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Comment on: The Pepperhawks' Farm Journal

Kentucky Ice Storm

96 Comments

Peppermint2

I'm ashamed to admit this but... better you than me. It hit 28deg last night in my part of the Left Coast and that is far enough for me.

Slice of ice

You can almost hear the ice in those photos.

boaz

Yep, while we had that ice storm the temps here were in the low 20s and into single digits at night. It didn't take long for the house to get cold under those conditions.

Believe me I understand your sentiments. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

xpressit

LOL! I like that, slice of life and yes it was crackling like crazy. You wouldn't dare and stand under any of those trees for fear something would come down and hit you.

Krud

can't see the pics on my work 'puter.

I've been through ice storms a bunch of times. Dallas/Ft Worth is in that band that goes through the Memphis area and down to Atlanta that gets more ice storms than snow. Longest I was without power growing up was 5 days in Dallas. During that storm, I was up folding the papers for my route that morning, watching the transformers exploding all over the place. Had to walk much of the route, since trees 3-4 ft thick had toppled across the roads in some areas.

Craw

Wow! What an experience you had in Dallas. Popping transformers all over. It's a wonder you didn't get killed delivering those papers.

Oh well if you've seen ice storms these pics will be no big deal to you.

St Gracie,

Now you've gone and made me all homesick for a Maine winter. I always loved blizzards and have many fond memories of being snowed in. Thankfully we always lived in houses with fireplaces. Ice on trees is dangerous but beautiful. I love those pictures.
I would have followed those footprints to see where they went, though I suspect they have been made by your Angel checking in on you.

Peppermint2

Having grown up in Iowa, I used to like winter. All the snow, ice storms where the trees looked like they had been painted with ice and shimmered in the sunshine. Now I don't like it quite so much.

Trust all is well. You folks are troopers!

lucie

That must be it. My angel Jeff made those foot prints. Had to be. They start out from nowhere and stop at nowhere. Thank you for that.

I bet it does make you homesick for that beautiful snow and ice in Maine where you skated your heart out.

Yes it is dangerous and tonight we are having winds gusting from 50 to 60mph. I figure all the weakened branches will come down. There is already debris all over the roads and our roof will probably fly off tonight. That would be our luck.

AL (Mrs. Always Learning)

I used to like the snow, but I don't like the ice. The trees do look beautiful with it on them but it really takes a toll on them.

Now I don't enjoy winter as much except I like warm cozy sweaters and comfortable humidity. The summers here are very humid. Ugh.

Well now we're having a wind storm, with gusts up 60mph. We'll probably lose the roof tonight to add to our collection of problems. Does it ever end?

Ice is pretty on the trees but I would

not wish it on anyone short of Obama. Many trees won't ever recover from ice damage. My first year in Dallas was the year of our "great ice storm." I'd just moved here from St. Louis to "get away from the cold." What a surprise! I've never been without power for more than a full day, I can only imagine how three days must be - most of us just aren't prepared for that kind of hardship. Glad you and your family (and animals) survived. Keep warm!

Garnet92

That's what I'm worried about how many trees will not survive that ice. It's gone now, but it was on those trees for days on end.

I'm glad you have not been w/o power for more than a day. 3 days are bad but some people in KY got it a lot worse and some still don't have power. I really feel for those people.

Now is that not ironic to move to Dallas and get a big ice storm there your first year too?

We survived it. Now I hope we survive this humongous wind storm we're having. The roar is deafening. It was bout this time last year we had a tornado come over us.

Thanks for coming by.

The Snow Angel!

Such a very lovely thought from Purplegimp!)

Beautiful pictures, especially of Shadow and Mystic! "Those oldies but goodies, remind me of you!" Remember "Midnight Cowboy" and the scene about Orange Juice On Ice? Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman jumping up and down to the commercial trying to warm up.

Not funny if you have to live through it! Just happy you are okay. Strong winds scare me almost as much as fire. You will no doubt be waking up to a yard full of limbs! Take care, Pepp!

Now I see 'em!

Good pics, Gracie. Shadow and Mystic look like they're dealing okay.

Pepp

A few years ago we had an ice storm like you had. We lost a lot of branches from the trees and several bushes in front and all the bushes on the one side of the house. I hope you are luckier then we were and don't lose any bushes or trees.

The pictures are wonderful I can almost hear the ice cracking on the branches.

Good luck with the wind your getting. Hopefully it will blow all the downed branches away.

Pepp & Ron

glad you survived with out FEMA. We got mostly snow, about 8-10 inches, THEN the ice. But our house didn't lose power, LUCK. Man, Dinty Moore sure tastes good when you're camping.....I'd love a close up shot of those prints in the snow, I'm an amateur tracking student....hang on, springs almost here!

Absolute proof

Well pepper: this is absolute proof of Global Warming. Please send in your membership to AlGoreScaresUs.com. Drop by and see my latest.

It's very beatiful in Post Card...

I hate the cold unless I'm psyched for it...and everything is working.

Dawndawn

I thought that thought from Lucie was lovely too.
Yes, I remember Midnight Cowboy and those guys trying to stay warm. What a movie that was!

We're ok for now but the winds have not stopped. It's been a constant roar for hours and hours. We hate to see what it will look like tomorrow. We already have so many downed branches that you can't really see in the pic with white on white.

Craw

Cool, so you can see the pics now at home.

Shadow used to hate cats and kill them. But after Foxy died he was lonely for someone to protect I guess. Well Dakota is like a little King Tut and acts like he needs nothing. So when Mystic showed up here, somebody dropped him I guess, Ron took him in and now Shadow and he are the best of friends and Shadow looks for him at night if he isn't around and rounds him up to get him inside. It's really funny.

Pepper

I lived through a few of those in West Virginia, no fun whatsoever other than school was cancelled.

New Post at my place!

I Am Glad It Was Only 3 Days

In the NW Mississippi Ice Storm of 1994, we were out 41 days in the City of Clarksdale. Worst, I was the Operations Manager of the Clarksdale Public Utilities (electric, water, and sewer). Over 98% of the city's electric poles were broken (I know, I counted them). Temperatures at night in our house would get to below 35 degrees.

However, we had gas heat and a gas water heater. Until I got an electric generator on Day 9, we used the gas water heater and filled all sinks and tubs with hot water to heat the house.

My wife had the real problems, as I was working 15 to 20 hour days. She got her parents to Grenada, MS to stay with her father's brother. She set up a "soup kitchen" for the old people in our neighborhood and cooked meals on our gas-fired grill outside. She and two of her friends set up a "walking" daily check of a 4 or 5 square block area to keep tabs on everyone.

After Day 9, help from the outside started coming in and things got better.

I hope the storms yesterday did not cause you any problems. It was windy in Mississippi (and I was on the road from 7:00am) going to Greenville, Belzoni, and Yazoo City. My trucj was blown all over the road.

davecat

We Kentuckians are able to take care of ourselves down here. Kentuckians are a hardy, sturdy people used to surviving on their own and on the land. As you probably noticed you didn't see people whining that the gubmint was not coming in to give us all mobile homes and credit cards to buy stuff with.

Yeah, I heard you got mostly snow. We had about a foot of snow and ice by the time the entire storm was over.

You're right, when you're hungry and cold Dinty Moore stew didn't taste so bad. Rather enjoyed it as it was a break from the tomato soup. LOL!

Now Lucie already identified those tracks as my Angel Jeff, so there ya go.

I cannot wait for spring to get here this year. I'm really done with winter.

rackoons

AlBore should have come down here to see his globull warming going on. Of course with his delusions he probably would have thought the ice was white sand causing KY to become a desert. Moron.

I'll try to get over later today. Thanks.

Cindy

I don't mind the cold so much, but I don't like all that ice causing problems like it did. Other than that I just bundle up everything on me and get out in it. It's that brisk feeling that feels good.

Pep

I don't think I mentioned it, but I also lost my power when we had the wind storms here in MI over the holidays. Thankfully since our situation was more localized...3 blks away they had power...I was able to check into a motel for a few days. Obviously I couldn't take the cat, but unlike you, I decided that since she had a fur coat, she would just have to suffer for a few days. I checked on her daily, and while she was none too happy, she did fine. Unfortunately my houseplants were not so fortunate. About half died during the 5 days the power was out, the other half slowly succumbed over the next couple of weeks. The lone survivor was my Yucca. That was the only one I really cared about. When I got it 15 years ago it was about 2 1/2 feet tall, today it stands at just over 6 ft.

My point, hope springs eternal, so I hoping that any favorite trees you have will weather the storm...I know, REALLY bad play on words...LOL!

In closing, while your experience sounds brutal, the images are absolutely breathtaking. You really are good kiddo.

Have a great day.

St Gracie,

You just never learn. There ya go, saying nice things about me again. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

That's the spirit!

Takin' pictures, snugglin' up and the radio....Nice!

Got a new rant, er, um, post up at my place, I can even serve alky-hawlick beverages...Not as good as JamApple, but...

Pepp & Gos! Thanks

for sharing your ordeal and the pictures were awesome.
Glad your electricity is back on.

Georgetwin

Wow, you must have been young when you went through one to have school canceled. Being off school is always fun.

GrayGhost

OMG! That is so awful. 98% if the poles broken. What a nightmare. That is what happened in Louisville, on the western border of KY and they were in the worst shape. Don't know how many poles broke off though.

41 days you were w/o power?? Ah the gas heat and water heater saved you a bit.

How nice your wife set up a soup kitchen for the older folks in the neighborhood. What a really great thing for her to do to check on people every day like that. Super woman you have there.

well the storms yesterday just did their usual, blow more shingles off the roof, more tree branches down, that kind of thing. No real major damage except to the roof which is leaking is two places already before this storm, but our landlord is going to replace the roof when the weather permits.

I bet your truck was blown all over. They always issue warnings down here for high profile vehicles with all the windy weather we get to stay off the roads or be very cautious while driving.

Anyway, I see you have had your share of the weather gods. Glad you made it through all of it OK.

Bryce

No you never said anything about losing your power over the holidays. Was that Christmas or Thanksgiving?

Ah, checking into a hotel sounds great as long as they have power. I would have snuck the cat in after I checked in. LOL! Hide her under your coat etc.

well I didn't worry about Mystic too much, the little buster runs around all over outside in the darndest weather. And they can feed themselves and use a litter box. Right, they have plenty of fur to keep them warm. But you just can't leave dogs alone like that.

Oh, dear, you lost most of your house plants. That is really a bummer. So you have a 6ft tall Yucca in your house? It doesn't have too far to go before it won't fit. Can you trim them down when that happens?

The favorites in our yard are the maples and the chestnut trees so I hope they survive. Ha, ha, not a bad pun.

Yeah the pictures are beautiful and everything sparkles like a wonderland, but then you think about the damage and you want to close your eyes to it.

Thanks Bryce and you have a great day too.

Lucie

It wasn't me who started it. It was Dawn and I just agreed with her. Don't I get a out of jail card?

Nee

I'll try to get over tomorrow. It's been a crazy day here. Server went down last night and didn't come back up until this morning due to wind storm.
I could use a rant.

Willibeaux

No problem sharing the pics. We're glad the power is back on too. It went off a couple of times during the windstorm but came back on. We were thinking OH NO!

But, it's nice to be warm again. Lots of damage out in the yard though and lots of cleanup to do.

St Gracie,

Sorry. You can't put the blame for this one on Dawn. You did start it, so no card, get of jail free or otherwise. Reread your first paragraph. All Dawn did was reinforce you point. She gets a big loud Grrrrrrrrrrrrr too. But you know better. I work so hard to make Helen Thomas look like Glinda, the good witch of the north compared to me.
Little does O Reilly know!

Lucie

OMG! You want to look meaner than Helen Thomas?
Now that is going a bit far, not to mention the woman is bugly. You are not bugly.

I will refrain however from ever doing it again, saying anything nice about you. Of course I promised that in the past and have failed once again. Bummer.

peppermint

Thank you for sharing those pictures. It looks so COLD. I mean really cold.

By the way has Obama come down there yet to speak with you and ask you what you need?

Sue

Obama has never stepped into this state. He knows better than to ever come here. Kentuckians are not too fond of him if you know what I mean. Everyone down here is locked and loaded.

Pepp

THAT was definitely bad news. I would rather deal with 3' of snow than that clear ca-ca that you got hit with.Never minded a blizzard too much,but ABHOR ice storms.Glad to hear you guys are doing OK.

St Gracie,

Looking mean isn't about physical appearance. It's like a cloak that sort of sits on you and only lets the mean show through.
Strangely enough, Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, lived in Maine and taught me how to 'do' her laugh of evility, complete with hand motions. Oddly enough, she was a very nice woman. I am not.

Clyde

We're OK. Only 3 days w/o power. We got luckier than some. It sure has made a mess though. We have tons of branches to clean up in the yard and some branches are still hanging by shreds.
Thanks.

Lucie

Ah, I see, like an aura around you that gives out the notion that no one better mess with the QOE.

Interesting that you were taught how to laugh wickedly by Hamilton. Strange also she was nice. Strange that you are mean, but trust me I do agree with you. You are the meanest, most evil person I have ever run across.

St Gracie,

That's better. But you forgot "And getting meaner by the day".
I don't keep Nasrallah in line by being nice. The IDF doesn't want to use my plan for sweeping up the terrorists from fear of being accused of war crimes. I think that all the mothers of all the soldiers should be lined up with brooms and allowed to go after the terrorists with our brooms. Make a clean sweep of things.

Pepp, I'm late

But I'm here. I actually saw your post a couple of days ago, but my life was going 110 miles an hour and I didn't have time to comment. I know you're not out of the woods yet, (literally, too), but I see a definite improvement in your outlook as reflected in your writing. Even though that ice storm was a tough situation for you guys, this post seems to have a lighthearted attitude. Still praying for you two. Stay warm.

Lucie,

I completely agree with your plan for the terrorists. Get those brooms out and working. Mad mothers can be very dangerous.

bob's my uncle

I tried to put a little light in this last post because my other ones have been such downers. Believe me it's a fake light heart I used.

After awhile you can't keep allowing people to see or hear your agony. They get sick of it. Life goes on for them, but it sticks in neutral for us here.

I'm just glad we made it through that storm w/o having to move out of here to a center.

Pep

It was over Xmas that I lost power, but like I was saying it was due to windstorms, and just 3 blks away they had power.

The other bummer was that in the two days before the windstorms we had over a foot of snow. The wind was a byproduct of a warm front that sent temps into the 50s, all the snow melted, and there was extensive flooding. My house is a split level, with the living room, dining room, and kitchen all below ground level. Well you guessed it, when I checked out of the motel I returned to find my first floor under a foot of muddy water. My carpet, kitchen cabinets, floor tiles, bathroom vanity...all ruined. This in a house I'm trying to sell.

I didn't mention it at the time because it's all so insignicant compared to what you were going through at the time.

Bryce

Oh, no over Christmas! Then you come home to that disaster in your house. How horrible. Did your insurance cover it? I sure hope so.

Those were a lot of ruined items you had in there.

I am assuming you have not sold the house as yet?
Are you staying in Michigan or moving to another state?

stroms and grief

"After awhile you can't keep allowing people to see or hear your agony. They get sick of it. Life goes on for them, but it sticks in neutral for us here."

Boy you said a mouthful. However, count me among the many who don't forget but share your agony. Even if life goes on, it sounds too reminiscent of what MoveOver was to Bubba.
But I understand that exact notion completely...been there.

In "neutral" qualifies as a gear, I think.

There's a lyric in Nazereth's
'hair of the dog' which I won't remind you of here. Funny you mention that notion because this storm was also an ordeal. (even if in a different perspective from the larger, I'm sure)

xpressit

I know you share in my agony as you have had yours to contend with. I really appreciate that.

That storm was just one more thing we did not need on top of everything else. I even had to go through another PET scan and another MRI before the first month of my son's death was over. Ron and I both got really sick too the first month with Ron nearly having pneumonia.

Then when that storm hit we just looked at one another like "when does this end?" Do we get a break somewhere here? All of it in one month was just too much.

Late to the party,

As usual.

Spring is coming. The grass will rise. The sun will shine.

Hope things are starting to warm up for you out there. We are finally getting rid of some of this global warming out this-a-way.

And I find it hard to believe that Obama and the Democrats are not up in arms about FEMA not being there for you.

Sheesh.

Be well.

Down here in Houston...

...my 10 year old longs for snow. If he would see these pix he'd think y'all were the luckiest people. I have to say it is beautiful. And we had to go through Hurrican Ike down here. We were w/out power for about 15 hours. DD

DD

Well show the pics to your ten yr old and see what he thinks.

I know you guys got hit with Hurricane Ike. Really bad too.

Cinti got hit with it. It was unbelievable. We got some really high winds that tore off tree branches and took off shingles, but nothing like they got in Cinti.

Paulie

BHO and his cohorts don't dare and step into this state of KY. They are not welcome here I can tell ya that much. And we don't need their damn FEMA either. People here can make it without the Feds.'
Unlike some other cry babies I know.

This certainly was a whole lot

different than the Katrina reaction. A big difference between a red and blue state.

Smokey Joe

Sure was. You didn't hear any of us Kentuckians asking for credit cards with money to spend on strip bars and liquor or mobile homes to live in.

Yep, that's the difference between red and blue.

Down here, it's fighting red. BHO won't step foot in this state. He never campaigned here one time knowing he had no chance in this state. And, he certainly won't be looking our for us either, but no one expects it.

KY people are hardy, make do people with what they got.

Only the Mexican farm workers get any good treatment from the Feds.

Hey Pep

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Unfortunately my insurance did not cover it because the damage was ruled to have been caused by an internal 'water backup' caused by roots in my drainage line and not an intrusive flooding. It's the same kind of dodge the insurance companies used after Katrina and Rita to avoid paying lots of claims. So I'm shouldering the cost of cleanup and repair, which is ongoing. The good news is I've made a big dent, and my kitchen and laundry room which were actually looking kind of shabby will benefit. I'm taking a break from refinishing the kitchen cabinets as I write this, and they are looking WONDERFUl!

Anyway, way to much about me and my trivial concerns, what's up with you? I read some of the posts you've written in the last few days and I have to tell you that I sense a definite shift in your tone. Am I right? Are you in fact feeling like the weight of recent events is being less overwhelming?

Sure hope so.

I've given up going to the debate pages here on a lawyer's advice, but I just couldn't help coming here to stay connected to you. Write back, I want to hear how you're doing.

Pep

An addendum about me. The housing market here is awful. Signed with a new realtor around Thanksgiving and haven't had so much as a nibble. Obviously, things are on hold while I fix the place up, but I'm not holding out hope regardless.

As far as leaving Michigan, actually I going back to school this spring as part of a state program so I won't be relocating any time soon.

See ya.

Gunny

Thanks. We go through it just fine.

Bryce

I'm not doing too good actually. I hate to say that but things have taken a turn for the worse.

I'm sorry about your house, but you seem to have it under control. I know it's difficult to sell a house in this market.

What do you mean you are not debating on the advice of a lawyer? I don't understand what you mean.

What will you be doing when you go back to school, I mean what are you going to study? Something new and interesting I hope.

Yeah, please stop by anytime Bryce. You're most welcome here.

Hmmm...

...mystery footprints? Well, obviously, the Butler did it!

So glad to see you've made it through this intact and with your sense of humor alive and kicking as well. I still say that bears have the right idea. Go to sleep for the winter and not wake up until Spring!

Peppermint

Wow!!
What a Whiteout!

I have been stuck inside a couple snow storms here in Colorado. It definitely keeps you closer as a family!! nice photos!!

God Bless!!

Jason

Hey Pep

I'm sorry to hear that things aren't good for you. Not to be a Pollyanna or anything, but this is all so fresh for you, it's bound to be a rollercoaster for quite a while. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that for me, the whole first year after my Mom's suicide was a blur, and to tell the truth, my overwhelming feeling was one of numbness. Did you ever get an opportunity to check out the S.O.S. meetings you heard about in your area? Like I said, I found it incredibly helpful to be with people who understood what I was going thru. Also, the idea that I was actually doing something helped in terms of focus.

I'll find out more about school next week, it's part of a state retraining program. I'm hoping to get into geriatric occupational or physical therapy. I like the idea of doing something that will make a difference in someone's life, rather than just earning a paycheck.

I'm thinking about you Kiddo, and hope you can feel the positive energy I'm telegraphing your way.

Hi Bryce

No things are not too good for me right now. We are starting in a survivor group this coming Tuesday and I hope that will help me and Ron too.
We'll see how this goes.

I have a friend in Minn. who I became acquainted with on the survivor forum and we talk to one another via phone. She lost her son in August. Talking to her helps a great deal too. So I'm hoping the same help will be gotten within this new group. It is only about a half hour from us and is just starting up.

I know that you suffered badly too over your mother's death and I continue to pray for you over that also. This is not something we ever "get over".

My problem now is that more pain is being heaped on me by my DIL. I don't want to go into it here publicly. It's just too much.

The careers you are considering sound very good. I like to be in things that help others too. It's a good feeling to be able to be of help to others.

Thanks for thinking of me and I will feel your positive forces coming my way.

wow

amazing pictures.

Back in the late 80's or early 90's, I can't remember, there was an ice storm in October where I used to live (Elk Horn Iowa, small town of 600). We were without power for a week. I was about 5 or 6 then, and it was a blast for me, but not for my parents! We stayed at my neighbors house because of his fireplace. Other than that we played board games and cards inside, and my brother and I would sit and slide on the ice outside.

It looks like yours was much worse though. Wish there would have been a quicker response for all of you there.

Pep

Again, it really breaks my heart each time I think about you, because I know that's there's nothing that I or anyone else can do to ease your pain. I feel even worse when I have to add rather bluntly that it's likely to get worse before it gets better. I know that's probably hard to even imagine considering how you feel now, but unfortunately it's the nature of this kind of shocking event.

The thing that strikes me though is that you really do seem to have a handle on this Pep. I mean, this only happened a couple of months ago and yet you already seem to have an amazing degree of perspective. No doubt your years of counseling has helped you in that regard.

Regarding your DIL, I don't need to tell you how things like this can expose and deepen fault lines in relationships. But if it helps at all, whatever is going on with you is probably part of her working out her grief as well. I have a rather cold question about that. Do you really need to be engaged with her now that your son is gone?

Bryce

Thanks for your kindness once again. Yes, I am struggling but I do think my years of therapy have helped me so much in getting through all of this. I am so grateful that I did all the work I did in therapy now. Who knew I would have needed that at that time, to get through this.

I have no desire to be in any kind of relationship with my DIL. What she did was cut me off from my grand children. I am not allowed to see them ever again.

Why? I have no idea. She is supposed to send a letter to me about it. It makes me wonder why she can't tell me to my face instead of this.

My shrink said he is going to dump all her own rage, guilt, and blame onto me since she cannot deal with it. So he told me to expect the worst of the worst, that she will blame me for Jeff's death, their marriage going sour, anything she can think of to make this all my fault.

I see this happening to some other mothers on the online suicide survivor group. It is really sad to say the least.

The worst part is I don't see how she can do this to the kids. They just lost their father. Now they are being cut off from their favorite granny. It's too horrifying to say the least about what this will do them. You know how people can blame themselves for things, especially little children and now they will wonder why Granny has abandoned them.

Pep

Sorry for the delayed response. I hardly know what to say about this thing with your grandkids. I was sort of alluding to what your shrink said about your DIL in my post, I just didn't want to make assumptions without knowing the facts. But he is so on target.

I think I mentioned earlier that one of the greatest tragedies of suicide is that the person who commits the act takes with them all the final answers, and hence any real resolution for those left behind. Obviously this is the case with your DIL, as you stated so succinctly in your post.

Again, I don't even know what to say about this lousy deal with your grandkids. And I think you know I'm rarely at a loss for words! What I can say is that as always, you're in my thoughts.

Keep your head up kiddo.

Bryce

Once again, thanks. I have to tell you that I am now feeling the full force of this with my grand kids and am feeling almost as bad as I did when Jeff died. I'm really struggling right now.

Git er done!!

Pepp and Ron...FYI the Closest Tea Party to ya...

Mar. 15
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fountain Square, Corner of Fifth and Vine Streets, Downtown Cincinati, OH
Contact: mike@cincinnatiteaparty.org

Oh, Pepp

I just read the last few comments. I am so sorry about this with your grandkids. I'm sorry I've been so scarce lately. My life just swallowed me up for the last few weeks.
I know you are dealing with a terrible new blow, and I hate it. Lord Jesus, please bring some comfort to my friend. Give her your peace. Amen.

Pepp

Hmmmm, just updating to the comments. This shows how much she really cares about the kids. (seems to be all her, very selfishly too) I think its called alienation like divorcees do. She certainly is trying all the tricks. More games and say nothing of how this affected them and you. She has some growing up to do...if ever. More prayers to you. I wonder if she is not trying to keep your wounds as fresh as she can. I also think she is projecting. She may also turn the kids from her. And what is the encourager doing?

Hey Pep

Just checking in to see how you're doing, nothing to report here except bitter cold and blistery winds.

I do have a question though. I was prompted by your situation to read up on Kentucky's position on Grandparent's legal rights. Truly depressing read. But I do wonder if there is some intermediary, like a mutual acquaintance, family member, or someone like that who might be able to appeal to your DIL on your behalf without the two of you of the ex having to engage?

Just a thought.

Bryce

That's an excellent idea. However I don't know of anyone who wants to get in the middle of it. You know how squeamish people get over these things.

My brother's wife might. She has thought about it, but I don't know if she wants to get involved. She was going to talk it over with my brother.

Other than that I have no one else who I think would want to get involved.

But, I'll think about that some more and see if I can think of someone who would. Everyone is afraid of my DIL for good reason. You cannot reason with her. And if it's something she does not want to discuss, she will shut that person down right away and in a not so nice manner.

We're expecting

9-12" of Glo-Bull Warming overnight, with a bit more tomorrow.

I wanna kick The Prophet Algoracle in the squirrel food.

Craw

Right. That's all we've had too is globull warming this winter. Heck, just look at the pics on here to see all our glubull warming.

I'd like to kick the Gorebore but someplace else that would really hurt. I also wish he would disappear off the face of the earth.

Hey there Pep

Just stopping by to say hello and see how you're doing. I hope you're feeling better than when I last checked with you. We had an absolutely beautiful day here in Michigan which buoyed my spirits considerably. I hope you had the same down your way and it's had an equally invigorating effect on you.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that as always you're in my thoughts. Take care kiddo.

Bryce

Thanks as usual for checking in with me. That's so kind of you to do so.

Not doing so good lately. But, I'm still here kicking. That's something.

No our day was not beautiful like yours. It was dreary and looked like rain any minute.

It is warming up so that helps a little.

Sounds like you are doing well. When do you start school or have you already?

Oh, I wanted to tell you our first group session worked out really well and we were pleased with it.

Pep

I'm so glad to hear about your meeting with the group. If your experience is anything like mine, you'll find it really does ease your burden immeasureably(?) to be among people who have experienced some of what you're going through. Like I've said before, one of the hardest things about surviving a suicide is that you begin to feel like you're so distanced from normal life, which, truth be told, you in fact are since there's really nothing normal about losing someone you love this way.

I feel so badly right now because I also know from experience that there's nothing I or anyone else can do to change what you're feeling right now. But if it's any consolation, please know that time really does help to heal, and if you can get past this you'll come out a stronger for it.

As always, I'm sending all the postive energy I can your way.

Take care.

ps

Regarding school, I'm hopefully starting in late May or early June. I'll keep you posted.

Bryce

The group is good because we don't have to NOT speak of our tragedies as some don't want to hear a thing about it. I know this one woman where she works not a thing has been said to her, not even, I'm sorry for your loss". She feels so terribly alone.

In the letter from my DIL, one of her "requirements" if I ever want to see the kids is I'm not allowed to ever speak Jeff's name again. Can you believe that? There were other requirements like "You will be supervised by me or another person I designate while visiting the children". What am I now a felon?

Of course I will not submit to any of her dictates and thus I won't be seeing the kids. There are other requirements that are so utterly ridiculous I won't go into them, but it's all a setup for Ron or I to make a mistake.
My doctor said never to allow her in our lives again she is so toxic.

I know there is nothing but time that heals this pain. There really is nothing anyone can do but it's awfully nice that you remember to check in with me. I do appreciate that a lot.

And, I hope your school goes well. Not too far off now. It will be a new adventure for you.

Thanks for stopping by again, Bryce. I think that is so nice of you. Come by anytime you want. I'll try to catch all that positive energy.

Hey Pep

Sorry it's been so long since I've checked in. I wish I could claim some legitimate excuse but the sorry fact is that I'm just a lazy sod...LoL!

A beautiful day here in Michigan, hopefully spring will be here to stay, although I'm not exactly counting on it. It brought to mind how much time can truly affect the wounds of the past.

It was this time of year when my mother's decline occurred, and until recently Spring was always a horrible time of year for me. I don't know if you've heard this before, but studies show it tends to be a difficult time for people with depression in general. The prevailing theory is that it goes back to the whole thing of beating up on yourself for the way you feel. Spring is supposed to be the time of rebirth and hope, but if you're feeling lousy, you beat up on yourself all the more for not sharing the uplift in spirits virtually mandated by the popular culture.

I suffered under this rubric for years, but the last few have actually found me invigorated by the change in season, and dare I say, even hopeful for the future...as much my constitution permits.

I say all of this first of all to illustrate the above about the healing aspect of time, but also because I'm concerned that you may be experiencing some of what I used to.

I certainly hope not, but either way I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on it, and what effect, if any, the change in season is having on you.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Bryce

Hey,no problem, just glad you checked in and good to hear from you.

I'm glad you're having a beautiful day in Michigan because we've had nothing but dreary weather for days. It seems the winter wants to stay here forever. It's dark all the time. I'll be glad to get this winter behind me and I think from now on winter is going to be something I dread, like you dreading spring due to your Mom's decline.

I can relate to spring being a horrible time for you and yes, I've heard that theory about so much depression in the spring because we're all supposed to be reborn and revitalized by it as the trees and plants are. It can be a very hard time if you don't feel all giggly and fun.

I'm looking forward to it myself this year because of this dreadful winter.

Popular culture can cause all kinds of problems for people, like whether you have a big flat screen tv or thin enough and like you thinking you have to be happy because it's spring.

I'm glad you're feeling hopeful this year. Perhaps the cloud in which you've lived under for so long is lifting and allowing you to start enjoying the change in seasons.

I'm looking forward to the spring and gardening hoping that will uplift my spirits somewhat but also afraid I will be disappointed if I don't feel any better than I do now.

On top of everything else, I find out Friday night my closest friend for 25 years is dying. It's seems I'm surrounded by death and loss and can't get away from it.

I usually enjoy spring and the fall and hate the summer for its' heat which I can't handle too well. And, I always looked forward to the crisp winter air and snow. But I don't think I'll ever again want winter, not after this one. It's been too awful and every year as Christmas approaches I'll be depressed I'm sure for sometime.

So glad you stopped in. Always good to hear from you and how you are doing too.

Remember Pep2

You and Goshawk are still in my prayers.

GrayGhost

Thanks for your prayers and still thinking of us.
We're still not doing so good. Thanks again.

Okay, Pepp

Time to put a new chapter in your story up. IT fits!

New one up at my place, too. Come out and play, we miss you!

Happy Easter Pepperhawks

Time to think about resurrection. We miss you guys. You're in my prayers.

Nee and davecat

Right, resurrection is a thought for today, but I've not been doing all that well lately. I keep trying,but this takes a lot of time to heal.

Ron does have his art web site up and running though. He worked on that while I sat or laid around depressed. Would you like to see it?

Thanks for stopping by and thinking of us.

Pepp

I've been to Ron's site, and I'm impressed very much with his work. Did I ever tell you I've a bachelor of fine arts? Good stuff Ron, but even better, is all the SOLD signs. That's what real! Good job ,we missed you both at the Tea Party in Cincy. Stop by to see pics.

davecat

No I didn't know you had a bachelors of art.
I'm glad you like Ron's works. We're hoping to get his business going again as he had stopped it for several years in LA taking care of his sister.

I know we miss you all too, but we are still trying to heal here. It's a long hard road and some days are better and some are worse than others.

I'm exhausted all the time and can't sleep right at night yet.

Pepp

You need to get out and have fun, forget the weight for a day. Think about it.

Pepp

missed you at the Tea Parties on Wednesday and Saturday. Just posted my report at The Swamp.

Kentucky Ice, in February?

Must be climate change - arrest GWB and the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy!

At least it wasn't brown...

I know it's been awhile, but at least I found your blog again. Other thoughts on recent history under the appropriate entries.

Dash

Hi Dash

Good to see you. Where you been? It sounds like you're writing again. That's a good thing.