If You Ask Me

It's been a minute. Here are a few highlights.

Sertoma Chili Cook Off It was a delight, as always. We were so busy, I didn't have a chance to walk around much; I was only able to get three pieces of bling, but they're fun. One is a squishy pink pig on a keyring, another is a "mini" tumbler with a lid and straw. If you take the lid off, you can store your ChapStick or lipstick inside, and the third is a headband with springy bees' antennae, a la John Belushi on SNL

The music was fantastic, as always, I saw people I went to high school with 50 years ago, people from my work, and the "regulars" I've met over the past seventeen years.

I met Sasquatch. I promise it was really him, because he told me things that only he could know, but made me swear I'd never repeat them. And, for the record, his beverage of choice is Diet Dr. Pepper.

Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday Since I work from home, I didn't wear purple, green, and gold. But Leslie and I made pancakes, replete with strawberry glaze and whipped cream from the grocery store, we weren't that ambitious.

Senior Issues I need some major dental work. Such a treat! I have very good dental insurance, but I still have copays and coinsurance, so I've been saving for that. I feel deprived when I want to make a frivolous purchase, but must remind myself teeth are more important…

Mountain Dew Cabo Citrus We recently discovered this at the grocery store. It's a special treat, grapefruit-orange, and very refreshing. I still like Sprite / 7-Up as an alternative to Coca Cola, but this will be worked into the rotation.

Friday Five I read the questions answered about magic, spell casting, and setting intentions. Her answers were great. However, that's a little too much information about myself that I feel comfortable sharing…

In Conclusion That's all the excitement I can recall – I'm positive there is more, because it's been a very decent few weeks. If you want to know something specific, please feel free to ask.

While wandering aimlessly through the tubes, I saw a photo of a very handsome gentleman playing an accordion and it made me remember my beloved Cathy and a memory she shared with me shortly before she left.

First, the facts:
We attended church regularly as children and there were three brothers who also attended; one a couple of years older, one our age, and one a year younger. We thought these boys were dashing! And to add to their appeal? They played accordions!

Each boy had his own, in a different color casing, but all were epic chick magnets (now, you must remember this was in the mid 1960's. We didn't know about rockstars yet).

Now, the Cathy memory:
One night, we were watching television and talking, and we got on the subject of those dashing Peebles Brothers. Cathy told me that in addition to crushing on the boys, she had desperately wanted an accordion of her own, in black and red. If she had been fortunate enough to obtain one, she would have kept it in her room, sitting on a little chest at the foot of her bed. When friends came over to visit, Cathy would allow them to gaze upon her treasure, but touching was strictly forbidden!

Now, I am sitting here laughing and whispering prayers that Cathy finally has her own!

I can’t talk about this anywhere else, because of my employer. So, you’ll just have to deal with my ramblings.

Basically, it appears most witness statements were suppressed because the people named are too important. It would jeopardize governments globally. Of course, we know about Prince Andrew, Trump, Dubya, Bill & Hillary, Elon, and others, but the FBI has never confirmed anything.

Then, we have the crazies who talk about the cult of Moloch – torture, abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking of children by an elite network, with the temple on Pedophile Island serving as a focal point. Evidently, torturing and killing children brings immense power and wealth.

There are videos at TikTok that purport Ghislaine Maxwell followed the little girl beauty pageants and rubbed elbows with John & Patsy Ramsey – there are photographs, probably AI generated, with JonBenet sitting on Epstein’s shoulders. Another woman brought up the romantic relationship between John Ramsey and Beth Holloway – Natalee’s mother. I’m not sure what she was trying to infer, I don’t believe the Holloways were affluent by anyone’s definition; Natalee disappeared outside the US and her killer made a full confession in 2023.

As of this time, we don’t know who is named in the Epstein Files, and probably never will. However, this has been one crazy ride, and if the names are released, people will be crucified. Not in the literal sense – actually nailed to a cross for all to see.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

Christmas time is always a hard time for me, and this year it was especially rough.

The 20th was… awful. The kids were off with their friends, so it was just Leslie and me. Neither of us could talk. Seriously, we didn’t speak or even sit in the same room.. The best we could manage was a nod when moving through the house, or if we happened to pass in the hallway, we’d walk close enough that our shoulders touched for a brief second.

Today is different.

It isn’t the soul wrenching, paralyzing grief from Saturday. It’s a sad, lonesome yearning – for what? - I don’t know.

Think about Leslie and me often. If you say prayers, mention our names. If you have good vibes to spare, send them our way.

Ten sign you're doing well in life:

1. You have a roof over your head.
2. You ate today.
3. You have a good heart.
4. You wish good for others.
5. You have clean water.
6. Someone loves you.
7. You strive to be better.
8. You have clean clothes.
9. You have a dream.
10. You're breathing

Be grateful for the little things, we often forget they are the most important.

1. Did you vote in your most recent applicable election? (If you're not yet old enough, do you plan to vote in the future?)
Yes, the last local election specifically for my county.

2. Have you ever protested or attended a march?
Yes, most women of my generation have - a certain little case called Roe v Wade, first time in the 1970s, then again just a few years ago.

3. What political issue is the most important to you?
Human Rights and Equality.

4. Are you a member of a party in your country? If so, which?
Yes, I like to call it the human race.

5. Do you ever plan to run for office?
No, but I wish I had done so when I was younger.

It’s been a minute since I posted – time got away from me.

• We had a fun Halloween. No trick or treaters, but the kids had friends over, and we ordered pizza.
• Work has been feast or famine. We’re either scrambling for something to do or so overwhelmed, we can’t finish it all.
• I guess the Dems are going to cave for Trump, and nothing is going to be resolved. Period
• A family member changed her Facebook profile photo to a picture of Charlie Kirk. It’s all I can do to talk to her. She’s a trend follower, and if her are doing it, she is, too.
• I’m seriously thinking about retiring next December. I won’t get 100% of my Social Security benefit, but I’m tired. I’ll figure out something to keep myself busy and my brain active…

1. What do you see when you are looking out of the window closest to you?
Side yard, street, across the street neighbor’s house.

2. Who was the last person coming into your room?
Leslie, my daughter.

3. What is the most predominant color around you?
Beige walls

4. What is right behind you?
My bed

5. What is on today's calendar sheet?
Laundry, dishes, and if I’m lucky, a nap!!

Between 1500-2000 people showed up and showed out for the No Kings Rally here in the burg. It was actually within walking distance from the house. There were some dandy storms, and continuous rain, but a phenomenal success when you consider The Queen City of the Ozarks is the prong of The Bible Belt – the piece that actually makes the belt work. We are the international headquarters for the Assemblies of God and we have four seminaries… Just a few snaps that made my day!

1. When did you join LJ (or DW)
I joined LJ in 2001 or 2002, and DW in 2009

2. How did you find out about LJ (or DW)?
via Usenet Newsgroups. Several of my friends there had accounts and asked others to join them. And, I found out about DW from my friends at LJ. Several of us had to wait until others had invite codes before we could open an account.

3. If someone introduced you to LJ/DW are they still on your friends list?
Yes, and always will be.

4. Have you introduced anyone to LJ/DW?
Not that I recall. By the time I earned invite codes for DW, all my friends were here, too.

5. Is your LJ/DW public or friends only, and why?
It's public. I do talk about politics, but other than that, I just talk about stuff going on in my day to day existence.

Name Five

1 Things you can't live without.
Dark choolate, peanut butter, laptop, internet, books

2. The best moments in your life.
When my kids were born, when my grandkids were born, first time meeting my ATH friends in person, traveling to Scotland for an ATH Con, having my song lyrics purchased and used for a blooper reel.

3. Celebrities you can't stand.
Adam Sandler, Julia Robers, Kevin Costner, Chris Pratt, Jada Pinkett Smith

4. Books you enjoy(ed) reading.
Stephen King- ‘Salem’s Lot, Michelle McNamara - I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Kathryn Stockett - The Help, Margot Shetterly - Hidden Figures, Sheila Williams - No Better Time, Women of the Six Triple Eight

5. items on your desk.
A Funko Pop knockoff of Ozzy, a Figpin of Bowie as Star Child, a red Lucky Cat from Chinatown in Chicago, a rosary given to me by the Sisters of Mercy when I was hired at St. John’s in 1992, a hand held calculator.

1. Do you ever wonder if the way you see things visually aren't how other people see them?
This a real thing -- think witness statements the police have released to the press.

2. What kind of sounds are the most annoying?
Loud and intrusive, e.g., a neighbor with a Harley who revs and revs the engine before peeling out. These two I'm ashamed of - people coughing or hiccupping.

3. When walking through a store, do you shop with your hands by touching/feeling the texture of things?
Yes, and I've been known to smell items, as well.

4. If you could only smell three scents for the rest of your life, what would they be?
A baby's head, bread/pie baking in the oven, and the perfume I've worn since 1973.

5. What sorts of things do you savor when eating them?
Fresh baked bread or pie, fried chicken and mashed potatoes, Tex-Mex food, strawberries, anything with apples and cinnamon, I could go on for days.