Last of November

If only everyone would begin to think in positive terms and work at being a good citizen. . . what a world we would live in.  We can keep CHRIST in Christmas and we can  do remarkable things in HIS name.

I'm late...been off gallivanting.  I went over to the Gallery to do a little shopping for Christmas gifts.  Of course I cannot afford the wonderful paintings for all, but if I could there are some artists that make your eyes light up and your heart sing.   The other artisans make 'things; and they do such a good job.    There is everything from cards to jewelry to knitted and crocheted  sets from hats and gloves to scarves and runners.   All well done, beautiful colors and great textures.   The weather turned cold and the roads slippery as fog descended and I decided it was best to stay over at Christine's home rather than chance the roads.    We had 'girls; night and some wine and pizza and a night of watching the Hallmark Christmas movies...such fun...if you have not done that this Christmas season, plan it, you will have a great time.

 

So now I have had a hot shower to wake up and warm up.  I have clean clothes and brushed teeth so I am now ready for a new day.   I keep thinking of warmer climates but then I hear there are problems in most places so I guess I will just hunker down and wait for the sun to come out.   

 

You have a wonderful last of November day and take time to make your Christmas list and be ready for the next step...shopping.....don't forget the grocery list for all the items needed for baking...everything from fancy cookies, fudge and that white stuff, you know what I mean...mine always turns unto marsh-mellow.     Don't forget fruit cake...of course you would like it if you actually ate a piece of it.     Wine cakes make a great gift.    Come to think of it Cranberry bread and other breads do also.    Home made is always appreciated.    Fudge....now there's a gift.     So plot and plan and have a baking day or two, turn on some Christmas music and sing at the top of your lungs.

 

"Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh........la, la,la.....la,la..la.....and have a very nice day.

 

 

Don't forget one good deed, maybe two in honor of the season.     Keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS and shout out MERRY CHRISTMAS  to all  you meet and greet.     And don't forget a hug or two.    Just think you have days to get into the mood and each day you just get stronger.     Be good, be kind, be generous in sharing you with those you love and like.   Good bye November...Hello December!!!!!   Hugs to all.

Fun Day

Nope I didn't go out and shop on Black Friday either.   Every day is a shopping day between now and Christmas day.   We will be thinking of what to buy and what to choose for those on our list.    What??? I have no idea.

Our Freedom is still with us so if you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas ....do it...loud and clear.

MacDonalds has come a long way baby!!!

Saturday was a special day here in Port Orchard.    The day to get the folks up and out and shop locally.   It started with a free breakfast of delicious sausage and pancakes cooked to perfection by the Lions Club members and you could have seconds if you wanted them.   Coffee was hot and the big open market place had plenty of tables at the ready.   Pat and I walked up and down the street delivering free bags to the shops for the shoppers to fill.   A few of the merchants were smart and opened early as folks were ready for a walk around town to see what was out there to buy for Christmas gifts.  It was nice to see the ladies and gentlemen of the town come together to make affairs like this possible and help keep the town alive.  So many small towns have faded away given  the size and scope of the big box stores that have taken over in our world.    Port Orchard has a feel to it, one of friendliness as the owner of the shop greets you with a smile and a welcome.  

 

Later, at the Gallery, there was big doings, lots of food to share as the new officers were sworn in and an 'open' house , or should I say 'doors' ushered folks in.    A good showing.    They had a fifteen percent off of the wonderful items and pictures so it was easy for some folks to find something for someone on their Christmas list.   I didn't go as I was worn out from my early morning participation.    

 

So we are off to a good start here in Port Orchard.   I hope you are making inroads in your town.    Get that list ready and start thinking of what to buy for whom....never an easy task.    If you are stymied you can always give a block of slips with good intentions for the coming year....so many lawn mower jobs;   invitations to lunch or a special dinner out;   baby sitting is a good one;    put on your thinking cap and make your 'good deed' gift a great one.

 

Sunday, a day to relax and that is what my intentions are today...relax....aah......I am starting early with a hot coffee and soon something to go with it.....maybe a 'dropped egg on toast'....if you were here I'd share.....wish you were here;  I miss you . . . Take good care of YOU as there are colds around and they are not fun.    Stay warm and dry.    Be good, be kind, be a lover today, kiss everyone you meet....have fun.   Hugs to all.   

Ready or Not

Two believers.   Santa with Queso and Mac, Angie's little angels told Santa exactly what they wanted ...how cute ....personality plus.  

After a shopping day.

Even after a Black Friday

How cute.    A great idea for a gift for a little princess . . .

Good morning.    If you were brave or crazy enough to venture out for Black Friday sales , I hope you survived.    We are having our special shopping day today with a free breakfast up town; that should get a lot of folks up and out bright and early.  I have to get dressed and ready to be picked up ...pancakes, sausage, hot coffee and I don't have to cook it....if you were here you could come along with us. 

I braved the fire alarm yesterday and fired up my little toaster oven and made myself a tiny meatloaf, had drop in company and shared and It was very tasty.    I'll have to think up some fancy dishes for myself and be a little more creative.   I'm thinking of buying a crock pot, bet I could get some good tasty morsels cooked in one.   I just don't trust leaving things to cook while I'm out and about.    I'll just have to plan a dish to cook up when I am staying in, and with winter weather coming up, I should be able to plan a dish or two.   Ribs appeal to me.     Let's face it, food appeals to me.   I am still waiting for the day when I have a delicate appetite...not in this life time.....that hot fudge sundae Christine brought over last evening hit the spot.  I would have shared if you had come by.

 

 

Sue came by to say hello and bring me a grapefruit.  She said she cannot eat them any more due to the medication she takes.   I wonder why grapefruit and meds don't mix.   They are so healthy and good for the body.    She stayed and shared my epicurean delights and Christine came by for a visit.    Sue is an old time Port Orchard native  so they had a lot to talk about.   I learned a lot about some of the changes that have taken place here in Port Orchard and the folks who work so hard to keep it alive.  

 

Well we are going to keep it alive this morning and I have to love you and leave you to get dressed and ready for my pick up ride to the breakfast.   It will give me something to tell you about tomorrow.     Meanwhile fix yourself a pancake or two;  look around and see who is putting on a free feast, someone in your area might have thought it up and would be happy to see your smiling face.     Don't forget to make your shopping list and start in for November is ending and December is just about at your door.    Make it easy on yourself and find a surprise or two for those you like and love.     Don't forget wrapping paper and tape and ribbon and little surprises.    We will be counting down the days for that wonderful special holiday we all love ...the birth of Christ. . . so keep Christ in Christmas and enjoy  those strong and wonderful traditions we grew up with.   Days when we got a pair of socks and thought it was special;  a tiny box of candy from school and we were in hog heaven. . . it doesn't take a lot to please us. . . remember that when you think you have to buy the most expensive gift in town....what is needed and wanted is that bear hug, the twinkle in your eye when you see a love one coming in the door;   sharing those homemade cookies and that hot cup of cocoa with marsh mellows floating on top.  It doesn't take much to please us when love is in the air.     Be a lover. . . hugs someone today.   Hugs to all.  

 
 

Yum!!

The table before, wish the table after picture came out but for some reason I cannot get a few of the pictures to come up.   The computer is temperamental this morning and refuses to cooperate.   

No I did not eat that butter but I sipped champagne and waited patiently for the platters of food to be put on the table and then tried a bit of everything.    There was ham, turkey, dressing, Brussels sprouts,  hot rolls, a home made cranberry dish , mashed potatoes and gravy.   Of course, before the main offerings,  we had been given tid-bits at a counter filled with shrimp, a cheese and fancy topping dish with loads of fine crackers, chips, dips, all before the feast.    There were pies and tarts too but I didn't have room for them.   I did bring home some turkey for a sandwich to day and Christine had some leftovers to share.   I am sure I left something out as Sheila puts on a spread and wants her guests to be well fed.  Delightful company,  a delightful young lady named Charlotte who was the assistant chef this year....old friends from last year and "a good time was had by all."

YUM!!!

Sheila put a lovely picture of all of us at the table but it just wouldn't not come out for me this morning.   We looked busy and content with filled plates and some quiet time as we 'shoveled' the fine tasting goodies into our mouths.    There was some conversation but mostly we were very busy chomping away and sighing as each morsel found a niche to settle in.  After dinner a few went for a walk around the block and a few of us did some walking around the kitchen cleaning up our messes as we left lots of dishes to be washed and lots of leftovers to be put away.   No one has devised a method of cleaning up after a feast.  We have all become quite adept though at finding bowls and plates to wrap up the left overs for another meal.  It may take a day or two to start the picking process but although I didn't have an extra inch of stomach space, I managed a half turkey sandwich before the night was over.  So our thanks goes to our lovely hostess Sheila, to her friend Charlotte who added so much of her talent to the assistant chef title.   A great job.   There was a puzzle on the table, pieces piled high ready to be separated but no spaced to put them.    It will take the some time to get that one finished. I had met the other couple, long time friends of Sheila and delightful.   I wish I could remember names.    faces I do good at  but names escape me.   I always enjoy seeing them and look forward to the next visit.   All in all, we had much to be thankful for....

 

I had a telephone call from my old neighbor and friend, La Verne, who was cooking for some of her neighbors and is also busy pouring some brandy over the fruit cakes she makes for Christmas gifts.   She makes such a tasty fruit cake...yum...and I am going to get one in the mail for Christmas.    I'll enjoy that.    It was fun to catch up on some of the old neighborhood news and find Mary and Jo are moving back to Carson City.  I knew they were thinking about it  but had no idea it was going to be a winter move.   They will be in time for the first snows as I hear they had a storm moving in.  

 

So here it is Friday and a weekend coming up to enjoy all those left overs....a break from cooking....just heat and eat....not bad after all that hard work.     It was good to  hear and also to read about the good deeds that transpired over the Thanksgiving holiday.    The Macy's parade was spectacular this year with all of Broadway on tap.    The bands were awesome.   

 

Now to get ready for our very special Christmas  with a hope that we will all keep Christ in Christmas and share ourselves with one another in the spirit of Christ.    We have a few weeks to get ready to decorate, to bake, to shop and oh yes, wrap....that is a job and a half to do.   Are we up to the task?    Yeah!!!!   You just can't keep a 'good man' down.   So, you have seconds to live and good deeds to accomplish...and a lot of loving to do in the meantime.     Practice your hugs.....they are a gift all by themselves.     Give smiling eyes and soft words to friends and family alike.... never meet a stranger...you would miss half of life if you did.    Be good, be kind, be gentle, hum those Christmas carols when you cannot remember all the words...sing loud....be a beacon of light.   Hugs to all.

  

Thanksgiving Day

It is that time again...Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade....I'm tuning in, hope you join me. 

Sheila has these on her menu today, Brussels sprouts along with ham, turkey, fancy potatoes, and all the trimmings with pumpkin pie and a special tart . . .looks like we are about to have a feast.

Keep in mind these guys who are not able to make it home for Thanksgiving. . . they will get their turkey dinner but it just wont be the same.    Start thinking of a Christmas treat for them.   

Happy Thanksgiving Day .   I hope each and everyone of you find your way to a veritable feast and enjoy all your seconds today.

Our reasons to be thankful are many.   Family and Friends top the list.   Be generous today and praise the cooks, God bless them for they delight our palettes with their cooking talents.   Keep an eye open and invite someone to your table that has no one today.   Just look around and you will find someone to share your bounty with.   Share your food, your smiles, your hugs and make your little corner of the earth sparkle.   Start your day with a breakfast treat and a view of Macy's parade.    No doubt there is a football game on today that cannot be missed and dinner is timed for the half time break.    And just as the day is wending its way to nightfall, there will be left overs to think about . . .of course you have room . . . just a few more pickings of the turkey;  a sandwich maybe with all the trimmings, but you know there has to be one more piece of pie with your name on it.....go for it......and may The Good Lord reach out and touch your hearts like you so often touch mine.  Hugs to all. 

Little Bits

An owl in flight.   Fancy wings and a scowling face or is that a smile?   Looks like an old testy grandfather to me.

Nature's pot ready to boil.    Like looking at the earths crust ready to oen.   Lava lake.. odd and strange

John Kerry...good photo which shows how bright he is.  

Mamma,   feed me, feed me....I'm hungry.....

Well, I'm not, just had scrambled eggs and toast and on my second cup of coffee and it is almost four thirty five a.m.   ....breakfast time for me usually and I had the fan on so no fire alarm this morning.   I don't hear the horrendous wind that we had all day yesterday with cold that was far different than the old days of Brooking winters.   I think it is going to be a bit different up here in the northern reaches of our country.    I have been told we do not get a lot of snow, well I'm not convinced, time will tell.  I finally caught up with daughter Christine and got to do a little office job for her.  It is such fun to file and to do mailing jobs for her.    I also got to help daughter Patricia sieve the chocolate mix for the upcoming Christmas bazaar which is held at the Gallery every year.    If you are looking for a homemade gift , this is a great one and more delicious than I can put into words.    Here is the recipe, just don't tell where you got it...smile......

Mom's Hot Chocolate

Three and one half cups of powdered sugar
three and one quarter cups of powdered milk
two cups of instant chocolate drink mix
one half cup of chocolate malted milk powder
one quarter cup of baking cocoa
three and a quarter cup of powdered non dairy creamer

Mix all together until well blended, put into air tight containers (and buy some marsh mellows to go along) 

Instructions:  Use one third cup of the mix  and put into an eight to ten ounce cup.   Add three quarters cups of hot water stir until dissolved.  If you want a richer cup of cocoa, replace the water with milk.

It make a lovely gift and a useful one....even the grown ups like it...smile.

and a dunking cookie wouldn't hurt. . . some-mores come to mind.

 

I know you do not have time to make a batch today but after the Thanksgiving feast you might find it a useful project for those on your Christmas list.    Just do not forget to put a jar away for yourself.

Hump Day is a good day to catch up with a project or two.   Today will probably mean a fast trip to the store for a forgotten item.    Go carefully, be patient, be kind, be friendly and smile as your smile be the only good thing that happens to someone today.    Spare a few cents for the folks out there with the buckets to help the needy and we seem to have more and more to help.  Count your blessings and share what you can, even pennies make a difference.   Hope the pies turn out delicious;  the turkey tender or the ham lean, whatever you have , share. . . be thankful for you have much to be thankful for.    Don't forget the hugs, they are like frosting on the cake.   Don't forget to take time to make a call to a shut in and let them know you are thinking about them.    Just do your 'thing' and make your world a happy place to be.  Hugs to all.

Amazing

and History has a way of repeating itself.  

Isn't this a beautiful picture of a wave?   Wow!!  Nature at its best.  Reminds me of a beautiful sea shell.

Hey buddy, any wise words for me today?

The award winning picture for 2015 in the International Photo Contest.

Ah, coffee, taste good this morning, put in the right amount so cannot complain although there are some mornings I manage to put in a little shy of a heaping teaspoon or two; or  a little or to much and I couldn't give it away if I tried.     It is that pinch and snip attitude I have about cooking .  Speaking of that I came up with a 'jean' dish you will have to try when you feel brave and looking for something easy and tasty.    I was on my own for dinner last night and there was nothing good in this apartment.  Well there was plenty of food to work with but not what I wanted or even thought I wanted.    I opened the package of salad greens which are different and has a lot of kale in it.  It makes for a lovely salad.  No dressing ...so I got out a little olive oil and vinegar and added a little salt and pepper.  I don't have garlic salt on hand...well...can't have that so I put it on my list.  Something was missing so I checked the cupboard and came up with a can of kidney beans, heated them up with lots of onions and poured them over the salad...wow....a hit....delicious....try it and enjoy a tasty treat.

 

 My two daughters have been down with a nasty cold but slowly recuperating.   I will be happy to share some time with them  as I miss their company and the trips out to shop.   Here at Ridgemont the ladies went off on the bus and came back talking about the crowds of folks out shopping.   Someone mentioned the possibility of snow so that meant stocking up and I gather everyone had the same idea.   I can imagine the stores will be crowded as folks get ready for Thanksgiving this week.  Imagine ...Thanksgiving already....November all but over and Christmas coming up much sooner than we will be ready for it.   Know that I wish you and yours a Thanksgiving to remember as you share you with those you love and like.

 

 Sharing is caring so keep that in mind as you go about your business today.    Be good, be kind, be gentle and share YOU with those you love and like.     Be a good neighbor.   Be a good friend.   Be YOU and pass around a few gentle words and lots of bear hugs.    Light up your world because you can.    Hugs to all.

 

 

 

 

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you.....Happy
Birthday dear Erin,  Happy Birthday to you!!!  Granddaughters are such fun . . . Granddaughters give terrific bear hugs, and bring so much love and laughter into our lives.   

Fall has left us and winter is neigh but pictures remind us of one of the loveliest times of the year.   Each season brings something special , and each season is our favorite, nothing sets our hearts and minds to life, liberty and the pursuit  of happiness like a new season.   

Here kitty, here kitty . . . a breeze, a bouncing leaf and a happy cat.

Woof,  woof,    here I am.....a raked pile of beautiful leaves....Fall, a cooling off period before the winter snows.

The start of a new week and Granddaughter Erin is celebrating her birthday over in Hawaii.    From the picture she sent from her time at work, I'd say she had a plate full of something delicious.   Looks like pineapple and some healthy side dishes along with beautiful flowers Donaleo stopped in to give her.   She looks great. 

 

A quiet weekend here in Ridgemont, a bit on the chilly side to think about a walk out.    Most of us stayed in doors and found something to do.  I discovered a big box.  of books in the activity room , a jumble and a need to reorganize if you wanted to know the titles and put away a read or two for a later date.    I took the box of books apart and found several Clive Cussler paper backs I have not read .   there were a half dozen Westerns I would have liked to take but I cannot be greedy so left them for others to pick and choose.  There were hard backs as well but nothing of interest.   Probably good reads but I was not familiar with the authors.    I had just finished a Jan Karon one that was hard to stay with.    Not sure why stories that take you back in time and forward  to the present get bogged down with names and places that become confusing.   I like those stories where you have trouble with the  book ending much too soon.   

 

One of my neighbors brought back a pecan pie and  came over and invited me to share some of it.  She gave me half a pie and I don't even like pecan pie as it is much too sweet.   I was gracious and took it but told her I'd share it with others and I did.  I walked down the hall , pie in hand, looking for open doors and when I found one I knocked and dropped off a piece of pie.   Some real pecan pie lovers around here.    Made the day for some.   

 

I had a short reading time with Vinnie.   One of the ladies joined us and they got into a discussion about football.  I gather the Seahawks were playing, so, as football enthusiasts the conversation was to be endless and the book long forgotten.   When I put the book away, Vinnie was surprised, couldn't figure out how our reading time went by so fast.    You just can't have reading and conversation time when the seconds fly bye and never stand still.

 

So remember to use your seconds wisely.    Stay warm and dry and be careful as there are a lot of nasty colds going around.   Stock up on some chicken broth as it is the elixir for ending a cold.    Get some of the Fisherman cough drops that taste so bad but do such good.    Get out the hat, the scarf, the mittens and the boots and be prepared for a change in our weather.   Someone said we might get a dusting of snow today, so it is cold out there.    Stock up on your tea bags and don't forget to get an extra book or two to have around.    Curl up in your favorite chair and let the storms go by.    If you don't feel like reading, call in a friend or two and get the cards out.   Rummy Cube is fun.    Be good, be kind, be gently and do take time to do one good deed today;  it is good for you.     Hugs to all.

 

Exercise

Finger exercise . . . Red or White . . . Brut or dry . . . sparkling as well . . . glass at the ready, let's go . . .one, two, three and save the corks as there are special items you can make from them.    I had a bird house once that was cute that the birds found interesting, must have been the aroma . . .

A handsome Marine....Jason Smith, Angie's youngest son.  I remember him as a very little boy playing with a bucket of logos on my living room rug.   It is hard to believe he has been in the Marines for three years already.   My how time gets away from us.   

What a beauty, like a special jewel.   A humming bird looking for some nectar.  Hope you have a feeder out. 

A Thomas Kincaid painting.  The painter of light.    I have two of his paintings done up by Paula who is a master at counted cross stitch.  Her work is like perfection in color.   She is going to make this one for me next.   It is amazing how much beauty they bring into a room.   I have them made up into pillows so they are close and personal..

 

Sunday morning, quiet, calm, and not even a street noise this  morning.    The folks here in Ridgemont must be sleeping in, still full from having all the left overs from our Friday night Thanksgiving feast.   They were just as tasty and I had a lovely piece of ham to go with my egg this morning.   Talk about getting well fed.   Home made food...ah, nothing like it.    Now if Karen and her family would give cooking lessons to a few of the 'cooks' around here we might stop complaining.

 

I left my door open, a sign that company is welcome and it worked great.   Sue came down and visited and I enjoyed learning a bit more about her and her likes and dislikes.    She is an avid Sea Hawk fan  and a real lover of all sports.   I put on the tea and got out some cookies and we had a gab feast.   Ron went by in his electric wheel chair and thought to drop in so I moved the little hall table so he could venture in;.    He is having such a bad time of it right now due to a tendon in his foot giving out while he was walking out of his doctor's office after a visit.    He didn't fall or trip, just put his foot down to take a step and he is now in a cast.  His doctor is not sure what is going on but is hoping by not having to use his foot, it will settle back in place.   Strange.    Ron is a diabetic so he is worried and having one hard time trying to get around.   We take our bodies for granted so when something does happen it is a wake up call to pay attention and take better care of ourselves.  The body takes time to break down normally, so as age catches up with us we need to remind ourselves to use it or lose it.  We need to keep moving, sitting or lying down is not the answer to a healthy body.    Proper nutrition is a prime requisite and exercise ...like walking.....is just as important.  Wisdom comes with age we are told but don't wait until you get old;  start working on you right now.    Stay healthy, happy, foolhardy and wise before those so called 'golden years' arrive.   You get out of life what you put into it, no more, no less....so be wise early and take good care of YOU.

 

I'm off to have a refill of my coffee.    I don't know which of the dozen or so catalogs I should look at first.    I have a new magazine full of ads;  you would think Christmas is coming.....come to think of it.....it is......not too far away and there is a list to look over.....I think my best bet is to overlook it all and practice how to be Ebenezer.     It will probably only work until we hear the first bars of a Christmas carol and then we are off and running.    Be wise, be healthy and hardy, be kind, be a friend today and pass out a bear hug or two.    Be YOU!! Hugs to all.  

Woof!!

Owen and his grandmothers who join him for lunch at school....lucky guy....lucky grams......lunch out, there's nothing like it to brighten a day.   Great pictures...Everyone looks good enough to hug.

The very first puppy I owned...a tiny Begat just like this one.   He is singing.  Happy....All is right in his world.

Angie says Queso and Mac are having second thoughts about leaving a nice warm bed for a walk along the ocean... well winter has set in...think I would be a little reluctant to get out of a warm bed and go out in the cold...brr.....brr.....brr

In case you are interested in Obama's accomplishments over the last seven and a half years.....

The tables were set with white table cloths, a menu and special decorations, lovely rolls in a silver basket and a glass dish with cranberry sauce waited for the arrival of seventy one folks as Karen and her entire family put on a Thanksgiving dinner that was delicious, an understatement for food that was mouth watering, hot and oh so tasty.   The beginning was a bowl of pumpkin soup.  If you asked if I'd like that, I would have said no and would have missed a very delightful delicious soup.  It was fabulous.   The family members from granddaughters to nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, and Mom and Dad were busy preparing the plates of food that was cooked to perfection.  They served, they smiled, they were fantastic and a very great time was had by all.    That slice of pumpkin pie with crème didn't hurt a bit.    Karen and her family did a great job and we are very grateful and content after the first of our holiday meals.    More to come, but  I would suggest a bit of dieting between. .  filling. . . one more pinch of. . . . and all  our excuses will not deter that roll of fat from settling around the waist and wherever else it chooses to go.    How lucky we are to have shared the first of our Thanksgiving meal with Ridgemont family and friends.    AND, Karen was so delighted with the turn out she has promised  more.  I wonder if she will have second thoughts tomorrow morning when she wakes up and everything hurts.  I know Christine and Patricia enjoyed their dinner.  I am sure there were groans of delight I heard as the words came out..."Oh, that was so good and I am so full".......  and believe me we were.

 

There is nothing more wonderful than to share time, food, and family, along with friends, to celebrate the Holiday season.   Going home when you are far away may not be feasible as the weather and the transportation plays havoc with your body, mind and time.   If that is the case, plan a visit when the weather is beautiful and you can really enjoy your visit.    Meanwhile, make your holiday the best you can, invite friends in and celebrate.   Call home and have a telephone visit. .  The best of plans is to be safe and each one realizes that even though it is painful to have an  empty chair or two around the table, our family members are safe , healthy and looking forward to a visit when the weather and the traffic are much more friendly.    That accident that shut down the power for thousands was caused by a driver who had been drinking.  It involved a truck and two other cars, a death, and several severe injuries to folks who are spending their time in a hospital.   So.....keep in mind safety first....and think of the joy when you finally do get together...wow....bear hugs and all.    I don't mind waiting for some of that....how about you?    

 

Time to take charge of YOU. . . time to be kind, patient and observant.    Time to rule your own roost .   Take time to do that good deed and start looking around to see what 'good' you can do before this year ends.     The time is now. . . get busy. . . shop til you drop keeping the poor in mind.   Food for the food banks......a breakfast chit for a homeless person . . . and free hugs for those you love and like.    Be a bugger...no, no...be a hugger.....Hugs to all.    

 

 

 

 

Water Over The Dam

 

And he meant every word

and he means every word.

 

Here at Ridgemont Marcus stopped by with apples and tangerines to say thank you for a loan of a blanket to keep him warm now that the weather has turned cold.     He is leaving today for upper state New York to visit his sons and will make a stop in mid country to visit two sisters.   He was once a railroad worker so gets to ride free, lucky duck, and being a veteran he gets an occasional flight out of the base here in Washington.    He made good career choices.  Meanwhile our   manager, Karen and her entire family are working hard to put on a Thanksgiving Dinner for all of us and our guests tonight;  seventy one last count.   We are all looking forward to a fun evening and I am sure some tasty treats.   

Meanwhile the power is back on although a little iffy as it goes on and off at will.   The TV was out most of yesterday.   It seems a horrific accident in a town close by was the cause of the black out.     Our weather has turned colder  so it is like waiting for the other shoe to drop to find out what the weather will be here in the Northwest.    So far some days remind me more of Brookings and our fog and sunless days, but then the sun will come out and heat things up and as the old adage says, 'if you don't like it , wait a minute.'      There is little we can do but enjoy whatever comes our way and make the best of it.

I must be pretty dumb as I do not understand the refugees fleeing their own country by the millions rather than stand and fight for their rights.    How does one gather in a huge mass and take off with the clothes on their back and drag their children along with the thousands of problems of traveling to somewhere.. but where?  When and where to they sleep;  get food;  take care of themselves for body care.    There has to be much  more to this than we know.   It reminds me of the thousands of children brought in here a year or so ago;  big news; many pictures; lots of rhetoric and then silence.   Millions have crossed our boarders illegally and it is as if nothing happened.  We see and feel the problems that have arisen  and we are already on our way to become a third world country.  I wonder at the size of the problems we now have and how are we to solve them.    It makes my little prayer of serenity come to focus in asking for courage and wisdom.

So today say a prayer for those folks and a few for ourselves.    Be good, be kind,, be gentle and be the best you can be.    Hugs to all. 

Snoqualmie Falls  after all the rain.  Can you hear the roar?
Power!!

Hope

Winter snow brings a lot of smiles to some folks.   

The Cancer candle burning bright for those that have cancer; those that have licked cancer and for those who may yet get cancer.    An insidious disease that needs to fade away along with M.S. and all of the other diseases that cripple and steal our seconds from us.    Light a candle and say a prayer in hope a cure is found for all of these diseases.

One way of walking and talking.    If you are an insurance salesperson, I would suggest a trip to parents and have the buy a policy to cover all the bumps and bruises the children will get walking into 'things' they just don't see . . . Ah, if only a teacher could get that much attention.

The week is flying by, as usual, no complaints, no suggestions. . . well, that isn't so, the TV went out last evening and didn't come back on. . .gripe and groan.    The stories about the problems of getting the old folks down from the dining area was difficult for all.   Some folks have not seen stairs in a very long time.    There are no easy answers when you depend on elevators and the storms shut down the power to use them.   When you are young and frisky , you just never give thought to getting old and feeble.   It happens to the best of us so it is time now to work on the muscles and pay attention  to your health.   The muscles go first and until that day you discover you can get down but not back up, it will be too late to make them stronger.   Walking is best. 

 

I sometimes wonder why you even tune in as I am so repetitious .  I don't mean to be but it is the way of my world these days.    You may not be interested in my black eye but it did get attention.  Everyone was sure I walked into a door or dis something like that.    When a doctor gives you an injection the eye responds with rainbow colors that do not match what you wear for the day.    I can't see it, so it doesn't bother me.   smile.  That fifty nine dollar medication seems to be working fine and makes for blurry eyes for a while.    Just about the time the eyes clear, it is time to take the second dose for the day.  There are some things you can't fight and have to let them run their course.   Hopefully I will find out my 'dry' eye has improved and I can walk about without 'tears' on my cheeks.    It does gain a little sympathy;  um. . . maybe I should leave things alone.

 

So today be patient, especially with bloggers who have little to write about on a daily basis.    It isn't the words that are important it is the thought that counts,  right???   Of course, I think about each and every one of you on a daily basis.  I wish you good health and a lot of laughter and love in your lives.    I want you all to be content with your world and share YOU with those you love and like.    Be a  Christmas spirit early and be merry and bright.    Grab a bear hug or two;   steal a smooch when you can;   be someone everyone cannot wait to see in their day;  be YOU.   Hugs to all.

 

 

 

Stormy Weather

Winter . . .  Baby its cold outside.

All we want for Christmas is a ticket to a sunny beach.

Well that storm that was promised came in with a vengeance and the ride to Bremerton both going and coming was very wet roads with lots of water on them so it was not without a worry or two as some of the true idiot drivers are out there asking to be in an accident.  We saw one car, and I wish I had the license plate to turn him or her in, as the car was tailgating and trying to get between two cars where there was no way or no room.   He or She could have caused a horrific accident.   Lucky one driver made the right move and allowed the idiot driver to get passed but oh for a policeman to catch that idiot. 

My trip to the eye doctor was enlightening.    She is a lady who knows her stuff and her assistant is right there with her.   I had a procedure done to try and open the two tiny dots to make them a bit larger so the tear ducts would work a bit better....or should I say not work as well as I have what they call 'dry eye' but why and how is beyond me when you 'weep' all the time.  There was not guarantee that it would do the trick but it was worth the try.   I'll find out soon enough.  Right now I have a black eye from the injection.   Relatively painless and hopefully it works in my favor.  I am tired of a 'wet' face.

Chris and I stopped to have lunch and I had tortilla soup for the first time...oh my...don't hesitate, it is delicious.   We brought some home for Pat who is busy catching Christine's cold.    Hope it does the trick and the soup helps stop the cold in its tracks.    We had to go back over to Fred Meyers for the prescription, a tiny tube of medication to use on the eyes to avoid any inflammation....$59.00 should put a stop to anything.  that's outrageous.   About half the size of your little finger.   It better work!!!

When I got back to Ridgemont we found the lights were out due to the storm.  What happened I never found out but it was eerie here and we didn't get the lights back until sometime after midnight.  I woke up to find lights on and here at one thirty a.m. I am blogging.   It was a tale to tell with the lights out in this place.   Dark and for boarding and forbidding as the hallways seemed to get longer.    I understand it all started around lunch time so the elevators did not work and the workers had a tough time getting all the folks back to their apartments.    They had to use stairs and with walkers that doesn't bode well.    The majority of folks do not move around well and stairs are not something they use at all.    They managed to get everyone back safe and sound.   Evelyn came over with a tiny plastic lantern which would not stay on.   Must be a battery problem.    Christine brought me two of the candles run by batteries and they worked fine.  I had a nice little flash light that I used to try and read by and did okay.    My door was open as they had a lantern outside the hallway which shed a bit of light.   Marcus, our harmonica player, stopped in and played a tune.   Vinnie came down to check on me and borrowed a cough drop.    He has a cough, not a cold, so he says, but if he passes a cold around his name will be 'mud'.

 

I crawled under my covers by ten p.m; and tried to read a bit more but it wasn't worth it so I shut off the light and went to sleep.   Waking up just after midnight to lights one was a nice surprise and making contact with you is nice too, but it is only after one thirty so I am going to love you and leave you and go back to bed..

 

Hope your storms are light.  I hope you don't have a black out.   No cooking dinner as we have an electric stove, so no coffee or hot tea, no hot soup...but  a peanut butter sandwich and a hand full of grapes works wonders.    So prepare for your winter storms and make sure you buy a few of those candles and don't forget the extra batteries.    Get out the long johns and the flannel sheets.   Put out a few extra blankets and be ready for anything.    Think thermos....coffee...tea....Milk and sodas are available but it is not the same....so ... be good, be kind, be generous, be wonderful just like you always are.    Make someone you like and love smile today.   Hugs to all.

 

New

The latest airport being built in Singapore.

The airport has a waterfall a large park and walking trails.  It cost $726 million to build and should take care of twenty-four million passengers.  

Yep, politics is  a strange game.  If we only knew the rules.

Live and learn!

Let me see, it is Tuesday, I have an eye appointment in Bremerton this morning as my new optometrist is an MD and she is going to do a small procedure to try and help the 'dry' eye , the first one in many years that took time to explain what it is and although there is no known cure there are a few things that can be done to try and make the patient more comfortable.   It is not fun to have tears running down your face all day and some places have something in their systems that bring allergies up to a full tilt.   Of course today is to be one of the worst storm days, wouldn't you know it. . . only twenty minutes away but driving in teeming rain is not fun and we will be going in with the workers.   Oh well, it has to be done!!

Meanwhile here at Ridgemont there is no new news.    I went down to play Rummy Cube with Rose and cheer her up.  It is getting so she can hardly move but she is stubborn enough to keep trying.   She was the winner of two games and I think it must have been those popsicles  she devoured.    She waits patiently for her daughter to come, and yearns for her family.  A sad situation on both sides.    Mr. Vinnie was a no show, doubt we will have the novel finished by Christmas as I wont be there today.   Our Vera is back in the hospital where she picked up some kind of germ when she went to have her leg operated on.   It is scary to think you can pick up a germ when you go to a hospital, one that keeps coming back. . .wonder what it is, why and what causes it.   The rest of the 'crew' enjoyed a spaghetti feed and a piece of canned blueberry pie.   The rain is keeping everyone in so we had a full house yesterday.  It was around twenty nine degrees yesterday morning and there is snow on the mountain passes so winter has arrived.

 

I hope you are preparing for winter and have put away all those summer duds and working on finding some warm and cozy things to wear all winter.    Just remember wood for the fireplace if you are lucky enough to have one.   Some folks refuse to use them as it makes a bit of cleaning up to do;  they don't know how lucky they are....nothing like a roaring fire , a hot toddy and a good book. . . or a man around the house to cuddle with.   Okay, time to love you and leave you.   Wish me luck.  I want 'wet' eyes for a change...smile.

 

Be good, be kind, be gentle. . . take someone out to lunch today.    Fish tacos has a nice ring to it.    Be warm, be safe, be content today.   Hugs to all. 

News

A sad commentary.   

Part of the problem.

I think I'll buy a thermos.   It might come in handy with all the winter weather setting in.

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date...la, la, la.......   I just got busy doing the lay out for a new puzzle and forgot I started my blog but didn't finish it.   Well, that will never do.   The rain has stopped for a minute or two but the weather folks are telling us to hunker down and get ready for a real storm.  I wonder what they thought the last week was all about.   Oh well, winter is here and we have to get used to the inclement weather, like it or not. . . I find I like it for the most part as it gives us a chance to slow down.   I'd like a fire place to sit in front of but beggars cannot be choosers.   They do have them in the apartment complex up the street but the price is about three times of what it is here.   Oh to be rich . . . next time!!

 

You get off easy today as I have to get ready to go up for lunch.   Eleven o'clock 'dinner' is not to my liking but that chooser statement goes a long way.    The food is always a surprise, some days it is really disgusting, some days not too bad, and some days a surprise and it taste pretty good.  The only thing is no matter what they serve the burps go right along with it.   Wonder why institution food is that way.   I miss cooking.   I miss my vegies cooked to perfection.  I miss baking cookies.   I miss a lot of things but I really have little to gripe about.

 

I had a couple of games of Rummy Cube with Rose and Aggie.    We are teaching Aggie the game and she really didn't like waiting for her turn... smile...she was really excited to be playing.   Rose can't make it to the dining room anymore.  She is getting very feeble.   I am hoping her daughter makes a trip here to see her soon.   It really is hard to be one hundred years old.   I wouldn't wish it on my best friend or my worst enemy.    So, put her on your prayer list .

 

Off I go, have yourself a special day, a good day, a beautiful day...don't forget one good deed;  start looking for a way to join a group sending boxes to our soldiers overseas.   Get in the mood....the holidays are all but here.    Like you need a reminder!!!

 

Be good, be kind, be gentle.  Share YOU with those you love and like.    Verbal hugs are necessary too . . .  hint, hint.....Hugs to all.