Uninvited Guest

Sitting at my computer, enJOYing a cup of morning coffee, I hear an odd sounding shuffling across the room, so I figured my dog, Tidbit, was settling in for a mornin' nap, doing a bit of preening or something beforehand. The noise was surely odd, though not alarming, so I didn't bother to glance her way.

A few moments later, I hear my housemate, Scott, say from the other room, "Where the hell did that alligator come from?" I think, Yeah, right, now what's he tryin' to fool me into believing? I admit I'm quite gullible and fall for many things. But the more I thought about it his voice was loud and matter of fact so I decided to go into the livingroom to see what was up.

I was in shock to see a 3-foot alligator waddling across the room, right into Scott's bedroom! Thankfully Scott had grabbed Tidbit, who'd been napping at his feet, and had her choker pulled tight, so while I put her out in the back yard, Scott closed his bedroom door, trapping the critter.

I called Ohio Wildlife, who contacted a fellow who called me back to make arrangements to rid us of our unwanted guest. Yes, gator wrangler, Chris Law, of the Ohio Reptile Service, rescued us from the jaws of our uninvited guest.

We're in the habit of leaving the back door open on occasion, so the dog can get out into the yard, sort of a doggie door. No more! This gator had waltzed in the back door, through the kitchen and dining room, and right past me at the computer, on into the livingroom!

Chris found the gator curled up in a big box in Scott's closet, settled in quite comfortably. Chris bare-handedly grabbed it's jaws, taping them shut, and stood in the livingroom chatting with us like it was an everyday occurrence. Not!

Chris assured us this alligator would soon be on its way to a reptile sanctuary in Florida and would grow up to be a big gator one day. Chris also said this is the first in-the-house rescue he's ever been called to do.

We took a few photos, but unfortunately Scott's new camera did a horrible job (or the photographers did) ... Anyway, I think you can get an idea of the size of our uninvited guest as we head him out the door with a See ya later, alligator!

Submitted January 2011:

Declaration of Independence -- Happy 4th of July USA!

I Stand Alone
©Ruth Cox
 
I see myself standing in the shadows of the Ohio Buckeye and family tree.

On this night, the eve of the anniversary of my country's, "Declaration of Independence," I stood alone.

Under the cover of the thundering red, white and blue display, I contemplated what the bell of freedom rang to my forefathers. I contemplated the peal of peace heard by those who cried the "Trail of Tears." I contemplated how the toll of liberty echoed through plantation fields, reverberant in the pleas of the immigrants who sought harbour under "Lady Liberty."

As the grand finale unveils its true color over the valley below, I am jolted back to reality by a drunken throng shouting "God bless America!" and "Let freedom ring!"

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? With utter contempt, I reflect upon the woeful plight of those who are not free, those bound by obligatory restraints imposed upon them by the powers that be. I reflect upon the wretched condition of citizens in my community shackled by the drive to survive.

On this night, the eve of the anniversary of my country's, "Declaration of Independence," I stand alone.

I am standing in the shadows of the Ohio Buckeye and family tree.

Pillow Fight for a Cause

First, my Creative Bio:

Born and bred unto the pain of poverty and abuse, Ruth Cox (aka abitosunshine) often shares the darkest days of her life in her poetry and prose. Her poetic creations are inspired by her desire to be a voice for the victims of such demons and hopes that in so doing, the cries of the victims shall be heard.

Cox believes "a bit o' sunshine can always be found peekin' out o' the clouds" and has spent a lifetime spreading "nuttin' but sunshine" with her "sun-bespeckled ink." She now does same with her poetic creations which can be purchased at CafePress abitosunshine!

Announcing:

Pillow Fight for a Cause

This, one of many decorator pillows to be created and offered by CafePress abitosunshine, is dedicated to my friend, Kevin and to the creation of his Gather Group, Windmill Fighters United. Here is Kevin's group description:

"For anyone who has the courage to fight for lost causes even when no one else will join them. For those who fight battles they know are lost before they fight them not because they have a chance to win them but because it's the right thing to do. This is a support group to encourage the windmill fighters to keep fighting because the world needs windmill fighters so badly. This is a group to give a shoulder and an ear for those brave enough to wear the mantle of windmill fighter."

I trust that you will Join Gather.com, Befriend Kevin, and immediately Join Windmill Fighters United, in support and encouragement of all windmills worth fighting.

This pillow is designed with matching mugs personalized with your name. So be sure to let me know before you place an order what name you wish placed on your mug.


I will be adding an array of designs to my Pillow Fight for a Cause collection and all will be available for purchase at CafePress abitosunshine! If you have a cause that is near and dear to your heart and would like me to design a decorator pillow & poem to reflect that cause, please let me know, and I'll be happy to attempt to do so.

Now, let's fight with all our might -- I've tossed the first pillow!