HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Even the birds love to celebrate Halloween so use some of those pumpkins and make a bird feeder.  Clever eh?    You can do it.

And a Big Boo to YOU!

John and Jo have their decorations all done

Even the cat can see who is trick or treating

Here is a cutie for you...Makes you smile.   

The wicked witch of Disney Fame . . . who was it that sang "oh those goo, goo, googile eyes"??
Jimmy Durante?   I think so.

And so you have. . . It is Halloween

I posted this last evening so it would be the first thing you see this morning.   I have places to go and things to do so Happy Haunting!
Go . . . make your plans . . . I hope the children knock on your door and scare you just a tiny bit.   Don't eat all their candy, no fair picking out your favorites;   they need the energy...smile....
I hope your Halloween is good and spooky and fun.  Hugs to all.

Interesting

The big beautiful maple in Portland Oregon.    I'd like one in my backyard or the front yard.  I'm not fussy, just like some of that old New England color surrounding me. 

The 'no nothing' president;  wonder who really is behind him, oh, Harry . . . no wonder.

Here we go again . . . there are those folks who think we should change Christmas and its true meaning into a 'winter holiday' not the HOLY day it is and should remain.    If you believe that Christmas should remain Christmas , then buy cards and decorations that say so.    

Here is Angie's Queso with his coat on, no boots yet.  

We get back our hour.    Days get shorter, darkness comes much earlier and the winds will howl and the rains will come here in Oregon.  YOU may get snow and have to shovel . . .um, think I'll come over to your house and help.  I used to love to be out in the early morning and push that white stuff around.   I'm all talk as at this age I couldn't shovel my way out of the door way if there was a huge amount.   I'd try. I have experience and that counts.

I hope you have chosen a big pumpkin to carve and show off for Halloween....tomorrow is the big day...get ready.

Someone is very, very clever.    A centipede in all its glory.

Mike A. has been busy on the ranch and has his own home grown pumpkins to play with.  He does a great job.  

Lest we forget.    A prayer, a thought, a deed, something to remember what war really means and the sacrifices our young give in trying to make our world a safer place.    I hope this president didn't lie about his plan to bring the men and women home.   Twelve years is a long war which is endless as the terrorists continue in their want to rule the world.   

 Hump Day and October is wending its way to the 'never, never land' , the hour is to change this Sunday and we gain back that hour we learned to live without.   Don't you wish the experts would leave time alone and quit playing with our sleep patterns.   It takes a day or two to adjust and just about the time we do, it is time to change again. Shorter days, longer nights, winter weather . . . ah, the season to gripe and groan over as the weather comes along and gives us something to think about . . . maybe pull the covers over your head and sleep in;   hide the snow shovel and wait for a big wind;   hibernate . . .the perfect answer . . . be a bear!   Whatever you choose to do, be sure you do it to the best of your ability.    Be a friend, that is important.    Be a friendly friend and share hugs, bear hugs . . .um, I'll stand in line for one of those.    I'm singing, "oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful . . . la, la, la....let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.  It's only the end of October;  you would think I'd wait for Christmas eve and snow flakes;  well, I'm wishful thinking;  how about you?  Hugs to all.

Tuesday Problems

Depends, am I thinking about people when I'm alone?   or when I am with people can I get a word in edgewise?  Um . . . have to think about this.

Good old Maxine  never has trouble with words.

Food for thought.  Not sure I agree as lonely people are sad; sad people are usually damaged and far from wise.  Now Maxine would come up with a few words and probably tell them to pull up their boot straps and get on with their lives.   

or is just kind and wants to share with his fellowman.    There is always room for arguments pro and con.   Not everyone has ulterior motives and just might see the world with colored glasses.    I've met a few of those.   

Angie's little dogs out for a run in the snow.   the little guy, Queso, seems to think it is no such a great idea.  Where are my boots mom?

how true, words, words, words,  letters put into words, words put into sentences, paragraphs, and tell tales to be enjoyed.

I bet you thought this more than once. 

Multiple Sclerosis, an insidious disease and so far no cure.    Get behind the cause and do everything you can to help support this cause.    We need to find a cure for all of the auto immune diseases that wreck the lives of people.     Daughter Patricia has been fighting M.S. for over thirty years and is a prime example of courage, stamina and love.   

More truth than not.  Aunty Acid is going to give Maxine a run for her money.

Sounds like she is talking about me.    Well some folks would agree.

It is Tuesday, all day, and I think we are going to have a little sunshine today.   I hope so.   I've been waiting for the wind to die down so I can walk up to Freddys and buy my Big X puzzle and maybe one of those tasty buttermilk donuts.     I might even spring for some Chicken curry as they make a great one;  not quite as good as Patricia's but still pretty tasty.    A new day . . . wonder what is in store for us today . . . and the thought crossed my mind;  ' you get out of it what you put into it' ;   who thinks up those old adages?   We grew  up on them as the old timers spouted them like they knew what they were talking about.  They usually did.     Well it is the truth, we get out of our day what we put into our day, so go put something good into your day and it will make you smile.   Share YOU with your family and friends, give an honest days work for an honest days pay and the feeling of satisfaction will 'make your day'.  Don't forget a hug or two.  Hugs to all.

More

All it takes is a veteran  . . . we know a few of those old timers who say what they mean and mean what they say.

Not everyone agrees, but there are those of us who believe that socialized medicine is not the way to go.

a signature statement

The cry of the Octogenarians and a few leading up to its path.    Just stop for a second, take a deep breath and start your thought processes all over again.   The words are there, they just take time to go full circle and come out  slowly and carefully.   

Eighty on the outside, forty on the inside . .  . not a bad exchange.

A new week.    The sun came out for a few minutes yesterday along with wind.   It was so nice to see it after several days of being socked in.    I had a long Skype session with daughter Christine yesterday and am amazed at what the computer can do.   How  wish I were computer literate.   We spent a few hours making sure that "Pictures From A Moving Car" was polished and ready for printing.  It was a lot of fun to watch the cursor float around and do all kinds of magical things.     Granddaughter Erin has a friend, Jessica, visiting for a few days and they came with some pumpkin bread and had a tea party with me.  I have another big jig saw puzzle on the table and they had fun finding the pieces.   They are going to go to San Francisco today and celebrate Halloween with friends.   Time to buy a pumpkin and get carving.  

Here you go, starting a new week and getting ready for the ending days of October.   I don't know about you but I thought the month had just started an here it is with just three days left.    So a trip the store to buy some treats seeing I ate the  treats that I bought .  I should know not to buy candy before hand, the temptation is there and I am easily tempted.   So check your cupboards and make sure you have plenty of treats and enjoy the ghosts and goblins when they ring your door bell.    Stay healthy and happy and enjoy each day as it gets here.   Hugs to all.

Friends

All it takes is the touch of a hand.

Age has nothing to do with age as the touch as it is always there.

The two Mike's best friend  The ranch dog, Luke, who would be happy to be touched.

and along with a touch is the smile . . . it works every time.  I bet your smiling right now.

Sunday...all day.  It is really four o'clock in the morning.  I've been awake forever as my mind is filled with the editing of my new project, Pictures From A Moving Car, which has been accepted and ready for publishing on the new computer program.  Christine has been working hard formatting for me, wish I could do it, and the proof has to be gone over one more time and a few changes made.   It is a lot of hard work but fun and finding the pictures all over again is a tedious job as there are so many of them.   So you know what I will be doing for the next few hours.  
How about you?   What will you be doing once you are awake and ready to spend your seconds today.   Will you be off at Church?  Out for breakfast?   Cooking in?    Whatever your choice, make it a good one and have a day to remember.    Don't forget the smile . . . and the hugs . . . Hugs to all.

News

A picture of sadness as the news from San Francisco continues on the path of reconstruction;  out with the old and in with the new;   a time to evict people who have lived in their apartments for over thirty years,  paid their rent, were good tenants but there is huge amounts of money to be made by refurbishing the buildings and enabling the owners to make millions.    The people are uprooted with no place to go as the rents in San Francisco are outrageous and have been for a very long time.    Donaleo's grandmother is going through this also .  Some will get $22,000 for relocation money but that is nothing when the rents are thousands of dollars a month and the income is below poverty level.     Unhappiness rears its ugly head for so many people losing their only home.  The rich get richer, the poor get poorer and history repeats itself over and over.

Poor baby just doesn't want summer to ever end.    Come to think of it, this fog could move on and let a little sunshine in, I wouldn't mind.

A lot of folks had one of 'those' weeks.    Here it is Saturday morning, the weekend is here.  Perk up and do something good with it.    Don't forget to take a used coat or two to the barrels at the stores for the children in need of a bit of warmth this winter.   

I bet these taste delicious.    Roasted Garlic Mushrooms.
Take sixteen mushrooms, three tablespoons of olive oil, and butter; three cloves of smashed garlic; two tablespoons of fresh thyme;  1-1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a sprinkle of salt and pepper to your taste; Sprinkle with bread crumbs and bake at 400 degrees for ten minutes.         Sounds tasty to me.   I may just try it this weekend along with a tender piece of steak which Freddy has on sale this week.

I am heading for the coffee pot and open the other eye.   It's five thirty and very quiet, no truck revving outside this morning so my neighbor across the street must be sleeping in.    My biggest problem is to decide what to eat for breakfast.   I'd like a magic chef in the kitchen cooking up some biscuits and gravy but I guess I'll have to get out there and see what appeals to my fancy nature.    Say a prayer or two for those who are hurting this morning.    Check the closet for used coats and help fill the barrels so children will be toasty warm this winter.    Find some peaceful moments without listening or watching the horrific news of Obama Care descending upon us.    Wonder what would happen if everyone refused to join in. . . I mean everyone...oops, almost got on the soap box, better leave you with the Prayer of Serenity . . . "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.  Courage to change the things I can,  and the wisdom to know the difference. "     Hugs to all.   

Boop Boop De Doo!!!

Betty Boop, although I do not remember her playing this type of vamp . . . she was always cute and sexy but charming.  My friend, Tanie had a collection of cute little Betty Boop dolls, even a cookie jar.   Boop, Boop, de doo!!!  Yep, I agree, friendship is very important and I am very happy to have YOU as a friend

Jennifer look this picture of her tree outside her front window.    Beautiful , a lovely sight to see early on a Fall morning.    I am surprised there is no yellow Aspen trees that shine in the sunlight like pure gold.   I remember riding out with a friend to see the Fall color in Nevada and it had a beauty all its own.

Here is Emma content and comfortable.

You will not see many trucks painted pink but this guy sure perked up his truck for Cancer survivors. I don't know about you, but  think it is a tremendous improvement.   I like pink.   Both shades.  A great idea and one that does improve the spirit as you look at that big hulk going by.

TGIF . . . yep, here already and this week has flown by.   October 25th heading into the last week of October and then the 'official' holiday season.  Granddaughter Erin has not heard anything from the Peace Corps about where the reassignments will be.    Kenya is still closed and it takes time to find new places for the volunteers.    We love having Erin right here at home and she has been keeping busy looking for work to tide her over.    She did a couple of photo shoots and is hoping for more.   We find out she is a great cook and loves to make up new dishes.    She made a delicious salad and added some pomegranate seeds which gave it a whole new taste.    She's a keeper!   Meanwhile the fog layer remains and the weather is cooling down so that the fire place warms the house and the heart.  So light 'your' fire and enjoy the weather and start thinking of putting your creative side to work on making something homemade for gifts this year.     Remember a few minutes of our time can be the most expensive gift a person receives;  so . . . make a list, check it twice and plan a few short sweet visits during the holiday season.    Don't forget the hugs.  Hugs to all.

Yeah Political Statements

With all the scandals, Obama Care and its contents, 'campaign speeches on going, he will most likely need a pardon.

Two of a kind.    What a big disappointment Joe Biden turned out to be.    When he first ran I thought he was smart, boy did I have a lot to learn.  I think this lady is about to lose her job.

The cartoonist sure knows his stuff. 

And the Indians awarded him a name which mean he really didn't know his 'arse' from his elbow.

And the 'beat goes on' . . .the Republicans only had to wait and watch.

Amen to that.

I know, I know, you are all sick and tired of hearing the constant second by second political news, yet if you do not listen and learn you will make the same mistake next time you vote.    A mistake?   Yes, I think so, as this man had no experience in the political field in spite of his 'cool' manner;  he just has no idea how to lead this country.    Now send him to Benghazi and he will probably shine.   

The month is flying by, the days disappearing like hot apple pie out of the oven.   Our fog layer has stayed all week and it has been a harbinger of the winter weather that will soon be hovering around the coast for the season.    It is a good thing we have holidays coming up to keep our minds and hearts busy.    I would imagine you are feeling the change of season where you are, some with more cold, some with snow and ice, some with a bit of sunshine.    We still have time for the last minute chores of seeing to the garden.  The yard needs just a lick and a promise as the growth slows and the tools are cleaned and made ready for next spring.    Meanwhile buy a big pumpkin and get carving;  don't forget to buy some treats especially the kinds you like in case the children find bigger and better places to go.     Don't forget to light a candle for those in need.   Donate a few spare cents and a few cans to the food bank;  the need is great.   Count your blessings, put a smile on your face and make others wonder just what you are up to . . . good deeds . . . I know because your heart is in the right place.   Go . . . make today 'your' day.    Hugs to all.