Thanks Giving

 I feel like all who read this blog, knows, that I am respectful, honest, which means in my book, that I am ThankFul for passage of events, happenings, that happen to be in my decades on this Good Earth.  That I believe in a higher power, that Karma is real, Because when you treat yourself with respect and your treat other people in your life with the same respect, you are rewarded with a life lived.

CPAP and Other Thoughts

 I am back on. the CPAP, I tend to watch some news, NBC, CBC, and Sky to gain a broader prespective of what is going on in the World, not just here in the Land of the His Ass. Let me leave that subject alone and move on to more condusive thoughts.

When I use the CPAP, I tend to after the news of the day, place it in place and take my pills, then off to the land of Nod I go for about 8 hours.... I wake up fresh, alive, ready for French Press Coffee with daily grind of my Sumtra Dark Roast Coffee beans, and Yes, made with Natural Cane Sugar not white refined sugar, No CoffeeMate either, its Cream, not Half and Half  Now sometimes i slow cook Real Grits, the Yellow type, and always locally made Pork Sausage. 

Those Yellow Grits ....So Lovely.... hint of garlic powder, tiny sprinkle of Tony Seasoning, few flakes of beef boullion, slow cooked ... it takes about 30 minutes even for a small serving. Oh, a Pat of unsalted butter placed directly in the middle of the bowl of grits.

Now to other thoughts, TW IV's birthday is in late November, he is 44 this year.  I have been giving him his grandfahters belongings since we all share the first three Initials TWT.  Two Years ago,  I gave him his Great Great Grandather's 32 calibler smooth bore musket that he treked to Louisiana with in 1826.  Last year I have him his Grandfathers handmade belt buckles that had the TWT initials and my daddy brand (registered Louisiana Brand Commission) on it Lazy Anchor T;  This year I am giving him some of his Grandfather's books, WWII mementos, and Ledger Books from his Great Grandfather's General Store, Let it be known that his Great Grandfather passed away in 1905.  So I dont belive in purchaing gifts but passing on to my first born son and only son the items of his heritage.  I also do that for my nephew so there is no jealousy among the first cousins here.  As a side note they all resided on the family farm that I grew up on. 

Its just very important to make sure that my son, my nephew understand the great hertiage and that hertiage demands the proper conduct and somehow it is prescribed into the Genes that one apprecites those pieces of the past lives of thier forefathers and foremothers.

My thoughts on an early Crisp Friday Morning  here on the Red Bricks in the Lil City by the Red.

Its Good to Be Home

 Working semi-out of state has its benefits; indeed, it does. You can reposition yourself in ways that benefit you professionally and personally. I have become broader in my scope of work, developing new ideas, learning operational needs, and listening to staff who were influenced by their system's administrators by a different set of Correctional Values.   

This occurred while I was in Mississippi.   The Good News is that my contract was renewed by the MDOC for another year, with a sizable increase in compensation.    It is rewarding to have that provided to yourself without any inquiry on my part.    Humbling also, especially when staff from that system tells you they are compelled by your presence to set higher and more substantial goals for themselves.  

I am humbled by all that has happened to me personally. I feel I am back on my "A game," so to speak, and I am appreciated in ways I haven't been in many years.  

Glad to be home also, for a little while.  I'm comfortable here in my abode; it's my safe haven.  I feel secure here, in the quiet reaches of the Red Bricks in the  Lil City by the Red. 

On the Road Again.

 I came home on Thursday from Mississippi.   I leave tomorrow to go back to Mississippi.  The re-accreditation audit for ACA begins on Monday.   As one of the consultants I have to be there.  I am hoping that the 29 mandatory standards, (out of 509 standards) will pass, if they fail one mandatory, its over, the facility fails the audit.  I'm crossing my fingers . Hoping for a passing results. 

Veteran's Day,

 On the 11th Hour, 11th Day, and 11th Month, the Great War to End all Wars ended.    It was called Armistice Day.   Now it is called Veterans Day.

I am very proud of my family's service to our country.  My Momma and Daddy served in WW II. Momma was in the U.S Army Women's Air Corps and based in Sheridan WY, in the Photo Lab processing film.  She obtained the rank of Buck Sargent, My Daddy fought in the Solomon Islands, in the U.S. Navy and South Pacific. My little sister served and retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lt. Colonel.  and yes, I do have a child; he served in Iraq as a U.S. Marine,  and he went to Paris Island for his basic training; He is My War Hero!!

May the Men and Women who signed up, and served our Country be saluted, and recognized as True Patriots, for they placed their lives in Harm's Way for our Freedom!!!

A Passing Jimmy "If You're Wearing Shoes, You're Over Dressed"

 Some years back, I was reading someone's blog, and I noticed on the  blog list the Title "If You're  Wearing Shoes, You're Over Dressed."

It certainly caught my eye,    and I began to read. the blog.  After a month or so, vanished  and then the blog entries re entries went away then reappeared.

 I began to comment and tell the blog's author who I was, my name, general location, and yayadada.   

I gave him one of my private email address, and we began the process of cautiously getting to know one another.

From his writings, I could tell, and he could tell from mine, that we both shared an openness and honesty that rarely emerges in this day and age.   Over the years, we listened to each other's  conversations, stories,  and built a friendship without visual appearance.  

Mistress Maddie informed me the other day of Jimmy's passing.  Jimmy had told be without going into any detail that he was not long for this world, that his health in a downward decline. 

For some reason, I picked up. the phone and texted Jimmy's number.  That was yesterday at 11:24am, 

I posted on his last blog entry also, my saddness and hopes that he was watching in Spirit.  Then at 929pm, a text came from Jimmy's phone, it was his partner/friend.  Thanking me for reaching out.  

The connection for bloggers as myself, whether i see the other blogger or not,  is not crucial, however the sound and inflection of the voice matters..... I will always remember Jimmy's voice, his laughter, and his comments about life in the hamlet called Wilton Manors... deep down in Florida.....

Jimmy, May Your Spirit continue to abide in the Cosmos and Nature of the Universe 

 

Rain Rain

 Today, the Lil City by the Red experienced rain that lasted all day and looks to be going even after sunset.   We are under a flood watch; we've received over 3 inches in the last few hours, with more to come. So, it is one of those afternoons where you sit on the porch, sip a little wine, go out, check on the grill with an umbrella, and eat till your heart's content... LOL.  

Is time to go the top of the stadium seats..... eat the popcorn and chill

 I have read several of my daily reads of the blogs,   here is my take on the matter...... here in Louisiana tthere is a saying   Go sit in the stands, up near the top seats, eat your popcorn, shut your mouth and watch what happens.....  all meaning is to keep your mouth shut, and wait and see... dont run down and get trashed on the field ..  Politics is a cruel business, I know first hand.  I'm taking my popcorn and going to sit near the press box and listen.

New Day. Old World, but New Attitude

 I woke up this morning to A New Day, An Old World, with New Attitude ......

History has taught us that most things only change a few clicks to the right or left, never a full 180 degrees. We must harken back to when we must gather, stand firm in our ideas and goals, and keep trudging along. 

The People Spoke last night, much to my chagrin, But the People Spoke!!  It's the same Old World, with a new Attitude... 

Not much else to say.  

Tuesday. and Yes Election Day, One of the Most Critical Days in History

 Today, we will see History made, either way.  Our Nation is so divide, never in my seven decades have I ever seen this.....

Its raining here.   

That is all I can type.

Yes Today is November 2nd

 A few weeks ago, I traveled down to the Lower Parish of Avoyelles (I don't expect that with any accuracy)  that  y'all can pronounce the Parish's name.  

The Best Sweet Potatoes are grown in the red dirt of the Alluvial Plain of the Red River in the Parish of Avoyelles; I buy my sweet potatoes from the Dugas Family ... There are several generations still living on the family farm of that farm down there.

 I have been buying from this family for 20 years.   I am thankful they are still in business. Farming is tough these days. The price for a crate (which has risen over the years from $12 to $25 a crate. It is still worth the money.

So you buy the sweet potatoes in early September, then place them in dry storage behind a door and let them sit, with dirt on them, until the first of November.  That is when you can start to bake them. The crate will last me until mid-January 2025. . 

So, on November 2nd, I washed about 8 sweet potatoes, removed the dirt, and placed them in the oven. They bake for an hour and a half.

 I'm having grass-fed beef tenderloin with brazed green beans. sweet potatoes and Butter butter!!

It's a good Saturday late afternoon here in the Lil City by the Red...on the Bricks.....