how niice

That's how we say it in the South.  It could mean anything from bless your heart to WTF kind of crazy are you!  I finally got some sleep and feel like a human again.  I did the hunt and gather thing today so now I have food and stuff to wash clothes with.  I had to make a second stop to get bleach wipes but they are a must.  Joy and I came out here to unload with me and found my friend Patty's butt plum up in the air picking pecans.  Like me, she thinks of them as God's giveback.  A blessing , so to speak. 

I did some insurance business this morning with three other friends and our local agent.  All of us switched after he explained the deal.  PLUS, if we are not satisfied in the first three months we can change back.  Healthcare should  not be this complicated.  That's why so many clinicians give it up.  There is so much technology involved within our delivery of healthcare services and that introduces a whole 'nother piece of work called liability and malpractice.  It costs a huge chunk for practitioners to insure themselves in defense of that kind of suit.  Sometimes they are justified, like a lot.  But it's because the system is broken.  

Pecans are beginning to fall and the next few days look nice.  It's now or never y'all ^j^

i'm that guy

You know the one, who tricks out your ride!  That's a sure ttersign of too much  Rock 92.3 the hog.  I need to get back to 100.1 for a spell.  I do so love John Boy and Billy.  The ads are annoying but all stations have them.  Bubba and I chatted at length with the first band member to arrive from Jackon MS.  He and two others in their fifties formed the band 27 years ago.  It's a pretty hard life for people with families.  

I stayed up very late and got up early so it's about time for me to give it up.  . nighty night^j^

creature of habit

I'm sittin' on a stool by the kitchen cabinet typing away because the outlet by my desk is dead as a doornail.  Hmm.  I have blogged in way stranger places!  Yesterday and today were spent with my brother getting ready for his big Funkmonster show.  And it was indeed a large crowd.  Since you can't both work and party and be good at both, I settled for some funky background music while selling tickets.  I got to see people that I don't normally run into and some that I see often like Carol and Anne Barrett and Candyland.  Oh and course Jim and Suzanne.  I knew a few more but I was amazed at how many I had never seen.  Or maybe I just didn't recognize them!

Anywho, I think a large time was had by all. I haven't been up this late in ages and I'm sure it will catch up with me but for now, my plans are to catch a mid morning breakfast and help finish up the mess over yonder.  I was looking forward to a decent pecan crop at this house but so far it's been slim pickings.  

I have never published something with my own byline.  Lord willing and bless Eddie and Rob, that will happen in January in Southern Living Outdoors.  Seems as if they are branching out from all hunting and fishing to agriculture and whatnot.  A solid move, in my opinion.  A lot of those hunters and fishermen are also farmers.

Y'all get those bells to ringing.  FYI, Salvation Army ringers will take checks!

rude awakening

l tried to sleep late this morning  and made it until 8.   The first thing I do everyday is hit the laptop to read emails and check my bank balance.   There was an email waiting to be read from Dakota so I dug in only to find that he is leaving our congregation in the spring.  Initially I was shocked, and then I cried.  I had to call another UMC clergy friend who would let me sob on her shoulder and Dell did just that.  They worked together for a year or so until she took an assignment in the Memphis area.  

This is the part of Methodism that hurts.  It's never permanent and changes every few years.  Due to a decrease in giving, our staff was reduced from two to one pastors.  When that line item was eliminated, Dakota stepped to the plate as associate/musical arts and everything else director.  I remember the first Lenten season when Will was rather new to us and I brought up John Kilzer of St. Johns.  His parents went to high school with him.  Small world.  John created a huge support group called The Way at St John's targeting addiction.  You see at one time he was a famous singer as in "Red Blue Jeans."  

Iv'e been led by a LOT of pastors over 66 years as a Methodist.  I remember when we became "united" because my Daddy explained it to me.  Since then, I have realized that nothing is permanent.  It's all just a gift from God for a period of time.  Like my Gaga told me: " We're all just loaned to each other."

Oscar got a Thanksgiving plate like all the rest of us except for Reaves.  She ate the cookies we made last week.  I channeled my mother to the max on this one.  Bless all our hearts.  I am thankful for you ^j^

shop small saturday

Dang it...and I don't get paid until Tuesday.  Oh well.  Most of my shopping is done except for a few gift cards and last minute surprises.  I'm leaving the tree lights off until after the feast but then it's on like donkey kong.  I didn't used to understand all that planning ahead but when you're on your own, you learn to at least have a loose agenda.  Not a five year plan but perhaps a five day.  Or five minutes!

I saw more old friends today and made jolly with the crew at Headlines.  They were crazy busy and I love being in that environment.  We all talked about Thanksgiving and recipes and family stuff.  I don't normally make desserts because nobody has room but I just mike make a pie.  I'll have to find Mama's cookbook for that.

Y'all be blessed ^j^

gawd' almighty

Has this been a Monday or what!  Cold. Wet. Full of drama. Thanks to our President gas has gone down a bit for which I am forever thankful.  Don't start with me y'all.  I will meet you in the middle but I won't be had.  I'm reading a Fannie Flagg book about Mrs. Earle Poole and her family down around Mobile.  This poor lady took all sorts of abuse from her adoptive mother who never told her what was up.  She could never be or do or say enough to please Lorene.  But then a letter came telling her that Lorene was not , in fact, her birth mother.  All legal and stuff.  Earl urges her to make contact with her mama and them and I believe it will happen.  

I am feeling very blessed after singing Christmas carols with Calvin as we put up the drape on the mirror.  And got that little tree in place.  It lives in the extra tub most of the year.  We have done this three years in a row.  I only hope he remembers me in his will.  Just one piece of depression glass, honey.

I'm cooking those peas as I type and may get the eggs boiled if my energy holds up.  Peace and love ^j^

thankful for enough

Today's service was about gratitude of course.  Mary Beth outlined in great detail how being grateful for what you have leads to peace of mind.  Wanting more and more leads to a spiritual rot that is not what Jesus taught us.  I have never lived luxuriously and there were times when I was younger when I really worked at getting more.  More stuff.  Things that money can buy.  Being retired and almost dying changed my way of thinking on that.  I'm a pay it forward kind of gal and have always believed that every good deed is known to God, especially those done anonymously.  Not to be noticed, mind you.  Just because it's the right thing to do.  Sometimes I fall short but it's no intentional.  Whatever I do I try to do 100%.

In addition to my regular gig I have a date to help a friend decorate his apartment for Christmas.  He only has one leg so it's not something he can do on his own.  I will put up his tree and hang the garland just so around the mirror with him telling me to move it this way or that and center those bows.  I've been there done that with him before. Thank goodness Lauren got MY tree up yesterday.

Get to gettin' on that Thanksgiving food y'all.  It's almost here!

samaria bend volunteer fire department

I have been known to light a fire when  it's not really safe, like today.  I had a ton of boxes and pecan limbs that have been laying there for weeks so I threw in some dryer lint and it was on!  Reaves and I were out in the yard playing and it quickly got out of hand with the nearby brush.  One time I ended up on the front page of the local paper for setting a bean field on fire.  This time I managed to put it out with a hundred foot hose from the side of the house.  I should listen closer to Smokey the Bear.

Reaves and LP and I had a day that involved cookie making, pecan picking and lots of outdoor play.  We planted flowers and magic rocks in the garden box.  And we discovered that talking in the carport when it's empty is like being on a microphone.  Little things I've never noticed is what she shows me.  

Lauren put the tree together but we won't decorate it until after the Thanksgiving feast.  It's kind of a mish mash up in here anyway and I enjoy the lts.  There are presents to wrap and whatnot but I'm way ahead of the game from where I normally am at this stage of the game.  I am an Advent person so there will be a wreath on the table and candles lit one by one during the season.  

Y'all be blessed ^j^

root cause analysis

Known as RCA in businesses, it is a series of meetings involving all parties who are part of a bad consumer or client outcome.  I have a story to tell about my one and only experience.

I was the transfusion service supervisor for CHS or MHS at the time and a patient died when the surgical crew all left and she was in post-op.  The nurse who was all up in the middle of it testified that she was alone at one time with this patient.  There was another surgery involved to try and correct what went wrong but it didn't work.

Surgery and anesthesia blamed our department for a delay in treatment because the lab techs requested a new sample to make sure it was right.  BTW, I was off that day.  The surgeon and all of his staff denied knowing about our emergency release policy, aka Red Tag,  Yet I had his signature on about 50 releases during the time he was practicing.  I had just had a fight with my daughter on the phone prior to this meeting and I was about tore up before we ever went before the firing squad. No pathologist present.  Just me and my boss.  And an administrator who demanded I be fired after I left the meeting in tears.  That did not happen.  

We were blessed with an abundant supply of blood and blood products from Jackson.  There were times when we got low but mostly we got what we ordered.  Enough to cover trauma and childbirth and anemic old folks.  I noticed a trend toward the end of my career of physician orders for not two but one unit.  Pump 'em up and get 'em out.  Type and screens are required for every transfusion and the record keeping is meticulous on who has what antibody.  Blood is kind of like a transplant where your body can reject it it things don't match up just right.  The more you are transfused, the more likely you are to produce antibodies against other blood groups.

This is a bonus post because I wasn't done yet after the rage.  I have a fiesta bowl in the oven from Los Portales staying warm for when I'm ready to eat.  Like most everyone else, I am weary.  Yet I am thankful to rediscover the things that I love like reading.  I celebrate me and enjoy whatever I'm doing at the time.  And that is what it's all about ^j^

dodging bullets

It seems like life is like that sometimes.  I was exposed to COVID and had to wait several days to be tested.  I felt fortunate that I was negative because now Thanksgiving is ON!  I told Bubba that positive or not I expected a smoked turkey to go with this freezer full of stuff.  The only thing I cheated on was mac and cheese Bob Evans style and that can be dressed up like we always did with buttered cracker crumbs.  Right?  I might be Martha Stewart on occasion.  I don't get off on the decor like my mother did but I can sure cook some good food.  And usually get the fake tree out of sight before March.

This is where I will lose a lot of you so just bear with me for a minute.  The whole Kyle Rittenhouse trial was a circuYos and that judge should retire.  Jurors from a tumbler?  Uh.  No.  My question is this to him.  You knew there was a protest and you intentionally picked up an automatic weapon and joined the violence.   Yeah, you were a teenager.  But you have that us against them mindset that is destroying society.  Somebody has to be the first one to step away from it and evaluate what the fight is all about.  To me, that means looking seriously at the availability of artillery type weapons to nutjobs.  It is a black market way beyond our reach and is being fueled by the NRA backed by the second amendment.  Y'all.  They had six shooters on horses back in the day.  Just ask John Dutton.  

I failed to see the lunar eclipse but I did see the frosty beaver moon rising and she was beautiful.  I always relate full moons to my parents because on the mornings of both of their deaths, I noticed it as I made my way to the hospital.  Prolly' a sign from Big Ernie, right Hoss?

The gifts are hidden because they're not wrapped yet but I am tickled to be done before December.  Unless the supply chain interruption pisses us all off :)  Happy Friday y'all!

no deli meat for you!

I have met the soup nazi at the local Kroger deli and on more than one occasion and she is, to say the least, rude.  This is why I order groceries online.  The manager is a surly woman who obviously does not like her job and has anger issues.  She has been reported to corporate.  I don't play when it comes to customer service.  My mama was that way too, instead she had to writer letters!   Lawd.

At some point, it you expect to keep your job you say "how can i help you" or thanks.  

I remember the one and only time that I got ill with a patient who was having blood drawn prior to admission.  I missed the first time and he made some smartass remark about my ability and I responded with "Well, I guess I don't know what I'm doing!"  I went and found him later and apologized.  The funny thing is, he had not even noticed it.  But I did.  I felt my inner bitch come out of nowhere due to stress and being a mama and wife and laboratory professional all the while trying to have a little fun.  

And I did.  The most fun I ever had was whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River.  Twice!  The whitewater Olympic event was held there at some point.  We all had to attend a safety class and suit up to be carried down that gorge dodging dangerous holes by trained guides.  It was teamwork at the  finest level.  We paddled the Spring in AR several times, always drunk.  It's a wonder we survived that!  

If I had a bucket list, doing the Ocoee would be at the top with meeting James Taylor a close second.  The river itself is dam controlled by the TVA so they share the water.  It's about 30 minutes from Cleveland in Polk County....southeast TN.  There is another not so wild one called the Nantahala in NC which also attracts a lot of paddlers and floaters.  I think I'm more of a tubing kind of gal now.  

I've got to go get my nose probed tomorrow so let's all pray for a good outcome.  I want me some Thanksgiving with my peeps.  And also a good time with the Funkymonsters.  

Hang in there kids.  It's all about the ride ^j^

every picture tells a story

As long as I can remember I've had a camera in my hand.  It went from three cheap Kodaks that work gave me as a present to  primo Leica that the count gifted to me.  It was a 1995 model that I had so much fun with I cannot describe.  I walked the woods across the lane and captured so much of nature.  Not many animals mind you.  Just beautiful scenery.  I rode through those bottoms on a four wheeler with a man who loved me and the lay of the land.  And our brown labs kept up with us every step of the way.  After Faith died, he brought me another one named Ellie.  She had to go away too so as not to get run over on Samaria Bend Road.  Last I heard she was in Illinois.  The transition was arranged by Paw to Care which is a devoted crew of folks who rehome animals.  My friends  are committed that cause.  

 I have honestly never paid for an animal they just all seemed to show up at the right time.  Gumbler brought us Faith and from there she begot a bunch of puppies from Chester.  She was eleven years old, never bred and developed pyometra after the birth.  We knew she was sick and I was still working so one of the phlebs who was a former pet tech drew her blood in the parking lot.  Her white count was out the roof.

I knew it was almost over so we babied her and let her sleep on the futon until one night *boom* she fell onto the floor dead.  John did the burial honors out in the pine grove and we all cried like babies.  Later on, her pup Ryder got hit and Bubba buried her.  Right after my surgery Sammy D passed on and precious Gerald buried him, in the rain.  I just watched from the kitchen window because I was freshly post-op.

Oscar is on the recliner behind me.  Who the hell knows where Al Franken is.  He slept with  me last night and is adjusting to the litter box routine.  I'll take it.

Merry and bright and thankful ^j^

  

cat on my back

Oscar disappeared for almost two weeks and showed back up none worse for the outing.  He slept with me for two nights and then went out cattin' again.  I don't get alarmed now because I know he will always come home sooner or later.  He is now perched behind my butt on the computer chair.  It is a challenge to get he and Oscar to share the house peacefully.  Oscar never sleeps with me so that's not a problem.  It's the food and the alpha male thing.  There are litter boxes everywhere and I trust that Al will adapt.  If not, he's banned.

The days are getting short and that really bums me out what with missing the sunsets.  Today's was glorious and I shared it with Bubba while he was shouting at Sadie and "killing time" until he was going to meet a sheetrock and paint guy.  Such is life.

I actually bought a new shirt today on sale at Old Navy.  It's a little snug for the bag so I'll be returning it for an XL.  While I'm there I may snatch up the other one I saw on half price if it's still there.  My friend naps while I run these errands.  We sat in line for fifteen minutes at the pharmacy today.  I reckon everybody was gone to lunch.

Be safe and be kind.  And remember who you are ^j^

we are the church

As you all know I'm a United Methodist only we're not so united any more at the general conference level.  Many churches have pulled out of the denomination because of the gay sex marriage issue.  I think this is pretty lame on their part and not particularly diverse.  It's been a huge deal for years at the biggie of conferences with people jumping over the rails and whatnot.  In my heart, I cannot see the problem.  One UMC preacher got kicked out for officiating his gay son's wedding.  Jesus don't like ugly.  I'm not saying go all out with rainbows and bridesmaids but to deny marriage to people who truly love each other is wrong.  We have lost several members over this very issue.  

One of my dearest friends is a nurse practitioner who tried being straight, had two boys and then married the love of his life.  They are successfully multi parenting with mom.  No actually, there was more than one friend like that.  

It is not up to me to be the judge.  I see our church members going other places because they don't believe in women preachers or diverse ideas.  They take their money with them.  Tithe as you will.  Tis stewardship season! It made me happy to see kids and their proud parents talking about what our church means to them today.  

The girls came today in a much safer car  and we did a bunch of stuff.  She has to watch Jillian and Addie every.dang.time.  We ventured into the attic which ain't easy to get to and pulled down the Christmas stuff.  That's all there is up there except for leftover materials from the remodel.  It's kind of risky going up those steps what with all of Mama's photo albums sitting on the landing.  Hey....I'm working on it.

I hope that you are well and at peace.  If not, ask for some ^j^

i knew it

Back when we got the glorious news that SS was going to rise 6%  my brother remarked "But you know they'll raise Medicare costs."  And if I'm lying I'm dying, it has come to pass.  This pissed me off on a very large level considering the fact that those taxes have been taken out of my earnings for all of my career in medical technology working for a hospital that sold not one but three times.  How's that for loyalty?  Nah, just familiarity.  My work family, though by all means not perfect, are still in my heart.  It's kind of funny because I find myself wondering what all those new BB machines are about.  There was this one time when I was supervising and an aneurysm came in the night.  At that time our blood was being shipped by bus from Memphis.  This wild ass thoracic surgeon decided he was gonna' save this guy's life by giving him group specific blood.  I believe he was Aneg  and the doctor insisted on Oneg whole blood.  Guess what happened?  Because we had switched types, it had to be Aneg all the way.  The lab staff stayed up all night and when I questioned what was going on with the type change I was told by the pathologist to do it.  I should have said hell to the no.  That night we used probably 50 or 60 units of precious donated blood because of vanity.  

Enough about my career as a clinician.  I'm headed in a whole lot of different directions these days.  If I'm lucky maybe it can be figured out before I go toes up. My Christmas tree works and I've made a space for it but not REALLY ready to do that yet.  First we need to be thankful for the bounty.  

don't judge me

If you were to walk in my house right now you would totally believe that a hurricane blew through.  I hunt and gather during the day and let it lay there until the spirit moves me.  I'm thinking tomorrow will be the day.  I bought a cheap Christmas tree and want to test it to see if the lights work.  So then, I'll just have to leave it up for Thanksgiving.  Speaking of which, three dishes are in the freezer with purple peas and turkey on the way.  The only thing left to do is deviled eggs which is a day before project.  

Today was a mish mash of cold, rain, wind and sunshine at the end.  I love it when that happens, even when sunset is close after I get home. I am adapting and refuse to go to bed at dark.  Been waking up early for some reason which is a miracle.  I get more done that way.  

Happy weekend to you and yours.  Love you like chicken ^j^

the cost of living

Seriously y'all.  This is insane!  I went looking for a pre-lit tree with multicolored lights around 6 feet and nobody had anything in my budget.  I went in and out of stores and even to Hobby Lobby for the first time.  What is UP with all the white lights????  I've got to crawl to the attic and find what I bought last year at the 'gentral and see if it's worthy.  Of course Bubba can always get me a Snoopy tree at Kroger, which they already have.  Wayyyyy too early.  

When I woke up this morning I realized that Frankie had died. We worked together at the hospital many years ago and I didn't know him well but he was one of those go-to nurses who would work with you and sort it all out.  A young man who was lost to COVID leaves behind a wife, family and lots of friends.  He suffered  a lot during the past four months. 

I've been tree shopping to no avail until I talked to Carol today and she told me she got a good one locally for 38 bucks.  That's on my pickup list for tomorrow along with other things.   I try to stay busy and shop wisely.

We had a Joyful time at the Veteran's Day parade today.  Just like I remember it from years ago when I marched with the girl 

scouts there was a lot of fanfare at the pocket park.  It was cool and windy but everybody was mesmerized.  Hometown USA, at it's finest.  

I heard the coyotes howling a bit ago and Oscar went nuts.  They always sound sooooo close.  I've about got the cat box thing figured out until I can get Al potty trained.  He slept with me last night but then pooped in the floor which I had to clean up.  My bad for not having a litter box for the cat I thought was long gone

Y'all be blessed ^j^

gimme a tag

I have had so many needle pokes in the past month I should have a rabies tag or something to identify that I'm safe from Covid, flu and pneumonia plus a big dose of Prolia for osteoporosis.  The first three were paid for by Medicare but that Prolia costs me out the ass in co-pays. I draw too much SS to qualify for state assistance.  How's that for a nice howdy do.  Stuck with 20% of Medicare Part B, I'm trying to figure out how the whole thing is beneficial except when you go to the hospital.  I mean really.  Plus THAT costs 173 a month.  Geez.  

They are still working away on the farm cutting beans and planting wheat.  Needless to say, the dust is thick. Since it got up in the 70s today I turned on the AC to clean out the air a bit.  Tennessee weather y'all.  

Some friends of friends reopened a restaurant that  they bought yesterday so I went for breakfast, on Mamye.  Then some other friends joined me for a visit on the deck and a good time was had by all.  The time change is messing with everybody's head and it will take a few weeks to get adjusted.  

Life goes on.  Every moment is precious and when I begin to feel sorry for myself I count my blessings ^j^

all my exes

None of them live in Texas as far as I know.  Ms. Annie does but she's not an ex.  I count on her weekly calls channeling my mother.

They were close in age and she's still kicking over in Austin.  Babysister lives in Memphis.  We talk occasionally as well.  Both of these women have described my mother as a child which gives me a lot of comfort.  There are very few left.

I find myself being identified as Bubba or Tommy's sister and Lauren's mom.   Eldest of the Billie and Janice Stafford clan.  Only girl with two bratty little brothers who were determined to make my life interesting.  Tommy could pick a lock in a heartbeat and was all up in my grill when I had a high school boyfriend who came to visit.  That was way after the Voice of the Mummy days with Claudia

I got the tulips planted today before company showed up.  After breakfast at a new and improved place, I hit up the 'gentral for what I needed and figured I could catch church onlin but alas...there was no sound.  If I think really hard I can remember the saints from 2021 but it's really about all of them.  Saying their names out loud and remembering who they were.  I distinctly remember sitting with Donna Locke on that day after her mother had passed.  She gazed up through the stained glass toward heaven and I was a believer.  Thanks dear.

Many of us will get there one way or another.  Being kind and humble is a start.  Putting self interests first is not a good ticket to the pearly gates.  This is the day!

starry starry night

It is still and clear here on the farm with only the faint drone of farm equipment harvesting.  They are done up close to my house so it isn't rattling the windows or anything.  The corn dust is thick and causing lotso' allergy problems.  The girls came and went with everyone on their devices and raiding the refrigerator.  Reaves got to ride with Uncle Bubba in the CanAm and loved every minute of it.  She later told us it was a "fun ride."  She sat in my lap as we crawled around the yard and then headed up to Pecan Lane.  A wonderful memory was made!

We talked about Thanksgiving plans and making Mama Staff's butter cookies.  She wanted to do it right NOW but we explained that it takes a minute to get the dough ready and just right for cutting.  You know, a floured surface and rolling pin.  Plus a lot of mixing and chilling before that.  At times like these I wish I had an island or some decent workspace to cook more easily.  And a good knife!

We don't want much for the holidays except to be together and that will happen Lord willing.  I have submitted my article a month ahead of deadline for the January issue complete with pictures.  It was pretty dismal to see what I worked on so hard for so long to be only one and a half pages in print.  I learned a lot of farm history in the process though.

I'm missing my friends and though we stay in touch we don't see each other often.  Everybody is busy as a cat covering shit.  Speaking of which, my cat AL has been gone for a week.  As toms will do he may be out chasing tail.  I found him in the pecan tree by the deck back in the spring.  Easy come easy go with stray cats, I reckon.

Y'all be thankful and blessed and always remember who you are ^j^

novemblah

It's cold and rainy most of this month in West Tennessee.  As  long as it ain't raining I'm good except for all those gray days.  I already have that thing where you get depressed when the days get shorter.  The good news is that they will get longer bit by bit beginning in December.  But then there are those cold and freezing months where you don't even want to be outside.  I miss that.

Harvest is in full swing here.  Corn first and then beans.  I saw three trucks in my side yard today when I got home, all headed to the place where corn goes.  Beans will be next or simultaneous.  I'm ready for winter wheat thankyouverymuch.  It's so green and beautiful!

This old girl is skipping toward Christmas.  I could give a rat's ass about a big Thanksgiving dinner.  Too much tryptophan and all that.  We made two pans of dressing and distributed accordingly.  I have discovered that liquid aminos do wonders for that dish.  Too much will put you into carb overload, just saying.

I would seriously like a honey baked ham.  It goes a long way and is available online from Jackson.  Note to self.....you have the money to order one.  Reaves is so visually artistic that her presents for Christmas gifts will all be chosen carefully.  Her mama is looking into options other than public school that focus on creativity and free play.  I love that with all my heart.  She pees in the potty now all the time and is full of life here on the farm.  Hopefully we will ride in a tractor soon.  Tis the season!

Happy whatever.  Love the one you're with ^j^