KeeWee's Corner

Winterscapes

2012-01-18T15:44:00.001-08:00

So much snow and there is more to come

2012-01-17T15:53:00.001-08:00

My New Zealand visit, part one

2012-01-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

On December 3rd I left Seatac-Tacoma international airport on the first leg of my journey to visit my family in New Zealand.

I only had a couple of hours to wait before boarding the plane for San Fransisco, so spent my time reading a book and wondering what news I would hear from Mr C when I called him on the following Tuesday. Many of you know he had a biopsy to determine if there was cancer present, and you will now know that the good news on Tuesday was that he did not have cancer, so I was able to settle down and enjoy my time with family.

As the Boeing 737 gained altitude and headed south toward San Fransisco, we had a wonderful view of the snow covered Cascade mountains surrounded by a blanket of clouds.

Arrived in San Fransisco around 3:45pm and thought about how I was going to kill some time before my next flight left at 7pm.

I wandered around the duty free shops but was not interested in buying any thing, so bought a cup of coffee and headed to the departure lounge where I settled in to read for a while, before boarding the Boeing 747-400 for the 13 hour flight to Auckland.
We left San Fransisco about 30 minutes later than scheduled and by this time I was ready to get on board and have my dinner. I knew it would be an hour or two before dinner was served, so I tried to be patient and spent time watching a movie until dinner was served.
After watching all the movie while eating dinner and drinking a couple of glasses of wine, I reclined my seat as far as it would go, pulled my blanket up under my chin closed my eyes and drifted off into sleep. I usually have a difficult time sleeping during a flight, but this time I was surprised to wake up after sleeping for about six hours. I know it was a combination of lack of sleep during the past few weeks, and the two glasses of wine I drank at dinner which allowed me to 'go out like a light' It didn't seem that much longer when the cabin lights came on and an announcement was made that breakfast was going to be served. Evidently I had dozed off again

Auckland at last. I was a weary traveler by this time but not too tired to admire this beautiful Tomokanga. (carved gateway) The magnificent Tomokanga provides a uniquely kiwi welcome for international travelers when they arrive in Auckland. Standing 2.8m high and 6m wide, the carving symbolises a spiritual portal from one realm to another, a journey from the dark (the outside world) into the light (world of the living).

As the traveler approaches the Tomokanga a traditional Maori recorded welcoming message is heard.

I am not shy about asking someone to take my picture to record my journey. I have passed under this gate on a couple of occasions, and this is the first time I stopped for a 'kodak' moment.
Whenever I hear the traditional Maori welcome chant, I feel I have arrived home. Even though I have been living in USA for 30 years, I will always feel, as I am sure others do, that New Zealand is my home, at least in my heart.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T17:11:00.000-08:00

The morning after I hope you are not feeling as bad as he looks.

So, go celebrate, be careful, have a designated driver, or take a taxi.

Thank you to all my readers, family, friends, blogger friends, and all you folk who just stop by to take a look. You are all appreciated.

I wish for you all, an outstanding New Year

Whoohoo, yahoo, yippee, backflips and all that!

2011-12-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

My honey Mr C does not have cancer. He went on Tuesday to the doctors to hear the results of the biopsy done on the previous Tuesday, and no cancer was found.
You can read more on MR Completely's blog

I am now able to fully enjoy my vacation in New Zealand with out wanting to be in two places at once. I am staying at Amaryllis House ( a home specially for people with Huntington's Disease) with my daughter, and am being treated so well by everyone, it is just like one big happy family.
I have been on two rides when they take three or four of the residents for a ride, checked out the local mall, and will attend a Christmas concert on Monday, and a Christmas party next Thursday. So many fun things to do.
The computer at Amaryllis House is only available for use when the manager is there, and as she is so busy I hate to intrude, so I walk 10 minutes to this little local library to use their computer.
Well that is all for now, I am going to walk in the sunshine back to Amaryllis house.

Notes from my New zealand trip.

2011-12-05T16:27:00.000-08:00

It is good to be back on New Zealand soil. It was a long tiring journey to reach here but worth it all the same. My daughter was very excited to see me and I am enjoying being here with her at Amaryllis house. There are several events planned which I will be able to go to with my daughter and some of the other residents. There will be a movie night, a concert, and a Christmas party, plus there is a mall a short bus ride away so I can go get my fill of a mall which does not happen on Whidbey island as there are no malls.
I am eating extremely well, and the food here is absolutely wonderful, so if I am not careful, I will not be able to fit in to any of my clothes.
The weather is warmish, not as warm as I expected, but the forecast is promising warmer conditions by the weekend.
That is about all for now, I will endeavor to keep updates coming as I can get to a computor.

I am one who always looks at my glass being half full

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

But am having a difficult time doing that now, although I must.
As I posted yesterday, Mike underwent a biopsy, and the doctor says there is an 85% chance it is cancer, I am saying it is a 15% chance it is not.
HERE is the link to Mike's post about the subject.

Blogging will be light as I am taking this opportunity to make a quick trip to visit my family in New Zealand. I leave on Saturday and will return on Christmas day.
Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers.

We need your prayers

2011-11-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

Today at 2pm Mike undergoes a biopsy. Please hold him in your thoughts and prayers.
If all goes well, I could be on my way to New Zealand as early as Saturday.

Happy Thanksgiving.

2011-11-23T13:56:00.000-08:00

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MANY THINGS.

For my freedom bought with sacrifice by others.
For the man who loves me, and is my best friend.
For all the love and laughter in my life.
For my family.
For good friends
For a job I actually like.
For the sunshine today, after days of fog.
For the beauty on this earth.
Looking out the window, I can see two rabbits, snuggled up against each other at the base of a tree, trying to keep warm. I am thankful for all the wonderful creatures we have on this earth.
For all my blogger friends.
For all the other things too numerous to mention.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and blessings on your day.

I have always had trouble making a pie crust which is tender and flaky. Yesterday I remembered something I had read about using water and vodka, so decided to give it a try. I made a pumpkin pie this afternoon, and I am raving about the crust, as it is everything a crust should be.

The best ever pie crust (with vodka!?)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 1/2 sticks) chilled
1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup vodka, chilled
1/4 cup water chilled

Directions
1. Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds. (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour) Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around bowl. Add remaining cup of flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4-6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into large bowl.

2. Mix vodka and water together and sprinkle over mixture. With a rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until it is slightly tacky and starts to come together. Divide the dough into two even sized balls and flatten each into about a 4-inch disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 days.

Update on Mike's condition

2011-11-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Mike is still not out of the woods yet. He went to see the specialist yesterday and has to go back next week for a biopsy to see how far gone is his cancer, then the following week we have to go back for test results. So I cannot rebook my ticket for New Zealand yet, and as it is so close to Christmas, I may possibly not be able to make it until early January.

Udate

2011-11-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Mike has been home two full days and is doing OK so far. We have an appointment with his doctor today to discuss some test results.

Good news, no news

2011-11-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Late yesterday I received a phone call from Mike in Harborview hospital saying they are sending him home can I come and get him. I called a couple of friends, and one of them said yes of course I will drive you to the hospital.
We arrived back home around 8:45pm last night and tucked Mike into bed for a good night's rest.

As for the 'no news' the hospital techs had drawn enough blood from Mike to do all the necessary tests, and as he was stable and able to keep his temperature under control with medication, they said he could come home. Harborview is a very busy hospital and of course they needed the bed and sending him home leaves a bed for another patient.

Our next move is to make an appointment for Mike to see his own doctor this week who will have test results, and we can proceed from there. We do know of one problem which will have to be addressed, but before that happens, the cause of the temperature has to be determined.

Mike and I sincerely thank you, our friends and family, for all the prayers and good wishes you have been sending our way, I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to us to have your support.

Mike is now in Harborview

2011-11-11T06:40:00.000-08:00

I had a very restless night tossing and turning wondering how things were going for Mike. And stewing over the fact that it is not easy to get to the hospital, that is for me anyway. I do not know my way around Seattle, and I am very, very, nervous about driving the freeway. I have also been advised I should not be by myself in the neighborhood of the hospital as there are some very rough characters around. I looked into maybe taking a bus, oh sure, just five bus rides to get there, scratch that idea. Then I thought perhaps there is someone here on the island who works a day shift at Harborview I could catch a ride with, spend the day with Mike and return in the evening or whenever the persons shift was over . I know something will work out, and Mike is in good hands but I really hate not being there with him, "Patience, Jennifer, patience," I am telling myself.

Here is a short email message I found this morning from my honey:

"Big adventure, some highs and some lows. Over the worst I think. Sat in ER for almost 6 hrs before getting to a full sized bed. Just had a sandwich, so I'm not starving. No problem getting Ibuprofen so far, so I feel pretty good. I'll try to call later as it's 1:30am. now. Will try to get some sleep. "

Update on Mike

2011-11-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

I love that I can post on blogger and it goes directly to face book. This saves me countless phone calls to our friends and family.
Mike is in an ambulance at this time, 6 :06pm, being transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where they can do more tests than can be done here on the island. I sincerely hope something shows up very soon.

Frustration

2011-11-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's MRI shows NOTHING, now the Doctors are talking about transfering Mike to The University of Washington Hospital. Of course besides the worry of not knowing what is wrong, Mike is fretting about his business, if he can't keep on top of things then there is no money coming in to cover bills, and of course that is a real concern. We don't even want to think of the many thousands of dollars it has cost so far, and all that will be in the future.
Well we will just deal with whatever comes up hour by hour and day by day. All I want is for him to get well and come home.
I will keep updates coming as I know more. Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers.

Quick update

2011-11-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

Mike went another full body MRI yesterday afternoon and sometime this morning his doctor along with head of radiology and a specialist will be reading the scans. I hope to have good news later on when I get to the hospital.

No definite news yet

2011-11-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

We have a great team in this hospital doing all they can to determine what ails Mike. As of today, he in not being given any IV fluids antibiotics and nor pain meds. The doctors are waiting to see what shows up in his body, then they can form opinions as to what could be a potential problem. I have just finished a conversation with his doctor, who pointed out that perhaps there could be something stemming from the surgery and subsequent internal bleeding from last year. This afternoon he is going to have another scan so we will wait and see what that shows, if anything. If nothing is determined at this hospital, it is possible Mike will be transferred to The University of Washing hospital. I sure hope that does not happen as I fear driving through seattle traffic to get there.
Time will tell.

Update on Mr C

2011-11-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

Mike remains in the hospital, still no diagnosis on what is causing his illness. I have cancelled my trip to New Zealand. That is all for now, I am too tired to think.

Update on Mr C.

2011-11-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

Sheesh I need to learn not to panic, but I am over tired and as a wife it is my job to panic a little bit.
When I left Mike last night he was doing Ok and as I said in my last post, he told me that while he was on the pain meds which also keep his temperature under control, he will be feeling OK. Well, they cut back on the meds and when I called him earlier his exact words were " I am going backwards, they are sending me down for another scan"
My panic mode set in and I dropped everything and rushed up to the hospital. He is not as as bad off as I had imagined, although the doctors are still testing to see what the dickens is going on. I just had a nice long talk with his doctor and I am now feeling better that I know more.
I will try to keep updates coming as I find out more.

It's been a wild ride

2011-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

and not a fun one either.

Last Wednesday evening Mr C started to feel unwell, Thursday he felt worse, Friday no better and Saturday morning, that's yesterday, morning he was in the hospital.

After the tech took, it seemed pints of blood, another tech doing a nose swipe to determine if it was perhaps influenza which was laying him low, and then he had a cat scan, it appears he has an infection of one of his kidneys. The blood samples are being tested to make sure no infection is in his blood as his temp when taken during the first minutes of being admitted into hospital was 105F. The poor guy sure had a time of it when they tried to insert the IV, as due to serious dehydration his veins had collapsed. I stood and held his hand while the attempt was being made to insert the IV but had to go sit down for a while, to ease the queasy feeling which overcame me, I usually am not fazed by these procedures, but I guess when it is one of your own family it is different.

Mike was hooked up to the pump which administered fluids and the first dose of heavy duty anti-biotics and after about three hours he was starting to feel a little better and actually started to doze off. As he had not really slept for the past three nights, he really needed the rest so his body could start to heal, so I decided to leave him dozing and go down to the cafeteria for dinner. I ate a wonderful Thanksgiving kind of turkey dinner, and yes, it was very good for hospital food. After eating I wandered back upstairs to ER and peeped into Mike's room. "where have they taken my man?" I said to myself, and found out from his nurse he had been finally moved to a room in the main hospital.

Mike was chatting to his nurses when I arrived at his room and he appeared to be doing so much better. All the relevant information was given for the hospital records and I settled down in a chair beside him. As we chatted Mike told me he was cold, so I grabbed another blanket from the closet, then he started really shivering, I went out to the nurses station and reported the happenings, and a nurse brought in a nice warm blanket. That did not chase away the chills, so Mike, being the bright guy he is, said that it had been a long time since he had the motrin or whatever it was, to bring down his temperature was wearing off and his temp. was on the rise, again which proved correct. They brought in more meds, another couple of warmed blankets to wrap around him and his dinner. But after a couple of bites, his appetite vanished, and that is because of his temperature rising again. Poor guy, he really was having a rough time.
It was now fairly late into the evening, and a friend of ours had arrived at the hospital to drive me home. I was so very tired as I had only dozed off and on for the past three nights, so I poured a small glass of my favorite red wine sipped it until gone, then slipped into bed. I went out like a light and woke up at 6am, that is according to the bedroom clock, I had forgotten it was time to turn the clocks back, but as I was up drinking a cup of Ovaltine and writing this blogpost, I decided to stay up. I can get a nap later on today after I return from visiting my honey.
Our wild ride is not over yet, Mike will be in the hospital at least one more night and will undergo another scan sometime later today to check the infected spot on the kidney. Our dear friends Wayne and Lori, are insisting I go on my trip home to New Zealand on Wednesday and they will take care of my honey. Lori is a nurse so I know he would be in good hands. Mike also says he will be sick whether I am home or on my trip.Oh what a decision to make.

Tuesday chuckle

2011-11-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

The teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found.

Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the lens in her hand.

"How did you manage to find it, Mom?" the teenager asked.

"We weren't looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic and I was looking for $150."

2011-10-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Only 15 days more before I leave for New Zealand to visit my family. I finally had a day off work where I could get up to Oak Harbor to get a couple more gifts to take with me. My Grandsons love tee shirts with funky graphics on them, so I looked around and found some I am sure they are going to like.

I wasn't intending on buying myself anything, but when one comes across a good buy, well who can resist? I saw these cute shoes on clearance for $4:99 and a girl can't have too many pairs of shoes, right? Being just shy of 5' tall I need all the help I can get, so I thought the 2 1/2" heels on these should boost my height a little. *grin*
Sometime in the near future, I need to go through the closet and take all my smaller shoes to the thrift, as I am now wearing a 1/2 size larger than I used to. Jeez, when will it end? I am also a size larger in my clothing. Dang, I know they said getting old is not for sissies, and I have found that to be true.

There is no doubt fall is here

2011-10-19T14:04:00.001-07:00

Idaho Steel Challenge 2011

2011-10-04T02:57:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning we left in our RV for the long drive to Nampa Idaho, to compete in The Idaho Steel Challenge match. The drive as far as Huntington, where we spent the night, was just the way we like it, that is uneventful.
Even though Friday morning dawned cool, it soon warmed up, and by the time we arrived at the range we were, clothes clinging hot. Dang! I said, if it is this hot now, then it is going to be a miserable, hot day for the match tomorrow.

Gimme, gimme,
My caption for the photo in which I did not know what the guys were about.

Saturday, it was a very pleasant surprise to wake up to a cloud covered sky, and we were hoping it would stay that way all day.

Are you having fun yet?
Yes indeed, I am.

Remember what I said about 'it would be nice to have cloud cover all day' Well I couldn't have been more wrong, because just as we were starting in on the fourth stage, the blistering sun came out from behind the clouds, and we instantly felt as though we were being slow baked in an oven. I do not do well in the heat, and I struggled to shoot the last three stages. Whine, whine whine!

"Are you ready?" asks the Range Officer
"yes" answers Mr C
"stand by" says the RO
Beeeep goes the buzzer of the timer.
Mr C draws his firearm, and commences shooting.

John, very focused on making the steel ring.

I like to sneak up on folk and take their picture.

Rich showing us how it was done, and he sure was having a grand time.

And how did we do?
A picture, or in this case, two pictures are worth a thousand words

Our squad of seven did rather well.

John, was Overall Match winner, and won Limited, Rich placed first in Production, Mike was High Super Senior, and also won Rimfire, and yours truly, won High lady.

Small town America

2011-10-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

There is a certain charm about small rural towns.Recently, during our drive to Idaho we were getting very low on gas, so decided to leave the freeway to find gas in a small town called Huntington. The gas station owner told us he had sold out of gas due to the many hunters who had stopped at his establishment to fill up their gas tanks, but the tanker would be there around 8am in the morning to top up the tanks.
By this time it was about 6:30pm and we had been on the road since 9am so we were ready to rest for the night. The gas station owner said there was a small park just up the road and we could pull around back of it and spend the night there, which we did.
It was a little early to sleep, so we strolled the main street, all of about a hundred yards long, looked through a fence at some old farm machinery, strolled up the street past a cafe, a bar and another restaurant, stopped to pet an old black Labrador who came wagging up to us, looking like he was the official town greeter, then returned to the park to sit on a bench and watch the world go by. I love the way small town people say "howdy" as you pass them in the street, the way they wave at you as they drive by, it all makes you feel welcome in their small town,

We sat on the bench you can see in the photo, which is right across the road from a very old brick hotel. I mentioned to Mr C that one good quake and the whole building would just be a pile of bricks and rubble spilling into the street. The cafe, bar and restaurant, previously mentioned, are on the street level of the hotel, and it looked to me that the rooms on the two top floors were vacant, as the windows were very dirty, lacked any window coverings, and there was just an air of emptiness about the rooms.
As we sat enjoying the balmy evening air, we discussed where we would eat breakfast in the morning, would it be the cafe, or perhaps the restaurant had better food, we would see in the morning where the locals eat breakfast. Our decision was made for us, as the cafe was the only one open, and what a wonderful home cooked kind of breakfast we enjoyed while soaking up the atmosphere in the small town cafe.
They served coffee in real coffee mugs, mine had flowers on it, Mr C's a picture of a revolver, with "make my day" printed underneath. There was a small paperback book on our table telling the 'true' story of a pioneer's life, there were pictures on the walls from the 1800's depicting life in the area, and the locals who came and went, greeting each other as only those who really know each other do. Ah! small town friendliness.

The fenced lot housing some wonderful old farm machinery, a wagon, and a log building which had been a depot of some kind. There was a note attached to the fence saying, one could get the key from the cafe, to unlock the gate so you could wander around.

Looking through the hedge from where our RV was parked, towards the main street.

I would have liked to see inside the old caboose, but it was locked up for the night. Speaking of cabooses, or rather trains, just about 50 feet from our overnight parking place, ran a main trunk railway line, and all though the night we heard diesel engines pulling their loads by. I must admit, after the first few trains had rumbled by keeping me awake, I finally fell asleep, and would hear in my sleep a train coming, kinda' come out of my unconscious state, told myself it is only a train, and fell asleep again. Odd, but it was almost a soothing sound, perhaps because it was a familiar sound from my childhood.

We enjoyed our overnight stay in this charming little town which makes strangers feel welcome.

Gunblogger Rendezvous 2011...The Best Ever!

2011-09-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning we enjoyed a hearty breakfast before carpooling to Cabela's for a guided tour, shopping and browsing this very interesting store. If you were not interested in shooting camping or other outdoor kinds of activities, well then, there was plenty more of interest to see.

The taxidermy is incredible.

This photo of the 'Gun library' taken during our 2008 visit.

Friday morning, as we enjoyed our NRA sponsored breakfast, California firearms attorney, Chuck Michel talked to us.

We all received from Pro Ears, a very nice set of hearing protectors.

Aaron modeling his set of Pro Ears hearing protectors for me.

Molly is thinking of going into law and wanted to ask Alan Gura some questions. Later in the evening, Alan spoke to us of legal matters concerning gun rights, law etc.

After our nice breakfast on Saturday morning, sponsored by Otis Technologies, we all went out to the Pyramid range for an introduction to Steel Challenge Action Pistol shooting.

A quick meeting to outline safety, and how the match is run, then off we all went to have some fun.

Sunday morning after breakfast, we went out for some fun to try our hand at Cowboy Fast Draw.

Quick Cal Eilrich telling us some history about Cowboy Fast Draw, and filling us in on how the match is run.

Milisecond Molly and GG waitng for their revolvers to be loaded.
As you see, we shoot indoors, but the revolvers are loaded with wax bullets, even so, care must be exercised as they are still dangerous and the firearms must be handled accordingly.

Video taken during our Saturday night's 'all you can eat pizza' dinner, and of all the goodies donated

Video of the wonderful prizes donated for our door and raffle prizes to raise money for Valour IT

Pizza, yummmm! and there was more than enough for everyone.

Gun Blogger Rendezvous 2011

2011-09-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

I have been somewhat overwhelmed by lack of rest, getting back into my work schedule, planning this weekends match to Puyallup and the following weeks trip to Boise Idaho for another match, to do a whole lot of reporting on "The Best Ever" Gun Blogger Rendezvous. However, I will make an attempt to get on with the job of posting ASAP.

A great breakfast sponsored by Otis Technologies enjoyed by all, before leaving the Silver Legacy hospitality room, to car pool out to the Pyramid range at Washoe County Shooting Facility for an introduction to Steel Action Pistol shooting.
What a fun time it was too. There were ear to ear grins as ammo connected with the steel targets as shooters learned the sport of Steel Challenge competition shooting.

Stay tuned, more to come in the days ahead.

Mount Rainier at sunset

2011-09-05T08:32:00.002-07:00

Friday evening found us taking a break at a rest area just outside of Yakima. We pulled in just as the sun was setting right behind Mount Rainier. What a fantastic view as the mountain was shadowed against the clouds.

A little humour to brighten your day

2011-09-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

Things To Do In An Elevator

1) When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.
2) Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.
3) Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor your on.
4) Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator.
5) Move your desk into the elevator and whenever anyone gets on, ask if they have an appointment.
6) Lay down the twister mat and ask people if they would like to play.
7) Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they can hear ticking.
8) Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.
9) When the doors close, announce to the others, "It's okay, don't panic, they open again!"
10) Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"
11) Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, "Got enough air in there?"
12) Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
13) Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the other passengers. 14) Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.
15) Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers, "This is MY personal space!"

Steel Challenge........part two

2011-08-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

A few photos taken on the first day of competition.
As usual, it was hot and dusty, but that is all worth it when we get to see our friends we have made over the years, and for Mr C to compete once again in this event.
Our friend Jim O sums it all up with these words. Over the last 25 years, for myself and many other Steel Challenge competitors, this barren, hot & dusty land has always been "The happiest place on earth".

Mr C wondering why I called his name from the top seat of the bleachers. Just wanted to take his photo, that's all!

Some of our squad watching another member shooting.

Alexis and parents.

Mark, our Aussie friend.

Alexis is a sweet young lady and also a very fine shooter.

Brooke has a very strong stance, and a good shooter to boot.

Awww gee! Jonathon is a real little cutie, and was so good all day long. Both his parents were competing.

Ken wears the coolest shirts, and he is a very strong competitor.

A hot dusty adventure .....Part one

2011-08-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

I am taking you along on a drive out to the range near Piru California, where we were last week for the World Steel Challenge Tournament.

As we drove past Magic Mountain, I (jokingly) asked Mr C if he would like to skip competing in the match and go for a few rides at Magic Mountain. "hmmmm not today he replied" Later on in the day, as we returned from the match, I asked again if he would like to go have fun on the rides, nope, he still did not want to go, although he said if I wanted to, he would go along. I said " it would be a shame to waste the ice cream I had just eaten by throwing up. *chuckle*

Beside the highway there are acres and acres of the small sweet red and yellow peppers growing, and I could not help but think about the $4:99 for a two pound bag of these delicious peppers I buy to snack on.

Orchards are slowly spreading up and over the low hills, and if it wasn't for irrigation, this would be a dry, dusty almost bare landscape, except for the hardiest of plants which can survive the scorching heat and dry conditions..

Last year when we came though here, we stopped at a roadside fruit stand and I bought oranges thinking, as are grown here, and freshly picked, they would be the sweetest oranges I would ever taste. Not so, they were almost 'pucker up' sour, what a disappointment.

It is so pretty as the fog drifts in over the hills and down into the valley.

Every year, for the past five years, when we arrived in Piru, this beautiful deep pink Bougainvillea in someone's front garden,has been in full bloom.

Besides all the other tropical plants growing in the front garden of people's homes, there are many palm trees. It is quite an interesting little town with both old and new buildings, some homes are obviously well maintained and others not so much, typical of many small country towns.

It was interesting to see a rather large apartment complex being constructed in Piru, it won't seem to be such a small community when we next pass through.

Irrigated crops abound along the valley floor as we drove towards the range.

Behind the fence is a nursery, and I would have loved to have some of the tropical plants I could see, in my own garden, but of course they would not do well in our cooler climate, here in Western Washington.

We leave the paved road to drive out to the range over a very bumpy dusty one.

Our rented vehicle was slowly changing from pristine white to beige, as dust settled over it as we followed the vehicle in front of us.

Cattle shelter from the baking sun in the shade of the trees, and the blades of the windmill remain still from lack of any breeze.

We drove slowly past the practice range, where many shooters were getting in some last minute practice before competing.

After, it seemed, a very long dusty drive, we arrived at the parking area.

Looking up to the topmost bay where a stage called 'outer limits" is located. This stage can make or break you. Many shooters do not like this stage.

Looking back down the hill you have to climb to reach "outer limits"
It does not look all that steep, but try walking up this incline carrying a heavy bag containing your firearm, ammunition for eight stages, plus cold water, snacks and anything else you may need during the day, in temperatures which can be in the low 90's to low 100F

My beau

2011-08-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

My little buddy Beau belongs to one of my clients, and I get to take him for a walk along these lovely wooded roads. He gets his exercise and so do I.

"sheesh! will you stop taking pictures and get on with our walk!"

Awwww! such a cute face.

2011-08-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

Late Friday afternoon we left the island on the ferry to Mukilteo, then fought the freeway traffic on our way to Moxee, which is just out of Yakima, to shoot in an eight stage steel challenge.
As the range is now going to charge $15 just to park on the property over night, we decided to save our money and park at a rest stop a short drive before reaching Yakima.

We have driven over this bridge many times and knew it was high up from the valley floor, but until we pulled into the rest area and looked back at it, we didn't realize just how far down it was, or up, depending on your point of view.

As dusk fell over the land, we settled in for the night sharing the parking lot with many semi trucks. Those guys are huge, even more so when we park our little RV beside one.

Optical illusion, the RV is really not that much smaller, it is just that the truck is in front of the RV and the angle of the photo which makes our home on wheels look like a 'match box toy'

Jeanette, 'my shooting sister' having a grand time.

Mr C shooting his new gun.

I tried out Mr C's new gun a few weeks ago, but it was a little more than I am comfortable with. It has since been worked on, and the ammunition fine tuned so it does not have near as much recoil. Even so, I will not be shooting this gun, instead Mr C is going to work on a different one that I can shoot, along with my .22 High Standard.
As usual, we had a great weekend competing and enjoying the company of our friends. We are shooting another match this weekend, then off to CA next week where Mr C is competing in The World Steel Challenge.

2011-07-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

Friday morning we finished loading our RV for the long drive to Smelterville, which is just outside of Kellogg Idaho, to compete in the Eddy Brown Memorial steel pistol match.
We arrived late in the afternoon, drove out to the range to check it out, then came back to camp out beside the river for the night.

I whipped up a quick meal of bacon, hash browns and eggs for our supper which we ate while watching the river. It was so relaxing to just sit and watch the water flow by, especially for Mr C after such a long drive.

The water was so calm you could see the far bank, and trees mirrored on the surface of the water.

A couple of guys drifted on by, one rowing the boat while the other was fly fishing.

Early next morning, we drove out to the range and on our way in, we passed by the old zinc smelter facility. The range is located further up the valley from this facility and we were told that many inches of the contaminated topsoil had been removed and replaced with clean soil.

The day was a little cool at 7am but soon warmed up.

The 'Friends of the NRA' set up, as a fundraiser, breakfast and lunch in the building. They had all kinds of breakfast rolls, they cooked hamburgers and hotdogs on a BBQ and had coffee, soda and water.

The hills on either side of the range rose straight up, and as the day wore on and the sun beat down, it became very uncomfortable in the trapped heat.

Thank goodness we had some shelter from the burning sun, but there wasn't all that much relief from the heat. I wet a large men's handkerchief with water, and tied it around my neck, and that helped cool me down a little.

The long drive to get there, the heat and pesky flies at the range, were all worth it, as I came home with this award for placing second. Mr C placed first, and another person in our squad placed third in .22 rimfire. Two other members of our squad also went home with awards for winning in other classes.

Our worst fears realized

2011-07-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

I am still being a wimp, the tooth I had pulled on Monday is now a dry socket. The stench is awful, the pain being controlled by over the counter medications, and the worst part, the infection is in my right sinus. This morning I went back to my dentist and had more medication applied to the socket, a medicated wad inserted and sent home with anti-biotics. I stopped at the drugstore on my way home and bought a neti pot to flush out the sinus. I have to take very good care of myself or there could be serious consequences due to the infection of the sinus.
I am glad my two clients canceled for today, so I can stay at home and rest.

Groan!! I am not usually a wimp but....

2011-07-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

I am wimping out to day.
A week ago, I went to my dentist to have him take a look at a crowned tooth, I thought had decay right at the gum line. Sure enough, there was decay so the crown had to be removed. This crown had been put on by another dentist many years ago so Dr Bob did not know what he was up against. It was not an easy job to remove the crown. After much work with what felt like a hammer and chisel, the crown finally broke free. Dr Bob showed me why the crown was so firmly fixed in place, it had a post down the center and a whole lot of glue. I was sent home with instructions on how to take care of the uncrowned tooth, actually just a little of the root was left sticking out from the gum line, and given an appointment to be back in a weeks time (yesterday) to see what we had.
Dr Bob took a look and said the decay had eaten away a good portion of one side, there was not enough left to be able to work with to reinstall the crown, so the rest of what was left of the tooth had to be removed.
Having a tooth pulled was not something I was looking forward to, but knew it had to be done. After deadening the area Dr Bob got to work. He worked and worked on getting that root out, I thought he was going to have to put his knee on my cheek to get leverage to pull that stubborn tooth. At one point he asked if it I was OK I signaled that I was not, what can you do but signal when you have a mouth full of Doctors fingers and dentistry tools, Dr Bob injected more of the good stuff to deaden the area some more and went back to work.
The root finally came loose and Dr Bob showed me why it was such a hard one to remove. Instead of the usual pointed root, it had a rounded end, what he called a ball. Well that was all over, so I thought, but evidently there was not as much blood flowing to form a clot as Dr Bob would like ( you need a blood clot to help in the healing process, other wise you could end up with a dry socket, which means more problems) Dr Bob had to traumatise the area around the empty socket to induce more blood to flow, there still wasn't a whole lot, so he placed a wad of gauze in the gap and sent me home. We were hoping the wad of gauze would hold any clot forming blood in place.
As the effects of the shots wore off I started taking an over the counter pain killer and went to rest on my bed. I was feeling quite traumatized by now and my mouth was hurting. I managed to get some sleep, but this morning my injury site is very, very sore so I will have to keep on pain killers for a while yet.
Dr Bob and I discussed putting in an implant but I looked in the mirror this morning and the gap is far enough back to where you can't even see it when I smile, so I am opting for letting it all heal up and not going through any more traumatic surgery just to have a tooth there.
Now all I have to do today is get through a two hour shift on my job, then I can come home and relax. Dang! I don't ever remember ever having been laid so low after any previous dentistry.

I love my new camera.

2011-07-16T08:01:00.000-07:00

I am getting better at using many of the features on the Kodak Easyshare max Z990 I recently purchsed. I think this photo shows this.

There and back in a flash

2011-07-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

This post is all about a road trip we took showing some of the contrasting landscape we drove through, and it is done so my family and friends in New Zealand, can see just how different the territory is between Western and Eastern Washington.
Friday late afternoon, we left Whidbey Island for the long drive to Moxee which is just the other side of Yakima WA, to compete in a pistol match on Saturday.

We arrived at the range close to 8pm after stopping and enjoying a dinner at Big Red's 50's style diner. We parked our RV and settled in for a quiet night before Saturday's pistol match.

From where we park the RV there is a spectacular view out across the countryside, and the sunsets are more than spectacular.

As day slipped into night, we could see lights from the community in the distance light up, twinkling softly against the shadowed mountains far behind.

Ty timing Mr C

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and we knew we were in for a scorcher of a day. We left Whidbey Island in the upper 60'sF and they were forecasting the upper 80'sF for Moxee. I was less than happy with that news as I do not do well in the heat. You can see the high berms surrounding this bay, and I can tell you, if there is no breeze, you feel that you are being slowly baked in an oven.

Sure enough, it was hot, hot, hot. I found an old, past it's best umbrella in the RV, which gave me some much needed shade, as I wrote down the times for the guys on our squad. When it came time for me to shoot, I made haste and got it over and done with as quickly as possible, so I could get back in my shady spot. Fortunately it was only a five stage match and we were done shooting by about two pm, and back on the road for home. But, we did stop on our way out of town at Dairy Queen for a large Blizzard. Yummy! and just the thing to cool us down.

From where our RV was parked looking back up towards the first bay.

A view out across miles and miles farmland and orchards to the mountains in the far distance. If it were not for irrigation, this vast land would still be a dry, sagebrush covered desert.

With Yakima behind us, we had miles of driving through hot dry sagebrush covered terrain, climbing a couple of very steep passes before dropping over the other side into greener farmlands.

I have always loved this view of miles of rolling farmland, with the spectacular mountains in the distance.

Such a lovely view, and I really prefer green to brown *grin*

I was in awe of the wind turbines my brother took me to see when I was back in New Zealand a few years ago, especially when I stood at the base of one, and now here we have them in Washington, harnessing the power of the wind.

There is a lot of construction going on, on Snoqualmie Pass, in fact, quite often there is a report on the TV that the road will be closed for an hour or so, so the workers can get some blasting done. They are removing thousands of tons of rock to widen the highway to three or perhaps four lanes.

We certainly have beautiful scenery in Washington State and when driving Snoqualmie pass you will be in awe. Of couse if you live here, after a while you are inclined to take it for granted, but I can imagine how visitors would view these majestic mountains.

How can you not be in awe at such beauty?

Back to reality, driving the freeway.

Mr C had a white knuckled grip on the steering wheel, of our non power steering RV, as we went through Bellevue. For a change the traffic was a little lighter, but still no fun to drive with some of the idiots on the road.

What a welcome sight, there is Whidbey Island across Puget sound, and the Mukilteo ferry dock just down the hill. We were lucky that there wasn't more traffic waiting to get to the island. When we left on Friday and drove up this road, the vehicles were backed up in the ferry lane, for miles. There would have been a two hour plus wait for their turn to board the ferry for the crossing.

There she is, the Cathlamet and we will board her in just under an hour.

At last, we are driving the dock to take our place on the ferry.

There are two, actually three decks on this ferry, if you count the passenger deck up above. On the left and right, there are upper and lower decks, with two lanes a piece, then in the center, are three lanes. This is where all the larger vehicles are parked, semi trucks, RV's etc. then smaller vehicles take up the remaining space. It is only about a 20 minute crossing to Clinton, Whidbey Island, then just a 15 minute drive from the ferry dock to our home.

So family and friends, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed going on this mini, ummm! vacation with us. *grin*
Oh! by the way, in the pistol match, I finished 4th out of 8, in my class.

10X versus 30X zoom

2011-06-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

My new Kodak camera has the greater 30x zoom compared to 10x my old one has, and it sure does take some getting used to. I find I try to zoom in too close, and have to readjust as I tend to make the photos fuzzy. There is a focus feature which shows up in the viewfinder, which tells me when the picture is ready to take. What a fun time I am having learning to use the camera.

Photo of the day

2011-06-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

I am learning to use my new camera, so I will be posting photos I am taking. Please enjoy as I learn.

What hoot!

2011-06-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

My friend Joyce emailed this to me. Thank you Joyce for the chuckle of the day.

Sent by an over 70 yr old...................!

When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter.

I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grand kids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grand kids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world..

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say Iget lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife and everyonein the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. I had to take my hearingaid out to use it,and I got a little loud .

I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside that gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had runinto in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say," Re-calc-u-lating." You would think that she could be nicer. It waslike she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sighand then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then if I made aright turn instead. Well, it was not a good relationship.

When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.

To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven't figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have to run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms andthe dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings..

The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those

cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember

to take them in with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look .

I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered, No, but I do toot a lot."

Us senior citizens don't need anymore gadgets. The tv remote and the garage door remote are about all we can handle.

A camping trip at it's finest

2011-06-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

Every year we make the trip from Whidbey Island to eastern WA, to meet with our friends of The Fishin' Club.
We all stay at Coulee Playland resort on Bank's Lake and look forward to enjoying lots of fishing, camaraderie, a potluck dinner and some nice warm weather.

There are a couple of routes you can take to get to Bank's Lake, we prefer the beautiful drive up over the North Cascade highway. This year there was an exceptional snowfall, and still evidence of it to be seen.

I heard on the news, that the road crews had to clear some 60 feet of snow from some areas of the road in preparation for the opening of the highway. That is a lot of snow removal.

We arrived at the campground late on Thursday, launched our boat, parked the RV in our campsite and settled in for a few days of fun.
Picture taken of the lakeside campsites as we came back from a fishing trip.

Our little Sunrader RV. Compared to most other RV's it is small, but we get good gas mileage, and it has all the amenities a person needs, in short, it suits us and our budget.

Friday evening, Kevin cooked on the B-B-Q oysters he raises, while the rest of us played a game. I was never fond of oysters, but these, which were smothered in a seasoned butter after they were cooked, were tasty.

mmmm,mmmmm good!

Mr C and I love to motor into some of the smaller bays around the lake in search of bass. This one is surrounded by towering walls of rock and you could get a kink in your neck if you scan the heights for any length of time. I am always interested in what manages to grow on the rock face.

Looking up at the craggy rocks way above our heads. It is amazing how the trees and plants manage to survive in such a bare environment.

Looking back out of the bay at what is known as Lover's lane. This is where you can get through to go further on up the lake. As we have a small (12 foot) aluminum boat, we don't go too far from the campground, as the weather can change very quickly, the lake becoming extremely choppy, not a good thing to be out in, in a small boat.

Not worth keeping a fish which is not much larger than the lure, but fun to catch and release.

Then there was an incident when a crawdad pot was tossed out, by someone who will remain nameless *grin*, the two halves separated and sank to the bottom. Fortunately Mr C was going out in the boat and was able to snag the unsecured half with a boat hook, and return it to shore to be firmly secured to the other half.

Saturday is the day we all overindulge in a potluck dinner. We usually eat anywhere between four and five pm so those keen fishermen who want to, can go out for a few hours fishing before nightfall, and the rest of us can sit around the campfire, burp, and tell stories. *chuckle*

First my car, NOW my camera

2011-06-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

Sheesh! I can't win for losing. Last week my car broke down, then, thankfully at the end of our mini vacation to Banks Lake WA, my camera refused to work. I turn it on and you can hear it making noise but the lens does not come out. I smacked the camera a few times thinking a piece of grit may have found it's way down beside the lens, but no, it still does not want to work. Oh! well, it is probably time to retire my Kodak Easy share anyway. It did take very nice pictures and I liked the features, so I want something similar which will not cost me an arm & leg. Anyone out there have any recommendations. I did go online and came away very confused, as there are many, many cameras and the ones I look at seem to cost a whole lot, I really do not want to spend too much as I still have to buy my airfare to New Zealand, and that is expensive.

I didn't have to make lemonade after all

2011-06-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Well, all the woes with my car turned out OK. A friend of mine drove me to my first job then on the way back we stopped to see what progress had been made by Ben, my mechanic, in fixing the Buick. What a guy! he had it all done and it was ready for me to drive it away. Ben told me that I was fortunate indeed in making it to his garage, as the problem was a burned out camshaft sensor and the car would not start for him in the morning, so he did the repair right where I had parked it.
Mr C is back from Holland and had a grand time, he is now busy getting the RV ready for our annual trip to Bank's Lake (Near Grand Coulee Dam). We were going to leave Friday morning, but as my am client had canceled for tomorrow, we will leave as soon as I have the RV packed. I am so looking forward to getting away for a little R&R. Mr C has our fishing gear ready, I have plenty of good food, a bottle of wine and a book to read, ready to go into the RV tomorrow.
See you when we get back.

How do I make lemonade out of these lemons?

2011-06-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

Just when a person thinks all is going well, a wrench is thrown in the works. Mike is in Holland shooting in a pistol match, and just before he left I asked which of his two vehicles I could use if my car failed, he said the blue van. I really though my car was OK until it broke down yesterday. My mechanic drove me home and as soon as I had put my groceries away, I went out to bring the blue van up to the house. DANG! it would not start, it was deader than a Dodo. I called the office and canceled work for today, and I can ill afford to lose any wages as I am trying to save for a visit to my homeland, New Zealand later this year. I am afraid the repairs to the car is going to take a large bite out of my savings, I may not be able to afford the trip at all, and that is very upsetting.
Well, that is enough crying, whining for now, just had to get it off my chest, and I really can't see how to make lemonade out of this mess. Perhaps buy a lotto, nuh! "if wishes were horses......."

We are going to be in charge.

2011-05-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Mr C is leaving to shoot in the European Steel challenge tomorrow. He will be away in Holland for almost a week, and as I cannot afford two trips in one year (going to New Zealand in November) I get to stay home and take care of the place. Of course I will have plenty of help from the rabbits in keeping the grass mowed, and someone to talk to *grin* I told Mr C that I would make sure all the partying and cleanup would be done before he returns *chuckle*

Go vote for my honey

2011-05-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

Quote: from Mr. Completely

I got an email from the good folks at Lucky Gunner.com telling me that I had been nominated for a Gunnie Award for the best gun blog in the Entertainment category.

Please go HERE and read the whole story, and cast your vote.

A busy time planned for this year

2011-05-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Yes I have been tardy in my blogging, really no excuse except to say I haven't had much to say. Our shooting season has started in earnest. The last two weekends we have been away competing in matches, and this weekend is the Washington State Steel Challenge Championships in Ephrata.
I sure hope the weather is better than we have here, these cool overcast dreary days, are starting to wear thin. The only good thing about the cooler weather, is that my cool weather vegetable are lovin' it.
I have been planning my trip back to New Zealand later this year, but air fare is outrageous right now, so I am ummm! hoping that the price of gas will go down ( I am not holding my breath on that happening any time soon) therefore airfares will drop. It is interesting how the airlines advertise their airfares. You take a look and see an airfare around $1200 and say that's reasonable, but then, you look at the taxes and fees they tag on and it comes to a total of around $1600. Dang!
I miss my family, especially my daughter who has Huntington's disease and lives in a beautiful facility just for people with this disease. They have a family room which is offered to me for my stay, so I am able to stay right there in Amaryllis House with my daughter and see her every day. I also take time to stay with my two brothers on Drambuie, my oldest brother's boat, which is about half an hours drive from Amaryllis house, and do a little partying.
This year Mr C is going to Holland to shoot in the European Steel challenge as he and I have done the past two years, but I cannot afford to do both trips in one year, so I will stay home and take care of things while he is away Sighhh!
I am looking forward to all our adventures this year, as I truly believe that you really must try to do all you can to enjoy life to the fullest while you can. There will come a time in our lives, earlier for some, when we will be unable to enjoy even simple pleasures, because of health or other issues, so enjoy laughter and fun, and share your love with others while you can.

Happy Mother's day

2011-05-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

This is a favorite picture of my Mother.

It will be four years come September since you left us, we miss you very much.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS

A little humor to brighten your day

2011-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

JANE SEABROOK is an illustrator and designer who lives in Auckland , New Zealand . In recent years, her artwork has focused on paintings of wildlife for the Fury Logic series of books. She shares her life with her husband, two teenage children, and a growing menagerie of assorted animals.

Oh! my gosh, did you see those hats?

2011-04-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yes I know the Brits are rather fond of hats, but goodness, there is a limit. I cant' believe that some of the hats worn at the Royal wedding were reported as the best. Even though I have
British/Irish/Scottish blood flowing through my veins, I would not bee seen dead wearing some of those creations. Can you imagine little 5 foot nothing me, wearing something the size of a beach umbrella, and looking decidedly less attractive, or a hat defying gravity perched over my brow, probably anchored in my hair by a dozen bobby pins. Jeez!
How about the one worn by Princess Beatrice, some sort of bow thingie creation worn on her forehead, it will be the buss of the town for weeks, as will be many of the others.

OMG is it really, where are my sun glasses? I am blinded. I do believe the sun is showing it's face.

2011-04-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Spring seems to be coming and going here in the Pacific Northwest. We have had snow, hail, copious amounts of rain, and as yet, not a whole lot of sun.
I had planned to spend Saturday out in the garden, but the rain drumming on our roof in the wee early hours of the morning put a stop to that idea, although we did get a short break in the afternoon. I took advantage of the break to run out to the veggie garden to sow some parsnip seeds, cover them with some row cover fabric to prevent them washing away, and get back indoors before the next downpour.
Perhaps the sun may shine a little today, so I can pull some of the weeds which are taking over my flower beds.
Yesterday we were in Puyallup at a shooting match, and enjoyed the sun on our faces for practically the whole day. Oh! what a treat to feel the warmth instead of the usual shivering and shaking as we wait for our turn to compete. I shot fairly well, and I know it is partly to do with being relaxed, due to being warm instead of having fingers and a body stiff from being cold. I will know better when I see our scores, which should be in a day or so.

Inner Peace:

2011-04-16T01:18:00.000-07:00

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

Then you probably are,

THE FAMILY DOG !

Spring has arrived

2011-04-15T08:04:00.001-07:00

A little humor to brighten your day

2011-04-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

A tour bus driver drives with a bus full of seniors down a highway, when a little old lady taps him on his shoulder. She offers him a handful of almonds, which he gratefully munches up.

After approx.15 minutes, she taps him on his shoulder again and she hands him another handful of almonds. She repeats this gesture about eight times.

At the ninth time he asks the little old lady why they don't eat the almonds themselves, whereupon she replies that it is not possible because of their old teeth, they are not able to chew them. "Why do you buy them then?" he asks puzzled. Whereupon the old lady Answers, "We just love the chocolate around them."

Me too

2011-03-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

At last, I have a shooting sister

2011-03-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Not to say anything bad about going to a shoot and having your partner/spouse as a shooting buddy, but from a woman's perspective, it is nice to have a female friend along.
Jeanette's husband has been shooting for many years and now that she has retired, Jeanette has the time to enjoy the sport along side her sweetheart.
Yesterday Sunday, Mr C and I were up very early ( I woke up at 4am, groan, and could not get back to sleep) so we could catch the ferry at 6:35 am to take us across to the mainland for the drive to Puyallup . The ferry ride is usually about a 20 minute ride across to Mukilteo but the dock there was closed over the weekend for repairs, so we docked instead at Kingston, a 50 minute ferry ride.

This was just the second time Jeanette has competed in a match, and I must say she did very well indeed. All the practice she has put in certainly shows, as she is a very accurate shooter and will gain speed as time goes by. I know she was nervous, but we all are when we first start out, and still are at times.

The stages at this particular match were a challenge indeed. Some called for concentration and accuracy instead of all out speed. This stage had three small steel white plates in front of a large black one, and on the other side, three small red ones in front of a large white one, and waaay back, in the center, a very small white plate, called the penalty plate.. You can just see it above Jeanette's shoulder. Here is where the concentration and accuracy played a part.
The object was to not hit any of the white plates, if you did, you could take a shot at the penalty plate, and if you struck it, the penalty for hitting one of the white ones, was canceled out.
On one string, I missed one of the red plates, muttered "oh crap" sent up a nano second prayer for accuracy, gritted my teeth and sent a round down range at the small penalty plate. Whoo hoo! I hit it, whew! it would have cost me a 5 second penalty if I missed.
Jeanette also had to take a shot at the penalty plate, and she also manage to save herself from a five second penalty by striking it.
All in all we had a great day, even though it turned out to be an unusually long match due to many shooters showing up, some shooting more than one gun, then after the match, seven of us went to the Hanger restaurant for dinner, and of course sat around talking. Mr C and I left Puyallup at 7:20 pm and instead of taking the chance of a long wait for the ferry, decided to drive back to the island via deception pass.
We arrived home at 11:25pm I was in bed by 11;36pm and thought I would get a peaceful nights rest. Jeez! my mind would not shut down, so today I feel like a zombie, thank goodness I have just one two hour shift at work.

A sight for sore eyes

2011-03-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

From our house, we look across at the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsular WA. This morning they were spectacular in their beauty.

We never grow tired of seeing the mountains, covered in snow, or gilded in lovely sunset colors.

Thursday humor

2011-03-17T01:46:00.000-07:00

The teacher said; “Take a pencil and paper, and write an essay with the title ‘If I Were a Millionaire.’” Everyone but Joe, who leaned back with arms folded, began to write feverishly.

“What’s the matter,” the teacher asked. “Why don’t you begin?”

“I’m waiting for my secretary,” Joe replied.

Awwww you are so cute

2011-03-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I simply don't have a whole lot to blog about, especially during the winter months when I am not venturing far from home. I have decided, for your entertainment, to post pictures from the extensive collection of photos I have taken during the past years.

Here is the cheeky little semi-tame black bunny, who decided to rest on top of a potted fern. Of course I shooed it off, and moved the pot away from the other pots, so the rabbit did not have something to jump up on to enable it to climb onto the potted fern. This little rabbit is very friendly and will come hopping up to me as soon as I open the front door. Naturally I nearly always have a treat for "black Bunny" Mr C and I are of the opinion, that years ago, some kids in the neighborhood had domestic pet rabbits, and when they no longer wanted to care for them, or had too many babies to look after, they released the rabbits into the wild, and they have bred with the local cottontails. Now we have golden, brown, gray, and a couple of black rabbits of cottontail and domestic heritage, happily living in the neighborhood.

2011-03-11T07:05:00.000-08:00

Pray for the people of Japan.

Fast and furious

2011-02-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

I checked the weather radar off and on all morning, watching the approaching storm trying to gauge when it will hit this part of the island. I had a very good reason for doing so, as I had a client to visit at 3pm. and did not want to be caught on the roads in the snow storm. At 1pm, I called the office and had them call my client to see if it would be all right with her to come and take care of things at 1:30pm, it was so off I drove.
I worked at breakneck speed all the time glancing out the window at the gathering clouds. By 3:30pm I had done everything I had planned on, like meals being prepared and left in the refrigerator to be easily re-heated, and wood brought upstairs to feed their wood stove.
At 3:35 the first of the hail started to fall and by 3:45 I was on the road driving through wind whipped hail on my way home. I was very happy to turn into our driveway, pull up under the carport and go inside the nice warm house. Around 5pm it started to snow, and it came down very fast. The wind was driving the snow sideways and about 1 1/2 inches accumulated in just about half an hour.
If the forecast is right on, then we are to have plenty of snow this evening, then freezing temperatures Thursday and Friday. I don't have to work tomorrow but do on Friday, but if the roads are slick, I intend of staying off them.

We are being dumped on

2011-02-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

11:49 Update: look what we have now. I elected to stay home and not drive on the slippery roads. There have been accidents reported, and I don't intend to add to the count.

8:46 am It started out with a very heavy rain, then turned to snow, changed to hail and now it is a mix, all blown by a very stiff wind.
I have to be at work at 10 am, so I am hoping this has blown over by then, as the roads could be a little slick.

A NURSE'S HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCE

2011-02-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

I was sent this via an email, and thought it very worthwhile posting. How many of us women know what to expect?
I recommend that you ladies read this for your own benefit and you men so that you can advise your wife or girl friend.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD READ THIS . . .
A NURSE'S HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCE

I am an ER nurse and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard.

FEMALE HEART ATTACKS

I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read.

Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction). Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack .. You know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies.

Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.

'I had a heart attack at about 10 :30 PM with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, 'A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up.

A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable.
You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.

After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasms), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR).

This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. 'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening -- we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we?

I said aloud to myself and the cat, Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!

I lowered the foot rest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else ...
But, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment.

I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics ... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts..

She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to un-bolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.

I unlocked the door and then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the radiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery.

'I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stints.
'Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand.'

1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body not the usual men's symptoms but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act).
It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up ... which doesn't happen.

My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before.
It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2. Note that I said 'Call the Paramedics.' And if you can take an aspirin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you are a hazard to others on the road.

Do NOT have your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road.

Do NOT call your doctor -- he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics..
He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP.
Your Dr. will be notified later.

3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure).
MI's are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in thebody, which
dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there.

Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep.
Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive..

Wednesday humor

2011-02-09T13:14:00.000-08:00

One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost.. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old German Shepherd thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep doo-doo now!"

Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly,

"Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.

"Whew!," says the panther, "That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.

The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that
conniving canine!"

Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?," but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd says...

"Where's that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!"

Moral of this story...

Don't mess with the old dogs... Age and skill will always overcome youth and treachery!
BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

You know you have had enough of winter when.......

2011-02-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

A chuckle to brighten your day

2011-01-31T08:58:00.000-08:00

There were two buddies, one with a Doberman Pinscher and the other with a Chihuahua. The guy with the Doberman Pinscher says to his friend, "Let's go over to that restaurant and get something to eat."

The guy with the Chihuahua says, "We can't go in there. We've got dogs with us."

The buddy with the Doberman Pinscher says, "Just follow my lead."

They walk over to the restaurant, the guy with the Doberman Pinscher puts on a pair of dark glasses and he starts to walk in. The bouncer at the door says, "Sorry, Mac, no pets allowed."

The man with the Doberman Pinscher says, "You don't understand. This is my seeing-eye-dog."

The bouncer says, "A Doberman Pinscher?"

He answers, "Yes, they're using them now; they're very good and protect me from robbers, too."

The man at the door says, "Come on in."

The buddy with the Chihuahua figures, "What the heck," so he puts on a pair of dark glasses and starts to walk in.

Once again the bouncer says, "Sorry, pal, no pets allowed."

The guy with the Chihuahua says, "You don't understand. This is my seeing-eye dog."

The bouncer at the door says, "A Chihuahua?"

The man with the Chihuahua says, "A Chihuahua?????? They gave me a Chihuahua?!"

Not much going on right now

2011-01-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I am tardy in my blogging, but when a person hasn't been anywhere, or done anything exciting, there really isn't much to say.
I could rant about having to have repairs done to my car, and whine about how I really do need a new one, and how much I would love to take a trip back to my homeland, and how now would be the time to win the lotto so I could afford a new car, a trip or two, and could retire, but I won't rant right now *grin*
Mr C has a saying " I guess we just have to be good lookin' instead of rich" hmmmm! I think I would like to try rich for a while. At least the sun is making an effort to shine today, brightening up the day, and my grumpy mood.
Yesterday I checked out the movie section at the small local library, and discovered DVD's of BBC Masterpiece theatre, I rented one and started watching it last night. Being born and raised in New Zealand, I am familiar with BBC productions on the telly (TV) and this particular DVD brought back all the memories of series I used to watch many years ago. I hadn't realized how much I miss the British shows, so I intend on making another trip to the library to see how many more of these types of DVD's they have for my entertainment.

Roast vegetables

2011-01-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

About 1-1/2 cups each of yellow squash, onion, carrot, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, all thinly sliced or broken into small florets, tossed into a plastic baggie with Mrs Dash Southwest Chipotle seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss all around in the baggie until well coated then pour onto a foil lined baking dish and bake.

I use my small counter top convection oven, and cook the veggies at 400 F until they are just tender crisp, as I will reheat them in the microwave later on. There are less than 100 calories per one cup serving of these very tasty vegetables.

We are ready for Spring

2011-01-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Here in western WA we have had some nasty weather. Yesterday they were forecasting for lots of snow starting around 4 to 5pm, well it didn't hit in some places until about two hours later. I changed my hours of work so I could drive home at 5pm with the idea that I can see the snowy roads better in daylight. Well, I was lucky to be able to get home on bare roads, get settled in and wait to see when the snow will arrive.
I went to bed around 9 pm, and still no snow, I got up at 11pm and looked out the window to a beautiful sight of a yard blanketed in soft fluffy snow.
Sometime early this morning, it started to rain and some of the now melted, the rain stopped and the wind came up so there is still quite a lot of snow around our place to melt away. I know that by the time I drive the main highway later this afternoon, the roads will be clear of this mess. Across the pond, in the Seattle area, they are having to drive very slushy freeway, and icy, slushy side roads. We will all be thankful when Winter leaves us, and spring arrives on our doorstep.

2011-01-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

My kind of Saturday afternoon

2011-01-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

I spent the morning doing my chores, then this afternoon I brought firewood inside and lit the fire.
Mr C was away for the afternoon so I decided to spend the hours in front of the crackling fire reading. I made a pot of my favorite tea placed it on a tray and took it into the living room to sip on while reading. What a perfectly wonderful way to spend one's day when it is too cold and wet outdoors to do anything.

Salad for dinner

2011-01-05T14:11:00.000-08:00

Now that I am counting calories, I have decided to eat 'light' for my evening meals. This salad consists of black rice, avocado, apple, tomato, green onion, and Annie's fat free mango dressing. I also grind plenty of black pepper into the salad.
As I am a sweet tooth, I need dessert, so I satisfy my cravings with a Dreyer's frozen fruit bar.
All this for 341 calories

Enough already!

2011-01-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

My goodness, I don't know what came over me! Early last year I did a good job of tracking my daily calories via My Fitness Pal and managed to drop some pounds, then I just stopped making the effort and paid for it by gaining the weight back.
Of course it didn't help that I had three falls this last year, and was, and still am, in pain quite often. Today I go in for ex rays to see if we can track down the source of my discomfort.
January the 3rd I decided I have had enough of feeling sorry for myself, being depressed about my weight gain, and eating more to console myself, and went back to tracking my calories, and what a difference in my attitude. I think it all comes down to being accountable, as I record my progress on Fitness Pal for all to see, and who wants to fail, when people are watching *grin*
I really like My Fitness Pal as it is free and there is a great community of support. If you are interested in losing a few or many pounds, stop by My Fitness Pal and check out their site.

First sunset of 2011

2011-01-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful way to end the first day of 2011

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T19:17:00.001-08:00

Cool stuff and thought for the day

2010-12-29T01:52:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
One of the life's mysteries is how a two pound box of candy can make a person gain five pounds.

2010-12-24T14:54:00.001-08:00

A wonderful Christmas story

2010-12-23T01:23:00.000-08:00

This is what a country Christmas is all about...

"Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"

"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked.

"Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"
"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up."

I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you; I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life."

Cool stuff and thought for the day

2010-12-22T01:48:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
Benjamin Franklin

Cool stuff and thought for the day

2010-12-15T01:43:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness. - John Keats

Christmas chuckle

2010-12-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

Cool stuff and thought for the day

2010-12-08T01:38:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
A well-spent day brings happy sleep. - Leonardo da Vinci

Christmas trees are decorated.

2010-12-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

This year we have two trees The one below, and a smaller one which holds mostly vintage decorations. I still have boxes of decorations downstairs, but it definitely would be overkill if I put them all on the tree. I suppose you could say I am a little obsessed with decorations. *grin*

Turn on your sound and you can hear a little of some of the music I like to listen to while relaxing and sipping a glass of wine, while watching the tree slowly turn showing all the decorations.

Cool stuff and thought for the day

2010-12-01T01:33:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?

She's back, but will the Turkey Lady live to see another day

2010-11-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving blessings to one and all

2010-11-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

As a Kiwi living in USA, I sure do enjoy the tradition of Thanksgiving. Not only all the delicious food, but a time to stop and really consider what we are thankful for. I am thankful for many, many things and will reflect upon them today as I go about fixing a traditional dinner for my honey and I.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers, family and friends.

Cool stuff and thought for the day

2010-11-24T01:31:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like.

Tuesday chuckle

2010-11-23T09:46:00.001-08:00

Thank you for thinking about us

2010-11-22T12:08:00.000-08:00

We really appreciate the food on this cold day.

So many yummy seeds to choose from.

Just love this suet.

My toes are cold!

TGIF

2010-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

Whew! thank goodness the weekend is nearly here. I have had a long busy week at work and am still not feeling up to par, so a couple of days rest will be nice.

The forecast is for rather cold temperatures coming up, so we have to be prepared. Have to put insulators over the outside faucets, make sure any plants which can't take the cold are protected, and bring in some firewood so I can sit by the fire and read.

I may get a few things for Thanksgiving prepared as I will be working right up 'till the day before, and I hate rushing about on the day, trying to get it all done. Kinda' takes some of the fun out of Thanksgiving when you are too tired to enjoy it.

Cool stuff and Thought for the day

2010-11-17T01:25:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:

Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric. Bertrand Russell

Cool stuff and Thought for the day

2010-11-10T02:20:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day:
If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

Asian chicken noodle soup

2010-11-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

1 tsp. vegetable oil
3 tsp. grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, grated
3 T soy sauce
1 tsp. granulated sugar
4 cups chicken stock
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
2 heads baby bok choy, thinly sliced, green and stalks separated
1 cup cooked chicken meat, shredded
dash of rice wine vinegar
4 eggs
1/2lb angel hair pasta, cooked rinsed and tossed with sesame oil
sliced scallion and red pepper flakes for garnish

1. Heat oil in a medium soup pot. add ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant. Add soy sauce, sugar, chicken stock, sesame oil and bok choy stalks.Simmer 5 minutes. Add chicken and bok choy greens. Simmer until chicken is heated through and bok choy is bright green.
2. bring a wide shallow pan of water to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer. Add a dash of rice wine vinegar. Crack one egg at a time into a small dish and gently slide each one into the simmering water. Gently poach until whites are done and yolks are still runny. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a plate.
3. Divide noodles between 4 bowls, creating a nest like pile in the center of each bowl. Ladle the soup into the bowls, and top with a poached egg. Garnish with chopped scallions and red pepper flakes.

I made just half of the recipe for myself, poached the egg until the yolk was a little firmer, as that is the way I like my eggs, and enjoyed the soup for my dinner. I will have the other half for tomorrow's lunch, minus the egg. It's not that I don't like the egg, it is just that I watch how many I consume in a week. Besides, the soup is just as tasty without an egg on top.
I really enjoyed the second bowl of soup for my dinner last night, as I am feeling somewhat puny with this viral infection I have, and have lost my appetite. The red pepper flakes kicks the dish up a notch making it very tasty.

Ruger in Prescott Arizona

2010-11-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

On Thursday during our stay in Prescott AZ we were very fortunate to be able to tour the Ruger factory where some very nice firearms are being manufactured. Just a little information about the facility: it is located adjacent to the Prescott Airport and does not conduct tours for visitors, but at out annual Gun Blogger Rendezvous, we happened to mention to Lori Petoske, marketing support coordinator for the company, that we would be in Prescott in October, where their manufacturing facility was located, and how much we would like to be able to visit and look around. Lori spoke to the right people, and voila! we were able to take the tour.

There was a fairly stiff breeze blowing, but I did manage to get a photo of the flags on the front of the building before the wind whipped them into a crumpled mass.

This bronze sculpture of a cowboy sits in front of the Prescott, Arizona manufacturing facility of Sturm Ruger.

The inscription on the plaque at the base of the statue reads,

“An Honest Days Work”
by Fred Fellows.

In the vast reaches of the American West
the work ethic still exists.
The man who makes his living on horses
that are bound to buck, earns his pay.
A good hand is loyal to his outfit, meets a challenge,
and takes pride in an honest days work.

The factory is huge, this is just a very small area of the facility.

This gentleman very kindly allowed me to take his picture. As you can guess, our visit was just before Halloween and he was celebrating in his own way, by wearing this very stylish witch's hat *grin*
Something I noticed as we walked by the workers, is the pride they take in their work. A couple of the guys were only too happy to show us the parts they were working on, and I could clearly see the pride shining in their eyes. I think Mr Ruger, (since passed away) who bought the cowboy sculpture to grace the area in front of his facility, felt the cowboy creed and work ethic of A good hand is loyal to his outfit, meets a challenge, and takes pride in an honest days work. is just as important today as it was yesteryear.

As we were guided around the factory by Jim Elliott, Plant manager, he explained how the system of manufacturing parts was undergoing a revamp. Formerly a particular part, say for instance, the barrel of a gun, starting out as a solid piece of metal, went to the first machine, where it was worked on, placed in a wire basket then sat around until it went on to the next machine. Now the whole way of manufacturing a specific part has been, and is still undergoing re-organization of the machines so they are all in lines. This means the barrel, which starts out as a solid piece of metal, goes to the first lathe/milling machine goes through the first process, then is passed to a worker on the next machine, and so on down the line, until the finished product comes off the end of the line. This is a very efficient use of floor space, and means there are no baskets of parts sitting around all over the facility for days, waiting to go to the next stage to be worked on.

This was the next to last place we visited. This is where every weapon which is now fully assembled, is put through it's paces. About five rounds are shot through every gun so as to find any possible problems in it's performance, and if one is discovered then there are baskets of new parts to be installed before the problem gun is once again tested. The final action before the weapon is sent on, is one more round is fired, the casing placed in a small envelope which is put with the gun, so the buyer of that particular weapon knows it has been thoroughly tested.
From here the tested weapons go right next door, where they are boxed and made ready for distribution.

This was a very interesting tour of the Ruger plant, and I am sure you, the women readers of Keewee's Corner, are asking "what on earth do you find interesting about a factory which manufactures guns?" Well, my answer is this, as far back as I remember, I have always been fascinated by what makes things tick, so to speak. Watching the lathe and milling machines performing their very accurate machining, then seeing the end result, was very interesting, and of course, being a pistol shooter, it was great to see what goes in to making a gun.

My thanks goes to Lori Petoske, who helped to make the tour happen, and to Jim Elliott, plant manager, who took time from his busy schedule, to show us around and explain how the facility functions.

HERE is Mr C's blogpost on our visit to Ruger

Back from our mini vacation to AZ

2010-11-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Prescott Arizona, late in the day on Wednesday October 27th, to a sky tinted rosy by the setting sun. It was starting to cool off from the 70 degree day we had been enjoying while driving from Phoenix where we flew into and picked out, yes that is right, we had three SUV's to choose from at the vehicle rental agency. We chose a nice silver grey Jeep, which was fairly comfortable, considering it was a 4 wheel drive vehicle, also designed for off road driving.

I loved the beautiful blue sky which greeted us every day. during our five day stay.

After checking into our room at the Best Western Prescottonian, we decided to eat dinner at the on premises, Mexican restaurant, Casa Bonita. When we stepped inside the door, we were greeted with a profusion of gorgeous bright colors. The back of all the chairs had been hand carved and painted in a riot of color. I can imagine what a delight this would have been to a young child, knowing how much they love the brightness of primary colors.

This wall mural was on the wall right above the booth we sat at.
It was difficult to choose from the extensive menu, but I finally settled on chicken fajitas. When the meal arrived my eyes nearly popped out of my head. First came a plate with all the fixin's including a small ramekin with delicious savory beans, and then arrived the plate of sizzling chicken, onion and bell peppers, and the warm fajitas. Oh my! how was I going to eat all that. I did not even manage to chow my way through half of it. I had them box up the rest, and took it back to place in the refrigerator in our room. Sadly the leftovers were tossed out, as every morning we ate a very hearty breakfast at the free buffet which was included in our room rate, then we used to eat out on they way back to the motel after a days outing. Sheesh! my jeans are tight, must of shrunk in the wash or something *chuckle*

Cool stuff, and Thought for the day

2010-11-03T02:52:00.000-07:00

Thought for the day:
People only see what they are prepared to see.

Some R&R before winter settles in

2010-10-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Prescott Arizona yesterday afternoon. We are here to shoot in the Arizona State Steel Challenge on Saturday. Today we ran out to the range to check it over, and learned that a small 5 stage match was going to be held, so we came back to town to buy some ammo to shoot the match. It was a fun match and afterwards we came back to town, ate rather well at A Golden Corral buffet and we are now resting in our motel. Neither of us slept well last night so we are tired.
Tomorrow we have a tour of the Ruger factory, then plan to do a little sightseeing in the afternoon. I want to got to the Gateway mall where I worked a number of years ago. I know at least two of my friends still work there so it would be nice to see them again. I will have photos and a report after we get home on Monday.

Cool Stuff, and thought for the day

2010-10-27T02:43:00.000-07:00

Thought for the day:

Only by going too far can one possibly find out how far one can go.

Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

2010-10-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

I have driven across the top of the Hover Dam in Colorado on journeys to and from Arizona a few times, and I must say it was a rather um! interesting drive. The road is very narrow with some rather tight curves to navigate, especially if a semi-truck, large RV or some other vehicle was coming from the opposite direction.
Although the view is stunning, what you could see of it while trying to keep your eyes on the road ahead, you can now bypass the view from the top of the Hoover dam, by driving an alternative route across the newly constructed Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
The Federal Highway Administration, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), officially opened the new segment of US 93, formally known as the Hoover Dam Bypass. Traffic began flowing on Tuesday night, October 19, 2010. Click HERE for more interesting information.

The new Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Spans the Colorado river's Black canyon, with the Hoover dam with it's narrow winding road leading up to, across and over the other side just 1500 feet away.

What an amazing feat of engineering construction, and a beautiful work of art to boot.

Most arch bridges are cast elsewhere, but this one was built here, 900 feet above the river.

The cost of the project was $240 million, took five years to construct by about 1500 workers.

An absolutely fabulous sight.