Six Word Story

I was watching the CBS Morning Show yesterday and caught a segment on a new book, Not Quite What I Was Planning. The origins of the book is as follows:

Legend has it that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. His response?

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

Last year, SMITH Magazine re-ignited the recountre by asking our readers for their own six-word memoirs. They sent in short life stories in droves, from the bittersweet (“Cursed with cancer, blessed with friends”) and poignant (“I still make coffee for two”) to the inspirational (“Business school? Bah! Pop music? Hurrah”) and hilarious (“I like big butts, can’t lie”).

I felt challenged to write my own six word story. Here it is:
"Adopted? No? Fought hard. I'm me."

What is your six word story?

You Rock Andy Rooney!

Someone sent this to me recently. Although I had seen it before, it reminded me how strongly I aree with it. Here is what Andy Rooney said on '60 Minutes:

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers.. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE ?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion. I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English! My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.

I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business. We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor

I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say 'NO!'

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa ; so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe .

I am proud to be from America and nowhere else And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

Littlewing

I lost another treasured chat friend yesterday. Littlewing was one of the first chatters I ever chatted with in Myway. We seemed to have everything and yet nothing in common. Our surroundings, backgrounds, work, friends, etc. were nothing alike. But we both had kids we loved to talk about. We both had grandkids while we were pretty young. We would spend hours just telling funny grandkid stories. She talked about Cambaby til I felt like I knew him, and she always asked how Travis was. Wing was so VIBRANT! She would light up the chat room when she came in. And how she loved her music. She and Jopete "edjumacated" me on music like the uninformed student I was. I loved her like a sister. And now she is gone from me - gone from us.

Lord, please take care of our Littlewing. She suffered terribly while here on earth and she did it without complaint. She deserves a place next to Jopete among your angels.

Memorial Stream Play List

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I have had quite a few requests for Jopete's Memorial Stream play list, so I thought I would post it here. Again, thank you to everyone who participated in our tribute to Jopete. I am so sorry that some could not hear the tunes. Maybe this will make up for it a little bit.

Jopete's Memorial Stream Play List

Rockin' Sydney - Joe Pete Is In The Bed
Willie Nelson - September Song
Liberace - Fascination
Joe Walsh - Life's Been Good to Me
Alice Cooper - Only Women Bleed
Rockin' Sidney - Don't Mess With My Toot Toot
Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around And Fell In Love
Animals - House of the Rising Sun
Moody Blues - The Story In Your Eyes
K.D. Lang - Bird On A Wire
Lee Ann Rimes - Purple Rain
Patsy Cline - Crazy
Etta James - At Last
Unknown - Lean On Me
Chris Rea - Ace of Hearts
Air Supply - Total Eclipse of the Heart
Chris Rea - Let's Dance
Dr. Hook - A Couple More Years
Dr. Hook - Cookie And Lila
Willie Nelson - I'd Have To Be Crazy
Willie Nelson - Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Harry Nilsson - Jump Into The Fire
John Lee Hooker - One Burbon One Scotch
John Prine - Thunder Road
John Prine - Illegal Smile
Ozzy - Mama I'm Coming Home
Professor Longhair - Boogie Woogie
Queen - Bhemian Rhapsody
Quicksilver - Just For Love
Cheap Trick - Ain't That A Shame
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
Moody Blues - Four Cornered Wall Pt 1
Little Richard - Itzy Bitzy Spider
Richie Havens - Here Comes The Sun
Cheap Trick - Stevie Ray Vaughn - Little Wing
Taj Mahal - Going To The River
Three Dog Night - Mama Told Me Not To Come
Eagles - Hotel California
Elvis Presley - Amazing Grace

Smiling down on us

Last night I hosted a stream in memory of Jopete. And the turnout was incredible! Once again Jo, Jobaby, Peteysweetie, Pete, Boss, Mrpete, Mister, Petey brought us all together. I was just his instrument. While preparing the play list I would get these inspirations. Kind of like "oh yea! he loved Etta's "At Last". I have to think he was guiding me from above. Looking back at it, I don't think I could have done it by myself.


To Pete's family. Having you there meant the world to me - actually to all of us. He was incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for sharing him with us and thank you for being with his chat family last night.


The chat room was full, many wanted to make it but could not, and many were listening from outside the room. And Pete was watching and smiling. It was to be a night of celebration because that is what he always told me he wanted. But the tears flowed freely. It just couldn't be helped. Pete... we are going to miss you.

Forever Friends

My dear friend, Jopete, died at 6:10 tonight, February 10, 2008. I am going to miss my forever friend... my God how I am going to miss him.

Forever Friends

Sometimes in life,
you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life
just by being part of it.

Someone who makes you laugh

until you can't stop;

Someone who makes you believe

that there really is good in the world.

Someone who convinces you

that there really is an unlocked door

just waiting for you to open it.

This is Forever Friendship.

When you're down,

and the world seems dark and empty,

Your forever friend lifts you up in spirit

and makes that dark and empty world

suddenly seem bright and full.

Your forever friend gets you through

the hard times, the sad times,

and the confused times.

Your forever friend holds your hand

and tells you thateverything is going to be okay.
And if you find such a friend,

you feel happy and complete,

because you need not worry.

You have a forever friend for life,

and forever has no end.

Unknown

And he keeps fighting...

Jopete was taken back into surgery yesterday to have his stomach opened in order to relieve the pressure of the buildup of fluid. This was done against his will. Theresa said he didn't want to, but she signed the release. That had to have been very difficult for her to do. Today he is once again alert and able to communicate with his eyes. He has been left open from his chest to his groin. Theresa said he actually winked at her when she told him she just wasn't ready to let him go yet.

His heart is about the only part of his body functioning on its own. The family has to make the difficult decision today about whether or not to recessitate if his heart stops again. My prayers are with them as they make this difficult decision.

Jopete is apparently fighting for life again after almost giving up yesterday. Theresa is trying to think of things to stimulate him such as a bright banner, balloons, pictures of his chat friends... anything.

If you want to send a colorful card, pictures, anything... send them to John Anderson, Deaconess Hospital, 600 Mary Street, Evansville, Indiana 47747

Water Bagel Recipe

I love to bake. Every year we have "bake day". We all come together and bake all day long and then split the goodies up for Christmas. Sometimes the guys join in but it is usually us gals and the grandkids. This picture is of three of my grandkids helping with the sugar cookies.

One of my favorite things to bake throughout the year are bagels. They are time consuming but relatively easy to do. The last time we made them the grandkids had great fun shaping them into "bagel" shapes and punching the hole in the middle with their fingers. What a blast we had! I have been promising to share the recipe, so here it is! Don't let it intimidate you... give it a try!

WATER BAGELS

4 - 5 cups unsifted flour
3 Tbsps sugar

1 Tbsp salt

1 pkg. active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups very warm tap water

1 egg white, beaten

1 tbsp cold water

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 1 1/2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and dry yeast together. Gradually add the warm water and beat for two minutes at medium speed with electric mixer, scraping the bowl occasionally. Stir in enough of the additional flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured board; knead until smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes). Let it rest in a warm place for about 20 minutes. (It will not double in size).

Punch the dough down and divide into 12 pieces of dough. (Divide into half, then each half into half, then each quarter into half until you have 12 pieces). Pat each piece into a circle and punch a good size hole in the center with your finger. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. (Dough will not double in size).

Boil about 1 3/4 inch water in a large shallow pan. Lower heat and add a few bagels at a time. Simmer about 7 minutes (cover part of this time). Remove from water and place on towel to cool for 5 minutes. Place each bagel on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Combine egg white and water. Remove cookie sheet from oven and brush with the egg white & water. Return to oven and bake 20 minutes or longer, til golden brown. ENJOY!

Jopete Update

It is becoming too difficult to accurately update the grave situation of my dear friend on the Chatter2Chatter shoutbox. At this point I can only say there that he is considered very critical by the hospital.

The rest of the story is that Pete is not expected to live. They did not expect him to live through the night last night (Wednesday, 2/6). Somehow he once again proved everyone wrong. He is still with us today. The next 48 hours are critical. This last surgery resulted in the removal of his colon. If he should somehow miraculously survive, his life will be that of being on dialysis, bedridden in a nursing home.

So far Pete has been lucid enough to participate in the decisions being made. I can hear the pain in his wife's voice as she tells me these things. I am so thankful she has her children there with her to support her and help her through the difficult decisions she has already been faced with, and the even more difficult decisions she will likely be faced with in the very near future. The family is in my prayers.