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Do you ever get the feeling that you are on the outside looking in?  Most of us oldies (but goodies) feel that way.  We are limited on what we can do.  Everything going on in the world is geared to the younger generation.  We have to be a celebrity before we are noticed. 

Could we please have an alternative to Fredricks of Hollywood?  Or could we have upcoming fashion shows for just us oldies?. 

Of course they will sell us term life insurance til we are 85, but it’s so expensive few can afford it.  And, of course, funeral homes will sell us pre-arranged services..  When we start going down the other side of the hill, we are of no interest to the majority.

We are a combination of life long training and experiences, all trapped in an aging body which no one can look past.  We are not worthless but we do feel hopeless sometimes.  There needs to be changes in our society to show more respect for the elderly. For most of them it is like”climbing the rough side of the mountain”.

I remember well how it was back then.  Going to school everyday and walking one mile to get there.  It was a one-room school with two outhouses and one teacher for grades 1 thru 5.  We got our drinking water from a spring across the creek.  It was dispensed from a churn-like container with a spigot to which the teacher added one tablespoon of clorox.  In the back of the room stood a pot belly stove.  A lot of the boys would sit around the stove and one in particular would get too hot and pass out.  His name was Joe and the class would sometimes sing the song “Old Black Joe” and that would precipitate another blackout once in awhile.  I remember once that my friend and I decided to climb to the top of the mountain in front of the school.  We climbed and climbed but gave up on being able to see what was on the other side.  After coming back down the teacher made us wash our feet in the creek and then she gave us a few good licks with the paddle.  My mother had a few words with her for having our feet in the cold water.

At the beginning of the school year we were given a bar of lifeboy soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.  Each morning we had to have inspection.  We also did the pledge of allegiance.  Playing baseball was our favorite game for recess and lunch hour.  Sometimes the girls would play “pretty girl station”.

Well that was October 60 years ago.  It is so much different now.  Although much better now, back then we didn’t have to worry about school shootings and violence and predators

The debate is over and Sarah did great!!  She actually represents mainstream America and is very impressive.  The liberals can’t stand her popularity however and take every opportunity to defame her.  Lets hope the McCain-Palin ticket kicks some butt and takes this country back.

Obama thinks he is a gifted gabber.  It is a known fact that if a person has that gift they can persuade people to do or buy anything.  He might can talk but i don’t think he can deliver.  And all those promises!!  No Way!!!!

I do lots of cooking and i can’t really say that i enjoy it.  But i do like trying new  recipes.  Holidays are coming up soon so if anyone has any favorite recipes to share you may post them on here.  Here is a favorite of mine that is great for this time of year:

PUMPKIN CAKE:  PREHEAT OVEN TO 350:  BAKE 1 HOUR

3/1/2 CUPS SR FLOUR; 2 CUPS SUGAR; 3/4 CUP OIL; 1 CUP CANNED PUMPKIN; 1CUP APPLESAUCE; 3 EGGS;  1/2 CUP MILK; 1 TSP BAKING SODA; 2 TSP CINNAMON; 1 TSP NUTMEG.  MIX ALL WITH MIXER.  GREASE AND FLOUR TWO PANS OF YOUR CHOICE.  MIX TOGETHER 1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR AND 1/2 TSP CINNAMON…SPRINKLE ON TOP OF BATTER.  BAKE AND ENJOY

When you travel thru West Virginia you get a little sense of heaven.  Surrounded by mountains and trees you are awe inspired.  So many of us who  were raised here never want to leave.  You have a sense of tranquility in everyday life, home is simple and life moves along at a slower pace.  I live in the southern part where we have hundreds of miles of trails.  Many people visit here from other states to enjoy the rides.  Most everyone owns an atv.  This is also the home of the famous Hatfield and McCoy feud.

Fall is nearing now and soon the leaves will be showing their beautiful colors.  Deer and squirrel will be on the offensive but hunters will delight in the new season.  ginseng season is in full force and prices are good this year. 

I got up bright and early on a saturday and headed out with my son DN and Carol.  We arrived at the park around 11:00 a.m.  Now this kind of outing is mostly for young folks but i was so glad to go with them.  After all i could ride the train, the highlift and enjoy watching the rest.  But Carol had other ideas.  She said i could go in the haunted house with no problem.  So she and i got in our little buggy and in we go……..pitch black it was and the darn track took so many curves and turns that i thought i was gonna fly through the air to somewhere.  And it didn’t help any that i was pushing poor Carol out the other side of the buggy.  We could have had a rollover.  I sure was relieved to get out of there.

The rest of the day was enjoyable.  The day had turned out to be beautiful and DH was enjoying the rides.  We had a nice lunch and a few more rides.  then hometime.

Thanks DH , Terry and Penny for a great day

My family is most important to me.  Without them i would be lost.  My four sons are so smart you would think they are Harvard graduates.  First there is DH.  He is so full of life and never sees a dull moment.  Loves his Harley and loves to ride.  He’s a jolly good fella and i love him and wife Rose so very much.

September 22, 1965---March 14, 2008

Second is DN.  So tall and straight and the most serious of all.  He is so well versed in all categories that you can ask him anything and get a good answer.  He is a successful entrepaneur and loves to fly his plane. Other interests are playing music, motorcycles and 4-wheelin.  Love you very much DN and Carol.

Third is JN.  JN is a Texas boy and has a very successful business specializing in high speed 3D machine vision applications.  He travels all over the country and is an airplane  and helicopter pilot.  He loves riding his BM Motorcycle.  His favorite food is sushi.  His beautiful daughter is 4 years old.  Love you  JN, Donetta & A very much.

fourth is James.  He is the youngest.  He and his wife Marlena have two beautiful children, Alexis who is 9 and Austin who is 6.  James works in the mining related industy and maintains a high position with the company.  He is very computer smart.   Love all of you very much.

fifth is Darian.  (deceased)   Darian passed away in March 2008 and is sadly missed by all the family.  He was a kind and loving person and loved everyone.

Well it’s obvious to me that i would like to be a politician but i am not qualified.  I get twelve hours of political news every day and of course i am rooting for my favorite McCain and Palin ticket.  Isn’t she just the greatest?  I don’t think Obama could fill the need of keeping us safe the next four years or for that matter he just dosen’t have enough experience.  And when you consider all his past dealings with unscrupulous figures……..go figure.  It is going to take a great president to deal with Iran, Iraq, Korea, Russia and more.  I say McCain-Palin lead the way and shake things up.

Have you ever been amazed at all the grandeur of the earth?  It is so well planned even down to the needs of every little creature.  The beauty of the flowers and trees, the mighty ocean and the babbling brooks.  The wonderous blue sky with all its mysteries.   I love a warm summer rain.  When it rains i feel at peace with the world.  The four seasons can be compared to our own lives.   Once our winter is over, perhaps we will spring forth again….nice thought.

WV SUNSET

Home is where the heart is and i really miss my former home.  When all was well and we were all together and enjoyed life so much.  Now life has taken us in all directions.  It is lonely now with so many gone……First my husband, then my mother and last, my dear son whom i miss so very much.  I cannot write this without crying.  He always had a hello and smile for everyone.  I feel so bad for him because the last two years of his life were so difficult and he felt no one loved him.  I hope God is merciful and looking out for him.