It's a Wonderful Life!!

Strangers in my Yard

I was perusing my yard last week and found this strange growth coming from one of my plants. It came up overnite. One day it was not there and the next day it was. My friend, Bob, the Peanut Man, gave me these plants a couple of years ago and he called them Rice Paper Plants. According to him, this plant is indigenous to China and was once used to make paper. He said the first year they grow, the second year they run and the next year they flourish. There is a catchy little phrase, but I can't remember it.

He was right - the first year they just were there, same as when I planted them. The second year, all these shoots came up. I pulled many of them because I wanted to confine the plant to one area. And the third year they flourished.

This is what the plant looked like last year. This year they are about 4 feet tall and now have put out these strangers in my yard. I like weird plants - it suits my taste. My papyrus has taken hold also, and it is finally flourishing. I was a bit apprehensive at first that they would make it, but alas, I believe they will be fine.

Plants are a little like people, you just never know how they will turn out. You can fertilize them, nurture them, talk to them, but you just never know.

Makes me think of my family. Now bear in mind that the M.U. and my dearly departed dad had three children. We could not be any more different. We all have completely different personalities. We have all three chosen unconventional lifestyles - I mean not one of us lives in suburbia with 2.5 children and a two car garage, none of us are in a traditional familial setting. But, we all love each other deeply. Blood IS thicker, my friends. The M.U. loves each of us, but I believe she often wonders how all this came about.

It is the mystery of life. Much like those strangers in my yard.

Peace!

White Belt - Black Stripe

Mr. Man has been working on the next step in his Karate Class. I can't say he has worked hard - I think it sank in by osmosis. We would study the terms at home and he would work on the stances and moves in class. He was eager to "earn" this new belt. So, the past couple of months, I have been occasionally "testing" him on the terms. It took three tries, but he earned his new belt. We kept the study sheet in the car and as we drove from here to yonder, I would ask him questions. You know us moms have a captive audience in the car while driving, so I figured it would be a good time to review the terms.

His teacher, Mr. Morris, is a tough guy, and a tough teacher, he puts up with no nonsense, and since my child is full of nonsense, I figured Karate would be just the thing for him. The beginning of class, Mr. Morris always asks his students how their week was and if anything happened they would like to share? And then they begin by stretching and exercising. I believe this class has been good for Mr. Man. Mr. Morris also insists that when they leave the class they are to be respectful to their elders and to try and do their best. He reminds them to do what their parents say and to always say yes ma'am.

This is an interview with Mr. Man this morning:

ME: What do you like about Mr. Morris?

MR. MAN: He makes us do right in class.

ME: What have you learned in his class?

MR. MAN: I've learned to be a better student in class.

ME: What is your favorite part about Karate?

MR. MAN: Sparring

ME: What is your least favorite?

MR. MAN: Oh, that's easy, making us do the iron chair.

ME: What important life skills can you learn in Karate?

MR. MAN: Blocking is something that protects you from getting hurt.

ME: No, I mean how you act and treat people?

MR. MAN: Sometimes good. It teaches you all the things that are important about life. Like doing things good in school, like, you know how people should be nice.

ME: What  color best in next?

MR. MAN: After white belt, black stripe it's Yellow Belt, then Gold, then Green. I better stop there, then I think it may be red, then Black.

ME: What do you have to do to earn a Yellow Belt?

MR. MAN: You have to study the punches, terms and blocks and the stances, it's all hard.

ME: When do you hope to earn your Yellow Belt?

MR. MAN: I could do it around my birthday on March 28th.

ME: Who do you like to spar with the best?

MR. MAN: Probably Mr. Morris.

ME: No, someone who is a better opponent?

MR. MAN: Hunter or Logan - I could beat him.

ME: How many push ups can you do?

MR. MAN: Without taking a break  - probably 50.

ME: OK, prove it....and he did - 50!

ME: Good Job Sam!

MR. MAN: That was hard mom!

ME: What are the last things you do before class ends?

MR. MAN: Usually the words: COURTESY, INTEGRITY, SELF-CONTROL, PERSEVERANCE AND INDOMITABLE SPIRIT. Then we bow to Mr. Morris and he holds up his hand and we jump up to clap his hand. But a Black Belt bows like this: Hands by his hips and then bow. But a lower belt puts their left fist out and right hand grabs the other fist, then you bow.

ME: Do you like Karate alot?

MR. MAN: I wouldn't say alot.

ME: Do you want to take classes next year?

MR. MAN: Sure!

ME: OK, Sam, thank you for the interview.

MR. MAN: You're welcome.

Here are some other pics of the class and Mr. Man taking the test for his white belt, black stripe.

So, that was that.

Peace!

The Saturday Evening Post - Bunko Chicks

It has been a busy week at the office! The M.U. went with my cousin Sally and Nick to North Carolina. They said the leaves were at their peak and spectacular. I got a call on Wednesday that my dear cousin, Robert, passed away. He had stage 4 lung cancer and had opted not to continue with Chemo. Robert was such a likable fellow - and he and his wife would always stay at my house when they visited Swan City for family reunions. You see, the M.U. has a large family both on her mothers and fathers side of the family. When the A.F. and I were picking out names for Mr. Man, we had several Samuels and Roberts on both sides. Of course the A.F. wanted to name him Schrader Ray after his hero, the race car driver, Kenny Schrader, but I was not having that....Anyway, I called Sally and Mama to tell them about Robert's passing. With family coming into town, we had to get food together. I ordered sandwich trays from my favorite local sub shop down the street and Mama asked sweet Leisa to make a cake and a breakfast casserole. So everything was set for the crowds coming in.

Friday's are so busy at the office. So, unfortunately, they had planned a 11am visitation and 1:30 graveside - and I was not able to attend. I did take a sandwich tray out to the M.U.'s after the service and visited with everyone for a while. It was good to see everyone!

I hosted Bunko this month and we had a wonderful time. This group of chick-a-dees is too much fun. We laugh, cut up and basically act like a bunch of teenagers. I asked Kim, my wonderful, best in the business, Massage Therapist friend, to sub for Leisa - so we had no ghost playing this time.

The food Tu prepared was simply divine. Mr. Man made the dessert. It is an easy dessert that is simply death by chocolate. You take 2 boxes of brownie mix and prepare according to directions. Pour half the mix into a 13 X 9 pyrex dish and lay on top any type candy bar you like. He put the plain Hershey bars - but when I had this, it was Symphony bars and I think that was better. Cook till done and serve hot with ice cream.

Here are some pics of the Bunko Queens......

I was not on my toes as a photographer, because I know I missed pics of several queens. I know this because pretty Paige chased me around the table to steal my crown.

So, we had alot of fun!

We had an unusual turn of events when a MAN showed up for Bunko. Yes, a real live MAN. We all gasped......

THE MAN left quickly enough and we didn't miss a beat with our rolls.

Here are a few other pics of the evening.

It was a glorious end of a good week!

Peace!

The Family Reunion

There is nothing like spending a lovely early November day than spending it with about 50 folks you hardly know, but have a connection. You glance around, scanning the crowd, and you begin to notice familiar faces. Then you begin to put parents with children. Then there are all these "extra" people to place. That would be spouses and children. I didn't know these folks. I have heard about most, but never met them.

There are a few tid-bits I found amusing:

My Great Grandfather "Doc Vinson" was a traveling dentist. He would go from town to town fixing everyone's teeth, and then move onto the next town. He and his wife had 19 children, 12 lived to adulthood. My Grandmother Agnes was the oldest daughter. My Mother (the M.U.) claims Grandpa Doc died of the hiccups.

My Great Great Grandfather "Samuel"  worked for a widowed landowner and she had a daughter, Mary Ann "Molly". Samuel was off to enlist in the Civil War in 1861 for the Confederacy, and asked Molly (10 years younger) if she loved him. She said yes, so Samuel asked Molly to wait for him. She was only about 16 and did not really care that much for him, but was tender hearted, so she said she carried a cut onion in her handkerchief, in order to shed a few tears when saying goodbye.

When Sam enlisted he provided his own horse - the only thing he owned, and the records show that Sam was to be paid 40 cents a day for his horse. Records indicate he had not been paid anything for his horse and had accrued $24.80 that the Confederate Army owed him. He was in the siege of Vicksburg that lasted six weeks.

During the war Sam was injured. As Sam told the story, he was drinking water from a creek and looked up to see a Yankee soldier on the other side of the creek aiming a rifle at him. Sam jumped in the creek and the Yankee shot at him, hitting Sam in the foot. Sam's big toe was amputated. Sam was reportedly an "overbearing person, but never to Molly". In later years he was confined to a wheelchair for chronic vertigo.

Rebecca (Molly's mother - the widowed landowner) seems to have been a woman of considerable wealth for that time. She is shown in the 1860 Rankin County Slave Schedule as having seven male slaves and four female slaves and she owned a prosperous plantation, in the Piney Woods Area of Rankin County. Molly had a special "Mammy" who dressed her hair every morning, and then went off to braid the hair of the little black children on the plantation.

Note: The Ammones farm (Molly's mother) was located between the towns of Jackson and Laurel in an area known as Big Piney Woods. Many years after it left the Ammones family a school was established there and named Piney Woods School. The school became a landmark institution for educating young black people.

The two men Samuel enlisted with, came home from the Civil War and together they established New Prospect Methodist Church at Brandon and built the church themselves. Molly and Sam's son in law, Jimmy, would always sit in the Amen corner of the church and you'd hear him all during the sermon, "Amen, Amen, Amen" to everything the preacher said. He also from time to time would sing in the Choir and would sleep most of the time....

I have so many funny stories of my great Aunts and Uncles! Many of my Uncles opened up Cleaners in the New Orleans area. I remember as a child on up thru teenage years spending many times in New Orleans. They were all big Saints fans, and when the game was "blacked out" they would all come to Kay's house (my mother). I have so many wonderful memories.

There were pictures of old reunions at Uncle Bob's and Aunt Mary Helen's home on the Ticfaw River. It was always around July 4 weekend. You talk about wild, now let me tell you, sports fans, my family could throw a party. We would float down the Ticfaw River, sneak off in the woods and smoke, and freely help ourselves to the picnic table full of assorted adult beverages. Cousin Milton saw me and immediately came up and said you and your brother took Preston (his son) off after a reunion and partied. He remembered it better than I.

But here are some pics - as you probably guessed, I was the family photographer.

Just to show what a small world we live in. I was a Pilgrim at Cursillo #50. I was mentioning this fact to Cousin Lou (this is where the reunion was in Gulfport). We talked on about this and that and later realized that her niece was married to Stan P. that was on staff when I was there.

I have written about my dear cousin, Karen, and her husband Charlie that live in Pensacola. We shared so many summers together either in New Orleans or in "the country" as they liked to call Swan City! She would say in her coon ass accent "I want to go stay by your house". This is a funny pic - Karen is the one on the far right that is the monkey that "sees no evil".

It was a fun Saturday! Plus Mr. Man met many of his extended family and was such a good boy. He lost a tooth Friday, so the tooth fairy even found him at Fairfield Inn in Gulfport!

Peace!

Double Take

I noticed a pose Mr. Man repeats. It generally happens when he thinks he did something outstanding, like make a basket, or catch a football pass.

It makes me laugh.

Don't you just love youngins'.....

They are truly a different breed of folk.

Peace!

The Postlude - All Hallows Eve

It was a hectic day, that Wednesday afternoon, of all Hallows Eve. This is it's significance in the Catholic Church:

The Catholic Church designated the following holidays:

• November 2 - All Soul's Day

  Remembrance of all the dead.

• November 1 - All Saint's Day

  Remembrance of the dead who found special favor with God. Since saints = holy people = hallowed, All Saint's Day is also known as All Hallows Day.

• October 31 (night) - Halloween

  The evening before All Hallows Day was called All Hallows Eve, which was shortened to "Halloween".

So, folks were swarming around Mr. Man's school this morning. I park in front of the Church and walk across the street to the school, and by 8:00 a.m. I saw at least 10 folks walking in the church.

I told Mr. Man that this was a special day for Catholic folk, that they honor the people who had died this past year. His head must have still been buzzing from the sugar metropolis from the night before, he only commented, "THAT'S NICE". And well, it is nice that folks honor and remember the dead, but my child is one that likes dialogue. He likes to chat and discuss things at great length. He says he is half Catholic and half Methodist. Just thought this would take on more chatter from the back seat.

Speaking of back seats ---- does anyone know the law about weight limits/heights before a child sits in the front seat. He is driving me crazy wanting to know if I have called the Police Station to get this info...... I take the position he rides in the back seat, except when we go to church, which is 1 1/2 blocks from home. So he is in the back.

I remember All Saints Day at church the year my sweet daddy passed. I slipped in by Beaux in second service - the fellow that lives with Sam and Baby Thomas! And bless his heart he had to listen to me snort and sniff my way through the service. I mentioned this to Beaux the other night at a party, and he didn't even remember....I guess I am a quite cryer, but the sniffles and snorts were there. This is an emotional service and always has been since then.

So, back to Wednesday - All Hallows Eve - Mr. Man's home room mother and I are friends and I phoned her to see what I could do to help. She said only one other mother had called. So, I told her I would make a couple of treats. And I had so much fun - I made Spider's out of Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter and 2 Raisins for the eyes and stick pretzels. And worms in dirt - that is chocolate pudding with chocolate cookie crumbs sprinkled on top with gummy worms stuck in the mud. Mine didn't look quite right, because I went to Walmart and I guess everyone else had the same idea, cause they had no chocolate cookies (I used box choc. cake mix and cocoa pebbles for rocks) and they were out of gummy worms (I used green yucky sour long thingys that I had to cut).

Here are some pics of his class party:

Check out the cat vegetable cut-ups. Shae and I put that together at the last minute - it didn't turn out exactly like the picture, but it was cute. That would be the worms and dirt around it!

And please notice who my child sits by everyday at school, Kathryn S., that Jay S. may be my son's father in law someday afterall! They have been in the same class since diapers.....

So, we rushed home to get our costumes on. Mr. Man laughed the whole time at me, I guess it was the Ho Wig, or something! He thought I was crazy looking. It was way fun and I already have an idea for next year.

Our first stop was Trish's. Then Leisa took Mr. Man and Wild Walker to Innswood to meet some friends, and I went on over to Trunk and Treat. Here are the pics.

I guess my favorite costume was Hadley V. as Cruella De ville!

My favorite trunk was Jonathan and Jessica W. - it was wonderful with candles - very mysterious indeed.

My favorite photo is frustrated Mama (Julie) with Keith. He had enough already! Been there, done that, honey.

I got a wonderful bag full of Smoothie King treats - vitamins, supplements, t-shirt, and gift card for my prize which was the most "Creative Trunk". I have no idea in the world how that happened, because in my opinion, there were some far more creative trunks than mine out there. I whipped up in there, and threw mine together in a matter of 10 minutes. The children were running out and I was still spinning my web. But all my thanks, it was way too much fun for one whole day!

So, Mr. Man and I, the Good Witch, are left with a boat load of candy! Oh, my lord......this year was cream of the crop, the best. I dumped out his candy on his bed. It filled up a 3 gallon tub!

Oh, my Lord, DANGER ZONE - DANGER ZONE......so I packed it all up and it is in the trunk of my car where it will stay until I sort thru it and give it away. Woodley School will be the recipient of this!

Here are a few from Zoo Boo:

OK, I know anyone reading this is just about to throw up by now, because I am and THESE ARE MY pics.

So, what were your favorite costumes?? Decorations??

Is your head still swimming in a syrupy sweet cobweb of sugar?? Or are you free and clear??

It's a Wonderful Life!

Peace!

The Good Witch

It was just a glorious night and I have a cauldron full of pics to post!

But first things first - or last first on the thematic scheme of things.

You know there is some bad in every good person (I am assuming I am "good" here) - we cannot escape it, it is called human nature. That was my thinking when I finally decided what to wear for Halloween - I had a cream dress with points everywhere, and a black hat and black broom - all I needed was a wig. So I go to the costume store online and the only wig I really liked was called the "Ho Wig". Well, I knew I wasn't going as a Ho. But those of you who posted a "Hooker" (you know who you are!) thought I could actually pull off a person of such ill repute. So sorry to disappoint you!

Here is the proof of "The Good Witch"!

I delivered Trish (my smart and funny bookkeeper) her bag of candy. Trish and her beloved, Tom, live on a street that has literally a hundred or so Trick or Treaters - it is a constant stream.

Here are some pics of Trish, etal....

Would you say Trish LOVES Halloween????

I have lots of pics (filled up my memory card!) of Zoo Boo and Trunk and Treat, so stay tuned.......you'll be glad you did!!

Peace!

The Contest......Please Enter Today!

** CONTEST CLOSED **

TRISH WITH THE GOOD WITCH IS THE CORRECT ANSWER!

I took a hankering for something this year. I want to "dress up" for Halloween. I never do this, and despise trying to figure anything out related to "dressing up". This holds true for any attire above and beyond what I wear to church. Not to mention a "costume".

So, I thought I'd let you figure this out???

Please - I will certainly not look like this, but this is the Wig I ordered.

This is a true contest - and the prize is a bag of candy for trunk and treat - or just for giving away at your house in the event you will not be trunking and treating. If you live out of town, I will mail you a prize!!

The winner will be announced at 2pm Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

No holes barred - just curious what anyone out there thinks I will be "dressed up" as with this Wig. In generalities, NOT a real person. My pics will be posted on my site after Halloween for proof!!!

I want everyone to vote - you can vote more than once if you wish!

Happy Halloween!

Peace and Happy Guessing!

Fall Festival and Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

Well now, where do we begin.....I made a big pot of Chili this afternoon, in and amongst work and running errands. Leisa and Wild Walker came over to eat a bite before the festivities began. Our first stop was the annual Fall Festival at Mr. Man's school. It was the best ever. There were about 25 booths set up with games galore - from the Dance Party Tent (which was Mr. Man's favorite), the hay ride, costume parade, three or so jumpies, to the Haunted Hallway (children under ten had to be accompanied by an adult). Mr. Man was brave, but to tell the truth, it was a bit scary. Here are some pics.

There were lots of adults dressed up, but the kids costumes were amazing. We had Elvis, the Hershey's Kiss, Ninja's, Pirates, a Coke Machine and lots of pretty girls in princess costumes. We ran into Mr. Man's teacher - she is the one in the pic right beside Mr. Man - and she bragged about how well he was doing in school with his behavior and scholastically. It made me proud for just a moment.

Now, bear in mind that Mr. Man had ample preparation and warning - he was clear on the rules from the get-go. I told him he was not to run wild and I had to know where he was at all times. As it turned out, I spent half the time wandering around looking for him. It was like he took a hit of speed or something. He lost all control.

The icing on the cake was when Wild Walker and Mr. Man duked it out after Wild Walker poured a juice pack on him when Mr. Man was in the Dance Party tent. Oh, my Lord, they fell out of that tent fighting like a bunch of red-necks. I was horrified. So, I broke them up in front of a growing audience and proceeded to calm him down - we went for a hay ride. When we returned, he darted back into the masses....it took me 30 minutes to find him.

So, I gingerly escourted him to the car and spanked his leg with my ever sturdy ping pong paddle, which Leisa brought "just in case". I was mumbling something like "I am so damn mad with you - I told you not to run off - and you did it anyway - have you lost your mind???"

Here are some cool pumpkins......

So that was that for the fall festival. It was lots of entertainment and a walk on the wild side.

The mood was a little tense on the ride home. Mr. Man apologized and told me that he was "just excited" - and I can relate to that. It makes me crazy to not know where he is in public. In fact, most of the kids were going from tent to tent without their parents. The Fall Festival probably would have been more pleasant if I weren't so freaked out about that. But, that is just the mother in me - not to mention the fact that he is only 6 and he should't be wandering aimlessly around unsupervised. I have to moniter my child - he has a tendancy to live life on the edge.....and sports fans, that puts me over the edge......

I love annual events. They are predictable. One of my all time favorite annual parties is the Pumpkin Carving Party at Sara and Wes J's. We all get together and craft an amazing piece of art. Our beloved pumpkin. It is just the best! Over the years we have become quite skilled and we take great pride in our work. Sara provides the carving utensils - and she had lots of patterns to chose from. We gather round the table and very intently get to work dotting our pattern, sawing, digging out the guts. I chose 2 bats above a haunted house with a big tree on the side. It was the hardest pattern I have ever attempted - and I have to admit, it was awesome.

Here is the finished product.....

It takes concentration and determination to accomplish this! Sara J. was the first to finish - man, she was quick out of the gate. Wes was last, but he did it free-handed, that artist in him....But I took the longest. I love all of them. They looked magical lit on the table outside. It was a brisk night. There was a wonderful bon-fire. It was Mr. Man and Walker's job to gather the pine cones and fire wood. They enjoyed every last minute of this.

I just love their home. It is so inviting and comfortable. It was nice the kids could go outside and run and play. I have awesome memories of spending some weekends out there. One of my favorites was a Friday night and we commenced to stay up till the wee hours of the night and crashed. We got up the next morning and made the best damn pumpkin pancakes in the whole universe. Isn't friendship the best gift in the world??

I love my friends!

Thanks be to God for surrounding me with the most loving folks around, bar none. I am truly blessed!

I must go crash now and we WILL sleep late - don't ya just love Saturday's?

Wahooooo to a lovely evening!!

Peace!

Halloween - The Prelude

I've often thought this a tad odd, considering my Christian persuasion, but my favorite holiday is Halloween. Mr. Man and I love to decorate and carve pumpkins and go to parties and festivals. It is basically stress free, unless of course you attend the annual carving of the "Christian Pumpkin" at church. There is nothing like a room full of overactive kids of all sizes and shapes and ages holding knives and digging out the slimy stuff pumpkins are made of. It was enough to just about send me over the edge last night.

I, of all people, forgot to take my ever trusty camera, but my friend Sara did have hers - damn she's always so organized and together! So here is the shot of Mr. Man digging out pumpkin guts.

Next to us is Tu and Quinn, my new buddy! Julie tells all about the Christian Pumpkin in a lovely way. Quinn and I have become buddies since I pick him up for Karate on Wednesday's. Emily and Mr. Man are in the car also, and I have to ask those two chatter boxes to be quite for a minute and let Quinn say something. He is a quite boy with a sweet spirit - I have found him to have alot to say if given the opportunity. I think Mr. Man is sometimes conflicted about Emily. He sees her as his buddy and "one of the boys", and wants to "protect" her on the other hand. It is funny how I see their relationship evolving. But she is tough as nails and I have to hand it to her for stickability!! But often Mr. Man will want Emily to come over and play - and I have to make him pinky promise he will be kind and nice to her. Emily and I like to play word games on the way to get Mr. Man from school. She likes that - and well, you know, I love a little word play myself.

Angie and Josh had a Halloween Party last weekend. My friend James, the world traveler, went with me. It was fun - I love to see adults in costume. Josh was even in drag, and well, I don't remember who Angie was, but she is the one with the white face and unibrow - I didn't even recognize her. Sam was the witch with the dangles from her hat. She completed her witchery with orange and black stripe tights with pointy shoes. Beaux wanted to be Professor Snapes from Harry Potter, but he thought he looked more like a Rock Star..... Wes, and my A/R Guru, AJ came as a Groomsman and Bridesmaid, and Tina came as Tina. The adult beverages were really tasting good and well, I had way too much fun for one evening.

If that weren't enough, James and I thought we needed a night-cap. So we headed down the middle of Swan City for a local tavern with a mahogany bar. We met this sweet couple, Clarence and June,  and we joined them and their appetizers (they had stuffed mushrooms!!)......they had been married 24 years and I guess we solved everyone's problems til around 3:30'ish. I liked Clarence's hat! We invited them over, and they were especially pleased when they found out my business involved pork skins. On their way out, I loaded them up with as much as I could - I just bet they thought they hit the jackpot with us.....

Here's to Clarence and June!!

It was a spooky night come to think of it!

Stay tuned, there will be more Halloween '07 events coming soon.

Peace!