Contractors: ARRGH!!

Back in November, I hired a local contractor, A,  to replace some siding, fascia boards & paint my house. Nice guy & helper, paid in full.  I was satisfied with his work & recommended him to a coupld of friends. 

First he painted the inside of my friend K's new house & according to her, did a good job except he didn't prime the door frames & paint is peeling off.  She called him to fix it...said he would, has not yet showed back up.

I also gave his name to my neighbor L for some work...nothing done yet.

So this week, I noticed bubbling on at least 3 spots in my fascia boards & called him back over.  He did come by, said was water damage (We'd had some actual rain!!) & the problem was the shingles don't reach far enough off the roof.  I then called a roofing guy to give me an estimate to correct.  He's getting back to me.   

A said they'd be back that afternoon or next day to fix & all I'd have to pay for was the paint. This was on Tuesday.  No show,no calls, not texts. If he'd called & told me it would take a couple of weeks to fix I'd be fine with that.  But not communicating with me ticks me off. Dont' tell me you're going to do something & stand me up.  It's as simple as a text message.

So on Friday afternoon, I sent A a text:

Don't worry about fixing things. I'll hire someone else.  I'll stop referring & chalk it up to typical contractor. Not surprised, just disappointed.

THEN I got a text:  Compilation of 2 texts

Why would you say that?  This is our busiest time of the year for our other business (bouncy houses). This wasn't even caused by me but I was willing to fix it.  I thought you'd be understanding about me saying I'd do it as soon as I can.

Me:

You told me 2x that B (helper) would be fixing & nada. No calls,no texts. I would pay you if I needed to. Just saying making promises & not showing up is not good.  I'm very understanding.  A "something came up" & I can't make it later would have been fine.

No response.

I do understand it's a roofing issue but it is something they could have noticed putting up the fascia boards so I would not have to pay 2x for those fascia boards.

I think a lack of communication & sometimes a tendancy to promise more than they deliver is built in contractors' DNA.  And my DNA is different...communicate with me & don't promise if you can't deliver.

The Dog Debaucle

Several weeks ago my favorite city department, solid waste, dropped their dumpster & spintered my fence.  The fence had a huge gap & it was apparently a dog magnet.Our neighborhood has a pair of pit bull brothers that run around all day & I ran them out a couple of times. Then, a couple of days later, I hear a whining noise & looked out & found this little creature. I put her back out in the alley, hoping she'd go home but no dice. So I gave her some water & a hot dog & a blanket, hoping she'd be gone by the next morning.  No dice. 

The next day, I took pictures & put her on social media & of course no one claimed her because people are pigs who don't spay their dogs & let them have puppies that are magically someone else's responsibility.  And this pup was apparently mine.

To begin, I'm not a person capable of taking care of a pet. Or a child. Or a plant.  Or anyone besides me.  So, this dog gave me great anxiety & that's not something that happens very often.

First, the sweet family next door met her & wanted her but their landlord said no.  I felt horrible, their kids were upset.

So my friend Lisa, from high school, for goodness sake, agreed to take her.  I took her to the vet for first shots & then delivered her. Unfortunately Lisa had a senior dog who had anxiety too & she rightly so could not keep her. But I couldn't take her back or I'd be in a rubber room somewhere.  Luckily, Lisa had a co-worker who took her & apparently she's doing well. 

If this happens again, I'm going to be one of THOSE people.  I won't work so hard...she'll be in a city park before morning.  The next one will be someone else's problem.  I know I'm not capable, I choose not to have anything to take care of and I will not take care of someone else's responsibility.  It's selfish but it's all I've got.

Oak Ridge Boys

I went last night to the Cactus Theater to see the Oak Ridge Boys.  They were always a favorite of mine.  They were saying last night that they were established as a gospel group in 1947 & after a few member changes & in the early 70s changed to a country band, but they still show their gospel roots.  I love that.

Members Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall & Richard Sterban joined together as the "last" Oak Ridge Boys & began touring in 1973.  Amazing that the same guys have been together for 50 years.  

I'd seen them a long time ago in the Lubbock City Colesium (aka "The Bubble") ...probably late 70s or early 80s.  Their opening act was my favorite 'Old Hippies', the Bellamy Brothers.

I've always loved live music concerts & the Cactus is a < 500 seat venue, so the seats are good.  I just saw Diamond Rio there a few weeks ago.  I wrote their review earlier.

The Oak Ridge Boys were, to be kind, old men. Like they are all in their 80s.   The music was familiar of course, but the voices were weak. To be fair, they are used to larger venues & their sound equipment was way too much for the room so that didn't help anything.  But it wasn't everything.  

Richard Sterban, the bass singer of the group, was out sick & there was a fill in last night. Aaron Something did a great job.

Joe Bonsall was having leg issues & their tour manager & Duane had to all but carry him to the stage. 

I will give them great credit...last night was their 2nd one in a row...they had sold out Sunday & agreed to another show.  Not sure a lot of younger bands could do that. And they were leaving after the show last night to drive back to Nashville on a bus, so big props there. 

I'm glad I went.  I don't know how long they'll be able to tour & I'm not sure they should be. I'm sure they love it but I'd probably think there would come a time  where they'd be tired of buses & maybe want to stay home with their families.  But who knows?

Really Good Green Beans

 

1 box Green Giant Simply Steam Green Beans w/Almonds, no sauce

1 TBSP butter

2 Tsp brown sugar

1 Tsp salt (or to taste)

2 slices cooked bacon.  

Melt together butter & brown sugar.  Add green beans.  Just cook til hot, add in bacon & almonds from box, salt to taste, serve.

Several years ago I was looing for an easy recipe for fancy green beans for Thanksgiving that did not involve green bean casserole.  I found one we really like that almost the same as the one above only it used fresh green beans (better of course) but also made a lot more. Then last time I bought frozen green beans at the store they only had the no sauce & we all know that means yuck.  So at lunch today I decided "what do I have to lose?"....so I adjusted my recipe & have to say it was easy & turned out delish!!.  I even put them in the pan frozen & because they are technically already cooked it was quick.  And I loved the crunch of almonds & bacon.   I didn't take a picture because they look like green beans. And I didn't think of it.  But they were pretty. 

Diamond Rio

Well, I'd bought the ticket 2 months ago, the very last on on the website, but then I forgot about it until I got a reminder email on Friday & dang was I happy!! 😄😄  I got to go to the Cactus Theater to see Diamond Rio last night.  Woohoo!!   

DR, as they are known to their friends, is a country band that has been recording & touring for more than 30 years & they have great voices & a slew of hits & I'm a huge fan.  I would not have gone to a big place to see them but the Cactus is 426 seats & feels very cozy.  It's been remodeled, has great sound, a concession stand & is very easy to get to & park around.  Always clean & a nice respectful.  Mostly they do tribute shows & oldies nights, which suits geezers like me.  Occasionally, I've seen famous people too.  I got to see B J Thomas there last time he was in Lubbock & since he's my favorite singer ever, I was thrilled. And sometimes there is Diamond Rio!!

A Lubbock musician named Jeff McCreight & his band of 2 guitar players & 2 background singers opened the show.  He's a good singer & I've always enjoyed his music.  He was saying he'd just recorded his 1st CD in Nashville & I might have bought one because again, I like his music & I like to support local but I have absolutely no way of playing CDs anymore.  Think he's possibly a decade too late.  He played one song that I liked in particular that said something like "If you aren't seeing love, you're not looking hard enough".  Love the lyrics & the message.  His guitar players were phenomenal & I know he introduced them but I don't know names.  Don't remember the guy but I'd seen the girl in the hat at the Lubbock Songwriters Showcase last year.  Both left me speechless.  I had a corner seat & my pics are not great but here is Jeff & his crew:

Then it was showtime!!  And what a show it was!!

They sang a whole bunch of their hits & sounded wonderful.  They had a real ass band behind them, full of energy & fun.  Both primary singers played guitar, they had a girl who played manodlin & fiddle & sang back up, plus a guy who played bass guitar & banjo, a drummer & a keyboard player.  The music was amazing.  They didn't act asshole-y playing for a small crowd instead of a bunch in an arena.  (Hello, Toby Keith).  They actually seemed to be enjoying the smaller crowd & interacted with the audience throughout the show.  And it added to the fun.  Everyone I saw left happy.  Good job, Cactus Theater!!  Great job, Diamond Rio.  

Diamond Rio trivia:  There have been some rollover over the years.  One of their former lead singers is Ty Herdon

I've been humming Diamond Rio all day!!

 Diamond Rio 4-16-2023

Reta's Broccoli Salad

Reta's Broccoli Salad

4-6 Cups Broccoli Florets (Fresh)

1 Cup Miracle Whip

1/4 Cup sugar

1/4 Cup Onion

1 TBS White Vinegar

5 Slices of bacon, fried and made into bits

2 oz sunflower seeds

4-8 oz cheddar cheese, finely shredded

Prepare salad dressing by mixing Miracle Whip, sugar, onion & vinegar.  Mix well with broccoli and refrigerate overnight.  Add bacon bits 2-4 hours before serving.  Then right before serving, add cheese and sunflower seeds and mix thoroughly.   

This is my favorite salad ever and it's really easy.  Cutting the broccoli takes the most time.

My dear friend Reta used to bring this to work functions by the big Thanksgiving roaster-full.   It always goes fast!!

Where I've been

As of 4-1-2023

The Pig

The Pig

 

Ok, so I work at a small kitchen store & we have had an incident this week that has me baffled. And amazed.  

We have a brand of pan called Staub that makes enameled cookware & one they make is called a "cocotte" which is defined as a "small casserole in which individual portions can be cooked & served".    It also means "prostitute", which is odd & interesting.  And it's $200.  

On Friday, our pig walked out the door in the hands of a shoplifter.  We did not know til Monday when my boss asked us if we'd sold the pig.  She checked with every employee & we had not.  So she went to the tape & saw a large woman wearing scrubs bought a couple of scrubbies, then put a couple of thing into her large pockets & then she picked up the pig & walked right out the front door while the only employee was dealing with other customers. 

We were all heartbroken.  It had little to do with the pig but with the stealing of it.  If we've experienced it before, it's been little things.  We don't seem to have that clientele.  We have a high end & classy store.  But this took not just our pig but our trust as well.

So boss put a still picture & the video up on Facebook, asking for help.  And called the police. 

Yesterday, a man brought the pig & other things back to the store. He said he recognized the picture of his cousin Cindy & went to her house to get them.  He gave the owner his name & his cousin's name, with a sob story about her having mental issues & she took care of her dad & could not go to jail.  So this morning, that's where we stood. Name given to police.

Soooo...this morning, another guy calls to tell us her name.  But he gave us a different name.  We looked her up on Facebook & it was her.  And we were very confused.  The 2nd guy came into the store & I was dealing with customers & trying to keep them out of situation while bending my ears to hear what was going on.  This guy was somehow remotely related to woman & said he's been in her house & she had piles & piles of stuff that she may have also shoplifted.  He even called the guy who returned the pig & put on speakerphone & he admitted he'd given a false name for Cindy so she wouldn't go to jail.  Boss was going to call detective to give new scoop but I had to leave.  I'll have to get the skinny on Friday.  

Basically we had a really decent guy (2nd) & an almost decent guy (1st).  And boss is grateful.  Oh, and dirty low down thief is complaining to both that the video being posted & that it was still up.  So of course, it's going nowhere.  Lesson:  If you don't want the world to know you're a thief, don't be a thief that steals things. 

More to come!

Bunny Butt Pillow

 

I've been waiting for this pillow to go on sale from the first day I saw it. I wanted 50% off but settled for25% off today because I was afraid I'd miss it. I love it!!

Today, I Had Some Kindness...

 I hate to say that simple kindness surprises me sometimes.  And I had some today.

The lady at Lowe's talking to me about blinds was amazingly good at her job, not something I expect from someone at a box store. I was ready to go somewhere else after dealing with the measuring crew's findings & estimate.  But she saved the sale.  

And then I bought a tester of paint & the kid who mixed it was quick & friendly.  And he upsold me! 

Then I went to Groves Library, where I thought the book I reserved last night was there.  But the nice girl found out it was a Mahon...and the team at Mahon had it ready for me when I showed up.

Then, because I was downtown, and it's a rule that if I'm east of University I've earned Fried Cheese Please from Spankys, So I got some.  Yum.  For today & tomorrow.  But I asked the girl behind the counter for a cup of water & she even brought me a 2nd cup because I guess I looked thirsty.  I think she appreciated that I put a tip in her cup instead of on my credit card because I'm convinced that management keeps all the tips put on the card.  So I give up cold hard cash for tips. 

The only unkindness was from my cousin. (See post above).   And that won't happen again.  I'm the only person who has tried to maintain a relationship. And I'm done.  He's not capable & I need to accept that. I don't have it in me to be kind anymore, though I won't be unkind.  Just letting it all go. 

Windows !!!!!!

Before

After

 
I finally have my new windows & they are beautiful!!  My little house was already the cutest house on the block but now it's even cuter.  Still a work in progress for sure. Today, I'm working on shades for my living room & bedroom, the rest to come later as I can afford them.  Just waiting for one more estimate, on Tuesday.  So excited!!

The bad news is next week, I have to pay for them.  😔 I sold part of a mutual fund to pay off.  I was dazzled & signed up with a monthly payment I could afford, financed.  At 6.99% interest.  Then I figured out that I'd be paying about $5800 in interest, a fact that offends me horribly. Thus, the pulling money out of the retirement funds. It's in my savings account til the first of the month, hoping to get a little interest before I send it all off.    

The salesman came by during the installation & he mentioned the interest rate is now 9.99%.  Wow.

 

Same Song 22 Verse

 

I'm here again with the same problem.  I guess I'm the dimmest bulb in the box but I'll never understand.

I was going  downtown to the library & my cousin's office is around the corner.  I called his number to see if he had a few minutes for lunch & a visit. He couldn't hear me & said he'd call me back.  After I finished at the library about 15 minutes later I called again & he said "I didn't call you back".  No shit, Sherlock.  He was too busy for lunch & that's fine.  But I'll say it out loud:  I DON"T DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT.  I've found my voice on that issue the last few months.

My cousin was never close with our family because of marriages & divorces, etc but I was a good enough friend to him when he came back to town.  Now he treats me like he does his mentally ill sister.  But I'll say it again, out loud:  I DON"T DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT.

I can't give anymore without some return.  I at least deserve respect.  

Old?

One day last August, I woke up 65 years  old.  Gray hair, needs-a-forklift-to-get-me-off-the-floor, medicare eligible.  

Most of the time I don't fully feel it.  I don't think of myself as old but if I wanted a job I couldn't get one.  Age discrimination is alive & well.  For the record, I do have a job...I work part time at a kitchen store.  12 hours a week.  Savings. But I'd hate to find a way to make a living right now. I'm grateful I'm past that time, at least for now.  If we believe the gloom & doom being preached at us now, the October of my life is pretty good. I worry about Steve & Grayson & Layne tho.

I had a nurse come by a couple of weeks ago to do a health evaluation on me & I'm basically in pretty good shape.  All the tests were good.  Her evaluation said my BMI is just under 27 & normal is up to 25.9.  Losing 10 pounds could put me  in that level.  I know I've dropped weight over the last years & I weigh less than I did in high school.  (Always a chubbette)  I can feel it but still think it's not enough.  I still have a Baze belly & doubt that will ever fully go away.  But that number for some reason gave me the most confidence.  I want those 10 pounds gone by the end of the year.  We'll see.  Really, the only other thing she suggested wat talking to doctor about falling.  That's because I fell last year & broke my wrist.  But then I tripped over a raised sidewalk & face planted so I'm not really worried about that.

The thing I am worried about is my diabetes A1C.  It should be below 7 & it was 6.99 last time.  Way too close to the line.  I was taking an injectible med called Trulicity that had me close to 5 but although the Medicare is great for medical, it will not pay for that med.  And it's $800 a month so I can no longer afford.  That's a really annoying thing & I've written to my congressmen (for all the good that does) & requested they look into it.  Yeah, right.  I looked for email addresses for the manufacturing company, Lilly, but they have none on their website.  I looked up company officers & board of directors & they are all hiding very well.  They only have a phone number to call & I'm going to call to see if I can get some email addresses.  

I work with 2 college girls at the store & they make me feel old too.  They are going to Hawaii & Europe over the summer.  I'll be working & staying home.  Something wrong with that picture.  I'm really kidding about that though.  I don't care much for traveling anymore so I'm good being a homebody.   But I still feel old.

I also find as I've gotten older I have less tolerance for a lot of people's BS (like,say, a Beto t shirt, during election season) & politics on my Twitter account & to be fair conservatives preaching the end of the world while wanting us all to pay for a TV site that preaches fair & unbiased when they are just the other side of the liberal mask.  And a lot of noise bugs the snot right out of me. 

I guess old age will suit me.  I'd like a 3 wheel bicycle but don't feel old enough mentally but I'd sure enjoy it I think.  Maybe a little later.  A blue one with a big basket that'll let me ride around the neighborhood & to Walgreens without having to cross any major streets.  I'm truly not sure I can ride a 2 wheeler anymore.

I always say this but I really am trying to do better. I like my job & want to keep it.  That BMI number is the best thing I've read about my weight. And Tuesday I'm meeting with a new doctor, hopefully one who will respect me with time & listen to me & evaluate meds & see what we can do about the diabetes.  I'm ready for warmer weather so I can walk & spring & summer when I eat less. Those 10 pounds are my enemy & must be annihalated.  

Blondies

Before Christmas I found a website that was sending out daily cookie recipes & I subscribed.  Normally, I get ovehrwhelmed with subscription emails & they are gone as fast as they started but this one is not real invasive & I've tried a couple of recipes.  It's called 'Crazy for Crust'.  

This week, they sent out a recipe for blondies, which are basically cookie bars.  The recipe is a butter-sugar base like a chocolate chip cookie recipe but this particular one is different than my chocolate chip recipe in that it uses 2 cups of brown sugar & no white sugar.  It gives it a richer & sweeter taste.  Joanna Gaines uses only brown sugar in her chocolate chip cookie recipes but I like mine better.  These were good tho a little rich but are baked a little thicker like brownies.  They taste good in any case.  You can add lots of different mix-ins besides chocolate chips--nuts,M&Ms,butterscotch chips,toffee,,candy bars.  

It also says to use a 9x13 dish, which gave them a brownie feel.  It says to use foil & spray with Pam but I used parchment paper instead.  They come right out.  I love parchment paper.

Recipe

In mixer, combine til crumbly:

1/2 Cup Butter

2  Cups Brown Sugar

Add:

2 Large Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

Mix together & add to above:

2 Cups Flour

1 Tsp Baking Powder

1/2 Tsp salt

Then add 2 cups Mix-ins.

Spread into pan.  Bake 22-25 minutes til golden brown. Recipe says to err on the undercooked side--they'll keep baking as they cool & you don't want them to overbake.

Recipe also gives nutritional info but I like living in the dark.  My nutritional advice is don't eat them all at once.

Seabiscuit

I'm trying to watch more movies because I've always loved them.  Less these days because I absolutely hate liberal Hollywood & their stupid obsession with shoving their politics down our throats.  Their egos suck.

I watched a not completely sucky movie earlier this week called 'How Do You Know' with Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson,Jack Nicholson & the only person/thing that made it not a complete suck Paul Rudd.  It's not worth reviewing.

 I also watched a made for TV called 'Snow Day'...a new movie but it was a kid thing about kids not wanting to go to school.  Also, not reviewing.

Finally, tonight, I'm watching a movie I've seen before. 'Seabiscuit' is about an "inferior" horse in the 30s & 40s, along with his "inferior" trainer, owner & jockey.  He beat 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral.  Secreteriat was his grandfather.  Jeff Bridges is the owner, Tobey McGuire the jockey, Chris Cooper the trainer.   They are all good guys & easy to root for.  It's a complete feel good movie, something I need more of in my life. 

I saw it at the theater when it first came out with my friend John.  I'd met him at the theater & he was already saving us a seat when I pulled up.  I had my hand in my pocket & found money & decided to get us popcorn & coke to share.  After we were munching, I got the giggles...I remembered it was John's money.  I'd had a garage sale that morning & sold something of his.  I was bringing him his cash...but forgot that part.  We were eating his profits.  Still makes me laugh.

Second Dilemma

 And here's the other dilemma...

I love my Aunt Betty who is 88 years old a whole bunch.  She lives with her daughter & son-in-law in Dallas.  And she's about to have 2 brand new great granddaughters this summer.  So her daughter is having a double baby shower next month in Dallas.  Basically, for me, it means a trip to Dallas,drive or fly, & a hotel room & 2 gifts. And big old family stuff.

Just for background, my Aunt is a angel & I 'd love to see her & I need to make more effort while she's here.  her husband, my Uncle T, was a man who'd like to forget where he came from & always looked down on our family because my dad was a working man.  Never mind that my daddy took care of him when he was a kid when my granddaddy was in a stupor because he lost his wife. I do believe Uncle loved my mom & he always said he respected my dad but all of that was while he was looking down his nose at us.  And Aunt raised all 3 of her kids well but it was always clear they saw us as their poor relatives.  Cousin includes me because of her mom but I have no illusion that when Aunt goes I won't be included again.  I feel like they pity me a little when they see me.

When I talked to Cousin last week, I told her about my niece's new granddaughter & I don't remember exactly what she said but she didn't ask anything about her. Not where or when or who.  It never crossed her mind to try to care.  But I do remember feeling that's just how it goes.

Cousins have always been the haves--rich parents,rich educations,rich careers--and we've been the have nots. I'm proud of what S & I have accomplished but it doesn't stand in the spotlight like their lives. 

So I already know I'm a no on the trip.  And I'm still a maybe on gifts (Amazon delivered to their homes because they are all flying so no real gifts).  Because I love Aunt, I will probably send.  

But ignoring my family still hurts a little. 

Empty Tank

I have an empty tank.  

I've always prided myself in being a generous person.  It's my nature.  Sometimes, some (even me occasionally) see that as either a huge weakness or as a very sucker quality.  People have taken advantage of me, no doubt, but it doesn't happen more than once with that person.

So now I have a couple of dilemas.

Wednesday is my friend J's 65th birthday.  I can't say I usually make a huge deal out of her birthday but I usually take her out for a meal & give her a card for Sonic or the tea store.  But, as with all of my friends, things have changed over the last few years.  She's never taken me  for a meal.  She sends me a text message.  That's it.  And now I haven't heard from since Christmas.  

Her life is a mess & she tends to revolve everything around her & her family, which is the right thing to do.  She asks me to do things for her...come to her job to help her out or sit with her mom & I always do it.  But I've asked her to do 3 things for me in the last year & nada.

1. She bills herself as a color expert. I asked her to come help me match colors.  She agreed but later texted that she'd had a rough day & that the thought of stepping out the door made her want to crawl under her bed.

2. I can't remember the 2nd request but I don't request anything hard or that costs money.  I even told her I was making BLT's for us for lunch.  She called to say her daugher stopped by & brought lunch & they had to work. 

3. Since I broke my wrist in May I have trouble turning things. I needed to change a filter in my refrigherator that called for turning it to release it.  She told me she'd be over the next day.  No show,no call. 

Haven't heard from her since.

I plan on just sending her a birthday text & not doing anything else and I feel horribly guilty.  But my spirit & tanks are empty & nothing is going in. 

I think I've decided & can't do for others if they can't do simple things for me. I think I was pretending to myself that they care & I can't do it any more. 

EDIT:  Got a text today wishing me "Happy heart day from your 💩 friend.  She's not wrong.  I wished her one back.  Could tomorrow be her birthday?  Hmmm.  My heart's not in the right place now.  

I Shredded...& pokes

As I head towards tax season every year I am amazed at how much paper I have in my life.  I am a dinosaur that has a file cabinet & 3 of the 4 drawers have paper in them.  So I go through & take out the old insurance policies & stuff I don't need.  I never seem to make much progress.  And I know I'm too boring for anyone to look at the stuff but I shred it anyway. Today is Super Bowl day & I shredded during the half time show.

Along with the usual junk I put a couple of things through that poked at my heart.  The first is a picture of my friend Donna & I.  Apparently she has dropped me as a friend because of politics but has done it in a cowardly way & not told me.  I just have not heard from her since last May.  I've discussed this before in another post so I won't rehash it. But shredding the picture gave me a poke.

The other is a small book I got as a freshman in college & it's called 'The Nothing Book'.  It's a small paperback that has only blank pages.  The tag line says "Wanna make something of it?".  Basically it's a 70s model journal & it was full of things that would be in a journal or an dream board.  It was basically full of stuff that only meant something to me 50 years ago.  Nothing embarrassing, just 18 year old's thoughts,  but still not something I want others to read.  I went through it & read everything, Then I shredded it too.  Another poke. 

Edit:  Got a message today telling me she "thought about you last night when Tech beat Texas" & happy valentines day.  Wished it back.  Weird timing.

 

2023 Book Page

1.  Where the Crawdads Sing         Delia Owens 

2.  Rewind                                Catherine Ryan Howard

3. The Liar's Girl                      Catherine Ryan Howard  

4. Chinaberry Sidewalks          Rodney Crowell

5. No Plan B                               Lee & Andrew Child

6. Someone To Watch Over Me    Ace Atkins

 

Elvis' Daughter

Lisa Marie & Daddy about 1971

 I did a post on September 4, 2022  on the movie about Elvis & talked a lot about him then.  But things have come up again because this week his only child, Lisa Marie died at age 54 of a heart attack, which killed Elvis at 42 & his mom at 46.  A sad situation.

Lisa seemed to live a complicated life.  She not only lived in the shadow of her dad, arguably the most famous singer of all time.  She was 4 when her parents divorced, 9 when when Elvis died. I can't even imagine. And she quit school during her junior year of high school.  She had a drug problem for a few years.  She had a low level music career of her own. She was married 4x, including Michael Jackson & Nicholas Cage, both with issues of their own. She joined the Hollywood cult called Scientology.  She had 4 children, 2 of which are teenage girls.  She lost one son to suicide a couple of years ago.  I think for all of her very priviledged life & boatloads of money by looking at her, it never appeared she was a happy woman. It seems to me that maybe she had so much heartache that maybe it couldn't go on.  

Friend & I were talking about if despair & depression was hereditry.  Because Elvis' twin brother had died at birth & then he was drafted, his mom was worried about losing her son & became an alcoholic. And Elvis' issues were well known...depression & drugs led to his early death.  And again, I never saw Lisa Marie as a happy person (though certainly no expert here) & can only imagine there were some depression issues. And her son apparently, sadly, had issues too.  Just something to ponder.