Fruits of Obsession

Of course... I've been playing with my new toy. I actually think I may have found what I want to do in life when I grow up. I'm going to play with photos and make all kinds of interesting pictures.





The cool thing is... I AM grown up and I can do this anytime I want. I just have to figure out how.

I played with this picture of I-Needa's yard near her front door. I've added a mushroom and a frog that I-Needa painted. I had SUCH fun!! I did this as a little follow-up to a tutorial I took on the software. I will admit that I went into a tad more (but not much) explanation on my craft site.

I've just always wondered how they do that: manipulate pictures and put them together. Much of the mystery is now made clear. Yea! I intend to do this A LOT!

Ah, Dinner

I headed out to my weed infested garden this evening and picked more of those little tomato wannabes. I also found my first zucchini hiding under the leaves. It had gotten to be a good size, and I only hoped that it would be good. That giant size yellow crooked neck squash was horrid to eat. The perfect gardener had gotten to it too late, and it was mostly thick bumpy lumpy stuff.
I really hoped that my zucchini did a bit better in the good eating department.




I do love to stir fry fresh garden vegetables, which is one reason I was looking forward to those big juicy tomatoes. I would slice them and eat them, or I would put them in my stir fry.

Be honest, have you ever seen a recipe that told you to get fifty grape size tomatoes and slice them?? I don't think so....

Well, I did just that. I sliced the zucchini and those wannabe tomatoes, and put them in a skillet with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. I later added corn.

When all was said and done, I put it on my plate. See the corn! By the way, that meat is ground turkey that I cooked with salt and pepper. It is sooooo good for you.

I have to confess that I'm in diet mode again. It is a curse, I'm sure. You can see that I was good for this meal. It is all very healthy, including those diet baby carrots. I couldn't have big carrots on my plate showing up the tiny tomatoes.




Just to show you how REALLY good I am, I'm telling you that the plate with food is my salad plate. Oh, I'm sooooo good. That was a diet tip used by Weight Watchers. Putting one's meal on a smaller plate is a good thing. I'm so gooooood. At least I was for this meal.

I've got to go check the freezer to see if I have the makings for a double chocolate marshmallow nut fudge sundae. You are NOT getting a picture of that. Actually, that is just a dream. I don't have any of that on hand. Sigh.

My New Hobby (Obsession)

I-Needa left from her fabulous high school reunion weekend. We were both up and around early to try to beat the heat of the day. Triple digits aren't friendly.

I confessed previously about my new obsession. I-Needa had barely left the house when I was on my way in the opposite direction to Nearby City to make my way to Staples. I HAD to have this new photo scanner, and I HAD to have it NOW!

I've waited several days to go get it, and that is as long as I could wait. I hurried home and installed the software and put it all together. I LOVE it!

Here is the little dear sitting in the only space I could find for it. It is dust free, all new, and just wanting to be loved. I put it to a test immediately and could really tell the difference between the photos from this Epson Perfection V500 Photo scanner and my HP all-in-one.

The icing on the cake was getting Adobe Photo Shop Elements bundled with it. I get to PLAY!

Of course, it is going to take me awhile to learn how to use the Photo Shop Elements, but I'm working and reading, and I'll do it. Yes, I will...I will...I will.

I think it will be safe to say that I'm going to have a project to keep me inside during the hot weather, and I'm going to exercise my brain cells by learning something new. What fun for me!

Critter Sitter

Since I-Needa is Gigi's person, I've not had to pay much attention to to the little critter. Don't misunderstand me, I really like this little being with the white hair and one black eye. She is a sweetie.

I-Needa has perhaps spoiled Gigi in some ways that a normal pooch owner wouldn't do. However, I'm not sure Gigi is a normal dog. She has her idiosyncrasies that seem to set her apart from others I've known in the canine world. She has her own method for doing.... everything.


Last night I became the critter sitter when I-Needa exited the building to head for her high school class reunion party. For the next few hours, Gigi would wait expectantly for her person to return, and I would be stared at, ignored, and taken on a few potty walks. I would also become the one who tried to coax Gigi into her evening meal.

I-Needa has explained to me before that if Gigi doesn't eat her dinner, she then is hungry and wants grass. I-Needa seems to think that somewhere in Gigi's head is a little message that she needs to eat grass because she doesn't feel well, when all she needs is her dinner. I-Needa has also complained that Gigi's tummy rumbles loudly and keeps her awake if Gigi doesn't eat.

I remembered this little tidbit of information as Gigi's bowl of food sat untouched. Then I heard the first of the rumbling tummy. It became louder and louder. I understood now that such a sustained noise could keep all of us awake. I did everything I could to coax this little pooch into a bowl of nice fresh kibble. Nope.... having nothing to do with it.

Finally, I could stand it no more. So at 11:27 p.m., I retrieved the bowl, got down on all fours, and began coaxing her once again with three little pieces of food. I put it on the carpet for her to sniff. That didn't help much. Then I put it in the palm of my hand. She sniffed some more and finally finally took a little nibble. I kept adding food in my hand, and she kept eating. I'd try to offer the bowl, but she would shy away from that. I had no choice but to remain on my knees and forearms feeding dinner to the pooch. I wasn't too sure who was getting the better of whom.

I'm glad to say that the food was consumed and the rumbling stopped immediately. Thank goodness! I turned out my bedroom light and decided to try to sleep. Gigi disappeared, and I knew she would be lying by the back door waiting for I-Needa. I did feel a tad sorry for her as she had such a woebegone look about her.

I got out of the bed... again... and brought Gigi back with me. So she sat by the side of my bed awhile and looked at me, and looked at me. Finally I got her to lay down awhile. Of course, being the critter sitter, I had a hard time going to sleep. Really, I didn't go to sleep.

I-Needa at last arrived home and all was well with the pooch. I thought I'd done fairly well with my critter sitter duties. I'd taken Gigi for two piddle walks, hand fed her dinner, and she wasn't really any the worse for wear.

I-Needa told me this morning that many of her classmates had left parents throughout the city with similar sitting jobs. One lucky mom was sitting with two kids, two dogs, and four ferrets. Oh, my!! I'm glad I'm not that mom!

I don't know why, but Gigi had to go outside last night for another piddle run. I heard I-Needa taking her in the wee hours of the morning. This, in spite of my proud feeling earlier that all was going to be well in this department.

If my critter skills were lacking in any way, I'm going to have an opportunity to make up for it. Tonight I'm going to critter sit again as I-Needa is off to another party. I'm going to tell myself how blessed I am not to be the sitter of the kids, dogs, and ferrets.

Obsession Confession

Here I am with no picture to post. I believe that is suppose to be a number one sin in the blogging world. So, I beg your forgiveness!

I'm obsessed.... really. I hate it when I do that, but I get obsessed and fixated and it takes over my life. My current obsession is one that has been sneaking up on me for awhile. It grew out of a desire to do something with the boxes of old family photos.

A few years ago, I got into the photos at Mother's house and had her help identify them. Most of them she knew, some she didn't. I also listened to and later wrote down many stories of the family. Mother is the last of her immediate family, and I knew that when she is no longer with us, the stories would be lost.

There is something about family that needs to be preserved for future generations. It speaks to roots or something like that.

So, here I am with the obsession thing again. I've tried to scan photos with my current equipment, but I was less than pleased with the results. I just want more, and I want to be able to do more with the photos once they are scanned.

Without getting too technical here and putting you soundly to sleep, I will say only that my quest has been somewhat frustrating as I just don't have the background in what I want to do, and I couldn't figure out how to achieve the results I want.

Finally, I addressed a question to I-Needa's friend, T, who actually knows what he is doing with graphic design, photos, and using all that state of the art equipment. T graciously answered my questions and gave me advice. Thank goodness! Thank you, T!!

Now I am on a quest to purchase a dedicated photo scanner. I have it all picked out and am going to get it ASAP... There isn't going to be much patience in waiting for me. I'm heading to the store at the first possible opportunity and will be throughly immersed in this new time consuming little project. I can't wait....I have no self control when I get a bee in my bonnet or an idea in my head.... and that may be my obsession confession.

Precious Pooch

This precious thing didn't come from my garden. This is Gigi, I-Needa's little pooch. Gigi found I-Needa one year and five months ago, and she has kept I-Needa on her leash ever since. I-Needa says that Gigi seems to be in charge of their relationship and will probably keep things that way.

Gigi brought I-Needa for a visit this week. We are having a good time, and Gigi wanted to pose a bit this morning to get her picture in the blog. Gigi complained that I-Needa is getting too much attention with her pictures on the blog, and she wants equal time.

Therefore, you may feast your eyes upon the pooch, our good friend, Gigi. Who knows, there may be more tomorrow. Until then, I must get with the responsibilities of having a guest and go fry some bacon and fix some breakfast. The smells of food will soon be wafting throughout the house, and that will be good.

Squorn

Which of these things is not like the other? Which of these things just doesn't belong? Sing it with Sesame Street... can you hear the tune?

Well.... I went outside to gather a few of those teeny tiny tomato wannabe thingies from my garden. I happened to look under those great big leaf thingies and look what I found! Squorn!

Actually, I-Needa named this funny looking garden creature. I'm not really sure what it is. I actually planted yellow crooked neck squash. Well... I don't believe I've ever had yellow squash that is all bumpy and lumpy. But... here it is!! It does look a little like corn on squash. So, Squorn it is. Let's just call it a strange garden oddity of nature.

Summertime And The Living Is Easy

I don't THINK so! I remember the words to that song. I beg to refute any statement of living being easy in the summertime. I'm HOT!!... and I'm in the air-conditioning. Of course, I'm also working on the computer. They tend to create a heat of their own. Also, I'm in the kitchen. Even without the stove on, I'm still thinking it is hot.

It really isn't hot compared to outside. My Indoor/Outdoor thermometer says it is 103.2 degrees, and it isn't the hottest part of the day yet. I-Needa just e-mailed a 110 degree report from her I/O... with an added note... Melting! Mercy!

I really don't know what we did before air-conditioning. I'm spoiled to that now and just wouldn't be able to survive without it. Or at least I don't think I could survive.

I remember being a child before we had air-conditioning. We got all the household chores and running around done in the morning. In the afternoon, we headed to the basement and did something quietly there. My father had a workshop for his hobbies there, and I could always find something to do. If nothing else, I could read.

I remember water coolers too. They were slightly helpful, but not like an air-conditioner. I really am grateful for the convenience of cooled air being forced into my home.

I'm also grateful for the new windows that I had installed about a year ago. They are great and do help with insulation. Before I had them installed, on the very hottest days of summer I'd pull down the blackout blinds and live in the dark. It helped keep the house cooler. Now I have light and don't feel like a cave dweller. It is much better for my general attitude.

I had a note from my cousin who lives around Seattle. She said it was in the 60's and overcast. She dreaded... (Can you imagine that?) getting out at noon, but had to go somewhere. Poor dear. I'd take those sixties right now if we could trade.

I hope you are staying cool, and perhaps you really do think that summertime is an easy living time. If so... you hang on to that thought.

You've Got To Be Kidding

Some time ago I posted this picture. I had high hopes that these four little bitty tomato plants would yield some big beefy tomatoes. My taste buds were living in expectation, and I could almost see beautiful juicy red tomatoes lying on my plate.

I planted and watered and they began to grow. Then I noticed that flowers were blooming and even some tomatoes were forming.


I then realized that in my limited tomato growing experience, I don't recall having ten or twelve tomatoes to a stem.

Well... this is what I got. You've got to be kidding! These are NOT my big beefy tomatoes. These are barely a good grape size. These teeny tiny things are growing on all of my tomato plants.

You've got to understand. I had plans... big plans.
I hoped to have enough to use a dehydrator, or at least be able to put some in the freezer for soup next fall. I saw visions of fried green tomatoes.

Well, it is too late now, and I guess I'll just have to chalk this experience up to a lesson learned. Next year, if I decide to do this again, I'll pick even more carefully through the tomato plants and double check all the picks to see that I really get those nice big fat juicy tomatoes. In the meantime, I'm going to try not to whine. I have been eating a few with my meals, so I can't say that I don't have any tomatoes. Hopefully, by the end of the growing season, I'll feel a little more kindly toward these little tomato want-to-bes.

Doings on a Sunday Morning

It's Sunday morning, and I'm doing what I always do. I get ready to go to Sunday school. It is something I enjoy, and I really want to be there. I need to learn. It is just a desperate need within that carries into all areas of life. Learning is part of living, and I want to live.

I really must go to Sunday school as well as church. You see, I know myself too well, and I know that I need the responsibility of getting there. You see... I'm the teacher. Actually, I tell them that I'm not the teacher. I'm the facilitator. I'm almost the youngest one in the class, and the class is mostly made of people who have spent their life in the Word. Really, I'm not the teacher.

That doesn't mean that I don't study. I feel I must take some pre-thunk thoughts, as I call them, along with me. So... I read and look up the Scriptures in my resources, and look online at a few places where I've found some excellent resources. Then I march off to church to be the facilitator at Sunday school. Actually, I'm depending on the Spirit to do the leading, and it seems to be going well.

I did manage to post a card on my crafting blog this morning. I worked on it last minute last night and just had to share early this morning.

I hope all of you who have ventured here today will have a blessed day. Enjoy living and all those around you.

Clouds

I am going to confess that sometimes I just have to sit awhile and wonder what on earth I'm going to put in my blog. The blog jar gets almost empty, and there just doesn't seem to be anything calling.

I was sitting here in such a state and looking through iPhotos on my computer. I saw this cloud picture that I took on our Michigan trip. I was attracted to the clear blue of the sky and the fluffy clouds. Actually, I think I see a duck in there with a really large bill. I've found a hedgehog lying on his back, and who knows what else is in there. It reminded me of other times that I just sat awhile and tried to see what I could find in the clouds. Now, that's entertainment!



Then I remembered this picture that I-Needa sent me. She was at my house while I was away on our Michigan trip. She was here to visit her grandmother and have a bit of one on one time with her.

These had some wonderful light playing through them and nice color in the sky. She took them from my front porch.




This I took on Mackinac Island looking across the water. Lovely, really. I had stepped out by a large arch formation and thought this was very pretty. I don't have anything like this to look at out my back door. Again, the light and color seemed like a heavenly painting.








As we were zipping down the highway, I caught sight of these. This time it was light, color, and the fact that there are several types of clouds here. Okay, I can't seem to remember all the names of these clouds without running to some reference material. Right Back would know, but he isn't here. He is at his own house, and I don't think I should call him and ask him about cloud names. He had spotter training, and he sometimes just looks at me strangely when I mention something about beautiful clouds. He probably wonders why I can't remember their names. I guess we all can't know everything.

I remember one time years ago when we were standing on my front porch looking at a storm off to our south. There was no doubt that it was storm related, but again, I saw some of that light thing going on and said, 'Well, don't you think that is beautiful?' I remember him looking at me and replying something to the effect that I'd not ever make a spotter. He suggested that it could quite possibly be a rain wrapped tornado. 'Oh', I said. Well, it wasn't a tornado, and it was majestic.

I seemed to be on a roll with taking pictures of clouds, and as soon as I snapped the picture above, I saw this. Look!!! The moon!!

Remember, we were zipping down the road in our bus, and I had just a second to get the shot. I don't think I killed or maimed any of the other passengers as I flung myself into getting this last picture. I had to have this picture of clouds and moon!! And light!! Too cool!

I hope you've enjoyed my little cloud rambling. I think you should go look out the door and see what is going on today. Go ahead and look. If there is anything interesting there, run get your camera and take a picture. Better yet, go get some coffee and just sit on your porch staring at the sky and sipping away. Remember to be a little in awe and wonder just how all of this came to be.

Put On Your Best Face

I had to listen to a bit of whining from Daughter I-Needa. She said she didn't really mind my posting her picture, but she wondered why I always seem to post one with her make-up all scrubbed off.

Now, she liked the picture I posted of her in the new apron. She thought that was just a fun photo, but she complained again about that no make-up look thing, or at least the end of the day look when one just doesn't look as fresh as earlier in the day.

Therefore, I submit to you this photo of I-Needa, taken by a friend last month. Yep, she is scrubbed and has on her make-up. She is even smiling. I hope this redeems my status as Mother of the Year. After all, I do understand her pain.

I HATE having my picture taken.... hate it, hate it. I especially hate it when it is being posed and everyone is standing around grinning and waiting for the picture to be taken. Cheese is NOT what I want to say. I always look like I should be put out of my misery. It is never good. I really think I might break the camera. Candid shots often aren't much better, and the older I get, the less I like having my picture taken. It just doesn't get any kinder. My idea of self image and the photo don't match... not one little bit. The photos usually end up with more wrinkles than I really have. Really.

Unfortunately, our lives are filled with the need for photos. Let's see..... we have driver's license photos, work badge photos, passport photos. We can always count on these to be lovely. You hop in the chair and 'click'... your crazed image is now ready for official use and will be laminated shortly to prevent any damage. Right. Let's get real here... NO photo taken for official reasons will ever give us that freshly made up best face we can get. Nope... it is a hopeless cause.

In spite of all that, I do enjoy having photos. After all, I've been working for days to put all my Michigan trip photos into my album. I just finished page 34. I have a number of candid shots of people in my album. They look like they normally do, and they give the album warmth and character. I imagine someone could complain and tell me that it was a terrible picture of them. If that happens, I'm going to try to resist the urge to say 'Why, I think it is a good picture. It looks just like you!'

I-Needa's Birthday Apron

This is the astonished face of I-Needa when she opened and modeled the apron made especially for her by one of those wonderful neighbors. Yep... those are firemen.. calendar style fireman on I-Needa's apron.

In order to appreciate this, you've got to understand that this very spunky and nice lady who has or will shortly receive her Medicare card made this crafty present for I-Needa.

I'm going to assume that the average reader has at this point clicked on the picture to enlarge it and check out the fabric. Go ahead, admit that you have. If not, you may be one of few. Really... you should look just to be sure that it is all okay. It is fine for mixed company... really.

One thing is for sure, if I-Needa wears this to prepare dinners on Girls' Nights, they may not be too concerned about what the food tastes like. We certainly had a good hard laugh, and I think I can safely say that it was the surprise gift of the evening.

FYI.. The wicked little seamstress mentioned that the fabric also comes with construction workers, policeman, and such.... Hey... turn that computer off before you head out to the fabric store!

From Morning Until Night

This is the picture I posted yesterday afternoon on my CJ's Crafting Fun blog. It is a picture of what I'm currently doing, and I'll be doing it for several days.

After taking the Michigan vacation, it is time to get myself busy putting together an album of the trip. So.... this is it. I'm confining myself to my back room, which I use for crafting.

Actually, I titled it My Mess on my craft blog. I probably shouldn't think of it as a mess. It really isn't. It's just lots of stuff organized onto a small surface. That sounds much better than calling it a mess. Perhaps I could apply that in other situations as well. I'll give that some thought. You can use it too.

I've been blessed to take a few trips since that glorious day I retired. ( Ah.... retirement. ) The trips have been wonderful, and I've wanted to capture the moments to enjoy from now on. Therefore, upon retirement, I purchased a camera and have gone from never or seldom taking pictures to one who can be found clicking a camera at any major or minor event. I believe the digital age has released me and turned me into something I was not.

Daughter I-Needa was a Creative Memories consultant for awhile, and she took me in hand and taught me the error of my ways. She put me on the straight and narrow path toward preserving photos and memories. My drawer, crammed with photos in no particular order, became a challenge to correct. I found I liked the organizing and especially seeing stories come to life just because they were now safely preserved and journaled.

My first album was of I-Needa and Right Back when they were young. It took some doing to get some of the ages right, but with I-Needa's help, we did it. I love getting out the album and looking at it. I've taken that and other of my albums to my mother to share with her. There is no explaining the joy she gets from looking at the kids' early photos.

Lest you wonder what I'm doing, you can rest assured that I'll be cropping (trimming photos) and journaling (writing the story) and being artistic from morning until night for awhile. You can also be assured that I'm having a good time.

Neighbor Blessings

I-Needa has been blessed with wonderful neighbors. On the morning of her birthday, I-Needa found this 'Happy Birthday' banner attached to her back gate area. What a nice feeling to know that someone cared and spent a little effort saying so! She did a little figuring and found one clue on the banner that led her to decide which of her neighbors had hung the banner. Actually, there was more than one candidate in the running for the possible doer of this fun deed.

I repeat that I-Needa has been blessed with wonderful neighbors. Of course, there is the flip side to the statement that says she has also been a wonderful neighbor. Her townhouse condo area has people who really look out for each other and who stay in touch with each other. As a matter of fact, several were over in the evening to play hostess to her birthday dinner. The neighbors brought food, fun, and presents to celebrate. It was a fun evening of fellowship.

My friend P.R. and her husband who live in nearby Big City have wonderful neighbors. They have block parties several times a year to celebrate special events. They recently had a get-together to celebrate the Fourth of July. I'm thinking there is a big blessing going on in their neighborhood too.

Somehow all of these demonstrations of being a good neighbor gives me a warm cozy feeling. I'm pretty sure I fall far short and need a little improvement in this area. I'm going to do a little thinking on it and see if I don't need to do something somehow to learn more about my neighbors and to start the blessing going around here.

A Stop Along Route 66

Advertising Food, Fuel, and Fizz, this 66 foot steel soda bottle sits along Route 66 in Arcadia, OK. It announces that you have arrived at Pops. At night you can see the brilliant lights rotate up and down the bottle, looking like it is filled with different flavors of soda.

You can find Arcadia northeast of Oklahoma City, just east of Interstate 35 at Edmond. You might like to have a bite of lunch there... with a soda, of course.

You will also find the keep off the grass sign... the one I posted and told you I'd tell you more later. This is it. This is the more.






Having parked the car and headed up to the station, we see a few cars getting their gas.

I'm thinking this is a pretty modern looking building.








A little closer and you can see glass shelving inside with soda pop bottles from floor to ceiling. Pretty cool...!











Taking a picture against the light was pretty much a challenge inside. I did try and hope you can get the idea of lots of bottles... firmly attached to the shelving. No... you can't take one off. It is permanent.

There were lots of people inside the eating area, but I resisted the urge to be rude and take pictures of total strangers trying to have a nice lunch.




I squished to one side and tried to get another picture that would make you feel that you are getting value for your time spent looking at this crazy blog. (Thank you for coming!)

By the way, Pops opened its doors in August 2007, so it is getting ready to celebrate its first birthday. By the number of people having lunch there, I'd say it will be there for many years to come.










One more shot to help you see the big picture.

Of course, there is cold pop for sale. They were organized along the back wall according to flavor. There were lots of brands that I'd never heard of before. I-Needa seemed to think that they have soda pop from all over the world. There were certainly tons of brands and flavors to chose from. Again, the rudeness factor kept me from taking pictures as people studied the cold pops and made their selections.

I have to admit that I stood for some time looking and drooling. I wanted something, but when faced with such a selection, it was hard to pick.




Finally I spied this little bottle and knew it was the one. I love black cherry and this Route 66 bottle was absolutely perfect as my souvenir. One of these days... I have no idea when... I'll put this in my refrigerator and when it is very very frosty cold, I'll take out my bottle opener and pop the top. Then I'll have a long cold drink of delicious beverage from Pops on Route 66.

My Make Over

While visiting with I-Needa, I had a little make-over.... or something like that. I have a new short haircut that needs to be fluffed out. It is that just got out of bed look that is so popular. It takes work to make yourself look like you just hopped out of the bed looking fine.

I've been told and told that I must have products to maintain a youthful hairdo... I've given in and decided youth wins. So, here is the new updated version.

There is also the new glasses look.... more defined as glasses, but cool looking. I must tell you that I hate... really hate... having my picture taken as always look rather scary. However, I shall post this in the interest of my previous stories of hair and all... Tah Dah!

Confused By Signs

I'm home after having a nice birthday celebration with I-Needa. We had a great time and she even took me to a point of interest along Route 66, which you will hear about another day. I just had to post these two pictures as they appealed to my strange sense of humor.

The first one I took at our Route 66 point of interest that I'm not telling you about today. It clearly states to 'Please, stay off grass!' I looked around, but couldn't find one blade of grass that I needed to avoid. There was some kind of ground cover, but it didn't say I needed to stay off ground cover.... it said 'grass'.... no grass around.

My second laugh was the back of this truck. I tried to enlarge it a bit for you to see. You can click on the picture for a better view. However, you can clearly see the sign on the lower left that says 'fish'. So..... what is that big full color sign in the center with a clear picture of beef steak? It says 'Certified Angus Beef' So.... are we confused? I hope the driver isn't. I believe I am. I'm also a bit tickled at seeing these two crazy signs within an hour of each other.

Playing With I-Needa

I'm having to confess that I'm celebrating I-Needa's birthday with her. Tomorrow is the big day. I-Needa turns another year older and I wonder how on earth that happened. What is an old chick like her doing with a young thing like me. Strange.

Well, I-Needa isn't really old. She is still youthful and young. Still... there is something about your kid being the age you think you should be that is mildly unsettling. We are going to celebrate with some of I-Needa's friends. They are bringing food, which is always a good thing. It sound be fun and festive.

I've been out taking pictures and will post in a few days with something special along Route 66. I think you'll like it too.

Thanks for coming to my little place on the Internet and visiting with me. I promise pictures soon and hope you return.

Haircut

In my quest for the inward youthful modern woman being that I am, I've had my hair cut and fixed sticking out all over the place. It is with much doings and products that I've managed this. I had it cut yesterday, then tried to reproduce it again today. The results weren't quite as good, but it is there nevertheless. I've been verbally chastised as to the amount of products needed compared to what I actually use. I think I've mentioned previously that I had not even a can of hairspray in the house. Then I was pretty much told that I'd dropped off the edge of sanity somewhere and needed not only hairspray, but a good dollop of Bedhead.... a blue goopy goo that you work in your hands after drying your hair and then apply lightly to your hair. It is what it says, a product that makes one look just like they did when they got up.

The second fix for my life will be the arrival of my new stylish specs. Ah... new glasses. When my doctor told me that my vision hadn't really changed and I didn't have to have new glasses, I was a tad sad. Oh, I was elated with the news that my eyes were just as great as last year. But...... then I told her that I'd come early and picked out new frames. Then she smiled and asked me if I only had one pair of shoes in the closet. I LOVE this woman!! 'Well, noooo... I have more than one pair of shoes, and I like your thinking', I said. I pushed the thought of cost of shoes compared to cost of glasses right out the window. I went with her theory... after all, the doctor is always right... and I will soon be sporting a new classy look.

My Medicare card may be arriving sometime in the future... sooner than I'd like.... but darned if I'm going to look like I need one!

Lazy Sweeper

I set this silly sweeper out a few days ago, and so far it hasn't budged... not one bit. I'm rather put out with the silly thing as think it could have done a bit of work by now. I don't know what to say about appliances these days. I would think it would be prouder of its intended role in life and have done something besides sit in the kitchen looking pretty.

I took another step of encouragement lately and plugged it into the outlet. Still it hasn't budged. I really don't understand its thinking.

At this point, I'm not sure who is going to outlast whom. I think this machine has a mind of its own, and I may be just hardheaded enough to out wait it.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Tah Dah!

Short Note

I was reading Ree's Pioneer Woman blog again this morning. It was fun seeing the pictures from their wonderful party.

I had to laugh at her forgetting to put out the hot dog buns. I actually wondered when I was going through the line what you were suppose to put those hot dogs on. I was thinking more about a hamburger, so didn't pursue the idea further. I guess it hadn't occurred to me that Ree could have forgotten something. I've forgotten to put cranberries on the table more than once for Thanksgiving, but that's different somehow.

My one really big regret in the food department was not taking one of the potatoes. I know I've seen a recipe on her blog for something sinfully good, and I get really sad thinking that I didn't taste it. Hopefully, Ree will forget about all the work she did getting ready for the party and will invite us all back next year. I'm going to pass up the huge hamburger rolls and just have the hamburger patty. Then I'm going to head straight for the potatoes and get one of those.

I might also take the lid off the sangria mixture, as suggested to me more than once by Ree, and help myself to a piece of the fruit.

Next year, if I think anything is missing, I probably still won't say anything to the hostess.

By the way, our host and hostess received a round of applause at church yesterday for the wonderful time had by all.

Heaven In A Barrel

I was looking through my vacation pictures and found this 'inside a store' shot that I'd taken in Frankenmuth, MI. I do not remember the name of this little place, but was awed at the inside of the store. Every shelf in the store was packed (squished tight) with goodies, and barrels with different flavors of wrapped candy were everywhere. I think it was the candy that really got my attention. They had absolutely every flavor in the world. It was amazing. I wondered how many barrels were there and just found myself following them around and around the store.

I was showing this picture to a friend who remarked about all the PEZ items on the shelves. I know there are PEZ collectors out there who would be in heaven over these.

This shop had all kinds of items that you wouldn't find at Wal Mart. They even had decorative covers for the vent holes that would be in walls where stove pipes would go. I guess they attracted my attention as I was amazed that I knew what they were. I just don't see those around.

There was something so quaint about this place with its wooden floors and packed shelves. Poking around through all the goodies was, indeed, an adventure. I found a couple of things that I'd been looking for and hadn't found elsewhere. Of course, I purchased them. I think the nostalgia factor had to come in at some point as remembered some of the old buildings in our small town with wooden floors and a few characteristic squeaks. Perhaps part of the charm of this building was recalling of times past. It's a good thing I don't live anywhere near this place as would be exploring those barrels more frequently.

The Way It Was

I began doing a little reminiscing about some of the Fourth of July doings when I was young and living with my parents.

My father LOVED fireworks. The first memory I have of my father that is associated with fireworks was the time he decided to teach me about fireworks and danger. I must have been six or seven years old at the time. I’m pretty sure he cooked this little object lesson up by himself as am fairly confident Mother would have put a stop to it. I remember going into the kitchen with him and watching him drop a lit firecracker into a metal coffee can. Or maybe he lit the firecracker and then covered it with the coffee can. Give me a break here... I was little. This he did in the kitchen sink. Yep, I’m pretty sure Mother had nothing to do with it. I don’t honestly know at this point if it was an object lesson, or if he was trying to show me the power and fun of fireworks. If it was the former, he made his point. I never did like shooting fireworks.

Although he never won me over to the joy of shooting fireworks, I did enjoy watching, and he enjoyed shooting. He was a man with fireworks in his blood. I don’t know what he did when he was a kid, but I do know what he did as an adult.

Our Fourth of July celebrations were at the local country club. We stayed at home during the day trying to keep cool. During the hottest part of the day, we ventured into the heat to head to the club and have a picnic dinner. We made our reservations ahead of time and enjoyed a meal on the lawn in the heat. Lovely, really. Each year an extravaganza of exploding sky lighting big booming fireworks topped off the celebration. I loved sitting on the blanket on the grass, tilting my head backward, and going ‘Ooh, aah, ooh, aah’.

The man with the punk, the leader of the pack, the one in charge of the exploding sky lighting big booming fireworks was none other than my father. He was having the time of his life. This was the culmination of the fireworks year for him. He spent time with a catalog of exploding goodies when it arrived. He selected each and every exploding spectacle, and was like a kid in a candy shop. This was his ‘fun’ thing to do.

He hand picked help each year and lingered around the club getting ready for the big show. He was a stickler that anyone shooting fireworks would be absolutely alcohol free. One drink meant elimination from the fun. This man who led me into the kitchen to enjoy seeing what a firecracker could do under a coffee can had safety at heart. I try to remember that.

As I watched the fireworks this year, Father crossed my mind. He passed away a number of years ago, but I always think of him when I see fireworks. I’m sure he would have loved seeing the greatest show around. Actually, I’m sure he would have been there with the guys having a fabulous time. Several at the party came up to me later and mentioned that they thought about him and knew he would have loved it. It really was fabulous. I can’t wait for next year.

July 4th

July 4th is one of those days that I usually stay home. I'm not anti-social or anything like that, but I don't usually have anything to do on July 4th.

This year I headed to the country with friends. We pulled over so I could take this picture. Horses were everywhere, but we were in wild mustang land. I think it is beautiful.

When I see something like this, I'm reminded that I'm a small town girl and like it that way. I don't want to live in the world of concrete. I like spaces and being able to look across the land with nothing there except green grass and ponds. It is life unobstructed.

We were heading into the country to be with our church friends for July 4th dinner and fireworks. An announcement was made last Sunday that everyone was invited to head on out and join this family for a Fourth of July celebration. They always have a big family gathering, but this year they decided to expand and invite the entire church congregation. I perked up a bit as decided it might be nice to think outside the box and leave the house on July 4th. (Now, isn't that sad!) Many of us went, and I think everyone had a wonderful time. The food was wonderful. Our hostess had cooked many scrumptious dishes...(More on that later.) It was a fantastic feast.

I kept getting the word that everyone should stay for the fireworks as it would be grand. I saw them setting up fireworks in a large concrete area. I wanted so badly to get a picture, but I just didn't think grabbing my camera and snapping everything in sight was appropriate. I can't even begin to describe the vast amount of fireworks that was laid out and ready to use. It was huge. It was jaw dropping. It was a boys' heaven of toys.

At last the darkness came and signaled the start of our show. I've seen lots of fireworks , but I will say that I've never seen such a display. It was simply amazing. This was even bigger than community displays I've seen before. The fireworks lit up the sky, and not just one at a time either. The air was alive with color and it continued for a long long time.

When the fireworks were over and the oohs and aahs had stopped, I'm not sure I even knew what to say. It was just beyond saying that it had been a 'nice' show. I could see a line of guys coming up through the ground smoke and receiving a round of applause as they filed back into the yard. Of course, there was much clapping going on.

Backing up in my thoughts a bit, I have to confess that I was a tad curious as to the whole aura of this event. You see, our host and hostess were that almost famous Ree and her Marlboro Man. Oh yes, I often read her blog. I also see her at church. I'm friends with his parents. These are just people I know. Yet, somehow her talent for writing has burst onto the blogging stage with outrageous results. I'm about as amazed at that as I was with all the fireworks.

I will admit to checking out her blog during the day before heading out to their house. She had an hour by hour report on getting ready for us to arrive. She said that she would sneak into her bedroom while the party was going on and do a few updates. I caught her doing that. She has posted all the pictures of food she was preparing... recipes, of course. I knew I was in for a wonderful culinary treat... I've gotten fat before just reading her recipes. Seriously... they are full of all the good things in life.

I will also admit to wanting to see her new kitchen and all her remodels that have been posted on her blog in the past. I'd been in the house before when his parents lived there. I will say that her kitchen is a wonder. It is BIG and able to accommodate her grand style of entertaining. It is very inviting as well. The food was, as I said before, scrumptious.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening shared with good friends. It certainly was an improvement over sitting in my comfortable chair in the living room and watching fireworks on TV. I hope our host and hostess had as good a time as all the people who attended. I'm hopeful they will not hide under the bed next year on July 4th. Personally, I'm going to listen carefully for that invitation to return. I'll be there!

( If you are one of the few in America who has not bookmarked Ree's blog... here you go:
Pioneer Woman
Be careful of the food. It's fattening. Be careful of her romance novel. It's addictive too.

Sunflowers

Promises, promises! Something is going to come of this little bud soon. I wonder what it could be. Well, it is going to be something BIG!

I-Needa sent me some flower pictures from her yard. You may wonder what is up with all these flower pictures. Perhaps my reasoning follows the line of it's something you won't see in the winter, so enjoy them now.













I'm not one to sit around and pick sunflower seeds out of their shell to eat. I've done it before, but not for a long long time time. I remember getting them and putting them in my mouth to soften them. That's about all I remember.

I decided to question I-Needa on the subject. She teaches nine and ten year olds, so I figured she would have more recent knowledge of sunflower seed eating.

I-Needa said the technique is as follows:
1. Put sunflower seed in mouth under tongue to soften shell.
2. Move the seed with your tongue to your front teeth and position it on edge with the thin part between the spaces in your teeth. 3. Bite to pop shell. You can take the seed out of your mouth and extract the seed at this point... or, it is much easier to pop it out with your tongue and spit the shell. 4. Then enjoy the fruits of your labor.

I-Needa said the above flower has yet to show her the sunflower seed. I figure she should expect some in the future. I remember having a child bring one to school once for 'Show and Tell' and we were amazed at the size of the flower and the abundance of seeds.

I hope you feel somewhat enlightened after this riveting instructional material concerning the sunflower.

Antique Sewing Machine

Years ago, my parents purchased this antique sewing machine in its cabinet. It also had with it an advertisement for the machine. They thought it was so pretty, so loaned it to a local museum. Over the years, it had gotten pushed back and wasn't in plain view any more. Rather than leave it there, she requested its return and now has it once again. I-Needa seems to think it would look good at her place.

Mother has been busy putting lemon oil on the wood and spending time remarking what beautiful detail work is there.








I've been trying to find out something about it and have been searching on the Internet. I did notice that the machine brand is Minnesota. Both Minnesota and Franklin were made by Sears. I've really just started trying to find out more about this and its possible value. It really isn't for sale, but I'm curious.

If you want to see the detail of the writing, click on the picture, and it should enlarge so you can read the paper that was in it when it was purchased.

I'm one of those funny people who often wonder what furniture would say if it could talk. I try to imagine where it has been, what kind of a person or persons used it, etc. I'm going to keep trying to find out more about this beautiful antique machine.

The Rose

I'm a fan of nature. Something about the beauty of nature stirs the spirit and testifies that we are handiwork and set among beauty.

When something like this rose catches my eye, I just have to take out my camera, select the macro button, lean forward and take a close range picture. I found this in Branson, MO. I decided to post it and hope you sit and look at it for a minute.


In this rushed and crazy world, there is beauty around us. Just take time to smell the flowers and look at them closely. Then say a little prayer of thanks for your blessings.