This picture always cracks me up. You see whenever Miss Dottie May wants something she will stare you straight in the eye. Well one cold and blustery day she went outside and ran back in to sit in front of the heater you can see on the wall. It wasn't on...so she sat and stared at it. It works with humans...why not with the inanimate objects, right? Tis a pity she can't train the heater like she has me.

This is a story that has been passed on from my mother to me. Mom said that when she was a little girl she would sit quietly among the family elders so not to be noticed. This way she was able to observe and hear stories most of the youngin's didn't really get a chance to hear.

One afternoon the family had gathered after Sunday services just to enjoy the afternoon, sit under the trees, and enjoy a tall glass of sweet tea. The family that day consisted of Granny, Granddaddy,several of her siblings, her children including wives, husbands,and grandchildren. Most of the smaller children were out and about playing and the adults were sitting around reminiscing as they usually did for entertainment. My mom should have been one of the children playing, but she stayed very quiet and still hoping not to be noticed. Somehow the subject of Pappy's baptism came up that day. Pappy was Granny's daddy. He had long since passed away, but his baptism held a great significance in family folklore. It seems in spite of everything Pappy managed to live long enough to be baptized on one very cold January day.

Pappy lived a good long life. He never denied God or the Bible, but his particular brand of faith believed that one was not saved unless baptized. This didn't include sprinkling either, but a full body emersion. Pappy was very ill and believed to be on his death bed. He pondered the fact that he had not yet been baptized and worried that since he had neglected to complete his faith he wouldn't make it into heaven. His last request was to be baptized before he died. Under normal circumstances this wouldn't have been such an undertaking since this was done in the summer at the creek, but it was in the dead of winter, January as a matter of fact. Well Mammy wouldn't have it any other way than to make sure Pappy got baptized before he changed his mind. This was long before central heating, bathtubs, water heaters, or even electric. So Mammy set to boiling the water on the wood stove and sent two of her strapping sons to drag the "hog box" up on the back porch so it could be filled with hot water. Now for you city folks, a hog box is what was used when hogs were slaughtered. You boiled water in it then put the dead hog in it to soften the bristles so you could scrape them off. Anyway, the hog box was brought to the back porch, the preacher was summoned, and the baptism went without a hitch on a very cold and frigid January day. The only problem was that Pappy died a few days later.

At the end of the tale Granny would always dab her eyes and say,"Bless his heart, at least Pappy made it to heaven." Mom told me she wondered if the baptism might not have hurried his demise. In any case I am sure Pappy did what he believed...even if it was from the "hog box to heaven".

Another Survey Said ...


1. What time did you get up this morning ? God only knows...whenever that dog of mine started whining to go out.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Do I really have to choose? They go so nicely together.
3. What was the last film you saw at the movies? Who goes to the movies anymore, especially when the DVD's come out so soon?
4. What is your favorite TV show? I have no idea. I thought the remote control was a man thing. Haven't you seen the movie "Click"?
5. What did you have for breakfast? Coffee so far.
6. What is your middle name? Gale
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican
8. What foods do you dislike? Sweet potatoes....yeah I know...that is downright un-southern.
9. What is your favorite CHIP flavor? Cheddar.
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? The Eagles Greatest Hits
11. What type of car do you drive? Toyota Camery for good weather....Jeep Loredo when 4WD is needed.
13. What characteristics do you despise? Lying, narcissistic,manipulative behavior.
14. Favorite item of clothing? Flannel pajama bottoms and an old T-shirt.
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Italy or Greece
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Lands End
17. Where would you like to retire to? Somewhere consistently warm and near water.
18. Favorite time of the day? Sunrise or Sunset...depends on work schedule.
19. What was your most memorable birthday? My sixth. My family decided to hide my presents outside...sort of like an easter egg hunt.
20. Where were you born? Frankfort, Kentucky
21. Favorite sport to watch? Zip, nada, none..unless I get the chance to watch Olympic swimming.
22. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? I have no earthly idea.
23. Who do you expect to try this survey first? Ditto to above.
24. What fabric detergent do you use? Either Tide or Cheer.
25. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi of course!
26. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Neither....used to be an evening person...before Night shift.
27. What is your shoe size? 9.5 womens.
28. Do you have any pets? Yes. Do you want her? She makes a wonderful alarm clock...even though she is quite inconsistent.
30. What did you want to be when you were little? A nurse.
31. When is your birthday? May

**********FAVORITES****************
Shampoo? I don't remember the brand..but it makes my gray look nice.
Soap? Dove for sensitive skin
Summer/Winter/Spring/Autumn? Spring
Wearing? Right now? My favorite clothing...I just got up.
Eating? Nothing
Drinking? A cup of coffee.
Thinking about? How many more frickin’ questions are in this thing? Ditto to Ornery's response.
Listening to: Silence, mostly.
Book: Need to find another book to read.
Met someone new? Yeah, a new co-worker...does that count?
Cleaned your room? Nope...with our schedules...always someone sleeping.
Drove a car? Not since yesterday.
How many hours sleep? As many as I can get uninterrupted by my dang dog!

*************DO YOU BELIEVE IN* *************
Yourself? Yes..with the help of God.
Your friends? Yes.
Santa Claus? Of course. I'm still a kid at heart.
Destiny/Fate?: Not really....God almighty is in control and I thank him he has relieved me of that agony.
Ghosts? Hummmm.....if you mean "haints"...maybe

**********FRIENDS AND LIFE**********
Who have you known the longest of your friends? Y'all won't believe this...but Mr. O's sister.
Who do you go to for advice? Not to sound corny, but I look to God. Good answer Ornery...same here.
When do you cry the most? I don’t very often. And when I do...I do in private.
Do you want your friends to do this? I would like to see other Blogstreamers do it and post the results. Another good answer Mr. O!

I have one question...who has the time or energy to come up with this stuff? I guess it doesn't matter...I took the time to answer the thing didn't I??? Kinda like that chicken and egg question!

I have to say I kinda feel sorry for those poor Yankee folks livin' in Buffalo. You gotta give those folks credit. They most be made of some pretty hardy stock. It is just October for goodness sake. Winter hasn't officially begun and here those poor folks have already started diggin' and scrapin' and blowin' snow. Maybe that's why Yankee's live so long. The exercise and cold climate preserves 'em. Like we say around here...well bless their hearts.

Well, alrighty then. After reading a few other blogs I decided to give this thing a whirl. It took me a minute to figure out how to start...but what do ya know....here I am. Some of y'all have some pretty good stuff. I especially like that Mr. Ornery! Ain't he a hoot!

I guess I could start by telling y'all a little about myself. I live smack dab on top of a hill somewhere in the country. I have quite a view from my back porch. I have sunshine all day, when the sun is out. I didn't want you to think I lived in a holler somewhere. Even though some may think my family tree goes straight up...we managed to branch out where my clan was concerned. Seems it's more fun that way and the kids don't come out lookin' so funny. I managed to make it past 6th grade and graduated with an associates degree in nursing. Yep....can ya believe it!? I even went to a Yankee school to get that. And no they didn't pass me just 'cause they felt sorry for me neither.

I've been nursing now for most 20 years. I loved the squirrels. I guess I should explain that one. SHHHH...you see if I call 'em squirrels here...it sounds nicer than nuts..ya know what I mean. Yeah...I did that for about 7 years at a State Hospital, then 3 years at the prison. I am still at the prison, but I don't work with squirrels no more. I just take care of the normal inmates. Take it from me...I don't think there is any such thing as a "normal" inmate, but that will be another subject one day. If I can manage another 9 years I am gonna retire and go fishing. Believe me after being on my feet for all these years...sitting on my behind is gonna suit me just fine.

Now for the real personal stuff. I am going on 50(47 to be exact)...married....3 boys...all grown up. We are a blended family...meaning we have been married before. One son is living in New Zealand with his dad. He is the oldest of the three boys. We have one son living with us and another that doesn't live at home. If you haven't guessed...I am female. I really am a correctional nurse...which is the politically correct term. I am from the great Bluegrass State, which explains my southern ramblin's. I hope you have enjoyed my first blog post. I hope to ramble again real soon. Y'all stop back by again....ya hear!