How Did THIS Happen?

Taken a couple of years ago.

Taken twenty years ago.

True facts; in the mind of this baby.

(ten years earlier)

Are you absolutely kidding me?

I'm no rocket scientist, but there is no way on God's green earth that I am sixty freakin' years old.

My God, that's old !!

(by anyone's standard, who's old enough to remember when JFK died)

Yes, that's my barometer of  old age.

And if I have to tell you who this is, 

we're not going to have a lot in common either.

When I was a kid, thirty was middle aged. People in their sixties were the old people I knew...

or either I didn't pay attention until I was well into my forties.

I'm not quite sure where my fifties went, but know we didnt have a lot of money then, and more often than not, we had none at all.

Yet here we are a decade down the road of Life and even ended up on the sunny side of the street.

I kind of like that I'm a semi crazy, random ass freak of nature individual.

It seems to serve me well, and life is never boring.

No one searching for positivity in their life tends to gravitate  towards a snooze fest. 

 It's makes it easier for other people who already know me, to explain to others who don't, when first meeting me, that although I may seem (be) bat shit crazy at times, I'm basically a decent person who will do anything to help you at least once and have sometimes been  a repeat offender before I learn my lesson.

There are three things I consider hard fast rules in Life:

*You get what you give.

*No one can help you until you are willing to help yourself.

*Don't be a dick.

(sorry but it's true)

Pretty much every other rule falls under one of the above categories.

I'd say one of my biggest (or most cringeworthy) downfalls is my thick southern accent and how I sound the minute I open my big, loud mouth and the words come out.

Which happens a lot. 

A whole lot.

Case in point: My husband's name is Timothy but goes by Tim.

 That is one syllable... but when I pronounce it, is minimum three, maximum four.

Every. Time.

"Tee-umm-uh"

Maybe I should save his contact under "My Mullet Man"

I can't even use my bluetooth in the car to ask my cell to call him when I'm driving. It attempts every  other  two and three syllable contact beginning with the letter "T."

(and it's a long list)

Maybe he should save my contact under "Hick Stick."

I know I sound like a hillbilly (I've heard my recorded voice and is nails on a chalkboard) and actually try my best to corrrectly annunciate whenever I'm clocked in...or talking with people who's first language isn't English..or if I get pulled over by a cop.

Fortunately I haven't worked since March 16th. I only leave the house maybe two or three times a week, every neighbor I've met so far speaks english, and the last cop who pulled me over (for speeding) in PoDunk, south Georgia, sounded even hicker than me...and by a long shot.

Retiring at sixty has never been my plan, still isn't, but may be, depending on this current pandemic sweeping our nation. Given the all clear, I'd be glad to wait tables again for a few more years. If I have to wear a mask constantly and fear touching contaminated surfaces or exposing myself to greater risks, I'll stay home for now.

I had worked my way up to a five, sometimes four day work week, day shifts only. Currently they are only open from 4PM until 10 (midnight on the weekends). When (or if) they ask me to return, I will reassess the situation.

I've been above board and honest on all unemployment documentation...every single week.

 Am I out looking for work?

No. 

Would I like to?

Maybe, if I felt comfortable and safe, but I don't.

Are you currently unemployed because of COVID?

Yes.

The scientists, the doctors, the freaking people in charge of the CDC said stay at home if you can, so I did, because (luckily) I could.

Yeah, I lost a pretty sweet job, which took three years for me to work up to; a twenty hour work week , with a take home of six hundred bucks after taxes.

It was perfect.

Could I go out and get another job?  Sure I could, but it freaks me out now, to eve have to go to Aldi for groceries once or twice a week.

I am sixty years old.

I've been paying attention, and I'm at risk.

 

Over three years ago, I  stopped smoking cigarettes (cold turkey) after three decades...on Mother's Day, and have never smoked another one.

My lungs are worked out on a daily basis now. I've coughed up enough shit to sink the Titanic...but have never been prouder of an accomplishment. I stretch, excercise and drink tons and tons of water.

I have a concoction I drink every day for good health, detoxification and preventive purposes. I highy recommend it. Fresh ginger root, turmeric root, lemons, limes, local honey, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar. I make it by the batch in my juicer, and we all drink it now.

I feel healthier and stronger every day , but am still apprehensive about getting back out there, with all the others. 

Especially with so many idiots (yes idiots) refusing to mask up or social distance.

I've been paying into the unemployment system for well over forty years. Trust me, I've paid in a lot more than I've been paid out  since March 16th.

Once my benefits run out, I have been thinking about, and considering several options. As far as a 'clock in' job, I don't want to do anything other than serve. It's what I enjoy and what I do best. The better job I do, the more I make. I'm basically my own boss, as long as I do my job correctly, follow all expected guidelines, procedures, and consistently strive to be a team player.

 Every employee should be so lucky.

I've definitely been one of the lucky ones.

Every shift is a pay day and a new adventure.

I first started out for Red Lobster in the early eighties. After that, I worked for Steak & Ale, WD Crowley's Scotch House, Johnny's Pizza, LongHorn, Mama Lucia's (fine dining) also in the Atlanta airport for Fifth Group (Ecco) and even in Orlando after moving here almost four years ago.

But I enjoy writing...a lot.

I think I like it so much because you can't hear my accent or drawl.

It certainly helps, in any case.

I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this Blog, and after publishing almost eighteen hundred posts since 2011, I haven't done too shabbily.

I've had 254,134 hits on my blog as of today, before posting this one.

I have a dashboard which tells all my stats and numbers, comments and where my readers are checking  in from.

Believe it or not, this is what it tells me:

United States

Russia

Italy

France

 Germany

South Korea

United Kingdom

Ukraine

Poland

Canada

India

Ireland

Singapore

Brazil

United Arab Emirates

Spain

Belgium

Slovenia

(including 853 unknown regions)

That's pretty insane if you ask this Hick Stick Hipster.

I'd like to think for the most part, people who people read or follow my Blog, do so because it's a pleasant read or diversion, a chuckle or sometimes a sobering reminder, for just a couple of minutes out of  their day. I think we could all use that.

My daughter, my Bestie, my youngest...

thinks we should start a podcast together.

She's researching what all it would entail and how to best go about it. She listens to podcasts all the time. I concede and defer to her on all things current, popular and relevant.

(my Momma didn't raise no dummy)

 I'm not quite sure what podcasts are, but seems as if we'd be putting on our own little show, and posting it on the internet.

It looks as if I'm going to have to start brushing up on my annuciation again.

Big Sigh.

*pronunced "Bee-ugh S-eye-ah"

Till next time,

 COTTON@60 

Stupidity: The Real Virus

My brother came over to eat the other night.

We live across the street from each other. He is also my daughter's boss at work.

We keep to ourselves pretty much and limit going out to work and essentials. We were sitting around after dinner, socially distanced from each other out on the lanai which can easily seat twelve.

Visits usually always have us spread out between the breakfast room and large farm table at the other end of our large eat in kitchen while we eat.

Sometimes we play corn hole or an occasional game of Jenga, Scrabble or Yahtzee.

We're pretty avid hand washers, surface cleaners and while I'm no June Cleaver, my house isn't a dump by any means.

Especially since March 16,2020.

The day everything changed and reality hit home.

That was the last day I worked. They closed the doors at the end of the night, and didn't attempt to reopen until after the beginning of June.

They're still not open for lunch (the shift I worked) and have shorter limited days and hours.

I am blessed to be able and wait this ugly virus out from the confines of my house and yard. I have a husband who can provide for us.

 Millions and millions and millions aren't as lucky, and were faced with no other choice but to return to jobs , many of which deal directly with the public.

Orlando is a Hospitality /Tourism driven town...pretty much totally.

When I came home from work on March 16, I don't think I left the house again for at least three weeks. My husband was out of work for a couple of weeks and worked from home. My daughter continued to work, always masked and always diligent about sanitation procedures.

I simply sent them text requests and they stopped by stores on the their way home from work to pick up whatever I needed or asked for.

They bought it and I cooked it.

I remember the first time I went to the grocery store by myself. I'll be honest, I was kinda freaked out, but followed all the recommended safety precautions and came straight home and sanitized again.

Even during this period of time, early on, around the end of March, tons of people were already screaming conspiracy and mind control, especially on the Face Place. 

Unfortunately, most still are, some even getting louder and seemingly prouder of their rants.

Mind you, more people have died from COVID-19 than did during the entire Vietnam war, and occurred within the matter of a few shorts weeks' time.

I finally cleaned out my (so called) friends list so I never had to come across their total misinformed and misconstrued posts.

How hard is it to simply wear a mask and stay away from crowds?

I guess it's harder than I thought, and I'm certainly no Einstein.

Here's the thing. I'm going to trust and believe a doctor, a scientist or widely renowned and respected specialist over any politician when it comes down to the own well being and health of my own family.

I'm going to listen carefully to what they say, and do exactly what they tell me.

Even if  (and when) the advice changes.

That's why it's called a medical practice.

A friend of mine got upset when I wrote that people were being stupid by downplaying every single thing the experts were telling us on daily, sometimes hourly basis.

I realize stupid is a harsh.

But so is this pandemic.

Webster's defines stupid as : slow to learn or understand; obtuse.

That pretty much sums it up for me, but I'll go the extra mile and say I've never seen more obtuse people at any time in my almost sixty years on this earth.

Obtuse, also defined by Webster's:  lacking quickness of perception or intellect; not sharp.

Seems we have a lot of dunces walking around, and most of them refuse to simply wear a 

mask or chill at home for a while in groups of no more than ten. I won't be in a group of more than six unless I have to, and only have twice since March 16.

Once for my son's birthday, seated at a table for six of us in the middle of a huge and spread out dining room at not even half capacity.

The second was for my father in laws funeral, held outside, with just thirty two people in attendance, most all masked, but all standing apart from each other.

Then I saw the director of the CDC on television the other day. With my own eyes and ears, witnessed and heard  him say these words...
"The U.S. could get the coronavirus under control in one to two months if everyone wears a mask."

You're killing us Smalls, literally.

I went to the gas station yesterday to get some gas on the way home from my weekly jaunt to Aldi. I've only had to buy gas two times since March 16. I'm currently getting great gas mileage, so there is that.

I masked up, and went inside to pay. On both of the doors were posted huge signs saying "Masks required". I went in and stood on the set of foot prints six feet behind the guy who was currently paying. A couple about my age came out of the bathroom area, the man walking in front of her, no mask and loudly  huffing and puffing about the toilet not working. She had her tank top pulled up over her mouth, and  can say with confidence, she didn't have a super model's body and none of us particularly enjoyed the view. Her husband, who stopped by to use the hand sanitizer dispenser on his way out the door said over his shoulder, "We'll just go somewhere else to use the bathroom!"
They weren't there to buy gas. They weren't even there to buy a hot dog off the spinner. They simply stopped because they needed to use the facilities...mask or no mask, no matter what the very obvious sign said on each of the double doors going inside ...."Masks required.'
 How sorry is that?


Another case in point.

On our way to my father in laws' funeral near Atlanta, we stopped only one time on the ride up, to gas up and eat. We all three masked up and went into Zaxby's after fueling up next door at the gas station. We decided to use the facilities at the restaurant as opposed to the nasty looking gas station (sorry but it was) so Massey and I headed to the restroom while Tim placed our order 'to go'. The place was pretty full, it was around lunch time. Not one single person, besides employees (and us) had on a mask, but were all chatting it up side by side at tables and (literally) right behind Tim in line. The guy behind him was close enough to tap him on the shoulder, even if he'd had T-Rex arms. They looked at us in our masks like we had two heads. We took the ticket after Tim paid and stood back by the entrance waiting on our number to be called. The minute Tim came out of the restroom, we handed the ticket back to him and told him we'd meet him back at the car.

I actually wanted to make a loud comment to Tim as he came out of the restroom and we handed him back the ticket for our order, before we scooted out of the germ festival and say "Dang, Tim, we need to move here, they must not even have Coronavirus in this town!"

Of course Tim would have killed me, and we were already on the way to one funeral.

My point is, it's not that hard to understand or to comply with the CDC.

Yet still friends of mine, some with major health issues, several with heart conditions, several who go through surgery after surgery after surgery simply to survive, refuse to wear a mask and feel it is a violation of their rights to have it as a mandate.

Let me ask them this?
Would it be okay with you if next time they cracked your chest open for surgery, no one sterilized their hands or covered their face with a mask? Not the nurses, not the surgeon, not the anesthesiologist, and certainly not the custodians who clean each and every room in the entire place.

My last, and biggest problem is that even the president, my  president, America's president, leader of the free world, won't even wear a face mask in public, or promote the use of such. I have seen him wearing a mask one time, and that was this past week.
 It's the middle of July.
This all (publicly)started at the first of the year!


If that doesn't speak volumes about this virus and our government's "Laissez-faire" attitude towards it, what does?

This is a headline from the year 1918.
We should be smarter than this by now.









So my brother came by to pick up his pup after work the other night.

I pet sit for him now.
 His dobie comes over and stays with our boxer Mon-Fri.
They are best buds now and my constant companions.
I've come to like dogs a lot more than I like people.

Anyhoo...

 My brother mentioned offhandedly that he'd a had a doctor's appointment for some tests that day, and had asked his own doctor as he passed through the exam room (as long as he was there) to give him the real deal on the actual usefulness of wearing a face mask?

 His doctor shrugged and said, palms up "What do I know, I'm not a politician."

My brother was kidding, but it made a very valid point.

The president can commute a convicted politician's sentence because of his fear he may contract COVID-19 in prison and give him a pass; but wants to send kids as young as four years old back to crowded buses and schools,  next month and expect the teachers to feel comfortable rather than compromised. (and threatens withholding funding if they don't)

Once again, we're getting away from obtuse and back to stupid.
Just saying.


Why would you hire a roofer, fresh out of a halfway house, who you don't even know, who looks and sounds sketchy to begin with, but says he knows what he's doing; to replace your septic tank and all the sewage lines to your own 50,000 square foot mansion?

Stay Woke, and we can all stand alone together.
Till next time,
COTTON

                                                                               

Time Moves On

I've had to really limit myself on nation FB.
The political infighting is bad enough, but the COVID hoax/
conspiracy/mind control/ taking away your rights/masks don't help, is too over the top for me to handle.
It makes me furious.

What if a surgical team refused to wear masks when they opened you up for an operation?
They wear them because they keep you from infection.
In other words, they do work.
People in China have been wearing masks in public for as long as I can remember.
It's. Not. That. Hard.

Do I enjoy wearing one?
Certainly not, but I wouldn't think  of going out in public without one.
I leave the house for essentials only, about twice a week.
I mask up before getting out of my car, and sanitize my hands on the way out the door with my groceries. Once in my car, I sanitize them again after taking off my mask.
Once I'm back home I wash my hands with soap and water immediately.

I follow this same routine every single time  I leave our driveway in the car.
And so should you.
 You should also be ashamed of yourself if you don't, or won't  wear a mask.
Science is real.

The fact that over 131,444 Americans have died in less than four months should give you pause.
That's a small city...wiped out.
That's more lives lost than in the Vietnam war.

Then to add insult to injury, the president commuted the sentence of a convicted felon (friend of his) who was found guilty on charges of making false statements, witness tampering, and obstruction...because the felon felt prison couldn't keep him safe from COVID19.

Then this happened.

Are you absolutely freaking kidding me??

I am so grateful all three of my kids are grown.
I'm pretty sure parents and teachers are pretty much freaking out.
I know I would.


Here's my complaint.
If we'd all worn  masks consistently, since it was first suggested, we'd be a lot further down the road to total recovery.
Another true fact.

I've had to delete about fifty people from my FB feed the past week or so.
Some of their comments were so offensive and way over the line of  being racist.

Someone recently took this yard sign from beside our mailbox.
 I was actually surprised it didn't happen sooner.
My daughter ordered it off Amazon.
Some of my neighbors commented how much they loved it. A lot of neighbors rode by slowly, obviously reading it.
Who's to say if they liked it or not?

It really didn't matter much to me.
Our yard.
Our sign.
Our opinion.

Someone took it on the Fourth of July, sometime after dark.

A neighbor spotted it in a trash pile on a cul de sac where no houses are built (yet)... a place where stupid people dump their stupid crap instead of disposing of it the right way.
And we live in middle of a nature preserve, for Pete's sake!!
Side note: You really can't fix stupid.

Even my husband, who rarely talks politics with me (crazy us; we often differ) said it was most probably an adult, not a kid...and I completely agree.
(See, we do agree sometimes!)


I promptly put it back out, a little beat up and bent, this time on the inside of our fence, but still getting its message across.
Whatever kind of person that took it out of my yard, is the exact type of person we were (are) addressing.
And  will continue to address.

How can you be against any of what the sign says, and still call yourself a compassionate person...
much less a Christian? (which most all seem to brag and claim to be)

I know I shouldn't let the haters bother me, and they certainly don't deserve my attention.
But as they catch my eye while I scroll through the cyber drivel, it hurts me to my soul.

What is wrong with loving every single person for the person they are?
And who are you to say they are wrong in their choice?

I guess I missed that memo.

Because the last time I checked, we all bleed the same.
We all breathe the same.
Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

My God (no pun intended)...is it really that hard to understand?

Love is much more pleasant than hate.
Can we all at least agree on that?

And don't forget about that Karma train steaming its way back into your life's station at this very moment.
Live your life the way you want to be remembered.
I try to.
I don't always get it right, but at least I try.


Till next time, COTTON

We Can Do Hard Things

Trust me, our family has done hard things.

My daughter suggested,  and  loaned me a book to read a couple of weeks ago.

I've been out of work since March 16th.
I have nothing but time, and most fortunately have a wonderful place to do exactly that.

After the very first page, I knew I needed to read this book..so I did.
And highly recommend it.

Sometimes you have to do hard things...
 I can, we can, they can, and you can.
And sometimes we all must.

Never roll over and wallow in pity, it helps absolutely nothing.
Instead, revel in your despair, knowing you can and will rise above it.
Your trials and tribulations are what make you who you are!
Embrace, face and figure it out.
Life doesn't come with any guarantees, it's basically a Fire Sale.

Life is literally a "Stop and smell the roses" mentality check for the soul.

For the first time since 2017, this past week, we were all together again.
 Unfortunately Tim's dad crossed the finish line of his own life here on earth.
It was a bittersweet gathering.


I am literally 95% done with my own life as I know it.

It's kinda scary and it's kinda awesome.

Ten years ago I was kiting checks to just keep the power on; also always  lucky enough to be able and borrow  money to make the check good with a loan from my boss...interest never once charged, and trust me, I borrowed a lot.

For a long time.

You gotta work with what you've got and hope you work hard enough to earn the respect of  those who employ you.

Side note;

Work for awesome people.

So here we are, ten years later down the road...going on eleven.

Time and time again, Tim and I have said we'd do it all over again, to get here,to this exact place.

It's nothing fancy on the inside, but is actually everything I have ever wanted in a house.

And the outside?

Shut the front door...(and then some).

 It is every thing I've ever dreamed of having and then some.

Keep spinning those wheels, even when you think  you're just slinging up mud.

Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.

Til next time, COTTON

The New (ab)Normal

Not always true, but if you're lucky...they will, more often than not.

I'm one of the lucky ones.

By far.

Now the world is (suddenly) seemingly going to hell in a hand cart.

Blacks are the enemy! They are looters and thugs. It's almost like America is collectively forgetting the past several hundred years.

I haven't.

 And I won't.

With absolutely every single trial and financial tribulation my family has been through the past ten years, it pales in comparison. Pun intended (if only to sting your conscience)

There will never be anyone who can tell me, ever, as a woman,...what to do to my body.

Ever.

And don't even mention the government trying to mandate you wear a face mask in public??

Number one, they shouldn't have to.

It's called common sense.

Number two, are you seriously doubting scientific facts, calling medical data bunk?

I assure you COVID 19 doesn't belong to any political party, but's willing to cling to any...and does.

On top of that, we seem to have no problem with snatching infants, toddlers and young children from  parent's arms as they attempt to cross into this country for a better life, then lock those kids in cages...

literally, and send the parents back home like they've done something wrong?!

Love is the missing ingredient, with kindness being the tool to get there.

Til next time, 

COTTON 

How Hard Is It To Understand?

Simply put and completely true.

I'm terrified of going back to work.
 I've worked in restaurants, non stop since the late seventies. It's been my chosen profession and  know all too well about cross contamination and how quickly it can spread.

I do not feel comfortable about being a server at this exact moment in  time, especially considering I live in the number one travel destination of the entire world.
Mask or no mask.
At my age it simply isn't worth the risk to me.

But here's a clue...

Wear a freaking mask when you are out in public, and distance yourself from others whenever it is possible.

Throw in washing your hands a lot and keeping your surroundings clean and sanitary...it's really not that hard to do.
That should about do it, and would one hundred percent absolutely make a more than tremendous difference in the fight  against COVID.

One problem is that our own president won't even wear a mask or tell others they should.

 And I thought "I" was a slow learner?

If I hear one more person screaming about "don't try and control my rights to freedom"... 'I' could puke.

 You can't fix stupid, but you can block and delete it.

I spend less and less time on Facebook, the twenty four hour cyber water cooler of illiterate haters.
 I haven't seen or read as many hateful things, mostly all untrue, since Barrack Obama ran for president and was elected.
Twice.

I'll take class over crass any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Sometimes I am so appalled and taken aback from things posted by people I have known my entire life. Dang, were they racist when I was a kid and I was just too much of a knuckle head to notice?
That's totally one possibility, and I freely admit to it.

I am so far from being perfect I can't even see the halfway mark, but at least I consistently try and get it right more often than not.
So there's that.



I've never seen this country more divided over simply wanting (asking) for equal rights
...for every single person, every single day of their life.

Here's a challenge.

Read this book and get back to me about Black Lives Matter.


Hell, just look what we did to Native Americans when we first arrived...on their land.

Come on, America.
We have a lot to make up for.


Not to mention, these examples are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of inequality and injustice, and a huge elephant in the american living room. Don't expect change to happen in one weekend, and don't expect it to be pretty.




It hasn't been  pretty for them, so why should it be pretty for you?
Think about that for a minute.

Think about George Floyd, with that (not all) cops knee on his neck for 8 minutes and forty six seconds, even though he was handcuffed, non combative...and innocent?

I could go on, and on, and on...and on.
Literally.

If reading this makes you feel uneasy, angry or uncomfortable, maybe you should ask yourself why?

I think Dr. Seuss put it best, years and years ago.

Love is all you (we, or they) need.


Til next time,

COTTON