When I was a little girl, the fall season fascinated me. I loved the smell of cured tobacco that hung over the town of Madison as you headed up Murphy Street and intersected with Dahl Street. The tobacco auctions were taking place and the town was bustling with both buyers and sellers of the crop. It was "pay day" for so many farmers and their families in my county. You saw those folks who had worked so hard all summer long be able to see that hard work come to fruition.
You could also smell (more than usual) the pit cooked bar-be-que being cooked every single morning at a local iconic restaurant called "Fuzzy's Bar-be-que." It was named after T. H. "Fuzzy" Nelson, who was known all over for his famous recipe pit cooked bar-be-que.
I remember the smell of leaves everywhere. When we went out trick-or-treating on Halloween, we played in the leaf piles, ran through them, threw arm loads of them into the air and simply had an amazing time. It would have been the first time any of us kids "felt cold" since months before in the early spring. All that fun and bags of treats too? WOW! It didn't get any better than that!
After trick-or-treating was finished, we'd carry our 'haul' back home and sort through all the candy. My brother and I would trade out what we did and didn't like with each other. Then we'd pile up in front of the tv and watch "The Halloween Spooktacular!" Special programing of Dracula, Frankenstein and other scary shows came on for the one night a year. Before that, however, we always watched Charlie Brown and his adventures with "The Great Pumpkin." Each year, like Linus, I silently hoped that the Great Pumpkin WOULD show up at last and prove everyone wrong! (Especially that hateful Lucy! She was always just the meanest little thing!)
The "fall" of the year...when the year starts to wax and wane and come to a close...the year does kind of "fall" if you think about it. The days shorten, the time changes, we do things closer to home. We add a blanket to the bed. Our dinners start to come from pots and the things that sound good to eat mainly "warm" us. I love the first smells of wood burning stoves on the first chilly nights. I also love the smell of leaves burning later on in the fall, although that's a smell that I don't pick up on as much as I did as a child.
There are so many songs that come to mind that I sang when I was a little girl. They range from Thanksgiving songs to Halloween songs, to songs about the season of "Fall."
I remember hay bales, corn shocks, lots of colorful indian corn and all sorts of earthy colored decoration. We were allowed to start wearing our "winter shoes" which would have been dreadfully uncomfortable until you broke them in good. Clothes became layered because it's funny in the south...it can be quite cold at night, but still manage to get quite warm during the day until later on in the fall season. You couldn't get out the REAL winter clothes quite yet!
I loved a poem by poet Christina Rossetti. I learned it from a World Book Encyclopedia book of children's poetry. It was always haunting to me somehow and I loved it. It is called "Who Has Seen the Wind" and I'll post it here so that you might enjoy it too! When I was a small child at Humpty Dumpty Day Nursery, we learned a song version of this poem. The tune was equally haunting and beautiful and I remember it to this day.

Who has seen the wind?
by Christina Georgina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling
The wind is passing thro'

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads
The wind is passing by.

I have many memories of autumn that are just as warm and comforting as my snuggly new robe and my warm slippers.
I am thankful that this time of year brings thoughts of good things, good times and fond memories. Life was simpler then. It was so much less complicated. Kids "created" fun and we had a lot of it. A pile of leaves made for hours of squealing, screaming and laughter. (We didn't know we were getting tons of exercise in the process!) There was no video or "gaming" to it...just good, fresh, chilly fun.
I will leave you with good wishes for a wonderful, even magical autumn season. Kick some piles of leaves that you rake! Take good deep breaths of crisp fall air! Enjoy this beautiful season that gives us one last burst of beauty before the icy chill of winter takes its place.
Apple cakes, pots of soup, home baked breads, warm drinks....at last! It's here! Autumn is here!

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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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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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I do...and boy they can make me mad. My folks got a new DVD player. They have one of these super DEE LUX model HD everything on God's green acre TV. So, when we got in tonight, there sits the nicely boxed little DVD player. I opened the box and set about what should have been a 10 minute project....and let's see...it's now nearly 11pm. Is there a working DVD player?
NOPE. In fact, we completely lost cable and now the "channel guide" for each channel is lost. Perhaps never to be found again.
I can TRULY remember when you just had to get up and change the channel and there weren't but about 3 or 4 channels and if you set the antenna "JUST RIGHT," you might get PBS.
That was way back when...in fact another millennium ago!!!
I even remember transistor radios.
So, the cable that Toshiba sent to coordinate with the Toshiba tv isn't ALL that is needed to get everything hooked up it seems.
I bagged it all for the night and we opted to eat ice cream.
That sounded like a MUCH better plan to me anyway.
After all that, who in the world wants to watch a movie anyway?
I guess when we get back tomorrow, I MIGHT attempt it again. But then again, I just might not!
I'm normally quite swift and good with electronics. I love 'em. But for this night, I've had quite enough thank you.
So, what do I do? I go BLOG about it! HA!
Yet another new word added to the English language in THIS millennium.
I don't know...at 45...I look back and love that...and I also look ahead and love that too. Lots I used to enjoy and lots I enjoy doing now.
I don't know, perhaps we should have STARTED with the ice cream and just sat and talked. (But the MEN wanted to watch basketball!)
Such is life....and it's a good one. Good luck with YOUR electronics and if you call me for tech support, it's gonna cost you a BUNDLE. (there's also an extra fee because I am fluent in English! giggle!)
Till next time,
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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(Izzy finds a way to "present" himself amongst the presents under our tree. As you'll read below, his attempts to camouflage himself are generally futile...he's obviously a WHITE cat!)
It's mid-December...we're all in the throws of wrapping gifts, purchasing just the right thing for those we love, and somewhere in the midst of it all, I hope we're remembering often WHY we're doing all of this. It's Christmastime. It's a joyous time of love, of lights, of celebration, of excitement, of friends, of family and it's the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
A couple of years ago, I recorded a CD and titled it simply "Christmas." I selected songs that meant something to me from childhood up to my adult life. Strategically placed in the "middle" of the CD, I did a reading from Luke describing the birth of Christ. I did that intentionally to make a statement that amid all the fun, the joy and even the stresses of Christmas, in the middle of it all, there is a story we should remember.
Tonight, Wayne and I had dinner with our neighbors. It was a lovely, relaxed evening in a beautiful home, with wonderful laughter and conversation. I realized that the "beauty" was how warm, comfortable and inviting everything about the evening was. I have trouble sometimes when I feel that folks go to a lot of trouble for us...and tonight, we truly were enveloped with love, celebration and friendship. Heck, I'll even venture to call it "pampering!"
Wayne and I have been acquainted with our neighbors, but not as much as I would have liked and it has been my own fault. As a rule, I stick pretty much to myself around here. I love company, but don't venture out much. Marah says I've given myself the reputation as being "the crazy animal lady." Perhaps I have and that's ok too. Even tonight as prepared as I was, I had to do a quick "Izzy chase" when we were only going a very short drive from our home to our neighbors. (As an aside, wanting to be on time, we were all ready to go and even early. And right there on the side of the road, sat a fat white cat, thinking he was totally camouflaged! I was driving, so didn't heed Wayne's advice to keep driving. I jumped out of my car and took a detour across my own property chasing Izzy. I figured he could just sit in my car while we visited! I was able to touch him once...and off he went into the woods.) Composing myself from my unexpected "jog," we drove on to the Whites. I reasoned that we had that extra bit of TIME because Izzy was going to be out there creating somewhat of a roadblock. But, he didn't make us late! We laughed about that crazy cat and continued on, still on schedule. I confessed about the great cat chase shortly after we arrived at the Whites and we had a good laugh. At least our goats didn't follow us there. They've been known a while back to head down the road, visiting the boat landing and the neighbors. Fortunately, they've gotten too fat and lazy to leave the farm nowadays.
Mary shared special Santas that she collects. (I collect Santas too!) She shared various dolls and special items that her mother had made, her friends had made and items that bring back special memories to her at Christmastime. I was grateful to see these items and hear the stories behind them. I love hearing memories and traditions of other families.
I'm not sure what Wayne and Bill talked about because I was busy talking with Mary, but I'm guessing it had to do with water, boats and "man stuff." Wayne was thrilled when we got home and quite ready to talk about what a great time he had, how great the evening was and what wonderful hosts the Whites were.
He is sleeping now and I'm still going over the events of the evening and relishing friendships, family, love and sharing. I am concluding more and more each year that "TIME" is the most precious gift we can give one another. When we give "time" we are giving of ourselves in so many ways.
I want to say thank you to our friends Mary and Bill for sharing your time with Wayne and me this evening, for sharing your home and for sharing yourselves with us. Christmas is a busy time for everyone. We try to meet every deadline, make plans to perfection, schedule to accommodate all of our families...and I am guessing the most important gift is "time."
Christmas TIME. Even after December 25, it's time that is most important in the big picture I suppose. Celebrating the birth of the Christ Child doesn't have to come to a screeching halt on December 26th, so I'm going to try to stretch it out and make it last as long as it can. I'm using an artificial tree this year, so who knows? I might still be going strong at Valentine's! (JOKE!)
Christmas TIME...That is a gift in itself. It's also something to consider giving, isn't it?

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I haven't been giving as many "Frieda updates" for many reasons...too many rumors flying, too much negative chatter, etc. I elected to continue doing what I've been doing...which is praying for Frieda, helping Frieda, loving Frieda and reminding her constantly just how much she is loved and missed by so many.
We have had several good visits. I was so overwhelmed with our Thanksgiving visit, that I couldn't even post about it. It was a grand day, it was beautiful outside, so we actually went outside and relished things we all take for granted like FRESH AIR, WARM SUNSHINE, THE BLAZE OF A BIG RED TREE in all it's autumn glory, etc. I realized that Frieda is so communicative with her face, hands, eyes, shoulders, etc. that NOT ONE TIME did I have to even look at her leg to check for "yes" or "no" indications.
Another visit, I gave her a haircut. I'm certainly no cosmetologist, but it was a "have to" situation, so after the hair cut, I washed Frieda's hair. The staff was attentive and got the things that were needed to give her a wonderful, warm, relaxing wash. That visit we stayed for quite a long time. Steve and Jodie DeVera came and visited. Wayne and I left for a while to let them visit with Frieda, as they had not seen her since she was at Craven. They came to Craven, but did not get to see her, so they stayed in the waiting room, praying and offering support from that place. I was SO thrilled that they got to spend time with their dear friend.
After a trip to Walgreens to get some "fun stuff' for Frieda, and a couple of errands, we returned and continued a our visit. Frieda was in high spirits. Geordie was with us, as he has been all of our visits of late. Frieda LOVES rubbing him with her foot and having him get where she can rub him with her hand.
That's kind of a "reader's digest" version of how things have been of late and we couldn't be happier.
Tonight was truly remarkable. When we arrived, the speech therapist who has worked with Frieda at Pitt was there. He was working on having Frieda spell words. When we arrived, he had the letter board and Frieda held a pen. Jeff asked "who is that?" and pointed at me. The pen moved to the "A," then "N," then "N" and by then I was in tears, thanking God and totally amazed.
Frieda spelled out Wayne, Geordie, Oriental, when Jeff asked questions about who they are, where she lived, etc. Jeff asked her what she liked to do for fun and something about Wayne and she spelled out "G-O-L-F!" GOLF! Next, Jeff asked her about her brother and she took the pen and pointed to an "S." Then she began "S-A-N-D-Y." Sandy. I asked her what "his son's name is" and that was the ONLY way it was said..."what is his son's name?" She pointed without hesitation "H-A-N-K." Hank. It was amazing. Jeff asked her to spell her daughter's names and she did the same thing "N-A-N-C-Y" and "J-E-S-S-I-C-A." She was so pleased with herself! Wayne and I were just completely thrilled, overwhelmed and humbled, When asked "Where she would like to be right now" she looked at Wayne and me and spelled "P-O-R-C-H." I was so stunned that words even escape me now. She wanted to be on our porch...and God knows I would give anything if you were sitting right out there with us right now Frieda. Another question Jeff asked was "what do you like to do with Anne?" She spelled "T-A-L-K" We all laughed and she grinned from ear to ear!
After Jeff finished their session, he left to do his paperwork and checked back in later. We talked, visited, held hands, and updated on Frieda on things in our world. She was very engaged and laughed as we share memories, things she had teased me about in the past, etc. It was wonderful. We had been told that cell phones didn't ring in the facility, so I never even take mine inside. Wayne had his phone on his side and out of the clear blue IT RANG!!! It was Sandy Winfrey on the phone...so we put the phone up to Frieda's ear and Sandy got to have a great conversation with his sister! He teased her, he talked to her, he told her he loved her and she was completely engaged. She was over the moon to get to talk on the phone. It got emotional for each of them at points and rightfully so. She was so happy to be talking on the phone to Sandy and it felt normal to her. It was so evident that she was totally loving it, yet a reminder of "how things are." That said, Wayne and I also watched courage and strength gather in Frieda. She knows fully what is ahead and she is totally prepared for every step of it. Although Sandy of course, couldn't "see" it through the phone, she was giving him a thumb's up MANY times as they talked. I like to think that God gave Frieda and Sandy a little miracle in allowing that phone to ring in that room tonight.
I'm still so overwhelmed with all I saw tonight and all I have seen of late, it's very emotional for me to type this all out. Just know that your prayers ARE WORKING. Just know that FRIEDA REMEMBERS and she knows what's ahead, yet she remembers all that she once did and that is what she is determined to get back to. Please continue to have faith in Frieda. Please continue to PRAY for her and love her. She needs to see her friends. She needs to know that all of you out there haven't given up on her.
These things take time. It's emotionally so hard on everyone involved, but the focus needs to remain on helping Frieda. We worked on her hands and shoulders tonight. She LOVED it. She pointed to the word "YES" when I asked if it felt good to move her body. I massaged her feet while she and Wayne simply held hands. She opened her hand to him and motioned for him to take it. It was a priceless time to watch two friends simply loving one another. No words were necessary...and I have learned through this that there are MANY times that words are basically worthless. It's the ACTIONS that carry the most impact.
With that, I will close and just let all these last visits sink in more. It's really hard to fathom at times, yet, I have expected NOTHING else of Frieda Hudson during all of this. Those who know her well have expressed to me that they have felt the exact same way.
You just wait! She'll be back! She knows she lives on BROAD STREET and spelled that out "BROAD." Seeing that let's me know with complete certainty that she doesn't intend to stay in a nursing facility for one second longer than in necessary for her healing and rehabilitation.
Thank you God for continuing to show us all YOUR power and that indeed you do have a plan for Frieda that is far greater than we can even imagine.
Thank you Frieda for continuing to show the world that you're not a quitter.
I'll post another update again in the next few days. Sorry it's been so long...it's just been so emotional and I have wanted to keep our visits and our closeness between us...but I realized tonight that ALL of you who have continued to pray for and support Frieda NEED to know what wonderful things she is doing. Sandy and I talked after we left and he and Karen want you all to know how much your love and support and BELIEF in Frieda's recovery mean to them as well.
KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON FRIEDA!! YOU ARE AMAZING!

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I'm having coffee this morning, looking at a gray day and thinking of snow...not that we will get any, mind you. But, it's OK to dream! Yes! It is.
Oh and by the way...just as the picture proves, I DO know Santa. I know him well...and yes I BELIEVE! I've known him literally since I was born, so I've been busy trying to make sure to get things all sorted and corrected since time is drawing nigh for the annual visit! I hope you're doing the same!!! HE IS REAL!! AND HERE IS PROOF!!!
I just happened to see that the last post was number 99 and found it interesting in some odd way that those of us who blog talk about everything and nothing. We share information, give information, share our joys, celebrations, sadness and all points in between with those we know and those we don't.
This year is coming to a close. 2007. Like everyone else, it didn't turn out exactly as I had planned for many reasons, but I'm here and ready to give 2008 a shot. I don't do resolutions. In fact, I RESOLVE not to! So, I guess I do one resolution. I just try to keep it between the lines and keep moving forward.
I've had some "Griswold type events" (think Christmas Vacation/Chevy Chase) happening since trying to decorate, etc. I thoroughly checked all the lights for the outside. Yep, they all worked. The I carefully strung them among the garland and having a ball doing so. I even got out the great big 8 foot monster Santa...and as an aside, Marah DETESTS him! That's why he goes up every year. Mom's can just do that.
Well, I'm back...the rest of the day has passed. After taking apart the lights that ONCE worked and then didn't when I actually put them up, replacing those, replacing fuses in my massive Santa, ALL IS LIT UP! I LOVE IT! IT'S ALL UP AND WAITING FOR YOU MARAH!
I was thinking today, as we all do this time of year about Christmas memories. The least expected surprises are best! Specifically, I heard from two of my dear friends Mattie and Marti. We had some of the most wonderful times together. We grew together, we laughed together, we had great times. Mattie was telling her daughter about some of our times together and she googled me, next thing you know, WE ARE IN TOUCH! So, we've been emailing, sending pictures, remembering things together and probably most of all, realizing how life moves forward and doesn't wait for us. Even though time has passed, there are still fundamental things that do not change about old and dear friendships. Our memories hold us cemented and bound together always...no matter what else in our lives changes WE HAVE OUR MEMORIES and we can savor them and hold them close to our hearts. Mattie and Marti, THANK YOU so much for getting in touch! I have been so thrilled to hear from you! I can't believe YOU TWO actually have KIDS! That's just something else! Of course, I can't believe that we're not all 25 and 30 anymore either. How did that happen? The consensus? We are all happy. We are all living our lives according to our own plans and we still have the love and friendship in our hearts that will carry us always. That is just great to me.
At Christmas time, we celebrate, we remember, we start to hope for things we'd like to see happen in the coming year and we draw closer to family and friends at this time of year more than any other. That is a beautiful thing. We start the year celebrating and end it with a love and reverence for what the previous year has shown us.
We will be going to Jacksonville to the NC Symphony on Sunday. The Holiday Pops will be there for a 3pm matinee. I LOVE WILLIAM HENRY CURRY!!! I LOVE HIM! I DO! So, at Holiday Pops time, where ever "the maestro" is, THERE I'LL BE!!! It's just a wonderful part of our Christmas tradition.
Marah is finishing up the semester and getting ready to start exams. So, she's covered up. I get quick IM's from her, quick phone calls and that's just how it is this time of year for college kids. I can't wait to for her and Kevin to come home and we can BAKE!!!
All the sights, sounds, memories, traditions and magic of Christmas are priceless! Don't let them slip by unnoticed. CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE!!!

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Whew. It's Sunday night and I'm whooped. Let's see...last post...the night BEFORE Thanksgiving! Tonight, it's kaput. Fini. Over. Done. (Like some turkeys, perhaps?) Whew, I say again.
The TV gabs on and on about how much weight we are all going to gain over this ONE WEEKEND, heck, they even narrowed it down to one day. Well, for what it's worth, I ATE. I ate MEAT. I ate veggies, I ate snacks, I ate shrimp cocktail, I ate all kinds of wonderful stuff. And I'm not ashamed!
I ate pumpkin AND pecan pie. Half slices of each, so wasn't that smart? I had one slice of pie total. As if I cared.
This Thanksgiving, I ate round two with full abandon too! I thought, what the heck! I've been on such a crazy regimen of late in terms of when I even eat. Many times (which I know, I know!) is not a good thing, I may only have dinner in the evenings. But, Thanksgiving was different. I had an agenda and as soon as I walked into my mom's house and put out the things we brought, we set about eating round one. We were waiting for my uncle to arrive, so phase one took place. It was lovely! Ham rolls, crab dips, shrimp cocktail...lots of fun things that would make a great meal to me. Then we went and spent a couple of hours with Frieda...then back to Mom's. My folks had a spread out and it was something else. We ate, once again, like piggies...and with full abandon.
After all was said and done, it was a sad state of affairs. I didn't even have the strength to do my normal complaining about the football game hogging the TV. I simply didn't care. I was definitely in the throws of a tryptophan coma (that I mentioned back when I was "waxing poetic" in my last post!). My cousin was asleep, Marah was talking non-stop to Wayne about school, her students, and getting him up to speed. My crazy uncle was busy being crazy. Marah was the target this year. He called her "Laura" incessantly for the entire afternoon and evening. It was hysterical. I laughed until big tears rolled down my cheeks as I listened to his relentless banter.
It was a perfect Thanksgiving. I was thankful for everything and everyone around me. I was thankful for our togetherness. Yes, I ate like a complete nut...but, had we had only PB&J sandwiches and milk, it was the TIME we were sharing that was important. Not the sweet potato casserole. Not the deviled eggs, not any of the totally delicious things we indulged in this past Thursday. It was the fact that we were together. We had made it another year. We were laughing, smiling and loving one another.
I pray that next year, things will be just as good as this year.
As an aside, Buddy, Kelly, Jakob, Wayne, Marah and I went to visit Frieda. It was very emotional, but it was WONDERFUL. Frieda is doing AMAZING THINGS!!! She knows what she has to do and SHE IS DOING IT! Don't be confused by all the rumors going around. I don't know why or how they're being so negative. Isn't getting someone BETTER the object when a friend or family member is as ill as Frieda has been? In my world, the object is to get BETTER...and guess what? FRIEDA IS DOING SO MANY THINGS ON HER OWN! Thanks be to God for giving her the strength and the courage to keep right on! I never even had to look at Frieda's leg to see if she was shaking it. Between head shakes of "yes" and "no," shoulder shrugging, hand squeezes and eye expressions, we needed no words. I know she was shaking her leg. But honestly, she was communicating so well with her face and body, I forgot to even look! We spent time outside getting fresh air. Frieda loved that. There were some tears. She had a lot of questions in her eyes and I answered them as best I could. She saw a Range Rover commercial on TV and knew exactly what it was...and that was emotional.
Later in the evening, after the big food fest, Wayne and I went back to see Frieda again. In order to keep things normal on Thanksgiving night, we went to watch a movie. Frieda was ready and she was SO happy. We watched a dvd that was there in her room. Things felt "normal." We were together, we were happy and we were watching a movie. She kept looking at me, then looking at Wayne and breaking into a big grin. Yep. It is all SO worth grinning about Frieda. And my God, it's so good to see you grin that great smile of yours again.
THAT, my friends, is "Thanksgiving."

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There is a silly joke that over the years I haven't been able to retire. It's juvenile and silly...hmm...sort of like me!
I'm won't even attempt to be PC...too much of all that going on as it is. It works like this...I wish Marah or Wayne or whomever I'm addressing a Happy Thanksgiving, adding a big, hearty GOBBLE! GOBBLE! Then in my own twisted sense of humor, I add..."if you're dyslexic, then BOGGLE! BOGGLE!" Yes, its dumb. Yes, it's silly...even ridiculous...and I've kept it up for years. I can hear Marah sighing as I type this. Oh Mom. Will you ever grow up? To which I reply, "NEVAH!"
There are so many little things we remember about our special times together. All of these surface particularly in November and carry all the way to the New Year. I am glad that I remember even the most silly of things. I think these days, now that Marah has grown up, she wouldn't admit it to me, but she probably actually looks forward to the nonsense.
For the past few years, Frieda and Young Nancy would either come over on Thanksgiving night or the Friday after and we'd watch the newest DVD released that we all were hopped up about. I will miss that this year. Nancy called me last night and we had a good talk about those things. Change is inevitable. We're going along with these changes since July kicking and screaming, but we do have our memories to talk about, make us laugh and most of all to relish. Last year, on the way to my parent's home in Washington, Marah, Kevin, Wayne, Frieda and me were in her van. Wayne was driving and we were between Aurora and Chocowinity when a BIG BIRD of some kind came out of nowhere and hit the windshield. I thought it was coming in on us and after we realized we were all ok, we laughed and laughed. It was hysterical to us (juvenile adults) when it could have really been dangerous. But, we found plenty to laugh at. Frieda was having a field day fussing at Wayne for hitting a bird with her van.
Talking about good memories is so healing. Regardless of what is presently going on, I truly believe you can turn things around and make them better simply by "remembering when."
We will look forward to better days for Frieda, and continue to pray for her strength and her healing...and we will remember the strength, the humor, the love and compassion she has continually shown to others in her life. Wayne and I were talking on Friday...missing our routine with Frieda. Wayne said no matter what was going on, how bad a day might have been or how tired he was, seeing Frieda coming up the stairs to the house just made him feel better.
We should all be so lucky to have an observance like that made about us.
We know that Frieda does indeed have a gift of making things better just in her presence.
I am thankful for so many things this year...and I am most thankful, I think, that Frieda has hung in there, fought hard and will continue to do so.
We have a lot of catching up to do Frieda Hudson. We're going to let you off this Thanksgiving, but next year will be a different story. I don't plan on her making a habit of this.
I hope where ever you spend your Thanksgiving this year, you will first of all have safe travels...and most of all, be THANKFUL.
Some years, nothing much has changes in "life" from the year before...but it could just as easily be that this year, you're adjusting to life that has become totally different. Changes in holidays can be dealt with without sadness. Just remember them in the best light possible, find the laughter and remember the best of times when you feel like you're in the worst of times.
I know that's how my friend Frieda lives her life. Since I have known her, she's always managed to find the best in situations, and more than likely, something to laugh about.
I will work hard to honor you in this way this year Frieda...we will ENJOY THANKSGIVING, as you would expect us to. You will be sorely missed, of course, but I promise to do you proud.
To kick it off...I'll start now wishing you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING...and say to you GOBBLE! GOBBLE!!! And if you're dyslexic,
BOGGLE! BOGGLE!!
Let the holiday season begin! YAY!!!!!!!

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It's Friday, 4:59pm. I've been behind a day all week because of the Veteran's Day holiday. It has seemed like things have been out of kilter all week, in that I've forgotten what day is it on more than one occasion. But that's a good thing because suddenly it's Friday! Right out of nowhere...it's the weekend again. I like that.
Yesterday was good because we had a nice rainy day, which included a nice long power outage. That was kind of the icing on the cake for a nice quiet afternoon.
Today is cold. I was outside a lot, in the mud. I almost forgot what mud is because it has been so dry, but it was good to throw on my muck boots and tromp around.
The donkeys are munching on hay, the goats are strolling around content to eat leaves. My old timer, Buster, is 10. He's walking with a limp today and won't give me even half a chance to get a good close look at what the problem might be. He may have a bruised hoof, but it's hard to tell. He's a fat little booger, so I hate to see him limping around. I know it's hard to keep his balance. Being a pygmy, he doesn't have long legs to carry him around. So, my man Buster has laid around a lot today. Everyone else seems fine. It was funny to me how the other goats reacted when I was trying to get a look at Buster's hoof. Nosey by nature, they wanted to get up just as close as possible to see what I was doing, which didn't make things any easier. They are curious creatures. Dice put his face right into mine as if to ask "What is going on? What are you doing? What's the deal here?" Then he had a nibble at my hair.
Our friends Mike and Judy came over today. We've been working on a secret project for a while...and because it's a secret, I can't tell you what we've been working on...but do be happy for us. Today was successful! And we were glad! Isn't that mean for me not to tell the secret? That's bad manners and my mom will probably ground me or something, but, the real point is that we got to visit with our friends. We adore Mike and Judy. They are always laughing and smiling...even in the midst of things that might not be particularly laughing matters. After they left today, Wayne commented, "They just make you feel good." And I agree.
In times of uncertainty, strange things going on nationally, not knowing what anyone's motivations are anymore...it's so good to be around REAL people...wonderful people. We met Mike and Judy because someone told me they sold goats. I just kind of showed up at their house and asked. From then on, it was great. We bought Buster (hop-a-long) from them, as well as Grady, Milo, Sophie and Dice. We also bought a female Nigerian dwarf named Lupin. I loved her dearly and we lost her a couple of years ago, about this time of year.
At the end of the week, it was so nice just to get our project done and be able to sit and visit for a little while with our friends. Judy and I came inside and I bored her to tears showing her pictures on my computer. I had some funny ones of the goats and the other animals. She even seemed to want to look at them! HA! Wasn't that nice? Most normal people show pictures of their families and the like. Me? I am showing off my livestock! Just for redemption, I will add that I DID show a few pictures of my human family.
The rest of the evening has consisted of finishing daily tasks. Wayne rested his leg, which I was glad for. He needed to. We also hunkered down because it was COLD! It was below freezing last night, which made me think about it being this way for the next few months. I simply cannot believe that Thanksgiving is essentially HERE! And in a nanosecond Christmas will be here and gone. Time seems to get faster and faster.
I'm actually finishing this up on Saturday. It's quiet here at home...I'm the only one here. I'll be heading outside shortly in the chilly air! I'll be thinking about Turkey, dressing, all the trimmings, being with family and friends and all the things that I have to be thankful for.
The year ends as quickly as it began, yet all kinds of things are packed into the middle of it all. It would be good to slow down enough to remember all the good things that have happened this year. In a lot of ways, I'll be glad to see '07 come to a close. '08 is a mystery that is almost within sight. Time to get ready for what's ahead I suppose.
Today I'll consider Thanksgiving and it's meaning to me...and discuss that later.
Hope you're doing something FUN for the weekend!

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I have enjoyed this weekend...I absolutely love "the fall of the year." I hadn't given that term an awful lot of thought all my life, but I realize that indeed this time of year is the FALL of the year. It's ending, winding down, coming to a close. Hard to believe.
I love the colors of autumn, the smell, the crisp feeling in the air...hay bales, pumpkins, you name it...if it has to do with anything "autumnal," I love it.
I've felt a little strange this weekend. I love opening windows, the fresh breeze and those things, but I've felt a tinge of guilt over the past couple of days. We are changing seasons. I am having a bit of difficulty changing seasons without Frieda in tow. We entered the year together, then spring, then summer and now...she's still in the hospital and I'm on my own with this one.
I know that sounds silly. Believe me, I am perfectly aware of how it sounds. But, I do try to convey honest feelings, raw emotion and how lives have been affected or it wouldn't be a particularly honest blog. While updates, goings on at the hospital, etc. are important...very important, I feel that if I am going to discuss all of this, it must be as a whole. The whole picture comes with all the thoughts and feelings that go on outside the hospital room as well as in it.
Last fall, we took off for a weekend in Asheville. We stopped back by the wonderful HUGE farmers market in Greensboro on the way home. We bought all kinds of stuff...mums, pumpkins, fall vegetables and the like. We had a blast and stayed for a long time snooping, shopping and relaxing. I remember when that particular farmer's market was built, so I knew my way around surprisingly well. Of course, there had to be silliness involved. You know the wooden things with pictures painted on the front and you stick your head though the holes to "look like" something else? Yeah? Well, we did that too. It's almost like being hung in the stocks! Maturity is the very basis of everything that Frieda and I do. (course you're buying that, right?)
I worked with my foals this weekend. They are now 5 and 6 months old respectively. It sure makes me feel odd typing that. They were weeks old when we made the trip to pick them up. The younger of the two is now the larger of the two! She was about 3 weeks old when we brought her home.
These are the times that are most difficult. I'm going along with this change of seasons. It is my favorite time of year...well, until December gets here! But, I'm not happy about it. I'd rather have my pal home, safe, sound and healthy. I'd rather have called her today and told her how great the foals did with their halters or better yet, have her out here handling them with me.
I'd rather have lots of things different. But they're not.
There is a prayer that has become well worn for me over these past two months. I guess I recite that prayer a hundred times each day while coming to terms with all the dynamics of a catastrophic illness. "Accepting the things I cannot change" and
having the wisdom to know the difference was difficult today. Some days it's easier to know what I can and can't do anything about. Today wasn't one of them. When there are new and interesting things going on, seems second nature to have Frieda around or making a call to her to say HEY! GUESS WHAT???? When those urges happen, I pray. So, I'm praying a lot.
I have a lot of pictures to post of the sights and colors of fall...right here in North Carolina. You can go to my Zimbio link that's here on the blog to check them out and I'll try to get a few posted on this site as well. (I'll make sure to dig out that photo of Frieda, Wayne and me in "the stocks!" Those are particularly flattering. Well, sort of flattering in a humorous sort of way.
Yes, there is a chill in the air...literally and in my heart. Keep improving Frieda. We've got so much to do yet.

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(Frieda and Wayne on Mrs. Nancy's porch during the Croaker Festival. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH FRIEDA! WE'RE RIGHT BESIDE YOU!)
First of all, I cannot thank you enough for all the calls and emails of support to Frieda Hudson. She is simply going to be amazed...and humbled. Frieda is not one of those "in your face" kind of people. She does what she does in quiet, simple ways and believe me, she does a lot. Since Friday evening, my life has been a blur of uncertainty. It has been a feeling of "numb."
I have watched Frieda's family move from one emotion to another, wait, ask questions, wait, ask questions, etc. It is a relentless cycle of the unknown. It is exhausting....the whole process is exhausting.
Frieda continues to battle. As I said, she's a fighter and we know she's fighting as hard as she can to come out of this. Today, we are under the impression that she will be moved to Pitt Memorial in Greenville. There are doctors there who are more involved with the type of stroke Frieda has had...and that is what she wants. She has told me on many occasions that "if anything significant ever happens to me, I want to go to Pitt." Having conveyed that to the family, Frieda is on her way to Pitt at some point today by way of helicopter. She will like that. She doesn't like planes, but loves helicopter rides. Go figure! I am kind of digging "terra firma" myself these days.
I will continue to ask you to pray for Frieda, for her family, for the wisdom of her doctors and care team. I miss her so much. I came in last night and was washing dishes. It was pure impulse to "see if Frieda had called." Wayne even said, "On Saturday nights, Frieda's always sitting right there," pointing to "her chair" here.
We're lost puppies right now. We're helpless puppies right now and can rely only on what a medical community can do for her.
However, there is ONE Great Physician. Wayne and I have handed this to Him on Friday night and though we still worry, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in charge of what happens here. I do not believe Frieda's work here is finished. She has so much to offer and so much more to give to everyone she comes into contact with.
Please pray with me for Frieda, her family and all of those who are taking care of her medical concerns. I will keep you posted on how things are going and when she gets transported to Pitt Memorial.
Thank you all for being "our friends." We love each and every one of you and wish you peace, contentment and most of all good health.

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(Picture #1, we call "What Happens in Luray, STAYS in Luray." This was about as crazy as things got last February when Wayne, Frieda and I took a vacation to Luray, Virginia. This is how we operate...best friends, relaxed and all is right with the world. Dave Shirk asked that I post this picture, as it does truly represent "contentment." Thanks for the suggestion Dave. WE ARE WITH YOU FRIEDA! WE ARE RIGHT THERE!)
Last night around this time, I was writing the first blog I had composed in nine days.
Tonight, I am writing from a profoundly sad and heartbroken place. Once again, "life" is showing me that nothing stays the same. With each rising and setting of the sun, life as we know it will be different. Sometimes in only small ways, others are, as I said, profound.
My dear and precious friend Frieda Hudson lies in Craven Hospital as I type this, fighting for her life.
I suppose I am in a state of shock, because in this moment, I feel nothing. I can't cry, I can't feel anger, I can't feel anything except a deep and relentless sense of emptiness.
I was on the telephone with Frieda, as we are a lot of the time. We talk all the time about everything and nothing. She had called me to talk about the tarpon tournament this weekend, fishing in it with her brother Sandy, all the food her mom had made for them and how she was going to run into the grocery to buy some nabs. "You can't go fishing without some nabs," she said. So, when she got to the store, she said she'd run in and then call me right back. The next call I got was that she had collapsed just after entering the store.
Frieda has been a solid and intrinsic part of my life basically since the moment we were introduced by Dave Shirk at M&M's Cafe, (a local eatery that Dave and Marsha Shirk made a landmark in Oriental) a few years ago. She never complains about anything. She is one of those people who always has just the right thing to say or knows just what to do in any given situation. She lives, eats and breathes her newspaper, which is The Pamlico News...the weekly news source in our small county.
Frieda and I are like frick and frack. We're like peanut butter and jelly. We're like ice cream and chocolate sauce. We have been joined at the hip for a long time now.
When I've had something to celebrate, Frieda has celebrated louder than I could. When I have cried, she has offered her shoulders, her support and her love. Frieda Hudson is the most staunch, loyal and trusted friend I have ever had. There is nothing I would not do for her.
In learning the ropes about living in a new place, Frieda Hudson has been like a guardian angel, advising Wayne and me, directing us about situations that would not be in our best interest. She has been there to support us and love us with no conditions, no restraints and no boundaries.
I love Frieda Hudson. I love every single thing about her. I love her laugh, how she looks at life, I love her knowledge and I love the total ease in which our relationship revolves. I love her wickedly sharp wit, I love how we "feed" off of each other and all the craziness that ensues when we are on a "comical streak."
It's very seldom that she's not here. We cook, we watch movies, we eat, we talk and when Wayne falls asleep, she and I talk some more. Then when she's not here, Wayne and I take "coffee rides" and go sit on Frieda's "pizer" as she calls it, watching the world go by in Oriental.
Every morning, we have our "coffee talks" over the phone to begin our day. I'm a fan of her radio show. I'm a fan of her column and I am a fan of one of the most fantasic people I have ever been priviledged to know. And typically, Frieda is the last person I speak to each day. We generally have a "wrap up" and close by saying, "Well, talk to ya in the morning!"
Her family has embraced my family and we are all very close. "Mrs. Nancy," her mom, is G'ma to Wayne and me. She welcomes us into her home, her heart and offers us a sense of family. The entire family has embraced us as though we have always been there and there are no words to express how much that means to us. When nothing else in the world is right, Frieda and her family are ready and waiting with a willing hug, a smile and all the love you could ever wish for.
I pray for healing for my precious friend. I pray that God will hold her in His healing hands give her body the strength to fight and to heal.
Everyone who knows Frieda knows she is a fighter. She is staunchly independent and she doesn't give up. I admire all of those qualities so much.
I am asking you to pray, to send energy and to send love to Frieda Hudson in the coming days. She needs our help now. Her family needs prayer and Frieda needs all the energy that we can possibly send to her.
I don't understand how things can go so upside down in a few seconds time.
For all my friends who are Reiki pracitioners, I ask you from my heart to please SEND! SEND! SEND!
I was able to spend quite a bit of time with her in the Critical Care Unit and I was able to give Reiki hands on. She did respond. I will continue to send the remainder of the night and for as long it takes to get through this.
I do believe that prayer changes things and that our energy is to be shared. With those two components, bodies can and do heal. Miracles can and do happen every day and I believe that a miracle can and will happen for Frieda Hudson. I ask that you believe that too. Even though you may not know her, believe in her healing anyway.
I have written about her in my blog, she has been my photographer, she has done graphic work on my CD's and she has been the deepest confidant I have ever had.
I will spend this night praying without ceasing for her. I ask you to join me in prayer for her complete healing and restoration.
One of the closest people in the world to me has had a stroke. Life has dealt a severe blow to Frieda and her family. In my heart, with our help, she can overcome this. With our help, she can win this battle.
On the way home from the hospital, there was a sign posted at the volunteer fire department for our neighborhood. It read:
BE KIND TO OTHERS. EVERYONE IS FIGHTING THEIR OWN BATTLE.
We never know what others are going through and how they might be suffering. What happened to my friend today is a perfect example of that. I will not stop praying that Frieda can and will win this battle and I hope you, my friends, don't mind me asking for your help too.
I love you Frieda. Keep fighing. We're all right beside you.

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Summertime. The sound of the word is relaxing. I was just thinking about all the things that are so enjoyable this time of year.
Summertime heat has arrived here in Pamlico County, and that's not always such a welcome thing. I'm kind of a "75 degrees is perfect" kind of girl. Alas, we've hit 90 a couple of days this week and is the precedent for the days to come. That's ok. Looking outside, I see the goats. I'm sure they're hoping I don't let Geordie out to chase them. As a herd, they move from shade tree to shade tree. Mornings and evenings are when they are in the fields eating grass, going to the pond for water and milling about. Afternoons are rest time. I think there is a lot we could learn from animals in the summertime. They certainly know how to rest. It's no big deal. No big production, no plan. They find a place that looks good and they lay down! Same with the outside dogs. They go into their houses, where it's cool and shady and they nap. I'm all about a good siesta myself. I don't get enough of them, but on certain occasions, generally Sunday afternoons, I might find a time to stretch out and rest...even nap. Perhaps I'll make a summertime resolution to do more of that. I'd like to say I could encourage Wayne to do the same, but he's much too "type A" for that.
Another thing that just makes me FEEL GOOD in summer are gardens! EVERYWHERE! Because I live in the country, I see all the gardens belonging to the old timers. They are stunning. I love a traditional garden, but this year, I'm doing container gardening, which is working out great for me. (Last summer, Wayne and I did HAY BALE gardening! It was interesting and fun. It takes a bit of preparation of the hay before you plant, but it was quite the conversation piece and we got a great yield! One benefit was little or NO weeding!) I'll talk about that in another post.
I have the usual garden variety container garden now. I have peppers, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers and some squash. I think that will be enough for this year. It's all upstairs on the deck, so I see it and am able to enjoy the plants all during the day. There's not a better feeling than to get your hands in some dirt, plant and watch things grow. It pains my heart that some kids actually believe that food "comes from" a supermarket!
Summertime give us lots of company. A young man who works at the local building supply and knows Wayne showed up yesterday evening, baseball cap in place, fishing pole in hand and ready to fish. "Miss Anne," (as the kids around here call adults) Josh said, "Mr. Wayne says I can go fishing." I told him not to burn daylight and get on over there. The goose family welcomed him with open wings. (There is a large family growing up with us this summer! A mom and dad and 11 goslings! Eleven were hatched. Eleven made it and are growing like weeds! I adore them!) Other kids will be showing up from today forward. School is out as of today so the kids will come to swim in our crystal clear pond. They call it "the pool." That cracks me up.
It's a good life here. We have a blessed and rich life. Our home is our sanctuary. It's a place that is all our own and we can shut out the knocks and bumps that the real world deals. Summertime, more than any other makes me close to my land. I feel close to everything that lives and grows here. Deer come to drink, even bear and bobcat! We have the only "fresh" water around here, so we get a treat all the time with what might be visiting us to graze or drink. Wild animals are just that, but I pray that all remains harmonious.
Neighbors venture out and drop by. They're always coming to see what kinds of craziness we're up to. I think they think we're weird, but I'm not sure. I know they get free entertainment, so that works for me. We like that a lot. Wayne and I love sharing our lives, our home and our hearts with others. Our great friends give us love, comfort and help us grow and flourish here.
I never thought I'd have the opportunity to have this kind of life. Travel? I've done plenty of that. HOME is where my heart is and I'm as content as I could ever be...right here, loving summertime, loving my home.

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