local politics

I live in what is/was called "The Bible Belt" and I've never really understood what that terms means to anyone. Sometimes it seems to be used as a put down, others seem to brag about it, some use it in order to attain influence (both with those who loathe and love the term). Anyway, I do grasp that the region I live in is alleged to be one that according to your preference, "values religion" or "clings to religion". Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum to me but regardless, had to smile when I discovered the following local story.

A powerful member of the state legislature had resigned lat year after allegations of marital infidelity led to a nasty divorce. I'm pretty sure it wasn't just the affair that led to his resignation but it did play a part in it. So a special election was held and the day of the election a story came out that he had had an affair with his Mother-in-law while his wife (now ex wife) was pregnant. He confirmed the story saying something along the lines that it was not "one of the most beautiful" moments of his life. He won.

I have no idea whether he will make a good representative or not. I am upset with myself and the local "big city" paper because I had no idea there was an election until I read the story in the paper - again on the day of the election while I was unable to get back in time to vote. Still it is all a bit sad, a bit silly, and probably a bit more common place than I had once thought. DC and that non-Bible belt portion of the country have nothing on us! LOL

frustration

I called my state dept of labor recently to inquire about an ID appliction that had been submitted back in November in anticipation of a new business that would be starting up this month. We had not received a number nor any correspondence and even though the opening has been delayed until late March I was getting concerned. When I finally got through to a human she at first claimed they hadn't received it, then magically found it on her desk - it was just about to be processed - but then I made my fatal mistake. I mentioned that our first payroll would be coming up next month.
"You mean you haven't issued a payroll yet? We can't issue a number until you have issued one payroll."

Never mind that the payroll processing service needs the ID numbers and that the state applicaction form reads "When do you EXPECT to have your initial payroll"?

So, catch 22 and with a polite click of the phone back to square one on the application.

nobody knows....

A month ago I had to have roof fixed, two weeks ago I had to have the furnace repaired, last week the car had to go into the shop. I'm seriously considering skipping my doctor's appointment today.

since last post....

Dad's back surgery seems to have gone well. He was as concerned about post surgery depression - something he dealt with after his triple bypass - as he was with any potential surgerical issues but so far so good. All the medical (and several non-medical) folks have told him that depression isn't an unusual byproduct for older men after a bypass. Something that every expert neglected to tell us before that particular surgery.

He did have a reaction to the anethesia in that it made him sick. And for the next 72 hours he would have moments where he wasn't completely clear about where he was. Or more accurately where he wasn't. Mom & I both camped out in his room the first night and we all three woke up at the same time. Mom mentioned being cold while I said the room felt warm. Dad piped up and suggested that Mom go in one guest bedroom and I go into the other one and that would solve everything. We thought he was joking at first but it quickly became clear he thought he was home. When R came to take Mom home the next evening he complained that they left without locking the basement door. He marveled the next morning that the surgeon would come by to see him and thought every nurse and hospital employee that came into the room was someone from his church & community. We were beginning to suspect the drugs might have had a permanent effect on him but by Friday he seemed to be all there. By that time my mind was mush and I could have easily been convinced I was somewhere else.

Finally got back out on the bike trail Sunday and was very dissapointed. I have been lazy since last summer and for the first time I can recall the ride never became fun. It was all work. I pedaled only half the distance I would have normally traveled and had to stop twice on the way back to rest. Made a somewhat belated New Years Resolution to hit the gym three times a week and went there tonight.

Work issue is still ongoing. In many ways I am very fortunate to have the job I do and I enjoy the work but one pesky issue arose in mid November and the owners have been slow to correct things.

double feature

Ok, I love football (preferably college) but on Mon night there is only one game on and its pro. But while switching channels I discovered that "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" are on tonight and, well has there ever been a woman more desirable than Diane Keaton? I didn't discover Woody's films until college and so never so either of the films in a theater. I'm pretty sure "Purple Rose of Cairo" is the first Allen movie that I did see on the big screen. Despite the very sad ending (hopefully didn't spoil it for you) it remains one of my favorite movies. So I'm set for a double feature and will be absolutely miserable tomorrow. But I'll think of it then, after all tomorrow is another day. : )

Home of my parents

I finally got home from work early enough one day this week,(not sure which as every day seems to blend in with the next lately), to get a bike ride in before dusk. On way to trail I dialed up folks. Got their machine, and although the prerecorded voice sounded a little different the recording was the same so assumed I was mistaken and left message. Ninety minutes later got back to car and had a voice message on cell phone. Susan (?) from same town that my parents live was calling me to let me know I had dialed her machine rather than my parents. The humrous thing is she knew their names, knew my name, and seemed to be under the impression I should know who she was. It's a very small town.

We moved there on my last day of eighth grade. I got off school bus, walked to our house where the folks were literally sitting in the cars. The joke has always been what would have happened if I had gotten there five minutes later. And off to north AL we went. I enjoyed living there, got used to having 40 acres around me, but after high school I moved on to college and then back to suburbia. My folks still live there. My sisters were both younger than I and R lived there for a few years afer marrying so she and my parents know people who I either never met or simply didn't bother to get to kow. They are polite, more open minded on many issues that the region is thought to be, mostly honest, and the type that feel that a misdialed call should be completed.

goodnight sister

A week ago my sister, P, finished her four year struggle with ALS. I don't know how she maintained her level of dignity, humor, and just plain sanity throughout. Her husband, S, supported her as very few spouses would. Theirs was the definition of love and commitment. My parents are holding up well. I drove up to get them, took them to S & P's house and then back to their home afer the memorial service and then back up to their place Sun AM. I knew they'd want to see their church family but wanted to be there if it was too much for them. Silly me. That's where my sister got her strength and resolve. And her sense of love.

I'll miss you and always be thankful you were my sister and my friend.

Bye