common cause

I have known Tim since he and his family moved here from South Carolina with "the company."  My husband and friends worked there and he was a mighty good boss.  We had girls the same age who played together and did bunking parties.  LP and AP got in trouble one night for catching a ride there with somebody else after a football game.  They didn't get to sleep over, needless to say.  APs mom was the hero in that deal because she went to get 'em and they stayed together at her house.  Not punishment, just alternative plans.  I was a patron at his business and always felt safe there. Occasionally somebody who was going bar to bar would drag me to the Hideaway which totally scared me to death.  It's right by the river and creepy as heck.  

I really got to know this couple better through Paws2Care. After retirement they have both been steady and reliable volunteers for this organization.  Tim did transports to Illinois like several others do, once a week from Dyer County Animal Clinic.  I turned over my precious brown girl to these folks and she was re-homed to a family with three kids.  The organization has helped me financially to have two cats spayed.  And I've done my best to raise money and help the cause.  If anybody knows my friend they know that money in his memory to that organization would be the perfect way to honor him.

I literally worked on a hot dog assembly line this afternoon for FUMCs trunk or treat.  I had to leave and tend to Poopie but as I drove through downtown I was amazed at the activity there.  There were even people directing traffic!  I inched my way home just in time to witness a magnificent sunset.  I feel sure God's got our backs ^j^

the toy corner

Over on the fireplace is a pile of books and art supplies that we count on to keep Reaves occupied while she's here.  On the other side of my great grandmother's rocking chair is a bunch of dolly stuff.  Bed and highchair....the whole nine yards!  Thank you Bella and Cathy B for all those donations.  If Elizabeth is in a good mood, we play outside.  She runs so fast that it's hard for us to catch up so we just wait until she runs out of steam.  The day she told me she didn't like me and ran away it was as far as the utility pole for ten minutes.  I watched from the porch as she isolated herself from me and my authority.  And, I could relate. 

It is windy and dusty here with leaves and soybean dust blowing around.  The crop near me is almost done but then there are the ones across the road yet to be cut.  Already the landscape looks different, soft and brown and ready for winter.   It's very quiet out here then with no farm traffic.  I know every season of this place and they are all special in their own way.  Once upon a time when I still lived in town I tried to drive out here in 8 inches of snow and got stuck as a goose.   I don't remember who rescued me....probably my daddy on a tractor.  I learned my lesson on that one.  

There was one year that a headwater came our way and the Forked Deer rose a gazillion feet in 30 minutes effectively stopping all traffic except for tall vehicles.  Lauren was still at home and I remember vividly making a run to town and having to ride back to the house in the back of Clara's county truck.  I could actually feel the current pushing us around.  After that it only got worse and finally it was impassable even to a tractor.  It took about a week for the water to drop enough so that we could get in and out.  I'm pretty sure James Frank, the neighbor, took Daddy in a boat to the by-pass for a ride to his doctor's appointment. UCMTSU  My old trusty Camry stayed at Mr. Smith's shop for the duration.  

Then there was the time that Joey came to my door and told me Lauren was passed out in a ditch down the lane.  She was trying to avoid a rabbit or something and slid on in.  We got her out, and the car.  Sometime after that she hit a doe where you top the hill.  I will never forget that buck standing over her body for days.  

I've done the science in my head and have figured out that the lower you are on the property, the worse the dust is.  Kind of like being in a bowl.  When you're up higher, it floats down.   I'm not sure if that's true but it sure seems that way.  

Y'all carry on with grace and dignity.  And always remember from whence you came ^j^

not good enough

I've kinda' sorta' been dealing with that all my life and should have grown out of it by now.  It's a hard habit to break when you'e always relied on other people's approval.  It's funny because when I was a teenager I was everybody's friend and didn't toe the party line.  As a hippie, I believed in peace and love and no exclusion.  I have been in a couple of work situations where nothing I did was good enough even though I went above and beyond.  Those were nightmare waves of compliance and mental torture. I am better than that and worth more.  I think it began with my parents and all their mixed bag of history.  Socialite marries sharecropper's son.  Three kids are born on the same farm which I still call home.  Could be time to move on.  Because I don't pay attention, like Daddy and Bubba said.

I paid attention when I was actively engaged in my education at three different colleges and I earned a degree that served me well for 41 years.  Bachelor of science in Medical Technology.  You should urge your kids to follow that path and learn all about healthcare. Those memories of DSCC, Memphis State and UTCHS are vivid.  I made a lot of friends during that time but studied my ass off. My last hurrah with the pre-internet age was learning shorthand from Ann Sain.  I believe that I am meant to be a teacher.  I'll figure out what that entails as I go.  At the age of 67 I have a lot of wisdom but can still follow a lesson plan.  Maybe I'll teach pre-K!  I'll bet there are a lot of sweet hugs involved.

As I understand it, anyone with a Bachelor's degree can become a teacher within a two year time frame.  My dear friend Big John tried to hire me into the Lauderdale County system many years ago and it was quite simple.  Thirty hours of continuing ed with a BS.  Hmm.  At a time when most teachers are retiring, I'm just now seeing what I was meant to be.

We have a great cloud of dust going on out here which is Soybeans 2022.  It's always dusty but this year, especially so.  I'm waiting to wash my car until it's over.  The steps to the attic are all cleared out so that we can navigate them with Lauren's boxes.  That's a start.

What are ya'll gonna' be for Halloween?  So I can recognize you when you come looking for candy.  I'll be at the church wrapping hot dogs for a couple of hours.  I channel Reaves sometimes through other kids and it brings me joy.  When I hear of another shooting, I immediately think of she and Lauren.  And I wonder how you go on when that kind of terror strikes.  Actually. it's simply grace ^j^

lucky me

As I was pulling out from paradise this afternoon I felt a flat about 25 feet from the driveway so I stopped and checked it out.  It was the same tire that has been 7 or 8 pounds low and has been checked.  I guess today was the day for that plug to give out.  It was almost dark and all the garages were closed so a service call by them was out of the question.  I don't have a clue how to change a tire so I called Bubba for advice.  He told me to call Lowery's and I got saved by a guy named Marky Mark who totally knew his shit and advised me that all my lug nuts were stripped.  How nice.  My roadside assistance never responded so Progressive will be presented with that bill.  I feel really vulnerable at times like that but I didn't cry and grew some patience.  I did notice that of all the cars that passed me only ONE stopped to see if I needed help.  Thanks to those people in the mini-van searching for a lost dog.  

I was thinking about going to my SS pizza party but obviously that didn't happen.  As I pulled into my driveway I saw soybean dust flying in the distance and they are still at it trying to beat Saturday's rain.  Sunday is clean out the storage unit day for Lauren and it's all coming to my attic.  I'm pretty sure I have to provide beer for the moving crew as a tip.  All I can say is thank goodness SS comes early in November.  I heard we are getting a raise and that the cost of Medicare will actually go down in 2023.  If you do the math on what Medicare costs plus what a supplement is priced at, you can easily get into about 400 bucks a month for health insurance.  On a fixed income.  Nobody can ever retire and not worry about that.  

I'm about to finish up Mary Trump's book and it has been a real eye opener about how that family history unfolded.  I never knew where the money came from, or the sense of entitlement.  Now I do.

Y'all get out there and vote like your life depends on it.  Because seriously?  It does ^j^

political banter

Bubba came by to bring me some grass fed beef this afternoon and we got to talking politics when the topic of inflation came up.  His theory, and that of many others, is that we are "not better off" than two years ago.  My response to that is that the government inherited a huge mess INCLUDING a major pandemic.  I respect that Biden is not playing footsie with the Saudi nations to lower gas prices.  I guess if the GOP sweeps in November,  it will surely be down to a dolla'.  The markets are volatile and it's all based on speculation.  The housing boom is over as quickly as it came because the feds raised the interest rate.  I've never quite understood how that works.  Hey...I wanted to be a psychology major!  At DSCC those classes taught me more about life and people than any of the standards.  I also took speech which has served me well over my career.  I do not freeze in front of a crowd, so to speak.  Sometimes I cry a little, but I never lose faith.

It's hump day and I'm looking forward to another movie.  I was mesmerized by Father Stu yesterday.  There's something about watching a story unfold rather than surfing around FB sharing dinner pics.  No seriously, y'all.  I love your food and your pets and your families.  That's what makes life worth living, making memories.  I think that the purpose of all of my blog has been to spread the spirit of peace, forgiveness and love.  That's sounds mighty braggy, looking back.  Jesus doesn't like that at all.

One of the chapters of my family history involves my parents' involvement with Lifeline in Jackson.  Our former pastor Willis G did a great sermon about the need for volunteers and thus, it was born.  No more "from Memphis" on the bus.  I love it when that happens.  It made my work life so much easier, ya know?  Keep on keeping on ^j^

in the desert

I am a 4th generation Methodist growing up at FUMC.  My parents, grandmother and great grandmother raised me that way in their home church and I took it as mine.  There were a couple of decades that I didn't attend, beginning when I graduated from high school and extending to when Lauren was two.  That was when my daddy told me to "get that child in church."  Which I did.  Her Daddy did not want to go because he was raised in a faith that required you to be perfect or else not go.  I always found that strange but to each his own.  I go because I am far from perfect and seek to be better.  

Our congregation is dwindling as are many others.  A lot of it is about "the gay thing" that will not even be voted on at the global conference level for a couple of years.  Some of it is over apportionments.  It costs a lot to keep the boat floating there at FUMC and the money is pretty much gone from my parents' generation.  Often it is about style of worship.  Not flashy enough and too much liturgy.  As for me, those things give me comfort.  We have contemporary music intertwined with hymns.  Today as Mary Beth talked about how we, as a church, are in the desert.  Staff has already been reduced to cut corners.  Yet we still come up short on the budget.  As she was discussing this I looked around me at the stained glass windows and the circle of lights in the sanctuary ceiling that I used to count when I got bored.  

Our final song was Hymn of Promise which was my Daddy's favorite and that's when I lost it and began the ugly cry, with sobs.  I joined Mary Beth at the rail and held onto her for dear life.  I'm sure her pristine robe is covered with my makeup.  Actually I am already grieving the loss of she and her family someday because that's how Methodists roll.  I have brought my own girls back into the congregation and we are a family there once again.  

Nothing is forever and that church is just one of several brick and mortar buildings that has housed our community of faith over 180 years in Dyersburg.  The people are the church in this world.  The hands and feet of Christ.  If we simply do the next right thing by others, that's what Jesus intended for us as his disciples.

Beans are being hauled daily to the river which is historically low.  Barges are loaded at a lighter weight because of the difficulty in river travel.  This is pretty scary to me as I've always looked at the Mighty Mississippi as a mainstay in American life.  Over the years levees have been built and soil has eroded until the river itself has changed tremendously.  Where flooding is usually our problem, drought is now up front and center.  

All in all it's a misty kind of day for me due to a lot of life things.  But yet, I still have faith.  And I keep it close ^j^

the fifth season

Here in Tennessee we have weather that turns on a dime.  We had two nights of freeze where I had to wear a housecoat in the mornings.  Today it reached almost 80 and since the gas logs are lit, the AC is on.  Inside temp was 77.  Plus there is soybean dust so thick you can feel it in your nose and eyes.  I heard that in Finley there was a bean fire today that burned 40 acres.  The only time I remember seeing that is when the utility lines fell on the field across from Donna Webb's house.  Oh, and there was that one little incident where I burned about 50 square feet of the field next to my yard because I was doin what I was not supposed to do:  light a fire while under a burn ban.  Me and the fire departments made the front page of the paper.  I will seriously never live that down.  I also managed to catch an empty field ablaze while burning off the asparagus and my daddy thought it was hilarious.  He was a firebug too.  I remember him picking just the right day when I had been raking up 20 years worth of pine needles and lighting at just the right time.  Smoke went the other way.  Nothing spread.  He was a smart man.  

Life is busy with trying to survive and find happiness and all that.  I'm pretty content wherever I am.  I like alone time but I'm getting out more and participating in communities where people know and care about me.  I'm not going to lie..when I quit the hospital and then almost died it took me a loooong time to create a new reality.  We are constantly grieving one loss or another and that is why we need each other.  

So Trump has been called for a deposition.  It's about damn time.  It may well be a good chance for him to rally his crowd and not show.  I would not advise that for him considering how much trouble he's already in.   He could just answer the questions like a human the best way he remembers.  End of story, but not the end of his woes.  I'd say financially it's all abut to collapse what with the lawsuits, so I hope Melania and Baron are settled somewhere nice like Fiji.  He can join them later and be the president of that island.  Genius, no?  Yes!

We had another joyful lunch with friends today and I was touched with the fact that our two male companions were quite attentive to Joy by helping her navigate from car to table and back.  I'll probably visit them both tomorrow before LPT and Patsye hit the trail.   We had a long conversation about the state constitutional amendments and kind of figured out that Right to Work is number 1.  As I was googling I found abortion as a number 2 but that was in another state..  "In any and all circumstances it is against state law."  The feds have said what they said through SCOTUS so now it is up to us as individual states to decide what is fair.  There is no right or wrong in this except for a whole lot of unwanted babies on welfare and dead mothers with pregnancies gone wrong.   When a sperm and an egg meet there is a slim chance that a zygote will appear and begin to grow.  In the first 12 weeks, there is no heart beat.  Maybe even 14.  I remember going to Lauren's ultrasound at 16 weeks and there that baby was, big as life.  Y'all know the rest of the story.  It never entered her mind to terminate because she knew it was probably her only chance to bear a child.  I admire that.  There have been many ups and downs with it and they continue.  That is life.  

Ya'll go get some punkin' spice something and slip into your shorts for the evening.  Love ya....mean it ^j^

with a little help from my friends

Our Dyersburg buddies (minus one) met today for the first time in a LONG time and we had a great time, including two that we call our own...Ms Joy and Mark.  She had to take a nap after all that good food so I just hung out and  watched Kelly and all those fairies on the lake.  They always show up when the wind is right and the sun is shining.  

As we all know November is money raising time for churches through the stewardship pledges.  I'm pretty sure I've given what I pledged over the last year but it's all been in cash 20 at a time.  Sometimes five or ten.  My point is this.  My home church is changing day by day.  The budget for that tabernacle is astronomical and all of the old money is dead and gone.  Plus, there's the gay thing. The sheep are running toward other churches that condemn just about everybody to hellfire and damnation.  That is not my God, as I know Him.  He is loving and kind and selfless and often brutal when pissed off.  I think right now he's just crying about how ugly we all are.

I do not care about your gender or your past.  Actually I'm just trying to live one day at a time.  You know, like the old school way.  Life throws you a challenge, be proactive.  Our world depends on that kind of stuff ^j^

it's the little things

There was a pair of my big girl panties wrapped around the blades inside my washer for a week or more.  If you know, you know how frustrating that is.  I was even desperate enough one day to try and cut them off but my scissors weren't sharp enough.  It's like working a puzzle.  At last I managed to unwind them tonight so that laundry can continue and the blades don't break.  Small loads for a stack unit.  One day at a time.

Local members of the DHS Class of 73 met this afternoon to firm up our priorities for the 50th reunion.  The lovely Anna answered our questions about what her services are which is a lot at a good price.  The caterer is set plus photography and DJ.  We will meet again in January if it ain't too icy.  I realized driving home in the dark why I never go anywhere at night.  My vision is horrible when there is not enough lighting.  When I passed Sonic I settled down a bit because I can do that blindfolded.  This scares me a bit but my last eye exam was normal.  Kidneys are hanging in there and Poopie has behaved nicely for a day or two.  Life is good.

Reaves' Mommy Kim started radiation for bilateral breast cancer this week and I hope y'all will pray and be specific for her body to be healed.  She's a tough one and hasn't let it get her down at all...still working and drinking power teas every day.  Kim has a broad circle of support which is something we all need.  My  BFF Lorna is in the same boat and doing an alternative medicine regimen.  To each his own, I say.  It's your life and you have to weigh the quantity and quality of it when it comes down to it.  I am fortunate to have several advocates including my daughter and cousin to make sure I don't suffer needlessly.  

Peace and love ^j^

I'll take it

My old friend Shelly the honey badger did a quick bone density on me this morning and the results look not so bad for an old lady who has been on Prolia for two years.  Of course I'm not a radiologist but I can read between the lines, so to speak.  Glad that's over with.  My next appointment will be with Dr. Carter to discuss whether to continue that treatment or take a break.  I'm willing to take a year off with a probability of a fracture in the next ten years.  Besides, it's expensive even for an insured person.  Insurance is billed around 5K per shot and I have a 200 co-pay on that.  That's grocery money, y'all.  The pharma charges are all run through Baptist Tipton which is, believe it or not, non profit.  That does not mean much at the end of the day.  

Tennessee is still glowing bright orange after kicking Alabama's ass on Saturday.  My internet boyfriend Trae was all up in the commentary because he's a Tennessee redneck to the bone and funny as hell.  You know like, "almost famous."  

I have a freezer for the first time in my life thanks to Bubba.  He and Jon moved two of them today which is no small task.  He got rewarded with early dressing and deviled eggs, in Lisa's plate.

Y'all take it as it comes.  That's all we can do ^j^

today is a holiday

Why you ask?  Because it's game day for UT vs Alabama as is customary on the third Saturday of October.  I was out running errands this morning and everywhere I went people were wearing their orange and flying the Vols flags.  First I met Bubba up at the newly vacant house to pick through what was left and scored some nice blankets, a shovel and some frozen food which I do not have room for because my mini freezer hasn't made it out here yet.  I'll have to get rid of some of the leftovers in my refrigerator freezer for sure.  

I got some mini-pumpkins for me and the girls to paint tomorrow after church.  While I was out hunting and gathering I put up a few signs for Bubba's annual Funkmonster event at the fairgrounds.  I pick and choose for locations that have a lot of traffic.  At Tobacco Dock the clerk was thrilled with the idea of taking her mama out to dance.  Burn baby burn!  This is all they do...party band stuff.  Private and public.  Everybody LOVES them.  This show on the Saturday after Thanksgiving includes an open bar and the show.  I was the ticket taker upper last year but not again.  My supposed help was not very trusty and not around when I needed them.  This year I will use my free tickets to enjoy the show and will also help set up and tear down.  

Lauren has a storage unit in Jackson that costs 90 bucks a month and contains several pieces that belonged to Mama.  They are too big to fit in my hatchback.  It needs to be emptied to save said 90 bucks and get those things back to us.  A lot of it is just throwaway stuff but it will still take a truck and or trailer to transport.  She is asking folks in her recovery groups in Jackson to help a girl out and I'm looking for help on my end.  It's a process, ya' know.  Like Jesus said, ask and ye shall receive.  

Welp, time to tackle this old house and the mess within.  FedEx delivered my ostomy supplies a week early so there's that to organize and rotate.  Plus cleaning out the cabinets and freezer.  That should be enough to wear my old ass out.  

Go Vols!

it's been a while

Time has flown this week and I just realized that I haven't written in a few days. Our class reunion meeting was postponed and I'm scrambling  to make a decent Word document out of all the pieces of paper I've accumulated since we put this whole thing in motion.  It is exactly one year from today but we want it to be seamless and include everybody.  If you have ever been involved in planning one, you know.  Lots of work, but worth it!  There are still details to tend to but I feel like we've got a good start on it.  Fifty years is a big deal!

I just left a visitation for one of the pillars of our church and will attend her service tomorrow.  Our families have a long history not only in church but with farm life.  PW manufactured cattle rubs and we had one out here on the farm long after the cattle were gone.  Daddy sold the herd to Ms. Polly's son and bought a gator with it which brought him never ending adventures.  He would bring Mama up on the hill in it to visit with her scarf flying in the wind.  Often he would come alone when he couldn't drive a truck alone anymore.  

I finally did a pickup order at Kroger today and still managed to forget several items so I'll use my five dolla' coupon from the 'gentral to finish up.  My new microwave is fantastic and I didn't realize how "you gotta' have a microwave" until I didn't  Corporate is here so I'll be having breakfast with them early in the morning before he leaves for Michigan.  He comes about every six months with a huge list of things to do and see.  

Y'all get ready for a frost this weekend.  The rain yesterday settled the dust a bit but I'm ready for the kudzu to die and bugs be gone.  Keeping the faith here.  Hope you are as well ^j^

alternative education

In typical five year old fashion Reaves is dead set on finding a school that will teach her how to get super powers.  She is in training these days to become a super hero and is quite serious about it.  Lauren had to pretend to go online looking for a class and told her there was a waiting list.  Imagine that!  They came to church yesterday and it was her first time to sit down front with Tori and she was beaming.  All by herself, that kid did it.  She did, however, refuse to leave the picture she drew to be put on the wall but was told next week she has to leave it.  Because Jesus shares and all that.  

I am still microwave-less but that will all change on Wednesday when I go to pick up my stuff from Tisha's house at the end of the lane.  I got some seriously cute stoneware in addition to all the other loot.  I really hate to see them go even though it wasn't a long run.  They will be leaving for Nashvegas soon.

When I got home today there was a front loader parked out by the rock pile and Biscuit had already hauled one load then showed back up for number two which included the limbs.  Gotta' keep corporate happy.  Nothing ever surprises me anymore...nothing.  I watched some drama go on across the road from me one afternoon last week and I did, indeed, sit on the porch until all suspicious people left.  WITH my phone by my side.  Out here we know who's supposed to be there and who's not.  

I got my 2023 ME calendars today and they are tucked safely away for a new year.  I'm just hoping that Putin doesn't nuke us all before then.  I can now put my "woke" governor sign in the yard since the mower guys came today.  Unless it's too hard from lack of rain.  That's what happened when I tried to plant Schopke during the first drought.  There is an iffy chance of rain this week but it won't be enough.  I'm trying to keep my orange hydrangea alive by watering copiously.  That poor thang' has survived TWO droughts this growing season.  Oscar has dug out spots in every flower bed so I must seriously research how to deal with that next year..  The problem is the fresh dirt.  Gawd, they love it.  

Rosie has been sleeping with me and serves as a backup alarm because well...you know how cats are.  Meanwhile Oscar is chilling in his bed by the fireplace.  Life is good ^j^

peace out

I have always been of the flower power hippie generation.  There are vivid memories of my childhood here on the farm but a lot of that changed with Vietnam.  I was only about 13 but I vividly remember watching it on our black and white TV.  There were  maps of Asia and American draftees who later suffered from Agent Orange exposure and whatnot.  Not counting the ones who died in that jungle.  Born on the 4th of July, my ass.  I felt the same about Desert Storm and Iraq.  We are not the keepers of the world.  There is Putin to deal with, and Kim.  What is astounding to me is that we let ourselves sell out to China for cheap goods.  One dolla' only instead of Made in America.  I'm as guilty as many of you are.  Money is tight.

We are studying all things Jewish in our SS class and it's a real education for me.  There were very few of that faith here when I was growing up but my very first Homecoming date was with the one and only Steve Sembler.  His parents picked me up and everything!  I don't ever remember having a date in high school but I was out there with the Pep Club.  My Uncle Jimbo was the band director so I hung out with them a lot too.  Like a whole lot.

I just watched SNL "delayed" on YouTube sketch by sketch. I have always been a fan and it's a fact that it's a training ground for young comedians to move toward bigger things.  Many of them have died like Belushi and John Candy.  As far as I know Chevy Chase is still kicking!

They poke fun across the political aisle and always have.  Over the years Lorne has managed to humiliate just about every world leader.  I like to laugh instead of wringing my hands over the state of our world.    God's got us ^j^

mysterious ways

I rarely sit down and watch a whole movie which is sad.  Tonight I did and it was nice to be inspired by Mila Kunis and her performance in a true story as a gang rape victim.  Not her, mind you.  The one who wrote the book.  I saw both of them on Kelly yesterday and wrote the name down.  It's pretty dark but quite effective in getting people to tell their true stories and stick with them.  I treated myself to pizza and will munch on that for a couple of days.  Spinach alfredo thin crust!  Nom nom.

We ain't had rain in three damn weeks much less three damn days.  My latest neighbors are moving on up and they kindly offered me their brand new microwave at a reasonable price along with a nice Kitchen Maid blender.  And a whole lot of other stuff!  My hatch is full of Tupperware and baking dishes.  Plus a cute little E sign that lights up for Reaves.   They have only been here for nine months but I feel like I know them well.  Bubba made a purchase too which will make me the new owner of a small freezer that he has at his house.  Win win!  They have a six week old little bundle of joy named Cash who will make the move with them to the next chapter of their lives.  I even held him and got puppy kisses.

So many people have lived in that house since the years of the Ferguson Farm.  Some of the tenants that I remember most are my brother times 2,  Teko Fuchs and various others like the odd couple of anesthesiologists.  I became close friends with the last ones because they were there for a long time and we just bonded.  Especially Patrick.  This dude is my adopted son and has helped me with many a chore over the years.  I hope the next ones are nice too.

I call myself a gardener yet I have failed to water the potted pansies for three days during a drought.  That will be Reaves' job on Sunday.  Since I'm off tomorrow I think I'll cook the cornbread for Thanksgiving dressing and pour the whole thing up in my new covered dish.  

Y'all be faithful ^j^

tylenol is my friend

Oh boy...what a day.  My car went wonky yesterday what with the brake lights staying on all night.  As soon as I got up I headed for Lake Road Amaco for advice.  I had googled it first and the top two causes were low brake fluid and a stuck pedal.  Les looked at the fluid level and called Josh out of the bay to give me simple advice like "push up on the brake with your foot."  Nobody got a tip but they know I'll be back.  Probably with a big fat pizza.

I got two shots today at the pharmacy, deciding to get all that shit over at once.  I'll feel bad for a bit but then it will be over and I'll be protected from the evil viruses.  Or not.  I first noticed my renal function drop after the first two back in 2021.  After watching from my hospital bed at Baptist East this beast get leashed upon the world I have been faithful with antibody production.  Healthcare experience makes you like that.  Not too worried about the side effects because I'm too old to get autism.  I understand anti-vaxxers.  There is always a risk.  it's time for me and the PCP to have a chat about my life expectancy.  According to the stats, people with a colostomy live to be around 70 and that's pretty close to where I am.   I take ownership of Poopie and navigate the poop as it comes.  There is a regimen that I follow which includes washing with Head and Shoulders for all that zinc and then changing the whole appliance.  Seems to work okay.  I rarely take nekkid showers but would love to soak in a hot tub.  Sometimes not having one is a bummer.

Y'all be well.  Love the one you're with and keep on believing ^j^

plan ahead

I have ordered several things online this past week and they have my money but I don't have my stuff.  I understand the global crisis with shipping but um....I the AM have car problems and whatnot.  Devil, get thee away!  I figured out that one of my fobs is dead and that explains why the driver's door beeps without the key.  However, the tail lights are on which probably means a faulty latch on the hatch.  As we say in the south, "how nice."  I'll be headed to Lake Road Amaco in the morning if it starts.  Wish me luck.  That is number one on the list that includes a flu vaccine and cat food.  Said cat is currently curled behind my butt in the chair.  There are bugs flying all over up in here.  I think they are tiny moths.  

Everybody and their mama'n'them are at the beach for one last hurrah to Florida.  I've never been in the fall but that is on my bucket list.  It's quieter then but still warm enough to enjoy the ocean.  God bless the middle portion and Puerto Rico.  Ian was predicted to make landfall in the Tampa area but went south a bit and tore the hell out of that area.  Hopefully all folks have been evacuated from Sanibel and Captiva. Go ahead and blame Biden...I dare you asshat!  I noticed that the price of fuel rose thirty cents today after our POTUS asked for all the oil big wigs not to capitalize on this natural disaster.  Asshats.

I don't hear much about Putin lately except that he is losing the way big time.  Ukraine will never stop trying to become not his territory and I admire that.  Meanwhile, we have a critical election in the balance come November.  I will vote for Jason Martin for governor for reasons otherwise talked about.  Bill Lee is the poster boy for Tennessee good old boys.  He appeals to their farmer side, if you know what I mean.

I kinda sorta talked to Lauren while she was working and Reaves was screaming for attention.  She has become pretty angry lately and we can't figure out exactly why.  She's probably struggling to get through this world like all the rest of us.   Her Mommy Kim has breast cancer and Mama works all the time.  Elizabeth is sugar sweet when she's in a good mood but hell on wheels when she's not.  I love her anyways.

Be careful out there ~ Hill Street Blues 

customer service

I truly believe that going above and beyond is something that should be appreciated.  I'm not just talking about food servers or tire place guys.  The ones who stick with you through hard times are the ones to do business with.  Thus is the case with my propane company, Baker Gas and Oil in Gates.  I have been their customer for many years and even got a delivery on Christmas Eve one time in the snow.  I'm such a girl that I never check the gauge until it gets cold.  Not anymore though. I've learned the hard way over the years.  I currently have the AC on to clear out the dust from wheat planting.  It was a hazy sunset for sure!

These beans will be gone soon and the view will be one of  brown snowy fields waiting to grow for next year.  2023 will be a corn box for me until September, for sure.  Beans got dive bombed a couple of days ago and the irrigation rig is making its' last sweep.  Harvest time with a full moon on the 9th I believe?  You better believe I'll be out there looking.

My hip is better and I managed a half mile walk this morning after getting a freakin' B on my renal report card.  Considering where I was a year ago, I'll take it and be happy.  God is good.  All the time ^j^

inflationary measures

I am in the process of streamlining my finances which includes unsubscribing to all those things that are not necessary.  Like Amazon Freetime.  I've been paying for that on Reaves' tablet that has since been replaced.  $8.65 a month.  I also dropped Prime because I can't afford it, even with free shipping.  It's not like I have money laying around to order things for two day delivery.  I'll keep Hulu and Netflix because I don't have "real TV".  I have considered Hulu live and may go that route.  Screw a bunch of cable and dish.  

Today was another sweet early fall day that I enjoyed getting out into.  Joy and Pearl and I sat on the porch for quite awhile until Kelly came on and we got to see Gwen Stefani and all her makeup.  I enjoy that kind of mindless stuff on occasion.  Plus there's Kellyoke daily.  She revealed that during the summer when we're watching reruns she is out four wheeling on her ranch.  That sounds like a lot of fun.  Pearl barked like a maniac while Austin did the yard.  Just another day in paradise ^j^

god moments

I had a few today as my girls joined me at FUMC.  Tori swooped in at just the right time so that we could commune together at the Lord's table.  I can't begin to tell you what it felt like to sit shoulder to shoulder with my babygirl at our home church.  We held hands as Mary Beth prayed for wisdom.  We sang along with the choir and remembered the Apostles creed and the Lord's prayer.  It didn't hit me until I got home on the front porch and had a tear or two about how things happen when you have faith.  

Our SS teacher taught on the principles of being a Jew which he is totally not.  He was also the liturgist alongside his wife and their  kids were doing the audio visuals.  We were deep into the book of Luke for thirty minutes until communion time.  "And also with you."  Your sins are forgiven.  Elizabeth Reaves enjoyed the nursery and didn't want to leave.  She never does when she's having fun.  My Jesus likes that sort of hospitality.  

Happy fall break wherever you are.  I'm right here in the middle of the farm with corn gone and beans about to go.  We planted some pansies in pots and watered them.  Note to self:  Get more dirt.  I have one more mowing due which will effectively wipe out all the weeds and dead flowers.  I ain't buying mums because they are pretty for a week and then....poof!  Another pot to add to the pile.  

Have a great one and love the one you're with ^j^

the litter box

This was a hunt and gather and visit day.  I'm not done yet but the rest can be ordered for Kroger pickup. I watched Jimmy haul the stuff and offered to help. My right hip said hell to the no.  It has just happened this week and I think my whole has right side is out of whack.   I figure a lot of this has to do with my non-ergo behavior with a lap top.  And two bad shoulders.  What a hot mess!  Not to mention my bag named Poopie.  How appropriate, huh?

The weather is gorgeous and cool enough to open windows and air things a bit.  I usually just fling the doors open and let the flies in.  I stayed up late and got up early feeling well rested...less hip pain and whatnot. Poopie decided to act up so there was that to deal with before I went off on the day's adventures.   There have been about 10 yard sales on 78N that I passed each day.   Normally all those folks try to get with the traffic towards the Reelfoot Arts and Crafts show.  Watch out restaurants.  Here they come.  

The devil is telling me to skip church and do things like clean up the car and plant pansies.  I wasn't thinking clearly when I only bought one 25 pound bag.  I need at least two more.  Plus, I discovered that Rosie has been using my precious all cedar raised bed as her place to take a dump.  *sigh*

Let's all go out there and make somebody's day ^j^