Nae's Nest

Nae's Chicks Went South

2012-03-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

We have completely packed up and moved to:

http://naesnests.wordpress.com

Please join me there. I am having trouble keeping track of 2 blogs

You do not have to open an account at Wordpress to see my blog

I truly hope you will follow

I have appreciated each of you and pray God will be with you

Lay 95, Gift of Life

2012-03-16T12:10:00.001-07:00

I was visiting a small village in India called Amloha Village. It has around 600 residents and is said to be haunted. Just a few years back, it is believed, a curse was placed on the village. They believed they infuriated a god. Every Thursday for months, a seemingly healthy resident would die in broad daylight. The victim would literally drop dead where he was standing.

Suddenly this small village was gaining worldwide attention. The phrase "Things that go bump in the light of day" was used to refer to this village. Due to all this fairly recent (unwanted) attention, American travel agencies began creating haunted cruises and tours, including Amloha in the program.

Now this was not like what you might see in Cancun, Mexico, not by a long shot. This village is still extremely poor, the "streets" are dirt, as well as, the "yards"....which are basically all the same, as the children run and play all over the place. The only "cars" you see are golf carts. There are bikes and many mules with wagons.

The village felt safe, as crime among this small group was basically unheard of for 2 reasons.
*They were such a small group, they were like family.
*The gods frowned on murder and would curse the village.

If a villager suspected someone was going to commit a crime -- murder, theft, anything at all; the witness was to report to the chief. The suspect would then be brought before the chief and the residents were required to be there as well. The suspect was then made to confess his crimes or his thought of committing crimes. If he did not, he would be put to death.
However, if he confessed, he would be placed in a cellar like bunker in the ground. It was all dirt--floors, walls and ceiling. The suspect would be made to stay in the cellar for 90 days. He would have food and fresh water everyday. There would be no socialization. No sunlight. The victim would not step foot out of the cellar until the 90 days were up.

This gives you a bit of background on this village. Now for the reason I have decided to include this with my Project 365, Post a Day:

I was out and about checking out tiny shacks which had been converted into shops, simply by placing a sign on the door and having someone yell for you attention as you walked by. I stopped at a shop which caught my eye. It had a trinkets that were very different from the other shops. An elderly woman who look to be about 175 years old quietly sat in the very hot sun in front of her shack/home/store.

When I approached her store, she looked at me a gave me a toothless smile. Something drew me to her. She was mysterious and there was something about her that seemed familiar. It was like I knew her, as if we had seen each other before.

She said, "Honey, if you do not mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions. When I am satisfied, I have enough information, I will choose the perfect item for you."

I was thinking this was a clever gimmick to get me to buy something but I agreed with a smile, as I did like her so.

She asked for my favorite color: yellow
She asked if I had any hobbies or ambitions: writing
How many children: 2

And that was all! I expected several more, I was thinking perhaps she was going to tell me my fortune. However, when she said that was all, I was puzzled.

Without saying anything else, she want over to a small cabinet, which displayed some beautiful and very unusual things. She chose something which looked like an egg.

Very carefully she handed it to me, saying it was very fragile. I studied it for a moment, sure enough, it was an egg!

She went on to say the egg represents life. It is Mother Earth, it is woman, it is birth, it is death, it is heaven, and it is hell. It all depends on our choices within our life as to the outcome of heaven or hell.
She said she chose this for a very important reason. She said I am ill. There is something very vile growing inside me. Within about a month, I would know what it is. She was unable to "see" what the illness was. She said to keep the egg in a safe place, but a place where I could see it everyday. She told me to hold the egg and rub the shell on my cheeks, at least once a day everyday. I was to begin this routine tonight when I get to my room, and every night all from now on and all through my illness. I am not to stop until I have been given a clean bill of health. She said when she looked at me, she could see past my eyes. She can not do this with everyone. Only those with kindness, and with something life threatening about to happen.
I purchased the egg. The asking price, only $3.00, and hear I thought she might be after a large sum of money. I looked into her eyes and knew she was and hungry. I gave her more than the $3.00, but I do not believe in revealing how much. I feel this would be bragging and I do not like that. I believe you give out of love, not expecting or wanting anything in return, including praise.

I didn't believe her story, but I truly liked her. I can't explain the connection I felt to her. I still feel it today, and wonder if she is still there and running her little shop. I examined the egg a bit more when I got to my room. It is the size of a goose egg. It has been drained with the shell completely intact. Someone painted beautiful praying hands on one side of it. When I touch it, I immediately think of the old woman. I packed it away with other keepsakes.

When I got home, I put the egg in my bedroom on my nightstand. I did not do as she instructed, touching the egg everyday, but I did see it.

A few weeks later, I was diagnosed with cancer. Maybe it is a curse. Maybe had I held the egg everyday, I would not have got it? I do hold it everyday now, and I immediately think of the old woman.

Perhaps, I would not have got cancer had I done as instructed? Maybe she was an Angel sent from God? God was testing me, and I failed? Is it too late now? I pick up the egg everyday now while praying. Is it too late?

Dear God, do not let it be so.

DANCING WITH CANCER, THE HORSE 3/16/12

2012-03-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

http://iamyouasheisme.wordpress.com

Please, I beg! Don't let her stay in pain! She has no life. She has had many treatments & numerous surgeries. She is exhausted and worn down. She is depressed, she can't help but wonder, is it all worth it? Cancer seems to be nearer the finish line. She has worn out her shoes, no longer can run.

She has passed every marker, ran the distance, the race doesn't end, she just can't continue, the pain is just as important and the illness, it needs to be treated too, the pain makes her want to give up, a horse is put out of its misery, yet a human sits and suffers??? I know there are drugs to help, I get them in the hospital, I don't care they are addictive, at this point being a junkie doesn't sound bad! I am almost driven to it, I know for a fact, none of you would put up with the severe pain I have now had for the past 5 or 6 days, later today i go in for an ultrasound, i am thinking of strapping myself to the admissions desk until you admit me, i don't care if it is on the psych unit, if it gets me IN the hospital, that's all i care, i can guarantee when you look at me something will be found, i have been right everytime so far, everytime i went "IN" before, I was right! --there was something seriously wrong with me, you go by your books. studies say cancer is painless in its beginning stages, I have felt it everytime, i am the 1% of the study THAT FEELS PAIN listen to me i give up, i don't want to go on, either you take me in and get rid of this pain or let me die, treat me like the poor horse, i envy her

I am aware what I have written above- has not been edited-this crap below here hasn't been either. Let's face it! It is a grammatical mess. Right now, I do not care Diary. I have better bigger things to worry about. Take the grammatical errors and stick them up the Doctor's ass. Pick one, I have a dozen or so.

Above, I started out telling a story about a "third" party person. The more I wrote, and the more errors I had to fix , using "I" instead of "she", and the usual punctuation and typos, my hands shake due to the nerve damage so it is hard to type and worse when I am upset. i simply don't care right now diary, i just need to write, i may write like mad until i leave for doc, i don't know i may drug up and snooze

it is my body i know what it needs.. and i know when something serious is wrong

Another though! Could I be the horse, could the horse be me? Somehow we are one, we have the same rights, if I were to pray, pray real hard, maybe I could make a deal? I have a mane, if I fix it just right, could I fool a vet? I could gallop on in, and even throw a shoe, and though it's disgusting, I could even poo....(well, maybe I will just buy a bag of manure)

*picture compliments of : http://iamyouasheisme.wordpress.com Journey of Perplexity
A very interesting site

Lay 93, Planet Discovered

2012-03-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

http://wp.me/p22s4y-XH
The Americans have discovered life! The small planet, which until now was believed to be star, is located 12 million lightyears behind our moon.

This discovery has been kept top secret, for the last 10 years. Nasa has been working with the president on this project. The planet has been named "Ovo" which is Latin of "egg".

The planet was aptly named Ovo after years of spying and study has revealed the lifeforms living on the planet

Lay 92, The Execution

2012-03-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Perfect Plan

2012-03-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

part 1

A few spirits decided to wonder down to earth. They were bored with traveling aimlessly through the hemisphere. The were lost souls with nothing to do. The most dangerous kind.

They were circling a neighborhood which had caught their eye. It had a very large house up on a hilltop that was old and spooky in style. As an added bonus there was a family living inside. Perfect! Thought Ulcer the most disgusting of the group Carrion, the biggest and meanest of the group, dived down to get a closer look. He looked in a window and noticed boxes in the house. When he peeked in another, he saw a hideously attractive woman unpacking a box. There was a disgustingly adorable little girl helping her. He checked window after window, the more he saw, the more interest he had. Finally, in the last window, he saw a nasty looking man with a pesky boy unpacking boxes in the barn.

Carrion went to his soulmates. He said the house is perfect! It is exactly what they needed. It had lots of nooks and crannies which were perfect hiding places. The cellar was huge, cluttered, dark and damp.

A table and a picture suddenly appeared. Carrion whipped up a pen and got to work drawing lines all over the picture showing the others all of the perfect areas they had to choose from to scare the family out of the house. That was the goal–to scare the family out of the house. The spirits had no personal attachment to the house. They wanted to make the family leave, simply because they were bored and desperate for fun.

The sun was rising, and the plans were complete. The creatures crawled under some nearby rocks to get some sleep. Tonight they would begin their fright!

by Renee Robinson, Part 1

The Soul Collection Library

2012-03-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

I am tired of this life

My broken down body

I think it is time to turn it in

Find new shoes to walk in

Selecting a new life

Who shall I be?

What generation would I like?

Would I like to be a celebrity?

Go back to the roaring 20′s?

Perhaps fly into the future

The year 6012

I could be a futuristic elf

(No wonder that is still on the shelf)

Let’s see, there is a hag

And a bag lady

An evil villain

Hundreds of spirits are shady

No one wants them

No one checks them out

We all want to be

Someone with clout

Going to pick someone special

Nothing like me

Maybe the Queen of Egypt

Or Cleopatra

Or a future Impress of the sea

Oh wait!

They are checked out

I missed them again

It seems they are never in

All the cool lives

In high demand

It seems they have

Long lifespans

I could always be

A serial killer

Or a politician

No one wants them

What a lousy selection!

I think I will go on

Being just me

I am not ready

To turn in my key

Such slim pickins

Hard to digest

If this is all there is

I will be an insect!

by Renee Robinson

Teardrops And Bloodstains, trio

2012-03-12T14:33:00.001-07:00

http://jodertili.wordpress.com The image came from Jo's Blog, the link is above. You might want to check it out.

Teardrops and bloodstains

Part One:

Crying over you

Taken away

Nothing I could do

It was long and suffering

Watching you die

Whenever I saw you

I couldn’t help but cry

You were strong

Did us all proud

You didn’t have to

I would of been screaming loud

I hope you didn’t hide emotions

For us all

Afraid we couldn’t take it

Afraid we’d crumble and fall

I’d rather you didn’t hide

Crawling deep within yourself

I would rather see you cry

If you needed to

What is done is done

I am not complaining

You were so strong

And I was crumbling

I love you so dear

I don’t know how to go on

You were always near

Why did you have to suffer?

You were so good

You could not of been any tougher

It makes me so mad

You were taken away

Everyone is grieving and sad

To see you bleed and in pain

Seems so cruel

Is insane

I need to pray

I need to find out why

I need to say

Just how I feel

Maybe God will

Give me some comfort

Ease my will

Settle my grief

Help me to accept

Help me not to seethe

These things

We do not understand

Their is no reason

We learn to withstand

It is a reminder

It makes us stronger

Life is too short

We assume it is longer

I must go now

To begin to pray

I will be back

Later this day

http://www.flickr.com/photos/miaillustration/4587401072/sizes/o/

Singing Spirit

Part Two:

Dear Lord

I feel her spirit all around me

I thank God for this comfort

She is letting me know she is all right

God has delivered her from her plight

She has no more fears

No more pains

No more tears

No more needles

No more chemo

No longer feeble

She is strong and she is nimble

Thank you Lord

For her song

Her spirit sings

So softly to me:

Song of the Angels

Floating so sweetly

Engulfing completely

Spiritual awakening

Here in your time of need

Helping you to go on

You follow and I lead

I will keep you strong

Thank You Lord

For this blessing

I will always miss her

I know she is no longer hurting

Is in happy place

I feel so much better

Thank You for Your grace

My forgiving Saviour

Amen

photography-by-muga-miyahara

The dance with cancer is a dangerous one. It takes so many, the old or the young. I have turned toward the heavens to give me the strength, to continue my fight and to help in my plight. Some tell me, it may not be His will for me to live. What are they thinking? My ship is NOT sinking. Giving up the fight, is certain death. I plan on fighting and screaming and causing a shipwreck! But am not going down with this ship. I am not the captain and I have a permission slip! Humor is a weapon most important to me. It conceals my insanity and it strengthens me. Onward I go, I continue this dance. My feet are hurting, but I still have a chance!

Teardrops And Bloodstains

2012-03-12T14:29:00.001-07:00

: http://jodertili.wordpress.com The image came from Jo's Blog, the link is above. You might want to check it out.

Teardrops and bloodstains

Part One:

Crying over you

Taken away

Nothing I could do

It was long and suffering

Watching you die

Whenever I saw you

I couldn't help but cry

You were strong

Did us all proud

You didn't have to

I would have been screaming loud

I hope you didn't hide emotions

For us all

Afraid we couldn't take it

Afraid we'd crumble and fall

I'd rather you didn't hide

Crawling deep within yourself

I would rather see you cry

If you needed to

What is done is done

I am not complaining

You were so strong

And I was crumbling

I love you so dear

I don't know how to go on

You were always near

Why did you have to suffer?

You were so good

You could not have been any tougher

It makes me so mad

You were taken away

Everyone is grieving and sad

To see you bleed and in pain

Seems so cruel

Is insane

I need to pray

I need to find out why

I need to say

Just how I feel

Maybe God will

Give me some comfort

Ease my will

Settle my grief

Help me to accept

Help me not to seethe

These things

We do not understand

There is no reason

We learn to withstand

It is a reminder

It makes us stronger

Life is too short

We assume it is longer

I must go now

To begin to pray

I will be back

Later this day

by Renee Robinson

Lay 92, Johnny Poos!

2012-03-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Part 1

Potty training was a challenge for little Johnny Eggshell. Johnny could have used the potty, had he wanted too. He was to amused by taking a poo in the flower pots, sand boxes, mailboxes, shoes, and anything else he could get his butt on. He was the terror of the neighborhood, folks couldn’t leave anything outside. Johnny’s parents were getting phone calls and visits nearly everyday. Johnny would get grounded He even had every privilege taken away from him. Johnny thought his actions were very funny, especially when we would watch a neighbor stick his hand in a poo filled mailbox, he just couldn’t stop himself.

The neighborhood had enough! It was time to get even with that little brat. Johnny’s parents couldn’t agree more and when the neighbors approached them with their idea, they were eager to listen. One of the neighborhood children, who was just a few months older than Johnny, had a birthday coming up. They decided to throw a party for this boy and invite all of the small children in the neighborhood.

Part 2

The day of the party finally arrived! The neighborhood parents were more excited than the 9 children at the party. The birthday party was like any other thrown for a child. Cake, presents and games. Toward the end of the party a special game had been saved. The children were all gathered and sat in front of a large screen TV. They were going to watch a movie.

The lights were shut off and the movie started. There was Johnny! He was sneaking across the street (he was not supposed to do that without his mommy). He went straight over to Mr.& Mrs. Sheldon’s house. Johnny was getting uncomfortable. He started to fidget and said something about this movie being stupid. The other children could not have been pulled away. In the move, Johnny tip-toed into Mrs. Sheldon’s greenhouse. He found a sunhat. He looked around to make sure no one was watching and put the hat on the floor. He pulled down his pants and thenLAUGTHER!!!

Hahahahahaha! LOOK AT JOHNNY! Hahahahahaaha!

Johnny jumped up and raced home. His parents followed after him, again wondering if this was the right thing to do, were they too harsh? Would the other children bully and pick on him? They and the neighborhood reasoned the children were much to young to bully or pick on Johnny for the simple fact they were all only 3-4 years old. None were in school yet, so they wouldn’t even see each other for a while. By that time, they figure the kids would have forgotten all about it.

Johnny cried himself to sleep that night.

The next morning, Johnny leaped out of bed and raced for the kitchen like he always did. He ate his cereal and talked merrily to his parents. After breakfast, he went to the potty. He announced that he had to poo. He wanted his parents to see.

Nothing was ever said about it again. From that day on, Johnny went to the potty. A few months later, he saw a few of the kids from the party, and they played together like nothing ever happened.

I suppose their method of punishment worked in this case……but parents……I wouldn’t try this at home!

by Renee Robinson

LAY 91, PRE-SCHOOLERS

2012-03-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

The preschool had a fabulous time

Today the pre-school got a little carried away with finger painting, but they had a great time. Parents, don’t be alarmed, the paint will wash of those delicate shells..

Teardrops And Bloodstains

2012-03-12T10:52:00.001-07:00

http://jodertili.wordpress.com The image came from Jo's Blog, the link is above. You might want to check it out.

Teardrops and bloodstains

Part One:

Crying over you

Taken away

Nothing I could do

It was long and suffering

Watching you die

Whenever I saw you

I couldn’t help but cry

You were strong

Did us all proud

You didn’t have to

I would of been screaming loud

I hope you didn’t hide emotions

For us all

Afraid we couldn’t take it

Afraid we’d crumble and fall

I’d rather you didn’t hide

Crawling deep within yourself

I would rather see you cry

If you needed to

What is done is done

I am not complaining

You were so strong

And I was crumbling

I love you so dear

I don’t know how to go on

You were always near

Why did you have to suffer?

You were so good

You could not of been any tougher

It makes me so mad

You were taken away

Everyone is grieving and sad

To see you bleed and in pain

Seems so cruel

Is insane

I need to pray

I need to find out why

I need to say

Just how I feel

Maybe God will

Give me some comfort

Ease my will

Settle my grief

Help me to accept

Help me not to seethe

These things

We do not understand

Their is no reason

We learn to withstand

It is a reminder

It makes us stronger

Life is too short

We assume it is longer

I must go now

To begin to pray

I will be back

Later this day

http://www.flickr.com/photos/miaillustration/4587401072/sizes/o/

Singing Spirit

Part Two:

Dear Lord

I feel her spirit all around me

I thank God for this comfort

She is letting me know she is all right

God has delivered her from her plight

She has no more fears

No more pains

No more tears

No more needles

No more chemo

No longer feeble

She is strong and she is nimble

Thank you Lord

For her song

Her spirit sings

So softly to me:

Song of the Angels

Floating so sweetly

Engulfing completely

Spiritual awakening

Here in your time of need

Helping you to go on

You follow and I lead

I will keep you strong

Thank You Lord

For this blessing

I will always miss her

I know she is no longer hurting

Is in happy place

I feel so much better

Thank You for Your grace

My forgiving Saviour

Amen

photography-by-muga-miyahara

Salome' And Turk

2012-03-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

The is my sister's friends cousin's daughter who is married to my cousin's sister's brother. Her name is Salome' and she has bats in her belfry and birds in her bloomers. She talks to the birds and says they are her children.

And you thought the bridesmaid dresses you had to wear were bad! lol Try wearing these! Salome' loves birds too much, she made them the theme of her wedding. The bridesmaids are doves.

This is what she had her groom wear. You'd thing he of refused to wear it, but he loves her and the costume made him look better.

This is Salome's husband, Turk. As you can see, the costume may have been an improvement.

I feel a project, such as this, is good therapy for me today. As I am having more trouble with my memory, going through all the old family pictures and remembering all of the names and stories is a wonderful exercise for my poor mind. Thank you for reading and I do hope you enjoy.

Baz The Toad

2012-03-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcTxE1ay5SI&feature=colike

I love anything frog or toad. I am not sure why, I just do. Recently, I came across Baz the Cane Toad. Cane Toad are a problem in Australia, but the grumpy, big mouthed toad is wonderfully funny. Enjoy!

Rose Petal Shower

2012-03-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

A petal a prayer is the price she said

"Why so high?"

The girl replies:

"Love is priceless

And happiness and joy

Many never experience it

My prayers are guaranteed

Brand new

And will answer every need"

Said the child, annoyed

Again, the man ask

"Why so high?"

The child replies

"What price do you pay for love?

What price do you pay for joy?

Everything you could ever want

Could be wrapped up inside one prayer

The petal is soft like a needed touch

The scent is fragrant

Offering comfort and such

The design by God

Each petal perfect

God chose me to be his vessel

I just take a petal in my hand

I gently blow a kiss on the petal in order to send"

Gazing into her large eyes

Tears threatening to fall

The man tells her there is no cost at all

"Prayers are free"

"You know about prayer?"

The girl looked at him curiously

"I answer them everyday"

The girl said

"What a waste of time

Prayers are never answered"

To which the man replied

"Are you saying this is a scam?"

The girl looked frightened

Like she was ready to run

"Relax"

Said the man

"You are with The Lamb"

"The Lamb, what do you mean?"

"The Lamb of God"

he said

"That Lamb is dead

He never rose

He never answers prayer

That is the scam!"

The man replied softly

"Are you sure, my child?"

"Are you certain?"

"Did you not wake up this morning and pray to this man?"

"Weren't you down on your knees with tears in your eyes"

"Praying to God, asking for a sign?"

"Who are you

How do you know this?

Are you a stalker?"

She hissed

Gently He said

"I am the One you seek."

"I answer every prayer"

"You chose not to notice"

"Pretended I wasn't there"

"Sometimes prayers are not answered in the way you seek"

"I answer in the way I know best"

"You may not understand now"

"But one day you will"

"I am Love"

"I know how you feel"

"Have faith in me"

"This is all is takes to join me in Heaven someday"

The child bowed her head as if to pray

Tears were falling, she didn't know what to say

"Rose Petals"

"You wanted them to rain"

"I have one right here"

"I will blow up a storm from my hand"

"Enough to cover where you stand"

"You begged for Rose Petal Rain from one petal"

"Stand right there until they settle"

He opened His hand and blew on the petal

A Rose Petal Shower, so beautiful

She had cursed God, she was a fool

Tears fell from her cheeks

She fell on her knees

Begging forgiveness

Eager to please

God said He loved her

That never ceased

A Rose Petal Shower

Kicked the unfaithful disease

by Renee Robinson

March 11, Dancing With Cancer

2012-03-11T10:34:00.001-07:00

March 11, 2012

Dear Diary,

I awoke this morning more "foggy" than usual. By "foggy" I am referring to the clouds in my mind. Cobwebs would even be a perfect reference, as everything is shelved up in my head somewhere----but for the life of me, I can not recall what shelves I put what on. The tape of my cassette is in knots (remember those? lol, I DO). One of my favorite questions which normally comes from a spouse-- "Honey what did you do with my glasses?"--my response--"Uhhh, well I don't know. Let's see the last time I wore them I....."

For me, I notice the more pain I have, the worse my memory. It tends to go hand in hand, they are partners in crime. I have not felt well for the last few days, today worse. I have ended up spending the last couple of days in bed. I hate those days. Thank God for my blog. I bring my laptop to bed, and if I am able, I will write. Writing does make me feel like I am doing something useful. I still have my pipedream of being "discovered" and getting something published (I really hope it will be my journal).

With that said, I want to mention today's entries, this will make #2 for me, I can't help but wonder whether my memory loss effects my writing? Do I make sense? Am I "missing" something? Am I funnier? Maybe my spelling is worse or I am leaving words out of sentences. Perhaps, I am just silly.....

I do know, I tend to have fewer entries of "those" days, but I think this may be more due to the pain, I don't really know, perhaps this IS due to the memory problem. Whatever the case, I still enjoy it and I will keep on writing!

Festus

2012-03-10T19:21:00.001-08:00

Great, G,G,G,G Grandpa Festus

Oh my! I am still sorting through the family tree. I just can’t believe how many nuts there are! (Not to mention a sap or two!) Take Great-G-G-G-G-Grandfather Festus. He believed he was a cowboy, born and bred in Gold Dust, Texas. Truth be known, he was born in Eastern Kentucky in a small place called Coal Dust. He was raised on a farm about 5 miles outside of town. He had never stepped foot outside of his state. The only parts of Texas or cowboys he had ever seen were in the western story picture books he would read.

Great,G,G,G,G,Grandma Gizzy

As a boy, he was raised around horses. He became an accomplished rider. He grew into a fine-looking young man and married his childhood sweetheart, Gizzy. About a year after they married, Festus had an accident. Gizzy was pregnant with their first child. She went into labor.. Festus was scared to death. He saddled Horace, his horse, and rode as fast as he could to the midwife’s house.

However, Festus decided to take a “shortcut” across the holler and over the mountain. There was an old deer trail he knew he could follow. It was much shorter than traveling all the way down the hilly, winding, dusty holler. His mind was made up. Festus decided to take a “shortcut” across the holler and over the mountain. There was an old deer trail he knew he could follow. It was much shorter than traveling all the way down the hilly, winding, dusty holler. So over the mountain he went.

The family farm house. Coal Dust, KY

Festus was riding the horse much faster than he should on a mountain deer trail. He came to a particularly steep part of the mountain. It had been raining for days, and the mountain side was slippery. Festus paid no heed. He continued to ride as fast as he could down the steep slippery slope.

Well…..you guessed it, Festus had an accident. Horace lost his footing and tumbled down the mountain a fair piece. Festus was thrown head first onto a boulder alongside the path. His head hit hard against the boulder. He was knocked out.

Fortunately for Gizzy, the midwife, Jotti, had decided to visit. Gizzy was in full labor and ready to birth. It was quick and easy for a first time delivery. Little Igor was pink and healthy too. It was after Igor was born that Gizzy finally asked Jotti where Festus was.

Gizzy thought he must have decided to stay at Jotti’s and smoke pipe tobacco with Jotti’s husband, Kimby. Jotti said she never saw Festus. She was out making

Grandma Gizzy pregnant with Igor. I am not sure who the little boy is next to her, I think it is Grandma's nephew Percy.

her weekly rounds. She said that Kimby was with her. He saw that Horace was gone, so he knew Festus was too. Kimby often went with Jotti while she made her rounds. He enjoyed visiting and drinking moonshine with the husbands. Jotti wasn’t crazy about this because she would be stuck dragging a very drunk Kimby home, which included tying him to his horse and pulling him along.

Jotti went outside to find Kimby. He was in the barn sleeping in a bad of straw. She woke a very grumpy Kimby up and explained to him that Festus was missing. Once Kimby found out Festus was alone at his house, he jumped up and mounted his own horse. Yelling that weasel better not be in his moonshine or he would fill his backside up with buckshot! He was in a bigger hurry since he was worried about his moonshine, she thought sourly to herself.

When Kimby approached the area where the deer trail and the holler met, he was startled to see Horace standing there almost as if he were expecting Kiimby. Horace whinnied and carried on in a terrible way, Kimby knew of the shortcut. He was also aware Festus knew of the shortcut. In fact, Kimby and Festus frequently used the trail to get away from the revenuers. Kimby knew every nook, cranny, rock and any other spot which could be used to hide either himself or the booze.

The town of Coal Dust, KY

Kimby climbed off his horse and walked over to Horace. He was puzzled as to why Horace was here. However, he wanted to know where the hell Festus was. The way he figured it, Festus, seeing that no one was home, helped himself to the moonshine. Kimby figured Festus fell off Horace while trying to get his drunk ass back home.

Kimby climbed right back on his own horse and told Horace to get someone else to help. Kimby continued on down the path. Horace, crying, followed Kimby. Kimby was annoyed! Not only had Festus helped himself to his prized moonshine, his stupid horse was following him while crying like a school girl! The more Kimby thought, the angrier he became. Finally, he stopped so fast in his tracks, Horace’s nose smacked Kimby’s horse, Liquor, right in the rump.

Kimby was so angry he began cursing outloud. He was certain that Festus, the free-loader, not only helped himself to Kimby’s shine, but was also trying to steal a few bottles. This is probably why Festus never came home. Even though his own wife was in labor with his first baby, he was too yellow-bellied to face Kimby while he was sneaking a few bottles of Kimby’s shine home.

Family friend and midwife, Jotti with her daughter, Queenex

Kimby was not only going to find Festus, he was going to kick his ass! He turned his horse around so fast he bumped into Horace, who was still crying. What a wimpy, snot-nosed, four-legged baby Horace is, thought Kimby. For a moment, he thought of shooting the cry-sack just to put him out of his misery….well, ok, thought Kimby. He’d gladly shoot that damned horse to put HIMSELF out of his own misery. He decided to let the over-sized chicken shit live.

Kimby, with his shotgun in hand, started down the path. He swore he couldn’t hear himself fart with that cry-sack horse following so close behind. Kimby was amazed that dumbass Festus took this path with the condition it was in after 3 days of rain. However, considering the man was stealing, he figured Festus would do just about anything. Festus was also an idiot, so he had that going against him too, Kimby chuckled to himself.

As Kimby came to a particularly slippery curve, Horace began sniveling even more. He started to shake and back-up. Kimby didn’t know what the hell got into that stupid horse. Horace was the one who wanted to come this way and now he wants to turn back???? Kimby figured that horse was nearly as stupid as Festus.

Top Row, Left to Right: Nafe, Mud Bottom Row, Festus, Kimby

“What the…Oh my……No! Festus! Festus! Can you hear me buddy? Festus?” Kimby jumped off Liquor and ran over to Festus. He was sprawled against a boulder. It was obvious he had a head wound with all the dried blood both on his head and the rock.

“Festus! Can you hear me? Its me, your old drinkin’ buddy, Kimby. Can you hear me?”, shouted Kimpy who was feeling both guilty and frantic.

Festus opened his eyes. ”Thank God!”, cried Kimby.

Festus said, “Baby”….

Kimby assured Festus both Gizzy and the baby were fine. He asked Festus if he thought he could stand on his feet with his help. Festus said he was willing to try. With great effort, pain and sweat for both men, Festus was on his feet. He leaned heavily on Kimby.

Festus, with great support from Kimby, dragged his feet as Kimby pulled, struggled and guided him along. It was a great challenge getting Festus on his horse. After several tries, Festus had an “alert” moment and shouted “kneel” to Horace. Shockingly, Horace knelt his front legs all the way down on his knees. Kimby was able to lift Festus up enough for him to get on the horse. Before allowing Horace to get back up, Kimby tied Festus on him.

The stage coach stopped in Coal Dust about once a month. It was a big deal and was frequently met with a parade of people anxious for the mail and the latest news.

Evidently, Festus and Kimby were making enough noise to disturb some nearby hunters. They cautiously wondered over until they recognized Kimby.

“Hey Kim, how’s the shine business goin’? I am pert near ready to tote me a bottle er two.” said Mud, the bigger of the two.

As they got closer, they saw Festus.

Dr. & Mrs. Orval

“Kimbo, whats wrong with Festy?”

By this time, Festus had passed out on Horace, who was still on his knees. They both were snoring. Kimby said he didn’t have the time to explain it all right then.

He said to the boys, Mud and Nafe, “Please, get Doc Orval. Tell him Festus is hurt real bad. Tell him to hurry, cuz I aint sure he is goin’ to live!”

Without question Mud and Nafe went after Doc Orval. Kimby tied Horace to Liquor and they headed back to the house.

As soon as Kimby and Festus arrived, Jotti burst outside.

“Where have you been? What took you so long? Gizzy has been asking for Fest-…..”

She broke off her sentence as she look toward Festus for the first time.

“Oh my! What happened? “

“”Let me get him in the house, I will explain then.”

Jotti went on into the house to let Gizzy know Festus was home, but he had been injured. She helped Gizzy to move over in the bed and fluffed a pillow for him. Jotti let Gizzy know Kimby would explain everything just as soon as he got Festus settled in.

This is a postcard which I found in a trunk with Grandpa's things.

Just then, Kimby got Festus through the open doorway. Gizzy looked over at him and let out a gasp when she saw the head wound and bloody makeshift bandage..

Once Kimby got Festus into the bed, he told of how he come to find Festus. He said he didn’t know how Festus wound up on the boulder. He thought maybe a rattlesnake startled Horace. (For Gizzy’s sake, he decided not to mention how he mistakenly thought Festus stole his shine.) He said Festus has talked some, but mostly he has been sleeping or talking unnatural like. He mentioned how Mud and Nafe came along and went to fetch Doc Orval.

Just then the baby let out a little cry. He had been in the bed with his parents the entire time. Kimby gave the boy a looking over. He proclaimed the boy looked just like his Ma.

This painting was done by Grandma's Aunt Suzalou. Igor was around 5 months old, I think.

“Hallelujah, God Bless him and Amen!”, he shouted and he tossed his hat in the air. In spite of the situation, the women managed to chuckle.

Just then Mud, Nafe and Doc Orval came on in. Doc went straight to the bed. He frowned at Jotti, knowing she had delivered the baby, since Igor was crying at the moment. Ever since Doc found out Jotti was a midwife, they have never got along. He says it is an unsafe practice, only a licensed Doctor should deliver babies. Jotti claims his real gripe is that HE is losing money (and/or chickens, pigs and apple pies) by her delivering babies.

Doc grunted at Jotti and turned to Festus. He placed smelling salts under his nose. He had not been awake since getting on Horace. The salts made Festus snort and fart loudly. He opened his eyes and was staring directly into Doc Orval’s face. Festus squinted at the Doc and said, “Your breath smell like a dog’s ass!”

Doc turned red with embarrassment as Jotti, Kimby and Grandma chuckled.

Doc began to examine Festus. It soon became evident that Festus was “not in his right mind”, the diagnosis was “senility”, which is what they called anything that had to do with the mind – memory loss, hallucinations, and anything else that simply could not be explained in that day and time.

Grandpa's favorite hunting dog, Raquel.

In Grandpa’s case, he seemed to have created his own world. It was his fantasy since he was a child. He believed he was a cowboy in Gold Dust, TX. He knew everyone, including the Doc. He just didn’t like the Doc much. Grandpa wondered if Doc thought he was a fool. Doc is trying to get him to believe such malarkey that the liver will change colors, rot and basically die if it processes too much whiskey! Kimby and Festus both got a good chuckle over that. Ever since that day, neither one has cared for the Doc nor did they care if Doc knew how they felt.

Time went on. The baby grew and was now a year old! In spite of his delusions, Festus is a wonderful daddy. He dotes on his baby cowboy. Gizzy is now pregnant with child #2! She is due in about 3 more months. Festus is very excited. He hopes one day, he will have an entire bar full of cowboys and cowgirls.

Festus never did come back to reality. He lived the rest of his life very happy and satisfied living in “Texas” and being a “cowboy”. Other than this problem, Festus was his self. He still enjoyed drinking shine with Kimby. He still enjoyed hunting with Nafe and Mud. He still hated the Doc. Nope, nothing had changed except that he was now a proud father. They went on to have 8 more children, including this pregnancy.

Igor, a year old. Grandpa was giving him a bath. Grandpa always refused to take Igor's hat or boots off for bath time.

Always

2012-03-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

I see you with new eyes

As if looking at you

For the first time

When we first met

I thought you were kind

Now I see so much more

I see the man whom I adore

I see a man who is strong

A man, my heart belongs

Someone to hold my hand

To kiss away my tears

Someone who understands

Someone to calm my fears

I see a man who loves me always

A man who stole my heart

A man I will always be with

Never to be apart

by Renee Robinson

Forever

2012-03-09T11:39:00.000-08:00

Forever does not last very long

Forever is misleading

Forever has an ending

Birth is the true beginning

Forever is death

Forever stops

With my last breath

It is true

Forever, I will love you

I will love you beyond

Forever

When my life surrenders

I will love you

After my last breath

I will love you after death

When my spirit rises

And my soul sings

When I earn my wings

Beyond forever

Infinity

I endeavor

by Renee Robinson

Elvis

2012-03-09T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have been climbing my family tree. I came across this adorable picture of my twice-removed-forth-cousin-in-law. This picture was taken last Halloween in Vero Beach Florida, where he lives with my Aunt and Uncle-once-remove-third-uncle-in-law.

My sweet little cousin, Elvis was very proud of his dinosaur costume. He wore it for 3 days straight, even insisting on sleeping in it. He only took it off to take a bath. Elvis is 17 months old and fast on his little feet. He is a well-behaved, smart little boy and the newest addition to our family.

by Renee Robinson

Uncle Boris

2012-03-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers.

I feel that you, my dedicated readers, and I have developed a bonding relationship. A relationship which gives me enough comfort to start introducing you to some members of my family. Above, is a picture of my eccentric Uncle Boris. He is the oldest living cyclops on record. Cyclops usually die at birth. If they do not die at birth, then they die soon after. In addition to Uncle Boris being the OLDEST living cyclops, he is also the ONLY living cyclops.

In spite of his one-eyed disability, Uncle Boris can see rather well. He drives a car with special windows which enable him to have perfect peripheral vision.

Uncle Boris also has very poor teeth. He does not have dental insurance, so he has been unable to get this corrected. It will be a very expensive dental procedure and it will involve a series of surgical procedures before dentures can even be made for him.

Uncle Boris recently married. Below is a picture of my new Aunt Dolly. She is about 30 years older than Uncle Boris. He is 65, she is 95. She is also blind. Like Uncle Boris, she had never been married before. They regret they never had children, so they do enjoy all of their nieces and nephews. They tend to spoil us all, especially the little ones.

I look forward to introducing you to more of my family. It feels good to share these wonderful memories with you.

by Renee Robinson

Unraveled

2012-03-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

Misplaced pieces, Falling apart, Running the rat race, Dodging the dart

Unraveling, Losing my mind, Splitting at the seams, What is my crime?

I have been clawed

I have been mauled

I have been used

I have been abused

Death is knocking at my door

I have been fighting

I don’t want to be deplored

My enemy won’t stop

Giving me no rest

He is working hard

I am depressed

No escape, No turning back, Held prisoner, That’s a fact

Someone help!, Please save me, Get me out!, Before he gets me!

by Renee Robinson

LAY 90, TEGGADATILESAURAS EGG FOUND

2012-03-09T05:20:00.000-08:00

The oldest prehistoric egg on record, was found near Los Veggas, Nevada. It is believed the egg is more than 5 bazillion years old. Scientists believe the egg was in the process on hatching when it was in the process of sinking into a tar pit. It is unclear whether the newly born teggadatilesauras survived or died in the tar pit.

Raised By A Rose

2012-03-09T04:07:00.000-08:00

I was raised by a Rose

Delicate hands to engulf me

Her love for me unfolded

With each bloom of her heart

There were some thorns in our path

But we never grew apart

Brown eyed beauty

With pink cheeks

Soft as the petals

Of a rose at its peak

Gentle stems

Perfumed softly

To reach out to hold

To caress me gently

If I were to pick

The finest Rose

I’d pick my Mother

I want her to know

She is the one

Best for me

My love for her

Will live eternally

by Renee Robinson

The Flower Sways

2012-03-09T02:35:00.001-08:00

Delicately she dances throughout her life, never missing a step

Such beauty with each note played

Everyday

Like a musical note, she floats through the air

Aromatic music touching all

Everywhere

Born with musical rhythm, song and ability

Every move a dance

Agility

She dances a cappella naturally

Her body cannot resist

Harmony

The rhythm of her heart flows with the petals of her dress

The beat born within

Cadence

The flower sways to the melody

The perfumed notes rise

Symphony

Beauty, softness, perfume and harmony

Delicate, delectable symphony

Melody

by Renee Robinson