stank

We had severe weather and torrential rain Saturday night so I let Al, the tabby tom stay on the back porch.  When I went out the next morning the smell was freakin' terrible..like a skunk only worse.  Everything on the porch smelled like it and so did my clothes after going out there.  I went to Jackson and spent some time with Reaves and when I got home Cousin Mo stopped by to check out the place.  I asked her to check out the smell that was still lingering and she said it smelled more like snake than skunk.  I never knew that they would put off a stinky smell when they feel threatened.  I figure Al had him cornered on the porch and his stinker went off.  I do not like snakes.  At.All.  I know they are good for the world and all that but they creep me out.  

I went to the old house to fetch some gardening tools this morning and lo and behold as soon as I opened the basement door I saw a snake skin haning on old flower baskets.  It was then that I decided to keep Al.  I had him lined up for transport with Paws2Care this morning and of course he was nowhere to be found at the appointed time.  Typical cat shenanigans.  It's like he KNEW I was getting rid of him.  So now, Cali rules the house and Al is on outdoor patrol.  He wants in so bad he can't stand it but I have limits.  I feed him and play nice.  

I'm so ready to start gardening but I have zero help and limited time.  There are a few things I will transplant from up there to down here.  There's a frost warning for 2 nights this week so I figure I can really get to business after that.  

It's Holy Week y'all.  Remember what that means ^j^

whimsy

"But this is an enclave!"  Only Weeds fans will get that. I binged on that show for about 20 years and never got tired of the drama involved with the Botwin Newman family.  Messy...just messy.

I had lunch with Reaves and Kim today and of course, she didn't eat anything but the fruit.  The waffle was take out, just like the other half of my cheesy bacon brunch fries.  That'll be good with shrimp for supper!  She is happy and healthy, thank God.  I put big girl panties in the Easter basket just to kind of hint at use the potty girlfriend.  You're big enough to do that.'

We had some scary weather last night but I just turned the box fan on and enjoyed the light show.  It's pretty fantastic with all these blinds down in the flat spot.  My next project is gardening.  I plan on making short beds in front with donated rocks and go from there.  Not many annuals and a few perennials. t's probably shady enough up there.  So I will also need a hose longer than 25 feet.  I will transplant my lemon balm and sage and Daddy's burgandy peony.  Maybe a few iris.  We are talking a lot of work and a lot of dirt. I can do this thing.

Today is the beginning of Holy Week.  Let us rejoice and be glad ^j^

fly a kite

These March winds are not much good for that what with all the gusting and whatnot.  I sat on the deck at paradise today watching the hand of God change the water currents.  Like diamonds!  There was a bird, a titmouse I believe,  who kept coming up to feed.  No, actually there were a ton of birds.  Spring is here.  

I normally follow March Madness because I won a bar board one time with then unheard of Gonzaga.  Many years ago.  I'm doing my best to get the old house cleared out and the new one organized...kinda sorta.  All the clothes smell like mold so I'm washing them as I bring 'em in.  Just picked up a load of t-shirts today after my swing to the 'gentral to get Reaves some Easter basket stuff.  And then I ended up spending 75 bucks, but not on the bunnies.  Stuff I need, ya know?

We haven't chatted in a few days since the mass shootings started again.  Y'all who know me are not surprised that I need to rant about this.  Approximately one week ago a judge struck down the ban on AR style weapons in CO.  And then some idiot with mental health issues buys one and shoots 10 innocents.  These people are crazy and a very good reason to ban assault weapons without a complete background check and or waiting period.  The problem in my opinion is the availability of these weapons to mentally unstable people.  Open carry of a repetitive weapon is ludicrous.  Just ask dude in Atlanta who had his propped up in the bathroom stall.  It has to stop and it can with sensible gun reform.  Remember Sandy Hook where the guy went shopping in Mommy's gun cabinet, killed her first and then went on a rampage murdering children mercilessly.  Their parents testify, family members of other mass shootings testify, law enforcement puts their two cents in and STILL this is happening over and over again.  The whole thing makes me very angry at the powers that be like the NRA.That being said, I don't really think that putting a lot of effort into identifying these as "hate crimes" is important.  The big thing is how these folks got the guns in the first place.  

I would like to have a small pistol, or at least some pepper spray in case some whack job comes at me.  I can deal with hunting game if it is to be consumed but not for trophies.  When I see a buck's head on the wall it makes me want to puke.  But then I'm like that with animals.  

Y'all be happy and healthy and mask up.  Even after 2 shots, I'm taking precautions.  Keep the faith, and remember who you are ^j^

and how was your day?

All I ever do is talk about mine because I'm not sure what's up with the rest of the world.  I'm pretty sure we're all in this together.  My rant o'the'day is about all these spring breakers going down to Miami Beach and acting a fool.  These folks do good to handle a normal one but this is insane.  All the northerners came down to drink fruity drinks and bitch about social distancing.  Uh, excuse me but we're still in a pandemic.  I know everybody is all excited about gettin' out of the house but jeez.  Wear a freakin'  mask.  And cover that ass up while you're at it.  I've had both shots and still mask up like a mofo.

Me and Joy watched Kelly today and Mrs. Obama was on there talking about her projects and how she wants to get out and have some fun.  I'm afraid that concerts and dinners out are a thing of the past for now.  It ain't over yet, by a long shot.  I totally forgot amongst all the colon drama that I was diagnosed with a right interior carotid blockage in December 19. This could cause a problem with the reversal so I'm on the treadmill that includes cardiac clearance.  The surgeon told me at the time that I didn't need surgery but should repeat the scan in a year.  Ooops.  Anyway, I'm on it now.  I'm going to some cardiologist whose name I can't spell.  Keeping it local, so to speak.  I may have a decent car now, but I still hate to drive.  

Y'all love one another ^j^

new growth

I hate November with a passion, or as my friend Pax calls it "Novemblah."  Everything dies and goes dormant leaving us to wait for the new beginning that each spring brings.  Something got into me this morning and I went to early church which I haven't done in a hundred years.  I'm one of those ten AM folks. My daddy used to go to both of them to make sure his choir duties were performed.  

Mary Beth's sermon was about having to let go of things that separate us from God.  Just let them die so that you can be re-born.  I find it fascinating that Jesus knew early on that his mission was to die for our sins following His ministry.  None of the disciples believed him, or didn't want to.  They could not see, at that point, that they were being trained by the master to begin the work of discipleship.  Most of them suffered consequences of some sort or another for believing what they were taught and spreading the word.  

I come from a very loving spiritual background.  My church has never been one to dwell on hellfire and damnation, but more like repentance, salvation and grace.  I remember having many thoughtful conversations with a friend who was raised the OTHER way where everything is scriptural and there are lots of consequences for not going by the rules.  She could not fathom that my God was one of love and acceptance.  Over the years, that changed.  I pray for those who are firm in their beliefs that only men should hold leadership roles in the church.  There have been a lot of female clergy who have changed my life.  Like Dell and Mary Beth and Annetta.  I think the good Lord knows what he's doing when he shakes things up like that.  

But then I'm a Methodist.  And we are eternally there with arms open until it comes to issues like homosexuality.  That one almost split the church.  There are reconciling congregations out the wazoo and I'm all for it.  I do remember at one point a gay man being sort of "not welcome" at FUMC, so he left.  And I was ashamed.  That was a lot of years back, mind you.  But still..

I'm like a 4th generation of that church.  I've visited others, but that one always draws me back.  I'm glad I was there early because I got to see an old high school friend.  Mysterious ways, y'all.

Let's all go plant some seeds ^j^

crazy old ladies

I just finished reading Miss Julia Little Lloyd for about the 10th time and I still enjoyed it.  We forget sometimes, the ones we really like.  I dove straight into the half read Stephanie Plum novel number "i don't remember the #."  A hearty thank you to Claudia and Lynn for turning me onto Grandma Mazur 'n'them.  I gave Miss Julia to Joy.  

I just unloaded the back of the car that had trellises and summer clothes.  Hey....tomorrow IS the first day of spring and I could have used those shorts last week.  Many of my friends have told me to make this place my own so that it feels like home.  I'm trying to do that in fits and starts.  A friend sent me a 'gentral gift card and I immediately bought outside chair cushions.  I hauled the ones from this front porch up to the porch on the hill and now they are back home.  I have internet, a firestick and working appliances.  There is enough gas in the tank to get me through a cold snap.  All I need to do now is make a quick list with Kroger and hope they're stocked up.  

Keep the faith kids ^j^

stormy weather

I have a day off today due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.  The worst is projected to hit between  1 and 2 PM.  If memory serves me correctly the power goes off pretty frequently here, or it did when the grands were here.  I asked the internet install guy yesterday if I have to pay for a modem if this one gets fried.  He said no which is a nice change from buying a new one from ATT every time something went wrong.  I'm loving the speed.  Now I have to find a young person to install the firestick on the big TV over the fireplace.  

I went out this morning for a grocery pickup and stopped by the old house to get the outside flower pots.  I figure I'm going to get some flowers going after last danger of frost.  I'm a gonna need a lot of dirt and a lot more pots!  The tulips that Reaves and I planted in the garden box up on the hill are coming up nicely and should be blooming soon.  That always reminds me of Hymn of Promise.  "In the bulb there is a flowers...."

Easter is coming up and I always remember Hannah Clem on that day.  Her mother Kelly was the pastor at Goshen AL UMC and the tornado hit and killed several, including young Hannah.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  The eternal question is why.

We are all struggling with the new normal.  I don't think we will ever see another time when viruses were a far away thing.  I've had both shots and still feel terribly vulnerable.  But hey...don't we all.  And we're in it together.  Peace be with you ^j^

fine

One of my earliest mentors in the recovery field was Jack who visited our SS class at one time.  Fearful, insecure, neurotic and egotistical.  That was the acronym.  I have been that way many times in my life choosing to focus on myself rather than turning to the universe and Big Ernie to guide me.  Control is very hard habit to break.  It's the cornerstone of co-dependency.  

Mary Beth's sermon today was about grace, what we Wesleyans call prevenient grace.  You can't earn it like a trophy by being good.  It is a gift that comes straight from God and protects us where we are.  My personal opinion is that when you realize that what you do is a sin and continue to do it,  God knows that.  There aren't many ya know.  Don't lie or steal.  Honor thy parents.  Do not worship false gods.  Do not kill.  Easy peasy until you get into the ones who want to pigeon hole "do  not kill" into no abortions.  How about the death penalty?  Oh yeah, they're all over that.  Grace meets those who need it the most.  The single mother raising a child and working a minimum wage job.  The sick and dying.  The lonely.  The desperate.  This is what the wilderness looks like to many people.  

Hopefully this is my last day of hot spotting.  Forked Deer Connect is coming in the morning to finish the job.  Do i hear an amen?  The mail is slow in coming because of the change of address but I'm doing my part to let folks know where I live.  I know one chick who saw her stimulus hit because she filed early.  That was like less than a week after signing.  I hope you all spend it on a beach vacation.  Mine's going to the bank.  

My companion and I visited FUMC today which involved a wheel chair because the offices are so far away.  We did Shethe handicap parking and PL met us at the door with the equipment.  She admired the sanctuary, especially the stained glass.  As we passed over toward the office area they were easy to read.  Fred Moore and others.  I wore a hoodie because it was cool when I left home and by golly it turned out to be a 75 degree day.  Yes, I was sweatin'.

Y'all be nice and all.  Jesus will love you for it ^j^

poopie's world

I got my second shot today so I may be suffering from severe side effects by tomorrow.  We shall see!  I'm just glad to have it over with.  I saw my doc yesterday and that is a work in progress.  He told me what he expected and what I might run into.  That's a starting point.  And if I die?  Y'all publish my memoirs.  I know...being a drama queen.  

Lauren and I have had a good week together.  She loves to cook and clean and organize and I never have the energy.  I am hearing now that I may not get any sort of stimulus because I owe other people, including the IRS.  Ain't that just swell?  Thank your GOP for that one.  Meanwhile you know who is out there evading taxes like a demon.  Don't make me call yo' mama.  She would not be proud at all.

I was deep into Lent when it first began and have sort of wandered over into wilderness with Jesus  fighting demons and whatnot.   We keep seeing deer running through the fields on odd occasions and that gives me some peace.  Plus I hear the ducks late afternoon making their nests.  When we spring forward there will be more of that to enjoy, unless it comes a big cold and wet snap like Snowbird predicts.  

I was tempted to buy some flower seeds at the 'gentral today but my dirt isn't tilled or even ready to think about growth.  Daddy's buttercups are showing out big time.  I'll send y'all a picture of them and the ones up at the Council house.  Hers are in a straight row and come back every year.  The things I have planted are in random spots.  That's how I roll.   

Life is good when you make the effort to find out who you are ^j^

for show

I'm much older and wiser than I was as a child who didn't realize what was real and what was for show.  Somehow your heart just knows when somebody is for real if you've been around enough.  These people are not all brag and show and look at me.  These folks have hearts full of gold and acceptance and forgiveness.  They are angels among us who prefer to work in the background, quietly.  I respect that.  I don't condemn the show offs, but I just don't buy it.

Me and Joy went to our favorite place today which is Headlines.  I'm waiting on some stimulus money to get my hair did.  It can wait until after surgery.  My friend Patty is taking me tomorrow to see the surgeon and we will schedule the whole deal.  I'm ready, over it.....done.  My friends reassure me that it won't be like last time but I'm just hoping the kind doctor will understand what kind of deja vu I'll be dealing with.  

Don't forget to spring forward.  I was hoping to get to church but I get COVID redux on Friday so ummm.  We shall see.  Ya'll  be nice and kind and have some empathy.  Don't hold grudges.  If the person you're mad at were to die tomorrow, it ain't good to leave things like that.  Keep the faith ^j^

you're not alone

I am a huge Paul Carrack fan and I listened to one of the songs from his new project.  It moved me in a way where I was able to think about all the friends and random folks along the way have helped me to become who I am now.  They are doctors and lawyers and Indian chiefs, those big of heart and soul.  Most of them are people who truly love me and want to support me however they can.  I have a very supportive family, friend/employer and a host of people at the UMC who have literally prayed me back into good health.  I am proud of who my daughter become and love that baby like chicken.  We have a relationship that will never break.  There will be drama and whatnot but we've always got the others' backs,  Lauren was the one that put out the 911 that I was what you call "gravely ill" last January.  Random people showed up then and prayed me back to life when I woke up on a vent.  I distinctly remember Lauren all up in my face trying to calm me down when I woke up.  "What happened?" I mouthed.  The rest is a blur.  There was a Vietnamese dying ceremony next door and all other assorted emergencies.  I try not to think about it.  Several MemphoFriends came to see me and deliver what I needed.  That was back when you could visit patients or have somebody stay with you.  Regina was there by my side for three days straight, God love her.  

As fate would have it my insurance lapsed earlier in the month because the premium went sky high and I didn't know it.  We filed an appeal from my hospital room and it was resolved in July.  That marketplace has a lot of steps to maneuver.  I blame Trump because I went from a zero premium to 1300.  Republicans hate that kind of stuff.  If anybody doesn't recognize healthcare as a basic human right, I think they are pitiful.  Look at all those Doctors Without Borders people!

Y'all keep faith in your pocket and express love in action ^j^

rise and shine

I am not much of an early morning person since I don't have to get up in the dark to go to work.  My eyes popped open at 4AM, wide awake with a lot of things on my mind.  At the top of the list was retrieving  my phone from Mamye's car where I had my feet kicked up on the dash next to said phone.  I didn't have a purse with me which is normally where it stays.  Soooo.....i piddled around until first light and took off to get it.  I'm lucky I didn't get shot banging on her door that early.  Anywho. it wasn't on the dash  but in the floor next to the seat.  I praised Jesus and Mamye and everybody.  I didn't realize how lost I am without it.  Plus I enjoyed the sunrise.  I can relate to Lorna and Yaya on that one.

I found some 3.25 readers yesterday and realized that I've been doing just find with 2.75.  Maybe my vision is getting better!  I doubt that since I'm an elder now.  I'm networking trying to find the tabby's owner.  This week is a biggie in a lot of ways for me.  There is a doctor's appointment and a second shot among other things.  Plus more moving.  I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst on that last shot.  Everybody responds differently.  My friend actually re-pierced one of my ears kinda' sorta' the other day and I'll tell you this....that's a true test of sisterhood.

This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it ^j^

your next mission

...should you decide to accept it is to go with the flow and adapt.  I am plum worn to a nub from being on the go all the time what with the moving.  I can barely remember when I got here but I know the pipes were frozen so I had no choice.  Most of the furniture was here already so it's just been a matter of sorting and picking.  The rest will either go in the dumpster or be sold at rock bottom prices.  Hey big man....lemme' hold a dolla'!  Bubba and I were walking the yard yesterday and found two bucks laying on the dead grass.  Either the dollar fairy flew or I dropped it out of a pocket.  I'm adjusting to all kinds of things like daily electrical usage texts and lost in space mail.  I really don't miss the mail, except we did manage to snag my firestick at the old house the other day.  I can see it now....my stimulus comes and gets lost!

FedEx delivered my pots and pans to somebody else's house and Amazon immediately refunded the purchase on my gift card so I ordered it again.  To the current address.  I make daily treks to the house on the hill and load up a box or two.  Ethel's little kitchen cabinet is in the back right now along with a bunch of pots and pans.  One of the last things I have to get is her tiny tall hutch that I painted.  I have a shop vac so I'll blow the dust off before it comes outta' the car.  

Ya'll remember who you are ^^

stimulate this

Well, March 4th passed without a big fat Capitol riot and they all worked from home.  Welcome to the club kids.  We have been hit with multiple catastrophes during the past year or so and our response, as a country, has been pathetic.  Nobody was prepared in any way for it.  And still the bickering continues.  We need that third stimulus to be able to survive. It's all funny money borrowed from other countries.  The spike in gas prices is to be expected because everybody is getting out of quarantine when they get their shots and expected to "travel."  Not this old girl.  I will use it to pay the bills I have accumulated since I retired.  Do not be fooled by Medicare.  It is still expensive to see specialists who don't tell you there will be a "facility fee" for an outpatient procedure.  Two hundred bucks in D'burg for me to have a colonoscopy pre-op.  My surgeon in Memphis kindly agreed to do that when I am admitted for the reversal, kind of a twofer.  I am sick to death of this bag and the stoma itches and burns a lot.  I don't change bags but about every three days because those suckers are expensive.  I pay 40 something for a month's worth even with insurance.  

Obviously our infrastructure is crumbling in many ways.  But you know what?  It's out of my hands and in Big Ernie's.  And then there's car insurance and house insurance and all that other stuff that has to be paid.  No wonder nobody but the 1% can't get ahead.  Much of their wealth is inherited, like most of it.  My 

daddy wasn't rich but he taught me a lot about survival.  

Y'all be blessed.  Where there's a will there's a way ^j^

 

cat shenanigans

My keyboard keeps getting dark for some unknown reason and today I figured it out when I noticed that Cali keeps jumping on it hitting some key or another that lowers the brightness to barely visible.  Note to self:  Keep covered closed.  I took the tabby tom up to the other house this morning so he could chase mice in the barn and not be all trying to disrupt our little family down here.  There was a twinge of guilt but it passed quickly.  I'm still getting mail at the other address in spite of completing a change of address so I reckon since we're visiting both places for the time being, I'll deal with it.  My Amazon package never did arrive but they refunded it to my gift card so I'll try again later.  

The more time that passes, the less I trust the government.  I was a real gung ho Biden supporter but I'm pretty disillusioned with all the he said she said going on right now.  In the end, it doesn't matter who is POTUS.  It's Congress that matters and they can't agree on anything at all.  Meanwhile we're all out here fighting for a COVID shot.

Peace be with you. 

baptized by fire

As we travel through Lent, I have been watching virtually because frankly, I couldn't find clothes to wear in person.  As Mary Beth would say, "Again and again."  Last week's sermon was all about the baptism of Jesus by John the B and the covenant that was made when he entered the wilderness to be tempted.  Today she moved on to Peter's rebuke when Jesus told them that he would be crucified, dead and buried to rise on the third day.  We designate Easter as the day to celebrate that resurrection but there's a whole lot more to it than showing up at church once or twice a year.  It's a lifestyle that is based not so much on being holy and perfect but following, as best we can, what Jesus taught.  Meeting people where they are and talking about the Lord.  

I can't really describe my feelings these days except for weird.  I am dizzy and feel like I'm moving in slow mo.  I've just kind of written it off to all the change and lifting and adapting.  The washer and dryer came Saturday and ran for about 8 hours non stop.  I would call myself "caught up" but I can't find where I put all those towels.  I'm taking it slow so I can be organized and know where everything is.  Every day I bring one pile down from the hill and sort through it.  There are Christmas dishes rattling in the back right now.  Those suckers are heavy....and there's more!  Internet will be next in about two weeks.  I cannot WAIT to blog from that back porch.  

It's kind of like I've lost my mojo if you get my drift.  Lorna says it's the full snow moon but I've yet to see that.  Too many clouds.  It came a monsoon yesterday evening right after the girls left.  Reaves danced all over that deck being a princess.  Lauren is the prince and I'm uhh...the Gaga queen.  Or something.  Maybe a servant.  

Cali became a member of our family on Friday night and so far she has been a sweetheart.  She and Oscar are getting along because she hisses if he gets too close!  She looks just like Lily only not so much a bitch.

The fugue will pass with spring coming on.  I'm hoping by April to be bagless and able to push a little dirt around for some seeds.  Surprise lilies are already showing up at both places.  Some porch pirate took off with my Amazon package that was supposedly delivered Saturday.  It has a case number with FedEx and now it's on me to notify Amazon.  The other one still isn't on the road yet.  You know, weather and COVID and all.

Actually I think I've had a mild case of COVID even though I tested negative twice.  I was really sick awhile back with night sweats and the whole nine yards.  I will still get my 2nd shot which the day after my surgeon appointment.

Y'all keep on taking one baby step at a time.  We will eventually to the Promised Land ^j^