Things I Know

I really do have one! Or maybe more!

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-06:00

My son called this morning and in our conversation I was talking to him about a procedure that I had heard of that I thought would help his health. I do worry about him. Then I very proudly mentioned that his sister was giving me the best gift of all for my birthday (next week). She has been setting up a support system and telling everyone that she will have her last cigarette the night before my birthday. How awesome is that. Of course I mentioned to my son (he is a smoker,,,, again,,,) about how I worry about their health and would like to see them all quit! In a laughing voice (I think) my son said," you must have a row of soap boxes to step from one to the other".
I think that was a compliment. Maybe?

Land Ho!

2012-01-20T15:33:00.001-06:00

I just got this from my big brother and had to share it around. Gotta love a good excuse. This one about takes the cake.

Blue mug rug

2012-01-20T10:23:00.000-06:00

I recycled granny's night gown for this little rug!

Thinking to hard

2012-01-19T13:55:00.000-06:00

http://www.raptitude.com/ This is an interesting blog that I follow. The last post is quite interesting. It is about how this younger generation is having their life "recorded" for them unlike any time before. You will have to just read it to get his thoughts. I found it interesting.

As for my own thoughts for the day. As I was driving to the store I was thinking about how it is that you can't be born with the same "smarts" that you have when you are older. Mainly I was thinking about what we eat. I think of how I ate when I was in my 20's and 30's and I wish I had made better choices and knew about the better choices. Maybe there are just stages in life that you have to go thru to get to that place where it all clicks. I work hard to avoid sugars now and even use artificial sugar to a minimum. I am a big fiber nut. I try to use whole grain products and read labels alot. Not only to make sure that what's in it is stuff I can read and understand but that if at all possible it comes from USA. Sorry but I just can't eat fish from Thialand or Shrimp from there or China. Look at whats happened to our orange juice for crying out loud! Thank God we have been drinking Florida Naturals all this time. But what about our little ones that drink all this cheaper OJ that is being shipped in, diluted, and adulterated in all sorts of ways? Then there is the issue of all the chemicals that kids are consuming now. There is no end is there till WE ALL get smart. $$$$$$ that is the big issue as it is in alot of things. Don't get me started on the medical stuff.

I like the saying/prayer: "Lord keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth"

Friday the 13th.

2012-01-13T12:06:00.000-06:00

Yup it is Friday the 13th, but by any other day it is still Friday!!!!

Started a rug with my other batch of Pendleton Wool selvage. I really like this one. I have black, gray and tan for my warp. Wish I had ordered more black now. But next time. It is working really nice. This one is going to get finished tonite so I can take it to the Fiber Guild mgt Sunday. Will be doing my show and tell.

Message to my big brother, I love the blue grass radio station you sent me. http://tunein.com/tuner/?StationId=55092 Great music.

Thought for the day: Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans... John Lennon
(do you really think he was the first one to say that??)

A brief look at the past

2012-01-11T11:22:00.001-06:00

In my walking about town last week I took a picture of this old barn. I have added it to my folder of "old places" I like old buildings, barns, windmills, and such. Alot of character with the weathered boards and the attempt to paint this one sometime in the past to help hold it up longer. I always wonder about how many years ago it might have been built and what it looked like then. I have thought it would be fun to drive around the country and take pictures of unusual buildings. You know get off that freeway and actually see what America looks like. I know its been done already but still think it would be awesome

Thought for the day: It is as hard to see one's self as to look backwards without turning around... Thoreau

Cinnamon Bread: This is tough on my diet!

2012-01-07T11:33:00.000-06:00

Last pm I baked up my last loaf of Artisan Bread from the batch I stirred up Tuesday. A word of caution, if you try to hold your bread in the refrig for a few days, be sure to wrap the bowl tight with saran wrap. The first time I did it I didn't have it sealed and it ran all over the refrig shelf. It looked sort of like the Blob, (remember that movie?) Anyway I did this loaf with olive oil, then brown sugar and cinnamon. The loaf comes out with very mild cinnamon to me, but it is so darn good toasted!

Wanted to add a comment for anyone reading this that if you want to try your regular bread using this method to get a nice crusty bread you can try it. And in place of the clay cloche, you can use a dutch oven. The secret is to raise the bread on a piece of parchment paper in a bowl, don't get to big a loaf, then get the dutch oven hot in the oven at 425 degrees. Slip the bread into the hot pan, put the lid on and bake for about 35 min. Would love to hear if any of my readers try this.

I know you are out there, my counter tells me someone is reading this. If so thanks for the interest.

And I know my big brother reads this, as he says its the only way he knows what I am up to.

Sorry Ray, I can't bring you a nice warm loaf of this!!!

Thought for the day:: "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy; it's inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."

- Winston Churchill -

My Artisan Bread Making

2012-01-06T10:58:00.003-06:00

This is my story of my Artisan bread making. While I was in Iowa in Sept. My good friend gave me a lesson along with a jar of sourdough starter to get me started. The story about Artisan bread comes from the word artisan, meaning "use your artistic talents to do your own thing" This bread is awesome and you can do all kinds of stuff to it and it comes out wonderful every time. There is minimal kneading, in fact Betty has a dough bucket that looks like a stainless steel milk bucket with a detachable stirring paddle. She uses the dump method of adding the ingredients. The only secret is getting the water and flour in proportion to create this soft dough and of course the sourdough starter. It can be stored in the refrigerate for several days then baked later. You save back some starter and feed it with water and flour a couple times a week and it gets this great sourdough smell. I mix a batch that will do 4 of these loaves and only bake one or 2 at a time.

Here is one loaf coming out of the oven. This bread is baked on a clay stone with a clay cloche cover. That is what gives it the nice crusty crust that is awesome. Betty makes these in her pottery shop and also gives lessons in her turn of the century home as part of the county's "Folk School" classes.This is a very healthy bread as you can add what ever you want. Betty likes to pat out a loaf and add asiago cheese, hot peppers, diced sweet peppers, or cinnamon and sugar, or a combination of what ever she feels. For this batch I added the cooked wheat berries that I put in the blender for a few min. to break up, lightly ground flax, some dry 8 grain cereal, wheat flour (only a cup or so as bread flour is a must to be over half of the flour) and honey. I have made the cinnamon version, by patting out the dough, splashing on olive oil, then cinnamon and sugar, and maybe walnuts. Awesome stuff!

Here is Betty's web site if you want to look, she has an awesome shop in Bentonsport Iowa, (she grew up across the river) She is a potter, weaver, and so much more. Her husband is a black smith. Betty and I grew up together and when I need my "Iowa Fix" I always go there and we have a great time. She taught me to weave and sold me my first baby loom. Now I have one of her bread cloches and my sourdough starter. What a friend. Here is her web site. http://ironandlace.com/index.htm

Challenge for New Year. Buy Made in USA

2011-12-29T12:03:00.004-06:00

I borrowed this from a friend and you may have seen it, but I think we need reminded again!

I DIDN'T KNOW HALLMARK CARDS WERE MADE IN CHINA!That is also why I don't buy cards at Hallmark anymore, They are made in China and are more expensive! I buy them at Dollar Tree - 50 cents each and made in USA

I have been looking at the blenders available on the Internet. Kitchen Aid is MADE IN the US. Top of my list already...

Yesterday I was in Wal Mart looking for a wastebasket. I found some made in China for $6.99. I didn't want to pay that much so I asked the lady if they had any others. She took me to another department and they had some at 2.50 made in USA. They are just as good.

Same as a kitchen rug I needed. I had to look, but I found some made in the USA - what a concept! - and they were 3.00 cheaper.

We are being brainwashed to believe that everything that comes from China and Mexico is cheaper. Not so.

One Light Bulb at a Time...I was in Lowe's the other day and just out of curiosity, I looked at the hose attachments. They were all made in China.

The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA.

Start looking, people . . ...In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - most often, their job.

My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is now marked "made in Mexico." I don't buy it anymore.

My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico... now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything.

This past weekend I was at Kroger . . . I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets.
I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy -- was an off-brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared them: they were the same except for the price . . .the GE bulbs cost more than the Everyday Value brand, but the thing that surprised me the most was that that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - you guessed it - the USA at a company in Cleveland, Ohio.

It's Way past time to start finding and buying products you use every day that are made right here.

So, on to the next aisle: Bounce Dryer Sheets... yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand cost less, and was MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years, at almost half the price.

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!

If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies - you're sending the jobs there. (We should have awakened a decade ago....)

The gift of sharing

2011-12-28T12:51:00.000-06:00

http://www.raptitude.com/ This is a web site I hope someone might see and check out. This guy is really a writer and has such insight into what makes the world go around. I find him very interesting to read from time to time. I especially like this last posting about our riches. Very eye opening.
So this is my gift to you today!

Happy New Year

Get out of the box

2011-12-17T12:06:00.001-06:00

I was looking back at my first year of blogging on this site. Dec 2005! Can't believe I have hung in there this long. Lots of words typed and thoughts shared. I found this cute little joke and wanted to resuscitate it and see if anyone gets it.

See if you can read this. Don't try too hard as it is really very simple.

*MRDUCKIES
*MRNOTDUCKIES
*OSMRDUCKIES
*CMETBTWINGS
*YLBMRDUCKIES

This always quacks me up when I read it!!

Family trait!

2011-12-15T13:40:00.001-06:00

This is my Great Grand Daughter, she loves her silly hat I gave her and insisted on wearing it to Walmart with her winter coat yesterday.

This is me taken about 3 weeks ago. I think I see a family resemblance, Just didn't have my hat on. Dang! Maybe there is a silly gene!

Here'ssss your sign

2011-12-15T11:14:00.002-06:00

My sister and I have a new take on the well known "Here's your sign" made famous by Mr. Foxworthy.
A few weeks ago we went shopping and I bought all the fabric I needed to make my first quilted wall hanging from a pattern in a quilting magazine. I finally got around to looking at the directions and sort of got a little lost, and didn't want to start cutting fabric till I was sure. So my sister was at my house one day and I got the magazine out and asked her to help me figure it out. She studied the page then turned the page over and there was the rest of the directions that made it all clear. So Turn the Page!
Well yesterday she was making fudge and she called me because she had a 15 ounce can of canned milk and the receipt called for 6 oz. How was she going to figure out the correct amount. I had her get her measuring cup and look at the side of it for the ounces! Then I said just Turn the Page! And we cracked up.
I have a feeling as we age we are going to have alot of these Turn the Page moments. Thanks big sister!

Makin the treadmill smoke

2011-12-14T11:54:00.001-06:00

Literally! I think my treadmill that I bought in 2003 is about to poop out on me. If I stay on it for over a mile or if I go to fast (like that will happen right?) it starts to smell like the motor is going to burn up. Guess one day it will. So maybe that's my excuse to not go more than a mile at a time. When it starts to smell funny I shut it down. I hate to call the Sears repair man, as I know it will cost an arm and a leg to have it looked at. Who knows it may last along time it I am careful. Anyone have this problem with treadmills? I paid about $800 for it, hoping that I got one to last forever. And its not anyone has ever RUN on it. Heaven forbid! But it has been moved a number of times and of course it has had its periods of hibernation, when it has been buried under coats and such.

Thought for the day: If after 60 you don't wake up aching in every joint, you're probably dead.

My casting call

2011-12-09T12:18:00.001-06:00

I think I mentioned that I have been reading Janet Evanovich's books, the Stephanie Plun series while I walk on the treadmill. I know they are going to start the series on TV soon, or have they already and I missed it? Anyway, as I read I have a picture in my mind of which actors should play the characters. So I did a little copy/paste here of actual pictures of who will be who and tell you who I think they should have been.

This is Stephanie ( Katherine Heigle) and Lulu ( Sherri Shepard)
Now I think they should have used Sandra Bullock and Wanda Sykes (might be to skinny) or Niecy Nash should have played Lulu. Actually Niecy would be a perfect match.

Then this is Debbie Reynolds playing Grandma Mazur, She will prob be OK but wouldn't Betty White have been perfect. OR better yet if she were alive, Estelle Getty. Now she would have been perfect.
As for the guys, I don't really have an opinion, other than maybe a younger Tom Selleck for Morelli.

Oh, well that's my two cents worth. Anyone have any other ideas? Or maybe you really don't give a dang! You old grouch YOU.
PS I found a nugget of info. Since Stephanie Plum smokes, they are using one of those electronic cigarettes since the actress doesn't smoke. So if you watch the series you are one up on that trick.

Favorite songs take on new meaning!

2011-12-07T15:11:00.001-06:00

CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR THE DISTURBED ~

* 1. Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?

* 2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are ... ...

* 3. Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas

* 4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

A borrowed story is twice as good when shared again.

2011-12-07T14:57:00.001-06:00

Parable of the twins...

Once upon a time, there were twin babies that were conceived in the same womb; weeks passed and the twins developed into what they were suppose to be. As their awareness grew, they smiled and laughed for joy - "Isn't it great that we were conceived? Isn't it great that we are alive?! Together the twins explored their small world; finding their mother's cord that gave them life, they sang and leaped for joy again! "How great is our mother's love, that she shares her own life with us!" they sang...

As weeks stretched into months, the twins noticed however that each was changing, growing, getting bigger - "What does this mean?" said one. "I think it means our life in this world is drawing to an end" said the other.

"But I don't want to go, I want to stay here always!!!"

"We have no choice...but maybe there is a life after birth?" said the other. "How can that be?" responded the one." if we shed our life cord how is life possible without it? Besides, we have seen evidence that others have been here before us and none of them have returned to tell us there is life after birth! No, this is the end!!!"

And so they fell into deep despair, both thinking out loud, "If conception ends in birth, what is the purpose of life in the womb? It is meaningless. Maybe there is no mother after all..."

"But there has to be a mother," protested the other. "How else did we get here? How do we remain alive?

But the one could not be consoled, defeatedly whispering "Have you ever seen our Mother? Maybe she only lives in our minds. Maybe we made her up because the idea made us feel good..."

And so their last days in the small womb were filled with deep questioning, and fear.

But soon, the moment they had dreaded finally arrived... And when the twins passed from their small world into the unknown, they opened their eyes and cried -

for what they saw exceeded their greatest dreams...

~Author unknown~

Two days in a row!

2011-12-03T09:42:00.001-06:00

I had forgotten how a little exercise can make you feel so much better. Oh, and I put a Janet Evonivich book on the treadmill to read while I walk. She is so silly it makes the time fly. I know if I can walk and read at the same time I am probably not walking fast enough, but you get good at these things, sort of like mulit-tasking.

About a year ago this week we had that huge snow storm that dumped on us. Hope we don't get one like that this year. I remember using the snow blower on the deck!

Thought for the day: From a church bulletin; Weight Watchers will meet at 7PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance......... huh?

Dusted off the treadmill

2011-12-02T09:38:00.001-06:00

So last pm I did a bunch of rearranging. Seems I managed to stack a bunch of my weaving stuff behind the treadmill (in its folded up position) which is next to my big loom. I got everything neatly stacked on the other side of the loom. I actually did have to dust it off. Don't think I have used it since last winter. That is sad. I actually did 1/2 mile this morning. Feel terrific. This may be the elixir of life, LOL. I am thinking of calling this area my studio, sounds good huh? See we have a family room joined open to the eat in kitchen, (This is where we live) so the living room never gets used except for the one end that is sort of a dining room, since the house has no dining room. I have converted the far end of the room into my "studio", little by little moving more stuff there and hanging some of my stuff on the wall. No one needs a formal living room anymore anyway! Now if I could just sell that big sofa, I could move my sewing machine in there.

I like.

Thought for the day: Instead of complaining that a rose is full of thorns, be happy that a thorn bush has roses....a proverb

Dead in the water

2011-12-01T14:07:00.001-06:00

Please don't tell me I am getting the Christmas/winter Blahs already! I said DON'T TELL ME THAT!
Maybe I can blame it on the little head cold I had a week or so ago. Then maybe not. I always get this way in Dec. I think I will pull up my big girl panties and make a conscious decision to NOT let it all get me down this year. Yes, that is what I will do. Maybe if I move a few things so I can unfold my treadmill and start hopping on it every morning for a few minutes that will perk me up. Don't really have anything to be feeling bad about. I just hate to see all the leaves gone off the trees.

Maybe I could just hibernate for about 6 weeks and wake up to a new year, heck make that 12 weeks!

Giving from the heart or Random act of kindness!

2011-11-16T13:42:00.001-06:00

We have heard many stories of love and caring that have come out of the tornado in Joplin May 22nd. Sometimes when a story is told it touches someones heart and they feel they need to do something. My sister and her daughter heard such a story from a lady recently. I will retell it as best I can. This guy 86 years old lived in a rented home in Joplin, when the tornado hit he was in the shower. He had time to grab his boxer shorts and hang onto his bath towel. When it was over, the only wall left was the one next to his tub. A lady and her husband and son were on a mission of their own to find her father who had gone to the hospital for his dialysis and after many detours found out finally that he had headed back home safely. They saw this elderly man on the corner with hardly any cloths and stopped to offer to take him somewhere. He said he had no one, no family at all. So they took him home. Over the summer he lived in their camper in the back yard and has recently been relocated into an apartment.

When my sister and her daughter heard this story they wanted to do something for this guy that they never met. Being quilters they knew what that would be. So they combined all their flannel fabric and started cutting blocks. They did random blocks that turned out beautiful and backed it with a smooth piece of fabric that looks like lining to a sleeping bag. It will be a cozy quilt.

Yesterday my sister and I went to Joplin to shop and delivered the quilt to the lady that rescued this man and she was so happy to get it and knew he would love it. She promised to send a picture of him with his quilt soon. So here is a pic of my sister with the quilt, front and back.

This is rather long, but I think very important!!

2011-11-10T10:33:00.001-06:00

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high

gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --

Merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This

year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine

concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift

giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes

there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in

a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates

from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some

health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned

detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a

book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down

the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift

receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or

driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift

certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about

a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this

isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town

Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or

motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a

local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is

struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin

their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery

and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave

your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at

your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese

lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about

fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to

burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that

China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about

US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow

their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our

communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

The last rose of summer

2011-11-09T10:56:00.001-06:00

Hubby cut these roses yesterday after it stopped raining. They are from a rose bush that belonged to my sister, Marge, who passed away 4 years ago. I have move it 4 times now, even across country, and it still thrives. We got about 5 1/2 inches of rain in 2 days. Most of it slow rain and soaked in good. Will be good to go into winter with the moisture.

I felt the earthquake Sat night just before 11 pm. Was just dozing up and then heard this weird sound in the attic like the wind was blowing real hard, and heard the sewing machine at the other end of the room vibrate like it was sitting on a washing machine in the spin cycle. I got up and looked out the window and there was no wind. Also no more sound or vibrations. Just as I got in bed, my daughter sent a text message that they had been shook with an earthquake! Well I hadn't figured that out yet, but I finally realized that what I felt was an earthquake. See here in the Midwest we don't feel them like some folks out west do. The next day on the news found out it was a 5.6 quake about 150 miles away so thats why we felt it and alot of folks in Ok. had damage.

Thought for the day: We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes~

Love those giggles

2011-11-04T11:08:00.000-06:00

On my recent trip to Iowa I taped this little 30 seconds video of my friends grandson getting his toe nails painted by Grandma. I just love to hear toddlers giggle!

Why I can't go to Target anymore!

2011-11-04T10:05:00.001-06:00

RETIRED HUSBAND

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target.

Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women - she loves to browse.

Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Target:

Dear Ms. Cliff,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Harris, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:

1. June 15: He took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute
intervals.
3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.
9.. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

And last, but not least:

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.

These options just showed up on my computer.

2011-11-03T09:22:00.000-06:00

Got my Iowa FIX!

2011-10-29T13:52:00.003-06:00

I went to Van Buren County, Iowa, last Saturday. Intended to stay 3 nites but the weather was wonderful and I was enjoying myself I ended up staying one more day. This is the old Manning Hotel B&B that I stayed at one nite. My room was right above the T in Hotel. Was a good experience.

Of course the room was a small bedroom with this antique furniture and bathroom, complete with creaky floors and an all night light shining in thru the door transom. No TV, phone, frig, or dryer. Working at the hotel coffee shop when I was about 15 was one of my very first jobs. So I thought I should spend one night there. After that I stayed with friends.

This is the Bentonsport bridge on the Des Moines River. As you can see the river was very low. We were looking for steel spikes that loosen up from the old timbers that are visible only when the water is low. There used to be a dam across the river many years ago. The guy is Bill Printy who is a black smith and makes beautiful things from the spikes.

This is Betty Printy "whipping" up a challis for a church that needed to be done ASAP. She is the partner of Iron and Lace. The lace being the queen anne's lace flower that is fired into her pottery. She and I go back to our growing up years in that area. http://ironandlace.com/index.htm Her website if anyone wants to learn more about the area.

This is April, their daughter (who I happened to help deliver 30 years ago) I got to work with her to pick up some skills of wrapping warp on a huge 60 inch loom.

This was one of the best things about the trip. I got to have a REAL pork tenderloin sandwich as only VB County can make. It was awesome!!
I have more pictures to share but that's it for now.

Thought for the day: It is good to have an end to journey toward: but it is the journey that matters, in the end.... Ursula K LeGuin

Reincarnation

2011-10-29T09:07:00.001-06:00

REINCARNATION

by Wally McRae

What is reincarnation? The Cowpoke asked his friend

His pal replied it happens when your life has reached its end

They comb your hair and wash your neck and clean your fingernails

And lay you in a padded box away from life's travails

And the box then goes in a hole that's been dug in the ground

And reincarnation starts in when your're planted neath the mound

Then clods melt down, just like the box, and you who is inside

And then you're just beginning on your transformation ride

Meanwhile the grass will grow upon your rendered mound

And soon upon your lonely grave a single flower is found

And then a horse will wonder by and graze upon flower

That once was you and now become your vegetated bower

The posie that the horse done eat along with his other feed

Makes bone and fat and muscle essential to the steed

But some is left that he can't use and so it passes thru

And finally lays upon the ground this thing that once was you

And say by chance I wanders by, and sees this on the ground

And I ponders and wonders at this object that I've found

And I thinks of reincarnation and life and death and such

And I come away concluding you ain't changed all that much.

Gotta love Maxine

2011-10-27T14:54:00.002-06:00

So after landing my new job as a Wal-Mart greeter,

a good find for many retirees, I lasted less than a day....

About two hours into my first day on the job a very loud,

unattractive, mean-acting woman walked into the store with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance.

I said pleasantly, 'Good morning and welcome to Wal-Mart.

Nice children you have there. Are they twins?'

The ugly woman stopped yelling long enough to say,

'Hell no, they ain't twins. The oldest one's 9, and the other one's 7.

Why the hell would you think they're twins? Are you blind, or stupid?'

So I replied,

'I'm neither blind nor stupid, Ma'am, I just couldn't believe someone slept with you twice. Have a good day and thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.'

My supervisor said I probably wasn't cut out for this line of work.

Just a tidbid from my trip

2011-10-27T12:34:00.001-06:00

I drive an 89 Toyota 4Runner and while on my trip this week it turned over the big one. So I pulled right over on the interstate and took a pic of the dial!

This is a picture of an Iowa port tenderloin!! They know how to do it right up there! Went back to my roots for a few days. The weather was awesome! I just sucked in that Iowa air and enjoyed every minute of it. I feel like my cup runneth over. Well after eating this tenderloin, something is runnething over!

Yup, frost is on the pumpkin

2011-10-21T14:00:00.000-06:00

Got our first frost this week, 2 nites in a row. Had to put the winter blanket on the bed, and we have fired up the fireplace. Feels and looks good even if it is gas.

OK so I am a quilter

2011-10-15T12:24:00.000-06:00

My first blocks. My sister spend a day with me this week and taught me how to cut and stitch the blocks. Please take note of the perfect corners that meet!!!! The sign of a real Quilter! LOL The second one is to take to the quilt club. (Both blocks are made from the same fabric, the color of the top is sharper because of the lighting.)
We are bringing a 12 in. block in red, white, and blue then will join them all together to make a quilt to raffle off next 4th of July!!! Make money for the club.
Been a quiet week at the store. Have a couple here today set up to buy gold. We been advertising all week but so far no takers. They offered my 80$ for my class ring, but I think not.

Thought for the day: Women will never be equal to men. Only men can walk down the sidewalk with a bald head and beer gut and still think they are sexy!

I think I am a junk yard junky!

2011-10-08T10:17:00.003-06:00

Don't know if there is a cure for this but I think I have had it all my life. I love a bargain, I hate waste, & I like to recycle stuff. I see something and always think, "what could I make out of that?" I don't have the skills to do the heavy duty stuff like welding axles and lawn mower handles together, but that sounds like fun.
Here is a picture of a little footstool that I got at a garage sale for $1 and painted it. I made a crazy quilt top from some yard sale fabric samples and used my handy dandy electric staple gun and Walla! Here is the stool. Ready to give to my 3 year old great grand daughter.

I like a bargain so much that my husband says "you are so cheap, you screw your shoes on!"

Five steps of Grief

2011-10-06T14:44:00.001-06:00

I copied this from the internet when I looked it up. This is to share with a special person and you know who you are. I was taking a psyc class way back when, during the time that I was separating from my first husband. As it says at the end of this list, it was originally developed to stage the steps of grief when one finds they have a terminal disease. But the steps also follow along with any great loss in your life. I remember feeling that I went thru every step here. I have read that sometimes you don't go thru them in order or you may bounce between one or the other, but eventually you end up at the same place and that is acceptance. And that is what we have to do when we are overwhelmed with a loss.
So to that special person, know you are not alone, not the first, even though it may feel like it. No loss should ever be minimized as we each have to deal with it in our own time and way. So read this, it is for you and for the other one.

1.Denial — "I feel fine."; "This can't be happening, not to me."

Denial is usually only a temporary defense for the individual. This feeling is generally replaced with heightened awareness of possessions and individuals that will be left behind after death.

2.Anger — "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; '"Who is to blame?"

Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy.

3.Bargaining — "I'll do anything for a few more years."; "I will give my life savings if..."

The third stage involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay death. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. Psychologically, the individual is saying, "I understand I will die, but if I could just do something to buy more time..."

4.Depression — "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon so what's the point... What's the point?"; "I miss my loved one, why go on?"

During the fourth stage, the dying person begins to understand the certainty of death. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the dying person to disconnect from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer up an individual who is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed.

5.Acceptance — "It's going to be okay."; "I can't fight it, I may as well prepare for it."

In this last stage, individuals begin to come to terms with their mortality, or that of a loved one, or other tragic event.

Kübler-Ross originally applied these stages to people suffering from terminal illness, later to any form of catastrophic personal loss (job, income, freedom). This may also include significant life events such as the death of a loved one, major rejection, end of a relationship or divorce, drug addiction, incarceration, the onset of a disease or chronic illness, an infertility diagnosis, as well many tragedies and disasters

What if you knew when your death would come?

2011-10-06T10:38:00.000-06:00

Would you live your daily life differently?
I laid in bed last night thinking about this. Would we waste our last days doing the same old thing, day in and day out? Or would we try to look at each day as a gift to be lived to the fullest?
And what does that really mean when the end will still be the same? In the afterlive will we remember how we lived this life? I believe this life is a stepping stone for further spiritual growth and we will come back to learn more lessons as we grow in our spirit (soul) choose your own word there.
It only makes sense to me that when we see suffering or experience it ourselves it is for a purpose.
All that we experience, good and bad is what makes us who we are at any given time in our life.
I am not the same person I was when I was 20, 30, 40, or 50. I guess actually I am not the same person I was yesterday. Each day changes who we are. We are the sum total of all our life experiences.
And you know when you are young you don't know this stuff! We waste so much of our time because we think we have SO much time that we don't even think of it.
OK enough philosophy for today. Just some things I ponder. I have lost a brother and a sister this last decade, and it does make you realize that our days really are numbered, wheather we know it or not.

We are in trouble here.

2011-09-29T08:42:00.001-06:00

Over five thousand years ago,

Moses said to the children of Israel "Pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land."

Nearly 75 years ago, (when Welfare was introduced),
Roosevelt said "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, and light up a Camel.
This is the Promised Land."

Today,
Congress has stolen your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of Camels, and mortgaged the Promised Land!

I was so depressed last night thinking about Health Care Plans, the economy, multiple wars, lost jobs and savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc.,

I called a Suicide Hotline. I had to press "1" for English.

I was connected to a Call Center in Pakistan. I told them I was suicidal.

They got excited, and asked if I could drive a truck!

Folks, we're in trouble!

My old college

2011-09-28T12:22:00.000-06:00

Went out to the college this morning to find a guy who teaches weaving. I am hoping he can help me with my problems with my floor loom. Still having trouble getting treddles adjusted.
This is the college that I graduated from for my LPN nursing program back in 1973. It has changed so much, The old building on the right and way back one on the left were the main buildings when I went there. Now there are so many more buildings, I think it is awesome. Alot of this lawn was parking lot I believe. I would have liked to be a college student forever. Could a person make a career out of going to college? I went back to school in 1986 to finish up for my RN degree in Carson City Nv. Have been back to that campus a few years ago and it has changed alot too.

Thought for the day: If it happens twice, its not a fluke___ but it could be 2 flukes.

copy-paste, copy-paste! Hey!!

2011-09-23T13:59:00.000-06:00

Three friends from a local congregation were asked, 'when you're in your casket, and friends are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?

Artie said: 'I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man.'

Eugene commented: 'I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and a servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives.'

Tom said: 'I'd like them to say, 'Look, he's moving!'

This was in some e-mail sent to me. I am just so dang happy that I can copy and paste onto my blog now it is hard to tell what might show up here. Look Out CoffeePot!

It has been great to be back in my little book store after our vacation. Sometimes togetherness just gets to be a little much and you need some space. But have to say the store has been pretty busy. Don't know if its the cooler weather or what. But I will take it!
Been working most of the day off and on to get my Oct. column done for the newspaper. I read the trilogy by Steig Larsson this last month: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl who Played with Fire, and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. That was quite a feat to get all three of them done on time. What happened to the time I just read for the fun???

Thought for the day:
The reason Politicians try so hard to get re-elected is that they would 'hate' to have to make a living under the laws they've passed.

Out of the mouth of babes

2011-09-22T09:19:00.001-06:00

Subject: Truth

I was eating lunch on the 20th of February with my 7 year-old granddaughter and I asked her, "What day is tomorrow?"

She said, "It's President's Day!" (She is a smart kid.)

I asked, "What does President's Day mean?" I was waiting for something about Washington or Lincoln... etc.

She replied, "President's Day is when President Obama steps out of the White House, and if he sees his shadow we have one more year of unemployment."

You know, it hurts when hot coffee spurts out your nose...

Wyoming trip

2011-09-21T13:36:00.000-06:00

Been gone for a week. Hubby and I took his sister with us on a trip to Wyoming. We had a good cloudy day to start with, then second day headed north from Limon Co. and drove many miles in heavy fog and drizzle. It was my turn to be driving. Hubby didn't like me following a truck and I know he wanted me to go around but I liked following something to look at and not stare at that fog. Anyway that was the only bad weather. Got to Saratoga on Thurs evening and stayed till Mon AM.

The picture is of the Platte River at Saratoga. On Sat. we did a float trip with a guide down 6 miles of the river, it was 37 degrees when we started. Caught quite a few fish. Hubby caught all German Brown Trout and I caught the Rainbows. BUT, they were all over 16 inches so were released back to the river. (POUT) The guide said we might have to go to the lake to "kill" some fish. We did try that the next day (twice) but only "killed" one nice big rainbow. So didn't have to worry about how to get "all" the fish home. We were watch by 4 young bald eagles as they circled above us, then we say a mature one in a tree with his beautiful white head. I took some video but with my little camera it left alot to be desired.

We drove up into the Medicine Bow forest in the Snowy Mountain range east of Saratoga. It is awesome up there. It was a clear beautiful day. I took this picture from up near the top.

I just did Blogger's update and I think I am liking it. I see I can now add pictures in the middle of my text instead of all of them being stacked together. Always wondered how other folks did that. LOL
I don't think that you will find these heads in your local grocery store, unless you are in Wyoming!

We toured the museum at Encampment, south of Saratoga and were treated with this 2 story outhouse.

Of course the guy told the story of how it was used. See when the snow gets deep in the winter they closed off the lower level, (after raising the seats). Then you had to go up the stairs and use the upper level. Now how cleaver was that?

Thought for the day: The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Men!

2011-09-09T12:20:00.003-06:00

Can't live with them, can't live without them. Right? At least that is how the old saying goes. Oh, I think the rest of it is that you can't shoot them either.

I think men really are from Mars. How can we say something and have it so distorted in their minds that what they end up thinking is not at all what we said or meant. An example that I can use is one of my own.

Me: Honey we are about out of milk.

He hears: Why didn't you buy milk today instead of sitting on your butt watching TV all day.

And the other thing, they are supposed to be so tough and macho. But if that is the case why do we have to be so careful about their feelings? We try to avoid saying things that might let them think they are not manly. My hubby thinks that only woosies take a nap. So he tries real hard to not take a "nap" when I am around. I try to tell him that at his age it is actually good for him to take a little nap after lunch. All the Dr. reports say it is. But he grew up tough and was taught that you didn't cry, nap, or let your shoes go unshined.

So tell me do men really come from Mars?

Who is blond?

2011-09-07T14:31:00.003-06:00

My friend Llynn and I were doing some carpenter work on a Habitat for Humanity House.

Lynn was nailing down house siding, she would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail and either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in.

I figured this was worth looking into, so asked "why are you throwing those nails away?"

Lynn explained, "when I pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head on the wrong end and I throw them away." (dumb blond)

I got upset and yelled, "you moron! Those nails aren't defective? They're for the other side of the house!"

thought for the day: The statics on sanity in America is that 1 out of every 4 suffer from some form of mental illness. Think of your 3 best friends, if they are OK then it's YOU.

A good haul

2011-09-03T11:46:00.004-06:00

Looks like we are finally going to get some cooler weather and maybe get into fall without dehydrating ourselves down to one of those dried apple people that you see in the fall.

Stopped at 2 garage sales this morning on way to store, after I made a trip to the recycle center to leave off all our "stuff". Got a new leather purse for $2. Then used a Walmart bag for the "fill your bag for $3" Got 2 pair of jeans, a new pair of cool shoes for grand daughter that are high top with lots of those silver studs all up the sides, plus 2 large items that I loved the color and will cut up for my crafting. So I think I did pretty dang good.

I will post a picture of what I do with alot of my fabric. I really enjoy making these bowls on the sewing machine. Must have about 30 of them now. When my sister tries to get me to quilt, I say I need projects where I get instant gratification. I am just that way!

Thought for the day: Our life is frittered away by detail..... Simplify, simplify--- Thoreau

I know you are there.

2011-08-31T12:25:00.003-06:00

This is to Mystery Guy out there, I am following your blog, but I can't leave comments. Any suggestions, I tried twice. Anyway good luck to your college daze.

What the heck!

2011-08-31T11:38:00.001-06:00

I was walking past a mental home today and heard them all shouting 13..13..13..13..13...... I wanted to know what was going on, so I looked through a hole in the fence, and some guy poked me in the eye and then they all started shouting 14..14..14..14.....!

Our privacy?

2011-08-27T09:56:00.003-06:00

I wonder how others feel about their privacy on their blogs. I have tried over the years to maintain my privacy on this blog as far as saying names of family, where I really live and all that. Like maybe someone will stalk me and steal my computer or husband.
Is anything really safe when you put yourself out there on the internet in a blog site? Probably if someone really wanted my husband they could figure out who I was and come ring my door bell.
The reason I am pondering is that I have started another blog about my book store and want it to be open with all my info on it sort of to promote it. Other family members with a business seem to be doing it, complete with phone numbers, hours, specials, and all the rest.
So I am thinking I am just a tiny grain of sand in this big universe of internet jibberish and who really cares except the few who wonder my way and may find I have something interesting to say.
So there you are. Do you feel safe with putting yourself out THERE?

Small hands can move mountains

2011-08-26T13:04:00.002-06:00

Within just a few minutes of this big horsefly hitting the window and knocking itself out this army of ants jumped into action and proceeded to carry it across the sidewalk and down into the rocks. It is amazing what their strength is when they all work together. Can't you just hear them?

Hey Charlie grab that wing and lets go! Come on guys keep up, lets get this hidden before that creature with the camera gets that big spray gun out again! Joe, run ahead and get a room cleared out for this mother!

Oh, it doesn't take much to entertain me! Maybe I need to wash that window.

A bird in the hand!

2011-08-25T10:52:00.005-06:00

Isn't this a pretty little guy? I was sitting on my front porch having my morning coffee and this guy crashed into our living room window. He laid on his back for a bit, so I turned him over and went for the cell phone to take this picture. I left him sitting on the sidewalk for awhile and about an hour later I walked up to him and he flew off into the tree. So I guess he is ok. Tough little guy. The cardinal that hit one of the windows a couple weeks ago wasn't so lucky.

Looks like we might be getting some change in weather here in the midwest. Have had enough rain now that the lawn will need mowed again. Everyone is so ready for a cooler fall. To big brother in NC batten down the hatches! Hope you don't get to bad a hit from this hurricane coming your way.

Thought for the day: The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. Its not that we seize them, but that they seize us---Ashley Montague

Minor Miracle (is that an oxymoran?)

2011-08-20T13:08:00.005-06:00

Boy, on Monday I was up to my armpits in books!! I was lucky enough to get a tip on an estate sale about 50 miles away. I ended up getting some pictures of a room full of books via the phone and made an offer, sight unseen. That was on Sat. So on Monday I wrangled the hubby to go with me with a two wheeler and his new knee to go haul books. Ended up we couldn't get them all in the small pickup, oh, I had added a bookcase on top too.

Since we were fairly close to my daughter we went over there, picking up burgers and frys on the way.After we had been there awhile, hubby noticed that he was missing his pocket knife. He had used it to cut a rope to tie down the book case. Well dang, it was old anyway, he had carried it for at least 50 years. Well you won't believe this but as we were admiring our load with the "kids" there was his knife, with blade open, laying on the back bumper!! We had driven 10 miles on a freeway, made several turns and a big bump at McDonalds. Isn't that something??

I went back down to get the rest of the books on Tue. and the "kids" met me at Dennys and fed me some eggs and coffee. Wasn't that sweet of them? They followed me to help with the books and the gal running the sale ended up donating a lift chair and some other handicapped equip to the ALS group that the "kids" are affiliated with. See he as ALS and they can all use the help and support they can get.

So its a beautiful world, don't care if the stock market is in the drink. Shouldn't have bought stock anyway, What Was I Thinking??

Thought for the day: Everyday people are straying away from church and going back to God--Lenny Bruce

Maybe we need this for a new flag

2011-08-13T12:21:00.002-06:00

Today the government announced that it's changing the flag to a condom, because it more accurately reflects the governments political stance. A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of dicks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed!

How do you spell relief??

2011-08-12T09:36:00.002-06:00

Hey I'm from Iowa and I love the thunder! What a good show the other day and we were so hungry for some rain that I sat on the front porch and captured this. It has helped cool us down so that 90's sound pretty darn good. We got a little over 2 inches out of this rain and have had another 1/2 inch since. Our yard that was crunchy as cornflakes is greening up again.

Hope my little thunder show plays ok.

Thought for the day: The meek shall inherit the earth, but not the mineral rights---John Paul Getty

Can your heart feel sick?

2011-08-06T09:33:00.004-06:00

This is a picture taken (2007) of part of our 20 acres little farm that we owned from 1989 to 1996 then again from 2005 to 2007. We put alot of money, heart, and soul into that place. The last time we sold it, we thought we had good buyers, so we floated their down payment, and they have been good to make their payments to us. But, (there is always a but) the couple separated last year and the wife has struggled to keep the place. This month she gave up and has put it back on the market to sell. She has to get enough to pay off the orig loan, pay us, plus the realtor. I don't think it will happen.

I went out to the place last nite to barter with her to buy a big floor loom that she has. She only wanted 200$ for it. I am getting a good deal, took 200$ off what she owes for this month. But(there is that But again) when I got there, my heart just broke. The place is so run down, the pasture ruined, hasn't been baled in 3 years. The yard is a mess, big holes in it where the 2 big dogs dig. The flower beds are just big weed patches. The garage is a mess, and the big loft above the garage is trashed up. That's where the loom is.

We go out Monday to get the loom and I hate for hubby to see the place. He took such pride in keeping the yard mowed and edged. Even mowed around the edge of the pasture fence. Now grass is growing up in the asphalt driveway. piles of firewood by the back door and the flower beds beside the deck have been plowed up by the dogs to be dusting beds for them.

I saw the pictures she put on the Internet and the inside looked pretty nice, but anyone without alot of imagination will not be able to see any potential there.

I am just sick, almost hard to find joy in finding the loom. Have been wanting a big floor loom for along time and this looks like a nice one. She had moved it from Nebraska last year after her great aunt died.

Of course now the worry we have is that we will have to fight to get our money from her now. Going to check with the realtor to see if she sells it for less to cover her bank mortgage are we just left with her owing us the loan we made. I know if she defaults on the loan (and that could happen) we set it up for us to have first option to pick up the loan and keep the farm to try to re-sell. But at our age we don't have it in us to clean that mess up. (I think) Besides we wouldn't be able to take over the high payments that they have.

So my hope is that someone will buy it.

Thought for the day: Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

Super Slid

2011-08-04T10:20:00.003-06:00

This picture "could" be my daughter at about this same age, doing this same thing. Sliding down a humongous slide on a gunny sack. I remember standing at the bottom (out of the way) where they let folks stand and I think she had that same look on her face. I probably scarred her for life. Probably she has blocked this event from her memory to avoid wanting to come looking for me some dark night to get revenge! LOL

Thought for the day: All Kookies aren't in a jar

The Journey

2011-07-28T09:08:00.002-06:00

It is good to have an end to journey toward: but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
Ursula K. LeGuin

Catch of the day!

2011-07-27T11:31:00.002-06:00

This is the smallest fish I have ever caught! It even swallowed the hook and worm, only the tip end of the hook was showing. It has blue in its mouth and the fins have a sort of prehistoric look as they fan out. We were told that in the lake where we fished these are the primary food source for the German Brown Trout.

I actually thought I caught a German Brown, as I was reeling in what felt like a pretty good size fish, hubby netted it for me and I saw the brown sides and was wow, I finally caught one. Well it turned out to be the biggest sucker fish I ever caught. So two for two!

We were at a lake about 75 miles from home. It was so good to leave early Sun. when the sky was cloudy and as we got deeper into the Ozarks we noticed that the outside temp was only climbing into the low to mid 80's and it was raining off to the east of us. We fished twice on Sunday from the marina dock at the resort where we stayed. It was so good to get sprinkled on and feel the cool breeze coming to us off the lake. Was worth the drive. At home it is still over 100 every day.
Only stayed the one night as we were sharing the resort with my brother and his wife, they came in later on Monday and stayed over till sometime on Tue. It was a little wedding gift to them that finally got used.

When we got home found that SIL was not feeling well, so got her a Dr. apt lined up and took her to get some lab done. At 86 she is doing pretty well but has some trouble with swallowing and feeling full way to soon. (she barely weighs 100 #) I know the Dr. will run a bunch of tests, but my diagnosis is stenosis of the esophagus but will wait and see as she also has a heart condition and high pressure in her lungs that could be causing it. She will just hate it if she has to have more medication.

Thought for the day: Everyone has a photographic memory----some just don't have film.

Two fish swam into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says "Dam!"

2011-07-23T08:31:00.003-06:00

All any one wants to talk about here is the heat and the beetles. The heat we can't control, but hubby is waging war on the beetles. They are the small Japanese beetles. They love blooms and tender leaves. Especially fond of roses and crepe myrtle. Hubby makes several rounds a day with a spray bottle of insecticide and give them spritzes. Seems spraying the whole bush doesn't last very long. I made the rounds last pm and lost track after counting 120 on 6 bushes. Late evening is a good time to get a bunch.

Headed out to our timeshare this weekend. Wish we could know what the weather will be when I book these things. Have another booking in Sept. Maybe it will be cooler by then. Hope to fish early morning in the lake close to the resort. At least drown a worm or two.

Thought for the day: Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears!

Creative totes

2011-07-20T13:31:00.000-06:00

These are tote bags in Europe. I want some!! They must have a great sense of humor over there.

Patriotic Sunday

2011-07-20T10:35:00.000-06:00

This is the view off my front porch this last weekend. What a beautiful day. Of course it got up to 100 by 1pm. But the mornings are wonderful.

Refrigerator Pickles

2011-07-16T09:39:00.002-06:00

Wow 2 posts in one day. But wanted to share this really good, really easy pickle receipt for those who have cucumbers coming out their ears by now.

6 cups sliced cucumbers
2 cups sliced onions
Layer these in a big crock or glass bowl
Mix:
1 1/2 cups vinegar (apple cider type)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. celery seed
1/2 t. mustard seed
1/2 t. tumeric
Bring to boil then pour over cucumbers and onions. Let cool, then cover and store in refrigerator.
The biggest problem is to try not to eat any for at least one week.
They are crisp and yummy and keep well in the refrig unless of course you eat them up to fast, then you just have to make more.
I have a freezer receipt I will have to find and it is really good and works wonderfully even though you can't imagine making pickles in the freezer.

Thought for the day: A sign I saw once: If idiots were airplanes, this would be an airport!

It is so Hot, How hot is it?

2011-07-16T09:19:00.004-06:00

Its so hot the squirrels are handling their nuts with pot holders!

The picture is of a humming bird moth that was lunching on my flowers in front of my store. You may have to click on it to enlarge it and also turn your head sideways. Heck while you are at it you may as well just stand on your head! What do you expect from a cheap camera phone?

Heat:: No end in site for now, I feel sorry for any one who may not have air conditioning, and what about all the people who have to work outside? It must be brutal. Volunteers are still coming into Joplin to help with cleaning up the debris. They say that about 60% has been hauled to land fills. They hope to have all cleared up by the first of Aug. Some are rebuilding homes, the city is working hard to try to plan things out, as this is an opportunity to make changes, like more parks, sidewalks, wider streets, and such. I noticed that Home Depot has a humongous tent up that they are working out of as they start to build the new store.

Well better go, got other fish to fry, may try the sidewalk with a little pam sprayed on first.

Thought for the day: Its so hot I discovered that it only takes 2 fingers to drive the car.

Shouldn't have been surprised!

2011-07-07T08:37:00.003-06:00

For our amusement (I think) hubby put cracked corn in the yellow tub for the deer. Since they come up to drink from the bird bath and now are nibbling on the tomato vines. Why not lure them further by putting a tub out for them.

Well it didn't take but a couple hours before a squirrel decided it was his private stash. Boy was he in heaven, well tub. I tried several times to post a video clip here (wouldn't work) as it was so much fun watching the squirrel pop his head up and eat from his paws then disappear down in the tub. He kept it up for at least 30 min. But now at nite the tub is knocked over and I spotted a raccoon one nite after dark, so the tub will have to go.

You know when you get old and bored you do nutty things. Like when we lived out on our little farm a few years ago we were washing off the big propane tank and found that the big horse flys liked to land on the wet tank. Since we had horses and they were pestered by the dang flys, we started wetting the tank in the evening and stood by with our fly swatters. Bet the neighbors thought we were nuts.

Thought for the day:

A smile- is a sign of joy.

A hug- is a sign of love.

A laugh- is a sign of happiness.

And a friend like me??

Heck...that's just a sign of good taste!!

Not so wild

2011-07-01T09:12:00.002-06:00

Took this pic from my bedroom window, so sorry about the screen. Hubby has been putting extra cracked corn in our back driveway for the deer. We have one nursing Momma that is real thin and are glad to feed her. But this pair has been showing up lately just to get a drink from the bird bath. That is a young doe to the right at the bird bath, and on the left is a pretty little buck with forked horns that are in velvet. That is a black rubber pan on the ground for them to drink from. But the little girl just drained the birdbath. That is my little city garden that I hope they stay out of. I hung some old cd's on the tomato racks but they have nipped the tops off.
Wish I could get a pic of the "FAT" squirrels that love the deer corn too. Pretty soon they won't be able to climb the tree.

Update on the house wren that is nesting in the gourd off the deck. They have been carrying little bugs and worms into that nest for several weeks. Well it seems like it. Hubby thinks that the Mrs. is to lazy and Mr. is just feeding her. I say they have teenagers that won't leave home.

Thought for the day. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO EVERYONE. BE SAFE!

Great Grand Daughter has a new Daddy

2011-06-29T11:46:00.004-06:00

Here they are headed to the church to get ready for the wedding and start their new lives together as a family.

I know I wasn't going to write anymore about the tornado, but the paper is so full of stories every day and it is hard to still not be attuned to all of it. I just read that 18,000 cars were destroyed! 18,000! When we were in Joplin last week we saw several really battered autos on the streets. I sort of felt like driving them was a badge of courage for those folks. I don't think I would get body work done if it still ran! There was a picture of a van (couldn't tell from the pic) They were thinking of keeping it somewhere where they are collecting stuff to form a sort of museum to show what damage a tornado can do. The guy had just bought it and didn't have insurance transferred yet. Went into Walmart to shop and was lucky he was alive!

There was also a long article about the areas hardest hit and destroyed that had been some of the oldest historic part of the city. So with the loss of these buildings goes the loss of alot of Joplin's history.

Thought for the day:: Good things are worth taking care of!

More on the Joplin tornado

2011-06-25T10:50:00.003-06:00

Down by that white car and on the right was a huge building where I worked for 8 years, for a large home health agency. Its all gone now. My friend still works "there". She said there is a huge beam across her old desk. Thank God the tornado happened on a Sun evening, and not a work day. They are displaced, like about 500 other businesses, working out of a church till an office building in another part of town can be renovated for them. The paper is still just full of the stories of survival. One that tugs your heart was a young girl (I think 11 years old) that was at the Home Depot where several people died. She got a piece of angle iron driven thru her body from her shoulder down to her lower spine. She is a miracle as she is recovering. The death toll is up to 156 now, as some of the injuries were so sever that they just can't make it.

We had to go to Joplin last Tue for a follow up apt on hubby's knee. 3 mo. and he is doing very well. Did drive by the hospital and to see it in person just makes your mouth hang open. All windows blown out, cars still in parking lot and are all beat up. Across the street all the medical buildings are leveled. They are working on removal now. A huge scale operation. It is amazing how people from all across the country are showing up to help clean up.

Thought for the day: A man should forget his mistakes, there's no use in two people remembering the same thing.

Went to Joplin last week

2011-06-11T10:01:00.002-06:00

These are just a few pictures I took last week in Joplin. What is so horrifying is that these were neighborhoods. So when you see the flat ground those were ALL homes! I am just amazed that more didn't die. I think the death toll is 150 now.

Some other facts that came out in the paper the other day: 6,954 homes destroyed, 359 homes with major damage, 516 with minor damage, 300 businesses destroyed or terribly damaged.

Those numbers are just staggering. I think I heard that 1/3 of Joplin was destroyed or damaged. Major businesses were: 1 large hospital, 2 fire stations, at least 3 churches, Walmart Super Center, Home Depot, Acadamy Sports, the high school and 2 or 3 other schools, Toyota dealership, and a big Pepsi Distribution center. Then there was all the beauty shops, fabric store, small restaurants, Salvation Army, and Goodwill stores. So hard to wrap your brain around something that caused so much damage.

I just hope that all the money being raised is going to go to the right people who need it.

So just wanted to share this little bit from my part of the world.

Thought for the day: Whenever I hear a mother talk about wanting time away from her kids I can't help but think: just wait 'til the time comes when you'd do anything to be with then.. (I found that somewhere and think its worth some thought)

My daughter is an awesome driver!

2011-06-08T10:09:00.005-06:00

The second picture is of our EMERGENCY FLASHERS that I wish we had Monday!

Bet that got your attention huh? Actually coming back from Texas in nearly 100 degree heat we had a right front tire blow out. My daughter was really awesome, in guiding the van to the shoulder like an old pro! It happened on a stretch of highway that was about as good as it gets for having to pull over and change a tire on a freeway. You would have thought someone would stop to help, what with a guy in a W/C sitting off the road and 2 women trying to change the tire. But she did it!! I only got a tiny smudge of grim on my white pants, so you know how much help I was to her. We went on into the next town and waited over 2 hrs and got 4 new tires put on! Not taking any chances! Then on safely home.

Oh, the Canton Tx. First Monday Sales is awesome, just don't go in 98 degree weather. You won't see it all in a day that's for sure. And take a wheeled cart or be ready to buy one for about 25$ there. Was great we had one and carried our small cooler and booty in it.

It was a great trip, great time with daughter, her hubby to be and the grand daughter. We are all ready to do another road trip when it gets cooler!

Thought for the day: Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which at least, others can learn from.

YeeHaw look out Texas

2011-06-03T11:45:00.004-06:00

If I see this guy I will for sure stop and give him a ride. He may have to sit on my lap as we may be a little crowded.

Dtr. and her family and I are taking a little trip for a few days to Canton Texas. The First Monday Trade Day. Always the first Monday of each month and the weekend preceding. It is the biggest flea market, craft show in the USA. Guess it is hard to see it all in one day. Go to
firstmondaycanton.com if you are interested in learning more. We were going to go the first of May, but there were so many storms brewing up that we chickened out. Now it will be good and hot and sunny. But looking forward to the family time.

Made some excellent book deals this week. One was at an estate sale and all the books were free. Got about 150 books in pretty good condition. Then today I stopped at a garage sale and paid 10$ for a big box of over 90 of these Love Inspired Romance novels that my older ladies just love. All nearly brand new. So Yeah for me.
(I almost feel guilty)

Thought for the day: Some people have such a talent for making the best of a bad situation that they go around creating bad situations so they can make the best of them. (makes sense to me)

Feeling numb

2011-05-28T09:04:00.002-06:00

Been trying all week to think about what to write. My words mean very little in the wake of all the loss of lives and property in Joplin. Joplin is our "go to city" All our shopping and Dr. apts. are there. Plus our favorite restaurants. We have kept a phone book out and when we think of a business we look up to verify what street it was on. Many are all gone. Others so damaged they won't be open for a long time. The stories I hear and read in the paper just makes you wince. Then I get angry when I hear of the people who go up just to "LOOK" Stay away! Let the crews do their jobs. And if you are able to volunteer then do so, or donate something. We don't have to go up for about 3 weeks for a Dr. apt. and that will be soon enough for me. Of course the Dr. office is no longer there so will have to find out where he has relocated. But any inconvenience I experience will be less than a drop in the ocean!

mercy.net/joplin/stories-of-mercy/45-seconds copy and past this site if you want to read an account of the ER Doctor at St Johns hospital that was on duty when it hit.

Thought for the day: Hug your love ones every chance you get.

Sister's dream

2011-05-21T09:46:00.003-06:00

Got in a little walk this morning with my sister, and she told me about her vivid dream. So while I can remember it I just have to put it down here as it was pretty funny. It amazing how we incorporate our personal life into our dreams with world events.

In the dream she said her husband announced to her that Michelle Bachmann had died suddenly and since she (my sister) looked exactly like her (no she doesn't, lol) she should step into her place and run for president. My sister insisted that she had to finish her quilt before she could do anything else. See she is working on a handmade quilt for her grand daughter's wedding this fall. But her husband insisted that it would be awesome as she could preside as president and quilt at the same time. Then he quoted a sign that she has hanging in her sewing room that says: Just One More Row. Then he said, well are you going to run for president or quilt?? Then she woke up.

I think he watches too much Fox and she quilts too much. LOL

Thought for the day: "We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way thru Congress" --- Will Rogers

Funny phone call

2011-05-19T12:03:00.004-06:00

I just got a call from someone asking to speak to the person who handles the ATT&T account. I told her I don't have ATT&T. She asked who we have and I said that we have a monopoly, and she about cracked up on the phone and thanked me and said Bye.

See we have one of those small town phone companies that actually do have a monopoly on us as we don't have a choice. Guess they were pretty darn smart years ago to run all their own lines and such.

Thought for the day: I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing.

Another sign of spring

2011-05-14T08:41:00.002-06:00

In my morning walks around town, I have been passing this little pasture. For several weeks there was a little (and I mean little) stallion that was pacing the fence, I could see into the front of this little barn and could see another small horse in there. I figured she was ready to have her baby. Well yesterday when I walked by, the stallion was penned up and lo and behold there were 3 mares in the pasture with 2 of the cuties little colts. Don't know if they are small Shetlands or miniature horses. Looks like they might come up to my waist on the shoulder. Aren't the cute little critters? Makes me miss our little farm, well at least for a few minutes. We enjoyed all our critters but it was alot of work and expense. big sigh!

Thought for today: Good questions outrank easy answers. Now think that one over a bit.

My number 2 pet peeve: Lack of Pride

2011-05-13T10:47:00.004-06:00

After that silly post a couple days ago about the "crack" it got me to thinking. ( I know I have to be careful of that activity) But what ever happened to our pride? Do people just wake up and decide they will wear pants that show their crack to the world. Or did we just sort of slide into this pattern of "who cares"? I know when I worked in the prison I felt the pants riding on God knows what, was mostly a way for them to show disrespect, but I digress.

We live in a country of excess. And what do we do with our excess? Why we throw it out the window as we drive down the road, of course! How silly of me to think that we should have some pride in our self and our environment. As I was taking my walk this morning I met up with a sweet older couple that I see alot. They park by the little city park every morning and she takes off walking a few blocks while her husband walks slowly with his bucket and a pair of those pick up tong things. They are well up in their 80's but they set such a wonderful example of the small things we can and should do to keep our space free of all the trash. I told her the other day that she is my inspiration. She was just beaming!

I know people aren't going to stop throwing out their drink cups and pop cans, but maybe "we" can set examples for them by being sensitive enough to take a min. to pick up when we can. So I will start carrying a plastic bag in my back pocket and at least pick up the cans as I walk. (we used to do that when we fished around a lake and pick up fishing line to keep the critters from getting hung up in it)

I just noticed that the picture I chose to illustrate a trash can really isn't want I wanted, but I can't figure out how to delete it. It sort of shows a homeless man and I don't mean to say that a homeless person would have to pride. So forgive me if you think I meant that.

OK that is Pet Peeve no. 2, now when I can remember what no. 1 is I will write about it later.

Thought for the day:We don't receive wisdom: we must discover it for ourselves.

I don't think Walmart has enough spackle to fill this crack!

2011-05-11T09:00:00.002-06:00

This was sent to me in an e-mail with alot of similar "ugly" pictures of people shopping at Walmart. You know Sat. I went to Walmart in the evening. Let me tell you that is a bad time to shop. But I did notice some pretty gross people. I am pretty forgiving, and understand that alot of folks don't have much money, but give me a break, stuff like this picture is not an accident. I did catch myself staring at a guy as I was leaving the check out stand. He was rather large and (excuse me) ugly. He had his head shaved except for this circle on top that was about the size of a cereal bowl and the hair was about 2 inches long and sort of curled nicely under at the edges. Ugh! I am sure the Honey he had at his side thought he was a darling.

Thought for the day: Guess its true, there IS someone for everyone. Just have to look or maybe just go to Walmart.

Happy Mr. Wren

2011-05-07T08:15:00.002-06:00

Hope this will play OK, it is my first try at posting a video. The wrens were back this morning and adding to their furniture. Just wanted to share their happy song!

Spring is here, birds are doing their thing!

2011-05-06T09:03:00.003-06:00

I just hung the Gourd bird house 2 days ago. About died laughing last pm watching Mr. Wren try to carry twigs into the small opening. I thought he had it when he got on the railing and kept working on the twig, it was about 10 in. long. He finally had ahold of the end so I thought he had it as he hopped up and kept trying to thread it into the hole, but then he dropped it. Next twig was much smaller and fit. This morning early we heard alot of chitter/chatter going on and I stood again at the window and here is what I heard:

Pop: Well Honey, what do you think of the new house I found?

Mom: Well it looks pretty good Tweet Thing, but it is awful close to that big house.

Pop: Oh, Fluffy Stuff, they won't bother us, but what about that strange red house with the tiny guys slurping up that juicy stuff.

Mom: I don't think they will be bad if they don't fight to much, I hear they are known for that, Sweetums.

Pop: Did you notice how we have our own perch on top to sit and watch over our estate, Sugar Beek?

Mom: Oh yes, and how nice it will be to have the babies swinging when the wind blows, (I think she was blushing)

Pop: Jumping up and down, so excited, he dropped the twig he was holding.

Sad Day

2011-04-28T11:16:00.002-06:00

I just found out that my old blog site has finally shut down! I posted on it for 5 or 6 years. I liked the site as I could do photo albums that were cool and I had lots of pictures on it. I got a message that it was closing down a few months ago and really tried to activate it so I could transfer it to another location. But guess since I hadn't used it for over a year I was locked out and have moved and have a different e-mail that made it impossible to get in. So I am stuck here with this one which I have come to love. It has some great features. Wonder how many years I can write my drivel and it still be out there in cyber space?

So goodbye to my old site.

Isn't is silly to feel a loss over something like this when there is so much tragedy going on with all the tornadoes tearing up the country. But maybe we need to have some silliness to balance us.

Thought for the day: Ever wonder why it is that Conservatives are called the "right" and Liberals are called the "left"? This verse in the Bible explains: "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2 Amen

A picture is worth 1,000 words

2011-04-21T10:36:00.003-06:00

I have mentioned before that my hubby hates to have his picture taken. This is an example of what I have to put up with when I try to take his picture. He moves real fast so it will be messed up. But while I am on the subject of pictures I want to share my thoughts about pictures.

Have you ever looked back at pictures of yourself, family and friends and wistfully wished that you still looked like that? I think we all do it. I used to be blond, for alot of years till about 4 years when I let it go natural to my "steel" gray. But when I see pictures of my blond hair I sort of wish it were still blond, then I realize that I am not that age either, so there lies the real wish I think.

I have recently been looking at pictures of my hubby when he was a young man and I didn't know him then. I feel that wistfulness that I wish I could have known him when he was young. But you know what I have come to realize? I do know him and he is right here beside me. We are all just the same as when we were young. Inside we are who we are no matter the age. We may have gray hair, sags, wrinkles, and weak legs but that's just on the outside. Inside we still have that smooth skin, strong muscles, and dance in our step.

Thought for the day: We all get heavier as we get older, because there's alot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Good Days of Fishing

2011-04-16T11:20:00.004-06:00

My hubby is pretty sneaky about letting me take his picture, so this is a favorite of him doing what he likes best. Sitting at a beautiful lake in Colorado catching trout. Now this is really the tough life, as we were able to just back the pickup right to the waters edge and use the tailgate to manage our bait. These were scrappy fish with pink meat like a salmon. This picture was almost 2 years ago. Maybe we will make it back there again one day. There is a great campground up in the trees. The top picture was taken from our camp site looking out to the lake late in the evening. Other than the cows that wondered thru camp in the evening it was very peaceful. We were in the open range area. Oh, and that scratching that I heard under the edge of the tent trailer that I was sure was a bear. Well it could have been!! You laugh like my husband!

Thought for the day: If you can't afford a doctor, go to an airport- you'll get a free x-ray and a pat down, and if you mention Al Queda, you get a colonoscopy.

Sad story

2011-04-15T09:16:00.002-06:00

This is a touching story of two brothers seperated at birth, a story of life and death, and the cruel twist of fate. Happy Easter

I am more than just a number!

2011-04-14T11:22:00.004-06:00

Ok, I forewarn you, this is a rant today!

Being in the medical profession for over 35 years I feel I have some perspective on health care. This week I had to have 2 procedures done and I get so dang mad at how medical care makes you feel like you are stupid or just a number.

The first apt. was to an ear specialist to have my ears cleaned, (I have to have this done every few years it seems) Anyway I have crappy insurance at the present as I carry a policy from retirement from another state. There are no preferred providers now in my area. The Doctors are about all OWNED by the hospitals and the hospital that was on my provider list dropped my ins. co. So being an honest person when I filled out my papers for the apt. I listed my insurance since they do pay 50% for services not in network. After my 5 min. procedure. I was told I owed $170. And they do not bill out of network ins. So I asked if the $170 was the cash amount since I had to pay the full amount and she said no, it was the insurance rate and since I do have insurance they are required to charge that amount. So I gritted my teeth and paid her, then asked for a receipt and she said she couldn't do that. It came from the hospital billing dept!!! I couldn't believe it. I said, "you mean I write you a check and you can't give me a receipt??? I bet you hate your job." And she said yes she did hate her job. When I told my sister that she said that when her husband went in to this same office they paid $135 for office call and told them they didn't have insurance. Even though they did, but knew it would not cover the services. This is just plain nuts!

Then I went for my repeat mammogram, (they saw a dark spot 6 mo. ago so had a repeat) So after waiting after the procedure, the tech came in with a slip of paper that told me to come back in 6 mo for my routine annual exam that they didn't need to do the ultra sound this time. That's it! After I got in the car, I thought dang how impersonal! I feel that the radiologist could have taken 5 minutes to review things with me, like did it go away? or was there no change? So guess I will wait till the Dr. gets a report and go get a copy and see what was said. Oh, and I don't have a Dr. He left the facility in Feb. and I haven't seen the other Dr. And you guessed it, they are affiliated with the Hospital and not on a preferred list now. So I have to pay out of pocket and bill ins. myself to see if I can get the 50% back.

Please tell me it will be easier when I get on medicare! Husband has medicare and a supplemental and it seems to be working well, so far.

OK on the more humble side, I am thankful to have clean ears and to have an OK mammogram.

Thought for the day: Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.

Spring, oh beautiful spring

2011-04-13T10:27:00.003-06:00

This is a little bird house I made yesterday from an old gourd that I had saved for several years. And the dogwood tree in the back yard is in full bloom. Getting spring fever to work in the flower beds and go buy lots of plants. Just have limited space to plant. Been digging up around my little book store and moving some plants there. Guess its the old Iowa farmer in me! They won't laugh when I am harvesting my corn!

This next thing was posted on my FB by my niece and I like it so much that I put it here to share:

Dear Congress, Last year I mismanaged my funds and this year I cannot decide on a budget. Until I have come to a unified decision that fits all of my needs and interests, I will have to shut down my checkbook and will no longer be able to pay my taxes. I'm sure you'll understand. Thank you very much for setting an example we can all follow.

Ain't it the truth? Guess that will be my thought for the day, unless you want to hear me grip about medical stuff. No? Well next time for sure.

Copy, paste

2011-04-09T10:53:00.001-06:00

> ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS FOR ME!
>
>

> Having arrived at the Gates of Heaven, Barrack Obama
> meets a man with a
> beard. 'Are you Mohammed?' he asks. 'No my son, I am
> St. Peter; Mohammed is higher up.' Peter then points to
> a ladder that rises into the clouds .
>
> Delighted that Mohammed should be higher than St. Peter,
> Obama climbs the
> ladder in great strides, climbs up through the clouds
> and comes into a
> room where he meets another bearded man. He asks again,
> 'Are you Mohammed?'
>
>
> 'Why no he answers, I am Moses; Mohammed is higher still
> .'
>
> Exhausted, but with a heart full of joy he climbs the
> ladder yet again,
> he discovers a larger room where he meets an angelic
> looking man with a
>
>
> beard. Full of hope, he asks again, 'Are you Mohammed?'
> 'No, I am Jesus, the Christ...you will find Mohammed
> higher up. '
>
> Mohammed higher than Jesus! Man, oh man! Obama can
> hardly contain his delight and climbs and climbs ever
> higher. Once again, he reaches an even larger room
> where he meets this truly magnificent looking man with a
> silver white beard and once again repeats his question:
>
> "Are you Mohammed?" he gasps as he is by now, totally
> out of breath from all his climbing. 'No, my son.... I
> am Almighty God, the Alpha and the Omega, but you look
> exhausted. Would you like a cup of coffee?"
>
> Obama says, "Yes please"! As God looks behind him, he
> claps his hands and yells out: "Hey Mohammed-two
> coffees!""
>
> Keep your trust in God...your president is an idiot...
>
>

Sweatin to the Oldies

2011-04-09T08:57:00.003-06:00

Getting warm to early in the AM. Did my walk this morning and was rather sweaty when I got back. Dang I hate that! Sort of puts a new meaning to sweating to the oldies huh?

Hubby was able to ride the lawn mower yesterday and had all the front yard mowed by the time I got home. He is such a good hard working man. Guess I will keep him. Did I mention I built a planter in front of my store? Looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Already filled up with assorted plants from my home and from my sisters. I do one one that is questionable though. It was attached to some dutch Iris plants and looked so pretty I planted it all by itself. But now it is looking rather suspicious to me. Probably a weed. Will let it bloom and see. Maybe a pretty weed.

Daughter and significant other, (don't like that term, when it is much more than that) are at an ALS ralley today. Wish I could have been there to lend my support. Maybe next time. A terrible disease that needs stamped out!

Thought for the day: I know I got alot of exercise the last few years,...... just getting over the hill.

Aspire to Inspire

2011-04-08T14:13:00.004-06:00

As I took my early morning walk in town this morning, (yes its spring and I have tried to start up again), I noticed many of the same buildings and such that I saw when I last walked in the fall, and I thought of how they looked a little more run down than before. Then I noticed that I was walking a little slower than I probably was last fall. Guess the winter has been hard on all things. But the tulips are blooming and grass growing, so it give me hope to pick up my step a little and find something to smile about.

Was anxious to get the paper this week and see my column that I did for April. Like I hadn't already read it 10 times before I sent it in. But there is just something about seeing it in print that makes you feel good.

The picture is of the huge Bradford Pear tree that was blooming a week ago in our front yard. Blooms all gone now but beautiful new green leaves. The mocking bird has found us along with the pair of brown thrush that I love to watch. The squirrels are driving us nuts. Such pigs! Then the ground hog has come out from under the tool shed and is chowing down on the green grass.

Took hubby to Dr. on Wed for his 4 week check up and an xray of his new knee. Beautiful. It is amazing what they can do and how well he as done in only 4 weeks. No cane most of the time and able to drive himself to his out patient PT. Next post I will put the pic on.

Thought for the day: I let go of resistance and accept this moment exactly as it is--Deepak Chopra

I need another hobby?

2011-03-30T09:25:00.004-06:00

Got my April column turned in to the newspaper a week early. Funny thing, I have hit a dry spell for reading now when I have a purpose for it other than my own pleasure. I keep a sheet of note paper in the book I am reading so I can take notes! I am reading the Poisionwood Bible right now. Seems to be taking me forever to read it. I think it is a great book, it's just me right now. But I have a stack of books that I have read recently that I think will be good to do reviews on.

Could be that I have started way too many projects lately. I am making baskets, and really like the process. Then I decided to research and find some ideas to use all the denim that I have been saving. So have started making some tote bags, then actually bought a pattern to make bags.(what a shocker when I looked at patterns! They are up to 16$/$18 each) Plus I am trying to finish a counted cross stitch picture, so guess its no wonder I haven't been reading much. I will attach a pic of my big 10 inch bowel that I made the other day. Hope to get a bunch of stuff made for the Fall Festival this year. Plus the rugs that I weave. Oh, and I set up the loom to make narrow rugs that can be made into totes, plan to put lining in them. Whew, I am tired!

Plus I have been the chauffeur for everyone for the last 3 weeks. But hubby is allowed to drive now, at least the short distance to out patient therapy. He is working hard to get back to being his independent ornery self. Doing a pretty good job. His knee is healing up really well.

Thought for today: I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted a pay check--Anonymous

Celtic Thunder - Steal Away (One more time)

2011-03-26T11:18:00.003-06:00

If you get a blank screen, just click on it anyway and the video comes on.

I have been immersed in Celtic Thunder this week so have to share just one more song. What a beautiful song. I could only find this one with the QVC junk at the bottom but it appears to be fairly recent as Damian has grown up and seems to be the lead singer.

What a beautiful message it gives us. We all need to be able to steel away and start a new. I love their harmonizing. So I leave it here for the week.

Thought for the day: One advantage of growing old: Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember either.

Is this your cat?

2011-03-25T09:35:00.002-06:00

I saw this today and knew I had to post it. I understand that my niece is taking her cat on walks now with a leash. Somehow that just seems so wrong to walk a cat on a leash. But then again I guess anything can be leash trained if you work at it long enough.

So Miss Niece, is this your cat??

Crazy Squirrels!

2011-03-24T09:32:00.004-06:00

I have a new meaning to the words "pole dancing".

We have trouble with squirrels climbing our bird feeding station by climbing right up the pole then down the chain to the feeder. Wouldn't be so bad but then they chew on the feeder.

So being smarter than a squirrel, I figured if I greased the pole they couldn't climb up.

I happened to see one the first time I did it with spray Pam. He jumped up about 3 feet onto the pole then slid down. I wish I could have seen if he was shaking his paws, wondering what the heck just happened. LOL. But he was out of site behind the brick wall.

I now find that I have to scrub the pole about every 3 weeks with a degreaser as it collects dust and gets tacky and they are right back up the pole. I now use cooking oil and it works the best.

Oh, what we do for entertainment. Reminds me of when we lived on the farm and found that when we sprayed water on the propane tank in the evening the horse flys swarmed around and landed on the wet tank and we could swat them! At least we kept the population down from biting the horse.

Maybe its not just the squirrels that are nuts!

Thought for the day: Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Look at me

2011-03-18T10:30:00.004-06:00

OK now what is new with the book lady? I love this picture of the animals reading space. I wish I had room for something like this. Hey I would be happy if I had space for a coffee machine, and maybe a WiFi space, maybe some easy chairs. Oh, I got carried away there, sorry about that.

Lets see I haven't mentioned my hubby's recovery after his knee surg on the 8th of Mar. He is really doing very well. We have our ups and downs, but he is healing up nicely and will get his staples out next Wed. He uses a minimal amount of pain med, as the narcotic makes him dopey, and most of time he doesn't have much pain, till he goes to bed. So tylenol and ice packs do the trick most of the time. But it will all pass and he will be out mowing before long. Spring is upon us, and aren't we glad?

The other biggie in my life is that I am writing a column for the local paper doing book reviews of what ever I am reading. So it puts a little pressure on me to choose books that I think would be interesting to others. But then I think, what the heck, if I thought they were interesting enough to read myself then that should cut the mustard. I sent the editor a sample of some book reviews I wrote and he said he would give me a rather large space once a month to do 3 or 4 reviews. Wow, I didn't expect that at all. I was hoping for a tiny space for a few paragraphs once a week. I see it as free advertisement. Now if I can be witty enough to catch a few readers, we will see. Oh the pressure:)

Thought for the day: Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous

Maxine's Censored St. Patrick's Day Song (maxine.com)

2011-03-17T10:24:00.001-06:00

Had to share this today!

Celtic Thunder - Caledonia

2011-03-16T10:19:00.001-06:00

Another must share today. I enjoyed this group on PBS the other night. They are wonderful and so "beautiful" to watch, esp. in the kilts! Made me go to Amazon and order a couple CD's. I am such a push over!

What makes an "Old" blogger?

2011-03-05T11:27:00.003-06:00

I sometimes wonder why we love to blog. Alot of the time I wonder why we do FB and whats with all the tweeting? We somehow want all the world to hear us and love us. So we try to write witty things that will get us some adoration. If no one read our blogs would we still write?

Good question. I know when I first started blogging in 2005, I did it as a private little journal thing. Then I started getting comments. Wow that was fun. Someone out there was reading my stuff. Then I gave my site out to all my family. Now that is a two edge sword. You start to sort of edit your words that you type cause you don't want to hurt someones feelings or reveal something that you might not want to share with family. But on the other hand there was several years there when alot of the extended family was blogging. It was so much fun to log on and see what everyone wrote or what their comments were on what I wrote.

Somewhere along the line many family members sort of fizzled out. I think when the FB got to be popular and then the Twitter thing. But gee I miss the stories! There was some good meat and potatoes there, not just little one sentence comment that we are supposed to get all excited about. Example: "Look out Texas!! Road Trip." Sorry daughter, just used you as an example. Now a blog post about the trip would be awesome!

So 6 years of blogging and I have no intention of stopping. I may get dry spells, but I still have alot to say. If I get comments I still get excited. But I can't help but wonder who all is actually reading all this. I have done a little blog surfing and boy there is so much stuff out there. What makes one more interesting than another for a stranger to follow? Of course I have a few that I follow, some I have stopped following because they get to whinny or to long winded. So on that note I better stop!!

Thought for the day: It's better to be a has-been than a never-was.

Young Me up a tree

2011-03-05T10:21:00.004-06:00

In writing the post yesterday I sort of traveled back in time and alot of memories from those days came flooding back. I will just randomly recall events from the time living in this house, in this little town.

As I mentioned, my dad was handicapped, but that didn't mean he was helpless. He always had a big garden and provided for us the best he could. Frequently he raised rabbits. I always said that its a wonder I didn't hop instead of walk. He got permission from someone to garden down near the river, which was just across the street a block from us. The soil was very sandy and he raised sweet potatoes and one year he raised peanuts. I don't remember to well how the process of boiling or roasting the peanuts went. He caught a snapping turtle once and was determined to get it out of the shell so mom could make us turtle soup. I remember the turtle but not the soup. Probably a good thing.

Another time I was playing dress up with some old discarded high heels and had been marching around for some time. When I took them off there was a huge spider sitting on my toes! Yikes! He could have bitten me but guess he had room and just waited for me to get my foot out of his home.

We played with a couple girls down the street. They were "rich" by our standards. (They already had walking dolls.) But as kids it didn't seem to matter much. At dusk we would play under the only street light and throw things in the air to coax the bats to swoop down. We played along the river, always trying to find stuff.

During the winter when the river froze over, the "rich" friends would go out on their pretty white ice skates. Their dad would go with them and if snow was on the ice he would scoop it off to make a big circle. The guy that we rented from gave us an old old pair of brown men's skates. With a few layers of socks I was able to get out on the ice and actually learned to skate a little.

One memory that I will end with is a favorite of my mother. As I mentioned we didn't have electricity but she would read to us. Back then books like The Bobsy Twins, Big Red, Old Yeller, and Black Beauty were published in what was called Big Golden Books. I have a vivid memory of leaning over Mom's shoulder as she was reading one and having tears fall down onto her shoulder because it was a really sad part.

Thought for the day: Always be yourself, because the people that matter, don't mind. And the ones that mind, don't matter.

Long, long ago

2011-03-04T11:17:00.002-06:00

Decided I would find old pictures in my albums and write a little about them as I remember.
This picture is of myself taken back when I was about 7. As you can see I am proudly holding onto a doll. There is a long story about this doll and about where I lived.

Well like many folks we were quite poor when I was growing up. My dad was handicapped from polio and by the time I was this age he would have been in his late 40's at least and unable to work anymore. We lived on ADC, which is Aid for Dependant Children in the state of Iowa.
We moved around a lot, sometimes twice in the same school year. At this time we lived in a tiny little town in SE Iowa. The little cottage had no electricity or running water. This is my last memory of using kerosene lamps in the evening. Don't know what Mom cooked on.

My little brother and I pretty much ran loose and since it was a very small town, like 50 people, I think we got acquainted with most of them. There was this old man, his name was Walter, that lived up the street from us. He didn't have electricity either and was an old bachelor. My brother and I would hang out at his house as he gave us some attention that I am sure we were craving. By today's standards this would have all been a big red flag if you know what I mean.

Walter loved kids. When we visited him, he would tell us stories and warn us to not go past his living room as he had a big black snake that lived under his bed so he didn't have to worry about mice. I sort of think this was true. We would sit and help him pick walnut meats out and he fed them to the birds (what we didn't eat). He would tack his old pancakes to the tree for the birds to eat also.

One day, I don't remember now if it was for Christmas or my birthday, he gave me this doll that he ordered. She is a walking doll. I think it cost around 18$. Which was a lot for him to spend on some rag tag little girl up the street. He was just a very nice old man who loved kids. It made me feel special probably for the first time in my life. Later on we moved away from there and I didn't see Walter till I was as teenager. I ran into him at the little country store in that same town. See we were living across the river at that time in another rental house. He remembered me, but it felt strange to talk to him by then. Years later I heard that he died in a house fire at a really old age. It made me feel sad.

Recently I got this old doll out of the trunk, washed her hair and pin curled it, and washed her cloths. Think I will take it to my store and sit her on the shelf. She brings back a lot of memories and all of them good. I have some more to tell about living at this house so maybe next week I will do this again.

Thought for the day: Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission. --Eleanor Roosevelt

A fixer-upper? Or fire up the cat?

2011-03-03T14:13:00.007-06:00

Last fall when I was doing my morning walks here in the little town where I have my book store I took some pictures of some of the towns decay.

As you can see, someone had good intentions and started putting siding on this house and at some point decided it wasn't worth it or else the load of used siding that a friend gave them just ran out. Who knows. It is sad to see so many old houses like this that just need to be dozed in.

But if you could know their history and the families that lived in them from the time they were new and what was the story on how they became so run down that they were abandoned, wouldn't it be interesting.

I do know about the first picture. Way back many years ago it was the hospital here. When I lived in this area the first time back in the 70's it was still open and I remember going to the Dr. there during clinic hours and asked him to pierce my ears and he sort of ran me off, telling me that he had sick people to see and didn't do piercings. Gee all I wanted was to get holes popped into my ear lobes in a sterile setting. At least they didn't charge me for the office call. I think I had a friend do it for me later. I understand that some folks have owned the building for a few years and are living in the back of it and have been putting in new windows. Boy if that building could talk!

Thought for the day: A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory

Hooked on Creamers

2011-02-26T10:33:00.002-06:00

Just found a new coffee creamer that actually has real milk and cream as primary ingredient and the flavor I got, Vanilla Carmel is wonderful. It is by Coffee House. The Coffee Mate I have used for along time has a list of ingredients a mile long. Think I will try the chocolate next, love chocolate in my coffee.

Thought for today: He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

At least one hand is warm

2011-02-26T10:24:00.003-06:00

Just realized why when I am playing on my computer (mostly using the mouse) my right hand gets so cold and the left is warm.

Well the room is quite cool, as my Internet is at my little store and this corner doesn't get the heat very well. So that is why the right hand is cold. Oh, and feet too. But the left hand is warmer because I noticed that I tend to put it under my left thigh if I am just mousing around. Like when I play my daily dose of Spider Solitaire. Guess I am sort of hooked on it. Did play regular solitaire yesterday till I finally won for the first time. That one is hard to win, you can't cheat with the computer!

Thought for the day: If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

Just a little BS on my brain today

2011-02-24T10:34:00.003-06:00

Just hear a commercial on the radio, telling you that when you get your tax return to spend it on something you really need and will make you happy. A quick and easy divorce. I couldn't believe I heard it. Wow we can sell anything can't we?

Really raining today, probably be several inches when it is done. At least it is washing away all that crap left by the snow plow in front of my store. Oh, and gas jumped from 2.92 to 3.19 in one day.

Sitting here at my computer I can look into a little book case that I put books that I take in from customers that I think I want to read. Here are some titles:

Foreign Body by Robin Cook

The Ice Child by Elizabeth McGregor

The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexqandre Dumes

Sunday at Tiffany's by James Pattersdon

The Loch by Steve Alten

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

The Fields of Eden by Richard Wheeler

Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris

OK that is probably boring enough. Better stop and go back to my weaving. Got a good rug going with browns and a bright green and some yellow.

Thought for the day: Dreams are poems from the subconscious

This ones for my girl

2011-02-23T12:29:00.003-06:00

When I was just short of turning 21 my daughter was born. We were talking the other day and I realized that everyone should know about their birth. I always just heard I was born in a blizzard and like all the kids in my family was born at home. And thats about all I know.

I got married at 17 so that I wouldn't have to move clear across the country with my parents. When I was 19 my son was born. When he was just a toddler we decided he was so darn cute we should have another one. When I was about 5 or 6 mo. pregnant we moved out to the east coast to live near my parents and my big brother.

We were able to rent a little one bedroom cottage in a trailer park. I remember getting my first washing machine (ringer type) while there. We had a small dirt yard that was level with the doorway, so with a little guy coming in and out it was hard to keep the dust down. I worked a little as a grocery clerk just up the road for a month or so.

When I started labor we headed to the hospital, think we must have taken the son to my Moms. I remember it was raining. I was to experience a very different delivery than when my son was born in a little county hospital. I was in a very large City hospital. They delivered several babies a day. I remember I was progressing slow so they started a pit drip to make it more painful, (or was it to just make the contractions work better?) Any way back in those days they thought that you had to stay flat on your back or it wasn't effective. Being a labor and delivery nurse many years later myself I learned that was all a bunch of hooey! Anyway they kept coming in and making me turn back. I labored all day and somewhere around 7pm was delivered of a 7 lb 3 0z. baby girl via forceps! Here I am a good size healthy 20 year old and couldn't spit out a little 7 # baby! In hind sight I know know that she was turned face up and that was why I had so much back pain and the need for the forceps.

Back then you had to stay in the hospital for 2 or 3 days at least. I was breast feeding so when they would bring the babies down the hall to give to the Mamas they had a big cart on wheels. No rooming in back then. We have told the story of how the babies were in these little bins on the cart and sadly we teased our daughter that maybe they got babies mixed up. Little did I know that her brother took up on this and she lived in fear that maybe she didn't belong to us! Well they were ID'd with wrist bands and I have no doubt. But they really did look like vegetable carts to me!

So we took her home and big brother got moved out of the baby crib and put into a little cot so the new baby had a bed. Lucky that we were able to move into a large house a few months later. The picture posted here is of my daughter and I way back then, standing in front of that house with our matching dresses that I made.

Thought for the day: You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Everyone loses

2011-02-18T13:44:00.004-06:00

I hear some sad stories from my customers. Had a guy in today that I see every few weeks. He usually is looking for books for his grandson who is now 12. He was telling me how his grandson is being raised and it makes you wonder how he will turn out. I guess he lives one week with his dad and one week with his mother. His dad is "shacking up"(grandpa's words) with a gal and lives in a converted garage at grandpa's house. The mother works and is in a band. The grandpa is the one who takes the boy to school everyday and picks him up, buys all his cloths and school lunches, but has no custodial rights. So some days the boy doesn't know for sure where he is supposed to sleep as the mom may be out really late with band practice. So he ends up just being a pawn being shuffled from here to there. Grandpa says he is starting to see some acting out, (surprise!) Grandpa is 65 and says he is retired now and would like to look at getting out and traveling but feels he needs to be there for this kid. He would like to have him full time and I think wash his hands of the 40+ year old son. Looks like there is only losers in this story.

Thought for the day: If you can't be a good example- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.