Festival

Latest News . . .UGH!!

The original 'green' house

Cape Blanco and the Music Festival, fifteen hundred folks expected this weekend.   Jock is helping out so hope to hear a little about it when it is all over and done with.

Last years crowd.   

It is going to be a hot weekend for the folks who want to hear music in the open;   nice to be young and energetic with a desire to go out into a huge crowd and listen to music.   I am the odd man out as I prefer to sit in the comfort of my chair and listen to the music of my choice with or without company.  I must be getting old.

The end of July, didn't take long to get here.   A new month coming up and if it is like the usual August it will be hot.   summer at its best.    Our few days of cool has gone by the wayside and the heat is back.   The fan has been doing double duty and working good so no complaints in that department.    It is almost four a.m., and the coffee pot is on.  I woke up and read awhile but sleep is evasive so I might as well blog and check out my e-mail.    Someone may have sent me a message.  If not, I'll go sulk over my coffee and think about having something to go with it.    I'd like to make some blueberry pancakes but then I might set the alarm off and you know my  name would be 'mud' if I did that at four a.m.   

There is not a lot of new news around here this week.   I read to Vinnie yesterday and he tells me he is having his eyes worked on, a cataract operation today on one eye, then later the other eye needs attention.    He will probably want to read to himself although he tells me he is enjoying relaxing and listening.    Of course that doesn't last long as when he hears a few words that jog his Navy days he is off and telling tales  about way back when.    He has a retentive mind and loves to tell a tale or two.   Don joins us now and then but never stays long.   He has a lot on his mind as his wife is in the hospital wing and has Alzheimer. They have been married sixty years and it has to be a very sad ending to a whole lifetime of togetherness.   One of the many stories of the folks who have reached a ripe old age.    I think that we all feel 'if I had known I would live this long,. I would have taken better care of  myself."   a truism if I ever heard one.    

So, listen when the old folks talk.  They may know something you do not.   They may be able to give you a hint or two about taking care of yourself.  They can tell you from experience what happens when you do not eat right or exercise, and they all have a tale to tell about feet . . . but most of all they will tell you to use your brain....think.....as you need to cultivate your sense of humor  . . . yes, learn to laugh, especially at yourself .   Start your new month with a plan to take much better care of yourself so you can become a wise old person with a ready smile.    Time does fly , especially when your having fun.  Most of all be caring, sharing, and don't forget ' a smile is your umbrella on a rainy, rainy day';...la, la, la......Hugs to all. 

Changes

any excuse will do!!

The hedge has been cut down to size back in Rowland Lane, Brookings, Oregon

The new ramp

The new bath tub

The jet boat ride out of Gold Beach, Oregon

John sent pictures of the changes to the old homestead I shared with him for years.    This wonderful son made it easy for me to survive.    We had the house for over fourteen years, and he still owns it but now he is a landlord and his new tenants needed a ramp and wanted a new style bathtub and the end results show in the pictures above.    The ladies have just moved in and I hope they enjoy living in the house and make it a home as it has a comfort zone all its own.  Now the hedge was a pain in the backside and cost lots to keep up, so it is good to see it cut down to size;  if I had my druthers, I'd pull it up and put a good neighbor fence along the property.

Changes are good although I felt a bit sad seeing the changes.   It was a cozy and comfortable home and still is, but changes come about in life and we have to adapt, even if we don't want to, it is a given and we get on with life and make new inroads to our creature comforts.    Things are just things and we can replace, renew and enjoy.    I walked around St. Vincent's yesterday and found a tiny wine bottle holder with little tiny sea creatures  and the bottle of wine I have fits just fine.   I found some placemats for my table as I had only packed two tablecloths and they are really for the holidays.   I even found another glass bobble you put in a vase to keep the flowers straight.  I use it for placing my pencils in it...tidy and no hunting for a pen or pencil when needed.  I have one on my desk and one by the telephone .....try one, I think you will find them handy.  I looked over the books, no, I did not get any.    I am not going to reload.  My tall bookcase is doing double duty these days as it is filled with family pictures, prize possessions and a few books.   

Change . . . it is hard . . . some changes are good for us;  some not so good.    Life goes on and we have to readjust ;  it just takes time.    It takes faith, hope and an open mind to get on and make new inroads to life.    Leaving friends behind is never easy but thanks to the computer it is easy to stay in touch.    All in all, if you find that you have to make a change in your life, go with the flow and do not waste your seconds bemoaning things you cannot change.    Ride the waves on a jet boat and spin around and get wet.  I did that once and it was fun.    So, today get up, go out, find someone to give a bear hug to and share a smile.   Hugs to all.

Troubles

Yes, we do.  This was on Facebook and I wanted to share it with you , just not on Facebook.    I got in trouble this week with a warning on the computer for putting on some pictures that I should have given credit to.  I don't always find the credits so I usually say I got them on an attachment.    Something to do with foreign rules. . . haven't had that happen before.

This picture was taken in Glacier National Park by Department of Interior photographer..    Solitude at its best.   



Blue Plankton....Bioluminescent Plankton.  A National Geographical photograph of the Island Larak in Iran.      Not a sight we see very often.

Here are Angie's Queso and Mac.    Queso had an eye problem this week and had to go to the vet.   He has been a great patient and doing good, it will take a while to get back to playing.

Hump day, a good day to figure out what you need to do to finish up work 'stuff' so you can go and play.    We had the Silver-tones sing a long yesterday afternoon.   A group of ladies who delight in singing.    They music yesterday was Western, some of the old tunes from way back when.    It is fun to hum along and every now and then a word or two pops into the brain.   "I'm an old cowhand, from the Rio Grand, and I learn to ride before I learned to stand" . . .  la, la, la, la.....

One of the ladies dressed up as a lady of the night with a bright red bra over her clothing and a boa to twirl.  One of the gentleman dressed in a cowboy hat twirled his cigar as he flirted with her and visa verse.    They were a lively two some and  then another lady and gentleman did a waltz for us.   It is good to see the humor and energy coming from the grand-folks and the smiles all around as we watched.    MaryAnn was visiting with her daughter.  She is the lady that had a fall a few months back I the dining room and broke her hip.  She has been in the hospital wing and has done a great job in getting back on her feet.    It was her birthday so we all got to wish her well and give her a hug.    Hopefully she will be back in her apartment before much longer.   Another lady reads some of the funny stories she finds and has all of us laughing out loud.   It was a fun break and it was nice to see a good turnout.  They make the rounds once a month and practice in between, their good deed and we appreciate their efforts.  I think I told you all about our last session so I will probably only tell you we had a sing a long and not go into details unless they put on an extravaganza.

 

I'm off to shop a little this morning so have to love you and leave you.   I have to have my coffee to wake up and the get dressed and get down stairs for my ride.    I am taking Patricia out for a pancake, although I would love to have made blueberry pancakes here but know the alarm would probably wake everyone up . . .  that alarm would be sure to go off.   I am hoping to be able to find a way to 'vent' better....open doors, windows, put on the fan, and stand by the pan...smile.     You just cannot walk away for a second.   

 

So, today take a friend or family member out for a pancake , a latte, or a donut.    Spend some time with them and bask in their sunshine for a little while.    If you pass a church, with open doors, light a candle for so many reasons you can think of...we have an over abundance of needs these days.    We found a church here but the doors were locked;  a shame, as I never heard of a locked church door before.    I guess a Church is not a safe haven anymore.    My, the times have changed.

 

Do your best to stay bright and cheerful, make everyone wonder what that smile is all about . . . and it could be catching.  Hugs to all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Again

I am in good company today as each of us with daughters will post this .  I found it on Facebook and thought I'd share on my blog.    Christine, Patricia, Eileen who is never out of my heart, and a special hug to my 'adopted' ladies who add some zing to my heart.

Sheila will be nodding 'yes' when she reads this, bet a few others will too.

What a great picture.  The wild blue yonder.



You have heard of work shops, well I was in a beauty shop yesterday that certainly is one as there are five bays with working hairdressers in each one.  It opened at nine and the shop had three folks lined up, I was fourth and soon several came in  behind me.    I was signed in, told I'd have to wait twenty minutes but was in a chair within five.   Brianna was my lady 'barber' and I told her about my very, very, short crop that took three months to grow out so I really only needed a trim, well a trim I got and then some;  I am just destined to have a short hair do and I love it.   I came back in time for lunch and not one person noticed my hair do, if they did they didn't say anything, so it must not look to bad, or ????.  

 

A lot of folks shop Good Will a it was nine A.M. when the doors opened and there was a crowd waiting to shop as it was $1..79 tag day.  I am not sure what items were marked that but a lot of folks seem to know.    It is a huge store and well kept.  Clean and wide aisles.    I did a walk around but there really is nothing I need in the housewares.  I just don't have room for more and I am not using all that I  brought along with me.    I took a walk over to the ladies blouses and found a brand new tee with the tag still on it, a $5.99 shirt from Walmart someone didn't want and I liked the color so got it for $2.99. . . better than $15.00 or more in one of the shops.   Now if it fits right, I'll be in like Flynn, if not, I'll be out a few dollars and give it to Good Will.

 

Daughter Pat invited me for meatloaf and she had some elk meat to put into it.    It took an hour and a half to bake;  bet she could feed an army with it.   Yes, I did enjoy it and I did bring some home for a sandwich later today.    Emma sits quietly, under the table and prays that we will drop something sooner or later;  she knows we always do.    She is on a diet to try and calm down her allergies.   Never knew dogs got allergies.   She has a tough time of it with all the itching and she wears the fur off  her body.   The vet put her on sweet and white potatoes and it seems to be working.  Pat tells me it is a lot more work than pouring out kibbles but she loves that dog and treats her like a princess.    Does Emma take advantage?   Yeah!!! There is nothing dumb about that dog.   A sweet girl, always in need of love;  just like the rest of us.

 

So, if you have an animal to love, have some treat time with it and let it know how much how much you appreciate all it gives to you.    All they ask is to be loved....just like us.....be kind, be gentle and let those animals know the feeling is mutual.   Our  Christine is teaching Emma to sing and it is cute now, but wait awhile.   Go share YOU with those you like and love, animals and people big and small . . . make someone happy and content today.   Hugs to all.

YUM!!

Home grown carrots out of Sheila's garden, just the right size to nibble.

The Sunday Bistro Moroccan special dinner.    I didn't go but I bet it was delicious and different.  

A Dragon birthday cake;   I'd like one for Christine on her birthday.  She collects dragons but I bet she wouldn't collect this little guy.

Ha, ha, and a prayer not to get caught.

A new week.   It is actually cold in here this morning.  I closed the patio door for the first time in three months.   I left the widows open as it will warm up, but I must say it feel very nice right now.   Such a contract to the heat;  just hope we do not pick up a cold because of the contrast in our weather on a daily basis.    July is ending. It will be interesting to find what August will bring.  As the old adage goes:  'time will tell.'

Christine picked me up and we went to Freddy's to grocery shop and walk the aisles.   I had to renew my prescription and it was easy as the change over went well from the Brookings Freddy's to this store here.    The only thing is we got there early and the pharmacy didn't open until ten.   So after filling our carts we sat and had coffee.   The first question the clerk always asks is your birthdate and it is fun to see the surprise faces when you tell them 1924.  You can almost see their minds counting up your age.    One more chore done, now to find a local doctor , dentist, eye man  and a foot doctor  and the choices are many.    It is like wandering in to a foreign nation .   So, if you are going to make a change, a big change in your life, be sure you do your homework and look up the doctors where you are going so you know a little about them before you get to your destination.  I haven't had any suggestions from the staff or folks here, some just don't like the doctor they go to and they seem to have a long list .  They are more informed about having your hair done or your toe and finger nails. Come to think of it my hair needs a trim .  Didn't think that was going to come about for some time after the butchering job I did on it and Gina gave me the shortest cut I have ever had.   It is the style now as I see several of the ladies have hair cuts similar;  maybe I started a trend.  I keep thinking I should let it grow out but once past the ear I start looking for a scissors.   So much for glamor, maybe that is why one of the ladies gave me a magazine specializing in wigs.

 

One of the things I did when down sizing was to clear out my clothes closet and get rid of some of the items I had not worn in ten years or better;  well, we all hope for the girlish figure to return but never think we have to work at it for it to happen.  The only thing is I must have put my jacket and winter coat in the pile as I still haven't found them.    I guess I placed the winter coat in the bag without thinking of the northwest weather;  maybe I thought I was moving to Hawaii, at least in my mind.   So daughter Patricia got out a catalog and we went through it and chose a coat, a sweater and a pair of new slacks.  They arrived quickly and I tried them on and back they went.   The quality is just not there.   The material in the sweater was stretchy  and stretched as you held it in your hands.   I hate that kind of material.   The coat was great except the sleeves were up to my elbow and the slacks were paper thin for one of those real thin models.  My fat 'arse' would never be covered.  So much for catalog shopping, back they went and now to find a J.C. Penny store that has , hopefully, some decent clothes to buy.

 

Life's lessons, we learn new ones every day.    Start your week off by being patient with yourself and the rest of the week will be  much easier.    Take time for you, giving of yourself is a wonderful virtue but you owe yourself a little of that good will so you can continue to be there when and if needed.    It is time to pamper yourself and choose this week as your week;  do some of the things you really want to do.   Take care of your health first.   Then balance your seconds so that you feel the difference and it will put a smile on your face that wont fade.  Be a little selfish and then get back to doing your good deeds as you will have more pep and energy to do them.    Hugs to all.

 

Kites

I think this is rare and beautiful and we should have one in our yard.   

Yep, I mean it...I am blessed.   Thank you for being my friend.

Brookings Oregon annual Kite Festival  . . . missed it again . . .  but. . . Marge sent pictures so I got to enjoy the sights, but not the sounds.  They have a great turn out and the weather cooperated so a good time was had by all.  

A little like a lightening strike.

Ah!!   Love is in the air!

Wow, now that is a lot of kites.   How pretty and awesome .

Looks like a boogie man to me.  Hey there 'big guy'

Soaring!!

Polka dots and moonbeams....looks like a flying tiger or a colorful toad..

 

Well Sunday is here and it is cool and we had a droplet of rain yesterday as I rode down the lanes with Sheila who picked me up at seven a.m. to have breakfast at her house.    She took me for a walk around her gardens and this lady has a very green thumb.  Her tomato plants are at least six foot tall and loaded.   She has promised me some real true tomatoes when they turn a luscious red.   She has planted an assortment of good vegetables and herbs.   The smell of basil fills the air. She has filled the garden boxes with all kinds of good vegetables which attract slugs and she is out there at the ready as they are not welcome.      Her home is lovely, the three cats are now eight and all from the same litter. Two were friendly but one never showed.   the table was set and tasty little potatoes and some really delicious Kiech (never could spell that egg dish that has a bit of every thing in it) was served; yes, I did have seconds.    This young lady works all week and usually keeps Saturdays for her work day at home and she cooks up all of her meals for the week.   Her day is a twelve hour day as she has to take the ferry to Seattle every day. where she works as a paralegal.    She asked what I'd like to do for the day and when I asked if we could got to the casino for a short while she said why not, and off we went down the back two lane roads through beautiful scenery and small towns until we got to the lovely little town of Poulsbo.   Our first stop was a the local bakery which is something to see.   If you want the old fashioned donuts and breakfast rolls this is the place to go.   I bought three of the cinnamon rolls, four little coconut cookies for Christine's taste buds, a loaf of the cinnamon bread which is one of their trade marks and it totaled $16.00 ....I wont be stopping there again.   We did make it to the casino for two hours and I played the bingo-keno machine which is very different than my four card keno machine at Lucky Seven.   I watched the lady next to me win an eight spot for $1,350.00 playing five dollars a play, while I paid my fifty cents and went up a few dollars and back down , then up until I played it all and we left for home.   

The puzzle didn't do anything by itself and it is going to be the worst puzzle I have ever tried to do.  It is all silver colored, no scene, pieces that are different shapes and many the same shape and can be put in from both directions.   I doubt I can do it but I am going to try.   Sheila told me her sister did one in all red which was called Red Riding Hood's cape, and did it in one day.   She must be a genius.

Today is shopping day so I will be heading for the big Fred Meyer store and the fresh fruits.   The apples here are really delicious and I am hoping to get a buy on the blueberries.  They have been exceptionally good this year.    Daughter Pat came over and had beans and hotdogs with me.   The alarm went off earlier when someone was baking cookies as you could smell the aroma and hopefully there will be a gift at the door today.   Doris has been down with a sciatica problem and hasn't  been doing her usual baking.   She is a whiz and makes some really good and different types of cookies.  I didn't trigger the alarm this time.   Just wait a bit.

So, if you are going shopping for groceries, be wise and choose the fresh fruits and vegetables to keep you healthy.    Get your morning exercise while you are at it and walk up and down every aisle.  Light up the place with your smile and you will find friendly faces everywhere you look and you are sure to get a return smile;  besides, it is good for the facial muscles.    You are bound to meet someone you know and like so get those arms ready;  hugging in a grocery story is permissible.   I miss my friendly clerks at Fred Meyers in Brookings who always had smiles and hugs for me.    I wonder how long it will take to get a hug around here.    I'll have to work on it.    Enjoy a peaceful, serene Sunday and say a prayer for those in need.   Hugs to all.

Flowers

I had an attachment sent to me yesterday with pictures of flowers from all over the world grown and cared for.  Such beauty and imagination and hard work.   I wouldn't mind a trip across the ocean to see this place.    My notes disappeared so no details;  all I can tell you is that it is not the Buchard Gardens in Victoria, nor is it Holland where the beautiful tulips grow. There are times I wonder where my brain goes off to;  you probably wonder also.   

I am off to breakfast out this morning.   Christine's friend Sheila is making a kiesh and is picking me up at seven.   I have to put my shoes on early this morning as I usually lollygag around here until nine or ten unless I have places to go and things to do.   One of the perks when you retire.  You have something to look forward to.    I think I have perfected the non rushing attributes after all these years.    Of course it helps when you get this age as the body has a mind of its own.   You say move and it sort of rears back and says 'says who' . . . oh you have so much to find out about as you use your seconds up. 

Yesterday I had lunch with three of the men.   Vinnie was in rare form telling about a fist fight he had with one of the men at a place he lived in a few years back and it was over a lady, of course, what else?   Not a punch was thrown as others broke up the fight before it got out of hand.   One was in a wheel chair but got out of it in a hurry , my what temper can do.   Vinnie just felt sad he hadn't gotten at least one punch in.   Boys will be boys ...forever I guess.  We represented the Armed Forces;   one was Navy, one Army, one Air Force and I stood up for the Marines.   Of course I heard the old names like 'jarhead' but they didn't add any others.   Larry's V.A. hearing aids don't work and he does not hear at all.  He does read lips and he smiles a lot but rarely participates.  The other man, whose name I do not know yet, is very interesting in listening to as he seems to have a retentive mind and has so many tales to tell.   It is much easier when you have one at a time...smile.

Have yourself a great day doing the things you love to do.    Remember it is up to you to wear a smile, leave the frown at home and put a little jaunt in your step and walk about to get those muscles working.    Be kind, that is one of the most important facts in life as some forget that kindness is a virtue to share not to hoard.    Be gentle as it opens the door to tranquility.    Be  a lover and enjoy the perks, all those hugs and kisses just because You are You....what a way to spend your seconds.   Be wise and enjoy your seconds as they come.    Hugs to all.

Tid Bits

I know you have seen and read about this field of flowers  but it is too awesome not to brag about it again.  Imagine six acres, two million flowers done by a seed company , now that is patriotic.

 A lovely picture of Mendocino where I got to walk along those cliffs one day many years ago when I was invited for a weekend jaunt with my favorite sister-in-law, Eileen and my niece Eileen (jr).   The little shops were open and having special treats including a little champagne; 

sounds like Obamacare!

Not sure what is going on with the computer but it has been having a field day with throwing me out;  making the writing jump up and down,  and acting very strange.   Christine listens to my woes, gets on line and it is just peachy keen. . . ugh....I've complained to Google, that is what the little sign in the corner said to do.    Now if they come through and fix things I'll be able to stop complaining  and finish my blog for the day.

It is Friday, TGIF, laundry day for me.   I am on the schedule from twelve thirty to four thirty but I am going to start before I go up for lunch as no one will be using the laundry then and it saves me time as it will clean my clothes while I am having lunch then all I have to do is return and dry them and not spend the whole afternoon  in the laundry room.   I am still waiting for someone clever enough to come up with a solution to laundry day....automatic fill, wash, dry and hang things up.....dream on.

Carolyn, one of the sweet ladies came for a visit yesterday afternoon, took one look at the all silver shaped puzzle and shook her head saying she would say a prayer for me.   I'll need more than one as I still haven't got the frame together even looking at Bob's chart.  She had brought me a mystery book to read a week or so ago and I read it and thought she was coming back so I could return it to her.  I mentioned it at our lunch that I had finished it and not knowing what her apartment number is, I couldn't return it to her.  Well yesterday when she came the book was not here;   where did it go?    I looked all over and no book ....until she went out the door and home and I found it on a small table in the hallway , next to the door, so I'd be sure to hand it to her when she came.    A nonagenarian moment.  Those moments come more often than not, so take care of your minds, use them constantly by challenging them to all kinds of use and no abuse.     The more you use them the longer you can use them.

    

Our Rose, who is going to be 100 in November, is not feeling good this week.    She is failing.   Her biggest use of her brain, and she is sharp, is to flirt with the men.   She has Vinnie holding her hand.   Larry jumps up to seat her, Don has a hug for her and her attitude is she will be sixteen forever.   She is a beautiful woman, lovely face and eyes.  She dresses well and as I said, has a sharp mind still although getting a little more out of touch these days.   She loves to go to the casino with her daughter and son-in-law and when she went the other day she told us that a very nice gentleman came and sat beside her.  He was winning small jackpots and struck up a conversation with her.  He noticed she only had four dollars left in her machine so he reached into his pocket and pulled out a hundred dollar bill and stuck it in her machine .  She told him he didn't have to do that.  He said he'd like to take her to dinner but she declined.  So flirting at ninety-nine had some compensation and she is ready to go again. I wonder if she gives lessons!!

I am laughing as I am mentally thinking how much like high school being here is.;    I went to an all girls high school and I can tell you that it was not easy.  You have all been through it so you know that the varied personalities could be hateful, vicious and sometimes friendly if it suited them.    A few were real, but very few.   Here, we have grown up girls who have never left high school and their attitude shows it loud and clear.  I was asked if I found the ladies I would like to sit with for lunch every day;  the rule is to mix;  but, I answered that I looked for the ones that no one sat with and it got very quiet.

So, today, think about your relationships.   Think about how you would feel if others treated like a leper for no good reason.   Think about offering a tiny bit of friendship to someone today as it might be the one gesture that will turn their frown into a smile.    I know if you open those arms and walk into a big hug you will feel like a million grins surrounds you;  so give back a bear hug or two and give someone a reason to smile.  A good deed and a necessary one.   Hugs to all.

After Thoughts

Gorgeous!!

Today was a special lunch day, and this was the view..

The bus came on time, eleven a.m. and our bus driver pulled up and we filled it all but one seat.    I'd say there was twenty five of us, male and female invited to the home of the daughter of one of our ladies here at Ridgemont.    We rode through traffic, over to Bremerton  , through it, I should say, on to the highway and byways  heading towards the water.  The house built by a wonderful builder with a delightful sense of wit and a dash of perfection build this home with the help of the folks who had similar ideas and two others in the same area.    The home is a wonder inside and out.   It is large, open, and quality throughout.   The size of the rooms are for want of a better word, magnificent.   A green tile fireplace; a built in TV; large sofas at the ready for the body to sink in and enjoy a favorite show.    The kitchen area is to the left of this area and past the main entrance of beautiful tile and a peek at some lovely colorful flowers in their pots.   The kitchen is a wonder of beautiful cabinets and counter space where you can enjoy a baking spree  if so inclined.   There were three tables set up for us; one out on the patio which the men claimed immediately; one in a dining area with huge windows to see the views and the other in the long window area of the living room area where the view was spectacular;  just like the picture above.   My camera is broken and no one brought one so no pictures today.   

After the bus rounded the corner and we saw the house, I knew it would be special, just the outside is whimsical but in excellent taste.   The view of the water was an immediate draw and after greeting our hostess and family we all headed out to the patio and the view.   A beautiful sunshine day, cool, breezy and we all sighed with a sense of peace and beauty.

We found our way to the tables and were treated to ice cold lemonade;  then came the hot coffee and small glasses of  tiny vegetables and dill pickles that put a pucker on your lips....delicious.   Conversation flowed, the young ladies, a daughter and her friend, were at the ready and kept the coffee hot and then brought  plates of a special Chinese type salad, brown molasses beans and a piece of salmon that was grilled by our host and grilled to perfection.   Hey there Jock, I have to give him credit and tell you that you have a rival in the salmon department. . . well, I admit, you would win if there was a contest as he didn't have your special rub to work with.  But he is close!

Our desert was rhubarb cake;  I'd like the recipe for that one.  Our hostess baked it and it was served with real whipped cream and delicious.    Conversation flowed, laughter was heard and best of all we have all been invited back for a special

Saturday around Christmas for another feast.   Yes, we all want to return.   

Our host is a Principal of a school here and his wife is a teacher of eight and  nine year old students.  Both have forty years of teaching in and plan to retire in another two years.    Their daughter is going into nursing, like her grandmother before her.  Our hostess told us she loves to have the senior members come for lunch as it gives her a chanced to meet up with senior members and friends of her mother.   

The group loves to go there and now I know why.    Several of us went on a walking tour of the down stairs.    The furnishings are huge, antique in a lot of areas, rooms filled with beautiful paintings done by friends and family.   A collection of plates and one room is Christmas all year.   There was a small collection of angels I would like to have had for friend Marcia.    She would love them as they were different and really very beautiful.   All in all I was impressed with the hugeness of the rooms, the delightful colors, the antique pieces, the junk pillows and the beautiful assortment of fancy lace as well.   A home....a family and how proud this mother is. . . who could blame her.

Now you know where I was today and how I wished I could have taken you right along with me.    Hard work, forty years of it and the pay off for this family is peace, contentment and success as they share themselves with others and share their smiles and hugs.   A lesson to learn for all of us.    Sharing certainly is caring;   try it and find yourself on a receiving end.  Hugs to all.

Good Morning!

Lovely to look at, more so when they open up.   Reminds me of butterscotch candy or lemon drops, or 'yellow, yellow, kiss a fellow' but I don't remember the rest of that little ditty.

Granddaughter Erin pointing to her dimple . . . happy smile, yes, the first deaf camp was a success.

A lovely Port Orchid sunset taken by Ginny on her way home from work.   The ferry ride must be a calm and peaceful ride from Seattle to Bremerton and then on to the little ferry to Port Orchard.   What a way to unwind after a hard day of work.

 

A new jig saw puzzle arrived in the mail just in time as I finished the big beautiful fall color New England scene.  So beautiful it should have been framed but it went back inn the box and has been given a new home.   This one, a gift from Bob and Andrea, is going to be a classic, a doozy and one that may  take me some time to get done.   It is all plain silver pieces and one of the ladies stopped in and asked me if I had lost my marbles or was trying to.     She does small puzzles and said she would never, ever, attempt one like this.    I invited her to help but she refused.  She expects me to throw in the towel and I might as I have only found a few end pieces that fit together...or do they?    And, I thought Bob and Andrea loved me;  um. . . 

A short reading time with Vinnie today and our lady, Rose, who will be one hundred on  November First, stayed on and listened too.    Vinnie was in a talkative mood, which is no surprise, as he often digresses and relives some of his old Navy days.    I  was at the passage where one battleship officer was talking to another and every other word was a cuss word which put a sparkle in Rose's eyes.    She probably figured I didn't use such language and was surprised that I knew how to pronounce the words.  I was glad it wasn't a steamy love scene to read about or they both would have had stars in their eyes.  No reading today as we all have been invited out to a luncheon in the home of one of a daughter of one of our ladies.  I gather she and her husband have a luncheon twice a year for the folks here at Ridgemont.   Their home is on the water and I hear lovely as is the food they serve.   It will be a treat today and I can blog about it tomorrow. 

 

So, I am off to have some coffee and wake up.  There is nothing good in this house....smile.....well peanut butter toast will taste good.   I have given up on cold cereals as they have lost their flavor or my taste buds have changed.    I'd cook an egg but I am afraid to get that fire alarm sounding off again.  That must have rang for twenty minutes  and although I do like firemen I don't want them coming around to visit early in the day.    Now a big fat jelly donut would do the trick but there is no one knocking at my door with one and I can't buy them or I'd eat them all by myself and really waddle like a duck.    '

 

I hit a key, what key???? How to get back ????  Help!!!   Enough rambling for today;  go, make your seconds count for something;   do the right things . . . smile . . . hug a lot . . . keep someone company;    do not lose your temper . . what temper?  you don't have one...right?    Calm, cool and collected....ah, so she said as she slammed the cover of the computer down....I'll be back and check on you tomorrow.   I hope so as the computer just froze and I went out and back again not knowing if I had lost you...I didn't but I'll say have a wonderful sunshine day and be good to YOU.    Hugs to all.

Camp

"Daisy, daisy, give me your answer do. . . I'm half crazy, all for the love of you. . . It wont be a stylish marriage , I can't afford a carriage, but you'll look sweet upon a seat of a bicycle built for two"........la, la, daisy, daisy........I bet you will hum that little tune more than once today.

Granddaughter Erin took on a huge responsibility of setting up a camp for the deaf children in her little area of Hawaii.  She did a fantastic job and the children had a fun time.   Mother's wrote that their child had the best time of his or her life.  Erin gave credit to her helpers who are more than willing to try it again and maybe a bit longer next year.   Yes, we are all very proud of her and delight in her courage and strength.

We all cannot jump into Lake Tahoe and cool down but this little bear decided to go for it. 

I've heard this one before but it makes me laugh at how the male and female size each other up.   You would think by now they would have a clue on how to get along.   A little thoughtfulness, a bit of whimsy, a lot of love would solve the problem.

A picture from the Old Woman's Garden ;  a fierce bear ready to pounce.   Isn't nature wonderful?  All you have to do is take a walk in the woods and feast your eyes and ears to a wondrous treat.  Pick a few blueberries while you are there.

Well Monday went by quickly, the early morning cool earned our weatherman kind thoughts until late morning when a sudden heat wave returned for the rest of the day.   "Liar, liar, pants on fire."  Well, that is what thoughts were running around our sweating bodies.    It finally cooled down about nine p.m. so our sleep was not in jeopardy.  Right now it is actually cold in here and it feels great.  

I read to Vinnie yesterday and he was in a talkative mood.  One of the other men joined us for a short while so the conversation took on a much different pathway.   This man, whose name I still do not know, told us about his wife being in the hospital wing next door to us.  She is an Alzheimer patient and has reached the stage where she is becoming cantankerous.  She gives him a tongue lashing every morning, but he has learned to ignore it and remember the good days and the four children they had together.   It has to be heart breaking to lose ones mate to Alzheimer.   A life time of building to end with an empty mind, how sad for her and for all of them.    We need to find a cure for all of these debilitating diseases.  Keep that in mind when it is donation time for those who are trying to find a cure.   I remember our poet laureate from the Brookings Garden Club who spouted poetry as soon as he greeted you, then, before long, fell victim to Alzheimer and lost the ability to remember one word of the poems he delighted in sharing with each one of us.      Remember 'there but by the grace of go I' , help where you can. 

As for helping, treat yourself to your favorite breakfast this morning.  Take time to sit and enjoy every bite.   We get into bad habits of eating and running and wonder why we have so many health problems.    Try and remember 'haste makes waste' and rushing your breakfast or going without a nutritious meal can mean 'waist . . lots of it.   Someone once said you should eat like a King for breakfast, a Prince for lunch and a Pauper for dinner.   That makes sense as you need a good  hardy breakfast to get going; a decent lunch to keep going and then a small tasty bit to end your day.   I think Oprah said she was told not to eat anything after seven p.m. . . . that is good advice if you go to bed by nine , but if you are a night hawk and go  to bed at eleven or later, then you are bound to be hungry and sneak out to the refrigerator for a little snack...of course it is always an ice cream bar or leftover something delicious that is fattening....how else would it be!!!  The best thing to do is to eat when you are hungry and  make wise choices.  A little sweet will mellow you out to be the sweetest  person  you can be;  we all need that bit of 'honey' to make our world go around.    That contemptuous word 'exercise' is what balances the whole deal so get up out of that chair and walk  or run if you can.....run...I used to do that.     '''Sit" fits me more these days . . . never knew I would turn out to be a 'lap dog' . . . oh well, somebody has to perfect sitting and I am doing a great job.  Go, be sweet, kind, considerate, and moveable.   Remember to spread a smile and a wave around today. . . no, you can't use 'that' finger, it isn't nice.  Be kind, be wise, be useful and make your seconds count today.    Hugs to all. 

 

Time Out

Lovely to look at

Delightful to know
and
the only pictures that would come up this morning.   There is a loud voice advertisement on the computer this morning , a loop that someone should do away with.    Ah, computers, how uncomplicated my life would be without one, but . . . one I'd hate to do without as it is my door to all of you .

So a new week starts and we have no idea what it will  hold for us.   Hopefully the weather forecasters know what they are talking about as we have been promised a whole week of cool with possible rain showers.  That sounds like heaven to me.  Yesterday was a scorcher , no way to cool down even with ice cream bars, popsicles  ice water and such.  It was the hot tea that finally equalized the body temperature.  The heat turns up around five o'clock until eight then begins to simmer down.   PBS had some good shows last evening which took my mind off of the heat but then the fan was a big help in keeping me cooled down.   You would think I was the only one in the world having a heat wave, son John tells me it is sweltering in Delaware and the air conditioner is not working.  Imagine the humidity;  yuck . . . Mike has high desert heat to contend with so he probably spent a lot of time in his doughboy pool. So each of you probably have a weather tale to tell.  I just hope you survive the summer heat and stay healthy and happy.

The puzzle is finished, a really beautiful fall scene that took the better part of two weeks to complete.   I was sure pieces were missing, but they were all there.   It is one of the most beautiful puzzles I have done.   A Fall scene with huge trees with yellow and amber leaves all reflected in a pond with one small boat.    All the pieces were there and it is one that should be glued and framed but not by me.   I am boxing it up and returning it to its owner.   Now for an impossible one that Bob and Andrea sent to me last week.  It looks like a mean one and they smiled when they thought this is a 'jean' one;   and they are still smiling now that it has arrived here and gives me something to do . . . a big challenge and delight to put it in order and test my patience to get it all together.    Exasperating, challenging, miserable at times but such FUN in the long run.   Try one if you haven't done a jig saw puzzle in awhile.  A delightful test of your mettle.

 

New days, new ways to find how to make someone you love happy.    Take time to spread a bit of YOU with those you love.   Be a ray of sunshine or a drop of misty rain, whichever makes the heart beat faster.    Think of one good deed you can accomplish and do it.    A visit to a sick friend, a trip to the store for someone who can't shop today, a stop to light a candle for someone in desperate need;  so many reasons why and such a little chore for you to do to make the world a nicer place for someone today.    A call, a visit, or even an e-mail, a loving word from YOU is all that is needed to brighten the day. Go, be a ray of sunshine.   Hugs to all. 

 

Book

A beautiful Iris reminds me of an instrument waiting to be played. . . notes that stir the heart and soul.

Love this....how true.   

Just like us, we started changing early and continue for a life time;  no wonder the old folks are revered.

A truism.     a perfect show , a blaze of color, sights to see

Sunday, a blessed day, a day to relax or not depending on the mood you are in.    What is it you would like to do today?  Whatever you choose to do be sure you take time out to smell the roses.    Take a walk outside in your garden and if you are lucky a butterfly will be light on your hand.    Take time to take your book outside and read awhile.   Get lost in the pages of a good story.    I would not suggest Patterson who is a fantastic writer but his stories are not relaxing as they keep you on the edge of your seat..  The realism is hard to take sometimes and his latest "Zoo" has the animals running wild, sounding like a bit of everyday events in our world.   A page turner and a possible new movie.    Not recommended for peace and solitude.

It has been to hot to walk out so I tried one of the exercise machines.   It is huge machine to help tighten all the muscles as you pull the handles and the seat goes up and down and stretches all those unused muscles.   I did twenty pulls the first time I tried it and twenty-five yesterday.    Today I hope to make thirty and work my way up to fifty .  We'll see.    I have not joined the exercise group .  They meet once a week and hold on to chairs as the ladies try to keep their muscles going.   It is not an easy job at this age.   My suggestion to you young ones is to exercise more every day so your muscles stay stronger longer.  They are the first to go and can be a total surprise when you cannot use them as you are used to.     It is a tremendous shock when you find you cannot spring up .   My first experience was working out in the garden when I sat down on the ground to move some of my rocks around to make a little wall.    I did fine until I tried to get up and the getting up was not going to happen.    I had to crawl over to the steps to get some help to stand up.  I learned to take a chair with me for future low jobs in the garden.    Someone should have had a movie camera, I would have won a prize on that reality show on TV.

Experience tells every time, so listen.     Be smart, take care of your body and it will take care of you.     Practice with a hug or two, good arm exercise.    Facial muscles need attention too, so smile. . . be good, be patient, be kind, be YOU.  Hugs to all.