 This is a fun little ditty that came to mind after speaking with my 26 year old daughter tonight about her plans for Halloween. The picture is home grown. I hope you enjoy the read. When my daughter was just a wee one, Reading scary Halloween stories was such fun. Ghosts and goblins and […]  Fat for starters. As my dear sister reminds me, I’m pushing 60 (she is such a sweetheart). Weight comes on quicker, goes off slower and distributes itself with a mind of its own. Oh yeah, I’m definitely afraid of fat. Stupid people with important jobs. There should be a standard rule that if you are […] 
Interesting to know there is one other well adjusted woman out there who doesn’t like clowns. JEFF ARE YOU READING? I absolutely want to run and hide when I see a clown. Talk about mistrust – clowns are at the top of my list. So glad to know there is someone else out there with this phobia. 
Now, Tammy, you should have consulted me on those nasty spiders.Remember my lovely history with them in Savannah. Hairspray! Stops them in their tracks and suffocates the little f—-kers! Forgive the cursing- but they scare me no end as you well know. 
Mickey, awesome to hear from you. Yes, I do indeed remember your horrible spider stories many years ago. They still give me chills. I have to run, gotta make a stop at the drug store for a case of hair spray. Thanks for posting!
Joan, now you know there are two of us who dislike clowns with great intensity. I still don’t know why, but I will go out of my way to avoid them. I’m not sure how that speaks to me being well adjusted … as I am aware of my many peculiarities. But that’s a whole other blog. Thanks for posting. 
Tammy 
Did you know that the sister who reminds you of your age is also afraid of clowns? What’s up with that? Ask her about a certain trip to Knotts Scary Farm that involved running, screaming and pulling my hair! LOL! Great post….living up to your new name, Witty Woman! XOXO
Kellie, Yikes, I can’t even imagine having a clown in my house. If God gave it to me I’d decline most respectfully. No kidding. It’s funny that it creeps your ex bf out too. Hahahaaa! Guess I’m not alone on the clown thing. Who knew?!
Lori, that is hysterical. I’m finding this out on my blog? Seriously? Wait, maybe it’s genetic, which would make me much more normal than I thought and offers me the opportunity to blame my family. Yeah, that’s it! It’s wonderful to know you are reading. Awesome. Just like you! 
Hi Tammy: I love the purple webpages and want the goldfish. If you go to my website you will understand why. Una Tiers 
Can’t…stop…laughing… LOL Tammy girl, you cracked me up with this one…I’m with you on all of these and clowns are just CREEPY! ~Kesha
Kesha, it was such a fun post to write. It all came so easy. As it turns out, I’m a big scaredy cat. And all these years I thought I was so tough. Nothing like writing to purify the soul and reveal the truth. Thanks for posting, love having you here. 
Tammy, I share the same fear regarding spiders.
OMG, I’m cringing as I’m reading your story. I love the part that you had your husband take the bag to the trash! We flush them down the toilet … twice. Talk about paranoid! I have to tell you that I switched my hairspray to an aerosol and sprayed a tiny spider in my sink one day. I swear I could hear his high pitch laugh. Yup, I went back to the old fashion kind right away. So happy to know that there are others out there that are as crazy scared of spiders as I am! Thanks for sharing, it was awesome!  Some would answer that God is religion. But whose God … and whose religion? Having been raised a Catholic by my father and a Baptist by my mother, I can attest to the confusion of it all. Where does God live and whose religion is the right one? Once I became an adult (some would […] 
“Respecting differences is respecting life”…oh, does that not hit it squarely on the head. So well put – and would that everyone would live by that advice – Thank you again Tammy, for cutting right to the point!
Well, Tammy – you have chosen a subject most people want to avoid. Next thing we know you will be talking politics. I, too, have experience with different religious practises. I have summed it up in one sentence – ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. Of course it would not fill a church, temple etc, or an offering plate. Who said money is the root of all evil. Never more true that now. While religion may give comfort and support, in my view, it also encourages a lack of responsibility. God provides….etc.
couldn’t have said it better myself. historically, religion has wrought havoc- faith and spirituality 
Wow!!! Very powerful and very true article. Thank you. I say “AMEN”
Hi Maureen, it sounds so profound when you say it. Haa! Wouldn’t you think that it’s just common sense?? Evidently not so much. There is so much I don’t understand about human nature. Thanks for posting!! 
I think you are correct in that God has little to do with religion.
Hi Joan, Interesting point you made about how religion may encourage a lack of responsibility – ‘God will provide’. I have never given that any thought and must consider that perhaps it does. Or perhaps faith is to some a reason to lean on others. I’d like to think not. Money matters. I get that. But faith, the spirit, the people, well, they all seem to get lost in the fray of it all so much of the time. I have tired of seeing the Vatican with all its gold, rubies, treasures while also seeing so many poor go without. I’m still trying to figure out how Mother Theresa was a Catholic. It’s all so much to take in and digest the fairness of. Until it all makes sense to me I think I shall go along with you and do unto others. Thanks for your two cents; it was worth so much more!
Hi Mickey, next time maybe you should write the blog. You said it so concisely. I know of a lot of established churches and synagogues that do wonderful things for their people but I also know there are so many political agendas, bloated salaries and polarizing beliefs. I’m at a quandary to understand why so much hate stems from religious beliefs. It’s all so ridiculous. So happy to hear from you. Thanks for chiming in, you’re awesome!
Hi Carmen, allow me to say AMEN back, sister! Thanks for being here and posting!
Hi Jeff, I also have pity little tolerance for religions and the people who follow them who feel it holy to suppress others by withholding rights, freedoms and inducing punishments. I’m willing to bet big bucks that God never wrote those rules! It feels so much of the time that religion is about power and money when it should be about soulful awakenings, sharing and helping each other and loving our neighbors. Oh, that’s just me being silly again. I shall keep blogging … but to stimulate myself to think. You are cordially invited to come along for the ride. Thanks for post, Jeff, appreciate you being here.
Money! Hmm! If you believe in God then it doesn’t matter whether you are poor and pray in the gutter or a multi-million dollar religious structure. 
My Dear, This is a huge subject to tackle and unfortunately there are no easy answers. I completely agree with you. I have also heard the theory that religion was basically invented to control populations. It appears to be working. We do realize there are many people in the world who are all about getting and having power.
Hi Cheryl, Yes, it is a huge subject. One that has garnered me a bit of hate mail. Hey, you’re nobody till somebody hates you, right? We are kindred spirits on the same page of religious thought. I too love the music .. all of it. That is what I miss the most. I too miss our thoughtful moments where we solved all the worlds problems, we will just have to consipre here. So happy to have you on the other side of my blog. Thanks for posting, it was awesome. 
It’s not money is the root of all evil but the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.
You are right, of course, Janna, it is the love of money which is the root of all evil. To blame money for ill doing would be like blaming a car for a murder in a driving accident or a gun for a shooting. Thanks for your input, it’s great to know that you are out there! 
Dear Tammy,
Hi Mel, I’m so delighted having you as a fan! I do have a belief in the goodness of humanity. I see and feel it all around me. Goodness abounds, but there also seems to be an endless supply of hatred and bigotry. Life is hard enough. Faith brings people together, religion seems to tear them apart. Knowing the difference between the two is salvation. So very happy to have you here, thanks for posting. 
God is like liquid, it takes shape of the container. Precisely it depends on your perception. So god even can be an agnostic or atheist.
Agastyan, so very interesting! Well spoken. Appreciate the note.  I found myself yelling those words at a young man in a public place. What happens to a seemingly normal (big stretch, I know) middle-aged woman that would bring her to yell such a thing to a teenage boy in a public place? Well, it’s like this. I began my day like any other. After […] 
I totally get that kind of day!!! You are hilarious. You keep me in stitches Tammy!
You are really witty about an everyday commonplace situation. I laughed and I would not be doing that if I was the one experiencing these scenarios. I sometimes carry a cane due to an arthritic knee – you would be surprised at what kindnesses that creates. Men hold doors open, women too. People smile kindly with goodness showing in their eyes. My infirmity tells them they are superior to me. Our societies breakdown is that we have no codes, no boundaries, no respect. Sometimes that is called “free speech”. I feel most of the blame is on the education system which teaches everything except the importance of being civilized. A story you might enjoy is about the old lady driving a huge old Cadillac, when a young man in a small car raced in front of her to take the parking space she was about to enter. He got out and smugly said.”that’s what you can do when you’re young”. She smashed into his car demolishing it and said to him…”that’s what you can do when you are old and rich…” Call the police if you want – I will buy you a new car, but you will wait awhile.
Joan, I so enjoyed your story! You are right, of course, there seems to be pity little consideration for manners and civility these days. A sorry state to be sure. When I was a kid I was taught from knee high to a grasshopper (yes, I really said that) to respect my elders. I know that not all elders deserve it, but respect and manners should be doled out in abundance. It would be a better place to live if they were. I can’t say I behave all that well myself. We all have our breaking points and I experienced mine. I’ve been asked what would have happened if that young man had not moved his car. I’m not sure, but I know it would not have been pretty and I’m fairly sure I would have come out on top. Enough said. Thanks for posting, great having you here!
Shirleen, Thanks for your comments….we are laughing together. I think if I had my phone number on my car I would probably behave a little more cautiously myself. Note to self: never, ever put my phone number on my car!! This day really truly happened and I was just beside myself. I think I was spitting bullets and the sweet demure person I visualize myself to be was long gone. I look back now and see the humor. Thought it was worth sharing….so glad you shared too, love it when you chime in!
Hey – you could’ve taken him – no prob! This younger generation needs to learn – do not mess with us old broads!
Maureen, you have my solemn oath that I would have died trying! The older I get … the crazier I get. Ooops, was that my outside voice?! Thanks for posting … love having you here! 
Once I was behind a teenage boy who was so impatient with the clerk. She was a woman in her early 70s. She was counting back his change and had to do this 3 times. She was sweet, smiled the whole time, it just took her longer than 5 seconds. He was tapping his foot, sighing very loud, obviously annoyed. I finally said to him “you too will be that age someday, mellow” 
I laughed my head off when reading this Tammy. You are hilarious. I’m so sorry you had a bad bad day. But lucky us, we get to hear about it – thank you for the laugh.
Liz, it’s wonderful to share my city life adventures; a day in the life of a former Denver-ite and native Californian who is simply having a hard time adjusting. God help those around her … I mean me. How much you want to bet if I ever see this kid again he runs like hell? As well he should. Ya never know, maybe he learned a little bit about manners that night – or fear of what a crazy middle-aged woman might dish out if you don’t have any. Hey … that’s good enough for me. Thanks for posting!
Jenny – great post. I hope that kid went home and thought about it. You know that it wasn’t that woman’s life plan to be a clerk making change in her 70’s. We all have a story, best we all be mindful of that. I wish you could have seen the expression on this young man’s face … it was almost as surprised and terrified as the look on mine. There was no backing down for this broad. There is a dark side to all of us, even me (hard as that is to believe). Thanks for the post, I’m going to go mellow.
I am not so sure that I would have been quite so patient as you without letting management know about the sales situation etc. Once in a large store that I will not mention, (the first part sounds like where you live and the second part of it rhymes with another term for a train station), I was looking for some hardware and could not find anyone working the floor. After several attemps to page for help, I yelled out in my loud voice several times – “does anyone work here?” Got a lot of positive attention from other shoppers and lo and behold, an incompetent employee came to help.
Jeff, I tried to be patient without success. I think I ended up being sarcastic at best, but still wound up leaving very unsatisfied and frustrated. I’m pretty sure the squeaky wheel on my shopping cart put me over the top. You just never know what is capable of pushing you over the edge. I love how you talked about getting the attention of an incompetent employee – isn’t that the truth?! Whatever happened to customer service?? But that’s a whole other blog. 
Hi Tammy, I,m so glad that i found your page! You are one really funny person!!! I know that you were frustrated but i,m still giggling! 🙂 . Trust me here in Canada , customer service seems to be sorely lacking big time ! Please be safe while out shopping ~ LOL and thanks for posting your ordeal.
Peter, I feel like I know you … but I’ve never been to Canada. I’m SO GLAD you found my page too! How did you manage it? Is all of Canada abuzz about my fabulous writing? (you could lie to me here, it wouldn’t hurt). My story is true to the core. Sometimes real life supersedes fiction. If we don’t laugh about some of this stuff we might go stark raving mad. So happy to have you here and I hope you subscribed to this little blog and will join us in future rants. Thanks for posting! 
Wow – you held your cool way longer than I would have. I would’ve lost it at honking-big-wheel-boy. I’m not sure where you’re going to shop, eat, get your groceries, shoes, and gas now, but I love the moral of your story. And my favorite part is how you tried to help the dogs – a woman I admire! Great post that made me laugh and I am not laughing at your bad day (for that I am truly sorry), but at your writing!
Suerae, I will always be an outspoken advocate for critters … whether the critters like it or not. Haaa! But I have to say that the pet owner encounter was beyond embarrassing. Good grief. You can bet I double check these things now. Everyone has a bad day. Clearly I tend to save mine up and I always make sure the freezer is stocked with chocolate brownie ice-cream. It’s called survival. Thanks for being on the other end, Suerae. Always enjoy your posts!
Ha, you were short of clocking somebody that day eh Tammy?! LOL Sometimes people do need someone to tell ’em like it is (like the guy at the gas station). I dislike when people jump in front of others (anywhere)…it’s so irking! Next time, I’m sure I’ll think of you and ask if he/she wants a piece of me 😉 *hopefully it works like your situation did or else my next blog post will show me with a black eye* LOL
Kesha, Oh, my darling, I was so very brave … and stupid. I’m still not quite sure what came over me. It was not my finest hour, or perhaps it was in the making. I shall continue to be resolute in mannerly responses and sustaining dignity. If that fails, well, evidently all hell breaks loose.
Loved your humor in spite of all kinds of rudeness. Been there———I prefer Rocky Road——the whole half gallon!!!!!  Words to live by. I was the only mom in my daughter’s grade school who did not push her kid to play sports. I encouraged her to try them, but promised her she could quit if she found she didn’t love it after three tries. She tried basketball, soccer and volleyball and she hated them […] 
Tammy I have loved seeing your blog…you have such wonderful things to write about. 
I love being committed to a worthy cause myself. My husband, my job, my friends, my kids….the list goes on and on, but I too wondered about the BIGNESS of blogging every day. Hence the reason I didn’t take the challenge (or commitment). I think your Adrian is a wise man. One should only do what they love – and you are, just not every day. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. See you next week!
Tammy, I was not very good at sports growing up and I was always fought over when picking teams for football, basseball or basketball. Not to be on the team, but rather, who doesn’t have to have him on their team. I found something that I loved and took to like a fish to water or a bird to air, and that was horsebackriding. Excelling at something you love and enjoy is a great way to build self confidence and self esteem. it really helped me. I always felt that if I had had children, they would try all kinds of things and have a variety of experiences. If they did not like it they would have to pursue it, just don’t be afraid of it because of lack of knowledge. Just don’t do it because you don’t enjoy it. You did the “right” thing in my mind. Enjoy the “bathrobe thing” but take it off one in awhile just for fun. You just might find that you like doing that!!?? You are my Erma Bombeck.
Third paragraph correction – Sorry!
BRAVO my blogging DIVA! I love it when we know who we are…..
Sue thanks for the encouraging words! You’re awesome. I shall be thinking of you as I cuddle up in my pink fuzzy robe this weekend. Good thoughts! Thanks for being here.
Jeff, your story sounds a lot like mine, only I never found that special sport that spoke to me. I’ve stopped looking. I love doing my needlepoint and my reading, gee, that makes me sound so boring! We are of the same mind; time is a gift, best not to waste it doing stuff you don’t have to do that you don’t like anyway! Thanks, Jeff, for calling me your Erma Bombeck. That is awesome and so are you! Thanks for your post!
Kellie, you got that right! Hope to see you here next week. Thanks for posting. 
Tammy, Here’s what I think. Blog when you want and not when you don’t. Write for you first. SEO be damned. Contrary to what all of those “in the know” say, there are no hard and fast rules. Except the ones you make for yourself. And those are always subject to change. If you’re writing to build a following and get work, you don’t need to. You will get work whether you write or not. Whether you write every day. Twice a week. Once a week. Twice a month. None of it really matters. For as long as we’ve known each other –what, almost thirty years — you have always landed on your feet. Come up smelling like a rose. Been a leader to people who have always followed and will continue to do so. It’s just who you are. Deal with it.
Well, Lee, this might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. And deal with it I shall. But not before I give thanks for friends like you. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could only perceive ourselves to be the very real person that we are? A work in progress. Much love and respect going your way, my friend.
Tammy girl, you are hilarious (re: …I love putting out (get your mind out of the gutter…)) LOL I feel you though. I had originally committed to 6 days a week but now down to 5 days a week. It is a huge time consumer and with a full time job, web design business, and 2 blogs and all the social properties that go along with it (yes, I fit the Jamaican stereotype with 10 jobs!), it gets hard to keep up! Continue to do you and bring us great content a couple of times a week 😉 ~Kesha
Woo Hoo Tammy! Good for you! I love how you write and would hate for you to hate it. I too am struggling with this every day blogging, and believe that I will be cutting back as well. I kind of feel like you just gave me permission – thank you! 🙂
Suerae, You got my permission girl! Actually, Adrian gave us all permission. God bless him! I have no problem with deadlines and commitments, I truly don’t. But when you are doing something for pleasure, to build a base, to build a platform, and it’s your spare time….I mean really!? Stress I’ve got in many other places of my life. I don’t need it or want it in my blog. That is my “special place” with my “special people”. That’s all there is to it. Let me know how it goes for ya. As always, Suerae, thanks for being here.
Kesha, I’m exhausted reading all that you do every day. My take is blogging should be a labor of love, not a labor. Yes, we are all working on building a following and taking it to the next level but we don’t have to bash our brains out doing it. Nothing makes our writing more stale or hostile than a stale and hostile writer. You can quote me on that. I admire your Jamaican stereotype efforts…you go girl!! I’ll be reading.
whew! I have been traveling with Mr. Karl and thought I would miss soooo many blogs. I just like it whenever you write since I get a chance to think and smile.
Jenny, it’s always easy to play catch-up on blogs. I fed the fish while you were gone (hey, somebody had to do it). Hope the travels were awesome. Welcome home and thanks for posting, Missy! |
Laura Lee Carter aka the Midlife Crisis Queen - Cute Tammy! Very cute!
Just be glad you aren’t back here in Colorado today: Eight inches of snow on the ground, and you can hear the trees breaking off outside…sad.
Laura Lee
Tammy - Hi Laura Lee, Eeeeaak it sounds awful! I sit at my home desk looking out to a sunny 70 degree L.A. day. I was missing the snow until I got your post. Not missing that! I would walk my little 11 pound dog in snow, sleet and frigid temps. I much prefer sunny warm walks. I’m sorry I never had the chance to meet you when I lived there. You are awesome and I thank you for posting. Now go light a fire and make some hot chocolate with brandy. It always helped me!
Liz - Great poem…. your “kid” looks adorable in her costumes – I recall when my daughter was a bat and a witch. Thanks for taking us down memory lane.
Tammy - Liz, It was such great fun, wasn’t it? Amanda always would ask me why I didn’t make her costumes like the ‘other’ moms. A sewer I’m not, but I’m crazy good with a glue gun! Still, I always tried to do right by her and she always rocked her little outfits. Still does I might add. It occurs to me that dress up shouldn’t just be for the kids. I may dress up as something wild and bizarre … for Xmas. Hahahaha! Happy to have you to wander down memory lane with. Thanks for posting.
Lori - Beautifully awesome!! Love the pics!
Suerae Stein - Beautiful poem and beautiful girl. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Tammy - Thanks, Suerae. The poem was such fun! Perhaps I should try writing cards for Hallmark – ya think? Thanks for posting!
Tammy - Lori, it WAS awesome. Still is. But I do miss the hustle and bustle of trick-or-treating. I look forward to answering the door every year. Some of the little babies are just so wonderful. I hope I never grow up. It seems I’m off to a good start. Haa! Thanks for being here!
Laura Lee Carter aka the Midlife Crisis Queen - Tammy:
Yes, I have a little 11 pound dog too, but he’s scared of the great outdoors. He’s inside with me drinking hot chocolate!
California dreamin’…. Laura Lee
mel glenn - a very sweet piece. Happy Halloween
Jeff Davidson - Nice poetry and a little touching. I remember the days of dressing up for Halloween.
Keeping a little kid in you helps to keep you young!
Keep up the good work.
Jeff Davidson
Tammy - Hi Jeff, it was such a fun little ditty to write. But I especially relate to not ever surrendering our childhood. I shall be a kid until the day I die. Thanks for posting, so happy to have you hear. Happy Halloween!