staffing shortage alert

Being a hospitial worker all my life I am well aware that nothing major happens testing wise on a weekend unless it is emergent.  That goes double on a holiday weekend.  Workers are allowed so many holidays per year and otherwise, you show up as usual.  Factor into this that all the stupid people come out of the woodwork and do their crazy. Plus the blood supply is critically low because people are  on vacation and whatnot.  But, I digress.

Joy and I braved the heat today for lunch with friends and she ran into some of HER old friends in the parking lot. I recognized Jane but not Dorothy.  She was a teacher when I was in high school.  I told her we have a reunion coming up and, lord willing, I think she'll be there.  We only have a few left.

The heat is relentless and I thank God for every little breeze.  I should go out there and water but it's so hot I might just give up the ghost in July.

Y'all be merry and bright ~

the gi guy

I have this surgeon friend who pulled out of hospital practice here and went to Ripley. I still travel to see him because he's to the point and good at what he does.  The last time I tried to get a colonoscopy prior to the expected reversal, the OPS center was going to charge me a 200 buck "facility fee" because it hadn't been five years since I'd had one.  There's been a lot going on with my guts since five years ago.  It would not be a screening but a diagnostic in an intestine that ends with an illeocolostomy.  I figure since there's no rectum it's through the stoma.   OMG.  But that's a little thing compared to what others are fighting with.  Reaves' Mommy Kim is neck deep in chemo for breast cancer and is suffering mightily.  She's a fighter so it's all good.

My friend lost her son recently and is headed here to bury him in a couple of days.  We go like alllll the way back and then some.  I will be there with her along with many family and friends.  Not just for visitation but for the long haul. She and I used to babysit Tommy on snow days and play Voice of the Mummy.  We had a secret club in junior high called 3-M company.  I still have a book from her signed "Love in 3-M"

My daily regimen now is peroxide and neosporin for these abrasions.  Lucky for me I'm "almost a nurse."

Y'all be chill and love the one you're with ^j^

recovery day

Thanks for all the well wishes on my recent fall.  Of course I'm more sore on day 2 so I'm grateful to be at home chillaxing.  I took the opportunity to chat with my baby brother this morning which is a rarity.  He was at the bay and away from the distractions of real life....just he and his daughter.  We talked about every little thing from corporate greed to politics.  I mentioned to him my support for a guy who is running against the incumbent sheriff and we went down memory lane to when he ran for Dyer County sheriff in 1990ish.  He was facing an incumbent but had six others running against him too which split the vote terribly.  Otherwise, he would have won by a landslide.  Even at that, he came within 300 votes of beating Robert Willard.  That's pretty amazing for a young guy.  At his age now, he said he wouldn't do it on a dare.

The irrigation systems are going out here because this weekend's sparse rain just wasn't enough.  I'll still have to water the garden and flowers.  I just learned that there will be a special session of the January 6th commission tomorrow so I can't wait to see what's up there.  New witness who has not been identified. I would bet it's the guy who made the documentary.  

Y'all stay happy  and healthy and watch your step.  I've noticed that with age comes a loss of balance which is pretty dangerous.  Dr Algee told me years ago that falls are the leading cause of death in the elderly.  Go figure.  No scatter rugs.  

Peace out and keep the faith ^j^

good intentions

I was working outside late yesterday afternoon taking care of the plants and whatnot when I spotted Lily under the porch and said to myself "She needs to get in the house and get to to the mouse business."  That's when I fell in the gravel and tore my self up!  I laid there for a few minutes since the fall  kind of knocked the wind out of me and I couldn't find anything to hold onto.  I did manage to grab the deck rails and pull myself up but my legs were so wobbly I fell again.  That was the big one.  I crawled to the deck steps and got my bloody self into the house but didn't really hurt bad. Until about 3AM.  It dawned on me afterwards that I could have laid there forever until somebody found me so that was the adrenaline that allowed me to get up and where I needed to be.  I rinsed it all with peroxide and will follow up with more peroxide and neosporin  

The girls came today and it rained but not enough.  We sat on the deck and watched it roll in with an immediate drop in temperature from the wind.  There was thunder and lightning which freaked Oscar out to the point of shaking and clinging.  I have GOT to get him some Benadryl.  Anyway, it is in those moments when a storm is brewing that I feel closest to God.  I missed in person worship today because I was hurting too bad plus had a bag leak as soon as my feet hit the floor.  I watched online and got the message.

Normally I have my phone on me at all times in case of emergency but not when I'm watering because my hoses leak and it would get wet.  That was my downfall and believe me, it didn't follow pride.

Love the one you're with ^j^

directionally challenged

One of my most outstanding characteristics is the ability to get lost.  I set out on what should have been an easy trip this afternoon and didn't follow what the GPS said.  My bad.  We were headed to a spot about four miles past Four Points and ended up driving the backroads to Halls.  Now I ain't too proud to beg, so I stopped and asked some old boy how to get to Highway 51 where I could get my bearings.  "Right behind them trees" he said.  While we were lost in the boonies we came to a RR crossing and had to stop for the longest train I have ever seen.  It went on and on and on....long enough for me to get out and smoke and then some.  All's well that ends well and we finally ended up on Poplar Grove Road after backtracking from Halls.  Lerd.

Though I am not surprised I'm really pissed that SCOTUS did what they did with abortion rights.  It was a monkey on their back so they just pitched it to the states to individually way what is legal.  A handful of states have preserved reproductive health options but most of them are lined up to "protect life" beginning with conception.  That means if you are raped by your cousin'n'them you are forced to carry that child to term.  I do not believe in late term abortion, but in the power to choose before the fetus is viable.  Life begins at birth not when two cells bump into each other.  This is, and always has been, my firm conviction.  What this ruling means is that we will be pouring participants into the poverty pool and further stretch the debt.  Who's gonna' take care of these kids when a 13 year old gets knocked up because nobody told her about birth control.  It's a happy day for the "righteous" and a sad day for America coupled with the gun safety issue.  And DJT is the one who stacked the court that way.  Each of them during their confirmation hearings that they would not overturn Roe v Wade and they lied.  I expect a lot of civil unrest which is brewing just under the surface. Americans are tired of the government telling them what they can and cannot do regarding personal decision making.  When I was in college I took advantage of the contraceptive services available from Planned Parenthood which kept me from getting pregnant before I finished my degree.  For the life of me I can't fathom a mind that thinks AR15s are a right but not a woman's choice about her body.  It is a separation of church and state issue to me.  That's in the constitution too, ya' know.  I think season 5 of Handmaid's Tale is coming out just in time to remind what Gilead will be like.  I'm not as tough as those girls.  I'd kill myself if I had to go through all that sick business. Yesterday a woman was raped at a loan office one mile from my house.  I imagine she was working alone at the time and this guy maced her and did the deed.  What about that kind of stuff?  If she gets pregnant should she have to bear a child fathered by a known sex offender?  I'll stop now before my pressure goes out the roof.  

Joy and I made memories today in the oddest of ways. We love riding around and laughing at the predicaments we get into.  We have come full circle from our days working together at Parkview hospital she as a social worker and me as an MT.  That's karma in a good way.  She failed to tell me about her car running over her in the parking lot and a friend mentioned it.  I asked her about it and she remembered it well!  Sounds like something I would do.

I think I'm having asthma problems from all the dust.  They bush hogged around my back yard today and the tractors are flinging dust ever which a way out here.  Note to self:  Change AC filter soon.

If you like the heat, you're in luck so enjoy.  As for me I'll be either in a pool or in the house unless a breeze blows through for deck sitting.  Y'all keep on believing in the next right thing and do it.  It's that simple.  Keep the faith ^j^

a stacked deck

SCOTUS has their dance card full what with all these important cases on the table.  They decided it was not cool for citizens to sue an arresting officer because of Miranda. I'm okay with that unless it's me.  I wouldn't be able to afford a lawyer for the suit so there ya' go.  Any competent cop knows to do that...it's part of their drill.  If there is no body cam footage to prove it, it's their word against the detainee.  Nobody will ever enter my house without a warrant and if arrested I will call my lawyer right then and there while they read Miranda.

The hearings are fascinating in a historical way.  I don't think this has ever happened in US history.  The witnesses are carefully selected and honest.  They are all suffering for their involvement with Trump yet they speak about constitutional law first and foremost.  I say yay for Liz for conducting these hearings and it sounds like new evidence may be forthcoming from a documentary film maker.  That would be sweet.  In the end, what will happen with a strong GOP who still believes the election was stolen and follow the orange one.  It gives me hope that this is a bi-partisan effort to get at what really happened and why.

There's bush hogging going on all around me to prepare for bean season.  I reckon this is where I find out where my yard ends!  Mayberry has been mowing where they think it stops.  I need more mulch and it should be cheaper now so that's my next purchase on a big payday.  At lowe's, where they load it for you. I'm pulling Bermuda daily from the 'mater and squash bed and extending mulch around the transplanted flowers.  Eventually with all these rocks laying around I'll get it done.

Y'all have a happy ladies night ^j^

on the second day of summer my true love gave to me.....

A hundred freaking degrees!  We are in our second week of unseasonably hot weather and it's about to drag everybody down.  At this point we are praying for pop up showers.  I have already noticed the impact of watering the garden on my bill but I'll be damned if I'm going to let it die after all the work I've put in.  

I fancy myself to be a good cook like my Mama was but I struggle with the space in that kitchen just like she did.  Bubba gave me some grain fed beef yesterday and I cooked the ribeye and dropped the sirloin in the crock pot for steak and gravy.  The difference in the taste is amazing.  I brought Rosie in for the night because I'm sick of this mouse leaving turds everywhere and she knows what to do.  I won't stop her this time.  Bye bye Mr. Jingles.

I suppose I am used to coming home to an empty messy house surrounded by crops.  I've done it most of my life here.  I do miss Lauren's cooking and cleaning skills because she is OCD about neatness and sanitation..

Pardon me while I go enjoy the rain ^j^

beach envy

I've been looking at everybody's beach pictures longing for some sand in my toes.  It's been six years since Okaloosa and I can tell it.  Of course it's way too expensive with gas and condo prices out the roof.  I'm happy for those who have been able to afford it.  In my experience the best time to go is in May before kids get out of school and the heat gets out of hand.  I have no desire whatsoever to go on a cruise.  Just a beachside condo with easy access to park  my ass in the sand.

I had a telehealth meeting with an NP from Humana this morning similar to the one I had in person a couple of weeks ag o.  I'm in a holding pattern right now with no testing scheduled.  I believe I am due for a bone density this year but I'm not running to my PCP to get an order.  I don't go back to nephrology for 3 months so I'll need to get him to check the renal function in about a month and see when the dexascan can be paid for by Medicare.  It's every two years, I believe.  The last one showed osteopenia which is why I've been on Prolia.  That stuff is wayyyyyyyy expensive, like 6K per dose through my provider, with a 200 co-pay.  

I'm already tired of the daily watering because the heat just wears me out.  It always sounds like a good idea in the spring but...  I will be 67 in September and that shocks me to think about.  My body feels old but my mind is still chasing the dream believing that I haven't found my true calling yet.  After I almost died, I remember thinking that there was a reason for me to be alive and I try to remember that.  My girls need me but I work and they live in another town so our visits are not that often depending on things like their plans and random sickness.  

I have lots of friends but don't get to see them often because everybody is busy with grandkids and staying afloat.  The yard mowing guy was here until almost 9PM last night so the grass will soon be dead with no rain in sight.  Global warming ya think?

I still haven't found the elusive turkey egg but I hear it rolling around in the underparts of the seats occasionally.  One of these days.  ^j^

two stinky dilemmas

Oh yes indeed it is a Monday!  We went to see Cousin Marilyn today in Ridgely and came back to Dyer county with country eggs, garlic and plum jelly.  PLUS a giant turkey egg to show Bubba.  I laid all the stuff in the back seat, by-passed the road construction on 78 and found that the turkey egg was *poof* gone somewhere in the car.  I'm assuming it rolled off the seat.  Alrighty then.  I searched and searched under the seats and no egg.  On the way to my house I heard something fall and said to myself  "wherever it was, there it went, being fairly certain that I would find it easily when I got out.   Well of course not!  That would be too easy.  Now I have to wait for said egg to start emitting sulfur to find and dispose of it.  Just, yay.  

Dilemma #2 is that my laptop is showing signs of giving up the ghost.  Which would be a very sad thing for this old girl.  I can't blog on the phone because the letters are too little and I'm used to a keyboard.  I want to be on Kelly's show and get something for being a rad human but I've not done anything really really rad.  Just lots of sprays of rad.  Anywho, we shall see.  If I suddenly disappear y'all will know for sure that it's over until payday except for FB posts on the phone.  When I had my surgery and was in rehab afterwards, all I wanted to do was blog so Lauren brought it to the nursing home.  I never did get up the energy to get it connected amidst all that shit on the floor by my bed and one outlet.  When Lauren brought me home from there she hauled three weeks worth of being in the hospital, going to rehab in an ambulance, etc. etc.  Needless to say, it all laid in piles for a hot minute.  By the time I finally made it home three weeks after that fateful night, my immediate future included Home Health for six weeks to do PT, give wound and ostomy care and all the rest.  People brought food and I was grateful.  Nurses came in the middle of the night when the wound vac alarm went off, and I was grateful.  They even came up to three times a day because I didn't know how to change the bag with what I had.  They worked as a team to keep the poop in its' place until finally calling the ostomy nurse from Baptist East who told them I needed a convex wafer,  They set me up with Byrum and I've learned since then from other providers how to navigate the situations that come up like ulcerations and leaking.  And still, I'm learning and have bad days with it.  

At church yesterday Mary Beth preached about the beginning when God created the whole thing out of dust and the trinity came into being.  Wouldn't you know it would be a snake to invent sin.  I hate those things because of that piece of scripture, though Eve made the decision when tempted like the rest of us do daily.  I'm excited about this six week summer series explaining how we got to where we are.  I have never read the entire Bible, like many folks.  I didn't look around to see how many folks raised their hands but it would have tacky to turn around to the back.  

I'll let y'all know when the stink starts in my car.  I think they have a pretty thick shell so maybe it didn't break.  One can only hope ^j^

honor thy father

My daddy was a simple man from a humble background as a sharecropper's son.  No doubt that influenced his career choice.  He traveled from RoEllen to DHS for school, sometimes on foot.  He came from nothing and ended up as president of his senior class plus president of the Jere Cooper Chapter of FFA.  His jacket was donated to the PDC and hangs proudly with other parts of that history.  His ag teacher Sam Reed secured him a scholarship to UT Martin where he got a degree in agriculture.  His studies were put on hold for some time with the USAF in the Azore Islands and he married Mama on a leave from there then finished his education.

He lived the farmer's dream.  Not only did he work for the USDA as a plant protection specialist, he managed the farm where I still live.  It was common to see him coming in for Christmas breakfast after pulling calves in the snow.  I adored him but he was a busy man so it was from a distance.  He didn't quite know what to do with a girl but Mama did so there ya' go.  My two brothers have become quite the farmers themselves, the youngest later in life.  As an adult, I turned into the farmer's daughter inheriting his love for all things nature and the seasons.

He was a well liked man and very active in many activities including the Dyer County Fair, Rotary Club and much more.  He was able to retire at 55 thanks to his years of service with the US government and he spent those years volunteering any way he could.  He drove kids to Mission Camp at Ewell Farms for one.  Tutored kids in the city schools.  Was a redcoat at the hospital forever.  He taught me the true value of stewardship both of the land and humanity.  He and Mom supported me in whatever I did, even when I was ummm.....unruly.  I was able to get scholarships and work study for three years of college but the last one at UT Memphis came straight out of their pockets.  

His last years were rough.  As dementia took over his mind he became more and more combative and demanding.  Eventually he was no longer to maintain the farm and Bubba took his place, still doing a fantastic job fulfilling his legacy.   Daddy wasn't much of a drinker but I remember him coming to a party at my house one time and sharing a beer with me.  He tried!  He helped me out financially over the years as I became a wife and mother to Lauren.  I'm sure I told him thank you at some point, but I'll say it again.  Thanks Daddy for all you did to bring me back home where I belong.  He would have adored Reaves like he did Lauren.  Neither he nor Mama were around for her birth.  

Thanks Billie G.  You gave me not only a loving home but integrity and faith ^j^ 

going rogue

For the first time in my life I am voting according to my conscience in the local races.  They are non-partisan and I know all the candidates and what they stand for.  Ya' know...truth, justice and the American way.  I got to the Farmer's market way late and there was nothing but crafts and high dollar meat.  That ain't in my budget.  I put 20 bucks in the Escape to get close to full and went on my merry way to meet Patsye at our friends' pool.  I can only take about an hour in the full sun so I left her there still sunning. She and LPT had a date for TopGun.

After I got home my buddy Patrick came by and we bonded on the deck with three dogs and two cats.  His two were on leashes and got all crossed up, if you know what I mean.  They're little bitty and hawk bait.  Thank you sweet baby jeebus that my cats haven't been swooped up!

It's about time to water the crops out here so I'll let y'all go.  Be faithful and true and always remember who you are ^j^

walk around the hole

Co-dependency is basically a circular relationship where one person needs another person who in turn needs to be needed.   It has been a thorn in my side my entire life and it is a learned behavior.  I was the poster child for most of my life and struggled with it until three years of therapy in my 30's.  I will spare you the details, but I was desperate to make peace with myself.  

I think many folks are "that way" and don't acknowledge it.  Control is a huge issue as is unexpressed grief and anger.  It takes someone who really knows which button to push and is dedicated to making you stronger.  I was first assigned to Lucretia who was a mother earth type and eight months pregnant.  She did the intake and turned me over to Beverly.  For three years we worked together on my issues through the EAP program of my employer.  And in the end?  I grew stronger and wiser and more able to handle the hurdles that were yet to come.  

Later on I saw Rodney , also through EAP, for help with a different issue.  And I will always remember him saying "Well, aren't you a good little enabler."   Life is what you make of it and we all have choices.  If you choose to act out on the unlawful things, you will be arrested.  I almost had a wreck this morning when some asshat in a truck pulled right out of the junk yard in front of me.  I wish they would go away somewhere.  It's the first thing that travelers see when go down 51N.  Plus there's a lot of shit in the road.  It sits right next to a pond that is occasionally fished though privately owned.  Across the road there is Mr. Smith's automotive service which has saved me more than once.  And a chop shop or two.  All this splendor is on the road to the Dyersburg Municipal Golf Course.  The junk yard is in the city and the golf course in the county.  That's how close I live to Dyersburg if it matters.

Happy weekend to all y'all and your mama'n'them ^j^

a taste of hell

I am fortunate today because in spite of the heat, I'm chilling up in here.  I've been worried about my friends who have no air and live in a trailer but they are cool in a motel room.  You do what you gotta' do if you have the money.  They are working on getting some window units and counting on their buddy to help. This weekend looks like prime time to do anything because it will be *only* 90 with lower humidity.  Seems a small cool front will be coming through, but no rain.  

Us girls went out to eat today and it was good!  Thanks for the lunch money friend.  We got to linger a bit and visit.  The food was good and no mice in sight.  Next time I'll get a salad and clog up my ostomy.  I finished Ozark today and it ended just like I knew it would.  Poor Ruth.

Y'all stay cool and keep the faith ^j^

pack the pantry

I have learned, over time, to buy the things that I KNOW I will use in bulk like butter, cream cheese, mayo, etc.  This keeps me from having to go to the 'gentral so much.  I'll do a once or twice a week pickup order from Kroger and (hopefully) get what I really want.  I don't eat meat much because of the processing.  Gonna' check out the prices at Sunflower Health on the grain fed stuff.  

There are trucks hauling ass down the road getting their ready on for wheat 2022.  It will take about a two weeks to get that done and beans planted.  Thank you sweet baby Jesus for a no corn year.  I am watering daily and hoping for the best in my little gardens.  That's about all you can do.

I've been watching snippets of the hearings and Bill Barr is about to piss me off.  If you knew the shit then, why didn't you just do something.  This has been going on wayyyy too long with all of us little people struggling to keep up with inflation.  Either do it or move on to something that will help us out.  I do not think that President Biden is at fault here.  Sure, he ain't the smartest tool in the shed but....he inherited a hot mess that began with COVID and moved onto a side show when he won.  Meanwhile, we're wandering in the desert.

It's easy to blame Putin because, seriously, that's when it all went to hell in a handbasket.  That murderous SOB will stop at nothing to show us up.  We have plenty of oil without him. I admire Ukraine for their efforts at fighting the KGB.  That's one tough war for all involved.  

I reckon I need to take myself off the prayer list at church even though I still need them.   I saw another church member at the grocery store and we discussed about how we're both fine but still there.  The highlight of my day was talking with a Methodist minister and his son at the beauty shop.  You could tell we were both Wesleyan by our conversation but he told that 57 congregations in our annual conference are breaking off with votes to take place soon.  This is all about the book of discipline and what it says about LGBTQ ministers and marriage in the church.   

Paws2Care is an organization near and dear to my heart because they rescue and re-home fur babies.  They are overwhelmed with the mission which is a non-profit and operated strictly by volunteers.  There are so many ways to help other than actually doing transports or working with the animals.  Please consider donating your time and or money to them.  They seriously need it!

As Kelly would say "Have a great day and if it's not, change it!"

 

too hot to eat

I'm normally not a big eater anyway, but the heat just makes me not want anything much.  I remember growing up when Mama cooked what we called "red face suppers" where all the produce from Daddy's garden was fried with a big slab of cornbread along with it. Needless to say, that warmed up this little cabin quite a bit.  When we were kids there was a big box fan in the upstairs window that kept the breeze going even though it was hot wind.  We survived, of course.  The older I get, the less tolerant I am to extremes in weather like we have in West Tennessee.  This was only day two of about 14 in the heat alert level.  When I saw this thing setting records in the southwest, I knew it was headed for us.

I went to the gentral today to retrieve my keys and they were nowhere to be found.  Thank goodness I still had Alexis' number in my phone so I called her and they were found in the manager's office along with hers which SHE forgot.  I gave her a stunning review on the corporate website and I sincerely hope that will be looked at, though I doubt it.  

I went to my old/new again dentist's office and there were still folks there that I know, but not many.  My current insurance offers double the benefits that I had before so I'm looking at getting some partials.  They worked with me on the insurance to carefully schedule when and what can be done.  They will first take an impression of the lower left side tomorrow and we'll go from there.  I have no molars on top or bottom on that side.  The lower right is good for now but the upper right is root tips that will have to be removed.  Not much there to work with and that partial will come next year.  Maybe by the time I die I'll have a full set of choppers that will be cremated with the rest of me.  Such is life.   And then there's the Prolia to consider.  I've had four injections so it's probably time for another bone scan.  

So, enough about me.  I am absolutely loving these hearings.  All the players are spilling the beans on the orange one and his denial of our electoral process.  You lost dude.  Get over your narcissist self.  You make Nixon look like a saint.  I am also watching our local elections closely and interacting with the candidates.  Our governor will have some stiff competition I do believe.  If only we could get rid of MarshaMarshaMarsha. Honestly it's not even about party affiliation anymore.  You have to watch what people do when they are in office and I have done that.  Hey...I live here.  I cannot vote on anything in city elections because I'm a county girl but I ain't at all happy with that situation either.  

All of this takes me back to the days when our little county hospital was sold.  There was solid backing from employees and physicians for one buyer who wanted us to be a part of a feeder along Highway 51.  So did the highest bidder, but their priorities changed when they partnered with UT to become a transplant center.  All us little people that they bought at 10M over market value got thrown under the bus.  Our elected county officials did that.  Google it.  Maurice Elliott. Gary Shorb.  When MHS was done with us they sold the entire West TN seven to CHS which was supposedly a chain that specialized in rural healthcare, but in fact was focused on money makers like an unsafe cath lab.  Girl, the things I saw.  

I'm waiting for the sun to drop a bit lower until I go out to water because it is brutal and I don't do heat well.  Y'all stay cool and keep the faith ^j^

alexsis saves the day

I went to the shady gentral today because it's closer than four points.  As I locked my car, I dropped the keys in my purse and made my way in for said purchases.  Some generic flonase and pasta salad plus a few other things like breakfast muffins.  When I got the car the keys were nowhere to be found in my purse and I discovered that I had stolen two items which were under the purse in my cart.  I went back in and paid for that and left my name and number on the lost keys.  Lo and behold she called me three hours later and said they were found hanging on a broom.  Seriously, I did not do that but some kind soul picked up off the floor and put where employees could find it. I'll pick 'em up in the morning. All is well that ends well.  

My money right now is going to gas and electricity to keep cool during this two week hot spell.  My new unit is struggling to keep up with a current inside temp of 77.  Opening and shutting the door a thousand times doesn't help but Reaves wanted to play outside in the water hose.  That was a real cool down!

I took a day off from church today and slept until 1030. Jesus and God understand I feel sure.  I've poured the vinegar and dish soap on the bermuda so we shall see if that hack works.  I also picked my first green 'maters for Patrick.  I'm assuming he will fry 'em up old school style.

Stay cool and remember who you are ^j^

a two shower day

It warmed up quite a bit and I worked in the yard after lunch with friends.  My current dilemma is killing the bermuda but I need a gallon of vinegar so that's on the 'gentral list. There is NO way I can ever pull all that stuff up until it's dead as a doornail.  This is in the bed where the 'maters live out there in the full sun.  Not much else until I transplant the squash in a pot when the weeds are gone.  I have two patches of pumpkin out there where I threw some baby ones out last fall.  And they're blooming!

I'm going swimming early tomorrow and playing hooky from church.  My body needs it and if the water is warm, it's time to float and soak.  I don't care if the sun is out or not.  I used to plan my life around when I could get some sun at the pool and that ended up with me having pre-cancerous lesions known at AKs.  Currently I'm treating them with the help of my derm friends.  It's taken two weeks for those nitrous sores to peel off.  

Global warming is real and it is probably too late to change that.  The industrial age has done a shit done of damage in the form of emissions.  As for me, I won't emit much because it costs too damn much.  Where is sugardaddy when I need him????

Y'all be blessed ^j^

talking points

I stopped by on the way home and spent some quality time with folks I haven't seen in forever.  It was a fundraiser for the Dyer County Democratic party and of course all the candidates were there from every party and their mama'n'them.  It reminded what a slacker I've been politically but I learned a lot from it.  Met a FB friend and his wife involved in deep conversation and enjoying the atmosphere.  I walked through all kinds of kids playing basketball and just wandering around for fun.  That is what late spring is all about.  Next week will be premature summer.  Gawd!  I have noticed the past few years that June and early July are brutal but August is tolerable, as Daddy would say.  I hope that pattern continues.  September is always hot as hades and that's my birthday month.   A Virgo, through and through.  So are my girls, but on the cusp of Libra.  

Y'all have a great weekend whatever you're doing.  As for me, I'll be pulling bermuda grass tomorrow before it takes over everything I've planted.  Lorna told me to put it in a bag and burn those little rhizomes.  I can do that ^j^

gilead

I don't know about y'all but I'm not hanging onto Hulu for the rest of the Handmaid's tale.  Maybe it will be a movie one day and we can all go eat popcorn and see the resistance hung on the wall .  Our grocery shelves look eerily like the ones they shopped.  The cheapest gas I saw today was 4.47.  This is absurd!  Just because I'm nosy I learned that 50% of our oil is bought from Canada.  Very little comes from OPEC countries or Russia.  So why is it so effing high?  Don't blame the Democrats or I will kick your ass.

It's a Ponzi scheme, sort of.  We will keep paying for the fuel to get things done.  Work. Visiting family.  The important stuff.  I really believe that the investors are raking us over the goals. It has very little to do with Russia at an 8% import rate.  Somebody is making a killing off of this and it's wrong.  Good for the environment but hard on us little people.

I have a date on Friday at a fish fry with friends who think like me.  I probably won't eat a bite but it's a good way to get together and brainstorm.  If I can catch some hush puppies right out of the fryer, I'm happy with that.  No slaw or white beans.  Maybe a piece of fish. Thanks Larry and George!  I think I'll make a dessert.

Y'all be blessed ^j^

like the rain

It was hot as hell today until the first storm moved through, which lasted about 30 minutes.  There's more rain on the way but that's okay.  My plants need a good soaking or two.  I found a tiny little four-o-clock peeking out from under the clematis so I must have harvested some seeds last year and poked 'em in the ground.  I love surprises like that.

I had a visit with some nurses through my healthcare insurance today.  The nurse was in person at my table and the NP was on his phone.  It took over an hour but we clarified all the things that they have gathered from my medical records.  They even scanned in my advance directive.  I was impressed.  These programs are patient focused on, in my case, renal insufficiency and they save the insurance company money but also help me to get my stuff all in one place.  There will be a yearly like this one, and a nurse visit in August to follow up.  If only more of healthcare was based on prevention rather than treatment, what a wonderful world it would be.  Connectivity also helps because providers can share information with your permission.  This sort of thing has been a dream of mine since I started with the paper system 45 years ago at Parkview.  They both agreed that I have a good team of doctors and am a pretty compliant patient.  It was probably their easiest gig of the day.  It helps a lot when the patient is a former medical professional.  Not bragging, just saying.  Oddly enough they didn't know about the ostomy.  

I haven't had a leak in two weeks *knock on wood* and I think I've successfully treated the ulcerated bits with silver nitrate sticks.  Thank you doctor friends! I'm also treating some pre-cancerous lesions of the skin with a cream following the nitrous episode.  Hey...you do what you gotta' do.

I am very disturbed on a lot of levels, particularly about guns.  I tried to put myself in the shoes of those Uvalde kids and staff but it's hard to do when you know that there's such a strong gun presence in our society today.  I read about a woman who was charged with manslaughter because there was a Glock within easy reach of a 2 year old and he killed his dad.  They were all in the same room and the five year old said it was an accident.  No shit.  Put your damn guns UP people. This one was in a bag in the laundry room about three feet above the ground.  

I stirred up some of the second amendment extremists with my comment on a post about taking away their rights.  It went on forever and, of course, the trolls came out with a hearty AMEN.  I see right now who needs to be "not a friend."  I don't need that kind of shit on my feed.  

I saw Matthew from the White House today with the converse high tops of one of the Uvalde kids. At nine years old, she aspired to be a marine biologist.  She already had a plan just like I did when I wanted to be an astronaut at that age.  Her blood is on the hands of a lot of people which is sad.  When I was a kid all we had to do was stop drop and roll if we were on fire.  Now there is active shooter protocols for most facilities.  A surviving teacher testified that he did what he was taught by getting the kids under the tables.  He lost all 11 of them and was injured himself.  

This will not go away without action by our citizens politically.  I live in a really red state and it's hard sometimes to deal with that as a liberal.  The way I see it, it's all about balance which is not happening in the House or Senate because of you know who.  We can only hope and pray.  I would think that somebody could take Putin out in a heartbeat if it were a priority but it's not.  We lend aid, we recruit for NATO but until there is unity for peace and an end to war mongering, life will be hell.  Grab all the happiness you can when you can ^j^

walkin' the yard

Mayberry's crew came and did my yard today and it's so nice to gaze out and walk around without fear of snakes!  Today was the annual cutting of the dead buttercups and surprise lilies.  I walked out toward the main yard box and the squash looks good plus a couple of tomato plants.  In the raised bed I have a baby pepper.  My gardening strategy has become one focusing on perennials.  Sure I've got to have my annuals for color but those that come back never disappoint.  It's so much fun to pick out what's what when they're coming up and remember from whence they came.  Just about all of the perennials I have are gifts from other people.

I watched CBS news today because Kelly was pre-empted by tennis.  Like I care.  I caught Navarro's press and was aghast that this man is so out of touch.  That's scary stuff.  Still referring to Trump as the President.  It looks pretty clear to me that the DOJ is hard at work and this won't go away.  At least I hope not.

It looks like a good weekend to swim and it may just be me and Lauren, which is nice.  Reaves is fun but being the dolphin gets tiring for Mama and Gaga.  She has this cool little floatie vest thing and is getting used to the fact that she won't sink. 

My mother and daddy were faithful tithers until the end of their lives giving above and beyond the sacred number 10.  I tend to be one of those who pledge something for the year and put the cash in the plate or write a check.  Plus you gotta have extra cash for the communion rail on first Sunday!.  This doesn't get recorded by the office and I don't care because I don't use it as a charitable write off like many do.  My point is this:  Budgets are necessary but you never know when giving will slack off or some random person drops a hundred,    God knows.

Joy and I had a nice day sitting on the porch after meeting Carol for Mexicans.   Pearl barked incessantly at poor old Austin out there doing his thing so Joy and Pearl went to the bedroom for a little rest.  I woke her up when I left and we made up the bed again ;)  She is such a sweet soul.  

Y'all have a great weekend and leave room for the spirit to work^j^

tiny little toes

I treated myself to a foot soaking and leg rubbing at Headlines yesterday.  It was so heavenly just to have my feet rubbed by Brandi!  There were no nails to polish and it was heavenly.  When you have nail fungus it's all about rescuing what is there.  My left toes hurts because of it.  My fingernails are in the same exact shape.

All those spots that got hit by nitrous are bubbling up and dying slowly.  My stoma hurts.  BUT...I got a B on my renal report card today which is much better than the C- I had last time.  As little miracles will happen, we ran into Hazel and her bunch and all got hugs and kisses.  It dawned on me today that if that hospital reunion had happened it would be this weekend.  I knew early on there wasn't enough interest so we scrapped it.  Maybe we'll have it out here someday.

Joy and I were driving to pick magnolias over at Ms. Polly's house when we came across an obviously lost and lactating dog in the middle of Parr.  I tried to get a picture to post but people were honking so she went her on way back to wherever.  It was kinda' sad and we had a moment.

It's almost wheat cutting time here on the farm with fields of gold everywhere.  I'll take that anytime over corn!  I do so love to watch the soybeans put on their show in the fall.  There is a season for all of it.  

I'm about to shop for a bag cover because it's getting hard to keep the whole deal tucked in.  Maybe seersucker for summer.  Y'all be blessed ^j^

animal house

Believe it or not, all three critters slept inside last night and nobody pooped.  Sophie slept with me until I put her out for wanting to play at 3AM.  Cali took over the couch and Oscar just lays down any old where as long as it's beside me.  

We had a small line of thunderstorms today which freshened things up a bit.  It's only June and I'm tired of dragging hoses.  I think most of my transplanted flowers will make it and there is a stargazer clump that I planted last year.  It will probably bloom in a few weeks.  The scent of that is like a French whorehouse.  I plan to go pick a magnolia bloom at Ms. Polly's tomorrow.  Her exact words to me were "you know they only last for a day...."  But for one day the smell of the air is sweet.  I told Ms. Joy about how my Mama planned a party and was going to use those orange day lilies as decoration.  She was mortified when they all shut down at sunset.

Let's all give a high five with the president of Ukraine.  It is his country and his people who are fighting for their lives.  This period will go down as Russia's most evil intervention militarily.  No regard for civilians and intentional bombing of hospitals?  War crimes.  To think that these people are fleeing violence holding onto each other chills my soul.  

My biggest decision this evening is what to do with a whole bunch of chicken that's already thawed out.  There will be some pounding, I'm sure.  That's good therapy, ya' know.  My old blog friend Karen passed away recently and another couple of blog buddies passed on her obituary.  Back in the day of blogrolls we visited each other daily and always commented.  There are sooooo many of them that I have never met but know all about.  That is the magic of being a blogger.

I had a dream the other night about a deceased classmate that I dearly loved from about the age of 14.  I don't remember the circumstances but when he left he kissed me on the cheek and said "I'll see you when it's time."  It was surreal. Our mothers were best friends in high school and she later told me that Ms Anne was always so kind like Mom was.  They played bridge together over the years and I worked with her husband at the hospital.  That was when physicians came to see their patients on daily rounds.  There were a bunch of 'em!  That primary care group is now operated by WTH and has one GP who could drop dead at any minute.  I adore the staff there because I know all of them.  Because I'm old and go to the doctor a lot!

Hang on.  It's humpday^j^