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People are crazy

Another night of tossing and turning, I got some sleep but certainly not the amount I needed. Guess I’m gonna have to bite the bullet and take a tylenol pm soon.

On the way to work this morning I heard the song by Billy Currington “People are Crazy”. The first thing that came to mind was that professor Amy Bishop that snapped and murdered 3 people, wounding 3 others. Coworkers. Shot ’em at close range in a boardroom meeting. One by one, in the head. Then, one in the chest. Quoting directly from her closest friend in the boardroom at the time, Debra Moriarity – Bishop unloaded the bullets one by one, then turned to her with “intense eyes, a set jaw” and then fired at her. Click. Empty magazine. Shit.

It was Moriarity’s lucky day.

People are crazy, all right. We never who we’re coming in contact with on a daily basis. It’s probably better that we don’t know. Now the stupid bitch is playing insane. “I didn’t kill anybody – they’re still alive.” Sorry, I’m not buying it. Especially now that it’s come out she shot and killed her brother back in ’86. And what about the mail bomb she allegedly sent to the Harvard professor’s office? Oh, I guess she’s not a stupid bitch after all. With an IQ of 160, she’s actually considered quite the genius…

Yep, people are crazy. In this day and time I don’t think you ever can really say you know someone. Some people, anyway. It’s a scary thing and it blows my mind to think of the many instances of people ‘snapping’. Just chilling.

This weather outside today and the weather we’re forecasted to have the rest of the week is gonna give me and everybody else a serious case of spring fever. Carolina blue skies, and semi-warmer temperatures. Birds are singing (and mating, guess that gives them reason to sing 🙂 ). I yearn to get outside again. It’s been a long hard winter…. I’m definitely ready for some life again.

There-there, dear. Shan’t be long, now…

Posted by  |  February 17, 2010 | Categories: Catastrophes, News | Leave a comment

Dirty Dreams

Another night with very little sleep. Seems like I was up every hour. And these damned dreams, I’d like to have a night or two without them.

Last night I dreamed I was in a station wagon with an old girlfriend, who happens to be the mother of one of my daughter’s friends. She was driving erratically, and took a course off the road and down an embankment into a nearby field of sorts. We almost flipped going down it. Once we got to the ‘field’, we were stuck – we got out and noticed there was mud literally everywhere. We were then greeted by a couple of little dogs, fortunately they were friendly. Thick, heavy, orange mud abounded all over the place. I was barefoot, and everywhere I stepped was this mud, going in between my toes. The saving grace was there were also puddles of water here and there, they were muddy as well but held enough water to rinse off – albeit temporarily. I was then introduced to four ladies who are the sisters of a dear friend of mine (a different friend, not the driver of the car).

Obviously the key word in this dream is Mud. I didn’t like the interpretation of it.

  • To see mud in your dream, suggests that you are involved in a messy and sticky situation. It also suggests that some internal cleansing is needed.
  • Walking in mud interpretation #1: To dream that you are walking in mud, suggests that you are feeling weighed down by a situation, problem, or relationship. You are feeling frustrated.
  • Walking in mud interpretation #2: To dream that you walk in mud, denotes that you will have cause to lose confidence in friendships or relationships, and there will be losses and disturbances in family circles.
  • To dream that mud has gotten on your clothing or body, signifies that your reputation is being attacked and called into question.

Well, enough already of the dream stuff.

I heard something that was absolutely a scream on the news this morning. There’s this new ‘company’ out there called Eternal Earth-Bound Pet, completely founded, operated and ran by atheists. For a nominal fee, this ‘company’ promises lifetime care for almost all domestic pets if their owners are transported to heaven within the next ten years. All of the atheists who are signed up across 20 states are self-professed sinners and blasphemers, and guarantee they will be left behind when the rapture comes and the chosen are lifted.

Earthbound Pets Website

The group insists that this offer is real, as real as we christians believe the coming rapture to be. The founders are striving to assure us believers that our animals will “live in loving homes, not in animal shelters or pet mills”.

You’ve gotta be kidding me. These idiots have no idea how their very own quality of life will suffer after the imminent rapture (that they are now monetarily profiting from) occurs. There will be catastrophes of epic proportions everywhere. Pain, grief, sorrow, depair, desperation….you name it. Do you think they’re gonna worry about living up to some contract for pets of the persons who will now be considered lucky and blessed in their eyes? It’s gonna be a job for them to be able to keep their own pets alive and intact.

So, thanks for the offer, atheists – but no thanks. I’ll continue to rely on the fact that my dear Lord has a plan implemented for our dearly loved furbabies, as he has a plan in place for everything and everyone. I will make no deal with the likes of you. The Lord created them, and upon his return for us I trust and believe our dear pets will be taken care of in a way mannered by Him.

And Him alone.

Posted by  |  February 16, 2010 | Categories: Animals, Dreams, Religion, Thoughts | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warm wishings

I want to go fishing soon. I love to fish despite the fact I don’t eat seafood and I’m a Pisces. My Dad and I used to go quite often – and although it’s been a long time, I haven’t forgotten the complacency it brings. And I throw ’em back, by the way.

I thought about this one morning while getting ready for work. If you could have a ‘fishing date’ with any one person in the world, famous or not – who would it be? The answers varied at my work…. the one holding most notoriety being Angelina Jolie. 🙂

My pick? Toby Keith. To which someone immediately replied, ‘but he’s married’. Oh, that’s not it – I wouldn’t have chosen him with that mindset. It’s just to me, Toby Keith represents someone who’s a) in whole, all-American and b) safe, funny, and able to fend off a bear attack. LMAO. Seriously, I just think he’d be a lot of fun. Plus, I’d ask that he bring his guitar for some singing entertainment when it came time to rest the poles.

Fishing. Okay, this Spring thing really is starting to get to me. I need it here and I need it here fast. But, I must bide my time.

On another note, North Carolina’s own Ghosttown in the Sky in Maggie Valley, NC has filed Chapter 11. As recently as 2 years ago, the legendary amusement park situated on top of a mountain paid a contractor to rebuild parts of a retaining wall. On February 5th of this year, a mudslide more than half a mile long busted through the wall, taking with it a large stretch of land containing 18 homes. These persons are still displaced and are now left to wonder when construction will be started/and or where this leaves them in light of recent events. BB&T, the company’s largest creditor, wants the company to be liquidated to pay off it’s $6 million debt.

Apparently this particular landslide has highlighted a ‘need for a statewide law to regulate development of North Carolina’s mountains’. Well, hello – I don’t know how long this business has operated, but it’s at least been all my life. Are they just now realizing this might present a geographical hazard?? Apparently the company also owes money to workers, contractors and other businesses. They’re reporting they have lined up financing for it’s reorganization and plan to reopen the park in late May.

Whatever the issues are, and although I feel terrible for the lifelong residents of Maggie Valley who are temporarily displaced – the place is an icon to a ton of people. I’d sure hate to see it close down.

Posted by  |  February 14, 2010 | Categories: Miscellaneous, Travel | Leave a comment

Let’s go racing on ♥ day

Valentines Day. The day of ‘love’. Now there’s a difficult word – or can it be considered a state of mind? If you have it, hold onto it and cherish that which you love, the one that loves you. Think about those harsh words before they pass through your lips. It’s true what they say, you can’t take back the words once they’re spoken.

This is the best Heart Day I’ve had in a very long time. I had breakfast cooked for me, complete with fresh strawberries cut into little hearts. 🙂 I have to admit this breakfast blew the one I cooked yesterday morning right out of the water.

And so it begins. Today is also considered the superbowl of racing, the Daytona 500. I’m actually looking forward to it today, since I’ll get to watch it on a big-screen plasma with surround sound (obviously not mine). When given the choice of staying home and watching it on my 25″ regular television or the aforementioned one at my guy’s house, well that’s just a no-brainer.

Freshly showered, belly full and ready to go green shortly. For me, this always signals the beginning of Spring. Only thirty-five short days away from the official first day!

Posted by  |  February 14, 2010 | Categories: Holidays, Sports | Leave a comment

Snowy beaches

We got a bit more snow last night. It was pretty to see, but even better is hearing it melting away outside right now. The roads were pretty bad last night, but they cleared up fairly quickly. That’s the good thing about snow vs. ice.

What’s funny about this winter weather event is the fact that it brought snow to our coastline. I couldn’t wait to get up this morning and launch the various webcam links I have along the coast. Sure enough, even the sand on the beach had snow, the waves were coming right up to the snowy sand. What a site. I would love to be at the beach someday when there’s snow, it’s such a rarity and would certainly have to be spontaneous.

Although I’ve been up since 8 this morning, getting a pretty late start to the day. Getting my hair cut in a half hour so this’ll be it for the day. Happy Weekend!!

Posted by  |  February 13, 2010 | Categories: Beach, Ocean, Weather | Leave a comment

White Friday

I don’t know where I’ve been, but I found out last night that we are forecasted to get more of the white stuff down here in the south tonight. And for once, we will be getting more than areas to the immediate north of us! I don’t mind when it comes down on a Friday like this, because again, no missing work, and no dealing with traffic.

All this happens while Canada gets hit with a warm spell and they’re having to haul in snow by the truckloads for them. Tonight’s the opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics you know, and they’ve gotta have snow!! Somebody define irony for me.

Well I’ve lost another pound and a half, I’m very happy about that. God knows I’ve been working my patootie off for it, not only from exercise but diet as well. It’s nice to finally see some results, be it minor. Stay tuned, there’s more to come folks.

Not much else is new, except for the fact it’s Friday, woo-hoo!! I haven’t hit the news channels today and that’s probably a good thing because I’d once again have the urge to write about something political. Clinton did get a couple of stints put in yesterday, good thing they caught that in time. Oops, couldn’t help myself there.

🙂

A friend shared this poem with me recently. I thought it more than worthy of posting.

Myself, by Edgar Albert Guest

I have to live with myself and so
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by,
always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don’t want to stand with the setting sun
and hate myself for the things I have done.
I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf
a lot of secrets about myself
and fool myself as I come and go
into thinking no one else will ever know
the kind of person I really am,
I don’t want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect
I want to deserve all men’s respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself.
I don’t want to look at myself and know that
I am bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself and so,
whatever happens I want to be
self respecting and conscience free.

Posted by  |  February 12, 2010 | Categories: Miscellaneous, Poetry | Leave a comment

A new perspective

Police photos have just been released of the World Trade Center buildings from above. They show the building and their collapse as seen from a helicopter as it flew alongside the buildings on that fateful day. I figure the pilot of that helicopter probably wished he had eyes in the back of his head that morning, being that two boeing planes had just hit the buildings.

This day in our history is something that’s always in the forefront of my mind. Even if you don’t know me, if you read this blog you’ll already know that. I feel that once we start losing sight of that day, and the horror and loss of American lives, the terrorists will use that weakness to creep in once again. And it will eventually happen, I know…. but I’ll be damned if I won’t do everything in my power to stay informed and remember those people we lost that day.

These pictures really do bring it all back into perspective. There’s only a couple at the end of the buildings still standing, most are pictures of the ash and complete coverage of when the buildings went down. Why are they just now being released? Apparently the research on 9/11 had yet to be completed until 2005, and ABC just made the request to release them under the Freedom of Information act. There are close to 3,000 pictures total, so we’re only seeing a glimpse.

Newly released photos

Another headline-making story this same morning? Iran “is now a nuclear state’ proclaims the head of Iran, Ahmadinejasshole. We knew it was coming. The Bible refers to Iran as Persia, the country remained named so even as recently as WW1. The Bible states that Persia will align with Russia as well as some other north African countries to form an eventual attack on Israel. Trust me, we don’t want to be here when that time comes. I won’t go into this whole shpill again, only to say there’s so much documentation out there you can get your hands on.

It truly pays to be ready.

Posted by  |  February 11, 2010 | Categories: Catastrophes, News, The Angry American | Leave a comment

Shaken, not stirred

I woke up this morning to news of a 4.3 earthquake to the immediate west of our own very own city of  Chicago, IL. Wow, that really hits home. Pardon the pun.

There’s not much being said about it on the news, which surprises me. It scares the crap out of me after what just happened in Haiti. The reports indicate it was ‘widely felt’ even though it happened in the middle of the night. From where the quake was positioned it was reportedly felt across three states: Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Wow.

I don’t know why but this starts me thinking about patterns. Kind of like earthquakes seem to follow a pattern, so do the lives of certain people follow a pattern. More often than not, these are patterns that need to be broken. Be that as it may, if you find yourself repeating the same patterns, like finding yourself in the same situations time and time again – it’s definitely time to take another look at yourself.

From personal experience, I usually won’t even recognize the pattern until I see myself making excuses for it. I’m not proud of the patterns I’ve followed in the past, but there’s this one I seem to fall into over and over again. Even recently, when I’m asked by close friends or family about this particular pattern, I end up trying to cover it up or sugarcoat it. I try to explain my way out of the pattern. I do my best to disguise the fact that there’s no attempt being made by the other person to help their self. I’ve even lied to people about it, I admit it. These lies are easier for me to tell rather than face the truth. But remember, I’ve done it all before – that’s what makes it a pattern. I should be a real Pro at it by now.

Why is this, and where is the logic? When I know, deep down inside I know, that it is what it is….

Which is another pattern that I’ve fallen into.

Posted by  |  February 10, 2010 | Categories: News, Rants, Relationships | Leave a comment

Infinite blessings

Who says we have to wait until Thanksgiving to express our thanks and count our blessings? I find no better time than the present to take up an entire blog to count the very many I currently have. So if the aforementioned subject matter happens to bore you, you’ve at least been warned. 🙂

I am so very thankful. I started thinking about this when I got up this morning. Our great and powerful omnipresent Lord has given me more than I could ever express gratitude to Him for, even if I’d began when I learned to talk and continued speaking it until my dying day.

My bed I slept in last night. So soft, so snug. In my warm safe dwelling. So comfortable. Let’s back up. Coming home to my warm dwelling after working yesterday. Hmm, let’s back up more.

Begin yesterday. Driving to work in the morning. My loyal car that’s been never-failing so far, it’s been such a good one. My hard rock of transportation. Coming in to my job. My work is the most drama-free, laid-back place I’ve ever worked. These people are awesome, literally all of them. As usual I brought my lunch and snack to work, and drinks. Food, I have food – and plenty of it. I come home, again to my warm safe dwelling. Changed into my workout clothes and got on my exercise machine, one of my very own situated in the comfort of my home. A nice hot 20-minute shower after I cooled off, oh what a luxury, that shower! All the amenities that go along with it, good shampoo, conditioner, wash, all of it. Feels and smells so great. On to a dinner, leftover chicken which I cut up with onions, peppers and tomatoes to make a fabulous chicken wheat burrito with hot sauce. Such a good dinner, while watching the nightly news on my television in a toasty warm candlelit living room. My little furbaby loving on me, such a healthy sweet kitty.

A nightly talk with my Mom and my Dad on the phone. Another blessing, not only the phone but my parents. The ability to pick up the phone and talk to them basically any time I wish. My daughter, who I couldn’t be more proud of. She’ll be taking the walk across the stage this May to graduate from college. The wonderful man in my life who has taught me so much about myself. Such blessings, the people who surround me on a daily basis. Thank you, Lord.

The freedom to come and go as I please. The only real rules out there are to pay your bills and obey the laws. Yes, I can do that. Because – I’m blessed like that.

It only takes a little bit of reminding yourself of the many blessings you have in your daily life to not dwell on the petty things in life so much. I truly believe that the more time we spend counting our blessings, the more affordability we’ll have enjoying them, thus enjoying more of this thing called life.

I thank you Lord for all the blessings you’ve bestowed upon me, and those you continue to bestow. I realize that I’m so undeserving of it all. I will forever attempt to express my eternal gratitude to you for all You do for me, and your unconditional love for me.

Posted by  |  February 9, 2010 | Categories: Miscellaneous, Thoughts | Leave a comment

Sweet songs

Today is deemed the most call-in sick to work day of the year, the Monday after the Superbowl. I personally would have to be on my death bed in order to make that disparaging call in to work on such a famous day for it. It’s a fact though, and I’ve already had two calls from employees. One is going to be late – and the other truly sounds like she was, well – laying on her death bed.

The birds are going nuts outside today. If you closed your eyes while walking outside you would swear it was an early Spring morning. Mating season has begun (no more appropriate time than around Valentine’s Day, huh?) and they are singing and whistling quite loudly. It’s music to my ears.

Every once in a while you get a nice little headline-making story. You’ve probably heard about the massive snowball fight in Washington, after being pounded by a snowstorm that basically shut down the entire city. Today, all federal employees have an official ‘snowday’. Well, good for them.

This massive snowball fight, I’m told, was actually organized on Facebook. What a ‘cool’ way to vent any built up frustration we may be harboring towards our government. 🙂 And, just goes to show how powerful Facebook really is. An estimated 2000 people showed up for the event, where they proceeded to split into two teams and pelt each other.

Snowball Fight in Washington

Back to the brand new workweek. Man I do live for those weekends….

Posted by  |  February 8, 2010 | Categories: News, Weather | Leave a comment

Super Sunday

It’s not the easiest thing to type out a blog from this iPhone. Maybe I need one of those new iPads. 🙂 In any case, the thirst to write something this morning overrides the difficulty level.

We are supposed to see sun today. So far no go, but I do remain hopeful. If it does show it’s pretty face, I plan on venturing out to my local botanical garden and visiting the orchid explosion before my yearly membership expires. It’s already on my mind heavily, this expiration date of a place I’ve enjoyed so very much for the past year and a half. I’ve been there so much it’s almost become a sanctuary of sorts to me… a temporary escape from a sometimes insane reality. One of tranquility and beauty, and most of all one of true nature. I do believe I’m just gonna have to renew my membership.

Superbowl Sunday. I gotta say this year I have no earthly care WHO wins. I don’t even have any open pools out there, which is unusual. Hey, if you don’t play, you can’t win, right? So this year, I guess I’m only in it it for the commercials.

I still have errands to run today that didn’t get accomplished yesterday due to a lazy factor. Well not lazy exactly, I just overdid it a bit with the ole’ workout routine. Ima have to do better at that whole ‘pushing myself beyond the limits’ thing.

I’ve had a great weekend, all in all. Went to see Sherlock Holmes Friday night, and it was great. The theme kinda threw me and my guy, it was based on witchcraft, but turned out okay in the end. Of course they left it wide the heck open for a sequel, but isn’t that par for the course?

Last night was the Bud Shootout. Anyone who knows me knows what a huge Nascar fan I USED to be. The past 5 or so years though, I’ve probably only watched a handful of races. Sports for me now consists only of one true love – Baseball. But friends, if you’ve never watched a Nascar race on a high-def bigscreen plasma tv with surround sound, you have got to experience that soon. All I’ve got to say is, WOW.

Think I’ve rambled enough today to make up for no rambling yesterday. Wishing a wonderful Sunday for all of you gentle readers out there – and be blessed.

Posted by  |  February 7, 2010 | Categories: Miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Healthy living

My story. I feel as if I write about it, then it will come about, again. The healthy way of life.

No matter if you’re single, married, divorced or other, it’s possible. We all have our ups and downs, and we often get locked in a rut (that’s pattern for you non-southerners). It’s so easy to get away from your exercise routine, and the longer you’re away from it the harder it is to go back and pick it up.

Late in the year of 2008, right after my separation, I started working out and dieting. Went to the gym every day, even on the weekends. I dropped 20 pounds very quickly, and I was amazed at the fact I’d done it myself. I was in a size 4, and remained that way until about September. That June, I picked up smoking again after being quit for almost a year and a half. Amazingly enough, that year and a half of non-smoking survived my separation and the hard months to follow. So I really don’t have an excuse for picking them back up a year after all that.

Little by little, I began ditching my workout for the day. Then it came to not going at all. I don’t know what I was thinking, other than needing the extra time for my newfound social life since it had picked up the pace. That 20 pounds stayed off until about September, when my body decided “enough already” and started packing most of the lost weight back on. At a pretty fast pace, might I add.

Now I’m not fool enough to think I can pick back up on my workout routine while being a smoker. So, I continued to use that excuse for another couple months. November 1st of 2009 was my last day of smoking, hopefully for good this time. It’s taken this long to push myself back into my routine, and it’s hard. But now that I’ve started I realize just how good it makes a body feel. How my body reacts to eating well and exercise is nothing short of amazing. I’ve literally been depriving myself all these months, with those extra indulgences.

Now I want my body back. It’s true that only we are in control of our own bodies. If a change is to be made, it’s up to me to make that change. It’s nothing short of long-term, it’s definitely a lifestyle change. I’m on my way, I can feel it.

And it feels damn good. 😉

Posted by  |  February 5, 2010 | Categories: Health | Leave a comment

No. More.

I’m hoping they’ll fade soon. Usually by now, anything I’ve dreamed has long been dissipated.

These things we know. A dream can warn us of potential danger. Things that trouble us often crystalize in a dream. Everyone who sleeps, dreams, including animals.

Certain ones I have, though not often, still make me question the sense of them. The purpose. Endlessly trying to figure them out is exhausting – just like my last night’s sleep was. These are the kind of dreams that decide they’d like to hang out with you for a day or so.

It’s very frustrating to me to have dreams that I can’t figure out. These dreams usually involve the past, as they did last night. I’d much rather not have them at all if I have to go back in time and relive moments I don’t want to think about ever again.

So remind me where the sense of it is again?

Tonight... it's gonna be sweet dreams, sweet pea.

Posted by  |  February 4, 2010 | Categories: Dreams, Thoughts | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Halfway there, well almost

The sun is supposed to come out today, and it’ll be a most welcome site. My friend and I are planning a walk today after lunch – I’m hoping that’ll be a stroll in the sunshine. The ole’ bod is in bad need of some vitamin D.

Then Friday, more talk of winter weather. Well, just bring it on and get it over with. Makes it that much closer to Spring! Which is only 45 days away… oh I’ve gotta shed this winter coat before then.

So I’ve gotta go there. The Jenny Sanford interview won’t air until Friday night at 10, but I have read the excerpts on it this morning. Faithful. The word. (And my friends and family…. you know it’s a HUGE word to me.)

Gov. Mark Sanford insisted that the clause be removed in his marriage vows that contained the word ‘Faithful’. wtf?? His wife said she was young and just dismissed it. She was 27 when they got married. Besides, if he refused to promise to be faithful, then in Catholic terms, they didn’t have a valid marriage. The vows have to include unconditional faithfulness.

She said in the interview her three sons read the emailed notes that became public, which she said devastated them. “Their world’s been turned upside-down as well. It is something that is now a part of their lives. … They’re not happy. They’re not proud. … It just ripped me up, to see them reading these emails, and to see them have to grow up so fast.”

Now, when this whole thing first blew up, it seemed like it was just Mark who had a pathological urge to keep telling the media more and more and more. But now it’s Jenny too. I don’t get how people are willing to air their dirty laundry publicly, grieve in public, show their humiliation for all the world to see. Are these people devoid of any sense of limits or boundaries? For me personally, it would be hard to expose all this stuff to my family, and we are close!

So help me out here… how exactly will her rehashing all this benefit her three sons again?

Although the subject of infidelity is one that is very touchy to me, and I do feel empathy for all the humiliation that she’s indured – I just don’t agree with her coming forward in television interviews for more bashing. I’ve got one word for you, Jenny Sanford. Memoir.

Oh… you’ve already written one of those? My bad.

Does anyone remember “Love Story” with that idiotic wedding ceremony in it, and at the end they promise to be faithful for “as long as they both shall love”???

Posted by  |  February 3, 2010 | Categories: Life Struggles, News, Opinion | Leave a comment

Bloodlines and Family Trees

Ever wonder about your own bloodline, and what little pieces of your heritage may have yet to be discovered?

My Mother has done quite a bit of tracking on her own family’s genealogy. She’s ran upon a lot of research done that ends up being quite informative and very interesting. Her paternal ancestry, the Jones’, traces all the way back to Wales, England. Her maternal ancestry, the McCorkles, hailed from Ireland. She has names and even pictures of some, as well as documented dates when certain ancestors came to America. I’ve never done research on my Father’s side, as there would be a large gap on one side in which it would be difficult to find certain information. Whatever the case may be, I feel certain there is no pot of gold at the end of my bloodline.

No matter how much information we’ve ‘gathered’ on our ancestors, we would be fools to believe it’s simply that cut-and-dry. Let’s be honest, there’s always going to be that one or more indiscretion that likely was swept under the rug. Sometimes things come out in the wash, sometimes they don’t. Unless one has strictly royal blood running through their veins, and can prove it – one cannot denounce the possibility of mixed bloodlines within their ancestry.

First Lady Michelle Obama even announced recently that she’d discovered caucasian in her bloodline, from the early slavery times. Her maternal third-great-grandfather was a white man, who fathered Melvinia Shields’ (her maternal third-great grandmother’s) son, Dolphus T. Shields, both of who were slaves.

Here’s a cold hard fact: According to population geneticist Mark Shriver at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, a full 58 percent of African-Americans possess at least 12.5 percent European ancestry (which again, is the equivalent of that one great-grandparent).

Bottom line – to anyone still naive enough to believe in the myth of racial purity, this is just one more corroboration that the social categories of ‘white’ and ‘black’ have always been more porous than can be imagined, especially when referring back to that nether world called slavery.

Of course, black and white seems to be the more prevalent bloodline mixture, being as how it was introduced in the days of slavery. But any real case can be made on this when it comes to past migration to the United States. Indian, Latin, English, African, Asian…. it all applies to the same – endless possibilities.

Something to think about this the next time you look in the mirror! This ‘mixed bag’ we have is now what makes up the United States of America. This is us.

 

 

Posted by  |  February 2, 2010 | Categories: Family, Opinion, Thoughts | 1 Comment

One month closer

The grammy awards were on last night and boy does that show get better every year. Guess they have to keep bringing it bigger and better, everything’s so competitive now. I love music. It is a part of my soul, period, and always will be.

So we’re one month closer to Spring….

February 1st. Today marks 6 months of being together for my guy and me. Of us. Wow, doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. When we started seeing each other, it was still summer. Those days were spent in tank tops, flip flops and swimsuits. Hot days, and warm sweet evenings.

I remember something about him just felt right even in the beginning. Having had jumped in and out of a couple of relationships earlier in the year, of course I was skeptical. I had to be skeptical, for my own good. And, so did he.

Along the way, we’ve helped one another heal, in a sense. Even though a certain length of time had passed from the separation of our spouses, there were still those rough patches. To possess the ability to listen to each other is a big thing. That’s only one thing I love most about him. We can sit and have a conversation for hours, and never lack for a subject. This man is also as honest as the day is long.

We’ve seen a lot of pretty places in our time together. Cherokee, Blowing Rock, several mountain trips really. To the beach to bring in the New Year, which was a first for me. It was awesome to finally bring in the New Year again with someone you love, and throwing the beach in there made it even more special. Our trips have definitely been a lot of fun, and you also learn a lot about a person when you take trips with them. 🙂

We take things one day at a time. And practice what the song says, “Love Like Crazy”.

I am grateful for the man I’ve found. Rather, I like to think we found each other….

Posted by  |  February 1, 2010 | Categories: Love, Relationships | Leave a comment

Waiting to exhale

Oh my gosh, what a quiet relaxing weekend. Even the neighbors underneath me have been quiet, which is so weird that I’m almost wondering if they’re dead. I haven’t left the house since Friday night when we went out for Mexican – and the intentions are to stay a recluse for the remainder of the weekend. Hoping the sun will melt most of the ice out there! Because I surely don’t want to drive in it tomorrow morning.

Had a good breakfast this morning and watched my fave televangelist, Reverend Dollar, deliver his sermon on ‘offense’ (as in being offended by others). My honey even watched it with me. 🙂 This makes me smile. Hmm, offense. Yeah, there sure is a lot of this in the world. Remember? We live in the United States of the Offended, reference a prior blog.

Looking out at the white everywhere, the bare trees, the blustery bursts of wind, makes me (oh yes I am going there…) wish sooo much for Spring. In a few short weeks everyone will have Spring Fever…. the department stores have already taken on their Spring line of clothing, Freds and Dollar General will have their garden lineup in tow, we’ll see all the little birds chasing each other. I very simply cannot wait. If I dwell on the subject too long I’ll find myself salivating. So instead, I’ll draw myself back into the reality that is, by reminding myself we’re due for more winter weather on Tuesday and Friday of next week. At the same time I’ll promise myself that no matter what, I will NOT use my vacation up for bad winter weather. God willing.

For now, though, I’ll just bide my time until I’m finally able to exhale that last bit of the winter season out – and breathe in the New Season.


Posted by  |  January 31, 2010 | Categories: Weather, Weekend | Leave a comment

Weekend R&R

I’ve looked forward to getting snowed in, or iced in as the case may be, with my guy for the weekend. I opted to stay at my place for this event, reason being in case of a power outage. See, I have a furbaby and he doesn’t – and I couldn’t bear the thought of her being at home without any heat and no mommy’s lap. From what they forecasted, losing power sounded like a strong possibility.

We ended up with around 1.5-2 inches, but half of that underneath appears to be ice – this is very evident just looking down at the blacktop of my parking lot. Although it doesn’t sound like much – the ice is enough to park my ass. Yeah, we get made fun of by people from the north. But as I told a friend a few minutes ago, maybe, just maybe, we show a small hint of intelligence just by NOT attempting to drive in it.

So we’re stocked on food here and have plenty of movies, and candles, on hand. I joked that if we did end up losing power, the frigid temps outside would have at least saved the food.

I do have some fond memories of past snowstorms. Snow-women built with size C-cup boobies. Cramming in a vehicle with friends going four-wheeling out behind my old house. Playing with my little girl and coming in wet and cold, grabbing the hot chocolate and extra marshmallows. As well, there were some not so fond memories, but those I won’t mention. I’d rather remember the good.

I’m moving forward and making my own new memories now. I still have yet to find my ‘way’ in life, though I like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at pretending I have. Still have that bad habit of looking backward from time to time. The what-ifs and all that. Those damned times still exist where I’m obviously more emotional than I should be, or want to be.

Posted by  |  January 30, 2010 | Categories: Thoughts, Weather | Leave a comment

A Young Troubadour

You’ll forgive a BS blog today. Well, not totally a BS blog, maybe more of a bs blog. Yeah, that’s it. Lower-case bullshit.

And really, it’s not a bad thing when one feels the need to rattle on about a not-so-important subject. It simply means either a) there are little to no catastrophic events to cover today, or b) the Bonster’s already ranted and raved enough already for a week. I can go ahead and tell you it’s not the latter of the two…

Good ole’ George Strait. Here’s a man who doesn’t have a bad song in his entire arsenal. So this song was in my head pretty much all of yesterday. For some reason, even though I’m not MALE, I can partially relate with the lyrics. If you haven’t ever heard it, check it out – it’s a pretty catchy tune.

I still feel 25, most of the time
I still raise a little cain with the boys
Honky tonks and pretty women
Lord, I’m still right there with them
Singing above the crowd and the noise.

Chorus:
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still trying to make a name
Knowin’ nothing’s gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m gone.

Well, the truth about a mirror
It’s that a damn old mirror
Don’t really tell the whole truth
It don’t show what’s deep inside
Oh, read between the lines
And it’s really no reflection of my youth.

Chorus:
Sometimes I feel like Jesse James
Still tryin’ to make a name
Knowing nothings gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m gone.

I was a young troubadour
When I rode in on a song
And I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m gone.

I’ll be an old troubadour
When I’m gone…

So I got curious.

Troubadour:
1 : one of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians often of knightly rank who flourished from the 11th to the end of the 13th century chiefly in the south of France and the north of Italy and whose major theme was courtly love.
2 : a singer, especially of folk songs

the truth about a mirror
It’s that a damn old mirror
Don’t really tell the whole truth
It don’t show what’s deep inside
Oh, read between the lines
And it’s really no reflection of my youth.

Mirrors. Yeah, I get this. It doesn’t take much of the ole’ thought process to figure out that mirrors provide a very limited view of ourselves. They only provide an external view, a visual of what’s on the outside. Nothing on the inside. Nothing of how we might be feeling. Nothing of our past. Like The Young Troubadour said, you must read between the lines for that.

Can you imagine looking in the mirror only to see your past, your emotions, your transgressions in life, all staring right back at you?

Yep, God is good, all right. 🙂

Posted by  |  January 29, 2010 | Categories: Miscellaneous, Music, Thoughts | Leave a comment

Nada Subject

The possibility of winter precipitation exists for this Friday. Ha! I guess we’ll see. The weathermen are SO flying under the radar, which is usually the time we get slammed with a winter storm. I’ve gotta say, I wouldn’t mind it… especially because of the time frame, late Friday into Saturday. No missing any work! So my current plans for Friday are 1) grab my guy, 2) rent a couple movies and 3) lock ourselves indoors all weekend. Oh, and gotta make sure I’m stoked stocked on hot chocolate. 😛

I know this is totally off the subject (what subject?), but we were discussing at work how it really took no effort at all to accommodate the year change – both in writing and/or typing it. Why is this? Why does it take half the year to remember to write 2009 instead of 2008, yet you can go to a 2-digit year change with no problem? So I’ve been taking polls on this. The few people I’ve asked have had the same result…. made a successful switch to 2010 with no whiteout or backspace key needed! Wish I knew the reason for this.

Slowly, methodically, the clouds are rolling in…

Last night’s dinner with Mom went so well, and we enjoyed the time spent together. Good fellowship, good food, and as always lots of laughs. Little Camille was on cloud nine having everyone there making over her – she walked around looking lost after everyone left.

This may come as a big surprise, but I’m not even gonna comment on the Union speech last night. Yes, I did watch it, in it’s entirety. More empty promises, more of the thumb directed over his shoulder to indicate the administration prior to his that left the pile of shit for him to deal with, more of the worst is now over shpill, and why don’t we export more shit to create more jobs, shit that won’t sell anyway because American shit’s too expensive, yada yada. I will say…. Pelosi just needs to sit her ass down.

Well okay, I guess I did just comment on it.

So Elizabeth Edwards is finally leaving her lying cheating sleeze bag of a husband. Sad thing is, still suffering with terminal cancer, she can’t have that much time left. I pray that God gives her strength to get through what will likely be the hardest decision she’s ever made. I have great empathy for this woman, and the horrible embarrassment and shame she’s endured. As well, I feel for the innocent children that are involved.

Speaking of – funny, I read yesterday that 27 Jan was also the date that Hillary Clinton blamed Bill’s sexual indiscretions on “a vast right-wing conspiracy”. It’s true… it’s even made it’s way into her ‘memoir’. Profanity sits impatiently on the tip of my tongue right now, and works diligently to pry open my lips so that it may escape. Ladies, when are you going to stop blaming others for your husband’s indiscretions?? Okay – same goes for you guys if the roles are reversed!! This is NOT an act that you have to put up with or endure!! Even the Good Book, our Holy Bible, instructs us that marriage is indeed separable by two things: death AND ADULTRY!! Have we been conditioned to believe that it’s either warranted or expected of us to put up with such a damaging and intimate abuse of trust in a marriage? I don’t get it. I just don’t get it.

On a brighter note, it is one beautiful sunrise out there this morning….

Outside the window at work

Posted by  |  January 28, 2010 | Categories: Family, Life Struggles, Political, Relationships, Weather | Leave a comment