FLAMBLOGGER

C is FOR...

2012-01-31T13:13:00.000-08:00

C is FOR...

COBRA CANDLESTICKS

These candlesticks have been sitting in the back of a closet for about 50 years because I really don't like them very much. I inherited them from my grandparents. However, I recently received some old family photographs from my sister and lo and behold there they are...

...from 50 years ago at least, sitting on what looks like a bureau, behind Grandma and Granddad.

I've often wondered if they are worth anything because they are solid brass, quite heavy and about 12 inches tall. Knowing the letter C was coming up, I decided to get them out and take another look. My grandfather brought them back from India where he served in the British Army. I checked on the web and did a couple of tests and yes, they are solid brass. So I had a go at cleaning them up. I tried regular products for shining them. Not much progress there. I soaked them in baking soda and vinegar. A little better. But what they really need is a tooth brush, baking soda and plenty of elbow grease! I can see where my grandmother obviously cleaned them regularly. Adding to their interest is the fact that they are hand tooled. They would have been made in the early 1900's but I suspect there are plenty of others about so I doubt if they are valuable. But I'll keep them around and when the Del Mar Fair Antiques Show comes around I might take them down to be valued.

C is also for...CAT SHOW!

Well you didn't think I'd let you get away with the letter C without some reference to cats, did you?

I haven't been able to go for quite a few years because I can't walk long enough to be able to take in all the exhibits. But this year I had my scooter! What a blessing it was! We got there about 2:00 p.m. and I tootled around until 5:00 p.m. Saw everything I wanted and more. Poor Barry was wishing he'd brought a book. Here's a couple of highlights...

Cute and funny, but not really my style of decoration.

This little fellow was all tuckered out! It was a long day for the cats and they had another day to go.

There was even a cat agility ring. This cat went round twice successfully. All the same obstacles as in a dog agility ring. Fun to watch.

Just to prove that I really was there, that's my head in the left hand corner watching some of the judging .

Smiles at the cat show. Can't you just see from the look on their faces how much they are enjoying the show? Oh I just love that photo! That's how I came home. A smile on my face.

This is my contribution to Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday for the letter C, now in its tenth round and still going strong. Click on this LINK and see all the other entertaining and educational entries.

Egypt's Remarkable Prayer Gathering

2012-01-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

Egypt's Remarkable Prayer Gathering

Click on this title.

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Just found this from THIS I DO, Mike's blog . What a great encouragement for all we Christians who know what's going on in the Middle East. WHY DIDN'T WE HEAR ABOUT THIS IN THE MEDIA?

Please pass this along or post it on your blog if you would like to. It is so encouraging to know how the Christians over there are doing.

TWINCHIES ON MONDAY

2012-01-29T22:36:00.000-08:00

The topic this week is SMILE.

My first thought was this fellow:

He's supposed to be the Cheshire Cat, just fading a way, but I didn't like him. I thought he looked more like a gorilla . So I tried again and I like this one much better:

I love the expression on the kitty's face. He does look happy, doesn't he?

Click on this LINK and see more Inchie/Twinchie Monday.

TWINCHIES

2012-01-26T00:20:00.000-08:00

These are my Twinchies. And what exactly are Twinchies? Well they are my version of Inchies. If you want to know what Inchies are let me refer you to this link HERE. They are officially one square inch of art produced once a week. For a variety of reasons I decided to make mine two inches square, after first clearing it with Ann the blogger whose project this is.

ONE TREE HILL

I latched on to the idea from my blogging friend Mornin' AJ. Seeing what she had done, I realized it was exactly what I needed. If you have been visiting my blog regularly you will know that over the past few years I have posted quite a lot of my art work. (One Tree Hill is based on a small hill which obviously had only one tree on it. But it was right in the vicinity of where my husband and I used to walk and talk when we were just 'going together'.)

THE UNIVERSE

However I ran into a dry spell with my art work for the last couple of months and just couldn't seem to get up the mental energy and creativity to do any art lately. I think I know why and will explain in a moment.

SHADOWS

Ann has a topic for each week, which we are to use as the jumping off point for our creative urges. The topic 'shadows' immediately made me think of the large trees that artist David Hockney has painted and has on display in Yorkshire, England. He paints a lot of Yorkshire scenes because, he says, the light in Yorkshire is unique and just distinctive enough to make him paint Yorkshire scenes. And I love Yorkshire.

CITY

This one is supposed to be what L.A. looks like from the air as you are coming into land at LAX. The blue splotches are swimming pools. This is a scene I have viewed many times over the past thirty to forty years.

GOLDEN

The best golden thing I have seen is when we were walking through a grove of trees in Minnesota on a fall day. Everywhere and everything was GOLDEN.

As for my artistic dry spell I think I have analysed myself sufficiently well to understand what has been happening. When I first started painting frequently and intensely, I started out with just simple designs. Bit by bit I challenged myself to increase the difficulty until I was producing quite difficult and complex pieces, for me (remember I have never had an art lesson). I am a perfectionist and an over achiever. Finally, I found that I just didn't want to paint if it wasn't perfect and difficult. That's me putting pressure on me! 110% is never enough!! And it took all the fun out of it. So the inchies and twinchies are just a really good way for me to ease back into my art again without the stress.

Well it sounds like a good excuse anyway....

If you want to see the work I have been doing the past few years you can visit HERE

I think I will enjoy doing these pieces and start to be more relaxed about it. I plan to follow Ann's topics and will try to post on Mondays with everyone else.

http://everyinchiemonday2012.blogspot.com/

B IS FOR...

2012-01-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

.....BLOG BOOKS

I have been blogging for five whole years now and these are the fruits of my work. At the end of each year I have had Blogs2print print all my blogs. I've been very pleased with the results. Obviously they are not printed for sales. Who would be interested in the detailed minutiae of my life except me and perhaps my family? I am so pleased to have them. It's like having an illustrated journal. This past year I had just over 130 blogs. To have it printed with all photographs in color and complete text, it cost me approximately $60. I'm telling you this in case you might be interested in doing something similar. You can have as many or as few of your blogs printed as you want. You get to choose the colors, design and front (and back) cover photograph.

The only drawback I have is that the photos are not printed as large as I would like and they do not always correspond to the text beside them. I imagine these problems could be rectified if you wanted to be in contact with the company.

Try it, you'll like it And no, I'm not getting any commission!

B IS ALSO FOR BULGARIA

For a good number of years now my husband has been visiting (among other places)

some small churches of believers in Bulgaria who are still struggling to come out from under the Communist suppression of Christian churches. One church is a Gypsy church who recently were able to buy land on which to build their church, with the help of our organization, Morningstar Messengers.

This is another Bulgarian church we have been helping and encouraging. Here they are building their church with the help of their own church members.

Almost finished.

The church at Panygurishta, Bulgaria

Actually it is now completely finished and the congregation are ensconced and using it. It is not only encouraging to the people to have their own church and to know that there are friends half a world away who care about them, but it is also encouraging to us to see that all the traveling we have been doing and the communication between Americans, Australians and Bulgarians is now bearing fruit. So the work goes on and lasting friendships are made.

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Here we are at the letter B for Mrs. Nesbitt's project, ABC Wednesday. Pop over to her

page of links where almost a hundred other bloggers participate each week. You will find her LINK HERE.

A IS FOR.....

2012-01-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

...A is for ANACHRONISM

I first came across this word when I was about six years old. Perhaps it was because it was such a big word for a six year old that I remembered it.

We were in Sunday School. It must have been near Christmas time because

the teacher had asked us to draw a picture of Mary and Joseph and the Babe in Bethlehem.

The picture below is something like what I drew. I remember clearly because it drew some comments from the teacher and other students. That's when I first heard the word ANACHRONISM. I had made the mistake of including two anachronistic items in my picture -- the airplane and the electric light, both clearly out of their time in this picture. I was so embarrassed when this was pointed out to me rather scornfully by my brother.

ANOTHER A - WORD that caused me some embarrassment was ALIEN.

By this time I was I was fifteen years old and had been called upon in class to read a poem out loud about 'Ruth' who 'stood amidst the alien corn'. What she was doing there I have no idea but she caused me some problems because I pronounced the word 'alien' as 'a-lion'. I remember this incident as clear as day in all my school girl self consciousness, as I was corrected by my teacher, and several other students around me. Fancy being fifteen years old and not able to read properly!

Ah, our happy youthful days were fraught with such traps that just waited for us to fall into them, and never forget the anguish they brought us!

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So here we are at the beginning of another round of Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC WEDNESDAY.

Round ten in fact. Do join us by posting an entry for the letter A and then click on this LINK to take a look at what all the other intrepid adventurers in ABC Wednesday have come up with.

KAFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY

2012-01-16T18:57:00.000-08:00

Well my silence is over, I think! Not that it's been very silent, what with all the sniffling and blowing and deep-chested coughing that's been going on here for the past three weeks. We are both just getting over nasty episodes of sinusitis and bronchitis. All the coughing has left us exhausted and left little physical or creative energy. The coughing continues and we are being told that that is to be expected.

So here is my contribution to Kaffee Klatch Friday. -- a little bit late, but still, I'm here.

The question we have to discuss this week is, "What do we do for 'me time'?" How do we re-energize ourselves in our busy lives? This question was more important to me before I retired. After I retired I found I had too much 'me time'. But back in those times we did several things. Usually I would get the boys set up with something to do for half an hour or so and then I'd tell them that it was now 'me time' so that they understood if I was too busy to come at their beck and call. Most of the time they were pretty understanding. Fortunately they were both very good at amusing themselves or doing something together. I was VERY blessed to have two boys who got along well together most of the time even though there were three years between them.

Then to balance this out we would make a point of giving each boy some time alone with us. Often Barry would take it in turns to take one of the boys out for dinner with him, -- one, one week and the other the next week.

As the boys got older, we also made a point of going out to dinner with each other once a week. My husband being a pastor and being 'on call' all the time, it was important that we actually scheduled these times in together.

What I did with my time was a different matter. I was always a bit hyper, so I needed to give my brain plenty of stimulation. I listened to a lot of music, especially of the King's Singers, I did a LOT of reading, and I also collected a good number of puzzle books over the years. They, as well as crossword puzzles kept me out of mischief. I started painting and drawing in my early fifties. In addition, I made a lot of Christmas decorations for a while and I crocheted a fair number of afghans. In later years, I would spend time sitting out on the patio watching the birds. Over the years I identified 25 different species that came to visit our garden.

Today, reading, painting, blogging and bird watching are still high on my list of things to do. And if the cat comes around to play or just to be cuddled as I'm getting ready for bed I take time to do it -- it's good for your blood pressure so they say!

Join us at Tapestry of Life by clicking on the button below and see what others do for re-creation.

Z IS FOR...

2012-01-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

Z IS FOR...ZIP, ZIPPED, ZIPPING along on my scooter!

Guess what I got for Christmas! A scooter! It was a very unexpected gift from a very unexpected place. I have been talking about getting one for a while, but neither my husband nor my doctor were too keen on the idea. They all think I will use it when I should be walking. But I won't. I want it so that I can go to things like the San Diego Cat Show or the Home and Garden Show. But with my fibromyalgia I can't walk for longer than half an hour, so I'm missing all the fun things I would like to do. It means I can even roam the mall. It broadens my horizons, in other words. Of course all the family wanted a go, so out we went into the circle about 9:00 o'clock Christmas Night and gave our neighbors a display.

Here's Glyn playing on my new 'toy'. Of course everyone had to have a try. When we were last in Bridlington, a good few years back, I was amazed at how many women were zipping in and out and around the crowds of shoppers on a scooter. In fact some of them were down right dangerous! But if they can do it, so can I.

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Do you remember when ziploc bags were new? It's not too long ago. I think they are one of the better things modern life has brought to us.

I often make myself a fruit smoothy from fresh frozen fruit -- pineapple, strawberries, mango, peaches and blueberries. I put them in the blender and press liquify. Mmm,mmm good! Almost as good is the fact that all these fruits come with a ziploc top. Very handy! Just tear off the top and unzip then zip it up again for the next time.

I began thinking about the old ad they used to show on TV of someone holding up a ziploc bag full of some kind of brightly staining juice -- probably blueberries. It was held upside down over a beautiful white sweater. Would it leak or not? Of course it never did leak on the TV. Since this is Z day and I have chosen zip and Ziploc as my words, I decided to test it -- but not over my white sweater or with blueberry juice !

As you can see, it held very well. I grabbed the lid to put on the counter top (sorry it is messy I was pressed for time and only had one hand,) to show that the bag is indeed hanging up in the air and not a drop of water leaked out. Next time I might be brave enough to do the experiment with juice and a sweater!

Well here we are folks, at the end of another round of ABC Wednesday. Why don't you ZIP over to Mrs. Nesbitt's Blog (found HERE) and join us for another spectacular round?

ABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCABCA

KAFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY

2012-01-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

Kaffee Klatch Friday
I'm way late with this....but I have made it at last.
Our question for discussion this week is;
1. What was one of the most memorable events in your life last year?
Well, this could be really easy. It would be something everyone who has visited my blog recently would know and that is our adoption of Scruffy! Then there was our visit to Kauai -- always memorable. But I decided I wanted to think a little more deeply and this is what came to mind:
It was a Sunday afternoon, and I was at home alone because Barry was in Micronesia. Something reminded me of a piece of music I had heard a good number of times before and liked very much. I found it on You Tube that afternoon. I know a lot of people are not very fond of opera, but I really like it. It is something I learned to enjoy when I was in the equivalent of Junior High School. This piece is the male duet from "The Pearl Fishers" by Bizet. The two men in the duet are pledging their lifelong friendship despite whatever the outcome might be from the woman they both loved, who was at that moment deciding which of them she would choose to be her lover. This piece of music is one of the most beautiful and uplifting I have ever heard. It is only short and here it is sung by Thomas Hampson and Jerry Hadley. It is made all the more poignant because Jerry Hadley died at the age of 51. He committed suicide. A brilliant young tenor who thought he was losing his singing voice. Please click on this link The Pearl Fishers. You won't be sorry, I promise you.

Thomas Hampson, Baritone

Jerry Hadley, Tenor.

Anyway that led to an afternoon of scouring You Tube for other pieces of my favorite music and singers. In the process I discovered another tenor whom I had never heard of. He is from Peru and is brilliant. He is not quite 40 years old and has a great future ahead of him. Please go and listen to Juan Diego Florez at this LINK
The upshot of all this was that I spent about three hours listening to the most inspiring music and feel I had a very happy and fulfilling afternoon. I must add that I also listened to Alfie Boe, and Michael Ball, Jackie Evancho, Josh Grogan and Andrea Bocelli among others. What a great afternoon! And it was all thanks to the computer about which I so often grumble.

Our second discussion question was, What do you look forward to regarding your blog this year?
I guess my most optimistic hope is that I continue to blog! This is the beginning of my sixth year and sometimes inspiration just doesn't come. If I were able to get out and about more I could take more photographs and they always help. In addition I want to include more photographs that would be unusual and more illustrative of my life. I want to do that because I have made a blog book of every year I have been posting, and they have become like an illustrated journal. My new blog book for 2011 is expected to arrive next week. I'm looking forward to it.

Y IS FOR....

2012-01-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

.....YIP, YAP AND YOWL
These are the sounds we frequently hear late at night, especially if there is a full moon. We have some coyote families that live somewhere near. Even though we are officially designated a town or city we have a lot of canyons full of brush and earthy cliffs as well as other green areas where they can live.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

This one looks more healthy than some of the skinny, mangy looking ones I've seen recently. I suspect ours don't have the thick furry coat because we don't have the really cold winters that those from up north have. My neighbor has seen our local coyotes in the street where we live a good number of times in the early morning (that's not in my vocabulary!) Apparently they dig holes in the earthy cliffs to make a den and are happy to take over ground squirrel tunnels. We have no shortage of ground squirrels so the coyotes are probably fortunate to find plenty of areas to call home. The ground squirrels also make a tasty meal for them. Unfortunately, people's pets are also a meal of choice. That's why many cat owners around here have strictly indoor cats. Coyotes have also been known to attack small children, as well as grab small dogs and cats from the back yard. But human physical contact is not nearly as frequent as you might think when you consider how many coyotes there are in any given area. I think I have heard of only two incidents in the last nearly forty years we have lived here.

My first memories of coyotes have happier overtones -- from the ever popular Roy Rogers and other cowboy movies that I saw rather infrequently around the age of six. The romantic yip, yap and yowl of the coyote remind me of these. But I still keep my cat inside! It's sad I know, but it would be much sadder if one of those coyotes had Scruffy for lunch!

Even so, because I love all animals, I think he is rather beautiful.

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Here we are at the tag end of the alphabet for ABC Wednesday, but if you go and take a look at the other participants of Mrs. Nesbitt's project (click on this LINK) you'll be amazed at how many have stayed with the weekly posting, not just for this round of the alphabet, but some participants have joined in for all nine rounds!

Now to find something unique for next week's letter Z.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

2012-01-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

....to those who gave me the tips in their comments about how to make my banner larger and where to find instructions. It isn't finished yet but it's better than before and I will work on it some more. I take back all that I've been muttering under my breath about Picasa! I would NEVER, NEVER have figured out how to do all this on my own. I have to do a re-do to make it fit better and I may make other changes yet. But at least it isn't all a mystery to me any more.

I followed the instructions Vicki gave, just because her comment came first. I will also try out Quiltin' Granny's advice too when I have this one completed as I would like. Then I can compare the two methods.

This is the original painting of Dane's Dyke which I did in watercolors. Once again I must confess to having intensified its colors (perhaps a bit too much) as my water colors come up so faded on the computer. The Dyke is said to have been dug by the Vikings, or Danes, about 800 AD in order to cut off the headland and make it an island and thus easier to defend. However, some say it goes back much further than the Danes.

Today it has some beautiful shady trails and is an ideal spot to go bird-watching. The trench is open to the sea at one end as you see here. At the other end, the diggers met their match in the 400 foot high chalk cliffs which dominate the north side of Flamborough and Bempton. It is officially called 'earthworks' I think and is about two miles in length. There is much more on the web about this beautiful area

My husband says he misses the cliffs and caves of the previous banner and so do I . But maybe I can now change my banner with other Flamborough pictures at a later point.

Have to get ready for ABC Wednesday now, and I may be a little later than usual in posting.

Please Bear with Me

2012-01-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

As you can see I am trying to make some changes to the appearance of my blog. The thing which is giving me the greatest problem is the banner photograph. I can't find anything that tells me what size photo I can use that will fit the space. In the mean time the picture above is my watercolor of Dane's Dyke, Flamborough Head, where I spent many of my childhood and teenage years.

Having spent two solid days on the computer I think I'll have to take a break! I've also been moved to the new interface for posting, which I don't much care for. Somewhere I saw a button to return to the old interface, but who knows where? I'm also still wrestling with Windows 7 and Microsoft 10, both of which are new to me. Am I having fun yet?....Hmmm.

Someone else is...

But just so you haven't visited for nothing, the update on Scruffy is that he seems to be fine. We suspect he has been mooching around the kitchen floor and finding scraps of turkey or ham. People food does not agree with him no matter how small the amount. He is still active and playful in spite of his age -- hence the fuzzy photographs -- he moves too fast for me.

You will notice that he is still sitting down! But his favorite move is to pounce from the sofa on to the wand. It all helps him keep his slim school boy figure!

Additionally, dare I tell you that our temps in the day time have been around 80 degrees. Cold overnight though.

It's still not too late to wish you a Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

I am still trying to figure out how to do all the editing and graphics I want to do on our new computer. Since it has taken me 5 hours to do this much, I think this will have to be it. Though a bit skimpy and not nearly as colorful or skillful as I would have liked, the sentiments are sincerely meant.

In the mean time it's back to the drawing board for me!

X IS FOR ...

2011-12-27T15:31:00.000-08:00

....X IS FOR XMAS AT OUR HOUSE

They say that X is for the unknown factor, so I never normally use this term for Christmas. But I am wimping out over the letter X, but only to a certain degree because X is probably an unknown factor about me that most of you don't know. My birthday is Christmas Day. I turned 74. So here is my Christmas/birthday picture to celebrate:

Our beautiful Christmas centerpiece, but surrounded by all my birthday cards!

The first thing I am usually asked is, "Do you get two presents -- one for birthday and one for Christmas?' My answer is a resounding "Yes!". As far as I can remember I always have. In fact I think it was harder on my brother than on me because when he was younger he didn't understand why I always got more presents than him at Christmas time.

We had a wonderful Christmas/ birthday. I even cooked a turkey dinner -- which I think will be for the last time. My oldest son and his family came over. My youngest son called from Boise. Everything went very smoothly except....

.... the kitchen sink backed up and the cat threw up.!!! We had to leave all the dishes and pots and pans until we could call a plumber the next day. The blessing behind all this is that I had totally finished cooking and was putting everything on the table when the drain gave up. The cat has now thrown up for three days in a row so we're wondering if he has found some nibbles somewhere. He doesn't eat people food for exactly that reason.

Just a couple of family photos to finish:

We had roast turkey and gravy, roast potatoes and carrots done around the roast, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, my special version of cranberry jelly, salad and bread rolls, and Martinelli's apple cider. Dessert was my chocolate chip brownies and Harry and David's sweet, sweet, juicy pears.

Please forgive my bragging, but all year long I tell everyone that I don't cook or bake, which I don't -- unless I have to, but I can if it's for a special occasion.

SO I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL XMAS.

(I'm sure you all know that the first letter of Christmas is, in the Greek, the letter Chi which looks like an elongated X so I didn't wimp out on my convictions too much.)

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This entry for the letter X is part of ABC Wednesday, Mrs. Nesbitt's highly entertaining and educational project. Please click on this LINK to see more.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

2011-12-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

A VERY BLESSED CHRISTMAS.....

......TO ALL MY BLOGGING FRIENDS!

May peace rule in our hearts even as we struggle to bring peace to our

deeply troubled world.

I thought I would share this beautiful Christmas centerpiece with you. It is about 18 inches across and all the flowers are real. Last evening two dear friends of ours brought this centerpiece to us for Christmas. What a blessing!

*****

I'm still trying to figure out this new computer and its programs. I have discovered I don't have the same efficient photo and picture editing program that I had before and it's no longer available :{ . I don't want to shell out $4-500 for a program that has so much more than I need, so I'm still working on that.

This flower arrangement came at just the right moment. I quickly got my camera and my quest for a suitable photo for my Christmas blog was over -- no having to dredge up something I've used before or becoming frustrated trying to edit something with a program that refuses to do what I want it to.

How wonderful it would be if we could set aside all the pressure and stress of the holidays and rest secure in the knowledge that God knows how to bring about what this world needs even if we don't! And He will do it!

W IS FOR ...

2011-12-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

...WATERCOLORS

I went through all my paintings and found only two that I don't think I've posted before and both of these were done in the eighties. The first one is appropriate for Christmas because I copied it from a Christmas card. It is one of the earliest I ever did and it hung in the corner of the living room where my mother and father-in-law lived in Llandudno until Dad passed away in 2002. Like most of my paintings it is not very large -- about the size of a post card.

A Scottish Thistle.

I can't believe it is so long ago since I did these. I was only just starting out in my painting, with no lessons or tutor. Back then I spent many long hours painting. I still like to paint but find it hard on my hands and eyes. So now I mostly use Prisma Color pencils which can actually produce an almost water color look.

This is the only drawing I did while we were in Kauai, although I took all my painting and drawing kit with me.

A Dog at the Beach

I have to admit that I did a little color enhancement with the computer on this. It really came out from the new scanner looking a little anemic. Got to make some adjustments.

I have done very little painting in the last few months. Seems like the last few months have been especially busy. When the opthamologist gives me the OK to have my other cataract taken out maybe I will be more inclined to get back to it. Certainly I hope to do more in the NEW YEAR.

In the mean time may I wish you, all my blogging friends, a very blessed Christmas or a Happy Hanukkah.

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This is my contribution to ABC Wednesday for the letter W. Please click on this LINK to see more of all the contributions from hard working bloggers who participate in this project.

BIRDS and TREES and the last of our time in KAUAI

2011-12-19T00:18:00.000-08:00

There are so many different kinds of plants, bushes and trees on Kauai, -- that is, quite different from the ones we mostly see on the mainland.

Since it is almost Christmas, I had to include this Poinsetta shrub in full bloom.

You have to look a little more closely at this next photo, as there are two trees here and you have to look hard to separate them. As beautiful as the palm tree is here I really wanted a photo of the one in the front, with all the bare branches. Why take a photo of a tree with bare branches you may wonder. Well because it is actually a plumeria tree -- the one that has the beautifully perfumed flowers which are used in the typical Hawaian leis. If you look closely you can see some blooms still left on the ends of the branches. This is the time of the year when the plumeria loses its leaves. There are not many trees in Kauai that lose their leaves and it seems that sometimes the plumeria blooms outlast the leaves, because we saw quite a few trees that looked like this.

Finding the unusual trees as we drove around was not difficult; finding a place to pull over while I took the photographs was a whole different matter! Fortunately my husband is very patient when I need photos for my blog. I'm not so sure the other drivers on the road were so patient.

I thought this tree/shrub was fascinating. Very decorative with all its roots(?) or are they branches? Roots, I think.

These look like giant horse tails, similar to a small plant that grows wild in England. These were up at the river ford on Kauai. I love all the different textures and shades of the many tropical plants.

This photograph reminds me of an old song that was sung when I was growing up in England. I'm sure all of you who are in England know what I'm referring to, and I believe it was pretty well known over here too, because Danny Kay made a recording of it. It was written by Freddie Heatherton:

"I've got a luverly bunch of coconuts!

Here they are all standing in a row.

Big ones, small ones, some as big as your 'ead

You give 'em a twist, a flick of yer wrist,

Is what the showman said."

The song, of course, refers to the traditional coconut shy or 'toss' at the English fun fairs. (Info thanks to Wikipedia). Throw them if you like, but don't stand under a coconut tree (see the above photo) you can get hurt pretty badly if you do. In fact one of our island friends in Micronesia was hit by one and had many visits to the hospital because of it.

I had to take another shot for a close-up of this. I have never seen so many coconuts on one tree!

A fairly common bird on Kauai is the brightly colored red-headed cardinal. We didn't seem to see as many of them this year, so hopefully their numbers are not declining.

This bird was definitely more abundant than other years. It is the beautiful Golden Plover. I had to enhance this photo a little so that you can really see the 'golden' part. They were everywhere around our condo area. Shy and quick on their feet, (running fast rather than flying) they were not easy to photograph. In fact, to give credit where credit is due, my husband took this photo -- and the next one too, which I will explain....

...yes, let me explain. This is NOT a sunset photo but a SUNRISE. If you know me at all, or read my blog regularly, you will know I do NOT take sunrise photos! I am definitely not a morning person. Thank goodness I am now retired! And thank goodness my husband is a morning person.

Well that's it for Kauai. Now just a memory away. This week is going to be a busy one as I catch up with all my Christmas preparations. I know, I'm late, but that's how I like it.

See you on ABC Wednesday.

THE PHOTOS FOR 'V'

2011-12-17T23:29:00.000-08:00

Finishing up 'V' for ABC Wednesday

To be honest I not only wanted to complete my 'v' entry, but since I plan to make this year's blogs into a book, I really wanted to include photos of my school, VICTORY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL. I have had a blog book printed every year for the past four years. They have become almost like an illustrated journal of my life. So when I realized I had very few references and photographs in my past blogs about the school (which had consumed so much of my life for 22 years), along came 'V' day, the perfect opportunity to make an entry. But I didn't count on having a new computer to deal with last week and having to learn the idiosyncrasies of a new editing and scanning program and other such "stuff". So I have decided to make up for what has been missing and to complete my 'V' entry today.

The down side for you, my blogging friends, is that the photos are mostly of people that you don't know. So please forgive me if I indulge in posting these photos taken in very recent years. There are many photos from the early years missing -- they're all in the yearbooks.

So here we go:

The school founded 1972, in its last years before it closed in 2006.

Some of the students in the nineties.

A graduating class in the nineties, with my dearest friend and teacher Mrs Penman (L) and me. What a great bunch of students these were!

A couple of happy moments in the life of the school -- Awards Day and Graduation Day.

JoEllen was such a great support to me, a wonderful teacher and counselor. She died very unexpectedly only two years ago. I still miss her great sense of humor and friendship.

When I took over as principal it was at a point when the school was about to close. I asked the board to let me see if I could keep it going. It was about 1990 and the bad economy and real estate collapse had hit Southern California hard -- much like today. I retired in 2002 and the school finally closed in 2006. So we kept it going for another 16 years, but on a smaller scale than in the past. I was on the board until that day and I am proud to say that when we finally closed we did not owe a nickel to anyone and what assets we had were divided between other non-profit organizations.

So that's the end of my V day for ABC Wednesday. I don't know if I can post twice for the same letter

but I'm going to try. If you haven't already visited, click on this LINK to see what awaits you there.

Whoops! Too late, but here's the URL to copy and paste: http://www.abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK

V IS FOR...

2011-12-13T13:01:00.000-08:00

...VALUABLE
.....which is what my little laptop is at the moment. It is a Sony VAIO and was our only connection to the internet while we were away, Now, although we have a new computer and printer, which incorporates a scanner, it is all I have to use for my contribution to ABC Wednesday. I haven't learned how to use the scanner yet. So there'll be no photos. Sorry. Hopefully I'll have some next week.

For example, I wanted to post VICTORY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL for the letter V today, but to my surprise I have no photos of the school on the computer. This is the place where I spent 22 years of my life! I have all kinds of documents and letters but no photos. I do have some hard copy photos but can't scan them yet. Hope to get some instructions tomorrow. We are still fine tuning all the new stuff on the computer.

Anyway, I spent 22 years at this school, at first teaching Bible, then English Literature also. I filled in for a little German and then later art and math. For the last 12 years of my time there (I retired in 2002,) I was the dreaded principal and a board member for many years. These were some of the most fulfilling years of my life, and probably the most challenging. Trying VALIANTLY to keep one step ahead of a bunch of teenagers is daunting to say the least.

The real blessings come later when you bump into a former student who is now all grown up. We have nurses, teachers, marines, naval career men, one in intelligence work somewhere, a number who have been in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, graphic artists, realtors, and even a professional skate-boarder -- not to mention Moms and Dads.

******

Last week I missed ABC Wednesday, but to prove to you that I was fully anticipating participation, here is the one photo that I took in preparation for last week's letter U:

Being in Hawaii, Ukelele was a natural. But that was as far as I got.

Do visit ABC WEDNESDAY by clicking on this link as we are coming to the close of our 9th alphabetical round and we still have more than 100 participators. Plan on joining the fun.

A WEEK ALREADY!

2011-12-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

I can't say that our visit to Kauai is just a memory, but it has been a busy week. Unfortunately there are only two 'convenient' ways from Kauai to San Diego. One is to take the 'red eye', or the other to stop overnight at Honolulu and get the early morning flight the next day. Unfortunately if you choose to do the latter, it means getting up at 4:00 a.m. So I'm not sure which is worse. We were pretty tired when we finally got home at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Then comes the huge pile of mail, the grocery shopping, the phone messages etc. Then we got our new computer and printer to figure out on Thursday. Not complaining, just explaining why I have not blogged this week. Even missed ABC Wednesday!

Here's where we hung out:

Mostly on the balcony. (Can you see the chocolate cookie?)

...and at the pool. Yes that's me trying to keep afloat with my noodle.

I was actually very thankful for that noodle. Some other guests left it for me. First of all I can't swim and now I have vertigo, so I thought I would not be able to get in the pool this year, but with the noodle I felt very safe.

Our condo is in full view of the sleeping giant, down by the coconut grove.

Not far away are the Opaeka'a Falls. At the end of this road is the arboretum which is presided over by...

and his harem. In the background is the ford where the river goes over the road...

The river was not very full on this day, but you never know when there will be a flash flood from the rain back up in the mountains. If you want to go up to the arboretum you have to cross this and since we're always driving a rental, we have never crossed it.

But it's still really nice over on this side. We often go up here, park the car and read -- and close the car windows when the showers come. I love to hear the rain on the car roof. It doesn't stay long -- just a quick shower most of the time.

One more post after this with the rest of the best in Kauai.

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END

2011-12-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

One more dip in the pool and then to start packing. It's been a wonderfully restful and relaxing two weeks, but I'm ready to come home. More especially, ready to see Scruffy again. We do the return trip in two hops to avoid the red-eye. So we stop off in Honolulu just overnight.

Sweet memories....

View From the Balcony

GAYLORDS...turkey dinner and gooey chocolate cake.

The Hawaian Monk Seal -- quite endangered, but this one would come up on the beach just a five minute walk away, to rest on the warm sand.

What mother couldn't resist a face like this!

A lunch time view at the north end of the island where it is typically rainier.

Kilauea Lighthouse, home to numerous sea bird including albatross and boobies.

STAY TUNED...more to come...

COFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY DECEMBER 2nd

2011-12-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

This week we are asked to share how we spent BLACK FRIDAY and then for the next few weeks tell about some family traditions we have at this time of the year.

So first we'll deal with Black Friday. That's pretty simple. I don't participate! Several reasons really. First and foremost, I just can't handle the crowds, commercialism and greed. Now I don't mean that if you participate you are not a nice person. I just mean that the advertising, allurement and exploitation seems to me to be designed to get people to spend more than they can afford and buy so much stuff they don't really need. I'm all for a good sale -- and I clip coupons etc. but aren't the manufacturers and stores just trying to take advantage of people who can't resist a sale, while they make big bucks? Starting sales Thanksgiving evening or in the middle of the night is a bit much. Now you can tell I'm a Pastor's wife! I don't want to spoil any body's fun, but I have seen too many of those for whom Christmas means going into huge debt or is a depressing time because they either didn't get what they wanted or couldn't get something for someone else. Some people may think Pastors and their wives are insulated from the seamier side of life, but actually we probably see more of it than others because we are so often trying to help many people deal with the consequences. It's sad.
All of which leads nicely into one of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions. For about the past ten years we have taken our main vacation at Thanksgiving. For one thing it solves the problem of which side of the family our sons will celebrate with. We'll be away. It also means for me, that it shortens the frantic lead up to Christmas. Oh, I'm such a Grinch!

Truly, I do like Christmas, I just think it has gotten out of hand. (To my English friends, forgive the word 'gotten'. I never thought I would become so Americanized as to use it!) You know what I really would like is to let everyone have their Christmas and celebrate in their own way, but let we for whom Christmas is a major part of our faith, celebrate it on another day, say, January 6th.

So we spent Black Friday at our favorite vacation spot on Kauai, in the pool and the jacuzzi -- and if that seems extravagant after my rant above, remember Hawaii is only six hours away from us.

T IS FOR....

2011-11-29T15:57:00.000-08:00

T is for.....

......TUG BOAT

Isn't she beautiful? Sturdy, strong, seaworthy, (whoops, maybe I should have used this for 's' day). On a previous blog I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. Well I answered "a pilot" meaning a pilot of an airplane, but I also thought I would like to have been a TUG BOAT skipper. This photo is actually of a pilot boat, which are sometimes used as a tug boat. This was taken at one of our stops in Peru last year. Here are a couple of photos of tug boats in action.

I think it is fascinating to watch how these little workhorses maneuver massive ships through narrow passages into harbors and into their docking place. I could watch them at work for hours. It seems to me that it takes great skill and excellent communication with the big ship to do all this without any calamities. The massive, giant ship is so dependent upon the skill of the little tug boats. Whoever hears of these heroes of the harbor?

Now for a change of pace...here is a different kind of TUG.

T is also for a TUG at the heart strings.

Yesterday we drove up to the north of the island to see the Na Paali coast. We parked in front of a wide stretch of grass that bordered a scenic beach. Of course there were chickens pecking and scratching away at the grass and also begging food from the tourists parked there. (There are chickens running loose all over Kauai. The reason why is a story for another day.) But there in the midst of all these chickens was this:

...another Kauai Cat -- actually not much more than a kitten. As I watched the chickens and the cat I thought how strange it was to see a cat among the chickens. In fact the cat seemed to be playing with the chickens , or at least trying to play. But they mostly ignored her.

She was following them around, batting at their tails and even rolling onto her back, exposing her tummy -- a sure sign of submission. I called her over to me and she came running across the grass on her short stumpy legs. She looked like a mixed munchkin breed. She was meowing all her way over the grass coming to me and of course several chickens also came with her looking for a handout. She meowed and meowed but wouldn't come near enough to let me pet her. She hung around close to me and the chickens, but I had no food. Then one of the more persistent hens pecked at her to chase her away.

Then it dawned on me. All the 'playfulness' between the chicken and the kitten was actually the kitten trying to persuade the chicken to let her have a share of the goodies coming from the tourists. No wonder she never stopped meowing. She was hungry -- and I didn't have anything for her! Her plight tugged at my heart strings all the way home. Poor little thing. If I'd been on my own, I would have driven back to a store (about half an hour away) to buy some food and bring it back to her. Not very practical I know, but that's me when it comes to cats!

*********

For more takes on the letter T, visit ABC WEDNESDAY by clicking on the link to see what everyone else has chosen to highlight.

The letter 'T is brought to you by Mrs. Nesbitt and her TRUSTY TEAM

Thought it was Time for a Change

2011-11-26T16:22:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately what I wanted to do, Blogger doesn't let me do. I have to create my header all in one piece and then post it through the design page. I don't have a program on this laptop to do this so I shall have to wait until I get home to our desk top computer. So bear with me, please until I have a chance to fix it how I want it. Mahalo.

In the mean time here are a few views of our island get away.

I'll be back :)

THANKSGIVING DAY

2011-11-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

No, no pictures of turkey and mounds of good food, although we certainly had our share. We did what has become a tradition in our family. We went to GAYLORDS on Kauai. A wonderful restaurant in a plantation setting. It was everything that we have come to expect -- over-the-top excellence.

My first stop was to visit the sunny steps where every year we have seen what we call 'our Kauai Cat'. I have photographs of her on the same sunny step every year on Thanksgiving Day since 2007. Would she still be there again this year?

OH-OH....

THE STEPS ARE EMPTY!!...

Then my husband called.."Here she is!" And there she was curled up on a comfy chair. When I got closer I saw a notice on the chair...

Can you read it?.... AWWW...!

(Taken on the way out.)

So we let her sleep. Hope she's there next year!

S IS FOR...

2011-11-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

S IS FOR...
...SUN, SAND, SEA, SURF and SORRY... Sorry, that is, for not having any up-to-date photos of our SHANGRILA in Kauai, Hawaii.
We just arrived last night and today was not a SIGHT-SEEING or picture-taking day. Too busy SETTLING in, SLEEPING in, (me, to recover from the long flight which doesn't agree with my fibromyalgia) and SHOPPING so we won't STARVE in the days to come.

Here is a SAMPLE

Kauai is one of the less populated and less 'touristified' of the Hawaiian Islands. It has been our place of destination for quite a few Thanksgiving Holidays. It is known as the Garden Isle. I think that a really good description of its beauty is to say that it has all the lush greenness and beauty of England with temperatures at a balmy 78- 80 degrees, and mild sea breezes.

More photos to follow, I promise.

*****

S is also for Scottish girl -- one of my earlier paintings, which I don't think I've posted before. I love her red hair and green eyes. I can see things in this painting that I would change or add now, but then of course, I always can. I think I never know when to stop with my paintings.

*****

S is also for STEEPLES. We are doing a bit of globe hopping on this post.

This magnificent cathedral is in Ecuador, which was one of the places we visited last year. In fact I sat quietly for about half an hour here in the cool shade and away from the busy park square, while Moth was buzzing around taking photos. (I took this one. He wouldn't have cut off the top of the SPIRE as I have done!) It was a great people watching spot.

S is also for Scruffy -- how could I not include him? I have to stop myself from looking at his photos all the time, because I miss him -- yes, even with all this beauty around us.

That look is just so typical of him (see similar photo in side bar). It is a patient, expectant look. He sits just this way with his paws so neat and looking up at you, saying, "I'm being a very good boy. So please will you let me go outside?"

I am sure he is blissfully snoozing, even snoring and not missing me at all, (but I'd like to think he is missing me a little bit).

********

On Thursday we will be going to GAYLORDS and will see if that tortie cat is still asleep on that very same step as he has been every Thanksgiving for years. See my post for the letter K on September 27 this year for more details about this.

********

This post is for ABC WEDNESDAY, Mrs. Nesbitt's SOUNDLY, SUCCESSFUL SEGMENT. To see more SIZZLING S's please click on the link above.

COFFEE KLATCH NOVEMBER 18TH

2011-11-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

This week we are to share a photograph a day from the past week of things for which we are thankful. Not too difficult to do because there are so many things for which I am thankful. I really should have tried to be a little more creative but our vacation is coming up very soon and my days are crammed full of getting things together for it.

Nevertheless, here are my PHOTOS OF THANKFULNESS

SATURDAY: My family. (So obvious, but still true). The three handsome men in my life who I love deeply and who have been a major support and encouragement to me throughout the ups and downs of my life. I am so proud of them!

The Boss

Son #1 Son #2

SUNDAY: My Church which, after nearly 40 years, is my other family. What would I do without them and what would I do without the Lord?

MONDAY: Scruffy, my sweet and beautiful cat who brings me so much fun and joy. There is another cute photo of him on my side-bar. He is a sweet, sweet charmer.

TUESDAY: My home -- the outside, front and back, some of which I helped design. You can't see the patio on which I'm standing, but it has a waterfall and bird feeders. My favorite summer time spot.

WEDNESDAY: My Ladies' Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study, when I learn as much, if not more than they do. This group has been going for 3 years. Before that I had another group for 10 years. Such a blessing!

THURSDAY: My home, the inside. It's not that I am so proud of my home, but that it is just how I like it -- convenient and comfortable. We've had many years in this house and lots of opportunities to make changes. It's never perfect, but it reflects me.

Part of the Living Room Kitchen/dining area

FRIDAY: My hobby of painting and drawing, which I found later in my life but which gives me hours and hours of pleasure. ( Water colors and Prismacolor pencils).

Rooster in Hawaii

Thanks for this opportunity to share. I may not be able to make it for the next couple of weeks -- but

I WILL BE BACK!

Meanwhile, visit Tapestry of Life to meet the other members of our group. Click on the button below.

R... IS FOR...

2011-11-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

R ...IS FOR ....

...Christina ROSSETTI

Christina was a British poet with a famous father, Gabriele Rossetti, a poet and political exile, and a famous brother, Danti Gabriele Rossetti who was an artist and poet.

I chose Christina Rossetti for "R' day because she is actually the first poet I ever knew anything about. Several of her poems were featured in my school Reader when I was in the equivalent of Grade 2 at about 6 years old. (British schools started at age 5 back then and perhaps still do.) I was of course drawn to her because of her first name. Mine was Christine so it was near enough to intrigue me. I read her poems with great interest. I liked to read and would read almost anything I could get my hands on even at that young age.
I have since discovered that she wrote quite a lot of children's poems, but these two posted here were in my school book. They actually don't seem as much like children's poems to me as do some of her others written specifically for children.

Do you remember this one?

Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you:

But when the leaves hang trembling

The wind is passing thro'.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I:

But when the trees bow down their heads

The wind is passing by.

How about this one?

"Ferry me across the water,

Do, boatman, do."

"If you've a penny in your purse

I'll ferry you."

"I have a penny in my purse,

And my eyes are blue;

So ferry me across the water,

Do, boatman, do."

"Step into my ferry-boat,

Be they black or blue,

And for the penny in your purse

I'll ferry you."

Christina Rossetti is also the author of a famous Christmas Carol. I'm sure you'll know this one, but I'm going to place it at the end of this post because it is long and Christmas will be a tiny bit closer (about one minute) than when you began reading this blog! ( I do dislike having Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving!)

*****

R is also for RAINBOW...

...which is a pretty obvious choice for 'R' day, but this photo taken by my friend Charlene is so outstanding that I had to include it here:

This is taken at Iguazu Falls, which are found in the middle of the jungle, on the border of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. I've been there and it was one of the most exciting days of my life. To be standing in the middle of a South American jungle, in one of the most exotic places in the world was a dream come true. It was on my bucket list! Thanks Charlene!

R is also for Reflection...

... I've been waiting for a chance to post this photograph:

It was taken by my sister in my back yard when she was visiting us a while ago. I thought it was cool because she caught the reflection of the philodendron that was growing above this very cute planter that was full of rainwater. I have a very talented sister!

**********

Now here is the Christmas Carol written by Christina Rossetti:

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

***********

AND THAT'S MY CONTRIBUTION FOR MRS. NESBITT'S ABC WEDNESDAY'S 'R' DAY.

For more entries in this intriguing and informative project please click on the link above.

Q IS FOR...

2011-11-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

Q IS FOR …QUOTATIONS … AND QUESTIONS…

“The power of man has grown in every sphere except over himself.”

Winston S. Churchill

I came across this QUOTATION a few weeks ago and the truth of these words struck me forcibly. Yet the QUOTATION raises the inevitable QUESTION….WHY? Why hasn’t man gained power over himself? There must be thousands, if not millions who genuinely want be perfect – strive to be perfect, want others to be perfect so that we can live in a perfect world. But for as long as man has existed he has never attained perfection.

BUT WHY? Why can’t we make ourselves perfect? We can do so many other things through the modern miracles of science. We all want the kind of perfection that would remove hatred, war, anger, theft, greed, murder and all those horrible imperfections that ensnare our daily lives. Why can’t we make ourselves perfect?

Christians believe that we can’t make ourselves perfect because we have an innate sinful nature and only God can change that.

********

Now here are some more excellent quotations from that great, but not perfect, man

Winston S. Churchill:

(Warning: some need thinking about).

1. (This one’s for me…) “A fanatic is one who won’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.”

2. If you destroy a free market, you create a black market.

3. One should be just before one is generous.

4. Where there is a great deal of free speech, there is always a certain amount of foolish speech.

5. War is horrible but slavery is worse.

6. The price of greatness is responsibility.

7. The last thing that represents democracy is mob law.

8. I am going to give a long speech today. I haven’t had time to prepare a short one. (Think about this one.)

9. When the eagles are silent the parrots begin to jabber.

10. Nourish your hopes but do not overlook realities.

AND….”A gentleman does not have a ham sandwich without mustard.” (Gray Poupon).

This is my contribtion to Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Why not click on this link and see what others have contributed for this week's letter Q.

NOVEMBER 5, 2011 -- CARLSBAD

2011-11-06T23:21:00.000-08:00

After the heavy rain Friday, the sun shone brightly and those who could, headed for the beach, especially because another storm is forecast for tomorrow. The sky was blue and temps in the high fifties, or so they said, but it certainly seemed warmer.

Like everyone else we went down to Tamarack beach and the beautiful promenade. Barry was able to get his hour long walk and me my slow 20 minute one. We saw a number of dolphins jumping. At first we thought they were whales but decided they were too close in to shore. This is whale watching season (the California Gray Whale) There was much excitement a week or so ago when a number of blue whales were seen off the coast for a few days. That is pretty rare for us. They were probably after the krill which was quite abundant for a week or so.

The dog walkers were out in force. These people very graciously, even happily, agreed to let me photograph them. This is a dog walker's paradise. Sorry I cut off the top of their heads. I love my camera but it has one major fault. It has no view finder and in bright sunshine you just can't see the picture at all in the LCD, so it really is a 'just point and shoot' camera. You have to shoot in faith!

This guy was stretched out soaking up the sunshine but decided to sit up just as I took the photo. The patch of grass he is lying on is an 'historic' part of Carlsbad. About 25 years ago someone among the city fathers, decided that we needed a small park on this triangle of grass. It was designed by an artist in New York and looked just like a big city park -- lots of cement pillars, a shallow reflecting pool, flat concrete benches and worst of all a railing with much larger bars than can be seen in the picture above, separating the road and the ocean.

Oh what an outcry there was! A great campaign began: GET RID OF THE BARS! Eventually, after months of uproar (almost unheard of in Carlsbad) the city council removed the park and the bars, but not before some settlement had to be made with the designer! Now it is just a large triangle of open, flat, healthy, lawn-like grass where families sit, little kids play, joggers do stretching exercises and dogs play with their owners or each other. Drinking fountains for man and dog, and doggy poop bags, are available, and restrooms just down at the beach below. The mile long Tamarack ocean front walk begins here.

This small home faces onto the ocean, with the historic Hwy 101 in front of it. It is bounded on either side by well designed ocean front condos. The bright, white picket fence was what caught my eye.

As always, meeting up with other sun and sea seekers happens effortlessly. I shared a bench with this lady and guess where she was from -- DONCASTER! -- although she has been over here a long while, as have we. She now lives near Palm Springs. We had a good 'natter' about how we got here and being Yorkshire lasses who both married a lad from Lancashire.

The clocks go back tonight so I thankfully get an extra hour of sleep before getting up to go to church at 10:15 a.m. Even though another storm is coming in, -- to be followed by two or three more beautiful days -- Sunday will be an ideal day to give thanks for the special blessing of living here. Even though we have lived here 38 years, we always feel so blessed. We didn't seek to live here....but that is another story. Maybe one day I will tell how it all came about.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME; ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD

PUSS IN BOOTS -- WHAT FUN!!!

2011-11-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON NOVEMBER 1st.....

I so wanted to go to see this movie. First, if you visit my blog much, you know I love cats. Second I do like Antonio Banderas especially in ZORRO. He seems to be very fond of children. What few movies of his I have seen, he always has a young child figuring in some of the scenes. He often gives the child a pat on the head or does something that shows his love of children.

Since no grown-ups wanted to go with me, I settled on my 'grandaughter' Haley, even though it was a bit young for her. She loves cats and school was out for a couple of days for parent/teacher conferences.

It was a great movie! Soooo cute! Imagine! Puss-in-Boots' girl friend was called 'Kitty-Soft-Paws'! :) And Puss in Boots was another Zorro. It is deliberately slanted towards younger children, but that didn't bother Haley or me. We didn't go 3D -- too expensive, but I imagine for older children the 3D aspect would make the movie really exciting.

We had such a great time and followed the movie with a visit to our favorite yogurt place, MENCHIES. I had pomegranite -raspberry (oh, that is SUCH a delicious flavor) with chocolate chips, a couple of cherries and butter finger crumbles. Haley had vanilla with waffle crunchies and a couple of cherries also. They actually have about 20 different toppings.

Now look at that sunshine! Yes it was November 1st and the temperature was about 75 degrees at 3.30 in the afternoon. Today, 3 days later, it poured with rain which came down as snow in the near-by mountains about an hour and a half away. Temps in the 50's. That's southern California for you!

COFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY

2011-11-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

COFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2011
Thank you for visiting us in Coffee Klatch Friday. Our hostess is Vicki and the topic she has chosen for us to discuss this week is “Our Bucket List”. I think most people understand that that is a list of things we’d like to do before we ”Kick the Bucket”, metaphorically speaking. I think this idea originated from a movie of the same name.

An explanation is needed because I have had to adapt the topic for it to apply to me. I wrote a blog a while ago about my bucket list while I think I was in my late 60’s. I can’t recall what all was on it, but I do know that I managed to accomplish everything but two things.

One was to learn to swim, and the other was to pet a tiger. The learning to swim I have had to abandon as I have developed a very stubborn kind of vertigo and just to go in the water now is not an option.

However I have still not had the chance to pet a tiger, although I have made a few enquiries about it. Seems most animal places are very reluctant to let humans interact with their wild animals. But I am not giving up on that one.

So the first 5 items on my list today can be considered truly part of my bucket list:

1. To pet a tiger – or a lion

2. To finish revising my full length children’s mystery story which I wrote in the early 70’s “The Mystery of the Carved Seagull”. It was once within a hair’s breadth of being published by a well-known publishing company. They kept it for a full year and then their final reader/editor turned it down and actually returned the manuscript personally to my home with one of their editors who was full of apologies for keeping it so long only to to reject it! I should have sent it out again immediately to another publisher but I was very new to writing and quite discouraged. But there is still hope!

3. To bring myself up to the technological age by learning to text – or getting a phone on which I can do this. When we had our major electricity blackout a couple of months ago, I, along with many others, realized that in a widespread emergency, cell phones are of no use because everyone is trying to use them and the access becomes clogged. But texting still works. Living in earthquake and wild fire country it’s really a necessity if you need to let your family know that you are OK .

4. I have lost 30 pounds this year and I intend to keep it off.

5. I will continue to blog for at least another year. I am coming to the end of my fifth year.

Now the amendment to my list:

THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DONE, IF I’D HAD MORE THAN

ONE LIFE

6. I would have happily enjoyed teaching in the Christian school on the island of Chuuk in Micronesia for a good many years. I have been there several times and once conducted a seminar for the teachers at the school. It would have been a wonderful and challenging life.

7. I would have LOVED to be a great opera singer or classical pianist. Too bad, -- just isn’t my gift!

8. I would have loved to go back to my village of Flamborough on the East Coast of Yorkshire and lived there in order to see village life through the eyes of an adult.

9. I would have loved to be an animal trainer and behaviorist and maybe work with someone like Cesar Millan.

10. I would love to have won a lottery so that I could give a million dollars to that school on Chuuk; a million dollars to Tyndale University in Toronto, Canada where I started my long road in Christian education when it was still Toronto Bible College; and a million dollars to Cliff College in Derbyshire, UK where through their evangelistic ministries I became a committed Christian believer, (and also met my husband). The money would be to help these institutions continue faithfully in their mission of training young people. If I happened to have any money left over I would first use it to establish a way of taking care of the needs of my husband and I in case of need for long term terminal care. THEN if I had at least a million dollars left over I would give all that was left to the US government to help pay off our national debt!!

My favorite candy is Cadbury's chocolate flakes often stuck in an ice cream cone. I will see if I can find a photo, but I need to post this now as I am late (some nagging problems kept me from the computer).

TO SEE WHAT OTHER COFFEE KLATCH MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY PLEASE CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW

P IS FOR...

2011-11-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

...P is for...a Plethora of Photos

Although the first one is a picture...

PARROT ... a small story behind this. I have done a lot of Painting but I'm absolutely tied to reproducing every detail of every Picture. If you take a look at my other blog you will see what I mean. A very kind friend saw a Packet of art Paper at a sale, which was about the size of the pictures I usually paint (5" x 7"). However when she got it home she found it was for oil Painting which I have no idea how to do. She gave me the Paper anyway and I decided to try it out with my Prismacolor pencils. It came out with a kind of Pebbled effect which I kind of liked, so I decided to branch out - Wow for me - and try something in a more Primitive style of Picture. I was actually thinking of the Maori kind of Painting that is done with little dots. Well that didn't work out and this is what I ended up with. Very different from my usual style.

PONDERING... (or if it were 'M' day...Moth Meditating.)

(MOTH being the MAN OF THE HOUSE).

PLEASE ADOPT ME...

So many sweet kittens, so many homes needed. There are now three of us at the church who have adopted cats from the local animal shelter. We are all so Pleased and happy with our adoptees I think we will have to start a cat-lovers circle! Nobody wants to sit with us because we all talk cats!

PINK GRASS...

I love this stuff I think it is so PRETTY. The city Planted quite a bit of this in different Places around town. This grouping is on the next block to the church.

A PAIR of doves...

I took this PAIR a couple of years ago on our balcony in Kauai as they were sheltering from a heavy downpour. They did not look happy. They are the first thing you hear as you come out of the airport. Their very pretty, soft cooing is to me an absolutely typical Hawaiian sound.

PEEKING..."Where'd he go?"

Squirrell watching in Idaho.

PATTERN...

One of the Prettiest Patterns I've seen. I like it so much I've kept this Photo for about five years. It was on the drapes of a place where we were staying in England. Don't know what I'll do with it, but it is very Pleasing.

Prismacolor Pencils...

I know I have posted this before but I think it is one of my best Photos. It happened by chance. It was when I was just starting to do some art work a couple of years ago. I sat and sharpened about 40 pencils then just gathered them up and put them in this container and this is how they fell into place. I couldn't have arranged them better if I'd tried!

So that's 'P' for ABC Wednesday. Now who's up for "Q"???

It's getting harder and harder but we still have about one hundred bloggers who Participate in this Project. People come up with amazing contributions, even after nine rounds! Please click on the link to investigate.

COFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY OCTOBER 27TH

2011-10-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

It's coffee time again and we are here to bare our souls...sort of...

We are asked to "please tell about 10 things you HAVE done" (as opposed to the things we haven't done, which was the request last week). So here goes...

1. I have given a 5 minute speech before 3,000 people -- and it had to be memorized word for word. (I think that was the worst part.) I was so nervous I almost blacked out before we entered the arena. Seriously.

2. I have cuddled a real live koala bear. Apologies to my blogging friends who have heard this before but it is a highlight in my life.

3. I have been behind Niagara Falls in Canada; literally, in a tunnel behind the falls which had open windows like large holes with the water roaring past. If you get the chance, do it. It's worth it. We did this in the sixties, so I expect it costs the earth today. Great experience though!

4. I have volunteered at an animal shelter for a year as a 'cat cuddler'. It was a wonderful experience and I would still be doing it today if I hadn't discovered some physical disabilities that made it unsafe for me.

5. I have visited the most southerly point of the Americas, the very tip of Cape Horn, as well as the most southerly city, Ushaia, and the island of Tierra Del Fuego. These were places I learned about in school as a child and never dreamed I would actually visit. What a privilege!

6. I have written about a dozen magazine articles for publication and been paid for them (!), not to mention numerous letters to the editor. I've given up doing the latter. The letters have become too politically correct or just plain 3rd rate. I don't even read the Letters to the Editor page any more.

7. I learned New Testament Greek (forgotten most of it now, except for certain grammatical constructions) and I would have learned Hebrew but my classes clashed on the schedule. I also learned French for seven years, German for 2 years and Latin for a year. I love languages and I SO wish I had learned Spanish. Short term memory problems prevent me from learning it formally today but I'm still picking up bits and pieces. Of all the languages German was the easiest for me.

8. I have knitted several sweaters and a jacket, all good enough to wear frequently. I have also crocheted five afghans.

9. I once caught a lady red-handed stealing my purse. I didn't call security, or hold her at all. I was too young and naive to do anything except shout, "Hey, you've got my purse!" I grabbed it and she took off. I was just too shocked to think someone would do such a thing. No street smarts in my younger years -- the 60's.

10. I have about 100 paintings that I have created in the past 5 years (mostly water colors and mostly less than 8.5 x 11 inches).

*******************************************************************************

We have also been asked to give a recipe -- 'something fallish'.

As I've said before, cooking is not my thing -- but candy is! At this time of the year Cinder Toffee is a great favorite in England -- Bonfire Night being its inspiration. If you don't know what Bonfire Night is, please Google it and since I don't have a recipe for cinder toffee you may have to Google that too.

More importantly, I would like to make a deal with Tapestry of Life. I know a lot of bloggers like to cook and recipes will probably be a popular item on this meme. So for the sake of my self-esteem, I propose that all participants continue to post recipes when asked and I be given the special dispensation of being allowed to post one of my medallions instead, especially since medallion is a food word...please? ...pretty please? :) :) ...only when a recipe is asked for, and I'm not trying to sell them!

For more contributions to COFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY please click on the button above.

O IS FOR...

2011-10-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

O IS FOR...ORNERY

ORNERY is a word that for me seems typically American in usage. I have no idea why. I just don’t remember anyone using that word when I lived in England. Maybe it hadn’t come into fashion back then. But I like to use the word. I think it is quite descriptive. I looked up its derivation and found it interesting and actually more British in its connotation than I thought.

The word ORNERY means cantankerous. (I like that word too.) Another good synonym for it would be ‘grumpy’…. Ah, now we all know what I am talking about.

But the derivation of the word is unexpected. It actually comes from the word ‘ordinary’, according to Wikipedia. So what does ‘ordinary’ have to do with ‘grumpy’?

Apparently ‘ordinary’ is associated with the word ‘gentile’, (no, not Gentile as opposed to Jewish, but jenteel as in the French) also spelled genteel in the US. So in the day when it was first used, a mother might say to her child, “Don’t be ordinary”, as opposed to “Behave in a more genteel way and don’t be ‘ordinary’”.

The British might use the word ‘common’ as in “The King is not allowed to marry a commoner”, that is, someone who is ordinary or not born into the aristocracy. Eventually, to be a commoner became recognized as being someone of the unpleasant lower classes. (Please, that is not my opinion, I’m just trying to explain.) So today the British might describe someone as “dead common” which is a common (frequently used) phrase, although I don’t know why the word ‘dead’ is used here! So eventually the word evolved from ‘ordinary’ to ‘ornery’ meaning ‘common’, then to something that is not in good taste, then evolving to mean something unpleasant and/or obstinate, and now today, ’grumpy’ – or ‘cantankerous’.

I was going to get into the derivation of ‘cantankerous’ and ‘grumpy’ but trying to explain the above and having come across some explanations of some phrases which could be described as ‘dead common’ I think I’ll stop while the going is good. I will simply add that there are some common phrases which I came across that I thought were in perfectly good taste which I will never use again after researching this post!

This post is part of Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC WEDNESDAY project. Please click on the link to see more contributions. I assure you none of us are ornery and we won't bite. In fact we will be thrilled if you just leave a comment to say that you have visited.

Coffee Klatch Friday October 21st

2011-10-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

COFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY
So here we are again, meeting for coffee with our other blogging friends and sharing our hidden secrets.

This week we are to tell ten random things we have never done. Mine tend to fall into two categories: Things I wish I had done but haven't, and things I haven't done and I have no idea why.

1. I have never petted a real live lion or tiger and I really wish I had. It may not be too late for that, but I have looked into it.

2. I never learned to swim and I wish I had. Sometimes I dream that I'm swimming and it feels wonderful. But I just couldn't put my head under water without panicking and now I have vertigo on and off that even standing in water makes me dizzy.(But I can still enjoy the jaccuzzi).

3. I've never been on a canal boat vacation and I wish I had because I think I would really enjoy being out in the fresh air and on the water surrounded by the British countryside.

4. I would love to have raised and trained one of those Canine Companions dogs! Can't do that now, they're too big and heavy for me, but they are wonderful creatures.

5. This is one of those in between things. I have never held a snake. I probably would if I were put on the spot because I don't greatly dislike them (not as much as spiders or roaches). I have had plenty of opportunity to hold them as my sons kept snakes as pets for quite a number of years, but it's not something I would necessarily choose to do.

6. Here's a weird one in the "I have no idea why" category. I have never worn blue jeans. I must be the only person in the US to be able to say that. I do wear jeans, just not blue jeans or denims.

7. I have never been to Washington DC. I've seen so much of it on TV that if I were given the choice I would probably opt for a city like Vienna or St. Petersburg instead. But above all I would rather visit the Tyrol in northern Italy. I'm not big on cities.

8. I have never had a manicure -- or a pedicure. It's just one of those things that has never occurred to me.

9. I have never slept outside in the snow in a sleeping bag. My youngest son has, but it's not something I would do!

10. I have never smoked a cigarette. My mother smoked heavily when I was younger and I hated the tobacco smoke in my face. So I was never even tempted to smoke.

In addition to the ten things above, we have been asked to share what we do to prepare for the coming cold weather.

Well, we don't do much because our cold weather is not very cold. We might check the gutters but since not a lot of our trees shed their leaves, that isn't a big job. My husband will check the furnace and probably change the filter. I will perhaps take a walk around the back yard to see if there is anything we have left out that might be affected by rain, because we get next to no rain from April to October. I also will check through my light sweaters or jackets to see that they are still in good condition. I don't own a coat.

And that's about it.

Join us by clicking on the button below. The more the merrier. Come and hear other people's hidden secrets.

N IS FOR...

2011-10-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

N IS FOR ...NENE

The Nene, Kauai

Oh I'm sure someone has already used this before in ABC Wednesday, but it's just very much in my head right now. Why? Because in a little over a month I will be seeing them in the flesh -- 'feathers' actually. Although I have become very much a homebody ( yes, I actually get homesick!) I feel the need for a change of scenery though I suspect that two weeks will be more than I want.

THE NENE
The Nene looks very much like the Canada Goose and certainly they have the same roots. Unfortunately the Canada Goose is not very popular in a lot of places because they have become so numerous that they are almost a pest. This is the Canada Goose:

THE CANADA GOOSE

THE NENE

See the difference in their neck coloring.

Unlike the proliferation of the Canada Goose, the Nene, which is Hawaii's national bird, can now only be found on four of the Hawaian Islands, Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Kauai and Molokai. You can see a fair number of Nenes at Kilauea Point where the lighthouse is on Kauai. That's the lighthouse in the distance in the second photo from the top. There are other interesting birds to be seen up there too, such as the Tropic Bird, the Booby and Albatross. (Don't think those are supposed to be capitalized, as with the names of flowers, but I can never remember and somehow I think they should be. Hey, if e.e. cummings can mess with capitals, I guess I can).

To see more of Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday's entrants click on this LINK. Now to find something for O!

Coffee Klatch Friday Oct. 14th

2011-10-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

Today is the second Friday of Vicki's (Tapestry of Life) Coffee Klatch Friday. She gives us a few prompts to get us started. Here are my responses.

First Question: What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a pilot. When I was about ten years old I had the opportunity to take a flight in a small airplane -- probably a n Auster (You were right Snafu, I just couldn't remember the name). I was so excited. I even had the chance to fly it by holding the joystick and keeping the plane's nose on the horizon. But by the time I was ready to leave school I sort of fell into teaching. Which is probably a good thing because I discovered I liked it, and according to my my college records I was quite good at it.

This was my exciting, big day. I am on the left, with my brother and cousin.

Second question: What do you love about what you do?

I once had a student in third grade who had three older brothers and sisters who were extremely bright. Unfortunately, Rodney could not read. I decided to try and help him and so took him out of class every day for extra reading help. We started by getting him a book that interested him instead of using just an ordinary reader. We chose "Willie, the Wrong Way Whale". Rodney loved it! In a few weeks we were able to call his mother in and Rodney read the book to her from start to finish. I will never forget the look on his face as he said with a deep sigh, "Oh, Mrs. Jones! I thought I would NEVER learn to read". Teaching can be tough, but the rewards are often remarkable.

We were also asked to please share a couple of photos of where we live that show what it is like now at this time of year.

As my husband likes to say, we don't have weather, we have climate. Sometimes I Have to remind myself what time of year it is. But there are a couple of things that happen at this time of year around here. Even when the weather is gorgeous we sometimes get some really heavy ocean swells. They are caused by storms off New Zealand and the waves roll all the way to Southern California. The surfers love it!

This time of year is also wildfire season. This is when the winds turn from the ocean and blow from the east -- the desert. The humidity drops rapidly and the bush and chaparral become like a tinder box. It is a dangerous and anxious time for those who live outside of town.

This photo was taken from our back yard in 2007. It was a bad season. Many homes were lost.

Last week we had our first winter 'storm' of the season. Much earlier than usual. The rain poured down and the wind blew. We received half an inch of rain and a couple of trees blew down -- one fell on the mailman's van. Thankfully he was unhurt. The next day the weather was gorgeous again. So typical of our winter storms, only they usually last about three days, before blowing on across the country.

This was the rain pouring off our roof last week. It was actually quite fun since we rarely get any rain between April and October.

For more day to day happenings in Coffee Klatch Friday, please click on the button below.

M IS FOR...

2011-10-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

M IS FOR...

MONKEYS

Last year we were fortunate enough to be able to take a cruise from San Diego down to Peru. The really neat thing about it was that we got to see a number of animals in the wild. We had seen them in zoos, of course, but not actually wild. We took a side trip back into the jungle where we saw crocodiles, sloths, toucans, iguanas and MONKEYS. Capuchin monkeys to be exact. A local family left watermelon out for them and they sure seemed to enjoy it!

This trip also incorporated several shore stops in MEXICO where we frequented MARKETS...

and listened to MARIACHI bands....

Credit to Wikipedia

Sadly, most cruise ships are no longer stopping in Mexico and several other central America countries because it is just too dangerous. The drug cartels have taken over a lot of areas and the extreme violence involved in their turf wars as well as other things means that the country is losing much of its tourist trade. We were fortunate to visit before conditions became so bad. We were, of course, aware of the armed guards that were ever present and accompanied our buses and ship while in shore. Living so close to the border we are well acquainted with the problems. It is such a shame because Mexico has much to offer the world. We have a Mexican church which meets on our church premises and the Mexicans I know are wonderful people.

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Please visit some of our other bloggers who participate in ABC WEDNESDAY by clicking on the link. This is the ninth round and fifth year of this project, thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her trusty team.

Working Donkeys

2011-10-07T22:32:00.000-07:00

This post is for Dina of Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo. She has worked with donkey rehabilitation. When I told her about the Flamborough donkeys the fishermen used to haul the fish up the cliffs she expressed a wish to see a photographs. Well I have a couple, (as I have of just about anything to do with Flamborough!)
So here they are:

These baskets are full of crabs from the North Landing. This photo was probably taken about the early 1940's.

This photo shows the gathering of sea birds' eggs, which was outlawed in 1953. The fishermen went over the cliffs (about 3-400 ft. high) gathering the eggs. It was dangerous to say the least, but the eggs were very popular and for the fishermen just another way of keeping food on the table when fishing was bad. The fishermen really believed that the gulls were like chickens and would just keep on laying eggs ready for collecting. I read this fact in one of my many books on the history of Flamborough. It was a direct quote from one of the old fishermen. This photo was also taken around the 1940's.

I have another photo somewhere of the baskets full of fish. I used it as a basis for a painting I did and now I can't find it. I'm sure it's not very far away.

KAFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY

2011-10-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

So here I am at Coffee Klatch Friday. They want me to tell them a little about myself. A good brief introduction would be for you to visit my profile on my blog, Flamblogger. If you visit me often you probably know enough about me, but for the sake of my other Coffee Klatchers, to my profile I would add that I am great animal lover -- getting worse as I get older. I am still majorly obsessed with my new cat "Scruffy" whom we rescued five months ago. He is eight years old and just a sweet, sweet cat. If he wants your attention he will come quietly up to you and put one paw out to touch your arm and then give you a little kiss (warm tongue). I melt every time.
Other things that are important to know about me are that I have been a pastor's wife for more than 50 years and truly loved every moment of it, but I don't think I fit the usual profile of a Pastor's wife. (I don't sing and I don't play the piano. Nor am I what you might think of as a homebody, who loves to cook and entertain). However, I do love to teach my Ladies Bible Study. We share what we are learning from God's Word on how to live as a Christian in this very mixed up world. I love to draw and paint. I also love to write and especially love to read a well written story, usually it ends up being one of the classics.
I live in Southern California in a beautiful, small town on the coast. I have lived here for 38 years and love it here mainly because of the climate, the birds and the flowers, and now we have so many friends too, so it is definitely home for us. Our boys were 3 and 6 years old when we came here and are now in their forties, so you see life for our family has been centered in Carlsbad and in our church. We are now retired but still attend our church where my husband was pastor for 28 years. They are family.
What do I not like about where I live? Mainly that it is so far away from England which I still love, and where we have many wonderful friends (and I'm making even more English friends through Blogland). I especially miss Yorkshire and Derbyshire -- and of course Flamborough. I don't travel well any more so although I have been back many times, I'm not sure if and when I will get back again.
Some less obvious or perhaps more unusual things about me are: 1. I have done a lot of public speaking. 2. I am a bit of a loner. Sitting on my own on the Flamborough cliffs would be a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. 3. My favorite music would be The King's Singers (British a capella sextet), Simon and Garfunkel, Abba and yes -- the Mommas and Poppas. 4. Things I do not like are fantasy or science fiction, talking above the radio or TV, panic attacks - I have them occasionally, housework- - but I do not like a cluttered untidy house either. 5. Things I really like -- real fresh cream and most dairy products, sitting on my patio, NCIS (TV show) and of course chocolate.
And that is quite enough about me!
NOW, WHAT HAVE I BROUGHT TO HAVE WITH OUR COFFEE ? (Mine would be tea please) and I've already told you that I don't like to bake, but I have brought what I LOVE to have with my cup of tea every afternoon:

COME ON OVER AND VISIT TAPESTRY OF LIFE AND JOIN OUR KAFFEE KLATCH FRIDAY Click on the button below.

L IS FOR...

2011-10-04T11:32:00.000-07:00


	The Listeners By Walter de la Mare

"Is there anybody there?" said the Traveller,
Knocking on the moonlit door;
And his horse in the silence champed the grass
Of the forest's ferny floor;
And a bird flew up out of the turret,
Above the Traveller's head:
And he smote upon the door again a second time;
"Is there anybody there?" he said.
But no one descended to the Traveller;
No head from the leaf-fringed sill
Leaned over and looked into his grey eyes,
Where he stood perplexed and still.
But only a host of phantom listeners
That dwelt in the lone house then
Stood listening in the quiet of the moonlight
To that voice from the world of men:
Stood thronging the faint moonbeams on the dark stair,
That goes down to the empty hall,
Hearkening in an air stirred and shaken
By the lonely Traveller's call.
And he felt in his heart their strangeness,
Their stillness answering his cry,
While his horse moved, cropping the dark turf,
'Neath the starred and leafy sky;
For he suddenly smote on the door, even
Louder, and lifted his head:--
"Tell them I came, and no one answered,
That I kept my word," he said.
Never the least stir made the listeners,
Though every word he spake
Fell echoing through the shadowiness of the still house
From the one man left awake:
Ay, they heard his foot upon the stirrup,
And the sound of iron on stone,
And how the silence surged softly backward,
When the plunging hoofs were gone.

Do you remember this poem from your high school days? I love it because of its descriptive phrases -- lines that truly conjure up a picture that could be painted.

But it's not just the pictures you can see, even more so it is the sounds, or lack of them, that create the mystery. There is the knocking on the door, the horse champing the grasses, the loud fluttering of the bird disturbed by the knocking and the shouted words. In contrast, see the lonely Traveler and hear the silence from within the lonely house -- the house which had "phantom listeners" who stood thronging the dark stairs and the empty hall. Such a contrast was there that the air was stirred and shaken -- truly the Sound of Silence.

Yet the strange stillness was disturbed by the soft sound of his horse moving to crop more grass; such a soft sound as would be largely unheard in a normal moment, but this slight movement contrasts harshly with the next even louder shouting of the Traveler as he not just knocks, but smites the door.

Now comes the heart of the mystery. What do his words mean? To whom is he speaking? The "phantom listeners"... who are they? The Traveler had made a promise to someone. He kept his side of the bargain by coming; but "no one answered". There is some satisfaction in the fact that he kept his word, but his words echoed through the stillness of the house.

The silence returns. Perhaps unnerved, unsatisfied, the Traveler leaves and they heard him go. His retreat shatters the silence again as his horse takes off at a gallop sparking like flint on the stone, leaving behind him the softly, surging silence. A silence that seems to grow and will go on forever because there is no answer; no answer from the Listeners and no answer from the poet.

The poet calls the poem "The Listeners" yet its content seems to be more about the Traveler. So perhaps we could find some explanation by concentrating on who the Listeners were.

Perhaps they represent the souls of a woodsman and his family who one day saved the life of a wounded soldier by hiding him in their cottage. They take their life in their hands knowing that the enemy will find them sooner or later. Yet they keep the soldier until he is able to move again. The soldier, gravely in their debt, knows the danger he has put them in. But before he departs he rashly promises to return with help for his rescuers.

He has no way of knowing that his wounds would overcome him once more and that his own army would find him and hospitalize him until he is well enough to move again.

When he is released, he returns to the lonely cottage deep in the woods, but he is too late. They are gone -- willingly or by force. He has no way of knowing. He kept his word, but it was not enough.

********

The above is my contribution for "L" day in ABC WEDNESDAY. For more interesting, informative, exciting and educational entries please click on the link above . Kudos to Mrs. Nesbitt and her team for continuing this theme into its fifth year and ninth round.

WE HAD A VISITOR!

2011-09-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

Poor thing. It was apparently slithering across the driveway when Barry came home and accidentally ran over it. Of course we didn't exactly think "Poor thing" at first because we do get rattle snakes occasionally. Baby rattle snakes are not always easy to identify, and can be highly venomous and don't always have rattles. But after careful, closer scrutiny and discussion with the neighbors we decided it was a King Snake. By that time it had died. Now you may be able to identify snakes much faster than us, but we are not experts and have had a number of encounters with rattle snakes in our yard over the years, so we were super cautious. By the end I was feeling quite sorry for its suffering. In the past we caught a baby rattler, put it in an opaque container and took it down to the fire-station which is just down the street, for them to identify. Where there is one baby rattler there are likely more -- and a Momma! But our big, brave firemen wouldn't even let us take the top off the container for them to see it. (Well, I guess since they are paramedics too they do often get to see the nasty results of a snake bite so maybe we should excuse their reluctance!)

While we are talking about things in the yard I should mention that my plumeria did finally bloom this year. We had four or five small branches with clumps of flowers on them like the one above. Last year our summer was so cool and had such little sunshine the plumeria didn't bloom at all. This is the beautifully perfumed flower that the Hawaians use to make their leis.

I think this is one of the prettiest plants we have in our yard. I believe it is called euonymous. The red leaves are so attractive and the plant spreads very easily. Since we have quite a lot of space in our back yard I don't mind it spreading.

Our weather today is finally like it should be for late summer. Temps in the eighties. But all the tourists who like to visit the beaches have gone home.

K is FOR...

2011-09-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

K is for ...

...KERFUFFLE!

Yes, it is a real word. I came it across a couple of days ago in my favorite news magazine WORLD , (WORLDmag [add the usual ending if you want to access their website] ). I looked at it several times thinking, Is that a real word? It wasn't in my regular dictionary but I found it on Wikkipedia. Here's how to use it:

"There was such a kerfuffle in our house when we had to change our word processor from Microsoft Word 2003 to Microsoft Word10."

Definition: commotion, disorder or agitation

Those who have read some of my previous blogs will know how much I hate changes on my computer. Just when I think I know how to use something properly, along comes the latest version!

K is also for KIN

I don't have a lot of kinfolk. My sister and I have 5 cousins. She is over in the UK visiting them right now.

This was taken at my father's funeral in 1983, when someone realized that all the cousins except one were present and so a photograph of us all was appropriate. I'm so glad this photo was taken. It's the nearest thing to a family photo that we have.

Our five cousins starting from the back row, are Peter, Alan, skip to the next male in the row: Graham and then my brother Michael. The row in front of them shows the three female cousins, Patricia, me, (skip one, Pete's wife I think) and Elizabeth. All the others are wives and children of the cousins.

There are eight cousins, all on my mother's side. My father was an only child.

....And just so it is appropriate for our letter 'K' day', it was my sister, Kay who

was missing. She was unable to come over to the UK from Canada for the funeral.

Sadly none of us knew then that my brother at age 48 would die from pancreatic cancer just six months later.

******

From the sublime to the ridiculous -- it's CATS again (Sorry, I will abstain from cats on my blog for a couple of months, I promise). So....

K is for Kauai 'Kat'
I couldn't miss this because it is really unique. We usually spend Thanksgiving on Kauai and we have dinner at a very fine establishment called GAYLORDS. They have a cat there and of course I always take a photo. You will have to take my word for it that these pictures were indeed taken in the very same place, at almost the same hour, for three years in a row.

2007

2008

2009

We didn't go to Kauai last year, 2010, so we missed this photo op. However, we are going again this year and if the cat is still there, another photo will be taken!

********

For more fine and interesting entries to ABC WEDNESDAY please click on this link. Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her hardworking team for keeping this page going for now our ninth round and fifth year.

FOR CAT LOVERS ONLY

2011-09-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

CATS IN BOXES

I've been told these photos have been going around for a while. Since I have never seen them before, and they are both charming and funny, I thought I'd post them for all for you other cat lovers out there. I tried to find out if I should attribute them to some one, but the people who forwarded them to me didn't know their source. So hopefully I am not stepping on some one's toes. If so, apologies and removal will follow immediately.

ENJOY!

P.S. I like the one with the red collar best. He looks so snuggly.

New Artwork - The Royal Robe Vine

2011-09-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

I'm still plugging away at my art work, although 'plugging' is not quite the word. I do enjoy doing them, but finding time and having my hands in condition to do the work sometimes holds me up. I've been wanting to do this piece for quite a while. It is a spectacular flower.

Flowers of the Royal Robe -- each bloom grows to approx, 1 1/2" across.

( PrismaColors, size approx. 4x4" Copyright C.A. Jones)

This is the photo on which I based my drawing.

It is commonly known as the Potato Vine and as I have said several times before, it is such a beautiful flower it should have a more beautiful name. I suggested Midnight Star. However, I have done some more research in depth on this plant. I discovered that It is a derivative of the Nightshade family and that there are a great many varieties that have now been developed. I discovered also that my particular bushes are actually called ROYAL ROBE or Blue Lycianthes Rantonnetii. I have also seen it named Solanum Rantonnetti. I imagine there are some botanical differences between the two but I am not experienced enough to know what they are. So....ROYAL ROBE it is.

Here is one of my three bushes that has never ceased to bloom profusely all summer long and still is blooming. I took this photo only a few days ago. It overshadows the fountain and the bird feeder. The birds love it because they can shelter in it to hide from the Cooper's Hawk that was visiting for a while.

THE ROYAL ROBE VINE

J IS FOR...

2011-09-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

J is for Jesus

I debated with myself about doing this post because I don't want to offend anyone, but I have been through ABC Wednesday at least three times and tried to stay away from being 'religious' or controversial. But I think it's time, this week.

I hope you won't write me off as a fanatic and I hope I don't turn you off. I don't want to lose the friendship and communication I have with so many of you, my blogging friends, some of you who do not believe as I do -- and that is your privilege.

But here are three things about JESUS that are a part of me and that mean everything to me :

1. Jesus said, "I am the way the TRUTH and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me. " I love the fact that in this troubled and misguided world where we no longer know if what we read and hear is the TRUTH, Jesus says He is the TRUTH. That is my rock of stability. I may not know the truth but He does.

2. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life." I have been a born again Christian for 55 years now and the closer I get to the end of my life, I find strength, comfort and joy in knowing that this life is not the end. JESUS has spent my 73 years preparing me for the BEGINNING, -- the new life I will have in heaven.

3. Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, today and forever." It is such a blessing to me to know that God does not change. I can rely on Him. He doesn't have whims and fancies. He is Who He is, to use a modern expression. I can rely on Him to treat me righteously and fairly, to give me all that I need and more. His love for me does not change. He ALWAYS loves me even though He may not like some of the things that I do. What a joy to be loved unceasingly and unconditionally, forever.

SO THIS IS WHO JESUS IS TO ME -- IN MY OWN WORDS, THAT DON'T EVEN SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF WHAT 'BEING A CHRISTIAN' MEANS TO ME.

******

To view other posts for ABC WEDNESDAY please click on the link and see more inspiring and intriguing entries on Mrs. Nesbitt and her team's page of participants. You won't be sorry. They're always surprising.

SCRUFFY UPDATE

2011-09-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

It's time for a Scruffy update.

A Success Story

We've now had him 4 months and 1 week. We rescued him from our County Animal Shelter. They tell us he is eight years old. The only information we have on him is that his family had to move away and that he was at the shelter for 3 months before we adopted him. If you would really like to know more details about this little sweetheart who is absolutely nothing like his name, please scroll back to June 11th where I have much more information about his cute habits and personality.

The newest information is that we feel like we have had him for years! He is the best cat we have ever had -- and we've had six others before we had him. Excuse me if I now sound a little besotted with him, but I guess I am. He has a beautiful, sweet nature and just fits our family, (Moth and me,) perfectly.

As an older cat he does sleep quite a lot so most of these photos are of his sleeping places.

This is the foot rest of my recliner in the living room, where he spends most of the evening snuggled up against my legs, but if I get up to do something, he takes over the whole thing!

In the living room is where I usually watch TV or perhaps work on the lap top. If there is not enough room for both him and what I am doing, on the footrest of the recliner, he will sleep under the little wooden circular table next to my chair that is covered by a full length tablecloth. Poor boy, he's still half asleep here. I just lifted the cloth and snapped.

He also likes to sleep under things in the day time. If I am in the den working on the computer or reading, he sleeps under the little table I have next to my arm chair where I keep some of my painting things. So we put a donut there and of course he took to it right away.

During the day, if he is awake he will be in whichever room we are in. He follows us around like a little dog.

Sorry this is blurry, but it's hard to hold the camera and receive kisses at the same time! Yes, he gives kisses -- not just on your hand for something to taste, but hands, arms and legs and yes, even on the lips, which I know is not very sanitary. Moth doesn't know yet, but one day I just gave him an air kiss at his nose and I got a kiss in return and it wasn't just an accident because I have tried it several times since! What a sweetheart!

And here's the man himself, trying to look away from what he thinks will be the flash, (but I used a reading light instead.)

If I can I will try to get some shots of how MOTH and Scruffy get along. It won't be easy because neither of them like having their photo taken.

A Minor INCONVENIENCE ?

2011-09-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

I don't think so.

It was an IMMENSE INCONVENIENCE!

(Please see my last post for introductory comments.)

No milk, no ice, water soon sold out. (Some communities lost their water.)

No ice cream or frozen dinners, entrees, or vegetables.

Yogurts, packaged cheese, cottage cheese, packaged ham and other meats can't be used. The deli counter had to stop serving.

*******

IMAGINE!

You’re at work on the 23^rd floor of your office building in down town San Diego. It is just after 3:30 pm with only a half hour to go before it will be time to leave. You’ll be home in just an hour and a half, after picking up the kids from daycare. Whoops -- mustn’t forget to get gas (petrol) for the car before hitting the freeway! Thank goodness for credit cards! You’re thinking, it’s pizza for dinner tonight while you all watch the opening game of the football season.

Suddenly the whirr and clicking of the computers stop, the air conditioning grinds to a halt, the lights go out and everyone’s exclaiming, “What the…?” Yes the power’s gone out!

Similar real life scenarios took place like this last Thursday, not just in San Diego, America’s eighth largest city, but in every city, small town, small business, restaurant , café, Starbucks, busy indoor shopping mall, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, Mom and Pop stores, gas station, hair salon, department store, school, grocery store, library, bank, -- you name it – no power anywhere in the whole of San Diego County from the coast on the west to Arizona in the east; from the edge of Los Angeles in the north, to the Mexican border in the south and in some places over the border.

It was almost an hour before most of the six million people affected knew how extensive the power outage was or how long it would last. In actual fact no one knew how long it would last. Dire predictions were made ranging from several hours to several days. For some it lasted 24 hours or more. For us, we were lucky, it was 7 hours.

Offices and businesses in San Diego began to close. Thousands of people emptied out into parking lots and large parking garages) – but not before they had made the long trek down flights of stairs in double digit numbers (shades of 9/11 !) No elevators were working.

The outside temperature was in the low nineties in San Diego. Further inland it was at least 10 degrees more. It was 109 in Palm Springs. Men dressed in suits and ties, ladies in slim skirts and high heels all made the trek to their cars. The lucky ones had a full tank of gas, because as the cars began to move to the streets, gridlock began. Once you were in the car there was no going back, in fact there was no going forward, for hours. If you ran out of gas you were stuck.

But even if you had gas you were stuck. All the traffic lights were out, so by law every car had to come to a four way stop before proceeding in their turn; then there was the north/south railway tracks that many cars had to cross with no working train or crossing signals. Buses, trolleys, taxis were all in the traffic mix. No airline flights going out and very few coming in.

IMAGINE sitting in a plane on the runway for several hours...

IMAGINE…if you had to buy gas in order to get home…

…or you had to buy groceries for dinner...

…or you were in a grocery store with dozens of others trying to check out…

…or you found a small store that was still open but you didn’t have enough money – no credit or debit card could be processed.

IMAGINE… if the ATM (cash) machine wouldn’t work .

IMAGINE ...if there were no computer or internet available

IMAGINE…if you had to pick up your children at a certain time and you couldn’t get in touch with them because you were stuck for hours in traffic.

IMAGINE… if your cell phone didn't work because they were all jammed by others calling, or if you were at home your land line phone didn't work.

IMAGINE…if you had your car radio to hear what was happening but you had to choose between using up gas with your engine idling in the gridlock, or using up the car battery to listen to the radio -- or using the car air conditioning in the sweltering heat.

IMAGINE…if you had no candles or batteries or matches at home but you did have a freezer full of food beginning to spoil.

IMAGINE…if you were a tourist in one of the downtown luxury hotels and you had rooms with no air conditioning and sealed windows and little or no food in the dining room and all the restaurants were closed.

IMAGINE… if you were in the hair salon in the middle of getting your hair colored or you were under the drier.

IMAGINE… if you were stuck in an elevator with two small children (one lady was).

The possibilities are endless, some scarier than others. One hospital’s generator wouldn’t work. And perhaps the scariest of them all: Was it a terrorist attack?

Well if you have a good imagination, just look around you in the next day or so and see what wouldn’t be working for you if the power went out.

I asked the supervisor today at my local grocery store, a large and busy store in the center of Carlsbad, what was the worst thing about the power outage and he said it was throwing all the perishable food away – yes, ALL. They had insurance, he assured me, but they had to undo every packet of food and throw away the contents, so that it couldn’t be used and so they could account to the insurance company for every item of perishable food.

On the front page of today’s local newspaper was a photograph of school workers heaping thousands of cartons of juice and milk in to a skip-jack, to be thrown away.

Honestly, it’s mind boggling! What luxuries and privileges we have and it can all be gone in a minute! The needs of other people in the world who are desperate for food and other supplies doesn’t bear thinking about.

As for the reason all this happened? They tell us (if you believe them) that it all came down to one man who didn’t follow the correct procedure in replacing some equipment in an Arizona power plant.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU WOULD BE FEELING IF YOU WERE

THAT ONE MAN!

********

All this is true, but for more true, fanciful or original ideas for ABC WEDNESDAY please click on the link for a fun and educational look at other imaginative presentations sponsored by Mrs. Nesbitt and her hard working team.

MY 600th POST

2011-09-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

This is a milestone for me since it is my 600th post.

I was trying to find something relevant to the number 600 for today's post and all I could come up with was the poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred Lord Tennyson which you may remember from school days begins:

Half a league, half a league,

Half a league onward

All in the Valley of Death rode the six hundred.

It's about a true incident in the Crimean War which ended in the death of 600 soldiers who were given mistaken orders to march into a valley surrounded by enemy fire, which they gallantly proceeded to do and were ruthlessly massacred.

However in today's atmosphere, I think this poem may be misunderstood by some as glorifying war, (whereas, I believe it is actually glorifying, courage, following orders, duty and nobility -- all of which seem to have been down-graded today). Anyway I continued to debate what to post.

Then current events took over our lives here in Southern California -- yes, it was.....

.....The Great Southern California Blackout!

We were one of the six million San Diego Gas and Electric customers who lost power last night. Upon reflection, for us personally it was a minor inconvenience. We had tuna sandwiches for dinner in candlelight instead of chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and gravy. Yet believe me, there were plenty of people who were much more than inconvenienced as you've probably read about or seen on TV.

We were fortunate for two reasons: First, we were both at home, and I had done grocery shopping and laundry the day before. (MOTH flew in from Portugal just 24 hours before the blackout!) Second, we have been pretty conscientious about keeping earthquake provisions on hand. (the big one is coming, they keep telling us!) So we had plenty of water, extra food, batteries, candles etc.

All that gave us some confidence, but of course all the questions were there especially the thought of it being terrorism. We had no phones, (we were asked not to use cell phones so they would be available for emergencies) we had no TV, no computer, though we were allowed to use texting, facebook and twitter. But as I so boldly ranted the other day, I don't know how to do any of those things and my cell phone doesn't have the capabilities. Time to eat humble pie! I think I will have to learn to do texting.

Ah, but we did have one thing old people often have available -- a battery powered AM - FM radio ! So we were able to tune into the Emergency Radio Network and find out what was happening.

That's where the number 600 comes in. Our emergency radio station, "KOGO Radio is at 600 AM on your radio dial", as we were constantly reminded all night long. The number 600 was by the end of the evening firmly fixed in my head.

So there we were, two old fogeys smelling of tuna fish, sitting in the candlelight, breathlessly listening to KOGO AM 600 for seven or eight hours, hearing the same information over and over again, just as we would have been watching TV or reading any other night. Our power was out for seven hours. Others had to wait longer and had much more exciting and worrying stories to tell.

Our worst deprivation was that we had thrown out our small, rusty old barbecue and had no way to boil water to make a cup of tea! That will be rectified over the next few days.

So KOGO 600 it is, to celebrate my 600th post on Blogger -- and the Great Southern California Blackout.

I will add further details about the blackout another day for those who may wonder about what happened and why and what were some of the results.

H IS FOR...

2011-09-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

HIGH SURF WARNING ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Oceanside Harbor has been closed for the last couple of days because of the high surf. The photo above is of the south jetty submerged by waves of at least 10 feet. The little black square above the wave is the beacon at end of the jetty. The wave is coming from top left hand corner of the photo. The other side of the jetty wall is where the harbor entrance is. I've been through that entrance many times in our sailboat -- but not in those conditions! Believe me you don't want to try that. The entrance between the south and north jetty is about 40 feet and has a tendency to silt up which makes it dangerous at low tide.

Here comes another one! The grey speck above the wave this time is what we call Seal Buoy. It is about a mile off the harbor entrance.

This is disappointing for so many with sailboats. The last weekend of the summer brings a lot of sailors out. They come down from Dana Point or from Catalina Island, but don't come into Oceanside in these seas, have to go on down to San Diego. The weather is a gorgeous 74 degrees and the beaches are packed. So why the heavy seas? At this time of the year our big surf comes all the way from storms off New Zealand!

This is the north jetty with the waves breaking right over it. The little man in the boat is the life guard or perhaps the harbor police, waiting to rescue any foolhardy souls who try to get through the entrance. The entrance is just to the left of the other side of the jutting rocks. Most sailors don't even try but there are inexperienced small boaters and canoes playing around in the harbor who sometimes decide to see how close they can get.

Although the beaches are crowded there are not many people in the water. Serious rip currents in these waters. This surfer seems dangerously close to the south jetty but there are quite a few professional surfers who come out just for this kind of weather. Just down the beach to the right there was a student surfing competition. I don't think they even got in the water. There is another grey patch to the left of Seal Buoy and I think that is someone on a jet ski! Could be another life guard on patrol. I couldn't tell you how many boats have been lost in our harbor entrance since we have lived here -- including a harbor patrol boat.

It was a fun half hour or so. Couldn't stay longer, too much traffic and no parking. So I went to the Jolly Roger for a cup of tea.

*******

This post is my contribution for Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Click on the link and see all the other intriguing contributions for this popular meme. It's fun -- and even educational.

What a Surprise!

2011-09-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

I said the other day that I really don'r collect china but I do like to drink my tea from a china cup. Well there is one pattern of china of which I have collected a few pieces every year or so when we have visited England. I have four cups and two beakers; This is the beaker:

It is Duchess china and the pattern is called Greensleeves. I love the colors o green and apricot together and this pattern is very delicate -- not even quite as bright as in the picture.

Well I was visiting over at Heart Shaped (click on the link) and she was telling on her blog about their village sale. She showed some photos of what she was selling.

This is Heart Shaped's photo which she kindly allowed me to use. Now look in the center of the picture -- the little jug and cup and saucer -- "Greensleeves". Sadly I was too late. They've been sold. They were only 50p each and I paid 12 pounds for my one mug!! Oh well, maybe another day.

RANT!

2011-08-31T22:50:00.000-07:00

Why are they messing with Blogger? Don't they realize that every time they update and make it 'user friendly-er' we have to learn to use it all over again. I don't spend all day on my computer reading and writing blogs. It's like going to the grocery store you've been using for years only to find they have moved all the stock around to different places. The grocery store is not number one in my life and neither is Blogger. They are both enjoyable and useful but don't keep changing them!!

It's also like telephone salesmen and door to door salesmen trying to sell me something that is better, easier, more effective than what I've got now. I'm sure it is, but tell me about it some other way without invading my territory, I'll look into it if I have a need.

I must be getting old and grumpy, but I bet there are others who feel as I do. I don't do twitter, I don't do texting, I don't do face book and I don't do apps. Hey, I don't even do cell phones except in an emergency! Something else I don't do is the next dozen or so tech updates, fads or inventions that will come out in the next 12 months.

Something else -- if my spell check can't keep up with the new techie words or alternative spellings without underlining them in red, then maybe someone should be working on that instead of getting fancier than some other product. It's getting so that when I see 'user friendly' or 'more intuitive' I think, then it's not for me. It's not my greatest thrill in life to learn how to do something new on the computer. Give me a break. I don't need you to take over my life.

Come on now, let's be honest. It's really all about getting people to use your product more than someone else's. ($$$$$)

Some young man recently expressed himself graphically when going through TSA security recently which caught on as a catch phrase. I'm a lady, so I won't repeat it here, but all the same, Stay out of my Yard, -- please!

WHOOPS! I can't believe I really wrote that last paragraph!

G is FOR

2011-08-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

GIFTS...

This gift came out of the blue. A lady in my Bible Study saw this set in San Diego and said to herself, "This set looks like Chris Jones, and she should have it!" So she bought it and gave it to me. I'm not sure why it looks like me because I am not a pink roses and china kind of person, but it is very pretty and it was a very kind thought. However it should be said that I have to drink my tea out of a china cup or it just doesn't taste the same. But really after 50 years over here that's about the only thing of being British that remains, as far as I know.

This is a -- (Whoops! Forgot its name. Happens all the time)-- which is unusual to me because it has a rich red color instead of the usual pink ones I see. MOTH (Man Of The House) saw it and bought it for me as a small surprise gift because he was going away on another one of his world travels -- this time to Portugal, for a Conference of our churches from around the world. This happens only once every 3 years. I used to be able to go on these exotic trips. The last one I went to was at Hothorpe Hall in England and it was spectacular. A beautiful venue followed by a bus tour of some of the loveliest spots in England (we planned the itinerary) and a whole week of gorgeous weather -- the last they had in England that summer!

G IS ALSO FOR GOODIES!

I think I am contradicting myself here. I forgot about my weakness for British goodies, as you see above. I went down to the British Foods Store yesterday and bought a packet of Maltesers, (malted milk balls but a much better tasting chocolate) a Crunchie bar, (it is chocolate covered cinder toffee) and then TWO of those wonderful Cadbury's Chocolate Flakes -- thin, thin chocolate, scrunched together to make like a chocolate log. Mmm! Only one left now and the other won't be around long. :) In England you can buy an ice cream cone and they will stick one of these flakes in it and it is called a "Ninety-nine" Not sure where the name came from, but who cares about the name?

Yummy!

Today's entry for ABC WEDNESDAY. Do click on the link and visit other participants. You will be surprised how much you can learn Thanks Mrs. N. and company!

A POST-SCRIPT TO YESTERDAY'S POST

2011-08-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is the truth that I am writing here: --

Last night I noticed that the first bloom on Bunny's African Violet had died and dropped off the plant. This morning I received a phone call to say that Bunny went to be with the Lord last night.

She will bloom forever with the Lord.

F IS FOR ...

2011-08-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

F is for FLOWERS -- not a very original choice for F but I had a reason for choosing this word. There is a story to it:

I have a friend who calls herself Bunny. She is a warm and sensitive person as well as being extremely capable, efficient and organized having held several jobs for high up authorities over the years.

Bunny started a group in our church called Women in God's Service (WINGS). The ladies in this group then proceeded to make themselves responsible for elderly and unwell ladies in our church who can no longer get out and about. Each lady regularly visits two or three of the home-bound ones, checking on their welfare, their needs and just generally giving them encouragement by chatting and of course praying with them.

About two years ago, Bunny held a luncheon for all the WINGS ladies as a way of saying thank you for their support. At this luncheon she gave each lady a small African Violet in a pot about 2" in diameter. I brought mine home and put this tiny plant on the side board because, although it had no flowers, the leaves were a pretty shade and organized in an attractive whorl. I've done nothing with it over the two years except give it a drop or two of water when I think about. Really I expected it to die long ago. I'm not very good with plants.

In May of this year, Bunny was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. What a blow this was for all of us to whom Bunny seemed invincible! Last month she entered hospice care.

That was when I noticed a tiny bud growing on Bunny's plant. Over the next couple of weeks the bud grew and opened into a tiny African Violet. Then two more buds appeared. Today there are three blooms and another tiny bud growing on this miniature flower.

Every time I look at it I think of Bunny. Now I'm not sentimental at all or given to fanciful ideas, but it seemed to me that this tiny plant putting forth its beautiful blooms was symbolic of Bunny. She knows she is going to die and she doesn't have much longer. She knows the Lord so she is not afraid and just like her plant she will bloom with beautiful new life with the Lord when she leaves us.

Here is Bunny's tiny African Violet -- a flower with an indomitable spirit.

Pencil added to show the size

Three blooms

Can you see the fourth tiny bud just under the middle bloom?

Praise the Lord for Bunny. Her work continues. And praise for He who is the resurrection and the life!

And now finally, two more of my paintings done this month, of FLOWERS:

Bird of Paradise (watercolor 5x7")

Day Lily (Prisma colors 5x7")

For more entries to ABC Wednesday click on the link. Thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her enterprising and hardworking crew, there are always many fascinating blog posts to illustrate the letter of the week.

Whoops! Sorry forgot to post.