Photography

There are no laws that tell us we have to shop early.  I wonder what the store folks would do if people only looked until it was the real time to shop for a holiday.   They would probably all have nervous breakdowns.   Serve them right!

A bit of common sense never hurt anyone and politeness is always a list topper.

The attachment about taking pictures at the right moment.   How clever for this photographer to see the correlation.

I bet this daddy will be careful where he stands next time he takes his little one to a drinking fountain. 

Another impossible shot, neat.

A coincidence, life is filled with them.  Good shot.

A good day to take your camera out and see what is in your world.    The Fall colors are changing right now and I am hoping some folks from back East will share a photograph or two.    I'll have to check out Facebook and see if anyone puts a picture or two on.   

Our weather is real Indian Summer weather and I hear the fishing is very good right now.   Friend Jock has caught a couple of beauties this week and tells me he will cook one up this winter.   Now that is something to look forward to.   

Granddaughter Erin is on hold until mid November.  I gather the trip to Kenya is still on which surprises me as there are still issues to be resolved and having a new crew go into that country seems dangerous to me.    Those that have signed up for the Peace Corp seem more than willing to go; courage, stamina, desire to do good . . . all well and good but I'm hoping for closed doors until there are changes for the good of all.  I know wishful thinking.

On the political scene, here is a quote on the current stalemate "Negotiating with Obama is like playing chess with a pigeon.  The pigeon knocks over all the pieces, shits on the board and then struts around like it won the game."     I wonder if the word compromise is in the President's vocabulary.     "My way or the highway."   doesn't seem to be doing anyone any good.     Keep all the 'hard ball' playing in mind when you next vote for incumbents.

So have a good week and enjoy Indian Summer for soon enough we will have a change in the weather.    Those words reminds me of a tune....'they'll be a change in the weather, a change in the sea, la, la, la . . .  and a change me . . .'    sing along, you know the words . . . grin and bear it, almost wrote 'bare' it, now that will never do unless you are buying into some of the current fashions.   Low cut, high cut . . . sheesh!!!   Put a smile in your attitude and feel the difference.     Hugs to all.

Hints

Well let us just say I am a coffee person and my attitude is much brighter after my first cup of coffee. It is brewing now and soon I'll have a wake up sigh and get on with my day.  I know someone heading out the door for a latte . . . good morning Christine. 

I didn't know that.

It is all in the shape of the head

the saucer like round is for the sink, it takes this little plunger with a purpose to unclog a toilet.   See, you learn something new every day.

How about making your own spoon when you buy some of those little applesauce cups. I never thought to roll up the cover and make a spoon;   it would come in handy when you have it at a picnic and forgot the spoon.  

I never thought the carton would make a dish.   Clever.   Save on dish washing too.  We had Chinese out last evening and it was delicious, a dish of scallops and vegetables that was a little on the hot side and very delicious.   I think I'll try making the container into a dish today and see how it works.  Saves on the dish washer.

Here it is Sunday, a day to rest up for the upcoming week.  It was yard sale Saturday around here yesterday and my neighbor had a sale.  People were coming in droves and parking up and down the street.  I took a walk over and didn't find anything in the line of a treasure.   I could have donated a few of the household items to her sale especially vases which I seem to have an abundance of.    I had to laugh as the only things that interested me were several very tall vases she had but priced high so it saved me from indulging one more time.  I think they would make great art pieces for  a porch but it is the work of keeping them up that keeps me from trying that idea out.  John and Jo have been urn hunting for their front porch.   Patricia has a small table with a big bowl filled with pretty potted plants that make for a splash of color.  So get busy and find yourself something nice for your entrance way, if you need a vase I'm sure I have one.  Get your vocal cords in order as we have a few birthday folks this week . . Happy Birthday Mary, Rob and Jock . . . hope you celebrate in style.  Are you listening? . . . I'm singing . . . Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you.     Catch the verbal hugs and celebrate your special day.  Hugs to all. 

Humor

Getting old is not for sissies.    Getting old is a long road of living one second at a time and sharpening your sense of humor, your ability to see yourself in a new light and adopt an attitude that makes each second memorable.    It is a time to take stock.  A time to put 'things' in order and a time to allow yourself the pleasure of forgiveness for not being perfect. A time when you learn to laugh at yourself .

So all of you young whippersnappers  take time to learn from the old folks as they have been around the block a time or two.   They may not have all the answers but they sure can lighten the load.   Make your weekend a good one and take one of your old folks out for a spin, stop for lunch or brunch and don't forget hugs count and I'm betting they will pick up the check.  Hugs to all.

 

Company

Judy can make and do anything.  A clever young lady who loves to putter.  She brought me a yard art gift and is busy putting it together.

Kathy is on her way to help . . . or not.   She is ready to tease.  These two are like sisters.  I guess first cousins is next best. 

Almost finished.   Wonder why so stubborn . . . why wont it stay glued? 

Here's Helen in her new outfit.   she has lost over thirty pounds as she has lost her appetite.  I wonder if that comes in pill form as I'd like to lose mine for a short while and drop thirty pounds;  even a pound would do...smile.

Kathy likes my rocking chair.  She has camera in hand and ready to take pictures. 

Helen and I go back some thirty years, if not more.   We worked together at USGS and developed a lasting friendship, one of those kind when you don't see each other for a very long time and pick up like you met yesterday.   

Ah, almost finished, stubborn, but Judy is determined and she finally got the cup and saucer glued onto the pole and planted it in the garden where it looks very nice.  The birds will love it when I put some bird seed in it.   The rain will find a place for a few rain drops when it rains.   It is the wind she worried about as she feels it is not steady enough although she couldn't pull that pole out no matter how hard she tried.  I am keeping an eye on it, meanwhile I am enjoying it and love having something new in my garden.    The ladies have gone home for another year, hopefully they plan to return next summer.

It is Yard Sale weekend here in Brookings.   A city wide affair but not as many this year.  The economy has caught up with the smaller areas.  No job, no money, no going out looking for treasures.   Some may have a sale to make a few dollars to survive.    The shut down isn't accomplishing much more than stress for those who work for Federal Government.   I never could understand why they held the workers as captives.  Every time there has been any kind of 'need' the Government workers have been put to the task of paying for it.   They are much maligned due to the carelessness of a few, but for the most part they are all serious about the work they accomplish every day.   There is a bill in to pay them after the fact so it is nonsense to put them through the hell of wondering if they can pay their bills on time.   The stop gap isn't going to change unless the leaders smarten up and agree to disagree in a much more agreeable status.   Obama Care is proving to be very expensive; imagine having a high deductible you cannot afford before you can have the necessary treatment for what ails you.    One of the many factors to come out of the signing up mess.    Be alert, be careful and know that common sense will eventually rule  . . . well we can always have high hope . . . um, and the adage finishes "and die in despair" . . .oh dear, here we go again.
Make Friday fly by so you can enjoy the upcoming weekend.   Hope for a bit of sunshine and soft winds.  Find reasons to laugh out loud and don't forget hugs are very good for the human spirit.   Say a prayer for my friend Russell who died this week after a short bout with heart problems.  He has gone on to find new eyes so he can enjoy a read all by himself.     He was a delightful and very lonely elderly veteran with tales to tell, and I enjoyed making a new friend even for a short while.   Rest in Peace Russell.

Hugs to all.
 

Hills

A new orchid from Orchids in Bloom.  How beautiful. 

Tom Clancy, a prolific writer who brought his stories to life .  Twenty novels and five made into movies.  I enjoyed every one of the novels I read and the movies that I saw.  May  he rest in peace.

A home owner with some spunk.   The Home Owners Association said no flag on the property so he didn't get mad , he got even . . . bless his heart.   You just can't fool around with those veterans.

The Painted Hills in China.     they are real although they certainly do not look it.  It is China's Danxia land form Geological Park.     Huge and awesome, wondrous color combinations.  Imagine standing there looking at all of the beautiful colors.

Well, it is Thursday and the politicians are still at a stand still.    If they were going to close the Government down they should have not played favorites as the news showed the stupidity of shutting down the World War II memorial and the group of elderly veterans cut off from viewing it.  It took forever for them to build the memorial and now they can't even walk around the path way.   No mail yesterday, another farce as the Government decided many years ago to cut the money to run the agency and make it a 'business' and self sufficient.  Well modern technology played a big part in making the Postal Service  a thing of the past.   The politicians are making asses of themselves at our expense, remember all this when it comes time to vote.   They have legitimate reasons to solve the problems but not the courage of their own convictions.    This President is not about to change his tactics or his mind and has already said so as he vetoes everything in sight then passes all his wants by Executive Order.   Something is amiss and the government workers pay the price as usual.     I wonder what the news is this morning..  Guess we will find out once we turn on the television and all the experts spiel second guesses.    Have patience and don't let your attitude go up a wrong way street.   Find reasons to live your seconds wisely today and have a little fun along the way.    What is that old adage of 'stop, look and listen';  do that as it may pay off in the end.   Go carefully and enjoy today.  Hugs to all.

Big Mac

Words to live by.    So many waste their precious seconds worrying about their age and forget to live their seconds doing what they truly want to do . . . what's that old adage about 'where there is a will, there is a way.'  

I bet the boss fired someone the day they filled in this sign.   I haven't set foot in McDonald's in years.  I wonder if they have improved their big mac or not . . . it used to be pretty good.

Some clever sand artist made this.  I'm not sure if I have put this on before or not, looks a bit familiar.  Daughter Christine loves dragons, this one may change her mind.

smart words, something to really think about . . . it is so much more fun to share time and space with those you love and who love you back.  Everyone cannot love you, but they could at least try to get to know you and like you.   Give a Snoopy hug or two today and make a new someone to love.

Speaking of love . . . how lucky I am to have these two to love.

My guests have started the last of their trek home.    Judy flies out to Colorado on Saturday so her vacation time is fleeting like the wind blowing the leaves from the trees.    Speaking of trees there are some real maples over on Freddy's lot and they are beautiful.   A reminder of my days back East when Fall came along in a riot of color.    I may take a walk over later and take a picture of them;  if the rains stop for awhile.   We had early morning rain yesterday but sunshine the rest of the day so it was a day to be outside.    I haven't looked outside yet, it is still dark out there.   Time to love you and leave you as I head for the coffee pot and some of those left over cinnamon buns my company ignored.  Not sure if it was the calorie content or no room after the ham and eggs.   Go . . . have you breakfast and wake up to what I hope will be a special day for YOU.   Change your attitude to high mode, share a kiss or two and sparkle today. Hugs to all.

African Pets

Along came an attachment with pictures from Africa where granddaughter Erin is to be assigned as a Peace Corps volunteer.    She is on hold at the moment as the terrorists run amok and if the truth be known we family members are saying a prayer or two reassignment is possible as Africa sounds and looks like a place not to be.  I freak out seeing a garden snake, imagine my reaction seeing one of these 'beauties' at my door.

Hey there Marcia, glad you are back from your travels.   Hope to see you soon.

My company leaves today and they are anxious to get back to the dry climate of Nevada.  They have had rain and cold so there was no beach outings this visit.   We did fine and had a great time, even put a new mystery puzzle on the table.  We had lots of good eats and a glass of wine as well, plenty of catch up conversations and even a ride out for a bit of wave watching.  The ocean was high and wild yesterday.  It went from cold to hot so the furnace was shut off, the windows open and the fan on.   Strange weather, but not a thing one can do about it.  They are still teasing me about my housekeeping as they couldn't put a glass or a plate down that didn't disappear into the dish washer.  Come to think of it, I have to go out and clear it out so I can get breakfast ready before they leave today.    I knew I shouldn't have forgotten to buy paper plates.  So September has gone and here it is October First . . .  have fun raking leaves and buttoning down the garden.    Think sweaters and long johns and enjoy the change of color as the leaves come tumbling down.  Plan a Harvest Party and kick up your heels.    Don't forget the hugs.   Hugs to all.