kid v bunny

I sincerely hope that all you football fans have your snacks ready, and also ways to watch the alternative MAGA version of halftime.  I hear that wings will cost 1999% more this year and it's Biden's fault.  Right.

It baffles me that the cult continues to follow the most corrupt and, actually, demented {OTUS we have ever had.  And you know what? I was not surprised when American citizens were mudered in cold blood and Truth Social continues to be the platform du jour for spreading insults and racism.  The  supporters of this administration evidently are not aware that the entire world hates us or they just don't care.  Check out all the boos at the Olympics and the many town halls that MAGA attempts to put on to justify the damage that has been done to the American people.  This is insanity.  

There is a lot of chatter about the mid-terms and the possibility of a change in power  I am an independent voter who is well informed and I live in a blood red state.  I was not really politically aware of how bad things are until Trump v1.0.  When I was recovering from a near death surgery in 2020 I watched his impeachment proceedings from my hospital bed.  That was also when COVID got real and Kobe Bryant's helicopter crashed.  Not really good viewing for a very sick woman looking for a reason to be hopeful. n

And then, there was J6.  I was working with a client at that time and we watched it happen live.  These were not protesters paid by Soros but pissed off right wingers intent on causing chaos.  And Trump encouraged them to do the deed.  People were killed by these maniacs and they all got pardoned by Trump 2.0.  

If I had ever believed that Trump had the best interests of the American people I would not have a grudge.   Candidates will lie through their teeth to get elected like "lower prices on day one" and "no more war mongering." He has not solved any wars, and instead started new ones destablizing our safety and security.  Our allies have moved on, and rightfully so.  

The mark of a strong leader is to learn from the past and do different, not continue to blame the past leaders.  We need strong bi-partisan leadership NOW and it doesn't seem to be anywhere on the horizon which makes folks wonder why we even try to be a part of a democracy.  Those days are gone and it is serious.  Lest you think that I am a demolibtard, I do not have much respect for the Democratic party either.  By refusing to realize that Biden was senile they made matters worse.  Chuck Schumer is the democratic equivalent of Mike Johnson, in my opinion.  No leadership skills in either of their playbooks.  

How did we get here?  I am a baby boomer born in 1955 when there was hope for  As a teenager I watched the murder of college students at Kent State and the tragedy of Vietnam vets returning with multiple health and mental problems.  These folks did not sign up it but were drafted by the government to fight a stupid war that was for nothing.  I feel for them, as well as veterans of other foreign wars like Iraq and Afghanistan.  There was no draft in those conflicts but active service members gave their lives to do what they were told by previous administrations.  It gives a whole new meaning to service to country.  Like most of you,  I watched in disbelief as New York was shattered on 9/11 unfolded.  Congress is still trying to get funding for those survivors which included fire, police and other agencies.  One of my most vivid memories was of the FDNY chaplain being hauled out of the towers.  The sad thing is that the perps were trained in the US to fly and that went under the radar until later.  BTW, these were folks from countries that hated the western world and ways.  And Dubya captured what's his name who had no weapons of mass destruction. Period.

As I see this administration lying and claiming to cherish world peace, I realize that we are in a very dangerous situation.  We used to be a strong and proud country in spite of historical greed and corruption.  As Jesus would say "Blessed are the peacemakers."  

Give peace a chance ^j^

stealth

I am a terrible liar and always have been.  Let's just say you don't want to be my poker partner because my face tells it all.  I also tend to be selfish on occasion, choosing my own needs over those of others.  And, well kind of "putting folks out" because I'm stuck here.  The rain started about an h our ago and now that huge snowbank out there is steaming with fog.  By golly good old Jeff Jones has kept the road scraped through it all. It's traffic as usual.   

U am a big believer in separation of church and state.  Our founding fathers included that in the Constitution in the form of the first amendment, though not in those exact words.  I do not think that anything biblical such as the ten commandments should be posted in government buildings, including schools.  Freedom of religion is a right but should not be dictated by political agenda.  Which brings me to Trump's remarks at the National Prayer breakfast where he praised the fact that the dictatorial leader of El 

Salvador showed up and was praised for CECOT by POTUS.  If the "worst of the worst" end up there well, I reckon that's okay.  However, that is not what is happening with immigration enforcement in this country. The quota system for any type of law enforcement is based on making money, not only by ICE and CBP is something that has turned into a nightmare for US citizens who are constantly being targeted by lawless idiots who have anger and control issues.  And we, the taxpayers, are footing the bill for all this crap. How many jets does Kristi Noem need to do the job she has been tasked with?  Two American citizens have been murdered in co;d blood by untrained idiots who just like to play cat and mouse.  There are no judicial warrants for most of this activity.  If a judge issues an order, it is either ignored or turned into a long drawn out ordeal while innocents are locked up and deprived of their rights.  

I could go on and on about that, but I will leave that to the podcasters and talking heads of this world.  

The dude that brings my propane came this morning and we chatted about the state of our union.  Like most folks, we believe in the live and let live philosophy.  I don't care what lifestyle you lead as long as it is not affecting me.  I am not God and it is not my place to judge others, lest I be judged.  We all fall short and that is the beauty of grace.  

I have attended church most of my life and have a very strong faith.  That faith does not include exclusion of those who are not like me. Remember that little song that goes "red and yellow black and white, we are precious in his sight."  Yeah.  That.

Most folks that I know and connect with have political and religious beliefs.  Some differ from mine personally.  Yet we get along because of friendship and the spirit of community.  It is the only way for us to survive and thrive.  

There is always a need for the rule of law.  What I see happening more and more is overreach by those with political power.  Oh, and back to church and state.  We don't need to hear little Mike preaching from his Congressional seat.  Seems like he identifies with Paul in many ways.  I wonder when HIS eyes will be opened.  Do not dare to preach from Romans while doing the devil's work.  This Christian does not like that, and neither does Jesus.  

I totally realize that ther is corruptiion in both political parties which is why I identify as an independent voter.  I look at voting records and personal accountability before casting my vote.  If DJT has his way, the mid-terms will be policed by his thugs.  I guess he wasn't kidding when he said that his election would be the last.  Proget 2026 is in full force.

I have zero respect for those who are not smart enough to form their own beliefs without being led by cult leaders. Life is short..so love your neighbor.  Who is my neighbor?  Ask yourself that in a hard way and keep the faith ^j^

 

lived experience

My father had frontotempral demenria and it was not an easy road for anybody in our family.  Symptoms of this sort of dementia include angry outbursts, a lack of common sense and inappropriate behavior because there is no concept of others and their needs.  My mother was blind as a bat in her later years and he literally kept her hostage in their home, the one in which I currently live.  For about ten years following his diagnosis, he was a force to be reckoned with.  My brother, daughter and I worked tirelessly to try and make things a bit better for Mom.  The main characteristic of his dementia seemed to be control.  He turned mean, if you will.  All of this is to say that I recognize the behavior of Trump because I have lived with it.  Only my dad wasn't POTUS, thank goodness.  He would have settled 8 wars and started 5 more.  

There is one particular instance that I remember distinctly.  I got a call from my mother that Daddy had fallen while out walking on Samaria Bend.  He walked a lot with his head down not really enjoying the scenery but on a mission.  Our neighbor down the road called somebody who then called me and I was faced with the task of cleaning up his bloody body.  He refused ambulance transport ( go figure ) and I patched him up as best I could.  

They did not have home health because he was adamant that they were just fine.  He hated the social worker who showed up to work on a plan to make their last days easier.  It was a nightmare and battle of the wills. Billy was always a stubborn type and the dementia magnified that part of his personality,  The day that we took his keys away was the beginning of the end.  I was the bad guy.  Not pretty.  This was a man who was raised as a poor sharecrpper's son and never forgot it.  Compare and contrast this with the current situation in the white house.  Daddy didn't have nuclear codes or insider trading deals.  He was just one man trying to control the universe.  Sound familiar?  Anywho, y'all stay warm and keep the faith ^j^

enough

We are under a blanket of snow and ice out here. Plus it's really really cold!  I am in a warm house with food watching our country go to hell in a handbasket.  That is the big news of today.  Alex Pretti...say his name. If you believe the Trump administration he was a violent protester.  same for Renee Good.  I do not believe their spin for a minute.  One of the reasons is that I can still see well enough to view videos made by those who are enraged at what is going on in MN and other blue states.  The things we are seeing now in real time are not partisan issues.  Federal control over our lives is not normal.  I depend on local law enforcement to keep me safe.  If ICE and CBP were here, I would be scared out of my wits because they are on a political vendetta against those of us who are anti MAGA.  Does that not scare the shit out of y'all?  

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Pretti had a concealed carry permit for the gun that was on him.  He was attempting to help a lady up who was knocked down by CBP to get up.  Minutes later he was shot mutiple times.  It seems that CBP is much less forgiving in situations like this.  

What bothers me the most is that the trump minions are covering for all of this by offering up "domestic terrorist" as an excuse.  That could be me or you or anybody else you know who believes in the first and second amendments to the US Constitution.  

For the life of me, I cannot understand why this is happening except for retribution by a pissed off man who has never done a thing other than grift off of others.  This ain't the 80s people.  According to my calendar it is January 2026 and our rights are gone from bad to worse.  

I believe that the "flood the zone" mentality is working on us as a people.  We think that we have no options except to come together as fellow human beings.  There will be more death at the hands of federal law enforcement.  If I am one of them, say my name ^j^

the polls and the people

From my perspective, polling doesn't count for much.  Trump's approval rating is in the toilet and yet he still carrying on like it is his world, hemisphere and kingdom.  We all know that is handlers are worn out and afraid of gettin' canned.  That tells a lot about their integrity.

As we speak, there is a major winter storm for which FEMA is not prepared, cciting  various reasons such as "lack of funding or direction."  All of the money is being spent on ICE enforcement, with a couple or five military takeovers around the globe.  It is all funny money at this point.  

There are people who can step up and stop this madness but thet won't.  That is the tragedy,  What is happening in our country is not a partisan issue, but a humanitarian one.  When is enough enough?

I totally understand that everybody wants to think about happy shit...I do too.  The truth is that sticking your head in the sand and being a party liner just doesn't work if you have a conscience.  Either side.

Bernie Sanders is my political hero, mostly because he speaks his mind as an independent.  I have a bleached out sweatshirt that I bought prior to the 2016 election that I still wear on cold days like this one.  

I am kinda sorta like a toddler now, going to sleep early and long then waking up in the dark.  I never know what a day will bring but I have faith that it will be good.  Every day that I wake up to an America that is fighting back, it gives me hope.  This shit is not normal, I don't care who you are.  

I live in a food desert about 15 miles from the closest grocery store.  I do have a home with electricity (so far) to cook what I have stockpiled from instacart orders.  That is my new crack.

If I were asked to be honest right now I can do that without a polygraph  I have one of those faces and voices that can't tell a lie, which is why I suck at poker.

Y'all stay warm and safe and keep the faith ^j^

when you know better

 Well, if you learned anything valuable, you do better in my experience.  Everone has their own set of standards regarding
 treatment of other folks with respect. Judgement should not stand in the way of meeting others where they are.  Being open to the trials of your fellow human or animal or whatever kinda sorta is what Jesus would do, and demonstrated during his ministry.  A prime example of that is our local Salvation Army that feeds about 200 plus per day at the food kitchen. This organization is staffed by volunteers and run by (once again)  a director who is not paid.  Nor the bell ringers, bless their hearts.

Which brings me to an epiphany,  Not that I didn't see it coming but because the new world order is pretty damn scary.  There are authoritarian leaders all over the world who have cultists following them.  Some elections are not fair.  I was once a part of a voter tracking thing locally.  My friend and I worked our asses off publishing a magazine devoted to that end.  The budget was small and it lasted about a year or less.  We were promised support from other contributors that never happened,  I don't regret the experience, but I learned from it. And here we go.

* remember who you are and from whence you came

* Smile or cry or vent when you need to.  Nothing is worse than a fake persona or anything fake.  Phone a friend when times get hard. And always keep the faith ^j^

hp hp hp and caw caw caw

Merry Christmas to all y'all and your mama'n them. Here in West Tennessee and Pecan Lane in specific, it is a balmy 70 degrees and the crows have taken over my yard for the end of the year.  There are plenty of pecans out there with stink bug spots but I doubt they mind that.  Tis early flu season around these parts so count your blessings if you are not afflicted.  I have heard that it's brutal.

Meanwhile, POTUS is playing golf and threatening Greenland again. And starting a war in Venezuela playing pirate games.  And the whole world is watching and waiting and getting ready for WW3.  And us?  Well we are mostly barely making ends meet and scared as shit of what is to come.  At this point, it's just damage control.  

I am slowly but surely making my way toward repair of a parastomal hernia.  Six years after I almost died from a serious colon infection I will be once again on the operating table.  I don't remember much about the last time but this go around I realize that the initial surgery that ended with a colostomy will need TLC through the years.  I could care less about a re-connection because I'm used to it but, this hernia?  It affects the fit of my bag setup so it has to be fixed.  

The Lord (and my late mother) moved me the other day to call Senator Marsha Blackburn's office regarding the Senate vote on ACA extension that never made it out of the House.  I was pleasantly surprisd that the woman who answered the phone was curious because I knew a lot about the evolution of healthcare in West Tennessee.  Why do I know?  Because I worked there for 41 years.

So I hope y'all are eating way too much and enjoying family, even drunk uncle.  Just say "bless your heart and pass the peas."  Peace on earth, good will toward men ^j^

if you see me

Please remember this...if you see me.  I cannot see your face unless I am up really close to you.  I can recognize your voice and see a silhouette of sorts but not really any features.  This is what happens when you have macular degeneration.  If I see you out and don't speak but we know each other, let me know.  I am not ignoring you I just can't  recognize you.  I thank the good Lord every day for the ability to get out of bed and live life ro the fullest.  At 70 I see the end of the tunnel!

And so, I have revised my bucket list to make it shorter.  I want to experience the beach one.more.time.  Just guide my sight impaired old self down to the water's edge and set me up with an umbrella.  I would dearly love to see our country returned to the honorable state of an ally for peace.  That's a shortening of the phrase "world peace" and we are not doing our part.  I would like to see some bands that I missed back in the day....The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, etc.etc.  James Taylor just one more time.  I could not handle it now without a whole lot of help but I would be thrilled to raft the Ocoee River again. I have never visited my brother and his family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  That would be a dream come true.  Reaves will graduate from high school when I am 80.  I would seriously adore watching that happen...with honors because she is awesome.  

Life is short here on mother earth.  Not realizing that is one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.  Now I take nothing for granted.  What my daddy told me is true, in that the older you get the faster it goes.  And the more you appreciate blessings.  

Happy birthday eve eve eve to Baby Jesus ^j^

poop happens

Howdy y'all.  The title was the name of my very first blog.  The design created by my friend Tamara in Canada featured an outhouse and lots of other goodies.  Back in those days people ran blogrolls and kept up with each other on a daily basis.  Now? Not so much.  If you have followers they see the posts but nobody else does unless you share on FB.

So, anywho...I am scheduled for parastomal hernia repair in late Januray.. My surgeon ordered a barium enema repair pre-op.  That was attempted yesterday and, as Old Hoss would say "not good."  The prep was brutal enough but when radiology attempted it on a rectum that hasn't been used in six years, well.  Also not good and very painful.  Sooo all that was for nothing.   Now I will have to do the prep AGAIN and have a orocto scope.  OMG!  At least you are asleep for that.

Meanwhile, Christmas is two weeks away and I am ill prepared except for the nativity scene.  And actually, that is what it is all about.  y,all keepn the faith ^j^

4 am musings

Apparently my body has decided to sleep on newborn time.  I have been waking up way before sunrise, this morning at 3am.  Sitting on the back porch in the dark I could hear coyotes back in the fields, probably pups judging by the intensity and volume of the yips.  Nothing like in the dead of winter when they howl endlessly.  It was a subtle reminder to me that these two cats who are eating me out of house and home are in danger if they get too far away from the food bowl.  It is nature's way.  I don't keep up with hunting seasons but I think it's around deer time and close to duck time.  

The fall colors are now peaking, a bit late for us, but beautiful none the less.  The dogwood right in front of my house is dark red and catches the light just right to show off.  

Much of my psychic energy is going into transitioning into an old, visually impaired old person who depends on others.  Always very independent, that is a hard thing to handle.  Bubba said he has never seen anybody who has to go to the 'gentral every stinking day, which ain't true.  It's just anytime I have a chance to get out!  I have so much empathy now for my parents needing rides here there and yonder for the last five years of their lives.  After they died we found a shit ton of disposable razors that Daddy had stockpiled through random trips to the store.  I inherited all of my mother's photo albums which are still in a box under the steps.  Time to haul those babies out and revisit the past.  Mom was a gifted journalist who brought receipts for EVERY rat killing she was involved in.  I have several volumes of my history that she compiled.  I failed Lairen in that respect but there are many pictures of her....just not organized by date and age...lol.

As I age and lose vision, the memories  in my head are the ones that stick.  Brothers in the cotton trailer on fire.  Debbie getting thrown off our horse Dan.  And of course, the New Year's day production at Gaga's where Tommy was baby new year, complete with diaper.  You can't make this stuff up.

Y'all enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.  Usually Novemblah consists of lots of gray rainy days.  We shall see, and keep the faith ^j^

america first?

Oh boy.  Congress is back in session, at least for today.  The final signature on the discharge petition was obtained after a "newly" elected rep from Arizona was finally sworn in.  Oh wait, that will happen today perhaps.  Then they go BACK out at the whim of Mike Johnson to avoid the Epstein files.  All of this while Americans are being arrested by ICE and forced to pay additional taxes on necessities like food, clothing and other living expenses.  Meanwhile, millions of our taxpayer dollars are being spent on marble for the Lincoln bathroom and conversion of the Rose Garden to a private club.  Corporate donors will pay for the "beautiful ballroom" which would be cool except they all want something in return.  That's how the whole thing works.  

The Trump administration has showed a total lack of respect for what the American people want.  We do not want to start a war with Venezuela.  We want affordable health care and food.  We want for the focus to be on US rather than on partisan politics.  And we are being let down every time political loyalty wins over the will of the people.

Scripture tells us a lot about these kinds of false prophets and how they lead vulnerable people to do evil things, even when they know better.  At some point narcissism causes folks to lose all empathy for others. You know, like cutting healthcare to millions while buying Kristi Noem two new jets for she and BF.  And what about that true romantic Kash Patel flying his girlfriend to a wrestling match on our dime.  I could care less about who's doing who out there as long as it doesn't affect me personally.  That kind of shit definitely affects me.  Like I would ever be a guest at Club Rose Garden.  Ha!

I got confirmation via CT that I do indeed have a parastomal hernia which will require surgical repair.  That was step one.  I have begun isolating again because my gut is so unpredictable.  For the last 2 nights I have woken up with leaks and had to get up half awake to change the whole apparatus.  This morning I was up at 4am and still going.  The changes in my stoma are such that I can't really get a good seal anymore.  And that, is a problem.  Note to self:  Talk to Jay ASAP!

My dressing is in the freezer and Bubba's 22 lb turkey is thawing.  I am giving thanks for so many things, even including the hardships.  That is how we learn, though it's hard to see through the pain and darkness to understand that truth.

Y'all enjoy the last few warm days of 2025 because winter is coming ^j^

tylenol and turkey

Well, here we are in the midst of the longest government shutdown in history  According to MAGA, it is the fault of the Democrats.  Never mind that Mike Johnson has put the entire house on indefinite paid vacation to avoid seating a newly elected representative from Arizona because she will be the deciding vote on releasing the Epstein files.  Meanwhile, food assistance is being kept from millions of people when they money is readily available.  Try putting that on your Thanksgiving table... Never one to pass up a chance to blame things on the previous administrations, Trump touted that Wally world's package deal for the meal is 40 bucks.  There are fewer items in the bundle and name brand products are being replaced with great value, the store brand.  But yeah, he takes credit for what he had nothing to do with, claiming that the price is "25% lower than under Biden."  Typical Trump.  

Lauren and I have enjoyed several beautiful sunrises out here lately.  She is helping me to clean and organize this messy house, which is her forte.  We listen to podcasts together and share opinions about the state of the world and, in particuar, our country.  And RFK continues to spread dangerous imformation about health issues.  Tylenol?  Please y'a;;.  The biggest danger I have seen from this OTC med is that people who want to commit suicide will take an entire bottle and die a slow death from liver failure.  I have seen it, and it ain't pretty.  Depending on how long after ingestion the patient presents for treatment, often times the patient would say "but wait..." and by then it's too late.  

Meanwhile, we are slowly drifting toward winter with a hard freeze in the forecast.  That should help the pecans to drop.  I still talk to Patty when I'm out there picking them up.  Lord how she loved it!

I am scheduled for an abdominal and pelvic CT next week to try and figure out what's up with my gut.  The surgeon who ordered it was quite personable and I deducted right away that he is a keeper.  If it is a prolapsed stoma, that's an easy fix.  If there is a hernia too then it becomes more complicated.  We shall see what God has in store.  And always, with faith ^j^

where's the beef

I am a country girl through and through.  As a farmer's daughter I have many memories of Daddy busting his ass to raise cattle and manage crops.  The herd was small by many standards, but it was his second job (besides USDA) and it took up much of his time off from the day gig.  I loved riding around with Dadd, and later Bubba, to visit the cattle that roamed around the farm.  The fencing was ancient barbed wire and cattle don't usually like being fenced in.  He walked the fence lines daily trying to keep those moos from escaping, yet they always did.  So did the horses.  It was a very common event for me to wake up and walk outside to find some large animal or another wandering in the yard.  Usually the finao horse, appropriately named Pride, would get really pissed when we tried to get him back into the barn lot.  Poor dude froze to death one winter and got buried right behind the very barn he loved to escape.  

My point is this:  Famers work very hard and their work is heavily weather dependent, eespecially with crops.  It is risky business that you have to love to keep going back in season after season.  Their livelihood is currently threatened by several economic decisions made by the current administration that includes tariff driven losses on crops and undercutting beef farmers by bailing out Argentina and importing THEIR beef.  China does not want American soybeans.  Zero orders since the tariffs went into place.  Farmers do not want a bailout, they want a market.  And that has been destroyed.

To another point, I learned that there is a bunker under the demolished East wing of the White House which is being renovated and covered with the corporate funded big beautiful ballroom.  BTW, Hitler did the same thing in 1937..Google it.

Things look pretty grim what with a gtovernment shutdown, healthcare crisis, recession, taxation without representation ( see Arizona rep still not sworn in ), indiscrimate bombing of fishing vessels and a whole long list of other bullshit.  I believe that Americans are knee deep in the fallout from all of these capricious decisions yet we are powerless to do anything but pay higher prices and die needlessly because of partisan loyalty.  I do not blame all Republicans, but the MAGA ones are not our friends.  They are afraid to cross Trump *and Vought, et al * so they just nod and do the work of the devil.   

Y'all keep the faith ^j^

 

eye of the beholder

 If you are politically progressive like myself, or even if you are MAGA, it is time to stand up and be heard.  What is happening these days is mind blowing and if you don't watch independent media you are only getting half of the story, or even less.  Being one who tries to see all sides, I occasionally drift over to see what's going on with the other side.  And I am always shocked.  I think it is important not to become desensitized to the violent rhetoric being used by maga.  Saturday will be a big one with protesters all over the world marching for No Kings. It is not just Americans who are upset.  "Now Poopie" you may say.  Don't be hyperbolic due to your trump derangement syndrome diagnosis.  I expect to see heavy military presence at these events, especially in blue cities where troops are already in place.  It is free speech at the core of this movement and many others.  BTW, antifa is not an organized group nor is Soros paying all these millions of protesters.  These are people who are not happy with the way our country is going, particularly with the government shutdown.  While one party showed up to work as usual, the one in power was told not to negotiate on healthcare provisions for Americans.  Oh and also, Puerto Rico is part of the USA so Bad Bunny is welcome.  Hey...it's all about the money right?

I retired before the age of 65 so I was covered by a marketplace plan until I hit the official Medicare age three years later.   There was no premium based on my income of SS payments.  During that time I was working as a sitter/personal assistant and in about August of 2019 I noticed that I was bleeding rectally.  My surgeon friend treated me with heavy antibiotics but there was no CT because I would have to pay a shit ton of money for it.  I should have trotted my ass right over to the hospital and gotten a CT.  It would have saved a world of trouble for my gut.  More antibiotics followed and it was pretty much kept under control until January 2020.   

In December of 2019 I had received a notice that my premium was going from zero to $1350 a month.  And that is how I entered my near death experience with an abcessed colon resulting in an illeocolostomy.  Everybody was kinda sorta expecting me to die but God had different plans.  Anywho...

My brother paid the 1350 so that that the incredibly expensive surgery would be covered.  I was very VERY sick for about six months.  During that time ( after Trump left office ) my monthly cost dropped to 330/month only I did not realize it because umm...sick as a dog.  I don't remember the details. That particular healthcare emergency changed my life forever.  I was navigating all of this by myself while managing a household of one*sometines* and a yard full of critters.

I remember odd things from that hospital stay. Trump was getting impeached for the second time, Kobe Bryant and his bunch crashed and COVID broke loose.  I watched on TV while China literally built hospitals in a week.  

On the morning of January 23rd I opened my eyes to the most beautiful sunrise I had ever seen.  That was the day that my mother died in 2016 and I swear, I thanked her for that beautiful sight.  I was alive and I felt her presence..

Currently there are trolls on my FB page wanting to argue and I'm like "Really?  Get a life"  You will not change my beliefs in right v wrong with your angry rhetoric.  

Keep the faith ^j^

make it make sense

Following a brief hiatus from Pecan Lane posts, the Poopster is back! I have glasses that I can see to type with, which is heavenly. Part of the reason is that I found myself whining, bitching and moaning WAY too much for a blessed child of God like myself.  I reckon I sort of went down the rabbit hole with the state of our nation. There have been many foxhole prayers lifted up this year, particularly during the long, hot dry summer.  I'll spare you the details but it was pretty rough because I have a really big sense of what the least of these are dealing with and it ain't good.  At all.  

Project 2025 is now in full force.  It has been bait and switch from the get go but, girl please.  Things are not normal here in the USA.  The government is shut down because MAGA republicans refuse to negotiate on basic things like affordable healthcare.  As a retired healthcare provider, this is something I consider "not acceptable." Republicans wereo told by speaker Mike Johnson to take a paid vacation and not talk to the other party about the matter at hand.  Millions of Americans will lose affordable healthcare with the current big beautiful bill as it stands.  In some respect, I believe that is exactly the plan.  Genocide by attrition if you will.  Can't afford to see the doctor?  Just go ahead and die so the regime won't have to mess with you. I retired at the age of 62 because of multiple health problems, including two bad shoulders, even after surgery.  They wore out on me early because I'm a farm girl and did a lot of digging and hauling back in the day.  Plus all that repetitive motion in a semi-automated clinical lab at our local hospital.  After 41.5 years and a lot of mental stress at the end, my body gave up.  I was literally forced to slow down.  My daddy retired from the federal government at the age of 55 with a nice package because of those years of service.  Those perks are no more.  He was a USDA employee for decades pushing pins into a map to track various pests that destroyed local crops.  At the end of his career, he was traveling a lot because of meeting Cuban refugees at a Florida facility to inspect what they brought in plant wise.  The local office shut down and he managed to get a family friend to take his place which was mainly at the Memphis airport.  Times change and terms expire.

If you dig deeper than the main stream media, we are in deep shit here.  Trump's entire cabinet exists solely to implement the policies of Russ Vought, et al.  Flood the zone with nonsense like military parades in front of an absent audience.  The tariffs that he put in place willy nilly are killing the market for American farmers because our biggest customer buys elsewhere, Meanlike from Argentina and Brazil.  Meanwhile, the departments of war and racism spend billions of dollars on ICE recruitment bonuses for unqualified recruits to rappel onto rooftops and zip tie people based on race.  Jesus wept.

I must admit that most of my information now comes from podcasters on YouTube because I make my own decisions in a non-partisan ways.  I believe that DJT is an old white con man who is not aware of anything other than his opportunities to flex and see himself on TV.  The department of war has gone global, and the rest of the world hates our country.  Foreign leaders have moved on from even listening to him and the dribble.  Instead, they walk away and go to Plan B.  If there is peace in Gaza, Trump will claim that he ended war number 10.  Not on day one, mind you.  As daddy said "Jane, it will always be thus and so."  A biblical reference for sure.  And also "Leave room for the spirit to work."  That is a hard lesson to learn, but well worth the patience.

I have not seen baby Reaves in a hot minute and she is coming to visit tomorrow, Lord willing.  She is not a baby anymore but a thriving 8 year old who has a lot of spirit and and spunk.  Thus far, it has taken a village to raise her.  That's pretty cool in my book ^j^

death to democracy

I don't about y'all but I am pretty scared about everything in our country right now.  I see no hope for us average hard working people the way things are going at the moment.  We are dispensable to the current administration.  All of us except for the boot lickers and rich people.  Comedy is what restores my soul and will to live.

I have to admit that I was not aware of what is in Project 2025 until it became a reality.  Yep...we are neck deep in the project.  I did what I thought was right and exercised my right to vote for the lesser of two iffy candidates and my vote didn't count.  Still doesn't.  Living in a red state that invited National Guard protection for a major city in West Tennessee.  Black and blue mayor, mind you. Memphis is also where Musk has built data centers that pollute and poison the entire area.   There's your AI up close and personal.  The entire concept of freedom is taken away by that technology.  Manipulation online,such as that is great bait for those who have no personal beliefs and eat up the disinformation. As my 3rd grade teacher would say "think for yourself and say the pledge of allegiance." We all did back then, but times are different now.  I feel no allegiance to the current leadership.  I wish I didn't know what is going on and living in blissful ignorance like so many.

Today's dictator of the week is Brendan Carr, an author of one piece of the media takeover in the project.  There has been so much hostility surrounding the death of a MAGA influencer that many compare to Jesus.  Personally, my Jesus don't like that.  But then again my Jesus is a peace loving dude who stands for peace, love, acceptance and inclusion.  None of that is happening right now.

I watched Jimmy Kimmel's clip that caused him to be fired.  He said nothing about Kirk personally.  His take was on the fact that the POTUS is using that death to his own advantage. That is not hate speech ...it is an opinion .  I happen to agree with it.

If you appreciate the freedom that we have, please put the partisan shit aside and reach across the aisle to someone who believes differently than you.  Dialogue with those who choose to attack your beliefs.  Think about the rest of us if you dare.  Speaking of Jesus, that's what he would do. Plus a miracle or five.  That is truly what we need right now ^j^

from a distance

God is watching us.  How we deal with each other one on one without judgement or blame.  What has happened this week to capture the news is a terrible tragedy not only because a young father was killed.  That being said, we should all bw looking inward to examine our hearts when it comes to political retribution.  Just like a ceasefire, it requires two to tango and the Trump crew would never consider anything besides stoking the fire.  This won't end well unless there is an olive branch or five extended.  Every country in the world hates us and our safety net of the EU and NATO will cease to exist for us as a country because of the way we have treated OTHER nations.  

Just about every Saturday there is a protest in Jackson TN sponsored by a nationwide network of progresssive free thinkers who want change.  The state of affairs in our country right now is pathetic and people are already suffering both financially and emotionally.  I have watched way too many vides of starving kids in Gaza and ICE raids.

We are a democracy governed by the constitution of the United States.  Or we used to be.  The current administration has managed to shred it in about 8 months and some days.  

I have be become a responsible digital consumer by choosing my own news sources rather than watching main stream media.  All of that is being controlled by the government as well.  At the Men's Open the broadcasters were instructed to cut the audio of of the crowd booing him.  The man is oblivious and reckless and will take us all down with him if we don't stand up.  Am I scared to protest?  Heck yeah!  But, I'm in it for the long haul.  I may not be out there on the streets with a sign but I keep the message going here.  There is not a hateful bone in my body because I'm just a live and let live sort ofhat comes with dropping the judgement of others because we are different.

If you will remember, Jesus died for all of us not just Republicans.  Politics and religion should be separate.  That's up the constitution too along with separation of church and state.  I saw a lot of interesting things online today.  Memphis, about 90 miles south of us, will be "welcoming" troops to their city and I say good luck to all involved.  The crime is terrible there because of the size and demographics.  It is, indeed, a tresure trove of history with the Civil Rights Museum, FedEx forum and lots of other cool things to explore.  Memphis is a major medical center in West Tennessee.  I ended up at Baptist East with my stoma emergency and thank God I did.  Little old Dyersburg was definitely NOT equipped for that situation nor was West TN Healthcare.  Yet I'm still kicking.  Wonders never cease.

This has been a rough week for everybody I know.  The tension in the air is thick with those who really pay attention.  All we are saying, is give peace a chance ^j^

hanging on

It's been a pretty busy week around here farming wise.  The dreaded corn box has been opened!  I spent my 70th birthday with Lauren and she made sure it was really special for me.  She and Reaves have birthdays coming i about 10 days.  Lizzie was born about an hour before Lauren another year older at midnight.   I was in Jackson a lot those first few years and then life happened.  Colostomy.  Impaired kidney function.  Osteoporosis. Covid. And on and on.  

I am emotionally raw right now and can't blame it on just one thing.  I am guilty of stuffing my emotions until they come out all sideways like a crying, whimpering SCREAMING fit like my Mama used to do.  Losing my vision has been the worst.  Slowly but surely I am settling into the decade during which they became dependent on us.  They sat here for five years with no way to go excpt family and friends. Ms Faye was here every week day and made sure they had a good lunch.  I am beginnng to be like Mom and lay up in the bed until mid-morning.  That used to make Daddy soooo mad.  During those last years, he slept on a futon in the den so he wouldn't have to come downstairs to pee.  The rest is history.

I know who Charlie Kirk was am familiar with his views though I have never followed him because uh, well. You know what a radical leftist lunatic I am.  Yet his death and the political fallout from that has given Trump the golden key to be Big Ike.  Every single podcaster that I listened to yesterday said that they felt the same way.  A horrible way for two families to let go and a prime example, along with the recent schol shootings that there is not enough oversight.  Meanwhile, the government will shut down soon if everybody up there doesn't get their hads outta' their butts. 

My faith tells me to let go and let God. I am a stubborn soul for sure, but not stupid.  The Lord has gifted me with a tough spirit and tenderness to go with it.  

I miss the days when I got to see her often.  I am her only grandmother and we have lots of memories in the shsort 8 years since she was born.  She is a sassy mix of all of us.  

I continue to follow in faith ^j^

more of the same

As of today, summer is over and I have o a sweater.  That will all change next week mind you.  The corn is still hanging in there and I can hear it rustling in the breeze.  Also the cottonwood leaves are fallin (always the first) and we actually got rain last night!  That means it's almost my birthday.  I hope I get cake.  It's been a few years.  I normally feel like an orphan on that day.  Mom always celebrated birthdays and there was usually a ketchup bottle in the picture.  My friend Kathy in Florida makes her own cards and I got mine yesterday.  Thanks dear!  

My mind is going in so many directions that it's hard to focus on what exactly is happening around the world.  All I know is that Trump is becoming more and more unpopular by the day.  I can't believe it has taken this long,

I used to post every day but that was when I could see well.  Last week's visit to the opthamologist will hopefully bring me some glasses I can actually see with.  Later in the month I see the retina specialist.  And dentist.  And nephrologist.  What fun.  Better than being at Curry's.

Reaves was wanting to be a cheerleader so she started gymnastics.  Somewhee along the way she decided on soccer rather than cheer.  That made me way proud!  She is quick as lightning and wiry but strong.  And that personality...oh my.  She's kinda' snarky like me.   Unlike me, she loves math.  All three of us are Virgos to the core and all share the name Elizabeth.  The stubborn streak from Daddy runs right down the line.  

And just like that {poof} the muse is gone.  Y'all be faithful ^j^

red state blues

It's been one of those days for me.  For no particular reason, or maybe a multiple of them, I began to cry and feel some pretty heavy sadness.  As each day passes I become more and more disillsioned with life as we kow it here in the USA>  There is no way I could list all the reasons but most of you know what they are.  The idiotic things that Trump has done are endless and he is an embarassment to our country.  It has never seemed more clear than right now when the rest of the world leaders are moving ahead without us.  We are not the great nation we once were and that makes me sad.  The most important thing right now in my opinion is the militarization of the National Guard in cities where mayors and governors do not want their presence.  It tends to escalate violence.

It has become increasingly apparent that this administration is running rampant with their own agenda which is not popular with most people.  So who will stop the madness?  At this point in time what with the censoring of network media and all the grift involved, I would go with independent sources that are proven to be unbiased.   If more folks would do that rather than take Fox News as the gospel, we would all be better educated.

I don't really have a lot fo say these days.  There are blessings everywhere and I count them, yet the devil still manages to creep in and wreak havoc.  I seem to always be waiting for the other shoe to drop.  

This mood will pass of course.  I am too faithful to give up.  And stubborn ^j^