A Plague Of Biblical Proportions

seems that we've been swarmed by millions of these tiny critters and we've spent the better part of the day vacuuming them up and discarding them. In the heat of the moment we were certain that we were the objects of divine displeasure and the beetles were sent as some sort of punishment.

Initially we tried to keep the bugs out but they foiled us repeatedly, flooding into the cracks and crevices offered to them by our 100 year old farm cottage. One of the little suckers even found it’s way into our projection tv, causing us great distress.



These pesky asian lady beetles made their first appearance in our fair state in 1992 and their numbers have been increasing ever since. In Asia they hibernated in the crevices of tall cliffs, but here they seem to prefer to find repose in our walls and attics. They're pretty smart too, because they use "chemical cues" to find their favorite stomping grounds from year to year. I'm fairly certain that my house has become a favorite with them because each year they've come back, with this year’s visit resulting in record numbers.

We couldn't even walk outside when the swarm began because we quickly became covered by these invaders. In our panic-crazed efforts to dislodge them from our bodies we must have smashed quite a few, and that was a huge mistake because they really stink when they are smashed and the fluid that is emitted then permanently stains anything it touches.

By the way, you can thank the US government for the introduction of this wonderful little bug. They were imported as early as 1916 in order to control troublesome insect populations. You can certainly be sure that I spent my day yesterday thanking our government profusely.

Speak English, Por Favor

I've been overhearing alot of conversations lately about how we should make English our national language and how immigrants should speak english. Many have even suggested that they do not support Spanish being taught in our elementary schools because our children should be learning english. In my opinion this is just an issue being used as a tool for people fed up with immigration issues to make their ideas known without sounding as if they are prejudiced. (It really doesn't work.)

I guess I would be fine with the idea of making english our national language if the majority of our population could actually speak proper english and if our english was totally and completely pure. For instance, many words that we Americans use daily are in fact borrowed from the Spanish language.English, like most languages, has expanded over the years through assimilation of words from other tongues. This is a normal development and nothing to be worried over.

Did you know that the word alligator has recent spanish roots? It comes from the word el lagarto which means "the lizard". The word alcove also has spanish roots from the Spanish word alcoba. The spanish word was in turn borrowed from the Arabic word al-qubba.

For those of us who are worried that our language and lifestyle will be affected by the influx of Hispanic immigrants, there's really no point in worrying since the changes that you're trying to prevent have in fact already happened. I'm guessing that the people who keep insisting that the Hispanics cease speaking Spanish haven't quite caught on to the fact that sometimes they actually are even when they're not.

How Many More Children Have To Die?

It's really no secret that age and experience play a big factor in the risks that an infant faces of being abused in the first year of his/her life. A young parent, with no experience, poor coping skills, and a non existent support system is a recipe for disaster.

I myself was a young parent at one time, giving bith to my first child just shortly before I was 16. I was very blessed. I had a strong support system and many people to turn to if I was in trouble, but even I will acknowledge that I could have benefited from parenting classes of some sort to help prepare for what was to come.

I couldn't put my daughter down for the first four months without her screaming. It was much easier to just hold her constantly than to hear her cry but it was very stressful. When my second child came, I was a little more relaxed and knew that if he cried for 10 minutes while I took shower, it was okay. I shudder to think how I would have coped had I been completely on my own or if friends and family weren't around to help out.

There is no excuse for child abuse, but there's no excuse for not preparing parents who are young and inexperienced for the challenges that are ahead and I'm sorry but I'm seeing too many young couples left to fend for themselves in this town. Many are horribly impoverished and are adding the stress of a crying child to the burden of just trying to get by.

We need to implement better screening to identify babies who will be at serious risk and try to intervene with appropriate services. I'm not proposing that DSS should be breathing down the necks of all young parents but we really need a better safety net for these babies and young parents than we have now.

Look Who Made The Paper

My Youngest Son Photographed By Steve Dixon
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

At least the paper's online gallery.
My youngest is pictured on the bungee jump.

All My Children...No, Not The Camel

All My Children...No, Not The Camel
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

Okay, okay, I haven't blogged in a bit but I've been pretty lazy lately. I'm sorry.
We've had a wonderful time today at the fair and I've decided I want to start a mini farm!
Maybe we'll even participate in the fair next year!
Why not?

Local Rescued Puppy Needs Help

Tiny Dog Needs Help
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

SHUGEE has been rescued by a small rescue called Puppy Love Rescue in Hendersonville, NC. There was no room for her at other local places besides the shelter where she'd most likely be put down since she is injured.

She was run over by a car and both her back legs were broken but she is in good shape otherwise. Since she is a very friendly female dog even when in pain, & barely even a year old she is of course higly adoptable and would make a wonderful pet for a local family.

Funds are limited for this small group and they would appreciate any help recieved. Funds can be donated to the vet directly or through petfinder.com where the dog is featured. VISIT SHUGEE'S PETFINDER ADOPTION PAGE.

Shugee is currently being treated at Animals R Us and will be undergoing surgery.

It's The End Of The World & It's Trashy

World's Edge Road
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

All the locals know about the area known as The World's Edge located in Hendersonville, NC. Many folks hang out, drink and make out up there, some folks like me and mine go up there just to enjoy a pretty view but for me the view has been spoiled somewhat by all the garbage constantly being left by irresponsible idiots.

Images like the one above are becoming increasingly common as the population in our area increases and more people discover our secret hideaways. The broken beer bottles and discarded debris are lying everywhere. Cigarette packs and metal cans dot the forests as if they were some strange species of flower gaining a foothold in a new and defenseless environment. It's really sad to see what people are doing to our beautiful mountains.

Sensational New Ad Strategy For Local Pool Hall

Sensational New Ad Strategy For Local Pool Hall
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

...okay so I've been really lazy as of late, my apologies. I just haven't felt like I could top the last post I made.

Main Street Bear Attacks Some Tourist

Bear Attack
Originally uploaded by doctor zizmor.

Um...yeah, I was just waiting for one of those bears to end up in someone's vacation photos, and looky here.
When I first saw them on main street I thought to myself, "Can Hendersonville become any tackier than this"?
Well, I suppose I should be thankful that they at least aren;t white squirrels.

Vision Jesus Worship Service At Alpine

Worship Service At Alpine
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

Worship services in the low income neighborhood Alpine Woods went off without a hitch! Okay, okay, for the most part everything went smoothly.
We did have to cut the lock on the trailer holding all the equipment since the person with the key was held up in getting there, but we had a fairly good turnout with more younger people attending this time than we had had previously.
This is one of the reasons why I like our church Vision Jesus. We get to get out and get our hands dirty instead of looking on local misery from afar. We're actually out there on the front lines and it's GREAT!

Baby Belén Looking Beautiful & Feeling Much Better

Baby Belén Looking Beautiful & Feeling Much Better
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

Belén looks great after having a bout with encephalitis. We are so glad to have her back in church and we have all missed her so much while she was sick.
Belén is a miracle baby. She was very sick and has recovered so well. God is truly AWESOME.

Local Resident Jacinto Aguilar Gets A Surpise Visit

Jacinto Aguilar
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

This bit of news is near and dear to my family due to the fact that Mr. Aguilar and his children lived in the mobile home park that my husband's parents own. They have since moved into their own home with help from housing assistance and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving family.
Mr. Aguilar has been raising his three children on his own since his wife, an american born woman, left him. The youngest of his children has been seriously ill and it has been tough for him to make ends meet and be both mother and father to his kids, as it would be for any parent.
I'm so happy that his family has a real home now and really envious that he could entertain all those people at a moments notice because if they came to my home to surprise me, I would be surely be embarrassed!
He was a very great candidate for this publicity spot because he and his family are exactly the sort of people that this fund is supposed to be helping.
THE STORY IN THE TIMES NEWS

Billy & Benny McCrary, World's Fattest Twins

Billy & Benny McCrary, World's Fattest Twins
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

Here's a jolly walk down memory lane. I went to sleep every Saturday night at my grandparent's house with that picture across from my bed.

Should Walgreens Replace Star Motel?

Should Walgreens Replace Star Motel?
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

The people have spoken....but the scariest thing is that 35.1% people just don't seem to care, until their apathy turns around and bites them in the rear.
I voted no...I just don't think Walgreens is a viable solution to the issue. We need to deal with the crime issue directly not just stick on a bandage and move on.

SOUTHWIND MOTEL-EMERGING FUTURE

SOUTHWIND MOTEL
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

The Southwind Motel, already has some bad element, just wait until they tear down the Star! The residents will have to go somewhere. How much you want to bet the problem just transfers.

The Star Motel Soon To Be History...Maybe

The Star Motel Soon To Be History...Maybe
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

Plans to replace the crime ridden Star Motel with a Walgreens sem to be recieving mixed reactions.
The developer involved in the project touted his idea as a positive solution for the area no doubt, advertising Walgreens as a fix all for all the areas ills and some residents seem to think this might work as well.
Last time I checked, drugstores weren't the cure for society's ills.
I wonder if these people have actually thought this thing through...
If you remove the place that all these "lowlifes" frequent, then they will cease to exist as well...right?
Don't bet on it folks, they're just going to move on down the road and the problem will still exist.

MS13 Moves to Hendersonville

MS13 Moves to Hendersonville
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

While in all likelihood, this graffiti plastered on this fence on Glover Street was perpetrated by some "wanna be" it is also a grim reminder that the area is changing drastically.
MS13 is an acroymn for Mara Salvatrucha, which is the name of an Hispanic gang that originated in El Salvador and gradually moved here as it's members immigrated. Like many gangs it was formed as a means of protection, and grew into the very thing in which it sought to protect itr's people against.
The efforts of man to provide solutions for his own dilemmas only serves to create further problems down the road. We must remember that we need to seek help from the Lord instead of looking to ourselves.
In any case, it really doesn't matter if the individual that vandalized this fence was or wasn't a member of this particular gang. Organized crime has been in Hendersonville for a while and if you haven't noticed it yet, you have to be blind.

PRAISE CHANGES THINGS!

You Said It!
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

With all the negative events that have hung over our small town like a stormcloud, I was encouraged to see this as I passed by the local Salvation Army office located at 202 4th Ave E, Hendersonville, 28792.
While we could dwell on all the evil acts and problems in our area and succumb to feeling sorry for ourselves, this would only cause us more pain. However if we are thankful for what we do have and express our thanks to the Lord, things will be much better for us because praise changes us, it makes us responsive to the Lord and His workings in our lives...when our hearts are changed, that's when the miracles happen!

AIR MAIL DRIVE

AIR MAIL DRIVE
Originally uploaded by maybebree.

On a more positive note, this picture should bring back some pleasant memories for local residents. I personally liked the older version better that included a wheel in the design. It was taken down for a bit and then this one took it's place, I guess back by popular demand.

DSS Fails Other Families As Well

The following link is from another Letter To The Editor in the Hendersonville Times News.
LETTER 1

It describes an ongoing situation with the Schott family who's head (Robert) is currently in a coma. This family has subsisted solely on his income and there are children involved. Apparently when DSS learned this family was recieving donations from jars placed around Henderson County it took away food stamp benefits for the family. This has angered several people in the community and sparked at least 2 letters to the editor.
LETTER 2 .

This is not the first time that people have complained that they cannot recieve help from DSS, and it certainly won't be the last.

Please remember this when you are considering donating funds to large charities for problems that aren't local. There are many local faith based organizations who are filling in the gap and could desperately use additional funds in order to meet our area's needs.