Happy Valentine's Day

My friend Mary Ellen snapped this wonderful picture last week up in Vancouver - she didn't see the heart in the icy water until she got back home and downloaded her pictures.  What a wonderful gift from Mother Nature.  

By the way, Mary Ellen writes two newsletters - you can read them on FaceBook - or get them delivered to your email inbox  - no matter how busy I am, I always stop to read what she sends.  

Follow Pet Tips 'n' Tales - always a happy ending
https://www.facebook.com/PetTipsandTales

 

Follow Angel Scribe - always something good to think about
https://www.facebook.com/AngelScribe1111

 

Do you like Valentine's day?  When I was a kid, it seemed like I would always get those Valentines with a hippo or an elephant on them :-(     

 

It is Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Do something nice for someone, it will make you smile.  

Gracie's romp in the snow

 Hello effury body and effury kitty - 

I've been spending a whole lotta time on the foot of Mummy's bed - I really like having her home all day long - she just lets me be and is always there for me to give a snuggle to.

This snow was all the way up to the bottom of my skirts.  Yikes!












 Now what do I do? 

The Shepherd said that he could see everywhere that Gracie went out side - one place was into the bamboo.  We figure she was looking for burdies in there. 

A couple more wintery pictures

 This maple looks like it's been dipped in plastic.  All told, we were snowed or iced in for a full week.  First time that's happened in years.  And we didn't really get as much snow as we've had in the past, but it would snow, then rain, so everything was like a skating rink

I like the ice hanging off the bell. 

Ever the optimist, before our witch hazel got hammered by the northeaster last week.  

And then it really started to snow.

Gracie was going outside, but it was snowing so hard, you can see her skid marks as she ran back into the house...

The Shepherd worked tirelessly to keep a clear path between the house and the barn.

"Hey, you - make it stop snowing.  My water is frozen"

Jefferson and Buddy didn't think much of the snow. 

The ice storm nearly broke the limbs off our Cedrus deodara

But once it warmed up "a little" The Shepherd
was able to knock some of the ice off.  Luckily it didn't damage the branches.

After this one last hurrah, where we got another 3 or 4 inches of snow, the wind switched from north to south, and the temps just climbed about a degree an hour from mid 20's to almost 45 degrees in about 24 hours.  The snow just seemed to disappear almost over night. 

Thank goodness! 

An Ice Day

Well, we've taken a page out of the Portland weather book today.  Ice every where and as you can see , our river birch is caressing my car, which looks like it is beginning to lose its ice cube look .. must be warming up a little.  No difference to me,  I'm not going anywhere today.  Got this good book on my Kindle and maybe some popcorn and hot chocolate...

Snow day

I should say. another snow day.  This is getting old. 

Live is good...

Actually, live is great.  What a fantastic band.  All very talented musicians.  Big smile on my face tonight!

Pre-show reception

As a member of the theater we get a pass to a pre show reception.  Many times you get the drummer or a road manager.  Whoa. Jesse Cook did his own talking.  Fascinating man and very funny too.  Really looking forward too his music.   Check out his web site to hear some of his tunes!

Concert at the Mt. Baker

We're at the Mt. Baker Theater tonight to see one of our favorite musicians, Jesse Cook.  Flamenco and World Music.  If you ever get a chance to hear him don't miss it!!

Yes, Women's Rights ARE Human Rights

Today was, I hope, a pivotal day for America, and the world.  Nearly 5 million people world wide marched in solidarity - not to protest the new administration, but to remind it that Women's Rights are Human Rights, "regardless of a woman’s race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, sexual identity, gender expression, economic status, age or disability"

Human Rights should come first, not greed, not bullying,

Inspired by the Women's March on Washington there were almost 700 "Sister Marches" all around the US and around the world  (VISIT: SISTER MARCHES here)

The city of Bellingham, that The Shepherd & I call home had a march today. - I saw one report that there was an estimated 5000 people there. 

 

  You can see from this picture (sent to me by a friend from church, thanks Sonja) how big the crowds were.  

Sadly, I did not feel that I was physically up to the challenge to go - The Shepherd said - "Well we could have gotten you a wheel chair" - and "Who would have pushed it", I asked? 

So I lived vicariously through my church friends - This is our God-daughter and her mom.  (and many thanks to Margot for these two pictures)

Our Minister, Rev. Amy, with another group of our members.  I am looking forward to hearing all about it tomorrow at church! 

 Meanwhile, on the "other side of the State" - my older sister lives in YAKIMA, WA.  It is, to say the least, a "conservative" area, but she and several other members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Yakima, encouraged and inspired by the other marches that were being planned all around the US began planning their own.  They had imagined that they might get between 250-400 people - They got over 1000!  My sister was beyond thrilled.  (That is her just to the right of the banner, carrying the bright pink sign - "1972, An original Ms.")




 The march ended up at their church which is in downtown Yakima.

Blessings on all those who have spend the past couple of months, planning and working (and knitting those crazy pink Pussy-Hats).

May you sleep well tonight, safe in the knowledge that a new day has dawned, and it looks like it's going to be a good one. 

Happy birthday to me

I became a Medicare patient today.  Well, not actually a patient, but 65 years ago today, my grandma wrote in her daily diary that they got 35 eggs and Glennie  (my mom) had given birth to a baby girl.  That was it...not even a line on how cute I was or anything.  65...who'd a thought.

Friends took me to lunch yesterday and my BFF and I went to Applebee's for lunch today.  I have coupons for free tacos and free pizza, plus two free dinners in my email in box.  Finally pays to get old.  Ha ha

Pretty pictures from Hawaii

No, I'm not in Hawaii, but my sister is and she sent me this stunning picture of a hibiscus yesterday.  She also said it was 80 degrees.   Sigh.

Sunny Saturday

Our mountain, she is enjoying this cold weather.  I am so ready for spring, and it's a long ways off yet. 

Swans!!

This is the time of year when the swans come through on migration. We were on our way home from getting groceries and The Shepherd had seen them in this field the day before so he took a chance that they would still be there.   This is the closest I've ever seen them.   They are so beautiful.  .

Find a penny..

Leave a penny.

My sister finds coins - everywhere. Nickles, dimes   but mostly pennies.  We call them Angel Pennies, from her spiritual cheerleaders. 

And she leaves coins for others to find...good karma we decided.  I keep telling her that she needs to start buying Lottery tickets. 

This penny was on the ground by my car at home.  Don't know how it got there, I'm pretty careful with my pennies - maybe I have spiritual cheerleaders too.

Hope you have a safe and happy new year! 

Catermonday report

Gracie here today with a little report for you. 

Well it snowed a WHOLE lot last night.  Clear up to my elbows!!!  So, I'm just hanging out with mummy in bed (she keeps making noises about getting up but I don't see any movement there). Ha ha...

I think it has stopped snowing though and The Shepherd has gone out to check on the sheepies. Mummy says it is supposed to stay cold for a week in the high 20s (what ever that means) brrrr. Maybe I'll figure out how that box of sand works...

Snow day

 I didn't realize it had been such a long time since I posted - Holy cow, Thanksgiving?  Part of the issue is that I've gone back to work - at the office.  4-5 hours a day - kicks my butt some days, but I'll get through it, sooner or later. 

It has snowed the last couple days here.  Self imposed exile here.  Can't afford another fall.  Ever...

Thanksgiving dessert

We're at our friend Nancy's home for Thanksgiving dinner.  I brought creamed corn and pies for dessert.  I made this apple tart this morning trying  those apple roses that you can find on Pinterest.  I think with a little practice I could make them even better.  It makes a fun looking dessert. 

A butterkin pie

Here's the pie I baked yesterday afternoon.  I'm not sure why the crust looks so yellow - must have been from the lighting.  It was OK...pumpkin pie is not exactly my favorite...but the shepherd liked it and that was what counts. 

The view from here

Cloudy and grey here today.  Just finished making a butterkin pie. Butterkins are a cross between pie pumpkins and butternut squash.
(I roasted the left over chunks of the one I used to make a casserole of pork, apples, squash and sweet onion last nights get. It was tasty!). Anyhow -   They have a very similar taste to pumpkin. (Actually the canned "pumpkin" you get in the store is more than likely a hybrid squash as well). If you have never made pumpkin pie from the real deal you are missing something delicious.  And chances are you'll never go back to the canned stuff...I'll take a picture when it comes out of the oven. :--)

What the heck?

OK, it's the 8th of NOVEMBER already - and it is voting day (yes, I dropped my ballot off at the courthouse yesterday :-) )  And it is 72 degrees out!!!!

It is absolutely beautiful out - and the sun actually feels warm - not like that watery cold feeling sun of most Novembers.  Holy cow.  I have a feeling that we are breaking a few temperature records today!  Think I'll go get the sunscreen and sit on the porch - ha ha ha...

Signs of fall

Ah, daylight savings time.  Dark so early!!  I don't do well with darkness anyhow, none of the little solar lights I got from Amazon.com work but what has worked is the roll of "glow in the dark" duck tape that I got. I put it on the feet of my walker, it's on the edges of our bed , door jams so I can find them, etc.  It looks like a swarm of deranged fireflies in here at night.  Ha ha.  But it keeps me from barking my shins on things -whatever works, huh??

My nurse for the evening

I had my first PT appointment today.  Given my injuries he said that 6-10 weeks wouldn't be unusual for recovery back to pre-accident state.  Oh my. 

Gracie has appointed herself my nurse - it's amazing how heavy a 12 pound cat can feel when she is lying across your belly.  How could I be so lucky.  Ha ha

Look mummy, I brought you a get well present!!

Not to be outdone be my friend's flowers, I woke up to a little get well present from Ms Gracie.  At least it was all in one piece and dead...

Our power just came back on after being out for about 36 hours. I think that is about the longest we've had in the 22 years we have lived here.  It got down to 60 degrees over night. I decided I was better off than those living on the streets and heck, some people just keep their thermostat that low anyhow. So, no bitching out of me.  Well, maybe about that rat, ha ha ha.

My nurse caught napping

Not so much for constant supervision, Gracie is at least here most of the day.  Her favorite thing is to sleep on top of me which isn't real comfy for me. Although she does make for a good foot warmer as long as she doesn't attack my toes.

I was reading thru my "hospital" post and noticed I mentioned how cute the paramedics were but I didn't say how kind they were and get this,  one of them was named Captain Dessert. 

We are having bad storms here in the Pacific Northwest.  We lost our power last night at about 11:00.  Our church is installing a new minister tomorrow afternoon.  I think the "show will go on" as the worst of the storm is not supposed to hit until late in the evening.  I have been on the planning committee, but last night John and I  decided that I am not well enough to go. Darn it. 

Thanks again for all your good wishes. I think that this is going to be a long haul and you are keeping me from the dark side.  XOX

What a sweet thing for them to do

Friday afternoon a delivery service brought this pretty bouquet from my friends at my previous job. They did (and continue to) cheer me. What a sweet thing for them to do.

I'm continuing to improve, but it seems to be inch by inch. It's going to be a long process, I think. Thanks for all your kind thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them!! XOX




.

Spartan accomodations

Well, so sorry that I have left you all hanging...I finally got into a room at about ten o'clock.  A very small room with a bathroom down the hall, no door just a curtain.  But it was better than Hall Bed #5.  Ha ha.

It was a long day.

The CT scan they did showed no new damage but old breaks to three vertebra and it has been conjectured by more than one person that the fall may have aggravated them, hence why I couldn't walk. 

My stay was overnight and the PT guy released me to go home at about three o'clock or so..  There was some running around to get prescriptions etc. Got home at about five or so.  The Shepherd has been wonderful of course.  At this rate we're going back and forth on taking care of each other.

It is the end of the day on Saturday now.  It seems like I am more sore today than I was on Thursday,which was also predicted.  It is.about time to hit the sack. I'll write more.tomorrow.  blogging from my phone.so please excuse the errors. 

Like the Worst hotel room ever

You know when you get that room where the bathroom is right on the other side of the wall from your head???  Ha ha ha...

Hall bed #5...

So...on my way to the.car this.a.m. and I tripped, or kicked my cane out from under me or something, but all of a.sudden I'm flailing around and the next thing I know I'm flat on my back. My worst nightmare...or Help I've fallen and I can't get up...  Called 911and of course the dishy pAramedics arrive. They were able to get me up but I wasn't able to walk so that earned me a bumpy ride in the back of one of Whatcom County's finest ambulances.  Contacted The Shepherd and my sisters and my office...don't think I'll be there today.  That was at ten this a.m. and after determining that I'm still not able to walk they will be checking me in to chez St Joe's for the night. The Shepherd was here for a while and went home to feed Gracie and the sheep, and to have some dinner.   They are really busy here and I am currently in "hall bed #5". Wonder where the other hall bed people are...more later. 

More fall colors

More fall colors this time from the bonsai collection.  So pretty.

First day of fall

Oh my gosh. Summer is officially over.  It went by so very fast this year. Now it's Seahawk season.  Blue Friday and all that.  'Sept I don't work on Friday. So I guess I'll just dress in blue at home.  All dressed up and nowhere to go.  Ha ha.

Speaking of Seahawks - check out this little Seahawks Gnome.   This little fellow is part of a contest that we are having at work.  Danielle got him on Amazon.com - We have six of them and she is having to watch them like a hawk!  Everyone wants one.  Pretty cute, eh? 

All the lovely ladies

I had to drive to Sumner yesterday for a meeting.  About 125 miles one way.  The Shepherd has been laid up with pneumonia (yes, again!!) so he was in no shape to drive.  And he is normally my chauffeur.  But, I made it down and back. Thanks to Google Maps I only got lost once.  But I was glad to be back in home territory.  How's this for a greeting committee. 

Carrots anyone??

These carrots are from the Shepherd's beautiful garden. Some are white, some are golden, some have purple skins, but orange flesh.  I just realized that the white ones look kind of like bananas, don't they??  Nope. They are indeed carrots, and very tasty ones at that.  The Shepherd does raise good veggies.

Caturday Report

Mommy and I spend a lot of time looking out into space...looking for my brofur George.  We are heartbroken.  We think we see him in the shadows or coming across the field in the afternoon.  Mommy feels guilty that she didn't call him back in the house that last night.  Sigh. 

I think I'll go look out in the field again. 

Seahawks pancakes

The Hawks are playing tonight so of course I had to put some green and blue sprinkles in the pancakes. Ha ha.