Rachel and Pia's Cottage

Epiphany

2012-01-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

The Epiphany, per Wikipedia:

Western Christians commemorate principally

(but not solely) the visitation of the Biblical

Magi to the Baby Jesus.

I usually take down my tree and

outside lights the day after the Epiphany.

Any reason to prolong Christmas !

It is also the last day of

the 12 days of Christmas.

They finally arrive, although some

accounts say it could have taken

almost 2 years. Anyway, it is a

nice story.

Blessings to all !

I Love Lucy Dolls

2012-01-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share one of my Christmas gifts

from my step-mom......I Love Lucy Barbies.

I have a couple of these packed away and
can't remember which ones I have, but I
love these two! And since they are
dressed in pink I will keep them in my
office to enjoy. :o) Aren't they a hoot?
Of course this is one of the best
episodes in the history of television.
I feel like these two .....I have eaten so
much fudge the past 10 days......

These past 4 days have been quite interesting
and I have learned so much about human
nature and the internet (facebook). I do
feel a shift in my brain (good!) which is
something I had wanted a year ago and
couldn't achieve, but now it is here!
I don't think it was necessarily from my
experience on the internet (it has crept in
over time), but it has helped me
to deal with it.....not the same reactions
that would have been a year before.
I told Mike the other night, "but at the rate
I am going with my growth I'll have to live
to be 200 years old to enjoy any of my
progress" !

Here in fortune's fairy boat
Is a cargo, rich and rare;
Blisses! Kisses! Health and Wealth!
Yours shall be the lion's share.

I can't fully read the back of this postcard,
but they always give me a tickle because
most are like me and start "I intended to
write a long letter today, but...."
You can click on the image for a
larger view and see if you can make
out what is written.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The beginning is the most
important part of the work.
--- Plato
Boy, that is the truth for me:
Getting started is half done!

HAPPY 2012 TO ALL !!!

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

I got the image ! I have a few of these over

the years and was glad to get this one....

scrambled for my camera as Mike counted

down the last 35 seconds! I trust everyone

had a safe and fun night, filled with wonderful memories. We ended up staying home as

Mike was/is just getting over the flu.

But that is fine.

We ate, drank, had fun on facebook and

talked to family via skype.

I feel that 2012 will be a good year for

everyone, contrary to what others may say.

Another postcard from my collection.

This one is dated 1911.

The pansies open up to reveal the

following pages:

Lots of plans for the year. Always that way.

This year feels different. I hope I am right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In spite of illness, in spite

even of the archenemy sorrow,

one can remain alive long pass

the usual date of disintegration

if one is unafraid of change,

insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and

happy in small ways.

--- Edith Wharton

Happy New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T19:33:00.000-08:00

.....IS ALMOST UPON US HERE IN
THE UNITED STATES.

MANY BLESSINGS OF PERFECT
HEALTH, JOY, HAPPINESS

AND WEALTH IN 2012 !

Funny postcard from 1907

2011-12-30T22:40:00.000-08:00

Funny little postcard from 1907

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas weekend.

We did, but it went by too fast. We saw Mike's

folks and sister Terri Christmas eve and Christmas day and then spent Monday afternoon and had dinner with my Dad and family at Outback Steakhouse. I'll post a couple of pics of my nieces and nephew soon.

I just love those kids !

Mike has been sick since Tuesday. He never gets sick.

Last time he was like this was Xmas 1996! He is a bit bummed to be sick on his time off. So far, I am holding my own. We have been taking lots of different stuff including soup that I added fresh garlic to and boy, it is potent! Hopefully that will kill off any germs incubating in me and the rest in Mike! :o)

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

--- Benjamin Franklin

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

2011-12-24T21:26:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah to all my friends near and far !
Healthy, Happy and Wealthy wishes in 2012!

CAROL OF THE BELLS

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air
Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas

On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home
Ding, dong, ding, dong

From: http://www.lyricsmode.com/

Christmas bustle

2011-12-23T14:55:00.000-08:00

One of the Christmas trees

in town. This one is by the

Lakeport Museum.

Hope everyone is getting

their Holiday preparations

together all in good time.

I went out about noon and

it is amazing how many more

people are out and about

the couple of days before

Christmas. Seems like people

come out of the woodwork

for sure. :o)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KEEPING CHRISTMAS

by Henry Van Dyke

It is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere marking of times and seasons, when men agree to stop work and make merry together, is a wise and wholesome custom. It helps one to feel the supremacy of the common life over the individual life. It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then, by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time.
~~~~~
But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.
~~~~~
Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; to see that your fellowmen are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; to own that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life; to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness --- are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
~~~~~
Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts; to try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim you lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open---are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
~~~~~
Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world---stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death---and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas, and if you can keep it for a day, why not always?
But you can never keep it alone

Make me a child again for tonight.

2011-12-22T21:33:00.000-08:00

Found this at an antique store

yesterday. Love the sentiment.

Reminds me of the quote:

"Backward, turn backward

O Time, in your flight

make me a child again

just for tonight."

--- Elizabeth Akers Allen

Christmas Tree

2011-12-20T23:50:00.000-08:00

My, how the time has flown, but

it always does at this time of year.

You think you have plenty of time

to do all the things you want and

love to do and then, BAM! Christmas

is less than a week away. Here is

our Christmas tree and new electric

fireplace ! I got it at Kmart and wish

I had gotten one last year. We are

having so much fun with it. When

we get home Mike will say,

"I'll start a fire" and presses the button.

I hope our next home will have a

real fireplace. We do have a pellet

stove in my studio, but it isn't the

same as sitting in front of a real

fire. Don't you agree?

Our Nativity.

For the past 2 weeks we have had

robins visiting our yard late in the

afternoon. There appears to be

about 20 of them.

How many can you see in

this pic? Click for larger view.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of my favorite Christmas

songs ------

Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas look'd out

On the Feast of Stephen,

When the snow lay round about,

Deep and crisp, and even.

Brightly shone the moon that night,

Though the frost was cruel,

When a poor man came in sight,

Gath'ring winter fuel.

~~~~~

"Hither, page, and stand by me,

If thou know'st it; telling,

Yonder peasant, who is he?

Where and what his dwelling?"

"Sire, he lives a good league hence,

Underneath the mountain;

Right against the forest fence,

By Saint Agnes' fountain."

~~~~~

"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine,

Bring me pinelogs hither;

Thou and I will see him dine,

When we bear them thither."

Page and monarch forth they went,

Forth they went together;

Through the rude wind's wild lament,

And the bitter weather.

~~~~~

"Sire, the night is darker now,

And the wind blows stronger;

Fails my heart, I know now how,

I can go no longer."

"Mark my footsteps, my good page,

Tread thou in them boldly;

Thou shalt find the winter's rage,

Freeze thy bloodless coldly."

~~~~~

In his master's steps he trod,

Where the snow lay dinted;

Heat was in the very sod

Which the saint had printed.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure,

Wealth or rank possessing,

Ye who now will bless the poor,

Shall yourselves find blessing.

A Bit of Nature...barks and acorns.

2011-12-06T20:10:00.001-08:00

Oops...I forgot to post this lovely

photo from my sister-in-law Terri

last month! She and a girlfriend

went on a retreat and found these

beautiful pieces of nature and arranged

them in a bowl. Very pretty. :o)

Christmas time is here !

2011-12-04T21:40:00.001-08:00

I heard the bells on

Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth,

good-will to men!

--- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A postcard my Grandfather

received about 100 years ago.

I am finally getting the lights on

our Christmas tree! It has been

sitting for a week now, unadorned.

Do you have your Christmas tree

decorated with lots of lights and

ornaments? :o) I would love to see

photos of your tree! Just leave me

a comment so I can check it out.

Thank you.

I'll post pics of ours once I am done.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A ENCHANTING WEEK !

Thanksgiving Photos

2011-11-30T00:21:00.000-08:00

And lastly for November

a few photos from

Thanksgiving at my cousin

Cindy and her husband

Rey's home.

Chef Rey (who really

is a chef :o) checking

John Wayne facts.

The apron had an oven

mitt shaped like a gun.

Coco the dog, sweet boy

who is mostly blind and

deaf.

The boys - Mike, Greg, Rey,

Tyler and my Dad, Roy.

The girls - Chelsea, Peggy, Lori

& Cindy minus Aunt Jan & Linnea

Around the table. Everything

was so delicious! Rey made

a lovely brussel sprouts dish

with bacon and almonds. He

took all the leaves off their little

heads first and then sauteed them,

adding crispy bacon and toasted

almonds...yum!

My beautiful Goddaughter

Chelsea & I.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For man, autumn is a time

of harvest, of gathering

together. For nature, it

is a time of sowing, of

scattering abroad.

--- Edwin Way Teale

Colorful November Days and New Lambs too!

2011-11-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

Before December 1st rolls around, I

thought I would finish up with my November. :o)

A few photos of our yard in Autumn.

I just noticed today that the purple

tree below has lost all of it's leaves.

The photos don't quite capture

the lighting and brightness

of the trees and shrubs.

Mid-November front porch.

Fall pansies on the front porch.

Pistachio tree out front.

A brave little fuchsia that toughed

out a cold snap in mid-November

and still bloomed. But then, of

course, I cut it to bring inside!

A little lamb off Old Lakeville Road

between Novato and Petaluma.

We stop every year on our way

home from Mike's parents either

after Thanksgiving and/or Christmas,

just in time to see these

darling new-born creatures.

We love the way they jump

and scuttle about. I think I have

mentioned before that when we

lived in Fortuna 15 years ago, our

neighbors had about 12 sheep and

one year I got to hold a newborn

lamb. One of the greatest thrills in

my life! Its little head felt like

a head of cauliflower and had a
waxy feel to it. I'll never forget
how it felt. I have a hard copy
photo somewhere.

A set of dark-headed twins,

probably born within a day of this pic.

One is sitting close to mommy's

rump and the other is about 3 feet

to the right of mommy's head.

Click on photo for larger view.

New lambs with their mommies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will find new meaning

in every joy and sorrow.
In that silence I will hear

the voice of Spirit, and

freed from this world I

will see another order where

the end is another beginning.

--- Rumi

A few birthday presents

2011-11-27T23:51:00.000-08:00

My birthday was a couple of

weeks ago and I wanted to

share a few things I received...

From Mike...Gorgeous purple roses,

a shabby "mercury" glass vase

& a cute little bear, all delivered in a box.

The roses were hardy and

opened up perfectly.

A darling witch from my

friend Marie...love her!

Also from Mike...an original

watercolor, Pumpkin Mermaid, he

found on Ebay from

Camillion Creations .

Paul and Cheryl took me out for

dinner for the 5th year in a row,

as Mike was out of town.

Cheryl gave me this fabulous
tote/shopping bag with mermaids
and other nifty sea creatures...
I love it!
~~~~~~~~~~

Hope everyone had a wonderful

Thanksgiving weekend. Ours was

fun and we got to spend time with

both sides of the family. Mine

on Thanksgiving and Mike's folks

on Friday night....the four of us had

dinner at Benihana's ...always good!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God gave you a gift of

86,400 seconds today.

Have you used one to say

"thank you"?

--- William A. Ward

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

2011-11-24T00:04:00.000-08:00

In Everything,

Give Thanks.

1910 postcard

Click on postcard for larger view
and easier reading.

It's hard to believe it was a year

ago we went to Disneyland for

Thanksgiving. Here we are at

Steakhouse 55 located in the

Disneyland Hotel.

Out dinner reservation was at

8:45 pm, the earliest we could get

in and that was after I made

reservations 3 weeks in advance!

I have to say the food was just

so-so, but the decor was lovely as

you can see. Huge photos of classic

movie stars from the 1950's.

Around the table from left:

my stepmom Linnea, my

brother Anthony, my husband Mike,

my brother-in-law Herman, other side,

my sister Amanda who is holding

Princess #3, Princess #2

(who you can't see),

Prince #1 and Princess #1,

me and my Dad Roy.

This year we will see my

Dad and Linnea, but no siblings

or nieces or nephew. :o(

We'll have dinner at my cousins, so

I will see them, an Aunt and my

lovely Goddaughter and her brother

(my cousin and kinda nephew! :o)

The next day we will see my

wonderful in-laws and have

dinner at Benihana's...YUM!

From a postcard 100 years old

Postmarked 1911

May all who are reading

this have multiply blessings

of the above menu.

THANK YOU GOD!

Halloween before Thanksgiving !

2011-11-22T23:55:00.000-08:00

Oh yes, that is how it goes....

Halloween before Thanksgiving!

Oh my goodness, this month has

been crazy and a good learning

experience all the way around.

I am sorry I am showing

Halloween photos now, but

I really wanted to get these

posted before Thanksgiving. :o)

We had our Halloween Party

on October 29, 2011.

12 lovely people joined

us and I was pleased with

the results as I haven't

had a party in 9 years.

So much more to do at

our next one though. :o)

YOUR HOSTS.....

THE PHANTOM.....

MOST OF THE MENU .....

There was also Swamp Dip (hot spinach/artichoke dip), a cheese

& cracker tray and chips & salsa.

Several guests contributed to

the delicious spread...oh yes

we also got some Stone Crabs

(Warlock Fingers) from Florida

sent in! I didn't get a photo though.

Mike had eaten at Joe's Stone Crab

in Miami, Florida the week before

and loved them. I barely had one,

but it was good and fun to have.

THE GUESTS ......

THE "BAT" ROOM.....

This picture changed to an eerie
portrait when you looked at it
from a different angle.

This bathroom needs a new sink

so a bit of blood sets the mood!

If any vampires arrived,

we were covered....we even

had a silver bullet.

AFTER THE PARTY......

I wish I had taken some before

photos of the food table,

but I am lucky I got what I got.

A couple more the next day

The witch was an early birthday

gift from my dear friend and usual

partner in Halloween, Marie.

She was unable to attend that

night, but next year.......

I love how the candles melted.

We are looking forward to next

year's haunting as this year's

Martha Stewart Halloween

Special had more great ideas.

Getting Pumpkins, Corn Maze and Zinnias

2011-11-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to get my

pictures online as they are

taken, but here I am, late

again ! I am really working

on that. Anyway, I will regress

for a couple of days and show

pictures taken in October...

then onto November!

These were taken on October 7th,

when Mike and I got our pumpkins

from a local farm...Renker Farms.

The gentleman and his wife are well

into their 70's and still growing all

sorts of things including these grapes.

They were like little jewels

hanging there.....beautiful.

Mike with some of the pumpkins.

More pumpkins.....

And a few more from our local

Safeway for good measure.

They also have a corn maze that

is fun to go through. Mike and I are

big kids when it comes to this kind

of stuff!

Corn maze sign.

Inside.....caution.....

and Beware!

I love taking pictures of

fruit and veggies.....a pretty corn cob.

Oops, wrong way.......

Oh, oh.....a large spider......

.....but it's ok, a cute butterfly with a

squash body comes next.

Yippee, we found our way out !

A gorgeous apple on the

way back to the farm stand.

This time of year they

have a lovely garden of zinnias

and statice.

The zinnias were 20

cents each....really!

I picked about 40 of them, but

forgot to take a photo of my bouquet.

They were gorgeous.

The weather was beautiful that day

and I always have so much fun picking

out pumpkins....for Mike, kinda.

Tomorrow more from our

Halloween party. :o)

Happy Halloween !

2011-10-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Our Halloween party was

wonderful and I am so glad

we had it! We went as

pirates again. :o)

I'll post more pics soon.

Here is a good fortune spell

for you all:

If you take a carrot on
Hallowe'en night,

And, holding it over a candlelight,

Pinch your left ear,
take off your left shoe,

This will mean good fortune to you.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween

2011-10-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

It's beginning to look a lot

like Halloween....

..... a skeleton ghost and

..... a lovely white spider!

Click on this photo and you can

see the little hairs on this darling

spider's legs! :o)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT DID THE BABY GHOST EAT FOR DINNER?

A boo-loney sandwich.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO GHOSTS LISTEN TO?

Sheet music.

WHY DID THE VAMPIRE GO TO THE

ORTHODONTIST?

To improve his bite.

Some Halloween Jokes

2011-10-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready for our

Halloween party and I found

some silly jokes in a magazine

and thought I would share

some of them with you.

WHERE DOES DRACULA USUALLY

EAT HIS LUNCH?

At the casketeria.

WHY DO MUMMIES MAKE

EXCELLENT SPIES?

They're good at keeping things

under wraps.

WHAT DO LITTLE GHOSTS DRINK?

Evaporated Milk.

WHAT GOES "HA-HA-HA-HA!" THUD?

A monster laughing its head off!

Corny, but cute!

2 National Days on the 16th and probably more!

2011-10-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Looks like it is also

World Food Day on

Sunday, October 16th

For more information

on food issues click HERE

National Feral Cat Day too!

To help feral cats click HERE

National Feral Cat Day is Sunday

2011-10-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

National Feral Cat Day

is this Sunday, October 16th.

For more info please visit:

Alley Cat Allies

When you see a cat with a

clipped ear that means he/she

has been "fixed". This is

the first step in helping our

furry friends.

Have a peaceful day!

Health concerns grow over little-known mineral

2011-10-07T23:58:00.000-07:00

I thought this was

important to share as
I live by an old volcano---

By Myron Levin, FairWarning.org

Mesothelioma, an exceedingly rare and

lethal form of cancer, was once thought

to be caused only by inhaling asbestos

fibers. Then in the late 1970s, when

astonishing rates of the disease were

reported among villagers in central

Turkey, studies determined that a

different fibrous mineral was the culprit.

ERIONITE was abundant in native soil

and stone, and so easy to work with
that villagers had used it to build
homes. In the most devastated
communities, known locally as “cancer villages,” mesothelioma rates were off
the charts--responsible for 40 percent
to 50 percent of all deaths. Animal
studies showed erionite to be 100 to
800 times more carcinogenic than
asbestos and, according to a scientific
paper, “almost certainly the most toxic naturally occurring fibrous mineral
known.”  In the U.S., medical journals
and  news stories presented the Turkish
epidemic as a gruesome, but distant, catastrophe.  They largely omitted a key
fact: Erionite deposits are present
scores of sites in at least a dozen
western U.S. states. To read the rest of
this interesting story please click HERE

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T23:57:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Cupertino.

Thank you Steve for

sharing your vision

and life with us.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

--- Steve Jobs

Another Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day !

2011-09-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

In honor of my friend Marie,
who is a ovarian cancer survivor
and thriver, I had hoped to get
this together yesterday so

I could remind everyone to
wear teal today. If there is
still time, please add a bit of
teal or wear a whole outfit

in memory and awareness

of Ovarian Cancer.

As I wrote earlier in the month,
September is Ovarian Cancer

Awareness Month.

I have my bracelet that I

am wearing today.

It says "it whispers...so listen".

I also made these little

ribbons several years

ago and passed them out to

friends and the women

at my bank.

For more information and

to donate, even a small

amount, please visit

these websites:

Ovations For The Cure of Ovarian Cancer

~~~~~

Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

~~~~~

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Love ya Marie....so glad you

are alive ! :o)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Few are those who

see with their own

eyes and feel with

their own hearts.

--- Albert Einstein

The Second Day of Autumn

2011-09-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Look what I woke up

to this morning .....

We might get a bit of rain

tomorrow, although the sun

is making it's way out right

now. I am so glad to see

the HOT weather go.

Yesterday it was 95 degrees

and just not fun. Today they

say it will be 84 and tomorrow

only 70, but the rest of the

week will be in the 80's

with a couple of days back

to 90, but at least not 95!

I have lots of outside work to

do including planting these

(and more) .....

.....with the help from my

dear Pansy.....

Oh, how I wish she could help me !

Speaking of help....I keep

forgetting to mention that

Cheryl and I saw the movie

"The Help" last week.

I hadn't read the book, but

the movie was FANTASTIC!

All 4 main characters were

wonderful, but for me the

actresses that played Minnie

(Octavia Spencer) and Hilly

(Bryce Dallas Howard) were

just too much! Loved them

both, well not Hilly's character,

but both of their acting was

superb in my opinion ! The

fashions and sets were perfect

and the colors and patterns were

such a treat for the eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday I had a nice visit with my old neighbors

from 1999. I have seen them here and there over

the years, and we always said we would get together,

but never quite made it happen. They are so very kind

and easygoing and said to just call whenever I had

time...so Wednesday I called to say how about Thursday

and we settled on Friday. I can't believe I forgot my

camera. Their yard is absolutely enchanting!

Their house is on a mountain and they have tiered

and tiered the property with tons of rocks, stone and

cement and then planted 100's of trees, shrubs,

and flowers....figs, olives, apples, roses, jasmine vines,

wisteria, lilacs, veggies...the list goes on and on. There is

a water shortage in that area so they were only watering

the veggies. Unfortunately the roses may be gone next

year. They also had a waterfall that went from the top

of the property to the bottom, but had no water in it.

Too much to run right now so I will have to go over

this winter after a good rain to see. :o) And the view

of the lake....oh my goodness! I had kinda forgotten

how gorgeous the view really is, but the drive into town

is 25 minutes and just too far away for me to want to live

up that way again. After my 3 1/2 hour visit I headed

over to Cheryl's (she is up that way too). Since I am

rarely in that area I had called her earlier to see if

she wanted to watch the last episode of All My Children

together. She has watched it for all 40 years, since

she was a teenager!

Above photo from ABC Studios

All My Children logo as in the "New Decade" credits

(December 22, 2010-present)

I haven't watched AMC since the

early 80's, but with it's end, I decided to watch this

last week. It was so fun, but almost sad to see all the

old characters that were still on. Not sad for them,

but for me...thinking about how young they were back

then and although they all looked great now, that meant

me too, growing older and thinking about how young I

was back then! Pretty emotional. The whole week's

worth of episodes were quite nice....all ran along at a nice

clip (not dragged out) until Friday's episode!

A disappointment for sure.

They claim they will be bringing back the show on

the internet, but already some of the actors have found

other jobs so it will not be the same. Of course, they left

the show with a cliffhanger ! Total bummer! I was so

hopeful that they would continue along the path of this

past week and end it positively instead of with

a literal bang! Oh well, I should know better with

the soaps! I am glad though that I watched the last

week and wish all the actors the very best in whatever

they all choose do in the future. :o)

Thanks for the memories!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun, with all those

planets revolving around

it and dependent on it,

can still ripen a bunch

of grapes as if it had

nothing else in the

universe to do.

--- Galileo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY THE DAY AFTER

THE FIRST DAY OF FALL !

The world surrounds us with perfections.

2011-09-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

Look what was in the

garden last week?

I love finding praying mantis!

As I was taking the pictures,

it lifted up it's little front legs

as if to fight me. As if I

would hurt it!

Can you see his wings

a buzzin'? Click on pic

for larger view.

And of course there are lots

of bees! I love bees too!

These bees were starting

to fill up on pollen...their

little legs were covered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Each day, awakening, are we

asked to paint the sky blue?

Need we coax the sun to rise

or flowers to bloom? Need
we teach birds to sing, or
children to laugh, or lovers
to kiss? No, though we
think the world imperfect,
it surrounds us each day
with its perfections.

We are asked only to
appreciate them, and to
show appreciation by living
in peaceful harmony amidst
them. The Creator does not
ask that we create a perfect

world; He asks that we
celebrate it.

--- Robert Brault

The Hope of Glory

2011-09-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

Taken in 1959 when my

Mom was 22 years old.

Nancy K. Stout

San Francisco, Calif.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today is the 7th anniversary

of my Mother's physical death.

It is amazing to think 7 years

have passed since that day I

saw her take her last breath.

As Mike said in our Christmas

letter that year, "she believed

she would be healed until the

last moment and that is what

true faith is". She was 67

years young. She always

seemed young, that is why

it was a shock when she was

diagnosed with leukemia the

year before. Sometimes it

seems like just yesterday

and other times forever.

Her favorite bible verse

was from Colossians 1:27

"Christ in you,

the hope of glory".

We had a plaque made with

that verse and placed it

on the railing of Capitola

Wharf as she loved the

ocean as much as me. In

fact, I am sure that is where

I get my love for the sea.

In October 2006, Mike and I,

and my cousin Zona and her

husband Howard, who came

out from Colorado, scattered her

ashes in Monterey Bay. I told my

Mom that I would not keep her

ashes on a mantel or shelf. I almost

kept a bit to put in a pendant and

now I am glad I didn't. It took me

two years to get it done, and I

couldn't bear to go another

winter without finally doing it.

It was a perfect day and I

remember thinking "Dang, Mom

would have really loved to

be out on this boat".

Which I guess she was. :o)

All Is Well
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next

room I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,

that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which

you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity

or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at

the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the

household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect,

without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was,

there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind

because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval,

somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

--- Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had a little card that someone

had given me that I think

had a lovely sentiment about

someone's passing, but I could

not find it anywhere! I moved

it about a year ago and I have

hundred's of little places I

tuck things into, but I guess I

missed one ! So I went online

and found the above and below

poems that I am sure my Mom

would have liked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I AM NOT HERE

Don't stand by my grave and weep,
For I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint of snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning,

hush.
For I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circle flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand by my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.

--- Hopi Grief Song/Prayer

This is one of the last photos

I have of my Mother and I.

It is a bit grainy as I took a

picture of the photo.

Actually all of the photos

on this post are taken that way.

Taken when I was about a year old.

When I come to the end of the day
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love we once shared,
Miss me but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the maker's plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds -
Miss me, but let me go.

from http://www.motivateus.com/

The good, the bad and the JOY!

2011-09-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

For the past few days most

Americans (and our international

friends) have experienced sad

and for many, painful memories

on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

I feel there is not much to say

on that subject that hasn't already

been said this past week.

Our best is to remember each

person and event as being

connected to us all and that by

honoring ourselves and the world

around us with love, patience

and the commitment to do what

is right and good we are never

really separated from each other.

I know, easy to say, but true.

I still struggle with my Mom's

death 7 years ago on the 15th.

But I have to believe this way...

the interconnectedness of Life

and the Grace of God, the Creator.

I hope everyone has heard

of Mattie Stepanek . He wrote this

poem the day of the 9/11 attacks.

What a special soul to have graced

our earth. Oprah interviewed him and

said he is her top favorite guest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But for 1000's of penguin watchers,

this past weekend also showed

the reality of nature and not being

able to control everything. Our

little friend, Happy Feet's

tracking device has fallen silent

since last Friday the 9th, 5 days

after his release. There are many

speculations as to why this has

happened, but for me and many

others, we choose to believe that the

tracker simple fell off and Sir Happy

Feet is still swimming around and

enjoying himself back in his home,

the Southern Ocean. To read

more click HERE

Photo courtesy of Saphira Brillant Nrew

So my contribution to our world

of emotions was to take 2 glorious

days and do just as I please. I know,

many who know me say "well you

do that anyway". Yes, but this

time I gave myself permission to!

After Friday's news of Happy Feet's

tracker being trackless, I figured the

weekend would be the perfect time

to do all the things that are within

my power of doing to make myself

happy and therefore bring up my

positive vibration quota. We also

had a mini-heatwave here with the

temps. rising to 100 degrees...

hopefully summer's last hurrah

.....so with 9/11 looming,

Happy Feet supposedly "lost"

(but not really, just untrackable)

and the heat, which makes me

more irritable than usual, this

was the perfect time for indulgences.

I decided that I would

eat chocolate cake,

have a cocktail or two,

buy some flowers for outside to spruce

up for fall,

finish watching season 7

of the Gilmore Girls (which I am

still doing)

spend more time with my little kitty

Pansy and give her extra rubs

under her chin.(which she loves)

Oh yes, my favorite Fresh Roll

at our new Thai restaurant,

Chalerm Thai Bistro in Lakeport.

(I bring my own to-go containers)

They also have a wonderful peanut

sauce for dipping.

And of course a couple of blended

mocha coffee drinks for good measure.

What a joy to give yourself

permission to do the things that

bring you joy ! Now I know I do

most of these things, but usually not

all at once! The only other thing that

would have been perfect was a

massage, but it was too late notice

to do anything like that. My 2 days

of indulgence did turn into 3 though

and maybe the whole week!

On Monday Marie and I met up again

and spent an hour and a half at

Michaels the craft store! I found
these darling penguin stickers
without really looking and I had
to have them. :o) I hope to do
a small scrapbook of Happy Feet
one day.

We also had a

quick lunch at the temple again.

When we were together

last Thursday we noticed that there
was one of those Halloween super
stores opening in Ukiah for the
season. They were to open this past
weekend so we thought we would
get together again on Monday to
check it out, but when we went by
they still weren't open...:o(
They hope to be open this

Saturday so we might have to do it
all over again next week.   :o)   We
also had planned to go by our
favorite nursery last week too, but
didn't make it....so we went by
yesterday and were a bit disappointed.
They usually have wonderful displays
and all sorts of blooms, but not much
this time.   I guess the past heat was
a bit too much. Anyway, I hope all of
you will take a couple of days this
year and plan your own days of
indulgence.   Even if you have to set
aside some money each week and
save for it....it is so worth it. So I
think I contributed to the world's
vibration in a positive way and
helped the economy a bit too in the
process! Now if I can just keep this
feeling going indefinitely without so
many indulgences that cost money !

What are the things you would

do on your own perfect joyful day...

just for yourself? Remember

you have to take care of yourself

before you can truly help others.

I always think of the instructions

on planes, "and parents please

put your mask on first and then

help your children on with theirs."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who looks outside,

dreams;

who looks inside,

awakes.

--- Carl Jung

More on Marie

2011-09-10T23:58:00.000-07:00

I have know Marie since 2000.

She was our local postmaster

at the time and I was mailing

packages everyday for my website.

We started talking about many

things and we learned we both loved

Martha Stewart and our friendship

blossomed from there.

She is the one that co-hosted with

me our huge Halloween Haunt

and Party in 2002. Marie got

ovarian cancer in 2003. Her

condition was bad, and even

though she went through a lot,

she pulled through with grace

and dignity. I thank God for

her healing. The doctors were

amazed that she lived past a

year ! (it's been 8 years)

In 2005, after 2 short years,

Marie and 3 friends

participated in the Susan G.

Komen 3 day for the Cure Walk

for 60 miles.

She is an inspiration to many

including myself !

So if anyone is reading

this and knows someone with

ovarian cancer, have hope that

she can survive and thrive !

September is Ovarian Cancer

Awareness Month. Friday, September

30th is Awareness Day and to show

your support please wear teal.

For more info click HERE .

Lori and Marie

Taken at our

Halloween Party

2002

We were both so crazy

and tired that night, but

we talked about doing another

party next year for our

10th anniversary!

God Bless You Marie and

thanks for the memories.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- Look To This Day -

For it is life, the very life

of life.

In its brief course lie all

the varieties and realities

of your existence;

The bliss of growth;

The glory of action;

The splendor of beauty;

For yesterday is already

a dream,

and tomorrow is only

a vision;

But today, well lived,

makes every yesterday

a dream of happiness,

and every tomorrow

a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore,

to this day!

Such is the salutation

of the dawn!

--- From the Sanskrit

This was the sunset on 9-10-11, but

we can pretend it is a new dawn as

I never am up before dawn. :o)

Marie's Birthday/The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas

2011-09-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Marie and I

spent the afternoon together

on Thursday, Sept. 8th

celebrating her birthday

which was on the 6th!

Here we are in our glory! This is

actually 2 photos side by side

and then I took a photo of it

from the computer screen!

I forgot my camera, but Marie

brought hers and was holding it

at arm's length to get a pic !

We took 5 of them and really only

these were the best of the bunch.

(which ain't saying much :o)

Nothing like having on no make-up

and your hair wind-blown! She

then emailed me the photos and

this is what I came up with!

We went to our favorite place,

the cafe at The City of Ten Thousand

Buddhas in Ukiah, California

These photos were taken last

June 2010, the last time we

were there with another friend.

The ten thousand buddhas are

actually statues within the temple.

I don't have the whole story,

but you can read about it

HERE .

Outside of the Temple.

There are peacocks roaming

around the whole property.

One time, years ago, I saw

a white one, but haven't since.

I remember each time I tried

to get a close-up of one of them

in full spread, they quickly moved.

I don't know how I got this one !

The fish pond.

Sometimes we see turtles too.

Another favorite are the street signs......

The food is vegan. Our favorite

dishes are the mushrooms with

basil sauce (one of the best!)

and dumplings...YUM !

This is the front of the cafe, with

Marie and Katie taken June 2010.

~~~~~~~~~~

We also stopped by another

favorite place in Ukiah,

a store called Habitat located

at 110 South State Street.

We should have taken pics, but

didn't think about it until later.

We bought several candles and

I also got a faux lavender plant.

I have been wanting one to put

on my kitchen counter for a couple

of years and never found one that

looked real. I think this one does

and was thrilled that the owner

gave me a 25% discount since it was

from the summer collection. :o)

What do you think?

Does it look real?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A quote from the Buddha

on Self Discipline ---
It is better to conquer
yourself than to win a
thousand battles. Then the
victory is yours. It cannot
be taken from you, not

by angels or by demons,

heaven or hell.

and on Life ---

The secret of health for
both mind and body is not
to mourn for the past, worry
about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live
in the present moment
wisely and earnestly.

Happy Feet has been released into the sea!

2011-09-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Feet was released into the

sea, south of New Zealand at the

51 degree mark on Sunday,

Sept. 4th, 2011, New Zealand time.

Here in California it was

Saturday the 3rd.

As far as we know he is doing

well. We are still able to

keep tabs on him, for now, by

a tracking device that was actually

glue onto him! It will come off

when he molts later this year.

To track him, click HERE

The below photos are from the site

www.stuff.co.nz . To see more

photos of his release click HERE .

Should I or shouldn't I?

Well for better or worse,

ocean, here I come!

So many people worked night and

day to see that this one little penguin

had another chance at life. Thank you Wellington Zoo staff, especially

Dr. Lisa Argilla,

and the crew of the Tangaroa .

Good bye Sir Happy Feet---I will

miss you and pray for you a long

life! You have taught me much

and I am forever grateful.

Thank you God for this gift.

For the complete story and video

click HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Study nature, love nature,

stay close to nature. It

will never fail you.

--- Frank Lloyd Wright

Mendocino 9-1-11

2011-09-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011

Just a quick tour of Mendocino.

After lunch we did our regular

walk around town, but I forgot

to take some photos so we drove

back around town so I could

get these! The fog was just off

the coast, but we braved the

chill in the air and sat outside

on the deck at the Bay View Cafe

for lunch. Fish & chips for Mike

and Fried shrimp for me. :o)

It was finally opened after

being closed nearly 8 months

after a water pipe burst.

In my opinion, the only restaurant

in the village with a great view of

the ocean when it isn't foggy!

Bay View Cafe to the left

of the Water Tower.

After lunch it was on to

Papa Bear's Chocolate House

(yellow building)

for their delicious dark chocolate

covered peanuts! YUM !

Below is one of my many dream

properties. It comes with both

the front building and back house,

with a lovely garden, right on Main St.

....all for only $1.7 million! The view

from the front upstairs windows is

perfect though. :o)

These are taken from the Headlands....

showing the fog hugging the coast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On some hill of despair,

the bonfire you kindle

can light the great sky ---

though it's true, of course,

to make it burn you

have to throw yourself in.

--- Galway Kinnell

Sunset Ft. Bragg, CA

2011-08-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sunset 8-30-11

Fort Bragg, California

Rachel and Pia's Cottage

Epiphany

I Love Lucy Dolls

HAPPY 2012 TO ALL !!!

Happy New Year's Eve

Funny postcard from 1907

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah to all my friends near and far !Healthy, Happy and Wealthy wishes in 2012!

Christmas bustle

Make me a child again for tonight.

"Backward, turn backward

O Time, in your flight

make me a child again

just for tonight."

--- Elizabeth Akers Allen

Christmas Tree

A Bit of Nature...barks and acorns.

Christmas time is here !

Thanksgiving Photos

Colorful November Days and New Lambs too!

A few birthday presents

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

Halloween before Thanksgiving !

Getting Pumpkins, Corn Maze and Zinnias

Happy Halloween !

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween

Some Halloween Jokes

2 National Days on the 16th and probably more!

National Feral Cat Day is Sunday

Health concerns grow over little-known mineral

RIP Steve Jobs

Another Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day !

The Second Day of Autumn

The world surrounds us with perfections.

The Hope of Glory

The good, the bad and the JOY!

More on Marie

Marie's Birthday/The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas

Happy Feet has been released into the sea!

Mendocino 9-1-11

Sunset Ft. Bragg, CA

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah to all my friends near and far !
Healthy, Happy and Wealthy wishes in 2012!