Mix and Match

Daughter Christine's dream library for her home. . . Wonder if she can take out a bearing wall or two to make this happen....think she'll try?   Nah!!  She has bookcases from wall to wall now but a much smaller window and no view.   With a book in hand who has time to look out?  I am presently reading Louis L'Amour , two down and twenty more to go.  He is one great writer of the Golden West.

Granddaughter Erin sent this picture of one of the fruits she is enjoying.   Sure looks good enough to eat.  A papaya at its best.   Sweet and delicious and good for the body. 

Erin's latest picture with her new co-workers in Guyana.    She writes that she will be teaching two 15-week courses and attending meetings and community events.   She is now getting acquainted with the schools and the community and in May will help to get a first camp ready for the deaf children.   She says cold showers help as it is very hot and humid there.   She is excited happy and ready to do a good job.    

Angie's dogs, Quiso was a little scared of the big sea lions but Mac ignored them.   Angie is enjoying her new home and job.   She got to greet a couple of the ships coming in and has already been invited to visit one. 

Pope Francis entertained President Obama for an hour;  a long visit;   wouldn't it have been nice to have been a fly on the wall . . . wonder if they came to an agreement on life and death in the future; rich giving to the poor . . . it could start with them as they have more than they could ever spend in one lifetime. Now, if they spoke as they believe, it will have an interesting outcome;  but pretense is the name of the game.  Sad but true.

Another fast month, three more day and we are looking for April showers.   We already have them, our third day of overcast, rain , and wind.    It is cold too.    Not sweater weather.     I'll be looking for some floor material this morning for my small entrance way.   When the men put the new door in they tore some of the linoleum  up, not a lot but at a spot where it cannot be repaired.   What is there has done its duty as it must have come with this manufactured house when they put it together.    Probably thirty years ago.   About time for a change I'd say.  I hope to find something a bit lighter and brighter.  I'm off to have my coffee and wake up . . you had better get a move on and get ready to make your day something to brag about.    Be adventuresome and do something you have never done before;  be a sparkle and shine.  Hugs to all.  

This and That

A knitted bird.   This has to be a very difficult project.  I have trouble getting across a row with a knit one purl one. 

I always thought Jimmy Carter got a bad rap due to an impossible situation .   Each President has to live with the role he played.    

Time will tell.....cold war again?  Nah . . . bigger and better ideas . . . but the ice cap is melting so maybe we don't have much to worry about.

It is Thursday already, another fast week going by and the weather cannot make up its mind whether to allow Spring into our lives.    The trees and flowers say yes, the low clouds and wind say no;  the indifference of spring;  isn't it something?    Pat and I had a movie day yesterday.   She has a copy of "Saving Mr. Banks" and if you have not seen it, be sure to add it to your list of 'must see' as it is wonderful and Emma Thompson should have won an Oscar for her performance.    We had a Subway veggie sandwich to enjoy as we watched and I do not understand how anyone could put mustard in a veggie sandwich.  What a way to spoil a good thing.  I ate it anyway, can't waste food and I still remember being reminded of the starving children of China, I bet that old adage has changed to the children of the world.   I made a bread pudding out of stale bread and used honey instead of sugar and it came out pretty good.  All I did was add some luscious strawberries and a bit of yogurt and had a tasty dish for my supper last night.   Try it, you may find you like it.  

For those of you who are puzzle fans, the puzzle is coming along....slowly, a piece or two in a day.   I have lots of little pieces put together in clumps and am looking for the right spot to attach them.   It is a slow process but frustrating.   Pat and Marcia come in, take one look, back away and say 'put it back in the box' and get a fun one';   they have no patience.

So develop patience as it comes in handy in keeping your mind safe and alert.   The dictionary says that patience is a capacity of endurance.    A tolerance of something or somebody over a period of time, generally without complaint though not necessarily without annoyance.  So learn the art of patience as you endure some of the trials and tribulations in life . . . even , or should I say, in the playtime of life. Now, I understand a bit more about the meaning of  the word puzzle . . . it is meant to teach you patience.  

Enjoy the day, be alert, be alive and don't forget tears brings on an ugly puss while a smile lights up your world.    So go lighten the load for those you love and throw in a hug or two.    Hugs to all. 

Smiles

This big guy is lost up in Port Orchard;  bet that little duck finds him before the day is over.  Friends...kisses....well, isn't that what friends are for?   

Remember peace signs.   Wonder what happened to that generation of wishful thinkers.    

Isn't nature wonderful?    Admit it, you had to laugh. 

Hey Judy, think of the money you could have saved if you had thought of this idea.   So precious.   Joseph would probably love snuggling with a dog rather than sleeping all alone in a big crib.   It is like buying a lot of toys when the little one finds a pot and a spoon so much more fun. 

Patricia is a happy camper as her sister Christine gifted her with a barrel top.   Clever idea for the lazy Susan and it really is a beauty.   Matches her farm table too. 

Erin and her new friend on stage in Guyana.   They are preparing a skit for today.   Erin is keeping busy and is finding the mosquitoes love her.   If you have a sure cure, let me know.   I thought vinegar might help, but am not sure.    Erin tells us she received a warm welcome, has a small apartment and a great roommate and landlady.   the climate is hot, the mosquitoes many and she is very busy catching up with all the paper work.   Today she meets some of the deaf children. 

The last week of March already and it looks like it is going out like the proverbial lion.   We had a heavy rain the night before last;  promises of more to come and it is much colder.    It is like we are heading for winter rather than celebrating the first of spring.   The flowers and trees are almost as confused as I am. I have clipping to do but the wind comes up  and then it is not fun., so I'll postpone that job until the weather makes up its mind.   Meanwhile Pat has the movie "Mr. Banks" to share today so we will ignore the weather and enjoy the movie.   A little popcorn might taste good.    So, if you are close by come and join us, if your far away, rent a movie and hunker down if your weather is cold and miserable.   Spring is always iffy so we just go with the flow and change our attitude along with it.    Do one good deed and you will smile and set your thinking cap as to what you can do to bring a little love and laughter into your world.    A hug and a smooch;  a smooch and a hug . . . go together like sunshine and laughter . . . remember practice makes perfect...practice, practice, practice.    Hugs to all.

 

ART

There is a small town in Nevada that has an old train station just like this one. 

Oregon is famous for its lighthouses.   We have one here like this.

Reminds me of our marina.

Not Emma but a lot like her only Emma is huge. 

Reminds me of a painting I did of a covered bridge. 

We see many of the big lumber trucks roll along the highway.

All of the above sketches were done by  Paul Smith, born in 1921 with severe spastic cerebral palsy.  He used a typewriter and steadied his left hand with his right hand and locked the shift key to make wonderful scenic pictures using the symbols at the top of the keys;  characters @#$%^&*( ), transforming them into beautiful pictures resembling pencil or charcoal images.    This resilient and clever man died June 25, 2009 leaving behind a treasure trove for all of us to admire and enjoy.

How wonderful for us as we see what determination and courage can do.    No matter what cross we have to bear in life, we are given the inner strength to keep us a work in progress.    We can accomplish anything we set out to do if we work in the realm of Faith, Hope and Love.   

Use your seconds wisely today and find the inner strength so you can accomplish whatever it is you set out to do.    Start with good intentions, not the ones leading to the road to hell, but with a desire to improve yourself and those who surround you.    All it takes is a tiny bit of YOU to bring a blessing, a kind word, a good deed , along with a smile and a hug.   What a day you will have . . . Go . . . make it an enjoyable day.  Hugs to all. 

Jokes

Granddaughter Erin has one of these growing in her back yard in Guyana.  It is called a Custard Apple and she is told it is very delicious.   Looks a bit like a brain . . . um . . . I could use some of that.  

Get ready to laugh....I received some jokes about getting older;  a good thing we can laugh at ourselves as it is not always funny.  There are some changes we could do without...smile. 

I am beginning to wonder how high I can count.   Ninety coming up and I don't know whether to laugh or cry . . . yeah, I can still do both. 

Another truism.   Isn't there a saying about 'the beat goes on'?

Age is like the proverbial hand writing on the wall;  it is there for all to see and lucky for us each new day gives us thousands of seconds to use or abuse.   A new week, a change in the weather, Spring is here and soon you will be thinking summer vacation time.  It is never to early to think about that and it isn't too early to make a few plans.   

A source of pride.    Wow!!!     I had no idea this even existed..  How come this wasn't given National coverage?    An accumulation of  dog tags to honor lost souls,  better late than never.   Youngsters who gave their all in the name of Freedom although we all know there was and is a lot more to that story. 

A new Monday to use up a few of your seconds, hopefully doing at least one good deed today.    Make it a special day where you shine.    Light up your world with that smile and don't just hang those hands by your side, lift them up and walk into a hug or two.    Make yourself useful.   Go to the card store today and find one to send a friend just because you can.    Start your week off with a hug and a smile, or a smile and a hug or two or three....Hugs. to all.

Move

Here are Angie's cuties.   They made the move from Truckee to Newport Oregon without a whimper.  They found new smells and sounds to keep them happy. 

A lovely golf course on the Columbia River.   Looks like a nice spot to visit and enjoy.    

It didn't take long for this puppy to find a new favorite spot.   A window seat all his own.    

The quiet of a sunset.

Here it is Sunday morning and it is very quiet around here.   It is dark and cold outside and not a creature stirring right now.   Anyone with any sense would be sleeping in.    I tried but the body clock went off and the feet decided to cramp up so here I am wide awake and wondering what kind of words I have for you this morning.    We have contact news from Erin and she is in training presently and preparing for a special trip to a deaf camp in April.    It is going to be a very interesting and busy year for Erin.   

I spent some time yesterday at Sears looking for a white hood to replace the old yellowish one that is in need of replacing.  It works but not well and is extremely noisy and shaky as well.   There was one on the wall that would do just fine and I had my newspaper with their ad showing two discounts for the day and date.    I was about to sign up for it when I asked if they would deliver and install;   yes, for one hundred and fifty dollars to install; delivery would be extra and I should buy another thirty dollar to insure it, in case something went wrong.   When I objected to the prices quoted she immediately came down fifty dollars on the installation.  Needless to say, the hood is staying there and I am going to look around.   When she told me I had to spend three hundred dollars to get the advertised discounts I decided I was not happy with the way they do business.     No wonder the stores are hurting for business, and that old adage of 'buyer beware' is coming back to haunt us..

As you know, I am a book lover and have collected books at yard sales for years.   I have read a lot of them, have lots more to go, but the latest mystery or adventure story gets my attention.   Lately there have been few books at the sales.   I had to resort to some of my old books and  I finished "Below the Salt"  by Thomas Costain, which came out in 1957 originally.  I was looking around for something to read and remembered that I had a collection of Westerns by Louis L'Amour which I have never read.   I love cowboy movies, so why  not a book. . . so I opened one and wow.....what a writer, a two day read and I'm ready for more.  I think I have twenty three of the leather bound set.  I was going to put them on my next yard sale but now I think I have discovered my summer reading.    So take time to find a book and relax in a quiet spot and let the world go by.    A 'down' day is very good for you.    Hugs to all.

  

Folks

Here is Angie catching her first sunset in her new 'digs' ;  She made a fast trip to Sacramento then hopped in her car and off she went 'home' to Newport, Oregon.  One very happy camper.    A new job, a new apartment and a new life style.   Congratulations Angie and Good Luck. 

Meanwhile in Prescott, Arizona where Bob and Andrea are entertaining their daughter Wendy who is home visiting from Japan, a walk into town and the three townsmen are out and about entertaining the town folks as well as visitors.    They dress up and go out there and make the folks feel at home.   And the guns are real.   Who says retirees can't find something to do with their time.    

Even Putin of Russia isn't safe from our political cartoonists.    A strong and fearless leader who is out to rejuvenate his country and wants to be the leader of the world, and is busy making Obama bray like a Jackass and succeeding.   

Here it is another weekend.  Seems I just said that.    The days go flying by and I am happy having daughter Patricia home from her mini vacation.    Christine has returned to Port Orchard and will relish some alone time as she has had family visitors for months now.   The medical visits are over for a short while and the MRI proved to show little change since the last one and that is good news.   Pat  is happy to hear the news but wishes she felt a lot better than she does as the MS takes toll on her walking .   An insidious disease that needs a cure  .So, when you donate to causes, keep the MS march in mind.  The experts are working on a cure and Sweden is ahead with a test on white blood cells.   Light a candle and say a prayer for all the folks suffering from the autoimmune diseases;  life is not easy for those folks.

Pat and I had lunch out at the Casino yesterday.  I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to eat there since they raised the prices but I found they did give a larger plate for the salad bar and that is what we usually go for, soup and salad.   Yesterday they had a red pepper soup which was different and very tasty.   There are new and larger machines and it must cost a fortune to keep changing the machines out.   That is at least ten new ones in the last few months.    Doesn't make any difference though, as you have to be at the right machine at the right time if you are to win back some of your own money.  Much like our income tax.

So, hopefully you are having the first signs of Spring, now that it is  official, but don't go putting on your summer shorts as the weather pattern is always iffy this time of year.    I remember many  a snow storm on Easter Sunday.   Speaking of Easter, it is a month away, what do you want to bet the stores are working on Fourth of July items to sell.     I'm off to have my coffee and open the other eye.    If you were out and about you could stop in and I'd share, might even whip up an omelet to go with it.     I'd even spare a hug or two.   Hugs to all.

TGIF Again

A truism and one to pay attention to  

Monte Shockley better known as Scoot.   A prolific song writer and an old friend to son Michael.   He looks good and I bet enjoys that bike.    Time has a way of flying by.  It is hard to believe he is a grandfather now.    

One of the blessings of getting older, time to enjoy free time.   

TGIF . . . it got here so quick again;   seconds fly and we do not realize how quickly .  Writing a daily blog brings the days to mind and the weeks, the months and years.   Every now and then, when I have free time on my hands, I go back into the old blogs and read a little of the daily history of friends and family.  another way of genealogy  without even thinking about it.    A bit of political history as well and the creative cartoonist who find ways to make us laugh at ourselves.    Everyone should keep a journal at least and not lose the tidbits of life they have lived.    Generations to come will find history pictures life in all its forms and repeats itself over and over, the good, the bad and the ugly.     We have a free will and it is up to each one of us to realize each one of us helps to create history.  So today remember to be the best you can be, do a good deed today, stand tall but don't be afraid to kneel now and then.    Light one candle for the souls who have gone before us;  light another for the hope and dreams of those who are struggling to survive.    Touch a friend to day with a kind word, a hug, a smile.  Hugs to all.

Same

The Little Town of Port Orchard has some interesting affairs.  The merchants stay open and give those who work over in Seattle a chance to get off the ferry and get in a little shopping.   A match made in heaven. 

I wonder what would happen if we put one mean mother in a class room . . .  

It doesn't take much for the comedians to grab hold of a tragic event.   So many families waiting for the news of their loved ones , lost strayed or stolen, time will tell. 

It is Thursday and I am waiting for Pat to arrive home today.    It will be so good to get a hug and hear what the neurologist had to say about her latest MRI .  
Erin is in training for about six weeks so we will be waiting to hear all of her news.

I am off to a late start this morning due to a long reading session in the middle of the night.    Some nights are like that.

I hope your new day brings a smile to your face, love to your heart and the will to be kind, gentle and useful as you wile away your seconds today.     Some remarks was written this week about if you are tired of standing, kneel, and a lot of your problems will be resolved.    Good idea, light a candle while you are at it.    Make your day as special as YOU..  Hugs to all.  

The Kiss

and that attitude and apology is costing us an awful lot as we head further down the road to socialism;  what more can happen in the next year or two;  a lot more than we bargain for.  Stay alert, pay attention, don't waste your vote;  know the person you are going to cast your future with and be one of the old fashioned  Americans who believe that working for a living is so much better than playing with idle hands and becoming a tool of some of those who are not proponents of fair play. 

A truism.   You get out of life exactly what you put into it, no more, no less.   One foot goes before the other and one step takes you to where you lead it.     

We all remember this picture that made headlines around the world.    This 'tar; joined his mates in Heaven yesterday .

I was invited to my neighbors for pizza and a movie last evening and we watched a World War II story about the Japanese invasion into England and  the people placed into concentration camps.  The story really centers around a young boy who is separated from his parents and his amazing resilience  in helping others and surviving.   It was so well done, sad, horrifying at times and brutal showing that any war is not the answer to taking over the lives and properties of others.    War is never the answer, seems we still try to solve and resolve our 'wishes' the hard way and to what avail?    For a little globe spinning in the universe we seem to think that we are not our brothers keeper . . . um . . . self control could be one way to fix our problems. . . it starts with us in our own back yard.

Where is that big jet?   Why was it taken?   What is the true story?   Sure took our minds of Obamacare.  a plot?  Nah, he wouldn't go that far...or would he?  

Hump day and it is already mid March, yes, the days go flying by and we are nearing the official date for Spring to arrive.    Most folks in our country are looking forward to some better weather after a very long and hard winter.    The stores are filled with Easter candy and all kinds of sales for clothing and I bet some Mary Jane shoes.    The Lenten fast continues and no sliding so far . . . it isn't as easy as it sounds, but worth it in the long run.    Sometimes time has a way of dragging....can't go fast enough to get to where we want and need to go;   but it really is taking one step at a time.    Today is a good day to start putting one foot before the other and resolve to finish what you start.    If you do it with a smile instead of a sigh;   put a little effort into your project and the end results will amaze you;  humming helps . . . try it . . . by the way what is your favorite song?    I've been humming "Close to You" and the words mean just that;  a favorite place to be.    Consider yourself hugged.     Hugs to all.  

 

Erin News

Our coast is doing a bit of rattling and rolling, nothing new as our earth shakes and we wait for the big one.  This one woke up  a few folks and a couple of folks on television were talking about the current events when the earthquake took them by surprise.   You could almost feel what they did by their reactions.    

Stonehenge blue stones have a metallic sound and back in the 1770's were used as church bells.   The study goes on and one day the mystery of where they came from  and why may be solved.   A strange and awesome sight. 

Then there is the Blarney stone, another rock, not a slice of Stonehenge, just a bit of fossil, shells, specific to the region.    If you kiss the stone you are suppose to be gifted with a gift of gab . . . leave it tot he Irish to come up with that idea . . . but then I kissed the Blarney stone so maybe that is what gives me the words to blog about, nah, I'm just a lady of words.  How about you?   Wordy?   or the silent type.? Just remember to use your words wisely so you don't go about hurting feelings. 

Did you hear that the sponsors for the St. Patrick's Day Parade pulled out leaving only Ford Motor Company.  The New York and Boston mayors did not participate.   The Irish Prime Minister said it was all about our Irishness and not about sexuality.   I gather there was a group of gay folks who wanted to participate but were told they could march, but  could not identify themselves.    And so the new battle begins.



A Hindu Holiday in Guyana  

Erin and her roommate were friended by the native folks as Erin said in her e mail, 'we learned to relax and close our mouths as we were smeared with lots of colors.

Erin arrived in Guyana along with her new friend and roommate tired and ready to relax and settle in, but there was a special Tea where they met the deaf members attending and had no trouble communicating.  The GSL program is much like the ASL program.  They also attended a welcome dinner and have been invited to attend a deaf camp in April.    Meanwhile they joined the folks and help celebrate their festival.  

The ladies are off to a good start.    More coming as I get her words.

The start of a new week and our weather is playing games with us.  One minute promises of rain, fog and cold, then the wind comes up and the sun comes out  to disappear and start over again.   Spring is a day or two away and then we can look forward to those gardening days.   Marcia stopped in after her dentist visit.  I have never heard of a dentist putting shots in your mouth to clean your teeth.   Marcia said she was frozen up to her eyeballs.    She was going to try and find puzzle pieces but gave up after the first ten minutes of looking and not finding anything at all.    I tell you this is one puzzle that is a big challenge and not fun.   Two are for boxing it but I am stubborn enough to try for a finished product . . . time will tell. 

 Jock came in and brought a beautiful fillet of salmon that a broiled up into a veritable feast.  He came in to take his dog to the vet and to mow Pat's yard so she can come home to neat and tidy.   He is such a keeper.  It was nice to have company for lunch and I fixed some Philly Cheese sandwiches and salad.    So it was a good eating day around here.    La Verne came in with some sugarless jello which is very tasty as she adds shredded pineapple to orange jello, so I shared a bit of my salmon with her and she was smiling on her way out the door.    So you see sharing is caring and the hugs that go with it make the day so worthwhile.    Try it today, find reasons to invite a friend in for lunch or dinner, nothing fancy, just down to earth good eating and relax and enjoy conversation, it is good for the body and the heart especially.  So put on your best bib and tucker and invite someone to share a bit of YOU today.  Hugs to all.   

St. Patrick's Day

The Top of the Mornin" To Ye, and the rest of the day to ye self.! 

May you start with a dish of potatoes and peppers and a bit of corn beef on the side.    A little Jamison wouldn't hurt and a green beer before the day is over. 

One of our Navy ships doing a good deed, stopping to let some whales go by. 

Sounds a bit irreverent but a lot like a bit of Irish words.  More truth than poetry. 

It wouldn't hurt to have this on the front page of our newspapers to be read by the many . .  History does seem to repeat itself. 

So with the Be gosh and Be gorra, get up, go out, watch the St. Paddy's Day Parade, enjoy the last of the winter weather as we may get a bit of storm today, and do a little jig as you wander out and about.   Don't forget the smile and open up those arms and catch up with a hug or two.   Ready now...."When Irish eyes are smiling, sure its like a morn in spring,  its the lilt of Irish laughter, la, la, la....la, la, la, la. And, may you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows your gone.     Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Hugs to all.