oh karoline!

In my off time I tend to watch a lot of stuff on YouTube and caught a PBS clip today to the White House press secretary fielding questions from reporters about what's gonna' happen this week.  "Well, it's a beautiful Monday morning and we have a BIG week planned!"  I'm sure you do girlfriend.  Bossmen are steady grifting.

My lone peach tree has survived thus far.  Last year it was all bloomed out and the cold bit it.  No peaches here at Casa Poopie. We did have apples and those trees are beginning to bloom too.  My friend brought me some art supplies and I have dabbled but not really gotten serious yet.  Taking pics right now and thinking about it.  Mary Gwyn Bowen is an old and dear friend.  During the time of our 40th high school reunion, she took a lot of pictures to do her magic on the canvas.  It seriously is like a wildlife reserve out here.

Rosie the cat continues to bite and fight my bare feet in the early mornings when I get up.  It takes quite a few kicks to satisfy her so that she will go eat the food (that is already there.) I have taken to not putting my teeth in because they hurt which means it's time for an adjustment.  I will pencil that in along with a visit to the glasses guy.  I can't see shit.  

It's cold here.  Still spring I reckon, and Easter is coming ^j^

the money piece

I had no clue what that was when Nina and Chucky told me I had one at my last cut.  I am going gray slowly and have this Bonnie Raitt kind of thing going on up front.  Slowly moving away from color and embracing my old self, so to speak.  I'm proud to still have hair!  Today has been rainy and gloomy so I'm cleaning house and doing laundry.  LP is on the way to see Babygirl for the first time in about a month.  The weather has not been easy for travel plus there was a spring break cruise for Elizabeth and her family.  Mucho fun for all involved!

Mary Beth has been honing in on "the messy middle" that Jesus chose as his way of life.  Today she talked about the parable of the lost sheep and centered her sermon on how Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders for eating with sinners and tax collectors.  To which he replied that the shepherd would most likely go looking for the one lost sheep and carry it home to have a party.  Now, if I were the shepherd I would just take the lost one back to the flock and pray that the other 99 were still there.  But that is not our God.  He is with us when we are lost and lonely and will leave the rest to come get US!  

We have very "juicy" air around here right now with a week full of rain headed our way.  Lots of rain!  April showers, I suppose.  The tulips are already blooming and actually wide open because it's so warm.

My friend recently bought a used Tesla at a great price because, y'all know why.  I took a ride in it and was amazed at the quiet and simplicity with a bonus trunk up front.  We are of similar beliefs about the state of our union but dang.  A deal is a deal!  Plus it helps with the environment.  I think that the cybertrucks are the problem...lol.

Y'all be grateful and joyous and help others when you can.  It's what Jesus would do ^j^

censorship

You can call me a conspiracy theorist if you want.  It took me THREE tries to post a telling interview with Jeffrey Goldberg and his co-worker from the book festival in New Orleans.  Knowing that Zuck is on the "special list" at the White House, I have noticed that a lot of things that are  posted require a title and or multiple tries.  Kinda' like if you really want to do this, prove it.  On this particular piece I did.  What happened was a very sloppy mistake which they tried to blame on Goldberg who really did not like being in that situation.  They called him names and denied everything which led to his bombshell disclosure.  And the insults have continued.  

What strikes me most about this administration is their quick to judge stance.  "Everything wouldn't be like this if Biden had....xyz.  You cannot base a serious presidency on other people.  That is the coward's way out.  Just own up to mistakes and retain credibility.  Plus don't cut the safety net right out from under us.  That is all we are asking.  I have said before that I do believe the federal government's services contain some waste and abuse and I don't like that.  However, it takes time to sort out who's using who in this game and Musk has not done that.  Well, his team, I mean.  The one team " team member " we never hear about is that poor woman who got roped into being the official director.  Crickets from her.  And not her fault, bless her heart.  I wouldn't open my mouth either.  Had it been me, though?  I would have gone on my planned vacation to Mexico and talk to y'all when I get back.  The truth is, she was scared not to.  She needs her job, just like a lot of federal workers.  

Watching that student being kidnapped by the black cars and masks and whatnot gave me a chill.  Because it could happen to any of us if we say the wrong thing.  Political power at the local, state and federal level is a reality I have understood for years.  Corruption and greed are every day's business in the crony world. I campaigned hard for several candidates and watched over and over again as they took the loss and kept on trying.  My state is blood red so I am in the minority.  Not that I'm blue all the way, by any means.  I am more of a progressive.  Having voted for many Republicans, I chose to not vote on party lines but on the issues and the individual candidate.  But then I'm "woke" like that.

We had a crisis this morning as LP was talking to Reaves on the was to school and they accidentally ran over a cat.  I could hear the wailing on her mom's phone and it wasn't even on speaker.  It took both mamas and a long conversation to talk her through the trauma.  Life is hard to take when you are seven.  They chatted about all the cats and dogs we have had and what happened to them.  That is the basis of therapy, I believe.  Life is hard for all of us, actually.  Bad things happen and we are in deep pain.  My experience has been until we grieve a loss, it still haunts us.  One of my favorite songs of all time is Get Over It by The Eagles.  "I'd like to find your inner child and kick its' little ass!"  My one and only karaoke performance..lol.

I'm not sure how many days into Lent we are, but I see Easter coming ^j^

"everyone makes mistakes"

But then "everyone" isn't in charge of national security.  By now, "everyone" is aware of the leaked discussion about Yemen to the editor of The Atlantic.  This mistake has been downplayed by everyone at the White House, including the president himself.  Oopsie!  It is what it is.  One random observer noted that if they think Russia and China and our other adversaries are not able to listen in as well, they are delusional.  

One of the countless things that I think are ridiculous about this administration is their plan to sell corporate sponsorships for the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn.  My friend made the remark that they will probably be having a yard sale there next.  Funny, and true.  It's all about the money to these people.  What really slays me is the down home people here in my little burg who defend any and everything that they do.  One said:" I am happy to see someone become a billionaire and better themselves."  Honey, please.  They will eat you for lunch before you even know it has happened.

Meanwhile, Musk is demanding an apology from the people at The View for making fun of his kid that he's put out there for ridicule himself.  I doubt he will get that apology.  The powers that be are investigating people who are vandalizing Teslas as "domestic terrorists" saying that they will be hunted and prosecuted.  Like we don't have other pressing matters to deal with!

It boggles my mind that the priorities are so centered on retribution and cutting the little people out of the loop.  Sure, there is a certain amount of fraud and abuse.  Take your time and figure out where it is rather than just shutting the whole thing down.  Trump promised not to do that yet his minions are actively pursuing.  Somebody stop the madness!  

I reckon it is what it is.  Let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya ^j^

trolling

These past couple of days have been "call Janie stupid" on FB.  It never ceases to amaze me that folks have nothing better to do than fight on the internet.  Jesus don't like that.  Nor does he like fighting of any kind.  So many Christians in this country operate on exclusion and whatnot.  I don't really understand the trans thing but if they have the money for the life change, maybe it's a good thing.  At least they won't be trapped in their other selves like one of Elon's kids.  

I was chastised for posting political things on the FB platform for everybody to see.  Some of my "friends" might be offended or mad at me.  I was absolutely floored because I never thought of it that way.  My friends tend to be reasonable live and let live sort of folks who are across the political spectrum.  Many of them read this blog and enjoy it.  As far as the feed goes?  I should probably not throw out political memes and just focus on kitties and puppies.  The political stuff is where the trolling comes in and it can be brutal.  But?  Every single time I fight the good fight, so to speak, my true friends surround me with support.  It is pretty tiring and I don't have room in my life for people calling me stupid and an idiot.  Consider yourself blocked kids.

One of my favorite phrases is "If you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem."  The sad thing is that everybody has their own "solution" to things and if we don't agree, they get nasty.  It is the way of the world now.  I refuse to give up.  If I can plant a seed that might make some younger person think, REALLY think, about what is going on in our world, I will speak out.  I have that much of my mother in me.  That woman could raise hell, in spite of her genteel upbringing.

The weather looks nice so I'll hit the porch and enjoy the sun.  I was sitting out back yesterday doing chair yoga and thought about those people back in the day that had TB and got rolled out in wheelchairs at the sanitarium.   Just a thought, as Belle would say.

Remember who you are...and from whence you came ^j^

we the people

In case you haven't been paying attention, we are in a constitutional crisis of epic proportions.  My feed is flooded with trolls who have had a good dose of the koolaid and believe that Musk knows what he is doing.  We all know that Trump doesn't, even the Republicans.  His presidency was bought by Musk money with the condition that Vance would be his running mate.  If you dig deeper than the surface, that is evident.  And now this non-elected official DOGE person is meeting about a top secret anti China war deal.  Umm.  Dude has businesses all over the world, including China.  Wonder how long it will take him to leak that?

The tariffs are absurd and anybody who thinks that they will be immune to the consequences has their head in the sand.  Yes y'all....it will hit you too.  And when it does?  You can whine all you want, but you defended it.  Three people present at the committee meeting that I watched yesterday presented evidence of asking Musk to appear before them and "splain" what's going on.  He has declined to appear, choosing instead to grandstand and disrupt an Oval Office presser with one of his 13 kids who wiped boogers on the desk.  No wonder Trump is using the little one...lol.  Today's picture was of him surrounded by children at school desks as he announced the implosion of the education department.  "Give it to the states" he says.  Well, a little advance notice would be nice, ya' know?  I live in a very red state where Republicans rule.  

It really doesn't matter that the Democratic party is "disappointed".  They dropped the ball by letting Biden hang on until six months before the election.  Period.  He was obviously demented and throwing Kamala out there at the last minute was a desperate action that failed.  This is a prime example of how the two party system fails us.  

As for the judicial branch?  Y'all keep it between the lines because you are our only hope in a system where Congress is dysfunctional as hell.  There is no reaching across the aisle or by-partisanship anymore.  It's all one party against the other.  And we the people are the losers in this game ^j^

blessed

I have spent my day in my jammies and robe with Rosie on the suitcase nearby.  Spent a lot of time on the interwebs trolling news sites for updates on what the hell trump and musk have done today.  The education department ( headed by an ex wrestling executive's wife ) is officially busted up once the GOP congress does their deed.  One of the things I stumbled upon was a live Senate meeting.  Several of the senators gave proof that they have asked Musk to appear before the committee and explain the massive cuts.  Kind of a line by line thing, which is the American way. There were three of them I believe.  Could not tell their names if I had a gun to my head.  The letters were entered into evidence.  I think.  

I have considered writing to my senators and representative ( Blackburn, Hagerty and Kustoff) but I know that my words will be read by some office lackey who fields calls and emails.  That happened when I contacted Lamar Alexander.  And others.  As a teenager I was all about writing letters and most of the people that I sent them to wrote back.  Fats Everett was one of them.  That a lawmaker made the effort to respond to a curious teenager, made an impact on my young self.  I wrote letters to astronauts and Ed Jones and Queen Elizabeth.  Mama saved all the responses for me in a scrapbook.  Lord only knows where it is.

Today has been a turning point for me.  I felt old and pitiful and lacking in faith.  Then my BG came home and we had a bit of church online.  Spontaneous  and wonderful.  I need that in my life now more than ever.  I honestly believe that our country is headed for disaster but really?  Maybe it's God's will to wake everybody up and drag 'em out of their heads.  Mysterious ways, y'all.

Reaves is on some beach some where for spring break and has a sunburn.  The sun is different down south!  She is having a ball.  She wanted to tuck us into her suitcase for the trip but that didn't work out.  Hola baby ^j^

running scared

The only thing that keeps me sane these days is political comedy, or any kind of comedy really.  I read the news when I get up and think about it....dig a little deeper into what I learn there.  CNN is my preference but they try to make me pay to read.  Nada.  I will go for fair and balanced reporting that is not slanted too far in either direction.  Huffpost is too much for me now and Drudge?  Well.  Let's just say I've been there done that with both of them.

I choose to be a radical somewhat because of my sense of right and wrong. I learned that in church and from people in my life who taught me about faith.  The stories of Jesus healing and performing miracles prove that without faith, nothing much happens.  Of course there is always the mandatory works  come with faith thing.  Many people do their part by helping the least of these with social services and whatnot.  This mostly done outside of corporate America.  It's just people responding to the immediate need of others.  Like after a tornado or flood, but all the time.  I believe that our country is in deep trouble because we have an administration that has no regard for the judicial system, the most important branch of our government.  Well, to keep a dictator at bay.  So far he has ignored all that so we shall see.  Somebody PLEASE stop the madness.  

I tend to be in the messy middle with politics.  I realize that there is waste and fraud and shit but it's not in the federal workforce.  There is a fair amount of abuse by those who work the system, but it's not the 82 year old who got accidentally called dead and missed his payments for three months.  Oopsie!  Let's say that we believe that Trump's tariffs will encourage manufacturing in America.  That would not happen during his administration and would be handled by whomever comes next.  What if their priorities are different.  The two party system is a cesspool of this type of tit for tat legislation "Along party lines" is a pretty predictable type of outcome.  Come on y'all.  Can we not meet in the middle?????

We are currently listening to a story about neo-nazi hate groups that are building a new "training center" in Tellico Plains, TN.  the crazies are out there people.  Watch your back ^j^

the messy middle

Every year during Lent I learn something new about the story of Jesus and what he did before he died a horrible death.  For us to be forgiven of OUR sins.  Pretty big sacrifice dontcha' think?  What He and his followers did was pave the way for us to be kind to each other and meet in the middle.  I don't really see that happening in today's world per the news.  But in real life?  There are so many stories of people who go above and beyond to help the least of these.  

My home church is very inclusive.  Mary Beth and her crew do a great job with welcoming all to the table and we stick together.  I recently had to "resign" as a liturgist because I can't read the fine print.  I wear my distance glasses just to see the screen.  Today as I tried to read the bulletin, I realized that it's a waste of paper on me and my eyes.  In SS we talked about the importance of women in Jesus' ministry as well.  I was today years old when I knew that Jesus had siblings.  Yet none of them were at the cross.  Only the Marys and John.  He spoke gently to his mother and disciple and asked him to take care of her.  There has been spectulation over the years (Dan Brown) that Mary M was his girlfriend.  I think he loved her dearly and resisted.  Maybe not.  After all, he was human and yet divine. 

I do not judge anyone for their life  choices as long as they do ono harm.  And even then, I forgive.  If not I will wither away with hatred and resentment because of the way I have been treated.  People do the best they can with what they have and sometimes we don't meet in the middle.  But sometimes?  It all works out in God's time ^j^

the swear jar

I tend to cuss a lot using the usual handy ones like shit damn hell piss DONALD!  My dear friend taught me that phrase last year and we shared it often when things were looking bleak.  She didn't live to see the orange one elected, thank goodness.  She told me it would be this way.  Well, not exactly.  I think he and Elon have shocked just about everybody and their mama'n'them.Ordinary non rich people are paying attention and not at all happy about things.  There will be no avocados or any kind of fruit for you, says the food nazi.  Nobody can afford that!

I got called out by Meta for posting something about Musk that was "proven false."  I wasn't surprised because they are all in this thing together.  Another reason to get off social media.  When the government is watching what you say and do and censoring?  Not cool.  This is America dammit!  If I choose to speak my mind and not post pictures of dinner or my kids, the bots go after me.  Facebook  began as a social media platform way back when and was targeting college age people.  Before that was MySpace and Yahoo chat.  We have definitely come a long way, tech wise.  I seriously don't want people to know my business except for the ones who care.  Which is why I should shut the eff up about politics.

I read every single day about what is happening and I am alarmed but not so much that I don't trust God to lead us out of this madness.  We traded one demented president for another but Biden was benign yet he still gets blamed for everything that is going on right now.  Not true.  That is partisan blaming and and at this point, we need bipartisan action.  I don't blame Uncle Chuck for caving yesterday.  I truly believe that shutting down the government is not a good idea and would give the powers that be total control over us. I can just imagine how he basked in the glow of approval from POTUS.  Honey, please.  

I am a big Bernie Sanders fan simply because he is independent.  The two party system has failed us time and time again but it keeps on living because of big money donors.  Lobbyists and such.  Getting all up in the bed with corporations.  This infiltrates all of our lives through healthcare, education and a lot of other things.  But these cabinet picks?  Jesus take the wheel.  

It has only just begun and until ordinary folks like us stand up and fight, it will never end.  Vance is already posturing to be the next president.  I may not live to see another election but I pray to God that this nation will return to the constitution and what our founding fathers intended.  We fought hard to win independence from a king and settle America. 

That's all I've got.  Y'all just keep the faith ^j^

trumpcession

Realizing that I am being a disloyal Lenten person, I feel compelled to note a few things about what is going on in our country.  These are not "little" things as the president calls them but a major shakeup in our way of living.  Our freedoms, our democracy and our economy are at stake.  Nobody up there seems to care, following willy nilly along party lines worshiping their leaders.  We all know who they are and what they are doing.  I heard a pundit say today that the way to deal with this is not to jump at every little threat that they make.  The whole idea is to keep us confused about what is really going on so that we will be easier to manage.  People who are living the high life don't seem to understand that we are literally dying out here.  The chainsaw approach is scaring the bejesus out of everybody.  It is a wakeup call that many will not heed.  Or is it even too late??  The structure of the government is being torn apart and the evil ones have our personal information, including finances.  It's all been uploaded, believe me.  Our allies are gone and prices are about to go out the roof.  I just bought an old car and found out today that the AC doesn't work. I should have known better.  At least it runs from point A to point B.  

We are trimming the budget around here and Netflix is next to go.  I never watch it because I don't sit still that long.  My attention span is quite short unless I am writing or porch sitting.  This day is beautiful and the doors are propped open.  Daddy's buttercups are starting to bloom.  All is well.  

I had a heart to heart with my GP this morning about streamlining my care and he agreed to take my suggestions.  My mantra these days is to simplify life.  I'll be honest, if it comes time to raise chickens and make your own clothes, I'll be moving in with my baby brother in Virginia.  He is a survivalist and libertarian who believes in living simply off the land.  Both of my brothers have brought up, in the past, the money that my parents spent on my college education.  They took out a loan for my last year at UT Memphis which paid for tuition and books and gave me a small allowance per week.  They were so proud when I got that degree because that made all of us UT students!  Go Vols.

I remember Daddy driving us to UTM to see the Lady Vols play the Lady Skyhaws.  Lauren and Kimo were about 13.  I think there was ice cream after.  My ex and I returned when LP graduated with a BSW in 2009.  We left the next morning for a trip to Florida thanks to my parents.  On the beach, we met some Kelloggs people who had an inflatable Tony the Tiger and we drug his butt up to the condo as a souvenier.  There was the usual sunning and gunning and a bus to get to the beach.  I told some lady I was a blogger and she immediately pulled up in her official vehicle wanting to schmooze me.  I think the HOA sent her.  That didn't happen of course.  We were too busy chilling.  

Heather and Joe were there along with Gumbler who drove all the way from Texico.  It was the first time we met Joe D, an Iraq vet, and we all loved each other....and you're next!  Vick and Marisa slept upstairs and I was on the downstairs couch.  Not sure where the others were.  Me and LP and Noler and Liz and Allison and Melissa had been to Gulf Shores many many times but moving toward the bluer water that is somewhat clear was a real treat.  I hate to be sappy, but I want to one more time before I die.  Bucket List.  Think "Beaches"

We continue on through the season of Lent.  Forty days of contemplation and redemption in the desert.  Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day that John Kilzer committed suicide at Betty Ford clinic.  He was a rock star in his early days and later became a UMC pastor after having a "spiritual awakening" at 201 Poplar. 

Next to the Kentucky Fried Chicken, he said.  His work preceding his death were a very powerful tribute to the downtrodden.  What made him take his life?  I have no answers to why anybody does that.  When the guilt and shame and resentment get to be too much, nobody knows what they will do.  Don't worry, I'm not about to off myself, just let God do his work.  I don't believe that suicide sends you to hell, by any means.  God doesn't work that way.  

"We've all got a God sized hole in our heart" ~  Rev. D John Kilzer

who is my neighbor?

I had plans to go to church this morning but had an ostomy emergency that kept me home and watching online.  It is the Lenten season and a time in desert for many of us who believe in Jesus.  I gave up political discourse this year because I think it has become toxic to me and my world view.  Mary Beth continued her sermon by asking us who are the most despicable people that we have trouble loving. If you know me at all, you can pretty much guess who my go to folks are and they are not many.  I forgive, over and over again.  I do not hold a grudge for very long. I get over it and move on, and bless their hearts.  Loving to laugh and be peaceful are my major personality traits.  However, I am a rebel when it comes to human rights and whatnot.  Like a dog with a bone, if you will.

I watched a video this morning featuring the people who are in prison in the state of Oregon.  They have the opportunity, unlike in many states, to get paid for working inside of the facility to earn money or points for perks.  Many of them are putting their wages back for starting a new life after release.  It keeps them going and adds to the economy of our country by 1000%.  I also watched a piece about how Chintatowns all over America are dealing with the tariffs and how that affects their businesses and communities.  The same can be said for other countries hit by the extreme tariffs.  This will trickle down within a few weeks to we the people of the USA.  

As for me, I will doctor my stoma according to what seems to be a blockage in the works. Drink more water and keep changing bags.  Thankfully I have a new supply but only one belt that was soiled and is now drying on the box fan.  I will order more now that I have a bit of money.  I tried to do that with my usual supplier but was told that the shipment would be held up because of that "new" item.  Girl, please.  

I see my PCP in the morning and I have lots of questions.  Like "

why is my left ear hurting like a mofo?" What is my creatinine and GFR?  Last month they were stable but you never know.  What I want is a PCP who will monitor me and not send me out to 10 specialists with a 30 dollar co-pay.  I have canceled several because I didn't have the money.  I don't think these PCPs exist anymore because, well you know.  They don't want to take responsibility for something that can be construed as not covering their asses.  

My sin of the day is envy of those folks who can just hop in their car and go to their places and afford to eat out once a week.  But I am working on that during this season.  Sorry this has not been an inspirational post.  I'm not feeling it right now but there is always tomorrow.  I haven't seen Reaves in about five months.  Lauren is with her now and I'm glad but I sure could use a hug from dat' baby.  Just saying ^j^

rachel

She is a truly amazing woman.  I first met her when she was slinging food at the four points gas station and gave me half off on sausage and biscuits after 10am.  Our families are connected over decades through parents and grandparents.  She has always been a journalist and invited me in when she became general manager of the Dyersburg State Gazette.  There were zero reporters other than her when Brandon Hutcheson left and he was later replaced by William Northcutt.  My job was as a "stringer" meaning that I pitched stories to Rachel and then followed up with interviews that were eventually published as "spotlights. "  Some of those folks were Will Bird, Joe Wolfe, Athena Goodall Reed and Jimmy Hester.  With each interview I was introduced to the missions and goals of local people in our community.  I learned a lot from Rachel and the folks that I talked with and made lifelong friends.  As a contributor to SHE magazine I met some new BFFs including Dawn Gordon.  Our interview was at Green Frog which was not a good choice because the music plays all the time.  My interview with Casey Hipps took place here at the cabin though I had known she and her history from visiting her little take out place next to the gigantic yard sale close to Four Points.  Rachel and I were partners in a side venture that began as a pipe dream from a guy who hired us for three months to launch Pioneer Life.  We didn't make any money, but we tried our best.

Rachel is a very talented photographer who does private session for all sorts of events like weddings, graduations and anything in between.  That is called Pioneer also.  She did a photog session with me and Lauren and Reaves a few years ago when Reaves was, shall we say, a sassy young girl.  There were buttercups and iris all around while we posed and whatnot.  Great memories. My favorite is one of all us girls sitting on the front porch steps.  These are my girls.  

I have effectively taken myself out of the political arena into my own life.  Day by day, nobody knows what is up with the POTUS and his minions so I won't worry until a special ed teacher in Munford shoots himself before class.  Which was yesterday.  Trump et al can take a chainsaw to the budget and they will.  I have witnessed many "almost" government shutdowns in my life. The worst was when LP was attending UTM for a social work degree and the money for tuition was not there when she showed up for class.  Mind you, social work is a thankless job these days.  Things look bleak for the least of these.

Resist ^j^

c

(new to me) ride

Once again we have transportation and, by the grace of God it is a Toyota which is what I wanted.  Bubba and I bought it from a holiness preacher who sells cars on the side and preaches "only from the Bible."  No liturgy, old hymns and lotso' long sermons.  His somewhat younger wife was making spring flower arrangements for the church.  She had to show him where to sign just like the people at the bank did with me.  I have been without AREDS for a few weeks and I can tell it.  

A friend of mine has been unusually vocal about politics lately and said today that he is giving up the rant for Lent.  Me too Tony.  It does nothing but raise my BP when things are totally out of my control.  It changes every day so keeping informed is important but bitching about it is fruitless.  God is in control and I do not believe He is happy right now with the good old USA.  

I am so grateful right now to have Lauren here with me to help with things.  She can see and I cannot, very well.  She got me some new readers at the 'gentral because I lost my good ones but I think I need to revisit the eye doctor for something stronger.  

The Lenten season is a time for reflection on the things that keep us from God and our faith in Him.  I did the ashing with sage yesterday afternoon but didn't go anywhere.  That was just between me and Jesus.

Y'all stay happy and healthy and safe.  Please be kind ^j^

in like a lion

Whoa!  If you are driving a top heavy vehicle in the south right now, bless your heart.  Winds up to 40 mph woke all of us in the middle of the night.  When they come from the west, the whole house shakes.  Rosie came in and out all during the night and was as confused as we were.  They bAt some point she slept next to me.  And Lauren.  And visited the crazy Siamese that lives under the house.  That dude creeps me out.  One crossed eye and a very aggressive  cry that sounds like a crazy cat.  We have watched him come and go under the house and tried to invite him in only.  Dayum..that dude sprayed all over the Christmas tree.  I know, I should have had it in the attic by now.  I did the sign of the cross with sage ashes.  Can't see too well but ... It was not last year's palm branches but I think Jesus understands.  That's what I love about he and his tribe.

Lent these days always reminds me of Brother John Kilzer and brother John Fisher.  Well actually, all of the ministers that have been a part of my life.  The first ones I remember are Hank Russell and Reginald Mallet.   There were many others like Cecil and Dell and David and what's his name.  Dude died on the golf course.  Back in the day our youth minister decided to go into seminary.  He laid a very well thought out plan to the council of parents and then went on his way.  When the council convened, the plan was not available.  Nada.  Locked up.  

That was when Lauren's group began to wander through the desert.  They are a big class of about 30 and they made many a SS teacher walk out.  Not me.  We went to the cemetery one Easter Sunday and talked about life and death.  We parked the church van right by my family's plot and had a sit down.  One other time, I took an actual unit of blood from work just to teach about how it saves lives.  HIPPA forgive me. No kid was harmed by this event ;)  Hopefully some of them learned something.

Y'all keep the faith.  And walk against the wind ^j^

 

ponzi scheme?

I think not, Elon.  When you start meddling with SS you are asking for economic collapse.  We paid into SS and Medicare all of our working lives while you were out there doing whatever it is that you do.  The tariffs will do us in first and prices will rise to where nobody can afford to eat or buy gas.  Not to mention what it will do to farming in this country.  You bought your way into being Trump's BFF and we all know it.  He helped you and in turn you helped him and all of us are going to suffer.  What will you do with all of us when we become homeless in America?  Concentration camps are probably on the table as an option.  Or worse.  We will starve to death like those in Gaza.

Am I being paranoid?  Nope.  I pay attention to everything that is going on there is an underground movement to resist what you are doing.  I will not be watching the speech tonight because I cannot afford "real" TV.  I get my news second hand and after the fact.  I am really surprised that you did not make an appearance in the Oval office during the smackdown of Zelenskyy.  I guess you were busy with your chainsaw slashing federal spending.  Not to worry.  They managed to fracture our relationships with our allies without you.  I have never been so ashamed of being an American.  

Not much faith in the world today.  Sorry...you can't always look on the sunny side ^j^

let's make a deal

I have never ever seen anything like the bullying that went on in the oval office yesterday.  It's as if Trump is still a reality show host only he's playing against all of us.  "You're fired!"  Which is exactly what he told President Zelenskyy.  What was supposed to be a meeting concerning a mineral deal turned into a shouting match that, like a train wreck, you can't look away from.  I watched in horror while the leaders of our country treated an ally like a bad school boy.  He knew what he was walking into yet he kept his cool,  and when he managed to get a word in edgewise, spoke thoughtfully and respectfully.  He sat in a defensive posture position with arms crossed and, took the beating.  So much for the mineral deal, huh?  Plan WWIII will be for Putin to break the ceasefire and seize the bounty for himself.  If Trump thinks for a minute that he will share because they have "been through so much together"  he is stupider than I thought.  Putin will throw him under the bus in a heartbeat.  They are two of a kind.

The most pathetic thing, to me, is that all these Republicans are sitting back and letting he and Elon run the show.  Because they're scared.  Well, so are we y'all.  So are we.  I come from a middle class family that was usually GOP voters.  And I never really paid attention to politics until I watched Nixon's resignation at my high school.  Watergate and Vietnam.  Those changed my views.  I was only in elementary school when JFK was murdered but I knew it was a bad thing.  The rest is history.  One of my high school teachers was an expert on that killing in Texas.  He had a room full of evidence that Oswald was framed by his own government.  Zapruder film.  Google it.

I have rant days and I have days where I feel the grace of God.  Most of my spiritual beliefs are based on helping others who are less fortunate.  My home church is a haven for those who might not feel welcome because of their life choices.  That is exactly what Jesus would do.  Without the support of friends and family during this whole wreck ordeal, we would have been screwed.  And I will pay that forward.  And we still have no car!  It's a process, you know?  You have to (get your brother to) kick tires and do test drives.  He gives Lauren rides to work and brings me whatever I ask for.  We are currently researching Lyft and Uber in the area.  When LP was in Jackson they were everywhere.  

I pray that you are all blessed with enough.  That's all I have ever really asked for and the good Lord has provided.  Faithful here ^j^