Merry Christmas to you and your family.

IRONING

"Ironing~~~it's an art, and I think it's dying out.  It takes half a brain to do it, and the other half is free to roam."   Butler Christopher Ely, who has worked for Brooke Astor and Buckingham Palace.

Back in the 1950's when I was growing up, my mom felt it was very important for me to learn to iron.  My task was to iron the handkerchiefs, pillow cases and the tops of all the sheets. (She liked the sheets folded a certain way and the tops to be smooth).  Basically I started out ironing anything that was flat. 

After these items were washed and dried, the clothes, etc. were then sprinkled with the water filled sprinkle bottle and then rolled up and placed in the 'ironing' basket.  If left like this too long, they would be covered with mildew and had to be washed again and I was usually in trouble.

As I got older, I moved on to more complicated ironing tasks, like my blouses, mom's house dresses, aprons, dad's shirts and slacks.  By the time I got into high school I was the ironing queen of the house. Mom pretty much left it all to me.  

Now one would think, that after having to iron as a kid I would hate ironing today.  But I don't....I don't iron sheets or pillowcases and of course hankies have gone by the wayside.  But I do still press my blouses and slacks.  I like creases in the sleeves and flat fronts on my blouses. And I usually time my ironing for when a good movie is on TV. Then I set up 'shop' in front of the TV and iron away.

I've also discovered that my trusty ironing board has other uses. It can become a sideboard if you have a bunch of people over for dinner and there's nothing else that works better as a work table for wrapping presents, than the ironing board.

Remember~The ironing board is portable, it can be set up almost anywhere and is just the right height. 

So go ahead, call me crazy but I love to iron !



My first attempt at ironing in December 1943 just weeks before my 2nd birthday.



If Things Don't Seem Quite Right Today......

.........maybe you forgot~

MUSH

I grew up in the days before Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs and Apple Jacks.

During my growing up days MUSH was the staple for breakfast almost 365 days of the year.

If it wasn't Quaker Oatmeal, it was Cream of Wheat, Ralston Purina, Wheatena or Malt~O~Meal.

My mom would make a big pot of MUSH every morning, especially during the winter months.  Since we had Daisy, we had our own cream to put on the MUSH and she would put out either granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses or honey to also put on the MUSH.

I checked with my brother (he's 8½ years younger than me) and he remembers a lot of MUSH also. But while we were discussing this subject we each remembered  an occasional bowl of Cheerios, Rice Krispies or Wheaties....but only during the summer months.  

Also on the weekends mom would make pancakes, french toast and eggs, bacon and toast.  But for the most part it was MUSH almost every morning.

The funny thing is, I can't remember if I did the same thing to my kids and quite frankly...I'm afraid to ask them. 

I do know that as an adult I do not eat MUSH.  I put Quaker oatmeal in cookies and in my meatloaf.....but I don't eat it for breakfast!

My Encounter With The Duke

I may have told this story before in a previous Blog post....if you've heard the story before....excuse my absent "mindness."   (Is that a word?) 

It was March 1955, I turned 13 years old in January that year and was so excited that we were going to take a family vacation.  However, I knew riding in the same car as my dad, mom, grandmother and 5 year old brother all the way to southern California and back was going to be a challenge.

This is really the only family vacation I remember, we lived on a small farm....had animals that needed to be cared for, so a day at the park or maybe an over night at the ocean was the most we ever did.

I was in the 7th grade and it was not Spring Break, so my mom talked with my teacher and it was decided that I would be excused from school as long as I wrote a page each day about our activities. Then turn the 'diary' in when we got home for a grade for the time I missed.

My dad's father and step mom, plus his brother and step brother and their families all lived in California.  It was very exciting as we headed out the first week of March...down Highway 99.  I remember at every stop there was the 'changing of the seats' routine between my mom, grandma and myself. Quite frankly I was super annoyed with my brother by the time we passed thru Olympia (30 miles south of our home). 

One day after we arrived at my uncle and aunt's home, my dad's step brother and his family came over and spent the day visiting.   My dad's step brother (Uncle Don) worked for the movie studios as a freelance photographer.  He took those pictures you used to see as you walked up to the ticket booth of a theater, and he took continuity pictures so the actors ended up in the correct spot and in the correct clothes when they came back from a break in shooting their film.

Anyway, during that day of visiting he asked me if I'd like to go to work with him one day while we were there.  I was thrilled and my folks agreed that it would be a fun adventure for me.  But, I didn't really have the appropiate clothes with me, so the next day they took me to the Robert Hall store in Hollywood.  They got me new shoes, new skirt, blouse and a pink  jacket.   I felt like a movie star myself.

The appointed day came and Uncle Don came and picked me up.  When we got to the movie studio he took me in with him and sat me over in the corner to watch the action.  The entire morning they shot the same scene over and over again and I remember that they finally got the scene right just at lunch time.  My uncle came over and said that he had talked to the two movie stars and they had agreed to pose for a picture with me.   I followed him over to another area and there on a high stool sat this beautiful lady named Lauren Bacall.  I had never heard of her before.....

She did sit while my uncle took the picture but then she got up and walked away. She didn't say one word to me. 

 From there, I followed my uncle over to another spot to a group of people standing around talking and laughing. In the middle of that group stood this larger than life man who stepped forward as we approached.  He looked over at my uncle and then at me and extended his hand...my uncle introduced me to John Wayne.  I had heard of John Wayne and needless to say I was dumbstruck.  Here I was, this 13 year old girl who lived on 10 acres and did farm chores meeting the one, the only John Wayne.

We (or should I say 'he') chatted with me and my uncle for awhile and then he asked me if I was hungry. I must have nodded yes, because before I knew it he was leading us to a big round table over in a corner and box lunches appeared for all.  I remember there was an apple in my box lunch but that's all I remember and I don't even remember if I was able to eat much.   I do remember he asked me about my school, where I lived, etc.  He was especially interested in the fact that we lived on a small farm and had animals. He wanted to know who was milking our cow.  His laugh was hearty and it helped me to relax a little. 

Sadly after the lunch break it was time for me to go.  My uncle had arranged for my grandfather to pick me up so I bid farewell and literally floated out of the building.

It was a day I will never forget.  My 8 x 10 glossy, autographed photos hang proudly in my hall, along with family photos.  I have treasured them all these years.

Oh and the movie they were shooting~ it was 'Blood Alley.'   A very good movie and several years ago a friend gave me a DVD of the movie so I can watch it whenever I want.

Remembering~

Mary Teresa Caulfield.......a daughter, sister, wife, mother and aunt was among those who lost their lives in the North Tower of the World Trade Center that sunny and clear morning, September 11, 2001.  She was an executive assistant working in her office at Marsh & McLennan, an insurance company. 

On September 11, 2002 one of my co-workers went by the YMCA before she came into the office.  As she entered the 'Y' there was a table set up, that held business size cards of tributes to the victims of 9-11-01.  Julia gathered up enough of them for those of us already at work and when she came in, she stopped at each desk to let us choose a card.  I chose Mary Teresa Caulfield because she was very close to my age. 

Mary Teresa, you would be 69 years old now, you would be retired and no doubt would have taken that dream vacation with your husband, James.  Maybe you would have even welcomed grandchildren by now...grandchildren that will never know you.  All those dreams were cut short in an instant by a senseless act of a few.  A senseless act of hatred, that most of the people in this world still can't understand. 

I carry that little green card with your name and the fact that you were confirmed dead in the World Trade Center that day~that horrible day,  September 11, 2001. I continue to pray for the loved ones and friends you left behind. 

May we never forget those who left us that day and may we never, ever  forget those few who brought about this horrible event. 

I Can't Believe It

I'm having trouble accepting the fact that it's September already....didn't we just celebrate Christmas?  No really I realize that for most of us summer has come and gone.  Although here in the Pacific Northwest, we are still having 75 degree plus days, however the nights absolutely feel like the start of fall.   My garden did pretty good this year and there's still many tomatoes out there that are in various stages of ripening.  I planted Sweet Peas last February and have enjoyed a bouquet on the kitchen window sill all summer. 

The rhododendrons in my side and front yard were amazing again this year.  I love them but they do make a mess after they're finished blooming. 

 I discovered last year that about the end of June both Lowe's and Home Depot have these racks of nearly dead plants at greatly reduced prices.  I've never spent more than $3 for a half dead perennial in a gallon size container.  I bring them home, cut off the dead part, water them, talk to them and I end up with a nice plant for very little money. I'm slowly switching over to perennials because they will come back year after year. Meanwhile, I've been filling in the nooks and crannies in my flower beds.   


 The week of June 25th, we packed up the truck and camper and headed south on I-5.  We went as far as Grants Pass, Oregon and then stopped in Winston at the Wildlife Animal Safari. It was an amazing, slow ride thru over 600 acres of exotic animals....many roaming free and some were not. 

Our ultimate goal on this road trip was to meet up with Pat Manning and her family.  They were visiting from England and were going to be in Smith River, California the end of June.  We left Winston and traveled west on Highway 199 ending up in Crescent City, California which is a little south of Smith River. This was new territory for us and we loved all of the beautiful scenery we traveled thru.  We found some new campgrounds and some new fun places to stop for a break. We found this beauty in Gasquet, CA....

Finally we arrived in Smith River and found a great campground right at sea level.   There was a small bay right in front of us and just past the sand spit that bordered the bay was the Pacific ocean. 

 It was a beautiful spot to camp and we loved every minute of our time there.   Saturday June 30th we meet Pat and her husband Peter.  We visited for a couple hours and made plans to meet up the next morning for the drive north to Gold Beach, Oregon.  We had booked a jet boat trip up the Rogue River.  This was my 3rd trip up the river, Bob's 2nd trip and their 1st.  We were blessed with a beautiful, sunny and warm morning as we boarded the boat and headed up the river.  

This last picture was our stop for dinner at Lucas Lodge along the river.  Served family style they had big platters of fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, veggies, home made rolls & jam and ice cream with Oregon blackberry sauce for dessert.   We got back into Gold Beach about 8pm and reluctantly said good bye to Pat and Peter.     The next day Bob and I began our journey home up Highway 101 along the coast.  No matter how often we take that route we are always blown away by the beautiful sights along the highway.    

 One of Oregon's many unique bridges.

We watched the 4th of July fireworks on the shore of Lincoln City, Oregon

 A stop at the Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream Factory is a must. 

The bridge in the bottom picture crosses the Columbia River, at this location connecting Rainier, Oregon and Longview, Washington.  We camped here (on the Oregon side) our last night on the road. 

The rest of the summer has been pretty mundane....weeding, watering, harvesting and just enjoying being home.  Although Labor Day weekend we did go out to the coast to Westport, Washington to visit friends.   And I've picked enough blackberries at my brother and sister in law's woodsy place for many pies this winter.   I've re-stained my small wood deck so it's ready for another winter, the gutters are cleaned (a leaf blower works great for this task)....I am ready for whatever Mother Nature hands down in the next few months.    
          
    

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to all of you.  
I'll be celebrating somewhere on the Oregon Coast. 

Daisy

How many of you remember the old song "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true.  I'm half crazy all for the love of you"  Actually that's the chorus to the song 'Bicycle Built For Two.'  I used to sing this to my kids and I taught it to my grand kids when they come along. (I wonder at ages 20 & 21 if they still remember it?)


Well, there was a reason this song was important to me as I grew up.  In June 1952 my folks moved from a 2 bedroom house in the city to a 10 acre 'farm' 3½ miles away. I was 10½ having just completed the 4th grade and my brother was 2 yrs old when this move took place. 


My dad was born in Idaho into a railroad family. They eventually moved into eastern Washington and when my dad was about 9 his parents divorced. He and his younger brother went with their father to southern California and his younger sister stayed with my grandmother and her family. My dad stayed with his father and step mother until he was 16 when he ran away and came back to Washington state to live with his mother.  He even went to Hollywood High School for a couple of years. 


My dad once told me he had always had a desire to 'live on the land' and not in the hustle bustle of southern California. So this 10 acres of land was always in the back of his mind. The property had a raggedy old house on it (heated only by an oil stove in the living room area) and my mom set about to make it a home.  And that she did.  I can remember ice on the inside of my two bedroom windows in the winter but my bedroom walls were painted pale pink with wallpaper border filled with roses. By the time I was a junior in high school a new, roomy house had been built by my dad and mom.....in front of the old one. 


My parents had some friends from church that owned a dairy farm not too far from us. I don't think it was that first summer but by the following year we had the first of many farm animals.  She was black and white with a sweet gentle spirit.....she was our Holstein ~ Daisy. 

Daisy was rather small for a Holstein, so she was in no way intimidating to any of us. We all fell in love with our Daisy. My mother was raised on a large hop farm in eastern Washington, so she was used to farm animals and the work that goes along with living on a farm. So once dad built a fenced in area next to the old chicken coop she filled it with chickens.  And soon a HUGE garden area was plowed and in the Spring of 1953 she planted the first of a yearly very large garden.  That's when I learned to weed. Oh , I hated that. 


My dad worked full time as a train dispatcher for the Milwaukee Railroad and for as long as I can remember he worked swing shift....which was 3:30pm to 11:30pm.  Now most cows are milked in the early morning and then 12 hours later in the early evening.  But because of dad's work schedule Daisy was milked at noon and midnight.  By the time I was 12, dad had taught me the procedure for milking a cow. There were times, especially in the summer when he wanted to take a day and go fishing so it became my job on those days to do the noon milking. I remember being so nervous the first time but when Daisy looked back at me and mooed softly I knew everything was going to be ok. But that's also when I started singing to her as I milked. I sang "Daisy, Daisy give me your answer true."  Having a cow is a huge job....there's the milking, then it has to run thru a separator and then bottled.  Then you have to wash  and dry the separator. Mom would skim the cream off our milk for butter (which she churned).  Back in the 1950's it was ok to sell raw milk to the neighbors. And we did.  I can remember neighbor kids coming down our long drive way pulling their wagon with bottles rattling.  Other's came by in their cars to get their milk all bottled and capped by my mom.   Our dear Daisy produced enough milk for our family and many others.  She was loved by many.   

Star Spangled Banner lyrics vocals and beautiful photos

FLAG DAY

In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14th as Flag Day . 

In my opinion everyday should be Flag Day~how wonderful it would be if all Americans flew the red, white and blue everyday.  And it doesn't even have to be a great big one....a teeny tiny one on your computer desk  or stuck in a plant would be fine.  Just having one near by to remind us of all the freedoms we hold dear. 


In August 1949 'National Flag Day' was established by an Act of Congress.....so it's official.
Fly your flag~yes there are problems in our country but it's still a great place to live...just ask those who leave their birth countries and come here to start a new life. 

Don't Trust Little Old Ladies!

A young man shopping in a supermarket noticed a little old lady following him around. If he stopped, she stopped. Furthermore she kept staring at him.

She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said,

"I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look so much like my late son." He answered, "That's okay.""I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."

She then went through the checkout, and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mom." The little old lady waved and smiled back at him. Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he went to pay for his groceries. "That comes to $121.85," said the clerk. "How come so much? I only bought 5 items."

The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said you'd be paying for her things, too." Bet you thought this was going to be a tear-jerker!

Don't trust Little Old Ladies!!!

Rhubarb Quick Bread

RHUBARB QUICK BREAD     Yield: Makes 1 loaf

 

    1½ cups brown sugar, packed
    2/3 cup oil
    1 egg
    1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    2½ cups flour
    1 teaspoon salt
    1 to 1½ cups chopped raw rhubarb, depending on the juiciness of the variety
    1/2 cup chopped nuts
topping:
    1/2 cup granulated sugar
    1 tablespoon butter or margarine
    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
    1/4 cup chopped nuts

 

Combine brown sugar, oil, egg, milk, and soda. Sift together flour and salt and add to liquid mixture, Fold in rhubarb and 1/2 cup nuts. Pour into greased and floured 9x5-inch loaf pan. Combine granulated sugar, butter, and cinnamon until crumbly. Add 1/4 cup nuts and sprinkle topping over batter in pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour or until done.

Gaither Vocal Band & Ernie Haase - I Then Shall Live

MEMORIAL DAY ~ MORE THAN A BBQ

Originally called Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to honor the fallen Union soldiers.  By the 20th century Memorial Day included all Americans who had made the supreme sacrifice in all wars. Memorial Day is actually May 30th but in 1968 Congress passed the uniform holidays bill which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, to a Monday in order to create a three-day weekend.  


This year we will celebrate Memorial Day on May 28th.  Many will be away for the long weekend camping, boating, visiting family and friends out of town.  While some will stay home to work in their yards and have the traditional Memorial Day BBQ.  


Let's all attempt to stop at some point during this busy holiday weekend to remember those who gave the supreme sacrifice so that the rest of us can live in a free environment.  Let's also remember the families and friends of those who have not and will not return from war. 


Remember Freedom Isn't Free~
Many Have Died So That We May Live In A Free Country

MOTHER'S DAY 2012

Julia Ward Howe was the first to proclaim Mother's Day in 1870.  In the United States it's celebrated the 2nd Sunday in the month of May.  Today Mother's Day is celebrated in almost every country in the world but not all celebrate the same day as the USA. 

I feel blessed to have had a wonderful mother.  She was such a sweet lady and I miss her so much.  She passed away on October 8, 1987.  The picture below was taken in August 1942, a month after my dad left for service in WWII. 

I want to take this opportunity to wish a Happy Mother's day to all the moms, step moms. foster moms and those dads who had to be both mom and dad to their kids.     

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Seven Years ~Seems Like Only Yesterday......

......that I posted my first AOL JLand entry. Yup it was May 6, 2005.  My first entry was brief; This will be my first entry.  I have been inspired by my daughter and grandgirl.  They both have great journals but then they are home all day to create & write.  I am still working full time and in fact have to be to work in 12 short hours from now. So will make this short & sweet.  One thing I'm looking forward to this summer is my 45th class reunion.  I've only missed one reunion and that was the year I felt I was too "chunky" to go.  The next day, I was so sad that I missed the event.  I made a vow I'd never miss another one. This year...I'm still "chunky" and I have been on the treadmill but I'll go no matter what.  Until next time..   There were two comments to that first post and I never did really get to know those two people.  But my second post a few days later also got two comments.  They were from Sandra and Linda ~ and to this day I still have contact with both of them...they are both on Facebook and I've actually had the pleasure to meet Linda and her sweet family in person.  


In the last seven years we've all been thru so much together. We shared the joys of new grandchildren, shared the sorrows of loosing loved ones, we've prayed for each other when illness or tragedy has hit and shared the sorrow of loosing some of our own dear ones from AOL JLand/Bloggerville.  The three I knew well were; Bill of 'Just Plain Bill.' 

Bill was such a great guy....he was a friend to all who crossed his path.  I will always remember his love of golf and his family.        Then we lost our dear, sweet Lori.  Lori and her husband had made plans to come to Vancouver, B.C. where Bob and I were going to meet up with them. We had talked on the phone and she kept saying she would be better come Spring and she'd see me that summer. 

But alas cancer took Lori not only from her loving family but from those of us who loved her here in Bloggerville.   The last time I talked with her dear Chuck, he was still reeling from the loss of his precious wife. 
The last person that I want to mention is Frances Lawson.   Frances didn't have a Blog but she was a Blog reader and so faithful to leave comments.  

I was blessed to talk with Frances by phone many times and share notes and cards thru the mail with her.  She was a dear lady. Her passing on March 28, 2012 is still a fresh hurt in the hearts of many. 


We've all been witness to the courage of Krissy and J0hn as they have traveled thru some dark valleys.  We've all been thankful for the many kind gestures of Guido way up there on his island.   Those of us who have lost dear pets have been blessed by Sugar's kind words and the Pet Memorial page she set up for us to remember our precious Furr babies.   We've heard Barbara in Texas and Jimmy in Florida sing to us.   We've been privy to Robin's travels as she follows her Air Force husband around the country and now across the pond to England. We've been the recipients of colorful tags from Donna and Sugar .....now tell me where else could you find such special people? There are so many more of you who have touched my life the last seven years.  I actually love Facebook because I feel we've grown closer thru that medium. 


Besides Linda and her family down in Fresno, CA......I've also been blessed to meet Trees from Canada, Monica from here in Tacoma (we actually worked at the same place for awhile & had the same supervisor) and I've shared a few meals with Joann down in southern California.  My biggest dream has always been to travel around the USA and meet each and everyone of my  Blogger friends and after that head over to the U.K. to meet our Blogger friends over there.  


I want to thank all of you for your precious friendship and comments over the years.  I'm not going to promise that I'm going to be more faithful about posting entries and commenting because I've said it before and I always fall short.  I'll just say~I'll do my best. 


 ♫♪♫ Thank you for being my friend ♪♫♪

Community Photo Challenge~Transportation

One form of transportation I wish I could take more often.   I took this picture in Juneau, Alaska.   

Join May's Community Photo Challenge at;  http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/

Community Photo Challenge~Tulips

             The subject for April's Community Photo Challenge is ~ Tulips

You can enter too!!  Just follow the link below to enter or to see the other entries.

            http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2012/04/community-photo-challenge-tulips.html

Sunny & Warm April Sunday

It's a warm & sunny April Sunday in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  Yesterday was the same and I got so much done in the way of yard work.  Yesterday I mowed the front yard, finished cleaning out my garden, planted some petunias and cleaned out the area where I store my garden tools, etc.


Today, I've emptied out and thrown away some old broken planters, hung up two of my already planted hanging baskets, washed a couple loads of sheets & blankets and hung them on the line and planted the bush green bean seeds.  Later after dinner I'll get the back yard mowed and then turn on the sprinkler. The tomatoes I planted the other day are looking a little droopy so it's time to get them watered.
Last year at this time we were vacationing in Arizona so I didn't get any planting done until we get home the middle of May.  It feels good to be ahead of the game this year.  


I'm looking forward to Tuesday movie day with my BFF's.....we're going to see 'The Lucky One.'  I've already read the book so I am anxious to see how the movie stacks up to the book.    

Wednesday I'm taking my grandson to lunch for his birthday....he was 21 on April 19th.  I started taking my grand-kids out for birthday lunch when they were about 4 years old.  I used to take Harrison to Seattle on Amtrak for lunch ~ I did that for  about 5 years until he decided trains weren't his favorite thing anymore.  His interest switched to planes when he was about 10. So we started making birthday trips to the Boeing Flight Museum in Seattle, the Olympia Flight Museum and the restaurant at the small airfield in Gig Harbor, WA.  I really love spending this time with just them alone......                                                




And Friday I'm looking forward to having lunch with two gals I've known since the 1980's.  After divorces we meet in the adult singles Sunday School class at Tacoma's Life Center Church...we've remained close friends since then. 


I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend and that only good things happen in your life in the coming week. 

Got Easter Eggs Left Over? My Grandmother's Escalloped Asparagus

2 lbs asparagus

12 soda crackers crumbled

4 or 5 hard boiled eggs

2 cups medium white sauce **

grated cheese

Butter casserole dish,  layer the ingredients, except white sauce  grated cheese.

After all ingredients are layered, pour on white sauce and then sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake about 25 mins at 325*



** medium white sauce- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, 2 tablespoons flour, dash of salt and 1 cup milk (evaporated milk makes a richer sauce) In a microwave able 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup; melt butter for 30 seconds, stir in flour and salt…blending to make a paste. Add milk gradually, stopping to stir mixture every few seconds. Cook for at least 1 minute , stir, cook another 1 ½ to 2 ½ minutes longer, stopping to stir every 30 seconds until mixture boils. Stir well after removing from microwave .

My Redeemer Lives - Nicole C Mullen

Have A Blessed Easter

"And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus and Salome had brought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him.

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the sepuluchre?

And when they looked, they saw that the great stone was rolled away.

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were frightened.

And he said unto them, Be not frightened, ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified? He is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him."

                                                                                            Mark 16: 1-6

HE IS RISEN~HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

"No More Night" By David Phelps

There's Something About That Name with Lost Lyrics

Steve Bridges as President Obama - August 2011

Snow Day in the Pacific Northwest

The weather people warned us...they said Wednesday would be the worst day.  We've had snow here since last Saturday afternoon...but today was the worst.  As I write this (Wednesday 4:20pm) it's still only 33 degrees, the wind is blowing and there's a mixture of freezing rain and snow coming down. None of the accumulation has melted today...it didn't get warm enough.  I've been out side to get wood for the wood stove and I treked out to the mailbox this afternoon but other than that....I've been housebound pretty much for the last couple days.  Hope you enjoy the pictures I was able to take today.

The bird bath is closed

Looking out the front window down the street.

My waterbed garden full of snow.

The Douglas Fir tree limbs heavy with wet snow. I can normally walk under the lower branches of this tree.

My 'stand-by' washing machine and Pink(ie) and Floyd aren't used to the snow.