snakes on a plane?

That is the phrase that popped, unbidden, into my head, and would not leave.

I tried passing it off to folks as a joke.

"Had steaks on a grill at Tony's and Laura's. I keep thinking 'snakes on a plane'. Lol!"

Cousin Penny said, "Yummy! Haven't had a steak in a while! Love you, honey bunny. Have a great week!"

My first niece sent a laughing emoji.

I had no response to that from anyone else.

(Sigh.)

I'll be so glad when April is over.

Grandma's death on April 1, 1997, marked the start of Mama's descent right after her less than four years later.

Then, in 2007, Mother Pat lost her battle to cancer, with her passing hastening the dissolution of my marriage to her son before the year was done.

It's been a stressful month for me ever since 2009, when Daddy and Blaxstone, aka Sam Johnson, both died within a week of each other.

Jean Marie's death in 2017 didn't help, marking the month as something to just get through as best I could, between bouts of teary sobs and general ennui.

I go through the same thing in October. 

(Sigh.)

I would have preferred to have Easter in March, not today.

Getting snubbed by Smitty and Mary and not asked to join the family gathering at their house was just the last straw yesterday.

I hadn't known until I called Tony, to see what he was doing for the holiday.

That's when he told me he thought I'd be going out to Dutch Island.

I haven't been to our brother's house there since... Easter of 2023.

Tyler and Hannah had The Pip and family gatherings for that branch moved to their place instead, as it was easier for the baby boy to keep his schedule.

At least, that's the story I choose to believe.

I know Mary unfriended me on facebook, but I don't know why.

I told Tony and Laura about that today.

I had been in total disbelief when I found she had done so.

However, as I told them, I had called her at home to ask why, leaving the question on their home answering machine, and she had almost immediately friended me again.

Neither Laura nor Tony had any comment at all about that.

Strange, right?

(Sigh.)

On Saturday, I had looked forward to seeing the Hinesville peeps at their Nana's house, here in Savannah, for an egg hunt and cookout.

Instead, the gathering had moved to Ellabell to Tammy's house... and, after looking at the map, and knowing my Garmin Nuvi was dead, I just couldn't chance getting lost in the dark bowels of Georgia countryside again.

So, I had missed out on that.

I had missed out on the Smiths & Kamerons Friday Fiesta.

And now I was missing out on Easter with my brothers.

Ah, but not quite.

Although Tony and Laura had "the kids" over for burgers and hotdogs late Saturday afternoon, they were available to cook out on Sunday.

Tony said they'd get some steaks and we'd do that.

Instead, I told him I'd buy the steaks, as I still had SNAP to spend.

I don't know that he caught that, but he told me Laura loved ribeyes...

so that's what I bought.

The four of them ran just over $35.

Wow.

I also brought over the package of mini muffins that had been destined for the Easter egg hunt and cookout at Nana's.

What a lovely luncheon we had, with a Caesar salad, baked potato, and pasta salad!

Afterward, we sat in the back yard for a while, until I knew it was time to go.

 

How so?

Both of them broke out their phones!

Hey, I could take a hint.

They packed me out with the 4th ribeye and the rest of the pasta salad, throwing in two cheeseburgers and three grilled hotdogs from yesterday.

 

I walked back down to my house, as it was a gorgeous day.

Being with family and getting multiple hugs has helped restore my spirit.

The knowledge that the week ahead has my kind of weather helped, too.

i thank You, God.

doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo, DOO, doo doo doo doo doo

Here's one from the bunny peacock, while nestled in his natural habitat.

(Hey, it just seemed to be the right one for the job!)

WHAT CAUSES ARTHRITIS?

A drunk man who smelled of beer sat down on a subway next to a priest.
The man's tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.

After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, "Say Father, what causes arthritis?"

The priest replies, "My Son, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes and lack of a bath."

The drunk muttered in response, "Well, I'll be damned," then returned to his paper.

The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?"

The drunk answered, "I don't have it, Father. I was just reading here that the Pope does."

MORAL : Make sure you understand the question before offering the answer.

hippety hoppety!

Easter began early for me this year. As in, late last night, in the wee small hours, just past midnight. The peace guy had said earlier that he had gotten something for me for Easter, then added it was something for both of us - and I was totally, but pleasantly, surprised that he had done such a thing. Something for me for Easter?? Really???
As I've mentioned here, this particular holiday is not especially a favorite of mine. The death of my mother is heavier than usual on me when the Peeps are in bloom.
So, last night, after our return from a late movie, we're just sitting around the table, enjoying a little bowl of the lentil soup he'd made earlier. Yummy soup, too, with a bit of sausage and lots of carrots for splashes of color! He glances at his wristwatch (yes, Virginia, folks still wear those!) and says, "it's close enough to Easter." Then he rustles around in the 'fridge, checking to make sure the surprise had not broken, and... ta da! A golden bunny!
A golden-coated, dark chocolate, HOLLOW bunny!
Wow! I haven't had a hollow chocolate bunny in DECADES!
I don't believe I've EVER had a hollow DARK chocolate bunny!
Super deluxe COOL!
(big grin!)

once upon an easter

Easter weekend of 2009, I was in Daytona Beach, staying at one of the places that feels like home to me. I woke early enough on that morning to catch the sunrise and moonset from my balcony. Incredible display of spirituality and physics in action. To one side, the city night lights are still on as the moon beams above. On the other, the sun washes ashore with the waves, spreading its miracle of light and warmth.
We are never alone. Like the stars, our angels are always near, even when we cannot see them.