Take up serpents

I was talking with someone today just making conversation and the subject of snakes came up.

If any body has read my stories before about snakes they know I'm not fond of the little no shoulder critters.

This Lady told me she had kin by marriage that was one of those snake handling church members.

They take the Bible literally word for word.I always say that is what we should do.

But this taking up of the serpent like it said in the Bible is not for me.I have faith but I also believe in not temping faith.

I'm a strict believer in religious freedoms.If handling rattlesnakes and drinking poison is what you do to express your faith go for it.

After my conversation I researched it.Really what I found out surprised me.They believe mostly what Baptist which I was raised and confess to be minus the taking up of serpents.

Freedom to believe as you want ,one of the pleasures of living in this great country.

Gary J. zap away ray gun

One of my sources(don't ask) brought me something this morning.

My very own personal Gary J. zap away ray gun.It's something much needed and way over due.

Some folks reading this might know Gary.Those that don't consider yourself  blessed.

Gary awakes early in the morning.5 am early and cruises the hall of the OFH.No one gets up at 5 except the milkman.Here he comes at that ungodly hour flicking the lights on and off in room 31.Wake up rise n shine like those Marine DI's do in the movies.Room 31 doesn't do the early rising thing.

A good time for zapping Gary with the Gary J. zap away ray gun.Zap and poof he be gone.

Gary and that big heavy power chair he cruises around in.Give him plenty of room.Sooner or later he will run over your toes.I think he must have a sore toe detector built into that thing cause if you have a sore he will run over it.

A good time for zapping Gary with the Gary J. zap away ray gun.Zap and poof he be gone.

Gary is the resident council president.What his job is who knows.I think it has something to do with flirting with CNA'S and Nurses.I asked Gary how he got elected and he answered no one else wanted the job.

A good time for zapping Gary with the Gary J. zap away ray gun.Zap and poof he be gone.

I think you get the jest of the story and there is no reason going farther.But we love him like a brother.

Uh oh here he comes...

A good time for zapping Gary with the Gary J. zap away ray gun.Zap and poof he be gone.

Following me

Something dark and sinister
Following me
What it is don't know
Just can't see

Skeeter named Fred

Big skeeter on my window
Thought you were dead
Why did you go
And I took the time to name you Fred

Did you just fly away
Is that why you're gone
I really hope that's why
Big skeeter found a new home

The talks we had
Those memories made
Did it get to hot
And big skeeter wanted some shade

I do miss you much
But this I will do
Another big skeeter I will find
And name him Fred after you

Ain't fair sometimes

It was a mistake.

Watching that Food channel's show with that guy named Guy who drives around in that red SS convertible Camaro called Dives Drive Inns and Diners.

For supper,by choice I had Cheerios with 2% milk and a bitter cup of luke warm coffee and a cup of no sugar added chocolate pudding.

There it was that guy named Guy eating BBQ ribs,corned beef sandwiches and he topped it off with some of the best NYC deli doughnuts.

My mouth waters just thinking of those wonderful delicious tempting morsels of culinary creations.

Life just ain't fair at times.

While I'm dreaming

Momma.

 I would love to have some of your biscuits right now.How about some fried strik o lean with that gravy you made,some chopped up onions add that to some mustard ,dip your biscuit into it,better than a T bone steak.

While my mouth waters and I'm dreaming,some of your nanna pudding sounds really good right now.

If only it was possible.

I am ready

Ready for summer.

My favorite season.

It means snow cones,the smell of fresh cut grass,hum of a floor fan on a sultry night,fire flies and the aroma of Honeysuckle and Formosa,on and on.

When I was a kid summer time off from that thing called school was what I patiently waited for.Three month's of freedom.By the way three things about school I did enjoy,lunch,recess and going home each day.School tended to interrupt my sleep.

Up at sunrise,all day riding my bike,listening to AM radio that was taped to the handlebars,balloons tied to the spokes for that motorcycle sound,relaxing at Jay McMichaels country store.That was a place the old guys rocked in those big rockers,us kids sat on the floor wasting away a hot July day.If you were lucky the girl you had a crush on would walk in and your heart would do that pitter patter thing.

No street lights on the East Newnan mill village,sundown meant time to go home.

Yes I'm ready for summer.

My fake Ray Ban shades have been super glued back together.

One more summer I think they will make it.

The remote

Yay!

The cable is back on.200 channels wow.

Perfect clear picture.The wait was worth it.

Yesterday I was doing the man thing of channel surfing.This is another difference between men and women.A woman can have 200 channels of TV to choose from and will stop on 1 channel and watch it all day.Something about that remote that makes a man flick through every channel available constantly searching.Gotta be something better on.

Men we be simple.

A lazy boy recliner,giant screen TV and that remote,give us that and we will survive.

365 days

Watching a small bird fighting off a hawk.That small bird most likely has a nest of babies close by.I'm sure that small bird would gladly sacrifice her life protecting those babies.

Ain't that the way Mothers are.

Sacrificing for their sometime unappreciative young.Loving us unconditionally.We may be wrong but still Momma will stand up for us till the end.

Someone once said"a Mother's love is the closest thing to God's love on earth we will ever have".

Momma Sunday is Mother's Day.

I don't need just one day a year to thank you for all you did for me.

365 days of the year I do that.

Love and miss you Momma.

Being

I'm just happy
Being me
It's another way of
Being free

Room 31 random ramblings

Random ramblings from room 31.

The subjects covered so far this morning have been sin and how glad I don't have to judge cause I'm not qualified ,have you ever seen a baby crow or pigeon,did you ever have to pick cotton,how smart dogs are,admiring pretty women are we lusting or just praising God's creation.

The conversations can get deep down here in 31 SW and you are invited to join our daily random ramblings.

Just bring your own rubber boots.

Things we rednecks do and don't

Things we rednecks do and don't:

1.Don't sip iced tea with a straw.

2.Do if possible batter and fry your food.

3.Don't call cauliflower ,broccoli and raw squash a vegetable plate.

4.Do batter and fry your cauliflower, broccoli and raw squash.

5.Don't cuss someone's Momma,dog or truck...not necessarily in that order.

6.Do use wore out household appliances and truck tires as lawn decorations.

7.Don't ever throw away anything...that's what front porches are used for.

8.Do reserve the warm front seat of your truck for the dog...the wife and kids like the fresh brisk air and rain on a winters day riding in back.

9.Don't pay attention to #8 I was just teasing...really...trust me.

10.Here's your chance to post your redneck do's and dont's

Little table

I did something different yesterday at supper.

For the last 2 years and a few months my supper routine has been the same,everyday here at the OFH.

I sit in front of the TV out in the mall area and have my supper.

For 3 weeks plus the cable has been off here(running new lines to each room)and instead of staring at a blank wall I've turned my WC around facing the crowd.

It wasn't that I'm anti social it just became a habit.

Each day closer and closer I got.Moving in my WC ever so close.

Yesterday it happened.

I joined a handful of folks at the little tables and ate supper.Not down the hall in the big dining room but the little tables in the mall area.

It was nice and supper was enjoyable.I might do it again.

When I was a kid at family get-to-gathers eating at the big table was reserved for grown folks.Kids ate at make shift little tables.

Here I am,an old man eating back at the little table.

Know what?

I liked it.

Life at the old folks home

Life around the OFH(old folks home) let me tell you about it.The good and bad.The funny and sad.

First off we were just like you once.Working,raising families doing all the things you are doing in your daily life.

For some reason or another things happened,injuries,sickness,we got old and a helping hand is needed.

Truth be know 99.9% of the residents here(that is what we are called)would rather be back at their home.Chances are that will never happen.Some their next home will be hospice or the grave yard.

This has been my home for over 2 years now.What has saved my sanity is this blog, being able to keep my brain busy and don't forget my eye on the world,the big window beside my bed.

There are 2 wings of the home separated by a long hall. I live on south wing affectionately called the dirty south or the projects.It tends to be a little rowdy around here.Especially full moon nights.Mainly because there are a number of dementia residents on the south side.

102 or so residents live here.Some like me are here for the long haul.Others are short timers here for rehab.

There are about 50 rooms total,most are 2 resident occupant rooms,then there is what is called wards, what my room is holding 4 residents.

Meals.Most are good.Breakfast at 8 lunch noonish supper at 5.Snacks in between.I've gained 20 pounds.

What is there to do on an average day at the OFH?

Bingo seems to be the most popular activity.There are crafts and other similar activities,people and groups that come by and entertain,church services,field trips(when the bus is running)and what I call eating meetings those I do attend.Got food? I'm there.

Watching people's health decline in front of you is the sad part of OFH life.The funny is the things old folk say especially little old gray haired people,I think most were sailors because of the language Grandma can use.

The good,CNA'S and Nurses.Without them that would be the bad.

Mr cable man

As I sit here
Remote in my hand
I'm so bewildered
Why I've been abandoned by the cable man

It wasn't that long ago
All was good and happy
I could sit and enjoy
My afternoon TV shows

Three weeks now it's been
Where o where did he go
Mr cable man
He be so slow

Fit for

Sunny,warm,a lazy day only fit for one thing.

Sitting on the banks of the Chattahoochee river under a Weeping Willow tree, cane pole in hand watching that red and white bobbler bob up and down hoping for a bite from that river possum called a Catfish.

A big bottle of Double Cola,couple cans of potted meat or Vienna sausage along with some soda crackers and a Honey bun all bought from the bait shop were you got your red wigglers worms.

Even if nothing is caught just watching and listening to the river run free will be just fine.

My first time

My first time.

1962 Macon,Georgia,downtown.

I was staying with Aunt Gladys and Uncle Leon for a week over July 4th  while my folks were moving from LaGrange to Newnan,Georgia.

I had just turned 10.

Aunt Gladys and I  were downtown Macon and she asked if I was hungry.10 year old kids never turn down a meal.

Into this place we went.The smells were wonderful.I can close my eyes and I'm back there.

How many hamburgers do you want Johnny,yep that's what people called me back in the day.

0ne will be fine with fries please.A growing boy can eat more than one she said.One will be fine I repeated.

She went to the counter and place her order returning shortly.

There it was in front of me,a small steamed bun,square,thin fried hamburger pattie,onions,mustard and a dill pickle on top.

A Krystal.

That simple burger all those years ago started a love affair that most likely last till the end.

Each time I was in a town that had a Krystal a sack full was bought to take home but they usually didn't make the trip.

My folks would ask what I wanted for my birthday meal and the answer was always let's go the Krystal!

At that time the closest Krystal was in Valley,Alabama a short trip down Highway 29.

For some reason Krystal's always tasted better in Valley.Still do

I think it was the mid to late 1990's Krystal came to LaGrange.Located in front of the old K Mart store I would drive by watching the building progress which didn't take long.They brought the store in prefabed sections.

Opening day.

I was there and the rest of LaGrange was also it seemed.Bumper to bumper traffic,no parking places to be found,traffic was not moving at all,30 minute wait time but it was worth every minute.

LaGrange had reached the big time.We had a Krystal.

I read in the Daily News that the LaGrange Krystal had the biggest opening day than any other in Georgia.

Some hate'em some love'em.I'm in the love'em group.

Maybe Krystal just brings back good times and memories.

My first one ranks high in my memories just like the first time at Melears BBQ in Union City.When they brought out those half gallon iced tea glasses Momma and me got the giggles never had I seen a glass so big but that is another story for another time.

Yep 4 Krystals and a large fry sounds mighty inviting right now.

Oh by the way have you ever had a Nu Way hotdog....

By the way...what did you think this story was about?

Beautiful sights

Laying here in bed last night I noticed the stars how bright they shined and the crescent moon was out just adding to the view.

About dawn I was awake and the sky again was beautiful with the flickering light of the stars so high.

This morning I'm being serenaded by happy birds singing and the bright rising sun shining on Georgia pines.

Tomato sandwich

The tomato sandwich
Is anything better
Salt pepper mayo
Eating them so clever

White loaf bread
No wheat please
Making them simple
A quick breeze

Add bacon lettuce
Good food to me
Then you got
A BLT

Corner of Dallis Street and Truitt Avenue

Sitting on the porch at Grandma's Smith house just wasting away a summer's day.

Leafing through a Sears&Roebuck catalog playing all on this page is mine.Eating the ever present weenies and sour kraut.

Being sent to Jacobs store and what ever change was left you can have Grandma would say.

Playing in the big ditch.

Watching Tarzan all day on the TV.

Smokey Joe's and those hamburgers and a big dill pickle.

Sitting on the front porch steps watching the world pass by waiting on Pete the ice cream man.

Those Sunday dinners when all our Aunts,Uncles and Cousins would be there.

What are your memories of the corner of Dallis Street and Truitt Avenue?

Had a dream

Daddy I had a dream last night.

We got a chance to say things to each other that had been left unspoken.

Love and missing you.

Sinister plot

May 1st,May Day.

Let's dance around the May Pole.

Back in the 1950's kids from Southwest Elementary would walk several blocks to Callaway Auditorium for the annual dance around the May Pole on the lawn.

What all this was about I've never understood.

I googled it and the May Pole dance is a Pagan celebration.

Now why would the powers that be have school children practicing a Pagan holiday?

My theory.

Back in the 50's things were done by the government that wasn't quite Kosher.Medical experiments on unwilling,unsuspecting subjects.Soldiers exposed to atomic test blast.There is even a rumor that President Eisenhower had made a deal with excuse me,Aliens for protection from a invasion by those  bad boy Reptilian Aliens.

The so called deal was we give the Grays,the good guy Aliens free run of our planet.They were allowed to do cattle mutilations and the occasional human abduction for this protection.

Now I have no real proof just a gut feeling  that us little kids were partaking in some sinister plot by dancing around that May Pole.

After years of intense research and interviews with my fellow classmates who danced around that May Pole this I discovered...

Sorry JohnLee's story ends here...look into my eyes...deeper...you will not remember this story...it never happened...trust me.

My heart

My heart is cold
More as I grow old
Tragedies don't make me flinch
Surely my heart has a glitch

What is wrong with me
There must be a key
Have I grown immune
To the sad tunes

Once I cared
Always my heart I  bared
Now I'm just numb to it all
The big and the small

Tuesday's gone

Where did Tuesday go?

Once I seen a old black and white movie called "The Lost Weekend" about an alcoholic who could not remember what he did over a weekend.

This morning I tasted that fear.

Well I don't drink or take mind altering drugs but for awhile this morning I thought Tuesday had been skipped and straight to Wednesday we went.

Really it started Monday.

10:30 am I noticed the clock.That's the last I remember till the lunch tray came a rolling in around noonish.I had dozed off so that missing hour can be explained.

Losing a whole day is a different situation.

At breakfast my roomies were talking about it being Wednesday the last day of April.No it's Tuesday thinking to myself.I didn't say it out loud but something is wrong here I've lost a whole day of the week.

Thinking back to Monday's lost hour panic started to creep in.I'm losing my mind right along with losing a Tuesday.

My breakfast meal ticket was right in front of me and it plainly said Tuesday.I checked my Yahoo home page,Tuesday,last but not least I looked at a calendar,again Tuesday.

Seems I've not totally stepped off the cliff into that deep valley of insanity.

Today is Tuesday.

Sin is sin

When does one sin become greater than another?

Someone told me what their preacher's sermon was about yesterday.Over indulging in alcohol and being a glutton with food.

Now ain't it easy to look down on someone if you ain't doing that particular sin?

I don't know what sin my sermon would be about.I'm guilty of alot of them.

Won't be a hypocrite.

Sin is sin and if your not partaking in a certain one it doesn't mean your sin is minor compared to others.

Funky Town

LA may be shaky town.

Chicago they call the windy city.

New York New York a town so nice they named it twice.

Randy Newman may love LA.

Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco.

But I have them all beat.

I live in Funky Town!

Just say no

Cable TV.

It sucks.

No TV all week because of no cable here at the old folks home.Seems you have to have a cable box now.

Box we have plus new remote but no TV.

Does anybody really like cable?

I've had my share of dealing with them.Once I had to argue with a cable guy about my home address.He said it was so and so but he was wrong,the address he needed was across the street.Talk of customer service it's non existent right up there with UFO'S and Bigfoot.Cable phone ops have hung up with me.Once they wanted to double charged for a months service,I refused,they turned it into a collection agency.Again they can't read house numbers,a weekend,cable was disconnected,wrong house,mine.

With satellite and internet TV now who needs them.

Cable TV just say no.

Manners

Manners.

You got them or you don't.

Just seen a young man walking down the street and his pants where almost at his knees.I do hope his undies are clean.

Bet he is making his Momma real proud today.

Granny got a gun

Interesting.

Now in Georgia any law abiding citizen can carry a gun into schools,churches,bars,airports etc.

Maybe this is a good idea.

In these days of random shootings in schools,shopping  centers,hospitals,everywhere people go having a pistola in your jean's back pocket could come in handy.

Big Bubba would be less likely to harass Granny Sally if she is packing big iron on her hip,a big ole Colt,not the iron in her hip replacement.

We interrupt your program...

Do you remember back in the old days before CNN,Fox and all those other 24 hour news stations?

You would be watching TV and your screen would go blank with no sound.

Those terrifying words would flash across your TV and a few seconds later the announcer would say we interrupt your program for this special bulletin.

Your mind would start racing.What has happened.Who died.Are we being attacked by some unknown country,is this the end of us all my friend?

Those special bulletins never brought good news.

They just scared the heebie jeebies out of me.

Get it fixed

They better get it fixed quick.

The natives will get restless and unruly.I for one am not ready for all the fighting,screaming and just plain out being bad by some of the residents here.

Don't let these little ole gray hair Ladies here at the OFH(old folks home) fool you they can be mean.They cruise the halls like sharks in the deep blue ocean looking for prey.I'm sure some of them were members of an outlaw motorcycle club like Hell's Angels or the Granny Renegades.They just have that look.

We will be in a situation worse than any full moon if nothing is done.

They better get that cable back on real quick like!

Is there any terror worse than when Grandma can't watch her shows ?

TFNH attention

Attention staff and residents of TFNH.

It's that time of the year again.

We are having the annual send room 31 SW to Daytona Beach for Bike Week fund raiser marathon.

For your convenience a donation box has been placed outside our door.

Direct all inquires to Paul.

Thank you.

Ride away

This sunny day
I want to
Find a Harley
And ride away

Places not known
Where never been
See different people
Make new friends

Wind in face
Sun on back
I’m just looking
For new place

Just close eyes
I am there
Even when sitting
In this chair

His love for us

Happy Easter!

He has risen.

He is alive.

I'm awake early this morning.

Just got back from the shower.Boy I was asleep when Ms B came and got me.The Hoyer lift batteries where dead last night and I missed my regular shower night.Those hot showers are one of life's little pleasures.

Awake and waiting on breakfast which should be around soon.

On this Holiest of Holy days just remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us,his love for us.

His name was Jim

Me and my little monkey.

I did have a monkey or better yet it had me.

A guy I knew got the little bugger for his wife as a pet but she was terrified of it.

Now I had a set of 110 pound weights that after falling across my neck and breaking down a bed I no longer wanted.It was safer being a 96 pound weakling for me.

So a trade was made.

110 pound weights for 3 pounds of pure unadulterated energy and fun.

His name was Jim.Jungle Jim.

Quickly we became buddies.When we where alone Jim was free of his cage and roamed freely.

Like all little kids when they get quiet they are up to something and Jim was no different.

We had this connection.My folks said that Jim would pace his cage and start whistling everyday at the time I would be coming home.Was it coincidence or did he know?

Jim would chase dogs.

Jim was scared of cats.

Jim would sit on my shoulder or lay on my chest whistling me a song while patting my face with those baby sized hands of his.

Jim got sick.

He died in my arms at the vets.I was 18 in a crowd of people I cried.Not ashamed because I had lost a dear friend.

On quiet lonely nights I think his whistling can still be heard.

Jim calling me to play.

Thanks to my evil twin

Seen something today that immediately took me back in time.Talk about a flashback this was.

If by any chance friends from East Newnan,Georgia more specific East Newnan Elementary happen to run up on this story you will most likely remember this.

Mr Camp's 7th grade 1964-1965.

Today I seen black marks on the floor.

Yes friends it took me back in time when no one wore sneakers or as we called them tennis shoes.Like Mr Ford and his model T you could get your Keds in any color you wanted long as it was black.Low tops or basketball high tops your choice.

We where deprived compared to kids of today.No fancy smancy colors of the rainbow sneakers like now.

Back in the old days sneakers where rarely worn to school.Then shoes where dress type with leather or rubber soles.Penny loafers in brown was my favorite for years.

Leather or rubber heels on a hard floor tend to leave marks.Black marks.

Add that with 13 year old juvenile delinquents and it's a recipe for mischief and disaster.That includes some of the girls also.

Maybe some of those black marks on that shiny buffed floor got there on purpose.Even though the stature of limitations has long passed I'm not admitting anything.

Old Man H the principal at the time saw, seen and hit the roof.I swear at times we aggravated him so much that really I think smoke boiled out his ears.

Once Old Man H accused me of standing on the side of the road and giving him the one finger sign of international peace and goodwill.I do have an evil twin out there somewhere so I'm sure it was him.My evil twin has been seen many times doing things I only wish I had nerve to do.

Tooth brushes can be used for many things it seems.Cleaning black marks off shiny buffed floors is one of them.

On our knees ,guilty and the innocent, a whole day was spent scrubbing floors.

One day I will meet my evil twin and I swear his hand will be shook and he will be thanked for all of the interesting situations he has got me in.

Lessons learned

Easter egg hunts of past.

One I do remember.Back in the 1960's maybe when I was 12 or so.

The little church we attended had their egg hunt on a Saturday afternoon before Easter.

I learned a few life lessons at that church.

The preacher standing in the pulpit made a remark that even as a youngster I knew just didn't sound right.

He said if a so and so walked through his yard he was use extreme prejudice against them.I thought a Christian was being loving,forgiving,caring not preaching hate and violence against someone who is different from yourself.

Lesson learned just because you are standing in the pulpit what you say ain't exactly Christian.

Back to that egg hunt.That same preacher pointed out the prize egg to his nephew.Lesson learned,all in life is not fair.

Those lessons and a few more turned me against church and church people when I was younger.All the hypocrisies and jealousy the bickering between church members really affected me.

But never did I doubt Jesus and God.

I just had to learn that people are not perfect even in the church.

Follow Jesus not man.

A life lesson learned.

Krystal

Krystal
Can't be beat
Burgers and fries
Ready to eat

Chil pups
Corn dogs to
You can even get
Breakfast in a cup

Open 24 hours
For your delight
You can get'em
Day and night

Mustard onions pickles
Little steamed bun
I can eat five
Then I'm done

Stop,look and listen

Stop,look and listen.

You sure can learn a lot about people by doing that.

A first class education in human behavior.

Free for the taking,no charge.

I think the best place for getting this education is the parking lot of any grocery store.A cross section of life will pass by your eyes.The sad,funny,pitiful,shocking personalities you will observe.All in one handy location.

Try it sometime.

Deleted

Oh woes me
It do seem
Someone on Facebook
Has deleted thee

What did I do
Was it something said
Or what I done
Me and my bighead

Was it a close friend
If it was not
Who was it then
Maybe it was long lost kin

Sorry you feel this way
And it came to this
Not getting sappy
But have a happy day

In my humble opinion

Open the windows on a balmy southern summer night and let the sounds and sights of nature lullaby you to sleep.

Crickets,cicadas,fireflies in June mixed with the aroma of honeysuckle.

But in my humble opinion there is nothing sweeter to my ears than the singing of a mockingbird on those quiet nights.

Corn dogs

A weird dream this morning.

First off the old house where 33 years where spent was burning.No one was hurt thank goodness but the house was gone.

Maybe it was something subconscious accepting that the house was gone.

Now for the other part of my dream.

Chili corn dogs.

Is there such a thing?

It was 7:30 am in my dream,I know cause I took a look at the clock thinking to myself these chili corn dogs are going to spoil my breakfast.

Hey I think something has been figured out!

Lately by blood sugar readings have been very high.

It's because of me eating all this good food like chili corn dogs  in my dreams.

SHUT INS

This morning one of my roomies asked if I was awake.The privacy curtain was pulled and he could not see me.

Yes I'm awake Paul.Then he asked if I was out of the bed.No Paul still in bed.

There are 4 of us here in room 31 and for one reason or another 3 of us are what you call confined to bed till someone helps us out of it.

This got me thinking.

The old timey radio preachers call us "SHUT INS".

Heard that term all my life now that fits me.Never before had I thought that.

SHUT INS yeah that's me.

Don't pity me cause at times it ain't so bad.I told a Lady yesterday if only getting in/out of bed and taking care of a few other basic human needs,if I could do those, care for myself,ole JohnLee would be back on his own living the independent life style.

But as life has it that's not in the plans.

At times we all need a little help from our friends.

If possible

What to do with all this free time.

If I was smart which I ain't maybe curing the common cold or curing cancer and all those other awful things I could do.

How bout finding a way for world peace and ending poverty,no more hungry kids.

I could write a book that would make people laugh and forget all their problems for maybe a hour or so.

Snap my fingers and everyone would feel loved and at peace.

None of this I can do.

But if possible I would.

It's coming

Easter is coming.

That was always time for new shoes and a suit for Easter Sunday.

Time for coloring eggs for that big hunt.

Easter baskets.

Two times a year you went to church.

Christmas and Easter.

Shame that the real reason of those two days are lost in all of the commercializing of the most Holy of celebrations.

It's not about the Easter bunny or Santa.

Just here to help ya...an emergency reprint for a new friend

Being a born and bred Southern Gentleman I find it my civic duty to help others,those from north of Hogansville,Georgia,Yankee territory,to learn to speak proper English.

At times they can't understand what I'm talking about and vicer versa.Today we shall start with the basics.

Let's get this eating thing down pat first ok.There are 3 meals in a 24 hour period.Breakfast,dinner and supper.Dinner equals lunch to those of you north of Hogansville and supper is the night time meal not dinner.Next let's just go ahead and get this outta way quick.That 4 legged,fuzzy thing with a wagging tail and goes bow wow ain't no dog.Repeat after me it's a DAWG and the longer you can draw it out the better.

Next we move along to the most common things you should learn to be understood and to understand.That thing you sit in is not a chair it's a cheer.Example,ain't cha tared sit in the cheer for a bit.Then theres winder you know that thing made of glass that most houses have you look out at.Now we get fancy with details.That thing you lay your head on at night down here in Georgia is called a piller not pillow.Simple huh,your'e doing great so far.Ok to keep things short so you don't lose concentration our last word of the day is fanger.Northerners called or mispronounce it as finger.

Ok that should do it for today.See it ain't hard to properly speak English all you have to do is just try hard and study and in no time you will be speaking Georgian like ya was born here.

Sharper than a sword

Shoot it,stab it,stomp it but it can't be stopped.

This old monster has been around since the beginning of time.

It can be innocent at first but ending in disaster.

Lives can be ruined.

Gossip.

The tongue can be sharper than the sword.

Going to kill me

Sorry but the food here at the old folks home is not to my liking.

It don't look good or taste good to me.

You may say but it's healthy for you.

If that's the case why was my blood sugar at 571 Friday night and is still high.

I'm ready for cooking like I grew up on.Butter beans,fried diced up potatoes and cornbread.

Heck if food is going to kill me lest let it be food I like.

Google this

A rainy,dark,blustery Monday morning here.

Thunder and lighting.

I like it.

Unlike that old Carpenters song rainy days and Mondays don't get me down.

Like Daddy would tell me even after getting grown,get away from that screen window and put that dog down they draw lighting.

Do dogs draw lighting?

Something to google on this rainy Monday morn.

Sounds of angished souls

They walk the halls at night.

Some of the most mournful sounds they make.Sounds that frighten me.Sounds of anguished souls walking these floors of the old folks home.

Fleeting shadows I see out of the corner of my eye.

I know when they are on the move.At times they come in pairs.

That sound.

That sound of squeaky shoes that the Nurses and CNA's  wear.

Oh the humanity of it all.

Should have know

Well now.

I spent 3 or more hours outside under the veranda by the cement pond.

Had my supper of cheesy beef mac and a roll with raspberry sherbet out there.

My water jug with me,it came in handy.Plus coffee and iced tea with my supper so was glad when I got back inside our humble abode if you get my drift.

Temperature was about 82 today.

My face is cherry red and people ask the same question... to much sun?

I have to go through the drill telling them no it wasn't the sun but those chopped up tomatoes I had with my salad Sunday night.It was a mistake eating those tomatoes because my forehead started stinging as they where ate.

But I do feel sunburned so maybe...

Peaceful

Just a dream
That I know
Peaceful it was
Back I go

Applesauce

I knew it was wrong from the beginning but that didn't stop me.

Greed and self centered behavior had taken over.The only one I was thinking about was me and my wants my desires.

Nothing can be hidden.Everything is revealed in the end.This will be no different.

So the story begins.

7 years old,Big Springs Road,at that time it was called the country then,LaGrange,Georgia.

For some reason my folks had been chosen by the little church we attended to be the ones to keep can goods for people who where in need.

The cans where stored under the kitchen cabinets.

This a good place to stop and express my opinion about something.Those cans where rusty and most where missing labels.The Bible said give with a cheerful heart and give to God your best first fruits.Story was a husband and wife gave but not their best and God struck them down.I think those rusty no labeled cans might fit in that category.Was it their best or what they wanted no more?

Ok off my high horse.

My sin is just as bad,no better or worse they are all equal.

Did I mention applesauce?

Loved that stuff when I was a kid.This is where the two stories meet.

Those rusty no label cans got the best of me and when a treat was wanted you guessed it applesauce hunting I would go.Yes looking in the cans designated for the needed.

Shame on me taking food out of the hungry's mouth.

You know what till this very day every time I see applesauce that is what is thought of.

A confession

When it happened I can't say.

A new low in my life has been reached.

Grandma Haynes forgive me.

I was raised better.

You started me down this road at the age of 4.

Sure after 57 years I have strayed but always came back to my roots,the way you taught me.

Grandma maybe it's best you are asleep,resting in your grave.

You will be spared of my dark secret and confession I must make to all mankind.

Grandma.

I now drink...

I now drink my coffee with a creamer but wait it gets worse at times I add a sweetener.

Grandma your blue eyed rusty footed baby boy has shunned the old ways.

No longer do I drink my coffee black and straight as you raised me.

Forgive me Grandma.

And please stop spinning in your grave.

You're making me dizzy.

All is ...

That smell.

Like a magnet I was drawn to it.

I followed it.

Popcorn.

Not only just popcorn but Cracker Jack and fruit punch and diet Coke.

I had a vision.

On the wall it was.

The big screen TV.

Atlanta Braves opening day for baseball.

All is good in Muddvile.

Spring and baseball have arrived.

Quick

No more fried foods for me.

Changing my ways.

Bring on the baked chicken and fish.

Load my plate with cauliflower broccoli and squash casserole.

Pass the turkey bacon,sausage and those mouth watering turkey burgers.

How about some celery who needs crinkle cut fries?

Wake me quick, call 911,I'm delirious...naw it's ok.
                                       



April Fool's!!! 

Something better

Am I going to end up like everyone else here?

We are a product of our environment people say.

A nurse said the other night that Alzheimer's is not inherited it is airborne.She might be right.

Not looking forward to that day at all.

I don't mourn very much these days when someone passes away.It's not that I'm cold hearted I just see it as being set free of all this earthly commotion we have to put up with.

Those that are so sick and in pain,so lonely,so confused,so brokenhearted,so scared...you get the picture.

God in Heaven there has to something better for them.

Quiet

Sky is blue,no wind,temp rising.

Woke to the sound of crows this morning much more pleasant than a rooster.

March is going out like a lamb.Same way it came in.

Things quiet round the old folks home.

For now.

Warning

An  unholy terror has been unleashed upon us.

You think something is heard.Something is seen out of the corner of your eyes,a dark fleeting shadow.

It is real,not your imagination.

You did hear something.You did see it.

That feeling of being watched.

Hair on the back of your neck rising.

A cold chill down the spine.

Be very afraid.

We have been warned of this.Consider our self lucky as things that will come will happen have already been presented to us for all who will read, prepare, believe.

Evil walks this earth.All of the vile demonic acts that the mind can imagine are happening right this moment.

Good news we have hope.

Howling

I love it !

The howling of the wind.

March is trying to go out like a lion.

The cold icy wind from my open window feels good to my bare arms.

Amen

Those self righteous types,politicians and people who oppose medical marijuana that would help kids who have seizures shame on you.

Shame on state attorney generals who don't want that new pill that is 5 times stronger than Vicodin .

You are playing with people's lives.

Blessed are those who are pain free and have healthy children.

As Lewis Grizzard,Great American said "PAIN CHANGES YOUR ATTITUDE ON DRUGS".

Amen.

Nursing home resident

Nursing home resident 31 B south wing.

That is me.

To tired to write,to tired to think.

Later amigos.

My new home

A place beyond
Way way gone
Beyond milky way
My new home

Riding comets tail
Through end times
This where belong
My new home

Faster than light
I travel alone
Sight of sights
My new home

Deafness of space
Life no trace
Where I belong
My new home

Burgers of past

Wish I had a good hamburger and fries right now.

Like those of my youth that seem so much better than those of today.

Go into a cafe ask for a burger and it was fried up as you wait.None of this cooked hours ago and warmed up stuff.

Fries,sliced and fried in real oil and with salt.

Better yet a hamburger by Daddy.Buns dipped in the grease with a bag of potato chips on the side.

Nothing fancy just good simple food.

Top it off with an icy cold bottle of real Coke.

Could have should have

In a moment of crystal clear clarity I seen my life as it really is.

I'm not pleased.

I have failed myself.

I lost.

I could have should have done better.

Memories get the best of me

Low blood pressure is normal for me.

100/60 or there bouts is where it normally runs.

Here at the OFH(old folks home)they check our vitals quite often,bp,temp,pulse.

Seems night time is the most regular time for checking room 31 usually just after dozing.

Maybe the reason for that is we are most relaxed.

Well sometime last night I was awaken,time for vital checks making sure we are amongst the living and not one of those walking dead zombie folks,we have'm here and maybe one day soon will write about them.

60/40 was my bp,second check was even lower 53/over something.

Feeling okay ?Yes I answered.

Since I was talking and coherent no need for a trip to the ER or as the nurse said morgue.

Going to check it again around 7 am she said.

She did and guess what?

This time bp was 163/70.Way to high for me.

Since it was about time for morning meds no action was taken.

I was alive,talking,joking around and most of all hungry for breakfast.

Later on in the day I had the pleasure off seeing the eye doctor.

When did doctors get so young,she looked every bit of 18.

My visit lasted only a few minutes.

Now get this she took a pair of tweezers and took something called plugs and put them in the inside corner of each eye.

I have heard of tire plugs,chewed a few plugs of Bull of the Woods tobacco but never of these eye plugs.

After thinking about this curious I was.

Seems they prevent watery eyes.

Maybe this will be good.

I tend to be sentimental about some things and when alone the tears can flow easy.

That is why I avoid any singing of Gospel songs when people come here and sing.

Memories get the best of me.

They can bring on the tears.

Flight 370

Flight 370
Where could it be
Did it make it to land
Or fall into the sea

Was it abducted
By UFO'S
That is something
We don't know

Was it high jacked
That could be
Is it on some island
Hid by trees

Flight 370
A mystery indeed
If you have any ideas
Tell us please

About you

Don't think me mean
If I say what's on my mind
Maybe it's come to this
Now is the time

Down off your high horse
That nose stuck in the air
Don't think yourself better than anyone
Some times you're more than I can bare

See yourself as others do
Not as you think yourself
Maybe your not that great
Sorry just being true

When you're gone
The world turning won't stop
Lucky you will be
If you're not forgot

We are all just one
No body better or worse
Judged not by what we have or want
Only by what we have done

There I said it
Maybe to much
At times I tend this to do
Guess it's time I stop talking and such

New life

Rainy day
Searching soul
Still doing
Things old

Want change
New life
Staring over
Tired strife

Peace needed
Satisfied mind
This wanted
All time

I'm trying

One step forward two steps backwards...I disappoint myself.

Did it...

I did it!

Survived the full  moon,Walking Dead night,Saint Patricks day trio.

The stars and planets where line up just right for this once in a life time
event.

Blame it on...

If you wonder what living at the old folks home is all about compare it to daycare not for your children but for your parents.

There are many similarities.

Diapers don't separate the young from the old.

No teeth can be a problem.Some have to have pureed food like babies who eat food from a jar.

Temper tantrums.You have heard of the terrible twos wait till the naughty necked nineties start.Why old folks get the urge to take their clothes off in public is a mystery.

By the way the day you walk or more likely are rolled through the front door of the OFH(old folks home)you just leave your modesty at that door.Just about every Nurse and CNA has seen my hiney by now.It's nothing personal.

Old folks can be mean.

Don't think cause we are old some of them won't hurt you.They scratch,kick,bite(well some of them)and take swings at you good as any two year old.

You have heard of that famous gang haven't you.

The CRIPS!

As this is being written it is a full moon night.

Everything said I'm blaming it on that full moon.

Fear inherited

I don't like snakes.

If they where furry and cuddly and make cute little sounds maybe I would feel different.

Never has a snake hurt me.

Several times they have scared me.

Once as a little boy I almost stepped on a rattler that was coiled up ready to strike.Most likely I would have reached down and picked it up but Daddy seemed fit to use extreme prejudice on the snake with a garden hoe.

One close encounter with a snake we met up and I guess it was just as scared of me as I was of it.It ran one way and me the other.

Hunting one fall with Daddy,leaned up against a tree,slithering over the brown golden orange leaves I seen a big snake headed straight for us.

Daddy I see a snake.

He never seen it,he out run me back to the car,by the way he had a gun leaving his little boy to catch up with him.

Aunt Lema was bit by a rattler picking black berries and almost died.

Maybe that fear of snakes is inherited.

I think facing a bear would be more pleasant than facing a snake.

Bears are at least furry and cuddly.

Wrecked chicken truck

Chicken legs for lunch yesterday.

Chicken legs for supper yesterday.

Lunch today chicken legs.

Guess what we had for supper today...think real hard you can do it...take a few minutes to think about your answer...you are a genius Einstein...chicken legs.

I read with interest about a truck loaded with frozen chickens that wrecked recently.

Do you suppose....

Walking shadow

I seen something last night at the time nothing much was thought of it.

Around 8 pm after getting into bed with the privacy curtain pulled around me I seen it.

A shadow of a person,medium height,taking it's time it seemed walking past the outside of the curtain.

Through the wall that shadow disappeared.

What or who it was is up for discussion.

You are gone

It’s just now started sinking in.

You are gone.

Friend,confident,lover.

Your life was one of tragedy.

Abandoned at birth raised by a woman you called Grandma who wasn’t any blood connection.

On your own at 17 living on the streets of Ohio.Eating out of dumpsters,sleeping in cars.

A forced abortion by family.Given a plane ticket to New York City alone you traveled fighting all the way till the end of baby Jonathan’s life who you loved and wanted.

I think, no ,I know that part of your life never left your presence.Till the end that guilt and pain was always with you.

Then the fire that took away your husband’s and brother’s life that October night.

Your two girls and son where your life.

What I will always remember about you was that smile.Each time I seen it you reminded me of a precious innocent little baby that I wanted to hold and protect.

You I’m thinking of tonight.

A life full of things not deserved.

How...

How can a person claim,own,sell something they did not create,conceive or build.

Talking about God's good green Earth.

I believe as the Native Americans.

We can't own the sky,rivers or the green grass we walk on.

Women on choppers

Women on choppers
Not messin with them
Women on choppers like to fight
Kick hit and bite

Women on choppers
Leave them be
Women on choppers
They are kinda cute to me

309

Sugar this morn was 309
But I feel fine
Lately high all the time
It's that good food I do dine

Tell all you meet
Even those you tweet
Don't give me treats
I'm to sweet

Earth tilted

It must have happened as we slept.

Did you noticed anything or what time it took place?

Was it a  phase shift of the Earth's axis that is playing havoc with my body?

I'm pretty sure that is the cause of my dilemma.

It slipped up on us like butter on popcorn.

Am I the only victim?

This tilting of my body the leaning to the right an involuntary motion that I have when laying in bed.

Well maybe it's not a phase shift of Earth's axis but a curving of my spine that is causing this awkward situation.

Mind wanders

On this cold Friday the last day of February my mind wanders to warmer days.

Out drawing Matt

A kid.
Saturday night around 10.
No matter how I tried.
Never could I out draw Mr. Dillon.

The moment we die

Shadows

Shadows on the wall
See all the time
Doesn't bother me at all
They friends of mine

Redheaded stepchild

Breakfast was great.One of those $5 types.

Thick sliced crispy bacon,fried egg,grits and a biscuit.

The type of breakfast us Southern boys grew up on.

All that was missing was crispy fried hash browns.

But I have a complaint.

Here at the old folks home renovations are being made in the kitchen.Think it is finished but have to wait on the Fire Marshall's inspection before being used.

So for the past week or so our food is coming from the hospital that owns this place.

My gripe.

The hospital sends over by chuck wagon this thick crispy old fashioned real honest to goodness bacon.

I love it!

When the kitchen here starts back up we will most likely get that thin fake chicken bacon.It will be a disappointment after that real bacon.

Is the hospital serving their patients and residents at the other old folks home they own this real bacon and we get the fake stuff?

Now I know how the redheaded stepchild at a family reunion feels like.

My name is

To some my name is John.

Some call me Johnny.

John Lee is another name.

I also answer to Pete...Momma sometimes called me this...Momma why you calling me Pete?...never an answer just a smile.

Pedro and Hoss Fly is what Daddy called me.

Gooney Bird was a childhood name...big ears looked like wings.

George is what a girlfriend called me...I was afraid to ask why.

Around the old folks home I answer to Joe,George,Big Head,J.B short for John the Baptist,Sugar and last but not least Sweet Cheeks.

Haynes is often mispronounced Hines or Hays but it's ok I know it's me you are calling.

Haynes(French for man with many names)is pronounced like Haines.

Yes I answer to many names.

If ever I'm blessed multiple personalities I have a name for each one!

Asked that question

I can’t say I’m not afraid of death.

But this I can say death is not dreaded.

People I think fear the unknown,change,not being in control.

We have a hard time letting go of life,the ones we don’t won’t to leave behind,possessions that keep us earth bound,material things.

I will admit death confuses me.

The Bible said “THE DEAD KNOW NOTHING and DEATH IS LIKE A DEEP SLEEP”,in the grave we stay till the return of Jesus.

Others say at the moment of death our spirit or soul leaves the body and goes on for it’s final judgment.

Oh how wonderful it would have been if Lazarus had wrote of his death,what it was like.

I’m sure in his time he was asked that question.

That game

Watergate
Kent State
People crying
People dying

Peace sign
Vietnam
Race war
Government lying

Burn baby burn
Malcolm X
JFK MLK RFK
What we learn

Black Panthers
KKK
Everyone wishing

Just go away

1960'S
I was there
Free love
Long hair

Nothing has changed
Still same
Everyone playing
That game

Nothing imitation

Good no excellent breakfast past two days.

Real not that chicken imitation bacon,thick sliced and crispy,fried egg,grits and a biscuit.

The kitchen here is being renovated and all meals are coming from WGMC the hospital that owns this old folks home.

Lunch and supper always come from there with breakfast made here.

Wonder if they serve that good bacon all the time at the hospital?

Full moon survival

Made it through the full moon around the old folks home without incident.

Far as I know anyway.

Did hear someone calling for help then somebody a nurse I think screaming 911 911.

Full moons can be interesting around here.

The zombies come out.

They walk the floor endless the term is called sun downing.

I know that term well,my Mom suffered from dementia and let the sun set and agitated she got.