Afterthoughts

     I'm not superstitious.  I just know not for any amount of money would I drive a hearse for my personal use.  That is what I use to think.  My perception changed the day my husband came home and handed me a set of keys. With a proud voice he said, "Come outside and see what I bought to go fishing in."  I walked out the door and to my surprise I saw a long white hearse made in the forties or fifties.      Okay, I thought, you drive it and you sleep in it.  Not me!  That changed when my husband went out of town looking for work.  He took our car and left me with the hearse.  If I went anywhere, it had to be in what I swore I would never drive.      One day, on the way to the laundromat, the three older children played in the back among the baskets of dirty clothes.  The baby and I cruised along in the front seat enjoying the Cadillac ride.  (It did have a Cadillac V-8 engine.)  When a car started to pass us, I saw a woman pointing at my children. The large windows on

Outhouse at the Lawson farm       Bathroom paper is important.  Even so, having a commode is more important.  I found that to be true when for two years and with four children, my family lived without one.  It had been replaced by an outhouse.  Our outhouse had unique features.  One, it had accommodations for two people.  Many times, I brightened it up with a vase of flowers between the two holes.  Another feature happened to be a cut out of a half-moon in the top of the door. That made the nighttime visits nicer.  Bleach and lime helped keep it as clean as any hospital surgery room.  We always had a flashlight with us in order to see the orange spot on the underside of black widow spiders.  Now that we are blessed, once again, with indoor plumbing, toilet paper has become our number one priority when we visit that special place. Discrete Decisions Going to the store for toilet paper seems like a simple task. The main thing is to get enough and make it last. When your

Eugene Lawson and friend      Cowboys hold a bit of a mystery in American history.  Since I grew up on cowboy movies, my view of them may be a little out of sync with reality. Even so, they will always hold a special place in my heart.                 THE COWBOY Like a West Texas wind blowing in the night, the cowboy rode through town then out of sight. Who is that the townspeople asked, as he eased along like a cold winter blast. No one knew nor could anyone say. They still talk about him to this very day. When he crosses our minds, as we lay at rest, The mystery of his existence is intriguing at best.                        Patricia Westbrook

     At the end of this fourth of July I asked myself, what does America stand for?  It isn't a question we usually ask.  We go about our daily task and take our lives for granted. The answer to my question is- FREEDOM Many God-fearing people came here from afar. They navigated their ship by following the stars. Years passed when evil tyranny took a stand. Freedom surfaced when brave Americans retook their land. Today isn't any different than the times past. Good men will make sure freedom will last. As we respect the red, white, and blue, Praying God bless America still holds true.                                                                                  ~ Patricia Westbrook

        Did you ever do something and wonder why?  In a way that is what is happening to me now.  I'm starting this blog because several months ago I felt I should.  Why, I don't know.  I just felt compelled to write about things that are on my mind at the end of a day or event.  My hope is you will gain a little insight, lighten your day, or maybe break out in a belly laugh.  If you think it is about you, most likely it isn't, or maybe it is.  No matter what I write it is done in love. LOVE When I say I love you,  don't take it wrong. It's a love I learned as a child, and it's strong. Not many people understand, how love like this can be. Agape love at its best is meant for you and me.             Patricia Westbrook