Travel

                                         
                                          Rothenberg, Germany.    

I visited this town many years ago when I was out and about seeing some new places and faces.    A lovely town in Germany with huge stores that carried the wonderful nutcrackers and steins.   It is called the gateway to the sea and has a wonderful department store where I met a German lady who had smiling eyes and wanted to have a conversation.  She didn't speak English, I didn't speak German but we managed to get our point across.    The house in the center of the picture looks like the one in the Fairy Tale puzzle on the table.   I wonder if there is a Fairy Tale connected to it.  The bell tower with the clock is often photographed.  It has been many years since I was there;  wonder what it is like today.   I'd like to go and find out....smile.

I am off to the Gallery today and finish up some of the inventory job I have been working on.    There are so many items to check off and sometimes it is a mystery as to what happened to a picture or an object of art which could have been sold and not marked in the book; or, the artist could have reclaimed it and didn't mark the book.   It is a case of to many hands in the pot and some forget to follow up which makes taking inventory a bigger job than it should be.   I could call it a mystery project, and it gives me something to do.   Big doings coming up as the new artist is having her first show at the gallery and Louis is going to be doing his one man train show at the local theater.   He does a great job and I hope it is successful. He worked on the trains for years and tells all about the trip from Chicago to the west coast and tells about all of the highlights along the route.   He is quite an actor and does a great job.   I'd buy you a ticket if you were here.

So today, find places to go and things to do.   Keep active.   Keep smiling.  Keep good thoughts running through your head.    Make your weekend a banner one and enjoy it.    Be good, be kind, be gentle and take time out to 'make merry' and enjoy yourself.   All work and no play....you know what that does .....so play a little and have fun.  Hugs to all.

Gone Fishing

Jock and daughter Darcy went fishing and SHE caught the big one...way to go Darcy.  It is okay Jock, your day will come....smile......

The week is ending.  It has been a busy one.    The weather has been perfect, cool,  sprinkling at times and the trees are turning into magic colors.   We have several all yellow ones in the middle island of the highway which remind me of Nevada and the aspen trees.    School has started and the children are using the street flags when crossing over the highway.    Those flags get quite a workout once school opens up.   I walked up to the corner yesterday and picked up a few colorful leaves.  I have put them in a book hoping to press them for an upcoming project.   It was a quiet day here at Ridgemont.   One of our ladies is going to leave us at the end of this month.  She will be moving to Arizona where she has a daughter.  She lives in high hope that the warmer Arizona weather will help her with the arthritis which cripples her.   Change occurs frequently around here with some disappearing and no word to some moving in and we have yet to meet them.    I am always amazed when I hear someone has moved out without so much as a goodbye.    I assume those who share a table at lunch time know the person is making a change but for the most part nothing is said.  I find that odd.   I often sat with this lady at lunch time and not a word was said about a move. . . hearing through the 'grape vine' seems to be the law of the land around here.   I would think it would be more in tune with friendship to share the news both good and bad so we at least had the opportunity to say goodbye.   Strange and odd.    Doesn't make sense to me.  Maybe there are some unwritten rules I have not heard about.    

So today, if you decide to make some life changes, don't be afraid to share your news.  Some one thinks you are pretty special and they like having you in their life.   Share YOU with those you love and like.    Be a kind and generous person with your time.    Make your today shine with friendship, love and laughter and make your world and theirs a much brighter and better place.    A little love goes a long way.   And hugs give you a feeling of self worth.    Hugs to all.

Good Morning

It deserves and commands respect.

Yesterday, I finally got to a mall.   Silverdale.   Nice ring to it and all of the big stores sitting there waiting for customers.     Macys, Kohls, J.C. Penny, and a huge Target. . . real big stores. ... and filled with all kinds of merchandise and it was on sale...well, not the kind of sale I wanted and needed but the first mark down and from the original seventy dollar tags to half price the merchandise is still staying right there until they become reasonable.    I went through racks of stuff and it is still sitting there.   I did find one new top at a price I would pay as it was on a rack that was the final mark down and worth the sale price.   The good we are now sold have no quality.   The imported merchandise should be packed up and sent back to where ever the experts thought was a good bargain.  It is so cheap, such poor quality and priced at a kings ransom.    Being a depression baby, I find it outrageous that the merchants have so little regard for themselves, never mind us, that they would think to display it.    All I can say is that I am thankful for the old clothes I bought that held up and still going strong.   Solo slacks, were care free and reasonable, now they are quadruple the price if you can find them.   I wonder if I'm too old to learn how to sew!!

Enough griping, the day was a good one.  Started off with breakfast out at "One Place" and they serve lots of it, tasty and hot and delicious.   The ride over to Silverdale was without incident and the traffic was not too bad for and early start.    We found Target open so spent some time browsing and walking the aisles, getting in the morning walk.   Before the day was over I must have walked several miles and when I got home my feet reminded me of just how many I did walk.    I should have looked for a foot bath set up and made use of it.    I am just getting too old for this walking for hours, I am down to minutes these days.    All I can tell you is to really truly be kind to your feet so they will continue to chauffeur you places.    It was a treat to go to a mall but I found out I just do not have the stamina anymore.   Maybe if I had taken the walker instead of the cane it would have made a big difference.   I am sure it would have so maybe I'll try that next time if I am ever invited again.  I think Pat heard enough belly aching about distances that she had ever heard before.   And it wasn't the distance between stores, but the distance between the walk to find the 'big' ladies clothing.  Wonder why they hide it as far away as they can.    So you know when I got back to the apartment I sat in my chair and napped...ah....no shoes.....

So today I am not planning any walking, but a lot of reading and I may hunt for a puzzle piece or two.     A 'down' day, a rest day . . .unless I get an invitation....smile.

Take yourself out on a shopping spree and check out the sales.    Just pace yourself and be kind to your feet.    Be good, be kind, be gentle.   Buy a couple of treats for someone you like and love.   Good luck, have fun and smile at strangers and watch the response.   Hugs to all.

Cartoon Advice

how smart we have become...smile.

I would like a bundle to do with what I'd like to do before I go on to greener pastures.

We get to do this often and it is fun...try it, you will like it.

Cartoons make our world go around and makes us smile instead of frown.    A sense of humor is always at the ready and makes us feel uplifted rather than bogged down.    I had my records on yesterday as I puzzled and put my feet up after my walk to the corner and back.   It was quiet here at Ridgemont and no visitors.   I had a tea party all by myself.   

Today, I am off to shop at a real mall over in one of the towns a few miles away.    Pat needs shoes and I need sweat shirts so we have a purpose in mind.   We will shop after we have a breakfast out, a chance to have biscuits and gravy...yum.... I'll be ready.  

So know that I wish you a very special day.  I hope you have lots to do, friends to share time with and maybe go out shopping for yourself.    Be good, be kind, be gentle and share YOU with those you like and love.

I'm off...well you already know that....I will be back.   Make your today special, just like you.  Hugs to all.

Fall

Thank you who posted Fall colors on Facebook yesterday.   I copied a few to use on my blog and wish I had dozens more.   John sent one from Delaware of Hurricane Hemine  keeping the gulls hunkered down in a big circle at the edge of the river, but I couldn't get it to come up on the blog.    He said it wasn't much of a hurricane and was thankful.  It is the start of the hurricane season so let us hope that they are all as gentle.  Here in Port Orchard, my daughters were having a quiet rest day from all the work they did over the weekend.    It is great to be involved in all the activities but one does pay a price from all that standing for hours.  The knees have a way of paying one back for abuse. . . smile.    They finally admitted to being tired out and are smart enough to know when to rest.  Here at Ridgemont it was very quiet.   I read to Vinnie.  We have a detective story going for a change.  It is much like the Tom Selleck show on television and I am having trouble reading some of the dialog.  The mind doesn't work fast enough to fill in a word or two so it takes a lot of effort to come up with another word to continue reading.   Some authors are quite explicit..smile.

The new tenant Hugh was moving in and missed lunch time.  I was suppose to introduce him to the 'works' around here but no one mentioned when he was moving in.  I gather he decided on his own to just make his move so he didn't get the attention intended.   I think he forgot to tell the girls his moving in date.   He had a helper so I am sure he will settle in fine.    Moving is never fun.

How fast the weather changes.  This morning the workers are all bundled up in their jackets and walking quickly to the building.    It must be cold out there although the heat has not kicked on in here.    How fast our seasons change.  We still have Indian Summer to come up so don't rush for the heavy outer wear too soon.    I am hoping for a ride to the beach area before the season changes completely.   Granddaughter Erin is due in for a visit soon.   I can hardly wait to see her, it has been much too long.   Hopefully we will plan a trip or two around the area and show her some of the sights.   She is a photographer so maybe I'll have some good shots to share with all of you.

So, off I go,   be good, be gentle, be a sweetheart today.  Make some one person you like feel a little love today.    It is easy to love those who are lovable but the trick is to share a little love with those who are more like prickly pears.  It is always a challenge and you are just the one who can pick it up and run with it.    Hug a 'bear' and make that one person hug you back...not easy, but catch them off guard.  Those arms come up so fast they will surprise you and I bet themselves as well.   I cannot think of anyone who does not loved to be hugged . .  oh , a few may say so but you know they really do not mean it....lift up those arms and watch what happens.   Be good, be kind, be gentle and stretch those lips into a welcoming smile.   Hugs to all.

Driftwood

 Driftwood

The annual Taste of Port Orchard was well attended.  The music was great, toe tapping , hard not to bounce along with the beat of the music .  The booths were up, the contests were on and we hit the chowder booth first.   We voted for Moon Doggies chowder , it was delicious.    They call it clam chowder around here but it is a mix, not the old New England style but one filled with all kinds of extra goodies.   Each one was delicious but Moon Doggie had less 'stuff' in it but a lot more true chowder flavor.   Christine and  Bobbi manned the booth that sold the tickets to turn into food.    King Louie was in the tent next to them and had all his train pictures displayed.  Some folks displayed the jewelry they made and one lady had furniture made out of driftwood.  She did an excellent job of it.   The benches looked steady and strong and the driftwood looked ancient and beautiful.    The weather was perfect, the folks seem to be enjoying meeting and greeting new and old friends.    

I spent time watching the reruns of "Downtown Abby" which was on for the entire weekend.  Some I had seen before and some I had not so it was fun to follow the story line again.   Masterpiece Theater does a great job .   So I got my walking in at the 'fair' and my sitting in front of the TV when I got back home.    A nice weekend.

Pat and I did ride down to Manchester, one of our favorite rides.   We stopped and bought a soft ice cream cone which was very tasty and one I had not had in a very long time.    All in all the weekend flew bye and now we are off to a new week.    Wonder what this one will hold.   We crammed a lot into a weekend and now a new week has begun as well as a new month.   September.   It has a nice ring to it.    

I hope your September weekend was filled with happy faces and good places to go.   I know you will be raking leaves and enjoying the change of weather.   Fall is beautiful no matter how many leaves you have to rake.   Make the pile big and jump into it....have a bit of fun along with a workout.    Make a bouquet of leaves for the table and bring some Fall color inside.    Get up, get out and enjoy the change of season and all that it brings along with it.    Beautiful, colorful wonderful days of Fall . . enjoy each one as it comes.   Hugs to all.

Sunday Rain

A few rain showers are always welcome.

The lovely Merriam Petracelli celebrated a birthday this past week.  Happy Birthday!!!  You are looking spectacular.  Love that smile.  

Here it is Sunday all over again.   The week flew bye.    A few favorite outings, a few up days and a few down days but that is the way life goes.    I was in and out many times for fun and games.   I did attend a couple of yard sales and found a few of the 'little' knick knacks for the upcoming terrarium meeting at the Gallery.   It isn't until October and we have filled our quota so now we wait to have the fun of putting one together and watch what the other folks will do.   Wish you were closer so you could join us.  Maybe you can go out and pick up a few things and make one of your own right there at home.  Those little air plants are good to use.   I think a tiny cactus garden would be just right.   

Today is "Taste of Port Orchard" day and the festivities will be at the water front.   The cooks will make their special chowder and other delicacies for the tasting booths.    Last year I had some chowder that was excellent and I think the winner.   Christine is manning a booth this year, passing out information for the Gallery and hoping to direct more folks up to see the local artists talent.  We have many talented artist work hanging on the walls.  Pat is picking me up and we will walk around and  then give Christine a chance to walk around and have a taste or two of her favorite venders.  I think it really is a chowder competition as I do not remember any other foods from last year.   Jock was here with us and he stood in line to get chowder for us.   Wish he were here with us today, but he is out doing one of his most favorite things in life...fishing.  Hope he catches another big one, the one he caught last trip out was huge.

So today, Sunday all day, do something you love to do.  Take in a good movie.   Read a book.  Relax and make sure you use your Sunday as a day of rest.   Save the work for the weekdays.   If you are bored, call a friend and make a plan for the day.    The ladies here have been making all kinds of jellies and jams for the holiday sales.   I have an open jar in my refrigerator and I can attest to the fact that it is really tasty.    So off to the tasting fair and a walk along the waters edge.   Make your today a good one by doing the things you love to do best.    Be good, be kind, be gentle and share a hug or two with those you like and love.    Hugs to all.