Mid Month

One of the e -mail attachment I received yesterday showed new pictures made by the 'chalk man'. An artist of extreme talent, able to paint on the flat surface of a tile floor of a mall and come up with outstanding art work.

Here he is in action, making it look so easy. There was no story with it so I have no idea of his name or whereabouts. I would have to go back on the old blogs as I am sure I wrote about him once before. There were more pictures and each one a masterpiece. I would love to see his work in person and wish he would paint a picture in malls all over the country so we could see and touch his work.

It is too dark to open the new vertical blinds. I really like them as they give a sense of privacy and have a very neat look about them. The pattern on the curtains during the sunshine is different, not as art like but more of shadows. I haven't learned how to adjust the slats yet but I am working on it. My faded furniture is just that...faded...and nothing is going to bring back the beautiful colors of the material. I have two lovely 'throws' I can show off and cover up a multitude of faded glory.

Here is the latest sign to remind us to stand tall and keep prayer in our lives. We "God damn" often enough and "Sweet Jesus" even more often, so I don't think God is going to leave us anytime soon. I was thinking of such expressions when I used the new lavender honey mixture on my face the other night without reading the instructions first. Aah, live and learn. I am learning. I find that one tiny drop goes a very long way. It may never do the job it is suppose to do on my old leathery skin, but I bet I am going to attract a lot of honey bees this summer when I go out to weed the garden.

I cannot believe I am having the same old debate, with myself, about cooking a turkey. I am going to do it, maybe only a small breast, but a turkey . . . I love left overs. My mouth is already watering with thoughts of a turkey sandwich with dressing and cranberry and rye bread. Who knows who might drop in and share a sandwich or two, or even left over hot turkey. A breast . . . no . . .a small bird with legs and wings so I can chomp on them to my hearts content. I already have the makings of a mince pie. I have an invitation to dinner out but nothing says I cannot share the at home dinner for the entire weekend. Oh, you may have to eat in your lap as I started a new lighthouse puzzle, one that seems to hold together better and is a challenge but nothing like that bear I just finished. There is something about a jig saw puzzle that gives me piece of mind and if I can cover the table with newspaper so the puzzle will stay put until I want to work it again, so if you stop in I will be able to put a table cloth on and let you sit comfortably at the table. Just be sure to check your clothing before you leave the dining area in case one of those puzzle pieces gets loose.

So today, another new start, meetings to go to, some off to doctor visits, some starting the wash; Monday, wash day, I know a few folks who still wash on Monday, iron on Tuesday and follow the old rules of keeping house. I gave that regiment up a long time ago and do what I have to do as it is needed. Um. . . reminds me I have the dish washer to empty but not before I have my coffee. Make your Monday fresh, new, improved, and start thinking of what you are going to bring to the Thanksgiving table beside your appetite. Hugs to all.

Gray Day

The skies were really very beautiful at times yesterday. a rainy or I should say more of a misty Art Walk Saturday, with tiers of gray clouds and slits of a beautiful blue letting us know that the storm would pass and I found myself humming . . . "Blue Skies smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see" . . . well, bits and pieces showed so there is hope of clearing weather ahead. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, the wind and the winter days of Oregon, but the sunshine and rainbows are a necessary balance to our lives.

The annual Christmas bazaar was well attended at the high school yesterday. The tables were set up to make a luncheon area on one end of the huge gym and wide aisles between booths gave us an opportunity to browse and see what the artisans had created for this particular show. I was surprised at all of the desert and home made breads that were available this year. I didn't buy any as I would have taken it home and eaten it rather than save it for the holidays. I know me, any desert is like a fish to a fisherman or a duck to a hunter . . . my aim never falters, although I passed up caramel corn, chunks of chocolate fudge, cookies and brownies that probably never would have made it to the car on the way home.

I discovered The Lavender Lady from Bandon, a town some fifty miles from here. I have her card so that Pat and I can look up the lavender farm on our next trip up to Coos Bay. We always stop in Bandon for breakfast at our favorite restaurant where I order the 'Granny special', a scrambled egg along with two biscuits and gravy and great coffee. I bought some honey and lavender which is to make my skin rejuvenate, and last evening decided to try it. The instructions were clear . . . use a wash cloth, wet your face, put 1/2 teaspoon of honey lavender on your face and smooth it on . . . what the instructions did not say is that the honey lavender is thick with honey that sticks in your hair and although it makes your skin feel as smooth as silk, it doesn't do much for your hair do. Now that I have the hang of it I will be much more careful on how I put this miracle gel on to un-age my wrinkles . . . 'fat chance', but who knows I may become a raving beauty overnight. I should go look in the mirror but not before I have a shower and shampoo my hair and undo the clumps left behind.

I did do a little Christmas shopping as I found a couple of lovely small gifts. The lady who made jewelry out of the different types of stones is an artist in her own right. I almost bought one of the old fashioned aprons that I used to favor many years ago. You do not see many aprons that cover, more of them are just a fancy piece of material for show. The old fashioned ones used to cover our clothing and protect us from all the cooking spills. They just went out of style, probably because the younger generation do not cook as we did 'from scratch.' The younger generation can now buy a dinner prepackaged and not bother with 'the mess' but I wonder how many chemicals they are devouring that can't be good for the body. There was so many beautiful hand made items, a new knitted round that could be put over the ears on a cold day or used as a wrap around the neck to ward off the cold winds. Lovely wraps that one clever aritsan added a button hole so she could change the shaping of the wrap to make one look so glamorus. One artisan painted on tree oddities which she had a name for and I cannot recall what it is, much like the beryl but more of a fungus. Some were horns and antlers and well done. The new artistan in town this year was the candle maker. Beeswax candles in all sizes and shapes of animals and people as well. The color of honey and molded to perfection.

Here is my friend Angie and her niece. Angie was up to Anchorage on business so took advantage of her time to meet up with her niece from Fairbanks and see the sights. They looked up son John who squired them around Anchorage and they had lunch and a chance for a short visit.

I saw this wonderful shot made up by members of the armed forces showing that they remember 9-11 on Veterans Day (Armistice Day). Clever and well done.

So today, Sunday, a day of rest . . . hopefully that is just what you will do . . . rest! Kick back and treat yourself to a leisurely breakfast, take time to read the newspaper and don't forget the funnies. We all know laughter is the best medicine. I am going to 'unglue' and follow the instructions more carefully as I use the honey and lavender to make me ''shine", but if it doesn't work, can I put it in your stocking? It smells heavenly. Hugs to all.

Bits and Pieces

Maxine may feel that way this morning, but I am thinking just the opposite as I'd like to see you coming in to join me today. It is Saturday and Pat is driving up to Portland leaving me behind. I 'fuss' too much according to her as she heads for the M.S. clinic and wants to do it all by 'herself'. I've learned never to argue with 'city hall' but she is missing out as I make a pretty good navigator and a great lunch pal and I would even pick up the tab. Why I point out all the good places to stop but she has her own reasons of wanting to 'run away' and enjoy her own company and I can understand that. I may not like it, but I do understand it as I find things to do to keep me busy. Today I am going to the High School for the annual pre-Christmas bazaar with my neighbor La Verne. It is usually a pretty rinky dink affair but some of the crafts people make some unusual pieces out of materials from the ocean. The seaweed baskets are beautiful and there is a lot of beading going on this year.

An e-mail came in last evening with this picture of the 'next generation' tire. It was designed my Michlen and it sounds like a boon for the driver. It is airless, no valves, air, repairs needed or even a flat tire and less expensive. It sounds too good to be true . . . I wonder if there is a catch hidden somewhere. Even the police spikes will not work on these, and that may not be a good thing. Well, I hope, for all of you who drive it is a dream come true and the Michlen makes a billion dollars on the first tires sold. Maybe they wear out eventually as they must be made of rubber; a doubting Thomas as there has to be something hidden in the small print as I find it very hard to believe Michlen has turned into a fairy godparent.

So today, the start of your weekend, enjoy every minute of it. Find ways to relax your mind and your body and take a ride over to one of the tire stores and see if they have this new tire then let me know what the catch is . . . never a flat tire . . . that is hard to believe. Make all your seconds count as you catch up with yourself. As for me, I am going to call up a few folks and invite them over for a cup of tea and I think I'll make those "Helen" brownies with the raspberry topping, if your in the neighborhood stop in, I'll share. Hugs to all.

P.S. today. . . I mentioned the other day that we had a sink hole here in Brookings. It is 30 feet wide and 25 foot deep and is just in front of City Hall and the Police Station. It seems that a very old pipe burst underground and has been softening the dirt for some time, and last Sunday it gave way much too the surprise of our Brooking citizens. There are several street project on going which will now have to be put on hold as the city workers hurry to try and fix the pipes, not fix but replace, as the pipes were put in around 1936. Makes me wonder about the pipes around this street and that ditch in the back of the property which the experts tell me is for rain run off and is the responsibility of the home owners as it is is written in the original plot record as an easement and not a right of way, which as I take it from the honcho at city hall, the home owners are responsible for the upkeep . . . um . . . maybe there is another sink hole brewing in the depths of this Brooking area and there might be a way to 'sue' city hall . . . I can only hope.

Thoughts Go Bump in the night

I made myself a delicious scallop dish last evening for my dinner. While the scallops were thawing in a bowl of water, I sliced a small tomato, two pats of butter, lemon juice, basil and got out the angel hair pasta. After drying out the scallops, I placed them in my skillet covered with foil, added the ingredients and put it into a 350 degree oven,for fifteen minutes. The spaghetti was cooking and soon I had a delectable meal . . . oh, I almost forgot the best of it, a tablespoon of white wine.....I had some left over from the last time Pat and I shared a glass so naturally I had to have a taste as well. Now I am not one to imbibe much and when I felt sleepy at nine thirty I decided to turn off the television and go read awhile. I didn't last long and next thing I knew it was one a.m.; then two a.m. and the mind was churning away. I was thinking about looking at the computer screen where I have a wonderful picture of the ocean with massive clouds hanging over it and just a shaft of sunlight to highlight the froth of the waves. My imagination was working very well as I thought about writing a story for children with a dialogue between the clouds and the sea. I had such fun with it as the dark cloud tried to overshadow the ocean and the ocean roared back with its powerful waves in strong debate. It was fun for awhile but then I got to thinking it might be too scary for little ones so I gave up my musing and finally fell sound asleep.

As I am thinking this over this morning and wondering what to write about, I decided to put on a few political cartoons about the ladies who have their hats in the ring. It is going to be interesting to watch them play out their formats and ideas on how to beat the good old boys in their own game. I got to thinking it was just like my musings about the clouds and the ocean, both powerful and unforgiving . . . which one would win? Hopefully neither as we need a mixture of calm and level heads with common sense, more like the ocean on a summer day as the sky fills with puffy white clouds and all is right in our world.

So today, can you believe you only have one more working day this week . . . what are you going to do with your weekend? I have high hopes you will enjoy it to the fullest, maybe go for a walk along a beach and see what kind of clouds are hovering above. Let your imagination soar, and laugh out loud as you find pictures in the clouds to amuse you. Go . . . have fun. Hugs to all.

Armistice Day

I have one eye open and the coffee is brewing. I am looking forward to some breakfast as I am hungry this morning. I am hungry every morning! Hopefully today is going to have more sunshine than rain as I would like to take a walk around the block and see what Fred Meyers has to offer as I am sure all of the Christmas 'stuff' is out, although I am looking for a couple of special birthday cards.

I'm thinking exercise and here it the perfect answer.

AND today is . . . November 11, 2010 Signing of World War I Armistice, 1918. Ninety two years ago; a long time backwards yet we owe it to our veterans to never, ever, forget the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. Hang your flag proudly today. I lost my small one and have not replaced it, but not to worry, our local newspaper sends us a paper flag every holiday and it is easy to paste up by the front door. We have had many wars since the Armistice was signed and the new terrorist fighting is ongoing and more horrific than ever, a never ending way in life and it seems we will never know the real reasons behind them all . . . envy? jealousy? hate? political posturing? I cannot come up with an answer to why 'the grass is always greener on the other side' , or why "I" have the right to "your" domain, all I know is that with each war we lose the best of our next generation.

So today, light a candle, say a prayer and remember the family members and friends you have lost over the endless wars. If there is a parade, go, put your hand over your heart, stand up and salute as the flag goes by and those old time veterans march proudly. Attend one of the small ceremonies the veterans will put on in your town today. They never forget their buddies and neither should we. It is 'buddies day' so buy a poppy or two and help the veterans continue in their help of those veterans in the veteran homes across our land. Be proud to be a thankful American. Hugs to all.

Meet some cousins

The family members I haven't had the pleasure to meet in person but I feel I know as our Sullivan cousin Pauline keeps us up on daughter Karen and her husband Georges who live in France. Georges is an artist and Karen is a teacher but from the pictures she sends I'd say she would make a fine photographer. They have three sons, Ted the youngest is in college; Alex is married to Coco and has a new daughter Alice which you have met on my blog. Her latest accomplishment is to walk and now the fun begins. Patrick and Fanny live in Barcelona and these pictures tell the story of a family visit to Cap de Creur and introduced me to a part of the world I will never see. From what Karen wrote to her mother the scenery was fantastic. They had a long hike from Cadaques to Cap de Creur , names I have never heard of and the picture tells it all. They stopped to visit Dali's home and I found out from the pictures that he was an egg lover. I think the picture of Patrick and Fanny in the egg is priceless. Our world is so full of interesting places to go and so much to learn about. How lucky I am that Pauline loves me enough to share her family with me.

So today, think about family. You may find that you have some very loving second or third generation cousins you have yet to meet . . . you know the ones you have heard about but never took the time to get to know and visa versa. How much we miss when we do not reach out. It is such a warm and wonderful feeling to 'belong' and realize that distance is nothing when one takes the time to share their lives in pictures and words. Hugs to all.

Travelers

I wish I could say that I took these pictures on the blog today but I did not. I had an attachment from a friend with the history of a family who traveled by bicycle from Kentucky to Alaska . The Pedouins. You may have read something in the newspaper or in the magazines about them. If you have not, you may find reading their blog interesting and fun. http://www.pedouins.org. The caption should be "Pink skies of Fairbanks" . . . what is that old adage . . . 'pink skies at night sailors delight; pink skies in the morning, sailor take warning'; wonder what it means on land . . . probably a big snow storm is coming.

How creative a family to take themselves off on a bike tour and capture the hearts of the public. At present they are in a cabin in Fairbanks busy writing a novel about their experiences. The three little girls look healthy and happy enjoying a slide down the hillside. That picture brought back a few memories of an old flexible flyer that sent me into many a snowbank. It has been a lot of years since I 'slid' down a hillside . . . if I remember it was an inner tube ride down a Sierra low rise with son Michael in tow.

My friend Barbara and her husband had a chance to meet these folks and they left a lasting impression. She follows their adventures with a bit of a sigh wishing she could be a part of the adventure . . . me too, I would love to have done something like that many years back but never had the courage to follow a dream like that. Crossing the countryside in a car, three different times, with four children going and five coming back gave me adventures enough to last me a lifetime.

Now this is the way to travel, poor old Noah had better catch that woodpecker or there will be no boat to float. Someone had a great sense of humor and timing as our current day politics has made us feel like we are in a leaky boat. Well let us all light a candle for the enlightenment of our politicians in hopes they will find the cure for what ails us. We Americans have been called many names but we know how to band together once we get our heads out of the sand.

So today, when you are out and about on a Tuesday no less . . . well, hump day will be here soon enough for you to start thinking of what you will do with your up coming weekend. The week is starting off with 'iffy' weather and walking is not an option if you want to stay dry. I hear Arizona weather is beautiful and tennis lessons are the name of the game. I'm not sure about Rhode Island, I think more storms are in the offering for them. Son John has inches of snow to plow through and it is cold. He should enjoy that as he loves cold skiing weather, wonder if there are places near by to slide down a hillside or two. Granddaughter Erin must be in her glory as the winter weather starts. She is a snow boarder and can hardly wait for time off to go 'down hill' and she does it so gracefully . . .go Erin!. I would imagine son Michael is standing on his back porch looking up into the Sierras covered with snow. As for daughter Christine, she may be plowing through rain puddles just like we are, although I think she has been getting a lot more teeming rain than we have. Whatever, weather is weather so make up your mind to get out and 'dance' in the rain, grab a sled and slide down a hillside with a whoop and a holler and smile all the way. Hugs to all.

Books

"Ahh, Maxine always knows the right words!

Here is a story poem I wrote about Books .. .

How can one not take pleasure/in the world of make believe/for it mimics life as we would wish it to be/the early childhood fables/made us laugh and we could see/ the silliness/the ineptness/the villains falling down/the world captured in words/a learning tool for free/ all you had to do was open a book/and take a short journey to another time.
Nursery rhymes in word and song/the Bobbsey Twins were cool/on to Nancy Drew with mysteries to unfold/and soon a bit of romance was read in stolen glows/ History written as fiction took a hold/ then Shakespeare was introduced/once you learned to read his rhyme/it gave pleasure by the score/ and your mind begged for more and more and more. There never has been a moment/to be bored in life/all you have to do is reach a shelf filled with books/choose the one to fit your mood/and find a reading nook.



The weather has changed and our winter storms are moving in slowly but surely. Yesterday was a day of teeming rain then a break in the clouds and sunshine, a seesaw day or better still a wait and see day before you decided what you wanted to do. As for me, I turned on the television and there really was nothing worth watching. The radio was not much better as my favorite 'old tunes' station hasn't changed a tune in months. With all the stories, and with all the music piled high in archives, it seems ludicrous that we cannot be offered something good to watch or to listen to. I certainly am not a fan of ads in any of the media. So, what to do with myself . . . . a book, of course . . . I just bought four at a yard sale, great authors waiting to tell a story, so I curled up in my favorite chair and was lost in a "Silent Sea".



As I am writing this blog this morning I am wondering what the current list of children's early reading would be. I am sure I would be lost as the list would most likely start with Dr. Suess all the way to "Harry Potter" and so much more I don't even know about. I see where every politician has a new book out and even I have a new 'Short Stories" book out, so there is no excuse to be bored.



So today, the start of your new week, business first, and while out and about stop by the library and find out what is the latest 'read' on the shelf. Meanwhile we have breaking news this morning about a sink hole in front of our City Hall . . . I'm off to find out what that is all about. So make your day the best you can, stay alert and take good care of yourselves. Hugs to all.

Spectacular

When I opened the attachment to an e-mail it took a minute or two to realize just what I was looking at. Flowers, yes, but when I looked closely I could see the bodies and arms and legs of a group of very artistic people. The caption had to do with the dauntlessness of the human spirit. What a brilliant mind to conceive this awesome cleverness in form and color. It was difficult to choose from so many pictures. I chose the ones that appealed to me although I could put up the other half and be just as surprised with the endless beauty I am looking at. I love art. I love the artist who can create scenes to fill our hearts and souls with the love of life in all its facets. How lucky we are to be able to view each piece of art to enlighten us, to fill our minds with beauty, bring back memories with familiar faces and scenes or the wonderful cartoonists who send us into another realm entirely as we laugh out loud because of their cleverness. I find these pictures fascinating and wish I could give credit to the person or persons so blessed with talent.

So today, your weekend is going by much too fast although you do have an extra hour to play or to sleep. I hate the change of time as it confuses me for a day or two. I woke up at two a.m. instead of the usual three or four a.m. and had to struggle to get back to sleep. I got out a new book as I had finished one before turning off the light. Now I had Clive Cussler to keep me company and soon I had finished the prologue when the eyes started to feel heavy so off went the light and before I knew it five a.m. was here and I'm blogging. I hope you sleep all the way through and the hour doesn't throw you off but give you more playtime to enjoy the rest of your weekend. I'm off for seconds on my coffee, not bad, even if I do say so myself. Make today special, just like you. Hugs to all.

Pride

The e-mail attachment about the man and flowers came in some months back and I may have already done a blog hoping to share the gardens with such an amazing array of flowers and plants. I think it is worth a second go-round and hope you agree.

A couple passed by this house every day and finally stopped and asked the gentleman who lived there if they could see more of his yard as he has every inch covered with flowers of every size and shape. The dahlias alone are plate size. If I remember correctly he gave them a tour of his property and made mention that "doing what you love to do so you don't age much" and he is proof as he is ninety-one years old. I wish he lived next door to me so he could extend his gardens right over on my property. I'd let him grow any flowers he wanted to and even help him weed.

It is Saturday morning and I am off to the Star of the Sea annual fall inside yard sale. The huge room is filled with 'stuff' and the crowds come hoping to find a treasure or two. While there I'll pop into the church and light a candle for all of us.

So today, know I'm thinking of you and wishing you a weekend of good health, a little fun after the chores are done and hopefully a surprise drop in with a big hug just for you. What, you are sleeping in and don't bother you . . . well, I can do that. Catch you later. Hugs to all.

Fini

Here it is in all of its glory, the puzzle from hell, and if you do not believe me, ask daughter Pat who came over and helped put it together as she swore it should be swept into a garbage pail. The puzzle is really beautiful finished and should be glued and framed but it now resides in its box all taped and ready for the next puzzle addict who loves a challenge.

It took a good month to finish and I had to laugh at the five or six pieces that were taped back together because someone tried hard to put a piece where it did not belong. I could identify with their frustrations. It basically was a camouflage puzzle as the colors didn't vary much, nor the pieces themselves and I think we took as many out as we placed in at times. Once you got the right piece in the right place it was pure joy. Believe it or not, the shortest bird tail was the hardest to put together. Pat had one piece left and wished me luck finding a place for it. She no sooner went out the door when I spotted a piece that looked strange and sure enough it was put in wrong. I exchanged it for the last one in hand and the puzzle was finished. My friend, Pauline, asked what I did with the puzzles when I finished them. I admire the finished piece long enough to take a picture of it then sweep it off the table, making sure I do not leave a piece behind, and box it up and tape it with a note that all pieces are there. I put them in a yard sale if someone does not claim them . . . then out comes the vacuum and I can finally clean the dining area unafraid to vacuum up a piece or two.

Pat gives me two weeks before I start another, but I think I will wait until after the holidays as I might have to use the dining room table. I am thinking of putting up one of the outside tables that we use for yard sales and a better lamp and use John's office space then I can close the door and leave it when frustration sets in and patience goes out the door. Doing jig saw puzzles is really like life. We have to form a frame to put in the pieces of our woes, hunt for the easy part first, you know the every day nit picks we can sweep away quickly, and then we use all of our capabilities to overcome all of the improbabilities that seem insurmountable; it is then that we search for the answers and once found and resolved we sit back and thank God for patience and perseverance.

So today, is it Friday already?, where did this week go? A weekend coming up to do with as you please. If you have a problem or two, solve them quickly and don't waste a second of your time crying 'over spilled milk', mop up your tears and pull up your boot straps and ride off into the sunset with smile on your face and a wink in your eye, and as daughter Christine would say, "Get Over It". If I liken it to politics . . . we won . . . the American people have stood up and said out loud "Enough is Enough" so let us pay attention and stay strong and not let the few overcome the many. God Bless America! Hugs to all.

Craftsmanship

The Morgan Motor Company in Britain is a family business in the making of cars by hand. When I saw those words I thought it was toys, but it is not, real true cars that sell anywhere from forty thousand dollars to three hundred thousand dollars. Folks wait for over a year to own one. The e-mail attachment had many more pictures showing the hand made shell made out of metal but it was the pictures of the woods of different shapes and sizes that caught my eye. All that came to mind was that puzzle I have been trying to finish up these past few weeks and getting no where. I guess it is having a good eye and patience pays off in the long run . . . we will soon see. Meanwhile the craftsmen are to be commended as the third generation of Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan make six hundred of these cars every year. What one do you have in mind for you?

******

Meanwhile, I am waking up and it is already six thirty in the morning, almost noon for me....only one wake up at four then went back to sleep dreaming dreams I do not remember. I didn't wake up crying so they must have been good ones. I have to go on a large envelope hunt today as my new book is out . . . "Short Stories" and there are four to read and enjoy. Joanne is a marvel as she made the cover look like leather with gold lettering, pretty simple and an eye catcher. I had thought we had agreed on the four primary colors to separate the stories but then Joanne is the in-home publisher, and the only one in town, so I never argue with city hall . . .well now and then I put up a little effort but I never win. I'm teasing as she does a really good job of putting the books together and as a former teacher she edits my work but only uses one eye as I find no matter how many times I go over the writing, there is always a typo that gets away from both of us. My family and friends don't mind for which I am thankful.

So today, Thursday, creeping slowly and surely into a day of wonder . . . wonder what I want to do; wonder if I should finish what I started yesterday; wonder if I'll exercise; wonder if I should indulge to bulge . . . that's it, time for the coffee pot and breakfast. Wish you were here to join me. Indulge yourself today in a good way. Hugs to all.

Hugs

When I saw the image of the huge white polar bear heading for the sled dog I was sure that big trouble was brewing but the polar bear was looking for something the owner of the dog team did not realize and that was friendship. The e-mail was a delight and the pictures that followed were amazing as the bear got her hug (with a face like that it has to be a she) and ended up with all four feet in the air, showing of her tummy waiting for more, more, more!!! Aren't we all alike? Always looking for a hug especially one of those you walk right into . . . a wonderful full body hug that tells you how special you are.

As the dictionary says: "1. to clasp or hold closely, esp. in the arms, embrace. 2. To hold steadfastly to, cherish. 3. To keep, remain, or be situated close to: a footpath that hugged the slope- to embrace or be in physical contact. -n. An affectionate clasp or embrace (Prob. of Scand. orig.) I was a little put off with the example of a footpath hugging a slope . . . I'd rather keep in mind the sight of a friend opening up with a great big smile, arms open wide and rushing right into one of those hugs that make you feel ten feet tall.

As I was tying my shoes yesterday morning and having a slow time of it with fingers that don't always want to do what I want them to do, my mind shuffled off to who invented the shoe lace. So, I went off to Google and found some interesting information . . . no one really knows although Harvey Kennedy (1790) is given credit but the argument is that this is not true as shoe laces were centuries old as humans found ways to tie something on their feet to protect them since time began. Probably that nasty serpent in the Garden of Eden teaching Eve how to trip Adam up, wouldn't doubt it for a minute.

Do you know the aglet, we called an eyelet, came about in the days of pomp and romance of the early British dandies who used precious metals (gold, silver and jewels) to tie their special slippers. Aglet translates from Latin meaning 'needle' . . . um, interesting and then someone came up with plastic and we all know the end results of that. Tying ones shoes seems a far cry from a hug, but think about it, it really isn't as you loop two strings together and make them into a bow that reminds us of Cupid and with that comes hugs.....logic.....never fails. Also, I didn't know that there were hundreds of ways to tie shoe laces. I only know one and that is the bunny ears . . . aah, you know that one.

So today, as you go about your hump day and wonder how it got here so fast . . . remember hugs are good, hugs are necessary to the human spirit. Get out there and give a hug or two and charge the human spirit in all of us be it in love, in solace or in friendship. I guarantee it doesn't hurt even a little bit. Hugs to all.

To The Polls

I wonder if we will be laughing or crying when the count is in for all of those incumbents we know so little about and have high hope that he or she will make a difference in our lives.

You can bet our President is living in high hopes today.

So today is the day. Get out there and vote. Do your duty as an American citizen because your one vote does count. Like you, I am tired of listening to all of the volatile angry words being spewed around like cookie crumbs . . . which reminds me of my first attempt at writing a story poem:

Crumbs

Whenever there is food around/crumbs are sure to follow/for they begin to multiply/before you even swallow.

you get up in the morning/along with the sun/struggle down the stairway/but never see a crumb.

Evidence is mounting/you left a glass or two/which never made the trash can/and it isn't Mountain Dew.

The salsa and the chip dish/are sitting side by side/and if you look real close like/you'll see where crumbs did slide.

They settle in the chair seats/even underneath/some fall in the carpet/others trail your feet/

Crumbs in the kitchen/crumbs in the sink/crumbs in the bathroom/crumbs behind the door/crumbs everywhere even on the floor.

Get out the vacuum/get out the broom/Chase them all about/crumbs will never give up, not without a fight.

So today, brush the crumbs off your lap and get out there and have your say. Let's pray for 'common sense' to prevail and the person or persons will remember the promise they make today when they are elected to office and go to work to preserve the American Dream. An honest days pay for an honest days work. So, light a candle, it may show them the way. Hugs to all.