Every Day

There is a That was then picture of the baby Cheyenne with my much older dog Shadow. There is a this is now picture of Cheyenne with my Corgi whom she has already outgrown. And There is a pic of blue eyes who finally sat still for an instant.

As I have lamented before, raising a puppy is somewhat time consuming. Especially one with Husky included in the gene pool. But she is learning and growing really fast. And she is sweet as sugar.

Merry Christmas......

To all of the people who read my blog.
To all of the people who work in hospitals, nursing homes, etc, taking care of people
who can't take care of themselves.
To all of the people out taking care of the roads so we can visit loved ones.
To all of the aid workers around the world who help the victims of disasters.
To all hungry. I hope your lot improves.
To all the ill. I pray you get better.
To all who take the time to volunteer.
To all who protect and serve including fighting fires.
To all service personnel and their families, no matter where they are.
To all who support charities.
To all who love their families.
To all who care about the earth.
To all of the abused, including animals. I hope help comes in time.
To all of the Scrooges out there. To get over it.
To my family.

No new news

I am just about over it. My Ex had a professor at the university who said it best. "God was generous with idiots. He put them everywhere." Well I have found where a lot of them hang out.

The Interstate and all roads leading to it. Driving has become a real adventure lately. The weather hasn't helped much. Snow, ice, rain, and generally increased traffic have turned even the most even tempered idiot into a raving maniacal idiot.
The road clears up a bit then there is an icy patch which causes the idiot driver to slam on the brakes and therefore slide. There is a puddle of water which after 6 pm becomes ice- same result. And then there are are the bridges and overpasses. Giggle.

The grocery store. Yes there was a winter weather watch posted on the weather map and the predictions range from no snow to 3 inches of snow(that's all we ever get here) to sleet to simple rain. And the populace heads for the grocery store. To get bread and milk. A person could starve if they missed a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk for a couple of days(that's how long snow usually lasts here).

The parking lots of any major store or mall. It is cold, remember. And a little snow or a light rain may be falling. And of course Christmas approaches. Or looms as the case may be. There are no good parking spaces in the lot because everyone has decided to go shopping on the same day(Saturday). So our wonderful idiots ride around and around the parking lots looking not only for a parking spot but a spot close to the store. They are planning on buying a lot of heavy things. Finally a spot opens and all 15 of the lot roamers aim for the same place. Just think, a gathering of 15 idiots.

The malls. The department stores. The discount stores. The toy stores. And Walmart.
There is one good time to go to these stores and not run into idiots. October.

I love furpeople

Please meet Cheyenne. Husky-Blue Heeler mix, 1 month old. My Christmas gift.

Hello Tuesday

It is a rainy November Tuesday. The sort of day I would have killed for in July. But now it sort of fits in with all of the other November days so far. Sometimes I have a hard time with the motivation factor on this type of day. Today, not so much.

At one time I posted some pics of my workroom. I have the materials to make jewelry, to make dolls, and to paint in acrylics, oil, and water color. I have a huge amount of stuff. Consequently, I have a mess. So, I started sorting through the jewelry stuff and will be selling bags of bits and bobs on Ebay. I also found a lot of gold jewelry that I will try to sell.

I am looking forward to getting one part of the room more organized. Actually I have wanted to try my hand at minis and I really want to finish the dolls that I started. But, I have trouble with creating anything in a mess. I can't seem to figure out how to embellish dolls, etc. when there is so much stuff to paw through looking for fixings. And I have decided the weather is perfect to work on that problem. At least I will be making something better inside while the rain is making the earth better outside.

Good Morning.

We have behind us an election. I was devastated to see one of the most evil, dirt-slinging elections that I have ever seen here in my state. I truly wonder how the candidates manage to fool voters that they are the best candidate when they focus on the other candidate's sins instead of their plans for positive change. I absolutely abhor the political system for this. I waited and waited but there were few really good plans for change from the candidates for either side. So sad when the whole country is run by my side-your side. I worry.

We have before us winter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, families, gratitude, joy, sorrow, confusion, love, kindness, generosity, remembrance, and giving. I would love to know what I will do about those things. One at a time. I saw on one of the morning news shows that now would be a good time to set Thanksgiving plans in place. But I have never done that before. Think I will try it this year. And while I am coming up with a plan, I will be grateful for all of the good things in my life.

Just Back

Wow! It's good to be home. We went to Fla for a family party to celebrate Brian's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful party with a lot of family there. Always so good to see family. And the house was beautiful. It was a waterfront house in Pompano Beach. Wow was it beautiful. And the beach was wonderful. Really good waves, a good breeze and lots of sunshine. And family. Oh and a pool. Heavenly.

Then to Jacksonville to see my wonderful girls and family. We enjoyed the visit. Cathy has a really cute son about 15 months old. Brian was fascinated. Kingston never stops moving. Never. Except when he is asleep. And Marlee is the talker. She carries on complete conversations that I understand most of. And of course my girls are wonderful. We visited my son-in-law's mom and John at their home in St Mary's Ga. Not only are they fabulous people but their home is one of the most welcoming and relaxing places I have ever been. Totally terrific.

But it's also good to be home.

Yep, I thought I'd lost it.

But I found it. It seems that when my mind goes walkabout I am just unable to cope with much. I have stayed home so much that when my schedule changes I am worse than a toddler with a nap. I just won't go. I found it just about 4 days later. I am so grateful that I found it because what was left of my mind was imagining all sorts of the worst ailments possible. Actually I was adjusting to new glasses.

I thought I'd lost it.

Happy

I'm this happy. Fall is here.

Rain, Rain

After a whole summer of 90 degrees, and I mean every single day, we have the approach of Fall in the forecast. I knew I had always hated really hot days. I lived in South Florida for 6 years and sort of got used to it but as I have gotten older that has changed. This summer I hated the hot and sunny and muggy weather so much that I didn't even go out when I didn't have to. Every day I would watch the news to see if there would be a break in the heat. I became obsessed with having a forecast of cool weather, cool being the 80's.

It's here. It's finally here. We went to the mountains to get away from the heat. The mountains were hot and dry. I wept.

It's here. It's finally here. We can stay home and be cooler. All summer I did my shopping via computer in the air conditioned coolness of my home. I did find out it is way too easy to buy stuff by computer.

It's here. I watched the news yesterday and there are no 90's in the forecast. Thank the Lord.

Enough about the weather. I am on a tear to get onto my plan to go out once a week for a look and see trip. Art galleries, antique and gift shops, etc. Since I made the plan I have let it slide because I hate the heat so much. But from now on I will be doing a Wednesday jaunt and enjoying the wonders of East Tennessee. I have decided to keep the small car on this day and in spite of the gas prices I am going to check out areas and small towns nearby. And I am looking forward to it.

Tuesday, oh well

It's Tuesday. The weekend of Labor day we did have some cool weather. It was really really nice. Our football team played and won. Though the team they beat wasn't a real challenge. Of course they racked up the points. I always hate to see that because the losing team is probably playing their hearts out and it is sad. But really really enjoyed the cooler weather.

Skip one week. Last Saturday we did indeed get the rain and cool and flooding and lightening, etc. And the football team was handed a comeuppance. Oh well. I never was into sports. But Karma, now that's another thing.

Rambling. This should be rambling Tuesday. I am actually excited about today. I am going to go to a couple of thrift stores today and try to find some interesting fabrics to use for a couple of dolls I'm making. I'll try to post pics soon. You never know what you'll find at a thrift store so I'm sort of excited.

It's Tuesday.

I'm so excited

Hey Ho Wabbadoo! It's Friday. And it is supposed to rain and the temp is supposed to go down into the 70's today and tomorrow. And I am going to go outside and jump up and down. Well maybe not the jumping part. Anyway, I've been waiting for this since April. A decent temp to go out and grill. Or to go out and shop. Or to go out and play. Or to go out and just stand and enjoy the new deck that we had added to our house not long before the 90's showed up. O how wonderful to sit on that wonderful deck in my wonderful chair and not drip. O how elating it will be to see the sky blue and no smog. I want to be everywhere at once.

I live in Knoxville, Tennessee---Home of the Vols of the University of Tennessee. They play their first game Saturday. Everyone will be wearing orange and white. Everyone except me. I don't like football particularly. But I do enjoy the excitement of the crazy orange and white outfits and all the flags flying on the houses and cars. When I hear "It's football time in Tennessee" my blood moves a bit faster. Even tho I don't watch the game. There is just something about it.

This weekend is Labor Day weekend. Boomsday here in Ktown. You know, a huge fireworks show. On top of the first ballgame, we have another big event. Oh how those lovely folks in New York City and Chicago, etc, must envy us our culture here. Don't you just know they are all wishing they were here. Well give us another 6 weeks and many will be here. This weekend is the beginning of the slide into Fall. And here in East Tennessee Fall is a big deal. All sorts of festivals, crafts fairs, and arts options are starting up with the new season. So this week to come, my foray into the outside world will be to two art galleries that I have loved and missed going to. I will include what pics I can.

The time is rushing by. Got to go clean the darned house.

Cat

By the way, you can pet my cat. She meows when her head is rubbed and purrs when you rub her belly. Since cats shed and I have a problem with cat hair, she is my virtual cat. Sorry, I haven't named her yet.

My day out

Despite the soaring temps this summer I have managed to get out. But I waited till the soaring temps soared a little less. I have a habit of thinking of stuff I want to do and then not doing it. I can't say how many books I have bought over the years to make jewelry, dolls, and other crafts. I have made a few things. Most weren't so good so I quit. I sort of left out the part about getting better with practice.

One of the plans I am putting into place is getting out of the house for a day trip. I don't necessarily need to be gone all day. But I do want some stimulation. The other plan involves working in the studio. So for my first day trip I decided to check out the craft and art stores in town. Sort of combining the two plans.

It's amazing what can be found in a craft store now. I've been doing a lot of shopping online and it is a quick and easy do. But in wandering through the craft stores, I got more new ideas and found products I never knew existed. I have seen many new things on the blogs but being able to touch things puts a whole new perspective on things.

I am announcing that my first day out has been a success.

Time off

It's just another day in Paradise. I've heard it but I don't know what it means. If I'm in paradise, I'm terminally happy and what's to get tired of?

I have been not working for about 2 years now. Recently retired. And I can pretty much plan my days as I see fit. I don't go out a lot. I have a few friends but I'm definitely not a social butterfly. I can clean the house in a short time because we don't use most of it. Sounds like paradise?

Well, don't be fooled. When there are no demands on your time and no regular places to be, it's hard to get excited about anything. I have been staying home lately because it's just so darned hot outside that I perspire before I get anywhere and then feel yucky while I'm there. But I have to say, I must change in order to not grow old.

I think back to the places I wanted to go when I was working. No, I haven't been to any of them since my last job ended. I don't know why. I do have a bad back but it is so much better lately that there is no excuse. I have several shops that I have wanted to visit. Of course with a limited income, I can't do a shopping spree. But there are gifty shops and galleries and antique stores and resale shops and lots of others that I enjoy. And I haven't gone to the air conditioned mall nearby in over a year.

So I have come up with a plan to enlarge my life. There are several places nearby to visit for worship. There are wonderful shops and even good touristy things to do. I am going to plan an excursion one day a week, every week till forever. I will maybe arrange to go to several things in the same area. Or I will organize a picnic for just me.(He works) And then I can go see some parks or something. Maybe I can sketch or paint while I'm there.

And because I need stimulation I will arrange a day to work in the studio, no excuses. I know it helps to have the spirit move me. But sometimes I have to permit myself to forget other things in the house and just concentrate on my needs. How does that sound?

I have a wardrobe full of clothes and accessories acquired while working. I have no big events to wear them to so my trips out will enable me to use them. I have heard of many people retiring and dying soon after. I often wonder if we forget how to order our lives when fulfilling the needs of others. I am going to try to avoid that dying thing by putting more life into my life.

It's a new week

It's a new week. Monday. The beginning. Time to start------something. I'm sure I planned to start something. And it's sure to be something big. Like looking for where I left my memory.

A complaint

I have a short complaint. After the onslaught of reality tv shows, new movie actors, and people who just like to pose for the camera, I realize I don't know anymore who is a star, who is a true celebrity, and who just wants to be.

Time heals

Time

I wish I could turn back time. I wish I could be much more laid back and not so easily intimidated. I wish I could build a wall around my feelings that would protect them. I wish I could have a place to escape to when I need it. I wish I could get my mind to obey when I want it to turn off. I'm 65 now and I find myself still subject to the same fears and bad thoughts that have plagued me till now. At least one thing has improved. I am no longer afraid of being alone.

Gratitude

It's been in the 90's here for many weeks. With humidity. If I need to find something to be grateful for it would have to be air conditioning.

Yesterday

Yesterday my significant other turned 40. We have been together for forever and I can say he is a really good man. It's been quite a while since I turned 40 and a lot has happened in those years. I don't plan to share it all with the world. Suffice it to say, huge shake ups have left me on a life path I never planned for and never saw coming. Well guess what! That happens. The life path I am on now is so different that I don't have the map for it. I had thought to be sharing my life with a husband of many, many years when retirement came. Didn't work that way. Oh, well!

I am left with so many choices for the rest of my life that I am overwhelmed. It is funny that having a life plan that has been around a while is so confortable. I have always valued my independence. That is, since I can remember. It was an illusion in some cases and that was alright too. For a while. But when in a relationship, independence is something that is tempered with thought for the betterment of the pair. For instance, if I loved to travel and wanted to be gone a lot, the independent thing for me to do would be to make reservations. But what of the partner who likes to stay home? That is the sort of process my plans take on a regular basis. When I was married, I thought we were on the same page, life wise. How wrong I was. Now in the current life, I ask and watch to see where we are. So when I say my map is gone that's what I mean. I have given up trying to always be on the same page and just look to see if we are in the same book.

No matter how esoteric the previous post is, it still speaks to me not knowing where I am and where I am going. As you can see in the pic of my partner and the one of me, there are some huge differences in us. Makes the mapping a little more difficult. But guess what, the road not taken has left me on a road with a lot of interesting side streets.

Last Wednesday

Last Wednesday I turned 65. I had thought it would be difficult to deal with getting older and I was not looking forward to being considered old. I remember my grandparents and even my mom when 65 showed up. It was almost as if life had ended for them. Of course there are endings when the age creeps up. But I am at a loss to understand what causes reasonable intelligent people to think retirement and reaching 65 is a bad thing.

I went to the mountains with my honey on my birthday. One of the places we visited was Bald River Falls. We sat by and in streams and rivers. We looked for crawdads and fish. We found a baby snapping turtle and saw two young deer on their way to the river to drink. Unfortunately the weather has been dry so there was a lot of dust but nothing can completely negate the feeling of being enfolded by mother mountain. Millions of years old, the mountains are really just getting started. They provide the most soulful peace I have ever experienced. And as I was sitting on a rock looking at the clear rushing water and the trees I realized I was the author of my life. There have been books written on the subject. I read them but didn't get it. The mountains have been shaking off bad stuff for millions of years. Of course I am able to do it too.

As for being the author of my life, I am responsible for the bad things, the problems, the unhappiness I have felt. I could have done something about the overweight at any time had I chosen to make it a priority. I could have had my home looking like I loved it instead of just paid rent. I do own my own home. I could have taken the time and the effort to do the things I love and to get good at them.

That waterfall has seen all sorts of problems. There have been droughts, storms, tornadoes, etc. It is still falling and giving its beauty freely to those who come. When I think of problems about things I would like to do, I can remember to keep on. Just keep on.

Hot

The weather here has been hot and muggy with bad air quality. The Gulf has oil everywhere. New York has become the baked apple. Shall we say Washington State or Oregon. Meet you there.

I have to remind myself

Today I had to remind myself that this is just another day on earth. We have had our mailbox vandalized many times since we have lived where we are. It is on a stretch of road that some people speed on and they also seem to carry baseball bats. I don't want to call names in the blog but they are definitely not my sort of people. I spoke with my mail carrier and she says there are several boxes knocked down on a couple of other streets near, all through streets.

I now have a PO box.

Nuff Said

The New Generation

When I look at the list of actors on TV shows I am struck by the changes that have come about. I grew up on a time of Fan magazines being about Movie Stars. My Granddaughters Emma Rose and Anabelle live in a time when people I haven't heard of are starring in TV shows. Now a Celebrity doesn't have to do anything to be a celebrity though I'll bet they will say they work hard for their money, witness the reality show people. They may be acting but if they are it certainly doesn't show. My grandbabies will be seeing "Celebrities" like the Kardashians, the New Jersey Nothings, people who are trying to win money by getting engaged, and people who are seeing who can lose the most weight on an island. And these are Celebrities.

There was a time when I would have liked Tom Cruise. After all he has made a ton of money in movies. But there is so much media coverage of the actors that it is really hard to like any of them. People who jump on sofas and believe their kids are aliens tend to turn me off. Recording persons who talk to music and don't sing don't ring my chimes. People who continually get the spotlight by being stupid Jacka--es and by being drug users, guzzlers, etc. aren't my cup of tea. People who tout violence as a way of life-Dog, Repo, etc. are so far from my ability to understand that I actually can ignore them. And "Real Housewives" who aren't wives just leave me cold.

I am afraid to see what will be on the telly for Emma Rose and Anabelle to see in the future. Will they be able to tell a real star from a fake one? Is there such a thing any more?

I watched Oprah, her bald spinoff, Jerry Springer, Ricky Lake, and Maury a few times and I have decided that even the talk show people who purport to be doing good are often self serving and opinionated. You know, I think that may just leave me with Martha Stewart. OMG

This hairdo

This hairdo on my granddaughter Anabelle just blows me away. What a joyful face and how the hairdo fits it. Times are so simple then. When you are two. And the joy is catching.

Hard to stop

So I have lots of new vistas in the house and around it. Like the new mailbox we-he put up today. The other one was knocked off the stand and broken like Humpty Dumpty. So we got a new stand, a new box, and up it went today. How wonderful it looks. No duck tape.

And instead of the hummingbird feeders which leaked and drew ants, we now have hanging baskets of flowers. So pretty on the back deck with the ferns.

And now that I have new curtains in the den, it looks like some of the other windows might need them. And I am going to break with tradition and do away with the mini and maxi blinds and I am going to use sheers. I know that the typical 2 story Ktown house must have mini blinds and the newer ones must have the plantation shutters. I am not someone who must do what everyone else does. So sheers it is.

And I lucked into finding a paint color for the kitchen. I went to buy the paint but forgot the folder of colors. I mistakenly thought I would be quickly able to spot the colors I needed at the store. Ha!!!!! But the colors I came home with will be perfect for the kitchen. I had been agonizing over the choice for a couple of years. So now I know serendipity can be a good friend.

So after I paint the kitchen I already have planned some more changes, like new cabinet hardware, new light fixtures, and a dimmer switch in the eating area. See, like I said, it's hard to stop.

Mom

This is a picture of my baby holding her baby.I don't know which of us did better work.

I am so pleased to say that at the present time, my life is OK. I have to go to home depot today to get a new mailbox. Again some vandals knocked of the existing one and broke it. We have had 5 mailboxes in the 20+ years we have lived here. And I think a cast iron one is maybe the right idea. Anyway. I love going to the depot, any excuse.
And I think I will just enjoy the trip/ by the way, what's fun about knocking down a mailbox? I just don't know.

It has been stiflingly hot here in the southern states for the last 2-3 weeks. And it is actually August-like weather. Can anyone say global warming? I ran into a guy several months ago that actually got over the top on the subject. He claims there is no global warming. It's a good thing for him that he is not trying to stay alive atop an ice floe.

My whole family is in Jacksonville, Fl right now. I wish I could be there too. My 3 wonderful kids, spouses, and grandkids would make me very happy. Though the beach might go a long way to improving my happiness factor. Water-- is there anything better?

There is always more

I have spent a lot of time on the computer lately looking at pictures like the one I just posted. I have already mentioned the changes in the house that have been made. And I have made some minor changes in other rooms. But I haven't figured out how to get the high ceilings needed for a beautiful chandelier in the dining room. At least, I can't think how to do it without getting another new roof. Or doing away with the second floor of the house. But then where would I sleep? Sometimes ideas seem to take on a life of their own.

It doesn't take much

Evidently it doesn't take much to make me happy. Just a new roof, a new deck, grass in the back yard, a new window, a newly pressure washed house, and moving the whole den around to look bigger. I don't even want to go into the work these things took, mostly because I didn't do much of it. I did move some furniture and the terrific signif other did the biggest part. Not without a bit of grousing.

Anyway, some of the things were repairs and others of the changes were just for a change. But have you ever noticed that if you change one thing, something else needs to be changed and then something else, etc? And then there are other things that would look better after some work and a lot of money. And if you watch HGTV there are at least 100 more things that could be done.

But the results rule!!!!!!!!!

Time passes

My dear heart, my Shadow, is getting older now. She is 13 years old. She has had several tumors. Her hearing is quickly fading. She has a hard time getting up and down. I love her desperately. I hope that I can continue to make her comfortable. As long as it takes.

Absolute Joy

I can't begin to express the joy I feel talking to my daughter. At least when she sounds rested. She now has 2 young children. Rest would be a treat. To all mothers out there. Sleep as much as you can. You need it.

Just another day

I'm going to the doctor today. Such fun. He really is fun. He has a Corgi dog too and I love joking with him. Anyway, I've been living with this problem long enough. Time to fix it.

It is supposed to be in the upper 80's here today. The weather people post all of the weather info and they often include what the average temps are for the day. We seem to be either way over or way under so far this year. 2 summers ago we were fighting drought. Last summer/year we had 14 inches of rain over the average. This year we are back in drought mode. Is it any wonder the farmers are having a hard time?

This summer promises to be more upbeat than last year. We were significantly underfunded last year and passed on many opportunities to do things because of the cost. This summer, we are slightly more comfortable. Therefore the mountains will see much more of me. As will the lake. The place we go in the mountains is similar to the main roads of the Smokies. However, there are lots of gravel and dirt trails we take. We took the truck up there many times. It is 4 wheel drive so no getting stuck. Last year the streams, rivers, and small lakes were at an all time high with the extra rain we got. The leaves were dark green, the water was moving quickly, and the sounds of the water and the fauna made our trips so enchanting. I could go there once a week and never get tired of it.

My girls live in Florida now. I guess in the future I will get a chance to compare how relaxed I get at the beach to how relaxed I get in the mountains. Sounds like fun!

This is the day

I drove out to the lake today to visit a friend. I love good conversation with good friends. It has been a beautiful day and I was happy to relax and gab a bit. And as an added pleasure I was treated to some of the most beautiful wild roses I have ever seen growing along the road. Of course, here in Tennessee there are lots of wild flowers, hence the allergies. But this seems to be a banner year for the wild roses. I saw 4 different colors. I wished I had my camera or some scissors. And in addition there were huge bunches of purple sweet peas. I could have made such a terrific bouquet.

My friend has a camper on the lake during the summer months. We sat inside because I wasn't really dressed for sun but there are chairs that face the lake and a pair of binoculars. The geese are there but there weren't many people boating. The water is still a bit chilly. East Tennessee has some of the prettiest lakes anywhere. It was nice to be there and relax.

Today

Today I am grateful for

Time

Love

Kindness

Friends

The future

Peace

My life-all of it.

In love

I have fallen in love with this dress. Of course I couldn't wear it but the colors and the print are so Spring. I would love to have a huge piece of the material to make something for me. That, color, is what really moves me.

Just another day

It is Wednesday. I am trying to recuperate from a disastrous Mother's Day Weekend. I am way too old for this. Upset is mind numbing when there is no answer.

This week we have had a lot of overcast. There have been few rain showers which I love. Dark days are great when there has been tons of sun. But not when I need the sun to perk me up.

what a day!!!!!!!

Today I love: the cutest little 6 pound baby horse.

Today I love: a no dino riding sign

Today I am concerned for the folks in west Tennessee and the surrounding areas that have lost loved ones to the weather.

Today I am being blown all over the place when I go outside. It is downright hot, muggy, and windy. What a combination!

Today I am one day closer to Medicare. Thank goodness.

Today I don't love: the people who drive and talk on the phone. They don't do either thing very well.
being fat and out of shape.

trying on swimsuits.

lettuce.

people who say bad things about politicians but who have no idea how to do their jobs better.

the economy. But I have hope.

And today I love the Creagers: their work and their world. I am so glad Jodi shares.

It is the first day of May

Today I love: this bunny who lives in England and is the largest in the world. What I don't love is the fact that his 59 year old owner had a bunch of plastic surgery to get more attention than the bunny. Score one for the bunny.

Today I love: Nox Arcana's Album "Darklore Manor". It is dark and Halloweeny but very relaxing.

Today I love: The rain that is coming this weekend to water my new grass in the backyard.

Today on my list of nasties:
Cheating men
Snobs
Rampant consumerism
Yellow vehicles except school buses
Living in the past
People who hold grudges
Weeds
Dirty Windows, (I need to clean mine)

Today, I appreciate having a format to give my opinion. No one else is listening.

The sun

The sun was here for a couple of days. I was so much happier when I saw it.

Tired of winter?

Yes. Resoundingly. A shiver here, a shake there. I am so ready to go outside and not feel frozen. Here the winter has been really cold and also very cloudy. Overcast days are a real downer.

Also, the reality of Mardi Gras has hit me. When I think of the festival I think of fantasy, color, smiles, and energy. What a joy! A harbinger of Spring. Just around the corner. I am ordinarily a lover of cool weather and I find that I anticipate season changes and daylight changes. Winter this year has not offered a lot of sun and I all of a sudden miss it. I look at the wonderful sun and am not surprised that some cultures have deified it. And I just about could today.

Color is coming. I can feel it.

The weather as a topic

I've heard it said that if there is nothing to talk about try the weather. Well the weather here has been cold. With snow, with clouds, with rain, with ice, with sun, and with combinations of all of the above. But that is the end of the weather talk.

As I have gotten older I find that when the weather is too hot or too cold I tend to not want to go out. This is not a good thing for an older person and I will begin today to fix it. I have a planned outing to the art gallery down the street with a sweet little lunch while I am out. Then he decides to stay home. He hurt his eye at work yesterday and really needs to rest it. You see, he is a welder and that alone puts a big strain on the eyes.

So now I have a big day planned doing laundry and cooking. Actually those are things I needed to do anyway and I am only putting off my trip to the gallery. Knoxville, where I live, is in Tennessee. The east Tennessee landscape is possibly one of the most beautiful in the world. So just taking a ride into the country is enough to make the artist in me happy. But there are some lovely studios and galleries here and if I really need inspiration I can go to Gatlinberg where there is a wonderful group of artists centered around Arrowmont, a very famous school for artists. Anyway, today I'm going to concentrate on creating nummy yummies for the tummy and then on getting my artistic cap on.

I really envy people who are unable to not do art. I have times when I have to make something or I will go nuts. Then there are periods of time that I am easily distracted by other things and take a pass on the studio. I find that I am happier when I am in creative mode. I wish I could be there all the time.

I tip my proverbial hat to the wonderful art I see in the blog and on facebook and to all of the wonderful people who make the art. You are a blessing on the earth.

Hopes and expectations

There are times that I would love to be at the beach. I don't expect to be there but I would love it.

There are times I would love to weigh sixty pounds less than I do. I don't expect to get there any time soon but I would love it.

There are times I would love to have a completely happy day. It would be a day that included no bills, no bad tv shows, no disasters. It would be a day that there was a lot of love in the house and there would be good food, smiles, and joy.

Valentines day is supposed to be a happy day. It is supposed to be a day to express love and caring. It is supposed to........

All week

All week the weather persons have been talking about a winter storm coming. Maybe even 8 inches of snow. So Wednesday I was at the grocery with perhaps half of the people in my end of town. It was so busy I could hardly move around. You know the drill; Oh, sorry! Excuse me. I didn't mean to run into you!

After purchasing my groceries and getting back to the car in 50 degree weather, I was struck by how stupid I felt. After all, I was sweating. And anticipating a winter storm. Yes, anticipating it. Snow!!!! 6-8 inches of it.

It snowed last night, in between the sleet and the rain. This morning it is raining. And our 1 and a half inches of snow looks puny. So I have learned a lesson. Anticipation is not necessarily a good thing. And the weathermen don't know what is going to happen.

A Rainy Day

I have heard that it is a good idea to save for a rainy day. That being, a day with no money.

I have heard that April showers bring May flowers.

I have heard it rain here to the extent of 16 inches above normal in 2009. After a really bad drought the year before it was truly a blessing.

I have heard rain here for the last 3 days. The dogs are truly ticked off.

There are several reasons to not love rain. There is the getting wet when the sig other takes you out to eat. Of course that points to the fact the sig other is actually taking you out to eat.

There is the mud the dogs track in when they go out to do their business. Of course that points to the fact that the dogs actually do their business outside and not in the house. Thank goodness for that!

In the summer rain means growing things like grass which has to be mowed. Of course that means we have actually been able to get grass to grow after years of trying.

There is the dark dank feeling of a winter rain. Of course that provides the best reason ever to stay home and hunker down and read a good book.

A cold rainy day can present it's own problems. The high humidity and low temp make the heat come on and dry out my skin. Of course I could go outside and fix the problem for a while.

Rainy day? Sounds like a winner to me.

Hello again

This is the new year and already it seems to be disappearing too quickly. My life runs before me and I am not able to run fast enough to keep up.

My oldest child, a daughter, will be 39 on January 28. She was the cutest baby and we have always enjoyed the best of friendships too. But, why do I never feel like I have done the things I wanted to with her. The difficulties she faces as an adult are often things I didn't prepare her for. Could it be that there is no way to fully prepare a child for the future? God, I hope so. Then I wouldn't feel so bad.

I think the winter is getting to me and other people. December here was mild, very mild. I actually thought at one point that I wished it would get cold. Yeah, right. Dumb, I know. It got so cold the oranges in Florida were freezing. I'm glad I've decided not to play the guilt game so I don't blame myself for the cold. We actually had a small amount of snow. So pretty!!!

I have had to come to a realization about myself. I am lazy. Very lazy. I sit and look at things that need to be done. Period. That's all I do. Look at them. Like the way I have looked at my blog and said to myself I should write today. Since I last wrote in November you have some idea how lazy I have gotten. But the new year is here. I think that's supposed to mean something about getting things done.

I'm sitting here writing on the computer and I just looked around and saw something that needed to be done. Should I get up and do it or just sit and write and look at it. Now I am in a pickle.

Love to all till next time. Judy