News from Meridian

Hello world, It is Wednesday in Meridian. I am filling in for the local guy here while he is away on vacation. I hope to be back Thursday night, but it may be Friday before I get to return. We had a nice weekend at Tannehill with Alissa and Emily. Gayla and her bunch were there also. We couldn't get next to each other but it worked out ok. Friday night we grilled hamburgers and ate together. Saturday was the Civil war reinactment. I went to it around 1pm to look around and the battle started at 2. I watched from behind the cannon battery. It was great when they started firing the cannons. You could feel the shock wave even standing behind them. Before the battle started, the Union forces marched across the field to thier position, they were naturally booed. Then the Confederates marched across, they were cheered. I noticed that the Union had better uniforms that matched, and looked in better shape. The South was a little ragtag, but still put up a good fight. This is really like the War was, the South just wasn't quite ready for it to start. It was interesting to see the campsites that were set up. Most were just like they were then. Large cotten tents, campfires with pots to cook on and uncomfortable matteress. not at all like the air conditioned soft set-up that we use. I went back before the battle was over so I don't know who won. I keep hoping that the South would eventually win this war. Later on Saturday, we fixed some chicken. Tim and Myra and some of Gayla's cousins and April and Jason came up. April was suppoosed to get Alissa, but she didn't. We had a pretty good crowd. Sunday we got up and went to Church then stayed home to get ready to go off for the week. Phyllis decided to stay with April and play with Alissa while I was out of town. We went back to the camp after Church and found ourselves all alone. Emily went home with Alissa and we had the camper all to ourselves. I believe this is the only second time we have spent the night alone since we started camping. It was different. Monday we were going to fix hamburgers and eat with Gayla, but when we started packing we all decided to leave early. We got home around 12 and I met Jerry in the drive way. He told me that Peggy Snider had just passed away. Peggy and James had been our neighbors for about 40 years. She had been fighting cancer in one form or another for about as long as I have known her. The past few months, it got the best of her and she is now gone. Before we left, they were not expecting her to survive the weekend. I will not be able to go to the funeral because I am here in Meridian, but I will remember her. When I saw Jerry, I knew what had happened. It reminded me of Daddy, we had gone to Florida and I was backing the camper in the yard when James came over to tell me that Daddy was in the hospital. We got there just before he passed away. I think next time I come home and see someone in the driveway I will just keep on going. Enough of that. Back to Meridian. this hospital is a little smaller and only has one person here. I had 2 phone calls yesterday and both were from people in Birmingham. Not much going on here. I am going to find the Northside Church this evening and visit them. Hope to see everyone on Sunday.

I paid $65.00 for a gallon of milk

Sometime back, while Phyllis and I had gone out to eat with some friends, Phyllis said that we needed a gallon of milk. On the way home she wanted to stop at Walgreens, but we had already past it. On down the road was Walmart. I decided to stop there and run in and get the milk, but Phyllis wanted to go in with me. I went to the back of the store where the milk was and she went elsewhere. I figured a long time ago that they put the milk in the back where you have to go past everything else in the store hoping to tempt you to buy more than you need. Anyway, after a few minutes I found her whth a shopping cart with stuff in it. I mentioned that we only came in for milk, but she said she needed a few more things. As we checked the total came to $65.00. I was talking with a guy I work with and he told me that was the difference between men and women. Men go to purchase, and women go to shop. I believe this to be true. I take great pride in going to Walmart to purchase one item that I need and sometimes spending less than a dollar. Another think to think about. What ever happened to the days when a man could tell his wife that he was going to Home Depot or Lowes and she didn't want to go? I used to be nice and ask if she wanted to go knowing that she didn't. Now I can't go without her. They have so many things for women. She even got gift cards for Lowes and Home Depot for Mothers Day! Who ever thought that this would happen? Its no wonder that Home Depot could afford to build that Aquarium in Atlanta. They make a ton of money off our wives. I know when Phyllis reads this I will be in trouble. So I will now say that I love you and don't mean any of this.

Mother's poetry

All of you know by now that mother has passed away. She has had a bad time the past few years, she has been sick for a very long time, and unable to do the many things that she always wanted to do. She is finally at home now with her two loves, Jesus and Daddy. Mother has missed daddy terribly since he left us 14 years ago. Nothing we could do would erase the pain and empty spot she had in her heart. We were looking through some papers that she left, and found some poems that she wrote. Mother used to enjoy writing poetry, and she would write one about the things and people that she loved. I think now that the weight loss craze has struck Sylvan Springs you may enjoy reading this.

Fat For the Kill
by Betty Garrison

Woke up one morning,
Jump out of bed, went to the mirror,
to make sure I wasn't dead
When I looked, I wish I had died,
That fat person made me want to cry.

I said, "now Lord what can I do?
I blame you for blessing me with all this rich food.
I have tried every thing, even keeping off the scales,
But to stop eating, I don't have tht will."

"Look here lady" He seemed to say, "Don't blame me
I didn't make you that way.
You can deeping eating, getting fat for the kill,
Or join weight-watchers and make the fat dissappear."

I hope you enjoyed this, ther may be more to come.

Sometimes, When I have a moment to spare, I will click on the next blog button to see what I can find. I thought all you math majors would enjoy this.

you think you are a genius ???

how to EXPAND THE BLANKET ??


the best ending for every answer


yeah.... !!i m genius leh, i found the X .. -____-lll
.

1/n (sin x) = 6 ?? ? how


the limit ...


show us how to post a letter with email ADDRESS??

My new toy

Well, I finally did it. I never thought I would buy a new lawnmower, but the thoughts of working on the old one everytime I needed to cut grass was getting old . We went to Lowes today and bought a Husqvarna 20 HP 46" Hydrostatic mower. I came home and cut the front yard in 45 minutes and that allowed for time just riding around. It used to take a lot longer. It is so easy to drive, that Phyllis can drive it. Not sure I like that, it might become like the truck, it is an automatic, and she constantly wants to "Borrow" it. now not even the mower is safe. Maybe she will leave my toys along.

Two in one night

Suprise, Suprise, here are another post in the same night. I haven't been feeling well the past few days, not sure if I have that stomach problem or just a pulled muscle. It only hurts when I cough, (I know don't cough) It hurts just below my rib cage on the right side. everything else seems to be OK. I stayed home Friday and didn't do much Saturday. I suckered Phyllis into helping me clean the building, it wasn't to bad. Later we went out and got new cel phones, I wanted one that played music. Don't know if I will ever use that function but it is there if I do. Anyway it didn't cost me anything. I found out that if you combine your home phone bill and wireless with ATT, it will save you 10.00 a month. Including long distance I had 3 ATT bills coming to the house. One of the dangers of on-line banking is sending the wrong payment to the wrong company. It is hard to get the money transferred, but somehow I was able to do it. I cancelled the long distance but they sent me an overdue bill anyway. I called them and argued with them I think it will be cleared up. I think sometimes they send bills just to see if they can get money. When you challange them, they sometimes will back down. Phyllis wants me to help me with her blog. I was supposed to be diong that now but I forgot her password. I think she is out of the shower now and I am fixing to get in trouble. Wish me luck Bye
PS be sure to look at the poat under this one.

Vulcan Run a few years ago

Since some of the comments from my last post were about the Vulcan run, here is a picture of Daddy and some stranger. The trick is to identify the person with daddy.
Hint, he dosen't have nearly as much hair now and it is not black.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Teamus U. Garrison was born Feb. 18 1927.

He was allowed to live on this earth until the age of 67 when he was taken to his well deserved home above. I have thought of my Dad often since he left us. I think back to the times wile we were growing up. Dad was a coal miner which meant we only had the things we really needed. There was always food on the table. Mother and Daddy would get vegetables from any where they could and put them up for the winter. Many times I had the purple thumb from shelling peas. Once we got some plums from Grandmother. Mother made plum jelly, (a lot!) You could always count on daddy opening a jar of plum jelly and saying "this jelly is plum good". He had a dry sense of humor.
We didn't go on many trips just to go somewhere. The biggest one I remember was to the mountains when I was about 6 years old. I we stayed 2 nights in motels. Most of our vacations were spent at home where we helped work on the house. Daddy wouldn't borrow money to build the house, he would work on it when money or supplies were available. Where the Top Hat cleaners is in Ensley used to be an old house. The bricks are on front of Mothers house and the wood framed ou the roof and floors of the front rooms. He felt that if things got bad, it would be better to stop working instead of missing a payment. I wish I had payed more attention to that lesson. Daddy worked the night shift while we were young, and I would see him for a few minutes after getting home from school before he left for work.
Daddy and mother loved to sing, his favorites were the old gospel songs. He would practice any new song he heard. I thought of other things I wanted to say, but as usual when I started writing my mind went blank. I miss Daddy and I know anyone that knew him misses him. The world lost a great man when he lift. Our loss was Heavens gain.
P.S.Don't forget, tomorrow is J.H. Watkins birthday. he was one day younger that daddy. Daddy had fun being the "Old Man". Daddy, and JH worked in the mines together for many years and became good friends.

Take that Red Baron

SNOOPY IS KING OF THE DOGS!!! Snoopy aka Uno had defeat not only one prissy standard poodle but has also taken down the toy poodle contender. The lowly American Beagle won best of breed, best in group, and then captured Best in Show at the Westminister Dog Show. I like several of the dogs, but the Beagle has to be the "underdog" it has only won the best in group once I think it was 1939 a long time ago and has never won best in show. Snoopy can be an inspiration to all of us, He never gave up, he still hasn't shot down the Red Baron but he will never quit. All of us should follow his example. Never quit trying.

Monday night

Hello World. I am sitting here watching good eats. Alton is making Mexican food tonight. I think we will eat at Los Compadres tomorrow. Just got through watching the Westminister dog show. I enjoy watching it, but some of those dogs have a face that only a mother could love. I wish the prissy poodle had not won the best in breed.
This past week was busy, Dwight came home home last Monday. He was happy to get home. When I talked to Phyllis he got the phone ahe told he "I'm going home" He is still weak and has to have help getting up but in the past few days he has gotten stronger. Mother was moved Friday to Self Rehab. She didn't seem to be as upset as I thought she would be. We hope that she can be able to get her strength back and go back home soon. She does have the biggest TV of any of the patients there.
Saturday night was a reminder that we all have to face death. Aunt Edith passed away and the viewing was Saturday. She was Uncle Donalds wife. She was always plesant to be around. The funeral was Sunday afternoon on Valleydale road then to Jefferson in Trussville. Made for a long afternoon. I didn't get my usual Sunday afternoon nap. I got to see Uncle Jake and his daughter Gina. I wasn't expecting them at church and was glad to see them. Gina moved to Texas, her husband is a large animal vet and likes to hunt big game. Ironic isn't it. I don't get to see her often.
I didn't know Bobby Norris very well, I only met him a few times, once at camp one year when his daughters went there with us He seemed like a great person to be around. I enjoyed it when everyone sat in a group and sang contry songs. I know he will be missed very much.
PS On the lighter side. Two unusual things about me.
1 I like Whoppers. I have to have 6 at a time 2 on each side and 2 in the middle. I break them in half and then let them melt.
2 I am not ticklish on the bottom of my feet. Alissa watched Cookie lick my foot one day and couldn't believe I just sat there and let her.
3 I eat chocolate the same way it seems to have more flavor when it just melts.
4 On a related subject, when I order Barbecue, I always get outside sliced meat. To me it has more flavor when you have to chew it. Chopped meat looks like someone else has already chewed it for you.
I know this is 4 things, I was never very good at math.

Hey Emily, this blogs for you.

Hey Emily. This Blogs for you. This is what you get for reminding me that I haven't updated in over a month. I am sitting here in the living room on our new laptop computer. I spent considersble time getting the wireless to work. It would work without the password, but when I set up the password it wouldn't let me get on. Somehow I managed to get 'er done.
This post was started on Monday and today it is Friday afternoon. We have had an incredibly busy week at work, and I am glad to be home for the weekend. This past week has been hectic. One of my co-workers went out of town and left us shorthanded and seems like everything decided to break at the same time. The
Mother is still in the hospital, and seems to be better, but she wants to sleep all the time and is not eating. Her sister Sara from Mississippi came up to see her, and I know she was glad to see her. She dosen't get to visit often. Uncle Jake and Uncle Johnny came up Tuesday to visit.
This afternoon Phyllis called me to let me know that her brother Dwight was going in the hospital. He has not been feeling well lately, and he was dehydrated. I don't think it is serious, but with him you can't be too careful. Her mother had some kind of virus earlier in the week, and had to go to the emergency room on Tuesday. She got a shot and was sent home. I think she is better.
I had to leave to pick up Phyllis from the hospital. We are going to eat and then Alissa will spend the night with us. I am going to try to help her with her Lads to Leaders projects. It looks like it will not snow tonight. I hope the Survivor Retreat gets to happen this weekend. I know a lot of work went in the preparation for it. David called me while we were eating and told me his mother is not doing well and may have to go to the hospital. This got me to thinking ablut all the sick folks we have at church. There are many, I think that nearly every family there has someone that is sick and most have very serious problems. We can only hope and pray that these will get better and that the Lord will take care of them and the ones that are taking care of them.
I guess that is all I have to say for now. I think Paul tagged me for the 5 things since this is my first poas since 2007. I will have to think on this for a little while. So long for now.