Did you know...

I was part of Michael Jackson's posse? Yes, I was. Michael loved the way I made a peach crumble top pie. Sure. Michael would fly into DFW, with the kids, and come on over to the house. Yep. The kids loved my neighbors dogs. Would run and meet the ice cream guy as he jingled down the street. You bet. While the kids would romp in the fenced in backyard, my cats would watch them through the windows. Then Michael and I would sit on my patio, sip ice tea and take in the fragrances of the flowers in my back yard as we would chat and laugh. Sure did. Michael would get the grill going. Oh yea. He'd have his hair back in a pony tail and wear an apron that had "Smooth Criminal" embroidered on it--which by the way I did myself. As Michael grilled our burgers, he would repeat how he could come to Dallas and nobody knew he was there. OK. So, Michael, the kids and I chomped on burgers and other picnic fare. Really? The kids loved to throw pieces of their buns to the birds in the back yard. Even a squirrel would come only so far. Hmm. For dessert we'd have my peach crumble top pie with vanilla ice cream. Michael turned into as much of a kid as his kids as he dug into his pie ala mode. Uh-huh. Just peaceful for him. And a place where the kids were just kids. And just as quick it was over. Hmm. The SUV that had brought them to my house, was now back to get them. Michael and the kids piled into the SUV that was permitted to deposit them right by their private jet on the runway. Yea? I hugged all the kids saving the biggest hug for the biggest kid: Michael. I wanted him to take his "Smooth Criminal" apron with him. So when he cooked it would remind him of Dallas. WOW. Michael said he didn't want to. The apron would be worn only during those special times-like being in Dallas. And now those times are done.

Don't I sound like some of these people coming out of the woodwork and cracks in sidewalks to say how they knew Michael? It's all ridiculous now. Get the toxicology reports--Quick. Keep the kids with Katherine who should give them to Janet--Quick. And let Michael just rest in peace.

Quick.

Hot One

Another hot one here. What did I expect? I've been in Dallas since 1988. In fact, my 21st anniversary of changing my address from Iowa to Texas was a couple days ago. It's July. It's Dallas. Of COURSE, it's hot. Ugh. Yet, now I know to really drink lots of water and if it ain't worth leaving the a/c for, then anything can wait.

Kinda like in the deep freeze of the mid west during, oh--January. Is it worth to bundle up to head out in a windchill of 50 below. If it's not, then curl up with a book and cat and a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows.

Like today, I did leave for about a half hour. I craved fresh strawberries, plus I was out of watermelon. Finally found a sweet batch of watermelon---and dang it--I wanted MORE. Too bad it wasn't on sale anymore--but I got it just the same!

So, I look at my cluttered house, dream what 25 grand would do to assist a house stuck in the 1970's to up to 2009 and take a sip of water. Now gotta tear myself from the PC, check on the cats--they are quite quiet-make my salad, pour my lemonade, check what movie I'll watch later--it's something what movies are found in a box you never got all the way through-for one reason or another.

And now it's time for the 80's band, Living Colour. For the moment their star shone bright, I thought they were GREAT! Wonderful to men with my skin tone, rock the house DOWN with "Cult of Personality!"And I bet when this was on TV in 1989, it was probably another cold day in Iowa or a hot one here.

You just deal and now where is that lemonade?

Friday Fuel

Alumni of my High School are in the midst of putting together a reunion for 4th of July 2010.

Why so far away?

Because the reunion is for all graduating classes of the BEST decade ever: 1970's! Even tho our town is small, I didn't know everybody! A good chunk, but not all. Will be great time had by all.

Right now the Alumni are on the search to get us a good 70's band. Hey, I put my vote in for Three Dog Night. I mean, every class from the BEST decade ever (aka the 1970's) can hum a little Three Dog Night. Alas, they may be out the realm of our wallet's reach.

A girl CAN dream---4th of July 2010, is still a few weeks off! :)

In the meantime, it's Friday finally, so lets cue Three Dog Night as we heard them in the 70's. Before video or CD. When vinyl and having an 8 track were the only games in town--like the way I listened to Cory Wells say: Let Me Serenade You-with my eyes shut and smile on my face.

Enjoy!

July 9, 1928 was Monday

And the day my mom was born. Eighty-one years ago. If Mom had lived I try to picture her at this age. Would she still be as fiesty as I remember? Still savor her gin? Let her hair go naturally gray? That part I kinda doubt. Would she still love me as much?

I know this part to be true. I wonder if Mom would be as proud We didn't have time to get into 'chats' about what I ought to do as a grown up. Mom died of complications from weight loss surgery in 1971. Yellow liver atrophy got her on a Friday and by Monday Mom was gone. So I always think of how it could be. I do remember my interest in taking French in high school, while Mom thought I should type and such--it was the 70's.

When Mom was second of five kids, plus second daughter I wonder what her parents thought? I can imagine Mom being a fussy baby--needed stuff done that second. Her family was poor--and I'm not sure of how much love was shown. Mom's mom passed when I was a year old. While by the time Mom died, she and her father were estranged. I later asked my own Dad if my grandfather attended his second daughter's funeral. Dad said he did. I still wonder.

With the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and now Michael Jackson, maybe Mom wasn't suppose to get old. Maybe she always knew. Mom told me how she wanted to be buried when I was about 11 years old. Mom died at age 43 when I was 13. I've since crossed that 43 plateau and gone onto territory Mom never had a chance to get to. That's why I wonder what she would think? Honestly, I picture Mom's stare and then squint while asked--using my FULL name-"Just what are you doing?"

Nonetheless, on this day I do smile to think Mom and Dad sit on some cloud. A cloud with a pond so they could fish. Hey, it's Heaven--so everything is possible! And in this picture where Mom gets our food ready on one of many weekend fishing jaunts. Now back on that cloud, Mom and Dad watch over me as they cast out their line. I hope they smile. They loved to fish together. And they loved me--together.

So just what am I doing?

Stay tuned.

A Chapter Closes

With all the mess, all the bad decisions Michael made in later years, he never let go of the gift God gave him.

Lionel Richie sang the truth at Michael Jackson's Memorial: Jesus is Love

We have been blessed.