glxmrnk

it is early sunday, i just woke, and i honestly cannot see yet.  should you need interpretation, the subject line means good morning.

yesterday, i went to walmart in search of coffee.  on the last trip there, they had no folgers, and i thought - surely they've restocked by now!  but no...the shelves had been picked clean - looked like it had been hit by a flock of coffee locusts.

i'm picky about my coffee and tea - won't buy just anything.  the bargain brands usually have an oily taste (that's the best i can describe it) and are not palatable at all.  so i grabbed the stocker and said - when are you guys gonna get a shipment of coffee in? 

a look of pity came over his face and he said - it won't be for a long time, and i'm afraid supplies are out all over town.  the port in new orleans is closed, and that's where the shipments come in for folgers, our store brand, and others.  could be a month, could be longer, depending on weather in that area.

well...considering what that city went through, i didn't feel very sorry for myself - but i did feel a fair amount of panic.

on the bottom shelf, there were three cans of maxwell house french roast - labeled BOLD in great big letters, and i thought - this will have to do.  so i scarfed up two of the biggest ones, just in case the port in NO doesn't open for a while, thanked the stock guy, and looked for other items that might be affected.  i was gonna stock up!

still, i can't quite see - i attribute that to no folgers - and even though i'm drinking bold, it occurs to me that there needs to be a new coffee strength for people like me...they should have a thick variety and label it aggressive.

*****************************************

on a side note, at the entrance of the store yesterday was a firefighter in plain clothes and a helmet, collecting money for the hurricane victims.  did he have a basket?  no.  did he hold out a cup for spare change and dollar bills?  no.  this guy was more original.  his donation holder was a BOOT.

you've gotta love it.

 

tagged again!

I was tagged by Brenda for this.  what you have to do is go into your archives, find your 23rd post, find the fifth line and post the text of it in your journal.  i'm not quite sure why - but i see something in it.

the fifth line from my 23rd post:

two slices of merita old fashioned bread

this shows me how much i've changed.  it's wheat bread, now - i've gone from white to wheat, from what's bad for me to what could be very good, all the way around.

i do believe i've come into my own...

and now to tag other unsuspecting victi...i mean people!

sandi
bert
paula
ms. dust bunny protector  :-)
beth

highlights

today was a much better day - not bad for a wednesday.  everybody was more relaxed, laughing, being silly.  and i know why - two reasons:

1.  full moon is over. 
2.  twinkles was in the control center on central today, so everybody twinkled back

walking in front of chow, all the white shirts standing around, an inmate grins at me and says - how's marshall doin?  tell him i said hi!

marshall is my dad. so the white shirts all turn toward me with this look of suspicion and i say - i don't know him! and i don't.

but at least it was something that could be laughed off.

prayers for texas - sounds like Rita is a mean one.

have a great rest of the week.

 

some days are just like that

and so it was monday - not quite as crazy as last week, but crazy nonetheless.

from the south unit windows, we watched the drug dogs and officers go through an employees truck.  all the white shirts were standing around (white shirts are the upper echelon - lieutenants and captains), overseeing it all.

later, as i was walking past control center 1, the officer there stopped me and told me what was going on.  seems another officer had found "a green leafy substance" on one of the guard towers, and it tested postive as cannibis.  and so, all the officers who manned that tower last week were being searched.  i sure hope twinkles wasn't the culprit.

one of the nurses came over sometime later and said - did you hear about the big escape plan?  seems three inmates pitched horse shoes at the fence until the fence was worn enough to pull up, and they had planned their escape for the past weekend.  somehow, the plot was discovered (probably ratted out by an inmate who wanted to go but wasn't invited), and all three are locked down in seg.  the public is safe.

even later, my phone rang - it was the admin officer asking me to come over to the admin building to do some filing...

i don't work for the prison where i'm stationed...it's the satellite unit for the hospital that employs me in the medical department.  and so i said - let me transfer you to the supervisor.  if it's ok with her, i'll be right over!

god bless ava.  she said NO.  no.  NO.  and when ava says NO, everybody listens.

and so i had to make a trip to the hospital that employs me.  the physicians' secretary asked - so are you ready to come back to us?  the past two weeks flashed in front of my eyes and i said resoundingly - YES, i am.  but i didn't mean it. at that time. she winked at me on my way out and said - don't worry, i'm working on it!

and even later, ava tracked me down to change something in the computer - an appointment for a seg inmate.  he's being shipped out to ICON.  so i asked why...and she said, because - you remember all those days he was soaking his feet in front of the nurses station and your office?  he was masturbating.

jesus help us.  i believe i can speak for the nurses when i say this as well as for myself - i'm tired of being some convicts fantasy girl.

and even later, it came to my attention thatthe new health department is opening in a nearby town.  am i applying?

Danged straight i am.

lightening up

Off the cuff rambling

It's Sunday morning.  I'm sitting here in a very quiet house, so nothing will do but to make keyboard noises and reflect a bit.

There is someone who has been my friend for years.  We stay in touch sporadically - last time I talked with him was August 3.  I know this because it was my vacation, it was 150 degrees out (it seemed that way), and I had the temerity to ask him out for a cup of coffee.

When I got home on Friday, there was a message from him on my machine.  He called me by the name my family does and said - GIRL, you finally got a machine, it's about time.  I've tried to call you 14 times in the last month.  Call me back, darlin.

And I did, and we talked for two hours.

Not sure what  ingredients it takes to make a lasting friendship.  Perhaps it was the time he was on a business trip and he called to tell me it was snowing in Ohio.  Maybe it was all the dates I hooked him up with, or the bets we made, or the time he just happened by when my car was broken down (this was july!) beside Highway 1 in Aberdeen.  Perhaps it's a connection that transcends the physical.  Before I got home on Friday night, he popped into my mind, and suddenly, between the distance from here to there, I was struck with an overwhelming need to see or talk to him.  And there was the message on the machine. Perhaps it's sharing and caring enough to let the other person know what's going on in your life, letting them know they count.

He certainly counts. 

And so I offered to cook for him (he's not well) and he offered me the nicotine patches he couldn't use when he quit smoking - he switched to a pill instead - and he's down from three packs a day to NONE!  I'm so proud of him!

And I'm proud he's my friend.  Had I chosen a different path in life, he might have been more.

 

six months

One of the questions in the 7 made me think about what a friend has asked me more than once.

What would you do if you knew you had six months to live?  That's a tough one.  When she first asked me, I had to think about it. 

First, I think I would travel to at least one place I've always wanted to go, see things that are a comfort to see.  With limited time and health, that wouldn't be far or for long.  I think I would rent that mountain cabin, watch the mist rise from them in the mornings, watch the shadows fall at night.  Can't think of anything more serene to take with me from this life than that, unless it was being on water.  Perhaps I would plan a ferry trip to Fort Fisher.  On the water is such a free feeling, watching the sun play on the swells, watching it snow seagulls as you toss bread in the air for them to catch.  Feeling weightless.

And then, I would take time to tell each person who has touched my life what they have meant to me - one on one.  And I would thank them for all they've done, for what they've been to me.

I would do something that would make at least a tiny difference for someone else.  Donate to the food bank, contribute clothing to a shelter.  Say something kind to someone who needs it, perhaps.  That does make a difference.

Would I make peace with those with whom I may have been at odds?  I don't know..

And I would spend the remaining time with my family - the people who have been the constants in my life, let them know how much I love them.  And I would write...fast and furious, all the things I wanted to say but never did.

The thing is - those are all things that could be done now - right now - without a deadline (no pun intended).

So...what would you do?

meanwhile, up on gh&i

this has been a busier than normal week.  if i haven't made it by your journals, i'll get there!

cacophany
bits and pieces of life in prison this week:

officer twinkles on the switchboard, gallant and egomaniacal:  good morning, ms. broadaway.  i'm at your service. and you know you don't really have to make all those calls..you just want to talk to me!

supervisor:  where the hell is this guy supposed to be going?  custody is lost - didn't you give them a map?

me:  yes'm, i've given them 1400 maps to the same place, and they don't have a copy?

officer b (accusingly):  ms. b, we can't take the turn on this road - we had to take a detour because of road construction.

me:  oh. (next time, i'll call ahead for traffic conditions. NOT!)

allen, eyes wide, voice low:  broadaway, a guy just got shanked (knifed) on d block.  he's in the nurses station - looks like they tried to strangle him, and he has a knot on his forehead. he's kind of dazed. the place is locked down until they find who did it, and the shank.

me:  speechless.

if they can make a shank and attack an inmate with it, there's nothing to stop them from doing the same to staff.  sometimes, you remember where you are.

old boss from prison hospital on the phone:  hey, kiddo - when you coming back to us?

me:  in about 10 minutes - tell the captain to have a cigarette waiting on the lanai.

and on the bright side, we have a brand new secretary for south unit - my workload has just decreased by almost half!

and on my way out this evening, officer twinkles was manning the gate at tower one.

twinkles (twinkling and smirking):  good night, ms. broadaway.  *wink*

you've gotta love it.

 

 

 

Tagged!

Tagged!

Sandi got me.. ;-)

7 Things I Plan to Do Before I Die:   Finish my novel
visit Scotland
lose back down to size 12 (waaay before i die)
spend a week in a mountain cabin
go camping
pay my house off and see what it feels like not to have mortgage payment every month
open my bookstore

 

7 Things I Can Do:

write poetry
write short stories
make the best pot of black bean soup
crochet
organize an office party
coordinate appointments
html

7 Things I Can't Do:

draw a straight line, or anything else, for that matter
make biscuits
calculus
find my way around unfamiliar places
knit
grow geraniums
turn away a stray animal

7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex:

!
Twinkly eyes
sexy smirk
great sense of humor/adventure
nice buns
kindness
honesty
nice hands

7 Things I Say Most Often:

whatever blows your hair back
where are my keys?
have you seen my state ID?
i know i put my glasses right here last night
he MUST go on this appointment!
son, STOP that!
i'm out of cigarettes

7 Celebrity Crushes:

Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Patrick Swayze
Richard Dreyfuss
long time ago, Ricardo Montalban.  He twinkled.

 

7 People I Want To Do This:

Paula
Bert
Jade
Liz
Beth...I don't know that many people in J-land yet.

Do You Ever Wonder?

Bert, aka Flossiepumpkin sent these.  Thanks, Bert!  I'm spreading the word, just like the email said to do!

EVER WONDER .

Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?

Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?

Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
(Now that's a good question...)


Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

a walmart moment

the halloween costumes are hanging in the grocery section - two aisles are apparently dedicated to occasions - and in a stroke of marketing genius, were placed there to grab the eye of the customer who probably wouldn’t venture further than the coffee aisle.

i wouldn’t have gone looking for costumes, for sure. my kids are grown, now, so what would be the point? but there it was, and there was i, beside young mothers and their clamoring children, eyeing the princess outfits and monster masks.

and for a moment, i felt lost.

how long ago was it that my daughter tugged at the hem of my blouse, asking for “the pretty one, please mama!” how long ago was it that my son grinned appreciatively at the werewolf mask - didn’t want it, but man, mom - that’s so COOL!

and suddenly, i missed my babies - the tiny beth and dale who were always underfoot, saying and doing outrageous things that made me laugh or shake my head or throw my hands up in exasperation. that wave of nostalgia was so sudden, and the pang of missing those years was so…overwhelming, my breath caught in my throat.

it does go by fast. pretty soon, my nest will be empty, and i’m wondering what will i do on christmas mornings? on birthdays? on all those special occasions that had a tradition tied to it, what will i do?

i’ll think of something, i’m sure.

it goes by too fast.

a few ramblings on a saturday

There is a pot of black bean soup simmering on the stove.  No, it isn't quite soup weather yet, but it's my son's favorite.  It's FULL of red pepper, salsa, garlic, onions and of course, black beans.

Poor kid has a change of season cold.  Last night, he and I stayed up past one, talking.  It reminded me of when he was small and he had asthma attacks.  He couldn't sleep, and I couldn't - we'd stay up all night watching Ghost Busters over and over, and when it started getting light, I'd make butter-blob toast for him. 

Last night, we talked about the future.  He's a senior in high school this year.  He's torn between being an auto tech and going into fire and rescue.  By the end of our conversation, he had decided to do both.  And he told me who his heroes were:  his friend, Robert, and my father.  He says he wants to make something of himself, but it wasn't what he said so much as the way he said it that showed me he already is something.  He's responsible, caring, sweet...and still, somewhere in all that tall blondness, is my little boy.

I know moms are supposed to be feel all proud of their sons, and if this sounds like bragging - it probably is.  I love him SO much.

 

holy fat cakes!

ok, this is the fourth or fifth week - not sure! of the south beach diet.  have been noticing things in the mirror, and i've been wearing clothes i couldn't get into before and all that...but this morning, i drug down my favorite blouse and the danged thing is hanging on me.  my slacks are getting baggy.  my SHOES are flopping on my feet. 

i am SO amazed!  and just loving this.

potpourri

It's Saturday morning, I'm stuck at home because we're conserving gasoline...my water pump has been down for two days, and so here I am, coffee in hand, reading the news (oh, so depressing), journals, thinking about writing a poem and planning out what to eat for the day.

FIRST - there is a lady out there named Paula, who writes of life on the ranch. She teaches me something new every time I read her. If you get a chance, drop by her place and get the latest on her pets. She has a great big heart. :-)

here's her link:  http://journals.aol.com/plieck30/Iwantedtobeacowgirl/

 It's my fourth week on the south beach diet. This gas crunch should speed things along, because Lord knows, if it continues, we'll be walking everywhere we go, but so far, progress has been very good. I think I overdid it with the yogurt and oatmeal the last couple of days, but at least it was healthy cheating. I've been thinking a lot lately about relationships and how if you don't nurture them, they fall by the wayside...maybe sometimes it's too late to pick them up and breathe life into them, not sure. but people change, their feelings change. I guess the trick is to know when to let them go. I think I'm learning. Lessons like that aren't easy.

Been thinking about the people in the gulf states, too...wishing there was something, anything, we could do to help them. We're gathering donations of clothing, food, first aid supplies, appliances (won't be used for a long time, there is so much to do, so many to do for...). Makes you feel a little small and helpless, doesn't it? They're all in my prayers.

 It's almost autumn! The temperatures around here are supposed to drop into the upper fifties at night! After this long hot summer, it's a welcome, welcome relief. I might just spend evenings outside, no matter how dark it gets, and just feel it. Happy Labor Day, all. Be safe.

(can't get it right this morning. not enough coffee)

answers

  Do you have relatives down by the effected areas of Katrina?
No, I don't have relatives affected, but a co-worker.  her small grandson is in mississippi, and she has no idea whether they evacuated, or where her grandson is now...it has been so hard on her.
Whats ur favorite color?

wine colors - burgundy.  i like vivid.

 Do you believe in God?

Yes, i do.  :-)

Name your top five books &/or authors you would stock in your bookstore.

I'll name the top five authors, because it would be difficult to choose the books. Pat Conroy, Fannie Flagg, Sue Monk Kidd, Lewis Grizzard, Alice Sebold.  Those are personal preferences for me, nothing influenced by the market.

  What Southern state are you in; always lived there? Name top five things you like best about it.

I'm in North Carolina.  I love the mountains and beaches here, the laid-back lifestyle, the sense of history (my own and more), the landscape.  and the people!  I've found more good than bad - and that's saying a lot, since i work in a prison. heheh.  what i really love about north carolina is october.  what i don't like about it is july and august.

(think I got more then 3 in already but...)   Since I am on a top 5 roll--- Favorites? (just ONE each) Tea? Desert? Part of nature? Sport or active thing?  Flower?

Tea - sinfully cinnamon
desert - omigod...just one...fresh pineapple cake, which i can't have because i'm on the south beach diet
Part of nature - rivers (that emcompasses a lot)
Sport or active thing - swimming
flower - jasmine