Farewell for now

What a beauty.  What wise eyes.


Time to give up the blog for awhile.  I sold my desk and my dining room set.   I have a mickey mouse set up not conducive to long writing .   Once settled in new digs I will come back and let you know all about my new and exciting adventures.   Meanwhile, stay healthy and happy as you continue along your pathway which I hope is bright and beautiful.    Live each day as if it were your last.   Be good, be kind, be gentle, be YOU. . .Love and Hugs to all.   Jean.

Wonders

the wonder of flowers poking up in the snow.

The seven most important wonders in our lives.

A good idea. . . let's work on being pretty.

Here it is Thursday ,  time flies like the weather which changes by the minute.  Our days of bragging are over as we are back to cold and fog again. It is more natural this time of  year but hard to adjust to as you are hot one minute and cold the next.   Probably a storm brewing.  

I found Winston Churchill's "Araprosdokians"  (figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is a surprise. I thought you might get a smile or two out of  a few.

"Where there's a will, I wan to be in it."
"The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on my  list."
"If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong."
"Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."
"Behind every successful man is his woman, behind the fall of a successful min is usually another woman."
"Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with."

So I am leaving  you smiling.  I'm off to have my coffee and wake up.   Go and do 'your thing' and make someone smile today.  Be good and be pretty today.  Hugs to all.

Fast Changes

Up in Nevada they had two very big wind storms this spring.   A fence blew down. . . work to do.

I am not sure about this huge tree. . . work to be done, chain saw work, not easy and noisy as well.   I am happy to see  there is very little damage to the house.   Yes, Nevada does get a lot of heavy duty wind., but  two hurricane style winds are unusual.   

Daughter Christine came up with a new picture, yes . . . another one who thinks being organized is the way to go.

So today be organized.  You will be amazed at how much you will get done.   You might even create time to go out the door and have lunch with a friend.  The new Yard Man came over yesterday and worked in the yard for two hours.   He is a good worker, a bit on the slow side but I noticed he takes time to  do the job right.   He cleans up as he goes  and he hauls the debris away which is included in the price.   Hopefully all goes well and he stays on .    I had a surprise visitor yesterday, Sharon was in town so stopped in to say hello.   She is my  very talented friend who paints and creates beauty and has a band as well so makes beautiful music.   She is going to give a class in which you do that doodle we all do so well when you take your pen or pencil in hand and just follow your pen around the paper making fancy inroads . . . well, she does that but makes the pattern so  you come up with a picture in the end.   The one she showed me turned out to be a flower in a flower pot and two big fat sitting cats.  It  was amazing.  I sat and doodled in my book where I draw faces all the time.   My doodle came out fine, filled the page but there was no  flower pot or cats but a dozen little animals and even a lady howling to the wind.  I'll  have to practice and see if I can come close to a real picture.  It was fun though  and shows your imagination  is at work, and you don't fall asleep through  your favorite television show.   Try it, it is fun.

Today, Wednesday, starts the Lenten season.  What are you going to give up?   I haven't made up my mind.   Maybe nothing this year.  I have given up sweets for many  years but this year I am cutting back but  not out.  I'll have to come up with something .  Getting this old has taken away a lot of things any way, so maybe I'll just rest on my laurels.   Stay healthy, wealthy in the good deed department and enjoy today.  Make your seconds count in  positive ways, be kind, be gentle and share YOU with those you love.  Hugs to all.

Presidential

Vote for me!!

The President's cars.    Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman  enjoyed riding in a Lincoln.  Eisenhower liked a 1953 El Dorado and a 1950 Lincoln first bubble car.  1961 John F. Kennedy rode in a 1961 Continental , the car that he was shot in.  Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan liked the  Lincoln during the seventies.   1983 Ronald Reagan chose the 1983 Cadillac to ride in.   1989 H.W. Bush liked the 1972 Lincoln.  1993 Bill Clinton chose a Cadillac and in 2001 A Cadillac DTS was the car for George W. Bush.    As for the last  one....Obama.....I wonder if it is true and what kind of a car is it?   A show piece would most likely be something he would want to ride high in but I think he is more at home in a golf cart.

I've told the tale of sitting on the running board of President Roosevelt's car until chased away.   He was attending his son's wedding over in Nahant, Mass. and three of us hiked miles to see him.  I wish we had a camera with us to show our claim to fame.

I hope you are out riding around in your 'caddy' today enjoying the weather.  Some of you are still shoveling snow so take it slow and easy so you do not overdo the heart.     It is hard work and requires a bit of rest between shovel fulls.    We took advantage of warm sunshine and walked the pathway over at Lone Ranch Beach.   There were lots of folks out and about watching a calm ocean and hoping someone would catch a ling cod or two and share.

Stay safe and enjoy your seconds today.   I'm off to have my coffee and wake up.  I'd share if you were here.   Share what a nice word. . .  make good use of it today and share YOU with those you love.   One good deed deserves another.    Hugs to all.

Lemons!!

Strange world isn't it?    

How beautiful the snow is in Rhode Island.    

Sheila Mary has a way with  her green thumb.   She also has her house painted inside and out and is one very happy young lady.

I think this should be on our mirror to remind us that we really truly can succeed;  it just takes a lot of hard work and the desire to succeed.

Monday morning, three o'clock in the morning . . . the song comes to mind quickly.   It has been awhile since I opened up the computer at three a.m. and dusted the cob webs from the brain.    I went to bed  after reading a small card that must have put the brain in gear as I woke up thinking about it.   "There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven.  A time for giving birth, a time for dying: a time for planting, a time for uprooting what has been planted.  A time for killing, a time for healing: a time for knocking down, a time for building.  A time for tears, a time for laughter. a time for mourning, a time for dancing.  A time for throwing stones away, a time for gathering them  a time for embracing.  A time to refrain from embracing, A time for searching, a time for losing:  a time for keeping, a time for discarding.  A time for tearing, a time for sewing:  a time for keeping silent , a time for speaking.  A time for loving, a time for hating:  at time for war, a time for peace.   (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)    Now that is quite a description of LIFE!!!

Our seconds disappear quickly over our life span and how you choose to live them is something only you can decide for you.   It is nice to be reminded that we have  the freedom of choices as these events occur in our lifetime.   Each life span is unique, so make sure you live your life to the fullest, participate in living .   The start of a new week of seconds, now what are you going to do with yours?   Live well I hope.   We are living in precarious times right now  so pay attention to what  time offers. Hugs to all.

Sunday . . . All Day!

Mike Amacker sent this beautiful picture along of the ranch in moonlight.  It looks like a winter sky and it is cold up there.   

As each day this man was given the trust and support of so many, only to be let  down on a daily basis.   I wonder what they think of him now.

Here it is Sunday and the week flew by.   Our spring weather is coming right along and the trees are budding and the flowers starting to bud as well.    Son John wrote to say it had gotten colder and the new storm has arrived with snow to shovel.   Listening to the weather forecast on television last evening, I was wondering how the folks back in Boston, Mass. are doing with another new snow storm to top off the several feet they are still shoveling from the last storms.   It must be tough going, but then those New England folks are hardy and used to  long hard winters.    Hopefully they have good furnaces and carpet on the floors.   I remember days of linoleum flooring and rushing to a heating register to get dressed for the day.   I shiver thinking about it.   Each area has its own weather.  Here we have the dampness that settles in your bones and rain for weeks on end, along with fog.   We change as the seasons change and make the best of it.  Not much anyone can do about weather but enjoy it for what it is. 

I wish I had lots of interesting topics to cover today.    There just has not been anything on going that is exciting enough  unless you want to hear about my firing the professional gardening outfit.  The men were great, the boss was not.  He was going to have it all his way or not at all;  so...he got not at all.   From words of wonder to 'extra' on the bill. . um, I was to be a silent partner. . . me, silent....I don't think so.

Enjoy your Sunday.  Don't forget to say a prayer or two for those who are suffering.    Extend the good deed to encompass a couple of more in need of a good hug.    Sunday is a good day to be 'good' . . . 'better' . . .. 'best'. . . go,  you can do it.   Hugs to all.

Be My Valentine!!!!

This is not our Emma, but sure looks just like her.   Those eyes get you every time.    Our Emma comes in the door ready for all the hugs and kisses she can get.   the more she gets the more she gives.   Smart dog!

yep!   they are good judges of  humans.   If you dog does not like someone be sure you show them the door in a hurry.

Valentine Day . . . brings up a few memories of years gone bye.    Remember the big box on the teacher's desk. . . some mothers shopped for a valentine for each child in her child's room.  No one was left out . . . how wise.    Thoughts of heart shaped boxes of chocolates, your favorite of course, you know the ones without calories . . . we wished.   Flowers were a boon whether they came from a florist or the garden.   Hugs and kisses made up for all the unspoken words.    Yep, Valentine day is a great day to share with those  you love.  So today, look forward to a valentine be it a card, a hug or a kiss as someone special reminds you how special you are.  Go, enjoy your day today, the rest of our weekend and share  YOU with those you love.  Hugs to all.

Political Comment

Ronald Reagan changed from a movie start to President,  from a Democrat to a Republican .

A strong leader who will tell us as it is when he comes to speak to Congress and us  as our President, the first time in history shows ignorance in being a President.  Yesterdays word 'dollar diplomacy' fit the bill as it is the effort of a country to promote financial or commercial interests abroad or to use its financial resources to affect foreign relations.

and she wants to run again .

We best remember this as we stop to look and listen.

Friday the 13th, all kinds of good and bad things can happen today.  It depends on how you think.   If  you are superstitious then woe betide you, if not it may be your lucky day.   Maybe I should have waited until today to have lunch out with friend Marcia and try my luck with the Can Can ladies.   The high kickers just didn't kick high enough .  The special Prime Rib sandwich was delicious, and the time out was fun.   So. take yourself out today and have a little fun.    Remember the old adage about 'it is better to be safe than sorry'  it does apply many times in life.  Be good, be kind, be adventuresome and spread some cheer around today.   Challenge yourself to ten hugs today;   go ahead, you can do it.   Hugs to all.

Slide

Slide on Highway  40 up in the Truckee area

Massive

Angie sent  some pictures along of the slide on Highway 40 up in the Truckee area.    Nevada /California Sierras has been stormy with not one but two huge storms going through the areas.  Imagine riding along the highway and see a few 'rolling stones' , it is unimaginable that  the rocks can fall apart like that .   The Sierra mountains may look like they will last forever but over the years we have seen some massive slides and how fragile a mountain can be.  It reminds me of people with a hard shell on the outside but so very fragile on the inside.    So today, if you have had a 'melt down' , pick up your pieces and get busy rebuilding your lives into what  you truly want them to be.    You have inner strength . . .use it.   You have faith . . . feel it;  just spend those seconds living life now and as the old adage says . . . "don't put off today . . .live it ".  Be kind, be graceful, be stalwart  and share a little love along the way.  Hugs to all.

Good Morning!

I don't know about your garden but here in mine, the weeds, grow where they feel like it and take over rows and all.  You have to admit the dandelion has a special place in our hearts.   We can find out if 'he loves me, he loves me not'  and make it  turn out just fine.    Spring is showing signs of coming early so maybe we will have a few dandelions to surprise us.

To those of you who are sick and tired of hearing the same old, same old words about down sizing;  cheer up, I've used them all up.

The ride over to Lone Ranch beach yesterday was timed to enjoy some sunshine.  It didn't last long but while there was a break in the clouds our Emma had a delightful run on the beach.   The pathway is a bit muddy right now, thawing, I would guess.  A lot of tiny buds are coming out and some of the wild purple flowers are already blooming.   A man was walking his two dogs on the beach and one of the dogs loved walking in puddles.   It kept returning over and over walking through the water oblivious to the waves rolling in.   Speaking of water, I had a beautiful picture of Lake Tahoe but it didn't come up when I tried to put it on the blog this morning.   It must have been taken by a different type or style of camera and not everyone works.    I was amazed at how high it was and the caption told the story.  Over 16 billion gallons has been added after the two huge winter storms of last week.   It must have been some storm , although I had no news from up at the Lake.   I talked with son Michael and found out the ranch was hard hit, several horse buildings, fences and all kinds of damage from the ninety mile an hour winds.   They are all busy trying to put things back to normal.

After all that housework on Monday, here comes Tuesday which used to be 'ironing' day many years ago.  Some probably keep up with the old routine for the most part as it worked wonders and everything did get done.   But this Tuesday the sun may shine so it would mean an open door to the outside . . . so open it and go out and have some time out doing what  you want to do.    Catch up on some shopping, take a walk through an Antique store and see how the other half used to live.   You might find a gift for a special person for Valentine Day which is coming up fast .    I hope you are laughing out loud at the ridiculous ad to buy a huge teddy bear at ninety nine dollars for  your Valentine.   How ridiculous can it get and how dumb we would have to be to spend that kind of money on a stuffed animal no matter how big they make them.    Sheesh!!!!  If I want a hug it is not from a stuffed toy.   So be free with your hugs today and have some fun.  Hugs to all.

I Often Wonder.

Preaching to the Choir!

I Often Wonder

The elements show themselves in so many varied forms
I often wonder is this God's way to keep us well informed.

The oceans circle round the globe, the mountains reaching high,
moisture forms and soon a storm fills the sky.

The thunder roars, lightening soars
sending rain upon the earth
the soil becomes a muddy pond
the trees bend from the wind
I often wonder
Is this God's way to show us what He sees
the foolishness below
how come the summer storms are soft
the world a soft glow
are we doing something to please His very soul?

The earth begins to tremble, crusts move the earth splits apart
I often wonder is this God's way to show the mean of heart.

When winds collide and form a cone
cyclonic forms arrive to take whatever is in its path
I often wonder
Is this God's way to show the greedy
they should share at last.

Torrential rains flood areas and homes
Is this 'god's way to say we are selfish as we hoard and hoard and hoard.

Volcanoes erupt  up into the sky spuming heavy clouds of ash and smoke
making lava rivers flow
destroying everything in its path
I often wonder
Is this God's way telling us nothing is forever
so wake up and change our ways
so God will make all of the elements behave.
                                                                           JMS




Tuesday, all day, make it a special day.    Enjoy the elements as you change your ways with  Patience,  Fortitude, Kindness and Love.   Think about what you often wonder about.    Hugs to all.

Are we there yet?

Jennifer put a picture of a falcon that landed up in her tree.  She thinks it is after her little finches.    I would say it is a commanding presence; strong and willful and very alert.   

Here is a great idea for a pallet or two.   Fresh herbs growing in a very small space.  Rosemary and Thyme.  

A picture of Puget sound and the colors of Fall.    This would have been a view from a window of a little house I could have lived in , but chose smaller 'digs'.    I can always get a ride down the hill and see this on a daily basis.

Another view . . . Port Orchard is a very pretty place.

If I am not mistaken, the Ferry slip is here.

Another view on a frosty morning.

I may get to ride in this little boat and find out what history I can learn about this lovely area.

  I know you are all tired of reading words about down sizing, moving on, changing places, filling boxes, selling treasures,, but that seems to be what is on going in my life these days.   I've been helping daughter Patrica fill some boxes and didn't think about leaving out a few utensils so she could feed herself, although I did leave a cup, a glass, a plate and a pan.    She found a spoon so didn't starve to death.   As each room empties, the house takes on an empty feeling, bare walls, bare floors and the warmth leaves waiting for someone to come and make it feel alive again.    On the other end there is a house waiting to be made alive with new beginnings and old treasures that were saved.   Much like life. . . it goes on.    I can't think of anyone who enjoys moving.   It entails so much change in your lifestyle.  Some excellent, good, wonderful and exciting . . . yet, a little harbinger of  doubt,  a bit of loneliness for the comfort and bliss of years.  The loss of the backyard view with the bright berries calling the birds who get dizzy from eating them.   The flower beds with their beautiful flowers blowing in the wind.   The living, the loving, the memories within the four walls.  There is sadness in leaving friends behind .   So whatever the reason, or the season, for moving it  has to be important or it would not take place.   

So enjoy your home while you are able.  When change comes into your life face it with courage and strength and get on with living.   While you are at it, change colors, add beauty, invite old friend to visit and live life like there is no tomorrow.   And you thought moving was a picnic.    There are blessings as we have new modern modes of communication so we do not lose touch.    An open door, an open heart . . . what more could  you ask for?  Don't be lazy, keep the doors open. Hugs to all.

Life

This picture reminded me of life.   The ups and downs of life.   How we struggle to climb the ladder of success;  how we struggle to make it to the top and forget how fast one can slide back down if  we do not abide by the rules of the road.   I always thought, when I was out in the working world, how unfair it was, as  no one took time to tell us what the rules were.  We were taught that you gave 'an honest days work for an honest days pay'  but there were those who threw that old adage out the window as they progressed up the ladder stepping all over everyone else.   What was needed was a lesson in politics .  

It is Sunday all day . . . what are you going to do with  your day of rest ?    Hopefully  rest  up for a new week and a lot of hard work.    Take time out to look around and see who needs a hug.   I bet you do not have to go far to find that someone.   Make today's seconds fly bye with a purpose; put on a smile; stretch out those hands and be useful.  Someone needs a little bit of  YOU.   Hugs to all.    

Winter Vacation

The pictures above sent by Sheila Mary who is back on the ranch enjoying ranch life and actually participating in all of the round ups .   Who says you cannot have a winter vacation and enjoy every minute of it.    She will have many tales to tell when she gets back home next week.    She has had some weather to keep her in but she managed to find time in the kitchen and cook a big meal for the family and guests.   Sheila Mary is  bright and beautiful and loves to share herself with  all who come into her life.     

Here are Angie's two dogs all dressed up for winter weather.   After all you have to dress warmly if you want to walk out on the beach every day.   They sure are cuties.

The big storm finally got around to us in the middle of the night.  I woke up to one lamp on, one of those touch type lamps on the computer desk.   It wasn't on a three a.m. but it sure was at four a.m., a mystery.   Maybe the wires for the computer are close to the windows along with the wire for the lamp.  The wind was blowing so hard it must have blown the curtain and it touched the lamp.   Unless Mortimer, our old lost ghost of the past has caught up with me again.    Whenever the children had a problem with a breakage or two, 'Mortimer' always did it.   He was a very busy ghost who spilled milk, broke things and kept us all very busy cleaning up his messes.  I forgot to put the garbage cans in the back area ; wonder if they blew down the street.  Oh the things I will find when I get dressed and go outside and look around.   There was a notice on Facebook this morning that there was a lot of damage on the ranch from winds that got up to ninety miles an hour in Nevada.  I will have to check on son Michael and see how he made out in his trailer.   There sure isn't much one can do until the winds die down.  

So hopefully you didn't have heavy stormy winter weather and will go about sharing and caring this weekend.   Find reasons to smile, there are so many if you just take time to look around.    Be a ray of sunshine and shine.  Hugs to all.   

A Question

                                                                LOVE  . . . What is it?

                                                                 persistence

                                                                 resistance

                                                                 frustration

                                                                  laughter

                                                                  tears

                                                                  fears

                                                                   love

                                                                   hope

                                                                   prayers

                                                                   charity

                                                                   love

                                                                   desolation

                                                                   loneliness

                                                                   consolation

                                                                   love

                                                                    hold a hand

                                                                    kiss a cheek

                                                                    blow a kiss

                                                                    never miss

                                                                    love

                                                                    beauty is

                                                                    as beauty does

                                                                    no one is ever ugly

                                                                    fat or thin

                                                                    neat or messy

                                                                    everyone

                                                                    needs love.

So, end your week with a lot of love in  your heart.    Share  YOU.

Hugs. to all.

Getting Around

Granddaughter Erin has a new scooter to get around the island.    She also has a new job as a sales manager in a health food store.   wish her luck.    

 Sheila Mary is on the ferry heading for the ranch and vacation time. 

she arrived without any problems, found her friend right away and is off to a great start. 

even the lama was glad to see her return.  It looks like a wonderful place for a vacation.   

A clever idea and a space saver as well. 

Now we are talking!

Hump day and the weather here in Brookings is stormy, going to have ten inches of rain so we are told;  hope it is one of those iffy weather reports and it  only sprinkles, but the reports keep coming up that as the day progresses so will the storm.   I'll be  talking about it tomorrow if we don't float away.    As the downsizing continues, I sold my  bed, box spring and mattress and  and it went out the door yesterday.   My solid oak antique frame is missed this morning and I am having to find out which extra bed I want to sleep in.  So far the odds are against me and I find one to hard, the other to soft and I am not buying a new one until I get relocated.    I can tell you that leg cramps are a great indication of what the body does and does not like.  Amazing how a little change can bring about  a few surprises.    I'm just to old for this stuff!!!   But, giving up my  old box spring and mattress which was purchased back around 1982, I cannot rightfully complain as I think I got my moneys worth and certainly  years of good sleep.  It would have, and still will,  give the new owner a good nights sleep.   I am beginning to think change is not always for the better.  We find throughout life that we think we have to give up or change and find that  along with the change comes upheaval and it upsets our 'apple cart', then we begin to realize that all it takes is a change of attitude and new beginnings become an adventure of a life time and life takes on a whole new meaning.   New faces, new places and  even a new bed, so it cannot be all bad.  So, I am down to a couple of odd dishes, paper plates for emergencies if any one decides to join me for a cup of tea and  a bite to eat.   I haven't decided on pots and pans  yet, trying to find a way  to lighten the load and not cook but that isn't going to happen . . . if I remember correctly  a black cast iron skillet and a couple of pots will do just fine, I've been down the road before.   I have absolutely no objection to eating out .  So life is an adventure, our seconds fly bye and all we have to do is organize our 'stuff'', and our attitude.    Take time to do a good deed, as someone is in need today.   Take time to speak up and tell someone you love how important they are in your life.    Change the frown to a smile;   and take a look around and  get rid of 'clutter' in your life, not only things but people who use and abuse.  Life is much too short to waste.    Hugs to all.