tis the season

It is about t   his time of the year that I am grateful to be a procrastinating fool and all the Christmas stuff is on the steps to the attic.  No UP there mind you, but it's pretty hard to move that board.  At the old house I could stash the stuff on the attic steps until it was not safely navigated.  Always a treat to go through the year before.  

There is chicken boiling waiting for the dumplings to be made which probably won't be tonight.  Tomorrow is a school day, ya know.  I will tear the chicken and save the broth for Helen Hine's home made dumplings.  Or buy a bag of Mrs. Bs.  Who the hell cares?  It's dumplings!  With chicken!  My friend Kay who is an expert at planning all things has her Thanksgiving dressing done.  I feel so inadequate ;)  Fear not...we will have Mama's Staff's dressing if it's the last thing I do.  I talked to another classmate today who is super smart and we caught up on the past 50 years talking about careers, parents and kids.  

I know a lot of folks who are suffering right now in Florida.  That damn Ian was a monster.....a century hurricane.  First time it has hit that area so hard since 1921.  The Sanibel bridge is gone stranding a lot of folks on that island.  Sanibel was always on my bucket list.  Maybe I'll live to see another bridge.  For those of you who deny climate change just remember.  Al warned us and so did all the scientists.  

Life as we know it has changed a lot during my time on earth.  We went from black and white TV to stream on demand.  All over the moon and stars with rocket science.  A whole lot of wars that were not necessary, beginning with Vietnam when I was a teenager.  Meanwhile we have neglected the infrastructure of our own country and let an idiot lead us into complete chaos.  I don't think anybody ever breached the Capitol building until recently.  Maybe it happened in history but not in my life time.  

I am a dem and always will be.  I believe in the FDR stuff like equal rights and a decent way of living for those who try.  I do believe that Biden is doing his best in these hard times but he's old y'all.  We need someone younger than he or Trump.   Somebody who is not war weary and waiting to die.  That somebody could change the course of history.   Think about that.  Pray about it instead of being blindly partisan.  I was raised by a GOP family and state.  Watergate changed all of that for me personally.  

Y'all keep it in the middle of the road.  And don't dare pass me on the shoulder again ^j^

happy day

I'm not sure but I think Hallmark and FB have been making up son/daughter/dog/cat days just to keep us engaged.  How dare any of us miss the occasion to show off our peeps!  There are winter clothes laying everywhere in piles, clean and (almost) dry.  There was a bad leak under the kitchen sink.  Like, the whole pipe was disconnected.   He said it was probably this old house settling a bit.   We surveyed the roof leak and he's got just the thing to fix that so the wintry blowing rain won't drip on me.  Life is good.  This guy bought the original Curry Funeral Home and is restoring it plus working side jobs.  Get it while you're young I say.  I can't wait to see the results.  

The book I'm reading is about a boring mom with no lurid past trying to get published while raising a family.  Her agent suggested she "dig into her inner child" and pull out some drama and abuse to get published.  And she laughed, and I did too.  Nobody much wants to hear about someone's everyday life but short stories are my genre of choice which is why I blog.  I suppose I could conjure up a few tales about the one time I got caught sneaking out with an older boy.  Of course my parents noticed that I was missing and Daddy was all driving around looking for me.  I will never forget the look on his face when he walked in to tell mom he couldn't find me.  And there I was sitting on the couch.  And he cried.  I was smart enough not to do that ever again.  

And so it goes.  We have but one life to live and mine is in the golden years period.  We have a 50th DHS reunion coming up next year and already the money is looking good.  Many thanks to generous classmates and also our trusty treasurer.  Y'alls money is in good hands and I can't wait.  Saw my buddy Joel today and got an overdue hug that we both needed plus I got to see his mom.  AND he slipped me some class reunion  money.  We have a family history that could be a best seller.

Gotta' go take a fake Lomotil.  Peace and love ^j^

never have i ever

I've been in a lot of near wreck situations in my long life but dang....today took the cake.  I turned from Highway 78 onto 51N in the right lane.  I had gone almost to DHS when some idiot passed me on the shoulder of the road.  On the right.  Whoever the hell it was honked to let me know they were on a mission.  Emergency?  I think not.  I mean this big old SUV came out of nowhere.  Uh, sick kid?  Kid in trouble?  Not my problem.  Stay in the lanes y'all.  It was one time in my life when I was wishing for a cop to witness.  

Seeing Conner and his dad at the mall the other day reminded me of how I've known him all his life.  His Mamacita got in bad trouble during labor and there was a blood bath that ended up with her getting two units of the precious life saving stuff.  Meanwhile, Conner had some trauma that resulted in him being a special needs kid.  I taught Anna and Steve how to give him IM growth hormones when he was just an infant.  He is indeed special!  He mainstreamed and graduated from Dyersburg High School.  Several times he was playing movie making and Anna brought him out to the old house and the spooky basement and attic to film on his pad.  Lots of special effects thanks to Anna. He roamed my entire house with his buddy and I think I was in the movie acting scared and all.  UCMTSU.

I sent out an emergency prayer request late last night to a friend who was already asleep.  I got rather into my head if you know what I mean.  We chatted this morning and he said "sure thing" God has you.  And I know that of course.  Sometimes we just have rough patches and need a faith boost ^j^

paying it forward

I've heard lots of stories about people paying for the folks behind them at the drive through but it never happened to me.  Until today.  It was unusually NOT busy at McDonald's as I placed my order and waited to pay.  Imagine my surprise when the window gal told me the man in front had paid for mine!  He was still waiting to pull out of the parking lot and I gave him a big wave and got a wave in return.  I love it when that happens.  It restores my faith in people and shows me that there are a lot of good ones.  

I saw an old friend at church yesterday who has been laying low during the pandemic because he has a lot of health issues.  I was so excited to see him and get a hug that I said quite loudly "Hey buddy!"  I kind of forgot that I was in the hush hush of the sanctuary where people are chatting quietly waiting for the service to begin.  I'm sure they heard me all the way in the back pews.  

Just as I figured, the seriously cute shirt was gone when I went back.  All they had in any of the styles or colors was XS.  Meh.  That will teach me to pass something up that I really love, which doesn't happen often.   My friend gave me some birthday money and I promised her I would spend it on myself.  There are other stores and other shirts.  Going out to look is the hard part.  I do  not enjoy browsing or digging through racks.  Lord, how I miss JC Penney.   My biggest problem is now wearing things with a loose high waist to keep pressure off of my stoma.  Seatbelts do the same thing.  I have good and bad days with it but then I still have my wits about me enough to handle it.  I wonder how it will be as I get older.

Our weather is to die for perfect but I worry about all those flood and hurricane folks.  It's so commonplace now that the systems in place can't keep up with the demand.  Hint: global warming.  I especially pray for those in the path of Ian which has already destroyed Puerto Rico ( again ) and is headed for the mainland of Florida.  I started a new book today that Patsye gave me and I can relate so much that I laugh at every story.  It is a collection of funny stuff which is what I should probably aim for rather than "a book."   I got plenty of good short stories in me.  

Happy Monday to you and yours.  Open yourself up to all that free grace ^j^

fine then

Once upon a time when I was struggling with all sorts of problems this guy came to teach our SS class...I think his name was Jack.  He was all about addiction and recovery and bragging on himself to tell everybody else how to do it.  That was when I first discovered that I was an addict myself.  I wanted approval and permission and everything else.  I learned in church today what happens to those who don't take of the least of these.  It sounded pretty fiery down there in hell.  I seriously believe that I am living my best life right here and now in communion with other believers.  When I die...meh.  Somebody will preach and friends will hold each other and remember all our good times together.  Maybe a little music down there at the Carter family cemetery.  FINE means fearful, insecure, neurotic, egotistical.

You can always count on the Middle City rednecks to fire up their guns at sunset and freak Oscar out but what do you do?  It's legal in the county.  Meanwhile, there have been several shootings in the city that I became aware of.  This is Dyersburg, people.  WTF?  

My list for this week includes the drug store, blood draw and going back to get that seriously cute flannel shirt.  Not in any particular order, of course.  Oh yeah, and the bank.  Let's all pray somebody doesn't sideswipe us.

Peace and love kids ^j^

it is what it is

I'll tell you what I need.  A good matinee with friends and something funny and awesome.  No cartoons or shoot 'em ups.  Just pure joy.  I think the last one I saw was A Star is Born and we all ended up as changed people.  I miss Larry, like a lot.  I think of his sweet self every time I look at the things he has given me.  There was a lot of love up in that friendship with his homies.  He was a master gardener and designer.  And I regret that I didn't give him a hug and a love you the last time I saw him alive.  You just never know.

I talked to one of my many married boyfriends this morning about his Mom.  Gonna' try to get by there in the morning.  I'm skipping the jumpy thing party tomorrow because Reaves wouldn't even notice me in all that chaos.  I'll see her Sunday at church and give her a late present.  I go for quality time when given the option.  I have a doggo walking deal for two Sundays in October with Nuzzie.  This girl is absolutely sweet as pie and likes to walk the backyard at Rachel's house.  Plus I get to see Mom!

This old girl is over all the petty bullshit.  My friend Adrian is a member of the Jackson council.  There is a pride event scheduled over that way and people are hating on him BAD.  I mean trolling with Christian vengeance.  Madison County is a rich and diverse city with a good mayor and great leadelrship all around.  This makes me want to get all in the fray but honestly?  

Trolls are always right.  Love you Adrian.

Speaking of which I passed a bunch of religious folk over at the pocket park yesterday holding signs and shouting.  Nicely dressed and working for the lord.  There were even kids there.  I can't imagine that the city condoned that but whatever.  Separation of church and state, ya know.  

Y'all count the blessings as they pour in.  Big Ernie loves us all ^j^

riding the wave

One of my brother's many careers has been booking bands for various events, some at his own club that is no more.  For three years now, Dr. Zarr's Amazing Funkmonsters have taken the stage at the Family Life Building out at the fairgrounds.  Always on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Crowds have been big and small but everybody always has a good time because you can't just NOT dance with these guys.  They are all in costume and rock the 80s.  The first time I saw them at Bubba's club I fell in love.  

Speaking of Thanksgiving, Kay already has her dressing made so I've at least got make a pone of cornbread before October.  She always has hers done and frozen by Halloween which is her mother's birthday.  It does my soul good to be able to remember these things.  

Y'all  keep the faith ^j^ 

the jackpot

I was at Jackson Clinic today with a friend and decided to go get a diet coke which I rarely drink.  A bottle was 1.50 and when I looked for the change slot which was VERY hard to find there was about three bucks worth of quarters down in there.  I considered that a sign of a lucky day.  I don't gamble but I figure that was my payback for all the times a vending machine has stiffed me and grabbed all of them.  Plus I got to see LP and get a hug and eat a cookie on her birthday eve.  As it turns out she works in the same suite with Carol's doctor.  Go figure.  I was lost as a goose and driving but Carol told me every turn to make and when to accelerate so it was all good.  We also picked her up some sushi from Asia Garden which I declined.  I am not a fan.

So Reaves turned five today and thinks she's all grown up sporting a pink streak in her hair.  We talked a while ago and that little voice made my heart smile.  My next adventure is to make it to SkyZone on Saturday for the party.  Not a clue where that is!  My GPS has quit talking to me which is totally confusing because I can't drive and check the map at the same time.  I am a serious multitasker unless I'm behind the wheel.  A couple of people called today and I had to ask Carol to answer and hand it over.  Not safe at all!  I'm used to talking to folks through my car if you know what I mean.  

Hope you are happy and healthy and grateful.  I know I am ^j^

holding the bag

My ostomy has literally tore me up for the past two days. Lots of pain.  I have an appointment with my PCP on Thursday morning to see if it's life threatening.  All I know is that it hurts like a mofo and leaked all over me today while I was visiting a friend.  Hey, it's happened before.  I know when it's time to run!

My friend Carol and I are going to Jackson tomorrow for a doctor appointment for her and to pick up a Barbie set for Reaves.  It has literally a hundred little pieces.  I've been watching the new Handmaid's Tale and it's getting darker by the moment.  That's the only reason I have Hulu but uh.  I need a little more happy stuff from Gilead and Canada.  

I'm tired y'all, do I hear an amen?

just like a movie

I didn't quite feel like it but I went to church today.  SS was excellent...Matthew Stafford (no relation) is smart as a whip and challenged us with questions about the history of that wrathful God who is of the old history.  A lot of "whys" and whatnot.  I put in my prayer request for different employment..It never hurts to be on the list.

Lauren and Reaves were late getting there for the service and Reaves balked on going in because she was scared.  New tabernacle, so to speak.  I was sitting with Mo and Charlie when they arrived and signaled to Chuck that I needed some cousin help to get her in.  He gracefully helped us in the door.  By that time children's church was over but thankfully Reaves was quiet and sweet through the whole thing.  She wants to come back to meet Ms Tori and play with the kids.  That's a win win.  It was like homecoming for LP with everybody welcoming her back.  

Bubba came by with meat from his freezer cleanout this afternoon which is always appreciated muchly.  Grass fed, no less.  In times of change I have found that the good Lord will guide us if we ask ^j^

in a perfect world

I often wonder what that would be like.  Maybe like The Truman Show or something.  "Good morning, good afternoon and goodnight" in the midst of all those pastel colored houses.  I believe that is my favorite movie of all time.  Ed Harris is so evil and Jim Carrey is so brave.  He imagined a better life and ended up in Fiji.  You can't beat that.

We have a fall heat wave coming up next week with temps close to 100 on the first day of autumn which is LPs birthday.  They are both coming tomorrow to get some of that Nina magic out at Headlines.  My birthday present to them!  Reaves will have a party at SkyZone  next weekend so I have to go Barbie shopping.  I sold my original once for 350 bucks.  Now that I have time to go into places I'll hit up WallyWorld for a nurse or vet one.  Maybe both.  

i doubt I'll be jumping on any trampolines but this will be the first birthday party for my grandchild that I have attended other than the ones we threw here and up on the hill.  Here's a vivid memory for 'ya.   Reaves was 3 and I ordered pizza and cupcakes.  Ellie managed to get half a pizza and the cupcakes in her amazing supernatural way.  I miss that dawg like....bad.  Oscar is hanging with me 'til death do us part.  I love the way that he is being social with folks now.  He may pee on your tires but will always greet you in the driveway.   Bless hims!

Y'all hang in there.  Life is hard and then you die ^j^

double birthdays

I was 29 when Lauren was born and my labor was about 3 days at home and 12 hours in the hospital.  My entire family and a bunch of friends were there in the waiting room eating pizza while my husband did his best to deal with a very long day with a bitchy wife.  In the end, Lauren Elizabeth Parker was delivered by forceps because I could not push for 15 more minutes.  As it turned out she was meconium stained meaning she had been in some distress.  The blood culture was fine and was drawn by one of my fellow lab peeps.  Only one brave soul from down there entered the labor room to draw my blood and she told me later she was horrified!  Lauren and my BFF Lisa share the same cake day.

Fast forward to 2017 and my extremely pregnant baby girl.  She was induced, which lasted three days and I totally didn't expect that.  Thank goodness I had some vacation time.  At the end of the third day they broke her water and still no progress.  It was late on September 21st that Elizabeth Reaves was delivered by emergency section.  The epidural didn't work so there was nine kinds of screaming going on.  A CRNA held her down on one shoulder and I had the other.  We talked to her plain and simple in the ear.  " Hang on girl.  This will soon be over."  And it was.  I was the first to see her while she got cleaned up and weighed and swaddled.  Lauren was out like a light as the CRNA promised.  She woke up in recovery and I remember distinctly seeing her in that little cubicle with Reaves on her chest.  Bonding time.  

What we didn't realize is there is no nursery at that facility so baby goes right straight to Mama and her helpers after she is able.  I will never forget all her friends who came to see the newest little life on the planet.  It was Kimberlie the magnificent that met me in the labor room when I got there.  Sittin' there in a rocker watching after her bestie until Mama arrived.  I slept on a lot of different couches during that time.  I laugh nowme and LP trying to get the car seat buckled in. Other stuff happened afterward putting her back in the hospital two more times.  D and C.  Perforated uterus from that procedure.

I would not change any of it.  I'm blessed to have a loving daughter who is raising a very strong willed and intelligent little girl who loves all things Barbie and playing like....all the time.  She especially loves it here because it's where she came from, kinda' sorta'.  We moved to this farm when Lauren was four so she could have the upbringing that I did.  Wide open spaces and room to run.  

I heard today from the teevee that it will be hot as hell on both of their birthdays.  Lerd, I thought we were done with all that.  Oh, and the pollen level is 10 out of 10.  Y'all keep the faith ^j^

oh boy!

That was my friend George's response when the shit hit the fan.  Which it often does, ya' know?  He was a golfer and an Air Force guy who married my good friend Sue many years and many kids ago.  Sue told me a story on some road trip about the cows at their house all getting into the pool with Julie up on the diving board trying to wave 'em out.  I believe it took a lot of neighbors with tractors to get those cows on dry land.  It still makes me giggle!

I haven't seen her in awhile but then I don't get out much.  I'm asking for prayer over my girls.  No details....just prayers.  And put me up in there too!  Prayers all around y'all ^j^

flipping over tables

I went to Jackson this morning to attend church with the girls at SoulQuest.  It's non-denominational and a very welcoming place.  The music was fantastic and the preaching too.  Reaves didn't want to go to children's church at first so she went into the service with us but decided later on she would rather play so one of the members took her back from whence she came.  It's amazing all the work that goes into setting up and tearing down a church of that size in a borrowed building on the Union campus.  They are going to build their own eventually.  The preacher began a series today on emotions and started with anger.  Of course he talked  about how we all get angry and what the Bible says about that but he also covered angry Jesus who entered the temple and flipped over all the tables where the money changers were doing business.  For visuals there were small tables with signs like racism, addiction and the like and he actually PITCHED those tables off the stage.  Talk about some inspiration!  I met new people and saw some old friends.  Even got a t-shirt.  I didn't agree with all of the tables that got pitched, but most of them rang true.

Before I left I stopped to get gas at Four Points and wasn't familiar with the new pumps that offer non-ethanol.  While I was trying to figure it out with no buttons to push, an elderly gentleman asked me to help him out with his card and how to use the pump, which I gladly did.  Then I had to go inside to get instructions on how for ME to use it.  OMG.  There are two hoses, duh.  No button to push.  No mid grade and high grade.  Just ethanol or non.  Live and learn.

The only news I've seen is about the royal family and while I understand about "the queen stuff" as Carol called it, I'm kind of over it.  We've got our own country teetering on disaster to deal with.  Seeing Bannon in cuffs made my birthday.  Hopefully, there will be more cuffing to come.  

Y'all be faithful and remember who you are ^j^

fall breeze

Today, for the first time, it felt almost like fall even with temps in the 80s.  I bet tomorrow morning will be a good one for a walk.   My mother loved autumn because she was all into football games and such.  I could care less.  It's just not my thing but I enjoy seeing other folks getting excited about it.  I talked with a friend today whose mother recently had surgery and I was stunned that they ended up in a Missouri hospital because that was the only only one available.  Dyersburg had no surgeon on call and Jackson and Memphis were all full.  This does not bode well for our futures, y'all.  Holiday weekends are the worst.  

When I had the ginormous surgery at Baptist East it so happened that I was there on Martin Luther King day and my surgeon had taken the weekend off.  I had not eaten in about 10 days and was supposed to go on solids but it didn't happen because he was off.  Oops.  His partner came to see me on Saturday and I was in such a stupor I forgot to ask for real food.  I mean, the order had already been changed.  My transfer to rehab was a trail of paperwork that took four days because of the holiday.  I got a bed bath every other day and ate well but had nothing for sleep.  Essentially, I went three weeks without sleep including the time in rehab.  

I don't blame the surgeon because I just fell through the cracks.  He saved my life and apologized profusely when he showed up that MLK day and I still had not eaten.  The healthcare infrastructure is broken y'all.  It has been for many years.  When I started work in the field it was mostly county owned community facilities.  Then the big fish started eating the little fish and there you go.  Capitalism at its' finest.  

My cousin has been sitting in a federal prison for many years for planning to do something that didn't happen.  Every time he comes up for parole the other side shows up to keep him in.  To compare and contrast, the guy who murdered the Memphis jogger was out with a rap sheet as long as your feet.  Released after serving an 85% sentence with "extra points" for doing chores.  Sweet baby jeebus!   

Keeping the faith here ^j^

the gathering

I've had a couple of not so great days so it was a real treat to visit with my brother and neighbor this afternoon.  Bubba bought BBQ that he cooked and we visited by his truck bed with Keith who was mowing all the family's yards.  He is the owner and manager of a large tract of farmland on the other side of Samaria Bend.   We all grew up here and have the same memories.  

I'm still having to work on my boundaries because well, co-dependency is a lifelong thing.  It is often the cause for substance abuse and what not.  We try to *fix* things by offering help where it is not needed or wanted.  I'm about to re-read Melodie Beattie for my mental health.

I left here about 1030 this morning and ran into a huge rainstorm in Southtown.  I know to drive in the left lane because on the right you hydroplane.  Same for Highway 51.  If I were still driving that old Camry, I would have had several wrecks by now.  My oil changes are current and the tires are good.  It may be dirty but hey.  I live in the country.  

The junk yard down the road is "closed for construction" until October 3rd.  I got behind a guy pulling a trailer and both the bed and trailer were packed full.  When that happens, they find a place to turn around somewhere on Samaria Bend which is usually a field road.  One is even blocked off now to keep 'em out.  Hey, it takes a village and voices to make things happen.  

Y'all be grateful and humble.  You know what they say about pride^j^

migration

I see dead armadillos every where these days.  Never saw 'em as a kid so I reckon they all headed to Tennessee from Mexico and Texas.  New Mexico and Arizona.  Y'all know how that goes!  Go where the gettin' is good.  They aren't used to the traffic though.  There's a carcass everywhere I go.

I hope your holiday is merry and bright.  I'll be spending it with my besties.  This humidity is horrendous.  I'm ready for some 30% and 70ish degrees.  

Worship was good today.  My girls have found a couple of church homes in Jackson and I love that.  I'll be visiting SoulQuest soon where you come as you are and receive a message from a reformed Baptist.  Sounds like a plan!  As long as I'm with my family I can praise God.  I watched two more young families launch their kids into the acolyte/cross bearer positions.  There was a lot of chatter and hugging and picture taking.  It made my heart swell.  Our church has always been noted as a rich congregation.  Everybody dresses nice and drives big cars.  Same for First Baptist.  When Lauren was growing up we had no youth program for teenagers so she went to the FBC teenage group.  It was flourishing at that time because the youth minister was awesome.  

More and more often I see myself as being more humble and embracing those who are too.  Pride is everybody's downfall as in original sin.  But you know what?  There's a light at the end of the tunnel and that is a brown man who died a tortuous death bleeding on a cross.  And it was all so we could be forgiven ^j^

labor day

Well kids, it's time to pack away the seersucker and white after Monday according to southern tradition.  Actually that doesn't bother me much because I wear neutrals for fancy stuff and lounge wear during the day.  It's all about comfort.  I have found that styles and waistbands have to be adjusted with a bag on board.  Looser is better when you don't know what to expect.

The girls came over today and I played with Reaves while LP went grocery shopping. I can't even tell you what all games we played.  Before Lauren went to the store we whipped up a cake without measuring anything and baked it for an hour.   Needless to say it was horrible but Oscar and the babies in the trees liked it.  They live out there , ya' know.  Kind of like Odette.

Big thunder just now.  Oscar is clinging so it's time for meds.  Looks like a looooong night.  

the water bill

I got spoiled to having a well at the old house and never had to pay for it.  When I moved I had to take up service with the utility district closest to me and it ran about 34 bucks a month.  I got the bill for 6/30 through 7/25 today and it was double!  That is when I was furiously trying to keep my plants alive during the first drought.  Note to self:  Do not do that next year.  

The world keeps on turning and it's already September which we all know is not a huge break in the heat when you live in the south.  This summer has kicked my ass in more ways than one.  I don't ever remember that much heat for an extended period of time since forever.  Plus the no rain thing.  Showers make the humidity rise.  I'm just waiting for a day when the morning is crisp.  Back in the day it was like that during fair week.  I'm signed up to work a booth one day so I'm praying for a miracle.

Speaking of which...y'all keep the faith ^j^