tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61969590436789987432024-02-07T22:02:11.565-06:00NotconcernedContact me: notconcernedwriting@gmail.comnotconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07427476810634316953noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-36998269629519746382012-08-16T17:34:00.001-05:002012-08-16T17:34:20.496-05:00Transylvania TransverseThis was for a local Halloween related story contest I didn't win so, enjoy.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was there on Halloween night when the vampires made their presence known in Dothan. Ludwig Von Yellig, a local developer rumored to be a vampire, organized a press conference for a major announcement. Although he tried to put us at ease with his vampire charms, I was scared, we were all scared.<br /><br />“Friends, I am a vampire,” Yellig said to the room of reporters and dignitaries. “And I am opening Transylvania Transverse, which will be a vampire based entertainment facility, right cheer in Dothan.” A few gasps were heard following the statement, not from his admission, vampires are quite common in Dothan, but the legality of blood sucking had yet to be decided by the State Legislature.<br /><br />“Cool!” exclaimed Jim Cookery, a vertically challenged, local newspaper reporter. “Will you have hot vampire babes gallivanting around serving drinks?”<br /><br />“But of course,” Yellig stated, adding, “as you can see in the brochure our wait staff will be wearing the latest styles, which includes short shorts and cowboy boots. Don’t judge us solely by the brochure though, as we will be a full family entertainment venue in the near future. But we will first build the Blood Sucking Complex to generate revenue for the first few years to secure bonds for future projects.”<br /><br />“How did you get permits for that?” Cookery asked.<br /><br />“Our attorney has worked tirelessly with the local commissioners to ensure that all of our paperwork is in order. Once our vampires have been checked out by the health department, we can commence the feasting.”<br /><br />“Did you have to put the commissioners under a spell?” Cookery asked with a chuckle and laughter from the audience.<br /><br />“It’s called glamouring Jim and no, I did not.” Yellig said as his pupils grew larger, his skinny jeans appeared skinnier and he began to overall sparkle, which could have been glitter in his spray tan. “As a matter of fact they all thought it was a great idea, as all of you do now. You are all mighty impressed with me right about now and will do as I command.”<br /><br />Everyone in attendance nodded their heads at each other in agreement. Yellig was a convincing vampire.<br /><br />Suddenly one of Dothan’s prominent citizens, Don Watson, rushed into the room waving the good book over his head while shouting, “Stop right there Yellig! Blood sucking is illegal in this here state and the good people of Dothan will not participate in your scam.”<br /><br />Yellig bared his fangs and hissed. “This ain’t no scam. The people of Dothan want this.”<br /><br />“Yeah, what business is it of yours if I want to be sucked dry,” one of the local citizens said, and several others agreed with him.<br /><br />Watson opened the good book, which was a fake and hollowed out to store a wood stake; he pulled out the stake and held it high while he approached Yellig. “Get back, get back you lecherous being. I want the podium for a minute, if you please.”<br /><br />“Go ahead,” Yellig said as he backed away.<br /><br />“Good people of Dothan,” Watson began.<br /><br />“Cough, land hoarder, cough,” Yellig mumbled as he acted out a cough.<br /><br />Watson gave him the stink eye and continued, “Good people of Dothan, this man is a vampire, he admits that and now he wants to openly take your blood right here in Dothan but I will not allow it. I don’t care what the commissioners say, this is illegal.”<br /><br />A gentleman in the audience raised his hand, “Excuse me but I thought passing the local ordinance made it legal and besides, the Red Cross has been taking blood for years.”<br /><br />“Friends,” Yellig interrupted, “did I mention we plan to give twenty percent of the blood to the Red Cross.”<br /><br />“You will suck these people dry and drain the life out of this town,” Watson said.<br /><br />Yellig put his hands up in protest. “No, no, no! Look at your brochures. The Haunted Hotel we have planned in phase two of development will attract out of town visitors.”<br /><br />“It’s a whore house!” Watson screamed.<br /><br />"I’ll have you know my momma is gonna be the first guest to stay at the hotel.” Yellig said as if his feelings were truly hurt. “Now friends, you know my momma and my daddy. They were raised right here in this fine town by their mommas and daddies. And I got my raisins from my folks, the same as you got, and you got and you got," he said as he pointed to people around the room. He snatched the good book from Watson's hand, shook it in the air and studied it for a moment before continuing. "Well friends I doubt there's anything in this book about punishing people for the food they eat to survive." A few members of the audience shifted their eyes around to the room but no one wanted to interrupt, he was on a roll. “I tell you friends. I know. I know a man has to work hard to put a meal on the table. A vampire’s got to eat too. We just want to share our blessings with you, show you a good time, play a little Polka music, who doesn’t like Polka music, Harley I know you do.” He said with a smile, pointing to a friend in the crowd, they were eating it up, laughing amongst themselves, Harley started a little soft shoe, all were smiling…”Heck we might even play a little bingo.”<br /><br />“I’ll kill you!” Watson screamed as he raised the wood stake to Yellig, but the vampire was too quick. Yellig knocked the stake away and sank his teeth into Watson’s neck. He fed for a moment then opened his eyes and noticed the room of people staring at him. Yellig released Watson and eased him into a chair. He wiped the excess blood from his lips and smacked his fingertips. No one else in the room moved. <br /><br />“I’m sorry y’all. I got a little carried away.”<br /><br />“You kilt him,” came a cry from the room.<br /><br />“No I didn’t,” Yellig stated tersely, “He’ll be fine in a day or two. As a matter of fact, every patron bitten has gets a chance on a new Corvette to be given away each month. Now who likes that? And when I say who likes that I mean all of you would like a chance at that now wouldn’t you?<br /><br />Then his eyes started doing that thing and he looked glittery again. I don’t remember what happened next.</div>
Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-29801074129034927212012-07-30T09:18:00.002-05:002012-07-30T09:18:55.739-05:00The Visitor Chapter 13<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. Mom's been in the hospital and been very busy. Can I get a little feedback? I want to see some comments.<br />
<br />
Chapter 13<br />
<br />
After a few minutes in the car Steve broke the silence. “Are you the strong, silent type?”<br />
<br />
“I’m sorry, so much on my mind. I can’t believe everything that has happened over the last two days.”<br />
<br />
“Stress will do crazy things to you. You don’t have anyone to talk to, to unload all of life’s little problems?”<br />
<br />
“Not really, but then I never have had this much on my mind.”<br />
<br />
Steve pulled into the pharmacy drive in. “Hold that thought. Kate Pierson, just called in.” He said to the pharmacist.<br />
<br />
The pharmacist returned with the package and asked, “Address and date of birth?”<br />
<br />
“406 Holly Lane, Two fifteen sixty-eight.” Kate answered across the car as she fumbled with her purse.<br />
<br />
“That will be fifteen seventy-six.” The pharmacist said.<br />
<br />
“I’ve got it.”<br />
<br />
“You don’t have to…”<br />
<br />
“I can handle sixteen bucks.”<br />
<br />
“Thank you.”<br />
<br />
“He likes you.”<br />
<br />
Kate took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She wanted the voice to stop.<br />
<br />
Steve handed her the pharmacy bag. “Fourteen sleeping pills and ten Valium to help you relax, on the house.”<br />
<br />
Kate grabbed the bag and took one of each of the pills. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think I am a pill head but I want to go to sleep as soon as I get home and we are pretty close.”<br />
<br />
“And you like him.”<br />
<br />
“It’s okay. I don’t blame you. I might take something myself when I get home.”<br />
<br />
“Thank you.”<br />
<br />
“Hey, you are welcome.”<br />
<br />
“No, thank you for believing me.”<br />
<br />
He gave her a warm, comforting smile.<br />
<br />
“You have heard all about me today. What’s your story?”<br />
<br />
“Just your average Psychiatrist slash cabbie. Helping damsels in distress.”<br />
<br />
“I bet your girlfriend likes that,” she said, fishing for an answer.<br />
<br />
“I’m single was married once, but that was a long time ago.”<br />
<br />
“Kids?”<br />
<br />
“No.”<br />
<br />
“Why not?” Kate was fading.<br />
<br />
“I found out she liked the golf pro more than me before we had kids. I hate golf. Stupid game. How about you?”<br />
<br />
She didn’t answer. Kate was already asleep. He smiled. She finally looked at peace. He turned onto Holly Lane, grabbed the prescription bag to confirm the house number. He tried whispering her name, but he really didn’t want to wake her. He parked in the spot in front of her house and called a cab as he took keys and opened the door.<br />
<br />
He went back to the car eased her out of the passenger seat, she mumbled something, her legs were jelly. She had one arm around his shoulder; he scooped her up and carried her in. He found her bedroom and eased her down on the bed. She showed no signs of waking. He quietly removed her shoes and pulled the blanket over her. He stood and looked at her, hoping she was comfortable. He thought for a moment, and then reached down and popped open her bra strap through her shirt. “You’ve still got it,” he said to himself.<br />
<br />
He heard a car horn outside. He turned off the lights, locked the door and let himself out. <br />
<br />
Thirty-five minutes later he was telling Ramona about tucking her in bed.<br />
<br />
“Why are you telling me this?” Ramona asked.<br />
<br />
“Well, you know, in case she was wondering how she got in bed. Just letting you know there was no hanky panky.”<br />
<br />
Ramona gave him a coy smile and began walking.<br />
<br />
“What?” He asked as she walked away. “What?”<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>Kay Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03408332300334809871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-26501863947912476452012-06-27T07:42:00.002-05:002012-06-27T07:42:58.408-05:00The Visitor Ch. 11-12<br />
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Here we go. No one has replied in the comments. All you have to do is click on the word comment and you can leave a quick not. Let me hear from you. If you get this automatically by email let me know. I have tried to find the automated email list, but can't locate it. Once again, scroll down and to older posts or previous pages for the other chapters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"> Chapter 11</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Kate woke to a doctor
shaking her. Coming out of the deep
hypnotic state, she was drowsy and confused.
A man was talking to her. Several
people were in the room; security guards, people in scrubs and others in
suits. She tried to collect her thoughts
to figure out why she was surrounded by all these people. The security guards were watching her. The two men in suits appeared to be
arguing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“What’s happening?” She asked.
No one answered. Everyone was
staring at her. She was trying to hear
what the two men in suits were saying.
“What’s happening?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The doctor who was
shaking her announced to the others in the room: “She’s out of it. She’s awake now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">One of the suits sat in
the chair beside her. He glanced at her
chart. “Ms. Pierson, can you tell me
what happened? What do you remember? I understand if you are a confused, you were hypnotized,
right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The other suit
interrupted. “Answer the question,” An
angered look on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Kate looked around the
room and finally caught Ramona’s eye.
“What happened Ramona?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The angry suit shot a
glance at Ramona, “She’s one of yours?
She needs to answer the question.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The nice suit was growing
tired of the angry suit’s accusing tone.
“If you will stop for a minute and let her wake up,” He turned to
Kate. “Ms. Pierson, do you remember what
happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“No. I don’t know why all
of you are here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“You were
hypnotized.” Nice suit said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Yes, he wanted to know
about a dream I had.” She scanned the
room. “Where is he, Doctor Riley?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The nice suit studied her
confusion. It seemed genuine. She had not noticed the window. He could tell her discomfort was from waking
suddenly being surrounded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“What is the last thing
you remember about Doctor Riley?” Nice
suit asked in a soothing tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“He told me to relax; we
were in a safe place.” Kate
answered. “Where is he? Will somebody tell me what happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Dr. Riley killed himself
about fifteen minutes ago, apparently while you were under hypnosis.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“What?” She went pale with fright.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“He jumped out that
window.” The nice suit pointed to an
empty window casing on the other side of the room. “I heard the glass breaking from my office
next door. I came in and found you
asleep on the couch. I went to the
window and saw Doctor Riley, well, I’m afraid he didn’t survive the fall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The number five flashed
in her mind, a large number five like the one she saw when she exited the
elevator on Doctor Riley’s floor. She
knew a jump from this height would surely kill someone. Everyone in the room was looking at her,
waiting for a reaction from her. Her complexion grew pale as she came to
realize what happened. Slight memories
tickled at her consciousness trying to come out of the darkness. She had conversations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“They think you did
this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She noticed that no one
in the room spoke. Her eyes darted
wildly as the memories from the last two days came back to her, and the pieces
of conversation she had with Doctor Riley.
She started to worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The voice from nowhere
came again. “Stay calm, I will get you
through this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Chapter 12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“I don’t remember.” She answered to almost every question. The memories from the last two days were
screaming at her but she had no recollection of the hypnosis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The nice suit, whom she
found out was a colleague of Doctor Riley’s, Doctor Steve Watson, helped her
cope with the events of the day. He,
along with Ramona, stayed by her side during the police questioning. Soon, they were the only ones left in the
room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Kate, I am going to put
you down for two weeks leave of absence.
You have plenty of vacation time left but I might be able to get this
time off with pay.” Ramona stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“I think, I, I don’t know
what has happened.” Kate added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“You are stressed and
probably have a mild case of shock. I
agree. You need to take a couple of
weeks. If you want, I can make myself
available for you.” Doctor Watson
suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“No, no more psych
exams.” Kate sounded scared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Honey, is there someone
you can call to take you home?” Ramona
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“No.” Kate appeared on the verge of tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Where do you live?” Doctor Watson asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Sweetwater, behind the
north side post office.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Good, it’s close. Ramona, do I have your permission to take her
home? I will drive her car, drop her off
and catch a cab back here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Sounds good to me,
thanks for doing that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Not a problem. Can you walk to the car or should we get a
wheelchair?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“I can make it. Thank you Doctor Watson.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Call me Steve.” He said as he scribbled on a prescription
pad. “Ramona can you call these in to
the pharmacy over on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Springer
Street</st1:address></st1:street>? I
will stop by and get them on the way to her house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Ramona looked at the
prescription. “Good idea, help her
rest. Take care Kate. If you feel like coming back early you call
me and we will talk about it okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">“Okay, thanks Ramona.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-51220318595728486892012-06-05T10:07:00.001-05:002012-06-05T10:12:59.648-05:00The Visitor Ch 9-10<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />The continuing story of The Visitor. Scroll down and to previous pages for earlier chapters. I need some feedback people. That was the deal. I put it up, but you share and give me feedback.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chapter 9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Now you are totally
relaxed Kate. You are in a safe
place. Do you feel safe Kate?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Tell me about this woman
Kate. Can you describe her to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I just remember a dark
face, dark hair. When her mouth opened
so far I closed my eyes. As soon as I
did I could tell she was gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Does she remind you of
anyone, perhaps someone involved in a trauma in your life?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No, I have never seen her
before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He is very irritating,
isn’t he?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Who?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The good doctor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Who is this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I am the one you should
believe in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No. Leave me alone. She’s here, Doctor Riley, she’s here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Tell me about the
dream.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No! No!
Wake me up, she’s here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The men in my dream
thought I attacked them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“We are alone in here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Did either of the men
look familiar?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No, I have never seen
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I want to wake up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He can’t hear you. We are in another place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Where am I? What are you doing here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What do you think is the
significance of the old west setting?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Seemed fitting. You are in yet another place in your little
brain. With me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What do you want from
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I want you to believe in
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You said the woman, you,
had blood on her dress. Was she violated
in some way?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“A little spotting is
expected from the first time. Tell him
you did it with the devil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I had sex with the
devil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Kate, were you raped by
someone? It is completely natural to
block a memory of that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“If I showed myself to
him he would lose his simple little mind.
I am easing into you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t want this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Too late, you have been
asking for it for a long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Can you describe him to
me Kate? You are safe. I will protect you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He wants you too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No, he is trying to help
me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Open up to me Kate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“See, I told you he wants
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Chapter
10<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Let me talk to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What? Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Kate, listen to me. You are safe.
No one will hurt you anymore. Try
to remember his face. Can you describe
him?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He was a fat, balding
old man. He tried to take advantage of
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What was his name
Kate? Do you know him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Richard Riley.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“That’s my name
Kate. Try to remember who attacked you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No one attacked me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He might.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No! He said I am safe and I trust him not to do
anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I will not let him
corrupt your mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh Doctor Riley.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes Kate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You remember don’t
you? It was about twenty years ago. You were a bad man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Kate, try to focus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You remember. You think about it everyday don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Am I still talking to
Kate?” Riley asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Pay attention old
man. You know what you did. You could have helped them but you
didn’t. You were so confident about your
decision, but as you get older you doubt yourself more everyday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Kate, I want you to
start waking up, slowly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“She can hear you but she
is not going to wake up. I want you to
close your eyes and picture them. How
old would they be today?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Stop it,” Riley
demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Think about what you did,
good doctor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I tried to help them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Leave him alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I wish you could see his
face.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You did not try very
hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I wanted to help but…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Keep your eyes closed
Kate. No need for you to see what is
about to happen to him.”</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-78696814093928076982012-05-21T09:19:00.000-05:002012-05-21T09:20:21.554-05:00The Visitor Ch 7-8<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chapter 7 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate woke and looked
around her room. She was alone, safe in
her town house. She looked at the clock
on the nightstand, just after nine in the morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She lay in bed for a
moment, thinking about the visitor’s dirty face. “Believe,” she said, and the stress from the
previous night returned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She made a quick cup of
coffee and decided to check her email.
Mister Hedley jumped in her lap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spam, spam, and one from
Ramona. She clicked it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate,
don’t worry about last night. Everything
was fine after you left. I was a little
worried about you though. I know you
aren’t very religious so a pastor is probably out of the question, but I did
set up an appointment for you to see Dr. Riley, the psychiatrist, this
afternoon at 2 pm. You don’t have to go
but death affects people differently and I just want you to talk to someone. I look forward to seeing you this afternoon. Let me know about Dr. Riley, either way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ramona Bolling<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate
sipped her warm coffee. “I am not crazy”
she thought, “but I did see that woman and now she is in my dreams.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She made herself some
breakfast, occasionally glancing at Ramona’s still open email. “Just talk to someone, not crazy. Just a little stressed. He might be able to explain the dream.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She sat down at the
computer desk and replied to Ramona that she would keep the appointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chapter 8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate found the
psychiatrist, Dr. Riley, to be very kind and professional. He was in his mid fifties she guessed. He was balding slightly on top, with a
genuine demeanor and a warm smile. She
immediately liked and trusted him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Let’s get some history first. Tell me a little bit
about yourself.” Dr. Riley asked. “Are you single or dating?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No. I am single.
I go out on dates occasionally, but nothing serious.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Why not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I just haven’t fallen in
love. I don’t want to settle for the
wrong guy.” She answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Were you ever in love?” He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“In college. I thought I had Mister Right. He turned out to be a jerk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Cheat on you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yeah. One time mistake he said, but I never made
any mistakes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And you are thirty two
now. Nothing serious since then?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I have been on a few
dates. I can usually tell after a few
minutes that so many of these guys are losers or not worth my time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Bitter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No. I would call it
being picky. I don’t want to support
someone who is still playing video games.
I certainly don’t want to raise someone else’s children. Seems like everyone is divorced with kids
these days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You don’t want
children?” He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“My own children would be
great. I have heard too many of my
coworkers complain about their ex and problems with the kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And your parents, are
they healthy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Psychologically?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes, just checking
family history.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“They are fine.” She assured him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Any visions,
hallucinations or voices? No matter how
insignificant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Nothing like this, just
normal stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Define normal for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I don’t know, déjà vu,
catching something out of the corner of my eye.
That’s normal right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Give me some
examples?” He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Déjà vu, feeling like I
have been somewhere before, which is normal.
Everyone experiences it.
Sometimes I feel like I see a shadow move or lights getting brighter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Sensitivity to light
could be a medical problem. Any symptoms
associated with that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I am not sensitive to
light. I swear sometimes I can see a
light in the room getting brighter.
There is nothing associated with it, just bright light. Your desk lamp seems brighter than when I
first came in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“But it isn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“How can you be certain?”
She asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“How can any of us be
certain? Do you hear voices or talk to
yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I am single. I talk to myself all the time or I talk to
the cat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Ever get in any serious
arguments?” He asked with a chuckle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“No. I guess you can say
I get along with myself just fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Cute, we are about out
of time. I would like for you come back
tomorrow and get a little deeper? I think
you will be fine but it helps to get these emotions out. You can’t let them fester.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I would like to get this
nightmare out of my head.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“What happened?” He
asked. “Ramona said you experienced two
sudden deaths and thought you saw someone in the room. You also had a dizzy spell.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You might think I am
crazy.” She answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Good, that is why I am
here.” He said with a smile. “Most people are not technically crazy. Sometimes people just need someone to talk to
or a shoulder to cry on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was nodding her head
but staring out the window. He could
tell by the look in her eyes that she stopped being so matter of fact. She wanted to let go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He added, “Ramona said
you aren’t a religious person. Are you
stressed about…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She cut him off. “There was a woman in the room. She opened her mouth back over her head right
in front of my face. I closed my eyes
for just a second, and then she was gone.
Ramona was just outside and never saw anyone leave the room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He stared at her for a few
moments. His pen at his lips. “Interesting.” He said. “Spend the rest of the afternoon with
me? Just a few more hours? I will clear it with Ramona.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Sure” She said. “I would be happy to get this out of my
head.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I would like to get into
your head, ever been hypnotized.”</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-45368522264584885272012-05-14T12:27:00.001-05:002012-05-14T12:27:11.362-05:00The Visitor Chapter 6<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Chapter 6, scroll down for the previous chapters. Leave some feedback please and let me know if you find any mistakes. I wrote this years ago and am going to finish it up as I go. After going to sleep, Kate dreams.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate stood in the street
of the old frontier town. She felt as if
she could hardly breathe. She looked
down to see herself in an old fashioned, long dress and dirty lace up boots. She felt her waist. A corset squeezed at her torso.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked across the
dusty dirt road to the bare wood buildings as the rider came in. In this western setting she expected to see a
horse, but it was not. It had the body
of a haggard camel. Its huge feet slowly
drug through the dirt as it walked down the dusty street toward her. The beast was covered in wart like welts. Its snout was hard and pointed, resembling
that of a crow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its rider was wearing a
black duster and hat. From the side she
could only see dirty dark hair flowing from underneath the hat. The beast stopped and the rider dismounted
away from her. Her heart was pounding in
her chest. She felt as if it might burst
through the corset. A sense of worry
came over her as he was standing on the other side of the beast. Heart pounding, she could hear it, she began
breathing through her mouth, the corset squeezed her so tightly. <i>What is
she going to do?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitor stepped in
front of the beast and faced Kate. Even
with the full sun shining, from the distance Kate only saw darkness from her
clothes to her hair to the dark glasses on her fat face. The looked directly at Kate and spoke, “Believe
me now?” then turned, looking back from where she rode in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate turned and faced that
direction. Although she could not see
anything in the desert beyond, she knew something was out there. She felt something bad had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She turned and grabbed a
horse that was behind her, jumped on and rode as fast as she could toward the
edge of the small town. Following a dirt
path, she rode harder, out into the deserted prarie and after a few moments she
saw several people lying on the ground ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She stopped the horse at
the first person she came to. She dismounted and stood over the man lying on
the ground. His face and hands were covered
in blood from several cuts. His face was
ashen from the blood as it gathered dust from the desert winds. A horrified look was frozen on his lifeless
face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out of the corner of her
eye she caught movement from another man. She ran over to see about him. He was sitting up, his back against a large
rock. As she approached him she noticed he
was severely beaten and bleeding, but still alive. His eyes followed her as she came
closer. She locked her gaze upon his
face. As he drew his last breaths from
his open, drooling mouth, his eyes were focused completely on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she got closer she
could see his right hand clutching a pistol.
She showed no fear; he appeared too weak to do anything threatening to
her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly he held his
breath and heaved his pistol, aiming it shakily at her. He winced as he pulled back on the
hammer. Her eyes slowly watched the
movement of his hand. She noticed
another cut across the back of hand as he struggled with the pistol. What little blood he had left slowly ran from
the cut and dripped from the grip of the gun.
His hand shook slightly, weak from holding up the gun, as it clicked on
an empty round. His arm dropped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I shot you.” He moaned.
“I shot you, I killed you. Why
aren’t you dead?” His voice faded to a
whisper and he grew weaker with each word.
Finally his head slumped down and he moved no more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several steps ahead lay
the last person. She could tell from the
long hair and dress it was a woman. She
was laying flat on her back and did not appear to move. Slowly, Kate made her way over to the woman. The first thing she noticed was the lower
portion of her dress was ripped to shreds.
Bloodstains covered what was left of her dress, between her legs and
coagulated in the dirt she lay in. She
saw the woman’s torso moving, she was breathing. Kate moved closer to see the wounded woman’s
face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She wasn’t prepared
to be looking down on her own self. Her
eyes were open and fixed in a stare up into the sky above. Kate moved her face into her line of
vision. After a few seconds her eyes
shifted and focused on her own face standing above her. She looked at herself looking at
herself. She didn’t speak, she figured
she was in shock. Suddenly she
recognized herself standing there…and screamed</span></span>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-33924947067180539412012-05-09T09:34:00.004-05:002012-05-09T09:34:51.511-05:00The Visitor Chapter 5<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Scroll down for earlier chapters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Kate hurried home as fast
as she could. She was surprised she
arrived safely in her current stressful state.
All she wanted to do was sleep in order to wake up from the nightmare
day she had so far. “<i>Believe, Believe, Believe”</i> raced through
her mind while she was driving. She sang
a variety of songs she could think of containing the word believe. Anything she could do to change the context
of the word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Her cat, Mister Hedley,
greeted her as soon as she walked in the door.
He rubbed his body against her leg and she picked him up immediately,
hugging his soft body to her cheek.
“It’s so good to see you. I’ve
had a bad day,” she said as the cat began purring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">The first stop was the
kitchen, where she fed Hedley. Her
stomach was also complaining about being empty on the way home. A banana sandwich sounded good. She ran some water in a glass and took one of
her sleeping pills. She could not wait
to be unconscious. Bread, mayo, banana
and plain potato chips squeezed together made a simple but satisfying
meal. She took a bite, savoring the
creamy mayo and bananas, the chips were salty and crunchy, a perfect
balance. The image of the visitor raced
through her mind. She cursed the woman
and made her way to the bedroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She took the last bite of
her sandwich as she was undressing. She
turned on the water in the shower, letting it run hot. Then Kate stood in the relaxing hot water. She breathed deep the steamy vapors. It was soothing and the sleeping pill began
to make her drowsy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">After the shower Kate
went back to the kitchen for a nightcap.
Couple of ice cubes, half Coke, half Bacardi. She took a sip and felt the tingling
sensation rush over her body. <i>Believe</i> still played in her head. She went back to the bedroom and grabbed
another sleeping pill. “<i>I don’t care” </i>she thought “<i>I am off tomorrow and I do not want to
remember this day.” </i>She popped the
other pill in her mouth and chased it down with her mixed drink. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">Kate pulled an old pack
of cigarettes from the back of the cabinet drawer. She fished around for a lighter, finally
finding a pack of matches, then stepped out on the back porch. The night air was cool and damp. <i>“Won’t
be long now.” </i>She thought as she
savored the rum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">After about ten minutes,
she took one last sip of the drink and the last drag from the cigarette. She was very relaxed. <i>“Time
for bed.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;">She giggled, feeling
tipsy as she stood. She locked up the
house and made her way to the bedroom.
She pulled back the covers, turned off the lamp and lay down. Mister Hedley nestled in beside her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-82987986518524157772012-05-01T10:01:00.001-05:002012-05-01T15:46:49.556-05:00The Visitor Chapter 4<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Chapter 4, scroll down for chapters 1-3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate felt her skin grow
cold. The room was silent except for the
hum of the oxygen supply to Tim. She
opened her eyes. The woman was
gone. She was cold, but put a hand to
her forehead and wiped sweat away. She
felt lightheaded and leaned against the bed.
She felt as if the room was spinning.
She noticed that her patient, Tim Johnson, had stopped breathing. She put her hand to his neck and felt for a
pulse. There was none. He had passed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She turned to make her
way out of the room, which was more than her senses could handle. She dashed into the bathroom, fell to her
knees and vomited into the toilet. Her
body heaved until there was nothing left.
She felt exhausted. She rested
her head on her forearm. Her body was
cold and covered with sweat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a few moments Kate
flushed the toilet and stood in front of the mirror then looked at the pale
face in the mirror. She washed her hands
and rinsed her mouth, then just looked at herself in the mirror while wondering
what just happened. <i>Pull it
together. You have a job to do, then get
out of here. Believe… believe what.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kate
took a deep breath and relaxed. She wet
a hand towel and wiped her face. One
last look in the mirror. Her head was
feeling steadier now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate walked out of the
room into the hall. She looked up and
saw Ramona working at one of the computer terminals in the hallway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As she got closer Ramona
looked up at her stunned at Kate’s appearance.
“Kate, are you okay? Why are you
so pale?” Ramona asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’m not feeling very
good. I just got dizzy and threw
up.” Kate said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Honey, sit down, is
there anything I can get for you? What
happened?” Ramona asked as she helped
Kate into a chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Mr. Johnson passed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I don’t know
Ramona. I was taking his vitals, it was
dark, then…then I just got dizzy.
Ramona, I hate to ask but I really need to get out of here. I really don’t feel…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Kate, aside from
vacation, you haven’t asked for a day off since you started working here. We can handle this. You go home and get some rest. I am going to get you some water. Okay?
Sit down over there and I will be right back.” Ramona said as she turned to walk away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate bit at her lip, but
she had to ask, “Ramona, did you see anyone come out of the room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“No honey, I have been
standing at that terminal the whole time you were in there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I thought I saw someone,
a woman, in the room,” she said, unsure of what just happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“That’s it. You’re going home. Come on,” Ramona said as she helped Kate to
her feet.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-59937342959986966262012-04-29T19:05:00.000-05:002012-04-29T19:21:59.042-05:00New LightsWe were eating at Ma Fia's Pizza in Opelika Alabama, did I mention they have excellent food? Anyway, you can check out their restaurant here <a href="http://ma-fias.com/gallery/" target="_blank">Ma-Fias.com Gallery</a> and look at the lights on the third and fourth pics. I thought that might be something I could do. <br />
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While I don't have beautiful jugs like those, I did find some large pickle jars. I sheared thin pieces of sheet metal at work and pop riveted the frames together. One jar contains Xmas lights and curvy vines, the other has a vintage filament bulb. </div>
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.333023452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.333023452.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I do have a large 5 gallon glass jug I plan to make a hanging frame for but I haven't figured out the lighting. My wife is listing these babies on Etsy as I type and I will put them at Old South Antique Mall tonight or in the morning.</div>
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.333018948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.333018948.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here is a link to our place on Etsy, where you can find other items and more pics of each light. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/KGilbertDesigns" target="_blank">KGilbertDesigns on Etsy</a></div>
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<br /></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-66889276747155854362012-04-26T16:32:00.002-05:002012-05-01T15:48:30.083-05:00The Visitor 1-3<br />
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Edited to change the name to The Visitor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I started this a couple of years ago and just recently got back to it. I think I know how I want to proceed with the story now so I am back on it. I will be posting one chapter every week. I started you with three, to get you interested. Please leave comments AND sign up for the email list to be advised when a new chapter(or anything I might post) is added AND share it on Facebook, with your friends, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The idea came from an elderly lady who told my wife and I about being a candy striper when she was young who saw a dark spirit in the hospital room of a young man who died. She quit that day. I found her story interesting and began writing, but have changed many things since I started. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's currently titled The Visitor, but that may change too. Start reading and enjoy. I need some feedback, leave comments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It could be the arthritis
or the impending weather causing Jacob Barnes’ hands to ache from just holding
the phone. His granddaughter Ann called
as he was getting ready for a trip to the hospital. He was a retired minister from the local <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Methodist</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype></st1:place>, but since his wife died, he
found it uplifting to visit those in the hospital who had no family or needed
spiritual guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Annie, I need to go if I
am going to beat this storm.” He had to
interrupt her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Papa, I know you get lonely
in that house all by yourself, but do you have to go to the hospital on a night
like this?” Ann asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well it is not storming
yet. I can make it, if I hurry. The Lord is really telling me I need to be
there tonight. Give me a hug.” He said, as he reached into a bag of hard
candy, pulling out a handful for each of his pants pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Okay, I will let you
go. Be careful and I will talk to you
soon. Love Love Papa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Love Love Annie.” He smiled as he placed the phone down. When she was little he would hug her, humming
mmm, mmm. “Love Love” was for when he
could not be there to hug her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The rain was starting to
fall as he rushed to the car. Once
inside, his fingers fumbled with the keys in the ignition. He made a fist around the keys, as well as
his arthritis would allow and started the car.
Maybe he should stay home and keep warm tonight, nurse the aching
joints. No, he thought to himself, he
would go to the hospital. Some soul
might need him. The hospital was not far
from Pastor Barnes’ home. He knew he
could make the drive before the really bad weather moved in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As he drove, the windshield
began to fog over. He reached into his
pocket, pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the moisture from the
windshield. It was then he noticed the
darkness seemed to overtake the light from lampposts and nearby
businesses. All light faded to very
dim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">His eyes strained in the
darkness. He leaned forward. The lack of light seemed to be concentrated
directly in front of him on the road ahead.
Darkness was in the shape of a person, a figure standing in the street. He leaned forward to better see what the
figure was but his headlights found nothing.
Their light wrapped around the dark figure into the unknown beyond. <i>Someone’s
in the road</i>, he thought. He panicked;
his face froze in fear, his knuckles cracked, breaking under the pressure as he
gripped the steering wheel to turn away.
His hands went numb. His leg
kicked at the brake pedal, but his wet shoe slipped onto the accelerator. The car turned, its engine screaming, sliding
the car sideways. Every muscle in his
body tightened. He never took his eyes
away from the darkness. “Oh God” escaped
from his lips as he passed through the dark figure smashing into the light
beyond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rain was forecast for the
rest of the night with periods of severe thunderstorms. Kate Pierson tried to leave early for a good
parking spot. Traffic was slow but she
arrived early, as did many of the other hospital staff. She found the best place she could and parked
the Honda. With the umbrella she
shielded her body from the cold rain as she made her way to the employee
entrance for her shift. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Under the entrance awning she shook off the umbrella and
neatly tucked it away before making her way to the fourth floor nurses
station. She stopped by the restroom for
a peek in the mirror. She had looked
better. Her sandy blonde hair was pulled
back in a ponytail to help control the humidity’s affects. Her light blue scrubs were fairly dry, she
was glad to have made it in without getting wet. </div>
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Kate was a solitary person around the hospital. She kept to herself, never finding time for
extra curricular activities with co-workers.
She was not rude, but always politely declined any invitations. After several months at the hospital her
co-workers stopped trying. She was
always there, doing her job, management and staff members could count on her
every day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As she approached the nurse’s station she noticed the charge
nurse Ramona Bolling was just finishing a meeting with members of the
staff. Several of the other nurses
appeared to be upset, some of them were crying.
She approached Ramona as the others were talking amongst themselves. </div>
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“What is it Ramona, did something happen?” Kate asked.</div>
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“Pastor Jacob Barnes passed away about thirty minutes ago in
the emergency room.” Ramona informed
Kate. </div>
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“The preacher? What
happened?”</div>
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“He was in an accident, probably on his way here. He lost control of his car in the rain and
hit an eighteen wheeler. One of the
girls in the ER told me the truck driver said Jacob never looked at him or
turned away. He just froze.”</div>
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“Oh my God, that’s awful,” Kate said sympathetically. </div>
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“Did you know him?” Ramona asked.</div>
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“No, not really. I
was usually too busy to talk to him.
Sometimes he would toss me a piece of candy and wink, but that is about
it.” Kate said adding, “I can’t believe he’s dead.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know, everyone is really upset about it. I am glad it is a slow night. If you need to talk about it, just let me
know, okay honey?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be alright, thanks Ramona.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kate checked in at the nurse’s station for the patients she
would be seeing that evening. She was
assigned to the new patient in room 423.
Twenty five year old Tim Johnson had been admitted earlier in the
day. His leukemia had progressed and he
wasn’t expected to leave the hospital. He was on deathwatch. She had to monitor him and keep him as
comfortable as possible in his near death state.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chapter 3</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kate approached room 423.
As she did a chill ran over her body.
She stopped, paused for a moment thinking the rain had given her a
chill, and shook it off. She gave the
customary knock at the door before entering.
She put her hand to the door. It
felt cold. She thought it was strange
but made her way into the room. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The room was dark except for a small light at the head of
the patient’s bed. The room was very
cold; she thought she might be able to see her breath. She looked over at Mister Johnson, who was
sleeping, and another woman standing beside the bed. The female visitor was
difficult to see in the darkened room.
Her clothes were all black and her long dark hair hid her face, which
was looking down upon Tim Johnson. Kate introduced herself and wrote the names
of the night shift nurses on the information board. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She spoke as she wrote, “My name is Kate, and Ramona is the
Charge Nurse tonight.” She turned and
went to the bedside. “I’m just going to
check vitals.” After a few silent
moments with her eyes on her watch she uttered “Cold in here.” The visitor standing on the other side of the
bed never said a word or took her eyes off Tim.
The light was very dim. She could only see that the quiet person was a woman. Everything about her was dark and foreboding,
her clothes, her hair, her presence. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She finished taking his vital signs and scribbled a few
notes. The silence from the visitor was
uncomfortable, but she had to ask as she always did. She looked up at the visitor and asked, “Is
there anything I can do for you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With her head still down, the visitor whispered an answer
“Oh, yes”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s that?” Kate answered with a smile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The visitor slowly looked up at Kate. In the dark room the whites of her eyes
glowed against the darkness of her face.
Kate looked into her eyes. The
visitor’s head moved closer to her across the hospital bed. She cracked her lips open and hissed one
word, “Believe”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As she moved closer Kate could see the details of her
face. Kate watched the woman’s mouth as she
spoke. Her teeth were dirty and stained,
her lips were dark, almost black against her pale face. When she finished the word her lips spread
wide and the corners of her mouth split open.
Kate backed against the wall. The
opening of her mouth grew larger as the visitor moved closer to Kate’s face. Kate smelled the stench of death and closed
her eyes just as the visitor reached her. </div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-19448313458638456632012-04-22T14:53:00.001-05:002012-04-22T14:53:31.111-05:00RedecoratingHere is another video where we talk about redecorating.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fPSOky9hm54?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Kay Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03408332300334809871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-71311889522474393882012-03-31T09:35:00.003-05:002012-03-31T09:47:11.007-05:00Very Neat Artist<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I love these miniature sculptures made from various metal parts. These pieces have so much character. The artist can be found at Front Porch of the South, on Veterans Blvd in Columbus, GA. FPOTS is a large place, so if you are going to look just for him, go over to the far right isle. He is right there at the start of the isle. I didn't see the artist while I was there and excuse my photos from my camera phone. If you can see in the background he does all the work right there in his booth. Amazing pieces and I saw a price of $85 which seems very, very reasonable. Click the pics to view larger.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuKiJ4YvegJHkMGlPwhiQhzn8SDgHdtp6ehaJohwOgkxLNS9jhqGe-ZMFsbJes1t5orZFlg82S7p5_IC6WCqPIYu136Kw_fkflxe0sYdAka9c693zR8dLntyAzhYmXikT3-jhGAuINhw/s1600/neat5.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuKiJ4YvegJHkMGlPwhiQhzn8SDgHdtp6ehaJohwOgkxLNS9jhqGe-ZMFsbJes1t5orZFlg82S7p5_IC6WCqPIYu136Kw_fkflxe0sYdAka9c693zR8dLntyAzhYmXikT3-jhGAuINhw/s320/neat5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726072330975431538" /></a><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtiCkuzO_wBnHu8TV_Q-jUfPdBddzVNfYWU0PNK7Dam9Jo5uVx6cHKet5YXxnBGRwztJ8xNVw2ZjzrO6I-oxuaR8WUyJNhVl51i_XuMc6ZLXguFgCAglxB82OsBi8f3g1inw7vEh0Wr8/s1600/neat4.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtiCkuzO_wBnHu8TV_Q-jUfPdBddzVNfYWU0PNK7Dam9Jo5uVx6cHKet5YXxnBGRwztJ8xNVw2ZjzrO6I-oxuaR8WUyJNhVl51i_XuMc6ZLXguFgCAglxB82OsBi8f3g1inw7vEh0Wr8/s320/neat4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726072328115285874" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUmdqOVH769EK8_6U1jUwqb79u5ySvQECef_X6566c8v-lwBGxkMDnN8aWmBPTYsfAUkkRDCOnXogugfb5m0a6AvcGXtHlmDAX-syM04Pzgdam_3zfpXVTwdnUbQZCAtTV9zdCOYPljA/s1600/neat3.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUmdqOVH769EK8_6U1jUwqb79u5ySvQECef_X6566c8v-lwBGxkMDnN8aWmBPTYsfAUkkRDCOnXogugfb5m0a6AvcGXtHlmDAX-syM04Pzgdam_3zfpXVTwdnUbQZCAtTV9zdCOYPljA/s320/neat3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726072319406256050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcwsJxd13syfi_EHnNROizYx_jjpSRs7L4jg1pFSZFwvcKp9ydEfBpQqrIyes7J4sBR1umw2Tx3o0KrKUY7jA_OGsRz3NZZF9Go3bltaXgfB0vbGUlYh3dpAkE6vzVL_4AKFFjuAGOTQ/s1600/neat2.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcwsJxd13syfi_EHnNROizYx_jjpSRs7L4jg1pFSZFwvcKp9ydEfBpQqrIyes7J4sBR1umw2Tx3o0KrKUY7jA_OGsRz3NZZF9Go3bltaXgfB0vbGUlYh3dpAkE6vzVL_4AKFFjuAGOTQ/s320/neat2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726072304566238546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9_gNtOV-AkyFJzRty_ialqdrGGlH5g_VchdnEb0PGZ9K07Zjn0WkaMaDt1GzCd4aAgKTwVPk4_WfalwFLu7Dh3GH6IY6nTIR6sACEITWp0nF9eFxWe_DYuxkAXVclPPij6j6Zfvtdyg/s1600/neat1.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9_gNtOV-AkyFJzRty_ialqdrGGlH5g_VchdnEb0PGZ9K07Zjn0WkaMaDt1GzCd4aAgKTwVPk4_WfalwFLu7Dh3GH6IY6nTIR6sACEITWp0nF9eFxWe_DYuxkAXVclPPij6j6Zfvtdyg/s320/neat1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726072302517910418" /></a><br /><br /></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-90092071973253298392012-03-20T12:47:00.001-05:002012-03-20T12:47:35.823-05:00Furniture Request<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2ipdh61vhzg?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-21547420409655691472012-03-08T12:27:00.003-06:002012-03-08T12:36:22.131-06:00Baxley's Stayin' Alive<p class="MsoNormal">Monday, March 5<sup>th</sup>, was fried catfish day in the City of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Dothan</st1:place></st1:city> cafeteria. City Clerk Pam McCoy loaded her lunch tray and scanned the room for a place to sit and eat. She didn’t get far.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Pammy,” City Manager Mike West called her out, “Come sit with us.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pam let out a sigh, then sat down with Mike West and City Attorney Freddie Len White. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Afternoon,” she said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Mmm,” Len mumbled as he chewed at his piece of fried catfish.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“You gonna eat that hush puppy?” Mike West asked as he poked his finger in her plate.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Um, no. You can have it.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Look here Pammy, commission meeting is tomorrow. Can you print out copies of something, anything, to look like official paperwork? Utilities collections for the past three months would be good, I can BS about that for a while to change the subject if need be,” Mike West asked.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Sure, I can do tha…” Pam’s voice faded as Hamp Baxley entered the cafeteria at exactly the same time as Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gee’s started playing on the loud speakers. She could tell by the way he used his walk, his suit slacks gently hugging his firm buttocks, he was a woman’s man, no time to talk. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As he walked by their table, West stuck his foot out and tripped Baxley. His lunch tray floated up in the air as he tumbled to the floor, then the tray landed on his head. Pam was shocked. Freddie Len White, who was at the time nibbling on a fried catfish tail, thought that was the funniest thing he had ever seen.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Boy that’s the funniest thing I ever seen,” Len said as he slapped his knee several times; his teeth black with specks of catfish tail.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mike West was spitting chunks of hush puppy as he laughed. “I heard that Len.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pam reached down to help Baxley to his feet. She wiped coleslaw from his head.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“My hair!” Baxley screamed. “I spend a lot of time working on my hair. Now yous got coleslaw in it. Don’t mess with the hair.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Awe hell, don’t get your panties in a wad,” West said with a mouthful of hush puppies, “It’s all good.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, you tell him Mikey,” Len said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I oughta kick your,” Baxley said approaching West.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Stop it,” Pam pleaded, placing a hand up to block them. Baxley moved forward, which put Pam’s hand on his rock hard abs. She had no doubt he could handle himself but knew the decorum of the lunchroom was no place for such shenanigans. “Don’t stoop to their level.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I’ll see yous guys at the commission meeting tomorrow,” Baxley said as he stormed off.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Pam turned to see Freddie Len with her catfish. “Hey, that’s mine.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I’m just eatin the tail. It’s the best part.” Len said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“I heard that,” West said.</p>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-46089645353597655612012-03-06T07:59:00.000-06:002012-03-06T08:00:07.025-06:00Yes We Can Dothan<p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Former</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Dothan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">High School</st1:placetype></st1:place> dropout Curtis “Downtown” Brown made an $800 cash donation to Yes We Can Dothan, last Thursday night. Downtown lauded the program for educating children early in stages of development, before they decide to drop out.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Man, Yes We Can got it goin on,” Downtown said enthusiastically, adding “I ain’t got to teach nobody how to read no scales no more. Brothers used to be saying Downtown, how many grams in an ounce. Whatever y’all be teaching them over there, word up, it’s workin?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Director of Communications, Twyla Williams appeared dumbfounded by the donation and Downtown’s comments. She did little communicating aside from a shocked look on her face and her mouth hanging open during the presentation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Gimme some love girl,” Downtown said as he rejected the customary handing over of the check with a handshake pose. Downtown instead held the cash in his most earnest gangster pose, eight one hundred dollar bills fanned out spectacularly, including pulling up his shirt to show a pistol tucked into his pants. He went on to describe another youngster who benefited from Yes We Can’s educational programs, Dontae Jones.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“The other day two of my boys were bout to throw down over who gun was best and my boy Dontae, he just got kicked out for dealin, Dontae said “Technically the forty five has a larger diameter, whereas the nine millimeter, due to its smaller size can carry almost twice as many bullets. I have found the forty caliber to be an honest compromise. Ole Dontae sounded like a professor at Wallace. Too bad T-bone shot him for being uppity. It’s all good in the hood.”</p>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-31215736476875672032012-03-01T11:15:00.007-06:002012-03-01T12:26:26.341-06:00Culver vs. Gamble<p class="MsoNormal">Aside from the occasional purse snatching, <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Westgate</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> was known for the sounds of children playing and sporting events. On t<span style="font-size: 100%; ">his day silence fell over the softball fields as Mike Gamble stepped up to the plate, gripped his bat tightly and squinted at the pitcher, Mark Culver.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was the annual Attorneys versus Republicans charity softball game, formerly known as the Attorneys versus Elected Officials game, but since no one has a chance on the Democratic ticket, they changed the name.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The stands were full of people expecting fireworks from Culver and Gamble. Their most recent riff upset the delicate balance of decorum at the normally serene <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Commission</st1:placename></st1:place> meetings. The spectators watched in silence as Gamble stood at the plate, his bat raised over his head. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Culver, who took extra chondroitin with his Centrum Silver that morning to loosen his aging joints, was prepared to bring the heat. He shook off the first three signals from the catcher. The catcher knew the only other pitch in Culver’s repertoire was The Wildcat. He let out a sigh and dug his cleats into the red dirt, preparing for the pitch, which could go anywhere.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Culver wound up and lobbed the ball underhanded. Several seconds later, Gamble ducked to prevent the pitch from hitting his head. A gasp came from the crowd, a group of bingo supporters chuckled and high-fived each other.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">With ice cold composure, Gamble stepped back in the batter’s box and prepared for the next pitch. Culver knew he could do this three more times and would enjoy each of them. The next pitch he lobbed with a little extra juice. After some time the ball reached the vicinity of Gamble’s head and he dove for the ground. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The crowd became more raucous, bingo supporters laughed and cheered. Several prominent citizens booed the pitcher.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Culver knew this would upset Gamble to no end. He expected Gamble would jump up, open his mouth to spout all kinds of whereas nonsense and be ejected from the game, but he didn’t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Gamble calmly stood up and brushed himself off. He resumed his position in the batter’s box, but this time he held the bat out in the strike zone with his right hand and tapped the meat of the bat with his left hand, then pointed to the heavens, just beyond left field.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This made Culver’s bald spot redder than his beard; luckily he was wearing a baseball cap. Culver accepted the challenge to strike Gamble out. He wound up and released the pitch with all his might. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Gamble struck the ball with full force and watched it rocket straight into Culver’s face. He smiled a little as he began to trot to first base. Half way there he noticed Culver lying on the ground and was not moving. Several commission members gathered around their fallen pitcher, some of them began vomiting. Gamble turned and ran to the pitcher’s mound. When he arrived and saw Culver his heart sank. He had knocked Culver’s beard clean off his face. The site disgusted him a little but he was filled with dread as Culver was not moving. “Mister Culver!” he screamed, but Culver did not respond. The beard, lying a few feet away, tried to crawl back to its face. It struggled, shook violently, then collapsed.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Gamble dove for Culver and began chest compressions. He thought about mouth to mouth but was truly repulsed at the site of Culver without his beard. “Mister Culver!” he screamed over and over. Then Culver gasped and coughed. He opened his eyes and looked over to see his beard lying there lifeless and let out a blood curdling scream.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Culver’s beard was placed in an iced cooler was airlifted to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Southeast</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Alabama</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Medical</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>, along with Culver himself. Doctors doubted they could save the beard, the damage was too great. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A press conference was held with Mike Gamble and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Dothan</st1:place></st1:city>’s preeminent <span class="st">Oral-Maxillofacial and Facial Cosmetic surgeon </span>Doctor Clint Evans, which everyone watched on TV because it was too slow to load on Rickey Stokes News.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Whereas my temper got the best of me today, we must say goodbye to Mister Culver’s beard, nothing can be done and for that I am sorry. Whereas Mister Culver has only a limited amount of hair left and whereas I have an overabundance of back hair Doctor Evans will attempt the first ever back to face hair transplant. It’s a risky procedure as I could lose the ability to, to speak.” Gamble said as he broke into tears.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Everyone at the press conference agreed it was well worth the risk.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Let’s do this,” Doctor Evans said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Wait. I didn’t mean for it to happen like this. I hope the people will accept my apology. That beard has served the county for decades. That’s a long time. How long has he been a commissioner? Does he even have another job?” Gamble pondered.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Quit stalling. Let’s go,” Doctor Evans said as he escorted Gamble away. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The procedure was a success. Both men survived the operation and the transplanted hair took to Culver’s face. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As he sat in his hospital bed recovering that night, Culver’s new beard of velvety soft blonde hair began itching fiercely and suddenly he was overwhelmed with the idea of forming an independent committee to review Center Stage.</p>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-40543839649748646062012-02-19T21:07:00.026-06:002012-02-19T22:50:14.369-06:00Home Made Kid's Desk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CyOiIigzq6Td-6aNt9y7bE_etlljYP7Je3mN-ljbVDBdvF8HGABa-j8nQXX-VGNky6a1H4xiBHO3eB1NNfPosIngMBHzpUiqRrpfKNvku2sIWNUE7vDg0ZGd2TuTzMn6LDgJOmpQxTM/s1600/SANY3002.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CyOiIigzq6Td-6aNt9y7bE_etlljYP7Je3mN-ljbVDBdvF8HGABa-j8nQXX-VGNky6a1H4xiBHO3eB1NNfPosIngMBHzpUiqRrpfKNvku2sIWNUE7vDg0ZGd2TuTzMn6LDgJOmpQxTM/s320/SANY3002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051836377707474" border="0" /></a><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">So they said Alysa needs a desk and asked if I could build one out of two old closet doors. No problem. I am a man after all, and a man knows how to delegate, so while the ladies went shopping I put Alysa to work building her desk.</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Here she is marking a cut line 50" from the end.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvDp0kVpp0HWKOhyphenhyphenvAOt9To3xKRjQ4K6oRC1EFjvGCnXULPmguLku8fcy-xi1U-4x_lt9AyZpiym-lw6_cWUSauc1Wbfwzt_MBNTw4jZVlqKygGCv2AUM9uh0VpjKEojTlfnbaSocZTg/s1600/SANY3003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvDp0kVpp0HWKOhyphenhyphenvAOt9To3xKRjQ4K6oRC1EFjvGCnXULPmguLku8fcy-xi1U-4x_lt9AyZpiym-lw6_cWUSauc1Wbfwzt_MBNTw4jZVlqKygGCv2AUM9uh0VpjKEojTlfnbaSocZTg/s320/SANY3003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051745462733490" border="0" /></a>Hey, I don't want to use your tape measure she says, so she gets her tool set and drill we gave her for her eleventh birthday.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">That's a handy little tool bag from Walmart. They also have it in black, if pink is not your color.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYbSR0N_PIYlZpOc82VRCv-0DjMvlKIehyphenhyphenfiyX82lnxUNI4yvdd9pcBoOlBbopYntkILl6nsPqiVOUMRvCKcrYR-Sf_HOUsAAFz-RROFQMFbqQD7CzgpdO0R0fve9i1WeSrfbBPAhLS8/s1600/SANY3004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYbSR0N_PIYlZpOc82VRCv-0DjMvlKIehyphenhyphenfiyX82lnxUNI4yvdd9pcBoOlBbopYntkILl6nsPqiVOUMRvCKcrYR-Sf_HOUsAAFz-RROFQMFbqQD7CzgpdO0R0fve9i1WeSrfbBPAhLS8/s320/SANY3004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051643530878530" border="0" /></a>Take that hardware off, we don't need it. Righty tighty - lefty loosey.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdj6xTmBX999WVa3Lkpq-hu0XdR3fjnDKnyYvfduDiUPm7BsFwCybcj4FjQVoFqrI4XyFnWDFuCzKs6g1dflsfRFCKT6CBcTntTJ5uXLJ5CZp-Ub_n3aXTyLvtjRc2ofs1JyHfoqA0WI/s1600/SANY3007.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdj6xTmBX999WVa3Lkpq-hu0XdR3fjnDKnyYvfduDiUPm7BsFwCybcj4FjQVoFqrI4XyFnWDFuCzKs6g1dflsfRFCKT6CBcTntTJ5uXLJ5CZp-Ub_n3aXTyLvtjRc2ofs1JyHfoqA0WI/s320/SANY3007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051544241438450" border="0" /></a>The little circular saw is mine and is very easy to handle. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYawStCLDgiMjLOvnyXMVGFh4OaDuhQ0Knu4CrdILWdnD8DSV_I1MxRmXBiIF9BdU00mK2_BoaLPVLZCla03lQSRUVcS_c4u85bJ7FBYfWB_d1YDIuSBIlVIsFUxxXCkcPUUA1B_Qixs/s1600/SANY3008.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYawStCLDgiMjLOvnyXMVGFh4OaDuhQ0Knu4CrdILWdnD8DSV_I1MxRmXBiIF9BdU00mK2_BoaLPVLZCla03lQSRUVcS_c4u85bJ7FBYfWB_d1YDIuSBIlVIsFUxxXCkcPUUA1B_Qixs/s320/SANY3008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051446153692626" border="0" /></a>Here she is cutting the door. The little saw only cuts 3/4" deep so we had to flip it over and cut again.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Grandmommie seemed surprised that she did all the cutting. No problem, she wore safety glasses. Circular saws are notorious for getting sawdust into your eyes.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxJ4qxW1WMaFnrggQHWDJJbqIWNyxlLhs-pADOf7JeDHPZtsMUOYl3ydP21E5DwRBoPO1UlmBUvYMvUWFYyJGehyphenhyphenTVkwum-GHur6XICsyY3eMgN6reGk_ZkN-bhaTwCNbRbtdNpFHJWo/s1600/SANY3010.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxJ4qxW1WMaFnrggQHWDJJbqIWNyxlLhs-pADOf7JeDHPZtsMUOYl3ydP21E5DwRBoPO1UlmBUvYMvUWFYyJGehyphenhyphenTVkwum-GHur6XICsyY3eMgN6reGk_ZkN-bhaTwCNbRbtdNpFHJWo/s320/SANY3010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051338640104098" border="0" /></a>The problem with using a hollow core door is that the inside is only framed around the perimeter. After cutting the desk top 50" long, one end is hollow so I cut a piece off the top to insert into the end.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEHr0V3WNwWDmrO6YodGVkXDqq-BUuN_Ymxm3qEDbFLLi6_fYOtpoLAF-2TFWIRX4Z7M6xLinRorb5wmA3KOjl6M6agtchVil1Tg2utFvIU4afH4gw4KexDQ_XYMlCmXZZj4k5kCWNQY/s1600/SANY3011.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEHr0V3WNwWDmrO6YodGVkXDqq-BUuN_Ymxm3qEDbFLLi6_fYOtpoLAF-2TFWIRX4Z7M6xLinRorb5wmA3KOjl6M6agtchVil1Tg2utFvIU4afH4gw4KexDQ_XYMlCmXZZj4k5kCWNQY/s320/SANY3011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051239890529970" border="0" /></a>Then Alysa sanded it smooth. Like her new sander? $25 at Harbor Freight.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVqjv62D_wgANStcF_2Z22RlOgbLpJiMpf9y5ykoQFSy2EFc8qgnOEcNNuN6BRDAdXra9LO2tfFtVk5ttG4N2HJzneL9O6-buVyw6Xzg85iCWmpyrsjc4fYs__AqnySy_Et9bgi1Q6CU/s1600/SANY3016.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVqjv62D_wgANStcF_2Z22RlOgbLpJiMpf9y5ykoQFSy2EFc8qgnOEcNNuN6BRDAdXra9LO2tfFtVk5ttG4N2HJzneL9O6-buVyw6Xzg85iCWmpyrsjc4fYs__AqnySy_Et9bgi1Q6CU/s320/SANY3016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711051092132891106" border="0" /></a>Then we put some glue on each side and she put it into the hollow area.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Ugh, it won't go in.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkKoAXc-uKiCUxu6uYf-785u1NpHyOBo3rVx5D4Y4bR_hMI2vm9-AIZNG8a2PZ9Pp3mGGPuQfnxp8GGtxdKVjrjx2P-d-oV9iNv7zhdxiBYrtv6JQ8BFnzTDgKLBwF_j6qqUJhjWwZkM/s1600/SANY3017.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkKoAXc-uKiCUxu6uYf-785u1NpHyOBo3rVx5D4Y4bR_hMI2vm9-AIZNG8a2PZ9Pp3mGGPuQfnxp8GGtxdKVjrjx2P-d-oV9iNv7zhdxiBYrtv6JQ8BFnzTDgKLBwF_j6qqUJhjWwZkM/s320/SANY3017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711050872901730338" border="0" /></a>No problem, use the hammer to knock it in.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">You go girl.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">While that was drying we cut the other door into two 29" pieces to make the legs.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHek9wZ2fN8VzosJRXltXYklK4LuRDbWxML7UjzADLI8Jwea1wj2vvDuJDJa2fmzSE77mELaTWhU9iwnNcM6wAVmW5SiKkfHQXzQxoc7Nh-5lU-jPNCYv0qmnZFrpCQZ-YMw4JNLx1uQ/s1600/SANY3019.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHek9wZ2fN8VzosJRXltXYklK4LuRDbWxML7UjzADLI8Jwea1wj2vvDuJDJa2fmzSE77mELaTWhU9iwnNcM6wAVmW5SiKkfHQXzQxoc7Nh-5lU-jPNCYv0qmnZFrpCQZ-YMw4JNLx1uQ/s320/SANY3019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711050743028502050" border="0" /></a>Next, I cut some braces with my full size saw. Her little fingers were tired and the little saw was charging. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoK83RChOvrjp_V5zzvMaTaNOJK1SdoQTMs2uS9UQR_ZRoj8XIQE7FCVbqZws-hwiQiOjyviQE46xo2sRAg74YyE2tvdZP_ODNTdC82QNHWbRRlKzZqk6NIBp88x247Wbg_RdgW_92pCM/s1600/SANY3020.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoK83RChOvrjp_V5zzvMaTaNOJK1SdoQTMs2uS9UQR_ZRoj8XIQE7FCVbqZws-hwiQiOjyviQE46xo2sRAg74YyE2tvdZP_ODNTdC82QNHWbRRlKzZqk6NIBp88x247Wbg_RdgW_92pCM/s320/SANY3020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711050595276823586" border="0" /></a>I got her to sand the braces down to the wood so the glue would stick well.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_pBxuuuLyeYgTJUZvTNUqzGapm5fUxDV0X7YIPQ_t6gMQhqh2iy90piRoZwfDBOBkwh7W3U-YAehB7GTsPPu2I-XP2bg50E2cmXIXh7Mok_5T9N03rZ6BL7BIPfd22IOq6CJmXF-hOo/s1600/SANY3022.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_pBxuuuLyeYgTJUZvTNUqzGapm5fUxDV0X7YIPQ_t6gMQhqh2iy90piRoZwfDBOBkwh7W3U-YAehB7GTsPPu2I-XP2bg50E2cmXIXh7Mok_5T9N03rZ6BL7BIPfd22IOq6CJmXF-hOo/s320/SANY3022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711050491395922466" border="0" /></a>Next she drilled pilot holes for the screws to go into. Pilot holes are very helpful with alignment and keep the wood from splitting.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I just bought a new pack of drill bits and I knew one or two would be sacrificed during this part but she held the drill steady and straight. No drill bits were broken.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">That's my hand holding the brace.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N6tIv_2T94TH0jPP5GzwRrJrL9mnGNLFn7xdnXc_iyLXJOnTJ56AOcv7uOxFu-lFhPuWElSf7MMkvyFIdC-CbjeK2qKiX2ZG6GCJ1Y19Uey3DlkxTJc5eNBUSuEpJqr-W9hMk0lfobo/s1600/SANY3023.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2N6tIv_2T94TH0jPP5GzwRrJrL9mnGNLFn7xdnXc_iyLXJOnTJ56AOcv7uOxFu-lFhPuWElSf7MMkvyFIdC-CbjeK2qKiX2ZG6GCJ1Y19Uey3DlkxTJc5eNBUSuEpJqr-W9hMk0lfobo/s320/SANY3023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711050368339566514" border="0" /></a>Then Alysa screwed each of the twelve screws through the braces and into the desk top and sides.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP8_i0oG3XloPMDETVDHHHelJ0OI9pSspy1of9h6teKFFW9RQLBE8aB46Uo6rKR_iJoDzfPQaNF_qqY8WKWscm3N50k1W3dNbr4ulB9-k1wXd2dddmu2S-fk4_-ONGG_yCp12zVyXPaE/s1600/SANY3024.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPP8_i0oG3XloPMDETVDHHHelJ0OI9pSspy1of9h6teKFFW9RQLBE8aB46Uo6rKR_iJoDzfPQaNF_qqY8WKWscm3N50k1W3dNbr4ulB9-k1wXd2dddmu2S-fk4_-ONGG_yCp12zVyXPaE/s320/SANY3024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711050241351886034" border="0" /></a>Here she is putting the last few screws in. I told her to push hard and she did. I only had to give three of them an extra twist with the drill to get them down a little more.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXPOeOsy0ihyphenhyphensGjKJWgGU9vbnUzi6HpEhsAYnaZY-5XH5KwoB6omualAaXeQoeDtopbDLpW3x4YMMCScnynoRrvNxVVGrYBaPWbZui3nCRKrJPhfAZJQ-jMMvkVsfdskokHgwCYcLTeA/s1600/SANY3026.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXPOeOsy0ihyphenhyphensGjKJWgGU9vbnUzi6HpEhsAYnaZY-5XH5KwoB6omualAaXeQoeDtopbDLpW3x4YMMCScnynoRrvNxVVGrYBaPWbZui3nCRKrJPhfAZJQ-jMMvkVsfdskokHgwCYcLTeA/s320/SANY3026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711050102267282882" border="0" /></a>And here she is with her finished desk.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS3hdpiALyMhfCj4VQDSEFegBHwDf1a2DX4rSVVjauWzc53foLk72_L_oiw5sFbzDI0yKlFtH2sQTFY8PuJGVjfumTf4EI2f9k1aKErSQIne17z1-8eZU8xXDc64CQZLqzquaV-yrI9s/s1600/SANY3030.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiS3hdpiALyMhfCj4VQDSEFegBHwDf1a2DX4rSVVjauWzc53foLk72_L_oiw5sFbzDI0yKlFtH2sQTFY8PuJGVjfumTf4EI2f9k1aKErSQIne17z1-8eZU8xXDc64CQZLqzquaV-yrI9s/s320/SANY3030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711049984003663410" border="0" /></a>This work session was brought to you by Chill Yogurt, which we visited after the strenuous build.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_-OA46FCYxtnC4MGF0X4Q5Hm4gETmxPM6MbCUimi4su6Y9jB5O__q7Esbpnae32LzaqggCsoVRRWRBcbd0-98keJCMSj4itcCuRvM5sY4GapLPaDIZV4zOud6gMsUeyaPljj0CiHjls/s1600/SANY3031.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_-OA46FCYxtnC4MGF0X4Q5Hm4gETmxPM6MbCUimi4su6Y9jB5O__q7Esbpnae32LzaqggCsoVRRWRBcbd0-98keJCMSj4itcCuRvM5sY4GapLPaDIZV4zOud6gMsUeyaPljj0CiHjls/s320/SANY3031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711049882237791186" border="0" /></a>Here we are both in the picture showing off the various tools used, she is checking to make sure the desk is level and I am acting like I am measuring something.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp4W1EiEonvLrXryH4vO_ffSjVZlEYpIw5tOUfUReVTFnzxu0ZG4jGWkvD-x9zO_4-mMLC9D5NepF00VYePQdVh0O-PpElHHg7A0u4AiIOEVd-9SfeK_UEnRdBy9HBuJ9QHdscWZHNqU/s1600/SANY3032.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp4W1EiEonvLrXryH4vO_ffSjVZlEYpIw5tOUfUReVTFnzxu0ZG4jGWkvD-x9zO_4-mMLC9D5NepF00VYePQdVh0O-PpElHHg7A0u4AiIOEVd-9SfeK_UEnRdBy9HBuJ9QHdscWZHNqU/s320/SANY3032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711049788335482114" border="0" /></a><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">After the build she wanted it painted this </span>avocado <span style="font-size: 100%;">color. This Valspar paint is excellent. </span></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Well it was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. I should have taken a picture of the painted desk. After the paint cures in a few days, they will move it into her room and her things on it. I hope to get a picture then. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">So how much did each of us do? I trimmed the insert for the hollow core end, cut the braces with a bigger saw because the little one needed to charge, and I drove the screws through the desk top into the top of the legs while she helped hold them. All of the other measuring, cutting, sanding, drilling, gluing , and screwing was done by her. Can your eleven year old accomplish a project like this? Sure they can with help and direction. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">My wife wants some bookcases built for our den. We might have to schedule a spend the night party with Alysa.</span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-26872984234387305002012-02-13T10:49:00.002-06:002012-02-13T10:52:04.457-06:00Valentine<p class="MsoNormal">Recently my wife sorted through our old photos and found some letters I wrote to her. She enjoyed reading them. I enjoyed hearing her read them aloud. So on this Valentine’s Day, I want to give her another love letter. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">She was the Lasik eye surgery coordinator, and I was her patient. Lasik is an expensive operation so patients are treated well. She spent a lot of time with me, including sitting with me in the waiting area. I was unaccustomed to this and asked if she was going to follow me everywhere. She thought I was a smart ass but she remained professional. The day of the surgery she sat with me waiting for the Valium to take effect and we talked about wanting to see The Lord of the Rings.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We emailed a few times following the surgery and I finally convinced her to go see the movie with me, just after Christmas. Afterward we had coffee and talked some more. It was a great date and I was smitten. She must have been too because she invited me to her niece’s New Years party. I met her there and we had a good time and then decided to go to another friend’s party. When we got there we just sat in my truck talking for an hour before the people finally got us to come in. When midnight came I took a chance and kissed her. She still says it was a surprise, and I’m glad I had gotten the nerve to do it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We started dating steadily after New Years. She lived about an hour away, so most days we would meet after work at a park just to sit and talk for a while. Then we would stay on the phone all night until one of us fell asleep.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t remember the exact day but one afternoon when we were riding in my truck I told her she looked at home sitting in the passenger seat. Soon after that she and her youngest son, Mitchell, moved in with me and I decided this is the woman I wanted to marry.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The ring was burning a hole in my pocket. Kay, Mitchell and I went to a movie, then to Steak and Shake. When we left Mitchell followed the plan and asked to see the park where she and I would sit in our car to talk. When we arrived Mitchell said he saw a cat and took off. We stood there and held hands, she started to wrap her other hand around me to hug and felt my heart pounding in my chest. “Thomas, are you okay?” she asked and I reached into my pocket and got down on one knee to give her the ring. She was jumping for joy. We have been together since that day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last week she went to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Atlanta</st1:place></st1:city> for a night. That night I had the TV all to myself and watched a movie she had no interest in. She was late getting home the next night and I noticed the only conversation I had was with the cat. I was missing her and wondered how I spent all those years alone, without her. </p>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-73995778510905175122012-02-09T16:35:00.001-06:002012-02-09T16:37:39.116-06:00Quarantine<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“Don’t panic,” Clark Matthews, Dothan Houston County EMA Director said to the room full of reporter and city leaders. “As far as we know, the epidemic affects only women and the elderly.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Does the disease have a name?<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“I’ll turn the question over to Doctor Robert Speed from <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Wallace</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">College</st1:placename></st1:place>, Doctor,” Matthews said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“Currently the disease has no specific name,” Dr. Speed said, “nor can it be traced back to a single individual to be named after them. We are referring to it solely by its symptoms, sinistra via agripeta.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Don’t hide the truth doctor, call it by it’s real name.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“Very well then, Left Lane Squatter, but I want to be clear about why we are here, after extensive testing on subjects afflicted with this disease we still don’t know what causes it, but we do know its devastating affects on traffic, especially on the <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Ross Clark Circle</st1:address></st1:street>.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Is it hereditary? I’ve noticed my grandfather doing it.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“If you are not experiencing the symptoms you must be immune. It could be something he ate. Is there anything peculiar in his diet?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i>He eats Dobb’s a lot.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“I thought it was Manwich,” Doctor Speed said, which made everyone in the room uncomfortable, some nodded their heads in agreement, others shook their fist in anger, County Commission Chairman, Mark Culver appeared visibly shaken. “I’m sorry, I should have read the sign which clearly states BBQ.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i>I saw National Guard troops take a woman yesterday, just pulled her over and took her out of her car. She was screaming that she was eventually going to turn left.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“Please remain calm,” Matthews pleaded.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i>I saw you riding with your blinker on for about a mile last week Matthews, how do we know you’re not infected?<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“There’s a simple explanation for that,” Matthew said nervously. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“Is this true?” Doctor Speed asked, backing away from Matthews while covering his mouth with his sleeve.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“Really, I just turned from Cherokee onto <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Montgomery Highway</st1:address></st1:street>, and you know how it is at that wide angle where sometimes your blinker doesn’t go off. That’s it, really.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Doctor Speed motioned to a couple of National Guardsmen. They grabbed Matthews and began hauling him away. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“I couldn’t hear the blinker over the radio. It’s a simple mistake. Let me go!” Matthews pleaded.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">“Quarantine this room,” Doctor Speed said as he quickly walked away.</p>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-18075097719981069412012-02-06T09:19:00.020-06:002012-02-07T11:30:39.682-06:00White Table, Black Vanity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWOWfx6UQJ_5axzRsJsVDV2ElqsDRNZwjmqR_35xh0IvOEat2uG9lI5-Txv-Fncr58-N9E6K_NR376jz346t27OciGzKFdiQXgROmY_QCsJXWwwze2G8MkYvOcTSnF0bKbhlAh0ArNO8/s1600/table+begin.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWOWfx6UQJ_5axzRsJsVDV2ElqsDRNZwjmqR_35xh0IvOEat2uG9lI5-Txv-Fncr58-N9E6K_NR376jz346t27OciGzKFdiQXgROmY_QCsJXWwwze2G8MkYvOcTSnF0bKbhlAh0ArNO8/s320/table+begin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706049333868422002" /></a>This table started out as a standard wood finish 3' x 5' boring thing. You know we won't stand for that. I sanded it with my DeWalt just to get the shine and a few scratches off.<div><br /></div><div>Then I spray painted it with the cheap flat white spray paint. This one took about 8 cans. I had to spray three coats to get good coverage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't forget to wear some kind of breathing protection. I didn't and I was coughing spray paint in the shower that night.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg_3gDpVFU4E0Io7DWKGiBMB5yiAXl7pL-HnHsKC28WmuJP6Ga0WUVFw-J5oSYn0sILlcQvlnMNbsIm1Zrnw3vu3enHUv1qsyueMDDwjhLV-ySatDJIOzTTLO65N8Zp18KL7BOsR-Tgg/s1600/table+staining.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg_3gDpVFU4E0Io7DWKGiBMB5yiAXl7pL-HnHsKC28WmuJP6Ga0WUVFw-J5oSYn0sILlcQvlnMNbsIm1Zrnw3vu3enHUv1qsyueMDDwjhLV-ySatDJIOzTTLO65N8Zp18KL7BOsR-Tgg/s320/table+staining.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706049294450286418" /></a>I wasn't satisfied with a plain white table so I used a straight edge and a flat head screw driver to score lines to simulate separate boards. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I got the stain and went to work rubbing. Just a little and rub it in to make the table look aged and dirty. Yes, my arms were killing me at this point. I had already done the black vanity below.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9RS2RIjDV2AB90YtamE1WUZmev_ITMswDLFLlKSIpv8V0QVtkiePFeIhsqMhdCYq5ol_eMBhgMuCYelYh66Ol6sDTCXzrf9vOB_6D7ZQMB74JB5RFZn_QS-jo2C1wQAOCskU4EAUA7M/s1600/table+detail.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9RS2RIjDV2AB90YtamE1WUZmev_ITMswDLFLlKSIpv8V0QVtkiePFeIhsqMhdCYq5ol_eMBhgMuCYelYh66Ol6sDTCXzrf9vOB_6D7ZQMB74JB5RFZn_QS-jo2C1wQAOCskU4EAUA7M/s320/table+detail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706049229351247762" /></a>Here is a closeup of the staining. Strangely, this project came out finished with just the staining. I didn't have to wax it. Maybe it was from using less stain than I did on the vanity or the difference in paint color. When I do a piece in black I soak it with stain to give a rich color and wet look, but I have to rub it a lot to get the extra stain off or it will be sticky.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuVwFlHROwZ-7a77XVwvr1fxzmexS69-SSQ0_k2e0B1rOvTD1I3h24Cs2GO3D2MgZxY6kU_nWom9-tMc7qVOcWwRiQBfiJtZnIbE5ZvLVW3E2AIvLw3Tq1OtxWEH06P89nj56nBoEvg4/s1600/finished+table.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuVwFlHROwZ-7a77XVwvr1fxzmexS69-SSQ0_k2e0B1rOvTD1I3h24Cs2GO3D2MgZxY6kU_nWom9-tMc7qVOcWwRiQBfiJtZnIbE5ZvLVW3E2AIvLw3Tq1OtxWEH06P89nj56nBoEvg4/s320/finished+table.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706049174335160898" /></a>Here is the finished table sitting in my wife's booth at the front of Old South Antique Mall - $85 <span ><b>Sorry but it has been SOLD</b></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX6uKShyphenhyphenSsg3MKUBExU3JQVY5FZ4Vf_BmqQsYDck8-loUkq1_-cQLW7KNk3Te7sYYHHL6i_5B8cwRProcHOxpVqZGo9T_d9D3F_knLsoPp664MfZX7Puf7AVkKBekL1T0Dx6-WAPS-Hk/s1600/vanity+begin.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX6uKShyphenhyphenSsg3MKUBExU3JQVY5FZ4Vf_BmqQsYDck8-loUkq1_-cQLW7KNk3Te7sYYHHL6i_5B8cwRProcHOxpVqZGo9T_d9D3F_knLsoPp664MfZX7Puf7AVkKBekL1T0Dx6-WAPS-Hk/s320/vanity+begin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706049088470914850" /></a>The vanity before I started. I had to glue a few pieces and sand the top back to the wood. This piece is on casters and would also make a nice desk. I painted it with flat black spray paint, and sanded it back to the wood in several places to give it an aged look. Then I gave it a good wash in stain. I didn't sand it enough in some places so I rubbed extra hard to get the paint off to show the wood.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfUZsGiaGW_OEmVM6qjaXI8yV1z2qDcXE1kC0dz4ieijzuzcFfT5gLBqhlio_btbfkHwNaQqr9CZptMgM52jkSba1aDgG60j05c9z3hgdD8AnMUZn6FA5YmXR5tzlfjQDj_CAMuQAC_E/s1600/vanity+detail.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfUZsGiaGW_OEmVM6qjaXI8yV1z2qDcXE1kC0dz4ieijzuzcFfT5gLBqhlio_btbfkHwNaQqr9CZptMgM52jkSba1aDgG60j05c9z3hgdD8AnMUZn6FA5YmXR5tzlfjQDj_CAMuQAC_E/s320/vanity+detail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706049045084314066" /></a>Here's a closeup of it sitting in my wife's booth. She has already put things on it like some beautiful woman has been sitting there doing her makeup.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j9NhKKJf_xZfCsUw80jGzhEEbH2MiuLx3GsJ6hvr3zcOS0oLvpmOqg5PzalQJhV-LI1r28vU1faSk4KwkCzDi96cQ-GD9paFE2qTe_voM5JNdpomzEgBwz3O82uwtCztaLp8fc6Td-I/s1600/vanity+in+booth.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j9NhKKJf_xZfCsUw80jGzhEEbH2MiuLx3GsJ6hvr3zcOS0oLvpmOqg5PzalQJhV-LI1r28vU1faSk4KwkCzDi96cQ-GD9paFE2qTe_voM5JNdpomzEgBwz3O82uwtCztaLp8fc6Td-I/s320/vanity+in+booth.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706048975573475794" /></a>That's me taking a picture, notice how large the mirror is. Yes I am wearing short pants. This has been the best winter ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vanity with mirror is $125</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nTEisTr_UhkTgPRKoGd6wKGM2jNEjnhl9Y_Eg8zHcuJkLO3erfJ9jrGs1imxiZCaDb64U6UsMnPrJgsm1lCKkVCofoxLp13t0MDG6zQPTUJTPc-lf5B6bg7SsQUXJxo29Tb_cqJ3lbA/s1600/paddles.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nTEisTr_UhkTgPRKoGd6wKGM2jNEjnhl9Y_Eg8zHcuJkLO3erfJ9jrGs1imxiZCaDb64U6UsMnPrJgsm1lCKkVCofoxLp13t0MDG6zQPTUJTPc-lf5B6bg7SsQUXJxo29Tb_cqJ3lbA/s320/paddles.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706048926344944850" /></a>Here's some stuff from my booth.</div><div>Floating duck decoys - $18 each, very nice</div><div>Ancient paddle and pot stirrer - $30 each</div><div>Full set of Pool Balls - $25</div><div>Metal Tool Box - $18</div><div>various wine bottles - $1 to $1.50</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNPBEHpUTsOQKNzi20CjbGnUTk-1ONSvOEr6q6hB8QWae_U5yhEJN7UdcXzMvnxazSXIZzWEkNxaai8oEjvuiLrZst7m6NK46Cu7wKo4NXwzc2P-cF5SCy2VgTopADjMIij5szE4GKJU/s1600/rocking+horse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNPBEHpUTsOQKNzi20CjbGnUTk-1ONSvOEr6q6hB8QWae_U5yhEJN7UdcXzMvnxazSXIZzWEkNxaai8oEjvuiLrZst7m6NK46Cu7wKo4NXwzc2P-cF5SCy2VgTopADjMIij5szE4GKJU/s320/rocking+horse.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706048862442632002" /></a>Here's a rocking horse in her booth - $65<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSvc7q0q47jUNSro-FlGrcqiVzU8B3bDF66ZjeACzCbwaONqYHXX_Kw9ho6YpsnMyiPSyJFDTxjAC8h63QwUt_fTkfqvPje5cNMxCuHFjQG20FFYaEer9HEla7uFCcGcD1mqSBkoNM04/s1600/jars.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSvc7q0q47jUNSro-FlGrcqiVzU8B3bDF66ZjeACzCbwaONqYHXX_Kw9ho6YpsnMyiPSyJFDTxjAC8h63QwUt_fTkfqvPje5cNMxCuHFjQG20FFYaEer9HEla7uFCcGcD1mqSBkoNM04/s320/jars.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706048803285809090" /></a>This is a candle maker's dream come true. An old metal bucket filled with probably a million baby food jars. Most are small, some are tall. $10 for the whole thing. Take the bucket with you.</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVY0mCEydYnwpPs0Q0ZQSLD-GRbU_zg5B_mlO7FAp05Ej2MYC2ZPmjwIaoTUw0xKUKsnhm6_8pdYKiZueO2IgfIXbYBSPsCaLHf2wlyVOq4rsTxmS_tJkHzoxInNIezvGUugZJYcHdJ0/s1600/cluband+rope.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVY0mCEydYnwpPs0Q0ZQSLD-GRbU_zg5B_mlO7FAp05Ej2MYC2ZPmjwIaoTUw0xKUKsnhm6_8pdYKiZueO2IgfIXbYBSPsCaLHf2wlyVOq4rsTxmS_tJkHzoxInNIezvGUugZJYcHdJ0/s320/cluband+rope.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706048319539760354" /></a>My wife labeled the tree trunk club as a "shaker" but it is too heavy to shake. Few men have the strength to wield this thing. It is very heavy and has a nice patina - $30</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's some good rope for a swing in the crate below. 1" diameter and about fifty feet long - $12.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhs6OaSll9ubxYD4crwxhzDtPpCJONXJsqoTM6CtzZMQvY-FKxyDunY3U51gpvN8DQz8EurgsNwgK5wjNLOnCyAsyu56aps8ZTK3lOmedgbXamVjPvy6PARX7IRXqTyvC5g7lecaiHD0/s1600/pins.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhs6OaSll9ubxYD4crwxhzDtPpCJONXJsqoTM6CtzZMQvY-FKxyDunY3U51gpvN8DQz8EurgsNwgK5wjNLOnCyAsyu56aps8ZTK3lOmedgbXamVjPvy6PARX7IRXqTyvC5g7lecaiHD0/s320/pins.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706048254720742738" /></a>Real bowling pins - $19.95 for the set of three</div><div>Very large wine bottle - $10</div><div>Can't see it but there is a nylon holster hanging on that rack for $8<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjs3IP7hc8r1orDfb2UiTqVTwuHvCzYDCQpogp37zXLMiKWZ3KW6AGOr-M5sF3Gkw9OzsWSGYw9127J4GhzqXy_GsfLpT1Q-5y2ch0minyoMyVp63XYg4n-WgNN5tinSq-aLpSaEkqrg/s1600/armed+forces.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjs3IP7hc8r1orDfb2UiTqVTwuHvCzYDCQpogp37zXLMiKWZ3KW6AGOr-M5sF3Gkw9OzsWSGYw9127J4GhzqXy_GsfLpT1Q-5y2ch0minyoMyVp63XYg4n-WgNN5tinSq-aLpSaEkqrg/s320/armed+forces.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706048198309806322" /></a>Great old army plaque, can't remember the dude's name.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><br /></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-65875901012508589092012-01-31T12:33:00.002-06:002012-01-31T13:04:43.430-06:00writer/reader<p class="MsoNormal">Sorry I haven’t written anything in a while. The Day The Music Died was exhausting, no not really. I started a new magazine named writer/reader. Currently it is four pages but I hope it grows and grows. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">writer/reader was born from a frustration with free papers/magazine/readers, whatever you call those free things you find in coffee shops. Whenever I pick one up it has more advertisements than actual items to read. Then the reading material was never worth the paper it was printed on; ancient jokes no one finds funny, horoscopes, nothing worth reading.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I wanted to provide you with something worthwhile and mentally stimulating. I have assembled a few bloggers to submit stories or poetry each month for a FREE magazine that I promise will be better than other free ones. The magazine is open to anyone who wants to submit work for publication. I ask that you try to keep your work to 1000 words or less. 500 words would be even better. Submissions should be fiction or names changed to protect yourself. Keep it family friendly as this magazine will be placed in restaurants and coffee shops. I hope to add a mailing list one day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s the link to the online February issue. Please give feedback or submit your own story.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://issuu.com/notconcerned/docs/febfor_pdf">http://issuu.com/notconcerned/docs/febfor_pdf</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal">And here is a link to the Facebook fanpage.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/writerreaderdothan">https://www.facebook.com/writerreaderdothan</a> </p>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-11418956241079339792012-01-17T09:49:00.002-06:002012-01-17T14:15:10.762-06:00The Day The Music Died<p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Nooooo!” I screamed at Lady Gaga. “You’re going to get us killed.” I think I hurt her feelings because she gave me that you hurt my feelings look and ran off crying, into the darkness. Then I heard the distinctive crack of a 30.06. If only she had worn the orange boa.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>It all started with the Lady Gaga concert at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Dothan</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Civic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>. As an Entertainment Consultant I was asked to escort the Lady to Cowboys after the concert for an appearance on the Cowboys Country Music Showcase taping to be aired at a later date on WDHN. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>At the concert, I was seated with Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz who was a big fan of the Lady. He sang along with all her hits, even getting up to do a little soft shoe during Edge of Glory. He has talent; if Dancing Dave ever dies, Schmitz would be a good replacement. North side Kmart would benefit from his presence.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>She said good night and left the stage, but the fans wanted more. Schmitz threw his glasses down and began pulling at his hair while screaming, “Born-This-Way, Born-This-Way!” I had heard enough of this noise they called music and made my way backstage, hoping Born This Way would be the one and only encore.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>At a side curtain I watched as the stage hands prepared the set for the final song. Something touched my leg and I kicked it away. I was fascinated by engineering of the set pieces as they fit together and the speed of the roadies. I felt something tugging at my pant leg and looked down to see a tiny version of Lady Gaga looking up at me. “You’re in the way,” she said.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I knelt down beside her. “Aren’t you the cutest little thing,” I said while pinching her cheek. “But you shouldn’t be out here in your undies. Where are your parents?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“It’s my costume asshole. I’m a backup dancer for Born This Way. We all are.” It was then I noticed there were fifteen or twenty more of them, all looking exactly the same. “And I’m probably older than you.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“My bad.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“I saw you in the front row. Who is that guy that was sitting behind you?” She asked.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“That’s Jim Cook, local Lifestyle columnist.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“He’s dreamy. Is he a little person too?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“I suppose you could say he is challenged in that regard.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Hook a girl up. Everybody on the tour bus is going to some local bar tonight.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“I’ll see what I can do. What’s your name?” I asked.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Tina. Gotta go, song’s about to start.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>From the side stage I watched the last song and dance routine. Schmitz was going crazy dancing in the front row. During the dancer’s routine I lost track of the miniature Gaga interested in Cook; they all looked exactly alike. After the song the real Lady Gaga said good night, exited the stage and started to run by me. I grabbed her arm and she gave me a look like I wasn’t supposed to touch her. “Excuse me ma’am, but I am your escort for the evening,” I said.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“I have to change clothes. Meet me at the tour bus. What are you driving?” she asked as she was whisked away.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“A yellow Veloster, compliments of Dothan Hyundai.” But I don’t think she heard the last part. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I ran into Jim Cook on the way to the car. “Jim, one of those midget backup dancers has the hots for you.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Really, which one?” He asked.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“I don’t remember, Tanya or something. She’ll be at Cowboys.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Everyone in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Dothan</st1:place></st1:city> will be at Cowboys,” Jim said with a large smile on his face.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I pulled the Veloster next to the tour bus and went to find Lady Gaga. I had to pull her away from the paparazzi, if you call Dothan Magazine’s photographer taking pictures of the same old people paparazzi. She was wearing a hideous red outfit that put the Red Hat Society ladies to shame. Her hat could double as a large patio table. “That hat will not fit in the car,” I told her.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Fine!” she exclaimed, “but I will have to change my entire outfit.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“No, we don’t have time for that. Just put it on the bus. The bus is going to the same place.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“But the hat matches my slacks.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“The outfit looks fine without the hat.” <i>Not really</i>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“If I can’t wear the hat I have to find another wig.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Your hair looks fine.” It <i>didn’t, it actually made me squint my eyes.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“It doesn’t, I can tell by the way you are looking at it.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Just run a brush through it and let’s go,” I pleaded.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“No, I have to change outfits,” she said as she stormed back onto the bus. A short while later she came out in an asymmetrical dress with flashing orange LED lights and a bright orange feather boa.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“We’re just going to Cowboys you know. There’s no need to get all dressed up.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“You hate it.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“I didn’t say that, but you may be a little overdressed. Really now, this is a country bar, just a nice shirt and some jeans, maybe a pair of cowboy boots. I’m sure you have some boots in there.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Honey, there’s no such thing as overdressed.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Great, wonderful, let’s go,” I said as I held the door for her. Soon enough we were speeding down 231. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“What’s your name sugar?” she asked.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Thomas, you can call me Notconcerned.” I answered tersely. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“You can call me Lady.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Nice to meet you Lady.” I paused for a second, then sang “of the morn-ing”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>She joined in, “Love shines, in your eyes.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Sparkling,” came from the back seat and I almost lost control of the car. Jim stuck his head through the front seats. “Hey man, sorry to stow away but I met Tanya and she’s great.” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Tanya, a miniature version of Lady Gaga, stuck her head through too. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Ooh girl, no you didn’t” Lady said, “Tina had her eyes on him.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Looks like she came up short,” Tanya said.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I giggled. “Am I the only one who finds that funny?” No one answered. “I guess not. We’re here.” I stopped by the front door. “Everybody out, we’re late, let’s go.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Wait, I have to change clothes,” Lady protested.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“You just did that. We don’t have time, just go sing one song and then you can change for the interview.” She didn’t like the idea but agreed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I held the back door open as everyone from the tour bus along with our car filed in. Surprisingly, her whole entourage fit on the stage: Lady Gaga, several midget backup dancers and a bunch of muscular dancer guys wearing only very small short pants and Mardi Gras masks. Well, most of them were muscular, there was this one guy a little older. Lady grabbed the microphone and screamed “How’s everybody in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Dothan </st1:place></st1:city></span>tonight ?” and a hush fell over the crowd. She made common mistake of pronouncing it Dah-than instead of Doe-than.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Git on outa here,” someone yelled from the crowd.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Lady Gaga, bless her heart, struck a pose with her bright orange boa, not really a Vogue pose, although the patent restricting Voguing had long since passed and she was free to do it, but chose not to out of respect for the Madonna. Instead her pose was that of an artist, an artist whose real name was no longer used due to her fame, whether it is by a loved one or the throngs of fans, an artist who longed to be a real person once again and called by their own name. She raised the microphone to her mouth and whispered, <i>“Well it was all, that I could do, to keep from crying”</i> and the bar erupted in a joyful noise. The music began playing, dancers commenced dancing and all was right with the world. As she continued singing a tear welled up in my eye, for I knew I was witnessing the greatest musical artist the world had ever known. Not even Dr. Hook got this kind of reaction from the Cowboys faithful.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Being the artist she was, she knew exactly what the audience needed to hear and she gave it to them, with the flair, style and fabulousness that only a Nebraskan can give. Who knew <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Nebraska</st1:state></st1:place> was the center of the artistic universe. Soon, the song was taken over by the crowd, <i>“and I’ll hang around as long as you will let me, let me, let me, let me, let me.” </i> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I walked up to the stage and extended my hand. She took it and stepped down from the stage as the crowd continued to sing. Then I noticed a scuffle on the stage. Tina and Tanya had gotten into a shoving match, which turned into a full brawl. Soon all of the midgets were fighting amongst themselves. It was a miniature free for all and the crowd loved it even more. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Jim Cook tried to get onstage to break up the fight and get to either Tina or Tanya, but the male dancers kept him away. All but one of the dancers. The one who was not as young and muscular as the others, it didn’t matter as he was still rocking the Daisy Dukes. He continued to dance, whether it was dedication to his craft or the music simply moving his soul, he danced and he danced. But it was not the choreographed dance the others had been doing. It was a soft shoe, as only the Mayor could do. Some people wish for their dreams to come true, others make their dreams come true. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I smiled and said to her, “They’re going to be talking about this night for a long time.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Mind if I change before the interview?” she asked.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“As you wish my dear, you are the best,” I said as I escorted her to the tour bus. While I waited outside I understood what all the hoopla was all about. I finally realized the raw emotion music can convey to even the most hardened easy listening, light rock fan like myself. I could still hear the music playing inside the bar. I noticed a few people in the parking lot when I began to spin around and wiggle my arms, but I didn’t care. I was compelled to dance. I was so excited to be alive.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>I heard the tour bus door open and I turned to face her. She exited the bus wearing a brown fur hoodie. My happiness turned to terror as I saw her casually reach back and pulled the hood up over her head. The hood had antlers. Of all the crazy outfits she had been known to wear, none of them ever put her in danger as did impersonating a deer in <st1:place st="on">South Alabama</st1:place>. She smiled as she skipped gleefully over toward me, all I could think about was the hundreds of drunken rednecks close by whose ultimate joy in life was getting a big buck and I screamed, “Nooooo!”</span></p>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-69424018230587062022012-01-14T22:06:00.006-06:002012-01-14T22:11:20.142-06:00Found at work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-T9rXHog4hb8TbmW5rSuk1wb0AZrEn12ZrKPHZazpirJwSv7tgcedqdH4uPDrNgzrClVshCnMqJ38KjLkqoN9J1ZSHL2kjhxPk8b7-QWftVwA0LoHd6rmspwrbivW3jO-EfNcxa68Hg/s1600/blurry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-T9rXHog4hb8TbmW5rSuk1wb0AZrEn12ZrKPHZazpirJwSv7tgcedqdH4uPDrNgzrClVshCnMqJ38KjLkqoN9J1ZSHL2kjhxPk8b7-QWftVwA0LoHd6rmspwrbivW3jO-EfNcxa68Hg/s400/blurry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697705992682749698" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Weird to me due to the resolution on the printer, 15dpi maybe??? Click on it to make it bigger.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-9624387233997088182012-01-14T21:10:00.013-06:002012-01-15T22:33:14.144-06:00How to get that shabby chic look.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxMUcfQMkMU3shHtFz0H4rF5nvwRY83b3ozaIQ9fF3Y3nI6ZrpIvW-iM3wWWnOhAwYCxCk__kHfSI0SG7WJiTfwGmTXeq0TXIfJV-98a46rV6M_LI6yePIlBRM7b1UqldBTJ8WRTbISY/s1600/stand+before.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 480px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxMUcfQMkMU3shHtFz0H4rF5nvwRY83b3ozaIQ9fF3Y3nI6ZrpIvW-iM3wWWnOhAwYCxCk__kHfSI0SG7WJiTfwGmTXeq0TXIfJV-98a46rV6M_LI6yePIlBRM7b1UqldBTJ8WRTbISY/s320/stand+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697692597632655618" /></a>Shabby Chic is a look that has been done again and again in our antique booth. And why not, people love it and it is so easy. You can do it too. The following example is in black. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here we have a little cabinet with a drawer and door. Refinishing the wood to perfection is not something I do, as you know I do most of my work on the deck or in the back yard. Sometimes it is fun. With the shabby look you don't have to worry about mistakes, because you are making a piece look aged in a short period of time.</div><div><span><u><br /></u></span><div><br /></div><div>This piece is made of all, real wood, but has a large crack in the top and some knots that, with age, have separated. I sanded it with our orbital sander to get the varnish off. The varnish had dried to the point I could easily scratch it off with my fingernail. Remember you need to feed your furniture, especially if you have a piece in direct sunlight with Beeswax or Orange Oil at least once a month. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7UcDqTuhDCH4Ca7ldjMXKLvDQB7eyLLfc86km30XGsGrunyO_DTzo4CWKhbPqV2t95VGypCZTq1s1DynXhBcZkbDNZF3G-rjlNuF8Ziw0FaI_Kr05WuokesCLH-945tUX2NQB498YyE/s320/stand+finish1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697694972238981026" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><div>Once you got it somewhat smooth spray paint it with a cheap flat black spray. It took three coats to get the coverage I needed and remember, <b><i>don't worry about runs</i></b>. After the paint is dry you go over it with the orbital sander again with a fine grit sand paper. You take away paint to expose the wood beneath. There is no way to go wrong here. You want it to look as if it has aged for decades. If for some reason you are not happy with what you have sanded, repaint it and sand again. Yes it is just that easy. I have done this so many times that sometimes I am not satisfied with my results and my wife says it looks fine, throw it in there because the booth is empty. It is some of those pieces we get the most compliments on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our ancient Chinese secret is to wipe the piece with a dark stain after sanding. It brings out the color in the wood and gives an overall richness. Also if you do a piece in white it gives a nice dingy color. After your stain has cured/dried you can give it a clear coat or a hand rubbed wax. I like using the Beeswax.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ1YhwqvczxHM6_A8nUbiHt0qRAquTcQ5F3KetcoTU7XQWDMKwY1fU1a09lsF8dUJzY9nT_-06uWulcTqQ8IHlniU0Hqh5rF2o6gWwG5VdRotcoXiBl5zCzaayuUQmN67ggM8_S3EvKc/s320/stand+finish2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697699253449811858" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div></div><div>Here is a closeup of the top, notice you can see the detail of the wood through the paint. This is a dirty job. Sanding the piece can produce a lot of dust. Spray paint gets everywhere, especially in the nose. The stain is the dirtiest part. I don't play around with a brush. Cut 5" x 5" square out of an old t-shirt then soak it in stain and start wiping. Gloves, you don't need no stinking gloves. Rubber gloves you steal from the doc's office disintegrate from a chemical reaction to the stain. Canvas work gloves soak through and stain the fingers. I have used a thick oyster shucking gloves but they are so clumsy you can't get the dexterity needed to move quickly and get into those tight places. Just keep a can of paint thinner handy and soak your hands, after a few days, the stain comes out from under the fingernails. If anyone asks in the mean time tell them a bus load of gypsies broke down on the side of the road and you had to change their oil. In return they gave you this old piece of furniture, must be really old, look at how distressed it is, yeah, I guess I will take $45 for it.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSXO0MHFzgHwjf-oLZ1GmahC_d-Ds6ONAIrKVrqWL2WRq2ooR_knaD1Hp-ECqT3YeCctbO04N1fQantqoLfl-BDSBBbE2PA9hr-7X0w0JdBqbp44QiUvHvXUdopYuWhE0-HX6sU13gVo/s320/no+help.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697701620356865314" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>Mr. Hedley was no help at all, he slept all day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I was going to post a pic of the piece sitting in the mall, but it has already sold. We sat it in just as they were closing and it sold within 30 minutes of being open the next day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Notice I said it was made from real wood. If you get a piece with press board or fiber board it will swell from the water in the paint. Stay away from these pieces. It is possible to spray paint a piece of Formica but you can't sand it back to the wood after painting.</div>Notconcernedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18079343814932511623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196959043678998743.post-30843644250893958882012-01-12T11:09:00.001-06:002012-01-12T11:10:09.604-06:00Where's Mariah Carey's Hips?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Mariah Carey has a new commercial for Jenny Craig. It is not flattering at all. "Little in the middle but she's got much back" a famous poet once said. A hourglass figure is the most appealing to dudes like me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kZJOim4ilgQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Here's a much better image, showing some hips.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV-1ZqRJJXdcL0XVP2du-BhlpvgSncuYHjfG3yB7QO-yqqUHALhEeqooXx2xD96j2JiXHCPIxkHtAts63uZh3Q73HuzjRC2WZGaTQ7lMMaYRxSJc-tUCvKlmaPY3wxCmWFIFvvZr-a8TM/s1600/mariah-carey-green-wet-bikini-hot-figure%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV-1ZqRJJXdcL0XVP2du-BhlpvgSncuYHjfG3yB7QO-yqqUHALhEeqooXx2xD96j2JiXHCPIxkHtAts63uZh3Q73HuzjRC2WZGaTQ7lMMaYRxSJc-tUCvKlmaPY3wxCmWFIFvvZr-a8TM/s320/mariah-carey-green-wet-bikini-hot-figure%255B1%255D.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><br />
</div>Kay Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03408332300334809871noreply@blogger.com4