☂ 2025 April FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I had to knock real hard on the screen door of Aint Daisy’s house. I could hear her humming from the kitchen and smell the aroma of bread baking. I called loudly through the screen, “Aint Daisy, are you here? It’s Trudy at your door.” She answered she was in the kitchen and for me to come on in. “Well, looky here. My sweet chile has come t’ visit this ole gal,” she said with a big smile. She always makes me feel so special and welcomed. “Ye jess come on in and set down in th’ kitchen. I’m a-bakin’ some bread an’ rolls. In fact, I jes took some outta th’ oven about 15 minutes ago. Wanna have some warm rolls with buttah and jam or honey, sweet thang?” She asked. Of course I told her I’d love some if I didn’t choke on my saliva before I sat down. She chuckled. “Ye always make me chuckle, chile,” she said. As she got out the flowered plates, knives, butter, jam, and honey, I sat going over what I wanted to share with her about a gal we both knew. “Whall naw, whatcha wanna talk about today, chile?” She asked as she put the plate and rolls in front of me. “I have a bother, Aint Daisy. It’s about Sue Ellen. I don’t know what her problem is, but she surely is mean spirited anymore. In fact, it’s been a long while since I’ve seen her smile or heard her laugh.” Aint Daisy listened intently. I could tell because her eyes sort of squinted a bit and she turned her head to the right and pursed her lips. I continued to tell of things I’d heard Sue Ellen say and actions she’d done...all of them on the hateful side. When I finished, Aint Daisy sat back, smoothed her striped, neck-to-knee apron and said, “Honey, I know yer troubled by this with her. I am, too. Ye see, I’ve known this gal fer nigh on t’ twenty years, an’ she ain’t always a-been thata way. Ye know she losst her sweetie man, then losst her mama, then her dog who was such a big part o’ her life, ‘specially after her sweetie man passed. I reckon there ain’t nothtin’ she has t’ look forward t’ which’ll give her a smile. Then, she’s got a sickness which causes her hair t’ fall out an’ medicine she takes which makes her git all puffy all ovah. I’m sure she’s mizzerable all th’ time. Folks who are not happy with themselves are mean to others. It don’ happen all at once, though. Be patient with her an’ give her a smile when ye see her, even if’n she don’t smile back. It’ll be a little bright spot in a moment fer her. An’ if’n ye might talk a bit t’ her, let her know she’s a blessin’ to ye. Blessin’s come often t’ those who tak time t’ see ‘em; an’ then thank the good Lord fer ‘em. Be a blessin’ t’ her. It won’t go a-wasted.” I thanked her for her loving wisdom and warm rolls (I lost count how many I ate as Aint Daisy talked…LOL). I walked away thanking the good Lord for my very special Lady of the Holler.

Ya know what? Flaws; I got ‘em. Laws: I broke ‘em. Dues: I paid ‘em. Scars: I bare ‘em. Lessons: I learned ‘em. Problems: I still have ‘em. Love: I give it and get it. That’s life…..and I love it.

Brenduhh came over all in a huff. She was very opinionated about something which was very insignificant to mankind or any other entity. I mentioned my position on it which was very logical. She started to argue her point, or lack of, to the level it became ludicrous and inane. I gently mentioned the logic of the issue; she still argued her position. Finally I said to her, “Brenduhh, your argument is irrelevant to the issue. You keep flailing your arms, blurt out irrelevant statements while I’m trying to explain, and growl like an animal. This discussion is like talking to a wall with Tourettes. Gods!!!” She left, I went for a cup of calming tea and muffin. Then, later she returned. Burst through the front door and shouted, “Trudy!!! I just rolled a joint!!” I came from the kitchen wondering what she was exclaiming. We’d had a discussion about smoking, so I was really curious. “Brenduhh, you rolled a joint? Girl, have you lost your mind?” I exclaimed. “Yes, I did. Do you want to see it?” she inquired. I told her I did. She pulled up her pant leg and showed me her puffy, bruised ankle. “I tripped over the cat and rolled my ankle joint. Boy, does it hurt.” I hung my head and rolled my eyes. “Do you want me to wrap your ankle so it feels a bit better?” I asked. She said she did. Then we had tea and some muffins.

Names. Ever stopped to think of all the names you’ve been called by those who like and love you? Not really something we’ve chosen for ourselves, but usually as others perceive us. Mother named me Gertrude Jean Davis representing two generations of people. Gertrude in honor of her mother---that was her name. Jean…Mother’s middle name. Davis….Daddy’s last name and his father’s. But, Mother didn’t want me called Gertrude; Trudy would be my “calling name”. Of course, when Mother got irritated with me or wanted to make her point known, I’d hear all of my 3 names. My sister, and to this day, still calls me Dew. As I got older other names slipped into the picture. My friends called me Trood. I heard Babe once in a while from Daddy (always liked that nickname), and Toodle Boo from Mother. My Grandmother Davis always called me Trudy Girl. Time marched on and others pinned Trudy Lou, T2, and Tootie. Then Mom came around. That one, I think, is the most important and brings a smile to my face each time. Guy calls me Babe, Trute or Toots (rhymes with foots). Now Grandma is heard. Perhaps I fit them all, at least in the eyes of the caller.

Through the years, we have had dogs and cats as pets. They are enriching creatures and members of our family. I wrote a letter to them mainly to recapture their antics and personalities for memories. The last two are the dogs we had.

Dear Sunshine, Oreo, Tubby, Sweetie, Pryhyssii, Moana, Jada Jane, Gidget, RPGP, and Tux,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack, so knock off the time trials. Beating me to the bottom is not the object.  Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.   I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible.  I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm. I don't really need you keeping me warm when it is 95 degrees outside.  Let's just use your free heating system when it is really cold.  If you're cold, find a blanket.  "Wake-up calls" when I don't have to get up are not necessary.  I know you are here/there and I will talk to/with you later.  Whining is not appreciated; you're NOT 2 years old and neither am I.  So, knock it off!!! There is, also, the matter of time---yours vs. mine. Sweetie, two o’clock in the morning is not my idea of playtime, which corresponds with 1:00 in the afternoon when YOU don’t want to play with me. Knock off playing with the door stop in my room at 2:00 a.m., or anyone else’s for that matter. Making it go “BOINGGGGG” WILL NOT entice me into play. You WILL receive a well-aimed shoe at your butt. I am sleeping you fool. That’s another thing, when you yawn to let me know you are sleepy go find a comfy spot and lay down. Do NOT yawn in my face seeking approval to take a snooze; it’s annoying. I don’t do that to you. Why is it you can leap up on my bed when I’m sick and I not even know you are there; BUT, god forbid if I’m asleep---you are a ton of bricks landing on my back. Then you have the nerve to run away, you yellow-bellied coward. Snooping is also an irritant, at least to Guy it is. Tracking some odor you want to investigate coming from his under shorts was hilarious, but the poor man almost fell out of bed; leaving nothing funny about how you almost became flat when he rolled over. You both moved quicker than I’d ever seen. Just be very cautious should you ever try that adventure again. A word to the wise, etc. Got it? For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open.  Sweetie, you are SOOO guilty of this!!!  I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years-canine or feline attendance is not mandatory. Get that Tux and Sweetie?!  Spinning the toilet paper at 50 mph is for the circus.  You are not a member of any circus troop, YET!!  So, knock that off, too.  I like my toilet paper pieces complete, not as puzzles. This brings me to the farting issue…claim that which is yours, for crying out loud. Walking away AFTER you let one SDB go around us humans is rude and cowardly. We have a tendency to fight about ownership of those things as we try to figure out who did it. We have seen the smirk on your muzzle. Besides, yours smells like something from the sea or beef; ours do not. We have more methane. The proper order is: kiss me, and then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough! Gidget, I’m glad you enjoy me singing and sitting next to me as soon as you hear me, BUT trying to put your face in my mouth to find out where the sound is coming from, is not polite. Jada, thanks for being the purr therapist you are. My lap is fine and positive results happen. Around my neck is a bit much and claustrophobic to me, though.

Y’all, I’m sure you have stories of your own about your fur babies and four-legged family members. Write them down in a blank book to read when the world seems unreasonable.

Always, Trudy 😁

💚☘ 2025 March FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

The third month of the year usually comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  Of course that is the prediction, but it can be just the opposite.  Those born in March are usually conceived in June, which is the month of a lot of marriages and honeymoons.  “Madder than a March hare” comes from an old English idiom which refers to the wild, erratic behavior of hares and rabbits during their breeding season, usually in the month of March.  My birthday is in this month.  

Superman has super vision.  I need supervision.  Spelling and grammar are important, y’all.

I was raised in the South.  I learned to cook mostly while in the South as I watched my mother and grandmother fix the deliciousnesses of the day.  Grandmother would fix butter beans; mother fixed lima beans.  They looked different, tasted a bit different, and were cooked differently.  What a surprise to me when I found out they were the same bean, but just at different stages of maturity.   I equate the two to human stages of development.  The lima bean is youth---strong and resilient.  The butter bean is an older adult---a bit softer and more vulnerable, but can hold its own surrounded by the broth, ham pieces, and cornbread of life.

As I approached the little house with the red front door, sitting in her favorite rocking chair on the porch was my dear, wise friend Aint Daisy.  She was watching some squirrels “rassle”, as she calls it, under the big oak tree.  She smiled as she saw me and called for me to “come on up he-ahh, chile.”  I sat down beside her.  She reached out her cool, slender, wrinkled hand and gave mine a squeeze.  “How are ye, t’day, sweet thang?  I been watchin’ those critters rassling with each other for nigh on an hour.  I’d think they’d get tarred o’ all that business,” she said.  It was that time of the year animals sought out a mate and these two evidently had found each other.  “Aint Daisy, I have a bit of a dilemma, and I want to know what you think about what I should do,” I mentioned to her.  I told her of what I was dealing with and the conundrum of choice I had.  She sat listening intently, smoothed her neck-to-knees, flowered apron, and spoke.  “Whall, as I see it, they both have rewards an' consequences.  Ye either quit an’ do nothing, or ye move on a-head and do som’tin.  Yer gonna have t’ live with yer decision fer a long time.  Sos, yer choice needs t’ be wise and fits ye the best.  Don’t make yer decision real quick.  Ye need to think ‘bout both choices an’ sort out th’ twigs an' briars.  Ye know iff’n ye rush the bread dough, the bread ain’t a gonna turn out as good as iff’n ye’d let it set a while.”  Her analogies were not related to each other, but made a lot of sense.  (Of course they made sense; they were coming from Aint Daisy!)  We talked some more, and as we talked I was able to sort out all the “twigs and briars” of the choices I had with the help from The Lady of the Holler.

There is a fallacy about trauma, I believe.  Some have told it makes people stronger.  Well, maybe it does, BUT are those who believe that, aware of what it really does?  It damages the nervous system.  It hijacks the digestive track.  It keeps the person on a constant loop of hyper vigilance.  It keeps the “ghost” of the cause and ordeal ever present in the memory.  I’ve been there and am reminded every day of what happened; so, I know what I’ve mentioned is true.

A friend of mine came over in a mixed-feeling attitude.  She was so irritated and happy due to someone had been quite rude to her.  I knew why she was irritated, but questioned her why she was happy.  She said, “After they got that smarty smirk on their face of thinking they’d succeeded in insulting me, I said, ‘I’ve been called worse by those better than you.’  As I walked away, I knew that come-back had made them mad.”

“If they left your life and you gained peace, you didn’t lose, you won!”

FYI:  The longest alphabet is the Cambodian with 74 letters.  Antarctica is actually a desert.  Dogs’ nose prints are as unique as human finger prints. A hippo's jaw opens wide enough to fit a sports car inside.  A group of flamingos is called “a flamboyance” (imagine that!).  The color blue attracts mosquitoes two times faster than any other color (you’ll be the ‘blue plate special’).  Sloths are so slow with everything they do; even their digestion is slow.  This creates gas, but they can’t fart.  So, the gas is reabsorbed into the blood stream and is respired out of the lungs into the breath.  That gives morning breath a whole different perspective! Sloths move so slowly that mold grows on their fur. 

My husband was the best straight man to my sense of humor and shtick.  Here is an example:  I was sitting in my chair thinking about a lot of things.  Guy said, “A penny for your thoughts.”  I didn’t answer, so he said, “O.K., how about could I buy one and get one free, or are you going to give me some witty answer?”  I asked, “If I tell you something witty on your “buy one get one free” deal, then you’ll call me a half wit.”  “Oh please give me a break,” he moaned.  I told him, “It’s a good thing I’m not knitting.  Then you’d call me a knit wit.”  He told me to go away; can you imagine that?

Brenduhh told me she went to the eye doctor to get contact lenses.  The technician told her there was a tiny black dot on the top of the right one so she wouldn’t get them mixed up and put them in wrong.  A week went by and she seemed to be having some trouble with them.  She went in to have them be checked.  The technician looked them over, inserted them into Brenduhh’s eyes and asked her if it was better.  Brenduhh was thrilled, but couldn’t figure out why they were fine at the office, but not at home.  She said, “I think I was wearing them up side down.”  She said the technician rolled her eyes.  “I guess she was looking for her contact lenses, Trudy.”

There is only one country which can be spelled using only one row of keys on the typing keyboard----PERU.  There is only one state which can be spelled using only one row of keys on the typing keyboard---ALASKA.  You’re welcome.

I saw this and thought it would be nice to share:  “When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, you don’t throw it away, your change the batteries.  When a person messes up and finds themselves in a dark place, do you cast them aside?  Of course not, you help them change their “batteries”!  Some need AA…attention and affection; some need AAA…attention, affection and acceptance; some need C…compassion; some need D…direction.  And, if they still don’t seem to shine, simply sit with them quietly and share your light.”

You shine brighter when you light another’s “candle” with your own.  You can’t brighten your shine by messing up another’s.  These sayings are a segue to what my Daddy instilled in me.  When I was invited to work in a managerial position, I told Daddy.  He had an illustrious career with a major corporation in a managing position and in sales.  He listened, smiled and said he was proud of my accomplishment.  There was a pause, then he said, “Babe, you’ll have times you’ll have to step on someone’s toes.  A good manager will have to do that, but they won’t mess up the person’s shine.”  He was very wise; I was very blessed to have him as my Daddy.

I was told I was a bitter woman because I brought to light the apparent lack of actions of a school district, which is close to me, to ensure a safer crossing of the students who have to cross a very busy 4-lane highway which has a light and ONE crossing guard. I was told, "The crossing guard is very devoted to the safety of the children crossing." Hmmm, no matter how much devotion ONE crossing guard has to protecting the children, they are no match to a two-ton, or more, vehicle going faster than they are walking. I mentioned my doubt that the administration and board of education of that school district were as concerned as others about having more guards and even law enforcement at the crossing for 30 minutes in the mornings and 30 minutes at dismissal. This idea had been presented to the administration and board. Nothing has been done. This idealist told me the school was not responsible for the safety of the children crossing this major highway; it was the drivers of the vehicles responsibility. I think the ivory tower this idealist lives in is fully furnished. And, I think the administration and board of education of this school district forget that if the students were all gone there would be no reason for them to have the positions they do. So, is it going to take a child or children to get seriously hurt or killed before they do more to protect the children?

Always, Trudy J

💟💕 February 2025 FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

February 2025--the month of love toward another.  I’d like to mention loving yourself.  I believe, you can’t love another as deeply as you want until you love yourself, first.  A long time ago, I had a friend who struggled with loving herself.  She was hesitant to call some others on the disrespectful way they talked to her and treated her.  It about drove me nutz!!!  One day, I’d heard too much from a person talking disrespectfully and critically to her.  I called the person on their verbiage, which shut them up and they left.  Later, I sent my friend a message.  Here is what it said:  From Alice in Wonderland ---“If you don't love yourself, at least a little, if you don't create an armor of self-love and happiness around your heart, the feeble annoyances caused by others will become lethal and will destroy you.”  You need to love you, see all the good in you, and have so much respect for you that you will not allow another to disrespect you in words or actions. I know you can do it. It is not disappointing God for you to do this, if you’re afraid you’ll disappoint Him. What disappoints Him is you allowing others to disrespect you and emotionally hurt you. When you allow that, you're telling Him, "You made a mistake. You made junk because junk can be treated this way."  God does not make mistakes, nor does He make junk.

Morgan Freeman has said a lot of wise things.  Here are some I really like:  “If they left your life and you gained peace, you didn’t lose, you won!”  “People will start hating you when they cannot control you.”  “Fear doesn't always make people run from that which they fear. Often times it makes them attack that which they fear.” “Fatigue, discomfort, discouragement are merely symptoms of effort.” “Kindness in thinking or giving creates profoundness and happiness. Kindness in saying creates an everlasting love"

Brenduhh came over upset.  “What is wrong that you’re so upset, sweetie?” I asked her.  Through her sniffles she said, “Bobb, my boyfriend, was testing his car lights and asked me to help him.  As he was driving, he told me to put my head out the window to see if it worked.  So, I put my head out the window and told him, ‘Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no.’ He got mad and yelled at me, Trudy.”  I told her I understood her sadness, but assured her it was not an on-off relationship.

Your smile is your logo; your personality is your business card; and the way you make others feel is your trademark.  Go and glow, kind ones.  You bring joy and comfort to others just by smiling. J 

Were you ever around someone and think, “Camouflage duct tape and dark plastic would look good on you” or, “I know now why your mama changed her name” or, “You’d get lost in a round closet.”?

I'm not real happy with the way CVS has become so impartial to its customers. The pharmacy is a prime example and my main complaint. You can NOT talk directly to a pharm tech or pharmacist. You have to leave your name, birth date, and telephone number and they will return your call "when your position number comes up." I can understand it with large, city CVSs, but a local one which has 99% of its business from the surrounding community has to do this, too. Cripes, the staff knows most of their customers by their first names!!! So, when I mentioned this to one of the staff, I was told they totally understood, and I may call this number to register my concern and complaint: 1 -800-shopcvs---1-800-746-7287. There you have it, y'all. The complaint center at your finger tip of choice, and it just takes one standing tall in the middle.

Did you know the only thing in your life achieved without effort is failure?  Everything worth having costs effort; sometimes just a little, and sometimes a lot.  BUT, effort was put forth.

I’m sure most, if not all of you, have had a rough day now and then.  I surely have.  Sometimes I’m not where I can yell, swear, or cry, BUT I surely can “THFFPT” and “Pffphfft” and raspberries my lips.  Of course, some listeners think I’m making the sound of the other end of my body.  They usually walk away.  Mission accomplished!

Aint Daisy was a bit irritated when I stopped by.  “Hello, dear friend.  What seems to be a trouble for you?” I asked.  She told me of an encounter she’d had with a “sassy pants” person.  I asked her what she was going to say and how she’d handle that person.  She said, “Not a thang, Chile.  Did-ja know not sayin’ anythang is a message, an’ not doin’ anythang is, also, a message?  They are!  Silence can be very loud, an’ not-a doing anythang can have quite an impact.”  More wisdom from my sweet Lady of the Holler.

I was called “ignorant” by someone I didn’t know, nor knew me.  It was on a social media forum (aren't they fun?).  I told them, “I’d rather be ignorant than stupid.”  They mentioned ignorant and stupid are the same.  Oh, “man the verbal torpedos”!!!  I told them, “Ignorance is a lack of good information. Stupidity is ignoring good information. Education can cure ignorance, but NOTHING can cure stupidity.”

One of our cats hurt her paw.  She lay around not moving much, nor walking.  I noticed she was laying against certain walls, which was unusual for her.  I wondered why these particular walls.  So, I put my hand on each one and felt a slight vibration from the whole-house fan which was running.  It was like her purring.  It is scientifically proven that a cat’s purring gives comfort and helps heal humans and other animals.  She was healing herself with help from the whole-house purring fan.

I went to the doctor recently after having some blood tests done.  He came in with a frown on his face, saying, “Trudy, your blood pressure is up, your cholesterol is up, and your blood sugar is up.”  I told him, “Well, there’s one thing not up…..my boobs.  You haven’t said a thing about low my boobs are.”  He turned his back for a moment.

Toby Keith wrote a song called AIN’T NO RIGHT WAY.  The chorus of the song says:                      “There is no right way To do the wrong thing/. You can justify, But it is still black and white.  Paint it any shade, But it would not change;  There is no right way, To do the wrong thing.”                                You are never wrong doing what’s right.  It might seem that way, but it is true.  It takes twice as much effort to make a positive than it does to make a negative.  Here is proof:  + vs. -.  You’ll notice the plus/positive sign has two lines, and the negative sign has only one. 

Some things are questionable and unusual which are protected by some states’ constitutions.  Florida has a clause which protects pigs from slaughter or being harmed.  The pig has to be pregnant, though.  Pigs have been found to be very smart, empathetic, and capable of feeling a wide range of emotions.  Elephants are very smart, and their brains are 3-4 times larger than a human’s.  They can recognize themselves.  They communicate through body language, touch, scent, and trumpet calls.  They can purr like cats.  I believe in purr therapy, but I don’t want an elephant on my lap.

I love Calvin and Hobbs philosophy.  This one is so true:  “There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want to do.”

It’s not always what’s on the surface which counts or what’s on top.  Some think the low man on the totem pole is the lesser of all.  NO, it’s the strongest of all because he has to hold up all which is above him.  Think about a pie and the lower crust.  It supports the filling and top crust.  Of course, there are bottomless crust pies, but I prefer to have one with a bottom crust to hold the delicious filling in place as I devour the goodness.

A friend and I have a mutual friend.  This friend of ours is one of those “one-up people”.  Both stopped by for some coffee and chatter. My dear friend told she’d had a hard day.  One-up friend said she had a harder one.  My friend mentioned she’d baked two loaves of bread the day before for her family; one-up friend said she’d produced 6 loaves the day before for a food bank.  My friend mentioned she had enjoyed her trip to Tennessee.  One-up friend, trying to not be out done, mentioned she’d enjoyed a trip to Elevennsee. 

“‘Every house where love abides, and friendship is a guest, is surely home, and home-sweet-home, for there the heart can rest.”  Henry Van Dyke   May your home be your sanctuary of peace and rest, and your heart filled with love.   Trudy