Monday Musings...

Dear God:   

Please give us the leader of Your choice to run our country, one who will not be afraid to stand up for what is right and just and moral, and not back down because of the voices screaming the loudest about “political correctness” as they bash anyone who stands on Biblical principles.    Also, we’d like one who will not call any scripture “obscure passage,” nor plan to use public funding for abortion. 

Dear Newt Gingrich:

I was impressed with the way you stood up to John King.   Thank you for pointing out that mainstream media is biased toward republicans, and that the destructive, vicious and negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, and harder to attract decent people to run for public office.   Like you, I am appalled; and yes, it is despicable.    Thank you, too, for not apologizing afterwards to the elite media who got their butts handed to them over the way they handed the latest “scandal.”

Dear Dr. G. Thomas Sharp and Dr. Tommy Mitchell:

In this crazy mixed up world, I am so pleased that you have the nerve to stand on Biblical principles and speak the truth about creation.   Thank you for taking the time to study and learn, so that you have the knowledge needed to back up what you say.   It is so refreshing to see Godly men not be afraid to stand up against great opposition and teach what is right, just and correct. 

Dear Kmart Cashier:

The time to text is not while you have a line at your register waiting (im)patiently to check out.

Dear Texas Roadhouse:

Roadkill?   Love the entrée, but please change the name!!!

Dear God:

Thank You for protecting the Shoals during the storms last night.   We are much appreciative.

My Reality and Reality TV

I usually watch the Bachelor and Bachelorette series.   I sometimes wonder why because even I, the hopeless romantic wannabe that I am, realize you really don’t fall in love in six weeks.   They don’t have many success stories, unlike The Biggest Loser (a show I rarely miss), which boasts the blossoming romances of many couples, complete with marriage and children.    Last season’s bachelorette, Ashley, recently married her choice, JP.  The one she left behind, Ben, is this season’s bachelor.

Ben looks as if he hasn’t seen a comb or a pair of scissors in a long time, and I had decided I’d pass this season, until I heard it mentioned that the house was full of drama.   So I watched the first episode online tonight.    It’s almost as if the producers knew they’d made a mistake by picking the unkempt Ben and brought in a ménage of characters that just may bring me back for another episode.   The craziest chick of all is a blogger.  

The Biggest Loser always makes me want cookies or macaroni and cheese or some other no-no food as I watch those people work their big butts off…literally.   I’d like to say by watching the show I get inspired, but generally I just get hungry.

My “New Year” starts on Monday.   I didn’t get around to even giving a diet a thought.   But there’s always hope, yes?   I did agree to go to an exercise class at work, though.  

I’m finally feeling better from the bug I had.   I missed three days of work, and I have probably never, in all of my life, missed three consecutive days of work because I was sick.  (Other than the time I had emergency surgery to save my life and I was out of commission for six weeks, but I was only working part-time then.)  I would have gone in Friday even though I felt pretty bad, but I had enough residual symptoms that I wasn’t sure if I was still contagious or not.   I like my co-workers, and I wouldn’t even wish that virus on Mr. Big.   I had made the comment a few times that I’d like another week off, and I basically got it.  We were off on Monday, and I only worked one day last week.   I would have much rather been back at work.

My little poll yielded some interesting results.  Seems as if two folks hoped I wouldn’t post anymore.   Since I know who one of them was…and she was only putting her warped sense of humor to use (a humor that runs in her family, by the way) that leaves only one who hoped I wouldn’t post anymore.   Too bad!  Heheh

Roscoe Ate Rat Poison, and I Know How He Feels

Several months ago when the weather was still warm, one particular Saturday was very windy.  It was around 11:30 a.m.  The wind blew some rat poison off the shelf from the garage, and Roscoe grabbed it up before we could do anything.   He went running through the yard, with Ole Boy chasing him.    By the time he caught the silly dog, Roscoe had ingested a few pellets of the poison, and there were pellets strewn about the back yard.   We spent a few hours going over the yard with a fine tooth rake making sure we got them all.  

I called our vet.   They told me the doctor had already left for the day, and gave me the number for a veterinary hospital, the same group where we used to take Peppy.   I called them, but since they closed at noon, they didn’t want to see him, and referred me to the ER veterinary hospital.  The lady also told me to give him hydrogen peroxide to make him throw up.   I called the ER vet, and the receptionist went into a long spiel about all the charges I would incur just for bringing him in on a Saturday (around $400, not including what it would cost to treat him).

I knew that he’d only eaten a few pellets, so we waited to see what the hydrogen peroxide would do.  Normally it wouldn’t be easy to get a dog to drink hydrogen peroxide, but Roscoe is still young enough to drink first, and ask questions later.   I sat a little bowl of it down, and he got a good long drink (he needed at least ¼ cup).    He then realized he didn’t like it at all!  He ran out in the yard, threw himself on the ground and began to wallow.   I knew it must be bubbling, and I felt so sorry for him.  But to be sure he had enough, we poured a little more down him…which was not an easy task.  He did throw up…repeatedly.   Poor thing, but he threw up all the pellets, and never suffered any consequences.

I know how he feels because I caught the stomach bug that’s going around, and I’ve violently tossed my cookies so many times that my rib cage is sore!   I feel as if I’ve eaten rat poison.

Polldaddy

Guess who found a new bloggy plaything??   Click as many answers as you'd like.   (Somebody better click some answers, too!  lol)

The Comedy of Errors at Logan’s Roadhouse

Logan’s Roadhouse knows I love them, Ole Boy and I visit at least once a week.   Lately, they’ve given us some real characters for servers, though.  Yesterday, the server was just bad.   ‘Nuff said.  

Not too long ago, our server…whose name was not Buffy (but I somehow felt she could have worn the name well, so that’s what I have nicknamed her) took our order, and that’s where the fun began.     We decided to do the Three Course Meal, because having fallen off the diet wagon, I was looking for all things diet unfriendly!    I ordered the crispy fried tilapia fillets, which is a brand new item on the menu (a semi-important detail), and I asked for the fried mushrooms for the appetizer.   Buffy brought our salads right out, but no ‘Shrooms.    After 20 minutes, we finally asked about the appetizer, which I’m thinking should have been brought out before the salad…she winked (oh, yes she did) and said, “Let me check on those for you!”   She comes right back with a basket, and says, “Sorry for the delay on that!   Be careful, they are piping hot!”   They were barely warm.

When our entrées finally arrive, she brought me the Tilapia Santa Fe.   When I told her I ordered the fried tilapia, she said, “Oh, this is how our tilapia is served!”   I said, “The menu said fried,” and I showed her.  She said, “Oh, well, nobody ever orders that, so I just assumed you wanted the Santa Fe.”    I said, “Well, it’s a new item…”  

The three course choice comes with dessert.   When we were finished our entrées, she brought our bill, which charged us for the three courses, and thanked us for coming in.   I said, "We haven't ordered dessert..." and she winked again, and said, "Oh, yes, I know!   I'm just waiting for you to tell me what you'd like."  

Buffy told us she was from New York, and hadn’t been here long.   I told her that she didn’t have an accent, so I wouldn’t have guessed she wasn’t from the south.   She then said she was from “upstate” New York, and that’s why she didn’t have a strong accent.   As we were leaving, she said, “Bye, Y’all,” in what I’m almost certain was a Kentucky twang, certainly not upstate New York.

I think I’ll put Buffy on my “Naughty” list, but keep Logan’s on my “Nice” list.  Hopefully, I’ll have my Naughty and Nice list complete and posted by tomorrow.

Christmas Musings

While walking along the aisles of colorful bulbs, trees and tinsel, my spirit sometimes grieves.   It happens at least once every Christmas.   I whisper, “I’m sorry, Lord,” as I search for the one little section among rows and rows of Santas and reindeer where I can find a Baby Jesus.    I know that Santa is not the problem…it’s the heart of greed during what should be a celebration of the birth of a savior, and that’s why my spirit grieves.   It is rather sad that so many of us feel we must “buy Christmas,” and too many of us go in debt to do it.   We forget that Christ already paid the price, and way too much money is spent on lavish gifts to satisfy the demand that the season has become.   I get caught up in it all, and I’m just as guilty.   I’ve set some limits this year, and I’m doing my best to abide within those limits.   It ain’t easy!

I really love Christmas…and I know that I can’t change the world, so I am sure to keep the true meaning close to my own heart.   Jesus really is the reason for the season.   You won’t normally find Santa decorations at my house, but I don’t preach “No Santa” to my little Angels.   I am most likely guilty of referencing Santa to them myself.   Is that hypocritical?    I remind them what Christmas really is; they know about the Baby Jesus…but sadly, they are much more excited about Santa.   I was just as excited when I was little; but with four older siblings, I never believed in Santa.   I knew to wait up, hiding behind the door of my bedroom, to sneak a peek when Mom brought the gifts out.   I don’t believe I ever made it, though.  I always fell asleep.

I love Christmas not only as a celebration for the birth of Jesus, but because I see more human kindness during this season.   Families make a bigger effort to spend time together.   People are a little more giving.   Children with sparkling eyes dance with glee, for no reason other than their own private joy that it’s Christmas!   I know Christmas is not a joyful time for everyone…for those of you who are missing someone special this year, my wish for you is peace this Season; real peace, from God Himself.

When I was a child, it took two lifetimes before Christmas would roll around again; these days, it takes two blinks and a nap, and here it is again.   December already!   Time for the hustle and bustle of the season…already I’ve been asked several times if I have all my shopping done.   I’ve hardly started!   There are very few things that I get in a rush about, shopping has never been one of them. 

I hope you, my friends, have a moment or two to stop and breathe in the delight of the season, and amidst the hubbub of shopping and preparations you find rest in the knowledge that a King loved you so much that He died to give you life.

More Vacation Details on a Six Word Saturday....

Just when you think you've heard enough about my short trip to Gatlinburg, I bring it up again!!    

While we where there, I found something better than the Fountain of Youth…I found the Fountain of Chocolate!   While in Gatlinburg, Ole Boy and I stopped at the Golden Corral…we don’t have one of those in my neck of the woods.   They have a pretty good breakfast bar, and some really good breakfast pizza, (I love that stuff).   They also had a chocolate fountain.    

 Do you hear what I’m saying?

A fountain of Chocolate!

 

We covered strawberries, macaroons, pineapple, and Rice Krispie candy in chocolate.    And ate it all.    There’s no wonder I gained a few pounds.    No, no wonder at all!  (Pictures not mine.)

We also ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., another place that hasn’t made it to Small Town, Alabama, yet.    Considering that Alabama is a large part of the Forrest Gump movie….well, never mind.   But judging by the other restaurants in my area, either of these places would do great.  If you ever get the chance to eat at Bubba Gump’s, you should.   It’s a little pricey, but very, very good.

The rest of these pictures are mine... 

 

Clingman's Dome

(I cheated here...this was last year's pic.   The rest are current, I promise)

It rained all day Friday, and unbeknownst to us, at some point, some places began to get snow.   We woke up to a chilly, but clearing, Saturday morning, and after eating breakfast at The Old Mill Restaurant (my favorite place to eat breakfast in the Smokies…other than that breakfast pizza and chocolate fountain, that is…we headed to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail.  That's where we found a mini-winter-wonderland.

Roaring Fork

Roaring Fork

Roaring Fork
Roaring Fork

Somewhere in the Great Smoky Mountains


I loved how the sun was hitting only one part of the mountains...


Downtown GatlinburgNotice the two different times on the clock, Neither were correct. For more Vacation 2011 Pictures, Click Here.

** Cate over at Show My Face hosts Six Word Saturday,

where we are challenged to use only six words to describe our lives...or something!

(for more Six Word descriptions, visit Cate @ Show My Face!)

   

Vacation Edition Musings

Ole Boy and I "snuck" away on a vacation to East Tennessee and North Carolina.   We went a little later than we normally do this year because last year, the color was still mostly green.  Bryson City, NC, was first on our agenda.   Travel on Wednesday was perfect...sunny and warm!   However, the next day, our train ride was anything but sunny and warm!   We left for Gatlinburg after the ride, and it began to rain.

Bryson City, NC:

Our train ride was fun but COLD!

It finally warmed up on the second half of the journey.

Nantahala National Forest

(The train stopped here for a short layover.)

I snapped a lot of pictures, but between the jostling of the tracks and the movement of the train (and the limited talents of the photographer) I didn't get a lot of clear pictures while we were moving.  Here are a few:

These flowers were at the depot.

I was a little surprised to see them!

  

It rained most of the day Friday.   We did get up before daybreak and go to Cades Cove.  It was very overcast with a few sprinkles here and there.   By the time we were leaving, we saw a baby bear in the top of a very tall tree, and it was really beginning to rain.   I took a few pictures, but between the rain and the darkness of the morning, the little guy looked like a mere shadow in the top of the tree.   He finally came down, and I took a few more pictures.   Not knowing where Mama Bear was, I didn't get too close.  Some people didn't care about Mama Bear, and they got in my way, so I didn't get to take too many pictures.   To say I whined about those folks would be an understatement.

  Baby Bear...he didn't turn out too clear, 

but you can see the little cutie.

More From Cades Cove:
The color was past peak, but still pretty,prettier in some places than in others.

The not so cute....

Gooblers and Gobblers Gatlinburg:We were blessed with beautiful color in Gatlinburg

After seeing how past peak North Carolina was, I was a little concerned about what we'd see in Tennessee.


I needn't have worried!

   And this is one of my favorite places in Gatlinburg:

Newsday Tuesday: The Musing Edition

 We had some news in my neighborhood yesterday…my credit union, the one I use that is located a mere quarter mile from my house, was robbed yesterday.   The guy handed the teller a note that stated he had a bomb strapped to his body.  They gave him an undisclosed amount of money; he left on foot…and went to my little neck of the woods.   I live in Small Town, Alabama…these things just don’t happen every day!   I consoled myself last night with the thought that surely he wouldn’t still be hanging around the ‘hood with the ABI and FBI, police and sheriff deputies after him.   He was.   He was picked up about 10 hours after the deed a mere short walking distance from my house.  

Sometimes I surprise myself at the “news” videos I will watch.   Afterwards, I ask myself why I watched it…but I never have an answer.    And if it’s not enough that I watch the video, I’ll read the comments, and if I’m in the right mood, I’ll make a few comments, too.   From the comments, I have realized that there are people in this world who are bona fide nuts.     I’ve also learned a few things.  

Some of those videos stay in my mind for a while, like the Chinese toddler who was hit by two vehicles.   I have no words for what I saw…but the images are still in my head.  Disturbing.   If you haven’t seen that clip, you are better off not knowing that these things go on in our world.

I watched the video of Gaddafi being captured.   I really couldn’t tell anything at all about that piece of raw footage.   There are people who think he shouldn’t have been killed by the people he’d terrorized all these years…I think he reaped what he sowed, just as each and every one of us will.

I am not watching Dancing with the Stars this season.   I rarely watched a full season of it, but this time, I couldn’t stomach of the contestants, and as it is with every season, I didn’t even know who half of them were.   Stephen Davey said something on Wisdom for the Heart this morning that has stuck in my mind:  “We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance.”   Enough said.

 

I don’t watch much TV…most of my news comes from the internet.   As I peruse the news sites, I can’t find any good news, only more reasons for me to keep in mind that I live in a crazy world, a very crazy world.   With all that’s going on outside my box, I would not be surprised if Jesus’s return isn’t so much closer than we all realize.   I wonder what I’d do differently if I knew that He was coming back before the end of the year?   Would I sit around surfing the ‘net, or watching The Biggest Loser, or worrying about my diet…or would I be doing all I could to make sure my loved ones got their acts together?    There are things we shouldn’t take for granted, having a tomorrow is one of them, we aren’t promised tomorrow.

This week in History:

v  The telegraph turns 150 years old.

v  Pablo Picasso was born in 1881.

v  The New York City Subway opened in 1904.

v  In 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 revolutionary opinions that would begin the Protestant Reformation.

v  “96 Tears” was the number one hit in 1966.

v  President McKinley’s assassin is executed in 1901.

v  The Statute of Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland in 1886.

v  Congress enforces prohibition in 1919.

v  In 1984, an infant receives a baboon heart.

v  In 1972, President Nixon suspends bombing in Vietnam, and in 1973, he vetoed the War Powers Resolution.

v  British naval fleet attacks Norfolk, Virginia in 1775.

v  In 1945, the United Nations was formally established.

Vacation Last Year....

I wonder what my beloved Great Smoky Mountains look like this year?Here's what they looked like last year...    

Gatlinburg







Near Mount Airy/Pilot Mountain, NC




Near Mount Airy/Pilot Mountain, NC


Virginia


Virginia


Virginia (That's Ole Boy moseying along.)


Virginia






Mingus MillOconaluftee, NC