The Good Samaritan

Donny was going to work one morning when a white work truck stopped in front of Valley Point School to turn in. There is lots of construction work going on because Valley Point is building a new school building. 

Donny was sitting, waiting on the man to turn in, when a car suddenly hit him from behind. The impact was so unexpected that he took his foot off the brake and it rolled into the truck in front of him. Now both bumpers are dented and the tailgate looks bad. Fortunately, the guy's truck wasn't damaged because of his trailer hitch but the car that hit Donny was totaled.

The insurance company finally approved the repairs for Donny's truck. Donny asked me to meet him at the house around four o'clock so we could take the truck to the mechanic, Mr. Carroll, to get it fixed. 

I had been at the Whitfield County courthouse this morning. Later I picked up my friend, Joann, and we went to the Cracker Barrel for a bowl of soup. She paid the bill and I paid the tip. That's how I know I had my wallet then. 

Later we went to Walgreen's and while we were in line I got out to look for my pocketbook I had stuffed behind my seat. I needed my dark sunglasses because the sun was finally shining too brightly.

I rushed home to meet Donny and we took his truck to Mr. Carroll's and started to go home but I remembered that Mamma said Donny could drive my daddy's truck while his was being fixed so we went on to Mamma's house to get the truck.

As luck would have it, it wouldn't start, so we called my son and got him to come help push the truck away from the carport so we could get close enough to boost the battery off.

I went to the Walmart Neighborhood Market after that. 

I tried to find my wallet and tore my pocketbook apart and looked all around inside the truck but couldn't find it. Naturally, I got mad and started panicking and calling Joann to ask if she could remember where I had it last. She mentioned that I'd gotten out of the truck. 

She drove around Walgreen's and I called them to see if anybody had turned it in. Joann even called the Cracker Barrel for me. Nobody knew anything.

After about an hour I finally came home and looked for it even though I'd already got Donny to look for it.

The phone rang and I answered it. Somebody said they were Officer Rittenhouse from the Dalton Police Department and wanted to talk to Pamela or Donny Strickland. I was excited and said "I'm Pamela Strickland. Did you find my billfold?"

She told me a nice 85 year old lady turned my wallet in to the police. I asked her where she found it and the lady said it was at the Walgreen's. The officer said I could come pick up my wallet at the police station.

I couldn't believe my good fortune. I offered Officer Rittenhouse a reward for the lady who turned my wallet in and she called the lady to tell her that I wanted to give her something but she said she was just glad she was able to help. Her name was Mrs. Manis. She has renewed my faith in people again. 

                                                

There aren't enough stories about good people who do good deeds and I believe people like Mrs. Manis are few and far between. They deserve a special thanks and honor. Not everybody would be that honest.

Thank you, Mrs. Manis. 
Donny said I'm lucky. 
No, I'm blessed.

AS ALWAYS
PIO

THANKSGIVING 2016

Don't you just hate it when that happens? The month gets away from you and before you know it, you haven't got the job done. Well, that's me. Busy, busy, busy and not a lot of progress to show for it. 

Thursday we had Thanksgiving dinner at Mama's house. Donny and I brought the turkey and dressing and my specialties; potato salad, deviled eggs, and macaroni and cheese. Mama cooked the vegetables and Colt made a pie. He made a cheese ball and sausage balls, too. That boy can cook better than I can.

Mama's sister, Mary Jane, was there, too. Each time we are together, it is a blessing. Scout came out to get some leftovers for supper. That's the best part of Thanksgiving.

Today was Alice's birthday and Colt took us all out to celebrate at the Cracker Barrel. She slept through the beginning of the meal but woke up and after trying to figure out where she was and what was going on she got to eat her cake. She was hilarious. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Samantha, Dawn, Larry and Alice

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 11-26-15 Saturday  1:35 AM EST

FEBRUARY

Happy February. We're in a new year and spring is on the way. I looked hard today and noticed daffodils starting to bloom. It won't be long before the forsythias make a showing. We're getting plenty of rain so it should be a good year. Right now, as I look out my dining room window, it's dark outside. We're under a thundercloud. 

Today is my beloved husband's birthday. He's finally as old as me again. I happen to be a few months older than him. That's why I tell him he should defer to my wisdom, because I'm older, don't you know. He usually just lets me have my way because I'm so vocal and won't shut up.

Yesterday we took a trip to Cracker Barrel and used the gift card we got for Christmas from Katie and Scout. Donny has been nursing a cold and didn't feel very good but he enjoyed getting out and eating his favorite meal, steak and eggs.

I'm happy to report everything is going okay with everybody in the family. I've gotten to visit my granddaughter, Alice, a few times and I think she is beautiful. She has such cute little chubby cheeks.

Momma had to call a plumber out to fix her pipes under the house. It's fifty-five years old and the cast iron started to leak. She finally got that fixed so she is hunky-dory now. I hope the pipes last another fifty-five years.

I have a ton of supplies so I can start painting Colt's room. I keep saying I'm going to paint but haven't started yet. I think I need to build a fire under me. I'm just afraid that if I get started I'll want to paint the rest of the house and that's not going to happen.

Well, until next time, or until I do something outstanding, tah-tah for now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Mikki, Alicia, Brooke, Don, Douglas, Bailey

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

RIP
Delbert Callahan

AS ALWAYS

PIO

OCTOBER

We've been pretty busy around here. On Saturday the boys went to Mama's and Daddy's to help them. They are mowing so Daddy doesn't have to mow again. He's still bleeding sometimes.

Daddy doesn't trust them to do the job right so he usually walks along beside them on the riding mower telling them how to mow. I wish he would quit obsessing. You have to eventually let go and turn control over to someone else if you want help. The job may not be done exactly like you do it but at least you're getting it done.

Donny and I went to the Cracker Barrel on Sunday and met some of my Facebook friends for brunch. I think he thought they were imaginary people I always talk about since I don't have any friends in real life. We met Jennie and her husband Gary. They live in Calhoun. 

We also got to meet Piette and her husband, Paul. They live in North Carolina. She was picking up some kitties that Jennie has been caring for. They're animal rescuers. They work hard to get the animals vetted and find good homes for them.

I was full of trepidation and had a hard time sleeping the night before, thinking about meeting people I only knew on Facebook, but my fears were unfounded and I was ecstatic to finally meet Jennie and Piette in person. 

Our friend Kristie was supposed to go to the Cracker Barrel with us but I wasn't able to get hold of her that day. She lives in Calhoun. Kristie's met Jennie and me, and Jennie's met Kristie and Piette. I've never met Jennie or Piette. Kristie's never met Piette. I felt like we were going to a party.

It didn't take long before we all felt comfortable talking to each other. Jennie has three daughters. Piette also has three daughters. They were commiserating with each other about the drama of raising girls. I thought it was fascinating. I have two sons and don't know much about raising girls. I always thought boys were a handful.

Jennie and I were both surprised that the other was short. I think we're both about five feet tall. I usually assume everyone is taller than me. So much for making assumptions about people on the internet.

I've heard so much about Jennie's husband, Gary, it was nice to put a face to the name. She's so funny and descriptive when she tells tales on him, like the time he came in the house and announced he and his buddy were going to go rafting down the river, despite the fact they didn't have a boat, or canoe, or any equipment. I could just imagine one of my boys coming up with a hairbrained idea like that. 

I'd love to ride down the river but I don't think I'm brave enough to risk it. The water is muddy and you can't see rocks and rubbish in the water. If I fell into that nasty water, I'd probably die from hypochondria.

Piette and Paul came by the house to visit and saw our goat, Vinnie, before heading back home . Piette gave me oodles of chocolate and tulip bulbs. She even gave me a bottle of hot sauce. She knows me so well. Piette is such a sweet lady. 

I wasn't expecting company so I hadn't done a "dash and stash". I hope I didn't frighten her away.

I used to be a Flybaby and tried to keep my house clean. I eventually fell off the bandwagon and got into my old habits of letting the clutter overwhelm me, not knowing where to start or how to catch up. You can imagine the mess around here. I've got even more clutter now, after Colt moved back home from Marietta. 

Donny couldn't get over how nice my friends were and what a good time he had meeting them. I guess he thinks my friends would have to be annoying and cantankerous like me to get along with me. Doesn't he know opposites attract? Look at us. Donny's sweet as pie, and I'm not.

I only have a few regrets. For one thing, I was so overwhelmed, I forgot to leave a tip for the waitress. She deserved a tip for taking such good care of all of us. I also forgot to take a picture of everybody while we were at the restaurant. I can't believe in this day and age I still can't remember to take pictures when something special happens. My biggest regret is because Kristie wasn't able to join us. I think she would have enjoyed brunch with everyone. It probably won't ever happen again.

On top of all that excitement, Donny's been painting the fender on Daddy's '39 Ford Deluxe. He scraped it when he tried to back into the garage. Old people!

We also took Buddy back to the vet for his annual checkup this week. He never had any checkups until last year when he nearly died. Colt went to the vet with me to handle Buddy. He growls sometimes. Colt thumped him in the nose and distracted him. He said he saw the vet grin when he did that.

They put a muzzle on him when they did the exam. I ordered one. Maybe we can give him a bath without getting bit. I don't trust Buddy all the time.

We can put the muzzle on Buddy and let him be Hannibal Lecter for Halloween. I guess that makes me Clarice.

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

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

AS ALWAYS
PIO