Flora & Fauna

If you look closely, you can see hundreds of beensy little birds in the pine trees. (I wish I had a telephoto lense) I think they may have been finches. I know I am going to have to get a book on birds. These trees make me really nervous, especially around hurricane season. The one in front of the house toppled during Ivan right on top of the roof and made a rather nasty mess. The vine is gorgeous, but looks like it may be attempting to invade the attic, so hopefully I will be able to hold up to at least trim to top off. I thought it would be nice to have it cover the bathroom window - only I didn't expect it to be as black as night. These vines are gorgeous on fences - I may have to move a few starts. The tree peeking around the corner is our prolific orange tree. Tomorrow the sprinkler system pieces arrive. Yah! I used to get my exercise running around the yard watering. Then no one did. So I barely have a yard left. Another task to accomplish. Nurseries are bringing in their plants for spring and I can barely restrain myself! Oh dear, the neighbors have a pit bull puppy that runs free - it has just pulled the screen off my study window and the cats are screaming and trying to get through the cracked window and the pup is as anxious to get in out of the dark to some human company. Gotta run.

Jes' hanging 'round mah town

On my way to the college to pick up my transcript for a job application, I drove by my old haunt....where I became acquainted with Kona coffee four, five years ago. Ohhhhh - yum. Bad Ass was right across the street from the College as well as within a skip of work. They make good soup too.

The legend goes that donkeys were used to haul the coffee from the plantations in Haiwaii up the sides of the mountains to market - and the donkeys weren't always pleased - thus the name of the coffee company.

I stopped at my old place of employment and the bookkeeper/manager had been - uh - relieved of her duties. I left my resume - I loved working there - but I feel so beat up physically, not sure I want to work yet. Anyway, I think a job will click when its time to click, whether it be that one or another.

Today drove the 35 miles to the clinic that does the new back treatments. They want BEEEG moolah ($$$$$!!!!) up front, or BEEEEG moolah in three payments. I have to think and analyze some more. Yeh, that's a weakness. Analyze it to pieces by golly. I think I will visit my old chiropractor (who thinks these treatments might be a scam or close to one) - and have him look over my neurological records. Two of my good friends who really suffered with their books were able to obtain significant healing through these treatments, however. Also need to call my hubby's health insurance - most won't pay over $25 for a limited number of visits for chiro related treatment. It is a crime that the person who hit me has insurance which won't pay anything until they are good and ready (that way they force you to settle for less so you can have adequate medical care). To make matters more nervewarcking....my attorney has been way too silent.

I have to do something - I don't know if its the accident or what - but I hurt ALL OVER - my neck, back, hard to lift arms. Discouraging - so much to do!

The drive around town today - awesome. My car told me it was 78 degrees out so I rolled down the window and let the hot sun minister to my poor ol' aching bones. Grabbed a sliced barbecue pork sandwich - mmmmhmmmm. I want my X-M radio back so I can chew on barbecue and listen to the blues!

Rats Ahoy!

What's my fascination with rats you say? Well, none, actually other than wild ones are nasty. I had one eat my paints up, tubes and all when in storage. I committed murder with no remouse. Snap!

I just was perusing the news and found this clip - since there were only three fast food places where I worked out of State, and Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried were two of them, I gagged a bit watching these big fellows scampering about. I can never eat at either again.

I remember in high school we had a standing joke - there was a small hamburger joint a block from the school - it was a great time when we could get a dollar to go eat what we called "ratburgers" (it wasn't a very clean place) and fries. Best ones in town. The thought of scampering rats in the kitchen didn't bother me a bit.

However, I find the older I get, the more freaky I get about germs. Grandson & I went to Blimpie's today - and I noticed the workers wiping their noses, foreheads, and fiddling with their hair while wearing their plastic gloves. I started to fidget - the last straw was when I observed them handling money and then not changing the gloves before dipping the same gloves back into the lettuce and sandwich ingredients. Suddenly, I blurted out, "I want my money back, we aren't hungry." Finally I decided I needed to be honest. I explained what I observed. They were ticked. I needed to tell the truth.

Post Traumatic Stress

Took a drive the other day down the beach about fifteen minutes from where our house is. I had hoped that time had erased the damages from the hurricanes of a couple of years ago. It hadn't.

The public beach was fenced off with wire and there were signs that said "Stay on Walkways for Safety." The landscape was changed. Vegetation was attempting a recovery - trees and brush were black.

One of the most significant changes to the landscape was the amount of building that was going on. Condo after condo was going up. One would ask themselves, "Why would people want to live on the edge of a danger zone, especially after the awesome and horrible display of nature's power to destroy?

Well, I'm sure the builders all have enough money to sustain a loss. But what about us homeowners whose insurance has shot up 4,000 to 6,000 dollars more per year? What about our property taxes which are going up to provide amenities and infrastructure to the wealthy who build these highrises that bar our view of the beach and water? Now, instead of enjoying a view for free, we get to spend (and not easily affordable) around $3,000 a week to be 20 stories up with a pool below so we don't have to get that sticky sugar white sand on our bodies.

Already I am longing for the old days of gathering up baskets, towels, lotions, a good boom box and heading to the beach to loll in the sun, play in the water or snorkle, and enjoy family and friends, then head home for showers and laying around recovering from the hot sun, then pulling out the barbecue to make hamburgers. We will have to hunt for these places now.

Here is an excerpt from a study done on one of the storms that lashed through here at 140 mph and 85 mph.

A number of changes were seen on the Key when comparing the before and after pictures. The coastline was straightened in places and massive overwash fans were present at a number of locations. Large scale movement of sand was apparent across the entire study area. Man-made structures were severely damaged during hurricane Ivan; property damage can be seen in almost all the photographs. Wide-spread burial of features such as parking lots, roads, and tennis courts took place. Some buildings were flattened by wind and/or storm surges while other buildings were badly damaged, including missing roofs and/or missing sections of the building. Several boathouses and their associated piers were also damaged.

Now some of the folks from the Wyoming area might say, "What is the big deal, we've had 100 miles per hour breezes a good deal of the winter!" Well, the scientists say it is the pressure phenomena that arrives with these winds that generate over the water (for us, from along the coast of Africa usually) and that build as they get to warmer waters. The wind that was generated by Ivan caused 40 foot waves of water according to the report I read.

The weather can terrify, but the trauma stems also from watching your friends roam a pile of rubble that once was their home, looking for any trinket to hold on to. The trauma is from suddenly realizing that the community you live in is YOUR community, and its wounds are YOUR wounds. Trauma is when you walk out and find your car on its side, a tree through your window, half your roof gone, and you feel lucky. Trauma is standing in line an hour waiting for clean water. Trauma is not being able to reach your family to say, "Mother, we're ok." Trauma is eating army rations because the stores can't get food because of damaged roads. Trauma is when the nurses have to pump the ventilators by hand. Trauma is not knowing if your child made it through the storm alive where they were staying.

Why do we stay? I don't know - maybe Southerners are incredibly tougher than we think. Maybe the love of the coast and the water is worth it all. Maybe it is denial. Maybe where we are is just "home." I dunno. Maybe its the birds that begin their chatter and twirping early in the morning until late in the evening. Maybe it's the dragonflys on a hot still day that hover the garden with the sun glistening off shimmery wings. Maybe its the sounds of blues or jazz wafting from the restaurant you just walked by. Maybe its the festivals, the art shows, the concerts enjoyed from a blanket in the park under the 100 year old oaks. Maybe it is huge waxy magnolias, fragrant gardenias. Maybe it is soft southern accents. Why do we stay?

Musings on Mardi Gras

Wandering Coyotes' post about traditional serving of pancakes on Feb. 20th, got my curiousity going about more Mardi Gras traditions.

Usually Wikipedia is a great source, but all I could find was mostly on New Orleans Mardi Gras. Southern tradition here has it that Mardi Gras started in Mobile. Well, whatever. I think it has something to do with Catholicism, maybe there are Catholics out there that could enlighten me?

I found these old photos on Wikipedia. The fully clothed ladies with the whips are a far cry from the breast exposing babes of today's Mardi Gras. The whips were used to fend off unwelcome advances. (Must have been pretty wild even back then.)

We love to get our King Cake in Mardi Gras season. These are brightly colored almost sweet-rollish circles with a plastic baby baked into them. The person that gets the baby in their piece of King Cake is supposedly going to have good luck for the rest of the year.

It was interesting to note that the encyclopedia said the City of New Orleans is bankrupt and could not put lots of money into the parades and celebrations, so this is the first year that corporate sponsors were sought after.

Wikipedia also stated that Mardi Gras was introduced to New Orleans by the French. If that is so, then my next question to my Canadian friends is - are you guys celebrating with parades, etc.? Has the southern U.S. tradition of Mardi Gras been altered and assimilated into other customs? Anyone know?

Ah, sad New Orleans! I have to make a trip before too long - before the heat rises along with the humidity - and see her. One of my friends gathered some ladies together and they traveled over there, but it was a sobering event rather than the fun they expected. Well, we are STILL digging out of Ivan over here, still putting things back together - it will take the grand ol' dame of New Orleans years and years I fear.

Gaining the Kingdom Back or the Rodent Turd Wars or Woman on the Warpath

Well, I am making a bit of progress. The Christmas Tree is down, the presents put up, and the living room is now passable for living.

The purple couch is marvelous - it goes with everything! See that pale throw rug? Well, something bright and zowie is going there! I still have to get the carpet cleaned. Apparently one of the boy cats went rogue and well - - -

Ms. Meowi has made herself at home, apparenty sensing the study is MINE!

Little guy had to show me his fun day outfit for school - this is my study looking into the kitchen. I made my husband move his 130 books (don't ask how he got that many into the bookcase) on marriage out! I think he's an expert on marriage, only he must have another wife somewhere. Anyway, he has three other bookcases, this one is MINE.

Now - the awful thing about this reclamation project - is the RAT CRAP WARS! Little fellow has a pet white corn snake, which is really pale pink with hot pink stripes and even though snakes are down on my favorite pet list, this one is tolerable because he is PURTY. He stays in his aquarium like a good snake. Well, the story goes - snakes eat mice, rats. Supposed to be fed outside! So ex-son-in-law who thinks he owns the house does the snake feeding inside. He buys two rodents. The snake only wants one. Instead of flushing the blasted extra thing down the toilet, he locks it in my study! Yah. I am roaring crazy mad; imagine Turtle Woman on the Warpath. You betcha.

My husband figured out the whole rodent mess from the odor emanating from the study - and commanded ex- to get the blankety rodent out of the study, out of the house, period. Well, the rodent ended up in a plastic box in the garage. Next:

My husband heard the words all husbands fear to hear - "What in __________ is that dead body smell in the garage?" "Who has turned into Dahmer?" "I want answers, NOW, answers!"

Hubby headed to the garage and discovered plastic tub full of rodent droppings and pee that ex was storing in the garage. You'd think that was the last straw, right? Nope, it wasn't.

I continued cleaning the study - and found a folded up black plastic carry all. Looks like the cats have barfed on the outside. So I opened it and only the strongest will power kept me from adding to the barf. It was full of rodent crap and pee. So this is where the rodent was living. I screamed and took it directly to the garbage can outside.

And, under where the bag was, as a very special present for me from ex-son-in-law on my pale grey carpet, is a now yellow and black polka dotted with rodent excrement, grey carpet. We begin cleanup - Hubby goes back to garage to get old vacumn cleaner - who wants hanta virus in the new one? Vacumn cleaner is gone, OF COURSE.

Guess who has it? Yep, ex. Two calls, he refuses to bring it back. He thinks we have no business telling him what to do with his rodents. Tonight is the third night, the carpet has to be swept, cleaned, then sterilized. I feel a real urgency. Carpet will later have to be removed, a rather expensive project.

Today; still no vacumn. Three is the magic number, tonight I am calling him asking him if he thinks his right to keep rodents in my study/and or garage is more important than being jailed for stealing a vacumn cleaner from our garage.

Now, it all comes back why I spent two years in Wyoming facing down blizzards, ice, snow, boundary invading landlords, five ruptured discs from two accidents, hostile County Commissioners and employees, no sushi, loneliness and so on down the long list. No one will stand up to this crazy idiot - well, I'm taking my house back. The Rodent Turd Wars is not the only battle in the past with this fool.

Am I mean? Yes. Do I care? No. My house. I (& hubby) pay for it. I clean it. We pay the taxes. Idiot can keep rodents in HIS house and leave mine alone! Grrrr.

Blue Plate Special

As I go through getting my place in shape, I find art work I don't remember doing until I see it. This is one of two - called the Blue Plate Specials.

I must start painting today for at least an hour a day even if it means sitting down in a blooming mess. Some evil thing in me wants me to wait to paint until everything is "perfect" around me.

Mardi Gras parade at 2:00 and I think of the delicious possibility of photos - but worry about walking & standing. A scan of the movies and I see current (woo, woo what a treat) movies - like a Bridge to Tarabithia - the Labrynth - yay - civiliation! So much to do, so little time!

Have to get to it!

Is it STILL Christmas?

River in Louisiana - looks like a pretty nice place to come stay a couple of days in the summer and fish!

Help, help, help! Help me someone, anyone!

I've made some inroads moving back in - reclaimed the study and my corner of the kitchen for the easel and tambora (paint, art supply holder). My computer is up! I've transferred unemployment and registered here. Just finished paying the month's bills, while having a string cheese binge, but I'm too scared to see what's left (money, not string cheese) so I haven't balanced the check book just yet.

Stuff left to do:

Take down the Christmas Tree. Yes, they left it up - that way you don't have to go through the take down and put up for next Christmas, ya see. (And, the Valentine problem - yep, solved, because the tree makes you think its still Christmas, and yep, there are a few straggler presents under it.) Needless to say there are a few things about being back home that really stress me.

Still have to unpack three suitcases and a box. But have to figure out where to put it. My closet was bigger in WY, how did I get so many clothes? Besides, I stored lots of stuff in closet when I left - to prevent it getting lost, damaged or just disappearing. My giant $75.00 canvas has a hole poked in it where they laid sweeper attachments against it, sigh.

Dust everything, I'm coughing again. Find room to put things away in an organized manner when there is no room. Restore lawn - two years lacking water & fertilizer has not been good. Dig up front planter - most looks dead. Then replant. Find treatment for back. Get a primary doctor as now I am on an HMO and can't see my Crohns doc without a referral, or my Gyn, or my lung guy. Hey, I'm in good shape otherwise. And the list goes on - and on - and on, wash windows, blinds, have furnace serviced, find out if termite people are doing their job - no one remembers them being here, file taxes, etc.

I just really want to take a day and go mindlessly watch movies all day at the theatre and eat popcorn, hot dogs, nachos and drink coke. Did splurge on a manicure, pedicure. Daughters start me on habits I can't afford to keep up, always. Have not gone to eat sushi yet. Soon, soon.

Its cold here, but no wind, no ice, no snow. Hoo Hoo - that's good enough for me!

The Road to Tucumcari

We stopped in Cheyenne and cleaned Ms. Kittie up for next leg of trip. The land was covered with snow obviously drifted deeply across the road in some places. Cuts by the snow plow left about three feet deep snow on each side of the road in places.

In southern Colorado I saw a large abandoned steel mill and an interesting looking little town, which I'm sure was suffering economically. Colorado had the worst roads of any state I've seen. I enjoyed the mountains, including Pike's Peak always being on my right. Colorado's mountains and forests are entirely different than Wyoming's.

On into New Mexico and finally losing the white, crusted, shining snow covered lands, I found a charming place called Las Vegas, New Mexico. I drove around enjoying the town, snapping pics. I especially enjoyed the old-fashioned drug store with old soda fountain and the little adobe gas station. At the station I met a man who told me about a road to Tucumcari which would cut about 2oo miles from my trip.

After a few miles, I should have had a clue that I wasn't going to like it when the speed limit dropped to 25 mph. On a highway? I slowed down, and then for miles felt like I would just faint away. I have an extreme fear of heights and the road to Tucumcari wound through steep, beautiful canyons. I should never have watched that documentary on the Road of Death in Peru. I could not look out at the vista which must have been awesome, because my head was swimming. Anyway, I made it and thankfully did not meet any other vehicles. Then, down, down, down, down, to flatter land. No wonder New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. It was sooooooooo beautiful and fascinating.

I did not have any fantastic meals, as I lived off of string cheese and oranges on the trip. I thought if I spied a good Tex-Mex place in Las Vegas I would splurge - but it was too early in the morning.

The next States were a bit of Oklahoma and a skip across the top of Texas. Ugh. More later.

Leaving Wyo

Ms. Meowi - packed & ready to go - (complete with water bowl and clean up towels.)

The night before departure - reminds me of the old, old song, "Red Sails in the Sunset."

Bob Dylan (I think) had a song where he sang about "leaving Wyo" - in fact, there are at least a handful of songs about leaving Wyo - must be a good place to leave, drive through, visit, etc., not stay!

One of my daughter's friends, Paul, came over and networked us with a router - I'm on line on my OWN computer - it rocks! Thanks, Paul!

The two ladies prefer to remain anonymous due to cyber stalkers.

More pics later.

Settling In

Yippeee ki yo - I made it in! Not much time, had to run to Mobile this a.m. for granddaughter's band competition. They placed lst and - they are going to STATE! I was completely blown away - a private school band that sounds like the orchestra pit during a "CATS" show!

Now, slowly unloading car, putting things away.

Seems like during the time I was gone, the "hole" I left, if any, filled up quickly and most traces of me eradicated - now to dig my way back in - I started with the study, but still have not hooked my computer up yet. Daughter got the router connected with hers so hopefully can share high speed internet.

Miss Meowi seems quite happy. Psycho is even hissing at me, he likes being top dog - oops, cat. Big Meowi took off this a.m. Blast his hide - he scares me when he does that! He usually returns at 3:00 a.m. under the cover of darkness to shred the bedroom screens announcing that the pleasure of his highness' presence is now available.

I have pics of trip and some wandering stories, will post when I get a little more acclimated to actually "living" here. Now, off to visit each of you tonight - I hope. Gotta check the chicken & the brussels sprouts first.

Egads - not gone yet

well, surprise, surprise, I made it through the dialup - took two attempts - just a short note - I've been delayed because of weather - lots of snow, wind, ice, sub-zero temps - parts of Wyoming are 50 below. US Weather says the first of the week will be breaking for I-25, so I shall either do it tomorrow or Sunday! My mother has me freaked, convinced I will be blown off the road and freeze to death in some barrow pit. No wonder I have a morose personality...I mailed more stuff - not much is fitting in the car - going to have to leave stuff I would rather not leave - like my ceramics, some clothing - (some of which the dogs have already chewed up ) - my feather comforter (sob) - boy what a mess in Florida last night - I'm really getting the lectures today about how awful it is to live in Florida - but I have to remind her that we've had many, many highway deaths already this winter here in Wyo. "But they didn't lose their houses." "No, mother, but I guess they don't need them now, huh?" Gotta go - make arrangments to pick up Ms. Meowi - pack her stuff - clean up this bedroom - say a prayer I get out of here safely - once I hit New Mexico I ought to be ok. Miss ya all - first thing I'll do is get my 'puter up and going!!!!!!

Catchen' ya all up

Not too many visitors since I passworded - but I will fix that when I get to Florida, I know it is a pain to get through the codes. I'm on my mother's dial up and not able to get everyone's blog up to comment - in fact this is barely taking my keyboarding right now. Repacking, getting medical records together, packing some more and taking off Feb. 1 if weather reports continue good. I was at the public library yesterday trying to get on blogs, apply for jobs, checking bank, etc., and there were so many people there it was as impossible as this dialup. The guy in front of me turned around and threatened to kill me if I continued to cough. The young woman next to him chewed him out good, what a woman she was, and he desisted. I looked about me and it was reminiscent of the movie, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" but no Ms. Ratchett to keep order. Later I found out that the Mission house a few blocks away sent their clients out in the day time to job search. Methamphetamine which is so rampant here makes people mean, unable to keep themselves clean even physically after a certain point, and robs thinking abilities. Then I start thinking its my fault, I must be a magnet not only for cops, but for the demon possessed? Then I feel sorry for folks who are just down on their luck and are subject to people like this guy who probably should be in the State hospital rather than being where he can really hurt someone. Speaking of the demon possessed, not a peep out of the old workplace. Odd, if I was worthy of being fired that they would approve unemployment. Ok, enough, this is taking eons to type. Will try to visit blogs tonight.

Thursday 13: Thermopolis Vacation

Ran out of energy to pack - so back at the Computer - procrastinating - Couldn't resist a Thursday 13 - have never done it before, hope I've done it right. (Except for the pics being reversed from the text).

Stop #1 - Independence Rock (on Oregon Trail)

Stop #2 - Hell's Half Acre
Stop #3 - Wind River - Canyons

Stop #4 - Looking out over Dinosaur Dig

Stop #5 - Fossil Fish

Stop #6 - Grasseater
Stop #7 - The Spirit Bear imparts some of his wisdom

Stop #8 - The Teddy Bear Museum

Stop #9 - Quilting was an essential part of survival on the Prairie

Stop #10 - In front of a hot pool - you do not want to put your toes in there - unless you are planning on them for dinner!

Stop #11 - In the Plunge - warm, mineral laden swimming

Stop #12 - Checking in for the night

Stop #13 - Dreaming of Ghostriders in the Sky

Sorry - the pictures are in reverse - new blogger is as contrary to setting pictures as old one!

For Mr. Anchovy

Picture #1 - The Platte up by Saratoga (also has Hot Springs there)

Picture #2 - A Hot Pool at Thermopolis, Wyoming

Picture #3 - The River that runs through Wind River Canyon - this is on an Indian Reservation, it is wild and awesome - so many layers in the rock - you can see so far back in history! Great Trout! This is favorite!

Picture #3 - Hell's Half Acre (The depth does not show well) Wyoming's mini version of Hell's Half Acre.

Short Break

Well, tomorrow is the last day to pack before loading up. I'll probably not be logging on for a few days. One of the UPS boys picked up boxes this morning, bless his heart, and I just went over and paid for them, squeaking all the while. Whew, expensive. Sold all furniture except a couple of small items & a couple of antiques. Shipped ahead the paints, art supplies, can't live without those or computers. Also some clothing. While packing, found a pair of birkies in a suitcase that I thought were somehow lost forever, hooray!

Feets are FREEZING - it is hovering around zero temperature wise all of the time. If I weren't leaving I would go invest in heavy rubber boots with lots of warm foam lining and some work gloves. Brrrr. Youngest daughter tells me she found me three sweaters at a really hot sale - yay!!!!!!!!!!

License plate fees are due - so I got the bright idea of calling my southern state and seeing if I could renew long distance so I wouldn't have to pay fees here and there as well, and I could! But I had to switch to that state's auto insurance and after two hours on my cell phone (and about $80 buckeroos a month over what I pay now for auto insurance) that was accomplished. Now to figure out the forms I downloaded. Also forms, forms, forms for unemployment applications, roll over of retirement contributions to IRA so I won't get whapped with taxes all at once (though I'll probably need to use the funds to exist for a while), need to return all DSL modems, TV box, cables, etc., etc. tomorrow. (Will try to figure out how to get the router to work when I get there.) Finally, will take files for church website up to church, load on their computer and drop off ministry manuals.

Landlord is in glee because he thinks he can collect double rent until the end of the month, so I am telling him I'll mail him the key, that I will probably be in and out until the end of the month, though the truth is I never want to come back here ever. I pray we can get everything in one load!

While in my mother's town waiting for a break in the weather on I-10, I can go around and gather up my medical records for transport back to the South. Her house is deliciously warm, so I'll snuggle a bit in between packing the auto for the long trip. Keeping my pounds off that I have lost will be a challenge at her house.

Does anyone know if leaving my computers in the car while it is zero degrees will damage them? I think you are not supposed to leave media where it is extremely hot or cold.

I need about 4 more tranquillizers for Ms. Meowi. Riding is not high up on her list of want to's. (Least I won't be lonely - she will be moaning the whole trip.) I will get bed pads for the bottom of her cage, baking pans for litter when we stop to sleep at a motel. Dear, dear, hope she fits in with the boys ok. Psycho has become a top bunk bed dweller with the little boy. Big Meowie will claim his place at the foot of my bed (hubby will be very unhappy - in fact he and Ms. Meowie will probably be battling for a pillow next to my head.)

Next item for manual on how to live with disability: emptying cat litter box for multiple cats - I have an idea....put the box in a little red wagon and hope kitties don't mind a bit higher jump, and when the box be fulla poopoo, take the handle and pull wagon to garbage can. Perhaps there is some sort of gadget that you can put the box on and stomp a lever with your foot until the litter box becomes level with the top of the garbage and then whoooooooooooop - over the edge!

Lost in His World

While commenting on Candy Minx' blog, the Walter Anderson Museum and Anderson's work popped into my mind. We used to get coupons from the casinos in Biloxi for great room rates and a free buffet. Hey, who can turn down crab legs and a chance to visit that part of the Gulf Coast?

Quite by accident while discovering the area ( we are not much on gambling and the noise of casinos either), we found the Walter Anderson Museum as well as a pottery making commune of artists in the area (Shearwater Pottery). These folks are Andersons as well who do folk art pottery. What a delightful trip that was! Art AND the beach!

Anderson's work is focused on geography and flora and fauna, sea creatures, and spiritual feel of the coastal area that he loved so much. If you ever get close to the area, visit this museum. You will be delighted and awed. Sadly some of his work was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.

I always love finding art that touches me in a way that I feel the production is a "God thing." To me, art is a part of God, since God was the creator of all things - isn't it nice to have that God-like gift within us?

When the Victim gets victimized again

It's been interesting - but yet, its just another story of a person kidnapped and mostly likely abused. The story of Shawn may never completely come out, but I imagine the worst - I'm sure the man that kidnapped this boy and another boy did not do so in order to give them a better life. The questions being asked are shameful such as "why didn't he leave?" -- Why do millions of children in intolerable situations not leave?

Below is one reason: (From "Wikepedia")

The Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response sometimes seen in an abducted hostage, in which the hostage exhibits loyalty to the hostage-taker, in spite of the danger (or at least risk) in which the hostage has been placed. Stockholm syndrome is also sometimes discussed in reference to other situations with similar tensions, such as battered person syndrome, rape cases, child abuse cases, and bride kidnapping.

Another reason could be - "FEAR." Or being so psychologically manipulated and lied to and threatened that the individual feels they have no place to go and their parents don't love them anymore or they would have found them.

Reminds me of a case in Florida where a child molester got ahold of two young boys. The father began to get suspicious of the time this creep was spending with his boys and cut the creep out of their lives. The creep then sneaked around seeing the kids, manipulating them into thinking their dad was abusing them for setting limits, and finally set up the murder of the boy's father because his access to the boys was limited. The boys ended up being charged with the murder while the creep retained his freedoms. The press printed that that sexual abuse one of the boys was under was an "affair." An 8 year old boy - an "affair?" I wanted to go kill the creep myself and then while I was at it, hang the editor of the newspaper. There was a book written by one of the reporters covering the case. While the boys went to prison, much evidence pointed toward the molester, incidentally had a friend, a sheriff's deputy who visited he and the boys often when he had them.

Alphabet Soup Tag

Still packing, complied with Unemployment requirements this a.m., and now on my way out to turn over Missions to someone else - I pray there is someone else. Happier posting:

New Tag!

A - Available/Single or Taken? Taken.
B - Best Friend? My girls.
C - Cake or pie? Neither, sugar makes me sorry.
D - Drink Of Choice? Champagne & Orange Juice (Le Mimosa!)
E – Essential Item You Use Everyday? Olay
F - Favourite Color? Green (like grass, trees, earth greens)
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Neither after reading Blue Apple's discovery.
H - Hometown? Rawlins, Wyoming (BUT I am never going back ever again, if I could I would dig up my relatives bones and take them out of here with me!)
I - Indulgence? I am bidding on a Barefoot Dreams Robe. Ah wants it.
J - February? February, the gaiety of Mardi Gras, and its that much closer to spring!
K - Kids & Their Names? Oh, definitely Christian, Taylor & Sagie Bear.
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Family
M - Marriage date? Uh - March 3, 1973 (last time - still married.)
Trying not to remember previous ones.
N - Number Of Siblings? Counting some I've never seen, steps & 1/2's - 4
O - Oranges Or Apples? Depends on my mood.
P - Phobias/Fears? Living on the streets. Getting chronically ill.
Q - Favourite Quote? Since my political fiasco? “It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. “ David Brin

R - Reason to Smile? Sunsets, dolphins, bays, beaches, good art, grandkid arms around my neck
S - Season? Spring or Fall? Neither - I would love a perpetual summer
T - Tag 3 or 4 people? Life, Pickled Olives, TSHM, Puppy, "L," my sister (if you're all packed.)
U - Unknown Fact About Me? None, I blab all
V - Vegetable you don’t like? stewed tomatoes
W -Worst Habit? Right now - procrastination - happens every time I need to pack
X - How many xrays have you had? Too many to count.
Y - Your Favorite Food? uh, that's really hard - great sushi?
Z – Zodiac sign? Capricorn, why oh why. We're supposed to be stable aren't we?

Dysfunction Junction

Oh Folks, woke up down in the dumps today - my back hurt all night - the rest of the packing looks overwhelming - maybe it isn't - just feels that way - I need to get all the bedding off and can't lift the mattresses to get the bed skirts off - watched a depressing movie about politics last night which I shouldn't have ("24") with Keith Sutherland.

Didn't want to go to church because one of the most virulent editorial writers about my old boss goes there.

I don't quite compute how my husband can say he loves me, and leave me out here to deal with all this myself with my back so messed up. If it were turned around, I would help him, I have helped him to my inconvenience, but isn't that what marriage is supposed to be about? But in the future, I would think twice before doing so, I'm so hurt and angry about that, and I'm not even back there yet. Guess he loves me if I am not inconvenient.

My sis can't come help, she's in the middle of moving and trying to find a place to live. My mother is insisting on me staying at her place until well into February - and I would stay a couple of weeks, although I want to get out of this cold weather, and get settled. A month makes me feel hopeless. I'm starting to dread talking to her. She calls me daily with every terrible weather report in the Country and embelishes to make it even worse. She even counted my pills when I had my previous back surgery to make sure I didn't take "too many," never mind what the prescription said, (I still have some left over a year later - taking too many pills is not my thing), goes through the paper work tucked here & there in my car, anywhere else she can find it. I HAVE to mail all important papers directly to my home. Jees, even your own mother, you don't want knowing every detail of your business or life. Maybe I'm being too negative, I know she is going to be lonely - 2,000 miles is a lot further than 125. Maybe I should lay around there, eat just salads & fruit, take walks if the ground is not solid ice, try to get my health built up before leaving. But then why wait until my money is all gone? Oh dear Lord, I need direction.

I often wonder what it would be like to live somewhere besides Dysfunction Junction.

Something is wrong with this picture. At my age, I am supposed to have a home that I am the matriarch of, that runs according to MY schedule, be retired with real retirement $ behind me, and not still roaming the country like a 20 year old just getting started in life wondering what is going to happen to me in the next 20 years.

The girls both have kids in school. So that leaves - nada. Makes it worse because I hate having to have help - I've always been so independent in my life, I could do anything until recent years - well, until coming out here and losing 5 disks in my back. Now I can't even clean a blankety blank house.

Guess I'll go scrounge a couple of eggs for breakfast - I have many, many trips to make out back to dumpster today. It's below zero, but tolerable unless the wind gets into it. Have to go get the rest of Crohn's meds - the pharmacy never keeps enough in stock to fill a whole prescription.

I filed for a hearing at work, per our policies, just so I can say I have followed all the procedures. Makes me sick to my stomach to think about going in front of commissioners and their attorney and the new clerk - SD, but I will if I have to. Unemployment is "deciding" if I should get any because I was dismissed. I just sent off papers with an explanation of, "no reason for dismissal," never worked for new Clerk. All other recommendations - glowing, including commissioners - at least that's what was said when they were saying "goodbye" in December, despite all the put downs while they were trying to get SD into office.

What is the alternative to politics? They are an anarchy all of their own.