Southern Horoscopes
OKRA
Dec 22 -Jan 20. Although you appear crude, you are actually very slick on the inside. Okra have influence. Older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. Stay away from Moon Pies.

CHITLIN
Jan 21 -Feb 19. Chitlins often come from humble backgrounds. Many times they're uncomfortable talking about just where they came from. A chitlin, however, can make something of himself if he's motivated and has plenty of seasoning. When it comes to dealing with Chitlins, be careful. Chitlins can burn and then erupt like Vesuvius, and this can make for a really terrible mess. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra. Remember that when marriage time rolls around.

BO WEEVIL
Feb 20 -Mar 20. You have an overwhelming curiosity. You're unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense driven as if you had some inner hunger. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it.

MOON PIE
Mar 21 -Apr 20. You're the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. It's a cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. "Big" and "round" are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. It's not going to be easy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.

POSSUM
Apr 21 -May 21. When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a "don't -bother -me about it" attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy, but seems to work for you. One day, however, it won't work, and you may find your problems actually running you over.

CRAWFISH
May 22 -Jun 21. Crawfish is a water sign. If you work in an office, you're always hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to mountains, the pool to the golf course, the bathtub to the living room. You tend not to be particularly attractive physically, but you have very, very good heads.

COLLARDS
Jun 22-Jul 23. Collards have a genius for communication. They love to get in the "melting pot" of life and share their essence with the essences of those around them. Collards make good social workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal life goes, if you are Collards, stay away from Moon Pies. It just won't work. Save yourself a lot of heartache.

CATFISH
Jul 24 -Aug 23. Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, with one exception: Whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You catfish are never easy people to understand. You prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.

GRITS
Aug 24 -Sep 23. Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel, though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese or gravy or bacon or butter or eggs. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, which serves you well.

BOILED PEANUTS
Sep 24 -Oct 23. You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best -your friends and loved ones -may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will probably affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you.

BUTTER BEAN
Oct 24 -Nov 22. Always invite a Butter Bean because Butter Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You've grown on the vine of life and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, too, shouldn't have anything Moon Pies.

ARMADILLO
Nov 23 -Dec 21. You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle. A good evening for you? Old friends, a fire, some roots fruit, worms and insects. You are a throwback. You're not concerned with today's fashions and trends. You're not concerned with anything about today. You're really almost prehistoric in your interests and patterns. You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but Possum is another, somewhat kinky, mating possibility.

Later Ya'll...^Belle^

It's Friday and you know what that means. Time for the Friday Five. This week, with a Scratch twist. As always, answer any 5 or go nucking futts and answer them all. Ready, here we go...

1-How long is a "quickie"?

For me and The Yankee, about 2 hours.

2-What is to the left, as you enter the front door of your home?

A small table that my Papa K made around 1930. It is simple, rustic and I love it!

3-Cake or pie?

PIE....PIE....PIE...PIE!

4- A new website you recently found that you like?

www.YFly.com

5-Who is your hero?

My parents.

6- Clothing-Black or white?

Black.

7-Going out to dinner-Casual or fancy?

Casual.

8-Are you, "high maintence"?

No.

9-Pickles-Sweet or sour? What kind?

Sour/Claussen

10-Creamy or crunchy?

CREAMY!

11-Pizza crust-Thick or Thin?

Thin!

12-Most recent scent of air freshener you used?

Lilac

13-Which is sexier-Showing it all or leaving something for the imagination?

Leaving something for the imagination.

14-Which is HOTTEST- Army-Navy-Air Force-Marines?

MARINES!

15-Was the last movie you watched- On TV-CABLE-VIDEO-DVD-THEATER? What was it?

DVD- Love's Abiding Joy-4th movie in a series based on novels by writer, Janette Oke.

SCRATCH TWIST

16-I like Scratch because...

As we say in the South, he is good people.

17-Scratch makes me...

Laugh and smile.

18-Scratch has

Awesome blogs.

19-Scratch is..

An amazing writer, a classy guy, a good and loyal friend to many here on the stream.

20-My personal message to Scratch is

Remember, it was Puppy and NOT me that clunked you on the head with a roll of pennies. Later Ya'll...^Belle^

Ben was a big man. So big that he was often times called, Big Ben. As a little girl, I only saw him once or twice a year. His deep,bass voice made even deeper by years of smoking, not to mention his size always frightened me.

Years later as an adult, Big Ben and his wife became a member of my church. He was a jokester, always picking on someone,but underneath it all, gentle as a lamb. I always knew where to look for him and his wife Bess. Right side of the church, 4th pew. Big Ben sat on the aisle.

Every Sunday he would grab my hand as I made my way up to the piano, "How 'bout singin' me a song today?" I would smile and ask if there was anything special he wanted to hear. 9 times out of 10 it would be, Where The Roses Never Fade. Before letting me go, he would slip a peppermint disc. He would grab me again after the song service as I passed him, patting me on the hand.

Received word on Sunday from his oldest son, that Big Ben had died peacefully in his sleep. He asked if I would sing at the funeral. Even though I had plans for Tuesday, the day of the funeral, and even though singing at funerals is one of my least favorite things, there was no way I could refuse.



I try to have as little contact with the family as possible before the service. Prior to singing, I have to put my mind somewhere else. I keep my head down and try to avoid looking into the families eyes or at the casket. It's the only way I can get through it without breaking down.

Today, as time for my song arrived, I sat down at the piano and took a deep breath. Just as I put my hands on the keys, I happen to notice a peppermint disc sitting there. I could feel my eyes welling up with tears and glanced to my left, right into the smiling face of Bess. She winked. I had to play through the song once before even attempting to sing a note. I made it through the song just fine, and before taking my seat, grabbed the peppermint and put it in my pocket.

After the service, talking to Big Ben's son, he told me that his mother had told him to put a peppermint on the piano, explaining that Big Ben always gave me one when I was going to sing.


I remember during my mother's battle with cancer, she would often speak about her funeral, and was very specific about who she wanted to sing and what she wanted them to sing. I remember how very much it meant to me and my family that the dear lady traveled all the way from Birmingham to fulfill Mother's request.

So, the question was posed to me today, "If you hate it, why do it?" The answer is simple. It is a way to honor the deceased and pay respects to the family.Even though I don't like singing at funerals, I consider it a privilege. I know what it is like to lose someone you love. I know what it feels like to sit and look at a casket, surrounded by flowers.Even though I don't like singing at funerals, I consider it a privilege. And that is why.

Later Ya'll...^Belle^

Myspace Falling Objects

I included falling rain drops, because, the rain played a very important role is helping me find the man I love.

This song,"If You Ever Leave Me(Will You Take Me With You)", stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it. The lyrics are so deep and beautiful. It describes PERFECTLY the way I feel about The Yankee.

Sit back and enjoy a lovely duet with Barbra Streisand and Vince Gill. Listen to the music and think about the words.

If you have love like this in your life, be thankful. If not,don't give up!

From I Don't Mind the Thorns (When You're the Rose)

(Lee Greenwood - words and music by Jan Buckingham and Linda Young)

I don't mind the cold when I have a fire to warm me

I don't mind the rain 'cause it makes the flowers grow

I can take the bad times when you wrap your love around me

I don't mind the thorns when you're the rose

Create yours at HTmate.com/animator/

Let me have it:or

Later Ya'll...^Belle^