Love me some "In the Heat of the Night"

Any of you that follow me on Twitter or FaceBook know I have a major addiction to the late 80's early 90's TV series In the Heat of the Night starring Carroll O'Connor and Alan Autry (hubba bubba).

Back in the day my best friend, Becky, and I cleared our calendars and set our VCR's (you remember those electronic devices that took those monster cassette tapes and you could set it to record your favorite shows?) to faithfully watch In the Heat of the Night every week. We always had lunch the following day... mostly just to rehash the episode and swoon over "Bubba."

Ahhhh yes.... Bubba... he could just say "What?" and give me chill bumps! If his character were real and he resided in a real Sparta, Mississippi.... I would have relocated immediately! Yes, I most likely would have been arrested for Bubba stalking... hummmm that could be fun? But alas, his character resided on a video tape in a fictional Sparta, Mississippi and so that was that.

However, I learned several months ago that WGN out of Chicago was airing two back-to-back episodes every morning from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. So I set-up my current electronic gizmo... the DVR to record every single episode! I just wish I could buy it on DVD but apparently NBC nor CBS (it started out on one network and moved to the other) have no interest in offering DVD versions for us die-hard fans to purchase? Hello? I see a retail opportunity here networks!!! I think I know more than a few women that would buy the series just to watch Bubba for crying out loud!!!

While I have not outgrown my adoration for the character of Bubba in the show... I find there is more that I love about the show now than I remember way back then. First... I'm a southern girl. I get the attempt at reproducing the southern ways in this made for TV entertainment. Though some of the southern drawls are in dire need of work... I can overlook that. I mean some southern folk do really talk that slow and intentional you know?

Secondly, I adore Carroll O'Connor's character as Chief Bill Gillespie. He has some sage advice hidden in those southern euphamisms. I find his character loveable and believable. I think if my Papa had lived long enough to retire as a police officer and into late 60's or early 70's he might have had similar southern ways to Chief Gillespie. There is comfort in the Chief's ways, his kindness and his gentleness. I loved it that he has a rebel attitude in his pursuit of a relationship with the lovely black woman, Harriet DeLong. He loved her and the racist attitudes of the Old South be damned!

I think my fondness for this show is a reflection of my upbringing. I do find much comfort in southern ways. Which is why I LOVE to read so many of the lovely southern women's blogs. They remind me of HOME. I love my life and friends here in Arizona, but I sometimes wish I could go back to the simplicity of small town life in a small town in Arkansas... much like the culture and atmosphere demonstrated in the fictional Sparta, MS.

Until then, I will replay these episodes and for a couple of hours happily escape to a small town in Mississippi where the crime is high, the police officers are hunks, and life is slow and simple. :)

I found this on YouTube and ladies... I hope you can see... Bubba isn't hard on the eyes!!!! :) Hey Bubba... I'm sweet!

Happy Memorial Day...

Let me take a moment to honor those that gave their lives for my FREEDOM. Without all of your sacrifices I seriously doubt I would have the blessings I enjoy (and sometimes take for granted) today. THANK YOU!

Yesterday was my birthday. It was such a lovely day. I spent the day with a group of people... that I lovingly call the family I chose for myself. They are another blessing in my life. They always seem to be there when I need them... so thankful!

I must confess... the pool party given in honor of Memorial Weekend and my birthday was arranged for by me. Hey... I've had some intense training and one of the things I learned in that training was "ask for what you need."

And what I needed was to be surrounded by people I love on my 48th birthday. I didn't want to spend it at home alone. So... what to do? Well.... you post to Facebook and ask if anyone is having a pool party on Memorial weekend that's what you do! LOL Two sets of my friends have lovely homes with pools they frequently open to all of us for gatherings. One set was on vacation in the cool pines of Northern Arizona. (How dare they didn't they know it was my birthday??? LOL)However, the other set graciously offered to bring the pool if I would organize the party.

So out went the Evites and the party was on. The friends who supplied the pool also bought me this awesome cake!

Isn't that just the coolest thing? The frosting the cakery used to make the grapes were made with grape flavored frosting!!!

I think fun was had by all. Thank you KL for cleaning up girlie!!! Thank you TnT for allowing us to use your beautiful home... and thank you to my friends for your presence, all the wonderful gifts and hugs... it was you that made the day so special.

XOXO

Annie