MUSINGS BY THE CREEKSIDE

Can He? I Hope So.

2012-01-15T13:21:00.001-05:00

Can a surfer kid influence how we use plastic? He certainly influenced me and I'm fairly sure you too will be effected.

In our day to day lives, we often don't realize how much of an impact we have on our environment and the heavy burden we contribute to earth's desecration and destruction.

Trashed Alaska

Photograph by Ken Graham/Getty Images

Below is a short video that shows one result of society's unthinking disregard for our home, our only home.

I suggest we think next time BEFORE we buy and discard a plastic container. http://www.nextworldtv.com gives us more ideas on how to take care of the earth. Good information each and every time I receive their notice. Here is their latest offering.

Kyle Theirmann, a 21 year old pro surfer in Santa Cruz, CA
makes his own videos on how we can impact environmental and
social change.

This video, part of the "Surfing For Change" series, is about
ending single use plastic.

Welcome to the east side of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. He
isn't afraid to show you the heartbreaking scenes of pollution
caused by plastic that the tourists never see.

Also featured: Musician Jack Johnson, and Story of Stuff's
Annie Leonard.
Video: (4:13)
http://www.nextworldtv.com/page/6628.html

Here is another website that gives us another picture of the huge problems we are facing: http://seapics.com/feature-subject/environment/ocean-pollution-pictures-001.html

2012-01-13T18:59:00.000-05:00

I took a magical walk down a Bonsai lane. It totally changes one's perspective.

2012-01-12T13:19:00.000-05:00

You may notice my blog's heading picture has changed. Certainly nothing regarding a creekside there. Taken by a relative titled.
"Mt. Mitchell, NC." What a beautiful view of nature!
Having never been there myself, I wish to go some day.

I enjoy traveling the roads and byways of western North Carolina. The waysides are clean and neat. I cannot say that without the flash of memory of how I felt entering over the state line my first time ever. Thrownout trash is totally absent; so unlike the roadsides here in my mountainous area. Some people have no pride or consideration for our earth.

The mountain roads twist and turn overall and brakes are often required. There are fatal accidents driving roads when unacquainted with the curves cut into the side of mountains.

Once "my Peggy" came from Florida and complained about the scary highways; speed limit changing constantly and abruptly at times; nothing like Florida roadways with a usually constant speed limit for miles and miles; those roads are straight and long.

Even being a native-born mountain resident, I still have fear driving 'dangerous' roads. There are some tricky spots along the highway I live by. I meet a few when driving to get my spring water supply.

Occasionally I drive on into Shady Valley, enjoying the uphill climb for I am going slowly but the return ride usually finds me tired, exhausted and in a hurry to get home again; this is when mistakes are made in calculating a steep curve. I once lacked an inch of crashing off the side when driving in the night and fast. Horrible scare I gave myself.

Shady Valley is a beautiful area, not yet taken prisoner by newcomers, residential subdivisions. The residents of Shady are usually born and raised there and leave one with a comfortable feeling after having met them. Shady Valley has their Cranberry Festival in the early fall. There you will find many local craft displays, from food to fabrics.

Driving farther on past Shady Valley, I come through federal forest land and into Backbone Rock Park. Picnic spots and hiking trails make for enjoyment of the park. Rock climbers are seen here, especially during nice weather. I once found two discarded climbing ropes by the streamside. Just a few frayed spots justified some climber to discard them for new rope. A great find for me.

I have gotten much use from the two ropes over the years. Pulling the riding lawnmower out of trouble, the rope has been such a blessing for I am very good at driving my Snapper into trouble spots. There is much saturation on my property, being so near a creek. Several weather springs about too. The machine is very big and heavy and sometimes I'm not paying enough attention to where I'm going. It works so well that my mowing allows for daydreaming at times.

Just thinking and writing about the curvy roads has tired me. I believe it is time for a nap, not having gotten any rest again last night.

Oh, Ye of Little Sleep

2012-01-10T09:28:00.002-05:00

I haven't slept a wink all night long. Thoughts marched and crashed in a jumble, only to linger for the longest time after arising.

See The Bee

2012-01-08T14:31:00.001-05:00

Thoughts to while away winter's day

2012-01-08T08:19:00.002-05:00

And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

Kahlil Gibran 1883-1931

Life Goes On or

2012-01-06T13:10:00.000-05:00

stuff happens

a couple of my buddies. They gave delight in the light of day

Rocks, Stones, Pebbles and Gems

2012-01-04T19:27:00.002-05:00

These words I read somewhere....

A Stone of truth and rarity,
Given freely with sincerity,
Few believe or understand,
For evidence they do demand;
So here it is, as you ask,
Truth for you I do unmask;
Nature's simple, certain way,
Gives life and Hope out of decay;
For those who hear Nature's call,
Stand up strong and stand up tall;
With little time left in this world,
All the secrets will be unfurled;
From this book the wise will see
Life is not what it seemed to be. "

...they leave me puzzled. What do they mean?

I collect rocks. Seriously, I do. Beautiful stones. How I would love to have a collection of rocks from each state. So many states not visited - most of the 50. Studying geology would be nice.

Making fun of my compulsion for investing my hard-to-come-by nickels and dimes into beautiful stones, a friend offered to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge! Ha Ha. Real cheap, he said.

A few shells, sea animals I have. Lots of pieces rough and quite a few polished stones too. I love looking, touching them all. There is a nice piece of alabaster, not shown. This is probably a fourth of all my rocks. They too as everything else is scattered here, there and yonder. Can you even imagine how busy I once was, in order to have such chaos? No you probably can't. I lived life at a running pace. I think I blew my transmission! :>( I'm so weary.

In my jewelbox are a few stones, even a few gemstones loosened from rings and such. One day they will be repaired.

There is one that was given me; called it a Philosopher's Stone. A very smooth green to red tiny stone. It sure hasn't seemed very effective for me. No philosophy have I gained. Maybe you are supposed to rub it; remember the genie's lamp.

The big white piece is coral. I forget which type - Leaf Coral, maybe? There is a brain coral packed away. The shape of a head. This was Dad's from one of the vacations to Florida with Mom.

In the lower corner is a small chunk of pink quartz.

The round blue and white object - a glass marble, Dad's "Shooter", I think he called it. Very damaged; I think it has shattered from age for it is kept in a safe place. You know its big size, if you were acquainted with marbles. There are a few collected in a jar over there on that top shelf. These came from deep in the ground, so I assume they are fairly old. Very dull for the most. There is much sand in my soil here.

In years past much work was done, cleaning up trash, debris that had collected the many years before I moved here.

In the basket you can see what looks to be a chocolate cookie . A sea bean...and beside it another 'sea-lovely' three inches long round and striped with delicate tones of color.

I have gold scraped off one tiny specimen of rock, very thin tiny sheets. Once in a small branch, a foot across, I saw gold flecks floating by. It is a beautiful color and consistency out in nature.

In my jewel/treasure box there used to be a medallion or coin. Found in my grandmother's garden years after her death. It looked to be bronze. There are symbols, pictures on each side...a pyramid, a sun and other things. A chunk is gone from the edge a perfect half-round - looks like a mouse nibbled it away. Several people have looked at it an think it is a Mayan piece. It was half-dollar size. How it came to be in the garden, I will never know. Always wanted someone of authority to look at it before it disappeared, someone who might be able to give facts about it.

I like looking at websites featuring rocks, gemstones in their natural environment, shells and such. You might enjoy them too.

"Pictures Only" Day

2012-01-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

Creations and Wornout Creators

C A, exhausted human, but one who greets each day with hope; some of his creations in background. He truly is an artist, heart and soul, nothing coming out of books; always thoughtfully thought out and precise. I'm very proud, pleased and fond of my brother, second to youngest. The cancer post-op. CA won.

Such a creative but dusty job coming along

Once a nice Creation now being uncreated by Time

How persistently Nature creates

Another idea from this creator's mind that didn't work out to my satisfaction. Only some pieces are hard and preserved. Coated gloss medium and varnish. I may use them on a wreath.
apple peel, HOT pepper, rose hips, apple core

Esther's Creations - an artist with thread and needle

Reliefing Pain's Creation. See the red imflammation?

Maude's creator creates my laughter. Good Creation.

Another creation
Spilled Oil in the Gulf.

Castro, another creator.
I enjoyed reading and learning about him.

5 Vintage Era Creations

Amber Goblets, 12 oz for sale

Universe Creating

Nature's Palette used in my yard

Proof I once created her laughter

Creating Another Dawn

Corpse Bloom, a rare creation

I bring Joyful Healing Sound Creation from the Crystal Bowl
for sale

2012-01-01T07:32:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, Everyone!

A perfect sample of celebrations last night to welcome a hopeful new year into our lives. I believe this one was in London. Those pyrotechnic people know how to put on a great show, don't they? I saw nothing but smiling faces from the many pictures taken in the many places around our world. Smile and the world smiles with you!

I wish each of you the best of everything for your coming days. Cherish each moment of every day.

The Creek is Too Cold for Musing By

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

Good Morning, You.
Oh Boy, am I cold this morning! Having been awake again since 4 something and now that daylight is almost "riz" as one oldtimer used to express it, I feel somewhat alive...again. I've an idea I just may make it through the day, with a quick nap interspersed here and there.

Es Plainin My Blasting
Let me clarify my griping yesterday over the 'so high' electric bill. While we were slapped with an increase, TVA, (Tennessee Valley Authority) which furnishes our power had a decrease. Thus, the city is winning in both directions - controlling the situation. It was a move made to increase revenue for the city...uh, the city leaders. If only this extra income might benefit the county also, it may be justified but no, it didn't. It just appears that the money is flowing out like a stream of water heading downhill and nothing extra to show for it.
Update: Not 4% increase for electric BUT 16%!!!! I believe this is perfect example of Run-Away Inflation.

Backing Off From 'The American Way/Dream'
These days so many people in this country are "getting off the grid". Smart folks they are! They are leaving the world of wasteful materialism and control, heading back to the basics. It looks to be the way of the future for so many. Actually, I've been living somewhat in this manner for so long. Deprivation is good for the soul! Yes, often it is.

If I could I would have a cistern and some solar panels and escape the clutches of control. I know very little about solar power, only from reading of others' usage but it sure sounds good to me. Yet regrettably, money and energy are lacking to bring this idea about.

Somewhere back, I posted about building a cistern...my dad did... and we kids carried buckets of water uphill a long way from a spring, needed for making the mortar. It seemed a never-ending job I had. It wasn't though. It did end. Just a memory now from long ago.

My Heart is Hurting
Everything ends; nothing lasts. Thus that warning: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket". This may sound like pure rambling on my part. Not so. I'm thinking of particular situations but cannot write about them here. They are just too personal and painful.

Better Eyesight Has Arrived
Yesterday an appointment was given for three weeks ahead to get eyeglasses...for reading. I sure look forward to them. I can read now fairly well but words start to dim in time. My excitement comes with the fact I'll be able to easily use a seam ripper. Last week I tried but failed miserably. Using my old eye glasses last night did alleviate matters somewhat but not enough.
Having balanced vision now versus the imbalance of the past few weeks certainly is an advantage though. The need to squint and creep about was very exhausting for me.

I am deconstructing wool garments. It seems a shame to harm a beautiful garment that is actually a work of art in my view but I have visions for new "art". Whether the vision will come to fruition, I don't know; it is just a plan, a grand idea that often comes with age.

It's a Real Good Thinking Tool
As I sat here last night waiting for a decent time to go to bed, I pricked and snipped...and meditated. Yes I did. Who would have ever thought a seamripping tool could help to open one's mind so!
Yet it did; whereas a needle and thread can't do that as well.

Although I ~~can't~~ don't knit, I imagine knitting needles are also a powerful tool to help one's meditating ability. Who knows ... knitting may be an interest for me also, before I become dust.

Anyway, back to wool. I've learned quite a bit about it recently; one blogger taught herself to make hook rugs; and what beautiful ones she has created. Now she is sharing her knowledge with others; like me, for instance.~~Felling~~ Fulling (or is it Fluffing) is a new word in my dictionary. I believe it is a step below "felting"

Dog Hair?
There is another blogger I read who writes about her sheep, shearing, and making yarn. This world is so full of talent, isn't it?

In the past while clipping and snipping my dogs' hair, I mused on the idea of making yarn with it. Now you just quit laughing; let me finish. I did have thoughts about yarn. You are the first one I've told this to; I've learned from past experiences to keep my thoughts to myself; I get tired of being ridiculed so often about my crazy ideas.

Anyway, to make this short and sweet, making doghair yarn has happened in one family; the young daughter took it and secretly at night made her mother a lovely scarf for Christmas. Now was that a labor of LOVE or not?

When I read that post, my jaw dropped. I then thought: I'm not as nutty as others thought me to be.

Little Girl's long tresses, silky and shiny white as they were, would have made some beautiful yarn, I believe. She was the Westie ... A Westie Vest; yeah, that's an idea!

Hope all of you have a happy and productive day today and I wish you the best of everything for the coming New Year.

Unblinded Bitching Day

2011-12-30T08:29:00.000-05:00

Eyes to the Front, Please
Plink, plink, splat...whoops, lost two out of three. At $154 for 75 drops one should be more careful. Unsteady hand this morning. I guess it must be excitement of the fact that my ordeal is soon to be finished. Three more weeks of drops for this one 'old girl' who never used eyedrops in her life, except on a couple long ago needful (wink) occasions!
The second cataract removal took place last Thursday...and an ordeal it surely was, nothing like the first removal process.
All I got to say is: don't complain or the anestheologist might get revenge! Mine did...with a solemn face! I screamed from the pain he caused shooting his meds too fast into my vein before going to the operating room. A long story that I won't go into here except to say the pre-op routine was a total bad screw-up this second go-round.

The surgeon did have some soothing classical music playing though...guess he didn't know I could see that huge needle coming at me and felt the chop, chop, chop and certainly couldn't have been aware of how his pre-op people took revenge...surely he didn't! I really enjoyed the music.

Now don't let this scare you from getting your cataracts removed when necessary. Everyone isn't like I am. Side issues with other pain is of no concern for those prepping an eye patient. They could care less about your "other" medical issues. If I had it to do over though, I'd think about overdosing on some pain reliever beforehand.

What's important though is the fact I walk about now without eyeglasses. I do catch myself reaching up to adjust the non-existent pair sliding down my nose though. Then I grin foolishly at myself. Habits are hard to change, I guess.

Weather Change Coming
Once the holidays are past and days start getting longer with the winter solstice, I tend to think I've topped the hill of winter and slipping toward spring. Ha, ha, what grand delusions I give myself. (hmm, what happened here? What's with this black text?)

Old Man Winter is getting ready for a long visit here, I fear. That frost and dense fog a couple days ago did give a mysterious view but talking about biting cold; it was. Can't say I recall foggy mornings when its bitter outside.

The coming week is calling for temps in the teens and only mid 30s during the day. I don't relish this. I should not complain though for I know some of you are having a much colder time coping this winter. This month's heat bill is what has gotten me rattled though...close to $200 and yet I was chilling daily and the dogs certainly could use a sweater. Santa failed to come through.

Just "Mention and You Receive", is it?
Our fair city leaders decided a rate increase was in order; and so our fair city "fathers" raised it 4%; I'd heard some time ago they ~~needed~~ ~~deserved~~ wanted a raise in their $90,000 year salary! So be it! They got it.

How all these people running our world think we taxpayers are just loaded plus having a moneytree out in the backyard to pluck $extra$ from is beyond me.

Be aware I'm in a bitching mood this morning. Having heard from someone down in Arizona about the many homeless living in tents and so hungry, possibly starving...

coupled with reading about the Obamas doing their multi-million $$ vacationing in Hawaii - $4 million, to be exact; and Michelle flying down (before her husband's business in Washington got wrapped up) to the tune of $100,000 extra - I believe most of us has reason to bitch.

Seems we are getting our nose ~~rubbed~~ scrubbed into it just a tad too much!

Excuse me a minute while I dip these weevils out of my breakfast oats! Literally, lads and ladies!

What I'm reading and learning about the situations that abound worldwide AND the 'closer to home experiences' myself is enough to cripple one's mind, to say the least.

Yet, the beat goes on and new ones entering the scene promise us Good Change if only we will put an X by their name in an upcoming election. Yeah, yeah, I hear you, fellows and gals; ye all out here practically promising us "roses blooming in the snow".

What a crock and a mess has been created by all those who rule the roost and feather their nests.

2011-12-24T22:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays, Everyone

May the true meaning of Christmas enter into your spirit.

Experience Can Be a Heartless Teacher

2011-12-11T05:50:00.001-05:00

19 degrees! Freezing my butt off. Taped windows not working! Outer storm windows covered with a layer of ice. Winter hasn't officially arrived! Reckon this is a year to dig deeper and be raising the outside surrounding space with my escaping heat.
Think I'll crawl back under the covers now.

Crawling is the key word. The dogs woke me hours ago, thundering to get outside. What animal was it out there able to handle such bitter cold? I pity it. Bless its tiny frosty feet and its hunger so late in the night.

As My World Turns

2011-12-08T12:09:00.001-05:00

Here I am today feeling pretty good. Got that orange monster in the pot last night, cooked and ready this morning. Used a potato masher, then the electric mixer to break up any lumps. Got it in jars now, 10 pints. I'm sure a canning book would call for some minutes in a boiling bath but that isn't the way I did it.

Last summer I canned lots of Squash Relish and put it in the oven to seal the lids - so far it is fine. So this is the method I'm using for the pumpkin. Oven 225 deg. It sure looks good, a most beautiful deep orange color. PIEs for the future...and cookies and muffins .... and cupcakes and.....

You may wonder after my rant yesterday about the size of that sucker why I wound up with so few jars. Well, I'll tell you. When I got down to the last third, I again had to take a break from the work; then it got late in the evening and I said "To heck with the rest". I was one tired, aching mess.

A friend called about that time and I got to moan and groan to him. He has a neighbor with a huge pig that will love it, I'm told.

End of guilt! Actually when the phone rang, I was about to collapse and in the process of cleaning up Dog Pee. Blasted heathens; they know how to go to the door and wait. Most of them don't bark to tell me "Open the door for me" though. They just stand at it and wait. Durn, seems my whole day is filled with seeing after and catering to DOGS - plural.

The friend mentioned above asked me WHY I got more dogs. The only explanation I had was short term memory loss! Forgetting what a responsibility a young dog entails. Well, I'm a sucker for a happy licking too and possibly I suffer with temperary Insanity. Whatever the reason, I AM saddled... 'til the end of my time, I guess...for how can you make a decision which "child" you are going ~~throw away~~ to let go.

Another third of the pumpkin I threw out to the night visitors, whoever they might be; skunk aromas occasionally I throw all edible scraps out and the next day the yard is usually bare of them. Of course this creates dog explosions in the middle of my nights. One would think with the noise level that a pack of bears were out there.

Today I will drive to town and deliver the goodies/pumpkin to Miss Piggy or Mr. Hog. He visited once while I was at my friend's, free as a bird he is. He'd followed his owner/Roger over to let him know it was dinnertime and grunted his disapproval of being neglected, I guess.

That time I'd Lucy, the Yorkie with me. Talking about high soprano yaps and squeals upon seeing this 'unknown' creature', Lucy let loose. I get such a kick often with this tiny dog. She "rules the roost" among the other 4-Paws residing here.

Zoey, the poodle, gives her a disdainful eyeballing quite often though. Zoey is an adult and doesn't like ~~children~~ pups anymore. I rescued her from a "stupid breeder". Stupid as in an over-greedy breeder!

Well, my day is passing quickly and I must go make some cupcakes for Tim, my grandson. Today he turned 32. It is hard to believe.

Oh, I got snow here last night which turned to ice and my porch is slick and/or crunchy. Hope the sun does its duty soon. Down to 25 bitter last night but I stayed warm and snug through it all.

"Peter, Peter the Pumpkin Eater,

2011-12-07T11:49:00.001-05:00

had a wife and couldn't keep her". Well, good heavens, I don't blame her the least bit. If I were she, I would have divorced him! That is not how the nursery rhyme goes but exactly the way I am feeling today.

I'm ~~trying~~ struggling with a pumpkin. Way back before Halloween, I was thinking of pumpkins. Me and my bright ideas! Canned pumpkin, dehydrated pumpkin, yellow vegetable, pumpkin pie! I love pumpkin pie; my favorite of all pies! Just writing this, I'm starting to crave for one.

Oh yeah and Jack O Lanterns before fixing them to eat. You know that adage "killing two birds with one stone"?

So, off I went to buy pumpkins. Deciding to buy two, work them up and buy more afterward. Saved myself a trip all the way to the grocery store as I passed a truck by the side of the road, not five miles from my house. How lucky can I get, I reasoned.

The Pumpkin Seller loaded them for me. A couple of weeks passed. I decided to tackle the smallest, get it to the back porch. It wasn't too hard a job, weighing maybe fifteen pounds or so.

The eye surgeon had warned me to lift no more than that. No problem, Doc, I told him. I can't even lift that much on a good day. Good, he said.

My eyes sort of protruded as I toted it. Who would ever thought one's eyes are affected carrying a heavy load of 'whatever'. They are, believe you me! Cataract or no cataract; doesn't matter; both eyes were popping forward.

Didn't have much worry halving that big orange bugger. Sliced thin pieces and loaded the 9 shelf dehydrator, while having visions of pumpkins pies galore when the snow is blowing. Tired and satisfied, I left the other half for tomorrow; headed off for a nap, being totally worn out.

Tomorrow came and went and another day passed the same way. Soon I looked over and saw mold on that bugger but felt it was no problem to cut away. More time passed until I had to toss it on the compost pile. I mourn my wastefulness. Yet I also ~~mourn~~ moan with my pain.

Meantime, between then and now, I really struggled getting the other one unloaded from the car. Made it ten steps and set it by the front steps and stumbled inside...for another recuperative nap.

Arm being almost useless by now, that big bugger was left by the steps for a few weeks. Weather not being too bad, I figured it was okay. They lay in the fields for a long time, I again reasoned.
Frost got it a few nights. No problem, I thought as I thumped its side - nice hard hollow echo.

Well, I finally ~~carried~~ wrestled it inside and plunked it on the floor, just inside the front door. Couldn't get it any further as it was too heavy. Letting it set there for a couple of days, I soon saw white 'fur' and knew the job had to be tackled.

Oh, such a beauty it was, warts and all. In fact, the warts covering it was my attraction to buy it. Long, 20" and 12" diameter, 30 pounds heavy, I knew it would make a handsome Jack O Lantern, with just a few simple cuts, here and there.

Good thing I let that idea pass by, for yesterday I struggled mightily to halve it. You just wouldn't believe! No working camera lately or I'd have shown you proof of my labors.

Using a serrated huge knife didn't faze it. Another knife was even less helpful. I need a hammer!

It's raining cats and dogs and the hammer is out in the storage building. Now what? Prowling around I found my huge channel locks and proceeded to pound the knife into that orange monster.

When I finished cutting it in half my back was throbbing; couldn't stand upright; even my chest was hurting. It took a full hour of hacking and beating to split it in half; then I was barely able to creep off to bed. Splitting firewood was easier than this endeavor! a whole truckload of splitting!

My good knife is knicked badly from tip to handle from whamming it with the channel locks.

Now I'm taking a break from pumpkin preparation. Today I've accomplished 1/4 of one half, getting small chunks cut up. 1/4 of 1/2 = 1/8 of the Whole!

Whether I'll dry it, cook it or what, I haven't decided. Whatever I do with it, I have much hard work ahead.

Too bad the peel had to be hacked an inch at a time. I seriously was thinking it would make some good weather-resistant siding on a shed!

By the way, one of those inch-sized pieces flipped up, hit my lightbulb...

Bye, bye lightbulb!

First thing I'd ask a potential suitor is: "Do you like Pumpkin?" . . . and run like hell if the answer is "Yes, oh yes I do".

Poor Peter's wife. I bet she probably died of exhaustion, trying to keep that fool filled and happy.

I saved some of the seeds for next years growing season. But changed my mind; I think I'll make a necklace with them! :)

Visiting Nursing Home

2011-12-01T09:59:00.001-05:00

Bbbrrrr. Looks like snow but not, just a powerful frost out there.

I'm baking Carrot Cupcakes for Kathy. She lives in a nursing home. Today is bingo day. She invited me but the distance is too far to arrive in time, so I won't arrive until early afternoon. Have to shop for a birthday gift to take her. Last Friday she and her twin brother arrived at age 61.

My intentions are good but I'm always running late these days.

Speaking of late: !!! The cupcakes burned !!! Those in the Wilton non-stick pan. So instead of a dozen for Kathy to share with others, she will only get a half-dozen. Maybe she will still share some of them.

I think I may as well throw that expensive pan in the garbage. Some things are too highly promoted, like non-stick pans. On the other hand, maybe it's the baker? Could be; probably is. Certainly is; when will I learn I can't do several things at once?

POST VISIT UPDATE

I AM KILLED! and heading to bed before sunset. My trip today totally sapped me and I'm not worth a "plug nickel". Looks like my days are going fast. What next? Probably a search for an available room at some nursing home....but surely not. That place was a madhouse today! The tile floors helped my spine get out of whack; seriously didn't think I'd make it home. Poor Kathy deflated quick as a pricked balloon, wanting me to stay longer. What a dilemma. Cheer i o until I become semiconscious tomorrow.

Still Among the Living

2011-11-30T21:43:00.001-05:00

Lately it seems I'm distracted so much, what with one thing or another. Also since the weather has changed, I'm closed up and stuck most of the time in the house. Can't handle being chilled, although I got a good dose of it this morning. The bitter wind yesterday whipped my mailbox off its post; I seem to be missing some fairly important mail too; probably blown all the way down into the water. I had to get some bungee cords to secure it back in place early today. Thought I would collapse trying to tug the ends together. Still not the best solution but it will suffice until my arms/hands decide to work again. Attaching it properly will require the use of a hammer, a screwdriver and that is an impossibility presently.

It has been months I've coped with this problem, whatever the problem is. Getting dressed is a hard ordeal and now with cold weather here more layers are required, so you will find me sitting a lot near the heater. The furnace just doesn't do such a good job.

The dogs don't like the cold either and make their pit stops quick and brief, scrambling over each other to get back inside. They sleep a lot; a problem there too as they vie with each other to lie as close to my feet as possible as I sit and read or sit and whatever. Charly feels he owns me and my feet, so he does a lot of deep rumbling. A fight quite often erupts between them. I guess they are a bit stressed, being unable to get out and work their energy off. Me too.

Several really nasty days lately. Rain, then sleet, then snow all day Tuesday. The wind is quite brisk. Finally all that quit late this afternoon and the sun peeked out for a bit. Tomorrow it is supposed to be about 50 - a heat wave. Yay! I hope the sun shines; I surely do.

Doing a lot of reading lately. Three books finished by Barbara Kingsolver. A very good writer. Finally located "Poisonwood Bible" recommended by a blogger friend - will receive it tomorrow after daughter finishes work and brings it to me. Quite nice at times to have library curb service, so to speak. I intend to read all of Kingsolver's books in time. They aren't in the least "junk" reading and often based on her life's experiences.

So I reckon I'm hunkered down here for the next few months. No one calls; no visitors to knock at the door, so it is quite silent (dog barks don't count) and very lonely.

I did get a reprieve from this last Saturday going out to lunch with my cousins from Alabama. Very good to be with them for a couple of hours. The trip to town surely exhausted me though and required going to bed quickly on returning home.

In three weeks the cataract on my right eye will be removed. There has been some pain and other problems with the left eye, which wasn't expected, what with all the good reports from others who had this procedure done. I had NO peripheal vision for a short period a week or so after the cataract was removed, yet the doctor said it was healing well, not seeming concerned about anything I reported experiencing. So that was helpful.

Hope the weather is favorable the 22nd and 23rd, going to surgery and post-op very early the next morning. It is a long trip to make and I'm unsteady on my feet, a dreadful fear of slipping and falling. A bone broken would cause drastic change in lifestyle; I fear it would be the loss of my companions. Then what?

2011-11-29T13:04:00.000-05:00

"The voice of wisdom is silent, except to the open mind."
~ Summum

2011-11-25T06:29:00.002-05:00

Having come to the conclusion I have about as much self-control at the Thanksgiving table as a male rabbit among a hutch of lovely female bunnies, I sit here in full misery! This isn't quite a proper example to compare my voracious eating yesterday with, yet on the other hand the enthusiasm was comparably high as a daddy rabbit's would be.

It was a delicious meal I had with my family yesterday and again this morning - they sent me home with a "plate" for later, along with a fat turkey leg for my critters. Nothing excites the critters like real food; "real food" being "people food". They hate that unappetizing pellet food that comes from a bag and sold as 'good and nutritious' for your pet.

It probably is better to feed dogs the kibble for the sake of their health but I've decided a happy dog is the one that gets to share my cuisine daily...almost.

And holiday meals only come once a year and THAT IS GOOD...

Good because if I ate this fare too often I would look more a blob than I already do. I'm already putting on the pounds this fall from eating those Nutty Bars. I think I'm having 'sugar' problems, else I wouldn't be craving sweets so much.

Well, back to yesterday's FEAST...

I'd already before leaving home decided to eat "lightly" so I wouldn't be miserable afterwards. Didn't happen! Although I used a shallow spoon to dip a serving of each offering, I wound up barely able to carry myself home and crash in bed for a couple of hours. Turkey eating always causes me to need sleep afterward...a better remedy than sominex, I tell you! Some component of turkey causes sleepiness. Trytophan, serotonin, I believe...yet the EXPERTS say no to that. Frankly, I don't believe all experts. I go by my own experiences, AND turkey certainly does make me sleepy. I ought to know, after having had some sixty-five naps after gorging on it. Then on the other hand, maybe it is the combination of the traditional foods I have at this particular meal...who knows? All I know is that IT IS SO GOOD! This is my 'this moment' conclusion

Let's talk about the turkey. Over my lifetime, I knew of no food I liked better than turkey but for the last few years, I came to realize I didn't like it as well as I thought I did. No matter what I did in preparing the bird, it still always was dry and sort of tasteless. Same result from others' preparing turkey. The smell of it cooking was the best part of the deal.

My daughter got the tip from a tv program this year: soak that bird in saltwater. She did. I want you to know that now I think I could eat turkey daily for the remainder of my life. That meat was the most tender and moist I've ever encountered in all my days! She used one cup of salt in enough water to cover the bird. How long she let it soak, I forgot to inquire about. I'll find out later. She also told me how her husband's aunt always does this for chicken - soaking it in saltwater - an let me assure you that Ruby is one heck of a great cook, so she must have quite a few secrets up her sleeve, so to speak.

I still can't get over the taste of that big bird of yesterday. I think I'll go nibble a bit more from my takehomeplate just setting in there waiting to entice me a second time this morning. Too bad I ate the last of the cranberry sauce though, for that is the really best part of my turkey-day eating expedition.

If I'm going to be a blob, I may as well do it up right while the means is available...I'll go on a fast in time, hopefully. Folks, I haven't been this miserable in many a moon. Thank goodness, Thanksgiving dinner only comes once a year...in my case anyway.

Cousin Joan is in town; called inviting me out to lunch Saturday. I think I'll just have a glass of tea while we enjoy each other's company for the afternoon.

Hope all of you got to spend time with your loved ones. That is so important for one's happiness in life.

Update on Oba Chandler, Murderer

2011-11-15T22:37:00.000-05:00

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1201683.ece

Oba Chandler died today at 4:25pm by letal injection. Some of the story of why he died is to be found in the link above. The man caused untold lasting misery for others. Read the account for yourself and you will understand.

I feel no compassion, no sorrow for his demise.

Waking In The Middle of the Night Blurs

2011-11-01T07:08:00.001-04:00

Sitting here, I look and see the clock on the monitor - 5:37am. I'm tired and about to nod off, so soon I will lie back down. I hate waking up in the middle of the night and thought that this routine had abated a couple of weeks ago.

Nights of 6 hours or so of sleep were so good; the days lacked that dragging feeling I live with so much. Whoops, spoke too soon and woke at 1:15am this day.

No remedy for it; pain constantly: arm, shoulder, legs, HIPS, feet and Lucy...yeah, what's your problem, little gal? She yipped for hours until I finally became fully conscious hearing the yips, long insistent yiiippppsss. She was lost and lonely down there in the dark. Turning the light on, she saw me and quit yipping. I think she was yipping because I was tossing and moaning aloud. Anyway, the night chaotic noise ceased.

Also she is in estrus. The little tramp. What else should I call her ? as she leaps astraddle Choco? She lies astride his back like a blanket draped across him. Safety lies with him though; he's long ago "Fixed" but is loving the attention she shows him.

The real worry will come soon, with Charly. Compared to Lucy, Charly is big, weighing 10X more, so too big to manuever, if you get my drift BUT still I have to be alert to his attempts; you never know; where there is a will there is a way, they say.

Thus the dog carrier waits in readiness to pen her up those critical days coming. Charly owns the carrier! He arrived here in HIS carrier and he hasn't forgotten it in the least. So when I brought it inside the other night, you could tell instantly he had not forgotten HIS 'safenest' (he always slept there when he was young).

He eyeballed it for a few minutes. Then he disappeared. Some time passed and I forgot him. Calling, and calling some more, I looked outdoors (hawks ... you just never know) but no dog there. Sitting back down I wondered aloud, "where did Charly go" - He likes his hideyholes - out popped his head from the carrier. He just looked at me, probably wondering what the old woman wanted NOW, backed in and laid down for a bit. I rested at ease, knowing he was safe for the moment.

The little urchin is digging another hole at the base of the trailer...looking forward to his next successful escape. My son came up a few weeks ago FOR THE SECOND TIME and dug out dirt and replaced the skirting back into its track.

If you can recall, this escape drill of his almost ended in tragedy last winter when he got covered in the snowballs and iceballs. Poor frantic little fellow he was that day. Picture of him somewhere back in the blog. Faulty memory, lack of sleep and just pure weariness makes me forget the exact time of his almost demise.

So it is imperative to keep an eye on him, to see that he doesn't get out and near the highway. Not that I know if he goes there or not but I don't want taking any chances. Last escape he made he had made it to the creek, apparently his favorite place. He was sitting outside the fence, soaked and waiting for rescue. I did...one more time; dripping water and all.

Now Zoey, she's no trouble at all. I reckon. Keep the niblets coming and she stays right underfoot, following my every trip toward the kitchen. We all shared a couple of cheese sandwiches at 2AM. My belly tells me its about mealtime again. Ready, Zoey? There she lies in that too-small basket I found for Lucy to sleep in. Yet she looks comfortable and content although 75% of her is draped over the side of it; the basket is an oversize Bread basket, I do believe. Whatever turns you on, my pals; go for it.

Choco has returned for the season back to the bedroom. For months, I could not entice him to enter the doorway and he spent the whole time lying at the front door. Now he's back, and trying to chew a few more holes in the carpet in here. He has taken up residence on a plastic bag of stored seasonal clothes, which means another turn in the washer, soon as he riddles the bag with holes. Long as he is comfortable, I don't care.

Three years old he was when I got him; I was told. I believe not, for his muzzle is going white really fast. I think he would look right with a pipe or a cigar in the corner of his mouth, I tell him. He looks at me questioningly, not computing my try at joking with him. :)

Everyone is settled and silently sleeping now, so that is my goal for the moment also. I regret not being able to watch the sunrise today though. Its 7am. I am moving zombielike.

These dogs are wearing me out.

Is this not beautiful?

2011-10-29T22:45:00.000-04:00

An artist may envy nature.

One View of the Universe from NASA

2011-10-29T11:31:00.000-04:00

This morning I've learned a hard lesson:

Don't use the mind when it is half asleep.

Looking at Blog List, I realized that probably no one was interested in health statistics way down there in Australia - so delete that blog. I did. It didn't work. Tried again and again. Fourth try didn't work. I'm doing something wrong. Last try to remove this blog, instead of hitting "Save", I hit the "Remove"; it worked! Yeah, it worked alright: removed my complete Blog List. Now, just how in the world do I recover it? Certain it will take awhile, I must wait until I'm fully awake. Rats! Sure hope "memory loss" won't be turned on when I try "recall". In case it is, maybe my favorite bloggers will clue me in so I can get you back up here on my list? Hope, hope.

Past/Last Post

So I hope you who read the post reconsider any thoughts that I'm a hard-hearted Hannah. I'm not. It is very grieving to think about all the many who have been executed who were innocent of the crime.

All this week I have wondered about how I should have worded it. A few readers may have the notion that I am all for capital punishment. Far from it! Normally. Yet when I read the complete story of Oba, got all of the background (which I didn't post but left a clue/link for readers to persue) I began to understand why there IS capital punishment. Sometime in the past he had enticed another young Canadian woman, who was vacationing in Florida, onto his boat, perturbed that her girlfriend didn't come along with her. As a result, her life was spared; she was only raped, not murdered. You see, her life was spared because the friend , a potential witness, stayed behind, not once but twice.

This criminal case was investigated for several years before it was brought to arrest and trial. It was perceived by many that Oba is a serial killer, a danger for any innocent, trusting person who might encounter him.

He was given the death sentence because of what he did. He has lived these long years using appeal after appeal because it was the judge who gave the sentence and not the jury's recommendation, which he believed they were supposed to do. Apparently the man has no remorse whatsoever for his killing of innocent people, but only concern of having his sentence overturned, throughout the past 22 years. The three watched as each in turn was tied, taped, stripped, raped and thrown alive into Tampa Bay with a cinder block attached to a rope.

To know all the facts of this particular crime, one must read
all the information but I now cannot find the story. It is archived in the St. Petersburg paper.

Yes, I am against capital punishment. Strongly... because of Innocents caged in prisons; because of Innocents being put to death then later found to have been innocent of a crime; because I feel no one has the right to cause another's death. The term "Capital Punishment" has always horrified me and brought such feeling of failure and sadness when I hear of an execution by the State

It is also a grief thinking of the many victims of crimes, the very many who still live the horrible painful loss of loved ones who died at the hands of a killer; grief over the legal system we have. I have no answers to fix the problems.

No Jury Duty Wanted

Because of this, I will forever refuse to serve on a jury again. Twice I served on Federal jury duty. I assume because both times it was a "hung jury" is the reason I was never called for duty again since back in the '70s. Good! I don't want to be in the position deciding on another's fate. Based on how effective one lawyer is against another, one may walk or may be condemned to prison. We live with a often faulty system.

We sometimes experience faulty personal judgements; thus I have learned...

Stay Below the Wire

I tend to shy away from any situation involving 'people' encounters that smack of trouble. Experience is such a great teacher!

Do You Hear What I Hear? Can You See What I See?

2011-10-22T07:53:00.029-04:00

Some of the words in the title comprise a line of a Christmas carol.

I hear the music of it in my head but I'm uncertain which carol; is it "The Little Drummer Boy"? Maybe so.

I can say without the least hesitation, that when I have listened to it in the coming celebratory season, I can become quite emotional.

Civil War drummer boy

I do not understand words but only hear the music of a song, any song. With this carol, I focus on the drumming, which brings to mind graveside drumming.

I hear the drumbeat of this particular music and for some odd reason, I choke up and soon my tears begin. Do you hear what I hear? Do you sort of tear up during the holiday season of Christmas? I often do. Many people experience sadness at this time, the opposite of what most feel. Of course, there is a memory of something in the past to arouse such an emotion...usually a grave loss in their life.

Yesterday I teared up when seeing the confusion and ill conceived displays in one of those "dollar" (DG) stores. Christmas decorations! I stopped mid-aisle and it took me some moments to realize it is still October! Halloween hasn't come and gone...and Thanksgiving, here in America is still several weeks far off and then...another several weeks before Christmas.

Needless to say, I was so confused there for a moment ... and wonder why the pushing rush ... no 'wonder' there, for truly it is money! The merchants are out to snare the gullible! I don't need nor want any of their "Gaudies". No good drumbeat there.

Some rhythms from a drum bring to me a picture of doom and gloom, solemnity, for a serious situation. Happy or sad can each be serious also.

The first line of the post title is a remark from a citizen, made and accompanied by his words 'Execute, Execute" in regard to the issue of a current situation occurring in Florida today.

Unrepentant bastard!

65 yr. old Oba Chandler is trying to work the legal system so he can stick around awhile longer. He sits on death row in Union County, Florida and is scheduled to die by lethal injection Novemer 15th.

He is a murderer of three women. He has been supported financially by the taxpayers/state of Florida for many years. The man was proven guilty, so I ask: Why does a condemned person continue to live after proof of their crime is solid as concrete?

As far as I'm concerned this one is solid enough. Get on with it!

Two days ago, I began to read the account of this crime, "Angels and Demons" written by a seasoned journalist, published in segments in the St. Petersburg newspaper, copyright 1999. I read the last lines of this true tale just moments before leaving home yesterday, walking away from it all.

It was horror, a crime that occurred twenty two years ago. May/June of '89. The harm Oba's crime inflicted on so many can never be forgotten. Sadness still throbs in the hearts of all the survivors. For me, it was good to escape out into the sunshine for most of my day.

Finishing the long account of this crime, I assumed Oba Chandler was long dead and gone. Not so! Curious to know the outcome, I searched his name and can say I was stunned to find recent material about him. His date with destiny is in the limelight still; what a coincidence I should stumble onto all this over a two day period, finding it near time that he will be executed. I find this quite amazing - the coincidence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oba_Chandler

I too am amazed at the length of years this criminal has been allowed to continue to live. There should be a time limit to legal counteraction regarding murder. It would counteract the expense for taxpayers.

I don't normally read horror tales for they make me nervous, fearful; so it was with this tale about Jo, Michelle and Christe from a rural area of dairy farming in Ohio near the border of Indiana. This is a reason I brush off reading current events most of the time. Yet daily I'm faced with the decision of reading or not, for much agony is occurring and relayed to us by the media, splattered by the headlines, thus disturbing our psyche.

I was relieved to finish the story of the mother and two daughters from Ohio who met their death while vacationing in Florida. Most certainly I will continue to keep up with the time; and see what happens from now until the middle of November, in regard to Chandler and our judicial/legal system. According to the latest update, a decision will be made come Monday. Chandler is evil, deeply evil.

I can well imagine Hal Rogers, the husband and father of these women still living to the beat of his own drum for it still pulses within his heart and will continue to do so for the remainder of his existence.

The picture of a dairy farm I found on the web and probably is similar to the Rogers dairy.

I too continue existing with the beat of my own drum and often it's cadence is deep and solemn.

Oh, to hear the trills of joyful birds in flight. There is only silence which grows deeper, more profound.

One consolation is the fact I can see again. The second cataract removal and recovery will find me wishing to jump with joy for the ability to see with new eyes. It is a true Gift I have received in recent days. I am now able to read well without the aid of eyeglasses. I am ecstatic!

Keeping Busy

2011-10-11T19:51:00.271-04:00

"Babysitting my spam filter has made me go google."

By the way, how do you like the scene in the picture. Isn't it beautiful? It is about 30 miles from me; about halfway down the mountain heading to Damascus, Virginia. As you stand by the stream, the temperature is so cool, so very cool in the summertime. There had been much rain just before, so the water is very busy, whereas it normally flows without much action. Haven't been over there in several years. I'd like. But gas prices and health tend to hinder.

Damascus holds Trail Days each year. All the hikers from the AT gather there for a weekend of activities and fun. I'd wish to attend sometime. There are those darned achy, weak legs and hips, though, to consider. Let's just face it - I'm getting really old and don't like it one little bit! I used to be so strong and active and I miss those good days, never dreaming they would end. So listen well and use your good days to advantage while you can. There comes a time...

Speaking of health, Thursday 9:15, the cataract on my left eye will be lasered away! I "heard and understand" it is very simple with no after problems !!! and only need glasses for reading afterward. This is going to be wonderful, although I spend so very many hours daily reading, either online or my nose poking into a book. Recently I met a man downroad who had just gotten his second cataract removed and he was just amazed and delighted that first time outside at the brilliance of sight. He just kept on and on speaking of it.   And so I am really looking forward to this new experience for myself.

Today I could actually see the cataracts; how the upper edge of the iris is clouded. I'd never before thought to look closely or examine them/my eyes.  In fact, it came as a shock learning I had to have surgery right away.  Maybe this is the reason I have so may headaches, not to discount the vertebrae of my neck. Heck, people, I'm in rotten condition!

Poor Katie, Anna's Schnauzer, had cataracts, very badly. Often she would bump into something when not paying attention, sometimes being knocked off her feet. Yet having no sight did not diminish her enthusiasm for life. I miss the little girl.   She was always hungry, it appeared and would always beg for her share from whoever was eating. We had many a laugh at her irritated insistence for a bite off someone's plate. Laid back and a loving home for her pets is my daughter and family's lifestyle. That's the only way to treat our dear pets.

Mine rule the roost, I do believe. Three of them lie tonight worn and weary after their insistence to stay outside; then the rain began. Soaked to the skin and shivering they were and the necessity for toweling down. One at my feet stinks; after having a nice bath just yesterday TOO! I wonder what she must have got into out there to be smelling this way. Shoo...ie!

I continually have (as I imagine all who like to read) a book going. If you have read some of my past posts,  You know I read...you just didn't know how much I read. No wonder my hips and legs hurt; not getting any exercise to speak of.  But that's beside the point.

I'm in the stage of not using the library the last couple of weeks. Turned my last books in at the outside drop and didn't check any new ones out. Realizing the hundreds of books here, in the house and in four places in the buildings, boggles my brain. My plan for awhile is to delve into them; so many of them unread too. So I have plenty of material to keep me through the winter.

The books out in the "Old Store Bldg" are those from my bookcases in the home I lived when married. They are all read...ah, that's the reason I kept them. All hardbacks of course. I love them.   Many I've read twice, some more. I once belonged to a book club too. Wouldn't do that again for anything.

They aren't just a collection of stories and knowledge but a REAL part of my life. Books can be like that as much as any other part of one's life. Some date back to when I was a teenager. I may even have a Nancy Drew bought from a yard sell sometime. I gorged on those stories from age ten on. I used to love mystery stories. Haven't read one now in forty or more years. Can't take danger and suspense stories anymore. I've always climbed right into a tale and become one with the scene - heart afluttering, eyes growing big and bigger. Some people don't do this when reading. I can't imagine being unable to do this. I'm certain though my heart would be healthier if I didn't become so involved in a story. Pit, pit, pit... pattering.

A Part of Me
I didn't become acquainted with a library until the age of ten. I will never forget the feeling of awe seeing all these very tall bookshelves, EVERYWHERE, in every direction, and the smell of them, thousands of them. I started school at St. Mary's Catholic School in town that year. Sr. Mary Sebastian (the quintessence of love, a saint) took all the higher grades to visit the library. Probably many of the kids already were acquainted with it but not I.
There have been many periods that I never used the library but I do have my collections of books.

My interests are many and varied; problem is, there is not enough time to read and study all these interests.   I would need a few hundred years! It was the thrill of finding a new interest that caught me at the moment and caused me to buy a book about a new subject or hobby.  Learning about rocks and gemstones is interesting and fun. I have a tumbler but haven't used it in a couple of years. One day I will get back to it.

Last night as I tried to sleep, the thought came to me of wanting to learn to knit. I'm sure there is a book around somewhere on the property that will teach me to knit. I worry that my hands are useless for such an endeavor though. So that would be one book I could do without and sell...for pennies.

How it irks me to think of disposing of books for cents, not one percentage of what I invested for them. I would think any buyer would feel this way but apparently not, for books resell for almost nothing. That is one reason I have so many.

Often free books can be found...I got several Reader's Condensed Books, fiction and non-fiction, and a few damaged books, free recently at the annual book sale here, held for the benefit of our local library.  I vowed to myself I would not acquire another book as long as I lived after last year's sale. So what did I do? I completely forgot that vow and came home with three bagsful. I will whittle them down this winter though and will take them to a charitable agency to give away to other folks. Sadly though, I don't think there are many readers in our society as there should be. Sure, the employees at our local library are so very busy today; still I meet people who emphatically will tell me they "don't read". I just can't imagine. Well, I probably couldn't go to sleep without reading a bit beforehand. That's is the only time daily that easy reading comes about. No study or anything that takes full concentration.

One book I bought at the sale is "Woody and Mia". Quite a tale. I'd forgotten the media splash about this situation with Woody Allen and Mia Farrow. She adopted quite a few children over the years, all of them from other countries/cultures. She is a loving mother. Twelve children she has! This type of book I'd rather not read at night BUT it is the one I picked. Patience is not much of a virtue for me to come to the end of a book. I want to be finished with it when the information becomes tedious, long and drawn out.

One of the Readers Digest books (fiction) is best for sleep inducing, yet those particular books are bulky and requires attention to keep upright, so I can't relax completely when lying on a pillow. I know, I know; told many times NEVER to read lying down, yet this is my main position for doing so.

Well, it is late and I'm sleepy and time to drop a drop of that $1,000,000,000.00 a gallon Vigamox onto my eyeball. It is an antibiotic; used in case there is infection. I don't think I have one. I rarely use eyedrops and always mess up putting them in. Well, today I learned REAL FAST how to be proficient dropping drops and haven't missed the mark, so far. Proficiency learned from cost, I guess I could say. After the fourth dose, I realized maybe I was supposed to shake well before using them. Shake the bottle, not ME shaking well.

Awed

2011-09-30T05:48:00.000-04:00

This makes me pucker up and whisper, "Wow".

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110929.html

CoyotePrime over at "RunningCauseICan'tFly" posted this and I wanted to share the beauty with you. CP gives us views of the heavens often. You may wish to check out his blog. It makes me put on my thinking cap!

Time Changes and Ages

2011-09-27T07:58:00.000-04:00

Where this month has gotten to I don't know but it has been a pleasant time, with those searing 90s finally taking a backseat for a few months, some nice breeze blowing in almost daily. No rain to speak of for months as most everyone has experienced, so here there will be no color change with the trees. From green to brown and falling. I read how the weather has affected Vermont's leaf colors this year; loss of tourists will sure put a damper on their economy.

One tree down by the creekside turned all brown almost two months ago and I can't decide if it has died or not. I certainly hope this is not the situation for I've already lost a few over the years. The huge maple down in back started dying off a half dozen years ago, losing a limb here, a limb there. Bugs and woodpeckers savaged it and today gray trunks stand in stark contrast to the green trees round about it. Also a couple huge limbs fell from the two large weeping willows this past spring and now lie waiting for a cleanup. That job is beyond my ability now, money is tight and no help is forthcoming, so I imagine they will lie there until they decay and hope I am able later on to remove some of it at least.  They have hindered the mowing this whole season and it looks pretty ratty back there.

In fact, everything here looks pretty ratty. I'm still overwhelmed and more so as time passes.   Both my arms are practically useless now for several months. Must be old arthur settling in permanently. That is what the verdict is from a few; then others diagnose it as my being lazy.   Funny thing; my mind is still very energetic and especially so when I'm trying to get some rest and pain relief.

I saw the eye doctor last week, planning to get new bifocals. The verdict: no new eyeglasses until the cataracts are removed.  So the plan is to get that done the middle of next month. I don't relish the ordeal although everyone says it's nothing to be concerned about.   Hey, getting attached to an IV is not "nothing" for me.  Being probed on my bony hands is definitely a "SOMETHING" I fear. Needles I fear! Missing the vein and my hand blowing up like its a balloon in moments, I fear. Now you see where I'm coming from? Maybe it will all go smoothly this time and I'll have very good vision again. That will be nice for I've decided I'm tired wearing these spectacles perched on my nose all the time. If only the doctor could do both eyes the same day! The waiting probably is worse than the actual procedure. Having to call on someone to deliver me there and back is aggravating also. Who can afford to miss work these days?

Tommy - Another Birthday Anniversary

2011-09-04T09:27:00.002-04:00

Here I sit at 4:11 am on September 4th, 2011 thinking back to another year 1964 on this date. I doubt I was awake but who knows as I can't remember that tiny detail. Most likely I was completely passed out from exhaustion. Almost two hours before I'd delivered my third child, a son. Tommy came into this world at 2:20 am September 4th. I was awakened by strong labor pain around 1 am, jerked from a sleep that must have been deep, for the young seem to rest well. I was 23 with the vigor of youth in 1964. This morning I cannot recall that vigor. Tommy is forty-seven this day. I am old. I feel ancient. The years go by much too quickly. I'd like to go back being 23 again.

Finished setting up camera to the computer

This first picture was taken in January 2004 with the camera the children gave me for Christmas the week before. I was lost asea with electronics, had no idea what "digital" meant and had called on him to 'fix' it so I could see my first pictures on the computer monitor. He did with simple ease. Today I have taken literally thousands of shots with it. A Kodak.

Jasper, the "Rescued" dog, checks out the new baby horse

In this shot, Tommy stands holding the newest miniature horse owned by his father in law, Bob, who breeds and raises them to sell. Bob is a Furrier and Saddlemaker, living over in Pennington Gap, Va. Tommy is in love here, totally enchanted with this new arrival. You can see the smile on his face. (click the picture for details with this so-small horse) He is very attached when it comes to all animals, taking great delight and pleasure with them, but especially so when they are young.

Tommy sitting at the table and talking to Teresa Lynn on the occasion of Anna's 44th birthday celebration. It is June 2004. Here Lynn has just finished her second daily dialysis procedure, now holding fresh fluid that keeps her kidneys functioning. Two more to go before bedtime.

The following year, the door you see in back is no longer there. Allen and I removed it and pantry shelves were installed in this big space. 17 months later from this scene at the party table, Lynn was so very fortunate to receive a donated kidney AND a pancreas. This happened the week of her birthday, November 2005.

Here Tommy stands using a mixer, working all the lumps from the grout slurry. He had just finished laying a design of tile in front of the new French doors leading into the new den Allen and I built onto Anna and Terry's home. This day was very hot but as always, Tommy is gung-ho and rushing in his labors.

I hope to get him a cake baked today. He's not particular. I have purchased chocolate, yellow and angel food mixes. He can have his choice. I think I'll give/gift him a jar of Squash Relish to have with his next pot of pinto soup beans. That will make him grin, I believe. My relish recipe hits the "spot" on a cold winter's day.

Grin and bear it

2011-09-02T10:04:00.002-04:00

Grins always make life easier. For those of you that don't like jokes and laughs, would you rather I make you cry? None of that today; it's my blog so I'll laugh if I want to and share it with you. Sometimes we just have to grin and bear it.

Goat for Dinner

The young couple invited their elderly pastor for Sunday dinner.

While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having.

"Goat," the very little boy replied.

"Goat?" replied the startled 'man of the cloth,' "Are you sure about that?"

"Yes I am" said the youngster, just as his parents walked in to overhear him.

"I heard Daddy say to Mommee...this morning."

"Today is just as good as any day

to have 'the old goat' here for dinner."

Understanding Engineer Minds #1

Two engineering students were biking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?"

The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want."

The first engineer nodded approvingly....

and said, "Good choice:

The clothes probably wouldn't have fit you anyway."

No Less Than Human

2011-08-31T12:16:00.005-04:00

Awhile back I received an email from a friend with the words and pictures you see below. I wish to share this with all of you.

This morning I was in a sad mood. It is at moments such as this that my mind perceives more than just my conscious self is seeing.

The pictures show a couple of friends in different poses.

Yet, as I stopped and looked at each one for a time, only then did I realize just how much love is coming from each of these "creatures", but especially recognizable coming from the Orangutan.

I looked into his eyes and I began to cry for I saw the true passion of this beautiful creature for his friend and companion for life.

There can be no mistake that the love and companionship he feels is complete perfection.

Practically holy;

That unconditional kind of love.

Bless you , my Friend, for sharing this message. I felt compelled to share it.

Take a few moments and gaze on each. Look into the orangutan's eyes. I am amazed, overwhelmed.

I tear up again.

Maybe I'm too sensitive.

Please click and make the pictures larger to see more.

After losing his parents, this 3 year old orangutan was so depressed he wouldn't eat and didn't respond to any medical treatments. The veterinarians thought he would surely die from sadness.

The zoo keepers found an old sick dog on the grounds in the park at the zoo where the orangutan lived and took the dog to the animal treatment center. The dog arrived at the same time the orangutan was there being treated.

The 2 lost souls met and have been inseparable ever since. The orangutan found a new reason to live and each always tries his best to be a good companion to his new found friend. They are together 24 hours a day in all their activities.

They live in Northern California where swimming is their favorite past time,

although Roscoe (the orangutan) is a little afraid of the water and needs his friend's help to swim.

Together they have discovered the joy and laughter in life and the value of friendship.

They have found more than a friendly shoulder to lean on.

Long Live Friendship ... some say life is too short, others say it is too long, but I know that nothing that we do makes sense if we don't touch the hearts of others... while it lasts!

I do not know who took and posted these pictures online. I feel and hope it is okay to borrow them. My thanks to the photographer.

It's All For the Birds

2011-08-28T00:08:00.003-04:00

Feeding the birds has never been consistent with me. Either I couldn't afford the seed or else I didn't have birdfeeders. Oh, I bought cracked corn a couple of years and would scatter it in the yard, often just pitching handfuls from my doorway when it was so bitter cold. (Cardinals love the corn) Some landing on the porch was no problem. In fact that was nice, for then I could stand and peep out the small glass in the closed door. Birdwatching from a window itself while sitting in a rocking chair was never a choice but was what I wished for.

I attended an auction uproad a few years back. Came home with about a dozen finch feeders, the tube type. Dumb me! They lay outside over winter in the weather, needing a good scrub. Warm weather came; they got scrubbed and ready. Just waiting for my move. Then I didn't have the money for thistle seed. The feeders continued setting out on the ground right at the spot where I'd washed them. In time, the plastic disintegrated. What a loss. Dumb me! I'd never fed the wild canaries.

Long before finding these feeders I HAD bought a large bag of thistle seed but it set for a long time out in the block building. Never had extra money for a feeder - never realizing I could have put some on the ground as I did the cracked corn. When I moved from the house to the trailer I discovered part of the seed had ruined from moisture or bugs - something. Started to throw it out but wound up giving it to my neighbor, as she had finch feeders hanging about in her yard.

The main point I want to make is that I now have a feeder AND thistle seed AND beautiful wild canaries/finches. I hung it out back on July 4th and thinking "Now I'll have them to enjoy". A whole month passed and the first bird never came around.

Then one day I walked out the door and was so surprised to see a pair of them perched and eating. It took long enough for them to discover the feeder. I was thrilled for I've always been so taken with these tiny birds. They are here every day now. This morning I was surprised again for there were two more males sitting nearby on the fence. They didn't stick around long; got run off. This afternoon as I peeked out at the pair, I felt such satisfaction. Its like my place is more homey.

I miss having my caged birds inside. Their presence, when I look back, was very good for me. Time and health ended my having birds. When I had artery surgery January 2008, Anna took my last bird, a cockatiel and Bubba, to her house and placed him in the cage with the one she has. Months passed before I was able to do for myself. I told her I would bring him back home then, she said we could just leave him with her. I don't see him very often but when I do go in to the bird room, "Little Duck", hurries over to me at the front of the cage but no longer chitters to me. But he still whistles the Andy Griffith tune I taught him.

Little Duck liked perching on my head as I slept

I named him Little Duck for he was always bending his head down to be preened by a mate. That mate plucked his neck naked when breeding time came around. Today his neck is still featherless. There was no breeding either. The mate was also a male, a gem of solid yellow, except for his orange cheek patches. One day this mate dropped to the bottom of the cage - dead. For months LD didn't interact with Bubba, never gave him the least attention. He was badly traumatized when the other cockateil fell over dead.

A couple months passed and one day Bubba, a blue-crowned conure, was preening LD's head while he sat docile for the ministration. From that moment forward, at least a couple of years, they were best buddies; most of the time. Occasionally they would squabble.

I've written about Bubba and finding him nosed into a corner of the cage and dead. So Little Duck was alone again. He and Anna's bird just share the same cage. I don't think there is a friendship there but there is no squabbling either. LD is about fifteen now; hatched from an egg on the premises. Fifteen years is the life span for cockateils according to what I've read, so I don't know how long he will be around.

"My" Iced Tea. Bubba's Watermelon

Conures have a lifespan of 35 years. Bubba lived to age 22. I often wonder about his dying when he did. I definitely think his road trip to Tellico Plains the summer of 2008 caused damage for him, because he was never the same old Bubba after that; very subdued, not joyful nor talkative. I still feel guilt taking him on such a long journey and harming him somehow. Finding him dead hurt me a lot. I kept birds for 17 years and it was quite a lot of work. Today I would never consider having another caged bird; it is cruel treatment of them.

I will be putting seed and treats out for the wild birds though. No feeders for all the other ones that come about. I just spread the food all along the railing of the deck. The blue jays are pigs! I have to put seed out at least twice every day. Once I scattered seed on the glass tabletop; it set even closer to the backdoor and I could see them better. This practice didn't last long for when I went and washed the glass I discovered SCRATCHES over the whole top. Who would have thought that little chickadees and wrens claws could do this damage to glass! In time I can imagine the wooden railing showing much loss too but surely it will hold up until I no longer am around to enjoy their presence. And I sure do that. In time, maybe even the cardinals and bluejays will come around while I sit out there and have coffee. The tiny ones, wrens, whatever they are, are becoming more unafraid of my presence day by bay.

I think I'll check on the cost of some Scratch Feed next week. Birds love it. All seed has gotten outrageously high in the past year. But hasn't everything?

"Quiet! Can't you see I'm sleeping"

Mama said "Don't Talk to Strangers"

2011-08-22T07:23:00.002-04:00

I like to reminisce with people I don't know.
Steven Wright

Blogging is in this category. Wouldn't you agree?

Just Blathering As I Come Alive Today

2011-08-18T07:17:00.003-04:00

I've wandered in again as you can see. It's about time, I tell myself. When in a slumped funk, I have nothing that should be said aloud. Reckon I don't stick to my rules very well for I'm still and even further down in that slump. Maybe I need a good dose of bicarbonate to bubble meself back up to sanity? Or maybe a can of that Red Bull stuff will help the energy loss situation. Yuck, that is some nasty tasting stuff; yet drastic situations call for drastic measures. We'll see. I'm dehydrated to the stage of a prune. Ugly, I tell you!

So much has happened over the past months and most of it not positive. Like that garden. I have never been more surprised or disappointed over the lack of production out there in the garden beds. Looking at the fluorishing garden pictures of ER's and felt a touch of envy. You did good, girl. Beautiful bounty there.

I mentioned sometime back of my brother breaking his back. He fell off the ladder while building a deck at his son's place. This week I got a look at the deck. Dang, it is high in the air! Up at the second story it stands. No wonder brother got hurt. He's hard-headed apparently though for I also saw him this week; on the roof and all alone and wearing that big cumbersome body brace to boot. At least he was wearing it! It causes him much discomfort and he has been going without it (and chastised by the brain and spine doctor) but also unable to do anything to his benefit. Maybe time will cure all his ills.

That is my fervent desire anyway. Hunting season is soon coming and he loves his hunting seasons. Told me a tale, as we rested in the shade, of seeing a huge racked deer in someone's yard on the other side of the narrow patch of woods behind his son's house. I could see the glitter and joy in his eyes telling me about it. I see no shooting for him though - he gets such pleasure just seeing one and many times has let a deer pass on by. Some macho guntoter would call him "sissy", I suppose. I have admiration for his stance.

Today he is too weak to pull a trigger and a thief broke in and stole his borrowed compound bow and scope. I doubt anyone has ever hunted in this area - a private backyard; too populated and the specific house surrounded by woods. He has been seeing literally herds (well, 10 would be called a herd ... couldn't it?!) of bucks coming out of the woods. My nephew has gotten them on video, walking right through his yard over to the apple trees. They just help themselves; standing on their hind legs. I hope to see the film soon. If I was able to go there more often and watch and wait, I'd be delighted and amazed seeing a herd on the lawn.

I think the bow thief walked the same woodsy path as do the whitetails! I told nephew he better secure things from this day forward. There is no compassion in me for a thief or a liar. Not one iota!

I wanted some of the apples again this year as they are fine dried or for applesauce. But I and the deer were disappointed. Three trees; one has a dozen high in the top branches; they were the size of bantam eggs and buggy to boot. The other two had not the first apple this year. What has happened in some places this past growing season is very puzzling to me. Then again NOT; our bees are gone. All the warnings about using pesticides go unheeded, so now we pay the cost. It's said "when the bees go, then so will go mankind". No doubt, this is happening.

Somewhere there are honeybees though, for I just purchased a quart of Clover Honey awhile back. Gosh, it is so good sopped up in a piece of cornbread! Guess I should go easy on it. Next want of some, there may be none to buy.

Allen recently had a PET and no cancer cells were found! Monday the port will be removed finally. Hopefully no cancer will ever return. Tuesday, talk of back surgery - none for him, he says. Can't blame him either.

Other brother in Florida will have heart cath and another stent in his leg. All he has done for the last couple of years is sleep, drag, and hurt. With this operation, maybe there is hope of seeing him again travel up to here. My attention has been mostly on his woes over the past six years; I've neglected worry about his wife. And her situation is worse than I could have imagined. A sleep test last week revealed her breathing stopped 50 times each hour. Now its imperative she wear that breathing mask while sleeping. Poor Sandy; she has Sarcodosis - since the 70s. A debilitating life...yet she keeps up a hectic pace. Has had to, sick or not.

Oh, you should be sitting here right now. Thunder booming and a good rain has started. Glad I was awake to shut the back door. It stands open every night; the dogs, you know. I need a new backdoor. Looks horrible with its patchwork of tape and plastic holding the glass in. Need a new door with a doggy entry below. That way would save my heat this winter. But I sure can't put a new door up and no one anywhere that can lend me a hand.

The lending hands dismissed me summarily a few weeks ago. I feel great abandonment, not to speak of astonishment. Yet I knew it was coming. Just as well; no help is better than resentful, sarcastic 'help'. So maybe I'll not progress in this project and just have to buy another roll of tape. Well, I do what I'm able to do and at 70 yr. that isn't a whole lot. I feel lucky to rise to another day of daylight at times. What I need is a very good resident handiman's help - husband material! Too late for that and there is the prune problem, you know.

Well, doggone it, the rain has stopped. It lasted less than five minutes; but better some than none. The trees' leaves and the grass is drying, dying and falling so early this year. The locusts' leaves browned back in July, whereas they used to not turn until the beginning of September. I'm not keen on seeing warm days and nights end; although you have only heard me complaining about the heat for several months. We've all been through a hot time, haven't we? Maybe not all of you but for me it has been terrible.

Well, you take care now; I've talked your eyes blurry. Sorry about that. I'll save the rest of my chatter for another visit. Gosh, it is daylight finally; think I'm ready for a long nap.

Over at "Running Cause I Can't Fly", listed in my sidebar, was a good thoughtful post on August 17th. What is it about? I don't remember; but it WAS good. You might find a moment to check it out. Coyote's is a good blog, I think.
(Update/8/19/11) The post is Hacking - 5 things hackers can access today: your car, garage opener, baby monitor in your house and 2 more. Its an eye-opener to just what technology can do: is doing, and it isn't all so good. Scary! What next...hacking our brain? Yep, sure is.

My thinking is failing; my memory is failing. I wonder if loss of brain cells have something to do with my prunish-prune condition even.

Don't know what happened here. I published this post and much of it didn't show up onscreen. Labels disappeared also. If Blogger doesn't get its problems fixed, I'm going to lose my cool someday and say to heck with it. I can't post comments to many other blogs. I can't receive comments from readers; but hey, I may not have any readers. I don't know. Internet Explorer is going completely off too often...hmm, maybe it is caused by those CMEs hitting the planet. Whatever, it is more than annoying. Wondering if this happens to others or just with me.

Dead batteries in my camera. I've not taken any pictures in quite awhile.

By the way, the dogs are all thriving, eating me out of house and home. Choco is turning grey but that doesn't stop his appetite. I hope it never stops! I do sometimes wish one or two of them would learn to cook though. The four of them gather behind me each time I stand at the stove and yap out advice; they are professionals at that! Sassy (rather Lucy) is most vocal, all several ounces of her. If she continues her destruction though, she may wind up being fish food. I'm so frustrated with her chewing electrical cords in two, destroying books ! flowerpots; you name it and her sharp little teeth will give it a tearing try. She is so cute though when she looks up with that innocent, uncomprehension as I rage at her. Last week it was my vacuum cleaner cord and the one to the boombox. Not that I use either appliance but what next! That 12 pack of toilet tissue, I guess.

Gave her a bath the other day and it was like handling a crossbreed between a hummingbird and a butterfly. I was drenched. I don't think she likes water...yet. I didn't have any idea that Yorkies were as Yorkies are either. I won't talk about that!

You Might Ask: How is the Book Coming Along?

2011-08-08T12:14:00.000-04:00

Steven tells it like it is!

"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done."
Steven Wright

Won't Complain

2011-08-06T08:05:00.001-04:00

Cool and cloudy. Rain expected. Needed. 94 F predicted. I won't complain as I look at this scene and remember. I cannot, must not, will not complain about the heat. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Income Tax

2011-07-29T12:19:00.000-04:00

Useless Knowledge
The Supreme Court once ruled the Federal income tax unconstitutional. Income tax was first imposed during the Civil War as a temporary revenue-raising measure. Try telling that to the IRS!

2011-07-29T07:13:00.001-04:00

Weather. We all talk about the weather; an innocous subject if there ever was. When experiencing its effects, though, the weather can be far from blah or bland. As we have felt for the past weeks, the weather has been a vicious animal! Periods of thinking I would expire within moments, either from being seared to a burned crust or total annihilation as the water poured from every pore in running streams that couldn't be mopped or blotted fast enough to nights of sweltering toss and turn, has suddenly turned in the other direction. Yes, a change is in the air. Fall is peeking around the corner.

This morning I sit again coming alive but with a difference from yesterday morning. I'm wearing a sweater ! and wishing for a pair of leggings and my wool socks handy. Last night I recall frantically searching for my 'justincase' blanket that had been kicked to the far reaches of my bed. Woke up with it tucked up to my chin.

Funny that the first chilling night comes on the heels of the hottest days of the summer, I thought. Weather; sneaky devil it is; heat pouncing on me with a vengeance way back in April, wondering how I'd be able to cope come June and July. Coping has been frightful for most of each day; even with an air conditioner set at 68, the temperature inside never fell below 88 degrees. I was completely sapped of energy but couldn't escape the condition but by collapsing onto the bed and passing into a coma. For the past couple weeks I found myself so sleepy by midmorning instead of midafternoon. A few days passed with me sleeping several hours, scattered throughout the day.

One cannot imagine the experience unless conditions are duplicated. One day dragging myself out and driving downroad to my daughter's with about as much energy as a newborn kitten, then walking into her house, I was shocked at the pleasure of COOL coming from the central air they enjoy. Made me totally forget that heat outside.

At this moment, I've again forgotten how hot the days are, for even with this sweater on, I'm having bone ache from the cold air on my legs and feet. The moment won't last though for the sun is just beyond the rise of the mountain behind the house.

I best take advantage of it and carry out my plan of weeding today - I don't relish dealing with all that dew at the moment though. That stuff is really a soaker. In another couple hours, I'll be wishing it was still dripping off the trees.

I know, I know..... you think I can't ever be satisfied, don't you? Its not me; its this darned fickle weather that can't make up its mind! And will I ever realize I can't take pictures through the window screen? Probably not; but can you see the red blooms in the upper left corner? They are just lovely....and see the couple red tomatoes just below those blooms?

Vague view through windowscreen

Busy Day

2011-07-19T18:25:00.006-04:00

Today has already been a long and tiring one. I've finally gathered and garnered enough squash to make a run of squash relish. It calls for a red sweet pepper but I don't think the lack of one will deter from the taste of it. Started to add a couple of HOT banana peppers but chickened out.

I am sporting two fat blisters! It only took me hours to cut and chop and mix. Now I have it salted down for a few hours. Maybe I'll even leave it until morning for I'm desperate for an afternoon nap. The constant roar of this "farm fan" has me almost in a trance.

Click on the pictures to make them bigger.

There is two gallons of the mix you see here.

Later, like two or more hours later; now I sit in another comatose-like state trying to come awake. I love a good rest but the coming back alive part is pure misery. The longer my nap, the longer it takes me to come back to my waking senses.

And below you see another job needing attention. Yesterday I got it loosened from the dirt and must now divide it into smaller sections. In fact, I dug around two of these yellow beauties. They can't be lifted out of their hole and placed elsewhere to do the surgery on them. Dirt and roots probably weigh a good 50 pounds - each plant.

Both are mother plants bought and placed five years ago, so they each have tripled in size. The two of them produced around 90 blooms this season. Multiply that by the 100 individual Daylilies this year = a 'whole lot of bloomin' goin on'.

Very odd that the Japanese beetles didn't munch out on my plants this year. They were about but not in such profusion as they have been in the past. I did catch three Junebugs having an orgy out front on a squash leaf. I believe the plant has done about all it grew to do, so no matter. Let them live a little, I say.

I would show you my handful of strawberries I got today BUT I've already sliced, spliced and eaten them! Yum, they were good, especially with the sweetened Eagle Brand cream. I think I have an addiction for I'd eat a quart right this moment if I had them...with cream, of course.

Tomorrow I'll cook a pot of pinto beans to join some fresh squash relish and make a pan of Edifice Rex' cornbread to go with it. Oh, I'm making myself so hungry.

I dusted the soil with the diatomaceous earth last week and found not the first insect throughout the six beds today; excepting for those Junebugs! I think they may have been playing leapfrog.

Need Some Rain?

2011-07-19T07:47:00.001-04:00

There is a secret for getting rain. America's Natives had their formula and I have mine. You know they have Rain Dances; often the dance lasts days. Now I'll let you in on my little secret for calling down rain; works almost every time.

Step 1. Open wide as many windows as you have available. Before doing this in preparation for a night of hopeful cooling sweetness as you sleep, go out and turn on your outside water spigot and waste two hundred feet of water that is hot enough to wash dishes, cook potatoes or whatever you use hot water for. As it wastes away and parboils the grass ( a bit of forethought could give you a clean car on its left side...or the right side; depends on which side YOU are standing by) you watch the blue, oh so blue, sky above. Now aim that stream of cool onto your bed of parched Whatevers. Soak those Whatevers real good. Try and remember to shut off spigot.

Step 2. Lay out dry newsprint (outdoors, of course) and winnow your basket of Echinacea seed heads onto your nice dry paper. Be sure to forget immediately and leave the seed alone and where it lays.

Step 3. Crawl to your bed, pull up the blanket, snuggle down. Eight hours later on waking, sit in a half-coma position and watch the day arising, while pondering the nice moist state of your Whatevers and enjoying the still yet coolness breezing through that open window to your left side. Left Side: very important step! Right Side window doesn't work in my formula.

Suddenly you begin hearing a faint roar, then instantly the sky will open up for you.
Now isn't that simple? Much less work and time than what the Natives expended on getting a soaking shower. It's just a little matter of using the old noggin.

Just Pondering

2011-07-19T06:28:00.000-04:00

“The odd thing about the often long and lonely path of life is that when you get to the end of it and look back, you'll find that it was neither of these. Stranger still, by and large, no matter where it's taken you, its memories will be so sweet, they'll usher forth the happiest of tears.”

Author Unknown

2011-07-18T08:35:00.001-04:00

Oh Yes, It's Monday again! Although our calendar shows Sunday as the first day of a week, I don't think in that manner. Mondays always mark the beginning of my new week. I think this is ingrained deep within, for having to hit the floor running to start the new round of never-ending jobs. Sunday evening always signaled the end of rest, lazing about for the past two days. Well, let me tell you, even though this schedule is ingrained deep within every cell, it is not the way I function in these latter years.

PS. I HATE BLOGGER! Sitting here over two hours writing all about my Saturday's venture I see NONE of it was saved BUT what you see is what you have for I cannot attempt to write it all again. I'll just say Saturday was a FLOP! Made/Sold $16. Spent $15 getting to the market. Will I go again? Probably as I am unable to replant the trees and flowers!

2011-07-17T13:22:00.000-04:00

A two-minute lapse of sanity will haunt me until the day I die. Jane said it. I say it.

Ready to Head Out Early

2011-07-15T22:45:00.028-04:00

The truck is all loaded and ready to go to the farmers' market early Saturday morning. Today I've trimmed and snipped, getting trees, flowers and shrubs ready to sell. I topped off a few pots with fresh potting soil. Some of them were only half full because of the drainage holes in them and the dirt seeping out each time it rained. I had a hard time getting the fresh soil from the mulch pile. That darned wild mint had grown to three feet and fell over, covering the whole pile. But it sure smelled delicious while I dug the dirt. The mint is all abloom and the bees were very busy with gathering the nectar.

A Happy Shopper

I bottled ten 2 liter bottles with laundry detergent. Now that was a job and a half. It had started to curdle so I had to dump each one in a container and use an electric mixer to break the curds. The aggravating part was the time it took to refill the bottles, what with all the foamy suds. That took hours but they all are in the truck ready to go too.

A dozen jars of Blackberry jam ought to sell well. There are also six pints of Blackberry Sauce. Good stuff! A few small jars of Cinnamon Apple Jelly tops off my food offerings. The days of all the cakes and breads are long gone; three years ago I baked for days getting ready for Saturday's market. I could not attempt that again!

Table Full of Good Stuff

A dozen sacks of Prill Beads I would sure like to sell but probably won't for they are too expensive and an unknown product to most people. Folks around this area are not too hep to use or buy anything they aren't familiar with. I started to make and bottle some colloidal silver, a universal antibiotic but decided it too was a "strange" item and most likely would provoke a few snide asides and possibly even a visit from a policeman. The silver is bottled in recyled brown beer bottles and corked to keep out sunlight, which kills the medicinal properties. Ah, well; I don't feel like promoting a product anyway. I've spent too much of my time doing this in years past. Too many doubting Thomases in the world, especially when it comes to parting with money. Bet you money if I would give it away, I'd drive home with an empty front seat.

Now I will have to talk about the diatomaceous earth for I have a dozen bags of it ready to sell; for the dogs and cats or for the humans. I'll report how well it goes over! In fact, I've made a little wager with myself regarding its acceptance. Those who know of it already know where to purchase in bulk and those who have never heard of it will be leery; so I will have to take my daily dose to show the doubters that I'm not selling them something to harm them. Flyers I have made up so maybe that will convince some the shoppers.

Ready for Market

The bed of my truck is completely loaded with daylilies, palms, blue hosta, Siberian iris, Japanese maples-several varieties, Ajuga reptans, Butterfly bushes, couple of redbuds, and a few pots of monkey grass.

All I can say is: If I don't sell a lot of stuff, I'm sure going to have a job when I get home unloading all the kit and kaboodle! I'm completely exhausted again tonight. Didn't catch myself a nap this afternoon, afraid I'd oversleep and have to spend the rest of the day waking up.

This has been my week for injury. Last Sunday I caught my foot in a piece of plastic on the floor, came in a hair of splattering, just barely catching the door facing. Broke three toes on my left foot. Two days later I jabbed myself in the eye with a native daylily stem while reaching for blackberries at the ditchline. Then this evening while trying to yank the stuck door out at one of the storage buildings, I snapped a fingernail off WAY far up. The blood splurted! Dang, I'm just one big accident prone klutz. Know what I did to stop the bleeding? I used that diatomaceous earth. Instantly stopped it and also the pain too. Wow! I love experimenting.

Goodnight to you now. I am off to my bed and a couple minutes reading Stephen King's "Needful Things".

I rarely read his books but this was given to me and besides, I've run out of library books. Waiting for three by an author Bainbridge; I bet they will be good. Problem is with borrowing books, I read them too fast. With this SK book, I read a few lines or just words and pass out quickly. Woke up the other morning with my glasses on, the book snugged up against me, the lamp still burning and the back door wide open with rain coming in. Duh; I need a keeper...apparently.

All in a Day's Work

2011-07-14T08:14:00.004-04:00

I'm up and planning. Took a senior vitamin, a pain pill and hope it doesn't make me drowsy for I have things to do. Again of course, it is a matter of which way to 'run', what to start first. My main goal this week is to head to the Farmer's Market this Saturday. Finally got my S10 that runs like a "scalded dog" emptied of garbage and washed out yesterday. Had to hotshot the battery first as it hasn't been driven in a year. Dropped the insurance months ago and feared getting stopped by the cops when I drove to the landfill but my good luck held.

A gagging trip, I tell you. I was astonished at one huge tractor trailer load of horrible stinking garbage - from out of state it was, no less. So much garbage coming here from other states. The driver raised that trailer up and dumped TONS, right there on the concrete floor of the shed - a mountain of trash - piled beside an already mountain of huge clean plastic bags; where they came from I'll never know but wish now I had accepted the landfill worker's offer of filling my truck with one bag of them. They would be very handy for protecting things from the weather; heavy gauge plastic they were.

Potted Plants

Makes me sick missing out on them but the truck bed was nasty and needed washing out first AND I was concerned about being chastised for bringing in something else to clutter my place. That is what the family disintegration was all about spoken of in my last post. Later I will have to go out and buy a nice neat roll of plastic to the tune of about $25! Neatness; that's the name of the game! If you aren't neat then you are worthless; not fit to be in this world, according to so many people.

The Red Workhorse waiting

I'll cross my fingers when Saturday arrives for the trip to the middle of town. Sold one Daylily last Sunday; something's gotta give. Found all my Japanese maples bonedry and several dead. No rain to speak of recently and too many irons in the fire, I'm telling you. What a loss! About 8 pm last night I watered all the garden beds and the flowers, trees and shrubs lined up all over the front yard. Today is trim time and pulling the weeds out of the potted plants; then top each one with fresh, rich soil from the mulch pile. People snurl their noses if they see a few dead leaves or a stray weed in a pot. Ignorance amazes me; seriously. Life seems to be 'all about pretty' anymore. Hermit Jim over on my sidebar has a post today about 'all about pretty' and HOAs. The family involved may have to go to jail for ninety some days! Read it then you will understand what I'm talking about.

Do you know what polkweed is? Pokeberry Wine? Poke greens w/scrambled eggs is delicious but it takes a lot of browsing to find enough for a good 'mess', so rarely do I have it. Tastes like and is wild spinach. Many people gather it in season and freeze batches for their coming winter. I'm too old to go searching for it in this manner. But if I'd been on the ball this year it would have been a breeze. The past spring I filled my box gardens from my mulch pile. In a short time, my beds were FULL of 'weeds'. 90% was new sprigs of polk BUT I couldn't let it grow and crowd out my garden plants. Yep, I missed a good opportunity again. This was really amazing seeing so much polk for it never grows in bunches. The new soil must have been just perfect for it to propagate that profusely. A tincture of pokeweed is a good remedy for arthritis.

Not having much luck with my gardens this year. Guess I planted too much. Nice looking plants but yielding no fruits to speak of. One cucumber from hundreds of blooms! a few squash only but oh, how good it is. The romaine lettuce going to seed; you can eat just so much lettuce, you know. Tomatoes are plentiful; now if only some scavengers don't attack them before they are ripe. But I may have a remedy for that too.

Have you ever heard of diatomaceous earth/DE? I have a ziplock bag with some left in it from half a dozen years ago. A daughter gave me it but warning me not to breathe the dust, wear a mask when dusting it around the base of the house to get rid of ants and other critters, which I did and about smothered to death with my air channels blocked while wearing the mask. I got the impression that diatomaceous earth was deadly stuff if it would kill any and all insects, so I have steered clear of the bit left in the ziplock bag.

The stuff deterred nothing! The ants still came in hoards. The "Daddy Longlegs" still moved in. They are beneficial though for they trap any other flying things. Mostly; the flies are too smart to be caught. For some reason, my hanging water 'bee hives' have also quit working; the first year I used them, my house was "fly free"; now it keeps me busy stalking and 'smacking dead' the flies arriving inside. So far the mosquitos haven't arrived in clouds. Pesky little devils they can be, although I never get bitten by one. I made a batch of cooked corn starch and poured some in each of my buckets sitting under each downspout. Guess I didn't use enough for I see the wicked little devils swimming about in my rainwater.

Well, my ignorance has abated...finally. I studied about this stuff called diatomaceous earth and am very impressed. July first I bought a bag of it, a big bag. The clerk doubted my sanity buying such a huge amount. I could tell from his voice over the phone when I called for price. The guy who loaded it in my car though had no idea what it was for. Well, I do ... now. Maybe you will buy some for yourself. I now consider it a miracle for my problems, needs, whatever arises. The cost varies from cheap to outrageous. It's not poison at all but very safe and natural, except the harm of breathing the fine dust. There are two types. The one I bought is food grade/FG stamped by CODA, approved by the FDA, mined from freshwaters. The other grade used, for one thing, in swimming pools is heat treated and the silicon is changed to another composition - excuse my ignorance of chemistry - and contains some added chemical/s.

DE is one celled plants that live in all water and feed everything living in water; this is my understanding. Used dry it is razor-sharp and cuts the waxy outside body of 'creatures'. It will not only kill fleas and other pests but taken internally by humans it will perform miracles in the way one feels. I have daily taken one tablespoonful in juice or water since last Friday. On the fourth day I began to notice a change in the way I felt. A good change! My pain has eased much. As for the spine problems, I doubt anything helping it; well, anything that is affordable or acceptable for me. But time will tell. I have spent much time researching, reading about this natural product in the last couple of weeks and I cannot say enough about the benefits to be gained from using it. In time I believe many of my problems will disappear. My dogs are getting a teaspoonful each day in their food (I mix it in something liquid and pour it over their kibble). The fleas flee. BUT it has to be given every day for the time being until I get this pestilence taken care of. The dogs now lie in ease and comfort from itching and digging. I also dusted their fur with it, but I am concerned there for I don't want to breathe the stuff.

Giardia parasite

The majority of us have no idea about the parasitic world we live in. I didn't until I started my research. It blew my mind! It appears that most of man's ailments are caused by the parasites in our bodies. Seriously. This is not a pleasant subject to think about in the least but realize it is so true. Oh, the horror of parasites that we live among. These voracious creatures abound in abundance everywhere; microscopic creatures so that we don't realize their existence. I had an RN tell me years ago that every human has worms in his body! I believed her but still didn't grasp the seriousness of it. We know them as "germs", "bacteria"; yet I still didn't comprehend that these bacteria are living, moving, breathing CREATURES. Creatures we don't often actually see with our eyes but we still are hosts to them.

pinworm

Giardia is one that I have heard about a lot. I've gathered information and written a paper on parasites. One fact is: "1 of 3 Americans Have Some Form of Parasite Living in Their Stomach"

90% of People in the World Are or Have Been Infected with Parasites! As I said above, MOST of the ailments of humankind are caused from being host to parasites.

Hookworm

I'm doing my own cleansing now with the diatomaceous earth and look forward to seeing and feeling the results of it. There are so many testimonials from people who use it and I am so excited to think I may soon have a reprieve from my constantly feeling so very bad. I certainly had stamina and energy to work throughout the day yesterday.

The weatherman says it's going to be another hot day in the 90s, so now that it is daylight, I think I best get with it before the heat turns up.

Slumped in a Funk

2011-07-06T01:20:00.001-04:00

Since I've been so slack in putting up posts, the time has arrived that I must...or forget about blogging altogether. I can't put my finger on any certain thing that has kept me away from my blog. All I do know is that time is fast slipping away from me and nothing of benefit is accomplished through the whole of spring and now here I am starting to think of summer coming to an end and still have accomplished nothing to speak about. There is so much that awaits doing when the weather "clears up". Well, the weather did clear up; the cold and snow went away...and will come again, I fear, before I'm tidied and tucked away for a new duration of nasty weather.

Life has got me down, way down. No matter what goes through my mind about my plans and plots to get it all together this year, it just ain't happened. In fact, it looks like I'm receding into bad regression. There is a basic reason why I'm in such a funk. Funk meaning everything about me is becoming worse by the day; my physical condition, my surroundings, my mental state. I feel like I'm on an enormous out-of-control speeding exercise wheel.

And now the shit has really hit the fan. A relationship with one of my family has completely disintegrated and it looks as if it will never come alive again as long as I'm alive. I know, this is such depressing garbage to smack you with right between the eyes. But you ought to know by now that I write depressing stuff. Always have; probably always will. I reckon its better to put my black moods and thoughts on paper rather than shout it out to the one standing before me at a given moment. (You are my substitute Private Journal. I don't do journaling anymore; not since another part of the family found my lost journal and invaded it and got pissed over some of my remarks) For this is exactly what happened this past week with my relative - face to face screaming combat. I'm still mortified. I'm also deeply hurt and shattered.

Alone I'm fairly calm and at peace; I just have to overlook the mess I live in and coddle my pains. The state I'm in today means I can stand and move about working for about fifteen minutes and no more, then I must give it up for awhile and often for the rest of the day. As a result of this working pattern, filth has totally encroached into my life. It is very hard to live alone and try to do all that needs to be done. There comes a time when it just doesn't matter anymore; why bother, I think.

I'm a hoarder! One bit of a consolation though is that I'm not the only hoarder around. I read about this condition; 2-5% of the nation are hoarders. The other 95 - 98% are wastrels as far as I'm concerned. They purchase and trash, purchase and trash it real quickly, it seems to me. Else why do we see stores upon stores full of used stuff. We have become a nation of stores and buildings of secondhand merchandise. I like secondhand sometimes! It's cheap for one thing and you know that old cliche: "One man's junk is another man's treasure" and let me tell you: I've got lots of treasures and stuff for future projects. I like to create things! Then we have the places like WallyWorld. I don't do WalMart anymore! I don't do anyplace but the grocery store and the gas pump. I stay at home.

My cluttered existence does bother me for I'd love to have everything cleaned and organized to perfection. It used to be possible to reach my goal but that was then and this is now. Now I can't reach up to clean overhead. I can't bend down long enough to clean below. I can't lift but few pounds and everything here weighs more than a few pounds!

Even each dog has become too heavy for me to lift; excepting that featherweight Yorkie. Did you ever see a dog that could fly? This one can. Unless one is in top physical condition, I would advise you to NEVER OWN a Yorkie. I don't think Yorkies were put on this earth to be owned by old or disabled folk and I am both. They are brutish, nasty little shits. My Lucy has a bad mental problem; that's all I'll say about that!

My situation has become a problem for others. I need a path, I'm told. I know I need a wider path but when my bones are screaming and I'm limping to reach a chair, a path is of little concern; just get me to that seat over there or my bed. All the rest can wait.

Seems my family is worried I may get hurt (which I do and eventually recover) or maybe die and they won't be able to find me in the midst of all the stuff. That ain't going to happen hopefully; I've made it this long and managed to crawl my way out! I have had some fairly bad accidents but nothing was ever caused from my clutter; I lose my balance or some such incident.

Nevertheless, I think family is worried/horrified the day will come that emergency med techs will have to be called and they most definitely can't get a stretcher in here to plop me onto. I'll just have to worry and cope with that problem if and when it comes about. And if it does, and I'm hauled off to a hospital or God forbid, a nursing home, what is to become of my little animals? They are at peace here and don't need any extreme stress, like an animal shelter, or a mean new owner, to come into their lives. This may happen though, for the four of them are adding to my critical situation.

In the meantime, I'm trying. There just isn't enough time to do what I gotta do. I don't think I deserve the hatred that is blowing my way, though, for the condition my surroundings have become. A smile and a word of encouragement would do more for me than a whole crew of professional cleaners. But that would be nice too. Meanwhile, I must just plod along with my alloted fifteen minutes a stretch and do what I can do. At the present time, the most pressing need is trying to make some money from selling my plants and that isn't working too well either.

Now I'm just going to give up the ghost and crawl into bed and turn out the light and hope for a better tomorrow. I must go see about my brother tomorrow. He has fell off his ladder and broken his back and fractured an arm and shoulder. Yet right away figuring how to use his other arm for using his hammer; thoughts like this has to be under the influence of his pain medicine. Ye gads, what next! When it rains it pours and I'm about to drown from it all. I just need a good cry.

Speaking of a Favorite Blogger

2011-06-22T08:27:00.000-04:00

Still in a funk, hoping I climb out soon. Meanwhile, I advise you to have some laughs and learnings via Possum over at My Little Corner of the World. The blog is stored over there in My Blog List. The newest post made me jiggle with laughter. Another posted recently, Adult Truths, just can't be topped. It gives one pause to realize we "just ain't" as smart as we think we are. Ha Ha. Go on and check Possum's blog right now; you deserve it. Here; I'll make it easy for you. http://possumlane.blogspot.com/ Some laughter a day keeps the doctor away.

Mid Morning Break

2011-06-01T12:33:00.001-04:00

I like this "silly blonde" joke.

A blonde walks into a library and says, "Can I have a burger and fries?" The librarian says, "I'm sorry, this is a library." So, the blonde whispers, "Can I have a burger and fries?" My daughter helps people of this sort while she works at the local library. Duh. Dumb Blonde jokes are always a good laugh. I posted this once before. I love blonde hair; gorgeous.

Maxine stands in the "Big Laugh" category also. Maxine never fails me.

I broke my favorite coffee cup with a Maxine quip embossed on it. :(

Sun is glowing and a cool breeze coming through my window. Within minutes, it will be too hot to work outside. Yesterday was miserably hot. I dripped sweat by the bucket. Forgot to drink enough water. The heat addles my brain seriously; lack of fluids helped addle me yesterday.

I was up this morning three minutes before the touchdown of that space vehicle. Streaming video not working on this decrepit machine. Missed it. Only one word: Big! A building in the background looked minute against the spaceship's size.

Sold two Japanes Maples yesterday. The Crimson Queen one has a beautiful drooping shape. A nice young lady bought them. The trees are beautiful. Two I have planted are thriving so well. here is one of the two. They have grown three feet in four years. The date down in the corner is off. I could use camera instruction. This one taken a few days ago.

Just checking in to let you all know I'm still around. So much to do. So little time.

A 'strange and sad' time for me also.

I've a strong lazy streak toward the computer these days. Maybe the interest will return soon. By the time I find time to sit and read, my eyes are almost falling shut and off to bed I have to go.

I drove to Johnson City on Memorial Day and not having been there in two months, the changes amazed me. Construction and destructing along my route - a huge building is going up across from the police station on Main St. The ball stadium, the post office and the policedog training area had left not much vacant ground and now they have filled it with glass and steel. It was used by the citizens for softball games, gatherings of one sort or another...where can they gather now?

The earthmoving machines set all about, the ground torn up and piled in heaps. Stacks of materials here, there and everywhere. What the new structure will be, I have no idea. It abuts a neighborhood, a former school and a public housing project. There goes the last bit of a homey feeling for that area. I saw empty spaces where on my last trip to JC there were buildings opened with businesses thriving; now temporary parking lots.

At age six and seven, I used to walk the dusty road home from the schoolhouse across the narrow street from this construction. It too has become home for some government agency. Powdery dust I recall, settling onto my shoes and white socks. Sometimes I would take them off and pad along barefooted on my daily mile walk to home. The dirt felt like talcum powder, inches deep in places; then I would step on a gravel. Yowch!

There are many children who never experience the joy of walking barefoot through a summer's lazy days. My feet were so tough, so healthy. The close and nurtured sensation we feel with our world is without equal when we touch soil with our bare feet.

Time to get back to chores.

Time for Discussion, Don't You Think?

2011-05-28T08:59:00.005-04:00

It's a holiday week-end here in the US, Memorial Day week-end, the unofficial start of summer. Up early this morning, I started thinking, "Can I afford to go visiting today"? I'm to the point of needing other people to interact with for a break in the monotony of my solitude. Would you believe I have started talking back to myself. It's true. The situation is critical and needs a remedy; thus my thoughts for escape.

The $20 last spent for gas bought me enough to make a trip to town and back, then a run to the spring, a 2 mile run downroad for gas for the mower. Today the car gauge is near empty. Actually, the gauge is always near empty; we all know $20 doesn't go far these days. I've tightened my proverbial belt to the last notch. I'm sure each of you are in the same situation and wondering "what next". We see the price of everything climbling daily, if not by the moment.

So I resigned myself that I will be going nowhere this weekend. Instead I began surfing the internet; it is FREE.

Reading a headline of something or other led me to thinking of the Blue Angels, that flying team that brings roars from the crowds somewhere in the US nine months of every year - March through November-year in, year out since 1946. The Blue Angels have been strutting their stuff/performing for 65 years, this one, 2011, the 66th year. Today and tomorrow they are performing at Millville, NJ.

Google is a 'right smart' searcher, able to give me the information I want every time.

Keep in mind the article below was written in 2008, Gary Kohls speaking of 2006. Today is 2011 with gas prices much higher. I'm just saying....

Some Sobering Thoughts About the Blue Angels Air Show

July 25, 2008
By Gary g. Kohls
Gary g. Kohls's ZSpace Page

In 2006, the last time the US Navy Blue Angel air show was invited to come to Duluth, there was a news report that said that the Blue Angel fighter jets burned 8,000 pounds of jet fuel per hour of flight. 8,000 pounds of jet fuel equals 1,200 gallons. In 2006, the cost to the Navy for that fuel was $2 – 3 dollars per gallon. Today, with the current world-wide scarcity of fuel, the price of jet fuel has risen to $7 per gallon!

The 2006 news report also said that the commanding officer of the Blue Angels team was required to fly a minimum of 3,000 hours just in his training exercises in order to qualify to be commander. The other team members, just to get into the Angels, had to fly 1350 hours to qualify. It was noted that there were 15 pilots that are members, although only 6 perform at a time.

As of 2006, there had been 230 Blue Angel pilots. They perform 70 or so shows per year and have dress rehearsals before each performance. The pilots also practice their routines year-round over and around their Pensacola, Florida base of operations.

Now for an unwelcome reality check. Here’s the math:
The 3000 hours of simply training the single Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels used up 3,600,000 gallons of jet fuel just in the training phase (3,000 hours X 1,200 gallons/hr)!

How about the costs in fuel for the other 15 officer pilots? The 1,350 training hours for the 15 other officer pilots on the team (although only six perform at a time) consumed 1,620,000 gallons for each one's 1350 hours of training (1,350 hours X 1,200gallons/hr X 15). Multiply that by the 15 pilots and you get 24,300,000 gallons of fuel just for the training. At today’s costs of jet fuel, $7/gallon, for every new Navy pilot who aspires to become a Blue Angel, the costs to US taxpayers, just for training, would be $11,340,000 per pilot.

One could multiply the fuel consumption just for the training by the 230 Blue Angel pilots that have performed over the past decades and we would get the figure of 5.6 billion gallons of jet fuel (5,589,000,000 gallons) just for training!

And then if you want to get some really big numbers, one could also try to calculate the fuel costs for the upcoming year of 70 shows/year (not counting the dress rehearsals before each show and not counting the continuous training that probably goes on most days of the year), the flights to and from Pensacola, the support crew's C-130 transport plane.

Then, or course, one could add in the fact that the US Air Force’s Thunderbirds, are doing the same thing. If we could do all that, one would come up with some really astronomical numbers, but I hope the point has been made!

I know that I am probably poking a hornet’s nest of devotees of such air shows, who would rather not think of the real costs of war or the real costs of the machinery of war, but in a world of scarce and dwindling resources, especially fossil fuels, and in a world where young men and women are dying every day, not for freedom and democracy, but for the for-profit oil corporations that obviously care not for the economic suffering of its captive customers. The fallen warriors of virtually every war throughout history have mostly been working, at minimum wage, for the multitude of war profiteers who then abandon the war-wounded to essentially fend for themselves. Our soldiers and Marines are working for a whole host of institutions that make money on their sacrifices, but stop their patriotic flag-waving when the body bags come home. Perhaps acknowledging these painful truths will eventually set us free.

The main purpose of this commentary article is to expose the hidden truths that are intentionally censored out about the costs of war, so that as we Duluthians stare in wonder at the immense and lethal air power that will be exhibited this weekend, we consider all the consequences of such activities.

And when your children and grandchildren ask you in some future decade, “Daddy, what did you do in the wars for oil back in 2008? Did you do your part to conserve fuel? Did you protest the wastage? And why can’t I afford to buy my own car? For that matter why can’t you afford to drive your own car like you did in the good old days?”

Hopefully, you won’t have to say, ”I defended, either overtly or by my silence, the US’s wastage of those depleted resources for my entertainment and for the purpose of recruiting impressionable young boys and girls to think that war is glorious. I’m sorry, but I wasn’t taking the oil crisis seriously back in 2008.”

Such an apology will be regarded by your progeny as inadequate, perhaps even pathetic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

2011 Blue Angels practice schedule: March - 23, 24, 30, 31 APRIL - 1, 2, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 MAY - 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 JUNE - 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 JULY - 13, 14, 20 AUGUST - 10, 11, 18, 19, 24, 25 SEPTEMBER - 7, 8, 14, 15 OCTOBER - 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 NOVEMBER - 2, 3

According to information I read, the Blue Angels team is all about getting the viewers to think about joining the military, to defend their country.

Seems there is a need to rethink where we stand today - just a bit lopsided it appears. Keep in mind, this is all on the backs of the citizens of the US, we taxpayers.

I need a break; all this thinking about GAS makes me want to escape and go visit someone; maybe to muse about the weather for a bit or 'how does your garden grow'. I'm just saying....

Today I Shall Think

2011-05-22T11:02:00.000-04:00

Cool.

I Just Had a Belly Laugh; Now It's Your Turn

2011-05-16T15:51:00.001-04:00

Tennessee Declares War on the USA

President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.

"Hello, President Obama” a heavily accented southern voice said. "This is

Archie, down here at Joe's Catfish Shack, in Memphis , and I am callin' to

tell ya’ll that we are officially declaring war on y'all!"

"Well Archie," Barack replied, "This is indeed important news!

How big is your army?"

"Right now," said Archie, after a moments calculation "there is myself, my

cousin Harold, my next-door-neighbor Randy, and the whole dart team from

Hooters. That makes eight!"

Barack paused. "I must tell you Archie that I have one million men in my

army waiting to move on my command."

"Wow," said Archie. "I'll have to call ya back!"

Sure enough, the next day, Archie called again. “Mr. Obama, the war is still

on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!"

"And what equipment would that be Archie?" Barack asked.

"Well sir, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Harry’s farm tractor."

President Obama sighed. "I must tell you Archie, that I have 16,000 tanks

and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army to one

and a half million since we last spoke."

"Lord above", said Archie, "I'll be getting back to ya."

Sure enough, Archie called again the next day. “President Obama! I am sorry

to have to tell you that we have had to call off this here war."

"I'm sorry to hear that" said Barack. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

Well, sir," said Archie, "we've all sat ourselves down and had a long chat

over sweet tea, and come to realize that there's just no way we can feed

that many prisoners."

SOUTHERN CONFIDENCE CANNOT BE SHAKEN

If you are a REAL Southerner, you won't even need to be told to pass this

on!

They didnt have the green thing in her day

2011-05-11T05:47:00.004-04:00

A friend sent this. I felt it appropriate to share with you.

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she

should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags werent good for
the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained,

We didnt have the green thing back in my day.

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation
did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right, that generation didnt have the green thing in its day.

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer
bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be
washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles
over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didnt have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didnt have an escalator
in every store and office building.

They walked to the grocery store and didnt climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didnt have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the babys diapers because they didnt have the
throw-away kind.
They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling
machine burning up 220 volts wind and solar power really did dry the
clothes.

Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters,
not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didnt have the green thing back in her
day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio in the house not a TV in every
room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a hankerchief, not a
screen the size of the state of Montana.

In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you. They cut up their own fruits and vegetables because they didn't have a food processor.

When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didnt fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut
the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power.

They exercised by working so they didnt need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But shes right, they didnt have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water.

They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen,
and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole
razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didnt have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes
to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a
24-hour taxi service.

They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances.

They didnt need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old
folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way. La la la la...

Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU'RE OLD

2011-05-09T13:57:00.000-04:00

Needing a bit of Healing Laughter?
I bet you have read this one before. It's still funny AND EDUCATIONAL.

*HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU'RE OLD AND DON'T MOVE FAST ANYMORE like me.

George, an elderly man, from Meridian, Mississippi,was going up to bed,

when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which

she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go

turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.

He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?"

He said "No," but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing

from me.

Then the police dispatcher said "All patrols are busy. You should lock your

doors and an officer will be along when one is available."

George said, "Okay."

He hung up the phone and counted to 30. Then he phoned the police again.

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people
stealing things from my shed... Well, you don't have to worry about them now
because I just shot and killed them both, the dogs are eating them right
now." and he hung up.

Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire
Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence,
and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to George, "I thought you said that you'd shot
them!"

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

*( True Story ) I LOVE IT! *

*Don't mess with old people. *

*Live well, laugh often, love much!!! *

From Me to All Mothers - Your Mother Too

2011-05-08T10:32:00.002-04:00

A Special Day for A Special Relationship

Authentic 'Ancient' Find

2011-04-25T23:33:00.003-04:00

This story caught my eye.

500-year-old book surfaces in Utah

The Associated Press
Monday, April 25, 2011 1:05 P

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Book dealer Ken Sanders has seen a lot of nothing in his decades appraising "rare" finds pulled from attics and basements, storage sheds and closets.
Sanders, who occasionally appraises items for PBS's Antiques Roadshow, often employs "the fine art of letting people down gently."
But on a recent Saturday while volunteering at a fundraiser for the small town museum in Sandy, Utah, just south of Salt Lake, Sanders got the surprise of a lifetime.
"Late in the afternoon, a man sat down and started unwrapping a book from a big plastic sack, informing me he had a really, really old book and he thought it might be worth some money," he said. "I kinda start, oh boy, I've heard this before."
Then he produced a tattered, partial copy of the 500-year-old Nuremberg Chronicle.
The German language edition printed by Anton Koberger and published in 1493 is a world history beginning in biblical times. It's considered to be one of the earliest and most lavishly illustrated books produced after Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press and revolutionized publishing.
"I was just absolutely astounded. I was flabbergasted, particularly here in the interior West," Sanders said. "We might see a lot of rare Mormon books and other treasures, but you don't expect to see a five centuries old book, you don't expect to see one of the oldest printed books in the world pop up in Sandy, Utah."
The book's owner has declined to be identified, but Sanders said it was passed down to the man by his great uncle and had been just gathering dust in his attic for decades.

Because of the cotton bond paper it was printed on, not wood pulp paper like most present-day works, Sanders said the remaining pages have been well-preserved albeit literally coming apart at the seams.
"Barring further calamity or disaster, it will last another 500 years," he said.
And Sanders is certain it's not a fake.
"It passes the smell test," he said. "I'm not sure there's ever been a forger born who is ambitious enough to hand-create a five centuries old book in a manner sufficient enough to fool people."
But what's it actually worth? Turns out, not much.

It is believed there are several hundred copies in circulation worldwide, making it not-so-rare of a find, and about two-thirds of its pages are missing.
Still, it's not the monetary value that excites Sanders.
"Just the opportunity to handle something from the very beginning of the printed word and the book itself, especially, ironically, in the 21st century with all this talk of the death of the book, and here we have a book that's survived 500-plus years," he said. "It's just exciting ... The value of an artifact like this to me is the least interesting part of it all."
Sanders is displaying the copy at his rare book shop in Salt Lake City.
San Francisco-based antiquities book dealer John Windle said if this copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle were in mint condition and fully intact, it could be worth up to a million dollars.
One in such shape sold last year at a London auction for about $850,000, Windle said, but not so much because it's such a rare find.
"The rarity of the book has almost nothing to do with its value," he said. "If you're collecting monuments of printing history, monuments of human history, if you're collecting achievements of the human spirit through the printed word, this is one of the foundation books ... Every book collector wants a copy of that book or at least some pages from it."
Windle noted that while its worth to collectors is priceless, it is "probably the most common book from the 15th century making its way onto the market these days."
"We have a saying in the book trade: there's nothing as common as a rare book," he added.
Because of this book's tattered state, Windle said it's likely worth less than $50,000.
"It basically kills the value," he said. "If it turned up in perfect condition in Salt Lake City, now that would be amazing. That would be astounding."
Luise Poulton, curator and head of rare books at the University of Utah's J. Willard Marriott Library, called it "an exciting find," but largely just because of the way it surfaced.
"It's that classic story," said Poulton, who has several pages from another copy of a Nuremberg Chronicle on display. "You really never know what's in your attic."

I would like to come across such a find in my attic. I certainly would like to read it, just for the history it may contain but unable to read the German language hinders this desire.

I collect books...or rather I just acquire and keep books that peak my interest to read as I take a rest, thinking of each one as 'the pleasure of a good tale'.

I have a few that are 100 and more years old that might have a bit of value to a collector; then again, they probably have NO monetary value.

Clothbound books are no longer available. The paper used today in many mass-produced books is very cheap. The pages of one I borrowed from the library had already yellowed and quickly advancing to 'browning' although it was published only three years ago.
Then there is that one published in 1887 with its pages still crisply white and clean. It has a leather binding
Having acquired these 'just by chance' and knowing nothing of the business of rare book collectors, too timid to inquire after the one embarrassing moment of speaking with one of these collectors, my books will just stay on the shelf and sometime in the future most likely be 'tossed' into a garbage can by my "heirs".

Anyway, its too late for me to take up a new hobby of looking for 'treasures'. Also, I just remembered I don't have an attic to prowl around in either. But I might go out in the Old Store Building and reclaim those dusty ones waiting for me to read or reread. Some good tales await me.

To anyone who may be nearby to this particular bookseller out in Utah, it would be an opportunity to see this authentic and ancient find. Go for it.

2011-04-24T05:31:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter to You

                    May Your Day Be Filled With

                    Love,

                                          Peace,

                                            Sunshine,

                                                             Beauty

                                                                        Gratitude

             My Gratitude to You, Each and Every Day.

2011-04-23T09:34:00.003-04:00

Today is April 22nd, Good Friday, the beginning of the three day period celebrated by Christians worldwide of the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is the highest most solemn occasion commemorated within the Roman Catholic Church.

This day is also Earth Day, celebrated around the world. 140 countries participate in many activities to show the importance of caring for our planet. Many will be coming together to plant trees. I may plant a few Paw-Paw trees that have been nurtured over this past winter out in one of my garden boxes; that is if their roots haven't already reached down to earth's central core!

Yesterday, April 21st, was a day of 'celebration' for me in one way. I turned 70; a new decade starting for me. I don't feel this many years old...in my mind; yet time does its job on the body. It was pleasing to have a daughter call and sing "Happy Birthday to You". I laughed when she finished, telling her her voice was "rusty" and knew she was not too long out of bed. Funny how gravelly the voice becomes when not used for awhile. You should listen to mine; days often pass without the opportunity of speaking a word to another soul.

I used to send birthday greetings over the phone to those whose special day had arrived. My voice was high soprano years ago - today I would describe it as rusty bass or the sound of a frog croaking from a pool of buttermilk.

I regret the damage done to it, for singing and whistling years ago was a favorite habit of mine. Now I can't "carry a tune in a bucket".

Other daughter called early to greet me with, "Happy Birthday, Mom". This being a day she works late into the evening, and also dealing with a sad situation and serious decisions, she posed her plan for us to go out to lunch on Friday.

Queen Elizabeth turned 85 yesterday. She looks wonderful 'for her age'.  She has a beautiful face. Goes to show what that oilofolay does for a body. The sun has preserved mine.

Monetary means for other amenities help the queen's preservation also.  The picture here makes her hair look blonde and not gray - yet I don't think she colors (has it colored) it. Can you picture a Queen doing her own hair touchups or for that matter, even hair washing?

I have turned ancient, accented by a touch of "death warmed over". Prunes aren't pretty, thus I will not show my face! It would be nice, I think, to be a queen and have my own 'maids in waiting'.  "Dream on, woman!", I tell myself.

Trying to get a decent shot of myself, I was stunned with the results; so the camera goes in the trash can if it can't do a better job on me than it did ... and it can't.

Coming home carrying my big meal inside, I had to go to bed; but I got up at 1:30 am. So now here it is Saturday and I'm looking anxiously for warm sunshine. It was downright chilly yesterday as we went to the restaurant, although by the time we finished, the clouds, after spilling a few showers, had cleared away.

It was a thoughtful decision as to where to dine Friday. Hunan's has a fine Orange Chicken plate but we were thinking raw salad also. It had been quite a long period for me going without fresh vegetables - and that is not good.

We wound up going to Ryan's to eat from the buffet. With the "lunch" price still in effect, the cost for the three of us didn't bankrupt Anna. In fact, I was very surprised how low the cost - $5.69 +, the "plus" being the expensive drinks and that layer of TAX. We spent an inordinate amount of time lingering with our plates. I
ALWAYS get too much food at buffets, even when selecting a small spoonful of something and another or the other. The desserts turn me off - just too sweet and heavy. I got a cone of their ice 'cream' to go. Oh, it was good - nothing like that 'ice milk' we find at other places. If I'd had a second cone available, I do believe I could have found enough room for it too. Too late to think I could have 'conned' Tim getting one also for ME; Tim refuses desserts. He's mostly a 'meat guy'. I'm afraid one of these days my grandson is going to turn into a Walking Hunk of Protein.

I never feel comfortable when someone else has bought my meal. The eating-out scene just isn't a part of my life; hasn't been for thirty years. Yet, I was happily and miserably stuffed; but right this moment and it another day, I sit here ~~ruminating~~ wishing for another highpiled platter to pounce upon.

Frankly, I don't know how the hordes at all the restaurants catering to them can afford the cost these days. Dropping $100, $150 or more for a meal for the family is still the norm for many, even though all about us, we see the 'other side of the coin' types, those who have to contemplate whether they can buy one can or two cans of beans this week. If two, then buying a bag of flour may have to be marked off their list of "necessities". Appears the gap between rich and poor widens daily.

Which, speaking of flour: a few weeks ago, the place I shop had White Lily on sale - $.99 for 5 lb. I took advantage of this and wish I'd bought more than I did. Last week the price was $4.98 - now that is quite inflated, don't you think?  We may have to relearn the native art of making flour from hickory nuts in future days. We just don't know how bad the economy will get, do we?

After our meal, we had to stop to buy myself a decent mop. We stopped at Lowe's, it being close by. For several years I've used the $1 mops found at the Dollar Stores. Now they have even dropped in quality for last week the two I had lost their handles. Plastic covered metal they have; MADE IN CHINA! I don't know China's process of making 'metal' but it just "sucks". I hate all the crap from China. The handles bent and broke last week with the slightest pressure against them. Maybe China is making them from aluminum foil but aluminum doesn't rust.

Griping about the low quality stuff, I often get chastised, being told that it sells only because "we buy it". Good point. Yet, it is so hard to find anything 'made in America' and when you can find a quality item, it costs an arm and a leg...like that mop I inspected at Lowe's yesterday. ONLY $15.00 + that almighty tax. Did I buy it? Guess again! It too had a plastic covered metal handle.

Out of curiosity, I priced a lone handle; only $19.98 for the wooden one. There was an aluminum handle priced for ONLY $33.98! I didn't have the courage to price a separate mop head and quickly moved away from aisle five. Needless to say, we made a stop at the next dollar store and I bought the usual flimsy one; maybe it will last through a few future moppings.

Ah, I long for the "good old days" when my mop and broom lasted for years, holding up fine, even going with me to a new abode to help with cleaning chores. Probably their wooden handles are even still about somewhere.

Maybe packing up my old broom brought me some bad luck; they used to say "don't take an old broom to a new home, it will bring bad luck". Not that I put any effort in believing this...yet I do seem to have rotten luck with my mops and brooms holding up.

All in all though, might as well not concern myself with this. Using these items now are practically beyond my physical ability. I've wondered lately just how much the primitive dirt floors would be to keep "cleaned" - got that notion from reading a novel set in the 1700's when America was just getting settled.

Before we left Lowe's store, we browsed the plant displays outside on their sidewalk. When seeing a price tag of $3.68 on single vegetable plants, I found my mouth dropping open with astonishment. I clamped it shut and wandered about some more but when a depression settled over me, I decided since I haven't had my first seeds to show through the soil yet that I may be reduced to browsing with animals real soon.

Might any of you be able to tell me how good sawbriars taste? ;)

The Unpredictableness of it All

2011-04-19T09:27:00.001-04:00

7:30 am. Well, here I am wrapped in woolies. I think it's going to snow. Know how I can tell? With the black sky and chills rolling over me and the heater not doing what it's supposed to...yep, snow must be on the way.

Yet, somewhere lately I thought I saw the plan for sunshine. Apparently just one of my hallucinations; they hit occasionally... then MY plans all go kaflooey. You just can't depend on nothin' no more!

Like the moon ... I look at the moon a lot. But apparently it has stopped working...it wasn't there last night when I 'retired'. Where did it go? Don't ask me; I'm not dependable...I have hallucinations, remember?

It usually being cold after dark, I fixed my problem of gazing toward the moon and freezing my "uh hum" off...I got myself one of those little DoWhichits and slapped it up in the corner of the computer screen...moon phases it shows. Well, apparently it doesn't work right.

The DoWhichIt

For a few days I had fun checking percentages of its waning...or was it waxing? "Great", I thought, "Now I'm finally going to figure out when the moon becomes full again." For two days I kept watching as the percentage changed...every whipsnitch that percentage went down...down, down, down. 2% was the last number I saw. The process of this waning...or was it waxing...clipped by really fast...like every hour or so, which made me realize how fast I'm spinning around. Really amazing, I thought.

Then suddenly, that DoWhichit told me I had a full moon...I think that was Saturday past, way up in the day. Verifying this was hard; going outside to take a looksee, I didn't see no moon! I didn't look any more. Went to bed that night; got up midways, peeked out and there it was, big as life.

Hours passed into the next day, so my DoWhichit should have shown me that a new percentage, either rising or lessening, was clipping right along. Nope! I checked that bugger several times...no change. What! Has the world stopped turning, I wondered.

By nightfall, I decided to forget about it; let the moon and the earthglobe do its thing; if it took a notion to stop awhile, so be it. I'd just let it do its thing and I'd do mine.
Next morning looking at my DoWhichit, there was a new percentage...said 98%. Ah, but going outside to look, that 'little' full moon over my head was so high in the sky that I couldn't tell if it truly had lost percentage or not. It was quite hazy looking. But how, I wondered, did it take so long to go from 2% DOWN to 98%?

By now, you can realize I didn't do too well with my Earth Science class back when...

Not mine. Mine is 49 years old

But really, who has time to look at the moon often when I've got problems down here at my feet... with it looking like a snowstorm is ready to close in on me and those Yucca Palms and daylilies I just potted yesterday sitting on the porch...just waiting for a disaster from one source or "another"... Lucy likes digging in fresh potted soil...dang dog! She needs to be in a strong cage!

Am I hallucinating or is that Moon Phase DoWhichit AND the weather prediction afoul? I just can't tell you. And just what is "gibbous"... makes me think Thanksgiving and turkey.

Excuse me while I go put on a coat and gloves. I'm freezing my UhHum off.

Well, a bit of time has passed and I've got to do some shedding. A flash outside my window of red, blue AND yellow sort of discombobulated me. Wow, my eyes are giving me trouble, I thought. But no, those little ol birds are out there courting 'to beat the band'.

Ah, Springtime; the unpredictableness of it.

Update at 11:34 am Tuesday
That moon now shows 97% full. It has taken three and a half days to move only 5% and last week it was dropping percentage points every hour or so. I'm so confused. To stay sane, I advise anyone: don't download no DoWhiches or DoWhatchies, whatever you do! You may start getting the brain fuzzies as I have.

Strange Visitor

2011-04-09T06:16:00.000-04:00

This insect is one never seen before or since....by me, that is. Have you? It was one and a half inches long.

Blood Clots/Stroke

2011-03-30T16:54:00.001-04:00

You probably have gotten this information about a stroke before now. I learned it long ago - I also had forgotten, so it is good that I received it again today in an email from a blogger friend, deciding the better way to reach many is to post it here for the world to read (yeah, right). Thank you, J.

If you pass it on to others, most likely someday it will help to save a life or prevent a lifetime of disability from a stroke. Having known stroke victims personally, I've seen the devastation resulting when blood does not reach the brain. You may also know of someone who suffers from having had a stroke.

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters..... S. T. R..

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ......she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

remember the '3' steps, S T R.

Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Juicing for Good Health

2011-03-23T06:10:00.000-04:00

"I think the key with the juice is to have it first thing in the morning before eating anything else. Then wait a while and let the little elves in your body run it all around to where it needs to go...then eat."

These are the words of a woman whose blog I just came across and read for awhile. Its a lot about her horse and leather business. She speaks of feeling "so good" and attributes it to her morning juice.

Having some arbitrary comments from my other two posts regarding 'eating fruit on an empty
stomach' I post this as a bit of support to the information contained in the posts. Just scroll down and check the Labels {'eating fruit } on this homepage.

Champion Juicer

Odds and Ends

2011-03-21T11:42:00.009-04:00

When I had excess money (lol) years ago, I found a craft supply wholesaler going out of business. I WENT NUTS. 90% discount.

One idea I had for these soft suede leather cutouts. Giving them a coat of acrylic hardened them nicely. I added a bit of paint and attached a pin to the back.
Gaudy but fun.

Project "Rescue"

It has the nicest bounce to it. Years ago, I found it and a mate at the county dumpsite. $1 each. They need to be sandblasted; I haven't hired the Sandblasting Specialist yet. I've used paint remover, wire brush, putty knife. You can see I haven't gotten very far along on the project. The chairs may be waiting for rescue long after I'm gone and forgotten. I must be lacking in focus.

Isn't he regal? A royal no doubt. Ceramic.

One of a set I sanded and painted. Betty had a shop attached to her house. She was two blocks away. We would all gather 3 nights a week if we wished. It was ... but that is another story.

Betty and I became close friends.

She worked in publishing, JCPress, for many years, sometimes six days a week. Yet she put much hard work into her little ceramic business.

Let the choir begin . This is a picture of my calendar page; aren't they neat? I love my camera! I like frogs too.

The doglot 4ft. gate. A great job, well built. Lot of good it has done! Charly, the Creature, made an escape hatch just left of the gate. He is at war with the creek rocks and ripples, so water and mud make him "creaturish".

My closest neighbors - empty houses. The highway is too close for comfort. The ground is drab looking in the wintertime. There to the side - stuff for sale. A potty chair, lawn chairs, kerosene containers, the table, stuff like that I no longer need. No one else needed anything either. No sales. Just beyond this is a tarp covering a cache of black walnuts drying. That bit of a patch of grass with the two utility poles is a tricky piece to mow. I wish time would slow down and grass wouldn't grow so fast. Snort!
Above that top electrical wire is a transformer. Often it has explosions, sound of a cannon.
Too many wires up there for comfort.
An odor sometimes can be smelled when I stand nearby. The smell of electricity.
"Not so" I'm told.

Storm Clouds Building. Maybe. Days can begin such as this but soon clear sky is seen. A mountain on opposing sides and near me provide the clouds.

See? This is sky. Not one touch of cloud anywhere. Its impressive. Vast beyond imagination.

You can see clearly now. The rain is gone.

Clocks and more clocks. Vern, a relative, lives deep in the mountains of western North Carolina. Upon his retirement from a nuclear fuel company a few years ago, he began this hobby - scrollsaw work. The lawn and his woodshop kept him active. His shop was used daily. With practice he has become very precise with a scrollsaw. He has over a hundred clocks and many other wooden items just waiting for the appreciative eye.

About a year ago Vern had bladder cancer and his energy level no longer allows him to work at his clockmaking. The cancer was treated and now is in remission for the present. This picture is before his illness. Most of his fellow workers in his department developed bladder cancer. Some died.

Short trip vehicle. Usually Esther is astride also.
The location of Vern's home is in direct line with this nuclear company, just across the mountain and the wind blows that direction. In this community deep in the NC mountains, so many people have already died or are suffering with cancer today. The community members are very concerned.

If you might be interested in purchasing a clock, let me know. Vern's prices vary.

This Makes Me Sick, So Sick

2011-03-20T11:39:00.001-04:00

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/15.html There is a 3 minute video of Dr. Doug Rokke, a U.S. health phycisist. Being such, he should know his facts.

I've written about this situation before. It made me sick then. It makes me even more sick again.

Who is in charge? Who allows such to happen? How can it be stopped? CAN it be stopped?
These are some serious questions. We need answers. We need a halt immediately to this.

When we realize what effects one eventually effects all, (the rippling principle) will something change. Who's in charge? Even stronger: Is Anybody in charge?

Here is an introduction to the 'stuff' http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/abom/uran/index_e.html and http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/abom/uran/special/deadbodies.html

You Are Invited to See the Air Show

2011-03-19T16:21:00.003-04:00

I've never been to one either, so come and join me. These are all private pictures and not origiinally mine but my son's. He and Robin had an exciting time watching the skilled maneuvering of the planes. Good thing here is we don't have to contend wiith all the noise.

A lot of parchutes floating down

Stealth bomber. A silent and fast machine

Totally alien looking, isn't it?

Brothers Are Very Special; Don't You Agree?

2011-03-19T12:47:00.003-04:00

This is all about my brother, the oldest brother.
Today is his birthday, March 19th, frisky chilly time it was that day so many memories ago. He is now 68. Impossible, I say.
I picture him as still that tow- headed little brother, who seemed to always be in some sort of angst, anger, or rhapsody of play.
He had the whitest blond hair ever, when young.
His best friend was his younger brother Allen.

He lost his mother when he was three months old and Mussie, our grandmother, cared for him.
His natural food supply disappeared!
Mom felt this played trauma for him, deep and endless. I believe so too.
Mothers should nurse their infants - always, no excuses.
Mom went away to the hospital
age 21 and full of gallstones.

Markie was his younger name.
Now sometimes it is Mister.
By age thirteen he was called Martin.
Recently I realized how I love the beautiful name it is.
A few Martins in the world.
There is even a martin bird.

Age seventeen and Martin joined the Navy and stationed in San Diego;
spent a year on Midway Island during his tour and this being during the VietNam War.
His job was fire and rescue. Many planes came down.
Many times he flew back and forth over the ocean, searching from the plane for survivors.

He saw trauma.
He endured much trauma.
I knew little
Only Mama knew more.
Mama died with the knowledge.
Now bits of truth are oozing out.
Not pretty.

He spoke of the water up to the second floor windowsills as he and twelve others waited and watched, horrified, left to certain death.
The tsunami last week in Japan revived the memory, rushed back.
Memories, what a sad burden to carry.
The military molds, maneuvers, destroys.
That's the short of it.
Many will disagree.

Martin is slim but muscled, takes after our father and has the bluest eyes ever at times, whereas they are normally green; Steve McQueen mirrored.
Takes after Mama a lot.

A hard worker he has always been.
Several different positions and trades.
Maintenance engineering at
Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta for several years.

He could fix your car,
build you a home,
fix your electricity problems and
put your water system in properly.
He's really smart and I WISH he'd come fix my problems!

Martin loved hunting.
Mine was a hunting family.
Very responsible hunting. Eat what you take; first rule.
He was an avid happy soul when bear season began.
He loved running the woods, ever bearing the pain of his leg.
That is the thrill of bear hunting I think, running and keeping up with the dogs.
Love for the chase; that's what its all about.
He liked to fish too but nothing like the chase.

In his early 30s he was grievously injured while logging.
A chainsaw severed his leg, except for a small attachment of skin and flesh.
Later accidents, twice again while still logging, to the same leg.
The car falling broke it the fourth accident. Still he walks.

In the fall of '97 a move to Florida stalled his hunting season.
All his bear dogs traveled there too.
He had some great hunters in that pack.
Tip was his favorite I think, for she was a top of the line.
But Martin never got to go hunting again.
He enjoys the company of a dog named Bear, an Australian shepherd
and a zippy little scrapper, a Jack Russell terrier, who came and adopted Martin and family.
Roe is her name.

If he could, he would take Choco in a moment.
Choco was his bosom buddy when we visited a couple years ago.
I cried to see them part when we left there.

All his hunting hounds are gone now.
Strong warriors they all were, especially Tip and the Plott hound.
He doesn't hunt, hasn't since moving from these Tennessee hills.
His hunting days are finished.
He has an animal box trap and often puts out pecans by the handful for the squirrels.
Then he releases them to wait for another time.
The squirrels have him tamed and they love the pecans.
When I was visiting, the bushy tails looked fairly fat and fast -
Fast enough that these last couple of years the few trees Martin has have been laid bare of any pecans.

Martin lives with a pine forest behind his property.
A black panther has been glimpsed several times so having his dogs are a safety measure.
Once, something caught and took all his laying hens.
The cat it is thought.

In 2005 the first of his heart attacks and stent and quadruple bypass put him low.
Pain most of the time and need of rest.
I so hate this.
Unable to make a trip home to us, he is stranded in hot sandy muggy Florida, just yearning.

I am so grateful he has weathered all his storms in his life and still has his dreams,
however unattainable they are.
Dreams keep us living.

Martin doesn't make a big To-Do of celebrations.
Quiet.
So writing about him to public exposure...that will surprise him.

!!!!!!!! Happy !!!!!!!!!! Birthday !!!!!!!!!! Markie.

Hope he got a piece of cherry cheesecake today - his favorite.

Have a Laugh

2011-03-19T12:21:00.000-04:00

A drunk man who smelled like beer sat down on a subway seat next to a priest. The man's tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.

After a few minutes, the drunk man turned to the priest and asked, "Say, Father, what causes arthritis?"

"My son, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes and lack of bath."

"Well, I'll be damned," the drunk muttered, returning to his paper.

The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?"

"I don't have it, Father. I was just reading here that the Pope does."

Read more: http://www.thirdage.com/humor/an-unholy-disease?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=conditions#ixzz1H2HZvb00

Happy St. Patrick's Day, To Yuns All

2011-03-17T15:03:00.009-04:00

and a fine day it is with the sun up and out like a spotlight and the sky over me is total bluetiful and although still chilly at 11 in the morning, the plan is for a warm day, up to 70 degrees.

Knowing the date, yet paying no attention that it is St. Patrick's Day, called the "Feast Day of St. Patrick" by the Roman Catholic Church, this is the only saint's feast day celebrated by people in general, yet there are many days of saints commemoration, recognized and celebrated within the Catholic Church.

A Shamrock. Notice the flower; nothing like a clover bloom.

White clover in bloom

I read Jim's blog http://jimmiehov.blogspot.com/ about shamrocks and white clover. Then I went to wikipedia for information because I was confused. Information everywhere states the two are one and the same, even showing a clover leaf picture to represent a shamrock. Frankly, ~~I think~~ I know they are not except for the fact each is three leafed. The blooms of each plant are nothing alike and the root end is definitely and totally different.

(Hang on. Let me go dig up a bit of clover, be right back)
Here you go. Clover;
showing the roots of the clover and beside the knife is the one fragile shamrock corm. It has no tendrils such as clover. Click the picture. Maybe you can see the roots a bit better.

Solitary shamrock survived winter. All it takes is one and summer's end there are many new plants from it. The shamrock is very hardy although so fragile. I truly like it for its delicacy yet hardiness. My one plant is new generation of the original plant of twenty years ago, (bestowed upon me by a very dear old lady) and lives on today.

The day has succeeded in sapping me already. First thing, minutes after I awoke and let the animules out, Charly was off and at it. !!! The little devil had immediately made his way to the opening under the trailer and headed for the creek. (I thought I had it blocked last time!) At this moment he has went in and out several times already and looks like a bit of garbage, soaked to the hide and covered with leaves and twigs, bark and sand. White he's NOT. He has went on attack with the ripples of the water three times this morning and at it again. Choco and Lucy are perturbed he isn't inside with them. Zoey has given up worrying and curled up back in her bed.

Dog lot is greening nicely but all you can see is straw in this view

Out there at the far back is a part I love so much. The grass is so soft when thick and new, a barefoot bounty. The trees give it much shade. The creek before me and the branch to the side and the quiet is sublime. Midmorning is a perfect time to sit and relax in silence and awe. You'd have to experience to know exactly. Come on by; we'll have some warm tea. Sit in that swing if you like.

Just thought all the color here enticing enough for you to appreciate. When you look closer at something, it tends to appear totally different than a far view of it, doesn't it? Can you see the blue? Click on it.

Ground Cover

and look at the trees against that heavenly blue

Well, I see it is now mid afternoon. I don't know where the day has gone. Things to do, places to go and people to see was on my schedule for today. Now its heading toward the upside of bedtime. I blink and time disappears.

Have a lovely day

Have a lovely life

I smile as I think

What it is about you

That tears my mind's eye

knowing life so short

Just a blink in time, with a song

Happy days, my dear.

We Learn So Much Through Our Animals

2011-03-16T23:02:00.000-04:00

This is so touching. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/dog-in-japan-stays-by-the-side-of-its-ailing-friend-in-the-rubble

Makes me appreciate more.

Panning the Creek

2011-03-14T14:13:00.001-04:00

A few posts ago, it was the view of the side branch. Today it is the main creek. Panning directly behind my place and downstream. Soon the road cannot be seen. Time flies.

Click on picture to enlarge

I Found This

2011-03-14T13:29:00.001-04:00

in the brickpile.

I intend to clean it up and add words 'The' and 'Live Here'. Good idea as you may guess. They sometimes are savages.

Just Two Things to Be Said

2011-03-14T12:21:00.000-04:00

It is raining. It is cold.

Hypnotized and Dancing to the Music

2011-03-13T13:40:00.004-04:00

Ha ha. I just spoke to someone about "getting lost in the Web" of the Internet and losing hours of time. I do that too. You? But browsing the web isn't what's on my mind right now. Its the music here.

Intently busy doing something on my page, it was minutes before I realized my body was moving with pleasant gyrations.and maybe thumps! I'm dancing BUT sitting on my ass!

Now you may dance or you may not. All I can feel is sadness for you if you have never danced. What pleasure. I bet ballet movement is great. I have a couple of brothers who don't, won't, never danced. Shyness is all it was. It's really good exercise; once you get the rhythm down pat, its so easy.

Just listen to the music, I've been told.

Is it aerobic or anaerobic exercise they call it? I never went in for that group exercising. Silly. Get your butt in gear and save the money, hmm? Also the pleasure of your solitude.

I've had this Play list of music for several days now. Darned quick I got burned out with several selections and realized those were blasting your brain out with sound too; not conducive to peaceful reading either. I deleted and added new ones. One PF is definitely not conducive to relaxed reading but it sure will make you want to bodily mimic the hypnotizing beat.

This is what occurred for me - I found the muscles moving with perfection. Truly. Back when I could walk with ease, dancing was embedded in my life. I lived with music and ease of movement, energy. Now look at me. No initiative left as I had a few years back; PF disagrees.

But listening to The Wall by Pink Floyd told me I still 'got the rhythm, baby'. Try it yourself. I don't understand words of lyrics, not being able to hear well but I sure do feel the beat of the music.
Hmm, silly me, I must look up the lyrics to know what this piece of music is telling me. Duh, Self.

Of course, I do know we are all coping with a wall, a wall of ignorance. Defined: Ignorance ~ a lack of knowledge; not 'stupidity' as thought by some ... there goes the ignorance factor again). I have much ignorance. Ha, I have a lot of stupidity too. I'll dance to that!

Chamber of Commerce

2011-03-13T11:58:00.000-04:00

The biggest barrier to climate change progress? You might wish to read about this subject over at http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/ . The link is also over in my Blog List. I certainly admire the man who takes interest rescuing our world; if only we each will do our share; the end result relies on all of us, worldwide becoming No Impact Humans.

Walk softly.