I received a comment tonight on a recent post of March 9th. I have made no blog comment since that time regarding the ramifications of taking Frieda Hudson on an outing as friends. I have learned that "control" is such a frightening word. I have learned that people can be so wrapped up in themselves that they are not truly looking at doing the right thing. Frieda has asked for her competency to be restored. Her family is opposing that choice, and all of this resulted in her family banning Wayne and me from any further visits on March 11 2008, with a public demonstration just outside Frieda's door by the facility director. It was devastating to Wayne and me, but the biggest hurt was to Frieda, who we had to leave screaming and crying and her hands held up in a "WHY?" position. FRIEDA was devastated. Who cared about that? Was it more important to save public face than to care that Frieda has survived a living hell since July and had a great day out with HER friends? But, the ban remains and Frieda took matters into her own hands. Now, we pay a price, but most importantly, FRIEDA HUDSON pays the highest price of all...her dignity as a human being. She was completely safe, she was happy and she was in incredible spirits on March 9th, 2008. It's a sad day when 45 and 52 year old women cannot visit and have a long awaited outing without family politics. To use control of a human being under the guises of "guardianship" and forcibly separating two friends is reprehensible. I don't want to know, need to know or care to know family politics. Those matters are not my concern, although they were thrown at my family quite liberally, by all the family members. Who, by the way, now state 'how private' they wish to be. It makes no sense and never will. I wanted to HELP FRIEDA. Just Frieda. And now, I will state publicly, that it has been a battle of some sort every step of the way, finally leading up to "the banning of our visits" to Frieda at Ridgewood Manor, where she currently resides. I was called at my home on March 10th, after Frieda's family obviously read my joyful blog posting. "They" wanted to be "the first" to carry Frieda out, I was told in a hurtful phone call in which the caller didn't show one ounce of gratitude. I am not posting to point any finger, nor will I reduce myself to naming names. We all have choices. Well, everyone except Frieda Hudson, right now. Frieda has been able to leave the facility since early January and even the staff there, as I said in my March 9th post, was so supportive because someone was finally taking Frieda out into fresh air and sunshine. I cannot speak for the priorities of others, but I can say from January to March is quite a long time not to have taken Frieda out on any one of those days and not one family member elected to do that. Since January, were they ALL that busy? Even staff members wondered aloud to us on many occasions when Frieda was going to "get to go somewhere." We grew so weary and sad as Frieda would cry when we visited with my parents and others. She KNEW she could leave and she WANTED go somewhere, ANYWHERE! Wouldn't you after all these months of what she has been through? Excuses can be made, but the bottom line is that no one did it. Wayne and I have suffered a severe consequence as a result of "doing the right thing." March 9, 2008 felt so normal. It was such fun. But, there was no gratitude. I was spoken to harshly and then promptly banned by Frieda's family members. The reasons have been varied. We were told at first that we "broke policy." Then we were told that we actually did NOT break policy, but the family requested it. That would be my choice of "the reasons." How very, very sad for Frieda. She is not a child.
Since Frieda's first stroke, Wayne and I have given our time, our money, our love and our support to Frieda and to her family as well. I made a vow to Frieda to care for her children as my own and we made ourselves available to them in any way possible. They had access to us 24 hours a day. This offer was extended to Frieda's extended family, as they needed to talk or needed ANYTHING from us. We were THERE for the Winfrey family. I rest easily in that knowledge.
We were there when varied factions of the family dynamic were in turmoil and we wanted to simply help our friend and stay out of the line of fire. We spent hours of time on the phone with various family members who were vehemently against one another and tried our best to keep the focus on FRIEDA. Now, it appears that things are imploding and it is so sad to see. There is no purpose in it, nor one ounce of "good" that can come from it. So we do pray for everyone involved. It's stunning and heartbreaking to see what we have seen. We have been banned from seeing our dear friend for doing something "normal." Public appearance has clearly taken priority over love, caring, gratitude and human dignity.
I will not now or ever apologize for such a wonderful day in the friendship of myself and Frieda Hudson. We had permission from her "primary guardian." Our friendship had never had restrictions and that was an assurance made to me by that guardian. We DID wait and wait, politely, hoping that soon someone would take Frieda someplace. Our friendship has been and will always be a treasure and a gift that no human can take from us. It is reciprocal, loving and genuine.
Frieda's strokes devastated us, as well as many others. I gave every bit of time and resources that I had to help by comforting family, comforting Frieda and praying for her improvement. She improved, she had another stroke and she has continued to improve from that. Where is the joy? Where is the gratitude? Is saving face publicly more important that appreciating the good that someone does?
I have mostly ignored the "rumor mill." Of late, however, Frieda has had more visitors. Folks decided to go see for themselves...and I am so glad they finally did. Frieda has needed to SEE her friends, as I have maintained all along. I have actually had people tell me via telephone, emails and in person that they thought I was LYING about Frieda's improvements based on what they had heard and now having actually seen her, they felt badly for having disbelieved what I posted. I have told the exact truth since I was asked by the family if I would use my blog to let people know Frieda's condition since the first stroke. To those of you who have seen for yourselves... while Frieda may be limited in her mobility, she IS competent and able to state her own mind. I am so thankful you have seen it for yourselves. To those of you who have apologized for doubting what I have posted or called me a liar, it's no problem. When you hear things from sources who should be rejoicing and the reports are bleak, I can't say that I wouldn't have doubted "me" either. I hold no ill will nor malice. I am not "that way" as a person. Forgiveness is one of my strong suits.
Now, I ask for prayer again for Frieda. She has asked for her competency to be restored and it is being challenged. I did make a motion to the court to SUPPORT Frieda's wishes. It was a gesture of support to my friend. I have NO (ZERO) court issues with Frieda's family in any way whatsoever. None. I have asked the guardians to be accountable and explain things that have not been followed according to the responsibilities a guardian. The responsibilities are not my query, but are rather state law and must be followed. These include periodic reviews of competency. I would hope that someone would do the same for me, as I have said many times, if I were in the same condition. Again, this is on Frieda's behalf. She is a human being and should not be denied her rights thereof because she is impaired from having two strokes. She is not a toy to be used as a pawn and manipulate the regrets of others.
I received this comment today from a reader named Kathie:
"Just want you to know you have not lost me as a reader but more importantly as a "prayer" for Frieda. I ask God to give her not only the strength but the tenaciousness to keep on plugging along. It is so gratifying to see that Frieda continues to make great progress. WE are rooting for Frieda. Kathie"
I may not know you, but thank you Kathie, for reading and for your words of support for Frieda. I cannot imagine feeling that I had to "ask" my family for my competency to be restored or that my family would oppose such a request. I do not understand, nor do I try to, the intrinsic issues that I have witnessed since Frieda's strokes. All I know for certain is that Wayne and I have given completely to ourselves to our friend for NO OTHER REASON except that we love her...and it has been the RIGHT thing to do. That cannot be denied at any level. FRIEDA'S RECOVERY has been our goal and we haven't lost focus for one moment since July.
Friendships are a rare commodity these days. Frieda and I will always be dedicated friends. I said on my post of March 9, we carried all of you who have continued to pray for Frieda "with us" on that outing. She was in good hands, she was safe, we had permission and again, I will make NO apology for doing a good deed.
(Frieda, we miss you. We love you and there is not a minute that goes by that you are not with us in our hearts.
We are so proud of you for all the hard work you have done and continue to do.) Though her voice doesn't speak to us in the same way, there are many who have seen her progress of late and I don't think "stunned" would be an improper word to use, at how well Frieda is doing.
I am just saddened that "saving public face" has detracted from Frieda's progress and wishes. God sees all of this. I am sure after answering all the many prayers He has been petitioned for, He couldn't be pleased with such unnecessary drama...at the expense of someone who has fought incredibly for HER LIFE.
If you don't have your own affairs in order, DO SO. Don't leave your lives to "guess work." We never know from one minute to the next what our lives will entail. Legally set up your wishes, let plenty of people know your wishes, make a living will, and take measures to maintain your dignity in your own lives. I have learned so much from this experience. I didn't "want" to know it, but you can bet, I know now that my life is my responsibility. Otherwise, it's a roll of the dice.
Keep the faith Frieda. Thumbs up. People can ban us from visits, but they cannot ban a friendship that will sustain for as long as we are both alive.
We love you very much...and have no regrets. We truly loved our day together...and as your note to me said, "We will be together as friends again." Yes, we will Frieda and we love you.
Annie and Wayne

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I haven't had time to write much of late. Lots of good things happening and I haven't had a lot of time to stop, be still and THINK!
We've had lots of activity going on and based on my last post, it takes me a little while to finally give up my hour! Today was absolutely gorgeous. I took my coffee on the porch and enjoyed doing some computer work there and taking care of some things for a friend of mine. The content of this post is varied. I wrote a post back in the summer that said something to the effect of "be nice to everyone, you don't know what battles they are fighting." It was on a sign at our local, WONDERFUL volunteer fire department. So, while reading this, it is a collective post for ALL of us. I know what my own personal battles are, but I do not know yours. It could be sickness, the loss of a loved one, financial issues...heck in this day and time, there could be any number of reasons that we are fighting our own battles. That said, I ask only that you contemplate your own life and ponder if you are living or existing. Hope springs eternal. Where there is sadness, there is also happiness. Where there is darkness, there is ALWAYS light. You just have to ask yourself the really hard questions and take the actions that your HEART gives the answers to. So, here goes my mish-mash of thoughts that I hope somewhere in these lines, as a reader, you might find hope, peace, joy and love. Life can be hard. On this Easter and every day after, the promises remain. While of course, the kids are dressed in their Easter finest, church pews are filled for the services, and chocolate bunnies abound, those things are not "Easter" any more than Santa Claus is "Christmas." God WANTS us to be joyful, have fun and celebrate. Like our own human parents, I think He simply wants us to REMEMBER what all the excitement is truly about. So here goes....my take on my own life and how Jesus made it so for me to ALWAYS have love and protection. (I'm laughing because, while this is a totally open post, I'm offering myself as an example for everyone who reads this that might be suffering in ANY way. Look UP! Things WILL be better!)
I spent a lot of time reading my Bible and thinking deeply on what times were REALLY like in the life of Jesus Christ. I considered how every single thing would have been an effort, real WORK went into accomplishing any task. Life was hard, and I feel that is probably more of an understatement than I can imagine.
We have all walked in dark places in our lives. We have all shared the experience that things appear to be going along just fine until the wolves in sheeps clothing appear out of no where. I tried to envision what Jesus must have felt like being welcomed into Jerusalem on a colt. He was met with cheering, cries of HOSANNA! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! (Mark 11:10) People threw their cloaks onto the road as well as palm branches and other branches they had cut from fields. I guess in today's terms, Jesus was given the "rock star" treatment. I'm not calling the Son of God "a rock star," moreover, I am making the point that THE PEOPLE were just going crazy with adoration of this "man" who had entered their city. I wondered how Jesus must have felt knowing His fate was just ahead. I tried to imagine the Last Supper in the Upper Room, where Jesus sat among His disciples, knowing who would betray him, telling them that, and loving them anyway. How many of us have experienced THAT kind of pure and unconditional love? The people of today are driven by their own greed, how the public perceives them and their own "appearance." There are those who will TELL you all day long what terrific Christians they are, yet their actions are not those of Jesus Christ. There are those who TELL you they are committed, honest, forthright, and present themselves quite well. Yet, there is an agenda that is hidden and many times the person is absolutely not who they present themselves to be. So, Jesus sat with the 12 people closest to Him. He ate his last supper with them. He COMMUNED with them, knowing that His time was drawing nigh.
It is very painful to follow Jesus in your mind to Gethsemane. According to the book of Mark 14, starting at verse 32, Jesus took Peter, James and Paul along and asked them to "sit here while I pray." Jesus was at the lowest point of His brief life. Mark 14, verse 34, Jesus says "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" to his three companions. He asked them to keep watch over Him as he went deeper into the garden to be alone with HIS father. How many of us have had the blessing of going to our own parents and families at the lowest points of our lives, when we knew they would welcome us and offer wise counsel? I know I have counted on the support of my friends and family of late and there is no other comfort than that of a loving parent. Secondly, is the feeling of love from a beloved friend. In Mark 14, verse 36, I can almost feel the heartache that Jesus Christ must have felt when He cried, " ABBA! FATHER! Everything is possible for you! Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what YOU will." I feel the sadness when Jesus returns to find those "watching him" are sleeping. I would have been just as upset as Jesus, when he asked Simon Peter if he couldn't have just have kept watch for ONE HOUR! He asked only that they watch and pray so they didn't fall to the temptation of sleep. Jesus reminded them that though their spirits were willing, the body is weak. And as Jesus prayed, again, his friends slept. I cannot imagine the agony when he discovers this a second time and finally says, Let's go," when he sees his betrayer approaching. Judas gave his fateful kiss. I won't recount the story here. In fact, it's a good idea to read it yourself.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior knew His destiny MUST be fulfilled. I think I would have run away in shame. I think I could not have resisted putting up a fight, yet Jesus said it wasn't HIS will, but his FATHER'S will that must be done.
There are those who will persecute each and every one of us every day of our lives. I am sorry for the energy that could be better spent on more productive tasks. However, that is not my figurative "cross to bear." I stand accountable for my actions and I CAN pray that those whose hearts are so hardened can somehow change directions and find the free gift of inner peace.
On this Easter, read from the Bible and consider your own tasks. Are those tasks and actions self-serving or GOD serving? Are they to present yourself well publicly or are you willing to be chastised, even in the face of lies and deceit, TRUSTING that GOD IS YOUR PROTECTOR and HE WILL DELIVER YOU FROM ALL EVIL?
Speaking solely for myself, I have experienced the feeling of separation from all that I thought was true. I have experienced people who present themselves one way, when in fact, the presentation couldn't be further from the truth. And I will admit that, I have been brought so much closer to MY FATHER who loves me and gave HIS only Son for my eternal life. With that, I can accept "hard times," unscrupulous people, and I can even PRAY for them, knowing God will protect me and the COOLEST part is that GOD WILL FORGIVE even those who are willing to harm others. It doesn't make me any less human. Hurt is hurt. Anger is anger, but when I step away from the situation and pour myself into MY FAITH, I KNOW I am protected from anything humans can do to me.
I didn't realize it at the time, but earlier this evening, my mother and I were discussing Easter services, sunrise services, etc. After writing this blog, I realized I said something half joking, that I AM going to do for myself in the morning. I will greet the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ "in my own garden." I had told my mom that I had the choir, the preacher and the congregation all rolled into one, so I'd take my Bible to my pond and have my own SONRISE service.
Having written this blog, I will do just that. JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME. HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU. HE GAVE HIS OWN YOUNG LIFE AT 33 YEARS FOR ALL OF MANKIND. Be glad and rejoice in the GIFT of everlasting life!
Pray for those who intentionally hurt you. Whew! That's a tough one. It's even hard to type. But, my SONRISE service will be spent in prayer for those who do wish to do me harm. I will ask God to soften their hearts, touch their minds and reach them in a way that no mortal ever could. I will pray for honesty in those who deceive. I will pray for compassion for those dear to me who are suffering through no fault of their own. I will ask God to give me COMPASSION and hold me tightly in His arms as I walk my own figurative path into Jerusalem.
I will be fine. Jesus Christ assured me of that and His Father before Him. Jesus eagerly ate the Passover meal, knowing his betrayer was in His midst. He offered HIMSELF as the sacrifice.
LUKE 22:19-21 tells us that Jesus says, "And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them (the disciples), saying THIS IS MY BODY GIVEN FOR YOU. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. In the same way, after the supper, He took the cup saying, "THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, WHICH IS POURED OUT FOR YOU.
Jesus Christ gave His LIFE for me, I am assured His love. So are you. Just ask. He's always listening.
Happy Easter. Frieda, I miss you my friend. I wish all those who love me and even all of those who don't, the peace, joy and promise of life everlasting as we enter the celebration of the RESURRECTION.
I will leave you to consider that we are all resurrected in one way or another in the darkest times of our lives. God is waiting. He's always waiting and already knows the outcome. That sure takes a lot of pressure off of me. How about you?
Till next time, God bless and keep you.
Annie

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Well, it's gone again. The "hour" that I blogged about seemingly a few short months ago, has now vanished again. I received an email from my dear friend Geof Morris who knows exactly how I feel about "losing" this hour. He said the "time bandits" had shown up at 2am on Sunday morning and just TOOK my hour. Let me say that I do enjoy the longer days. I really do. But losing this hour is really important to me. It has ALWAYS messed with me physically, as my sleep pattern, as though it were even remotely close to "normal" anyway, gets fouled up. Then, I can't remember what clocks I have re-set and which ones I haven't. My body clock thinks it's AN HOUR earlier than it really is....the litany of complaints goes on and on. Eventually, I get used to it like everyone else, but the first week is a bear.
So, today, I was thinking just what all I'd get done if I had my hour back. Let's consider that these are things I probably didn't do when I HAD that extra hour, so I was both justifying and rationalizing my loss. I allowed myself to think a little deeply into what we all might do if we had just one more hour.
Perhaps we would have stayed a little longer with Frieda yesterday. Perhaps I would clean out my junk and get some things done I have been putting off. I was thinking "locally" first. Then I went on to think beyond my realms of possibility. I think I would do everything to get on every NEWS CHANNEL and DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY OF POLITICIANS. I am SICK, SICK, SICK of hearing about prostitutes, OUR MONEY being spent on hookers, trash and filth. GOD has been taken out of our country. There is no sanctity in government anymore. It's all based on who can pay off whom, what kind of corruption can be covered up by a favor. I watch it go on right here in my own county, so why would I expect less from "big government?" It's a mess. A REAL MESS. One hour. That's all I'd want to hit the mass media and "tell it like it is" based on the opinion on just one average American.
I might take my one hour and spend it totally in prayer. I might do something else like love my animals AND pray, which I often do...for an hour. I might do something just for "me" which I seldom do.
In that one hour I just had to forfeit, I would like to talk to a friend for a while...like I did Flavel last Friday night. We spent a super fast 95 minutes and 54 seconds gabbing, as I said in a previous post. It went by in a flash!
I would like mostly to take that hour and spend it wisely. Oh sure, it will be autumn again soon enough and I'll be cheering because I got my hour back, but now that one is gone, I lament.
Bottom line here? Time flies. We don't live enough. We don't love enough. We don't DO enough for others. We have become so self-centered that it's frightening and we don't GIVE enough of ourselves to others. We don't DEMAND those we elect and PAY OUR MONEY TO to be stand up people. We don't hold them to to any standard of punishment when they DO get caught and they always do.
We have become a society that turns its collective head and no one has enough courage to take a position on much of anything, especially truth, values, commitment, keeping your word, doing the right thing and everything that falls into those categories of "being a good human being."
There are so many things that people who are dying or whose lives have been compromised in some way would surely spend just one more hour. I'm certain they would do many things differently. I have learned so much from diseases that I have HAD to learn about such as cancer and Parkinson's disease. My mother has been cancer free for some time now. Yet, before we could really breathe deeply with that, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's. So, we live with that as a family. My maternal grandmother died from Parkinson's. We've had too much exposure to that. I now know how devastating a stroke can be. My best friend has had two of them. She is in a facility. She is learning everything all over again and she is fighting as hard as anyone you'll ever see. I can only imagine what my mom would say about "an hour" or what Frieda would tell me now about something seemingly as simple as "an hour."
If I had ONE HOUR and could get the attention of so many people who are clearly not listening, I would beg them with all my heart to THINK. Just think. Think about the Golden Rule. Think about the things you do to others and what your motives are.
I would grab the attention of our nations leaders...ALL OF THEM and ask them WHAT ON EARTH DO THEY THINK THEY ARE DOING TO OUR COUNTRY??? I don't know about you, but I don't like my hard earned money being spent on prostitutes, lavish and unnecessary things that have absolutely nothing to do with the operations of our country.
One hour...doesn't seem like you could change much, but if we don't at least try, how can we know?
I still want my hour back...I hope it will be waiting for me come fall. I'll be anxious to have it back.
How about you?
Just in that hour...try not to be ungrateful when people do good things for others. It makes things so dark and gray and causes hurt and trouble.
Life is much too short to deal with misery and drama.
Till next time.
Annie

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I do.
Today was one more great big giant step in the healing of Frieda Hudson.
First and foremost, I want to say THANK YOU on Frieda's behalf for those who have prayed for her, believed in her and most importantly believed without fail that she WOULD get better.
Today was a HUGE day. We went together as friends for an afternoon OUT. I've spent hours now trying to find words to express the hundreds of feelings that I am experiencing after today's outing. I cannot even try to imagine what it was like for Frieda.
We have waited for a long while to take Frieda someplace...any place that was outside in fresh air, sunshine, cars, buildings...LIFE. We wanted so badly to get her out into the world again and out of the facility. I am SO happy that today was the day that happened for Frieda and in fact for ALL of us. We were out as FRIENDS...just like we used to be. We have all waited so long for this day.
So, today we decided was "it." Wayne and Buddy had made a ramp and we took Buddy's van up to Washington. JUST IN CASE the headroom wasn't working in our favor, we carried a measuring tape. We had agreed not to "say" anything until we were sure the chair would work. Well, that was dumb on our part, because as soon as Buddy took out the tape, Frieda knew exactly what he was doing, what was going on and she was ready to roll. She even indicated that if the power chair was too tall...too "ANYTHING," that she could use a regular wheel chair! What a riot that was! She was DETERMINED that she was OUTTA THERE and that was that.
So, we got into the van with absolutely no problems whatsoever. What was precious was a family standing outside the door. There were about 15 people out there and they were on the sidewalk. When we came out, I said excuse us and that we were excited, as this was our first outing. The folks got on each side of the walk and as Frieda and I passed by them, they began to CLAP and shout AMEN!!! We were just overwhelmed...but in typical FRIEDA FASHION, she began to "parade wave" as we went through the group of people! I followed suit and said to Frieda, "I'll bet you never expected I'd have a parade arranged for you, did you?"
The folks laughed, we laughed and we were on our way to the van with soaring hearts!
As I said, there were no problems getting in the van. We road to Washington Park and around Washington. We went past Wal-Mart and Frieda made it CLEAR that she wanted to stop. So, we did. She wanted to go straight to electronics and dvds and such. We parked where the curb was high at the garden center and while the guys parked, we headed inside. She was moving through the place like a pro. It was incredible. After snooping at all kinds of stuff, we made our way to the electronics department, where we had told Wayne and Buddy to meet us. We went through EVERY dvd in in the place I think..even all the cheapy ones. Frieda picked out several dvd's and soon we were on our way snooping our way back out of Wal-Mart. Next, she wanted to go to Blockbuster. So, there we went. We looked over all the twofers, the fourfers and all points in between. She picked out a few more dvd's and the next thing you know, she wanted to go outside. She sat there in the sunshine, just letting it warm her, hit her face and she took good deep breaths. I had asked her what the fresh air was like for her and she was LOVING IT! We had carried blankets, etc to make sure Frieda was warm. After all, it has been nearly 8 months since she had been exposed to the outdoors to amount to anything. I had carried her into the courtyard on warmer days back in the fall, but of late, it had been too cold. Frieda is hot natured, so she was fine. She even rolled her eyes at me when I asked her for about the hundredth time "if she was warm enough."
After a while, we headed back to the facility. It was a great day. She wasn't exactly ready to go back, but because it was her first outing since learning a while back that she could leave, we didn't want to over do anything. We assured her that we'd do it again on a regular basis and we got an "OK" sign and a thumb's up with that. She said words for us today. That is still SO wonderful to hear Frieda using her voice!!! I've never been so thrilled to hear "ANNE." She wrote sentences and we "talked" about some things in that way. Frieda reads, writes pretty much what she wants and so communication is getting easier and easier. It never really felt "hard" to me. You just had to pay attention and focus on FRIEDA. She's always let you know what she wanted...it just took a bit more effort a few months ago.
I am SO proud of the FIGHT that Frieda Hudson has in her. I have never doubted for a second that she would do everything in her power to improve to the best of her ability. Frieda has had people who have prayed non-stop for her, believed in her and asked God to restore her to His will and His plan for her. We cannot say just how far Frieda will go with all of this. All I know is that she improves DAILY and from my vantage point, there is no stopping her.
I want you all to know that you were with Wayne, Buddy and me in our hearts as we made this incredible journey today.
We take short rides, short runs to Wal-Mart, Blockbuster, etc. for granted. I saw what those simple outings meant to my precious friend today and as I said earlier, I am so emotional, I'm still more or less at a loss for words.
Words are not necessary, as Frieda has shown us over and over again. Commitment, love, support BELIEF and PRAYER, however are what keep us moving forward each and every day.
We love you SO much Frieda. We are so happy to have shared such a NORMAL day with you. I look so forward to many, many more days just like today and even BETTER!!!
This is very emotional so, that's about it for this post. I just knew I owed it to the faithful readers and those of you who have consistently prayed, loved and believed in Frieda's recovery to know that she had a TREMENDOUS step forward today.
God bless you all. We love you and FRIEDA loves you for sticking with her. You can bank on that!
Till next time,
Annie

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This week has been a busy one! I helped Wayne on Monday with his work and that was fun! I haven't had the opportunity to do that in a long time, so it was kind of neat. I learn so much about how a house is constructed (a HOME is constructed in an entirely different manner!), I learn what is called what, how it all fits together, etc. and VOILA! It's a house! Well, not THAT simple, but there is a "process." Wayne can do so many things and I am in awe of that talent. I work hard at not taking for granted that we do not have to call anyone to do really anything. He can fix anything...and fix it correctly...and if you knew WAYNE, you'll already know it would be better than new! He's just "like that!" I call him "HOWARD" as a nickname. That comes from not the nutty Howard Hughes, but the "neat freak" everything has to be done JUST RIGHT side of Hughes. When we watched the Aviator, before ol' Howie went out of his gourd, Marah was saying OH MY GOD MOM! I understand now!!! HA! We all had a great laugh about that.
Frieda has always laughed at how Wayne will try to eek more out of 60 seconds that anyone she has ever known. When he says "just a minute," I typically count on at least 30 of those minutes. Wayne is a part of a dying breed of men. He actually CARES about what he does. He CARES about his work being honest, ethical, fair and complete. I have seen him paint a house twice because the clients "changed their mind about the COLOR" that they had been on and on about for MONTHS!" They selected the color and since all the painters were charging an arm and a leg, Wayne painted the house. When it was finished, the (I'll save my description) ahem "people" decided they didn't LIKE THE COLOR!!!!! I almost had a stroke. I was devastated. "Didn't like the color? After carrying around boards with the paint on it in the car? After doing test paints all over the house? But, Wayne painted again...doors, trim, walls, EVERYTHING. So you see? My husband works HARD. VERY hard. It does me good to help him and be reminded of just how hard he does work and what a magnificent brain he has. I hurt for him when he deals with ungrateful people or people who think they are entitled to something for 'nothing.' There's a lot of that going around these days, everywhere, as I understand it. I know our property, nor its upkeep is free...so I don't understand those kinds of people...nor do I want to. I wouldn't want to be around them. GOOD PEOPLE RULE! Wayne can think and have something figured out before I can even understand what the problem is!! And many times, he's working alone. He has learned to adapt to that too...that people can be unreliable. As for that paint work, Wayne painted that house twice for less than the price that quotes from painters did it for ONE PAINTING! Not two. That is another great quality Wayne has. He would give you the shirt off his back. That's a dying breed of men too. I've noticed that "MEN" in the context that I was raised aren't REAL MEN anymore. That's sad to see. I think about my great-grandfather and what his motivations were...to help others. And he did just that. Helping your neighbor was MANLY. Men who didn't help out, weren't generally considered "neighborly." Those were good days and I'm glad I was raised in that tradition.Wayne and Buddy work great together. They are a great "Ying and Yang" and offer each other stability. Wayne is a fantastic motivator. Buddy is a fantastic leveling person and together they've got it down pat! I'm so proud of them both and what they do. We have been blessed with our businesses and we are so excited to see them flourish and we are most of all, THANKFUL.
With overpriced real estate and the market sinking, (WE ARE NOT IN A RECESSION, BY THE WAY! I'll cover that later!!) We are dealing with a nation of GREEDY PEOPLE. People who are so happy to put unrealistic prices on real estate and then the crazy people who pay more than it's worth on an ARM mortgage...and now the TALKING HEADS are wondering WHY these homes are being foreclosed on??? GIMME A BREAK! And the real estate slickers are wondering why and boo hooing about nothing selling? I speak for around here only....perhaps some of those agents should have done like the rest of us and put back some kind of nest egg. There are some real estate agents that might as well be selling bad used cars. They are just trying to pass off anything as "wonderful" to turn a buck. Not ALL real estate agents are that way, but there are many who could care less about anything except a "closing." P.T. Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute" and if you pay some of the prices that people pay around here for SWAMPLAND, you do QUALIFY ( to use a real estate term) as a SUCKER!
I thank GOD that even when markets change, things look bleak( if you listen to the media) and dishonest people think they are in charge of how things work around here, ol' Wayne keeps right on moving forward. He and Buddy are both SMART MEN! They're both creative thinkers and they can run a business like nobody's business. Yep...so I got all of that out of me just by talking about working with Wayne on Monday! Good for ME! I eeked out a word or two, huh?
We've had two big storms this week. We need the rain badly and it has done that. I'm glad. The storms anticipated were not as bad as predicted. I was glad for that. Now WHO wants tornado watches and warnings in the DARK? On Tuesday when the WARNINGS were out at 1am, NOAA weather was saying "If you SEE a FUNNEL CLOUD..blah blah blah..." and I'm like SEE????
WHAT? WHERE??? It's flipping DARK out! And RAINING! And STORMING! Perhaps between flashes of lightening I can catch a glimpse of said "funnel cloud!"
So, by Friday of this week, I was GLAD it was Friday. Wayne, Buddy and I watched the movie "MICHAEL CLAYTON." I didn't want to like it because I thought it was going to be George Clooney anti-American propaganda. But it was SO good! I really liked it a lot. It shows how "lawyers FIX things," etc. I'm going to watch it again because it was so enlightening. Hmm...maybe take notes this time! (Giggle!)
My friend Flavel and I had a LONG conversation last night after the world was asleep!! We had a blast talking and remembering. We lost a friend this week WAY too early. Janet was only 44. One of Flavel's" kids" had also passed away when she got home from work. One of her 2 adopted kitties "Shadow" had been ill. So, I hoped that our phone visit would cheer things up a bit for her. As always, Flavel is forever the optimist. She has to be..you ought to see her list of "friends!" HA! GOTCHA FLAV! (We only talked 95 minutes and 54 seconds...so, what's the big deal with that??)
I pray a lot while I'm doing things around here..typically alone and singing to the top of my lungs. I guess the folks across the creek "wonder." Let 'em wonder...they're getting a free concert! So, I was singing "Somebody's Prayin'" and thinking about everyone I love and care about and even those I don't love and care about. They need prayer very much too. As a mere human, I can say that. I don't" love everybody." I don't love mean people, harmful people, dishonest people, but I TRY to seek forgiveness for that. I figure praying is a step. Anyway, one of my dogs, Chris, loves to "sing" with me....so I sang and he howled...and I loved it.
I came in and emailed the song to many people who are on my mind often and that I do indeed keep continuous prayer for. I didn't email the "mean people" because I don't have their addresses! (OH I'M BEING BAD TODAY!) I gave them to God, because I didn't want them hassling my heart anymore! God can handle them. I can't. I'm sincere in what I say and I'm also sincere in my humor...so, I don't mind a little tongue in cheek humor with my sincere discussions on the importance of and the POWER of prayer.
So, it's still cloudy, wet and blowin' a gale... I'm heading out to feed and sing and see what the world is doing today...and here's hoping you have a great weekend!!! Wayne and Buddy are, of course, out working on something! I'll see what they're into and move along.If I stay too long, they'll ask me to help or hold something or I'll end up "involved" somehow! I couldn't have that TODAY! It's SATURDAY!
Life is good, we are so blessed and so very, very fortunate. When things are bad, remember..."Somebody's Prayin."
Check out YouTube and do a search for Ricky Scaggs "Somebody's Prayin'. What a fantastic song! Blogger is acting up with me and I can't get the link to post! ARGH, so you'll have to search it out, if you'd like.
Pray for us too. None of us can ever have too much of that. (And when I talk about the "mean people," I'm just having FUN! Something else we all need more of!)
And that's it from the DBR (as Flavel calls it! THE DUMB BELL RANCH!) Just do the right thing and you'll always be A-OK.
Till next time, my friends!
Annie
PS: I'm going to want my HOUR back tomorrow. I do fine in the fall, but it just BUGS me to give up my hour in the spring!!! I'll be looking for it until fall arrives. (And yes, I'm aware of the extra daylight. I just miss my HOUR!) Hope you got your clocks all changed by the time you have read this! Or that you didn't show up for church AFTER the service was over! I've sure done that before!

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March 1 was a great day for Wayne and me. After having battled this evil FLU thing for what seems to be an eternity, we headed out early to Hyde County. It's beautiful country up there and always a pleasure to visit. I was performing in "MUSIC ACROSS THE SOUND," which has always been a great time among wonderful folks. The folks in Hyde county are always so generous and kind to us. They put out a spread like you would not believe!!! There was enough food to feed an army...and to tell you the truth, some of us musician types are known to have hefty appetites, so we were more than thrilled with the selections! I wanted to start with desert because there were amazing cakes, pies, cookies and loads of yummy treats. I behaved and had dinner first. But I am a firm believer in the saying "Life is uncertain...eat dessert first!" My friends Gary and Kitty Mitchell and David Tweedie were there, my good buddy Gerald Hampton and his new treasure (thanks for accompanying me Gerald!) Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro and their brand new baby girl Charlotte, Jamie Tunnel, Earl Carrawan, Rodney Kemp and others were there. It's like a big family reunion of sorts. Also, our dear friends Martha and Gene Myers came over on their way back from Raleigh. The concert was held is the GORGEOUS Providence Methodist Church. It is known as the "Church that was moved by the Hand of God." Dick Tunnel (Jamie's dad) gave the audience the wonderful story how how the church came to its present location today.
The audience was so warm and welcoming. They are ALWAYS warm and welcoming, for that matter. We have done this same show at Mattamuskeet and I have loved it there each time, but there was just "something" about performing in such a beautiful historic church.
I am blessed with talented friends, warm neighbors in the counties north of here and good friends.
When we returned to Washington, we spent the night at my parent's place and we made a visit to Frieda. She was very happy to see us and we were happy to see her. I HAVE TO SHARE SOME NEWS! She looked right at me and SAID...MEANING VOCALIZED..."ANNE." She grinned like a Cheshire cat! It was like she was holding in this BIG surprise! Then she said "WAYNE" and just laughed! We were thrilled. I was in tears and we were high 5'ing all over the place. Today, was so wonderful to have time together with Frieda, Wayne, Martha and Gene. Frieda said several words and is working SO VERY HARD.
I am asking those of you who read the blog to PLEASE pass this good news. Frieda is working hard. She has great support from her caregivers and she is trying SO HARD.
On specifically THREE different occasions over the past week, I have been told that by folks asking about Frieda "that they HEARD" she is a VEGETABLE! She is a HUMAN BEING. She has problems to overcome, but she is certainly no vegetable and that is so hurtful. Bad news seems to travel and keep going and going. The good news is that FRIEDA can type, she can drive herself around in her own power chair, she can engage in conversation and all that is needed from visitors is patience and an extension of love and encouragement to Frieda as she continues to heal.
TIME is the answer and just know that Frieda is in this to WIN and in it for the long haul. Please continue to pray for Frieda
and just know that vegetables are for steaming and eating. We have actually joked about it though. Frieda said it was ok to let readers know that ASPARAGUS is her favorite vegetable, so if she must be labelled a "vegetable," she would like to be ASPARAGUS! SEE? That caustic sense of humor is still perfectly in place.
GO FRIEDA GO! She's going to do great things folks...so just keep praying for her energy and strength to push forward.
Thanks for stopping by and I appreciate all of you as readers.
Also, once again a HUGE THANK YOU to all of those who put together "MUSIC ACROSS THE SOUND!" I thoroughly enjoyed myself and singing for you was completely my pleasure.
Till next time,
Annie

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