Living Rural

My last post was July 4 … no, it is not my fault … in fact, it can not be blamed on any one person or event. Simply put, 451press was experiencing growing pains! I do not think TPTB really had a clue as to what to expect with the upgrades, new servers, … pretty much new and improved everything!

The really “new look” of the site and blogs themselves took my breathe away. Hats off to Steve S., Captain of this ship, great job! I know we whined, emailed over and over, and talked about the l. o. n. g. time it was taking, among ourselves, but I(we) hung in there … despite all of it! I, for one, am glad I did. Thank you for the hard work you put in on this project. Now, we can all get back to WORK and write, write, write.

I have to admit I was surprised when I logged in without any “heavy load” message, so much so, that I have totally lost my thoughts which had been processed with a great idea for my first blog back … That surely means it would have been outstanding (loosing thoughts has to be the down side of growing older). Of course, getting the “Senior Discount” makes up for loosing your mind!

This is so much fun - being back and working hard for the money! It’s not so much the hard work as it is finding the time to sit down and actually write … hang in there! I’ll be in the groove with the next post, I promise! Until then … Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

If you have tried to get here over the past few weeks, you probably had trouble. The reason for the delays,“experiencing high load” message, and “unable to load page” is a change of server, upgrading the system, and upgrading software, etc. The inconvenience to each of us should be worth it once it is complete. That is my story and I am sticking to it! Insider humor, bear with me it has been a long, hot week. Thank you for continuing to try, it is good to have you here!

In honor of the Fourth of July, here is a salute to our freedom and those who protect it and a little history lesson from my long distance carrier, AmericanFone …

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

We declared our independence, our right to be free as a nation, 232 years ago this month. If there is one lesson we have learned in that time, it is that freedom and independence are not solid and eternal. They are slippery and constantly changing. You cannot put them in an air-tight viewing box, like the Declaration of Independence itself. If you do not watch carefully, if you do not tend them and keep them alive, they die out. They go away.There may always be people with less-than-honorable intentions ready to chip away at your freedoms and usurp your independence if you let them. But thankfully, America is also full of people who are fiercely protective of what our forefathers’ and patriots throughout the generations since have fought to protect. Not only in wars, but by writing, speaking out, voting and battling injustice in the courts. A salute to the courageous patriots who Keep the flame alive!

A SHORT HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY  “Taxation without representation is tyranny!” That was the rallying cry of the American colonists rebelling against British rule. The colonists were being forced to pay taxes to England with no representation in British Parliament. They had no say about how much tax they would pay no say as to how their tax money was to be spent. With rumors of rebellion, growing, British troops went in to keep the colonists in line. The colonists tried to broker a peaceful solution, but their attempts were repeatedly rebuffed. On June 11, 1776, the colonist’s Continental Congress met to declare officially, in writing, that they were no longer willing to live under British rule.Thomas Jefferson, known for his great eloquence and statesmanship, was given the job of creating the document. In addition, a difficult job it turned out to be! More than 86 alterations were made to the document before it was declared complete. On July 4, 1776, the final version of the Declaration of Independence was signed and copies were sent out among the colonists. The Fourth of July has been celebrated in the United States every year since, but it was not until 1870 that Congress officially declared it a National Holiday. In 1938, Congress re-affirmed Independence Day, making it a paid holiday for all federal employees. Today, people across the country celebrate and acknowledge their priceless gift of freedom they enjoy with parades, picnics and glorious fireworks displays.

Twenty miles is not far in today’s ‘global society’, until you realize with gas at $4 a gallon and a vehicle that has a 12-14 gallon tank, that you will spend $48 for each full tank and average 28-31 miles per gallon  giving you 7.8 round trips from your house to “town” on one fill-up …

Add the soaring heat to the mix …

And most folks in the ‘country’ will be staying home enjoying the air conditioning!

Tourism is in for a long, hot, dry, quiet summer … to bad, too - lots of really ‘cool’ places to visit here in the rural part of SC.

Yep, it will take at least one of those “$100″ bills to fill up most autos this July 4th for that holiday trip, but it will be worth it - especially if you are coming to South Carolina!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Beautiful isn’t it? This is what can be seen as you drive through South Carolina at this time of year in many areas. The drive, even with the price of gas is worth it. Put South Carolina on your list of places to visit - you will not regret it!

I have had computer problems, posting problems, and this site in a non-accessible state with the lose of three drafts/posts which is the reason for my absence - all not in my control. I have been told the problems have been solved … I hope so. The most upsetting has been the lose of written drafts … time, effort, creativity lost.

Oops, I did not mean to go off on a rant.

I wanted all the readers to see the beautiful landscapes to be found around my state now and give an invitation to visit. Tourism everywhere is suffering because of gas prices, our economy, and money needs elsewhere, but in this stressful time is the best time to take a moment and “see the sights” and then, “breathe” … when you return home - you will be amazed at the difference in your outlook after a break from the routine of your life.

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!” % )

What a hoot! Yesterday I spent an hour watching people at the airport in the baggage claim area while waiting for my daughter’s flight to arrive. The hour was much better than prime time TV - the best Reality Show yet!

If the young pregnant woman in polka dots is reading this, did you make it home without having the baby? She is so ready to DROP that baby. I wanted to follow her just in case someone needed to catch it(baby)!

And of course, there were ten or more of the cutest babies ever … in strollers, in ‘Snuglis’, on shoulders, in bouncing arms, crying, laughing, smiling, and some sleeping! I so want a little tiny baby to hold! *hint-hint*

Cell phones … every single person had one and was talking on it … amazing! What did we do before cell phones? Duh, we conversed face to face and exercised self control, patience, manners, and paid attention to our surroundings and our human acquaintances. The ring tones - music, sounds, loudness, rudeness … someone make them stop! But, stop they will not … newer, faster, and smaller ones will come with even more irritating ring tones!

To read about other people and their travel check out the link. My daughter’s flight arrived, ON TIME, the hugs came next, then the bag (one, a really BIG one), and the walk to the car and the hunt for food at 10:30 in a NC city on a Sunday night … another blog.

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

My goodness, it was just a trip to the Super Wal-mart to pick up medications from our friendly pharmacy staff and a few grocery items. Then waiting in the check-out line, “it” caught my eye - TIME 1968 - the flashbacks immediately started … because that was the best year of my life, I promise.

HOW MANY OF YOU REMEMBER …

The TET Offensive

Signs of the Times, LOOK - FEEL - STYLES - SMILES

Johnson will not, not run for President

REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. assassinated in Memphis, TN

BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS EXPLODE

Pop Music - RAP

The siege of the KHE SANH

HAIR!

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TAKEN OVER BY STUDENTS

Senator Bobby Kennedy wins the California Democratic Primary … and is gunned down!

Pop Artist, Andy Warhol is shot in NYC Studio, called THE FACTORY…

“In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” AW, 1968

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

The Graduate

Screen Scene 1968:Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?; Rosemary’s Baby; Night of the Living Dead; Barbarella; Funny Girl; Planet of the Apes

Czechoslovakia freedom for one brief moment …

Chicago Riots - 7 Tried

DISSENTERS: Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin Yippees, Tom Hayden

OLYMPICS

Sport Greats: OJ Simpson :(, Jean Claude Killy, Peggy Fleming, Arthur Ashe, Detroit vs St. Louis - World Series, Vince Lombardi, Mohammed Ali

FAREWELL CAMELOT: Jackie Kennedy and Onassis

TV: Laugh In - “Sock it to me!”; The Mod Squad; Elvis; 60 Minutes; The Andy Griffith Show; The Prisoner

LAW, ORDER, NIXON? Nelson Rockefeller, George Wallace

Julie Nixon weds David Eisenhower

Ronald Reagan

THE BEATLES: “Hey Jude” and “The White Album”

Norman Mailer, Author

Destination: HELL - North Korea seizes US spy ship

Borman, Anders, Lowell - First Generation Astronauts

Year’s End - New Perspectives - Where were you in 1968?

Courtesy of Time, Inc. “Specials: 40th Anniversary Special, TIME 1968″

the PEE DEE and the GRAND STRAND.

The summer is definitely coming. The attractions and cool stuff is getting ready for Memorial Day, for sure.

The Bikers on Harley Davidson’s are enjoying the beach, and more, during the Myrtle Beach Spring Bikers Rally through May 18th. Traffic is traffic, traffic, traffic, in other words, it is everywhere. Drive safely, please. Bikers remember to wear your helmet, riders, too!

Two events in our area this weekend promise to be real crowd please-rs! The Annual Blue Crab Festival in Little River, SC. The Blue Crab Festival features quality “art and crafts” with lots of Coastal Carolina Country Cuisine. Many recipes feature the famous Low Country Blue Crab. The beautiful “walk about” setting in Little River, SC is a “scenic fishing dock” on the Inter-coastal Waterway.

The second event, May FLY, in Florence at Florence Regional Airport (I think) on Saturday. The weather is supposed to be wonderful for both events.

And in Marion, SC, on Saturday is the Foxtrot Festival with a parade at 10 AM and Street Dance between 7 PM and 10 PM.

Oops! You just missed McCain’s fund-raiser on May 9 in Columbia, SC at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. It was price-y$. Patron tickets - $2300 and general reception a mere $1000! Thus far, McCain has raised $60,594 in South Carolina through March, 2008, if I understood the wording in the article.

Back to the Grand Strand …

As mentioned earlier, the Harley Davidson Bike Rally during Myrtle Beach Bike Week until May 18 is a huge event, not to be missed, if you are a “Biker” or a lover of fun and excitement!

Good Vibrations! is a kid friendly show running until October featuring a virtual tour of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s at The Carolina Opry. Check it out at www.TheCarolinaOpry.com

LeGrande Cirque, at the Palace Theatre is for all ages and is Spellbinding! It runs until the end of December. Shows are Monday through Saturday at 8 PM; Wednesday at 10 AM; Thursday at 2 PM. Find out more at www.Palacetheatremyrtlebeach.com

One the Show is kid friendly at the Alabama Theatre through October 24, 2008 and the kids are free Monday, Wednesday, Saturday at 7:30 PM. Look here for all the details at www.alabama-theatre.com

Legends In Concert featuring “five legends” is here until October 31, 2008. Check for details at www.legendsinconcert.com/locations/myrtle-beach/

For ART Lovers …

Art Exhibit: “People Reading: Selections from the Oresman’s collection” is 60 works of art featuring “people reading” through October 5, 2008 at 3100 S. Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Get the details here www.MyrtleBeachArtMuseum.org

The Artist of the Month exhibit features photography of Suzanne Goff’s “Flower Power” until May 30, 2008 at 532 Broadway Street, Myrtle Beach, SC from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. A good family outing! We were not able to get any photography by Ms. Goff. Luckily my niece, Gwen, in Florida is allowing the debut of her latest art piece. Thanks, Gwen!
UP COMING:

Sun Fun Festival, June 5 - 9, 2008

Tickets to EVERYTHING at http://www.ticketsnow.com

WOW, lots of choices for some good old Southern FUN! Hope to see you at all of them!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

2008

1926  - 1989

1908 - 1998

with love for the memories 

The much anticipated  HARD ROCK PARK  is officially opening today, Friday, May 9 in MyrtleBeach, SC. This is the world’s first rock ‘n’ roll theme park on 55-acres with 50 attractions for all ages. ‘It is all about the experience – where rock comes to play.’  A huge success with the pre-opening crowds of the past several days helping to check that all systems were on GO … HRP passed with flying colors.

            Season passes are available. Check out prices, entertainment scheduled, and availability here. 

Fans are pouring into Darlington, SC for the big RACE on Saturday, May 10, the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR SPIRIT CUP Series, 367 laps, 501.3 miles. To warm the fans up, the racecars, the drivers on the new surface at the famous track will be the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NASCAR SPIRIT CUP Series Race, 147 laps, and 200.3 miles on Friday night, May 9, 2008. *  Race fans will pour $millions$ into the small southern town and surrounding area, the PEE DEE, over this race weekend. Especially advantageous with the rise in gas prices and the slump in our economy, welcome Race fans!

 And for BIKERS and fans … today is the start of the annual Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Week, May 9 – 18, 2008, with thousands and thousands expected to descend upon the Grand Strand for “Jack Daniels’ CRUISIN’ the COAST Spring Bike Rally. Traffic will be a nightmare for the locals, but tolerated, grin, as the $mullah$ pours in to local restaurants, hotels & motels, shopping venues and entertainment scheduled! WTG, HARLEY DAVIDSON!

What fun this weekend and next week in South Carolina!

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!” 

*Due to problems today with our server at 451Press, this event will be over by this posting. I apologize for any problem this might cause.

whatever THAT is! For me, it is a total lack of things to say … no energy to research to FIND things to say … and feeling totally DETACHED about the whole thing. This is not good for someone responsible for fulfilling a contract. If anyone has an answer for this ailment, please pass along. I am tired of being “stuck’ with nothing to say!

POLITICS - Primary in Indiana and North Carolina on May 6

EDUCATION - Schools will be out for the summer soon. Most colleges are out already.
GRADUATES - Class of 2008 - Degrees, what is next?

MOVIES - Summer fluff, but the popcorn is always good!

TV - HDTV - February, 2009 - no cable for me since 1993, not going to change much at my house.

FAMILIES - Can be very cruel.
GRANDCHILDREN - None… and not any in the picture any time soon.

Gee, still thoughts in my head, now to get them on paper. Here is a website that might help … The Owl at Purdue

Most everybody has one … and in most, at some time there is turmoil.

This is my year for turmoil. Did I ask for it? No. Do I want it? No. Yet, I have turmoil. The kind that feels like a tornado with hurricane force winds just rolled right over the top of you. Was there damage? Yes. Is it repairable? No. Am I sad? Yes. Is my heart broken? Definitely! 

 Check out what parenting experts at Successful Parenting: God’s Way have to say.  

I am an only child and both of my parents are deceased. Somehow this makes the pain hurt more - I guess because there is no one left to share it. Especially, since the turmoil is with my children. At the ripe age of fifty-eight, I have come to realize that children do not always like, much less, love their parents AND the feeling goes both ways. Am I proud of making that statement? No, but does it make it less true, no.

I am the mother of four grown and very different women which is probably the reason for the turmoil! They are never all pleased and satisfied at the same time. And strangely it is always my fault. Or at least I thought so until now. I have finally accepted that it is not my fault, nor theirs, either. It is human nature in today’s world to be kind to people you do not know and treat those you call “family” like CRAP! 

Today I am taking a well deserved, long overdue VACATION -  from family. Physically, I am not going anywhere, but I am not going to be available for a while. No phone calls. No visits. I will,  after a time be available again, but not today, tomorrow, or the day after that … I will be selfish. I will do ONLY the things I want to do. I am re-grouping, taking stock of my priorities and finding out what makes me feel good about ME,  without first thinking will this work for “the children”.  

Frankly, my dear, I do not give a d***! Harsh words, you bet! Do I feel better just saying them out loud (in print)? You bet! 

Have a happy week. I am!                                                                                                      

 Laughter keeps us young … enjoy!     

         TOP 8 MORONS OF 2007

        1. WILL THE REAL DUMMY PLEASE STAND UP? AT&T fired President

        John Walter after nine months, saying he lacked intellectual

       leadership. He received a $26 million severance package.

         Perhaps it’s not Walter who’s lacking intelligence.

         2. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS: Police in Oakland, CA

        spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had

         barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas

         canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing

        beside them in the police line, shouting, “Please come out and

         give yourself up.”

         3. WHAT WAS PLAN B??? An Illinois man, pretending to have a

       gun, kidnapped a motorist and forced him to drive to two

         different automated teller machines, wherein the kidnapper

         proceeded to withdraw money from his own bank accounts.

   4.. THE GETAWAY! A man walked into a Topeka, Kansas Kwik Stop

         and asked for all the money in the cash drawer. Apparently,

         the take was too small, so he tied up the store clerk and

         worked the counter himself for three hours until police showed

        up and grabbed him.

       5. DID I SAY THAT??? Police in Los Angeles had good luck with

       a robbery suspect who just couldn’t control himself during a

        lineup. When detectives asked each man in the lineup to repeat

         the words: “Give me all your money or I’ll shoot”, the man

         shouted, “that’s not what I said!” .

         6. ARE WE COMMUNICATING??? A man spoke frantically into the

         phone: “My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two

        minutes apart”. “Is this her first child?” the doctor asked.

         “No!” the man shouted, “This is her husband!”

       7. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED! In Modesto, CA, Steven

        Richard King was arrested for trying to hold up a Bank of

         America branch without a weapon. King used a thumb and a

         finger to simulate a gun. Unfortunately, he failed to keep his

         hand in his pocket. (hellooooooo)!

        8. THE GRAND FINALE!!! Last summer, down on Lake Isabella,

         located in the high desert, an hour east of Bakersfield, CA,

         some folks, new to boating, were having a problem. No matter

        how hard they tried, they couldn’t get their brand new 22 foot

         boat going. It was very sluggish in almost every maneuver, no

        matter how much power they applied. After about an hour of

       trying to make it go, they pulled into a nearby marina,

         thinking someone there might be able to tell them what was

         wrong. A thorough topside check revealed everything in perfect

         working condition The engine ran fine, the out-drive went up

        and down, and the propeller was the correct size and pitch.

        So, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check

       underneath He came up choking on water he was laughing so hard.

         NOW REMEMBER…THIS IS TRUE.

        Under the boat, still strapped securely in place, was the

         trailer!

Thanks again to my friend, Mona, for sharing her connections to laughter!

 Check out the humor of  squiffy2 here   http://cre8buzz.com/profiles/847

Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Wow, my very first game of online tag! How COOOL is that?I was tagged by Jean Lockwood at Parenting and Religion  and now I will tag five other people … and the beat goes on … you get the picture, right?   H ere are the questions:

*How long have you been blogging?
*What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
*Are You trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?
*Tell me 3 things you LOVE about being online.
*Tell me 3 things you STRUGGLE with in the online world.          

Answer #1: I started blogging in May, 2007 with 451Press.com.  Answer #2: My daughter, Leslie, is awonderful writer. She is my inspiration and who brought me to 451 Press.    Answer #3: Am I writingto make money? You mean we get paid! JK. Of course, I would like to make money … have I, yet? Notenough to report to anyone, not even “Uncle Sam”. But I am not giving up!  Answer #4: I adore thepeople I have met. I like the good feeling I get when someone leaves a good comment on a post. I lovelearning something new everyday - through my research or through reading a fellow blogger’s post. Answer #5: It is hard finding the time needed to have a great post every time. It keeps me up waypast my bedtime! Not getting many comments on my posts.  OK, now to tag 5 lucky people!!!Heather at WatchingVH1    Sandra at Globally Green Living     Jason at AnimeFansOnline   Jaime at FictionScribe   Elizabeth at Rachel Ray  Have fun and remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

My goodness, it can not be … but it is … another Monday! Maxine says it best, “The only thing worse than a Monday is a decaffeinated Monday!” Old Maxine always says what I feel and it is getting scary! My college, AIU, started back today. I am taking Medical Terminology and Accounting. Both classes are very detailed and lots of material to cover in five (5) weeks - wish me luck. The weather has turned cold again … a freeze warning tonight … March 20 was the FIRST DAY of SPRING, right? Daylight savings time screws up everything, doesn’t it! My days and nights are a little mixed up since the change which makes the time to study interesting.   Even with the chill in the air, my “little piece of heaven” is a nice place to be! I’m headed out …Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ here!” 

is important to me in my Christian walk with my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is a day of celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from death, which forgives the sins of all people who repent and believe in Him. Yes, I am a Christian. I walk in faith everyday, trusting my Lord that He has my life in His control. Without this faith, my life would be meaningless, as in materialistic and humanistic, i.e. of this world.

 What does Easter mean to you?    The King James Version can be found   here.

 I hope you know the Lord. I hope you will be with family and friends today in the church of your choice worshiping because HE IS RISEN.

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.(John 3:16-17)