It's Getting Dark Before Three O'Clock!

May 31, 2012.

I have been unwell for a couple of hours, so I didn't do much except to sort junky papers, and it began to get very dark outdoors. I wasn’t paying a bit of attention to the outdoors, and was listening to some music to cheer me up.

I put on my shoes, and went out to the recycle bin with a 4 or 5 inch pile of junk, old newspapers, etceteRAH, and to see why it was getting dark all of a sudden. The sky was full of roiling, boiling, swift-moving, bunches of puffy dark clouds! I felt a couple of little raindrops, and I stopped to look all around at the sky, as it is ever so interesting!

The storm is coming from the west, towards the east, but covering north and south at the same time.

Thunderstorm! Thunderstorm! bringing possibly damaging hail, and this particular storm is hovering right over my portion of Mississippi! Right over Southaven! Can you believe it! I wasn't paying one bit of attention while I was doing that monotonous chore, and was most surprised when I realized it was very dark outdoors.

Now it's even DARKER than just a few minutes ago! I went back into the house, and said to myself: “OOOOH! I want my mommy!"

Gee, isn't it pitiful when you become frightened, and there's no one around to comfort you with a few nice words, or even a short hug, and your mommy has been gone these many years!    

Then it got really dark, and I quickly went out on the mini-porch. That heavy, roiling large cloud is right over my house. I went out on the sidewalk, and there were raindrops pelting down on me. The western sky is brighter, because this mass of clouds is heading east now. I didn't want to stay out very long, because I didn't want to be hit with a sudden lightning strike.

'S funny, about two hours ago, it was very sunny and nice out there. Now it is thundering a bit, and sprinkling, and it is also much cooler.

I think I'll put some happy, peppy music on, like polkas, to take my mind off the bad weather.

That's the news from Lake Wobegon ...  no, wait ..., that's a different program.

That's the weather news from my mini-porch in Southaven, Missipp.

You might notice that I enjoy talking about the weather!

I'll see you at the Corner Post...

My Walk; Pretty Yellow Flowers; Lawn Watering.

May 26, 2012.


Good Morning, all of you many, I took my walk at 7:30 a.m., and it was good... sorta ...  I had to stop about four times to catch my breath. I was walking at a brisk pace, as brisk as I could make it. It took me fifteen minutes to get back to my front door. I took the regular route. 

There is a very pretty bright yellow, not as deep as the dandelion, a little lighter, but oh, so pretty! It seems to be a weed that is growing on several lawns. I noticed this morning, that each plant has a single, flowering tall stem, about 7, 8, or 9 inches high, each is different in height. They were, each and every one, turned to the sunrise! Such a beautiful stance of worship. I wanted to pick them all. Would any of you know what that pretty flowering weed is? 

I don't pick anything that is not on my property. Of course, now and then, I pick a little flower or sprig from the space next to the street, but not many. 

No dogs did I see, and only three people. One was a man using the weed eater on someone's place, his truck was parked out at the curb, with lawn equipment on it. The next person was a woman with a helmet on a bike of sorts, it squeaked as it went by. The third was a young man walking fast behind me, with a school-type backpack, and I stopped at the edge of the sidewalk to let him pass because I had to catch my breath. He passed by, his arms tattooed with what looked like graffiti, and a lit cigarette between his righthand fingers. 

Eeewwwww, then I had to follow him quite a few feet with that objectionable odor lingering because there was no breeze this morning. I wish that every single smoker would realize how dangerous cigarette smoke is. I know, do I ever  know! My dear Dad Joe died at the age of fifty-eight because of coal mining in his early years, and smoking for so very long. He couldn't breathe very well as the years passed. It broke my heart.

OOps, almost forgot, I must water the lawn, be back in a few minutes...  I'm baaaaack ~  oooohh, that was nine minutes, the hoses were all tangled up from their overnight wrestling tournament. Shoot! forgot about that tournament...  I should have put it on my calendar!

The lawn guys also removed the sprinkling stake that is in the back yard, I hope I get it put in properly. It's one of those that spurts water in a semicircle. I can handle recipes, cooking and baking, but I cannot understand these plumbing, yard work, and carpentry chores that men do. Bless 'em.

Now for my breakfast. You all have a lovely day, and a very pleasant weekend. 

All this morning, I spent reminiscing on a little farm.

May 21, 2012.


Hi, I was out on a farm all morning, into the afternoon, sitting in a beach chair, watching some cows in their little fields and pastures. I was also watching a few horses of different breeds ~ a very young foal and his mother, a larger shetland horse, and the larger still chestnut horses. The young foal would stay close to his mother. That was especially sweet to see. 

I was studying some old old scattered piles of weatherbeaten lumber, and a few pieces of rusty metal, but they weren't active at all, so my glance switched to some real live chickens of various breeds, a few "you tell 'em, Sam!" roosters strutting around with deep red combs atop their head, crowing to hear their own musical voices.

There were many chicken hens of various colors and patterns of feathers, in two small chicken-wire enclosures, in which they all had enough space to stretch and flap their wings as they scratched the grassy earth looking for tidbits. There were at least fifteen in each of those pens, all very busy pecking here and there, looking for little insects. There were also about a dozen chickens who were loose, they went wherever they wanted to. One rooster suddenly ran as fast as possible from his strolling around near the pen, out toward the several maturing young heifers, quite a distance, and when he stopped running, he began scratching for some insects in that grass. It had looked like a very important job he had to do. 

Back by the wired pens, there was a small weather-beaten shed/building/shelter in which were the laying hens, probably only several. When a chicken laid an egg, she made a sound of 'success, at last!' and the rooster crowed his congratulations. Come to think of it, those cocky roosters did quite a bit of crowing their best.

There were many goats, probably at least ten, possibly more that I didn't see. Some had horns, some had none, many colors of goats, some a little bigger than most. They were eating grass and delectable other plants or weeds, among some pieces of very old farm equipment. I know that the goats seem to have the run of the small farm, because there was 'evidence' everywhere. That evidence was an abundance of smooth, black, oval pellets scattered wherever they walked, frolicked, pranced, and meandered during their day. Those ovoid pellets are what is left of the food they've eaten through the day.                     

There was a young calf, perhaps several weeks or a couple of months old, still 'on the bottle' for his meals. The mother was in another enclosed space, sometimes watching me watch her, and sometimes looking at her sweet baby in his little pen. She was also waiting for her master to come and 'milk' her to ease the mild pain of a full udder. Some of that milk was then poured into a very large square bottle with a three-inch long, 3/4-inch-in-diameter nipple. And the growing calf was so delighted to drink his meal from that nipple. That in itself was a most beautiful episode to watch. 

The cows and maturing calves leave behind some nine-inch wide circular, more than one-inch-deep patties out on the grass or paths, of the food that they have eaten throughout their day. These patties eventually dry up and can be used as fertilizer for one's gardens. 

All of these sights and sounds of today took me back immediately to my young age. When I was only one or two years old, my parents would visit my maternal grandparents, but no doubt I cannot remember that far back. What I do remember is being a child of four to nine years old, going to these grandparents' farm, and seeing the chickens and roosters having free range of that little area near the house and barn. They would scratch the soil, and find some tiny insects they could eat. That little activity kept them busy for a very long time. And when it was time for feeding chickens each day, I would enjoy so much seeing the 'poultry-club-members' running from wherever they had been, to the place where the cracked corn would be thrown. They were so eager to be present at that most delectable feast. 

This morning, those same feelings came rushing back to me as I heard and saw these activities. I feel blessed to have spent most of today enjoying this exposure to the 'little-farm' life again. 

I'll see you at the Corner Post...

I Have News ~ not terribly important, though.

A small piece of news, not terribly important, but only to me. 

I went for a walk this morning at 7:30 a.m., much to my surprise! I had been noticing flab on my belly, and other places, and decided it has to leave me. I had lost weight with my daily walks last year, I think, but I stopped taking walks during the winter. I was getting too lazy, or too busy, or something. I was lacking in energy, too.

The walk this morning was 23 minutes long, because on the way back, I noticed that there weren't too many minutes used up. I then took the longer way home, on Richland, that 90-degree angled side street. It was simply great. I made a promise to myself that I have to walk almost every day from now on, until June First!  All together now, please yell "Yay! Hooray!"

I was working on some poetry yesterday afternoon, and this afternoon, also. It seems the muse has stopped by for the last couple of days, and I just cannot ignore her. When she is around, I notice that the words come out so much easier. Strange, but true. 

For the past few days I have needed to watch some of my old videos of TV programs I liked, years ago. I've been stressing out recently, and I needed something else to think about. Two evenings ago, I watched the history/documentary of the Polka King Frank Yankovic. He really was the Polka King, writing so many songs, and playing them in so many venues. He pleased millions of people over the years. He passed away some years ago.

I dearly love the polka, and like to listen to the Polka programs I can find on the internet. I also like to listen to my old audio tapes that I had taped many years ago in Pennsylvania, where I lived, and in Michigan when I went to stay with my Mom from time to time because of her illnesses. Polkas are cheerful, and uplifting to so many, including me. I also love East European music, as well as all of European music, and there is much of that on these audio tapes. That also helps me to get rid of stress.

I was going to take a power nap, but I suddenly remembered that I wanted to write about my lovely walk! Everyone knows that I need it to retain my balance, and I neglected to walk often, to my regret. So perhaps you all may just as well telepathically hint to me that it's time for a walk, will you? I know that I have pooh-poohed the idea so many times, but please do persevere with me. 


I did take my morning drink yesterday and this morning. It was suggested to me, and I think it is a very good idea. It has settled in with me to my satisfaction, and I would like to continue it. It's a teaspoon of ground psyllium husks in a half cup of water or almond milk, a teaspoon of chia seeds, and a teaspoon of ground flaxseed, stirred together in the half cup of liquid, and allowed to sit at least five minutes to gel. It goes down very well, and I am quite pleased. 

It seems that I feel better because of that special drink; I've been needing something like that for quite some time. I am grateful for the advice. 

The weather has been calm, but a hot 91 degrees. Just a few minutes ago, the weather forecast changed, to 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms this late afternoon. I do hope it will rain for about fifteen minutes, not a cloudburst, mind you, just a nice steady rain to freshen the area. There is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight, and Sunday night. 40% by Monday. We welcome the rain, but we want no damage or injuries! In other words, no storms!

There, that's better. I think I'll close here, and take my Power Nap: I love those naps, they're short and very sweet, and so refreshing. 


It feels so good to come back to my blog. I have missed writing it, and I apologize to those of  you who have looked forward to it. I had been so busy with several other priorities, and going through several boxes of papers: our children's school papers and drawings, many of my old papers to look over, shred, or put away. Not culling, through the years, leads to such a mountainous job now. 





I'll see you at the Corner Post...

Keeping Company with Three Dogs; Report on the Weather.

Keeping Company with Three Dogs; Report on the Weather.                               April 21, 2012

Good Morning, everyone! I am keeping company with three dogs at their house, since Bill, Jennifer, and Veronica went to Nashville to visit 

Jen's parents. They are checking up on the parents. 'S funny, when We Cute Li'l Old Fogies are ''up there”, our children like to check up on us. 

It does make me feel good, though, that somebody cares! 

Bill fed the dogs earlier than usual, just before the departure for Nashville. I surmised that the dogs would want to eat quite early in the morning, like 4 o'clock or so, and I used my “noodle” to figure this out. I gave them each half of a big milk bone treat just before I went to bed at nine p.m. 

That was a good plan, because they were quiet and resting when I woke up at 6:30. Except for 2:20 a.m. when they needed to go out to pee. One of them gave a sharp, high-pitched yelp to notify me that it was necessary. That was almost better than my alarm clock ringing,

it made me immediately alert.

After about three or four minutes the yelp sounded again. I let them in, and they went directly to their sleeping places. It was peaceful for another four hours. 

I am up for the day, fed the doggies, and already, they are settled down for a long morning nap. As soon as I begin to make my breakfast in another hour, they'll get up and be underfoot, because each will want to be the first to see me drop some crumbs on the floor! It's one of their favorite pastimes, searching the floor in the kitchen and around the stove, sniffing and licking. They are, of course, adorable! 

Now for the weather: The thunderstorms that were forecast finally came, after some rumbling off in the distance, and thundering closer and closer. We had lots of rain, enough to satisfy the fields for about a week. 

But, and this is really displeasing, it is very cold out there, only 47 degrees, with the cold air coming down from the far north. The three doggies do not like it right now, because they have gotten used to the warmer temperatures this spring. They'll probably want to spend most of the day indoors, which is all right with me. The high today will be about 67 degrees. 

Are you all having a good time where you are? I hope things are fine and dandy for you.

Now for my breakfast. I’ll write more later…

Love, Mom - Grannamae - Anna Mae.

I’ll see you at the Corner Post…

Church Picnic; Double-Dip Ice Cream Cone.

My mother’s younger sister Mary came to visit us in the coal mining town, Larksville / Plymouth for a few days. She is only three years older than I am. She lived with her parents on a farm near Nicholson. It was summertime, and she was able to come and stay with us. The year must have been about 1939 - 40.

There was a Church Picnic that weekend, and she and I walked the two or three blocks to see it. The festival was held across the street from the church. I do not remember the name of the church, but it was on Chestnut Street. The various stands were set up on a little incline in an open lot with some trees surrounding it.

We walked around and looked at all the different stands they had. I don’t remember if anyone else was with us. We walked over to the ice cream stand to buy some ice cream.  She ordered a double-dip ice cream cone - oh, how luscious it looked. I ordered something else, probably a single-dip cone because I was smaller and younger.

We were so happy with our ice cream, and were walking away from the stand, licking at our dips of refreshing ice cream. When all of a sudden, as Aunt Mary was licking the ice cream, the pressure of her tongue pushed the ice cream off the cone and onto the ground!  It hadn’t been placed onto the cone very securely. We hadn’t gone very far away from the stand, and the lady there said that Aunt Mary could have another dip.

So Aunt Mary and I went back to the stand for the free dip of ice cream for Aunt Mary. That was a kind thing that the lady did. I felt so happy for my dear Aunt Mary!

Oh, just thinking about ice cream makes me want a banana split!

I’ll see you at the Corner Post…

Josephine's Goat; Later On, Our Goat Dandee.

Josephine’s Goat; Later On, Our Goat Dandee.

On the Springville Farm, after chores were done, and we children were at school, my parents worked a few days a week at the local Auction House. My Mom Josephine loved the young goat that was on sale. She decided to buy it. We were glad to see the goat when we got back from school. I don’t remember the goat’s name, but she followed us around, which was quite enjoyable for us.

The goat was white, cute, adorable, frisky, and sometimes naughty, as in ‘being a pest’. She was quite young.

Mom and Dad would be doing the chores in the barn, and we three children would also be in the barn helping. The goat would also come into the barn, and suddenly leap around, having such fun. She was so nice to have around, we thought.

The cow feed was stored in a large chest near the middle of the row of stanchions, in front of the cows, to make it easier to dip into the chest and put the daily or twice-daily ration on the floor in front of each cow while they were standing in their stanchions.

The cute, adorable goat would nibble the food in front of the cow’s mouth and “share” breakfast. She also would reach into the cow feed in the bin if it was high enough for her to reach for a bite, and probably would jump into the chest to get a bigger bite.

If she jumped into the chest for some nibbles, sometimes she would leave those little black pellets from her last meal, and my Dad Joe would scold her to “get out of there!” and she’d quickly jump out of the bin, and race to hide behind Mom’s skirts. This was always fun to see, because she knew that Mom would ‘save her life’, so to speak.

Well, later on, when my husband and I had children, we bought a goat named Dandee, and tied her up to eat the grass and bushes that she liked. She was not a little goat, but a grown one. I would keep watch over her from time to time, and go back into the house to do my household chores, take care of the baby or toddler, and peek out through the window to see how Dandee was doing.

One day, I looked out, and she seemed to be tangled up in the fence separating our yard from the neighbor’s field. I went out to untangle her, and saw that she was really tangled up. So badly tangled was she, the rope around her neck was very tight. Her tongue was hanging out and the tongue was a deep color and not her usual pink tongue. She was trying to bleat for help, but couldn't quite do it. 

I quickly got her untangled, and thank my lucky stars, she was all right. Whew, that was such a scare! I don’t know why she just couldn’t stay on our side of the fence and eat all the grass, weeds, and little bushes that we had!   

I'll see you at the Corner Post...