it was a dark and stormy night

I went to bed about ten last night with this big honking thunderstorm headed our way.  I caught about an hour of rest before all hell broke loose.  There was lots of thunder, lightning and wind.  As previously mentioned, Oscar is scared to death of that stuff so he came to the bed and got all up in my face shaking and breathing hard on me.  I rolled over but then the dripping started from the roof leak and I had to move to the couch.  He joined me there and crawled up and down my body trying to settle down.  At one point I wrapped him in a quilt like a burrito ( so he wouldn't bite me ) and tried to soothe him with hugs and shhhhh.  It didn't work and I have scratches to prove it.  I took him in for better or worse so I try to work with him when times get hard.

I had a surprise to me visit from a nurse this morning and we went over all my recent labs and whatnot.  The last ones were encouraging so I'm going with that and a daily normal BP as a good sign.  My pulse is usually high when I'm up and doing a hundred things but I think that walking will help with that.  Baby steps y'all.  It's a bit cooler so maybe I can do that in the morning.  

The community that I go to every day has a new pavilion and now a LIBRARY thanks to a generous benefactor who loves it there.  When I left his house today he was wiring up a fish feeder for the kids and Dad who have been throwing a line at the lake.  We used to work together for a hundred years and were each other's kinda' best friends when it came to blood and hauling ass to get it to surgery.  At one time we were even neighbors on the lane!  

I have to dig up the surprise lily bulbs before I can't find them.  I promised a couple of friends that I would.  Y'all keep in between the ditches.  And keep the faith ^j^

grief

I became an EK Ross fan when I was in therapy during the 80s.  The stages of grief pretty much parallel the twelve steps.   The thing is that it's not just this or that and it's over. You go back to one of the phases more than one time, if you're working a good program.  I have grieved for losses as they come including my job, my parents, my marriage and even a move from up on the hill.  More than once I have found myself at Step 1....my life is out of control.  It's a process y'all.....not an end result.  Getting to the acceptance stage is pretty peaceful yet there are still emotional triggers that can put you back where you were.  We all want to control things and have them happen in an orderly fashion with no surprises.  Not happening.

I am a progressive Methodist and lifelong member of FUMC.  Just like other churches we are looking at being not united over the issue of LGBTQ issues within the global conference.  As I understand things, the next big meeting is in 2023 yet many many churches are leaving their conferences over a decision that has not even been made yet.  This makes me so very sad.  I was raised in that church by a whole bunch of folks who went before me.  My great grandmother was the first generation of the UMC in my family.  I'm not big on ancestry or anything but I do know that I have a stone in her honor from the 150th celebration of that congregation.  Ethel Inez Agee Hamilton.  I knew her well, canaries and all.  I can still see the inside of that house and the creepy basement on Pate street.  When I spent the night her late husband's Oscar's eyes watched me all night and it scared me to death!

We had thunderstorms last night and today so Oscar got meds after he crawled up in my face freaking out.  He shakes like a maniac and won't let me hold him.  I would if he would let me but, nah.  He's special and was abused.  I take that into account.  Y'all be blessed ^j^

hospitality

I have had my great grandmother's table for years since Mama decided she did not have room for it.  It is a rectangle, but we always refer to it as "the round table" because it's where a whole lot of intelligent conversations have taken place.  The chairs were all broken over time and replaced with four from Mama's big ass table which was indeed round and seated all of us.  Unless the weather is nice enough to be outside, it is where company gravitates to discuss life, create with play dough  and occasionally eat.  I usually eat standing up because it's just me.  It serves as my catch all and I usually have to clear it off for those occasions when somebody is here.

The concept of hospitality was the subject of not only SS but also in our worship service.  My little cousin was serving for the first time as cross bearer and I sat behind he and an acolyte while his parents gave them cues on when to do what.  It's not my usual seat but I was surrounded by family and friends still up front where I can be mesmerized by Mary Beth's message.  Which was about hospitality and how some churches fail to thrive because they do not make people feel welcome.  I don't know everybody by name there but if I see one that is a new face, my inner evangelist (which has been fostered by Delores Jones and Nancy West) kicks in.  They can spot a new face from a mile away.  Thanks to that team, all newbies are welcomed with a gift bag and "y'all come back."   It's what Jesus would do, I believe.  

We strive as a church to make everyone feel welcome.  We hug and greet and don't make a mad dash for the door.  Usually by the time I leave the parking lot is nearly empty.  And that's what it's all about.  Bringing others close to the community of God's people.  I hope that y'all have a marvelous week ahead and blessed Sunday afternoon.  I'll be on my favorite spot which is on the deck under the giant pecan tree that Daddy planted years ago.  

Keep the faith ^j^

let's play!

Reaves is at that magical age where the imagination will run wild when we play.  Today at the pool we played shark, mermaid and ballerina.  She was shocked and amazed that she is now tall enough to stand up in the shallow end.  That absolutely made her day!  You should have seen me as a water ballerina.  Not too shabby for an old girl.  

I shop at a couple of stores owned by people from India. I am friends with both of them and have known Mike and his wife for some time now and have even face timed with their daughter.  Today I met the other man's young family and it was the sweetest thing.  The baby looked about six months old and grabbed for my glasses while he hung onto Mama.  

It has been a very good day for me.  How about y'all ^j^

dog tales

I have never been dogless in my life.  The first one I remember was a beagle named Nosey.  We were out by road and she was just laying there and I was in the ditch.  I watched in horror as a drunk driver ran over my beloved pet.  I'm sure Daddy took care of the mess and we had a funeral.  I stayed mad at that man until the day he died.  In high school I had an Irish setter named Brandy and she was to die for gorgeous.  Heartworms got her plus several others.  

When Oscar first came to us his back had been mutilated and cut.  I noticed that he showed up every day and checked out the wounds.  I called the humane society which went to investigate and they were told " It's my cousin's dog"  by crazy neighbor.  I adopted him from the Humane Society right then and there.  I'm pretty sure he has heartworms too because he coughs a lot.  This boy needs a grooming like BAD!  Pierce told me if I could just get him to the door of the clinic they would do the rest.  I just want to see his eyes!  Those terrier bangs hide his old soul.

TGIF y'all.  I never in all my working years imagined having every weekend off ^j^  

divide and conquer

The division that has our country coming apart at the seams keeps getting worse by the day.  Most of it is fueled by partisan politics and religious zealots who want to be in control of everything.  Plus, that blind loyalty to Trump.  I won't belabor that point because I have said how I feel a million times.  What bothers me the most is that so called Christians are not following the WWJD rule.  It's their way or the highway.  I don't have anything against anyone's spiritual beliefs at all, but I am one who became a Christian slowly over the span of a lifetime.  I'm not perfect, nor do I strive to be.  But I study and learn about the Bible each and every day.  Most of my spirituality has been gently nudged by people who have reached out to me in faith and modeled the behavior of Jesus.  I know about the Old Testament but for me, personally, the new part is what's important.  Love thy neighbor.  Take care of the least of these.  

I have watched over the past 48 hours on FB as people bash each other over the student loan repayment deal.  The biggest argument is "I paid mine back, so should you."  And also there's "I never went to college why should I pay for this with my tax dollars?"  I feel your pain folks because I have always resented having my tax dollars used to fund wars that are none of our business.  We cannot save the world....hell we can't even take care of our own country.  Infrastructure is crumbling.  Homelessness is massive.  Hunger is rampant.  Climate change is real.  It's all a hot mess.  

Keep the faith ^j^

judge not

I am a liberal leaning conservative but there are things about the GOP that I used to admire.  Looking at what has happened  to the party lately, I am sad.  I like fiscal conservatism when it comes to things like fighting other people's wars and the like.  Some dumbass politician who looks OLD enough to be drawing SS is saying now that it is being "squandered" by the recipients.  Oh boy....them's fighting words.  The majority of us paid into that program and Medicare our entire careers.  I retired earlier that the usual age because I could see I could not stand the job any longer, physically and mentally.  I have worked off and on since then choosing jobs wisely and mostly on my terms.  There is a long term disability payment for the shoulders that will end in March of 23.  Oddly enough, the benefit was free to me and I would have never know if it weren't for the HR lady.  That plus a small pension from MHS has allowed me to do things that others cannot if SS is their only income.  I'm hearing that there will be a great big COLA for 2023 and I'm curious how much the cost of Medicare will go up.  It did last year with the 6% COLA.  I pay around 175 now, straight out of the check.  

And then there are the ones who think that it's awful about the student debt forgiveness.  I had only a small one thanks to scholarships and work study.  But that was in the 70s before Freddie and Fannie got together with big banks and made it easy.  If there had been something like this available to my daughter shortly after she graduated it would have left here with a reasonable amount to repay.  However, the interest fees on 25K have grown to way over 40 because it took her years to find a job that paid over 12 bucks an hour , with a BS in Social Work.  She got stuck in the hamster of for-profit mental health and burned out after a year.  There was a regular caseload of clients nearby that she worked with plus they added on small groups for at risk kids.  

Speaking of healthcare, yeah..you know I'll always go there.  I did four years to get a BS in Medical Technology and started working at 4.92 per hour in 1977.  Most of the raises that I got were early in my career before corporate got involved.  I was a hard worker and pretty damn smart.  Blood bank was my thing but we all had to do it all.  Even on call.  Stop me if you've heard this one.

One night a very messy surgeon decided to operate on someone with a triple abdominal aneurysm which was wayyyyy beyond our scope.  The whole thing went to hell in a handbasket when my pathologist refused to back me up on my decision of product and instead went with what the surgeon wanted.  He literally changed the man's blood type and limited options to O neg only.  That shit is rare as hen's teeth.  All in all I think we went through about 55 units that day and night before he was transferred to Methodist.  They called me the next day wanting to know WTH happened.  I will never forget that.  There were other pathologists who have not served me well, but for the most part I respected them and they respected my knowledge.  My favorite one was Sonia Gad who was killed way too early in her career in a car crash with her son.  That was one sad funeral.

I'm rambling here which is usually where my prolific thoughts come from.  My devotional this morning was from the book of Philippians which has always been my favorite. It's just all about peace and love,  right Becca?  One of these days when the book comes together, y'all will figure out who everybody is.  Or not!

Live loudly ^j^

sorry

I rarely check my messages because well, I don't know the numbers and don't have time for all that.  I did clean out the box yesterday and found one from Lauren's phone on Saturday.  After the big pool or no pool blowout I went to Sonic and it rang right as I pulled in the drive.  I was already here so, I didn't answer.  We ate and they played and finally it was go swimming time only I was out of the mood.  Lauren had explained to Reaves that she shouldn't be surprised if I didn't go with them.  "Gaga!  I'm sowwy sowwy SO  sawwy!"  That's one I won't delete.  I look forward to seeing her again with boundaries in place.  

Me and Oscar walked again today.  Our turnaround point is the first field road to the right but I'm looking to stretch it the end of the road.  That's a mile there and back.  Right now all I see is soybeans with a few stray critter turds on the side of the road.  I have to keep Oscar moving so he doesn't eat that nasty stuff.  He loves the ditches which are dry now.  Everything is.

Praying for rain here ^j^

honk if you love jesus

...or if you're simply an impatient asshole.  Twice in 2 days I have been honked at because I didn't hit the gas immediately when the light turned green.  Today's honker passed me on Mall Blvd and was weaving all over the road.  I'm not prone to road rage but this pisses me off.  Yes, jerk.  I see that the light has changed and I don't need a reminder from the rear.  It took everything I had to not flip him a bird.  

The DHS class of 1973 has lost yet another classmate named Jon Anderson.  He left Dyersburg shortly after graduation but returned sometime later with The Rebel Yell Band to perform a local gig.  I was impressed to say the least.  When he sang Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" I about fell out.  Rest in peace buddy.  

Oscar and I walked this morning which he always loves. He gets along well for an old dude and greets me every afternoon when I pull in the drive.  He is now parked dutifully by my feet as I type.  I went back to retrieve the crate that was supposed to be for the little boys' forever dog.  Debbie had told them that he would be back to visit and sure enough, he showed up last night.  Of course his "mom" knew right where to find him.  How sad. If you leave a dog loose, they will go where they were treated nicely.

I started a new book today that is a sequel to "The Supremes at Earl's All You Can Eat" and it promises to be as good as the first one.  The surprise lilies are all dead so I'll be digging up bulbs to share with friends.  That is how I garden.

Y'all be faithful and full of grace ^j^

funky

That is the one word describing my mood yesterday and today.  Not really sad or mad just, meh.  My friend Carol fed me a delicious lunch today and after that I drove through the cemetery to get Mama's flower vase.  I think the last time I left them it was peonies.  I took the time to actually study the engraving and the military plaque on the back.  There's a little flag holder next to Daddy's side and of course they always fly away in a thunderstorm.  He is currently flagless.

I should have gone to church today but it just wasn't in me.  I did the Upper Room devotional and watched online so I got my dose of  spirituality but it still ain't the same as being in front of that pulpit up close and personal.  These are my people and I can't imagine life without their support and faith.  I'm not a leader at this point, but a student in what good stewards do.  

My solution to yesterday's mood was to clean up the office corner and make things more easily accessible.  The floor slants down over there and the desk legs were rocking!   It also changed my view from closed blinds to clean front windows.  Now I can see everybody and their brother go by.  Don't mess with an old country girl in a mood, just saying.  I have motion lights on both sides too.  I think I'll get a ring cam perhaps.  And maybe a pistol, just in case.  Actually it's much safer down here because there's more traffic and houses.  When I lived on the lane it was pretty scary when my neighbors weren't there.  The good ones, not the crazy ones.

Carol gave me two books plus the one I just ordered so I'm set on reading.  I used to read all the time until I went through self help stuff like it was crack.  I was in therapy, by the way.   Once Beverly asked me what kind of books I read and she was shocked that I didn't read much fiction.  All that has changed.

My daddy told me it would happen that the older you get the faster time goes.  Weeks fly by now and I have to look at my phone to know the date.  Thank goodness for Mary Engelbreit calendars.  Peace out ^j^

a very sad dog tale

My friends and I have been talking about a dog that showed up in her neighborhood about a month ago.  No collar or tags.  Skinny and hungry.  Loves kids.  Debbie borrowed my crate to give him a place to start in her garage. The kids across the street were already in love with him and played every afternoon after school.  This has been on FB for several weeks.   The parents of the little boys agreed to adopt her and she moved across the street.  About that time the "owner" showed up to reclaim their dog.  New mama asked for photo ID  before giving her up, which is wise.  It matched so she let the dog go with kids crying in the background.  This witch dog neglecter even called the police.  There will be a dog in the future of those little boys, just not this one.  According to the neighbors he was neglected all the time....let out to run and not fed.  It makes my heart sad.  

We had big plans to go swimming today but that got shot all to hell because well, I don't do five year old tantrums very well. We talked about all of our birthdays that are coming up and she wants a nurse Barbie.   I just want peace on earth..lol.  Always the optimist here.  I'm about to check the mail for my new Supremes book and can't wait to dig into it.  Y'all be happy and healthy ^j^ 

choose your words wisely

I posted today about the almost complete complex downtown called Damascus that will soon be open to recovering male addicts in the Dyersburg area.  Transitions has been very successful with females but there was not a place for men.  As we all know putting the gals and girls together during rehab is a big no no except for meetings.  We have several mixed meetings here in the 'burg and I admire the ones that are keeping it alive.  Before them there was the occasional AlAnon group where everybody whined about why they won't stop.  I detest whining.  Part of my healing experience over the years has been to realize when enough is enough and move on.  If it's a toxic relationship, stay away from it.  It's easier to not go there than to dig your way out with a spoon.

Anywho...I commented on the post that I had toured the facility when it was all studs.  After I saw that I was like uh...whoa.  Wrong words.  That became framework.  I have been around so much carpentry with Johnny and Billy and Bubba that I just see studs when there's no wall.  My attic is like that!

It has heated up since we lolled on the deck yesterday.  Joy loved all my animals and was in heaven giving them all turns at petting.  I looked over once and she was fast asleep with her mouth open.  Now, that is tranquility.

I can see my birthday in the horizon when I turn 67.  I had to do the math today to figure my age.  It's on a Friday so surely somebody will make me a cake.  LOL.  Heck, I'll just go eat some SmallCakes!  My friend Janie Bard used to make birthday cakes for everybody at work.  The first time I got one I was stunned.  Mama always helped me celebrate there too.  Before she got down, we always had a birthday party for every one of us with our favorite foods.  And there was always a ketchup bottle in the picture ;)

Under his eye ^j^

it's a small small world

I have lived around these parts all of my life except for two grueling years in Memphis.  It never ceases to amaze me how meeting a new friend leads to the history of us.  I had breakfast today with a friend who grew up around here but moved away.  After her husband died she came back home and I met her at church when she ended up at FUMC.  During the course of many conversations it became apparent that she had a familial history with my friend Lorna. We just put it all together today!

Me and Joy took a ride to the pharmacy today in between rain showers.  I watch the lake to see if the rain is really there because those trees are so drippy you can't tell sometimes.  We may not go anywhere but the 'gentral, but we get out every day, weather permitting.  I got big fat sloppy kisses from Pearl AND Huck today which boosted my serotonin level big time.

I am learning to be organized, kinda' sorta'.  Using a day planner helps when you have a lot of appointments and meetings to keep up with.  I keep it open to the current week so I can flip over to the next month or two and pencil things in.  My mind ain't what it used to be.

Y'all have a lovely evening.  I plan to do the same ^j^

mia familia

I have been an "orphan" for seven years now.  I have but one aunt who is alive and we went to visit her today.  We sat on her front porch on a secluded lane and waved at the neighbors as they drove by.  She is fortunate to have good folks surrounding her who give her rides and keep the boat floating.  I hope that I have that kind of help at her age.  I have two brothers who are as different as night and day.  I haven't seen the youngest in years because he lives 13 hours away in the Blue Ridge valley.  My parents went to visit there once when he was near Afton because they were all Earl Hamner fans and he took them to the places around Schuyler to soak up all things The Waltons.  I would love to go there.  It's on my bucket list.  

Otha' brother and I have sort of bonded now that he is retired and has time to visit.  He usually arrives with his dog Sadie and usually something he has cooked.  Yesterday he got deviled eggs and I got smoked chicken.  There was a day when he got  me to "cater" a meal for him and the buddies he hung out with.  They all raved about my cooking.  I was in my forties then so there was plenty of energy to make things happen, even with a full time job.  Now, not so much.

Cooking for one person is kind of a non-event.  Enjoying food with friends is more my cup of tea.   I still haven't perfected the "just enough for one" style so when I do it , I do it big and share.  Since we lost mama and daddy, our traditions have changed but I try to include a few like making Mama Staff's butter cookies with Lauren and Reaves.  And we have a Thanksgiving and Christmas meal with Bubba, though not always on the day of.  You have learn to adapt to change.  As Kaffy said, "things sure do change."  Yes Auntie, they do.  Bubba and I have had Christmas breakfast at Huddle House on more than one occasion since there is a child involved now.  We go with the flow.

I have noticed a decline in daily readership but it's usually because people decide to binge one day and catch up.  There are so many things that I want to do before I die and use my God given talents.  Compassion for the least of these is one of those things.  I don't always put it into action but that's because I just meet people where they are and do small acts of kindness.  Hold a door open. Tell the clerk at the chicken store happy birthday.  Rescue a wounded animal.  You know just basically do the next right thing.  Be blessed ^j^

redemption

We are all sinners.  That being said, the Gospels tell us the story of how Jesus died on the cross to save us from all the wicked things we do all day everyday.  Everybody knows the altar call routine in some churches where you profess and move along.  In my opinion it's a process and if you do what you knew was a sin,  you just don't do it again.  Or maybe you do.  But still, we are forgiven.  Isn't that a gift from God!

My girls came and went within 20 minutes because nobody was happy today.  It's kind of strange how the universe works sometimes.  I was sittin' on the front porch and noticed two deer prancing through the beans across the road. I heard some good news today about a friend of a friend who has been in federal prison for five years and has gotten a new hearing.  It's a start.

Y'all be faithful and blessed.  Love ya, mean it ^j^

free day

Y'all.....I slept until 10AM today and it was glorious.  My phone charger died so I got a shorter one that will help me out.  I spent most of the day on the deck after the sun moved behind Daddy's giant pecan tree.  The breeze is better.  

My neighbor called me today fresh out of rehab for broken bones and COVID positive.  She said "You may not want to come down here but tell me how to do the belly shot."I think it worked out alright.  Our little community looks after each other.  I reckon Keith is the mayor now that Mozella is gone,  He sure does keep all their properties mowed!

I'll be headed to tabernacle in the morning after a nekkid shower.  Only an ostomate knows what a sweet feeling that is.  I try to conserve supplies but sometimes it's twice a day.  I think I have healed my ulcer by crusting and changing less often.  That shit is rough on your skin.

I'm not sure what's on the TV tonight but I tend to favor Netflix.  Who the heck knows what I'll end up with.  Y'all be blessed ^j^

mad and scared

This past week has been historic and scary all at once.  The FBI has been targeted by hate mongers, and also Secret Service.  All of this is because of the people who drank the Trump koolaid because the government is a business and he is a businessman.  Things look pretty bad for him but I'm not the sort to say "I told ya' so."  We are suffering as a country because of this man's delusion that the election was stolen from him.  I voted for Biden but I can tell you for damn sure if he had lost I wouldn't be rioting and going with conspiracy theories.  He won.  People were tired of the same old same old corruption and big loud mouth.  I am seeing us moving closer and closer to Gilead.  Google it.

The girls came this afternoon and there's a new tablet in their hands, already greasy.  Reaves told me she would not be my best friend forever because I wouldn't play doctor again.  OMG.  I left that life long ago.  You can only take so much of life saving under the guise of corporate healthcare when there is a shortage of everybody.  God bless the ones who find the time and compassion to be with folks in distress.  You have no idea what they see.

The yard already needs another mow and I'm behind on the money.  Mayberry gets a check this month and also Butch.   Gotta' take care of those who take care of you.  I visited my old house today where we lived for 34 years.  There is major improvement going on and it's sort of weird to see it be transformed.  I could never afford it, but man.  I just love seeing the transformation of these old houses.  Century farm stuff with a great big barn an silos in the forefront.  History!

Blessed be the fruit ^j^

books in crates

A Madison county school teacher came to the local Democratic party meeting in Dyersburg this afternoon to share her thoughts on the latest Tennessee legislative move requiring all teachers to list the books that they have in their classrooms and publish that so that parents can review them for "age appropriateness."  Thanks GOP.  You have added another layer of stress to already overworked teachers.  No wonder people don't want to go into that vocation.  Our public school systems are in dire straits what with vouchers going out to charter/private schools and home schooling parents.  One of our local representatives wrote a scathing opinion piece in the local newspaper about how wonderful DJT is.  I didn't vote for him, by the way.  And he home schools all his children.  That's a chunk of change from a program with very little oversight.  

Babygirl started pre-K today and looked happy in all the pictures.  I haven't talked to her Mama to see how it went so I'm assuming no news is good news.  I'm primed for tonight's super moon so here we go to the deck to watch in a bit.  Y'all hang in there.  Tomorrow is Friday, ya know ^j^ 

optimism with caution

It's been a horribly very bad week for DJT and his crew.  All I have heard from he and a shit ton of GOP senators is that it's simply not fair.  Hmm. "This has never happened before!" they wail.  I'll agree with that y'all.  But it's because we have never had a president that did so much damage with a brainwashed and violent crowd at his beck and call.  *short rant*

The big news around here is that a suspect has been indicted in the death of Karen Swift who was murdered about 10 years ago.  I'll spare you the details because you can google it yourself.  For some reason, this feels like a hollow victory for the price of a life.  Why did it take so long?  This is a small town and everybody knows everybody else's business.  It was a big deal for us to have two or three unsolved murders in the area over a short time.  

Let's all hold hands and wish Reaves a good first day of pre-K tomorrow.  Her whole family will be there to see her off to an abbreviated day.  I know she's got this!  Smart kid, for sure. I ordered a parenting book today and can't wait to dig into it.  I never had the time with Lauren.  

The weather for next week looks great after Sunday with a real dip in the humidity.  That's the killer here in the south.  Today was pay bills day and I'm not in a GREAT position but holding my own.  That's a great improvement over the past.  I am learning to live on what I have and appreciate little miracles when they come along ^j^

justice

I am fascinated by the court system though I couldn't name all of our judges if you held a gun to my head.  Having never been selected for a jury due to one thing or another I have also watched many trials.  Big ones.  In one case I was disqualified because I worked at the hospital and knew all of the practitioners being sued.  Judge Moore said "you are dismissed" and I scurried out the door.  When my car got stolen I attended as a witness on a multi-charge deal with some idiot who ransacked the area on a BICYCLE.  He actually left the bike where my car was parked.  Once I realized it was gone, I asked the IT/Seeecurity guy to look at the tapes and sure enough, there he went right after I got there in the early AM.  The police were called and loaded up the bicycle as "evidence."  

The DPD called about seven that night and told me they had located the vehicle abandoned in the mall and I had to come get it.  Really?  I had no way to get there.  So it went to impound.  It cost me way over a hundred to get it out only to find that there was yet another bicycle and dude's clothes in the back seat.  I drove to DPD  and asked for somebody official to come get the additional "evidence" out of my car.  They were like "what?"

This idiot showed up in his little orange jumpsuit and shackles.  Most of the people approaching the judge were humble but not him.  He postured and stretched in front of Dean Dedmon and the judge proceeded to rip him a new one.  Last I heard he was still in jail and flunked out of work release.  There are some people that you just can't fix.

We have about a lot of percent chance of heavy rain tonight so bring it on.  I'm in and cozy.  I caught a mouse last night in the bathroom and you would have thought I won the MegaMillions. I have those little boogers and their turds.  

Be blessed and faithful.  Please try to see all sides of a situation because if you haven't walked in somebody's shoes,  you can't judge ^j^

well well......

Apparently actions have consequences, in more than one way.  The fact that Marawhatever got raided is the best news I've heard this year.  Dude...they have you by the balls.  Give it up please.  Save us some taxpayer money maybe.

Every action that I take reflects on who I am as a child of God.  You will Never see me drop a door in somebody's face and the only time it ever happened to me was at the hospital by an arrogant doctor.  Drove a fancy car and dressed nice.  

Reaves is ready for school we think.  All parents will be on board to deliver her to Denmark elementary.  I hope they know what they are gettin' into!  Bless her teacher and the whole class ^j^  Praying for new friends and some stability.  

I talked to my high school boyfriend today and it was good to catch up.  I got his email for the reunion and had a short chat about Nashville and music.  That has always been his first love.

We had a little thunder boomer a bit ago but it has passed.  I had figured that Mayberry would be out of the picture at the end of August but it looks like two more mows, at least.  Hey, I'm made of money and compassion and culinary skills with a dash of hippie freakiness.  Peace out kids ^j^

room at the table

Because I am a Methodist and this is first Sunday, we were honored with communion today served by lay folks.  I have never done that before because it's always couples and I'm a single.  I think that's about to be changed up because that's how we roll.  Our SS teacher today talked about how much trouble went into Jesus planning a last Passover meal with his closest.  I never knew about the plan to get them there but now I do.  It was quite strategic!  My mother was deeply involved with the homebound communion team and I served in that capacity for a while.  It was strange and wonderful how every single one of those folks remembered the Lord's prayer.  It is a labor of love for those that do it..

My buddy Thomas the acolyte was swaying with the music on one side while his sister sat reverently on the other side, his fellow acolyte.  I did not know these kids from Adam until I began attending regularly again.  That was about four or five years ago when Mary Beth arrived on the scene.  

I'm sitting here about to shed the church clothes and slap on some shorts and a t-shirt.  Already got the flip flops on.  I get shade on the deck beginning about 1 or 2 from the giant pecan tree.  Reaves and I had a tea party out there yesterday with the Santa dishes.  We played and played until I was played out and told her to "amuse yourself" with that pile of toys over there.  And you know what?  She did!  This was after swimming at Chucky and Vicki's while LP was gone shopping for school supplies.  

And so we start another week, another season soon.  I can't say that I'm not ready for cooler weather but I feel blessed that it ain't a hundred.  Y'all be good and remember who you are ^j^

voter apathy

Well, it's over kids.  Until November, it is.  Some of my candidates won and some lost.  That's the way the ball rolls.  I am most proud for Adrian Montague of Jackson and Dr. Jason Martin, the democratic nominee for governor.  It will be an uphill battle in a dark red state but at least somebody is trying.

I was made aware today of an item in the state legislature that would require non -partisan political races require that the filers declare a party.  You can't be "independent" anymore. We're talking school board all the way up to sheriff  and beyond.  This is an abomination because state election commission rules give the party in power the majority of local election commission  board members.  Yep.  It's true.  In this very red state that means that a D doesn't have a chance in hell of winning anything.  Hey....it is what it is but I don't like it.  I reckon I could move to another state.  

The basics of the Democratic party are the very things that keep us alive today, we of the boomer generation.  Social Security.  Voting rights. Good old FDR stuff.  There are millions of non-profits doing the right thing for the least of these.  It's what Jesus would do.  We have been taxed all of our lives by the federal government on income and future health benefits.  And yet they still manage to treat us like red headed step children. I have worked my ass off all of  my life just to find out that the golden years ain't that golden sometimes.  I am fortunate to have the income that I have but a large chunk of that will be gone as of March '23.  That's when the penny hoarding will begin!

My part time gig gives me the resources to spend money on myself and my girls.  We are going school shopping at WalMart tomorrow for supplies and I can't wait.  It's the little things that make me happy.

Soldier on kids.  We made it to Friday ^j^ 

a good book is a good friend

You know that feeling you get when you get to the end and you don't want it to end?  That's what I've been reading and I finished it today just in time to pass it onto Patsye.  Patricia Twilla recommended "The Supremes at Earl's All You Can Eat" and I loved every minute of it.  

I'm hoping for some thunderstorms tonight to lull me to sleep.  It sprinkled all day but no deluge.  As for me, I am anxiously awaiting election results!  

Not much to tell here.  Y'all keep the faith and remember who you are.  And if you didn't vote, don't bitch about the outcome ^j^

retrograde

Evidently the universe has aligned to screw with everybody's business.  No details, but holy moly.  Life is complicated sometimes.  It's still hot and I have to water again.  Not happy but at least it's not a hundred degrees. Mayberry took care of the yard today after a month without rain and it looks nice. Still gotta' water those flowers though!

We had our first planning meeting for the DHS Class of 73 reunion yesterday and fifteen people showed up.  To say we were rowdy is an understatement.  Not like UGLY rowdy but everybody talking at the same time.  We had two class members on speaker and they couldn't hear a thing because of the chatter.  We made some decisions which is a start.  It was like herding cats!  It's a work in progress which is why we started early.

My cousin has got me hooked on Virgin River and I doubt that I'll get over it when it ends.  Nah..I'll just find another binge on Netflix.  Happy new school to all y'all and your kids.  I'm glad not to be doing that right now.  Blessings ~