Thoughts From The Black Sheep of the Family

The weather is not fit for man nor beast! It’s 98 degrees outside with a humidity of 80%. Yet there is Linda mowing her lawn without the benefit of any shade, with a non-self propelled lawnmower. At 66 years old , Linda has more strength, endurance, and determination than many men half her age. It’s not only physical strength, but also strength of mind.

From the time Linda was a young girl, she has worked hard all her life. She fell in love at the tender age of 15 years old, and married Andy.

Linda lived a hard married life. She continued working manual labor this entire time. With her husband, they struggled to make a good living for themselves and their 3 children. Their struggles eventually paid off when they finally owned their own restaurant in Terryville, Connecticut.

The tedious work was 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. During this time, Linda’s upward drive had her sights set on acquiring her GED without attending classes.


After 28 years passed, it was time to slow down somewhat. Linda and Andy left the cold winters of the North and settled down in the sunny and warm State of Florida. The sweet smell of success they had earned for themselves in Florida a magnificent large house with a gorgeous view of the Gulf of Mexico and a dock for their boat.

Unfortunately, Linda’s husband Andy passed away a short time later, leaving her alone to face the realities of widowhood.

At the age of 49, she continued to work to help her sons in the restaurant. Finally as things settled down for her, she returned to her home in Florida, following her 50TH birthday.

One day soon after settling into the warmer climate, she looked around her house in deep thought. She realized it was time to get on with her life. Linda began involving herself in worthwhile projects, classes, and lectures that would enrich her life. She learned how to do basic electrical and plumbing work so she could maintain her house.
She painted, cooked, cleaned, and took on quite a few home repairs that most women would not even attempt.

Linda is a classy noble lady. She tends to set high standards for herself. She’s honest and not afraid to speak her mind when necessary. Linda foregoes any attempt on the dating scene, which most Florida widows constantly spend on that useless game of cat and mouse Besides, Linda has a high degree of dignity, morals, and intellect that most men could never fully appreciate.

It is not my nature to ask Linda for anything, but she somehow senses I need help every now and then, until I can land that illusive job. I’ve enjoyed going on trips with her to visit my niece and family. Linda and I often have lunch or dinner together. Graciously, I accepted when she gave me some home furnishings and other items to start out with in my apartment.

I appreciate Linda so much when she
a) Encourages me to stand on my own.
b) Take the initiative to improve my quality of life again and
c) Not sit back in the shadow of doubt, and silence any longer

I wish I had just one ounce of her fortitude.

Linda is not one for soft feminine words and accolades of praise that she deserves so much. I can just picture her squirming as she reads this short essay. I can never thank her enough for all she has done for me. I thank God every day for giving me the best sister anybody could ever want.

Yes it’s still 98 degrees outside with humidity of 80 percent. Yet, there is Linda still making things beautiful by tending to her garden, and cleaning her pool without the benefit of shade.

God Bless my sister Linda and keep her safely in Your Arms.

Thank You Mr.Brennen for your help in editing my essay.

The Homecoming

Well folks I did it. I adopted Culito. The baby kitten I wrote about previously. Am I turning into one of those Floridian fanatics that talk to their pets as if they were human? In 'This here Florida' there's quite a bit of people that do just that,especially senior citizens. It's not a bad thing, although some might think it's over the top. I feel that human life is more important than animals when it comes to the basics, such as shelter,and nutrition. I am a lover of ALL animals,as they are the gifts that God created for us. Even the animals that we do not like should be given the respect of humane life. I don't much like lap dogs,but I would definitely be a friend to them when I do meet one on those occasions. There's nothing wrong with a kind word, and a gentle touch(if they are not of the timid personality). I have a bond now with my kitten, I love him dearly and unconditionally and I know he feels the same. I know because he won't let me go pee without him. He sits right next to the tub when I take a shower. Cats usually hate the sound of water,but Culito is different. According to Culito,I'm Mom and everything mom does is normal to him. He has a special place in his tiny heart for Grandma Linda too. After all Grandma saved his precious life. I used to think it was awful to bring a dog into a restaurant(legal in this here Florida) and supermarkets. Now I understand why people do that,because I wish I could bring my Culito with me whenever I need to go out. But of course that's not possible. So today my kitty will come with me to visit his Abuelita to celebrate the Fourth of July. And I'm bringing his favorite toy monkey Moko. I wish everyone a safe and Blessed holiday. Remember those that gave their lives for our Liberty.

Pick Ups

Don't even think of slowing down. Just hope a child doesn't run in front of your vehicle. I drive a small compact 4 cylinder car and the red-necks driving huge pick-up trucks hate small vehicles. Most avenues here are 2 lanes each side,the speed limit is usually 35 miles. When I'm driving in the right lane at the speed limit, on occasion there will be a pick-up truck behind me,as I glance in the rear view mirror,he's edging closer to me. I increase my speed to 40,and he's still getting closer. I'm up to 43 miles per hour and that fruitcake is within inches of my bumper! Why doesn't he just pass me? Simple enough. Now I'm a nervous wreck, I could a speeding ticket,or if someone is walking across the street, I'd have to slow down and the red-neck slams into the rear of my car. Twice I had to turn right onto a street all the while hoping he doesn't hit me, just to get out of his way. I finally found a solution to this dilemma, I leave a bra on the front seat,and start waving it out my window,then most likely he'll pass me and I can drive safely again. The problem is this here Florida has no break down lanes like they have up north. I wish that only people originally from up north can be permitted to drive pick-up trucks.

Not Just This Here Florida.....Its Everywhere

(CBS) Some moments best forgotten are frozen in time.

In a photographic exhibit called "Witnesses to Hunger" the message is stunningly simple, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane.

One picture shows Imani Sullivan's son begging for food because she can't always afford to feed her kids.

"I am a witness to hunger every day," Imani, who lives in Philadelphia, says.

Her 9-year-old son De-Mire know what it's like to go without food.

"I cry … because I'm hungry," he tells Doane.

An estimated 15.5 million American kids don't have enough food - that's 3 million more than just two years ago.

Another picture shows Marinette Roman's youngest trying to get out of the house - back when they had one.

Home now is a single room in a Philadelphia shelter for Roman and her 13-year-old son Lewis.

Lewis, who's been losing weight, says he doesn't tell his friends about not having enough food.

"I just don't like … letting … nobody know that I'm hungry," he says.

But letting people know is the point of this exhibit.

It was Mariana Chilton's idea to give cameras to 42 lower-income Philadelphia mothers.

"It's a way of saying, 'My child is hungry. I've struggled and this is what my child looks like,'" says Chilton, of the Drexel University School of Public Health.

Their senator, Robert Casey, D-Pa., brought the women and their photographs to Capitol Hill and keeps a book of the pictures in his office.

"Is there anything that seems removed for you? Sitting in Washington looking at this book?" asks Doane. "It seems like two different worlds."

"Oh it is, sure," says Casey. "You could sit in a hearing for hours and you could read every statistic that would tell the story. But there's nothing like a picture and a witness."

Like a picture of Imani's pay stub. She's a full-time janitor but has an empty fridge. She photographed that too.

"How is it as a mom to realize that at points you can't really afford to feed your own kids?" asks Doane.

"Wow, that's a good question. It's heartbreaking," she says.

It is for Marinette too. Besides losing her house last summer, she lost both of her jobs. Already living at the edge, the recession pushed her over.

"To hear your kids say they're hungry, how does it make you feel?" asks Doane

"Horrible," she says, starting to cry. "Horrible because I always try to do my best … and it hurts that I have to put my kids in this situation."

That situation is six people sharing one room. Lewis says his stomach gets so empty he feels like throwing up.

The Florida M.D.

Flashing neon signs. Huge billboards along the highways and busy streets. Doctors are advertising their expertise. They advertise in those little local pamphlets that have ads for yard sales and such. They even advertise in the city newspapers. Florida doctors can mold and recreate every part of your body to almost perfection. And I mean EVERY part of the body. These doctors can even remove those boobalones(that's what my niece calls them) that hang off of overweight women. They can change a 70 year old woman to look like she's 40 years old. Its a wonder that the motor vehicle department does not require a new photo for their license every time a person has a face change. I'm from up north,and that just does not go on there. Doctors in Connecticut do not advertise to that extent,they mostly advertise in the Yellow Pages. Any ads for plastic surgery,breast enhancements,botox,and liposuction is very mild,just a nuance of mention. My issue is that I'd like to find a general practitioner that has just a regular office waiting room that doesn't push facial products,vitamins,and weight loss products as you wait to be called into the examining room. There are more than enough dermatologists, herbal practitioners, and weight loss specialists. Why does a family doctor go overboard in his office,when all you want is a check up and or check on a few ailments? Well,I'm sure most everyone knows the answer to that question. Florida doctors can keep their neon signs,and huge advertisements. As for me, I'll keep my wrinkles, facial hairs, and boobalones. There's no way I would want a knife cut me just to look 25 years younger. And that's the way it is in This Here Florida.

Pinellas County Laundromats

I take issue with the laundromats in St.Petersburg. I had to go to several laundromats to find one that has decent parking,a fairly good area,and clean. I finally found one on 58Th Street. Located in a plaza next door to a fantastic Cuban bakery and several stores. I go in with my coins and clothes ready. When I looked at the washers,I found that they use a type of plastic card similar to a credit card. I went to the attendant to get a card,then I had to put it in an ATM looking machine,and insert currency to how much I'd like. The woman attendant grabs the card out of hand and says "I'll show y'all how its done". I know how to read and the card machine was easy for anyone to understand how to use it. I just have to tell you,that attendant was bossy and arrogant. I thought perhaps she was the owner. I did my laundry and was out of there in no time. I went back the next week. The laundromat had several customers when I arrived. There are plenty of machines as the place is bigger than the others I went to before. I go in,put my bag of clothes in the rolling cart and get my card ready. The same grabby attendant yells at me from the other end of the laundromat "CAN I HELP YOU?". I mean she yelled as if I was not supposed to be a patron of the establishment. All the customers looked at me odd. I felt so embarrassed. I did my laundry as usual and left. Another week goes by and I return to the same place,it just happens to be the cleanest laundromat,and the washers do a terrific job,that is why I kept going back there. Not many patrons in there this time around. But there's madame grabby again at the other end. She didn't say anything until the clothes in the dryer I was using stopped. Now,I'm very punctual in the timing of my clothes when I use the washers and dryers. I time them out of courtesy,even though there are many machines not being used. I've noticed on many occassions that patrons leave their clothing to dry to go shopping and arrive almost an hour after the dryer is done. I was sitting at one of the tables reading the newspaper and the attendant yells out to me "YOUR DRYER STOPPED". It was less than a minute that it stopped! I had a suspicion that this woman just didn't like me there for what reason I just do not know. Then another time I went there,she's half talking to herself and to me saying that she has a rolling cart missing. I was ready to tell her it was in my back pocket. But I didn't. I hate confrontations. On several ocassions the owner of the laundromat stopped in. A very nice gentleman by the name of Scott,he introduced himself to me and was cordial. Scott is friendly and cares about the customers that go to his laundromat. I could never bring myself to tell him about his rude attendant,although I would have liked to. The economy is bad,jobs are scarce,almost non existant. In this here Florida,a person can get fired in an instant for the lamest things. As much as I was insulted by the attendant, I didn't want to get her get fired. She is a middle aged woman,and its possible self supporting. I went back a few more times. Then I found a laundromat much closer to home,less expensive,not as fancy as the one on 58TH street. The attendant at the laundromat on 49th street I now go to is helpful and courtious. If anyone out there can recommend any good clean laundromats,please leave me a comment. Much abliged.

A Stepfather Named Bandit

I went to visit sis today. She is fostering kittens for the ASPCA. She's been doing kitten fostering for almost a year. Once the kittens reach a certain weight,sis brings them back to the ASPCA where they get fixed and put up for adoption. Of course they are cute and cuddly. The best part is they have Bandit as a step dad. Bandit is the permanent resident cat. He couches the youngsters. My sister gives them names,but of course whoever adopts them can name them whatever they like. The 3 kittens she now takes care of are 2 angoras and 1 shorthair,all of them are golden color. Marmalade is the shorthaired. The other is Googootz and the runt is Culito. Marmalade is British, the biggest and strongest,and he is Bandit's favorite. Googootz is Italian,he loves to eat. Then there's poor little Culito,a little under weight and wants to be held all the time. Culito will climb up your leg just to get in your arms to be cuddled. If you happen to be in Tampa Bay area,visit and please adopt a beautiful spanish kitten named 'Culito'. It can only happen in this here Florida.