What would Jesus do?

I know I promised that I wouldn't make a post on a political comment or like a political comment until the election was over. I was doing so good but then ... I got pissed off.

Today, I read a post that made my blood boil. Several years ago, I had a pastor who told our congregation that we should always pray for our president and the leaders of our county and state regardless of whether we voted for them. I've held true to that plea by Bro. Sammy Bell.

The post I read today was by someone who basically said that the only reason Obama stopped campaigning and visited the people affected by Hurricane Sandy was to help his campaign. People really? I remember that he came to Alabama after the tornado ravaged our state. Let's get real. If Romney were in office running as the incumbant he would have done the same thing.

When it comes down to it the president should always have the well being of the citizens of our great country uppermost in their minds. Personally, I think Romney will win this election and I will pray for him just as I have the presidents before him. Whoever is our next president will have my support and I will not talk badly about them.

I can't help but wonder if the contempt for Obama is racially motivated. If so, that is sad. I'm sure some of the votes for him will be racially motivated too. That also is sad. How about we forget all the hatred and vote for the person we think will do the best job, and then pray that out economy will improve. We should all learn to love our president. What would Jesus do?

Flying money and a falling Auburnite

I can't take myself anywhere and expect it to be a typical outing. I was so looking forward to Saturday. The main reason is that Lauren and her boyfriend were meeting me in Birmingham for a birthday dinner. Tomorrow she's the big 25. God I'm old.

Anyway, I decided to get out for the day and go to a movie in Birmingham before I met them. I arrived at the theater, paid for my ticket and stepped aside to put my money in my wallet. The wind had been harsh all day but not once did that factor into what I was doing. A huge gust blew underneath the concret entryway taking me by surprise. My money went flying, and my ticket blew into the garbage can. I immediately started chasing my money around, after all I'm unemployed and need every dollar I have. A couple of teenagers started stomping on the dollars to hold them down. They were laughing hysterically at me as I scampered around and collected the money. I thanked them and then went to the garbage can. The kids took off into the theater not stopping to help me get my ticket out. Chickens!

Peering inside I saw my ticket teetering on the edge of a clean piece of cardboard about halfway down. Reaching inside I held my breath as I took the cardboard between my fingers and started inching it up. I had it up at the opening and was about to grab it when another gust of wind blew threw and it fell deeper inside and landed on ... garbage. Yuck!

I heard collective sighs and turned to see several people watching me. About that time the girl at the ticket window yelled, "I can give you another ticket." Where was she five minutes ago?

After washing my hands, I bought popcorn and hid in the darkened theater to see "Alex Cross." I sat on the end of an aisle and other people were still coming inside. All of a sudden I heard a yell and a very large mass fell across me. Scared me to death. I looked down and a very tall man in an orange T-shirt was laying across me and the next seat, moaning in pain. His popcorn was everywhere, in my hair, in my cleavage, in my purse and all over the floor.

Then I saw the word that takes me back to scarey times, "Auburn." I said, "Okay Auburnite get off me. You have me pinned down." He moaned, "I can't. I think I threw my back out." I said, "Only me. This would happen only to me." Finally the manager came and said he'd called the medics but he didn't want to move the man. I said, "You're kidding me!" He assured me he wasn't. So the first few minutes of the movie I sat with buttered popcorn all over me and a large Auburnite across me pinning me in my seat. Finally the medics came and rescued the man. I picked the popcorn off me and I watched the movie.

After the movie, I met Lauren and had an enjoyable dinner at Pablos. She was the bright spot to my day and I forgot all about the other incidents. The movie was very good with a winning performance by Tyler Perry.

I wonder why these things happen to me. I guess I'm just blessed and sometimes wonder if God is up there laughing at me ... I know I would be.

Three siblings in a truck

A few weeks ago on a Saturday, the three Pierce kids embarked on an adverture ... to move some of my furniture from Montgomery to Tuscaloosa. It was the first time in a very long time we've spent time together ... just the three of us with no other families members. It felt a little strange but good.

So we set off, three siblings in a truck. Wayne drove, Ken rode shotgun and I navigated from the back seat. This was an easy job for me since I only had to navigate when we hit Montgomery.

During the ride down 82 I found out that they both have a fascination with their lawns. I heard about the pros and cons of their riding lawn mowers, what a rush it was to get the grass cut before the first drop of rain and how they won't let their grass grow more than an inch ... or something like that. All I could contribute was, "Daddy would be proud." This is true because our dad was also fantical about his grass. So I guess they can't help it ... they get it honestly.

The rest of the trip was mostly about Alabama football. Imagine that! Now that's a conversation I can contribute to and I did. Imagine that! We reminiced about when we watched games with our late dad. That was always a hoot and fun.

As we approached Montgomery I told Wayne, "After the Interchange take Exit 3." We drew closer to the Interchange and Wayne didn't merge over. We were about to pass it and I yelled, "The interchange." Wayne asked what was an Interchange because he was looking for something different on the interstate. I said, "It is different and you just passed it." I was told I should have just said take I85 toward Atlanta. Of course Ken agreed with him. I told him Interchange is easier to say and quicker and that everyone in the Montgomery area knew the Interchange.

We argued some more as he took another exit to go back to the Interchange. They got to see a seedy area of Montgomery as we headed back. This time we took the right turn. If you don't know my brothers they both work fast. Before I could go through my mail and do a few other things they had the furniture loaded. Then I asked them to add a filing cabinet and I took out one picture and then another. When I took the third one out I said, "I promise this won't be like Ricky and Lucy loading the car for California."

We left and headed home with more talk about football. It really was a nice time and they were good sports. They've moved me a few times over the years. When they were leaving I told them hopefully they wouldn't have to do it again. Wayne told me if I married someone rich he could pay to move me, and if he wasn't rich, to just not tell him about it.

What brotherly love!

Movin' on up

Moving has never been something I've liked to do and I've avoided it as much as possible. However, after being laid-off it was necessary so I decided instead of renting a UHaul and making one big haul in this heat I was going to load my SUV each weekend and move the majority of my "stuff." I was a fool. This is what brothers are for. Right? They'd say no ... but in my mind I'm right.

Before I left I said one last goodbye to a former customer who you've read about from my "Tuesdays."
Layla: Guh, wheh you been? They say you lef. Why you not caw?
Donna: I've been busy packing, and I didn't leave, they laid me off.
Layla: Tha not what I's tol. They say you jus lef. Hell of note.
Donna: I'd never do that. So how's it going?
Layla: New ga scayed of the hood.
Donna: Give him time. It'll get better.
Layla: He don unstan cindarellas and stuff. You unstoo.
Donna: It took me time. I was sorry to hear about your son's death.
Layla: I's been baa, real baa, Mz. Donna. Bro' my heart.
Donna: I'm sorry but want you to know I'm thinking about you.
Layla: Preciate ya guh and miss ya. Be good or I leave hood and fine ya.
Donna: Appreciate you too girl. I'll be around.
Layla: Nah, but i's all good.

My last load was huge. Lauren's boyfriend piled my truck full. I put the babies in the front seat and headed to T-town. Once again, I sweated in this awful heat hauling it all inside. Since then I've separated items for a yard sale and the rest I've tried to fit into a much smaller space. There have been sad moments and times when memories flooded back. Tears flowed but it's all behind me now.

I'm starting over again at 52 and have no idea what's ahead. Before I married I'd built a small apartment area off my mom's house and that's where I'm living. Guess I knew I'd be coming back one day.

I've had a couple of dates and am not sure I fit in that world. I'm too honest and courteous to date. What's so hard about telling the truth? You don't even want me to go on about the subject of dating.

But I came back with two Jack Russells and left a precious daughter behind. I miss her a lot and feel empty without her, however it's time for her to go forward with her life. She began a career and has a new love in her life. A few days after I left the AC quit and she handled that well. I just hope I did my job as a mom and prepared her for life.

This past week I've pretty much settled in and the babies are getting used to their new surroundings. All I have left to move are a few items of furniture. Oh brother, where art thou?

Bye-bye Mr. Chik-fil-A

Do we as people ever learn not to take the bait? I am breaking my word with myself that I wasn't going to give Mr. Chik-fil-A attention he doesn't deserve but I'm tired of hearing the ongoing debate. After this post the subject is no longer on my page because it's negative.

All we are doing is helping the judger earn more money. I am a Christian but also a liberal democrat. Oh, no! I've said this before on my page and am not going to defend how I believe. We all have the right to our opinions and beliefs but don't blast people on their own pages for stating what they believe or think is right.

As for gay relationships and marriage, I've said before I have several gay friends (if you want to label them) who are loving and caring people. They have been in my corner backing me through all my sorrows for the last six months, and I've never had to guess if they're my friends. They prove that they are by their thoughts and actions. I wasn't put on this earth to judge anyone but instead to love others through faults, disbeliefs and hardships, etc. God will judge us all one day, and I find it hard to believe that if someone is gay, but also has God in their heart, that God will turn his back on them. He loves us all.

Speaking of which, we all have our vices and sins. You can look at me and tell I haven't treated my body as a temple and have a passion for food. The Bible speaks specificially to this subject. In God's eyes I've sinned but I know I have a place in heaven because of my heart and my ability to love, help others and forgive.

Instead of picking on people why don't he use the riches we have helped him make to help others in need. Bashing and judging are sins too, guess he didn't think about that.

It's hard to see people I love being bashed or unloved because of a bigot. I love all my friends, gay or straight, and will continue to do so. I've never eaten at Chik-fil-A much so he won't miss my business. In the meantime, instead of giving more attention to this subject I'm going to pray for Mr. Chik-fil-A that he can learn to love those who are not like him and respect all people in this country.

What would Lincoln think?

"Four score and seven years ago our forefathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure."

If you are still with me ... This is all I remember from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address that I had to memorize in junior high. At the time memorizing this was a chore,now it's a privilege I had that chance.

I think the phrase, "conceived in liberty and dedicated to proposition that all men are created equal," sticks with me most. Throughout my life I've tried to treat people equally, but I'm sure I've failed at times because after all I'm human. Most times people are not equal because others do not like how they look, their beliefs, their clothese, their car or class, etc. This is such a shame and shame on us that we judge people superficially.

During this time of economic hardship we are in some ways fighting a new civil war between race, cultures and economic status. We are being tested whether we can withstand this time in history.

People are Obama bashing. I don't think Obama will be reelcted and for good reason. He hasn't helped the economy that I can tell, but I also know the desent into this economically hard time started years ago and cannot be blamed on one president or party. I often wonder what Lincoln would think because he wanted the best for the people and this country.

With that said, the president can't do much without the support of Congress and/or the U.S. Supreme Court. The Republican and Democratic parties will not support a president elected outside their party and on and on we go, getting nowhere.

I've always thought that you should pray for your president to make correct decisions and respect him for the position he holds. The election will be here soon, and although I'm a democrat, I will put blinders on to others opinions and vote with my heart. That is my right as a citizen of the United States.

As we approach Independence Day I hope everyone will put this issue at rest for that one day to honor the privileges we have. I was laid-off recently and am now a victim of the recession. We live in a wonderful country, and I am grateful to have the freedom and liberties imparted on us. I will pay respect to those who have fought and continue to fight battles so that we can live such wonderful lives. I will also pray for all leaders of our great country.

Thanks to all vets and soldiers for this is a debt I cannot repay. Happy Fourth of July!

Giving da boot the boot ... maybe

Da Boot has become a part of me. That may sound sad but it's good that the Da Boot and I have become as one. As most of you know I've been wearing Da Boot for three weeks because of a strained achilles tendon. After decorating Da Boot it went to the beach, went to work, shopping and even to the bathroom. It would wait for me lovingly while I showered and wait by my bed while I slept. It's been a loyal boot. There have been a few obstacles but not many. A week or so ago, my ex-boss made me drive Da Boot to Birminham, climb their da stairs because there is no elevator to receive two sentences from him as he laid my off. I don't think Da Boot liked that adventure. Another pit fall was dodging da baby boos. Da babies believe they're supposed to be under my feet at all times. Da Boot would forget about them and would almost hit them on da head. There was the time Da Boot didn't lift itself high enough and almost fell out da door. And then the other day Da Boot almost killed Scruffyboo. I was getting off da bed and when the Da Boot swung to the floor it didn't steady itself and I went down with da computer under one arm. I yelled, "Run Scruffy!" He barely missed me squashing him to da death. My computer survived and Scruffyboo is still having da flashbacks. It did like da beach, with the exception of the da sand but shopping the outlets for Memorial Day sales was a little trying. Da Boot was kapute. It liked dodging rolls at Lamberts and also dodging party-goers at Pink Pony Pub. Da Boot doesn't miss my job at all and quite enjoys a relaxing day at da home. It did like the beach, with the exception of the sand but shopping the outlets for Memorial Day sales was a little trying. Da Boot was kapute. It also liked dodging rolls at Lamberts and dodging party-goers at Pink Pony Pub. In all, I've had a good experience with Da Boot. I go to da foot doctor tomorrow to find if I can take Da Boot off. I may be too attached to Da Boot and have Da Boot withdrawals. I wonder if counseling will be necessary. I guess it is time for me and Da Boot to separate. If the doctor releases me I'm going to keep Da Boot and leave it in the corner of da bedroom to comfort da me.

Lemons and Lemonade

A country msic song could be written about my life since December 2011. I've had it all including, divorced by text, my uncle died, there was a FB stalker and health issues, cuminlating with loss of job. I'm tired of having to make lemonade out of lemons my friends! Now that I think about it, I was laid-off from my dream job two weeks before I got married, and now I've been laid-off one week after my divorce was final. Makes you wonder ... Truly, I don't regret my marriage. We have several years of happiness together, and I've gained a wonderful daughter in the process. What I really don't understand is the heartlessness of some people. I mean when you're laid-off shouldn't there be a thanks somewhere. I was constantly asking for help which I never received, I've rarely called out and never have been written up. I don't get it but have decided that I never will. So I'll move on, and I'm sure what's in store for me is going to be wonderful. I do believe in karma .... Now on to the positive. I've started a children's book and began rewriting a book and have another one plotted in my mind. I'm also trying to get my photography business up and running. I'm sitting here now writing, with my dogboos at my feet. All I need is a fire and a pipe ... no, that would be a masculine image and I don't want to confuse anyone. Through it all, I'm still Donna. That will never change. I'll to be outspoken, liberal in thought, kind, thoughtful and will always put others feelings first. And, of course, I know you're waiting, Roll Tide baby! Now I've just got to find my lemonade recipe! :)

Don't pooh-pooh on my parade

Don't you just hate it when someone tries to do that. Here I had my parade all planned out. I, of course, was the Grand Marshall, my lineup was down and it was nearing the end with the signing of divorce papers. Then before it could culminate with my Divorce Sale(May 4, BTW)an unnamed person had to get in my face and try to pooh-pooh my parade. After feeling bad for a while, I decided this was not going to happn. Now I'm really pissed off and will find a way to make sure my new start in life is not off on a bad note. My soon to be ex is not the instigator. He and I had everything worked out. This came from a totally different area of my life. But I have a plan in place and my parade will march on. I've placed my ad and my sale will go forward. I'm going to get rid of all the clutter in my life, and hopefully, people will carry some of it away. Aside from my job, my writing and photography career will be what I'm focusing on most. As for who tried to pooh-pooh on my parade it doesn't matter. The person didn't succeed and I will prevail. Writing and photography are what I breath for and dearly love. Dating ... now that scares the hell out of me.

Smelling roses and falling into sink holes

While growing up I loved my late grandmother's flowers. They were beautiful. She could grow anything, and I can remember a few occasions when I took her plants I'd pretty much killed for her to revive.

A few years ago I started gardening and loved it. Then I changed jobs, my time became limited and my gardening suffered. I downgraded to my climbing roses, a rose tree, a mini rose bush and hanging baskets for my arbor.

I had also made a sitting area with a bench, a pot holding my mini rose bush and some sculptures. This area is where an oak tree used to be. When we moved in we had the tree cut and the stump gound. Now the area around where the stump was is sinking in. And now onto my feet ...

For years, I've had a continuing problem with my feet called plantar faceitia. I spent a year hobbling around because this condition had strained my Achilles. I had a procedure done in November and have been much better until ...

I stepped into the sinking hole. After pulling my left foot (my worst) out of the hole, I hobbled around screaming in pain and spat a few curse words. Then I sat down on my bench which started slowly sinking into the holes. I scrambled to get up and fell onto my butuckous. I then gave up, lay on the ground and started laughing hysterically.

I looked at the beautiful sky. I could smell my roses and was grateful that I'd found something in life that I shared with my grandmother. I know she's in heaven, and I wondered if she was laughing at me.

Eventually, I pulled myself together and realized a few of my neighbors who were also working in their yards were laughing. I slowly pulled myself up, waved at them showing that I was okay and limped toward the front door.

As I passed my climbing roses I smelled them once again and said, "Hello Mawmaw."

Returning to the dark ages

There will be large gasps for breath and shrieks of horror when I make this announcement. I'm no longer in the modern cell phone world, instead I'm back in the dark ages and couldn't be happier.

I graduated to the smart phone world a few years ago when I purchased a Blackberry. I was on contract and kept this phone for two years but never really liked it. It was too much for my pea brain. The keys were way too tiny for my chunky fingers, and I always hit wrong numbers, letters, etc. Also, I never used all the functions so when the contract was up, and with a divorce pending, I decided to try another route to save money.

Budgeting is important to me now more than ever so I decided on a preprice plan, $50 for talk, text and web. Note: I blame my soon-to-be-ex and my boss for my new budget, mainly because they are men. Also my boss (who has a great sense of humor :)) controls my paycheck and well, my soon-to-be-ex, I think is self-explanatory. :)

The plan worked but I hated the phone, which has lasted only one month. It was a Droid and full of aps and had a touch screen. The texting about drove me up the wall. I was constantly hitting wrong letters, and I don't even want to go into making a phone call. Also, Boost coverage is not right for me.

This weekend I purchased a cheap flip phone and love it. If I get decent signal coverage it's a winner. I don't dread using my phone anymore. Over the past month, there were many times I've wanted to throw the Droid in the river, in front of an 18-wheeler or watch it die a slow agonizing death. At this point in my life I hope I never have to use another Droid or even Droid's brother or sister.

Overall, I'm really am adaptable person so my phone handicap is surprising to me. But I must say being in the dark ages is alot less stressful. Ah, peace!

Looking for an apartment and planning for a divorce sale

By now pretty much everyone knows I'm getting a divorce. I decided it's time to be a big girl and look at apartments in which Lauren and I can live together without pulling our hair out. We will be condencing our belongings from a house to fit into a two-bedroom apartment. We are going to have to share a smaller space with two-dogs and definitely can't share a bathroom.

So off I went. I looked at several and didn't run away screaming or have an anxiety attack. This is a good thing. But as I toured I knew more than ever some of our things have to go.

One townhouse I really liked but several red flags went up:
Flag 1: If I want to know if there is trouble there I need to ask Montgomery Police, and she suggested that I drive through at different times of day and evening to see who is "about."

Flag 2: "We accept all people who qualify."

I'll stop there. As we were leaving the townhouse she said, "You movin out of a house?" I said, "Yes." "Well now, you won't ever geeah all you stuff in one of these."

I said, "I know. I'm going to have a divorce sale." She put her hands on her hips and said, "You jokin,right." (I promise this wasn't a ghetto area of Montgomery) I nodded no. She said, "Sheat, you gots to let me know when cause my whole family loads up on Satdays and we yard sale."

She started bobbing her head and said, "Bet you got some good sheat. You got nice clothes don't you?" I said, "I'll have some but my daughter's friend is going through them first. She said, "Hell no, that's not fair." I said, "She's my daughter's best friend and I promised her she could." "Uhuh, I still say it's not righa," she said.

I promised I'd call and remind her when I was having it. I walked away thinking, "Why do I keep running into these people." I felt like I stepped back into one of my Tuesdays.

Needless to say we will not be living there. I do have standards after all, and I absolutely refuse to talk ghetto at work and at home. I did find one apartment that I really liked so it was not a lost cause.

I will keep searching and will eventually find a new home for us. This weekend I'll be going through more things and will put aside more items for my divorce sale. I will probably call ghetto girl and remind her of my divorce sale. I may even serve refreshments and this might actually lead to a good time. I say come on down but come knowing I've got some good "sheat." I foresee another blog in my future.

Another crazy Tuesday

It's Tuesday and once again I had a crazy day. I feel it's my duty to share some of the craziness with you; I want you to feel included. Early this morning I was in a store in Opelika. I was was near the window and a man ran into the store toward me yelling, "Rhonda? Rhonda?"

He then looked at me and said, "Thank God, you're not her. Don't get me wrong she was a pretty girl like you." I think he has cataracts because no one has called me a girl in YEARS! Then I caught the past tense and said, "Was?" He said, "Yes, she's my neice and died three years ago. I thought you were her ghost." I just responded with, "No I"m real."

After listening to him for a few minutes, I continued walking through the store talking an order. He followed me and told me all about his neice. Finally he left and ran back inside and said, "I hope my sister don't come in here and see you cause she'll flip out."

I said, well you might want to tell her not to stop in here on Tuesday mornings from about 8 to 9 because I defintely don't want her flipping out on me."

He just said, "Yeah, that's a good idea and left." I wanted to tell him I think you've flipped out enough for us all.

A few months ago, in another store someone asked me if I sang in churches. After I told him no, he said, "A lady who looks just like you sang at my church Sunday and it was beautiful." I just said, "If I sang believe me you'd never forget it." That is a true statement because I can't carry a tune in a bucket.

I've always heard that we all have a twin, but I must be blessed with several because I get those comments alot. I Don't know if that's a good or bad thing. I think about what if someone commits a crime and I get arrested for it. Could I prove it wasn't me?

I guess if that happens I'll write my blog from prison, but if I see a ghost there, I'm going to break out. I'll be running for my life yelling, "Rhonda, go to Opelika!"

Speaking Ghetto

It was a pretty typical Tuesday for me. Two of my stops are in what I call Ghetto Lanett. I went in the first store and listened to owners argue in their Indian language about what cigarettes to order. Then their clerk, Tajuanita said, "Gurh, get over here. I've got to akst you about conty music. I need to know the name of a song cuz I wants to download it. It has to do with drinking to this, that and the other."

I said, "Sorry but I don't know that song but most country songs are about drinking."She said, "Gurh, you white. I know you know all about conty."
I gave up and went to the restroom. I was peeing when she stuck her head in the door and excitedly yelled, "Mz. Donna, come quick, that song is on the radio." I said, "Give me a minute." She yelled, "No it'll be gone. Now!"

So I wiped myself, pulled up my pants and went out. After listening, I told her it seemed like the name would be, "Drink to it and it sounded like Blake Shelton." She said, "That white one on The Voice? You mean he's hot and can actually sing?" I said, "Yes," She said with her hand on her hip, "I want me some of that." I said, "Only after I get mine," and turned toward to the restroom to wash my hands.

I went o to the second store, and as soon as I hit the door, Layla said,"Mz. Donna, I need your help." I go behind the counter and asked what she needed. She said, "You know conty music? Cuz Tajuanita keeps calling me aksting me about a drinkin' song. I'm ghetto, and gurh, I don't know conty music."

I said, "Don't worry about it, we figured it out."
She said, "Good, cuz I don't know that s***, and I'm tired of that gurh calling me."

As a customer walked up to the counter (definitely was an out-of-towner), she said, "Order me some Petunias." I said, "Okay, do you want full flavor or menthol?" The man said, "Do you sell cigarettes or flowers?" Layla held up a pack said, "Cigarettes... fool. These!" The man said,"Those are Fortunas not Petunias." Layla with head rotating said. "Petunias ... Foruntas, who gives a f***? Mz. Donna knows what I want."

I said, "Do you need cindarellas?" The man said, "Cindarellas?" I said, "It's cigarillos." He asked,"Did you have to take a class to speak ghetto?" I said, "No, it's on the job training." He said, "I don't think I have the patience for your job." I said, "Probably not."

Lanett is ghetto but I don't mind going there. I've never felt threatened or scared except ... a few weeks ago when one store was roped off because her daughter's boyfriend shot at her, and at the other store, one of the owners threatened to get his gun because he was mad at a customer.

Ah, Tuesday ... can't wait until next week.

Lions, Tigers and Spider Monkeys... Oh My!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Since I've lived in Montgomery for 10 years and haven't been to the zoo, I figured it was time to visit. It was a pleasant day that I spent watching magnficent animals and smelling their pooh, which is not good for my sinuses ... that's what I'm blaming my watery eyes on anyway.

One of the first animals I saw was an African lion. I didn't know that Africa had it's own lion breed. I learn something new everyday. I figured a lion was a lion ... but there it was lying in the sun ... asleep. So exciting. zIt reminded me of my dog Lucy. The lion was larger and probably meaner but so much like Lu, lying on her back with her legs in the air. One time she got up walked ten feet and then came back, laid down and was asleep again. It almost felt like home, except for the smell.

The black bear wasn't entertaining either. It just kept walking the same path back and forth and back and forth, and ... well I think you get it. It didn't even play in the pond.

The baby lynx was cute but she meant business. She even walked to the window and snarled at the kids banging on the glass. That's an animal I like. There were kids everywhere, screaming and crying. One ran a stroller into my leg. I felt like throwing him into the pit. Don't worry animal lovers ... I wouldn't do that to the lynx.

The animals that scared me the most were the spider monkeys. They are ugly and move way to fast for my taste. A spider monkey could be all over you in a minute, pulling out your hair and scratching, etc. That short fence wouldn't keep a spider monkey away. We won't even talk about their hygiene or what several male monkeys were trying to do to a female monkey. They weren't in the act but were trying to get there if you know what I mean. I'll probably have nightmares about spider monkeys for a while.

My favorite were the elephants. There was a father playing with a smaller elephant. I watched them for a long time because it was peaceful and cute. He was teaching him (assuming it was a male) how to pick up a stick with his trunk and how to move things, such as boulders and tree stumps ... or at least that was my assessment.

Elephants are strong and tenacious, which made me think of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Somehow or another I always get back to Alabama football. Right? I'm already counting the days for the next season to start. But I digress ...

Sarcasm aside, the afternoon was enjoyable and I got to watch the elephants play ... but I'm staying away from those damn spider monkeys.

Rest in peace

No one has fought harder for their life than my uncle, Ross. He had a rare form of cancer and for about four years has made numerous trips to Little Rock for treatments, sometimes staying for months at a time. Through it all he smiled and kept a good attitude.

Finally, the doctors could do no more and he came home where he died. His visitation Friday night was a true testiment to the kind of person he was. He loved his family, his church and the small community of Coker. He was also a Christian man who walked his talk and was loved by so many.

I have no idea how many people came to pay their respects but when I left after two hours, the line was still out to back hallway and more were coming in. He was not a famous person but someone much more important than that ... he was a man of God and a wonderful husband and father. Rest in peace, Uncle Ross!

Defining the New Year

"The way I liked to define myself diverged from the actions that actually defined me. And this disconnect proved a nearly fatal level of self-deception." Duff McKagan, It's So Easy and other lies


For those who do not know Duff McKagan was the bass guitarist for the band Guns N Roses. This exerpt came from a biography he wrote about hs drug addiction, alcoholism and how he battled these issues to become the person he is today.

I do not suffer from either of those demons but have always felt we can learn from others, even if our lives are not parrellel. This particular passage made me stop and think. Most of us do define ourselves by our life actions, and depending on whether or not we make changes, it can affect the outcome ... our destinies.

Friday, I had a meeting with my boss who is someone who sees explanations as excuses. During this meeting I realised that he is right in that accessment. Why waste time on explanations? If it's not the right way to do something why not change.

This also translates to everyday life. About the only changes we can make sure take place are changes we want to make within ourselves and making excuses for what is wrong is just that ... an excuse.

There will be a lot of professional and personal changes for me this year. As Duff discovered I can't let the bad actions of life events define who I am. I'm better than that. I'm going to set goals and strive to achieve them and try to not let excuses define my life.

Happy New Year!