Hear That???

That's the sound of total and absolute QUIET..well, almost, both televisions are still on but I've turned the volume down really low and the only sound I hear right now is my little fan blowing cool air on my tired, old, feet.

30 minutes ago it was not so, I was so close to tears it was scary. This Nanaw almost bit off more than she could chew today by hosting 4 of our little granddaughters for the night.

I picked them up, picked Zach up from church, came home and put away groceries, then we all toddled and rolled across the yard to the neighbors for a swim which kept them busy for a couple of hours.

Then it was time for Nanaw to get supper ready, everyone fed, and the dishes done before going outside again to run and play so they'd be nicely exhausted enough for bed later on. This worked somewhat except that I think they were a little too tired and got a bit cranky, (Jillian was kicking her sister, Alexis, in the head) and whiney before they finally conked out.

I didn't want to press my luck cause PopPop was getting sleepy and antsy, so I inspected and wiped off the ones I could easily catch, and decided to wait until morning to line them up for baths.

Zach, Jordan, Jaylen, Alexis, and Jillian are all sleeping like little angels now and I promise, I didn't cry out loud.

I've been REALLY Cranky Lately.

I think I need a warning label on my forehead but I reckon that wouldn't do much good to forewarn the ding-dongs you reach sometimes over the telephone. Forgive me Kat, but I've been connected to some doozies lately. (Every company could use several Special Ks). I must be in the throes of PMS, Peri menopause, menopause, tick fever, and CRS.

Maybe some of those mosquito born diseases too.


Cranky Episode #1

For 2 weeks I've been given reminders about Day Sports Camp the Methodist Church was having for the kids this week and next. Each time they've told me that teens from a church out of the area were doing this camp and they'd be picking the kids up before and bringing them home after and would be responsible for keeping the kids entertained for 2 hours each day of the camp.

From what I saw today these young people are doing an excellent job and they're having as much fun as the younger kids. The adults in charge, however, are dropping the ball, or maybe they never had it in the first place,,who knows?

So, they called yesterday and I was told to have Zach ready by 12:30 today and they'd pick him up. We only live 3 miles or so from the church so I'd told them that it wouldn't be a problem to take Zach and pick him up, but they insisted that this was part of the program and they'd pick him up.

I started herding him towards getting brushed and dressed at 12 and he was ready and waiting at 12:30. At 12:40 the phone rang, it was one of the adults with the news that since we lived on a gravel road, and they were picking the kids up in a Greyhound-like charter bus, and they needed a mile to turn it around, could I please meet them at the highway in a few minutes?

When I reach the highway I'm only a mile from the church! Didn't these folks think this stuff through beforehand?

I told them, program or not, I'd be taking him and picking him up since I have to get in the truck and drive him almost 2 miles to the highway anyway. Besides, I am a little worried about letting him ride on a bus who's driver needs a mile in which to turn around!

Cranky Episode #2

I've been waiting for weeks for my DIRECT TV statement to come in the mail. I always make the check out when I do the other bills near the end of the month but I have to wait, every month, for the statement to come.

Today it finally arrived.

It's due tomorrow.

I paid it by telephone ACH payment yesterday because I thought it was lost in the mail.

I called those fine folks at DIRECT TV to ask them why, if the statement date is the 5th of the month, and the due date is the 24th of the month, they don't mail the danged things so that they can be received and paid before the due date?

I still don't have the answer. No one seems to know. They did say it was probably the fault of the US Postal Service. Every month.

I asked them if they knew the toll free number to DISH NETWORK.

Cranky Episode # 3

It's not a good idea to make a snide remark and then ask, "What's for supper?" with your next breath.

My answer was Decon.

Tomorrow Will Be a Jilly Beans and Nanaw Day

Today I was up early and eventually got busy canning some pickled okra and some peppers for a young college student that works on the farm with James. I finished up around noon but still had a total mess in the kitchen that had to be cleaned up.

Tomorrow I'm going to try to wake early so I can be awake when Miz Beans comes to visit. I'll have to stay on my cranky, arthritic, toes to keep up with that little miss but she makes it all worth it with her hugs and her sweet, wet, sugars.

12 Valid Reasons Not To Come In To Work

1. I can't come in to work today because I'll be stalking my previous boss, who fired me for not showing up for work. OK?

2. When I got up this morning, I took two Ex-lax in addition to my Prozac. I can't get off the john, but I feel good about it.

3. My mother-in-law has come back as one of the Undead and we must track her to her coffin to drive a stake through her heart and give her eternal peace. One day should do it.
4. I can't come to work today because the EPA has determined that my house is completely surrounded by wetlands and I have to arrange for helicopter transportation.

5. If it is all the same to you I won't be coming in to work.The voices told me to clean all the guns today.

6. I have a rare case of 48-hour projectile leprosy, but I know we have that deadline to meet....

7. I am stuck in the blood pressure machine down at Tom Thumb.

8. Yes, I seem to have contracted some attention-deficit disorder and, hey, how about them Skins, huh? So, I won't be able to, yes, could I help you? No, no, I'll be sticking with Sprint, but thank you for calling.

9. Constipation has made me a walking time bomb. (This is my favorite!)

10. I just found out that I was switched at birth. Legally, I shouldn't come to work knowing my employee records may now contain false information.

11. The psychiatrist said it was an excellent session. He even gave me this jaw restraint so I won't bite things when I am startled.

12. The dog ate my car keys. We're going to hitchhike to the vet.

Happy 36th Anniversary TOOOOOOOOOOO MEEEEEEEEE!

Since James forgot the day, again, (he remembered, briefly, last week that the date was some time this week) I spent it the way I have on most of the previous 35 anniversaries, I piddled around doing a little housework. I also canned another cooker full of tomatoes. Thinking back on it for a second,,,,I've probably spent more anniversaries canning tomatoes or some other form of vegetable or fruit than I have actually celebrating.

If I had a bottle of booze on hand I'd drink to this life sentence.

There wouldn't have been much money to spend celebrating anyway since HIS DANGED TRUCK has eaten up over $500 bucks in less than a week for parts.

I'm in sort of a bad mood.

Does it show?

Oh well, at least we won't be hungry.

Who's 2?

Jillian and her big cousin Kyle had a birthday on the 8th so they had a Swim Party on Saturday. Jilly Beans is now 2 and Kyle is 15.

Sometimes I Wonder

What men want can be summed up in 3 sentences.

1. They want food.

2. They want women.

3. They want women who can cook food.

Their, almost constant, simplicity can be counted on and I think that's the reason I can really appreciate this commercial.

Just Call Me Noah's Wench

Near 'bout floating here. This is how it looks in my front yard after it rained 5 inches in just under an hour. (about 20 minutes ago) . That stream over on the far side of that bare tree there has a road under it. The back yard looks like a lake too.

Not Bad,, Just Not Right

I'm tired and I hurt every single minute of every single day. I know it's mostly just "old Arthur" up to his old tricks in the pain department and I know I gotta keep moving or he'll take over completely, the old devil. I think a lot of the tiredness is due to the blood pressure pill I have to take every day to keep my heart from skipping around. My blood pressure has always been in the low/normal range so that little blue pill makes it even lower. The couple of times I've checked it this week it's been like 96/60 or thereabouts and it's making me feel like it's a chore to pick up one foot and put it in front of the other.

I was reading something or other the other day and this jumped out at me cause it's exactly the way I feel at times,

"As if traveling down a road and having someone shove you off. Still traveling in the same direction as the road but walking in the brush and rocks beside it. The road's right there, but damned if you know how to get back on."

Pooped!

We've sho' been havin' some fine vittles down here in redneck country.

Jerri and I washed, screwed through a manual strainer, and processed about 13 gallons of tomatoes today. We ended up with 12 quarts and 9 pints of juice. I'm thinking I may can a few jars of cubed tomatoes tomorrow, or I may wait until Monday cause my old butt is tired.

I sure do appreciate her grandmother for loaning us her food strainer! I've been looking at an electric one online and leaning towards buying one if hubby is going to keep growing this enormous amount of tomatoes every year. They've only just begun getting ripe so the major harvest isn't even here yet,

(Lord give me strength!)

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!!