I Don't Have Fleas!



In my apartment building, some of us were a bit aggravated to hear a flea problem exists. For those of us who are clean about ourselves, our homes and our pets, we did not take kindly to this report from the manager. For those of us that consider it a priviledge to have pets, we use common sense and use flea control for our animals. However, there are those who do not think flea treatment is important as long as their pets never go outside. May I submit to you that this is a myth. It only takes one inconsiderate pet owner's refusal to treat their pet that we'll all have to bear the consequences.

The biggest part of the problem is people know so little about fleas. Fleas live on blood from humans and animals. The female can produce hundreds of eggs. Fleas season in this region normally runs from June through December with September being the busiest month. They need a minimum of seventy degrees or better to thrive. Remember, these little critters can jump and get away from you quicker than you can fart!

I have found powders, sprays and collars absolutely temporary to outright useless. You can try these but the problem is that these do not last long or they lack strenth. Understand, for any treatment to work, that flea must bite into the treated skin thus ingesting the solution. For those of you that sware your pet has no fleas, try giving Spot or Fluffy a dose of Capstar. This is a oral treatment (pill) that is effective within fifteen minutes of administration. Then lay a white towel on your lap. Place the pet on the towel (provided the pet is small enough for your lap or that you are big enough for your pet). Then watch those fleas drop dead before your very eyes and go tell everyone that your pet has no fleas. Capstar is only good for twenty four hours. Or part the hair of your pet to find what looks like pepper (flea dust). Smear some of this on a damp, preferably white, paper towel. If it looks like a brown smudge, then Spot or Fluffy has dern fleas.

If you want an longer lasting flea treatment, try Frontline, also highly recommended by veterinarians. Not only does Frontline protect from fleas, rather it protects from ear mites and worms. What's more, this treatment is very effective for thirty days. This is a topical treatment administered at the base of the animal's head. It is important to administer this medication in this location to prevent the animal from licking off the treatment as it could cause the animal to foam at the mouth or make it sick. Warning! Avoid cheap topical flea treaments as veterinarians have warned that the cheaper versions are causing convulsions in the animal. My vet gave me personal accounts of cats in his clinic having to be placed on i.v.'s due to these convulsions. Purchase safe and effectie flea treatment from your vet. Don't underestimate your vet's advice as they are licensed by your state and have the education to advise you how to care for your pet. If you rarely take your pet to it's vet, then I feel sorry for the poor animal.

Moo, Teddy Bear, and myself do not appreciate our neighbors bringing in fleas when their untreated animals are outside. We sit here and wonder about people not taking care of this nuisance. We do not want their problem. I wonder about them. If they are willing to live with a flea bitten pet, it is untelling what else they are willing to live with. We have a nice building in which to live and we want to keep it this way. Some of residents should never be allowed to have a pet and here are just a few of the testimonies as to why this should not be.

One gentleman here has a little dog that, sad to say, smells as bad as a road kill in August (as does the owner). This man has been asked repeatedly to bathe the poor dog as well as himself. Rather than do something as simple as bathing the poor little dog on a regular basis, this owner gets mad or makes excuses for not bathing the animal. GARrooooooooooooooooooooooooos! As a result, this man has made it clear he is nasty and thrives in living in filth. Furthermore, he is willing to make enemies in the process.

A lady was lectured on proper flea control for her cat. Thinking that as long as her kitty is never outdoors, she will not have to purchase any flea treatment. She forgot that when she had a couple of surguries thus leaving her kitty with a relative, the relative did not keep up with the flea control for kitty. Finally, when kitty comes home, the lady had to have her apartment sprayed several times. Each time this lady had to be out of her apartment four hours at a time.

Another lady ignored something as simple as daily grooming for her cat. She allowed her poor cat to live with matted hair on his back. May I submit to you that matted hair is extemely uncomfortable for a cat. Would you want someone to grab a handful of your hair and hold on to it 24/7? Poor cat became so uncomfortable that he stopped sitting in his window perch. I finally managed to talk the lady into taking her cat to her vet. She was warned that since the matts were so far advanced that the cat would be sedated then sheared. Under these circumstances she was to take the cat's food away from him the night before. However, this lady told me she "just didn't have to heart to take away the food". I told her if she feeds him that night and he is sedated the next day, he will die. Several days later, the poor cat struggled to breathe right up until he died. The woman did not as much as take her cat back to the vet let alone talk to her vet regarding the cat's problem. This cat died because this lady just had to be right about everything. This lady blamed me for her cat's death. In the long run the lady lost her cat and a friend.

A handsome black labrador retriever was rushed to my vet. As he lay almost lifeless on the operating table, Dr. Ulyshen explained to the owner that the dog was in stage four of heartworm. The only solution was to euthanize the dog as the heartworm was slowly killing it. He told the owner that this was easily preventable had the owner used a regular flea treatment that included heart worm protection.

Another lady in the habit of buying whatever cheap cat food is on sale at Walmart or Meijers let her cat's dental hygeine go haywire. Losing weight rapidly, I had noticed the lethargic cat refusing to eat. Curious, I opened his mouth and noticed what appeared to be a couple of blisters above some of his teeth. Though a cat can still eat without any teeth, it should not have to suffer in pain and loose it's teeth due to an ignorant owner. I advised the owner to get her kitty to the vet now. The lady ignored that poor cat for seven weeks. When the cat was finally taken to the vet, not suprisinglly, the cat had the problem teeth extracted. I can't even set foot in this lady's apartment due to the stench so I am not suprised as to the extent her cat was ignored.

A lady kicks her dog every time she takes him outside to pee. This is just stupid. Ironically, one block down is a dog training school. Never ever hit an animal! Doing so only teaches them to fear and hate you. As long as you have a dog on a leash then you have control of that dog. Teach him where to pee. The temperatures around here are in the upper nineties and we don't need a doggie bathroom at the entry of this building.

Another lady came to me one day covered in hundreds of little red pin prick welts. She said her indoor/outdoor cat and dog have fleas. I asked her why she is not getting treatment for her pets? She claimed she did not have the money. So I asked her why that live in boyfriend of hers is not paying for the flea treament? She said he refused. So I told her if he can't pay for something as simple as flea treatment imagine what else he is not going to pay for if they choose to marry. I told her she is going to have to treat the animals. Rather than treat the animals, she chose to sleep in her car while her boyfriend stays inside. Hmmmmmmmm? I told her treat the animals first then use a can of Mycolex (which I gave her) in the home. Not listening, she failed to treat the host pets, wasted the Mycolex and still has the flea problem along with the useless boyfriend. Later she came to me asking where she could take her cat to be spayed because she is tired of her cat spraying all over the place. I referred her to a low income spay and neuter clinic. She said she just did not have the money and could not take her cat to the vet because she owes this vet money. asked her if her live in is willing to pay for the spay. What I stupid question. I asked how old her cat is. She stated the cat is two years old. I told her I could not believe she let that cat go this long without having it spayed. This lady should not have pets or that boyfriend. Allowing a queen to keep having kittens and not being spayed is detrimental to her health. She can suffer from female and urilogical problems that can lead to death. As long as a queen comes into heat she is going to cry, annoy, be uncomfortable but determined to find the tom. A queen has been known to become sexually mature at four months though not common. Moo's mother was only seven months old when Moo was born (the only thing I know of Moo's Daddy is that he is the neighborhood gigolo and she looks nothing like him). Moo was not spayed until she was five and one half months old. I almost waited too long. I was present during Moo's surgery and Dr. Ulyshen found a cyst on one of her little ovaries. Imagine what could have happened to Moo if I waited longer. Moo may not have been with me and Teddy Bear today. Ignoring spaying a female also add on to the cat overpopulation and puts more cats in the hands of mean people. Why put her through all of this?

Folks these testimonies were all preventable situations. This heartache does not ever have to happen. Veterinarians not only go all out for the animals but they go all out for the owners in educating you in how to give your pet many happy healthy years. Sad to sad, owners often try to cut corners at the expense of their pets. People have the right to live anyway they please but when your messy pet life style spills over to your neighbor and interferes with your pet's health, you have overstepped your boundaries. Take care of your home, pets, and be kind to your neighbors even the neighbors that have no pets. Regularly clean up after your pets and get them regular vet check ups. Cats are notorious for their cleaniness but the owner still has to clean, clean, clean. Nothing is more disgusting than to go to a home that reeks like cats as soon as the front door is opened.

When I have visitors, people are suprised that with Moo and Teddy Bear, we do not smell like cats. This is simple. Their bowls, which are ceramic and stainless steel, are washed weekly. They get fresh water daily. I avoid plastic bowls as scratches can allow bacteria buildup and formaldihyde is still active in plastics thus subjecting a cat to possible acne problems (cats can't clean their chin). I avoid harmful indoor sprays for obvious reasons. Litter is emptied throughout the day. Litter box is washed in diluted bleach water and soap in between litter changes. Upholstry is cleaned daily. Linens are washed weekly. They use Scoop away litter as it just totally covers the smell of pee and poop. I avoid cheap foods, Iams and Science Diet because these cause some smelly trips to the litter box. I advocate Purina One dry cat food as there are different formulas available. I have never seen a cat that did not like Purina One dry cat food. We use Purina One Advanced Hairball formula as it passes that hair out of cats body like it was meant to pass, it has a fiber in it that prevents tartar build up and my nose can not tell when the kitties go poop. This formula comes in chicken flavor, Divine's favorite. I also avoid switching foods. Once a cat finds a healthy food that pleases, you would be suprised how long they will tolerate that one food. Cats have very, very, very tender tummies. Therefore, one change can upset that delicate tummy. Moo and Teddy Bear know that table scraps, milk, and cheap food are off limits. Moo and Teddy Bear also know that Mom is not going to allow them to be subjected to tension that could cause them to have unessessary bathroom accidents. So cat haters are not welcome here. I open windows daily to let our little home air out and the kitties just love it. At the end of the day they get their grooming because it's it healthy, cuts down on the loose fur on the upholstry and Teddy Bear demands to be groomed.

Is it obvious why we do not want to be subjected to other peoples' pet problems? We don't have fleas and we want to keep it this way. We have found prevention and education makes us happy and healthy. We wish you and your pets many happy healthy days ahead.

NOTE: Mamma's kitty babes safe, happy and at rest.

Local Animal Shelter Not Telling The Public Everything


In May 2005, I elected to volunteer at Animal Friends Humane Society in Trenton, Ohio. This shelter is under the direction of Leland Gordon. I always wanted to pour my heart into helping needy animals. I went there on the philosophy that God did not create animals to live in shelters. Rather, humans put animals in shelters while paid staff members lose focus of why they are really there in the first place. It is here that I learned that if you want to see what our society has become, go visit your local animal shelter. Some really sick shelfish people crowd shelters every day to discarding needy animals. For example, a family moves into a $2500/month mortgaged home and suddenly the family pet is no longer welcome or some guy comes home angry with his live in only to pick up the kitten or puppy he got as a token of his undying love, hurls the creature against the wall, killing it on contact. What I find more outrageous is the fact that unessesary euthanasia abounds at this shelter and our local press is aware of this.



As part of my volunteer work, I was required to go to an orientation. I asked about euthansia practices at the Shelter. Gordon assured me that euthansia is used in extreme cases or if he sees that an animal has been at the Shelter for months and has no chance of adoption. I asked if euthansia, which I am against except in cases of suffering, does take place, can I not know about when it happens. He said that is not a problem as certified staff takes care of this. Thus, I began my volunteer work.


In no time, I was asked by Dr. Diane Siefert if I would like to help in the clinic. I stated that I am very physically limited but she assured me that will pose no burden. She could find me some things to do while I sat. Soon, I not only found out what a great vet she is but I discovered what a great teacher she is to volunteers and as pre-vet students from nearby Miami University. She really opened my heart and mind to animal health care. She was always patient with my questions after I warned her that I am the question lady. Aside from this, we would eventually have a great time in that clinic.


However, around February of this year, I started seeing pregnant cats spayed whereby the soon to be born kittens were killed. I questioned Dr. Siefert about this and was told that Gordon made this a new directive. Dr. Siefert was troubled by this directive as she questioned the health of the pregnant queen. Equally important to Siefert was that she follow orders as part of her work ethic.


Next, Gordon's directive was extended to pregnant dogs. By April, he upped the ante by ordering pregnant laborious animals spayed on the spot. This is where he crossed the medical ethics of Dr. Siefert. She became gravely concerned about the survival of the mother in labor after being spayed. All the while, these unborn animals were tossed in a nearby trash can with Gordon's knowledge. I stood there absolutely heart broken stating that this is not why I volunteered and I will not continue my work knowing these animals are being killed for no valid reason. It is at this time Siefert set her foot down and refused further spays of pregnant cats and dogs. Gordon retaliated by relieving Siefert of her duties. Also, at this time, the Butler County dog warden was fired and no one would tell me why.


The local Middletown Journal was informed about this scenario as were the Butler County Commisioners and Animal Friends Humane Society Board members. Then mysteriously the Middletown Journal backed out of reporting this to the public. Later, intern Charlie Turner of the Oxford Press, agreed to do a story on Animal Friends Humane Society outrageous numerical euthansia practices whereby he interviewed Siefert in May and me in early June. Others such as Liz Lucas, Middletown's own warden has been ignored by the press. So both papers have been aware of this problem since May. A young man who asked for anonimity, is employed by the Shelter. He put his own dog up for adoption with the understanding that if there is no chance for the dog to be adopted then the young dog owner/shelter employee would take the dog back. When the employee's first off day came, Gordon ordered the dog to be put under. Scenarios such as this continue as the press ignores the truth we gave them to stand on. In the meantime, others are willing to subject themselves to interviews only to be ignored. My contacts to Bob Ratterman, editor of the Oxford Press and to Turner have been totally disregarded. Those of us who have been interviewed and those who want to provide information have compelling eyewitness testimony to what has the potential of being the "Watergate" of this Shelter. Furthermore, when a friend who knows the staff at WMUB in Oxford, asked me if I would go on the air to inform the public about AFHS euthansia practices, I was told not to do so in order to give Turner a benefit of a doubt.

The biggest mistake to date is failing to inform the public the moment Siefert got fired. Local Cincinnati and Dayton television news should have been made aware of this the moment she was fired. This is something I begged to do immediately but I was told to wait. This wait has had an adverse effect not to mention allowed more innocent animals to be killed. As of July 26, Turner wrote a story for the Shelter advocating instead the adoption of animals while totally disregarding our interviews. An anonymous source told me that Turner went to the Shelter to take pictures and speak with Gordon. What became of this meeting has disappeared like a vapor. So don't expect this boy to report the atrocities he has known since May from actual eyewitnesses. Rather you can expect Turner to attack Southerners thinking they all carry Confederate flags and are racists as he did in the Oxford Press last week. As an intern, this young man, Turner, has a great deal to learn about his own partiality and ignorance. This is what I get for giving this young Turner a benefit of a doubt. In exchange for Turner proving to me that with his college education, his i.q. is smaller than his shoe size. He now knows, along with many others, that more cats and dogs at AFHS are being killed than in a Vietnamese restaurant. I do not apologize for this statement. Apparently, Gordon, Ratterman, Turner, the Middletown Journal's editor and Butler County Commisioners do not have wedding equipment big enough to tell the truth. All of you amaze me as to what lengths you will go in sacrificing your credibility. I will no longer withhold my AFHS experiences from the public. You people were in a position to make a difference however, you failed miserably and continue to do so! How can you sleep at night?

Sensing that Gordon knows that he has thrown a rock at a hornets nest, I noticed a bizarre increase of his use of the local papers. Suddenly, there are numerous philanthropic articles on how wonderful the volunteers are at the Shelter. Even more disturbing is his sudden exoneration of euthanising animals due to overcrowding. Overcrowding was not a concern in that Shelter prior to February. Moreover, more employees are being fired if they challenge Gordon or employees are quitting in protest of the killings. I'll give Gordon credit for using local papers in a timely fashion and to his advantage. It is your reputation that has given rise to blogging and with what you have done you should beware of this new line of free speech.


Don't get me wrong. I do not know Gordon as an individual and I'm not out to get him because of who he is as a man. However, his method of running that Shelter leaves a lot to be said and I, along with others would like to see the lives of the animals back in focus. I'm not interested in personalities. Staff members stated that he was fired from two other shelters. I'm still looking into this claim. Staff members who choose to remain complain about Gordon's practices but they don't seem to have enough testosterone to do what is right on behalf of the animals. Most of all, I think Dr. Siefert should be reinstated as she did nothing wrong and was willing to take a stand at a great cost.


Ohio is ranked as the worst state for animal abuse. Among Ohio's eighty-eight counties, Butler County is the worst for animal abuse and neglect. If charged with animal abuse, a person is only charged with a misdemeanor and Butler County judges do not follow up on decisions they have made in animal abuse cases. In actuality, Butler County's legal system throws more criminals into "treatment" rather than hand down decisions that warrant justice. What is the difference between those who abuse and abandon animals and those who run AFHS along with the local media who now know the Shelter's awful practices? In my opinion, anyone who abuses animals and anyone who is aware of the abuse but chooses to do nothing, are all criminals! That's right! You are in the same category as a thief, rapist, arsonist, extortionist, supremecist, racist, deadbeat, wife-beater and child molester! There are those of us who have stepped up to do something for these animals. I personally have challenged shelters to subject themselves to an independent audit so as to demonstrate accountabiltiy. But, I keep forgetting that shelter personel are becoming as bad as the people who abuse and neglect animals. How many other animal shelters across the country are run like AFHS?



Until then, I encourage donors everywhere make a personal visit to any shelter you are considering a donation to. Be bold and ask to see their books and especially ones that include any statistics that they may keep. Remember, a shelter that is a non-profit shelter only means they do not pay taxes. Salaries are paid to full time staff. Ask specifically where your donation will go and follow up on this at a later date. For example, if a shelter tells you that your donation will go into a general fund then ask what does the general fund pay. Does that fund pay for shelter utility bills, advertising, veterinary care? I have asked two area shelters to release donor information in their newsletters; how much did they receive in donations, how much of the donations went to a new building fund, staff salaries, veterinary care, cat and dog food, light bill, building repairs, etc. Reports like these have yet to be seen in any area animal shelter newsletter. If you have a legitimate reason to put an animal up for adoption ( I'm not stupid. Most people don't have a good reason to give up their pet), ask the shelter what are the chances that your animal drop off will be euthanised. By all means, try to find a "no kill" facility. Contact your local representatives about inhumane shelter practices. You would be suprised how many politicians are animal lovers. If you vote, remember the politicians work for YOU! Remember the Butler County Commisioners I mentioned? I would hope they do not want puppies and kittens dangling over their heads come election time. You can keep an animal out of a shelter like AFHS by realizing that you and your pet are in a life time commitment for each other and that commitment rests on your shoulders. Most of all, have your pet spayed or neutered as it will be in better health and help control the pet population.


NOTE TOP PHOTO: Here are the infamous Teddy Bear (male orange tabby) and The Divine Miss M, aka, Moo (female black and white). Teddy Bear was spared from Animal Friends Humane Society while Moo was adopted from Mrs. Walters in Gratis, Ohio. Both of these kitties are the loves of my life and demanded much of my attention while I put together this article.

Local Native Americans. It's About Time!

This past weekend I caught the annual Ohio Challenge here in Middletown. For those not familiar with the Challenge; it is a weekend festival of hot air balloons. This is part of a national competition held the third weekend of July at Smith Park. There are usually around thirty plus hot air balloons that launch twice daily, weather permitting, during the course of the weekend. Normally, I do not leave home as I have a marvelous view from my livingroom. The balloons certainly peak the curiosity for Moo and Teddy Bear. This time I decided to go to the park as I had a college friend over who had never seen the balloons up close. As we walked around before the evening launch, behold, I spotted the Banks family and their entourage of friends. I was very suprised and humbled that two different spectators introduced themselves to the Banks' because as each stated "I wanted to meet you because I have seen you guys in this lady's pictures" thus, pointing at me.

I met the Banks family in 1997 during Preble County Historical Days held at Fort St. Clair. When I entered the grounds, I heard all of this drumming. I followed the sound and came upon this encampment of Native Americans. As luck would have it, I had one of my cameras. I stayed the entire day learning about their culture, music, art, dance and the fact they are ordinary people like you and I. Being from a Cherokee heritage myself, these local Native Americans made me realize how much of my Native culture I have ignored.

As I got to know these people at the make shift encampment, Jesse Banks, aka "Painted Pony" and his son Mark, aka "Running Horse" along with friend "Spirit Force" were only too happy to answer my questions. They also allowed me as much liberty to photograph except if a dance was sacred. According to Jesse, Native Americans do not allow sacred dances to be videotaped or photographed.

Since that meeting at Fort St. Clair, I have seen the Banks family and their Native Friends at festivals all over Southwestern Ohio. They love to perform and they perform passionately. They do these festivals to educate people of their heritage. If you ever catch them at a festival I encourage you to get to know them. They love to answer questions about their customs, dances, religion, costuming and music. Don't be suprised that they can tell you what every piece of costuming means. Some of it is earned and some of it is sacred.

I got to meet their Chief at the Black Walnut Festival in 2001 held in Camden, Ohio. He saw all my camera gear and asked if I was with the press. I told him I just freelance. He told me that he and the tribe have had a history of be treated as second class people by the press and Black Walnut Festival committee members. He thanked me for showing them for who they really are - local Native American people. I was very humbled by his remarks. In my heart I was suprised they had experienced such treatment as the Banks family really draw a crowd everywhere they perform.

Since meeting the Banks', they have become a benchmark performance at festivals. People absolutely enjoy them. I don't know if my cameras helped them increase attendance at their shows. I do know this; I have made some wonderful friends. I try to show the positive with my photography and the Banks's are just that. I feel more comfortable photographing locally. I felt somewhat embarrassed the day Jesse told me the Banks' live right here in Middletown - my current stomping grounds. They are like the neighbor that one regrets never taking the time to get to know only to find out they truly are wonderful people! They exposed my ignorance as I did not know we had local Native Americans. I always thought Native Americans lived in North Carolina or out West.

This past weekend Jesse informed me that he can no longer dance with the group due to an ankle injury he sustained two years ago. The injury never healed properly and causes a great deal of pain. He still appears in full regalia with the rest of the group. As for Mark, he has expanded his performance to include flute in addition to drumming and dance. For those of you that have never heard him perform, you are missing out on his talents as a muscian and dancer as only he can perform. The Banks family are truly folk heroes.

I am happy that the Banks family and friends are getting the recognition they truly deserve as they draw in larger crowds. I only wish local media would catch up with them more often. The Middletown Journal finally posted a photo of Jesse and Mark. I think this community and surrounding communities are coming to terms with the fact that there are local Native Americans among us and it is about time.

Porch Revival

What ever happened to the days of family and friends congregating on the porch? There are so many lovely porches and patios everywhere but where are the people? A great deal of money and effort are put into these entry ways but there is little sign of the human race. This part of the home looks so inviting to visitor or buyer but where is the owner, big wheel, bicycle, family dog or cat?

I have so many fond memories of porch life that I even did a photo series entitled Scenes From The Back Porch. I guess I observed more nature from a porch than any place else on the planet. I have seen more butterflies and humming birds from a porch than I can count. I'm often asked where I get my macro nature shots. Most of them have come from someone's porch. I loved watching the weather and saw my first tornado form as I stood on a set of porch steps Of course I could never forget Mother's awesome flowers gracing this part of our home. She is still an authority on flowers as that was always her passion and gift. Today, if you are her guest you will tour her flower gardens.

Our porch made a great place for parking our bicycles. With five of us kids I can assure you that those bikes were always in the way of our parents. When the dreaded canning time came around, those bikes had to go and we practically lived on the porch until canning season was over!

Being the animal lover that I am, I probably took in more stray cats and dogs that wandered to our porch. Mother's rule was that I could keep the strays as long as I take care of them. Also, she warned me that I had to hide the animals from my Dad. Taking care of the new found pet was not a problem but hiding it from my Dad was a chore. At times, when I would go out to find my furry friends, they turned up missing. Broke my heart every time.

We moved to a smaller farm when I was a teenager. There I had a border collie named "Tippy" that someone gave to the family. He was my best buddy. He went everywhere with me. Often he and I could be found out on the porch in which I did all of the talking and he just sat and listened. Our neighbors next door often complained that Tippy would be at their house. So my Dad aimed to please the neighbors and decided to take him to the dog pound. No matter how much I begged to not let my dog be taken, he was gone. Not only was I sad but this time in my heart, I had it out for the neighbors.

Three weeks later I was out on the porch. I looked up and Tippy beelined through the yard straight to me. I was thrilled to see him again. Mother thought someone nearby had adopted him and he knew where her really belonged. However, as luck would have it, the neighbors started complaining and Tippy was gone that day. To this day, the loss of that wonderful dog still bothers me. I still love porches but decades later I still miss that dog.

A person can't beat porch talk. Growing up, we always congregated on the porch. At the end of a hard day's work on the farm, we always sat down with something cold to drink and talked about the day and made plans for tomorrow. Porch talk was always better in Southeastern Kentucky from where we came. At the end of the day, womenfolk would meet the menfolk coming in from the mines, serve up coffee, well water or moonshine this of course after a hefty supper. It is here that I learned some of the best in Appalachian folklore and customs that are just unforgettable. Many of these conversations went well into the night. Visitors were considered rude if they did not stay and sit a spell. Though we would have sad moments when a miner would come home to announce a grisley accident in the mines or if there was a death in the family. We would also turn the porch into a part time funeral parlor since the wake was held at someone's home and we are allowed to bury our deceased on our property according to Kentucky state law.

I think the most famous porch will always be my grandmother Adams. Situated in Knott and Letcher counties, this homestead is a classic home in a typical Southeastern Kentucky hollow. The way we approached that porch became a ritual. We would drive up in Dad's Ford Galaxy where grandma's collie dog, Sam would come out barking. Grandma always said the same thing, "Chillin, y'all come on up but don't touch Sam". She was always afraid Sam would bite. Whenever her back was turned I would sneak and pet him.

Nonetheless, we would climb that old wooden porch, wash our hands with a bar of lye soap lying next to a dishpan full of fresh well water. Then we would proceed to eat a home cooked meal she had ready for us. After this was done, us kids went out to play. I would still sneak and play with Sam until I got caught. Years after my grandfather Adams passed, a cousin came to visit my grandmother. He did not like Sam. He conned my grandmother into getting rid of Sam on the grounds that he would come back and visit more often. Several years ago, an aunt of mine told me the truth about this situation. Sam was shot by a family member and the conniving cousin never came back to visit my grandmother. I can't even find this cousin today.

As I reflect back on porch meetings I have observed that a porch greeting can make or break any relationship by the owner's attitude toward the visitor. I have heard countless testimonies from people who have been so offended by one greeting at someone's porch only to never go back again. On the other hand, I have personally witnessed people and animals seeking refuge at a porch that often led to an open door.

Today, I find it strange that family and friends no longer meet on porches. I think the only reason porches are used are for show. As I said previously, a great deal of money and hard work goes into decorating this part of the home but I think this has gotten out of control. I have witnessed tempers flair between husbands and wives or parents and kids over the use and maintainance of porches. I actually know of several marriages that are currently strained over too much money and decor on the porch. I am also aware that the only visitors to certain porches are the police, Children's Services deliveries from QVC or a con. Sadly, visits like these have closed off many proches to fellowship.

We seem to have lost an Amercian tradition and I'm not suprised. We are in a nation that consumes ninety percent of the world's antidepressants. In recent surveys among Americans, sixty percent have said our own people have become very unfriendly. Seventy percent of Americans are living well beyond their means. It is little wonder humans do not spend time on their porches. Internet, which I use daily, has replaced the standard mode of communication and we have become more antisocial because of it. While this may be the case, I would rather sit on a porch with a book, big cup of coffee, shooting pictures, watching nature is at it's best, and I would be happy to do this with or without you .

Electronic Etiquette

As a rule, when I give my email address to people, I always ask that they not email little poems, short stories, etc. I do this for several reasons.

First, some email junk excessively. For example, I recently fell and sustained leg injuries. I informed family and friends about this. When I finally felt well enough to get on my computer, I found nineteen emails from one individual during one entire evening. After glancing at the titles of those emails, I proceeded to delete. I knew I did not have to time to read all of those. None of those emails would have told me how the person and family are doing. This person finally had the audacity to email claiming not to have heard from me. Duh!

Secondly, if a person has time to forward junk email, then a person has time to update me on their lives. Of course if a person emails a zillion little poems and short stories, maybe this alone reveals their daily life; they have a lot of time on their hands; they have nothing else to do; they are bored and want to bore me; they are neglecting things at home. Who knows?

Although many know I love cats and photography. I don't mind getting adoring cat pictures. However, the most annoying emails are the ones that ask the recipient to send an email to ten friends to show undying love, appreciation, good luck or whatever. I don't respond to these emails, have never had any bad luck and God still loves me. May I ask why people don't communicate these things in person? Maybe this is why communicating face to face has become more awkward.

I consider it a priviledge to have someone's email address. I have actually had people approach me stating "Gee! I haven't heard from you in ages". Shooting from the hip, I always ask if they check their emails. They forget it is a priviledge to have my email address.

So here are some things I do to curb rude email etiquette:

1, Delete. This saves me time and makes me feel powerful.

2. Send a few pictures that have not been resized. Just downloading two unedited pictures can take roughly forty minutes to download for the recipient. While waiting for my download, my recipient can go make a pot of coffee, wash dishes, vacuum, read a book, take a poop, whatever.

3. Return to sender. My personal favorite. If you had enough time to annoy me, you should endure the junk you sent me.

Of course there are some sick people out there that have harmful intent. Personally, this has been the least of my internet problems. I learned long ago one rule of thumb; don't go there and it won't come to you. In simple language, don't throw rocks at a hornet's nest. Case point, when I was learning to navigate the internet, I would be shocked to find some of the filthiest emails on the computer. My ex father in law taught me how to track a user's surf habits. With two people in our household, I confronted my husband. Beet red in the face he claimed that someone else sent us those nasty emails. With his having an iq roughly the size of his shoes, I didn't buy this at all. Why? This filth was stored in "Favorites" and someone at that keyboard has to place files in "Favorites". I certainly traced his internet habits which is one reason he is an ex husband today.

Goes to show that you should never think of others as stupid as you. So get that in yer dern thinking!

I Don't Git It

I don't get it,

This past week, Rob Schenck held his Ten Commandments seminar at Grace Baptist Church. Mr. Schenck is a lovely Jewish Christian man who has a misintry in Washington D.C. I always enjoy hearing him speak whenever he comes to Middletown. However, a thought came to mind that has caused me some concern. Why aren't the ten commandments posted in churchs?

Today, churches endorse displaying the ten commandments in public places but fail to post those same commandments within church walls. As I thought of the many churches I have been as a guest or member, I don't recall ever seeing the ten commandments. Don't get me wrong. I know I can go to Exodus 20 and read them any time I wish but the weary soul visiting a church will certainly not see this Law. Doesn't knowing the law bring the conviction of sin? Yet, I would think that churches would be the number one place to see the commandments. I can visit any church and see a pastor's name, church name, maybe the name of a donor who gave big bucks for a new church wing, active ministries, to name a few.

Furthermore, I recall the Christian schools I have visited. Again, I do not recall seeing the ten commandments posted in this arena. One certainly will not find the Law posted in public schools. Then, getting right down to it, I don't recall too many homes of Christians that display the ten commandments. Could it be that we refuse to acknowledge that our moral standard of living parallels wordly standards?

Don't you think that we should exemplify ourselves and display those commandments? If we are going to campaign for their display in public, we should show that we live by what we wish others to live. We have a privledge to display this law but take things for granted. I know that when I see those ten specific statements after God's heart, I see my shortcomings.

I wonder what would happen if the ten commandments were seen within the church walls by church membership. Would the fourth commandment suddendly become profound again? Would the restaurants, malls and grocery stores still be filled after morning services? Since going to church as an adult, I never did understand what church membership are doing with the other six days of the week that leads them to cram the restaurants on the Lord's Day. I have been told by restaurant employees that the worst behaved customers they have seen are the Sunday church crowd. Personally, I have never found a valid reason to work or shop on Sundays. I just don't put the ox in the ditch.

Today, there are Christian bookstores that I refuse to do business with any longer. Why? They too have caved in to the all mighty dollar by opening their stores on Sundays all in the name of the Lord. May I say that you are a Christian bookstore under the name of the Lord though violating His sabbath? The excuse I got from Family Christian Bookstore at the Middletown Mall was that is the only chance they have to witness to patrons. Is this staff unwilling to serve in God's house on the sabbath? Berean Christian has caved in to pretty much the same thinking. Both chain stores are producing some of the most rude staff I have ever encountered in Christian bookstores. In the meantime I continue to do business with Heaven's Cupboard on Main street in Hamilton, Ohio. They have a super nice staff and are closed on Sundays. They are also getting more customers from the former stores I just mentioned.


What compromises. I just don't get it.

Well Hi yall! After a lot of dern thought and a lot of dern pressure from friends, I thought I'd give this here blogging a try. I have many bugs to work out so yall will see some changes along the way. I reckon blogging is ok as long as people out there do not abuse the priviledge. Like most bloggers, I plan to share my thoughts all right. I plan to share those thoughts that usually cave in to political correctness. While I, like you, have opinions, I like to challenge people to justify their thinking. You and I are not lesser people because of the opinions we hold. Therefore, my blog along with my thoughts are not open for debate. Also, my blog is not designed as a "conform or be cast out" diary. Keep in mind, more and more people are resorting to blogging as a means to electronically document their own ideas that routinely bring judgement, correction, discipline from family, friends (only to lose some) employer, church, etc. Opinions reveal the character of the person who holds them. However, a person has no right to go beyond sharing those opinons. I will try to keep within the realm of the thought sharing process as I endeavor to "blog". See yall later!