My sister read my blog about Betty’s birthday party and pointed out I had missed thanking a significant person that was invaluable in making Betty’s birthday truly special. My right hand Dee. When I typed that post, I had an image in my mind of the dining room and thanked all the non guests helping out. Dee was in the kitchen at the time. She was as is always amazing. She was there early, helped anyway she could and was there long after everyone else left helping me put the Inn back together.
Oh, maybe that’s why I didn’t see Dee in my mind’s eye, she was eating cake. 🙂
I had a visitor last week, a non paying one. I went out into the courtyard around 7 am when I had a break on making breakfast, of course da kidz came with me. Guess who was hiding behind the shed? A possum, I was concerned the kidz would antagonize it like the squirrels and it get mad and attack them. My biggest concern was rabies. I didn’t know what to do with it, so I called 911 and when the operator answered and asked the address of the emergency and I told her it wasn’t an emergency, but I had a possum in my courtyard and was concerned about my dogs and didn’t know what to do. She said she would handle it. Animal Control showed up a half hour later. I brought them back to the courtyard and the possum was gone. I told them my biggest concern was if the da kidz got into a scuffle with the possum and it had rabies da kidz could get infected. The main guy said you don’t need to worry about possums carrying rabies, they don’t. He said the possum probably climbed the wall to get away. Here’s the little critter if you can see it on the side of the shed it’s his little white face you can see:
My first response to the removal of Confederate statues was people are being overly sensitive, until the mess down in Charlottesville. At the same time, there was a small article in the paper about some drunk American in a German city that he gave a Nazi salute outside some bar he apparently got drunk at. A group of Germans beat him up. I don’t condone violence at any point, but thought it made a good point of how serious the Germans take their history and have zero tolerance toward anything Nazi. The Germans let Hitler come to power and didn’t stop his madness. When I saw Django Unchained, I found it very disturbing, as I knew it would be. My ex-boss and friend DB was in town when the movie came out and he insisted on seeing it. I’m glad I did, I’m well aware of the atrocities some of the white race subjected the black slaves to and the part about that poor girl that was repeatedly raped by her “master” tore my heart out. That’s why I didn’t want to see the movie. I watch Animal Planet and NatGeo a lot and change the channel when the lions (whom I adore) are finding and collecting dinner. I know it’s their nature, but that doesn’t mean I want to watch it. There was a show on I watched where a baby elephant got too close too a river bank and a crocodile grabbed her. The females on top of the hill squawked, but there wasn’t much they could do. The baby finally broke free and scrambled up the bank to a waiting lion. The females came over threatening the lion and the baby got free finally. After that long winded explanation lets get back to the point. The statues were erected in the early 20th century at the same time the Jim Crow laws were enacted. Coincidence? I don’t think so, I think the South was trying to white wash the history books. We should have zero tolerance for anything that glorifies slavery as the Germans have with anything Nazi. The Confederacy was a part of our history and should be remembered, but not in front of a court house! A house Hitler grew up in was private property and recently sold to a new owner. It’s been a focal point for the neo Nazis. When the new owners filed for a building permit, the only way the government would issue one was if the exterior of the house was drastically changed so it didn’t look anything like it did when Hitler lived there (actually I think this was Austria, not Germany). When I lived in Germany, I went to the concentration camp Dachau myself and was so moved I went back five time with people I thought should experience the horror. The Confederacy is part of our history and should be remember, but remembered in revulsion, it’s not what I am. By the way I am white and of German decent and reject slavery and Nazi bs.
On a lighter note, but more heart pounding, The Gauley (pronounced Golly) is open for white water rafting. It’s an annual event when they open the dam to lower the reservoir before the winter. It feeds The New River which is referred to as the lower Gauley is open during all warm weather, they only open the Gauley in the fall. The New River is a nice rafting experience, like Ohio Pyle, but when they open the “flood gates” a normal 30 minute trip turns into 10. 🙂 White water rafting is not for the faint of heart, but if you are going to tackle the Gauley, be prepared to be terrified, it’s been years since I did and am currently shaking remembering. 🙂
Are you familiar with DuraEdge? 21 of the 30 major league baseball fields use it and it’s made right here in Grove City. DuraEdge is a proprietary blend of soils, clay & sand that they use in the infields.
There’s a Pittsburgh group that specializes in senior dog adoptions, Senior Pet Rescue. They mainly specialize in older dogs and cats their owners can no longer care for them. Either due to the owners old age or illness. The nice thing is these dogs are already house broken and trained. They are older and don’t have the rambunctious behavior of puppies chewing everything (are you listening to this Rayzette?) They screen the dogs to be sure they are social and determine (to the best of their ability) of any ailments the dog might have. Their business model is you foster first to determine if you both are a match. With all the chaos down after the hurricane, the rescues are trying to free up as much space as they can to handle the incoming pets. A good time to adopt!
Speaking of hurricanes, good luck to all my friends in South Florida. I’ve spoken with several that are already boarded up and any on or next to the barrier islands have already left seeking shelter. I offer The Parador as a place of refuge. My good friends Steve and Darcy might actually take me up on it.
That’s it for today, don’t forget to take a moment Monday to remember 9/11,
ed
