Billy Hill and the Hillbillies!

at Disneyland's "Golden Horseshoe Revue"!

High Larious! (and very uplifting)...


...but I just reminded myself of that surreal evening visit there after our DD's friends' wedding, with my W and I sitting and sharing ice cream across one of the tables there. I looked in2 her eyes a number of times, and saw... ...vacuum.

But I'm reading more off our ilouveulove resources page again of late, and cogitating more about what I can do 2 change the interplay between us in our sitch. Life is so mundane at the moment. Need 2 stir things up a tad.

Yes2rday, I was perusing the "spying" thread, and decided 2 do a people search for RM and his xW. You know how it takes a 2ple years or so for those searches 2 get up 2 date with peoples' addresses and stuff? Well, based on the "possible relatives" columns, I now know his new W's first name, and the former Mrs Meat's new H's name (and the fact that she got remarried 2).

Best part of it all was that it confirmed most of the things my W had been telling me over the past few years, such that I do believe she's withdrawing still (and that there is light at the end of the tunnel). RM most certainly has moved on. The only thing I still need at some point is assurance that NC is in place and will be maintained. She's told me it is, but she's told me that many times before.

Kimmy:

I'm so sorry 2 hear about your friend. My atheologistical thoughts are with everyone in pain or uncertainty.

-ol' 2long

DD19 and I went to Disneyland the day after Fruits and Nuts at Bob's Big Boy in July. We sat in a the last few songs of a Billy Hill set and had a great time. They were very funny and very talented.


Lord, do I remember that look. It was like her soul had been sucked out.

Chrisner,

What is the URL on that link? I got a an "access forbidden" message when I tried to click on. This company I work for keeps finding new and improved ways to keep us from having any fun at all at work.

2long, are you working on the communication part? If I remember correctly that was one of your wifes complaints. Are you opening up to her more, in a verbal manner? Still kidding around with her as well, once in a while?

I heard on the John Tesh radio show last night while I was making a zucchini-chocolate cake, that the way to a woman's heart is through her ears, and I would have to agree. Just a passing thought.

Weaver,

Try this:

weaver:

Sure, I keep working on communication. Mostly, I get little or no response when I talk about US, but we can sometimes have interesting discussions about other people, or things we see on Dr Phil or something.

More and more, though, I'm finding I feel less susceptible 2 being hurt, much more even than before. And that allows me 2 be more vulnerable around my W, because I don't worry about "if I do this, what will she do 2 me" kinds of thoughts.

-ol' 2long

2long, one time you wrote about how marriage is supposed to make you married, it is not supposed to make you happy. You are bringing your happiness into your marriage, and making a positive thing for yuor family. I admire that.

I need to get out of here for awhile again. All these little kids growing up with this one and that one, "I just don't know who my daddy is" kind of thing, and it is making me ill.

I'll be back for the stories and music talk, but this girls heart needs to go bleed for awhile.

What the ****** is wrong with people? Are they so blinking blind that they can't see what they are doing to these children? I don't understand how people can be so stupid, so blind, so self-involved to not care what they are doing to the little children who rely on us to be the adults.

Weave-

Hunh?

Kimbers,

did you mean to say huh? or hun?

All the threads I have been reading on here involve a step-dad or step-dad to be, where the dad is not involved in the life of the child(ren) and the mom is moving on to daddy #3 or daddy #4, and it is so hard to read. It's breaking my heart for these kids.

My parents had their problems after their addictions got the the best of them, but you know I always had them. They never abandoned us. We never had to grow up with this new one or that new one, and I just think it would be so hard for the children. I can't imagine how awful that would be. It was hard enough on P when her dad got married, trying to get used to her new step-mom, but she always new her dad and I would never, ever leave her.

My heart cries for the children today, Kimmy. I'm sure you know of what I speak. You have a mom's heart, too.

You know that village that it takes to raise a child? Standing member here.

People/parents are NOT interchangable. If someone won't step up, it's up to the rest of us to do it for them.

It's a shame (on the bio parents) that we have to...but SOMEONE has to.

After what I've seen and been thru, if not me, then who will?

I don't see a lot of people willing to do the work that LIFE is these days.

It's always SEP. (somebody else's problem)

Nope.

Not on my watch.

Not on yours, either, Weave.

weaver:

Just remember people like Kimmy, and what they do for those children. That's what I try 2 keep in mind.

Also, definitely if you have 2, stay off those threads. I read so little of the range of stuff on here anymore that it's amazing when I realize how many unfamiliar names there are, all with hundreds or even thousands of posts 2 their names. Sometimes I wish I had the time 2 read them all, but of course that's not possible.

I've ac2ally been finding myself posting more of late, rather than less, because iloveulove is so quiet these days (though SC noted that we crossed the 1 million hit mark recently!). I even posted on loveshack again this week. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

I like my friends here. I'd miss them if they all left.

-ol' 2long

You are both right, it's about support and being a village. If we can help the stable parent, even if that is the step-parent, then we can help the children.

But for now, I am going to start my series of "ghost stories at grayclouds campfire"...because after the children, this is what counts: good friends, good music, good food, and good old fashioned story telling.

for the first installment, I am citing from "Slave Ghost Stories" ~~Tales of Hags, Hants, Ghosts, & Diamondback Rattlers

by Nancy Rhyme

Just as a side note, I am very interested in Black folklore, which is why I am starting with these stories. I don't know if I told you all this but when I was in 5th and 6th grade my dad was stationed outside of Sumpter, SC and as the last county to integrate the schools, I was bussed to an all black school. Yes, us whites were bussed to all black schools the same as black were bussed to all white schools. Anyway, they hold a special place in my heart...so here we go. There will be many more installments of the black's stories before I move onto the white folklore. Enjoy!

Ghosts Are Good Company

I'm Solbert Butler, age of eighty-two. Back in slavery time, I lived on old Massa Ben Bostick's place in Hampton County, South Carolina. The plantations been divided since them days, 'tween Ben Bostick, Iva bostick, Joe Bostick, Luther Bostick, Eddie Bostick, and Jennie Jo Bostick.

I couldn't number the plantations old Massa Ben Bostick owned. He was a millinery. The house the family lived in they called the Paradise Houe. No one went to that house but only the rich. Oh, it was paradise at Christmas.

Old Massa was good to us. And he whipped us good too! Tied some to the fence post and whipped them. The overseer, Mr. Aldridge, was a mean man. the field hands got licked till the blood came out. then red pepper and salt was rubbed on the back. My uncle was so whipped he went into the woods and lived there for many months. Had to learn the independent life.

Oh, my God! Can you say them as done such as Mr. Aldridge ain't going to their reward? Oh my God no! That man can't have no rest. He did the field hands so mean, finally old Massa heard about it. And when he heard about it, he discharged him.

Massa took me as a pet. Had a little bed right by his own and took care of me. Every morning, a house servant brought in his tray, and Massa fed me from it. Massa took me in the carriage with him. H kept two fine horses just for the carriage.

Ghosts? I'm used to them. I see them all the time. Good comppany! They come in my house. Sometime I walk along at night and see them. The big house was full of them. White folks see them too. That is, some white folks. One day I saw a white man walking to work up at the big house and I told him he ought to see the ghosts. The white man turned and ran away.

They is a sight! They play. They dance 'round and 'round. They're happy all right. But they devil you too. They don't scare me. They talk to me. If I meet them in the road, they pass the time of day with me.

"morning, Solbert. How you feeling?" they say. "just so-so" "Uh-huh."
They all look alike.
One ghost pushed me over in the ditch.
"What you do that for?" I said.
"That ain't nothing,"he said.

I talk to them just the same as if they was somebody. Some folks outgrow them. But not me. You have to be born wrapped in the caul to see them. But if you ain't, you can't see them.

{{{weaver}}}

weaver:

Reminds me of a favorite ghost-related novel I read several years ago:

"A Fine and Private Place" - Peter S. Beagle

-ol' 2long

UPDATE! He was not old enough. Had a 19 or 20 year old daughter and a 12 year old daughter. The oldest one has been overseas since August. When she left, her dad was healthy. Today, another friend had to call her and tell her that her dad had just died.

Please pray for his family.

Oh no.

My heart goes out 2 the family.

-ol' 2long

I'm sorry cinders. Life can be so danged had and unfair.

Faith, are you hugging me cuz you liked the story so much? Lots more to come. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Looks like I should have been here Thursday, instead of Friday.

I read the W H O L E thing.

Thanks everyone for the music tips. I've been making notes, and will start tracking it down.

What a great thread. You guys are sure swell.

Looks like there are still things/people to pray for.

Gray - we've got a triathlon here this weekend. My Son, and another DIL are entered. How about you? Is your next one booked?

SS

Kimmy, do you know the differences between a doll and an action figure?

1 - How you spell them

2 - Boys play with action figures. Girls play with dolls.

Okay, another ghost story from the interview book I have...for all you campers.

The Ghost Stole My Overcoat

My name is George Brown. Vinergar Hill is my home, on Edisto Island, SC. I've encountered all kinds of ghosts in my life, but there was one played a mean trick on me. It happened like this:

I attended a meeting one night at Old House. We had a nice time. Deacon August Mannery held forth and we all gave testimony. I can't say why hard luck tracks me! Maybe I ain't come out plain with my testimony. Anyhow, five minutes after I left Jonas Bright at the crossroads, a ghost butted me.

It was sharp cold and I had on my brand new overcoat my wife's cousin's child gave me. I knew full well that overcoat was going to hold me back. I started to run like crazy, but there was too much weight 'cross my shoulder. The ghost closed in on me. I jumped off the road and dodged bhind a toothache tree. The ghost followed. I broke loose and made for Bear Hog Bottom, where the tall cypress trees grow. I figured I could hide somewhere in that swamp, 'cause ghosts don't like to cross water. Big mistake! The mud was awful deep, and I bogged down.

The ghost wasn't far behind. No time to tarry. I loosened my shoe and pulled one foot out, then the other. I got back on the road again. Thank the Lord.

I looked back and saw a big white thing, bigger than a cow, coming up fast. That thing could run! I knew if he could beat me, he was good all right, 'cause everybody knew I could run! I sped up. My tongue was hanging out till it 'most touched the ground. The ghost slipped up and grabbed me from the back, and I knew I was lost then sure enough.

But I was very nimble, so I slipped out of my overcoat right quick adn jumped. I left the ghost holding that overcoat and got away from that place. I done got my second wind and I kept on running to Steamboat Landing Road and turned in at my brother's house.

I never saw my brand new overcoat again. I swear, I don't know what a ghost would want with an overcoat, 'cause they don't wear no clothes. Anyhow, he got it and he kept it. I ain't going to follow no ghost to ****** for no overcoat. No, sir.

That just shows you how ghosts stand. They're so plaguish like. Torment the living spirit our of a man. That was the first ghost I ever met that had the thieving habit.

Cinderella,

I have to admit that I do collect a few higher end military action figures. Shhhhhh!!!

When this one arrived a few days ago DD19 declared, “He is mine! I will name him Pinocchio and he will become a real boy!”

Pinocchio