Facebook Community Standards and the Southern Vernacular

 I was kicked of Facebook twice in recent months. It would seem they think I'm a violent person. I'll wait while you laugh...

 But what the real problem is comes down to Facebook Community Standards lack of understanding the Southern vernacular. The things I said are harmless in the Southern Vernacular but "Bless Your Heart" is deadly on the tongue of a wicked woman.

Here's what went down: 

Scenario 1 - last fall: My cousin posted a video of fake snakes dropping from trees over inner tubers. 

There is nothing I find more terrifying to me than snakes and this joke is particularly upsetting to me. I still remember when I was about 12 and a king snake (not that I stopped to notice his pedigree) fell into our boat on Dixie Springs Lake in Summit, Mississippi. It was mere moments later when I decided I could walk on water. My poor step dad was wrestling a snake with one hand and holding on to the waistband of my jeans with the other! Needless to say, this joke is a worst nightmare for me.

So I commented on my cousin's post, "I would have to kill somebody!" 

Which, if you know Southern vernacular, I doesn't mean I want to harm anyone. It simply means, I gonna get you back for that...probably with an equally horrible joke!

What Facebook doesn't know is my cousin is cop and mandated reporter. If she thought I was a threat to anyone, or myself, she would have done something. She laughed at my comment and my suspension.

Within seconds of that post, Facebook has already made my post invisible and sent a message that I had violated community standards. OK... I'll remove it. But NOOOOooo. I can't even see the post again! What a stupid way to deal with that! But life goes on...

Scenario 2 Late January- A sorority sister who is outspoken and has sass for days posted a meme to the effect of "I don't need a vaccine. I've got the "Freedom Virus!""   Minutes before, my mom's nursing home had called to inform me of her Covid positive test. I was livid. I thought my mom had received her 3rd shot last fall, but no, she had not. It had only recently been approved in Mississippi (months after the CDC approved it!).

I also am shocked that workers in nursing homes are not required to be vaccinated. Visitors are not required to be vaccinated. I find that appalling! I was hurt, worried and angry.

I replied to the post with: "Just found out my 98yo mom has covid. I guess I'm going to have to kidnap her across state lines to get her properly vaccinated!" 

Which, if you know Southern vernacular, "kidnap" is as common as a birthday party! I actually did kidnap my college friend to take him to his surprise birthday party....blindfold and restraints were used! But we also were making no effort to hide our voices and lit his cigarettes for him. He wasn't scared at all! 

But it's nothing to say, "I'm just gonna kidnap you and go have lunch and mani pedis one day!" 

I was immediately "banned" from Facebook for 2 days. Ok. That's fine. But I am a scarred and wrecked individual who has had to deal with rejection my whole life. If you don't want me...I don't want you for longer! So I decide Facebook gets a 3 x ban. I would go for 8 days. As FB lost over $200 BILLION while I was gone, I willingly accept full credit for that! LOL!

What Facebook doesn't know is that thread was full of other sorority sisters who know I have power of attorney over my mother and it's MY business where I take her and if I choose to get her properly vaccinated.  

While I was off Facebook, I started on all the taxes: mine, the business, Mom's. It went quick. I didn't miss it. But 8 days later I was back on for 1/2 a day when "Facebook Community Standards had reviewed my account" and saw that first post and decided I needed a time out for 2 weeks for "repeated violations." My posts would be visible on my wall but would get "pushed down" in the feeds of my friends. 

So...2 weeks for me and 6 weeks for Facebook. I've been off for two months and I honestly haven't missed it! I don't miss "doom-scrolling" for hours on the weekends. My birthday came and went and instead of the uncomfortable bombardment of messages, I had the peace and quiet I crave with only a few calls from my closest friends. I realized the illusion that I have so many "friends" ...is just that. 

I have found I really enjoy actually watching some things on the telly...instead of ignoring it while I scroll on Facebook. I actually love doing Sudoko and Mah Jong puzzles on my ipad. I've taking drawing classes on Youtube. I've made some jewelry for the first time in years! I've enjoyed just sitting on my porch and watching the birds at sunset. 

I've realized what a time suck Facebook is... and a not very pleasant one! There are some pages I miss.  I really love the local Buy Nothing group. The generosity of my neighbors astounds me and I miss the free produce I got there. My favorite gift was the couple who bought a huge wedding cake to celebrate their son's elopement with a few family members. They gave away slices of wedding cake to everyone in town! (Pre-pandemic!) I also really love the Schitt's Creek group...happiest show on television = happy people on Facebook! I miss seeing the baby pictures of all the kids in the family too. I also started following my favorite talking dogs on TikTok and Youtube. (Maizy is getting buttons for her own AAC device! Stay tuned!)

I also learned how much I miss only sharing on Facebook. You rely on random "memories" to pop up and you can't search your own wall.  I ran across a story about Macy Blue that made my heart sing. And it made me angry that I had forgotten about it and that I never shared stories HERE where I could find them again! 

Macy was playing with a toy on the sofa. I took it. She got up and got another toy. I took it too. Unfazed, she got up and got another toy from the toybox. I took it as well. I was thinking she would engage in play with me or take them back...like Mabel would have. Instead she lay there looking at me for a moment and then, with her paw, raked the tv remote close to her and placed her paw on top of it. "Yeah lady! You take my stuff, I'm gonna take yours!" 

Stories like that should not be wasted on "Crapbook!"

I need some rules: I'm going to try 20 minutes total and NEVER on weekend if and when I'm ready to go back.  

Unless Facebook learns the vernacular of our different regions - which, why would they? Unless, they allow people to edit or delete when the violate some standard, they are going to continue to loose viewer hours and visits. It certainly doesn't instill a feeling of goodwill. People are always looking for the next fun thing. Bless your heart, Facebook. Bless your heart.

Maizy True

This is the re-homing photo of Maizy. I chose another dog. I couldn't imagine loving such a "scruffy" dog! I wrote paragraphs about my lifestyle, feeding habits, trips to the beach and dog park and the owner of that dog simply replied, "No."   No explanation; just no. And I kept returning to Maizy. I wrote her pawrents on March 6 and heard nothing. I kept thinking I didn't deserve a dog. They called on March 8th. I was running laps with my boys at school and my aide answered my phone. Spying the mean principal on the yard, he ducked into a bush and told the caller all about me and just how lucky their dog would be with me! When the coast was clear, he came running, holding out my phone. "It's the DOG!!"

She wanted me to come that night. I had a root canal at 3:30! As the dentist was drilling and drilling, all I could think about was that puppy! The dentist took so long! It was after 6. I called...it was still a 75 minute drive. They said come! We met at a church; their church. Maizy leapt out of the car and into my arms!  She was hyper / crazy / insane. I was thinking it was lack of exercise but the people at the church knew her. "Do you want her?" "YES!" 

I followed them home and fed her supper. They showed me how she was trained to potty behind the bushes. I put her in the car and she jumped out and took off down the street. The neighbors all knew her and helped me catch her.  She was nervous...but she didn't seem scared. 

She got on the bed but she didn't sleep the first night. The next day, we hit the park and breakfast at Mabel's favorite spot. She jumped on the sofa next to me and looked around and smiled.  She hasn't stopped smiling. 

She reminds me of the Mabel Lou so much! Only she lets me rub her belly and she does not argue! But so smart and so fast! She's had an argument with one of the skunks that come in the yard 3 times... and never been sprayed! Mind you, that skunk has attempted to spray ME for simply walking nearby!

We've had several vet visits, including the first one above. Maizy had DEEP ears and gets infections. I can tell when it's coming on and can often avoid a vet trip with a good cleaning. But she is TERRIFIED of the vet's office. Not the vet though. 

Maizy has a wicked good sense of humor and loves game play. She is honestly the happiest dog I've ever known! 

She's a hunter! I found evidence of her playing with her prey on my bedroom floor, my bed and in the yard! She's brought me a mouse she killed in the yard! And she's gotten a few critters at the creek....but she leaves the ground squirrels alone. We really need to discuss that.

She is also the only dog I've ever had that pays attention to the tv! She barks at any and every dog on television and many other animals! It's exhausting. The other day I really wanted to watch The One and Only Ivan and to my surprise, she simply watched it. NO barking! 

She loves the creek. She explores but doesn't disappear on me. She did take off after three coyotes when I got her. I dashed into the creek right after her and she managed to get back across the creek without me seeing her. I found myself knee-deep in the river, slipping on mossy rocks with her looking at me like I'm nuts! She's has not run off since. 

This is her "I'm so patient waiting furEVER for momma to get ready" pose. 

Like all my dogs, she LOVES coffee!  She's not always patient when waiting for the dregs of my cup. 

When we are hiking in the wilds, she is most often found walking right next to me. Not in front; never behind. It's annoying when the trail is narrow. But I do love that she stays so close. As with Macy Blue, "Find a good mom!" will bring her right to me! 

She was a little terrified of the river until her pals showed her what to do. Now, she just adores the water. I really love how this just runs through the generations of our hiking pack. I still remember when we met baby Aria, the rott. Mabel Lou just looked after her and showed her how to dip in the water. Aria taught Macy and Maizy. And Maizy was trying to teach Aria's little sister Roux the other day! 

She's SUPER  fast. During the Pandemic, we do a long walk each morning. Some days we go to a little park near the house and I let her off leash on the tiny patch of green grass. She runs zoomies while I stretch. 

Maizy True loves the ocean. This was her second visit. She was a little put off by the creek that "moves at you!" But she adored it before the trip was over. 

 

She has lots of her friends but this girl is her absolute bestie. Bella is half Chihuahua and half German shepherd! They will play NON-stop if we don't give them a time out! Maizy actually sprained her tail from wagging it too much when Bella came over! Poor Bella has gone home limping from their antics!  They make each other SO happy, so we try to get them together a few times a week. 

She is so joyful, I feel so very blessed to have her! 

Maizy True Stats: 

DoB: 12/26/2018

Gotcha Day: 3/08/2019

DNA: 64% Golden Retriever / 12% Husky / 12% Poodle / 12% Berger Blanc Suisse

Best trick: holding her paws "just so" to put on her sports bra

Best unwanted trick: Closing the middle console in the jeep so she can work her way into the front seat.

Edibles: Anything mom is eating... except fruit and medicine "treats"

Toys: Loves anything she can tear up! 

Hello Old Friend

 Well, I guess the nothing of a Pandemic has made me miss writing!  Gosh so much has changed since I last posted...and so much is the same. 

I'm a dang school teacher, fully credentialed as of this year! Something I never wanted to be but... hey, there's health insurance and a pension. I love the kids but I've been so disillusioned about how little of teaching is about the kids! It's a business that rarely accounts of the kids involved. 

I had been teaching a behavior based program... which I loved but...I had a principal that was a "box-checker." Behavior programs do not check boxes... we are soooo outside the box! I spent an entire year teaching with my back to a student. We had a whole checklist of what that student had to do to earn my attention. If attention was paid for the wrong things...we were off and running toward a very bad day! I loved working that program...save for the crazy boss. I had to leave the district to get away from her. 

Loved the next job (High school algebra! Ha! I haven't used algebra in 37 years and why the state of California makes us torture special needs kids with it...UGH!) ...until Covid sent all teacher specialists back to the classroom, bumping newbies like me. 

So, I'm jobless and awaiting a re-entry interview at my old district. I'm honestly so exhausted from the last four years, I really don't mind the lack of work. 

My goodness... I started working on a credential in July 2016 not understanding that I would be a classroom teacher by late August! (Thought I could do that and just sub.) 10 days into my new job, Mom's house flooded with 38" of water. Spent the year flying back and forth dealing with FEMA and contractors all while trying to get Mom to leave the house so the work could be done. (She won that argument!)  So much craziness at work...constant meetings about my students, data tracking and reports to be written. I took NO time off, working every holiday. Worked all summer on salary points. 

Mom in the boat when the Cajun Navy finally got her to leave her flooded house after 3 days! 

Mom's house after we tore out the walls and tossed the furniture.

Fall of 2017 brought crazy fires. One side of the mountains would catch on fire and I would pack a car with clothes, dog food, hard drives and vital papers and drop it off on the opposite mountain. Weeks later, the other mountain was on fire! Lather, rinse repeat. The morning the Creek Fire took off, even though it was close to me, the smoke was at my school. Of course, my school was the only one that didn't close! By midday, I was getting texts that I need to get home and get Macy Blue. It was a harrowing drive home with fires breaking out and taking multiple back roads to get into our valley. The next morning, my school still open, I took surface streets as the freeway was jammed. I noticed police blocking the way back toward home. I stopped and asked what was up... I could leave but I could not come home! NO WAY was I leaving Macy Blue in that fire ridden valley when I couldn't get home to her! 

Creek Fire as seen from space. 

Our pal, Osa, days before Creek Fire

(Front to back) Osa, Riley, Aria, Macy Blue - same spot as above - after Creek Fire

And  after the fires, you know it, came the flood! I got home on January 9th to 10" of mud surrounding my house and in my pool! 

It took months of shoveling to get all the mud out! 

Backyard and pool

Spring was spent trying to dig out and repair the pool. It was ready for summer, thank goodness. Especially during COVID, the pool has been my sanity. I swim about 90 -120 minutes a day! 

All better! 

June  brought coyote drama. Macy Blue and I were hiking the dark side. We had just emerged from the swimming spot when I heard Macy growl...totally out of the norm. Ten feet away, she was on her hind legs in an embrace with a small coyote. He must have noticed her limp and took her for an easy target. She was NOT! Plus, her momma is part rottweiler... I screamed so loud, I terrified them both! The coyote took off and Macy ran to me. I thought she was fine but took her in anyway... it was a severe bite! My poor baby! 

Fall was more craziness, dealing with Mom's dementia. January, I was part of the one of the largest teacher strikes in history. It poured rain the whole time we were on strike. In the end, I feel special education lost out...our numbers actually INCREASED. 

And then came February. Macy Blue had been on a weird eating streak for months. I kept wondering if she had pica! She ate most of a letter. She ate beads... glass ones. She passed those. But in early February, she ate most of two different dish towels.  And here's where I was stupid: When I lived in my previous house, I was friends with a hair dresser and her rottweiler. He loved to get his lips on any towel she had used to do hair! Seriously, this dog would eat and entire towel. When he would pass it, she would don gloves and pull! DON'T DO THIS! Rags can get impacted. 

Macy had a helluva week...overnight at the hospital, radio active beads confirmed nothing was moving. Day at her vets. I would have to pick her up when the overnight place closed at 7 am, drive her home so I could get to work by 7:40. I would leave her in my dog car and the bestie would drive  her to the vet at 8:15. Back and forth for days...finally, my vet operated, found the rags and I was SO hopeful (and broke! $4K+). I took her for what I hoped would be her last overnight, begging her to live. Just after midnight on Valentine's Day, she crashed. I knew she could take no more. Her limp exhausted her and her heart murmur...it was too much! I told them to leave her in peace. 

The last photo of Macy Blue.

And that brings me to the ray of sunshine at the top of this blog. Maizy... The first time I kept the M name a dog arrived here with. It just fit her and it was so weird. I really wanted to name Macy Maizy...but there were a number of bloggers with that name. So Macy it was... and Blue because she was so sad. Maizy's family wanted to name her Macy because the mom loved to shop there but she made them change it.  And I kept thinking of the dream I had of Mabel...where she left me a pot of gold. 

Maizy was rehomed. She was such a high energy pup, I wondered what the hell I was going to do with her. But big hikes have tamed her! She often hikes right by my side. She is the happiest, smartest little thing ever! She reminds me of Mabel... capable of understanding conversations and reasoning... but without the arguments and disagreements! I'm over the moon with her!  Middle name: True (short for Truelove - but that would embarrass her so please don't mention it!)

Day nine - Maizy True giving me a run for my money!

My job at the high school was really demanding... I had a huge case load (26!) and saw 80 students throughout the day. But Maizy was kinda thrilled with lockdown. Long walks twice a day and Mom always at home. 

Not sure what's next... but I have a great pup by my side! 

Product Review - American Journey Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe

Helloooo good pups and peeps of Blogville! Macy Blue here! Summer is chugging along and I'm working up a hunger in my stream:

Gee, I wonder what Chewy.com has sent me to review. Momma, you'll have to do the reading!

Macy, Chewy sent you American Journey Grain Free Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe kibble. 

Well that sounds tasty. I know I like sweet potato!  Com'on Mom... let's get busy! I'm hungry! What does it look like?

It sure looks rich!!! This is what it looks like when Momma gets it all put together with my meds and my wet food.  Yummers!

Now for the taste test:

Momma, why don't you fill them in on the ingredients stuff while I chew a bit? I know you like to do that...

Creekhiker here. Macy really enjoyed this food and it's look is really rich. Here are the ingredients:

Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Menhaden Fish Meal, Salmon Oil, Blueberries, Carrots, Salt, Dried Kelp, Fructooligosaccharides, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

 Good stuff. It is fairly pricey: 39.99 for a 24# bag but I might work it into the routine. Macy sure likes it as you can see below! 

Take it away Blue Girl!

Gone, gone Momma!

And.. the lick!

Another fabulous pick from our friends at Chewy.com! I give American Journey Grain Free Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe four paws up: 

Creekhiker received no compensation to do this review. Macy Blue was given one bag of American Journey Grain Free Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe  by Chewy.com to devour or not.

Product Review: Merrick Backcountry Pacific Catch Real Salmon Jerky

Hello good pups and peeps of Blogville! Macy Blue here. I'm back with another Chewy.com review.

Momma... what did Chewy send me this month?? 

Well Miss Blue, they sent you Merrick's Backcountry Pacific Catch Real Salmon Jerky. Does that sound good???

That does look yummy mummy! BOL! Gimme gimme! Incoming!!!!!!

And it got it!!!

Nom Nom yum yum.... Momma, you better fill in the blue words while I chew  some more.

Creekhiker here. Merrick's Backcountry Pacific Catch Real Salmon Jerky Dog Treats are a real tasty treat by a great name company. I've always liked Merrick's products and these are no exception. Macy Blue went super nutso for these! 

Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Dried Cultured Skim Milk, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Rosemary Extract.

A little pricey but they are salmon. I think we'll add them to the rotation. 

Wait! What?? Did Momma Tightpockets say I could have more of these??? OMD!!!

I guess I better wrap this up and go thank that crazy momma of mine!!

I give Merrick's Backcountry Pacific Catch Real Salmon Jerky four paws up: 

Creekhiker received no compensation to do this review. Macy Blue was given one bag of Merrick's Backcountry Pacific Catch Real Salmon Jerky  by Chewy.com to devour or not.

Product Review: Halo's Mix n Mores

Hello there good pups and peeps of Blogville! Macy Blue here with another review for Chewy.com.

OK Mom... what did Chewy send me??

Macy, Chewy sent a pack of Halo's Mix'n Mores Freeze Dried Cage Free Chicken Dog Food Toppers.

Wow! That's a mouthful Momma! Well... snap to Humom! Let's see it!

Well, Ms. Blue, it's freeze dried so this is what it looks like when I first add it to the kibble: 

  
We already have your liquid glucosamine (also from Chewy.com) in the bowl along with a few fork-fulls of canned food. Then I add a quarter cup of Halo's and a cup of hot water and mix. 

Allow to soak a bit, add kibble and mix well until it looks like this: 

And finally, serve to Macy Blue: 

Moerm? Ierm kinna beezy...

That's fine MB.. I'll tell them about the Halos: 

Here are the ingredients straight from the Chewy.com website: 

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Whole Flaxseed, Salt, Salmon Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (A Preservative), Calcium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B

12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid.

It's no great secret that I always watch my pocketbook... This is a nice product, Macy loves it and you save considerably more than 5% by putting it on Autoship with Chewy.... which brings it in line with the cost of similar freeze dried foods we've tried. So... we might add this one to the mix from time to time. 

Let's see what the girl has to say. Macy??

I LOVE it! See??

Wow! Momma's getting crazy with the lose purse strings! Hey! Who am I to complain?? I give Halo's Mix'n Mores four paws up: 

Creekhiker received no compensation to do this review. Macy Blue was given one bag of Halo's Mix n More Freeze Dried Cage Free Chicken Dog Food Topper  by Chewy.com to devour or not.