Wednesday, September 30, 2009

THE FALL DANCE

9-30-09...THE FALL DANCE

Softly in amber slippers, Fall dances round'.
All green leaves quickly change colors,
then float softly to the ground.
Colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold.
A breathtaking sight of this season.
The grandeur of Octobers splendor.
Such a beautiful sight to behold.
Fall brings to me a smile, waving her colorful wand.
Everything blanketed with magnificence,
as far as my eyes can see..... and beyond.
Then just as quickly as she danced in,
so does she drift away.
We sense the coming of winter and more briskness every day.
Fall then dances out of her slippers, and gently sleeps again.
The air is cold....... the wind whistles,
and winters snow begins.


Clydene Thomas Overbey

Sunday, September 27, 2009

THEY MADE WAFFLES

9-26-09...THEY MADE WAFFLES

In 1984 there were three boys in our house. My son and two step sons. I worked and I never knew where my husband was. Man could three boys eat a lot. Sometimes they each had a friend there in the summer moths when school was out.
One day I had made a huge pot of spanish rice and a German chocolate cake. There were six boys there. I trusted them because the youngest of them was twelve. It was to be for supper that night. When I got home from work the boys had scraped the pot clean, ate the cake, and decided to make waffles. They had cleaned the kitchen, washed the dishes, and the waffle iron was pristine. They had even took out the trash and burned it.
Well right away I was suspicious. You know, Mothers intuition! First thing I noticed that puzzled me was three of my kitchen towels were no where to be found. I asked the boys and they acted very guilty but didn't know a thing about those towels. Sure they didn't!!
I couldn't put my finger on it but I knew, that I knew, that I knew, something was rotten in Denmark, (or Missouri as the case was). There was just nothing that I could grasp to prove my case. I just waited them out because I knew one day the whole story was bound to come out. AND IT DID!!!
We had company one day a few months later and the boys started telling their story which follows.
Now the boys knew that eating the food would not get them in trouble. They were never reprimanded for eating good food. They did know to clean up their mess which they did. But they s aid they were still hungry which I know was true. You couldn't fill those boys up and six boys!!!! Well think about that. That part was all well and good but then came the waffles.
They discussed what they would like to eat and I had a new waffle iron. SOOOOO! They decided to make waffles. Did they know what they were doing? Heck no!
They looked for my recipes and found the waffle recipe which they started reading. They assembled the things they would need on the work area which was not very big. Of course that made for spills and messes. At first they used paper towels and napkins but they decided quickly that they'd better not use them all up because I would know that. They discussed that and decided they could use the kitchen towels and wash them out as they went. That was only half right because I didn't use towels that way, but then I didn't make the kinds of messes they did either.
They got to the point where they were mixing the ingredients in the bowl. They had no idea what a small t meant but they decided it meant tablespoon and used a tablespoon of baking powder, and ½ tablespoon of salt . They figured out the rest until they came to the part that said, Separate two eggs. One of them said “What does that mean”? None of them knew but they finally decided it meant separate the white from the yolk. They had seen egg whites beaten so they knew the yolk had to be removed but had no idea how. The decided to just drop the whole thing in the bowl and use a spoon and dip the yolk out. Oh My Heavens would I have loved to have seen that production and heard them discussing all the aspects of making waffles.
They got them mixed with a few egg shells that they couldn't get out. Their next mistake was pouring too much of the too thin batter on the iron which went everywhere. They closed the lid and more oozed out. Too much baking powder made the lid lift up and somehow the whole shebang went on the floor. Oh My Gosh, can't you just see that mess and hear those six boys chattering as they decided what to do next? GOOD Grief!!!
They cleaned it all up but decided they would never get the stains outta' the towels so they went in the trash along with the burned waffles and it was all burned. And I didn't pay any attention to my Daddy and Mamma the many times they said I would Pay for my raising!!! TEE HEE HEE!!!!!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

FRIENDS ARE A BLESSING

9-21-09...FRIENDS ARE A BLESSING

Some of you know that I have been having a lot of health problems. Going to Dr a lot, lots of tests and procedures. Well this makes for Bills, Bills, Bills. Yep! I'm sure you've been there, done that many times.
Last year at this time I went on a Retreat for two days and two nights with the ladies from my Church. We went to a Lodge way up in the Ozark Mountains just 10 miles from my home. It is a beautiful place. I could relax in the quiet country side and get Peace, relaxation, and fellowship with friends. It was wonderful!!
The time has come around again for that retreat. I planned on and looked forward to it since last year.
Now back to Bills, bills, bills, pain, pain, pain.!! I knew I couldn't go this year. No. 1 I could not spare the cost. No. 2 I knew I wouldn't be able to even climb the steps up to the Lodge door, especially and carry my luggage. So I gave the idea up even though I was disappointed.
Today a good friend, who is also a neighbor about a mile up the road, came by. Renee had asked a few days ago if I was going and I said I wished I could but I can't go this year. She had asked why and I truthfully told her my reasons. Renee told me today that my dear friends want to pay my fee. I told her that I was touched by that but I didn't want to be a burden and I knew I couldn't even carry my luggage in. No I'd better not try to go and I don't want them to sacrifice their money and time on me. After all it is supposed to be a retreat. Renee looked me in the eyes and said, "Now Dee (that is my nickname that some use) You are being selfish. We want to do this and if you refuse you are taking a Blessing away from us". Oh My Goodness!! The water works started. I bawled like an old cow looking for her calf. My heart just swelled with love for my dear lady friends. She said, "You are going so plan on it".
Will I go? You just better betcha' I'll go. I am the one who is feeling blessed tonight. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for my friends.
Friends are a great gift and we should never take that for granted. Next year maybe I can help someone else go. YEP!!!!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

MY GREAT UNCLE CHARLEY CRABTREE

9-19-09...MY GREAT UNCLE CHARLEY CRABTREE

I hadn't thought of Uncle Charley in years so I don't know why a vivid picture of him popped up in my mind this morning. He was tall, skinny, and kind of walked with a lurching gait covering the ground fast with long legs. His head would bob up and down with each step and his arms would swing out. A comical sight.
I think Uncle Charley must have had a hard time getting pants to fit him because he always looked like a gawky boy who had out grown his britches. His too short pants were topped off with a much too big flannel shirt boasting the top of his red long johns sticking out at his neck. He wore a brown hat that looked like rats had bedded down in it when he took it off. Over this garb he sported a red and black check flannel coat. Uncle Charley was a comical sight and it was hard for me not to get in a giggle fit when he was around. Knowing my britches would be warmed up usually kept the giggles away. USUALLY!!! Giggles are still something I have a hard time controling. YEP!
Uncle had a gravely voice that kept me wanting to clear my throat for him. That voice would grate on your nerves after a while. It wasn't just me but anyone else in the room would ahem' ahem', trying to help him talk without that grind.
Uncle Charley walked up the rail road track from Alix Ar. To our house in Denning and he stayed all day when he came. He always perched in Mama's rocker , much to her aggravation, and that's where he remained. Uncle Charley was treated well and always made welcome even though he was trying on the nerves. He Was Family don't ya know and family stuck together. I was taught loyalty and pride in Family. Even though I was always glad to hear him say I gotta be goin', I was still polite as a six year old could possibly muster up. Mamma said, “Now Clydene Uncle Charley is lonesome and we are the only family he has close enough to visit. He don't come very often so we will be nice to him”. Well all I could think was thank goodness he don't come very much. I think Mamma had the same thought though she never said so. HE HE!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

SPECTACULOR FALL

9-16-09...SPECTACULOR FALL

My favorite time of year is fast approaching. Beautiful, refreshing Fall. A time when God gathers all the beauty from his paint box and splashes it down on the earth in a beautiful array of vivid colors that cover trees bushes & grass with so many bright colors we don't even miss the greens and pastels of Spring and Summer.
The air has become crisp and fresh smelling. I love the smell of the first fire in someones fireplace floating to my nostrils as I stand in the early morning air.
The days are changeable as the wind. One day summer forces it's way back with warm winds that remind you it has not yet given up it's hold over the earth but just wants to be remembered. Wants to remind you, "I'm still here. I will not go far. I'll be back". The next day winter might try to force its self on to the scene and tries to leave fall behind. But not to be winter. You just go back in to hibernation for a spell and let Fall have his turn.
Fall seems to struggle to make his self known. Summer is behind and winter is ahead seeming to squeeze the life out of Fall.
The last of the harvest is being hurried before the ground becomes dormant for the Winter. Bright Orange Pumpkins, yellow and green squash, and delicious red tomatoes and apples are abundant.
Farmers are hurrying to get that last cut of hay from the fields before cold days ahead squeeze its life down to lie till Spring.
The animals coats become thicker on their bodies preparing for cold icy days ahead.
You watch and wait for the first frost ushering in brisker winds and different sounds floating on the air.
Fall has a distinctly different smell as everything changes. Sights and smells are refreshing and new. The sweet taste and smell of cinnamon, bacon frying, a fall sweater, and heat coming on for the first time. The smell of fresh plowed ground that you don't smell much today. It was a Fall smell always dear to me as my Daddy 'layed away' the garden for the winter. These smells are just so unique and smell is so much more distinct on a fall morning.
Then there is the sound of Geese honking through the sky making their way to greener places. The sound and smell of wood as it burns in the fireplace . Rain on the roof is much more distinct.
Fall is my nostalgic memory time for some reason. Could be because I grew up in the Country where smells and sounds carry even more clear across the land to reach me.
Someone once told me that a smell is the sense most linked to memories. I believe that to be true but I also want to add sounds to that scenario. I believe smell and sound fits together like my hand in a glove on a cold morning. YEP!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

ADVENTURE OF THE MONTH

9-15-09...ADVENTURE OF THE MONTH

Almost a week ago I received a shot in my spine to relieve some pain. Lord Have Mercy was that an event I don't care to repeat anytime soon. I had one nine years ago and somehow I guess I had forgotten all the little different parts of it. I kinda' recon' that could be cause' I'm nine years older. Only one thing wrong with that scenario. Aint' ya' sposed' to learn more as you go? I can't remember the first one being such an ordeal. Go Figure that out if you can and get back to me on it. I'm all ears.
As I sat in the waiting room at the Drs. Office I was watching other people trying to find one to converse with. The door opened from the outside and in came feet with chains, arms with chains and orange coverall suits. Three of them came in with their chains jingling sounding like a horror movie. Behind them came this big burly rough looking sheriff's deputy. I knew him slightly and felt somewhat safe but kept wondering how in the world he was going to handle all those mean looking men by himself.
I was sitting on the right side of the room and wouldn't ya' know I was facing toward four empty chairs. Get the picture? Of course the three chain gangers and the Deputy sat their selves right in front of me. Oh My Goodness! Now I'm even more uncomfortable that I was before. The orange suit right across from me boldly looked at me and smirked. Scared the poop outta' me I'm tellin' you for a fact. I knew just one thing for sure. I had to move myself outta' the line of their eyes and I had to do it quick. I looked around and there was one empty chair in the room. It was beside a little boy who had ants in his pants and couldn't sit still. I figured if I moved there he would kick me silly the way he was squirming.
Thank goodness I was called in to see the Dr and got out of there.
When the nurse took me in to “Set Me Up” for the shot I was relieved and anxious at the same time. I looked over at the table where things were ready for the DR. and saw the needle that I knew was to be used on me. Good Grief I thought. That thing is going to come out somewhere about my eyeballs.
Now I looked at the place where I was to lie down on my stomach. A long stretcher like thing with two thick pillows stacked on each other in the middle. I thought I remembered the shot nine years ago but I was now beginning to realize I didn't remember a thing.
I love the Nurse who was assisting me. She has been in the office since my first time there 12 years ago. She said, pull your blouse up under your bra in the back, pull your pants down to a butt crack pose. Meaning make sure the crack of your butt is slightly showing. I thought , well at least the whole thing wont be stickin' out. I giggled and just hoped I wouldn't go in to a giggle fit and hold the procedure up. I got on my stomach and placed my belly on the pillows. I can imagine what that must have looked like. My butt up in the air and my arms dangling off the side, my cheek pressed in to the sheet on the gurney. Can You See It?
Dr came in and said are you OK? Yep! Came out squeaky because how the heck you gonna' breathe mashed down and bent the way I was. Are You ready? Yep! There will be a stick. OK. The first stick was to numb the skin a little before that big sword was used. The second one felt like it was scraping my bones but it was over quickly. Dr left the room and nurse helped me get up. I was a little dizzy and it felt like my lower back was on fire but I was OK. She had me sit for a few minutes, gave me some instructions and I was ready to be on my way.
Now, Remember that chain gang out in the waiting room? Only one of them was still there. He was sitting right beside the door going out. Another Deputy was standing at the door. I had to walk close to the convict to go out but the Deputy got up and opened the door for me. Would you believe, I stepped on the orange suits foot ? Yep I sure did. I almost peed my pants. I said I'm sorry and I got outta there as fast as my legs would carry me which here lately is a snails pace. So Folks that's my big adventure of the month. Wonder what I can do to top that?????

Monday, September 14, 2009

BACK YARD SWIMMING POOL

9-14-09...BACK YARD SWIMMING POOL

By Golly we had a swimming pool when I was a kid. Yep! We were up that jiving with the best of them. Yep!!
On hot days Mama would draw water from the well and fill a big wash tub.

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Some people had fancy ones for their baths like this one but we only had the tubs Mama used for washing clothes.

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We could play in or out of the water. Splashing around like ducks. Speaking of ducks we had two white ones. They loved our swimming pool too if they ever got a chance to get in it
Those old wash tubs were used for so many different things. On special occasions they were filled with crushed ice from the ice house and cokes were placed in the ice. Wow! Those were the coldest cokes I ever drank. Yummy!!
Any time Mama got a new one the old one was put to use also. Water was put in them to water the cow and horse. Sometimes the top was cut out for a shallow one to feed and water the chickens in. One with leaks was used to sew tomato seeds in the spring. Water was added to keep the dirt moist while they grew. Chicken manure was mixed in the garden dirt and placed in the tub. No potting soil and Miracle grow then. Around the first of June the tomato plants were planted in the black dirt Daddy had plowed up in the garden. Later tender plants were covered with the tubs in the garden if a late freeze was expected.
Occasionally some women would use a leaky one to plant flowers in but that didn't happen a lot. Those tubs were too useful for them to get rusted out for just a flower pot. At least that's what my Daddy said and Mama agreed with him.
We made use of everything in as many ways as we could. I have an old wash tub hanging on a nail out on the smoke house. People have tried to buy it from me to plant flowers in. NO WAY! That tub is going to hang right there as long as I have anything to do with it. YEP!!!!

RIDE ON THE CLOUDS!!

9-14-09...RIDE ON THE CLOUDS!!

Isn't it funny how kids can get weird ideas that grown up never suspect. We didn't have TV but someone gave Mamma some magazines once. I didn't really see anything I wanted to read but I was fascinated by some of the pictures.
One picture that stands out in my mind was of a baby riding on a cloud. The beautiful baby was lying asleep on the big fluffy white cloud. Oh Man now I made up my mind to do that. I could just feel myself floating around on that cloud.
I asked Mamma one day how I could get on a cloud and she tried to explain to me that I couldn't but I wasn't having that at all. Then I asked her if the clouds ever came down closer to the ground. She said yes that she believed fog was the clouds close to the ground. Well OK then, I thought. I'll just wait till I see fog and I'll just climb on and go floatin' about Heaven. Shoot Fire, the first time I saw fog after that I didn't see any pretty clouds to climb on. Heck I couldn't see much of anything. That sure nuff' wouldn't work!!!!
I tried to get Brenda in on it but she told me I was goofy and I couldn't convince her to help me till I showed her the picture. She still didn't want anything to do with it. Guess she wasn't the dreamer I was.
One day I was in the big Elm tree in our yard where I played often. The biggest fluffiest cloud I had ever seen was right above me. Heck fire I just knew with me being in the tree I could just climb right on that cloud. I climbed farther up but still couldn't touch the cloud. Now it seemed to be on the other side of me so I started climbing over that way and lost my footing. I still had hold of the limb with both hands but my feet were floating around in nothingness. I finally got my footing and looked over to the cloud which had floated on farther away in the wind.
I was just devastated to have missed my chance to ride on a cloud.
When I finally showed Mama the picture that made me think I could ride that cloud she finally got through to me that was just advertising. ( I think it was toilet paper but I'm not sure). Mama was upset that I had been doing something so dangerous. She said, "Clydene you can't believe everything you see or hear. You need to learn the truth of things before you go head strong in to something like that".
Well Mamma that statement is still true today and maybe more so. For not only young minds but older ones too. It is getting harder and harder to know what we can believe. We just have to be careful. YEP!!!

PRINCE ALBERT

9-14-09...Prince Albert

Daddy smoked Prince Albert.


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He rolled his own cigarettes. The papers came in a book like little package. We did a lot of things with those used cans. Carried worms to go fishing. Brenda and I had one we kept our treasures and secrets in. We had a lot of fun with those cans.
Of course there came the time we wanted to try our hand at rolling our own cigarette. We almost choked to death on that stuff, I even had my mouth full of it and it was horrible. Cured us fast of wanting that stuff.
When Daddy could he would buy a package of Camel cigarettes. They cost more and he didn't have them very often. I tried them also and they were as strong as PA.

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Next came Days Work Chewing tobacco which he carried in the coal mine with him. It looked just like a chocolate candy bar so you can bet we tried it. YUK sure not candy!!

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We tried Grandmas snuff of course. That was the worst of the lot.

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Karo syrup

My Great Grandma carried a small can in her purse. I have the purse and the can is still there along with a little doll spoon she used for dipping. WOW!!!
Things were so different then, so simple, and so relaxing. No TV, no modern conveniences at all, and we were as happy and as snug as peas in a pod. YEP!!!!

MY TONGUE WILL BE THE RUIN OF ME

9-13-08...MY TONGUE WILL BE THE RUIN OF ME

My mouth overloads my brain often.. At the time I really need to keep my mouth shut it just erupts in to stupidness and goes spewing out like a volcano.
Someone gave me a gift once. Now I swear I thought it was a prank gift. You know a white elephant gift? I burst out laughing and said "Oh this is sooo, stupid." The hurt look on her face should have jolted me back to reality but Nope! Not me. I just kept on making comments and having fun. Heck I thought that was what was expected of me. Hey this is a joke, Right? Well, Duh! No it was not a joke. I started spluttering and back tracking trying to cover up my stupidness. Every word that spouted outta' my mouth just rammed both my feet deeper down my throat.
One day a friend had gotten a new dress. I didn't particularly like the dress but of course I wouldn't have said so. When we got where we were going there were other ladies all around us. I looked down and saw what I thought was her slip showing and very politely pointed it out to her. She informed me that was part of the dress and was not her slip. My mouth went in to high gear then and I said, "Oh my goodness, are you sure? I've never seen such a thing. Something is wrong with that dress". We were both embarrassed and she was miffed. Good Grief me and my big mouth.
Then there was the wife of my good friend and neighbor. I had practically grown up with him and he knew me and my mouth well. He and his wife had been separated for a few months and just got back together. They came by my house and I noticed she was pregnant. I asked her when the baby was due not thinking a thing about it. I mean that's what you ask don't you? Just an automatic question isn't it. Thing was she had gotten pregnant while she and my friend were not living together. He was the Father. Anyway I said you look like you are close to delivery. She got up and ran out of my house. My friend explained it to me. I guess it is obvious what she thought I thought. Good Grief!! Chalk one more up to my big motor mouth.
Not too long ago in Church I was commenting on how a Mother and Daughter seemed more like sisters. The Daughters young son said. "Are you saying Grandma looks young, or are you saying my Mom looks old." Here goes that never ending spurt from my mouth again. I said, "I'm saying they look like sisters". Well now heck fire. Through the week I got to thinking. How stupid can you get Clydene. When I saw them again I was trying to explain myself and said to the Daughter, "You don't look old at all". Then I turned to the Mother and what I meant to say was "You look very young". What I said to the Mother was "You don't look young at all". OH MY GOSH!! If I could bridle my tongue I would be so much better off!!! My tongue just flaps way too much don't ya' know?? YEP

ACCOUNTABILITY

9-13-09...Accountability

My parents always made me accountable for my actions. I knew they would but I was a little stubborn spitfire.
One day I was standing before my Mamma telling her a ball faced lie about something I had done. She knew I was lying, and I knew I was lying. Mama just decided I WOULD!!! tell her the truth. Hey! Where did you think I got my stubbornness?
I can't remember what I was even lying about but I do remember that I fessed up and what my Mamma said afterward. "Clydene if you always tell me the truth then I'll always know I can trust you. What if someone would tell me something bad about you and I couldn't be sure whether to believe you or them? That would be a hard thing for me and I would be hurt. But if you always tell me the truth then I will always know I can believe you and I can take your side on anything". That has never left me. I think about it often. The impression it left on me has always carried me through everything. I detest being lied to, being lied about, and being called a liar. Those three things make my blood boil hot.
It always hurts to be second guessed and have a friend question what I am saying. A true friend or family member would never think twice about believing every word I say. Yet when someone will at times begin to question me and show signs that they are not believing a word I am saying and even start out to try to prove me wrong, it is devastating. I have some in my life right now who do that to me. I know they are not true friends but I can't just walk away from them. I just feel bad for them that they were not raised to tell the truth the way I was. My Daddy said all the time, "People who doubt, and don't trust anyone are the ones not to be trusted. They are judging you by their selves". You got that right Daddy. I find that out more every day I live. YEP! We gotta' be accountable for our actions and our words. We just need to watch our mouths!!!!

Friday, September 11, 2009

THE CRAZY HORSE

9-11-09...THE CRAZY HORSE

I've wrote about Smokey before. He was a huge gray horse that Brenda's Daddy owned. He was mean and we were all afraid of him but Sid would not get rid of him. He thought Smokey could be a good gentle plow horse.
He decided one day that he would break Smokey to ride and we could all enjoy him. Now let me tell you, I don't know what the others thought about it but I would have never rode that old horse under any circumstances .
Sid got a saddle somewhere and attempted to put it on Smokey. Smokey bolted knocking Sid down in the process. Auntie was calling him crazy, stupid and lots of other things. She said, "Sid you can not break that horse to a saddle, you don't know how and you are going to get yourself killed". Well you could just see Sid stubborn up. He was even more determined now. He tried several more days and finally managed to get the saddle on without getting his head knocked off. Then came days and days of trying to get up in the saddle. In the meantime every time I got a chance I'd go look at Smokey. I got to where he would look at me right in the eye and I would talk to him. I really thought he was communicating with me. What he was probably doing was wishing he could get loose and plow my stupid face in. I kinda got to thinking maybe Ol' Smokey and I had made friends. I'm really surprised now that I didn't try to climb on his back. Thank God I didn't!!!
Norman and I was out in the yard one day playing. We hadn't seen him yet but we heard Sid hollering, "Nubbin, Look at this". (Nubbin was what everyone called Norman. Later shortened to Nub). About that time we saw Sid and Smokey through the big Persimmon tree. Sid was sitting proudly in the saddle. He was grinning from ear to ear proclaiming to everyone listening, "I did it"! Well I'll be He did it, he really broke that ol' mean horse. Yep sure nuff' he did. About that time Smokey's front feet went up in the air, and Sid went flying off the back side right in to the hard dirt road.
Auntie came out the door of her house and we took off toward Sid. We were told to stay back because that ol horse was headed our way then. He was crazier' than a bessie bug!!!!
Sid wasn't hurt much, mostly his pride and his back side. He got a worse tongue lashing from Auntie than any of us kids had ever got before. It didn't help nary a bit though. It just seemed to have strengthened Sid's resolve to conquer that horse. He hired some bronk busters who did it for a living. They declared that Ol Smokey was a lost cause after one day on the job. We finally got that ol' nag out of the pasture then because Sid finally sold him. I never heard how the new owners fared with Smokey but I doubt he ever became a docile sweet ol horse like our Dixie was. Nope just wasn't in that ol horse to be gentle. He was just flat mean. YEP!!!

SMOKEY THE MAGIC DRAGON

9-10-09...

SMOKEY THE MAGIC DRAGON
Sometimes I find myself wondering when in the heck I got so old. Well as a matter of fact I don't really call myself old or fat. I'm pleasantly plump and matured. There that sounds much better doesn't it? Yep!
But it seems like yesterday I was young and happy, skipping along on dirt roads barefoot in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. I never dreamed of getting old. I guess I thought I'd always be young and vigorous. Full Of life and Mischief. My body and mind were strong then and my major' problems were small things.
I remember when I was growing up how much fun everything was. Things like squishing my toes through black mud, or chicken, cow, or horse poop. Delicious!!!!
What I did Brenda did. Later our Brother's were right there too. I guess you could call me the ring leader because I was a bit more spunky than the others. I got them all in trouble sometimes. But Most times we covered for one another.
One day we were playing softball in Brenda's pasture. There was a cow called Pet, and a horse called Smokey in the pasture with us. We were all scared of the horse and had had some run in's with him. Smokey was getting' too close for comfort one day so I threw the ball at him and said, "Shew Smokey, get out of here"! I had done this before and smokey would run off. Well this time I hit him in the head with the ball and he got mad. He started raring up and stomping his feet. He was shaking his head and getting ready to charge. I got scared but I also got tickled and was crying scared with a giggle fit. I said, "He looks like a fire breathin' dinosaur. I even could imagine that I saw fire coming out his nostrils.
The others were already climbing under the fence and there I stood. I heard them calling me to hurry but I was fascinated with that dragon. I started shaking my head at Smokey and stomping my feet on the ground and growling ferociously . I think I had transformed myself in to some kind of fairy tale land because what sense I had was floatin' around in space somewhere.
Smokey got real still and ducked his head but I just got still and ducked my head. Every stance he took I copied it. By then Smokey must have had himself worn out but I was still snorting and raring to go. Heck fire now I was having a ball.
My Auntie had come in the pasture behind me without my knowing. She grabbed me around the waist and I was on the other side of the fence before I could blink twice. She wore my butt out and gave me a tongue lashing, then sent me home. I went running down the lane with Norman right behind me. I ran in the house and Yelled, "Mama, Auntie threw me over the fence for no reason"!! Well you know Mama didn't believe a word of that and she found out for herself what had really happened real quick like.
I got my butt' burned again right there. I know now how scared Mama and Auntie must have been. That night when our Daddies got home we all ate supper together and I got so many hugs I was almost in Fairy Land again. But Not Quiet because by then I knew exactly why I had got two butt' beatings. Of Course I deserved it all. Well maybe not all the hugs. TEE HEE!!!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

GETTING OLD CAN BE GOOD!!! YEP!

9-8-09...Getting Old Can BE GOOD!!! YEP!

I've been talking about the quirks of getting old but there are some good things about it too.
I can say all the stupid things I care to and no one seems to mind. They just give me an indulgent smile that says, "Poor thing she don't know any better, Bless her heart" HE HE. What they don't know aint' gonna hurt em'. I use that guise to insult some young whippersnapper who thinks he knows it all. I can say most anything I want to and not get nary' an argument.
I recently came across two young men at the grocery store where I had gone after Church on Sunday. They appeared to be about 16. One was carrying my groceries out of the store. The other one got out of a car in the parking lot. The two young boys were busy talking and I wasn't paying much attention at first. I became interested when one asked the other, "Where have you been all dressed up like that"? The other boy replied, "Oh my Mom made me get up and go to Church this morning". The other boy said, "Oh Man couldn't you get out of it?" That's when this little ol' lady said, "You look so handsome honey. It didn't hurt you any to go to Church did it?" Then I turned to the other one and said, "And it wouldn't do you any harm either sweetie". I guess it was the honey and sweetie that kept them from telling me where to get off. Or could have been my age and how fragile I looked when I said it. Whatever it was, after my groceries were tucked in the back seat they both smiled sweetly at me and said, "Have a good day Mam". I said, "You too honey". I'm not that fragile either don't ya know?
Then one day I asked this young person, "Honey are you a boy or a girl, I can't see good enough to tell". Of course I could see but I didn't know if this person was a girl or a boy and I was really curious. I had already given it a hug and I just wanted to know what I had hugged. It was a she and it didn't get mad at me. It was not acting courteous in a public place. My hug had cooled her down a might.
Then one day in the Doctors office there was this young boy sitting there with a cast on his leg and dirty stringy hair tied back in a pony tail. Hey I'm cool with the long hair I just would have liked to see it clean. I was being good though and wouldn't have said anything. Then his buddy came in and they started bragging about how he had gotten the broken leg on a motorcycle. Talking and giggling in bad language about the stunts they had pulled on motor cycles. Now guys this just came spilling out of my mouth. I swear I had no control. I said, " That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard in my life! It is not only stupid to show out on a motor cycle but for you to sit there with a broken leg and brag and laugh about is is the height of ignorance. You both need to be taken to the wood shed with a peach tree limb"!! You could have heard a pin drop on the carpet I'm telling you. Those two boys looked at me like, What the heck is she talking about? They didn't look shocked or offended just dumb founded. I said, "Honey please be careful from now on and let this broken leg be a lesson to both of you. I'd hate for two good looking young men like you to be killed on a motorcycle because you were joy riding". They both said, "Yes Mam", and not another word.
Now us oldie but goodies can get by with things like this usually with the younger generation and may be able to get through to them. I know that one day I will spout off my mouth to the wrong one and just might get my jaws boxed. Yep! Sure nuff' could. I'll let you know when it happens. YEP!!!!

Monday, September 7, 2009

EARLY MORNING

9-6-09...EARLY MORNING

I don't do well with Mornings any more. After so many years of alarm clocks, jumping up, and getting out for a job I've had it with early mornings. So if you want to make an appointment with me its gotta' be late morning or afternoon. Well Dr's don't go along with that. They want things such as blood tests or any other procedure done at daybreak or sooner.
Last Monday I had to be at the Hospital early for a "simple' procedure. Ha! I would have liked to rub that Dr's. face in his procedure all night long the night before. I'll show him simple!!!
Before finally getting in bed at 2 AM I had to set my alarm clock for 5:30 AM. I hate them darned alarm clocks with a purple passion. When that alarm went off it scared the stuffins' outta' me. Sounded just like a space ship in one of those goofy movies. First I covered up my head to try and shut the noise out but it just seemed to get louder. By then I knew it was that stupid alarm clock. My back was to it so I proceeded to turn over so I could turn it off. Now let me tell you turning over is not a simple or fast thing for me anymore. I kind of flop over which I did. In flopping over I somehow got all tangled in the covers kinda' like a cocoon or a mummy. Couldn't get my dad blasted hands out. I used to have an alarm clock that would go off and blast for maybe a minute and that was it. Not this one! That sucker screams at you till you shut it off.
After I fought my way out of the sheet I reached over to turn the alarm off. It was dark and I was just feeling around on the night stand to find that dad blamed clock and knocked a bunch of stuff off in the floor including the clock. It bounced over by the dresser and just kept screaming. Well Good Grief!!!
I managed to get the lamp on, found my glasses which Thank God were not in the floor, stepped out in the floor and stepped on my wrist watch. OUCH!!!
Well I couldn't eat or drink anything so I brushed and rinsed my teeth, washed my mouth out without swallowing any, washed my face and got dressed.
When I got to the Hospital they processed me in and put me in a very little room to wait. It was exactly one hour and fifteen minutes later that I went to the door to make sure they hadn't forgotten I was there. I was informed that they of course hadn't forgotten me. Well maybe they hadn't forgotten me but almost immediately a nurse appeared with her basket of tools and started poking and jabbing at me. She made me black and blue before she found a vein that worked then took me upstairs where I waited fifteen minutes more before they came after me and got the thing going.
By now I was just dragging along. Just remember pain after that and finally it being over. Here it is six days later and I still have the battle scars. My right hand has been every color from blue to burple , to pee green, and shows no signs of being normal again.
So that's the story of the simple, early morning, procedure that took almost five hours to finish. GOOD GRIEF!!!!!

HOLIDAYS???

9-6-09...HOLIDAYS???

When I was growing up there were not many Holidays that we celebrated. But then I don't think there were as many holidays then. Were there? Heck I don't know. Labor Day? Just like any other day in our house. It's the same for me today. Seems like there are too many so called Holidays' now. Most of them don't mean a thing for anyone but a picnic and a three day week-end. I seriously doubt they even know what the celebration is all about.
The Holidays we observed when I was growing up were for Family, Love of God, and everyone coming together in harmony and appreciation. Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving
The only thing I remember about Labor Day is that our new school term began the day after Labor Day. We didn't need days set aside for picnics. We indeed had picnics often. Our Picnics were just anytime we could all get together with a big wash tub full of ice and cokes, sandwiches, potato salad, pork and beans and something like cookies for dessert. YUMMY! The picnic would be in somebodies yard with everyone contributing.
On the 4th. Of July we all took our picnic to Turner Bend where there was a place for swimming and everyone was there from everywhere. My Papa's (Grandpa) birthday was the 4th of July so the day was more special. And Yep, we knew what the day was set aside for and the meaning.
I guess I'm just getting too old and set in my ways but I think most of the so called Holidays are just a reason for picnics that can turn in to something that doesn't even resemble what I call a Family picnic. Also have you noticed how many Holidays have been changed from the real day it originally was to Mondays? Three Day Week-ends??? Yep!

Friday, September 4, 2009

GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY

9-3-09...GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY

I'm sure you all have heard the term, Growing Old Gracefully. Well there was a time when I envisioned that very thing. Sitting in the shade under a big shade tree with my granny hat on a big glass of iced tea or a steaming cup of coffee. Just wiling away my senior years in leisure. Free from worry and all the stresses of my younger years. Watching the birds and listening to nature around me. Stupiiiddd! What goofy thoughts. Honey it aint' that way at all. At least it isn't for me.
The only chair I am cumfy' in is my recliner with my feet up in the air. The thing I watch is my toes wiggling at the end of my foot, TV, and out the window where I wish I could be.
I'm not a bit graceful. The spring in my step has fizzled in to a fall if I aint' careful.
When I drag myself out of bed each morning I aint' listening to the birds. Heck I am making so much racket with my grunts and groans, bones poping like rice krispies, stumblin' and draggin' along hoping my feet are followin' me.
I turn slowly to the night stand and get my eyes on, focus for a minute then stumble out to the kitchen where my coffee should be brewed and ready if I'm lucky. From there I go to the Bathroom with shufflin' steps tryin' to watch my feet over my belly to make sure I don't stumble over sumpthin'. In the bathroom I sit on the pot if I have made it there in time. Here comes some more gruntin' and groanin' as I sit down and again as I get up. The next thing this graceful ol' gal does is splash cold water in her face to try and revive myself. My teeth are waiting in a little pink cup on the vanity.
Ok, Now I look in the mirror and decide that aint' me staring back out. But it is such a funny sight that I get myself an early mornin' giggle which always helps. By now I'm hoping that I can at least straighten up and walk without groaning. Sometimes I can.
It seems like hours now since I drug myself outta' bed. What I really wanna' do right now is just take my eyes and teeth out and off and go back to bed. Heck I'm worn out already. But I don't do that. Nope, I gracefully!? Move on out to my recliner, put the heat pad on my back, put my feet up and look to make sure my toes will still wiggle, watch the news on TV, and just Thank God that I have made it this far.
By now it is about 8:00 in the morning. The rest of the day looms before me and I am determined to make the best of it.
YEP! I'm definitely growing old But I sure aint' graceful about it. NOPE!!!!