Tsunami Warning

Here in Brookings and along all of the Oregon and Northern California coastline a tsunami warning was in effect until after nine p.m. last evening. Whenever a strong and dangerous earthquake happens, even four thousand miles away, the chances of a tsunami is great. It is something we live with, like those who live in areas where there is potential for strong earthquakes or dangerous hurricanes and tornadoes. No matter where we live there is some one event that could happen and change our lives. I have been reading a book called "The Raging Sea", my timing is terrible, it is a powerful account of the worst tsunami in U. S. history that happened only twenty seven miles from Brookings, in the city of Crescent City in 1964. It is a gripping story of nature on a rampage and I learned more about what a real tsunami is, as to what I thought it was. It is not one big huge wave that comes in, but many waves that build and have the power to destroy and does. So it was not comfortable sitting watching television last evening with the thought of a tsunami warning hovering about. We didn't have to worry though, as the experts gave us fair warning that it was not going to be much more than a foot or so difference in the tides. Pat wondered if we should head for high ground. I wondered if I should be sitting in my bathing suit prepared for a dip in the ocean. If a tsunami was to happen here in Brookings, we are sitting high on a cliff, but then depending on the height of the waves, maybe the cliff is not tall enough; but then as I muse, the what ifs and maybes could drive you crazy as there is little you can do to prepare yourself for a natural disaster. You can prepare a survival kit but that could be washed away. You could head for high ground if you could get through the crowds going in the same direction. It made me think back when my friend and I were living in Springfield, Virginia and the news was about a possible event that would have us joining the crowds of people on the road to evacuate the area and we thought how foolish it would be to go sit in your car, bumper to bumper, going nowhere in a hurry when you could stay right there at home, sitting in your comfortable chair with a tall cool drink in your hand and a snack or two. We agreed we would stay put and take our chances, and of course it never happened. Life is filled with what ifs so we might as well relax and take one day as it comes. My heart and prayers go out to the people in the Samoan Islands today who are fighting for survival. Help is on the way according to the news this morning.

As for my pictures today, they are showing the Chetco river that runs into the sea, and according to the story I am reading, it is like a magnet for a tsunami, as are all those channels and undersea caverns. After a huge storm the beaches are filled with driftwood, the size of some trees you would not believe. If a tsunami were to come it is ammunition for destruction as the lifeless trees take on like battering rams and create havoc as they destroy everything in their path.

So, as you go about your business today, know that each moment of every day is precious. Live your life today in faith, hope and charity and catch up on some of those classes that teach you how to survive in a natural disaster. . . natural???? um....

Laugh and the world . . .

Here it is the end of September already. In Toronto, Canada they have lovely gardens and have some talented trimmers. I copied two of the pictures to share, the cat which might be like friend Jo's 'Oscar' who has not run away for months now. I gather his last sojourn out into the bushes was enough to last the rest of his nine lives. The Pelican makes me smile as we often ride down to Sporthaven beach and watch the pelicans on the river rocks. I talk about them often as they are such fun to watch as the glide gracefully onto the rocks, then fly up into the air and turn around smoothly to return to their rocks and land with a plop, nothing graceful about them at all when it comes to settling in the water. I received a beautiful grouping of pictures this morning that were unusual but not the kind I could make a copy of to show you. Our world is filled with beauty and some awesome sights. One of the most beautiful was a scene of a pathway leading up to the top of a mountain. The climbers were walking slowly toward the peak and it looked like they were reaching for the clouds. There were strange and wondrous scenes of sea creatures, so many that it looked like the ocean was covered with them. How I marvel at the photographers who go out and 'shoot' to catch our world in all its glory.

The cartoon made me laugh out loud when I saw it. I think we ladies have all been victimized by a loving husband whom we spoiled with our tender loving care over the years. If I remember correctly, we did not allow ourselves to be sick as the world as our family knew it, would crumble. I had a couple of cartoons on my refrigerator, once upon a time, that showed a harried housewife holding an infant, two holding on to her skirts, as she was cooking over a hot stove and her husband went out the door ---- and the caption was "coward" ---- I was married to a night worker (smile!). The other was of a husband saying to his wife, "how do you like your coffee" and the caption said "married thirty-nine years". It is such fun to be able to laugh at ourselves because we are really very comical in our expectations of each other, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

I hope you are lucky enough to have your mate and that you are enjoying each other both in the good and bad times. Find reasons to laugh out loud and reasons to laugh together for it helps in the best and worst of times. Make today a good one.

Yom Kipper

Remember to say a prayer or two for our men and women over in Iraq and Afghanistan who are not living 'the life of Riley'. The pictures in the e-mail yesterday were heart rendering and should be on the front pages of all our newspapers, and on the television for everyone to be reminded that they are living the 'war' everyday while we hear less and less. Thank God for the Red Hats and the people who are sending packages from home to let them know we are aware. I wrote to a young man during the Desert Storm 'war' and sent 'bubble-yum' and cookies until he was finally home and I got that special post card that said he was back with his family. He used to share my letters and goodies with his buddies and that made me feel that I was helping in the morale department. Any kind of a 'war' is hell.


Today is Yom Kipper for my Jewish friends. From the little I understand God has judged most of mankind recorded in the Book of Life, and for those who repent they are granted a good and happy life. It is a day of not doing . . . fasting, emulating the angels in Heaven. There are five rules to follow, no eating or drinking; no perfume or lotions; no martial relations; no working; no wearing of leather shoes. I am sorry now that I didn't pay more attention when I was a small child living in a league of nations neighborhood so I would know and understand more. I just took my Jewish neighbors for granted. It just goes to show me, how little I really know about my fellow man and the ideals and ways they live by. We are all different and that makes us worth sharing our time and thoughts so we can improve our lives. Each of us has something to bring to the table. A banquet of life to help each other grow and prosper.

So today bring a little good deed to life and help our friends celebrate Yom Kipper by being the best we can be and atone for a few small breeches, or even big ones, for that matter. Be kind, be generous, be loving so you too can have a good and happy life.

FINI

It is Sunday morning and I am very happy to say that with the help of my daughter Patrica, and a few pieces put into the puzzle by my neighbor, La Verne, it is FINISHED.....yeah!!! I am not sure I would tackle 1,500 pieces of a puzzle again. I can hear my children saying "Oh Yes, she will" and they are mean enough to go out and buy a couple of more that are just as challenging. BUT, there goes my favorite word, I don't think I can do many more as I get so involved I sit much too long and create some problems I do not need. The eyes are changing . . . whine, whine, whine....I am just not sure I WANT to do another puzzle as I have done some real beauts this past year or two. They are time consuming but fun., and if I do not choose to do another, I will miss out on some wonderful Beverly Doolittle Indian scenes, or the promised stick together kind that fall apart when you try to put a piece in. Aah, a test of patience, like unraveling a skein of yarn or taking the knots out of string.

I was born to be an organizer and all of the challenges in life gives me ample opportunity to try. When I was out in the working world, a long time ago, filing was one of my favorite things to do. If there was a huge stack of papers overflowing an in-basket, you can be sure I was smiling as I had something to do. I must have paid attention to that 'idle hands are the hands of the devil' so I gather I equate disorder with challenge and can hardly wait to get it all in order and organized.

I hope you are organized today and have time left over to go outside in the sunshine (or rain if that is what is going on where you are) and check out the stores and see if there is a puzzle you want to buy and put away for the winter months when you feel up to a challenge . . . it's good for you.

The Fall City Wide Yard Sales

Saturday morning and I am not at the city wide sales. Pat and I hit a few yesterday when some of the early sales opened but there was nothing that I couldn't live without. I did pick up an old book, one of the early copies of "Books for Boys and Girls", published by Books, Inc. of New York, sometime in the sixties I think, not sure, anyway it is two stories by Charles Dickens with reproductions from his original work in 1852 and they are delightful. One story is called "The Chimes" A Goblin story of some bells that ring an Old year out and a New year in. The other is A Christmas Carol in prose . . . a 'ghost of a story'. I'll save it and read it some cold rainy day this winter ----if you were close by I'd let you borrow it.

I was teasing Pat about a rug for her living room. She is undecided on what color she really wants so I sent her a copy of the Belgium rug and suggested she grow her own. Some mothers are like that! Imagine the amount of talent, flowers and hard work that went into making that display. It has to be one of the wonders of the earth and one of the most beautiful.

As for the dog and his bone. I feel I am like that at times. I really do not need anything as I have a house filled with 'junque' and it is all used and loved and displayed and sometimes over-powering, so why do I go to another yard sale ------because it is fun and sometimes a beautiful piece of glass sparkling in the sunlight brings a sense of beauty and peace that I would miss if it wasn't there. The depth of cobalt blue, or the delicate shades of violet. Sometimes it is the tiny figurine of a bird sitting on a leaf that feels so good to hold, or the just right ceramic baking dish that holds just the right amount of that apple crisp waiting to be eaten and, of course, books and more books to excite the senses with mystery and intrigue.

I hope you have a yard sale nearby and you find a treasure. Stay healthy and content, enjoy the rest of the day. Remember if you decide to by a MacDonald's coffee, the cup is now marked, so you have been warned. (smile.)

Humor

I had to laugh when I saw the political cartoons. The men and women who can produce these are born with a sense of fun and usually not far from the truth, as we see and hear it on the television news casts and read our newspaper and magazines. The world is a tough old place and it is not an easy place to settle in as we go from learning how to walk and talk to keeping our thoughts to ourselves in case we step on some one's foot. In the early years we learned saying 'no' got us into trouble, then in our teens we learned that saying 'yes' did the same thing. In the interim we were too busy to think about what was going on in our world because we were within a world of our own that needed our constant attention. The news was there, politics was much the same as it is today only different players and we voted for 'our' person in hopes he or she would do exactly what they promised. Live and learn.

We know that power is a magnet that pulls our politicians into a circle far over and above what they ever knew existed in their little worlds. Now the 'good old boys' are hoping to continue for a lifetime in making decisions that neither you or I have even been consulted about. Not fair...not fair....a cry we use often. We have learned to pay more attention and hopefully when we go to the poles next time, we will give some serious thought to what kind of leaders we want throwing bills into the hopper with pork steeped high.

On a lighter note, there is a retired farmer who has been building Herod's Temple (where Jesus Christ threw out the money changers.) and his name is Alec Garrard , 78 years old, and says he will never be able to complete the temple in his lifetime. The photograph was taken by Geoff Robinson and the captions tell of the size (20 X 12 feet); 4,000 biblical figures which take at least three hours to sculpt. I wonder how many of you received the e-mail attachment showing all this. Some of the most amazing pieces come over the computer for all of us to learn and to enjoy.

Mr. Garrard did three years of research and found out that King Herod the Great built the temple in 19 BC and it covered thirty-six acres of land. It was the most memorable building of its time and was destroyed six years after completion. How sad. We have Mr. Garrard to thank for the amazing work he has accomplished and those who travel can go and see it for themselves.

I hope your upcoming weekend is filled with sunshine walks, tasty salad bar delights and even a walk into a place like our "Slugs and Stone" ice cream parlor where you can have something cool and creamy, then walk it off as you continue your way home.

Tidbits

I had a chance to ride out this morning. First I had to go have blood drawn so I could find out how my inner parts are working, 'good', 'better' and 'best', I hope. It was an excuse to eat out so Pat and I had breakfast at the Pancake house then on to the Harbor where I took these pictures. It is a gray morning and the Pelicans are perched on their rocks in the river, while the Marina itself is filled with lovely boats. I noticed they removed some of the separators to make room for the larger boats which are very big and beautiful. One small seagull stood very quietly and let me take its picture. A good way to start the day.

I checked with a friend yesterday and found out that the little puppy Mocha found a new home right away and is doing fine. That makes both Pat and me happy.

I am in the midst of reading a booklet "Foods That Heal, Reverse Aging and Extend your Lifespan" and find it interesting and amusing. I think each of us knows what is best to put into our stomachs, and when we don't, we know the reaction we get. Our bodies do not lie. Some of the information tells us that if we drink real true Chinese tea, as the Chinese people have for centuries, we would be healthier and cure a lot of ailments. The trouble with that is I cannot pronounce the herbs and have no idea where to get them, so if you have some Pueraria, Peony alba or jujube hanging around let me know so I can borrow some. So far I find that if we eat our fruit and vegetables, stay away from fat and sugar we will all stay healthy, but . . . happy? um ... I don't think so. I enjoy my deserts and have just the figure to prove it.

I have housework to do if I can get around that puzzle which has taken over the dining room table, there has to be a good hundred or more pieces left to put in. Now comes the hard part, dark brown, black, midnight blue, my kingdom for a good light, maybe the sun will shine soon so I can tell the colors apart.

All in all I hope you find time this morning to go outside and take a short walk, breathe in the fresh air and look around and see what is there to look at -----could be a pigeon where you are, or a wonderful cat doing all kinds of clever tricks, or a neighbor wondering what you are doing outside so early in the morning. Smile and wish them well.

Views from Space

I received an e mail with ten of the best pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope which has been up in space for over sixteen years now. Unbelievable how time flies. I am in awe. All were spectacular but I chose only these three to share with you today because you can have some fun finding pictures within pictures if you want to stretch your imagination. The picture with all of the yellow coloring is the perfect storm called Swan Nebula, 5,500 light year away and is made up of hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and other elements, . . . and you thought I couldn't read.

The Trifid Nebula is the Stella Nursery, 9,000 light years away from here where new stars are born. I'm a firm believer we all go back to infinity and this may be just the place we land on to become one of those brilliant beautiful stars in the heaven.

The deep red one is called the Cone Nebula, 2.5 light years in length (equivalent of 23 million return trips to the moon. It has the color of Christ, and I can see His profile, and that could be a candle He is holding to light our way.

The caption read, "The universe is not only deeply strange but also almost impossibly beautiful." How true and how lucky we are that our world is filled with highly intellectual and intelligent people who share their gifts so we can enjoy the unknown. There is so much information available to us with the push of an electronic button. What wonders are waiting to unfold for our future generations. I have lived a long time yet know I find I can learn something new everyday.

Make today your day to learn something new and different. Visit a museum, or an art gallery, even a trip to the library and if you can't go out, then turn on the Travel Channel and enjoy a trip to some place you have never been, and view some of the wonders in our world. Hugs to all.

IF

If I had an invitation to go for a ride in a helicopter, would I? Probably yes but I would be sitting there white knuckled, praying a lot and wondering if I lost my mind by saying yes . . . but not my granddaughter Erin, look at that smile, she's having fun and loving it. A new friend and his dad repair old helicopters and fly them. Erin didn't hesitate to accept an invitation and brought her trusty camera along to take pictures. I think she got a terrific shot. I'll have to find out where along the southern coast this picture was taken. She did say there were no doors....aah, my heart just went down to my shoes. Erin will probably add flying to her 'Bucket List' which is getting longer every day.

Speaking of "Bucket List" did you see the movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? It was something to see and enjoy. I haven't created a list of my own, but on the other hand, I think I've always had a want or two. Wishful thinking doesn't do it. We need the courage of our own convictions and get on with living our lives to the fullest . . . one day as it comes . . .

So today, put the 'if' aside and think of some one thing you want to accomplish and get it done, big or little, reaching out, sharing hugs, catching up on a chore you hate to do, riding off to some one place you have been wanting to see, or cuddling down with that book that has been sitting by your bedside waiting for you to open its cover, or, if you are lucky and have an opportunity to fly away to someplace special you have been wanting to go, do it, go and enjoy -----and call a grandchild and tell them how much joy they bring to your life. I sent a Facebook message to mine. and thanked her for not having an 'iffy' mind wondering about negatives when all we have to do is keep an open positive mind, yeah, the courage of our convictions.

The Last Day of Summer

I have a calendar of Maxine, the lady with the crusty attitude and today she says, "Ah, the joys of winter. Surely there must be some." Our summer was much like the winters here with lots of foggy gray days as we waited for Indian summer but surprisingly we have our taste of 'hot' which started yesterday. The weather forecasters are saying we may go to ninety today . . . summer leaving with a bang. I called my story poem book "Weather . . . We Like It Or Not . . . and over a life time we all have had to take the weather as is , whether we like it or not.

It has been an interesting weekend, quiet for the most part and a bit sad as my neighbor called to say she has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She weighs about ninety-two pounds and has been failing for some time. At age eighty-six she has really done well in keeping her morale and her spirits high. She is one to admire as she goes off twice a week to help keep the Alzheimer patients content in their 'time out' at the senior center. A former nurse who has never lost her desire to help others. I invited her over and told her to bring her glasses as I have that 1,500 piece puzzle on my dining room table and she should help me finish it. She came over but forgot her glasses saying she thought we were playing scrabble, something we both like to do. I gave her an enveloping hug to show her how much I hated having her in pain and then proceeded to tease her until she laughed out loud. She went home with a 'jean' dish, one of those dishes I put together with whatever is in the refrigerator. It turned out to be chicken vegetable toss up that tasted pretty good and she loved having her dinner prepared so she didn't have to put something together. Her children are on their way, and although she says she will not leave her home, I am hoping they have the where-with-all to convince her to visit them while she can. She is from Canada and would love to go back to see her old homestead one more time so hopefully her daughter, who lives up there, will come and drive her back for a little while.

Pat came over to keep me company. I think she enjoys doing the puzzle as much as I do. It is such a challenge and I swear I'll never do another . . . yeah . . . maybe in another life time. I'll take a picture of it when I finish, as long as you have the patience to wait to see it, and brag a bit, that is if I can finish it and there are moments when I swear every piece I need is missing.

I put those wonderful already peeled apples into a big baking dish, thanks to my neighbor Jim who loves to peel apples, bless his heart, at ninety he is still active and tells us he is going to live to be one hundred. I topped the apples with the wild berries Pat picked and brought back from Gold Beach, added oatmeal, some brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, a stick of butter and we all had a feast, apple crisp with a twist.

So we are starting a new week and hopefully it will be one we will take time to improve our attitudes, our health and maybe our wealth, but don't count on that. Take time out to relax, smile a lot and give everyone you meet on of those air kisses . . . they will think you have lost your mind as they laugh out loud and enjoy it.

Neighbors

A Monarch Butterfly in all it's beauty ------------An Albino Peacock, the likes I have never seen before. Neighbors in a world of beauty along with the spiders who spin such beautiful and awesome webs, and creepy crawlers who do their living in the ground and in the leaves of the trees. Each has its place in our world, just like our people neighbors, and we all have those. We could probably equate some of them with the creatures of our world, some beautiful, some ugly, some loving and some just plain wonderful.

Some of my neighbors became extended family over the years and I wouldn't trade them for all of the tea in China. Some came in and out of my life and left without another word as they got on with their lives and made new neighbors.

Over the years I found with each move, cultivating neighbors was an art. You had to accept them 'as is' until they got to know you and then if the 'mix' was right, life took on a new and special meaning as you became part of your community and the exchange of cultures added so much more to our lives. There were always a few folks with preconceived ideas of what a neighbor should be like, and nothing you could do to change their attitudes. I am reminded of a time my husband and I moved into a lovely neighborhood with our five children and our neighbor to the south of us was in pure panic wondering what damage all of these children would do to their property. Icy cold, no exchange or greeting until after several months I answered a knock on the door and my neighbors stood there with a welcoming gift apologizing for the delay in welcoming us to the neighborhood. Their words remained for a long time as they agreed that we had well behaved children who were a pleasure to have as neighbors. You can bet my cap tilted a little that day.

I find our world has changed so much over the years. Life has become much more fast paced and time spins like a new top. People are friendly but protect their privacy. I treasure the friends I have made in my travels and miss the ones that have become 'stars' and wink at me from the heavens.

Make today a good one, invite your neighbor in for a cup of tea or coffee and share some of those cookies in the Cookie jar. Let them know you appreciate them just because you are neighbors.

Fear

What is fear?

"To walk alone/in the night/ upon a a dark street/seeing shadows/moving near our feet
hearing noises/in the dark/when we should be asleep.

Illness comes to mind/when a child's fever is so high/ strokes that take the mind/and sometimes make us die.

Inability to control things we cannot be/ accidents/hurt pride/estrangement from our family.

Age so fast/and now at last/its time for us to go/unknown/into the dark/and we must go alone.

Fear has a taste/no time to waste/grab hold/keep your faith/be bold.

I wrote that poem some time ago and all kinds of thoughts have me musing this morning. I've heard from folks with problems, you know the kind, health and unhappiness, blame and shame, somethings we have all shared a little of in our lifetime. I can listen but I have no answers.

When the doctor asked if I was depressed I felt the tears behind my eyes. He said, "It is normal, and if it gets any worse we can give you something to help." I shook my head, held up my hand and said, "No thank you. I am much too stubborn to harbor self pity and know I have enough faith to come to my rescue." He said no more.

I am thinking honesty, and wish there was more of it. There are a couple of people in my life I do admire because they are truly honest and make no apology for it. They are not always the most sought after but they do tell it as it is and not as we wish it to be.

So my musings take me wishing I had the words of encouragement to show my friends that life is not always as we wish it to be, but, it is facing yourself in the mirror in all honesty and think about the current problem and know you have to answer within to resolve it. Thus, we have come full circle and 'fear' is part of the reason we do not give ourselves an honest answer.

So board the beautiful pirate ship and sail off to the land within your inner self and find a sunny port of love and forgiveness. Me, I'm lighting some candles for everyone and I am going to say a prayer or two that each of us finds what we need the most . . . love will do . . . and I have plenty of that to go around.

Four A.M.

I woke up at four a.m. and that was the end of a good snooze. Why four a.m. is any ones guess, but it seems a witching hour that is becoming more of a pattern than I care for. I would love to sleep in but I never have been a sleeper, six hours at most, now more like four with naps in between . . . so they are called "power naps", why I cannot imagine as we octogenarians don't have a lot of high octane energy to put all that power to work. Now this morning, the mind kicked in and I thought of the beautiful ride through the redwoods to go to Eureka. No matter how many times you take the ride, the redwoods have a magic about them that makes your breathing become calm and your mind absorbs the sight of the trees that are so awesome they bring out the poet in me. So today you are in for a poem.

Redwood Forest

****

The heart soars to the height of the trees

standing majestically for centuries

the road leads into darkened shadows

eerie, peaceful, each breath comes deep

as the smell of pine brings peace.

Hawks fly high and the deer tread lightly

river flows with foam so sprightly

as the rafters laugh with glee

spending the day so merrily

The trees look on with their massive base

wide passage a car can take

or ride a gondola high above

skimming the trees so loved

The awesome height

boughs so bright

the redwood forest

is a beautiful sight.

****

I had to add a Maxine or two. She reminds me of a couple of 'cranky' ladies I've known and loved in my life time who had a sharp wit and never felt shy about sharing it. It takes all kinds to make our world go around, what would we do without the Maxine in our lives? I am glad I never had to find out.

Medical Musings

After the last month and a half I could use a cigarette, a dry martini

and a good loving to change my attitude. No one that I know of speaks of the unspeakable changes that go on with the octogenarians, probably because it would scare them to death. I was doing pretty good working out in the gardens with my trusty pair of clippers . . . yeah, I'm a clip artist and that is about my only claim to fame as a gardener. I couldn't get down and up so learned to weed from the waist down and thought I strained a muscle or two when my left leg started acting up. I 'suffered in silence' (well, daughter Pat may disagree with that statement), for a week or so, hobbling around like an old person. I had just signed up with a new doctor and was waiting for my first appointment some months down the road. There was no excuse good enough to get in the door until after the first appointment. I did the next best thing and went to Urgent Care and met a lovely nurse practitioner who thought I had either 'thrown a clot' or had a Bakers Cyst. The hospital test proved a Bakers Cyst, which I had never heard of in my life, and after three separate medical views I believe it is going to cure itself . . . eventually. The orthopedic surgeon gave me a shot and that helped, then after three weeks when I returned he said too many shots were not good, meaning the atomic bomb he shot into the leg was it. He said, "I am not trying to sell you anything but there is a three shot treatment to lubricate the knee. " I already had enough fluid seeping from the cyst to keep my leg elevated for months. We parted friends. Now the right leg decided to scream from the inherited veins that look like hanging grapes from the Gardens of Babylon. A friend gave me the name of a vein specialist so off I went to Eugene and met an open, friendly, honest doctor who said old age, arthritis and my cheap pocket book did not warrant much attention. I could invest in some special hose that he had set up with a company that cost somewhere in the vicinity of one hundred dollars or more a pair, you know, measured and special threads and all that good stuff. So what is wrong with using the ones the orthopedic doctor uses himself. He lifted his pant leg and showed me he used them and they are only about forty dollars a pair. If I had been in investments I'd know where to put my money. So now it is time for my first appointment with the local physician and he turned out to be a nice guy who knew at first glance that I was into holistic medicine and didn't go for all those chemicals that give you special addictions to a nowhere world. He asked if I wanted to have some of the usual tests, you know the mammogram, the biopsy or one of those 'tube' tests; no way, I have been there and done all that. He had to smile when I told him I was going to keep whatever I had. So I will have a blood test to see if everything is heading in the right direction and hopefully not see him until my check up next year.

I hope that you are hale, hardy, and enjoying life. Just keep in mind that our bodies start to change from the minute we are born until the day we die. Some of it is pure pleasure and some of it hell, but it is what it is. so get up and get busy living today.

A Voice

The pictures of a peaceful protest were sent to me yesterday showing our fellow Americans willing to stand up and be counted when they feel we are not being represented honestly and openingly by our politicians. The cause at this 'tea party' has to do with all that is now ongoing in Washington, D. C. from the 'change' promised by our new President; to the divided power struggle over health care and a dozen other huge problems that exist in our life today. Each of us has a right, as a free American, to use our voice in hope that our politicians get the message,loud and clear, that we are not happy with what is transpiring in the current trend to stuff anything and everything down our throats whether we like it or not. Each of us has our own opinion and like our vote we can choose to stand up and make our personal views known. I cannot afford to travel to the Capitol and voice my opinion, but I can write to my Congressmen and Senators telling them my views. I have found over the years that politics is politics and power is a political prize for those who want a career, so keep that in mind when you next go to the polls. I think we need change, but not the change our current leaders plan for us.

Our forefathers fought and died for the rights spelled out in our Constitution - - - our bill of rights - - - which made us the strongest and best nation in the entire world. We, the people, sat by and let those in power slowly chip away our rights as we sit silently by and watch them do it. It is time to use your voice.

I hope you will send a letter out to your representatives and let them know how you feel about the changes they are working on and the effect they will have on you personally. Each of us has a vote, so follow closely and think clearly and vote in 2010.

"Eureka ! ! "

Pat set up her lap top at this little desk and it worked fine. She is a whiz, but I have heavy thumbs or something as the screen rolls, the little box which you are suppose to be able to find your way around the screen does all kinds of things for me. I can bring up little boxes, loose my writing, and find myself looking at the beginning screen. Not my cup of tea. I need the mouse.

When we left for Eureka, California, a two and a half hour trip from Brookings, down through the huge red woods, we planned to stop at the Blue Lake Casino and try our luck, and lucky we were to find a brand new hotel, just opened two months ago, so we decided to stay there. As you can see we had a beautiful room and the color red was predominant with the European style comforters, the little red band on the end is just a beautiful piece of satin like material almost like a small throw. We had a brand new 'flat' screen television which does nothing for the actors and actresses as it shows their natural ''flaws" for the world to see...especially the legs, nothing Betty Grable about them. It is one of my 'buts' . . . you know, "they are so beautiful . . . but !" Can I help it if the camera doesn't do them justice, it doesn't, the flat screen shows everything up.

We went to the "Alice Restaurant" which specializes in buffets. They had a champagne brunch so we decided it would be perfect as it had been a long time since breakfast and lunch and this was an in between time and we were hungry. The food looked good but it was awful. The buffet had been set up hours earlier and there were very few patrons so the food just sat and sat. We tried, drank our champane hoping it would jiggle the taste buds but not a chance. We pushed the food around and finally put it to one side and went and got a new plate and tried the fruit, not bad and the crepe with cherry sauce made up for some of the disappointment. I hate to say deserts were terrible but they were. The waitress saw that we were not eating so she gave us extra champagne and an apology. We left feeling cheated but not before having our say at the desk. We were told there is to be a meeting this week to make some changes for the better. I hope so or the Blue Lake Casino and new hotel will be a thing of the past.

I was looking forward to a session in the hot tub and when we looked out of the window it was pouring rain. It had been since early June since we saw that kind of a down pour. But never let it be said a little rain would deter us, no way, off we went and 'aah' everyone should have a hot tub. The aches and pains disappear and it is heavenly. We didn't know the casino people had a camera on us all the time. We had taken my jacket which was about the only thing water proof, and not very much so at that, put our towels, clothing and wrapped them up but it did little good as the rain got to them anyway. Maxine would have some sharp words for the two ladies walking back to their room barefoot and in bathing suits holding rain soaked belongings.


We rode to Old Town and found a bagel shop to have our breakfast this morning. The case was filled with awesome sights, fresh made bagels of every kind and coffee buns and cakes, including an all chocolate fudge cake (no we didn't have any), but we did have ham and eggs on a bagel that was very tasty and shared a berry scone. Old Town is a fun place, nothing was opened so we rode over to the big book store and enjoyed browsing, then rode over to Costco did our shopping and headed home.

When we reached Crescent City. it was time for a stretch break. We found a small Mexican restaurant where they make home made tacos that are the best I've had in a very long time. So you see leaving Brookings for an overnight-er gives us a new perspective on life. We marveled at the Halloween 'stuff' out there already and shook our heads as the aisles were filled with Christmas 'stuff', everyone in the retail business seems to want the holidays to be here now and not wait for the seasons themselves.

I hope you are thinking holidays but not like tomorrow. Maybe if we don't buy they wont get their way and have the holidays here before we have a chance to welcome Autumn. Make today a good one, plan a get-a-way first chance you get as it does make an attitude change.

Yard Sales on Saturday

IT IS SATURDAY, our usual day for yard sales, and the Soroptimists are having their annual sale over at the Elks Club where the huge room will be filled to capacity with all kinds of things. Pat came by early and we tootled over there and believe it or not hard back books were three for $1.00. Too bad they didn't have more, I only picked out six. I found four small white Chinese rice bowls with tiny birds and matching spoons which I couldn't leave behind. There just was not a lot of treasures today so we went on to some of the home sales. I've been looking for an old fashioned meat fork for Pat and today I found one. We rode up to an area in the foot hills , a lovely climb around winding roads with huge homes on at least a quarter acre and all well taken care of. The pine trees were the tallest I've seen in a very long time. Skinny with branches only on top. They have such a calming effect circled around, and the air seems fresher when you are up in 'them thar hills.' On the way back down we spotted a yard sale sign so followed it and found a lovely house with a yard filled with things. It was one of those 'unkept' sales where you look but don't touch. The woman said she brought a lot up from southern California. I'd say she should have left them there. How's that for an attitude? I received the latest of Maxine's quips today.

This afternoon Pat treated me to a movie with Merle Streep in "Julie and Julia" which is delightful. Julia Childs had a terrible speaking voice but a tremendous sense of humor. The movie is well done and enjoyable. The pop corn wasn't all bad either. Watching all the fancy cooking and luscious deserts made me want to hurry home for my dinner. I took the quick and easy way by steaming a piece of salmon Pat and Jock caught the other day while fishing in the river up near Gold Beach. There really is nothing more delicious than steamed fish with lemon and dill, wrapped up in foil, and dropped in boiling water. I even cut up some garden zucchini and it cooked with the fish so my dinner was ready in no time.

I hope you are enjoying a good meal tonight and looking around to see what treasures you want to put into a yard sale, just be sure to call me so I can come and find a treasure or two.

A Day To Remember

September 11, 2001 was probably a beautiful day to go off to work and do all of the routine duties of life for so many people who would suffer and die through no fault of their own, before this day was over. The news broke fast and furiously as each one of us were hopelessly mesmerized by the horror unfolding before us on the television screens. Like all catastrophes we feel the sense of loss and our hearts and souls go out to those who are the victims.

It has been eight years since this attack occurred and yet it remains as fresh in our minds as if it were yesterday. A memorial has been built in honor of those people lost in this Holocaust and today their names are being read out loud. I heard of an old adage which states that if you say the name of the person who has died their soul is blessed forever. So today, although we do not know the individual names, let us offer up a prayer for 'the souls of 9-11' and all of their families left behind who are still mourning for the loss of their loved ones.

If you are out and about, stop by a church and light a candle for all of them, and for all your family and friends, one never knows when the light of the candle will be just the light needed for today.