Sunsets

These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago, Right outside my back door. What a beautiful blessing to feast my eyes upon.
I believe that is Cerulean Blue with streaks of pink and gold.


Again same area, outside my door, see the palm trees. However today was a firey Red and blue.

Monday and I am bored. I am usually careful to say that as that statement usually brings something for me to do. Not today.

Tomorrow, We are leaving for my Sons home in Washington. We will set all the alarms and whistles and lights and our Great neighbors will watch the house for us.

We Never have anyone down our dead end road, unless they are lost.

So enough about that.

I will pack tomorrow. We are both excited about spending time with the family.

It has been over two years since we saw the grandsons. Time has flown by and we never know where it went. Time catches up with all of us.

I am not on top of my game today. I was up being ill last night again! Again, as I was up being ill on Wednesday night too. I am not sure why it happens but my doctor, (cardiologist) told me to see my GP as it sounds like Acid Reflux. Problem is I do not have indigestion.

OK enough of that.

Now I need to make my bed and pray my quilts get delivered today. I really want to get those in the mail to Oklahoma. Which, by the way I have two in Arkansas being quilted there, (I can save a lot of money that way). Those quilts go to kids here so we are swapping quilts between states.

Hey that sounds like a great idea. Quilt history between the states.

Or NOT.

On my last post you see the one of the guys dancing? OK look at that tree!

I recall a day when I stood in awe of that tree. I have suddenly began taking them for granted.

I see them so much, or so often, Now they are like old news. However as I scanned the photos, I was suddenly in awe of the majesty of it all. A GREAT BIG GOD made so much for our enjoyment. We just have to take time to enjoy his creation.

He began with making our family. How often do we forget that is his creation too? We think the trees, the oceans, the sunsets and still do not think of the family that is in our lives each and every day.

So God never let me forget to thank you for the REALLY BIG things too.

Some time we can not see the forest for the trees. That now has a meaning to me.

Our family is like a forest, so many of them, so much diversity, We just do not see them as a Big Blessing.

Don't you just love the sunsets? One of the small blessings of Life.

Bear

Theres a Bar.
Whar?
Over Thar.
Whar over Thar?
Right Thar!!!
Or at least his foot prints.



Every fiber in your being goes on alert. The thought of a bear in a dead silent forest. My hair stands up just thinking about it.

Scene 1. You are driving through the mountains. It is mid-week, so the roads are eerily empty. (not a lot of traffic.)We usually take this trip but not this late in the fall.
We have decided to visit Lassen Park, with my sister and husband.
As we get closer to the park the temperature is dropping, lower and lower.



When we enter the park, the ground is mostly covered in snow. The road is clear, but the park is closed past the campground. That is perfect. We love the campground.
As we drive in we see one person putting on snow shoes, We spot another car with no one around.


We laugh and talk and have a great time.


Scene 2
We decide to drive into the campground. It is so quiet you can hear a pine needle drop. The ground and most of the road is now covered with a light snow. The camp is totally Bare (as in naked) of people.
We have never been in the camp when it was not bustling with children, campers, bikers, etc. The old store is boarded up tight. That is usually the hub of activity. We have had many ice cream cones and sodas in front of that old store.


Scene 3
As we approach Loop A, We see more snow on the road and decide to get out and walk.

A nice walk around the loop would be perfect. That we have done many times also.
Suddenly I hear the silence and hair stood up on the back of my neck.

I stopped. I said, "it is too quiet,"
Suddenly my mind thought Bear, I looked down, there it was, A HUGE BEAR print in the snow. I am not sure when I said the bears would be foraging but I said it at one point.
We all looked at the print. My sister suddenly said,
"I dreamed about a bear chasing me last night".
Enough said, I am not straying too far from the car. In fact I am sure we all took a step backwards.
The guys said, "If you see a bear just stand still,"

Right!!! like that is going to happen. My first instinct is FLIGHT Or FIGHT and since he is bigger than all of us put together, the first is the obvious choice. (We know he is big by the size of that paw print.)

Do we believe the dream was a warning? YES we do.
She said it was so strange, she woke up before the bear reached her so she does not know how it ended.
We can tell her how that chase ended. She was safe because we were not taking chances.

After much trepidation, We did creep up to the snowman about 100 feet ahead. We looked at every tree, and bush and dark bump in the forest.
So far not a Bear in sight. But, But , But , But he could be watching us.

We did take photos by Mr. Frosty but we were constantly on alert.

Scene 3
Suddenly we had to go to the bathroom, HAD TO GO. (don't you always have to go wee-wee when you are frightened?)
We told the guys we were going behind the bathroom, (bathrooms were sealed tight for the winter) so stay close in case we scream.
We were only a few feet from them, As we started around the flush toilets, we saw a sign on the door.
Use bathrooms at 36 B.

Remember we are on loop A.
Like we are going searching for porta pottys at another loop. That would be foolish, To walk too far from the safety of our car.

As we protested, and assessed our dilemma, we see the next loop,( which I know is just the back of one side of loop A.) There is a bathroom. Maybe, just maybe that is 36B.


Praise the Lord and Pass the Tissue, it is open!!! And it is only about 50 more feet away.

Man it felt good to empty the bladder. Now to go out and NOT see a BEAR.

Wouldn't you know it, the guys had to go too, but they did not have to do anything but find a tree. (close to the car).
Warning *Do not eat the Yellow Snow.**


Scene 4

As we walked back to the men, we followed the foot prints in the snow. They just seemed to end, we found no beginning or was it ending?
Suddenly I remembered "Bears can climb trees, STUPID!!!!!."

We continued to stay close to the car and take photos of the snow and ourselves in winter apparel. I had on snow boots and my jeans would not stay down. (down as in, below the boot tops).
I had taken red scarves so we had color to add to the photos.

We finally have enough suspense and head to the lake. Manzanita Lake. It is beautiful and the lake birds are calling. As we walk down I see BEAR Poop.

I know it was, (no matter what the men say) it was GREEN.
Now what animal eats greenery and has green poop?

BEARS!!!



It was an amazing day in the mountains. We laughed so much and even got a photo of the brothers dancing. LOL

When we arrived home, My sister hugged me really tight and thanked me for such a fun filled day.

Lou it was worth every second of it, I loved having someone beside me laughing and seeing the old places we used to roam, As kids. Kids as in 19 and 24 year old.

Break Time

Today I am just putting my house in order for the holidays. So why do I straighten closets? I do not have a clue. I just do it. I always do. I put shirts with shirts, I placed my sweaters in a big clear box, (they were getting a bump where they hung on the hanger and God knows I don't need more bumps). The meds are straightened. The hangers are separate. The tile grout in the bathroom is soaking in bleach. The bed is stripped and remade, the sheets are piled in the floor. Ask me do I care? NOPE. Not even a smidgen.
I sit now with my feet up and the keyboard on my lap. So relaxed. I need to think of dinner but it is still early, maybe a big bowl of soup.
I am putting most of my sewing away. Lou and I had a fun time playing with fabrics. I love fabrics I could sit and look at patterns on fabric all DAY. Just ask her.
The sewing machine is staying out I still have four quilts to bind. She took two to Arkansas, the quilting prices are about half the price here. Two are still at the quilters, I thought I would have them back by now, but not happening.
Sorry guys they really are coming.
They really are made, they really really are, Jarod. (he ask for his every time I see him).

When I woke today, I did not have the gumption to get up. For fifteen days I have awaken to the smell of coffee, and a big Good Morning from my sister and her husband. I just lay a few minutes thinking about it and did get a lost feeling. I am sure we all have them from time to time.
Nothing to really put your finger on just sort of sad, alone, lost. But life does go on.

My grandson in Washington, is doing good. He was tested for a few weeks and he is in the top
15% of people his age. That is big. I knew he was very intelligent, he just refused to use it.
His God given talents and mind.
Now he is buckling down and studying. I am so proud of him for this effort. It has to be difficult in his situation. However He is making the best of a bad situation.

Now I am more relaxed so I will get back to my jobs. Not a lot to do now, I am leaving the mopping and vacuuming for David.

So I will go back to Tara and Think on it.
"After all Tomorrow is another day."
Scarlet O'Hara. (Gone with the wind).

Too Quiet

My family returned home today, They are now on Arkansas soil. That is sad.
We had a wonderful visit. I told them my house is very quiet and uneventful. They found that to be so true.
They really hated to leave. That makes a person happy. I am so happy they enjoyed their stay. We treated them so many ways they were bound to love one of them. (Joke).
Lou and I had many heart to heart talks.
As we traveled last night to Sacramento, I reached over and took her hand, I told her how much this meant to me. She responded with the same feelings, As she put her thumb over my hand I felt it move a little bit. I thought, "God don't let her rub my finger with her thumb, My Mama always did that."
I would surely break my reverie at that point.
My David and her husband coy had a great time, I saw them laugh so much and be young men again. well young in attitude with a slower gait.
We visited their sister Retha and had a lot of laughs and man did I learn a lot this last two weeks, Those guys were really into a lot when they were quite young, as in 8 to 12 years old.
IN fact I want to go tear walls out of a house in Red bluff to find treasure that were dropped into the walls. (stolen treasures that are now over 60 years old.)
The dads will have to fill you all in on that one. I learned Retha was used as a torpedo on a sling shot, which was a sapling (small tree). She said she was tossed through the air more than she can count.
I also learned she was a lookout for the boys and a Howe boy?
I learned they were not the only McLemores to walk the Sacramento pipeline, At least they did not have a drunk man on their backs. (LOL more to follow).

So this has been one of the best few weeks than we had in since July when Sheri was here.
I totally let down and did little work, I did cook, We all know I love to cook.
I introduced my sister to Rum cooking. Or is that "cooking with Rum?"
Good Bacardi Gold, Puerto Rican Rum.
I told her as soon as she gets home, she needs to buy a bottle of rum and brandy. It is marvelous for cooking.
First I made apple dumplings with a hot rum sauce. Later we were talking about Bread puddings. I told her "OH man I wish I had made you a Bread pudding," She said she makes them then I told her I use any sweets we are tired of and place left overs in the freezer." I began laughing as I said, " OH yes I use a Brandy Sauce over it".
Now I know it sounds like I cook a lot with alcohol but it is really a great flavor to sweets to add a Brandy hard sauce or a hot rum sauce.
On Wednesday Lou and I went to the hot tub about noon. As the day was warm we pulled up the lounge chairs and lay in the warm California sun for a while. We so wanted to sleep. The sun felt so good and we were thoroughly warmed. Heart and soul. We had a difficult time getting out of our chairs to visit friends for a dinner out.
However once we got to dinner we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

While here, (which they did not have to do)
Lou and Coy did a lot of cleaning the kitchen and floors, It is good they did it as I was letting it go so I could just visit. She did lots of laundry. Thank you so much.
But mostly thanks for the Wonderful gift of your time this past 16 days. It has meant so much to me and David.
I will miss the good night hugs.

Quite a Week

My sister and my husbands brother are visiting so I have been visiting, visiting, visiting.
To begin with, we picked them up at the airport on Tuesday evening. The plans had been made to meet our nephew and families at Borders, (a Mexican restaurant). Their plane was about an hour late and the kids were all aware the plane would be late.
I talked to Kris, my DIL and told her to dress my beautiful grandchildren beautiful. I(t is hard to improve on perfection.)
As we arrived the boys were in the restroom with Mommy for a potty break. As they were guided to the table, and introduced. Cay was busy looking around. After intros, I said and "We Are?"
A big Mamaw Papaw went up, and hugs came around the table.
The boys were in suits and ties. So So cute, (handsome). Kiara was in a new dress with black tights, and beautiful bows in her hair. (she choose them all herself, Good taste Sweetie).
I was so proud of them but I always am.
My sister made a later asked, "Why were they so dressed up?" I laughed and said Kris did that for me, I wanted to show them off," To which she added. "They are REALLY well behaved children."
As their Mamaw I knew that but for anyone else to notice is a big plus. Of course Gina said they were always like that. And they are, except at home, which is great.
They are well behaved and polite.
As we were eating, a good thirty minutes later, I hear, "Mamaw that's Johnny, HI JOHN, (while hand is waving) HI JOHN." Caylum loves his cousins and is so happy to see them. John sat at the end of the table waving and smiling so sweetly. John knew pure love when he saw it.
The evening was very nice and then we had to drive the three hour drive home. Not bad since we had lots to talk about. And talk we did.
We arrived home around midnight and visited a little more, then off to bed. I had coffee ready for morning so all they had to do was turn it on.
We called our friends and they came to visit on Thursday and Lou, Darlene and I worked on quilts and I made dinner. At this point I don't even recall what but I do know I made apple dumplings and they were appreciated a lot. The guys loved them. The next evening we had them back and had left overs, to the remaining dumplings I added, sliced apples with rum sauce and cooked it down. It was so good, served with a small piece of the dumpling, with ice cream. Hungry yet?
LOL
We have had a wonderful time just visiting, we have been in the hot tub three times, and one of the days it rained hard. So we were kept inside.
So a lot going on so not a lot of updates.
I will write more later, it is time for "Dancing with the Stars"

Happy Birthday ET

ET showing us his moves, "No No" His Mom Yells.

ET and Papaw July 2008.

I call him E T,he asked "Why do you call me that".

My answer.

"IT FITS you are like an Extra Treat for the family".

I missed it again, OH that is Mom though. ET was six yesterday the 2nd.

So today I will say a few words on his behalf.

HUmmmm Hummm Humm, (clearing my throat)

As we all gather around the computer today, to say a few words to ET, let us remember his entire life is ahead. We pray for good choices, good living and a firm belief in God and Country and Family.

When ET was born I was pretty sick so I did not get to spend a lot of time with him.

However God fixed that, they moved onto our property for a year and lived just outside my back door. What a treat that was. ET was small, he was and is the smallest of my daughters children.

We, the older kids and myself, would take walks across the field. we had a trail we always took. We were watching changes in the new place.

As we walked,here came ET, but he walked across the middle of the field.

Sometime the grass was taller than he. He would stop to saunter and his little legs never seemed to tire. We often got tired just waiting for him to look at weeds, and wild flowers.

M being the loving older sister, wanted him to run so she, more than once said,

"E come here Sissy has a cookie".

He ran then, I would chide her for teasing him and she would giggle. We then would try to pick him up but he was having none of that.

G and ET were so good for each other, Well For G anyway. I more than once saw him pick E up and throw him in the irrigation ditch, only to watch him climb the hill for another good throwing. He loved it.

"Thank Heaven for little boys."

When visiting last year, I saw this little (still the smallest) boy become a good swimmer. He is also a water dog. He would run and jump into the pool, while turning around in mid air to head back to the side.

every time he did it, he had to get out and count. He was counting pretty high by days end. He just loved jumping and turning.

We were afraid he would turn too soon and hit his head on the cement.

When his Dad came out, E wanted to be thrown over and over. He loved the flying through the air and hitting the water, coming up for air, swimming to Dad all the time saying "Again Again again".

So now he is six and every day as sweet and mischievous as you can imagine. He is loving, silly , kind, and into so much. "so much more than the older kids ever thought. " Older brothers and sissy are much more reserved.

when I picture his face. I can see him standing in my living room.

My Granddaughter, Kiara, walked by, He watched her all the way through, turned to me and said, With a cute smile on his face.

"She is pretty cute for a three year old".

Well ET you are pretty cute for a six year old. Or is that Handsome?

ET you are handsome for a (6) six year old.

Can you say Torrential Rain

Oh my that was quite a downpour. The pool was overflowing so David braved the onslaught to start the drain. He pulled his jacket over his head but forgot about covering his back. Guess you know, that was a cold rain. I wish I could have heard the yelping above the noise.
We then ran to to old garage to see where the leak is coming in. It still appears to be the window.
We found a replacement at Lowe's for 24 dollars. Not bad but now we still need another one and I refuse to pay 125 for one.
It has been a great day to do little, but we had to run into town. Now we can sit, and watch movies and relax.
I Love the Rain.
I Love the wind, (as long as I am not out in it.)
I love the snow and again ALAIANII

Tomorrow my grandson goes to camp. I know his Mom and Dad are beside themselves with worry. They are so protective. And E has only been away from them once and that was when Mommy had surgery, Mamaw had to come home due to a horrible back.
Evan cam with me and he was two or so years old. Jarod was newly born, That is why Mommy was so sick.
Mommy still has not forgiven me for taking her baby away. (Ken told me that).
He was such a great little boy those few days, as soon as he walked into the house, he ran to the toy box and we never heard a word out of him.
When bedtime came I gave him his bath, lay down with him and he was out, and slept so good.
Now he is a big boy, but still needs protection. I am sure the school will take good care of him. E will not wander off on his own, I just hope they are not getting snowed in right now. He is going to the mountains to an environmental camp.
We have great camps for schools, the kids spend a week away, they learn about trees, caves, camping and singing around a campfire.
E will have a blast.

This week when you think of us, Think of Evan as he is camping.

Hope you have a great time Buddy. See you soon.,

Baking Day Rainy Day

Today has been so nice. As I opened the blinds this morning, I saw the wet cement and dark skies. It has rained all day. A wonderful, cleansing, rain.
Suddenly I saw our phone set blinking. I checked all the phones and our phone was out. I assumed it was like that all around us as the weather was wet and the wind was blowing.
Finally David checked with our neighbors and sure enough, it was just us. I took the phone box off the outside and checked it out. Not that I knew what I was seeing.
Suddenly I had a brain storm. I have two lines, Assuming the lines were down, I never checked my other line. I ran in and sure enough, my other line worked. It had to be from the company, not our wiring. (new wiring).
I then went on line to check out the procedure to see where the problem was. I even hooked up a phone outside, I still had no dial tone on my primary line. Now we wait until Monday to have it repaired.
OH well , at least we do have a phone line to use in case of an emergency.

David and I had breakfast, then off to work on the old garage. We had to insulate a part of the walls. As we began we noticed the floor was wet on one side. Darn it, Ron had sealed the walls too. I think it was coming from the window. It may need replacing. We can't have that happening. Who knows it may have leaked for all the years we have been here.
Remember two years ago, I helped put a roof on it, so we know it is not the roof. The siding is sealed, so not siding. The window is all that is left and the stream of water coming down the wall was proof enough.
We did get the back wall done, at least as far as we could.
We packed it all away and came back in.
At least we know where the problem is and we decided we better not insulate that wall, as Ron may need to rework the window.
You know you never start a project that it does not grow and grow and grow.

We finally showered and sat to relax. Hey I cant do that. I had to bake breads. Well I wanted to bake, the rain makes you want to smell spices and food cooking.
I made 16 small loaves of pumpkin and banana breads. I will now wrap and freeze, so when we have company, it is there to eat when anyone wants. (that is if there is any left, David loves it).
I now sit and work on my quilts and relax.
It has been a very nice day. I planned it so we would not have to go into town today.
That is why I did all the shopping yesterday. Good Plan. No running into town on the weekend. Just sit in a warm house, enjoy the rain, and sew and bake.

So with that I am saying,

Good Night David, (Brinkley)
Good Night Chet. (Huntley)

Good night and God bless, (Red Skelton)

I'm so glad we had this time together, (Carol Burnette)

Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene, I'll see you in my dreams. (old song)

Goodnight Mama Goodnight Daddy, Good night David, Goodnight Rete, Goodnight Jodie.
Giggle Giggle, (all the kids laughing as Coy said his good nights, he could not go to sleep until he told everyone goodnight). Hey ken reminds me of you.

OK OK goodnight everyone.