It's Electrifying

I find it a bit odd that the electric company cannot speak to me regarding my bill because my name is not the one on the account. It matters not that I can give them the last 4 of the hubalumps social, know his mother's maiden name and can recite his list of scars, bruises and other identifying marks completely.
No, my name is not the one listed on the account, however, it is listed on the check I send you every danged month. As a matter of fact ONLY my name is on the check, therefore explain to me why you can accept MY check to pay HIS bill but you can't TALK to Me about His bill.
To make matters worse, I have specifically heard my husband give the electric company authorization to speak to me on numerous occasions. It boggles my mind that they are incapable of making a note in the file. Believe me, you should be glad that I try to take care of this stuff for him, since he has a tendency to "forget" little things like utilities, etc. Of course, it would be me that would be left in the dark wouldn't it?
There is no one more appreciative of the protecting our identity system, but really....
Till the next time something really ticks me off or tickles my funny bone.....
Peace Out Friends!

Lettin' The Turkey Slide

Being the unconventional sort - I do holidays just a tad different than most. I'm not a big fan of turkey....I'm a white meat kind of girl... Which means that if I cook a turkey I'm usually left with this ginormous picked carcass with 2 big drumsticks still attached - wings and all the other unattractive items.
Then I never know what to do with it. I can't give it to my dogs - poultry bones are a bit dangerous - I know this from spending several hours in emergency animal clinics from ingestion of chicken bones, etc.
For my use - turkeys seem wasteful so I let them slide. If I do fowl on holidays I do hens which are more manageable in loads of ways. The sight of one of my grandchildren gnawing on a chicken leg is more appealing than viewing them hidden behind a big old turkey drumstick (shades of King Henry VIII)!
Lately my Thanksgiving meals have been centered around pork tenderloin. I confess to having a not so secret love affair with pork in general. I can do tenderloin in crock pots leaving my oven available for more important items like sweet potatoes......and pie. Plus there is not one single human in my family that does not like tenderloin (of course what's not to like?)
Yesterday I had prepared 6 pretty good sized tenderloins and made it home with roughly 6 pieces. Beshears is obviously synonymous for carnivore.
I also baked 3 hens and those disappeared as well. Their little carcasses were picked clean and easily disposed of leaving behind some good foundational work for chicken and dumplings. I had to have poultry of some form because one of my daughters loves giblet gravy and I would hate to disappoint her especially now that she is carrying my 12th grandchild.
Our time together yesterday was great - our little hostess Kaylee provided us with something we have never been able to do - sit down all together and eat as a family. There are so many of us and my house is so small that we wind up perched on chair arms balancing plates in our lap. So it was nice to be able to eat like civilized folk while ripping through all that grub. It was a beautiful day - allowing our little ones to enjoy the tether ball, trampoline and wide open spaces.
There was football, good wine, happy talk, smiling faces and joy in being together. Our only dark cloud was that our oldest grandson wasn't there. Having graduated from high school he now has joined the ranks of the gainfully employed and therefore misses a lot of our group activities. But we know he is aware that we missed him and were thinking of him. His mom took him a huge plate of tenderloin which is his favorite so I know that he today is a happy fellow.
We have much to be thankful for this year. It has been a rough year for most of us. We have lost people, but we've gained people as well. The circle of life continues and we remain hopeful and thankful for what we have.
I'm pretty sure the lowly turkey will continue to slide further and further down on our dinner menu until it disappears forever while the great pig climbs upward. Besides I can think of lots more to do with left over pork than left over turkey. So just as in "turkey bowling" I'm lettin' the turkey slide.

Free To Be Me

There is a certain segment of you who are aware of my challenges in the employment arena of late. The frustration of being unemployed in such a shaky and scary economy resonates with many of us. Sending out dozens of resumes and on line applications without ever being called for an interview is demoralizing at best. My list of excellent references tell me that not one single person has called to check the validity of my claims.
Those of my generation have probably never known what it is to NOT work “for a living.” I was working at 16, waiting tables weekends and evenings. I also did a stint working in my hometown’s “drive-in.” Not the movie kind - but the soft drink, fast food kind of drive-in. My dad, by example, taught me to be hard working, honest and loyal to my job. Daddy also believed that it was your responsibility as an employee to treat that company or business as if it were your own. And, I am proud to say, I think I lived up to his teaching.
There have been few times since the age of 16 that I have not been gainfully employed. Yet, I learned to fear those moments of no weekly paycheck with the same fervor I fear Christmas tinsel and Easter grass. But, now at 60, I find myself in exactly the situation I spent my whole life being afraid of.
I have learned, and learned harshly, sometimes we need a “ring-ring, wake-up call” moment to entirely change our perspective. And, the old saying “face your fear and it will disappear,” is proving to be more right than not.
For me, the wake-up call pretty much steam rolled me up against a brick wall and left me bruised and seething with resentment. It came in the form of a screeching end to a dead end job. For two years, I worked for someone with questionable business ethics, few if any morals and a genuine lack of concern for the people who greased the wheels of their machine with honest sweat.
On top of not being the quality person I had been used to dealing with, this was a person who also felt any means justified their goal. And, if letting employees with families and small children go for 2 weeks without pay made sure their new air conditioning unit was paid for, so be it.
And yet, I persevered. Looking back I am amazed and wonder why? Was the uncertainty of not working and not having a paycheck worse than the reality of working and not having one I could depend on? Or was working so deeply ingrained in my personality that I didn’t know any other way to be?
Strangely enough I didn’t quit this job. It quit me. No, I didn’t get fired – a simple misunderstanding took on a life of its’ own and my lack of employment was the result. Even in this situation I saw my employer’s “true colors.” I also came to fully understand the depth of their immaturity and love of always playing the victim. It is a telling statement that they still owe me money which I have no hope of getting. And, in order to collect, I have to play their stupid little game and I refuse to play.
When the first moment arrived when I would have ordinarily been pulling myself together to start a new week of uncertainty and unhappiness, I found I was anything but. One thing I was certain of was that while I might not be “working” I would not be idle. And, while my cash flow might be lessened my happiness would not.
I’ve never been lazy and I am very good at keeping myself busy. I have lots of hobbies and several dogs that can always use my attention. My husband who is not a good “paper” person, needs some help in managing the mountains of paper his business breeds. My hard working daughter can use a little help with her house from time to time. And, my own house, which has suffered from gross neglect for a year now, is starting to appreciate a little attention as well.
And, on a more personal note, I am learning that a nice leisurely bath at 10:00 in the morning in a quiet house can certainly set the tone to make your day a more pleasant experience. And strangely enough, I am also learning that getting dressed isn’t such a hassle if you aren’t hurried and hassled to do it by X o’clock. For the first time in a long time, my life is my own. If I want to cook, I cook. If I want to take the day and read, I can. If I want to work on my books I have that option. I am FREE to be me. And I am rediscovering that being me is a pretty good thing.
It is said that when God closes a door, He opens a window. He had to PUSH me through my window, but when I landed on the other side, I saw a brand new day. And anything brand new has endless possibilities.
So for me….for now….if anyone needs something repaired, enhanced or removed via Photoshop, I have the equivalent of PHD and will do it very reasonably. I have numerous needlework projects in various stages of completion that are calling to me from dark closet corners. Perhaps you need makeup or jewelry, I can help you out in those areas as well. Maybe you just need a friend, a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear, I am finally unattached and available to help you. And, if at some point you might want to purchase a book I plan on publishing, let me know.

Free at last, free at last. Thanks be to God, I am finally free at last.

Keep It Under Your Hat

OKAY...............so my big blood pressure accelerator this morning was seeing a news article about Florida's representative who has apparently blown her stack over her hat - or hats as it turns out.
Since the 1800s there has been a ban on hats on the House floor. Remember...guys used to never go anywhere without their toppers. I love looking at old baseball clips and seeing all those fellas sitting in the stands in their slacks and dress shirts complete with ties and hats. But I digress!
Now the freshman rep from Florida Ms. Wilson who apparently ALSO never leaves home uncapped has come uncorked because they won't let her wear her hats on the House floor.
According to Ms. Wilson it is sexist. Hmmmmmm - let me think about this for just a 'mo.
If it were sexist wouldn't it be because guys were allowed to wear hats and women were not?
Now she is demanding this ban be lifted for HER and it looks like the only way to do so is with a full vote of the House. Are you freakin' kidding me?! Seriously, I would almost drive to Washington to slap the crap out of this silly wench. A hat? You are getting your panties in a wad over a hat? Are there no unemployed people in your state? Are there no abused children? No homeless and starving constituents? Are there no abandoned and neglected animals?
By this woman's own confession, she owns over 300 hats - enough to fill a whole room in her house. Again.......really?
I have to admit some of her hats are quite noteworthy. She tends to lean toward cowboy hats (and I use the term loosely.) There is just no telling how much these hats cost - I think it is pretty costly and time consuming to Bedazzle a cowboy hat so fetchingly.
I kept thinking as I read this column "Surely, they are going to say, she has decided to auction off her hats and give the money to charity." But NO. Instead she wants to waste taxpayer time and money by forcing the House to do a full vote to allow her to turn their proceedings into a fashion parade. I don't know about you, but doins' up there on Capitol Hill are already enough of a carnival act for me.
I intend to write a letter on this one because I see a bad end to this. If she is allowed to have her way what happens next? Her chapeaus will become larger and more extravagant (diverting attention away from what is truly important) - our more macho fellows will don the ball caps of their favorite sports teams and the guys who embrace a more feminine side of their personality might show up wearing stilettos and feather boas.
So.....put that in your hat and stuff it.

Fly The Friendly Skies

So flying these days is getting to be more and more problematic. At one time, we could walk in an airport on a whim and catch a flight to practically anywhere. Our luggage wasn't a problem. What you didn't check you could carry on and in our carry on luggage we could take our knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, etc. Anything we might want or need to pass the time away while airborne.
Then came 9-11 and several subsequent attempts by idiots to make us feel threatened and suddenly flying became not only dangerous but downright exclusive as well.
Already a little pricey, it got to the point of a person needing to be independently wealthy to book a flight.
We went from being able to iron, fold and carefully pack our clothes, lock our suitcase and put it on a plane to the current situation. Now, they open your suitcase, paw through your personal items, turn everything upside down and then cram it all back in. We would be better off just taking a bunch of dirty clothes and throwing them in our suitcase and hitting a laundromat at our destination.
And Heaven forbid you have anything that might be construed as a potential weapon. I'm still not sure why my hand lotion has been deemed deadly but OH WELL.
Your carry on needs to fit under the seat in front of you - completely. Or you can cram it in the overhead bin and run the risk of bolting off the airplane and forgetting about it entirely.
Lately, every time I have flown I have been chosen for a pat down. Honestly, do I look that dangerous? If I committed a crime I wouldn't be able to move fast enough to avoid arrest.
But now, they are doing the body scans and what the media refers to as "groping" the passengers. People are incensed and should be. If I were one of the people having to pat people down I'd be incensed. There are just some people I wouldn't care to get that up close and personal with.
But, since people have tried to sneak on a plane with weapons in their shoes, baby diapers, underwear, etc. one does see the need for extreme caution.
I think I have come up with a perfect solution. Fly nude - no carry on. For those of a delicate persuasion - issue them a hospital johnny and paper slippers before embarking. Truly I think the hilarity of this would pretty much lighten the mood on any flight - think of the giggles one could get just watching people head to the restroom.
I defy a highjacker to seriously try to take over an airplane full of naked people. Not only that but some highjackers would be hesitant to get on a plane with the unclothed.
Our skies would become friendly again because who would want to call undue attention to themselves on an all nude flight. I for one would be trying to be as quiet and invisible as possible.
So...since I've always been told that less is more...I'm thinking less clothes, more safety.

....and how was your day? I would really like to know. lkbeshears@sbcglobal.net

When Is The Right Time?

One of the things I am guilty of is procrastinating. I’m not the worst procrastinator I know. That distinction goes to “he who shall remain nameless.” You can give me a deadline and I will meet it – I might wait until 15 minutes to D-Day, but meet it I will. But leave me to my own devices with loads of time and I will find 100 perfectly good reasons why right now just isn’t a good time.
Recently, I have been watching some of my friends who are just stepping out and making RIGHT NOW the right time. I am inspired…humbled and in awe of their willingness to throw caution to the wind - and move. They are stepping out of their comfort zones, and pulling from the depths of their souls the dreams only they can see. As they do so, they cast them on the water for us to capture in our nets. Gathering their dreams gives us a piece of them and allows us to dream along with them.
You know they say if you wait until you can afford a baby you will never have a baby. Well, consider your dreams the biggest baby you will ever bring to life. But unlike a living breathing human that is ours to enjoy for a lifetime, our dreams can be fleeting moments that must be seized. And, not just seized. They must be gripped, wrung out and hung to dry in the winds of time. For once they are hung there, they remain, tangible pieces of themselves ripped open for the world to see, hear and enjoy.
Not everyone is driven to leave behind a work of art, a story, a photograph or an epic poem. But some are. There are those who spend their entire existence in the pursuit of their dreams and they leave behind things most of us can’t fathom in our wildest imaginations. However, I am of the opinion, that we all have a “lasting” piece of work within us. And, I dare say, we all know what it is - we just need to let it go.
Part of our reluctance to pursue our dreams, our passions if you will, is a crippling and paralyzing fear of failure. What if we only think we have something profound to say, or beautiful to express. None of us want to put the children of our hopes and dreams beneath the feet of others and see them trampled into the dirt. Or even worse, be laughed at for our attempt.
And, sometimes we are crippled by the fear of a small success. What if that one painting, one book, one photograph is a fluke and we are destined to be just another “one hit wonder.” Well, so what? So one is all that is in us – is that such a bad thing? I would rather create one wonderful moment than a thousand less than great ones.
I’ve always loved to write, and I dabbled in poetry when I was younger. I found it gave me an avenue to express my feelings without hurting anyone else. I am not a good poet – I still write poetry that rhymes and that seems to have fallen out of favor. But I know some good poets and their words paint the most inexplicably beautiful images in my imagination.
As I aged, I found that I had very strong opinions about almost everything and I wanted to be able to say what I thought without being shouted down by someone else. I also learned that I had an above average intelligence and could express myself and speak for others at the same time.
The really cool thing about writing is no one is interrupting your train of thought – you have a captive audience – even if there’s no one reading. But, the more I wrote, the more I found that there were actually some people who agreed with me.
I am not naïve enough to think that there aren’t those that vehemently disagree with me as well. But, I have been fortunate in the fact that either because of wonderfully good manners or a love of me that allows me a voice, they don’t shoot darts in my balloon. Whatever, their reasons, I am grateful. So grateful in fact, that when I disagree with some of them, I just keep my mouth shut.
But, I kept getting these pushes, nudges to do more, be more. The people who love me encouraged me constantly to do something with what I have. And I fought them every step of the way. I didn’t have enough material, my material wasn’t good enough, I was too busy, too sad, too tired and yes, too danged lazy.
The more I fought them, the more ashamed I became of wasting myself. I was beginning to want to leave something behind that was permanent, lasting and ME. At some point I wanted my grandchildren to be able to pick up something tangible and say…..my Grandmother did this. Because even though to me it may be a bit silly and trivial, chances are it will be neither of those things to them.
And so, even though today may not be the RIGHT TIME, it is MY time. My time to stop delaying, to end the excuse making, and to cast my meager catch on the shore and see who claims it. It is my time to move out of the constantly creating zone and try to make something happen. I must stop re-writing, re-drawing, re-thinking and be happy with what I have now.
For if I wait until everything is perfect, it never will be. What I have to do is understand the perfection of right now. And so, I’m moving out of my cozy and safe place and stepping in the great unknown. I’m going to publish my books even if I have to do it myself. And if the only ones I sell are to myself and the people who genuinely love me – that’s okay.
One day my dreams will die with me unless I choose to leave them here. Unless I choose to share that secret and most hidden part of myself, no one else will ever know. My grandchildren will never really know me and I want them to. I want them to know there was something different about me, something a little crazy, a little brave. It is important to me that they know I was not afraid to “seize my moment” and make whatever time I had the RIGHT TIME.
So, if you are waiting for your right time – why not now? This may be the only time you get - so grab hold and ride it for all its’ worth. I’ll be there on the sidelines cheering you on as you live YOUR moment, just as you have done for me.

……and how was your day? I would really like to know. lkbeshears@sbcglobal.net

A New Adventure

So.........today I finalized my first publication attempt. I have self published a children's book entitled Genevieve's Window.
When my granddaughter Genevieve was just a baby I was visiting one weekend. Her parents had gone out for the day and she and I spent a lot of time standing in front of their beautiful front door gazing outside. The idea of writing something about what a child sees outside their window was born that day. I have worked and reworked this dozens of times. The illustrations are mine - I did not hand draw everything you see - some are compilations of free clip art that I used and manipulated to suit my purpose. My extensive experience in Photoshop continues to serve me well. The window itself is mine and does not do justice to the beautiful beveled window G and I looked out of that day.
This piece is soo important to me because I feel like it began a journey for me. A journey that has taken me down roads of poetry, blogging, newspaper column submissions and many many others.
My success or failure with this will probably set the tone for the rest of my attempts in this field.
I hope that you will consider purchasing a copy - I tried to keep it reasonably priced. I think it is such a calm and soothing bedtime story it might become a well loved favorite.
In any case, as always, I welcome your suggestions, your praise as well as your criticism.
Peace Out!

Hero Worship

Several years ago I was asked to judge a local high school's Mr and Miss Pageant. I had no particular qualifications to do so - but the organizer knew me and knew I would be fair.
We were given several questions to ask each contestant and then were tasked with formulating 3 questions of our own.
One of the mandatory questions was "Who is your hero?" The answers were pretty typical for high school seniors. Of course their faith factored heavily into their answers and many talked about their grandparents or parents. Interestingly enough, very few mentioned popular celebrities or sports figures. I enjoyed hearing their answers - it gave me some insight into what was important to them.
I decided to take that mandatory question and turn it around a little. One of my questions to them was "Who do you think looks up to YOU as their hero?"
Suddenly, there was quite a thought process going on. They all knew who they respected and wanted to emulate, but few had given much thought to who might be watching them.
So, today I am challenging you. If there is someone who inspires you, take the time to let them know. Who knows.......you just might find out who finds YOU inspirational.

Peace Out!

Never Bring a Bologna Sandwich to a Banquet

Trying to avoid the “Debbie Downer” personality at all costs isn’t easy…..they are relentless in their pursuit to rob your joy, steal your happiness and make every situation all about them. We all know them, those seemingly tuned in people who can take any circumstance and dig out the microchip of how it affects THEM, ignoring the larger truth.
They miss the point that in any occurrence, there is a pecking order of importance. My car accident will suddenly be about them because they were counting on me to take them to work. Get the picture?
Working for almost two decades in the photography business, I saw the BS (calm down...in this case BS stands for Bologna Sandwich)- all the time. It was especially apparent in those girls who came for senior pictures and brought along a “friend.” Yes, yes, I know…friends are supposed to be those people who will always tell you the truth, those brutally honest observations which are often just simply brutal.
These helpful little souls are the burr under a photographer’s saddle blanket. The human eye does not see what the camera sees and these girls often ruined a “killer” shot by critiquing from the sidelines. Nor can one know what is in the mind of the photographer when setting up a shot. He has something in mind that is unique and lovely. However, by making the model feel insecure and silly, the well meaning (?) friends have accomplished little more than to deprive the artist’s subject of a truly lovely shot.
Coupled with the studio, was a bridal shop. The BSs were at their worst in this venue. Usually the maid of honor, brought along to help the excited bride find the “perfect” dress. All too often the girl who has been chosen to stand alongside the bride was barely concealing her seething jealousy.
You would put the bride in the dressing room with a dress and she would emerge with a shining face and happy smile. Moments later, her smile would start to tremble and the happy switch would be flipped to “off” by a thinly veiled snide comment from the MOH.
There were times I literally had to war with myself to keep from pulling the little bride aside and begging her to please go shopping with her mother and no one else.
Please understand that I did see a lot of really helpful girls who genuinely loved the bride and were as happy for her as could be. They loved everything she put on and their comments were always constructive and delivered with genuine affection for their friend. But, sadly, those personalities are not what this column is about. Suffice it to say, I’ve seen far more Honorillas than Bridezillas in my day.
The Sandwiches like to go on vacations too. Well, they like it as long as it is all their idea, if they get to make all the plans and then dictate what everyone does every second of every day. These downers actually come in all ages, sexes, sizes and colors.
The hubs and I went on vacation once with another couple. Not being blessed with many Vaca opportunities, Roger and I know exactly what we want when we do get away. We enjoy leisurely vacations comprised of sleeping late, drinking lots of coffee, eating too much food from restaurants that are local and not franchised. And, ambling through our days until something strikes our fancy – we have been known to actually sleep through entire vacations from sheer exhaustion. And we never regretted it.
On our joint vacation, finances were slim and so we all consolidated our resources. Unfortunately, in doing so we also relinquished our input into daily activities. We came home from vacation exhausted from trying to live someone else’s vision of the perfect getaway. Actually we felt like we were the overworked and much abused staff on a cruise ship. We still talk about this one and have never shared our precious time away with anyone else.
Then there was the trip to Hawaii with my mom. This one was destined to fail largely because she was terrified of flying. She was also suspicious of strangers, hated crowds and spent the entire time scared that I was going to fall off the balcony of our hotel and plummet to my death. She refused to rent a car and drive around and see anything that couldn’t be reached by foot, taxi or bus. I had the vacation of a lifetime and never got to really experience it.
It is interesting that she talked about that vacation till she passed away. See, there’s the difference in having an experience you control. The controlling sandwich has a great time. The side of potato salad….not so much.
In any relationship – love, friendship, employment or family there must be some give and take. And sometimes we have to just give ourselves over to someone else’s thrilling moments, saving our own for later. But we shouldn’t ALWAYS have to suppress our own joy, wonder and excitement.
I think sometimes it is hard to find excitement in today’s world. Times are tough and often uncertain. We are frequently buffeted from all sides with depressing and disheartening news. If we allow it, life alone will drag us down. We must be vigilant to guard against becoming those “downer” personalities ourselves.
But the good news is that WE are in charge of our own happiness. Where our minds are is critical in making our lives an “up” experience. And, one of the most important things to remember is to surround yourself with people who are happy, positive and ready for anything. And, to the best of our ability, try to bring something wonderful and happy to everyone in our acquaintance as well.
So, when you get all dressed up to go to the banquet, leave your Bologna sandwich at home and feast on everything put on the table for you. Sit with someone you don’t know, make a new friend, try something strange and exotic. Chances are you will lose your taste for the plain and ordinary and begin to crave the wild, unique, exciting and extraordinary.
……and how was your day? I would really like to know. lkbeshears@sbcglobal.net
Peace Out!

My Internal Clock is Ticking

So we've all heard about those women who put off having kids until later in life and then feel those inner stirrings to be a mother. They refer to that situation as one's biological clock ticking. Well, my biological clock was put to rest a long time ago however, someone needs to check the adjustment on my internal clock.
For more years now than I care to think about I have had no need of an alarm clock. Oh, I still use one on those rare occasions when it is of CRITICAL importance that I be on time before 10:00 am. Even though I lean on the crutch I know that I don't need it.
That little inner rooster crows every morning at about the same time. Given my age, it no longer takes me very long to get ready to go anywhere. After all, there is just so much one can do with the materials left in our tool box.
But now, I am finding that this idea of Daylight Savings Time wrecks havoc with my little inner Timex. Particularly the Fall Back part. Okay so we've taken 6 and made it 5. Given my proclivity to wake up as much as an hour earlier than my usual 6:00 am - means I am now arising at 4:00.
This has made me highly unpopular with other humans in my house, dogs and neighbors. Because once I'm up, the dogs are up and once the dogs are up there is no slumber for anyone in close proximity.
For the life of me I can't figure out what we are saving all this daylight for, I'm certainly tired of it by the end of the day. I would share some with those who felt they needed more. But in exchange I want some of their night!! I want to sleep more than 2 hours at a time. I'd like to experience the joy of sleeping in again. Why is it that we once were able to sleep so late that we were embarrassed at the lateness of the hour we awoke. And now, the inner ding ding gets us up before the sun to make coffee and wait for the paper to be delivered. Is it because at my age I am quickly approaching that time of life when the eternal sleep is a real possibility? That's a sobering thought.
So sobering in fact I think I will see if I can't hit the snooze button on life for a while and slow things d o w n.
Yep, my internal clock is ticking, thank God. Hopefully it will continue to tick for some time to come, I just have to be very careful to not wind it too tightly.

....and how was your day? I would really like to know. lkbeshears@sbcglobal.net

Peace Out!

And Man Made Fire!

Well, to be exact.....woman did this morning. I put a spark to the old gas logs this morning. I have to say the sight of those flames licking around the logs (fake though they may be) is a happy, homey sight. Makes me want to drag out my cross stitching or knitting and just craft the day away.
At the present moment I can get nowhere near my lovely little warming spot as the dogs did the equivalent of blissful sighs and settled in with their noses pressed as close to it as they could get. I have no idea what keeps a dog from spontaneously combusting. No matter how furry they are they love to get super close to the heat.
The sun is shining brightly and the sky is a beautiful blue - chances are we will have a pretty day and it will warm up outside, but for right now we are buttoned up and snoozing, drifting in and out of nappies.
Have a super Saturday and don't forget to set your clocks back tonight - AND remember it is going to be really really dark when you wake up in the morning. That is if you get up at the same time I do.
Peace Out!

We're Goin' On A Bear Hunt!

My goodness.....the cranky factor has certainly ratcheted up today. The hubalump is having to have those lubricating injections in his right knee (OUCH! - I do feel sorry for him) but holy cats! He is ca - ran - ky!
I thought I'd been a pill this week but he's puttin' me to shame. Wish I'd waited until today to try to deal with Best Buy - I'd have opened his cage and said "Sic 'em!"
He still likes all the dogs...........me and everyone else....not so much!
He will heading back to McAlester tomorrow and then leaving for Mississippi this weekend. We all hope he gets some relief but once he's out of the house he is the boy's problem.
It is hard to see him this way because he is a big old Teddy Bear most of the time - but today he has released his inner Grizzly.
.......and how was your day? I would really like to know.
Peace Out!

Remembering to Remember

I am going to start dropping by here everyday and posting a little something so I begin to remember where and how to Blog. In the short time I've been gone from this site some things have changed so I will have to get myself back up to speed in the Blogging world.
The thing I want to leave here today is a link to my friend Meagan's Style Blog. This kid is the most stylish person I've ever known, she was cutting edge as a junior in high school. Not afraid to try new looks and willing to step out and pose for absolutely beautiful photographs (sorry Meagan but I still love, love, love the hairdo).
Anyway if you are wondering what is new and HOT! in hair, shoes, clothes, furniture, etc. this is your girl. And, trust me, she will never steer you wrong. Visit her at http://allthingssoleful.wordpress.com/
Peace out my friends.

Back To The Blogger

Beginning the end of November I will once again be writing for you here in my Blog. The Hutchinson County Highlights is ceasing publication at that time to allow its' editor to actually have a life for a change. I will miss the thrill of weekly column duties but happily return to the point of my beginning. The good old Cherry Bowl where there are sometimes some rotten cherries, occasionally more than a few pits, but most of the time just wonderful luscious ripe and wonderful cherries ready to talk about.
I hope you will follow me here from the HCH and will share with your friends. I've come to depend on knowing that someone is reading and enjoying.
Until the end of the month you can find me at www.hutchinsoncountyhighlights.com and after that I will meet you here in the bowl.