it's on

The DHS Class of 73 had their last planning meeting today OUTSIDE thanks to the cooler weather.  It's pretty much a wrap with all arrangements made and tasks handed out.  We have a lot of classmates who have committed to coming but have not paid yet.  Please be kind when someone from the committee contacts you to see if you are coming.  Deadline for payment is September 30th.  It can be sent by snail mail to Cynthia Cowell at 3330 Bruceville Slab Rd, Dyersburg TN 38024.  Due to a change of the UT Football schedule there is a game that weekend which will affect attendance, by about two.  Bradshaw and Patton....we will miss you!

As I looked around the table at my classmates I could not help but be amazed at how we have stuck together for 50 plus years.  Through sickness and health and hilarity, 'til death do us part.  I got so many hugs that I sorely needed this afternoon.  I talked for a bit with my otha' daughter Heather and caught up on things.  AJ and Reaves are close to the same age and it's a school night so, there you go.  

If I call or text you somebody better respond ^j^

the ones who answer

When I find myself overwhelmed with life I normally call a friend.  Everybody is busy and whatnot and I am the first to admit that if I'm talking to a friend on the phone and somebody beeps in, I will NOT say "I gotta' go." Easy conversation is soul soothing to me in a way that texting is not.  Texts are for information sharing in my book, not discussing life.  That's when friends and professional counseling come into play.  On the one hand, friends know you and what your challenges are at the moment.  They remember to ask about this or that.  Therapists learn to know you slowly according to your willingness to spill your guts.  I've learned over  years of it what my true issues are and when it's time to address them.  Which is right damn now.  

I am such a Pollyanna that I keep trying to have civil discourse with narcissists and expect things to turn out differently than our last encounter.  And I get my heart stomped on every time.  These people see nothing but their own side of things and have little to no empathy for someone else's pain.  They crave attention and the power of being right all the time.  And having the last word.  

Yesterday's church was really bittersweet for me.  The guest preacher was a man who used to pastor Newbern Methodist and hired my Uncle Jimbo as music director.  I went there when he was dying of prostate cancer and heard him play my favorite hymns.  He was like my second daddy, only funner!  Both he and my Daddy had their funeral services at FUMC.  When Jimbo died LP was about 5 years old and I led her by the hand to the family pews.

One of the biggest blessings of my life has been keeping company with elders.  They can be ornery at times like my parents were, but I wouldn't trade that time for any amount of worldly riches.  It's beginning to feel more like autumn and the shadows are showing out like they always do.  My 50th class reunion is a few weeks away and I can't wait.  My friend Mark G is one that "always answers" and we talked a long time about his emcee duties for the event.  

Life is short.  Don't sweat the small stuff ^j^

sittin' shiva

As a Methodist I'm about as far away from being Jewish as I am 

a Baptist.  While I appreciate and respect all beliefs, I cling to my own.  The past two weeks in the burg have been absolutely brutal but I noticed this afternoon that a slight breeze was blowing which means there is a chance of rain.  I really don't care about that, just the cooler temps.

I have plans nine ways to Jesus tomorrow but who knows if they will happen.  Today has been a nice lazy one organizing and sorting.  It's nowhere near done but I made a dent in it.

Keep the faith y'all ^j^

birthday fundraiser for me!

Facebook makes it pretty difficult to set one up unless all the i's are dotted and t's crossed.  For the past few years I have designated Paws to Care as my recipient.  This year it is Dyer County Salvation Army.  I have become friends with many of these devoted people and know first hand what they do for the least of these.  They serve around 200 meals a day Monday through Thursday for lunch.  All food is donated by corporate partners  and other Feed America entities.  I would love nothing better than for you to give them a donation of some kind....money or your time would be good.  I had a couple of loaded red delicious apple trees and the masses had baked apples one day.  Every little bit counts.  

They have a thrift store that is expertly run by volunteers just like the kitchen. Be nice and put your donations on hangers, not wire ones!  They have a nice selection of home goods as well. It is a thrifter's heaven.  

Anywho, the info will be posted on my page but it's not a "real" FB fundraiser, just one that I believe in with all of my heart ^j^

moose pool

My first boss, besides my daddy, was Richard Baker.  He was the manager of the Moose Pool when I worked there as a teenager.  There was a tribe of about 20 of us working for 50 cents an hour which was a slave wage but hey....we had fun.  As best as I can remember the rest of them were Kay Lanier, Lee Weakley, Johnny Castellaw, Becky Schultz and Randy Ashley. Oh, and Linda Peters.  We regularly sneaked into the lodge run by Mr. Pate and hit up the bar and the steaks.  Since we were way underpaid, somebody reported it to the Labor Board and we all got a big fat check.  I used mine to help buy my first car.

Richard and Stanley did most of the backwashing because the rest of us didn't know squat about that.  The one and only time that I did acid was on a day when I was on the stand in the sun.  The water was epic and thankfully nobody drowned that day.  My ten year class reunion was there and it was seriously not elegant but a lot of fun.  Merril and Chucky covered "Love Shack" like pros.  

We have a fiftieth coming up in October, Lord willing.  A lot of our class is deceased but it looks like a decent crowd.  Thank you KayKay and Claudia for being so organized.  Hat tip to Patsye Thurmon for the creative name tags.

Anywho...Richard died and that made me think about all the memories from long ago.  I hope that some of the crew will read this and remember the good times ^j^ 

take me to church

Our plan today was to go to Malesus UMC where there was  a joint service with them and Bemis.  It's just a short drive from there and they have SS in the mornings with Ms Juanita.  Juanita was going to be absent sowe stayed at Casa Lauren and played.  And ate.  And gave the cat a bath...lerd.  LP came back from picking up lunch and said "What have y'all be doing in here??"  JJ the kitten is quite adventurous and knocks over every little thing like the plants.  I swept up dirt for a while and Reaves played in it.  I was pre-occupied so she found an old phone and was looking for games.  Gaga did not have a clue how to get off of video chat so we talked to Kim for a bit.  Last I heard she can come to Gaga's church soon.

I really have a hard time believing in anything much right now.  I know that God is in control and it's all in his time.  I try to do the next right thing in my own way.  I learned that from my late husband.

I think that he is loving the heck out of his wild child grandgirl.  The view from heaven is much happier than all of this worldly stuff.  Brought up in the COC way, he never felt worthy enough to come to church with us.  Said as long as he was sinning he just could not.

In his mind that had to do with alcohol and drug use.  His family history was like a train wreck reaching from Broodmoor to Bell Street.  I met his birth mother shortly before she died and he looked just like her. 

My dear friend called to check on me this afternoon and told me all about today at our home church.  I missed all those folks but I can always watch online! 

There are a ton of FUMC people in Milan right now and I wish I was there.  I am there, in fact.  In spirit with a cross and a flame ^j^

rise and shine

Normally I wake up around sunrise and then promptly go back to sleep for a couple of hous.  This morning I actually got up when I WoKE up and watched the sun come up.  The weather has been sooooo nice and this morning was nice and cool so I headed to the Farmer's Market.  I usually go many times during the summer but today was my first visit of this season.  I scored some nice yellow squash and a Tiger Tail mustard deal.  The crowd was thin and some folks were actually still setting up.  I was tempted by the pottery vendor but it was too pricey.  After that was errand running including a car wash and vacuum.  Now I'm home for the day to work on the house.

Since I've been working the housework has been sorely neglected.  I had my hopes up that the local wound care clinic had ostomy care but, nada.  That means a trip to Jackson with my silver nitrate sticks from Amazon.  My foot drop has improved dramatically so I may not have to see the neuro, also in Jackson.  

Our little family has a lot going on so we would appreciate prayers from here there and yon.  We are keeping the faith and I pray that y'all will too ^j^

go fund me

Normally about six weeks before my birthday Facebook will ask me to designate a nonprofit for donations.  My church is not on their list but I'm asking a big favor of y'all.  My home church and several others are hurting for money right now.  I have always donated to the pastor's discretionary fund at DFUMC when I had the bucks. I think that Bemis UMC could use the help too.  The world's oldest acolyte goes there.  He's at least 16.  His dad is the song leader.  Their usual attendance is about 20 including the pastor and music people.  Very few kids. But you know what?  I love it there because I can read up on the lectionary and know what's up.  Mary Beth is back on track with that but I totally enjoyed the summer series.

So, if you really love donate the the UMC ^j^

like the deer

I am used to seeing deer every where out here but fail to watch out when I'm somewhere else.  My work takes me down around the Finley area and as I was passing a soybean field I spotted a young one chest high in the green.  As I drove home pondering the upcoming deer season I was pretty sad. Thank goodness I was listening and singing along with Jack FM.  

I won 50K today on the 100k Pyramid because those folks are just not informed about ANYTHing. There was brisket for lunch from Bad Bob's and a lovely cool afternoon playing with cats and dogs.  I gotta' make a cake tomorrow for us. Strawberry, no less.

I have decided to begin therapy again and am pretty sure that's the only way I will survive the caretaking side of me.  Since retiring from the hospital lab that has been my major source of income.  LTD ran out last year and well...things got tight.  Plus, I lost a long term sitting job.  

The therapist I reached out to told me "that's a lot!" which assured me that I'm not being a titty baby.  I had great parents ad a good family environment.  I learned all about southern etiquette and ag from them. One of my most vivid childhood memories is of going to the Stafford family reunion in Blue Mountain MS.  There was a large screened porch and tables full of pies.  I was probably about six.

Reaves is almost six and LP is almost 39 and I'm almost 68.  We were all born Virgos in September and I think that counts for something. 

stupid move of the day

I ran out of the house this morning and then came back in to get something and locked my keys inside.  Since I got *robbed* I've been more careful about locking the doors every single time I leave.  

The apple trees are loaded with fruit and I'm steady pickin' the low hanging fruit.  The ones up top will have to fall because I'm short and can't be trusted on a ladder.  Or with a chainsaw or a gun!  I would shoot my eye out.

There was more rain up north today, like they needed it.  Union City is about floating these days.  Who the heck knows what with all the fires and flooding.  Since LP has Covid and there are thunderstorms in the morning I'll be at FUMC tomorrow.  I can't drive worth a shit in the rain ^j^

gaining weight

I never thought in my up and down weight life that I would be trying to gain.  I weigh in at a hefty 122 which I have not seen since high school. By the time I graduated from UTCHS I had blown up to 180.  I did it again when I was pregnant with BG.  No wonder my body is so confused.

I need protein right now because of my gut.  Like, healthy protein.  I really don't like being skinny because none of my clothes fit right. Oscar boi is waiting for me to lay down and it won't be long.  Friday night is just like any other.  Rinse lather and repeat.

The thermostat reads 75 right now because the unit is trying to recover from today's heat'n'humidity. Typical August in West Tenn.  What I would give for a nice cool front right now.  I would seriously dance nekkid in the rain.

Y'all enjoy the weekend wherever you are.  And keep the faith ^j^

another day in paradise

It rained like a mofo around here today!  I checked on both of my friends/clients and spent some quality time.  Being a game show contestant is now on my bucket list because I know ALL the answers.  Me and Laura won 100K today.  That's nice since me and Bubba didn't win the Mega.  Some lucky soul in Florida got the loot.  

So Maui is on fire and that's pretty bizarre, but not really considering what's going on in the rest of the world.  Today is my first day off from the muscle relaxer and I'm feeling pretty good.  In a perfect world I would have rested with ice and heat for a week but uh..naw.  Gotta' pay those bills.

I am way behind on everything including laundry, dishes and floor cleaning.  Currently I sleep without a pillow because cheap ones mess your neck up.  Whatever works!

I've had a good dose of Methodism this week what with Sunday at FUMC and meeting the new pastor at Finley.  Who the heck knows where I will go this Sunday.  So far, BG can't transport her kid to Dyersburg so I travel.  It's okay.  I just wish the world knew the other side.

There have been times in my life when I thought I had all the answers and I was dead wrong.  I have chastised and spewed anger at people that didn't deserve it.  But you know what?  I learned better and did better.  

Y'all watch our for tornados and hydroplaning.  The struggle is real ^j^

grooved pavement

TDOT is slowly resurfacing the HWY 51 By-pass and while it's badly needed, it's kind of a hot mess.  That is my usual route to work and every other thing and my teeth are sore from rattling on that rough pavement.  One lane is paved and you have to be careful not to drift over and hit that one which is a few inches higher.  Modern dilemmas!  

I was back at my home church today and it felt good to be there.  The AC was  out so there was a lot of fanning and sweating but we got all the teachers and back packs blessed and were treated to a pastor who is originally from Brazil.  He has a pretty thick accent and I googled to see what language is spoken in that area.  I assumed it would be Spanish but it's Portuguese.  Live and learn.

Kroger has made pickup more complicated by requiring an online check in involving QR codes.  Puleeez y'all.  Another lifelong friend passed away yesterday.  It is kind of scary watching all this happen knowing that I could be next.  My neck is better but the foot drop is still an issue so I have to walk carefully.  I find that the most comfy way to walk is in sock feet.  Tomorrow's chore will be trying to find  a neurologist with an opening soon.  Wish me luck..ha.

I've had two steroid injections this year which is probably not good for the old kidneys but what do you do??  This field corn out here is sweatin' big time.  It's kind of like living in a tropical forest.

Y'all be blessed and stay cool ^j^

modern medicine

I have a GP and he is a doctor.  Back in the day, one doc did it all.  Now, we are pitched off to specialists which are booked out two months.  Case in point...I have foot drop and severe neck and shoulder pain on the left side.  I was given seven days worth of muscle relaxers and a steroid injection to get me through until my neuro appointment in October.  PT cannot start until then.  The Flexaril makes me wonky but I have to have it.  Let us hope that I can get a refill or two.  If not, I might just shoot my eye out.  I had never heard of foot drop until I Googled it and discovered what was wrong with my gait.  It's not a total mess, but annoying because I can't flex my foot.  I know...I'm grateful for the pain and trials.

I am staying busy with the old folk and their needs which seems to be my calling.  It takes a different breed to meet them where they are and form a bond for safe passage.  One thing I have noticed is that many of them act different around their kids than their caregivers.  There is always a family dynamic in play.

Anywho..that's my story for today ^j^

circle the wagons

There comes a time in everyone's life when it takes a village.  I love being a part of that!  I have many older dear friends that I share joys with like Marilyn who turned 90 yesterday.  Her birthday party was fabulous and just like something I would have done for my own mother.  Just like I sat and talked with all the others.  Elders need somebody to talk with to pass the time.  Somebody who adapts to their routine and forms a bond, so to speak.  My parents had Ms Faye for several years.  She cleaned and cooked her little heart out.  Rest in peace honey ^j^

I attended a very important meeting yesterday that was organized by the Salvation Army to find out who has what resources for those in need. We are talking homeless or about to be, and starving.  Living in hotels and cars and whatnot.  With kids.  While at the meeting I saw a lot of folks go by to pick up what was out front.  That is an amazing ministry to the underserved. There was a lot of talk in letters that I wasn't familiar with but a couple of them shared their info.  The army director will write it up and I took pictures.  And both mayors were there!  I'm impressed Lisa.

Elizabeth gets registered for kindergarten on Thursday and I can't wait to see how she grows and learns.  She is already smart and knows what's up.  I contribute that to great co-parenting and a strong bond with all families.  Our tribe grew when she was born and it has turned into a great big bunch of good things for her.  

August 4th is the date that my daddy died after a week in ICU and 2 days on in-patient hospice.  I remember the last time we talked, and it was me and Bubba present.  I'm not sure what he said to me ( i want to die or i want a pie?) but he had lung problems from extensive surgery and was struggling to breathe.  Hospice began shortly after.  It took about 48 hours but he was peaceful.  I got the call about 5 in the morning from my late friend Ms. Anita who was making rounds and pulling blood.  My friends on 2N did their job well.  In hospice care, no further interventions are allowed.  No Iv. No feeding tube.  No dialysis.  Just lots of comfort.  I seriously want to go that way.

My interest in palliative care began when Lauren was a teenager and we wrote her senior term paper about that very subject.  I was all into John Bradshaw and Scott Peck and Melodie Beattie.  And I was learning about how to let go and let god.  I also read I'm Okay, You're Okay in high school if that tells you anything.

The heat has backed off a bit for now, Thanks be to you sweet babyjeebus and your Father.  The one true God j