Devastation for our Partners in Poverty

My words aren't adequate to comment on the devastation and suffering that's occurred this week, so I won't say much. I feel a special kinship with the people of that region, especially Mississippi, even though I've never been there; they're always right there with us in the undesirable rankings. While we have seen our share of floods here in WV, it's impossible for me to fully grasp flooding and storm damage that displaces and destroys the lives of more than a million people.

Sometime in the last couple of weeks, I heard a radio show host commenting on the list of most generous states. I remembered that Louisiana and Mississippi were among the most generous, so I tried to find the list online. I don't know if this was the one he was talking about, but I did find this 2004 list (based on 2002 data). The "generosity index" is based on each state's average adjusted gross income and average itemized charitable deductions. Mississippi comes in first, Louisiana is 4th, and Alabama is 5th.*

Now it's everyone else's turn to be extra generous.



*WV comes in 13th on the 2004 Generosity Index.

A Fine to Dine

My lunch yesterday cost $2.99, and on top of that I paid WV 18 cents for the honor of eating food in this great state.

I don't like that.

But I'm not really very excited by all the recent talk of eliminating or gradually reducing the food tax. It would be nice not to have to pay tax every time I go to the grocery store, but I'm not naive enough to think the state government is actually going to reduce spending to make up for the loss in revenue.

No, I imagine it's going to come out of my pocket some other way. As a single, childless person with a job, there's a huge target on my back in this state. If the food tax vanishes, I imagine it's going to be my income they'll be coming after, and as much as I'd like to happily give more of my money to help those who need food tax relief, I really can't afford much more, especially with the increases in the cost of utilities, gasoline, and insurance.

Stuff on my Hillbilly Cats, Part II: "Lucille enjoys fresh produce from the garden"

Whether or not she's actually enjoying the produce is up for debate, I suppose. After some slight pressure from Michelle, I got my film developed (see Stuff on my Hillbilly Cats to see how all of this came about). Not bad for a first effort, but we have a way to go before we're ready to submit to Stuffonmycat.com.

Funny - I didn't notice that disgusted look on Lucille's face when I was taking the picture ;).

Something about posting this picture of produce on Lucille reminds me how ignorant I was about cats when I got her. We had a slew of dogs when I was growing up, with only an occasional stray cat here and there. I did have Spooky, a long-haired gray cat, but I'd not really studied domestic cat color variations, not even as far perusing a Cat-a-Day calendar. As soon as I got Lucille home, I called my dad and told him what a uniquely marked cat I'd gotten. "Oh yes," I said, "Her markings are so interesting, like a desert cat." (I'm not sure where I'd seen a "desert cat," or what exactly I meant by that, but anyway...) He must have gotten quite a laugh when he laid eyes on Lucille for the first time and saw that she was a dime-a-dozen brown tabby.

Unfortunately, I didn't figure that out until after I took her to the vet for the first time. "What color is she, honey?" The receptionist asked. Lucille was inside her carrier on the floor.

"Well, it's hard to describe -- kind of peach, but with stripes -- the stripes are black, but --" I was all giddy about my new, highly unusual kitty.

The lady, who I really like, looked at me skeptically and directed me to hold up the carrier. I did, and she scrawled something without commenting. I later saw "brown tabby" on my receipt, Googled the phrase, and soon learned I'd made an utter fool of myself. Lucille was unique only in that she was destined to be decorated with with tomatoes and corn, and that she loves popcorn, and...well, in every way except her markings.

Heavyweights

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this announcement is that Mississippi and Alabama came in ahead of us in the state rankings of adult obesity rates. We're #3 this year with a 27.6% of the adult population obese. Unfortunately, we lead the pack in the diabetes category; 11% of WV adults have diabetes. And some of us lucky souls have both of these fun diseases running in our families.

Another sad Sunday

Much of my life has centered around animals, and Sunday was one of those days when I really wish that was not the case.

My dad's eldest dog, who was almost 15, got sick over the weekend, and we had to take him to be put to sleep Sunday. I know I don't have to say it, but it was awful. I have been a blubbering mess since then. I always feel as if I must stay till the end, and then regret it for weeks, months, & years afterward. So far, I've been unable to completely get over it. I keep second-guessing and feeling guilty, which is pretty much what I do after all major decisions. I am my own worst enemy in that respect.

Computer Frenzy

Used Apple iBook: $50
Child's Stroller Damaged in "Stampede": $20
Folding Chair Used to Hit Line-Jumpers: $15
Lost Flip-Flop: $2
That such an incident took place in VA, not WV: Priceless *


When someone in Virginia tries to tell you how much more refined and genteel residents are in the Old Dominion State, when compared to the lawless hillbillies next door, just remind them of the $50 computer melee that ensued in Richmond. The Brooklyn Hillbilly sent me this story, adding that he was most thankful the scene did not occur in WV. Oh, do I ever agree.


*There is, of course, the problem that about half the country fails to recognize WV's secession from VA or believes everyone in WV lives "near Richmond."

Stuff on my Hillbilly Cats

Soooo, Michelle posted a link to this site on her blog the other day. Naturally, I had to check it out. Not quite as addictive as the name site, but close.

As I perused the photographs, I kept thinking, "There is no way my cats would put up with such nonsense."

But I admit I kept contemplating what I might stack on them and then snap a photograph.

I got home from work tonight and pulled out some unshucked corn to cook for dinner. Lucille hadn't yet gotten up to eat her cat supper and was still dozing on my bed. I looked at the corn...hmmm....

So I took three ears in the bedroom and leaned them against her back. To my amazement, she just sat there. She did turn her head a little and began nibbling on one. Oh my gosh. I ran into the living room to get my 35mm film camera. When I returned, she was still there -- awake and just sitting there with three ears of corn on her back. I struggled with the camera, which of course is partly broken and won't autofocus any more (another long story). I took a couple of pictures.

Still she sat there...

Hmmmm, it would look nice, I thought, to have some other colors because I'm not sure the corn will show up on her dark back. I walked out to the porch and grabbed some tomatoes.

And she remained...

I added the tomatoes - one on her back and two on her side - and snapped some more pictures.

At that point, I was starting to get slightly annoyed with her. "I've just stacked 6 pieces of produce on your back and you just sit there. You won't allow me to brush your back with a kitty comb, but you're OK with putting fruits and vegetables on it."

Sigh. And I lost interest and proceeded with cooking my dinner.

I'll post the picture whenever I get the film developed, which at my pace will be around Thanksgiving. By that time, however, I likely won't want to admit to placing corn and tomatoes on my cat.

More on names

Michelle sent me a link to this highly addictive site.

The Brooklyn Hillbilly and I have been discussing names. Because he's primarily known by his middle name, he's one of those people who must struggle with which name, names, name and initial, or initials to use whenever he meets someone new, starts a new job, or signs a document.

Go with the name he's called by everyone he's known forever and he's destined for repeated, tiring explanations each time someone can't find him in the office directory. He recently told me he's going to use only initials (first and middle names) for office documents. I told him he should reconsider, because it's been my experience that people who use a first initial with a middle name -- such as F. Scott -- are very successful and sometimes downright filthy rich. Perhaps this is because the first initial often belongs to a daddy who passed on to them a very lucrative business.

Anyway, I think the BH should use his first initial and middle name. The key, I told him, is to use the initial only on legal documents and keep it rather secret, but then when someone fails to use it, like when they address a letter to him or something, he should erupt with violent outrage and call for the person's immediate dismissal from the company. That's how really important people like to do things, and since he's a member of the Bar (and I'm not referring to the Pink Pony or similar establishments), he really should start practicing his important person routine.

Famed speechwriter, author writes about first encounter with WV

In this Aug. 4 column, Peggy Noonan writes about her first visit to the Mountain State, without using the word "hardscrabble" (I always have liked her writing style).

(thanks to the Brooklyn Hillbilly for sending this link)

Madison, Jacob, Ethan -- oh my!

I love names. They fascinate me. Especially funny names, like forestry professors named Wood or Maple or a fast-food restaurant proprietor named Fries. But naming trends also fascinate me. It's something the Brooklyn Hillbilly and I have discussed on numerous occasions, which is why I'm shocked he only just recently shared with me this awesome site, quite possibly the most wonderful thing ever produced by the federal government (well, I tend to exaggerate). You can search the top 100 names by state for any year going back to 1960, the top five names for all states (back to 1980), etc.

A search of the top 100 baby names in WV for 2004 told me just how much I'm out of it. For example, I would've never guessed that "Cadence" would have appeared anywhere on the list of top girl names, or that "Brooklyn" and "Nevaeh" would be there, too. Hmmm, there are far more Brooklyn hillbillies than I'd ever imagined, but there's only one BH, of course.

By the way, Amy in VA, Dre(a)ma doesn't appear in the current top 100 or in the top 1000 nationwide for any year. I did a search for the 1960s and 1970 and didn't come up with Dre(a)ma in the top 100 for any of those years.

Two alligators in one summer -- doesn't this warrant a budget digest-funded festival or something?

The second alligator of the summer has been found in Charleston, this one in a plastic container left in a Go-Mart parking lot, according to the AP. Earlier this summer, an alligator was found along the Kanawha River. Obviously, both are assumed to be pets that people got tired of...or are they? Maybe this will start an urban (rural?) legend like the one about the DNR dropping rattlesnakes from aircraft over southern WV.


A Legacy of WV Images
Speaking of the DNR -- WV has lost a legendary photographer today (see here and here). Arnout Hyde Jr., editor of Wonderful West Virginia magazine, died Monday. Think of the gorgeous WV scenes that stick out in your mind - covered bridges, wildlife, fall foliage, mountain streams. Chances are you've seen some of Hyde's pictures.

JL headed to college

So, JL is going to college in Morgantown this fall. Here's a story that includes a photo. I'm glad she's taking that step, and I hope it goes well for her. After all she's been through, college should seem like a breeze. I'm sure it'll be a tough transition, as it is for any first-time college student, but she'll be entering at an older age than the typical freshman and with a much different perspective on the world and an idea of what's truly important in life. I imagine that will be helpful. Most people don't figure that out until well after college, if ever.

Also, the nice thing about Morgantown is it's big enough to blend in and become anonymous, if that's what you desire, but it also retains most of the friendliness that West Virginia's known for. It's kind of the best of both worlds, in my humble opinion.

8/8/05 Update
A Q&A with JL appears in Time magazine this week and touches on the topic of attending college, as well as other things like her romantic life, about which she is smartly silent.

Yet Another Point of Pride

Hmmm, now here's a famous (or perhaps infamous) West Virginian I'd never heard of. It seems that in addition to producing a powerful hardscrabble senator, countless vote-buyers, the comedian who depicted Barney Fife, and the most toothless population in the country (see paragraph 5), West Virginia also has given to the world an internationally-renowned jewelry thief!