Merry Fricking Christmas

Guess what. I'm celebrating Christmas the only way I know how. I'm celebrating it alone on this quiet Christmas evening. It's been a long year and a lot has been going on. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing but it's been a long year anyway.

Me and the family celebrated in separate locations this year. That seems most appropriate, considering. I don't care really. At least we're all alive and healthy. That's a good thing. We're not all together and that's a bad thing. Maybe next year will be different. I don't know. I don't know anything any more. I used to think I knew everything. Now I don't know anything any more. Boy, time has a way of smacking you down. Doesn't it? 

The rain has  been pouring down and I'm in the middle of a flood zone. It looks like we're about to wash away. I don't care. Maybe we'll get to meet the neighbors that way.

I was hoping to see the full moon but that's not going to happen either.

Sometimes it feels like you're being betrayed by the ones you love and sometimes it seems like the only thing you can do is fight for your loved ones. This year, it's a two-fer. I guess that's all we can expect sometimes.

I have been jumping through hoops trying to take care of everybody and sometimes I forget to take care of myself. I don't know what to do. I guess I better take care of myself so I can be stronger and have a clear mind so I can take care of everybody else. 

I guess you figured out I'm feeling kind of sorry for myself this holiday season. I really shouldn't be because I've been through a lot worse in the past few years and I'm sure I can make it through this in the same way ... one step at a time and focusing on the future, whatever that may bring.

I really, really, really hate feeling sorry for myself. It's not one bit productive. I decided to take a cup of Christmas cheer and get through the holidays. Maybe that's why I'm feeling so maudlin. I don't like feeling vulnerable and I don't like feeling weak. I really, really shouldn't have had a cup of kindness this evening. Maybe I wouldn't be spilling my guts on the internet if I hadn't.

I only want to be happy and I only want my family to be happy. Is that too much to ask, I ask you? Seriously, I only want us all to be together and happy this holiday season. I'd settle for us all being happy. 

When you're feeling down face it with a frown. No, no! That's not it. 

Turn that frown upside down and face it with a grin. 

Yeah, yeah. That's it.

AS ALWAY

PIO

Meeting Alice

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!

Welcome to the world, little Alice! Isn't she incredible? She is my beautiful granddaughter. I told you I had a surprise. Now don't laugh but I think she looks like me. Just kidding. She's much, much better looking than me. Wouldn't you agree? 

We've been pretty busy this month, as you can imagine, jumping through hoops and taking care of business.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful, blessed December and get to spend plenty of time with your family and loved ones.

She's a little fighter. That's for sure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Schylar, Katie, Scout, Amanda, Kiersten, Tony, Denise, Todd, Carmen, Andy, Noody, and Carole

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Diane and Larry

RIP
Albert T. Silvers, Edwadene McAllister, Delbert Callahan

REMEMBER

Be Nice To One Another
It's Christmas

AS ALWAYS
PIO

I'm a Caregiver

Here it is half past November and I'm falling down on the job again but I've been busy, with an excuse. Mama and Mary are sick and I have to fetch and carry for them. 

Last night Mama called me and told me she couldn't get Mary to bed. I went up there to help.

I had to call in reinforcements to help get Mary to bed. She was dead weight. She had a fever and wasn't able to walk. It scared the crap out of me so I stayed all night and I could hear Mary muttering to herself in her sleep. Today she woke up and didn't remember a thing. I don't know if we'd dosed her too much for the flu or her fever made her delirious. I only know I don't want that to happen again.

I am the 'caregiver'. I took a stupid Facebook quiz and that's what it said. I thought, "How the hell did a test know that?" I'm not a big huggy, feely kind of gal and I'm not suited for the job. In fact, I'm clueless.

For example, I took the oxygen hose in the sunroom for Mama and forgot to turn it on. She said she'd been checking her oxygen for a while and it never got out of the 80's until she figured out it wasn't turned on. Way to go, dummy! I told you I was clueless.

I hope everybody recuperates before Thanksgiving. 

I was making my dinner list when Mama called. I've decided to make a ham and turkey. We're having dinner here this year. I don't know who all will show up but I plan on making my favorite things.

Mama taught me how to make potato salad and deviled eggs years ago and everybody seems to love them. I also make some pretty good dressing. Mama usually makes giblet gravy with turkey drippings, if I ask her to.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I think I love it because of the endless supply of food and family camaraderie. 

Unlike years past, Thanksgiving is just a reminder that there is one less seat at the table again this year. Now when I see Black Friday advertisements it makes me sad. Daddy died on Black Friday but he did spend one last bittersweet Thanksgiving with us all that year.

November is a sad month but it's also a happy month. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I can hardly wait.

BIG SURPRISE COMING SOON

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Samantha, Dawn, and Larry

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
~Mama and Daddy~

RIP
Albert Silver, Charlie McAllister, Edwadene McAllister, 
Delbert Callahan, Crick Marshall, Frances Causby, 
and Roy Burchfield

REMEMBER

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

AS ALWAYS

PIO

PBS 11-15-15 Sunday  8:10 PM EST

Buddy Killed Birdie

I've had a lovebird for a couple of years. Daddy caught it outside of his house on his air conditioning unit. I didn't want Mama to give it away when it got to be too much trouble to take care of so I brought him home with me. Scout and I were able to feed it by hand. 

After Scout and Colt didn't live here any longer the bird got real attached to me. He would fly around and land in a window and watch me fix dinner or wash dishes. He was getting friendlier and friendlier. 

The other day I had to go some place and I forgot and left Buddy in the house with the bird. It was out of his cage. When I came home that evening it took a while before I realized my little buddy, the bird, wasn't around annoying me and seeking my attention like he would usually do. I started feeling anxious and looked for him. I even went outside and whistled for him, hoping he would hear me and come to me. I knew something was wrong.

I finally found my little bird lying in the floor behind a chair. He had a gash in his chest. 

I was crushed. 

That bird was the last tangible thing I had from my father. It was my last living connection. It really hurt knowing I had lost my little bird because I was in a hurry and didn't even think about putting Buddy outside that day. It was my own fault.

I sure will miss my little friend.

Bang, Bang

The Concealed Carry Fantasy
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/26/opinion/the-concealed-carry-fantasy.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0 

The epidemic of gun deaths has increased drastically in the past seven years thanks to fear mongering about gun regulation and confiscations. This has been going on partly because white racists love to stir the pot and say, "They're not taking my guns!" And they're thinking, "Hell, I'll buy more guns and stockpile them in case the government comes for my guns!" Dumbasses. 

People are reporting more accidental gun deaths and injuries from concealed carriers since the craze has spread across the country. Imagine that. Gun nuts scream every time there is an incident and double down on their irrational stance against stricter gun control. What's wrong with stricter gun control? Most shooters get their hands on a gun legally. The laws are too weak. The background checks are sporadic and incomplete and too many people get their hands on guns who should never have had them.

People who are afraid of more regulation enable dangerous people to get their hands on guns, oftentimes legally. They are unwitting patsies for the gun industry. They're reacting exactly the way gun manufactures want them to and buying more guns. Hallelujah! Praise Jesus and pass the ammunition. Now we'll all be drenched in innocent blood, our own.

Americans have become such wimps since 9-1-1. The Bush administration stoked fears and revenge in our hearts. He used that fear and misdirection to lead this country into a senseless war that wreaked havoc around the world. We will probably never disengage ourselves from the Middle East. 

We won't until we're willing to think outside the box and start investing in renewable energy in our own country, and I'm not talking about coal or oil. No more fracking! Water, wind, and solar are abundant and free in America. We should utilize them all. Plus, hemp would make a cheap and renewable fuel source. There are so many more options. We must break our dependence on oil if we ever want a cleaner planet. The war was all about oil.

During Bush's presidency, The White House put out "terror alerts" and emphasized the feeling of walking on eggshells in our own country during the Iraqi invasion. The alerts were sometimes linked to intelligence information that might, or might not, be reliable. 

After coming off the roller coaster ride of the Bush administration, we haven't been subjected to daily updates and forced to live under a cloud of fear about terrorist attacks but we have been inundated with fear tactics coming from the same circles about a certain, black President, who shall remain nameless for the moment. 

Gun violence is increasing in this country and nobody can possibly feel safe when you hear about mass shootings constantly and when we hear about unarmed men being gunned down in the streets by cops. Violence and guns, or fear of guns, go hand in hand.

The whole game is rigged. Do you want to know who is behind the rigging? I'll give you a clue. Think military-industial-complex. Are you getting it? The gun manufactures are the ones who are profiting from American gun mania and they're also the ones who are financing our politicians who support them. IT'S A PROFIT THING!

The government is not going to come for your guns. That is a lie. 

They're playing you, people. Wake up!

11 Essential Facts
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/10/01/shooting-in-oregon-11-essential-facts-about-guns-and-mass-shootings-in-america/ 

The real tragedy is allowing gun lobbyists and gun manufacturers to destroy our country with propaganda and lies to deceive us into buying into their fantasy. They're making a fortune and they don't care who dies. Do you?

AS ALWAYS

PIO

PBS 10-25-15 Monday 6:29 PM EDT

OCTOBER

I think I'm going to rename my blog "the once-a-month" blog. It's becoming hit or miss here lately.

Last weekend we had company and I forgot to watch the goat. Our friends, Jason and Hanna, came to visit. Their little boy and his buddy went outside to play in the backyard. 

Our goat, Bonnie, was out back and we had a barrier to keep the goat off the carport. For some stupid reason, the goat decided to get on the back porch. Buddy thinks that's his back porch. He attacked the goat and tore her nose. By the time I realized what was happening I started hitting Buddy trying to make him let go of the goat's ear. Donny and Jason were there helping get Buddy off the goat. Blood was everywhere.

Hanna and Jason helped doctor the goat. I poured peroxide on the wound and Jason put some antibiotic on it. We left it uncovered.

Scout and Katie were able to come over the next day and clean and medicate the goat. Katie packed the tear with gauze and bandaged it with duct tape. Scout has been cleaning the wound and making sure she doesn't get an infection.

Buddy has been limping around ever since he attacked the goat. I don't know if the goat got him or if he got hurt while Jason was trying to pull him off of the goat. 

Jason's smart. He had to suffocate Buddy to make him let go. I never thought of that but I have heard that if you stick your finger up a dog's butt while it's attacking it will quit. Who the hell wouldn't? I'm glad they were here to help us.

It's always something around here.

* * *

My friend, Patricia, and I went to our class reunion. It was nice but a lot more low key than parties used to be.

When I took Patricia home we sat outside and talked for a while. Her dogs were chasing rabbits. We could see Luna, her wolf, bouncing after rabbits. Luna is huge. She is bigger than my old German Shepard named Rip used to be. Luna is beautiful.

Time seems to be speeding up and I'm not good at keeping up. Thanks for hanging in there with me and following me. Sometimes it seems like I'm too busy and too, dare I say it, happy to post anything. I'm afraid of jinxing it, whatever "it" is. 

I just want to take life easy and enjoy it from now on. I seriously doubt I'll get what I want though because like Al Bundy  from MARRIED, WITH CHILDREN said when someone said a killer was in the neighborhood and somebody might break in and kill him (or something like that), "Like I'd ever get anything I wanted!" Poor Al. Sometimes I understood him too well.

Have a happy and safe Halloween and don't sacrifice any goats or start any fights. 

OUCH!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Joann, Shannon, Alesha, Lon, Layla, Matt, Devan, Michelle, Kelly, 

Debbie, Chase, Barry, Diane, and Summer

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Kelly and Troy
Piette and Paul
Brittany and Corbin

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

RIP

AS ALWAYS

PIO

PBS 10-12-2015 Monday 09:30 pm EDT

September Rant

I find it disconcerting when people take such glee in cutting funding for welfare or food stamps or some other program designed to help the poor and the needy. They take delight in pointing out the abuse and corruption of the system, outing people they see driving a fancy car or wearing flashy jewelry and using food stamps or receiving government assistance. They always want to abolish the programs and strip all the entitled recipients from the program. It's always ... blah, blah, blah... "I don't want MY taxes to go to lazy people!" but you never hear about the real problem. 

The real problem is corporate welfare. We pay corporate welfare out to employees who cannot sustain a living on minimum wage and part-time jobs working for conglomerates like Walmart. We blame everything on the scuzzy bum who rips off the government while blithely sitting by watching corporations and billionaires write our laws! It's disgusting and I think it's ignorant to rant about the little things while we're getting screwed in the meantime.

I've seen random pie charts and other information about government military spending and it looks like we are wasting billions of dollars that could be used in this GD country to rebuild our infrastructure. I've been bitching about that ever since the Minnesota bridge collapse in 2007 that killed 7 people. Anyway, I appreciate visual effects so I was able to find several charts with graphics about military spending. If you get as steamed as I do about these things, it would be worth a look at America's staggering military budget

I don't care how many mamma's you know who are 'hos, or how many crack-heads who are getting a free-ride. They are not the problem. The problem is corporate manipulation and corruption in our government. Our politicians are bought and paid for. I'm not discounting the greed and corruption on either side. It's just more obvious in the Republican party because they vote for war, vigorously defend the second amendment (the right to bear arms), while supporting the death penalty all while trying to block women's access to healthcare and trying to prevent abortions, and deny veterans benefits.

People haven't woken up and realized the Republicans have corporations hands so far up their butts that if you look real hard you might see it when they open their big fat mouths and spew their hate and disdain for the unwashed masses.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and announce who I believe is the best and only candidate at this time. I've always been fiercely democratic, ever since the time I was duped by Richard Nixon when he promised to get our troops out of Viet Nam. I think that was the most powerful campaign promise he made. The only problem with that was that it took too long to finally get out of Nam. After that, I looked at all politicians with a jaundiced eye. That's the last time I supported a Republican.

This time we are having a peculiar race for president, to say the least. The top runner in the "clown car" is Donald Trump. He is not a politician. Let me repeat, he is not a politician. He's just a glorified personality who became famous for his bloviating bluster and nonsensical remarks. I really don't like the Donald. Can you tell? Anyway, he's blown Jeb Bush out of the water and only has Ben "I am Black" Carson, and Carlie "I destroyed HP" Fiorino as close contenders. Oh, will the wonder never cease on the right? They pull out a lot of millionaires and self-serving windbags every election cycle. I'm still waiting for a Bush uprising. The Koch brother's pet project, Scott Walker, just dropped out of the race along with Rich Perry who withdrew recently.

On the left it's been pretty quiet, at least according to the media. Hillary has kept her head down watching the clowns on the right, awaiting her time in the sun. So far on the left she really doesn't have any impressive competitors except for one lone socialist Jew named Bernie Sanders. 

We need some good old fashion debates with the democratic candidates so all of America can become familiar with the potential contenders. Everyone knows about Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and former first lady and wife of Bill Clinton. Her reputation precedes her and you either like her or hate her but either way you know about her. I know nearly nothing about Lincoln Chafee, Lawrence Lessig, Martin O'Malley, or Jim Webb. I haven't ever heard of Jill, Stein, a third party candidate.

I've lived long enough, it would be nice to see a woman president and if any candidate was qualified it would be Hillary Clinton, but if push comes to shove and the democrats get behind Bernie Sanders, I won't hesitate to vote for him. I adore him. He speaks from the heart and he isn't bought and paid for. He's not in the pocket of big business or OPEC. As far as I can tell, he's his own man and he has always supported the poor and middle class and the working men and women in his 30 years in government.

Bernie Sanders is the only one not waffling back and forth on the Keystone Pipeline and fracking. He believes every American should have single payer insurance and free education. That is an incredible dream, if you ask me. I never thought we would have ACA but Obama did it and now that he has laid the groundwork the right president can expand on that and improve it. But no president can make the kind of changes needed until we have congressmen and senators who are willing to work for the people and with the president to guarantee us all a better and brighter future.

I'm not asking you to vote for Bernie Sanders but I am asking you to research him and his ideas and see if his economic programs and social justice compare to your own. I am asking you to register to vote (you know who you are) and be sure to research and vote for the candidate that will do all they can in their power to create a society that doesn't exclude the needy and the infirm and works for your better good.

We're at a time in our lives when we have access to more information than ever before but we tend to cluster in groups of our peers and listen to the fear and misinformation shared among us. We think Big Government Is Bad and No Government Is Better. Wrong! Without government oversight we might all be eating asses and eardrums in our sausages. Without government oversight thieves will try to manipulate the system to assuage their own greed at the detriment of the masses. Anybody remember the Mad Cow scare? Have you ever wondered if it's getting in our food supply today? We don't have enough food  inspectors now. How bad will it get when there is no government oversight. Instead of cutting protective agencies, we should be expanding them. Any fool can see that.

I want my children and my grandchildren to live in a world with clean air and water and safe food, not GMO (genetically modified organisms) and earthquakes and polluted groundwater because of fracking.

I want my family to live in peace and not have to worry about terrorists and mass shootings in America. I want better for the future. Not crap. Not the shit the sharks on the right are shoveling.

I guess that's all I have to say about that right now. 

AS ALWAYS

PIO

SEPTEMBER

It's fall around here, people. Summer's slipping away. I'm glad Donny and I got to take a vacation before the weather turned cooler. We took a road trip to Panama City Beach. Our friend, Joann, went with us. We shared a condominium on the twenty second floor. I had vertigo until I got used to looking down. It was worth it though because we had a spectacular view.

We haven't been on vacation for about ten years. It was perfect. The weather was warm but not scorching hot and there were a few tourists but not enough to overcrowd you.

We saw sea turtles swimming in a line near the shore one day and Joann swore there were whales in the ocean. Huge dark shadows floated underneath the water. We could see for miles. 

The earth really does curve when you can see the horizon but the most awesome optical illusion was looking at the sea and getting the impression that the water rose above the land and was as high at the balcony. I think I spent a large part of vacation imagining disasters. Jaws, tsunami, Cast Away. You get the drift.

The last time we went to Panama City the boys were little and we went during a hurricane. I didn't want to do like we did before and turn around and drive back home. Although the weather channels were predicting a storm we lucked out and it was partially cloudy but otherwise mostly clear weather. I thought vacation was perfect.

We went to Captain Jack's for an all you can eat seafood buffet one night. Joann hates seafood but she was a good sport and came with us. Donny and I scarfed down crab legs and shrimp until we nearly burst. Well, I did, anyway. I love crab legs but I wonder who looked at those ugly creatures and thought "Hey, I bet those would taste great steamed and dipped in garlic and butter." Thumbs up, to them. Joann dared me not to squirt her with crab juice. She didn't want to smell like a fish. She cracks me up.

When we came back home, Donny had an appointment to see one of his heart doctor's. They checked Donny's defibrillator and said he was doing great. I am so proud of Donny. He is amazing for a man who had a quadruple bypass. He deserved a vacation. Bless his heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Butch, Katy, Kim, Susan, Carol, Larry, Corbin, Gail, Melissa, Melody, Erin, Emily, Debbie, and Jesse

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Resaca Rose

RIP

Gary McNamer, Robert Burchfield, Jack Rat

REMEMBER
Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah, Autumn

AS ALWAYS

 PIO

PBS 9-14-15 Monday 10:15 pm EDT

Wreck in Dug Gap

You may remember when Mamma's mailbox got squashed after Daddy passed away. Well, it happened again. What the heck is going on with people? The driver knocked down sixty feet of cedar fence and two mailboxes on Dug Gap Road.

It's always something!

I thought I'd post pictures of this wreck because I got some negative feedback from the last wreck I posted. I am an equal opportunity offender. 

I, personally, find it offensive when people wreck in front of our houses. I especially dislike when someone squashes our mailbox or destroys our property. Daddy put the cedar fence in front of his house. A distracted, pregnant woman ran over it and wiped it out. That is one more thing we have lost since my father died. 

I don't know about you but I have had a shitty couple of years and I am only now beginning to feel normal most of the time. I still break down sometimes and think about everything. It is so personal and such a mystery how a person reacts to grief. Sometimes people act brave and carry on. Sometimes it takes time, lots of time, to let go of the pain. We were like that when we lost my cousin. The whole family reeled from shock. Some people never got over the loss but time marches on and we eventually learned to deal with it. 

Right now I am thinking about all the tests the doctors put Daddy through which eventually led to his demise. He had a bad heart and was on blood thinners but started passing clots. Everything combined against him. The invasive exploratories exacerbated his condition and the doctors gave up.

I have my own pain and I am not the kind of person who wants to cause pain for others. I did not mean to disrespect the driver and I really didn't think I had the right to even mention she was a woman because I didn't want anyone to make a smart ass comment about women drivers. I didn't want to say anything about the person because I knew the wreck was bad and they were very, very lucky to be alive. Since I didn't see a soul around who looked like they knew the driver I didn't ask the firemen or Georgia Patrol for the driver's name. It wasn't any of my business. I only wanted to post a story on my blog about another wreck in Resaca. 

Thank God the lady is alive and obviously improving. Thank God she has loyal family and friends who support her and want to protect her. Don't be hating. Count your blessings because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

 Peace

AS ALWAYS

PIO

updated
PBS 9-10-2015 11:50 pm edt

Road Trip

Donny and I took a road trip to Tellus Science Museum located in Cartersville, Georgia off I-75 this week. It was awesome. They have antique motorcycles, cars, and an authentic reproduction of the Wright brother's airplane. There were huge dinosaur exhibits and geodes of all colors and shapes that were absolutely stunning. You can go fossil hunting or pan for minerals. Children love it. 

Tellus is affiliated with the Smithsonian. If you ever get a chance to visit, you should go.

Thanks to Donny Strickland for the photos.

AS ALWAYS

PIO

PBS 8-14-15 Friday 10:25 PM EDT

AUGUST

This has been a busy and exciting summer and it's been a dull, and uneventful summer. I guess you can have both kinds. Right now my aunt Mary is visiting my mamma and keeping her company.

I've been mowing our yard and my mother's yard all summer. Recently Mama got all bent out of shape because I left grass clipping and decided to take over. She made Donny put the baggers on the riding mower and mowed. It takes a couple of hours to mow it all in ninety degrees heat.

A couple of days later Mamma told me she didn't feel good. Well, no wonder! An eighty-six year old woman with congestive heart failure shouldn't be mowing the damn yard. She doesn't listen to me though. I wish she'd quit doing that. I'm afraid she'll hurt herself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Ashley, Tommie Lyn, Pat, Pam, Myra, Nancy, Nancy, Brenda, Chris, Randy, 

Jonnie Bell, Gloria, Blake, Bob, Justin, Cole, Jerry

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Susan and Bob

RIP

REMEMBER

Back to School Time

AS ALWAYS

PIO

PBS 8-7-15 Friday 12:26 AM EDT

Wreck in Resaca

It's always something.

JULY

JULY. Happy July. Can you believe we're having such a spectacular Independence Day? Georgia has changed their laws and now we can legally have real fireworks. You used to have to go across the state line to get your fireworks fix. Oh happy days! All you kids of all ages be careful playing with those things. You just know some redneck is going to end up in the emergency room by Sunday. All I'm saying is, stay safe.

I got to make a trip to Chattanooga State with Katie and Bennett and we had a nice picnic near the Chickamauga Dam. It was awesome.

Did you notice the house sitting on top of  the tower?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Krista, Jeremy,Darrel, Athena, Connie, Jennifer, Christy, Nathan, Madison, Holly, Coven, Tristan, Evitt, Tillie

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

HAPPY HOLIDAY

RIP

AS ALWAYS

PIO

JUNE

Mamma and I went to Red Lobster for her birthday. We had a great time and indulged in the ultimate feast. Mamma has always loved seafood but she and Daddy never went out to eat. I think she should enjoy herself and Red Lobster is especially enjoyable. I think I finally gave her a gift she liked.

***********

I have become a goat herder, if you can call anyone who only has one goat, a "herder." Actually, I am a dubious caregiver to a goat, one surly old dog, and a neurotic lovebird plucking itself to death. They all want to follow me around. If the goat can keep me in her sight, she won't cry. But, low, if she can't see me, she goes a bellowing "ma!" all the time. I think she's trying to say "Pam" but she just can't make a P. That's my theory anyway. In all honesty I'm enjoying being at home more and watching the goat is a bonus. 

The bird has developed a crude form of communication. He raises the door of the water bowl and drops it until I look to see if it needs water. He also does the same thing when he wants seed. That's pretty smart for a bird brain. I guess he had to figure out something because sometimes I ignore him.

*******

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Aaron, Dustin, Tyler, Sara, Colt, Tim, Eddie, Jimmy, Gary, Dana, Nancy, Hanna, Keegan, and Shanda

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Chase and Krista Sheram

RIP

J.L. Strickland, Mary Bell Carter, Sam Burchfield, Charlie Burchfield, 

and Steve Yeargin

REMEMBER

Dixie Highway 90 Mile Yard Sale June 5-7th

Flag day June 14, Father's day and Summer June 21st

AS ALWAYS

PIO

MAY

Whew! Nobody told me getting older was going to be so hard. If they had of told me I'd have tried harder not to get old. 

It's always something. Right now I am transitioning from constant caregiver to part-time homebody. I get so distracted when I'm not on my own schedule that I forget to keep up with my bills and laundry. Needless to say, I get behind.

Things have "flipped" again, in my life. My baby boy, the Coltman, has flown the coop. He moved out on his own. Yeah, now Donny and I are empty-nesters. Colt is working in Atlanta full time now. What to do, what to do?

*******

Between running up to Dalton every day to check on Momma or Bennett I don't have much time to do everything that needs to be done around here. I have literally a mountain of junk piled in Scout's room that I've accumulated since he's been gone. Now I'm sorting through Colt's room moving stuff around trying to figure out what I should do in there. It's a mess.

I think I am psychosomatic. I probably suffer from ablutophobia or possibly disposophobia. I collect things. Things ordinary people would trash. For example, I have an overabundance of plastic meat containers with lids that sandwich meat comes in. I took a stack of them to the Christmas dinner with Donny's family so everyone could get leftovers to take home last year. It impressed my sisters-in-law. I don't know why I haven't thought of using them like that and depleting my reserves before. 

*****

I promised to keep Mamma's yard mowed and, between Scout and me, it's looking pretty good. I went to mow Saturday. Colt was loading the truck up with spare furniture he salvaged from Momma to take to his trailer.

Jason and Hanna were there with their little boy, Tristan. Jason is Scout and Colt's oldest friend. He and Hanna are expecting their second child soon. They're having a little girl. Tristan is a doll so I know the baby will be, too.

Another white car was sitting in the driveway when I drove up but I didn't pay attention. I finally heard Katie say something about Joann and asked her what she was talking about. She said, "Joann is over there," pointing at the white car. I had totally blown by her and didn't even notice.

To tell the truth, I really didn't think about Joann being there. She's not supposed to drive and I never thought about her getting her friends to bring her by the house.

She said they rode by my house, but figured I was sleeping and didn't stop. Mind you, it was going on noon by the time I got to Mamma's house. Oh Joann sure is a kidder. 

She had Nancy and her friend Sandra with her. Sandra is a truck driver. She's about my age. 

We had a full house Saturday. Not only were Jason and Joann there but my aunt Mary was visiting with my momma. She had been visiting for a while. Mary lives in Savannah with her son now. We love it when her daughter-in-law, Tonia, brings her for a visit. Mary went back home on Sunday.

I was hoping Momma and Mary and I could do some things together but Momma didn't want to socialize. Mary kept herself entertained reading a paperback and chain smoking. 

Thankfully, Mamma's church family fixed them several meals and brought them to Mamma's house. They are excellent cooks, especially Shirley, the preacher's wife. They're good people.

*****

Burger's Market is open again this season so I got a beautiful tri-colored pink mandevilla plant and gave it to Momma for Mother's Day. I bought myself two different kinds of ferns. I love them. They give any house a southern vibe.

Poor Donny has to tend to our yard alone. Nobody else is ever around to help him. I've started doing my part by tying the goat out so she can eat some of our overgrown spots. Bonnie acts like she's always starving so it's a win-win for all of us. Well, all of us except Buddy. He got off on the wrong foot with the goat and she doesn't like him at all.

Now Buddy cowers in fear when the goat gets on a tear and decides she wants to butt him. Oh well. Live and learn, I always say. Maybe next time he'll be a little nicer when he meets a goat.

*****

I'm becoming cautiously optimist that this might turn out to be an awesome summer. Here's hoping. 

Bless you all as you go about your daily struggles. We all have our crosses to bear. Just think "this, too, shall pass" and carry on. I love you all, even when I'm being a bitch sometimes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Rachel, Steve, Connie, Maranda, Nita, Junior, and Madison

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

REMEMBER

Edwadene McAllister, Grampaw Carter, Ev Chastain

RIP

Vivian

AS ALWAYS

PIO