This and That

Good morning. A foggy morning here in Brookings. I wish I knew how to label the pictures, I don't, but you can find them as I tell you how wonderful it was to walk the beach when Andrea came to visit. A very cold windy morning to hunt for agates and settle for beach rocks of strange and awesome beauty. We had such fun and I'm ready to do it again.

My daughter Pat is sporting a new hair do. She came in with straightened hair and looked so beautiful, and so up scale. It is such fun to experiment with new and different hair styles but her naturally curly hair will take over and soon she will be 'complaining' about having to put up with it and do it all over again.

I'm bragging today as I have two new books out. "Bodewel Manor" is dedicated to our Sullivan cousin, Pauline Shea of Newport, Rhode Island a former Bed and Breakfast owner who sent me a picture of her wall mirror which I elude to in the book. Most is my imagination so she can relax as no tales were told outside the doorway. The second book is a children's book and was a fun project to do. I had visited the Charter school which is no longer, sad to say because the funding was not there. Twenty eight children have to suffer and it is so wrong. Anyway, I decided to make up a book so they could enjoy a story, color a picture, draw their own pictures and write their own story.

I ran out of batteries for my camera so couldn't take a picture of the lovely ladies who came to play scrabble with me last evening. They are such fun and laughing out loud is a prerequisite when we get together as we also play the 'Mexican Train' game and its offshoot 'Chicken Foot', indulge in a pizza and a glass of wine along with a sweet or two before the evening is over. Friends do make a difference in our lives. I hope you have friends to enjoy some time with and you treat them to a pizza and a glass of wine whether you play a game or not.

The Empty Nest

I took this picture down at the Marina hoping to catch a good shot of the flags flying from one of the boats but it didn't show up, as I hoped. It turned out to be a beautiful day to walk on the board walk with my daughter Christine. People were mulling around later in the day for the slug race . . . yuck . . . I get enough of those little beauties in the garden. . . beer anyone? Pat joined us at Slugs and Stones for a delicious icecream in lieu of lunch . . . yum! I love having my children come home for a visit, short or long, doesn't make any difference as long as I get to spend some time with them. John came in long enough to lounge in his favorite chair and enjoy dinner with us, then he had to leave for his new contract in eastern Washington. Pat and Chris had a chance to check out the street fair and take in a movie. I love to see them sharing time. We missed having Michael with us. Erin too. Today the house is quiet, the sheets are washed, the towels rehung and I'm ready for the next visit, can't be to soon to please me.

I have a new bird house on the porch railing that Christine gifted me, and it is made of drift wood, small stones with a bit of tin which makes up into a lovely little shack. A tiny bird has taken up residence and I've been lucky enough to see it with small branch in its mouth. It is making a nest inside. I have been watching with camera in hand so if I'm lucky I may get a shot to make us all smile.

I hope your holiday was fun and family members had a chance to drop by . . . if not, then hop in the car and go visit them and give them a treat, don't let too much hugging time go by. John gave me several Maxine cards for my birthday and as my favorite lady Maxine said: "Remember how we used to laugh at old people when we were younger? -----What was so damn funny?" Old too soon, smart too late, don't let a lot of time slip by, it disappears in the blink of an eye.

Memorial Day - May 25, 2009

This is a very special day in which we honor those who gave their lives for our freedoms, and to this day the struggle goes on as we add new names to the list of those who are fighting right now for each and every one of us . . . we, the people of the United States of America. There are differences in the causes of war, some political, which is unjust and unfair in my estimation, then there are times of attack (Pearl Harbor) and we are justified in fighting for our freedom. There have been wars and strife from the beginning of time and it continues, never ending, . . . and the list goes on and I wonder why. So today, if there is a parade to watch, stand proud with your hand over your heart when the flag goes by and say a prayer for those who made a choice to fight for each one of us. A thank you to those who volunteered to put the flags out on the cemetaries throughout our land, and to those who joined the different Service Posts, and for those who go out and take the time to make a personal journey to honor those who truly deserve our love and respect always.

May Flowers

ENJOY A WALK IN MY GARDENS THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY MORNING.

A Tribute To A Survivor

My daughter, Pat, gave me that lovely red poinsettia for Christmas, and here it is mid-May, still alive and beautiful even though it has lost a few leaves. It makes me smile and it makes me want to muse about life in general and the people I know who are survivors. I went out in the yard several times this week and weeded. I filled two huge black bags with cuttings and twigs, and because my grass was growing so tall, I used the push mower and cut it down to size. It only took a half hour to cool down, rub my little bible bumps in the center of my palm, and arch my back in several positions to get a few of the kinks out . . . oh, tomorrow it will be another story as I complain about moving slow.

There is a gentle Mexican man, named Chon, who does gardening work for four of us in the neighborhood. I have a huge hedge which I cannot cut, no matter how hard I try to keep it clipped, so Chon comes with his trusty buzz saw and cuts it back to a size he can handle without a step ladder. When Chon arrived unexpectedly yesterday afternoon, after I did all my work out in the back yard, he redid my patch of grass, raked piles of debris, went back to the rear of the garage and put his boots on to go into the drainage ditch to pull weeds that choke and slow the flow of rain water. He bought a new blower and went around and blew all of the chips from the felled trees and he did this with a smile after working at the mill all day. This man is a true survivor in my estimation, a hard worker, a good father and husband. He has been in the States over twenty five years, raised five children, one son in our service and did his stint in Iran. He lost a daughter this past year who left a husband and two children and Chon and his wife are helping with the grandchildren . . . yet . . . he never complains, just continues to work hard just to survive. . . he has and he will.

Our world is topsy-turvy at the moment and many of the younger generation are having problems just trying to survive. Lay offs, losing homes, high cost of food bills, clothing prices out of sight and no end in sight. As a survivor of my generation, I can tell them to have faith, it will change and life will go on, but not without helping one another. So I will end my musing with a wake up call to change your attitude, keep your faith, smile more often, treat yourself royally, help your neighbor, be kind to those who have lost their way and go light a candle and meditate, it's good for the soul. Remember just how short life is. The old adage "live life as if this was your last day on earth" and you too will survive. The door is open, the coffee pot is on, you know the way.

Queen For Today

The lucious carrot cake, baked by my daughter Patricia, didn't last long . . . it disappeared into tiny crumbs while the hip spread an inch or two. My friend, Helen S. sent a card with five smiling ladies saying "We're still stacked; it's just on a lower shelf." How true. My friend, Helen T, sent a card showing all of life's simple things, which means we are lucky to have had such good times but it also means you're kinda old! . . . I'm OLD. Jock sent a card that says "I got you the gift that never stops giving . . . open it close it, hey, the fun never ends, and I'm still smiling. My nephew Walter sent a check which he should not have and told me to celebrate. I did and enjoyed a brunch and a dinner out. My daughter, Pat, gave me a beautiful card saying Youth is a gift of nature. Art is a work of art . . . Happy Birthday to a Masterpiece, and then went on to break all our rules by gifting me beyond measure, and lovely flowers now sitting in a huge crystal vase on my dining room table. Mike sent me a huge pin that says " Me, ME, Me! It's All about Meee." Ha, ha, ha....and it was. I could go on with more of the cards that were beautiful and the wishes were warm and wonderful. So I will say thank you to each and every one of you who took time to remember my special day and remind me how really truly lucky I am to have family and friends to love. Just do not stop sharing your love and humor. It makes the world go around, spiraling a heart with love and laughter.

Another One

I opened the IM this morning to words that can be put to music easily as I am celebrating my 85th birthday today. Daugther Pat asked how it felt to be 85 and I told her it's only a number and I am going for 86, if it's meant to be. She laughed and said she'd pick me up soon as we are going to go out and have brunch and celebrate in what appears to be a very sunshine day.

My thanks to each of you for the lovely cards and the sentiments enclosed within. I had a couple of computer cards that were animated and wonderful. Paula sent me one with a slot machine, how well she knows my bad habits, and I won the jackpot, now to go and visit the Wizard and see if it is meant to be.

My head and heart are filled with memories from a whole lot of living and loving. I hope that each of you celebrate your special day when it arrives and know the number is not important but what lies within gives you all the reasons you need to celebrate the wonderful you.

Treeless

Once upon a time someone decided that two long needle pine trees should be planted on the property; one in the front close to the house, the other in the back yard close to the fence. Now these trees were small and pretty, but like all of nature's rare and beautiful pines, they grew, and they grew until they became a nuisance, shedding shamelessly, making messes and slippery walks, upsetting the tiles of the roof and cluttering gutters with needles and pine cones. Cutting them back each year only encouraged them to spread and grow taller. I have to admit they had beauty, pine cones of various size, feathery limbs with needles like fans, green and luscious in pride, but the sap that they made was slippery and a person could fall and be hurt . . . so . . . today was the day the trees came down to a buzz saw that made lots of noise. Limbs falling out of the air, piles of limbs waiting for the chipper until they were no longer there.

Our tiny view of the ocean has been expanded and we now can see more of the water. If we could convince the mill to cut back their trees we might even tout an ocean view. Once the gardens are cleared of the sawdust and I put some work into the soil, maybe plant new trees, but they will be dwarfs in size, I think my landlord will approve . . . or not . . . a bit late to have second thoughts.

A little glad it is behind me, but a little sad because I already miss my two obnoxious trees. I hope you have beauty in your yard and will invite me over to sit in your shade.

A Celebration

May is the month of celebration as the Sultan, Peat, sits with his ladies and joins in the celebration, not only of Mother's Day but two birthdays . . . Pat, pictured here with the balloons and a basked filled with all the 'joys' of reaching the first step of what is laughingly called mid-years. She had us laughing out loud as she showed off Dee's wonderful basket of goodies. On the other end of the table, Jean sat with her cards and gifts enjoying the fact that she had first hand information on all those basket goodies, after all she hit the big 85 and had sampled one or two in her day. Such fun, such belly laughs and a good time was had by all.

I hope you are blessed with friends who make you laugh out loud as you bask in the warmth of love and hugs on your special day. In fact, don't wait for your special day, make today a day to share a note, a call, an e-mail, a phone call, text a message . . . wow . . . we live in an age where communication is now . . . so celebrate you.

Mother's Day

I walked all over the house with this picture but couldn't find a spot to get a clear shot. We have sunshine so I am not complaining, but I did want a clear picture to represent all mothers. Son Michael sent this card a few years back and I framed it . . . beautiful, soft, and reminicent of holding a tiny one in my arms, now that is a feeling a mother never, ever, forgets.

Today I had an e mail about Mothers that made me laugh out loud as it brought back some memories when my children were very small, especially the quote "Why me?" and the answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."

The Images of a Mother: 4 Years of age - My mommy can do anything! ( and mine thought I could.) 8 Years of age - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot! ( Gee, I was so smart.)12 Years of age - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything. ( sheesh, they are growing up fast.) 14 Years of age - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either. ( I've lost ground.) 16 Years of age - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned. ( can't figure out why I do not dye my hair) 18-Years of age - That old woman? She's way out of date! (I remember being called antiquated.) 25 Years of age - Well, she might know a little bit about it! ( I think I got a little more credit for having a brain, but not too much.) 35 Years of age - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion? (um . . . mine left that page out.) 45 Years of age - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it? ( Well, they didn't ask.) 65 Years of Age - Wish I could talk it over with Mom. (Lucky them, I'm still hobbling around ready, willing and able to give each one all the advice they do not want to listen to . )

The writing continues on with: "The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows." I thought it was well worth sharing with some of the beautiful mothers I know.

Mother's Day Greetings

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y . . . P A T R I C I A

I couldn't find a cake with fifty candles on it, but just think of what a glow that would be for all of us to see, yes, my daughter Patricia is celebrating her special day today. We took a ride down the coast to Eureka and 'did' the stores, from Target, Longs Drug Store, Costco, The Mall, Gotschalk's Close Out Sale, The Office Supply Store and of course The Book Store so you know we came home with bundles and parcels and sore feet. Having lunch at Hurricane Kate's in Old Town, Eureka introduced us to a different taste as they make sandwiches I've never heard of. Not that I am a coward, but my hamburger was all of a half pounder and dry . . . not to my liking, but, I did not leave much on the plate. The salad was excellent. Pat had a special pear salad that looked very good and she enjoyed every bite. We started a story on tape so now will have to plot and plan another trip so we can hear the end of it. All in all, I have to tell you how much fun it is to share a birthday with my daughter; fact it is fun to share time with her even when it isn't her birthday.

I hope you have been having fun sharing time with those you love, if not, get busy and pick up the phone and make a date, laugh out loud, eat hardy and share those hugs.

I am adding a P.S. this morning as I have to share a smile. My telephone rang and I answered to hear my granddaughter Erin's voice and as I was answering her questions there was banging on my front door. Pat had come over with some of the items we were sharing and had her arms full. I didn't want to give up my conversation with my granddaughter, so, put my fingers up depicting the telephone sign to tell her I was on the phone. She pushed open the door, stood back and Erin walked in with her friend Jess behind her . . . aah . . . those new cell phones are really something as she was talking to me from my front porch. What a wonderful surprise to have three lovely ladies for a visit before going off for a sushi dinner . . . not me, I was invited but I was not about to put shoes on until I absolutely had to after our day of walking.

Storm Alert

ALERT -----

A BIG Storm is Coming.

There's no sun up in the sky -----Stormy Weather !!!!

The Curry Pilot sends us an alert when a big storm is coming in. According to the alert we are in for a big one . . . fifty to seventy mile an hour gusts, so that meant a walk around the perimeter of the house to battan down anything loose. I don't have much faith in the light weight garbage cans as they have been known to travel up and down the road on a windy morning. I put a few things in the recycle box and placed a huge rock on them, now if they do not find a way to uplift and smash into something, I'll have it made. I did put the plants down under the little table, but have no assurance that the little table will stand for all the wind. My two pine trees are beginning to move so the storm is coming. If I am lucky I will not lose power so maybe I can watch a movie, if not I have a good lantern that will suffice for reading later. I have cooked up my hamburger and wrapped it for later, just in case . . . after all I can't go hungry. My stawberries are stemmed and washed and the angel food cake is ready to put together and add my whipped cream. So you see, I am ready for the storm. I just wish you were here.

HAPPY MAY DAY

May 1, 2009 . . . A soft May morning, gray skies, a bit of wind blowing the big pine around as it drops those long pine needles in the rock bed underneath. I am thinking back to some of the old fashioned traditions that seem to have gone by the way side and I shake my head in wonder as we lose out once again in our fast paced world. When I lived in a small condo in Carson City, Nevada, and I have to admit the pace was much slower then, I heard my door bell ring and when I went to answer the door there was no one there . . . but . . . hanging on my door knob was a delightful little basket filled with several small gifts and a May Day card. Someone remembered an old tradition of giving a small May Day gift to some one they thought special. I can only tell you that a warm and wonderful feeling enveloped me and I smiled all day as I thanked the secret thoughtful friend who cared enough to sneak in and hang a May Day greeting on my door.

Maybe you will resurrect the old tradition and think about hanging a small basket or two on someones door, it can only make you feel good and it will make them feel loved. So I can't run around to your doors, but, know I am sending you a basketfull of loving thoughts that your day will be the best one yet. Make it a good one. HAPPY MAY DAY.