A Giveaway!

I am so pleased to tell you that Sandy at http://www.dreamcreateinspire.blogspot.com/ is having a giveaway of her artwork. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month this talented artist (and might I say dear friend) is hosting this giveaway to encourage us all to be more responsible where our own bodies are concerned. Isn't it a lovely painting? I've already entered my name in hopes...fingers are crossed...so run on over and have a peek, enter in the drawing and look at the great work her students have done while you're there!

And Hank Williams sang it first...

Wow, what a great Sunday I had. My kids were all with us and my beautiful granddaughter, Arianna brought her frog loving Grandma a Frog Prince in red velvet carrying a sweet pink posey. Everywhere you look you will find frogs...I have loved them always and for some odd reason, so does Arianna. I mean we love real frogs, and their replicas. My baby boy (who towers over all of us) had a birthday on the 25th of October. I baked him a devils food cake. His brother, who's birthday was September 24, you remember, got an Angel Food cake. Not because he is an angel, but he's watching his fat intake. I baked a Macaroni and Cheese, cooked some frenched green beans and we all sat and talked about what was going on in their lives. Arianna told me that she had joined Chorus in school (she's a third grader). I told her how happy I was that she had. I was in Chorus, Glee Club and Chorale...I have a passable voice (my family always told me it was beautiful, but families can be biased as is evidenced by the thousands of simply awful singers who try out for American Idol and are then shocked that someone thinks they have no talent). Arianna carries a tune quite nicely and she told me that they were singing for a school event today (Monday). I asked her what they were singing and she broke out in song...it was "Hey Good Lookin' ", a Hank Williams standard. I burst out laughing because other than Johnny Cash (whom she adores) the child does not listen to anything but pop and rock and roll. I think she even listens to some Salsa Music, but not bone hard Country, not C/W or what passes for Country Music today, I'm talking the twanging, singing through your nose, autoharp plinking, guitar plucking fiddle playing country blue grass music. It was the very music I grew up on before the Beatles stole my heart. Music that I can listen to now, and become my granddaddy's little girl again. If anyone is familiar with the movie "Brother Where Art Thou", here's an example. My mother used to tell me that I was only about 2 years old and could sing "He's in the Jailhouse Now" word for word while standing in my crib. My other rendition at about that age was "I didn't know the Gun was Loaded". Maybe I was predicting my future career, even then. So here's my darling little blond headed baby girl singing out on "Hey Good Lookin ". I laughed and told her her Grandpa always came in from work or called me long distance when whatever ship he was on was overseas and asked me that very question. Every single time. One of the girls opted that all she heard was "when's supper ready?" Where did I go wrong on those two? So, I told Arianna I had the song on a cd by Hank Williams and did she want to hear it after dinner and sing with it? Of course she did. We finished dinner, cleared the table and she gave us her version of Bill Cosby's "Mom is Great"..."Grandma's great, gave us Choclate Cake"...After we had birthday cake I went into the office and began the search for the cd. After about a half hour, having located it, I loaded the cd into the computer and called her in. She stood hanging on my arm as Hank, that velvet smoothe nasal intonation shouting out the words "heyyyyy good lookin', what you got cookin', how's about cookin' something up with me? " She looked at me with a look akin to shock on her face. "Grandma, that's country!" she said. I had to laugh, because yes, it was certainly country, the kind of country that every little child living and breathing should hear at least once in their lives, so they can hear where most of our country music today came from. I was delighted that not only did she sing with Hank, she enjoyed doing it.

A New Week...

Well, as we all are aware it has been a very stressful couple of weeks, but now the immediacy has passed and it's time to take a breath and go on. I spoke with Sissy at length about the funeral on Saturday. My husband and I could not attend due to distance and the fact that while my spirit is only about 25, my body only 59, recent health issues put me at closer to 80. I lived and worked hard and while attempting to trim pecan trees, apparently broke a few things in my neck when falling out of one. (I was 54 going on 18 at the time.) It took a bit to manafest itself, but on June 8th 2003, (after the triple bypass surgery I had on December 21 2002) I found myself quite suddenly paralyzed from the neck down. After the sudden hurried ambulance trip to Florence, SC, I was seen by Neurologist who assured me while I would never walk again, he could get me motor function from the waist up but it would require immediate emergency surgery. So, I had the surgery and no one was more shocked than he was when I managed to walk from the hospital...haltingly, to be sure...but I walked none the less. That is why my faith in God is so strong. I know my family and friends were praying for me, but more importantly, He gave me a strong determination and will to prevail over diversity. I don't travel long distances because I still have severe nerve damage and can only sit that still (as a car trip) for about an hour and it's like having to learn to walk all over again. After such a close brush myself, I had such hope for Joey but the injuries were so far beyond what the doctors could do. And so God answered the prayer, what's best for Joey. Sissy tells me that they had to stop traffic on Interstate 65 there were so many cars in the funeral procession. We both saw Joey in our minds eye laughing at the thought of traffic coming to a halt for him. He was such a daredevil that I am sure I'm not the only one who was shocked by his death. We pictured him going out bungey jumping or racing. He kept in touch with every friend he had ever made, I think. If he had been able to, he would have kept in touch with you, too. So, our friends, we thank you. His family is doing what other families do everywhere after the loss of a love one. They're picking up the pieces and going on. It's all we can do, after all. Be assured that your kind thoughts and prayers helped Karen so much and it's something she will look over and read now and be able to see just how many people were in her corner, pulling out all the stops for her Joey.

And the Community Blogger Award goes to...

I have been at a loss as to how to thank my Blogging Community for all the prayers and sincere concern over Joey Andrus's recent eventually fatal work related accident. I didn't want to "invent" an award, that would put to much of the attention on me, and I want the attention on the friends of our "community". We are a community, after all...I began blogging a bit after my niece, Sissy (aka Kari) (sorry for the cop speak, but you know....) and have learned so much from all of you. I know that Sissy would want to be a part of this, so this is what I am doing. From both of us I would like to award the Community Blogger award to all of you, and that being said, I am going to do it. It's a long list, so stand by: The premise of the award is simple. Cellobella at Redsultana , who is the designer and creater of this award says this: "The Community Blog Award celebrates people who reach out and makes the blogger community a better one. " So, to my community, who have shown just how tightly knit (some might say wound) we are, here goes...

Sandi at http://www.whistlestopcooking.blogspot.com/

Mary at http://www.marymaryfairlycontrary.blogspot.com/

Jayne at http://www.countrycottagechic.blogspot.com/

Sandy at http://www.dreamcreateinspire.blogspot.com/

Brenda at http://www.countryromance.blogspot.com/

Teresa at http://www.tpmomforever.blogspot.com/

Abbie at http://www.abbiebloggin.blogspot.com/

Kathy at http://www.justabeachkat.blogspot.com/

whew, need to take a breath here. Remember, I smoked for years...before I got smart and laid the nasty little things down! So, who else gets this I'm sure coveted award?

of course there's Lisa at http://www.athingforroses.blogspot.com/

Sophie at http://www.sophiehoneysuckle.blogspot.com/

Adla at http://www.vintagedelights.blogspot.com/

dear Wanda at http://www.snapdragonantiques.blogspot.com/

and one of my newest friends, Cassie at http://www.thisismockingbirdhill.blogspot.com/

Who could forget Susie Q at http://www.rabbitruncottage.blogspot.com/

and then another pair of friends Jenn and Jacqui at http://www.thebowerbirdsnest.blogspot.com/

Carol at http://www.katherinesdream.blogspot.com/ (I'm still looking for her kitchen)

Terri at http://www.bobandterri.blogspot.com/ I'm sure Bob should be included in this, too...

And I want to also thank Jeanne at http://www.jeanne-lifeorsomethinglikeit.blogspot.com/

Tammy, who is a blog bud of Kari's, (for you from us both of course)at http://www.gentleretreat.blogspot.com/ and I'll be in to visit you, too...

And now more about the award.

It was designed by Cellobella http://www.redsultana.com/ (who doesn't play the cello, but owns one...who wanted to pass something on to someone in her circle and couldn't quite find the right thing. Inventive and talented as she is, she came up with this award. She has generously given permission for us to pass it on to those who we feel best meet the criteria and if you guys don't meet it, I don't know who does. I truly feel that our community is close enough for us to clasp hands. If I have forgotten any one, I am truly sorry...I think I have included everyone. If I have forgotten you, blame my muddled mind. You are included whether I mentioned you by name or not. And so now we can get back down to the blogging life, but know that if I am needed, I'm only an e-mail away!

with much affection I remain

A Thank You

I would like to thank you all, our friends out there who so generously gave of their time and love to pray and care for a stranger. I would like to share something with you that my dear friend Jean Weston sent to me. I hope it touches you as it touched me. Thank you for being out there for all of us and in turn for each other. http://www.simpletruths.com/dash/ If you click on this, it is a lovely little movie about time.

Goodbye to Joey

Thank you for all the prayers sent to Joey and his family, wife Karen and sons, mother Ginger and father Michael. Joey passed away from injuries to severe to sustain life last night. He was to young and no parent should ever have to bury their child. We have prayed for him and you have prayed for him. For that we thank you so very much. We have to know that God has answered our prayers. Joey is with his Papa and Grandma now, and I know they met him and welcomed him home. Now the rest of life continues and we'll all muddle through just as we always have. Thank you for being friends.

Prayers for Joey

Please send your prayers for Joey and his entire family. Things are not going well, but the family requests your continued support in prayer. Thank you all for being so kind as to think of and pray for him and his...

Author's of Choice and Author's choices

Okay, so it's no big secret that I love to read. Everyone I know has picked up on that one "what do you know about Sandi" bit of trivia. My favorite authors vary from Dean Koontz to Rudyard Kipling. I love writers with a wry sense of humor and those with no sense of humor at all. I have been an avid fan of Harry (our dear Mister Potter) and Kay (Dr. Scarpetta) ever since JK and Patricia first birthed them. But for crying out loud, one has a coming out party and the other will now be subject to whispers and averted eyes for the rest of her career. And all in the same month. Oh, the humanity! What are they doing to me? I love Dumbledore and to be honest who or what he sleeps with makes no never mind to me. My bedroom is my bedroom and I assume that goes for Dumbledore, as well. But really, this was (I was assuming again) a series of books for children which it turned out, the parents also loved. I know of at least one child who had the first book read to her a chapter a night and then the selfish gran, er, reader read to her heart's content and finished the book in like, say a day? Or at least that's what I understand to have happened. This same reader also bought the next book as a gift for someone who shall remain nameless in here, but read it before boxing and wrapping it, making it a regift. It was a first edition and the giver did not want the terrible action of "a first edition, spine not broken" being seen on E-Bay. Every beloved book should have its spine cracked, indicating that someone thought enough of it to actually read it. Will I reread the Potter series? Well of course I will, as I said what goes on in anyone's bedroom is their business and none of mine, but I fear other children (well, I am a child, at heart anyway) will be denied the opportunity of finding this series of books and learning a love of reading because of prejudice. Prejudice is such an ugly word in principal and even uglier in action. Okay, so Dumbledore has been outed and Kay Scarpetta...I can hardly think, the humiliation of what has befallen our beloved Dr. Kay...has suffered a sexual assault. I have followed Dr. Kay Scarpetta from her very first case, I know her likes and dislikes, her family (and everyone has a dysfunctional family, I'm sure of it...my family put the dys in functional, of that there's also no doubt). When I first knew it was about to happen I had to put the book down for a couple of days. I had to prepare myself for her ordeal because she is like a fictional sister to me, and I couldn't bear this to happen to any woman, living or dead, real or imaginal. I have my reasons. Trust me. I have learned over the years that rape is almost never about the sex. It is about the power. It is about the power being taken from you and the almost certain knowledge that the action will be at the back of the ravaged person's mind for a lifetime. Forever. And beyond. So. While I disagree with JK's action, I don't necessarily disagree with Patricia's. On one hand, something that would never have occurred to a reader in one series hurts the series in my opinion, and on the other hand something that occurs in the other series educates. There is a big difference in education and titillating. Bad girl, JK (Rowling)...you may have fallen off the radar for anything else that may be in that fertile mind but worse yet, you may have deprived another generation of loving your vivid and witty characters and learning to love the written word all for the sake of sensationalism. Brave girl, Patricia (Cornwell)...you have brought the victim forward and shamed the devil. You have shown us that we can rise above humiliation and triumph over evil.

The Weather Map

My friend watches the Weather Channel with an alarming regularity. The last five times that I was over at her house, that is the channel that was playing. Not ABC, or CBS, not even NBC or CNN (Chronic News Network as my mother called it). No one was surfing through the channels to see if there was anything more entertaining on, in fact for the most part the only thing I saw was the huge weather map on the screen and some subtle background music. Elevator music on TV...how droll. We could sit and chat about anything and not be interrupted by breaking news, or soap opera story lines. We could discuss how work is going, what yard project we both may have lined up and how we're going to get the work done. Every so often she would look over at the screen, shake her head and go on with our conversation as though her attention had never wandered from it for a second. When the talk turned to the lack of rain we have experienced in the past few months, she started laughing. "See that weather map on the TV screen?" she asked. Nodding that yes, I did indeed see the weather map still showing on the TV screen, she continued. "I figured out exactly where we are on that thing," she said. I gave her a quizzical look, and she went on. "No, really, I know exactly where we are. Just look at the map. See where all the clouds are covering it? Yes? Well, see that hole right there, in the middle? That's us. There we are. Cloudless and rainless, and it's where that hole has been for weeks now. No wonder all the ponds are drying up, the satelite won't let the clouds move an inch." You know, I didn't have the heart to tell her that the weather satelite had not a darned thing to do with it, I just reached over for the remote control and changed the channel. I was afraid if I stared at that hole in the middle of the weather map, I'd start to think the weather satelite had a hold on the rain, too.

The Haunting

My most vivid childhood memories can be found on Highway 145, five miles south of the town of Chesterfield in a big old white farmhouse occupied by my grandparents. The memories seem to cover most of the seasons, although I never lived there full time. I spent nearly every summer there, as I have said before, maybe three or four Christmas's, at least three Thanksgivings , (eating at the children's table...much more fun than eating with the adults) and maybe once or twice in spring time. It seems that whenever we arrived, all the aunts and uncles came to see my parents and the cousins to see us. As the car climbed to the top of the hill on 145 we always saw Daddy Dwight's tree. Daddy Dwight was our grandfather, and Mammy was our grandmother. The tree was a tall long leaf pine that had been standing between the two dirt drives for as long as anyone could remember. When we saw that tree, we knew we were home. My mother would put down her car window and taking a deep breath, say "welcome to Chesterfield County, smell the air!" as though the air smelled any different or better in Chesterfield County. Of course she was right. It did. When we pulled up into the drive and parked in front of Mammy's house, we'd all pile out and run up the steps to the screen porch and mob my grandmother who was always, I mean every single time, wiping her floury hands on her apron so she could give us all a hug. She had the warmest smile and most musical laugh I can credit anyone in my life with having. It made us feel welcome and the love poured out of that laughter like water over stones in a waterfall. She would tighten that hug for a second to make you feel special before letting you go to hug our mother. My mother's face always lit up when she was being held in her mother's arms. If it was winter time, the kitchen would be warm and the fire would crackle in the little black pot bellied stove. Everyone would sit in the warm kitchen and catch up on life. Just a bit after dark, my grandmother would take us children upstairs to the big middle bedroom and help us find our pajama's, the huge old bed , piled high with quilts would be turned back ready for us to crawl in. We'd change quickly into our night clothes and tumble into the bed, cover up fast and wait for her to return with the warm flannels. She would take small flannel blankets and heat them up at the little stove, hurry up with them and wrap our feet in joy. The quilts would be piled on top of us, banishing the cold air, holding in the heat from the flannels, warming us up to our noses, which were just a tad blue, being out in the cold air. There was no central air and heat, but we didn't miss it a bit. Those were the most comfortable nights of my life. Just the memory of them warms me and I can see my Grandmother's face as clearly as if she were standing in front of me. Maybe that's what they call haunting. If so, I don't mind a good old haunting at all.

Halloween in Columbia, SC

I'm sorry, but I'm not really into the decorating at Halloween, mainly I decorate at Christmas and I don't start that till the day after Thanksgiving (sorry, Sissy). But my sister, Toni is way into decorating, as evidenced by these pictures she sent of her yard. My brother-in-law Tim is actually the culprit, I suspect. I really can't see Toni having the time or inclination to do all this. I know some people who decorate for every occasion, from July the fourth to Easter. I'm just not one of them. One of my neighbors even decorates for Valentines day...another candy company fiasco, if you ask me. Okay, so none of you asked me, just thought I'd share. It just seems to me that it takes so much money just to keep our roofs over our heads, why do people make a major thing out of holidays that require you mortgage the farm to prove you love them? What's wrong with just coming out and saying it? I can't remember the last time Mac remembered my birthday, but he says I love you every day. I am now at the age where even I try not to remember my birthday. Just wait, out of pure orneriness, he'll start remembering January 7th...and I'll live to regret posting this bit of too much information.

Batgirl....

Just had to share this photo with you all of my granddaughter, Arianna when she was about 2 years old...these are her jammies...she was really getting into the role, though wasn't she? She is also a fan of Spiderman and Supergirl...but this pose is priceless!

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween

Halloween being just days away now, I've been noticing the costumes that are in the stores. They seem rather cheaply made for the prices they go for. Of course, that's just my opinion (and everyone's welcome to it!) The days of homemade costumes are hopefully not behind us, because they can be more fun, less dangerous and downright funny. Every little girl wants to dress up as a princess. So go to the thrift shops and buy a frilly "I'll never wear that again" prom dress and adjust the fit with scissors and pins. Make a lovely tiara with cardboard, tinfoil and glitter. The entire costume won't run over five dollars, if that. Take an old coat and sew patches on the sleeves an old pair of pants, patches on the knees, get an old vest to go over a ratty shirt, burn cork and apply a "beard" that washes off easily with soap and water...what's that, three bucks? Nothing? Buy a cheap eye makeup palate and sit your little darlings in front of the mirror and let their imaginations go wild. They can make bruises and with a bottle of ketchup, apply blood and become a ghoul from the "Night of the Living Dead". Then, there's the all time favorite...a black dress, black stockings, green eyeshadow to make the face appear green, witch's hats are only around two dollars apiece and you have a fantastic little witch. I never got the "run out and buy a costume" routine. We never bought a costume in our lives. I've been a princess a hobo a dancer a clown...I was laughing at my niece, Kari (still Sissy to me) who went dressed as half woman/half man and believe it or not, been there, done that. So, save your money guys, let the kids use their imagination...why spend thirty bucks on someone else's ideas? You and your kids will have so much more fun coming up with your own...and as a bonus, there will be no face mask to block your child's vision. They'll easily see the cars on the roadway, and spot anyone or anything else that seems suspicious...safety is the key word here! Fun should be secondary to that.

A Christmas Award

My sweet little niece, Kari (I'm sorry, but she'll always be Sissy to me) has honored me with a Christmas Award. Now I know there are those of you out there saying "CHRISTMAS! It isn't even Halloween!" Well, for certain of us it is Christmas year round...would you believe my snowman collection stands guard over the guest room? Well, I'll just have to take a picture to prove it...I love Snowmen and I love awards and I love passing them on to others so here goes...I'm going to try not to duplicate the group that Sissy honored, which is good, it means more can be recipients, so here goes:
Sandi at http://www.whistlestopcooking.blogspot.com/




for her generosity of spirit, please accept this award. Mary at http://www.marymaryfairlycontrary.blogspot.com/ who has a sweetness of spirit and being a Nurse, I know she has loving hands that give freely especially at Christmas time. I would like to share this award with Sandy at http://www.dreamcreateinspire.blogspot.com/




because we all know artists have expansive spirits. And Kat at http://www.kat-out-of-the-bag.blogspot.com/ for certain sure needs this...Then there's Wanda, she's at http://www.snapdragonantiques.blogspot.com/ or Excuse me while I buy this junk...don't you just love it???? And I really can't leave out Suzie Q over at http://www.rabbitruncottage.blogspot.com/ because her blog always gives me something to smile about. And just one more, if I may...I know it's supposed to be 5 others, but Carol at http://www.katherinesdream.blogspot.com/ (or better known as Carol's Kitchen) has delighted me ever since I stumbled over the wonderful delightful Nigella...and if you want to meet Nigella, you'll just have to do as I did and go and introduce yourself!!!
Okay, so I want to nominate another...Abbie, who so delightfully calls me Aunt Sandi, she has the delight of a child over stories that we pass on and takes us on, warts and all...so to my sweet Abbs, http://www.abbiebloggin.blogspot.com/ keep that childlike wonder and pass it on

Okay, so that's me for tonight. Had a busy day reading, rain is on the horizon and all is write (right) in God's heaven...Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite (what an image, lol)

Oh, and for all my awardees, if you'll click on http://santasmailbox.blogspot.com/2007/09/spirit-of-christmas-award-2_23.html you can paste your award in and pass it on to those you feel deserve it...love to all

Just one thing

Just one thing before I give up the computer for the day (since I have other more exciting things to consider). My son Wallace is a dare devil...I've known it for a while but why is it that when ever he takes these trips up in the air, I'm the last to know? Anyway, I've found out he has been up in the air again (from hot air balloons to jets to dirigibles, he's been on them all...really, this child needs to check in with me on these things once in a while...he only lives 12 miles away, it's not like it's long distance. Want to see what he's been up to now?

Just go to http://pagelandblog.blogspot.com/ and press play...and then someone bring me a strong drink.