Old Man Winter. Don’t get me down…

I don’t want the after holiday’s blues that can often inflict us more morose and downtrodden folks.  I’ve also been thinking of good, incredible, and nice things with Christmas coming and all the nice meals and gifts that will be had and eaten.  I have so many cool computer parts that have been ordered from Newegg.com as well. I will be literally ripping and tearing the wrappings off those gifts like Randy with his dirigible on A Christmas Story.  Christmases have always been a big deal in my family as for most others as well.  My father loves to lavish his family with interesting things and gifts that please them such as the Confederate money being given to my brother this year. This always used to be mom’s role in the family until it started to cost too much as mom got out of control mentally.  Mom was the better of the gift givers, though. She always knew that special thing you wanted or what was in style or on sale.

Dear Charlie,

I am sending God along with you to watch over you. Charlie told me he loved me last night.  I think it was the first time for me to ever hear Charlie say that profound phrase to us kids in the family.  Now, it will be standard practice.  We have set a precedent it seems. I do love the dear man so very much.  He has been like my father’s brother all these 30 years and much more like an uncle that my own blood kin.    

Leaving On A Jet Plane…

It is exactly one hours driving time barring traffic from my parent’s house to the gargantuan, scary, and monstrous Atlanta’s Hartsfield airport, the busiest airport in the world.  I won’t say I wasn't elated to not have this task. I was deeply relieved. Lately, my nighttime driving skills haven’t been their best.  The glare, even with contacts, is terrible. I will eventually have to bite the bullet and have eye surgery on both my corneas to keep driving I fear. The dreaded Lasik laser surgery is what I think it is called.  It will probably cost thousands of dollars.

I was honestly sad to see my brother and his family leave.  I have missed them despite the thousands of miles between us and the ease of just a quick phone call. 

“Get you a practice in the Valley so I can drone on to you about my bowel movements gaseous and solid,” I told my brother with a hearty laugh.

My brother burst out laughing as well belying his usual stoic manner.  

“I have plenty of willing and ageing Veterans that already do that,” my brother told me.   

Back Down to Earth From Floating On Cloud Nine…

Today is my first week back at volunteering in as many days.  Miss Pauline told me we would order two new new Dell computers today.  I already have what I want to order forwarded to my email account at work so it can be pulled up easy this morning.  It took a hour of mulling over choices in what to get when I finally decided. I hope she will be as excited as I am about what she is ordering. There’s nothing like that new computer smell as you take it out of the box.

Quite Literally Meals on Wheels…

My mother and I were going over what to get grocery wise last night.  She keeps a list of what she buys for me to make sure she can get it next week as well. We usually buy the same thing every week for mom’s sake. You don’t want to rock the grocery boat I have learned.

“Mom?” I asked pleadingly. “Get me more of those Hebrew National Frankfurters.”

“You're obsessed!” my mother told me. “Absolutely obsessed.”

Mom grumbled some about them being very expensive and that I already get me enough to last a week. I smiled knowing she would surely get me some anyway. She always does.    

Maggie + Little Ones = Good Fun…

Maggie and I were both reluctantly and alertly standing at my front porch sweating bullets is what you would see arriving at Casa de Andrew yesterday afternoon.  Maggie instinctively knew that something very big was happening by my demeanor.  Then, Maggie started to bark loudly and joyfully as she could hear the extremely distinctive throaty sound of the engine of my father’s BMW X5 coming around the corner at the intersection down the road.

“Do a quick cleanup,” dad said hurriedly with urgency over my phone and they soon arrived.  “The whole family is coming over to visit you!”

I have never been so frantic and so very excited in my whole life. Lots of frenetic energy going on.  A lot of nervous apprehension as well.  My brother, sister, and their four kids came over to my house in a two car entourage to see “Uncle Buck” as my brother likes to affectionately call me.  Maggie had never been around children that much, if at all, and it worried me.  She did swimmingly well, though.  Maggie playfully roughhoused with my nieces and nephew. It is a very good and pleasant memory that I will enjoyably carry for the rest of my life.  I have never seen Maggie play so much as well.  Her and the kids got in the backyard and did some running and  playing and tossing of Maggie’s favorite toy. My Maggie definitely has some puppy left in her yet!

The Later Night Version of Charlie…

I had been asleep around 3 hours when Charlie awoke me by knocking on the door. Him and my father never sleep it seems. Of course, Maggie went ape shiat bananas fearing nefarious things in the dark of night. Maggie was quietly asleep snoring next to me when Charlie knocked.

“I know you get tired of all that home cooking,” Charlie told me laughing goodheartedly. “Here’s fries and a Big-Mac.”

I didn't have any more room in the bottomless pit that can be my stomach at times .Especially a Big-Mac and fries. Maggie ate well last night. We just won’t tell Charlie, shall we?

Zingers and Ding Dongs…

Shortly after regaining control of my finances, I almost went hog-wild.  Money? Freedom? Autonomy? My precious!

My earliest memory after wrestling back control of my finances was sitting in the parking lot of Fat Albert's and eating Zingers and Ding Dongs I had just purchased -- all things mom and dad wouldn’t let me have when they had control of my finances. They were divine and decadent. Almost too sweet. What supreme freedom! For that memory, I am so very thankful.

I hope you all are having a good Thanksgiving.  Dad said he is bringing me a big plate of food this afternoon. I told him to double up on the turkey, cranberry sauce, and dressing with my fingers crossed.. Hopefully, mom will fix and bring my plate for me to get a true bounty. My mother the cornucopia?  It has a nice ring to it. Don’t you think?

Let Us Bow Our Head and Pray…

In thanks to it going over a year without that very literal prick in the ass that was my schizophrenia medications.  My buttocks look like the surface of the moon.  All pocked and cratered. I bet that was not something you want to visualize in your mind. I will digress and call it a night.  

It’s Okay. Be That Way! I Shall as Well!

The traffic on most blogs must plummet on weeks such as this and they often do.  My visits and traffic to my journal have been totally abysmal lately which is what I expected. My subject matter has been pretty milquetoast as well fueling this mass exodus.  People are having fun in the reverie of life and spending time with family members. That’s how life and families should be. 

Charlie has been by every night bringing food, drinks, and checking on me much to Maggie’s elation. Charlie also has to check his mail because it comes here so Charlie’s wife doesn't find it. That always tickles me and puts a smile on my face.  Janice, Charlie's wife, brought crockpot pork chops and rice last night.  It was supremely delicious.  Along with corn bread and glazed carrots.   And you want to know another secret about Charlie's wife?  Janice makes the best damn cornbread in the Valley. It will melt in your mouth. (Tee, I am not forgetting about your request for the deviled eggs recipe).

The Changing of the Guard…

Dear Charlie paid a very whirlwind and surprise visit late last night.  I was so glad to see him. Horsefly had yet to get out of the bed as he sleeps during the day. Charlie was going to give my hair a good cut and trim. He said he had told my father he was coming as soon as he got the chance. He also brought enough KFC to feed a battalion of soldiers.  My eyes and mind were most intrigued, though, by the giant cup of sweet tea Charlie brought.  I was so thirsty and I was also so very glad my house was clean and tidy.  Charlie is a stickler about both such things.  He would have cleaned my house if it were Charlie at the helm and it needed it.

The nice thing about Charlie is he does all the talking and you can just sit, laugh, and listen. He’s a small talker’s dream come true,  The topics vary from the weather to the quality of children's schools. Charlie even talked about his job and the severity of it which he never does..  I admire the man for what he has to do. I am definitely a follower and not a leader. I know my strengths and weaknesses.

Music From the Hearts of Space…

I love that program on public radio.  I love most ambient type music. This ties into my loving most movie soundtracks as well. So much more beautiful than Lady Ga Ga could ever belch out. Long driving trips to college would be spent listening to Hearts of Space on that lengthy journey on the interstate system. At the time, much of this kind of music was hard to find. The internet is your oyster as they say now about music.

Ambushed!!!

I just called mom inquiring about leftovers from Friday’s meal.

“Come and get them,” mom told me weirdly happy. Almost a forced sounding happy. Mom can be a kind of monotone lately until you can give her something to worry about.

Mom didn’t tell me social hell was in store and that there were more than 5 cars in the driveway.  I skedaddled out of there as fast as could. It was like wolves' bane and I was the wolf.

Everybody’s Running Late These Days…

Helen was finished with supper around 4pm yesterday.  An hour after she usually gives a plate to my mother to bring over to me.  Mom was grumbling about it, but I was just glad to get the food, and you didn’t hear a peep outta me for Helen being late. I was just worried mom had been in a fender bender.

I took a photo of the meal, but it didn’t turn out so well.  It has this greenish tint to the photo. My photo skills seem to be degrading for some reason. Lack of use?  I paid tons of moolah at www.newegg.com for my Canon camera and need to learn to put it to good and effective use. It certainly would liven up the blog that’s for sure.  A picture says a thousand words or so they say.

Helen cooked a delicious meal last night. It was piping hot as I got it out of mom’s floor in the backseat of her car.  We had baked center cut pork chops, turnip greens, squash casserole that was nice and cheesy, baked sweet potatoes and okra.  Helen also prepared her family famous deviled eggs (my favorite part of the meal). I can just feel my cholesterol increasing as I think about eating those. Especially the deviled eggs.  .   

It’s Raining Biscuits From Heaven…

Not quite sure what Helen is cooking today.  Dad mumbled something about pork tenderloins and baked sweet potatoes. I will try to get a photo up at the surprise meal if I don’t gobble it down as fast as it arrives here.

Cravings and Waiting…

I stopped by the illustrious Piggly Wiggly after volunteering.  I wanted more Vienna sausages and Ritz crackers.  I got home and two cans were so, so salty I couldn’t eat them. I was so disappointed.  Bummer. I really was bummed and heartbroken as my social anxieties were acting up pretty badly today and acute to be honest. I didn't want to have to get out in the public again.  I got back in the Honda CR-V and went and bought a different brand (Libby) than my mainstay usual repeating the process.  They didn’t taste nearly as good as the Amour brand, but were okay.  Better than nothing.  You want to see some frenetic begging then eat a can of those sausages while Maggie watches on.  It will drive her bat shiat crazy. I have never seen her so social barrier breaking and fence bounding that that. She usually finds her way in my lap before all is said and done. And I am such a softy for her that she usually gets what she wants.

Thursdays are dad’s craziest and busiest day at the pharmacy. He has to work a 10 to 12 hour day.  He was running super late last night, later than normal, and I was getting very frustrated and aggravated, but I hid my feelings.  I wanted to go to bed early, but I know the pecking order all too well. I had no bullets to fight this battle with. 

“I am having more computer problems,” he said of the pharmacy as he drove somewhere in his car.  “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

He brought me a large fountain drink from Fat Albert’s in reconciliation. “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” I kept saying as he arrived. “Learn to fight your battles wisely.”  My therapist would tell me to put things into perspective. 

Breaking Dawn…

Very chilly on the last leg of Maggie's and our walk this good autumn morning. It is always the coldest before dawn I noted to myself as Maggie and I walked past George and Mrs. Florene’s house on the way home. I haven’t heard from them in so long. I missed them very much.

I had bundled up in heavy clothing and was very glad to get back to a warm and welcoming home to shed some clothes and get breakfast started. Maggie and I walked 3 more miles this morning. Maggie reluctantly came inside not wanting this very chilly excursion and fun to end.  Aggravated, Maggie then went outside in the backyard and proceeded to give us a fine round of obnoxious barking. Maggie was acting out and having another one of her Tourette's induced predawn back yard barking sessions. I quickly corralled her back inside before my neighbors could declare war on casa de Andrew.

What’s For Breakfast…

Mom had bought me some of those White Lilly muffin mixes and I baked blueberry muffins this morning.  They were really good and those warm muffins hit the spot here in Frost crag. I also fried some bacon.  I want to try the strawberry mix tomorrow morning with some fried sausage.  

Charlie to the Rescue???

I want to add ceiling fans in every room and have been browsing the big box store prices last night and this morning.  I am not sure if I can put one in myself, but I am going to give it a good try, though.  Charlie will probably help me next weekend. I had my best ever utility bill last month and I think the fans will help with this even more so.  I was very proud of that achievement.

Figuring It Out, Fighting the Capriciousness…

I must have that deer in the headlights stare and look on me after today. The false tornado sirens have gone off intermittently all day today despite my brain badly needing a nap pronto which was impossible with all the racket. The weather just doesn’t bother Maggie as well .  Doesn't bother her one bit.  I’m so glad she isn’t scared.  It really is a much to do about nothing affair that usually falls far, far flat of the predictions.  Have you noticed my 180 turn around opinions on the weather as it matters to me this year?  I guess I am just a jaded old cantankerous fool it seems.

Paranormal Maggie…

Mom?  Maggie’s shooting those lasers out of her eyes again.

Where is your God now?

The Curse of the Neurotic Dog…

Dad was telling me tonight how he could make Maggie mind. Poor Maggie is what I immediately thought. He’s been trying to corral me into his school of thought all my life. 

“She would be very amenable to it, “ dad told me as he rubbed Maggie’s belly. “We’d have her doing tricks by next weekend.” 

“Dad, you would make that dog a nervous wreck in a few days, “ I replied with a chuckle and he would if he would. “She would be neurotic mess and she is my best friend and not a plaything.”

I had been asleep all afternoon and this greatly alarmed my father – me sleeping during the day.  We had to do a controlled substance survey through the house.   Of course, no controlled substances here. Nothing breaches more of my civil rights than that.  It just kind of steals your thunder.  You know? Two steps forward and one step back is what my therapist would tell me. Just keep going forward is what I say.

Tail Between My Legs…

As Charlie’s Horsefly would say, “Everybody bowls a gutter ball sometimes.”

That would be Maggie's best solution to a bad hair day -- knowing when to take your cards and fold them to go home.  I am having a tough day that I’m trying to muddle my way through – trying my hardest to get comfortable and stay upbeat.  Then I thought that this is how the ball rolls sometimes.  Even “normal” people feel this way at times I say to myself trying to consul me and my battered emotions and mind.  Inside my mind is going a million miles to the minute, though.  I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up refreshed tomorrow.

Dad comes around 4pm to 5pm every Sunday afternoon and we all go get us a burger and fries.  Maybe that will perk me up somewhat. My and dad’s relationship has so improved so much that we love to spend time together and laugh about our own antics and my mother’s. I never thought I would say that in a million years.

Small Town Etiquette…

Maggie was driving me crazy this morning about walking so I obliged despite my misgivings about walking in the predawn cold.“Y'all doing okay this morning?” a police officer just asked Maggie and I as we stopped for a short break at the stop sign down by the elementary school. He pulled up in his new Dodge “Interceptor” and asked the polite question. We talked a few moments about the dangers of drunks on the road this time of the morning after drinking all Saturday night. I wanted to know all about his patrol car such as engine size or zero to sixty speed.  He was more worried more about my safety than anything.

“Just be careful,” he said in closing as he drove off.

I thanked the officer very profusely.  I am always worried that some stupid shiat I did drunk and blacked out from my dark and murkily unknown past will came back to haunt me. I shudder to think of that so I am so relieved when a policeman heads on his way without further investigation.

Tumble and Fall… 

Mom fell very badly yesterday walking up the stairs from the foyer and the laundry room.  She didn’t have any broken bones and that was a big relief. Her hand that broke the fall was a terrible color of black and blue, though. It looked terrible. We thought she was going to have to wear a cast. Dad and I both agreed that mom needs some more help with daily tasks and that possibly soon she will not be all to drive. .   

“You were right!” my father told me over the phone. “She got manic and fell down.”

“She cycles like me,” I told my father. “High and lows. That’s why she was talking so  fast on the phone.”

Haircut Backwoods Alabama Style…

One of my biggest and most entrenched and deeply hard to overcome phobias is that I have never been able to get over my fear of the intimacy of being with a barber. Charlie has been my and Horsefly's hairstylist for years – for as long as I can remember.  Charlie has truly been a angel sent from heaven for me over the years especially with regards to this phobia. I would probably look like Grizzly Adams if it weren’t for him. Would you like a red headed grizzly bear at your wedding?

“Let Rhonda cut your hair Monday,” my mother pleadingly said of her hairstylist stirring up the pot yesterday afternoon.

“Mom, I can’t take all of that going on.  I am happy with our current arrangement.” 

I said that very brusquely with a leave me alone tone to my voice. My mother still is of the school of thought that Charlie doesn’t cut hair or very well for the matter. I am so happy.  Isn’t that what matters the most? I could go out and get a Mohawk and then my mother would fully faint distraughtly. Be careful with what you ask for.

Such A True Companion and Champion Through and Through. I Deem Her Brave Heart…

Maggie’s a little dog, but she has a ton of heart. Maggie finally got her much belated and lamented walk late this afternoon when the temperatures were much less harsh and the wind had died down for the most part.  I know she thought we would ever go. Every time I would step to the front door to look out she would jump off the back of the sofa and investigate.  When I took her leash out of the drawer by the front door, It was like me pulling out the Holy Grail to a group of dyed in the wool Christians. She was in nirvana. “The Lord has sent us a sign. Go forth, procreate and walk my friend.” And walk we did.

A Little Bit Of Helen in the House…

“What do you want our Helen to cook tomorrow?” my father asked last night as he prepared to go to the grocery store and then home to head for the bed.

My father was in good spirits yesterday evening and felt very well.  He was also full of mischief and was only mildly preachy for his normal self. He was giving me a pep talk about continuing with volunteering.  I was saying that sometimes I felt like a fish out of water – that I had insecurities about the whole affair. I also asked my father if I was just wasting my time.

“I feel like a third wheel,” I told him.

“Just think of how good a reference you will get,” dad said of Miss Pauline. 

“I vote for pear salad and fried cubed steak,” I then replied to dad’s question changing the subject. “And a side order of that Southern style sticky rice I love so well, and steamed broccoli with Helen’s lemon/butter sauce.”

“I’ll get Helen to cook some of her biscuits as well,” dad told me in closing.

Misery…

Walking this morning was pure misery in the cold and wind, and it looks like it is going to continue to be a very long and very cold winter. Not very conducive for walking outside.I think Maggie and I are going to do her walk in the afternoon when I get home from volunteering. That will let things warm up some and the dawn wind dies before we begin our journey.  This  doesn't mean my and Maggie’s walking days are over with, though. It is one of my New Year’s resolutions and I am sticking to it. That, and to stop my capricious behavior. 

Christmas Came Early…

“I am probably going to start buying new computers a few at a time after the New Year,” Miss Pauline told me a moment ago in her office. “You’re going to be my consultant.”

I got excited. Very excited. When someone says “buy a computer” my eyes light up.  That’s like saying, “I bought a Porsche” to an automobile fanatic. 

“I will keep them in top running condition to the best of my ability,” I replied to her with a grin of happiness. This very well could be the highlight of my holiday season for me. And would be such a boon to me, my morale, and my volunteer efforts, and make this part of my life interesting again. You know me.  I love to play with computer hardware and software.  I am going to make sure the literacy center gets good computers and not a bunch of overpriced junk. 

The Darkest of Nights Greets Us…

I awoke at 3am, I ran out to get my car cranked and warm for about 20 minutes, and then undertook the drive to casa de parents to get my 6 sodas for the day after watching the morning events on TV interspersed with ambulance chaser lawyer commercials.  My mother had put in a lot of Minute Maid Natural lemonade drinks in the bag as well. She thought I would like that when I looked in the bag and got back in the car. My mother does those little extra special things that make life worth living. She can really bring a smile to your face at times. I will call her when she wakes up.

It was very cold with a stiff and biting wind this morning following a potent cold front with little rain.  I decided by unanimous vote (me) to hold off on our walk until the good Earth warms up some which means this afternoon or lunch most likely.  Maggie will sulk some, but she will get her walk soon. Maggie and I sure are some impetuous habit loving creatures.

I’m Years Behind Schedule…

I’ve been in a tussle lately with Alabama Power about a street light burning out up at the road.  It has been out since my neighbor Joyce passed away. The power company says that I am responsible for the light – that it is privately owned.  I scoffed.  Usually this is the kind of stuff that sends me reeling with social anxiety. I usually would never make that call. They just don’t know I have a lot of my mother in me as well.  She’s the very definition of dogged determination. 

i? Phone?

I’ve decided to bite the bullet and get a new smart phone in a few months. Most likely Spring.  I think I am going to wait until the iPhone 5 comes out after Christmas, though. Most of the apps on the iPad can be used on the iPhone as well. I think I am the last person on this planet who has yet to get an iPhone, and probably the last person with a Blackberry.

Dad and I were talking last night when he was over here to feed and water Maggie.

“Best gift anyone ever got me. I have put so much use to it,” I told him honestly of the new updated phone I got from him and mom last Christmas. “I use it everyday data-wise and am amazed you knew what to buy me.”

Dad smiled.

“That’s what your brother said as well,” dad replied.  “Those kinds of things such as gifts get Charlie excited,” dad said with a boast. “It is like a treasure hunt for him.”

Ah!!! Dad had given up his secret. Charlie found and bought the new updated Blackberry somewhere in or near town. Boy, did I crack a grin. 

Moments in Time…

Maggie and I are attempting to walk longer everyday. Lord, help us! We walked an extra mile today for 3 miles and am feeling it in my legs – a little soreness in my calves. Maggie took to it with aplomb that little trooper she is. It was good to get home and get a good hot plate breakfast going, though. My good friend Pipe Tobacco has been walking for years like this on a much lengthier route. I use him as a role model for my efforts. 

Yonder Bright Orb? Have We Met?

“Hello?” I asked over my ageing Crackberry a moment ago.

“Go outside and look up at the night sky!” my father said excitedly.

His inner child must have been making an appearance.

“Full moon,” I told my father walking back inside after surveying the sky.

“Don’t go streaking maniacally through the neighborhood naked, okay?” he said with a laugh.”You know what the full moon does to you mentally excitable folks. Getting tazed is not fun!”  

I burst out laughing.  Who said my father didn’t have a sense of humor? hehe

Tasty Treats ala Andrew…

Today was my morning of the week to bring in a real treat for everybody at breakfast.  Last week, Janine brought in an orange pound cake and it was mighty tasty I might add as well. Most of the other mornings were pretty pedestrian.  I brought in some deli made chocolate chip cupcakes this morning.  The box was empty in a matter of moments. I told everybody to warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds to kick them up a notch, but nobody wanted to wait for them to soften and get warm.  I won’t lie and say I didn’t eat two for myself.  I have a license to eat at the moment. I’ve gained three more pounds since last last week at this time. My father was ecstatic about it.  

“Keep it up,” he told me, “and you can have any keyboard and mouse you want.”

Now that sure can get me excited and motivated as far as my diet is concerned.   

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^{Walking That Dog…}

Maggie and I went for our customary walk very early this morning. I got up before 3AM for some reason today, but it still wasn’t as cold as the night before when we started much later.   I fixed her some cheese eggs as I was about to eat at work this morning. I like to do little things that make life more pleasant for her and me as well. 

Vacillating From Hot to Cold…

I thought it would be warmer today, but I was wrong. A very, very chilly morning is in store for us super early risers as I poked my head out the backdoor. Thank God for the sun and it’s warmth in the winter after a very cold night. Maggie and I have our walk and then I am driving her and I down to McDonalds for our customary sausage biscuit devouring competition visit on this dawn. I just hope Maggie doesn’t bark at the cashier lady today.  I am trying to teach Maggie that a ride in the car doesn't necessarily mean a trip to the veterinarian where Maggie totally freaks out and pees all over the seat. I’ve already come prepared with a towel on the passenger’s side seat.  Let’s see how Mags does today. 

Mom and I On Groceries…

Today is grocery day and a very special day it is. This is my favorite day in all days of the week. It is kina like getting free food for someone with no access to that disability money in my account.

“Mom?” I asked last night. “Get me an extra package of the Hebrew National hotdog franks and buns.”

Those are my biggest food obsession these days. 

“Those are so expensive!” mom exclaimed. “And you can’t go over $85 dollars!”

I smiled thinking mom sure would be one tough overseer and taskmaster. 

Can I Have a Happy Meal, too, Captain?

I am sitting here at the bay window in my computer room overlooking our busy street a hundred yards away. The new apartments down from us are a popular place it seems and draw lots of traffic and police as well at all times of the day and night.

“I’ll pick you up in a minute,” dad said after our brief phone conversation closed.

Ah, bless you child!

We are headed down to fast food row across the interstate to get us a quick meal in just a moment.  Mom will call dad in anticipation a few times to see where we are in our journey. I am starving and have anticipated this all day. Sticking to our normal routines is important to me. I was also hankering for an McDonald’s apple pie or two. 

“The McDouble is 99 cents,” my father then told me calling me back.   “Get you and Maggie a McDouble.”

I smiled. Dad still has qualms about feeding dogs people food. I told my father not to mince words.

I’ve Got a Beautiful and Kind Friend in Virginia. She Wanted to Know Yesterday's Menu…

Dearest Mom had Helen cook a very peppery, but delicious beef tenderloin, creamed corn, fried okra, field peas and cornbread.  Helen also made a big jug of sweet tea which was awesome. You would think with me living in the Deep South that I would drink and make more sweet tea. It can be kind of a hassle to make with egg timers and all, and I am a total novice as to the process.  My father has it down to an exact science this fixing a sweet tea thing.

“How can someone who cooks Southern food so damned well not be able to cook cornbread?" I tersely asked my father as well last night. 

Dad just shrugged his shoulders.  He likes Helen’s cornbread.

“Don’t tell her that,” My father replied,”Or we will be eating pork and beans out of a can for a few weeks.”

I laughed.  Now, we certainly don’t want that to happen.  Eat the cornbread and smile, Andrew.    

Where Only the Bravest Tread…

It was very cold and very pitch black in my bedroom this morning when Maggie and I awoke. The street lights were like little oasis from the dark and cold as we walked.  Maggie got her hopes up the we would go for our walk and we did.  I cooked a large meal and then we were out the door headed South through my neighborhood for Maggie’s meet and greet.  I am becoming more acclimated to the cold and my big breakfast helped fuel me. I am not a big pancake eater, but made some this morning that were simply delicious since I am trying to gain weight. I also made some hashbrowns in the toaster oven.  They were quite tasty as well I might add.  

Dad asked me last night what has been worrying me and bothering me as of late.

“You seem so very serious lately,” he furthered. “You’re usually laughing and having a good time when I arrive.”

“I am worried about not having a retirement account and turning 40 next year,” I replied with the utmost of honesty. “It is a first world problem.”

Dad smiled about me calling it a first world problem. Most people in third world Ghana wouldn’t be fretting about retirement when they could barely feed themselves in the here and now I explained. It does give me some consolation. 

My sister then called my father as we sat on my couch after giving Maggie fresh food and water.  She was crying and needed some help with her two children.  She was at her wit’s end. My sister now lives about 45 minutes a way.  Dad hopped in the Beemer and drove to get her kids to come stay at my father’s house to give my sister a break. 

“We all bowl a gutter ball sometimes,” I told my father as Charlie’s Horsefly would so aptly say. 

Dad has rescued us all many times like this from time to time. I always called it as if the cavalry has arrived.      

Good Night Gracie…

Mercury Falling…

My wireless weather station reported 45 degrees this morning as I got dressed for my and Miss Magdalene's walk.  Well, Maggie’s and my walk is postponed till late this afternoon I decreed after stepping outside and coming right back in.  I can deal with the heat. Just not this cold weather.  We’ll have what my father calls a “killing frost” which will be here in a week or two. That is usually the turning point from fall to winter for us.

I also told my father yesterday to keep vehemently reminding me to get a Christmas tree and lights for the outside of the house.  I was feeling overly festive this year unlike last year.  Last year, I didn’t put up a tree and was sorely disappointed I didn’t do it. I can almost smell the evergreen in my den or see the soft glow of Christmas tree lights reflecting off the silver tinseled garland. This year, I am also going to be able to afford putting wrapped presents and gifts under the tree.

Helen Fridays…

I like surprises so it will be an interesting supper since mom picked Helen’s meal today. Mom will be here at around 3pm like clockwork with my meal. Mom was also bitching on and on that Helen borrowed $40.00 from her yesterday as well, though. The two are an interesting dynamic duo. I would have handled the awkward predicament about as well as my mother did. I would have given her the money, but Helen can do no wrong in my book. How can anyone who can cook such kickass macaroni and cheese do anything wrong? “Choose your battles carefully,” I also told myself as I walked with mom to the door.

“By the time she paid off last weeks loan then she is borrowing more money.” my mother told me venomously like her own mother would do.   

No Pain No Gain I Guess…

Tough and interesting day yesterday on the social front which is my own personal mini rendition of ground zero.  You can still see smoke rising from the rubble and the ashes. Lots of people vying for my time and computer skills with me bumbling words.  I was never so glad to get in the car and head home come high noon. I expected people to follow me to my car with issues.  I locked my front and back doors, turned the air conditioning down low and collapsed to relax on the sofa.  The phone rang a few times, but I just let my answering machine take the calls.  In all likelihood it would be mom with a various problem or predicament.  I was a regular social pariah yesterday.  I call it recharging my batteries.  My therapist would call it two steps forward and one step back.

Speaking of my therapist, I also had a therapy session late in the evening down in Opelika yesterday. I was trying to steer clear of talking about my father while I was there. I wanted to discuss good things, like regaining a work ethic, enlightenment, and friendships.  All the things I have worked so hard to obtain lately.    

“He just cares about me,” I finally told my therapist stupidly and  blindly about my father and with a cavalier and clueless attitude. It will probably come back and haunt me.  I know she was chuckling inside to herself with amusement. 

You Have Gigantic Poof Tonight! Bless You Child!

“Rhonda really poofed your hair up tonight,” I told my mother of her hairdresser as she handed me and Maggie’s Mexican dinners from the Mexican restaurant just down the road. “I bet she used a whole can of hairspray.”

“Did she poof it up too much?” my mother asked shyly and warily as she looked at her hair in her rearview mirror. 

She looked on the point of almost panicking.

“You look fine,” I told my mother with a very warm smile.  “I was just having a little fun at your expense.”

Dad and my brother calls these mom’s big hair days.  She is certainly and especially cocky and sure of herself on days like today. 

Of course, we had lots of burdens to lay out and talk about with this often wayward and eldest son.  I try to steer clear of mom’s gossip and just don’t listen or just feign interest. Typical small town grapevine type stuff.