Wednesday Evening Confession

Well, I must confess I didn't start going thru stuff for the big carport sale.  Instead I decided to do a little "retail therapy."  It really couldn't be helped....I had to go to the bank and deposit the Avon checks and then I thought I'd go to the local library.  They have a section of books for sale and I like to look thru those from time to time.  I got three new books at a cost of $1.20.  Very reasonable !!  When I pulled out of the library I was just a few blocks from the mall, so decided to go to my favorite store...Gottschalks and see what was available.  That was my downfall.  Although, I must say I just used a couple of gift cards that had burning a hole in my wallet. They had some good deals.  So now the day is over and tomorrow it's back to work. Until next time...Linda

Wednesday

Today is a day off from work so I'm home working around the yard, etc.  I have a birdhouse hanging in the big cedar tree in my front yard and the parents are very busy today feeding the babies.  I couldn't get very close to them without alarming the mom & dad so I'm not sure you can get a clear picture.  But dad is on the little ledge on the front of the birdhouse delivering lunch to the hungary babies inside.   I realized this morning that I had not feed my roses yet the season.  And the poor little things are blooming like crazy even though I've been neglectful.( I probably should go to the "naughty corner" for this. ) Well, anyway I'm happy to say they've been feed, trimmed and sprayed with a fungicide.  I also gave all my hanging baskets and potted flowers a big drink of Miracle Gro and I spread weed & feed on the lawn.  WOW, that makes me tired just recalling all that I've done today. Summer cat is happy to have me home because I have all the doors open, so he's going from one screen door to the other breathing in the fresh air.  It's a lovely day here today, the sun that was promised several days ago is shining and there's a slight breeze with tempature at  about 73*....  PERFECT !!!  I wish it could be like this everyday.    The Air Force is flying again today...when I was out in the yard, I looked up and one pilot (the one drinking a Dr Pepper) waved at me.   Those planes are really big when they are just a few hundred feet above your head.  They are so close I can read the numbers on them.  And that's no joke !   I have a skylight in the main hall of my mobile....the other night when they were flying over, I looked up once & could see the lights of the plane as it passed over the sky light.  That's a spooky feeling.  Well, with the yard work caught up I think the rest of my day will be spent either goofing off or perhaps I'll start getting ready for the big annual carport sale here in  my little community.  It's scheduled for July 22nd & 23rd and I need to start going thru closets, etc. looking for items to put out for sale.  I always plan to get a good head start and not be up all night the night before getting stuff together.    Anyway, until later....Linda

Tuesday Evening

I was right this morning.....it was a long day at work.  But once more, I survived.  The weather guy was wrong again this morning, I never saw any sun shine.  He must have been talking about another part of the country.     I found the following in my email that came into my computer magically while I was at work today.  I'm including it because I think it's a nice thought for the end of the day.  Until next time.....Linda

BUZZARD

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet
and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its
ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason
is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground
with a run of 10 to12 feet. Without space to run, as is its
habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a
prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

BAT

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably
nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place.
If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is
shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it
reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw
itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

BUMBLEBEE

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be
there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the
means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find
some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will
seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys
itself.

PEOPLE

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the
bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and
frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up. 

Tuesday Morning

This is going to be a long day at work...I live about a mile from the end of the runway of our local Air Force base.  Bless, their little pink hearts they were flying their planes until almost 2 am , when they come in to land, they are about 400 feet above my house.  So it was a short night.  I called out there at 1am and asked them when they were going to stop...I was desperate !  It's overcast and cool here today but the weather guy promises that sun is on the way.  I haven't bought a cute little sweater for "Summer cat" yet but I may have to do that.  (It's been suggested by one of my brunette friends) I got the following from friend Deb..it's the best I can do today.   Until next time.....Linda

In Honor of Stupid People

>> In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through
>> stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods.

>>
>>          On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping.
>>          (That's the only time I have to work on my hair.)
>>
>>          On a bag of Fritos -- You could be a winner! No   purchase  necessary.   Details inside.
>>          (the shoplifter special?)

>>
>>          On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap."           (and that would be???....)
>>
>>
>>          On some Swanson frozen dinners -- "Serving suggestion: Defrost."        (but, it's just a suggestion.)
>>
>>
>>          On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- "Do not turn  upside down."           (well...duh, a bit late, huh!)
>>
>>          On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after  heating."          (and you thought?)
>>
>>          On packaging for a Rowenta iron -- "Do not iron clothes on  body."        (but wouldn't this save me time?)
>>
>>          On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- "Do not drive a car or  operate machinery after taking  this medication."
>>          (We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5 year-olds with head-colds off those   bulldozers.)
>>
>>          On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."          (I'm taking this because?)

>>          On most brands of Christmas lights -- "For indoor or outdoor use  only."        (as opposed to what?)
>>
>>          On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other  use."        (now, somebody out there, help me on this. I'm a bit curious.)
>>
>>          On Sainsbury's peanuts -- "Warning: contains nuts."
>>          (talk about a news flash)
>>
>>          On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open  packet, eat nuts."        (Step 3: say what?)
>>
>>          On a child's Superman costume -- "Wearing of this garment does  not enable you to fly."
       (I don't blame the company. I blame the parents for this one.)
>>
>>          On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."     (Oh my Gosh was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)
>>
>> Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the
> stupidity and send this to someone you want to bring a smile to (maybe even  chuckle)...

>>
**Blessed are the cracked: For it is they who let in the  light**

Girl Friends

Good Monday Morning, I received the following from my friend Judy in Arizona, we've been friends since our high school days (a long time ago).  I'm off to work this morning, so this is my contribution for Monday;

Girlfriends
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and
visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your girlfriends," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to
the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you'll have, you are still going to need girlfriends. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. And remember that "girlfriends" are not only your friends, but your sisters, your daughters, other relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do." 'What a funny piece of advice,' the young woman thought. 'Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! - a grownup,
Surely my husband and the family we'll start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her Mother; she kept contact with her girlfriends and made more each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, girlfriends are the mainstays of her life.
After over 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
Times passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates
Children grow up.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Careers end.
Jobs come and go.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors. Men don't call when they say they will.

BUT girlfriends are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley, and you have to walk it for yourself, your girlfriends will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you. Or come in and carry you out. My mother, sister, sister-in-law, "sisters", extended family, and friends bless my life! The world wouldn't be the same without them, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead.
Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.

Saturday Evening.... Blond Joke

I'm a little tired tonight, today was just another work day for me.  So instead of coming up with something clever, I'm going to post a email joke I got from my dear friend Claire in Oklahoma.  I get a kick out of my non-blond firends who send me (a blond) blond jokes.  Actually, most of them are funny and could work for some brunettes I know, too.     :)     Here goes......

Blonde Year in Review

January - Took her new scarf back to the store because it was too tight.

February - Couldn't work in a pharmacy because the bottles wouldn't fit into the typewriter.

March - Got excited when she finished a jigsaw puzzle in 6 months because the box said "2-4 years."

April - Was trapped on an escalator for hours when the power went out.

May - Couldn't make Kool-Aid because 8 cups of water won't fit into those little packets.
 
June - Couldn't learn to water ski because she couldn't find a lake with a slope.

July - After losing in a breast stroke swimming competition, complained to the judges that the other swimmers were using their arms.

August - Told her blonde friend to hurry when trying to get into their locked car using a coat hanger because it was starting to rain and the top was down.

September - When asked what the capital of California was: answered "C."

October - Hates M & M's because they are so hard to peel.

November - Baked a turkey for 4 days because the instructions said 1 hour per pound and she weighed 120.

December - Couldn't call 911 because there was no "11" on any phone button.

Have a good rest of the weekend.....until next time, Linda

Summertime Cat

Picture #1 is a before picture of my cat Alexander.  I acquired him in March from a gal  at the hospital who found out her 9 month old baby was allergic to cats.  Alex is mostly Maine Coon and heaven only knows what else.  He's a 5 year old, neutered(of course) house cat that weighs approx. 25 lbs.  He's my "big furry boy."

Well, if you look at picture #2  you'll see his "new do" for summer.  It's a lion cut and the fact that he's a carmel color, he really looks like a lion.  The first night after going to the "beauty shop" he was prancing around here like a lion cub.  My mobile home gets warm in the summer and I know he'll be more comfortable without his heavy fur coat.  They assured me by winter, he'll be furry again.   Until next time.......Linda

Going Back in Time

Actually I'm just going back in time to April (2005).  The state flower for Washington State is the Western Rhododendron.  Now these are not growing in the wild, they are  actually at the entrance to the mobile park where I live. You can see how big they have grown and the vibrant rose color was breathtaking.  To get an idea of their size, that's my Toyota Rav4 parked in front of  one of the larger ones.  Of course since this picture was taken the beautiful blooms have faded and the rhody's are just big green shrub like trees. 

"Fatherly Approval"

I couldn't resist sharing this from the cybersalt website.  Enjoy and again......Happy Father's Day.

A good friend of mine warned me that, as my three daughters became old enough to date, I'd disapprove of every young man who took them out. When the time came, I was pleased that my friend's prediction was wrong.  Each boy was pleasant and well mannered.

Talking to my daughter Joanna one day, I said that I liked all the young men she and her sisters brought home.

"You know, Dad," she replied, "we don't show you everybody."

Thinking of Bill Smith, my dad on "Dad's Day"

Well, once again Father's Day has arrived.  Someone once said that "everyday is Father's Day." Well, that may or may not be true but at least we have one day set aside where we honor fathers.  The picture above is of my dad and myself on July 4, 1942.  The next day he left for Camp Shelby, Mississippi for his basic training with the Army. He served in Europe and North Africa as a train dispatcher in a railroad battilion. (This was also his civilian job before and after the war) I'm happy to say he returned safe and sound in October 1945.   I feel I was blessed with a great dad.  Oh, there were times when his temper flared but I imagine it was due to my stubborness from time to time. Basically, he was pretty even tempered, he was kind, loving, honest, generous and thoughtful. He worked hard and always provided for the emotional and material needs of his family. And the most important...he really, really loved my mother.  "I have heard more than once that, that is the most important thing a dad can do for his children."   He was a devout Christian who served as a sunday school teacher, deacon & elder of his church and also served as a school board member of the Christian school started by their church. I don't remember ever hearing him and my mom fight ( I've checked with my brother on that one) they both always showed each other love & respect and the same to my brother and I.  After my mom passed away in October 1987, it was like part of him was gone, too.  He was with us until September 1990, long enough to see his oldest grand daughter married and even though he'd had a stroke and was very ill...we did constantly tell him that his first great-grandchild was due in April of 1991.  I will always be grateful for the blessing of having the mom and dad that God chose for me. On this special weekend, I want to also say Happy Father's Day to my brother, father to three beautiful grown daughters and to my son-in-law, father of my two wonderful grand children.  I know there are lots of dads, step dads & foster dads out there who will never receive the recognition they deserve, so my hat's off to them too !

In-N-Out

John, the "Journal Guru" talks about his experience with an In-N-Out  "double double".  For those of you who are not familiar with this establishment, it's a burger place orginating in So. Calif.  I understand there are some in Phoneix, AZ, Las Vegas & Reno NV and along the I-5 corridor starting at least in Redding, CA  and working south.  The really do make a good burger.  Their regular burger sells for $1.60, hand cut fresh fries for $1.09 topped off with a soft drink for as little as 99 cents.  They have great T-shirts for sale in their establishments and on their website (www.in-n-out.com) you can buy all sorts of items featuring their famous logo.  I'm proud to have an In-N-Out license plate frame on the back of my car.  (Not too many of those up here in the Pacific Northwest.)  Hopefully, someday the company will expand and I can drive a few miles and enjoy one of these great burgers.  If you're interested the picture above shows the towering sign you should look for.  If you're lucky enough to get one...eat one for me too as I don't know when I'll get south again to enjoy this treat.  Enjoy......... :)

Mojave Sunset May 29, 2005

Truly beautiful evening sky...somewhere north of Bishop, California

Son Jim with Tuffy

Tuffy born June 12, 1992 crossed the Rainbow Bridge May 31, 2005

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Sunday June 5, 2005

Well, I haven't written for a long time.  So much has happened....where do I start.  First of all I took a little vacation over Memorial Day weekend.  A friend had driven to Pasadena, CA the first of May and was ready to come home, I had 6 days off over the Holiday weekend, so I flew out on Thrusday (05-26-05) morning to the Burbank, CA (also known as Bob Hope) airport.  I haven't flown for 18 years and there's a reason for that...I don't like to fly. But with a little medication from my doctor & prayer... away I went.  It was a beautiful sunny day all the way & it turned out to be a delightful experience.  We decided to start driving back to WA on Saturday so crammed a lot of Southern CA into just a couple days & still managed to visit with my friends' daughter, son-in -law & grandkids before we left.  One of the things I wanted to do was to experience the new light rail system in the LA area.  It goes in all directions. We boarded in downtown Pasadena and rode to downtown LA to the Union Station and then walked a few blocks to Olvera Street.  A one way ticket at Senior price is 45 cents.  The regular price is $1.25 or $3.00 for a one day pass & it really works for one whole day.  You could go from LAX to Long Beach, to Anaheim, to downtown LA or Pasadena.  At times the train we rode went down thru the lanes of traffic on the freeway, but then it veered off into neighborhoods, under hillsides and thru tunnels.  What a fabulous system.   We came home on Hiway 395 thru eastern California and the Mojave desert.  The sunsets out there are stunning, I got some great pictures.  We came thru Carson City and paid a surprise visit to one of my dear cousins & her husband.  And then spent one afternoon and night in Reno.  The real highlight for me in Reno is the big Penney's outlet...I love that place!  I did donate a few dollars in a couple casino's but I work hard for my money and hate to give it away like that.  We continued on Hiway 395 thru Alturas, CA and then came into Bend, OR.  The high desert area is still beautiful & green.  I was surprised to see lilacs blooming thru that area...mine have been gone for weeks.  We eventually came to the mighty Columbia River, and my favorite town in that area, Hood  River, OR.  It was only about 55* butthose wind surfers were out on the river doing their thing.  I love to watch them.  If I were younger, I'd give it a try. We came along the Oregon side of the Columbia and visited the breathtaking Multnomah Falls.  From there we continued home on I-5.  It was good to be back home but I knew I was coming home to a tragic event.  My son had called me on Saturday morning to tell me that he to take his dear cat, Tuffy into the Emergency Vet hospital because he was very ill.   Tuffy has been an insulin dependent diabetic for about 4 years and has had no ill effects until that Saturday morning.  He had gone into renal failure.  The vet stated there was not much they could do, he was very ill and given his age (2 weeks from being 13 years old) they felt that it was best that he be put to sleep.  Needless to say my son was devestated as was I.  Over the years of being his caregiver when my son was out of town, I had grown very fond of him.  And he was just a darn sweet cat.  My son spent all weekend at the Vet hospital and was waiting for me to come home so I could come & take some last pictures of the two of them before they did the deed.  So I got home & rushed over and spent about an hour with the two of them, took some pictures and then Tuffy was put to sleep.  My son & I both cried and hugged each other....it was awfully sad.  My son has had this cat since his birth, June 12, 1992 as he owned Tuffy's mother.  Anyway, we have lots of pictures, including when he was just a couple weeks old right up to the end.  We are going to put together a photo album of Tuffy and the other pets we have had over the years.  I've returned to work and back to the everyday life.  My hanging baskets are beautiful and my roses are blooming and my sweet grand daughter mowed my lawn while I was gone (thanks Meg).  Life is good.....