The Thanksgiving Holiday

We had a good Thanksgiving yesterday. Freddy is home. Moyna fixed a feast with "surf and turf," otherwise known as steak and crab cakes. Who says you must have turkey on Turkey Day? We are all doing well.

The Really Scary Thing

The really scary thing is not that I recently left my debit card in the drive-through ATM machine.

The really scary thing is not that someone could have followed me immediately to the machine and drove off with my card.

The really scary thing is not that I did not realize that I had left my card until the next day.

No---the really scary thing is what happened after I called the bank.

The lady at my local Compass Bank asked me, “Are you sure you left the card at our branch?”

I said yes. There was NO doubt in my mind that I had driven off and left the card at my local Pelham branch. I even had a mental picture in my mind of driving off at this location. I would have testified in court under oath that I had left the card at the Pelham branch.

The lady checks and tells me that they do not have the card. She checks further says that my card was captured and that the card has been cancelled. At least that’s a relief. No one walked off with it.

She said all I could do was order another card, which I proceeded to do.

Then the NEXT DAY a realization came to me: I was at ANOTHER branch where I left the ATM card. I am stunned. I had pictured clearly in my mind driving off and leaving it at my local branch.

THIS is the really scary thing. What OTHER memories/pictures do I have in my mind that are not true?

If I can’t trust myself, who can I trust?

My New Credit Card

I have been battling with Experian, one of three major credit bureaus in the country. The fools there for a long while had no credit history for me. Because of this idiocy, I was denied recents attempts at acquiring a second credit card.

However, after many phone calls, unhealthily high levels of blood pressure, and rants about what is undoubtedly wrong with the world, I finally got Experian to put the correct accounts on my credit history. Afterwards, I again applied for a credit card.

I stand before you now a triumphed man. I am now the proud owner of a new silver credit card. My old one must no longer be lonely anymore. This has reconfirmed my belief that sometimes the forces of good really do win!

Cold Saturday Morning (November 15)

It’s cold and wet and raw and all of that yucky stuff in Shelby County, Alabama. The rain and wind came through last night and wreaked havoc on Friday night football. We are seeing the after affects today.

It seems that all of The South is covered with wet leaves. The leaves that aren’t stuck to the earth swirl and twist over the roads and the yards as if symbolizing that the traditional South, the wet leaves that hug the earth, are everywhere, but that change, the swirling leaves are everywhere also. Stasis and change: The South in late 2008.

A young lassie named T J takes my carry-out order at IHOP. She can barely talk.

What’s the matter? I ask her.

I don’t feel well.

Why don’t you go home?

They (IHOP) won’t let me. Besides, I need the money. I’m working 2 jobs. My baby’s home sick, too.

Bless your heart. (That’s all I can think to say, that and a nice tip). These last few days our household has been concerned about a sick cat. I am reminded to keep things in perspective---my petty problems are petty indeed compared to the struggle and suffering in our very midst.

This is My Time of the Year

It is cooler, and the nights get darker earlier. This is the time of the year when I begin to thrive. This is when I blossom, when I begin to feel my true self.

Folks walk about in pants and long sleeves, bundled like they live in an igloo. That is not for me. I love the cool weather. I sour at such wimps!

November is the end of football. It is the end of elections. It is when the end begins, when the year looks to start anew soon. Who cannot feel invigorated at the thought?

True at First Light

My mind is clearest first thing in the morning. The truth comes at first light and then recedes slowly as a day progresses. If you wish to know what I truly think about anything, ask me in the morning.

Just before 7, I see that we are in for a beautiful day in Shelby County. This is welcome after the dreariness of yesterday.

The election is over so I can't draw energy from that. My football team is not doing so well this year so far. I'll just have to draw my energy from the lovely fall weather.

Halloween

I bought some mini Snickers, but no one knocked on my door. I am still disappointed.