Cindy Williamson

I have been going to Hudson's Bar and Grill on Tuesday nights to play trivia. I have to tell you I'm not all that savvy at it. In fact, the only question I got correct last week was the one about Mr. Yuck, proving my mind is filled with completely useless information.

It is sad really. To be quite honest, the only reason I got that question right was because my brother used to tell me that anything under the sink with a Mr. Yuck sticker was completely edible. He was always so mean.

Last week, my team was missing our sports guru. Therefore, our score wasn't as high as

the previous week, but we still had a really good time. In honor of the missing link to our team, we drew a stick figure to place in his seat. We sure did miss Kenny.

Trivia starts at 8 p.m. followed by karaoke with Roger Hudson. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun. They also have drink specials. I will warn you, though, I think Tonia Hudson and John Kersey's team cheats somehow, although they aren't very good at cheating because they never win either. You would think she would win something considering its her bar. Sometimes, life isn't fair though.

Jerry Tawney planted some striped tomatoes in my flower bed for me. He is so sweet. In case you didn't know, my mother loved striped tomatoes. So, in memory of her, he snuck up and planted some in my fower bed.

Last year, when mom was sick, she asked over and over for striped tomatoes, but I never could find any for her. So, Jerry and I planted her some. I can't remember if she got to eat any of them or if she passed away before they were ready, but I don't think she got to eat any of them.

For several years, there has been a fight over tomatoes in my neighborhood. Billy Tawney, Jerry's

brother, lived next door to me for a few years before he passed away and I would "steal" tomatoes out of his garden every year for my mom. He must have had 60 tomato plants in his yard, plus the cherry tomatoes that grew by the fence. He also grew cucumbers. After a couple years of me "stealing" his tomatoes, he finally gave up and started planting stuff closer to the fence so I wouldn't have to "trespass."

That led to the rule I implemented: If it grows on my side of the fence, it is mine and Jerry's. Years went by of me "stealing" his tomatoes and he finally just started bagging them up and putting them on my door knob. I had the best time pretending to "steal" his tomatoes. I knew he didn't care for me taking them, but it was still fun to sneak over just to see how long it would take him to catch me. He would lean out the door and say, "I see you." I would laugh and say, "No, you don't. I'm a figment of your imagination." He would always shake his head and close the door.

Spring is here and I have yet to pick tangle gut. My mom already would have had three or four batches of it if she was still around. Mom would pick it until there wasn't any left. Well, that is, until she saw a snake. Then, she was finished for the year.

Coal Valley News Editor Joanie Newman and I went to take some pictures at Newport. I told her I would pick some greens while she was taking pictures, but I saw a snake on the road on our way there. I decided picking greens just wasn't worth it. The snake just gave me the creeps, I guess. Even though I was in the car, when I saw it, I still had the willies.

So, I figure mom wouldn't mind if I skipped this year considering the snake in the road and all. As we were coming off the hill, I slowed down the car to look for the snake again. Joanie told me she was sure it was gone and probably had caught up with all of its buddies. You know, just to hang out.

Thanks, Joanie. You are a true friend.

You all have a great week!