The Bell Witch Ok, Ok, Ok.... I've now dumped the 1st paragraph out and hopefully all my friends will go to Mr. Fitzhugh's site and read his account of the The Bell Witch. This is a great story written by someone who is not very nice,and hopefully ya'll will not think that everyone from the South or Tennessee is like this man, because WE ARE NOT! ( thanks Snugglebritches) The majority of us are kind and know how to show true southern hospitality and manners. Evidentially, his mother didn't teach him true Southern manners. Please go to the sites listed below for the full story. This is just down the road from me in Middle Tennessee. I have never visited Adams, TN but have every intention of getting more information regarding The Bell Witch. It's truly amazing what Mr. Fitzhugh as written. From the information, he has done extensive research. For an in-depth past and present account, read "The Bell Witch: The Full Account," by Pat Fitzhugh. For more information about The Bell Witch http://www.bellwitch.org/home.htm HAVE A SAFE AND HAUNTING HALLOWEEN! SMOOCH, GROPE, HUGS & RUBS! p.s. I'm looking for another response from this person..... ;-)

OH YEAH - 1 AWAY... OH YEAH... HERE DUCKIE, DUCKIE, DUCKIE..... 3 - 1 GO CARDS!!! Well, what do you know... The Cardinals pulled it out last night to win 5 - 4 in Game 4 of the World Series. The Cardinals are 1 win away from winning the World Series for the first time in 24 years. Tonight, weather permitting, the Cardinals will put Weaver on the mound..... GO CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In keeping with the Duckmaster Uniforms... I am going to stick with what I have for the past two days... wooooooooooooooo Ann's the ref, Mary's on first, Turn's on second, and I'm on third leading off to score the run!!!! 1 step, 2 steps, 3 steps... I'm going.... going to steal home... oh yesh I am.... can't ya'll see us sliding into base with the uniforms... ;-) Hoping that Bruno will help us out when we do WIN the Fall Classic, cause we are going to have to have some protection from the Duck ... I have found the perfect Duckmaster Uniform for us.... What do you think girls? It's only 4 days to Halloween ya'll.... let's see what I can come up with today.... Some say it was the Celts who began the practice of trick-or-treating by offering to buy off evil people with treats before they turned on them with tricks. Others say it started with the Druids, Celtic priests who begged for favors in exchange for protection of souls, or with the Irish peasants, who begged for "soul cakes." It was the English who took it a step further -- they put on masks and costumes as they begged for treats, and if their treats were not forthcoming, they played tricks. The tradition has gone through many changes. Questions of the safety of treats and of visiting unfamiliar homes have resulted in some parents discontinuing trick-or-treating, preferring instead to keep the celebrations at home. But in many communities, trick-or-treating is still a favorite tradition. Did you ever have this type of drug problem? I did..... An old friend read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an oldfarmhouse in the adjoining county, and he asked me a rhetorical question. ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?'' I replied: "I had a drug problem when I was young : "I was drug to church on Sunday mornings. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a curse. I was drug out to pull weeds in Mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of Dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood. Those ' drugs ' are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin. If today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place. ~ author unknown~ A side note to my friend Vinny - have a safe flight and wonderful family togetherness in NJ this weekend. Oh and BEHAVE!!!! Smooches! DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT I WOULDN'T DO... ;-) To every one else: Have a great weekend and GO CARDS!!!!!! wooooooooo Love ya'll muches and a whole lot of bunches... SMOOCHES, GROPES & HUGS p.s. and for Mary.... RUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

MAXINE, St. Louis Cardinals, Duckmaster vs. Duck Jokes, and just ramblings Have you ever said something and after you said it you wish that you could take it all back? Well, I did it... and boy did I do it good. Tony has not said 10 words to me since last night and that is really bugging the sh*t out of me... I DO NOT like for people to be mad at me. But to have someone that you love with all your heart mad at you.... that sucks.... So from now on, I'm going to keep my mouth shut and not say anything. Well, the Game 4 of the World Series was rained out last night. Will they play tonight or tomorrow night.. .who knows... looks like rain through Friday. This is something that we DO NOT need. We need to keep the momentum.. Well, I blame the Duck for the rain. You know duck's like water... But the Duckmaster uniforms are still the same today as yesterday.... wooooooooooo Don't you just LOVE Maxine.... I know I do... such a Hoochie!!!!! Man goes into a cocktail lounge and approaches Maxine sitting by herself: Man: "May I buy you a cocktail?" Maxine: "No thank you, alcohol is bad for my legs." Man: "Sorry to hear that. Do they swell?" Maxine: "No, they open!" Did you know that women had flaws... I did.... read on One Flaw In Women Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream, They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes and sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH. Wouldn't we all LOVE to have the Perfect Man... The perfect man The perfect man is gentle Never cruel or mean He has a beautiful smile And keeps his face so clean. The perfect man likes children And will raise them by your side He will be a good father As well as a good husband to his bride. The perfect man loves cooking Cleaning and vacuuming too He'll do anything in his power To convey his feelings of love on you. The perfect man is sweet Writing poetry from your name He's a best friend to your mother And kisses away your pain. He never has made you cry Or hurt you in any way Oh, f*ck this stupid poem The perfect man is gay. Love ya'll! HUGS, GROPES, SMOOCHES & RUBS!!!! [the rubs are for Mary ;-) ]

St. Louis Cardinals,Game 3, Duckmaster vs. Duck, and once again Just Stuff.... Ace in the hole Chris Carpenter tossed eight shutout innings in his Fall Classic debut as the Cardinals posted a 5-0 victory over the Tigers in Game 3 on Tuesday night. Jim Edmonds' two-run double put the Redbirds ahead for good as they secured a 2-1 lead in the World Series. So with that being said... here is today's Duckmaster outfit... Can't you just see us behind the plate with this on.... ;-) Looks like it will be Bonderman for the Tigers against Suppan for the Cardinals pitching tonight... all I can say is GO CARDS!!!!!!!!!! It was decided yesterday that Turn, Mary, Anndi and I would be wearing our Duckmaster Outfits today. Anndi will be the ref and Turn, Mary and I will be the players. Below is what we are wearing.... Anybody wanna bat?????? Hey batta, batta, batta...... SWING!!!!!!!!!! It was announced yesteday that taylorhicks.com is now open for business... wooooooooooooooo Yes I've already been there and done that.... what true Soul Patrol member hasn't... ;-) Quick-Carve Easy Pumpkin Instructions Need to carve a Jack o' Lantern fast? Follow these four easy steps for pumpkin perfection. Cut a six-sided lid from the top, angling the knife so the lid won't fall in. Use a large spoon to gut the pumpkin, then scrape the wall you plan to carve to about one inch thick. Tape or pin a paper tracing of your pattern onto the pumpkin. Mark the pattern with thumbtacks, then spread flour in the holes to make the design stand out. To carve, use a pumpkin carving saw or a small knife, and keep the blade perpendicular to the surface. The shell gets weaker with each cut, so start at the design's center. Soak the pumpkin, carved part down, in a tub of cold water until the flesh is firm. Then spread a thin film of petroleum jelly on the exposed edges to keep the pumpkin plump. Yes folks there is a Manatee in the Wolf River Harbor off Mud Island. As of this post, the Manatee is still there. They have named him Manny the Memphis Manatee.... hopefully they will be able to get him back to his home soon. From the WMC TV 5 website: MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A manatee who has made a special trip 720 miles up the Mississippi River to Memphis is attracting crowds of onlookers. The manatee was spotted yesterday in the Wolf River harbor just north of the densely populated downtown area. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials concede they have limited experience with manatees. They are standing guard over the wayward animal, keeping tourists and boaters from getting near. Tuesday a small crowd of spectators had gathered on a bank above the harbor, many with binoculars. Officials are waiting for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to organize a team to move the manatee out of the cold waters. Alan Peterson, a wildlife biologist, said the manatee was showing signs of stress Tuesday and it's respiration rate was higher than they hoped. A cold front overnight left the harbor's temperature at 65 degrees around midday, but that's a few degrees warmer than the river. The U.S. Coast Guard has agreed to secure the harbor overnight to keep people from upsetting the animal. And from an e-mail that I received from Duckles.... this is really priceless. Circumcised A teacher noticed that a little boy at the back of the class was squirming around, scratching his crotch, and not paying attention. She went back to find out what was going on. He was quite embarrassed and whispered that he had just recently been circumcised and he was quite itchy. The teacher told him to go down to the principal's office. He was to telephone his mother and ask her what he should do about it. He did it and returned to his class. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the back of the room. She went back to investigate only to find him sitting at his desk with his penis hanging out. "I thought I told you to call your mom!" she said "I did," he said, "And she told me that if I could stick it out till noon, she'd come and pick me up from school." KIDS; DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THEM ??? Love ya'll! GROPES, SMOOCHES & HUGS!

Game 3 Cardinals vs. Tigers, and other stuff..... DUCKMASTER OUTFIT #3 So my friends, how do you like this one? I thought that I would save her for Game 3. This is one of my favorite Duckmaster outfits? What do you guys think? So, do you think you know everything? I received this e-mail and thought that I would share it with you. "Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand and "lollipop" with your right. (bet you tried this out mentally, didn't you?) It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable. (I'll bet you're going to check this out.) No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple. "Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt". (Are you doubting this?) Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing. The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses everyletter of the alphabet. (Now, you KNOW you're going to try this out for accuracy, right?) The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes). (Yep, I knew you were going to "do" this one.) There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous (You're not doubting this, are you?) There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious." (Yes, admit it, you are going to say a e i o u) TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. (All you typists are going to test this out) All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill A dime has 118 ridges around the edge. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue. (but who really cares?) A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours. A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. (Some days that's about what my memory span is) A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second. A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes. A snail can sleep for three years. (I know some people that could do this too.) Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer. Almonds are a member of the peach family. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age. Butterflies taste with their feet. Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds. Dogs only have about 10. February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon. In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated. If the population of China walked past you, in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction. If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at red lights. Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors. On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag. Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite! Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated (does that mean rubbers do, too?) The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing. The cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns. The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket. (good thing he did that). The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid. There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar. There are more chickens than people in the world. There's no Betty Rubble in the Flintstones Chewable Vitamins. Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance. Women blink nearly twice as much as men. Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks; otherwise it will digest itself. Oh and the CARDS are gonna win it in 5!!!! Now you know everything! Don’t you feel better???? HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES!

DUCKMASTER vs. DUCK, Just a bunch of stuff for Monday. This is the latest Duckmaster outfit. How do ya like???? Well the World Series is tied at 1 game each. They go to St. Louis and play Tuesday... all I can say is GO CARDS!!!!!!!! The Cards will take it in St. Louis... GO CARDS, GO CARDS, GO CARDS!!!!!!!!! Just wanted to let ya'll know that after today I will probably be positng at night. The corporate guys had a bright idea to take all the cubes down and have "open office". Talk about distracting. I sneezed this morning and one of the girls was on the phone with her boyfriend and his comment was "bless you"... he actually heard me sneeze... we all laughed. And for today a few pet rules.... To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height. Dear Dogs and Cats, The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The otherdishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run. I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm. For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years, canine or feline attendance is not mandatory. The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough! To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door: To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets 1. They live here. You don't. 2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes , stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.) 3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people. 4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly. Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they: 1. Eat less 2. Don't ask for money all the time 3. Are easier to train 4. Usually come when called 5. Never drive your car 6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends 7. Don't smoke or drink 8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions 9. Don't wear your clothes 10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and 11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children. HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES!

St. Louis Cardinals, DUCKMASTER vs. DUCK, It's Football Time in Tennessee I'm doing the SNOOPY DANCE TODAY!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Well, well, well..... looks like it's going to be the St. Louis Cardinals against the Detriot Tigers in the World Series. I knew it, I just knew it.... wooooooooooooooo GO CARDS!!!!!! All week, I have promised the Duck that I had a new Duckmaster outfit and that I was ready to put it on... just to keep him in line.... Well Ducky here it is....... Of course, this is just one of many that I ordered.... More to come next week. And this just in..... I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.... I do believe that it's that Damm Duck trying to bribe the wife of a St. Louis Cardinal.... see.... just like a Damm Duck.... If he can't do it one way he will try another... Just look.... My prediction - CARDINALS IN 4!!!!!!! It's Football Time in Tennessee!!!! Oh yeah it is.... Tennessee vs. Alabama... all I've got to say is ...... ROCKY TOP YOU'LL ALWAYS BE HOME SWEET HOME TO ME.... GOOD OLE' ROCKY TOP.........WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE.... ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE...... GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It should be a good game. I know there are a lot of Roll Tide Fans out there... but I'm not going to hold that against you. I still love ya anyway..... A few quick Halloween facts that I found: Why are pumpkins a Halloween tradition? Using pumpkins as lanterns at Halloween is based on an ancient Celtic custom brought to America by Irish immigrants. All Hallows' Eve on October 31 marked the end of the old Celtic calendar year. On that night, hollowed-out gourds with candles inside were placed on windowsills to welcome home spirits of deceased ancestors and to ward off evil spirits, including a restless soul named "Stingy Jack." Why do we don masks and silly costumes for Halloween? Believing that spirits and ghosts roamed the land on All Hallows' Eve, the ancients Celts wore costumes and masks to avoid detection by these ghosts. What's with the door-to-door begging for candy? Have you ever wondered how trick-or-treating began? On All Hallows' Eve, the Celts would leave food on their doorsteps to keep the hungry ghosts from entering their homes. Did you know... Black cats were once believed to be witch's assistants who protected their powers. Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange represents the fall harvest, and black is associated with darkness and death. And the joke for today........ Little Johnny's neighbors had a baby. Unfortunately, the baby was born without ears. When the Mother and new baby came home from the hospital, Johnny's family was invited over to see the baby. Before they left their house, Little Johnny's dad had a talk with him and explained that the baby had no ears. His dad also told him that if he so much as mentioned anything about the baby's missing ears or even said the word "ears" he would get the spanking of his life when they came back home. Little Johnny told his dad he understood completely. When Johnny looked in the crib he said, "What a beautiful baby." The mother said, "Why, thank you, Little Johnny." Johnny said, "He has beautiful little feet and beautiful little hands, a cute little nose and really beautiful eyes. Can he see?" "Yes", the Mother replied, "we are so thankful; the Doctor said he will have 20/20 vision." "That's great," said Little Johnny, "cuz he'd be sh*t-outta-luck if he needed glasses. HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES!

Just a bunch of Stuff today! I knew it, I knew it.... that it would go 7 games..... I don't have any fingernails left.... None what so ever...... Guess I will have to start chewing on my toenails tonight..... Everyone knows Halloween happens on the night of October 31. In modern times it’s full of creepy stories of witches, ghouls, and monsters. You can hear laughter of children going door to door shouting - Trick or treat! - and receiving candy. What brilliant genius invented Halloween? I’m really not sure. However, Halloween wasn’t started when the world knew you were born. It’s a lot older than that. There are probably hundreds of stories on how Halloween came about. Most people like to believe the ones that seem most impossible and most frightening. Well, here’s a summary of all the research I’ve done on Halloween: The custom connected with Halloween are thought to have started among the ancient Druids, who believed that on that evening Saman, the lord of the dead, called to him hosts of evil spirits. The Druids customarily lit huge fires on Halloween, apparently for the purpose of warding off all these spirits. Among the ancient Celts, Halloween was the last night of the year and was thought of as a lucky time for looking at the warnings of the future. The Celts also believed that the spirits of the dead came back to their earthly homes on that evening. After the Romans conquered Britain, they added to Halloween features of the Roman harvest festival held on November 1 in honor of Pomona, goddess of the fruits of trees. The Celtic tradition of lighting fires on Halloween survived until modern times in Scotland and Wales, and the concept of ghosts and witches is still common to all Halloween ceremonies. Traces of the Roman harvest festival survive in the custom, common in both the United States and Great Britain, of playing games involving fruit, such as ducking for apples in a tub of water. Of similar origin is the use of hollowed-out pumpkins carved to resemble scary faces and lit by candles placed inside. Well, it appears that Turn has finally figured out how to MASTER the Damm Duck. Just tell him a joke.... Wooooooooooooooo Duckmasters vs. Duck ...... I've got the outfits picked out.... Will post them tomorrow..... ;-) And your joke for today! A cabbie picks up a nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the very handsome cab driverwon't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring. He replies : "I have a question to ask you, but I don't want to offend you" She answers, "My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I amand have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hearjust about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive. "Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me. "She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that: 1) you have to be single and 2) you must be Catholic. "The cab driver is very excited and says, " Yes, I'm single and Catholic!Ok" the nun says " pull into the next alley. "The nun fulfils the cab driver's fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush. When they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. "My dear child," said the nun, why are you crying? Forgive me but I have sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish." The nun says, "that's ok. My name's Kevin and I'm going to a Halloween party." HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES! "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Aangelou

Why can't kids be kids anymore, St. Louis Cardinals and More! I can't believe what I just read on Yahoo.... ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Tag, you're out! Officials at an elementary school south of Boston have banned kids from playing tag, touch football and any other unsupervised chase game during recess for fear they'll get hurt and hold the school liable. Recess is "a time when accidents can happen," said Willett Elementary School Principal Gaylene Heppe, who approved the ban. While there is no district wide ban on contact sports during recess, local rules have been cropping up. Several school administrators around Attleboro, a city of about 45,000 residents, took aim at dodgeball a few years ago, saying it was exclusionary and dangerous. Elementary schools in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Spokane, Wash., also recently banned tag during recess. A suburban Charleston, S.C., school outlawed all unsupervised contact sports. "I think that it's unfortunate that kids' lives are micromanaged and there are social skills they'll never develop on their own," said Debbie Laferriere, who has two children at Willett, about 40 miles south of Boston. "Playing tag is just part of being a kid." Another Willett parent, Celeste D'Elia, said her son feels safer because of the rule. "I've witnessed enough near collisions," she said. I remember playing tag, dodge ball, kick ball, tag football and many more games during recess. What has happened to those days. What are we trying to make our kids.... whimps? Of course, this is just my opinion.. What is yours? Kids today DO NOT know how to go outside and play. Basically, they don't know how to entertain themself. Growing up, I can remember going outside to play... playing tag with my brother and the neighbors kids... I can remember playing hide and seek... hiding so good that the only way they could find you was if you broke out in laughter because they were getting so mad that they couldn't find you. Making mud pies and if your brother or the neighbor kid pissed you off, you would put the pie on their head and rub it in.... oh, those were the days....... GO CARDS!!!!! ONE AWAY DUCKIE...... ONE AWAY!!!!! A 4-2 victory over the New York Mets in Game 5 on Tuesday night gave the Cardinals a 3-2 series lead. Ace in the hole Chris Carpenter will start Game 6. From October 1 through December 31 is my favorite time of the year. I too LOVE this time of the year (Vince, your not by yourself). I love to decorate my house and yard and bake all kinds of goodies. At this time of the year, I would love to live in a town like Salem, MA.... Since it is only 12 days until Halloween I'm going to leave you with this. I will try and do this daily until Halloween..... Witches and Warlocks have had a long history with Halloween. Legends tell of witches gathering twice a year when the seasons changed, on April 30 - the eve of May Day and the other was on the eve of October 31 - All Hallow's Eve. The witches would gather on these nights, arriving on broomsticks, to celebrate a party hosted by the devil. Superstitions told of witches casting spells on unsuspecting people, transform themselves into different forms and causing other magical mischief. It was said that to meet a witch you had to put your clothes on wrong side out and you had to walk backwards on Halloween night. Then at midnight you would see a witch. When the early settlers came to America, they brought along their belief in witches. In American the legends of witches spread and mixed with the beliefs of others, the Native Americans - who also believed in witches, and then later with the black magic beliefs of the African slaves. The Witches' Caldron by William Shakespeare "Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog" "Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing" "For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and babble" "Double, double, toil and trouble, Fire burn, and caldron bubble" HUGS, GROPES & WET SLOPPY SMOOCHES!!!! Lee Ann

DUCKMASTER vs DUCK, Baseball Gods, Update on WMC TV 5 Poll and other ramblings Antidaeophobia- The fear that somehow, somewhere, a duck is watching you." I do believe that the Baseball God is smiling upon us by allowing it to rain...... That is really helping our bullpen..... *bows down and THANKS the Baseball God* ........... GO CARDINALS!!! BRING IN ON DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Update on WMC TV 5 poll: Do you think teachers should be allowed to carry weapons at school? Thank you for participating in our poll. Here are the results so far. Yes: If they have a permit to carry a weapon they should be allowed 30% Yes: I think it will help control violence in school 7% No: It is dangerous to have a loaded weapon in a school 29% NO: It will only add to the problem 34% (This is my answer) I am still in shock that this is poll is still being conducted. Who is the bright IDIOT who even thought of this. Yes, I said IDIOT..... because this is totally IDIOTIC..... In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words! Maya Angelou said this: I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow." Donate Life Thousands of Americans are in need of vital organ and tissues. For many, the chance to live a full life won’t come unless many more of us consider organ and tissue donation. Discuss organ donation with your family and friends (after worship, work etc.). Help others find a chance to live a full life. Talk to your family about organ donation. Talk to your family about donating LIFE. This is something that is very near to me. Had it not been for a wonderful mother, my brother Kim would not have lived 5 years longer than he lived. I am working on a story for ya'll about organ donation.... And finally - 10 Thoughts to Ponder 10 - Life is sexually transmitted. 9 - Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. 8 - Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an ection, make him a sandwich. 7 - Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks. 6 - Some people are like a Slinky.....not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. 5 - Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing. 4 - All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. 3 - Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents? 2 - In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal. And the Number ONE thought for 2006: We know exactly where one cow with mad-cow-disease is located among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue as to where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration. HUGS, GROPES & WET SLOPPY SMOOCHES!

I'm BACK in Control of ME! (I will not be held hostage by a drug anymore) As most of y'all know, I've been sick for the past 2 1/2 weeks. I have NOT been in control of me. I have felt like I've had an out of body experience. You are probably wondering what I'm talking about. Well, yeppers, I'm going to tell you. DRUGS - yes I said it... I've been on drugs. These drugs that I'm talking about I STOPPED taking because they made me loopy. Yes, loopier than normal.... I felt like I was coming out of my skin and my nerves were shredded into pieces. So, I decided that I wasn't going to take anymore of these drugs. The first week I was taking a cough/congestion med called Medent. This drug caused my vision to blur so bad that I could not even see my hand in front of me.... did NOTHING for my cough/congetion. So, I went back to the doctor Thursday and he gave me a drug called X-PECT AT. Now this drug didn't mess with my vision but sure as hell made me feel like I was coming out of my skin. I decided over the weekend that I'm NOT taking anymore drugs. During this whole ordeal, I'm thinking... "Why do people want to do drugs?" "Why do people not want to be in control of themselves?" This is something that I cannot understand. They may think they are "in control" of them themself, when in fact they are not. It's the drugs that control them.... they DO NOT control themself. SO...... if over the past couple of weeks, if I've done anything STUPID...i'ts because I've not been in control of myself! I do not like NOT being in control of myself. I am taking ME back and I'M BACK IN CONTROL! Now onto other topics...... It is very hard for me to believe it but the Tennessee Titans FINALLY won yesterday. It's about time..... and sadly, my St. Louis Cardinals lost to the NY Mets last night. The series is tied at 2 games each... they play again tonight......... GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to Am's Auburn Tigers for beating Florida!!!! woooooooo Like I've said before, my two favorite teams are Tennessee who ever plays Florida! We had a bye week... Saturday we take on the Crimson Tide of Alabama.... now that should be a good game. More on that later in the week..... Girls Raised in the South Two nicely dressed ladies happen to start up a conversationduring an endless wait in the LAX airport. The first lady was an arrogant California woman married to a wealthy man. The second was a well mannered elderly woman from the South. When the conversation centered on whether they had any children the California woman started by saying, "When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me." The lady from the South commented, "Well, isn't that precious?" The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz." Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, isn't that precious?" The first woman continued boasting, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet." And again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, isn't that precious?" The first woman then asked the Southern lady, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?" "My husband sent me to charm school," declared the Southern lady." Charm school?" the first woman cried, "Oh my God! What on earth for?" asked the first woman. The Southern lady responded, "Well for example, instead of saying "Who gives a shit?" I learned to say, "Well, isn't that precious. (thanks Duckles for the joke) HUGS, GROPES & WET SLOPPY SMOOCHES!

Friday 13TH, St. Louis Cardinals, Teachers carrying guns in school Is Friday the 13th a Reason to Stay in Bed? Today some people will not step outside, fly on a plane, go to work or even act on a hot stock tip. It's Friday the 13th — a day filled with mild dread for some and such fear for others that shuttering themselves indoors seems completely reasonable. Did you know: *17 TO 21 MILLION Americans suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia - the fear of Friday the 13th? (4 to 5 million in the UK) * it has been estimated that 750 MILLION DOLLARS will be LOST in business because people will not shop, travel or take risks of any kind on this Friday the 13th? * that the U.S. NAVY to this day will NOT LAUNCH a ship on Friday the 13th? * that OVER 85% will RISK THEIR LIVES rather than walk under a ladder? * symptoms range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full blown panic attacks? * SOME WILL NOT EVEN GET OUT OF BED or leave their homes this Friday the 13th? * that most other superstitious fears show up on or around Friday the 13th.? * where breaking a mirror, believed by millions to bring bad luck, originated? * that hanging a horseshoe the wrong way will bring bad luck? * where the superstition of stepping on a crack as an ill omen was created? * why some throw salt over their shoulder to ward off evil events? * the reason why millions consider crossing a black cat's path unlucky? * why the number of members in occult, mystical and exoteric movements is on the rise? ST. LOUIS CARDINALS - sad to say lost Game 1 last night to the Mets... Cy Young Award Winner Chris Carpenter will take the mound tonight in Game 2... GO CARDINALS!!!! WMC TV5 Poll - Do you think teachers should be allowed to carry weapons at school? Thank you for participating in our poll. Here are the results so far. Yes: If they have a permit to carry a weapon they should be allowed 32% Yes: I think it will help control violence in school 7% No: It is dangerous to have a loaded weapon in a school 29% No: It will only add to the problem 32% You have GOT to be kidding me!!!!! Teachers carrying guns in schools.... PLEASE!!!!! I can tell you which box I checked - my answer NO: IT WILL ONLY ADD TO THE PROBLEM! Let's get real here people. Kids today are NOTHING like when I was in school. You caused a problem at school, you got your ass tore up... and PRAYED that Daddy didn't find out about it before you got home because you knew you were going to get ANOTHER ONE if he did! I could go on, but I'm feeling a little dizzy standing here on this soap box. Too many meds... ;-) CHILDREN AND THEIR TEACHER - A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill." The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples. and....... BRAIN CRAMPS ..... (ode to American Literacy) "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." --Al Gore, Vice President "The word 'genius' isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." --Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback & sports analyst. "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." --Bill Clinton, President "Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." --Mariah Carey FINALLY - WHAT DO YOU KEEP ON AN ORGAN??? Miss Beatrice, the church organist, was in her eighties. She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all. One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room. She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea. As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cut-glass bowl sitting on top of it. The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom! When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat. The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and He could no longer resist. "Miss Beatrice", he said, "I wonder if you would tell meabout this?" pointing to the bowl. "Oh, yes," she replied, "Isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the Park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease. Do you know I haven't had the flu all winter. HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES!!!!

Short post today. Went to the doctor AGAIN this morning...I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED!!!! I told the doctor that I was tired of seeing him that he HAD TO GET ME WELL! Did the chest x-ray thing and drew blood. Chest x-ray ok, but white blood count -- WAY WAY UP! Real high--- on more meds... Since I didn't post yesterday... here's a short one today. I received this e-mail from a friend of mine here at work... just wanted to share... HOSPITAL WINDOW A great note for all to read and change your thinking Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you." Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."

Southernness. Since our wonderful friend Bond is now a true Southern Memphian, I thought that I would try to help him out just a tad on his Southernness. It's only what any true Southern friend would do to help out herNorthern friend. ;-) I loves ya snugglebritches! I was e-mailed this by Duckles - thank you! Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniptionfit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH"them. Ony a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas,beans, etc., make up "a mess Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is,... as in: "Going to town, be back directly Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table. All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well. Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis,they also know to add a large banana puddin! Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "rightnear" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20. No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun,a verb, or an adverb Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're"in line," .... we talk to everybody In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them. Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food;and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food. When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner! Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweetmilk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it--we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart"... and go your own way. To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart. And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language! And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a longtime, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could. SOUTHERN WOMEN Southern women appreciate their natural assets: Clean skin. A winning smile. That unforgettable Southern drawl. Southern women know their manners:"Yes, ma'am.""Yes, sir." Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions : "Y'all come back!" "Well, bless your heart." "Drop by when you can." "How's your Momma?" Southern women know their summer weather report: Humidity, Humidity, Humidity Southern women know their vacation spots: The beach, The beach, The beach, Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August: Colorful hi-heel sandals, Strapless sun dresses, Iced sweet tea with mint Southern women know everybody's first name: Honey, Darlin', Shugah Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts: Fried Green Tomatoes, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias, Gone With The Wind Southern women know their religions: Baptist, Methodist, Football Southern women know their country breakfasts: Red-eye gravy, Grits, Eggs, Country ham, Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm: Charleston (Chawl'stn) Savannah (S'vanah) Fort Worth (Foat Wuth) New Orleans (N'awlins) Atlanta (Addlanna) Tylertown ( T-Town) Southern women know their elegant gentlemen: Men in uniform. Men in tuxedos Rhett Butler, of course!

The Fuzzy Blue Bunny! The St. Louis Cardinals, The New York Yankees, Bond and the Detriot Tigers????? Talked to Bond yesterday afternoon about 1:30 pm CST. He was still traveling from New York to Memphis. He had about 5 hours left on his trip. He was in the most wonderful mood! The first thing that he said to me was "Our Tennessee Titans are winning"! Well, they were... even at half time they were up 10 - 0 against the Indianapolis Colts... but lost it in the 4th quarter... 13- 14.... We also talked about his "New York Yankees" loosing... Can someone please tell me who the "Detroit Tigers" are???? I've never heard of them... ;-) I think that someone said that it was one of Damm's favorite teams... Can someone please let me know.... My St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres last night. The move on to play the New York Mets..... GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!! Well here it is all... the fuzzy blue bunny story. Like I've told you before, Chris is the baby of the family. What Chris wanted....Chris got! Needless to say, he was and is SPOILED ROTTEN!!!!!!! From the time he could walk up until he was around probably 7 or 8, he would carry this blue blanket and fuzzy blue bunny with him... everywhere. To bed, to the supper table, breakfast table, lunch table, to church, to the doctor, to take a bath... I don't care where he went this freakin blanket and bunny was with him. One summer afternoon, it had been raining most of the day, so we couldn't go outside to play. Once again, Kim was babysitting us as Mother and Daddy were both at work. Chris woke up from his nap and was in a pestering mood, nothing new. I was sitting in the living room floor playing with my Barbie dolls, minding my own business, and he comes in there to pester me. Starts picking up my Barbies... throwing them across the room... kicking them... slapping me in the head... just being a PURE PEST!!! I told him to leave me alone or else. I meant it... he just kept on pestering me... so what did I do... yep, you got it... I grabbed this Fuzzy Blue Bunny out of his hands and took it from him; put it under my butt, sat on it and told him that he was not going to get it back. That I was going to take it outside, bury it in the worm beds and let the worms eat it. That is was going to become “WORM FOOD”…. OH GOD! You would have thought that I had just murdered him or that the world was coming to an end. He screamed and screamed and screamed... he was trying to get the bunny out from under me... but I was just a little smarter than him. I get up, grab the bunny from underneath me, wave the bunny in his face, tell him it's going to the worms and take off running. Now the house has no halls, you go from one room to the other....I start running through the dining room, the back porch, cut the corner and through the kitchen, cut the corner again and back through the living room into Mother and Daddy's bedroom into my bedroom, back through his bedroom... I did this oh for about 5 minutes... laughing all the way... chanting "The bunny's going to the worms.... The bunny's going to the worms", "It's Worm Food, It's Worm Food".... He was crying sooooo hard..... I can't remember exactly where Kim was... I know he was there... but either way, he wasn't going to stop me!!!! All of a sudden, as I cut the corner into the kitchen, I hear this BANG!!!!!! I stopped dead in my tracks, turned around, only to find that Chris had stomped his toe on the freakin blue blanket that he was carrying and hit the corner of the door. I was still laughing, waving the bunny, chanting "It's Worm Food" I didn't think anything was wrong... Kim came around the corner to see what happened. He jerked me by my arm to get me out of the way and went over to Chris. There lay Chris in a pool of blood. He had busted his head open just above his right eye ... I WAS IN MAJOR TROUBLE!!!!! But it wasn’t my fault!!!!! I didn’t do anything!!!! Kim called Mother… she came home… I in my room… feared the worse… but I still had the bunny… oh yes… I still had it… I was bound and determined that he WAS NOT going to get it back. Mother grabbed the bunny from me and told me that she would take care of me when she got back. She called my Grandmother to come to the house to watch me while she and Kim took Chris to the hospital… It took 8 stitches. Well… while Mamaw was there, I milked it for all it was worth. I told her how Chris was pestering me, blah, blah, blah… I had Mamaw in my court… or so I thought… until Mother got home. Needless to say, my Mother gave me on whipping that I remember to this day… Mamaw gave me “her look”… which broke my heart and Chris was getting all the petting. I did manage to catch him alone in the living room, lying on the couch, watching TV, walked over to him and touched the fuzzy blue bunny and ever so slightly whispered “Worm Food” and walked away. He screamed, but I managed to get out of the room before I got caught. He cried, told Mother what I said… of course she came in my room and told me to leave him alone and not say another word to him. I said…… “I didn’t say that”… he’s just dreaming… LOL… ;-) To this day, I still haven’t told her the truth… The Fuzzy Blue Bunny is long gone now… I’m not really for sure what happened to it. I think that it got so ragged and dirty, that after Chris gave it up Mother just threw it away. The blue blanket… well there was nothing left of it. At night when Chris would go to sleep, he would hold the fuzzy blue bunny and suck on the blanket. He tore it completely apart by sucking on it. I think that by the time he gave it up, there was only about a 3” corner left. Chris and I still recount that story when he’s home for a visit and is at my house. Occasionally I will whisper “Worm Food”… and we just die laughing. Until tomorrow HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES Lee Ann

HOLLYWOOD - HERE WE COME ...... hehehehehehehehehe - bwhahahahahahahahaha - ;-) So, I told you how my older brother put me in the dryer and how Chris just laughed and laughed. Well.... I knew that sometime in the not to far distant future, I would get him back. And that's exactly what I did.... with a little help from Kim. I was about 7 at the time, so that made Chris 4... Chris is the baby of the family. I was 3 -4 years old when Mother and Daddy adopted him. Now don't get me wrong, I love my little brother but that's just it... he was my "LITTLE BROTHER." I wanted a little sister... but no....... I got a stinky little brother who would give me coodies.... Chris had the most beautiful head of hair ever to have been given to a male. It was so soft and naturally curly... he was too pretty to be a boy..... He should have been a girl.... and we would always tease him about how pretty he was... we went so far as to call him "Christy Love". Now Christy Love was a show in 1974 about a black policewoman. We loved watching that show. That's where we came up with the nickname for our little brother. I had the most brillant idea ever.... well... not exactly me, but Kim and me did.... we put our heads together and plotted the tortue for Chris. Now when I say "tortue", I don't mean any physical tortue... I'll let you be the judge...... One day, while Kim was babysitting us, we told Chris that a big movie producer was coming to Milledgeville to cast parts for "Get Christy Love". To our surprise... HE BELIEVED US!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO At last, I was going to get my revenge... So, he let us curl his hair, put makeup on him, paint his nails, put on one of my girlie girl dresses and a pair of Mother's high heels. Let me tell you, he thought he was SOME.THING! He would prance around the living room say "Your under arrest, Sugah!" all the time pretending to slap the cuffs on one of my baby dolls. We laughed till we hurt. Oh god how we laughed. This went on for a couple of hours... then Mother came home for lunch. We thought that we were in big trouble... but all she did was make up clean him up.... She didn't show it, but I know she was laughing too. But that wasn't then end of it......... not by far......Oh no... I wasn't finished just yet..... After Mother went back to the store, Kim and I once again pulled out our mischevious hats... this time we told him that instead of the producer for "Get Christy Love", it was a producer that was going to make an Aunt Jemima commercial. And we were off...... I went and found a bandana. We tied his head up in the bandana, put tan makeup on his face, with red dots, put him on an old shirt of Daddy's that came down to his knees and one of Mother's aprons. Handed him a broom - and SNAP.... yep, we took a picture.... oh how we were laughing..... the kid finally wised up and he figured out that there was NOT any type of movie producers coming to Milledgeville. That we had lied to him all day long. Oh how he cried and cried and cried.... Oh how sweet it was!!!!!!!! He called Mother at the store.... she came home.............. WE WERE IN T.R.O.U.B.L.E.! We still to this day have the Aunt Jemima picture of Chris with the biggest grin I have ever seen on a child. See life was always simple when we were kids... why can't life be simple like this again? I look at my own kids and wonder if they too will have stories to tell when then get older. Stories that they will be able to tell their kids.... Stories of how they tortued each other... stories like we have? Will they, I don't know.. but somehow I wish that I could take my kids and go back in the past to when I grew up and show them how simple it all was and how we had so much fun. I hope that I am not boring you with my stories.. I have so many, many more. Another episode tomorrow - Hugs, Smooches & Gropes Lee Ann

Oh to be a kid again!!!!! Yesterday, I gave you a very brief description of life during ginning season. How we played in the cotton wagons, either empty or full... how I would take the cotton samples to my Mother as the scale house... how I drove "Old Blue" into the HUGE Cherry Tree in the front yard only to have my butt hurt much worse than the tree could ever be hurt or the truck for that matter. How Daddy would open the store early, wait for the employees to come in and off to the shoe factory he would go...... Ginning season would usually end sometime in November. So from November to March, it was pretty much free reign around home. Mother was back working in the store, Mamaw and Papaw were vacationing in the mountains, which was always Mamaw's idea to go... or just doing whatever life threw at them. Papaw usually hung around the store.. making sure Mother had everything she needed... he was a jewel of a man.... there aren't many men like Papaw and Daddy that exist in today's world. I had an older brother, Kim, who was 9 years older than me and 12 years older than my younger brother, Chris. He was our babysitter as we got older... until he went off to college. It was December... a cold, cold, cold Saturday morning... one of the coldest winters I can remember in Tennessee. My Mother had put a load of cloths in to wash before she left for the store and had given Kim instructions to have them dried and folded before she got back home for lunch. Chris and I were sitting in the living room watching cartoons... on one of the 3 channels we could get when Kim hollers for me to come help him. So, I get up, go into the kitchen where the washing machine was and he says "Hold your arms out, I'll lay the cloths, which were towels, across your arms and you can put them in the dryer." Being 7 years old, I thought.. ok.. no problem.. I can handle this. So, he lays the towels across my arms and when he's finished, he follows me on the back porch, where the dryer is, opens the dryer door and tells me to put in the towels. I bent over to put the towels in the dryer ... WELL....... not ONLY did the towels go in the dryer... SO DID I!!!!!!!!! Yes, you read it right... I went into the dryer with the towels... screaming my head off every inch of the way. Now Chris, being the baby of the family, was so involved in the cartoons that he just totally tuned it out. I cried, screamed and kicked and god knows what else... Kim almost got the dryer door closed... almost... but didn't quiet make it...... FINALLY.... Chris comes out on the back porch and ask me what's wrong... I told him that Kim almost put me in the dryer... Kim and Chris laughed, laughed and laughed... and I CRIED, CRIED and CRIED!!!! Mother came home a few hours later.... I TOLD HER! Ummmmmmm.... Kim didn't try to put me in the dryer again!!!! I can laugh about it today.... Even though Kim is not with us anymore, Chris and I still find the time to laugh at the same old stuff every time we are together. Of course, Mother remembers everything oh so well....... Yesterday, I told you that I would get some pics of the old gin and house... well... I did, but the cord that I needed to download onto the computer ... I left at home.... so.... pics tomorrow!!! I promise!!! And I will tell you about the "Big Movie Producer" that was coming to Milledgeville for a casting call for the next "Auntie Jemima"... you know... the waffle syrup folks. HUGS, GROPES & SMOOCHES!!!! Lee Ann

Life in Small Town USA - Part I I promised that I would give you a description of my life growing up in Small Town USA. To some, small town life could consist of a town of maybe around 3,000 or 4,000 people. But my small town is much, much smaller than that. As of today, the population of Milledgeville, TN is 306. Yes, you read it right..... 306. Growing up, I don't ever remember the population being over 400.....Everybody knows everybody.... and they know more about your business than you know about your own. You may call if Mayberry RFD ... but I believe our town is much smaller, or you may call us a village... what ever you call it... I call it GOD'S COUNTRY! A place where you can go out your back door, look up at the sky and see the stars...... Growing up in my town... there was a grocery store, which belonged to my family, a cotton gin and worm ranch, which belonged to my family, a road side cafe, which belonged to my best friend of 25 years family, a hardware store, 4 churches.... The Methodist, The Baptist, The Church ofChrist and The Pentescostal. We have a post office, a branch bank, and a 4 way stop with a flashing light... this only became in existence about 15 years ago... before was just a major crossroad. The house that I grew up in sat on the same lot as the cotton gin and the worm ranch was in the back yard. My Grandparents had lived in that house until I was about 2 years old, then they built a new one just right across town, we moved into the old house until I was about 12, when my parents built their house across the field from my Grandparents. After many renters and different things happening, I moved back into this house about 3 years ago. Yes, it's an old house, a house with character... my house... MY HOUSE that has been in MY family for decades! A house that my children will inherit and the rich blessings from it. Imagine a crisp fall morning....the smell of cotton being ginned. I can remember my Grandfather working from the crack of dawn to way past midnight. I can remember waking up, my Grandmother having a breakfast cooked... on the table would be fresh bacon, eggs, biscuits, gravy, orange juice and milk. I can remember my Daddy going to open the store, wait for the employees to come in and off to his factory job he would go. He was a Supervisor in a Shoe Factory for 2o year, and my Mom helping my Papaw during the fall season at the scale house. Oh the scale house.... the scale house was a place where the farmers would bring their full cotton wagons to be weighed before pulling them to the gin. I can remember the lot being sooooo full of cotton wagons, that they would be backed up 3, 4, 5 or 6 deep. I can remember going outside to play with my younger brother and the neighbors kids, us climbing up and over the full cotton wagons and playing on the freshly picked cotton. I can remember my Grandmother screaming at us to get out of the wagons before we were sucked up with the cotton to be ginned. We would climb out... find another wagon and proceed to play.... We would also climb into the empty wagons and play. We would play for what seemed like forever, only to take the time out, because Mamaw said so... to eat.... It's not because we wanted to eat... but she made us! I can remember that because of the dangers that my Grandfather would NOT let us kids in the gin. He would, however, let me on the back dock so as to when the cotton bail came out of being pressed, he would take this HUGE knife and cut a sample, tag it, hand it to me to take to my Mother at the scale house. What she did with it, I do not know... but I didn't care... I was the"Sample Girl"... Picture this... an old blue 1950 or 1960 something farm truck, I don't remember if it was a Chevy or Ford or what...... Papaw had parked it under the scale house facing West. To this day, I don't remember why it was there... but it was... just calling my name.... I had taken a sample of cotton to Mother for her to do whatever she did and "Old Blue" started calling my name... Lee Ann.... Lee Ann... Lee Ann.... so what did I do.... Yep, went over and got behind the wheel of "Old Blue".... I don't remember how I got it started, but I did... put the thing in gear and head West straight for the HUGE... and when I say HUGE... I mean HUGE Cherry Tree in the yard. I was laughing like I had just done something FUN... or so I thought... I remember Papaw running after me and the truck... yes me and Old Blue hit the Cherry Tree... not really hard... but enough that is really scared Papaw. He was so glad that I wasn't hurt...and Mother was too.... my butt, or maybe pride, that day was hurt much worse than the Cherry Tree. The tree still stands today and so do I. Oh the days of living in my small town.... Those were the days when you could go on a family vacation, leave the doors open and the windows up.... the only fear of leaving the windows up would be that it would rain and your house get wet. Those days are SO LONG GONE! Today, we have to deal with unnecessary and senseless things... schools shootings, child abductions, drug abuse, parents who leave there babies in garbage cans..... I could go on and on... but you get the picture.... My heart and prayers go out the families of the girls that were killed yesterday in Pennsylvania. May God be with each and every member of that village. And finally!!!!! I knew you would do it Bond baby... I just knew it!!!! Didn't I tell you that everything would work out? I think I will try and go today, buy a book for you on "How to speak Southern"... LMOO... I loves ya baby! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!! Can't wait for you to get down here among us! Tomorrow... maybe more description of life in Small Town USA..... Hugs, Gropes & Smooches!!! Lee Ann