Good Ol’ Betsy…

Yesterday I did a bad thing…I dissed on Betsy, Lisa’s car. We were meeting up at Leslie’s to head to the book signing and Lisa got there before me in her 1993 Saturn SL2. I needed room to park Midge, my 2005 Ford F150.  My husband drives the Chevy Malibu because it’s more economical for his job and my brother has always called that my Malibu Barbie car….so the truck has to be Midge, Barbie’s best friend. I’m not sure why Lisa calls her car Betsy…I’ll have to ask. Anyway, I headed in the house and asked Lisa to come and move her midget car….please…..I said please, really I did. Well driving home that night it was placed on my heart that that was a mean thing to do. I had disrespected Betsy. 

 

Here she is tucked all nice and warm in her garage.  

 

 

Lisa bought Betsy perfect and  brand new while she still lived in Vermont.  When my brother proposed and she accepted, he flew back to Vermont where they were married. They made their first (and so far, last) cross country trip in good ol’ Betsy. Lisa pampers her and maintains her the best she can. Parts are getting either slim or expensive for Betsy nowadays. I can still remember Lisa first describing Betsy to me…the color is blue, but not really blue…it’s midnight blue and looks black until the light hits it just right….she had to wipe a tear from her eye as she said it. 

As I mentioned, Lisa comes from the New England area and some of you may have heard of their ability to pinch a penny till it screams….I mean their frugalness.  Lisa’s things are important to her and she takes pride in caring for them and that’s a good thing. It was a sad day not so long ago when she had to replace her microwave that she had had since her First Communion…okay, maybe that is an exaggeration, but you get the idea. Not to mention the fact that not having a car payment for the last few years is just icing on the cake.

Lisa zips around in her little five- on-the-floor and dreads the day she may have to get another car. Even though today we didn’t open the sun roof just in case it rained and we wouldn’t be able to close it again. This is close to the correct mileage…she’s not really sure because in her old age, Betsy (not Lisa),  has slipped a cog or two and doesn’t always click away the miles. She’s served Lisa and Richard well. She’s given Lisa years of service and pleasure. She doesn’t deserve my, or anyone else’s, disrespect. So hats off to you Ol’ Betsy and please accept my apologies.

 

 

Ain’t she a beaut!!!

 

 

Also, in case anyone is interested, Lisa has a neato, keen television that she’s only had since she was 18 or so. I’m sure for the right price, it could be yours!!!!Did I mention she was frugal???? Love you, Sis!!

Cooking, cowboys and chaps…..

Let me start by saying, I have never been to a book signing before last night. I had such a wonderful time!! Why haven’t I done this before? I’m sure my wonderful time had a lot to do with the group that went – not just my group, but all the people who came to see Ree, Pioneer Woman; wife, mother, rancher, cook, and blogger extraordinaire. She is such a down-to-earth person…very real and very approachable. She really is like the best friend you just haven’t met yet.  I read about Ree in the newspaper and knew her life sounded just like what I know my niece, Leslie, is dreaming about happening one day. So I sent the link to her and my sister-in-law, Lisa, and we have all become addicted.

Lisa, Leslie and I went last night to Tempe to the Changing Hands Bookstore…along with a few hundred other people. We met up with one of Leslie’s friends, Liz. Such a nice person and she grew up on a ranch in Oregon and can really relate to so many of Ree’s stories. I don’t think the bookstore had any idea how many people were going to show up. I spoke with a woman who had come up from Tucson and was meeting her daughter who was driving down from Flagstaff. The lady next to me had worked all day and then driven down from Prescott. Ree has such a devoted following.

There were some mix-ups about how seating was going to work, but luckily we were on the ball and got in line in time to have seats. We were packed in that room like sardines, but everyone had such a great attitude…people talking to someone in the seat next to them they had never met and sharing their favorite things about Ree’s blog. Then Ree walked in and the magic began. She really is a very captivating speaker…not because she enjoys it  (she’ll tell you she doesn’t)…but because she’s just so natural and open and spontaneous. Her sister-in-law, Missy, and mother-in-law, were with her. Liz and Les were brave and asked Missy to sign our books too. She was just like Ree…real. And pretty soon, both ladies had lines to sign their pictures in the books too.

During her question and answer session, one of Liz’s friends asked about one of the cowboys pictured on Ree’s website and in the cookbook…now she was happily married, but Liz and Leslie wanted to know if Josh was single!! That lead to picture taking to show to Josh and possible ideas about exchanging numbers and email addresses…what a hoot! But, hey, can you blame them??

This is a cookbook like none I’ve ever seen before. Full of beautiful photographs of ranch life and step-by-step instructions on how to make some of the most delicious food. Here’s a sampling of some of the pictures in the book.

View Full Album

 
Anyone who follows the blog knows that Ree’s one true love is her husband, Marlboro Man (as she calls him). She has a section on her blog where she recounts their meeting and courtship. You will get hooked!!!  Les, Lisa and I have called and laughed and cried over entries…Les has chewed me out about her not being able to get her homework done because she got caught up in the story and couldn’t stop. Here he is in all his “glory” after working hard, I’m sure.

We had a wonderful time. I’m so glad that I shared the experience with Lisa and Leslie…I know that’s why I had such a good time. We laughed and giggled and had a great dinner at the Wildflower Bread Company and laughed and giggled. I stayed out really late for me….I didn’t get home until 10:45….PM!!! The house hadn’t fallen apart and everyone found something to eat and managed to get themselves into bed…all without me there. Hey, I might try this again sometime…..the book signing I mean….

All photos were taken from “The Pioneer Woman Cooks”.

For the Sky People….

My dearly, ever-so-loved cousin, Tracy, has a sweet, loveable cousin, Kathy. And since Tracy and I are cousins, I think I’m allowed to claim Kathy also. It’s one of those four times removed, by marriage, after the fall of Rome things.  Kathy is a lover of the sky.  So when my brother kindly called me this evening to let me know there was gonna be a killer sunset and I better get my bu….um…self out somewhere and take some pictures, I immediately thought of Kathy.

I loaded up the camera and tripod into the truck and headed west to get beyond all the houses that have sprung up around us. I have a favorite spot that is along an alfalfa field. I set everything up and waited. The air was not moving at all and even though it’s November, here in Arizona, it was above 90 today. It was warm. The field sits along a high voltage power line and as I sat there waiting, every so often you could hear this weird “thrummm” travel along the line. Okay I’ll say it again…it was weird.

At first the clouds were silver from the sun shining behind them. Little by little the color started touching the bottoms of the clouds and the pinks turned to yellows and oranges at the horizon. Then the pink climbed higher in the sky painting all the clouds above me. It was gorgeous and well worth the wait.

View Full Album

So Kathy, I hope you enjoy these and next time you’re here the three us will go out searching for sunsets or sunrises (depending on how many margaritas we have by Tracy’s pool the night before).

Faces, photos, and frustration…okay fun…

As you all know, I really enjoy The Pioneer Woman’s website. She is so funny and down to earth and she does lots of fun contests and stuff to boot. Right now she’s having a photo contest about faces. So I have been busy working with some of my past photos to get them just where I want them…and then changing them again…and maybe fine tuning them some more.  I’m not the most computer literate person on the block and some of this is all very challenging for me….ergo the frustration. But I have had so much fun too!! Isn’t that weird?  I can be so frustrated and at the end of my rope, and WHAM something goes right and there I am on cloud nine grinning from ear to ear. It has been so much fun. Won’t hear anything until November 9th (not that I expect to win anything….she has such a following that tons of people always enter), but here are a few of the shots I put in my book.

View Full Album

Which way is up??

When I first got up this morning, I thought the world was turned around..
It seemed the sun was coming up in the west, but it was just the moon going down…

Comments on comments....

You know when I started doing this blog, I really thought it was about me just expressing myself. I didn't think it would really matter whether there were followers or comments...I've come to find I was wrong. It's all well and good to have certain feelings and ideas, but sharing them just with yourself is, well...it's talking to yourself, isn't it? It's nice to know that someone else is out there reading and agreeing or sometimes disagreeing...that's okay too. But it's also important who those comments come from. People can sometimes be fickle and play fast and loose with your emotions...so it's important who's opinions you put weight behind. Because after all, your ideas are like your creations...your children and you're sending them out into the world and making yourself quite vulnerable. So I want to thank my friends and family who take the time to read and sometimes comment. It really is much more important than I thought and each time I see there's a comment...zing go the strings of my little blogging heart....

Oh, what a tangled mess…

As you know, I was not able to go on this year’s fall fishing trip. It turned out to be a rather cold and windy trip. I’m not saying I’m glad I didn’t go….I’m saying I don’t like cold and windy, though. Sunday and Monday evenings, were cool and breezy, I guess, but Tuesday, ah, Tuesday. That was the evening of the fish fry…. After the deed had been done and the camp was cleaned up of all signs of corn meal, frying pans and hush puppies…the Fish Gods took their revenge. Glen said you could hear the wind coming down the lake and then it was on them! Richard and Greg had been starting their stove to do the dishes, when it hit. Greg grabs a hold of our pop up and tries to keep it from taking him to Oz. He looks over at Richard who has a hold of his pop up and it’s lifting him off the ground. Our pop up just flattens on top of the tent (brand new tent…only second time out), Greg’s holding on, trying to get it off the tent when Glen and the gang run up from the other camp and try to help. As Greg hollers over the wailing wind that they need to get the cover off, he hears ripping and tearing and viola it’s off…not quite the way he wanted it to be though. They drag the carnage away from the tent and turn to help Richard. Cindy’s trying to cut the ropes holding Richard’s popup, stakes are being pulled and finally they get it folded up and laid down. The carnage….

The squeamish should look away…

All I can hope is that the Fish Gods have extracted their payment and that we won’t have another installment due on our next trip. Did I mention it was only the second trip for our popup too and that it was an early Christmas present and now it’s gone??? Did I mention that???



Photos courtesy of my bubba, Richard.

Listen...it's so quiet....

Things have been so crazy these last couple of years. As time goes by, I find less and less time just for myself. I find that Mom is needing more of my time and attention; which was expected. Especially right now with her heart being in rapid a-fib...we're both a little uncomfortable. Nicole, who just recently had strep throat, is complaining of a sore throat again. There's swelling of her tonsils so not sure if the antibiotic kicked the infection out completely. Mom is having to skip medications at certain times and adding new ones. I'm trying to get Nicole to stay on top of taking her vitamin C, A&D and zinc to ward off anything severe. So this morning while I'm reminding her to take the pills I put out on the counter, Mom's calling for me to come and separate the pills she's not supposed to take and I had a moment of "Calgon, take me away!".

Mom's gone to dialysis, Nicole is off to school and Greg is still at the lake....listen, it's really quiet. Somedays I just love that. I wouldn't want it all the time, but I'm smart enough to enjoy it while it's here. Soon Mom will be home from dialysis, Nicole home from school...usually with a friend....and Greg may be home from the lake today. Then the chaos that is my life will be back in full swing...but until then....listen, it's so quiet....  

Making beds and legacies…

I can’t decide what I want to title this posting….maybe it will come to me by the time I’m finished.

Raising children is such a challenging task. There is a 15 year gap between my son and daughter, but that’s a topic for another time. The point being that when I was in my twenties and thirties raising my son, I was younger, my outlook was different, my back was stronger, and my energy level much higher. I did some things right and I did some things wrong, but I did try to learn from the mistakes I made. So now that my daughter is 15 (almost) and my son is 30, I am operating from a much different place and raising a child while in my forties and now fifties is alien territory. I find I have more patience and understanding, but less energy and stamina. Sometimes the debates just wear me out and I give in to things I would never have given in to with my son. But sometimes my improved perspective also makes for a very rewarding and close relationship with my daughter….a relationship I never had with my mother. With my son, I thought my insistence that he make his bed and keep his room tidy was just about hygiene and housekeeping. Today I understand that it is more about consistency and the ability to push through something you may find tedious and boring but that requires your attention…like homework. It’s about self discipline and time management.

The one thing that has never changed is love. You have got to let your children know you love them and value them. They need to know that you are always there to support them, pick them up and dust them off and set them on the path again. They need to know their worth to you and to themselves. They need to know that home is a haven and a safe place. They need to know that curiosity and exploration are good things. They need to understand what it means to be kind and nonjudgmental. And even with all the mistakes I have made along the way, I have blessedly been able to impart that to both my children. My son has grown into a man I am very proud of…a man who is now teaching his son the same importance of love.  My daughter is already a young lady who is kind, generous and loving. My relationships with both of them so enrich my life.

All in all it is hard but rewarding work. Work that I am now beginning to see will be apparent after I’m gone. Work that really does become a legacy. Oh, I think I know what I’ll name this post.

Annual Fall Fishing Trip….

We ask a simple question
And that is all we wish:
Are fishermen all liars?
Or do only liars fish?
~William Sherwood Fox, Silken Lines and Silver Hooks, 1954


"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." Henry David Thoreau


Now isn’t this a proud poppa with his three “boys”?? I can’t tell you how long it’s been going on, but my oldest brother, Glen, has been organizing a spring and fall fishing trip for family and friends for quite some time. Years ago when it started, things were quite different. Boats were smaller, no motor homes – tents and campers only….sometimes guys slept in their trucks (or in the heavy drinking days, wherever they passed out).  Far back in the dawn of it’s conception, I don’t believe women were allowed. ..or if allowed, discouraged. There have been some wild times,  but due to copyright infringements I won’t go into too many details. Glen is soon to retire and I believe he has a book in mind to write and I couldn’t begin to tell the stories as well as he will….floods going through tents, eating popcorn out of cowboy hats from the back of your truck while you watched it rain, guns going off in the middle of the night (Porter you are sorely missed),a  log rolling over a cousin and young nephews coming up through the ranks to be initiated. Good times indeed.

View Full Album

I haven’t kept copies of all the pictures they send so these are only a few. I have only made it to one of the trips in the past, but was looking forward to going this time. Mom’s having a little trouble with her heart rate right now and I’m not comfortable leaving her here. So I’ll content myself with stories and pictures again….this time….but watch out come the spring trip!!!!


Photos courtesy of family members..not sure which are from who.

Atticus Finch….

One of my all time favorite movies and books is “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I fell deeply in love with Gregory Peck  when I first watched this movie with my Pop.  I was still a young girl and I know what touched me most was his quiet strength and the love he had for his children. I was thrilled and scared all at once during the scene when Scout and Jem are attacked on their way home from the school play. As I grew up, I began to understand all the other important issues the book touched upon. I just loved it more.

I am also a lover of birds and have enjoyed living out in the country at my Mom’s and observing all the baby birds. They are so demanding when it’s feeding time.

Their big maws open wide enough to split, pushing and positioning themselves to get a piece of the goodies. This is a family of baby mockingbirds in a nest the parents built in a pulled down tree in the lot next to Mom’s property. Even all the way over on our back porch, you could hear them when mom or dad flew in with dinner. It was amazing to watch them grow. One day I was in a total panic when I spotted one of the little guys in our backyard. He seemed way too small to be out exploring. I put on a pair of gloves (like they didn’t smell like humans, right?), picked the little guy up and returned him to the nest.  You can’t imagine how horrified I was when later in the afternoon I saw  him right back in the yard. I named this little guy Atticus…for obvious reasons. 

View Full Album

He hopped around the yard, copying the weird little dance his parents did…spreading their wings in little jerking movements and hopping along. One of his favorite spots was the flower bed.

View Full Album

He was such a funny little guy to watch, but I worried about him all the time. The neighbors have cats. Not a good mix…baby birds and cats.  Soon after these pictures were taken, I didn’t  see Atticus or his wild and crazy brother, Sam (named after a nephew who was also wild and crazy), anymore. There are several new mockingbirds around the yard this year and I’m choosing to believe two of them are Atticus and Sam….

Textures….

Textures so enrich our lives…..through sight and touch. It’s hard to catch textures in photographs sometimes. Here are a few of my favorite attempts.

Swirls and whirls on a frosty morning in Flagstaff..

View Full Album

Fuzzy, hairy and fluffy…

View Full Album

Velvet…

View Full Album

Some of these you’ll have to click on and zoom in on the picture. I’ve not quite got the hang of getting a photo I’ve altered to stay altered once I move it to the photo album….You know what I’ll have to do….Tracy!!!!!

I had a little nut tree….

I had a little nut tree, nothing would it bear,

View Full Album

But a silver nutmeg and a golden pear.

View Full Album

The king of Spain’s daughter came to visit me
And all was because of my little nut tree.

Greg came home for lunch today and after having a lovely Chicken Enchilada Soup (I got the recipe from the Pioneer Woman blog - absolutely delicious!!) as he was leaving, I told him I had gotten some pears for him. And of course, my Mom pops up and says I didn't buy the pears for him....imagine that. She says I bought them to take pictures of...can you believe it???

Heathcliff and Gertrude….

A few years ago, I went to stay with my very dear friend, Mary, and her family in Camas, Washington. Mary was facing follow up surgery after a complication and I wanted to be near her. Everything was a success and we had a very enjoyable visit.  Mary, her husband, Doug and I all went on a day trip to the Oregon coast. In all the years of traveling with my father during the military, we had never lived in the Pacific Northwest. Such a powerful place….so many beautiful sights to see. It was a misty, rainy day which suited me just fine. The beach was primeval looking and calming and made me feel small.

The sea gulls were all around an area where some other visitors were feeding them heaven knows what….all kinds of cholesterol and transfatty something or others, I’m sure.

But there were these two sea gulls off by themselves just looking out to sea. It made me think of the old Red Skelton routine about Heathcliff and Gertrude. So that’s what I named them….

Life isn’t always pretty….

We have a roadrunner that has been pretty much raised in our yard. He's really quite the character and most of the time he's enjoyable to watch. Today, however, I saw him take a dead sparrow out of the bird bath and head for the hills. I don't believe he killed the bird, but I can't really say. He usually will slow down when I talk to him, but not this time....zoom....he was out the gate with his "snack". I snuck around the front to see if I could get a picture of him and got lucky. The light wasn't the best and when I tried to move around to the other side, he said enough's enough and picked up his dinner and headed off. The pictures are a bit graphic, but it is life....if he doesn't eat, he dies. So even though I value the beauty in my garden more, I have to acknowledge the reality sometimes too.

View Full Album

Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home…

While out harvesting some okra this afternoon, I noticed this pretty little ladybug. She was very kind and waited for me to dash to the house and get my camera. She also tolerated being nudged in one direction or another so I could get a better shot. In the second picture, if you look closely at the reflection on her side, you can see me taking her picture. Too crazy!!! I didn’t realize that they were so shiny??? What a sweet little bug and since she eats the bad bugs in my garden, she’s always welcome….

 

 

That Tracy….she’s a jewel….

I love all the things that Tracy does with her blog and she shows me how to do things all the time. This is just one more example of her awesome teaching skills. I have always loved how she put pictures on her blog in certain ways. This is one of them. Tracy, you’re a jewel: a precious gem; treasured; esteemed; sometimes multifaceted…that’s Tracy alright…

View Full Album

Blue and Yellow.....

There are so many beautiful colors in a garden. Even the varying shades of green are gorgeous. But two of my favorite colors in a garden are blue and yellow. One is so cool and calming...the other so bright and beckoning. Both put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.

I can't help but think of my Grandma Kearfott whenever I see a flower. She and my grandpa would have such awesome gardens each year. One of my favorite memories of childhood is sitting in the swing that hung from this huge old oak tree..the sun is going down and we can see the whole yard layed out before us. The lightening bugs are starting to come out and grandma and I are sitting there, swinging and snapping green beans...life just doesn't get any better than that.

Walk about the yard....

I love this time of year..I can plant things and most of the time they grow. Not always. I seem to be challenged by pansies. Not quite sure why, but they are difficult for me to grow. I love how the stocks smell...so sweet. The hummer was enjoying the blossom on the aloe vera today. I wasn't able to get a picture. But I could just take pictures of flowers all day long...if the family would let me.

Friendships, flowers and fallin' apart birdhouses....

My Mom was a military wife who made many friends along the way. She cherished her friendships and valued her friends. Years ago, one of her close friends lost her battle with cancer and left a hole in my Mom's heart. As is often the case, there were so many beautiful flowers at the funeral and her friend's husband sent a plant home with Mom. Mom may nurture friendships, but she's not as good with flowers and plants. Thankfully this was a pothos and could hold it's own. Because the plant was never watered, dusted or referred to without also speaking of her friend....this plant was important to my Mom. It became a matter of pride at how long she had had the plant and that it still lived although her friend no longer did. Arizona water is not the best and after time began to take it's toll on the wooden birdhouse planter the plant was in. Mom would occasionally mention how "she" needed to repot the plant...then a couple more years would go by. Recently, she saw a flower pot she just knew was what she wanted to repot her plant in and so this journey began.

With Mom watching on, I trimmed the plant back to put starts in water to root. Every day or so I would hear, "Are there any roots yet?" ...."Is there water on the cuttings?"....."Are there any roots yet?" Now remember this is the same Mom who recently sent a gopher to his reward with a broom.....but somehow taking care of the mundane tasks of rooting this plant were beyond her capabilities. This morning while she was gone to dialysis, I decided today was the day to repot Mom's plant. I gathered everything I would need and worked at our picnic table in the backyard. It was a glorious morning and as I completed this simple task for my Mom, I talked to her friend and told her what a wonderful friend she had been to my Mom. The job is done and I know my Mom will be thankful when she gets home.

I couldn't help but think when I looked at that sad, broken down, fallin' apart little birdhouse planter how, although weathered and worn, it had housed my Mom's memories for years. It was just a vessel and it's time was done, but the love and memories it held would live on....I hope when my time comes and God gives me a new vessel, He talks to me and tells me what a good friend I was.

Happy surprise!!!

Oh, what a happy surprise. I didn't notice that there is a bee in the middle of the flower until I clicked on it to see if you guys could enlarge it to see it better. There he is with his butt sticking out...maybe the other bee wasn't sick, just drunk on nectar and waiting for a taxi to fly him back to the hive....

Growing things....

We tried a summer garden and didn't do very well. We were late getting started. The only thing still producing from that garden is the okra. It has quite a pretty flower. It reminds me of a hollyhock. We've started our fall garden and have radishes and leaf lettuce popping up already. We also planted spinach, carrots and green onions. We're hoping this short heat wave we're having won't be too hard on the little seedlings. It really is amazing that you can put that little, tiny seed in the dirt provide water and sunshine and viola!!! little green things start sprouting. It's a wonderful thing.

Nicole and I think the bee must have not been very healthy....he never flew away and he didn't seem to mind getting his picture taken. Supposedly, Albert Einstein stated that if the world was to lose it's honey bees, it would end within four years....sad.

Nicole's on the mend....

Back from the doctor's office and it's sad to say, but we're happy all she has is strep throat. What has the world come to when that's the lesser of all the evils?? But her fever is being well controlled with Motrin and lots of fluids, her throat is still sore, but she's getting better. So thankful it wasn't something more. She is a trooper and handles things pretty well. I guess she better learn a little empathy because she wants to go into the medical field. But she's "needing" a back rub and since she may be taking care of me in my "old age", I better get hoppin'....

One of my favorites...Matt Nathanson "All We Are"

The gopher wars....

Okay, anyone who has ever lived in Arizona understands the fight with gophers...at least out here in the country. This evening Mom yelled at me to "run quick something was after Millie" (our little dog). Well I know you ALL know I don't "run quick" anywhere anymore, but I gave it my best effort. And there it was...a pretty good sized gopher doing it's best to get up on the porch and Millie was holding it at bay. That instinctive urge to protect her loving family, I'm sure. Well I was the first one out the door and the closest thing to grab was a broom. Not my weapon of choice, but the only one handy. I'm yelling at Millie to get away and pushing the gopher back into the yard with the broom, the gopher is charging at the broom and Millie ain't having any of that nonsense. I'm yelling (yes, yelling would be a good description of what I was doing) at Nicole to get Millie in the house and get me the...this is where you more genteel, animal-right activists may want to stop reading....pellet gun. She grabs Millie, gets her back inside, puts her down to get the gun, and out the door Millie charges again!! Mom has made it out the door by now and thinks "it just isn't natural for that gopher to be biting that broom like that." Oh, the power of understatement. I'm still "sweeping" the gopher back out into the yard and Nicole gets Millie back in the house and hands me the gun....it won't shoot. She's pumped it up, pumped in the pellet, and supposedly taken the safety off...still won't shoot. I, not wanting to use the gun as a club, drop it, grab the broom and Mom goes for a bucket to throw over the gopher. We get that done and I'm checking out the gun to see if I can figure out why it's not working and Mom says to just let it wait til Greg gets home....ummm Mom, it's a gopher. It can dig. So brave thing that I am, I hand Mom the broom and get ready to take aim after she knocks the bucket off of the varmit...still won't shoot. I'm thinking "ah sh..." and what does my 77 year old mother do??? She beats the gopher to death with the broom and walks up on the porch telling me "Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do".

I thought about attaching a picture of the gopher, now deceased, but decided I would bring down the wrath of some animal protection group. And Mom declined both photo and interview...so I guess this is all you get. What a lovely way to end the day out here on the front lines of The Gopher Wars....



Quote from "O Brother, Where Art Thou" Ulysses Everett McGill: No thank you, Delmar. One third of a gopher would only arouse my appetite without bedding it down.

The times they are a chang'n...

I have been so very bad about spending time with my blog lately, but I've been inspired by my lovely cousin, Tracy. She's been updating and revising her blog and I knew it was time. So I've been doing some changing myself...to the blog anyway. We'll just call it a little rejuvenation, a little facelift, a little pick-me-up. It was fun and challenging and I probably could have done some things better, but I'm happy with where it is now. I'm going to try and be more attentive. The weather is turning gorgeous and my spirits are lifting in direct proportion to the thermometer dropping. So don't give up on me yet.

Sad, sad, sad....

Sad little blog...nobody loves you. You're being terribly ignored....most of all by me.

Wonderful, wonderful Wednesday....

Today was awesome!!! The weather promises beautiful things to come. I love this time of the year here in Arizona when the weather starts to change. It's as close as we get to autumn...the temperature begins to drop below triple digits and life is good. It just lifts my spirits. The mornings are perfect to sit out and watch the hummers and work my crossword puzzle. Just gotta love it!!! I hope everyone is enjoying life right now as much as I am....

A movie, lunch and anniversaries....

Just had a wonderful time with my son, David. We went to the movies and had lunch. We saw Julie & Julia....it was good but not one I'll buy. It was interesting to see her committment to the blog. Obviously, I'm not that committed. I noticed that I've been very bad about writing on here. It's not that ideas aren't going through my head, it's just none of them seem to be sticking. I would like to spend more time contemplating things...but some days the world just gets in the way.

Tomorrow is my 16th wedding anniversary and we're planning on going out for dinner. I'm ravenous for a good steak. I can still remember eight years ago waking up to see the horrible news reports about the Twin Towers. We already had reservations for dinner that night too and went out, but it was really eerie...the streets were almost empty and so was the restaurant...lots of places were closed. I hope this country never has to see a day like that again....

Here he is...little Justin Donald...

Welcome to the world...

This is my beautiful great nephew, Justin Donald. He was born on August 27th to Ashley and Luke. He's is so precious. I loved holding him and just watching him sleep. His fingers and toes are so long...he's going to be tall. He is truly a little miracle.

Drip, drop, drip, drop....

I had so much fun doing this today!! Nicole and I locked ourselves in the bathroom and did all kinds of different shots. These are the ones we liked best. Thanks, Tracy, for the neat idea!!!

Say Cheese....

Went with Tracy to the camera shop today to drop her's off to be cleaned. What a neat place! The people were really nice. They have all kinds of cool stuff in there and some awesome black and white photos. It was great to talk cameras and pictures with Tracy. We're going to get out and do some experimenting with our cameras when the weather turns a little friendlier. In the meantime she sent me a link about taking pictures of water drops and I'm going to give it a try. Sounds like fun!

Boats, boats and more boats....

We've been looking around for a fishing boat so we can become part of the family Spring and Fall fishing trips. Would like to find something nice so we're not the laughing stock of the group....been there, done that. (We are occasionally referred to as the Grapes of Wrath contingent.) We have a lead on a nice one and Greg will be checking it out today with my brother, Richard. We've been scouring craigslist, the newspaper and ebay...something tells me if we were looking for a washer and dryer the hunt wouldn't be near so intense. We're looking forward to spending more time together as a family enjoying each other's company. We're even going to take my mom out for a spin. I guess none of that would be near so much fun with a washer and dryer....

Clowns of the bird world...

I was at my dad's house on Sunday morning and he has these four young Cactus Wrens that are so funny. He's spoiled them rotten. He opens the windows on his garage and lays out shelled peanuts on his work bench. They hop up in the window, come on in and collect their booty. They have even figured out how to get into the bag of peanuts if he's been slow about getting them put out. Sometimes he makes it more challenging for them and leaves them in the shell...then it's off under his truck to open them or outside under the honeysuckle. They are so fun to watch!

Hummingbirds and rain....

What a beautiful morning! It rained all night long and was gorgeous when I got up this morning. It was still raining and the hummingbirds were out having fun in the sprinkles. There are three feeders on the back porch and one on the front porch, but can they share??? NO!! There is always one that thinks this is his territory and he chases all the other ones off. He uses up so much energy guarding what he could easily share! It was a wonderful way to start the day.

Ghosties and ghoulies....

Okay, I have to say, I'm addicted to all this kind of stuff. I love to watch Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International. Now they never seem to find anything that is conclusive or convincing, but I still watch. It's relaxing and fun for me. I need to upgrade my TV connection so I can get the Biography channel. They have a cool show called Ghostly Encounters that I got hooked on while I was housesitting for my cousin. I can't help it...what is the attraction?? Am I looking for something that says we go on and that we have some kind of ability to interact with those left behind? Not sure...just know that it's my downtime. My family knows I don't make dinner that night so you better find some letftovers because my butt is planted in front of the tellie.

It's a good day....

Today is a good day!! I woke up with energy and got things done. That's always a good feeling. Things look different when I feel like this, so I have to take advantage and just run with it. Hope it lasts for awhile. Love it, love it!!!

Bucket list...

Okay, my cousin recently did some things that she said she was able to cross off her Bucket List. I felt really bad that I didn't even have the ambition to have a Bucket List. So I'm thinking I might make one. I have a question though. Is it proper Bucket List etiquette or protocol or whatever applies to put something on the list you've already done??? You know, so you can kinda have a head start?? What do you think?

All good things...

Well, the housesitting gig is over. I really enjoyed it while it lasted. I could laze around in the pool and watch the hummers. What a life. But, as the saying goes, there's no place like home and I know that Bill and Trace are happy to be home. We're all glad they're home too...but I'll miss the smell of fresh chlorine in the morning.

Registration Day....

Well, yesterday was registration day for my little Freshman. Where have all the years gone? I can't believe she's starting high school. She's just about the age her brother was when she was born. It boggles the mind. But my how things have changed since I was in high school. I can remember registering just like it was yesterday. My dad went with me and I was pretty scared and nervous. He had just retired from the Air Force and we had made our final move to a little town in the middle of Arizona. I was beginning my Junior year and it was a hard move for me. But because of all the moves we had made in the past, I was used to starting over. I knew how to bluff my way through all the newness. He was quiet and calm and reassuring. Did he feel the same way I did when I watched my little one stepping out on her own? Did he see the beginning of the end? Or did he see the start of something new?

Where does it go???

If heat rises, why hasn't all this heat gone away??? It is so hot!! I don't want to cook, I don't want to clean, I don't want to do the laundry, and then on top of all that I have to deal with this heat too....Oh, did you think the heat was why I didn't want to do all those things??? Silly person.

I'm doing the Happy Dance!!!

I have my little girl back home safe and sound!!!! We're all agreed she won't be heading off on another trip for at least 10 years or so. She has had enough of flying for awhile. We're going to take a couple days and just enjoy each other and then it's the before-school-starts rush. She's a Freshman this year and life just keeps changing. Life is good.

I'm so excited!!

One more day and we're off to the airport to pickup up our little girl!!! It seems like she's been gone forever. I always knew she was a big part of my life, but with her gone it really came home to roost just how much my life revolves around her. She validates me...sounds funny, but it's true. I value her opinion and need her attention. Children give so much more to their parents than I think they ever understand...until they become parents. I love that young lady "all the way to the moon and back"....that's from one of her favorite bedtime stories. Just one more day.

Update on the housesitting job....

Bill and Tracy, how was the trip??? Don't worry about a thing at the house. The firemen were really nice and the plumber gave us a break on the labor charge. Just have fun...Oh yea, where do you keep your insurance agent's name and number. Gotta run, the police are here for the followup report!! Really don't give this place a thought...just enjoy yourselves. Hee hee - love ya!! :)

Housesitting

Well tonight is our first night keeping an eye on my cousin's place. It's so nice to have the change of pace. Can't be here every night because I still need to be at home for my mom too. But it's good to have a little breathing room. Not able to enjoy the pool tonight because of the weather...too much wind.

Talked with my little girl today. She's homesick and ready to be back with her mom and dad. We're ready for her to be home too. It's been fun for her but it's a long time away from home and family. We only have to wait until Monday!!! None too soon for me.

Working day...

Today I'm working. That involves working from home out of my oh, so comfortable home office. I like that...dare I say I love that. It's a good thing to be working. Keeps the mind nimble and the wallet full. Well, based on what I'm paid, maybe not full, but at least satisfied.

My cousin and his wife leave for vacation today and will be blogging all along their trip. I'm looking forward to that. I'm house setting so I may be doing some blogging of my own. They have a pool....hmmmm. That sounds like an upgrade.

Born to be wild.....

Getting by...

Well four mornings ago we put our little cutie pie on the plane..by herself..all alone..without me..did I mention she was alone?? She had some turbulence landing on the first leg of the trip, but did fine afterwards. She's having a blast, but calls and texts often. You can hear in her voice "I'm having fun, but is it okay that I'm homesick too?" She misses us...that gives my heart a lift. Don't misunderstand. I want her to have the time of her life, but it still feels good that she misses her mom and wishes we were there with her.

Makin' a list...

Okay, I made a list of five things I wanted to complete before the end of summer. Things I keep putting off so that maybe the little fairies will come and do them for me. Not happening, so...I've tackled three of the five in the last three days. Yes, I know..I'm headed for sainthood. The file drawers are all redone, relabeled and cleaned out, I ripped all the songs I want off of the CD's I'm donating, and I went through all my recipes, threw away, sorted, retyped and put the ones I'm keeping in a binder or recipe box. (I still have mine from the 8th grade) All that leaves to do is clean out the walk in closet and get my book club started. The closet doesn't sound like much fun, but I'm looking forward to starting the book club.

Can you tell I'm trying to stay busy as my little one is getting ready to get on that plane and I'd rather not be thinking about that?

Monday, Monday..

Okay, back to a Monday...got to change that attitude about Mondays. Get busy, get things moving...wait here's a new blog...really neat. Some people have a life!! Oh look, they follow this other blog...okay that guy's just rude! Cool pictures though. Wait, what was I supposed to be doing??? Oh yea, getting busy...things to do. I'll just go check my email real quick and then I really should see what's happening on facebook. Okay, enough's enough...time to get down to work - there's beds to be made, dishes to wash, garden to water, bills to pay, dinner to plan...oh yea, I need to check that item I'm following on ebay. It'll only take a minute...what's that I hear? "Honey, I'm home!"...oh shit, there goes another Monday...

What Is the Measure of a Man?

This is something I wrote for a friend of mine who lost her son in Iraq. He was someone very special and has been sorely missed.

What is the measure of a man? Is it time?...I don't believe so.
Some people can touch so many lives and hearts in far too short a time...leaving their mark by simply being who they are.
What is the measure of a man? Is it money?....I don't believe so.
Money too easily corrupts and taints our world. A man whose currency is honor, compassion and self-sacrifice is rich beyond words.
What is the measure of a man? Is it fame? I don't believe so.
What is fame but the fickle fawning of small-minded fools. True fame lies in reaching out a hand and lifting up a soul who never knows your name, but who will never forget you.
What is the measure of a man? Is it worldly possessions? I don't believe so.
Wordly possessions are things that can be taken from you or fall to dust. Grace, humility, dedication and love are the soul's possessions. Yours always to hold tight in times of need or shower generously on those you love.
So what is the measure of a man? I believe it has more to do with what he leaves behind. The people he's changed, the difference he's made, the respect he's earned and the loss that's endured. Eric was the measure of a man.

Happy 4th!!

There are a lot of changes that are happening in our country....but they're not just happening now...they have been going on since the beginning. I think one of the things that makes this such a great country is its ability to change. And we have changed and evolved over the years through the democratic process, through strife and pain, through abundance and progress. So many of those changes have been good and right, but I hope we don't lose sight of the fundamental principles on which this country was founded. I hope we continue to honor those who have gone before us and consider those who will come after us. I hope everyone has a safe and emotional Fourth of July...we should be emotional about something so amazing as the birth of this great country. Happy 4th!!!

Ebony and Ivory....

aahhh.....

Went to see the baby tigers yesterday. They were so cute, but so asleep. The zoo was a blast...don't recommend going in July though. Don't care if it was a cloudy day. We might as well have been on safari in some sweltering jungle. I didn't know I could sweat that much. Did you know your eyelids can sweat???? The aquarium was cool (literally) and the penguins were fun to watch.

Cloudy days...

It's a cloudy day and that always lends itself to brooding thoughts. Don't get me wrong, because I love the clouds. But they seem to slow the day down and turn my thoughts inward. On a cloudy day things look calmer, softer - not so sharp and harsh. Things don't seem so pressing and urgent. These kind of days give the mind time to wander. And if there's wind, lightening and thunder the day is charged and makes me feel more natural less civilized. More in touch with the grass..the trees..the sky and less in touch with people and things. I love those days too.

But today is a quiet cloudy day, and calls for thought.