REST IN PEACE DR. PAUSCH AND THANK YOU FOR THE JOY YOU ADDED TO THE LIVES OF MANY.
***In honor of Dr. Randy Pausch and his family, I am running a repeat post that I had written on May 26, 2008.
I learned from a friend just a little while ago that Dr. Pausch passed away early on July 25, 2008. Consider what LIFE really is...Randy Pausch will never know who was elected president. But in this moment, does it matter? I have to ask myself that hard question. We place far too much emphasis on things that do not bring joy, love, peace and happiness. There are those who thrive on drama, harm, self-pity and judgment. Randy Pausch was not one of those. He was extraordinary. He both touched and changed many lives in this country and never intended to do so. God be with his family. Hold them all in your prayers and as I said when Tony Snow passed away, Randy is with God today. I am sure he is overjoyed in his childlike wonder of it all. God bless the Pausch family now and in the coming days.*** -Anne Haley
POST FROM MAY 26, 2008-
"MEET DR. RANDY PAUSCH"


If you haven't heard that name, I am asking you to please familiarize yourself with it. Take a dose of harsh reality, combine it with sincerity, humor and a real human being and you get Dr. RANDY PAUSCH. You will be awestruck at his courage, but most of all how he "lives" his life. His mental, spiritual and emotional strength will surely bring a tear or in my case, many tears.
I don't know when (if ever) I have been more inspired by a personality, a life story or a human being since I learned about Dr. Randy Pausch. The closest thing I have come to witnessing this kind of strength personally, was when I was actively involved with my best friend Frieda Hudson. Watching her fight for her life and work so hard to recover from her strokes was amazing and I was honored to be beside her.
Pausch was busy living his dreams, building his life, building his family and all was right with the world for him. It was then that he learned he had pancreatic cancer. Dr. Pausch has three small children. He is just a bit older than me and it really made me stop and truly look at life differently.
He advises "us"...his fellow human beings...to find our passions. He advises us to live our childhood dreams. He in fact, actually still has his "list" and he has accomplished the majority, if not all of them.
Randy Pausch is brilliant academically. That in itself is an accomplishment, but out of no where comes this man with this ZEAL, this SPIRIT, this incredible smile....and he is dying. His humor is contagious. His outlook is optimistic when one would think there would be no room for optimism. He was diagnosed in 2006, but in August of 2007, he was told he had 3 to 6 months to live. He basically asserts that if you are given that kind of news and you haven't "lived your life according to your passions," it's too late at that point to start "TRYING" to live. In fact, he infers that you should have been "living" all along...not when you learn that you have an incurable illness. Pausch rejoices that it was 9 months ago that he was told the 3 to 6 month time span.
He's a fighter, he loves his wife, he loves his family and it will be a long, long time, if ever that America sees a hero like Dr. Randy Pausch. I'm just sorry I didn't know about his work sooner. I only learned about him as a result of his illness, his interviews and watching his interview with Diane Sawyer.
Randy Pausch and his wife (Her name is Jai, pronounced "Jay" and he met her while speaking at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.) haven't been married all that long. They were doing what the rest of us do. Or are we? THEY were building their dreams, their lives, and moving forward and out of the blue, as I have discussed in this blog before, everything changed on a dime for that family. We can say we are living our lives to the fullest too, but I doubt we "really" are doing all that we can do in terms of loving, caring, laughing and actually making a contribution to "life."...and as far as we know, we don't have a deadly form of cancer that we are aware of. We just run the routine...day in, day out.
Pausch implores us not to take our lives for granted. He asks us to find our passion and go for it. He asks us most of all to "love."
So many people are motivated by money, things, status, appearances, hanging with the right group, social status, power, control...but none of those things are as powerful as knowing someone LOVES you. Not one of those things matter when life is at its end.
If you haven't read the book, "THE LAST LECTURE," please do so. It will, I believe make a change in your life.
You can go to YouTube and see the ENTIRE last lecture that Dr. Pausch spoke at Carnegie-Mellon University. Pausch had been asked to do a "last lecture," as many professors are, in order to try and theorize what you have to say IF it were indeed your last lecture. He was asked BEFORE he learned of his illness. Initially, Pausch had second thoughts about it after his diagnosis. Who wouldn't? As I said, it was to be a theoretical "last lecture." It is done at many universities and is considered a great honor. But, even knowing it was truly his last lecture, Pausch wasn't daunted. It's about an hour and worth every second of it. In fact, google Randy Pausch and read all you can, learn all you can and take in all you can from this man. His wisdom is so inspiring. There is a link to the right of my posts that will link you to a place to purchase the book. (Carnegie-Mellon is now selling copies of "The Last Lecture" DVD and I believe the money goes to pancreatic cancer research.) I have bought copies of the book for lots of folks, as I believe this story is "that" important. You can find it at all major bookstores. Do yourself and those you love a favor and get it (if I haven't gotten it for you yet! ha!) I gave it to Marah for her own graduation, as I felt it was "THAT" important for her to read as she enters into "the real world." After you have learned about Dr. Randy Pausch, do a favor for me....would you? Get back to me on those "problems" you've been having! We have no problems. We do NOT have any problems. If you don't see what I mean by that upon learning about this amazing man...well...then something is wrong with you upstairs! Or you simply have no heart...and you'd better get that looked into quickly. I don't think you can "live" for very long without a heart either. Pun intended!
In order to pique your interest, please see the video above from the recent surprise address he gave at the 2008 Commencement at Carnegie-Mellon. His charge is short...about 6 minutes and it will leave you hungering to know more about this man and his life. I could go on and on, but what I have to say "about" Randy Pausch isn't important. What is important is that YOU give him a listen..and then be truly thankful.
Till next time...make your moments count for something,
Annie

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There is a site I read called Zen Habits. The creator is Leo Babauta and he lives in Guam with wife, family and six kids! I would imagine with SIX kids, he would indeed be on the hunt for many ways to relieve stress! It contains lots of valuable information to create a happier, less stressful life.
In this post, I'd like to share some of the suggestions that I found most of us can easily relate to. Enjoy!
In our daily lives, we often rush through tasks, trying to get them done, trying to finish as much as we can each day, speeding along in our cars to our next destination, rushing to do what we need to do there, and then leaving so that we can speed to our next destination.
Unfortunately, it’s often not until we get to our final destination that we realize what madness this all is.
At the end of the day, we’re often exhausted and stressed out from the grind and the chaos and the busy-ness of the day. We don’t have time for what’s important to us, for what we really want to be doing, for spending time with loved ones, for doing things we’re passionate about.
And yet, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s possible to live a simpler life, one where you enjoy each activity, where you are present in everything (or most things) you do, where you are content rather than rushing to finish things.
If that appeals to you, let’s take a look at some suggestions for living a simple, peaceful, content life:
What’s important. First, take a step back and think about what’s important to you. What do you really want to be doing, who do you want to spend your time with, what do you want to accomplish with your work? Make a short list of 4-5 things for your life, 4-5 people you want to spend time with, 4-5 things you’d like to accomplish at work.
Examine your commitments. A big part of the problem is that our lives are way too full. We can’t possibly do everything we have committed to doing, and we certainly can’t enjoy it if we’re trying to do everything. Accept that you can’t do everything, know that you want to do what’s important to you, and try to eliminate the commitments that aren’t as important.
Do less each day. Don’t fill your day up with things to do. You will end up rushing to do them all. If you normally try (and fail) to do 7-10 things, do 3 important ones instead (with 3 more smaller items to do if you get those three done). This will give you time to do what you need to do, and not rush.
Leave space between tasks or appointments. Another mistake is trying to schedule things back-to-back. This leaves no cushion in case things take longer than we planned (which they always do), and it also gives us a feeling of being rushed and stressed throughout the day. Instead, leave a good-sized gap between your appointments or tasks, allowing you to focus more on each one, and have a transition time between them.
Eliminate as much as possible from your to-do list. You can’t do everything on your to-do list. Even if you could, more things will come up. As much as you can, simplify your to-do list down to the essentials. This allows you to rush less and focus more on what’s important.
Now, slow down and enjoy every task. This is the most important tip in this article. Read it twice. Whatever you’re doing, whether it’s a work task or taking a shower or brushing your teeth or cooking dinner or driving to work, slow down. Try to enjoy whatever you’re doing. Try to pay attention, instead of thinking about other things. Be in the moment. This isn’t easy, as you will often forget. But find a way to remind yourself. Unless the task involves actual pain, there isn’t anything that can’t be enjoyable if you give it the proper attention.
Single-task. This is kind of a mantra of mine, as I talk about how to single-task all the time. But it’s an important point for me, and for this article. Do one thing at a time, and do it well.
Eat slower. It’s something we do every day, so it deserves special attention.
Drive slower. Another application of the same principle, driving is something we do that’s often mindless and rushed. Instead, slow down and enjoy the journey.
Eliminate stress. Find the stressors in your life, and find ways to eliminate them.
Create time for solitude. In addition to slowing down and enjoying the tasks we do, and doing less of them, it’s also important to just have some time to yourself.
Do nothing. Sometimes, it’s good to forget about doing things, and do nothing.
Sprinkle simple pleasures throughout your day. Knowing what your simple pleasures are, and putting a few of them in each day, can go a long way to making life more enjoyable.
Practice being present. You can practice being in the moment at any time during the day.
Find inspirations. They're everywhere, in the simplest of things! Just look for them!
Make frugality an enjoyable thing too. Instead of delayed gratification, try enjoying life now while saving for later.
Leading a simpler, more peaceful life doesn't have to be a stressful chore. Start in small steps and create your own state of well-being! Life is too short not to seek a more peaceful, less stressful way of "being!"
Hope this post will be plenty of help to you and yours!
Till next time,
Annie

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I want to dedicate this post and the accompanying video to my friend Frieda Hudson, who I am not allowed to see or visit any longer because (with permission) I carried her on an outing to Walmart and Blockbuster after many months of being confined to a nursing facility.
She had been given permission to go out in January, but no attempts were made to take her anywhere. Frieda has been punished from seeing her friends. I can go freely in my life, although not a day goes by that I don't wish to see her. She spends much of her time alone. However, she is working hard so that she can regain control of her own life.
You can link to the story at the end of this post. It touched me profoundly. I saw many "greater" messages especially in the fact that I have always believed that animals DO remember what we say to them, how we treat them and they do know "LOVE." It both sickens and saddens me that a mere animal, and a wild one at that, showed true love and gratitude, yet a human being that so many in Pamlico County "care about" is in a very sad situation. People are hesitant to stand by her position in HER life because of politics and "saving face." Keeping up appearances at the cost of human dignity is despicable. Only by luck or by the grace of God, we could find ourselves in the same situation. Would you want people playing politics with YOUR life? I think not.
I did everything I could possibly do to stick by Frieda's side after her strokes. I was made fun by the very ones I helped as a result of my commitment. My husband and I were eventually called 'weird' for our commitment. (This was something my family and I had never witnessed before. Usually help of any kind is appreciated). I thought ALL good people stuck by their friends. We included in our care Frieda's family, especially in a time of need. I learned that it sure doesn't always work that way. People who are NOT experts deemed her incompetent, then refused, and disallowed FRIEDA'S requests to have her competency restored. How and why would a family NOT want competency restored? On April 2, I stood up for my friend, as she would have for me. They fought it. What is the motivation to keep her incompetent?
According to the Scripture, Jesus said this TWICE, in two variations, so He meant it and the emphasis showed it was important enough to say twice.
"Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:45
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Don't worry Frieda, like Christian the lion, I will NEVER forget you. I don't care how long our friendship is kept apart by unfeeling people, nothing will diminish the friendship that you, Wayne and I share. The ones who keeping us apart could only hope to have a friendship that was as fun, trusting and loving as ours is. It has been a painful 4 months of stupidity and selfishness that has kept you from those YOU wish to see. Seems people aren't considering what YOU want in this. Has anyone bothered to ask? I doubt it. Proving a moot point is more important than for you to see your best friends, just as you always had. Everyone has offered excuses as to why they don't visit and as much as I want to, I can't visit. Go figure. Par for the course. Excuses run rampant but they are meaningless and only show how little Frieda Hudson's wishes are truly cared about. As you go on with your own lives, remember, it could be you in the same circumstance. To date, I have kept my mouth shut, looking for the positive and keeping my feelings silent. I chose not to "rage against the machine." But, today, I realized I MUST speak up or it could be perceived that I have given up. I will NEVER give up. Frieda hasn't, nor will I. I am not afraid of any of this nonsense.
Frieda, you will see these posts one day. I thank God every day for the wonderful part of my life you ARE, even though we are kept apart. One day, we can resume OUR friendship and things can get back to the way they were. I think it's so sad that you are being punished for having ONE normal day. I wonder if all the folks involved in this get see their "friends." It takes a friend to "BE" a friend. When folks are so self-absorbed and "ME" oriented, they cannot consider what YOUR needs are Frieda.
But, we're tough. We'll play the silly game. I have no airs to put on, I have no vendetta. I know GOD knows all of this. That is all I need to know.
I will be writing about Frieda's year long battle of survival. I will discuss how she has been cut off from her best friends for absolutely NO reason whatsoever.
Lots of armchair commentators of late, who were not around then (and aren't now) have offered their "supreme" wisdom on the subject, but they weren't there. I feel strongly that even today, Frieda's best interests are not being considered.
My opinion is protected and the constitution of the United States offers me the ability to speak FREELY without repercussions. This is MY blog. I will say what I want at any time I choose.
FIGHT LIKE A LION Frieda Hudson! REMEMBER EVERYTHING. KNOW JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE LOVE YOU AND WE WANT "OUR FRIEDA" BACK! Not the one being presented of late. You deserve so much more than "existing." You have inspired SO many people who have grown to know and admire you as a result of your fight and your strong will.
When others gave up hope, you proved those notions to be totally wrong! One year later, you're still fighting hard...being a hero to many.
We'll be waiting for you when YOU make your own statements to take your life back. We have EVERY confidence that you will...and we'll be there to support you. We are NOT afraid to take a position on this and stand by what YOU VOICED that YOU WANTED. We are not fence riders who hang out with the status quo. We will be here for you, no matter what. A promise is a promise. I can say I have kept mine, as much as the law would allow me to. To quote a song that I love, "Farther along, we'll know all about it. Farther along, we'll understand why. Cheer up my sister...live in the sunshine. We'll understand it all, by and by." Hang TOUGH Frieda. Your day is coming and your life WILL return to YOU!
A year in retrospect brings so much clarity. The whole story needs to be told and perhaps now is the time to do it...we'll see. I will continue to think on things proceed when I wish to share. I will continue to pray for answers and make my own statements as I see fit. My primary concern is the dignity of Frieda Hudson and her rights as a human being.
Do not mistake this post to be "pleading my case." There is none to plead. Things are 'as they are' for now. When you stand on the truth, there is nothing to fear. I miss my friend. THAT is the truth. I have elected to maintain my own integrity, regardless of the lack of it around me. Today, however, I miss Frieda badly and KNOW she misses me BADLY. That angers me, hurts me and most of all, it hurts Frieda. It's time to make a public statement that contains the truth. In fact, do go visit Frieda. (She'd love the company) Mention my name, then have the courage to state publicly FRIEDA'S REACTION and how FRIEDA FEELS. Ask her if she wants to see Anne and Wayne and have the courage to give a truthful accounting of her reaction. Frieda's feelings are worth investigating. Showing dignity would restore Frieda "her voice."
Till next time,
Annie...and the MANY friends who miss Frieda and support her inside AND outside Pamlico county.

Have a hanky ready. You're going to need it.

FRIEDA HUDSON QUOTE TO ANNE HALEY: "LOVE IS ALL." I treasure this note and live by it, knowing it will all be behind us in God's way and In God's time.

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I have to laugh at the amazing sense of humor God has with us humans. I would imagine He tempers it with a little pity at how we behave.
In my previous post, I spoke some very real home truths about the state of affairs of the county in which I reside. There are many problems, they are old and frustrating, ingrained politics and the potential for any sort of storm only seemed to add a cloud of dread on top of the looming cloud of conspiracy and neglect.
This is a "two-post day," however. It had to be.
My mom called and we were chatting about this and that. We discussed, of course, the weather, I was telling her what a great time we had with Marah and Kevin, that they had gone back to Wilmington, they made it back safely and the usual "mom/daughter talk." During our conversation, Geordie went to the door and stood, letting me know he needed to go out. I went with him so I could check out the cloud cover during the break in the rain and have a look at the other animals.
Behind my house, it was (and is) very dark. I focused on the intensity of the dark clouds, how low they hung and how oppressive they seemed. I turned, looking out at the goats and Geordie, and for some reason, I just looked up, expecting more of the same, but there was a break in the clouds right over the pond. There was a HUGE RAINBOW that covered our property from end to end. I literally gasped a breath and said, "MOM!" I was describing how vivid this rainbow was...it was stunning! Then much to my surprise, I looked UP a little further and just above Rainbow #1 was RAINBOW #2!
Mom encouraged me to run and grab my camera, which I did. I wish I had been able to get a wide angle shot, but the photos I got were perfect just as I got them.
I believe I was given a "gentle reminder" from God. I am assured that no matter how crazy humans get, how bleak and stormy things might seem, there is ALWAYS a rainbow of hope...we just have to LOOK UP TO FIND IT!!! What a beautiful, simple, gentle comfort. When we are looking down, how can we see a rainbow? It's impossible. I could have wandered around outside, looking "across" at animals, watching my step in the drive and had I never looked "up," I would have missed the rainbows. So it is with life. If we don't look UP, we miss all the good things, all the joy and all the gentle nudges God gives us. While we may forget to to seek HIM for answers all the time and trust Him in all things, God doesn't forget. Another "message" I gleaned from this experience is that we cannot see what God holds for our future if we are looking backward. I had been looking toward the back of our property and I only saw darkness, stormy, ominous looking clouds and more rain. I could have walked back upstairs having seen that and would have totally missed what God wanted so much for me to see. COLORS! BRILLIANCE! BEAUTY! And most importantly, God let me know He is always above me, near me and wanting only the best for me.
Let it rain! Let it storm! In fact, bring on ALL the storms of life, both literal and figurative. God just reminded me in the most simple and beautiful of ways that He is indeed all knowing and by walking in faith, everything thing will be just fine.
It doesn't get any better than that.
GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES.
Amen.
Till next time,
Annie

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There has been a tropical depression meandering around the coast of South Carolina the past couple of days. It's not a good thing when storms just hang around. They have the potential to sit there, spinning, gaining strength and selecting a target.
Cristobal was just a "depression" and that was good. I was actually hoping there would be enough strength to send some much needed rain to the middle part of the state, which is incredibly dry.
The storm has, however, continued to hug the coast line. Although the depression picked up enough strength to be named and upgraded to "tropical storm," that's about as big as the "story" gotten so far.
We've had bands of rain, some were quite heavy overnight. It has been cloudy today and the skies look threatening over toward Vandemere, but steady consistent rains have not appeared yet.
I haven't heard any thunder, no scary postings on NOAA and this is just like any typical summer showery day.
I guess the news wants to trump up the storm. Just had a quick glance at the Weather Channel. They're "still not sure" what Cristobal is going to do. Perhaps we'll have heavier bands this afternoon. But for right now, it's just a quiet, kind of cloudy Sunday. Trumping up 'the storm' keeps watchers watching and advertisers happy. It's all a game really. Games that aren't too dissimilar to games that get played with even people's lives.
When you live in a hurricane zone during hurricane season, you're automatically on heightened alert. It comes with the territory.
Storm season is a precarious time. There are those who have no insurance that I worry about and feel for. There are others who have tons of insurance and greedily rub their hands together for the potential to get MORE money with each storm that passes our way. Those behaviors are disgusting, but, sadly, they go on right under our noses in this "Land of Haves and Have Nots."
"Making money" to work on your home is not what the government intended as the use of FEMA funds. I have neighbors that were living in the what's known as the FEMA campers after storms like Isabel, that flooded this area a few years ago. FEMA took the campers away long before the folks got their home repairs. The reason? The campers are not sufficient shelter in the event of a hurricane. There are documented others whose homes, say, have a little basement damage, get a LOT of money to go toward remodeling, not repairing. They brazenly use it as "supplemental income" to get those nice little extras for their homes, while others (the majority) in this county, cannot afford to have their homes raised, cannot get the funds to do so and they suffer in silence in the "Land of Haves and Have Nots." No one will listen to these folks. No one wants to hear about their troubles...after all, RIVER DUNES is just not selling as the investors had hoped, the real estate market is down and forecasted visitors to the "IDEA HOME" didn't turn out in the numbers that "THE HAVES" had hoped they would. It's like sticking all the ugly step-children down in the basement so visitors won't see what things are REALLY like around here.
As I hear a band of rain coming through, here in the "Land of the Haves and the Have Nots," I have to pray that no big storms hit this already economically depressed area this season. I don't think it's appropriate to apply "survival of the fittest" to human beings. It's not that the "haves" are more fit...they just are more conniving, paperwork savvy and place themselves in the right circles. The "have nots" don't have those avenues and bureaucratic pencil pushers could care less what happens to the "have nots." The "have nots" give up quickly, not knowing what to do next and having no money to fight the system.
So, the weather guy says he's watching the storm and it's gaining some strength. Now THERE'S a comfort.
Have a look at www.pamilcoink.com
Read what kind of local government we have here. The population is mostly poor along side lots of retirees who have a consistent income. Everyone has to play on a field that is not even close to "level." The "winning team" can't manage themselves, our tax dollars or this county's own finances. Flimsy excuses and lame chatter is all the news media (www.pamilcoink.com) can seem to get out of them. To quote another politician in the news of late, "words, just words." They're so brazen they won't even lie and say they'll look into the problems, much less that they will CORRECT them and collect what is fair and "render to Caesar what is Caesar's." What on EARTH would happen should a REAL storm hit? Living here and seeing what I have seen has certainly sharpened my gift of discernment. Seems here, you can get your "repairs" done, upgrade everything to the "9's" and if you "know the right people," you can keep your tax valuation to one that equates to a shanty. That doesn't work for all of us however. There a select few that get all the great deals, the tax breaks and little extras that go along wearing select last names.
So, us regular folks just try to hope and pray the storms go far, far away. Here's hoping that more of "the locals" become aware of what is going on around them. Make demands of these local politicians. Believe me, they are more than covered with insurance, etc. The very ones they have forgotten are the ones who vote. Perhaps it's time for a "hurricane cleaning" of the Pamlico County Government and all its "friends."
Again, check out www.pamlicoink.com.
See how folks REALLY live in this storm prone area. There's nothing romantic about it.
In the mean time, we'll wait to see what Cristobal does...and hope he just goes on up the coastline and out to sea...
Alas, I just heard a reporter say the "first big named storm of the season is "BARRELING DOWN ON THE CAROLINAS." Hmm. "Barreling?" Not sure about that, but it is raining with barely a breeze.
I think the oppression of elected officials and those who control them put our county and its citizens in a much more dangerous position than any storm.
Do understand there are a FEW good people who are right there in a time of crisis. They give tirelessly of themselves when storm events happen. Sadly, a FEW good people just aren't enough to take care of anything if an average storm with average damage occurs. I shudder to think what would happen if a Cat 3 or higher came through. All that would be left here (and who knows, that might be the plan) would be "The Haves." "The Have Nots" simply couldn't survive. It's all so lovely and bucolic, in a quaint fishing village sort of way.
And that's my take.
Till Next Time,
Annie

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I am deeply and profoundly saddened this morning to learn of the death of Tony Snow.
The prayers of my entire family extend to the family members of Tony Snow, who has fought the great fight and has finished his race. (2 Timothy).
A little after 7am this morning, I was making coffee. I had flipped on the TV earlier, but the volume was down so it was very quiet. I had taken 2 phone calls and then I happened to hear the name "Tony Snow" and knew he had to have passed away, as he wouldn't have been being mentioned so early on a Saturday morning. He hasn't worked in the past several months, as he battled colon cancer.
Tony Snow was born in Kentucky, was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and attended Davidson College in North Carolina.
He got his writing career off to a start working for the Greensboro Record, the evening paper in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is now defunct, but I remember it well as a child. The Record merged with the Greensboro Daily News forming the current Greensboro New and Record.
I always have loved the "guy next door" feeling you got from reading, watching or listening to Tony Snow. Commitments were significant for Snow. He made it clear right out of the gate that his faith and Christianity were most important to him. First God, then his family, and then that same commitment to his his country. Tony was equally as light and funny and had a wicked sense of humor. I believe him to be the best press secretary for any presidency in my memory...perhaps because he "was the best" at anything he attempted, always reaching higher to squeeze every moment out of life. He had "that smile" and he used it constantly as he deftly answered questions and took the hot seat for the White House. I remember being so disappointed when he left Fox News. But perfectly in keeping with his career, he moved on to better things. He wanted to try radio and of course he excelled. Next you hear he accepted the position as White House Press Secretary in 2006, which was a huge leap. (He also worked in the George H.W. Bush administration as chief speech writer.) He was only in the position of Press Secretary for a year and a half before the cancer returned, having spread to his liver. Snow made the decision to leave the White House to make provisions to make more money for his family, to be closer to them and work hard at fighting cancer. In Snow's own words, he said he didn't believe you "ever arrived." He believed you kept moving forward, trying new things and he was unafraid. I remember the day that Tony Snow announced that the cancer had returned and Snow followed that statement with what a lucky guy he was. Incredible. I remember President Bush was going on about health insurance on Fox News Sunday once and after a couple of minutes of what Snow deemed "rambling," he actually cut President Bush to the chase and said, "so what you're saying is that we need to buy our own health insurance?" The President laughed and said, "You mean my answer was too long?" To which Snow, warmly and in "his way" laughed and said "Yes."
Tony was the REAL DEAL. He played several (accordian, harmonica, flute, guitar, among them!) instruments, he loved rock and roll music... and anything "media"...movies, music, you name it... Tony Snow loved it all.
I can say personally that if you wrote to Tony Snow, he wrote you back. Period. End of story. I never met him, we did exchange emails from time to time and each one was more inspiring than the previous one. I felt a deep admiration to Snow for being such a professional, a man who deeply loved his family and finally such a real friend with real character to ALL American citizens. He even wrote in one email that he tried to respond to each card and email he received. I cannot even imagine that. I was truly honored to see a name such as TONY SNOW in my inbox and know it wasn't junk. It actually made me nervous to have any exchange with a man of such intelligence! He somehow had a balance and a passion for the American people. He wanted to reach us all. He was "normal." He was truly excited to "talk" to the American public. I have emails from Snow in which he thanked ME for writing (HUH?), he reminded me to pray for him and didn't mind showing his human side...even to a stranger. He didn't take his battle with cancer lightly. He truly fought as well as LIVED in the process, knowing he was dying.
Roger Ailes called Tony Snow a "Renaissance Man." I love that term, as it's also thrown about my own house but, in another context.
"God, Family and Country" were how Tony Snow lived his life. We can look at his short life and allow his legacy be that we are better people as a result as of having his insights in our living rooms, on our newspapers and through our radios.
Anyone would be hard pressed to find a picture of Tony NOT smiling. He was a great American. He thrived on serving and helping others. He had the gift of being able to disagree in a kind way. His modesty didn't allow for him to be showered with praise for his talent. At 84, President George H.W. Bush said this morning, "He wasn't a legacy kind of guy." Barbara Bush (called "The Boss" by her husband in a phone interview on Fox News) spoke through obvious tears about his unfaltering loyalty and said she and President Bush 41 extend their love to the family.
I'm still not sure the American public knew what it had in terms of a real watchdog and human being who looked out for us politically. Snow was a real guy with an incredible magnetism and way of communicating that he quite simply drew his audience in. Once there, you never left him. A clearly red-eyed Juan Williams said "Tony was looking out for you even when you weren't looking." What a tribute. We can all learn from someone who demonstrated that you can disagree, even vehemently on something and still be 'nice' about it. Everything doesn't have to be drama-filled and exhausting.
God bless the Snow family. Overnight, while America was sleeping, Tony Snow was able to touch the face of God shortly after 2am while in Georgetown Hospital in DC. I'm sure he'd quip, "WOW! What a great way to start a Saturday!" That was how Tony Snow viewed everything...wide open and with wonder.
I hope we will all remember to laugh and let that indeed be a legacy of Tony Snow. When he laughed, he laughed all over and rays of sunshine went everywhere. Rest peacefully now Tony. You will be greatly missed and you will never be forgotten for your great service to our country.
The only thing I could obviously find "wrong" (if I must) with Tony Snow was that the man couldn't dance! I had to laugh as I watched footage of him dancing with a tambourine...I'm sure Tony would laugh too, admit he couldn't dance and remind us all that you at least have to TRY!
Till next time,
Annie

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SINCE IT IS FRIDAY...we can all use some comic relief...
I'm sending along a Yahoo News article, as well as the link, which led me to write this post. My previous blog post, leaned toward "my kind of serious."
(DISCLAIMER: I wrote my post BEFORE the Phil Gramm "controversy" started and I stand behind what I said. While I don't think Mr. Gramm is completely on the mark, I think Americans have to look INWARD at a lot of the mess we have found ourselves
in of late. Read, be informed and keep up with things YOURSELF! Don't be spoon fed by the mass media. Your brain is not a toy! -ah)
This should lighten the content matter of that blog post and thwart the notion that I have "gone serious" on you.
ENJOY...and THANK CHINA FOR BEING SO THOUGHTFUL.
I KNEW there was a very valid reason I had no real interest in the upcoming Olympics...
DOGS and DONKEYS! I take enough heat about goats and cats when we enjoy "other ethnic cuisine"...now ALL my critters are subject to sautee'! ARGH!
I found an article today on dogs being removed from Beijing menus during the Olympics. It was, well, "entertaining" if nothing more. As an aside, it appears that DONKEY will still be made available. I'll keep a close eye on things and let you know if DONKEYS get removed from menus too! Let's hope they do! Cinnamon and Muffin would NOT be pleased to know this. Makes me wonder if even little Cosmo the miniature horse is safe! He's a plump little fellow. I don't know how to cook a horse, but just looking at him, I think he'd be tender. I cannot IMAGINE eating animals that are DOMESTICATED in this country and OUR PETS! It's obscene! (Not to mention pretty disgusting.)
Geordie is thinking of getting Darcy, Chris, Dixie, Roly and Lucy together to stage a boycott. (Perhaps that radical daughter of mine will assist them in their plans to over throw the Chinese gubberment.) If any of your canine kids have a desire to join Geordie's efforts, just email ME. I will read the information to him. Like Wayne, he doesn't "DO" emails.
(While Wayne DOES have opposing thumbs, Geordie doesn't, so he sticks with his papa on the "email thing." I'm happy to help him with his protest however.) Cats, Donkeys, ferrets, boa constrictors and other pets are welcome to join in on the fun as well.
I must be a weirdo. I have no desire to eat border collie roast, beagle tar tar or rack of lab.
(But then again, in India, they think we're all going to hell (or coming back as a cock roach or something) for eating hamburger, so...???)
I'm just so thankful that the Chinese are so considerate of our eating habits. Let's hope they show that same compassion when they get ready to blow us off the map! Bear in mind, this post would not be happening if I were living in China. Internet will be restricted during the Olympics, as well as any doggie or parts thereof on the menu.
Till next time,
Annie
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080711/lf_nm_life/olympics_dogmeat_dc_1

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There are two "seasons" of feeding for me. The summer way and the winter way. Summer requires more water effort and winter requires a different way of feeding, especially the goats and donkeys.
In summer, I have little swimming pools for the dogs...they love them a lot. I notice the donkeys and goats seek shade and don't mind lounging around during the hottest parts of the day. I make sure everyone has plenty of cool drinking water.
Feeding takes a little longer in summer. While wiping profuse sweat (and yes, it's SWEAT, it's impossible to "glisten" in this heat!), I was thinking about how the summers were when my two great-grandmothers were my age.
There was no air conditioning. Manual labor was DAILY and you just dealt with it. It's a comfortable 72 degrees as I sit on my porch and type a blog. Something my great-grandparents would flip out about too...but that can be another post in and of itself.
I thought about the livestock they had, the gardens, harvesting crops to "put up" for winter, preserving meats, etc. and I look at our lives today.
What on EARTH do we have to complain about?
We run from our air conditioned homes to our air conditioned cars, into air conditioned stores and heck, there is no wonder we're all thinking the world is "too hot." We are "air conditioned" alright. Oh yes we are. That's pathetic and we've become a sorry lot. Americans are supposed to be tough! (Think about it...the experts go on about the SUN and SKIN CANCER. Hmm. I remember WELL my great-grandfather ALWAYS had on a light colored, long sleeved shirt in summer AND a broad brimmed hat! Even back then folks knew too much sun was harmful. In fact, too much of anything was harmful. Say that to the nation of "excess' that we live in now.)
Again, this is no new information! Our grandparents had far more common sense than we do.
In my 46 years, it's ALWAYS been hot in the summer! So, what's new? Nothing is particularly "new." We've just become a nation that is so very spoiled. I saw a commercial the other night on some whizbang car that has (get this!) AIR CONDITIONED SEATS! Now come on! The heated seats were something else...and now AIR CONDITIONED CAR SEATS...for both driver and passenger. I guess if you don't call "SHOTGUN!" (as we say in the south) and have to sit in the back, you're just out of luck. You'd have to be reduced to sitting on the "regular seats." The horror of having that happen, I gasp!
I remember when cars were NOT air conditioned. I survived just fine.
I love gardening. I love watching plants grow and the whole anticipation of being able to pick and eat the things I have grown. It's hard to have a garden in this spot of land, however, and I learned the hard way. I had a GORGEOUS garden a couple of years ago. I planted all sorts...even a whole section of herbs-both edible and fragrant. It was stunning! I worked it, talked to it, tended it like a baby. One little N'or Easter came through that August, however, and that was that. Briney, or "brackish" water as they call it around here has salt in it. I was ditching water, crying and doing my best to divert the water away from my beautiful garden, but it promptly shrivelled and died. I tried hay bale gardening. It worked just fine...a lot of prep goes into getting the bales ready and it produced smaller foods like tomatoes, peppers and such. The goats liked it too....hay AND vegetables. For them, it was a buffet and the end of the hay bale adventure. It was funny though. Wayne and I at least got a laugh and some tomatoes and peppers out of it.
I can only imagine what it was like for my great-grandparents. They worked all day and then came home to work some more to get ready for the work that was ahead of them the NEXT day! Day after day. There was no time to stop because you worked to EAT in winter and feed your families. There wasn't another choice in area I grew up in. Even if you had a "day time job" back then, you also HAD to have a garden. I have no knowledge of growing up in a city. Being a died in the wool "Tarheel," I'd hate the thought of never knowing the feeling of cool dirt between my toes, the smell and comfort of a much needed rain. Yep! there were droughts and "dry spells" back then too! You can't reinvent the wheel and the cycles of nature have been this way since God created this wonderful earth that we don't appreciate. Cycles of life are nothing new. Just read your Bible.
Americans have become so "me" oriented. We will do ANYTHING to make sure we get our way, or we throw a fit. We've become a nation of babies and it's rather pathetic. Everything has to be so simple, things have to be done FOR us. We are dumbing down at such a fast pace. Soon, we won't know HOW to do one thing for ourselves. That's a much scarier prospect than "global warming." A lot more scary!
We fuss about wars, gas prices, the cost of food, politics...we just fuss, fuss, fuss...and what gets done?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing...but a lot of hot air being tossed about. Is it global warming when we're all whining at once?
We don't vote out the "career politicians." We talk a lot and never DO anything. Frankly, I think all the generations before us would be ashamed to see what little marshmallows we have become...and rightfully so.
Kids have NO CLUE how food is made or where it really comes from. Heck, come to think of it, I'm not sure where a lot of MY food is made or where it comes from!
Everyone has to be "comfortable." NEWSFLASH! Sometimes LIFE isn't comfortable! That's where you learn your most important lessons!
So, what is comfort? Is it not a full belly at the end of a long hard day? Is it the feeling of safety in your own home? Is it knowing you have good and loving family and friends? Maybe a good book or a nap? A good dog who's your best friend? Those are luxuries too! No one seems to know how to nurture anything but themselves and their own creature comforts. Americans have LONG forgotten what nature is, what hard work is, what producing your own food is and we're too doggoned lazy to do it even if we did know!
I LOVE it when I go out to feed and it's as hot as blazes. I sweat, I lift, I pour, I load, I WORK..and I don't have a "farm" in the real sense of the word. What I do is a hobby. There is a sense of contentment, commitment and accomplishment in hard work. The animals depend on me to be reliable for them. They give me SO much in the way of love and caring that the "obligation" I have to them comes so very easy. There is also EXERCISE in hard work. Who needs all these "machines" and Nutri-System, and all the junk we get bombarded with on TV? Shut the TV off for just a little bit. You won't die. I tried it and I'm still here!
If Al Gore thinks the globe is warming, perhaps he needs to get some dogs, chickens, goats, donkeys, and cows...you know, do a little hard work. He can learn to throw hay, tote water, tote water again and then do it all again in the evening. Remember, I do this for a hobby and because it brings me pleasure. Perhaps Gore might think about his big house, his air conditioning and if he's getting any sort of exercise at all. The globe isn't warming. He's just a sissy. I could put him on a great work out plan that includes lifting 50 pound bags of grain and see how fast I could trim him up! Tipper might be thrilled with the new look!
I don't know...I just think there's much ado about nothing. Americans have made "complaining" an art form.
I'm not so sure that the 24 hour news channels help at all. They constantly have to shake us up and scare us to death to keep our attention so that the advertisers keep paying the bills. Maybe the globe is warming from all the tempers flaring. See? The possibilities for "global warming" are endless!
I can remember sitting on my granny's porch. Sometimes, we just "sat." The adults might talk...and they might not. Other times we might be snapping beans, or cutting up okra (when I got old enough to cut), shucking corn or who knows what...but we were content.
Everything was said, even when nothing was said. We had all in the world we could ever "need."
It was also HOT work canning. I helped can tomatoes, beans, peas, etc. Later on, we froze the corn, etc. but all that had to be blanched first, so it wasn't like we got a break from the heat. The potatoes we picked up in the fall all went into Granny's cellar...with the onions, etc. and you know, I don't EVER recall her going to the grocery store. If something was needed Grandpa picked it up, I suppose, but I NEVER remember Dora Miller going to the grocery. I'm sure she did when she "went to town" when I was younger or before I came along...but that's something to say. And there was NOTHING like the first pot of soup when the first frosts arrived that was made from all those wonderful summer vegetables. That's a taste I'll never forget. Folks today make several trips to the grocery each week..sometimes each day and there's no way that first pot of soup could taste remotely like my granny's did.
I remember my mom getting our groceries once a week. When I was old enough to drive, I did the shopping and loved it. (Ulterior motives are great when you're 16...you suddenly become SO helpful if it involves keys and a car!)
Tonight's post is just a muddling of my thoughts, memories and ponderings of times long gone and an uncertain future.
I don't think the world is all that different. HUMANS are different. Sadly, I don't think there's any turning back.
Global warming? HA! What a laugh...it's ALWAYS hot in the summer time! It happens every year!
Till next time,
Annie
PS: And now the weather folks have reported Hurricane Bertha is a CAT 3. It's too soon for all that, they say...or is it? What was that margarine commercial when I was a kid? It was about trying to convince Mother Nature that the margarine was butter. Mother Nature warned us then as she warns us now...it's not nice to fool Mother Nature! Leave her be and let her do what she has done for centuries. We need to simply suck it up, toughen up and get over ourselves already! Now shut down your computer and go find a garden to be involved in. Maybe you can't have a big one, but you can put some tomatoes and peppers in a pot! It's a start and there is a very real joy in picking your own vegetables off your very own plants. "Joy" in the most simple of things...America should be tough enough to get back to those places. Only then do we have a chance.

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