Erin snd Donaleo

A lovely valley in Hawaii

Donaelo and Erin

Donaleo

A walking path to the valley to see the sights

Erin, Donaleo and a friend.

They do a lot of salsa dancing;  probably have even tried a round of a conga line...or the bunny hop.  Remember those?  They are more into Salsa dancing.  

Erin made it back to Hawaii  and Donaleo was there to greet her.   Back to busy lives, he is finishing up some college courses for his degree, working part time , and she is going back to work training as a manager of a health Food store and a second job working with the deaf community.    They manage to get in some snorkeling and Erin says it proved to be easier than she imagined and she loves it;  as does Donaleo.  These two are very adventuresome, and have traveled half way around the world and back again.   One day they intend to take off and see the other half.   

Erin is a photographer as well, and Donaleo makes special videos.    They sometimes do a wedding shoot together and the  end results are really special.    The photography of today is a far cry from my day.  A shot or two was taken , now the shots count in the hundreds and it feels like you are right there in the midst of all the activities.  I would think with all the participation in weddings they would get around to setting their own date, but so far it has been all talk and no action.   The young folks of today have different ideas of how they want to live their lives so I'll bow out and wait for an invitation.   I am just not getting any younger.

Right now there is talk of a hurricane bearing down on the islands.   Hopefully it will veer off and calm will reign.    We are happy she had a good flight and landed safely.    Meanwhile I will share pictures when she sends them.    I talk about her a lot so thought I'd do one blog and share.

Meanwhile, life goes on, a new week is starting and if we are lucky this little rain storm will stay for a day or two and make every little grass blade grow like crazy...then you mow!   There is going to be a lot of activity as the 125th Anniversary of  Port Orchard is coming up.  The Log Cabin Museum will be open and there will be a lot of exciting places to visit around town.   Some of the buildings in town are beautiful.   

 

Make your day a happy one.   Find reasons to celebrate the members of your family.   Grandchildren, great grandchildren are good reasons to make you smile.    You can enjoy them and hand them back at the end of a visit....although most of us would keep them right beside us if we could.    So share your stories, the fun times and brighten up some lives.   It is okay to brag;  bragging is good for you. . . and don't forget the camera. . . pictures, pictures, pictures. . . . the hugs of life.    Hugs to all.

 

Glimpse

An attachment came in some time back with pictures of beautiful and exotic trees.  I think I showed several, this one included, in an old blog , but looking at them again made me want to show one of the determined to grow old ones.   It is a beauty, like an abstract painting and if you look closely there are animals and people to make you smile.

Hey there Joseph, my adopted great grandson who is having a ball tearing paper.   Looks like fun to me.  He sure is a handsome little guy and knows how to keep the adults in his life very busy chasing after him.   Heading for the terrible twos.

Here is our Emma.    She is such a love and needs plenty of it.   

the forerunner of depends.   

Ha, ha,   I say bear hugs are good for you.   This guy believes in taking it up a notch or two.   

Sunday morning and it is very quiet around here.   We had rain and wind yesterday and it felt so good.   Pat brought some of her fresh garden tomatoes over to Christine last evening and we made good use of them.   I haven't had a BLT in quite some time and enjoyed every bite.   Christine found some special thick bacon that cooked up just right.   Did you know that if you put a few drops of water in the pan when cooking bacon it doesn't shrink.   Works great.

Just when you think you know everything you need to know, something comes along to surprise you.   I had a loaf of rye bread in the refrigerator and when I went to get a slice to toast, I found the bread was all wet.   I have never had that happen before;  condensation inside of the plastic covering.  I toasted a slice and it tasted okay but I'm not sure if it is good to eat since my daughter said to throw it away.    So I did and now I have to go shopping for some new bread and this time I think I'll buy some tinfoil to wrap it in.    The refrigerator seems to be working fine.  Everything is staying cold, but soggy bread...I don't think so.

As you know over the years we hear that this or that is not good for you to eat.  Things that always tasted good and you enjoyed are now on the list of what makes you fat.   I watched a video , a lady doctor, who says you can get skinny by eating right and she named five things we should never eat.  Some I agree with, some are strange as we used the products all of our life.   The number one was no juices as they are full of sugar;  no processed foods as they are full of chemicals;   margarine which I have had all of my life time is not good for the body but butter is okay.   Whole wheat bread which we were told was good for the body is not, according to her, and we should eat the grain breads.    But what grains and where do they come from?    Green tea is good, but coffee was not mentioned.  She probably has a morning latte.   No soy or tofu or corn which is GM modified these days.    So for forty-nine dollars she will let you join her club and send you the recipes.    I think not.   I seem  to be doing  very good eating all the wrong things.

So today, enjoy your snacks.    Take yourself out to lunch and have something decadent.    Top it off with an ice cream cone or a banana split if you have room for it.    I am off to grocery shop  and pick and choose some of the things I love to eat.    I think I'll buy some bacon, which is supposedly very bad for you, and make myself another blt and add a slice of cucumber or a pickle or both.   You choose and enjoy your lunch.  Invite a family member or a friend to join you as it makes it more fun. 

Be YOU today and keep sharing all the good deeds you have in mind.    Don't forget the bear hugs , but be careful where you aim, you don't want to be thought of as being 'fresh'...smile.....pucker up and give someone you love a peck on the cheek and take time to call someone you love and tell them so.  We really are never alone unless we choose to be.   There is always some one person, we know and love, who is waiting patiently for a call or a visit.   Someone who could use a 'pick me up' and smile the rest of today.    Make your seconds count today.   Hugs to all.

Humor

I am almost there;  or, did I miss that stage. . . nah, I'm still working on it.

Ha, Ha  Isn't she wonderful.   She has such wit and usually nails it just right.

and gave us many a good reason to laugh right along .   'obedient' , I'll have to look that up in the dictionary.



 

And the story goes that this young fellow was found in a dumpster, neglected, hungry and very sad.  Along came a wonderful couple and adopted him and he is happy and content as master of his farmland.   A beautiful animal.   So many animals that are left on the outside when they can be brought in and warm the inside of our home and our hearts.

 

The week flew by, it always does when you have someone you love come for a visit and the time flies.  Erin leaves us today.  Hopefully that hurricane that is hovering over the islands will be long gone by the time she flies into the airport over there in Hawaii.    I know the airplanes would be grounded if a hurricane was in full tilt;  but the mind and heart worry when a family member or friends travel.   There is a saying about 'borrowing troubles' and most of us are very good at that.  Well, let us hope that Erin has a pleasant and smooth ride back to Donaleo and work.    It has been a treat for us to have her this week and we can hardly wait to hear when she will be able to come back.

 

Friday is usually a pretty good lunch here in Ridgemont.   The usual fare is fish and they served a light cod fish dish yesterday along with baked beans and slaw.  Now that is a combination I never thought of and am glad I didn't.   It was fine but what a mixture.   Vinnie was feeling a bit better so had time for our reading session.   Rose sat with us for awhile but then she tends to nod off so she left to go and rest awhile.    She has a crush on Vinnie and it is fun to tease him about having our almost one hundred lady making eyes at him.    I haven't told him a couple of the ladies have asked me about him.   I guess one is never to old to want romance in their lives.    I could play the matchmaker but I would worry about just what I got started and then feel responsible...nah, I'm  going to mind my own business.    One of the fellows leaves his door open now which is a sign that company is welcome.   I dropped in and said hello the other morning and was invited to sit for a while but the couch looked much to low and I was afraid I'd never get up...smile.....so I sat in my walker and visited awhile.   A very nice man who has spent his lifetime having skin cancers removed.   He has been plagued with that problem all his life.   Some fair skin people have to stay out of the sun.   I think we beach lovers who spent time soaking up the sunshine are very lucky we didn't end up with skin cancer.   Speaking of skin, one more reason to be careful and take care of yours.   At this age we could all be called 'spots' and it wouldn't be far from wrong.    There is something going on from the inside that shows on the outside and it isn't 'pretty'.   So cream up  and take care of YOU.    I'm off to put my shoes on.   I want to get to see Erin and the wedding pictures she took yesterday...and....it didn't rain on the bride and groom so all went well and all had a  beautiful wedding to remember for a lifetime.

 

Be good, be kind, be gentle. . . go into the weekend with a positive attitude and enjoy your seconds as they come.    Don't forget one good deed deserves another.   As you go . . . hum. . . 'three little words, that's all I live for....la, la. la.    .....I love you.  Hugs to all.

Thanks

The fires are still roaring around the State of Washington.  I hear that the latest one is in Shelton, not sure where that is, but it is a familiar name so must be one of the towns nearby, which means that the fire is spreading . 

A pathway through wildflowers,  Wonder were the gate leads.   

Amen to that.   I am still waiting for the magic button to push and everything sparkles. 

This little guy doesn't like haircuts so hid out in a cave for six years.    Wonder what he looks like without all that wool. 

Granddaughter Erin wanted to treat us to a dinner out before she leaves on Saturday.    Christine knew of an Italian restaurant in one of the small towns nearby, about twenty minutes away, a familiar cry if you want to go anywhere, 'just a few minutes away'...could mean many miles.   I don't remember the name of the town but the restaurant, in case you are keeping track for an upcoming visit this way, was Massimo.  It is run by Cindy and Massimo Terracciano.   The parking lot was filled so you know the food has to be good.    It was, as was the service, and the menu was filled with delightful Italian names making it hard to choose.   The plates were cleaned in a hurry and we looked over the desert menu but there was not  room for such treats.  Maybe another visit will take care of that.   The restaurant is at the waters edge and the view was lovely.    Erin had her camera and took lots of pictures but they do not mesh with this computer so I cannot share them with you.    How very much we are going to miss Erin as she brings love, light and sunshine with her wherever she goes.   She is here to 'shoot' a wedding of a friend and did the preliminary work up with the family.   The wedding is tomorrow and the weatherman says rain, but we have heard that before and although we are praying for rain so the fires will go out, we hate to have the bride and groom rained on.    They are working on a 'rain' plan.  

 

Are you ready for a little gripe?    Yesterday, here at Ridgemont, lunch was a fiasco . . . thin pork chops you couldn't cut with a butter knife.  They are going to have to find some steak knives if they expect us to eat the pork chops.   They added insult to injury but serving cauliflower and I couldn't put it into 'nice' words if I tried. . . yuk. . . and I love cauliflower.   The mixture of cheesy potatoes had a one bite taste and then you didn't bother with the rest.    Some meals are like that;  sad but true and they come around every week cloaked in a nice array but a lousy taste.    A good think I was going out to dinner with the girls.    It is very difficult to adjust to institution food when you enjoyed good cooking all of your life.    I did not throw away the desert though as it was the cranberry crumble which I have to admit was tasty.

 

I read to Vinnie for a short while.   "Winds of War" is an excellent read and Vinnie delights in telling all he can remember about the story as he saw the movie and he is somewhat of a history buff.    Rose sat with us for a short while.   I think the voice was lulling her to sleep.  She was telling us she is going to have a big birthday party in  November for her 100th birthday.   She has been having some issues lately , but perked up after a doctor visit and found out she doesn't have a carbuncle but a callus, which the doctor took care of, and she can dance at her party now, and if she thought Vinnie would waltz her around she would.   

 

So  life goes on. . . we learn every day that we should pay attention to ourselves.   It is important that you take time to show care and respect to your mind and body, every day.   The seconds tick on faster than you think and how and what you do today comes back to haunt you when you reach those 'golden years' ;    For instance, feet . . .do you know how important they are?   I hope so.    Today is a good day to start taking better care of them.     So take a short walk on the 'wild side' today and let off a little steam.    You worked hard this week and the weekend is coming up for you to make plans to celebrate YOU.    Have fun.   Hugs to all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah Hump!!

And there you are, more beautiful every day.

A truism.   A big part of what the problems are in Washington, D. C.   . . . longevity ...retired on the job.....Good old Harry went from someone to admire to wondering what happened! He used to work very hard for Nevada, then he became Speaker of the House for the Democrats, partnered with Nancy Palosi  and made a n ass of himself.    Wisdom doesn't always come with old age or longevity on the job.

A Puffin. . .beauty is in the eye of the beholder;   and he is pretty cute!  Richard Sydney, photographer.

A gentle man.    He did the best he could  but was not strong enough,   he is dying of cancer, wonder what the experts will have to say about him.    Say a prayer for him and his family.

Another hump day, didn't  I just say that?  I think so.    Mid week is always a good time as we know we are heading for a weekend and we all look forward to that, even the retired folks.    there are always jobs to be done and I got to help daughter Christine with a filing job.   Felt pretty good, like old times.    The ladies are already meeting and coming up with ideas for the next tea which will be in December.    I was invited to attend the meeting as they are looking for folks to join in the fun of making 'things' for the affair.    It was interesting to see and hear the inter action between the ladies and hear the ideas.   Of course that delicious pizza was a good reason to pay attention.   It all sounded like fun and I am looking forward to helping where I can.

Meanwhile, here at Ridgemont , life goes on and that is a GOOD thing.    Two ladies were talking in the elevator as we rode up to the dining hall and were superstitious about   'things' happening in threes.    there have been two deaths recently and they are wondering if  one of them is next.    I got out of the elevator and told them that I would let them decide as I wouldn't fight them for first place.    They had to laugh, so maybe having a weird sense of humor is good.

 

So today, do your best to take good care of you.    Start with a walk around the block, that will wake you up.   If you are into more active exercises, be my guest, I'm more of the 'walking' type.    Stretching is good though, the muscles appreciate any and all efforts.    Balance those meals, melt off a few pounds, stretch the mind and do yourself a favor and circle those arms around someone you love today.    Be good, be kind, be gentle and pucker up, someone needs a peck on the cheek today.   Hugs to all.

 

More or Less

And the fires rage on.   

I might enjoy a Kindell, or Kindle, not sure of the spelling.  Those that have them swear by them and you can change the print and get the latest books . . .but . . . I can't afford one and doubt if I could I would buy one. . . . there is something about curling up with a good book that stays with you and the journey within the covers is priceless.    Right now I am in the midst of a huge adventure called "Dragons" , 

What a beautiful picture.   There are many scenes like this in Ireland where they breed some of the best horses in the world.    I am sure we have many horse farms right here that would do them justice.    It would be fun to hang out on this fence and feed a little sugar cube to this beauty.    The softness of morning. .. . ah!

One of the great things about getting older is that you can go at a much slower pace and get away with it.   After a life time of hustle and  bustle , rushing to and fro, and waiting on everyone from family to friends, you can sleep in as long as you please . . . that is something I have yet to learn as my body clock says four a.m. is the right time to get up, but, I can snooze in my chair if I want to during the day if I have nothing pressing to do.    Getting dressed before ten a.m. is more of the general rule and sweats are a god-send.   If I am going to go out to shop or spend time with my daughters, they tell me the time and place and I put my shoes on .   Otherwise the shoes stay off as feet love the freedom from being confined.   We have one lady here at Ridgemont who has bad feet and cannot wear shoes for long.   She comes up to the dining room every day with the most colorful socks you can imagine.   She must buy the ones with stripes under foot so she can walk without slipping.   I may take a page out of her book, as my feet are very unhappy confined in SAS old lady tie shoes.    Big feet, long fellows, may be okay as you can still walk about, but those bunions and corns and all that good stuff plague you during your life span if you have not taken good care of your feet.   Pay attention, it is one of  'those' tiny lectures you skip over and then comes the day you wish you had paid more attention.    Is that lecture twenty?    I think so.

It is Hump Day, we all love hump day as we have gotten over Monday and are almost caught up with ourselves.   Get busy and finish up those projects and plan a few special things to do before the weekend comes back again.    Granddaughter Erin leaves us on Saturday so we are in no hurry for it to get here.    What a blessing she is, such fun to have close by.   I couldn't make the lemon pancake breakfast she fixed yesterday morning, but she brought me over a plate which I had this morning and those lemon pancakes are really delicious along with the raspberries  and special sausage.   I had a delicious breakfast and all I had to do was reheat it in the toaster oven . . . which doesn't seem to send messages to the fire alarm.

I hope you are lucky enough to have children and grandchildren and have taught them how to love one another and how to enjoy the fruits of labor.    The examples we set are far reaching so be sure you set a good example every day, along with that good deed or two and those meaningful hugs that tell those around you just how much you do care.    Caring and sharing, two great words to live by.     So, set an example today and see how much cheer you can spread and for heavens sake, don't be afraid of a big bear hug . . . they are the best!    Hugs to all.

Drag on!

A walk out in the garden and you will hear a symphony.

A winner!

Old Friends . . Charles Asay and his son Brian, the new grandfather and great grandfather who are bragging up a storm about the new baby in the family.    Cannot blame them as she is a beauty.  Congratulations to the new parents . . . and of course to the two braggers who are doing a magnificent job.    I can see them now pulling out a wallet filled with pictures and who can blame them for joining such an elite club.   There is nothing more wonderful than welcoming a brand new member to the family.

 

Dinner at Pat's home last evening where she and granddaughter Erin cooked up a manicotti that was a blue ribbon winner.  Those ladies love to cook and the results show.    Left overs?   What are those?    You wont find any if you stop by today.  I hear grilled salmon is on the menu for tonight and one of Pat's big salads.    Chris and I are invited and you know we never refuse an invitation to dine with these two ladies.    If you were close by we would invite you too, just think how wonderful that would be.

 

Here at Ridgemont life goes on slowly as the residents are finding the cooler weather much more to their liking.   Vinnie didn't show for a reading yesterday so I didn't have a chance to tell him one of my  lunch partner was asking about him.   A lady with a hopeful eye.    Our ninety nine year old already has an eye on him.    Well he is a good man, has a great sense of humor and loves to talk so they may have something there.    From what he tells me, he is not in the market as they are all to old for him.   I had no idea sixteen goes on forever for some folks.     I already made it clear I'm old enough to be his mother....well, maybe not that old, but old enough to know better.

 

One of the foibles of age is falling;  balance is easy to lose;   One of our ladies tripped on a small piece of rug and thought she only bruised her foot but she had to go to the doctor yesterday as it had turned many colors which I think is a sign of a broken bone or two.   She had an exray so will know today if she broke any little bones as I understand the foot has hundreds  of them.    I would not be surprised to see her with a little cast on.    Our other lady passed on after a very serious fall and her frailty and lack of balance  which is one of the curses of old age.    So this business of not using a cane or a walker because it makes you feel old is down right stupid . . . old age is inevitable and giving yourself a little help is smart even though you really do hate to admit it.    One of our ladies came off of the elevator with a new white basket holding all her bags and boxes from her shopping expedition and  when I told her I thought it was a beauty, she laughed and asked me if she should decorate it.  Of course, why not?   She is one of our young in heart ladies and loves to dress so why not a bow or two on her new 'wagon'.    You get out of life what you put into it, no more, no less.  So if you want a good life, a long life, then get with the program and work on YOU.    Just remember 'pride goes before a fall' and old adage that has a lot of truth in it.

 

Talking to you youngsters is like talking to a wall as one never wants to hear or even think about age, why we don't even like to tell how old we are on a birthday....get over yourself and prepare now for time has a way of edging along without our even knowing it and you want to be one of those 'swinging' seniors when it is your time to get there.    No one can take care of you as YOU can.    Start with a healthy attitude; a good deed; kind words and a lot of loving for those you come in contact with.  Remembers what goes around, comes around . . . make it strong and beautiful so you 'shine'.   Hugs to all.

 

Daylight

A startling picture of the sunrise reflecting the fires in our State.    The smoke is lethal and no signs of let up yet.   Say a prayer for those fire fighters.  So many inured during their fight to get the fire under control.  

Dalia in Lavender. . . Wow!

Sheila's white lilacs all grown up.  She tells us she planted this bush when she first moved into her house four years ago.   Her yard is something to see as she has a green thumb and she has planted many beautiful flowers along with several garden boxes filled with all those good vegetables to eat.  

Marcia Forbes put this picture by Most Beautiful Pictures in the World.   A good choice for our morning view of our world.   Peace and Serenity surrounds us if we take time to look .  It almost looks like the moon is reflecting the mountain.

This new beautiful little lady is Charles Asay's great granddaughter . .  Son Brian is the grandfather and my he is so proud and pleased having a new little one to love.   Congratulations to all.  she's a beauty!

How lucky I am . . . we ladies were heading for the Sunday Brunch at the airport when Pat noticed we were all in purple shades.  She had to have a pictures of that and here we are....Christine, me and Erin.....

The buffet was all that we thought and more.   The buffet silver steam containers are lined up along one wall and there is absolutely nothing missing.   You can start off the breakfast with luscious fruits, all kinds of fancy muffins and coffee buns, bacon, ham, sausages and eggs beside a special cook for the omelet of your choice; potatoes , biscuits and gravy and a long table of deserts, plus more breakfast buns of all kinds.   A carafe of coffee sits on the table and voila!  It's breakfast time.  No, we didn't have to eat the rest of the day;   in fact we could do without eating part of today. . . wow. . . what a banquet.

I got back in time to read to Vinnie.   The 'Winds of War" has been an interesting book and so well written.   Vinnie saw the movie so takes time to elaborate and tell some of the details he remembers both from the movie and from his stint in the Navy so many years ago.    He remembers a lot of the history of that time and has retained a lot of the details.   A history buff.  He is anxious to get on with the story and get to the second book....and although he is due to have his eyes operated on and will be able to take up reading again, he seems content to share his time listening and tells me he really is enjoying it.  I am enjoying the read and found it interesting that the news on television the other night did a short comparison about what is going on today as opposed to what was going on before World War II  . . . a similarity that bears watching.. the characters have changed but not the intent.  

So a quiet Sunday, a full belly, begets a little reading time as I caught up with Clive Cussler and "The Dragon';  quite a read.  I did find a piece or two of the mystery puzzle and it is slow coming along but fun.    Dale, a wondrous man who dedicates his spare time in helping the elderly was over at the apartment across from me helping to clear the apartment so had boxes of stuff to go to Goodwill or St. Vincent.   He gave me several items, one being one of those water type coolers,which works great;  cooled my little space down fast.    Our lady passed on Friday which was really a blessing.   She had such a bad fall that all but shattered her body,  She had lived a long and a good life and kept her sense of humor and sweet ways right to the end.    She already knew she was on the special pathway to the Garden Gate and she had no fear of going off to meet and greet those who had gone before her.   So when you light a candle add the lovely name, Gwen, to your list and then add a special prayer for me as I always need one.  Make this start of your new week memorable as you create a better YOU. . . don't know how you can as you are ' all most perfect' now. . . well, that is a bit of exaggeration isn't it.?...we all have some more work to do on ourselves ...just to improve our image isn't enough, we need to improve the thoughts, the words and the deeds as they make our world a much better place.   So go.....improve.    hugs to all.

Good Morning.

A truism.

Good Sunday morning.    A day to rest.   A day to plan a special breakfast in or out, depending on your mood this morning.   My Grand daughter Erin is here and it is wonderful to have her to treat, to hug, to love, to just spend some quiet time with.   Her stint in Hawaii has turned out to be very interesting, successful, and hard work.    Her stay is short as she is here to 'shoot' a weeding of her friends and her second love is photography in which she does an exceptionally terrific job....am I bragging?   Of course;  Grandmothers are like that.

She had a whole day alone with her mother and they caught up with each other while her Aunt Christine and I went off to a trip to the casino where we spent a very short time and continued on to Costco where we spent a lot more time and money.   Those two cats, who have taken over Christine's bailiwick, need to be fed and they love to eat so she buys the 'king' size.   I find the Kirkland coffee a good buy so I stalked up on some of that along with some of those special treats that you just cannot do without.   The biscotti chocolate large cookies are in;  they usually show up for the coming holiday time. 

We took a little side trip to Bainbridge Island, I had not visited any of the Island as yet so it was a real treat.   The bridge takes you over the water with a view that is fabulous and on some miles down the two lane roads to a small delightful town where we stopped to have breakfast which was delicious.   Christine is a knitter so we stopped at the yarn shop which is filled with special yarns from the cottons to the wools.   The latest scarfs , done by the ladies that work there, were hanging, teasing a knitter on to making one or two for the upcoming gift time be it holidays or birthdays or just because.  Of course Christine bought some with the idea that in her spare time, which is few and far between, she will knit up a scarf or two.   We did a tremendous amount of walking, which is good for us, but some was uphill and that takes a lot out of me.  I was happy to travel back and kick my shoes off and snooze in my chair.    I had no thought of putting my shoes back on so I missed out on the pizza party with my girls.    But . . . today is Sunday and there is a buffet over at the big restaurant on the golf course so you know where I will be should you decide you would like to join us......a good thought, but you are probably plotting and planning a special Sunday morning all your own.

So, have a good blessed Sunday morning.    Put on your best bib and tucker and take someone special out to breakfast . . . an omelet?   A bit of biscuits and gravy?   How about pancakes or an 'awful' waffle?   You choose and relax and enjoy.   Don't forget a prayer or two for the fire crews.   The fires are so bad the smoke is beginning to come this way according to a newspaper write up.   Unhealthy air.  The good news is the winds are not gusting.    One thing I did notice was the trees are changing already;  an early fall . . . okay with me as the heat has been difficult on the old timers;  probably the younger ones as well.    There I go, talking about the weather again....sheesh.....wouldn't you think I would find something else to talk about....I'll try.    Go.....make yourself a soft breeze on a beautiful morning.  Share YOU with those you love and like.  Hugs to all.

Contrast

The hottest place - Death Valley

The coldest place, East Antarctica Plateau

This picture came in on Facebook;  someone wants us to pray for rain as we need it so badly

BUT, too much rain and you have flooding.

The contrast...we live with it daily.   It is to hot or to cold, it is to dry or to wet.    Mother Nature has not decided which season she likes best so she is giving us a 'run for our money' . . . We need our four seasons back but that is easier said than done.    We need to work with what we have and do our best to survive ...the weather . . . it is only weather and the new Hurricane season is about to begin . . . The fires are spreading and the holocaust  is frightening.    I doubt there is little we can do to change the weather patterns.   We have to take one day as it comes and do just what we have to do and that is survive.  

Now words are easy to come by;  it is the doing that is hard.   When you hear a request for help for the folks that have lost everything either in a fire or a flood, don't shy away thinking there is nothing you can do....you can contribute clothing that no longer fits your frame;  you can donate some of the excess furnishings you have accumulated over the years.   You can donate a few dollars and give up a morning latte or a stop for a banana split.    You can say a prayer and help them up by giving them your hand.    Give a little, love a lot and be thankful that you are not walking about in their shoes.   

The weekend is coming up and we have Saturday to shop and Sunday to pray for these folks going through a 'hell' of their own.    I haven't  heard The Red Cross folks asking for donations yet, but if the fires and floods keep up they are going to need some help as they usually are the first to step in and share with our help.    The Salvation army folks do a great job as well so keep an ear open and when the call comes, be generous to a fault.  For there, but by the grace of God go I.....

A little love goes  long way when you open your heart to those in need through no fault of their own.    Be good, be kind, be gentle and don't be stingy with a hug or two . . . can't think of a better greeting...can you?       Hugs to all.

WOW!

This picture reminded me of a special lake I visited often in Nevada.   It was a special area for a picnic and a walk around the little lake.   A beautiful spot, a place to relax and enjoy nature at its best.  I loved it when the trees and the mountain were reflected in the water.  "Whenever there are lakes and streams with trees growing along all sides/ the sun come out/and shadows fall/turning the leaves and trees upside down.   The calmness is a mirror/showing a magic picture in the stream/ a twin mirage of color/ lifeless like a dream./ Reflections make you smile/as ducks take to the pond/making rivulets as they glide along.  (jms-2000) 

Here is our Jock with his latest catch.   I'd have a big smile if I caught a fish that size;   I'd probably faint if I did.   Now that is a whopper and you know there is going to be a lot of good eating.   Hopefully when he comes to visit , he will remember to pack a few  hunks for us to enjoy.   The grill is ready, all we need is you Jock....start making plans.  

Sheila is getting ready for her vacation trip back east and she knows where to go for a lobster role.    Sure looks good enough to eat.

A cartoon by Rick McKee. . . Wouldn't you think Hillary would give it up.   She has been in the limelight forever and all she has done is gone from being a pauper to a billionaire and it just isn't enough.    Poor lady, suffer, suffer.

It is Friday and we are excited as my granddaughter is flying in early this morning and her mother and aunt are on their  way to pick her up.   She has been gone from sight much too long.    I can hardly wait for all the table talk tonight when we have dinner together.    She has many tales to tell of life in Hawaii where she has been the last year and all of the work she has accomplished within the deaf community.    The first summer camp for children was a huge success.  

Here at Ridgemont, sad news as our lady, Gwen, is not going to make it.   She broke an arm, a leg and had a heart attack in the fall she had the other morning.   She was already so frail it was nothing short of a miracle that she got up every day and made her way up to the dining room.    She told us it just wasn't easy  but she prevailed .   Such courage and  inner strength.  A wonderful example to all of us who are walking slowly to the Garden Gates.      It is a common sight here in a senior apartment complex where each one has reached the an age of acceptance, and find, despite the whims of old age, there are many reasons to continue to enjoy your seconds as they come.    Age is just a number, it is the mind, the heart and the soul that tells us to make good use of our blessings as they come our way each day.  Say a prayer for Gwen and ask that her continued journey be a blessed one. 

 

I caught up with Vinnie and we had an hour read which was fun.    We had a breezy day which was great for us but not so great for the fire areas.  We have lost three fire fighters and that is sad and bad news.    The fires are to the east of us, far away, but not far away as far as smoke goes.    I left may door open which is a sign that company is welcome and it worked.   Betty (we have three of them) who lives a few doors down came in to say hello and take a peek at the puzzle on the puzzle board.   She wants one now.   They work well so don't hesitate to buy one if you decide to do a jig saw puzzle.  She left and before long Carolyn came to get one of my books, she has decided she likes the way I write and in spite of killing off a main character now and then, she wants to read more.   A fan.....how lucky I am.   Then Doris came down and spent a while enjoying the new rocking chair.   We have a lot in common so the conversation flows.    I bought some of those ninety calorie ice cream bars because they were small and light for my diet, but....the proverbial but;....they are so good one wont do....two down and maybe a third....now do the math and you will know why I am not losing weight.   I just cannot buy ice cream in any form if I want a girlish figure.....do I need a girlish figure?   Nah......think I will put them on my grocery list as a main stay in my diet.   

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So have a TGIF day and buy a box of those tiny ice cream bars as they really are delicious and see if you can stop at one....bet you cannot.     Plot and plan your weekend to be a relaxing one and enjoy your seconds as they come.    Remember to share YOU with those you love and like.    Plan a little outing and find a small pond or lake to walk around.    Pack a picnic and go out for a few hours and enjoy summer a  it will soon be gone.    Don't forget a good deed.   Be good, be kind, be gentle...be YOU.   Hugs to all.

FIRE

The fires continue throughout the northwest.    We lost a fire fighter yesterday and several were hurt.  A nasty job and one that is so dangerous.  How thankful we are for these men and women who work so hard to keep us safe.  

And they get to the bottom of the barrel . . . The Democrats have lost it.   The Republicans not far behind.    

An angel in the sunsrise.    A beautiful day to behold.   

Faces in the sky.  

Our heavens are wondrous from the early morning sunrise to the evening sunset we have a show to delight the senses.  


What to talk about this morning.  It is four a.m. and the brain has not awakened yet.   The coffee is delicious and helps to wake up the brain but after a very quiet Tuesday there is no big news . . .not so, the fires are a topic that is frightening as the fire fighters risk their lives to try and put those conflagrations out.   It doesn't take much,  al lightening strike or a careless person with a match or a cigarette thrown out a car window.    So many people have lost everything they own so now is a good time to downsize and donate to the thrift stores so folks can get a fresh start with a few hand me downs until they regroup and can rebuild once again.    Take an inventory of what you have and do not need...we all have ''things' to donate and we would not even miss them.    Another topic we could cover is politics....aha, you cringe.  I don't blame you as the 'team' hunkers down for a place and the Donald spouts to the high heavens with all the magic cures for our country;  and the Democrats are looking backwards for a candidate if Lady Hillary doesn't pull a magic rabbit out of her hat.    Just keep watching and paying attention so you know who not to vote for.    Somewhere in the 'pile' is a man of integrity . . . we hope.  Or we could discuss the weather;  nah, we've done that a thousand times and it doesn't change a thing.   How fast August is going and soon Fall will be here, one of my favorite times of the year.    I'd like a trip to New England and visit good old Rhode Island and see the Fall colors. up close and personal.     Along with Fall comes thoughts of upcoming holidays.   Don't cringe, don't be afraid of them, just start right now preparing and you will be one step ahead of yourself.    Each week when you shop pick up one or two items for the baking you will be doing.   Plan ahead and prepare then you wont have second thoughts about all the coming holidays.   One or two gifts a month, put away;  just don't forget where you put them,  and you will have your shopping done before December.  It all about organization.   Or, you can wait until the  last minute and have the fun of rushing about and driving yourself crazy which I am sure most of us do.   Or we could talk about your health and how important it is you take today to start a regime that will keep you going for a good long time.   Don't wait until you get there as it will be much too late to activate the muscles you should be taken care of right now.   We could gab about your family and friends but it is more fun to spend time with them.   I had a tea party yesterday and Pat and Emma came to keep me company for a little while.  Such fun and oh those hugs mean a lot.   So choose your topic for today and your activities to suit yourself.    Go with a glad heart, and open arms for someone you know and love needs a bear hug today.     Pick up the telephone and call someone.    Take time out to be good to yourself today as you need a little 'care' now and then. . . be a little selfish today and spend some quality time with yourself so you can have the energy and love to share another day.    Be good, be kind, be gentle today to all you meet and greet and you will find a sense of contentment.  Hugs to all.

TRUISMS

A truism.    So many have gone before us and there is not one day that we do not think about them.   We find them in our hearts ready to let loose when a memory jogs our brain.   We laugh and remember and we wouldn't trade the memories for all the tea in China.   

Now that is an idea.  I don't have one of those buttons but now that I know what they really are for, maybe  I'll order one.
I do know if I cook on this stove I can get the alarm to go off and alert the fire station but so far no handsome firemen have come to my door;  just the person on duty to check to see if it is a real fire or not, and she is older than I am.. 

A sign we should have made to put up on our wall.   

Minnie sent this picture in about the Idaho fires.   There are so many all over the west coast;   That Soda Fire was one of the worst.  I hope the men have had a chance to get it under control.   So many folks have lost everything.  Say a prayer for strength and courage for them to rebuild and start over.   Help when and where you can.

I told you about the decorations for the Tea the other day and Chris sent me a photo today...so here is that little hat box I told you about and yes, the chocolates are all gone....you knew I wouldn't  save any.   What do you mean my cheeks look a bit wider.  I have always had a 'pie' face.
 

After a little tag playing, I finally got picked up by Pat to be at her house at six thirty a.m. to dog sit, Emma, and we did pass Christine on her way over to pick me up....we are so good about computer communication.   We don't think to recheck after one conversation and that is a big mistake as the last message usually has the real plan for the day.    We hooked up finally and the girls left.  Emma wasn't sure I'd be fun but she learned that I can throw the ball and I can play tug of war with her and her best toy.   We had several walks around the back yard, never did get very far but the breeze was blowing and it was lovely outside.    I was amazed at how many tomatoes Pat has on her vines.   The plums are falling out of the tree and she has an apple on her apple tree.   Her flowers are beautiful and there are a couple of roses that are lovely too.   She has a green thumb and seems to enjoy being a gardener.  

They came home earlier than planned as they hit the right ferry time.   I left Pat with a 1,500 piece of puzzle on  her table, one way to be assured of an invitation....smile.    I went to Christine's home and did a few hours of filing history.  There are many pieces of writing from old timers telling tales about relatives who help to make Sydney become Port Orchard.    The taming of the water front, the start of the Navel Base in Bremerton, the tales of no roads and using the water to travel to and from.    The mosquito fleet it was called.   Port Orchard is about to celebrate its 125 Anniversary  soon.   I was rewarded with dinner out and I had a Cascadia that was delicious.  I could only eat half of it , huge, so I shared it with one of my homebound ladies.  It is so nice to be treated, look Ma, no cooking, no making the alarm go off....I just haven't lived that down.

So today find some local books on  the history of your town.   Sit and read and let the tales take you back when it was truly horse and buggy days.   Enjoy the exploits and the courage and stamina of all of our old timers.   They had courage and were true to their convictions.   Making a new life in a new country with little or nothing has to prove to us that those folks were someone to be proud of and how lucky they passed those genes on to us.    We have a few tales to leave for the new generation.   Wonder if they will take time out to read about us. But, whether you follow your history or not, be sure you start off with a smile today.    Put one foot in front of the other and do something wonderful; a good deed first, a kind word added, and oh, a hug....a big walk in hug to make YOU feel good.  

Hugs to all.