Another Day of Celebration

Our little Red, White, and Blue, cherry tomato pickers.
Smilin Zach!
Sweatin PopPop
Sometimes ya just gotta wiggle.

This and That, and Code Orange Ozone Pollution, And Happy Birthday U.S.A.!

Here are a few of the different colors of moss rose that are growing in my flowerboxes on the front porch. I also have some red, white, hot pink, and and reddish orange colors. (click em for Be U ti ful close-ups)

I thought I'd post this picture of Spidy for Miz Leslie. There was no danger of his coming closer, so I bravely took this shot.

Children of the Corn.

Zach doing the sparkle thing.

I think the air pollution around here is messing with my mind, we've just come in from outdoors,,,in the country,,,surrounded by corn fields,,,where we became skeeter bait for a kazillion of those blood thirsty demons, just to watch a few fireworks. Had to be "touched" in the head to do battle with those little blood suckers.

Just Sittin'

and watching rain clouds in the North, in the South, over there in the East, and even in the West and nary more than a drop has landed in my yard. I can even SEE it raining over yonder! Yesterday we even entertained ourselves by sitting outside in the shade to watch the rain miss us.

I'm truly thankful for the 3 inches of rain we got over a week ago, but it sure would be nice to get a little more every so often.

Maybe someone around here isn't living right.

I bet it's this farmer who's got me surrounded with corn fields.

The 2 Headed Mayfly

The other day James took Zach and his buddy, Michael, over to the river to drown some bait for a bit. Zach is a serious and intent little fisherman and will hang out with a fishing pole beside a body of water for as long as you'll let him. Michael, not so much. Michael gets bored easily.

So, on this day, Michael was catching bugs instead of fishing. James said he came running over to him and said, "I've found a really RARE bug Mr. James. He's got two heads!" His face fell when James had to explain to him that it only appeared to have 2 heads because it was actually 2 Mayflies making little baby Mayflies.

What's News,,,,Really?

Bidding War for Paris Hilton's Garbage?

The only reasoning I can find for this foolishness would be for her to be throwing away full course dinners and for the dumpster divers to be using the ebay funds for them to feed the less fortunate.

I really don't care that she went to jail, got out of jail, or if she claims to have a really big heart. Get over Paris and put some real news out there.


Scott Peterson's former mistress opens a day spa?

Uh,,,,So? It's all good that she was a major player in the conviction of that vile murdering bastard, but really?


Vasectomy Not Returnable Says Court

I guess I'd be pretty upset too, but upset enough that I'd want to make headlines about how stupid I was?

Judge Makes Ruling In Missing Pants Case

Now this is Good News, although I reckon it's not anywhere near Headliner material. I liked the part where the judge hearing the judge's case is making him pay the court costs for the victims of this outrageous lawsuit. If you needed more proof about the number of absolute idiots who are running around in D.C.,, there you go.

Sharpton & Jackson To Visit West Memphis

You know right off that any Headline including these two names means there's a stink to be stirred.

Tragically, a 12 year old boy was shot in West Memphis last Friday night. He and his cousin were out and about on the streets in West Memphis, AR, at 10:30 p.m. The child had a toy gun and the officer thought it was real. Horrible, horrible thing to happen and I'm certain, beyond a doubt, that the officer is doing some major emotional suffering over this incident.

Little is known about the officer because there have been so many death threats that they can't even release his name. Rightfully, the State Police and FBI have been brought in for this investigation, but Sharpton and Jackson seem to think their input is needed,,,the pot has to be stirred ya know?

I wouldn't even walk my dog in most of the areas in West Memphis after dark so I have to wonder why on earth these boy's parents would allow them to.

Vote for America's Best Bathroom.

I don't know how this item got in here or why the headline got my attention but it could be a fine ending to a crappy news update.

Go ahead, you know you want to click on the link to see what's up.

Who Knows Where This Day Will Go

Yesterday Zach didn't take his dosage of ADHD meds when he was supposed to and by noon I knew, without a doubt, that it was going to be a long day. It was too late for him to take it by then so he spent the day bouncing off the walls. He couldn't even watch TV without singing, or barking, or making these brain numbing little squeeling noises, we were both wrecks by nightfall.

I think my wreckage has carried over to today as well. A few minutes ago, I got his meds out of the bottle to give to him, walked into the living room, sat down, put them in my mouth and chased them with a swig of Diet Dr. Pepper,,,, 3 seconds later I thought, "WHAT DID I JUST DO?"

I think it's going to be another long day.

How Many Farmers Does It Take to Screw in a Light Bulb?

Answer: Just one, but it also takes a vacuum, his wife to use it, and a pair of pliers to remove the bulb he broke off in the fixture.





Glass went everywhere!





I can't reach the danged things and have had to feel my way in the dark of night to use the bathroom for over 2 weeks! I wonder if I'll remember to turn it on now.

Zach's sunflowers are blooming. (click for bigger pics)

I'd like to ask some questions.

How often do most folks have to sweep their kitchen floor?

How about vacuuming?

Is there a dirty, little, dish fairy that comes to visit during the night to fill the sink up with dirty dishes?(Maybe she's the one that makes a mess on the kitchen floor.)

How old do your kids have to be before they stop hurting your heart?

The Beans Came to Visit

Jillian spent the night with us last night. Where does a kid who's not quite 2 get all that energy and where can I get me some of it? It's no wonder her momma is so skinny.

We had a wonderful time and she was really good, only doing the things a 2 yr old does naturally. And she slept like an angel, even when I woke up that one time when she was using my head for a foot prop.

"Last Words"

"It's a dud! It's a dud! It's a du...".

"Don't touch the red button!"

Gee, that's a cute tattoo.

It's fireproof.

What does this button do?

So, you're a cannibal.

Are you sure the power is off?

Pull the pin and count to what? (This would be MY luck!)

Don’t worry it has airbags.

Hey what’s that buzzing noise?

Don’t worry its not that deep.

One time at band camp.

No, he doesn’t bite?.

Hey look a light at the end of the tunnel.

I can pass this guy.

My brakes are fine.

Nice doggy.

I think it's trying to communicate...

"Homicidal Tendencies"?

"Na, I don't think we need to go to the hospital."

Finally!! Some Rain!

We've been having a pretty moderate drought here in eastern Arkansas this spring. Last night and today we got some rain, just over 3 inches, according to the handy, dandy, rain gauge on the deck. (click on these photos below and the view is much nicer)

That water is the road.

See the puddles?

It's also cooled down to around 88 degrees too. Even with a humidity of 90%, it's a durn sight better than that 100 degree day we had on Sunday. That day I was sitting in the shade on the bank of the Mississippi River watching James and Zach do a little fishing and riv lets of sweat were streaming down my face and other areas. Couldn't even read my book for wiping the sweat from my eyes.

They were fishing on the Mississippi River where the mouth of the St. Francis River (on the left there) flows into the Miss. This shot is looking north up river. About 70 miles of winding river, up that a'way, is Memphis.

This is looking down river. Keep going a few hundred miles this way and you'll eventually end up in New Orleans and the Gulf. Just a few miles in that direction is Helena/West Helena.

I zoomed in on these two speeding down the river. They were about a half mile out. The sand bar on the other side has another channel between it and the bank.

Great Poets!

THESE ARE ENTRIES TO A WASHINGTON POST COMPETITION ASKING FOR A RHYME WITH THE MOST ROMANTIC FIRST LINE, BUT THE LEAST ROMANTIC SECOND LINE:

Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss,

But I only slept with you, because I was pissed.

I thought that I could love no otherUntil,

that is, I met your brother.


Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.


But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead,
the sugar bowl'sempty, and so is your head.


Of loving beauty you float with grace.

If only you could hide your face.


Kind, intelligent, loving and hot.

This describes everything you are not.


I want to feel your sweet embrace,

But don't take that paper bag off of your face.


I love your smile, your face, and your eyes.

Damn, I'm good at telling lies!


My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:

Marrying you really screwed up my life.


I see your face when I am dreaming.

That's why I always wake up screaming.


My love, you take my breath away.

What have you stepped in to smell this way?


My feelings for you no words can tell

Except for maybe "Oh! Go To Hell."


What inspired this amorous rhyme?

Two parts vodka, one part lime.

Fishing Again

The Terrorist wanted to go fishing yesterday, so being the contriving Nanaw that I am, I bribed him into doing his chores by using his desire to go into the wilderness as a lure. It worked this time since I was the only available adult with driving license and a ride to take him down to the nearest lake.

He spent 1 hour getting his hook, line, sinker, and bobber just right on his rod and reel and then spent a whole 25 minutes on vacuuming the living room, taking out the trash, and putting his clean laundry away. (that reminds me, I'd better check to be sure his laundry went in a drawer and not in the bottom of his closet where it usually ends up).

So, he had a lovely afternoon where he was able to drown about 50 crickets without ever actually getting a fish to the bank, and I spent the time fighting flies and skeeters while reading and taking a few photos.

Creature Comforts

These are just a couple of the critters.

I've just had my first dose of these wacky animals and I'm still laughing.

Solutions

Now, this makes sense to me.

Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately. Illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, wild animals attacking humans in Florida.

Not me.

I concentrate on solutions to problems.

Illegal Immigration....Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border.

Hurricane recovery.....Use the dirt to raise the levies in New Orleans.

Wild animals attacking humans in Florida.....Put the Florida alligators in the moat.

Any other problems you would like for me to solve today?

Kid's Fishing Rodeo

Up early and to the lake for the kiddies to fish for prizes. They didn't catch a bunch of fish but every one of them caught A fish. We sure had some tired kids after it was over and Nanaw crashed for a 2 hour nap when she got home.

The Chick fell and skinned her shin so she marched up to the ambulance, that was standing by for alligator or shark bites, or fish hook punctures, and told them she didn't need to go to the hospital but she sure needed a bandaid for her booboo. They didn't have bandaids so they made do with some gauze and tape. It sure made that booboo feel better!

You know it's probably going to be a bad day when,,,

1. Pancakes have given you heartburn.



2. When momma mockingbird turns on you while you're only trying to take pictures of her babies. I swear, she was trying to peck my eyes out and pull my hair off!



3. When the thought of brushing your hair leaves you exhausted.

Faces only a mother could love.

I didn't know that you could click to see the photo's original size until just lately, but you can.

Another "Stuff" Post

When you see these guys flittering around, you know for sure that summer is upon ya. While taking some shots of this wingy dude, memories of chasing, and sometimes catching, dragonflies on my grandma's clothes line came to mind. I don't remember ever being entertained as a kid but I sure did think of some entertaining stuff myself. It could be that it didn't take much to entertain me? I think kids today would think we were boring.

The house fly population hasn't suffered a decrease in population down here in my south. MeriKate left the back door open last evening and I've been swattin ever since!

The first of the sunflowers have started blooming. I bought Zach a variety of seeds this year and this is one of the dwarf variety which is an early bloomer I reckon.

I'm keeping an eagle eye on this little vine and it's little buddies. This is going to grow and develop into some fine tastin' cucumbers some time soon.

The Man's garden is growing tall and strong and we've been picking summer squash for a little over a week now. Being a southern gal and all, I know most of 99 ways to cook up this summer bounty. (I may be exaggerating the number here)

We've already had them sliced thin, rolled in cornmeal, and deep fried in canola oil. After cooking I lay them on paper towels so they'll still have a slightly crispy texture (sometimes). This is some FINE eatin'!

I've sliced them lengthwise, seasoned them with whatever my hand landed on from the spice cupboard, and put them on the grill until tender. Healthy but still fine!

I've sliced them up with an onion, added them to a hot skillet with a couple tablespoons of olive oil, seasoned with ground pepper and salt, then turn the heat down low and let them sautee for a bit. After turning them over, I sprinkled cheese on top, and put the lid back on until the cheese melted. DELICIOUS!

Tonight I'm going to stuff em! I cut them in half (lengthwise), scoop out the insides and chop that up with some ground round, onion, egg, and bell pepper. Then I stuff the squash boats with that and throw it into the oven until the stuffing is done. Tonight I'll only sprinkle cheese on top since I forgot to buy tomato sauce at the grocery.

That's all the stuff I can think of for now.

A Future Career in Modeling?

Her momma still insists that we've gotta keep this child away from poles!!

Mostly Busy Thursday

My day started out slow, I almost went back to bed after Zach left for school but I've been having so many aches and pains in my back and legs that I just couldn't get comfortable enough.

This was his last day of school so he was back home again by noon. I was dressed and waiting for him so we could leave to meet James down at the farm to pick up his pay check. He only gets paid once a month on the last working day, and normally I'd wait until the day after to do the banking, but the past few months it's been so hectic on the 1st that I decided not to wait this time so that perhaps I wouldn't have so many bad thoughts about the senior drivers and welfare caddys on the road.

After we did the banking, Zach and I stopped in to see the Chicklets for a bit. Jerri was gone when I got there and Banny, her mother, was there with the girls and Jaylen (who was spending the week with them). As I walked up onto the carport, Banny met me and was showing me this little green snake that was peeking his head out of a crack. She told me the little fella was on the back door earlier, trying to get in as Jerri was going out. He wasn't a scary snake at all, not even as big around as a pencil and a little longer than a ruler.





Later, as we sat in the living room, chatting and having coffee, Banny noticed the little snake trying to make his way to the front door and was hanging from a planter on the front porch. We decided we would try to catch him as an addition to the Chick's growing zoo, so Banny went out back to find a critter cage and I grabbed my camera to attempt to get a picture of the sneaky little dude before we did the deed.

That little dude was fast as greased lightening!! Neither Banny or I minded touching him cause he was just a little green snake, but I told her that I'd really rather grab him behind the head if possible because I really had no desire to have him LICK me (his little tongue was darting in and out constantly!) Banny got a towel and tried to corral him to be still so I could grasp him behind his teeny little head. This was not easy because he was a wiggly, squirmy little dude. I caught him around his middle once but I had to release when he turned his head, WITH tongue, toward my arm, but Banny stayed her course with that towel so we finally did it. I held onto him and we made our way into the house to put him in the little cage. I got a little nervous when I had to stop a minute so Zach could get a closer look at him and touch him a little, but we made the capture and all was well.

The kids were busy killing and catching flies to feed Sneaky Freddy (Alexis named him) for a good while afterwards so it gave us grandmas a little free time to chat a bit more and drink our coffee.

I'm not too sure Jerri was totally happy with us when she came home to find an additional pet, but she loves us so she puts up with us.

Later, the kids decided to take a dip in the pool.

Jillian decided she wanted to climb the ladder to see what the big kids were doing.


Two of our babies graduated from kindergarten yesterday. Abby and MeriKate were as happy as little clams.

AND THEN:

Jerri called late afternoon yesterday. Her first words when I answered the phone were, "Do you want your Granddaughter, and for how long?" I said, "Which one?" (but all the while having a sneaky suspicion) "What did she do?"

I started laughing as soon as she said "Bisquick". I was laughing so hard I might have missed some of it, but...I think while Jerri was fixing supper, Jillian slipped into the fridge and snagged the box of Bisquick, took it with her to Alexis's room where she poured it out, added some sprite to make a batter, then rolled Cookie the kitten in it.

I'm glad she doesn't know how to use a deep fryer yet.

I wonder how many grey hairs Jerri has today?

I'm Trying

Mockingbird nest with eggs in one of the Rose of Sharon shrubs.

Hmm, wonder what they were discussing here.

Jordan building sand castles.

Jaylen doing a little digging but she was prepared for anything!

I'm doing my best to post more often but much of the time my mind goes blank when I sit down down to do it.

I'll try to do better.

Another Day at the Lake

All of our babies!!

State Seizes City Payroll Records

You may be wondering why I feel such deep concern over the goins on over in the nearby city of Helena-West Helena, beings that I live out in the country and all, but the fact of the matter is, it's the closest place to do much of our shopping.
I have made the decision to drive the same mileage north to another small town, in another county, to buy groceries once this EXTRA sales tax goes into effect but it'll mean driving an extra 14 miles or so, to yet another small town, to be able to shop for clothes and that sort of stuff.

Gas being what it is makes the longer drive a more difficult one, but I reckon I'll be doing it. It's the principle of the thing, you know? You can't help folks who are helping themselves to funds that don't belong to them!

Hear that All Ye in government in the City of Helena-West Helena?

This little article from The Daily World only reinforces my decisions.

Arkansas State Police served a search warrant on the city of Helena-West Helena Thursday and seized a hard drive from one of the city's computers.

Mayor James Valley stated that state trooper Dell Arnold aided state legislative auditors as they secured the electronic media dealing with payroll records for 2006 and 2007.

Valley said that Phillips County Judge Harvey Yates signed the warrant and state auditors left a receipt with the city's offices detailing what hardware was confiscated.

Valley said the auditors made a copy of the hard drive, took the device and installed a new one with the information copied on the disk so the city could continue to function.

Valley reported that the auditors wanted to restore some information that had been lost as the result of a recent computer crash.

"They want to see if they can restore the records that were lost through the recent hard drive crash," said Valley in a telephone interview.

The state will try torecover the data by utilizing a forensic data recovery program.

Valley said the state served the warrant and collected the hard drive in an attempt to gain a better log of records.

"They want to get a full and complete accounting of the records. They do this to protect the state audit and city and to clear the city of any wrongdoing. This does not implicate anyone," said Valley.

The legislative auditors have reported that they have been in city offices numerous times, trying to audit the city records only to be turned away because of record keeping issues, such as the crash of various computers.

"Typically, when a server crashes the information is gone," said Valley.

He reported that the city had entered data that at a later date could not be retrieved. He also reported that some employee's salary totals were incorrect in the system. He said one employee total showed the individual earning more than $40,000 over a six-month period.

No backups and a state seizure and it does not implicate anyone? I reckon Mayor Valley will be quite surprised to discover that there are ways to salvage the information from a crashed hard drive. I wonder how he'll explain away all that? If the folks responsible for keeping the financial records don't have enough damned sense to do a simple back up of important information, seems to me they need to be doing some firing around that place and hire some people who are actually capable of doing the job right. Don't ya think?

Meme

Cindra, over at Red and Purple Haze, has tagged me to do a meme so here goes:

7 Random Things About Me

1. I don't like to wear socks because they're uncomfortable to me, and if I absolutely must wear them, I prefer the very thin trouser socks.

2. I can not sleep if the bedroom door is closed. Hubby gets up before me and has company for coffee every morning by 5 or 5:30. I can sleep through the noise of their muted voices discussing every manner of farm topic, but if he closes the bedroom door, I'm wide awake and up early for the day.

3. I've been in all of the states directly north and south of Arkansas and have been in all of the eastern states except for Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. I've never been further west than Hot Springs, AR. I lived in England for 3 years as a teen and have visited The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Scotland.

4. I have 8 grandchildren and 7 of them are little girls. The oldest, the only boy, lives with us because he wants to.

5. I am the most disorganized person in the world. If something is out of my sight, it's usually out of my mind too, so a lot is left out in sight. I admire neat, organized, people.

6. I learned to drive a standard when I was 8 and over the years have driven everything from a tractor to an 18 wheeler. Being able to drive in the country is almost a necessity.

7. I've only successfully parallel parked once in my life. I was driving a station wagon I'd never driven before, and had to park between a farm truck and a butane truck to pass my drivers test. I was 18 when I got my license because I married 2 weeks before my 17th birthday and refused to have my husband sign as my legal guardian. (you'll notice I drove for a LONG time illegally).

Helena-West Helena, Arkansas

Well, they finally did it. The citizens of the newly combined towns of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas have put themselves at the at the top of the heap in one area. They now have the highest sales tax in the state and probably one of the highest in the whole danged U.S. of A. Shoppers around here will soon be shelling out a full 10% for their purchases.

It doesn't help much that our state sales tax on groceries is supposed to be lowered from the current 6% down to 3% some time in July when the greedy city government over there is going to tack on their 2% to add 2/3rds of it right back. Did I fail to mention the 2% sales tax the county already collects which was supposedly a temporary thing back when it was desperately needed (so they said).

I might also mention that the increase in sales tax won't affect nearly half as many of the citizens as it might in other places since I suspect at least that many are purchasing their groceries tax free already. This would be due to the fact that food stamp purchases aren't taxable at all. The percentage around here (and there) who actually pay the majority of the taxes can't keep taking on the whole load and that percentage grows smaller every day when folks finally get enough of the thieving politicians around these parts and head for a better place to hang their hats.

There hasn't been a reliable audit of the finances of the combined cities in a great while due to the fact that the books are in such terrible shape that the auditors can't make sense of it all. They have the highest water bills and the poorest quality of water in the delta. Businesses have been closing their doors right and left for many years now and the likelihood of new ones coming to the area are slim and none since a great many of the available work force won't work cause it'll mess up their government checks.

In the '60s, Helena was a bustling town, and West Helena was growing by leaps and bounds. But industries gradually pulled out, and when Wal-Mart came to West Helena, it sealed the fate of the local stores, none of which were willing to change their business practices to compete with Wal-Mart. Many blame the casinos but the town was already dead before the casino went up across the river.

A stroll around the, now combined incorporated, city of Helena-West Helena, doesn't offer the sights and sounds that it once did because there aren't as many sights and sounds to be had. Walk down Cherry Street and the first thing you'd notice is all the empty and abandoned old buildings. If it weren't for the country court house being there, I reckon they could close all the doors.

Of course there are rumors and plans bouncing around to make the area as profitable as Beale Street is, in Memphis. Sure the Blues Fest held every October brings the tourist in by the droves for 3 or 4 days. And the Wild Hog Fest in April increases the population by a few thousand for a few days. I reckon this increase in sales taxes will be the final straw. I see more FOR SALE signs going up every time to go to town.

A Most Excellent Day!

The kids did a little fishing, did a little playing, and did a whole lot of swimming. The adults kept an eagle eye out and sat around enjoying the lovely day. ( Nanaw looks and feels a tad like a crispy critter right now). We had an easy lunch of sandwiches, cookies, and cantalope, and some cool drinks. It was a wonderful day!

Gonna have a kicked back Sunday.

I'm taking Zach to children's church, coming home to drop a roast into the crockpot, then I'm packing my camera, he's packing his pole and tackle box, then stopping by to pick up bait and to see if Jerri and the chicks want to go to Storm Creek so the kids can do a bit of fishing.