5 CATS AND THE TRUTH

Parakleto and the Relaxed Cat

2012-01-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

It is so sweet to bask in being the recepient of people coming along side to live life with you. To be in the place of being able to give and receive. Having been on the giving/serving side of things my whole life, it has been a very different experience to be on the receiving end. My heart says a huge thank you to those of you who gave to me over the past 2 months. I smile from head to toe to know that now if I need a guy to help me out with those things that come along where only a guy can help out, I now have someone to call on. John and Jennie, I love you. I love you for seeing and making a list then making the phone call - so unexpected. I have some things on my "list" so when winter passes I'll call you. I am blessed by the sweetness of God's gift of his people and parakleto. Thank you.

Calvin is getting better after a horrible sickness of a blocked urinary tract. I see him be the old, precious Calvin more and more each day. He is now down to fluids once a week which will continue indefinetly for a while. Here he is cuddled up to his heated pad in his bed in his garage "apartment". The tarp blocks a leak around a vent pipe that brings a little water when it rains hard and the wind blows.

And then there are those naps with mom when both are relaxing in the morning sun.

Miss Mia is quite happy and rarely asks for anything. She is the perfect cat. For a girl born in a feral community and one who never had much loving or holding in her previous home, she is becoming quite the lap cat. Our Princess.

Don't tell Calvin that this is a door draft blocker that we got from a friend at Christmas. To him it is 6 new friends and the perfect place to take a nap with his catnip "lick stick". If I ever were to invent a yoga pose I think it would be called "Relaxed Cat".

Aidan begs for water from the bathtub faucet a couple of times a day. Please mom.

I have mentioned this before, but I can hardly wait for Spring when two of my favorite authors publish their new books - Charles Martin and Mary Alice Monroe. Thunder and Rain will be out in April. Ahhhhhh, flowers and good books, could life be better?

No Photo Needed

2012-01-06T19:05:00.000-08:00

THE INJURY: Life with totally dead nerves in you feet is not walk in the park -literally. A few weeks ago I got one of those dry-winter cracks on the top of my big toe. I was treating it and it was totally healing when I guess I spent too much time walking and one evening when I took off my shoe, there was a grand canyon there instead of a crack. Almost to the bone, it extended across the entire top of my toe and down one side then around the back of my toe and the whole top of my toe was like a hat you could almost remove. So yesterday afternoon and evening I sat in the clinic with my favorite orthopedic physician's assistant Mike Wulf while he worked on it for me. It took a scalpel, a dremel with a very fine sanding tool and other PA magic, antibiotic, exceptional bandaging and today it looks Mahvelous. It just felt so good to know that someone else was medically in charge and I could take observation and decision making off of my already too full plate. So now we wait for healing. Maggie told me of some great crack preventing and healing stuff to get - Heeltastic. So with this great team, I really can see healing in my future. It is nice to have numb feet because they don't have to use any anesthesia. I was pretty afraid of the word "Surgery" but that didn't even come up.

Here are some Christmas pictures I haven't posted yet. It is Christmas Eve dinner at Julie's home:

Christmas Cheer to Julie's mom, Helen who will be 98 in February. Now that will be a celebration.

Helen and mom starting on a really yummy meal with a Paula Deen ham and other southern delights.

Cheers to the cook! Thanks Julie. We have been friends since the early 1970's; met in Boise when I lived there - Julie is a Boise native. Fun friendship.

Here is her Mr Lee kitty getting a good nap in while we were pigging out.

Calvin says, "thanks, everybody for praying for me." He is getting better and is still on fluids every other day but does get tomorrow and Sunday off; then he goes Monday, Wed, Fri next week and then down to once a week. He is really good about it and boy do those girls love him. He gets a tummy rub from each one of them. What a good boy. The bill is just mounting up and I am not even asking how much it is. Once a month I take a small amount out there and they greet me with a smile. I love that place.

So give this tummy a big rub and pray for a lifetime of healing for my precious little boy.

TTFN

Rose Bowl Halftime

2012-01-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

I could hardly stand it. For 66 years I have woken up on New Years Day to watch the Rose Parade and then the Rose Bowl. What were they thinking moving it to Jan 2 without checking with me.

At least this morning I could watch the parade after bringing Calvin home. He is doing well and I just pray that it continues. He has won the hearts of all of the Cat Clinic staff.

Here is a pretty picture of our High Desert. It just invites me and I hope you, too, to know that 2012 is going to be good because we have a loving God in charge. I have to remind myself of that often these days because I feel so beyond my capability to respond to the demands put upon me. My mom still makes it very difficult. I do everything I can to set her environment up so she can just relax and enjoy her day, and she continues to complain and argue over the slightest thing. It sure would be nice if I had the kind of support she has. But I can't let myself go there. I am recovering from a virus and am so tired as I get up before sunrise and care for Calvin and go to bed late after all the care my mom requires. I am so glad that I have these kitties who love on me and are just so precious. I wish I had someone who would really be there for me and help me with some of the things that are falling apart in my environment.

I need to start looking at what I can sell to help me financially. I don't know what that could be but......... I do have several cans I can return for $10 a day so weather permitting I will try to get out there. I have a big open wound on my foot again and am trying not to go to the doc - where is the time.

Okay. That's my 5 minutes of spouting off.

Look at this cold Rhodie. I am so thankful that this is not in my front yard. I am getting my hose out like so many of us gardeners in Central Oregon to assure that my plants don't dry out and freeze - the main killer of plants here. It is so dry this year that this becomes a once a month requirement. This Rhodie is on Mt LeConte in my favorite spot in Tennessee - the GSM. And this photo came from a friend yesterday. Burrrrrrrrr !!

This has to be the biggest board I have ever seen. This shot comes from friend Dan Patching in Kauai today. Dan and Jodi "had" to move there this year from Bend because Dan was transferred there by his company. Too Bad Dan, someone has to take it for the team.

I want to send a shout out to friends Kevin and John. Your phone calls really help my days. I just love you guys and hope some day I can repay the friendship. Kevin, love on your kitties for me; and John, love on your family for me - wish I was in Tennessee right now.

I think I am going to study the book of Luke for my Bible Study the first part of this year. Just finished "The Litigators" on my novel list. Not Grisham's best in my mind. I just get so tired of books that you can figure out within the first chapter or so. I am so far enjoying Red Mist.

I am so ready to get out there and do some geocaching so guess I should do my research and make my list. That is lots more fun than moving furniture and cleaning carpets on hand and knees.

Well, I'll Be Back.......

Apologies, Apologies

2011-12-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

When times are so very stressful, I should post more but I kind of hide away. Thank you Kevin for letting me know that that isn't the best idea.

Calvin has been a sick little boy but is doing well with his recovery. He got out of the hospital after a one week stay and now goes in for fluids every day. (At 7:30 a.m. on weekends and 8:30 on weekdays. ) He is such a good little traveler and then he just lays there and lets the girls poke him and fill his tank and then love on his tummy. He thinks it is really great. Then we get home and I go over (about an hour late) to get my mom up and ready and then it is home to take care of the cats.

When I finally sit down to read the paper and relax. Here is what it looks like:

The caption reads - boy that relaxer medicine really works good.

And as a cousin of mine said, "I'll have what he is having". Right On.

After one evening where he was restless and his urine output was a bit lower than it had been, his doc decided to extend his fluids and his bladder muscle relaxer and decrease them slowly. He will finish his injectable antibiotic and oral antibiotic in a couple of days. They are so great to let me just keep my debt (which is extensive now and I call it my National Debt) there at the clinic and let me pay it off without interest. Whew. This is the first debt I have had in 12 years so it doesn't feel good but I am thankful. I mean, really, what do you do? When you have an animal family member, you have to help them out. A friend has given me a small bit of money to help out and believe me, I am so thankful.

While outside today I discovered a pile of deer poop in my yard and that was fun. Wish I could have seen the guy who left it (or girl). Since Calvin and I are going out before sunrise tomorrow, maybe we will see him or her. (Didn't think you needed a picture of that.)

Here is a photo of a beautiful sunrise at the Cat Clinic last weekend. So pretty and hopeful.

I have a gi flu bug now and boy it was a violent one a couple of nights ago. Hope it goes away soon.

Chandler was under the weather for a few days, poor little guy. After loving on him and giving him a couple of doses of laxatone and spending the night on the couch with him, he started to get better. I think he could smell that animal hospital smell from Calvin and it really bothered him.

Well, Big Red Calvin wishes you Adieu and Happy New Year. I will get some pictures of the other guys up soon. And I will share more regularly with everyone. Thanks for the support and the food and the money and the prayers. Boy, do they help out.

2011-12-21T21:32:00.000-08:00

Calvin's Ordeal

Monday night at 9:00 we headed to the emergency animal clinic as his urethra was blocked and he was one sick kitty. Happened over just a couple of hours.

He had an irregular heart beat so the vet did complete lab work and passed a catheter. I came home at midnight and he stayed

Tuesday Morning
I picked him up at 7:30 and drove him with his catheter and IV to his regular doctor at the Cat Clinic and got him settled in. The girls all goo gooed and gaa gaaed over him and made him feel special and we started on the drill of x-rays, the start of 3 days with catheter in place and me visiting him twice a day. Boy did he perk up when he saw me coming.

I just love that clinic and feel so relaxed when someone of my flock has to be there.

Today he was up to his old tricks. When he wants some attention, he does something dramatic. Now that might be difficult in a small cage but, the girls were cleaning up in there this morning when Calvin looked them in the eye and drew back his paw and used his water dish as a hockey puck. SCOOOOOOORE ! They were cracking up and if we only knew, I suspect he was too. Here are his photos of the day.

Thanks to everyone who is praying for him. Prayers are being answered left and right. Now the issue will be to find the cause. He doesn't have crystals; his blockage was a soft plug of white and red blood cells. I just don't want him to continue to block and have to go through the ER thing. I can't afford that ($1100) and don't want to see him be that painful. I can't even entertain putting him down as he doesn't have a terminal disease. I am working hard to scrub up the house and make it as calming as possible for him when he does get to come home. I remember Oreo being in the hospital for 9 days one time during his blockage period. Stay tuned and thanks for the support everyone. Wish I knew of a benefactor to help ease my stress of future cost but...... I will take one day at a time and be thankful for my gifts of these little lives.

A New Day Is Dawning -

2011-12-16T18:53:00.000-08:00

Ahh, the dawn of a new day. Is there a more precious time of day? There is always great promise and if you look for God's blessings in the details, you won't be disappointed.

I do need to post more often as so much happens that should be shared. Okay, I'll try.

I have been working on my house trying to make it look different in some ways. Oh if only I could buy a couple of things and if I could only rip out at least part of my 32 year old carpet and ........ Oh well, I will be happy if I can get our property taxes paid; and I wonder what a refrigerator looks like with food in it. At this time of the month meals look really strange.

Here is a blessing tho. Last April I started to learn to play guitar and I have been taking all of my questions and small needs to a wonderful music store called MusicMakers. I just love the fellow who manages the business (Dan McClung - plays stand up bass in the band Moon Mountain Ramblers), and then I take lessons from the assistant manager, Mai who plays lead guitar in the same band. Yesterday when I picked up my guitar (only 9 months old) to practice, I noticed a small defect on the bottom that looked to my newby eyes like a seam starting to open up. I have been very faithful about humidification and care. Being new to this whole thing, I took my guitar into the store (I had purchased it there). Dan carefully looked it over , thought about it, explained that usually this begins to happen in shipping (he knew that I had not dropped the instrument or banged it hard in that area). He walked over to the wall and pulled a much upgraded model off, handed it to me and said, smiling, "Take this one. That's how we do business here." I was stunned. So now I have this beautiful new guitar "Maybelle II" I call her. Wow, I feel so blessed and will make sure I do all of my music business with Dan and the guys there. If you need something that relates to music, I hope you will shop there too.

While there I noticed that they have a beautifully cared for 1978 Martin 12 string - "If I Were A Rich Man" runs through my head. And right beside it, a nice looking Breedlove. Oh drool. Sorry for the dark picture but I don't like the way flash photography makes wood look. This is the new music area I have created in my home. However..............
Moving furniture around just freaks out my cats. Chandler and Aidan stick close together when they are stressed.

Calvin says, "well, ya'll be stressed if you want, I will just crawl in bed with my back end and feet tucked up against my heated pad and go to sleep." I bless the guy who made that heated pad- I bless him every night. When the pad senses pressure, it heats up to a cat's body temp (102). It kept Mia warm at night when she lived outside. It was 20 degrees out and she had her little "cabin" heated up to 74 degrees with her God given cat heater and Mr Heated Pads. It is very, very well made and very safe. God Bless ya Mr Inventer Man.

So many great things have happened lately, and the best and most magical was the rescue of a beautiful Red-Tailed Hawk who was tangled in a barbed wire fence. No one had a camera but........ I have an incredible, much treasured friend named Kevin who lives out near Powell Butte. He loves animals and has a presence about him that animals sense and trust. He was driving in to work early one morning when he noticed the bird and its plight. Once out of the car, he came up with a plan to free the bird with tools he had in his trunk and a pair of leather gloves. A woman driving by also saw the situation and stopped. Neither had a camera, but were focused on the task anyway. The woman managed the traffic and was there to support Kevin. I can't tell you all that he did (but, Kevin, if you write it out - which I think you should because it is just magic - I will share it.) The bird was fatigued and didn't thrash about; when freed he took to flight without even hitting the ground. Kevin assessed him as much as he could with just close observation and there weren't big wounds or bleeding anywhere and nothing seemed broken. The woman commented "that was awesome" as both she and Kevin stood there rather stunned by the whole situation. And as they stood there the bird circled back to do a fly-by and thank them, then was off to the near-by trees. I will remember the story forever. I will love you forever too, my friend. I am so blessed that we met that day so many, many years ago. You are amazing.

I lost a lifetime friend this month, Bill Crawford, who sits up on the chair arm while he and my dad share a great laugh during our 1980 Christmas celebration with my brother Bob and his wife Mindy, Bill's wife Judi, my mom of course and several other friends. Gosh we had fun. Bill died at 96 after a long battle with Alzheimer's . His precious wife Judi cared for him at home all of that time until things deteriorated to where he had to go to a facility just a few months ago. We miss him very much.

Here is a recent picture of my mom and her best buddy Oreo so you will know that she really is still here and functioning okay as long as she is in her own environment.

We spent a very nice Thanksgiving at my friend Julie's home. Mom had a good time visiting with Julie's mom who is 97 and here for the winter from Boise.

That weekend I had a chance to visit with my cousins Bev and Barry(black vest and white sweater) and their good friends Marsha and Rick (Brown sweater and green shirt). Bev and Barry live in Weaverville, CA and come up to see their friends and us each Thanksgiving. We met at Baldy's for a yummy lunch. Family and friends are everything in life to me.

Here is my friend Kati and her precious dog Flicka watching a movie at their home on a cold night in northern Ohio. I love this shot.

This beautiful picture is my friend Marianne Sunderland (mother to Abby and Zac) and her 8th child Paul-Louis (named in honor of the captain of the boat who rescued Abby when she was in the most remote part of the Indian Ocean after her boat was demasted). I love this photo. Marianne is a big time prayer warrior and never, ever starts a day without it. Looks like Paul-Louis will be a warrior just like his mom. The Sunderlands - Zac and his dad Laurence - participated in this current season of The Amazing Race and it was sure fun to watch them. They did have to leave a couple of weeks ago, being the last to arrive at the pit stop. Fun.

As you can see to the right, I am currently reading John Grisham's "The Litigators" and enjoying it, but as usual, I came across another travel book recently that I just had to read - written by a fellow who lives in Seattle and graduated from my alma mater Oregon State. He rode his bike.... well here is the title and it will explain it all - "Riding With Reindeer: A Bicycle Odessey through Finland, Lapland, and Arctic Norway"
Holy Batman, now this just had to be on my bookshelf. I love reading this type of book. I think it all began back in the 1970's when I first read "Miles From Nowhere". I love it when people take their bikes and just travel - - then write about it , just for me. I have only read the first few pages but know that I am going to love this book.
"Riding With Reindeer" Really !!!!??! If you are on Goodreads, I will be posting updates and reviews there.

Well, I've kept you long enough and I promise to not have to do catch-up again, but will post my thoughts and actions as they happen.

Oh, do you want to see the best Christmas Card I have received to this point this year? This is Claire who has been my BFF since we were at Bend High School. What a wonderful friendship it has been. Retirement from teaching hasn't gotten in her way.

Enjoy this run-up to Christmas everyone.

So Much Fun.....

2011-11-14T19:58:00.000-08:00

My friends Laurence and Zac Sunderland have been on the TV program Amazing Race until last night when really bad luck made them last to arrive at the Pit Stop, so they were elemenated. Heck, I shed a few tears that they had to go home but can't wait to hear their stories. This is a picture from a while ago of Zac, Abby (sister), and Dad Laurence.

More on the glasses. Everyone in the hair shop was praying for them to be found, and my friend in West Virginia was praying the same. So I put my mom down for a nap and told her that when she woke up to just walk to where her glasses were and put them on. Of course she didn't even remember that they were lost and I didn't include the "lost" part in the conversation ; so I came home and took my own nap and when I went over to fix dinner, low and behold, she had her glasses on. The curious part is that I will never know where they were, but, who cares - THEY'RE BACK. Praise Jesus and oh how I do mean that.

The antibiotics are really helping my foot already. So there is another praise.

And, one evening while walking down my mom's driveway I spotted two roses and an Oriental Poppy that were in bud. Holy cow, very late but oh so beautiful. Here they are:

And, of course, I took Oreo a new toy just now when going over to get them ready for bed and he threw that thing all over the house then laid down in exhaustion. Such a guy.

Good night everyone and thank you for all of the prayers. We felt each one.

Just Picture It

2011-11-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a very windy day and found me sitting on the couch reading when I heard the mail truck coming down the street. As I lifted my eyes from printed page to mailbox I saw my wonderful mailman Jim hanging out his window with his mouth hanging open in amazement, then I noticed a deer's rear end walking slowly up the probably 6 feet of driveway between her and Jim. I couldn't go out for fear of spooking her so I waited until she got past my car. I knew she was headed to my Mountain Ash tree that is heavy with berries right now. She paused and ate for a short while until an idiot driving a loud car way too fast spooked her and she took off in the easterly direction that the deer usually take. It was just so magical for a few moments. There was no photo op because of where I had parked my car. But just imagine it. When I went out to get my mail, Neighbor Dan across the street came out and exclaimed -- "Wow, did you see her?" He knows that I am usually sleeping when neat stuff happens in the hood.

I have been a fan of wildlife for as long as I can remember so one of my favorite websites is africam.com This site has cameras out in the bush of South Africa and it is amazing to watch the feed. For the past several months they have had a camera on a "Potted plant owl" who laid 3 eggs on a balcony - you can read her story - two of the eggs hatched and it has been so much fun to watch this whole process. It is really cool to see how these people have put things out for the little ones to perch on etc. So if you like this kind of stuff it's
africam.com then click on Potted Plant Owl right at the top on your left. Think you'll enjoy it.

What A Day

2011-11-10T16:48:00.000-08:00

I have been away from the computer from way too long. It has been stressful here and then I was sick for awhile. Now I think I have another infection in my foot. At least it is Thursday and I can call my doc in the morning.

At least once a week lately, my mom has been moving things around in her house. Her "busy" days usually create mega frustration for me because lots of things I need to maintain her house are in unusual places and not easily found; and then some things disappear forever. A few pictures are now among the missing. I miss them but, okay, not the worst thing in the world - Until today when she came out for breakfast and didn't have her glasses on. I have torn up that house twice now and still no glasses. I really just want to weep over this one because I just used every last cent we had to pay 1/3 of each of our property taxes so there is absolutely no money to replace her glasses. I have handled every piece of trash in her waste baskets, I have taken the bed apart twice. I have emptied every drawer, I have looked under the beds and other furniture with a flashlight - twice now. I am so sad and so frustrated. Why can't things happen when there is money to replace them. At $350, it is going to be a long time until I can replace these for her. It may not happen for a year or so. Please pray for us that we can find these glasses. We did laugh today when I told her that I may not find them until I take everything out of the house after she dies. She asked me to be sure to bring them over to her grave when I find them. Chuckle, chuckle, ugh. She did get a nice hair cut today and it was nice to be among the friends at the hair shop. My mom has gone there over 40 years. They are a praying bunch so they will be praying for these glasses to show up.

No, mom doesn't have an extra pair because we have used the same frames for tons of years. I worry about her going out in sunlight because she needed her Transition lenses to darken and protect her eye that had a growth called a Ptyregium that had to be surgically peeled off her eye a few years ago before she then had cataracts removed.

Oh the joys and heartaches of living with dementia.

Here's hugs to ya from us. Thanks for prayin' ; I'll keep you posted.

Blessings And Choices

2011-10-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

I was so blessed the other day. This one was so powerful in my life and happened at such an unexpected time and place, that I thought I would share it with you. A friend suggested that I do so, so here we go.

You probably don't know any of these people - except me, of course , but maybe some day as we enter our eternity, we can all sit around and get to know each other better.

Within this story, I will be sharing some of my Truth with you.

I went to high school with a boy named Kurt Larson. He was in the class, at Bend Senior High School, a year ahead of me which means that since I moved here as a Junior in High School, I really only knew well the kids in my class and the class younger than us. I did, however, remember Kurt's smile. After we all graduated from college and had been working for about 12 years, I ran into that smile again working at Erickson's Market back here in Bend. Kurt had taught school for those years post-college, but had decided to settle back in Bend and work at Erickson's which is what he did for the next 28 years. He was always helpful there and fun to visit with. In May of this year while doing my monthly shopping there, I saw Kurt again, stocking frozen foods. We were both surprised to see each other with gray hair and maybe a few extra pounds, so we visited for awhile. I had thought that like a lot of us, he had retired and sure enough he had, but when a co-worker was injured, the store needed help so Kurt gladly stepped in to lend a hand. Yep, that was the Kurt I remembered - "I'll be there, no problem......." A really special guy.

I was really shocked when just a few weeks later I read his obituary in the local paper.

So, a few days ago, while in the check out line at Erickson's, I noticed that the checker was old enough to probably have known Kurt and have worked with him in the 28 years that he worked there at the store. When I brought my cart back in to the store there were no people in the check out lines but that checker was there and thanked me for bringing the cart back in. I walked up to him and said, "Gosh, I was so sorry to read that Kurt had died." (In the interim I had learned that he had been challenged by Congestive Heart Failure.) The checker got tears in his eyes - so that sparked tears in mine - and he said, "Oh, but he went in the most perfect way." Okay, now, I am an old oncology RN and have attended hundreds of deaths in my career and am always interested in those stories, so I asked if he minded sharing the story with me. Here is what he shared - I will set the descriptive stage in my own words:

It was one of those beautiful Central Oregon evenings - warm, azure blue sky stretched out forever over the snowcapped, glacial Cascade Mountain range; a nice, warm, gentle breeze blew overhead,setting up for a beautiful sunset. Kurt was sitting out in his back yard in his lounge chair reading his Bible (his common practice) while his wife was in cooking dinner that she told him would be ready in about 45 minutes. As that time neared, she walked out to remind him to come in. He closed up his Bible and took her hand, stood up and died. From her arms into the arms of the Lord. Wow. What a beautiful story. It left me with only one question - "I wonder what verse he had just read and what his thoughts had been right then?" As we both shed a few tears, the checker chuckled as he said - "Yeah, I wonder."

I don't know how you feel, but I know from experience a couple of things. First, yes, it is very hard on the person there who is left living. And I know that it is a major blessing to be doing something you love and just die, without the suffering that can occur otherwise. That is a debate for another time and is also something we have no control over. The only choice we are left with then is this - Knowing that life goes on for eternity, where are we going to choose to be - with God or without Him.

I know that Kurt's story is a beautiful one because he loves Jesus and so do I. I hope this story encourages you. We miss ya Kurt.

I LOVE TO READ....

2011-09-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

And like you, I have my favorite authors. At the top of my list with Mary Alice Monroe is Charles Martin. I read "When Crickets Cry" and was hooked. "Wrapped in Rain" was even better. Then I got to read all of of his others. And , yes, I caught up and now, like Mary Alice's books, I have to wait for his once a year releases. Because his new book is quite different than his others, he had to find a new publisher who believed in the book as much as Charles did, and believe me, Charles was not going to give up on this book because he believed so strongly in its story line. It involves the Texas Rangers.

I follow his blog and really enjoy his video posts - Yes, I do love his accent (he is a southerner, well, actually a Texan I think, but resides and writes in another southern state. I thought you might enjoy this post. Especially you, cousin Alan, ..... So here it is. I just love the way he describes some of the Texan landscape along highway 10.

'Thunder and Rain' from Author Charles Martin on Vimeo.

Hope that works. If not, go to the right hand column of my blog, and scroll down, then click on the title of the post - Video Blog 9/28 " The Birth of 'Thunder and Rain' "
This newest Martin book is (you guessed it), "Thunder and Rain" , and will be released the first week of April, 2012.

Next I will give you the list of my favorite Authors who are releasing this Fall: John Grisham will give us "The Litigators" on Oct. 25, 2011; Mary Alice Monroe with give us "Beach House Memories" in May, 2012; Pat Conroy will bring us "The Death of Santini" sometime next year (He said his dad has changed so much over the years since he published "The Great Santini", and didn't like the man left exposed in that book; Charles Frazier has published "Nightwoods" this month (he wrote "Cold Mountain"); I don't know this author at all, but Chad Harbach's "The Art of Fielding" sounds worth a try. I am also interested in the late Shel Silverstein's work that was found among his possessions in manuscript form - unpublished that will be published soon. I am so hoping that we can publish my friend Celeste DeBlasis' manuscript - her last historical novel left unpublished at her death - "A Matter of Loyalty" dealing with George Washington.

Celeste taught me so much about how a really good book is written and then shopped, before she died so suddenly. She felt she owed really good research to her readers and a work that was very accurate and a really good read. She was oh so popular around the world. And is so missed. Right now, those of us who own her portfolio and its movie rights, are working on getting her work published on the e-readers. A very interesting process. Anyway, I guess that is why I respect the work of a writer who take a year to write a book instead of just cranking them out every few months.

Patricia Cornwell is going to give us another Scarpetta novel next year - "Red Mist". I guess I still read these because I really like the characters, but the story line has left me a bit underwhelmed.

I guess Mary Alice Monroe, and Charles Martin have proven to me that a great story can be woven without sex or violence, or horrible language. I am always so impressed. I know we don't all have the same taste in books but I love words and what a good author can do with them.

Uhhhhhh Boy, Again

2011-09-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

In 2003 many of you remember that I had my identity stolen - it was an inside job at a bank clearinghouse in the midwest and the filing of police reports went on for 3 years. I lost $25,000 and went through people trying to open new credit cards in my name and on and on. It was just an amazing journey for all the wrong reasons.

Well, yesterday, when trying to pay a couple of bills with my debit card I learned that someone was trying repeatedly to access my account, without success so when I tried to use the card, it was declined. Just what you want to have surprise you ....... I learned what was going on when I called the bank and was again dealing with the Fraud Dept. And I say, Thank You to those wonderful folks who work in such departments and watch spending habits - no I don't frequent places with names of Slumber Parties, and Vox Ox. Yuk !! It was all handled really well and since I had been through an even bigger deal 8 years prior, I wasn't too upset. Interestingly, the bank now has kept my other number looking like it is active but the account has their money in it and they will keep collecting info on the low-lifes who are trying to get in.

A bit ago I posted pictures of Mia and Oreo on their new blankets, made by my friend Pam at the Cat Clinic. She donates all of her proceeds to the local shelter. Yesterday, Chandler and Aidan got their blankets and true to form, Chandler picked the one I thought Aidan would like and Aidan picked the one I thought Chandler would like. Never fails. Here are their pictures.

Aidan loves to pose ! He also loves to be folded up in an envelope of blanket. His pancreatitis seems to be getting better. We hope he is gaining weight.

Chandler loves to sleep. And when he is really deeply relaxed, he stretches out then rolls over so his back feet are propped up against the back cushions of the couch and his shoulders straight forward and his tail straight out. It is the most amazing thing to watch him do this. I was standing behind the couch looking down at him.
I also got another blanket for my sister and brother-in-law's kitty but I can't post it as it is a surprise gift. These blankets are a really soft felt like material and Pam beautifully crochets a border of multiple colors. They are washable and are a nice big size. If you want one or more, just let me know what colors you like or if you live in the area I can tell you where to go look at them. They would work for dogs or cats or even people. She is making lots of holiday ones currently.

Now, you might ask, well, what about Calvin? Well, ahem, I forgot about him. Oh man, I feel terrible. How could you forget a face like this -

When I confessed to Pam what I had done, she told me to come out and get him one and she would donate it to him. Wow, next week Cal baby will have his new blankie.

Days Pass Way Too Quickly.........

2011-09-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday - Ummmmmm, visit to the doctor. Bummer, my weight is down significantly, my blood pressure is good, and my labs are horrible. So, yuk, had to start new med.

So, onward with the good stuff. My friend Karla (in black polka dot dress) had always wanted 2 things in life - to serve in the Peace Corps, so at 67 after her husband's death, she signed up and had just finished her first year in Turkmenistan and loves it. While there she learned that in their culture, Polka Dot dresses are worn at only the most festive of occasions, and a Turkmen friend made Karla a dress to wear as they celebrated the Anniversary of the Peace Corps founding. Too cute.

Hungry for a really good burger, and still having no Barbecue to cook one, I grabbed my mom and headed down to my favorite Brew Pub. On the way in, we walked passed this trash can and I named him "Smokey The Bearell".

Oh, the burger was great and I saw a friend I hadn't seen in years who was in town for a Quarterflash concert. Blast from the past.

Another blast from my past is this photo of Arlo Guthrie that I ran across while cleaning out boxes of stuff. It has been aging uniquely, and its mat was old and marked up and not done well in the first place so I went out and found just the right everything and here he is, post a concert in Eugene in the 60's, enlarge it and you will see the containers of money and the Schlitz beer in his hand. I love, love this photo and have hung it in my guitar playin' corner.

I love what the flash put up on the wall behind my guitar. We all have a good ole time in this corner. Music is just so amazing.

Bali Klug is growing up and mom and dad are having a great summer.

I really loved this poster. Incorporates two of my favorite sports.

This beautiful swan is a gift from a long time very special friend. The swan is made of steel and I can barely lift her. She is a true work of art. Her bill and eye are bare steel, not painted on. I set her up to reflect a friendship area in my home. I had a college friend who became a lifelong pal; oh the time we spent together, her in Bend and me in Victorville, CA at her ranch home in the beautiful Mojave Desert. Celeste was a beloved, well known worldwide author of historical fiction and during her trips here she met my friend Judi and the three of us were the three amigos for sure. Celeste died 8 years ago in her early 50's and Judi had this swan made for me in Celeste's honor. Her most loved trilogy of books was her Wild Swan trilogy. The candles sitting there are made by Israeli women and Palestinian women who have become friends and want to bring more peace to their area of the world. The Willow Tree friends are a gift from my precious sister. I love to sit in this area and meditate on friendship and what it means to my and our lives.

I found a box of my College notes. If any of my professors want to know what they taught me, I have transcribed my notes taken in class beautifully. These were from graduate school - T500 Hermeneutics. I am going to read through everything and get caught up in that great spark of academia once again. Fun - well to me anyway.

Calvin wants to wish you a wonderful day in his cutest way. Now this is a very big tummy and he loves it rubbed. We hope your day is wonderful.

Another Dream Meeting

2011-09-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I received an EMail from a dear friend - Beth Toraason saying that she might be in Bend today (Sept 5, 2011) and might we get together? Oh my goodness....... You may remember awhile back I posted about my friend Kati who I had met via my dog club - the Berger Picard Club of America. And I mentioned three other women scattered across the US with whom I had been emailing - each one instrumental in creating this Association necessary to get our dog breed recognized by the AKC, etc. I really connected with these ladies and hoped some day to meet each one. Kati is in Ohio, Betsy is in Virginia and is also a nurse, Chantal is in - yikes, my memory fails me but is it Wisconsin, and Beth is in Arizona.

Beth and I connected about 5 years ago when I was researching dog breeds and found a photo of her dog Valentine => sent her an email and said, "that is the cutest dog I have ever seen." That lead to my getting a puppy from Valentine's first litter, and there he is above. My Chai at one year old. Isn't he something - he is the famous laughing dog. Chai flew from Arizona to California with another great lady, Tammy Houston and my brother and I drove from Bend to Sutter, CA to pick him up at 8 weeks old. What a charmer.

Here is Beth and Valentine (below).

Any who.......Shortly after I brought Chai home, Beth's incredible husband, Dave died very unexpectedly from a lymphoma and I got very ill. But we stayed in touch and friendships grew. You know, sometimes you just have feelings about folks that say, "gosh, we haven't met yet but if we did we would be instant friends." And that has been how it has been with me and these girls.
So today, Beth and her friend Michael came to Bend after a night in Crescent, OR - ya have to be from these parts to smile about that one . They are taking a motocycle trip that has so far taken them to Yosemite, Tahoe, Crater Lake, Bend, Portland via the turn off to Brietenbush Hot Springs, and on to who knows where. What a wonderful bit of time we spent and now I am two down and two to go - it's a longer story. I am so thankful.

This is Kati and I last year. And then

Beth and I today - yep, it is the same shirt. And Beth and Michael after we all had a great breakfast at Jakes.

For The Jones Boys

2011-08-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys. How are my favorite group of guys East of the Mississippi ? My neighbor called me over today to show me a wasp nest he had found right above his front door. It was amazing in structure and color. It blended in so closely to that part of his home that it had gone undiscovered for a long time. I have not seen one built like this. I guess I am used to the conical nests of the yellow jackets. Here are the pictures I took - I thought you might find them interesting. Have you ever seen one built like this? Or do you recognize the type of wasp ?

Have a great evening - Kathy

Expect The Unexpected

2011-08-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Has your life ever felt like this ? As I browsed through my photos, I came upon several that capture my thoughts for this week and make me chuckle. So here they are.

The photo above simply says, " How did we get to Saturday already ?!!!!!" It has been one of those weeks for sure. As I think back to the things I am grateful for, here is one that I treasure.
On Thursday I grabbed my "To Do" List and decided I would do the things that took me to the North part of town. Best Buy had the most stuff on it (printer ink (2 boxes), a power strip, and a new computer mouse (wireless). Trusting my ability to stick to my list, I bypass the carts at the entry to this big box -really fun toys for adults-place. The computer stuff is all at the very back so I go get my 4 items, but by the time I get to the midway point I look like a very over ripe fruit (need I explain - hope not) and I am thinking, "Oh holy cow, if anyone or anything bumps my elbow, my items are going to explode all over the place." But I am committed to try to make it to the checkout line and probably looking as tenuous as I felt, when a very young and very cute employee approaches me with a big smile and says, "can I go get a cart for you?" Wow, how nice and how observant, and just to say thank you for helping me not embarrass myself, I bought a few more things on my way to the "Pay Here" spot. It always surprises me when Customer Service happens unexpectedly. I do like that store for just this reason.

Here is a photo of my really, really pretty new mouse. Isn't she something !!!!!

And then there was the French Revolution. (This building took part in the activities involved.) It is the farthest thing from a hat but it will be the segue to my next thought. I have, over the past year, become quite the fan of Etsy. If you aren't familiar with Etsy, it is the greatest place online to purchase handmade items. I always check here first for lots of things if I can't find them locally. Like when my wallet wore out I found this wonderful item made in the USA by a lady named Kerri Anne. Many times, this serves as my Purse. I so love it.

Then came the day I needed a guitar strap and didn't like anything I found locally. Also made by an American craftsman, Etsy led me to this

Needing a new hat for winter, I found a wonderful lady in France, Bordeaux actually, who knits beautiful phrygian (liberty) caps like those worn by the French revolutionaries. In corresponding with her, she began her introduction to me by stating, "I recognized your name as French right away." How cool is that. No one has ever done that before. If asked about nationality associated with the name Poncy, the question is always if my name is Spanish - oops, wrong spelling. Thank you Etsy for showing me this woman's work. I will share it with all of you when I get it. She is currently knitting it for me. This is how I love to shop. Artisans always bring the unexpected.

I also found a woman in Florida who makes beautiful drawer pulls. I need some for the antique desk that I was given for my birthday - by my wonderful friend Gayle Lowe. Its antique oak construction looks so nice with the antique library table and book cases given to me as gifts by the physician I worked for from 1968 to 1976. Unexpected recognition on my birthday by friends who grow more special by the day.........well, does life get any better. As soon as I install the pulls, I will take pictures.

God has blessed me in so many ways. And I think often about Genesis, Chapter 9 and the covenant God made with Moses and God's creation - that includes you and me. Gratitude is one fine attitude to maintain on a daily basis.

God has brought me special friends and a special sister. The most special, meaningful gifts I have ever received have been - Firstly, A friend in West Virginia wanted to send me something. She wanted it to be something that was crafted where they live and something I would enjoy. So with much thought about me and about the area she and her family call home, she found a wonderful wine made there and I was the recepeint of two bottles. I will never forget her thoughtfulness. It is just so amazing that someone would actually get to know me and then want to give me something that would bring me joy. Wow, I an so grateful.

And, boy were they good. Especially the Airmail Jones. I will keep these bottles forever.

And then there is my sister, who asked the right questions and discovered that I was trying to save up money to buy a small barbeque but was having trouble and was a bit depressed. so she and her precious husband sent me money for my birthday, earmarked for the BBQ. Total gratitude.

In my POV , this is how we should honor those in our lives. There are so many fun and unexpected ways to do that and it is so much fun as both the receiver and the giver. Whatever the gift, it always comes wrapped in the love of friendship.
Just today I received something in the mail that I always treasure. It arrives quarterly and always brings total joy. I decided, on my way back from the mailbox, that it will probably be really fun and totally unexpected to give to two people who are really special in my life. Hey, it just might be you. When its announcement comes in the mail, don't throw it away as junk and then later please let me know if it makes you smile. OOOOO, I can't wait.

Hello world, how ya been ? It's good to see you, my old friend. I just thought you might appreciate this photo as much as I do.

I found a new food item this week, a totally unexpected surprise. I baked Kouign Amann. It looks middle eastern, but it is Breton - (Brittany is an area in northwestern France. It is a small butter cake with carmelized sugar between the layers. Just the type of thing I shouldn't be eating, but oh what an unexpected burst of the flavors I love.

Always ending with a cat - here is Mr Chandler, the kitty who runs the household and so graciously rents me a room. His fresh water source is the dripping bathroom sink faucet. His brother's fresh water source is a dripping from the faucet in the bathtub. I haven't gotten his picture yet but I will. Here is Chandler last night at bedtime.

TTFN - do something randomly kind for someone you love.

A Lovely Evening

2011-08-13T14:45:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine has a very lovely garden filling an acreage right in the middle of town here and after a frustrating day, she invited me to come over and stroll through her yard. I grabbed my neighbor and off we went. I will share our stroll with you hoping you get some of the joy we did. Thank you Linda.

First we stopped by a small pond surrounded by cattails and a winding path.

I love the small pieces of artwork, all done by Linda, that you find all over. You have be look and be alert to find it sometimes.

There is a fairy garden, then places to sit, rest, and take it in.

The original barn still stands, and there is a flower building, and more places to rest and enjoy.

And on our way out we stopped by Cluckingham Palace - even has its own red crystal chandelier. It was so lovely and totally gave me peace the rest of the day.

It Has Been "Awhile"

2011-08-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Like a very dear, departed friend's father used to say - "I wish these kids would define what 'awhile' means......." Oh Remo, how that still applies to our lives.

A few of mine go like this:

AWHILE: The Oxford Dictionary of the English Language, my dictionary of choice, defines "awhile" as "for a short time" so I guess it becomes subjective, then, to define the word "short".

AWHILE: It has been 10 years of putting empty boxes, etc out in my garage - aka Calvin's Apartment. I spend what little energy I have, doing things of importance for my mom and progress has been slow on cleaning out my closets and the garage. Then, instead of family who might want to help (oh such a concept), I met a young man who has a handyman business. I have watched him work as part of my yard crew for this season and have been impressed, so I hired him for last weekend and we cleaned the garage and washed my windows. Wow, it feels so good to know that I have someone who will help me with big projects, and then help me change lightbulbs -the fluorescent tubes that I can't manage on my own-, and go shopping with me for a barbeque - he has the truck to haul it - and the strength to help me set it up. This kid is just a Godsend. His name is Simeon even.

AWHILE: It has been a long while since I have lifted the bamboo shade that covers my bathroom window, and when I did that last weekend, I found a new boarder - whom, aptly , I named "Bamboo", for his choice of homes.
He is a Brown Bat and, of course, I have now purchased him an honest to goodness Bat House that I will take out and hang when he is out flying about some evening. It is interesting that he chose the north side of the house, but he did, so I will see if he moves into his new house. (picture to be taken when I get the house hung.)

Now this is the most precious AWHILE of this week.

My friend Karla is home from her duties in Turkmenistan with the Peace Corps. She has served her first of 2 years and absolutely loves it. Karla is 67 years old and recently widowed. She is an Occupational Therapist with whom I worked for years. We had our monthly Breakfast Club get together this Tuesday and could have sat for hours listening to her stories of work and culture, and, to be in her presence once again and see her looking so well was such a blessing. Karla initially invited me to join the Breakfast Club and the 6 of us have been meeting for several years. These gals are a fantastic sisterhood with skills to do many things. We are really good support for one another. Here with Karla is Kathrine Mackey, another OT, then there were Christine (OT), Dorothy (PT), me (RN) and then a few who weren't able to be there.

This is how Calvin joins me when I am at the keyboard. Notice is splayed out back feet - he is purring away and I have my mouse on my lap. Cracks me up.

Then I put him down and he strikes his cute pose - oh scratch my tummy. In AWHILE Cal baby.

Then, to end , Aidan and Chandler got new beds. I bought the round one for Aidan and this one for Chandler and guess which one Aidan chose. AWHILE Chandler, in AWHILE.

Goal Met !!!!

2011-07-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

It has been 10 years of being very ill and a lot of the time too weak to even walk around the block on flatland. Years of reflection of the fun I had running the trails around our beautiful town through which the Deschutes River flows, years of biking the roads and playing tennis. I look out my windows to the East and see Pilot Butte rising 500' from the flatlands, just 2 miles from my home. It is a place to exercise for much of our community. People of all ages - there are teenage record holders and 80 year old record holders and a long posted list of the 100 milers.

I remembered the last attempt I made to resume this activity years ago, and could feel the cold sweat and pounding heart and the weakness in my legs so severe that after a few steps on the access road, I didn't think I could make it back to the car. Knowing the work I have done with physical therapists, my trainer, and at home on my own, I set my goalthis day to do the access trail- up and down it - until I could see those feelings pass and then take on the Butte itself. Pilot Butte is a State Park with a nicely developed trailhead, so a few days ago, I drove out there and was surprised to find that in addition to a great parking lot, the city has developed a really nice green park with a paved flat track around it. The sign at the track says that 4 laps = 1. something miles. Nice option if the access trail was too much for me (it in itself is pretty steep). This access trail (.30 mile) leads to a junction from which you can choose the Road Trail , the Nature Trail, or the Base Trail.

At the beginning of this access trail, I found a nice plaque in memory of a family friend and my dentist of many years, Bob Bristol. He was such a great guy. Across from this plaque is a beautiful rose garden that wafted incredible fragrance my way - a nice greeting/welcome back. Tucked behind this beautiful (at least) 4 foot high hedge of roses, is a nice bench and drinking fountain but I couldn't read who it was created to memorialize.

I started up the trail and felt the intensity immediately. My pulse stayed at around 146 for awhile, but without any alarming symptoms that I had felt before (cold sweat, chest pain, weakness, dizziness) so I kept climbing. I found that there is now a Base Trail added to the Road Trail and the Nature Trail and some nice ladies took the time to tell me what it was like - it has an iffy rock outcropping that needs to be navigated at the end - good to know. Whew, I said a few times on the way up the access, but water helped as well as all of the "Good Morning" 's and smiles from the folks coming down, all red faced and sweaty.

That was one of the great memories I had of "walking the butte" years ago. Although a few folks have iPods in their ears and just offer a smile, most are walking and visiting with a friend, or are taking in their surroundings rather than having music blasting in their ears and isolating from those around them; and I would wager that at least 90% of people I encountered offered eye contact, a smile, and words of encouragement with their hello's.

Once I encountered the entrance to the "Road" Trail , I did a quick assessment and although I felt like I was working out intensely, I didn't have any of the tell tale, early signs that I was headed for trouble. It was then that I realized how low I had set my goal. I certainly could have headed back down the access trail and done a couple of laps on the flat trail in the park like I had planned, and set my goal to keep walking up and down this access trail until my pulse was more in range, or I could scrakp that goal and just go for it. SCRAPPED IT WAS. My new goal was to take one step at a time until I felt like I was in trouble with my legs or was going to pass out,and then mark that waypoint and head down; come back and try to get farther the next time, etc. What I did, then, was take one step then another, and when I felt really tired or winded, I just slowed my pace. Time wasn't the goal; the summit was the goal. Along the road trail, hikers are asked to stay on the dirt shoulder and it was wonderful to watch my shoes get dirty with Butte dirt. This exercise choice usually eats shoes.

The grade is pretty darned steep - a 480' rise in one mile - and my pace was slow but sure. I didn't even show the time on my HRM. I always abide by that old track rule of etiquette and step to the side to let someone faster than me pass. I soon let a fellow about my age pass me by, we said hello to each other, and sure enough, a few minutes later, I saw him coming toward me on his way down. "Oh, not fair !" I smilingly greeted him. We both laughed and he turned and walked with me awhile and asked my story. I told him that this was my first attempt in 10 years, etc. He shared with me that when he started back after a long absence, he was lapped by a couple of 75 year old guys - twice even. Some folks walk up the Butte and then back down for a 2 mile trip, and some do the up and down 2 or 3 times, while others run the Butte 2 -3 times to your one time effort. It is fun to see what other people are doing up there. He encouraged me with some very nice words as he turned to head down. His name is Andy Scott and he has been a builder here for forever (was wearing a Backstrom Builders cap). I thanked him as he turned and headed down and I continued up, knowing that there was a killer change in grade coming up soon but it is right before the summit.

Then, there it was, that wonderful site of the area designating the summit. Oh you beautiful sight !!! And, of course, since it is Bend, you see dogs as well as children with their moms and dads, out getting exercise. Here one dog walker heads for the Nature Trail, on his way down.

I was in disbelief that I had done it without a huge struggle. It was just a decision to change a goal and then adjust pace and drink water, and one of my dreams of the past few years had come true. I was so happy. This photo is the city of Bend looking West - clouds made for great walking but not great viewing.

I took a few shots just to prove I had made it - this one is looking to the South.

And out West toward Black Butte - the big cinder cone up near Sisters, OR

This fellow just happened into the shot I was getting right at the summit. He was doing what I wanted to do.

And was sitting on these mountain markers.

Just a few steps into my hike down, I encountered a woman with a grandchild in tow who had that "OMG" look in her eyes as she asked rather windedly "Am I almost at the top.(Please say yes) . I chuckled and offered, "You sure are, just hang in there and it is just around that curve. There is a water fountain to your left." Pay back is sure fun.

And, of course, like whipped cream on Pumpkin Pie, there is a geocache along this hike so I got my total up to a whopping 31. (They're Everywhere.)

I won't set my goals so low in the future. Inch by inch I feel my life returning and I am so glad to feel healthier in its pursuit.

Flowers and Cats

2011-07-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

The yards have been just bursting with the blooms of Rhododendron, Poppies, Wildflowers, and of course lots and lots of birds. Here are a few pictures. If you click on them you will get the wonder of these goregous creations.

My red and darker purple Rhodies come on later than the light purple ones I showed you earlier. These lovely flowers always amaze me. My mom planted all of these bushes. She was a Master Gardener before dementia stole that ability. She still loves to look at them tho.

Vineing Maple is doing well so I'm hoping for a great Fall show of color.

Over in Mom's yard, her old Rhodie is still producing a great show among the Oriental Poppies that are filling her yard with a burst of dark orange.

This poppy is just huge. I love these flowers.

And then there are the Peonies. So delicate and so pretty. The Red ones bloom early and the Pink ones are still in bud with their accompanying ants.

Aidan and Chandler are almost always together. They are my twins and will be 10 years old in a couple of weeks. Such loves they are.

After window time, they progress to their favorite chair and snooze for a while.

I have lots of baskets around. Calvin found this one this morning. After sitting up by the computer and clearning the desk with his "tappy" tail (it makes a great duster after he removes all of the other items). Cats really are Swiffers with legs.

Just Sayin' , People

2011-06-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest Goodreads review. I don't usually add them as blog posts but this book deserves the attention.

Just 2 chapters in, I can tell you that this is one book you will not want to put down. Turn off the computer, turn off the phone, and don't answer the door- and I am not kidding.

I have read multiple missionary stories and they always touch me. I loved all of Ruth Bell Graham's stories, and all of the Samaritan's Purse missionary tales, all of the YWAM books, plus many others; BUT, not since Hudson Taylor's accounts of his time with China Inland Mission have I been so impacted by such life. You need to read the first hand accounting of this woman's life serving the Lord in New Guinea beginning in the late 1930's and progressing through her time held by the Japanese in a forced labor camp. I promise you that your life will be changed.

Thank you Madelle for dropping this experience in my lap.

Because it isn't clearly visible in the picture, the author is Darlene Deibler Rose .

Honoring Our Fathers

2011-06-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

Honoring Our Dads This Father's Day - here are a few of my favs :

My Dad - the guy could do anything. Don't have a part for that, well I'll make one.

Grandpa Stricklin (in the background) and Uncle Al having supper on the ground while home from the Army.

Uncle Duke home from the Navy, and my dad in Glendale, CA. Proud men.

Uncle Clovis reading to Alan (TXOILGAS) and Janet. Can't tell who is enjoying the story more. Must have been interesting only to the boys.

This was the last time I saw him face to face but he and Alan sure helped me plan the trip of a lifetime - a month in Tennessee tracing family history. I still have all of his letters.

Friend John from Nashville, TN. What a great and wonderful dad he is. He is a great friend too - 30 plus years a friend, wow !

Friend Chris Klug - a brand new dad to Bali. Wow, there is a great life after snowboarding.

My brother is a wonderful dad and grandpa. Jenna and Evan are fun kids. And now Jenna has Van.

Cousin Bill Fernald is now dad to Preschool Graduate Landon.

The card says it all, Woo-Hoo - Oh to be 5 again.

And friend Laurence Sunderland who one year ago almost lost Abby in the Indian Ocean. But...........NOT. Her book Unsinkable is terrific. He has raised two great sailors who are both record holders.

Oh how I love my brother-in law Ross.

And my "grandson" Warrenton and his precious Jaden. You deserve fatherhood my friend ! And, I love you.
And Last but Never Least my precious Peter Jones ! Your family of children are the most incredible, awesome, fun.............

Happy Father's Day everyone !

Beauty In Flowers

2011-06-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

All of a sudden, or so it seems, my yard just exploded in bloom. The colors, textures, fragrance is just amazing. I thought I would share a bit of it with you.

These guys are volunteers that I nurture every year because I just love them. I wonder how they got here?

Then the delicate Choke Cherry. Isn't the detail in flowers just amazing. In a way these guys remind me of the beautiful and somewhat similar Mountain Laurel of the Smoky Mts.

The Quince flowered this year. My darned yard guys will cut it to the ground if I don't watch them, then it takes me a long time to shape it back to how I like it. I planted the Quince in 1979 when I moved into my house.

I there anything more beautiful than a Rhodie bursting with bloom. These are the first to pop out and I so love them. My mom bought me all of my Rhodies. Here is a shot of the two bushes currently showing.

And then there is my fragrant, beautiful Azalea. I lost its sibling to - well, I think it was my yard guys who got in and "pruned" with their hedge shears. I don't allow anyone but me and/or my friend Doug to prune since we do it without gas powered equip - such a concept are hand held shears and an eye plus horticultural knowledge. UGH !!!!

I so love this guy. Looking forward to what shows up tomorrow.

Ms Doe

2011-06-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

It was a quiet, lovely afternoon in our neighborhood - known to several of us as "Caucasion Corner" - with all good intent. And after making my 1:30 "rounds" on my mother and fixing her lunch, then staying to argue with her until she ate it all - not the most fun task lately - I walked out her front door and standing absolutely right in front of me was this beautiful doe - she is a Mule deer. She bounded down the street and was confused by a train stopped on the tracks. Finally, she decided to take a Northerly route down the tracks to who knows where. We have been have lots more deer walk through the neighborhood this Spring - doe, fork and horn's, so beautiful. Then when I went over to fix dinner, I looked way back in Shawn's yard and wow, there she was, bedded down in the shade, munching on his grass. Occasionally she would stand up and munch on some leaves. His back yard is very quiet and untended so I guess it was attractive to Ms Doe. I was able to get a couple of shots. So here you are - a piece of this great afternoon in the 'hood.

I couldn't do much about the lighting or my position so as not to spook her. I wish her well.

Luckily I caught Shawn when he came home for dinner so he could enjoy her stay. He loved it.

31 Years Ago This Very Day

2011-06-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

It was whoopin' and hollerin' (we bribed them to do that when our names were called) in the Auditorium as we marched in with our black robes and hats and I'm pretty sure we all had the memory of those cute blue arm bands that we burned. We never thought we would make it. I had to go sit under a Juniper tree and think, with a professor standing by, to keep from dropping out. Talk to any RN and they will tell you that there is nothing in the world more stressful than Nursing School. I think that is why we all end up with a friend for life. Even my 84 year old neighbor who was an RN had one. That person is a friend on 'roids and you just can't make it without him or her.

Here is mine - the awesome Kathryn Meglitsch. She was amazing then and she is amazing now.

I don't remember who took the photos but whoever it was cut our heads off in every shot - this one is decent tho. Each of our family's got us a cake - this was Kathryn's - and we had the party of the century right here in my house. Boy was that ever fun.

The Bend Bulletin honored us with a front page -Community section - article on our grades. Yeah, love those pointy grades. Nothing without a point on top would do, so that's what we got - yep, a 4.0 every year. I think that is why we were so skinny.

And then there were honored, special guests like these two - who hooted and hollered with the best of 'em.

Brother Bob and wife Melinda. Oh yeah, did I mention it was 31 years ago.
School was not fun but our careers have been nothing but fun. Here's a big thanks to all of the Nurse Educators that have to start out teaching us to wash our hand and make a bed within a time limit (and we have nightmares about it all.)

Holy Cow, 31 years ago. And for me, my 2nd college degree to hang on the wall.

I DON'T LIKE COLD

2011-05-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

AND I AM SO SICK OF IT. So with cold and driving wind - like 20 degrees colder than our normals - all I have for you is the most interesting, to me, news cast from last week.

I will call this "Two Very Different Perspectives"

JOPLIN, MO - The very young broadcast journalist stands in the most apocalyptic surroundings in this very sad, sad place, and his first words are, "Listen to that....", and being the responsive viewer that I am, I listened and heard the song of one little bird close by. The journalist then said, "Can you hear that smoke detector going off in the distance?" Okay, beyond the bird I heard the slight sound of the smoke detector. Interesting, but I wanted to hear the backstory that the bird had to tell. Where had he been in the big wind? How did he survive? Where were his family and friends? Bird - 1 Journalist-0 Next time, dude, interview the Bird.

Calvin says, come on Mom, let's play. My cute little guy.
So, say thank you to all of our fighting men and women, current and past, for protecting the freedoms that we enjoy every day.

A Really Good Read

2011-05-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

First let me report that the two baby doves grew up, took a first flight that let them go vertical a few feet and back down on the limb and into the nest then the next day it was off to live with the grown ups where ever that is. They do dine at Oreo's bird diner tho so it is fun to watch them grow up. Mom and dad cleaned the nest and tonight after a couple of days of no one home, one of the parents is back - hmmm more eggs for more babes. It is total fun.

I just read a book in a day and a half - haven't done that for a long time. Unsinkable Abby Sunderland's story of her attempt at a solo-round before being dismasted in the Indian Ocean and miraculously rescued is a total page turner, very well written by her and Lynn Vincent. What an experience and Oh the hand of a loving God who intervened. I can say that the two times her mom put out an Urgent Prayer Request, I was on that list and had the privilege of being part of the petition for God to intervene and save Abby's life. I love this family who came under the gun for permitting Abby to do this but they weren't wrong in any way.

This is truly one of the best books out there and a story of a family who encourages their children to dream and work toward bringing that dream to fruition. These aren't kids who sit in front of a TV or Video Game. The Sunderlands are giving the world some real gifts in these children. So if you want to read a good book, this one is it. Thank you Abby for sharing your story with us.

They Are Parents

2011-05-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

Not to leave you hanging - our Mourning Dove nesting couple are now parents of two very young birds. I marvel at how they chose their nesting spot a few years ago. It is tucked in just right to offer protection and privacy about 8 feet down a decent sized limb. I could sit and watch them for hours with my binoculars. They aren't close enough for me to get a good picture for you but I will grab a couple this evening so you can see where it is.

As I watch them, the phrase "a bird's eye view" comes to mind. They have the best view of sunrise (when I begin to hear their call), they catch the first rays, the Juniper foliage protects them from harsh weather, the limb runs east to west so in the wind it gently rocks up and down, they get to see the full range of the sunset over the mountains until its last second, our provision of food and water is close at hand. The recent snow storm we had that damaged my pine tree left this nesting limb split significantly so who knows when it will come down. I want to get a nesting perch for them and find a good place to hang it as I would love to have this "show" every year.
Such joy for us, day after day and I thank God for them daily and pray His protection over them.

Promise

2011-04-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

Last night my cats were acting a little odd. I got up at 3 a.m. and Aidan greeted me from this unusual perch.

They are usually sound asleep at this time of day. I went back to bed wondering. Then when I got up and opened my drapes on the east end of the house, there was something brown and furry but very short hair curled up in a ball out between my fence and a rock.

What the heck? was it a bunny? I threw on a jacket since it had been a 31 degree night and was still cold, and rushed out there only to find this precious baby shaking uncontrollably.

So very tiny, but she had been spayed and was young but a miniature Chihuahua. She was very hungry and so frightened. She didn't bark or cry but was so scarred. I spent the whole day walking the neighborhood knocking on every door and to no avail. No one knew of her. At one point I prayed about what to do next and was prompted to call the local Humane Society to see if anyone had called in looking for this dog. They were very nice and hadn't had a call about this type of dog over the past week but the lady I spoke with asked if she could take a Found report so we discussed all of her doggie details.

By this time, she had found her "spot" and was coming to life and wanting to be held. When I picked her up she just melted into my chest. I went across the street and borrowed some dog food from neighbor Dan and Dorothy and Dan gave me some very small rope to make into a collar and leash so I could take her outside to go potty.
I gave the shelter lady my phone number and sure enough, a panicked lady called me at about 2:30. She lives about a half mile from me and across a very busy street. It is amazing that this little girl crossed that street without getting hurt. Thank you Lord.
Amy drove right down to get her and was a really nice lady, well dressed and sweet. It was a total accident that the dog got out and she and her kids had been praying when she was prompted to call the Humane Society. When she reached out to get the dog from my arms, the little dog was so excited to see her. Later on the mom brought a sobbing 4 year old named Jasmine to my door who told me "Thank you for finding my dog and I would like to invite you to my church." What a precious moment. I invited them to come back to visit.
And when I asked what the dog's name was, their reply was "Promise". I think I have some new friends and I welcome them.

In Search Of The Urban Multi Cache

2011-04-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

Continued from the last post : Another beautiful day for a hunt lead me back to the skate park near my home and I had the opportunity to grab a great shot of this little guy. Click on the picture so you can see his expression. I just love it.

So many of you have asked me what geocaching is like, I thought I would take this chance to bring you along as I search for my 2nd multicache (28th overall).

Let me start by explaining that a Multi Cache is one that includes components that you need to solve or locate in order to get the coordinates to find another location, and sometimes yet another location, then eventually leading to the actual cache filled with the treasures.
MULTICACHE NUMBER ONE

For example, my very first geocache experience was a 3 week (seemed like forever) endeavor as I tried to learn to use a GPS unit; was learning basic navigation skills for the first time; and unbeknownst to me I had chosen a very difficult first cache experience . It was snowy, and cold, and icy but Every Day I went out and returned having learned at least one small increment of skill. It began in a park where I had to find a rock with a specific date on it; then I had to do some basic math with the numbers in the date to find out that I had to start navigating to the South (I had to learn the numbers for N, S, E, and W) because the math lead me to the number 180. Then I had to start walking in what seemed to me an odd direction and find marks on trees made by pioneers as they passed by in a wagon train - all the while staying out of people's yards. Eventually I was lead to a building with a sign that had a 10 digit phone number on it. I had to take those digits and do another math problem that gave me the coordinates to the actual cache which was about a half mile to the East. At that point I hit a wall and to the rescue came my cousin Alan in Texas who helped me answer my questions and learn a bit more software in a great 2 hour phone conversation. He even put out a call to the Central Oregon Geocaching Community to see if there was someone here willing to help me on my quest. There was no way in this lifetime that I was going to give up on this cache. I did hear back from some folks and I did navigate, on my own, up an icy hill and over the top to find my first cache.
This is the page for that cache and you can see the boxes right in front of the name that have gold on the top - this symbol signifies a multi cache. Whew, I learned that lesson.

MULTI CACHE NUMBER 2
Okay, here we go on my hunt for Multi number 2. This one has taken me 3 days, with 3 hours of walking from my home and back, 4 hours of actual hunting (i.e. walking back and forth and talking to myself), and twice contacting my mentor with questions - no he did not tell me where and what to look for, only verified coordinates and answered a couple of other questions.

Because I was leaving from home to walk a short ways I turned on my GPS here so it could begin to acquire the satellites needed. Next, I choose what items I am going to leave in the cache when I find it. This time it will be the Easter 10 geocoin I found in a cache last week. This coin has travelled here from Arizona going from cache to cache and it wants to travel around the world and return to AZ to its owner according to the history I read on it. Also, I will leave my signature Pathtag for the next person to find the cache. Then I load my camera and phone in my small pack and I am almost out the door.

I check in with Geocaching.com to make sure I have downloaded everything I want for the cache I am seeking - Pirates' Playground is what is in my sites this time.

It is such a perfect day to be out in the sagebrush and Juniper.

On Saturday I navigate to the first area - in the last post I mentioned that I knew I was standing on top of it but couldn't find it. After coming home and thinking it through I contacted my mentor here in Central Oregon who was actually the First To Find this cache and grabbed a very cool FTF Pirate Flag. He answered my questions and just happened to say "Remember now, this is a multi"- oh yeah, she says as she slaps her forehead.

Here is a picture of people that are becoming very dear to my heart - Putter&Sassy in the geocaching world - my mentors who live in Culver, a town about 40 miles north of me. (We all have "handles" in our lives as geocachers.)

On Sunday I navigate back to something that had actually caught my eye before when I didn't realize that this was just a waypoint along the way and not the actual cache. Bingo - there were coordinates written down on that small item and another hint included. At that point I decided not to use one of the geocaching programs that I usually use on my GPS, but, rather, to navigate by using the coordinates (longitude and latitude) only - I had never done that before. It is kind of nice to be out there by yourself so you can focus on this kind of stuff and learn the equipment better not being distracted by the needs of another person.

I was starting to smile at this point and knew what I was looking for when I got to my next set of coordinates. Sure enough,

I climbed a small hill and there she was - my next set of coordinates, with the instructions to "Rut Around". I'm off again. There were people everywhere so I had to be quiet and not celebrate my findings as much as I wanted to jump for joy and call out "Wahoo".
I can't show you what I found at my next waypoint but the instructions there said "Pirates' Playground, so I knew that that place would contain the actual cache which was an ammo can.

I found this cool piece of metal at the spot where I thought the cache would be, but Alas, it was not to be. I spent about an hour wandering around looking for the actual cache. Then I came home and contacted that Putter guy again to verify coordinates. He told me that it was a bit confusing to him and his buddy elkjim when they got here also -whew, that makes this newbie feel better. Putter called elkjim and they helped me work out my error.

Monday was a no go for me to hunt again, because I had doctor's appts all day - I so wanted to cancel them. But today, Tuesday, after it warmed up I was out the door again with my notes from Sunday

Nope, can't show them to you, you will need to make your own notes along the way, so here is the back side of my wrinkled up papers with my scribbling on the otherside.

I wandered the paths with my corrected coordinates and after passing the spot a time or two I laid down all of my stuff, GPS included, and got down in the dirt to dig around. Oh, my heart lept out of my chest as I spotted the something just a little different that indicates you are at the right spot. And wow, there she was in her wonderfully camoflauged spot. I was really happy when I opened up the log to sign it and saw that the person who had been there just before me was "brownsbend" whom I also met at the 10-10-10 event (where I met Putter&Sassy).

In the green shirt "brownsbend" is quite the character and has lots of great experience out there in the wacky world of treasure hunting.

Here are a couple of shots of what an ammo can cache looks like. Any size cache is always labeled as an Official Geocache. I captured my shadow to prove to you that it was me taking the photos :D There was a lot of booty inside but I chose the small pirate's flag as my "treasure" and in a small ziplock bag I placed the geocoin and Pathtag inside their new spot wishing them a good journey. Then I replaced the cache (nope you can't see where) exactly as I had found it and walked home very happy. I had 3 days of total fun on this hunt, and I have my Pirates flag to remember finding "Pirate's Log" then "Iron Ships", and finally "Pirate's Playground" all placed by Terri&The Pirate. If you haven't tried this great sport, you really must give 'er a go mates. It is total fun.

Ever and Always - have a great day.

Cold and Rainy Saturday

2011-04-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

So tired of this weather, but some things just had to be done anyway:

Only one sprinkler head needed work this year. I established good water flow in the geyser of a spray I got from the main line feeding this head. Then I dug down and took it apart and cleaned everything up.

Yes, the smallest part of the thing was plugged and would not un-plug - where is the Drano for these things.

So it was off to Searings (my beginning of Spring ritual) to get new parts, then home to reassemble. I did, however, find a new tool - remember all you jewelry makers of old, the piece of equipment called the Third Hand ? Well I found the sprinkler system fixer equivalent.

Thank you RainBird. I love coming home with a new tool. If you look closely at the enlarged version of this photo, you will see some of my blood. We are now initiated, but it worked super well. All is reassembled and working.

Now came the exercise of the day. I chose to walk to the dog park nearby where there is another geocache. Thought this gate was pretty along the edge of the park.

I posted some advertising for my friends' new Doggy Day Care biz - a flyer and 4 cards for Wag Bend.

Then left the dog park for the geocache area. I know I was standing on top of the thing but it is still there for me to go back and find tomorrow in the freezing cold and rain with wind gusts of about 20 mph. I'm gonna getcha.

On my way back I stopped by the skate park and it was jam packed with all ages. I had fun watching this little guy and then got a great shot of this young one:

Ready, Set,

GO, and catch that air. Click on these pics to enlarge them and see the facial expressions.
I want to spend more time here taking pictures to sharpen my motion photography skill.
Even tho my goal wasn't met, it was a fun day and the exercise was really great.

What I Love For Sure

2011-04-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

This is why I love my Heart 2 Heart group:

Chairs that great you with all the right messages.

A beautifully set table awaiting a wonderful meal and a great study.

Madelle, the hostess with the mostest.

Nancy and Barbara sharing their wisdom and laughter.

And Mary adds her laughter to the group.

Krystal is getting ready to laugh, what the heck, everyone else is. And boy does it feel good.
God put this group together years ago and He sure had the right mix in mind. These ladies are the loves of my life. Long may we prosper. We miss you Fran.
Julie, I hope you enjoy the updates on faces of your family of old - remember the word order, it's not old family. We are just wiser and funnier.

Music, Music, Music

2011-03-31T20:03:00.000-07:00

Too much fun ! A week ago I decided that I want music back in my life. When I was 7 my mom started piano lessons for me and I continued to play through my 30's then when I moved back to Bend I had to sell my piano as I had no room for it in my living accomodations. No music in the house since except radio/cd's/ Mp3 etc. A few weeks ago I made a decision that was 5 years in the making - I bought a very sweet guitar and picked out a teacher. Mai, pictured above, is a very talented local musician whose style of teaching fit what I wanted. Little did I know, but the boy is from Chattanooga, TN.

I had my first lesson today so my fingers are very sore, but I am practicing my scales and the family of chords we did today in the lesson. I have practiced 3 times since I got home and gosh, I think my fingers grew a bit since I can now easily reach the G chord. Too much fun!
Other resources at my disposal are a top of the line guitar course sent to me from another Tennessean in my life (thanks Tom), and it is going to fit in very well with the face to face lessons; plus, eventually I can learn some songs through "garage band" - oh so cool.

Well, it is back to those scales and chords, so I'll be talking to you again very soon !

I Hope You Were There !

2011-03-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

As planned, I grabbed my camera and driver's license and headed out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to spend 3 hours at what has now become my all time favorite thing to do alone or with anyone who enjoys a group of folks who play instruments and sing and enjoy being together or even meeting each other for the first time. And all in memory of someone who made a difference and was taken from us way too soon - Jim Witty. For those of you who don't know the story, Jim was a 50 year old guy who was just full of life. He loved laughter, hiking, and his friends -eclectic as they all are.

So here are a whole bunch of pictures of the group. The experience is like sitting around a campfire singing, but without the fire.

Mark Quon- in the hat- is Jim's best friend since boyhood and is the organizer of this awesome event. His daughter Presley sits back by the window while dad sets up. Dave and the lady fiddler get set up too. I can't emphasize the quality of this group. Man they are good. We heard a lot of known music but some really good original stuff too. As you can see, the age range is wonderful. I loved the harmonica player's box and belt. The other fellow, I think, was one of the ukelele players.

Playing in a circle really made a difference this year. I think people feel safer in a circle than gathering up on the stage.

More and more people come through the door with so many interesting instruments. And everyone sang.

Some of us gathered back against the bar. At the far end is John Witty, Jim's brother, then a couple of folks whose faces I did not capture, the first fellow was an incredible singer and he is talking to David Eddleston who head up the Friends of the Oregon Badland Wilderness organization and will be naming a trail for Jim out there this year or next.
I was honored to be recognized right off by John Witty who was very thankful and incredibly complimentary of the geocoin I had made last year in honor of the trail. We had such a nice conversation.

The mike was passed to Dave Skelton whose wife we honored because she died of cancer this last year. Her voice was definitely missed this year.

Mr Harmonica takes the mike. And it just keeps on going.

Then some folks who just brought their voices take the stage and folks start migrating up there. Including Mark's wife Linda.

One of the mandolin players joins the group. As the hours go by, people get used to playing and singing and really pull together as a group. It is amazing how much raw emotion there was there for Jim. Tears flowed aplenty. Mark performed the song he wrote for Jim. The video of that song performed by Mark is linked on the blog here, over to the right.

Then David Eddleston stood up and gave an update on the trail and a nice eulogy of sorts for Jim. David wants to incorporate the geocoin into the trail event so that will be fun. He gave me one of his business cards so we are in touch.

More pickin' and singing. And there is Gary, the really nice free lance photographer I met. We had such fun talking. It turns out that my college boyfriend (who is a professional photographer that National Geographic did a special on) was Gary's "idol" when he was growing up. Gary would come over to ski Mt. Bachelor where Mike was taking a lot of his early photos. We had so many laughs over that - gosh, you just never know who knows who and what they meant in someone's life until you strike up a conversation on a lazy Sunday afternoon while leaning up against a bar singing old songs and taking pictures. If you are out there and single, get out to stuff by yourself. It is total fun.

And then John Witty and Linda Quon graced us with a really nice melody. Must have been one that Jim loved. I would love to find out the backstory there.

Later on a fellow wandered in with his flute and added a nice touch.

This young man lended several John Prine songs and boy was he ever good. Hope he comes back next year.

And the mandolin contingent really got with it on some great bluegrass. The breaks were great when each instrument - fiddle, uke, guitar, harmonica, flute, etc too their turns and were just so appreciated by the rest of the group.

Please join us next year. We will be gathering at the trail to play and sing but I hope Mark will want to do this Sunday afternoon gig also.

For Amelia and Meredith

2011-03-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here are my kids -

Calvin, so happy with his fee stretched out,

Miss Mia, smiling in the sun,

Aidan, looking pretty in his favorite bed, the bathtub,

Oreo, my mom's best buddy,

Aidan's twin brother, Chandler.

We will work something out for you to come over. I would love to meet you and so would the kitties.

It's That Time of Year

2011-03-02T19:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm getting excited now ------- No, it's not over the newest iPad or Steve Jobs appearance, even tho I applaud both. It is because the 3rd Annual Jim Jam is near.

Bring your musical instrument (accordian, banjo, guitar, mandolin, etc) whatever it may be and join you new (or old) best friends at Silver Moon at 1:00 pm on March 13, and just have fun jammin' and singing those songs of the 70's or whatever is your pleasure. This free event is one of the most fun happenings that we have in Bend, OR and wow, we have some fun musical events.
As you sit there enjoying your brew or sandwich or just the music the fun part is that not only are people joining in on stage, but folks all over in the audience are picking and strumming. It is just a wonderful way to celebrate the life of a good man who is terribly missed, and meet new folks along the way.

Ready To Ship

2011-03-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr Elijah Franklin Jones,

This comes to inform you that a package will leave Bend, OR USA tomorrow afternoon and head your way. It is coming Priority Mail because YOU ARE A PRECIOUS PRIORITY. I do hope you like it and can use it for at least a few years. Your mommy is so cleaver that maybe it can be modified to use for as long as you might want. This was inspired by a big ol' pile of fabric that caught an eye while walking through a favorite shop. The design is totally unique and may be a one of a kind, just like you.

It may arrive in as few as 2 to 3 days or it may arrive when the weather systems allow. At any rate, I hope you like it and hope it serves you well. (Mom, it may be a tad big, but probably not for long.) I hope you feel a great big hug from me when you put it on.
The box says Amazon.com but rest assured, this was not ordered, it was created right here and assembled with love just for you with great joy in the process.

With Much Love,
Aunty (sort of) Kathy

Time Spent With Fun Fabric and a Friend

2011-02-26T19:08:00.000-08:00

A friend gave me a great idea the other day after she had come upon a super fantastic sale of fleece at a local fabric store, and today we started the project of creating a really fun gift for a brand new baby. I am looking forward to showing you the final creation but.............

of course, you will have to wait until it not only is finished but has been shipped and received. I so hope it is a fun surprise for the precious little babe.

Then, of course, I thought of something to create for Moi, and even tho I look worse than dead in Yellow, I couldn't resist the ODOT Neon Orange, and the yellow just seemed to go well with that color and the purple. I think I might even be noticed in this. Oh yeah, me the fashion setter on the streets of Bend, OR. I know you will just be holding your breath for the finished product........

Boy, What A Day

2011-02-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

The light was different outside. You know how you just know ? !! I awoke at 0430 hearing what I call "snow bombs" hitting my roof in the back and opened the door to my bedroom to two freaked out cats - Chandler and Aidan. I looked outside to see trees and bushes bent to the ground with heavy snow. Then, snap, kaboom, and a huge (6" in diameter) limb careened down from my very tall, very old, huge ponderosa pine in the back yard. And snap in the front yard as a big limb broke out of my Russian Olive tree. Yesterday we had had a day of very high winds, so, when I went to bed I did my usual prayer of , "Lord, please keep my house and mom's house safe from any toppling trees or limbs." Boy, did he ever answer my prayer. I don't know how this big boy fell without touching my house, shed, or fence. I will get a proper picture of the origin of the limb when it broke away.

But until then, this is what it looked like. You can't really appreciate the size as a lot of it is buried in the snow. I also found the top of a neighbor's tree - a really trashy elm that he never waters - laying on the fence, alongside.

The poor Russian Olive that I just love.

The mugo pine was clear down on the ground before I bounced off the snow that was holding it down. It is almost upright as I sit here tonight. I will probably tie it up soon so I don't lose it. It is a good screen,

I phoned my Arborist who I knew was swamped with trees down all over town and power out due to trees laying on lines. He was great to come out and look up into the pine tree and sight the additional damage. There are split branches and some hangers but they aren't dangerous at this time. OOOOOOOO please pray that they don't come down. I am on the list but they will have to do some major climbing to give the tree it's haircut and make it safe. Actually, I am looking forward to watching that. The last time he worked on this tree I was at work and I always regretted that.

Well, then, I had a really wound up cat in Aidan, who escaped from his room and took out after Calvin with the intention to do harm. Calvin took off running, with Aidan in pursuit, and me following close by yelling at Aidan. Calvin ran out into his apartment (the garage), laid down on his back and totally exposed his belly and his leg that has no hair and 15 stitches still in tact. I was panicking at this point because of this surgical wound. Fortunately, when Calvin rolled that 20 lb belly up, it caught Aidan by surprise and he froze. I scruffed him and held him as he tried to bite me. I hissed at him really loud and tossed him into his bedroom. I kept him separate even from his brother until he calmed down and then gave Calvin his asthma medicine as he was so frightened he was having trouble breathing. He sat, not moving, on my lap for a half hour.

Here are Aidan and Chandler consoling each other during a noisy, windy night.


And the city gets in on the snow removal - yeah, even tho they leave these big ol' berms at the entrance of everyone's driveway.

Whew, Finally Back

2011-02-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize how hard it would be to have my camera in for repair for so long... So nice to have her back. It was just the lens cover that needed to be fixed but it looks like they updated my firmware too, so I have some new functions.

Calvin had surgery this week to remove the mass I found on his left hind leg. I guess most masses on kitties are cancer but our vet - who is just the best of the best - said that even tho she usually doesn't say this, she feels really optimistic that this is a benign mass even tho it had a big blood supply. We are still waiting for the pathology report and praying. He is recovering really well with his 15 stitches. Luckily, he is so fat he can't reach them so he doesn't have to wear a blue collar. Here are some pictures - hope they don't gross you out.

He is a good little patient and is happy to be home. Calvin's favorite things in this world are cats and people so he enjoyed his day at the hospital and the girls said he had a nice neighbor to visit with all day.

I still have a long list of broken things to fix - bathroom faucet, mom's teeth, etc. But the sun is shining and it is warm outside so all is well.

Been Away Too Long

2011-01-31T11:08:00.000-08:00

Many, many apologies for the time away. It has been wild for sure. When it rains it pours seems to fit well. Little things have been breaking like crazy - mom's upper partial (teeth), my camera (lens cover won't close), bathroom faucet, had to rescue a cat from 30 feet up in a tree, with an aggressive german shepherd pacing below, universal remote died, and oh so much more. My camera is in the shop so I am cruising my photos for ones that might hold some interest. So here we go - Below is my high school classmate and good friend Bob Randall who has lived in Pasadena for years and is one of the "guys in white suits" who organizes the Rose Parade. Pretty good for a Bend, Oregon guy who makes our aging look Mahvelous Dahling. Here he is at the football game Jan 1, 2011.

And here is the winter caretaker at the LeConte Lodge high up in the Tennessee part of the Appalachians. Boy do they have a lot of snow this year.

Here is our friend Flicka showing off in her fun box. And I thought only cats would dive into a box. The caption her mom put on this photo is "Hey, I thought I ordered shoes !"

Here is my little guy that I got out of the tree after he had been up there for more than 3 days. It didn't take him long to konk out after eating and using the litter box. When I get my camera back I will post his story. And NO I don't have 6 cats now.

One of the things in the broken pile. UGH ! Had to send this photo in to the warranty folks.

And then had to replace it after much work to get the display to re-appear. The joy of electronics I guess.

Chandler and Aidan sleep through it all.

Here are some photos from Jan 27 in NYC. A friend of mine lives in Manhattan and walked to work on this day, taking photos as he went. They made me so glad that my snow shovel is gathering dust in the corner. Maybe I should send it to my cousin in Dallas/Fort Worth for their upcoming storm this week. Anyway, enjoy this that I call one heck of a commute.


And then, here is the guy who walked it (and his dad). David, the good Boy Scout that he is (he is CFO for the Greater NYC council), is a Geocacher. The photo is of him and his dad out Geocaching - Oh Yeah, We Are Everywhere. Good work boys. So now ya have it. I'm alive and still out here awaiting the return of my camera. And working on the list of broken stuff.

5 Cats in 2011

2011-01-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

Mr Chandler

Mr Aidan (waiting for his drink from the dripping faucet)


Is this one BIG cat ? Or Chandler and Aidan as they usually sleep ? Just call them a pair of shoes. Chandler's face and Aidan's back end.

Mr Calvin in his favorite position.

Ms Mia smiling in yesterday's sunshine.

An Mr Oreo all dressed up in his shiny tuxedo.

A New Year, A New Start, It's gonna be great.

CELEBRATE !!!!!!

2010-12-21T19:41:00.000-08:00

Chandler greets you from the table of gifts. He is a good boy not to open them. Thank you Aunt Flo and Judy for making our Christmas special. We love you. We Celebrate you in our lives. How blessed we are.

Calvin greets you from his favorite bed in his apartment. This is what greets me every night when I go out to tell him "goodnight" before going to bed myself. He puts himself to bed at about 9 p.m. and I go out to check on him about an hour later. What a precious, good boy he is. The people who turned him out to die a horrible death from his asthma, really missed out on knowing a very sweet kitty. We are blessed by him every day. I celebrate him.

Today I put out some Medium Chips on my porch for the birds hungry from too much snow on the ground to forage well and Oh My what a show we had. If there is someone who doesn't marvel at the detail in the plumage of a Varied Thrush, I don't want to know that person. I had 4 of these males come and feast for hours, right up close. They were joined by a couple of woodpeckers dressed beautifully for the occasion, lots of Juncos and Finches, and then the doves came in - both the Mourning Doves and the Eurasian Collared Doves. They ate until sundown and didn't even leave us any droppings to clean up. I so hope they return tomorrow. How can you not celebrate the beauty and lives of birds, and the Creator who made each one just for us.

A nutty friend of mine went out and built the Uber Snowman last evening. I love the Aloha shirt. I want to build one too but I don't think mine will be this tall. I challenged him to build a SnowDuck if the Ducks win the BCS Championship in January. How can you not celebrate friends both new and old (not old in age Frank - old in relationship years).

Now let's celebrate two of my favorite dogs - Flicka who waits under the tree for..........?

And Brando the black lab who hates water and unfortunately, right now, lives in Northern Santa Barbara County with my very special friend Kathryn (we connected at the hip in nursing school and have never been seperated - emotionally that is). Hang in there Brando, it's not forever, I promise. And your mom knows how to row a boat.

Ya gotta celebrate family and especially cousins who fly King Air aircraft and vintage aircraft too. Yep, family who live in Texas, who are Navy submariners and who help you find your first geocache one night with phone in hand and a computer. It was late in Texas but WE DID IT. And cousins who send you the gift of health for the next year in the form of an incredible immune booster. Thank you so much Alan.

Look at this picture of my cousins Bill, Patrice and Landon. Cute family photo but really look at this pic. When I saw it I got really tearful and it hit my heart in a way that the impact will never, ever leave. I have on my fridge a photo of a mother goose tucking her goslings under her wings for love, protection, warmth, provision; and I think of my favorite Bible verse - "Keep me as the apple of your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings, From the wicked who oppress me; From my deadly enemies who surround me." Psalm 17:8 This photo is FAMILY at what it is meant to be - Bill has his family wrapped within his loving, protecting, providing arms; and that touches me. This young man uses his gifts that God gave him, in service at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in northern California and has done so for all of his working life. If you have never let Mount Hermon touch your life, boy, are you missing out. I love Bill and his family and will do anything I can to support him and those he loves. I celebrate you all.

And in the same spirit, I LOVE and celebrate the Jones family. When Julie was in high school I was a chaperone and nurse for 60 young people who spent a few weeks in Washington DC training and serving at an evangelical conference and then off to serve in the Dominican Republic in the mission field to help build a school. We became friends that summer and we are friends still. This family began with Julie and Peter meeting at Moody Bible Institute where they were in college. Their lives and service to the Lord currently happens in Morgantown, West Virginia where they planted a church that Peter pastors. He is an incredibly exciting preacher. When he interned here at my church I had the pleasure of sitting under his teaching and was so very impacted by it. It just isn't because he is a Tennessean that I love this guy. What a fine man he is and what a fine woman Julie is. Their family of 6 children are just so much fun to be together with. What you can't see in this photo is child number 7 who will make his or her entrance into the family next month.
I so love them and again will support them however I can - forever. I love you guys. I celebrate you and your work.

Last but not least, the gift pile grows. Gosh, we aren't usually remembered by folks at this time of year, so this is going to be fun. Friend Susie is coming over on Christmas Eve and we are having a supper of Barbequed Ribs, Potatoes, Barbequed beans, Vegetable soup, Peach pie. Happy Birthday Jesus. We choose to celebrate You in our lives each day.

What Raised Your Blood Pressure Today ?

2010-12-14T20:35:00.000-08:00

Many days I sift through the mail and lay aside EOB's from insurance companies as I know what was, no doubt, charged and paid. Yesterday, however, I opened the EOB from Medicare because I didn't think I had any charges that would have gone their way. Oh My Goodness, I read it to find that on Sept 30 of this year I had had a partial mastectomy and was charged for this surgery by a surgeon who is a good friend of mine and then to make matters even more interesting, I was charged the very same amount by a physician's assistant (never knew a PA made the same money as a surgeon). The most interesting of all is that both Medicare and my Medigap insurer each paid this bill 100%, yep, in full, no questions asked. After replenishing the air I had just sucked out of the room, I picked up the telephone. For an afternoon of work.

Call #1 was to the billing office for the surgeon - Stephanie was beside herself, confirming that yes, the charges that were posted to my account were actually there; and, yes, both of my insurance companies had been billed and had already paid. I assured her that my chest was fine and I had never had a mastectomy - total or partial. After she replenished the air in her room, and after we had had a few chuckles, she told me that she had no clue where to begin to investigate whose charges these actually were and what to do with the money they had received from my insurance companies. Well, I offered, I'll just betcha the doctor knows who he operated on that very day. Wouldn't you think? I didn't tell her that he was a good friend of mine and knows for sure that it wasn't moi. And, end result, two large checks would need to be written to repay the money they had received. Also, since one of the insurers was the Federal Govt, get ready for a lot of paperwork and a federal fraud investigation. That was in no way offered as a threat, but it is a fact. That, I was sure, is how they would look at it. She was rather frightened by all of that but... On to the next call.

Brian at the Medicare office was a wonderful fellow to chat with and he helped me open a Medicare Fraud investigation. Perhaps this was a keying error, but....whatever the case, when these were not my charges, that, in the eyes of Medicare, is fraud. So sorry to the person who made the error but that mistake put in motion a lot of questions to be asked and monies paid - a lot of money- that needs to be paid back. Not my problem. We opened the investigation. I still feel that something else was really odd about the charges I saw and the spelling errors in the actual billing.

Call #3 was to my medigap insurer. I thanked them so much for having paid the claim so quickly and in full , and then did what they needed to do to begin the process to reclaim their money. They were really great too. I really have good insurance.

Call #4 was last, but not least, to the surgeon's office assistant. The staff member that I spoke with went ballistic. Really, really upset that this had happened and said something quite curious - She wasn't sure that he had even operated that day. I wanted to make sure that they knew and especially the doc knew that the error had occurred and questions would be asked by, gulp, Medicare (doctors really love Medicare, right? Not). Poor guy, I do feel sorry for all of the "govt paperwork" that will be generated and the money that will have to be repaid and the real patient who is probably thinking she got the surgery for free. And.........

Oh, how glad I am that I am no longer in the biz. The doctor's assistant asked me if I would be willing to talk to people "higher up" in the organization. I assured her that I would be willing to help in any way and that I am so grateful that I didn't need or receive that particular surgery. She knows that I am sorry that their billing practice will now be scrutinized by the "feds" but then again, the error wasn't mine. She has no clue that the surgeon and I are friends but will find out soon enough.

From my end, it was all very pleasant and it is nice to talk with people all around who were nice and there to help. It all woke my brain up for the rest of the day, that's for sure.

Random Thoughts

2010-12-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

We used to have such fun at work. We were, for the most part, a highly charged, competitive group of sports fans. During the collegiate season it was always Beavs vs Ducks. I got both of these great stuffed animals in the hospital gift shop. Each one plays the respective school's fight song when you press a foot. We could interrupt a good day's work spontaneously with those darned songs. Such fun !!! And yes, I have kept the Duck up in a closet but thought it time to bring him out. Yep, I pressed his foot right away.

The Beaver is resting until the next NCAA season opener, but the crazy Duck will remain out and will watch the game on Jan 10th with me. His foot will be pressed for every score. I hope the Duck Mascot that has done all of those push-ups all season shows us his or her buff body after the game. Wow, usually 50 or more push-ups per game all season should have done something good. Hey, now, there is next year's exercise program. Pick a team and do those same push-ups - all season.

Now............. I don't often discuss what movies have arrived from Netflix or what I have thought about them - and I watch A LOT of movies. I love them, I love the whole process of film - how they are produced, directed, written, scored, and on and on. You know that I grew up in the shadow of Hollywood in the late 40's and 50's and it was exciting. My last piano teacher before we moved to Oregon was a studio musician and I loved my glimpse into that world. I have mentioned this all before.

Okay, all of that to say that I watched/experienced a movie yesterday that was so incredible. I will say this to you - don't go online and read anything about it before you watch it because there might be spoilers in that material and you don't want spoilers before this flick. It proved to me that really fine scripts can be written these days that include dialogue that really means something and is without offensive language. The movie starts out a little dark but begins to brighten both in tone and content. There is a lot of raw anger (but no foul language that I remember. I would have to watch it again but I don't remember hearing the "F" bomb at all.), there is some violence but it isn't gruesomely portrayed. There is laughter. The roommate is adorable. The relationship between older brother and much younger sister is so engaging and real. The people are all flawed and so real. It stars Robert Pattinson (as a real person and not a vampire - he said that this was his first role as a "real" guy), Chris Cooper (with whom I fell in love with in "Breach"), Pierce Brosnan, and many other good actors. You will probably never figure out the ending before they drop it on ya. The last oh probably 15 minutes I had a moment of sucking the air out of the room when I figured it out and holy cow, this was so artfully portrayed. Yes, there is one sex scene but no real nudity. Not a movie for youngsters, it is just too complicated on an adult level and I don't think kids would get it anyway. I really need to see it again. I couldn't move or even have a conversation with myself all evening. It took me to an emotional place I haven't been in years and left me there. It is not a boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back and all live happily everafter. I like those movies, but this one isn't one. It will never make the Hallmark Channel (which I quite enjoy). Maybe you won't like it but when the last 15 minutes hit me, I was really hooked - can you tell?! So if you watch "Remember Me" remember, don't read about it first, just let it take you there, again.

Yes, "Taking Chance" is my all time most favorite movie but this one is a candidate for #2.

One last thought. I love this statement made by Bill Walton's wife. Post Basketball, Bill became a comitted Bicycle rider. He did a nice interview in "Bicycling" magazine's October issue and I saved this because it is just so pertinent and can pertain to so many situations. He has a 6 hour ride EVERY day and states -
"When I come back from a ride, my wife, Lori, always has to remind me, "Bill, don't forget: I wasn't part of that 6 hour conversation you just had with yourself."
Now there is a relationship enhancer if I ever heard one.

Have some fun with your own Random Thoughts.

War Eagle vs a duck

2010-12-04T18:28:00.000-08:00

I can hear that WAR EAGLE screaming. Will the Ducks hold up? Ah, the match-up I have wanted to see all year and it is on my dad's birthday - if only he was here to see it.

Hurry up Jan 10, 2011.

Civil War Saturday in Oregon

2010-12-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

The Day has arrived - will it be Beavers or ducks ? I am so proud of the Oregon Ducks' season. They have played clean, good football and it would be nice to have them unbeaten and national champions. BUT............ I will forever bleed Orange and slap my tail because I am a Beaver Alum of many, many years ago. Today I will watch the game and root for the Beavs until the clock runs out.

May the Giant Killers of old (I was at every one of those games that giant killing season of the 60's) show up today.

It is so beautiful outside. A dusting of light, fluffy snow, no wind, feels nice and is the perfect day for the Bend Christmas Parade. I will be in front of the TV tho as the Civil War game trumps the Christmas Spirit in this household.

Aidan and Chandler and I had a very relaxing day doing our favorite bad weather activity of napping. Aidan loves this quilt and Chandler does his famous stretch-and-twist down below him. When Chandler is really relaxed, this is his position. I've never seen another cat assume this position, but he does love it. He is a special boy.

Link to GreenPrints

My heart fluttered at the mailbox yesterday when my Winter edition of GreenPrints arrived. Of course, all else stopped as I grabbed a cup of tea and began to slowly read. I made myself stop so I could still read it today. If you love gardening, if you love great writing, if you love to read good stuff, you MUST subscribe to this little mag. It is published by a wonderful family in western North Carolina. Pat Stone, the editor, is the dad to this diverse and talented group. Pat is a Christian who walks his talk; he is a storyteller and he is a gardener. I have been a subscriber for years and absolutely love this work. I gave it as a gift to a friend of mine who is very discriminatory in what she reads and is a lover of words like me. She is an incredible gardener and a nurse and we share a first name. Anyway, like me, she reads this from cover to cover, even the ads and all of the punctuation. If I forget to renew her subscription she gets in touch with me immediately to see if she should pick up the tab herself as she doesn't want to miss an issue. That is how you want someone to enjoy a gift, eh. It is a quarterly publication so there is no overkill and you get quite hungry for more by the time the next issue arrives. If you are a gardener, know a gardener, know someone who loves looking at gardens, do them a favor and give them this gift. So much for this commercial break.

Gotta get ready for game time so more later. Thanks for checking in.

For Amelia Friess - Meet Chandler and Aidan

2010-11-27T16:08:00.000-08:00

Amelia loves cats and has a very unique job description for them. One I will love and keep. She and her family a missionaries and when she wrote her blog, she lived in Kenya.

Amelia, I want to introduce you to my cat family so here is part One: Chandler and Aidan

Chandler (on the foot stool) and Aidan (on the arm of the sofa) are my oldest guys. They are uniquely twins (cats aren't usually born as twins) , and it is amazing how the same things occur in their lives at the same time. I adopted them 9 years ago as 6 week old kittens and they bounced all over this house. My cats are indoor only because I feel that cats are too small to roam outside in the city. Cars hurt them, people are mean and I also love to feed and watch birds. They have always been happy campers inside. I have had cats in my life since I was very little and as I hear stories of my grandparents and great grandparents on both sides of my family, there were always cats as part of the family. ( Uh oh, I think it is genetic :) Fortunately, none of us are allergic.

Chandler loves to "surf" on the ironing board. He loves to play with string which is very dangerous for kitties. He found this out the first week in my home when I left a container of dental floss unattended. He came strolling out of the bathroom with something trailing out of his mouth. I removed what was obviously dental floss, but what I didn't know was that he had it wrapped tightly around his tongue. Cats cannot spit anything out so they lick and string can wind around their tongue and cut their tongues so badly that they cannot survive. Boy was I lucky that I took him to the veterinarian the next morning thinking he was sick. She removed several feet of dental floss. I make sure he never has access to any more string of any kind( - but, Malin, I still floss my teeth :) ) Chandler runs the household. With more than one cat in a household (I have 5), one is always "in charge" and makes the rules. This is very interesting to watch. He is not mean or a fighter but he gets his point across.

Both Chandler and Aidan like to be up as high as they can possibly be, so I put beds up on top of bookcases for them. They love each other so much and cannot stand to be apart from each other. If one has to go to the doctor to have his teeth cleaned, the other one waits at home and paces the floor, back and forth, until the other one comes home.

Aidan has a beautiful big ruff - the hair along the sides of his face. And here he is way up high watching over us small people down below.

Here he is wanting to say hi to you Amelia. If I am working at my computer, he is right here tapping on the keyboard.
I think Aidan's job is loving on me. He is almost always by my side if I am sitting and reading and he loves his tummy rubbed. He is always my alarm clock, waking me up at 7:30 every morning. Cats have built in clocks, I think.
If you have any questions about them, let me know and I will get an answer back soon.
Next I will introduce you to another of my kitty family. If you are ever visiting Grammie and want a kitty love, just let me know. These guys are big time lovers.

Thankful

2010-11-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

I am so very thankful.

Thankful for YOU, my family and friends who check in. I love communicating with you this way.

Thankful for a healing foot that is quite black with bruising and still very swollen but healing.

Thankful for beautiful snow that is easily cleared with just a swipe of the shovel.

Thankful for sharing a nice meal with old friends on Thursday. Here is a picture of Mr. Lee who graced our presence.

He is a long haired version of Oreo and is my friend Julie's pal. Miss Gabby was a bit chilly so here was her "seat at the table"

Lilly stayed in the bedroom and didn't join in the festivities. It really was a nice afternoon.

Unexpected Gift

2010-11-19T19:50:00.000-08:00

It was a usual night as I walked out in the black, night air and felt refreshed and happy to have my mom right next door. When I got to the front door I could see Oreo running from the living room to greet me. He jumps up in the window so excited and that is always so heartwarming.

Then he hops up to check his beautiful self out in the mirror in the entry. And we proceed to get him and his mom set up for the night and I walk back home.

Because it was black out, I didn't see the perpetrator (Mr. Pine Cone) lying on the bit of declining earth I had to negotiate and before I knew it, my left foot hit the cone and wham I fell with a thud. My glasses flew off and actually landed in the gravel driveway several feet away - I had to crawl around to find them.

You can see the distance here.
Once in the house I had planned to hop in the shower, but when looking at my left foot I gasped and headed for the ice pack and compression stocking instead.

Here is what my evening looked like Tuesday - Icing my left ankle and soaking my right foot because of an infected cut that I had seen my doctor about on Friday. Pretty funny.

Wednesday morning this is what it looked like. I have neuropathy in both feet and legs and therefore I have no feeling in my feet and legs so I had to get this puppy x-rayed and felt my best option was the Orthopedic/Neuro walk-in clinic. Because God is Sooooooo good, my very own Orthopedic foot specialist was working the clinic that day. Once we found out that there was nothing broken, cracked or chipped we all had a good laugh and he complimented me on the great job I had done on the size and color of the injury. I have bruises all over my body now and feel like I had been in a roll-over accident without the vehicle. Oh Brother.

Today I have much less swelling so I can get my brace on and even a shoe. The color is more impressive. I have been good about keeping it elevated tho (thanks to Netflix and friends bearing food) and the thing that I was told really helped me was my treatment right after the accident - Dr Hinz said it would have looked much worse - Can't really imagine that.

I am very, very thankful for what did not happen.

First Snow of Fall 2010

2010-11-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

It really is pretty to see those great big flakes peacefully falling straight down, and sticking to the ground. I love the late Fall color mixed with the beautiful white. So, thank you Ash trees for this beauty.

The Garden Cart is braced for winter and today I will cover the porch swings - boo hoo. The hammock and the wind spinners have been brought in for now.

And inside you can see Chandler enjoying his Kat TV - one of our grey squirrels madly sorting out his peanuts to go bury in the yard. What you don't see is the Scrub Jay who is following him around and enjoying the peanuts that have just been buried for him. I guess this is also People TV. I really do get so much enjoyment from my yard.

After the last show, Aidan (on the arm of the sofa) and Chandler ( on his window seat) bed down for their nap under the watchful eye of "Southwind" the sculpture.

Most evenings I see this tail shot as one of the Orange Krewe jumps up in the window to keep watch.

Mia has found a new place (where there used to be a drawer) in her room to enjoy. She loves her room so much she sees little need to join the family unless she comes out for her 15 minute run through. She is so cute. At 8 pounds she is my featherweight. Chandler and Aidan come in around 11 pounds and Calvin is 20 pounds, with Oreo at 9.
The cutest picture of Calvin this week was last night - if you ever call me on the phone and I don't make it in time before VM kicks in it is because he is usually upside down on my lap looking like this -

Ta Ta For Now Everyone.

Favorite Things

2010-11-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

I love the fact that weather has allowed my Mt Ash trees to show their color. Here is what I awoke to this morning.

Last year they didn't get a chance to show their color because of a freak wet, heavy snowstorm that blew through one night in Ocotber. So this year they have really put on a show. The Aspens are slowly dropping their leaves. I spent yesterday sweeping them off of my uncovered decking so they won't start to decompose on the wood. - there is some rain in the forecast.

Winter birds are arriving - Oregon Junco are fun to watch as they forage with the doves and sparrows. Had a beautiful Varied Thrush on the birdbath this morning amidst lots of Townsend's Solitaire song. Doug will be by to blow out the sprinkler system for the year this week so that always signals Winter to me.

Want to get out and get a few more caches before snow falls but both my mom and I have gotten colds from somewhere so my motivation is low.

This is a real treasure to me. Many of you have read and/or know that my family moved to Bend when I was a Junior in High School. The kids I grew up with in So Cal and I went to the same school together from Kindergarden through High School. When we were in Junior High, the powers that be decided to form a new high school and they turned our Junior High into that school. So as Sophomores, we were the only class at the new school - Crescenta Valley High School. (Freshmen were still a part of Junior High/Middle School then.) We got to pick the school colors (two shades of blue), and the mascot (the Falcons), etc. So, obviously we were the first class to graduate from that school. That is the only class ring that I have even tho I graduated from Bend Senior High School. My girlfriends in So Cal, whom I haven't seen in all of these years, decided to throw a group 65th birthday party this October and here was the group picture. So fun to see them all again. One of the girls - not in this photo - now lives in Bend and we are going to get together in December and re-unite over some holiday cheer. I can hardly wait.

I'll be back atcha when this virus is gone. Happy Fall.

Went For A Walk

2010-10-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

As our Fall season wanes, I just have to go out for as many walks as my body will allow. Today I chose our new Pine Nursery Park. There were only 2 cars in the parking lot - including mine. Here are a few pictures as I walked to the north of the parking area.

I can so imagine what this will look like in 10 - 20 years. It will be so beautiful. When I was growing up this was the Forest Service Pine Nursery. We spent lots of time here and it looked nothing like this.

This pond area is a Restoration and Enhancement project for the Fish and Game Dept. There is no fishing and the request is to not feed any wildlife. I am so happy at that request. Then we don't have to kill the wildlife when their numbers interfere with our lives - ugh, soapbox.

This is the entrance to the off-leash dog area that I went geocaching in a few posts ago.

I love these fountains that have a spigot for tall, shorter and dog people.

This is a trail for next time. My foot was done in by this time but this place is so huge and with so many trails, I will be out here many more times on foot and bike. I feel so fortunate to live in a town that loves parks and open spaces as well as trails.

I now excitedly await new books from favorite authors this Fall. Here is my list:

Mary Alice Monroe - The Long Road Home
Patricia Cornwell - Port Mortuary
Pat Conroy - My Reading Life
John Grishan - The Confession

And next May, Mary Alice Monroe - The Butterfly's Daughter

Hopefully I can return enough pop cans to pay for these, either in Kindle form or hardback.

I can hardly believe that October is almost over. Gotta get into a Winter frame of mind.

I See The Moon

2010-10-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

"I look out my window and what do I see ? I see the moon and the moon sees me." Or something of the sort. As I sit here at my computer this evening, I gaze to my right just slightly and see an almost full moon peeking through the red leaves of my Crab Apple tree. I don't have the right camera lense to give you a photo so you will just have to imagine.

Red Crab

The yard is progressing with color - there would be more if I hadn't fallen asleep when the yard guys came and "pruned" my plants that I have spent years shaping (Think I mentioned this earlier.)

The Aspen trees are starting to brighten the sky with yellow that seems to glow throughout the yard until the frost takes them down.

The Snowball Bush is always pretty. It was a stick when I got it free 31 years ago.

The new Chokecherry is also beginning it Fall color change and will be a favorite as it grows.

And, oh how I love my grasses both the Feather and the Prairie Grass provide seeds for the little birds and they come in flocks when the seeds are just right. How in the world do they do that? A question on my list for God.

In a totally dark room one early morning, I tried to sneak up on Aidan with my camera. When I went into the room he was just an Orange Orb fast asleep but I guess he sensed my presence and began his waking up experience. A totally sweet boy.

The Michealmas Daisies are goregous this year. At least they survived the pruning day. My neighbor Ethel planted them years ago, a transplant from her home across town. When my parents bought the house, my mom nurtured them. Who knows their true age.

The Rhodies are setting their buds for next year. Should be a good show. I guess it is time to start planning next year's garden and new additions to it. Winter fun.

It's Fall - Can Ya Feel It

2010-10-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

I so love the Fall season. The air is so crisp and nice. My world smells so nice - pine, juniper, wood being split for winter heat. I love wearing flannel shirts and warm socks. Dawn and Twilight always show hints of moisture in the air. I know it is hunting season so I hope that all of the animals hide out.

Isn't this guy a beaut. It is almost Elk season and I just cannot imagine why anyone would want to shoot such magnificence. I can just hear him bugle. One of my favorite sounds.

My friend Kati has been spending time with her friend Dublin. Such a beautiful pair.

And speaking of Kati, Rick and Flicka - I'll bet you can find them in this photo that was taken back in NW Ohio on 10-10-10 at 10:10 in the morning. This is their group of geocachers. And afterward, Kati and crew hiked along the Maumee River - ya gotta love Fall in NW Ohio.

I was on my way out to the Cat Clinic yesterday when I chuckled over a picture I only have in my head but here it is for you - and it is soooo Central Oregon and why I love it here. The drive takes me along a beautiful area of pine trees and rock with a great walking/biking trail that I hope to add to my repertoire soon. Down the trail came a young mom, in her running gear, pushing her baby in a stroller, jogging along on a beautiful 70 degree azure sky day, behind her is her probably 5-6 year old daughter on her beautifully adorned pink bike wearing her pink helmet. The mom also has a handsome yellow lab on a leash. Now to this great family picture add the Central Oregon piece - a few paces ahead of this family is their mix-breed big dog, off-leash, and proudly carrying a big ol' pine cone in his mouth. I so wish I had had a camera for this one. I still smile.

Here is the latest Aidan and Chandler photo. Always together these boys are. Today when the lawn guys came they were both one big lump of orange fur in the closet hiding. I so love these guys. They are brothers through and through

Ten Ten Ten Ten

2010-10-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

What a great time we had, all around the world, because 10 years ago a fellow from Beaver Creek, Oregon took a 5 gallon bucket filled with some money, some video stuff, electronics, a book, a can of beans and instructions; then he posted the coordinates online and thus was born the sport of Geocaching. Thank you Dave Ulmer for my retirement addiction and for all of the people I meet that are like me. On Sunday we geekie, strange to some, cachers around the world celebrated ten years of fun on October 10, 2010. Wearing nametags that bore our caching handles we in Central Oregon took over Izzy's restaurant. I asked this couple - Putter and Sassy - to join me for lunch. We had a great time and boy did I learn a lot from their 3 years and over 7400 caches. (I picked the right pair. )

The gal in the green was one of the organizers and the others we just visited with when they came by our table. People were there that were more elderly than me with their walkers and some young folks were there with their families. So Cool !!! I thought I might be the one who found the fewest caches in the short time I have done this but there was someone there - Garden Dancer - who had only found one cache.

Here is the geocoin we received to celebrate the occasion. Isn't she a beauty !!!

This really captured the fun of the day. brownsbend is in the green and Big Eddy is the other guy. They brought great laughter to our table when they began sharing tales and swapping jabs with Putter. I plan to go get a cache of brownsbend this afternoon. I so totally connected with how these guys approach the sport, how they hunt and how they hide. What a wonderful way to spend time and meet folks. Thank you Alan my pal. Long live old cachers, eh !!!!!!! Oh, the guy you can barely see in the background is D'cacher. He and his wife sat across from us and became part of the fun very soon.

Frustration and Fall Finds

2010-10-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

YabbaDabbaDo, I am incredibly frustrated with the new "add an image" button on Blogger. I am looking to try and find the old version but good luck to me. This new guy is unbearable at this point. Maybe I just need time. Anyone else having trouble with this learning curve?

Here is an image from a recent geocaching trip. I had fun wandering about town looking at old architecture and buildings. Even got to put in a new memory card and start collecting more photos.

It is fun to leave little hints as to general cache areas. If friends look closely at these photos, and if they are certain friends, you can see some really fun friends' old and new house as well as a well placed cache (no you won't see the actual cache, can't do that).

Have a great weekend.

Back Out On The Trail - Part Two

2010-09-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

Now to get you out doing some caching with me. Geocaches are great for many reasons but one of the really neat things about it is that it will take you places in your town that you either frequent often or rarely go and you will always learn something.
Margaret and Stella accompanied me recently. I did all of the pre-trip work and then off we went. We visited a new city park with a great off-leash area for Stella and we met lots of dogs and their people. Stella started off the day with a nice kiss from a sweet little guy.

Notice his Harley shirt. While with his owner we all found our first Letterbox. I don't do Letterboxing but it sure was fun to find it.

Because geocaching is a sport that incorporates stealth, I won't be telling you where we were or showing you the exact hiding spots. We were in Central Oregon tho, and we are the land of lots of lava; and lots of lava makes for lots of great cache hiding. This was an interesting bit of lava. I love all of the moss and lichen.

It was fun to roam around in and come out smelling like Juniper.

Just so you can see what this small cache looked like on the outside, I snapped this shot of Margaret and a bit of Stella. They weren't aware that the camera was right there.

This part of the trail shows more of the area in which we found the Letterbox.

At the next cache hunt, we had a bigger hill to negotiate. And once on top we had a great view of one of our new schools. It was 3:30 so there were lots of parents showing up.

The cache we found was such a cleaver one. Wish I could tell you more but I won't.

Next we were on the side of town where there is lots of ranch land and some ditch roads I used to run on during my running heyday. It is beautiful to be out there when the ditches are full. Stella was on-leash here as these ditches are so dangerous for dogs. The sides are all cement so if a dog were to jump in, he or she could never get out and the water is too swift and deep for a human to go in after.........

This is just a view up and down the ditch while we were doing cache Number Three for the day.
This cache happened to be placed by a fellow's 3 and 5 year old. Not an easy find this one. The kids named it too, I guess, and did a bang up job. It was Very cleverly done.

We did a Micro and two Small caches that day and I was able to leave 2 of my signature Pathtags. This was my reward for the day - a 1991 U S Cycling Federation District Champion medal for winning the Time Trial in the Master's Division (age 30+). Very Cool to add to my swag collection.
Moving on to today- I promised my cats that I would go get them some food they like and I grabbed a cache on my way home. I a so desperately trying to get to 25 before winter - chuckle, chuckle Alan. It was at a place I could just sit and relax and reflect. Bend has lots and lots of Pocket Parks in some really interesting places. This particular one was done in memory of the 13 year old daughter of some friends of mine who went school shopping to Portland with her mom, felt ill on the way up there and died within hours, of an overwhelming infection of unknown origin. I won't tell you the name of the Park but here are the pictures. This park's theme speaks to the flora, fauna, and geology of Central Oregon and is actually interpretive. Enjoy -

Pretty Sunflower art welcomes you - each entrance is painted this way.

And real Sunflowers are planted outside the fence. Someone was thinking.

I love the old Juniper snag and the riverbeds.

This beautiful bench sits at the center representing the compass and marking true North.

With a long curving bench at its edge. The sun was warm today, so I ate my lunch there after finding the cache.

Bend, being a dog-friendly town, has a dog water bowl by this fountain. Usually there is a fountain head at the bottom of these drinking fountains to fill the bowl but not at this park. Oh well, the bowl was great. (Just had to get a shot of this.)

I didn't take this shot for the framing or beauty of it, obviously. I wanted to hide anything that would give away where I was - if you know Bend well, you can probably figure it out tho - but I wanted to get the dedication info. And I really would love to thank the person who put the geocache in this wonderful spot. I enjoyed it a lot.

I will end by saying that anywhere in Bend you go geocaching, there is always a nice view to enjoy. This is Brokentop- one of the volcanos of the Cascades that border our town.

Back Out On The Trail - Part One

2010-09-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

GEOCACHING again, at last, and with better balance. My neighbors Margaret of the two footed species, and Stella of the four footed variety and I headed out in the afternoon to spend a few hours of fun in northeast Bend. I thought it might be fun to show you the prep and the reward.

It all starts with a sturdy pair of shoes - that I am now able to wear again after my injury in February.

For ID and safety and medical information if needed I wear my RoadID green bracelet and then for safety in the field I wear my 16 feet of 550 lb test Military paracord woven into a cool bracelet - I chose the camo one for today. How stylish.

Into my bag that will be carried with me goes my trusty Garmin Oregon 400t gps unit loaded with the caches I am seeking; a green cachemaniacs trackable geocoin to place on its way to a new location and several of my signature pathtags to leave in caches. I also pack extra ziplock bags in case the items in caches I find need to be spruced up or replaced in a new clean bag. The hemostat is for removing logs in tiny caches or anything else you need them for in the field. A tube of chapstick and paper printouts of caches to be found (for my friend who doesn't have a paperless gps).

Next in the bag go gloves and my flashlight.

Trusty cell phone always comes along. Loaded with app for geocaching just in case.

I am probably going to find a smaller bag to carry in the field as this one is too much for me to manage. It always has a container of dog poop clean up bags to use to take trash out from cache sites and on the other side is an emergency whistle.

I carry this bag in my car. There is food for the day, emergency food and clothing, and extras of items to leave in caches. It also has first aid supplies. I take a rain hat and always fresh water. The only thing missing in the pictures are my hiking poles which are already in the car.

You don't venture out here in the State without taking your Orange and Black or Yellow and Green. This is my Orange and Black.
Now that we are all packed. I will leave for the day and then be back with photos of the actual field experience. Thanks for checking in.

Prelude

2010-09-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, my blood runs Orange. Yep, Orange for the Oregon State Beavers and Orange for the UT Volunteers - both a different shade of Orange. So, before we get to today's football games, let's take a look a last week through orange-colored glasses.

These shots came from a fellow blogger who came down from his post in the Great Smoky Mountains to attend the UT/Oregon game in Knoxville. Imagine yourself in Neyland stadium surrounded by over 100 thousand orange fans. Here is the proud "T". Oregon has one heck of a great football team this year and UT, usually a contender in the SEC, has a very new team and new coach but they did a great job and it was a good game.

Doug's Bucket List included meeting Pat Summit - actually that would be on my Bucket List too. Pat is the coach of that awesome UT Lady Vols basketball team who has won so very many national titles. I love this lady too, so, lucky you Doug. I'm so jealous.

But, here is the photo that really makes me jealous - Doug and Smokey, the Vols mascot. I love hounds and Smokey is the best.
So, that was last week. The Beavs had a bye last week so nothing to report on there, just great hopes for today as they face Louisville at home in Corvallis.

This Beaver Believer wishes the Vols the best in their season and applauds them in their effort last week. Job well done guys. Even tho I look awful in Orange, I will wear it proudly.

Just Checking In

2010-09-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week, but the kind of busyness you like in life. Of course there was physical therapy with my therapist Eric "The Beast". I think I have worked up more of a sweat in there than I ever did at the gym and my balance is incredibly better now and so is my right foot. Tomorrow is my last visit and I am going to miss all of those people. It will be another withdrawal from the medical system that I grew up and served as a nurse in for 21 years - always kind of hard I find.

I had a great visit with my friends Chris and Missy Klug on Tuesday. Their hugs are the best around and I love hearing their great news and sharing mine. I hope to get Chris' Foundation more of a presence here in Central Oregon and bring more awareness for organ donation. I cry every time I hear his story and am so thankful we still have him in our lives. Hopefully on their next trip to this area we can sit down together again. This is such a small world, Missy and I found out that we both grew up with some of the same people but my growing up with them was in Los Angeles and then later in Bend and her experience growing up with them was in Sisters. The people were the best friends of an uncle and aunt of mine and then when both spouses died, my uncle married his friend Mary and we became family with her. She and her husband Dick had roots in Sisters so that is where she and my uncle settled. Therefore, when "the people" are in their 80's and I am in my 60's this can happen with friends who are in their 30's. Isn't that just incredible.

I also found my first virtual geocache this week and had tons of fun in the effort. (Pictures after tomorrow.) Looking forward to finding more. A friend thought she saw some geocachers out at a local dog park recently so I downloaded the caches in the area she visited and next week we will go get 'em. YeeHaw ! Hope I can wait until next week.

Hillsong - Oceans Will Part

2010-09-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry For The Delay

2010-09-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

It has been a couple of b-u-s-y couple of months and I did my usual - I dropped off the map. Unanswered email, unreturned/unanswered phone calls....... My apologies.

On top of my 40 -50 hours per week of caring for my mom, I have been doing physical therapy for my balance (I posted this at the beginning.) I decided that if I was going to put out the bucks and time, I would make the home exercises my priority and it has paid off - I am so much better. My last time in the Balance Master showed that I am above average in all categories and there were no red areas this time. I am so pleased.

During this time the weather was finally right to paint the piece of my car that my good friends Dan and Jason assured me I could do myself. I don't know what the piece is called but it was a nice flat black when I bought the car - new - 16 years ago and over time on each end there were approx 4" round circles that wore down to bear metal. I have no idea how this occurred, but there they were. I could have painted them as big eyes but I decided to repaint it flat black. When I had the car in for an oil change recently, I asked the mechanic if he would remove the piece for me. He came walking in with it and said, "here ya go. Now you can take it into a paint shop and get it painted." I smiled and said, " oh, I plan to paint it myself." After all, worse case scenario, I would screw it up and then take it in to the paint shop. I did the job exactly like my painter friend told me - correct temps, no wind, I etched it with Vinegar, applied a couple coats of primer then brought out the automotive flat black paint. It came out absolutely beautiful and I am smiling. I probably saved a few hundred dollars too.

I put it back on this morning. Doesn't it look nice !!!

Then there was my corn plant. Every year I get several corn plants that come up here and there having been planted by birds. This year I noticed a plant that was up about 5 feet out by the entrance to my driveway. I had never watered it or nurtured it in any way. A couple of nights ago a sweet hispanic lady was walking by pushing her baby in a stroller, out enjoying the lovely evening. I noticed her running her hands down the stalk and I struck up a conversation with her - me with no spanish and her with no english but we were communicating. She pointed out the small ear of corn that was growing and then she stroked the leaves and said "Tamales". I asked her if she wanted the stalk to enjoy the ear of corn and wrap her tamales in the leaves. She very excitedly said, "yes." I broke off the stalk and she laid it on top of the stroller. I then met little Clara, not yet 1 year and preciously cute. Off they went to their home down the street. It was lovely even tho there are no pictures.

I watched through my favorite TV series of the 80's (I think) - Tour of Duty; and am reading some great books right now. Looking forward to Fall weather and color. I am ready to get back outdoors and make use of my new balance.

It Happens Again

2010-08-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

I become so sad when I hear someone say - "Oh Facebook, I never do that." My inward response is, "gosh, are you ever missing out." You all know that Facebook brought my cousin Ron and I together again after 40 years;

it allowed the Barriclows and I to meet face to face this summer

and now it has brightened my life again. Listen to this story -

Many years ago at St Charles Home Health we needed some office assistance and a young woman just out of college applied and was hired. She was engaged to a nice young man who was a Flight Instructor out at the Bend Airport and when they married they were off to a life as Missionary Aviators with MAF. Manda and I really hit it off. She was just such a sweet person who took on anything needed and did a smashing job. Soon I met Matthew and he was the same. I really enjoy getting to know young people like this. When Manda and I had lunch together one day I discovered that she had a real heart for Jesus - of course she did. And then I learned that she and Matthew met at college - Moody Bible in Chicago. Wait a minute, I know some people who graduated from there and probably the same year - Julie and Peter Jones (who are like family to me). When I asked Manda about them, yes, she and Matthew did know them in school, they were friends. Wow ! so we swapped stories.

Delightful and a real gift to me from the Lord - two young couples to incorporate into my life and watch them grow and serve in this hurting world. Julie was the person who encouraged me to blog. Julie and I met when she was in high school and I was the nurse for a group of kids with Youth For Christ who went to Washington DC and then the Dominican Republic together to serve. Here is a picture of our little connected group in DC at the National Cathedral - L to R are Joy, Me, Amanda Boone (Not the Amanda in this story), Julie, and Darcelle. The bunch of us were roommates and touring partners in DC. Remember that Julie and I are the subjects of this story.

Peter Jones and Matthew have taken similar paths to their current ministries. Peter and Julie pastor a church in Morgantown, WV and Matthew and Manda pastor a church in Washington state after serving with MAF for quite awhile. Now back to the story -
Today Facebook showed me an option to "Like" and become a "friend" to MAF. Immediately Matthew and Manda came to mind and led me to do some internet research. The route, although circuitous, led me to Manda and Matthew and I was able to read about their current status in life and get their address and email address. I have emailed them and await a response and I hope we can all reconnect. They so inspire and motivate me and I am so thankful. Thanks Facebook, you have done it again.


The beautiful Jones Family

The beautiful Payne Family

Jesus Wins !!!!!!

Something to Smile About

2010-08-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

Whew, the news is oppressive - murder, fire, airplane crash... and all of this local. So here are some recent pictures sure to give you something to smile about -

Calvin sound asleep and dreaming that his mom will buy him a deeper sofa.

Oh, mom, it's you. Would you at least kiss my tummy? Calvin is my guy with asthma who had his first parent put him out to die because she didn't want to treat him. He jumps into my arms at least once a day to be cuddled and if I am sitting is always in my lap. And you wonder why it takes me so long to answer a ringing phone?

Looks like my Chai doesn't it? Well, you're close. It is Flicka, who has been featured on my blog before. It was her parents who I just had dinner with when they visited from Ohio. That was one of my recent blogs. Flicka had this big ol' smile for Kati and Rick when they returned home. She is seen here on the banks of Lake Superior, one of her favorite spots.

And here is Lum Stricklin. Lum is my cousins' brand new puppy. He lives in Forest Grove, OR and is a Labradoodle. He is named after our great grandfather and there is quite a story about how he effected my mom's life this week. Just put little angel wings on him.

Current Events

2010-08-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

Summer is just plain lovely. My red Honeysuckle is overladen with berries and the birds are starting to visit. Soon the whole shrub will be fluttering with bird activity, so many different species. Here is an early Robin checking it out.

Favorite neighbors visit and enjoy a good glass of wine as we watch the sun go down over the mountains. The Rooster Rock fire nearby put plenty of Tyndall Effect out there to get the whole range of color.

There are some nice ways to remember who is out there protecting us while we play. And we can be safe just wearing this.

Chris throws a STRIKE as he pitches the first ball at the Brewers/Cincinati Reds game while in Madison,Wisconsin for the Transplant Games. The day he threw out the first ball he celebrated his 10th anniversary of his liver transplant. Wow, we are so blessed to still be able to have and enjoy Chris in our lives. And friend Jan Lorentz was there also.

And my friend Bob Randall celebrated his 65th birthday with a hike up to Cloud's Rest in Yosemite. It is so much fun to turn 65 with a group of friends you have known your whole life. So special these friendships of all those years.

Summer and all it is bringing to us is just plain lovely. Enjoy yours.

The Fun We Had

2010-08-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a girl (lady) who wanted a dog. Then she saw the movie "Because of Winn Dixie" and wondered about the breed of the dog - the Berger Picard. Research showed that it was a French breed and that there were only 100 in the US. Searching the internet for where these 100 dogs were (the breed was not yet recognized by the AKC) she came across the photo of "the cutest puppy I have ever seen".

The cute puppy just happened to live in Camp Verde, Arizona and her name was Valentine. Her mom and dad were Beth and Dave Toraason and over time we got to know each other via email - there was no Facebook then- or at least that we used. Valentine had her first litter of pups and I got my precious Chai.

My brother and I drove down to Sutter, CA to pick him up as a friend had flown to AZ to pick up his sister and offered to bring Chai along. What a great trip we had and I fell totally in love at first site.

Here he is with his sister (she is chewing on the toy). Neither ear was up yet on this day but by the time we got home two days later one of his ears came up.

The Houston family says a last good bye to Chai whom they had cared for for a week.

We had so much fun together. Gosh how I miss him. We went through Puppy 101 at Dancin' Woofs, the best dog school in the area.

2007

And we bonded. Then I got very ill and Chai had to move on to his next home, with a wonderful lady in Wisconsin who has become a great friend.

2008

And he has continued to grow into a very sweet, lovable guy. (Sorry for the recap.)

2009

Each year Tammy sends me pictures of our son.

Chai 2010

And with this precious dog came membership into the greatest group of people in the world. Those who are the Berger Picard Club of America . Over the past 3 years I have felt very connected to Betsy (in Virginia, a nurse, and the Pres of the club), Beth (of course, Chai's first mom), Chantal (French but lives in Wisconsin), and Kati (lives with her husband and family and dog Flicka in northern Ohio). I have felt that were we to meet in person we could be instant face to face friends. Kati, Betsy, Chantal, and I have furthered our relationship over the past year via the fabulous Facebook. At one point last Fall, Kati picked up that I might be geocaching and we discovered that we both loved the sport and that her husband was quite the addict. Rick helped me learn a lot and find some caches. And he and my cousin Alan in Texas had been in touch through the website. Then we learned that we all loved Pathtags and we swapped tags. I have always carried theirs with me daily on my key chain. I was really loving Kati and Rick and Flicka.

Here are some of my favorite photos of Flicka - She has some great You Tube videos too.

And then it happened.......Following a vacation Rick and Kati have been on, through posts on Facebook, I noticed something. You see, Kati is German by birth and when communicating to her German friends, of course, her language of choice is German. Well, I am totally clueless in that language. Give me French, Spanish, or English and I can keep up but German ..... I noticed, however, in one post, the letters WA. My questions were answered that, Yes, they were in the state of Washington. Further conversations brought us to something I never expected - they were coming to Bend, OR where I am living. I almost cried. I was going to have the chance to meet them face to face, hug to hug. And it actually happened Friday evening. After spending the day at Crater Lake National Park (on Rick's Bucket List I find out) they drove north to Bend for the evening. Wow !

"We could have danced all night !" It was more fun than words can express. We have more in common than we could have ever imagined. And we are connected heart to heart forever.

The dessert was fabulous after an outrageously good dinner at the Phoenix. And, cousin Alan, I hope you are reading this one because you and Rick - as I mentioned earlier - have communicated through the geocaching site. Rick creates some Earth caches and just did one in Yellowstone Park.
They are "The Bearclaws". You have to include the quotation marks because there are some folks in Utah with the same handle minus those quotation marks. We swapped some great geocaching stories. As we all do, they plan their route to their next vacation stop and then Rick goes online to find all of the caches along the way so he can pick the 5-6 he wants to find. I LOVE these people. We have more than a dog in common and thanks to Facebook we have connected in person. I wonder if Facebook even knows how they impact people's lives in ways that would never, ever otherwise come about.
Oh, one last sweet deal - while in Seattle, they visited Groundspeak and got their photo on the wall. I need to get up there and do the same.

There once was a girl who wanted a dog......... Thank you Jesus !

An Evening With A Visitor

2010-07-29T21:47:00.000-07:00

I call him Squirelly and he entertains us with regularity. Here is his progression for a night of fun.

I moved this great peanut feeder down lower so I could sit nearby with my camera.

Holding one prize scored from his food bag, he surveys the feeder below.

Down the post he comes.

Then he hangs on and reaches around with his mouth and scores the peanut.

And back up on the post he goes. He is so pretty and not bothersome at all. He makes good cat TV and the kitties get plenty of exercise going from screen door, to window, to door , etc.
I was so taken with the HBO series "The Pacific" and the books behind the production that I am watching "Band Of Brothers" this week and am equally as impressed. MMMMM, the price of freedom.

Early evening/afternoon thunderstorms have enough wind to fill the flags - Tennessee is part of my heritage; France is the other - and to make a huge mess to be swept up later.

The really great news is that Kati and Rick are leaving their little cabin in the Redwoods and driving to Crater Lake tomorrow and will be in Bend sometime late tomorrow night I'm guessing that they are ready to begin their sojourn back home to northern Ohio. I can hardly wait to get to know them face to face and I have to say again - I met them through my dog club (Berger Picard Club of America) and through Geocaching (Rick has given me lots of nice pointers) Thank You Facebook. It has such a great way of bringing people together. Thanks Kati and Rick for coming my way even tho you didn't even know that you were.

A Girl Can Dream....

2010-07-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Three years ago I joined a Dog Club - Berger Picard Club of America. Shortly thereafter I learned how to use Facebook and 2 of the ladies I so enjoyed in the Club, Kati from Ohio and Chantal from (oh gosh, I forgot which state but will guess Wisconsin) and I got to know each other a lot better. I love these women. Kati is German and Chantal is French and I love both of their dogs. Anyway, in one of my posts, Kati questioned whether or not I was a geocacher and I found out that she and her family enjoy the sport and are also into Pathtags, so we traded tags.
I have recently been following Kati and family as they travel the US => this week I saw that they are on the Olympic Peninsula and Kati saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

Well, gosh Kati, are you coming through Bend? And I just found out that they may be here at the end of next week. Oh Wow, what a treat it would be to meet these people and hopefully Flicka - whose pictures I have posted often and who has some wonderful video's on You Tube.

What an awesome gift from God it would be if I could meet this family. I just want to cry. So help me pray them into Bend for a night. Wow. What a summer!

Another Summer Day

2010-07-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Chandler just needed his brother and me. After curling up on my lap for awhile he gently moved onto the chair with his brother. When they sleep together, they have to hold hands. They have done this since then first night I had them - at 6 weeks of age - and I am sure that if mom had had an ultrasound, they would have looked like this also.

They slept like this for hours. My precious brothers- Aidan on your left and Chandler on your right. I so love them.

I am spending 2 mornings a week at SCMC Outpatient Rehab and boy is is ever working! Lots of work at home but there is a lot in my left leg and both feet that can be improved so Bring It On ! It is also fun to be back in a building that I spent the last 21 years of my 30 plus year career in. Good Feelings. Winks and waves from doctors and other staff.

My favorite squirrel hunted for a peanut he buried earlier. Once found

he made sure it fitted in his mouth correctly and then he settled in for a nice snack.

Nice afternoon for the little guy.

This plant has been so much fun to nurture and grow and I finally found the right spot for it on these warm summer days.

Good Friends, Good Wine, Pretty Flowers

2010-07-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

What a great week. It began with mom and I going out for dinner with a good friend we hadn't seen in a long time and then a walk through her gorgeous flower and vegetable garden. No pictures but lots of fun.
Then I returned home to a voicemail from my awesome friends Tom and Diana. Full time RV'ers with a ministry on the road. We had such a good meal at the restaurant where we meet every year when they swing through. Followed by a 3 hour visit on my porch.

We share a Tennessee heritage so it is always good to hear the stories of their time in TN and the rest of the South that we love so much.

Then my cute little UPS guy showed up at the door singing - "The Vino is here." He had my wine from Qupe winery in Santa Maria, CA. I got a very nice bottle of Syrah and from his wife's label, a nice Albarino. Love those Central California Coast wines. Like Kathryn says - Napa makes auto parts, the central coast makes wine, the good stuff. It is nice to be directed to new stuff from a state I dearly love. After all, it was where I was born and raised for 17 years. Summer nights on the porch are getting better.

Finally got the Bark Butter out there for the birds. I hung 5 new cakes of suet and a bunch of Bark Butter and within 72 hours it was eaten. Lots of flickers with their babies as well as nuthatches.

The delphinium with one blue stalk and one dark purple stalk just gets prettier every day.

How May I Help You

2010-07-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

When offered in sincerity, those words can bring the best of customer service; and, I believe, is the way we should all live our lives. So many of my friends feel as I do, that customer service is a totally foreign concept to many people who deal with people on a daily basis in their jobs.

I will put some nice pictures here as I rant a bit.

I love my new bike helmet that will protect my head as I start riding more. And I am thankful to my REI dividend that paid for it.

Okay, I went into my mom's bank last week to set up Online Bill Pay. The young woman who so pushed me into taking this step had made an appointment for me with her at 3:00 a couple of days later in the week. I arrived at 2:40 to a rude reception from the first young woman I encountered. When I told her I was there to see Meghan, she told me that Meghan had just gone to lunch and wouldn't be back for 45 minutes. Okay, odd that she hadn't called me to tell me that her lunch would be later and saved me the drive down there at 3. Well, I was there and had brought everything she had told me to bring, including my POA for my mom's financial stuff, so I opted to wait in their waiting area. Of course, my name has been on her accounts for 15 years and I have done all of her financial stuff for 10 years. Several minutes later, a young man came out to say that he would be glad to help me, even after my telling him that I had spoken to Meghan twice and she had a lot of information on my mom that would be needed to do this task. He was insistent so I finally gave in even tho my gut told me it wasn't going to go well. Oh, listen to your gut more and act on it - my new motto.

I explained to him that my mother has dementia, is 93 years old, and is unable to leave her home. I offered him the POA and he looked at it like he had no clue what it was and asked me for her driver's license. I wanted to laugh so bad that it was painful to hold it in. "Her Driver's License? I just said that she has dementia and is 93 years old, Dude, she doesn't have a Driver's License. He just rolled his eyes and started spouting off all of the information Meghan and I had already discussed and figured out how to proceed. He kept asking for her DL and sighing with eye rolls. Then he told me it would cost $6.95 a month to do online bill pay and I was stumped again. At my bank the service is free and you can set it up online easily. "Meghan had told me it would be free." Sigh, eye roll, we don't do free." By that time his tone clearly said, I don't want to do this. And I just wanted to pack up all of my legal paperwork and leave. He fussed around with his computer and couldn't get to where he wanted to go and got more frustrated. So I told him that for the small number of checks I write per month, $6.95 would be almost a dollar per check and I didn't think it was worth all of the seeming hassle. So we ended the endeavor. I was so frustrated at how I was treated from the moment I walked it, with not being notified that Meghan decided to go to lunch knowing we had an appointment at that time, that Cameron could only roll his eyes and be very rude in his verbal and non-verbals. Whew, I came home and called my sister and ran it by her to make sure that I wasn't missing some federal regulation; she, who has been a banker for probably 20 some years now, was aghast at the whole thing. So I am going to call Meghan and ask her what happened and then write a letter to the supervisor.......Attempt to stop yammering but...
I ran a business for years and we trained our staff that the public would never hear "No" in our communication and never ever detect frustration. I will stop yammering, but I do so appreciate a smiling, happy person behind the counter. There are lots of those out there and I always try to let them know how much I appreciate them and I always try to make someone's day a little bit better. I just wish employees, especially young ones, would be taught how to deal with the public especially in adverse situations.

No one smiles sweeter than a Golden Retriever. I met Miss Sadie last Thursday at my women's group luncheon. What a sweetie. Of course, she matches most of my cats so I tried to bring her home. She was rescued from a home where she spent her time in a dog run because her people didn't take the time to train or socialize her. She is a special girl and has the absolute best home with Wanda. She almost purred as I petted her and I fell in love again.

Flags still fly here for the second week of the Tour de France. I love to watch it for the racing and for the beautiful countryside they bike through. I love the French countryside.

I am awaiting an order of wine from the Central California Coast. I order a Syrah and an Albarino from Qupe Winery, a spot my friends Kathryn and David visit frequently when they are home in Los Alamos. Lucky Kathryn gets to bike every day through those vineyards and the rolling hills of ranch and farm lands in that area. I love that part of Cali. So I will be back with my review. It will be a great evening to sit out on the porch and pray for Meghan and Cameron that they might enjoy their jobs more and present better to the people they are there to help.