Remembering When

Once upon a time, many, many, years ago we rode across Hoover dam , which we called Boulder Dam, and marveled at what we saw. The picture on your right was taken by the renowned photographer, Ansel Adams after it was built. The new picture came out of an e mail I received this morning, showing the building of the new highway across the dam which is now in progress.

I did a little research on the computer this morning and found that the dam is in Black Canyon along the Colorado River and that is Lake Mead which was created by the dam and named after Elwood Mead who oversaw the construction when it began in 1931 to its completion in 1936. I'd forgotten all the history so enjoyed the read this morning. I hope I'm not boring you . . . ha . . . ha . . . ha.

It is now a Historical Landmark (1985) and both the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Department of the Interior keep up its operation. Hoover was interested in creating the dam when he was the Secretary of Commerce in 1931 and started the ball rolling and when he became President and it was completed in 1936. It borders Nevada and Arizona.

Some other particulars: L 1244ft. (379m); H 726.4ft. (221m).

Son John and I rode along the road by Lake Mead on our way back home from Las Vegas but did not cross over the road to the dam. As we rode along the scenery was amazing, pure Nevada, and I wrote this story poem which I called "Shadows of Nevada"

"The river runs deep and wide/ blue of color, as the sun subsides/ surrounding mountains jutting high/ playas lost within hills of gravel/ a tarmac ribbon of road to travel/ silt and stones of ruby red/ green hues from the yucca beds/ a plane flies over, high in the sky/ casting its shadow on the foothill rise/ undulating as it moves along/ all too soon it is gone./ the shadows darken changing shapes/ of the mountains and the river great/ the colors fade to black and gold/ day is changing into night/ white foam ripples at rivers' edge/ a cresting moon upon a ledge/ passing the river as the road winds west/ dreams of shadows when we take our rest."

Pictures aren't they wonderful? One look and you can go back in time or see the same place in a new picture and see that progress never stops, doesn't it make you wonder what the next view will be like? I hope you have a chance to ride out one day and cross over the roads of Hoover Dam.

Some place new

I flew the coop yesterday and entered the land of Facebook.

I found out that several family members and a few old friends were on line. You know, it is a scary fast paced place for me. It is like going to a strange new place and not know your way around. Funny, the computer has a way of making me feel a little dumb, stupid, out of my element, and down right scared I'm going to blow the computer up, but I do know enough to be dangerous. I signed up. I signed in. I even talked one liners to a couple of folks. Before the day was over I caught up with a couple of people I have not seen or spoken with in ages. It was delightful. It was fun. It certainly is not like blogging where I can write to my heart's content. It is more like a one liner, quick, with little or no time for long conversations. Not my kind of writing, but, I will give it a chance just so I can tune in and see what 'they' are up to. Granddaughter Erin has her Cuba pictures on and they are tremendous. What a photographer she is. She is busy putting a portfolio together and wanted folks to choose a favorite picture or two, an impossible request as there are so many really good ones. I sent her an e-mail with a few thoughts and a suggestion or two that I could put into more than a line or two. Facebook keeps you updated in a fast paced world in which most of our friends and family now live in. As for me, I want to continue with my blog and continue to inundate my family and friends with my words and thoughts of the day. If you don't have reading time, it is okay, just go to Facebook and I'll be there. . . but know in your heart I'll be hoping that you will be reading my blog, with a cup of coffee or tea in hand, a cookie or two and a smile on your face. The coffee pot awaits. Hugs to all.

Down Sizing

One never knows the right time to start 'down sizing'. I wonder who ever thought of that phrase? A life time of collected memorabilia, gifts from friends and family, beautiful glass ware, yard sale dishes, books and pictures, and a few beach stones and a star fish or two to place in a tall vase. that you just could not leave on the beach. All of the 'things' that make life livable and a person content.

I've been down sizing for years, that is until the next yard sale and there has to be an item or two I just cannot live without. I keep telling myself I cannot buy another book until I read what I have, but how can one pass up a Clive Cussler adventure story or a collectible written by one of the old time authors...not me! September is coming and the community yard sales will be upon us again. I know, no more yard sales, or so daughter Pat and I said after the last one. It is a lot of work, to hard to move all that stuff, price it and get it ready for all the seekers of treasure, yet it is fun and spending time with folks we don't know enlightens the mind and the heart. People are fun from the curmudgeon who wants to talk you out of an item, or at least half of what you are asking for the treasure he wants, or the talkers who make it a social visit among the busiest of times and you cannot be rude. All in all it turns out to be a lot of fun.

In the back of my mind, this octogenarian is thinking it is time . . . time to think about what to do with all those things....all that stuff....all those beautiful replicas of living. I know it is getting time for me to think about smaller quarters, less demands on the body, and in one breath I can hardly wait for the change, in the other, I'm trying to remind myself it really is only things. . . so . . . get over it and pack a box for the yard sale.

I hope you enjoy your possessions and know they really are only 'things'. It is our family and our friends that are the most important 'things' of life. Take time out to enjoy them.

Hump Day

I was amazed to find out that this gentleman was responsible for Maxine and her famous barbs. What a guy!! She makes me laugh out loud, and from what I read, he gets his ideas from the ladies in his life. How I'd like to have a tea party with them.

Well, the doctor mentioned exercise so I went out to the pile of branches and leaves that Chon, our little Mexican gentle man who does a good job clipping hedges for several of us here in the neighborhood. The only problem is he brought his son along with him and the two chopped the huge hedge that is between my neighbor to the rear of our home. I thought he was going to clip the side leaning over the ditch which fills up with weeds and I cannot keep up with them as it is too far down for me to jump into. Well, I would, if I could. But . . . to make a long story short I have a pile of rubble almost as tall as the garage. It cost me for two workers and I had to order a dumpster, thus, my filling a wheel barrow with branches and twigs and long thorns from the berry bushes that grow within the hedges. There are a few left over bird nests as well. I quit after eight wheel barrow loads, closed the dumpster top and headed for the coffee pot and the computer. Aah, I'm in a very good spot, shoes off, have read my e-mails and had my laugh for today when I saw that it is Tweety-bird's 60th birthday and there he sat without plumage and a very long face. Sixty is like a soft breeze and you actually feel forty, just wait until you become an octogenarian and feel the hurricane forces holding you in their wake. I'm sulking just because I've worn out some very important parts.

I am blessed. I made a brand new e- mail friend with the lovely name of Katheryn . I love the way she spells her name, reminds me of my daughter Eileen who spelled her name Eylen. The 'y' must add grace and beauty to an already beautiful name, and a chance to be a bit different.

I hope that you are spelling your name as your heart desires. Take time to spread it around and make a new friend.

To The Big City

The drive up the coast is always beautiful as the fog lifts. The road curves and twists showing the expanse of ocean with inlets, rocks of gigantic size, sometimes called haystacks, open areas where the wind whips up white caps for miles. The traffic is light in the early morning so one has a feeling of having the road to oneself, so there is time to look and enjoy the views.

Pat and I headed for Eugene where Erin started her college years, so we were not entirely lost once we arrived in the big city, of course all of those maps were of great help. I had an appointment with a vein man . . . who turned out to be a sweetheart. He asked questions and he listened.

We took the Drain cutoff to Eugene and that road is truly a relaxing ride, rural, fields, barns, cows, elk if they are out, but were not as we passed their special area. There are many small towns, rivers with lots of fishermen trying for salmon. We arrived earlier than anticipated so had time to find a place for lunch. We had a walk of about three long city blocks and found a haven of small restaurants with outside tables and chairs. We chose what appeared to be a Jewish delicatessen with a bakery case to make your mouth water. I opted for the cream cheese and lox thinking I was going to get the real thing but . . . there goes my 'but' again. It turned out to be thick dripping cream cheese with a thin slice of lox on a roll, no sliced thin red onion or capers; oh well, it tasted pretty good anyway but it was a big disappointment. Pat discovered she is not a patron of matza-ball soup. We walked back and kept the appointment and then found our hotel.

After a rest we found our way to the mall. It is like putting a child in a candy store, so many stores, so many small shops and huge shops on both sides of the highways. Macy's had a one day sale which was in our favor. I wanted to buy shoes but the SAS store was closed, wouldn't you know it! We didn't shop long but went back to have our dinner in a lovely Thai restaurant not far from out hotel. The ambiance was lovely but neither of us are lovers of Thai food, and am not sure why. Maybe the sauce is different as the dishes themselves look much like the Chinese dishes we order at Chan's here in Brookings.

Early in the morning we backtracked to the Drain exit and watched for yard sale signs. You can see the balloons that led us to a sale where we found a couple of small treasures. The huge tree in the yard looked like a Christmas tree with the leaves changing already. I noticed the season is changing much faster this year.

We followed that little black Ford (I think it was a Ford) for several blocks before passing it.
The scenery along the highway into Reedsport is lovely, the pictures do not do it justice. We ran into the usual stop for road work and I took a picture of me taking pictures through the side mirror of the car, while waiting and you can see Pat's hand " patiently" waiting for the light to change so we can drive through the work area and continue our journey home.

That picture of the dining area is in the Mills Casino in Coos Bay where we stopped to have lunch. Usually we get a window table but they were busy and put us in a booth across the room. I didn't have time to get up and run for the window so aimed my camera from across the room. I missed the tug boat but you can see the barge. There were men walking across the deck and they looked like midgets.

It is good to get away for a day or two even for a medical appointment. The consensus of opinion about my problem is old age. I've worn out the Betty Grable legs and have developed what Maxine would tell you 'are the road maps to nowhere' but think of the fun I had getting there. So the secret is exercise, wonder what the doctor thought I've been doing all these years....walking, dancing, but not in 'those' stockings to go with the granny shoes ----pride goes before the fall and I have 'fallen'.

So a word of wisdom, take care of yourselves and change any lazy habits into good ones. Get out there and walk every day, eat right, sleep tight and 'don't let the bed bugs bite'.

Erin, The Photographer

I wish you could see all 184 pictures Erin posted from her trip to Cuba with nine other friends. The Salsa dancers who spent time playing tourist, enjoying the sights and sounds of an entirely different culture. I have hopes Erin will put together a portfolio as she has some fantastic pictures. I haven't spoken to her yet about permission to use a few but I am sure the ones I have chosen she will approve of.

I love the feel of the one with the girls with their cameras. I bet the cameras didn't see the dark of a purse or a holder for all of the two weeks. Erin is in the center of the group picture. The shot of the door with the bird was one of my favorites so I chose it to show you. Now all we need are the words to put with the pictures so we can know more about the visit to Cuba. What we are now hearing slowly just whets the appetite for more.

All I can tell you right now is that they had a marvelous time and are glad to be home. Each one has a lot of catching up to do with the mundane things of their lives, like going to work and grocery shopping, laundry and . . . oh why can't vacations last forever . . . they do, in our minds and hearts.

Make your day a fun one. Know I am thinking about you wishing I could invite you over to listen to Erin and see her wonderful pictures and enjoy a trip to Cuba.

Musing About Little Things

I am in a musing mood this morning about little things happening in my life. I turned on the computer to find an instant message from my daughter Christine saying good morning, I love you. What a beautiful way to start my day. Then . . . a phone call, daughter Pat is bringing her friend Jan over to have some of my blueberry pancakes. Usually I make the best in town, but this morning, not a chance, have no idea why the batter and I had to do battle but we did. Jan was gracious and ate a couple but I am sure she will regret it most of the morning. Maybe that walk they are talking around the Port will work the taste off and she will come another day to enjoy some blueberry pancakes that will be mouth watering.

I worked, well not really worked, out in my garden yesterday and the wild berry bush that grew up on my fence has given me a dozen or more black berries that have been delicious. The thorns are horrendous which makes the picking very hard. How come we have such luscious berries and those awful thorns; life I guess, the bitter with the sweet, the berries or roses with the thorns.

The good news this morning is that Erin is back in the USA after two silent weeks in Cuba. As Pat said this morning, "I didn't realize I was holding my breath." How right she is, and how concerned we were as the network connection was not available and two weeks of silence is a very long time. Now we are anxious to have Erin visit so we can hear all about her trip and see the pictures she took. I'll send some on with some news when she shares them.

I am almost finished with "The Quickening" which is very thought provoking read. The author, Art Bell, has done a thorough job of recording the history of the changes in our lifetime. It is like reading the head lines in a newspaper or listening to the evening news. The thought that comes to mind is 'stop the world, I want to get off,' but while I wait for that to happen, I will just continue to take life as it comes and hope I am wise enough to do some good.

So, with all of that, know I am thinking about all of you today. I am thankful for my e-mail friends and delight in the stories and the jokes sent along. I find a belly laugh is very good for the soul, and I hope you do also. Make today a good one.

Art Festival at Port of Brookings

The Art Festival brought out a crowd as well as the sunshine and heat. It was warmer today than it has been in months and from talking with a vendor, or two, the wind that comes up each day has been troublesome for them. One of the vendors, who makes beautiful pottery, had to buy a five gallon bucket and fill it with sand to bury a heavy duty pole that holds his tent up, and even then it moved six inches. He lost a huge platter before he got things under control.

There had to be at least one hundred vendors selling flowers, paintings, pottery and jewelry. There was much to see and much to ooh and aah about. Two ladies came up with the funniest and cutest pins I've seen in a long while. Each one represented a lady in full dress, from a Voodoo Queen to a Princess or one similar to Maxine and her ilk. They were set in a frame to keep them neat and ready to wear but the price was way above what I would be able to pay for them. They started off for $68. just for the pin, the frame would be added expense, so as much as I'd like to have purchased a couple for a loving friend or two, I had to leave them behind. There was an artist who specialized in water colors and had a beautiful soft picture of sea gulls on a beach. Pat loved it and I would have loved to have gifted her with it but again the price was out of my league. I did find duplicate note cards the artist made of this painting so Pat will have to be happy with those. I managed to buy her another pelican, a water color, done by the same artist and got a buy. That beautiful pear picture you see was done by my friend, Sharon Guinn, who illustrated the baby book for me. She is so talented.

I forgot my camera as I was going to take pictures of the tents and the board walk where one meets and greets friends. I met a couple of Garden Club friends and got a hug which felt very good. We didn't meet as many friends this year but we were out very early, actually some had not opened as yet.

Pat's friend, Jock, walked around with us for a short while. He finally bought a hat that made him appear dapper and covered and shaded his face as he is prone to skin cancer. He complains of scars but the doctor he has did a super job and he looked as handsome as ever. I like Jock, not only because he is a nice man , but he keeps me in fresh crabs and salmon and fresh vegetables from his garden. Actually he gives these wonderful gifts to Patricia who loves me enough to share them.

Pat dropped me off at the casino so I could rest my weary feet . . . ha . . . ha . . . (any excuse will do.) and I played for an hour and a half. I had fun chasing my numbers over the four card keno but no wins. I paid for my entertainment and when I was riding home I thought ---- I could have bought one of those doll pins!!!

I hope you are enjoying a creative day today with good friends and sunshine.

Pelicans on Chetco River

I promised to take a picture when Pat and I went out for a ride yesterday. We didn't make it to Walmart but did find our way to Smith River and then on to the Port where we visited the Pelicans. My camera doesn't have a huge lens to take a close up so I found a couple of Pelican pictures to add so you can see, for yourself, these magnificent birds. They are huge, sleek, grey for the most part and graceful until they land. As you can see they plop... but, not always, sometimes they come in feet first and land gracefully. They sit on the rocks in the river next to a green buoy which you can hardly make out, but it is there, along with the huge rocks they call their home while visiting every year. The small white boat was coming in from the ocean and a 'flock' of seagulls followed it in. They hovered over the boat thinking they were going to have a special snack but there must not have been anything for them as they broke up their 'pack' and flew away before I could get them in my sights. One Pelican did a fly by which I tried to capture, so look closely and you might get a glimpse.


It is a shame you are not visiting me this weekend as the annual Art Festival is open on our boardwalk. At least a hundred white tents set up with all kinds of artistic specialties by local and visiting artisans who do such beautiful work. Maybe I'll take my camera and shoot a pic or two when I go there tomorrow. Today I am letting the big crowd have their way. So my loves, make today a good one and go out and find some local artisans and appreciate their hard work.

V J Day August 14 th

A friend e-mailed me tonight reminding me that today is VJ Day, the day to honor the World War II veterans who fought and died for us in the battles of the Pacific. It ended in September sixty four years ago. I have not idea why August 14 was chosen as a day of remembrance of the end of the horror of the Pacific struggle in a war to end all wars. We remember some dates and others fade. I did think of it earlier in the week but not enough to fly a flag, light a candle or say a prayer for all of the men and women who were there. There is no excuse. So, join me this week and light a candle, say a special prayer and put a mark on your calendar so that when August 14 roles around next year you will be the first one in your neighborhood to hoist our flag. It is a date that should be remembered.

Research shows that On August 14, 1945 the Japanese government cabled to the U.S. their surrender. On August 15, 1945, news of the surrender was announced to the world. On September 2, 1945, a formal surrender ceremony was held in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri. At the time, President Truman declared September 2 to be VJ day. It is also called "Victory Over Japan Day" It was a bloody war with fierce resistance, high casualties on both sides. We had the atomic bomb and it was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, then a second bomb on August 9, 1945 over the city of Nagasaki, Japan. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito cabled the U.S. to surrender and agreed to the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.
Now we all know some of the 'rest of the story.'

A Prayer

The prayer we probably would benefit the most at this time of scare tactics in our world is the Prayer of Serenity, a favorite of mine.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

If you haven't read "The Quickening" by Art Bell, a trip to the library would be in order. It has been out since 1997 and encompasses all that is going on. Enlightening and frightening with a few practical suggestions on how we can approach the future . . . so it says on the back cover. I haven't gotten that far yet.

So, with that in mind, I hope the cartoons will bring a giggle or two. I love political cartoons. Remember we only have today to make into something, so get busy and make it the best you can. I am going off with my daughter Patricia and we are going to have a delectable lunch out after we shop Walmarts . . . well, there isn't much of any where else to shop around here. I'll stock up on that new Orange Glow Wood floor cleaner which keeps my kitchen floor sparkling. I might even buy a new dish towel, or check out the movies for an upcoming rainy day . . . and I am going to take my camera along in case I find a special picture I can share with you another day.

Out you go . . . out to sunshine and smiles . . .

My Crown for today.

Usually I am at my computer typing a blog to you out there in 'cyber-space' but today I had an appointment with a 'crown' not the lovely one you see here, but the start of one by Dr. Hurst, the local dentist who has magic fingers. He really does a thorough job as I can attest to after one whole hour in his chair. I broke a tooth a few months back and it didn't hurt, so I thought I'd just leave it be until I went for my cleaning but Dr. H. had other ideas. $850 is what they charge now, I cannot believe it. I am still talking to myself. When I asked and he told me the price, I said, "Okay, but it will have to be a dollar down and a dollar when you catch me." Neither he nor his assistant had heard that old adage before. I told him I was moving slow since I have a leg problem, now I could tell you about that but I am afraid you would sign out and find something more interesting to read. I go back in two weeks for the finished product and hopefully will not visit his office until next year.

Meanwhile I am feasting on the blueberry muffins I made yesterday. I used a recipe that my pen pal of sixty years sent to me. She used to bake them every time I visited and believe me they were worth the trip across country to get them. I had two ladies visit and they stayed to have a cup of tea and a muffin and, of course, had to have the recipe. I was happy to share it as they really truly are a special treat and they took a couple home in a baggie to enjoy later. It is a good thing I doubled the batter . . . I just knew ! ! ! Calories??? Calories??? What a word . . . there has to be a spoil sport everywhere.

I hope you are baking some goodies to share with your family and friends. Holler if you want the recipe. If I knew "you were coming ----I'd bake a cake" Make today a good one.

Wash Day

Monday morning , does that washing machine bring back a memory or two? It does for me, I had one just like it. When Christine started school she drew a line of clothes and family stick figures so I knew she was thinking of home. What else did I have to do in my spare time? Now my washing machine is doing its own thing, as is the dryer and I am free to have a coffee break. I took my cup outside on the back porch and admired my flower gardens. They look so lovely this morning and I saw this little jet go by my eyes and land on the red bell flowers right under where I was standing. A beautiful hummingbird with more brown tones than red and wings that were going a hundred miles a minute while it tasted the nectar. It flitted away and went over to yellow flowers, a gift from the birds, I never planted them. They are growing up through an apple basket into a large Rhody and it is interesting to see how they weave a pattern all their own.

My telephone rang so I gave up my coffee break and found my neighbor is down with the flu and not a can of soup in her house. I have gone to the rescue and walked over a little care package for her. I offered to cook for her but she doesn't want to share her germs. I really don't want them but she is eighty-six, older than me . . . I'm smiling . . . and has a terrible back problem. She should be in assisted living but refuses to give up her home until she absolutely has to. I guess we octogenarians all feel the same way in wanting to pass out of this world in our own space and that is understandable, maybe not smart, but understandable.

So I'm off to fold my laundry, remake my bed, vacuum and by then it will be time for another coffee break. Who knows what I will see this time.

I hope you have a flower in a vase, if you don't have a garden, or a hot cup of coffee with something special to go with it. Relax, smell the flower and enjoy the treat. I'm thinking of you wishing I were there or you were here.

I used a picture of the humming bird from a free space (www.weforanimals.com) if you want to scan some lovely pictures.

Up Country

It is Saturday and Pat came over early to go to a yard sale up Carpenterville Road, four and a half miles, then on to Aldrich Height road, I think that was the name of it, where five families were holding yard sales. Carpenterville road goes from the highway (101) up and up . . . winding, twisting, narrow curves and lots of good asphalt , deep drops and no guard rails. Then when you turn into the road leading to the sales it goes on and on for a mile or so, making us wonder if we were heading in the right direction. I wouldn't want to make that trip every day, nor would I attempt it at night or in a storm. What can I tell you??? It is beautiful up there. The homes are set low and have lots of acreage for the deer and the wild life to play in. We saw some horses but not the one that is pictured. This was copied when someone took a picture of a new born pony who wanted to stay close to the mare. It is pretty smart to know where comfort is so early in its life.

We found all five sales and it was only seven thirty a.m, and we learned the plan to open was nine a.m; but a customer is a customer, and we were not turned away. Only one woman had interesting and beautiful pieces of glass ware, some books and a lot of clothing. I found a lovely hand blown red glass swan, which came from Italy, for my neighbor. I almost didn't part with it, as I have two beautiful swans in my bathroom. I found a Christmas creche, which I do not need, it plays music and is very lovely but must have batteries. I don't decorate like I used to so this will fill in as the Christmas spirit, a pity buy as they were holding the sale to raise money for a special dog for their great grandson who is allergic to peanuts. It is so sad as about everything we eat has peanuts in it, and it has to be very scarey. A good cause. Speaking of Christmas in August seems strange but with the way time is flying by I am sure it will be here before we know it.

The high country is quiet with huge trees and humongous bushes that are grown very tall, some hedge like with tiny colorful flowers of pink or white. Dirt driveways, always hilly so it made walking a challenge. The views, real true vistas of trees growing in valleys for miles. The homes were beautiful and one was for sale by a retired couple that has a travel trailer ready to pack and go on the road to somewhere their hearts desire. Did I have my camera with me? No!! I left it home so I can't show the beauty of the high country.

Pat found a 'period movie' ----"Elizabeth I" for me so I have spent my Saturday afternoon enjoying it. Wish you were here to watch it with me, but maybe you are out hunting for treasures and you will write and tell me all about them.

Philosophical This Morning

The American Heritage dictionary says: philosophical means love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self discipline , and the investigation of causes and laws underlying reality. . . um, food for thought as I sit here by the computer thinking of so many things. The arrival of the two young journalists yesterday morning when I watched the emotional return to their families. Tears flowed with ease knowing they were back home after months of fear and trepidation, while politics played out behind the scenes. How lucky they are as there are so many who never returned.

Laughter comes about as we watch the political cartoons that get funnier by the day.

I am not sure which is funnier, the cartoons or the representatives that go on the television and vie for a role in solving the woes of our economical disaster and have no idea what they are talking about. I think the name of their game is 'The blame game' or 'you're it.' I think I am going to run out of candle money hoping for intervention.

The stormy weather and the heat waves all over out country while we sit here in Brookings with fog and cool. There is to be a change this winter, so the experts say, and we can expect huge ocean storms. That will be something to see and feel as they can be very scary. Right now my poor gardens look like a drought has reached this area even though fog brings a mist in the morning but does nothing to save the plants. Oh to be a master gardener with the ability to get up and down.

So, you see, I am in a mood so I will go and get dressed and go over to the grocery store and stock up as I am about out of everything. You will probably hear the moaning and groaning as I look at the prices . . . but eighty nine cents for a buttermilk donut isn't all bad when the craving is there. I remember when they were thirty-nine cents a dozen.

I hope you are enjoying your thoughts for today. I hope you will go out and about and do something good for you. It is time.

Books And More Books.

The Book of Kells is housed in Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. If you can, go on line and read all about the history of this fantastic book which, by the way, I got a glimpse of a page or two when I visited Ireland, and it is a marvel to see . . . the colors are as if it were printed fresh yesterday. The other books are a few of mine, the self published author, who delights in writing about nice people and the things that happen in life. There is a bit of truth in each book and if I counted correctly I am now on number thirteen. I am in no way making a comparison of books, I wouldn't dare. I just wondered if any of my books will be around a hundred years from now and in the same condition. Well, one can hope.

I started my literary efforts with short stories about my childhood experiences so I could share them with my granddaughter, Erin, called "The Blakely Field Stories. I went on to try my hand at a murder mystery and used a lot of imagination in"The Dauntless One." Then the creative juices began to flow when I picked out some great pictures of my trips up and down the coast of Oregon and added a few sights of Nevada and added story poems, calling it "Weather We Like It Or not".

"So You're Going To Have A Baby" was an effort to help new mothers to learn that love and discipline go hand in hand and it is so much fun to have children in our lives. I wouldn't trade one of mine for all the tea in China! Did I stop there, you can only wish, I just continued on and decided to write about the fishermen and their catches here in Brookings . . . "Neptune's Children". I do walk the boardwalk and watch the lovely boats and the wave action of our beautiful ocean, so one idea led to another. Next came "The Estate Sale" all about yard sales which Pat and I take in more often than not. We have houses filled with small treasures and lots and lots of books.

"Friendly Enemies" came about as I thought back to my school days and some of the shenanigans that happened and took a couple of feisty youngsters along to a life of adventure and love. So, how about "Extended Families", we all know some, so why not create a story about them, and I did.

"Pearl's Journal" was a labor of love. I once knew a Pearl and miss her to this day. So my mind went on to other areas in which I lived and I wrote "Bodewel Manor" a genealogy which encompassed a bit of Newport, R.I. history, a place I really loved. A second picture/poetry book called "Sights and Sounds Traveling Around" was fun to do and I forgot to put in something about the Book of Kells . . . oh well, maybe I'll come up with a third one, you never can tell. I made up a childrens book called "A Story To Tell" which has four stories, pictures to color, pages for writing a story in their own words and a dictionary page.

"Collage" is the next one coming out and it should be soon. The cover is an actual collage I made of my own family and it does bring on a myriad of memories. Will I stop here? I doubt it. I have four favorite short novellas to put out there, great stories that were so much fun to do. Am I tooting my own horn today, no, not really. I just want to update my fan club (family and friends) in case you miss one . . . ha! ha! and prepare you for the onslaught to come.

I hope you are readers and have a good book in your hand, a cozy spot to sit and read in, and, I hope you take the time to settle in with a tall cool drink or a cup of a hot drink, put your feet up and while away a few hours within the covers of a good book . . . preferably one of mine!!!!

Wishful Thinking

Somewhere in the maze of buildings son John and Joellen are visiting all of the sights of Chicago then heading along a route that will take them back to Delaware and hopefully they will find time to blog and put up pictures for all of us to enjoy. I cannot think of anything better that to hop in ones car and take off at a leisurely pace and stop and see all of the interesting places along the way. Jo is a collector of antiques and books while John professes a lack of interest in such things but manages to have a room filled with collectables. Of course we, the family, take credit for this, even though he does protest.

Meanwhile, Christine is in the midst of an office move. The company is downsizing from nine thousand square feet to seven thousand square feet, so you know she and her co-workers are trying to decide what to do with all the excess furnishings. She is sweltering in high ninety to three digit figures this summer, a huge change and weather that they have never had the likes of up there in the state of Washington. Last winter they had snow, unheard of, so . . . something is changing and it takes getting used to. We continue with our foggy mornings, cool fifties to seventies and a bit of sunshine here and there. What we need is rain and I am sure once the season changes I will be complaining of our ocean storms.

Mike is back to work. Yeah!!! The housing bust has hurt the construction workers for months, but hopefully supplies are coming in and they can all get back to work. The only thing is that it postpones Mike's visit here and I never see enough of him.

Pat is entertaining two of Erin's girl friends who are visiting Brookings to pickup a sofa they purchased. It has to be a beauty for them to travel ten hours up and back. Mocha Mia got lots of extra attention so you know she will be spoiled and Pat will have to start all over when the girls leave. Puppies do require lots of loving.

Erin is in Cuba with ten friends and they are going to dance, dance, dance!!! It will be such fun to hear all her news when she gets back.

So today, I muse. Wishful thinking on my part as I'd like to be traveling and seeing all there is to see in our country and anywhere else I could get to. I have to be content with the travel channel and travel vicariously. Oh to be young and wise.

I hope your day is filled with interesting things to do and if you have a chance to travel, you will . . . maybe only a walk around the block, but know travel is good for you.

AAH !!!!

Here she is, Mocha Mia called Moki for short. Isn't she something? Those blue eyes really get to you. I was over in her yard yesterday watching her play with a tiny piece of a stick which got caught in between the cement blocks of the patio and she showed us what a lot of determination (of course I wouldn't call it stubbornness) she has. She tried using her nose, then decided she could use her toes and she did. . . and got it! She has gotten used to the leash and is walking with Pat whom she adores. She is definitely Pat's dog. She has taken to the crate in the back of the car but does show some protest as she lets out a piercing whine then sighs and stays put. She reminds me of the McKenlay Kantor story of a dog called "Bugle Ann". I googled and found "Her cry soared ahead - high, round, with that queer and brassy resonance which made you think that ghosts were out there somewhere, sounding taps without any armies to follow them." Yes, Mocha Mia does have a little Bugle Ann in her.

I hope you are enjoying your animals today if you have some. If not, and you are YOUNG enough to take care of one, go to your shelter and see those beautiful animals caged up waiting patiently for someone to love . . . and oh, what love they have to give.