Oregon Musings...

2011-09-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

Busy Summer Bee

Again, it has been a long time since my last writing toOregon Musings… sometimes I think I should cancel the blog completely, but Iwon’t. If for no other reason then, I enjoy writing to it when the spirit movesme to do so. Even though I know it is not of much interest to others, it issort of a personal journal, a place to think out loud, dream out loud andsometime revisit my activities of the past.

It has been a very nice summer so far, sunshine to wake upto almost every day, temperatures in the upper seventies mostly, a few days inthe lower eighties… beautiful garden weather where I spend time each day,enjoying and tending those little bright, colorful faces that brighten myyards. How cheerful they all stand… little smiling faces of nature giving allthey have for the pleasure of those who look upon them. This year I started asort of English garden in the 12X24 foot raised bed I used to grow veggies in.I am enjoying the flowers more than I enjoyed growing veggies.

However tomorrow is the first of September, fall will so behere and then winter. sigh… I have to admit as my years increase I find wintersmost trying after awhile, the dark dreariness and the cold seem to bother memore each year… I miss the sun a great deal. During the long winter, my thoughtsturn to where I lived and grew up, Santa Monica and the California sun. I thinkof Santa Monica in the 40s and 50s and remember the joy and simplicity of lifethere. The 40’s 59’s were certainly a different time and I suppose because theywere my formative years, the sweet year of innocence’s I remember themwith pleasure.

Actually there are two periods in my life that bring me thegreatest pleasure to think about, the years I just mentioned and the years weas a family, my husband and children move up to Oregon. 1973 it was, from thecity of Santa Monica, California we moved to ten acres, a magnificent piece ofland butted up against the Siuslaw National Forest, how wonderful it was weraised chickens, Mallard ducks, two goats, one named Nanny, a white Nubian, mymilk goat, we put in a large garden each year, had a nice orchard, and moreblackberries then we could ever eat, so those were shared with the occasionalbear that came to nibble. We had deer and elk wondering through now and then, they werea sight to see, another wonderful pleasure was to wander in the forests of Fir, Vine Maple, Alder Cedar and wild berries. We owned a bit of that forest, maybe two acres, what joy, thechildren and I spent many hours hiking that forest, it went on for miles andmiles, I have to admit I miss my life there very much at times; I always feltsuch joy in nature. I have been so fortunate to have experienced living soclose to nature… a real blessing.

2011-06-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

It’s been a busy Spring season around the Caroline Gardens… had to have two Flowering Cherry trees cut down, both were in the front yard, they developed Brown Rot Blossom Blight. When contacting the Lane County Extension service I learned the life expectance of the Flowering Cherry is 20 to 26 years; my trees were 22 years old so it was time to remove them. I will miss their great beauty of blooms but I will not miss the mess of petals and leaves to pick up off the plants that grow beneath them. Above is a picture of their past blooms… most beautiful.

While the tree cutter was here I had him limb up a couple 50 to 60 year old pines to allow more sun into my flower gardens, what a treat it is to stand under them and look up to the blue sky, they are so tall, with the alders I planted twenty years ago I have sort of my own little forest to go to and sit in when I feel the need to “talk to the trees” tee hee… Really, just be refreshed in their beauty and oneness to the creator, trees have always been something special to me, especially when wondering through the National Forests. I miss living within the Siuslaw National Forest very much, so I try to create a little place of trees and quiet here in the city.

It is going to be a wonderful summer, I can see it in how much the flowers are growing and blooming already… such beauty… I wish sometimes everyone could walk through my small yards and see all the bright colorful faces shining about, feel the love of nature and the thankfulness to be alive and share in the joys these beautiful faces give… Have a wonderful summer.

Come see ...

http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=ac68adc8-7cbf-4c43-85de-2dbcf9c7d587&m=false&i=0:1:1&c=0.043262:-0.00569922:-0.0945977&z=237.737097420887&d=-0.0129630757477562:-2.34811528871401:-2.07602835555751&p=0:0&t=False

2011-04-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

Spring is here!!

All has been quiet on the home front, spring is here and I have been happily working in the different garden areas of my home, weeding, digging and planting more of natures’ beauties to enjoy this season. Last year I gave up planting vegetables almost completely. I still plant lettuce and tomatoes and herbs, oregano, thyme etc. Herbs, besides being wonderful to use in cooking they smell so great, are pretty and grow well.

Yesterday I found a wonderful plant at our local nursery, the Mexican Orange, it won’t produce oranges but the pretty white flowers have a wonderful fragrance; so along with some wonderful different Iris species, African Daises and other pretties I am looking forward to a summer filled with natures gifts of joy, beauty and fragrance… not a bad way to spend the summer afternoons I’d say.

I joined the Woman’s Auxiliary at our local hospital, we meet once a week, a fine bunch of woman, we knit, crochet, and sew lap robes for veterans, hospice and the hospital, some of us volunteer in the hospital itself, where there are many ways to help and be comfort to patients who ask for someone to be with them, a patient advocate it is a fine way to be of service to others.

Well that’s it! I will post pictures of my flowers as they bloom this season…
Thanks for you visit…

2011-03-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

What a Day! The phone rang at 3 am, I woke out of a deep sleep, my first thought was ‘oh, I hope nothing has happen to anyone... it was a recording telling me to evacuate and go to the Events Center...tsunami warning, this is not a drill! As I hung up the warning siren started screaming. Well I threw some decent cloths on, brushed my teeth combed my hair, grabbed my important paper in their large blue plastic envelope, my medications, got the car out and left.

There were many people at the Event Center already, I walked in and the mayor says to me, “Welcome, here we all are and without make up.”‘ a little humor to easy things'. They had turned the BIG TV in the auditorium on covering the tsunami and folks were there with pillows blankets and curling up... I stayed out in the lobby and talked to several folks... some were neighbors pretty near my home.

The tsunami was suppose to hit about seven am so after being there until about 4:30 I decided to go back home and wait until about 6 and then return, that way I would have some time to gather some juice, nuts, granola, apple, bread, vitamins, water and have a small bowl of cereal. In addition, I wanted to rest for a bit but the phone rang soon after I arived and I was told to leave immediately also a fellow, a volunteer working as a neighborhood helper knocked on the door and asked if I was ready to leave... I said yes... I called my friend Linda, who lives right on the beach to see when she was going to come to higher ground, she said she would wait until 6:00 and she was going to go to her office call me and I should come over there. Which I did, about 7 am, we went the get breakfast and then back to the office... at 10:45 am the all clear whistle blew and home I came.... wow I am beat and so was Linda.

I am so pleased nothing happen here in Florence, my sweet little home is fine... I watched the awful pictures of Japan on TV. How sad and horrible, my prayers go out to them all.

It has been a very hard, sad day for so many, seems like we get a lot of these kind of days lately if any good comes out of such pain and sadness lets hope it brings us closer together in compassion and love.

Thanks for visiting.

2011-02-15T23:06:00.000-08:00

From My Box of Family Cards 1989

What a lovely Valentine Day this has been. I have been alone all day but that is not unusual. June, my daughter and I wished each other a happy day and played Scrabble via Facebook, it sure is fun and I enjoy playing very much. Usually I have three different games going, June and two friends. It’s great because I can leave the PC on and check back every now and then to see who has sat down for a moment or two and added in a word.

There were two very nice surprises for Valentine day, at the post office; I found a big box full of Lotus Biscoff Europe’s favorite cookies at the Post Office from my dear friends in California, along with a charming post card from a fellow Postcrossing member who lives in Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest has always seemed a romantic, exciting city, to me I suppose due to those great movies of the 40’s. I’ll have to educate myself on Budapest, should be fun. Gosh, you can go anywhere on the Internet, learn just about anything you desire. For sure, I enjoy myself on the Internet. I have learned more about the world in the last ten years then ever before. When your busy being a mom your busy enjoying your children watching them grow and learn, and well, you do sort of forget about yourself. Although you can learn many important things about yourself some good, some not so good, but that’s the point, you see where you need to grow in patience, love and how to be a better human being. Anyway, now the Internet gives me the opportunity to learn wonderful things and again some not so wonderful thing about the world, our country, things we need to know and it keeps our aging synapses popping. (I speak for myself, that is.) Tee Hee

I starting thinking about the three large boxed I have up in my hobby closet and all the cards from all the years of my marriage… digging in these boxes I found many very old Valentine cards along with every kind of card for every occasion we gave to each other as a family… what fun… what to do with them I don’t know, I can’t throw them away and the children don't want them. Funny how do you refer to your children when they are adults? I’m 73 and I suppose when I am 90 and my children are in there 60’s and 70’s I will still refer to them as my children. I remember seeing a local man in his mid 90’s ask, “Hey, have you seen my kids around?” He was looking for his two sons in their 70’s. That’s sweet.

Well as for the years of cards I do have a couple ideas of what can be done with them, yet I am still looking for more ideas. If anyone has an ideas or suggestions they would like to share please send it via the comment area or my e-mail address you will find at View My Complete Profile, to the left. That would be great.

Thank you for your visit...

2011-02-15T22:35:00.001-08:00

What a lovely Valentine Day this has been. I have been alone all day but that is not unusual, June, my daughter and I wish each other happy day and played Scrabble via Facebook, it sure is fun and I enjoy playing very much. Usually I have three different games going, June and two friends. It’s great because I can leave the PC on and check back every now and then to see who has sat down for a moment or two and added in a word.

Budapest has always seemed a romantic, exciting city, I suppose due to those great movies of the 40’s, I’ll have to educate myself on Budapest, should be fun. Gosh, you can go anywhere on the Internet, learn just about anything you desire. For sure, I enjoy myself on the Internet. I have learned more about the world in the last ten years then I ever have before. When you busy being a mom your busy enjoying your children as they grow and learn, and in that process well you do sort of forget about yourself. Although you do learn important things about yourself some good, some not so good, but that’s the point, you see where you need to grow in patience, love and how to be a better human being. Anyway, now the Internet gives me the opportunity to learn wonderful things and again some not so wonderful thing about the world, our country, things we need to know and well, it keeps our aging synapses popping. (I speak for myself, that is.) Tee Hee

I starting thinking about the three large boxed I have up in my hobby closet and all the cards from all the years of my marriage… so digging in these boxes I found many very old Valentine cards along with every kind of card for every kind of occasion we gave each other as a family… what fun… what to do with them I don’t know, I can’t throw them away and the children do want them. Funny how do you refer to your children when they are adults? I’m 73 and I suppose when I am 90 and my children are in there 60’s and 70’s I will still refer to them as my children. I remember seeing a local man in his mid 90’s ask, “Hey, have you seen my kids around?” He was looking for his two sons in their 70’s. That’s sweet.

Well as for the years of cards I do have a couple ideas of what can be done with them, yet I am still looking for more ideas. If anyone has an ideas or suggestions they would like to share please send it via the comment area or my e-mail you will find at View My Complete Profile to the left. I'd like to see them.

Thank you for your visit...

2011-02-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

A Winter Rose (Gift of Life)

So far we are having a rather nice February, lots of sunny days and today I hear a lawn mower going, always a good sound of coming spring… in fact I should get the ole lawnmower out and get it running maybe even give my lawn a trimming; but not today perhaps tomorrow. Today I am doing a bit of work in my flowerbeds and when finished there I will maybe wash my car and go for a much, needed walk, hopefully walk off the cookies and other goodies I have been eating too much of. Winter for me always leads to baking, nibbling, and over doing the goodies. Anyone else have that problem?

Come February to April I find myself feeling like a ship without a rudder, going from reading to watching movies, to water color painting, which I am not talented at and too lazy to apply myself seriously, then there is sewing or knitting which leave me unenthusiastic these days because there isn't any family members who want or need such things. Of course, there are plenty of places to donate such thing to and I do. This winter I have made little dresses for Africa, knitted helmet liners for our service men and women, knitted baby caps for a local shop but after twenty or thirty of those sorts of things one tends to get burned out… so I am taking a break and working on my father’s memoir, or just curl up with a good book from the library… By May I will be antsy to get my hands into the soil and PLANT! Who knows how much longer I can work in the yards, I’m getting up there, but so far so good! To silly me flowers and plants are like caring for children I think that is what draws me to the soil and of course the beautiful reward they give back is so worth all the labor.

Well I have rattled on long enough and said really nothing of great interest but this is sort of my journal and one really should write often if they have a blog… Thanks for stopping by; have a wonderful day.

2011-02-11T14:27:00.001-08:00

2011-02-11T14:21:00.001-08:00

2011-01-31T18:49:00.000-08:00

January Garden Flowers

The months of December and January went by so fast I find it hard to think February already. The Holidays were wonderful, had a very nice time with my two sons, spoke with and exchanged wonderful gifts with my daughter and her family in Wisconsin. Hope some day we will all have Christmas all in one place, wouldn’t that be great. It’s been six or seven years since I hugged my little granddaughter and she is such a sweet young lady now.

We have been having a mild winter with days that seem more like late spring or early summer, I’ve even found flowers blooming in the raised bed garden behind the garage… what a treat to see their bright faces looking up as I walked back there to see how thing were doing and hoping not to find a lot of weeds grown in, these tough little gifts of nature to brighten those darker, colder winter days. They really shouldn’t be blooming but they are, nature does have a way of surprising us everyday if we look.

I must say I have been putting time to good use. When you can’t do much outside and there really isn’t anywhere to go since I can’t drive except around town, one finds time and ambition to do all the little and big things that need doing to keep a home in good repair and homey. I really get a feeling of accomplishment and enjoyment doing those kinds of things. This past weekend I completed painting my kitchen and two walls in the living room, what a good time I have had and how well it all went, I see having been married in the past to a house painter I learned a lot without really knowing it until I started painting for myself. It’s satisfying work, it went well and I am pleased. The next projects will be the hallway and the up stairs bath. When the spirit moves me to take up the brush and roller again.

Life is good, even the rough times can give you deeper understanding and brighten your future, rounding you out to give more love to those you care about.

2010-12-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Christian Chruch Down the Block.

It is really unforgivable that I haven’t written to my blog since September, life seems to zoom by. September and October I spent time preparing my gardens for their winter slumber, raking the tiny Oriental Maple leaves to put on top of the earth around my summer perennials, it seems I have been raking leaves off and on ever since. There are two big blooming Cherry trees in the front yard that get very messy November and December, with the wind and rain. In fact, today I need to rake, sweep and dispose to leaves again, a job I do enjoy, its good healthy exercise and at 72 one must stay active.

A week ago we had snow, it has been years since we had any snow that lasted over a couple hours, this was wonderful it started during the night and we awoke to everything white and beautiful. The snow fell most of the day until we had 3 or 4 inches I believe. It was marvelous, I went out and built a snowman, the first I have built or helped to build in maybe twenty years…. What a treat! I hope we are blessed with more snowfall this winter. Snow does make it feel more Christmas like, speaking of Christmas I have already put up my tree in anticipation for Christmas day spent with my two sons, I am looking forward to it with glee. It’s the next best thing to having the whole family together again; something I wish will take place some day.

Winter time can become a little bit dismal when one is alone, I think many people experience this when living on their own, us older folks have a tendency to remember when the children were little and the excitement one feels of the children’s love of Christmas, I remember setting out with the children into the woods to cut down our own Christmas tree from our own part of the forest, how fine that was, I will always be thankful to God that we had the opportunity to live in the country and experience the good and hard times of country life. I had a favorite goat, Nanny and a favorite dog, Tag they were a real source of strength and comfort besides being sweet creatures of nature. I remember our first Christmas there my husband had to return to California for work and there were no gifts under our forest Christmas tree except the few from a kind and thoughtful neighbor yet that is one of the most memorable Christmas to me, the walk in the woods to get the tree, with its usual little squabbles between the children as to who would pick out that perfect tree, and if it weren’t for the boys we would have gotten lost, I have a terrible sense of direction… we had a truly blessed Christmas that year it was right out of Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory in many ways.

I better say good-bye for this writing and I will be more diligent through 2011.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

2010-09-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Summer's Joys

Just as I was beginning to think, the summer weather was at its end, here it is again, so off I went to play in my gardens yet another day, to weed, and start the procedure of preparing these lovely gifts of nature for their winters slumber. There is as much joy in tucking them in, so to speak, as the enjoyment they give through spring and summer.

Silly as it may sound and I think I said this before, these gifts of God are like caring for children, seeing to them, appreciation them and doing the very best you can do for them, then watching as they grow from within themselves, into the best they can be. What a joy indeed!

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced.

2010-09-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

Another ‘must read’ book.

Nujood Ali a ten year old girl living in Yemen a country far away and one I know very little about but Nujood has touched my heart and soul with her courage and strength, she has put me in her village and the villages of other young girls, children actually, who’s suffering is an everyday part of their existence. They have no power and no one to standup for them… happily Nujood with her innocents, grace and strength of character has caused change, opened the door on an ugly secret that has destroyed the lives of children for centuries.

Don’t miss this book; you’ll be happy you didn’t.

2010-07-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

I just have to share this fine read, it is the second most wonderful book I have read this year. The first one I shared awhile back, remember? Leaving Gee’s Bend by Irene Latham, you can find it below dated March 27,2010 under “older posts”.

This book “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” is one of those books you can’t put down and at the same time you don’t want to read it because it will end. I call that the ‘Bitter and the Sweet’ of a VERY GOOD book.

Here is what is written on the back cover.

In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, Seattle WA., once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belonging of Japanese families who were sent to interment camp during World War II. As the owner displays and unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940's Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel's basement for the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object, whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made for family, for love, for country.

My note: The story tells much about the internment camp in Idaho where they were sent, what Henry goes through to visit Keiko and her family. Most of the story is written in the forms of when they were children, 12-13 years old in Seattle and the hardship being oriental brought them because of the war with Japan, in what was called Chinatown and the Japantown... the story has many wonderful characters to get to know, it is beautiful, it has so much to it that it touches every part of you heart... if you miss this book you are missing a great deal… Check it out at your local library or purchase it, you will be pleased you did. Bye, Jean

2010-07-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

Summer Rose (Gift of Life)

I have had a wonderful weekend, went out Saturday evening to an impromptu gathering at my friends Rosie and John's home... what a delight. I met Rosie when she was head of our local Obama headquarters... the get together was great and I met some very nice folks, I think I have been a stay at home too long... missing out on some good times. It’s time to get out more and even do some volunteering again this time with State Representative Arnie Roblan's Re-Elect campaign. He has worked very hard and done many good things for our part of the Oregon coast. Visit his web http://www.arniefororegon.com/ and learn more.

Another fun thing I have been doing is playing SCRABBLE on Facebook... I surprise myself ... tonight I got what is called Scrabble Bingo! Using all 7 letter at once... gee you get and extra 77 points for Bingo... Wow! I'm becoming a Scrabble champ. Tee hee.... it is fun and keeps the old gray matter alert. Try it if you are on Facebook, you can challenge me a game...

2010-07-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

Sand Hill Dune

My goodness July 15th already, where does the time go… summer always seems to zoom by, and yet the winters drag… should be the opposite as far as I am concerned. In the winter of my life, I need the time to slow down and I need summers that last and last. I love being outside everyday watering, weeding, and tending my flowers and plants… I see them as children to be cared for, fed, tended and loved… I know, I am silly but that is how I feel… flowers like children are gifts from God they can bring such joy…

Today ever since I returned in-doors, I have been on the P.C. I do volunteer work for CoastWatch a wonderful origination where people can adopt a mile of beach anywhere along the entire Oregon Coast, visit it as often as they like and submit a quarterly report on the changes observed, the wild life, people, birds, mammals etc. In my position, I check over all of the Lane County area reports, then posting them to the CoastWatch web page. http://oregonshores.org/coastwatch.php5?cwnn=missingnn&cwpw=missingpw?PHPSESSID=f5akoeklesrjgmai7nob8v8ek3

If you visit the site go to ‘Mile Report Browser’ on the left side of the page and check out the reports, in fact check out the whole site its is very informative and if you live on the Oregon Coast you may want to become a “Coast Watcher.” It is surprising how much you can learn and see on the beaches… a real delightful way to spend an afternoon.

Here in the Florence area and down almost to North Bend the beaches and the Oregon Dunes, which stretch to the beach in many, many places, is a real treat. I have seen many wonders on the Dunes, bears, fox, deer not to mention dunes so high that when standing next to a tree, you are actually standing next to the top 20 feet of maybe a 100 or more foot tree, and as you look around you will see no evidence of people or man made objects. It is a wonderful closeness with nature, the quiet and the beauty is almost overwhelming… Come to the Dunes and experience for yourself being at one with nature for a bit.

2010-07-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

I have been thinking about our service man and women and the great sacrifice they are making on the behalf of all of us and our country….

I hope everyone thinks and prays for them today, we all must take time everyday to remember them and pay much more attention to what goes on in Washington…. Make yourself heard let’s keep America free within and without… only we the people can and must.

A little up-date on the baby birds, they have flown off; I was lucky enough to see them test their flying skills. They timidly flitted from small branch to small branch then increasing the distance from one tree to another finishing back at the nest. Two mornings later and the nest is empty. They are off to experiencing and investigating life, what a treat for me to have been part of their coming of age so to speak. What a blessing nature is.

Do have a happy, safe forth.

As Jackie Gleason uesd to say... How sweet it is!

2010-06-30T19:13:00.000-07:00

I had to hide behind the window blinds to get this shot, mother was getting a bit annoyed with me.

Summer is here with all its delights. My gardens is doing nicely and I am busy as a bee with day trips, sewing, knitting “Tiny Tot Caps” for a local shop and just enjoying each day. For the past few weeks I have been keeping an eye on a Sparrow that has made a nest in a birdhouse I have atop a glass partitioned wall around part of the deck. Watching her build her nest was great but now I have the immense pleasure of watching her feed her young and is she busy, I can’t believe the chirping from the babies and how attentive she is all day long and into the late evening. I believe she even has the Papa having a go at feeding time, if not he stands guard because when I come out on the deck he certainly lets me know I am intruding. I am sure they are the same couple to make a nest and raise babies there for the past four years. The year before last I found one of the new-hatched laying on the deck, it either fell out of the nest or died and mother removed it.

I am hoping this year I will be lucky enough to watch her teach them to fly, missed it last year and the year before, in fact I am not too sure the young survived as I had to chase off a crow several times trying to get into the nest. All seems safe so far I watch carefully and well if I don’t attend the fledgling flight there is always next season.

Hope you enjoy the pictures… mother was not too pleased with my photographic endeavor but I think she is beginning to trust me a wee bit. Isn’t nature the greatest thing ever?

2010-06-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hello again, it is a beautiful day, I mowed the lawn this morning and enjoyed sitting under the trees afterward to listen to the birds and share some bread with my friends the crows… about thirty of them, sometimes more. Funny as you won’t see one anywhere, but lay some food out and one comes crowing and in a matter of second there is a black blotch on the lawn. You would think the first one would be quiet and eat his fill but no, he calls in the others. They seem to be a very sharing group looking out for each other… I’ve never seen them fight over anything put out for them. Some folks don’t like crows but I find them fun.

It is afternoon now and I am taking a break from sewing, having vision in only one eye is frustrating at times… try to thread a needle.. it can be funny as your depth perception is off and so you try very carefully to get the thread in the eye only to find you are off to the left or the right of the needle. Could take several minutes and many tries to get it right but its worth the effort. I am making Christmas gifts and that is always fun.

Last night I finished a very different and interesting book, a quick read only 112 pages. The author, Ruth Reichl is such a fine writer I couldn’t put it down. The title caught my attention at our local library and I just had to give it a try, I’ve not read anything by Ms. Reichl before but I will look for more of her writings.

The title NOT BECOMING MY MOTHER AND OTHER THINGS SHE TAUGHT ME ALONG THE WAY, struck a cord because I realize we never understand our parents when we are young, not really know the person inside and that is important. Understanding can be healthy especially if there were hurts that can be carried on into our own lives. What Ms. Reichl discovers about her mother and the trials of the age her mother lived in is most enlightening to her, and to the reader. One tends to think about their own parents and what their life must have been like. A most wonderful, thought provoking book to read.

Personally have been working on my father’s notes of his life, what he remembered when he put his thought to paper; I am editing them into his memoir. I find I will title it THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW, because it is just that. He was a harsh father and I see now this life contained many personal reasons for his harshness, as a child and as a young adult I of course didn’t know or understand his harshness, now through his notes I can see and understand that inside he was a loving, sansative human being, he just didn’t know how to express that side of him and he did the best he could. I was lucky I was able to forgive him many years ago before he passed and yet I am so pleased to be writing from his notes because I have learned more and experienced such warmth, love and understand of him it’s been a real blessing. As the saying goes and it is true, when you resent someone, you feel the resentment and when you can forgive and love that person you, feel the love and can pass it on to others.

If you looking for something thought provoking, educational and very interesting pick up NOT BECOMING MY MOTHER & other things, she taught me along the way by Ruth Reichl. A good read!

2010-06-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

Shore Acres State Park

Here it is June 20th and I haven’t written since last April, now I am either very busy or live a rather un-eventful life with not much to write about. A little of both I guess, busy with my gardens, knitting and recently I have gotten back into sewing, it’s been years and I do mean years since my sewing machine hummed along. My son asked me to make him a couple window shades last month they turned out very nice, and I became excited about sewing again. When the children were home I did quite a lot of sewing and knitting too, I have always had something on needles mostly socks, I love knitting socks. My mother taught me to knit when I was just nine years of age and it has turned out to be the one creative hobby that is as much a part of me as my morning cup of tea. Having said that I will add I am finding sewing again most enjoyable also.

Summer meanders in every now and then, warming your bones and bringing the promises of thriving gardens with flowers, veggies and all the delight of the season, then she ‘summer’ slips out and were back to rainy, cloudy, cooler days. Still it is pleasant and we are fortunate not to suffer the storms and problems others are having… this oil problem… how absolutely terrible, the unthinkable, unimaginable happening. Step by step, we are destroying our country the world in the name of money…well enough said.

Last weekend my son and I drove to Shore Acres State Park, some fifty miles south down High 101, in the Coos Bay / North Bend area. Shore Acres with its wonderful gardens is Perched on a scenic bluff high above the Pacific Ocean. There are several gardens to meander through, a large formal garden, with flowers of all kinds, wonderful Rhododendron and Azalea bushes of all colors and sizes, several rose gardens of every color and type you could want to see, a wonderful Oriental garden with a Lily Pond and woods all around.

Shore Acres began as a private estate with luxurious gardens featuring trees, shrubs, and flowering plants brought from around the world aboard the sailing ships of pioneer lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson. The history would be too long to go into here, but if you’re ever in the Coos Bay area do visit you’ll be happy you did. We had a great time, the weather was a bit cloudy and cool but no matter it, was a delight to spend time walking, seeing, smelling the roses and enjoying nature at her prettiest.

As summer moves in, I hope to take several day trips and sharing them here on my blog.

2010-04-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

I was a little slow in finishing the book WORKING IN THE SHADOWS By Gabriel Thompson, not because the book wasn’t excellent but I was busy with life…

What a difficult thing Mr. Thompson has done, working shoulder to shoulder with the people he writes about, in so doing he has written the most interesting and informative book I have read so far this year. Everyone, every American should read it, what an eye opener. Mr. Gabriel Thompson has changed my life to some degree, really! I have visited the lettuce fields with him, the chicken packing plants and the hustle and bustle of New York City, I have met his co-worker as real people, hard working good people and I have felt indignation at the dishonest, abusive way so many documented, undocumented and Americans are treated.

WORKING IN THE SHADOWS has afforded me a look into another wrong going on it America, I feel ashamed. Isn’t that sad?

2010-04-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

Clematis ready to bloom.

Today has been a busy day, I started out house cleaning and getting ready for company this weekend, moving the furniture around in the living room in order to vacuum well, as I finished up I was side-tracked by the sunshine outside my the window…. the Clematis is bursting into blooms over the lattice work fence at my front yard. I had to get pictures of their sweet buds and the first bud, which has opened to kiss the sunshine, so beautiful. An early taste of what spring has to offer as a prelude to summer. Each year I notice springtime more and more and enjoy watching nature come awake. I notice things I never even seen before, little things like a plant pushing up through the soil, the way the soil is raised and cracked open to the rich green new growth. The perfect little buds on the trees soon to be leaves and the blossom buds soon to be sweet smelling beautiful flowers then delicious fruit. Isn’t nature wonderful? I have learned something else too, I’ve learned that when your young you think you are so different from you parents, you think different, you live different, you’ll never be like them… yet as we reach the winter of our lives we all learn the same things, experience the same sort of thoughts, have the same realizations. Our journeys are really not so different, you’ll see.

Easter was wonderful, my son Paul came over to the coast for a visit with his father and then spend Saturday night and Sunday with me. We had a nice time, just enjoying the day and chatting about this and that. I have learned a great deal from him through the years, he travels often to Africa and other places, but Africa has a great hold on his heart and through his pictures and stories and his African friend Allan from Tanzania who has visited here I have a warm spot in my heart for Africa also it’s such a beautiful country especially out in the bush. I myself have never been much for travel, when married and raising four children we never had the money to travel and anyway I am a homebody through and through, even now I am not much for traveling and I could a wee bit if I really wanted to but I’ve no need, beside I have been many places via the internet, I can’t believe all I have learned and seen and the peoples of the world I have come to learn about not to mention the people I have come to know through their blogs. Having a computer and the internet has become a part of my life I don’t think I will ever want to be without, it’s as natural in my life as a telephone, although I suppose I am behind the times as I have no need for a cell phone, but I wouldn’t mind having a I-Pad. I can’t imagine what will be available in the next 50 years, I’ll not be here, but if possible I will be watching. I think I have learned more about life, the world, and it’s peoples in the last 10 year than ever before. How great!

2010-03-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

Side yard...

Here I am again, Hello! The weather is sunny and fine this morning on the Oregon Coast, as I look out the window I see a bright patch of sun on the front lawn and the crows are nibbling the full contents of a box of cereal I put out for them; there must be 60 busily eating and crowing at each other. The cereal is a new one to me. It is made by Malt-O-Meal “Frosted Mini Spooners,” like Kellogg Frosted Mini Wheat’s. As soon as I finished the small bowl, I felt not so good in the tummy. Searching the ingredients, I see it contains Sorbitol, yuck! Also sugar, why both? Well anyway, the crows are making short of it…. Hope I am not poisoning them. They are always on the lookout for food, I put bread or whatever suitable leftover thing I may have for them and no sooner then I turn to walk back into the house maybe four steps, one, I guess the scout lets out several crow screeches, I look back and in an instant there are 30 crows on the lawn and more coming. For as often as I put scraps out for them they have never allowed me to step toward them, not like the Blue Jays or other more friendly birds. I suppose they never have been treated with much kindness down through the ages, so we’re not trusted very much, can’t blame them can we? I like feeding and watching them, I often think when the first one sees me out there, the scout, if he would be quiet he would have all the goodies for himself but not so he crows and here they come from just where it is hard to tell but soon the lawn is black with them. I find it pleasurable watching them.

I recently read a wonderful book that touched me deeply; it was a page-turner, a good story and a fast read. (Sometimes I enjoy a fast read, but it must be compelling,) one you read in one sitting if you have the time.

Title, LEAVING GEE’S BEND, by Irene Latham.

“A perfect read for a cold rainy day or a warm summer's day under a tree. Ms Latham recreates for us a time and social culture we should never forget and thanks to her marvelous Ludelphia, I don't think I ever will.”
A review from Amazon.com:

“Ludelphia Bennett's life is full of chores and quilting and love with her family in Gee's Bend, Alabama, but then her mama falls ill. There isn't anyone who can help her, but Ludelphia isn't about to sit around and not do anything for her mama, so she sets out to leave Gee's Bend for the first time in her life to find a doctor to help her. As she gets farther and farther away from home, chronicling her journey with her quilt pieces, Ludelphia will learn an important lesson about love, courage and helping others. Such love and determination quietly moves in the face of ignorance and discrimination helping us to understand why it is important to remember stories such as this. A must read for my grandchildren and my friends. I'm looking forward to more from Irene Latham.”

It is a wonderful story for adults as well as children. Check it out at you local library.

I spend a lot of time at our local library, at least two afternoon a week and at present I am reading WORKING IN THE SHADOWS, a year of doing the jobs (most Americans won’t do, by Gabriel Thompson. I am finding it very, very educating and I admire the author who took on these jobs. I’ll never look at lettuce, chicken or restaurant kitchen help in the same way. Every American should read this book. I haven’t finished it yet perhaps I will say more when I do. However, “in the sprite of Upton Sinclair, it’s an ode to the working human—whether that worker comes from Iowa or Michoaca’n.”

A quote from Luis Alberto Urrea, author of The Devils Highway.

Goodbye for today.. stay happy.

2010-03-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

Mulberry Street, N.Y. Cerca 1904

My Dad's very early years...

My goodness here it is Friday already and I can’t share much about the week, it was just all the little things that make up daily life, I did spend more time ou-of-doors and today was absolutely beautiful, warm sun, no wind, 70 degrees, in my backyard anyway. It was so nice to work in the sun and do some of the pre-summer getting ready things. I washed the windows that over look the deck, actually hosed down the deck, moved the two potted apple trees that are budding out already and fed the potted roses that are all leafed out. It was summer today, all day! Yesterday a friend mowed my lawn and it smelled so good I just had to lay down on the grass and look up through the Alder trees to the twinkling sun the fed through the branches, still not a lot of leaves but it felt like summer and my mind raced with what I will plant come late spring… another summer and fall to enjoy… hey when you are 71 you can’t but wonder how many more you have to enjoy, right?

I spent the late afternoon working on my Father’s memoir, he is gone now but editing and putting together his notes on his life has been very special to me. I am tilting it ‘The Father I Never Knew’ because there was so much of him he kept to himself, the tender side of his nature, his hopes, his dreams. I wish I had know that part of him when I was growing up, me and my siblings would have had a different life and we would have been better parents because of it… Anyway, I am enjoying putting this book together for my children, this will be my fourth book for the family and I have learned so much about myself and my forgiveness and love for my parents. His writings are a legacy and a gift it is too bad he isn’t here to know the joy he has giving me. If you are up there looking down… thanks dad, I love you.

Goodbye for now, thanks for visiting ...... enjoy life!

Sunday Mornings

2010-03-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

I love Sunday mornings. I get up about 6 am, make a cup of tea and retreat back to bed to read and enjoy the early morning. I just read a wonderful short book titled LEAVING GEE'S BEND, a book more for a younger person but I so enjoyed it, I actually started it the night before and finished it this morning... I just couldn’t put it down. Wonderful story!

It is cloudy so far today, I wanted to do some weeding in my raised beds in preparation for spring planting but it seems like too much work for today so instead I will put a roast in the oven, pick up the house a bit and read or work on a pink sweater I am knitting. Knitting is my second love... gardening, knitting, reading in that order or as the spirit moves me. Spring is on its way and I look forward to it with great anticipation. I see the Daffodils are up lifting their sweet yellow heads to the wind and rain… brave little beauties, and the trees are beginning to show tiny buds of the promises to come. Life’s renewing isn’t it wonderful.

As 2010 begins… busy, busy.

2010-02-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

Tea on the Patio

Have been busy since the holidays ended, in fact this winter I seem to be busier then previous winters, nothing-spectacular just fun things, to me anyway… I have been spending my days either cleaning out each room one by one, ridding myself of all those things one tends to collect through the years, books I'll never read again, jewelry I don't wear anymore, a jewelry collection of vintage pins, earrings, necklaces, Rhinestones bright and beautiful, a bead collection I will never get to doing anything with, and other crafty things. Treasures that need not be hung on to any longer let someone else enjoy these things instead of their laying in boxes or on bookshelves.

What started this need or feeling to downsize “stuff” has been prompted by my almost accepted decision to move closer to my sons. Corvallis, or perhaps Albany. They would like me to live closer and well it makes sense, as there are no family members here in Florence and well…. I am getting older. However, the thought of preparing for and moving seems so daunting after so many years of staying put. I lay in bed each morning and think, what I will do with this or that, what I will try to sell in a garage sale, what will I give on consignment at a local shop and what to donate to Good Will and St. Vincent De Paul. It’s going to be a BIG job, but needs to be done for many reasons. Keeping up a house when one is alone and getting up in years is expensive and tends to get ahead of you. Plus it certainly will be nice to live closer to the boys. In addition, I will enjoy feeling less encumbered by “THINGS”, perhaps I should have moved years ago but I wasn’t ready until now.

Life is constantly changing isn’t it? Savor and enjoy it!

2010-01-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

Shell Collection

I read my friends blog this morning and it prompted me into thinking what I like to do, what is my life like; thinking as though I were watching from the outside… what does this woman enjoy, what is her life like each day?

Well she likes curling up with a book on cold, wet days, which there are many during the winter and spring months here on the Oregon coast. At present, she is enjoying the third book of Patrick Taylor’s about two country doctors and the wonderful folks in a small village (Ballybucklebo) in Ireland. She enjoys having dinner in front of the television watching the news and Jeopardy and likes spending part of the evening knitting while listening and glance up at a show or two. She enjoys watching a movie in bed before sleep … Room With A View, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir are two favorites or an English detective DVD checked out from the local Library. On mild weather day she may take a walk with friends or alone on the beach or in the woods. Meeting with friends at the library or the group meeting for sharing and knitting. Lunch with a friend or a ride to some of the lovely places of beauty, beach, parks the woods is always enjoyed; and the occational shopping spree to the (big city) sixty miles away is a great treat.

She also is at peace when alone and enjoys entertaining herself. To some her life may seem boring, but to her it is a very good life… as my friend wrote in her blog….

(I embrace it)

2010-01-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

My friend Reggie (Reginald) dressed for the holiday...

Here it is January already and I haven’t written here since Thanksgiving… oh how time goes by….so fast. I had a wonderful Christmas weekend with my boys, and a wonderful visit by phone with my daughter in Wisconsin, my granddaughter is fifteen now and growing into such a sweet young lady, I must fly out there to see them, perhaps this spring. “Hate flying” but it’s been several years and well I’m not getting any younger.

Amoung the Christmas gifts about the tree, Santa brought me an electronic keyboard. I used to own a beautiful piano but sold it several years ago and began to miss the pleasure of playing what little I could play, so now I am teaching myself to read music and play the simpler songs. Though difficult and frustrating at times it can be pleasurable when I get through a few bars without any mistakes, I am thoroughly enjoying myself. For me the winter months are filled with reading, knitting, computer, and now the keyboard… keeping my days full of learning, experiencing and enjoying… until spring when the joy of the gardens and the beauty of nature spring forth… life can be so good if you meet each day with an open mind and heart, right?

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is six days away! “Turkey Day” and my two sons will be over to spend part of the weekend, can’t wait… Paul will just be returning from three weeks in Africa so he will have lots of interesting things to share with Wade and I. It’s been awhile since Wade has been to the coast for a visit, we talk on the phone often and laugh a lot together but it will be nice to hug him “them”. It is just so nice to have them both here for Thanksgiving dinner and enjoying each other for a couple days. What a blessing!

Yea, I’ve been divorced twelve years but I have to admit I still miss being a family very much at times, wish things had turned out different, but as it is said “life goes on” and we do learn from our mistakes don’t we?

It has been a busy week, my built-in oven quit working, it was twenty year old and served me well, however, yesterday Sears put in a new one and this weekend I will be baking sugar cookies, brownies, cranberry bread and other treats for Thanksgiving and the weekend. Living alone I don’t bake or have goodies in the house except for special occasions it is just too easy for me to eat them until they’re wrapped around my tummy. After my hospital stay, last July I came home thirty pounds lighter and it is wise not to put it back on. One hundred and forty is a good weight for this seventy-one year young lady plus it is surprising how much more energy one has without those extra pounds.

The weather has been cold, windy and wet off and on, our usual fall/winter weather. I had our local nursery send over the usual two fellows to do the fall/winter work, the pruning of the trees, dead heading plants, trimming bushes, roses and the Marian berry vines, so all is ready for the winter slumber and that makes me feel comfortable and prepared for the winter months myself. There is plenty to do in the winter time to stay happy and busy… one thing for sure the anticipation of the Crocus and Daffodils coming up in early spring always brightens a cold dark winter day.

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, please do remember our brave warriors with a special prayer.

2009-11-03T22:44:00.000-08:00

Like my tree?

My heavens, it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet and I have been bitten by the Christmas bug already! I went by the Humane Society Christmas sale to look around, I have been thinking about putting up a smaller Christmas tree this year, as you know I live alone and putting up a big tree has gotten to be just too much plus I would like to do something different. I’ve put up the same tree for the last twenty years it’s time to do something special….

My two sons will be spending the Christmas weekend here and I thought it would be neat to do something different, the older sons was a great Charlie Brown fan as a child and the younger son I am sure will enjoy this sweet little tree… what fun!!! . Christmas is such a blessing for all. It would be nice to have my two daughters here also but one lives in Wisconsin and will probably be snowed in with her lovely family and the other daughter has other family to visit.

Well the point I am getting at is I found the perfect small tree, the sales lady call it the Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, I don’t know why, it is nicely shaped about three feet tall, an artificial pine, perfect for the place I want to set it; can’t wait to get out the decorations. I am going to make a small colorful sign, “Charlie Brown’s Tree” and hang it as a decoration.

2009-11-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

A little bit of Autumn in my back yard

Another Halloween has come and gone…. With few little goblins gathered around my bubbling caldron, an old witch like me gets awfully lonesome for those little faces all lit up as the hold out their trick or treat bags and tell me who they are for Halloween. It is such a treat for me to see how sweet they all are. No tricks just treat all around.

Today, Nov. 1st. was a bit sunny and although I have been waiting for some dry weather to mow the lawn, probably for the last time this year, it remained too wet to mow so instead I raked up leaves, pulled weeds and prepared my back deck for the winter, put away the chairs and table and tended the potted plants. It was pleasant to work outside after such a long wet spell; seems a bit more wet weather than normal for late October.

Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and isn’t it a wonderful time for getting together with family and friends, sharing good times not to mention the delicious food. I can’t help but think about the young service man and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, we all must remember them with prayer and if you find you would like to do more check out the Adopt A U.S. Soldier website, you can find the link on the left side of this blog under "my favorite links". With Christmas, coming a service man or woman would love to hear from you, with a letter or perhaps a package from “home”. I’m sure if you were there when he or she opened what you sent you would see the same joy and delight you’ve seen on the little Halloween faces over their Halloween bags. It is truly a joyful feeling to give to these wonderful, brave warriors. I know money is tight these days so put them on the top of your Christmas list, it’s a blessing to you as well.

The Coming of Winter

2009-10-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

The beginning of a small trail to the woods.

I can’t believe it is almost Thanksgiving and then Christmas…. already, where did this year go? It is true what my mother used to say, as I am sure your mother of father said too. “As you get up in age the years fly by fast.”
So also true is the fact that one must make the most of each day by keeping healthy and happy.

The weather here is getting more winter like, we had a good deal of hail last night and today; I look ahead to those long cold months, wondering if I will still walk the woods this winter as I did last. Volunteering with the Forest Service to check on and maintain some of the trails within the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area is very rewarding especially in the summertime. I missed much of my tramping the trails due to a bit of illness this summer and I hope to be out there more often this fall and winter, less maintenance to do in the winter months but still very enjoyable to walk the trails and watch the wild life. In some areas, you can look over the dunes for miles and nary see a human being, not so for seeing deer and bears, I’ve even seen a fox or two over the years, once a silver fox walking straight toward me he stopped looked at me and turned then walked away into a wooded area, how neat is that I ask you?

Winter can be as exciting as the summer, summer being filled with all the wonderful flowers to tend, with the growing and harvesting of my veggies… but I think I like winter the best it’s that special alone time with nature, can’t beat it, Come join me…

2009-10-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

Fall is here, the sun is shining the air is nippy; I love the fall, less gardening to do, if any. “I wouldn’t make a very good farmer, would I?” The only thing I dislike about the fall is these certain spiders that hang in their webs from bushes and the Cherry trees, can’t get out my walk way without having to scan for webs. They’re big ugly brown and white striped ones that give my the creeps so I will have an Organic pest technologist come out and spray, I know, some say one should not kill spiders but these are so gross and there is just too many of them.

I have been busy knitting socks for Christmas gifts, presently I am working on my sixth pair, nice heavy socks to keep the feet warm, and can be used as slippers if one wants, I sometimes sleep in mine. They are great fun to work on and knit up faster than the regular sock because of the heavier yarn, worsted weight. I plan on finding other gifts to make this year to help in these economic times. I do so enjoy knitting and crafting. At Seventy-one years of age I look back and see I have been knitting ever since mom taught me, I treasure her teaching and I have passed the skill on to others, I just taught a friend, who always wanted to know how to knit socks, she loves it and has been making a mountain of socks for friends and family. It’s a happy feeling to watch someone’s delight in learning a new skill and enjoying it so much. My daughter‘s were never quite interested in learning to knit; I wish they had been so they could have enjoy it as much as I plus passed it on also to others. If you have any questions or would like the pattern for these socks write me. Just click VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE on the left under my picture. I will be glad to send you a pattern.

Back in the swing of things..

2009-09-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

It is so wonderful to be well again, feeling good and doing the things I enjoy. I realize and appreciating the fact that my body has recovered so nicely. I find getting back on the computer after being away for so long is great… although I spend a wee bit too much time at my desk. I turn the computer on in the morning to check for emails, up-load beach mile reports for Lane county to the CoastWatch web site, check my sales on Ebay, I have a few little things listed and check my blogs, and before I know it a couple hours or more have gone by. I don’t imagine I am alone in this matter, there is so much information on the Internet isn’t there? It’s so much easier to keep up with politics, the state of our economy and what Washington is up to, staying informed is so important, supporting honesty and good governing, which seem harder to find theses days, and speaking out against what is wrong. I think some of us including myself have taken things for granted too long and have neglected our responsibility as Americans… what do you think? Anyway, I am so happy to be healthy again.

Fall is here and with it comes garden clean up, getting things ready for a winter sleep. My vegetable garden didn’t do well this summer nor my rose garden partly because of my not tending them as I should have, actually for several weeks not at all. When I was up and about, all I could manage was watering and gathering what produce there was, I sincerely believe plants, flowers, fruit trees etc., flourish as living creatures do when truly cared for. They know love and suffer with neglect.

The last couple seasons I have been finding myself wondering if I should continue with a vegetable area each season, I’m getting older and can’t work as long or as hard as I would like, at times I think I have lost the interest and delight I once felt for gardening, should I turn my vegetable area into a bulbs and deciduous plants garden I ask myself. Yet the answer is I love those fresh herbs, squash, tomatoes, lettuce and other veggies… I’ll have to think on it; there’s plenty of time from now to next spring, right?

One of the last Sunflowers for the season... so sweet!

2009-09-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

2009-09-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hello! Happy to be back, I have recently recovered from a stay in the hospital, and a long convalesces at home. What started out a simple Laparoscopic Gallbladder surgery turned into a seventeen-day hospital confinement 10 days in ICU; the reason being, the doctor did not do his job properly. I won’t go into detail as I am sure no one is interested in the details…. However, I am so happy to be almost completely mended, it was touch and go in ICU and I remembered saying to the Lord, “Lord if it is my time please just take me.” I felt peaceful and there was no fear… I think that was the greatest thing I learned, I am quietly; peacefully ready to go when the Lord calls. I have grown in knowledge of myself, my strengths and in the faith that all difficulties can increase you strength, your faithfulness and can always be more positive than negative.
Well enough…

Looks like Fall is just around the corner; today it is raining lightly yet warm, another great Oregon coast day. The apples are almost ready for picking, applesauce making time again… yummy. Time to get the gardens ready for the winter sleep and ponder the different crafts and hobbies for the winter months. I will still be knitting sweet baby and toddler caps for a local shop, working on my father’s memoir to put into a book for my children, and this morning I decided to try my hand at making beaded watches, I have a few watch faces and several years ago I did make a pretty beaded watch so why not try again even though the eyes are not what they used to be. I have plenty of beads and supplies that would work up very nicely By the way, I am looking for a good book on beaded watch making if anyone knows of one please email me or message me. Thanks!

Well it is 11:05 AM and I must be getting on; the day seems to go by so fast especially when you get on the Computer… Chores, shopping, etc., also I have been knitting socks for Christmas gifts they are so much fun to do. With two pair completed and finding a most colorful yarn yesterday at our local yarn shop, I began the third pair last night and I can’t wait to get back to them. Maybe I’ll up-load some pictures. Bye for now, enjoy the day!

Just a hello...

2009-06-13T10:44:00.001-07:00

Well here I am again, been busy with gardening and such still awaiting the summer weather, looks as though we are going to have another short, cool and wet summer… I don’t know what all this global warming is about seems to be getting cooler here on the Oregon coast each season. I’m not complaining, as I prefer cooler temperatures and fresh ocean breezes.

I was thinking the other evening, here I am in my seventy-first year, getting up there I guess, each year adds new aches and pains, sometimes minor health problems arise and need tending to… I find I say to myself, so this is what old age is all about… uncertainty, new fears, new challenges, and sometimes I feel a bit of pain about being on my own because of a divorce… seeing the mistakes I make and the mistakes he made and wondering would it have been different had I known then what I know now? I could have been a better wife, a better mother. I suppose there is nothing new in that, everyone looks back and sees where they could have been different, more understanding and more loving. I’m sure there are others who have felt that their lives didn’t turn out the way they had expected. The “Father Knows Best” family that I dreamed of, as a child never really existed nor could I create one. Things happen, people change, grow apart, or simply don’t see, feel or need the same things you yourself felt or needed.

Yet one of the most wonderful blessings about growing in years is you also grow in understanding, you also grow in forgiveness of others as well as of yourself regardless of how things may have turned out, it doesn’t matter if the ones you love don’t see things as you do, or don’t understand you, you understand them, or don’t forgive you, you forgive them. What happens is… you will find that you know you have forgiven and loved them because you feel the Love… it actually passes through you to them from a higher source. Isn’t that what life is really all about, finding His Love, which lives in all of us, just waiting to fill our hearts? I’m not really alone, none of us are. One has to remember that.

Adopt a U.S. Soldier

2009-05-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

Adopt a U.S. Soldier

I’d like to share something. Last November, I discovered and signed up for, what has turned out to be one of the most thought provoking, reality checks I have ever experienced. A true lesson in understanding something I thought I understood. I learned what it is like to have a loved one in harms way… he or she need not be family or even someone you know personally, but someone who is in harms way everyday for our country, for us…. what I did last November was, I adopted a soldier.

While surfing the Internet I ran across a website, ‘Adopt a U.S. Soldier’, you will find the site in ‘My Favorite Links’. I read the how and why and clicked the button, signed up and within a day or two I received an email address with a comment from a young soldier. I don’t think he would mind my sharing several of his messages, but I will hold back his identity, his messages could have come from any number of our brave worriers. This first message from him was so moving, it opened up a very personal understanding of the war and the men and women serving in our countries military.

His first email:
I am a first time deployer, I’m in Fallujah, Iraq, nervous, things get kinda crazy here and I just really want to talk to someone, cuz no one not even my family has sent me a letter or anything. I don’t expect them to. First of all I have to say I’m scared, but I’m keeping a smile though out this war, it’s ok cuz my fellow marines take care of me. My name is Tom, I have two sisters and a mother, no father and I miss them so much. I am 21 years of age and well I honestly am going through a lot in order for my family, friends and people who support us can be safe, I wish people will never see and experience anything that I have seen and gone through and still going through. Thank you for being there, Tom

Hi Jean,
Sorry it has taken me so long to write you again my schedule is kinda crazy it’s 3 am here and this is the only time I can write, thank you for the package of needed things and the goodies, and thanks for the snowboarding magazines all the guys are enjoying them. Please don’t worry about me God has been good to me to others I hope in his kingdom he takes good care of them.

Hey Jean,
It has been awhile since I wrote, we have been really busy here. They were gonna move us back to our Marine camp in Camp Baharian in Iraq, but since these car bombing next to us keep going off and then gun fire going on we are going to stay, we run the biggest check point in all of Fallujah and well its hard work and we always keep busy. It is getting really cold now, like today, it was 30 degrees and it is going to get colder. All the Marines who stand post though out the night till morning just like me; we freeze our butts off, hahaha. Well I have to keep cheerful even though I’m miserable because it makes the day go by faster. I spilled water in the post and forgot to clean it up 6 hours later it was ice, our heaters broke but from the miracle of God our marines messed with it and got it working, we still have a little power crisis but we are still good. I was able to call my mom and she has been worried sick. I will be going home in five month, I am glad; I can’t wait to see my grandmother too. I miss her so. Jean you have been a great help to me and I thank you for all you have done, tell your family I send “hello” and God bless you. I have to go for now, I’m sorry I can’t write more all I have time for are emails.

Jean,
I am still in Fallujah because of their elections and things don’t seem like they are looking up, there was a car bombing two days ago, so big we thought it was a block away instead of a few miles away. Your caps and full face helmet liners came, they’re awesome for our patrols here, the other Marines thank you for knitting them, and thanks for sending so many, we enjoyed the goodies too. Well I’ve been everywhere in Iraq, been to Ramadi, Fallujah, TQ, al’kiem, but good news in three weeks I will be going home, I finally get to see my mom, grandmother and sisters. I want to thank you for everything Jean, and I will keep talking to you through my career here, next year I’m going to Afghanistan, take care. Love, Tom

I tried to condense his messages to share how much they sometimes need someone to touch home to, he was so scared in his first letters and I could see the difference it made to know someone back home, other than family cared about him and what he was going through in the business of war, I think they tell strangers what they do not tell their loved ones and that helps. I found the government doesn’t really take care of so many personal needs they have, such as wool caps and wool helmet liners and small things like aspirin, toothpaste, hand wipes, numerous everyday items not to mention goodies to eat. I may have lightened his days a bit, but he lightened my heart everyday. He is home now and I hope to hear from him when he gets to Afghanistan but perhaps he won’t need the support this time, I try to support two soldiers at a time, just until they don’t need anyone any longer. If you interested check out the link on the side of the blog and if you have any questions for me do email… If you knit and want to knit, helmet liners go to: http://www.citizensam.org/
They need our support.

Seed and Starter Plants

2009-05-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

The first Rhododendron bloom this season.

Last Thursday was a beautiful day, the weather is getting more and more summer like and with that pleasurable knowledge in mind and not wanting to wait any longer, I decided to get out there and turn the soil in my 12’ X 24’ raised bed, get it ready for planting those wonderful summertime veggies. The days weather forecast read, rain the next ten days… so that cinched it, off to the garage for the tiller and hand tools.

Going through all the steps noted on the tiller handle and pulling the cord 5 times, didn’t get it started, starting the steps again, pulling, I got ignition! Tiller motor running! Wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, I put her in gear and up and down the length of the bed I went, tiller bucking occasionally but doing a great job of turning the soil deeply. It took no more than a half hour, leaving me a bit tired but so pleased, the job I dreaded was done and the reward was a good feeling, I may be 70 but I can still do for myself and that I am pleased with. Then I brushed myself off, had a glass of orange juice and off to the local nursery I went for seed, starter plants and manure, composted chicken manure. In no time at all I was home again and planting, hands in the warm soil, first went in the lettuce, starter plants, seeds later, then three plants each of yellow and green zucchini, two tomato plants, Oregon cherry and Red Pear tomato, then red potatoes, some Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, and of course a garden no matter how small just isn’t a true garden without corn growing and BIG sunflowers to smile down on you… the corn doesn’t grow a tall as an “Elephants eye” but then this isn’t Oklahoma…

What a treat to look at the planted garden, now comes the watering each day and watching their growth like caring for children, watching for little problems, feeding them well and keeping them safe. I also planted some Geraniums, Siberian and Japanese Irises in pots on the deck and one Hollyhock next to the garden fence where roses and carnations grow, I never planted Hollyhocks before, I’ve never seen any around here but I am sure someone grows them, I do remember seeing a fence-full in Nebraska many, many years ago.

I as I may have written before, I don’t know how many more summers I have but I’m finding I enjoy each new summer more that the one before, I see and appreciate the gift of nature God gives us so much more and best of all through nature I appreciate and love God more…. What a blessing indeed.

Trail Walking

2009-04-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

Waxmyrtle Trail

Yesterday, was a beautiful day and a good day to begin my volunteer position for the Forest Service, I think I mentioned earlier that before retiring I had worked for the ODNRA ‘Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area’ Forest Service it was the most wonderful job I ever had aside from being a mom that is.

I set off yesterday morning with a small backpack containing, camera, nuts, juice and carrying one small hedge trimmer and a broom to sweep wood bridges and decks of fallen twigs and other debris.

The morning turned out beautiful for a walk much more so then in town because in town the North wind was blowing making it rather cold. Once I pulled of Highway 101 and headed into the forest and sand dunes it became very nice indeed. Starting out on the trail it was quiet and warm, there was not another person in sight, only the sound of birds and occasionally something scurrying away in the brush as I walked by. The path meanders along the picturesque Siltcoos River estuary and ends at the beach, offering wonderful views of the lower estuary and the ocean beach. I watched ducks skimming the water… beautiful. The estuary trail is closed during Plover nesting season March 15th through September 15th, but with a slight turn to the left one can continue on to the beach.

For more more information about the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, check out this website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/oregondunes/index.shtml

Grab the garden tools!

2009-04-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

Join me...

I really should get into the habit of writing regularly, seems the days go by so fast I forget to stop and share the joys of everyday life. Sometimes I don’t even realize the good time and the joy I have experienced until I do share….

This weekend was one of those times when the days were filled with that quiet goodness that can be missed if one doesn’t reflect on it, my son Paul came over and we worked together potting flowers and setting them on the deck again for the new season. The past few months have been cold and wet as nature slept leaving the deck bare of color and plants pulling in to them selves against the winter. It seems as the weather starts to change and spring brings more rain and a hint of warmer temperatures there is a day when all of a sudden you can see the new life all around, one day a few buds are there on the Alder and Vine Maple and bright green shoots on the Fir and Spruce, you see the lovely pink of apple blossoms and the bright green of new leaves starting… all of a sudden nature is waking up and bring forth new life… I feel renewed myself; out come the garden tools, check them over, clean and fill some of the last seasons pots with fresh soil and new plants, Geraniums, Chocolate Cosmos, Carnations, and year after year the Day Lilies, and Roses in their pots begin to come back to life… we did a good job Paul and I ....what a joy!

In a week my other son Wade will come over to turn the soil in my 12' x 24' raised bed getting it ready for the planting of all those delicious fresh vegetable to enjoy all summer long, Squash, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, potatoes, and several kinds of lettuce, carrots and whatever else I can fit in. Now if I didn’t live in town I would most certainly have a few chickens for fresh eggs and even raise several Mallard ducks just for the delight of it. Having lived on an acreage while the children were growing up I miss country life at times, perhaps it is not so much the country life but the years we were all together…. it was a good time in my life, a time I am very grateful we experienced together, living in the woods close to nature was a true blessing. Yet living in the here and now is the place to be, nature is all around us everyday we only have to see it… truly see it and share.

Coming Attractions

2009-04-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

Coming Attractions

It’s been a nice sunny day here on the Oregon Coast, I spent part of the morning outside just looking through my gardens, the buds on the apple trees that just appeared a short time ago are now beginning to open with bright, healthy green leaves. I have two potted apple trees, lovely Columnar Apple trees that produce the most delicious apples. I don’t think there is anything quiet as beautiful and wonderful as watching the buds sprout leaves and then blossoms that become crunchy, delicious apples. As I walked through the gardens seeing many new plants pushing their way up through the soil or putting forth new leaves one can’t help but feel an awaking of joy as another season of growth and beauty, begin to fill the earth and our world…

I have spent much for the afternoon on the computer working on my fathers memoir and reading the news of the day, I also volunteer for the Oregon Shores CoastWatch, it is a wonderful organization where folks volunteer to take on a mile of the beach along our beautiful coast and periodically send me reports of changes they see on their mile, I edit and post them to the CoastWatch website. Today I receive an interesting report concerning an immature Gray Whale that washed up on the beach Thursday night. You may want to read about it, if so go to:

http://oregonshores.org/coastwatch.php5?cwnn=missingnn&cwpw=missingpw?PHPSESSID=f5akoeklesrjgmai7nob8v8ek3

Then on the left side of the page, click Mile Report Browser. The report with pictures is the top report Mile 179. You’ll find further down the page dated march 9th, same mile 179 a report concerning a 40 foot juvenile male Fin Whale that also washed up. I think you will find the complete site very interesting to check in on now and then.

2009-04-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

This rose is named "The Gift of Life"

It’s been a cloudy day today without rain, not a warm Southern California type day as we had yesterday. I always really enjoy a California type day but this is Oregon after all with clean air, lots of forests and quiet un-peopled areas, one can find joy in the rain soaked forests and beaches. I worked outside and finished the project I had going in my gardens, preparing the vegetable area for planting soon. As I worked pulling weeds and turning the soil, I found myself thinking about a dear friend who recently passed away. We knew each other since 1980 and spent many, many dear hours knitting and chatting together. I haven’t any idea how many pair of socks, how many sweater and other things we knitted together. She has always been like a sister to me. She was eighty-two years of age and had recently moved to Washington State to live with her daughter as she is beginning to be in need of care. I will miss her very much.

It is strange to realize you are living closer to the end of life and it takes a bit of adjusting, yet acceptance seems to quietly come along before you even realize it. For me in the winter of my life I am finding a much deeper appreciation of life, finding joy and contentment in the simple things, the things of nature that have been around since Adam and Eve. More each day I see the years stretched before me will be years lived in full realization that life is a wonderful gift. It’s so like human nature to see in age what we didn’t see in our youth.

I wish these realizations came to us in our earlier years, because it is hard to watch the youth of today struggle so hard at times, and know they too will have to learn through their struggles. You can’t really share what you see or understand in that deeper meaningful way, if we are fortunate we can live as a guiding light, shining from what we have learned and lived within our own journey; that is how it is, everyone must learn within his or her own journey.

Enjoy every day and never stop wondering and asking questions within yourself, that is where the answers are if your quiet enough to hear them…
Have a great day…

The Anticipation of Summer..

2009-04-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

One of last season's Sunflower...

Hooray, hooray… Sun, Sun, Sun… today was a reminder of the Santa Monica sunshine, I’ve been here in Oregon since 1973 and well it appears you never forget Southern California’s magnificent weather, it’s as close to the Mediterranean weather I will ever get… anyway it has been beautiful here today, started out chilly but by noon it was an “an eat lunch out on the deck day,” raise you face to the sun and drink it in… and also get those upper arms a wee bit tanned. How good it feels, what a TREAT indeed!

After eating my BLT and OJ lunch, I grabbed my garden tools and worked on the 12’ X 24” raised bed, the place for my vegetable garden each season. There were weeds to remove soil to turn; usual cleanup before this spring planting. In addition, I planted a new Raspberry plant in the Marionberry area. Yummy can’t wait to eat berries right off the vine, or dig into mouth watering hot baked Berry Cobbler… You’re invited too!

It will soon be summer again and I can’t wait, I will be a volunteer at my place of employment before retiring, the Forest Service, walking trails and doing some trail maintenance in The Oregon Dunes Recreation Area, with camera in hand I will share the sights with you… the dunes, woods and hopefully some wildlife, besides me that is…
Won’t be long…

2009-04-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

New York, Lower East Side, early 1900's (when my father set out to find work at age 15.)

Good afternoon Journal, and all who pass by, the sun is shining yet it is still rather cold outside. I am finally getting over a darn bout with Fibromyalgia, spent a great deal of time resting, thinking and reading. It's not fun to be ill but it does give one the opportunity to get little things finished or worked on around the house.

I have also gotten back to a book I am putting together, a book of writings by my father, who is gone now, a memoir of sorts. He typed it out on an old Royal typewriter years ago. He just sat down and by hunting and pecking each day; he put in sequence what he remembered from childhood until he married my mother. From about seven years of age until his late twenties. I am going to title it THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW, not because he wasn’t with us through life, but he was always hard to get close to, impatient, and by today’s standards abusive. His parents, my grandparents were from Poland and they lived an extremely hard life; my father was the first generation American. The title, is because as I read his story I saw in him such sensitivity, love, understanding and interest in others and their hardships. I learned who he was inside, the real person. I think you can get to know and understand a fellow human-being so much more from their honest writings sometimes, then from their outward appearance and attitude, so much of that is governed by the outside pressure put on one. I had learned to forgive my father long before he died, because as I became aware of my own shortcoming with my children and husband I understood, and truly realized he did as I was doing, the very best we could.

Anyway I am enjoying the work of putting this book together it has been and is a teaching tool to me, awakening understanding and compassion not only for him but for my own mistakes and lacking.

Next time I will share with you the first three books I have done… just for family and friends, I have no illusions of being published, I am not a gifted writer, but the rewards I have received from these writings are reward enough, they have enlighten my life and my understand of myself and family.

Why don't you try putting a book together such as this? If you need help or have questions e-mail me.

2009-03-05T12:47:00.000-08:00

2009-03-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

It’s 8:45 I am sitting at the kitchen window having my morning tea; it is cloudy outside and wet with last nights rain. There is a Vine Maple tree by the back deck sprinkled with clumps of green moss, which softens its winter nakedness, like little powder puffs gently resting on the branches and twigs. A breeze blows now and then, with no delicate leaves to flutter gracfully the thin branches move stiffly... Its winter and the Maple tree endures the cold while within its soul preparations for spring take place. I wonder again at 70 years old how many more springs I will be blessed to meet. I don’t wonder with sadness or fear, just wonder…
There is an old well-used birdhouse on top of the wood and glass windbreak that surrounds two sides of the deck, last year I watched as a bird built her nest and when the babes were born both she and her mate took turns feeding the young, there were three. My son, when over one afternoon used a ladder and climbed up to their house snapping a picture as you can see, little creatures all mouth, so helpless and so well cared for. At times the mother bird would stand guard as I watered my flowers, she didn’t fly away or go in the bird house until I went back into the house, then she would continue the trek to and fro feeding her young, at times the male would stand guard. It was quite something to watch. How wonderful to find myself a part of their life, their concern. Yesterday I saw a bird checking out the birdhouse, soon there will be another family to occupy it for this season… what a treat for me!

2009-03-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

This little book was given to all who became a citizen of the United States. Although it is too long to put here, let me share the part that moved me.

I AM AN AMERICAN - I endorse this definition of Americanism
Henry Cabot Lodge

The American idea is a free church in a free state, and a free and unsectarian public school in every ward and in every village, with its doors wide open to the children of all races and of every creed. It goes still further and frowns upon the constant attempt to divide our people according to origin or extraction. Let every man honor and love the land of his birth and the race from which he springs and keep their memory green. It is a pious and honorable duty. But let us have done with British-Americans and Irish-Americans and German-Americans, and all be Americans… nothing more and nothing less. If a man is going to be an American at all, let him be so without any qualifying adjectives, and if he is going to be something else, let him drop the word American from his personal description.

Something to really give thought to…. If one chooses to live in American, because of all America has to offer, than they should become an American, and love her as we Americans love her.
Or…. live and give allegiance to the country they do love. It’s that simple.

A Walk On The Beach

2009-03-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

Took a short walk on the beach today, it was cold, cloudy and a bit windy but beautiful. Only three other people strolling, one with her dog who was having a good time trying to make friends with some Sanderlings running along the surfs edge. The dog didn’t seem to alarm them any; it reminded me of children running in and then away as the ocean rushed up the shore.

It rained off and on slightly but the walk continued to be refreshing and invigorating. This is one of the quiet stretches of beach, not wild like some of the other beaches up the coast further. I couldn’t live happily very far from the Pacific Ocean, it has always server as a touchstone to me, a nourishing place of beauty that puts life back in prospective in difficult times.

2009-02-28T13:19:00.000-08:00

Spring, I Can't Wait!

2009-02-28T13:10:00.000-08:00

Dear journal, today is cold and gray, possibly we will get some rain. We haven’t been having a very wet winter so far....which is not unusual for Oregon though we have had a few year of much more rain; I’m spoiled. Seems people here in Oregon always say, “We need the rain.” I never could understand that...who needs dark, rainy, sunless days! Not me. I have lived here since 1973 and although I never let the weather get me down I will always be a Southern Californian at heart; the sun feeds my soul. I have to say I am seriously beginning to look forward to spring...the Daffodils are stretching skywards with their bright green leaves and soon their sweet heads will spring forth bent as if in prayer and the delightful little Purple Crocus will brighten up the ground at the foot of my ceramic angle in a little garden I put in, in memory of sweet Casey, my grandson.

It won’t be long now and I can get my hands into the soil again and watch nature bloom. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, corn.... roses to lift my heart. Have you ever looked at a Rose or flower that was so beautiful it was almost painful because you had no one to share that moment with. My rose garden can be so beautiful that I started taking digital close-up and then I decided to make note cards so I could share the beauty that lives in my yard; It has been a great experience.

At seventy, I sometimes wonder how many more summers I have to work in the soil. The old body lets me know I have been too lazy all winter and by the time I get loosened up it is fall and time to put away the tools and let the garden sleep again. Ah, but the joy of the first bud, or the seedling pushing up through the soil and the promises to come are worth all the sore muscles… If you don’t have a garden space then plant in pots and experience it for yourself, you'll love it.

It’s time to say goodbye journal until next time.

2009-02-27T13:49:00.000-08:00

It is a rainy, cold day making the house dark but with the heat turned up, the office door closed and classical music coming through my PC I am happy and content. I thought I would try my hand at writing in my Blog/Journal. Hope I won’t stare at the screen and go blank. We’ll see.

It has been a busy week here...I have been cleaning out closets trying to rid myself of the extra things I don’t use and perhaps someone else can. As the years go by I find myself getting rid of “things” and I find comfort in having less...

My next task is going through my books. I have the hardest time parting with book as they are like old fiends. I am a person who never reads a book a second time, (it’s like so many book and so little time) I feel they should be given to others to enjoy, but still there are some I know I can never part with, old books such as the MISS READ books, THE SOJOURNER, THE YEARLING by Marjorie Rawlings and several of her other books, THE SHEAPARD OF THE HILLS by Herald Bell Wright and WE TOOK TO THE WOODS Louis Rich. As I think about it, most of the books I have loved are gentle stories of the woods, and country life. My most favorite book of all is very old, I found it in a dusty old bookstore. THE FRIENDLY ROAD by David Grayson published in 1913. What a treat this book is. I love used bookstores, finding old books that called to me from their dusty shelves.

I used to work as book buyer for a charming little local shop and found my method of choosing what books to purchase was by that same inner nudging and it astonished me how well they sold…. I think it falls into the realm of what I call Angel Nudging. Some day I hope to write about what I have discovered, and learned from the personal Angel Nudges I have experienced through my life. What hardships I would have saved myself if I had heard and heeded them in my younger year. Than again perhaps it all has been as it was meant to be...then as now I am right where I am supposed to be on my personal journey. Don't you think so?

A Garden Healing

2009-02-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

In my healing period after my divorce I spent many, many hours in my gardens, that is where healing took place for me. I didn’t know it until I found this writing on a card....

THE GARDEN HAS BEEN MY THERAPY. Author unknown

Here among the Flowers and the bright fruit, when the light is brand new and everything is fresh and wet and the leaves are beaded up with dewdrops,

I work in the household of nature and refresh my spirit.

It seems to me that every weed I pull is a bit of grief I am learning to set aside, a tear weeded out so that good cheer can grow again.

Yes, working in the garden over those several years has allowed
good cheer and happiness to grow in ways I never experienced before.