Magic



A tiny dragon, what a cutie . . . magic, just what we need  to brighten our lives.   



Now this could be Jo's Oscar and his familiar look.    He sits by Jo when she is trying to catch up on her reading.  Well, he likes attention, but then, don't we all!



One often wonder why a fisherman gets up at dawn and goes out in a boat and sits there waiting patiently to make the catch of the day.  I think this picture says it all.



Yep, traffic is picking up.    Signs of spring and the many who love the ocean and make their way here.   We cannot be greedy and keep our beautiful Oregon coast all to ourselves, but there are times we'd sure like to try.   We don't mind the folks coming but sometimes their driving habits are not made for a small town.   That bumper to bumper stuff is better in the big cities.   

It is hump day, thirteen days of March have gone on and lent is all but over.    Yesterday proved to be visitors day for me and I had such a wonderful day with drop ins.    My telephone rang and it was Sharon telling me she was three minutes away so put the tea pot on.   She came in with her new IPAD or is it IPOD?, and she had hundreds of pictures to show me. She is a very talented artist and has become the owner of a 'machine' . . . computer type that you have a special screen and pen and can draw anything you choose to bring to life.    It is something new in technology and mind boggling.   Her work is absolutely wonderful and this new way of painting brings the colors out as if you were actually touching the person or scene.    She does wonders and made my time with her fly out the door.    Next came Maggie with a copy of the first disc of "Abby Road" knowing I am a fan and now can see what I missed. The Kincaid puzzle she gave me was out on the puzzle board and drew her attention right away.  She is a great puzzle maker and yes, she would have  a cup of tea, and yes she would stay a 'few' minutes which went into a long time much to my pleasure.  And . . . she agreed the puzzle was a doozy of dark stormy clouds and an ocean wild with its dark blues and purples and an occasional piece of white.    I hated to see her leave but she has her three dogs waiting at home for attention.   Then came Pam who wanted to know if I'd like to join her at the casino for lunch and spend a little time....yes, I'd love to ...but...it is lent and I gave up gaming for lent along with a few other things.   I have to prove I have some control over me and my bad habits..you know, the fun ones.   Soon the telephone rang and it was my neighbor wanting to know if I was all right as there had been so many cars in my driveway today.  She thought something happened to me . . . well, it did, happy seconds with delightful friends who left me sated with hugs and love;  a memory building day, one you must experience and enjoy.    Jo, the Seventh Day Adventist came with magazines and a few good words.   And to top it off a nice new fellow came in the door, the man who loves to garden and he has promised he will do his level best to make my yard look well tended to.   So put your tea pot on and unlock the door as today may be your day for company . . . I hope so.

 "A Spark"  . . . "I've never met a stranger in my entire life/ I look inside to find God's tiny hidden light./   The spark is there in everyone/ not easily found . . .it's true/  but take the time/you'll be glad/ to make a friend or two.
They come in all sizes and shapes/ all manner of hair and face/ some are tall and some are short/ some are plump or thin/ some gracious, some snarly/ a challenge to behold/ but in the eyes there resides a love they wish to share/ all you have to do is smile and friendship is right there.     JMS-2002

So open up your door and let some 'sunshine' in.  Hugs to all.

Fair or Not



I do not know who Steve Maraboli is, but I'd say he is a wise man.   Your life is not behind you, it's true, it is with you every second of the day of each new day and it is up to you to make good use of your seconds.    Think of all the fun you will  have, and all the chances, to make truly wonderful memories just be living one second at a time.   All to soon you will be able to look back and wonder where your seconds went and hopefully bring forth some wondrous memories that tell a life story to be proud of.



Somewhere I had notes on whose desk this was.  It belonged to someone brilliant and famous and is supposedly the sign of a very good mind.    I always thought clutter made for messes in the mind and heart . . .



but I changed my mind when I saw our President's desk and how much it shows the difference in working and solving the problems we now have in our country.    I guess when you have four hundred tsars to do your work the you don't have to worry about messing up your desk.   



Political cartoons have a way of pointing to a truth or two.     I wonder what the history books will say in the future.  I think this president will go down in history as one of the worst we have ever had and we have had some doozies.  I had absolutely no intention of getting into politics this morning, but one picture led to thinking and you know what thought does.....so let us take into account the actual news of today.  We should have a new Pope for the Catholic Church and a new National budget is going to be introduced in hopes of solving our money problems . . . but, both the Congress and the Senate have to get their act together in order for it to work so the same old problem exists today that existed yesterday and the day before and on and on.        The neighborhood problems will resolve themselves, one way or another.    One of ours has been evicted and the house left like a pig sty, sad and expensive for the land lord.    The landlord mentioned that nothing was to be said about the conditions but for one reason or another told each neighbor  and all but posted notice on the billboard.    Yeah, people are not funny, but strange at times.   

So today, A Tuesday in your week, think, act, do something positive that will make your seconds count for you.   You are not responsible for everyone else and their behavior.  You are responsible for yours.    Keep that in mind when you decide to clear your work space and make sure it isn't all clear but organized so you can find what you need and get your work done.    Be kind to your neighbors, you have no idea what is on going in their lives.    But, most of all be kind to yourself and get on with living one second as it comes.     It helps if you smile with your eyes and let a little love show through.  It helps if you have a hug ready for someone in need.    It helps even if they don't have a need.   So be all you can be today and make it a memorable one.  Hugs to all.



New



Saturday when we were out to see what the yard sales were all about, we followed the signs and found a culdesac with nice homes with a wonderful view of the ocean.    I was happy I had my camera with me.   



This is one of the entrance gates to one of the homes.   A beautiful piece of art made out of wood and metal.



The folks having the yard sale had a garden of spring jonquils out front welcoming the folks.    I found a great cook book with old fashioned recipes, even had one for real true chowder made with salt pork and not bacon;  also a recipe for making mince meat.   I'll have to try it as buying mince meat at holiday time at almost ten dollars a jar becomes way too expensive for the pies and cookies.  The title of the cook book was "Things my mother never told me."      Pat found a lovely small cobalt blue vase about five inches high, hand blown and had 'strings' of gold which made it iridescent.  There were only a couple of sales this week but, the weather is changing and soon everyone will get the bug and we will be able to take a peek and the treasures no one wants anymore.  

Good news from granddaughter Erin as she heads for Turkey and on to Egypt where she will buy her ticket home.  We should see her sometime in July and she will come for a visit and show us all her pictures and tell us her stories of this fabulous trip she has been on.   She has been accepted by the Peace Corps and she will be going east for training and then placed somewhere but we have no idea where as yet.   From what she writes, she and Donaleo have met some very friendly, warm and loving folks who have high hope of visiting the USA and see how 'the other half live' and will be guests for a change or should I say exchange.     It is a great way to travel  for those who accept and enjoy people as is;  a wonderful experience and a truly marvelous experience for those who 'never met a stranger.'  

So today, the start of your new week, are you going to meet a 'stranger';   wouldn't that be nice . . . a new friend perhaps.   I hope so.    Our celebration with Peat was really special.  He was a bit on the pale side after his stroke and has been getting stronger by the day.    He enjoyed himself and wore his Sultan hat.   We met Alan, a new friend of Susy and celebrated their exchange of friendship rings.    Dee and her sister stopped in long enough for a hug and some chatter and made  our dinner a success.    I think we were the noisiest table in the room so we can never complain if others get a bit on the loud side in the future.    We were sorry Jock was not with us as Alan is a hunter also and some of his bear stories were hysterical.    We'll have to get them together so they can tell us more.    Maggie didn't  have a bear tale to tell but she did have one of her three run away dogs in their new home.    All three got out of the fenced yard and all three went in different directions so you know she had some fun trying to round them up.    All in all, old friends, new friends . . . the only way to a celebrate life.   Call and make a date with a family member, an old friend or take a chance a make a brand new one and have a memory building day.    Hugs to all.     



And Yes . . .



Do not scoff . . . some of us still us old reliable and I have two such phones, only Princess style, in good use.  Cool, comfortable and there isn't any lost in a loud drum sound when in use.   I like it.



From "Books are Magic" . . . Book lovers know this and each of us fall into the category . . . there just isn't anything like a really good book to keep you company on any day or night.  A friend that sits and waits to be held.



and to think I've been searching for pen and paper forever...and here I had the message board right there if I had only thought.  I could have saved money on buying furniture polish . . oh well, live and learn.

It is Sunday,  Easter is coming, yeah!!!  Lent has been long this year, only because I have been waiting for St. Pat's Day when I celebrate the day, then go back and finish my lenten chores.    The candles are lit, and really looked beautiful as they lit up the little entry way In the Star of the Sea foyer.  The yard sales were few over the weekend but it was sunshine and that meant allot in getting out and about.  I took my camera and got a couple of pictures but haven't put them on the computer yet.  I even worked in the backyard for about an hour and that seems to be my limit.    I pruned three bushes, so I have gotten a start to spring cleaning outside.   Today we are going to celebrate Peat's birthday;  yes, he did make another one, but only by a thread.  He has something not working, or working to well, in his brain that causes strokes which lead to heart attacks and there is nothing that can be done.   So today we will celebrate him and hope this will be a good year for him.  Happy Birthday Peat!  How much we admire his will to live each day, every day.
So keep an eye on your family members and friends and be sure to stay aware as to their health and happiness.   Sometimes it is all 'on' you;  so don't hesitate, put a smile in your eyes, and open up those arms and make yourself useful.   Hugs to all.



Strange



Do you know what these are?    It has been a very long time since I have used one of these, how about you?  They came in handy when you made a mistake or two . . .erasers!



Now here is a tree that just wouldn't give up.   a small miracle as some of the roots stayed put.  A puzzle  . . . did the earth fall away because of an earthquake?   or, did the tree slide down the side of the rocks in a big rain storm?  Makes you wonder as Mother Nature gives us a puzzle or two to solve. 

Hey there Maxine . . . always spouting about things she thinks she knows all about.     Her creator has a wonderful sense of humor and the females in his family must be fun to know.     He has the money, wonder if there is much stress in his family.   I doubt it.    Take me, as an example, I've been working at winning a jack pot, or a lottery for fifty years in hopes of leaving my family rich as Midas, but so far all I've seen is the inside of a rusty bucket.    Take yesterday for example, I was invited to play Bingo.  I haven't played Bingo in so many years I had forgotten how it plays.  It didn't take long to re-learn and as daughter Pat said, "This is like watching paint dry."   Boring....slow.....sitting much to long and defying gravity to get back on the feet.    Nope, not for me, I'd much rather play the slots and hope for a big win...come to think of it I won the blackout so came out five dollars ahead of the game.

The weekend is here.   If the weather is good  you are probably thinking garden chores, I'm sure there are many just waiting for attention.  I had hopes of hiring a young fellow to come and put my garden in order but he never showed, so you know where I'll be as the weather changes.  Don't forget this is the weekend to turn the clocks ahead....Spring forward . . . another hour of light and back to normal.    It takes the body a day or two to adjust then you'll be fine.     Have a wonderful weekend doing the things you love to do best.   Don't forget to give a little attention to those who are not feeling up to par.    Some folks are regrouping from operations, or a bad cold and need a little attention and a lot of hugs.    You have the arms for it, so use them.   Hugs to all.

Dauntless



Friend Angie says jonquils always make her smile . . . she is right they really do . . . the first to pop up in the late of winter or early spring snows.    Yellow the color of hope.



Hey there cutie!!!    Now that is wishful thinking.   My friend, Mary, sent this along this morning and it was captioned one word essays.   There were many pictures and hopefully you will receive the same attachment on an e mail as there were so many to make us smile.    I think this one was called tenacity and he looks like he is really tenacious.



Hope . . . a will to do more. . . a desire to do ones best under very trying circumstances.  I'm betting she does wonders as she grows.



Now this could be getting a little help from big brother.    I wondered if he followed her out.    You just cannot take your eyes off of them for a second.    Doggie doors have a new meaning.

I love pictures as they tell such stories and can make you laugh out loud, or cry rivers of tears.     Hopefully you share your pictures with family and friends.     It is so nice to be included in a bragging bout as some one friend approaches with a whole strip of pictures of their loved ones.     There comes a time when pictures are more meaningful than others.  A time when you go back in time and see the faces of those you loved all of your life and have gone on to their reward and all that is left are memories that help you to accept and relive the years when you shared all of the up and downside of life.     So take time to get out the old albums and 'thumb' through them.  You will find yourself laughing and crying not in sadness but in memories to good not to be relived.     It is a good time to make a collage using pinking shears to fit the picture corners together and frame the pictures so you can hang it in the hallway.  Every time you pass by you see the faces and places that mean the most to you, and what a treat you are in store for as you glance and your smile widens as you remember a special time with that special person who has grown old right along with you.    You grin, you chuckle and think  . . . yeah, I'm going to call today and make sure I spread a little joy to someone I truly love.  A little communication goes a very long way in making time stand still so you can catch up with one another.     Don't let distance be the bad guy;   you have so many means and ways to communicate these days . . . so today communicate.  Hugs to all.



Smile



I can see you are all nodding in agreement.    



A mole hole in the left over bit of snow in Angie's yard up in Truckee.    She and Gary have been fighting moles for a long time.  I remember visiting them some years back and watched them catch a mole and stand their arguing the best way to get rid of it....I guess they never did figure it out.



Now this could be Jo's Oscar.   He would be telling her that it was his time and not to bother him.   

Well it is Thursday, all day, another stormy day . . . winter is having a hard time leaving us, can't figure that out as we have not had many really nice words to say about cold rainy days.    I was over to visit Russell yesterday and read more about Wake Island.    I have learned so much and it has been quite an experience to get some word of mouth information about what it really was like to withstand a Japanese invasion of our little island.     I learned yesterday that there were Marines stationed on the Island and they being military were treated far differently than the civilian employees who were there on the island to build a fuel depot for the big China Clippers.    What transpired was something to hear about as the Japanese officers of mid rank were face slappers when you didn't move fast enough.   No one spoke English so it had to be difficult to understand orders.    After encampment in Japan the regulars, probably the lower echelon of the Japanese people, were much kinder and helped to make the prisoners stay a bit more comfortable by sharing a cigarette or a treat now and then.     My new friend Russell is in the first stages of Alzheimer but his memories are still vivid about the olden days.  Right now an 'old girlfriend' is coming to visit and he is in a quandary wondering why. . . I asked how old she was and he said 'my age' and he is ninety-five....smile. . . and worried that she might propose.    I guess you are never to old for romance.

So today, go out and make a new friend or two, you just don't know what surprises are in store for you today.   It could turn into a day of surprises, one never knows until they get out there and find out what is ongoing in the world.   Granddaughter Erin is riding camels on the Sahara desert and enjoying it.    I am sure last year at this time she had no idea at all that she would become a world traveler.    Aah, to be young and full of spirit . . . come to think of it there is nothing wrong with being 'old' and full of spirit.     So keep your spirits up and open the door and go find out . . .with a smile on your face showing those pearly whites and open arms to invite a hug or two. . .um, sounds like fun to me.  Hugs to all.