2008/18/9 1107 EST

Come on in everybody! Welcome aboard and welcome home dear hearts... Welcome home! Ain't it gorgeous out there today? Deliciously cool... ain't nothin like coffee on the back porch with good friends in this kind of weather! Nothin!

Sheesh! The Marv is really being a grump the last few days! Complaining mightily that I am neglecting him! He wouldn't be that lucky! What am I gonna do with that child? I guess I'll just keep on abusing him in my charming manner... lolol... and let the wreckage lay where it falls! lolol gotcha Brat!

LOLOLOL Just got a message from the Boss! I always send him a weather report! Today's report ... Perfect!... His reply? ... "In a perfect world there would be no politicians". I do believe that says it all! Got the giggles cause I can sure think of 'others' the world could do without!

Smokeyspop and I were talking about ponds and living in the wilderness the other day. I starting thinking about my little back yard up in Ohio. I built my own wilderness in the middle of town.

I started with stockade fencing (the rustic look/feel). Planted two Mt. Rainier cherry trees and put a small pond between them. Bought old cobblestones that had been part of the paving in the old Farmers Market section of Cincinnati. Bought old bricks that had been used in the streets of Hamilton. Made pathways...planted ground cover...planted Trumpet Vine up against the fencing...Planted White Birch in a small offset by the back porch. Had bird feeders in that section...

Put a couple of rustic home made benches (which I still have) under the shade of the cherry trees near the pond. As the years went by, I added all kinds of goodies... bulbs and hollyhock... ferns and hostas... an old metal glider...A free standing sculpture of bits and pieces of pipe that I had gathered over time. I have a picture somewhere... I really should go looking for it!

Any how, some of the neighbors knew about the 'wilderness' and somehow a little girl heard about my retreat. Laffing softly here...The doorbell rang... I opened it to find a little girl about nine or ten standing there... (It must have taken a lot of courage for her to come to the door)... She introduced herself and her companions... Can we look at yard? Are you an artist? Well, after checking with parents and getting ok, I allowed the three of them in. We looked at and discussed the paintings, the design on the walls, the stained glass windows, made the trip into the kitchen.

Now, when I bought the house, a government repo, the kitchen wasn't much to look at but again, over time, I worked on it. It's amazing what some paint, all by itself, can do.

I painted the old linoleum on the floor... painted everything white... then started the art work... I did sky and clouds... lattice work with vines growing through and around the slats up to and onto the ceiling. Set aside a small area for a table and two chairs on what had been at one time the back porch; now closed in.

The counter tops were covered with linoleum which I removed... I sanded and smoothed, painted a matching design shaped like an enlarged place mat and covered all with plate glass cut to fit. The little girls loved it.

Then to the back yard wilderness... As I recall, the cherries were ripe. We had some cherries while we wandered the little curving pathways around the trees and the pond. The girls finally went and sat on the steps of the very small deck... they seemed to be overwhelmed. We talked about the plants and the trees and the fish and the frogs and the box turtle who lived there. I had the best time and Winslow, my oh so smart yellow lab, loved it too!

Well, word got around in a hurry! From that day on, I had visitors everyday. The 'yard man' brought adults over to 'see' everything.. especially the back wilderness. The children would be at the front door with the neighbor girl who became the tour guide through the first floor to the wilderness.

Lordy! I had forgotten all about that! This is one of my heart warmers. I learned; the children learned and we all had a good time... Cost nothing but was worth a million to all of us! Thank you, dear heart, my friend, Smokey! for reminding me of this 'fairy tale' time in my life!

Well, gee, I am running out of space and I ain't near done yet! lolol

Take care all of mine... go in safety always... If you must look to the past, try to find the good stuff to remember... Laff, love, hug somebody today... and always always remember to live each day! Love and many hugs all of mine.... meems

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2008/17/9 0753EST

Whew! What a relief! All young'uns safe and accounted for... I couldn't stand to wait another day and finally called! Glen, of course, knew that he was ok and was surprised to find that I didn't realize the obvious! Gonna beat that kid to death some day! You just watch! One day, you will pick up paper to read where lil ol 5' 4" lady has just beaten 6' 3", 240 pound son to a pulp and ain't nuthin' left but a grease spot!

Sorry about yesterday's news... there is a short version on my blog page for the 16th... I just ran out of steam before I ran out of words! Thought I had caught a cold but looks like I was wrong... thank goodness! However, I was sneezing like crazy... watery eyes... all that good stuff indicating onset of the sniffles... Have decided that it is allergic reaction to all the rivers of gold (read Golden Rod here) which surround the house!

Middle of evening, last nite... phone rang... "did I want a lab puppy?" A little boy... Puppy needs a home...Looks just like Winslow. ( My wonderful companion, now gone) Well, Ratz! I wanted puppy! But age is against me now... plus the 6 pack are to be considered... would they take in another stranger... Oh, I'm sure they would but the expenses now are out a sight.... Anyway... I picked up the phone and called a friend... Yes, she would take him... Well, she has a wonderful new buddy/companion now along with 7 other dogs she already has! ... and I forgot to ask his name... I felt so bad that I couldn't take him myself... How do I get into the middle of these things?!? Plus the lady's hubby says I owe him big time! Oh dear! Another debt! I ain't gonna live long enuf! I asked her to ask him if we could take it out in trade. I ain't a gonna tell you the reply I received! I fell on the floor if that tells you anything! Mybad?!?

I need to ask what is a 'yellow sale'? I know all about 'white' sales (linens). I know about 'Presidents Day' sales. What the heck is a 'yellow' sale? I only heard the tail end of the commercial. So I have no idea what is on sale now!

Well, I didn't get to tell y'all about Monday's shopping tour...other than the gate being slammed shut behind me when I headed home!

This is about the Lilyputz! Lily, who has been spayed, goes into this bi-yearly nesting stage. She will take something, anything, to her sleepy spot and mother it... defend the item mightily and absolutely threaten to commit mayhem should anybody come near! Well, (as I have said before), being the nice (?) thoughty (?) person I am, I bought a bunch of stuffed critter toys and ropes and tennis balls for the critters! I was thinking Lily would adopt one of the stuffed critters which she did! What I didn't expect (read forgot) was the unstuffing of the toy! Could somebody, anybody, tell me how 'they' got all that stuffing inside a a 4 x 12" fuzzy bone? I now have wall to wall white polyfill in the 'apartment'! Wonder how much it costs to rent a hay rake? Where's the vanilla bottle?!? Looks like another one of those days! Sheesh... but I do have the giggles again!

It's a gorgeous day out there... still 66° with hazy sunlight... meems is gonna play in the dirt for a while maybe...

Later, all of mine... take care and go in safety always... give somebody a hug, find a home for an abandoned critter, love, laff, and do try to stay out of trouble... lolol hugs and much love, my dear hearts... meems

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2008/15/9 0858EST

OMG! I want you to look! lolol I took KK's test...Which cartoon chararter are you?... ( I'm supposed to be getting ready for trip to town! Right?) You'll never guess who the test told me I was most like! Yup! You got it! LOLOL

You are Peppe le Pew (without the smell).

You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to
enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments. A family
person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday.
Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

Will finish this later... meems

1413 est... Home from town! They slammed the gate behind me! lolol I batted a thousand today. Got thrown out of every place I went! lolol It's a bear being popular! lolol

I did learn a few things tho... no one has seen any wooly worms, snakes and the nut trees did not fruit this year! A few black walnuts and that is it! No acorns, almonds, pecans... nada! I saw two live squirrels this mornin' on the way to town... A first! One was a half mile down the road from the house... First squirrel I have ever seen up here! Looking for food and water both... The other was on the blacktop road about 3 miles from me. Both critters looked poor (not the fattest or healthiest)

Gee whiz! this is gonna turn into a disaster report! Edna, who works at the drug store, fell and now has a broken arm...Tried to call my credit union up in Ohio... Ended up talking to a police Sgt whom I had worked with years ago! The tail end of Ike came thru there last nite...80 mph winds... trees down... power out for 3/4 of the greater Cincinnati area... Two shifts of officers on duty. The city of Hamilton was/is closed down. I have a daughter living there with my grandchildren! Glen lives in Cinti! I have heard from none.

Later all of mine... hugs and love meems

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2008/14/9 1030 EST

Oh dear! I think I'm in the middle of a battle royale between the nefarious Marv and the infamous KK!

Get in here and cool off some! Gee whiz, the temp rose 8 degrees in less than an hour! 86° out there right now... Feels like opening the door to a blast furnace! I haven't seen one wooley worm this year. Not one! Now, that is scary! Lots of old tales about the color variations on wooley worms and the coming winter. Never heard of a year that nobody's seen a one. I've checked with some of the long time residents... Nary a wooley worm... I think I am getting nervous here!

I'm sorry, I digressed... back to the battle royale! Well, it is my fault sorta! (Isn't it always?) I got a message last nite from the Marv.... his "puter ran out of typewriter ribbon" and he was apparently smashed! (we used to call it 'sh*tfaced) I cracked up! ... Well, I casually mentioned this to KK (with malice aforethought) not realizing the aftermath of relaying said information! (this is a lie!) I knew exactly what I was doing... and giggled all the while!

KK is now on a roll, bagel, muffin and Marv is TOAST! (Am I aiding and abetting again?) KK mentioned something about loud music for this morning! ...with several repeats of the music! lolol Marv is not gonna like this! Got a message from him already this morning... He slept late (?) and has a terrible headache (his words, not mine) I would have said 'hung over' ...Man, oh man, this is gonna be another fun day! Can't wait! laffing so hard here! lololol

This just in from Bobbi...(Oldest child/daughter)

Hi Momma,
Another hectic day in Arkansas. I kept the system on the storm all night. The outer bands really flew past quickly. We had a large branch come down in the yard, heard an explosion off in the distance, and the Saline River is above flood stage but we are up on high ground. At one point last night the whole house shook probably from wind sheer.
Today we are going to go rock hounding....lol.....well, they will be cleaner.

Ah yes... Can't imagine who this child might take after! Each day a new adventure for her too! Going 'rock hounding' the day after a tropical storm comes roaring thru? Sure, why not! Makes sense to me! lolol

Hey, be sure to check out the new pics on my profile page... I've been playing with the d'cam again. Still not too good with the close ups but I am working on it. Be sure to look at the beetle and the penny... I found this critter on the back porch rail ... It's 2 1/2" long and 1 1/4" wide. Right now he is sitting on my tower... Gonna have to take more pix of him to see if I can get a better one. He is awful shiny too! I think I'll call him bobbert!

Last nite I finally got my act in gear and worked on framing the Moon Dancer In Red painting... As this is on a thin stretched canvas, I felt that I should back the canvas with cardboard as a protector. I had a box big enuf to cover the size... 22 x 28" but I needed the box cutter to do the job. Went looking! Now I know I have at least three of them things running around the house. Couldn't find nary a one.... did find an exacto knife and the new blades for it! This will take forever... so I keep looking! Found the missing lighter in the kitchen by the cutting board! That's a plus! (How did it get there?)

Ok, so I keep looking for a box cutter! Found it and found a package of new blades. Excellent! Cut box and glued to back of painting! Quart paint cans make fantastic weights to hold cardboard down. While that's drying, I start working on old frame of the same size! Well, I go looking for the disposable gloves. Well, I can't find them either! In frustration, I give up looking for them... I grab the black shoe polish and start applying it with cotton balls. Next thing I know I have all black fingers on left hand. Is this cute or what? Black shoe polish over, around and under fingernails! Lordy pete, what a mess! Shoe polish does not 'remove' easily... I finally had to use an old tooth brush to get rid of the last of it!

BTW, if at some future date, if I should ask where I put the box cutter, exacto knife and blades... tell me I put them in the center drawer of the work desk! Please?

I am outa here for now... gots to finish the framing job and work on the new painting I started last nite. This one is gonna be called Blue Moon Day, I think....

Take care all of mine.. go in safety always... and remember, things can always be worse! I could be living next door to you! Love, live life, hug somebody today... hugs and love... meems

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2008/13/9 1155EST

Morning all... Well it is still morning just barely... lolol I slept late! I am allowed! I am old and feeble and (according to onetoejeff) brittle! KK seems to agree. Some friends these are! The first message I saw this mornin' when I turned this critter on was from Marv! Asking 'where the h*ll are you?' Marv also commented that I am like cat nip to some people... What does that mean? Do I really want to know? Maybe I'll just pass on that one! lolol

Oh what a glorious mornin! I rolled out...let the dogs out ... clear blue sky with con trails! OMG! I laffed and made a bee line to the apartment to grab the dcam! Galloped back outside... (I still don't know all the ins and outs of this little beauty but I am learning) Took lots of pix but I haven't uploaded them yet...

Anyway, there I stand playing with the dcam... In my nitegown, hair standing on end and waving in the breeze... no teeth in my mouth but just a grinning like a Chessie cat! (I am really cute first thing in the morning!) I am so happy! Well, who'd a thought that at 1030 hours on a Saturday morning, someone would be coming up the road on a 4 wheeler (ATV)? Nobody gets up that early on Saturday! Right? Wrong!

There I am, in the drive way, in all my early morning glory when a neighbor rides past! Oh chit! He waves... I wave back! I am positive that this info was all over Owsley County before I made it back into the house! Oh dear!
The only difference between this morning and the trail riders a while back is the red bathrobe! Bathrobe was still in the house... come to think of it I wasn't waving a pistol this time either... just the dcam! Another plus to my outstanding reputation....lolol... 'They' say I am eccentric! An understatement if I've ever heard one! Now I AM on the floor cracking up!

Oh dear! I had a serious panic attack yesterday... lolol OMG! I was checking for the latest in VNV. The info bar across the top said VNV had 4 new members! Four? Lordy pete... I'd best get busy and welcome the new ones! Well, the panic started when I couldn't find the the Newbie guys / gals list! Now where did 'they' put the beta Newbie LIST? I checked all the front page posts... no newbies there? Learn things the hard way, me... I finally scrolled down to the bottom... there were the latest joiners! But there were not 4 new people listed or showing... Scrolled back up to top... yup... said 4 new members... checked again a little later... said 0 new members. Looks like it's time to bring out the vanilla bottle! Anyone care to join me? Gonna be one of them days! lolol

The Golden Rod is in full bloom up here on the mountain! Beautiful colors of gold... carpets of gold! Rivers of gold flowing down the hollar! Can you say: sneezing?

Remind me to tell y'all about the little girl and the tours thru the house.. Smokey reminded me of that story... A heart warmer thing... Smokey also wanted to know if Jeff's blog was true! What a question! lolol

Later all of mine... Need to see what kind of trouble the rest of the day holds for me! Take care and go in safety always! Go outside the first thing in the morning and look up! I saw a hawk soaring with the con trails above it! Glory in the beauty of our wonderful world... Laff at yourself... just because you are human! Hug somebody today! Love yourself! hugs and much love... meems

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2008/12/9 0738 EST

Mornin' all! Welcome home my dear hearts, welcome home.

Gee whiz! Where do I start today? I suppose I can start with a 'guess who' question!

Guess who: Located skunk perfume yesterday?
Decided the aroma was to his liking?
Decided the perfume was meant for the real man?
Rubbed it all over his head and shoulders?
Came in the house and immediately had to share the aroma?
Heard a despairing "Oh NO! from the emom?
Oh yes! The Newbie was at it again! Oh dear!

All I can say is that it could have been worse... He could have brought the whole critter in the house with him. (Need I remind everybody about the Cow snake in the bedroom doorway?)

Ah yes! Country living! It ain't for the faint of heart! lolol Wouldn't trade it for the world! On a clear day, I can see for miles to the east and west. North and south of me are hill tops. I have a long daylight period because I live on the sunny side of the holler. Elevation is only 935' but is high enuf for me. Anybody want my GPS location? lolol KK didn't; can you imagine!

Just a reminder... Don't forget to post some new pix in your groups. Don't know how this is gonna work with all the coming changes but I am gonna keep trying to figure this stuff out! I am not too puter savvy but I is stubborn old lady... I WILL learn! May take me a while but I WILL learn! Only took me ten years to learn to copy and paste!

Right now I am trying to figure out this little peach colored critter that does things with digits and pix.. I'm learning! It's a sad day when I don't learn something new.

Wowser! I just caught the weather reports re the hurricane! The rain expected is unbelievable! A foot of rain predicted inland?... Iowa gonna catch it and Arkansas (where my daughter lives) Be safe all of mine!

Take care all of mine... go in safety...hugs and much love... meems

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2008/11/9 1436EST

A memory for all of mine!

I woke to the sounds of silence... I had taken a nap on the couch in the living room of the trailer...TV on for background noise.. Nothing coming from the the TV?

I glanced over at the TV and knew immediately... Not where or what, but I knew it was gonna be bad.

I don't remember which channel I found that gave me this horrible picture and information... Doesn't matter! At that moment, I was the 'stranger in a strange land'. I was terribly alone and so very lonely. Spellbound, I watched as the moments passed! I didn't cry... or scream ... or ....Just sat there frozen! I don't know how long I sat there!

The dogs started barking... someone was at the door... A neighbor! I let him in and just fell into his arms and started sobbing! Bless his heart, he knew why. He just held me for a few minutes... had stopped by to make sure I was aware of the horror that was still occurring... He left after a bit when I had calmed down some.

I spent the rest of the week glued to the set... hoping to hear there had been a mistake of some sort. I was also giving my full and undivided attention to my dispatchers and former co workers. No one said a thing about the courageous people who answered the phones and dispatched their own to the scene of this horrendous event!

Bless them, they stayed at their posts, not knowing if one of their family or friends might be among the victims... But KNOWING they WERE sending friends and family into the danger zone...The courage and responsibility taken on by these 'Gifts from God' is and was the most awesome undertaking I have ever witnessed. I hope I NEVER see something like this again...Please, God!

All I can tell you is that remaining at one's post in the midst of a tragedy is the hardest thing a person will ever be called to do. Trust me, I know!

Take care all of mine, past and present... go in safety always... hugs and much love.... meems

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2008/10/9 0635 EST

Mornin' all... welcome home dear hearts, welcome to all of mine.

I know, I know! Don't faint dead away on me! I am up early! lololol Like I had a choice? lolol Dogs will be dogs! lolol OUTSIDE, MOM, OUTSIDE! Whining, crying and lookin pitiful! Poor babies! The emom rolls out and props the door open! It is cool out there... 63° but the humids are high again. We did get . 2 inches of rain yesterday... and that was fantastic for me...

Door open! I forgot! Sheesh! Somebody had a run in with a skunk last nite. Must have happened right outside the east window.. Now, I love the odor of skunk and the singing of the wolves and coyotes. However, out side the bedroom window is a little too strong even for me! (the window was closed).

I had a pet skunk a long time ago...her name was Peach Blossom. She had been descented but she still had a faint odor of skunk about her. A gentle little critter who made a nest under the bed and slept most of the day. Early evening she would rise and shine! I could hear those little toenails brushing the hall floor as she came trundling out of her 'bedroom'... gentle laff here... She was housebroken and used a litter pan. Anyway, out to the kitchen she would come... head to the dog food bowl and dive in. The girl was not afraid of anything and the big German Shepherd, Smokey, was her best buddy! Sometimes I would go into the small bedroom (read TV room/den here) and find the two of them sound asleep... Not a care in the world... Smoke would be on his side snoring and Peaches would be snuggled in his armpit! lolol

Now, Peaches had several major loves in her life... She loved the emom, her buddy Smokey, and my ex (Again, no accounting for taste). She was neutral with the kids and the cats.

She would however sell her soul for chocolate ice cream and/or black cherries! Lordy, that critter would chase the cherry seed all over the kitchen to make sure she had gotten the last crumb. (Do cherries have crumbs?) Whatever! When she got finished, there was nothing left, not even a discussion!

I hear the rooster crowing... false dawn is creeping in.

Oh yeah! Yesterday, I received one of those political questionaire phone calls from a very nice young man. First thing he asked was to speak to the youngest male member of the house hold. Well, I immediately cracked up! I tried to give the phone to Newbie (he IS the youngest male in the house) and the Newbs wasn't interested; him was on guard duty... He was busy checking the underside of his eyelids for spies and imps and some such!

Poor guy on phone... did a verbal double take when I told him Newbie was the dog but he was the youngest male in the house! I sure hope this young'un earns top dollar... lolol he sure did earn his pay with this phone call yesterday...I was in an ornery mood and gave him a semi hard time! What? Who, Me? Oh yeah... I laffed thru the whole question and answer session... Meems was a bad girl! Wonder if the company will call me back ever again? lolol

Let's see here... Oh, the KK requested a song for me on Gold radio... A Horse With No Name... anybody remember it? I know it's about a heroin trip but I like the music, the idea of the horse, the desert and the mountains in the distance. I had my very own horse years ago. He was a sorrel and I called him Seets! I rode him every day... rain or shine... summer and winter. Loved that ornery horse! He didn't like men! He DID love to have his belly scratched ... lolol... Biggest 'dog' I ever did have. I could call "Hi Seets" and he would come in out of the fields for me.... I never had to go get him. Had a love affair going there.. course the sweet feed helped! I ain't totally stupid! Just mostly! lolol

Before I forget again! Just a reminder... If you feel the need to have one of your posts/replies/remarks or comments removed... Just ask your Manager or Mod to remove it... It only takes a minute and is easy to do.

Guess that's it for today.... Take care all of mine... go in safety always.. Be kind and loving to one another... take time to look at the sky and see the beauty of the world around you... hugs and much love.... meems

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2008/9/9 1112 EST

Morning all! What a beginning to a new day! RAIN! Lovely, gentle falling rain! I woke to the sound of the Storm gods playing around the house! YES!

I went out on the back porch to look around... No winds, just the rumble of thunder rolling down the hollar towards Anna's... and the rain waterfalling through the leaves. Lovely rain.....

Anna called this morning to check in and I had a Home Nurse stop to get directions to a road I've never heard of! Naturally, I was no help at all. The dogs were disappointed the Nurse didn't want to play. The Nurse drove back the way she came...

We have a really unusual road system and naming system around here... If you aren't careful, you will find yourself driving in huge circles! Becky took me yard sailing one Saturday. Needless to say, SHE got lost! lolol We went past the same funeral home (which had eagles topping the drive way posts) five times, and an old car carrier (which switched sides of the road) the same number of times...

Now, the longer we traveled the funnier it got to me! I got the giggles... Beck got just a hair upset... The words "kill you" and "help me" fell out of her mouth! Well, I COULDN'T help! lolol I had no idea where I was. I've lost all sense of direction since I've moved to these mountains. By the time you drive all the switch backs, blind hair pin curves, forested areas, up and down hollars, you find yourself just a smidgeon disoriented. Well, we finally made it to an area called Grayhawk and found our way from there.

We have places called Island City (no Island and definitely no City) pop 25...Cow Creek (not a single cow) ... Crane Fork (might be some herons here) ... Bull Skin... Canoe... Wolf Creek... Wolf Hollow... Wolf Run... There's Tyner... Vincent... Traveler's Rest... Holly Fork...Bear Run... And lots more.. Then there's the four way stop on the way to Ida May... This is the only four way stop in Owsley County and there are no red lights at all anywhere! Everybody knows where the four way stop is... Oh yeah!

The following is from our roving correspondent in Hawaii... Thank you Jasmin.. aka Donna...

9-8-08...Coconut Wireless to Emom’s Mountain News…Newsflash on BBB (Bamboo Bulletin Board) this a.m. read as follows. MONDAY…The notorious Local Mountain Woman, who claims to be "old and feeble" but really is a tornado of mental and physical activity, was seen and heard chanting mumbo jumbo in the rear of her retreat. Smoke signals accompanied LoMoWo's attempt to reach storm gods and fly-bys...pleading for cooler weather and visible con trails. The local road crew stopped work in disbelief to watch the chanting, flailing, flapping ceremonial display put on by reved up LoMoWo. Reports are circulating throughout the area that periodic similar demonstrations can be spotted by low flying helicopter pilots who now hope these shows will be ongoing.

TO ALL READERS... The Editor and Owner of the Mountain News is not responsible for any of the above content! lolol!

I heard a low flying chopper above the house a few minutes ago, sprinted down the hall, out the side door just in time to see it! I waved like crazy... and laffed so hard... cause they must have seen this crazy lil old lady down here! They circled the house twice and then went on their way! Wowser! Must have been the ATF looking for that high temp green stuff! What ever they were doing, I love it...

Later all of my dear hearts... Take care and go in safety always! Dream your dreams and work to make them come true... hugs and much love.. meems

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