Deep In The Forrest

Ok ok, you guys have been begging to see my biscuits... I was a little hesitant, because once you see them, you know you're going to want to butter them, but I'll take my chances. In all seriousness though, I was very proud that they turned out even close to my Mom's because she has the best biscuits anywhere... (wait that didn't sound good, did it?? Oh man put my foot in my mouth again). Fuggidaboutit!! Here they are (closes eyes and gets ready to flash biscuits):

Well, I had a milestone today. When I woke up this morning at my Mother's house, after very little sleep to begin with, I volunteered to make breakfast for her so she wouldn't have to--That's not the milestone, however. Do you remember a couple months ago when I posted about My Mom's Biscuits, and how I ruined them by suggesting she use Canola oil instead of her trusty ole 'Crisco' shortening ? Well this morning I made my very first batch of biscuits (in the honorable Crisco tradition, in my Mother's footsteps) and she gave me her 100% stamp of approval! I will post a photo of these biscuits later... I swear. Must prove this! Anyways, I got all caught up on family time, and my spirit is once again recharged like the dead battery it was from this past week... But it's sunday, and that only means one thing--Work starts again tomorrow... (Wait, make that two things because Heroes comes on tomorrow night too thank goodness! ). So in honor of my dread for Mon...

O nce again , I must complain about Customer Service. First of all, let me ask you if you are a Cashier or work in some other Customer-oriented type job, do you enjoy it? If not, what are you doing there? Surely in today's anti-social day and age where there are limitless possibilities of making money with online endeavors and with Ebay and Amazon in high gear, you can literally stay home making money and not deal with a soul face-to-face. That being said, I assume that if I come into your establishment, or a store where you work in a Customer Service position (such as a cashier, attendant, manager etc.) that you are there of your own free will. Yes, I think that you actually applied for your job and choose to wake up and go to it each day. Am I wrong in assuming this? Even so, I continue to encounter the foulest, "sourpuss" cashiers imaginable. The girl at the Walmart Neighborhood Market last night couldn't find it in her heart to even cough out a "How are yo...

I've been trying to get some things done today, but alas the temptation to slack has won again. Today is the next to the last day of the week, which happens to be tomorrow... I'm so glad. I'm merely sitting here wondering what I can get stirred up for the weekend. I feel rather mischievous, but don't know exactly what I want to do. Definitely, i'm going to visit Mom and Dad... not sure if I will do that Friday night or Saturday night though (I think it is essential that I enjoy a nice, quiet relaxing visit for my soul). It's an escape for me. Aside from that, it would be cool to have some sort of an adventure! Great visits that I had today were with Dan over at Dan's Blah Blah Blog , and we both discovered some very uncanny similarities in our personalities because of our 'Cancerian Heritage'. He shared some great photos with me from the many travels he and his wife Laura have experienced. It's very breathtaking some of the places they have been...

Daily Horoscope for Cancer If you are satisfied with your life now, then you will be easier to get along with. Even if you have been wounded in love, this is a time when you can move past the pain of your own past. Letting go, though, can sometimes require forgiving someone else first. But you cannot stop there; you must also forgive yourself. Wednesday, April 25, 2007 more >> If you are satisfied with your life now, then you will be easier to get along with. Even if you have been wounded in love, this is a time when you can move past the pain of your own past. Letting go, though, can sometimes require forgiving someone else first. But you cannot stop there; you must also forgive yourself. Wednesday, April 25, 2007 more from tarot.com » Well, satisfied... are any of us really satisfied with our lives... completely? Some I guess more than others. As for me, I guess I would grade...

**Updated: Italics Removed by request of Rockdog .** Haven't had much time lately, but since spring is once again in full bloom, I thought the story might once again apply... This is a long one, so get some popcorn and a soda... maybe a cup of coffee. Forgive the length (that's what he said... lol j/k) Originally written in spring 2005 by yours truly! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Procrastinator is my middle name. In fact, I’m sure my mother told me that when she was in labor with me, that I curtly asked her 'if we could take a rain check for tomorrow'. Who could blame me now, seeing the current state of our world? Seriously, Ozzy Ozbourne "The Prince of Darkness" is now the King of Fathers--and a Reality TV favorite, Led Zeppelin and Iron Butterfly can be heard on finer elevators everywhere. The 'Thriller' is gone as Michael Jackson goes from 'King of Pop' to the Jester of Molesters. Crime and punishment is all around us but yet s...

I'm feeling completely homesick today... I have old songs in my head, spring temperatures all around me and the smell of the warm summer grass beckoning me back home. I would like be sitting out in the middle of the pasture at Mom and Dad's house in my favorite spot there just where the pasture begins to go downhill-the best spot in the whole world, on a big fluffy homemade quilt, sketching or writing poetry, then lying back and watching the clouds roll over an azure blue sky... Just miss home so bad sometimes, miss my folks and miss pure, wild youth. Time is truly an overachiever... Yep, that's all I have to say today. Take it away Bob...

Surprise!! I decided on a story... I spewed out the first chapter today. No warning, no details... dig in... let me know what you think. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 1 February 19, 2006 Alexandria my Love, You have every reason in the world to hate me, I don't blame you at all. I am truly sorry things had to work out this way. I tried... I honestly want you to know that I had every intention of leaving, I wanted to with my whole heart... the heart that you stole from me, but I can't do it. Not right now. The truth is that things are just not so simple. It has only been a month since Becky's father's passing, and she is just too fragile right now. Our relationship has been strained for so long, I told you that but with circumstances the way that they are right now I have no other choice. I have to protect my son. Tyson has to be my priority right now... Please just give a little more time. As soon as things are stable, once I get everything s...

Tastes, smells and sensations that strike up memories and make me sentimental... Oscar De Larenta cologne, it reminds me of all the wonderful times spent with my sister, Vickie growing up. Old Country music in restaurants, I can see my Dad, straight and tall and strong as an Ox walking into a Truck Stop on a long haul, or a family trip with us. Juicy, red ripe watermelon, takes me straight to a hot summer day at home. I can envision my Mom in her 'work jeans', sitting outside in the heat still drinking coffee, we sprinkle a bit of salt on the melon, and I can almost smell the freshly cut summer grass. Insense and certain air freshener, reminds me of living at Bo's house. Wind Song perfume (by Prince Matchavelli), I can close my eyes and see Mom getting ready for church on a sunday morning in her best suit or dress, looking like a billion dollars, me still sleeping, squeezing every last moment I could and hoping she wouldn't make me go. Classic Old Lysol (the Hospital s...

Happy Friday everyone... I'm elusive the last couple days, got lots going on and not really feeling 'bloggy' so I wanted to share this hilarious video that a coworker shared with me... Starring Will Ferrell and possibly the meanest landlord I've ever seen... go ahead laugh, you know you want to! Will Ferrell vs. The Landlord I tried to embed it, but it wouldn't act right, so do yourself a big Friday favor and click the link... watch the video.

News Update: Virginia massacre gunman named It is really easy for us to read these news articles and feel apathetic towards things. We see violence, death and disease every day on our beloved television, and yet sometimes we become so desensitized to it... it's so surreal for us because we're watching it safely behind those little 'windows' to the world (t.v., computer screen, etc). I just happened across the above link this morning browsing my Google Homepage , and although I know that yesterday's horrible Shooting at Virginia Tech isn't exactly breaking news at this point, something just struck me... this morbid, odd feeling. If you look at the photos of the people, the students, the victims, the loved ones of those who were massacred, they began their day just like any other day the same as we did. Maybe they stopped off at the gas station, and maybe had their morning cup of Starbuck's Coffee , they prepared for their day with that same early morning daz...

This is my Monday morning gift to you. Kind of funny, I thought you'd get a kick out of it. First of all, go to Google Maps, and go to 'Get Directions'. Type in "New York" for the first blank, and type in "Paris" for the 2nd (or the destination). Then Click "Get Directions" --OR (for the lazy)-- Here is a Direct Link for Directions from New York to Paris, Click It! Pay special attention to Line #23 in the written directions (gotta make sure you're in shape for that one!)

Happy Friday the 13th / Dorkteenth. Yes, that's right it's finally here. So go enjoy it and watch for the freaky things that you might see all day long. There's a magical feeling in the air, and I think it's going to be a memorable Friday... even if it is just because I posted one big dorky story to remember. It's not too late for you to get involved and post your very own Dork story in honor of this big day. I think you can Vote Here. Don't forget to vote for me!!! As a child, I technically had older siblings, but they were already grown and out on their own by the time I was four years old. So, there I was growing up out in the country, pretty-much an "Only Child". My parents did not indulge in cable television, so I had no MTV, I had no HBO or Comedy Channel, or video games. To get those things I usually spent time at my sister, Vickie's house. Visiting Vickie was a whole exciting adventure for me because it was so different from home, and alth...

It is officially Friday the 13th . I posted my 'Friday the Dorkteenth' story above, so enjoy! I fixed the date on it thanks to a helpful pointer--I didn't even realize you could do it--so that's cool, now it's marked Friday the 13th as it should be! :) For more Friday the 13th fun, if you have nothing better to do you can Go Reflect on a previous post about Mr. J and his Jason Mask . Hope everyone has a wonderful and lucky Friday. Watch for the black cats crossing the road, take heed and all that!! :) And above all else, have a wonderfully crazy-fun weekend! You all Rock!

Well, I've just pretty much decided what I'm going to present for my Dork story in honor of Friday the Dorkteenth . Yes, that's right-it's a great day for horror stories, or huge stories of embarrassment so I've decided to take time out from my "extreme coolness" to join all of you dorks for a day of fun and celebration. :) If you're wondering what on Earth my story might be about, I'll give you a hint: Childhood Crushes, Mud Pies and Crayola Eyeshadow. Me a lowly fifth grader, and he a sexy senior in high school (I liked em' older back then). So tune in for it... tomorrow. If you haven't checked into this event already, then do so and think about posting your very own tale of Dorkishness. I'm doing it, Rockdog's doing it, and some others I'm sure... so Join Us!!! Therefore, today I'm preparing my thoughts to share with you all tomorrow, a dorky side of me hopefully like none you've ever seen... While you're waitin...

Well, it's time to prepare as Friday the 13th is closing in on us... hmmm, that's interesting... Hope it goes off without a hitch. Sounds like a good time for good horror movies or stories... Makes me miss Halloween a little. Still been catching up on deadlines and commitments so that can be stressful. In fact, I finally just finalized my taxes today (How do you like that Dan?? lol). But I guess it's all good. Nobody likes to feel stretched too thin but I was just touching base with my friend Jinks today. She said she'd been wondering about me, why we hadn't been able to really have ourselves a good chat in a while--I explained to her about my pressing matters and all and just kind of told her how I'd been feeling so discouraged and disgusted sometimes, not even wanting to look in the mirror. I mean, we're getting back on track with our fitness and back to healthy eating, but I catch myself comparing the image I see staring back at me more like a Big Loud...

I began my day with a bowl of cereal and a banana, waking up to what began a surprisingly easy-going start to my day. All of the lights eerily turned green, seemingly 'just for me', and all the roadways were unusually clear. Fate just seemed to be on my side! Not even one slow or 'tormenting' driver jumped in front of me. Struck me as a little 'too' nice almost. The radio programming was to my liking, there were no clueless first-time visitors to my garage to make the quest for parking impossible, and there is even the promise of a nice rain on the horizon. Then I cranked the day up a notch by checking out This Week In Pictures from MSNBC , pretty interesting. Basically, though, isn't it terrible that one might be inclined to sit back and appear cautiously skeptical when things go right? Shouldn't we be able to embrace a "good day" with open arms?? Why was I so taken by surprise by this? I know I tend to feel like I have 'not-so-great' ...

*This was written this morning on my Mother's screened in front porch, where I went to meditate, hoping for a few moments of solitude, and so I began to write freely and without scrutiny as I would prefer it be read... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's Sunday morning, Easter. The sky is blue, and the birds are singing their Mourning [sic] tune. This slight chill in the air is all that is helping me make it through. I'm sitting out on the front porch, looking out on the yard where I grew up--this place that I've called 'Home' since before I even had memories. So, why do I feel like a stranger here? It's like all of a sudden, I'm a passerby in a foreign land. Maybe I have slipped through a wormhole and fallen into an alternate plane. Maybe the 'other Me' is happy, smiling and worry-free with no stench of death surrounding... not posing in anticipation of the darkness to come, reflecting on the darkness ...

Gotta be truthful here, I've been racking my brain and nothing THAT interesting ever happened on Easter for me to really write up a story about it. Plus, I'm still going through a bit of a block. Gotta go dye some eggs and have some family fun, so I'll leave you guys with this, and my very best wishes for an ecstatically Happy Easter!!! **Aunt Jackie will return after these messages** Please enjoy a very funny portion from "Old School" the movie.

First of all, my apologies if I haven't made it by your blogs lately, I have tried and have been by as many as I could, but I have been so bogged down by business... Guess I've done o.k. considering. But today is Good Friday , so I will spend some time this morning catching up with you all. Looking at my Archives today, I realized that I have been nurturing and developing this blog for around 9 months. So, in a way it's sort of like a baby that has barely just been "born", so-to-speak. Well, it still has a long way to go I guess, just like any of us do... maybe one day when it grows up it could be a Novel! Imagine that! But for now, it's just a bouncing baby blog that needs love and care while it develops. ;) Now, that may sound silly to many of you who are of the opinion that being on the computer, is wasting time or taking away from your life (the other more meaningful one). But for someone like me, who has always taken pleasure in the written word, and enjo...

A lthough Memphis is well known for its great musical history and talent, the city is not devoid of its political history, or dark times. The south itself carries a reputation for racial strife, and in some parts of the south it still runs high. But make no assumptions, whether you know it or not, racial tension is not just in the south alone... it can be witnessed in many other places in this world. At any rate, as I mentioned in my other post below, today, April 4th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial day. I was not around when Dr. King was killed, of course, but its effects are still all around me, in song and in remembrances of our city and its vast history. I Invite You To Read Jink's post for today, entitled "Who Can Handle The Truth?" , which shows us Dr. King's death among other political events at the time through the eyes of one 11 year old girl. I found it to be very moving, as I think you will too. It all makes you think... and wonder... what IS the truth?...

Yes, hippity hoppity Easter's on it's way... so I will be bringing you some fun Easter treats, and I plan on bringing up on of my stories for you all... so hope you come back for that... Meanwhile, try to look both ways before 'hopping' across the street, you never know what might be hurdling down the lane... yes, that's right--especially in Memphis! I'm off work today in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial holiday , which is a big deal here in Memphis-as it is the City it all happened in, so lots going on in the River City today... Everyone that is off today, please have a peaceful and trouble-free day as well. I have to go and take care of some stuff, go grocery shopping, and i'm meeting up with my best buddy Tamra, who is going to hang out with me for a while... It is Hump Day once again, so please be safe whatever you do!!! And as an old friend of mine used to say, 'If you can't be good, be good at it.' Be safe out there!

Well, I have truly been a busy little bee lately and haven't had much time to plan stories or put up anything worth reading. I see you all liked my "Mr. T" April Fools sign, and I'm glad! It is definitely spring around Memphis, the humidity is rising, everyone's abuzz with the spring events that we have around here, such as Africa in April , featuring the Republic of Liberia this year. Then there's Memphis in May coming up, featuring Spain. Along with that of course, is the vast array of Barbecue cooking contests, music festivals and sights galore. Lots to see and do--I just hope maybe I can force myself out into the land of the living long enough to go and see a couple of them... April is also special because yesterday, April 2nd was my beautiful Mother's birthday. I will respect her and not give away her age online. She's ageless and a classic beauty anyway, so the number does not matter... I just know that I am so lucky to have been able to have bo...