Wise



A good reminder to use our words carefully as once spoken they can never be called back.    



One of natures strange and awesome sights.   Butterflies come in all sizes and shapes, along with colors that delight the eye.



A rose is a rose, is a rose.   This one certainly is different and amazing.



Roll Over . . . like an Octogenarian it can use a little help.

 
So today roll over and get some exercise, take time to smell the flowers and send your thoughts up to the highest bough of a tree and when you speak , speak softly.     Today is a brand new day and you can go about it with a good attitude, knowing that you possess the strength and faith in yourself to get done the things that you have been putting off for awhile.    Some verbal hugs may be needed by someone who has lost a family member.   Someone may be in the throws of depression and could use a hug.   One never knows what is going on with others, be it friend or foe, and a little touch, a smile, an understanding look may be all they need to find their way.    Make up your mind and heart to reach out and make someone happy . . . now there is a tune to sing....."Make someone happy" . . . brings 'the snoz' to mind. . . Jimmy Durante.    Maybe you know the words, if so, sing out and smile with your eyes, open up those arms and share a hug or two . . . makes me feel good thinking about it.   Hugs to all.

Different and Beautiful



Here is a flower I have never seen before.    Jock will know.    It is a strange beauty as the center reminds me of a grapefruit, or an orange , as the purple and blue stamen bring out the depth of color in the bowl;   a mystery flower and really quite beautiful.



This is a picture of the largest church in Hallgrauskirkja, Iceland.     A beauty all its own.   I wonder  at its awesome height.     I bet it is as beautiful inside as it is on the outside.    One more place to add to your must see list when you decide to travel and see our world.    



One of the Anheuser Bush ponies, now that has to be one of the most beautiful beasts on earth....look at those feet, love its coat of black and white , a black mane and a mixed tail;  'who could ask for anything more'.  Speaking of ponies, I had a call from Mike and it is eight degrees up there in Nevada.    He said they had a new colt, a complete surprise as no one knew the horse was pregnant.  It was just bought last May and the owner , without knowing, got two for the price of one.    Mike said it is a beauty and of course will be the princess of the stables.    I wonder what they will name her.    Hopefully I'll get a picture to share with you, but don't hold your breath.

So today, Monday, yeah . . . the start of a new week;  that has to be the most used expression we know.   It is Inauguration Day although President Obama and Vice President Bidon took their oath of office yesterday in separate places.    I hate to spoil the event, but with the economy so bad and people homeless and out of work , the money being spent on this event is ludicrous.     Those that are running the show have police officers from all over the country for crowd control, think of that cost alone.     It has been a three day event with more to come , talk about waste, talk about spending, talk about politicians putting on a circus . . . let's not talk about it, let us watch and wait and see what 'hope and change' is coming our way in the next four years.      Hold on to your hat, it might be a long hard ride.  On the other side of the story, it is Martin Luther King Day, maybe it will be a shared day.  Now it is up to our Senators and Congressmen to put some strength in their convictions and start representing the people for there are many issues to be resolved.    Wish them well and get on with your day to day living, one second at a time. 

As an aside, I sent out a fantastic and wondrous attachment with pictures by Anna Kastranko which were supposedly all painted by her and they were absolutely awesome . . .  but, I learned later that there are two Anna Kastranko's one a photographer and the other an artist.    So I think the pictures were photographs and not paintings as suggested.     I tried to Google her name to see if I could pick up some of the paintings but had no luck.   I wanted to see if the artist Anna was anywhere near as brilliant as the photographer.      I hope so.
So let a smile be your umbrella whether it is sunshine or raining in your area.     We had sun yesterday so took a ride to the Port to see the waves coming in from Japan and they were touted as many and rough.  Warnings were out not to walk close to the water or go surfing but people ignored the warnings.    There is tons of driftwood on the beach.   It was not a tsunami, but it was a good show as the waves came in four and five at a time , rollers, long dark green and rolled over as frothy thundrous waves.   A beauty all its own.    Hugs to all. 



Old

Here is a rare picture of the three Kennedy men when they were very young.  Joseph and Rose Kennedy raised a very large family and the three boys went on to become successful in politics.    John was President, Bobby was going to run for President, and Teddy was in Congress for his lifetime.   The family was plagued with horrible and sad events as two were assisnated and one died a natural death.    Their children are still carrying the family banner and are in politics to this day.   A family that brought both joy and sadness to our world.     May they rest in peace.



I only heard of marathon dances but never participated in one.    We danced the night away many a night but this is carrying it a bit too far.    The picture has a story to tell.   It looks like the ladies have a bit more staying power than the men.  



The last of the camouflage pictures.   Keep looking you will find the owl.    





This beautiful bird was the topic of conversation yesterday when Judy called from Colorado where it is very cold and she took time out for a phone visit.     I wish you knew Judy as she is one young lady who can make your day.  She is funny and she has stories to tell and tells them with gusto and such humor that you find yourself laughing out loud.    This bird was dubbed Peatie and loved to talk.   He listened well and even had a chance to be an actor in a local play.   He had a very small part until he decided to fly around the theater and land on stage to sit on an actor's shoulder.    He did such a great job he got true billing.   He learned names easily and greeted everyone when they came in the door.    A smart bird and well loved until the day he died.      She had many tales to tell and I am still laughing.    Thanks Judy for making my day.  I hope you find another Peatie to love.

So today, Sunday, a day to sleep in . . . sleep in?  I don't think it is something I can ever do.    It is about three thirty or so and I am wide awake.     I don't intend to stay that way...smile......I am off to make coffee, turn on the television and cuddle up in my favorite chair and you know I will be snoozing away in a few minutes.  There is something about television and ads that makes sleeping in ones chair very easy.     So hopefully you are sleeping and in a deep dream about something wonderful.   When you wake up, make sure you have a good breakfast, a walk about, and a day to remember.   Hugs to all.



News



Here is Erin busy making a special dish for her host family.    She and Donaleo love to cook and from what she writes they are being well fed along the way.  She wrote, "So far, we have stayed with one gracious, music loving, and hilarious Italian family.  They have fed us until we are literally sleeping in our chairs, asking if we want more cookies, tea or dessert.  After having a first course , a plate of pasta, second course meat, or soup, then fruit, dessert,caffe, and tea and cookies.  Luckily siestas are normal after lunch!"



It is cold there but they are bundled up.   She wrote, "Around seven p.m.we are taken to see Roma nightlife, walk about the historical center, cute neighboring alleyways hidden within Rome."  The background looks like the Treve Fountain, sure hope they tossed a coin in.



This reminded me of Erin.  she loved to dance and to this day she never misses a beat.    Her next experience is to go  with a Brazilian dancer who will be their next host.   They have been invited for two weeks, but they may head north to Florence to help her teach in a salsa/bachata workshop.  





Bless those who teach others to read for they open up minds to the magic of words.    Bless the writers for their ability to tell a story and entice you into a world you would never visit otherwise.   

So today, the beginning of your weekend, may the seconds go slowly so you can enjoy a great meal, good friends, a walk about for exercise and a siesta with a good book in hand.      Make today 'your' day , add a little music, sing on or off key in the shower and let the hot misty water wash away all your cares.     Enjoy the day!  There is a Roman expression for that but I can't think of it.    Put a smile on your face , hugs to embrace and the world becomes your oyster, or clam, or whatever you want it to be.     Hugs to all.



New Things

"Above and Beyond" a fitting title for the Vietnam Vets.   They deserved praise and honor for fighting a political war that was a disaster from start to finish.    Our praise and thanks to these men who braved such atrocities and for having the courage to come back and get on with their lives.    

Hey Bob, here is that little beauty sitting in a place of honor on the back porch.    How creative you are and what a great job you did of the tiny birdhouse made out of wine corks.  There isn't a wine drinker who wouldn't love to have one.   I had to wait for some light to get a picture and then through the glass doors as it was very cold out there.   We are having what is called the Chetco Effect and that means gray days with heavy fog and frosty cold.   Christine gifted me with the wrought iron holder and her last year bird house is behind your cabin.    It took son John a little while to put things together for me, but here it is in all its glory looking GREAT!!! Thank you and Andrea for thinking of me and the birds may nest in it this year, I hope;  I love watching them.



And here is the new puzzle top.  Isn't it a beauty?  John and Jo made sure I was well 'puzzled' as along with the top came two mystery puzzles and a friend added a another too.  The puzzle frame turns which is something special as now you do not have to walk around the table to find the illusive piece, just turn the top around and it comes to you.    The puzzle is one of mystery and I have no idea who did the dastardly deed but maybe we will find out when the puzzle is finished, if ever, as the pieces are small, do not stay together which is frustrating and have the same or very similar colors everywhere...a challenge....yeah....a good one and Pat and I are having fun with it.

So today, if you got loving presents, big and small, for Christmas, brag about them  and don't forget to send a thank you note or call the special  folks in your life who gifted you.    I have a new foot bath which I haven't used yet, but it is beginning to stare at me so I had better try it out.    I have a new sweater in light lavender that is a beauty and I have my Halston and my Nantucket Briar so smell heavenly;   special gifts from special family...oh, and songs by Matt Monroe, if you haven't heard his voice....sigh....then see if you can find one of his albums.    He does all the old classics and does them well.  I have a new copper candle holder, special chocolate for my ice cream, a lovely apron which helps put the fun in cooking and a picture of a new dandy lion ready to spread its little thistles before becoming a full fledged 'weed'.   All that and a big  check to save for a trip, or to blow anyway I choose.  And I got some of the most delicious pears from Jock which I did share as they were just to delicious to eat all by myself.     My neighbor made the usual brandy fruit cakes and I recieved three of them, two gone already and I did share the third...delicious, even if you do wrinkle your nose.    I got fudge and chocolates which disappeared quickley, cannot imagine who ate them all.... and a lovely angel for my tree.  It is January,  already half over, so get busy and send out your thank you notes, call, write, text, skype, just do something and soon.   Send your love along with a kiss and a hug and let your family and friends know how much you appreciate them.   I wouldn't trade my family and friends for all the tea in China.   It is Friday, now that  is a gift all its own.    Hugs to all.



Our travelers

Here is another camouflage picture for you to figure out.   A mother owl and her baby.    Mother's and babies, make the world go around and around.  We just couldn't do without them.



John is making his way to the east coast and is having a wonderful road trip as he just left Salt Lake City, Utah and drove across the Wasatch mountains, on to Wyoming and stopped in Nebraska where he is going to check the weather reports and figure out which way he wants to go.    So far the weather has remained perfect for driving but cold.  This picture was taken in California just as the geese were taking off.



John took this picture of Lake Tahoe, California side, as he was driving up to Gardnerville to have dinner with his brother Michael.   They had a great visit but Michael had to leave early as the cold weather hasn't let up and a pipe burst meaning hard work for the fellows on the ranch.  

Meanwhile, there are no pictures from Erin yet, but I know she is busy taking many.    Her last e mail was great.  She said the Internet and its availability is not as easy as back home.   At the moment she was at a small lake town staying with one of  the sisters who lives not far from Rome.   I assume this is part of the host family they just visited in Rome.  They had hot chocolate with real true chocolate melted down, which was very rich.  She had polenta with red sauce and simmered meats on top which was delicious.  I hope she is collecting a recipe or two in her travels.  There were two small boys, one eight and the other ten, and they loved hanging out with them as they played video games.   The conversation was about music and dance as they are all into music.   She tells of driving along the coast to a town where Tom Cruise married Katie Holmes.    They saw a castle in their travels, and  found a medieval town to walk around.

Erin said she was a bit frustrated using the computer and likened it to grandma's computer, meaning me....smile.....well mine is slow but it works and I wouldn't complain as a faster one would probably slow me down.

She will be going to Pisa, Florence and Venice.  What a fun time she is having and what memories she will have to share when she returns to us.    Her last comment was that everything was old and beautiful.

So today, enjoy the pictures and words of our travelers.   Know that one day you will make a decision to travel and see the world that surrounds you.    There really truly are wonderful places and beautiful faces to catch up with in this life time.     Save your pennies as they turn into dollars which will get you to where you want to go....be it another state her in the USA which has so much beauty of its own, or another country where you will fill your heart and soul with the age and beauty of the beginning world.   In the meantime add a travel book to your reading list.   Pick out one of the spots on your wish list and read up on the areas you intend to visit.   You will prepare yourself for sights and sounds you never knew existed.    Pack a smile and take it with you when you go. I sit here talking about travel . . . and . . . wishing every second I could pack a suit case and go...um.....makes me feel good just thinking about it.  Hugs to all.

Came to say Goodnight



How about this for an idea.   Take all those little gadget phones and set them on the table and the first one to pick one up and use it at the dinner table gets to pay the bill if you are at a restaurant, but if you are at home, doing the dishes, not in a dishwasher, would be the penalty.   Good idea!!



Judy, of Colorado, is having 'cold' so she took a picture of her outside thermometer to show us just how cold it is... BRR!!!  Better her than us as she is used to it.     Hang in there Judy, it is bound to warm up sooner or later.    Get out those long johns and dress in layers and sit by the fireplace, no walking out for you until it gets up there a bit.  I'm cold just looking at the picture.



How clever.  A book watering can and little brain cells.    Every teacher should have this picture in her class room.  The children would do well to have one in their bedroom.    Reading makes the brain happy and a happy brain makes for a very smart child.     What a way to visit places and learn all about the world we live in.    A travel magazine came in today with pictures and words to whet the appetite...Spain, Italy, Ireland and on and on.....the languages, the food, the scenery and true journey even when you do not leave your favorite chair.



We talked about imagination yesterday.   Wish I had this picture then, so I could have put it up so you could have enjoyed it along with the conversation.    A wonderful way to depict the beauty and pride in owning books that can take you away from yourself and into a world of magic.   
Well I actually came on to the computer to experiment and see what it was that was holding me back from showing more than one picture so I tried poking around and found the answer, I think, and if so, I'll be back in the morning to say hello and show off a few more pictures as we follow our wanderers.
Have a good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.    Have sweet dreams when you get there.   Say a prayer or two and tuck yourself in .  See you in the morning.   Hugs to all.