This and That

Maxine is at it again. She was telling how her doctor advised her to eat all colorful healthy foods and she came up with the perfect solution and went out and bought a bag filled with M and M's. Not a bad idea, maybe we should try that.

Here is a bear looking for something to eat. The caption was about the rope and what it was made of as this bear was no light weight. I wonder what he found in the bird house? If the birds are as hungry as the ones I feed around here , I am sure this guy will have to look elsewhere.

There was a delightful story about a grandfather who lived on the Payne Mountain farm in Eastern Kentucky. He read the bible every day and tried to teach his grandson a new lesson every day. The grandson told his grandfather that the bible words were hard to understand. The grandfather sent his grandson out to the river with a wicker basket and told him to fill it with water. The youngster tried but the water would always be gone when he reached the house. No matter how fast he ran, he could not bring water to his grandfather He thought to throw the basket away because it was useless. His grandfather pointed out the basket may not hold the water but it was now very clean and could be used for many other purposes and the bible was like that as the words cleansed our minds and hearts and changed us from the inside out.

It is Monday, the start of a new week. I am hoping for a sunshine week as the Rhodys are trying to blossom out. I am afraid I cut mine back too much last year and need a few lessons on how to treat them properly as the bushes are not filled with those beautiful big colorful blooms. I have a tendency to be too neat and want my garden the same way, but I think that it is best when you let it do its own thing. The garden always needs attention but it doesn't need to be trimmed to perfection as it spoils it. Live and learn. Maybe I'll get a few blossoms to take pictures of yet. The Rose of Sharon bush is huge this year and has lots of little buds on it. I'm hoping for a regal display this year. Meanwhile, the weekend was a fun one as we celebrated Pat's birthday and Mother's Day with a wonderful springer salmon dinner in and a huge buffet out. If we were smart, we wouldn't eat much of anything for a day or two as we work off those extra calories we devoured. We had a lovely lady and her son sit with us and as he got up to wait on his mother, he said something about waiting on her and Pat said she had the same job waiting on me. His mother grinned and said 'well, I waited on him for years" and I had to grin and agree. Pay back time . . .hell isn't it? I loved hearing the voices of my children. John is recovering from a nasty cold but says he is fine. Christine was doing a lot of nothing after a week of pure frustration in trying to close the office down and get some of the local thrift store folks to pick up the donated chairs and desks. Mike was shoveling horse manure to keep busy as he waits for the construction work to start when and if the snow stops falling in the Sierras. More expected this week, but they have snow into June some years. I had lovely cards from my granddaughter with a promised visit next month. It was fun to hear from friends by e mail and know that they were having a great weekend too.

So today, plot and plan your day and tackle the hardest job first and the rest will follow. it is time to start thinking of vacation time because it isn't as far off as you think it is. Where are you going? What 'spot' is calling to you? In my own mind I am going to the moon and back, but at the speed I travel these days, I am not going far. I am having company in August so that is something to look forward to. Right now, like you, I am counting my seconds and filling them with the necessary evils of the day . . . right, the dust kitties are hanging but not for long. Make your today a good one. Hugs to all.

Mothers Day

There is a day set aside for all mothers/be they good or bad/for each one gave birth to their child/some glad, others sad.
the nurturing mother gave her child/love to grow on/others struggled trying to rear/ their child/without much help to go on.
but all in all/hearts recall the love they felt that day/they held the child in their arms/and kissed their fears away.
time has flown the children gone/Mothers Day is here/each child looks within/ and remembers mom is dear.



The month of May brings about thoughts of May being the Month of Our Holy Mother, when we used to attend a wonderful service in which the statue of the Blessed Virgin was crowned. A highlight for all of us and I can hear the start of the music as we sang . . .'tis the month of our mother, the Blessed and Beautiful . . .but then the words are gone, it has been a very long time since I celebrated the May tradition. I have written about how we children set up our own altar and crowned the statue of the Blessed Virgin knowing we would never be chosen at school. We took turns and our wild flowers were beautiful as we went out into the field and picked buttercups and daisies.



I am sure we all have stories to tell about mothers. There are a lot of folks out there without a mother who was called before her time, but that is no reason to forget to honor her, the candles are right there in the foyer of your church so stop by and light one. There are some with mothers alive and a thorn in the side, time to grow up and think about the sacrifices they made just for you . . . some you didn't even know about . . . some you need to forgive as a mother's job is never an easy one. No one sent blue prints along on how to raise the 'perfect' child. Maybe you cannot afford the beautiful flowers, like the surprise bouquet I received yesterday, but a hug, a word, a smile will lighten her world. Today is a good day to start patience, humility and most of all love for the cantankerous as well as the sweet.



So today, Mothers Day, take time out, give up a few of your precious seconds and spend them with the only mother you know. I'm thinking of all those mothers who have opened their hearts and doors to children who have no one. It takes a special woman to be Mother! How did that old poem go: M is for the million things she gave me; O means only that she's growing old; T is for the tears she shed to save me; H is for her heart of purest gold; E is for her eyes of love light shining; R means right she'll always be. Put them all together they spell MOTHER, one who means the world to me." I am not positive of all those words....haven't sang that song in a very long time. Try it, maybe you will remember the tune and the words. If you are a mother, God Bless you, it is the best job in the whole world. Hugs to all.

Happy Birthday to Patricia !

Good morning. Here is a cartoon about ageing which I did not put on yesterday. Each generation has their own way of showing off their zone of comfort in the dress department. Some of the e mails have come through with what are called "Walmart People" and they are far from flattering, in fact, down right insulting to the folks who forget to dress up or even dress down, some forget to cover up or let it all hang out. Each one with a different idea of what they look good in, or they just do not have a clue on what makes them well dressed. The cartoon is a tongue in cheek message and deserves a smile.

I am sure you have had a look at a few 'cracks' in the sidewalk.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR PATRICIA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU .

I could tell a hundred stories, or more, about how much love we have shared over half a century, yeah, the wonderful start of the rest of her life. My daughter is beautiful, inside and out, caring, and has a sense of humor that catches you off guard as she plots and plans some one thing to make your day a good one. So today we celebrate her, and if I keep rambling on about her she will not share her birthday cake with me . . yeah she is modest, shy and hates to be talked about . . . well, isn't that what mother's are all about? Have I told you this about Patricia??? No, well . . . I better not . . . Happy Birthday Love, make your day as special as you.

So today, get on your computer and send Pat and e-mail, or use your cell phone and call her up. Hopefully we are going to have some sunshine today and we will be out in her back yard grilling some of that salmon caught this week. Jock has been busy on the river and is coming in with some 'springer' salmon. We will have a big mixed salad, some asparagus, and of course, that favorite cake will 'warm' us all up . . . do I have that many candles? A banner day for a banner lady and one I wish all of you could share with us. Make your seconds count today. It is Saturday all day and you do not have to do anything you do not want to do . . . weekends are your special haven of rest and relaxation . . . if not, they should be . . . Hugs to all.

Odds and Ends

Good morning. Some days we do have feelings of losing our marbles, especially when the pressure of living seems to be catching up with us as the news seems all negative without a sun beam in sight. We really are stronger than we think we are. We certainly are courageous, but best of all is that we keep our sense of being, our sense of humor and we make it through the day finding reasons to be kind, to share, to light the candle for those who have needs but best of all reasons to smile for, as someone clever and bright said, 'laughter makes our world go around.'

This is a pre-Memorial Day reminder that there is much more to the Holiday than a bar-b-qu. It is fine to prepare for the holiday and invite neighbors and friends to join you for a festive cookout but like other holidays we choose to commercialize, this particular one needs our full attention to remember those who made it possible for us to stay free and enjoy holidays . . . period.

Go ahead, laugh out loud. This cartoon came with more about ageing.

Not to laugh at as there are many without jobs, many unable to collect unemployment and we definitely need 'change' . . . remember, if you have a job and the will power to share, buy a few extra can goods and donate to your local food bank. They are doing a terrific job of feeding a lot of families in trouble. It seems our whole country is in need due to the horrendous weather patterns of this past winter, now spring thawing and floods and the aftermath of the tornadoes . . . we can count our blessings if we are not a part of this desolation, dig a little in the pocketbook and donate to the services that are out there helping.

Just a picture of a wise old bird. He just has the look . . . or maybe it is a SHE and she has the look. Look at those knowing eyes.

Almost as true as a fiction. It hasn't reached this goal yet but they certainly are working on it. Now if we could only find a good reason to laugh at the gas prices we would have all of our marbles together. Not fair, life is not fair, but then it is up to each of us to find a way to cope with whatever is thrown in our path. Car pool. Walk more. Use public transportation. There is probably so much more behind the scenes than we even know about. It would be good to know why we cannot develop our own fuel when we have so much untapped. Hearing sixty dollars to fill a car now a day makes me glad that I don't own a car. Wonder if I can afford a pair of those new fangled 'rubber' shoes that bounce as you go along. Daughter Pat tells me they really are not for me.

So today, Friday, May 6th already, pick up your marbles and get on with your day. You are heading into a brand new weekend so get on with your reasons to smile and have a great one. Make all those seconds count. Hugs to all.

Safe Places

When it comes right down to it there are no really safe places on our little globe and we seem to be finding that out more every day as the horrendous earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes, along with a flood or two let us know who is boss.

I had an e mail yesterday with these maps showing the dark green dots areas the lowest, yellow medium and beige the highest survival areas. Believe it or not Corvallis, Oregon is the safest place, as is Washington, Grand Junction,Colorado or Seattle, Washington.

The highest areas are Dallas, Plano and Irving, Texas; Jonesboro, Arkansas, Corpus Christie, Texas and Alabama.

The experts may tell us that the West Coast is safe but they didn't include tsunami waves or brag about the fault lines that run from one end to the other.

So today, Thursday of your busy week, check out the maps but don't be in a rush to pack and find a safe place as I really don't think there are any safer than where you are. Each spot has its own problems and each spot has something wonderful to brag about. Just have your little bag ready for an emergency and an open mind to be of help should the need arise. Meanwhile, make your seconds count. Today is the here and now. What are you going to do with your day? Hopefully live it as if it were your last day on this earth. Who said "time is of the essence", believe it as it flies by faster than 'a speeding bullet' or the swiftness of the hummingbirds wings. YOU decide what YOU want to do and do it. Hugs to all.

Its A Beautiful Morning!

Thought a bouquet might make you wake up to a smile. I took my camera with me yesterday when friend Marge and I rode over to Crescent City and enjoyed a plate of fish and chips and worth every gallon of gas to get there. It was impossible to snap pictures of the lazy seals laying about not making a sound or movement, as the wind was blowing so strong it had the ability to enfold you and take you off your feet. I could see myself flying over the rocks, so retreated, camera in hand and didn't get one shot.



Marge is a jewel and rescued me in my dilemma to get to the other end of town for an errand I wanted to get done. I didn't have to bribe her as she, like me, finds it easy to drop what your doing and go out in the sunshine. Who could point a finger at us as we have put up with weeks of rain and cold. Spring has finally sprung and we ended our jaunt with some delicious cake Marge found in a very large glass showcase. We were much to full for desert but we knew we could have it for our dinner. I do not know the name of, but it was a mixture of all that basic cake dough with berries and cream. There was no taking a few bites and saving it for another day, when five p.m. rolled around there was room for that lovely delicacy and not a crumb was left for another day. Friends do make our world go around and around.


Speaking of friends, I lost a very long time friend on May second. Her name was Frances but she was called Tanie, a petite red head with a big heart and teasing ways. She was a smoker and wound up with lung cancer and a fight for her life. She was braver than most and went for chemotherapy, not once but four full treatments as she fought to stay alive. She was told five years ago that she was terminal but she didn't miss a chance to fight for her life as she wasn't ready to leave this earth . . . but her name was written in the clouds and it was her time. I will miss her more every day as we go back a good thirty years and shared a lot of precious time together.

Yesterday, I received an e mail with these pictures and a short story about an accident and five gallons of paint. The pictures tell it all. The caption said "Put it in the trunk" as the ambulance driver wouldn't let the female paramedic out of the ambulance because she couldn't stop laughing and he said it wasn't professional . . . I don't know about that, a bit of laughter might have lightened the load for those poor folks covered from head to to in paint. Another lesson learned to late.



So today, hump day, take time to think about your friends and time . . . there is never enough of either . . . if you have been remiss about contacting someone you love, give a little thought to mending your ways as friendship is a two way street and the hugs go both ways. Our seconds count, don't waste them. Hugs to all.




I wonder if this will be classified as a total loss?

Seagulls

Good morning and it looks like it is going to be a lovely morning as the sky is bright with a bright yellow glow at the rim of the foothills. A sign of a real spring day and one I am looking forward to as I plan a jaunt out for some exercise. Yeah, I had my check up yesterday and believe it or not it was a good one, but . . . my favorite word . . . there is no excuse for not walking a block or two every day, water is a friend and more is better than less, exercise is good for you . . . that is his story and I am stuck with it. I am lazy about repetitive exercises, but a good walk is always something I do enjoy and coming back in a few rain drops didn't hurt a bit.


I have been noticing the sea gulls have been coming in more lately and am not sure why they think my neighbor's house top is a good roost, but they do, so I got out my trusty camera and took a picture of them. At first there were about a dozen, then a few flew off and more came. They may have been looking for the bird seed or the peanuts someone is putting out for the Blue Jays, but then they didn't fly down to the ground, but just mulled around and flew away. They do not bother anyone but they do leave a big plop or two and their aim seems quite good as they hit the car windows.



So today, when you are out and about, try and keep out of the way of the birds flying around as they have no sense of decorum and may find you an easy target. It brings back a memory when I was a very young bride and had just shampooed my hair and got all dressed up to meet some of my new family. As my husband and I walked down the main street, a gull flew over and dropped its mess right on my head . . . ugh. . . messy and not fun to clean up, but I was taught how to play poker that night and couldn't lose. So I equate bird turd with luck . . . now I want to know how come they don't find me when I am on my way to play the penny machines. There are enough of them around but they ignore me; maybe it is something I said! Make your minutes count today and have a wonderful day, all day. Hugs to all.