THE DUST WILL WAIT

Conversations -- just in the last 30 days.

2012-01-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

I've never worked harder for less money. But here are some of the paychecks I've received just in the last month.

***

6 1/2 year old Zbub: Grandma I want to go outside and build a snowman.

Grandma: There really isn't enough snow, sweety.

But he convinced me -- grabbed his coat, boots, mittens, and shortly arrives back at the door with an I told you so smile.

***
Dinkum: Gramma! Mizelle said the "S" Word.
Gramma raises her eyebrows: Hmmm.. she did, huh? I guess you better tell me what she said.

Dinkum: She said POO POO!

***
Grandma: It's snack time ... how about some Tillamook rasberry yogurt.
Z-bub who just got off the bus from school: Hey Dinkum, we're having Til-a monkey yogurt for a snack. Yeaaaah!

***

My daughter Amanda to 7 year old Curlymop: I love you muchos.

Curlymop: I love you more than all the muchos.

Amanda: Really? How much is that?

Curlymop: That means I love you more than confinity!

***

4 1/2 year old Dinkum: Mizelle, you're just a baby.

2 1/2 year old Mizelle: I not baby!

Dinkum: Yes you are.

Mizelle: No! I princess!

***

Dinkum: Whats on the wamp?

Gradma: The wamp?

Dinkum: What's a wamp?
Grandma: What? You asked me what was on the wamp.

Dinkum: No. I didn't say wamp. I said WAMP!

(Then Grandma realizes he is looking at the Hawaiin Lei from our 30th wedding anniversary that I have sitting on the top of my wamp... I mean lamp.)

***

I read a bedtime story to Mizelle, Dinkum, Zbub, and Evaline who is 9. We ended with a prayer:

Grandma praying: Thank you for keeping Evalina and My Red-headed Girl safe as they fly to California tomorrow.

Dinkum's incredulous whisper can be heard as he leans in close to Evalina: Can you really fly?

***

Grandpa putting together a Christmas gift: This just isn't working. It isn't fitting together right.

Curlymop: Did you read the destructions?

***

Grandma dials Karmyn's number.

8-year old Buttercup answers: Hello
Grandma: Oh! Hi Buttercup!
Buttercup: Hi Grandma.
Grandma: I hear you went to a yummy Christmas Brunch today.
Buttercup: Yep.
Grandma: What did you have good to eat?
Buttercup: Chips

***

I heard Mizelle saying "Hello, Hello, Hello!" So I peaked around the corner and saw her with my miniature hair dryer from my watercolor supply case that I forgot to put away!

cell phone shot done discreetly as possible

***

There are priceless moments with Great Auntie Fern who will be 103 in April. Unfortunately she is having her struggles. Sometimes I can't help but giggle.

Yesterday I stopped by to fill her weekly medicine. While I counted out for each day I noticed that she kept pushing the buttons on her chair control. She went up. She went down. She went up. She went down. She was still doing this when I finished.

"Auntie Fern," I asked, "would you like me to help you adjust your chair?"

"No thank you," she responded. Then she pointed her chair controller at the television and pushed the up button with determination.

In a slightly irritated tone she complained, "I just can't get this darn TV to turn off!"

The Mini Post

2012-01-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

Is there anyone who is satisfied with one packet of instant oatmeal?

(I guess a one sentence post is better than nothing. I got the idea from Peter -- a blogging friend for five years.)

Ready for a New Year

2011-12-31T16:53:00.000-08:00

Clockwise from left.... Mizelle, Sweet Evalina, Red, Dinkum Devo, and Zbub!

We are ready. I bought some crafty stuff and we cut out crowns and decorated them so we could all be royalty as we welcomed in the New Year. We have snotty noses, coughs, aches and pains, and even a pinched finger in the door (the 2 1/2 year old.) But we welcome good things that we know are heading our way.

God Bless Everyone in 2012.

Goodbye 2011. I'm not sorry to see you go.

Winter’s Artist

2011-12-10T22:47:00.000-08:00

Freezing Fog. Hoar Frost. Weather Inversion. Yes to all. No to the Moon Eclipse. Hidden. Weather wants to make us all stir crazy and S.A.D. Instead, I’m shouting that there is beauty – even in the icy barbs on neighbor Bills old tomato cages.
Winter’s artist decorated our day for the season.

Tis The Season

2011-12-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

The smell of fresh cut Fir. Bing Crosby’s crooning on the turntable – probably his White Christmas LP special. At church, the story of baby Jesus retold. This is the nostalgia of Christmas past.

I spent hours at the kitchen table turning the pages of the Sears catalogue. Toys were circled with color crayon. The little frilly dresses were check marked and the page numbers memorized. It was an optimistic game, mom appreciated the quiet, and I never stopped dreaming… even though I knew that my small presents would never resemble anything close to these opulent choices.

The week of the “big day” I would tag along behind my dad as he searched our twenty-seven acres for a suitable evergreen to grace our modest home. Daddy was reluctant. It was a waste of potential firewood or fencing. To him Christmas was a nonsense holiday. Even in the 1950’s there was commercialism and unreasonable expectations…not that any of my siblings hoped for much.

The eldest kids propped up the tree and pulled the decorations down from somewhere. Maybe the attic? Mama helped some too. Other than that, she didn’t decorate our house for the season. That took money, time, and energy. With eight children, of which I was the youngest, all those things were scarce in Mama’s life.

Once the tree was trimmed and the delicate and ancient golden star was gently placed at the top, the lights were plugged in and off went the house lights. My brothers and sisters gathered on the Eve in the soft glow of the multi-colored bulbs. If we didn’t sing with the the carols on the record player or the radio, then we joined in around the piano. Oh, Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, and The First Noel. Our family harmonized beautifully.   Singing was free entertainment and we participated with abandoned joy (to the world). Mama would often join in while Daddy secretly listened with great pride. I could see it in his face. The look was always on his face when he came to watch us sing in what seemed like a “grand” school Christmas program. Especially if we were chosen for solos. My two eldest brothers who are in their mid seventies still sing like they did when they were kids. Me, not so much.

In spite of his cynicism, daddy enjoyed the special meal that mama prepared Christmas day. Because it was less expensive, usually turkey. Sometimes roast beef. Fruit and vegetables from our fruit room or the “locker.” (The “locker” was our space in a walk in rental freezer storage in the small town nearby.) There was always pie. Apple and pumpkin and sour-cream raisin. The aroma was perfect. If mama had time she might make daddy his favorite. Lemon meringue. As best she could, Mama made sure the day was special. Daddy bent a bit here and there; we learned to live with that.

As I grew, I eventually recognized that our holiday “things” were humble. Yet, it still seemed splendid to me.   I was filled with that Christmas delight and my day was abound with hope and love.
Even now, that feeling suddenly squeezes my heart – and catches me off guard.

So....Merry Christmas everyone!

(First Monday - the evolution of Fun Monday -- can be found today at Sayre Smiles.)

The Last of the First of The Month

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

This is the last month for Janis’s First of The Month
hosted @ Murrieta 365. I've been faithful to my commitment to post this whole year. I haven’t been faithful to post much else.

What have we been posting all year?

Capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme has been my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. I called it:

Watch them grow!

This fall grandpa piled some dirt back in the corner where the grands are allowed to dig and play without disrupting the landscaping in our yard. There is also a small sandbox (which they pour all around the area, too!) Unbelievable late November sunshine and temperatures sent them out to play in their long sleeved shirts. I grabbed my camera and followed them out to their favorite spot.

I think that grandpa had some plans for this dirt - to fill in some low spots on the flower bed. He just had a lot more help than he anticipated.

(Archives - previous months posts)

Thankfulness

2011-11-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

November is a month "Thank" full.

If I allowed myself to pause each morning, just the daily list of overlooked blessings would go on forever. Starting and ending snuggled warm and cozy in my own "blankie." Yes - I do admit that I have my special bedding that goes with me everywhere. I'm thankful for it.

Thanksgiving is the holiday during the month that most Americans celebrate in some way. Our traditions are anchored in family and food and football. That last one slipped into the national mood over the last quarter of a century, and our household has not been exempt. This year we will be with daughters. They are my special reason for giving thanks this year.

Another day of remembrance in November is Veterans Day. The saddest part of this day is that we are not running out of them . . . the Veterans. We keep adding to their ranks. My prayers for these men and women are always of grateful reverence. The old ones were called forth and most stepped up. The younger ones volunteered...for a multitude of reasons. I am convinced, however, that because of the optimism of youth, none expected to be sacrificed, wounded, or forgotten. This year we should all pause and show our appreciation. Seek out at least one to encourage, support, and thank this day.

My very personal Thankful Day this month is our wedding anniversary. Thirty-five years is a major milestone? Probably. The one who is the most constant, however, is my husband. He is forgiving, long-suffering, and far more optimistic than his wife. Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve him. For him I am more than thankful.

(Sayre Smiles is hosting this thankful theme. Join in HERE!)

First of The Month - Watch Them Grow

2011-11-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

The month has rolled around once more and we return to the meme being hosted by Murrieta 365. I've been faithful to my commitment to post the First of The Month.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

Of course this was actually the last day of the month - but who could blame me for wanting to capture a Ninja, a Transformer, and a Lady Pirate.

(Archives - previous months posts)

The Summer of our Disconnect

2011-10-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

It all started the first week of June when a door to door salesmen knocked on ours. My husband opened it to "Did you know you can Insulate your house up to the new recommended code for very little investment, or maybe none at all?" Take advantage of the "stimulus package," rebates, and an insulation company not only knowing how to do the job, but how to get it done free.

By the time the young man had finished his spiel, we had an appointment for someone to come by and give us a bid. Within two weeks we had a crew from this company in our attic.

Part of the plan was for the gas company and/or the power company to send someone to take a look at the job, fill out the report, and then you file a Conservative Incentive Application and get the rebate through both energy companies.

It turned out to be not so easy. The inspector came, and left us with six out of the nine objectives under the word FAILED. On top of that there was a window of opportunity in which you can get the inspection done and your application approved. It had already taken five days for the inspector to provide us with our written evaluation and that clock was ticking away.

Every day we called the company. Every day we got promises for someone to call us back. FINALLY, someone called us back and made an appointment to come fix the mistakes. We waited patiently that morning and no one arrived. We called that afternoon and we were told, "No. You weren't on the schedule today." So we called every day until someone called and gave us another appointment. Once more no one showed up to work at our house. We called and called and called. Someone told us that the crew was on the west side of the state and no were near our valley so there must have been a mistake in the paperwork.

By this time we are thinking that we will be saying goodbye to close to a thousand dollars of unplanned expense on a budget already trimmed because neither of us were employed this summer. And we wondered how much more it will cost to fix the problems pointed out by the inspector. He said it needed to be corrected in order for us to not be in violation.

We keep calling. They promise to show up in three days, AND THEY DID. But, it was a crew that had no idea that they were sent to fix the problems from the previous visit. They thought it was a new job.

The young man that was the crew chief called his company headquarters and he was instructed to go to the local Home Depot and purchase the supplies to repair and correct the earlier mistakes. All was going to get fixed. YES!

I was sitting at my computer and I could hear them above me in the attic moving around when there was a sudden loud C --R-- A-- C-- K. I jumped, looked up, and behold! There was a huge crack in the ceiling above my head.

The crew chief took photos, apologized, and called his company headquarters. "Get a dry wall bid and then let us know," he said.

After the crew left our residence we called and got an appointment for the "inspector" to fit us in because that rebate window was on the verge of being locked. Someone was sent over the next day. We FAILED again.

"I'll fix them myself?" said my husband. "And then will you approve our Application?"

My husband purchased the materials and quickly built the "dam" to separate the loose insulation from the storage area over the garage. All of our boxes and things had been sprayed and it was a mess. He contacted a local insulation and roofing company to come take a look at the vents. We paid a roofer to reinforced and secure them. I was especially happy that we had hired that to be fixed, because on labor day weekend my husband tore a muscle in his leg and could barely walk, much less crawl up a ladder and navigate the sloping roof.

Here it is -- four months into this story -- and there is no "end" yet. Yes. We did claim our rebate! We also hope to recover the money for the dry-wall work on the ceiling above my head. There is doubt that we will see any of the additional expense that we invested by bringing the job up to code on our own and what we paid to the other firm to correct the lousy workmanship.

It was not a free lesson, but it was good lesson to learn. We really need to only hire locally and support those skilled craftsman from our own community.

"Favorite"

2011-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Faye at Summit Musings chose "Your Favorite Early Autumn Photo" as the subject for Day 14 - the last day of her Autumn Photo Challenge.

I thought about this subject for several days and came to the conclusion that I don't have one - a favorite photo. I have many.

In choosing one for today, I took Faye's term "early Autumn Photo" back to the early 1980's. Back to the days of film and processing and no instant gratification.

The photograph for which I hunted was one of me and all three of my daughters taken at the park on a day in Autumn. Disappointing that it was not found. I did find this one taken the same day. I think Karmyn may have been the one just outside of the frame throwing leaves on her younger sisters who were 5 and 2.

Jennifer and Amanda.

Fall Colors

2011-10-05T00:27:00.000-07:00

This is Day 13 in the Two Weeks of Autumn Photo Challenge and the subject is color.

Here it is, October 5 in our valley, and things are still very green. The fact that it rained last night - a very pleasant patter on the sky window -- could mean that things will be more likely to turn brown than the seasonal yellow, amber, and reds. I hope I'm wrong.

In the meantime we are still enjoying the pink Anenome and other plants facing east,

and the Zinnias in the vegetable patch,

The variety of blossoming plants on the north side of the house.

Here's some proof that fall colors have arrived: the American Goldfinch. They have all lost their bright yellow spring and summer colors. You may have to click on the image to see it there on the feeder.

And, I noticed there were a few scattered yellow leaves on the ground. I suspect by next week we will be seeing a lot more of those and our rakes, too!

I'm so proud of myself ... I finally did some fall decorating! By the front walk there are some very inexpensive (cheap) solar lights that come with seasonal inserts. I changed them! Now fall is official.

(Join in at Faye's)

"Autumn Walk"

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've posted many pictures of the creek path and its wildlife - as it is one of my favorite places to walk. How I enjoy the birds!

Yesterday at dusk I strolled up the path that was almost abandoned. Hardly any walkers or bikers. Hardly any birds.

And then I heard the chatter of the Kingfisher. Try as I could, my attempts to capture its dive into the water did not satisfy. I think it took pity on me and flew above me into a tree and posed in silhouette.

Day 12 of Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge is over at Faye's.

"Fall Sunlight"

2011-10-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

During the summer the sunlight invades our yard at dawn and wakes us if we forget to close the shades very tight. But as the sun moves with the shortening days, the neighbors huge maple trees block it and our yard stays shaded late into the morning. As you can see, however, it finds its way between the branches and leaves to poke holes of light that shimmer around our yard. The sun will return at yet a much southern angle as the leaves disappear and the days grow cold and short. But for now, I'll take the dappled morning sunbeam hellos and enjoy.

Join the sunlight on Day 11 of Faye's Autumn Photo Challenge! Click HERE~!

Nature Closeups

2011-10-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

Today is Day 10 of Summit Musings Two Weeks In Autumn Photo Challenge. We are in currently in Oregon City. We had a wonderful weekend planned which included attending "Oklahoma" and then a birthday bash for 8 year old Buttercup. Before we even left the house we had a call from our youngest daughter informing us that she was at the emergency room with her fiance, and her daughter was at the home of a neighbor and friend. "J" was admitted to the hospital, tested in every way imaginable, then was wheeled into surgery Saturday to remove his gallbladder. We are praying for a swift recovery and that in three weeks he will be ready for that wedding planned! We are all breathing easier today. (Except J. His post surgery comfort is slow coming.)

As a result, I'm pulling a photo I took last week while on a bug hunt with my grandson Z-bub. I believe this preying mantis knew I was taking the photo.

He sat up and turned his head. Perhaps I looked like dinner.

(ps. Oklahoma was fantastic! The singers. Wow! We had a great birthday celebration, too. We were all just worried about J, and occasionally had some guilt feelings that we were going on without him. Our daughter Amanda was able to get away from the hospital for some birthday pizza and cake. The cake was home-made by our daughter Karmyn with cherry cream filling. Sinful. Our granddaughter stayed with us so that her mommy could go to the hospital during the day.)

"Early Fall Landscapes"

2011-10-01T00:10:00.000-07:00

We are on the road! So, I'm taking creative license with Day 9 Early Fall Landscapes subject on Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge.

This is Multnomah Falls that is on I-84 East of Portland, Oregon.

If you look closely you can see little figures of regular size people on the lower bridge between the trees. The Falls has it's own personality with each season. In the winter I've seen it completely frozen. In the spring the amount of water increases and the mist from the explosive force is cold and impressive. In the summer it is a nice cool retreat and a great hike for people who need a bit of exercise after a long trip. The most luxurious view is early fall.

Click here to see who else is carrying their camera!

First of the Month, Watch Them Grow

2011-10-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

IT CANNOT BE OCTOBER! Where did this year go?

I've been playing the First of the Month. @ Murrieta 365. for 10 months now, plus an extra month of December that I linked in for good measure.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

They've really had fun in the hammock this summer. Oh yes! Each has taken a turn of falling out and bumping something-'er-ruther.
Post your new photo and link up HERE !
(Archives - previous months posts)

"Fall Fun"

2011-09-30T06:51:00.000-07:00

Fall has the capacity to make me sad because I hate to see the birds fly away south. But, it does become Fall Fun when I get some unusual visitors in my yard. If you look very carefully at the photo below, taken through the front door, you will see a MacGillivray's Warbler. What a lucky moment that I spotted it from my kitchen window on an early day in September. I also saw an Orange-crowned Warbler but didn't score a picture. They flit around so quickly!

Same rock around the same time, digitally zoomed in is below. On the left is a very common House Sparrow having a swig. The one in the foreground acting like she is peaking back at the sparrow, is a House Finch. To her right towards the back is a Pine Siskin. I see these birds year round at my feeders. Well, the Pine Siskins do leave in the heat of the summer and I think they head up into the Blue Mountains that frame our valley.

The yellow bird center below left is a female Western Tanager, another voyager. She was headed south and she stuck around a few days. I saw her several times. Behind her in a sort of blur is another House Sparrow, and a very blurry American Goldfinch. Many people here don't realize that the Goldfinch also sticks around. They just lose that bright color and become sort of drab. I'm sure that has to be some natural defense so they aren't quite so easy for the hungry hawks to see.

The Canadian Geese have been flying over and calling me to run outside and scan the sky. Many of them winter here in the valley after spending the summer somewhere up in Alaska and Canada.

So, on this Day 8, "Fall Fun" of Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge, you see how easily entertained I can be. A real "CHEEP" date.

Sign up at Summit Musings!

"Harvest Moon"

2011-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you don't know how to use all those fancy dials and switches for night shots on your Canon? And what do you do when the Moon Phase is a Waxing Crescent at 4% of Full and you aren't even sure it is going to show up between the clouds? And what do you do when you don't have any celestial photos in your archives, and you don't have any heavenly decor hanging on your patio or deck? What do you do when you have nothing to post for Day 7, Harvest Moon" on the Two Weeks in Autumn photo Challenge?

You panic because it's after dusk. You race to take a photo of your bounty of acorn squash and the zucchini. You groan at the Leeks in the background and hope you find a home for most because you can't possibly cook and eat that much soup. You sigh because you know you'll have to explain how the Zinnia starts got mixed up with the vegetable starts and that's why they bloom in gay profusion between the peppers and the squash. You appreciate your husband because you noticed he removed the dead tomato plants that withered before they yielded any fruit.

And then you set your flash and snap a photo of him reaching for the perfect courgette and you know you've scored a "Harvest Moon."

Yes! Indeed. That is what you do.

(You don't forget to link Summit Musing where Faye hosts the photo meme.)

"Reflections in Water"

2011-09-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

You know I'm not a very tall person. That is why this photo is not taken by me.... but by my husband.

I ran some errands on Tuesday (all the while the drywall man was repairing the ceiling above my computer where the insulation man stepped off a beam. That is another story for another day ..... I tell ya) and had just arrived home and grabbed the camera.

My husband drove in just minutes later and walked out to the patio where I was taking a reflection photo in my hummingbird feeder. The hummers are mostly gone by the first day of fall in our valley. Nonetheless, I always leave it up into October just in case one migrates through on a late breeze from places far north. I've seen a few in years past and I feel like a hummer hero when one rests and recoups in my garden.

"You should run over to Division Street and shoot the duck pond," my husband suggested when he realized I was covering Fall Reflection in Water, day six in Faye's Two Weeks in Autumn. Once we arrived there I was glad that I had suggested he "run along" with me. The plants were too tall for me to get the perfect shot. I gave him the camera duty!

So, today I am posting two reflections. One taken in THE sugar ... and one taken by MY sugar.

Everyone is welcome to reflect on fall and join us over at Summit Musings!

"Fall Decorations"

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Fall Decorations? When Faye announced this category in the Two Weeks in Autumn Photo challenge, I cringed. I don't have the decorating gene.

Then this afternoon I stopped at the neighborhood grocery to pick up something for dinner and I remember that my very good friend Debbie does have that gene. Even better, she decorates in the floral and produce department where I shopped.

Aren't these pretty fall bouquets? Sure glad I had my cell phone in my pocket!

Join day 5 of Two Weeks by clicking HERE.

Boo!

"Soup Weather"

2011-09-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Day Five of Faye's Two Weeks Autumn Photo Challenge brings us Soup Weather.

Faye didn't know that I threw beans on to soak Friday night and then made 15 bean soup on Saturday. Both those days, however, were in the 80's and didn't inspire the desire for a bowl of hot goodness. But, the weather turned cooler on Sunday, the raindrops fell just enough to give the air that musky earth smell, and the wind picked off the first falling leaves and blew them down the street. Thus, the bean soup hit the spot at lunch. Afterwards my camera caught the blustery weather on my afternoon walk.

Post your soupy weather photo and link up at Summit Musings.

"Autumn Fruits"

2011-09-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Autumn's yield of Concord Grape from our back yard arbor will not even provide enough for my annual batch of jam. The cold spring and summer are to blame. Now I wonder if I should just leave them for the birds so that they will have a winter treat this year.

To add your photo to Faye's Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge - Day 3, click **here***.

BzzzzzZinnia

2011-09-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Z-bub took me on a bug hunt this afternoon where he spotted this Bumble Bee. My cell phone took this photo about two inches above the flower. We let the bee be, and went on to capture a grasshopper.

Update
I'm posting this to the September 24 Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge. Pop over to Faye's Summit Musings and get snappin'!

The Hallowed Howl

2011-09-12T22:05:00.001-07:00

Our open window was only hinting the promise of dawn that morning last week as we lay on our backs beneath it, giggling like school children.

We have lived in this house over three decades and we thought we knew our neighborhood, and would have argued that there was nothing new under (or before) the sun.   But, apparently we didn’t and there was.

I was roused from the perfect sleep by a siren approaching from the east.   Listening for sirens is a very old habit left over from years of being a firefighter’s wife.    Back then I would have a moment of fear and worry, and then I would shake it off and whisper a prayer of protection for him and his co-workers.

So, there I lay. Still availing a quiet prayer for life and property. Also hoping the emergency vehicle would pass quickly and let me go back to sweet snoring ignorant bliss.

Then I heard it. A dog began to howl its deep base accompaniment   of the whining siren. That low toned vocalization was soon joined by another. Then another. Then another. Then another. Soprano howls, and alto howls, and tenor howls. The doggie voices continued to unite in chorus. My head rose a bit off my pillow and matched the silhouette of my husband’s, who pushed up at the same moment

“There must be scores of them!” He whispered in shocked surprise.
“Unbelievable.” I responded and then questioned, “Have you ever heard that number of dogs in our neighborhood before?”
“No! Never! ”

Both of us lay back on pillows listening. The siren peeked as it passed and echoed into the distance towards downtown, the canine “whoooowooos” matching the crescendo in a way that vaguely reminded me of the “wave” in a sports coliseum.
The voices faded slowly. Finally, there was only one left - the high-pitched yodeler that lives a block west. It yodeled for another 30 seconds, then stopped. Yodeled another 10 seconds then stopped. Made one very high pitched squawk and stopped.

Silence. Broken immediately by the two of us as we started howling… in laughter. After 33 years in that box seat, we were audience to a clandestine but phenomenal canine symphony performance. The halloooooowed howl.

Watch them Grow - First of the Month

2011-09-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

See you in September and the First of the Month. Yes. I'm late again for the photo meme hosted by Jan @Murrieta 365.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

One of the projects that Z-bub's Kindergarten did last spring was plant something and watch it grow. His mom bought a package of Sunflower seeds and sent them to school. It was a wise move as many of the other children forgot to bring something that day and he got to share his bounty. The last day of school he came home with a little sprout in a paper cup.

"Grandma," he asked, "can I plant this at your house?"

I told him we could, but that it might grow better over at neighbor Bill's garden.

Bill was happy to give him a spot to grow his sunflower but made him promise to come water it every day that he was at grandpa and grandmas house. Then, neighbor Bill gifted the other children each a sunflower that had "volunteered" in his side yard. All were transplanted to this spot next to the street.

This morning they posed beside the now blooming sunflowers. What a fun summer watching them "watch them grow."

ps. Z-bub's sunflower is the shortest one on the left. Mizelle's is the tall one on the right. The triple bloom belongs to Dinkum, and the single one 2nd from the right belongs to Evalina.

Post your new photo and link upHERE!

(Archives - previous months posts)

Outlaws

2011-08-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

A memory popped into my head out of no where when I was driving home last weekend.

There was a television series back in the mid sixties titled "The Legend of Jesse James." The leading man was handsome, as I recall, and that is probably the reason I wanted to watch it. Of course, in television land, the James brothers were modern day Robin Hoods, which made for a very romantic story line.

It wasn't the show itself that emerged from my thoughts, but rather a conversation I had with my daddy one evening. Daddy walked in to the "front" room, took his reading glasses off and stuck them in his pocket, and then observed the show for a few minutes.

"I went to see Frank James when I was a youngster," he stated in a very matter of fact tone.

"You what?" I remember turning all my attention to him.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "The James Farm was 10 or so miles from Excelsior Springs, and one day we went over there to set our sights on him."

I was impressed and wondered, "So was he dressed up like an outlaw and all that?"

"Nope." Dad shook his head and reached into his pocket for his glasses and picked up the newspaper to do the crossword puzzle. "He was just a bent over old man sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair."

I was super duper impressed - as can be confirmed by the fact that the memory was so vivid in my mind, BUT! Why didn't I ask him more questions? Or did I ask him more and I've just forgotten the rest of what was said.

Today I looked on line to find that Frank James returned to that farm in 1911 and died in 1915. Beings that daddy was born in 1900, I can safely assume that he was between the age of 11 and 14 when he visited the James Farm .

Now I wonder if people were allowed on to the James Farm to see the famous outlaw.

OR... did my dad and his brothers sneak on to the farm to get a look at him?

This photograph (which clearly needs to be restored) was taken in 1910. Daddy is the 6th one from the left on the first row. Two of his older brothers are in the school picture wearing hats.

Blogging from my Droid

2011-08-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

Last week my daughter Karmyn received the radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer. It was of course precautionary. She has been doing very well this week and we are all breathing easier and giving thanks.

My week was easier than hers...staying with the kids. I reminded Jammin and Buttercup to practice the piano and the Caboose to go potty. (When you are three it is so easy to play too long!) We went to the park one day and visited the Hasty Freeze for shakes on another day. And we pulled out my watercolors and played at being artsy another afternoon. They still missed their mama very much. Every night I woke up with at least one extra head on the other pillow.

***

The drive home on Saturday was spectacular in its presentations of blues, greens, and browns. The sun was bright and the prevailing wind pushed me along the gorge. An osprey surprised me when it flew along side and then in front of me with a wiggly fish held tight in its talons. Many other birds of prey were soaring on the updrafts. The wind surfers decorated the water with sailing colors while motorcyclists were out in force heading east and west . Closer to home there were golden pyramids forming along side the grain elevators. On arrival home, the valley was hazy from fire in a wheat field on the mountainside.

***

We've had two birthdays this month. Z-bub turned six and the Dinkum turned four. Here he is with his new Green Lantern mask and birthday cake around his mouth. The mask completely changes his looks. (Cell phone shot!)

***

After the weather fairy left that cool spell behind, the days have been beautiful. Some in the 90s. If we've edged over the 100 spot on the thermometer, it was brief. There were some positive effects of the weather - like the bleeding hearts still blooming in early August. But there have been negatives too. Some of our ornamental grasses didn't prosper. We had that very late frost mentioned in a previous post that killed the roses and damaged our honey suckle and other flowering bushes. Sometimes I think people who decorate with colored rock have the better idea.

***

Give me kudos for grabbing my camera before the newlyweds hopped back into their car and took off from the rest stop.

I haven't done any Tailgating for months!

***

I had to edit this post from my computer. Just don't have the knack and talent to get it all correct with that tiny Droid keyboard.

Watch Them Grow - First of The Month

2011-08-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

August! (Summer finally arrived in the valley this week!) And it is the First of the Month, the photo meme hosted by Jan @Murrieta 365.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

For the most fun ever get a FREE box, cut a door and some windows and then just play. It can be a fort, or you can perform surgery in the hospital, or it is the neighborhood home of a new family moving in.

And if you are gone for a couple days, send Mizelle in to do a spider check. Little sisters are good for something!

Post your new photo and link up HERE!

(Archives - previous months posts)

Summer

2011-07-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Swallowtail

Snake River Sky

Snake River - Fishhook Park with Grands
(Interloper on far left.. ha ha)

Snake River - Leaving the dock

Life is Grand (five of them)

Fish Pond at night

Can you see me?

Sparrow Food looking at the camera

Bees with Garlic breath

Such is life

Conversations with Grands

2011-07-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

Last week I supervised my 14-year old grand daughter as she baked a beautiful apple-blueberry pie. It was not only a pleasure to the taste buds, but it was beautifully crafted as well. Almost six-year old Z-bub was all about that pie the rest of the morning.

"Where is the pie?" He worried at lunch.

I told him we would serve it at dinner.

When our evening meal arrived he took one look on the patio table and declared, "I don't see the pie!"

"We need to eat our dinner first," I told him and we began serving up our barbecue chicken and corn on the cob.

Z-bub took several bites and declared that he had eaten and was ready for dessert.

"Z-bub, the rest of us are still eating our dinner," Grandpa reprimanded him quietly. "You are going to have to be patient and wait. Maybe you could even eat a few more bites off that plate while you wait?"

We went on with the meal and he began to chow down with his normal appetite in command. That is when I suddenly remember that I promised to call someone at 6:30.

"OH! MY!" I exclaimed. "What time is it!?"

"It's time for Pie!" Z-bub immediately responded.

The pie lover is on the far left below. Then 9 year old Evalina, 7-year old Curlymop, almost 4-year old Dinkum Devo, and 2-year old Mizelle.

(Photo of me and five of my ten grand children, taken by my daughter Amanda. My old Canon Power Shot)

*****

In mid-June we were trying to decide if we wanted to go to an afternoon matinee. That is until I added up the ticket price for two adults and five children. Wowsers. Instead, I asked the 14 year old red-headed girl if she thought I should rent "Diary of a Wimpy Kid."

As she was considering that, Dinkum Devo grabbed my arm and began to shake it to get my attention.

"Grandma.... I want diarrhea!"

*****

Curlymop: "Mama, have you ever had rooster dots?"

Mama: "Rooster Dots? Whaaat?"

Curlymop: "You know...the little dots you get all over your body?"

Mama: "OOOH! You mean Chicken Pox!"

*****

Yesterday we were having lunch with the Red-headed Girl, Evalina, Mizelle, and the two boys. The main subject of the table conversation was that Curlymop was coming to our house that night. Z-bub must have asked six times in succession what time she would arrive.

Meanwhile, Evalina was quietly thinking about the lop sided feminine ratio in the household.

"When Curlymop gets here," she announced, "the girls are really going to outnumber the boys!"

Z-bub counted out loud around the table, including me in his sum.

"There are four girls at this table, and two boys!"

Dinkum Devo jerked his head up from his plate in genuine surprise and shouted, " Is Grandma a guuuuuurl?"

*****

Grand-aunt Fern is 102 and I still help her with her bill paying, medical visits, and prescriptions.

The other day she asked, as she always does, "Do you need some money?"

Occasionally I accept a small token, as I think she does get some pleasure in giving it. But, this time I responded as I often do with , "Not today Auntie Fern. You gave me some last week!"

She usually quips, "Well, Thank You just doesn't seem like enough. But, you'll get your reward in Heaven!"

So I was quite surprised that this time she waved her hand in a circle and laughed, "Well, I'll just throw it in the dust, and we'll let the rain settle it!"

*****

ps: Here's the girls outnumbering the boys when we went to the park today:

First of The Month - Watch them Grow

2011-06-30T23:57:00.000-07:00

It can't already be July -- and time for the First of the Month, the photo meme hosted by Jan @Murrieta 365.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

These kids love watermelon and grandpa knows how to cut it just the right size for little fingers. These three sliced through that watermelon in "spittin" speed.

*In my over 5 years of blogging this is the first time I have ever "lost" a post. I have recreated this this July 1st post after losing it when I pulled it back to Windows Live Writer to use as a draft for the next month. )

(Archives - previous months posts)

Peek - a - Hoot

2011-06-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

There was a lot of activity and vocalizations coming from the owl box just before noon on May 31. I marked "hatched" on my calendar.

I check late every night and hear the squeaking noises growing stronger. Karmyn came to visit on June 4. She could hear the "Owl business" through the open window at the head of her bed.

Two nights ago one baby Western Screech Owl peeked through the opening of the owl box. The photograph is about as fuzzy as the little creature itself! I believe it's an only child.

The father must be hanging out, but I have not been able to confirm the existence of a second owl coming from and going to the box.

The female will often sit and look out the hole as we go about our daily business. She must not feel threatened by the human interaction. I appreciate that!

****

And this is the surviving sparrow in the nesting house in the back yard after Mr. Magpie ordered up lunch for his own muster of chicks. Baby sparrow fledged a few days ago, but the vacancy has already been filled. Noisy, Noisy Sparrows! Nosy me!

****

Will I ever get back to a committed relationship with blogger? Big sigh.

First of The Month - Watch Them Grow

2011-06-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Can it already be JUNE? It is time for First of the Month, hosted by Jan @ Murrieta 365.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

This is the same route (through the neighbors yard) that my three daughters walked from the bus stop so many years ago. After Z-bub jumped off the bus, the three grands rushed ahead to beat grandma to the gate. The sweet scene had me pulling out my cell phone and capturing the moment.

Mizelle, just turning 2, is at the age where potty training is all the rage...which lead to an interesting conversation with grand children one morning last week.

Grandpa and Grandma followed a trail of water that lead all the way from the powder room to the family room where Mizelle was playing beside a sopping wet stuffed animal leaving a puddle on the floor.

Grandpa: "Oh my Mizelle, what happened?"

Mizelle: "Kitty go potty."

* * * *

Don't forget to post your first of the month photo and link up HERE!

(Archives - previous months posts)

Hummer Time Again.

2011-05-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

A flash photo of a Calliope at dusk. The color on his neck is lavender when in the sunlight. I love their tiny feet!

May ... Mother's ... Memories

2011-05-16T00:33:00.000-07:00

Our roses died.

Our neighbors to the east planted trees a few years back that have not blessed our small rose garden, so we had been contemplating moving the flowers to another area with more sunshine. But that isn't the reason for their demise. Nor was it caused by an "extreme" winter.   Apparently it was just the timing of an early frost in the winter and a late frost in the spring. The honeysuckle on the north fence also succumbed, as did many small perennials that I will tally once I compare the survivors to a panorama photograph from last summer.

The loss of one particular apricot colored rose, with the delicate crimson edged bud, is painful. My friend Judy gave it to me for mother's day in 1977. She was killed in an automobile accident later that summer. The following year we moved across town and WR dug the rose and transplanted it for me.   It has bloomed and bloomed these many years. Yesterday he stopped in the middle of something he was working on and said, "Hon, I'm so sorry about Judy's rose."   Me, too.

*****
Another Mother's Day has passed and I am reminded how I still miss my Mama.   A sweet validation of Mama's life was spoken recently to my sister Sandra. When Sandra attended her 50th high school reunion the first weekend in May she arranged to spend extra time with an "old" school chum who, along with her little sister, spent hours of their youth in the care of our Mama. During a conversation about "the good old days" the other woman reminisced about her love of coming to our home.   She attributed the "positive values" that she esteemed in her adult life to what our "mama" had taught her as a little girl. Our Mama had very little in material things but a wealth of love and character.

*****

A few days before Mother's Day we called Aunt Delores to see if she was free for lunch. She wasn't. That 90-year old woman was busy in her kitchen preparing a casserole for a funeral dinner. Plus, she was going to go down to the church and help serve the meal the ladies were preparing for the family and friends of the deceased. Yes, she still drives. She still cooks, cleans, and lives in her little house next door to her daughter. Her hands are never idle and she is always so positive.

****

Auntie Fern turned 102 last month. She isn't as lively as she was a year ago, but is still living in the retirement center and using her walker to go pick up her mail and have meals in the dining room. The biggest crisis happened last week when we thought she'd thrown away her expensive hearing aids. Thank goodness they were found in a robe pocket. She is deaf without them. But, she was hearing very well the other day when I asked her what she would do differently if she could start all over at age 60. Her brows kind of furrowed for a moment and then with her trademark grin replied, "I would just love you all more."

****

First of The Month–Watch Them Grow!

2011-05-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

May has arrived and with it another photo for the First of the Month, hosted by Jan @ Murrieta 365.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

Zbub took a minute away from climbing the spider web to push his siblings on the swing.

(Archives - previous months posts)

I love "BORING"

2011-04-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today my eldest daughter received good news.

Drum roll: The specialist at OHSU told her that the results of her CT SCAN were "boring." A clever way of saying that there was nothing suspicious found in her body following the removal of her malignant tumor and thyroid.

As a result of the clean scan she will receive only the "precautionary" radioactive iodide treatment.

Karmyn said she's been feeling good, and she can handle the short duration of discomfort and inconvenience that the therapy will induce.

Thanks to all of you who sent up prayers and positive thoughts.

Surprise in the Owl Box

2011-04-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

About six years ago we nailed an owl box in the birch tree in our front yard. We've watched and waited and been seasonally disappointed. We've only hosted the starlings and house sparrows that duke it out and take turns raising their broods in the box.

Two days ago I noticed some debris under the birch tree. This morning there was a new pile of garbage that I could see from my kitchen window.

When I took my plant starts out of the garage to greet the sun shining down on this morning, I determined to also clean up whatever that mess was.

As I surveyed the material, I recognized that something had cleaned out the owl box. I looked up to see this face peering back at me. A Western Screech Owl!

The grandchildren run and play in the yard, so I'm hoping this little owl has determination and stays with us.

The First of The Month–Watch Them Grow

2011-03-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

Another month has rolled around and an opportunity to post a new photo for the First of the Month. This photo meme is hosted by Jan @ Murrieta 365.

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

A couple of notes about this photo. Dinkum decided he was going to be in a bad Moo'd. That is a 3 1/2 year old's perogative, I guess.

The photo was taken at a dairy farm that milks thousands of cows. Z-Bub, the 5 1/2 year old was a bit shocked. Maybe he hadn't realized how the milk actually gets into the carton at the store. He said, "Grandma, I'm never going to drink milk again!" His resolution only lasted until dinner, whereupon he asked for a glass of chocolate milk.

(Archives - previous months posts)

Ostrich Feathers

2011-03-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

I live in a small town. (Around thirty thousand inhabitants.)

I was reminded of that fact yesterday when WR and I stopped at a business that provides cleanup services for homes and businesses. They hire out teams to mop up after small fires, sewage spills, floods, and other major messes of your choice. In addition to renting out their staff, they have a small store front in which they display and sell a limited amount of janitorial supplies to others who "clean" for a living.

My quest for a real ostrich feather duster was why I ventured there. I had used my daughter Karmyn's feather duster (while helping her after her surgeries) and thought it made dusting less excruciating . There was something kind of French Maidy about it.

Dusting is my least favorite chore, so I won't say I was excited about finding them on display. I will say, however, that I was pleased there were several choices and they were in my price range. I chose one and we set it on the counter.

When WR pulled out the debit card, the middle aged woman behind the counter smiled and said, "Sorry, we only take cash or check."

He rummaged through his pockets and found nothing. I shook my head and squinched my lips declaring that I didn't have any cash on me, either. We rarely carry the check book.

"We will come back later," I sighed and attempted to appear a little sad, of course.

"Oh No!" Was her immediate response. "You go ahead and take it and I will just send you a bill. What is your address?"

We told her we didn't want her to have to mail out a bill for a feather duster and that we truly could wait for another day.

She then handed me the feather duster and laughed, "You just take it. Come back and pay for it when you can. Give me your name and your telephone number and I will call you if you forget!"

So I took it. Oui! I now own my very own real ostrich feather duster.

(And I went back later and paid for it, too.)

Washing Dishes

2011-03-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

Untitled from pamela on Vimeo.

Mizelle always wants to help with the dishes. Last night Grandpa grabbed the Canon Digital and caught her helping Grandma. You might be distracted by the chaos in the background as her brothers noisily going on about their business of play.

(The humming noise may be something going wrong with the camera.)

The First of the Month - Watch Them Grow

2011-03-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

A VERY LATE post in the meme called First of the Month. The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.
My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

This photo meme is hosted by Jan @ Murrieta 365

December Post
January's Post
February Post

Conversations With Grandchildren

2011-03-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

7 Year old Buttercup: Grandma, can I sleep with you tonight?

Grandma: Sure!
(the two crawl into bed)

Buttercup: I won't be able to hear my alarm in my bedroom. Do you have an alarm, Grandma? Mine starts slow then goes fastlikethis if I don't get up and turn it off. gab gab gab gab gab. I can tell my right hand from my left hand because I know which hand I put over my heart by heart. So when someone asks me which is my right hand I just put it over my heart and I know which one it is. gab gab gab gab gab. I liked the honey that you put on my peanut butter sandwich. I couldn't even taste the peanut butter you put so much honey on it. It was good. gab gab gab gab gab. When I'm getting ready to go to school Jammin' comes in to the room and just talks talks talks talks and I have to tell him to go away because I'm getting ready for school. gab gab gab gab gab. We're having pet share at school this week and I want to take Brownie Bunny. I asked mama but she said that I can't ask you to bring Brownie to school because it is too much responsibility for you grandma. Is it too much responsibility for you? Because I want to take Brownie to share. gab gab gab gab gab. The last time you came to visit you left your toothpaste in the bathroom. I tried it and it was so spicy that it burned my tongue. It is still in the drawer in my bathroom and you can use it now that you are here again. gab gab gab gab gab. I want to make that recipe that I showed you in the library book that I brought home. We need to make it tomorrow because I have to take that book back to the library. I can write a list and you can go to the store and then we can bake it when I come home from school gab gab gab gab gab Did you see that girl without a coat at my swim lesson when you took me? She didn't have a coat because she said a bum stole her coat. Why do you suppose a bum stole her coat? gab gab gab gab gab

Grandma: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Bag Balm

2011-02-27T23:16:00.000-08:00

Molly left me a note yesterday to remind me that her last request as Fun Monday hostess is for bloggers to write about a child hood memory. She knew that I would be drawn to this topic like a fly to manu… Er… No, I mean a bear to honey.

A memory had already been evoked in me earlier this month when suffering with a horrible fever blister that covered the end of my nose and part of my upper lip. While doing some errands for Auntie Fern, one of the owners of the retirement village suggested I slather my affliction with Bag Balm. Immediately two thoughts popped into my head. One was of that big fat wedding movie – where the father character pulls out a spray bottle of Windex (window cleaner) every time someone appeared in the script with a skin ailment.

* * *
The other sentiment was of my dad. My dad would never have been so bold to suggest his remedies to strangers, but he did share his opinions freely with family.

If you had a headache it was because you didn’t have your morning constitutional. (Bowel Movement – for those who might not have been clear on that description.) Enough said about that.

Dad didn’t use deodorant, aftershaves, or colognes. And, he had a low opinion of the men who used them. He considered it “stinky” stuff. When he put down his razor, dad slapped on a few splashes of Campho-phenique, an antiseptic liquid.

During my childhood, Campho-phenique came in a dark green glass bottle that, when opened, could be detected immediately by my nose at the opposite end of the house. Granted, our house was small; but that does not in any way denigrate the size of its smell. I will add that mom sometimes used the liquid on our scraped knees and minor cuts which probably made it more hostile in my scent memories.

And then there was that other proven product: Bag Balm. There was always a big green canister of the stuff in the bathroom, and another one on dad’s work bench. He used it to alleviate any sore or lesion that beset his body. Because his overworked hands were so calloused and cracked, he used the medicated salve as his hand crème of choice. On more than one occasion I heard my mama chastising dad because the morning or evenings milking was tainted with a tincture of bag balm, and thus not suitable for consumption.

* * *
Here’s where I have to admit that I arrived home the morning of my Bag Balm encounter and went straight to my bathroom medicine cabinet. In there, I found two canisters of Bag Balm. Curiosity send me to the the hallway cupboard. Sure enough, a third canister.

Yes! Of Course! I opened one and generously dabbed the ointment all over the end of my nose.

Fun Monday is welcome to all memories. Click here!

Grand Weekend

2011-02-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

It is a good weekend when you get to see all the grandchildren -- except one.

Here is grandpa at the head of the table. He is presiding over lunch in Clackamas Town Center at The Old Spaghetti Factory. It was a great meal with Karmyn, The Caboose, David, Jammin', Buttercup, Curlymop, and Amanda. I ate my entire serving of vegetable lasagna.

Back home, I got this photo of Mizelle, Red-headed Girl, Jennifer, and Goober Evalina. These are the sugar and spice girls, of course. The little sticks and stone boys didn't want to be in grandmas photo plans,

no matter how we tired to shake them down.

Missed seeing the absent 15 years old grandson. Teenagers!

Faith, Hope, and Prayers

2011-02-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

Our eldest daughter is diagnosed with the very rare Hurthle Cell Carcinoma.

Karmyn's GP and her surgeon had been so encouraging and had prepared her (and us) for a benign result. Instead, we are reeling from the pathology report with disbelief and shock. She now requires additional surgery to remove the remainder of her thyroid. Then she moves on to chemotherapy and thyroid hormone replacement.

***
Our family has been buffeted by the winds of life's storms the past months. But there have been prayers answered ....

My dentist brother Ron (and his wife Kay) returned from an extended trip to a third world country that suffers a high incident of HIV. During one of the clinics, where my brother donated his skills on the locals teeth, he suffered a needle accident.

*Subsequent blood tests have shown negative results for any contracted virus.

Upon their return to the states, Kay was feeling ragged and run down. She was shortly diagnosed with colon cancer. I cried and prayed long distance with Ron as his wife was prepared for surgery.

*The cancer was encapsulated and she will not have to endure the rigid chemotherapy.

Our middle daughter is going through a litigious divorce following a tumultuous marriage. She and her three little ones arrived in the middle of the night with close to nothing and lived with us for five months. Having a 5, 3, and 1 year old in the house takes many adjustments for two grandparents who have been accustomed to their own space. But those challenges were minimal compared to the emotional turmoil brought on by a vicious custody battle. Unjustified accusations - both written and oral - keep us on guard.

*My grandchildren are still in our daughter's temporary custody. She acquired a great job that she loves - a blessing during a time of high unemployment. An unexpected receipt of funds also provided for a used car and an apartment lease. We continue to pray for peace in their lives.

My husband lost his job. The official term is Reduction in Force (RIF). His employer was the State and the budget cuts effected us very close and personal. Because of some physical limitations I have not worked full time for over two years.

*Shortly before the last day of his contract, my husband was approached to teach a programming class winter quarter at the local community college. It's been hard work to prepare the class, but it has been rewarding for him. Just last week he was contracted by a local business to build and maintain a website. On Friday, the college offered him a second class during Spring quarter. We have been blessed with income and have not been forced to raid our retirement fund.

***

Amanda, Jennifer, Karmyn with us on Oregon Coast

We are expecting miraculous healing and recovery for our daughter Karmyn. Just last evening our friends in Colorado Springs told us that they and their friends would PUSH for her. They explained that it was an acronym for Pray Until Something Happens.

That is exactly what we plan to do. PUSH for Karmyn. Please join us.

The First of The Month - Watch Them Grow

2011-02-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

This is my second post in the meme called First of the Month. The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.
My theme is my three grandchildren, Zbub, Mizelle, and Dinkum. It is called:

Watch them grow!

This photo meme is hosted by Jan @ Murrieta 365

December Post
January's Post

A Million Dreams

2011-02-06T22:21:00.000-08:00

The theme for Fun Monday this week carried me back to the double bed that I shared with my sister Trish. There was a time that it sat in the unfinished basement where its headboard and the headboards of my other siblings beds were flush against the cold concrete. It was probably a lot like going to summer camp (and I sure wanted to go to summer camp), except we slept there in formation out of necessity. Lucky for Trish and me, Mama pestered daddy until he allowed a small addition and some remodeling that added two teeny bedrooms to what had been a one bedroom main floor. That saved us from the nightly routine of descending those cold basement steps.

In that ancient squeaky old bed I remember waking up afraid. I would cry “Mama” or run through the house in search of her comfort. She would get out of her ancient squeaky old bed and walk me me back and tuck me in and softly rub my back.

That is when she would ask me, “What would you buy if you had a million dollars?”

I would start naming things, none of which I can recall this moment. Mama would listen quietly or maybe nod and respond with a knowing, “hmmmm.” Then she would rub her fingers across my cheek to make sure all the tears were gone.

“You think of some more things and tell me the rest in the morning. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good night, Pameluji.”

“Good night, Mama.”

Looking back at those moments through the eyes of an adult, I think that dreaming is what Mama did before she fell asleep each night. She had so little. I imagine that with the million dollar windfall in her mind, she was remodeling the house so that each of her children had a bedroom, a bed, a closet, and several chest-of- drawers filled with well-tailored clothes and footwear. No more mended hand-me-downs. A new piano would sit in a conservatory where her children and their music teacher would spend the afternoon in lessons. The evening meal would be savored in a dining room with a sturdy table and matching chairs. Oh! There would be real china and silverware to share with guests. The pantry would be full and there would never be any stress on her part about the next days meals. College tuition would be paid in advance and her children would all graduate with honors. (She was an idealist.) Mama, however, was not so extravagant as to have dreamed about buying her children new cars. Those new shoes were made for walking!

Some nights even now when I have trouble falling asleep I hear my Mama asking, "What would you buy if you had a million dollars?"

With the millions that my imaginary lotto ticket provides, I lie in bed and list all the ways I make life easier for my children and grandchildren. Then I benefit close friends and neighbors with my fantasy philanthropy. By the time my eyelids grow heavy, I am writing anonymous checks to worthy charities. Sometimes I fall asleep dreaming of going to summer camp.

Join Molly and the 10 million dollar dreamers of Fun Monday by clicking here!

Cat and Mouse

2011-01-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

Ha ha ha ha ha! That Tom is such a purrrr-vert.

What's your caption for my silly elGee?

(This is what happens when I'm "chatting" with friends on Facebook. She had been napping - curled around my mouse. When I grabbed my camera she rose and gave a large yawn and stretch.)

Far From Home

2011-01-14T23:06:00.000-08:00

I haven't joined Carmi's Thematic Photo challenge for quite some time. This week his topic is Far From Home.

The Eastern Blue Jay is a beautiful bird that is seen in eastern and central Canada, and in the eastern United States. It isn't supposed to be in my back yard.

Several times in the last six years I have had one or two of these beautiful birds visiting my feeder in the middle of winter.

This fellow truly is far from home.

Click here to see others far from home choices.

Or better yet! Post your own!

Precious Little Notes

2011-01-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

We have such amazing ways to communicate in this ever increasing mobile world. Just think of the tools we use to contact family and friends other than meeting face to face. I'm sure I don’t know half the current terms that describe the electronic media that is available for purchase. Do you ever stand wide-eyed and act perhaps a little embarrassed when someone speaks about an upgrade or an innovative new gadget that completely baffles you?

With that in mind, I feel that some things should never become antiquated or or go out of style. Things like writing words on paper. Things like thank you notes. Especially thank you notes from grand-children.

I hold them in my hands and run my fingers across the paper that the children held in their hands. My eyes mist over when the words they wrote are read aloud. Simple and sweet. After the notes have been smiled over and caressed, and maybe shared with a few friends, they can be stored in a safe place.

Later, I can pull them out to read and touch again.

Buttercup adds a little art work!

Jammin' adds a little bit of school information. Maybe mom told him the letter was too short.

Dear Grandma, Thank you for the Batman Costume. You can see I'm running all over the place in my mask and cape. Love, The Caboose.

You kids are so welcome!

Someday, when they are grown and have children of their own, I hope they read this in one of my published blog books.

I hope they hold it in their hands and run their fingers across the pages that I held in mine. Perhaps their eyes may mist over when the words are read aloud. Simple and sweet. After the book has been smiled over and caressed, and maybe shared with a few friends, it will be stored in a safe place.

And later pulled out to read and touch again.

January 1, 2011

2011-01-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

Lisa, of Lisa Chaos, turned me on to a new meme called First of the Month. It is something she picked up from her blogging friend Jan. To quote them both - The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month.

Watch them grow!

Z-bub, Dinkum, Mizellie.

Fun Monday Winter Survivor

2011-01-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

As I sit here at my computer in the darkest night of winter chowing on Gourmet Chocolately Caramel Crunch, I am sure that this yummy snack would be the only thing required to survive the winter chill.

But, Ari, who is hosting the weekly Fun Monday meme, was serious when she asked, “What's in your winter weather arsenal?”

We’ve had some seriously cold days and a few inches of snow scattered here and there so you have to know we own a snow shovel and a container of de-icer. (Thank God I am married to a man who loves to bundle up and take care of those early morning chores.)

The past few years have also found us in the dark more times than we care to repeat. Thus, we have a small gas powered generator to see us through any extended periods without electricity.

The wood stove is roarin’ right now and we have a fair supply of kindling and logs to feed it when the temperature drops. (It is 14º F on our patio right now.)

There is long-underwear, polar fleece masks, woolen gloves and socks, and several pair of yak-trax in drawers that will keep us moving on down the icy road.

The automobiles are also winterized with anti-freeze and wearing their snow tires. One vehicle is four-wheel drive and I’m not afraid to admit that I use it when I AM afraid.

But, maybe when I grow older – like next year – we will do the ultimate winterizing ever: Go to Arizona!

Arizona. Yeah. Sure. And there are no calories in my **Chocolatey Caramel Crunch, either.

**Purchased from my grandson Jammin’s boy scout troop.

Goodbye 2010

2010-12-31T16:13:00.003-08:00

A Christmas Memory

2010-12-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

I don't remember how old our middle daughter was when she learned a Dutch song from an elementary school teacher at Christmas time.

We didn't know what the words meant, but we enjoyed listening to her sing the verse as she skipped around the house that year.

We sang many of the familiar holiday tunes in the car as we drove over the mountains that Christmas Eve to celebrate with family at my brother's house in Gig Harbor.

We stopped to have lunch at a little restaurant when the road made us hungry and weary. In passing, I noticed that the pretty young woman who took our dinner requests had an unusual accent. However, we were distracted by our young daughters and entertaining them while we waited for our meal and hadn't chatted with her.

It wasn't too long before the little song was forming once again on the lips of our little singer. She sang it out clear and sweet:

Sinterklaas, kapoentje

Gooi wat in mijn schoentje,

Breng wat in mijn laarsje,

Dank je Sinterklaasje.

It was not until after she finished the verse that we noticed that our waitress had walked over to our table and was standing close to our daughter. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"How do you know this song?" She sniffed.

Our daughter proudly responded, "From my teacher!"

"I am from the Netherlands," the tearful server explained, "and, this is the song I sang so much as a child. You have made me remember my home and how much I miss my family."

Then she asked our daughter to sing it once more time. She got down on her knees and sang the words along with her.

"Oh, thank you!" she exclaimed. "What a wonderful present you have given me today."

Then, she rushed away to get our food.

***
Hope everyone of you get to remember something special this beautiful Christmas season.

Conversations with Grand Children

2010-12-19T15:24:00.000-08:00

At lunch time today the conversation took a strange turn when we began talking about cows.

Grandma: When I was a little girl we raised cows.
5 year old Z-bub: Who won?
Grandma (confused): Who won what?

Z-bub: Who won when you raced cows?

Tis the Season

2010-12-05T19:14:00.001-08:00

Leavenworth Washington is a small village that has “reinvented” itself as the place to visit to get into the spirit of the season.

I was enchanted by this magnificent Percheron, Jackson, that took Santa on a tour and was also available for tourist’s rental as well.

One hundred years ago there were lots of horses and wagons still carrying the majority of people on their journeys to and from town, as well as handling the freight and agricultural demands.

My mama told me about riding to school on a buckboard behind a horse called Old Nell. Grandma would take rocks heated on the old wood stove and place them in rags around mama and her siblings feet to keep them warm.

Her other memories of the ride include a loud and effusive burst of gas escaping from the old mare every couple of clip clops.

Mama said that one day on the way to school she herself was guilty of a small aromatic ester. Even in her early 70s my mama would blush when she told me that her social blunder earned her the nickname “Old Nell.”

I thought of that story when Jackson clopped past me later that day. Pugh! Jackson was quite the stinker!

Pink Boots

2010-11-29T20:27:00.000-08:00

The sled has Mizellie, Z-bub, and Dinkum on it. My boots have horses on them.

Veterans Day - and a post revisited

2010-11-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

I wrote these thoughts several years ago --- and I thought they were appropriate for this Veterans Day.

Three of our grandchildren’s dad is in the Air Force. (He has served in Iraq twice. He is no longer my son-in law. However, those little faces that I love, love him.)

Alex, you are in my prayers.

Prior to our meeting, my husband served four years in the late sixties as a submariner. His dress whites are in a storage box. Pictures of his “Boats” hang at the end of the hallway.

Hubby, you were a handsome sailor. I love you.

The army drafted my youngest brother, a conscientious objector, about the same year that my future husband signed. I was in high school and cried as he reported for duty and climbed into the waiting bus. The nightly news was all about Vietnam. Nick was one of the lucky ones who stayed in the States. He never carried a gun, but served in a medic position. He became a respiratory therapist after his stint was complete.

Billy, my cousin, lived with us his last year of high school before being drafted by the army. Also a conscientious objector, He was wounded in Vietnam when he stepped on a land mind while carrying a comrade off the battlefield. In the following years, he often complained of tasting Agent Orange in his mouth. He died in his twenties from a brain tumor.

My eldest brother graduated from College in the late fifties and received his “Greetings”in 1958. “The White Coats” in Maryland was his military family. They were eager to use Ron's degree in Biochemistry.

Big brothers, - You made our family proud.

The hubby’s dad (1925-2002) was yet a teen when assigned to a sub chaser in the South Seas during World War II. That is why he was still young enough for call back during the Korean Conflict. In 2001, I asked him to share his story at our Memorial Day Barbecue. The hubby and his sister heard their father’s narrative for the first time that day. His memoirs included the execution of his favorite cousin who was captured during a battle. The handwritten pages smeared by his tears are neatly folded and stored. It will be a post on my blog some day.

Two of my mom’s brothers, George and Wilmer, served in World War II. One was in the European theater. They are both gone, and as far as I know their knowledge of their experiences with them.

Gram's cousin Victor was entombed in the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on that fateful December 7.

You were indeed -The Greatest Generation.

Tecumseh, my dad’s 23-year-old brother, died of pneumonia while serving in World War I. Dad spoke of him with quiet admiration.

Uncle Tecumseh, I knew you because dad told me about you. Now my kids will know about you, too.

During the Civil war, Typhoid fever killed my maternal Great Grandfather George. My paternal Great Grandfather Elisha, lost his arm in battle. Great Great Grandfather Ambrose on the hubby’s side was a cavalry soldier in that uncivil War, as well. He returned home safely. You can read about them in my post One Wore Blue.

You men came home and mended a broken nation. May your sacrifices and forgiveness remind us about unity and greater good.

The Revolutionary War included my Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather Titus Travis, who was on the “Muster Roll of New York Provincial Troops,” and his son George, with four greats. George escaped after being captured by the Redcoats. Through your commitment I am a "Daughter of The Revolution."

Thousands of children are your descendants. Thousands more have arrived here to share in the dreams that you had. I like to think my grandson has your smile.

The best Veteran's Day ever would be the one where there were no more Veterans in the ranks because there were no more wars.

In the meantime, in the real world, I need to say thank you from my heart to all the Veterans and their families. Why does thank you just not seem like enough.

October's Fuchsia

2010-10-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the end of October and the Fuchsia on my patio continues to provide some color and some distraction from the other things of the world. Will it be tonight that the frost nips it away?

There is a beautiful dogwood tree several blocks away that has various colors of green, yellow and red. Will I'll remember to take my camera next time I drive past?

We're having some cool rainy fall days. I noticed that leaves on the driveway left behind their shape in silhouette after I swept them into the dust bin. I wonder how long the stain will remain?

Tomorrow is Halloween and the only decorating on my porch has been done by the hungry spiders. Oh! And the birds have done a little splattering, too. I wonder how many little creatures will grace our doorway tomorrow night?

Trick or treat?

(I am hoping for treat, how about you?)

Tailgating on I=205

2010-10-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

Sort of disconcerting driving down the freeway at 65 mph

Favorite Photos for Fun Monday

2010-10-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

I don't have a favorite photo. But Faye, acting on her duty as Fun Monday Host, asked that we share our favorite old family photo. So here I am and this is the one I have chosen.

The one above is a favorite family photo from when I was a little girl. Favored because my mom, dad, and all my brothers and sisters were together for the pose.

In the upper left is my sister Nelda who died from leukemia in 1994. She was always beautiful. The two oldest brothers, Ron and Tom, are wearing identical suits. No. They are not twins. Interestingly, they appear much the same today. They look pretty fantastic in their suits at the ages of 74 and 75.

My sister Sandra is wearing a dress that I loved. She is also wearing a Lauren Bacall expression. Today, Sandra is my favorite breast cancer survivor! And, she still has that Bacall attitude!

On the lower left, Mike has a mischievous grin on his face and I suspect he is poking Trish in the back of her best blue dress. He would do the same thing today if you stood in front of him in a photo. Trish is the one who has the grace and forgiveness to stand in front of him and believe that he won't do it again.

On the opposite side you can see Nick is wearing a silly bow tie and a more solemn expression. If he'd have poked me in the back I would have turned around and decked him. Don't let that peculiarly shy act in that dainty little pink dress with lace trim fool you.

My mother was wearing a familiar style of dress. All the years that she and dad were married, mom wore polka dots because dad was fond of them.

And Dad? He was just worried about getting back to milk the cow.

I'd love to see your old black and whites. Post them and check in at Summit Musings.

Finding a Quiet Place

2010-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Fun Monday is still alive and kicking and Sayre Smiles asked today's bold question: Where is Your Quiet Place?

My answer: Bird watching. There is nothing more peaceful and relaxing then to walk through nature to listen and observe.

I had an opportunity to go out on a raptor watch on Saturday - there were fields south of town filled with Swainson's Hawks on their migration to their winter home in Argentina. I had my camera along, but spent too much time with my binoculars.

I did, however, capture this bullfrog who was waiting patiently for his next meal. Now, this little amphibian knows all about quiet places.

Shhhhhh. Tip toe on over and see who has joined Sarah for Monday Fun.

Care Packages

2010-09-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you Sandy. (Myanderings)

Yes my Cyber friend. You made me feel special. I love the tea. It smelled so wonderful when I opened the box. You and I are going to get together sometime. Outside of this LCD Monitor and into some fresh country air. Yours or mine. And soon. I've only flown through Texas once, with grand kids in tow. Houston was lovely from the air. So now I'm ready for a tour of your part of Texas.

I've had some other pick-me-ups recently, too. One of my more recent friend-making moments was when I met Iggy (Intense Guy.) One day I read his blog and I was hooked. Is it sexist for me to say HE IS such a nice guy? Last year he sent me some great tourist info on a local bird and wildlife area where he wanders. I visited Pennsylvania in 1995 - and fell in love with the southeastern corner, including Philadelphia. Iggy's posts and photos of his current travels, plus his childhood memories stir me to travel there again. Last month he sent me his Summer 2010 issue of Invention & Technology. Don't laugh. He knows I'm not an engineer. The "Hoover's Miracle Dam Celebrates its 75th" article prompted him to think of me (and my Dam Post.) He just didn't know how much I needed the patio time with some tea and a special read. Thank you Iggy.

And then there was The Church Lady. I'd forgotten about entering a caption contest on her blog, Living Life in Pennsylvania, back in early August. (Hey! Another reason to see PA) She sent a little email asking about claiming my prize when I didn't come back to chortle about my clever entry. Actually, her husband's caption won the most votes, but she gave him a big kiss. I got the Wal-Mart gift certificate for coming in second and not being related. I'd like to be related, though.

And thank you to all the rest of you for the little notes and words of encouragement. The world is full of wonderful people, and I am blessed to know so many.

**Update
I was so excited opening it I didn't realize it was all packed with crossword puzzles from the newspaper !!! What a gal!

Adjustments

2010-09-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

Today I opened Bloglines to see how v-e-r-y far behind I am on visiting and commenting on my favorite blogs. Instead of seeing my page full of unmarked and unread links, I saw a notice that Bloglines will officially shut down on October 1st.

Although that deadline is over two weeks away, I knew I better act upon it immediately. I've overlooked and forgotten many small AND large things the past two months. I don't want to wander away and lose my feeds.

Maybe I'm losing my edge, or maybe I'm just tired. Either way, I couldn't follow the instructions that Bloglines offered to expedite my list to a new provider. As a result, I sat down and opened two windows and began opening each of my blog subscriptions, sifting, and resubscribing in my new reader. Throughout the day I stopped by my computer and continued this task. It was eye opening.

I've subscribed to a lot of blogs in the past 4 1/2 years. Several of my blogging buddies had moved their blogs through two or three blog hosts. Many of my friends now post rarely. Others have just faded into oblivion. I felt nostalgic when I opened a dormant feed and saw the last correspondence from so long ago. Not many goodbyes. Many have moved on to other things without much adieu. Some had actually closed their blogs and left their personal addresses at the mercy of web advertisers. Or worse.

It was difficult to leave behind some of the inactive feeds. One was "Living with Leukemia." Another was "Gwen's Den," the homes of two bloggers who lost their earthly battle. I took one last look at those two titles that hadn't lit up in a long time and moved on. Yesterday I was shocked to hear that Lori, the Barn-goddess, died suddenly in July. I could not leave her "Ramblings From The Reservation" behind. So I clicked and carried it. Maybe I'm hoping her husband or son will post a final note to give us closure.

Some of you know that there has been a plethora of events in our personal world the last two months that has consumed time and energy. Posting on my blog and reading your blog went to the bottom of my list of priorities. That doesn't mean you all aren't important to me. Nor does it mean that my blog is going to fade away.

Right now it just means I miss you. Lots.

The Anemones Still Bloom

2010-09-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

I am encouraged by the tenacity of the Anemones pink blossoms that bend and decorate the old log that WR placed near the pond.

Chicken Spaghetti

2010-08-18T23:37:00.001-07:00

Just when I needed some kitchen inspiration … I WON! I WON!
All Right. So… everybody who commented on a recent post by Swampy (Anecdotes, Antidotes & Anodes) won, BUT…that didn’t make it any less sweet. Especially since I’d been standing in Barnes & Nobles just recently admiring the great success of Ree, The Pioneer Woman.

So – here is my prize! ! A personally autographed Pioneer Woman Cooks!

When I started blogging over four years ago the Swamp Witch and Ree (Confessions of a Pioneer Woman) were two of my very first cyber friends. I think there was a group of about 10 of us who got linked up through “blogging chicks;” not to mention a clever and cynical cyber Aussie hunk. Swampy and I can talk about him later…..

I keep track of Ree’s success. I still read her blog (it’s like a three ringed circus) and now I’ve even watched her television appearance on THE VIEW!!

Swampy continues to blog on her broom; a trick I admire. She keeps that sonic sweeper in constant motion and I just am always tagging along in the comment section.

And me? Well, I’m just going to get up tomorrow and cook. We need some semblance of normalcy right now, and a good pan of chicken spaghetti just seems to fit the bill.

ps. Thanks Ree and Swampy. Hugs and damp lashes.

Hummer Dummer

2010-08-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is the HUMMER. (She joined me for breakfast this morning on the patio.)

The DUMMER is me.

I accidentally deleted a part of my cell phone contact list.

I got a new DROID. The yearly contract says I can upgrade my phone for minimal costs. Of course, there is always more expense than meets the eye. Insurance. Data Feed. Yada Yada Yada. But in the end the actual phone only cost $50 because of a rebate.

When the technician transferred my information from the old antiquated phone to this new "Beam Me UP Scotty" gadget, she briefly mentioned that the info was shared on my Google contact list. These young geniuses forget that some of us are technically challenged. She just rattled off some facts and threw the owners manual at me.

I rarely used Google so only had four contacts on there. That is why I was initially confused yesterday when I opened Google on my PC and noticed all sorts of cell phone contact numbers listed.

"Whaaaa?" I thought. "There is no reason to put my friends telephone numbers out here where someone might hack them!"

And, then I started deleting them. Fortunately I stopped before completing the task. The sudden and acute memory of "Droid talks to google" hit me like a full salt shaker to the head.

So, if I don't call you, it's because I'm embarrassed.

And, I don't have your number anymore.

Passing the Windmill Sail

2010-08-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Other Wordless Wednesday participants signed up here.

More Fun in the Sun

2010-07-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

Almost 14-month old Smurfella running through the sprinkler.

Tubing

2010-07-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

Our girls loved to go tubing on the Snake River when the weather was fine. Now their children say "Grandpa, take us tubing!"

(Warning! That video I took while riding in the boat might make you sick!)

It's All About Friendship

2010-07-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

The last one -- Fern is 101. But her best friends, her sisters, are still very close to her heart.
Fun Monday is being hosted by Mariposa today. And, It's All About Friendship.

Or Black & White Flamingos.

2010-07-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

While six grandchildren were visiting this weekend, we had an opportunity to go for a short walk on the creek. Just turned 8-year old Goober Evalina and I were doing a little bird watching.

Goober: OH! Grandma! Look at those!

Grandma: Uh huh. Two Canadian Geese.

Goober (Sighs, and in a disappointed tone): I thought they were short Ostrich.

Then she walks ahead of me and I hear her add quietly, "Or Black and White Flamingos."

When's the next Rest Stop?

2010-07-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

Traveling the 3500 miles in June, we never once thought to check the Garmin to see if it could locate rest stops. We were always looking.

The Interstate Highways provided full service stops at regular intervals until we got into Arizona. According to the locals, the state is out of money. Most of the rest stops are barricaded.

Fortunately the main gate facilities at Grand Canyon National Park (south rim) had restrooms with all the right stuff: running water, sinks, and toilet bowls. And, on the backs of the stall doors you could read the details of how the water got there (from the north rim) and an intricate drawing to explain how it is recycled back to your next flush. (A few of the particulars confused me, but ..oh~ never mind.)

Farther into the park, where no water is available, there are outdoor chemical latrines with huge black vent pipes. I don’t know the physics involved, but I can tell you this: when the wind is blowing 40 mph over the topside, your bottom side gets the picture.

Where's the River? No no no! I want to know: Where is the Rest Stop?

Many of our miles were on side trips where there were no official state maintained rest areas. We saw signs that made it clear to road warriors that the restrooms in the stores were "for customers only." So, we dutifully bought water or juice, which only guaranteed that we would soon be looking for another potty break down the road.

Gotcha! Not some weird old toilet. But that crossed my mind with some "gotta go" discomfort when I saw this shift change whistle at the old Copper Mine in Jerome, Arizona.

I already posted, with guest help, about The Forty Mile Desert. The photos display uninhabitable country where highway 80 and highway 95 intersect mid Nevada. Since there is no water, but plenty of travelers, you get the deluxe version of the single outhouse. Don't take me wrong. I didn't complain when we rolled into the parking lot, raced to the doors, and didn't have to stand in a queue! Eight of them all hooked together under one roof. Each room with a luxury opaque window so you can see ... uh ... without taking off your sunglasses?

No P. No Way!

Once you cross the border into Oregon you kiss two things goodbye: the 70 mph speed limit and outdoor toilets. Actually there were NO TOILETS until we reached Interstate 84. Two-hundred and fifty eight miles of mostly sagebrush from Winnemucca, NV to Ontario, Oregon. That may sound innocuous to the twenty-something traveler, but I was traveling with a charter member of the *IBB Club and am on the cusp of joining it myself.

Somewhere in the picturesque outback of southeastern Oregon I was the one who announced that I absolutely had to make a rest stop. The sagebrush was still green and many of them were nearly as tall as I am. (Wider, too. No snide remarks from the gallery.) I insisted on carrying my camera in case a car or a trucker drove by. ( "Who me? I'm just out here taking pictures!") There was also the part about forcing WR to accompany me so we could stomp loudly through the rocks and brambles to scare away any snakes that might be lurking. Shortly after handing off the Canon Powershot to WR and taking position, the sage in front of me began to rustle. Squatting near the ground with your jeans snug on your boots is a very precarious position to be in when you hear adjacent noises in rattlesnake country. Even with your husband standing guard. Fortunately for me, out from its hiding place in the fragrant gray-green foliage fluttered a Sage Thrasher.

"TAKE A PICTURE! TAKE A PICTURE!" I cried. He removed the lens cap and pointed.

I covered my face. "ARGH.......... of the the bird! Not me!"

He snapped a quick shot. Then the thrasher quickly found cover. So did I.

Hey! What a polite little feather pot. He closed his eyes!

And now you know the "rest" of the story.

*itty bitty bladder club

Feathers in my Cap

2010-07-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

Bird watching was another entertainment I pursued on our recent road trip, I documented and added twenty-one new sightings to my 'Life List." I also saw many familiar birds along the way.

A Western Kingbird in Eastern Oregon.

I've seen many Kingbirds during my bird watching excursions....but never so many at once. We stopped at a rest stop where the trees were full of them and the yellow feathers were especially vibrant. ♪♫♪♫♪♫ "Yellow bird, high up in banana tree..." ♪♫♪♫♪♫

A first sighting! Rock Wren on Antelope Island, The Great Salt Lake.

I yearn to return --- with insect repellent. Antelope Island is a sanctuary where, during migration, birds find plenty of flying insects to fulfill their energy requirements for the rest of their journey. In the meantime, those pesky bugs thought I was on the menu. Pamela Cream Pie.

Another first! Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Flagstaff, Arizona.

They were buzzing around so fast that I was hard pressed to get a photo that wasn't blurry. Hope you can pick him out right there in the center. We were informed that the nights had been so cool that the hummingbirds were just returning. The next day a wild fire (perhaps the one we had observed from Grand Canyon National Park) forced evacuation of parts of the city. I hope this little jet fighter and his buddies found someplace safe to hide.

An Eagle Owl?

While attending Tsunami on the Square (don't know why it was called that) in downtown Prescott, AZ we encountered a man carrying this fine owl specimen. It's eyes, ears, and beak gave it a very fierce appearance. I believe it is a native of central Asia. I don't count birds in captivity on my list.

A Broad-billed Hummingbird. Tucson, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, world-renowned zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden

Another one I can't count on my life list, but I sure can take a photograph and post it on my blog. This small thumb-sized bird was defending a nectar feeder. Although there were many buzzing freely in the hummingbird aviary, there were only six species represented. I sat down and waited for one to take a breather. Waiting in the heat for this stolen moment was worth it! He was all ruffled up and ready to rumble.

My first Cactus Wren. Tucson Arizona

These wrens were everywhere; especially visible on the saguaro cactus It may have been eating the red juicy pulp of the cactus fruit as well as insects.

Sky Bird, somewhere in Nevada.

WR tells me that I have too much imagination. I swear I see a beak and tail feathers through our dirty windshield.

Did I ever mention that I love birds?

I Dee Ho

2010-07-14T00:12:00.001-07:00

When I was a kid, my Mama and my Aunt Myrtle talked about a far away land called I Dee Ho. When I grew older I realized they were really talking about a state...the one squeezed into the shape of a big fat L, between Washington and Montana.

Over the years, I’ve crossed the border into Idaho at times to visit Lewiston or Coeur d'Alene. I’ve also had the thrill of a jet boat tour through Hells Canyon on the Snake – the river that cuts a huge smile from Wyoming, all across Idaho, and into Washington. (It spills into the Columbia River about 40 minutes from my house.)

In June we had the opportunity to see more of the beautiful and not so far away I Dee Ho country.

Near Twin Falls, ID, the Snake River tumbles over a rocky 212 foot Shoshone Falls and flows through the Snake River Canyon. I was reminded of when I was very young and that crazy stuntman Evil Knievel attempted (unsuccessfully) to jump the canyon on his motorcycle.

If you are afraid of high bridges and deep canyons - this is certainly the place for you. Not. I can only imagine how awesome it would be to see the river flowing freely.

My only disappointment was that there were houses built so close.

We also passed through Owyhee Country, a serene and appealing place that day. I was intrigued with the story and pleasured by the signs color coordination with the hills and sage.

But what a killjoy to peer over over the guard rail and see someone's garbage. (Grrrrr….. I detest litterbugs.) Thanks to the clouds, I got my groove back when I saw a Salmon flying in the sky.

We didn’t see nearly enough of Idaho. I guess that means we have a wonderful excuse to head east - and explore another day.

The Muffed Target

2010-07-11T23:55:00.000-07:00

While traveling through Nevada, I was surprised and entertained by the fantastic cloud formations in the sky above us.

There aren't many opportunities to pull off on the shoulder of Highway 95, so most of my cloud photos were taken through the dirty car windows. Even while I was driving I would wake up WR and instruct him to aim and shoot.

I'm not sure what I was trying to capture in this shot. Maybe all those little clouds that look like UFO's. But look closely at the cloud in the upper right, while ignoring the reflection of my dash and the bug splatters on the windshield.

It could be that lady lizard in the television show "V". The one who says "We are of Peace." It also resembles me. (Oh, and we weren't very far from AREA 51. ) Spooky!

ps. Gattina is once more hosting The Muffed Target at Writers Cramps!

Lucky

2010-07-09T00:15:00.001-07:00

There is a lot of desert on the way to the Grand Canyon. Through it, we followed the highway that put Utah in our rear view mirror and the Arizona sunshine on our hood. We arrived in the park on the east end of the south rim where our first encounter is The Desert View.

But this post isn’t about that. In fact, I don’t know if I can describe the overwhelming smallness of my being as I glimpsed the Grand Canyon for the first time. The deceptive altitude has already given notice to your lungs, so taking the breath away entirely requires just a short sniff. As I waited for it to return, I thought about Auntie Ferns statement – I could have stood and looked at it all day. Yeah.

So…… while we joined other people along the viewpoint, I noticed a girl carrying a very young Rottweiler puppy. She moved closer until she was standing right beside me. It was apparent that her mother and father were watching closely as other park visitors were ogling and petting the little dog.

I must have spoken my thoughts aloud; “That puppy is so tiny – is it weaned from it’s mother?”

“We have no idea,” responded the girl, “we just found her in the desert.”

“What?!” My voice was certainly raised with surprise.

The mother turned to explain.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “We were driving through the desert and my husband yelled ‘what is that?’ and stopped the car. This little guy was sitting in the gravel. There was nothing around for miles!”

Then she said they gave it water and offered it snacks they had brought along from California. They couldn’t leave the puppy in the hot car, so they carried it to the rim with them.

Someone close behind me asked, “Are you going to keep it?”

The woman looked into the hopeful eyes of her child, and then to her husband standing nearby.

“Yeah. We have another dog at home, but I think we’ll keep it.”

My husband reached out and tickled the puppy behind its ear and suggested,

“You ought to name it Lucky.”

* * * * *
ps.

Here's three photos - I may post some others later. Hard to choose!

Desert View. Smoke from wild fire causing haze

Me! Wind was gusting up to 40mph - and hat head! My $ 1.99 shades. My Expensive ones blew away. Really.

Close to the other entrance -- sun setting. I took this photo because the shadow formed an owl on the other side. Can you see it?

Wordless Wednesday: Bryce, Utah

2010-07-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Canon Power Shot

Worldess Wednesday can be followed here!

The Muffed Target

2010-07-04T23:22:00.000-07:00

Gattina, Writers Cramps, has asked her regular readers to: post pictures which are not at all like you had wanted and describe how it happened. She is calling it The Muffed Target.

Many of you have read about our "elevator" experience at Hoover Dam. Right after we were "freed" I snapped a few photos in the diversion tunnel. When my husband was downloading them to his laptop later that night he began to laugh. I looked over his shoulder to see the following.

I have no idea what I was doing with my camera.

From the looks of it I wasn't the only one still a bit freaked. Forgive me dear lady, whoever you are.

Dotty

2010-07-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

I took this photo of the sky yesterday when I was leaving for an appointment.

Then, this afternoon I saw that Carmi, at Written Inc, has chosen "Dotty" as the Thematic Photograph week 104.

Looks dotty to me!

Anyone is welcome to participate in his meme. Click right here!

DESERT ORBA

2010-07-01T17:57:00.001-07:00

After four years of blogging, I have invited a guest blogger to post on The Dust for the first time!
Iggy writes at Intense Guy. His posts, which I enjoy very much, are often about his travels. He also has a wonderful sense of humor which his readers especially enjoy when he dabbles in the Alien World of orange (construction) barrels and cones.
His Alien World was my first thought when downloading a batch of our travel photos from Nevada. The two I forwarded to Iggy rewarded me with a most delightful response.
It's all yours, Iggy!
* * * * * * * *
Thank you Pamela! I really do appreciate getting pictures of "orange roadside critters" and knowing that other people are thinking about me from time to time. Your pictures were very welcomed and unique. I enjoyed reading about the area where you took them - and then writing my own version of "what is going on here?"

About midway between the towns of Reno and Winnemucca Nevada, lies the Forty-Mile Desert.

Before the first transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, the life-giving Humboldt River Basin of Churchill County was the last water to be seen by many people slowly heading west to California by covered wagon.

During the height of the gold rush, upwards to 30,000 people annually emigrated west via the "Overland Emigrant Trail" which separated from the Oregon Trail near Fort Hall in Idaho and headed across the empty plains of Nevada to the gold fields in Placer County, located high in the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains and onwards to settlements and cities of northern California.

One of the more northern branches of the California Trail, the Truckee River Route, was used by the ill-fated Donner party. The Forty-Mile Desert route was originally touted as "a better way, being a shortcut."

The sign reads, "The 40-Mile Desert, beginning here, is a barren stretch of waterless alkali wasteland. It was the most dreaded section of the California Emigrant Trail. If possible, it was traveled by night because of the great heat.

The route was first traveled by the Walker-Chiles party in 1843 with the first wagon train. Regardless of its horrors, it became the accepted route, as it split five miles southwest of here into the two main trails to California--the Carson River and the Truckee River Routes. Starvation for men and animals stalked every mile. A survey made in 1850 showed these appalling statistics: 1,061 dead mules, almost 5,000 horses, 3,750 cattle and 953 graves. The then-value of personal property lost was set at $1,000,000.

The heaviest traffic came from 1849 to 1869. It was still used after completion of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1869."

Thanks to photojournalist Pamela of The Dust Will Wait, we can see just who is still using the perilous dusty, hot, desert trail...

Pamela suggests that this straggler has become separated from an Orange Barrel Train, and is very thirsty. We will never know the fate of this particular ORBA, but that nasty dent to the head makes me think this one will become a statistic and join the 1,061 dead mules...

A glimpse of the desert behind the suffering barrel really makes me admire the stamina, pluck, and courage of our ancestors. The overland journey from the Mid-West to Oregon and California meant a six month trip across 2,000 miles of 'difficult' country, traveled mostly on foot.

More Wagon Trail information (here)

* * * *

Thanks Iggy. Glad you could visit!

Dam!

2010-06-28T17:34:00.001-07:00

I was very thankful that my husband encouraged me to learn a deep breathing technique to deal with stress. Because, the moment on our two week road trip when I needed stress relief the most, the only relief available was deep breathing.

We spent the night at a Casino/Hotel where we got the best deal of our entire trip. Room: $24.99, dinner $9.50. We were ten stories up - and “up” I was at dawn! Awake, and taking pictures of the sun lighting up the high desert rocks.

After an equally low-priced (but palatable) breakfast we headed for Hoover Dam, a spectacular view and tour that our good friends encouraged us not to bypass. So, we beat the traffic jams (road construction and security check-point) and parked in the huge garage of the visitor center, cut out of and built into solid rock.

We quickly passed through a second security check point, much like you do at the airport, but were shocked to find that the $30.00 Hoover Dam tour was sold out until after noon. The employee was good at her job and talked us into the $11.00 Power Plant Tour.

“It’s a lot less money and you see everything but the original tunnels,” she explained. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
HA! Little did she know how her prophecy would be fulfilled!

Our tour began as all other tours – watching the Dam introductory film. (I know, I know, it’s the Hoover Dam introductory film.) We learned that there are no bodies buried in the Dam cement. That is one Dam rumor put to rest.

Next, the approximately 90 people were corralled into two Dam elevators that only take 70 seconds to drop you 530 feet down “through the rock wall of Black Canyon” and into a Dam tunnel drilled in the 1930s.
So, they said.

Our elevator stopped.

Only moments before, the elevator guide had been joking over the heads of 44 people (all pretty much squished and leaning on my belly) about the elevator only breaking down once. That is why no one was too concerned when he said that we were stuck.

“You’re joking, aren’t you?” One woman called from the far left.

“I’m sorry.” He responded with a nervous giggle. “We really are stopped and I can’t open the door.”

There were many times on this trip that I forgot to take pictures but this was not one of them. I squirmed until I had my camera in my hand and raised it above my head and snapped. Ta da!

I was shaky and concerned, so you’ll understand why it is blurry. I remember that little boy down on the left, because he was stuffed between his dad and my husband for the first 10 minutes.

The lights stayed on. Thank goodness! And, an uneasy calm permeated the enclosed space. A woman two bellies away from me began to perspire profusely and was frightfully pale. Her husband was murmuring into her ear and there were offers of water from the concerned. She had not wanted to take the Dam tour because she was claustrophobic in elevators.

Quietly my husband inquired of my status. I whispered that I was okay. He knew I was breathing the slow in through the nose, and out through the mouth method of relaxation.

Soon the people by the door began clapping while shouting that they heard rescuers.

Within 15 minutes of our entrapment, the door was open and people were being helped down and out.

I could have sworn it was an hour!

WR was on the ball and took this shot.

Our tour guide and the rest of our group had long vacated their elevator and proceeded to the Dam power plant. So, the elevator operator became our guide. He told us that would be the last Dam tour of the day, as they would close the other elevator while one was repaired and both given maintenance review.

And guess what? We got the $30 Dam tour because it was the only way out. In addition to the Dam diversion tunnel, the Dam intake, and the huge Dam generators, we got to make our way through the Nevada Elevator tunnels. We were amazed at the skilled craftsmanship that adorns the bowels of this wonder of the world.

We had to wait much longer for our return trip to the top, because the Dam elevator built in the 30’s is much smaller.

“You will be happy to know,” the guide told us with a quirky grin, “that this Dam elevator has been running for over 70 years, has the original motor, and has never broken.”

It never occurred to me to ask about the destination of the Nevada elevator. If you are wondering... it was right here. Dam!

Home !

2010-06-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

We've been on a road trip for two weeks. Last night we drove I-84 over Cabbage Hill (Blue Mountains) and stopped to look at the last 45 minutes of road to home.

It was our welcome quilt.

There is no place like home.

Spring Synopsis

2010-06-09T09:55:00.001-07:00

Spring has been cool, windy, and a season of catching up on annual precipitation. That last bit has been threatening the local cherry crop. I wonder if that is why the small orchard close to where I walk has been surrendered to the birds. If the rain splits the cherries they aren’t very marketable.

Or, maybe the farmer wasn’t prepared for the birds. (Insert a little Alfred Hitchcock mood music here.) The past week provided the valley with an unusual migration population of Western Tanagers. Like I’ve never seen. Thus, the orchard was full of Tanagers chowing down on the partially ripe fruit. They were accompanied by a fair number of Cedar Waxwings, Robins, Finch, Starlings, and probably more. There was no saving that crop.

WR captured the Tanager
with the cherry in its mouth.
I snapped the gorging
Waxwing and Robin.

I’ve not walked the creek as often in the past few weeks because of a cougar sighting. The cat was spotted in various places in town before disappearing up the creek.

* * * * * *
I was chit-chatting with Auntie Fern this week, discussing all things in general and our upcoming vacation in particular. She was reminiscing about her favorite moment, standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon.

“I could stand there for hours,” she sighed, then added. “Now they’ve built some kind of platform that you can walk out over nothing. But, you’d have to chloroform me to get me out there!”
* * * * * *

Here’s a question for those of you who recycle.    Does anyone else wash out their items before putting in the bin?

Several months ago I think the city decided to fire the recycling provider. For several weeks men picked up the full bin and stacked them on one flatbed truck, and replaced them with empty ones removed from another. The one that was left on my sidewalk was moldy and stinky and about enough to gag a maggot.    When I called the city to complain about having to deal with someone else’s dirt, they offered to bring me out a new one. But, I’d already disinfected it.
Several weeks later the new recycle company delivered a full sized container on wheels. With a lid! I still keep the small bin in my garage for convenience. And I still rinse everything before tossing.

* * * * * *
Two weeks ago the Caboose turned two! Smurf-ella turned one this week! Goober Evalina will be eight next week. And in a little more than two weeks, Curly Mop will be six.   The last two were 4 years old and 2 years old when I started blogging!
They all have a present sitting on the coffee table. But, they probably won’t know about it until they grow up. In the meantime they got fun kids things for their special days.

The green book - The Dust Will Wait, 2006 – is sitting on the coffee table!

I’m currently working on 2007. Taking my time. It isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.

Lots of edits are required, especially on photo placement.

* * * * * *

One of my brothers sent me an Email the other day in which he mentioned the oil spill in the gulf. “Who needs terrorists,” he said, “when we have BP”

There has been a lot of finger pointing. In fact, I think we’ve run out of fingers.
Truly, it has been a disaster beyond imagination. I encourage people who pray – to do so - for the people of the Gulf region (especially those whose livelihoods have been destroyed) and for the birds, and the sea life. The rest of you, do whatever you do!

* * * * * *
After leaving my water colors locked up for a year, I hauled them out and headed for a class on Friday afternoons. We did three paintings: Aspen trees , a Yellow-headed black bird on cattails, and a cat. The trees and the bird will end up in the trash. I was really excited while working on my cat -- as it was coming along quite nicely. Then the quarter ended before it was completed. I painted the background at home and it is awful. And I know what I did wrong. I don’t want you to try and console me in the comments, as this is not why I’m mentioning it. There is just some kind of catharsis in admitting failure, and knowing why. I won’t make the same mistake again. I’ll throw away a lot of paintings in the future, but not for the same reason.

Here they are sitting on a chair on the patio.

* * * * * *

I’m still in my pajamas this morning, as it is the first day in weeks that I haven’t had a prior commitment. And I’m posting something!!
Feels good.

Duets and Duos. Freaky Froggy.

2010-06-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Frog duet from pamela on Vimeo.

The week before last I recorded a froggy duet coming from our fish pond. Yes -- the pond is covered with a net to protect our little fishy from the hungry Great Blue Heron and his side kick, the Kingfisher.

Conjoined Frog from pamela on Vimeo.

This morning I was cleaning the filter when I spotted what I thought were two frogs mating. We've had so much wind lately - and the pond has been a magnet for all the flying debris.

Part two of Freaky frgo from pamela on Vimeo.

The second part of my video shows what appears to truly be a conjoined frog. I think there are two sets of eyes, two sets of back legs. Two backs. But the front set of legs on the top half appear to be atrophied and do not move.
UPDATE: Two frogs. I put on a different pair of glasses and I can see the little guy hanging on for the ride of his life. Naughty boy.

Popinjay: Joyful

2010-05-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Heather Goodman, a blogging friend for nearly four years, is hosting a meme this week and next called Popinjay. She says:

pop⋅in⋅jay--noun--a person given to vain, pretentious displays and empty chatter. In other words, blogging. Isn't that what this personal blogging is all about? Me. Me. Me. For this photo challenge, that's perfect. We're going to dig inside of ourselves and do some concept photography. I'm going to give you a word and you're going to take a photo of something that describes the concept of the word.

Today's word: joyful.

joy·ful
[joi-fuhl]
–adjective
1. full of joy, as a person or one's heart; glad; delighted.
2. showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech.
3. causing or bringing joy, as an event, a sight, or news; delightful: the joyful announcement of their marriage.

So I'm playing. AND... I'm choosing the third definition of joyful - causing or bringing joy.

My son-in-law gave me a beautiful Lupine quite a few years ago. He may not even remember. I do. I loved it. Something happened to it this winter. Perhaps it died of old age. Maybe the winter was just more than it could handle. The roots could have even been destroyed by a bug or disease. For whatever reason, when spring arrived - it did not. I was heartbroken.

This morning I was doing some weeding and cleaning in the flower beds when I discovered something growing under the edge of a large bush: TWO BABY LUPINE.

I gently dug them out and transplanted them in a spot where the sun will invite them out to play.

Yes. Finding these brought me joy. Can you see those scraggly little tendrils out here in front?

What makes you joyful today?

4 Rambo, 1 ramBoPeep

2010-05-15T22:44:00.001-07:00

4 Rambo, 1 ramBoPeep from pamela on Vimeo.

Taken this afternoon about 120 miles East of Portland Oregon, on I-84

Conversations with Grandchildren

2010-05-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

This evening earlier:

Buttercup: Grandma. You are eating a griller instead of meat.
Grandma: I really don't eat very much meat.
Buttercup: Are you only half a carnivore?

Before Granmda can answer....

Jammin: Buttercup, Grandma is mostly a veterinarian.

Hard Headed Woman, et al

2010-05-07T09:12:00.001-07:00

Elvis lovers will recognize that song. Many others songs in his repertoire came to mind yesterday when Willowtree (of the infamous A Dingo) was chatting with me on Facebook. He informed me (and provided a news link) that The King’s personal physician wrote a book with a disturbing revelation: Presley died from chronic constipation. If you don’t believe me – google it.

Then, WT and I changed a few words in his long list of performed songs. You know, to go with the constipation theme. I laughed. But I sure felt sorry for the legend. GI Blues. Elvis, March, 1960.

The birds are going through two tubes of sunflower seed daily. (I don’t know what to do about the Starlings!)

When I hurried out to feed them this morning there were hot air balloons over the housetops. Its the “festival’ weekend.

I Believe in the Man in the Sky. Elvis. October 1960.

Also greeting me was the cold white blanket of a May 7 frost. I forgot to check the forecast last night so my Begonias (and Fuchsias) were exposed. These are the ones that spent the winter in the garage. I followed the directions from the experts. Dried out the tubers, then planted them in February. The guest bedroom became the “greenhouse.’ Lesson learned, I guess. I will probably be in the market now for replacements. Sniff.
Spring Fever. Elvis. June, 1964

This Osprey is a regular on my walks this spring. Several years ago a pair showed up at the creek and small lake two miles from my house. (My favorite walking path) The Audubon group, with whom I bird, are pleased with the Ospreys return.

In my own backyard are Gold finch, House Finch, Cassins Finch, Pine Siskin, Crows, Magpies, Robins, Flickers, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Starling, House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, and this week the beautiful Lazuli Bunting. One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eater. Elvis. 1958.

This storm chased me on Wednesday. I drove 30 miles with this fast moving squall on my tail. I stopped at the top of nine mile hill and took this picture. When I was delayed at my last stop in town it caught up with me. The hail lasted at least 15 minutes. I needed a snow scraper to clean my windows for the last 2 miles home. Click on the photo to see the huge windmills in the distance under the dark monster.

When it Rains, It Really Pours. Elvis, November, 1955

The contents of my medicine cabinet remind me of the days when I thought I would never grow old.   In the past 12 months there have been so many reminders that life is short and tenuous. For instance, the daily handful of pills that help me maintain. One of those was just added this week to see if it will suppress the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. I have been very proactive with this diagnoses for twelve years. My efforts have not been enough the past four months. Now I just need to get past this Zombie status.
Until It’s Time For You to Go. Elvis. January 1971

Meanwhile……
My watercolor paraphernalia is spread all over the family room. (I envy those people with craft rooms.) The school district has been calling me more often to substitute. I’m still helping my Sis-in-law and Great Auntie Fern with their needs. (But, that has been less stressful with them living in a retirement home.)   Being a Court Appointed Special Advocate requires time and energy, too. The volunteer work is much harder than I expected. In March I was called to testify in court…and the prosecuting attorney had not forewarned me.    The ‘bad’ thing was that I was surprised and unprepared. The ‘good’ thing was that I didn’t waste hours and hours fretting and worrying.

And, I haven’t been blogging much….But I’m not quitting. Nope. Not. Says the Hard Headed Woman.   Elvis. March, 1958,

Incognito Kitty

2010-05-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

* * * * *

Our youngest daughter had to leave her apartment quickly when the building was sold to be converted to condos.

"Mom, can you take Little Girl until I can find an apartment that takes cats?"

That was 3 years and 4 months ago. We figure elGee is our cat now. Well, she's WR's cat. Spoiled little feline.

* * * * *

Sayre is hosting Fun Monday and invites everyone to primp your pet and post it. Dog-gone it! Go grab your camera and join in.

The Last Day of April - 2010

2010-04-30T16:22:00.001-07:00

Last week the flowering shrubs and trees were at their zenith.

Today I captured our neighbors two dogwoods in a moment of brilliant sunshine. The beams stole my perfect focus, but sure felt nice on my back.

The blooms stubbornly hang on to their colors in spite of the wind and rain.

I’m too lazy to look up the names of these early spring bloomers.

I wish the whole flower bed was covered with them.
(UPDATE: Leopard Bane)

I thought this little wonder was called a Jerusalem Lily. Apparently, when we tore up our lawn four years ago, some bulbs went with dirt across the street to Bill’s small orchard. They have multiplied in the absence of care, and the little happy white faces smile everywhere under his walnut trees.

(UPDATE: Star of Bethlehem above)

Shhhhh….a baby fern, tended gently by the older fronds.

I wonder, is there is a lullaby to sing for such an occasion?

Good-bye April….
Rock a bye-bye….

A Most Memorable Present.

2010-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

One early spring day 1979 I was surprised to receive a small check in the mail from my paternal grandmother’s estate. Not only had she never met me in person, but she had passed away 23 years earlier.

The check was enough to fill my car with a load of groceries. Or not. I chose the latter. I went shopping.

I don’t remember what I purchased for myself or for the two girls. (Our third was still a twinkle in her daddy’s eye.) But, I DO remember the gift I purchased for my husband. It was a striped shirt of multiple blues in a very popular loose knit style. It was the most I had every spent on a single item of clothing.

We had a little package opening party that evening when I arrived home from work.

“Wow!” He exclaimed. “This is really nice!”

He tried it on and it was a perfect fit. I suggested he take it off and hang it in his closet.

“The directions say ‘dry clean only.’ “ I warned him. “And, I would like you to save it for special occasions.”

“Okay,” he said, and wandered towards the bedroom closet.

A few minutes later I saw him… outside looking under the hood of our neighbors car. Still wearing the shirt.

I opened the door and yelled -- “Take that shirt off!”

“Be right in – we’re just talking.” he promised.

A few minutes later I looked outside and I saw his feet sticking out from under the side of the automobile. I pedaled myself out there with steam rolling out of my ears.

“Get that new shirt off right now!” I screamed. Too late.

He came out from under the car with a big smudge already adorning the costly material. There were daggers piercing him from my eyes and he was acting sheepish and apologetic.

Later, I pulled the shirt out of the laundry hamper to assess the damage. That’s when I noticed he had also pulled a thread from the loose weave. I turned it inside out to determine if the thread could be salvaged by pulling it back the other direction on the inside. That’s when he walked up beside me.

“Oh! That’s easy to fix!” He pointed, and before I could object, pulled out his pocket knife and cut it. SNIP.

I started crying.

My inheritance. Gone in 60 seconds. (I could have written that movie.)

I didn’t speak to him that night or the next morning. I was truly angry.

That is why I was surprised the next afternoon by his attempt to make amends.

“Hey, hon. I’m really sorry about the shirt. I figured I’d do my best to get it fixed. I took it down to the lady at the store that does the altering and she made it look pretty good.”

I was somewhat mollified. Then, I reminded him he would need to get it dry cleaned, too.

The oddest look crossed his face.

“What?” I rolled my eyes then closed them in dread.

“I washed it.” He whispered.

We walked into the utility closet, opened the wash machine, and removed the shirt. It was about half the size of the one I’d paid a fortune for the day before.

In a very nice gesture, he gave it to the little teenage girl that lived across the street. It looked pretty nice on her, too.

* * * * *

East Coast Life is asking about gifts as the host of today’s Fun Monday topic. Wrap your favorite photo or story and present it!

A Blossoming Sonnet ?

2010-04-17T22:57:00.000-07:00

The orchard wakes beneath the golden sun

And, apple blossoms open pink and white

Though efflorescence rests when day is done

Transparent they reflect in the moonlight

As soft pastel on petals slowly fades

The fivesome leaves will stretch out green and curl

Bright green above and silver under shades

While pollinators dive in for the pearl

The wind machine sits idle by the rows

To thwart a frosty mood if grows acute

So pleased at how the warm spring Zephyr blows

A tempting scent of autumn’s promised fruit

And much to soon is gone the beauty graced

but pleasing us, this season it embraced

by Pamela

Robin of Pensieve has invited one and all to join in Pensieve's Poetic License. (Yes, she had her license suspended there for awhile. Glad she renewed it!)

Hope to read you there!!

My Friend, The Petrologist ~~ !

2010-04-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

My friend Kim loves rocks. She also loves to share her love for rocks. Even now that she has moved far away to Colorado Springs, Colorado, she continues to entertain us with her discoveries.

Last weekend she went for a hike and saw this brazen boulder along the path . She photographed it and promptly E-mailed it to me.

What do you think? Proof positive that Rock Eaters really exist? Or, just the butt of one of Mother Nature's playful jokes?

Rub a Dub Dub, Spinning my Tub.

2010-04-11T20:52:00.001-07:00

It wasn’t long ago I wrote about my early childhood memories of Laundry Day. Nor does it seem that much time has passed since I spent endless quality time with a top load two-speed wash machine and a quantity of diapers and kids clothes.

Mind you, I didn’t complain about the bottomless diaper pail and kids hamper. Stories from my mom about wash boards and heating water on a wood stove (or even over a camp fire) convinced me I was blessed with what I had.

Our house was built in the seventies – when architects and contractors decided that you could squeeze a hot water heater, a wash machine and a dryer into a closet and call it a utility room. For years we listened to the daily wash cycle while we conversed around the table or watched Television.

We eventually turned the closet into my computer desk and cupboards and moved the laundry into the garage. Then, two years ago we bought the front load washer and dryer, each sitting atop a storage drawer.

Here it is in the corner of our garage. The hot water heater is hidden from view in this photo, behind the dryer. If you look carefully you can see my car reflecting in the wash machine.

Oh yeah. There’s a sink and a bunch of other things sitting around as well. I won’t win any awards for organization and neatness.

I had a few complaints about the washer. Then, I got help from an unlikely source! Our moved to Colorado friends, Mike & Kim, just happened to hear someone complaining about tub odor on a call in television show. The caller was advised to towel dry the seal of the wash machine door after each use. Apparently that water just puddled in the space and putrefied. I have a towel set aside for just that purpose, and it has made an amazing difference.

Janice @ Pritz Family chose the laundry theme for this weeks Fun Monday. So spin yourself on over there and come clean!

The More Things Change

2010-04-08T19:40:00.001-07:00

Today I sifted through some memorabilia that we stored in boxes over the years, following the death of parents and grandparents. I am working on a project and I’m looking for a particular old newspaper clipping. I failed to find the object of my search because I was sidetracked by headlines from The Portland News: BANDIT BUSY AT NOON.

My husbands grandmother wasn’t concerned about a robbery on that October day in 1930. Rather, she was the proud Mama of a little girl whose pose on a tricycle graced the spot under the headlines.

Thrift With a Smile. That is my late Mother-in-law, Joan (When she grew older she insisted that it be pronounced Jo Ann.) She was a very pretty child who grew up to be a a strikingly pretty woman. She had a bronzed copy of this photo that sat in her living room for all to see. I’m not sure what became of her cherished item. Her daughter (my sister in law) may have claimed it – an unfortunate occurrence, as Alzheimer’s has caused her to discard other family heirlooms.

Here is a closer look at Joan. If you open a $1 account, you get $.50 and a bronze bust of Colonel Charles Lindberg.

This is an interesting bulletin:

Gloria Swanson, screen star, today filed suit for divorce against the Marquis Henri de la Falaise de la Coudre.

She charged the French nobleman with desertion.

Miss Swanson’s complaint charged that the Marquis “wilfully and maliciously abandoned her.”

	Humor in the lower left hand column: The Pabst Brewing co. has installed $1,000,000 worth of new equipment in the belief that the dry law will be modified. Now is the time to corner the pretzel market. * * * * * ”Are you Hungary?” ”Yes, Siam.” ”Denn Russia to the table and I’ll Fiji.” ”All right, Sweden my coffee and Denmark my bill.”

Just to the left of Joan is an article about the (University of ) Washington Huskies stealing the “siren” that the Oregon Webfoots used as a noisemaker during football rallies. Who, besides me, didn’t know that “Webfooters” is the name Oregon Ducks called themselves seventy years ago?

As for the other headlines? I could pick up a newspaper any day this week and see articles with similar headlines: HUNT FOR GIRL, SIXTY DIE IN MINE, CRISIS COMING TO CITY, SCHUNDLER GOES “SCOTT FREE”, CHARGE BIG POWER “SLUSH” FUND USED.

Eerie, isn’t it?

A Collapsible Umbrella?

2010-04-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: An umbrella or parasol (also called a brolly, rainshade, sunshade, gamp or bumbershoot) is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight.. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain.

But not wind. That weather phenomenon has been blowing for days now, and this is what has happened to our patio umbrella. At least it wasn't open, or it may have flown across town by now. I hope it will still function properly.

We have at least three regular sized umbrellas that find places to hide in our cars or closets. They are rarely where we remember putting them. One is black, one is brown, and one is red. And - because of their ability to conceal themselves in plain sight - rarely used.

Gattina wants to know if you're all wet, ..or do you let your smile be your umbrella? Join the Fun Monday participants at Writers Cramps.

April Snow

2010-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a snow squall over the Blues. It left a trail of white behind it as it sprinted the edge of the valley..

I couldn't help myself. I grabbed my camera and set it on the dashboard and clicked this photo yesterday while I was driving. I played it safe... I just clicked and didn't look at the photos until I got home.