A Word or Two!

and we all know a couple or three that we could gift a glue stick to. 

and this attitude makes a woman stronger but scares the hell out of the men in their lives.

and we should get on this band wagon.   

Ha, ha,  I can relate to that.

Three little birds . . . sitting in a tree . . . a family . . . pretty special .

I would love to have some exciting words and thoughts to write about this morning but it is one of those weeks when the clouds have moved in and a few rain drops fall and it is quiet time.   We all need quiet time in our lives to relax and catch up with ourselves.    When you reach this age there are more of those kinds of days than not.    The mind says you can motivate  but the body doesn't agree.    The fifteen hundred pieces of puzzle is organized but trying to find the right  piece is a puzzle in itself.    Amazing how so many pieces fit but don't fit.    Is that what is called a corundum?   The few folks that walked in the door shook their heads and walked out again.  I think about five hundred pieces is their limit.   This puzzle is the story of a hurricane and it is a doozy, but a challenge and it will get done sooner or later, no hurry as I don't have any special dinner parties planned and eating from you lap is always easy and fun.    Speaking of eating, Vinnie brought Rose and I a piece of his birthday lemon pie.   He had hoped for a home made lemon pie but Rose just couldn't make it .  She is failing more every day and we are all hoping she will make it to Sunday when her daughter plans her birthday party early.    I just cannot imagine turning one hundred years old.   Rose was telling us she was gifted a trip to the casino with her daughter and her son -in-law and had a very strange experience of being extremely cold.   She said she had never experienced such cold , so the body must be shutting down slowly and our lovely Rose will be off to the Garden Gate where  she will bask in the warmth and sunshine of a new and hopefully better life.    Add her to your list of prayers tonight, please and thank you.

 

Now don't get all sad and worried about the old timers.  They are all of the same mind as far as I can tell.   It is right and proper to take one day at a time.   That's the way it is.  It starts in infancy and works up  to a ripe age...and that age can be anything from one to a hundred.    Your specialty is to live it one day as it comes, picking yourself up when you feel low;   paying attention to your true duties as a family member for it is in the giving that we find happiness within ourselves.   The give and take of life...it is what makes our world go around.     Don't be sad for the one who is returning to peaceful solitude, be happy for them, and get busy doing a bit of living on your own .  Your duty is to live, laugh and be happy and make your seconds count for something.   There is an old adage about giving of yourself without expectation of 'pay-back' , but I cannot remember it at the moment. . . but it does mean that in giving you receive . . . and you do, a bonus you never expected.  So today look around and see who needs the light touch;  the hug, the kiss on the cheek or a smile from YOU.   Go, be benevolent, kind and make 'life' come alive for yourself and those you like and love.

 

I am off for a refill, put a piece or two in the puzzle and later I think I'll go down and visit Rose and play her favorite Rummy Cube game and have a cup of tea and a cookie.      There is more than one way to spend a rainy day.     Be good, be kind, be gentle and cheerful would help bring a little sunshine to your life today.    Hugs to all.

 

Cuties

Smiling Eyes . . . that song, "All I need is Love" comes to mind.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . . graceful, translucent  and amazing.

Two is company, three is a crowd, four is to many and five not allowed.....when lightening strikes, who cares?   Sure footed mountain goats...pretty cute and sure footed.  They are probably thinking of singing that song...'Show me the way to go home."    And we think we have something to complain about.

Mirror, mirror, who is that beautiful face......wow, what a beauty....

Picture by Dan Lewis who was taking his annual trip to see the New England colors  . . . beauty even in the rain.

Good morning, a new day and I am still smiling over the one that got away, yesterday.    Vinnie was a show, read a short while but it was his birthday and he was celebrating with a lemon pie from his want to be lady friend, Rose, who used to bake pies for a Tea Room and mastered the art.  He wanted her to bake him one of her prize pies but as she is going to be celebrating her one hundred years of age soon, no luck, it is just to much to ask.   She asked me what to do. . . easy, buy a Fred Meyer lemon meringue  pie and wish him good health...she did and he was tickled.   On the same vein, he had to come down to my place to pick up his frozen Blizzard , one of his favorites and he felt his day was worth while.   Turning eighty is a bit scary for some but it is really only a new beginning of a new and special decade of life.  He got a kiss on his cheek and glowed, so entering a new decade is not all bad, just a slow down time of life;  um. . . maybe that is what rocking chairs were made for.

 

We have two new ladies to meet and greet.   The apartment next to mine is now occupied so I will have to change my ways as I have had no one around me for several months and no one in the apartment below so I have been able to stomp around like I own the place.   Hopefully, I can invite my new neighbor in for a cup of tea and a cookie and get to know her.   Our lady, Betty, has become the greeter of the place and she is a wonder in making the new person feel at home.   She takes time to show them the way to the elevator up to the third floor and lunch and helps them get acquainted to their new surroundings.  She is just a little sprite and full of pep and vinegar, with smiling eyes and a need to be useful.   We are lucky to have her.    Meanwhile we inhale the smells of cookie baking as Doris makes some different cookie a couple of times a week.  She has been baking for years and is a wonder.  She will be 99 this year but you would think she was in her seventies.   A live wire, a giver, a delight to know and I am on her cookie list . ah, there is nothing like being a 'taster' and I haven't found a favorite cookie yet as each sample has been better than the last one.    I shared three of my cookie recipes  with her so am expecting to taste one of them soon.    I am still working on getting over my fear of the stove and setting off the alarm.  I am getting a little braver as I have cooked some sausage and eggs without setting it off.   I will keep trying, and maybe I'll bake something soon as I miss my date and nut bread with cream cheese...um...I could go for some of that right now.

 

So, take yourself to the kitchen, get out a bowl and put some batter together and make some one you like and love happy today.    There is nothing like a little tea party to set  your world straight.    Be kind, be gentle, be as good as you know how to be and share YOU . . . don't be bashful, walk into a bear hug and give one back.    Smile with your eyes and 'glow';  hum a little until you get the tune just right then 'bellow' to the top of your lungs as you make a little sunshine to brighten your day.  Hugs to all.

 

 

 

Humor

Angie came up with this picture and said she thought her two little dogs have been reading a lot. 

The Cheshire Cat, how clever , those Gallery ladies sure know how to 'decorate' a table.   

Ah, the beautiful Monarch  Butterfly, even the flowers do not detract from its beauty.   

What's for dinner?    This big bold beautiful eagle knows how to fish...no wonder it is so big and beautiful.  

A new week, didn't I just say that?    Vinnie, the no show for the last couple of days, has a birthday today.  He is 80 today and has a sweet tooth so I have a 'blizzard'' in the freezer for him to help him celebrate his rise to 'geekville';   He thinks he is old, aha, wait a bit and he will find another decade is needed to catch up with the rest of us.    I think there are three to celebrate birthdays this month.    Here in Ridgemont, a  lunch time is set aside to celebrate the birthday folks  Birthdays are good and appreciated more as the years go flying bye.  

A lovely quiet Sunday shared with daughter Patricia and the new series of "Reign", check out Netflick and join us as the acting is really good and the intrigue and treachery makes one think of the current events;   some things never change.  I think there is a saying about history repeats itself;  Are we not suppose to learn from our mistakes?;   when, is the question.  Patricia says she hates to cook but her expertise in the kitchen defies that.   We were not really hungry so I suggested we use up a few of her luscious garden tomatoes with some cheese and have a toasted sandwich with a cup of soup.   She made up some tomato soup to die for;  have no idea what brand she uses but I need to find out.  I don't even like tomato soup and would have gone for a second bowl full, it was so delicious.   She didn't burn the toasted cheese sandwich like I usually do, some folks have a knack for doing things right and then there are folks like me who seem to cultivate burned offerings.  I think Ma used to say ' eat it, it cultivates your voice."    After dinner and a couple of more chapters of "Reign", we rode over to pick up a soft ice cream  for desert.  It has been ages since I have had a soft chocolate cone ...yum.    Treat yourself to ne today and enjoy.  Calories just don't count on some Sundays.

 

John and Jo have been experiencing a bit of the hurricane that hasn't made its mind up as to whether or not it wants to inundate the East coast;  it is finding places to send a lot of rain and wind.    They were heading out to a favorite restaurant where they find some of the best Indian food.   I haven't tried Indian food but have it on my bucket list along with a few other dishes that might be fun to try.    Speaking of food reminds me Jock is having a birthday this week and he will be celebrating without us, and that is sad.  We can't treat him to his favorite omelet  but when he does come this way there is a restaurant we will take him to and see if we can match up the size and quality of the omelet with lots of hot peppers....he is a glutton for punishment...hot. hot peppers....good when you are singing 'baby its' cold outside'....  Some really wonderful folks celebrate October as their birth month.   My daughter, Eileen was an 'opal' queen and Pa , the same date, was a true love too . . . So hum a little birthday song and wish them all well.  

 

I talked with son Michael yesterday and asked how he was doing with his new phone.....he is on his second one . . . seems he didn't throw one against the wall in frustration but managed to push to hard on the glass and it shattered, then he probably threw it against the wall.   I am glad I don't go for these modern appliances  . . . that old Princess phone works just fine.  He is doing fine, keeping busy and was heading up to Lake Tahoe with friends on a mercy mission.  A good friend is just coming home from the hospital and they are going to fix up some form of pullys so she can move about a little.  Good deeds and kind hearts just go together.    So, think about what good deed you can accomplish today...and do it.....with a soft touch, a smile and of course a hug or two.    Come to think of it, I could use a verbal hug from YOU.....Hugs to all.

 

 

More

Now that would take some energy to rake clean, almost too beautiful to even want to sweep clean.  Think of all that crunching and kicking leaves as you went up and down.

The witch of color; about time someone found the right color for a witch. . . takes a little of the scary look away from this old girl. or guy, there is just beauty in every one when we take time to look.

A nice thought.

Hey Jock, here is a good helper when you want to catch a big one.....I thought it was enjoying watermelon but that is a big fish skinned and ready to be devoured.

The seven deadly sins are at play. . . Some are not listening to the seventh commandment....'thy shall not kill';   wonder if they ever heard of the ten commandments.      Maybe instead of taking them away or ignoring them in public places, we should be making them bigger than life and then maybe all will know that there are rules and words to live by that puts evil in its place.  A prayer or two for guidance like the Pray of Serenity which asks "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."   Yep, have put that on more than once.    So you have read the words, now follow its meaning.

 



This is no way to treat the fall colors, it would not have hurt to wait a bit longer.

Here it is Sunday morning, quiet prevails, the sound of a car out on the highway if you listen closely;  maybe a worker coming in for the early shift at the hospital building next door;  not quite a hospital but a  special building for those that are close to the garden gate or in the anti chamber of the Alzheimer wing.   There are several spouses housed over there and it is sad to hear, feel and see the surviving member relate the daily visit with no hope of recovery for their love one.   The guilt they feel for being healthy and not able to 'fix' their partner in life, the tears of frustration,  the words, the look of love gone from their eyes, the quietness or the anger or worst of all not being recognized by their loved one.   For some it has been a short journey, for others the feeling of 'almost' a life time.   We can listen, we can understand as we join in prayer for a cure for the insidious diseases that rob our loved ones of  life.  So, Sunday is a prayer day . . . let each of us find a reason or two to open up our minds and hearts and ask for a miracle.   When you stop to think, we have much to pray about.   

 

Here at Ridgemont life goes on, for some slowly, others still full of energy and are up and out and about.    I had told one of the ladies , who mentioned she had Netflick on her television, that she should tune into "Reign" as it was well done and a new season was going to be coming up and I was waiting for it.   She came into the laundry room saying "shame on you, I tuned on to "Reign" and I'm hooked.  I am not getting anything done....the acting is great, the story and I don't even like period pieces, is excellent."   Should I tell her the new season is coming out.  I'm ready to spend some time in front of the television.  

 

Meanwhile the slow learning process of meeting and greeting new folks is beginning to make more sense.    You cannot "judge a book by its cover' comes to mind.   Personalities are strong, different and not always what they seem.   First impressions are not always true and time begins to help sort out the differences.    Each person has a definite personality all their own, each one has a 'door, if you will' , that like the proverbial cup is half full and half empty.    Given the time of day, the feelings of the moment you can be accepted or rejected.   There are no rhymes or reasons, it is part of the age philosophy that projects the feelings of 'I am having a good day, or a bad day."   ... how you personally deal with is yours to do.    So I find myself puzzled in some ways and very aware of the changes another.    We have a few 'mental' folks , a few Greta Garbo folks, a few over the top and a few bound within their own selves .   So my 'serenity prayer' is on a little glass plaque right here by my computer and I can read it and smile knowing if I follow the rules of the road I'll eventually make sense of the different personalities and maybe even make a friend or two.   Time will tell.

 

So, today reach out, let others know you do want a relationship, a friendship, a give and take exchange of the wonders that make life worth living.    Don't allow anyone to be a 'lost soul' , reach out, a light touch, a smile with your eyes look about you and take charge...an invitation to lunch;   a cup of tea or coffee  and a cookie or two, maybe even dinner out if you are flushed, or even pizza in  . . .  just some one good deed and you have changed the world for someone you like and love.   Be a specialist in the art of 'love'.   Hugs to all.

 

Stress less

Isn't that the truth.   

Colorful love birds found a special spot to call home.   We have heard about blondes having more fun;  but, I bet these two wouldn't agree.    Red heads have a glow of their very own.

Wonder if thisis called a tiger lilly . . . sure is different...exotic....reminds me a little of the deep sea octopus, although a bit more colorful and more beautiful.

Winter in Alaska.  

Here it is Saturday morning, your weekend is here, now, what are you going to do with it?    Last night was Ladies Night here in Port Orchard and I would call it a huge success as the Gallery folks set a fantastic table with all kinds of snacks both salty and sweet, along with a glass of wine.  The artists showings were a wall of beautiful pencil or stencil art which was very well done.  Different and priced within reason.  I hope some of them sold.   The other showing was water colors , again, worth the trip up the hill to see them.    On the main street the shops were all open and each one had a special on their wares as well as a small token for stopping in.   I made several of the shops but the legs gave out and walking was not going to be my forte for the night, so back to the car and home.    There is one things about Port Orchard, the folks love it here and do participate.   They are open, friendly and do heed to advice as I told several how well done the gallery was and worth the trip uphill.   They must have listened as Christine said they had a lot of folks stop in and helped help empty the plates.   I am laughing at myself as my few words were not what sent them up the hill; it was the huge basket of very good chocolates that they couldn't resist.  

"Wilderness" by Louis L'Amour and photographs by David Muench. a must for your Christmas list of book lovers along with the poetry book I told you about by L'Amour.     Ron came down in his new electric cart and brought me a Louis L'Amour book and asked if I would like to read it.  I never turn down a L'Amour I have not read.   It is a special book he wrote about his travels across America over his many years and two hundred stories he had written about the country;.   In this one you will discover some facts we were never taught in school.  It is amazing how much we have not learned.  When they say you learn something new every day , it is no joke...we do learn something new every day.  The photographs are amazing.

Here at Ridgemont the city folks were to come and flush out the water pipes so we were banned from the laundry room  as one year when that happened someone had their laundry turn colors that they  should not have.   Friday being my laundry day and time, was shut off and believe it or not , they did not come and get it over with so now I suppose they will choose today or tomorrow and my basket sits waiting for attention. 

Vinnie was on tap to listen to "Winds of War' and we had Aggie join us yesterday and she sat with us and listened and said she would be back as she enjoyed what she was listening to.   We were at the part where the character was expounding on Roosevelt and his cleverness to read the American public and his lend lease act.    As I  said, we learn something new every day and in those growing up years we didn't pay attention to the details of what was going on world wide or within our own country, we were to busy growing up.   So believe it when you are told that you are never to old to learn something new.   Isn't it wonderful to find out we are never to old to learn something new about our history and geography.

So, take time out this winter and hunker down with some good reading, leave the romance alone, unless of course you have a little activity of your own.   Those historical novels have some mind boggling facts when written by an author who takes time to discover the 'real' stories .   Think winter, snowy days, ice cold winds, a fire in the fireplace, a cozy throw to cuddle in and a good book . . . ah! Something to look forward to.    Meanwhile, be good, be kind, be gentle and share a bit of YOU with those you love and like.    Hugs to all.

Food and Stuff

How come we never thought to making this when at the beach?  Looks like the tide isn't due n for awhile...good thing after all that hard work.   I have seen drift wood shacks but never a dining room. . . ah, imagination!!

New owners, great food, a real production and well worth the stop. 

Here is a look at our Saturday market where you can buy some fresh produce and lovely flowers.

Angie has done it again.   She decided to join a class to learn how to make a quilt and I wuld say her first attempt is a winner.

The lovely Truckee area of Nevada....sigh!!

 

 

There was a debate last night here in Port Orchard and daughter Christine invited me to join her so I could meet the incumbents for the city counsel and when voting time comes along in November, I will have some idea of what is going on and what the contenders look like.  I believe four seats are up for grabs.   City Hall is a beautiful building, well built, open, great chamber room , half circular seating for the incumbents or for general meetings.  My daughter seems to know everybody and I was introduced to he mayor and several of the ladies who seem to be involved in a lot of Port Orchard activities as I have met a couple of them at the Gallery.   Nice folks, and very dedicated to their small town.  The sad thing is that I could not hear.  They each had a microphone in front of them but it didn't help as the voices seemed soft and muffled to me.   They each had a name card and the woman who is head of the Women's League of Voters had a very soft voice.  She asked each one questions and they responded and although I could not hear and follow the debate, body language has a mind of its own.   The old timers were more relaxed, while the younger members had more to prove.   A good showing of town folks and all listened intently with the exception of one old fellow who seem to nod through the entire event.   Maybe he was just resting his eyes and didn't miss a word.    It was my first ever political debate and I was happy I attended.   I may not have heard all the words, a few got by, and I picked up a little knowledge of the folks running and saw how they responded....now to buy the newspaper and follow up on some of their words.   

 

Here at Ridgemont it was paint the entrances day and the ladies did a fast and a good job.    No more holes for hanging 'stuff' outside the entrance to the apartments.  There are some new hangers that do not create holes that can be used.   I'll have to come up with something to welcome guests when the door is open;  something clever. . . so if you have any ideas send them this way.   I could use a little help in the thinking department. 

 

Speaking of open doors, I left mine open yesterday and Ron walked in with another Louis L'Amour book called "Frontier" which is the authors short stories about his travel throughout America and the photographs were taken by David Muench and are fabulous.  I can hardly wait to start in on it.    I have a novel going and am halfway so when finished you know what book I'll have going.   I had no idea that this book and the poetry book existed.  I thought I had the collection of all his work but find some of the most important work was unknown to me.    If you have a book reader on your Christmas list, I'd recommend this book and the poetry book as well.  They have been around for years but are the kind that never go out of style.    There is just something about the 'old west' and life way back then that appeals to all...  well, all of us who have a 'thing' for cowboys.    Oh, and Vinnie didn't show for our reading but did stop by to drop off two small empty tins he thought I'd find use for.  Nice thought.  He wouldn't come in seeing I had a visitor so he missed out on my filling the tins with sugar cookies I bought at Costco;  a huge Christmas tin filled with small tasty sugar cookies made just right for sharing.

 

Today is laundry day for me but I am banned from the laundry room as the city folks are going to shut off the water and flush the lines.  I understand that it can turn the water and clothes into a staining color so we were asked not to use the laundry room today.   There will be free time over the weekend then I can catch up.    Fine timing just when I was experimenting on my time line for getting my laundry done without having to hang in there or make several trips up and down the hallway....come to think of it, I could bring the "Frontier" book with me ....great idea when I next go down there.

 

So, make yourself useful today.   The end of your week.   I hope you had a good one and got in all your good deeds.  I hope you took time to hug a few folks along the way.    Maybe you even shared a  kiss on the cheek and held a hand or two . . . if you didn't...shame on you.....get busy and share you with those you like and love.   Hugs to all.

Stuff

Don't know what it is but it is beautiful.  I love the shadow.  

On Facebook. . . I bet this was shared.    We all know that Washington D.C. politicians have forgotten the meaning of words like expenses, save, cut, invest, and the list goes on.  

The Lighthouse Restaurant here in Port Orchard where we enjoy the outside seating and some delicious food. There is a lovely patio with tables and chairs and umbrellas.   The view is lovely.

A truism

This picture reminded me of trips up into the mountains in Nevada when the Aspin trees covered the entire area with its Fall color of brilliant bright yellow.  I have always missed the Fall colors of New England  and I am forever thankful for the folks that have planted the lovely maples all over the country.    Golden leaves have a beauty all their own but those that turn a brilliant red with brown and gold that makes the heart smile.  I've heard beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . . how lucky we are.

I had an invitation out yesterday, Sheila is home from her trip to Canada and the Boston, Mass. stop over which she thoroughly enjoyed.   She got to tell me all about it on the way to Poulsbo  where she had her car serviced by her mechanic who has his business in the country, so to speak.  The garage and office sit in a beautiful woodland of huge trees.  There are a few small maples that have turned color and stand proudly against the green pines.    The office was a wonder of pictures on the wall of all kinds of old cars, fishermen in their boats, family photos to precious to take down and pictures of the area dating back to the twenties.   The two men who were there were gentle men, smiling eyes and happy to see you as a person and not just a customer.    I don't have to wonder why Sheila would rather make the trip there to service her car than a closer place right here.    If I had a car I'd be sure I signed up to spend my time visiting right there.  We had our breakfast at a restaurant on the water front called "Sheila's" and if you are ever in the neighborhood put that restaurant on top of your list as they serve a bowl of oatmeal, steel cut, with pecans, brown sugar and light crème to die for.  The homemade brown bread was excellent but the oatmeal would win every blue ribbon at a fair, and I am not an oatmeal eater.   I am now.

We stopped at the casino and played for a while.  They had the Dean Martin one that was good to me and gave me back all my money so I came home with my own money  which was nice.  I would love to have come home with some of theirs but haven't found the key to their vault yet.  Forty years of trying should tell me something about gaming and come to think of it, it has, check the word expectations and learn from it.   The delusions of grandeur of leaving my children rich beyond their wildest dream is long gone.  They will have to continue to struggle the same way I did.   I'll just tell them it is good for building their characters, but I think they already know that.  

 

So, today is a new day, the start of a new month and you have thirty one days to use up before you get another new month.  You will be busy I know.  You have Halloween coming up and that is always fun to prepare for.   I am happy when the children of the town are treated to the festivities in town and not walking door to door.   I hope it grows and the kids have a wonderful time.  It is a dangerous world out there now and it isn't smart to let the children go door to door anymore.   Innocence has fled..   We all have memories of what it used to be like in our youth but the world has become a far different cry from what used to be.   Now if we could donate to the folks who put the special activities on and not have to buy candy in case some of the children come it would make life much easier.  Think about it. Enjoy today, be good, be kind, be  a hugger, be a 'good old boy' and make someone laugh out loud today.  Hugs to all.