Fun and Food



Leave it to Maxine to come up with a sunshine idea...all we need is a little sunshine but we will have to wait awhile as winter is taking its time about leaving.



Of course, it is what makes our world go around and around.    We cannot always be perfect and think of the lessons we learn . . or do we?



And Granddaughter Erin is signing to another deaf  young lady and seems to be able to get her words across.   It has to be difficult to try and speak to someone in another language.    She is very good about trying and seems to get her words across.  She wants to teach and to learn so she can communicate with anyone , anywhere.....she has the will and hopefully has found the way.



Here they are, new friends, in a restaurant having lunch and Donaleo said the menu is priced at one dollar;   whoa, I'm heading for Tunisia.



and in Port Orchard, at the Gallery, there was a show and this is the picture that took First Place.  Some one artist is very talented.   It looks like you could reach out and pick a piece of fruit and eat it.     Wow!

So today, hump day, know you have a talent.  Everyone does.    We just need to find out what it is and perfect it.   Think about what it is that 'turns you on' and what makes you glow with pride and satisfaction.    Do not be afraid to try something new and different, or pucker up and try to whistle.    Just put a little laughter into your day and have some fun.    Walk into a hug or two . . . smile back . . . throw a kiss and hope someone catches it.   Hugs to all.



Facts



Tunisia, North Africa . . . and I thought it was all sand and desert.  So much to learn, so much to see in our world.  Erin and Donaleo are meeting some really nice people in their travels and learning a lot about how the other half lives. 



Think about that . . .



Here is an idea if you are interested in starting a new business this summer.    Wonder what one of these would cost.  A moving grill . . . hot dogs anyone?



Hey, welcome back Maxine, have not seen a Maxine cartoon in some time.    So you 'together' folks, enjoy your togetherness and make each day the best you can.   It is okay to ignore each other's faults, God knows we all have them.  It is hard to admit to, I know, but being less than perfect is not going to end your world . . . it may just enhance it so that you will be happier than you ever thought you could be.   So live with a lot of good words and deeds for each other as you never know what is in store for you today.    That sink hole in Florida is a good case and point.  Who ever thought of a person going to bed and finding the floor give out from under his bed and make a pit over a hundred feet deep.   A tragedy no one could prevent;  a fact no one ever thought of;   seconds are important so don't waste them on nonsense . . . you chose each other, now don't try to change each other, bring out the best in each other and live happily ever after .   Hugs to all.



Bit of humor



Seems we do not get mail on Saturday or Monday ;  now if they would only come up with an idea on how to keep those pesky catalogs we'd have it made.



Free Speech . . .



Donaleo covered in mud, cannot find Erin although I am sure she is in the thick of it somewhere.   Mud baths, out door fun on a sunshine day , I think in Palermo, Italy.



Erin and Donaleo sitting on the Kings bed in the Old Kings Palace after a ten hour boat ride from Italy to Tunisia, Africa.  They have met up with some other world travelers and are enjoying the sights and sounds and the friendly hosts.    The only way to really see the world.  
It's Monday, all day, and a work day.    Laundry day, old habits die hard.    I had a good laugh this week hearing that the reason the ladies of today are carrying too much weight is because they do not do housework as their predecessors.   We old timers didn't have all of the modern conveniences for some time so it was just natural to get up and do whatever had to be done and the old wash on Monday, Iron on Tuesday, and the rest of the weeks chores, did keep us moving.   Yes, hanging clothes out on a line, hauling them back in, sprinkling them and getting them ready for the iron while we cooked our vegetables and picked our fruits , weeded the gardens, took care of the children and thought that making our husband's favorite dinner was the thing to do.     You know we didn't think a thing about it, it was our way of life and it was a good one.    We even found time to volunteer at church, at school and be of help where needed.    We just didn't have time to be bored.   Did we think of it as work, no . . . it was a way of life.  I, for one, was very happy to see the washing machine come into my life;   I thought I went to heaven and died when I had an automatic cleaning system in my stove.     Nylon was a blessing as it meant no ironing, although I enjoyed ironing and went through at least two covers a year as I pressed out my woes of the day.    We didn't have all the push buttons of today, but we are glad that you have them to make life a bit easier.    I wonder what is in store for the future!   
So today do your chores and grin and bear it.     Find time to try a new recipe and make a wonderful dinner tonight.   Turn on some music and hum along as you get ready for your new week.    Hugs to all.

More Unusual



A frosty morn in Charlotte, North Carolina.  In Nevada this frost on the trees would be called pogonip, an Indian name for trees in their winter coat.   How beautiful.  The very first time I saw trees dressed in their winter array was in Spokane, Washington.  It was almost like walking in fairy land as the world turned white and silence prevailed.



Vermilion Cliffs, a National Monument in Arizona.    I wish I had known they were there as I have been to Arizona several times, but never in the area where these are located.    I intended to see all of our national parks eventually, but just never did get around to it.   Each one has something special to offer, just like you.



A perfect eye.   



You know what is said . . . history has a way of repeating itself.

An interesting quote and no one to give credit to it, but it caught my eye . . . "There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.  You surround yourself with people who make you laugh.  Forget the bad, and focus on the good.  Have the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't.  Life is too short to be anything but happy.  Falling down is part of life, getting back up is loving . . . life goes on . . . never end it."

 It is Sunday, all day, dense fog and then rain drops has been our weather pattern for the last couple of days.  Good weather to clean out drawers that have been neglected for awhile.    It is funny, or we are, when you find some of the things you put away and forget all about.    I found a package of bobby pins and do not have hair long enough to use one.    I found some unopened gifts of perfume that I'll never use because I have a favoite that I have used for years and am very happy with.    I didn't realize I had so many bars of soap, guess I'll cross that off my shopping list today.    All in all, I did get one set of drawers done, now to tackle the kitchen and see what I have kept that I never use anymore . . . cookie cutters from way back, pickle forks and the like;  treasures for a yard sale.   It is coffee time for me, so I'm off to enjoy my Sunday and hope you are doing the same.     Go, open a drawer and see what you put in it and forgot all about.   That silk scarf or tie may come in handy this coming week.    I guarantee your eyes will light up and you will laugh out loud as you hear yourself saying. . "Oh, there it is!"   Hugs to all.

A P.S.



Another who done it puzzle completed and it wasn't easy, but it was easier than the garden one.  We still do not know who the 'bad guy' is nor do the stories give us enough clues.  We do get a story line but nothing that tells us what happened or who did it;  to be honest we could care less...the puzzle is finished and that is nothing short of a miracle.  Fun to do most of the time but we have a mystery all its own as this is the third brand new puzzle with one piece missing at the end.   No one admits to taking home the last piece to put into the puzzle;   in fact they swear they didn't take it.  It is not on the floor so where is it . . um. . . to late it is boxed up and ready to go on to the next puzzle maker who doesn't mind one tiny missing piece. 
See you in the morning.     Sweet dreams when you get there.  Hugs  to all.



More Unusual



Another of the unusual pictures, this is of linticular clouds over South Georgia Island.     Isn't mother nature wonderful?  I think so.    We had linticular clouds in Nevada and they looked like a line of space ships coming over the Sierras.   They didn't have the depth of these.    Moving air, what would we do without it?  



Now this is really something else again;   a gap between Europe and the United States which widens an inch every year.  The British Scuba Diver is Alex Mustard, 36,  who dived  down eighty feet.  The gap is between Nuam and Eurasia showing fault lines, valleys, volcanoes and hot springs.    What a world we live in and how fragile it really is . . . or is it.? . . as it goes into its billions of years birthday.



This is a picture of a street in Moscow, Russia during a winter snow storm.   It reminds me of a story written by Dickens.  

Do you realize that you are going to have five weekends this month.    March isn't all bad.   It is a winter month and sometimes a transition month as it shows a little change towards Spring.   Right by the sidewalk in a tiny patch between my neighbor's yard and mine, there is a tiny bunch of yellow jonquils in bloom.   How lovely they are and what a lift to walk by and see them again this year.  Neither of us planted them so maybe we can thank those birds who are nested in the big hedge in back of the garage.   Now if I could only teach them to weed.  I am not sure I am thankful for the little pine tree planted between the properties.   It may grow to be a huge tree, yet I hesitate to pull it up as right now it is 'cute'... um, think I said that about another tree that is much to close to the fence and now to big to move.  
So today, the start of your weekend, make up your mind to relax and do a little bird watching.   We saw a tree filled with medium sized black birds yesterday squawking loud and flying to and from the tree as if to tell us there was something going on.  We never found out what as they settled in and stopped.  It really was strange.  I thought maybe earthquake, but didn't feel any.    We have been having a lot of them off the coast this winter.   Make up your mind to enjoy your seconds;   don't forget to turn on some charm, you have lots of it to share.    Hugs to all.

March First Again

The attachment yesterday was one of wonder as it was of unusual pictures and each one was a wonder, as was I, because I  was writing all about it being the First of March and it was really truly the last day of February, so why the rush?  Who knows, just one of those happenings when you want spring to 'spring' so you can walk about and get outside in sunshine.  So today really truly is March 1, 2013 and the world is still moving on its axis.   How about this building?  Some architects.    You have to admit is is 'interesting', and truly unusual.



You could choose to live in one of these houses whether you are a musician or not.   Piano and Violin in Huainan, China.  It reminds me of Yo Yo Ma, wonder if he owns it?  



Speaking of gardening, how about this mountain pasture to grow your food, or to graze your animals.   It is a mountainside farming community in Bolzano, Italy.    I wonder if Erin and Donaleo will visit here.  



The beautiful cacti.     Reminds me of pictures Andrea and Bob send when their Arizona cacti are in bloom.   Such beauty but not for bouquet picking.  Those spines must be really tough. Nature in all its glory.

So yesterday the rains rained in on us and the day was 'yucky'', I think that is the expression Pat used when she looked outside and wondered how she would entertain four dogs for the day.    Yep, she's volunteered to mind the new puppy, named Gunner, along with  Keisha and Joey and her own Emma.  When she came over to have dinner with me for a break, she said they really were very good.   Emma has been mothering the puppy but the puppy has been nibbling her ears  with her sharp little teeth, so Emma opens her mouth and the puppy's head goes inside much to its dismay.     Emma is loving and is very good playing with the puppy until she has had enough and then she lets the puppy know that enough is enough.  It is going to be a very long week for Pat, so pray for some sunshine.   

One of our favorite folks is home from the hospital after a stroke and  a heart attack.    Peat is a wonder, a polio victim all his life, yet he never once let it interfere with living.   He has been sent home and nothing can be done about the some one thing in his brain that is triggering the attacks and he cannot be operated on for a new pace maker or open heart surgery.   He opted to come home where he is much more comfortable, has his hobbies to work on and gets around in his motorized chair.    He spent his first hours out in the garden checking everything out.    He knows his time is limited, but according to him it has been always been so, as it is for each one of us.   He knows his body is telling him it is closer than he'd like but he also knows that he had done everything he can to use his body and mind as he was suppose to.   When you think about strength, kindness, a loving heart, think of Peat and say a prayer or two for him.  

So today, be grateful for your health.    Take good care of YOU.    Don't be one to say that old adage of "if I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself" . . . moderation is the key to success in both body and mind, so know that good thoughts, deeds, a happy disposition and a true heart will stand you in good stead for a lot of more good years to come.   Practice, practice, practice how to be open, honest and steadfast and share YOU with those you love.    Hugs to all.