Hi There Friends

It has been awhile since I have been on here. I have been busy with my grandchildren. They love to visit their Papaw and Mamaw. They enjoy baking with me, reading books, coloring, playing x-box, pogo on line, and walking outside to see our dogs. We also have a rabbit and inside we have a baby turtle. He was given to us from someone who had gotten him in the Bahamas. Well, I have a cold. It is quite a bad one, and it hit me one evening and my throat got scratchy. Then my muscles ached and I had a fever. Then I began coughing and wheezing. Later I developed a sinus infection. This has been a mean cold. I think I caught it from one of the kids or it was transferred to me by them. No one wants a cold tho. I am only taking tylenol and resting some. I don't run to the doctor unless it is absolutely necessary. I am beginning to get a chill in the air as it is cooling down in the evenings here in kentucky. Soon all the leaves will depart from the trees and once again winter will claim its season. I love fall of the year but it last a short time here. I want the grandkids to have fun running through the leaves when the wind blows them high above their heads ....as I remember doing this as a child. I love the crisp autumn days when the pumpkins are getting ready to be carved. So as you see, I am ready for autumn here in Kentucky. A chill is in the air as I sit and write this and the sun is so warm it makes me sleepy sitting outside. Well I must go and get busy. Hope all of you are having a good day. Be thankful, for the Lord gave it to you. All good things come from him. Ans believe me ..he is there...."I talked to him this morning"! He goes with me wherever i go.

IT has been a long time

Hello there friends, I am so sorry that I stayed away so long...and I am expecting a grandson now. Yes I am and that will make 9 I think ...lol....Well I have been busy volunteering at the hospital, helping out in Family Practice Clinic and admissions and I have been busy here at home. Everyone is fine here, and I am homeschooling Trevez again. He is a good boy and a handsome one too. I am in the process of eliminating summer things and going through winter stuff. I do not need anything. I think ahead of seasons. I am burning a candle. It is apple pie and it smells so good. It makes me want a piece of apple pie...lol. Well I will get back with you as I am busy and must clean house....catch ya later..Irene

crystal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seeIVIvEsfE

Having Fun At The Breaks Pool

Makenzie. Jarrid and I went to the Breaks pool twice this last week. I had a great time tho I got a sunburn, hopefully it will tan later. Jarrid and Makenzie stayed in that wonderful pool and had a great time, He swam alot and she played and rode a floatie. I layed in the sun and it was beaming dow on top of that mountain. It's a good place to tan there. We enyoyed the day and stopped at the gas station for gas and food. Jarrid spent time talking about Gina the whole time and how he wanted her back. She is not giving us the answer we would like to hear, but that is her decision. I am a lil red but I think it will turn to tan soon. Makenzie got red cheeks and so did Jarrid. We plan to go again soon. The first day we went there was little sun and it was cloudy. That day Kad went too. Ok see ya later readers-Ill be putting some lotion on my sunburn--------Irene

Losing A Pet

Throughout the years I have lost many pets. Some have gotten killed by cars, some have passed due to sickness and some from just old age. No matter what though I really was saddened. To me when you take on the responsibility of a pet , it becomes as a family member. We have buried many and still have a stone there and I remember all of them. Some were cats, some dogs, some rabbits, fish and hamsters. I guess you can see I am a pet lover and have been since a child. However as a child I wasn't allowed to actually get very chummy with a pet. We never had a cat and had one dog named Trigger whom was our watchdog. My brother, the oldest, loved dogs and when our Mom was gone , he would gather up all the neighborhood dogs and put them in his room. When Mom came home his little hide was on the fence, she was mad. I had a little dog that took up with me and the neighbor couldn't keep him home so I adopted him when I could catch him. I named him "sporty". One day tho sporty got hit by a car, only moments before he had come to me to be fed. My heart was broken. It would be lots later that I would have my very own dog again. My first dog was named "Frosty. Well just wanted to fill you in on some of my thoughts. I am a dog lover and now am bonded to a lasa alphso and a lil minature hound. They are my shadows........Have a nice day ...Love you in Christ

We Have Had Rain Rain Rain

I cannot remember ever having so much rain in June. The storms come up quickly and give us a big downpour. Everyday for a couple of weeks the clouds get dark and the thunder rolls and the lightning flashes. Our power has been out different times, once because a big tree fell accross the highway onto an electric pole with wires falling everywhere. Our power was off for 8 hours. And may I tell you -you do not miss all the conveniences of your home till your power is out totally, no lights, no tv, no stove , no dryer, washer, no computer, not even a radio unless it's a battery pack. This tells me we are solely dependent on electricity. Ans complain as we will when it is off, little do we know that neither of us could go out and fix it lol. So when the power surge lights up the house and the tv blares we are so happy once again. I guess our forefathers went to bed early or had lamp lights, and I supposed since they didn't know what convenience was back then, they just accepted their way of living as getting up early at daybreak and getting in bed at dusk. I guess the little children had rules to because they too were limited on what they could do at night. I am thankful the AEP workers are so reliable. We are so spoiled we think we can't do without our conveniences one minute. Have a good evening and enjoy the rainy weather as I do. I sit outside and let the rain fall on me till I almost get drenched. The a big streak of lightning and a rumble of thunder runs me inside. Good Evening from Irene to you
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An Invitation

May I ask you if you would like to leave me a comment on my blog. You don't have to leave your name, but you are very welcome to leave any message telling me you enjoyed the blog or discuss anything you have on your mind or any question.....I am always writing what comes to mind...............Good night....The adventerous Irene

Father's Day

To me the word "Father" means someone whom is a protector, a provider and a person whom gives hugs and gives you the feeling that you are truly loved and are safe and protected. Well I was raised by my Mom and my Dad was not present. He was an alcoholic and was not in my home after I was five years old. Honestly I do not remember his face as a child. However he did come in to my life after I was grown at the age of 21 yrs. old. My Mom always told me stories about him and they were not good ones. However I wanted to think maybe he did think of his 4 children sometimes. I grew up being fearful of him. I had my first daughter and she was a baby. I got a call from my Dad and he was in the area and wanted to see me. Well, I said ok and he arrived near my home, standing beside a store building at near daylight waiting for me to acknowlege his presence. Well, he was wearing a long coat and I didn't actually recognize him, as I didn.t know him. He came to my home and believe it or not, this guy was very nice to us and he was very handsome, as I could see he had a lot of features like me. He was a true gentleman and a big talker. I could see that I had inherited his laugh and his long skinny fingers lol. He held his granddaughter very sweetly. But he never mentioned his lack of his presence in our home. I so wanted to ask him. Before he left I did. I said "Did you ever think of us children all those years? He hesitated and got quiet and then said , You know I did.......Well at least he said that much. As time went on we shared small amounts of time together. He turned out to be a character. My family listened to his wild stories and his big mouth, laughing with him and listening to his foul mouth. However my Mom never had anything to do with him, having raised her children on her own/ As he got older he was in a nursing home and at the end he was very sick and the hospital called to tell me he was asking for me. I did not get to him before he passed away. I was sad but not as close as I should have been and wish I could have been there for him though he was not there for us. Today fathers all over the world are honoored on father's day and are deservant. However there are a lot of dead-beat dads too. Little do they know a little child is hurting when the dad is not present. Not having the protection of a Dad has been very hard for me as I looked at life a little different. Luckily my husband has been a wonderful protectant for our children/ He is what a Dad should be.......for you who have your dads be glad and praise them. They are worth their weight in gold-your knight in shining armour. ....Happy Father's Day to all the dads all over and though I didn't really know my dad I knew he was out there somewhere and that I did have an identity....and got to know him a little...give your Dad a big hug and a kiss as he needs love from you too....Ok I must get my day started ...Have a nice one..May God Bless each and everyone of you.Adventerous Irene

Hello Friends

This morning is overcast and looks like rain. I just got back from Hardee's. I went out for coffee and to get Trevez some bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits. He loves those. You know, I make them too, but for some reason Hardee's makes them better lol. I wonder why-must be the special stuff they use. Well, I like them too. It is going to be a wet day so it will do the flowers good. I don't know if the gardens people have need a lot of rain or not. We have property in Martin Co., and have a few things planted. It is a few miles away tho. Well, I can say, "Hats off to the farmers of America". Without them we would all have to get our sorry butts out and raise food ourselves. It makes it convenient to just go piick it up at the markets. I like fresh green beans and corn and all the garden delights. Ok, I must start my day-how about you, hope you have a good one...............Loveya Irene

Think I'll Get Me A Tan

Yep, I think I could use a good tan, as I begin wearing all the cool summer clothes I have bought. I tried the tanning bed as my son has one and I really liked it. It made me look better and I love laying in it, but I think I will also lie in the sun to get darker and I would like going to the pool. I don't swim much but the sun is great there. I usually get very dark anf it actually makes my skin look good. I know the precautions of the sun-wear a good spf sun lotion and only lie during certain hours as the sun rays are more dangerous at certain hours of the day. My mother never laid in the sun or did she ever have a tan and yet she had beautiful skin like a baby-pale and perfect. Now we all think tan is better, not realizing we may very well be aging our skin. But I hope to get a good tan and do it quite safely. How are all of you doing? I have been busy and haven't written in a while but I will get back to you sooner or later. Hope all of you have a good evening and that you will drive safely on the roads. Sometimes they come at me on the wrong side of the road and the big trucks scare me. These wild drivers do not pay attention to the speed limit on our local roads, so I always watch out for them. Slow down-arrive alive..........Will catch you later friends----Irene

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I am Uncluttering

Sometimes a person has so many things they do not really know what they have. Well, I am in the process of getting rid of a lot of stuff. I am giving to Goodwill and good riddence to it. I am tired of being a slave to cleaning all this stuff and harboring it up so someone else can enjoy it maybe. Theres clothes, whatnots, toys, bedclothes jewelry, and you name it, its there. One man's trash is another man's treasury. I will feel so much better once this stuff is out of here and I am going to be careful what I buy so I won't get crowded up again. The kids have a surplus of stuff too so it ends up here too. It would have made for a very good sale, but I'm not planning on getting out in that heat for any amount of money. So to unclutter is good. Try it........................the adventerous Irene

Let me tell you about my son-in laws

Ok-I will start with Brian first, he came first in line. He and Becky dated a long time before they married and now he is retired from the Army.. He works every day now and is a Christian. He is the proud Dad to Lauren, 14 yrs. old. Brian was always a gentleman-always being helpful and courteous and sweet. He was special son from the beginning and stayed so nice. I have 4 daughters so I have 4 son-in laws. I shall have only one daughter-in-law and that is not happening right now as David plays the field and is not ready to settle down.. Ok, now the second son-in-law is John-also known as Aughty-he is a wonderful boy whom does everything in his power to keep his little family took care of. He is a neat freak and it has paid off-everything stays immaceulate. The boys are neat also and is Crystal. John will do anything I need him to do and Tommy and I appreciate him. He is like my own son, always thoughtful and gentle natured. Ok-next-Is Jarrid, and he is on the top list for being kind and sweet and always a gentleman, and he has always had a pleasent voice and never showed anger to me. He is away from the family but he is still in my heart and I miss him. He is a good daddy also and his two little girls have his big brown eyes and Kade looks like him in his build, as he is tall, so Jarrid is also a great son-in-law, Last comes my sweetie Chad, Robin's husband. Now Chad won my heart from the start as he is so nice and thoughtful and very helpful. His little boy is his spitting image and I want him for my very own. He loves lovens. Ok-now that is all of them and I feel ppretty lucky to have been given 4 son-in-laws this great. Neither of them drink , and they are good prooviders and good daddys. If they read this their head will probably swell a little, but they deserve recognition from their one and onlu Mother-in-law. Hope they feel the same about the "Adventerous Irene".....................That's All...Happy Memorial Day

My Fowers

I have an array of lovely flowers blooming, including roses, tulips earlier, panseys and i planted a butterfly bush. I also have rhododenrum, azalea, english ivy, catnip,petunias, sunflowers planted and hollyhocks, also morning glories, marigold, cosmos and others including morning glories. I have looked foward to their appearing after such a harsh winter. Oh by the way my son(same as) will be turning 15 may 29th. He has already received so much that he ask foor and opoened them early. He loves x-box live games, skater clothes, skateboards, a new one each month and a host of other stuff. He is a very good boy and is very loving. He is rambuncious and fun. He is loved by so many friends and keeps one handy at all times. Sometimes I have to remind him to clean up his dirty mouth tho. It seems to be a habit with the age group. He is at Nathan t's house today, a good friend. Well enough about me and mine-I am going outside to take my garbage out-runs are on Sun. night.. Thomas is gone to Edgars at Mare Creek. David hasn't gotten up yet......Will write again soon...........Happy Memorial Day.........go see your loved ones
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I have 4 daughters-let me tell you about each

My first daughter is very petite and cute, and has blue eyes and light brown hair. She can get carried around by her husband because he is strong and she is small. They are so much in love. She is a love and has a good life-christian. My second daughter is also cute, but fiesty. She turns the heads but is onlyyyy in love with her handsome Chad. She changes hair colors and loves to dress cute. She is tan as a biscuit and has a very cute face. She is also little but tall. Well my third daughter is a beautiful girl whom is mostly quiet, serious and loves to confide in her mom-me. She is blonde with big green eyes and a pretty humble face that lights up when she smiles. She has had some problems in her marriage but she is old enough to make her own decisions. I told her I am with her no matter what-she is a very sweeet girl. Sometimes fate takes a turn and couples get apart. This hurts a lot of people but if I could help it-she would still be happy with jARRID/ He has always been a special son-in-law and I wish him well. But time marches on and life goes on-I wish my Gina happiness because she seems to have anger toward him and only she knows why..Now let me tell you about my number 4 dauuughter. Being last somehow she turned out to be the one everyone wanted to play with and goosey as a child. She also is tan-im a lil jealous lol, and she is blonde/she would pass for a teen quen. She looks like me and Thomas. Gina looks just like Thomas, her dad except he has a big ol head of curly hair...by the way he is very handsome and is still my heartthrob after all these years. I love him too much. Crystal is a sweetie but dont get her mad at you-she will chew u up and spit u out lol. She is tetotally in love with hubbie John. They are so cute together................................Ok that is all of them so I just wanted to tell you about them. They are the loves of my life and im so proud of each of them. I hope I have been an inspiration to them too. Moms need daughters to talk to annnnd vice versa................the adventureous Irene is Always thinking of something to tell you folks....Remember she loves you and so does the Lord

Watch Out For The Flu Bug

I didn't think the flu bug was still around this late into spring, but well it is. My lil Kade visites his granny and came back with the flu. He was very sick with bronchitis and a fever. He was seen by his doctor and went back to school-was a character in his play at school wearing a lil lamb's suit. He is a lil lamb and looked the part although the lil lammmmb suit itched him 2 much. Well then Gina came over with a high fever 103.6 and was flushed. She went to E.R.-said it was flu-not swine flu tho. Later Nevaeh got a fever too and is sick. Well, Makenzie has been hanging around with me-hope we do not get the "BUG". I think I have a good immune system-hope so. Hope Crystal and all avoid this too. They just got back from North Carolina and Tennessee. I don't like to see any of my babies sick-they usuallyy are well till they come in contact with a bug somewhere. I have been on line this early Sunday morning-I heard a rooster crow somewhere and he awakened me-is that cute or what?........................Must start my lovely Sunday. It is the Lord's day and I will rest and sit outside and enjoy the beautiful sunshine or the rain. I am blessed with so much and am very thankful as I start my day.......Irene loves you and so does the Lord

Nevaeh Got Dog Bitten By Lincoln

I was on the computer and heard a car pull up and someone close a door. I've been expecting some laborers to come and estimate some cost for repairing. I waited for their knock-at this point the dogs were not barking. Then the door opened wide and Gina and Nevaeh came in. I said hi to my baby girl whom proceeded to me. Well, Lincoln started toward her very quickly and grabbed her legs and wouldnt let go. I quickly got him after Nevaeh was screaming bloody murder. That scared me and Gina when her foot began to bleed and drip. She immediately wrapped it and I ran with her and drove her van to the hospital. Nevaeh was terrified. A few times before Lincolln had bit at Caleb, Kade and Cameron but no like this. Lincoln's prior owner had a daughter whom pestered Lincoln to the point of biting her and she ddid it for a joke/ Well anyway Nevaeh cooperated with the nurses. We put her in a wheelchair and she loved. The bleeding stopped. Nevaeh got an ID bracelet and ask for a cute one but got daffy duck. At E.R. she was seen and got a shot and an antibiotic. No stitches for fear of infection.later. Now she is fine but sore and has a bandaged foot. I am one to spring into action when needed and I think my adrealine rush would impel me to run with a kid on my back all the way to E.R. lol.......forbid that to happen..Ok all is well now and I shall ground Lincoln and keep him under wrap-when Gina comes over he will not bite again. Actually I did't know he would do this. One never knooooows what an animal may do....Catch you later readers. Remember Irene loves and so does our Lord Jesus

Exercising At the YMCA

Yes, folks the "Adventureous Irene" is now burning up the track at the Y. My diet has proven that one can walk a lil longer when one loses a lil weight. I had a lil friend to take with me to walk. Makenzie and I had a really rewarding evening. The wind blew up there while we walked. We talked and held hands and she laughed with her Mamaw. It was warm and yet the wind was invigorating. But once I paused to couugh and had gotten a whiff of a sweet smell of a flowery breeze. I started coughing and coughing, my throat tickles. It was something blowing in the aiir from up in the woods. When I had walked farther-it went away. Well we proceeded to walk and at the 4th round Makenzie spotted the play area, and that did it for her. She stopped to play with a kid there. I kept walking and made it to six times and could have walked more but Makenzie was wanting something to drink-forgot to bring water. We left and got water and something for her to eat. She ask me if I were going to eat and almost ordered. But my reality-diet voice kicked in and I said no. Later, after Gina stopped to get Makenzie I got on line and nibbled on some trail mix and sierra mist. Gina had taken Kade to the Doctor. He has the flu. Think someone at the other granny's must have had this also. He is a very sick lil boy. But I had to get my hug and kiss-hope that flu bug didn't get me too. Later I bathed Lincoln, and he loved it-big handsome lasa ahpso. Makennzie and I are going to take pics. of he and I and Makenzie at the Y. Will post them on my blog soon. Well my coffee is done-smells good. I will fill you in on the latest as it unfolds . With the "Adventureous Irene" you never know what I will be doing next....................................Irene loves you and so does Jesus

Losing A Few Pounds

Well I hadn't really thought that losing 10 pounds would be so easy-just don't eat so much. Just because all the leftovers are still lookin tasty is no sigh one should try to consume them. If you still feel hungry after dinner, try sucking on a mint or chew some gum. Also drink something as a cup of water, sugarless coke or chew on ice chips. After the first 3 or 4 days, you feel a lot better with less food. But-thhhe want for food stays on your mind constantly. At about the second week it gets easier and you appreciate your meals and plan them. You should chew your food longer and choose more fresh veggies and fruit. Trailmix is fine. I will admit that I break over once a week to pick up a yummy butter pecan scoop of ice cream. Believe me I do appreciate this after I wait a few days. Honestly dieting is mind over matter, It really is a choice and you have to talk to yourself while you are dieting. Encourage yourself/there is no said amount I wish to lose-I know losing some weight wards off high blood presure and diabetes. Already someone has told me I look smaller. I do feel better and I hope to lose down to at least 10 more pounds. I am tall so I think I can carry the weight I will keep. I really need to keep the foods that I should be eating because when one is hungry one tends to grab whatever one has around hanndy....I could use exercise to tone-up but for now slacking off so much food is working. If you want to lose weight, try to stick with your diet for your health-and when your pants start falling off you will know it is working. Believe me you will be so happy........The Adventerous Irene
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Happy Mother's Day

My mother is here with me in spirit and in mind, having passed over to her heavenly home a few years ago. Words cannot describe my precious Mother. She was always being the best she could be, raising 5 children alone and seeing that we all graduated from high school. She worked hard to keep us fed and clothed. We worshipped her. We always minded whatever she told us to do....no matter what. We all shared chores, some quite adult size chores, necessary to our family maintenance. She always hugged us and told us she loved us and never married again till we were all out of the nest, She never had a male companion yet as pretty as she was Im sure she could have had a few. Times were pretty rough but I never felt that way. To me wealth and happiness was from a loving mother, smiling at the dinner table or praying for all of us at night. Her soft whispering voice still echoes at night as I remember her sweet prayers. She was a thankful person and was very free-hearted. Many times she helped others and kept an extra plate for anyone. We had the basics and it was stated once that her children looked nicer than the children of a lawyer or doctor. She taught us to be neat and clean. The most important thing she taught us was the love of our ord Jesus...helping all the children to become Christians. We were always on the church bus as teens too. I remember attending Wed. night prayer service when I was very small. I would sit with the elders and read right along with them, my fet barely touching the floor. Our mother allowed us to clean the church house every week and we would go home to her knowing she would have a good meal waiting and we had made her happy, I was lucky to spend her last years with her at our house. Tommy and I waited on her. She was a sweet love to us, praying every night and waking to get a good cup of coffee. I miss her desperately but the Lord has lightened my load. He told me to let him take care of her and to make it to heaven to see her again, On this mother's day I will think of those beautiful blue eyes and her sweet hugs as I look sadly at the bedroom where she slept..The day before she passed she walked down the hallway and said " tommorrow I will walk a lot more". She never gave up. I was fortunate to hear say "kiss me on the forehead and I might feel better:..She was feeling bad that morning, at the break of day. I will never forget that morning. She said "you know I love you, don't you, and I kissed her. That was the last time I would ever hear her voice. I have my mother here in my heart as I hear her cute little sayings and find myself doing things just as she did them...Ok I will sign off saying "Happy Mother"s Day to all mothers. Please be kind to your mother and let her know you care. It sure is lonely without her..........The Adventerous Irene

Been Playin Games On Line

If you have missed me, I have been lost on line playin games. Oh-th fun it is----th dishes are stackin up and th house is a mess lol. This does not sound like me, does it readers? Well I have friends on line. One friend offered me her 5 kids and her hubby and her 2 dogs. I said no to that...imagine. I would be in trouble then. Well, scrabble is my first choice, poker, mahong garden, poppit, and bingo are among my favs too. I get addicted and time gets away with me. On th other hand, I go to ask.com and travel all o"ver th world. I can zoom down on th streets of N.Y. or travel th Himalayans. Last nite I followed th Big Sandy river and went to all regions oof Ky......cheap travel, no gas lol. Hope my readers are having a good time doin what they like to do. Everyone needs a lil getaway, from the daily grind. I"ll try to stay on track here on my blog and write you some interesting stuff. I have checked my stat counter and I have friends all over th world...think I'll zoom in on them lol. Jokes aside, we are constantly being viewed by 'th force', th satellite can show an ant on th ground. I know, believe me, no one can hide........spooky heh? hEY READERS glad you are readin my atuff. Have a good day. Irene loves you and so does the Lord

You Are As Old As You Feel

Getting a few years on, I don't allow my age to keep me from doing all the things I like to do. I like lifting weights, walking, and keeping up with a 14 yr.old. That will keep young as I also am friends with all his friends. They respect me and I usually cart them all around whenever they needa ride to and from.My grandson is a very popular 14yr.old. He just got back from Knoxville, Tenn.from an AMAT meetimg with friend,Dalton,his Dad andMom.They are verytrustworthy people and The dad worksfor the fire dept. Some friends are always paying his way to the movies.They likehis good sense of humor and the factthat he is so rambuncious.But I stay on mytoes and keep up. I really do not think I look my age,buteven if I do, I am a good person.I still go theyouthful clothes, in honor of my sister. She always dressed beautifully young and always got compliments. So, enough about me. Like I said one is as youthful as one wants to be. That's all folks, have a good evening.

My First Daughter

When my first daughter was born I thought someone had handed me the key to the universe. I ca not explain how happy I was when I looked at that little person with little rosebud lips and dark hair. i didn't know her big eyes would get so big and turn so blue, She was a gentle baby, all cuddly and sweet. I had brought her clothes, a gown set and booties and had to put the booties on to see how cute. She weighed 8lb. and 2 and 2/3 oz, the biggest baby in the nursery. They called her Lil Giant. Whe her Daddy and I took her home, I couldn't believe that this baby was really ours. It was a little hard to think about because I felt like I should take the nurses home too. It is given to new mommies to know how to take care of their babies and it came natural for me. We named her Rebecca Diane. I had a doll named Diane as a child and now my doll was real. She looked just like her daddy. Everyone said she was a spitting image of him, big blue eyes, dark hair and round lil face. Later her hair turned blonde, but the blue eyes stayed blue as the sky. I was at her beckon call,keeping one eye open, one shut to watch over her. Her Mamaw Gormie came to stay a week to help me. I was glad. Many nights she let me sleep and I would wake in the middle of the night to her rocking my baby girl, her big blue eyes getting bigger and bigger as her mamaw rocked her. I will never forget that help my Mommy gave me when I was tired and sleepy. At 6 wks. she laughed aloud and I have it on a tape somewhere. Becky is what we called her for short was a good baby and a very independent lil girl always keeping her stuff organized and minding real good. I don;t think she ever got a spanking. Now she is grown, still a beautiful girl who graduated from Pikeville College and was valedictorian of her class. She was ultra smart and got a fine job. Her hobbies include keeping an immacaulate home, raising a lovely teen-age daughter and going to church. She takes lots of pictures and videos. There are so many I would have to spend weeks to see them all. I still have pictures of her as a baby and I cherish them, Her fine husband Brian is a Christian too and Lauren has been in church since about 3 days old. When all the grandchildren start coming we tend to put the older kids on the back burner so this blog is specially for my first daughter Becky, whom named me "Mommy" for the first time and will always be my number one first daughter. She treats me with upmost respect and never causes a problem. She is a child of the Lord and a sweet daughter of mine.......love you sweet Becky, Brian and Lauren

Viewing My Daughter's Pictures

I have never ever seen so many beautiful family pictures until I viewed Gina's picture albums. She is a top notch and very professional photographer. She has been one since she was about 12 years old. I use to order very expensive backgrounds from special companies and she awed everyone with her perfect photography. She has every event, every happening and just plain living. Her little girls are so photogenic. Some of these pics should be in a magazine. She is such a sweet loving mother and since she was a lil girl, she has mothered many babydolls, including one adopted babydoll, Kayla, whom her lil sister let her adopt. Also Gina babysat a little baby for a few years, and she also took pictures of him many times. The pictures were top rated then too. Everyone would ask if they were taken at a photography studio. She has an only son with blue eyes and a cute smile. The daughters are brown-eyed and red headed and might I say they are "FIESTY". They rule the roost. Temper....yes. But Makenzie usually gets her way and Nevaeh will give in and let it go. Sometimes when Nevaeh sneaks into Makenzie's stuff, she makes sure she puts it back before school is out. These lil girls are so so pretty and so loving. I ask Nevaeh if she gives "my sugar away to the other granny' (as a joke only) and she says " here, Mamaw, your sugar is still right here, and she turns her lil chubby cheeks up to my face for a kiss. But really, I want Gina's children to have all the love the whole family can give her. She is my special girl. Makenzie brought home some proofs from school and you would not believe how that child is growing up. She looks like a model and I am so proud of her. She is so smart, I really think she is a genius. Her big brown eyes shine with smartness and happiness. These kids get anything they want and they deserve it because they are very good. Kade sometimes takes the back seat to the girls. The girls will come from their other granny's with an Easter basket and they don't bring him one. I am wondering why Kade didn't get one because boys are expecting the same things the girls get. I always try to be exactly even with all of them. Kade is special and needs special care. He is sweet and trusting and to look into his big blue eyes makes me want to squeeze him. He has the sweet, innocent look. But Kade has a mind of his own and tells the sisters off occasionally. He loves them not to fuss. Their dad forgot to e-mail them yesterday and the girls were very upset. Anytime you ever promise something to a child, you should follow-up with it. They are smart and will remember. All in all, as I look at these pictures I am reminded of what a wonderful Mommy Gina is to her children. They are getting along good in school and love playing with each other at home. It was a joy to visit last night.There was so many pictures that I had to leave the rest for viewing later. I, too, love taking pictures and am just like Gina. Her sister is a perfect photographer too. Her pictures are so clear, they make your eyes water. She also takes pictures of nature, as flowers, the sunset, cloudy skies and her two special lil boys, whom are the love of her life. I rarely want to be in pictures. I never think I am "ready' for a pic. Though I have some special ones too...bye now..

Thank You 'Fuzzy" For All The Years

Upon hearing that our fine sheriff, Fuzzy Keesee may not be accepting nomination for reelection, I am finding it very hard to accept the inevitable. Our sheriff has took care of Pike County for so many years it will be hard to see him go. He is and has always been a topnotch law enforcement offical. HE IS RELIABLE, EFFICIENT and professional, and especially caring. He has kept crime down to a miminum and has shut the jailhouse doors on criminals many thousands of times so we the people in Pike Co unty can be safe in our homes today. I always felt felt that Fuzzy was "my sheriff" because he treated my problem one on one and made me have so much trust in him. He never faltered and always stood up for the right things. Facing each day with a smile and a warm greeting, he is a good listener and conversationalist. Being sheriff of Pike County can not be easy, but Fuzzy faced each delima professionally, and he has such a good record, I think it will be hard to replace him. As the saying goes " imitated but never duplicated. Fuzzy had wonderful parents that taught him the golden rule and he reflected that rule to all of us. We, the people , were his only priority. Remembering Fuzzy throughout the years, I had told him a few months ago that he looked younger now than he did when I remember him as I was growing up. I use to to wonder who was the man with such a pleasant smile. I found out later that that guy with his flattop haircut would be so famous in Pike County. I told him he is truly agless and I believe it is all because of his good deeds and loyalaty because once in a lifetime a person of Fuzzy's calibre comes along. I think higher of him than I do of most of our presidents....Thank you Fuzzy for all the years of serving as our high offical and for a job well done. Your deeds are immeasurable and you have been appreciated . are appreciated today by me and my family...

See Ya Next HillBilly Days

This morning I awoke with tired feet from all the walking yesterday, I had to go by the dollar store. You would not believe how the town has cleaned everything up. THERE WAS NOT A SIGN OF HILLBILLY DAYS....clean as a whistle. How did they do that? It was as if it never happened. They worked miracles, but then I really started missing all the hubbub and clatter. I had a very good time this year and hope all the folks got home safely and will come again next year. Every year, it seems our little town changes or builds something somewhere. They are like me...give me an empty corner and I will fill it up. Soon our town will start moving on down U S 23. They have already tried to take neighboring Coal Run, but they say...No Deal. They call us "Mayberry with Muscle". I think so too. I read today that our sheriff, "Fuzzy Keesee' will not run for sheriff again, I guess Andy Griffith{Fuzzy} will put up his holster and gun and wave bye bye at us. He is such a lovely person and has done so much for us personally. His grandson, Beckham was my son's best friend. I will miss his pleasant smile..........Oh well I must go as my Gina, Makenzie and Nevaeh have come to visit......catch you later

The Big Snow

Poppy said the grey sky held a promise of snow. I was delighted as I welcomed snow as much as a prized visitor. We began to get our coal buckets and big shovels to go to the coal pile. I got there first as I could fill up a bucket very fast. Poppy said I was a strong girl. We put the 5 buckets of coal beside the hearth where a hungry fireplace was waiting. Our pot -belly stove in thekitchen needed firing up or our buckets of drinking water would freeze. As I got the last bucket I had to drag it in. I think that bucket weighed twice more than me. Poppy told us to look down the hollow. The snow had arrived and was coming down as the wind blew viciously. I loved snow and felt it was my best friend coming up the hollow. The snow kept falling and I got into my snowsuit and high-top boots. My sisters stayed closeto the fire, playing with their home-made cornsilk dolls and I opened the door to a whirlwind of white.The snow quickly got over my boots. I looked up and with my mouth opened wide I caught some snowflakes that melted on contact. I got me a big ole handful and ate it up. I would ask Poppy to make us some snow-cream..yummy. I laid down and made a big snow-anel and Charlie thought I was goin crazy and jumped right on top of me, pulling me and barking. He loved snow. He began to run around in circles.The snow was so bright as it glittered like diamonds and made my eyes water. The mountains were blanket in white as far as the eye could...so clean and untouched. Poppy was heading toward the barn and I quickly followed. We had to feed the animals before dark. They were standing warmly in the midst of straw, but they shivered when the wind blew inside. Once fed and watered Poppy and I headed back to the house. By now the smoke from the chimney was coming up and into the air. I couldn't wait to get inside the house. Poppy made us somehot apple cider and fried apple pies. He made the best pies in the valley. We always took plenty of these to school and the kids at school shared them too. We had gathered the apples in the fall and Poppy had dug an underground storage for our apples and potatoes and covered them with straw. And Poppy later made us some snow-cream-just sugar and vanilla...yummy. After thawin out I ask Poppy to help build a snow-man. Soon we were piling up mounds of snow and a big, fat snow-man was smiling at us with his coals for his teeth and a pipe in his mouth and a big black hat on his head, courtesy of "Poppy". My hands were freezing and my feet were cold.We went inside and warmed up while the blizzard continued and the house actually cracked a little when the wind whipped through. Poppy got out the heavy wool quilts. We had made them in the fall. Every color and design of material was in those quilts, even Poppy's old coat and my sister's old dresses. I even saw my old socks too. How warm they were as we snuggled up that night as the fire flickered accross the room. Charlie was asleep at the foot of the bed. The snow was packing up to the windows as I had to get back up to get a drink of water. And the room was warm as toast as I jumped back under the covers...........I was happy and warm and safe as the snow continued........................... Get your warm blanket, Readers as I too feel a shiver......................................The Adventerous Irene

More Hillbilly News

Well, I got to shake the hand of my favorite weatherman, Tony Cavalier from WSAZ Television. I watch him every day. He ask my name and where I was from...nice man. And once again I watched the parade by myself on the boulevard. Got lots of cany throwed at me...chewed the gum, got David a rebel flag. There were so, so many old antique cars and put-together vehicles with mix-match doors, a ghostbuster wagon, clowns, floats, shriners, one does a belly-dance so stupid. Thiswhole thing is to make up money for sick children. I am lad for them. There were literally thousands of people evertwhere. I enjoyed myself even if my nose is sunburned and I have blisters on my feet.......Gotta go pick up my Trevez later. Guess it will take me hours to get thru the traffic........catch you hillbillys later

Down At The Carnival

Boy, Oh Boy..did I have a great time riding all the rides..(I don't think so) said the Adventureous Irene. You could twist me around a couple a times and I hit the deck. But I took Caleb to the carnival to retrieve Trevez. Caleb had already been there before so he and I walked around, before he and I ate at McDonald's. We spotted Trevez, high in the air, his shoes flying off and him trying to get his swing hooked up with Dalton's. My gosh , if those swings came loose they would end up in the upper in of town . He was so excited that he went off in a bound, his friend following suit. They rode it all as Dalton's Dad is with the fire dept. and they got VIP wrist bands. So they partied till 15 till 11pm and I called him on his cell and he said he was going home with Nathan, Ethan and Dalton. Trevez is like the Pied Piper. They follow Trevez all arouns. His teacher once said "Trevez can tell the class "jump" and the kids will say, "how high?" He is having a hillbilly vacation with his sun-burned face and arms. He is my handsome sweetie and I love him so much. He is vert thoughtful of me and his Papaw. My caleb is a true gentleman, with manners and a heart full of love. I love taking him with me as we communicate very well together. He is so cute with his long silky hair, big blue eyes and dimpled chin just like his Mommy. He will soon be 11 yrs. old. My grandchildren are growing up and I want them to stay little. Lauren is having such a good time with her friends, she is like Trevez, she has lots of friends and is such a good girl and so pretty. I shall go back to the hillbilly streets and swimthrough the hillbilly crowd-smell the smells, hear the music and just enjoy the beautiful day. I thank the Lord for such a pretty day. I shall watch the parade and hope to see :Tony cavalier: my weatherman on WSAZ. The crab apple trees are blooming and that is the kind of tree I shall sit under on Cline street, if all goes well and Becky comes too. One year they were all supposed to meet me there and somehow I ended up watching the parade there all by myself. I, later want to go to Lowe's to buy a "butterfly bush', Becky and Crystal want one too. Crystal wants a tulip that vines on the fece or wall. WEll I will get my hillbilly clothes on and brush my hillbilly hair and brush my hillbilly teeth and get in my hillbilly ford taurus and 'start walkin'. Oh, by the way, Alan Jackson will be at the Expo tonite. David use to like his singing when he was a teen. I think he thought he himself was "Alan Jackson. I won't be seeing himbut I don't think Alan will miss me being there, do you?.......Happy Hillbilly Days 2009

I bought a 'fruit pebbles candle" not a bowl of cereal

It's Hillbilly Days 2009

The excitement grew as the carnival and the venders moved in Pikeville .I drove down mainstreet the last trip as venders were right behind. They were working into the night. The next day I took a trip early and parked several blocks away. By now a crowd was parading through the streets. I immediately smelled the food...oh..tha fooood. Beautiful fresh barbecued meat and bright veggies, cotton candy, fried green tomatoes,pizza, gyros, nachos and greek food filled the air with the most tanalizin aroma.I entered the parking garage and browsed around, bought some fruity-pebbles and a leather billfold for my son David. Also I found him a picture on metal with a Dodge Charger RT-yellow in color and it was exactly like his own 1969 Dodge Charger he has . It is his prized possession. He may drive it sometime on Hillbilly Days-I think the crowd would go cr---azzy. Then I walked tothe boulevard and watched a bull-ride, mechanical of course. If one could stay on that bull 8 seconds he would win $200. No one could. I saw a big gal get thrown off to the approval of the bystanders. Then I collected a few freebies, inkpens, stickers, free water, flags, army lingo and info on a bunch of stuff. My grandson , in the meantime was at the carnival, getting tossed high in the air, getting an up-side view of life and probably holding back the puke. His cousin Lauren was riding everything too. They had a ball, staying in town till late. Well,I got a hotdog and chips and a coke and went to the park and watched a bunch of guitar players and dancers---well, dancing the best way they knew how, sometimes embarressingly. It was cool and I chilleda little. A young friend, a boy, Cody came by, gave me a bear hug and ask me for a cigarette.I told him if he remembered correctly--I donot smoke. He went thru the crowd and got one off of a man---he is a minor, but the guy never questioned his age...who cares. I had seen my daughter earlier with Lauren and a friend, walking hurridly through the venders. My legs got tired, as I haven't walked a lot lately. I also met up with Robin and Megan and their brood.Lil Jack was in his stroller and Memphis in hers. I got hugs from the boys. Antonio'sbirthday was that day.I shall get him something later. Crystal, John and the boys drove up to our house later. Gina and the kids had been in town, but I didn;t se them. Also David wentinto town and bought a lot of Rebel things. Tommy and I took a walk later in town again and ate in the park and listened to music. I think he had fun. Today I shall try it again. I think I like the excitement of the crowds, the glitz and glitter, seeing all the hillbillies, though the reality of a hillbilly is rerely reflected by the visitors. They use to dress up as country-fried ,billybob toothed, overalled, straw hatted, snagletoothed hillpeople. Slowly this stigma is fading. Very few old cars around. Use to the old trucks were smoking and honking and people hollered "Howdy"..Guess folks are changing. I hope to see Tony Cavelier , our weatherman in town today or in the parade Sat. Well, I'd better getmy lil rambler up. He will hit the town He have friends following him like the pied piper. He is a very good sport and they love . Trevez.I willfill u in on my venture later today...Happy Hillbilly Days 2009

Poppy climbed the mountains

Our milk cow, Bossy was allowed to graze the hills high above the barn. I could see her white face shining in the sun, standing steadily on the side of the hill. I was always wary of her going too far away. The green grasses and shrubs reached all around on the hill. She was feasting on clover and wild greens. Poppy was plowing the corn field that day, keeping old joe, the mule going straight down the furrows. Poppy's straw hat kept the scalding sun from his eyes.He stopped once to get a dipper of water and waved at me. I was chasing a big ole bumblebee around the house till he turned on me and I ran inside. My sisters were braiding their long hair, taking turns putting in ribbons. Shucks with ribbons and bows, I had to keep an eye on ole 'Bossy'. I swept the backyard and picked up rocks and stacked the kindling. Poppy loved his kindling neatly stacked. By now 'Bosst was looking like a white dot upon the hill and I had to spring into action. Poppy said I could go herd her back this way so up the steep hillI trudged. I could climb that mountain better than a billygoat.Then the farther I got the farther Bossy traveled...until Bossy was out of sight. I was zigzagging up the hill very fast...no 'Bossy". She rarely made a sound anyway so when I called to her it was very quiet. In my haste I found myself in an unknown territory. There the mountainside was covered with sweet williams and tanglefoot. As far as the eye could see was a blanket of flowering shrubs too and lying under them was a family of deer, a papa, doe and a speckledfawn. They were asleep so I went farther around the hill. No "Bossy" could be found. I then saw a flight of quails rustling through the leaves, and a host of wild turkeys in flight. An elk made his way to the pond that was laden with lily pads and I saw frogs jumping about. I was thristy and cupped my hands together and got a drink from the running stream that ran through the rocks. It was so cold.I traveled on up the hill and looked for 'Bossy', but could not see her. a flock of doves circled the top of the hill. Then I saw in the distance a place I HAD NEVER SEEN....DOWN THE HILL WAS A BUNCH OF CABINS AND SMOKE BOILING UP FROM THE CHIMNEY. I was awed at knowing people were actually living accross the mountain from me. Then I spotted ''Bossy' at an old barn in the distance. I went down and quickly retrieved 'Bossy'. I had a rope with me and tied it around her neck and started upthe hill. A big black dog began to chase us out of sight. It was getting late and I knew Poppy would be worried, but in the distance I could see movement thru the trees and I saw my Poppy coming towards me and 'Bossy". I was happy and Poppy was too. Poppy picked me up and carried me high up in the air.He gave me a handful of blackberries. He lead 'Bossy back up and then down the hill. Back at the house I was welcomed by my sisters, their braids covered with bows and sashes.I was scratched up and dirty. My shoe bottoms were off , and my hair was full of burrs, but ole 'Bossy' was safe in the barn. Poppy had a big soup steaming and cold milk. We sat and ate together. What an exciting day on the farm when I was growing up......................................have a good day, readers from "The adventurous Irene'

I watched the spider spinning his web. He worked hard weaving in and out making a beautiful design. A fly flew around, wary of the new construction but not getting close enough to become entwined. The crickets hollered from the nearby pond and I watched asthe wind blew up the hill toward the parade of redbuds, dogwoods, and wild cherry trees blooming heartily and the dandelions dotted the mountainside, as did the sweet williams too. It was a warm morning as Poppy cleaned the barn, lifting each pitchfork of hay and shoveling the manure.Chickens clucking, cows mooing and the horse was neighing. I think our visit to the barn was unexpected to the animals and they were letting us know. I helped Poppy push the rusty old wheelbarrow from the barn, and I could not push very much at a time. As the day wore on, Poppy and I took a rest underneath the mulberry tree. I got us a cold drink from the bucket with the dipper. Nothing tasted better as I was getting sweaty.Poppy's shirt was ringing wet and his eyes were looking tired. I looked up to the sky and the clouds were rolling pretty fast and they were darkened. It was a very hot day by now and the wind began to blow the clothes off the clothesline. I started to retrieve them just as a bolt of lightning streaked accross the sky. I was scared and ran to Poppy. Charlie began barking uncontrollable.The thunder rolled and the sky now darkened and the rain could be see coming up the road in torrents. It began to hail.I climbed to the top of the barn as Poppy tried to shut the door. From the barn we could see our house getting a thumping from the hail.My sisters were peering throuh the curtains but hid back when the lightning flashed. We could not o to them now. I hid among the hay bales up the stairs toward the rafters. The guinnies and ducks had taken refuge up there too. It was warm and I could smell the straw and the chicken feed. I covered up with an old coffee sack and closedmy eyes and could still seethe lightning. I think a part of the barn top blew away and the rain began to blow in.. Poppy told me to hold on to his arm as he sat in front of me , warding off the wind and rain. It seemed like forever till it quieted, and then I looked and a lovely rainbow curled over the barn as I went outside..I then looked for the spider whom was spinning his web earlier and at first I could't see him, and then I saw his web, torn apart and drooping. Soon the spider bean to go right back to his work, spinnin again as if nothing had happened. I was thankful for the cool rain though the rest was frightful..Poppy always taught us to take the bitter with the sweet and that that there are things we can not have control of. That belonged to our Maker. Only HE controls the universe, the storms, earthquakes.floods and all of nature's greatness. Back at the house happy sisters opened the door. They had, though, left the window in our bedroom opened and the bed was soaked. Still the day ended with a good note. Poppy and I washed up and I made us a rhubarb pie and I cooked a'mess' of salad greens that Poppy picked earlier. He called them 'fuzzy britches and other funny names. They sure smelled good along with the strips of fresh salted bacon cooked in the beans. Oh, what a surprising day we had, and that is just the way I liked it, never knowing what a day may bring. Poppy sat and smoked his pipe and was content while I brought him a good hot cup of coffee and a big ole piece of rhubarb pie......I gave Poppy a big hug and he patted my head. He said I was his little buddy....and he was my hero.............I am sure you readers have memories of your childhood. You may not write about it as I have, but those memories will always be there for you to think about on a rainy day when the lightning flashes and the Lord shows us who is really the Boss...........................................................GOOD EVENING READERS

Memories Of Easter With Poppy

We had planned far ahead for Easter. We had materials picked out and our dresses were made by the end of February. I remember mine was white with yellow daisies splashed all over and a big yellow sash. I also has a lovely hat with daisies covering the top, and yellow lacey socks and white patent leather shoes. Poppy said I was as pretty as the flowers blooming around the well. My sister loved violets. They were blooming with the dandelions all over the hill so she chose material with violets all over and a hat with violets .Purple was her favorite color and her long brown hair lay in ringlets that she tied a string of violets around.My hair being sandy colored looked just like my Poppy's when his hair was freshly washed. Working in the mines had faded the color in his hair. We arose on Easter morning to the sun shining through my curtains and I could hear Jake, our big white rooster crowing. I could have sworn he was saying 'happy easter. Jake had a big red cone and long tail feathers and he walked spritely accross the barnyard with a quick eye. I did not know there was an (easter bunny). We didn't ever know ofone. The only bunny we had was a brown bunny Poppy caught forus and put in a cage. We had little baby bunnies hopping around the yard every Easter.....Poppy taughtus the realmeaning of Easter, that Jesus arose from his burialand went back to Heaven to be with his Heavenly Father. By 10 o'clock Poppy was all ready to walk us to church. Hand and hand we frolicked down the winding road, not Poppy though, he walked slowly, carrying his Bible and whistling a song as we passed our neighbors. Old man Barnes was sitting on his porch smoking a pipe and waving to us. I told him "Happy Easter", but he was hard of hearing and gave a big grin, though toothless I thought he looked distinguished with his silver hair and long beard. The suit my Poppy wore was dark grey and he fit it good except the legs were a little short. He wore a hat, that he took off as we entered the church door. The church bells were ringing so loud I'll bet the people in the next hollow could hear them. I wanted to ring those bells but I was not strong enough. Preacher Wilson gave us a wonderful story of the ressurection and I so wished I could have been there when the stone was rolled away and Jesus appeared. That story would make the hair raise on your head as it was so miracleous to comphrend. Poppy sang loudly and we joined in. I could hear myself over everyone and I often wondered what would I do if everyone stopped singing and I was the only one singing. I would have hidden under the seats. I gave my offering of 7 cents. I had saved it for awhile after Poppy gave it to me after he sold some es. As we left and shook hands, we all walked proudly back up the winding road, taking off our shoes and had a race to see who could get to the house first. I lost, but only because I fell over a stump and ripped my beautiful dress. Inside Poppy had boiled 4 dozen eggs earlier. We began coloring them and they were so pretty. I fixed the "Lucky Egg'. We all went way up on the hill to picnic. Poppy carried me over the creek as the rocks were slick and I was afraid of the crawdads swimming around the rocks. We took turns hunting and hiding eggs. Poppy sat on a big rock that overlooked our homeplace. There was a contentment on his face. When we were happy, our Poppy was happy too. We had packed fresh-ham on baked bread and strawberry jam. We got water from a running brooke as we cupped our hands together. We all gave thanks to our Lord for the food and the lovely day. I knew he was present with us upon that hill as the wind blew softly as whispers in the breeze. It began to sprinke a little rain as we started down the hill , our tummies full and our hearts full of Easter happiness. Every Easter was celebrated the same way and as Poppy got older he just walked a little slower down that winding road to church. Evening came and we watched the sun fade behind the clouds and Poppy sat in his big old rocker. I climbed up in his lap and snuggled closely as he rocked me to sleep, singing softly.

Remembering Poppy's Baptism

It was a lovely Sunday in June. Poppy had been attending church since he was a child but had not become a Christian. He had taught us good and had lived near the cross, but this day he was giving his life to the Lord. In his Sunday best, he walked up the steps to the church, holding my hand tightly, the others following behind him. I did not know he was going to join church. I just knew Poppy was very happy that day, shaking every hand and singing louder than he ever had. He could be heard over all the others...'I'll Fly Away', and Just As I Am were two hymns I still hear in my mind. My sisters and I were singing right along with him. Poppy was wearing a white shirt underneath his blue surge suit. His tie was blue and white stripes. Poppy only wore that suit on special ocassions. After the singing quieted, the preacher preached a strong sermon and then came down to the people and looked them right in the face. I felt a little fright, as though the preacher knew I had uttered a bad word yesterday when the door slammed on my finger. Was he going to tell the whole church I was a mean girl? I was so happy when he went back up to the pulpit. My Poppy went up the aisle when they were all singing 'Amazing grace. Poppy repeated words after the preacher. He was to be baptized that Sunday afternoon..I walked with him down the hill to the large creek that was flowing quite swiftly and a sandbar was on the side sloping into the water. The preacher raised his right hand up toward heaven and I really think I saw into Heaven that day. The clouds seemed to open up and I was aware that the Lord Jesus was standing there with his arms outstretched. With one arm around Poppy's back and the other holding him strongly......down Poppy went into the water. It flowed swiftly and he actually went completely out of sight. I was a little concerned, as I knew Poppy could not swim and rarely went near water. With a squish and a splash, up he came and he bean to shout and raise his arms up toward the heavens. Cold chills went over me and I knew right then Poppy had become a child of God. I reached him a towel and he held my hand as we walked up the hill. I can still hear the people singing' Shall we gather at the river'..that day was a turning point for me too, as I too was baptized a little later. Poppy would never allow us to say any hate words to each other and we always knelt beside our beds at night. If we were mean he would make us do extra work around the house and we were encouraged to forgive each other and give a hug even if it wasn't what we wanted. From that day foward Poppy went around the house singing and he could strum a few songs on his guitar. I asked him later what it felt like being baptised and he said he came up out of that water a new man..Now as he is growing older he still carries the same black Bible that he carried when I was a child.It is lovingly worn and frayed..and on the front page is the date of his baptism, forever etched in my mind. That Sunday was a special day for Poppy for he now has a home in Heaven........good night all..Jesus loves all of you

Poppy's Days On The Old Farm

The rooster crowed and I heard Poppy's footsteps accross the old screeky floor as I barely awakened. The house was silent and cold.Poppy punched up the fire in the old pot-bellied stove and soon the heat radiated accross the room where me and my sisters slept. The smell of coal burning and the smoke would bellow out the little hatch-door every now and then would delight me and I snuggled back under the heavy patchwork quilt. The windows had a glaze of ice on them and I visioned designs from the icicles that hung down the outside. Sometimes they looked scary, but I had my Poppy and all was safe and secure. Poppy ate a hearty breakfast of fresh-ham from the smoke house, home-made biscuits,gravy,eggs, and home-made strawberry jelly.I helped with the dishes, having to boil the water and be sparing, as we drew water from a well. I wasn't eager to go outside for water. I could see my breath and the warm wooly socks I was wearing were so cozy. Poppy had put on his heavy coat and headed to the barn. There stood the hungry farm animals.Poppy fed the cow, the hog, and the chickens and gathered the eggs. Some chickens were sitting on eggs to hatch baby chicks...come spring.Poppy was strong and could carry two fifty pound bags of feed on his shoulder. Poppy let me feed the cow and she would stand there and chew and chew..Poppy said she was 'chewing her cud'. Then Poppy would fork the bales of hay for the horses and they would prance back and forth. I could see their breath..I helped Poppy gather eggs. Some chickens were nesting high up in little cubbies and a hen would flutter out right in my face and scare me a bit, but ...WOW what a surprise to gather all the eggs.Poppy would hold me high upon his strong shoulders . The sun would be peeping through the barn and the rays of sunshine looked like they went straight up to heaven and I tried climbing up them.Outside the snow scrounched under Poppy's feet and his big ole boots left a big footprintthat I would walk in to keep my feet dry. We stopped by the smoke house and the smell of salted bacon burned my nose, hanging on all sides of the house...and later we would uncover potatoes and apples under the straw to take inside for dinner.Poppy knew I was his "shadow', always so close behind him I was in his blind spot.Poppy's hands were big and strong and also calloused from long hard winters but he had a gentle touch as he would wipe away my tears after I would slip and fall on the ice in the creek, as we crossed to retreive our gallon of milk that he dropped down in a big hole of water to keep it fresh. Poppy had gotten me a big collie dog that I named "charlie', and Charlie always followed Poppy and me from the barn to the back-door. I would ask Poppy if Charlie could come inside and he would stand quietly and nod his head, and with my fingers crossed I would sigh a big sigh of relief as "Charlie' got to come inside beside the warm fireplace in the bedroom. Charlie would watch the fire flicker till he fell asleep.Poppy removed his ole boots, took off his coveralls and turboggin and sit near the fire with his pipe lit and I would watch the smoke encircle his face..Oue chores were finished for this morning. I was proud to have taken an active part in the chores with Poppy. Afterall I knew I was his favorite girl. oon Poppy would sit back in his rocking chair and nod off to sleep. I was busy getting into the big barrel of material as I made doll-dresses for my favorite baby-doll whom I named..Diane".........later in life I would name a real baby-doll 'Diane" and tell her this story.......As the sun shone through the ice-glazed window I was content to sew and talk to my "Diane" as Poppy began to snore, his feet propped up and Charlie flattened out, dreaming of chasing rabbits...what a good life

I Write What Comes To Mind

The story about "Poppy's Old Boots" is not a true to life story. I write from time to time. I was not raised with a dad, poppy or father figure, however I had a wonderful grandpa whose calloused hands keep the home fires burning. I had respect for my elders and then married a wonderful man who worked in themining industry for approx. 30 years. Hope you enjoyed my story. I will write you another very soon when the mood strikes......Have a nice dogwood-winter day from the :Adventerous Irene

Poppy"s Old Boots

He sat in his rocking chair,slightly bent, and his blue eyes twinkled as he Tpunched up the hot coals in the fireplace. The warmth of the fire gave his face a glow. His leathery skin was proof of his years of working the fields. His old flannel shirt, though torn, was clean and stitched. He had worked for his family in the coal mines and raised several of us children, never buying anything for himself. His pleasant smile reflected a gentleness, though tough as he was, he could cradle a sick baby or give a warm blessing at the dinner table. His old boots sat in the corner, and the bottoms were worn thin and there were holes in the toes. Those old boots were the same pair he wore to work when I remember him as a child, coming in with ice frozen on his clothes and his feet were so frozen we all had to help him take them off. Those old boots worked in the wet, cold dark coal mines, and his old jacket was worn and had been patched many times over. His face would be so blackened all we saw was the white of his eyes and his white teeth. Now he smiled with no teeth present, without proper care and money , he had lost his teeth very early. Through all the years Poppy saw to it that we always had a full table, a warm bed and a heart full of love and trust. I always felt secure knowing Poppy would keep out all boggie-men or wild animals or anything that we feared. We respected Poppy and as he slept, we tiptoed around the house and whispered. Mom would say "you could hear a pin drop" due to the quietness we had. When we were sick he would doctor us up and give us a treat when we got better, usually a jar of horehound candy or peppermint. Holidays were special and especially Christmas because Poppy always bought us a lovely doll and trucks for the boys, my older brother got a new red bike.Poppy never owned a car and his life revolved around the old farm. Raising our food and farm animals kept the family going and Mom took in ironing for neighbors. We home-made our clothes and Mom sewed for others for pay. I didn't know any other life except life on the farm . Poppy always took us to church, belting out "Amazing Grace" till the valley echoed with his voice and all of us prayed for everyone that need a blessing. After church we would sometimes have a big dinner of fresh fried chicken, the biggest on foot, fresh green beans, sweet potato pie, cornbread and fresh milk.Poppy was gone a lot when he worked in the mines on the hoot owl shift and weekend were very special..He looked older than his years but always was clean-shaven when he went out anywhere. I remember one suit he had.It was grey with pin stripes, with a blue shirt and he was so proud to dress-up. I sometimes wondered what could he be really happy about? But he always smiled and kept busy. As he punches the hot coals with the old black poker, the shadows flicker accross the room to the old pair of boots that Poppy wore. He put many miles on those boots, walked many rows of corn in the field and gathered the crops. The boots are resting by fireplace in the corner while Poppy remineses the pasr. His eyes are aglow with the innocence of a child and his stories of his own childhood keep us spellbound for hours. Poppy's old boots could outlast him but the memories we share will be here forever and as he takes a little snooze near the warm fire with his shawl around him, the Lord is watching over him just he watched over him over the years while he was wearing the old pair of boots........Yawning Yawning

The Little Prince Was In The House

Prince Jack, 21 month grandson of mine stayed in the Mccoy Castle overnight last evening. His highness fell asleep en route there and his highness, in his car seatwas carried inside by the royale John Gibson. Inside our royale brown puppy, Avery, greeted him with a lick on the face and a leap into his play-pen. The Prince smiled in his sleep, as good natured as his royale Dad, Chad. Upon getting a diaper change and a bottle, Prince Jack snoozed till 12 midnight, at which time he awakened and watched cartoons and got carried around by his uncle David. He fell back to sleep in his playpen. My highness decided to let him stay asleep there and sleep on the couch near him. This morning Prince Jack got another bottle and was greeted by Avery, the playfulpuppy whom thinks he is a child. He went around and around the royale playpen trying to figure out how to get inside with the Prince...no can do, but Jack laughed and lauhed at Avery and talked in a gibberish only a German could interpert. Also his royale Papaw comes to the playpen and conversates with Jack in German gibberish. The other doggie, Lincoln thinks he himself is the King of the Castle. He lies around observing all who enters..........As I type Prince Jack is throwing his royale covers out of his playpen and watching cartoons and Avery is waiting to find a way to get in the pen with him. Soon I will take his royale highness back to the Queen Robin. She is currently keeping an appointment to the tanning bed. Queen Robin is very pretty and King Chad is handsome and very good natured, just exactly like lil Prince Jack. Back at his home castle awaits 3 royale brothers and a special royale biggest brother Trevez. I have enjoyed having my baby with me, and he is a joy to keep. I wish he were all mine, and I would take his royale everywhere and show him off, and to the park, and shoppin and bye bye in the car and Gattiland and who knows where. Oh well, I will keep him again and until then, his royale highness will be with his lovely family whom loves him better than a cat loves cream....this royale mamaw will sign off now and have a royale cup of coffee and get roylae sugar off my handsome lil PRINCE........Adventureous Irene

Gattiland Is A Little Much Under The Belt

My grandson and I go to eat at Gattiland quite often. Well, when I first go in I think I am not hungry and I will just eat a tiny salad and a drink, but lo and behold I take a helpin of spagetti, different sauces on top, fettichennie(misspelled)A few cheese sticks, a helping of pizza(I just eat the top off of it) and then I go for the salad bar...lettuce, minature tomatoes, cucumber slices, carrots, cheese, onions, broccoli, caulaflower, gabonzo beans, a heapin of ranch dressing with bacon bits and crumbs and crackers.......remember I first started with a tiny salad on my mind. Well I also get a minute-maid O.J....and get to my quiet table..My randson prefersjust cheese pizza, no salad and a drink and lots of cash for the game room. I eat and eat and eat and eat and eat and eat, but all the while making myself think I am just eating a little. Yea, a little this and a little that...eat so much the car turns to one side when I drive home..LOL, not really, but I feel that big...After I sit awhile and wish I could try some different pizza, such as hot chicken or cherry pizza or hot rolls with pudding or fruit pizza, I feel a little full. But I haven't yet visited the for seconds which include pudding, chocolate and vanilla, red jello, pineapples, apples, watermelon , peaches with cottage cheese, and potatoe salad and pasta salad with pepperoni. Good gracious, what am I thinking? Eating like a pig. My randson keeps saying "Ready to go Mamaw? andI say wait just a minute I need a refill on my drink and this time I want coke. And ranch dressing covers my salad like a blanket. Well you got the bird'seye account of my trips to Gattiland. I arrive with a small appetitte and leave feeling like I can't get through the door.....I am getting hungry and I am now taking Crystal to Gattiland with me. Hopefully she won't think I am a rabbit munching at the salad bar and hopefully I will control myself this time around. It is very good food and if one doesn't go too often I guess it is ok to pig out sometimes...............Anyone want to go with us or shall we eat enough for you also? good evening and see ya later

Doing Spring Cleaning

I have been quite busy for a few days. Spring has sprung, according to the calendar, though it is very cold here and we still have our heat turned on. My windows will all need washing. I really dislike a dirty, cloudy window and all of mine are dirty on the outside. I really would like the house painted but that calls for me to mostly do the work and I am not ready yet. David has gone back to work and he stays so busy he hardly has time for anything. I want a new fence and to plant grass everywhere. I am overdue a butterfly bush and a few more rose bushes. Inside my curtains have been washed and all bedding has been cleaned. I am in the process of putting away heavy winter clothes. I want new flooring in the living room and new sheeting for the wall. I shall clean every nook and cranny and also our air conditioner needs cleaning. My car needs cleaning and shined, especially since the birds tend to take a dump on my car..that is embarrassing when you go in the car and see a big ole bird dirty on the windows..I will switch sides with my hubbie's truck and not tell him why..lol....I need to paint the porch and clean the dog lot. My grandson will be so happy to help me with all of this..{Yea..Boy}...he can't stay home long enough because his friends are always calling...their first names are: Zak,Eric, Garrett, Zak H,Tyler, Dalton, Ethan, Terry, Nathan and many, many more. He loves his friends and he is the life of the party. His teacher once told me all he has to do is tell his classmates when to jump and everyone of them would say :how high? His mom had lots of friends. They did not take after me because I had a select amount of friends and was always so independent. They cant live without a whole bunch of friend around. My daughter, his mom invited a friend from another state to come here to live with her family until she could get housing. She came and stayed a winter and now is working and has her own place for her boys. That really was a kind gesture to help someone in need..What a ood friend she was! Oh well, back to the spring cleaning I am still at it and will be busy for some time. I am also planning a yard sale. My daughter, Crystal and I are going to get everything toether. She is a great help. After the sale, I will be free of clutter, even if I do not sale all of it I will give the rest to charity...Sounds like I have a lot of work waiting for me..................Happy Spring To You

The Family tree is Leaning

When I was growing up I was always visiting my cousins, staying alnight, going to church with them and attending big outings. I listened intently to the conversations between my Mom and her family. They were always busying around, taking care of business and having a great time together. All of the cousins would play till dark and stay up most of the night telling scary stories.We caught lightning bugs, played hide-n-seek, I even played marbles and baseball. We rode down the hills on a piece of rug. In the summer we had broom sage that was growing everywhere and it was slick so our rus flew down the hill. We picniced accross the mountains and climbed trees and rode them to the ground. I was so skinny I'm thinking the trees must have been pretty little too. Everyone always said I was a skinny beanpole and that I was growing straight up. That use to make me mad and sometimes I would dread these visitors comin around. Of course now I am definitely not a skinny bean pole..as most of us can relate we growinto maturity and mostly look like our mom or someone in mom or dad's family. As we grew we still stayed close to the cousins and even today I miss seeing them. Seems like when my kids were growing up their cousins didn't getto be close. I think it was the way their parents wanted it. I was always nice to them and wanted to be close, but somehow they were wrapped up in their lives and I think maybe they talked themselves out of coming our way. On my husband's side there are a whole bunch of cousins and only very few even know any of us. Maybe I am guilty of not being as persistent as I should have. I think they were always trying to keep up with each other and the Joneses and Tommy and I were busy raising our 5 children and facing our ups and downs. I do, however have some cousins on my dad's side that I have never met due to the fact that I was raised by my mom and his people did not offer their friendship. I have always been nice to everyone and hope there are no hard feelings between any of the family. I love all of them and hope they have a good life. Anyway the family tree is leaning a little. We are all on that tree together even if some of us are not on the same branch. A few years ago I met a cousin for the first time and she was so nice and told me she could not help that she did not get to be close to me. She ask me to forgive her family and that she could not help anything my dad caused. He was an alcoholic and my mom divorced him when I was little. My grandchildren are close to each other. The 2 older ones are more bossy and independent but they care deeply for each other. Family trees should grow strong and each branch should have a connection with the others and the sunshine of kindness and winds of respect and seasons of change should help this this tree to withstand the things it may encounter. Every has a family tree. Respect it, be proud of it, and remember your genetic make-up began from this family tree hundreds of years ago and your aunts and uncles, cousins, mamaws and papaws share this too...I think I can trace my ancestry back to England and also I have Indian blood too. So think how far back that goes. My grandpa was Irish. You can check out your ancestry on the web.......have a nice day and stay informed.....Irene...that is the "THE ADVENTUROUS IRENE"

I AM A "Spur of the Moment" kind of person

One late evening a few years ago my dauhter came by. I was asleep and dreaming and the knock at the door awakened me. My daughter said she had to be in Lexington that night at St. Joseph's Hospital to take an anti-chickenpox shot because she was pregnant and had never had the chickenpox. Her O B doctor ordered her to get this shot. Lexington is over 150 miles away from us. I never hesitated for one second, just rubbed my sleepy eyes and grabbed my coat and pocketbook. In a couple of hours we were nearing our destination. Little did I know I would be this far away when a couple hours before I was snug as a bug in a rug, asleep and dreaming. We saw her doctor. She got her shot and we headed back. Oh, forgot to tell you on the way there we passed up the hospital and went way beyond our route, called the highway patrol after we had driven to the end of town on an old backroad. The patrolman said "Guess it is getting prettty dark on those streets.hey? We had gone the wrong way. We laughed about it. Afterall I amnot good at city driving. I drove to Myrtle Beach and back and still these littlecities freak me out. I am a really good interstate driver. But back to the fact that I am a 'spur of the moment person". My kids can come by and toot the horn and I am ready to go, anytime. My grandmother was the same way. I am mostly NOT a planner. Lots of people are and a lot of them are perfectionist. I am not.I accept what I have to do and go foward. My hubby is a planner so I guess to him I must seem pretty stupid. He is laid-back, slow, to the point and very serious. I will say something silly and he just looks at me and I will say "Did you get it"? He does not answer.In a lot of ways though we are alike. We like the same foods, the same children, same grandchildren, ours, LOL. It takes all kinds of people to make our world. Everyone has likes and dislikes and they are all entitled to their opinion. My Mom said there was a man who bragged so much on his wife, how beautiful she was. He said, if everyone saw the way I do they would wantmy wife. The other gentleman said "If everyone saw the way I do , They wouldn't have her". So two different opinions collided. We are all specialin God"s eyes, if we are planners, spur of the momemt people, short ,tall, fat, short, old, young, plain or handsome, black or white. I once asked a person whom was very racial and felt they were better than someone of color would their opinion change against people of color if this person saved their life,or their child's life. They got very quiet and remained speechless. It made them think. And I stated "What will you do if you get to Heaven's door and the Lord answers the door...and he is black? Think about it. Oh well, the way I live my life is exciting because I never know when I will be called to action, but since I am a "Spur of the moment person" I will be ready to take on all that comes my way. My favorite group of words are "Dear LordGrant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change.......................etc I do start my day though asking the Lord to guide me and stay with me nomatter where this spuur of the moment woman may end up...........Have a good day

The Dress Is Very Pretty

Makenzie kept askin me to make her the Easter dress. I had her up here for the night and I just got everything ready and made her dress. It is blue at the top with blue sequins on the skirt. I even put special little sparkling buttons around the neck. Her belt was Easter eggs of pastelcolors and I made her a handbag to match and a pretty hairbow of Easter egg material. She put it on and came through the hallway and she could have been "Miss America' doing her walk, she looked so beautiful. I had curled her long hair in ringlets and and she has a million dollar smile. She wore her dress up to her Grandpa and Grandma's house and to school the next day. That made me very happy and I am so glad I got it made for her. Someday when she is grown I hope she will remember how much fun we had picking out all the stuff for her Easter dress. It is not Easter yet but Makenzie could not resist the temptation to were her dress early.....How precious is childhood...it is so wonderful to show your love for your little ones..and Makenzie's love shone for me when she showed off her Easter Dress that her Mamaw made for her. My sewing is not perfect but it is perfectly alright with her.........Good Night

Making An Easter Dress

My granddaughter, Makenzie has ask me to make her an Easter dress. She did not like the ones at the stores. When she was smaller I made her one on every occasion. She loves glitter and glitz so I always make her a beautiful dress the way she wants.She and I went to pick out the material the other night, after she and I enjoyed soft serve ice cream with sprinkles.She was so happy choosing her material and all the extras. She talks the whole time skipping about with that excitement in those big brown eyes...just like her daddy. But she stays really close beside me and minds really well. In fact she walks so closely beside me I will look for her and she is in my 'blind spot'. She laughs when I say "Oh there you are". This was so typical of her Mommy also. She and I are so much alike though she looks just like her Daddy. Well a couple of days later Makenzie asked me if I had her dress done yet and I was astonished to answer her. No, I had not made the dress yet, but yes I will start soon. wish it were that simple, but I am making my own pattern and adding my own accessories..My daughters say these dresses I make would sell on E_Bay in a flash. But one is all I make at a time. Then I get lazy and my attention gets on another project. You didn't know I could sew, did you? I have lots of hobbies, from caring for my dogs to poetry, art work, sewing and lots of other things, not a dull moment. The Lord gives me a day and I will rejoice in it. Today is getting warm and lovely. I will be outdoors to work around, after I go to purchase a couple of money grams at Walmart and pick up my Trevez, my grandson, who is really my son whom I have raised and loved for 14 years. He is a real good boy. He is a very good skateboarder and has loads and loads of friends. Everyone loves my Trevez. He is cute as a button and is getting very tall and he is very helpful to his papaw and me. I love him so much. He stayed at his Mom's last night with his 4 brothers. They have a ball together, playing x-box live and skateboarding. Their Mom is a very strict one whom rarely allows them outside and loves respect from them and their step-dad is very nice to all of them. She sure has a good husband and provider. One little 2yr. old boy is his/theirs. Jack is joining right in with his brothers and is officially out of the crib. Their mom reminds me of "Jon and Katemakes 8" on tv. She is so much like her. I am a little more leaneant with Trevez because I am building up trust in him where he is getting older. He even talks about getting a part-time job soon. Oh well, I got carried away on that and really I must stop here and let "Lincoln" inside. Avery is clawing the door as he is missing his brother whom just went outside to do his business and chase the cat. He hates cats..Good Day

My Daffodils Are Peeping Out

I spied some little daffodils peeping their little heads out today....Burr..burr..Do they not get chilled in the cold cold wind? I think I actually heard frogs hollering in a distance. That tells me that spring is right around the corner. I usually have an array of spring flowers, tulips, crocus, daffodils and later my rhododendrem, lilac bush and honeysuckle will begin to bloom. I planted one sprig of honeysuckle and now it has tried to take over. I have several vines growing on the fence and English ivy has covered our mountainside. I have a pink dogwood, a white one and mimosa plus an apple tree.I want to buy a butterfly bush. My neighbor has one and hundreds of beautiful butterflies are always flying around. I love flowers of all kinds, impatience, marigolds, zennias, morningglories, creeping flox, tulip bushes and the wild variety. I use to have sunflowers that grew up to 8 feet high. I need to try them again. I prefer periennals because they come up every year but some have to be planted. I usually have elephant ears that grow gigantic. For years they would multiply and I had dozens of bulbs, and then they ran their course. I recently bought some more. I usually get lots of compliments on these as thry tend to do well for me, some 7 feet high and a span of 2 or 3 feet on the leaves. I also like petunias, petunias, petunias...every color, hanging on the porch, fence or any where I can put a bunch. I would actually love a garden for food but the property we own is in another county and our place here in the city is limited. I love cucumbers, banana peppers, tomatoes and onions.My hubby has a green thumb and can grow anything...I sometimes wish I lived on a big farm with a cow, a horse and a hog.Though I would never eat anything I had to feed and look it in the eye everyday. My hubby thinks I am a nut, butI can eat only what someone else processes.Are you that way too? If I had a farm I would like being like the Engles on "Little House On The Prairie"...you know wear those amish dresses and sleep by candlelight and milk the cows. Oh well, I do not see that happening. In the meantime I say "Hats off to the farmers of America" Without them we would all starve. They do work by the sweat of their brow, and we get to take it off the store shelves...America is solely dependent on them. Now back to the subject of an approaching spring, I still am sitting here chilling as I type. We will still have snow flurries and cold winds. But I am beginning to sort through the winter stuff and sent a load to Goodwill. I need nothing for summer as I got in on all the sales last year. I have a lot of beautiful summer clothes and sandles.I still paln to have a yard sale very soon. I must declutter so I can be free of anything I do not use. I seem to stay the same size so I guess I am lucky that everything fits. Seems like I can o on a starvation diet for a month and not lose a pound or I can eat like a pig and not gain a pound so I guess I am where I shall stay. Nice chatting with you. Though this a one-sided conversation I am sure some of you kinda feel the way I do about some things...Hope you stay well, safe and happy. Rememeber to thank the Lord for each day..Remember all good things come from him...........Irene

One Of My Favorite Poems

TREES
by; Joyce Kilmer 1886-1918

I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
against the earth's sweet flowing breast
A tree thatlooks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair
Upon whose bosom snow has lain
Wh intimately lives with rain
Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree

I have hundreds of favorites and I have published hundreds of poems myself. I will post some of them soon...................Hope you liked one of my favorites..I also love the writer "Robert Frost. Also I have a cousin who writes and he can make me laugh with his realism and sense of humor. He will soon have a book published. I think this love for writing runs in my family....Have a nice evening


I

Being A Switchboard Operator For Bell South

I have worked at many jobs but the one I liked most was being a switchboard operator. I worked there until they relocated out of my area. My switchboard was about one hundred feet wide and I had about 20 trunks to plug into. I could take my choice of area and believe it or not , the farther out, the more problems the callers had. Back then all of the numbers had to be marked on a card and all long-distance calls had to clear the operator. That was me.. I handled calls all over the USA and also ship to shore. I talked to technicians on the poles and handled calls from pay telephones...sometimes the callers at the booths left not paying and causing me to have no choice but to bill the call receiver. I worked every shift known to mankind...16 days straight...two split shifts a day. I remember rushing back to work on a hot July day and having to park blocks away, and having to run so I wouldn"t be late. When I got inside the operating room {switchboard room]it would be so icy cold I would take a quick chill and freeze . That room was soooo cold. I am a perfectionist when it comes to working and I had to get it down pat quickly. Well, I passed up "office average" on calls handled. I also had to handle a lot of harressing calls, a lot of flirts from all over the world and a lot of famous people called from here...one being a famous Ed Sullivan whom stayed at a local motel and needed to call somewhere in California. This was exciting, but I could not listen in on any calls...against the rule. Many hundreds of workers quit and others were hired while I was there. I loved my job. It was so much fun..I knew though when I went in on a call from Grethel, Harold, Virgie or Freeburn I was in for the long haul For some reason these callers were somewhat dumber than others in the Pikeville area. I liked the Pikecounty calls better.I have actually said the word "OPERATOR" thousands of times. Havin had this job really helped me so much through the years. I learned how to handle people through conversation and reasoning..and speed and accuracy. I also taught kindergarten..I still have my classes group pictures. They are all adults now and some still remember me. I also worked for a local gas company, in the office as a bookkeeper and out in the field for awhile getting meter charts. The meter houses were in the back woods. I was always by myself. I was not afraid. I have seen wild hogs, wild turkeys, wild horses, wild dogs and climber over hills and up mountains you would not believe. My boss would tell me 'that meter house is just a few steps up the hill"..Yea boy, it was....it was a mile up and talk about hyperventilating..Oh Yea Once I booked it up an old mining road without payin attention to where I was going and after I changed the charts, I looked around and suddenly :I WAS LOST". A man would laugh at me, but really I was totally lost. I started down the hill the wrong way and ran into a fenced in area all gnarled with brush and briars. I was scared then. I went back to the top again and tried to think coherently and to calm down. Above me the crows were circling around. I Just knew I was on their dinnerlist and I could imagine them pickin my eyes out. I had remembered a dozer was working at the bottom of the hill I had climbed. Well, I listened intently to see if I could hear that. I walked about and started walking about and down aain. I finally found the right path. When I got to the bottom of the hill the guy was getting off the dozer. He smiled and said " Did you have a nice walk?..I said "sure did'...I thought...I was lost, you big gallothe. But I smiled because I was so happy. Also once I left a big gate open to a pasture of cows. The meter house was behind there. My boss called and said there was a herd of cows walking down the road. Did I know that, he asked. I said I sure didn't. But, thinking back maybe I did leave the gate open. I could not agree to that. Another time one of my wheels came off my truck and I was driving on 3 wheels and didn'tknow till a passerby told me. Another time I walked through waist high snow. My pay was fabulous, but worth every dollar. I also got held hostage by a gang of hogs, big tall ones and very mean. I stayed up on a ladder till they went to sleep..and another time I accidently turned off everyone's gas up and down Shelby Valley. Well, I thought I was turning the right knobs. They all looked the same to me. I have had some adventures that I will not forget. I use to sell avons too. I did fabulous at this, not counting the times I got staked by a few drunks and big pit bulls behind the houses. They would come charging at me and I would "freeze". I was also left with a warehouse of avons that people did not pay for. I have had a great time teaching kindergarten. These 5 year old were so cute. I was only 18 and taking college classes and teaching in the county system. I finally completed all courses from Morehead. My students were my "babies". They clung to me like I was Mom. I had no children. We went on trips and enjoyed holidays. My favorite though was being a switchboard operator. Guess I just loved talkin to people all over the world. Oh well, my little Makenzie has arrived and she and I have a lot of things to do. She is my little red-haired granddaughter. Just thought I would fill you in on my working past. It was all fun. I stay busy now...I am rarely still a minute except when my blog calls me to write you a good one..............................Good Evening

How Could One Puppy Be Such A Mischievious Child

His name is Avery. He is a little brown Vazsla. His breed is more or less a hunting dog, but I think he is a mountain goat. He stands on the back of my tall chair and jumps accross to the bar, where he stands lookin over the room, barking at our red-neck Bahamanian turtle. Avery thinks he is the ruler of the roost. He has investigated every inch of our house, making sure he pulls out every loose thing he can find, and he gets my shoes and chews on them. Also he pulls the clothes out of the hamper, gets everything within his reach and climbs up on the tables to get the rest. He loves his chewy bones and he has hidden one under every chair cushion. He is a very verbal puppy, barking to get his way. He sleeps at the foot of my bed. curls up under the cover and cuddles as if he is the most innocent of all puppies. He looks at me with those cute brown puppy eyes, gives a sigh and goes to sleep. He gets as limber as a rag. You could pick him up and put him in the garbage for all he cares at that time. Sometimes he roots his way behind me and I awaken and am afraid I have stiffled him. Well in the mornings he jumps to the floor the very instant I get up. Using his puppy pad then he follows me every step and as I drink my coffee, sitting at the computer Avery crawls up under my arm and demands attention. So I cover him up while I play my online games and search the web. He actually thinks he is a kid. I expect he may begin to actually talk soon...LOL....I do spank him but he thinks this is a ame. But when he gets too rough, as actually biting me on the arm, I get a fly swat after him..He is afraid of this..thank goodness........He has a doggie brother, Lincoln, a well-mannered Lasa Alphso whom tolerates him but could eat him alive if he wanted to. Avery pulls Lincoln around by his beard and sits on his head. He even puts his whole face in Lincoln's mouth. All in all Avery is a mean lil dog-child. I have allowed him to be tied on the porch and you would think I had dropped him off in China {no offense to China] but He will bark nonstop till I have to let him in. He has never stepped his foot on the ground, but I have taken him in the car. He has a little harness and a red bandana on his neck. I love him so much even if he is a meanie. So that is the update on Avery...............will keep you posted