Anniversaries That Matter

 ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

December 1, 2014

December 1st is an interesting date for a number of reasons, but the one that caught this blogger's attention this morning is that today is the anniversary of the 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama. Now, every Millerite with a pulse knows that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. What fewer people know is that she was not the first person to refuse. Nine months earlier, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin did exactly the same thing on exactly the same bus route and was arrested for it. Claudette Colvin's name is rarely mentioned, but without her act of courage, the wheels of the Montgomery Bus Boycott might never have started turning. History tends to remember the person who crosses the finish line. It does not always remember the ones who cleared the path. Something to think about on a Monday in December.

Now then. The holiday season is officially upon us, and Miller is doing what Miller does best — decking every available surface with lights, wreaths, and an enthusiasm for Christmas that would make the Grinch reconsider his life choices. Chef M's cranberry pecan pie has reappeared on the Double D menu, which is reason enough to make the drive out to the roadhouse. This blogger will not be held responsible for what happens when you taste it. Consider that your official warning.

As for the Miller romance report, things remain in a holding pattern, though a holding pattern at this altitude is still considerably more interesting than most towns can manage on their best day. BND El Segundo (BND ES) continues his work in Houston, making brief appearances in Miller that are reported to this blogger with the speed and enthusiasm typically reserved for UFO sightings. He looks well. He says little. He heads back south. BND Numero Uno (BND #1) has made himself a very visible fixture at GND #3's Sunday pew, which Millerites have noticed and are choosing to interpret optimistically. Whether optimism is warranted remains to be seen, but DT at the water office has not closed the pool, and that alone speaks volumes. Meanwhile, the new carpenter at Junkalicious — a quiet, competent fellow who keeps his head down and his work quality up — appears to have settled in for the long haul. GND #5 has been seen at Junkalicious more regularly this past week than in the weeks prior, which may simply be a function of year-end accounting. Or it may not be. 

This blogger is watching. 'Nuff said.

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@the Double D Series: Kiss Me Cross-Eyed

Laika, From Street Dog to Astronaut

 ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

November 3, 2014

November 3rd marks the anniversary of the day in 1957 that Laika the dog became the first living creature to orbit the Earth aboard the Soviet satellite Sputnik 2. Now, before anyone gets too misty-eyed, this blogger will point out that Laika was a stray found on the streets of Moscow, which means the Soviets did her the favor of getting her off the streets and giving her a historic role in the space race. Whether Laika herself would have agreed that it was a favor is a matter of some debate. The point, if there is one — and this blogger always tries to have one — is that sometimes the universe launches you into orbit before you are entirely ready, and there is nothing left to do but ride it out and trust the trajectory. Something to think about on a Monday morning. You're welcome.

On to Miller business. BND El Segundo (BND ES) remains in Houston, doing highly skilled and reportedly excellent work on MOS's new restaurant project in Katy. Word among those who have spoken to him is that he is heads-down, hands-busy, and not in any particular hurry to discuss his personal life. This surprises absolutely no one. Meanwhile, the new carpenter at Junkalicious has settled in quietly. No drama to report there, which is either a good sign or a dull one, depending on your disposition. GND #5 has been spotted going about her business at EEFS on Black Avenue with the focused energy of a woman who has decided that keeping busy is the wisest possible policy. This blogger respects that policy. The Risen One (RO) has been notably less visible around town this week, which may simply mean his social calendar has shifted. Or it may mean something else entirely. This blogger declines to speculate. What this blogger will say is that the temperature at Junkalicious remains a few degrees below comfortable, and DT at the water office has reportedly extended her pool deadline by two weeks, citing insufficient data. 

When DT extends a deadline, Millerites, pay attention. It means even she doesn't know which way the wind is blowing. And DT always knows which way the wind is blowing. 'Nuff said.

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@the Double D Series: Kiss Me Cross-Eyed

Out of Sight but Not Out of Mind

 ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

October 27, 2014

This blogger learned something today that seemed worth sharing. October 27 is the anniversary of the New York City subway opening in 1904. One hundred and ten years ago, the good people of New York City descended underground for the first time and trusted a tunnel and a train to get them where they needed to go. Now, this blogger has ridden the New York City subway exactly once, and that was one time more than enough. The noise alone was sufficient to rattle the fillings loose from every tooth in this blogger's head. But the point is not the subway itself — the point is that one hundred and ten years ago, people looked at something that seemed impossible and decided to go underground rather than around. There is a lesson in that somewhere, though this blogger will leave the application of it to each individual reader. Some of you may need it more than others this week. You know who you are.

Speaking of going underground, BND El Segundo (BND ES) appears to have officially gone to ground. Word among reliable sources is that our boy has packed his tools and headed for Houston, where he has been tasked with overseeing the finish-out of MOS's new restaurant project in Katy. A noble endeavor. A convenient one. Miller will miss his cheerful presence at the Double D, though for the last week his presence there could hardly be described as cheerful. This blogger has personally witnessed fence posts with more personality. The bar stool he favored is already lonely. Meanwhile, a new face has appeared at Junkalicious — a carpenter by trade, taking up the work BND ES left behind. A perfectly competent fellow by all accounts. GND #5 has been seen spending more time at her own office on Black Avenue than at the store, which may or may not mean anything at all. 

DT at the water office reportedly opened a pool last Thursday on whether BND ES will be back in Miller before Christmas. This blogger has already placed a bet. You might want to mosey on over and get in on the action. No further comment on that. 'Nuff said.

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@the Double D Series: Kiss Me Cross-Eyed

Camo Weather is Here!

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

October 20, 2014

Did you know that today is officially National Brandied Fruit Day? Now, this blogger is not entirely sure what brandied fruit is, or why it warrants its own national day, but the name alone conjures up images of your grandmother's fruitcake — the kind nobody admits to liking but somehow disappears by Christmas. In the spirit of the occasion, consider adding a little sweetness to your Monday, Millerites. A little sweetness goes a long way, especially when the world around you is behaving like a wet dog. More on that in a moment.

Fall has finally decided to make its appearance in Cherokee County, if only briefly. The temperature dropped overnight, which means half of Miller is in a light jacket and the other half is already in camo. Nothing says October in East Texas like a man in hunting gear ordering blueberry waffles at The Filling Station. This blogger salutes you, sir. Stay the course.

Now, to the gossip, and there is gossip. Not the loud, table-thumping kind that fills the Double D on a Friday night. This is the quieter, more interesting sort — the kind where something clearly happened, but nobody is saying exactly what. Those of you paying attention will recall that GND #5 has recently been seen around town in the company of the Risen One (RO). For those new to this blog, the RO is a long-time friend of GND #5, a blond, easy-going fellow with an impressive shark tattoo and a very fine Harley Davidson. Their history is one of this blogger's favorite Miller stories — old friends, brief experiment, back to friends, none the worse for wear. Under normal circumstances, the two of them out on the town would merit no more than a raised eyebrow and a smile. However. These are not entirely normal circumstances. This blogger has it on good authority that BND El Segundo (BND ES) was in the vicinity on at least one of these outings and departed the scene in a mood that could generously be described as stormy. Since that evening, BND ES has been conspicuously absent from the usual Miller social circuit. GND #5 has been equally hard to spot, though she has been reported at her desk at Junkalicious with a focus that suggests she is either extremely dedicated to the accounts receivable or extremely determined not to look up from it. 

Something shifted this week, Millerites. This blogger cannot say with any certainty what, only that the temperature inside Junkalicious is a few degrees cooler than the thermostat would suggest, and that is worth noting. DT at the water office has not yet opened a pool on this particular development, but give her a week. She always does. 'Nuff said.

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@the Double D Series: Kiss Me Cross-Eyed

File Under the Heading of Confidential.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 21,  2014

Well, this doesn’t happen very often, but this blog will be minus a few of its usual pithy comments.  There is so much this blogger wants to say, but all of it falls under the heading of confidential.  Confidential.  Now there is a word that gets stretched a lot.  Just how confidential are the secrets given to you?  When someone tells you something in confidence, do you keep it quiet, or do you share with just one person?  Is it okay for you to share the secret if you swear that person to secrecy?  What if they tell just one person, who tells just one person, who tells just one person…? You see were this is going, right?  The best course of action when you are trusted with a secret is to prove yourself trustworthy by not telling a single soul.  Even if keeping quiet makes you feel like you are going to burst like a big old ripe watermelon left out in the July sun too long.  Deep gusty sigh.  This blogger is not privy to the secret in confidence, but rather by observation.  Either way, it’s time to cease and desist.

Just know that this intrepid blogger is keeping eyes peeled, and as soon as it is okay to report all, you will be able to read it right here.  It would appear that CC the BB has accomplished her mission and will soon be heading back home.  Will her five days in Miller be enough time for our own DD the MOS to win her heart?  Time will tell. In the meantime, this vigilant blogger will check out another situation that seems to be heating up.  Family feud, anyone.  Seems that BND Numero Uno and BND El Segundo were going at it in their mum's front yard.  El Segundo left in a snit.  Later, BND ES was seen hanging out with GND #5 at the Double D bar.  Isn’t that the wrong GND?  Interesting.  You can be sure there will be more to come in the near future. So, check back often or you’ll be the last to know all the dope.

Speaking of which, it is time to punch the old time clock.  Wishing everyone, and two certain people, a happy Monday. ‘Nuff said.

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@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Stupid

Is she the ONE?

ALitBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 20, 2014

Ahh.  Sunday.  Many people here in Miller would agree that Sunday is a day for God, family, and rest.  There is a feeling in the air here, when the bells of St. Anne’s Episcopal begin ringing, that defies explanation.  It just makes us Millerites happy to be living in our own little piece of paradise, snakes and all.

On to other more interesting developments, was this blogger the only one who saw our BB and Mr. I could fly if I had a red cape at church together this morning?  They certainly looked cozy sharing a hymnal.  The ladies’ tongues were wagging all around the congregation.  People are beginning to ask, “Is she THE ONE?” If you want an objective opinion on the matter, this blogger says, “Yes, she is.”  Now a certain someone just has to realize that God has sent him someone worth building a life with.  Remember, you read it here first, and you know that this intrepid blogger will be monitoring the progress of this relationship very closely and reporting it all right here.

Meanwhile, an important note, this is your last week without televised football.  Guys, be sure to spend some quality time with your significant other (SO), so when you are glued to the boobtube for the next four months, she will not be plotting your demise. "Nuff said.

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Rumors of sparks

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 19, 2014

Bless your little Texas hearts, it is certainly swimming weather here in Texas.  Miller is in deep East Texas and is blessed with an abundance of rivers, lakes, and various other swimming holes nearby for those who want to cool off by taking a dip.  A person would be hard-pressed to throw a rock around here without it landing in some body of water.  The downside to all that water is the humidity.  Walking out in the July heat is like being wrapped in a hot, wet blanket that makes the heat impossible to escape.

Speaking of cooling off, or maybe, heating up would be a better term because our visiting blonde is most definitely creating her own heat wave, if rumors can be believed.  Rumor has it that there was some good old-fashioned horseplay in the swimming pool at the Double D.  Our local night owl spied the blonde bombshell and Mr. DD himself in the pool.  Who believes that this could be the start of something worth watching?  This intrepid blogger will keep an eye on the situation—using night goggles if necessary--and let you know if the rumors flying have any merit.

Meanwhile, the lakes are overflowing with people boating, skiing, and jetting around like there is no tomorrow.  The beaches at the local lakes are crowded from daylight to dusk.  If you are out there, beware! Hitting the water during the midday hours is dangerous.  Swim before 10 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the worst of the sun’s harmful UV rays.  Take an umbrella with you, and use sunscreen, especially on those babies.  Don’t forget to reapply it often.  Nuff said. 

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@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Stupid 

Summer Sets In

 ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 18, 2014

The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us.  Complete with the brutal sunshine that dries up the creek beds and leaches the moisture out of every inch of the state.  Even the air is barely stirring here in our little town.  Temperatures are holding steady in the high 90s.  The weatherman is predicting that those temperatures will bust into three digits before the week is out.  Three digits.  That means 100ᵒ or higher.  This blogger is breaking out in a sweat just thinking about that kind of heat.  What did man do before air conditioning?

Of course, the heat is keeping everyone inside these days.  This blogger would be forced to admit to being bored, bored, bored if a certain blonde hadn’t walked into the Double D yesterday afternoon.  Did you ever hear the joke about the blonde who walked into the bar one day and asked, “Can I get a drink?” “Absolutely,” the bartender said.  “What would you like?  The blonde blinked and stared at the bartender as if he was an idiot.  “And people say blondes are dumb,” she said. “I told you I want a drink.”  Hardy-har-har.  Okay, the joke stinks, but some jokes are funny because they stink.  Anyway, this blonde, not the one from the joke BTW and a certain gentleman with a remarkable resemblance to the MOS (Man of Steel) were seen having a cozy little dinner.  There are rumors of sparks flying between them.  One observer noted that it was like watching a meteor shower.  You can be sure that this intrepid blogger will be keeping an eye on the situation. 

Meanwhile, wear your hat if you venture outside.  The sun is brutal, and it doesn’t take long to become a victim of heatstroke. Anyone who has ever had heatstroke knows it ain’t no joke. ‘Nuff said.

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BB Stirring up the dust at the old DDR.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 17, 2014

Now that the hoopla surrounding the Adair/Black wedding has settled down, it is fairly quiet in Miller. The rodeo has come and gone for another year, and while there is plenty of work to be done before the Annual Summer Mudd Festival at Moore’s Mudd Park, that doesn’t start up for another two weeks, which leaves us plenty of time to celebrate World Emoji Day (WED). That’s right, July 17^th will forever after be known as the day to go wild and use as many emojis as possible in your social media and text messages. Hey, if you want to go a step further and throw an emoji party, this blogger says, go for it. Now, since it is WED, you might be wondering which of those cute little icons is the most popular—that would be the ‘tears of joy’ emoji. On a side note, July 17^th is also the National Day for Ignoring Girls Named Julia, according to Urban Dictionary, which you should not be reading if you are under the age of thirty, and maybe not even then. However, if your name is Julia, please understand that we can’t talk to you today. (Too bad the keyboard doesn’t include emojis; tears of joy would be perfect right about now.)

Now, for the gossip you all love to gasp over. At the Double D Roadhouse, guests continue to make life interesting. Why, this afternoon a blond bombshell (BB) was seen kicking it by the pool. It’s fair to say, in this blogger’s opinion, she stirred up more than the dust. A certain man, with a strong resemblance to the Man of Steel (MOS), showed more than a passing interest. Could it be that love has once again arrived in Miller? You be the judge, Millerites. If it’s true, a few of our local ladies will be sorely disappointed. Another group to keep your eyes on: those five famous sisters we will call the Girls Next Door (GsND). Four of them are back in town, and these lovely ladies have a knack for creating havoc in their wake. This intrepid blogger will keep an eye out and report back.

Meanwhile, remember to drink plenty of water and avoid the heat—hehe—I meant to say, avoid the heatstroke. It’s July in Texas, y’all. ‘Nuff said.

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 @The Double D Series: Kiss Me Stupid

Hang onto your hats, Buckaroos.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 14, 2014

July 14, 2014

Ride ‘em cowboy.  The rodeo has come and gone for another year, and of course it rained and rained and rained.  The rain didn’t stop these die-hard cowboys.  It just made all the events seem more like the Summer Mudd Festival.  Speaking of which, our hometown boy, Miles Fuller did himself proud in the bull riding event.  He hung in for the full 8 seconds and came in third.  Hear tell he had a bruise or two to show for his 8 seconds of glory. 

With that in mind, let’s turn our attention to the arrival of another of Miller’s prodigal daughters.  Word on the grapevine is that this talented artist is taking over her grandmother’s store on the corner of Beryl and Wardley.  Gonna make it shine, she is.  Anyhoo, a certain boy next door--let’s call him BND Numero Uno--paid her a visit, and the two seemed MY-T cozy.  No, it isn’t the boy next door--let’s call him BND El Segundo--who took off after her when she left Miller fifteen years ago.  BND El Segundo has yet to appear, but the grapevine is betting he will.  No, folks, the BND seen cozying up with girl next door (GND) #3 has been living and working right here in Miller.  Could there be a family feud in the making?  Anything is possible when love is in the air.  Is it too soon to be talking wedding bells?  Man, this is unbelievable.  The “I dos” are still echoing in the chapel, and already another romance appears to be heating up. Hang on to your hats, it’s going to be interesting to watch the drama unfold. 

Meanwhile, July brings heat, heat, and more heat.  If you are going to spend time outdoors, wear a hat and keep hydrated.  Heat stoke is no joke.  Keep in mind that drinks loaded with caffeine will not hydrate you.  When you play, drink plenty of water or sports drinks.  ‘Nuff said. 

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Double D series--Book 3: Kiss Me Cross-eyed

1211 moaning and groaning, 1 celebrating.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 7, 2014

Have you ever heard such weeping and moaning in your life? Get a grip people, you knew someone would have the right date for the Wedding Pool, and well, since no one was allowed to choose the same date, there could only be one winner.  Seems that Mavis over at the feed store was the one to pick July 4^th.  She is celebrating her acumen by taking her family to eat at the Double D.  You can think what you want, but to this blogger’s way of thinking, FB is the winner.  Did you see the smile on his face when his little snowbird came down the aisle?  It was a sight to behold for sure.  Ah…love, doesn’t it make your heart go pitty-pat? 

With that in mind, it has reached this blogger’s ears that some of you are speculating as to who might be writing this blog.  Don’t that just beat all?  Next thing you know there will be a pool for that and old DT down at the water office will be laying down some new rules for participating.  What we really need is a new romance to heat up and give Millerites something a little more interesting to focus on.  You can be sure that this blogger will be on the lookout and when romance shows its red, red heart again, you can read about it right here. Speaking of new romances, did you catch the interview our own MoS did with Cavilla Gomez, the host of Tyler ENewz? This blogger may have to rethink his tag, Miller's Most Eligible Bachelor (MMEB)

Meanwhile, frogs are hopping like nobody’s business.  That usually means rain, which would be about right.  The rodeo is due in town this weekend.  Can’t deny the town needs the rain, but it sure puts a damper on the rodeo.  Yeehaw! ‘Nuff said.

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@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

Wedding Bells are ringing, just like I told you they would.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

June 30, 2014

Wedding bells are ringing. Friday, July 4th. That is the winning date. What is it about weddings that makes a body go completely mushy? Seeing a bride all gussied up in white standing on an old pier with a pine tree forest behind her, her long black hair a riot of curls, her blue eyes sparkling, her face so beautiful that more than one man swallowed his tongue looking at it — well, it just melts the heart. Word on the street is that all the bride's pictures were taken at the farm by Picture It Perfect. Xena, Miller's very own warrior princess, did an amazing job as always and will also be shooting the wedding photos. The farm was the perfect setting for the former snowbird and her bridal party. FB did good, don't you think, Millerites?

Having said that, this intrepid blogger couldn't help but notice that some feathers were ruffled when the wedding party arrived. That little redhead from NYC — let's call her the Red Haired Northerner (RHN) — sure created a stir in our little town. Is this blogger the only one who noticed a certain Friend of the Bride (FOB) looking thunderstruck? Think there is a story there? Most definitely. RHN has a round trip ticket, but don't be surprised if she buys a return ticket in the near future. Seems she was quite taken with the quaint charm of the Double D Motel. And she was not the only New York guest to make an impression. A certain sharp-eyed attorney (SEA) who looked at the Double D like she was calculating its structural integrity has this blogger thinking Miller might just grow on her yet. We shall see. Meanwhile, be prepared to get to the C of C early if you are attending the wedding. It is sure to be crowded — the sanctuary seats one hundred fifty people comfortably. The reception will be held at the Double D Roadhouse, and Chef M has created what this blogger hears is a masterpiece of a wedding cake.

A word to the wise, Millerites: weddings make people brave. They also make people foolish. Sometimes those are the same thing, and sometimes that is exactly what the good Lord intended. Show up, be kind to the out-of-towners, and tip Chef M's staff well. They have earned it. 'Nuff said.

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@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

God's Newest Angel

 ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

June 16, 2014

While reading the news online this morning, this blogger came across a very sad article about the lady hiker who went missing on Mount Rainer last Wednesday.  Search and rescue workers found her body after a three-day air and ground search.  Authorities assume she was injured while hiking in a rough section of the Owyhigh Lakes trail about 5,000 feet up and succumbed to hypothermia before the ground team located her.  An avid hiker and writer, her friends and family told reporters she came to the end of her earthly trail doing what she loved.  At seventy years of age, she was active, healthy, and living life on her own terms.  Can we ask for anything more?  Which brings to mind another woman, recently gone from this world, Silivia West Eaton.  Miss Silivia’s family said their final goodbyes on Saturday.  Over five hundred people attended the funeral and stood in ninety-five-degree heat at Miller’s City Cemetery to honor the queen mother of the Eaton family and, in some respects, the reigning matriarch of Miller.  On the surface, these two ladies have little in common, but when you dig deeper, you see that they both lived their lives on their own terms and inspired people to appreciate the world around them.  When one ponders the here today and gone tomorrow aspect of their passing, it begs the question: how many of us are prepared for this to be our final day on earth?  Our last hike, so to speak.  No sermon (although if that’s where your brain takes you, you should go with it), just a question for the masses.  If this is your day to go home to the Lord, what headline would grace the front page of the local paper? Leave a comment below and help Miller say a fond farewell to one of God’s newest angels. “Go rest high on the mountain, Miss Silivia.  Thanks to your example, we got this.” 

Now for the rumors about town, some started by this blogger, others heard here and there from people who really should learn to be more discrete.  Boy Next Door El Segundo (BND2) sat with the family between the former TV star, better known as Girl Next Door #3 (GND3), and her baby sister (GND5).  Not many people could tell which sister BND2 was laying claim to, but it appeared to these eyes that the boy was a bit more touchy-feely with GND5.  Hmm!  Maybe the rumors of a romance between BND2 and GND3 were nothing but the wishful thinking of the Mamas and the Papas (tMatP).  One other pairing of note, GND4 and the money man she swears is just a friend were inseparable. Eyebrows raised (^^).  Should we call him money man (MM) or just a friend (JAF)? State your preference in the comments below.  Also of note, Chef M hosted a dinner for the family at the Double D, serving all of Miss Silivia’s favorites.  The party/wake lasted into the wee hours of the morning, and a little birdy observed Chef M giving GND2 a ride home afterward.  Could it be that the chefs are cooking up a little sumpin sumpin?  You can be sure this blogger will keep said eyes peeled. Get it? Eyes peeled.  HAHAHA.  A little chef humor.  Checking in on everyone’s fav couple: you may have noticed Snowbird (SB) and a green-around-the-gills Farm Boy (FB) at The Filling Station (TFS) Friday morning filling up on blueberry waffles courtesy of the former beauty queen (TFBQ).  With their wedding just a few weeks off, FB is looking more and more like he would prefer to run to the nearest Chapel of Love and avoid all the hoopla.  DT at the water office has a pool on whether FB will talk SB into eloping rather than walking down the aisle at the church in front of three hundred plus guests.   This blogger is betting FB will man up and give SB what she wants.  The bride’s parents, aka the Golden Years Peace Corpsers, yes that word was crafted by yours truly, (GYPCs) are back in town for the nuptials but were not at breakfast with the lovebirds.  Rumor has it that the GYPCs were seen at the Double D trying to talk Chef M into adding some dishes from Belize to the wedding menu.  Last, but most exciting, our own DD, the Man of Steel has been nominated as East Texas’ Most Eligible Bachelor.  That’s news that should stir up our little town, especially when the hordes of female hopefuls arrive. Batten down the hatches, it’s about to get real, folks. 

Meanwhile, the fireflies are lighting up the woods at dusk.  These luminescent bugs are a type of nocturnal beetle and have some genuinely amazing characteristics—self-synchronicity, to name one.  With more housing developments, pesticides, fire ants, and light pollution, we see fewer and fewer of these captivating and charming insects.  Word of warning, if you go looking for fireflies, they live in damp areas, so you are likely to find the mosquitos more plentiful than the lightning bugs.   Be prepared.  Nuff said.

 

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@theDoubleD Series: Kiss Me Crazy

Saying Goodbye is Never Easy

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

June 14, 2014

Silivia Erlyne West Eaton.

(02-02-1929 to 06-13-2014)

Sometimes the world is a sad place to live in. No matter how many times you hear the old saying—You can be sure of only two things in life: death and taxes—the truth of it never really sinks in until you stand at the graveside of someone you love. Then it hits you right between the eyes—death respects no one, no one rises above it, no one escapes it, and no one cheats it. Death came to our little town recently and escorted Mrs. Silivia home—to heaven, where her husband, Earl, is no doubt waiting for her with open arms. Miller will miss the lady who reigned over our little town from the corner of Beryl and Wardley. She was a tried-and-true Steel Magnolia long before the movie Steel Magnolias hit the big screen. It was certainly a pretty, if somewhat sad, picture to have all five Eaton girls home for the first time in too many years to remember. Their grandmother would have been proud. Rest in peace, Miss Silivia. You will be missed.

In honor of Miller’s Steel Magnolia, who prided herself on knowing everything going on in our little town, here are the latest tantalizing tidbits, hot off the streets. There is a great deal of excitement out at the farm as the wedding of the year approaches. Farmboy (FB) and Snowbird (SB) will tie the knot after what seems like the longest courtship in history. The Golden Years Peace Corpsers—if there is such a word. No matter. SB’s ’rents spent the weekend in Miller. Mama GYPC had to oversee the bride’s photo shoot. Papa GYPC hung out at The Filling Station and filled the crew in on the advantages of using mosquito netting in the tropics. FB just smiles, nods, and marks the days off the calendar. He’s a mite impatient, it seems. FB isn’t the only one marking days on the calendar. It has come to this blogger’s attention that Our Man of Steel (MoS), Mr. DD himself, has taken a vow to abstain from dating for a year. He’s stuck to his guns for five months; only seven more to go. That might account for his surly attitude of late. This blogger wouldn’t be surprised if DT down at the water office doesn’t have a pool on whether or not MoS/DD makes it a whole year. If such a pool exists, then you can read about it here. From DT’s lips to the internet blog post, so millions (okay, that might be stretching the truth a little) of readers can place their bets. Don’t you just love technology?

Meanwhile, folks, it’s summer, and that means higher utility bills. One way to conserve energy and lower your bill is to turn your AC unit up when you leave the house in the morning. Or should you turn it down? Neither sounds right. Either way, 78° is the recommended temperature for the daytime hours when no one is home. The higher temperature makes a huge difference for all of us. It saves you money, and it helps reduce the drain on the power grid, so there are fewer brownouts and rolling blackouts. Win-win. Make it a habit to set the thermostat at 78°. Don’t worry, the cats will survive, and you will save enough dinero to buy them that fancy cat food they crave. Meow! Meow! Nuff said.

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@the Double D Series: Kiss Me Cross-Eyed