Back In Business

Honey and I drove to Las Vegas to visit family.

It is about an 8 hour drive, if your going straight through.

That was our plan.

So we loaded the car, gassed up, got some snicky-snacks and off we headed, into the sunset. 

We had survived the 25 miles of road construction during rush hour traffic. Were settled in for the long drive, part of which took us into the Southern Utah fire area.

The smoke hung like a mystery to the barely visible peak's under the glowing harvest moon.

We had plans of stopping for gas and a leg stretch in St. George,

25 miles down the road...

                         

I'm sure glad it was Honey driving, when at about 80 miles an hour in the pitch dark of mid-night in the dessert...He calmly said, "Honey, I think there's something wrong. The motor just shut off. I'm not sure what happened."

Heaven was watching over us, because he was able to coast us into a rest area, right under a light, facing the direction we would need to be...IF we needed to be towed.

A long wait to see if it would start on its' own...

Honey was sure it was the fuel pump.

Calling the number on the back of the car copy of the insurance, got us in touch with someone. Honey being an old truck driver could tell them what mile marker we were at and what exit number.

Within 10 minutes the phone rang,

help would be there in 50 minutes. 

20 minutes later the tow truck driver was pulling up behind us. 

He told us the place the insurance wanted him to take us wouldn't be open for 2 day's.

 He called them back and got it changed, to the only open shop in town on a Saturday. Drove us there and showed us to the Travel Lodge next door. 2:30 a.m. we were setting down on the bed and heaving a big ol sigh.

One of the world's kindest mechanic's, moved us to the front of his packed day's work, and had us on back in business. 

12 hours after starting on our 8 hour trip, we were on the road again.

Honey said the part was going to go out-couldn't change that.

But it also couldn't have happened at a better time or place.

Oh well.

Everyone needs a good adventure every now and again huh?! 

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Japanese proverb

Perspective Of Season's

Like the changing of the season's things in our lives change.

Or is it that we have learned what we needed to in "that season" of our lives? Could it be that our perspective has changed as we learn more about life and the living of it?

Take this pond for instance...

No one really knows how long the pond has been there, it is not man made.It has been there since before my great-Grampa was a young man. It had a bridge at that time, then it was torn down because it was falling apart. Canoes lined the shores and people were free to come and use them any old time they wanted to. The town's folk fished from it in Summer, Ice skated on it in Winter.

That time, that season, passed into the memories of the children, now grown tall.

Then it was partially forgotten as a place of relaxation and enjoyment. It was neglected, eventually perspectives changed. A new Season was begun for the pond, and people are coming back to it. It is helping to create new memories for everyone. As well as rekindling old memories.

The pond itself hasn't changed. It's season's have been changing.

Our perspective of it has changed as we have lived life, and see again the beauty and possibilities, and yes, the needs, of having the pond.

I hope you find peace in the changing of your season's.

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Japanese Proverb

The Gifts Of September

I went for a walk the other day, and just wanted to share some of the gift's of September that I came across while walking.

Along with some of my favorite September quotes.

"There comes a time when autumn asks,

"What have you been doing all summer?"

"What a pity flowers can utter no sound!—

A singing rose, a whispering violet, a murmuring honeysuckle ...

oh, what a rare and exquisite miracle would these be!"

                                                                                                         - Henry Ward Beecher

"By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather

And autumn’s best of cheer."

- Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

"The breezes taste of apple peel.

The air is full of smells to feel-

Ripe fruit, old footballs, burning brush,

New books, erasers, chalk, and such.

The bee, his hive, well-honeyed hum,

And Mother cuts chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean with suds,
The days are polished with a morning haze."

- John Updike, September

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Japanese Proverb

Plum Delicious

Back in the day’s when our family was young, we lived out among wheat and hay field’s along an Idaho border, with next door neighbor’s-that really were next door-one on either side and then nothing for a space. We were a few miles from our small town and 20 or so miles from the closest "city".

 
On “Sugar Lane” we grew children, pet’s and gardens, and what one didn’t grow a neighbor did, so we all shared what we had. Front yards blending together as much as the lives of the families.
 
Eight children combined to liven up our spot among the fields. Our youngest, "Busy Momma", was older by a month than the boy next door, Mr. Smith, they loved to investigate and experience, especially the garden’s.


Where we had raspberries they had strawberries, we had asparagus and they had pea’s, we had apple tree’s and they had plum tree’s.
Mr. Smith's mom had been anxiously awaiting the plums “coming on”, so that she could “put up jam”. 

This particular year Momma Smith had been checking the plums every morning, and watched them from the window’s and yard all through the day’s. Mesmerized by both the size and beauty of the plums.

 She called me one evening and I wasn’t sure if she was laughing or crying, worried I asked her what was going on.


She told me she was a little embarrassed to confess how closely she watched her plum this year, Telling me, “This morning when I checked them I knew they would be ready tomorrow for picking. I came in making everything ready for the picking, and canning to begin, went back out this afternoon to check them again and every single plum was on the ground!”

I knew the birds could be a problem and wondered if it could have been them-

 Nope.

 Each plum that lay on the ground directly under the tree’s had been found with a tell tail bite out of each-and-every-one…

Needless to say in rounding up all eight kid’s in the three home neighborhood telling them of the plum destruction, the guilty parties purple lips and shirts, made it obvious, before, the two youngest started to cry. Confessing that they too had been watching the tree’s. Even closer than they had watched the peas, with ever growing anticipation of fresh plums.

They knew they were ready today.

In the unraveling, they told how they each climbed into one of the two tree’s and had only planed on tasting one or two, but they were soooo good and juicy! Why, every single one they bit into “popped” with the first bite! I could envision the juice fairly dripped off their little chin’s and elbows!

They did each try a second bite once, but it just didn’t "pop" and it was so much more fun taking that first bite!!

None but the two, witnessed the actual bliss of this adventure, but the evidence was seen in the plumless tree’s and the bespeckled lawn below, and not to be missed were those two beautiful little purple stained children.

Following plum harvests were ever more closely guarded, children more involved in the preparation for the harvests, partly so we could keep an eye on them.

The great “Plum Raid” has never truly been forgotten.

Many years have passed since that bitter sweat plum adventure. Those two children now have children of their own.

But every time my daughter see’s a plum, with out fail, she smiles that impish child smile, her mind flying across time, back to that warm afternoon spent sitting high up among the branches of the tree of her youth, and tells me with a twinkle in her eye, “You know Mom? To this day, that first bite of the plum is still my favorite!”.

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Japanise Proverb

Kitty

What do you do when you are adopted by an animal?

When we lived in the country this happened every once in a while. Since we have lived in the city's and the town, it has happened...twice.

This time it was a kitten that wandered into our lives.

 In the dark it was hard to see it, its little calling mew was a different story. As it attached itself firmly to us.

Or was it the bright 'Jedi swords'?

Anyway...

It happened like this;

Our little group was walking home from the once a year carnival 'up-town', laughing and joking and visiting with other people doing the same. When we past a brightly lit group of people out playing in the yard. We heard the kitty and when we tried to take it back, they told us it did not belong with them.

We believed them. Because the dogs' with them tried to lick it...With their teeth. 

We thought it might find it's home a few doors down, where another cat lived. The other cat came out and as soon as it saw the little kitty it puffed up into a tippy-toeing ball of fluff and hissed at Kitty. Arched all the while it faded sideways into the dark. 

All the way to our home, we tried to ditch it, in the hopes it would find it's home.

Little did we know it had found its home... 

It found my sons' home ;)

p.s. I learned that at least 3 other kittens 'adopted' homes in our area that same night.

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Japanese Proverb

The Pit-fall's Of Collecting Things

I collect things.

Treasures really.

Really important and sometimes historical things.

Like the bamboo fishing rod and rake heads to go with the jar of marbles, and the old city cemetery grave digging shovel, and then there is the old milking bucket....you get the point.

I also baby sit our youngest grand daughter. We have very deep, philosophical conversations, she and I. 

For instance...
I was holding her while talking about what to have for lunch the other day and she was looking up while she was thinking.
(Apparently something I should do more of).

You know, because looking up helps you to think when your saying, "Ummm...Ummm...".

In the middle of her deliberations she put her hands on my cheek's and cranked my head in the direction she was looking and yelled, "Wook! Grammy! Wook!!! HAIR!".

To which I gasped and said, "Why yes. That IS hair! Gross!"

Tiny Dancer's snappy come back was, "No, Grammy. No hair. POOP."

I spent the time getting lunch ready trying to convince her that it was not poop, which is the grossest thing she can think of, but dust, lots of dust.

After lunch she went down stairs with her spoonful of Nutella desert. (I'm a Grammy, not a saint), and I started to collect cleaning supplies and a ladder to begin what looked to be a long afternoon of "hair removal". When I heard a small voice say, "Oh no! Grammy. Wook!"

And off I went to clean Nutella off the stairs where the spoon had bounced...and got caught up in dancing and playing baby's and...

I'm really hoping to get to the "hair" today...oops...there it is..."Grammy, come pway. Pweese? Pwitty pweese?"...

Ok Saturday, at the latest, and I'm pretty sure that a lot of the treasures are coming down with the dust.

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Apple Scrapple

First off, let me tell you I am not what I would call a great chief.
Far from it. But, I do make a few things that involve large quantities of sugar, and have been told that they are "The Shizz!" (in teenage talk, I think that means really good).

And what with all these peaches, peaches and more peaches, what's a Grammy to do?!

I made Apple Scrapple.

My Mom used to make it for us when we were kids, and I've managed to get a few people over the years hooked on it too...

Apple Scrapple 

Mix together: 1 Cup Flour         3/4 cup Sugar
                 1 tsp Baking Powder   3/4 tsp Salt
Cut in 1 Egg mixing in until it is fine.
Peel, Cut and place 2-4 cooking apples in a casserole dish.
Put crust mix over the top of the apples.
Pour over all 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil then sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Serve in milk.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

First mix the dry ingredients then cut in the egg:

Next, I cheat and use the slinky maker and peel, core and slice the apples. And then I cut them to bite size chunks into the baking dish. (I used Granny Smith's but I hear Johnathon's are the best):

Last you top it all with the oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. Then quickly place it in the oven to bake.

Then when the house fills with the mouth watering aroma of baking apples and cinnamon, and Honey's start asking when it's going to be done...the timer goes off and Viola! It's done. then you try to take a fast picture of it before it's gone, sizzling onto bowl's.

Then you pour the milk over it and it sizzles some more...

I'm a little weird I know, I like to let mine cool enough it doesn't burn my tongue. And it is good the next morning for breakfast. that is if there is any left.

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Peach Day's Carnival

The carnival and festivities were a hit with many people, including me this year!

It was so fun going with family, some who have been before and some that got to experience it for the first time.

Wandering was done, karaoke listened to, booth's perused and rides ridden in the light of day...but best of all the dark of night!

Then back again for the second day's adventures...that started with a bus stopping as we headed out, asking our group and a stroller, if we wanted a ride the mile to town...oh yes, Thank You!

And we were back at the carnival in no time.

Yes, its true that the boy's and I were ditched, while we wandered the car show for three hours. But it was all good, everyone was happy when we met back up later.

Thank heaven for cell phones huh?!

A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of the tragedies that happened in our country on the date in 2001. People as far as the eye could see stopped, began removing hats and placing hands over hearts...   

This little van caught our eye, while it was laughed over for many reasons, not the lest our love of cheese, and then again, as the wish list topper for an eventual first time driver... 

On to the states biggest car show, certain favorites were eagerly searched for, while new favorites were discovered...

The best part was the excited voices telling me, "Gramma! Look at this one! Take a picture of this one for me!!" As they raced off to look at the next one, pointing in all direction's and wanting to go in all of them at the same time...

Here are just a couple of the dream car's of boys, both young and old...

So, while more than a few miles were walked,

cotton candy eaten, and trying to ditch the little kitten that followed  us home.

I can really say,

"I can't wait to go again next year!!!"

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Carnival?

Every year in my home town, a carnival still comes to town. Setting  up a two block stretch of blocked off main street's in rides, games, foods stands, and...well...the whole carnival atmosphere. With dances and live music well into the night's of this otherwise sleepy little place.

I usually go up and walk through the booth's that are set up to sell their ware's...Year before last I bought some of the most amazing Indian flute cd's and Idle Isle candy!

Last year, I don't think I went at all. Huh?!

This year? I'm going out on a limb... 

I am not only going to the carnival, but I am going to take three of my older grand children with me, we are going to take in the whole she-bang!
I can't believe that the part I'm most excited about is the car show this year!!!
I think it's because the kids will like it and I am planning to take a lot of pictures...
So when I get back I will show you the good parts!

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Just A Dreamin'...

I have been trying out some new things, like, opening new door's, and closing some old one's. Opening my eye's wide and stepping firmly OUT of my comfort zone. Taking some chances, dreamin' some dreams, and finding out I got a bunch of new ones.

Ain't none of that easy.

But it sure is fun!

I wanted to ask you if you remember when we were kids?

When we used-ta-could find hours of pleasure in the littlest things?

Our imagination could make even a dish towel become magical?!

We would be all nervous, and we would dare each other to try new things?! Fact is we probably thought we could do anything

Be anything, and be great in the doing!

Some where along the line I got stuck in the muck of my life.

I stopped thinking I could do a lot of stuff.

I couldn't remember the last time

I believed in the magic of imagination.

Or felt brave, let alone adventuresome enough to try something new-

something that could shake up MissyVille in a good way.

I didn't know if I could do it without knowing the outcome.

I wondered what I could do if I knew, I could really, do, or, be, what I always dreamed, in my heart of heart's?

  

And you know, I decided I would never know if I didn't at least try!

So I am choosing, to embrace the abundant joy I am feeling,

while finding a new kind of cape, trying zone stretching things,

and I have been seeing some really wonderful people around me, helping support me  in  "My Wildest Dreams!"

And being the deep thinker that I am, I was wondering...

What is it you would do, if you knew you could do it?

What dream of yours is it, that would make you jump for joy?

**********

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.

Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living,

It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.

Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.”

                                                                                                                 Dr. Seuss

“Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!”

                                                                                                               Dr. Seuss

"It takes only one shoe to change your life".

                                                                      Cinderella

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right.”

                                                                       Napoleon Hill

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Putting Summer To Sleep...

Labor Day week end is usually the last big Summer Whoo-Raw.

Fall is beginning to be all to noticeable,

while quietly infringing on those of us not ready to let Summer rest...

We have been feeling the changing of the season coming on for a while now, we mention it to each other, while we cling to the warm afternoon's with renewed fervor...

 with this eagerness helping you plan a few more quick, trips to the lake, just to be out there one more time...

chasing dreams or gatherin' wool.

The cornflower blue skies beckoning you to come out to spend just one more afternoon on the hammock with a book, or taking that last hike, or camping trip...

Squeezing in that garage sale you meant to have this Summer.

It may find you harvesting and preserving...

Laying up, canning, bottling and drying,

lining pantry shelves with beautiful jars of jams, fruits, and vegetables.

So while we can't stop Summer from ebbing away,

We can appreciate the changing of the leaves, 

the ripening of the pumpkins,

the awakening of some flowers,

and the sleeping of other's...

Where ever this time of year finds you...

I hope it brings you warm memories!

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

No such Thing As To Much Love...

The other day I was walking through the market, minding my own business, with my phone to my ear, when I happened to look up and see an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time...she saw me at about the same time and pointed at me and started to laugh until her face was red and tears were in her eye's...I walked around to where she was standing, in the fruit section, and gave her a big ol hug!

I told her it would be so great if I got that reaction from everyone!!
I can't even tell you how good that made me feel!!!

An old friend from the neighborhood where I grew up, gives me a big hug every time I see him, he pats me on the back and says, "Well Howdy Neighbor!".  Another, never passes me with out shaking my hand and pulling me in for a hug and a quick joke...another gives a pat on the shoulder as they pass.
One will reach out and grab hold of my hand as I pass with nary a word spoken aloud...but such love in the contact. Some time's it's just good solid eye contact that conveys such meaning...A good firm hand shake! A txt or a comment, an email or real honest to goodness snail mail you find in your box...it may be the phone call you needed so much! Visits and laughter shared with family member's seen frequently or seldom, picking up where last you left off...Hugs from the hearts of the young and the old.

I look forward to these kinds of greetings-I revel in them, and gain so much strength from them!!


There are few things as good as a solid hug from someone who will give you one back.
An OXOX, from someone to far away, a prayer or a thought for someone you hold dear...

There is just no such thing as to much love!!

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

My Momma...

My Momma danced the "Jitter Bug" and did impromptu impersonations...

Had the prettiest pair of red high heel's,

with a bright blue pair the same...

Music of some sort playing almost as constant as the ticking of the kitchen clock...

My Momma kept a spotless house, full of seven children, some parakeets and often a turtle or three...was a baker of cookies and mender of wounds...

pinned a bell to my red sweater to not lose track of me...

Our Turquoise Christmas stocking's hanging between Poinsettia spray's down the banister for years, were all of her designs...

Idea's from a magazine, then tweaked to be just right.

My Momma painted the front of the boy's dresser with a horse scene that would rival any master piece, doll cradles lined in satin, not forgetting that clothes were sewn for all of us...
heaven knows when she had the time!

Geranium's lined her window sill's. 
And that silly sage brush "Toilet Tree",
 she liked so much that she made two!

My Momma could make her own picture's, and frames, complete with matts of thistledown, that shimmered when the light was right..

Then later, poster board covered in satin, and always they were backed with Christmas wrap...

My Momma could alway's, french braid hair so tight it took three day's, or more, to be able to blink...

My Mommas ceramic's had no equal, she loved everything from Bonsai, to Japanese Bunka Embroidery, Colonial and Delft Blue Dutch...Old World Santa's and tea cups...her really fast Camero to her pokie little green Comet station wagon...

My Momma was a doer of hard things, a very brave girl indeed!

She's been gone for over 5 years now, and missed every single day...
I can't count the time's I wish I could call, to share some bit of new's,  a joke, or just to talk...
 asking one more time for a share of her wisdom with flower's, cooking or kids...

My Momma fit only her own mold...
and encouraged me to do the same...
Thank You Momma

Happy Birth Day
Sept. 5, 1919

Smile and remember;
We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.