Summer Roast

I've been getting up around 6 a.m. during this hot spell.  The early morning hours are quite pleasant and I get everything accomplished (well, mostly) that I have on my "to-do list."  First thing I noticed when I opened the front curtains was that the deer had come up to the window during the night and ate all the bird seed.  I had contemplated whether that particular bird feeder would interest them or if it would be too difficult to get at the seed.  Apparently, I guessed wrong.  I changed to another one but even it looks like it could go either way.  I may have to invest in a feeder like the one I have hanging that only the birds can get at.

I should go out there right now (7:30 a.m.) to transplant my yellow flowers that they devoured last week, but I suppose I could  do that later on.  I don't actually have any plans for today.  Might do a little work at the sewing machine if it doesn't get too warm in the kitchen.  Last night I put my fan that is on a tall stand up on the table hoping it would circulate the air closer to the ceiling. (my rendition of a ceiling fan).  Not sure if it made a difference or not. I had two other fans going in the living room as well.  If I stayed put in my recliner and didn't get up to do anything, I was halfway comfortable in the evening heat.

I could have gone into my bedroom where the a/c unit was purring away and the room was much cooler but.....I had two seasons of 'Weeds' that I had checked out of the library and they only let you keep DVDs a week.  I was totally hooked on the first set and had to keep going to find out what was going to happen.  I could do without all the sex scenes and four letter words but the story line and dialogue is quite good.

And here's my Fred Gwynne page for today.... 

Gorilla War

I had to turn off the TV sooner than usual this morning. Sometimes the news (or what they consider news) just irritates the hell out of me.  The big story on GMA today was conterfeit high heel shoes that deprives our government of taxes.  They showed shoes that cost $3000 and $6000 a pair and one  example they had in hand showed a $150 pair verses a lookalike pair for $3. One from Italy. One from China. Oh please!  I DON'T GIVE A RIP!

They also had a story about parents leaving kids in hot cars. They made a point of saying that forgetting a kid in the back seat can happen to ANYONE in our stressful busy world today of multitasking.  They suggested the driver put something important like their wallet or phone or keys in the back seat so they remember the kid is there too.  If that isn't the dumbest assinine thing I've ever heard in my life!  Let's be responsible folks. If you can't remember you have a kid in the back seat, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO HAVE A KID!  Period!

Was looking for an old photo to show a new Facebook friend and came across this one of her in the late sixties or early seventies. Cracked me up to see how clever I was at decorating with balloons. ha ha --    I remember those curtains, that tablecloth,chip and dip plate, ashtray, the glasses, and the hanging light but I sure don't recall those chairs. Pictured is John Baldridge, Judy Sofie Hyatt, and Diane Westergaard.

I mailed off several envelopes of old pictures to friends yesterday.  Still have plenty to dispose of, though.  All in good time.  I've got an idea brewing of how to use all my family photos. Well, not all but some.  Am thinking of writing up a family tree type story and inserting scanned photos by the names.  Still working it through in my head.

Going to the Clallam County Fair tomorrow morning so I'll have a few pictures of that to share later in the day.





Cousins

One of my Gig Harbor cousins stopped in with her husband this afternoon.  They were visiting the Hoh Rain Forest and intended to stop at the Black Bear Restaurant in Sequim on the way home. Sure was nice to see them--especially after I found out she brought me a PRESENT!  Woo Hoooo!  Presents are good!  I had been looking for a sailboat mobile and she found one for me.

We visited for about an hour comparing, among other things, what tv shows we watched.  I had forgotten how tall Marlee was--especially when she standing next to me.  But on the other hand, everybody is taller than I am.

Can't say that I'm all that fond of this picture Jeff took but oh well, it is what it is...and I am14 years older than her. Her birthday is Monday so I made her take a couple of my sewing projects as a present.

I let Sammy come in and he immediately jumped up on Marlee to lick her face.  He was slower warming to Jeff even though Jeff was the one extending his hand to pet him from the get go.  Marlee, on the other hand, is not a "dog person" and didn't welcome those wet licks.  I don't like dogs licking my face either but Jenni does.  I thought dogs were "tuned in", so to speak, on those folks who weren't animal lovers but for whatever reason, Marlee was the one he wanted to sit on.

Here's Marlee and Jeff on my couch. It came out kind of dark as the light was behind them and I can't figure out how to operate my camera under those conditions.

Starting to warm up in here so I think I'll turn off the computer for the night and try to cool down in front of living room fans. Don't have any plans to go anywhere for the next two days.  I'll be ever so glad when the heat spell passes

And here's my Fred Gwynne page...

My favorite painter is Dolly

The Heat's a comin'

I can't say that I'm eager to have the temp gauge shoot up into the 90's but I'll deal with it. I've already started.  Hunter helped me push the a/c unit from the back bedroom to my bedroom and that baby cools down a room like nobody's fool.

He's such a huge help to me.  From past experience, I've had problems draining the water tray underneath the unit. You have to check on it every few hours. I forget how many they recommend. Maybe 8 to10? Anyhow, it fills up quickly and  there's a plug to pull out and the water begins to stream out immediately. The plug is right next to the floor so getting down there is hard and getting a low pan under it is even harder. We discovered a couple years ago that if we lifted the a/c unit to sit on a table, access to the plug was much easier. Today, Hunter rigged up a little hose to the plug nozzle and has it sitting in a nearby bucket so all I have to do is dump the water in the bucket into the sink.  Saves me a whole lot of stress about worrying over water soaking the carpet.

The living room gets the afternoon sun and even though I have three fans going in there, it still gets a tad uncomfortable. He put a blanket over the largest window and I intend to leave it there until the heat spell has come and gone. 

If it gets as hot as I think it's going to, I'll spend the worst of it in my bedroom reading and watching television and doing cross stitch and crocheting.  I have a lot of books I want to catch up on anyhow.

Hunter also sprayed several  bees nests under the house eaves.  They sometimes get to swarming so bad on the deck, you can't sit out there. 

We made a run to the bread store and the dollar store to pick up a few items, and then I sat down to sew some quilt squares together and watch old Andy Griffith episodes on Netflix.  I usually don't feel like sewing when it gets too hot.

Not too much on my calendar for the rest of the week. Chiropractor tomorrow morning and Clallam County Fair on Saturday morning.  Sunday I'm heading into Sequim to have lunch with Lew Morello at the 101 Diner and Wednesday, my cousin from Gig Harbor "might" drop in on her way back from the Hoh Forest.

Next Thursday (the 23rd) I'll drive the twins and two of their friends to the Silverdale Mall to meet up with Mary. She's taking them on their annual camping trip to Lake Cushman.  I'll pick them up at Fat Smitty's on the 27th  for the return trip so her and Andy don't have to drive all the way up to Port Angeles.

Well, back to the kitchen to see if I can't finish that crossword puzzle. I gave up on the AARP magazine puzzle because it was too hard and I didn't feel like looking everything up.  I got up at 5:45 a.m. this morning so I probably won't last much past 9 but I'm hoping.  I really want to watch a few more disks of Weeds.

Life moves along quickly

I've been feeling myself growing older quickly these past few years.  If I stop to study my face in the mirror or look closely at my skin or even see pictures of myself, it's a reminder that I'm no spring chicken anymore.  I've been sorting through my  photo boxes all morning, trying ever so hard to thin down the collection even a little bit.  I probably discarded half a dozen but I'm going to do the "Joyce" section next and I'm sure I'll find some ding-a-ling photos that need to go to Mr. Trash Can.

I made sections for Catie, Hunter, Maddie, and The Twins as well as categories for each of my siblings, cousins, aunts & uncles, friends, classmates, and various places like PT, PA, Sequim, Hadlock, the mill, animals, flowers, funerals, and Old photos.  I could spend a week and still not be done.  Anyhow, I love looking at how the twins have grown.

Hunter is here today. He came over to weedeat around the outside edges of the yards and to mow the two sides.  For some reason, they are growing and green while the front and back lawns are brown and mostly just dandelions.  He's in the back bedroom practicing on his saxophone right now as him and Maddie intend to join the band when they attend junior high next month.  Maddie is also going to sign up for cross country.

Got an interesting email about using solar lights from Rose Johnson today.

I have a friend who used her solar lights inside at night when her current was off during the hurricane. She stuck them in a jar or bottle and said they gave off plenty of 'free light'. She put one in each room and would put them back outside in the daytime and bring them in at night as long as the current was off. They are safe to use and cheaper than batteries. Bring in a solar light one night and test it.

Due to a thunderstorm, we lost power for about 5 hours. We were scrambling around in the darkness, looking for matches, candles, flashlights, etc. We looked outside, and noticed our solar lights shining brightly all around our patio, stairs, dock, etc. They were beautiful. My wife walked outside, and brought several of the solar lights inside.

We stuck the solar light pipes into plastic drink bottles containers and they made the nicest, brightest, safest, lighting you could ever imagine.

We put one in the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, etc. There was plenty of light. There are all types of solar lights available. We bought ours at Harbor Freight. We put them all around our yard. They look nice and they do not attract flying bugs like the outdoor lights around our doorway.

The lights we have fit into the small (20 oz.) water bottles and they also fit into most of the larger liter bottles. If you need a weight in the plastic bottle to keep them from tipping over, you can put a few of the pretty colorful "flat marbles" that they put in aquariums, and vases. (you can also use sand, aquarium gravel, etc., whatever you have available).

The lights we have were perfect inside our home. They burn all night long if you need them.

The next day, you just take your solar lights back outside and they will instantly recharge and be ready for you to use again any time you need them.

Perfect for power outages, hurricanes, etc.

Looks like we're getting new people on the street. A large moving van is parked two houses down. Hunter and I went by (me on my bike and him on his scooter) to see what we could see. I think it's another young couple with young kids.  Sometimes I miss living in a 50+ neighborhood.  I rode my bike to the end of the street and returned a container to Yvonne. She had given me a bowl of homemade soup. We're going to go to the fair on Saturday morning.

I saw this on Facebook recently and think I'm going to try it out.

Mix 1/2 c. salt, 1/2 c. flour, and "about" 1/4 c. water. Knead, roll out, and make an impression in dough with your foot or hand. Bake at 200 for 3 hours and use as a lawn stone outside.

Well, time to make a sandwich for lunch. I posted a short blog on my Town Kid Leader blog this morning.

The Olympics

I watched some of the Olympics but I didn't get into it as much as I thought I would.  I did love to watch "some" of the little side stories or the presentations.  I've always adored the British Nat'l Anthem.  Love love love it!


I had kind of a busy morning.  Decided to see the chiropractor since the toe, foot, and leg cramps have continued on night after night.  He said I was definitely in need of an adjustment.  I figured he'd say that anyhow since I haven't been there in 11 months.  But...I'm going back day after tomorrow for a second appointment.  Can't hurt and who knows, maybe it will actually fix whatever is awry.

I picked up Maddie from her orthodontic appt and she has new "blue" braces.  She was all excited about her new school clothes and had me come into her bedroom to see them. Both my granddaughters seem to prefer messy bedrooms!  But oh well, not my problem.  Susan always kept a messy bedroom too and it drove me nuts.  In Maddie's case, though, I think she needs a lot bigger bedroom.  Then again, I think you end up keeping your room just the way you want regardless of the size.

I remember as a kid I always wanted my bedroom (a very tiny place) neat and tidy while my sister didn't care how it looked.  We fought constantly about it and I was forever complaining to my dad that my life would be ever so much better if I had a room of my own.  Maybe that's why I like being single so much.  I can be as tidy or as messy as I want depending on my mood.

I took Hunter over to the fairgrounds with his large Lego city and thankfully, there were no lines at all.  I imagine he'll get a blue ribbon.  I stopped by the library to pick up two seasons of Weeds that they emailed me about and then ran into Albertsons to buy a loaf of bread so I didn't have to drive clear across town to the bread store.

There's two teenage boys riding up and down my street on their skateboards. Maybe I'll get on my bike and ride up and down the street with them.  Now would be a perfect time since it's not too hot. I understand we're gonna get some high temps later this week, though.
Here's my Fred Gwynne page for today... Daddy says he has a tree for all his shoes

I guess that's about it for today.  Yesterday's blog post was longer than usual. I think I'll head out to the kitchen and make some oat bran muffins.  Or....maybe I'll wait until tomorrow morning. All of a sudden, I don't feel like doing much of anything.

Just a ton of stuff to yak about today

Sittin' here munching on a tuna sandwich and sippin' a diet Coke.  I don't drink much soda these days but now and then, a soda pop just hits the spot. This bottle was one I took to the picnic yesterday but never did open as I nursed a bottle of rootbeer instead.
Have to post my Fred Gwynne page first of all.  Having chocolate moose for dinner.

I saw a commercial that made me laugh out loud last night. It's from 2011 for Bush Beans.  Tickled me partly because of a picture I made with a 3-D pig that hangs over the television set.

Came home to find some delightful mail in my mailbox yesterday. Joy Bland is a top notch photographer and artist.  I commented on some Xmas cards she was making and had posted on Facebook. I often order Xmas cards with red birds on them.  Anyhow, she sent me a couple and I'm very happy to have them.  Thanks again Joy!

I saw pictures of my Uncle Jim's old house online yesterday as it's for sale. Always fascinates me to see the changes a house has when new people move in. I barely recognized the rooms. Here's some shots of the outside over the years.

 this is the backyard now where Linda and Lillian are standing in the old photo above

And speaking of how things change over time....I took my friend by my old trailer in Hadlock yesterday on our way out to Port Ludlow for my class reunion picnic.  I got out to take a picture of the trees I had planted in the early 90's.

Here they are as new trees in front of my old mobile home.

Here they are a few years ago when I drove by.

And below is the picture I took yesterday. (I didn't realize until I got home and downloaded my camera that it wasn't on 'picture' but was set for 'video')   I suspect I'm  moving into the "goofy old absent-minded lady" stage of life.





Yvonne and I left Port Angeles around 8 a.m. yesterday. Stopped at McDonalds to get a breakfast sandwich and arrived in Port Townsend around 9:15.  I made a couple of quick stops and then we drove over to Chetzemoka so I could show her the park.  She couldn't get over how beautiful it was.

The last two pictures were of an area I'd never seen developed before. I don't know names of flowers and plants but I sure did love the big leaf arrangements, whatever they were.  And the "old" part of the park (by the garden club) has also been fixed up more. A kids' slide is over there and new benches and tables.  Very nice.  This park  keeps getting better.

I was  at the fair for two hours. Am hoping the crowds picked up in the afternoon and evening and today.  Noticed a lot of empty booths and fewer exhibits everywhere.  Sad.  Sometimes fairs (and other events) have their down years and then pick up again.  I hope that's the case here.  I didn't see too many people I knew so my picture taking was at a minimum.  I did buy a few raffle tickets and  mini doughnuts. Also picked up my PTPC wrapping paper and various odds and ends being given away like pencils, book marks, measuring tapes, keychains, and notepads.

 Rita Hubbard at the wrapping paper rolls

 Jan & Bob Higdon by an old fire engine

 Rita playing with the Tormala kids

 One of my favorite exhibits was this guy covered with beach glass

 No baby pigs this year but I did get a kick out of this llama eyeing the crowd. Tomorrow morning I'll be helping Hunter get his lego exhibit over to the Clallam County Fairgrounds. I only live two blocks away from it. His exhibit is kinda large so we may have to put the back seats down.
I had a great time at my class reunion picnic in Port Ludlow yesterday. There are only a handful of class members that we can impose upon to host our annual picnic. Karen Cuykendall Jovag in Port Ludlow, Lew Morello at Diamond Point, Ruth Kvinsland, Liz O'Brien, and Dave Marriott in Port Townsend.  I suppose I could host too but I doubt anyone would travel this far. It's kind of hard even getting folks to Karen, Lew's, and the PT homes. Some years are attended better than others, and I must admit...if I didn't live on the peninsula already, I doubt I would travel to these functions on a regular basis.  Between the cost of gas and ferries (and the dang traffic) traveling can be a challenge. Especially when you're alone.

 I really need to find a boyfriend before I end up in the nursing home and can't go anywhere.  I'm sure I'd travel to more events if I had a companion.  Maybe I should place an ad in the paper.  Nahhhh...that might get me in trouble. With my luck, I'd probably attract a chain saw fanatic. I'll have to give this some more thought. I have a heck of a lot of girl friends who could also use faithful companions. Everyone can't be gay.  But then again...gay would work just fine  because most of us are beyond caring about "that other stuff."  ha ha ha   Well, I am anyhow. I suppose some might tell me to speak for myself.

Well, back to the picnic....  Here's some pictures I took while there.

 tree in front of Jovag's house

 cute plaque on their front porch

 Linda & Yvonne sampling all the great food set out

 Baked beans, potato salad, pasta salad, ham, hot dogs, cake, cole slaw, fruit, jello....

 John O'Brien enjoying the company of the ladies

 Dave Marriott, John O'Brien, Herb Evanson, Judson Gammage

 I made people pose under the trees and on the porch as I wasn't sure which lighting would work for good photos. Then (LIKE A DAMN FOOL!) when I was downloading my pictures later, I cropped them before posting on Facebook and cropped in such a way that I can't get good reprints of the group pictures without cutting off some people.  Will I never learn?!

 Back row: Dave Marritt, John O'Brien, Jud Gammage, me, Lois Edney
Middle row: Lew Morello, Herb Evanson
Seated: Linda Wilson Farina, Ruth Kvinsland, Karen Jovag, Sharon Sofie, Linda Pedersen

Karen and Dick's back yard garden was WONDERFUL!  They even have a bird sanctuary area. She took us on walking tours (here she is with Ruth following) and later I had the  bright idea to take pictures through corn stalks. The two below are actually my favorites. I discovered later I had again left my camera running in video mode instead of "picture mode."  I swear the brain cells are slowly dying.

It does make for a funny video, though. At least I was amused.



I've spent all morning and half the afternoon on this computer again. Time to move on.  I did want to mention, though, that I watched the stars last night.  I woke up three times with foot cramps and at 2:30 a.m. I decided to stay up for a bit. Grabbed a blanket and sat on the reclining lawn chair to watch the skies.  Interesting. Saw about half a dozen shooting stars and made the same wish on all of them.
Was especially fascinating to see them moving around up there.

And last thing....I checked this book out of the library and recommend it if you have various health questions (and who doesn't these days?!)  It's called 'Medical Myths that can kill you' by Nancy Snyderman, MD. She's a NBC news medical chief and this book is EASY READING and it's got good stuff in it.  Covers a lot of ground on what is a myth and what is fact.

I'm heading in to see the chiropractor tomorrow morning. Nothing seems to be helping with these foot cramps so I'm going to go down every avenue I can think of.  And with that...I'm off.

Watch out for the Under Toe

Been sitting here for a while now 'cause I was determined to get my computer files cleaned up.  I think I've got a good handle on it now.  'Course I still the pictures to play with but that will take much longer and I'm not in the mood today.

Actually, I'm in kind of a sad mood.  Been suffering for the last 12 hours with a terrific low back/hip ache.  Woke up at 2 a.m. in a world of hurt and wondered just what the heck was going on.

I couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to pull my memory foam mattress in from the other bedroom and see if that would help.  I applied ice, then heat, and took as many pills as I thought I could get away with.  By 7 a.m. I couldn't bend forward.  Uh oh...I've got plans tomorrow and I don't have time for this nonsense!

I did what stretching exercises I could and forced myself to walk around and do housework like nothing was wrong.  I even got on my bike for a half hour after getting the washing machine going.  I waited until noon to take more pills.  I figured 3 Advil wouldn't hurt, and if it did, I didn't care.  I'm thinking of looking through my box of medicines and maybe rubbing in some Ben Gay or whatever is in there.  I also called the chiropractor and made an appt for Monday morning.  I don't know if he can help but I'm pinning my hopes on it. 

If this becomes a habit I'm going to have to bite the bullet and see about getting an MRI on my back. Who knows..maybe it's hip replacement time.  I don't do MRIs if there's anyway to get out of them. I have to be medicated to even think about letting myself be wheeled inside the tube. Ugh!

Do or die, I'm heading into P.T. early tomorrow morning. Leaving at 8 so I suppose I might have to get up at 6 or 7 to make sure I can walk.  Oh, this is really going to be fun.  Ha!  Must think positive, though; could be it will all be gone come morning.  I had planned on taking a walking stick to the fairgrounds anyhow.   My neighbor, Yvonne, has decided to tag along so that will be better than trying to maneuver alone.

While looking for a picture to post on Facebook, I came across one of Hunter cutting my grass. Not sure how old the picture was...maybe this year or last. I went out to take a photo of the lawn now and it is soooooo sad......

How can a lawn change that much?!  I suppose I could water but who can afford it.  Besides we had enough rain this summer already.  Below is another picture I took this morning in the front yard. My birdbath is quite the attraction.

I'm off to the bedroom now. Have a drawer full of socks to match up. Think it's about time I tossed a few pair as well.  I tried cleaning out my underwear drawer 'cause I have enough bras in there to outfit a softball team. Maybe two teams.  Just couldn't bring myself to do it, though.  Some things are harder to throw out than other things.  I keep favorite tee shirts because I just know I'm going to lose this big belly eventually.  Same with bras.  You can't really recycle bras and I'll be darned if I'm going to throw a completely good one in the trash just because my boobs have grown to an immense size.  ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha    That ought to amuse the grandkids!