frankie

I had the privilege of working with a lot of kick ass nurses back in the day.  Frankie Carrol was one of them.  He left Dyersburg for greener pastures in Memphis and died several years ago.  His sister Molly had t-shirts made and I bought a couple just because.  All proceeds went to his treatment. Since it has warmed up I am sleeping in a short sleeve shirt at night and Frankie's was the one I slept in yesterday evening.  I go to bed early and don't get out at night thus, I am up at sunrise.

I rolled the front yard today and got a lot of pecans but there are MORE.  Daddy and God blessed us with all that so I won't give up.  Maybe I can make enough to pay Mayberry off before mowing season.  This is a big yard with a lot of limbs but I pick 'em up as they fall and the weather is good.  He hates to get his mower tore up with sticks. 

I don't read a lot of other people's stuff because I'm a writer.  I have to tell you that Sean of the South

 has my heart with his blog.  He tells stories much better than me and I always end up going "hell to the yes!"  It is everyday life stuff, memories if you will.  But also an intricate story of all of his relationships.  Like with Becca.  Lots of people send him messages everyday titled Dear Sean.   He has a wife and blind dog and blind child in no particular order.  Dog's name is Magnolia and little girl is Becca. Dude reminds me of Clyde Edgerton.  Pure southern charm with a bit of gritty truth.

I rolled a shit ton of pecans today and pecan season is almost over.  I never thought it would last this long but, here we go.  Rolling rolling rolling! Y'all be faithful and for God's sake....don't pass in the turn lane.  Jesus don't like that ^j^

road rage

I have witnessed two events this past week where people were on a mission to raise hell with another driver.  The first one was somebody in a black truck on my ass on Forrest Street as I was turning left onto 51 S.  When the light changed, I turned and he continued to be on my bumper.  I could not see the right lane because he was obstructing my view.  He followed closely for about 100 yards and then passed me in the turning lane going about 80.  Loud truck and reckless driving.  And then a couple of days ago I was coming out of Los Lomas and walked into a full fledged verbal fight in the parking lot.  Evidently somebody got mad because they didn't yield over there by Save A Lot and almost got hit.  These idiots followed the other driver up to the restaurant and proceeded to start a shouting match.  I just stood there like "wtf" and so did my friends on the backside of it.  Danny's eyes met mine and we just stood still until both cars left.  It was obvious to me that car number 2 followed car 1 to vent.  Lerd, it was ugly!  

I have to admit that I was very pissed off when the black truck did his thing.  But I was also scared.  I am a cautious driver who uses blinkers faithfully following my eighteen wheeler wreck.  Hopefully I can afford the co-pay to continue PT "as ordered."  They are working on my entire right side which is what hurts from the neck down.  My arthritic joints won't pop so  there ya' go.  Osteoarthritis ain't no joke.  According to my rays there is significant damage to multiple spinal spaces.  How nice!

Me and Carol ate at Piggin' Out in the rain again.  We were there before the doors opened and Wade was eating something and off for the weekend.  They have great food and service.  I bought my friend Darryl a t-shirt there that I'm sure he will treasure.  All those people in Florida will be like "where is Dyersburg anyway?"  Northwest Tennessee y'all.  Come see us.  We have Reelfoot Lake and the mighty Mississippi all the way down the western half, dividing us from Missouri and Arkansas. 

Once upon a time I was a shuttle driver for Quapaw Canoe based in Clarksdale, MS.  I got lost a lot on those trips to put in and take out but I learned a lot about the Big Muddy.  John Ruskey and Mike Clark did a re-creation of the Lewis and Clark expedition at DSCC and I saw the story in our local paper.  From that came an honest friendship over the years with river lovers everywhere.  Brian Waldrop.  Bernie Arnold. Jim Jayroe.  Bubba Stafford. Joey Pritchett. This farm is surrounded by the mighty Forked Deer which causes problems at times when it gets muddy, but for the most part is a nature preserve.  Me and Reba watched a show about those little puffer birds today and I learned something new.  Also that she ate breakfast with Elvis and was good friends with Carl Mann.  Go figure.

Y'all be safe and stay inside with your animals.  Keep the faith ^j^  

the list

It is on a legal pad on the mess that I call a desk.  The names change daily and as I look at it I remember all those who are praying for me and mine.  As Christians, that's all we have been taught.  Oh, we know the evils of greed and control only as something that is normal...I mean hey.  America's got us right?  

Many times I think not.  There is a raging hissy fit going on about bi-partisan support for immigration upgrades.  Obviously, the fence didn't work.  Haley can take him if she steps up her game with people who tend toward moderate GOP policy.  It ain't rocket science, nope there is Elon the king of the whole world. Well, and also Putin and the Ukraine leader.  And that short fat little thing over in NK.  They all inherited their places in government.  Always remember, consider the other side and meet in the middle in the very most intention to "do no harm."

If you travel back in history, a bunch of Europeans migrated here up there in New York on boats and stuff.  I am part British (Stafford) and part French (Agee).  Thanks for showing me my roots y'all!  The last I remember it all started in Blue Mountain Mississippi.  By the way, they had music school attended by the late Charlene Fisher.  I remember one family reunion down there at somebody's house and us kids running around like the lil' children that we were.  There was fried chicken plus 30 sides and pie like you wouldn't believe.

I remember screen doors slamming and lots of catching up.  That doesn't much happen anymore.  My family is scattered but we have a history together that weaves a story which we all share.  I want Reaves to know about those stories and her history.  With all of my heart ^j^

holier than thou

Today is the 7th anniversary of my mama's death and I miss her like crazy still.  She was my go to in a house full of males.  She had been in hospital hospice for about two days before her death.  I was still working there at the time.  It snowed the day before she died, like really hard and icy. My youngest brother Tommy was with her because I called and he drove a long way to be here.  LP spent the last day sleeping beside her after her night shift at the nursing home.  The funeral was cold and slippery at the graveyard.  God bless all those pall bearers and Curry Funeral Home.  This was only five months after Daddy had passed and she moved into assisted living.  Following 2 hip surgeries that she sailed through, she developed diverticulitis which would have required yet another surgery.  My buddy Jimbo told me that it wasn't an option....she would not survive.  So we made a family decision to give her dignity at the end of life.  She did not suffer after that and was quite alert until the end when Tommy saw her raise a hand toward heaven and to Daddy.  Another piece of my heart went with her. The irony of it is that several years later I ended up almost dying from diverticulitis.  I remember watching the sunrise from my window at Baptist East and telling her "hey mama."  I knew that she would always be with me at that moment.  She is watching Reaves grow  from heaven and sending down prayers for resolution.  

Humility is something that I am very good at most of the time.  When i start getting prideful and controlling God smacks me in the face with messages of grace and love and healing.  I ask for the help but I am guilty of like "praying on the spot"  when a crisis develops.  

My immediate family is in crisis right now and I ask for prayer ^j^

giving up

There have been so many times that I just felt like giving up and letting other people abuse me mentally.  I won't go into detail but umm...you can look back in the archives when you got a week or two to kill.  The toxic relationships that brought me to therapy at 32 were mild by some standards.  But they were real to me and Bev kicked my ass for two  years exploring why I wanted to be such a "good girl".  It's how I was raised y'all.  I had my moments as a teenager but turned out pretty good.  The UMC has been central in supporting my faith journey through the years and that's worth more than gold.  

There is a part of me that has NEVER given up but then another part that fails to launch.  Poops is sort of stuck in the middle  there trying to enjoy life.  Physical therapy at Dynamix has been a great experience because it's full body.  What once was sore is shifting to the other side and kind of evening things out.  Felicia told me about these cool electrolyte packets that Gay had introduced me to.  It reminded me to stay hydrated which means not just tap water.  

The snow is still hanging around waiting for another one.  This week is all rain but warmer.  Those pecans are out there drying in the sun so I reckon they need to be picked up ^j^

enough already

It happens every year.  Kids are back in school after Christmas break wintry stuff moves in.  We had a decent snow with no ice and were JUST about thawed out when, here comes ice and more single digits.  My propane guy said he has 317 people on his list with me being one of them.  His supplier is not delivering to him thus, he can't deliver to us.  In his words "I don't know what we're gonna' do."  Trucks are not running to stores so I'm glad I have bread, milk and toilet paper.  The older and more arthritic I get the more I understand why Daddy hated winter.  

Lauren and Reaves broke the Elf on a Shelf mold this year and instead had a gnome who acts up.  He made a mess last night and Reaves decided that today is his birthday so they are making a cake for the occasion.  He is now officially the Valentine's day gnome.  

We are soooo not prepared in the South for this type of weather.  I remember back in the day they used to spread cinders which worked quite well.  I don't know happened to that practice but this salt spraying thing just doesn't get it done.  Today's prediction is ice, dangerous for driving and known to drop power lines.  I made an early run to town and it was already freezing drizzle.  

My friend is a breast cancer survivor and has chosen to go the CBD route which  is quite effective in her case.  For the life of me I cannot understand why it is illegal in so many states.  Tennessee is surrounded by states where THC is legal for both medicinal and recreational use.  Good Lord.  It's a plant and could increase tax revenue for those who have the foresight to get on the bandwagon.  Gambling is much more addictive than pot and it's legal here through the lottery.  Go figure.  I'm too cheap to do scratch off so I'll buy a 2 dolla' Powerball when it gets pretty high.  I see people sitting in their cars scratching off their cards and then going back in for more  Lerd, give me 5 bucks and I give you 10.  The industry has, however, funded a lot of scholarships for those in need.  That started the year after my daughter could benefit from it so she took out a student loan to get a BSW.  Worked third shift and commuted to UTM all week.  And there were few jobs, mostly in for-profit mental healthcare..It ain't pretty with a caseload like that.

After she had worked with PCS for almost a year, she came upon a wreck on Hwy 51 close to Trimble.  She was the only one around so she checked the pulse of this woman and stayed with her until EMS arrived.   She was about to be married and her pictures were strewn all over the place.  I have never heard such wailing as I heard from my baby that night.  The lady's friends were all so appreciative to know how it was for her when she died.  Angel work.  Keep the faith ^j^

snow day musings

Well y'all. Winter is officially here there and everywhere.  I feel very fortunate to have only gotten about 2 inches with the bulk of it going south.  Bubba has been here three times to work on my gas logs so I'm inching my way up to near 65 with two heaters going to help chase the chill.  This will be a very long week. Just saying.

It's only 11am and feels like it should be six pm.  The world sort of stops turning in our parts when the weather is bad because it only happens a couple of times a year.  My projects for the day are A. Match up socks and B. move the office away from the north windows to an inner wall.  That should give me plenty to do when I can't go anywhere.  I'ma gonna' put Kondo on Casa Poopie.

I pray that you all stay safe and warm.  For many years I had to show up at the hospital come flood or blizzard.  One year my boss's husband picked us all up in his truck and took us back home.  Yes, we are that important.  Healthcare practitioners don't ever get a snow day.  That's what "on call" beds are for.

Keep the faith ^j^

happy stomaversary

Poopie is officially four years old today and I'm still alive.  The closest call since then was when the 18 wheeler hit me in just the right place to cause a month of stress.  I don't remember much about either event except for the loud horn before the crash.  The entire day that I was in Dyersburg ER, I remember nothing.  Next thing I knew I was at Baptist East in ICU with Asian death wailing next door.  I remember the extubation and trying to talk before that.  They had to hit this old gal with Propofol to settle me down.  

As with any chronic condition, unless you have lived it you just don't get it.  My insurance pays for physical therapy and my lower back and right hip need it.  She did dry needling and a whole bunch of hands on pulls and pushes.  When I mentioned to her that I had experienced MFR treatments in the past she was tickled to death that I knew what fascia is.  Said deer hunters get it more than anybody because when they skin 'em...you know.  There's that stubborn fascia to be cut off!  I want to personally thank Gay for teaching me about the healing arts.  

I'm still running the pecan roller because I refuse to let the last of the crop go to the squirrels..they have already had their share.  Poops is kind of lost right now, which is okay.  We all have those times when we need a friend or ten.  Mamye and I stopped by Hippies at the Pavilion to see Casey Lou and we all about cried.  What a sweetheart.

I hope you get enough snow to make a tiny person and dress it up.  Just enough for a snow angel before the birds track it up.  Back when I had three dogs there was yellow snow everywhere.

Y'all be safe and faithful.  And always remember who you are ^j^

the power of love

I noticed a nice big expensive fence behind the building that was recently bought by former members of DFUMC.  Those of us who stayed are having a great time carrying on. but there are no fences.  A lot of our ministry is to the least of these, like those who have no food.  Medicaid and SNAP both went heads down.  And our POTUS is taking the blame as are all democrats and progressives.

For the life of me, I cannot understand greed.  If I have enough and a little extra?  I tip.  Not as good as Mamye but......I've been rolling the yard all day trying to get the crop into the house.  I didn't get 'em all but made a valiant effort.  Headed back out there.  Faith is what keeps us going ^j^

train

The low long whistle just ended on the nearby railway.  It's not enough to shake the house but you can hear that lonely sound for miles.  Usually around now.  My friend Joe introduced me to the music of Train and I immediately fell in love.  With him and that group.  He really wasn't into me so that didn't work out but he did get married to a lady who cared for him very much.  I am friends with his daughter and she has lost both parents in a short period.  I can relate girl.

I know a guy whose parents died on the SAME DAY which I think is pretty cool.  One big funeral and lots of leftovers.  I don't care who you are, those sides are to die for.  My Mom was the casserole queen.  One of my favorites was a green pea and ham recipe with, of course, cream soup.  We always had something tasty and her beef and tomato sauce rice thing was a classic.  I remember these things now because I miss her and I like to cook.  I sub with healthier versions of things most of the time.  

New cat has become a bit more friendly by coming on the porch and playing with Rosie.  One of 'em killed a bird on the back porch and left the guts and feathers for Mom.  Thanks y'all.

It's cold but manageable.  I can't imagine being in the deep snow spots like my friend Pax in Jersey.  We had i inches out here on Samaria Bend one night and I attempted to drive through it in a Camry.  Daddy rescued me with a tractor.  He was cool like that.  

BG has recovered from the concussion and it's a miracle.  I've had a few in my life and it ain't fun.  I remember when she was four and Noler had a fishing boat and trailer in the yard on Tickle.  She was crawling around, fell and ended up with a big head wound.  Fortunately we were about one block from the hospital.  She bled and bled and my paramedic friend Terry D Nash pressed a stack of 4x4s to stop the bleeding.  The surgeon on call stitched it up.  She turned out fine.  She and the tribe may visit tomorrow.  All is well on the farm ^j^

slow down

I am clumsy to the max, meaning I can trip over my own feet.  I also tend to be always in a hurry, Lord knows why.  I try to be organized but sadly missed a very important chance to pay respects to some dear friends this week.  I had written the date down wrong on my Norman Rockwell planner..  I now make daily lists in a little journal just to guide me from point A to point B of my life.  Lauren is about as clumsy as me and again, always rushing.  She fell on the concrete at home yesterday and ended up in the ER with a concussion.  Lerd.

My two day saga with Byrum Healthcare is still unresolved.  We made a payment plan yesterday after I paid 30%.  At the end of the day, I found that the entire balance had been charged to my card leaving me with 1.47.  Funeral insurance came out today leaving me in the hole.  I called.  We talked and some very nice sounding young lady promised to mark it as "urgent" and send it on up the food chain.  Not a peep from them, but my friends did get me out of the hole.  I know it's just business and it's cut throat but really?  I tried to make it right and you screwed me.  I got a text that my order is on the way and the FedEx number is not trackable.  I'm good for about a week on supplies.

Mamye and I ate Chinese today and I "forgot" that egg rolls have cabbage in them.  So far so good with Poopie.  I have really enjoyed our daily outings as we run errands and compare drama.  Me and Ms Reba also have quality time every day.  These relationships keep me focused on things other than what I would otherwise doing, like scrolling FB.  

I despise winter and I never used to be like that.  I reckon it's the old lady coming out in me.  But hey, I also hate the dead of summer too.  I'm picky like that.  Give me a 75/55 day with sunny skies and I'm a happy girl.  

Y'all keep the faith ^j^  

i could rant, but i won't

I will just tell you who pissed me off today and I don't get mad easily.  

Byram Healthcare,  I have been a customer for four years.  I have about a week's worth of supplies and your company has obviously been cutting staff to where a customer cannot speak to someone about a payment plan.  Looks like I will be changing companies.

Asshole who laid on the horn when I was turning left off of Highway 78 onto 51 N.  I was not in your lane.  You are rude and a danger to society.  Same for the white car that parks on the road every weekend.  There is plenty of parking space up in that driveway.  Get a grip.

United States voters,  we have two very poor choices.  I will pick the least dangerous.  It has only been in the last ten years that i understand gerrymandering and whatnot.  Shame on us.

For profit healthcare:  You suck.  I worked for a non-profit for about 30 years and when they sold out to CHS it all went to hell in a handbasket.  Same with HCA.  People are getting sub-par care and paying out the ass.  The bills pile up and people code things wrong ending up with a huge balance.  Know your tribe when it comes to that.

War?  What is it good for.  Absolutely nothing, say it again.  I have never understood military action over things that are not defined.  My father served as an Air Force supply guy during the Korean conflict in the 50s yet he didn't understand my hatred for Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraq.  It was not our business, nor is it now.  Let Ukraine and Russia duke it out.  Same for Gaza.  We, as a country, cannot save the world.  We have enough problems of our own.

It's all big fish eating little ones at this point.  That makes big money for some folks and God bless 'em.  If only things were equal for everybody it would be a better world.  Sorry for the rant.  Poops is in a mood ^j^

the coming year

Time keeps marching on and by golly it is now 2024.  I threw away last year's calendars and planners and starting fresh with nothing but a Norman Rockwell drug store freebie.  That's okay.  My plans change so much I need a big one to write on.  A very dear friend of mine passed away a couple of days ago and I sobbed like a baby.  I met Marilyn through her kids and work and church.  She was quite organized and busy most of the time that we spent together.  Her granddaughter Melissa and BG were inseparable for about two years when the family first moved here.   Marilyn was always charming and playful during our times together.  I was so honored to be invited to her 90th birthday party earlier this year.  I worked with several of them in the healthcare sector so we had that in common.  

I am missing the sound of doggie feet on the hardwood here but am hesitant to get another forever one.  Fostering seems to be the way to go.  I want an Oscar sized short hair dog of any mix or make. preferably black and tan with a bit of white.  No beagles because, no fenced in yard.  I'm'a gonna' sit on this one until Lent and let the Lord work it out.  

All you vegans in Jackson go see Lauren at Little Bird.  They have mocktails too!  She has the skill set to be a valuable team member.  BTW, I had to ask what a "mocktail" is.  I love hummus so this would probably be good eats for me.

A recap of my 2023 would include becoming a published writer and learning how easy it is to burn yourself while serving soup.  That tiny chapter taught me a lot about how teamwork is important for success.  From there I went to caregiving/personal shopper and the rest is history.  I love it but it comes with a hefty emotional price.  

I made the terrible mistake of calling KK right as the Citrus Bowl was coming on.  OMG.  Talk later girl.  I barely keep up during regular season.  One of my favorite New Year's Day memories is of going to the Bruce's house.  The food was magnificent and after that's when all of us teenagers headed for another room to hang out.  Tim Bruce.  Dennis Burns.  Larry Thurmon. etc.....

There is something magical about starting all over fresh.  The past one has been difficult in many respects for a lot of people around the globe.  My prayer is that the good Lord will knock some sense into us and save the planet.  If not, I want to be with my tribe just like in that movie.  Keep the faith ^j^