ring that bell

It's almost time for those Salvation Army bell ringers to hit the streets so y'all be generoua and don't just walk by like an idiot.  That is their only fundraiser for the year so hit your wallet.  It's all volunteer work in every area of service.

I went to my dental group's new office today and they were all dressed up like the game CandyLand, complete with colored blocks on the floor leading from reception to treatment rooms.  I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of that theme in a dental practice!  They were all cute as pie.  

I never have trick or treaters out here so that saved me on candy.  If someone were to show up all they would get is a Nutella biscuit or a trick.  I feel sorry for all teachers tomorrow because of the sugar hangovers these kids will have.  On top of staying up late!  

I have learned the hard way, more than once, that there are certain things that I cannot share here.  Sure, it's my page and I have my opinions but I must be mindful of the privacy of others because you know....HIPPA.  I have unintentionally caused problems on more than one occasion which hurts my soul because that is not my intention at all.  Pretty much a justice warrior, I speak my mind on things like gun control and equality issues.  If I hear one more person say "guns are not the problem, people are" I just might shoot my eye out with a Red Ryder BB gun.  That is SUCH a cop out when mass murders are happening daily.  The rest of the world does not have this...just the good old USA.  Shame on you NRA and all those whose pockets you pad.  The organization that began as a gentleman's hunt club has morphed into a death machine for innocents.  It's all about the money.

Women's health issues are also a biggie with me like the right to choose.  When Roe v Wade was overturned it basically left the issue wide open for conservative states to put their own restrictions into place, without a thought for who will care for these children.  Often the mother's life is in danger.  It is beyond ridiculous.

Finally the GOP has chosen a speaker of the House who sounds like a real doozie.  I don't know how much worse things will get before the Republican party gets their heads out of their asses and chooses a centrist.  As a Democrat, I could go for someone less radical even if it were a Republican as long as basic human rights are addressed.  

Speaking of human rights, Gaza is in crisis again and there appears to be no end in sight.  Israel has ordered all these folks holed up in hospitals to move south and like, how?  There is no fuel or means of transportation.  The entire healthcare system is collapsing and no aid is coming in.  How very sad.

Y'all don't get spooked by anybody today, especially black cats.  My kitty is sound asleep in Oscar's bed and he is out enjoying the day thanks to some steroids.  It ain't his time yet.  Keep the faith ^j^

in god's time

My boy Oscar is suffering from a terrible cough, probably due to heartworms.  He is about 15 years old give or take a year.  He's had some really bad days lately and I'm considering euthanasia but I just cannot as long as he's up running around and having fun.  I went so far as to make an appointment for tomorrow and then canceled it.  I'm pretty sure I will know when the time is right.  Until then, he's joined to me at the hip.  

I was out and about today, stopping by to visit some friends at Maple Ridge and then cruising up the hill toward my old house.  As I was coming back down I noticed Mike Harris and his crew harvesting the honey up by the dairy barn so I stopped for a visit and a few pictures.  I didn't have on a suit but I didn't get stung so that's a plus.  I never knew much about how honey is processed until I met Mike at Logan's Lake Honey.  After several trips to his shop in Finley I kinda' sorta' understand.  His company has hives all over Western Tennessee.  

We are enjoying the last of summer/fall here with temps expected to fall below freezing by next week.  That should really do a number on my arthritis and sciatica.  Today is somewhat better, only because of a steroid shot yesterday.  That will eventually wear off.  There's an appt with an ortho in November so we shall see.  I'm trying to stay active because sitting is about the worst thing you can do.  I love to dance to YouTube!  Keeping the faith here ^j^

it is what it is

Somehow or another I managed to get sciatica in my right hip and leg last week.  Never had it before but yowza!  I am somewhat impaired in the renal department so NSAIDS are a no no , but I took them today.  Because it hurts!  I have learned that a root cause of that is bad posture.  Like leaning over a desk with a laptop.  Which is why I don't blog much.  I have noticed that technology has taken a toll on my neck.  I remember Mama telling me that neck problems from phone use is "a thing.  

Many of my best friends I have never met in person, like Amy.  I have watched her kids grow up and admired Greta Mae from a distance.  Silver lab gone way too soon.  She sent me Christmas cards every year with all her crew and Lauren became her friend too.  I love it when that happens.

Oscar is maintaining his daily routine of checking out the road and coughing all night.  I think if he had some steroids it might make it easier.  He gets three baby aspirin and half a blue for sleep.  That's the best I can do right now.

Joey and his crew are finishing up for the season so the road is busy and the lot next door is full.  Daddy would be so happy to see what Bubba'n'them have done.  It is a masterpiece of agriculture.  What I most admire is the dirt work that allows the crop to drain and thrive. We do live by a river that tends to flood, ya' know.

It's time for Oscar and me to take our meds and lay down for the day.  Keep the faith ^j^

lauren to the rescue

I have had a smaller laptop that Lauren gave me some time ago and just haven't used it.  She came yesterday to get me set up on it and back online so I can blog.  And finish up the last of my articles due for SHE magazine.  I'm amazed at how fast it is compared to my 8 year old Dell.  My day started out with me "thinking" I heard my phone hit the floor and me fishing around under it with a broom forEVER.  Eventually I found it on top of the bed so I guess it was the charger that went flying.  At least the floor under the bed got swept out.  

The DHS Class of 1973 celebrated in style last weekend and it was a joyous and quite tiring two day event.  I haven't walked and stood that much for a long time and now my right hip is hurting.  Lerd.  If it ain't one thing it's ten.  It took a village to make that reunion happen and some hard work went into it by a lot of people.  I saw friends that I have not laid eyes on in years and may never see again.  We all realized that and hugged each other extra hard.  It might just have been my one dance to "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" that did my hip and back in but I couldn't resist.  It's our class song!

My car is still in the shop and I'm driving a rental.  It may be ready next week according to Lowery's.  I am still very nervous about driving since that wreck but I realize I'm lucky to be alive.  If God hadn't been looking out for me I would be either dead or severely injured.  I did not go to the ER which was probably a mistake but I was just focused on getting home after gettin' my bell rung like that.  

I haven't seen Reaves in a month but Lauren sent me a picture that we had made at her grandparent's prom where I also shook my bootie.  She said "Gaga...do you know how to dance?"  so I showed her how I could.  That was probably a bad hip move also.  

So much has happened in the two weeks since that wreck.  I lost my job with one days' notice which sucked.  We had a nice little crew of part time people and that was disbanded for another option.  It would have been nice to have a bit more notice considering the fact that I showed up the next day in a rental to do my duties.  Oh well.  You do what you gotta' do I reckon.  For me right now, that is leaning on an ice pack in the computer chair.  Life is good though...on so many levels.  Y'all keep the faith^j^

fifty years is a long time

Damn y'all.  The DHS class of 1973 looks good and is still kicking.  I so enjoyed seein' all my classmates, teachers and party crashers tonight!  Of course we had name tags but most of us recognized each other and hugged really big.  I'm glad I'm current on my shots.

Some friends and I spent the afternoon out in Finley on the cottage porch which is where they LIVE when they are in the 'burg.  As it turned out, Finley highway proper was blocked off so there were a lot of detours through Upper Finley Road.  And then the bean cutting commenced.  While I was waiting for Darryl and Annie to pick me up I watched Joey and his crew finish up for the day.  It is amazing what it takes to be a farmer.  My daddy was one until the day he died.

There are so many people suffering and hurting around the globe right now.  I know in my little world there is angst every day but I can't imagine being killed in a terrorist attack over a strip of land.  In the desert, no less.  One of my favorite friends decided to take some time off from posting the funny stuff because it's just so darn end of times.  But you know what?  If we can't laugh and praise God and love each other in times like that, what did the Holy Spirit intend? ^j^

bags of gold

I have served as a liturgist once or twice at my church but really didn't do my homework, asking for the scriptures the week before.  I want to study this one in November and know what the heck I'm talking about.  Kinda' sorta'

I didn't do much today because I was sort of wonky.  I have lost my driving glasses and I can tell it's wearing my eyes out.  I back tracked and stuff but no.  I also have a missing keyring with the other fob for my wrecked car and house key lost somewhere in space.  If it ain't one thing it's ten.

I figure we're all in this together and might as well forgive if not forget.  There are a lot of things that I've been forgiven for when I actually was the one at fault. That's called being a humble adult.  It ain't always easy because when pride takes over the devil has his way.  

Humbly yours ^j^

modern day dilemmas

On days like these I wish I had a landline.  Somehow I managed to get the brightness so low that I can't see the main page to go to settings and correct it.  Lerd.  Not to mention, my laptop is moaning and groaning as the fan wears out.  My first boyfriend told me to get in a dark room where I could see well enough to get to settings.  Voila! Problem solved.

I'm job hunting and went by a couple of places today that I would love to work.  It would seem that a part timer is a golden nugget because of no benefits and whatnot.  We shall see.  Maybe God just intended for me to rest up and recover from the wreck before our class reunion.

RE:  Israel and Palestine.  As my daddy and Mr. Yates used to say "It has always been thus and so."  

Leave room for the spirit to work ^j^

marvelous monday

I woke up with the chickens today and did my morning routine of watching the sun rise and computing whilst' drinking a big old honking insulated cup of water.  My date this morning was one of the most special ladies ever.  The other folks let me go and I totally understand.  !2 hour coverage is much easier to handle.  That means that I am back in the job market, so to speak.  

Lorna and I have talked about how depressing it is to be a sitter and watch people slowly die.  What I need now is a burst of energy to find something I really enjoy.  Like small business or the library.  Holiday help is always available if they've not already filled it.  We shall see what pops up for this old gal with a new vision.

The car is in the shop, hopefully being worked on.  Since I do not have a steady job right now, the deductible will be a problem.  But, imma gonna hit the roads tomorrow.  Hide and watch.  I have forgiven both myself and the other guy because we were both at fault.  That I did not get a ticket was a gift from Big Ernie ^j^

leap of faith

Well, today is Friyay ain't it Paige?  It's been an eventful week for me in more ways than one.  It's taken me until today to be able to think clearly following the wreck.  My mother was always one to write letters when she was pissed off at somebody in charge or another.  My next complaint will  probably be to TDOT for allowing 18 wheeler traffic on Highway 104 hills.  Hide and watch.

I spent a delightful birthday morning with my adopted mother.  We almost always eat breakfast together.  She drinks coffee and me a ton of water.  I really wish that I liked coffee.  It smells soooo good.  Breakfast with the Calcutt bunch was first and it was great.  It's nice to know your clan.

I have lived on this farm, off and on, for about 68 years minus three or for in town.  LP was four when we moved into Charlie's house and she grew up there with her Memaw and Grandaddy right down the road in the cabin where I live now.  She and Reaves used to come all the time but that stopped awhile back due to, umm.  You know.  We spent many happy days down here.  Her bikes are still outside.  Hopefully one day somebody will be able to bring her here for some quality time.  I miss it.

What I have learned about people in my life!  We are all different in many ways.  I tend to be more like one brother than the other because I'm a dreamer and don't do well with structure.  I reckon I'm lazy and self entitled or something.  Mostly I'm just everybody's friend and try to do the next right thing.

I can tell when the plate is full and self care needs to kick in.  I am way past due for a PCP visit so that is next on the list.  From there, who the heck knows!  Gotta' have those refills.  Personally, I believe a lot of pharma could be cut out by lifestyle changes.  Right Katie?  

I am having weird dreams since the wreck.  But it's day three so that's always the worst.  Y'all keep the faith ^j^

terrific tuesday

It's a long one y'all so hang with me.  I got out and about early this morning to drop off the last of the apples at the Salvation Army  and pick up some clothes from my friend Judy out off of Roellen highway.  I wasn't real sure where I was headed and the bitch on my GPS will never talk when I need her to.  I decided to pull into a driveway on the left after one big truck had passed me.  I didn't notice that it was a passing zone and I WAS going slow but another 18 wheeler hit me as I turned.  I saw it coming in the sideview.  BOOM! Thank the Lord nobody was hurt but it ended up being about four hours of dealing with county cops and state troopers and in the end, I was at fault for not having my blinker on.  In the end, I was at fault.

The rest of the day was spent being driven by Mamyeto visit Hinson Insurance and Enterprise.  BUT...I can't get a car until Progressive approves the claim.  Such is life.  I'll catch rides if it takes a long time.  Where there's a will there is a way.

Keeping the faith here ^j^

unwinding

It's been a minute since I have had an entire day to myself to run errands and just chill at the cabin.  Today is the one.  The one where I spent a shit ton on groceries and ate Mexicans with Carol.  Her hats have been riding in the back seat of my car for a week.  Missions accomplished!

I did some grocery shopping on the last food tax-free day of a two month run.  It makes a HUGE difference.  Normally I self check but this was way too much.  Two very sweet employees checked and bagged  but I helped a little on the bagging. 

As for today, church was inspiring as always.  It is World Communion Sunday so we had homemade breads with recipes from all over the globe.  There was extra so I grabbed a sour dough loaf that was used during the service.  I stopped by the shady 'gentral on the way home and there was a neighborhood dog running in and out of the automatic doors.  One guy knew who he belonged to, bought a leash and was wrangling to get him in the car and take him home.  Bless him.  Also the computer froze up and the natives were not happy during the re-boot.  Patience, people.  I felt sorry for the lone cashier.

Y'all  be blessed and keep the faith ^j^