Trees and a Bridge

Now how far does little guy think he is going to get !!   It may surprise us all.

this is a Jabutacaba Tree, luscious berries, wonder what the folks make of them...wine?   jam?  Jelly?  or maybe they are just a feast for the birds and the bees.  beauties though.

Noe this is a tree within a tree within a tree...wow....look at that base.    

How true and most laborers are happy to be working and making a living supporting themselves and their families.   I admire the steel workers.   Their work has to be difficult and a bit perilous to boot.   I think the cement workers are fabulous and do such artistic work , but the carpenters have to get first prize for the work they do both in building new and in repairing old.  Not an easy job but one that does bring a lot of satisfaction to the worker and the recipient.   I'd like to have one of those handy men around here.  I have lots of honey do items on my list .

A bridge over the Columbia River up there in Astoria, Oregon.  Patricia and I have gone over it many times.  The iron workers did a fantastic job building this bridge many years ago.    It goes from Oregon to Washington State and is is a bit awesome on the first  ride over.   

Another outing at Lone Ranch Beach with Patricia, Erin and Emma.   Poor Emma was all excited about a run on the beach but the tide was coming in and the waves were huge, high, thunderous and left no beach to run on.   I did get my walk around the pathway and noticed some of the little buds were out on the weed plants, a sign of early spring I think.    There were sights to see as I rounded the corner and was amazed by the sight of driftwood that piled way back on the beach and was huge. I have never seen so many really  big trees on the beach.  There is a river that runs into the beach so there had to have been a huge storm to bring that many huge trees down to the ocean.   It just shows me how strong the ocean currents are.   Erin took some pictures so hopefully she will share and I will show you them.

Jock had come in the evening before with a big chunk of freshly caught salmon which he cooks on the grill.  He had a new marinade this time and the ladies said it was excellent.  I missed out as I had worn my self out pushing the couch from one end of the living room to the other.   I think it is the last time, what a woose I am becoming   Katrina the Great where did you go?  Erin hooked up the CD player which she had all through college and was going to put it in the yard sale, but now it is mine . . . and I played some of the Fifties music which brought out a smile or to and a few memories as well.    

Mid week . . . Hump day. . . how did it get here so fast ?    Erin is leaving us on Friday, that's why. . . I took her to the Tea Room for lunch and we shared two deserts because we couldn't make our minds up as to which one was first on our list.   One huge piece of coconut cream pie and a double double strawberry short cake...three forks got busy in a hurry;  even the spoon came in handy to 'lick the plate'. . . I'm surprised one of us didn't lick the plate...yum.!!

A trip around the Antique Mall was a life saver as it gave us exercise.   The booths all had sales, a couple empty and some priced much too high for some of the items that really are not antiques.   I saw one stein that looked interesting but the price wasn't  yard sale price so it stayed behind.  There was one table that sold for six thousand dollars.  I wish you could see it.  I didn't have the camera with me and I wish I did.   It was magnificent and I have no idea who bought it as there was a sold sign on it but it was much like a large entrance table in a very rich home.   Very ornate, graceful legs, very tall and shaped much like a violin but more rounded in areas.   The colors were bright  and beautiful, almost like a country scene.  Sort of French style I would think.   I wouldn't want to be the one who scratched it or laid a cup of coffee on it...smile.

As for the State of the Union address, there was no way to avoid it, caught some and am always amazed how the representatives can listen to a campaign speech and applaud knowing that all is not what is being touted.   The slowest economy comeback in history;   millions out of work;   more promises to put them to work road building, fast trains and all that rhetoric we have heard before.  The excuse for not closing our borders was a doozy.   Okay, enough, you probably heard it all and formed your own opinions.    The President said his wife Michelle would be happy  to have him leave office . . . she's not alone.

Go...have some fun today....do something you really like to do....like call a friend . . . take someone out for a latte . . . stop and get a hug and give one back. . .just be good, kind, gentle and patient ...not easy to do sometimes, but YOU can do it.    Hugs to all.

Trees

This picture came with a a joke talking about a Falcon in a tree which turned out to be this particular Falcon and not the expected bird.  

This tree trunk is much like  a musical instrument.   Nature making music in the woods.

What a cutie.   Yep, Grandmothers sure do love babies.   

Find reasons  to smile, it is good for you.   

That time of year is coming around again.  According to the news we are in for some shocks.  

It is time to get all your facts and figures in order.  

Good Tuesday morning, I hear the weatherman has send word that we are in for some lovely days.  The two man garden crew was here yesterday and planted the two plants some animal knocked over from the front of the house.   Hopefully they will grow where they have been placed, although I think they will be trimmed back often.   They are a succulent plant and do not like rain, so we will see what happens.  One beautiful pot was in shards, the other survived.   I'll have to find some new plant to put into it.   I'll have to make a trip to the nursery and see what is out there for low growing plants and color.   Spring is just around the corner...smile...wishful thinking.

I just inherited Erin's old college CD player and radio.   I  hated to give up my 1960 combination player but it had its day and was fading away.   It played records too and there are not many of those around anymore.   Now I have to get rid of the records.  I have several CD's of the music reprized in  an album format so have all the Big Band era and some of the fifties music as well.    Music and memories...wow, what a combination.    I have a few singles as well so will play those today. I'll have to close the windows so I don't upset the neighbors with my singing.    Wonder how many words I'll remember.

So have a great day doing what you like to do.  I know work is on the top of your list.   Take yourself out to lunch and invite a friend along.  Don't forget to be YOU today and share a hug or two.    Be a friend.    Hugs to all.

MORE UNUSUAL TREES

It looks like Mother Nature was interested in having you sit awhile and enjoy the 'roots' of her labor.

Maybe a spot for target practice.

Unbelievable, some one creature from the cat family.

this is all about  twists and turns

Mr. Atlas.

The Greek folks make a braided Easter bread , wonder if they got the idea from the tree.

The attachment was and still is an amazing study of trees.   The wonders of nature.   All we have to do is go for a walk and keep our eyes open and we discover so many different and unusual mysteries that give our eyes and our minds a workout.    A little tiny seed is planted;  sometimes by a bird, sometimes by a gardener with a promise of a wondrous tree.   I have a pine tree planted by a bird and it is now almost six feet tall, and that is within the last couple of years.   It is going to have to be cut down as it is much to close to my neighbors house.  That bird didn't ask us where we wanted it planted,  and why it chose the side yard between the houses is a mystery.   Why I planted a tree right next to a fence is a mystery also, guess I wasn't thinking about how big it would get.  So far it is slow growing , nice and straight, and seems content . . . if it gets as big as the one in the empty lot next to us I'm in trouble.   So if you are planning on planting any trees, take a good look around before you set it in the ground.    It needs space to grow.

I'll be back with a few more trees tomorrow.  Right now I am bemoaning the fact that it is four thirty a.m. and I cannot go back to sleep.   I'll go have coffee and find something to go with it, turn on the television and nap in my chair.  Now you know why we all buy those recliners.

Make your new week memorable.   Do something special for you.   Be good, be kind, be gentle as you go about doing your good deeds this week.     Smile and make someone happy.   Hugs to all.

READY OR NOT

Ready or Not....here we go ......Good Morning To You......Good Morning to  You
I hope your day is as bright as YOU.

The picture of the bay and the picture of the people came in on an attachment  with many pictures of similar content.  You just  moved the curser  and the empty bay filled with the boats, the before and after pictures taken during the war  years and  then how it is today.    It was quite an interesting trek back in history.   The wonders of the new technology.

I keep telling you hugs are good for you.  Look at that expression.....it  could be you if you share a hug today.

I have some unusual trees to show you.  This is one that  seems to have found a way to become a tepee of sorts.  I wonder if the gardner had a hand in this, or did it actually grow that way by itself?  Nah....that seems impossible . . . wish I knew.

Smile, you know  a few , I know you do.

Sunday all day.    Enjoy it.   the storm came in , the rains were heavy and noisy, and some night crawling animal tipped over my  big planters and one got all smashed up.  I heard the noise around three a.m but didn't get up.  When no one came in the window, I turned over and went back to sleep.  My resident deer don't usually do any  damage, just keep the bushes trimmed and they never bloom. It must be one of those black eyed uglies with nothing better to do in the middle of the night.

I love the chocolate bars as they make up so much quicker than the cookies and taste the same.   So if you stop by for 'a cuppa' I have a tin full.   The puzzle is almost finished, been a tough one but fun.  I tried separating the pieces by shapes, not a good idea at all.  I made up a Mexican 'jean' dish for dinner and it came out  really tasty.    I cooked up some chicken pieces, chopped in nice small bite size, added green pepper, tomato, onion, sweet peppers, and a small amount of broccoli pieces and let cook awhile before adding some black beans.   Pat brought me over some big tortillas so I used them and wrapped the mixture and rolled them up tight. I had forgotten the cheese so spread it on top and it came out fine.  Baked it in the the oven 350 degrees for about thirty minutes and it turned into a very tasty dish. I could have had a dinner party but no one was available.  Hope the left overs heat up to be as delicious and some one drops in to help me eat it all up.So my Sunday is all set, let it rain, I have a good book, can finish the puzzle and I don't have to cook.   Hope your Sunday turns out to be exactly the way you want it to be.   Rest and Relaxation . . . a good combination.    Stay calm, cool and collected and enjoy your Sunday.    Hugs to all.

Winter

A  mossy walk in Alaska was the caption for this picture.   Brr....cold, looks like a person lying down.  One of those wonderful pictures where you can use your imagination and find all kinds of things.

This winter scene reminded me of Jock's fence where his beans grow   and his little dog helps himself to the beans and encourages his partners to join him.

A winter scene of a bridge going nowhere special;  just a little island where you can stop for a second  and look around.  Not much to see, wonder who built it and why.

another hint.   Good idea if you do not have any picture hooks available.  Clever!

Yes, a truism.   After winter we will need a place to  walk into and rejuvenate the spirit.

The weekend is here, now to figure out what to do with it.   I guess it all depends on the weather.   We had some sunshine for awhile yesterday but then it went into hiding and the clouds came along with some cold.   Pat and Erin opened the garage door to their up coming yard sale.  Put out a few signs and people did come.  Not many, but a few and I got my job back greeting the folks as they came up the driveway.    We are due for more storms so we may have to wait for a sunshine weekend so we can try again , only this time advertise so folks will come.   Downsizing is clearing out a lot of collectibles and it is sad to see them sitting out there waiting for a new home.    Each one has a memory to it.    How easy it is to become attached to beauty.  Some of the old glass has such wonderful depth of color .  Sad, it cannot talk and tell its history.   I wonder who made it;  where was it made;  who bought it and housed it and used it for so many years.   What tales to be told.  The same with pieces of jewelry which make you wonder who chose a certain pin or pair of earrings.  When did they wear the jewelry, where, and maybe it was a gift from someone who loved them.   The children's books that have such delightful stories and all those dolls that were played with and loved.   Yes, I came home with a cook book as it had several old recipes I used to make up a very long time ago.  Hopefully all will find a new home and someone to care for them for another generation.

Enjoy your weekend.  Take time to look around your surroundings and check around your home and think about the history of your collectibles.  Were they gifts from loved ones?   Did you go shopping and buy some one piece because you thought it was the most beautiful piece you could ever own?   Did you cry over a piece that got broken?  Will you find a replacement?  Will you take time to give them a good dusting?   Will you pass them on?   Whatever you choose to do, take pleasure in ownership and relish each piece because of its history.   "Things" are important to us in our life time.   They bring such pleasure and add beauty to our surroundings.   

I am off to have my coffee and wake up.  I have my blueberry pancake batter ready so you know what I am doing right now.  If you are in the neighborhood stop in, I'll share.  Enjoy your Saturday as  you go about spending your seconds as you want.   Share  YOU with those  you love.   Don't forget that one good deed, a call, a kind word, a hug and a kiss on each cheek . . . be beautiful today, be a collectible.   Hugs to all.

Time Out

A good thought for today.

Angie's picture of the morning sunrise.  How beautiful.

I love a fireplace and miss having one.   There is beauty in the fire itself as it burns a log or two.   

Yep, that's me.   I treated my girls to fish and chips at the Chart House restaurant in Crescent Cit y.   We watched one wayward young pup bark and call for attention and then climb over the sleeping giants looking for attention.  He actually  made it to the end of the long pier they are on and created havoc as he went.  He laid low for a second or two and next we saw him in the water which seemed to be a signal for the others to get up and move......they did and all but a few jumped in.

Erin got such a kick out of them.   Sea Lions....barking, mischievous  and amusing.    A good way to wait to be served.  

Sea Lions at rest.

Friday, how fast this week went by.   We had quite a down pour during the night.  I awakened to hear the tinkle of the stove hood  vent so knew it was coming down hard, a real soaker.  I was a bit upset reading the news item on Facebook about the Goodwill Industry taking advantage of receiving free merchandise and selling it at high prices, paying the young challenged folks a pittance and their high management folks over four hundred thousand dollar salaries . . . and we wonder what is wrong in our world . . . the first of many  ills.   We just had a Goodwill store open here in Brookings.  I wonder if the write up will make a difference.  Just one more 'bee in our bonnet.'  It reminded me of an event in the sixties when we had a visitor from Hungry , the brother of one of the nuns at our church.  He was amazed at what he found here in America and said he could become a multi-millionaire  on our waste alone.    So times haven't changed much and Goodwill Industries found the inroad.  I know we will donate to  what we refer to as  'the dog place' , a local thrift store where the employees are volunteers and the unwanted animals are taken care of until homes can be found for them.

Have a 'good' Friday and prepare for the weekend coming up.    Make it a restful weekend and relax.  Share you with those you love.   Don't forget smiles and hugs and throw in a good deed or two.  Hugs to all.

Hints

Next time you want to make stuffed peppers and have them stand up straight while cooking, use a cupcake tin....simple when  you know. 

I never knew this.  I guess I'll have to start testing the eggs and see if  Fred Meyer stores are  selling fresh eggs these days.

Now this is useful to know.   Sure saves a lot of frustration.

Ha,ha,  I thought it said something about shopping at Costco.

I keep hoping to win a big one and if I do........ 

Good morning.   I am awake, or at least I am working on it.   My coffee next to me, so nothing to complain about;  well, maybe I'll think of something.   My first e-mail was from a computer friend who sent glowing words which puffed up my ego . . . a good deed, as I could use a few words of praise or complaint now and then.  I sometimes think I am so repetitious and that I become boring but I know you, my friends, are still checking in and enjoying the blog so I'll try harder to make you laugh and cry.   My friend is walking along a path of pain as her husband has Alzheimer disease and she struggles on a daily basis to cope with all the problems that go along with it.  How terribly sad to watch your partner in life lose his, or her,  ability to know and love  you after  so many years  together and a life time of memories you cannot share.  Pray for all of these folks and for a magic cure for all those diseases that rob a person of life.

I did go to the get acquainted meeting of the workshop Shirley and Angela are heading.   There were two gentlemen and three ladies who came .   I had an immediate flash back to leading the writers group for a few years and the two ladies were part of that group.   They have some great ideas to help these folks who have yet to take a pen in hand.  They have the desire to write, now they will take a short hike along a road to learn a lot about how to get started.   The consensus of opinion is the thousands of words locked in the brain and the desire to tell tales about their life, or their desire to tell a tale that has never been told.  I enjoyed the meeting and the folks that came.   A tale could be written just about the differences in personalities.

I wish I had seen the new calendar word for today so I could have shared it with them.  the word is "feuilleton" meaning a story printed in installments.  The history says it can mean 'a part of a European newspaper or magazine devoted to material designed to entertain the general reader," and originated in French newspapers as a supplement sectioned out from the main stories.    A little bit like the recent horrible event that just took place at the newspaper there in Paris when they used a political cartoon that brought about a reaction from the terrorists.

So make your Thursday memorable.   Get the good deed done and over so  you can catch up with your chores and then have the afternoon to do with as  you please.    Call a family member to say you care; call a friend to say you are wanting some time with them;   pass out a hugs like candy bars and kiss the cook who spends time and energy making a terrific meal just for you.    Hugs to all.