you need to.....

I was privileged to spend the day with family and friends of my late friend Lorna.  I know some of them better than others, but all of them through her pictures and life stories.  She loved her family more than life itself, and never gave up even when things looked bleak.  The celebration of her life was held at Ellington Hall which is a fantastic venue for all sorts of gatherings.  The assembly hall is next to the newly remodeled museum that was named after her grandfather RC Donaldson.  I have not been there since the days when we took kids to see the snakes and whatnot and I was pleasantly surprised to find a place packed with the history of Reelfoot Lake.  If you don't know the history of how that lake was formed, google it.  We spent a lot of time with the manager of the facility as she told about future plans and dreams for the state park located there.  Girl knows her stuff!  

After that we all met up again to break things down and head toward our respective homes.  That time was most precious to me.  I watched as her great grandchildren played and played as we  elders divided up flowers to take home.  I have two vases billed with fresh flowers to remind me of our friendship.  Because of my vision I was having trouble seeing the pictures but Ann pointed me out to myself when I rolled around on the collage. It was fascinating to see her as a younger woman, and a very beautiful one at that.  She led an exciting life and was a pioneer in the organic farming community along with her husband John.  

With Ann at the wheel the trip to Tiptonville went quickly and we noticed a bunch of solar panels in the works.  We wondered why so many people are against that.  She  brought me two pair of Doc Martin boots for Reaves that her g'daughter had outgrown which will tickle Lizzie to death.  One pair is red!

LP is dashing to earn us some money because neither of us has a job yet but, all things in time.  The holiday season is not a good time to be job hunting.  We still have no tree up.  I would settle for a Snoopy tree actually.  The whole "drag it down and put it up" thing sort of wears me out now.  A lot of my Christmas decor from last year is still laying around down here because I didn't want to climb the steps to put it up.  There is often method in my madness.  Lauren is an excellent organizer and has this place lookin' good after only 2 weeks.  For that, I am thankful.  What I need is more storage space but, no.  We will make do.  

Hug your people and tell them you love them.  Church hugs are nice but the full on one that lasts 20 seconds is the best.  According to my friend Gaylene, that releases the oxytocin.  Love y'all.....mean it ^j^

black friday

No, I didn't go shopping because I'm broke.  I did however go across the river with a friend who shall remain nameless to visit a business in Missouri.  I was in awe!  We stood in line with other customers in the cold wind waiting for the store to open up.  Twenty minutes over, thirty in the store, twenty minutes back.  Easy peasy.  There is a sink full of dirty dishes soaking in Dawn waiting to be washed and put in the dishwasher for yet another wash.  A whole lot of work for a 30 minute meal.  Just saying.  We have leftovers though so that's cool.  LP made her famous homemade mac and cheese to go with turkey, dressing, black eyed peas, cream cheese sweet corn and deviled eggs.  It was Bubba approved.'

It is now four days later....Cyber Monday.  Lauren has some kind of cold from hell ( hopefully not Covid again ) and it is cold AF.  I talked to propane guy today to explain the money situation and he is overwhelmed with calls.  LP has been door dashing and scheduling job interviews but we are flat broke.  Friends have helped us to get by,  I remember back in the day when it was a treat to put up the tree.  Now, it's a chore just to get to the attic to see if it's there!  The pecans are steady dropping and on the first 50 degree day I'll be out there rolling like a demon.  Bubba is bringing me a leaf blower because raking all those leaves is a chore.  

Gas is cheaper than I've seen it in awhile which is a blessing.  Eggs are still high but that's the fault of avian flu.  And so everybody and their mama is squawking about Hunter Biden's pardon.  Umm. Excuse me? I know two wrongs don't make a right but seriously.  That is so hypocritical.  Yes, Mr. President.  You should have, for the good of this country, stepped down long ago.  There were capable people to do the campaign if given enough notice.  I am a Dem, but very disappointed with the way the campaign went.  Six months is not enough time, period.  Today's rant is over.

So now that I have that out of my brain, I carry on.  Tomorrow is my friend Lorna's celebration of life.  Ann and I are going together to honor our girl.  Ms Rebas will more than likely be between Christmas and New Year's.  There are very few events that I get excited about these days, but the reveal party for SHE Magazine is one of them.  I did a handful of interviews and a bit of writing because my editor is quite understanding.  And also a superhuman!  The most important aspect of writing for that particular publication is that I get to meet new people and also find out more about the ones I already know.  Small business owners like Beebee Love and Casey Lou are always honored to be featured.  It takes women empowering women with their spirit and guts to give someone a reason to believe in themselves and their mission.  

Reaves drew a picture of her and Mama in pastels under a rainbow.  Art is her therapy, just like it has been her mothers.  If you want to make that kid happy, give her a canvas!  She tried to crochet and ended up with one long lasso before she gave up.  I don't think even I could crochet because I can't see.  Plus I don't sit still.

Let us pray I don't get the epizootie ^j^