I'm inspired to drive that thing until the wheels fall off.  The guys at the oil change place told me about some girl who came in and hadn't had her oil changed for 3 years.  They couldn't even get the crap out because it was a solid mass.  

I am fortunate enough to be in a position to see my grandchild almost every day through somebody's FB pics.  She is beautiful and feisty.  Has the spirit of a warrior woman like the rest of her tribe.  One of the things I've picked back up is reading.  It's a total escape without all the bells and whistles of today's technology.  

Peace and love to all y'all and your mama'n'them.

building the base

I am, as you all know, a hard core Democrat.  That doesn't mean that I agree with everything they do as a party but I identify with the beliefs and I can't stand Trump.  I can't stand him enough that I finally showed up at a meeting of our local party this afternoon.  Put my boots on the ground, so to speak.  2020 is but a year away and it has been a long and tortuous administration in more than one way.  I do what I can to help the cause whenever I can.  We were attentive as the officers gave their reports and graced by the District 8 chairperson which includes a ton of West Tennessee counties.  This is how you win the war....by little tribes coming together and exchanging ideas then uniting with other little tribes.  Tennessee has been redder than an overripe 'mater for many years.  That makes it even harder.  Onward people.  

I met several new folks today both at work and after.  After doing my year of solitary following retirement I'm scratching around and finding my path.  I believe in not just giving lip service to something but actually changing things.  The very first thing you have to do is register to vote.  I've heard over and over that apathy has won many an election.  

Enough of that.  It's still hot as hell but it's July so what are you gonna do.  I am thankful for a cool place to call home and to not live in Louisiana.  Blessings abound in friendships and experiences.  All is good with the world in my eyes, in spite of the negativity.  I do not intend to waste my golden years being bitter, judgmental or non-inclusive.  That is not what Jesus would do.

Namaste!

hot and sweaty

Plans ended up changing again this morning so I headed to exercise class and boy could I tell I've been out.  It will take a bit to get my stamina back up.  When I got back home it was overcast so I figured it was a good time to pull some sweet corn.  Only it started raining right as I walked out the door.  I waited 'til it passed then made my way down to the patches where the deer have had a field day.  I could feel the sweat dripping into my eyes and down my back but soldiered on as long as I could take the heat.  Which wasn't long at all.  Next comes the messy part which is shucking it.  Once I sat down under a shade tree to do just that and ended up eaten UP with chiggers.  I learned my lesson on that one.

For a country girl, I'm not really made out of tough stuff.  I tend to depend on guys when I need help with something that I can't handle and since I'm single those guys are genuine life savers and friends.  That's pretty much how I live life....one day at a time.

fade to fuzzy

The heat here is killer.  That only thing saving us is that the humidity is lower so the index isn't at stroke level.  I just got off the phone with a friend who has been diagnosed with afib and she's scared to death because she must have an ablation.  "Is it dangerous? " she asked.  I described to her what I knew about it....that it works for her particular condition and she will feel much better.  It's a complicated situation with her but she will figure it out.  Plus, Big Ernie has her back.

Today was a busy one at work and I've had another phone call asking about my services. I have an interview in the morning for something different so we shall see how that goes.  There's nothing like networking to make a buck.  I have to watch my boundaries and weigh the consequences of each gig because my personal health and well being come first.  

So, what with all the transporting and whatnot I haven't bothered to watch the fake news.  I did notice that there's still a thread going on a post I put up about immigration.  Y'all have at it boys.  This girl does not waste her time on arguing.  I prefer to take action.

If you have a Mississippi gulf coast beach vacation planned it sucks to be you right now.  Bless y'alls little hearts.  

Hope ~

green acres

I'll bet I passed about a thousand acres of corn between here and Jackson this morning.  Reaves was in a super mood and we played a bunch while Lauren did her thing.  We topped it off by splitting a calzone from Rock'n'Dough, with a side of their kickass ranch.  By then Reaves had given up the ghost and gone to neverland.  She's all into Sesame Street now.  Loves Elmo!  I took her some stuff from the Silvertop stash and she put her babydoll in the little carrier.  Plain as day she said "baby".  

Playing with baby dolls, whatever kind, is a good learning experience for toddlers in that they get to practice being good parents.  She'll be feeding that baby out of her microwave pretty soon.  I found a stuffed duck in there today.

My interview was rescheduled until Wednesday.  Tomorrow is a work day.  I've missed exercise for a month now and I miss it.  I feel that I'm being pulled in a lot of different directions.  I know what my talents are and I also know that they do not produce revenue.  Thus, I work other jobs.  I feel very strongly about a lot of issues and intend to put in my time to try and bring change.  That's all any of us can do.

My last stop of the day was to visit Pat's Bubba and run to the store for him.  Talk about somebody who appreciates a little help.  Try doing it when you can't drive anymore.

Grace ~

oooooh that smell

I met Lorna and the munchkins at Daylight Doughnuts for breakfast and as usual, it was yummy.  It's the kind of place that after you leave, you smell the grease on you!  It was the go to place for me and my parents when they were still attending church.  

After that I visited a few folks at the hospital including my lab peeps.  Every time I go in there I enjoy the company but I'm glad to be gone from the job.  41 years was plenty.  When I tell the younger folks how long I worked there their eyes get real big like..."wow..that' a looooong time in one place."  Indeed.

I miss SNL like crazy.  I watch very few shows religiously and that is one of them.  Also Colbert and The Handmaids Tale.  Oh, and Grace and Frankie.  I am easily amused, ya' know?

The humidity is such that store windows are fogged up everywhere you go and the AC vent dripped on my head at the chicken store.  

Looks like another busy week ahead.  Y'all stay cool and play nice.  ^j^

crash landing

My brother called this morning to ask how long the tree had been down on the south lane.  The only thing I could think of was the thunderstorm last Wednesday that killed the power and fried my modem.  It's a big sucker too.  Apparently DES got it off the line and drug it out of the way.  Way to go guys!  Mr. Holmes will be out soon to finish cleaning up.  It happens all the time because these trees are at least a hundred years old.  Once I barely missed one dropping on my car.  Talk about a freakout!  

I'm piddling today with no agenda.  At the 'gentral they had just gotten in some of those windshield mount things for your phone and hands free driving.  I rarely talk while I'm driving but I figured for five bucks it was worth having.  All the fireworks tents between here and there were shuttered, their one day of glory besides New Year's Eve.

One of the biggest things that I've noticed about my trolls is that they always defend Trump by blaming somebody else like Hillary or Obama.  I mean geez people.  The past is the past and we can't change it.  Two wrongs don't make a right.  It's time to start over and focus on the real issues that face us right now.  

Should we learn from history?  Most definitely because it repeats itself.  That huge ass earthquake in Cali scared me all the way here in Tennessee.  Two big ones back to back.  We sit on the New Madrid fault which is how Reelfoot Lake came to be when the Mighty Mississippi flowed backwards.  Or so they say.

Reaves had a large 4th with swimming AND fireworks.  Today is race day so I imagine she'll be watching her Daddy run the track in his Aspell car.  I get to see her Monday, Lord willing.  Right now I am chill and relaxing.  It's been a pretty busy week by my standards.  

Keep the faith and pass it on ^j^

connectivity

I finally got the new modem hooked up so I no longer have to hot spot.  That's a lot of trouble to go through every time I get online.  Plus the data and battery usage.  Yowza!  As much as I bad mouth ATT, they have been consistently providing me with good DSL service even though I'm at the end of the line.  Note to self:  until surge suppressor is purchased unplug modem during thunderstorms.  Duh.

I've already made my daily visits and walkabout town so I'm home for the day.  I watched fireworks from Halls which were visible from my back porch.   Looked like someone was doing their own little show that made little sparkles right next to the barn.  That was enough for me.  

Anything can happen at the chicken store but yesterday was kind of an odd event that scared the crap out of me.  I was backing out and some guy walked directly behind me and I bumped him.  Panic gripped my gut as I got out and found that he was okay.  There was a blind spot between the rearview and sideview mirrors and I didn't see him 'til I heard the thump.  No harm and no troubles  It's like a zoo up there with cars parked ever which a way and people not looking where they're going.  I'm just glad the guy was nice and didn't have an attorney on speed dial.

I saw snippets of the Trump celebration and reviews have been mixed.  His fans thought it was fabulous.  Others, not so much what with the financing coming from the Parks and Rec budget which was shut down at one time in a pissing match over money for the wall.  SMH.  According to the Trumpsters, use demolibtards take every opportunity to take something positive and turn it into a negative.  No comment.

Doing a rain dance ~

singing to jesus

One of the things about geriatric care that has made an impact on me is how unable they are to fight off something simple because the whole thing is out of whack.  Their minds wander from alert and oriented to talking to dead people.  A simple thing like a UTI is a catastrophe waiting to happen.  Their bodies are fragile, their nutrition poor and many of them have just lost touch with reality.  Being ignored is the worst part of it for many of them.  

Working in healthcare as a part of a team for a lot of years I noticed that people do it not for the money ( well some of them do ) but because they genuinely want to help people and sometimes they suffer physically for it.  When push comes to shove, there's always somebody who has your back and the patient's best interest at heart.  

We see sad things. Things that most people will never witness.  But we also see miracles like the baby being toted out to the minivan today by Beth.  I wish that little family well.

Long may she wave~

moon vine

I stopped by today where I've been the flower waterer to make sure I didn't kill anything.  We had time for a nice visit with Cosmo and a chance to talk about anything we felt like.  It was cleansing in a way that when you share your experiences, the weight is lifted a bit off your own shoulders.  Being heard and accepted unconditionally is a rare gift.  

Tomorrow is Independence Day.  There are a lot of folks making plans with friends and family and of course, fireworks.  Be sure and get some doggie CBD if your pet is one to freak.  I'm not sure but I don't think I've ever seen a July 4th celebration featuring tanks.  And I'm old.  It makes me pause and think about how free we really are.  I know, I think too much.

I will be spending the day with my pal.  We'll chat and watch Lifetime movies.  The staff will be there as always because you rarely get holidays off if you're in healthcare.  Am I right people?

I pray for peace, prosperity and independence for our country.  I think that if enough of us band together on that, it can become a reality.  

^j^

something new

I got a call from ATT today telling me my modem was delivered with instructions to call them for set up assistance before five.  I was at work so that will be first thing tomorrow.  There's no telling how much overage I have on the cell due to hot spotting.  Whatever.  Ya' gotta' have internet.  

It's still hot as hell but the humidity is lower so there's that.  Every now and then a breeze blows in advance of some rogue thunderstorm.  I took the garden apart last night and moved the tomatoes up onto not full sun ground where the water hose will reach.  The squash is doomed to die. Mamye just called to tell me there's a rainbow and I'll be damned if it didn't end at the dolla' gentral.  Not a drop of rain here and just a sprinkle there.  It's a miracle, pure and simple.

I get to see my babies this weekend and I'm up for anything.  Even another hissy fit ^j^

100 degrees in the shade

We're building back up into a steady stream of days with an extremely dangerous heat index.  Currently the temperature is 101.  How nice, as we say in the south.  I got the watering done before it got brutal and then joined my friend Carol for brunch.  She is a nurse so I got her to examine my leg and see if it looked worthy of an urgent care visit.  She said to "watch it close."  May it continue to heal without the wicked Augmentin.  I've never made it through a full round of that one but I was scared enough that I complied faithfully.  

This afternoon's treat was an MFR session with Gay and Huck.  He's so quiet you don't ever know he's in the room.  He only barks when somebody comes in the door.  

I'm glad Trump is the first POTUS to step into the zone in Korea.  That says a lot about his need for attention which will never be satisfied.  I don't give a flip about the economy and job gains.  Most of the prosperity we see now comes as a result of a ten year war with a long history of being sketchy.  And Yes, President's Obama's situation dealt with the issues on his plate.  Please do the same, orange o ne.Trumpsters kill me with their smug "wait and see" and "told you so" attitudes.  This is not a situation where somebody wins until we become united between parties.  You know like win-win. 

^j^