Sons of Southern Straight Shooters as we are affectionately called.My assignment with the SSSS was to cause confusion and mayhem to our Brothers and Sisters north of Hogansville,Georgia.
Them Yankees.
Things I would do like upon their entry into the great state of Georgia give them the official are you a Yankee test.
What is that thing that is fury,wags it's tail and goes bow wow?If their answer was dog I knew further investigation was needed.The correct answer should have been dawggg.
Sweet milk or buttermilk with your bowl of cornbread?If they said ewww and gaged you knew on the spot they were Yankees.
Peanuts in your Co Cola or peanuts with your Co cola?This reveals much of our teste's personality.Peanuts in your Co Cola is the correct answer.
Who was the King and what was the number of his car and you get bonus points for naming the correct color of his car?Any answer other than Richard Petty and Petty blue for his car would be an abomination.Long live the King.
By the way.You do know who the Intimidator was don't you?If you don't that would get even a Southern born and raised redneck exiled from 3 states in Dixie and the District of Columbia.
Potted meat,Vienna's and moon pies.If those items are not in your food cabinet chances are you're not from these parts.
In closing I must admit.Those people North of Hogansville,Georgia ain't all that bad,really.
I welcome my Brothers and Sisters from the North with open arms.
And in closing Dear Loved ones,when that great day arrives and you truly realize that Georgia is the greatest State in this here Union,I will personally buy you a Greyhound bus ticket and we shall travel down I-85 to Montgomery,Alabama to the steps of the state Capitol where we shall kneel at the feet of Ole Jeff Davis's stature and give blessings and thanks for being the Chosen Ones living in the Great State of Georgia.
Minding my own beeswax not bothering any soul I see her from the corner of my eye.
It's like I hear that movie Jaws theme in my brain.But this time the shark I mean the little old gray wisp of a woman is cruising fast towards me.My mind is racing what is she up to.
Like a Ninja or a Mafia hired hit women she grabs my ice water off the table and with such uncaring callous emotion and the most hateful look on her face she splatters me with that cold water.
Not a word was spoken between us as she swiftly fled the scene in her wheelchair.
Yes people the old folks home is full of these Mafia Ninja type little old ladies.
Started out with a scratchy throat then a sore throat.That part is gone...I hope.
The head in a vise feeling has kicked in.
Coughing and sneezing.
If I had a fever which I think last night I did is gone.Right now the back of my head is wet with sweat.A few minutes ago after a spell of coughing nausea set in but after turning the AC on big boy is hot setting I'm better.
Maybe a few days down to the Bikini State for some sun and surf I bet.
Laying out on the beach cooking yourself.I can smell Banana Boat suntan lotion now or is Coppertone still around?
The water looks so good and inviting doesn't it?
The warm salty Atlantic or the close by Redneck Rivera of the South Panama City on the Gulf.
Go ahead I know you want to do it.Take a little swim.Wade into the crashing waves.Buy one of those plastic floats and just drift peacefully in the water.
But far be it for me to ruin your vacation no not I.
Day is done.It's through.Not dark yet but very soon.
In bed looking out the window at the green sky.Yep green.Always heard that means hail is close by.A little thunder storm and rain did move through our neck of the woods a few hours ago.Looking toward the west stray light of the setting sun is peaking through scattered clouds.
A small rumble of noise is still heard but for the old folks home it's fairly tame and quiet.
Lunch and supper were a bust.Mr. Charles brought me a tomato sandwich which got me through lunch. I've asked for a pimento or peanut sandwich with Cheetos or real chips not those baked kind.That will get me by till breakfast.
That's the highlights of my life today.Hope your was good.
Till we meet again happy trails to you...nope can't use that,Roy and Dale Rogers sang that at the end of every show.
So I will say what the Italians would always say after talking to them on Amateur Radio...Ciao.
Guess I did cause a coffee cup is sitting here.Took a little nap and couldn't remember when waking up.
Things like this are happening more frequently.
I've always had trouble with names this is nothing new but at times it's getting worse.Trouble spelling I have noticed but really never have I been a spelling bee champ.I'm so thankful for this Yankee spell checker.But sometimes Southern words don't compute.
Where are you from dummy, Georgia,my Yankee spell checker will smartly ask,why yes as a matter of fact I am from Georgia is my answer.
You know it could be a lot worse.
I could have said Alabama.
Now before ya'll folks over there in Alabama get all fussy and have a hissy fit you know we love you,shoot I got kin over there that never made it out and daily I pray for them.I'm man enough to admit it once I was a resident of Alabama.
In closing all I can say is chin up my Alabama Brethren and Sisters,follow the rising sun,that will lead you to the great state of Georgia.
Just the other day I was 3 living in Roanoke,Alabama staying with Grand Pa and Grand Ma while my parents worked the 2 till 10 pm shift in the cotton mills in LaGrange.
Then at 6 so long ago in 1958 I was in Mrs. Porter's 1st grade class.Getting gold stars for writing my name.
Age 10 another chapter of my life began.East Newnan,Georgia were I learned of happiness,love,sadness and disappointment.
Could it be I'm now 18 living during changing times in the town were 10th Street was home for hippies.
21 back home,LaGrange,it will always be,good or bad.
I knew at 39 a grown up I had become.
Now in what some call the fall of my life at 62 I look forward to being a child again.
I'm 8 years old again running up and down Juniper Street barefooted in summer care free.
I'm tired and sleepy this same dream is wearing me out.
It's like in that movie Ground Hog Day.
This is the dream.
I'm standing in front of an elevator.The door opens.On I get and up it goes.Reaching were ever it got I stay on and ride it back down.Getting off were I started.
I wait till the door opens,step inside and ride it again.
What ever this dream means,maybe nothing at all,but it sure is wearing me out up down all night long.
I did have a terrifying moment on an elevator once.Were the Troup County Historical place is on the corner of Main Street once years ago back in the 50's it was a bank.I was maybe 5 years old with Daddy and on the elevator up to the next floor we went(only 2 stories)Daddy got off but the door shut quickly and back down I went.Busting into tears it did so scare me.A nice man rescued me and took me back to were Daddy was.
Still to this day elevators are not my favorite rides.
Click Click has been warned about not being fair with the TV remote.Hogging it,snatching it away,and worse of all continuous switching from one channel to another.
He is just plain out rude and inconsiderate.
In the past cuss outs by other residents have occurred.
For breakfast each day he had the same meal.Sausage biscuit with jelly,dressed up he called it and a bowl of grits and OJ.
Now his other 2 meals,lunch and supper he wanted cake,lemon pies, fig bars or the ever present box of oatmeal cakes.
Sometimes his cakes and pies were placed in the fridge you know just to protect them from ants which also love sweet stuff.
Now Mr B would fuss if offered real food.Boiled food and vegetables and fruit would give you indigestion and kill you cause his Brother had died from eating bananas.
He always had a piece of peppermint candy in his mouth.I joked once about the results of a blood test he took once.Seems the hospital lab staff testing the blood were confused and bewildered.95% peppermint and 5% blood were the result of his test.
He would ask for his sweets and being told they were in the fridge to prevent ants from getting them he remarked yeah those two legged ants.Took me awhile to catch on that he meant humans.
I have been promised home cooked collards,potato salad and cornbread by a friend for tomorrow.
Last night on my way to the shower I over heard some CNA'S talking about what they had ordered for supper.Ya'll making me hungry I said.One brought me some fries they had left over really waffle fries from Chic Fillet.They were great.
Nurse giving me my insulin shot last night showed me pictures on her phone of catfish she caught.Asked if I liked fish and I was honest and said not to much but I dearly crave the trimmings of fries,onion rings and hush puppies.So maybe let's just keep our fingers crossed and our forks out and ready.
Yeah you probably know the routine...got any kind of food left over don't trash it bring it to me.
You know the one that you find in your hamburger sack after you thought they were all gone.
Ain't that one the best?
Same way with peanuts in the shell.
Admit it you have done this,scrounging around between the couch cushions looking for loose change or the TV remote and you hit the jackpot and find that one solitude peanut in the shell and it's the best tasting thing and you crave for more.
Thursday had always been library day at school and I got out of the class room for awhile.
Thursday was pay day for Daddy and our routine was we went grocery shopping.There was that revolving $1 toy rack with wonderful cheap toys like a pack of army men or a cool plastic pistol etc.
Thursday was eat out day.Hamburger,potato chips and chocolate milk.
We all see things out of the corner of our eyes that are not payed much attention to.
Or looking right at them maybe things are not as they seem.
That bird circling above your head,the bumble bee that just buzzed by you,a dragon fly which really looks like a little helicopter keeps hanging around.
I'm not paranoid but just think about this.The news media is full of stories about the NSA listening to ordinary law abiding citizens's cell phone calls and intercepting their e mails.
Ponder this.
Maybe the government has taken it one step farther.Those birds,bees and dragon flies just might be ...here we go...DRONES...equipped with tiny cameras and listening devices.
As our day comes to an end here at the home I hear a small rumble starting to build in intensity.
I want to go to bed,over,over,over and over this little pint size woman is repeating.
I got sea sick again by watching the remote controller of the all mighty TV just switch from one channel to the next.
I was amazingly shocked by one of my roomies this morning when they got him up for breakfast he didn't use that blank blank word taking the Lord's name in vain.
Well we still have bed time for him coming up soon so the verdict on whether he can get through the day without cussing out the CNA we will just have to wait and see.
They must have put that Lady to bed,don't hear her now,all is quiet ,sorta at the old folks home.
Saturday night/Sunday morning a week ago about 1 am kindness of the 1st degree was seen.
My roommate Mr B is not doing very well at all.
He has just about forgone eating.Maybe a spoon full of food a week and that's it.Insure drinks are keeping him alive I think.His voice is so weak I can't understand much of what he is saying.Mr B will be 97 August 17th if...
Back to that night spoken of.His blood pressure was taken and it was extremely low.I guess it was presumed he was 1 leg in this world 1 leg in another.
The act of kindness and compassion.
A nurse,Ms Theresa pull up a chair next to his bed and just sat there holding his hand,speaking softly to him.I was deeply touched by that act of human caring and kindness.
When my time comes I sure hope there is someone to hold my hand.
You hit me to hard.He called me a name.I'm going to tell...
Now this is not 6 year old kids I'm talking about but 300 pound 6 ft 7 inch tall professional football players.
I kid you not.
The past few seasons of professional football has reduced the game played by rough tough men into players who want to be playing tag instead of tackle football.
I wonder what the old school players of seasons gone by would think of this mumbo jumbo stuff called football that's being played today.
Knute Rockne is spinning in his grave I bet.
And another thing I wish them sissified over grown pampered boys would stop that habit of skipping around like little girls playing hop scotch when they do something spectacular.
Football like Ham Radio has been dumbed down so far it's not fun any more.
You know what...I'm gonna take my ball and leave and Momma will hear of this.
Just like that little guy in the movie The Sixth Sense who saw dead people I also see people not dead ones but I see people with money.
Now that summer is here and the living is easy from my window I've noticed something.
People or some of them have got lots of extra spendable cash.
Just seen a new pickup truck pulling a big ole red and white boat.Not a little aluminium bass boat but a double decker type cruiser I guess it could be called.You could live on it with luxury for sure.
Everyday I see big fancy motorcycles Harley types all decked out in beautiful paint and chrome.Just about every other vehicle passing by my window is a Harley and those things ain't cheap.
Things have changed since I was scurrying up and down ladders with a 3 inch pipe on my shoulder at the mill.Don't get me wrong the money was good,you could survive but there was none left over for these nice things people have now.
Guess Daddy was right again when he said the more money you make the more you spend.
Plus having a large spending limit on your credit card helps.
Children can be cruel but old folks can be down right mean and hateful.
From my advantage point in front of the TV things noticed and heard that your Grand Ma and Grand Pa say and do.
Piano man was banging away on the Steinway and this little bitty gray panther shuffles up to him and matter factly told him to stop and I mean it she said.
Another one of them told him awhile back to shut up and I wish your hands would fall off.
Get out of my blanky blank way is a common quotation spoken around the old folks home.
Yesterday I witnessed so called love birds threaten each other with extreme physical violence.
Once I was conned by a 101 year old Lady into being her partner in crime.She cruised up to me,walking no less,handed me a bottle of Insure wrapped in a wash cloth telling me to hold this while she went to the store.Least she did offer to share her bottle of stolen loot.
Yesterday a man was having prayer and this little thing of a woman rolled up to him saying I don't believe a word you said.Awkward laughter by the group and she was quietly rolled away from her harassing point.
So in closing my friends I do ask that you try to raise your Grannies better.Teach them manners and such.
A group from a local church comes by on Friday evenings about every 2 weeks or so.They were here today.
Singing was great so was the prayer.
I noticed a little kid maybe his age was seven maybe eight with them. He reminded me of myself at that age.Couldn't sit still it his chair.Bet he was bored and ready to go.
Seemed like every week Daddy was going to a revival and I had to tag along with him and other men from the church.
I would have rathered stayed home but being raised strict along I went.Best part of the whole deal for me was stopping at some cafe after the service for a meal.
But now that I'm older and supposedly wiser I look back on those nights at church with my Daddy as a sweet memory.I felt so secure and loved.
Bet that little kid I noticed today will have the same sweet memories when he is much older and wiser.
Hotter than when Mr Sherman burnt Atlanta and made his march to the sea.
Hottest day in two years yesterday the weatherman said.95 with a heat index of 105.
I could say it was so hot like David Letterman said about the squirrels in Central Park during a hot spell in NYC but I won't.
Summer will be here officially tomorrow but between me you and the fence post Georgia skipped spring and went straight to hot.
We have been sissified these days.When I was a boy if you had a floor fan to run consider yourself fortunate.
Back then folks left windows up doors open on muggy hot summer nights but that is a thing of the past now.Do that these days and hot weather would be the least of your problems.
AC in houses and cars(Daddy was ahead of the times he did have a car with AC sorta,a rusted out hole in the back seat floorboard) has made summer comfortable for us and it's a blessing.I was the ripe old age of 16 when Daddy got a window AC unit for the house and by the way that same year he got our first color TV.Life was so good back then a GE 25 incher floor model color tele and AC.I skipped school for a week just enjoying the good life.
Yes I have lived a charmed and blessed life.Daddy said when he was a kid laying in bed looking up he could see the stars,looking down he could see the chickens running around.
Against a pale blue sky ever so slow moving big fluffy clouds float above the blooming Magnolia trees.
The aroma of honeysuckle and Formosa at night with the peppering of fireflies on a clear moonless Georgia night.
Cicadas and crickets serenade with beautiful music while the lonely whipper will cries in the distance as the mocking bird tries cheering him up with her songs.
On a scale of 1 to 10 of this stuff is getting on my nerves scale it was about a 7.
People walking around confused and the resident in charge of the TV remote was clicking his merry soul away never staying on one channel long enough to figure out what the program was about.
There was this constant low rumble of noise of people talking,hollering,moaning.
Angry voices,happy voices a mixture of all.
Just another day at the fun house uh I mean old folks home.
Watching these political ads on the boob tube that is the idea I feel they are trying to hoodukle voters into believing.
I good him bad.
Admit it,the only time you hear from politicians is vote for me election time and send me some spend doodle so I can continue my great work.
Then like bears they hibernate for 2 to 4 years doing whatever politicians do then like clock work or like those sparrows flying back from that place in Mexico they pop up and toot their own horn about how they saved us from starvation,global warming,taxes on internet purchases and a small invasion from those nasty bad boy reptilian aliens.
Go ahead believe them.
If you do just a reminder,I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale real cheap and if you're interested I still have some Atlantic Ocean beach front lots that I will make a good deal on way out in Phoenix,Arizona.
A poor mill village child like me raised up in the shadows of those coal burning smokestacks and the ever present hum of twisters,winders and looms inside the mill has something that will last till the end of times.
This blog.
Just think a hundred years from now folks might find it on whatever will replace the internet and wonder who was this guy JohnLee and what was his problem.
Tangy,crispy, fried green tomatoes with homemade biscuits sounds real good to me this morning.
While I'm talking about food how bout some big white butter beans cooked slow on top of the stove till the soup gets that thick consistency.
Might as well add some chipped up fried to a delicious brown color potatoes.
Don't forget the sweet Vidalia onions.
Let's go whole hog and might as well have some salty, fried stirk o lean with a mustard/red gravy combo for dipping your biscuit and strik o lean into .
That should do it can you think of anything else we need?
For a week now I have noticed a Dragon Fly outside my window each day.
If it's the same one each day I can't say.
Why it's there who knows but just maybe I have a theory or maybe wishful thinking.
This or those Dragon Flies hang around the hummingbird feeder outside my window.Could be they are just feeding off the sweet water.Maybe they just use the iron pole that the feeder hangs on as a resting place.
I did a short research search on them.Different cultures and parts of the world have different opinions on them.
I have always heard them called snake doctors.Snake fixers some call them.The opinions range from good to evil.
Native Americans said they were good,meant change and purity.
Some parts of the world they represent evil.
But this is my wishful thoughts on that Dragon Fly.
I had a friend that had a soulful connection with them.She wrote poems and stories about Dragon Flies.Seen her mourn about the death of one and the sad mate who visited the passed away Dragon Fly every day.
My friend has passed away.
Maybe just maybe that Dragon Fly is here to let me know all is good now with her.
Dancing with the rising sun.Back n forth forth n back.
When I first came to the old folks home the PT Lady Ms Debra gave me the flower for the window next to my bed.My right knee was froze up and any movement would cause pain almost to the point of tears.Ms Debra would come in everyday working on the knee.Her Indian name is Woman Who Not Only Pull Leg But Also Twist Knee.
Sometimes that flower will get so excited dancing in the sun it sounds just like a tick tock clock.
There should be a moral to this little story.Maybe it's no matter what happens in your life,sun or not,be happy.
6 years older than me I looked up to him as my big brother.He always let me tag along with him treating me like a big guy.
He called me a few years ago.A long chat we had talking about our family and old times.
Never did he mention he had the Haynes family curse of cancer.Like so many in our family it seems like the big C would take him out.
It has struck my generation now with several cousins passing away from it.
I had a dream about Mike and cousins Fred and Frank,brothers, all have passed on.Mike and Fred the same age and Frank and me separated by a month in age.
For some reason they came for me and a trip we took in that dream.
I don't believe in mixing Church and politics.Jesus never admitted being a Republican or Democrat.He did say"what's Cesar's is Cesar's whats mine is mine".Good enough for me.
Let others believe in what ever religion that's right for them.Long as they believe is what counts.Not denomination.
Love everybody,respect those who are different than yourself.Love the person but hate the sin.
Show compassion and charity to those less fortunate.Jesus said"if you have two coats give one away".You are leaving this world just like you came into it with nothing.
There are ten commandments.Follow them not the eleventh and twelfth that man thinks up.Ten are difficult enough.
So you think you know other's heart and what their tribulations are?I think not.Don't judge.As Jesus said"those without sin cast the first stone."
Hate those warning sirens.Here they are tested the 1st Saturday of each month at noon.Just heard it.
In April of 2011 I was living in Roanoke,Alabama during a tornado outbreak across the south.The siren was blasting continuous as rolling thunder with heavy rain and wind moved through.
It was around 10 pm and just laying in bed I thought maybe this could be the beginning of the end.
Strangely I wasn't scared just at peace with it all.
I thought of WW2 and Germany bombing England on those nightly raids,the air raid sirens and how that must have been a terrifying sound to hear.
Again as the sun shines brightly on this June day in Georgia it was just a test.
Momma told me the tale about when she was a kid at the old home place at Bethel and the light that floating toward them one night.
Seems Momma and her siblings were sitting on the porch of the old home place one summer night as her brother Arnold strummed on a guitar.
Now for those who don't know Bethel is the country.Way back in the boonies in the shadow of Mt Cheha,Alabama.This was farm land in those days.
This slow floating light from swamp land across the road was headed for them.
Reaching them,Arnold who never stopped his guitar strumming swung at the light with his guitar and poof it was gone.
What could it have been ?
Swamp gas maybe?
An orb?
Something un explainable?
Maybe they witnessed a paranormal event like a ghost in a long since deserted forgotten about grave yard way back deep in the woods and it just happened to be a music critic that just didn't like my Uncle's guitar playing?
No more relationships for me.My lesson has been learned well.
The last one was enough for me.Not being the smartest kid on the block I do know better than picking up a rattle snake again after it has bit me once already.
Kicked to the curb,heart ripped apart,I'm Hollywooding it up a bit here just to make the story more interesting,I would have a hard time even trusting my dear ole departed Granny these days.
I was called heartless but as I told her that is not so cause I seen my heart and it was beating just fine on one of those sonogram things so that proves she was wrong least once.Maybe all the other stuff she could have been right about. But this is not an admission of guilt on my part.
It has been brought to my attention that my navel,belly button just don't look right.
I've really not payed much attention to it over all these years.It,my navel or belly button was just a place that collected lint,other than that not much thought of it enter my mind.
I'm thinking.
Maybe I was found in a cabbage patch like my folks always told me.That might explain a lot of things.
Was I the one that just fell off the turnip truck that we hear so much about?
No don't tell me I was a passenger on a slow banana boat from China.
Or is it as I've always suspected.
I know a little bit strange you could call me maybe weird at times would fit the bill.
Could I just be that hybrid,part human part whatever you know that thing that starts with A.
A fine day here in kindergarten I mean the old folks home.
It's not even a full moon yet and it's getting wacky.
It all started last night.Call security call the police I heard.Some type of altercation was going on.
I could not get my wheelchair turned around so it wasn't seen by me.Asking later what happened I was told someone raised their cane to strike and somebody got slapped.Lady residents I'm guessing.Told you,these little ole gray headed Grannies can be mean and never turn your back to them.
For awhile last night shouts continued and for some reason sleeping wasn't easy for me.
Wackiness continues today.
Expect anything never be shocked at things that go on at the old folks home.
Standing next to Daddy when I was just a little boy in church while that precious song Come Home Come Home Jesus is Calling being sung at the alter call brings a tear of joy to my eyes.
What a glorious time that will be when reunited with our loved ones.
I, Man Who Eats by the Light of the Full Moon living on the banks of the mighty river Koochie Moochie Smoochie have Great Buzzard bone to pick with the white eyes.
Me'em think Injun get'em raw deal on this swapping Island of Manhattan way up there many moons away in Tribe of New York Yankees for shiny trinkets that turn green on red man neck after big rain.Me'em think white eyes pull fast one.
Me'em can't hardly wait till San Fransisco hippies arrive many moons from this day with long stringy hair cause this new white eyes fashion of crew cut hairdo mak'em rough go of scalping.
Why'em white eyes have real AC on hot day cooling his house and Injun got Great Buffalo breaking wind in tee pee for cooling air.Me'em thinks this stink'em.
Me'em dislike this custom of Pilgrims serving Injun that awful foul creature called turkey on Great Thanksgiving Day we'em were expecting Big Macs and large order of delicious fries with a diet Dr Pepper from Great White Chief Ronald Mc Donald.
Yes'em Injun got many bone of Great Buzzard to pick with white eyes.
One roomie cussing up a storm cause he is having an itching fit.Come on Benadryl kick in quick.
Another is moaning like he is on death's doorsteps.
The other one is talking out his head.He is out driving around in his car bless his heart.I told him once to wake me up when having that dream...I wanted to ride around with him.
Watching those kids being surprised by their service personnel parents always brings a tear to my eye.
So do those Publix grocery store holiday commercials.
Time does heal the pain of losing family members.
I was a Daddy's boy with him every moment possible and when he died I just knew never again would I be happy or smile.But I was wrong.
Anyone going through a situation like this I sincerely feel your pain.But it will get better.Time will heal your heart and fill it with sweet memories.
Seen my first fireflies of the season tonight.They were flirting around a big bush that's loaded with honeysuckle outside my window.
Officially summer has arrived in my book.I think it's going to be a hot one.For several days lately LaGrange has been the hot spot in the state with temperatures 90 plus.
Seems the fireflies are early this year.Usually I don't see them till the first of June. What ever the reason for their early arrival they sure are welcome.
Now all I need for a peaceful night of rest is fireflies,aroma of honeysuckle and the serenade of crickets and cicadas and the songs of a mocking bird on a warm sultry Georgia summer night.
A place like this tends to separate who is your friend and who is not.
Maybe us old folks just fall through the cracks in people's memories.Don't worry don't fret guess we never really mattered to start with.
Seen it first hand when Momma was sick.It wouldn't be so bad if you had came by and spent a few minutes of your busy life with her.She might not have recognized you,it might have even been uncomfortable and depressing but I'm sure in her own way your presence was felt.
You know saying if you only knew after she had escape her prison of the mind you would have helped.Just useless words and a waste of precious breath.
It's okay really.For seven years I carried the cross alone and it was worth every second.Sure a helping hand was much needed and would have been deeply appreciated.For the few who did help you know who you are thank you.Those moments you spent with Momma so I could rest and relax well you will never know the joy you gave me.
Really I did not plan getting on this awful subject and please excuse me.
It was as if a force from beyond had controlled my fingers.
Heard someone making a joyful noise on the piano today.We are blessed with Mr Rufus a new resident.He knows all the old songs like Shake Your Booty,Young Love,Little Green Apples and many more.Someone needs to spray his sneakers with WD40 cause talk about squeaky they are.His shoes make the Nurses and CNA's sneakers sound like they have squeakless sneaker soles.
Bless his heart and 2 thumbs up on the singing.
I see people going down hill everyday.Always said never would I worry about Mr B long he was asking for his peppermint candy.He don't ask anymore.He calls me Chief.Hope you stay here for long as I'm here Chief he says.Don't worry Mr B.
I being of Indian decent given the name of Man Who Eats by the Light of the Full Moon living in a Tee Pee down by the mighty river Moochie Koochie Hoochie be awake.
And many thoughts run like fast running deer through my brain at this early hour.Like big moose sitting around roaring campfire eating beanie weenies I'm full of heavy thoughts.
As my painted pony plunders over the green barren of Great Buffalo grazing land where the antelope jump high and the Great Buzzard circles over head I Man Who Eats by the Light of the Full Moon ponder life's greatest mysteries.
Mystery like why does Indian wear these hot,sticky uncomfortable buckskin pants for many moons in a row on summer's day when Walmart selllem cool Bermuda shorts and colorful matching T shirts?
Mystery like why are a redneck Indian's last words are always"watch this"?
Mystery like why do Indian takeem bow and arrow to a white eyes gun fight?
Mystery like why can't Tonto be big chief and ride Silver and shoot silver bullets instead of that masked man Lone Ranger you diggem ke mo sa bee?
Mystery like why does Indian talk with forked tongue trying to fool white eyes by smoking peace pipe when Indian know good and well that pipe packed with loco poco wacky weed and nobody will have peace after a few puffs?
Mystery like why are you reading this stuff it's Saturday get out and do something ke mo sa bee.
Going to the beautiful east coast of Florida's Atlantic Ocean or the much closer Gulf of Mexico.
Far be it me to scare anyone or cause worry but before you dangle your feet into that warm salty water take a look at this Public Service Announcement from me to you with love.
As fate would have it for supper last night I got that awful baked fish and what somebody some where calls veggies.
Steamed carrots,squash and zucini mixed up together ain't what I call vegetables.I think they were going for looks.The orange,green and yellow colors were pretty.
Top it off with french fries and a roll.Desert was this brownish yellow stuff called butterscotch pudding.
Got the Troup County Work Camp blues
Working on the chain gang paying my dues
25 to 30 my freedom I did lose
Big Boss man a cool drink of water I could use
Sling that sledge hammer bust them rocks
For my crime this is what I got
Big Boss man got a heavy hand
I'm just his slave working the rich mans land
Barefooted on a summer's night fresh cut grass
The smell of honeysuckle fill my senses
Chasing fire flies Mason jar in hand
Wonderful memories I hope will last
Wish I could say it was from the kitchen of West Georgia Health System but it wasn't.
Someone brought me some home cooked big white butter beans and a slice of cornbread and it was delicious.
All meals here at the OFH are prepared at the hospital and brought over on what I call the chuck wagon(Ford van)breakfast being the only meal prepared on the premises and it is excellent.
This being a southern town I wish more southern type cooking was done.Food like beans and peas,fried taters,cornbread here is excellent but some fried fritters or flitters take your choice of what you call them,things like this.
Not so much of that baked chicken,baked fish,baked pork you get the picture.How can it be healthy if you're not eating it and skipping meals ?
Thrill us a bit with tacos,chili dogs and oh please maybe an onion with our hot dogs and burgers and vegetables.Speaking of vegetables I'm not talking about this what's called Italian mixed capri stuff that really is just unseasoned frozen vegetables.I could go on with what would be good but it's 12 hours till breakfast and I've made myself hungry.
Lately food has been a big disappointment for me.
Maybe I'm just spoiled.
But I know what I like and want when it comes to food.
The wine of a low flying jet woke me up this morning.
From my window I watch the big airliners fly like ducks in a row on a wire it seems every minute or so into the worlds busiest airport Atlanta's Hartsfield/Jackson.
Really the airport is in Clayton county not Atlanta and the fictional home of Tara from Gone With the Wind.
Aunt Pauline lived in Jonesboro and she would ask where I wanted to go when visiting her as a little boy and the answer was Grant's Park where the zoo was or the airport.
Back in the old days when the world was innocent and the word terrorist didn't exist we drove right up near the runway separated only by a fence and watched the smoking multi engine prop jets take off and land.
Years later there was an observation deck which was added to the new control tower and it was right over the runway.Those huge 747's with their low whining sound of four jets engines were an unforgettable sight so were the multi engine DC's of Southern Airlines.
Left on the court steps.7 years old and never had I been away from my folks.
Going to Camp Viola down around Mountville,Georgia for 2 weeks of fun well sorta.
The only reason I wanted to go was because my best friend Paul and his brother were going.
I was ok for a few days then it hit me.
Homesickness.
I found out later my folks missed me like little Johnny missed them.
They had paid a visit to Camp Viola but camp counselors advised it would make my homesickness worst.
2 weeks of glorious fun in the sun at Mountville well sorta, swimming,playing base ball,crafts and all the other camp things.
Being hungry I remember most,there was plenty of food just what I didn't like.Healthy food like boiled squash which normally I would push aside,no hamburgers and fries which were my passion.Till this day squash unless battered and fried I won't eat.
At times it was so boring.Sitting around in the bunk house reading a math book someone had brought was fun.No TV.
As in life all things must end,well sorta,and my 2 weeks were over.
This is true,who cried the most when arriving back at the court house steps,was it Daddy or me?
3rd Sunday in May,Decoration Day,Memorial Day up in the country as I always heard it called is tomorrow .
At Bethel/Graham,Alabama.
The little country Baptist Church were Grandpa Smith and Uncle Bill both had been preachers at Bethel East.Grandpa at the old Church,Uncle Bill at the new one.Momma,her brothers and sisters rode to church in a horse drawn wagon.Story is Momma who when she was a little girl was given a sack of biscuits while she sat behind the pulpit when her Daddy preached to keep her quiet.
The white sand of the grave yard across from the Church will blind you on sunny days.Lots of my kin are buried there.Grand parents,aunts and uncles.On Decoration Day families bring fresh flowers for the graves of loved ones.
All day church and singing plus my favorite thing of food on the grounds take place.A smorgasbord of culinary delights. A fat boy like me idea of Heaven on Earth.
It has been years since I've been but precious memories stay with me.
These photos are from May 1963 of Grandma and her kids,Momma is the short one on the far right.
