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.