tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27540555140712606742024-03-14T07:36:00.025-07:00Growin' Up in the HillsI grew up in Logan, West Virginia. Most of my stories are about my childhood but I write about anything that I feel like writing about.
I have been posting some great pictures that I found at my Granny Brennan's house - some of them from the turn of the centurydamnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.comBlogger1834125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-37332714532992042672014-05-05T19:47:00.001-07:002014-11-01T12:28:47.180-07:00Me - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/me#.U2hMvZWztNg.blogger">Me - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=1yrfz"> </a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/sugar-curl.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">My mom was so proud of my sugar curl. She made it with a little bit of sugar every day.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/dresser-picture-4uuy0j4kh.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">This picture sat on my <br />
Granny Brennan's dresser for as long as I can remember. It is my <br />
brother, Billy and I when we were 2 and 3.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/my-favorite-picture.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">My favorite Childhood <br />
picture taken on the front porch of our house in West Logan, West <br />
Virginia. I was probably 4, Billy 3 and Rhonda 2. I used to sit in the<br />
tree in the backyard and eat peaches. I remember a flood. My mom says<br />
they carried us out of the house with the water coming up to the foot <br />
of our beds. My Raggedy Andy doll died in that flood.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-2nd.-grade.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">2nd. Grade...Mrs. Mabry</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-3rd.-grade-2.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">3rd. Grade. I remember <br />
having this picture taken. My mom had tried to explain to me how to sit a<br />
little angled to the side the morning of the pictures (classic picture <br />
pose style). I misunderstood and when the photographer tried to pose me<br />
I INSISTED that my mom wanted me to sit sideways. I refused to have my<br />
picture taken any other way. I am not smiling because I thought that <br />
my smile wouldn't show up in the picture anyway.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-4th-grade-copy.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">4th. Grade in my favorite <br />
"Alice in Wonderland" dress. I ripped it on the giant gash in the <br />
slicky slide. If people would see their kids on that slide today they <br />
would have a heart attack but we figured out how to slide down in on the<br />
side where the giant gash wasn't. We are probably lucky we weren't <br />
shredded.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-5th-grade-2.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">5th. Grade - Mrs. Ferrell. <br />
We used to play battling tops during recess. That was also the year <br />
that the last Vietnam prisoner of war came home (officially). We got in<br />
trouble for making P.O.S. signs. (prisoners of school)</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-6th.-grade.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">6th. Grade. I was hard core into my book a day reading regimen.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-7th.-grade.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">8th. grade. I loved my new <br />
bangs haircut but nobody taught me how to style them. I wanted WINGS! I<br />
remember my 7th. grade music teacher telling me how much she liked my <br />
new haircut. It did wonders for my self esteem...something I badly <br />
needed.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-9th.-grade.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">9th. grade...it was horrible. I was an acne filled mess. I loved the outfit I'm wearing...it's back in style now.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-10th-grade.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">10th. grade. I loved high <br />
school. I ran around with a group of girls and we called ourselves "the<br />
slut club". Nothing could have been further from the truth but it was <br />
our way of rebelling.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1979.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Senior Year for me. Billy was in the 10th grade and Rhonda in the 9th.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/beauty-school-dropout.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Beauty School 1985. I hated<br />
it from the very first day but I had moved and everything before I <br />
started it. I worked at it long enough to pay off my student loans and <br />
never did it again.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/jeffrey-1987-4uuyhc4sp.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">1987 at my in-law's house in Jeffrey, West Virginia with my husband, Bobby.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-and-bobby-point-pleasant-family-reunion.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Family reunion at Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Probably in the early 80's...with my husband, Bobby.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/vacation-ocean-after-truck-ran-over-foot.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Vacation after a truck ran <br />
over my foot in 1989. Some of you may remember a blog about the "Great <br />
Crab Invasion". This is when that happened.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1st.-litter-4uuyk7y3j.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">1993 - Bobby and I playing with our first litter of greyhound puppies</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/13th.-anniversary.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">September 24, 1994. Our <br />
13th. anniversary picture. If you had told me I would be leaving him <br />
forever just 4 months later I would have found it hilarious. I left my <br />
best friend behind forever that day.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/395764-10200638596386222-2137318460-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">1998 with Droid and her <br />
mother, Queenie. I was so glad to take a picture with them but of <br />
course my hair wouldn't "do right" that day.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/best-me-daddy-granny-hhhveh4t.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Christmas 2003 with my dad, Bill Brennan and my granny, Elaine Brennan. He died in 2004 and she died in 2011.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/happy-mothers-day-4uuyqz417.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">2003 portrait with my mom. I<br />
told her I wanted a picture of her for my birthday. At first she gave <br />
me her usual answer, "when I lose the weight." I pointed out to her that<br />
she had been "going to lose the weight" for my whole life and there <br />
were no pictures of her. So she took the picture. It was a great <br />
birthday present.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/tn.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">2008 or 09. Pam and Kathy horsing around at Fruth. We were hired on the same day in May 2000.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pam-2012.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Pam 2012</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/578406-10200847246682349-1044856993-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Pam 2013</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/superpam.png" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Me! In my own mind for my whole life.</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-78988729961131748362014-05-02T15:56:00.001-07:002014-05-02T15:56:17.752-07:00That Little Store - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/that-little-store#.U2QiYFs_veM.blogger">That Little Store - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2o6tz"> </a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
There's a little IGA store in St. Albans, West Virginia. It is a <br />
small family owned grocery store and they go out of there way to take <br />
care of me everytime I go in there. I have mentioned them before <br />
because they go out of their way to special order the salt free tomato <br />
juice I need. They don't charge an arm and a leg for it either so I can<br />
afford to get as many as I want - usually 4 to 6 a month.<br /><br />
There <br />
are lots of bigger chain stores along the way as I drive to get there <br />
but my need for the tomato juice isn't enough to interest any of them in<br />
carrying it...or if they do it costs so much I can't afford more than a<br />
couple of them.<br /><br />
But that isn't all that is special about this <br />
little store. They bend over backwards to help me with my purchases - <br />
including loading them in my truck for me. Today the little old lady <br />
that runs the register even had someone there to unload my cart and put <br />
my stuff on the counter to get rung up.<br /><br />
It was most appreciated <br />
since I started having chest pain a few minutes before I decided it was <br />
time to go. I don't make a big production out of it. I just rest in <br />
the aisle when it happens and make my way out of the store.<br /><br />
I go <br />
out of my way to purchase more goods at the little store. I want to <br />
help them stay in business. I don't get a lot of stuff because their <br />
prices are too high but I do get what I can manage to afford. I believe<br />
in supporting mom and pop stores anyway - not just the ones that go out<br />
of their way to help me.<br /><br />
They have a deli. I avoid it because <br />
deli food is usually loaded with salt. Last month I was walking by when<br />
the lady was putting out a freshly fried chicken breast. It smelled <br />
and looked so good I couldn't resist it. For $3 I got a humongous <br />
breast and bought a tiny thing of potato salad to go with it for lunch. <br />
It was scrumptious. It was so scrumptious that I got the same thing <br />
again today and I will probably do it next month as well.<br /><br />
I don't <br />
eat much fried food so this one transgression shouldn't hurt too much I <br />
hope. Especially since that chicken breast is so big I actually ate it <br />
and the potato salad for 2 meals. <img alt="{#basic-smile.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/basic-smile.gif" title="{#basic-smile.gif}" /><br /><br />
Anyway<br />
I'll keep going to the little store. Not because they have groceries -<br />
I can get them anywhere and cheaper for the most part. What you can't <br />
get is the kind of service they offer and they are so friendly about <br />
it. I used to assure them I was fine and didn't need the help (when it <br />
was obvious I did). They just brush those protests off and is much <br />
better to just accept the help gracefully and say a heartfelt, "thank <br />
you."</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-9752237420907903482014-04-18T06:06:00.001-07:002014-04-18T06:06:36.184-07:00Baby Steps - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/baby-steps#comment-1zn8x">Baby Steps - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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<div class="post-body"> <br />
Spring has sprung and I started my fitness plan last week. It <br />
isn't much of a plan really. I am doing my best to do one lap around <br />
our building. I can tell a difference after a week but my progress is <br />
still disappointing. When I first walked around the building last week I<br />
had to rest more than 5 times and each rest was 5 to 20 minutes and I <br />
had to get on my oxygen when I finished. It was terrible.<br /><br />
<br />
Today I rested 3 times and each rest was a minute or 2. I didn't get<br />
on my oxygen at the end. I also did a few other little things that <br />
added about another 1/2 lap on my walk. So all around it was an <br />
improvement. I have also had to keep my apartment inspection ready <br />
which is a whole another story.<br /><br />
<br />
How did I get in such terrible shape?<br /><br />
<br />
For those that don't know I have heart failure. I also have COPD. <br />
I've done pretty well taking care of myself but last summer I had <br />
emergency surgery to have my gall bladder removed. It almost killed <br />
me. I was fortunate that my nephew moved in with me and took care of me<br />
for 2 months. After that he was forced to leave because I was going to<br />
lose my disability insurance if he kept living with me. But he had <br />
nursed me to the point that I was able to minimally take care of myself -<br />
and I do mean minimally.<br /><br />
<br />
I worked on getting stronger just by doing routine housework and <br />
errands. I have been keeping that stuff done but was not able to go out <br />
into the winter weather or add any exercise to the mix. Just keep the <br />
house inspection ready because the landlord keeps putting up notices of <br />
inspection for the past 4 months!<br /><br />
<br />
Finally last week the weather became good enough for me to start my <br />
walking routine to get stronger. So I'm working on it. Right now my <br />
goal is to make a full lap around the building without resting. Then <br />
I'll work on 2 laps and so on and so on....<br /><br />
<br />
Soon it will be summer and I can add swimming to my list. I love to <br />
swim and went regularly except for last summer because of my gall <br />
bladder.<br /><br />
<br />
And that is how I got into this shape. Right now every step is a <br />
struggle because of breathing issues. Not because I get tired.<br /><br />
<br />
</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-57644279461605782772014-04-13T16:39:00.001-07:002014-04-13T16:39:04.613-07:00offbeat Easter humor - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/offbeat-easter-humor#.U0sf_Jx3kuE.blogger">offbeat Easter humor - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">peeping peeps</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1964910-705608429481854-377509529-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
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</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/10153212-458081170988839-5152013507756757308-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
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</div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/10152463-630892520309453-1702807056-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <br />
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</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/10013851-683858735011167-898827152529689761-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
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</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/10155073-10203280924922304-1386419399262840630-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <br />
</div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-10197696589252164782014-04-13T16:30:00.001-07:002014-04-13T16:30:04.546-07:00She Saved My Life - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/she-saved-my-life#.U0sd6sIrqKU.blogger">She Saved My Life - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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<div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/34457-1509177654013-2669499-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">This is my friend, Sharon <br />
Ball. She saved my life one day. I have told many people this story and <br />
she gets embarrassed but she deserves recognition for what she did for <br />
me that day.<br />
<br />
I was having problems with my heart. I went to the emergency room. <br />
Usually when I go to the ER they move me to the front of the line. This <br />
was one day when I could not get anyone to notice me and I was so weak <br />
and dizzy that I could not talk. I could not breathe.<br />
Sharon saw me. She knew immediately how serious the situation was. SHE <br />
RAISED HOLY HELL UNTIL A NURSE CAME FORWARD. When the nurse saw me she <br />
took me straight to the back and they ended up keeping me for a few <br />
days.<br />
So thank you Sharon Ball for saving my life.<br />
<br />
Thank you too to the staff of CAMC who once they were aware of the <br />
problem kicked their lifesaving measures in place. But Sharon deserves <br />
the credit for getting them to notice me.</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-30496248256174024932014-04-13T16:27:00.001-07:002014-04-13T16:27:29.612-07:00The Great Monkey Escape - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/the-great-monkey-escape#.U0sdKYlMKVE.blogger">The Great Monkey Escape - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2n52s">Edit This Post</a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/photo/post-photos/10151317-10152344370083812-2721025139139209628-n.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.preview/10151317-10152344370083812-2721025139139209628-n.jpg" /></a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
I've<br />
been watching the news about a monkey escaping from his enclosure in <br />
Kansas City and inviting 6 of his friends to come along - only 2 <br />
accepted his invitation though. <img alt="{#flag.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/flag.gif" title="{#flag.gif}" /> Happily all are back home now and no animals or people were hurt in the process.<br /><br />
It<br />
reminded me of a greyhound I had named Navjo Thunder. (yes that is how <br />
the owner spelled the name so no corrections please) Thunder was a <br />
typical brindle greyhound who was from a litter of dogs that could fly,<br />
but that is not what was memorable about him.<br /><br />
I was having a <br />
problem. I would be letting dogs go outside for turnout and all of a <br />
sudden I would look down and I would have males and females comingling <br />
around me. Most kennels, including this one, turned males and females <br />
out separately. Then I would have to go into panic mode and start <br />
putting them up as fast as I could before a fight started.<br /><br />
The <br />
first time it happened I kicked myself in the rear because I thought I <br />
had not latched the gate properly to the girl's pen. It is not an <br />
unknown occurance but I was usually much too careful about such things <br />
for it to happen.<br /><br />
Then it happened again. I had every greyhound <br />
in my kennnel running around together happily getting to know the <br />
strangers in the other pen. Generally this leads to much excitement <br />
from males who aren't used to having females so close and then the <br />
females start putting the males in their place and a huge fight can <br />
break out. So once again I put them up as fast as I could and I <br />
wondered what in the world was going on with the pens. I thought maybe <br />
the latch was broken at this point....but it wasn't.<br /><br />
Then one day I<br />
walked outside to latch the gate for the boys after I put them out. I <br />
did this just in time to watch Thunder walk over to the girls pen and <br />
flip the latch up quicker than any burglar could do it. The females had<br />
learned that he could do this and they were waiting at the gate to make<br />
a run for it and start the big party in the kennel.<br /><br />
I had to <br />
laugh. I had never seen a dog do anything like that before. I rushed <br />
to put them up again and from then on out I had an extra lock on each <br />
gate so that it was Thunderproof. It was quite comical to watch <br />
Thunder try to work the latch with that lock on it and I'm just glad he <br />
never tried to open the outside gate before I figured out what was going<br />
on.<br /><br />
That can lead to a whole another set of problems....much like the monkeys running around the zoo <img alt="{#basic-tongue-out.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/basic-tongue-out.gif" title="{#basic-tongue-out.gif}" /></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-91119464113829386112014-04-08T08:26:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:26:13.683-07:00My Pictures Don't Do It Justice - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/my-pictures-dont-do-it-justice#.U0QVBJ5eyAY.blogger">My Pictures Don't Do It Justice - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2cq58"><br /></a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/imga1499.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">www.ubbminersmemorial.com/</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/imga1490.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Upper Big Branch was the <br />
last Major Mining Disaster in West Virginia. This is also a monument to <br />
all fallen coal miners and it also gives the history of coal mining in <br />
the state.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/imga1494.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Names of the twenty nine who<br />
died. Two men survived. One was able to return to work a couple of <br />
years later. The other will never work again because of his injuries.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/imga1491.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Even though the memorial is <br />
wedged between the road and the creek (as everything is in southern West<br />
Virginia), there is a beautiful view.</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/imga1493.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Me - paying my respects. Eddie and I took the trip to see it today. I was surprised by the reverence that the site inspired.</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-61040158193328606402014-04-08T08:25:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:25:17.441-07:00Pudgy's Favorite Position - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/pudgys-favorite-position#.U0QU0mmFMfo.blogger">Pudgy's Favorite Position - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/snapshot-20131119-1-4wq8jo0f5.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">He looks like a bearskin rug</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/snapshot-20130810.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Making me wait to pet him</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/pudgy-2.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Pudgy lives in the kitchen <br />
cabinet. He lets himself in and out. Yesterday when the bug man came <br />
he caught Pudgy off guard in the bedroom. As soon as the bug man walked<br />
through Pudgy came streaking out of the bedroom running so fast he <br />
couldn't get traction as he cut the corner to the kitchen. When the bug<br />
man asked what was wrong I told him I had a "chicken cat". The bug man<br />
didn't believe me when I told him Pudgy let himself into the cabinet <br />
that fast but he went to look and sure enough. That's where he was. <br />
Pudgy was so traumatized I had to give him some can cat food with his <br />
favorite gravy.</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-39570264725606364282014-04-08T08:24:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:24:38.717-07:00Income Guedelines for Expanded Medicaid in West Virginia - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/income-guedelines-for-expanded-medicaid-in-west-virginia#.U0QUrD_ojlA.blogger">Income Guedelines for Expanded Medicaid in West Virginia - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2cyc3">Edit This Post</a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1392084-10202570815290487-830251412-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">guidelines vary in each state.</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-74827020054072747022014-04-08T08:23:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:23:51.609-07:00They Said, "You are the only people in the history of the state..." - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/they-said-you-are-the-only-people-in-the-history-of-the-state#.U0QUfJf9By0.blogger">They Said, "You are the only people in the history of the state..." - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div id="user-content-post"><br />
"...to send back food stamps." They seemed none too happy about it.<br /><br />
Back<br />
in 1984 I went to Beauty School. We moved from Logan, WV, to <br />
Huntington, WV, so I could do this. My husband was having trouble <br />
finding a job. He applied for food stamps. He was eligible. I was not<br />
because I was going to school. Then he found a job at a little leather<br />
shop in the mall. He was still eligible and I wasn't. Then he added a<br />
job cleaning floors at the mall after they closed.<br /><br />
After they <br />
reviewed our case they said not only was he eligible but I had been <br />
eligible for the past 9 months. They back paid us 9 months of food <br />
stamps. One day the mailman knocked on our door and asked me if there <br />
was some kind of mistake. He showed me the envelope with the food <br />
stamps and in the upper right hand corner was a number actually showing <br />
how much food stamps were in the envelope.<br /><br />
We received 689 dollars<br />
worth of food stamps. Talk about a Christmas present. That was sure a<br />
boon to us! My brother found out about it and promptly offered me 50 <br />
cents on the dollar for them. I told him he was crazy. The grocery <br />
store would give us dollar for dollar for them!<br /><br />
What we did do <br />
though was because we coudn't afford Christmas presents we bought the <br />
stuff for Bobby to make his world famous cheesecakes for Christmas. He <br />
used to make the most deletable cheesecake. He put the fruit in the <br />
cheesecake instead of on top of it and people loved it. (It was quite <br />
innovative for 1984) So everybody got cheesecake for Christmas that <br />
year.<br /><br />
Then I graduated from Beauty School and we both got jobs in <br />
Galllipolis, Ohio. They sent us more food stamps. We were both working<br />
decent jobs so I sent the food stamps back to the state via registered <br />
mail. A few days later we got a call from a social worker. She wanted <br />
to know why we sent them back. I explained that we got good jobs and we<br />
didn't need them any longer. That was when she told me that we could <br />
have kept them because they knew we were just getting started and <br />
probably needed the money.<br /><br />
She offered to send them back. I <br />
politely refused, telling her we didn't need them any longer. That was <br />
when she told me she didn't know what she was going to do with the food <br />
stamps, that they really didn't have a procedure for turning them back <br />
in.<br /><br />
Being young and naive I told her I was sure she would figure <br />
it out and I hung up. So I don't know what happened to the food <br />
stamps. I hope she gave them back but who knows<img alt="{#confused.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/confused.gif" title="{#confused.gif}" /> She may have kept them or given them to someone else in need.<br /><br />
</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-20903993463167246832014-04-08T08:22:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:22:10.276-07:00The Last Bit of Beauty Left in WV until Spring - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/the-last-bit-of-beauty-left-in-wv-until-spring#.U0QUGL4aTGA.blogger">The Last Bit of Beauty Left in WV until Spring - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1424394-10201031475859773-643701122-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <br />
</div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-50566122055208885822014-04-08T08:21:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:21:28.360-07:00My First Married Thanksgiving - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/my-first-married-thanksgiving-1#.U0QT7jFbKVQ.blogger">My First Married Thanksgiving - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2d6f7">Edit This Post</a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
We went to my parent's house and my new in-law's house. The part I <br />
really remember was at my in-laws home. I had a most excellent <br />
mother-in-law. We grew to be great friends over time but when I was <br />
first married, she had major issues with the fact that I refused to wait<br />
on my husband hand and foot. Don't get me wrong I didn't mind doing <br />
things for him, but what I did mind was someone thinking that I should <br />
cater to his every whim just because he was a man and I was a woman. <br />
WRONG! <img alt="" src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/omg.png" /><br /><br />
She<br />
wanted no help in the kitchen. She had her own way of doing things. I<br />
respected that. So the whole family was gathered throughout the house <br />
doing whatever until dinner was ready. It was really very nice not to <br />
have to worry about helping to prepare the meal - I was used to helping <br />
my mom and it wouldn't have been a problem to help my mother-in-law if <br />
she had wanted the help.<br /><br />
It came time to eat and she called <br />
everyone to the kitchen. It was buffet style. I jumped right in and <br />
fixed myself a plate of food and as I was walking away she yelled, <br />
"Bobby, come and eat, Pam has your plate ready!"<br /><br />
I just looked at her and smiled and said, "this is my plate, I have no idea what he wants to eat!" <img alt="{#evil_laught.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/evil_laught.gif" title="{#evil_laught.gif}" /><br />
I took my plate and when Bobby had his plate ready he joined me. <br />
Thankfully she didn't make an issue of it and neither did I so it was a <br />
great Thanksgiving. Bobby and I laughed together many times about it <br />
over the years and she was eventually able to have a little giggle about<br />
it herself once she started to come to my home to eat Thanksgiving <br />
dinner.<br /><br />
I remember how pleased she was that I was able to even <br />
cook such a meal. "I didn't know you had it in you, girl." she smiled <br />
at me. I did however let her fix whatever she wanted in my kitchen. <br />
The more the merrier was my philosophy and it still is.</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-60763355385285314232014-04-08T08:20:00.003-07:002014-04-08T08:20:40.451-07:00Let THEM Sort it Out - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/let-them-sort-it-out#.U0QTvrSnuFI.blogger">Let THEM Sort it Out - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2d6gt">Edit This Post</a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
I was working the fuel desk at a TA Truckstop. (I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this job) <img alt="{#dancing6.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/dancing6.gif" title="{#dancing6.gif}" /> ANYWAY...<br /><br />
I<br />
was working the fuel desk when I noticed the new girl looking kind of <br />
funny. I asked her what the problem was and she said she had just got <br />
off the phone with a trucker and he had asked her to call 911 for him. <br />
She said he told her he was parked in our parking lot (with about a 100 <br />
other truckers) and he was too sick to call them himself.<br /><br />
"Well, why are you just standing there? Why aren't you calling 911?"<br /><br />
She said, "I don't know if it is a prank call or not."<br /><br />
I<br />
cussed to myself and told her to get on the phone and call 911. I told<br />
her it wasn't our job to decide if something like that was a prank call<br />
- let the police and ambulance sort it out - that was their job.<br /><br />
She<br />
still just stood there looking at me. So I left my long line of <br />
customers (we were in the middle of a rush) and called 911 myself. I <br />
explained the phone call to them and they asked me how THEY were <br />
supposed to find this trucker in the middle of all the other truckers. I<br />
told them to just send the ambulance to our front door. By the time <br />
they got there I would have someone locate the truck driver. (the clerk<br />
did remember the company name of the trucker)<br /><br />
When I got off the <br />
phone I called the maintenance guys and explained the problem to them. <br />
They hustled on to the parking lot to locate the truck. I also got on <br />
the phone to the trucking company and spoke to their dispatcher. They <br />
knew exactly what truck I was talking about and although they didn't <br />
know the location of the truck on the parking lot they did know the <br />
license number of the truck.<br /><br />
That was all I needed. I relayed the<br />
information to the maintenance men as well as getting on the intercom <br />
that broadcasted across the entire property. So then I had all the <br />
truckers looking for their fellow trucker.<br /><br />
He was located in <br />
minutes. He was indeed too sick to call an ambulance but as promised I <br />
directed the ambulance to the guys truck and they rushed him to the <br />
hospital where he was operated on for a appendicitis or something along <br />
that nature. We also secured the truck while the trucking company sent a<br />
substitute driver to pick up the cargo and sent it on it's way.<br /><br />
That<br />
trucker was in the hospital for over a week. But when he came out he <br />
stopped by the fuel desk to thank us for saving his life and getting him<br />
some help.<img alt="{#thumbs_up.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/thumbs_up.gif" title="{#thumbs_up.gif}" /> <img alt="{#thumbs_up.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/thumbs_up.gif" title="{#thumbs_up.gif}" /> <img alt="{#thumbs_up.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/thumbs_up.gif" title="{#thumbs_up.gif}" /></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-43182546109205194332014-04-08T08:20:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:20:03.285-07:00I wish I still didn't understand - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/i-wish-i-still-didnt-understand#.U0QTmd4vYZE.blogger">I wish I still didn't understand - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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<div id="user-content-post"><br />
I used to make a joke when I was younger.<br /><br />
"Where was I when Kennedy was killed?"<br /><br />
"In<br />
my crib," I would answer and I would laugh, partly because I was too <br />
young to remember Kennedy but mostly because I couldn't understand how <br />
so many people could be so upset by the death of one human being.<br /><br />
As<br />
I got older I started to understand but not truely completely. I was <br />
kind of embarrassed by the fact that I could remember where I was when <br />
certain people died.<br /><br />
1. Elvis - I was watching my soap when a <br />
special news bulletin came on and announced that Elvis was dead. His <br />
death didn't really affect me but I had never seen a special news report<br />
announcing such a thing. (this was back in the days when they actually<br />
had to have news to use a breaking news report for those of you too <br />
young to remember those days) The only breaking news report I ever saw <br />
was when there was a chemical leak in Charleston WV. They activated the<br />
emergency broadcast system for that one. (we lived about 60 miles away)<br /><br />
Elvis death affected me because I knew my parents would be devastated - especially my mom. She adored him.<img alt="{#broken_heart.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/broken_heart.gif" title="{#broken_heart.gif}" /><br /><br />
2. <br />
Princess Diana - I had just come home from work. I was walking from the<br />
living room to the bedroom when they came on the tv and said he had <br />
been killed. I kind of hoped it wasn't true when they said it but I <br />
knew it was when they said that Prince Charles was flying to Paris to <br />
bring her body home.<br /><br />
I hoped it wasn't true because I, like so <br />
many others, recognized the good she was trying to do in the world. <br />
Still I was kind of embarrassed that "I know where I was when..."<br /><br />
3. <br />
Then 911 happened. I like all Americans spent the day weeping and in <br />
disbelief that such an attack could happen in our country. Although I <br />
had always wondered why they didn't.<br /><br />
But now my innocence was <br />
lost. I felt the pain like everyone else did and I finally understood <br />
what it was like for people who could remember when Kennedy died.<br /><br />
4. <br />
Michael Jackson - I was at work and Makayla was runnning around telling<br />
everyone he was dead. I thought it was another hoax. (I have heard he <br />
was dead several times in my life) But within the hour I knew it was <br />
true and I was sad. I grew up with Michael Jackson. We were the same <br />
age.<br /><br />
Also, I thought it was hilarious in his "Thriller" days <br />
becaue one of my stepdaughters was so in love with him that she was sure<br />
she was going to marry him. <img alt="{#guitarplay3.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/guitarplay3.gif" title="{#guitarplay3.gif}" /><br /><br />
So<br />
now I understand what all the hoopla is about when people talk about <br />
the day Kennedy died. But I wish in a way, I still didn't.</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-22269426823003061402014-04-08T08:19:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:19:21.904-07:00Saturday Thanksgiving Cartoons - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/saturday-thanksgiving-cartoons#.U0QTcI9heeg.blogger">Saturday Thanksgiving Cartoons - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2d8q6">Edit This Post</a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
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</div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-7098278419822320242014-04-08T08:18:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:18:32.012-07:00DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A WARM AND FUZZY THANKSGIVING STORY - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/do-not-read-if-you-are-looking-for-a-warm-and-fuzzy-thanksgiving-story-1#.U0QTPdnaw1w.blogger">DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A WARM AND FUZZY THANKSGIVING STORY - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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<div id="user-content-post"><br />
This story is funny, NOW, in a very perverted kind of way, but when it happened I went through the roof! <img alt="" src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/angry.png" /><br /><br />
It<br />
was always my tradition when I was training dogs to invite anyone who <br />
was without family to my home for Thanksgiving (and any holiday for that<br />
matter). In the dog business there is a lot of traveling from track to <br />
track and many people who just can't get home for the holidays. I was <br />
always glad to do this - except for this one time!<br /><br />
It was the <br />
night before Thanksgiving and I had invited everyone to my house as <br />
usual. I was working at the track picking up dogs. I had picked up one <br />
of my dogs and I went to the water hose to hose him down when I was <br />
greeted by one of the most disgusting sights that I have ever seen in my<br />
life!<img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/13.gif" /><br /><br />
Standing<br />
in front of me, hosing his dog down was "Bear" (nickname). Bear was <br />
drunk. Not only was he drunk, he was sloppy, staggering drunk! He turned<br />
to hand me the water hose and I was greeted with the sight of his <br />
penis! Not only was it hanging out of his pants but he was <br />
actually relieving himself at same time he was turning around!<img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/30.gif" /> <img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/30.gif" /> <img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/30.gif" /> I of course let out a scream of rage<img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/14.gif" /> and fury <img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/14.gif" /><br />
so loud that I believe that entire compound heard me! Bear, in his <br />
drunken stupor started to apologize profusely and I guess in his mind <br />
he tried to turn away from me which only gave me alovely profile view of<br />
him relieving himself.<img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/102.gif" /><br /><br />
I lost it! <img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/35.gif" /> <img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/102.gif" /> <img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/35.gif" /><br />
I threw one screaming, ranting fit that sent everybody scurrying in <br />
every direction once they saw what the problem was. Thankfully Bear was <br />
escorted away and someone else started to pick up his dogs for him. I <br />
could not believe that someone who was supposed to be at my home for <br />
Thanksgiving the next day was treating me with such disrespect! <br />
Thankfully he did not show the next day. Not only did he not show, but <br />
no one ever saw him at the track again.<img alt="" src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/7.gif" /><br /><br />
The<br />
running joke for a week was that Bobby, my husband, had killed him and <br />
left him in a ditch somewhere. Bobby just laughed at the whole situation<br />
because he knew that I was quite capable of fighting my own battles. A <br />
couple of weeks later we found out that Bear had gone home to a track in<br />
Massachusetts. No one ever saw his face at West Palm ever again. <img alt="{#evil_laught.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/evil_laught.gif" title="{#evil_laught.gif}" /> <img alt="{#evil_laught.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/evil_laught.gif" title="{#evil_laught.gif}" /> <img alt="{#evil_laught.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/evil_laught.gif" title="{#evil_laught.gif}" /></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-88572023771654865752014-04-08T08:17:00.003-07:002014-04-08T08:17:53.421-07:00I Bake My Turkey Upside Down - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/i-bake-my-turkey-upside-down-1#.U0QTF4S8FzU.blogger">I Bake My Turkey Upside Down - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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<div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1452061-615931235136405-1062333732-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">One year I had sprained my <br />
ankle and my husband had to cook Thanksgiving Dinner. He went to put <br />
the turkey in the oven and it was upside down. I tried to stop him but <br />
he told me he was cooking dinner and for me to leave him alone. So I <br />
did.<br />
<br />
The turkey was perfect.<br />
<br />
You cook it upside down until about the last 45 minutes or so, then you <br />
flip it. That way the breast meat is as moist as the dark meat usually <br />
is! Also the skin on the bottom is crisp and brown just like the skin <br />
on top.<br />
<br />
A perfect Turkey every time.</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-60703286869307702002014-04-08T08:17:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:17:16.451-07:00For those of you following the Patriot Coal debacle - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/for-those-of-you-following-the-patriot-coal-debacle#.U0QS8e-zxCE.blogger">For those of you following the Patriot Coal debacle - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div id="user-content-post"><br />
Some of you know I was posting updates about the Patriot Coal <br />
situation. I stopped when they reached a settlement (which I posted), <br />
but something about the whole situation bothered me.<br /><br />
Why did the <br />
UMWA allow the other coal companies to transfer all their retirees to a <br />
coal company that that they never worked for? It made no sense to me.<br /><br />
It<br />
turns out that as part of the deal to transfer all the retirees to <br />
Patriot Coal that the Peabody and Magnum Coal Companies made a deal with<br />
the UMWA that it would be 1/3 owner of Patriot Coal.<br /><br />
So <br />
essentially the Union sold out all those retirees to gain ownership of a<br />
coal company. Seems like a huge conflict of interest to me. Of <br />
course, the union had no idea that once all the retirees were <br />
transferred that Patriot Coal would be deliberately bankrupted to <br />
absolve not only Patriot but Peabody and Magnum Coal Companies of all <br />
obligations.<br /><br />
There has been a settlement though and all those <br />
retirees have had to take substantial cuts in benefits even though the <br />
original companies they worked for posted record profits in the billions<br />
of dollars.<br /><br />
I don't know who is lower.... the coal companies or the Union that sold them out.</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-11458233816220419862014-04-08T08:16:00.003-07:002014-04-08T08:16:43.689-07:00You Have to Make Your Own Holidays - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/you-have-to-make-your-own-holidays-1#.U0QS0UWGWnE.blogger">You Have to Make Your Own Holidays - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div>That was my advice to both my niece and my nephew at separate <br />
times in their lives. They grew up having everything done for them <br />
which is how it should be. Now they live far away and have their own <br />
holidays.<br /><br />
When I have asked each of them, at separate times, how<br />
their holiday's were, they both replied, "it sucked." They are young <br />
adults now and I told them at some point they had to start making their <br />
own holidays or they would always suck.<br /><br />
I hate it that they feel <br />
they have no family to spend the holidays with but their mom is dead and<br />
they are still feeling their way along. I wish I could help them but I<br />
can't. They both know they are welcome at my house anytime but I am <br />
too far out of the way for them to visit although thankfully that seems<br />
to have changed this year as far as my nephew is concerned.<br /><br />
I <br />
hope they soon find the holidays that I know they crave and have enjoyed<br />
in the past. I'm sure they will start their own traditions and maybe <br />
my niece already has since she is a little older than he is.<br /><br />
My ex<br />
husband also tried to tell me his holiday sucked after I left him. I <br />
asked him why he didn't plan one out? I knew the answer. With the <br />
exception of a couple of years when I was hurt or sick, I had done all <br />
the work for our holidays. He also thought I would feel sorry for him <br />
and invite him over. I told him to go to a local church and eat one of <br />
their dinners or go help in a homeless shelter - then he would remember <br />
how blessed he was to have a job and work at something he loved.<br /><br />
This<br />
year I will not be cooking. I want to have a Thanksgiving where I am <br />
rested and feeling good. I don't want to be worn out from cooking food <br />
that I am not supposed to have. The kind of food we eat for our <br />
holidays makes me feel bad for weeks after the holiday is over as well.<br /><br />
I<br />
have already enjoyed some of the blessings of the season. Lee Terrace <br />
hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner last Satuday. I did not attend because I <br />
was tired and I was trying to avoid the salt and carbo loaded, <br />
wonderful, delectable foods that I knew would be there. But there was a<br />
knock at my door and when I opened it I found that they had put a <br />
dinner together and delivered it to me. I was most appreciative because<br />
I had been too tired to cook anyway.<br /><br />
I also received a food <br />
basket from the Union Mission this year. It is my 3rd. year to receive <br />
one. You go to pick it up at a church that reminds me of a mountain <br />
lodge and they hold a religious service complete with music. It is good<br />
music of praise of the Lord without being that nasally stuff that I <br />
grew up with. It is a very nice service.<br /><br />
They also gave me a <br />
basket from "Feed the Children". I pointed out that I didn't have <br />
children but they told me that didn't matter. It is a case of them just<br />
counting families served, I guess. I figured I could just give the <br />
stuff to some children I knew who could use it but I was surprised to <br />
find that there was nothing in the basket that was for children other <br />
than a cut out book and some cans of canned food. Everything else is <br />
stuff that it looks like was donated to "Feed the Children" from <br />
corporate sponsors. I honestly don't see anything in there for <br />
children. I plan to post a picture of the stuff in the box. I am <br />
grateful for it because I can use it but "Feed the Children" is supposed<br />
to be feeding the most poverty stricken people in our state and I don't<br />
see any evidence of that. They also made the state of WV pay them a <br />
million dollars before they would agree to even distribute anything here<br />
in the first place.<br /><br />
Then Sunday a friend from Fruth gave me the <br />
turkey that they gave to her for her Christmas bonus. She said she <br />
didn't want it. I was surprised by that one to say the least. It came <br />
out of no where. I spent a lot of years helping to feed people in this <br />
building so I guess Karma is paying me back now that I am having <br />
problems.<br /><br />
I will have 4 dinners delivered to me on Thanksgiving <br />
Day from the Frankie Veltry Charity Dinner. Frankie Veltry was a local <br />
resident who fed homeless people out of his pocket every year and after <br />
his death he made provisions for the dinner to continue. They deliver <br />
to the senior highrises. I have been getting dinners for the past 3 <br />
years but I have been giving them to others that I knew didn't get <br />
anything. This year I will share if I need to but I plan on eating <br />
those dinners myself.<br /><br />
I also have invitations to Eddie's mom's <br />
house and my Great Aunt and Uncle's house. But going out is hard on <br />
me. Socializing is hard. Sitting and having an intelligent <br />
conversation for an extended time is hard. I'm giving myself the gift <br />
of peace and relaxation and I am blessed to be able to do so.<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/photo/post-photos/052.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/052.jpg" /></a><br /><br />
This<br />
is the "Feed the Children" food basket that I got. I am pleased with <br />
it but it is full of stuff for adults. Of course the kids can eat the <br />
food but they have no use for men's hair gel and assorted moisturizers <br />
from Avon. I guess it would be appropriate for a teenage girl. But <br />
"Feed the Children" is supposed to be feeding the poorest children in <br />
the state. I think they missed the mark. There was also a relaxer for <br />
black children. I have already given it to someone I know that can use <br />
it....as I will do with much of the stuff here.</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-4692418694522948412014-04-08T08:16:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:16:03.216-07:00YE HAW! Thanksgiving! - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/ye-haw-thanksgiving#.U0QSp5JKcwU.blogger">YE HAW! Thanksgiving! - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/604025-425295454262742-1164408111-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <br />
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</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1469844-424226527702968-95561527-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <br />
</div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/1464117-607538209282077-712611505-n.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Woman getting a Thanksgiving Turkey<br />
in Helvetia, West Virginia</div></div><div class="align-center" style="padding: 15px;"> <div class="post-title-bg"> <br />
</div><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/safe-image.php-hokfatky.jpg" style="max-width: 500px;" /><br />
</div><div class="post-quote"> <div class="pad" style="font-size: 13px;">Turkey Drive down the Seneca Trail</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-35854203620058693712014-04-08T08:15:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:15:18.770-07:00If the Cure Don't Kill Ya - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/if-the-cure-dont-kill-ya#.U0QSfGzM2K0.blogger">If the Cure Don't Kill Ya - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
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<div class="post-body">Yesterday I had to go and have breathing <br />
tests to see why I'm having so much problems breathing. The tests are <br />
torturous but I passed them with flying colors a year and a half ago. <br />
Yesterday I could not complete them. I did my best and the technician <br />
was very friendly and helpful and gave me more tries to do them than I <br />
even wanted.<br /><br />
They put you in a phone booth looking thing (It's <br />
been so long since I saw a phone booth I was thinking it looked like an <br />
eco-friendly car -my how times have changed.) Then you have to do <br />
different exercises involving blowing all the air out of your body <br />
and/or holding it in and/or sucking more in so they can measure your <br />
lung function. I only almost passed out once. That's pretty good for <br />
me. Of course I wasn't doing the tests to measurable standards so that <br />
wasn't good. But I'll find out from the doctor what it all means in 2 <br />
weeks.<br /><br />
Then they made me do a 6 minute walking test. I already <br />
knew I couldn't walk for 6 minutes. They put a monitor on you and <br />
measure your pulse and oxygen levels. At one point the oxygen dropped <br />
to 69 which is not good. (any thing below 90 means brain cells are <br />
dying) My pulse was up in the 130's too. He made me stop and rest at <br />
one point. I will say I guess I'm going to have to use my inhaler more <br />
because the only reason I was able to walk that far was I had puffed the<br />
inhaler for the phone booth test.<br /><br />
Then when we got back to the <br />
lab he put oxygen on me. I was just starting to recover when he told me<br />
that I had to walk another 6 minutes with the oxygen on so they could <br />
see if there was an improvement. There was. Eddie laughed when I told <br />
him how far I walked for my 6 minute walk. Both times I traversed from <br />
one end of the hallway to the other (in my defense it is a very long <br />
hallway) but it only takes a normal person about 30 seconds to a minute <br />
to walk it.<br /><br />
I was so worn out by the time I got back home that I <br />
took a nap and rested the rest of the day. At about 10 last night I was<br />
having chest pain and I felt so bad that I was ready to call an <br />
ambulance. Then I remembered it was time for my meds anyway so I took <br />
my nightly handful of pills (12) and kicked back on my Bi-pap machine <br />
and fell asleep. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling better.<br /><br />
I<br />
am tired today but not exhausted. I'm going to take it easy though. <br />
The only thing I really have to do is go back to the drug store because <br />
THEY SCREWED UP MY MEDICINE ONCE AGAIN. I am getting really tired of <br />
going to the pharmacy 2 and 3 trips for every prescription and I am <br />
ready to change pharmacies. I don't know what is wrong but things have <br />
been really bad there for about 6 months. This time I called the <br />
prescription in on Friday. I have to give them a day to order it <br />
because the brand they normally use causes me to cramp. They don't get <br />
shipments on the weekend so I knew they wouldn't have the medicine until<br />
Monday. I stopped on my way home from the hospital and I was too tired <br />
to check it and I didn't think it was necessary since they special <br />
ordered it.<br /><br />
WHAT DO YOU KNOW? I opened the pills this morning and<br />
they were the wrong pills. I just called and they said they didn't <br />
know why the wrong pills were in the bottle because my pills were on the<br />
shelf. So I have to waste more gas that I don't have to go get the <br />
pills changed out. There is a pharmacy across the street. I hate to <br />
change but I think it is time.</div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-19211084850665703932014-04-08T08:14:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:14:44.516-07:00The History of the Frankie Veltri Thanksgving Dinner - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/the-history-of-the-frankie-veltri-thanksgving-dinner#.U0QSVTHPh2U.blogger">The History of the Frankie Veltri Thanksgving Dinner - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div id="user-content-post"><br />
I found this at the WCHS News site. The family also had a link to it from their facebook page.<br /><br />
<br /><span class="StoryBigHead">Jan. 18, 1993 - Charleston's Holley Hotel Demolished</span><br /><span class="StoryBody2">By <a href="mailto:hharrison@wchstv.com" style="text-decoration: none;">Heath Harrison</a></span><br /><span class="StoryBody2">November 10, 2013</span><br /><br />
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<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#eee" class="StoryBody2"><span class="SidebarHead">EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO</span><br /><img alt="" height="5" src="http://www.wchstv.com/i/1x1spacer.gif" width="450" /></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#fff"><img alt="" height="5" src="http://www.wchstv.com/i/1x1spacer.gif" width="450" /><br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><a class="addthis_button_facebook_like at300b" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><div class="fb-like fb_iframe_widget" data-action="like" data-font="arial" data-href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/the-history-of-the-frankie-veltri-thanksgving-dinner" data-layout="button_count" data-ref=".U0QSQPHCkCc.like" data-send="false" data-show_faces="false" data-width="90"><span style="height: 20px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 78px;"></span></div></a><a class="addthis_button_compact at300m" href="http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/rememberwhen/rem131110_31.shtml#"><span class="at16nc at300bs at15nc at15t_compact at16t_compact"><span class="at_a11y">More Sharing Services</span></span></a></div><img alt="" height="10" src="http://www.wchstv.com/i/1x1spacer.gif" width="450" /><br /><form action="/newsroom/rememberwhen/archive.shtml"></form></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="StoryBody2">On<br />
Jan 18, 1993, the nearly 80-year history of Charleston’s Holley Hotel <br />
came to an end, as 73 pounds of explosives reduced the seven-story <br />
building to a pile of rubble in the city’s first controlled implosion.<br /><br /><strong>Early years</strong><br />The<br />
hotel, located at 1008 Quarrier Street, was built by brothers Pat and <br />
John Crowley in 1914 and named for Charleston Mayor James A. Holley. It <br />
was once part of a string of downtown hotels hosting travelers to <br />
Charleston. While not as luxurious as the <a href="http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/140" target="_blank">Ruffner,</a> <a href="http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1705" target="_blank">Daniel Boone,</a> or other city establishments, the Holley was still considered a first-class hotel in its early years.<br /><br /><strong>Frankie Veltri</strong><br />The Holley’s best-known owner came in 1970, when Frankie Veltri purchased the building from the Crowley family.<br /><br />Veltri<br />
was a fixture in downtown Charleston in the latter half the 20th <br />
century. Having had to drop out of school in the third grade due to a <br />
learning impairment that made him unable to read or write, he was a <br />
self-made millionaire, who, upon returning from World War II, built his <br />
fortune by opening a series of poolrooms and clubs around town.<br /><br />Veltri, who also owned the adjacent, smaller Worthy Hotel, converted the Holley to a residential hotel after his purchase.<br /><br />He<br />
was famous for his generosity and humanitarian efforts around town, <br />
offering free Thanksgiving dinners every year to the city’s poor. The <br />
dinners were started in in the 1960s at his home and served to a few <br />
families, then moved to the Holley as the crowds grew. By the time of <br />
the hotel’s closing, the annual event drew hundreds of needy to the <br />
hotel, where they would be served meals created from the truckload of <br />
food Veltri ordered each year.<br /><br /><strong>A social hub</strong><br />The<br />
Holley’s downtown location made it a popular place of residence for <br />
many in the 1970s, including West Virginia Secretary of State A. James <br />
Manchin, future U.S. Rep. Bob Wise and future Charleston Mayor Danny <br />
Jones.<br /><br />"He had a diverse crowd there. It was a catch point for a <br />
lot of different people," the Rev. Jim Lewis, who was a minister at St. <br />
John's Episcopal Church near the Holley, said.<br /><br />The biggest source<br />
of income for the hotel was from miners suffering from black lung <br />
disease, who came to Charleston from across the state to get exams for <br />
workers compensation. None of the other hotels would take the miners, <br />
but Veltri made arrangements with the state to put the men, numbering <br />
about 50 a week, up for their two-night visits.<br /><br /><strong>Refuge for the poor</strong><br />After<br />
the state ended the black lung arrangement, the Holley’s income dried <br />
up, but Veltri kept the building running into the 1980s, offering the <br />
hotel’s 200 rooms to the city’s poor. He charged only $5 a week, but, if<br />
the residents could not afford it, he let them stay for free.<br /><br />Lewis,<br />
who created the Manna Meal soup kitchen and helped to found the <br />
Covenant House shelter behind St. John's, came to know many of those who<br />
stayed at the hotel.<br /><br />He said Veltri had a genuine concern for the Holley's residents.<br /><br />"He really cared about people who were on the street and down and out," Lewis said.<br /><br />Veltri<br />
withheld judgment for the circumstances that led residents to the <br />
hotel. Some of the hotel's tenants worked at the Outhouse Inn, a strip <br />
club that shared the Holley's basement. Others battled addictions, while<br />
some simply had no place else to go.<br /><br />Lewis remembers the story <br />
of one who had a profound impact on his ministry, a man who ate meals at<br />
the church and had a sister who was a member of the congregation.<br /><br />Lewis said he learned of the man's history and what led him to the Holley.<br /><br />"I<br />
discovered he had been put away in Spencer because he was gay," Lewis <br />
said. "This was in the early craziness that they did with people."<br /><br />Lewis<br />
said learning the man's story led to his ministering to Charleston's <br />
gay community, including performing blessing for gays, something which <br />
generated a great deal of controversy for him at the time.<br /><br />"It was powerful," he said of the experience.<br /><br /><strong>Final years</strong><br />The<br />
hotel was not without controversy. The Holley gained an unsavory <br />
reputation for the numerous incidents that made the headlines in its <br />
final decades, including a body found in the basement, two residents <br />
falling from the building’s top floor, suicides, stabbings and attempted<br />
arsons.<br /><br />On concerns of safety at the Holley, Lewis said Veltri did all he could to protect residents at the building.<br /><br />"Was<br />
it safe? It was as safe as it could be for them," Lewis said, citing <br />
the staff Veltri kept at the building and efforts to care for the <br />
residents.<br /><br />City officials sought to close the dilapidated hotel <br />
and the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority bought the building from <br />
Veltri in 1990, after a long series of negotiations on price and a <br />
guarantee that the hotel’s residents would not be turned out onto the <br />
street.<br /><br />The last residents of the hotel moved out in 1992 and the<br />
building was gutted and prepared for its demolition the following year.<br /><br />Lewis said he was disappointed to see the Holley close, since it was an example of the kind of help to the poor the city needed.<br /><br />"I<br />
was sad when the hotel went down," he said, noting that the Holley's <br />
former location remains undeveloped and is currently used as a parking <br />
lot.<br /><br /><strong>After closing</strong><br />Following the Holley’s <br />
closing, Veltri continued holding his annual Thanksgiving dinners for <br />
the needy, paying $25,000 to install a kitchen in a Dickinson Street <br />
building to meet the event’s needs. A 2000 dinner honoring his <br />
charitable work brought him messages of praise from President Bill <br />
Clinton and Pope John Paul II.<br /><br />Veltri died on Aug. 27, 2001 at <br />
the age of 78, following a long battle with prostate cancer. He left <br />
behind a portion of his fortune to establish a fund so that the dinners <br />
would continue.<br /><br />The annual dinners are hosted to this day. More information can be found about this year’s event, set for Nov. 28, on the <a href="http://https//www.facebook.com/pages/Frank-Veltri-Annual-Thanksgiving-Dinner/224703277596333" target="_blank">dinner's Facebook page</a> .<br /><hr /><br /><em>Sources:<br />
Charleston Gazette, WV Culture Center, WV Humanities Council. Special <br />
thanks to Rev. Lewis for sharing his memories of the Holley for this <br />
piece.</em><br /><br /><em>What are your memories of Veltri and the Holley? Stop by our <a href="http://https//www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152075680852845&set=a.130149082844.132252.90859152844&type=1&theater" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and join in on the conversation.</em><br /><hr /><br /><em>This<br />
week's video, courtesy of the West Virginia State Archives at the <br />
Culture Center, features vintage WCHS reports from the late 1980s/early <br />
'90s by Alan Cohen and Stephanie Holland on the hotel's final days, <br />
followed by a report from Bob Aaron, featuring a crowd of spectators, <br />
including A. James Manchin and a young Danny Jones, watching the <br />
building's demolition.</em><br /></div><img alt="Remember When: Jan. 18, 1993 - Charleston's Holley Hotel Demolished" src="http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/rememberwhen/i/rem131108_31_2.jpg" /></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-3954025311321203822014-04-08T08:13:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:13:56.740-07:00The Year I had 7 Thanksgiving Dinners - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/the-year-i-had-7-thanksgiving-dinners-1#.U0QSJRrgxYU.blogger">The Year I had 7 Thanksgiving Dinners - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 10px; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.blogster.com/my/post?entry=2dhul"> </a></div><div id="user-content-post"><br />
<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/photo/post-photos/998982-610178779044984-1666869334-n.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://www.blogster.com/media/albums/users/d/a/m/damnpamn/post-photos/.view/998982-610178779044984-1666869334-n.jpg" /></a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
I felt like a blood soaked tick the next day. <img alt="" src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/sad.png" /><br />
I couldn't even move. I believe I would even describe myself as <br />
having a food hangover! I remember just laying face down on the table <br />
in the breakroom the next morning and going to sleep. I even fed a <br />
racer! Something I had never done in all my years in the dog business. <br />
That meant the dog was scratched (couldn't race for 10 days) and there <br />
was a $50 fine (fortunately my boss didn't make me pay it)<br /><br />
It was <br />
the first Thanksgiving after I left my husband. All the people who had <br />
helped me that year and my family wanted me to have Thanksgiving with <br />
them. So I did. I didn't skimp on not one meal. I did my morning work<br />
at the track and I had the rest of the day off. Here is where I ate 7 <br />
FULL Thanksgiving meals.<br /><br />
1. Mom's house<br /><br />
2. Dad's house<br /><br />
3. Granny Brennan's house<br /><br />
4. Granny Farley's house<br /><br />
5. Sis's house<br /><br />
6. Mike and Mitzie's house<br /><br />
7. Dave and Gail's house<br /><br />
After that year I learned to tell people "no".</div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-46480477764465897442014-04-08T08:11:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:11:06.956-07:00My Political Views - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/my-political-views#.U0QRfL_XaZ4.blogger">My Political Views - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div id="user-content-post"><br />
<div class="post-body"><div><span style="color: #6daa55;">I wrote this about 3 years ago...It still stands</span><br /><br />
1. <br />
Nobody should pay 30% of their income...I don't care how much they <br />
make. But everyone should pay the same amount. No deductions. No <br />
shelters. My dad told me once that the man who makes $100,000 can pay <br />
$10,000 easier than the man who makes $10,000 can pay $1000.<br /><br />
2. I<br />
am pro abortion. I hate it but that's the way it is. Most women would<br />
never get an abortion if the men in their lives would support them. We<br />
need to change the way we raise our boys when it comes to birth control<br />
and family.<br /><br />
3. I believe there is a happy medium to drilling for<br />
oil and mining coal. It can be done so that it is environmentally <br />
responsible - not just the cheapest way to maximize profits.<br /><br />
4. I believe that if we don't have good roads and bridges then we should quit building sidewalks and parks until we get them.<br /><br />
5. <br />
Go back to low interest student loans. I got my loans for 3%. Now <br />
they pay 18%. Who thought that brilliant plan up anyway?<br /><br />
6. When<br />
someone's insurance drops them because they reached their lifetime <br />
limit, do you think they just stop being sick? NO! Then the government<br />
steps in and pays for their medical care which means taxpayers are <br />
paying for it.<br /><br />
7. When companies drop retiree benefits because <br />
they are too expensive (even though the employees paid into their <br />
company retirement), who do you think picks up the slack? The United <br />
State Government does - which means you. Then the CEO gets a big bonus <br />
for saving the company money<br /><br />
8. When coal companies and chemical <br />
companies shut down and file bankruptcy, they don't clean up the mess <br />
they leave behind. The government steps in and pays millions of dollars<br />
to do it.<br /><br />
9. There has been tremendous progress on the <br />
environmental front in the past 30 years. That is why you see white <br />
smoke coming out of smokestacks instead of black smoke.<br /><br />
10. America is the greatest country ever!<img alt="" src="http://images.multiply.com/common/smiles/star.png" /><br /><br />
Oh<br />
yeah, I'm glad we are out of Iraq. Bin Laden is dead so it's time to <br />
leave Afghanistan. Fuck Pakistan. They are stabbing us the back while <br />
they are taking billions of dollars. If they try to nuke sombody we can<br />
nuke them first and decrease our stockpile. It will kill 2 bird with <br />
one stone.<br /><br />
if they want peace...so much the better. so do I. then nobody gets hurt.<br /><br />
We<br />
should not do business with China or any country that uses slave <br />
labor. We won the cold war because we DIDN'T do business with the <br />
Soviet Union for decades. NOT because Reagan said,"tear down this <br />
wall"</div></div></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2754055514071260674.post-28107759347520710132014-04-06T10:30:00.001-07:002014-04-06T10:30:36.242-07:00It was a Happy Turkey Day - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster<a href="http://www.blogster.com/damnpamn/it-was-a-happy-turkey-day#.U0GPKzRLsTk.blogger">It was a Happy Turkey Day - damnpamn's Blog - Blogster</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div id="user-content-post"><br />
as usual I drew things out into several days. <img alt="{#basic-tongue-out.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/basic-tongue-out.gif" title="{#basic-tongue-out.gif}" /><br />
I ate a lot of stuff I'm not supposed to have but I don't have a food<br />
hangover today so I guess I met my goal of not stuffing myself more <br />
than the turkey. <img alt="{#chick08.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/chick08.gif" title="{#chick08.gif}" /><br /><br />
I<br />
woke up feeling good because I didn't wear myself out cooking and <br />
getting ready for the day. Friends and family alike invited me over and<br />
one friend in particular wouldn't take no for an answer when she said <br />
she was going to bring me a plate, so I ended up at her house and my <br />
Great Aunt and Uncle's house. The only black spot was I had to leave <br />
both places early because I needed to get on my oxygen and I am too <br />
stubborn to shlep it to somebody elses house. (there are other words in <br />
my vocabulary to describe that but I'll stick with stubborn) <img alt="{#stick-bash.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/stick-bash.gif" title="{#stick-bash.gif}" /><br /><br />
I<br />
baked a cake the day before and took half to my friends house. I froze<br />
the other half so I wouldn't be tempted to eat it. The only thing I <br />
cooked yesterday was mashed potatoes and I did that for breakfast. I <br />
also thawed the turkey breast I had cooked a few weeks before and had <br />
some of the gravy that my friend sent over. A most stellar Thanksgiving<br />
breakfast I must say. <img alt="{#basic-smile.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/basic-smile.gif" title="{#basic-smile.gif}" /><br /><br />
Then<br />
I got my Frankie Veltri Dinners and had one for lunch. I have 3 left <br />
and I will check on some people today who I will more than likely give <br />
them a dinner because they need one for whatever reason.<br /><br />
I went to<br />
my Aunt and Uncle's house because I was craving a little family <br />
company. They are good, salt of the earth people and I saw one of my <br />
newer baby cousins - Ozzy! <img alt="{#eyes.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/eyes.gif" title="{#eyes.gif}" /><br />
Patty sent me home with plenty of leftovers and I stopped by my <br />
friend's house and gave her some sweet potato cassarole and some <br />
cranberry salad. I love the stuff but I don't want the sweets around <br />
me. She had cornish hen, kale with neckbones (which was great - I 've <br />
never had it), dressing and potatoes and gravy. It was delicious. I <br />
also gave her at least 5 lbs. of potatoes and a pair of tennis shoes <br />
from the food basket I got. Those were some nice tennies too! <img alt="{#thumbs_up.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/thumbs_up.gif" title="{#thumbs_up.gif}" /><br /><br />
So, I'll behaving leftovers for days but I love them.<img alt="{#embarassed.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/embarassed.gif" title="{#embarassed.gif}" /><br /><br />
My<br />
nephew decided he would rather spend the day shopping and eating at <br />
Shoney's. I won't get into my feelings about that. I guess times are <br />
changing but retail workers make next to nothing and one of the few <br />
benefits they ever got was the 3 "biggies" off from work. Now they have<br />
to work so greedy people who don't know how to shop for a deal go in <br />
and get their "great sales". What the lightweights don't realize is <br />
that this is just the first round of cuts. There will be better sales <br />
right before Christmas.<img alt="{#duel.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/duel.gif" title="{#duel.gif}" /><br /><br />
So, I hope all of you had as good a turkey day as I did. I was able to see the blessings I have in my life once again.<img alt="{#floating.gif}" border="0" src="http://www.blogster.com/share/tinymcbob/plugins/emotions/img/floating.gif" title="{#floating.gif}" /></div>damnpamnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129775229572550094noreply@blogger.com0