What's Up?

I have a friend who does not think political cartoons are funny, at all. Her sense of humor is nil when it comes to the artistry and cleverness of the cartoonists who make the news come alive and give us food for thought. It's about time, I say, as there has been a lot of news without voice in the newspapers and magazines. Freedom of Speech is a right and I am happy that the cartoonists have come out of the shadows and show us , in their own clever way, what is going on in our world.

This one with the dog is a rather dark one and a bit scary as the middle east problems escalate and the threat of nuclear bombs hovers. Here it is the last day of November, 2009, and our lives go on as if nothing has happened . . . yet, we are sending thousands more of our young men and women over to Afghanistan and Britain, our staunch ally, is sending five hundred. God help each and everyone of them. I don't understand or know the name of the game being played in the name of politics. If we are at war, and have been for the last eight years, then something is not as it was when the word 'war' is used. We, who were the strongest nation in the world, has the wherewith all to end this fiasco. We never did let the bullies win, why are we playing up to political correctness? . . . the buzz word of this century. So much to think about and pray for. So you see the political cartoons have humor but underneath it all it has the realities of life and the word 'fair' comes to mind . . . I must look that word up in the dictionary.

I'll get off my soap box and give a new start to our beautiful day The weather is phenomenal, like summer, sunshine and a breeze, so I am going to take a walk and enjoy the exercise. I hope your Monday morning is a start of a beautiful week, and tomorrow starts a brand new month.......December......Christmas........I'm not ready!

Thoughts and Words

This picture reminded me of 'the dust bowl of the thirties' all packed up and no place to go. I used to tell my children, when we moving back and forth across the country struggling to find a new home, that home is where the heart is and I really believed that. There were many reasons for all of our movies and I did my best to make them as much fun as possible, but over the years I have often wondered if the moves were good for them or bad. Each one seems to be walking their own path and doing well, so I haven't changed my tune about doing what you have to do while keeping a heart full of love at the ready.

We lived in all kinds of houses, from very small to a medium size but never a large one. I am repeating a story I have told many times about having three small bedrooms and changing the children around so each one could have a turn of having a room of their own for six months. My husband thought I had lost my marbles and finally objected to my furniture moving when he would come in from work and stumble over a table or a chair that had not been there when he left for work. He finally requested a small night light so he could find his way. Yes, my heart was in the right place but it would be something to read their thoughts on all or moves.

Each move brought more experience in how to box and pack. I got to be an expert and down sized a lot. Today as I look around I find I have accumulated more 'stuff' and I need to think about down sizing all over again. As an octogenarian it is once again time to think about finding a home, for me, maybe a studio apartment in a nice complex in a city where there is transportation to and from the places one likes to visit. It isn't as easy as hoping in a packed car and going off and relocating because it is a costly proposition and there is only so much income. It seems to me one of the first sensible ideas would be to revamp the old peoples homes and take care of them as they make their way to the garden gate. We have famlies on the streets of America, unbelieveable but true. We have more children in our system than ever before and so many unstable people who need attention and care. I'm digressing in a way, but in another I am not, as home is where the heart is and we who have big hearts should be working at fixing the problem of the homeless. Houses are being boarded up. People are out of work. There should be a way of mixing the two and coming up with a great solution. One huge home that is empty could be filled with people who could become family and those with big hearts could and would run it right. We can bail out the big guys who are still giving themselves a huge bonus that they will never live long enough to spend, while the need to put our people back to work and solve some of our most pressing problems goes by the wayside. My children would chalk my words up as lecture twenty-eight, or maybe I've hit the hundred mark by now.

I hope you use your words well today. I hope you remember to think before you speak. I hope you will find words of love rather than abuse, as my cartoon friend, Maxine, would probably say, 'be careful of your words as you may have to eat them before the day is over.' What is that Teddy Roosevelt said years ago, "Walk softly and carry a big stick" . . . I think he should have added to 'talk softly and smile with your heart'. Make today a good one.

A Hunting We Will Go!

How would you like to run into this big guy? He is over eight feet tall and a giant in his world. I cannot imagine looking into his eyes to see what is reflected there. I have no idea who took the picture but Elliot Lake was mentioned and I have no idea where that is. All I know is that it is hunting season and there are a lot of men out walking with a rifle in their hands, but it seems to me they should have a cannon or two at their disposal. Which reminds me, my daughter Pat and granddaughter Erin were out picking mushrooms yesterday. I gather they were up in the mountain area and had a lot of hard climbing to do. They didn't get much, or I didn't see any so the picking must have been slim. They had a good day out in the sunshine and today are bone weary from the climbing up and down the mountain side. I don't think it will be a favorite after Thanksgiving sport for either of them. My 'picking' days are over as the spirit is willing but the body has lost its 'get up and go'. It is hard not being able to participate in the fun trips in life but then how truly worthwhile it is to sit back and listen to the tales. It is time to celebrate the younger generation and enjoy the fruits of their labor . . . like the sweet tasty fresh crab that Jimmy brought over to help us celebrate Thanksgiving. Jimmy is a friend of Erin and not only a good crabber but a talented photographer. He brought some pictures over that I'd like to copy so you could see the beauty of the ocean when the sun is setting and our world changes into amazing colors before the darkness sets in. There are some things that no one can take away from us. All we have to do is stop long enough to enjoy the beauty which surrounds us.

Today I had an amazing video attachment sent to me in an e-mail. I am thankful every day for this computer that son John gave me for Christmas a few years ago. It is my contact with a lot of good friends and the attachments they send keep my mind and my heart aglow. The video today was called "The Color World" in which scene after scene of photographs brought to life the vast and complex scenery from Paris to the 'dead man's curve' of a mountainside, views of beautiful animals and flowers, footprints in the snow as the sun is setting and flowers of unimaginable beauty. Daughter Pat brought me in a lovely poinsettia plant, her annual gift the day after Thanksgiving, which brightens up the room and prepares me for the coming Christmas holiday. How blessed I am. In the video there was a plant similar to the one I received this morning and it has tiny bracket like blossoms which I have yet to discover on my new plant. I am betting when I go and look I will see tiny miracle and I will smile as I watch it change each day to a beautiful brilliant red flower with its green leaves.

I hope you will buy a poinsettia plant for your home. There is nothing like fresh flowers to liven up a room and remind you that there is beauty to behold in every bud. For some folks holiday time is not a happy time, too many memories of what used to be and for whatever reasons they find themselves alone and sad. Keep an eye open, you may have a neighbor or a friend that could use a small poinsettia plant to brighten up their space. Don't forget to light a candle or two. Know you will be in my thoughts and prayers this coming Christmas season.

Black Friday

The article written up in an e-mail tells the story of a whale caught up in fishing nets over its entire body, almost at death's doors when some brave men jumped into the ocean from their ship and went to work cutting the lines away so the whale could breathe and be free. The whale was saved and ready to take off and enjoy its freedom but not before it nudged each of the rescuers. I love those stories along with some of the other stories about our everyday heros.

A Veteran, now ninety years old, just wrote a letter to President Obama about how he should 'shape up or ship out' as he re accounts the cow-towing that our president is partaking in with his kissing and bowing in his travels around the world. The U.S. A. has nothing to cow-tow about and no one has to apologize for us. If that sounds arrogant on our part, then so be it, as we have rescued every nation under the sun with our charity and benevolence over the many years. No one has come to our rescue yet or even offered too. I hope each of us remembers who we are and what we do stand for. Glen Beck said it all on his last broadcast when he took the time to remind us about the first Thanksgiving.

Where did the name 'black Friday' come from? It is the start of shopping season for Christmas and the carrot is out there for all to chase in hopes of getting a bargain. I hope you do if that is what you are aiming for, but there are other ways to celebrate the loveliest holiday of all....Christ's birthday... how about some donations to the food bank. On the TV this morning there is a college professor who has spent his lifetime going through dumpsters looking for food and has found tons of food thrown away. Once a visitor from another country visited us and said that he could be a multi-millionaire on our waste alone. How spoiled we are. How thoughtless. Maybe Christmas is the time to think about changing our life styles.

We want our holidays to be joyous and fun as we celebrate with those we love. I enjoyed my daughter and granddaughter yesterday as our turkey dinner turned out to be perfect. Pat's new recipe for pumpkin pie in a ginger cookie crust was elegant and a drop in friend with a bag filled with cooked crab legs was a special treat which we immediately shared with our neighbors. Peat is not a turkey lover so he was all smiles when he found out he was eating fresh crab for his dinner. I had some for my lunch and I have to tell you it was the best and sweetest crab meat I have had in a very long time. Today the ladies are off mushroom picking and I hope the ground is a lot firmer after yesterdays teeming rain. They will be dressed warmly and they will be learning all about mushrooms and hopefully will bring some different types home. I don't know one from another but when I have them to eat I am not worried about whether they are edible or not, I just go for them....those huge ones with a slice of pear are delicious. They are going with a mushroom specialist so not to worry. I am looking forward to my turkey sandwich for lunch today. I hope you had some left overs to enjoy today, the best part of Thanksgiving, I think.

So my thoughts are jumping around this morning as I sit here and blog. It is such a joy to sit down at my computer and spend some time with all of you. I've been known for twenty-seven lectures in my life time. If you don't believe that ask any one of my children and they quote a line or two. I just want fairness in our lives and sometimes it is so illusive I want to cry out and save the world but know each of us has to work in our own backyards. I'll leave you to do just that today, go about your own business today and clean and clear up all those little things that are bugging you. Make a new friend, love and old friend, share a hug or two and if you are nearby I'll be happy to give you one. Make today a good one.

Thanksgiving Morning

Thanksgiving morning and the Macy Parade is on. I always wanted to take my children to New York to see the parade. It would have been such a treat for them and a learning experience to visit the Big Apple. I worked in Grand Central Station in the upper office area many years ago as a Reservation and Message clerk. It was a fun job taking reservations for the train that went from New York to California. Wouldn't it be fun if we could ride in a roomette and walk between the cars and see America as we passed by.

Some of you will be raking leaves, if there are any left, a job I used to love and miss. Here is what I had to say . . . "Crunching, crispy, wind blown leaves/ reds with browns and greens/ huddled on the sidewalks/ waiting for a breeze./ The inner eye, the child's eye/ remembers days of yore/ when walking off to school/ we kicked them to and fro/ making noises as we'd go/ Laughter filled the air/the leaves so very light/scattered with or kicks/as they took a long, long flight/ we hurried home to find the rake/and make huge piles of leaves/built so high, they couldn't fly/ until we jumped right in/ chasing them back to their ground/only to rake again./ crunching, crispy, wind blown leaves/ revives the memory / as I walked along the street/kicking leaves aside/smiling/grinning/feeling good/as the leaves went sailing by.

So get your head out of the computer and partake of this special day in which we honor our forefathers who had the courage and the bravery to create a new world and make new friends at the same time. A lesson we should emulate. So invite someone in to share your meal, or accept the invitation to a meal, turn on the Macy parade for awhile and don't forget the half time show if you are watching a football game, relax enjoy today and share those hugs all around. Hugs to each one of you, know I am thinking of you in love and admiration for all of the things you do.

Good Morning, It's after five a.m. and I am awake, or at least have one eye open. I have no idea who took the picture of the dancers but it reminded me of the jitter-bug and my dancing days. Ah, the beat of some great music to set your feet going and your heart pumping. It really was good for you.

Maxine is at it again. With tongue in cheek she has been nominated to run for President; I might even vote for her creator who seems to have a way with words.
Remember the 'snake oil' characters that lived in the good old Westerns, portrayed with having the miracle cures. Our cartoonists are beginning to loosen up and give us fair warning of some of the thoughts our illustrious 'leaders' are leaving in the medical bill. If I had Maxine's gift of gab I would tell them off and let them know that it was me paying my monthly insurance payments for over sixty years and coverage should be there for me when I have need of it. Now if they want to work on getting to all that crap and corruption that is ongoing in the system, there wouldn't be any need to cut back medicare. The pharmaceuticals have led the doctors down a merry path of tests, pills, and more, much to the detriment of patients seeking a miracle cure. The only way to get a cure, as far as I am concerned, is to get down on your knees and offer up a few words where they will do the most good.

So, what do I know? Nothing, really! I hope you keep in mind today that you are in control of your own body. If you feed your body and mind with the best of food and thought, you can only be healthy and happy . . . so have a good breakfast, take a walk out in the fresh air, smile at everyone you meet and you will be the healthiest happiest person around. I'm off to have my coffee . . . um . . . is coffee good for the body? YES!!! Aah!!!

The rest of the birthday bash.

Patricia and Erin sitting quietly, then clowning around. Having Pat sit still to take her picture is nothing short of a miracle. I think the ladies had a thought in mind about putting the camera away when they showed me their backsides. Um . . . oh for a b-b gun!

One of our favorite restaurants is The Nautilus which is a long low gray building sitting at the ocean's edge. We usually try for a five p.m. date so we can see the beautiful sunsets. Last evening was no exception as the sun was sinking and I caught this extraordinary view. I see the "hand of God" in the clouds . . . do you? The colors were amazing and the ocean waves were coming in five and six at a time. We didn't spot a whale though and I was hoping. It would have been nice if one of them had chosen a moment to surface and wave its tail.
Birthdays are always fun and we enjoyed the wonderful scallops served on a bed of angel hair pasta with some asparagus and slivers of yellow squash. I would love to know the secret sauce they make up for this dish as it has a flavor that makes your taste buds come alive. We had fun trying to find a wine to suit us. I like dry, very dry while the ladies prefer a fruitier wine and not so dry. I had a Chardonnay that was not as dry as I like. The ladies tried a different red. I think we would have all been better off to stay with our usual glass of water as it would have been a lot cheaper. We all had a spoon to dip into the birthday desert, creme brulet, (brulee , aah, you know what I mean ... the custard desert.) So, now on to Thanksgiving and a little cooking on our part. We have run the gambit from going out to a restaurant, but didn't want to fight the crowds; to ordering a precooked dinner which did not have any of our favorite dishes on their menu, to square one and cooking ourselves. The menu has been decided; the turkey breast is defrosting, I have the potatoes and apples to peel and Freddy's will have the Hubbard squash in today. I hope they have a good size piece. Cooked up with a little butter, salt, pepper and a dash of garlic, oh my, my taste buds are already sprucing up for our feast.

I'm looking forward to a few extra hugs today. Make your today a good one. Do something special for yourself. If you find your way to a restaurant that specializes in sea food, don't be afraid to try the scallops. Wonder who is having the next birthday? um . . . I'll be ready to celebrate, just give me a call. I might even spring for the wine.

A Grandaughter's Special Day

Hello, Hello . . . "Your on your way" . . . Daughter Patricia is listening to her daughter Erin saying she is already on her way home for a visit. We will have a birthday celebration this evening and can hardly wait for the arrival of 'our' girl. How blessed we are.

As you can see in the pictures Erin heard the beat of the drum when she was three and look at her go. She got right out there on stage and danced her heart out. Joyous, feet flying and a grin from ear to ear. It is no wonder we were all in love with this fun loving child who brought so much happiness to our lives.

For someone young lady who did not want to be a teacher, life has pulled a few strings and she is teaching ASL sign language and photography to a small class of students at a Charter Academy where she is loved by the students and parents alike. Her students have challenges but she manages to lead them on to accomplish so much more than they ever thought they could do. In the picture above you see her on stage with a young fellow up at Camp Sign-shine, the Ronald MacDonald camp for hearing impaired children. Erin attended camp when she was young and now is a counselor in the summer time giving back some of the joy and fun she learned while attending camp. She's a natural and well respected by her peers.

Her mother and I often wonder where she gets all that energy as she is like a whirling dervish going round and round like the battery bunny and never seems to stop. She is a Salsa dancer and belongs to a group of ladies who love to Salsa and go out and about to the different clubs and show off their routines. They were fortunate, this year, in going off to Cuba where they learned a lot, saw a lot and enjoyed every minute in their Salsa tour.

She dabbles in paint now and then and the picture of the shoes is the second oil she ever did. I used it as a cover on "Friendly Enemies" with her permission of course. Her very first oil is on the cover of "Neptune's Children".

So as a proud grandmother of this beautiful young woman who manages to give some really loving hugs. I can hardly wait for her to arrive so we can start a celebration for her special day. November 23rd, almost a Thanksgiving baby . . . come to think of it . . . she really is a Thanksgiving and everyday blessing.

If you are old enough to have grandchildren, I am sure you are boasting and bragging and getting as many hugs as you can. If you do not have grandchildren then maybe you can keep an eye open for a young person out there who could use grandparents with hugs to spare. I've had a few of them in my lifetime and believe me the giving and getting is something to be thankful for.

I know you are singing "Happy Birthday to Erin" along with me . . . off key is good! So, my friends, make your day a 'sunshine day' no matter what, and thank you for my bragging rights.

My comments on the Health Care Bill

There is a lot of hullabaloo about health care and the bill in the House and Senate that has everyone up in arms. Not one of us wants the status-quo on the cost of our health care and we are all upset about the out of pocket expense we have to pay over and above our so called medicare and supplement insurance. That eight hundred and fifty dollars I just had to pay out in installments to my dentist for a crown didn't set well at all. To pay eighty two dollars to clean my bottom teeth and then extra dollars to have the dentist come in and look at my mouth is not fair and when I questioned the receptionist about the cost of cleaning just the bottom teeth she told me in no uncertain terms that it wasn't how many teeth cleaned but the time it took to clean them....um. . . I wonder if soaking the upper plate was included in the charge . . . you can bet there will be little chatter in that room in the future. I have been blessed with good health in my life time and being brought up by a woman who did not believe in doctors held me steadfast as I went through life. I learned to tough it out. Recently I met an honest doctor, a delightful change I might add. The only thing I could gripe and groan about is that he gets almost four hundred dollars for a consultation . . . I had no idea or I would not have gone to him or anyone else that demands that kind of money for a twenty minute discussion on an age related problem that cannot be changed as nature will have its way.

A thousand page bill is being shoved through the system and we have objected but no one is hearing us. I am not hearing from my Congressmen or Senators at all. I hope they will not be disappointed when I don't remember their names in the next election.

Enough . . . it is Sunday morning and much too nice a day to spend grousing. I am going grocery shopping and am about to pinch the butt of a few turkeys . . . no not those Congressional ones, but isn't that a lovely thought....but plot and plan the Thanksgiving Dinner which is only a few days away. First we celebrate granddaughter Erin's birthday so we have some special cake to eat . . . who was it that said 'let them eat cake' ? . . . I'm ready, want to join me? I'll put the coffee pot on.

Make today as special as you can, start with a smile and see what happens. Hugs to YOU.

Hello!!!

So many times pictures come through about the animals in our world. I received these yesterday and they made me think animal nature is akin to human nature and it shows in these pictures. At first it looked like the huge bear was going to go after the dogs and eat them alive, but as you can see he, or she, turned out to be a teddy bear looking for a friend . . . and found one.

A good case of 'you can't tell a book by its cover'. Even the snarling dog didn't change the expression on the Bear's face. It has soft eyes, loving eyes, the window of the soul. We often meet people in life who go around with an unsmiling face and we judge them to be hands off people until we think a bit and work our charm and make them smile. Sometimes they become our best friends. I love those folks with the air of daring . . . you know, 'I dare you to be friends with me', and find that they are worth every effort to open their eyes and hearts. I've had several in my life who finally got around to loving me and it was not easy but it was well worth the effort to turn them into teddy bears.

I hope you have a teddy bear or two in your lives. I hope you work hard and changing a curmudgeon into a prince charming and a harridan into the witch of the east with soft eyes and a loving heart. Make today a good one and be sure to give someone a hug . . . he or she may need it.

Note: I have no idea who took the pictures to give them credit, but the photographer knew his or her business and did a great job capturing this magnificent creature along with those huskies who are so beautiful in their own right.

Stormy Weather

This picture was featured on the front page of our local newspaper showing the Coast Guard men practicing rescue missions in our stormy seas. The waves have been high this week, some up to six foot and better, strong and powerful as they stir up the sands below. I woke up at three a.m. hearing the sound of rain. I wish I had the words to describe the 'sound' of rain. We can hear it, see it, feel it, but when it comes to describing it, I'm unable to recognize any words that will give this watery deluge a sound. We have teeming rain, cat and dog rain, pouring rain, splattered rain on the windshield of our car, soft rain, summer rain and like this morning heavy rain which is making a noise I cannot describe. I get close, like pebbles in a glass, or tapping on a drum, better still is the tinkling sound as the outside vent makes musical noises. Whatever we see and feel, rain is so necessary and so wonderful as it plays with us and moistens our skin, curls our hair or makes it straight and droopy depending on how long you walk in it. It makes puddles and that brings back a memory or two of walking to school . . . yes, we really did, and played in and out of the puddles getting our shoes and socks wet . . . soaked to the bone is what we heard as we had to take our shoes and socks off and dry them so we wouldn't 'catch our death' as the older folks would say.

Our storm is suppose to last for a day or two so I have a new Clive Cussler to read. I'm thinking of putting up a jig saw puzzle but then I might need the table over the holidays to share a tid-bit or two. I'm sure I'll have a short walk in and out of the rain today as daughter Pat and I head for the store. We plan pizza and a movie, maybe I can talk her into one game of scrabble, but you can be sure we will enjoy our rainy day. I'm thinking a fire in her fireplace would be nice. I might even suggest it and curl up on her couch.

I hope you have a rainy day today and savor all of the wonders it holds. Don't be afraid to walk in it, or better still dance in it with or without an umbrella, the choice is yours. I'll be thinking about you and sending a hug along.

Thursday is a Good Day

Maxine is off with her barbs about Thanksgiving with that special get out and shop Friday that follows. We really have bought the farm over the years. Wouldn't you think we would wise up and catch on that Wall Street is rolling in dough while we shoppers are over the top in debt because we buy, buy, buy. Maxine's sarcasm usually tickles me, but sometimes her creator hits the nail on the head and our cartoonist let us know what is really going on. I'm waiting for some one bright cartoonist to come up with some 'guilt' funnies to put our lives in perspective. I think we should put Christ back in Christmas and we have our chance now that we are in a recession which is much like the depression I grew up in. Not one of us had a problem surviving a 'poor' Christmas because we were too busy attending our church functions and making our gifts for those we loved. I don't know when I fell into the trappings of commercial Christmas, but I did. My Christmas tree looked like Macy's bargain basement as I bought a coloring book, crayons, a reader, socks, pj's, favorite jam and candy and one gift that the little ones really talked about that I could afford. They thought they were rich and never complained. I thought we were rich and never went into debt. As an Octogenarian, in which I seem to take such pride, I have it easy as I write a small check and let each one pick out their own gift under 'my dollar' rule. You can't give what you do not have. Aah a lesson in economics.

This year is a tough one as we listen to the grave comments about our economy and how much our world is changing. The prices seem to be going up. I was talking to my daughter recently about materials in clothing as it seems when the economy is bad the material in clothing is layered on our bodies and when it is good we run around in bikinis. I'm not sure why that is but it has been a set pattern in my life time. So you get more for your money when your broke? Um . . . now isn't that interesting. If we could get the grocery chains to go that route we'd have it made. No rhyme, no reason, just another day to try and get by.

I hope you use common sense this year and stave off the buying spree that puts you into the poor house. I hope you will put Christ back in Christmas and think of activities and become creative in having the time of your lives enjoying the love you feel for each other. An open door, a coffee pot, or a tea pot, a bowl of cheer, some great homemade cookies and cakes . . . what more could one want with all those hugs that go around. For the umpteenth time, I do not need anything for Christmas . . . on second thought . . . some great hugs would do just fine.

A Rare Winter Beauty

Whenever I see pictures of huge deer in the forest they are always shades of brown so when I received these pictures yesterday I was amazed at the all white albino deer. The pictures were taken in Wisconsin and the story tells of the rarity of the animals. I remember not too long ago though, I wrote up a short essay on albino deer so they may not be quite as rare as I thought. They are beautiful animals so I thought it was worth a few pictures and words so we could enjoy them all over again.


The picture of the snow covered tree is one my friend Judy sent to me from Colorado. She was feeling the aftermath of a winter storm and although she had to get out and shovel a path to her car, she couldn't resist taking pictures after the storm. We do not get a lot of snow here on the coast. Every once in a blue moon we have some flakes that fall for a short while then dissipate before we can say we had a snow storm. The coast has its share of storms, like yesterday when the wind blew strong and the ocean waves were six feet or better pounding into Sporthaven beach where we sat in the car and watched them for a short time. The waves were so powerful they spewed up and over the jetty rocks and covered them. It is whale watching time but if the storms keep coming in one after the other we wont be able to see them. The white caps are way out in the ocean and hide the whales as they pass through.

Right now there is a little bit of sunshine showing, and a few gray clouds hovering above. The forecasters say we have more storms moving in and to tell you the truth, I am very happy about that as we had a dry spell that made our gardens look very lifeless. We grouse and groan about the chores of the garden but when it is not at its best we find that a part of us becomes sad, even a bit lost, as we enjoy the color and beauty it gives us especially when we tend it lovingly. There is nothing loving about my weed watching as I'd like to find a way to obliterate them and smile while I did it. I have to laugh as yesterday I had three resident deer on my front rock gardens busily eating the tender shoots of the plants. I opened the door and the deer in the pathway looked up as if to ask me what I wanted . . . what I wanted was for 'it' to go away and stop eating my bush, but then when I went out later, after the three deer left, I found it had pulled up a huge weed and was eating it. Come back, Come Back.....you are welcome to eat all you want.....weeds are delicious right??? okay deer, be my guest, I promise I'll mind my manners and sit quietly and watch you devour all the weeds you want.

I hope you have resident deer to help you keep your gardens. If not, a cat will chase the rats away, a dog will chase the cat away . . . um, isn't there a song that goes with all that. Make today a good one, enjoy every moment.

A Rainy Tuesday

This little guy looks worried but I think it is off the hook as it is almost turkey time. The ads are out and turkey is going to be plentiful and if you spend $150.00 on your groceries you can have one free, then if you do not spend that kind of money on the holiday groceries you can spend less but pay for your turkey by the pound. The gimmicks are abounding and the stores are crowded with shoppers getting ready for the big day. This year, I am not cooking, not expecting company, so that means I can eat out. It hasn't happened very often in my life time but I have reached the stage of the game when it is okay not to cook, bake, serve and clean up, although I have to admit I will miss it; why not, it is a life time habit and a fun one.

Granddaughter Erin is coming for her birthday and Thanksgiving so we will find a spot and celebrate. At the birthday celebration the other evening for friend Maggie, two of our birthday celebrants asked to join us for Thanksgiving dinner out so now we are five and growing . . . we may have enough for me to cook! No . . . I'll forgo the pleasure and sit down in good company and enjoy the cooking talents of someone else. Now, if the tea room was open I could have a piece of that creme pie that they are so famous for. They are closed for a week to clean house. Having hundreds of tea pots lining the walls, it takes a week to take them down and wash and clean them for the new year. I must remember to take my camera next time I go there for lunch and get a picture to show you the wonderful collection of tea pots. My neighbor is going to leave her special English teapot to the Tea Room. Her son bought it for her years ago when he visited London and went to the factory and chose a special tea pot for her. She is now dying with pancreatic cancer and wants to leave her special tea pot to the Tea Room folks so they will remember her and what a true customer she was in her life time. When you want elegance and a friendly stop for lunch, the Tea Room is the charming spot to stop, relax and enjoy; yes, the food they serve is always presented fresh and tasty and the homemade pastries are a specialty that keeps us all coming back. I am sure we will have many choices and daughter Pat is on the trail of a place to go . . . maybe Whaleshead, or the Casino, or Ship Ashore. We have better than a week to go to find the special restaurant to enjoy our turkey dinner.

I hope you are plotting and planning a veritable feast for your special turkey day, hopefully with family and friends; if not, find your way here and join us, the pleasure would be all ours.

Smiles For A Change of Pace

What would we do without humor. The cartoonist are bright and on top of all events it seems. I've been on a grousing lately and I don't want to do that. I know everything is changing and it may not be changing the way I think it should, but I have no right to grouse and linger over the current news. I have to remember there is a small prayer out there for anyone to read, called the Prayer of Serenity . . .

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

So join me in the little prayer and forgive me for spending your precious time with my gripes and groans.

The good news is we, Dee, Darlene, Peat, Pat, Maggie celebrated Maggie's birthday last evening by having dinner at the Nautilus which is a lovely restaurant right on the beach. We were there in time to watch the sun set and it would be remiss if I didn't tell you how beautiful it was. The colors deepened to a crimson and a darker blue cloud glided across the sun as it was setting making it look like it had been sliced in two. The center eye of the sun reflected in the ocean waves and it was a camera moment . . . nope, the camera was home. Maggie received some special gifts and her smile said it all. She is one of our favorites, in fact they are all my favorites. Our little birthday meetings are a reminder that we are in good company even when we sing off key. Happy Birthday Maggie!

I hope you have someone close having a birthday to celebrate. Find a card that expresses how you feel and find a special gift for that person who is close to you.

A Thousand Words

The old adage of a thousand words comes to mind when I saw this picture. It is not the first picture, and probably not the last picture we will see of our President neglecting to salute the flag. Here he stands holding his own hands on Veteran's Day when the Military Officers stood beside their Commander and Chief giving a proud salute to our service men and women.

Politically correct seems to be the theme in Washington, D. C. as our representatives cow-tow, hopefully we will all remember what is transpiring when the next election time comes. How sad to see the President of the United States of America bow to foreign royalty and apologize for all of us and our country which has bailed every country out for years and years.

I hope you will remember you are a free citizen of the United States of America with voting power and if you want to keep it that way remember to pay attention to what is ongoing and let your voice be heard.

Frankly, my dear . . .

Good Sunday morning. The rumor has it that Christ should be left out of Christmas . . . dah ! ! Isn't Christmas Christ's birthday? If that is the case, then I think that we should all agree not to buy one gift for anyone at all because there is nothing to celebrate. Those of us who believe in celebrating Christ's birthday should by going back to the basics and share the birthday of Jesus in our own way . . . the right way . . . sharing time together and ending the commercial boon-doggle that leaves us broke and bent. Let's put Christ in Christmas, dress up, go to midnight Mass or celebrate in your church and sing out loud. On U-tube there are three English fellows singing about Christmas with a Capitol "C" and I hope it becomes number one as our Christmas song this year. Those who want to take Christ out of Christmas and render a 'happy holiday' can spend their bucks and sit around wondering what the holiday really is.

I am wondering if some of our politicians have missed the boat . . . maybe we should drop them a line and let them know what is going on.

Some cartoons say it better than others.

So 'frankly . . . my dears . . . I do give a damn and I am going to keep Christ in Christmas. All this before we even have a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving. I wonder if our illustrious leaders will pay attention to the thousands who are out of work and can't afford the turkey with all the trimmings. Maybe they will walk out and see that Christ is out there working through his believers as they open up the soup kitchens and feed the crowds.

So don't lose hope or your faith . . . donate to the can drives, the kettles by the front door of the stores, go light a candle that Christ will prevail and go around shouting Merry Christmas, sing a Christmas carol or two and smile.

Trip Endings

A few more pictures from the high desert country. I am not sure what the owners do with all of the huge rocks they collect. Maybe they are used somewhere on the one hundred acres away from the barns and the main house. I did see some medium rocks bordering the gardens. I'd like to have several big ones for my front and back yard . . . what a sight that would be. Walking out one morning I spied the Aspen tree in a shady grove at the end of a dirt road. Usually, this time of year, the tree is golden yellow and Nevada byways are covered in shimmering gold. This poor little Aspen was on its last legs, slowly fading away until next spring. As I walked along I spied the garden angel and said a little prayer for all. It is so peaceful in the valley and walking out in the early morning sunshine is very good for the heart and soul. I think I miss the rugged beauty of Nevada when I am away from it, but then to show what an ambivalent soul I am, I miss the ocean waves beating on the shore, or the wonderful pelicans plopping on the river to get to their special rocks. No matter where we are there is something to be thankful for and something to incorporate into your being as nature's beauty unfolds before your very eyes.

Today I will not be out walking and enjoying God's work, but if all goes as planned, I will be out checking the artisans work with their God given talents, and shopping for a gift or two. The holidays are coming and the community is at work opening the huge Garden Club sale of plants and flowers and the huge book sale at the library which we peeked into yesterday. Yes I did buy five more books, you know the ones I said I wouldn't buy until I read the books I have . . . ah, good intentions so easy to set aside when you spy those wonderful titles you know you have to read.

One of my resident deer is passing by my window. How beautiful it is. It stops to eat the flowers off the plants and looks for the most delicate of stems. I tried putting cinnamon and a few other spices out on the plants but I think I just added the right ingredients for their daily salad. Bon Appetit!

Enjoy your Saturday whether you have sunshine, rain, snow or sleet, dress for the occasion and get out and take in some of the sights you love. Make today a good one.