Later in the afternoon

The view from my one and only window that faces the street is looking awfully gloomy and harsh since the scotch broom field was "half" mowed down a few weeks ago.  A cat explores the area on a regular basis and that gets Sammy to barking his head off--I assume because he wants to be out there too.

I've been looking out on this pathetic plant and intend to go outside and pull it up. Maybe tomorrow if the rains let up.

This is how it looks when it's blooming. I love it. Only problem is, so do the deer.

My neighbor in Sequim gave me a cutting of it when I moved. It's called crocosomia.  I intend to move the bulbs to my back yard where the deer can't get at it. Am hoping I can get Hunter to help me dig a hole.

National news was interesting last night. I see ole Don Blankenship, head of the W. V. mine is in the news again. Hate to see my name make the news when it's not for a good thing but there are a ton of Blankenships out there and we're not all related, I'm sure.  The political area is heating up and that makes for entertainment.  I've started watching Bill O'Reilly again.  I don't always agree with him but I must admit there aren't too many things we disagree on either.  At least he speaks his mind.  I like that.

Annoys me no end to see Trump's puss showing up all the time. What an ego he has.  I haven't totally made up my mind on who I want for President yet but I'm leaning more towards Newt everyday.  Unfortunately, the more popular he becomes, the more they're gonna dig deep for dirt to try and smear his name.  I guess that's part of the game.  Wish more people would do it to Trump.  Ha! 

I kind of like Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul too but Perry and Romney....no, not at all!

Was reading an article in Entertainment This Week where Stephen King listed his favorite things for 2011.  I intend to write down all the books he mentioned and give them a looksee. Will do the same with the movies he chose.  Three TV programs he liked included The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy, and Breaking Bad--this last one coming in as his #1 choice. I totally agree. I watch all those shows and Breaking Bad is my favorite.

The AARP news bulletin arrived yesterday and there's a section in the back called "Your Turn" where they invite people to submit short essays on some subject. The next one is "What I know about high school reunions."  I think I'll try to put something together and submit it. Getting your essay chosen is tough, though. I always read that column and the ones they pick are pretty good.

I saw a great Buddy Holly Tribute Show on PBS recently.  They had a lot of people you don't normally get to see perform.  Here was Paul Anka....



Well, time to sew a few quilt squares together.  I did a little running around town after my two medical tests this morning.  Wanted to check out prices on recliners as I'd like to get a new one. I did stop at a furniture store downtown that is going out of business but their prices were still high.  I even checked out Habitat for Humanity.  Best price I found was Bargain Warehouse. They had a pretty nice chair for $460. That's with tax.  Have to think on it some first. It's not something I actually need.  Could be I might find a better buy in the classifieds someday.  What I'd like is a rocker/recliner that supports your back, goes up and down easily, and is a little higher than the one I have so it's easier to get up out of.  Yeah, my life has come down to that!

I noticed at my various medical appts today that I was a little slow rising out my chair when called and I kind of lumbered along like an old fat lady behind the technician as we headed down the hall.  Some days you can just tell you're walking "old."  I noticed it even more as I made my various shopping stops.  Wears me out to climb in and out of that damn car and then if I have to walk a couple blocks to the store (parking downtown sucks!) then I'm really wore out by the time I get back to my vehicle.

Seems like everytime I sit myself behind the wheel, I'm making "noises" like Ohhhh, Huumph, ahhhh,  owwww, grunt, etc.  Same thing when I get out from behind the wheel.  Well, I'll never see 30 again.  Or even 40, 50, or 60 so I guess I'll just deal with it.

The next four days I'm going to get started on the cookies and fudge. Maybe even bread too if my energy holds up. I stopped at Serenity House to buy some cookie tins.  Guy in front of me was having some clothes bought for him by (I think an advocate for the homeless--not sure) Anyhow, she wrote out a check for him for underwear, socks, and this red Santa snow suit.  Later I saw him down on the corner of the main road coming into town wearing his Santa cap and suit and holding a sign asking for food.  Makes you stop and appreciate what you have.

Guess I'll end here.  My eyes are just a flaring to beat the band today.  Odd how I haven't been bothered for weeks and weeks and now out of the blue, I'm miserable with the red itchiness. I was sneezing a lot the other night too so I'm assuming this is allergies of some kind. I know we had a stagnant air report for the area so maybe that's my problem.  Or maybe it's the heat vents blowing dust around.  Or fabric dust from the sewing.  Or dustmites in my pillow. Or psoriasis.  Or something I've eaten.  Sigh.....