Nice

A league of Nations as granddaughter Erin and Donaleo visit with new friends in Paris, France.   Erin is sitting on the floor near the end of the table, left, and Donaleo is in the white jacket with his backward hat on.    Erin tells us that there are four from Mexico, and the others from South Africa.    A nice welcome to France.   

Hey there Bob, here is a novel idea for a swing for the new porch.  

My you can read a lot into the expression of this beautiful animal.     A black cat ready to show you how lucky it is.  Soulful eyes.

Jennifer sent this array of pictures from Minden, Nevada.   Sure brought back a lot of memories.  I've spent a lot of time with good friends there.

Here we are with a Saturday on hand.  Here in Brookings we are fifty seven degrees.  It is cold in the house and warmer outside.  Pat took the chill off by lighting up a log or two in her fireplace yesterday and treated me to some wonderful chicken curry she made from scratch.    I took time out to visit our friends Darlene and Peat who live across the street from her.   Darlene just had to have a stint put in as her pace maker had stopped working properly and she had no idea it was the reason she had been having some new heart problems.    A good thing we take the time for a check up as, in her case, she was saved a heart attack or a stroke.    We had a nice visit and Peat came in to join us with a handful of green beans from his garden.   He has promised to save me a real true garden tomato and if the sun ever shines here we might get more than one.   He tells me the vines are tall and thick and he has high hope for the sun to come out and they will turn into beautiful red eatables....I'll be ready.

    I watched a couple of DVDs called "House of Cards" , a political show with Kevin Spacey in the lead.   He does a great job of showing how ugly a politician can be.    I think they are mimicking the on going slate in office now and showing how ruthless life is up on the 'hill'.     It doesn't have the same quality of the  "West Wing" series so I wouldn't suggest you go out and buy it. All in all it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

I am off to start my weekend, have chores to do and if the sun does not shine today I am going to hunker down with a great book called "The Clowns of God" a novel by Morris West, an old time and favorite author of mine.   So light up a room when you enter it today.    Visit someone who is ill and can use the warmth of your smile.    As the old saying goes, 'reach out and touch someone' just be sure you know them well enough to touch.    Be gentle, be kind, be caring and you will discover what a truly wonderful person you are.  I know as I am on the receiving end of some of those hugs... Lucky me!   Hugs to all.