murky happenings

My Mother the Human Jukebox

2009-01-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

I'm lying there half asleep, in and out of REM when the phone rings. It must be 4 a.m. I lurch out of bed and stumble as fast as I can to the phone. A phone call at this ungodly hour will always get your adrenaline pumping but fast. It can only be dire news. It has to involve my elderly mother. I sense this and dread answering the phone. I get to the phone just before the answering machine kicks in, on ring 4. "Hello" I croak, my throat is still constricted from sleep.
The voice on the other end confirms my worst fears. It is the hospital. It is the voice of a woman, a nurse,I didn't catch the name as my mind is racing in anticipation of some tragic news. I hear, "Mr. Swampcritter, this is Emergency Services at PRMC. Your mother was just transported here by ambulance, we are calling to notify you that her condition is at this time critical. Could you come soon?"
I stammer, "Wh-Wh-What happened? What's wrong with her?"
Then I hear the reply, "Well, Mr. Swampcritter, you may not believe this, but your mother has turned into a juke box."
"Oh Okay," I hear myself say. "Just unplug her if she gets too loud." I hang up the phone and go back to bed. It's a dream, it has to be.
It's too true. My mother has become a jukebox. A series of recordings forever locked in the past. Today my wife and I drove her into the hospital to visit my brother. On the trip in all I heard from the backseat was the "Golden Oldies." Finally out of desperation, I turned off my hearing aid.
It could have been Great Aunt Leone's penchant for lonely soldiers, or how about the time she went to nursing School in Baltimore in 1949, and how unsafe the streets are in Glen Burnie now vs. then.
It's maddening listening to the woman. She's turned into such a collection of tape loops that it's impossible to make small talk with her, and I hate small talk too.
I tell her, "Mom, you need some new tunes. I've only heard this one twice today already." I'm trying not to hurt her feelings. Instead I hear"Oh your Grandmother Godfrey was like that, she never talked about anything current, that woman lived in the past. You remember her don't you?" Anything I say is like pushing a button, I can almost hear the pop and hiss as the needle wears into those grooves. Do I hear the theme from Antiques Road Show faintly playing in the background?
"Just like she never left, Mom." I say. Thank the Lord she lives under my brother's roof. I notice I am driving faster, I need to get rid of her sooner rather than later. My wife is laughing at me. She knows what I'm going through.
My Mother, The Human Jukebox.

January Post

2009-01-22T17:06:00.003-08:00

Well hello again Faithful reader(s) and generators of comment.
January is named for the God Janus,usually depicted as having two heads, one facing left and the other facing right. Actually they represent one head looking left into the past year, and the other looking right into the new year. Neat huh?
So much for mythological symbols. It has been a busy time for me thus far this month.
Some of you folks may know I live on a tree farm, so this month I am having some 90 acres of pine trees thinned and marketed as pulpwood. I have larger timber that could be harvested, but since the timber market is so poor these days I will have to wait. So to enhance the quality of the timber and at least derive a little income the trees are being thinned. A lot of impressive machinery has been rolling through the woods here. The canopy in the forest has really opened up and looks quite good.I will try to post some pix shortly.
Today I went to Pocomoke and took a friend out to breakfast. He is 83 and lost his wife back in August. He has had a hard time of it. We had a decent enough breakfast at Our Place in Pocomoke, and then went back to his place near Stockton and talked for a spell.
Left there and headed for Powellville, picked up my Mom and went into the 'bury to PRMC to visit my brother who had surgery the day before. He's doing well considering he had 8 inches of his bowel removed.
Then it was back to Powellville to drop off my Mom and I finally got home around 1 o'clock. I fell out and woke up to my daughter calling from California to wish me a Happy birthday. Yes today I am 57. It's not a big deal with me anymore. I would have liked for my birthday this year a less busy day.

New Years Day 2009

2009-01-01T16:33:00.003-08:00

Yessirree! It's New Years Day 2009 ! Happy New Year visitors, gawkers and everyone else!
Now that 2008 is history I must ask, will anyone look back on this past year and remember it fondly? I imagine you will if you voted for Barack Obama, but will anyone else?
No jobs, no money, equity eaten alive, good riddance 2008! Let's hope and pray, and work together for a change so things will get better.
Am I optimistic? Well give me a few months and I'll let you know.
Did anyone eat black-eyed peas today? I did, and I admit it's been many years since I did, but man were they good. When my Daddy was alive you were expected to show up at the house on New Years Day and eat black-eyed peas and corn. If you were a no-show you heard about it let me tell you.
My family is pretty far flung these days, and the ones close by are none to keen on tradition, so this year it was just me and the Mrs. that partook of the black-eyes. Here's to our family coming together again, and family traditions. May they long endure.
And here's to 2009, may it be better than last year!

2008-12-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day Balloon Farm

2008-12-25T16:21:00.000-08:00

A Merry "Murky" Christmas

2008-12-25T16:01:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to my visitor(s) and commentor(s) out there in the civilized world beyond the swamps! Today Mr. and Mrs. Swampcritter took a Christmas Day cruise over to scenic swamps of Dividing Creek.
For those of you a little rusty on your local geography that would be near where Worcester and Somerset counties meet. It is mighty pretty country.
As we drove up out of the swamp on Fleming Mill Rd. off to our right on Harry Riggin Rd. we were very pleased to see this little Christmas balloon farm display. It is owned by Rick Adams and his fiancee'. I first saw this last year and thought it was great, hopefully you will too.
Merry Christmas!

Finally The Rains Cease

2008-12-13T10:51:00.000-08:00

I admit it. I am sick to death of all the rain we've been blessed with lately. In the past day and a half, we have received 3 plus inches. The Swampster appreciates his environs but I don't want them to wash awy either.
The road closed sign you see here is a common enough sight on Porter's Crossing Rd. in Worcester county whenever you get an appreciable amount of rainfall.

The house in the background by the way is where my grandmother was born. In the top picture you see see some brave and intrepid scofflaw negotiating the flooded road. The general rule of thumb is if you can see the lines on the road, the water is not so deep that it can't be driven through. Don't ask me how I know that.
I can tell you this. On more than one occasion I have been canoing on this section of the Pocomoke River and have actually canoed over the road. Water that high over the road usually occurs in the spring after a heavy Nor'easter. Today I'm enjoying the sunshine, even if is cool.

Somwhere Col. Saunders is Smiling

2008-12-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

Yes indeed the Kentucky-fried Colonel is smiling somewhere today. Just look at this. We have here in this picture 10 chicken houses, all brand new. Several are still under construction. This is in eastern Worcester County. The Swampcritter and his brother cruised down that way today and happened to take Five Bridges Road and were surprised to see this, to say the least.
Now 10 chicken houses may not seem like such a big deal, but from this side of Worcester county you can almost spit into Somerset county. That being the same Somerset county that had all the issues with wells running dry only recently.
How many gallons of water do you suppose these chicken houses pull out of that same aquifer every day? A small house will use 3000 gallons daily, and these are not small houses and keep in mind there are 10 of these. Am I being an alarmist here? I ask this because less than five miles away over in Somerset county there are another 15 chicken houses as large as these. I can't imagine that they use less water. Water here on the shore is fast becoming a finite resource.
The Worcester county commissioners have apparently taken note of this but have thus far only expressed a token concern, but take note Somerset county is still intent on Ethanol production which will require millions of gallons of water to be pumped from our aquifers.
The Swampcritter is of the opinion that Ethanol is an ill-conceived solution to our energy problems, and even though I am an Eastern Shore native I don't believe we need to see poultry production on a scale that jeopardizes resources. I know from whence I speak, my dad worked in the poultry industry his entire adult life as a serviceman. He was very good at it., and was very pleased to see positive changes. Somehow I don't think even he would have been pleased to see this.

Waiting on the BBT

2008-12-03T12:02:00.001-08:00

The BBT of course is The Big Brown Truck, also known as UPS. I'm waiting for it's arrival as eagerly as any kid at Christmas, even if Christmas is 3 weeks away. I've ordered a new guitar, which I really don't need as I now own 4 plus 1 banjo. This one will be the exception as it is an electric guitar. I'm buying it used since it's no longer in production. It was made by Cort, which is a Korean company. It is a Matt "Guitar" Murphy signature model. If you've never heard of him I'm not surprised, but you've heard him play if you listen to Howling Wolf, or the Blues Brothers. Matt is a sideman, and a very good one at that. His discography goes back into the 1940s. He's been around that long and is now 82 and still playing, and playing good. Most of his career he played for people like Memphis Slim, Muddy Waters and the Wolf, but he has done some of his own stuff too. I'm going to try to get back into electric blues music. most of what I play now is acoustic. Now I need a band. Maybe they'll come on the BBT too.

A Quiet Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T17:39:00.002-08:00

Today was indeed a quiet Thanksgiving. It was just me and the Mrs. We have had the nest all to ourselves the past 4 years, the child lives on the West coast with her spouse, so we scale it down accordingly. We did eat turkey of course,which I of course cooked, as I have been doing all the cooking for the past 30 years or so. We have an arrangement in this house, and it works happily for us, so we are thankful for that much this day. I also worked outside today, blew some leaves around while the turkey cooked. I called my brother who is in the hospital at least until Monday following an attack of diverticulitus. Hopefully he won't need surgery. The boy has had enough to contend with lately what with dealing with prostate cancer. He'll see no turkey today as he is on a liquid diet. I told him I'd save him some of our Turkey and trimmings for when he gets home, but there's no guarantee he'll be allowed to eat it. I am thankful all things considered that I still have a brother. All this mess has brought us closer together and I'm thankful for that today also.

No Apologies

2008-11-23T17:21:00.001-08:00

I hereby swear that from this point in time forward I will no longer be issuing apologies for the lack of posts. I owe this to my many readers and all of my faithful responder(s). Now that I have that behind me (whew) here is what's new. My wife left for California on the 14th of October for 2 weeks to visit the daughter. I was instructed to sieve the cat litter daily, this task became less of a chore as one of our two cats died. My brother had surgery on November 4 for prostate cancer, he is recovering very well. His pathology reports look very good, so that is encouraging. I caught a very bad cold from my wife who caught it in California, and am just now recovering. Nothing much good comes out of California, some nice wines perhaps, and maybe Ronald Reagan. The election is over and Thank God! It's pretty much amounted to a coronation for Obama. No surprise. Now I can start worrying in earnest. I've taken a huge beating in the stock market, and finally bailed out altogether. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I'll manage. Here in the swamp, life can be good when things dry up. I still have one cat.

Apple Scrapple

2008-10-11T18:16:00.000-07:00

Today the Mrs. and meself betook ourselves up to the Apple Scrapple Festival in Bridgeville. Bridgeville is kind of a misnomer I would say. For one thing, there ain't no bridge there. This is kind of like Snow Hill where I hail from, there ain't no snow, and there ain't no hills either. Be that as it may, we arrive at Bridgeville. It's a healthy hike from parking lot to downtown, but we're up to it. Off we go, and soon arrive at the festival area, which is several blocks fronting Rte. 404 and along Cannon St. I was hoping to run into Elbert as he said he would be there, but it was not to be. I'm for sure I would have recognized him had he been there when I came. (between 10 and 11 o'clock) The only person I saw that I recognized was Mike Castle. I didn't realize he was as tall as he is, although I swear he looks like a character out of a Dr. Seuss book. He's nearly as tall as I am, although I am better looking. That's the price you pay for notoriety I guess. There were too many vendors there to count, and a lot of them were selling food. My wife and I are bad influences on each other. We both know our at home culinary experiences can surpass any street food, so we ate nothing. Unthinkable isn't it? Does this mean we're food snobs? The food prices were also high, and not just a little bit high, a lot high. I nearly bought some of the curried goat one vendor was offering, then I saw that he wanted 8 dollars. 8 dollars for goat? I won't say the morning was a bust, nor will I diss Bridgeville. The weather was gorgeous, perfect for an event. I did enjoy myself mostly. I like the town, and have done business there with the Weller folks for quite a while now. I've never been to Apple Scrapple before and thought I'd give it a try. Maybe I'll try again next year.

Monday to Recover

2008-10-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah it's Monday! How often have you heard that? Never thought I'd be saying it myself, but I am, exhausted on Monday. No I did not go out and do the 'Weekend Warrior" thing. What I did do was stay home all day Saturday and prep food for Sunday's Homecoming services at our church. I got up at 4:30 a.m. and went to bed at 11. That's a long day. Sunday was a normal church day, Sunday school, worship service, but then we had a meal. At 2 o'clock we had a few minutes of praise and then it was solid music for 2 hours, and more fellowship after. I played guitar again, while my wife sang. We did one song, (AS The Deer) Faith Dimattias from Pitts Creek Baptist came and sang two fine songs. I've mentioned her before, she's very good. Tyrell Sterling and his sister sang and got a standing ovation. they have some beautiful harmonies. His sister ( I forget her name) sang "All Is Well with My Soul." This was the one that got the big response. The girl knows how to do it. My hair is standing on my head just remembering it. Faith Dimmattias' sister sang 3 songs, and did very well despite a sore throat. The Chesser Family from Chincoteague played nearly 40 minutes of Country Gospel. They opened with Hank Williams' "I Saw the Light." I've seen them before, and they are so good. We finally got home around 5. Today I am still tired, but it was worth it. I had a wonderful weekend.

On Sarah Palin

2008-10-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

Since I've posted comments on Elbert and on Average girl regarding Ms. Palin I suppose I should just as well post a few more thoughts here. I don't like Joe Biden, never have. If Sarah Palin held her own last night with that arrogant buffoon, then I perceive it as a win for her. When Bill Clinton became president he came with a lot of ambitious plans. They didn't happen. Many times when a governor becomes a president what worked at home will not work in the White House. He was brought up to speed very quickly and soon befriended Sen. Moynihan from New York. Moynihan showed Clinton the way to get things done so Clinton could at least take credit for something. Never mind that Moynihan in the early months of the first Clinton administration was the true power behind the throne. Now Barack Obama has ambitions too, but his plans for this country are vague. What he has said amounts to blatant socialism. He won't accomplish much by himself if he gets there (which I hope he doesn't) apart from the usual Democrat agenda. He doesn't have the savvy or know- how that his running mate does. So Biden will be calling the shots and Barack takes the credit for it all. This may be enough for him. He has an ego that rivals Biden's, except that Biden has never been right about anything. Look at his hair transplant for example! I don't want either one in any office. When Obama went over to Germany and apologized for our country that decided it for me. It's bad enough that Jimmy Carter does that crap. We don't need that again.

Et Tu Elbert

2008-10-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

First Howard over at Dustpan kicks me in the shin for not posting in a timely manner, and now Elbert thrusts me back into the arena. Thanks Elbert. I'm all out of apologies for not coming back sooner, so here goes. I'm busier than a one-legged man in buttkicking contest. Last week I wandered up to Sam Yoder's butcher shop to purchase a fresh ham. I brought the thing home (in the pouring rain mind you) trimmed it and put it in a brine solution to cure for 8 days. Saturday morning it comes out of the brine, it gets rinsed and then I will smoke it for 7 hours or so. After it cools down I'll be slicing it, and Sunday it will be served following Homecoming at the church I attend. I've cured meat before, ham, canadian bacon, stuff like that. The results are usually very good. I enjoy cooking ,(most of the time) I should I've been at it 33 years, since my wife does not cook. If you asked me why I've done this for so long, I'll tell you I'm crazy. Other news, my wife will sing Sunday and Homecoming, I'll be playing guitar. A lot of music this weekend. She is leaving the following week for 2 and 1/2 weeks for California to visit our daughter and son-in-law. My brother has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The outlook is optimistic though, as it is in a very early stage. I get blood tests next week. Why mess around when you're 56?

Back At It

2008-09-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

My friend Howard over at the Delmar Dustpan took me to task for not posting in a more timely manner. so Howard, this one's for you. Actually I should thank Howard. So here it is. The last few weeks have been busy ones for me. Today being a Sunday, I went to church and later went to Pocomoke to play guitar with my pastor again at Hartley Hall Nursing Home. Right now this is my favorite venue. In reality this is my only venue. My wife sang (Just A Closer Walk With Thee) as did my pastor. I met a young lady from Pitt's Creek Baptist Church named Faith DiMattias who also sang. She sings Alto very nicely. Her song was the old Gospel tune, "I'd Rather have Jesus." I've heard bout this gal for quite a while, and how well she sings. Now I know. I was playing a new guitar today. It is made by Albert and Muller in Germany. It is what is known as a "parlour" guitar. It is slightly smaller than a conventional acoustic. Even though it is small, it delivers. Treble notes ring and seem to hang in the air. It is beautiful to play too. W hen I say it is new, I mean to say it is new to me. I bought it from an on-line outfit in North Carolina called Dream Guitars. It was not cheap. I'll try to post a picture shortly. Be back soon.

Sunday Service at the Nursing Home

2008-08-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

I've not been too righteous about posting as of late. Since I no longer punch a clock, or have to account for much of anything I've lost the time managing habits that I used to possess. I need to get back in the groove, just for my own sake. Today I was blessed folks, and here's how. My Pastor goes twice a month to do a service at the nursing home in Pocomoke. He always asks if anyone else would like to tag along and sing, or participate in the service. My wife is a fairly good singer, who already sings in our church choir. I play passable guitar, but don't know a lot of Gospel stuff, but I'm learning. So today we went along to the service at 2:30 at Hartley Hall. There were maybe 30 + people there, all seated in wheelchairs, or with walkers. Nursing homes are depressing places, let me tell you. These people sat there, many stared vacantly. I felt so sorry for these folks, but when we started singing, Man their faces lit up, they sang along, clapped hands, applauded. We made their day. My wife sang two songs with a trio, and I backed her up on a third. We were there 45 minutes or so, I was privileged to give the closing prayer. Afterwards we mingled, what an experience. Very touching indeed to see these people come to life. I got as much as I gave today, maybe more. I'll be going back.

No Rest for the Already Weary

2008-07-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

I was anticipating Monday to be a day of recovery from the frenetic goings-on of the past few days. No way this was to be! Murphy showed up in the form of an infirm mother. I wake up Monday morn and walk into my kitchen, where the phone is flashing like a neon sign. A deep sigh is heaved, I retrieve the message from my sister-in-law. Sunday evening at 11 p.m. My mother is taken by ambulance to the hospital in Berlin with severe chest and upper GI pains. Her blood pressure is off the charts and she is 78 years of age. She has been taking over the counter meds her doctor has instructed her not to take, she will not take meds that have been prescribed to her by the same doctor. She will however,gladly take Tomazepam (addictive) and Lorazepam (also addictive) from any doctor who can prescribe them for her. Translation: My mother has a problem. To top it all off I go in to see her at 10 a.m. or so, and the doctor who is caring for her in the hospital happens to be there. My mom is lying through her teeth to the doctor! I can't accuse my mom of lying to the doctor while the doctor is in the room can I?I remain silent, and later chase down the doctor in the hall and set her straight. I feel like I'm being a total shit! I'm also very angry. M y mom is jeopardizing her health by lying to the doctor. It's her responsibility to answer life or death questions truthfully, not mine. If the doctor misdiagnoses her because of this, and it results in my mom's death, or to my mom's detriment, and I say nothing am I not responsible also? No thank you please. This has not been a happy Monday, if ever there was one.

The Roy Book Binder Show

2008-07-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Last night I journeyed to Berlin and met up with my brother at the Globe Theater to take in some good food and to see and hear Roy Book Binder. Roy is a very good fingerstyle blues and Ragtime guitar player, and the guy was at the top of his game last night. Roy gave 100% last night, he was clearly having a good time, it showed believe me. I ran into fellow blogger Tim Chaney, and his pal Lenny (both guitar players) and they both concurred that what we saw last night was exceptionally good. Roy played 2 sets and during the intermission, and after the show, was more than happy to hobnob, sign autographs, and hawk his CDs, and other promotional goodies. He's a very affable guy, and very approachable. When he's not performing he'll instruct guitar, and I must tell you, acoustic blues guitar is challenge. I know I've been at it a while. You have to stay with it. So last night was part of my learning experience, and of course it's easier to learn when you have a good time. I did!

A Full Plate and Then Some

2008-07-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

Today I groomed the dog, no easy task. Especially in this heat. Tomorrow I have to take my wife to work in the a.m. as she is getting her vehicle detailed, then I have to meet my brother to discuss an addition on his house I am working on. Tomorrow afternoon I have to go to the animal hospital in Berlin and pick up Doggie-meds, and in the evening it's off to Berlin again, where I will meet up with my brother as we take in the Roy Book Binder show at the Globe Theater. Local blogger and fellow blues afficianadoTim Chaney will be there also. Tim is an acquaintance of my brother and a fine guy to boot, it'll be nice to see him and his guitarist/compadre Lenny again. Friday I will be working here at home ( on the tree farm) and checking out an auction in Snow Hill. Saturday early I will be mowing grass at the church near Whiton where the kinfolks are interred, and then at 10 a.m. I will be helping to clean the church where I worship near Pocomoke. Saturday afternoon I will be preparing food for a church affair that will take place Sunday after worship services. Is that enough?

Interlopers

2008-07-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

This morning around 7 0r so as my wife was getting ready to leave for her job, our dog decided that she needed to be taken for a walk. So I hitched her up to the leash and proceeded to walk down my winding driveway which is about a quarter mile long and surrounded by woods. As I approached the last curve on my drive I saw a vehicle parked in my drive,it had backed off the main drag, and had entered my drive well past my gate,which was open BTW. Since it was fairly early I guessed it had been there for at least a couple of hours. It was a large Lincoln, a Town Car. I couldn't tell from a distance if anyone was in it, but it sure had no business being there, and it was blocking my drive as my wife was just getting ready to leave. Now let me add that when I go about my property I am generally armed, this is because I was once (believe it or not) attacked by a rabid raccoon. Also when I first moved here over 26 years ago there was a pack of wild dogs in the area, and I had a small child to worry about. A handgun is a reassuring thing to have in these situations, and it's perfectly legal to carry it on my person while on my property. But there was no way I was going to approach that vehicle armed or not at that hour of the morning and tell them they were trespassing and to leave. The property is posted, but most trespassing laws are a joke anymore, plus the world is not a safe place anymore. While I will use a gun to shoot a critter, I'm not particularly anxious to shoot a human. So I did the prudent thing I went back to the house and called the Sheriff's Dept. They showed up within minutes, checked out the vehicle. There were two kids sleeping in the vehicle after along night of it, I guess. The officer told them they were trespassing while I was present and sent them on their way. They were very apologetic. End of confrontation, I was relieved. I'll still carry the gun.

I'm Fine, But The Infrastructure Could Be Better

2008-07-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

And today, Boys and Girls I made the long trek up to Easton to visit the nice orthopedic man who told me that my shoulders may not last as long as I will. Not exactly unexpected news as I've had issues with pain, strange noises emanating from joints, and now and again my right shoulder will drop with well-defined clunk. If all this didn't hurt I could almost enjoy the new sounds that I'm producing. For now I have all sorts of options and that's good. I will elect for the present to do nothing as I'm not in 24-7 pain, plus I can still comfortably play guitar, my main passion. If it gets worse it goes to injections of cortisone, then to injections of a gel concocted of (rooster combs?) Lastly there will be surgery. Other than that I'm good to go.

2006-07-04T18:33:00.000-07:00