Excerpts From "A Country Diary" - Live Oak, FL 1986 ~ Part Four

Now that we had been in Live Oak for a few months, we were learning how to survive, but only on a day-to-day basis. I started making a little money taking care of two elderly moms who were stroke victims. Their daughters, Carol and Linda, were neighbors down the path through the woods. From New York, they had a magnificent spread complete with a barn, corral for their horses, a swimming pool and tennis courts. I loved "babysitting" their moms so I could enjoy the air-conditioning, TV channels and food. It was a strange juxtaposition, the "spread" of Carol and Linda's against our starvation conditions nearby.

Thursday, August 14 - TJ was to be screened for kindergarden but the truck wouldn't start. What a useless piece of s**t! We found a chicken left behind from the chicken house sweep where they literally throw the chickens in cages, stack them up, and haul them off to the chicken house. Seeing how they were mistreated and suffered, stuffed 3 and 4 to a cage, wings bent, bleeding and stunned, made me rethink the food that I eat. We named her Morticia and let her in the house. Sometimes she sat on our car and looked at herself in the window. Of course, we weren't going to eat her......look for a rooster and get some eggs. We also rescued a puppy we named Peanut who was going to be thrown off the bridge with her sisters and brothers. We couldn't save them all.

Wednesday, August 19 - Scott camped on the Suwanee River with his friend. We picnic there but the water is black, and snakes swim along the top of it. Kevin collected a few arrowheads, and they played on the slip-n-slide. Baked bread and made homemade soup, but we are running out of food. Washed dishes in shampoo. Scott's hookworm is getting better. We've all had it at one time or another....due to walking barefoot on the areas around the trailer where chickens and dogs and cats live. I see now how third world countries live their everyday lives.

Sunday, August 24 - It must be 105 in the trailer. Too hot to even eat. Rained all day. Couldn't get food stamps in time, so dinner will be pretty spotty tonight. Towed the crummy truck home. Neighbors visited to check on us.We have accumulated another dog, Charley, and a few cats, all roaming and lost. Animals here are expendable....farmers usually just shoot them. I can't turn my back on them. I have ground itch.

Tuesday, September 2-7 - Made the long bus trip to the Keys to try to collect back child support from Jeff, but found that the attorney had not served his papers so the entire trip and expense was for nothing. I had no money to get back home and had to borrow from friends.

Thursday, September 19 - Today was the same as yesterday, the same as tomorrow. I talked to no one all day. Having problems with my heart again. I'm losing my interest in woodworking. Depressed. Feeling trapped and helpless with no way out of our predicament. Charlie hurt his leg but no one could drive me to the vet. There's nothing here for dinner, no food for cats, not even an aspirin for poor Charlie. I can't take any more.

Wednesday, September 24 - Had chicken wings for dinner. Worst broke week we've had so far. Found out that I missed getting commodities, it was last week. Dan realizes that I'm having trouble coping with the isolation and poverty. He said, "get used to it"! Mom and Dad called and said that they and Gram were sending some money. Thank God! We're out of money already, and it's only Sunday. Dan and I talked about how much we love each other.

Monday, October 13 - Friends from the Keys Richard and Callie came for a visit. Richard found turtles somewhere and contracted a whole body rash, a swollen leg and a high fever from handling them. Finally, he was so sick he had to go to the E.R. Kevin has impetigo. This land is vile.

Monday, October 20 - What a beautiful fall day! Jeff lied to me when he told me he sent two child support checks. Nothing has ever come. Made a mexican dinner, and the guys made a scarecrow. Got money from Mom and Dad again. We built a chicken shed for the chickens. Now we have hens Lanna and Vanna, and Brewster the Rooster, plus Morticia. Everybody lays beautiful bright orange, double-yolk eggs. So this is what eggs are supposed to taste like!

Monday, November 3 - Dan and I drove to the Keys in another attempt to collect child support from Jeff. This time everything worked, but who knows how long it will take to get anything? Another sleepless night last night. I haven't been sleeping at night. Would be nice to be able to go to a doctor.

Wednesday, November 12 - Feeling terrible - weird sensations in my body.....nervous breakdown? Saw a cardiologist who thinks I may have compressed nerves in my neck. Put plastic sheeting on chicken house. They look pretty cold. They aren't laying any eggs. Can't pay any bills this week, Dan had another small check.

Monday, November 24 - Cardiologist sent me to a neurologist who sent me to a chiropractor. Still having problems,not feeling good. Another lonely day with no one to talk to. Really depressed today. I hope I can meet some friends soon. Took the dogs for a walk to the spring... they love running in a little pack like wolves. Such freedom! It was like I didn't have a birthday at all.

Thursday, November 27 - Thanksgiving - Saved up for and made a big turkey and French apple pie. We made a fire, and we all felt grateful for what we have.

Tuesday, December 2 - Had to pawn our wedding rings today for grocery money. What a way to live....It's going to be hard to come up with dinner by about Thursday. Searched through the old Gamble house, a fallen wreck, and not only salvaged wood to make things with, but found an old graniteware pot in the shed. I was hysterical with joy! Had to take TJ to the E.R. with croup again about midnight.

Sunday, December 7 - When we woke up this morning, it was so cold in the trailer that we could see our breath! No money = no heat, not until Mom and Dad arrive for Christmas. Maybe my child support will come today. Cats are eating dog food this week, but at least they are eating. Am making grapevine wreaths for Christmas presents. Having trouble with muscle twitching all over my body....what is that? I think I'm starting to lose it.

Created & Owned by Exotic Hippie Queen 6/26/11