view from the porch

the starter job

One of the unique opportunities that comes with having a recent graduate as a roommate is the chance to remember when I was there myself about 37 years ago. I accepted a job in Memphis because that's where the boyfriend lived so, well. There ya go. After my extremely pissed off Daddy drove the U-Haul full of shit back to Dyersburg, I sat around and pondered my options for about two months. There was only one game in town and I signed up because it was home and it was familiar. Within a few months, I had moved into an apartment of my own. Boyfriend dumped me and I immediately found places to go where people hang out and drink beer. My future husband was a bartender/fireman when we met. The fireman thing went by the wayside pretty quick so he went to the local rubber plant where he stayed forever as long as it took for them to wear his ass out.

Our hospital has been sold twice during the time that I've been there. With each and every change of ownership comes major changes to "the rules." Same thing with the Ohio based rubber plant that sold out from under the 'burg several times + a merger or two. Usually, it's about the money. No...like ALWAYS. Somewhere along the road to American healthcare, I realized that the whole thing is rigged. Hospitals have to overcharge insurance patients to pay for the ones who abuse the system. No, I'm not talking about somebody's poor grandma who has diabetes. The ones I despise are the drug seekers..the ones who keep their scrips by showing up regularly at one doc's place or another. Many of 'em promptly go out and sell them on the street or take a long fucked up weekend. Meanwhile, the rest of us are getting up for work and being responsible about knowing that who you are is an extremely personal and sometimes painful existence. But nobody cares because ya'll are just going with the flow. The mortuaries here just LOVE to see ya'll and your sobbing mommas comes walking in. They refuse to bury people because they have no money. Just like healthcare. After a very rough start involging opportunistic awarding of contracts, things seem to be back on track, the ford family not withstanding.

Lest you think I'm not a true hippie, let me explain all that. I'm not speaking of the occasional mood to say to hell with it and walk away. If I don't do that on a regular basis, I'm a freakin' lunatic. I do believe in honor and integrity...doing what you believe is right, even if it might not be according to the MSM and recent polls. Empathy makes life so much more painful, yet the rewards are a total surprise from Big Ernie when they happen. I can say all of this and proudly pronounce that I'm one of the most rabid Doobie Brothers fans on Pecan Lane.

It's all good Babygirl. ^j^

it takes a village

Babygirl and I have spent quite a bit of time down at my parents' house lately, helping them with chores, record keeping and various other activities of daily living. Lunch is delivered daily from a nearby restaurant and home health folks make frequent visits to check on them. Since her arm has been broken, she's needed help with baths and physical therapy. Yesterday we were fortunate enough to run into not only the home health nurse just in time to re-cert them but the lady who works for the state and brings Mom all sorts of cool gadgets for the visually impaired. Neither of them drive so BG, me and my brother take them where they need to go like hair and doctor appointments and church. I can only imagine how it must feel to be totally dependent on others for your care, but they seem to be appreciative for every single thing that we do, no matter how small. My heart goes out to those who have nobody to look out for them.

After Daddy's last wreck when he gave up his license, my brother took the truck, got it fixed and sold it yesterday. He brought Daddy the license plate to add to his collection on the shop wall that contains every plate he's ever had. This was the last, and that tore my heart out when he told me about it. Mom made the remark today as we ran errands that for me it must be like having a baby again. We got to talking about mine and BG's favorite book when she was little...."Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. "Love you forever, like you for always. As long as you're living my baby you'll be." I used to tease her when she was needing some cuddle up time that I wanted to be the baby.

And you know what? These days I feel that way more and more often.

^j^

down on the farm

It's been an interesting day, to say the least. More later.

random thought

"What in the name of all that is holy does Cheney have to do with who we are as a nation today?" Except for cleaning up the mess that is he and Dubya's legacy. I bet their mommas are soooooo proud.

planting in the rain

Daddy and I went flower and herb shopping yesterday down at Pennington's, our fav place to purchase growing things. I added cilantro and oregano to the already potted rosemary, thyme and basil. It's been a rainy day but a break in the clouds gave me the opportunity to finish what I started yesterday, with much softer soil I might add. The tornado sirens are going off as I type but I'm not sure exactly why because it's all just rain and mud as far as I can see. Somebody please do call if I need to head to the basement.

We are learning more and more about the brain thing that is impacting all of our lives here in the village of Pecan Lane. As it turns out, Daddy's disease may be a rare and often misdiagnosed form of dementia called fronto-temporal and Alzheimer's meds make the symptoms worse. Go figure that one. We're headed back to the doc this week to regroup and discuss options.

Mom's arm is still in a sling for another month. She hasn't been out of the house since Easter except to get her hair did on Thursdays, which makes a girl mighty out of sorts. This too shall pass.

As for Sugardaddy, there have been no recent sightings because this old gal does nothing but go to work and come home to the farm. I reckon Big Ernie is waiting for just the right moment to slap me on the butt when I least expect it. Ya'll know what they say. All the good ones are either married or gay.

Peace out kids. When you see the flag tomorrow, remember what it's all about. Long may she wave. ^j^

meanwhile, down on the farm

These folks did an improptu photo shoot right in front of our coolers and chairs on the beach. Judging from the blow up party doll and monogrammed shirts, I'd say they're all employees of a certain company which shall remain nameless. We don't do endorsements here on Pecan Lane. That was day two of vacation 09 if I'm not mistaken, but I certainly could be. Too much liquor does that to a gal.

My entire freakin' middle aged body is peeling, in spite of SPF 70 and many umbrellas. Remind me to tell ya'll the story of our picnic in the Dollar General parking lot somewhere in bumfuck Alabama on the way home. Yes, we are rednecks and damned proud of it. It's a miracle that we all came together on the porch of that little house on Bungalo Lane and didn't lose any of the tram cards or house keys. Big Ernie was workin' overtime.

I see dead people lightning bugs.

All is well.

^j^