Earthquakes and In Memory Of a Best Friend

Between yesterday and today, I am in a daze and heartbroken. I have recovered from the event of yesterday, after all it was a mere earthquake.

Yesterday just before 2:00, I was sitting at my desk when I heard my puppies howling and barking then came a a roar and I felt a rush of energy burst through my shop. The overhead pipes, ceiling fans and even furniture rattled and shook. The phenomena seemed to last for minutes and as quickly as it began, stopped in dead silence. I called my husband and asked him what happened - he didn't know because he was outside. I had him go through the building both inside and out even though I didn't know at the time that what I felt was an earthquake and besides, we don't have earthquakes in Bethania, let alone North Carolina, or the East coast. I heard it on the news later in the evening. It  was a weird feeling to find out the jolt registered 5.8 on the Richter scale.

Then this morning I heard a loud rush of speed, a thud and a thump from the same location by my desk. The noise came from outside the front of my shop. I went to look and saw a man in the middle of the street - he was a neighbor from up the road who had been walking his large dog, a pretty and friendly honey colored Lab mix. A car had zoomed by, going at least double our 25 MPH speed limit and is why I am heartbroken, dazed and numb. I watched as he lifted the lifeless body and took him to the side of the road and held the dog as it died. The car driver never stopped.

I have seven Yorkies and all of them are my best friends. I am so sorry for you my neighbor, and I feel your pain and your loss. We all do.

POST SCRIPT
My husband just returned from the post office which should have taken only a few minutes and instead it took thirty - A van in front of him hit a small dog and took off and left it there on the road. My husband and another man went to help. They saw a tethered leash and an empty collar on the porch. The owner of the dog was inside, but in a wheel chair.  The puppy was dazed but still needed care - I hope it will survive. This is a day I just want to stand outside and scream at all the speeders to slow down.

Tonight I am going to have a free-for-all with my puppies, give them extra treats, and watch their favorite movie. I will let them kiss my face as much as they want and let them help take away the sadness of this day. But then, they always do.

Writing History is Like Putting Together a Puzzle

Miller and Green Store Pauls Valley, Indian Territory

Although the sign says it is the C. J. Grant Store, the building was the original Miller and Green store and initially operated by Frank Miller before he took on a partner named Thomas M Green. 

I know this because of the trip that I have been on --- lost in Pauls Valley, Indian Territory before it became the state of Oklahoma, traveling through time and space from Winston, North Carolina, before it became Winston-Salem, To say that that it's been an amazing trip, is not the least, because I have also met several wonderful historians and writers whose knowledge of the west and its settlement have fueled my research and detective work. The problem is, my puzzle is growing at the same time the pieces are falling into place. The picture above was forwarded to me by OK historian Mike Tower and courtesy of the Pauls Valley Depot Museum. The photograph was taken after 1888, before the building burnt to the ground. Mike tells me that the only reason the picture of the store exists is because C. J. Grant had it moved parts by parts on wagons from its original location, which was located on the confluence of Rush Creek, about a mile south of where the present town exists. 

 

I already knew that Frank Miller sold the business to Grant after Green was killed in 1886. But what I didn't know was from early Garvin County Historical notes that Miller gave half of the business to a Tom Martin who was a nephew of Miller or Green. But then it hit me from already tons of my local Winston Research, Tom Martin was the son of Dr Samuel Martin of Winston, who married Miss Limmie Miller in 1856, daughter of Harmon Miller Esq, and Frank Miller's oldest sister.

C. J. Grant is Calvin Grant, son of Colonel Thomas Grant who was one of the first settlers in Pauls Valley. The Colonel is the first cousin of Ulysses S Grant. A co-incidence is that the house the former president lived in before and after the Civil War, in Galena, Illinois, is identical to the home that my husband and I restored in DeKalb, Illinois, for JJ Kingsley who is considered the father of Hybrid corn. But before I go off on a tangent and another story I need to write, I need to finish the one I am on, which is an amazing saga spilling from two Victorian trunks, and pieces of papers and letters spanning 200 years.

Pauls Valley Indian Territory and a Man Named Frank Miller

Pauls Valley

I was going to post a new blog much earlier then this, but because of the state of our Nation's budget crisis, I'd keep the publication up. Sometimes prayers can be far reaching. Besides I have been on a long journey of discovery taking me back through time in researching historical records of place and elements of life for a book that I have not yet determined to be a history book or a historical fiction book.

Frank Miller taken about 1870
St Louis 

My quest involves Cowboys, Indians, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and a man named Frank Miller who arrived in Pauls Valley, then Indian Territory  from Winston, somewhere around 1870, though he most likely was in the West earlier. The story is an intriguing one because Harmon Miller, Frank's father was one of the first to settle Winston, in the new county of Forsyth, NC in 1849. Before Harmon's death in 1861, the family had amassed considerable property, had a hotel, brick buildings, a mercantile store, and land throughout several counties.

Jesse James

Frank's two brothers, both ranking officers, were killed in the Civil War. Frank was in the war too, and served at least, some of the war in New Bern and Wilmington - the home of Smith Paul, originally from New Bern NC and who Pauls Valley is named after. We have Frank's brothers (war0 records available, but we do not have Franks. Family history though suggests that he may have been a blockade runner.

Because of numerous historical facts an some very interesting records and letters, also allude that Frank Miller may have served on the side of the North. This material is intricate, but documented because there were many men of southern origins who did not believe in what the American Civil War was about. That there were Southern deserters who lost there faith in the war and the cause is known - the war took its toll on human frailties.

The aftermath of the war and reconstruction era, was a nightmare at best,; but southern men who had defected were perhaps more ostracized then even African Americans, and Northern deserter. Although Frank Miller's family roots were deeply embedded in his birthplace, along with the family's land investments that were able to be sustained through many careful and cautious manipulations, even the disintegration of confederate currency,  did not create financial difficulty.

Forgiveness from within the local deeply southern community which Frank Miller lived, would take many years. This was not uncommon and many Civil War veterans removed their selves, as well as their families away from the community in which they had known.

"Go West, Young Man, Go West" an unknown source quote, published in a newspaper published by Horace Greeley, became the inner most thought of many men - young and old alike. The idyllic image of growing with your country, of greener pastures, of untamed wilderness, of roots- hog - or die, and of adventure - opened up a chance for a new life, and for possibly forgetting and for forgiveness.

By the early 1870s, Pauls Valley became known as a way station for the cream of the crop, wild, wild west bad buys and gangs; such as Billy the Kid, the James Brothers, the Younger Brothers, so the well known Bounty hunters, along with sheriffs, and the Calvery made frequent pit stops there including Custer. It was not an uncommon sight to find dead men along the dirt roads, hanging in trees, or lying half submerged in water. Some would still have their hair and other's would not. The same way with their boots, which became a must for cowboys - hoping to die with their boots on.

Gen George Custer

Frank Miller had to have "True Grit" because he operated a trading post, was licensed by the Government to,  pay the freighters who drove cattle through the rich valley and supplies to Ft Sill and other Forts within a wide range. He was also the postmaster for many years, raised several thousand heads of cattle on his spread, had a telegraph, financed the first bank in Sherman Texas, Sacremento, Ca, Oklahoma City and in Pauls Valley. (Not to mention back in Winston, RJ Reynolds and his tobacco endeavors, and then his brother in-law - George Hinshaw's bank and the bank that would become Wachovia).

But back to Frank Miller and the Wild West. By 1872, he had a partner named Thomas Green and in 1877, he returned to Winston, took care of some business, and married Ida Wharton, a prominent Clemmons Doctor's daughter and brought her to his home in the West. She too must of had grit because she bore Frank five children, two boys died in infancy.

Pauls Valley

Frank spent about 15 years, that I can document, In Pauls Valley; but the date that seems to point to the family's retrurn to Winston and North Carolina is about 1886, when the railroad came to Pauls Valley. This is also when his partner Tom Greene was killed while herding cattle and preparing for the trip near the Washita River. This is also about the time the Wild West became even wilder. Ida too, was expecting, so I think Green's death was the last straw for her.

I still have some research to do, but the story has been bubbling inside me for too long a time now and is hankering to come out. In the mean time . . . . .







   

The First Prayer in Congress published by H. V. Wright, Washington City

This is one of the first printed  copies of The First Prayer in Congress made available to the public and was published by H. V. Wright, Washington City.  He notes, "In "Thatcher's Military Journal," under date of December 1777, is found a note containing the identical "First Prayer in Congress," made b the Rev. Jacob Duche, a gentleman of great eloquence, Here it is - a historical curiosity."

The prayer was published in Thatcher's Journal in 1823. You can read more on this historical document at The Foundation Forum. 

Historians of the 20th Century differ on the actual date and year it was read, but the prayer is grounded in the birth of our nation and as fitting for our stressful time as at any previous time in our country's struggles.

Enjoy and have a safe and happy Fourth of July! 

Celebrating the First of July

The Bombardment of Fort Henry
by Bill Alderfer

Today is may dad’s birthday. I will not say the year that he was born, except that he is possibly older then dirt and candles should be banned from his birthday cake.

On the other hand, my dad is an amazing artist, still handsome and brilliant. 

My dad is a WWII Veteran, wanted to study linguistics, and speak Chinese, But he had a growing family – three children and a wife who demanded that her husband concentrate on “bringing them up.” including learning cooking, books, and anything that had to do with paper besides books – but real period paper, 16th -  17th - 18th  and 19^th century material – the stuff that most people ignore or throw away.

Some of the papers came from our 17th Century home in Pennsylvania, which is how the bug for old homes became imbedded in my life, as did antiques. The papers were used as insulation beneath floor boards and stuffed between log walls and beams.

I remember going through boxes of  my dad's "stash,” and pulling out an original newspaper with George Washington's address to the troops from Valley Forge.  Then there were boxes of old letters and other papers from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War.

Which brings me to the fact that in a few days, on July 4, our country, which is also older then dirt, will be celebrating its 235th birthday.

My dad isn't that old, but I sent him one of those talking cards that warns the people who live in the vicinity of his apartment in Hatfield, Pa -  to run for cover because there is a fire going on but actually its his birthday cake with all its candles.

I warned you dad --- Happy Birthday!

Why I Have Six Yorkies in My Bed

Actually on occasion, I have seven - when my daughter visits or asks us to "puppy sit." Said puppy is my "grandpuppy" and while she is not with us all the time, she remembers and knows who we are. Anyone who believes that dogs don't have memories, let me assure you they do. When Mizzie comes to visit - pandemonium erupts and we have a wild and crazy time. First Zoie and Zack (the parents) attack her, and then the rest of the gang. They immediately run into my bedroom and have a free-for-all on my bed.

I am to Cute for you to be Mad

This is a daily occurrence and the main reason why my bed never gets made. In reality, life with six Yorkie puppies in our house everyday is a wild and crazy time because the puppies like to party - they are after all Yorkshire Terriers, which is very close to terrors - which right now is synonymous with termites - (they like to chew and are going through an exceedingly long teething stage). Besides toys, chewbones, every  paper product imaginable, we have glasses, cell phones, remote controls, every flavor of wood in furniture, pillows, foam, each other, and of course, anything that drops on the floor - such as this Jalapeno pepper, which fell on the floor while I was making "Garnachoes."

Teeth Marked Jalapeno 

So if anyone cares, I am a glutton for my Yorkie puppies and except full responsibility for their care and upbringing. Thet have been potty trained (sort of) since they were three weeks. They are healthy, have all their shots, and one by one or getting neutered. We never expected for Zoie and Zack to have five puppies, but even more so was the fact that I simply could not sell any of them, particularly after being there from birth through it all.

I am Lizzie and I Love to Kissie You

I watched as Zoie would rush into the puppy palace and nod her head then bark as if she was counting to make sure all puppies were accounted for.  Call me crazy - I am - crazy for my Yorkies and well not having a well-made bed --- who gives a d_ mn!

We no longer have a four poster bed that one needed a ladder to climb into. All the puppies can climb easily in and out, but more importantly, so can my husband, "Bud the Plumber,"  when the puppies let him that is.

.

Why is Bethania North Carolina a National Treasure and a Landmark Town?

On June 12, 2011, the tiny town of Bethania, North Carolina will turn 252 years old. On this coming Saturday June 11 the town will hold a celebration honoring this event. Few towns in our country, even any country can boast of such extensive record taking, or documentation of family histories. Although the beginnings of Bethania are deeply rooted in the Moravian Religion which is the oldest protestant religion in the worlds, the town itself was settled by both Moravian and non-Moravian families. 


Bethania, North Carolina, is the last of its line,a pioneer town founded on June 12, 1759, out of the need to establish the roots of religious freedom. A historically significant town, Bethania is the first planned Moravian town lot in the Wachovia tract of North Carolina. Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, the town became a National Landmark in 2001. 

Colonial homes, some still lived in by descendants of the first white Moravian settlers, line Bethania’s main street and are symbols of how so much of the town’s character remains intact. Simple yet elegantly understated, the homes represent the regional architecture of the colonial era in which they were built.

The homes have names, attesting to former owners. On the corner of Loesch Lane and Main Street is a tall, stately house that bears the name Johann Christian Loesch. Loesch’s son, Israel, was a U.S. representative during Reconstruction and president of the Cape Fear Bank and the First National Bank in Salem, which became Wachovia Bank. Across the street on the opposite corner is the Cornwallis house, given the name of a Revolutionary War general who spent the night in the home during a raid and subsequent encampment in the town.

Beyond the distinction of its Main Street homes standing as monuments to an earlier century, Bethania was once a thriving industrial and trade town. The Great Wagon Road of the colonial era brought soldiers, settlers and slaves through the town daily. The longest and costliest plank road of the pre–Civil War South ran 129 miles from Fayetteville on the Carolina coast and ended at the corner of Main Street and Loesch Lane.

What is unique about Bethania today is its history as a community that began as an experiment in melding cultures. Its first settlers were chosen from Moravian and non-Moravian families who created the town in a hostile frontier. In 1766, Bethanians helped found the town of Salem in the newly formed colony of North Carolina, thus contributing to the birth of our nation. 

My book, Bethania: The Village by the Black Walnut Bottom, published in 2009 by The History Press is not just a history of the founding of Bethania, but of people who carved a life from an untamed frontier. Many families grew, multiplied, and spread into other regions of this country. Eventually many would fight their own relatives in a civil war for different causes and even become permanently separated from their ancestry.

Please join the town of Bethania on Saturday June 11th. And if you are interested in reading more history of Bethania, excerpts from the book can be found at http://antiquesinbethania.com/bethaniabook%20excerpts.html.

Slave Cabin

The images in the book are from original glass negatives taken by J. L. Kapp around the turn of the century and modern day photography by Bowman Gray IV, whose recently published book, As A Man Thinketh and Bo's original photography, can be found here, http://www.blairpub.com/alltitles/asmanthinketh.htm or VISIT WFDD for an audio interview with Bo and I and David Ford.



   

Double Exposure: Meet the Stoap Twins (Part Two) by Bev Hamel

Give us your “elevator speech” about who you are besides being the Stoap Twins of Million Dollar Listing fame.

We are definitely individuals with unique personalities who happen to be best friends and love working together! Marissa is sort of the communicator, because both in real estate and in our personal lives she is the social butterfly. She loves making the calls, doing the planning, and getting people together for business or for fun! Julianna is super tenacious, she’s the negotiator. Julianna never takes no for an answer and is always coming up with creative ways to take our careers to the next level. Not to mention her ability to get us through any door or to the front of any concert without fail! We were raised on real estate by our parents, who have been top-producing Realtors for nearly 20 years. After getting our degrees from USC, we found that real estate was definitely in our blood… and that we loved the idea of pursuing a career together where we could achieve an unlimited amount of success. After all, you are your own boss in real estate, and the sky is the limit! What sets us apart from other agents is that you really do get two for the price of one! We each bring individual skills to the table and are an unstoppable team. Also, we are extremely hands on with our clients and extremely communicative. We take every phone call (seriously, at all hours!) to make sure the people we work with feel comfortable and know exactly what’s going on. We also have a rare combination of elements in our business: We’re young with fresh, creative ways of marketing and demonstrating the exciting lifestyle each listing can offer, coupled with a great deal of knowledge, several years experience, and literally growing up hearing about and learning about real estate every day. Read More at All Things Girl . . .

Double Exposure: Meet the Stoap Twins (Part One)

Meet Julianna and Marissa Stoap, the New Twin Secret Weapon(s) of Bravo’s Hit Reality TV Series, Million Dollar Listing (Part One)
The real estate market is in a funk everywhere yet Million Dollar Listing, now in its fourth season, is still a success despite the recession. The show really is not just about the glamorous high-end luxury properties of the market but inter-personal drama and the three “bad boys of real estate” who admittedly “will do anything possible to sell the dream.” Enter newcomer Josh Altman who replaced Chad Rogers and has an entourage of assistants, though crazy Mickey is his main man. Madison Hildebrand announced he was gay at the end of last season and takes on a straight female assistant named Heather. Then there is Josh Flagg who has his grandmother, the queen of polyester, famed Edith Flagg for advice, and who advises Josh to hire an assistant as long as he/she has clean fingernails. Josh decides two blonde heads are better than one and takes on two interns as opposed to one assistant. Read more at All Things Girl . . .

Jelly Beans, Nightmares, and a Moravian Brass Band

My husband, Bud the Plumber brought home Jelly Beans from the Fresh Market last Saturday along with $400.00 worth of other purchases from assorted stores throughout Forsyth County for our Easter feasts (which, were carefully planned and budgeted though he exceeded the budget).

“I already got Jelly Beans at the Dollar tree,” I told him.

“These are gourmet. They’re Jelly Belly’s and they come in a hundred different flavors. I got you your favorite – black – the licorice ones. See – they’re all at the bottom of the bag.”

Indeed they were – in a small bag, barely one fourth the size of the bag I purchased for $1.00. The price tag based on weight, would have sent the National debt into doomsday (which, coincidently, was the title of the local paper’s business section this morning. I mention this because the size of the national debt, the size of my local paper, the size of the no-name bag of jelly beans, the size of the gourmet bag of Jelly beans and the fact that the US Banking System will no longer offer free checks, are my next blog, and why I had nightmares last night).

Bethania Moravian Brass Band 1900 Image

I had to eat all the other beans from the bag in order to get to the black Jelly Bellies. Obviously there was a flavor that disagreed with me, and gave me nightmares, which, began about two AM.

I had fallen asleep when suddenly, a band playing brass instruments was serenading me outside my window and I was being profusely kissed by a hundred or so tongues. I sat up, fumbled for the bed light and said damn, while my other hand tried to find the TV clicker.

Seven Yorkie puppies attacked me in unison, one dropped the TV clicker, (which, I really had been certain that I turned off the TV because my glasses were off and my book closed and by the lamp).

Angel Yorkies

We normally only have six Yorkie puppies in bed, but this weekend, our youngest daughter was here to celebrate Easter with us because she knew her dad would buy gourmet Jelly Bellies. She brought our first born girl Yorkie, Mizzie, who had to sleep with all her brothers and sisters, as well as mom, dad, and us. Thankfully they are small dogs, weigh less then one full grown Golden Retriever or the like – but oh – they often seem like 101 Dalmatians.    

Okay, so back to finding the TV clicker AKA remote (which, may disintegrate at a moments notice because of the thousand of tiny razor sharp teeth marks that cover the plastic).  We will be SOL if this no longer works because the BIG Screen TV, which we purchased at Sam’s Club, only operates by REMOTE (This will be another rant one day because the TV has NO buttons etc on the TV itself).

Anyway, the Brass Band I thought I heard was real and still playing.

Bethania Easter Sunrise 1950s

“We’re late for Easter Sunrise Service, I thought even though it was next to impossible to be late for this memorable Moravian Easter tradition because we live across the street from our Church. It sounded very clearly that the service had already started.

I leaned over the bed and looked at the clock.  Of course, how could I forget – Moravian tradition, celebrated for centuries - the Night Watch. and the early morning call of the brass instruments for all to wake. Here in Bethania, the brass instruments have played the same notes for more then 250 years, and I think last night, the band added something new because I most definitely heard a voice that said, “If this doesn’t wake them nothing will.”

Mom Zoie . . . Leader of the Pack

The puppies agreed and proceeded to add their own version of a brass band calling a small Moravian town awake to celebrate the promise and hope for a new beginning.  However, next year, I think I'll ask for a separate bag of black Jelly Beans and get a new remote control that is encased in metal. 

Viruses, Death, Taxes . . . and Why I'm Ready for Spring

March has been a busy month for me. Three of my computers contacted viruses, died, and although now resuscitated, (almost) I lost a lot of data even though I did do a back up on an external drive, but I think the drives may have a virus as well.

Yesterday I killed two space heaters, not intentionally, but because of my clumsiness. The first one was by my desk in my shop.  I was so excited after spending all week completing my taxes and e-filing them myself, that I jumped from my chair in celebration and knocked the heater over, breaking off the wheels and the cover. Dead - and rendered utterly useless. Oh well I thought, Spring is almost here, the birds are singing, the weather outside comfortable, the building finally heating up on its own, and at least my taxes are done.

But I didn't stop there. After closing up the shop and going to upstairs to our home, I opened up the back porch to accommodate the puppies - six of them, then sat down at my desk, and proceeded to knock over an identical heater, which also broke its wheels, flipped off the cover, and rendered it useless.

At least I have my taxes done and I'll be able to use my refund to buy massive quantities of Spring cleaning supplies at the Dollar Tree! 

March Issue of All Things Girl

An American Portrait: Chief John Grass by Bev Hamel

It is January and I am taking a break from my MFA residency at Goddard College in Vermont. I just finished trekking through snow into the town of Plainfield to visit my favorite haunt – an obscure little bookstore that bursts with endless shelves of books no longer in print.  The proprietor recognizes me as I have purchased many books from him during my almost two years at Goddard. He leads me through winding rooms into what was once a kitchen area, climbs a ladder and then brings down a heavy box. He tells me, “We just got these books in from an estate. I haven’t had a chance to catalogue them yet, but you are welcome to take a look.”
read more at All Things Girl!

Why Things Happen for a Reason . . . and My Writer's Slump

Ida Miller

Sometimes 'things' come into my possession for unknown reasons, such as the two trunks I purchased soon after I opened my antique shop in 1997. Both the trunks and their contents were destined for the trash pile so of course I had to save their destiny.

The trunks sat in my back room for many moons until I finally had the opportunity to open them. Inside one trunk was vintage clothing from the turn of the century. Inside the other trunk beneath more cloth, were yellowed and deteriorating papers and letters.

Frank Miller

The letters and papers captured my imagination. There are often  times I can't part with 'things' and this was one such occasion. Eventually I would come to find that the material dated back to the Civil War era and ended abruptly in the early 1970's. I organized them in files and folders, attempted to categorize them, and told myself, "I will write a book one day."

But then I got caught up in life, school, and writing other books and stories, as well as amassing other boxes and collections of papers from someone else's past.

My Mess

Over the past year I have been in a writer's slump. I kept going from one project to another and never completed anything.  My store and desk area became a disgrace, piles of books and boxes of papers were stacked everywhere. They spilled over into the other two rooms  next to me and barely allowed me enough room to pass through. Each pile and box had a purpose - their contents held material for one of my stories - some were destined for books I wanted to write.

Clint or Frank Miller

I was good at finding excuses why I couldn't write, which is why I started to schlog. Then the puppies came along in November, of course there was Christmas, snow filled January, Valentines Day, my birthday, and both my laptop and main computer got viruses and had to be crashed and wiped out of everything. I think they are back, though I lost a lot of material including digital pictures and videos that did not get saved.  

The good news is that I am out of my writer's slump. I have story that will be published in the coming online issue at Allthings Girl, and today, a woman called after finding a blog I did last fall on, Clint Miller, Lost History and Winston-Salem.

Ida Wharton Miller and Child

It turns out she is a descendent of the material in the trunks. All the trunks belonged to a different branch; however, the history inside is hers. She was so excited she called her 94  years-young father.  So know I no longer have an excuse for feeling slumpy about what to write about.

Which is why I am a firm believer that 'things' happen for a reason.

Why I Have The Yorkie Puppy Blues

The puppies are ten and a half weeks old now and I get sadder by the minute because I must let some go to new homes. I and my husband have become so attached. Our nightly ritual is to put the gates up, bring out the snake ball tunnel, then bring puppies out of the palace. The atmosphere is mayhem as well as a mass puppy kiss attack. The littlest, Aggie, who is on the far right, is a clown. She may be small, but she has no qualms about chasing after her bigger brothers and sisters.

Aggie

Daddy Zack prefers to watch from outside the gates when the puppies are  out. Mommy Zoie has as much fun as the puppies. I really don't know how she is going to take letting her puppies go. She actually sits on her perch above the place and nods her head up and down to make sure all the puppies are there. My daughter Kristen is taking Mizzy. So I know one will be going to a good home and Kristen has promised to bring Mizzie over often.

Aggie and Chewie are going to stay with us. Mackie and Lizzie are why I have the Yorkie puppy blues. Wouldn't you too if you had to choose?

Chewie, Mizzie, Mackie, and Lizzie

Five Yorkie Puppies Ten Weeks Old

Five Yorkie Puppies 9 Weeks Old

Why I Am Wearing Red on Wednesday, January 26, 2011

This isn't about the bombing in Moscow, but it easily could be, and another 911 in America. Today I learned that the school systems here in North Carolina are in jeopardy.  This is not the all of it, because in most states, your legislature is in the throes of voting. Budget cuts - everywhere and the biggest target is in statewide school systems.

I was privy to my own school systems pending cuts, a locality where there is just slightly under 10% unemployment and God (as well as Social Services) knows, the growing illegal aliens who drain the available funds.

So I sent a message to my states representatives,--- Please, please do not cut our school systems' budget. Yes, the unemployment rate rises, you've taxed us to the breaking point, gas prices are rising, as are food prices and necessities of life - heat- water- medicine. So, do we have less students now then a year ago - I think not. TODAY MY DISABLED DAUGHTER'S  Vice Principal called because my daughter saw her name cut from a list of students who would be eligible for work/study. Only students who were graduating could be on his program. Because my daughter has the right to attend school until she is 21, she has been canceled, the why - the budget and other "normal" students who need this requirement. I didn't mention that this school gets additional funding, which should include each child who attends the school, to have the funding available.


NOT.

Just because parents lose jobs due to job cuts, does not mean, NC kids are disappearing. Nor are kids falling out of other school systems. The population is growing - NOT deteriorating. So - why are school systems on the edge that is being cut?     

Where did the kids go and where are the teachers and why don't you take a pay cut --- instead of throwing away our future - our children.

Not to mention ignorant legislature morons and the epidemic unemployment - if you ignore the rising gas prices - how can people who lost jobs, get anywhere to find a job?

Oh, never mind - I already heard your answer - cut school jobs.

Who cares? After all - it's not your child is it? And of course you are a paid public servant. 

Please - stop the madness.

Sorry for this rant - but it was coming.

This morning I received the following email:

 Thank you for emailing Senator Brunstetter with your thoughts about this year’s budget. 

This year, the General Assembly faces an estimated budget shortfall of about $3.7 billion, meaning that the challenge before the Legislature is to write a budget that is about 18% lower than past budgets.  Senator Brunstetter recognizes and appreciates your concerns about budget cuts to education, and he also recognizes that education as a whole accounts for about 60% of the current budget.  Unfortunately, for this reason, it does not seem likely that spending can be reduced without impacting education.  I will be sure to bring your thoughts to his attention as the budget process begins, because no final decisions have been made yet.

Thank you again for your note.

Best,

Sarah Hardin

Research Assistant

Office of Senator Peter S. Brunstetter

2020 Legislative Building

16 W. Jones St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.733.7850

Five Yorkie Puppies Playing Eight Weeks Old

Five Times Three Equals Fifteen Pounds of Puppy Love

Yesterday, Bud the Plumber and I slyly shut Zack and Zoie in their room then packed Mackie, Mizzie, Lizzie, Chewie, and Aggie in two carriers and took them to the Vet for their second de-worming. The Vet was prepared for us and a parade of attendants came to get the puppies in the pouches.

The puppies caused quite a stir, everyone had to look. "Who's Who?" they asked.

Because Bud the Plumber and I had only four hands between us when we packed the puppies, I had to randomly get a furry moving target, so I peeked in the blue bag first.

"Chewie and Aggie. I think you'll be able to tell who's who - Chewie is a boy, Aggie is a girl. That means Mackie, Mizzie and Lizzie are in the black bag. Mackie is a boy, and Mizzie has a little white on her chest and is the biggest girl, which means the last pup is Lizzie."

Off they went and left me to pace the waiting room floor. Less then fifteen minutes later the parade returned.

"What are you feeding the puppies?" asked the Vet.

"IAMS puppy canned food and dry mixed four times a day. Plus all the dry food they can play in."(I thought I saw dollar signs fluctuating while simultaneously a half of a dozen people, picked up their cell phones and distinctly said, "Buy IAMS."


In the mean time the Vet asked, "Where do you purchase IAMS?

"Pet Smart."

The Vet turned to me with eyes (that once again strangely resembled $'signs).--- "You should cut down to three mixed bowls of food a day,"  then I was handed  papers which included the processes for this day's visit at our Vet.

Back home the puppies were once again settled in their puppy palace, Zack and Zoie let out of their room, and all was well once again, sort of, after the barking, kissing, and potty pad frenzy.