Too Old To Die Young

Happy Birthday To Me!

I LOVE birthdays!

Especially mine.

It means I'm still alive.

I like that.

It annoys all the right people.

So, we're out and about today. Hubby has plans that he won't share with me ... yet ... about what he has in store. So, you'll just have to wait too to see what the Sparkster et. el. where up to today. [smile]

In the meantime, how about some old photos?

The first one is my birthmother. Once I made up my mind to find her, it took me all of three weeks to find her burial location. Yeah, she was deceased by the time I got 'round to locating her. Mary died in a tragic auto accident in June of 1980 in Yulee, Florida, just about 18 months before my search.

Too little, too late.

But ... I have learned oodles about my roots irregardless. I'm still glad I searched (and so are many other folks going by all the e-mail of Thanks I get).

My birthmother, Marian Estelle "Mary" McMahan (left), and a friend
In the above photo, Mary was preggers with me. Being unmarried she wisely allowed me to be adopted by a loving married two parent family. I wish I could have told her "Thank you for not killing me". Sure do appreciate that.

Now finding my birthfather, since he wasn't named on my original birth certificate, is a real detective story! Pappy would have been proud of me. You can run, but you can't hide ... am I right Pappy? Never tell this ol' Bulldog (me) that something can't be done because then I will probably do it.

I've learned a lot in my short 53 years on Earth.

Here's a few of my pearls of wisdom. Feel free to leave your pearls too.

* After all my family research, and helping others do the same, I'm amazed at how closely related we all are.

* Life is very precious and every moment should be treasured. It can be tragically short or painfully long. But a good attitude makes the path a whole lot more pleasant.

* That friends may come and go, but they stay in our hearts forever.

* Our Judeo-Christian western European capitalist culture really is superior to all others. There's no denying history.

* That a loved ones smile or gentle touch at just the right moment is worth more than diamonds and gold.

* And mostly, but certainly not lastly, that God's love above all else stands the tests of time, even unto death. He is always there for us.

Now, off we go to celebrate the end of Sparky Birth Month. [tee hee]

Thanks for coming by and singing "Happy Birthday". Sing loud now so I can hear you!! :o)

Freshly Squeezed Sparky

I'm No Stranger To The Rain

Looky what all this lovely rain has brought us!! Yay! Thank you blessed God and Father for all this rain.


Sensitive Brier (wildflower)


Confederate Jasmine (domestic)
And southeast Georgia has many Hummingbirds. I call them "hummin' bees" because they sound very similar to bees in flight. We had a few earlier but now there must be dozens. Little rascals won't hold still for a photo shoot, so, I apologize for the poor picture quality. Aren't they adorable!?


Ruby Throated Hummingbirds
Hope you enjoyed the visit to our home. Thanks for coming by.

If you own a car, stay tuned for this important announcement

How many of you have seen this obnoxious commercial? I’ve never actually listened to it since I’m quick with the ‘mute’ button. Take note of that advertisers. It’s not being listened to in the Sparky Household.

But this commercial lead me to thinking about this:

You know how the government loves to tax our ’assets’? How dare they call my car, truck and motorcycles assets!!

We have bought tires, paid innumerable local taxes, road taxes, licenses, insurance, waxes, soaps, special washing tools, oil, filters, repairs, CD’s to play in these overpriced lumps of metal while moving rapidly at unsafe speeds, speeding tickets, taken driving lessons, bought a gazillon gallons of gasoline, paid yet more taxes, built another carport, key chains, extra keys … [gasping for breath]

The list goes on and on.

How dare they classify these money suckers on wheels as ‘assets’!


Also, I was reading that there will be no marriage between Volkswagen and Porsche. Forbes

They should move to Massachusetts. They’re not chosey and anything can get married there: animal, vegetable or mineral ... living or dead.

I wonder which one should wear the ring?

Also, there are so many car dealerships closing in America. Forbes

Everybody knows that unless they live on a desert island with their fingers in their ears and have no satellite TV.

It seems that this could not be a good thing but maybe, just maybe, there is a silver lining to all this?

Most people, when asked, do not like to deal with car salesmen.

Therefore, I would like to make a proposal. Pay attention here car manufacturers. You should get directly into the retail market by offering vehicles on-line so that potential car buyers can order from the manufacturer. There could also be major car lots of spankin’ new vehicles in large cities (Atlanta, Miami, etc.) where we could all go to either pick the vehicle of our dreams with a set price or have your special order brought to you by careful driving retirees for a small delivery fee. Or, on a flat bed truck if it makes one more comfortable, I’m easy.

Hmmmmmm? Now, just say “I do”.

I think it might work out well that way. It would certainly cut costs AND keep the manufacturers cranking out vehicles. It should save current jobs and create many real jobs, not made-up pointless government jobs.

My husband also suggested having authorized service centers that would specialize in that particular car or truck and take care of all warranty service. Keep the overhead low. They could be offered from any location that is convenient to the bulk of the customers.

So, car making guys, are you with me so far?

This is basic economics and good customer relations: offer what the customer wants and give good service, keep the overhead low and pass the savings on to the consumer. Everybody’s happy.

Use this economic downturn as an incentive to better yourselves not walk around with your hands out.

Capitalism works. Socialism doesn’t.

I’m just saying.

And that’s my two cents.


Now, let’s talk about houses. How dare the government call this thing an ‘asset’ …

Riding Into History 2009

Yesterday, Saturday the 16th, we attended our first "Riding Into History" event near St. Augustine, Florida. It was held at the World Golf Village just right off I-95 south of Jacksonville.

I'm amazed at how many people attended the event. It was all handled very well, I thought. There was good music (Lynard Skynard), beer, hot dogs and lots of fellow enthusiasts. Everyone was very polite and kindly. It was quite pleasant.

Since we met friends there, after touring all the wonderful vintage motorcycles (and a few bicycles), we opted to eat our noon day meal at O'Steens in old St. Augustine. It's located on Anastasia Blvd (A1A) just across the Bridge of Lions. We used to eat there quite often when we lived in Jax. That's what Jacksonville residents call it: "Jax" for short. O'Steens has the most superb seafood. It's always crowded no matter what time of the day or night one tries to eat there. We had a 45 minute wait, so, my friend and I browsed the antique shop next door. I used to collect antique glass, especially the pink shades, but no longer do so. Our new home doesn't have the shelf space for such collections. I still like to look, though.

Anyway, back to the show. If y'all would like to view the vintage motorcycles, I've uploaded them to MyPhotoAlbum. Hubby only snapped a few photos this time. I think after the visit to Barber's in Alabama, that place spoiled us. We've "seen it, done it" now. [lol]

Enjoy!!

St. John's Church

A postcard featuring St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" speech in 1775.


Join us every friday for the fun! Everyone is welcome. Hosted every Friday by the lovely and gracious Marie at Vintage Postcards.

My Second Childhood

In my early teens, I had brace apparatus on the teeth. Now, in my early 50's, my teeth had become so crooked that they were affecting my ability to chew. So, I decided it was time to get them fixed again.


Just call me tinsel mouth!
Christmas 1971
So I went in this morning and we started the procedure of straightening the teeth. Doc said we're starting on the top ones first. They have to be pushed out, then he can install the braces on the bottom ones.

I had forgotten how much is involved with getting braces.

First, the technician took two x-rays of my jaw. Then, I had to endure the ice cold gooey impressions that have to be made. [yuck!] Then, the technician makes a wax impression of the teeth while closed.

I must have looked like a dog with it's tongue hanging out for that one!

Then I'm moved over into another torture chamber room where that little technician can hurt prepare me for the Orthodontist. My mouth was spread open with some strange apparatus like we were filming the movie "Brazil".

Then the teeth had to be scrubbed, waxed, prepared with smelly adhesive, blow dried ... you name it. It was like having my nails polished (only this didn't feel as good).


" ... and when you smile for the camera ..."
Let me tell ya, it was arduous for this middle-aged lady! My jaw and head hurt after all the pushing and pulling. I'm gonna need several Margarita's to get over this. And I still have to have the bottom teeth braced in a few months.

Gosh, it's gonna be a long two years.



And on a side note, a prayer request please ....


Amberlee
Our little niece gave us a scare yesterday. She was taking a nap after school and her mom glanced over at the couch to check on her. She was rigid, eyes rolled back in her head, vomit foaming from her mouth and generally unresponsive. Her older brother (who happens to be training to be a nurse) checked her vitals, then called 9-1-1. After several tests the emergency room doctor said she had a virus. I still don't know the name of the virus or if it's an accurate diagnosis. Her Mom took her to their usual pediatrician sometime today. If I learn more, I'll let everyone know.

Non Sequitur and Wizard Of Id Cartoons