grounded again

Per my usual luck, my car is dead and has a flat tire on a holiday weekend when nobody is working.  This happened yesterday when I got out of the car and got a low tire message and THEN noticed that the brake lights were staying on.  Again.  By this morning it was dead as a doornail and the tire was flat.  Do y'all see that little black cloud following me?!  But I am grateful that my brother has a battery charger.  I needed this holiday weekend to work with Roellen on potty skills.  She is a rescue and had a fenced yard at her foster's home so being out here is a whole different ball game.  She loves being outside but there is traffic which she is not used to.  Or maybe so.  She was rescued at a convenience store on a busy highway, pregnant as a goose.  I am trying not to let her out of my sight in the house.  We haven't found her "spot" yet here in my yard but that will come.  

Meanwhile, Rosie is parked on the steps up next to the attic waiting for a chance to escape.  I guess she will come down when she gets hungry enough.  New dog plus old cat equals trouble.  I had a whole list of things to do today but, no.  Here I sit typing away.  My therapy, if you will.  

Normally my birthday falls during the week of the Dyer County Fair but not this year.  It's on the Monday after.  Most of my childhood birthday memories are of spending it at the fair with my parents who worked it every year.  Mom was Vernon Henson's right-hand gal and Daddy was on the board of directors.  He would leave late every night to help count money from the gates. 

I worked at the gates for several years when I was a teenager and loved every minute of it.  I would not go now if you paid me!  Mamye said to me yesterday "Janie, let's go to the fair!"  She was kidding of course.  I replied "Let's don't and say we did."

My 41 years at the hospital consisted of working every other holiday on rotating years.   If you got the holiday off you usually worked the weekend before if it was a Monday thing like Labor Day or Memorial Day.  Never ever the eves plus the day for Christmas and New Year's Day.  It was a way of life for us in the healthcare field.  Same for sick self or sick kids.  We had to show up.  Ice and snow?  You better be there.  

Roe is sitting by the front door watching four wheelers whiz by.  I have her on a pretty strict schedule with food and potty breaks on a leash.  I tried letting her "find her own spot" without me and she ended up across the road in the bean field and ditches.  Live and learn.  Oscar was so easy that he knew his way home from any point on this farm.  This girl will have to learn the lay of the land at her forever home.  

Y'all don't overcook your grilled food or get too wild this holiday weekend.  And as always, keep the faith ^j^

hot damn

I don't know about y'all but I am OVER this heat. The only saving grace is that there is low humidity because it hasn't rained in a long time.  It's kind of like desert heat I reckon.  However, it is August.  September is right around the corner which is a big month for birthdays in my family.  Mine is on the 9th, Reaves on the 21st and LP on the 22nd.  There is a story there but I'll save it for later.  You probably already heard about the labor from hell that resulted in a baby on the eve of Lauren's birthday in 2017.  Dat baby will be 7 soon and she will get a cute as hell unicorn bike helmet from Gaga.

One more day of extreme heat before some relief. If the weather guys know their stuff there should be rain this weekend.  I miscalculated and told Ryan to skip me on the last mow.  It's not too bad but patches grow tall.  For the first time ever, my yard is taller than Joey's farm lot.  

Roellen's rescuers are hooking me up before her arrival on Friday.  Ann came by with a dog house and food plus a pink leash.  Shari is taking her for a spay and shots tomorrow.  She has a bed for her.  I had lunch with the Dyersburg buddies today.   I think next time I'll get a grilled chicken salad.  Timbers uses green and not iceberg lettuce.  That was following my first interview of this time period with a local attorney.  Fascinating visit!

Y'all stay cool and safe from the severe weather.  It's been so hot that some thunderstorms or tornados are bound to be on the heels of front.  I learned that from my brother the weatherguy.  Carry on with faith and hope ^j^

just for fun

Poops is taking a day off from the real world since it's so hot and I'm pretty weary.  Carol and I had breakfast at Coby Jo's today and I'm currently in and not going anywhere.  The rest of my week is packed so I'm escaping reality for a bit before I get out and about in the heat.  I picked up some vitamin supplements today at a twofer' price at Walgreens because I'm pretty sure I am D and all Bs deficient.  Nothing gets absorbed with a gut like mine.  

Roe is set to get her lady parts removed on Thursday and will be here sometime on Friday to live forever.  I am so grateful that my tribe turned me on to her need for a home, and my need for a companion.  I read that today is National Doggo Day so let's remember the late Oscar, Faith, Sammy D, Ryder and all the others who have blessed my life with puppy kisses and love.  

The news today is more of the same so I'm in my little world pretending that all is well.  Sometimes manifesting peace is what you need to keep the faith ^j^

teaser

We have had some very mild days for August but are heading into a week of brutal temps.  Hopefully, that will be the last of it.  The Farmer's Market has returned to the downtown home and it was quite pleasant there this morning as I wandered.  They have been at the fairgrounds all summer where it was hot, crowded and had a steep access hill.  The vendors were all happy to be back by the river.  I bought some gifts and some dog treats for Roe who will be coming soon to live with me and Rosie.  She has never "lived" in a house so there will be some training in my future.  She is such a good dog I don't think it will be a problem.  

I had a low dose CT of the chest yesterday and the results were sort of what I expected except for some pesky news of arteries with plaque.  I follow up with the doctor in September and will consult with him on what to do next.  The older I get, the more my body is catching up with me.  I haven't had any joints replaced which is surprising *knock on wood* but the other parts are wearing out.

I have watched bits and pieces of the DNC and I'm really impressed with the breath of fresh air that is Harris/Walz.  After months of worrying that Trump would have his way I now have hope.  The trolls don't agree with me but whatever.  RFK Jr. the conspiracy theorist and anti-vaxxer has pulled out of the race and jumped on the Trump wagon bringing the few votes that he had with him.  His family has denounced him and are, quite frankly, bewildered.  His daddy and uncle are shaking their heads in heaven.  When a candidate's own family doesn't support them, that says a lot.  His main talking point is "healthy children" yet he and DJT want to dismantle all the federal healthcare agencies like the NIH, FDA and others that keep us safe.  Kennedy is eyeing a spot in the Trump cabinet.  I heard that he approached Harris with that deal and she said no.  Good for her.

Football season is here which makes a lot of folks very happy.  I could care less, unlike my parents who were big time Vols.  I have many friends that I know not to call during a UT game.  Local rivals DHS and DCHS met last night but I don't know the outcome.  

I can still hear the horseflies hitting the windows like crazy and the cicadas are wailing for all they're worth.  It's late summer when everything dies that is not watered and I'm not about to go out in the heat to do it.  My days are full with working, doing errands and keeping the faith.  I had forgotten that I sent a memorial to the church for my old friend until I got a thank you note from her daughter today.  Mama taught her well.

I am a stringer for the local paper working mostly on the yearly women's magazine that spotlights ladies who have found their paths and passions and done something great.  They are all shapes and sizes and their callings are different.  Being around strong women lifts me up.  

Grammarly wants me to write with generative AI but I'm not quite ready for that.  That would twist my words and thoughts a bit and I like them the way they are....plain and simple.  So I leave you with this thought.  Remember who you are and keep the faith ^j^

accidents happen

That is what the police officer said when he responded to my 311 call from the Kroger parking lot.  I've been gone for a week and needed to stock up so I did what I hate and went grocery shopping.  As I was pulling out of the parking space I misjudged the distance from my front right to the trailer hitch on the adjacent car.   The guy in the Yukon was very gracious about being detained while I filled out an accident report.  In the heat.  With over a hundred bucks worth of groceries.  *sigh*  I should have gone to church!

Lauren was diagnosed with MS within the past year and a scan last week showed new lesions.  She set up a GoFundMe which is shared on my FB page so if you feel so inclined please donate.  Every little bit helps.  She is carless because of a hit and run accident and trying desperately to find a job on her bus route that works with her current health situation. She has been on meds by mouth for the MS but will now have to do injections because it is progressing.  My girl is only 40 years old and trying to be a good mom while struggling with all of this.  Please pray also ^j^

I haven't had trolls in a long time but recently one of my "friends" has been hanging around poking me when I post.  Yes, he is a Trumpster.  I don't go for the bait anymore, choosing instead to let my silence speak and my posse does the patrolling.  

The heat wave returned after a few very nice days for August.  A cold front is trying to pass through and things should cool down in the next couple of days.  Thank goodness I put a bunch of money on the pre-pay utility bill.  I do so hate to sweat.

The talking point for the GOP  seems to be "Are you better off than you were four years ago?"  In some ways yes and in many ways no.  Comparing prices from the pandemic years to today is ludicrous in my opinion.  Women, in general, are worse off because of the repeal of Roe v Wade.  To deny abortion to those who have complications from pregnancy that threaten the life of a woman is way over the line.  Ditto for rape and incest.  I lost all respect for SCOTUS on that one.  JD Vance is creepy as hell and so is Trump.  He has been impeached TWICE  and caused all sorts of civil disobedience during the past 8 years.  The party of "faith and values" has stomped on our rights and allowed the gun industry to produce a killing machine for the masses.

I noticed that the police officer has his blood type right on the front of his uniform which is pretty cool.  You never know when some lunatic will go off and get violent.  He didn't seem too impressed with my knowledge when I told him he could get either A neg or O neg.  Once a blood banker, always a blood banker.

Y'all stay cool and keep the faith.

way behind

That pretty much describes my financial situation right now.  I called propane guy to see if they have a summer "special" because who is thinking about heat right now except for what's up outside.  Big time heat alert!  I got kind of woozy while out and about chasing down my new debit card and going from bank to ATM and back again like three times.  Sweating like a hog and dying to get home under the AC.  Seven bucks a day right now with all the heat and humidity.  We had a rogue thunderstorm during the night dumped a bit of rain.  The thunder woke me up.  So did the peeing times 3.  I live alone and have no room for somebody to share the house.  One bedroom, living room kitchen and bath.  There are wonderful porches and a deck to die for.  I pay a reasonable rent but it's a struggle.  

I have only owned a house one time and it was on Tickle Street.  Billy Miles sold it to us because he was in the business of building and flipping.  He even arranged for financing.  After four year, we decided to raise LP in the country and so it was.  She was privy to her grandparents at all times and grew up knowing the history of this farm.  She climbed a lot of trees and had her own room up at Charlie's house.  The steps and porches were kinda' sketchy but that didn't stop us from exploring.  One Sunday after church we picked up Julia and scoped out the dead cattle bones over across the road.  They were in 5th grade and so excited about the dead bones.  I'm pretty sure they took 'em to school for show and tell.  God bless those teachers.

I hosted a lot of parties for the teenage and young adult crowd.  They had fun and so did I.  We came to know and learn each other as friends. Some have passed and others still stay in touch.  It's a big circle of life for a child from another mama.  Nothing ever really bad happened except for......

I live in the house that I grew up in.  It is nothing like it was back in the day.  My parents have been in heaven for about 8 years and the history is still here.  I was gone for about umm...10 years.  Me and Daddy redid the whole place including a lot of wallpapering and mini blinds.  Even in the snow with the cardinals and all kinds of birds jumping around!  I took me about 15 years to clean out the attic and basement.   LP and Gumby explored that house on the slough.  There poison ivy every freaking where in the woods. Daddy took me fern hunting over there one time and we found a few wild things.  I have transplanted so much from that river bottom to here there and yonder.  Y'all stay cool and keep the faith ^j^

your honor

I have wheels again thanks to Jesus and God and Mother Theresa!  And of course, Les at Lake Road.  When I was waiting  inside for him to come back with the part yesterday I visited with Momo over the wooden fence inside.  She mostly sleeps but gets excited when somebody calls her name and will give her a head rub.  I drove away and the car worked good enough to get me from here to there and back home.  

And I seriously could not wait because it's hot as hades out there.  My electric bill is running 8 bucks a day but I refuse to die hot.  Sometimes it kicks off at night or early morning and I have a box fan so there ya' go.  I've given up on watering the flowers and will let nature take its' course.  Mayberry and crewed mowed today which is always a major allergy event.  *big sneeze*

I had forgotten that today is election day because I always vote early.  I am a D so it was easy to declare and pick candidates based on my research.  The mailman delivered a jury duty summons for September and part of October.  If I have a car, I'll be there Sheriff.  I do so believe in jury duty as a service for citizens.  

The apples are ready so I may go pick 'em if it cools down any.  Or maybe I'll just sweat it out.  Keep the faith ^j^