I Should Be Doing Other Things

Instead I've been admiring the moss rose growing in the porch planters by taking a macros so I can continue to admire their beauty even after their blooms have faded.

And since I was in Helena the other day, I drove over the levee and luckily was just in time to capture two barges passing on Old Man River. The one on the left is headed south towards New Orleans, the one on the right, tugging north towards Memphis.

I've also spent more than a little bit of time in front of the dining room window taking pictures of this little critter and his mostly friendly hummer friends. On this day, this little fella (who's about thumb high) was ferociously guarding the nectar in the feeders.
Click the photos for a larger view if you'd like.

I hope everyone is having a delightful weekend!!

I made another year!

I'm 56 today and I'm loving the laughs. Y'all click to enlarge the cards below, you won't be sorry.

Miz Donna sent the card above and I laugh every time I look at it.

My kids gave me this one! Yep, they know me. LOL.
They also made me a most delicious, homemade, carrot cake. Yummmmmm!!
I also got a lovely hummingbird feeder and some new flat ware. James is making a bottle tree for me but hasn't finished it yet. I'll take pics and post them when he's done.
Happy Sunday Y'all!

Photo Challenge : Ruby Red Macro

Red, Rouge, Rojo.

Can't get much redder than tomato ketchup.

This little view master type thingy is about the size of a quarter. I think the actual viewer is long lost but this was red so I shot it. :-)

Red crayon, red pencil, red marker, and the word RED.

It's that time again! Time to show off the fun we've been having with our cameras by doing the photo challenges. Click on the link to be carried over to view lots of other Red Macro challengers.

Oh yeah!

I love this!

Hahaha, good doggie.

CHARACTERISTICS of the NARCISSIST

Do you know someone with these characteristics? If you do, I feel for you cause they can often make your life a living hell.

Certain characteristics appear with stunning regularity among narcissists. Since narcissism is on a continuum, some will have more than others.

1. Self-centered. His/her needs are paramount.
2. No remorse for mistakes or misdeeds.
3. Unreliable, undependable.
4. Does not care about the consequences of his/her actions.
5. Projects faults on to others. High
blaming behavior; never his/her fault.
6. Little if any conscience.
7. Pretends concern but is really Insensitive to needs and feelings of others.
8. Has a good front (persona) to impress and exploit others.
9. Low stress tolerance. Easy to anger and rage.
10. People are to be manipulated for his/her needs.
11. Rationalizes easily. Twists conversation to his gain at other’s expense. If trapped, keeps
talking, changes the subject or gets angry.
12. Pathological lying.
13. Tremendous need to control situations, conversations, others.
14. No real values. Mostly situational.
15. Often perceived as caring and understanding and uses this to manipulate.
16. Angry, mercurial, moods.
17. Uses sex to control
18. Does not share true ideas, feelings, emotions.
19. Conversation controller. Must have the first and last word.
20. Is very slow to forgive others. Hangs onto resentment.
21. Secret life. Hides , friends, activities.
22. Likes annoying others. Likes to create chaos and disrupt for no reason.
23. Moody - switches from nice guy/girl to anger without much provocation.
24. Repeatedly fails to honor financial obligations.
25. Seldom expresses appreciation.
26. Grandiose. Convinced he/she knows more than others and is correct in all he does.
27. Lacks ability to see how he/she comes across to others. Defensive when confronted with his/her behavior. Never his/her fault.
28. Can get emotional, tearful. This is about show or frustration rather than sorrow.
29. He/she breaks spirits to keep them dependent.
30. Highly contradictory.
31. Convincing. Must convince people to side with him/her
32. Hides his/her real self. Always “on”
33. Kind only if he's/she's getting from you what he/she wants.
34. He/she has to win.
35. Does not discuss openly, has a hidden agenda.
36. Unilateral condition of, "I'm OK and justified so I don't need to hear your position or ideas".
37. Always feels misunderstood.
38. You can often feel miserable with this person because they drain you.
39. Does not listen because he/she does not care.
40. It's always about his/her feelings, noone else's.
41. Is not really interested in problem-solving.. wants the sympathy.
42. Very good at reading people, so he/she can manipulate them.

Moseying Through the Days

I've been so frustrated, depressed, and so very sad over the past few weeks that I just haven't been able to get my mind going in the direction it needed to in order to do a post worth reading or writing.

Beginning with my surgery. We were billed $33,143 for it initially. After meeting with the "man" in charge of taking every penny of your liquid assets, the bill was miraculously reduced to $11,300 since that was exactly what we had scrimped to save in an IRA. I could have paid the bill out in monthly installments but it would have been with no reduction and a longer than life monthly expense.

Another $3660 is owed for the surgeon, the this,,,the that,,,but we are paying that as much as we can monthly. When that's paid we can start saving again, maybe.

A financial aid rep came by my room when the word was passed down that we had no insurance,,,did you know that we'd have qualified for financial aid if we'd had a credit score below 600? WTH?

And sadly, my best yahoo trivia, blogger, facebook, boisterous, wise, sweet, loving Kat left us on June 7th. Every time my phone rings I expect to hear her gruff voice on the line, She had the most fabulous talent for knowing when a friend needed a laugh and she sure provided me with a load of those. I am so lucky to have known her and I miss her more than I know how to say. I can't imagine the hurt her loved ones are feeling without her.

So now Summer is here and zooming by too quickly. School will be starting in just a few weeks, Zach's already having to go to football practice 4 mornings a week. The days are getting shorter and I hate that. Before we know it, it'll be Winter again and I'll be whining for Spring.

A vicious cycle, isn't it?

Just Cause,,,

I thought you might need a smile today.

Telling it Like it IS.

My friend Nick sent the video clip to me. He feels, as I do, that those men sitting on that committee are enjoying the entertainment being provided but aren't seriously considering a single word he's saying.

It's all about big bucks folks.

Here's a look at how much members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee received in political contributions from oil and gas interests since the beginning of 2009. Contributions are from political action committees run by oil and gas companies and from individuals employed by those companies.

The oil and gas industry has contributed more than $7.5 million to members of the 111th Congress thus far in the 2010 election cycle.

It's just sad.

Hoppin' and Shoppin'

Some fine lookin' soybeans.

James, aka PopPop, kicking the dirt up to see if the late beans planted in the draw were coming up.

Well it wasn't me doing the hoppin' and I didn't do a whole lotta shoppin', but the check amount said I did so maybe it was so. Anyway, the summer trip to Sam's is outta the way and we probably won't need to go again until December. I hope.

If you click to enlarge the map up there, you can find the red dot over in the AR part of the map and see about where I live. Follow the red line that I've drawn and you can see that we did the tri-state circle during our shopping trip.

James wanted to visit President's Island to see how the soybeans and corn looked up there so we went to Memphis first to do that. Afterwards we drove over to Southhaven, Mississippi to do the shopping, had lunch, then headed home on hwy 61 in MS. It was a nice little trip and I was plumb tuckered out by the time we got back home.

I'm heading to bed now. I hope everyone had a great Monday and is looking forward to a productive and glorious week!

Where Were You?

Do you remember where you were the first time you heard these?

The Day After

It's July 5th, which is the day after the July 4th celebration around these parts. The fact that it's Monday makes the celebration part feel as though it was last week some time though, and not just a mere few hours ago. At least it's gonna be Tuesday in a couple of hours so that's all good.

I snapped a few pictures of the vittles we were having here yesterday but they're in the prep stage,,,I didn't get around to snapping the finished product. Could be cause we were all hungry and ready to dig in when those ribs came off the grill.

Those ribs as they were a'waitin' to be wrapped and put on the grill for tenderizing.

Alexis, Jillian, and their friend, Fallon.

Cooked taters waiting for some pickles, onions, mustard, and mayo.

My pasta salad that just needed a dollop of mayo.

We had a fine day, too much food, too much sun, too many skeeters after dark, but still a mighty fine day.

Photo Challenge - Freedom

Freedom to me has always meant being able to pick a road to wander down,,, or over,,, or around,,, to another place. Every road will lead somewhere, or maybe nowhere, but I feel fortunate to be able to travel down which ever ones I choose.

The freedom topic also put this song in mind. It's been wandering around in the hollow reaches of my noggin for two weeks now.

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose,
Nothing don't mean nothing honey if it ain't free, now now.
And feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues,
You know feeling good was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

Y'all can go on over to the Challenge Blog and click on the links to see all the rest of the wonderful participates for this challenge. It's been fun!

I've been Practicing....

I'm on the back side of 50 now so I've been getting in some practice at being a grumpy, old, lady with some of these folks that we purchase services from.

First on my shit list is Direct TV. Three calls in 4 days about a screen that was going blank off and on, and I finally made them understand that I'd done all their tests and they'd best send someone to fix whatever was wrong or I was going to change satellite TV providers. They finally sent a repair man out today.

Second in line is VERIZON. I hate Verizon almost as much as I hated Alltel.... Thinking on it a bit,,,I would probably hate any and all of those wireless telephone companies because they are All only interested in customer VOLUME and not a bit about customer SERVICE. I got so tired of their crappy website, and their even crappier customer service, that I gave up and let my son give his Dad his old phone instead of dealing with those people. James dropped his phone in his glass of ice water and killed it thus causing the pain and aggravation with VERIZON! I'm gonna make my phone last as long as possible just to piss them off.

I've saved Waste Corporation for last. My overstuffed trash container is still sitting beside the road waiting for a tractor to come by and knock it over into the ditch and strew garbage everywhere like they did last week when WASTE CORPORATION was late picking it up. Trash pick up day is supposed to be Monday but lately it's been mostly when they get around to it. Of course, they charge you a month in advance for these special services. I believe Tom J. Fatjo, Jr. , Jerome M. Kruszka, Charles A. Casalinova, and Tom J. Fatjo, III should get up off their corporate management asses and take a walk on the trashy side to see the crappy service their customers have to deal with on a regular basis.

Ok, I'm done bitching for the moment.

I hope everyone else is having a better week.

Photo Challenge - Bedtime

Chris and Hercules after a fun in the sun Saturday.

Zach and puppy, Bindy, all tired out.

I didn't forget this time but we've had a busy, busy, house for a week and I only just had time to post for our Bedtime Challenge. Please head on over to our challenge blog to click on links to see all the wonderful challengers.

I'll be around to visit more as soon as all our company leaves.

Katerina Service and Wake

At 2:30 pm MST today there will be a memorial service for our Special K and a wake at a favorite pub to follow. I'm reposting the information from facebook so that each of her blog friends can send her on her final journey with a toast.

Heather Borschowa KATS WAKE REPOST......

I am so very touched at the many emails and comments that have been written about our girl Katerina. I take comfort in knowing that she has truly meant so much to so
many all over the world, and that we all share in the sorrow and pain of her being taken from us all too soon.
Terry and I have done o...ur best to try and arrange a "Virtual" wake, however the location our girl has chosen for her celebration regretfully does not have Internet.

It was her wish and hope that all of her friends near and far could somehow take part in
this wake, therefore in place of all of us being together in the same room, at 5PM MST June 10, 2010 we will be playing the song she has chosen " Into the West" by Annie Lennox, from The Lord of The Rings The Return of the King Soundtrack.

At this time, we invite all of you to please raise a glass in her honor.

We will be posting pictures as soon we can.

Goodbye Sweet Friend

Those who knew you have an empty spot in their hearts now Special K. Those who didn't know you surely missed out on a great pleasure. I'm going to miss your laughter sweet girl.

Photo Challenge - Weathered and Worn

(Click the pics for a better view if you'd like.)

This granary is still in operation but has become weathered and worn over the many years it's been standing.

One of the older stones in this rural cemetary. I wonder what happened to the tree?

Weathered, worn, and weary, but happy to take a break to sit beside the lake with his fishing pole.

These tractors have performed their weary duties and are now worn and resting after many hours on the farm.


It's that time again and as usual, I sit here wondering where the time went. I had planned to do some blog posting again before now,,,,I did,,,I promise. Oh well, I'll get it together one day,,,I really will.

Lots of folks signed up over at our photo challenge blog for this Weathered and Worn Challenge. Pop over and have a look, ok?

Photo Challenge - Flowers

First I forgot to sign up for this Challenge.

Then I forgot to post my pictures for this Challenge that I forgot to sign up for.

I've been moving through a brain fog lately and I sure do need to shake it off.

Anyway, here they are and for a REAL pleasure be sure to click on over to the Challenge Blog to view all the participants.

Pretty little wild roses that are growing beside the gravel road. If you click it bigger and look closer you can probably see the dust on the blooms and leaves. I love these little surprise splashes of color that I get to see sometimes.

This is my Peace rose. The blooms are huge and it smells soooooo good!

I'm not sure what this rose's name is, but it puts on a show with all the different shades of color that it displays on the same bush.

Now I'm going to surf over to see lots and lots of flower pictures while I sip on my first cup of morning coffee.

Photo Challenge : Circles

Cypress Tree balls. Kind of look alien don't they?

Circular Sunflower center.

I snapped this shot yesterday of a balloon that escaped from somewhere. My mind said, "hey,,circle" so I grabbed the camera and SNAP. The first two shots were taken last summer.


Don't forget to pop over to the Challenge Blog so see all the wonderful entries for this Photo Challenge.

I Want to be a SuperHero

Super Nanaw, that would be a fine calling, dontcha think? I'd want to be a superhero who saved the world from those who would ruin it with their lack of manners, their inability to tell the simple truth, and those who insist on letting their pants slide down to mid-butt cheek.I would proudly go about doing my superhero job of confiscating cell phones and fining people who insisted on texting, or talking during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or while in meetings, or in class rooms, or even, for crappy's sake, in the toilet. I'd find a corner for every child caught not replying to their elders with respect, and I'd insisit that everyone at the dinner table mind their manners.


I would find great joy in monitoring what came out of the mouths of our politicians, our newspapers, and news networks. There would be an automatic overnight in jail with BIG Bubba,,,or Bubbette, for those caught lying or misrepresenting the facts to the American public. Longer sentences would be handed out to those more deserving.

As for those butt-cheek bearers? I'd spend a portion of each day swooping down on the offenders to snatch those pants right on down to their ankles. Maybe if enough folks pointed and laughed at those bare assets, they'd buy britches that fit and wear their belts where they belonged!

Who started that trend anyway? Are they brain damaged?

I can't think of anymore wrongs to be righted today but I'm sure more will come to me soon. Y'all have a nice day now, ya hear?

Photo Challenge - Lighting

This was taken in June. A tractor was preparing this field for planting late soybeans in front of the house. The dust and the position of the sun made this hazy shot look spectacular.

An early morning shot of the morning glory on my deck. I love how the sunlight is just barely touching the blooms.

The glow of the setting sun behind this shot of my Maximillion Sunflowers in late October.

I love this picture of Beans that I took a couple of years ago. She was pretending to sleep in the shade.

I had to visit the past for photos for this Lighting Challenge. While I've taken a few photos over the past couple of weeks, I wasn't in shape enough to get any that I was satisfied with for the challenge.

I know there will be some amazing shots to be seen over at the Photo Challenge Blog so please go over and visit and click the links to see them.

Room 141

My first night room 141 at our local hospital was probably the least comfortable one of all. I still had that nasty organ that was causing me so much pain, so even with an occasional pain shot, I was only sleeping for an hour or two at a time. During one stretch of snoozing, the head of my bed, which was raised 6 inches or so, suddenly fell, slamming to a flat position, shaking my brain enough to give me a headache.

After such a rude awakening, I decided to sit up for a bit before trying for a little more sleep before the pain meds wore off. About 20 minutes later, I'm still sitting there, watching TV and minding my own business when the TV/Call button thingy suddenly went off the table and landed in the floor between the bed and the table it had been on.

I was wide awake at that point so when a nurse came in to take my vitals a little while later I asked her if the room was haunted and told her why.

She didn't hang around to chat. I don't know why.

If there was a ghost visitor that first night in room 141 he/she/it must have been satisfied with just letting me know they were there cause nothing else went on during the rest of my stay.

Moving Right Along

I ventured out alone today to do some needed shopping. Thank goodness for the bench located in the back SE corner of Wal Mart where I rested up half way through my shopping list. Thank goodness also that every "associate" I spoke with or had a question for (with one exception) was so polite and helpful today. This is not the norm for our area Wal Mart so it was such a pleasure. The feelings of good will lasted until I visited the Wal Mart pharmacy to purchase some sterile saline solution that I needed for my wimpy wound packing. After waiting for 15 minutes or so for someone to acknowledge my presence, a young whipper snapper pharmacy worker informed me that in order to purchase the sterile saline solution for wounds I'd have to have a prescription from my doctor.

Uh,,,What?????

I don't recall needing a prescription when I'd purchased it from our family pharmacy over in town when James smashed his toe into smitherens back a couple of years ago.

Just so happened, our family pharmacy manager had been behind me in line at said Wal Mart and she was still there when I was leaving the pharmacy area so I asked her if I needed a prescription to purchase the sterile solution. She told me that she'd never heard of such and called over to Helena, where they're located, to tell them to have some ready at the drive thru window for me.

So that dilema was solved and I didn't even let the fact that I had to drive 10 more miles to pick it up disturb my feelings of calm from having an almost normal, shopping trip.

I got the hospital and surgeon's bill for my gall bladder removal yesterday but I'm not ready to say the numbers out loud yet cause one of them is very, very, scary. I'll be negotiating with them on Tuesday when I plan to tell them that there isn't much left to sell except my birthday,,,,and maybe a kidney...do they know of any takers?

I'm Healing and getting Sicker by the Bill

I got sick. I couldn't avoid a trip to the hospital. I have no insurance. I do not have the funds nor the assets to pay for the huge hospital bill that I know is coming. I've decided to blog about what occurs when something like this happens to the lower middle class folks who work (or have worked far more than their fair share) for a living so they don't qualify for any sort of help. There are far, far, more of us than most of you want to believe there are.

The first two bills came in the mail today. One is from Florence, NC from Arkansas Pathology Associates for looking at a biopsy. I had to call them to find out what the bill was for because this was not included on the bill. I then asked them if they would reduce their fees if I was able to pay cash for the charge. The young lady replied, "No". So I then asked if the billed amount was what Medicaid, or Medicare, or what an insurance company would pay them and the young lady again replied, "No" because we would be paid at their discounted rate for the procedure.

So. Arkansas Pathology Associates may only receive 50 to 60% for this charge from a medicaid, medicare, or insurance provider, but someone like me who can't get insurance, can't afford insurance, and does not qualify for medicaid or medicare, has to pay the full amount charged.

Does anyone other than myself see how wrong this is?

The second bill came from the Anesthesiologists group and the amount was for $1105. I called them because anesthesiologists wasn't on the statement anywhere and again, I wanted to know what the charges were for. A young lady named Crysta was immediately helpful and provided me with the information I requested. When I told her I did not have insurance she immediately told me that she could discount the charged to less than half and if I could send her a check for $500, the account would be paid in full. Before agreeing to this, I asked her if I'd still get the discount if I couldn't pay the $500 in full but had to pay it over 3 or 4 months. She told me no. If payments were set up, the original charges would be due.

I can't see too much right about this either. If you don't have insurance your cost for medical is automatically 50 to 70% more. I'm very glad that I have $500 to send to them but I'm running out of money and the largest bills haven't even arrived yet.

I wonder if I have any body parts worth selling?

Still moving slow

I feel better and better every day that passes but sitting in this chair here in my office still has to be for short periods cause it's still a bit painful. It may take me a few days to get around to see all the Black and White photo challenge pictures but I'll get there. I can't wait to see them all!

Thank you so much for all your get well wishes!

Black and White, and blue all over

Practiced my black and white shooting skills before I got sick. I sure hope I can shoot some more later this week.

Needing Jeanette's staple remover.,,,,,or maybe a church key. :-)