Didja know?

Mrs. Lee, General Robert E. Lee's mother who lived in Stratford, Virginia, had been in poor health so long that a doctor was in almost constant attendance. She suffered from catalepsy, a trance-like affliction. During a long trance when she was pronounced dead, the lady was prepared for burial and on the third day, after the funeral, was placed in the family vault at the cemetery. The sexton, while cleaning up and placing some flowers on the casket, heard a faint noise. He listened intently and detected a faint call for help. He opened the casket and found Mrs. Lee Alive!
Mrs. Lee slowly regained her health. Her son, born for fame, came into this world more than a year and a half after she was placed in her tomb.


At least some of the emigrants who died en route to Oregon were probably buried alive because the survivors were in a hurry.

For many years, cholera ravaged emigrants along the Oregon Trail. Whoever caught it was dead--no cure or treatment existed. Usually, the infected emigrant died in 24 hours or less, so if an entire wagon train stopped for an elaborate funeral, it would slow their progress. It was urgent they travel quickly. Too many delays meant the pioneers might not get to Oregon before winter--and then everyone might perish.
So on most wagon trains, the burials got shorter and shorter as more and more people died. Some even abandoned the terminally sick by the side of the Trail, where they would eventually die alone. The more humane wagon companies elected a "watcher" to wait with the dying person while the wagons forged ahead. It wouldn't take long for the watcher to catch up; a quick death, after all, was imminent.

Remembering

Today is Memorial Day, the day we have set aside to honor by remembering all the Americans who have died fighting for the thing we like the most about our America: the freedom we have to live as we please.

No official day to remember is adequate for something like that. It's too formal. It gets to be just another day on the calendar. No one would know from Memorial Day that Richie M., who was shot through the forehead coming onto Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, wore different color socks on each foot because he thought it brought him good luck.

No one would remember on Memorial Day that Eddie G. had promised to marry Julie W. the day after he got home from the war, but didn’t marry Julie because he never came home from the war. Eddie was shot dead on an un-American desert island, Iwo Jima.

For too many Americans, Memorial Day has become just another day off. There's only so much time any of us can spend remembering those we loved who have died, but the men, boys really, who died in our wars deserve at least a few moments of reflection during which we consider what they did for us.

They died.

We use the phrase "gave their lives," but they didn’t give their lives. Their lives were taken from them.
There is more bravery at war than in peace, and it seems wrong that we have so often saved this virtue to use for our least noble activity - war. The goal of war is to cause death to other people.

Because I was in the Army during World War II, I have more to remember on Memorial Day than most of you. I had good friends who were killed.

Charley Wood wrote poetry in high school. He was killed when his Piper Cub was shot down while he was flying as a spotter for the artillery.

Bob O'Connor went down in flames in his B17.

Obie Slingerland and I were best friends and co-captains of our high school football team. Obie was killed on the deck of the Saratoga when a bomb that hadn’t dropped exploded as he landed.

I won’t think of them anymore tomorrow, Memorial Day, than I think of them any other day of my life.

Remembering doesn’t do the remembered any good, of course. It's for ourselves, the living. I wish we could dedicate Memorial Day, not to the memory of those who have died at war, but to the idea of saving the lives of the young people who are going to die in the future if we don’t find some new way - some new religion maybe - that takes war out of our lives.

That would be a Memorial Day worth celebrating.

......Andy Rooney 2006

Taganai was Awesome!

If this show is ever in your area I highly recommend it. Zach sat glued to his seat for the full hour and a half of the performance and that in itself is amazing. We were both throughly entertained.

Now this Nanaw is strung out as tight as a fiddle string because the anticipation before and then the lingering excitement of the after has the child bouncing off the walls. His last school day is Wednesday too, I can foresee a longggg summer ahead.

Thou Shalt Not Use "Round-up" in the Garden of Eden

Ever since Eve ate the Apple from the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and got him in a shitload of trouble, man has taken it upon himself to be the major caretaker of the lawn and trees on his home turf. This is not always a good thing.

I'm one of those tree-hugging, let nature take it's course, nature trail types, who believes wild flowers have their place in the ecosystem and you should leave well enough alone. I only believe in using chemicals when those ugly green worms (shudder) get on the tomato plants or other buggy critters begin snacking on the leaves and then I feel only a dusting of sevin should be necessary for a quick and painless critter demise. Hubby, on the other hand, with his farming expertise, and general ideas that more is better, is lethal with his pruning shears and handy, dandy, chemical sprayer. This difference of opinion about the ways to handle nature has caused much controversy in our household over the years. The man would even prune a weeping willow tree, I swear.

His latest lawn expert screw-up has resulted in this:



He was trying to kill some sand briars that he should have sprayed back a couple of months ago if he'd gotten around to it. He thought he had one type of chemical in the sprayer but added some stuff from an unmarked jug which ended up making the grass look as though it has the mange!

The roses have suspicious crispy fried blooms also, but he swears he had nothing to do with that. (It couldn't have been that there was a gale force wind going on the day he was wandering around with the chemical sprayer either, huh?)

I'm really considering hiding some stuff around here. I think I'll start with the tv remote,,,,,,,

Drifting along

Night sweats, nightmares, day sweats, not enough sleep, I feel as though I'm coming apart here. I have these dreadful feelings every time I have to leave the house for any reason but I make myself go out and sit beneath the trees at least once a day to tease fate. When I do have to go anywhere I make the trip as fast as I can except for the trip to Jerri's to picnic with the chicklets last week. I felt calm there. I've decided menopause is an evil bitch and she's got me in her claws.

When I do venture out, I carry my camera and I got a couple of wonderful shots this week. Jerri also sent me some great ones so I'll share a few if ya'll want to have a look.

Jerri took these of the Chick prancing around in the horse pasture. Another of the Chick and Abby, just being best buds. I took this photo of Jillian's enjoyment of Nanaw's gift of chocolate stars. I snapped this one of a little monkey sitting in my mimosa tree last Sunday, and this one of Zach and our neighbor, Jeffrey on a sunny April day.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Spring whereever they are!

Ok, OK, I'm awake!

Don't you just hate it when the phone wakes you from a deep, dreamless, slumber and you try to ignore it but after the 7th ring or so it's grating on your nerves so you groan and stumble from the bed to grab it, and once you find it, they've hung up? It's enough to make a saint cuss, and I ain't no saint so you know a few choice words were flying around in here this morning. It's probably a good thing too that I don't have caller ID or I'd be waiting to call them at around 6 a.m. some morning as payback. I'd be

real

mean and call them earlier but I'm not so spiteful that I'd wake myself up that danged early just to get back at em.

It's been a busy week down here in our south. We had an extra ball game night due to having one rained out a couple of weeks ago and of course there's been the homework evenings on top of that.

On Wednesday I had a date with the chicklets. We had a McDonald's fare picnic and I watched them jump on their jump-o-lene.


It's been a great week for critter photos too. I caught a quick one of Mr. Bobcat who's been living around our thickets here for a few years and one of sweet momma dove sitting in the Mimosa tree.

First Time

A big ole boy was at bat and he'd struck out twice before already. Tension was high because they were way behind and big ole boy knew he needed a good hit because they only had 1 out left. He hit the ball with a loud whack and it went high and wayyyy long, the little center fielder saw it coming and started backing up, and up. Then a puff of dust when the ball landed in his mitt and a smile bigger than Montana he raised his mitt to show that the batter was OUT! Mommas and Daddies and his Nanaw cheered because they knew he'd been waiting for this opportunity.

He was so puffed up and proud I'm surprised his batting helment fit after that.

Ponderings

Tell me this....

If a person owns a piece of land do they own it all the way down to the core of the earth?

Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Is it possible to brush your teeth without wiggling your ass?

Why are they called stairs inside but steps outside?

If croutons are stale bread, why do they come in airtight packages?

Why does mineral water that 'has trickled through mountains for centuries have a 'use by' date?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp no one would eat?

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, 'I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink whatever comes out'?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Double Rainbows and Baseball

I took this shot of the rainbows at the ball park right when we arrived last evening. I wondered if it meant the rain was over but shortly found out that it wasn't. I've been at high school football games in all sorts of weather but that was the first baseball game I've ever attended where I nearly froze my wet noonies off.

At least they won.

Thought Blocks

They're not as colorful as these or I'd be playing with them or something. Mine are skittish and are dodging in and out so as to keep me from getting a grasp on them so this post will be one of those odds and ends things.

Did ya'll see the President's Address the Nation speech last eve? He didn't say a whole lot other than a repeat of what he's already proposed but I did notice this resemblance he has to Gizmo, you know, from the Gremlins movies.





I've wracked my brains for years trying to think of who it was he reminded me of and finally this came to me in a flash after I watched him perform last night.

Jerri and the Chicks visited yesterday and brought me some lovely additions for my hummingbird collection. Jami was supposed to have come by to clean my house, which is what she said she'd do for a Mother's Day present, but she didn't show. I suppose one day I'm going to get used to my kids saying one thing and doing another but I'm one of those fools who still harbors hopes.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

My Mom

She's been gone 7 years now and I miss her every day. She was too young to pass away so soon, but life was hard on her. She would only be 68 years old now had she lived. Sometimes life just isn't fair.

Romance in the air

Yesterday, while I was trying to scramble around and get Zach dressed for his early ballgame, James was wondering around in the back yard checking to see if all of the rain water was draining off the garden. Admidst his wandering he noticed the cactus was blooming and remembered our little discussion a few days prior about whether those were new cactus sprouts or buds. (I said they were buds and he insisted they were new sprouts.)

Anyway, I reckon he was trying to atone for treating me as though I didn't know my prickly plants and decided to pick a bloom to present to me. I noticed him biting and spitting when he came in the door but didn't pay too much attention as I was supervising the putting on of Zach's socks, but then he told me he was trying to get the cactus stickers out of his fingers and got one in his tongue I had to laugh. I've had to dig them out of my leg after mowing to close to them but I was smart enough to use tweezers to try to get them out!

He declared that to be the last time he'd try to pick me a flower!


Today, after I've showered and made my hair look less like a witch who's stuck her finger in an electrical socket, I'm off to the Track and Field day at the school. Zach had no idea what he'll be competing in (this teacher of his needs a fire lighted under her butt or retirement) but hopefully I'll get a few photo ops if we get it figured out.

Happy Birthday Special K!!

Origins of Vittles

Folks who live in the country, or maybe it's just we southern country folk, tend to look at food a bit differently than do folks who've lived in towns and cities all their lives. Beings that I've been a country gal for most of my life it's not uncommon for me to view a photo of a cute squirrel or a bunny with more than just a smile over their cuddly cuteness. I might also, upon occasion, have visions of this critter rolled in flour, pan fried, and smothered in gravy with a side of homemade biscuits. Now before you go all postal on me and threaten me with those PETA folks, or something, take a minute to think it over and you'll see why I can see cute little fluffy, furry things as a food source. Or just continue on and I'll get to my excuse for such loathsome behavior.

Close your eyes and get an image of Daniel Boone in your mind. He might be wearing a coon skin cap (which he didn't purchase from Cabelas by the way), hand sewn boots or moccasins, smelly jacket made from some animal's hide, and probably smelly himself due to there being no hot water and soap handy back in his day, and he's carrying this big, ole rifle.

Now, can you imagine this frontiersman standing in line to pay at the local Piggly Wiggly or Safeway with a cart full of shrink wrapped venison or rabbits? You can't do it, can you? That's cause our city dwelling citizens no longer have to forage for their foodstuff and therefore have put out of mind where their food might have come from. You see, in Daniel's time, if you were gonna eat meat, someone had to first go out and shoot, or trap it, skin it or pluck it, remove the entrails and head, then wash and cook it. Most of the time all that part was done by the lady of the house since the man of the house felt the most difficult job was hunting and killing it.

I reckon there's just a tad fewer of the civilized genes floating around in country folks blood because we sometimes still have those urges to eat the same things that our pioneer ancestors did and find the need for a fine meal of squirrel, wild rabbit, quail or doves, or fresh caught fish.

Just Stuff

My back is telling me that I bit off more than it could handle so far today so I'm taking a little break before getting back to tormenting it a bit more. I also have to get in the right frame of mind before 3:40 p.m. which is when the school bus rumbles into the driveway and deposits Zach with his back-pack full of homework. James told me the other day, by the time this child graduates from high school, I'm going to be the smartest Nanaw in the state,, maybe in the whole country!

I wonder if they give monetary prizes for that?

I started the day by going to town because I was nearly out of cigarettes, gas, and toilet paper. I made it home with 5 bags of groceries, including the cigarettes, and toilet paper. I hope I have enough gas to make it to the ball game tomorrow night. I think I will if I don't forget to stop to buy it while I'm in that direction, again.

Anyway, I loaded the bags in the truck and unloaded them at home and as I was climbing those 3 porch steps, with all 5 bags (cause I hate making a bunch of trips)I felt/heard this crunch noise in my back and a sharp little pain. It only lasted a nano second so after putting away all that stuff I decided that today was the day to move the computer, printer, and scanner over to the new desk that's been sitting and waiting in my little office since some time in March. I've also done a couple of loads of laundry.

Damn, I feel constructive today.

The back has stiffened up in definate protest now but so far is not paining me so much. I reckon it's just waiting until I try to get out of the bed in the morning and then it'll kick my ass.

I might mention that this office still looks like an atomic weapon exploded in here. Where did all this stuff come from?

Taganai

Translated, "TAGANAI" means "Moon Holder", and comes from a range of mountains which separate Russia from Siberia. After years of searching, Dreamcast Entertainment has brought the best acts from all over Russia to the United States for the first time to perform this perfect mixture of circus and theatre.

The shows true magic comes alive with it's mysterious acts and elaborate costumes all accompanied by a beautiful original musical score. TAGANAI's constantly unfolding story will make this the fastest 80 minutes you have ever spent in a theater.

I finally remembered to reserve tickets to take Zach to see this show over at the Gold Strike Casino on the 28th. I saw a preview of the show on one of the Memphis morning news programs and decided that this would be a great beginning of summer treat for Zach and myself. With gas prices as they are, it may be the only treat we have this summer!

Sunday Stroll

It wasn't too hot today, nor too cool, so Zach and I took a little stroll down towards a horse pasture down the road a piece. The air was fragrant with honeysuckle

and the wild flowers dotted the roadside nearly every step of the way.

We even came across some wild roses wandering down the ditch bank in a couple of spots.
Zach had just mentioned that we hadn't seen a snake when there he was, a big, old, nasty cottonmouth! Some folks call them water moccasins but we call those big, black water snakes, water moccasins. This dude wasn't one of our harmless moccasins. We could tell by his fearless refusal to move from his resting spot in a cool spot of mud and the stark white coloring inside when he opened his mouth to let us know we were intruding. I stood back a good 15 ft or so from him as I took these photos with shaking hands and the camera lens zoomed in fully.

Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Have ya'll seen this disney movie? We watched it a little while ago on dvd and I have to tell you that it was most entertaining, both the watching and the discussions going on during the watching. The special effects are absolutely amazing!

James: Man that lion looks real.

Brenda: That lion is real,,well,,I know the lion can't really talk but that's a real lion.

James: It's not real Brenda, it's computer made.

Brenda: It's real, it's just computer enhanced to make it look like it's talking.

James: I guess you think the centaur is real too huh?

Brenda: No, that's some dude in a costume but damn don't he look real,,even the ears.

James: I can't believe I'm sitting here watching a Disney fantasy movie.

Brenda: Well you are and it's good so hush so I can hear. Man but I'd like to kick that witch's teeth in....

James: Muttering

Brenda: We could be watching The Little Mermaid, I like it too.

Zach: That lion is real Nanaw and so are the beavers and wolves!

Nanaw: Yep, we know our stuff don't we Zach?

It's good to be back here

I would have stayed at the other place but this place has my history and I'm all about some history. I'm not going to delete #2 though in case I might need it again some day when I do another screw up.

Now I'm gonna see if this photo will post on here.


Here's Zach during their game Monday night. He looks almost professional doesn't he, except for being short.