I Promised

My favorite human (and nephew), Patrick, called me last week. He told me he will be getting his black belt in karate later this year. He said, "Remember how you promised you'd come to my black belt ceremony?" I do remember. He then threw this at me: "Awesome!!!! I will see you in August!" 

Sure, Fine, Why Not?

 I am a Presiding Judge for the upcoming Presidential Primary Elections. This happened for a litany of reasons. 

1. Deb fled the country is on vacation in Mexico until some time in March. She usually has this role. She hates me thought highly of me enough to suggest to Ritchie, one of the Powers that Be, I might be a good fit. 

2. My political affiliation made me a good candidate for the position. They already had enough Presiding Judges from the other party. Though Texas doesn't have voter registration based on political parties, the voting places still need this represented for some reason. 

3. I didn't say, "not it," when Ritchie asked for volunteers. Actually, Ritchie called me directly and inquired about my day. He had "God Bless America" on Muzak in the background and talked about our God-given freedoms, the Constitution, and the American way. Then he sprang it on me that he "needed" me to be a judge. Okay, the second sentence didn't happen--but it felt like it did. 

Anyway, I agreed--this once--to be a presiding judge. This once, Right? Who am I kidding?

Phyllis is Right

 

Luna-Tic

Luna LOVES toys.

The two weeks of winter has subsided (for now). My tulips are starting to sprout. No word from my daffodils and crocus bulbs I planted, but it's only February 1st. Luna is no longer spending the day, hiding under the blankets.  (More recent pictures below because, reasons.)

The warmer weather is bringing out the puppy in her. Therefore, every day she and I go for a walk.  Unfortunately, even after copious amounts of obedience training, Luna still has a bit of a rebellious streak. Any stray squirrel, armadillo (no kidding), possum, cardinal, chickadee, blue jay or cat requires me to restrain all 70 pounds of muscle and repeatedly command her to heal. 

Plus, after we adopted her, we found out Luna had been a bait dog before we rescued her. She's been traumatized by other dogs and that's just the way it's going to be. Therefore, if any of my neighbors--which seems to be ALL of my neighbors--have their unleashed dog out in the front yard with them, I live through a special hell. 

My other option is not to take her on walks, which is like holding a tightly wound spring in my hands for hours at a time.  I'm thrilled Luna is still so active at her age. Even better, I'm glad I'm getting such a great resistance training workout every day. I just wish my arms were still the same length. 

Luna in January

Luna today, after her walk

Sewed In

Because I spend most of my waking hours working on the Great American Novel, part 2, I recognize the need to do something--anything--else once in a while. One of the more fun aspects of these projects is that my brother, Darwin, has been texting me quite a bit lately. So, I sent him pictures of my progress. He is floored I learned how to sew. 

This past week, while snowed in, I sewed this for Corona-Jenny's upcoming birthday. She likes red trucks. Jenny, like most of the Coronas, is heading to Mexico next month to hang out with Deb. Where it is warmer. Much warmer.  

I will not be going to Mexico. There are several reasons for this, including our garage door just broke a week after we paid for a new exterior gate and partial fence repair.  

Corona Suzy, who happens to be one of my favorites of the Coronas, has a birthday this week. She is going on the same trip to Mexico. I made this without a pattern and after watching several Youtube videos on how to assemble such a bag. Polly, who also has an upcoming trip (not to Mexico) is now strongly hinting she'd like something like this. 

 

Local Celebrities

This past week, I had two experiences, which showed me how much the locals love their beloved folks who've made it. 

Thursday night, I substituted for a (non-Church of Christ ladies) Bunco, which was held in the back room at one of the local deep-fried hamburger joints on Stateline Road. This was the first time the Bunco group met at this location. When the owner came to check on us, one of the organizers said the location was perfect. She then asked if they could book this place the third Thursday of every month for the remainder of the year. 

The owner replied with, "Well, as long as the Governor doesn't need the room, it's fine with me." 

I piped up, "We will just invite Governor Abbot to join us." 

And then the room went silent. All dice rolling ceased. All eyes were on me. The manager looked at me with pity. Someone cleared her throat then said. "You mean Sarah." Oh yes! I was on the East side of Stateline Road. I hadn't thought about the fact I'd crossed into Arkansas.

Then came all sorts of vetting for the Governor of Arkansas. Someone taught her Sunday school class. Another had her father (and also former Governor) as their preacher back in the day. Someone else was friends with Sarah's mother... and the list went on. By the time the conversation ended, everyone in that room had some sort of one degree of separation from Governor Sanders except me.  

_____

Friday night Corona-Krissy, Corona-Patty and I--along with most of Texarkana, apparently--braved the weather and attended the Temptations concert. The one hundred year old Perot (another local celeb) Theater was sold out. 

You see, one of the city's own, had come back. Otis Williams, the last surviving founding member of the Temptations, is from one of the Texarkanas. I'd point out that he left here (TX? AR?) when he was eleven and spent his formative years in Detroit, but why bother? The day before there was even an unveiling of an Otis Williams mural in the area in his honor. 

I'm pretty sure, given the conversations around us, anyone over a certain age also had a one degree of separation from Mr. Williams. In fact, there was a sweet elderly lady who stood up the entire concert, dancing-ish, who claimed she might have been his third grade teacher. 

By the way, Otis Williams is 82 and can still dance and sing. It was a great concert. Much better than Alabama's "I owe my bookie and need some cash so I need to tour" Tour some of us attended a few months ago. 

A few photos of the mural and the concert below. 

 

Hotel Texarkana

 "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." --Hotel California, The Eagles

The minutes from last week's Ladies Auxiliary meeting came in. I thought it was a mistake they sent it to me, because I'd made it clear I was no longer part of this group. In the event there was a miscommunication, I opened the notes, hoping somewhere in there it might be documented that I wasn't part of this group any more. Instead, I found two bits-o-shenanigans. 

1. Though I said very clearly in September that I would not be the secretary of this group, according to the minutes, I am the group's official secretary. In the event I opt to loose my mind and join them again, I will do such a horrible job they will immediately fire me from the position I DO NOT HOLD NOR AGREED TO HOLD IN THE FIRST PLACE.* 

2. The minutes also read said I was taking a break for a "month or two." 

I'd e-mail the person who is "covering" for me--it said that in the minutes too--and correct the record, but I think I'm just gonna let them be them. It makes for good blog fodder and life it too short to be worked up about their audacity. Revenge will be mine. I'm writing a fiction series about the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Tyler. I think there might need to be a Ladies Auxiliary Club in one of my books.  

*For the record, if I wanted to be part of this group AND they had asked me, I would have happily obliged. It isn't that difficult to take a few notes and read a few letters.