A Joke on Me

Hugs!!!! What better way to start our day. The e mail came in with sweet words about friendship stating that we ladies seem to have a way of picking each other up and getting on with our days. The fellows aren't all up to hugs but they do have a slap on the back for a pal or two and that, to me, is a hug all its own. So look around and see who you can hug today.

Thanks Pauline for my laugh of the day. I was surprised to see an attachment from you with words about the 'dog pack' that was attacking a huge crocodile. I read the words, and thought as I scrolled down, there was no way I wanted to see a gory picture of dogs attacking a crocodile or visa verse, how ugly as the words described in detail the alpha dog had a muzzle hold, another the tail so it couldn't keep thrashing, and a third chewing the underbelly of the crocodile . . . and then this picture . . . I am still laughing out loud.

Billy Graham at the age of ninety-two. The Evangelist who could fill a stadium with thousands of people and convince them to follow a better way. I wonder what he would have to say about what is going on in our world today. He stood beside many of our presidents and not one begrudged him his faith. If he were speaking today, I think I would stop and listen. I could use a few words of encouragement. Couldn't you?

So today as you go about looking for someone to hug, know that they are waiting to see the sparkle in your eye and know that they are special to you. Two to one, they will hug you right back. So a verbal hug to you Pauline for the cute puppies and their veracious appetites. One to Andrea for reaching out to invite me to sunshine in her bailiwick as she feels my search for vitamin D. Another to John M. on celebrating another birthday. Be careful John you could catch up with me. A special hug to Jo in hopes that she is healing fast. I am sitting here thinking I'm ready for a group hug today....I hope you are....consider yourself hugged. Yep!!! Hugs to all.

Record Rain

What a beautiful picture of the sun setting. We did see sunshine for about two hours the day before yesterday, but according to our weathermen, we have seen twenty-three days of rain in March alone. It is not a new record, we have had months like that before and we will again. This year it seemed endless because of all the huge storms throughout the country and then the Japan tsunami and earthquake. I had a new video of the tsunami entering into the village wiping away everything in its path. I wondered what stopped the water from coming in, that is a huge ocean out there, and what makes the difference in the tsunami wave building and spewing and then the ocean water stopping . . . it could go on an on endlessly. Right now, we have been told by our weather experts that we will have more rain today . . . but . . . the pattern is going to change and we are going to have warmer weather and sunshine. I'll believe that when it actually gets here. The weeds are calling for attention and if I am lucky they will be just tall enough to yank out of the flower beds. If we get some sunshine the painting can be done on the new construction so the house will once again match. Right now it has several different shades of tans and browns along with streaks of pure white caulking and I am not sure I like the 'unfinished' look. If you are in the neighborhood and like to paint, I have an extra brush or two. Yesterday daughter Pat came over and picked me up so I could watch "The Black Swan" on her television with its big screen and good speakers. I knew it had won an award for the leading actress, and well it should as she did a tremendous acting job, but I thought it was a very ugly story in itself, and in other like stories, I wonder why they are chosen for our entertainment. Life is so full of ugliness to begin with, we don't need a screen filled with more. I thought "The Kings Speech" was far better quality and much more entertaining. So today, Wednesday, the middle day of the week which tells us that we are heading for a weekend and no one I knows has any objection to that. Work hard, get your ducks lined up and get your projects finished if you can. I have a couple of projects of my own to finish up today, then I can retreat to my sunshine spot, if we have one, and find out how the murder mystery ends. I think I already know . . . but then, maybe, just maybe, I am not quite as clever as I think I am. It is a toss up . . . and the butler didn't do it. Make it a special day and be extra ordinary, light two candles as you say a prayer for faith, hope and be kind, it doesn't hurt a bit. Hugs to all.

She's Back!

Things have gotten quiet recently, maybe 'they' made it back to their state after all. Did the hold out help? No! Did they accomplish anything at all? No! You have to hand it to that Wisconsin Governor for standing up for a balanced budget for his state, or at least for making the effort to do what is best for the constituents in his state.

There are days when I feel just like this. I keep trying to make the computer work as it should, according to me, but the little I.M. icon keeps doing its own thing and it is frustrating. Every time 'they' update, I wonder what they have done and why as nothing seems to improve. Oh to be computer literate!!!

I've been wondering this myself. It couldn't possibly get any worse . . . or could it? I guess that old adage of 'be careful what you wish for . . .' has some merit, so I best pay attention to what is going on so I know how to vote in 2012, after all Maxine is looking out for us. Wonder if 'she' would run, bet she'd get a lot of votes.

So today, the last Tuesday of March, 2011, wonder what it has in store for us. Sunshine I hope. We had a sunshine afternoon yesterday and I stood on the back porch and basked in the sun. It felt so good. I pulled up a chair, got my book, and sat in the sunshine and read awhile. One bird showed up to sing to me, more likely, screeching for some food. I haven't put any feed in the bird house as yet and am a little shy about starting as there are a bevy of small beauties in the hedges back there. They really are fun to watch. I will have to go shopping for some more bird feed and I know just the store to buy it from. So think about your little feathered creatures and buy some food for them and take time to sit out on your back porch, or in your summer chairs, and sit quietly and just watch the antics of the tiny creatures. Here's hoping you have sunshine in your day. Hugs to all.

Moose Haven

Good morning. Son John was out and about with his camera and sent along some pictures of his back yard. It is almost spring in Anchorage and the snows are melting, although the ice bridges are still around. Relax and enjoy a visit to where the sun is shining and melting the winter away. It certainly looks like 'bundle up' weather, where oh where are the snow shoes?

Campbell Creek where the temperatures stay about thirty degrees at this time of year and John says it is warm for a change. I wonder what causes the snow to melt the way it does and leave an ice bridge. Maybe the curve of the creek has something to do with it.

How beautiful. I think John has a good eye, just hope he had on some good boots, as he hiked around this salmon stream. I know Jock would love to be here fishing, all he needs is an invitation and you would see that he has "gear" and would travel.

Sun shadows in the trees. This picture was taken at eight o'clock in the evening. It gives you an idea of what it is like to have daylight almost up to midnight. A picture of silence.

An ice bridge, beautiful, probably dangerous although I do not see any Moose tracks.

The hotel and John's back yard where the moose pass by and even stop to visit.

In this picture they are in town visiting the folks. An amazing sight and they do not bother anyone . . .and visa verse. I guess it is all in what one gets used to.

Hiding in the trees. The moose have a playground all their own. The mountain sure makes for a gorgeous backdrop. Imagine waking up to this scene on a daily basis. I guess I'll have to break down and make a trip up to Anchorage and see all this beauty for myself. So I thank you John for sharing your pictures with us this morning. I hope the snow doesn't melt too fast as I know it has been a new experience driving on thick icy roads.

So today, the start of another new week of your life, be content where you are and take your camera for a walk. I am waiting for Jo to be up and about and take her camera for a walk so I can see her new surroundings. Andrea and Bob should load up their camera and send some pictures of the new patio they are telling me about. It sounds like a great place to visit and see all the cacti and beauty that surrounds their desert home. I'm hoping granddaughter Erin has her camera handy when out walking in her city neighborhood. I am sure there is a lot to see, and hopefully I'll get copies to share with you. Walter, Kay, Pauline how about some pictures of my old haunting grounds? Life is interesting and beautiful no matter where you are. Make your seconds count today. Hugs to all.

Awesome beauty

I cannot imagine any one wanting to visit up close and personal the crater of an active volcano which is 11,380 feet above ground and 1,300 feet deep, the spectacular wonder of the African Continent ---Nyiragongo Crater one of eight volcanoes forming Virunga Range. The e-mail this morning certainly made me wake up in a hurry.

This is how you suit up to walk along the lava edge guided by radio. The heat reaches 1,300 degrees. I am complaining of wanting heat and sunshine but I doubt that this is what I would look for. I might stand on the ridge and look down but you can be sure I would not venture any further than that.

A lava overflow, how beautiful.

The team undergoes four months of training. What courage and what dedication these men have to go out and put themselves in harms way to measure the gases and to find out more about the volcano in hopes of saving lives should there be an eruption. The photographer did an outstanding job, and I, for one, enjoy the fruits of his labor. There is so much in our world we do not even know exists and then someone who appreciates the dedication, courage and conviction of the scientific minds shares a story, or pictures, and each of us learns something about the world we live in. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who take the time to share.

So today, I hope you received some special travel videos, or some journeys to places like this strange and frightening hole full of bubbling gases. I hope it stretches your mind and heart and fills your soul with the awesome wonders of our world. Beside receiving this one, there was another on the different countries of Europe and the pictures were so inviting. Armchair travel is second best and gives us a birds eye view of what this miraculous globe contains. If you haven't traveled out of your comfort zone, plan a trip, go somewhere you have never been with an open mind and an open heart and enjoy every minute of new sights and sounds and meet some wonderful people in your travels. I promise you will grow in ways you never gave thought to. Hugs to all.

Tulips and Moans and Groans

I have often heard that a picture is better than a thousand words and in this case, I feel the essence of spring. This is a picture of the tulips growing in Holland in May, so we have high hopes that here in the USA, here in the Easter Lily capitol of our world, we will see fields of flowers growing in sunshine. Can you tell I am very tired of gray days without sunshine. The body aches for a day just like this one.

What a sight to see. Almost as beautiful as the lavender fields we saw pictures of yesterday. Flowers make the soul glow and the heart light and it brings to mind the poem about everything has a season and a reason. So I will stop moaning and groaning over the long wet spring and find something to else to do. I missed a visit from a friend yesterday. I had a call saying she was going to stop by and it would be about noon so I got out my 'Tupper' bowl and filled it with real good tuna and all the tiny tidbits that it takes to make a special sandwich. The coffee pot was on and I waited for my friend to come. She must have been delayed so I wrapped the sandwiches and put them in the refrigerator, got out my Jaynce book, which is a page turner, and sat in my chair. My down fall as I read awhile but fell asleep, a power nap snuck up on me, and I missed my friendas I didn't hear her knock or pull the little bell on the door. She left me a surprise which I didn't find until I went out for the mail. I was so disappointed as this lady is upbeat, alive, smiling and busy like the little energy bunny and would have perked up my spirits sunshine or no. I called to tell her I had been home but must have fallen asleep and she promised to come back soon. So I found out that gray days, quiet and even a good book cannot keep an octogenarian awake. Maybe if I slept pass four a.m. it would be different but erratic hours of sleep are part of our lives. The body leads the way and we follow. So, back to my book, almost finished, as I have another storm coming my way. There is hope, everything is budding and the first of the rhodys are starting to bloom.

So today, when you go out to mail your cards and letters, if you still do snail mail, think that once it cost three cents to mail a card or a letter but today I am putting forty three cent stamps on my cards and letters. The Post Office is crying poverty, but this I do not understand as I had to pay four dollars and ninety nine cents to mail two used magazines to a friend, a thin ones at that. Some of my friends do not own a computer, wouldn't think of it. I tell them they are missing a lot of great correspondence but it doesn't change their minds. I draw the line on five dollars for a card. I will have to get off my duff and see what I can do about becoming more creative. Now, if I had a good telephone plan I could just pick up the phone and call. I love a 'voice' visit. So call me up once in awhile and I'll try hard to stay awake. I promise not to groan and moan once the sun shines. Make your seconds count today. Do something fun. The weekend is yours. Hugs to all.

Texas Lavender

Some time back I wrote about the Washington State lavender fields not knowing Texas has larger fields, not better, but bigger . . . of course, it is Texas. I wouldn't mind visiting these fields and bringing home a bundle or two of the beautiful lavender plants.

How thick and beautiful are the rows of lavender. It must be bee heaven as the smell of lavender fills the air.

Here is a busy one. Look at the size of the tubes and the beauty of the little beast. I bet it has a stinger to let you know who is boss. Not long ago we had an event at the high school where the different folks came with their creations and one lady came from the lavender county here in Oregon and sold lavender products. The lavender has a lovely aroma and it also does wonders for the skin. I made good use of the lavender I bought and finally had to discard the tube with the honey, which I gave up on, or I would be stuck to the counter top. It always pays to read the directions first, live and learn. So these pictures reminded me of a wonderful trip to Washington State and the beautiful area of Sequim and a truly wonderful day with my daughters and granddaughter. I wouldn't mind doing that trip all over again.

A bit of humor. The caption on this one was "The First Senior Moment" . . . yeah, I'd probably miss the ark too. So today, mark your calendars for all important events. Don't forget to remind yourself that someone is having a birthday and needs to be celebrated. I find birthdays fun, and find it is one very good reason to celebrate. The number is just a number, the fact that I made another one is what is important and that alone is reason to celebrate. I know we are over staying our welcome as far as our politicians and the health bills are concerned, and if there is any justice in the world we might just live long enough to see some of them reach the octogenarian stage of life. So if you are not having a birthday today, find someone who is, and help them celebrate . . . buy them a good lunch, or bring a decadent birthday cake over with ice cream of course and count the calories another time. Make your seconds count as only you can. AND if today is your birthday, celebrate and know I am wishing you a very Happy Birthday. Hugs to all.

Sunshine

The Marguerite bush is starting up once again a sure sign that spring is here, so they say, but our weather is iffy, one minute dark clouds scud above, then some blue sky peeks through and yesterday the sun came out for a good hour and it felt so good. I actually swept the garage and dusted a bit of cobwebs away and stood by the porch railing letting the sun warm my face. This has been a long winter in spite of the fact I have blogged daily and mentioned more than one time that time has a way of fleeting. . . well it does . . . but . . . it also stands still when your spirit is reduced to stormy weather that refuses to let go. Even the little birds nested in our back hedges that grow tall and willowy took off when I opened the door and sat on the wires above the yard. I wanted to go and get my camera but they didn't stay out long enough. I would guess the little ones have grown through the winter months and a count of fifty or more would not be an exaggeration. They are at home in the big bushes and once I start feeding them again, I will be treated to their life story as the new babies join the chorus. The bird house looks like it is falling apart so a new one may be in order. This one has glass sides so it allows a peek or two as the birds gather and munch. I have lots of work waiting to be done and believe me, working in the yard is of the pleasures of life. I am looking forward to reading out on the porch too as I have three new books , one I started yesterday and have almost hit the half way mark, a page turner .



Yesterday Kevin came by with his son Jacob, a handsome young man about nine or ten, a fourth grader and a bit shy. It was such fun to have a young visitor who did answer all my 'dumb' questions and although he admitted not not be a lover of books, but he found a series I never heard of that has to do with mythology and is enjoying those . . . who knows it may make a reader of him yet. His father stood proudly by and said he was a very good student and he was very proud of him. How wonderful to have small children to love and care for. I laughed when I was told that the two left home because it is spring break and the house was filled with tiny ones being baby sat and these two 'men' had to get away from all those females. I planted the seed that all good father's take their son out to lunch and Jacob thought that was a good idea.



So each day brings something special into our lives and we never know what it will be. It doesn't have to be anything big, just a small surprise or two, like the sun peeking out of the dark clouds, or a visit from a friend be it in person or by e-mail or phone. I think it is the little surprises that make us feel good. So today, surprise someone with a cherry hello, a hug or a drop in visit if you can. Make your seconds count and don't spare the smiles . . . share them. Hugs to all.

Treking

The new top of the railing for the front porch. It is beveled so the rain will run off and it is two toned so it has a beauty all its own. I think I will let it mellow with age and not put a stain or a coat of paint on it. It is cedar.

The cedar pickets add a bit of charm to the new porch. The old one had some sort of a thin wooden slat that crisscrossed and the spiders loved to spin their webs in it.

The new trek deck, sturdy and the brown matches the color of the house.

The new stairs. Son Michael came up with the idea of wider steps when he did the porch in the back and Kevin, the lead worker of this project, thought it was a terrific idea and should be standard. They are so much easier to get up and down and one size fits all.

This is where the flower box was which was built up to the window. I was not happy with it as I knew when it rained the rain went through and down under the house thus this was the corner where the dry rot was really bad.

LaVerne, my neighbor out walking her dog Skylar and paying attention to the on going work.

The finished product, now the house almost looks brand new.

Putting in a new door is not an easy job. I watched the two men work all day in getting the new door jab finished taller and wider. My two sons wont have to duck to enter the doorway anymore. The new siding is a lighter color than the old but some dry rot was found along a seam so it will have to be changed and soon it will all match. The paint job will come much later when everything has a chance to dry out. It has done nothing but rain for weeks now and the men didn't mind working in the rain.

This is the seam of dry rot from the old boards to the new. The composition is different as the building materials change with the times. This trek board or whatever it is called should last the life time of the house. There has been some temorary caulking done until new side boards will be changed out.

The new door with its built in screen. The window is a bit larger than what I used to have and will allow much more light to come in. Kevin even changed my light bulb for me.

Kevin is trying the door making sure it fit properly. It was quite a feat to get it to settle in and fit just right. It is such a strong door in comparison to what was in there.

The finished porch. . . a beauty and should last a very long time.

The finished bench where you can sit or fill with potted plants. This is the old planter box set up, that was under the window, will be changed.
A few pretty pots might look inviting.


So today I will be cleaning the living room which has accumulated every bit of dust and dirt a new building project can leave behind. The men did a good job cleaning up but the mopping has yet to be done and they did not volunteer to do it. So if you are thinking of starting a new project know it is very expensive now a day; materials have changed; the labor costs are much higher; the constant banging and noise is well worth the stress when you have a finished project. Now for some sunshine so this one can truly be finished. But one thing always leads to another so you know that the little garden area by the porch is now in need of revamping. The soil has receded and water is staying in pools and puddles so that could mean the dry rot is waiting to happen so off to the store with my list of things to buy to change this spot and make it water proof. So be careful when you start thinking of changes, necessary or not, as it is never ending
and like the carpenter, measure twice before you cut . . . go, enjoy your day and treat yourself royally and if you are close by, come and get me, I really don't feel like mopping. Hugs to all.

Oh Dear!

Caption. "U.S.S. William Jefferson Clinton - home port, Vancouver, B.C." The body of the e-mail added in some tidbits about the former president and a little of his behavior while in office. I hope that is a helipcopter that can lift off.

Caption: "U.S.S. Barack Obama . no details "released. he has no plans." It may not be far off the mark, fun or no, as our President is off visiting a country that has no use for us, trying to broker a deal or two, only to be held up in their newspaper headlines as the attacker of Lybia. He could have, and probably should have stayed home and attended to the business at hand.

Along with the two 'fun' pictures of the supposedly U.S. Navy ships was a picture of the newest enormous U.S. S. Reagan, but for some reason it did not take so I cannot show it to you. The e- mail went on to tell all about how it was 100,000 tons with full compliment; powered by two nuclear reactors and can operate for twenty years without refueling and should last fifty years. It handles 80 combat air crafts and has arresting cables to stop a 28 ton aircraft going 150 m.p.h. in less than 400 feet. The towers are 20 stories above the water level and it is 1,092 feet long as the Empire State Building is tall. The article went on about its 6,000 personnel . There was nothing said about the cost. . . probably more zeros than I could print out on this blog.

This stuffed 'kitty' is on the wall at Whaleshead restaurant and has no business being on here this morning. It is one of those mornings when I have only one eye open and I think I know what I'm doing. Maybe I'll wake up soon and open the other eye and make some sense this morning, but not until after the coffee is brewed and I have had a sip or two.

I really feel sorry for all of you that have gas guzzlers. Hopefully when you bought your car, you chose one with good mileage. This little gas gauge sure tells it as it is.

I haven't been to an auction of late, but I bet there would be a lot of bidding for this can with or without the gas in it. An antique . . . worth at least the price of a gallon of gasoline.

Here it is, the new bright beautiful moon that was riding close to our earth. We couldn't see it from here with our stormy weather and big clouds hiding it from view. Son John is up in Anchorage so he went out with his trusty camera and took a couple of pictures for us. You have to agree that it is one big and one beautiful moon. The stories told is that this kind of a moon, so large, so close to earth, it begets bigger storms and bigger events of nature. This time it didn't seem to work, but then they did have wicked storms in southern California, even snow. . . so maybe there was a bit of truth to it.

So today, Tuesday and the electricity is playing games as it must have gone out in the middle of the night and the stove clock was blinking, yet every other clock was fine . . . a new mystery, and maybe why the computer has been acting strange this week. I hope your day is a good one with everything working as it should. Maybe that moon did have a bit of mystery hanging on its entrails. Pick up the pace a little today and try and finish up a project or two. Google up a picture of the new USS Ronald Reagan and take a good look at it, and say a prayer for the 6,000
personnel aboard. If that ship shows up in someones 'backyard', you can be sure they will 'look, listen and stop in their tracks'. Make your seconds count today and everyday and pay attention to the sights and sounds in your day. Hugs to all.

It sure looks lonely up there.

Yetch!

Done!

The end picture is first and it is not a garden snake we are looking at this morning. The e-mail came in yesterday and made me shudder. I don't even like Garden Snakes. I am told this one is harmless and lives in Arizona, well now I know why I do not want to live in Arizona. I have trouble enough watching the tiny black snake slither through my garden and if the outside chairs were closer I'd be the first one on top of one of them. Yetch!! Snakes!!! This one is a Desert King Snake and some 'clown' put up flags to ward off having it run over as it devoured a Goanna lizard, a Sand Monitor. The snake is eight feet long and the lizard five feet long and it took five hours for the snake to devour the lizard. Talk about a gourmet meal.

Almost done.

Mid way

just beginning
I'm for a big truck to come by and even the score. I know, I know, in Nature there is a wondrous round of activity in which the strong survive and the weak demise. Nope, life is just not fair. If it was fair then there would be no fear in our world.

So today, as you go about your new week, try and keep in mind that we only have today . . . yesterday is long gone and I hope you had a good one; tomorrow is yet to come and when it does it will be 'today' so keep that in mind as you go about making each of your seconds count. We can only live and learn and do what we have to do to survive. the 'events' will pass and more will come as we ride the roller coaster of life. Hold on to faith, hope and charity and participate in each so you can bring some 'fairness' to your world. Hugs to all.