Bonsai

A young student found good use for his toy soldiers and created a masterpiece.   Very creative and very patriotic.  

That sandman is a it again, how clever and how talented.  I tried making castles in the sand but

never could take credit for anything as artistic as this.   A bucket of sand and a little water but a few lumps and bumps was all I ever managed.    Some folks just have a creative streak that shines and some of us find it hard to fill the sand pail.

A Maple bonsai, gorgeous . . . not sure if I had this picture on with some other bonsai but it is worth a second peek.   I wouldn't mind having one of these in my apartment, how about you?

Hump Day is here. . . going to a workshop later today and make some button bracelets for the upcoming Pirate Luncheon.  It should be fun and I am hoping someone has  some clever ideas on some creative wrist decorations.   The ladies are very creative so it will be interesting to see what they come up with.   One of the ladies said she had a collection of buttons and would donate them to our cause, but. . .that proverbial but...she changed her mind and decided not to part with them....who could blame her as some must be as old as she is...so we will have to check out the local yardage store and see if they have any buttons we can work with.    Collections are a two way sword as you collect and store some one article or item you love and then put it away in a dark corner until the urge comes to take a peek at it and back it goes.    Doesn't make sense to collect and hide.    The trouble with collecting is that it becomes too much and loses its special meaning and quality.   it is best to choose wisely for both quality and quantity.    Too much of anything is never good for us.

I conned Christine into going out to have some Chinese last evening.  she ordered her usual special dish and I ordered what was actually fish and chips.   she laughed at that.    I really wasn't hungry but did enjoy sitting by the big windows overlooking the water, watching the boats and the ferry.    It is a lovely view and the water has such a calming effect.   There are times when one feels restless and the water view has a way of calming the spirit down.    It must be special to have a boat and take a trip out and sail on the calm waters.    The Ferry boat had come and gone so it was very quiet out there.   The sun was setting over the mountain range  and the clouds were making pictures to enjoy.   We stopped to visit with Patricia for a bit.  she has been having some M.S. bouts this past week and that is never good.   It slows her down so she doesn't feel like going out and about so we brought dinner to her.  She was both surprised and pleased.  We stayed to watch the news with her and Emma was in her glory getting all the petting and loving she could stand.    

I did read to Vinnie for a short while yesterday.  That Navy book is funny and the shenanigans of the incinerator boss and his crew are hilarious.    Vinnie is reliving some of his Navy time.   He is also suffering from ego problems as he has purchased two huge rings which are weighing him down and making his fingers swell.   Both are beautiful rings and must weigh heavy as they leave huge red welts on his fingers.  Vanity has a price.   I think some seniors are just plain lost and lonely and think 'things' will relieve the feeling of loneliness.   If they would If they would share time it would be much more beneficial but that doesn't seem to enter their minds.    At dinner time everyone sits at their favorite table and seem to be enjoying an exchange of words until the food cart comes.   They eat their lunch and get up and leave and do not stop to sit awhile and continue with their conversations.  They head for their rooms, close the door and hibernate until the next meal.    I left my door open a crack and got company....yeah for me.....Ron stopped in and stayed for awhile telling me all about the puzzles he does on his little pad, some very complicated and all very colorful.   My puzzle sits  and waits for a finish which I doubt will come about any time soon as each piece fits wherever you want to put it and it really doesn't belong so you pull out as many pieces a you put in.   I have never done a puzzle like this, very hard , a challenge and it is so slow in getting done.   

So, now that I have caught you up on events here, get up, get out and make your day bright and beautiful just like YOU.   do not forget you have a duty to be good and kind and generous today . . . make your today a sunshine day and share YOU with those you like and love.    A smile, a kiss, a hug . . . all the things needed for a 'good' day.....go and see how many you can share.   Don't be afraid to share YOU. . . there are folks just waiting .  I'll take a verbal hug anytime.  Hugs ot all.

Bonsai

A Hobbit House under the bonsai tree.   

A hundred year old Bonsai tree...what a beauty.

Ha, Ha,   a truism.

I wish I could grow a bonsai tree.  I tried but didn't get very far.  It takes know  how and patience.   There are some members of the Brookings Oregon Garden Club who do a fantastic job of growing the delightful and colorful tiny trees.   It was always interesting and fun to go and see the displays and marvel at the beauty and awesome displays.

I have been looking out the window, daydreaming, wondering what words I can put on the screen today.  I wonder if you take time to look out your window and watch the new day begin.  Right this minute the upper trees are motionless while the lower ones are moving just a little.  We had a hot day yesterday, up to 84 degrees and it doesn't cool down until the wee hours and then summer heat takes on a new day.    Right now it is day break and the sky is a murky blue, almost not color at all.    The workers are already parked and the familiar cars are out in the parking lot right there by my window.   Someone has a little yellow jeep which reminds me of both John and Michael .  John bought the jeep many years ago and traveled far in it, then Michael took it over and spent years remaking it like new and it is still going strong.   Every time I see this little yellow jeep I think of my sons.  I miss seeing them but I am lucky to be able to reach them by telephone and that is second best. Cross your fingers for us as granddaughter Erin may be coming for a July visit...we hope....it has been too long with her special hugs.  Sipping hot coffee, talking with you, a great way to start my day.

As for yesterday and the monthly meeting of do and do not do reminders of living in a senior apartment complex begets a nice cool Popsicle.   Tasted pretty good.    Karen, our manager, brought up a few minor infractions to be taken care of, especially those who keep things in their ovens and forget they have and light the oven....doesn't happen often but it has and she likes to remind us to be careful.  She was open to suggestions for future trips and she is looking for help with the newsletter she wants to put out.  All in all she had few complaints and that was good news.  Some of our seniors have never set foot in the local gallery so Christine is thinking of putting on a light luncheon and invite our seniors over for a look see.   Karen would have to bus them over and back, but it would be a good day trip for them, short and sweet with lots of good treats , especially the art work itself.  Some have never seen what our local artists can do.    Maybe it would help them to think about taking a class or starting a painting of their very own.   Something to think about.

The screen is jumping so it must mean I have gotten the best out of this old machine this morning.  I am out of words so I'll love you and leave you.    Be good, be kind, be gentle and treat others like you want to be treated.   Kindness goes a long way in making someone you like or love to react in a positive way today.   Think of what you can do to make that happen.    Be YOU...the kind, gentle person who has more than enough love to share with those you like and love.    Make 'my day' and make some one else have a 'my day' too.    You can do it.    Go be magnificent.   Hugs to all.

Hello

c

The beautiful Hydrangea with the softness of the color blue .  The old timers used to put nails in the soil and the color would change to deep purple.

I've gotten thrown out a couple of times so am not sure how far we will get this morning.   I am hoping this old relic will hold up awhile so I can save up for a new computer.   I'll have to go look around and see what is out there and how much they cost these days.    I only need a little one as I am not writing like I used to, most likely I've told all the tales I want to tell . . but. . one never knows, I might come up with a tale or two yet.

Christine and I went off yesterday, she to Bainbridge Island and me to the Keno machine at the casino.   I had fun but no win; almost...smile.    We had breakfast at the restaurant downstairs in the casino and it was crowded.  The food is good there and I ordered my biscuits and gravy.   One does need energy to push those buttons.

It was summer hot yesterday and it looks like it is going to be another one today.   I had the doors and windows open, the fan going and often wonder why it heats up after dark more so than in the afternoon.    It is strange weather here, or weather I am just no used to.    Right now it is still out there, not a sign of a leaf moving.   The early morning silence is peaceful.   

The start of a new week, wonder what is in store for us.    We had the meeting for the upcoming Pirate bash and have come up with the makings of the center pieces for the tables.   That means we will have a workshop this coming Wednesday and make some button bracelets.  One of our ladies is donating her collection of buttons.  I gather she collected buttons for years so it will be interesting to see them and pick and choose which ones to use.  Speaking of button bracelets reminds me of one of our adopted grandmothers who loved to be creative and one year she made button bracelets for her granddaughters and for my girls too.   They were just plain awful and the girls never wore them.   She clumped them together in all sizes and shapes so they were huge and ugly.   We would never hurt her feelings so the girls wore them when she came for a visit but otherwise they sat in the darkness of a drawer.   I wish I had one of them now as it may be just the right pattern for the ladies of today.  If you have some suggestions, feel free.

Have yourself a 'good' day;   a God day;   do some one wonderful deed that you will be proud of.   Help someone in need, help someone lost in a world of pain and suffering.    One magic thought from you, one hug, a peck on the cheek, a kind word. . .doesn't take much to make someone feel good knowing you care enough to give the best of YOU.     Be kind, be good, be a bumble bee today and buzz around, just be sure you keep your stinger where it belongs.    Make today a soft day and be a softie.   Hugs to all.

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Good Sunday Morning

Time for a Gab Session

I'm late this morning. I couldn't fire up the  borrowed computer for some time due to the fact it is a borrowed one I am not used to and find it hard to fire up when I don't know which button to push to get it going.   I finally found the right one and here I am but...not for long as I am going off with Christine this morning and try my luck at the casino for a short time.   It is a beautiful sunshine morning , much to nice to stay inside.  A twenty minute ride should break the spell, a lovely buffet breakfast at the casino, a few tries for a win . . .or not. . . and back home again.   Sunday is a lovely day for a ride.

What did I do yesterday?   I have to tell you it was a fun day as Christine had her friends stop in for a visit and it was great to be invited and listen in to the tales John and Robin had to tell .  John has just retired after years of 'trucking' and Robin hasn't decided to retire yet as she is helping some of the autistic children make their way in school.   Both are special people and fun to be with.  We went to the Light House and had breakfast as it was a fun raiser for one of the local charities.   They did a great job and the princesses were right on tap to serve.  Those young ladies work hard all year, they are not just pretty faces.  

We enjoyed the breakfast and the visit  then went on to a meeting at the Gallery to make plans for an upcoming luncheon with a pirate theme.   Ideas flowed and lists were made so Christine and I hit the dollar store and found some neat table decorations.   We found a 'salty' looking parrot for each table along with some colorful rocks and shells.   It will look great and we are looking forward to some fun and good eats as well.   The ladies at the Gallery, and a few of the gentlemen, work hard to make money for the Gallery.    They donate a lot of time which is precious.   We are going to have a work shop and make some  button bracelets as one of our ladies is donating her collection of buttons.  She tells us she has boxes of them.  I can hardly wait to get a look at them as she tells us they go back a long way.   I am looking forward to a busy work session and time with some delightful ladies.

So I am off to put my shoes on and go.....wish me luck....smile.     Have a day to brag about.   Take you love ones for a ride, visit a park or go for a walk in your local woods and enjoy nature at its best.   If you are lucky to live by the sea..ah....a walk on the beach frolicking  in the waves should change your disposition from sour to sweet in a hurry.  Go......be a mermaid today;  be a pirate....be YOU.   Hugs to all.

About Time

A truism.  I keep telling you we only get one second at a time so use them wisely.  What is that old adage..something to do with haste makes waste.    

This picture reminded me of being told I didn't have to jump of a cliff just because someone else did.  I gather following sometimes seems easier than leading but then we pay a price we are not always happy with.   

Friend Marge , in Brookings, has a lovely home filled with beauty and here is one of them, a fig tree.  I hope she will write and tell me all about it .  Will she have to transplant it a bit later.  How big does a fig tree get?

Our weekend has arrived.   I am going out to breakfast with my girls and meet up with some friends of Christine.   Two ladies are making plans for an upcoming event in August and are looking for ideas for a Pirate theme.   I think we have a few ideas in mind so will share our thoughts and get our act together to help make another successful event happen.    Half the fun is in plotting and planning.   Then we have a date to meet with John and Robin and have breakfast which will be fun.  John has just retired from his truck driving work and will have lots of tales to tell.   I wonder what he will do with himself now as he is not one to sit still.   It will be good to have him home and hopefully share more time with the two of them.  

Meanwhile I am walking around with a boo boo.  I had the cupboard door open, and it is at head level, reached up to get the coffee can from the top shelf, which is a dumb place for the coffee can  holding three pounds of coffee,  and  hit my forehead on the edge of the door creating a quarter size rainbow of color on my forehead.  Hey wait a minute.  I am going to go fill my cup with hot coffee and wake up...I'll be right back.

I'm back..ah!!!  One sip begets two. . . I opened the blinds to see a grey sky, a quiet parking lot and silence.  No wind this morning, not a leaf stirring.  The new shift is coming in for hospital duty this morning.  I can hear the closing of the car doors.   I don't know the car makes by name but some of them are new and the predominate color seems to be a navy blue. I have not seen a clunker yet so the pay scale may be good around here.    It has to be a very tough job though, and one has to be very dedicated to take on the responsibility of caring for the ill.  

I just got thrown out and found my way back.   I think I had better love you and leave you and go get ready for my adventure out this morning.  I didn't have a lot of words for you this morning.  Some days I am 'in' and that begets down time so there is nothing special to talk about.    The 'inmates' are quiet and pretty much stay to themselves and don't seem to want to share themselves with others.   Most find napping to their pleasure;  some join in a bingo or card game;  some are reading a good book and can't get back to it fast enough.    Most would like to be elsewhere sharing time with those they love, and they do when they can.    My neighbor, Evelyn, is gone until Sunday as she took off for Spokane, Washington and a visit to her brother whom she has not seen in a year or so.   She will have tales to tell at the dinner table when she returns.   Meanwhile, I am off to put my shoes on and get going for my outing.   It should be fun.

So today, find some place to go for an outing.  Take a friend or family member along and pack your smiles along with you.   Treat yourself to lunch out and choose a restaurant that has your most favorite foods.    A bit of Mexican?  A bit of Chinese?  Maybe a big fat juicy hamburger or a hot dog with relish and tasty onions.   Only you can choose your favorite lunch, so do it and enjoy every morsel.    Just enjoy your favorite 'things' and relax and enjoy your seconds.  Just remember food is your fuel and that is what feeds the brain and gives you the best ideas of what to do with your seconds today.    Fill them with love and laughter and have a ball.   Don't forget to be good, be kind, be gentle and spread those hugs around.  Hugs to all.

Three o' clock

A good idea and while you are at it, count your blessings.  Here it is three a.m. and I'm wide awake. . I'd go out on the balcony and count the stars but I might wake others up so I'll be good and wake you up instead...like I could....well I wont awaken you but I'll blog and think of you.

A truism.,....wow.....never thought about our food being a cause to end our lives when the truth of the matter is that we need the nourishment to keep our bodies going....well, not as much as we shovel in;  we could be a little less greedy and take good care of our bodies which , in turn, takes good care of us.

The lovely chrysanthemum  of peaches and creme colors;  how lovely.   

So I woke up at two thirty and thought I'd roll over and go back to sleep but my body seems to think it is time to get up.  No use fighting it, might as well do something than toss and turn so here I am.  I wont stay up, I'll go nap in my chair.  All I have to do is turn the TV on and hunker down in my chair and I'll be back to sleep in no time.   But, seeing I am awake right now I might as well put the brain to work and blog.  I can't think of another thing I'd rather do right now than visit with all of you.  I know, you are asleep, dreaming good dreams and without a care in the world but just think you will wake up to my usual gibberish and smile.

Vinnie was  a no show again yesterday so I called Pat and she picked me up and we went to the dollar store...Ah, big spenders.   I wasn't looking for anything special, just looking and I manage to find a few things to my liking.  I replenished my pink and white peppermints, a good treat to have on hand when you don't want to fill up on fattening candy or deserts.  A small mint melting in your mouth takes care of the desire for something sweet.  It works, try it.   I did buy a yellow jonquil flower with a lovely butterfly for my vase I picked up at the thrift store.  It's a little beauty and sits on my kitchen counter making a little dull spot shine.   It doesn't take much to brighten your abode, a few pictures you love, flowers make a room come alive, even the artificial ones.   So I have yellow jonquils with a colorful butterfly. My picture with the three kittens ready to pounce on that little green frog makes me smile.   Speaking of pictures, I had one that Christine gave me years ago and it hung on my wall for a long time.  It was a picture of a lady standing by a nickel machine and it looked more like my friend Gerry so I sent it on to her favorite niece who has it hanging in her living room and loves it.   I met the artist yesterday and she was happy to hear her painting is being enjoyed.  Christine and I went to Moon Doggie II for the steak special and I was delighted to find it just the right size and so tender.  It had been some time since I had a steak.    I had spent the afternoon with Pat watching the new episodes of "Cedar Cove" a series from our local writer, Debbie MaComber, who writes about folks in Port Orchard;  none we know of course....smile.  Daughter Patricia is so good about inviting me to see special shows she pulls up on Netflick.    I was surprised last evening to find one of the series on regular television so got to see part of the new season of "The Last Ship".   

So here it is a new day about to dawn, but not for awhile yet.    Sleep in, enjoy your snooze, and do have dreams to make your heart sing.   I am tempted to go put the coffee pot on, but if I do I would probably not go back to sleep.   So, I am off to read and hope that sends me back on the road to sleep.  Three twelve a.m. is not the time to start ones day.    So when you do wake up, plan to make your day special, like you.   Take a ride to the dollar store and see what you cannot do without.   Stop at a thrift store and see if you can find a treasure.   While you are at it, find a spot to have lunch out and treat yourself to something you haven't had in a long time.   A banana split comes to mind, or a hot fudge sundae.  How about a hot dog with all the trimmings . . whatever makes you happy.  Just remember to be good, be kind, be gentle and do some one thing that gives you a sense of pride in yourself.   Be a good neighbor.   Be a good friend.   Be a good YOU.  Hugs to all.

Clouds

The lenticular clouds of Nevada.    These clouds are mostly seen in Nevada skies and remind me of space ships.  It was always fun to watch them float bye, sometimes alone, sometimes in rows.  Your imagination would take off and you could fly to outer space in the blink of an eye.

It is Thursday today, all day, sometimes it is hard to remember just what day it is.   Throw in a holiday and the calendar disappears from the brain cells.  Hitting the nineties era is interesting and sometimes foreboding as we 'elders' have to go around the brain a couple of times to get 'it' right..  One thing is that we are in good company as our table mates do not know what day it is either.    We do know that twice  a month , on a Wednesday, the rickety bus comes to take those who are interested in a ride somewhere.  It could be a ride to an area we haven't been to, a shopping mall, or better still a museum where we can  enjoy the history of another time.   I like the Navy museum , and I think  the puppet museum came next as it was very interesting.  I am looking forward to another ride out and a stop for lunch out with the ladies.

Someone is out  in the parking lot beeping their horn, a no-no, as the drapes are not even drawn at this time of the morning.

I gather someone is not awake yet and leaned on their horn.    Right now there is silence, the sky is grey and the trees are still.  We had rain in the night.  I didn't hear it.   One of our ladies was telling me that someone has been knocking on doors in the middle of the night.  I haven't heard any knocks.  She may be dreaming or one of our men folk is having signs of Alzheimer so may be confusing day with night hours. I am not a heavy sleeper so am glad to report no one is knocking on my door in the wee hours.   I don't know if that would be considered lucky at this age or not...smile....  My sister-in-law used to tell tales of a male who knocked on doors hoping for a bit of romance in the wee hours but those in the know put a stop to that idea in a hurry.    So far, our gentlemen callers have chosen the afternoon hours to visit and then the door is wide open.   I think most just want and need a touch of the hand, a peck on the cheek, a little attention to brighten their lonely days.   You might give some thought to visiting a shut in and make their day a bit brighter.   Some folks have no family and their friends have all gone on before them.   Everyone trudges along the time line and one day may find themselves in the same spot, so remember that what goes around comes around.  Giving of yourself for a short time each month could be the difference of happiness or sadness for a shut in.  

I have a very old paper back "Now Hear This" by Daniel  Rear Admiral USN (ret.) which came out in 1966, which is the new book to read to Vinnie.    He is an old 'tar' from way back and he is already laughing out loud at some of the shenanigans of the crew.  .If you get a chance to pick up a copy in a used book store, do, it is hilarious.   I started a Patterson book which should keep me awake;  murder and mayhem and I just started the book. Patterson is a great writer so I am sure I will have some 'awake'  hours after a good read.    That knocking on the door the ladies are talking about might just have me hiding under my covers.   Ah, what a good mystery does for the phys e..

So today make plans to visit a shut in.   Give a little of you, your sense of humor, your sense of love and laughter, your sense of sharing and caring.  We need folks just like you in our lives.  I sure am glad you are in mine.   We are going to share some time with some old friends of Christine tonight and meet them at Moon Doggies for one of their specials.   It will be fun to see John and Robin and share some laughs and hear all about their travels.    I may have a tale or two to tell.   Moon Doggies II is the local bar on the main street where everyone goes.   The folks that work there meet and greet you like you are a long lost relative and make sure you have that nice tall special beer of the day.   I don't drink beer, don't like the taste of it,but, there is nothing wrong with their hot coffee.   It is always fun to go there and I am looking forward to that special steak and baked potato.  Wish you were here to join us.   You will have to call a friend or two and make plans in your area....go, make a date and enjoy yourselves to  a bit of revelry and good food.   Share YOU with those you love and like.   Make your day bright and beautiful, just like you.   Hugs to all.