Facing the New Year

The last part of this year has been a whirlwind.  Sherry's cancer has been hard on all of us.  It is hard to watch her suffer and not able to help.   I do all I can but I feel that I am not doing enough and then I am so tired and run down that it is hard for me to even care for myself.  I glance forward peering into the new year and try to see what the future holds but I can't see enough, or far enough down that road of time.  I just hope we can hold it all together for another year.  Please pray for us if you read this.  One day all the questions will have answers.

We are on the eve of Christmas. Children are awaiting the arrival of Saint Nicholas, wonderful foods are being prepared and families come together.  I keep having flashbacks of past Christmases, some good some not so good.  But, I try to bring back the thoughts of childhood Christmases.  I feel a sadness that all those wonderful folks of yesteryear are gone.  We fill their shoes now for we are the family elders.  The best thing about Christmas is family and having them to love.  Please if you are reading this cherish that most of all for it slips away over the years.  It seems each passing year we lose one here and one there.  They leave their memories and the sadness creeps in.  I love you all, friends, family and aquaintences.  Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Fight the Good Fight

My wife and I have embarked on a rocky journey.  She starts chemo in about a week.  Ths mastectomy was about a month back and has healed.  She has her drainage tube out tomorrow.  We are afraid of the unknown and the known, the things we have read.  We are both hoping the after affects of the chemo aren't too harsh.  We are going to fight the good fight and take it one day at a time, maybe even one moment at a time in the rough times.  God be with us, His will be done.

Home in WV

Sherry and I are home in WV.  We are spending the holiday with Angie and the kids,  Mike my son is coming in and will be here early tomorrow,  Everyone have a happy Thanksgiving.

My Wife's Surgery

We are home after Sherry had surgery at UNC hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.  It went well, recovery was good and she was able to come home as expected.  The hard part I think is over but we aren't sure what lies ahead of us. She has had a mastectomy and now she may face chemo.  We just don't know and we are going to pray and do what we can to work thru all this.

Home in WV

We have had a very nice visit with the Daughter and grandkids.  Haley our grand-daughter had a basketball gall tonight which she won.  It was a pleasure to see them play.  These are the young stars of the future.  There was victory pizza for the family afterwards.

The weather has been nice.  Trees are showing off their colors and soon there will be frost.  Old man winter once more will bring snow to these mountains.  We are going back to NC tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be nice for one more day before rain sets in.

Please Pray

My wife Sherry was a couple of health issues and I hope our friends will help by praying for us.  We see the Dr's on Thursday for a biopsy.  I hope it is benign but you don't know till the tests are in.  She's a fighter and has beat cancer one time already.

Dog Gone

We got in from WV on Tuesday.  It was about 9:30 PM.  The first thing I noticed as I pull up was the gate was open.  I pulled on up and I missed saeeing our dog Precious.  I thought "she wouldn't leave the yard?".  We looked and looked for her to no avail.  She is 17 years old and I am afraid she may have left to go somewhere to die.  I have heard of that before.  I do hope to find her and take care of her.  She is a really good dog and has always played and acted like a puppy chasing balls and bringin them back. I am afraid that she may be gone for good.

The Old Man is Gone.

It's a funny feeling knowing the old man is gone.  He was a husband, husband, farmer and miner.  He had knowledge of the earth and surroundings that went with him.  He could live off the land and gather food from what God has provided without going to Wally World or the like.  He was an overseer to God's creations.  He will be missed.  He remains in the sunlight, wind in the trees in nature to those who knew him and have him in their hearts.  i will always think of him when I'm here on this mountain.

Time to Catch Up

I thought I should take a few minutes and bring everyone up to speed on what's up with me.  I guess I should, at least I feel like I should anyways.  I am not so well.  I have an awful lot of pain in my ankle.  It's to the point I don't walk or stand anymore than I have to.  The pain affects my disposition so I am not so sunny and delightful.  Sherry is awaiting an MRI and Mamogram based on her last Dr's visit.  She had a CAT Scan.  They saw something and she is expecting the worst.  I feel for her but try to cheer her and not be so dour on that subject.  We are to leave for WV on the 1st.  It's time for the family re-union. Yay!!  Our oldest dog, Precious is having problems with her hip and walking.  I feel she hasn't much longer and I feel so bad about that.  She's 16 now and it's time I guess.  I just feel so down.  I sleep as much as I can.  It's the only time I happy and not hurting.

In the Heat of the Night

It sure has been hot lately.  The only respite is of a night.  We sure could use some rain.  The arthritis is got me down sa bad I can hardly walk.  I have an appointment to get some cordizone shots next week.  I hope I can make it that long. 

What a Time we live in

I just don't understand all this political rangling going on in Washington.  They always bring out the threat of cutting social security and medicare to scare the hell out of the older folks.  Wht don't they take a pay cut?  I even heard they were attacking the vets pensions and the VA care they get for what they had to suffer through.  Come on people!!!!  I wish we could remember all the things they do at election time.

All My Friends

I just wanted to write a quick note to/about all my internet friends and say how much they mean to me.  I don't get out much and sometimes this is all the interaction I have with other folks.   I love yawl, and I miss ya when I don't hear from ya.

CONFEDERATE AMERICAN PRIDE
Dedicated to Americans who are proud of their Confederate heritage
http://www.ConfederateAmericanPride.com

What we have here......is a failure to communicate

I just keep wondering about this National debt thing.  Wonder if they could start a National Lottery with a really big payoff?  How about a contest in which folks could submit ideas to solve the problem and the best ones get a reward.  I got it......a National Yard Sale on the White House Lawn!!!!!!!!!!!!  I mean that's what most folks do when they need money.  I wonder how much NASA gets????  They said the last Shuttle just blasted off.  Ground em for a year and throw that money in the pot.  I'm like the farmer who saw the turtle on the fencepost.  He stopped and looked at him, scratched his head and knew he didn't get there by his self,  He just wondered who got him up there and who was gonna get him down.    That is how I feel about Obama.

Thank You for Visting with Me

Angel is Well

We had quite a scare when our dog Angel who recently went to the vet for a wellness exam was found to have some abnormalities with her liver.  The vet wanted an ultra sound done.  The ultrasound went ok but with a couple of issues.  Her liver was enlarged but the vet said that it could have always been a little large.  There was some issues with her adrenal gland being a little large.  All in all everything is kinda "watch and see".  I have to take her back in 3 months.  I was worried that she may have had cancer like Trouble our other dog did.  I just didn't want to think about her going through all that.

Wild in WV

We are in True WV.  WoW!!!!  Can you sense my excitement!!! NOT LOL.  I am not excited about being here, but the things you do for love.  I really can't think of other stuff to talk about right now.  I just can't get into it right now

People of Walmart music video

People of Walmart music video

You all gotta check this one out. Love that walmart!!!

Bluegreen Resorts in vacation destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas…

Bluegreen Resorts in vacation destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas…

I have been a Bluegreen owner over 10 years and we love it. I go to the beach or the mountains and don't have any worries because I know its gonna be great!!!

My Youngest Son's Birthday

Today is my youngest son's birthday. He is 31. I remember when I passed the three oh and how different life seemed. I couldn't run with the younger fellas. I wonder what is like for him. I was in the Army and the situation was different for me. I hope he has many many more birthdays to come. He is coming over later for cake and to get his gift. I hope he likes what I got for him.

YouTube Video Box on Facebook

YouTube Video Box on Facebook

If you're gonna be dumb you gotta be tough.  Amen Bother!!!

Pray for Them

I am shocked at the amount of death and destruction that has happened across our Great County.  I think of those families and just want to cry.  It really affects me.  I feel just so bad!  I can't imagine losing everything and even in some cases my family too.  How will it ever get back to normal.  We have had so many accidents around here where I live involving children and car wrecks.  I just can't remember that many before.  I haven't ever lost a child but I just pray for those parents and suffering.  If you are reading this just stop and pray for them.  I can't get past all that hurt.  I walk around all day with that pain for people I don't even know but I hurt too.

My Book of Prayers

I write my prayers down like I'm writing a letter to GOD.  I started this a while back.  I know it helps and I can get my thoughts together when I write them down.  I have to think through what I am trying to say.  I remember things I may have forgotten otherwise.  I always remember to thank Him for my many blessings.  I bet it will really be something one day to look back and see what I have written down over the years.

Updates - Connect to the people you care about - Yahoo! Pulse

Updates - Connect to the people you care about - Yahoo! Pulse

Home Stan Clardy

Take a Moment and visit this web site


Home Stan Clardy

Free North Carolina

Free North Carolina

The Music Stopped Playing

I used to love to see Justin Wilson on TV.  He was a pure bred cajun and a very funny fellow.  Those kind of people are the ones I like to be around.  I like to laugh better than anything else I guess.  I used to know a lot of jokes but my mind seems to be losing ground because I can't remember them at all anymore.  I stopped drinking about 10 years ago.  I used to listen to music all the time but I just don't care for it anymore.  I can't seem to remember the faces on pictures of people I used to know.  I can recognize them but can't remember their faces.

I spent some time with my sons this weekend, Micheal and Woodrow.  Greg is n TN and I only see him ocassionally when he can come down. I enjoy their company and it makes me feel better.

James Smithson

James Smithson

Check out my Facebook page,

A Silver Lining

I am shocked at the horrible death and destruction the tornadoes have brought to so many people this year.  I am more aware of the possibility of  the forces of nature every time a thunder storm comes our way.  I think the news carries more info now than they did in the past because of all this.  I just keep thinking about all the horror these people have had to endure.  I feel, well I feel afraid really that something like that could happen to my family at any time.  I just can't get it off my mind.  I just wish it could be better for those people somehow.

The one good thing that has come of this is the fact that it has brought people closer together.  Now I know what you're thinking, are you crazy?  No, really it has caused people to help each other and to come out and talk to their neighbors that they haven't ever spoken to before and to help each other.  I bet there has been a lot of praying going on and it has brought the people closer to God.  I know that I have talked to him more now than before.  I haven't heard a single comment about taking away prayer from a public place during all this.  I do hate for the destruction and loss of life.  I know there is no way to bring back what has been taken away by nature. This tragedy has affected so many people and friends of mine.  If you read this please lift them up in prayer and help them if you are able to.  God bless everyone.

Confederate statue crash sparks Reidsville debate

Confederate statue crash sparks Reidsville debate: "The Reidsville Confederate monument has reported via his Twitter account that he “has a splitting headache.”"

Doctors Visit

Ms Sherry had to go back to Chapel Hill today for a follow up appointment with her Dr.  The urinary tract infection was gone.  She still has some infection otherwise and they changed her antibiotic to a stronger one.  Her tests showed there may be a problem in her liver so they had to draw more blood for a test on that.  I pray all is ok and that she feels better very soon.  It was a nice day for the drive and we got back home after stopping at the pharmacy.  Angel and Precious were glad to see us back.  They hate pulling guard duty and would rather just bask in the warm sunshine. :)

What a Beautiful Day

I know why God made the sky Carolina blue.  It's a wonderful day in the Carolinas today.  I hate that I can't enjoy it more.  It was days like today we lived for as kids.  I'd be out rambling in my younger days.  I bet the beach is nice right now.  I loved when I used to ride my motorcycle through the mountains and would pass from the sunlight to the shade of the mountains and the trees, the air would be so chilly and then you'd pop back out in the sun.  What a rush.  Maybe I will go fishing one day.

Friday the 13th

I guess I'm just as superstitous as the next fella but I am glad I forgot today was Friday the 13th.  I went about my day in ignorant bliss not knowing that impending doom was about to strike me at any second.  I will not cross the path of a black cat, no really!  I will turn around and go a different way or wait till another breaks the cross, I mean goes on across the path and then I consider the curse of the black cat to be broken.

I get feelings of dread or impending crisis that usually come true.  Maybe it is just self-fulling prophecy, I don't know.  I have months that are bad.  The months of August and September are especially bad for me.  Most bad stuff happens to me then.  Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it, it may make it worse.

I have lucky knives and coins and this and that.  I have had times of deja vu when I knew what was going to be said or happen before it does.  I can sense some bad things.  Its just a feeling.  Doesn't everyone do this?  I don't believe so much in haints and ghosts but I know they can be real.  I just don't think there are as many as folks let on there are.  Now mind you I don't go poking around in graveyards or spooky houses at night either.

My Morning Rant or Thoughts

One of the greatest things about FB it has brought together so many friends with like goals together.  I think this is a good thing but it scares me too.  I don't trust that the fact of this will be used against  the people at some point in time.  I can give you an example.  Every time somebody goes Postal, they say well he had this or that on FB.  I believe that if the government or someone with lots of power could just go into or hack into FB and "round em up boys".  Just food for thought, I worry about this though.  I don't think that even taking yourself off FB will stop this from happening.  Everyone has a puter now-a-days so there are many ways to track you even by cell.  I just hope that it never comes to that.  I am a positive person and I try to see good in everyone but at times I have found this to be a difficult task.
   I pray to God to keep me and my family and friends safe from harm.  I do hope and pray for relief for the victims of the flooding and tornado folks.  I always have to ask myself why do bad things happen to good people.  I know the answer but I just don't understand.  I guess that's why we are called "children" of God.
  Pray everyday.  Love your family.  Take time to say "I love you."  I like to have a "sit down" meal at the dinner table, at least once a day.  You come together as a family.  It don't hurt to say a blessing.  I know I'm the world's worst at this.  I'm a pig when it comes to food.  Lift up your family and friends to God.  Say a prayer for our leaders and country.  I'm not perfect, just forgiven.  I don't look down on anyone who doesn't believe but I do feel compassion for them, especially if they are a friend.  I have done a lot of bad things, I guess everyone has and we beat ourselves up for it.  I have gotten better as I grew older.  I think my body said "Jim, the party is over".  I had to slow down or I wouldn't be around anymore.

Is it Just Me?

I am getting these calls from political groups for this and that and the bottom line is always money.  They want $200 to $300, are you kidding me?  If I had that money I'd pay my bills.  I just don't ever remember getting these kind of calls in the past.

Concealed Carry Information & News | U.S. Concealed Carry Association

Concealed Carry Information & News | U.S. Concealed Carry Association

Concealed Carry Information & News | U.S. Concealed Carry Association

Concealed Carry Information & News | U.S. Concealed Carry Association

Cold Spring Rain

I sat and watched the rain out the window.  I thought about my Mom who would have been 98 May the 4th.  She passed back in 99.  I think about her everyday, and miss her.  Its funny how sitting watching it rain can trigger so many memories, times long gone.  I walked outside and the wetness of the grass was cold.  My ankles and legs hurt because of arthritis.  The cold almost makes it feel like they are cramping and harder to move.

I think about Mom and knowing Sunday is Mother's Day.  I miss her.  I feel like she is with me sometimes, so close.  I feel so all alone.  My kids are all grown and have their lives and not much time for their Dad, maybe I just wish they were around more.  I miss them.

I always liked to watch the lightning and see it streak across the sky.  It's so powerful and scary.  The thunder follows.  There has been so many bad storms you pay more attention to them now.  I hope we don't have anymore tornadoes.

Blessed

I am feeling blessed in that we dodged the bullet with all the bad storms that came trough here today.  Thank you Lord.  I am listening to the new album by Lucinda Williams titled "Blessed".  Those songs hit close to home and make you think.  I feel sad and lost.  I'd cry if I was able.

Friday

My Black Ram truck is colored yellow with pollen.  I parked it out in the open hoping tonights rain will help wash it off some.  Ms Sherry had some running to do today.  She had a Dr's appointment in Mebane and had to go to the hairdresser in Graham.  I picked up a few groceries at Food Lion while she was getting her do done.

I like just sitting and listening to the radio while I wait for her.  Its relaxing and I get lost in my own thoughts as my mind wanders from one point in my life to the next.  A breeze can blow through and I hear it in the trees and I hear Momma say "Oh that's cool", this was before we had air conditioning and we would sit outside under the trees in the day because it was cooler outside than in.  I might be somewhere else in my mind in a nanosecond in a different place and time.  I am sad and feel better just to keep my thoughts to myself mostly.

NorthCarolinaSesquicentennialEvents

NorthCarolinaSesquicentennialEvents

Fort Sumter Soiree ~ A Victorian dance in Charleston

Fort Sumter Soiree ~ A Victorian dance in Charleston

Mondays Monday

What a day Mondays can be.  They are always bad at the 1st of the month when you only get paid once a month and have to get all your business done that first week.  My ankle is really giving me a fit today and each step is made in agony.  I am more touchy and grouchy, I know it.  The day wears on and the more I hurt  until I am just incapacitated.

Celebrate Confederate History Month

This is a great site for North Carolina events and information.

FREE NORTH CAROLINA
http://freenorthcarolina.blogspot.com/

 

the gratitude campaign: watch the short video

the gratitude campaign: watch the short video

Twilights Last Gleeming

At last Friday comes to a close and what a day.  I have to say it was a good day.  I made connections with a dear friend I hadn't heard from in over 35 years.  I was so glad to talk to him again.  The years have taken it's toll on us both but we are still alive and able to conjure up old memories of good times gone by.  I do hope I will get to see him sometime soon.  This past year saw the loss of so many friends and relatives.  Young and old taken away too soon, tragically.  Rain is in the air so not much for the weekend.  My bones is tellin.  I hope everyone has a good weekend and make some connections dont wait too long.

A Trip to Chapel hill

It was a beautiful day for a drive.  The sun was shining and the air was warm.  Storm clouds were in the distance Northward but they held off and did not dampen our day.  Easter lilies are blooming and red buds are out.  Dogwoods are starting to show and the Bradford pears are all in white.  Patches of green signal the coming spring.  The Dr didn't find an infection in her initial tests but did some blood work for Sherry and suggested some follow ups.  There wasn't any wait time and we got in and out of the clinic in a very timely manner. Sherry and I talked and enjoyed the scenery on the trip down highway 54 back to Burlington, its about 30 miles.  I promised to take her to Denny's as a treat for having to go to the Dr's.  We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon breakfast and came on home where we were greeted by Angel at the door like we had been gone for a week.  The meal laid heavy on us and it was time for a nap.  This was a good afternoon.

Dr Day

Busy day today.  Ms Sherry has a doctor appointment in Chapel Hill.  Its with her family Dr and she's a very nice person.  They are very good at the Family Medicine Clinic.  We have been fortunate to always get good doctors.  They are there for a few years then move on.  We miss em when they go.  We have to break in a new one after they leave and that takes a while. (Grin)
My son took out a life insurance policy and it makes me sad.  I hate to think of death of a child but it can happen.  My wife has lost a child but I cant even imagine it.  I can cry just thinking about it.  I lost a grand-daughter.  She died at birth but I saw her. I held her. I still cry for her.

I Am Thankful

I do have to admit I am so thankful for the number of friends and like minded individuals I have met on facebook.  It is reassuring that there are many people who believe as I in the virtues of the South and her people.  I love to go to FB to see what everyone is doing and to see how they are.  I hate to say but it is the most interaction I get on a day to day basis.

My Day Comes to a Close

My day comes to a close.  I have fed the two children (dawgs).  I always endure more pain as the day wears farther along and by bedtime it is to the degree it is hard to find sleep.  I have my dragons to slay.  My ghosts keep me company.  I have made friends of most of them.  They are not as scary as they once were.  I still wake in a panic and have to lay in pain until once again I can find sleep.  There are nights when I don't sleep at all.  I can pace myself and get somethings done in a days time and not suffer too bad if I'm careful.  God, thank you for my many blessings.....forgive me of my transgressions today. Amen. 

MY Morning Wake Up

This day begins new and fresh and I awake the problems of the last day affront me.  I am greeted with sickness, and grief.  I don't watch the news because there is just more of the same there.  I find some happiness in my dog, Angel who wakes me each morning happy and in want of her morning meal and to be let out to investigate the yard to find any interlopers who may have dared to invade her territory.  The big dog which I sometimes call the big "Yellar Dawg" awaits her meal outside on the porch.  Angel relieves her of her duties as watchdog to make her rounds.  This is how my mornings begin.