Big in Texas

The e-mail I received yesterday had pictures of the blue bonnets of Texas which are really very pretty. I had never seen a picture of them closely so had no idea what they looked like. When I saw the markings of a very large snake in the middle of them, I thought I was seeing things, but as you can see here walking through the blue bonnets is not the smartest thing to do.

I can see the snake but it looked to me like a tree stump at first. I had no idea they had that size snake in the grasses of Texas. Texans always brag about how big things are in Texas so maybe we should start to believe them.

What a sight to see, really lovely, but now that I know there are snakes the size of boa constrictors I am not going to be a fan of Texas. I wonder if we have snakes that size here in Oregon. I know I have a garden snake and that little thing can scare me, image my reaction if I saw one Texas size.

This cartoon is so close to the truth of the economy that it is down right scary.

Aah, my friend, Maxine . . . she always had such words to spout and most of the time she is right. Now that is scary.

So today, spend your time looking and listening, learn something new today and share it with all of us. I'm off to visit my doctor but not before I pass through the scale room and have to stop and take of my heavy duty shoes . . . I don't want to break the scale. Next time around, if there is one, I want to be a Barbie Doll, perfect and loved by all; you know it will be the season for Katrina the Great and I'll be out of style. Oh well, such is life. Enjoy today and be good to you. I think I'll stop by Rays and see how those ribs are cooking, sounds about time for a treat for dinner tonight. Stop by, I'll share. Hugs to all.

scanning other blogs

Annie Marle of Gill, NSW, Australia is the artist who painted the stain glass window which caught my eye . . . how beautiful . . . but it was her words that spoke even louder as she started her conversation with "We lay our passion down as we make way for happenings that cannot be avoided."

This oil is called "Pasture After The Rain" and sold for $1,600. There were other pictures on this blog about Kevin Weaver of Vancouver, Washington, Director of Arts on the Boulevard. He showcased "A Snowy Winters Day by Romana Youngquiets which sold for $2,000, and other artistic works too numerous to show in one blog. It must be a beautiful gallery to visit and the talent shown is amazing. When I walk into a gallery and see all the beauty and wondrous scenes, I want to go home and get out my paint brush and make beautiful pictures but I have run out of wall space . . . and if I were to hold a paint brush it had better be to paint the walls as they really need it. A good excuse, as I just do not have this kind of talent.

Here is Larry Seiler, of Laona, Wisconsin, who came in as the second runner up in a contest for the 2010 Trout Stamp. I didn't see the picture of the winner but it had to be something to win over this one. I know a friend or two who would like to be out there fishing for trout this size and beauty. Just think of the good eating, no don't, it would spoil the picture of one gorgeous trout.

So today, hump day, a day closer to a long weekend off when you will make time, I hope, to go and visit a gallery near you, sit quietly and absorb the beauty that surrounds you. Better yet, buy a starter kit and see what you can do . . . you never know until you try and you might even surprise yourself. "Wednesdays Child Works Hard For a Living" . . . so the old saying goes, maybe that is why Wednesdays are long days . . . well make the best of it and accomplish a lot and take pride in yourself. As for me, I'm retired to more mundane work like picking up yesterdays clippings. During September and October I really am the 'bag' lady. Hugs to all.

Eye of the Beholder

Along with the pictures of the beautiful flowers came a poem that was so lovely but so long that I didn't make a copy of it. Just looking at the flowers tells the story of what our eyes see and how magical flowers really are. When we put flowers into a vase it brightens the entire room with a sense of smell and adds color and aliveness to our senses. We have to smile when we look at them and marvel at how truly intricate and beautiful they really are.

Our smiling friends here were two old bedraggled orphans that needed a reason to live. They found it in each other and became inseparable. The tune "That's what friends are for . . . " comes to mind and on days when I feel bedraggled I am very happy to have friends like you.

How could you not love faces like this? Cant' you feel the empathy? It just goes to show what beauty really is . . . it is all in the 'eye of the beholder'.

So today, the second day of your new week, when the job is testing your patience and there are dozens of 'things' that should be done, relax, stop and look around and find something beautiful to look at, a flower, a pet, or the hand of a friend. I'm here if you need a hug. Make your today a day of small sacrifices; be kind, do a good deed, visit a friend, say hello to a neighbor and walk into a hug. Hugs to all.

Wonderment!

Art in another form. This takes hand painting to much higher step and for once I am not complaining about ads. How clever the artisans are, but more so the one who thought up the entire ad. There were so many more in the attachment I thought of just putting all of the pictures on that were in the e-mail. Each country was represented and each one a truly 'wonderment' of the arts. Just when I think I have seen it all, something new and different comes out to show me that we actually do learn something new every day. I wonder what my 'today' is going to hold.

Yep! A new week starting, the last of September and this morning it is 'free' pickup time so the sidewalks are covered with huge black plastic bags filled with yard debris. Some of it should be in a compost pile making garden loam for the next season. I have a spot where I could start one but we have so many wild animals around here I am not sure it is a good idea. At least the resident deer would be happy. I opened my front door yesterday morning to find two of the deer on my front lawn. They were not eating the big bushes but a small wild plant that is growing in abundance between the rocks this year. I am not sure what it is but am keeping an eye on it. If the deer like it, great, then they will leave the Rhody alone, the one that they chomped on and wont let grow. I noticed they don't run away as quickly, maybe my soft hello is finally getting me somewhere with them. I'm not sure I want to pet them but you know the temptation is there.

So today, greet your morning with a prayer of thanksgiving knowing you have a brand new day to live, love and laugh . . . what a combination . . . do it all with gusto! Hugs to all.

Candy Time is Coming

The 'Broom Lady' is ready to visit as we enter into the last week of September heading into the beautiful month of October, shorter days, longer nights and the mind starts down the pathway to the upcoming holidays. It is too early you say!! Well, if your time goes bye as fast as mine does then it is time to put on your running shoes and take your list when you go near a store. Pat and I go through the regular debate of how expensive it is go give gifts and we already have enough so we shouldn't bother buying gifts. We can just go on one of our little overnights but we know that is not what we will do. It is what we should do, develop a little of John and Mike's "bah humbug" or Christine's idea of celebrating next Spring.


Yesterday was Yard Sale Saturday all over town. One hundred and one sales and for the umpteenth time we didn't get to many as we put on one of our own. It was sort of a last minute decision and we worked hard and fast to open our garage doors to see what would happen as we had not advertised our sale. Not to worry, they came and although it is a lot of hard work to prepare for a sale, it is worth it as you meet the nicest people. They are out to have a fun day and look for treasures or a particular item. We did pretty good although we still have some packing up to do with the items that did not sell. I walked home with three cook books I don't need but who could resist "New England Cooking", great recipes and pictures of the foods I grew up on. Ever hear of "red hash", well the recipe is in there, along with the boiled dinner and the chicken pot pie. Of course there is an entire section on the lobsters and scrod. The other two were on diabetic cooking and light deserts. So, after I have my fill of my New England dinners I will check out the other two books to see what calories I could have left behind.


One of the sales we did make was to a mansion on the water. An estate sale with so many beautiful things for sale at prices you couldn't touch. Having a house that large and beautiful showed how many 'things' needed to fill it. I opted for the view. Pat lucked out and found a complete set of "West Wing" at a price she could afford and a bargain as they sell for over a hundred dollars in the stores. It was a favorite series and if you haven't watched it tune in and enjoy. We hurried back to open our doors and pull stuff out into the driveway. I put out my books and for most of the day not one person looked at the books. We didn't have many but the ones we had were great reads. I was disappointed until a real true reader came along and bought seven of my books. It was great to have a discussion about the contents and I proved to be a better salesperson than I thought. She would have bought the others but I talked her out of them as they really were not a good read.


So today, I am being treated to breakfast out for all my hard work. I'm off to put my shoes on and get ready to enjoy my daughter's company and maybe some biscuits and gravy which I do not make at home. Friend Paula's mom used to make the best biscuits in gravy I have ever eaten. There was a little trick she knew that I never learned as her gravy was pitch black and delicious. Most are heavy and thick . . . I know how to make that kind! It is Sunday, your day of rest so do just that 'rest' and take yourself out for some biscuits and gravy. Hugs to all.

A Bit of This and That

Lessons to be learned. Spending money we don't have. I guess it doesn't matter what household is involved, but we do know that it has a bad effect on all of us. I walked through a grocery story yesterday for a loaf of bread and a half gallon of milk and it was over five dollars. I was thinking I should start lessons on Depression eating as I do remember what we had as it is ingrained in the brain.

Now if you are in the mood for crabs, these would not do as the entire basket with all its goodies is a cake; along with the basics the baker added, fondant, graham crackers, vanilla wafers,white chocolate all done up for a wedding to the tune of $700. How clever and artistic. I wonder what it tasted like.

Daughter Pat finally made it to Agness for the annual powwow of the native Indians. It is called "A Gathering of the People" . It is a two day affair and the first day was rained out, although the activities went on. Pat called her day there as a "soggy Saturday" but she did see the canoe races. The boats were carved from the same tree and paddled through strong Rouge River currents. One of the canoes tried to hitch a ride when Jerry's Jet boat passed by and this was not considered cheating but 'using available sources' . . . ah, ingenuity at its best. A fun day for all.

When I saw this picture, I immediately thought of Emma because it looks like Emma and it is something Emma would do in a heart beat. We do not have any new babies around for her to kiss but she wouldn't hesitate for a minute. She loves to be loved and she just wont leave you alone until she gets to greet you as she rolls over and shows you her belly.

As for this picture, believe it or not those little dots are actually Big Horn Sheep climbing on the Buffalo Bill Dam on the Shoshone River in Cody,Wyoming. Stranger than strange, how do they do it?

So today, it is Saturday all day, a weekend to enjoy and I will be helping with a yard sale as this is Yard Sale Saturday with about ninety sales in town. Pat and I were not going to do this again, you remember me saying that more than once....never, ever, again! Well we have been attending to a garage sale or two and you know we have to lighten the load and 'out with the old and in with the new' and yard sales are the only way to go. I just bought six books this past week at yard sales so had to make room in my bookcase and donated at least ten books to this sale. Wish us luck, we will need it. Get out there and go treasure hunting, who knows what you will find. Make your today special, just like you. Hugs to all.

Part Two -Good Views

After the Birthday luncheon we rode down the highway to make a stop at a little hidden shop where the owner makes her own jewelry. Marge is a jewelry maker and does beautiful work which she sells at the gallery. We found the owner has the property up for sale and is moving back to her home state of Idaho. The shop is filled with beautiful paintings by local artists and different pottery bowls and pitchers. We got back on the highway and passed a sign leading to the natural arches. Marge asked if we had seen them and we had not so she found a spot to turn around and we walked down a small forest path to the gorgeous scenery you see in the pictures. The arches are remarkable sight to see. The forest is lush and the smells are wonderful. It was a lovely way to spend a day with good friends, easy to be with and ready to smile. In this picture you see two octogenarians which 'young' Marge took and grinned all the while. A good day, a good time, so today, if you know someone having a birthday, call them up and go out and celebrate . . . it's the right thing . . . and the fun thing to do. Happy Birthday to you....happy birthday to you....happy birthday dear Eunice....happy birthday to you!! Hugs to all.

Three Forks and Desert - Part One

Happy Birthday to Eunice, and what a luncheon we had. The "Rollen In Dough" restaurant is open and all decked out with painted walls and an outside patio to dine on when the weather is sunny and bright. The drive up to Gold Beach took a little longer than usual as there is road work going on so there is a short stop then follow the lead car. We were a little late but the waitress was happy to see us and introduce us to her son,a photographer, who was busy taking a picture of a huge piece of lemon curd cheese cake; what a way to entice our appetites. It didn't take long to choose from the menu. Marge ordered the panini with its beautiful red peppers . Eunice decided on a chicken salad, which was served in a soup bowl, as you can see. I remembered how good the turkey sandwich on homemade cranberry walnut bread tasted on my very first visit to this restaurant so didn't hesitate to order it. It was every bit as delicious as the first one although I missed the walnut wheat cranberry bread, as this time it was made up of sourdough. The waitress was extremely outgoing and very good at her job. When we ordered one piece of chocolate cheese cake with three forks she laughed and brought out a huge piece which we devoured in record time . . . not a crumb left, in fact if their had been flowers on any of the plates we would have devoured those too. There is nothing like celebrating a birthday and I have decided if I live to be ninety I am going to have one every month so plan on joining me and we can all go to 'Rollen In Dough" and if you have a big enough appetite you can order your own piece of cheese cake. Marge bought a loaf of their cranberry bread and shared it with us so you know what I am having toasted for my breakfast this morning. Part Two coming up.

Pictorial Ecuador

Earlier in the summer, Joyce and Ken came home for a visit. They have spent the better part of the last couple of years finding their way to live in Ecuador where some friends had settled in and invited them over to join them. They found a new haven and love it over there but not being citizens of Ecuador they have had to go through a long process to become dual citizens. I gather, from what Joyce told me, they have to come back home to America every year for several months. That is what they did this summer and Joyce came to see me. She brought me a key chain made from a nut from a tree that looks like ivory. It is a nut, but a beautiful one and the artisans make lovely jewelry from these nuts. Joyce tells me that the pace is much slower and for them it is even slower as they do not speak the language. They are learning. She goes on to tell how helpful, friendly and kind the people are , now if I had good walking legs I could go and visit her and Ken, my wouldn't that be special. I will have to wait for her e mails and pictures and live vicariously through her eyes and ears.

One of the things I did was to delete her last message, not deliberately as I wanted to copy the names of the village she is living in and put a caption on the pictures, but my computer is freezing constantly and I have no idea why. I get thrown out in the middle of typing an e mail, or it just sits and waits for ads to blink and now split into two or three on the opening page. Frustration is the name of the game. All I can tell you is that she took a picture of the market place she frequents and named the important buildings there. It looks like a wonderful place to visit and when I gather some more information about their new home away from home, I'll pass it on. Love the park . . . how about those domes? . . . it sounds like a lovely place to be.

So today, I hope you find a lovely place to be. I am invited to a birthday lunch with Marge to celebrate Eunice's special day. We are going to ride up to Gold Beach and visit the "Rollen In Dough" restaurant. It was closed for awhile, and now reopened so I am anxious to get a peek at it. I know the food will be delicious, after all the owner is a former chef. Look around your area, maybe you have a semi-retired chef cooking just for the love of it. My computer is telling me it cannot contact Blogger.com and publishing may fail. Oh...I hope not......Hugs to all.

Hands of Time

I had seen this picture many times but it always stops me. The caption "Have you looked at your hands lately, I mean really looked?" Here are five generations of one family; wish there was a picture of the male hands of five generations too.

Hands are our tools in life. We start off reaching to touch the face of one we love, or learn to use a spoon to feed ourselves, or a pencil to write as we practiced the old Palmer method of circles and strokes so we could put our thoughts on paper . . . now the hands are texting and never seem to stop. Right now I'm typing and that has been a blessing as the fingers move over the keys and I can tell you what is on my mind this morning.

The hands grow to grab and embrace, wipe a tear, scrub a floor and best of all, hold a new born. Years of living goes into the hands and each hand tells a tale all its own. The hands of a worker, or a gardener, or an office worker all tell a story of their very own. Some so beautiful with tapered fingers, or piano fingers as we used to call them. Pa's hands that are ingrained in my memory banks because they were so gnarled from his work as a gardener but with the softness of a loving heart. And when you are old and your hands move more slowly, they still move with the touch of love and caring as they brush a child's hair, linger on the face of a loved one, wrap a surprise or bake something special for someone well loved . . . ah, hands, how lucky we are to be able to 'reach out and touch someone'. the mind controls the hands so be sure you use your hands gently, unless you are angry and go around banging them, bruising them and then find that without them you are useless. Our hands tell a tale of how we lived our lives, so look them over carefully and see what all those lines tell you. My hands are etched with many deep and new crevices, wonder what they are trying to tell me.

So today, I am sure you can think of a dozen more idea of what your hands can do. Look at them carefully, think back to your beginning and trace the lines as you remember what your hands have done over the years. Best of all think about what they can do in the coming years. Lift your hands to your face and close your eyes and feel my touch as I wish a day of calmness and peace. Hugs to all.

Second hand

Mr. Crayola, Don Marco, Master Artist born in 1920. He worked as an Air Traffic Controller until he retired in 1973, meanwhile he spent his time drawing with crayola crayons.

What an amazing talent. It is difficult to look at these pictures and think they were done with a small crayon. I've had crayons in my hands forever and am lucky I stay in the lines. I envy such talent. I want to be able to make people's faces come alive but that talent alludes me.

Once I tried painting my husband's face in oils. I must have tried a dozen times but it depended on my mood, I guess, as the face would change from a smile to a frown in a brush stroke. I finally did finish one of him and it was pretty good but I really needed lessons on how to do faces to bring out the features. The one I was most proud of was an Indian woman which I copied from a National Geographic magazine. She was old, with crag like features and wore the most beautiful Indian jewelry. One day when I was up into the Sierras visiting a wonderful gift shop where the artists made jewelry and candles. They had beautiful art work done by local artists and when I went up into the upper gallery to look at the pictures, there stood MY Indian lady . . . believe it or not, I had done just as good a job, only I didn't give myself credit for the job I did do. Lack of confidence can go a long way in keeping you from using that Dash I talked about yesterday in the right way.

So today, pat yourself on the back, know that it is okay to use your talents . . . and do it. Don't hide under a 'bushel', probably lots of leaves at this time of year . . . get out there and kick them around and perfect your talent whatever it is. Play the piano (wish I could); paint, draw, sketch, dance, and sing very loud in your shower. Hugs to all.