Some of my Favorite Things

One of the "good things" (as Martha calls them) that has come out of my Holiday confinement, is that I've been watching a plethora of "Holiday Films".
Having little else that I've been capable of, I've been basking in each and every Christmas movie that I can find.
In years past, I've been so busy in so many activities and committments (most of which I enjoy, btw) I really haven't caught much but fragments of the Christmas fare that I embrace.
Usually, I put on a movie or feature while I'm wrapping, addressing or baking, catching only moments of Rudolph exclaiming "I'm CUUUUTE!" , or Ebeneezer exclaiming "If I had my way, every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding with a stake of Holly in his heart!".
Not so, this year. If , sometimes, in the course of our human lives, we need to be laying down to "look up", I have been forced to "lay back and look forward".                                                                                      It's given me the opportunity to revisit some, long neglected, Christmas friends, reconsider some , once seen Yule Tidings, and experience some new (to me) offerings.                                                                            So, I ask you to join me on the whimsical, profound and sometimes tearful Christmas-tide journey.
It's a Wonderful Life -Definately my Husband's favorite Christmas film, I usually endure the emotional tenor of this movie, until it's conclusion. I try to postpone the tension of holding back the floodgates of this film, until Walt will no longer be denied, and find myself descending (fighting all the way) into the lovely cadence of James Stewart's voice, and Clarence's endless hope for wings.
I had the opportunity to see this Christmas Classic TWICE this year, in the same 24 hour period. Once was at 3:00 am, as I sat in the ER for treatment. I found myself uncomfortable captive and then emotional volunteer to the comfort and sentiment of Frank Cappra's magic.                                   It's so surprising that this was NOT a hit when it first came out, and really only became a Christmas Classic after it started showing on television.
Watching this, made me remember that I really do believe that "every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings".
The Nativity-This under my newly seen category. I purchased this several years ago, when it was all the rage. Each Christmas since, I have vowed to watch it, and shunned the opportunity on each Christmas. I confess myself bewildered about this. I am someone who watches (unflinchingly) doccumentaries of the Crucifixion and The Passion, each Holy Week since they we're released. But a story of joy and hope and triumph? Oh well. I did (watch it) this Christmas.
Watching "The Red Tent" put me in a "Bible Times" mood, and I did find this offering, surprisingly attention keeping, in it's story telling, I found the casting estute (especially the Antipas family) and the timeline reasonably authentic to cannon. So I would recommend anyone wanting to get in touch the the original "Christmas Story" to give this a view.
Mister Magoo's A Christmas Carol- If you are close to my age, you might remember the bombastic character of Jim Baccas' creation singing "I'm all alone in the world." My first (and still favorite) introduction to a musical rendition of this Dickens Christmas classic.                                                     Viewing this with a more critical (adult) perspective, I must say, I'm surprised at how this stands up to the rigors of time and improvements in animation.
I found myself singing along with the ballad "Winter was warm" and "We're despicable" . I found my spirit lightened by the song "The Lord's Bright Blessing" (sung by Bob Cratchet and family). If you, like me, haven't visited this old story and old production in a long time , or (heaven forbid) have never seen, it is time for a look-see.
What IS Razzle-berry-dressing anyway?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas The 1965 animated feature (not the Jim Carey version).                          This too, has been lost to too many-a-busy Christmas. My husband and I are both fond of quoting many lines from this (the book AND the feature) . "Little Cindy-loo-who...Who was no more than two." "And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head,
And he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.
And when CindyLou Who went to bed with her cup,
HE went to the chimney and stuffed the tree up!"
"Maybe Christmas, He thought, was a little bit more!"
What is more endearing than Max's clueless sha-grinn?
Or more infecteous (pardon the allusion) than the Who's gripping hands in joyful chorus of "Rah-who-dorez"? (which oddly reminds me of latin for some reason).
Each time I see this, I ask God to Bless Ted Geisel and his prodgeny, just as I feel blessed by his story.
Well, I also need to mention Boris Karloff's brandy and molasses voice and Thurl Ravenscroft (who sings "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch--and was the voice of Tony the Tiger) I have to say it. He's GREAT.
A Christmas Carol- 1999  with Patrick Stewart, Joel Grey and a host of English character performers who are a delight to behold. YES Another Christmas Carol graces my list . Is it really a surprise to anyone that I love a good ghost story?                                                                                          When I first saw this, I confess, being a fan of Star Trek TNG, Patrick Stewart was the attraction. I didn't love it. Citing that the production blew most of it's budget on the effects for The Ghost of Christmas Past (Joel Grey), forcing them to find someone's Chiropractor, burlap and electronic eyes for the Ghost of Christmas yet to come. (Only Ed Wood fans will truly understand the "chirpractor" allusion). But some years later, I like Patrick Stewart's Scrooge. I am most captivated by Richard E. Grant's portrayal of the impoverished and hopeful Bob Cratchet.  
Those who are sticklers for "historical accuracy" that there are some "oops" here. Chief among them several songs: "We're all havin' a-go" proffered by Mrs. Crachet, and Silent Night Sung by Tiny Tim was not penned until 20 years after the writing of Dicken's A Christmas Carol.

Honorable Mentions: Miracle on 34th Street, 1947 verion. I love Natalie Wood chewing gum, reciting blithely "I believe, it's dumb, but I believe".
National Lampoon's : A Christmas Vacation introduced to me by my husband Walt, and now I scarce let the season go by without watching it, at least once. Worth it just to see the neighbors "Margaux and Todd" ..and of course, the run-on rant by Clark (Sparky) Grisswald, which ends "Alleluejah! Where's the tylenol?"
Happy Viewing all,
Until Next time
Eat something wonderful and cherish a Christmas worth loving.
-Kim

These are the things I'm thankful for

I'm thanksful for the Foodtv. I am not truly a country music fan. So, my exposure to country music is usually "accidental" . During the holidays--Thanksgiving included, I watch every Foodtv and HGTV special and dedicated episode my dvr will hold.
During Trisha Yearwood's Big Thanksgiving Family gathering episode, I had a profound moment. For me, it was the "Thanksgiving equivalent" of the scene in the Charlie Brown Christmas when Linus says "I can tell you what Christmas is about, Charlie Brown." At the end of the meal, Trisha Yearwood sings a song she says she's been working on, to honor her family who's passed.
I was touched beyond measure.
These are the lyrics:
These are the things I'm thankful for by Trisha Yearwood

What I'm thankful for ain't on no list
It only in my heart exists.
For time has helped me understand
there's things I can't hold in my hand

For those who came before my turn
from whom I gathered lessons learned
Like the path that lies ahead,
I see them when I bow my head.

I'm thankful for the Lord above
the blessing of unending love
a promise kept that there is something more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC6FrqF1irw

Until next time,

eat something wonderful

and live a life worth loving

-Kim

When I am sad and down in the dumps

When I am sad and down in the dumps

When I am sad and down in the dumps, I guess like most people, I have

a protocol that I follow.

 After (first) assessing what the causes might be, I then follow a pattern.

Unlike several of my friends, I don’t seek chocolate. Maybe that would be better for me (even though I am a diabetic).

Not  unlike others, I lose my appetite (but unfortunately not corresponding weight, I don’t know why) and then I will seek busy work. Mostly I clean…anything I can get my hands on. Going from room to room, throwing things away and dusting.

When the (inevitable) exhaustion take over, then I seek movies that suit my mood.

Mostly, when I’m depressed, I seek very sad movies. Often they are movies about the Holocaust: Schinler’s List, Out of the Ashes, The Piano, QBVII. Sometimes they’re documentaries, like Simon Weisenthauls “I have never forgotten you”. If I run out of those (and this last three weeks I have) I resort to other sad and desperate movies. PS-I Love you is one, the film ALIVE (the one about the Rugby players who crashed in the Andes) is another.

If I run out of all of those, I resort to Grey’s Anatomy and the TV Series HOUSE M. D. Somehow, Walt can always tell if I’ve been watching either of those.

Yesterday was , what one of my Emmaus compatriots would call a “faith tester”.

The Pastor’s Message, about Stewardship, was presented on Laity Sunday.

My husband participated and had many amazing reviews. He should have had. All the people who participated did a good and communicative job.

Walt, seemed to believe the message was “stop worrying about the “tithe: give as you can.”

My take on the message was “It doesn’t matter how sacrificially you give (of your money time and substance) your financial issues are of no interest to God.

Walt tried to convince me that I have the message wrong in my head.

I’m sure that’s not the only thing that’s wrong.

I’ve headed the prayer ministry at the church for over two years and felt a bit overlooked when someone else what asked to take over the praying duties for laity Sunday.

At the Men’s Garage sale, two people who’ve been “away from the church” since this Pastor arrived, came by. The woman is someone with whom I prayed in our prayer ministry for over a year. The truth be known, most times it was just the two of us. When I was having dyer problems with our previous pastor, (who was actually verbally abusive to me and others in our church). , I was told by my prayer partner and her husband, that they had problems involving another pastor and had prayed on it. I was told more than once “you don’t leave because of the Pastor. You stay in your home church.” Because they were not the only people giving me that message, I didn’t leave. It was painful. But I stayed.

When this couple arrived on Saturday. I was excited to see them. I barely got a “hello” and they were off and disappeared.

On another note, a friend of some 20 years is not speaking to me (again) . Probably because we told her we could not host her visitation to get her Dr’s appointments done.

I keep thinking, “If I had received an email like that, I would have called her to ask her if something was wrong with her.” But there has been no such call.

So she’s pissed at me and punishing me and I’m not in the mood to play the “emotion game” with her.

I’m getting the message that “giving sacrificially is maybe not the best course of action.

I’ve done that with my friendship. I’ve done that in my vocation with God.

Right now I’m feeling invisible to God.

I’m feeling depths of despair.

I miss my dad so much, I can barely breathe.

I’m feeling like that tenuous grip I might have had on my faith is slipping.

slipping

slipping.

-k

Where the paws meet the carpet

This is not going to be a popular position, I am not going to make a lot of friends

with this one.

I have three cats. All of them are declawed and spayed/neutered.

One of the cats, Gilligan, was a rescue kitty. He was found on one of the

barrier islands in the Indian River (Hence, "Gilligan") and he was my mother's kitty.

He was declawed when she got him. He was chosen by mother after my father died.

When my mom moved in with us, there was no question, Gilligan would be coming with her.

He was (and still IS) a wonderful pet.  He stayed by my mothers side, on her bed, literally, until the evening (July 4th) she died. (which, by the way, is more than I can say for Hospice).

At the time, we had a kitty named Pyewacket. A black jungle cat , who was HUGE in his prime, with green eyes that glowed in the dark. He was also neutered and declawed. We hand-raised him from, I think 4 weeks old and thought we'd never get him weaned.

 Pyewacket, my beloved kitty, died a month after my mother died. We had been treating him for  several years for thyroid problems, and he had a heart attack one sad Saturday night.

This time of year, actually today, I'm missing my mom--today, Oct. 25 is my mother's birthday...and October...well Pyewacket really loved Halloween.

Today, we were in the Melbourne Mall and saw a "pet rescue"  store front, and me being who I am, I never can resist and went in. I was looking at all the animals and there he was. A HUGE black kitty. He's an adult named "Nero". He doesn't have a "bite history" and I was getting on the floor (he was in a lower cage) to see if he might communicate with me.  As I was doing this, I asked the woman who was in attendance "Is he declawed?" and she said "No he's not". She began talking about something called "soft claws" which is re-applied every six-months.  She continued "It would keep him from destroying your furniture."  I replied "I'm not worried about my furniture. I'm worried about my other animals."

She continued "We do get declawed animals and it's so sad".

I turned my attention to Nero, now sure, I would never be approved to get him, when she said to my husband "Do you have declawed animals." and Walt answered we do, and one was a rescue animal.

She CONTINUED.."Soon you won't be able to find a vet who will do a declaw because it's so maming to the animals.".

I got up from the floor (didn't realize I could still move that fast) and said "That's IT. We're going."

I was SO unnerved and angry.

Maybe there ARE some people who declaw their animals and then abandon them.

WE are not those people.

Maybe it isn't the natural order of surgeries for cats...neither are them being spayed or neutered, but somehow that's "good for them to control the population".

These "pet rescue" people are so unbelievably controlling, they proffer forward a contract that make you promise you will NOT have them (the cats) declawed. I never think to ask if you have to promise about the dogs that you will not have their tails "bobbed".

What IS their political agenda?

I would think sending one of their (many) cats adopted out to a loving home would be foremost on their minds. But no, apparently, it's more important to make unsuspecting, potential families feel guilty about declawing their felines.

We didn't, initially have ours declawed, until, when playing with one another, one of our kitties sustained an eye injury, from one of the other kitties. They weren't being malicious and I understand that "these things happen."  $200 later, after caring for  one of the kitties' eyes,  we began to get them declawed.

Our cats do not go outside. They are inoculated , they have no fleas and they are fed better than some humans . They have baskets full of toys, two automated litter boxes , and a water fountain in their OWN ROOM in our home.

I realize there ARE people who mis-treat , and abandon their animals. WE are NOT those people.

My word for those people working with the "pet rescue" organizations, pushing their declawing agendas, is spend at least five minutes talking to potential adoptive families before you launch into your diatribe.

One of our kittens we adopted from the flea market, and the man that came ahead of us, wanted the kitten to feed his boa constrictor.

But it's ok. He wasn't going to have her declawed.

my 2 scheckles.

A Friend whom I've never met and whom I'll probably never see again

Today, I had some errands to run. As is typical for me, I left the house without breakfast (after taking my meds).

Our local Walmart has a Denny's restaurant in the front of the parkinglot , off our main road (Wickham Road).

So after I did my shopping at Walmart, I decided to stop at Denny's to grab something for breakfast. This is something I seldom do, because, I suppose, like most people, I don't like eating alone.

After parking my car, I was walking up the patio to the front of Denny's when I noticed a woman, who was distracted by the same thing that distracted me. There was a group of (young) men yelling and hooting at each other in a meridian in the parking lot some hundred yards over.

She was an amazing looking woman in a "managerial" style outfit (black pants, black vest, black shoes, some sort of badge), that made me assume she was "going to work" (at Dennys).

I looked over at the (young) men and just said "Weirdness". She said "I thought they were getting into some sort of mischief". But we both walked into the Denny's.

I was very surprised when the waitress looked at us and said "Two". "One." (I corrected her, and then turned to the woman standing behind me and said) "Unless you're joining me.".

She grasped my arms and said to the waitress "We'll be two and she's paying." . At that we kind of laughed and were each led to our separate tables.

I had the impression she was in a "new position", and after I ordered, I sent up a prayer for her. "God please bless her in her new position. Let her feel confident. Let her feel your grace with her. Let her be blessed and blessed and blessed.".

As I waited for my breakfast, I stared out the window at the drizzling grey , that seems to have taken over our skyline this week. The woman, I had entered with walked by my table and said "Stop thinking so hard!". I smiled at her and said "You' should have joined me, I'd have bought you breakfast." (we both laughed).

When I received my breakfast, I gave thanks (as I usually do) and when I finished my breakfast, I asked for my bill and a go-cup for my tea. It took a while, and I didn't know why.

Then the waitress came over and said "A person who wishes to remain anonymous, took care of your bill." I smiled to myself. I knew who it was.

I tipped my waitress and took my cup, on the way out, I waved to my new and anonymous friend as I left.

There is still goodness in the world. We're blessed by people unknown to us.

Angels are sent when we are alone, and believe ourselves to be unseen.

Blessings come, not only when we are desperate for them, but when God wants us to feel loved.

Until next time,

Eat something wonderful

and live a life worth loving.

-Kim

NO MORE NETFLIX FOR ME!

Unlike other (no doubt more noble) causes, this is

not about something that this company is doing to

discriminate against minorities. It’s not about any

kind of religious conviction they've expressed with which

I disagree.

My husband and I have been long time (on and off)

customers of Netflix.

 Honestly, we thought it was the

neatest thing going. I could find lots of older movies and

a jackpot of documentaries.

 Documentaries are like potato

chips to me, I consume them by the bag full.

A few years ago, Netflix lost their contract with Sony,

Reducing the selection but we remained loyal.

It wasn't until a turn in our own finances that we cancelled

our subscription, and when things improved for us, we

rejoined the Netflix fold.

This time, focusing more on the “streaming” side of the service.

Well the last two months have been “lean” involving the streaming offerings

at Netflix, and this morning-as is my custom, I made an error in judgment.

I called. As advertised on their site, it did take only a moment and “Paul” was on the phone. I explained my issue, my circumstance and asked point blank

“What are you going to do keep my business?”

His answer left me stunned.

“We don’t do anything to maintain customer base. I can help you cancel your account”.

I re-iterated. “I’ve been a customer since the service started and you are telling

me that you don’t really care whether or not I remain a customer?”

“No we don’t put any effort into maintaining customer base. People want to decide

to cancel or go to another service we don’t really care about what decisions people make.”.

I asked to speak to his supervisor.

As promised in a short time “Nick” was on the phone with me. Telling me that they can buy a “dvd” from anywhere, but the license to stream was VERY expensive and they do pay that for some movies and not for others. The round about came around again to Nick finally saying to me “What would caring about you as a customer sound like?”

Without hesitation I say “Certainly not telling a long –time customer “we really don’t care whether or not you stay or go—I can help you cancel your account.”.

I said (I’m sure it fell on deaf ears) there may be (and probably are) thousands upon thousands of people willing and ready to take my place in your line up. But my business,

Since you don’t really place any value on it…you won’t have any more.

I remember my parents talking about the decline in customer care and lack of interest in maintaining customer relations.

It pains me to say, they were right.

It pains me to say that for two reasons;

First, it means the status of pride in business in the United States is failing

 at an alarming rate.

Secondly, it probably means I’m getting old.

(sighs).

Until next time,

Eat something delicious,

Live a life worth loving,

-Kim

Ps- If anyone has a streaming service with which they’re happy

please let me know. 

I've been Meaning to: How'd I DO?

If you read my blog of June 2, 2014, you read that I was planning so very many  things for this summer, and I thought it was time (at least for my OWN accounting) to report back.

First, I said I was going to the beach.

Hmmm---ok, I have been, once. Went to a beach across the bridge from us in Canova park. It's a "dog" beach. No, we don't have a dog (save on rare occasions when we dog-sit). But we like to live vicariously though other people who do have dogs. It's fun to watch them romping in the surf (the dogs too).

So, I haven't done so well on that--but summer isn't over here yet, and I'm determined to improve.

Next was rearrange the kitchen, dinette, living room, computer room....the list goes on.

As it happens, one day, Walt and I DID actually take to the dinette with extreme prejudice.

Moved the china cabinets and mini-bar and sideboard and re-oriented our dining room  table.

We now have much more light and navigating room in the dinette.

We've been making plans to address the computer room, living room . We've found the dinette works well for us and we are capable of addressing our home issues in an actionable (is that a word?) manner.

So I've giving myself at least a "B" or "B+" on that one.

I mentioned my dear friend, James passed last year and I had been meaning to give his father a book mark with a purple feather I had worn in my hair (to James' memorial). I did that, and his father was joyous to receive it. I heard one time that feathers , found randomly or given to you are a sign that angels are around you. I pray that is true.

I wrote that I had pictures and the like to go out to my cousin, Jay Morgan, in Ohio. They were mostly pictures of the Morgan clan--including one "tin-type" and pictures of Grandma Morgan in front of her house in Ohio. I actually did that, and maybe expected to hear that identified some of the people. Certainly never expected to see them again.

But here's where another of my "I've been meaning to's" comes in. I also mentioned that I'd been meaning to connect with my family in Ohio--actually go and see them. My mother grew up with this family. I was told of many trips that my grandma midge and aunt Edie took to Ohio (mostly summers, I think).  The last time I saw any of these people was in the early '80's when I attended a family reunion in Shadyside, Ohio.

After visiting the kids in PA, Walt and I drove the one hour to Shadyside (over the impressive Ohio river). It is still a VERY small town.

My lovely and hospitable cousin, Lee-Ann put us up in her comfortable and beautifully appointed house. We spent three days visiting, and laughing and eating---(and eating...and EATING!).  Lee-ann owns the Dairy Queen in Shadyside, and I didn't realize what a temptation that would be.

On Monday we were sitting around the kitchen table, and I was asked if I had any pictures of my siblings and their families and felt ashamed that I didn't. But then, out came all these pictures I had sent and Aunt Jean naming everyone like she was winning at Jeopardy. Just really made me feel that I AM a part of the family.

So "A+" on both of those.

I'm glad to say I have remained in (close) touch with my family since then.

How are you doing with your "I've been meaning to's"?

Until next time,

Eat something delicious

and live a life worth loving,

-Kim

I've been meaning to...

I've been meaning to...

OK Gang, Summer has officially started here in Florida (that means it's June-for the uninitiated).

Last year, after a long and catastrophic illness, Summer became "The Summer of healing" for me.

 For the most part, I took my facebook friends and church friends and my best friend (who am I kidding, it was more like I dragged you all with me) on a journey of my own healing.

Because, I learned, during my illness, that sea air was good for my lungs, I was determined to spend gobs of time at the beach.

 The first thing I learned, was how weak I had become, when wading into the surf, I was overcome again and again by 2 and 1 foot waves.

The second was that the sunshine was healing for me too.

So each weekend , Walt and I (and often times, Tammy) would trundle to the beach--sometimes even Sebastian beach. I had the first genuine tan I'd had in years.

We'd gather sea weed for the garden-a master gardener at church uses sea weed as mulch and he has the best crop of tomatoes I've ever seen.

I'd remember, with longing, running into the surf and body surfing with abandonment of the young.

So this Summer, along with going to the beach, I am planning this to be the "I've been meaning to..." summer. Little and large things that I have found myself saying "I've been meaning to.." (fill in the blank). I've been meaning to call someone. I've been meaning to bake bread for someone. I've been meaning to send someone photos. I've been meaning to sort through my Tarot Cards. I've been meaning to get business cards made. I've been meaning to see my relatives. I've been meaning to wash the cats. I've been meaning to have people over for dinner. I've been meaning to re-arrange my living room, kitchen, dinette, computer room.

I've been meaning to create "I've been praying for you" cards.

So here is where the journey begins, online, anyway.

 My dear friend James passed last year (Christmas, actually) and at his memorial, I wore a purple feather in my hair. He always loved it when my hair was purple for Lent, and I wanted to honor him by having "something purple in my hair".

Since then, I had been "meaning to" laminate the feather and give it to his father, for a bookmark for his Bible. So yesterday I did that.

His father thought it was "cool" and accepted it  with the spirit in which it was given.

About a month ago, I was sorting through photos for THROWBACK THURSDAY and found a bunch of pictures, that really should go to my cousin's side of the family in Ohio.

So those are sorted and should go out this week.

I designed and ordered and received my new business cards (last month).

When we moved IN this house (which, I confess, I do like) , my husband and I were combining my mother's home with ours, so mom could live with us and we would become her caregivers.

I'm sure you all are far too organized to allow this to happen. But we put furniture and the like where it would fit, giving little thought to aesthetics. I've been cramped and unhappy with my dining room ever since. So I had been "meaning to" consider other options for placement for 3 china cabinets and a mini-bar and my dining room since my mother passed in 2009.

This weekend, Walt and I did it. moved cabinets, changed the orientation of my dining table.

It changed the "light" in the room. I really has changed my attitude coming out to the dinette in the morning (our master bedroom is off the dinette).

So, after reading this entire thing, you might be thinking I'm rambling, and I might be doing that too. But I want you, my friends to come with me on the journey this summer, just like I asked you to come last summer.

Starting this week, starting now, tell me one of your "I've been meaning to's".

With me, change it to an "I intend to".

and together, let's see, what the summer brings.

Until next time,

Eat something delicious

and live a life worth loving.

The Great Ryan Rescue Mission-Prologue

I'd like to say that Tammy & Ryan established their lives somewhere in Florida, where they now live as the Rodin-ic lovers that I witnessed in the gravel driveway of that disastrous mobile home that Ryan (and by all accounts 7 other people -at one time) lived. Unhindered and unaffected by the family in Lincoln which held Ryan and his issues captive.

I'd LIKE to say that. But that isn't what happened.

Up to 20 calls per day from Janice, led to Tammy seeking law enforcement intervention.

Janice's family joined Janice in her , in her attempts to manipulate Ryan (and Tammy).

The calls have finally (at this time) died down.

Ryan speaks with Janice's daughter--the one who threatened Tammy.

She has never apologized for the scene she made at Ryan's mother's funeral.

Apparently Ryan's brother-who accepted money (not a small amount of money, btw) from Tammy for

his mother's funeral, blames Tammy for the fact that his mother was going to be cremated and not interred. During the meeting at the funeral,(I later learned) that he proclaimed that "All of you are out of my life" and later sent Tammy a text blaming her further with language I don't usually post in my blog.

Not a long time after Ryan's return, it was learned that years of drinking and Pepsi and unhealthy life style has left him with diabetes.  Tammy is helping him care for his illness.

Ryan is no longer drinking.

Tammy-who was then, looking for another job, still has not been accepted by another company.

She is an amazing buyer, with mad skills and extreme ethics and knows the FAR (whatever that is) by heart. She lacks one thing....a diploma from college. As of yet, she has not found another job, or a Wizard of Oz, to bestow upon her an honorary degree to  honor her wisdom.

She is currently struggling to deal with her own health issues, which are exacerbated by stress, and she's working 60-70 hours a week for a system that doesn't seem to appreciate her.

To quote Stan from Southpark: as for me, I think I've learned some things:

The first is that everything my (other) longtime friend (who is from Alabama) told me about the small town rural areas of Alabama, is true. Horribly and inexplicably true.

2. Three people in two vehicles CAN drive from Alabama to Florida in one 24 hour period, if they are  ( believe that they are) being chased.

3. Apparently cremation is some sort of offense to the deceased, if the deceased is a "Lady" . (if anyone understands this, please let me know).

I have one regret, that I have been unable to contact Shep, in the wake of all of this. He is a dear and tender soul, and I would have liked to have gotten to know him better.

Until next time,

Eat something wonderful and live a life worth loving,

-Kim

The Great Ryan Rescue Mission-Evading Capture

The Great Ryan Rescue Mission-Evading Capture.

Leaving the funeral parking lot at the speed of a scared rabbit, we headed off to the Hotel. We had to pick up Ryan's jeep. Which we did, filled up the cars and headed (at great speed and with the focus of a laser beam) out of town....out of the county.....out of the state.

About 100 phone calls from the family from heck and several hours later, we elected to stop to change from our funeral cloths.

Ryan hopped out of his jeep , with amazingly pleasant demeanor, and teasingly said "That's what they call evading capture".

Tammy and I repaired to the bathroom of the McDonalds where we stopped , to change into more comfortable travel cloths. I remember being nauseous at the thought that anyone would act in such a manner, at the funeral of someone they all professed to love.

After cleaning up, I rejoined them to learn that the phone calls were mostly to Ryan "Tell us where you are and if you're ok" and "We have things to talk about" and "I have something of your mama's to give to you" and the like. Apparently, they expected that Ryan (and company) would stay in repose at the hotel where we had been staying.

I don't know why they would believe that we would stay in a place , where it had been made graphically clear that we were not welcome.

The way home was long and arduous. Ryan was very tired....we all were.

Tammy and I made all kinds of (Inappropriate) jokes about Tammy not being allowed in Alabama ever again, and that there would be pictures of her on Billboards with the title "Jezabel" . (Tammy has , since , been through Alabama. I think she was a bit disappointed to find that no such billboards exist!...I mean, if you can't be welcome, second best is notorious, right?)

But we made it back to my home after midnight. All collapse into bed and safety of Melbourne, Florida.

 At last there would be an end to the abuse and the harassment...or would there be?

The Great Ryan Rescue-Last pieces---at long last.

Several months ago, I had nearly finished this Blog, when....kablooey, some sort of computer glitch wiped out the rest of the story. So here it is, the rest of the story:

After returning from lunch, we saw that Ryan had not been over to the hotel. So we went to go see if he was ok.

As it happened , Janice had been home, accused Ryan of knowing ahead of time that Tammy was in town and they had a painful exchange, which, by Ryan's account ended in him telling Janice he was (and had always been) in love with Tammy.

Janice was not there when we arrived, neither was Ryan's Jeep. Janice drove it to a friend/family member's and left it there.  By accounts, Janice did that quite often.

While I was ruminating and saddened over the situation that this cute dog was finding shelter from the baking sun, underneath a decrepit recliner, rusticating in the front yard, Ryan was explaining all of this to Tammy.

Once again , we mounted the Land Yacht and drove to collect Ryan's Jeep and then headed over to the hotel.

Ryan and Tammy talked and talked and talked some more. They talked about what happened and why Ryan didn't call (he honestly believed that Tammy wouldn't believe that he was trapped by Janice).

They talked about what they wanted to do.

They talked about Tammy's hopes for their relationship.

Things were winding down to a less emotional state when the phone rang and the person at the front desk said that Janice wanted to come to the room .

We came out...Ryan was insistent that he didn't want to discuss things any further with her.

In hindsight...this would turn out to be one of the few cogent choices made during this rescue mission.

I wish I would have listened to him, rather than convincing him to go back to the hotel room and hash things out.

 But hindsight is 20/20.

We did go back to the hotel room and Ryan stated , what he had said before . He was in love with Tammy and (if she would have him) he would be going to Florida.

The things that Janice said during that conversation would have made June (Honey-Boo-boo's mom) blush.

It was made clear to both Tammy and me , that she was (at least one of) the  cause of Ryan's captivity and abuse.

 I would like to believe , after that huge  hump  it was all uphill from there.

It was not.

 After that, Janice's daughter called and threatened Tammy and called her a "jezebel" (I seriously didn't think anyone used that term outside of Bible study any more).

We were informed (and I don't really recall who told us this) that the cemetery plot, where Ryan's mother was to be interred was being rescinded and there would be no funeral the next day.

Also, Ryan's brother , who , the previous day, we had had lunch with and seemed to be appreciative (if not grateful) that Tammy capped the funds for the funeral services to proceed, stopped communicating with us.

 All this was followed by a plethora of stories (from Ryan) about the ill behavior of this family--especially at funerals.  Concern was such that, Ryan called and asked for a police presence at his Mother's funeral.

When we arrived , at the funeral,  they all seemed loaded for bear. Surrounding the distraught Ryan, closing ranks around him. The previously social and appreciative brother not speaking to either Tammy or me.

The police offer was there and pardon the pun but he was big as a bear and vigilant.  

In the midst of this the funeral director needed a meeting with the "family". Tammy was included in the group on Ryan's behest...and me....I was relegated to the LGBT corner, which was interesting and non-confrontational.  I was just beginning to feel a bit at ease, when Tammy, and Ryan walking rapidly toward the door said to me "We're leaving".

I was saying "Hello" and Good-bye", to one of the few people who seems to really care for Ryan , whom I had never met, when , from behind me and urgent "Kim! Get in the Car!" , I got in the car. That's when I saw to my disbelief we were actually being chased, by Janice's family, out of the Funeral Home.

Then there was "the hook". Janice's daughter pulled a box of "Ryan's things" from her truck and Ryan wanted them. We were almost out of the parking lot.  We stopped.

She slung the box into his lap, and pressed her head into the open car door and said "I'm going to get your ass before you leave this county , don't you doubt that , you bitch!" which she spat in Tammy's direction.

Tammy, kept her head down and offered no response. Tammy is no stranger to physical abuse.

As we were on the way out of the parkinglot, Ryan discovered they were all of his and Tammy's wedding pictures (that Tammy had put in an album for him)  . All of these mementos had been torn and cut into pieces.

We made egress with great alacrity, needless to say.