A Sage of Montana

The eyes of a grandmother

2012-03-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

My social life is stretched to the max this week with two ladies' luncheons and one Avon event. I am actually declining some invites at this point, just to have some balance the other way in my life. One problem with so many social gatherings is they go hand in hand with food. At the restaurant called the Plantation today I ordered the spinach, scallops salad, trying to make a wise choice that didn't sabotage my efforts to lose my jelly belly before we return north.

I did fine and the salad was good. Only problem was I was hungry again before I had even gotten my check. Eating out is always difficult for me. I usually go into the restaurant with the purest of intentions. However, it doesn't take long for me to talk myself out of those or regret being too good in my selections.

Now going to Georgia's luncheon on Friday will be difficult, since she is my Italian cook friend and I know that everything will be delicious, but not necessarily on my list of accepted jelly belly losing foods. And the Avon lady is planning lots of tempting treats to entice us to buy. Oh my!

Observation: I have noticed that grandmothers love to brag about their very gifted grandchildren who are always the smartest and most athletic of any of the rest of the grandchildren out there. I know of one grandmother, who had only one grandchild for many years, bragged constantly about this amazing child. However, when her daughter had a baby this year it seemed strange that we didn't hear anything much about the baby. Now months later we know why. This beautiful baby girl was born with downs syndrome. For some reason she just couldn't find even one thing to brag about this child. Sad.

I also have a friend who has a grand son who was born with some messed up chromosomes and is blind and retarded. She is so proud of that little boy and loves to brag about all his accomplishments as if he was the most gifted child on the planet for what he has learned. How wonderful.

Impressions

2012-03-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we drove to Jacksonville to visit Michael's granddaughters and his great grandson, who is turning five. The girls are beautiful 23 year old twins who had not completed eight years of formal education when growing up. They are so slender, they could slip through a TP tube, if it weren't for the boobs they acquired, which they are quite proud of, I might say. At one time they were pretty well devoted to finding carreers as models full time and didn't see the need for further education.

However, they have come a long way with that sketchy education and beginning, I have to say. They are both working and going to school, fulfilling new goals for themselves. We are proud of them. Proud that they are showing what anyone with fortitude can do for his or her self. And they are doing it without help, which makes us even prouder. Actually, making it on their own will help build the strong character and resilence they would not develop if they had it all given to them and they hadn't had to struggle some. I told them that that was how I did it, how Michael did it and they can do it too if they really wanted to make it. I think they will have a sense of pride they never would have had if the way had been paved for them.

Today, I was a substitute visitor for shut-ins from the church. I went to visit an elderly, beautiful lady, both inwardly as well as outwardly, whom I had met and visited with before at church. She is very hard of hearing, is beginning to be forgetful and had just had serious cancer surgery the week before. She is a person who fills you with the warmth that she has for everyone, yet makes you feel that to her your presence means more to her than anything in her life at that moment. I enjoyed visiting with her.

Now that is what I wish people could say about me when I get old er, but I'm afraid I'm just too onery for that to happen.

This and that

2012-03-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

Worm from another angle. I also went fishing with my daughter. Now that was a different experience, as she is an experienced fisher woman. She had not only fished with night crawlers, but leeches, and had no qualms about putting either on a hook. So, when we went fishing together at a really great lake in Idaho, she baited my hook almost all the time. Only occasionally, when she was way out into the lake casting for the big one, did I have to resort to the old pliers trick. But, we did catch some nice ones. Our only problem was stopping when we caught our limit so we wouldn't get a fine. So we spent the rest of the afternoon contemplating how we could keep fishing and hide our catch. I don't recall doing that though, being the forth right people we are.

It's getting to be about the weather down here that drives us back up north, hot and humid. By the time I get finished with my run, work in the yard and then go clean up, I'm pretty drenched. Then, by the time I get showered, hair dried, makeup on I'm drenched all over again. I hate that humidity.

Talk about drenching, we just had a series of good down pours that provided much needed moisture we have been really missing this winter. Now we're waiting for it to dry up enough so that we can get out and gather up all the dead bougainvilla branches strewned over the yard that I cut down this morning. If you know bougainvilla, you know how lethal they are, with their long sharp thorns. I certainly don't want the liability if someone happens inadvertently into them.

Dr. Oz wrote that how you took care of your health during your life before you are 50, determines 75% of how your health will be for the rest of your life. That's what I'm always saying.

Pruning

2012-03-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

This morning I went out for a short three mile run so that I could get back to do the pruning of everything damaged by the frost last winter, before it got too hot. (We have a solar flare coming today, you know). I ran into (not literally) the park lady with the wiener dog. We got to talking. She told me the gators are back out, as she could recognize their growl and saw a couple of big ones around the lake. She was telling me about the damage to her citrus trees and how she hoped she could prune them back okay. She said that they could have been hit so severely that they will only produce small, sour fruit next year.

As soon as I got home I began my own pruning. (Michael was still out running with his friend Steve, so I began without him. My poor orange tree was really hit hard from the last freeze(yes, it is my tree I bought it with money from my parents). So that meant it needed a severe pruning. After we pruned it, I put fresh fertilizer around it and watered it good. Hopefully, it will come back now, fuller and more fruitful and sweet than ever. I'll be anxious to see it again in the fall, when we come back.

That's the way it is in our life. We need to prune out of our life anything that is not working for us. Then we need to replace that with renewed energy for the good, productive parts of our life. And we don't look back at the dead part we lopped off, either. It is gone and something wonderfully new will take its place. That's when life is good.

The Monster Under the Bed

2012-03-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

When I taught first grade, I would always teach the children how to distinguish fact from fiction, when reading a selection. At that age, they have a hard time believing you when you tell them there is no monster under their bed. I can remember lying awake at night worrying about it many a night as a youngster myself.

I also taught them to look at a commercial or advertisement and discern what was opinion and what was true facts in what was claimed. When they heard that the cereal was really yummy and would make them happy and healthy and it had 7 grams of protein to make them strong, what they didn't realize is that it also had 23 grams of sugar. That information might change the opinion of that cereal, at least for the mom.

I think it is great that restaurants are beginning to give information on their menus so that customers can make informed decisions before ordering. However, it does make it difficult to stay with that decision when where is a luscious picture of something fattening beside it.

I wish our politicians would learn to tell the difference between fact and fiction and opinion and truth. Many people are like the kid with the cereal box, they taste the yummy cereal, but don't pay any attention to the facts printed on the side of the box. So, it would be helpful if politicians would make the effort to convey the unadulterated facts without mudding them up with all the personal opinions, false information and distortions caused by taking things out of context. People are always looking for the monster under the bed.

Point of clarification from yesterday about fishing with my son. Some know that I hate worms and can't pick one up and put it onto a hook. No, my son did not bait my hook. I did, using pliers to grab the worm, twist it around and stick the hook through it a couple of times. It took a bit but I always got it done.

Hope

2012-03-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

My friend, Betts, told me a story about a fishing trip she took once with her late husband,Jim. He was fishing along the shore with no luck and had run out of worms. Just as he was giving up, he noticed a frog by the bank with a worm in its mouth. So he grabbed the frog and tried to no avail to remove the worm from the frog's mouth. That didn't deter him, though. He got out the bottle of whiskey he had along and poured it over the frog's mouth. Well, the frog's eyes rolled back and it dropped the worm. So Jim was able to go back to his fishing for a while. It wasn't long, however, when he noticed the frog was back. This time he had two worms in his mouth.

Hope is the fuel that keeps us going each day. If we had a bad day, we hope when we wake up in the morning that it wil be a better day. The alcoholic who has been sober for a day, hopes he/she can wake up and stay sober for one more day. You hope that there is another cup of coffee in the pot for you when you need a picker upper.

The man walking the four dogs from the dog shelter, who I saw on the trail this morning, is hoping that someone will come and give one of the dogs a new home today. There was one less dog today, so hopefully one found a home yesterday.

I used to take my son out fishing on the Missouri River with me. We would sit along the bank all day long with nothing to show for our efforts but the pleasure of watching the deer on the opposite bank. Each time we cast, we had high hopes that this time would be the one that would catch the big trout. We never went home with the trout, but we had some good mother son times together.

Hope is the thread that keeps us going.

Sagacious me

2012-03-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

My friend, Harriet, told me I wasn't old enough to be a sage. Since she is just two weeks younger than I, I began to wonder if she might be right. So I looked up the word sage in the dictionary. It said,"A venerable(usually implying age) man(we'll insert woman) of recognized experience, prudence, and foresight.

I figure anyone who has lived three quarters of her life should be able to be considered kind of sagy and definitely more venerable, anyway. I can be pretty ponderous at times, I think. Most people on earth are younger than I, therefore, I should be more sagacious than they are.

All one needs to do is either go through life and experience it all yourself and see how it all comes out or learn from the trials and tribulations of others and let them show you what they learned the hard way. Either way the outcome is the lesson that makes you wiser. Therefore, you just can't help wanting to share all that wisdom with everyone else.

Even a twenty year old can be a sage to a teenager. He is a much better conveyor of what consequences to expect for most any situation the youth may encounter on any given day than any hundred year old could who was that age almost a century ago. The problem is most teens seem to have a need to find out on their own. Too bad.

So anyway, I guess what I need to do now is go talk to the hundred and six year old I know. Maybe she can help me avoid some of the pitfalls of my old age.

Here we go again

2012-03-04T11:36:00.000-08:00

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Michael in his latest race shirt, neon yellow. Makes your eyes hurt looking at him. Actually, he should wear neon all the time. He has a way of blending into a crowd when I am looking for him. He seems to relish the fact that I can look right at him and miss seeing him completely.

Let's see, today is Sunday so I am allowed to sermonize. Here is my message. If you put all your trust in yourself or things, you will fail. You will fail to stay sober, and you will fail to have inner peace.

Those who achieve riches, but only believe in themselves, will not achieve happiness with those riches. Having things without good relationships leaves you empty, as evidenced with Howard Hughes and all his millions. Those who rely on their good looks to succeed will eventually discover their looks will fade and they are left empty. Living with your faith in the bottle leaves you with nothing more than an empty bottle and an empty soul.

To feel the peace that passes understanding you need to have faith in a higher being; God. Faith can be difficult to grasp; believing that there is a power so great. Believing in something so powerful yet taking faith to truly grasp. Actually, we spend our life trying to better understand who God is. It is truly an enigma, yet the evidence is there for all to see, if you truly want to see.

Just having the faith of a mustard seed, that grows into a huge tree, is all it takes. Yet that kind of faith is all it takes to gain the strength to live a truly rich, full, and lasting life. Amen

Too little to late

2012-03-03T13:48:00.002-08:00

They have changed somethings with the formate of this blog. When I down loaded the picture, all I see is a jumble of letters and numbers, so I hope you all see the picture it is supposed to be. Anyway, when the picture dried, I saw that I needed to add more yellow to the water. When I looked at the picture of the sunset I took, the water was very yellow and the sky quite orange, actually. So back to the easel.

Last night, I went to a very ritzy area to go to a private concert at a friend's friend's home. We stopped at the guard booth to get checked in. Julie's friend had to have given out names to him prior to our arrival. It took about ten minutes for him to check Julie out, after inputing her license into the system. Really, how threatening did four elderly women all dressed up look to the guy, anyway? We had difficulty finding the house in the dark and ended up wandering around knocking on doors to find the right house. How countrybumpkin of us, really. But, we were eventually found and enjoyed a delightful Celtic concert of a Celtic harp and flute, guitar by the visiting performers. The huge home had a huge lanai with a huge pool. The owner had two harps of her own and two pianos in the house. I was truly out of my element.

Yet, I didn't covet any of what they had. However, I was jealous of one thing; their musical talents. I watched the woman's fingers play across the harp and listened to the man play, not only three different flutes, but a fiddle and a guitar. Why couldn't I have had talent like that? As much as I enjoy music, why didn't I have the opportunity to master a harp or a guitar?

I guess it is a matter of too little effort too late in the game. Maybe in my next life. Or I could take up harp in heaven!

Laugh

2012-03-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

In the same vein as yesterday, laughter is the best medicine. It was just a coincidence that today there was an article in the local paper about laughter, since it was on my mind to write about today, too. I have to agree with the author of the article who said,"Sometimes we laugh with others and sometimes we laugh by ourselves. Sometimes we laugh when there is nothing else to do because we have lost control of the situation".

I probably bug some people because I laugh so easily, mostly at myself though. I guess, sometimes that seems the better alternative to the situation. Maybe I just think, in retrospect, that some of the things I have done or said were so outrageous or ditsy that the only thing left to do is laugh about it.

What I love is that the memories of those occasions become an oppportuntiy to relive a good chuckle rather than for me to cringe and hang my head in shame. It's like a cow chewing its cud, reliving the flavor of the moment again and again.

Actually, I think I tend to gravitate to people who, either make me laugh or laugh with me when I laugh at myself. I believe that if you can't laugh at yourself then you are taking yourself too seriously.

Laughter is a tonic. You can't feel grouchy if you are laughing. And actually it is the best thing for you, to have a good laugh after a good meal to aid digestion, I have read.

So if you find yourself holding back because it doesn't seem "adult" to be letting go and having a good laugh, then lighten up and notice the difference in your life. Children laugh easily. They just might have the secret to the fountain of youth.

Smile

2012-02-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

Out on the trail this morning, I noticed the faces of those who passed by. I felt especially recharged when I passed someone who smiled back at me and said,"Good morning!". On the other side of the coin, when someone just plodded along and didn't even recognize my existence, I felt a little devalued.

So, I got to thinking about how true it is when you hear that smiling, not only makes you feel better, but sends fibs to others that they are ok, too. I know someone who once was upset because a man passing her in the store told her to smile. Obviously, she was sending a message, as she walked through the store, that she was unhappy and probably not that happy with someone else, too.

It isn't that I think we need to deal with life in an entirely Polliannic way, necessarily, but there is enough "real" life going on without a gloomy face making it worse. I know that we can become so self absorbed with our problems that we send a negative message to others without realizing it.

So, be "in the moment" and look at your fellow human beings you encounter and give them you best smile. You'll feel better and so will they. Make their day!

Rowl's debut

2012-02-28T15:07:00.000-08:00

Here he is, everyone. Ready for the presses, I hope.This is the result of a lot of back and forth input until you finally come to enough of a consensus that everyone can live with it. One more hurdle jumped over to reach the completion of the event. And one to go(money, but isn't it always?), but we'll get there, I know.

So today was one of those days I was talking about yesterday. Putting the balance into my life. I spent a delightful day with friends, exploring new territory for me. The Villages. Everyone, who watches national TV anyway, has heard of the Villages. For me, it was like walking onto a movie set where the director said,'READY ON THE SET, ACTION!" Surreal.

When you come from an old western Montana town and you live in an old FloridaCracker town, both with all the original character put there from years of weathering life, walking into a town trying hard to look the part, is unreal. A town needs to walk the walk before it has a right to try to look the look, I'd say. It just seems they didn't earn the right to have that look, which made it look strange to me.

You could tell, though, that the people living there find this all quite natural, as they zoom around in their golf carts down the roads. And speaking of golf carts, they had the fanciest carts I have ever seen, as if they represent a symbol of their competition with each other.
I

I told Nancy that I couldn't wait to see their thrift shops, as I knew they would have all the big brand names in them Her reply was,"They don't have thrift shops". What was I thinking, anyway? I really can't imagine any of these people caught dead in one! Guess I don't belong in the Villages.

Balance

2012-02-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Sorry readers, I am still working out the kinks for sending you ROWL to see. I have spent so much time on it, Michael is shaking his head, to put it mildly. Right now I as having it resent to me in a more accessible mode. So in his place you get this.

Had to get your attention some how. I needed a lead in to my topic for today, balance. Balance is the key to the success of everything on this earth. For a tree to grow, it needs the balance of water, nutrients and sun. My orange tree is in bad shape right now. A little cold weather makes the fruit nice and sweet. However, a heavy freeze has caused damage to it, with all the leaves gone and death to many of the branches. Last summer the long spells with out rain caused most of the oranges to drop off and rot. Not enough of one thing and too much of another has taken its toll.

Same with us humans. We may notice that we are feeling out of sorts some how. Yet if we examine our daily life we will notice that we are out of balance. Too much of any one aspect throws us out of whack, literally. Too much time on the couch, not only gives us flabby muscles, but can cause depression. Getting up and exercising helps bring back the balance and makes you feel better.

When you have a healthy balance of work, play, diet, exercise, and your spiritual life, your entire well being feels happier. I bring this up because I hear of too many trying to regain their balance the wrong way, often with antidepressants or by other artificial means.

So the next time you feel things are out of sorts with you, examine your day. Then what ever you have been spending too much time with, be it too much junk food, too much negative work, too much inertia, look at the other side of the spectrum and fix it. Clean up your diet, have some leisure time doing something you enjoy, stress free time, exercise and you will notice how wonderful you feel when your are back on an even keel and balanced.

That balance in your daily life helps you keep your balance when things are unavoidably out of sync. Like me standing on one leg, if I didn't do it regularly, then if someone even breathed on me I'd fall over. Been sitting here too long today. I'd better get up and get moving or I'll have more than a sore rear.

Logo dilemma

2012-02-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Michael left the house at 6:30 this morning to go run a race. That was something I just did not need to do. I was out running at the same time as his race, more or less, anyway, but at my leisure, my pace and where I chose to be. He came home after his race with his first place medal and his t-shirt, which I know he won't wear, probably (not his type). He wasn't happy with his time, however, even though the course was hilly and he hasn't run many races recently. I was impressed though; 22min. and change. He said I would have gotten a first place medal, too, because there weren't any females as old as I am. I don't know if that is good or bad, but the medal still wouldn't have tempted me.

Seems the logo for the Recycling program is leaning towards having a realistic trout, Rowl, on it. We have put more time on this decision than any thing else we have worked on, it seems. I made a caricatured one, then was persuaded to make him more fish like and not so porpoise like. Then, it was back and forth about how can he look more trouty. Then a realistic one was submitted. However, he looked too angry to me. I was told trout aren't happy when they are caught to which I said he has not been caught, he is happy because his water is clean and free of trash. So two smiling trout were sent to me, who looked more sinister and leering than smiling.

I would sent them all for you all to see, but I don't know how to get them to my blog from my email attachments. So until I do you, will just have to try and visualize the trout and hopefully let me know what you think. Besides, "Who cares!".

Elephants again

2012-02-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's art lesson was an elephant. It was actually a fun project, learning about wet on wet, shadow, etc.. His tusks are even, by the way, they just don't look it here.

It sure brought to mind the fact that when there is an elephant in the room it is difficult to focus on anything else. All you can think about is the damage it could do and keeping everyone safe. That elephant just takes over. I guess the thing to do is put the elephant where it belongs. You can't control the elephant when it is in the room, but you can put it in its proper place so you can see the other things you had been missingthat are in the room.

Home cooking!

2012-02-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

Self photo

Love, love, love this photo. This is why I go to the beach.

Michael with running buddy, Steve. This is why Michael loves coming to the beach.

It's good to get away, but it is just as good coming home. We had a nice seafood dinner the first night, which we ate early so that we could be done in time for the sunset. The second night's dinner place, recommended by friends, was a wash. I do not like to eat my seafood fried and that was all they had. You had to really hunt for the crab in my crab cakes, which ended up giving me a bit of fits to my stomach. I like to be adventurous with food when eating out, but the older I get I tend to think it best to stick with what I know. Keep it simple and identifiable.

Anyway, we bought lots of veggies at the commissary later, which I took home and then roasted a bunch of. The paper had an article about roasting all kinds of veggies, which retains their nutrients best. So I roasted asparagus, brusselsprouts and cauliflower, which were all totally awesome, in my book. Of course, I ended up with plenty of brussel sprouts to myself. The secret is: oven 400 degrees preheated, lightly coat veggies in olive oil and roast about 30 min., depending on the density. Believe me, brussel sprouts have a whold different flavor, much milder. They suggested bacon bits on them, but I like them the way they were.

Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the cauliflower and the let the asparagus speak for themselves.

First he needs another eye.

Tomayto, tomahto

2012-02-20T09:09:00.000-08:00

How ever you pronounce the word it is all the same tomato. Doesn't change the nature or the truth of the tomato one bit. Reminds me of the comment made by a political candidate about references to the Earth made by our current president. Anyone who has any command of the English language at all knows that the word reverence means deep respect, not a bad thing to have for the God given treasure we were given to enjoy and care for. I know the quote in the Bible says we should be good stewards of the Earth. Why? Because it is the God given home that is ours to respect. When you respect something, you take care of it. That doesn't mean that you worship the Earth any more than you worship anything else God made.

Do I worship my husband? Of course not, you say. Do I respect him? Sure, and I try to show him that respect by taking care of him; feeding him what will keep him healthy and encouraging him to take care of himself. That's respect, not worship.

So the meaning of tomato didn't change when I pronounced it differently. It was just another way for most of us to say something we would define as a delicious fruit we enjoy in so many different ways. Of course, some of us just don't like tomatoes.

Happy birthday, friend!

2012-02-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

This post is dedicated to a friend who is having a birthday today. Betts is a friend in a million, believe me. I think she turns 79 today, but you would never believe it when I tell you about her. She has more energy and vitality for life than anyone I know. She doesn't miss a beat. I always have to laugh out loud with some of the things she says. Yet, she has a heart bigger than any I've ever seen.

The amazing thing is she isn't one who just talks about what needs to be done about a problem. She actually gets in there and gets her hands dirty. But while she is getting the job done she is having the time of her life. Everything is done with a flare like no other.

When our windows needed repair at the church, she provided the monies to repair them. When we needed $1,000 to open our account for the Recycle Project, she didn't bat an eye. Now that we are planning our Big Burger Bash Festival, she once again is ahead of the game, planning her pink Minnie Mouse like outfit to wear. Our receptions always have her signature flowers and doilies on every table. She walked, passing out invites to our church to everyone watching the 4th of July parade, as our float progressed down Main St.. At every special church service her signature geraniums would mysteriously appear around the front lawn. She'll walk your legs off at the Relay for Life event. But she can do that because she still enters 5k runs. The first 1 mile race I saw her in she was running in hiking boots, which didn't slow her down one bit. Her eyes and ears are always tuned to what needs to be done before anyone is even aware there is a need.

Her plans for celebrating her birthday are to take a zip line wearing her pink outfit, visualizing herself like the GEICO pig squealing,"Wheeee!" all the way. That image defines Betts. Living life the way life was meant to be led. I hope I can live it with even an ounce of her gusto. Happy birthday, Betts and many more to come! You go girl!

2012-02-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

You can't see the onion in the background. Bad lighting. I had to complete the picture quickly, in one sitting since I needed the pepper and onion for our dinner. It was quite an interesting sensation to be cutting up my props, knowing there was no return. I saw my neighbor, Nancy, this morning on her way to get lots of fruits and vegetables for her visiting grandkids. She said she will keep me supplied.

I went for a walk instead of a run this morning. It was all about not wanting to sweat. Anyway, as I was crossing the bridge I noticed these fishermen on the lake on this gray, dismal morning. I saw their reflections in the water that my art teacher had said we should be noticing. She said to observe how the reflection mirrors the colorings of the objects. So, I rushed home, got my camera, and hurried back, hoping they hadn't moved. Now I have something to try out my painting skills on.

Yesterday, while running along the trail and as I bent over to pick up a Breakfast Biscuit wrapping, a young man, standing beside the trail, pointed out a raccoon to me. He was commenting about what a cute raccoon it was. Well, in reality it was a very sick raccoon, standing there with his head down, swaying on his weak legs. He didn't notice us or even move. I was concerned that it might not only be a sick raccoon, but one with rabies, possibly.

So since home was another half hour away, and the park attendants were off for the holiday weekend, I ran into the local bike shop and asked if they could call animal control to come take a look at the raccoon. The young man just handed me his phone and the phonebook for me to find the number and call for myself. I called the number listed, but since it was a holiday weekend they were closed and gave the 911 number to call. As I proceeded to call them, the young man, noticing I was sweating all over his phone, took the phone and said he would take care of it, as he wipe the phone carefully with a cloth. Hopefully, he followed through. I didn't go back to check on the raccoon.

Sorry about the blurred picture. It says,"Master, how can I change the world?" "Young Sage, you first must be the change you want to see in the world." Next frame, "Man, this is gonna be a lot harder than I thought."

No gloat!

2012-02-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

Homework done for next week's lesson. I had trouble getting the color right for the orange, so I guess it's a peach. Shadow needs a little more depth, too.

Today on the front page of the paper there were two heart wrenching stories; one about a man with ALS and the other about a two year old born with a heart defect requiring a heart transplant for him in the future. Those are particularly sad stories because, of no fault to either of them, they have grave medical conditions.

I suppose some people think that when I talk about running,exercising, eating a healthy diet and share my healthy recipes I am gloating about being so right all the time. But, I am not. I want share with my readers what makes me feel so good and why I have so much energy to do the things I enjoy doing. We have enough strikes against us, just celebrating another birthday every year, as we get older. We don't need to speed up the process by neglecting a life style that makes so much sense.

Then when I hear about people who, to no fault of their own, are suffering, I can't help wonder how anyone can just throw away their good health so recklessly. I really have a hard time understanding people who neglect their health all their life. Then when their health falls apart they are whining and crying as if they are a helpless victim. They know what they should do, but are too unmotivated to do anything about it.

I just want to help inspire people to take control of their life, get the most they can out of it and live.

So, on the way to looking for a recipe for the chicken breast I took out of the freezer for dinner, I came across a recipe for cranberry bars. Since I happened to still have some cranberries in the freezer from back you know when, I decided to make Michael some cranberry bars for his tea time today. Got that done, now I need to get back to finding that recipe for the chicken. I do have a short attention span, obviously.

So much to do, so little time...

2012-02-16T10:33:00.000-08:00

Comment regarding yesterday's blog: You can be in the driver's seat or the trunk. That certainly says it all and I know where I want to be riding.

Today was a repeat lesson on fruits and veggies, since there are several new members that weren't in the last series of classes. I know, they all look like they are at attention, but you have to work with what there is and that is how they were set up, from my angle. So our homework is more fruits and veggies. She suggested finding plastic ones, but that kinda feels like cheating or something. So I'll just have to work fast or use the fruits Michael won't eat too fast.

Since the recycling project is on hold until next Wednesday, I actually have the time to think about the rest of my life. So many options; invite the ladies over for left over muffins and tea(I have sorely neglected my social life lately), paint veggies, work on a Relay for Life rap. So many choices, so little time, if I don't get off the computer and get busy.

If you fail to plan...

2012-02-15T11:51:00.000-08:00

If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Heard it over the years, as we all have, but it is as true as ever. If you don't plan your life, then some day you'll be sitting in your rocking chair wondering what just went by without you even noticing it until then.

Sure, I know, we all hear,"But, we need to stop and smell the roses!" Yes, you can do that along the way, but if that is all you do, then you are bound to be one of those people who blames society for the fact that you have nothing to show for your life. But, that is another story.

Too many people just let life happen to them, without any thought about being in control of what happens to them. I think, to some extent, people let TV live their life for them and they don't plan anymore then to plan what they will watch that day.

This isn't just for young people starting out making career choices either. At any point in our life we should be adjusting, refining, and setting new goals for our self. That is how you get the most out of life, I believe. The moment we think we don't need goals to set our eyes on and how we will get there with them, is the moment we have given up having the rich, full life we were intended to live. Amen

When I went out this morning my way was paved by the neighbor down the street on his bike. He had picked up all the trash, leaving me time to notice other things. The woman wearing a sari,who came out of her house carrying a small container of incense which she held with her arms stretched up towards the heavens, was a beautiful and moving sight. The elderly lady who has only been on the trail twice now, stopping to take in every little aspect of nature she saw along the way. I could see the joy on her face as she stopped to chat a bit. The dozen white ibises crossing the trail in front of me. I hope that, if a black cat brings bad luck, a bunch of white ibises means good luck.

Happy Valentines' Day!

2012-02-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

I didn't have anything but a morning kiss for my Valentine this morning. So when I returned from my morning run, I made some Valentine muffins for him. Of course, as usual, I didn't have the ingredients required for the recipe, but that didn't stop me from creating my own version. And of course, they are super healthy. Great for breakfast or afternoon tea time. I thought they were worth passing on to my blogging fans.

Small bowl: 1 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
Less that 1/2 cup sugar
2 teas. baking powder
1 teas. baking soda
1/4 cup dark chocolate baking cocoa

Larger bowl: 1 cup All Bran cereal
1 cup quick oats
1 1/3 cup milk Soak for 2 minutes
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup canola oil
two over ripe bananas mashed
Combine with dry mix and pour into cupcake holder
Bake 375 degrees for 16 minutes
Next time I'll add chopped walnuts to give it the omegas, too
1/4 cup applesauce

Tonight I'll make him a special dinner, of his choice, which he hasn't told me yet, because we are now leaving to go stock the larder, and he will see what strikes his fancy. He wanted prebreaded shrimp, which made me cringe. I told him I can achieve the same using Panko and a package of raw shrimp that isn't as heart wrenching.

Most of the ladies here went to lunch at an Italian restaurant today to celebrate Valentines' Day. I begged off, saying Michael and I are spending the day together doing our usual thing. I just couldn't see coming home to my Valentine with pasta on my hips and garlic on my lips.

14 and counting!

2012-02-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

Today is our 14th anniversary. Someone asked me how many years we have been married, but I couldn't give the answer right off the top of my head. I don't know why those kinds of things just don't make an impression on me. I don't seem to keep track of time lapse very well. Certain dates stick with me and I can tell you what I was doing when. But, how long ago means doing the math and I don't seem concerned about that.

We could relate back to what we did for each of those 14 years. Michael has always been great about making a big deal about it each year. Since he had jury duty today, we had to put plans on hold for a bit. We did go out for a nice dinner tonight, though. Valentine's Day is really anticlimactic to our anniversary, being the day after. He pretty much combines the two into one big event.

He always plans a trip to somewhere. Today, now that we know he doesn't go back for more jury duty, we made our plans. We are going down to Treasure Island by St. Pete for a couple of nights. I love going to the beach, walking along the water line looking for treasures. Hopefully, the weather will be decent. That is one thing we can't control, so guess we'll make the best of what ever we get.

Trout vote

2012-02-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

I've been busy all day working on "the project". So no words of wisdow to share today. However, after vising, revising and valuable input, it has ben determined that the only obvious critter for our logo is a trout. No duh! Lewistown, of trout fishing renoun, for heavens sake! So how is ROWL the trout? Recycle Our Waste Lewistown We're hoping to get the schools involved with posters for around town and I'm hoping to put ROWL on t-shirts, too. Which is better big ROWL or Smaller ROWL?

I've fixed his tail to look like a trout's, I hope, on the smaller version.

I could turn him to a different position, if it would look better. Maybe his body turned a little clockwise more. He's a rainbow trout, by the way.

I need feed back. Is he gripping enough? If not how can he be more so? Thanks.

Dogs

2012-02-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

Today it was a bit blustery out when I headed for the trail. It rained last night, cooling the temperature a bit this morning. I should have known it would rain, since I finally gave my plants some water yesterday. We just haven't had the rain we need and with the warmer winter, the lake is low and the plants are dry.

Yesterday must have been the doggie parade on the trail. I passed several dogs of different types decked out for their morning walk or bike ride, as applied to a couple. Just as I don't know one car from another other than by color, I'm no expert on particular breeds of dogs either.

But, one man had a wiener dog decked out in a jacket with a wiener dog print on it. His poodlie type companion was wearing a pink tutu kinda skirty thing. They knew they were looking pretty fashionable, taking in the admiration from passersby. Another dog went by in his seat on the back of a bicyclist. He was sporting a green, hand knit cable knit sweater. You could tell a lot of love went into the knitting of that sweater. You could also tell the dog thought so, too.

Then along came a little shitsu type dog with his master following behind. I told the dog he was a real cutie. He seemed to already know that. In fact he seemed to know he was so cute he didn't even need to wear some silly outfit to prove it.

Today there weren't any dogs walking their masters. Must have been the weather. Not fit for man or dog, I guess. Just some of us persistent trailers.

Can we change?

2012-02-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

I was thinking today about how I'm not the person I was in my mother's womb. I do believe our personalities are pretty much innate, but I know that for a fact my personality has evolved over my many years. Good, bad or otherwise.

I was extremely shy, as a child, with people I didn't know very well. I think I was pretty immature, too, thinking back on some of the choices I would make. Maybe you could say, I had a personality that just didn't seem to have much going for it in my youth.

I remember one time, when I was 14, my mom wanted to give me a little social nudge. The Rainbow girls were having a big dance that she really must have wanted to see me attend. She was friends with the British Consulate there in Panama and knew their son was home from boarding school for the holidays. So she persuaded me to call and invite him to the dance. I called and he said okay, he would go with me.

Mom had a dress custom made by a seamstress for me. She must have thought that would turn her shy, awkward daughter into a beautiful butterfly. I noticed right way, however, that the big,turquoise ovals on the fabric went one way on one side of the skirt and the other way on the other side. Even I noticed that and there was no way to cover it up, either. I was starting out with one point against me. I looked like I was wearing a clown suit.

Anyway, my dad drove me to the boy's house the evening of the big dance. When I went to his door, everyone was surprised. Even the boy. He didn't know anything about my call or the dance. Apparently, I had gotten a wrong number and the guy on the other end had just said anything to get me off the phone. The boy's family was having some big dinner, but they still made him come with me.

So we didn't say one word to each other in the car going or on the way home. It wasn't much better at the dance. We just sat and looked at the people around us having a good time. The only one more miserable than I, was the boy, obviously.

So, where was I going with this example? Just to show how much my personality has changed since that night. People who know me now would never believe it. Now, most people wonder," how do you shut that woman up, she has an opinion about everything!" I was born shy and inept, but that didn't mean I had to spend my life that way. I would have never recognized the person I am today, back then.

I know I'm not speaking for everyone. Most people come out of the womb in a lot better shape personality wise than I did, I'm sure. Back then I didn't know I had a choice. Now I do. Your personality may be innate, but you don't have to keep it for a lifetime.

Logo for recycle program

2012-02-09T12:16:00.000-08:00

So what do my readers think? Yesterday I was given the suggestion that we have a logo and anagram for our recycling program. I tried all kinds of combinations, wanting to have Recycle and Lewistown in it and thought that REAL would be a reasonable anagram. As I lay in bed thinking last night, I would get up, take my paper into the bathroom for light, and try the latest version. There were some that were ok, but not just right.   This morning I tried a few more. Still not spot on.

Then today, I showed Michael what I had so far and asked what he thought. Just like that he was able to come up with this one. Recycle Earth Aid Lewistown. Wow! Just like that!
The logo was a natural, with Spring Creek flowing through and the mountains surrounding the town.

Michael has been so supportive.  Most of the time I can't read him, but when I was discouraged, he  tried to boost my spirits and give me hope. I can always tell when he thinks I don't quite have it right because he reserves comment. Yet, when I get it right he is right there with a compliment to let me know.

I usually trust his judgment and know  he is usually right on with his opinions. However, I still leave a little room for my own creative judgement in the end.

Pick yourself up

2012-02-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

As the song goes," Pick your self up, dust yourself off and start all over again." Or something along those lines. Anyway that is my mantra today. The recycle meeting went, if I were being honest with myself, as expected. I was frustrated about not being in the room and not hearing everyone very well, much less being able to identify who was speaking each time. I realize I'm not getting this phone conferencing thing down very well.

Anyway, issues were posed that will sooner or later have to be dealt with, ie. The exposure of employees to toxic residues from the plastic. I would think masks and rubber gloves used during handling should remedy that pretty well. Also we would need to educate the public well to prevent that as much as possible. The bottom line was there is much work yet to be done before even the grants can be applied for. I have tried to fill in all the blanks I could and dot all the i's I knew about, but that wasn't enough. Everyone who had been involved had thought we were getting it together pretty well, anyway. Not.

What I came away with from the experience was a sense of defeat to an extent and wondering why in the world I ever thought I could pull this whole project off in the first place. No wonder no one had taken on this challenge before. They were just smarter than I am, I think. They could see the pit falls ahead that I was oblivious to and fell right into.

Last night I was defeated. But, this morning I woke up with my mind going a mile a minute with filling in all those blanks and dotting all those i's. I feel like one of those politicians running for office, every time they get knocked down they come back more powerful than ever. Hooah!

Know your voice

2012-02-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

This morning was misty and gloomy out, with a wind blowing through the palm out front. I really wasn't looking forward to going out for my morning constitution. I was thinking abut all the things I needed to do to prepare for the Recycle Lewistown conference taking place this afternoon. I had to disengaged my brain and just let my feet take over or I wouldn't make it out of the door at all. As it ended up, a 30 minute walk around our half mile loop a few times did me good, helping me get my head back on track, too.

We really have many voices in us that help determine what we do or should do. It just means knowing which voice to listen to and when. I would never have gotten any fresh air this morning if I had listened to my head. My feet were the right voice to listen to that time. Then again, sometimes I need to listen to my gut over my head.

For instance, I feel that I should put my money where my mouth is with this recycling project that I initiated. However, my head could think of hundreds of other things to do with that money and my heart could think, like Michael's, that that money could go to feed some hungry people instead. I know my gut is right on this one. Hungry people are important to feed, but if that is the extent of our thinking about how we can help correct the problems of the world, then we have tunnel vision.

I learned something about pasta sauces last night. A lot of a good thing is not necessarily a good thing. I know the secret to a real Italian spaghetti sauce is the cream added to it. It gives the sauce a mellow taste and a perfect consistency. However, when you keep adding more cream to the sauce because it is getting too thick, it doesn't improve it any. Then all you end up with is a sauce that tastes like the cream and nothing else. Not the intended goal and not too tasty. Doesn't seem that I listened to any of my voices that time. But, if I learned something for the next time, that's what matters.

IThe game

2012-02-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

Michael and I watched the Super Bowl last night. I know, probably 90% of the nation was watching, but I am usually one of the %10. I hear so much about the commercials afterwards that I figured it is time I get in the loop so I know what they are talking about. We did miss the National Anthem, though, that I read was done well. Darn!

I noticed on the trail this morning that many of the walkers were pretty subdued. I figure those are the people from New England. Those who seemed a little more buoyant in their step must have been the New York fans. Most everyone here is either from New England or further north yet. I was a Patriot's fan because of my dad, who was from Massachusetts before he came out to Montana at 30 years of age, fresh out of seminary. That seemed as good a reason as any, I figured.

Michael was good about explaining things to me without making me feel dumb. Of course, I don't know all the ins and outs of the game since I never watch it otherwise. We all have things we enjoy and things we could do without. And televised sports are things I can do without. That may seem like a sacrilege to many people, but there are some of us like me out there.

But then, not everyone thinks the things I enjoy are anything to get excited about either. So tit for tat.

I just heard that my idea for a Relay for Life fund raiser has been approved. My Big Burger Bash Festival is a go. This is a project that will be good for, not only Relay for Life and St. James' Church, but for the town of Lewistown, too. More on that later as plans develop.

It's tea time and my tea and oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies are waiting. Then, I'll write my next article for the Lewistown paper.

Sandhill cranes

2012-02-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Sandhill cranes are the most comical birds I know. They make a horrendous racket while flying over head, sounding like an old married couple that can't agree on anything. Some of you are saying," Oh yeah, like you guys." No a lot noisier and disagreeable than that.

They have been spending more time in our back yard recently; maybe it's the seeds spilled out onto our lawn by the cardinals when they eat from our bird feeder. Maybe we have an infestation of some bugs I don't know about. I don't really know, but it seems like they are hanging around a lot because they know that I appreciate seeing them here.

Yesterday I was sitting out on the lanai all ready with my paint supplies, waiting for some inspiration to come along. And along they came. A pair making their usual loud din until they settled down to check out the weedy grass. One stood there for the longest time, allowing me to study him carefully and trying to burn every detail of his appearance into my brain before he moved away. He stood there stark still as if to say,"Hey, can you capture my photogenic side if I stand like this for you?"

After realizing, finally, that the only way to really capture that perfect pose was to take an actual photo, I rushed in to get my camera. That seemed to be the signal to him to move on. "Look, Lady enough is enough. If you can't get it down by now, then you're hopeless," he seemed to say. "I've got better things to do with my time than pose for you."

I can't blame his impatience, the way I was talking to him demanding that he turn this way and that. It must have been the limit for him when he struck that really cute pose with one leg tucked up and his wing feathers stretched out and I told him to hold it just like that. Even funny, noisy sandhill cranes have their serious side.

More about my friends

2012-02-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

My whimsical bird in the front yard. I love the way he bobs up and down with the breeze, balanced on a thin rod. Looks like he is concentrating on getting that lizard.

I stand corrected. I should have remembered that "Sometimes I feel I a nut, sometimes I don't" is from the Mounds bar commercial, not Honey Nut cereal. No one else corrected me, but I knew that if Michael read my blog he would correct me in a minute. That's where husbands come in handy sometimes. Thanks Michael. I really don't mean that, only kidding.

More about my friends being an olio bunch. Okay, so that is a frequent word on crossword puzzles that happened to come to mind. Anyway, even though they each have their own little idiosyncrasies, they do have one thing in common. They all see life with the glass half full rather than half empty, so to speak. Some are widows, others divorced, some with husbands hale and hardy and one with one not so hardy. But, they all have a spirit of getting the most out of life, whatever that may mean for each of them.

For the Nancys(two of them), that means socializing and being with people more than most of us care to be. For Harriet that means seeing the world through a creative eye, be it her home or her style of dress. Maybe it's from having a photographer's eye. For Julie it's her practicality, while at the same time being a very gracious lady( her thoughtfulness has taught me a thing or two). For Janet it is being a good friend to her friends and being the most organized person I know, a container for each and everything. For Louise it's living out her faith in her volunteer work and committment to being healthy. For Georgia, it is her devotion to her golf game and having a good time. I don't know Eve very well, but I think she is one who is not going to suffer up north in the winter when she has good friends down here to come and enjoy.

Anyway, they all find the brighter side of most everything in life. Except politics and we'll just leave that one alone. Hard to be positive about everything.

The plastic reycling project is at a standstill almost as we wait for the next meeting to take place on Tuesday, with all the principle players there to pull everything together. The money isn't exactly pouring in, though. Of course, you can't get blood from a turnip, so to speak and Lewistown isn't exactly rolling in dough right now. So I expect it is time that I step up to the plate, put my(our) money where my mouth is, and make my financial contribution. Maybe that is what everyone is waiting for.

An olio of friends

2012-02-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

The luncheon went well with everyone very complimentary about the quiches and the company. I baked three different kinds of quiches, with the idea that, with the varied pallets, everyone would find at least one to her liking. I think the Lorraine was the favorite, with the spinach a close second. The crab was in the ranking, too, though. allrecipes.com was a lifesaver. The frozen dessert was simple to make and went over well, I think. I picked up the recipe at a church potluck. A can of crushed pineapple, a can of cherry pie filling, a can of sweetened condensed milk and Coolwhip. Mix and freeze, that's it.

This was actually a luncheon for my friend Harriet, in an off hand way, since we aren't supposed to do things for each other's birthdays, as it wouldn't be fair for those with summer birthdays, so they say. Her birthday is actually tomorrow. I have a leopard scarf that I bought for her before the new rules were put in place. I bought it with only her in mind at the African Team Ministries booth our church had at the Chokecherry Festival in Lewistown last summer. So tomorrow I'll take it to her and apologize for breaking the rule as I say, Happy Birthday. It is all sooo weird.

It is interesting how nine women, with the differences we have in our political and religious views, can get together and enjoy an afternoon socializing together. We actually get along quite well and are able to avoid the pitfalls that could be senstive to someone in the group. I think women can do that quite well. We respect the differences and enjoy the person inspite of them.

We figured if women go a chance to rule the world this would be a lot friendlier world to live in. Wish we were given the chance. Wow, Just think about it a while.

Eight matching plates

2012-02-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

Michael's pride in a job well done, laying the new mulch.

We've been busy getting the house ready for my ladies' luncheon tomorrow. I guess you always clean with a more critical eye when you are expecting company. Michael is a good worker around the house. However, as when I was a child, there are some foods in the fridge that are off limits to him right now. I did make his lunch for him, though, when he finished his work, of course.

I have eight matching plates and had invited eight ladies to the luncheon. Perfect. However, I had a nagging thought running through my head that I should include Louise, too. Louise is a good person who juices all of her food, except her daily oatmeal. She looks great for her 75 years. I would be happy if I aged that well. I've known her since we moved here nine years ago, but we really aren't buddies or anything like that. She's an across the street neighbor, I wave to mostly.

She has a husband who is gravely ill with heart problems so bad the doctors don't want to operate on him. He could die on the operating table, the doctors say. He doesn't like Louise's food so he goes out for every meal, morning, noon and evening, religiously. You can tell the time by his trips.

But, back to my nagging feeling. I thought about it a lot. I hate not having matching plates, but I hate more having that nagging feeling that I should do something I have put off. So I went over and invited Louise to join us. I hope she is happy about that and wants to come. I thought it would be good for her to have something else on her mind besides her worries about Bob. I don't know if she'll want to eat my quiches, but maybe she'll enjoy the company. They are all her neighbors, anyway.

I'm glad I invited Louise. I'll deal with the odd plate problem that doesn't seem such a big deal after all.

Take a closer look

2012-02-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

I just thought I'd put a few pictures of Michael doing what he enjoys doing so well, to see if he is paying any attention. He hadn't been reading my blog until I chastised him for not being my biggest fan. He does enjoy his pastry, I'll have to say.

There was a considerable amount of litter on the trail today. I picked up all that I could, considering the fact that the trash bins were so far apart and it meant carrying everything for about a mile. But, I didn't disturb the bag of dog poop the man placed along the side of the trail this time. I told him, as I jogged by, that I wasn't going to take his bag this time. He said he's like Hansel and Gretel, he needs it to find his way home. Okay, to each his own.

I notice that when I'm on the trail, not everything is as I think it is when I am looking from a distance. However, as I get closer, I find that what I thought, for instance, was a plastic bag at a man's feet was really the roller blades he was on. Or, some one walking away from me is actually coming towards me. What ever, things just aren't all that you think they are until you get closer.

That's true about people. As you get to know them a bit and talk with them, you find out the truth about that person. Good or bad, but I do believe it is usually for the better. For instance, there is a woman who walks her little wiener dog before she goes to her job as a trail attendant each day. I have always said hello as I ran by each day and she never even looked up, keeping her eyes on her dog.

Then today, after I used the restroom, I saw the woman, her name is Mary, cleaning them up. So I told her how much I appreciate her efforts and how nice it is to go into clean bathrooms on the trail. When we got to chatting I learned all kinds of things about her, her children, two daughters, and her interests, she helps with her daughters' soccer teams. She told me some of the problems they have had with vandalism and the challenges they face on a daily basis. She's a nice lady.

So I changed my former impression of her, now that I have gotten closer and had a chance to know her a bit. It just takes a moment to stop and take a second look to get to know people a bit. Who knows, it just might change your thinking and alter your world for the better.

Marathon shopping!

2012-01-31T18:35:00.000-08:00

One more note about the elephant. I'm sure you may wonder what prompted that whole thought. Well, at the service Sunday night there were people from many different denominations who, I'm sure, find what we do in the Episcopal church a bit odd for them. Yet, we were all able to worship together because we have one thing in common that surmounts all our differences. I wish the rest of the world could work things out that way. Wouldn't that just be too awesome?

I went shopping with some of my girl friends today in Ocala. Now they are shoppers! They have their route they know blindfolded and where to go for the best bargains. They leave me in the dust. We didn't break for lunch, which I have to say was wonderful at a delightful Thai restaurant, until 2:30. Had to keep to the route. No one bought much really. We each had our own list of what we were looking for, yet I'll have to say my list was the longest. That should be expected since this is the first shopping I've done since we got back here in October.

I'll leave this sport to the pros, I think. It is an arena not really meant for us amateurs usually. I enjoy giving it a go once in a while, but I think once will last me for quite a while. You have to build up stamina for that kind of sport if your going to get serious about it.

Elephant chapter two

2012-01-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

It started out pretty chilly going down to the trail this morning, but by the time I got there it had warmed up enough for me to shed my jacket. It actually was a perfect morning to be out, even though I felt pretty sluggish the first mile or so. Must have been the quarter pounder with cheese and the rich, gooey piece of brownie we brought home for a late supper last night. I did wash it all down with skim milk, though, so that should have made a difference. So today it is toeing the line with a turkey burger for dinner piled with veggies, baked sweet potato fries and a whole wheat bun. Michael loves his burgers anyway he can get them.

So to further discuss the elephant.analogy. If the blind men stay just where they are and only get to know the part of the elephant right in front of them then they will never really get to know what the whole elephant looks like. What a limited view of an elephant, if you only know its tail or its trunk. They would probably think the whole elephant is nothing but tails or trunks.

However, if they all sit down and share what they have learned, then it opens up a whole new understanding about what an elephant looks like and what a wondrous creature it is, too. Different information adds to the elephant understanding, not the same repeated over and over again. The elephant is much more complex than trunks and tails.

Or if one blind man wants to learn all about the elephant he could work his way around the elephant until he arrives back where he started. Then, if he liked another part better than the part he had known so well he could always go back to that part. Maybe, after being all around the elephant, he found that he liked the ears better than the trunk. So he goes back to the ears and remains quite happy there after.

So the more we share what we have learned about God, the more we will know about Him. And the more we explore other aspects of Him, the more we can either be assured of the truth for ourselves or find a new dimension to the truth we always knew, or thought we knew.

Okay, like the cereal commercial used to say, sometimes I feel like a nut and sometimes I don't. I guess, contrary to what some may believe about what I have to say here, today I don't.

It's all about the elephant in the room

2012-01-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

It's is interesting how a piece of paper can talk to you. Yesterday I sat down to paint a picture of roses. However, after I had applied the wash (water with a little paint for the back ground) the paper just didn't speak of roses, but a quiet lake scene that just had to come out. So that is what developed. I do need to get some new brushes, though, so that I can get the effect I want. So today I'll try to get to the roses, if the paper speaks to me in roses.

Tonight we have to go back to church for a rerun of this morning's service. Same program, just a different audience, as this is the 5th Sunday service when the churches in the community come together at a different, church. This time it is ours and I'm a reader.

This lends itself to the story of the elephant and the blind men, describing what the elephant is like. They each describe the elephant from his own experience with the creature. That's the thing about God, we all have a different experience and different expression of Him, based on where we come from in our experience with life and our past. No, God doesn't change. He is the same always. But, we, in our humanness each know Him somewhat differently. I think God understands that.

And you might say,"Yeah, but the Bible says__". Right, and your understanding, from where you stand, might be different than where I stand. None of us is the same, therefore, none of us sees things the same. But, we can agree on a few God given principles and respect each other and love each other, regardless of these differences. Loving one another is one principle that the blind men can't help but see the same, from what ever point of view they have of God.

And since this is Sunday I can preach my sermon and be just fine with it. Amen

Memories of paths gone by

2012-01-28T10:02:00.000-08:00

The weather was perfect on the trail this morning, with some vapors wafting off the grass along the sides from the dew. Many of my fellow occupants were the weekend users, taking advantage of a free morning: a privilege I am able to appreciate daily.

As I "good morning"ed everyone, I heard a " morgen" from a passing lady. It only took a moment for it to register and I shouted back a "morgen" to her as I went by. That sure did give me flashbacks to my runs while I was in Germany for 12 years.

I would put aside my lesson plans and committee work for an hour, change into my running clothes and head out to the trails through the woods behind the school. The dirt trails were easy on the legs and the variety of paths kept the routes interesting. Then, I would come back, refreshed and ready to tackle a few more hours work for the day.

When I went back for a visit a few years ago, I noticed that the paths were closed and you couldn't go across the bridge, crossing over the autobahn into the woods, any more. Before I left in 2002 a few dependents of a soldier from the base had thrown huge rocks over the side of the bridge on to the autobahn, striking several cars and killing a woman driver. Talk about ugly Americans. I don't know if the boys are still in the German prison or not, but I think they got off with a lot lighter sentence than they would have here.

I would have hated the loss of access to the woods for my destressing each day. Those woods were a lifeline for my survival. I would take my class across the bridge into the woods where we would sit on the ground and learn all about the levels of growth in the forest, from the ground cover to the canopy and the animals that lived there. It was a great way of bringing the classroom to the out of doors, with just a few steps across the bridge.

It sure doesn't take much to stimulate thoughts about days gone by in me. That's what "living life to the fullest" is all about, memories to carry you into the rest of your life.

A busy day doing nothing

2012-01-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

After getting a bit of housework done this morning, I went over to a friend's house to play dominos with a bunch of ladies. They really like to play that game. It's ok, but I just hate to waste an afternoon with nothing really accomplished. Okay, so I did accomplish some socializing time and "they" do say we live longer and are healthier if we have good friends and socialize with them. I must be very healthy and going to live a very long time.

My roses are getting away from me, since I haven't had time to paint them yet. You really have to do it on their time, not yours or your window of opportunity is gone. I'll stay home tomorrow and do it. I looked at the authors' event for tomorrow and only saw one of the authors talking about anything I could use. After all, I don't plan on getting a book published or anything.

My window of opportunity closed when Michael ate my tomatoes and I ate my avocado, too. You really can't put things off when you are dealing with flowers and vegetables. You must seize the moment. Guess I'll have to go out and replenish the supply, if I want to get any more practice in.

A new series of art class classes begins in February and I don't want my teacher to think I haven't been getting any homework done. I always like to try and impress my teachers with my efforts. I found it refreshing to be painting fruits and vegetables for a change. The roses will be an interesting challenge, especially when I try to make them all look as fresh and lovely as they did a week ago.

If anyone is keeping track, our recycling project is slowly coming together, with the second meeting of minds Feb. 7th. We will try again for me to attend via conference calling. They assured me it will work this time. We have everything done except the money, the catapult for the entire thing. We are looking in every nook and cranny for it and hope we can pull it out of the hat soon.

Proud to be an American, still

2012-01-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

I decided to take a walk on the trail today, since I wasn't crazy about working up a sweat, I thought. It was pretty warm, so didn't prevent that. But, walking you have a lot more distractions that stop you along the way, than you do when you run. Today, an Englishman, whom I've seen biking daily for years, was walking with his bike along the trail. I stopped to ask if he had had a break down and needed help. He showed me his out stretched hand, blacken with grease, holding the nuts and bolts from his bike. After we determined there was no way I was going to be able to help him, we got to talking. He started out by ragging on how America is no place for old people and how he wished he'd never come here. He said he reluctantly came, when he was a young man of 23 with his family, only able to become a citizen because his brother was already here.

After he complained for a bit and I had bitten my tongue for as long as I could, I said I was proud and glad to be an American. If he hadn't been so my senior I would have said a few more things that were going through my mind. Such as, if you don't like it, than why don't you just leave. Maybe that attitude adjustment is exactly what he needed. We may not be perfect, but, if you don't just believe what the media wants you to believe about the state of affairs, we are better than any other alternative.

On a lighter note, how are them onions?

And an even lighter note, I read an article in the local paper today that really brought back memories. She was talking about uncontrollable laughter we get sometimes, usually at the least opportune time. So, it really got me to remembering the times that has happened to me. It is usually at my own expense, but at times I have to admit it has been at the expense of another.

I still start laughing every time I remember seeing my sister with her pants caught in the barred wire as she was trying to squeeze through while wearing her cross-country skis. I almost was unable to be of any assistance to her in her plight I was laughing so hard.

I also can't help laughing again when I think of my daughter(I won't incriminate the one) who grabbed the piece of cake off the kitchen counter and popped it into her mouth as she ran down the basement stairs to her room. The next thing I heard were her shrieks as she came storming back up with a mouth full of sugar ants. Well, it was funny and still is.

Of course, I know she can't help laughing every time she remembers watching her sister(I won't incriminate the one) tumbling down the basement stairs to the family room with a bowl full of popcorn exploding over her head.

I guess you had to be there.

Let me explain

2012-01-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

A note about yesterday's entry. Sometimes it is a lot easier to believe the ideals when you are sitting on the sidelines. Yes, it would be very had not to be judgemental when in the trenches, dealing with humanity everyday. What I really meant to say was that no one should be judged for things that are beyond their control, such as age, race, looks. Things like that. I do judge people for their bigotry against the innocence of the world.

Now, on a happier note, after a short run, a kayak ride on the lake and a new haircut, you just can't find anything wrong with the world. On a warm, sunny morning paddling across the lake, watching the light glint off the water, was a pure pleasure. A breeze came up, making the trek a good upper body workout to boot. Once we got across and into the waterways the water was calm and all was quite peaceful, if it hadn't been for the loud motor sound coming from somewhere. You never can tell from where, the way sound travels across water.

I worked my way into the lily pads and grasses so that I could get a closer picture of the egrets and ibises on the shore. Every time got a picture framed up, though, the camera shy bird would take off, making it impossible to get the shot I wanted with my unsophisticated equipment.

There is a book fair hosting 28 authors, giving sessions about writing, this Saturday. I thought I might go. After all, writing in my blog and writing a few articles for the local Lewistown paper does sort of make me an author, I think. Actually, anyone who writes, either for her own pleasure or for others, qualifies as an author, I would think. If I'm going to play with the big boys, then I guess it would be a good idea if I learned some of the rules of their game. It sure couldn't hurt.

Baffles me all to heck

2012-01-24T11:38:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting out on the lanai, writing in my blog and a couple of silly sandhill cranes happen by. They are something to watch, with their noisy honks and big bodies.

It was interesting to watch the people at the church potluck on Sunday. Pastor Gene had said for the oldest members to get their food first, with the youngest pulling up the rear. Everyone just sat there, stealing a look around at the other people sitting around them. No one considered himself to be older than anyone else there. The woman sitting next to me and I looked at each other to determine which of us was more elderly. I didn't want to be rude, but she was obviously older than I. So how do you politely defer to her without insultingly saying," Well, Dearie, I do believe you are the senior to myself."? Eventually, with the encouragement of those in charge, the brave or honest got into line. Michael and I held back for quite a while, and any one knowing Michael, knows that took self restraint.

Why is it that the human tendency is to put up a self made yard stick where we value others by our own artificial standards, though? I was with a small group of women at the church yesterday. One woman lamented that her son would not accept her bi-racial grandchildren. She said," After all it isn't the children's" fault"". Wait a minute now. The children's "fault"? As if to say that someone was at "fault" creating these beautiful children? The one at fault is the biggot who thinks he has a right to judge what is acceptable about the human race. He would be right if he recognized his own biases and hatred, and then did something about his irrational thinking.

Why do we do that? We have to pump ourselves up some how at someone else's expense. Always. It is never for their benefit. The first time I saw those four wheeled, creeping bikes on the trail, my first thought was,"So you take the lazy way to ride a bike". When I realized that this was a way for older people and those with back problems to get out and enjoy some exercise and fresh air, I was ashamed of myself.

But for some reason we think that because some one is of a different religion or political persuasion, or segment of society,or what ever, they are lesser than we are. Yet, the truth is that the lesser person is the one who judges others for what ever reason. And the worst ever are those who say someone is less than they are because the person is of a different race, or older or what ever beyond their control, as if their is something they should do about it. Sure does baffle me.

I like to think so

2012-01-23T12:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I need to go to the top of the mountain to regain balance in my life. If I can't literally get there, then a picture of some of my favorite mountains in Montana helps. Today has been one of those days of going from the bottom of the mountain in frustration to the top in renewed hope and energy. This project will come together yet, I am certain, but not without climbing many mountains first.

I get all kinds of inspiration while I am out on the trail in the morning. However, when I finally get back to my computer to write in my blog, there seems to be a dam holding back those creative juices, with only small holes letting some of it flow. But this is, generally speaking, what I was thinking about today.

I like to think that when we say, in our Pledge of Allegiance," one nation, under God", we understand that that means the Golden Rule, too, and that means every one is our neighbor, whether we like them or not and we need to treat them as such.

I like to think that when we buy foods sold in bulk we are not only thinking about saving a buck, but how it means less packaging going into our landfills.

I like to think that when we go to church we are trying to think divine thoughts and not derogatory thoughts about the person in front of us.

Just a few of what I think about when out on the trail. Nothing profound, really.

I did talk to a city official today who offered this observation, " Sometimes you need to do what is right even if it means it isn't the most profitable decision to make." Now that is profound, coming from such an unlikely source.

A rose is a rose

2012-01-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

I thought these roses that Michael's son, Dax and his daughter sent me were absolutely gorgeous. I told him I plan to try my hand at painting them, understanding that I certainly won't be able to do them the justice they deserve. The colors are so variegated that it will be a fun study to try. After seeing the watercolor work for sale at the festival yesterday, I realize how far I have to go before my work will be acceptable for display in any ones home. It is not my intention to ever sell my work, but I would like to be good enough to feel that I can give a piece to one of my children without fearing it will end up in the attic. That is my only goal, actually and what a challenge that will be.

The paper today had an interesting article about Ft. Hood, Texas. They have enbarked on a recycling endeavor with the goal of one hundred percent recycled waste. That is quite an undertaking and admirable, to say the least. What they can't reuse or recycle they will use to generate energy. They will work with the surrounding communities to combine their efforts for the greatest efficiency and profit. Then, they will share their program for implementation with other bases. So encouraging to hear about such a positive effort being undertaken by our own military installations that can become the model for us all. Recycling is becoming the norm where ever you look today.

I had an interesting e mail from a friend today. She had done her own little research project and found that, contrary to what we may believe, there are many products on our shelves that cost the same, if not less, than those made by other countries. We just need to do some comparison shopping when at the store. I know I intend to start, not only looking at nurtional information, but the manufactoring trail of each product. I really would like to help our own work force out the best way I can.

Now, I'm going to have to start taking my meals along with me on my shopping trips, it'll take so long.

Manatees everywhere!

2012-01-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

Today ended my extended birthday. Of course, Michael had to remind me that today was also the first day of my 72nd year. I never think about it that way, probably for self preservation. Anyway, we took the kayaks to Crystal River out on the gulf and over to the Three Sisters Springs where the manatees winter. It was pretty crowded there, with the Manatee Festival taking place at the same time there. Kayak rentals were doing a great business as well as the pontoon boat tours and snorkelers swimming among the manatees.

I tried to be sure not to disturb any of the manatees and let my boat just glide by them, but you couldn't help going right over them, too, there were so many. You can see them in the water in front of my kayak. They're pretty cute when they surface for air with their snouts stretching out.

After we came back to shore and secured the boats on top of the car, we walked over to the festival. I have to hand it to Michael, that part he was not looking forward to and was only lured there by the aromas and promise of food. He took it all so well. We walked the entire festival after eating a cold, over priced, pulled pork sandwich then headed back home ready for a well deserved rest.

We intend to have a restful afternoon tomorrow (it is Biblical, you know) after church, the annual meeting there and taking communion to the shut ins. We have been on the go pretty much, with movie(great) and dinner(delicous) last night. Now it's dinner at Nancy's tonight. Guess I'd better go jump in the shower.

One day a year

2012-01-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

Bringing home the road trash from my morning run.

One day a year you get to be self centered and do what ever you want. That's on your birthday. So I've had 71 selfish days in my life and counting. Yes, this morning, picking up trash on the road is what I wanted to do today. Helping with the house work a bit was also what I wanted to do. I didn't want Michael to have to do it all. He's not one to leave it for another day, either. It's nice to be able to put yourself first and not feel any guilt.

It impressed me to see a young gal running on the trail this morning. Most of the people are getting up there in years that I see each day, but she was a cute young thing, pumping out the miles. The reason I am impressed by young people getting fit is that they aren't waiting for the doctor to say, "Your going to die soon if you don't start taking care of yourself".

It is harder to project into your future when you are a young 20 year old and foresee all the ills you might end up with if you eat that Paula Deene food and become that couch potato. The young usually feel that they are immortal or at least indestructible and none of that bad stuff is going to happen to them.

But, it does if they don't watch what they put into their bodies and let their muscles waste away and smoke those cigarettes. Then one day they hear the bad news from the doctor and can't go back and have do overs. Sure, anything you do healthy from then on will help, but it doesn't erase all the abuse you did completely.

So it is the youth who are doing it right the first time that I really admire.

So I am selfishly dragging Michael out to the movies and a nice place for dinner today. He says he hates going to the movies but he does like to treat me on my birthday or our anniversary or Valentines Day. Especially a long one. I can do it today and feel no pang of guilt what so ever. That's what birthdays are for.

My Mother Said

2012-01-19T12:33:00.000-08:00

There'd Be Days Like This, My mother said. That song has been running through my head all day, expressing my frustration, it seems. I know life isn't just a bed of roses every day, but we like to think it is.

First, I thought my tomatoes and garlic in watercolor class were coming along pretty well until I saw everyone elses in class. Theirs were much better,capturing the true essense of the tomatoes, I thought. You kinda get that idea when the teacher says," Nice". to you and,"Great!" to the lady next to you. Ok, I'll show it to you. I did learn a lot, though, and will work on my technique. That is the last class until they get settled into their new building. But, I intend to get better between now and the next sessions, I hope.

Then I lost a quality paint brush somewhere between the class and car. I hate that.

I guess my frustration is more based on trying to contact some vital person for the recycling program who seems to be avoiding my calls. She may as well give in because I just don't give up. In fact, I think I'll go call her again right now.

By the way, if anyone is checking, Michael said he is beginning to feel better. Maybe, with some TLC tomorrow will be a go, after all.

Co-vert birthday luncheon

2012-01-18T13:31:00.000-08:00

My friends are pretty funny, actually. I was invited to a lovely luncheon at Harriet's today. A wonderful chicken salad with lots of fresh strawberries, melon and grapes. Just the way I like it. And for dessert another friend had brought a delicious key lime pie, a specialty of hers. It was a delightful afternoon visiting with friends that I just haven't taken the time for much lately. Then, as I was leaving, they say, "Oh, by the way, here are some birthday cards for you". All quite subtle, actually.

You see, there seems to be some unwritten, but understood, premise that we don't make a fuss about each other's birthdays. No presents and things like that. The problem with that is that no one really abides by that rule. Yet, they say they do. So you just don't know how far to go for anyone else. For instance, Nancy declared at Christmas time that we were not going to exchange anything, period. But I don't trust that, knowing from experience. I just know that she will be the first one to break the rule and be at my door with some lovely home baked goodie. I think. But I don't want to take a chance and be the first to break the rule. So, I bake up a bunch of shortbreads dipped in dark chocolate, wrap them up and get them ready.

And sure enough, there she is with her goodies that she just happens to have on hand is getting rid of before they go north for the holidays. But I'm ready and whip out my shortbreads, just in the nick of time.

So now Harriet has a birthday in two weeks. So I will do the proper thing and have a luncheon a day or two before her birthday, because it really isn't for her birthday. It just happens to be about that time. And I will give her the giraffe scarf (she loves the African theme) that I bought for her when I was back north at our African Team Ministries booth at the Chokecherry Festival. It's not a birthday present. I just happened to have it around and thought of her. I'm learning.

Michael is still sick with his cold. I baby him, at a distance, as much as I can. I'm taking the Echinacea that I bought for him. It was too late for him, but it is working great keeping me virus free. So far.
I'm wondering if he'll be well enough for all that I have planned for my birthday. It is a two day event, actually. Day one, we go to see War Horse and dinner at a nice restaurant on the water. Day two, we go kayaking on the gulf with the manatees, followed by lunch at the Manatee Festival. Any ideas how to get him well fast?

Sure, Bob

2012-01-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

Sunday I had to read at church for Bob, who was home sick. He sounded sick on the phone anyway, but after reading the scripture selection appointed for that day, I got to wondering. It was from Paul's letter lst Corinthians all about fornication and not hooking up with prostitutes. I could see myself reading that to all the gray haired men and women in the congregation and even had nightmares about it the night before.

Pastor Gene was able to dig beneath the surface of that message for the kids about not messing up your body or anyone elses just as you wouldn't mess up the church with graffiti. Good level for them, I thought as the teenage girl showed me the tattoo she had made on her arm.

Most of the time you really have to dig beneath the surface when you read scripture like that. The Native Americans call our planet mother earth and creation as sacred, to be respected and cared for. How right they are. You can substitute the earth we were given to care for and not desecrate in place of talking about our bodies, which we were given to care for and not abuse. Same thing.

Michael's cold sounds worse, and makes me cringe everytime he coughs or sneezes. I've made two trips to CVS, as his symptoms have developed and hope this time I got it right. So the next thing to do is go and make him some chicken soup, I guess, since the cookies didn't cure him.

Grrr!

2012-01-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

I prop my paintings up with Michael's trophies so that I can view them(my paintings not the trophies) with a critical eye. First, I look to enjoy the results. Then, I keep coming back to them, critiquing how I can improve the flawed parts of the work. I'll really need to concentrate on the trees for a while. That means painting lots of trees, until I get them right. Then I'll work on wharfs.

Went to Ocala yesterday with my friends to see the play Rumors by Neil Simon. It is always fun to share a few laughs with good friends. It was very funny, with well timed humor. Only I don't think that the gray and dyed haired audience appreciated all the swearing. It sure puts me off. I don't really think it makes anything any funnier, actually. Simon doesn't have to resort to it. He is good enough without the cussing. I mean bad cussing.

I went for, what I guess more appropriately should be called an excursion this morning, a five mile run with trash pick up and walking backward up the hills along the way. I really appreciated the burn my buns got the last time I did that, so figured it would be a good think to throw in now and then. You see, I don't consider another birthday depressing the way some people in my age group do. Rather, I enjoy and look forward to the challenge. Life still has so much ahead to look forward to. I just want to be ready for it.

I've started mini composting. I'm keeping the coffee grounds and crushed eggshells in a small plastic container. Then I take them out to my azalea bushes, dig a hole in the mulch and bury them. We'll see how it improves the plants, over time. I'll let you know.

Michael has a cold. I identified it before he did. That didn't stop him from an eight mile run, though. Now I'm babying him by baking cookies and making him my healthy oatmeal. Air kissing going on, believe me. I may sympathize, but no way do I want to share it with him.

So he shows me a cartoon this morning, referring to me. The husband says,"You get more beautiful every year. Just like fine antiques". Grrr!

Simple rules of life

2012-01-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

Life really doesn't need to be as difficult as people make it. The rule of, if it is a good thing and you can do it, then do it, is the only rule you need. Really, it is that simple. Don't analyze it, ponder it, rationalize it, procrastinate it or put your negative spin on it.
For instance, if you can walk, then walk. If you can run and have half an inclination, then run. If there is a bathroom that needs painting at the church, you have a couple of hours free, and you can do it, then do it. If the dishwasher needs emptying, then empty it now rather than later. If you have ironing to do(as I do right now) then get it done. If you have a container that could be recycled, then rinse it out, put it aside, and recycle it.

The time one puts into talking ones self out of doing something, can be spent in just getting'er done. And after you do it, take a moment to reflect about how it makes you feel. Don't you feel great when you get back from a walk? You don't have any self reproach for not doing your part in helping someone out. We waste a lot of energy on that one. When you go to get dressed, you can go directly to the closet and put the garment on and when you have dirty dishes you can put them right into the dishwasher, keeping the kitchen neat and tidy. See how much less effort daily life takes?

I've heard, " It is easy enough for you to say" or " It is easier said than done". Neither statement is true. The satisfaction one gains from a clear mind and a healthy body is priceless and way better than the alternative.

There, the ironing is done(and I hate ironing). Do I feel good about getting it out of the way, though? You bet. Now I can move on to doing the things I really find rewarding, like my painting. And I don't mean painting the church bathroom.

Here is an interesting exercise. Go through your entire house and count up how many number 1 and 2 plastics you have in your home. Check the number on the bottom of the containers. Just be sure the lid is on tightly, before you turn it over to check. I always learn things the hard way. You will be amazed with the number.

Old people aren't dead yet

2012-01-13T14:31:00.000-08:00

Class yesterday.
I went to a concert at the Coastal Region Library at Crystal River today with my friends. I was fascinated with the venue and decided a person couldn't go wrong with the combination of performers they had billed. One was an ex detective from Miami and the other had been a forensic doctor performing over 3,000 autopsies in Miami over his career. They were billed as Dick and Doc. Dick was a very versatile violinist with a delightful sense of humor to go along with his repertoire. Doc was an accomplished pianist who hardly ever looked at the piano. Playing everything by heart they flowed from one selection to the next. They were absolutely, incredible talents.

As I sat there I got to thinking about how much talent we older people have to contribute to society still. What is great about it is that there is no longer the pressure and absorption of our time and energy to provide a living for ourselves and family anymore. So, we can devote what ever amount of ourselves to what really makes us happy and fulfilled. These men had been successful in their careers and now were able to devote themselves to their increible talent that had sat on the shelf for years and free to share it with everyone without charging a dime.

Too often I hear from seniors that they have already given and are ready to just sit back and relax. You can sure carry that too far sometimes using that for an excuse not to get involved. We keep crying that we don't want the government to do everything for us all the time. So the natural conclusion is that those who can and have the time, should. And they would all be the happier for it, too.

They need to ask, "What makes me feel good, lying on the couch watching hours of tv or getting involved". It wouldn't take them long to figure it out.

All that wonderful talent and energy going to waste!

It's pulling together!

2012-01-12T14:36:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I got the phone call yesterday that our recycling project has found a home. It is the original home we had hoped for. We promised we would not make a mess and if we do we will clean it up. Isn't that all your mother ever expected of you?

The price quotes came in for the baler, the cement slab, and the shed for our site and the volunteers are coming forward. There is actually a glimmer at the end of the tunnel, I do believe. Now if the grants come through quickly, quickly isn't even fast enough for me, I am sooo impatient to get this project off the ground.

I don't think that most Montanan's are wired as impatient as I tend to be. They are generally a pretty layed back bunch and figure there is never any need to rush into anything. That must be the litmus test for being a true Montanan, your blood flows a little slower than some. That can be a good thing most of the time; saves having too much stress in your life.

It just makes it a bit frustrating for those of us who want everything done yesterday and our way. Maybe I could use a transfusion from one of them. I'm sure they would like to give me one, at times.

Rainy days are nice.

2012-01-11T09:47:00.000-08:00

We had anticipated this rainy day for a week. I was actually looking forward to it; an excuse not to dash out the door doing some form of exercise program or what ever. So I knew when we got up this morning we could kinda kick back, make up a batch of my ulta healthy oatmeal(apple, walnuts,flaxseed,wheat germ) and plan an inside day.

Well, it didn't rain much until we tried to walk out the door to take a walk around the neighborhood. After two false starts, we gave it up.

It's a day free from the stress of trying to put together the recycle project, since it is now in the hands of someone else for the day. Roger is making a visit to the site for the project to be housed and will get back to me on Friday. What a relief not feeling as if there is something I should be doing everyday. Now, just sit back and wait for the feedback to come in. For once someone else is taking a lead.

So I'm going with my friend, Harriet, to Floral City to look at a new art expression, giclee. It is photography on canvas. She is really a good photographer and loves trying out new approaches to her pictures. So, I'm taking her to see the work of the man doing it around here. Fascinating work. I discovered it when I was at my art class last week and knew she would be interested.

So the rain has let up and we are off. Got to hand it to this retired life style. When the mood hit,s you you go with it. Got to go.

I feel like a pinball!

2012-01-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a very frustrating day, working on the Recycling Project. I felt like a pin ball in a pin ball machine, knocked from one post to the next, not really getting anywhere. And certainly not winning the prize. Following the advice of one source, I would call another source of information, which would more than likely cancel out the advice of the first, causing me to return to the original and sending me in yet another direction. Prices, dimensions, figures all floating around in my head and not really amounting to much help, I didn't feel. Yet, I suppose that each little piece either verifies or or nullifies and eventually makes me a little better informed and better prepared for the next direction I take.

So this morning I took a bike ride down to Floral City to clear my head and decide what my next direction would be. It worked well, actually. It is interesting about the trail. Each day there is a different personality to it. Yesterday, I didn't see but a few people on my way out. Yet today there was a steady wave of activity the entire distance. Big, serious bikers amongst the creeping spider bikes that hug the road on 4 wheels, ridden by some definitely seniors. I wove my way around groups of dog walkers and inline skate enthusiasts on the way down and a group of military pt trainers out
jogging on my way back. I could tell there are several groups of women who have made a resolution to exercise and lose weight.

I always kick myself for not taking my camera with me. At Floral City there was an older couple in a wooden wagon pulled by a pair of horses and their big old dog hanging off the back, as they trotted down the street. Not something you see much these days and worth capturing. As they rode under the live oak trees and spanish moss it was quite picturesque indeed.

It was inspiring to see the couple carrying their bag of litter that they collected along the way. I thanked them for what they do for us all. People come in all different types, to be sure. One day I picked up a plastic sack along side the trail, obviously holding some dog's do do and left behind. I thought I would wave judgement and just pick it up and deposit it in the next trash can. When I got up to the trash can, a man standing there chewed me out for picking up his dog do do sack, because he was going to get it on his way back. Now was that something that had run through my mind? Never.

So much for my good deed for the day back firing. I hope my good deeds with this "project" aren't backfiring on me. Sometimes it feels like it.

I'm not complete if I don't

2012-01-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Thoughts run through my head through out the day about what I want to share with my blog friends. I just must pick up my new computer and and let it go. My day just isn't complete anymore without putting my thoughts down in my blog. It really is quite satisfying for me to have an outlet for what is rattling around up there. If you don't have a blog, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys journaling. It is a lot easier to type your thoughts on the computer, where you can delete a thought with a flick of a finger, than to hand write and be committed to what comes out of the pen.

Today after church, I gave Michael a choice for our brunch.. Did he want the usual healthy two egg, four whites omelet with all the veggies or biscuits and gravy? I had vowed I would never make him unhealthy biscuits and gravy, his most favorite breakfast, again. I didn't want to be part of defiling his diet and contribute to ruining his health. It had been a long time since I did.

However, I over heard him tell someone that I will never make biscuits and gravy for him.

So I thought I would just leave the choice up to him. And, of course, he chose biscuits and gravy. So we stopped by the grocery store and we bought the sausage. I figured that since we were there, we might as well buy the ingredients for a pizza, too, and go for broke with the diet.

Of course, both items had to be made completely from scratch, so that I could still be in control of what went into them. He enjoyed the biscuits and gravy and I must say that was the best pizza I have ever made. The sauerkraut sprinkled on top made it superb, in my book, thanks to my daughter's introduction.

This afternoon we decided to try our hand on the tennis court with the balls and rackets that my daughter bought for the kids to use when she was here. I must say, it sure was a whole lot easier when I had my little kids shagging the balls than chasing after them myself. I didn't realize what a workout you could get playing tennis.

Ignore if it bores you.

2012-01-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

I was asked to blog my progress in my art classes, but if you aren't interested I can certainly understand. I'm not bragging when I post my pictures, basically just passing them along for what they are worth and hope we all see progress over time.

Sorry they got washed out in the process. Our lesson was about value, contrasting light to dark. These are supposed to be opposite values; where there is light value in one, the second has dark value. I'll have to work on my photography, though. I'm enjoying the process of down loading pictures from my camera and inserting them into my blog, now that I have figured it out.

I walked instead of running today, even though I have to say it takes about the same amount of time for the same distance. The sun came out on my way down the trail. I noticed a man, who had to be older than myself, dusting off a bench beside the lake and settling down to soak in the warm rays. We shared our appreciation for the results of the sun's glorious beauty on the lake, as I passed by. My parting comment was for some reason,"Where there is the sun (or how ever you want to spell it) there is always hope". I always did want to share my dad's pulpit.

On the way home, I thought I would try walking up the hills backward to give a few other muscles a chance to be sore for a while. My sister does this in her exercise class, so it must be a good thing to do. However, a gal was coming down the hill behind me on her bike and warned me she was there. It was time to turn around and watch where I was going.

I think it is ok to look back from whence we came once in a while in our life. But we don't want to spend too much time there. We won't make much progress if we don't turn around and concentrate on where we are going in our life.

That isn't just true in our goals set to move us forward, but it can be said about the mistakes we made in the past. Take recycling. So you threw it all in the garbage before. Now let it go, turn around and make it right.

Guess I'd better bake today. Looks like we have run through most of our holiday goodies. Besides what else do we elderly retirees have to do all day?

Thanks!

2012-01-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

I really appreciate your feedback. It keeps me motivated to get my thoughts together, pick up the computer and put something down. Believe it or not, I also appreciate constructive criticism, too. I'm not as thin skinned as I may appear, maybe. I do listen to other points of view, then weigh them with what I consider truth. I do believe we all have our own truth, based on our experiences, background and exposure. I try to see how it all works together for a new point of view, if necessary.

It was pretty foggy when I headed out on my morning run on the trail. The sound of church tower music drifted through the fog that covered lakes and obscured my fellow trailers on the way out. But, by the time I was heading back towards home, the fog had lifted and the sun shone brightly through, making all thinks clear again. That's what the sun, how ever you want to spell it, does for us. Sometimes, we feel like we are going around in a fog, with no real direction or insight into our life. Then the sun appears, allowing our vision to clear up and life takes on a whole new clarity.

I just finished reading an incredible book, Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. It is about the life of Louie Zamperini beginning in the teens when he was a troubled youth until he was introduced to running. He ran in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It continues with his incredible trials during the 2nd WW. It is not a story for those who can't handle some truly terrible human suffering. But, it is well worth reading it to the end. A true story of the resilence of the human spirit after enduring the unbelievable. After reading this book, your own aches and pains will seem totally inconsequencial.

Much to do. People to call, art lesson homework to complete and of course tea time!

How quickly we forget!

2012-01-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

I had my first art lesson this morning for the first time since last spring. It all felt so awkward, trying to get the feel back. I'm not ready to post the result of that class. I'll work on it and we'll see later. Sure does say something about staying with it. You don't improve any with the paints in the closet and the pallet dry. A few lessons will help bring back some of that feel, I think. Now I'm not saying I'm some kind of "real" artist any more than I claim to be a "real" runner, so please reserve judgment, thank you.

It gives me some diversion from the more serious aspects of life and helps me lighten up a bit. I don't know if I was spinning my wheels or actually getting somewhere yesterday on the recycling project, but I sure spent a lot of time on it. My butt even got sore from sitting here at the computer and talking on the phone all day. We're inching along, though, with parts beginning to fit into place.

I've made a resolution to try and buy closer to home. For instance, instead of chasing the lowest price out to Walmart, over five miles away, I'll check the prices in the ads at the closest grocery store for their special of the week, then stop at the local veggie stand for the rest. That is what my meals will be planned around. I'm sure with the saved gas it will help pay the difference in the price. Actually, we probably can even do better, in many cases.

Need to go and figure out the actual amount of square footage our operation is going to need and get some figures for constructing the facility. This isn't some grandiose operation, but we do need to get some details for figures to give to the grant writer.

Do you see why I need my painting? Otherwise, the recycling operation is all that I think about. Pathetic, I'm sure.

This is Florida?

2012-01-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

The weather was cold this morning, barely 20 degrees! It's supposed to be cold again tonight. This just isn't good for our tropical plants, believe me. I worried about my orange tree surviving out there all night. So this morning I hurried out back, put the hose under it and turned on a trickle of water. Sounds strange, but that is what the people with the orange groves do when it freezes, to save their trees. I hope it works because that tree is pretty important to me. It is like an icon, something to look at to remind you of something important to you. My parents were important to me.

My parents gave us $100 for Christmas almost ten years ago. So I decided to buy an orange tree to remember them by. Since this was once an orange grove, I thought that a fitting thing to do, and we do like oranges. The grandkids love to go out first thing in the morning and pick oranges for everyone before anyone else is up for the day. Family always likes to have their picture taken by my tree,too, a symbol of Florida. The oranges were particularly sweet this morning. The cold does that to them.

I read in the SECO (our electric co.) flyer that by rounding your bill up to the next dollar, you can help heat the home of someone who can't afford to heat his home. In fact, they had over one million dollars available for that use. Of course, one person can't accomplish that by himself, but if we all did that we sure could heat a lot of homes for some very unfortunate, cold people.

That is the effect of each of us just doing a little more to improve our environment, too, making it a more beautiful place for us all to live. The tendency is to say, "What difference does this little can make or this bottle thrown into the landfill?" Yet, look at what can be accomplished collectively! It is truly amazing the impact we can make when we we each do our part. Alone, together we make a difference.

Upcycling is the new word. Using what you have without increasing your footprint on the earth. I use the word repurposing, but it is basically the same. Look at the object you were ready to place into that recycle bin and see if you can think of a way to reuse it, saving you from the need to go out, burn gas and buy that item. For instance, I have been inspired by Julie to reuse my bread sacks for storing things in the refrigerator. They are strong and hold plenty.

The little rings that come on the top of juice, etc. to seal them, can be collected and used for little girls to make glittery rings at their birthday party or sleepover. Just spread glue on them and sprinkle some glitter and you have a gorgous ring for fanciful little girls. Kids are great at coming up with ways to repurpose, or upcycle, if you prefer.

Recycling Tidbits

2012-01-03T09:20:00.000-08:00

I've always enjoyed looking for natural objects that are part of my environment and adding them to my home decor. It's a good feeling of bringing the outdoors in, so that I can marvel at God's creation from inside our home.

The first picture is of the objects washed ashore after a storm on Maderia beach. I found them one morning while walking along beach combing( a favorite pastime of mine). My friends laughed at how excited I was about finding all of these "treasures" and had doubts about my sanity when I insisted on taking them all home with me. Some didn't fare as well as others and had to be discarded when they began to stink. But, I did keep several items and gave others to a friend who could also appreciate their natural beauty. The woven basket is from a friend of Michael's from Ethiopia he worked with in Germany. Interesting combination, I think.

I added a killdeer bird egg that had been abandoned by its mother that I found in the grass. She laid her eggs on the ground and a snake got one, so she must have given up on the other one. I left it in the house while we were gone and Michael was sure we would have a bird flying around when we returned. We didn't and I had a lovely addition to my collection.

The second picture is of the seed pods from the lily pads on our lake. I gathered them up while kayaking one day. They had cobwebs in them and who knows what kind of critters inside originally. However, I eventually got them cleaned out and put them in a display with some beautiful baskets found at a flea market. I love them all. They all really speak to me.

A few tidbits about the importance of recycling: Did you know that by recycing just one aluminum drink can you will save enough energy to power a 100 watt bulb for 20 hours, a computer for three hours or a TV for two? Imagine the impact it would make if we recycled them all! Yes, what we do does matter.

Here we go again!

2012-01-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

Since I had intended to use my blog originally to discuss and show my work from my watercolor classes and how it develops over time, and since I am starting up with a new teacher this week, I thought I should display some of my previous work. That way we can all appreciate the improvement, hopefully. Hopefully, I'll improve and hopefully, you'll appreciate seeing the results.

Elaine, emailed me about taking up the captain position with our Relay for Life team again this year. I begged off, with the reality that I really do have a plate full right now, trying to get this recycling project off the ground. So what happens? As I am lying in bed before sleep took over last night, I had brain storms going off in my head. You get me started and I just can't turn it off. Of course, going out for my run in the morning really gets the oxygen flowing, generating an over load of thoughts.

So, what do you all think of this idea? The theme this year is magic from the national organization. So I thought of taking that idea and twisting it around to: "It's not magic, it's not voodoo, it's just what you do". Or something along that line. Then we would be walking education boards, showing all the things you can do to prevent getting cancer i.e. eat your veggies, go for a walk, get a colonoscopy, stop smoking, eat lean meats, eat your fruit, avoid chemicals, get a mamogram. You get the idea. Then we write a rap or song and demonstrate the lesson.

There is much more to all this, but we'll just save some of the ideas for later. Don't want to overwhelm everyone with it all. Just so that I can keep straight where I'm going, when I need to get there, with what and with whom. That can't be all that hard to do.

Sad Christmas tree

2012-01-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

We got the tree put away for another year and all the evdence of Christmas past stored in the garage. I must say, there is a lot less sorrow with taking apart and storing a fake tree than there is putting a live one out by the curb to be destroyed by the trash men and put into a landfill.

When I was a child in Panama we would take our dried out fir tree to a big open lot with all the other trees each family brought after Christmas. Every one had a live tree in those days. By the time they were shipped to Panama from up north they were already pretty dry when we put them up and decorated them, with piles of pine needles to be swept up each day.

In the evening we would burn them in a huge bonfire. We would all stand around it, watching until the last tree had burned to ashes. It was a glorious sight! Then we would bring out our hotdogs and marshmallow and roast them on sticks in the embers. Now that was a fitting end to a tree that had served us in a proud and noble way.

I talked to my art teacher today about the upcoming class begining this week. That gets the juices flowing and the excitement for a new class started. I'm looking forward to a new and refreshing approach to the lessons. New year, new beginnings! Some of the old and some of the new. That's when life is truly good.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T13:05:00.000-08:00

First picture is me coming off the trail New Year's Eve. Some of my old and new friends at our dinner party last night are in the next two pictures. Beautiful day for a ride on the trail to Floral City today. The motivation was for me to sign up for the water color class that begins next week. If you pay ahead you save $5 a lesson. I'm all for that. Means I can buy more art supplies with my savings. I'm sure that isn't what Michael had in mind, though.

My Italian friend raved about my Italian cooking, a feather in my cap! She had a few tips for me that came in handy. I was a bit anxious about how to have the pasta ready at just the right moment. She said the trick is to cook it about al dente and drain it into a colander. Then, when you are ready to serve, plunge it into a pot of boiling water briefly and it will be perfect. It worked like a charm and the dish was delicious. Problem was, I was sure the recipe wouldn't be enough, even though it said servings for 8. So, I increased it and you know how pasta can get away from you. We now have enough left over for at least two meals for us and then some. Well, you never want to be come up short in the food department when you entertain, a hostesses nightmare!

I wanted to write my "Ode to the Trail"today and include it in my blog, but I don't have the time. Our friend, Julie, wants us to come over for New Year's Eve cheer tonight and I haven't cleaned up from our bike ride yet. We really aren't into great revelry for New Year's and usually only wake up to welcome the new year when we hear the signs that it is midnight out our window as the neighborhood celebrates for us. A quick New Years' kiss sews it up for us and back to sleep again, once the sirens stop outside. We figure an hour there will be about right, since the party doesn't even start until 9. We usually head to bed about that time.

I was surprised I had something to throw together to take to Julie's at the last moment, without a trip to the store. But fear not, I was actually able to scrape together most of the ingredients for a creamy black bean salsa, with only one substitution, tomatoes for the red pepper. Not bad for me. An actual recipe out of an actual magazine, no less.

Happy New Year to all my followers and I will try very hard to write my Ode tomorrow. I know you wait with bated breath.

The overwhelming support

2011-12-30T12:50:00.000-08:00

Such wonderful feedback! Everyone is raring to go with the recycling in Lewistown. The support is overwhelming! I only wish I had more definitive information for them. Everything is so close, yet not there yet. I hope they will all find a way to hang on to those plastics until we can start the operation going.

It is great to know that so many people there are ready for change. They definitely see the glass as half full. However, we will always be challenged by the half empty types, who just want to keep status quo and left alone, doing things the way they always have.

But, change happens whether we embrace it or not. We all can attest to the fact that our bodies have changed over the years, for better or worse. We never had to give much thought into what we put in them when we were much younger. However, we have found out that, over the years, neglect takes it toll and either we make the necessary changes or we suffer the consequences.

That is a lot like the earth we were given to care for. Man didn't think much about what what he was doing to the environment when we didn't have the pollutants at our disposal to destroy it. But, over the years we have acquired many ways for us to cause terrible damage to our home.

So we have to change or ruin our God given home. Just like with our bodies. We can abuse it and pay the consequences or start living a healthful life and live a quality life to the end. Yet, there are always those who will not see the connection and continue to abuse their body and those who will continue to disregard their responsibility to our earth, and we will all pay the price. Half full or half empty, our choice.

I'm having a dinner party tonight. I'm making Italian for an Italian. How brave is that? At least she said I was. I'm either brave and know what I'm doing, or ready to commit another one of my guffaws that I'm famous for. My friends are used to those, too.

Independence, at last!

2011-12-29T10:27:00.000-08:00

Michael bought me my own computer for my upcoming birthday! I feel like a teenager who just got her first car, imagining all the places I can go and the things I can do. I never had a car when I was young so I can't say I have had this experience previously, but I can feel it all kicking in now. Michael is talking about getting his own email address. I have to agree, it is time. Mine is going to be full everyday soon when my article appears in the local Lewistown Argus, I hope. That is the anticipated reaction I hope to get from it.

Repurposing. That is a relatively new word that intrigues me with the possibilities it conjures. It works better for me than "recycling". I know everything that has a useful original purpose eventually outlives that life. That doesn't mean it no longer has any purpose except to be thrown out into the landfills or road ways. It means that most everything can begin a new life purpose.

It may be from having been an elementary school teacher for all those years. We never looked at anything that was being thrown away without thinking about how it could be used in the classroom. Maybe a toilet paper tube to be turned into an elf or Santa. Or an egg carton into an earring holder for Mothers' Day or a soup can for a pencil holder for dad on Fathers' Day.

Just like us, once we retire. It doesn't mean that once we are no longer working at a paying career our usefulness has been spent. It merely means that our life has a new purpose, maybe just as productive as previously. But, as with any material thing we have used and are ready to discard, we have to give some thought into how to usedit in a new way, just like the rest of our life. Productively. It takes effort to repurpose things and it takes effort to repurpose our life.

So if you aren't as fascinated with the word repurpose as I am, just keep reusing the old recycling word. The important thing is use it and then use it again and again.

Views of today vs tomorrow

2011-12-28T07:51:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed how easy it is to set lofty long term goals, such as New Years' resolutions. We probably start to think about what would be good for us to adopt as part of our life style months before January 1st, with strong drive and optimism that we will be able to accomplish them. We will get up every morning and run five miles before beginning our busy day. We will resist the apple pie sitting in the refrigerator waiting for someone to eat before it has to be thrown out. We will make the final decisions and do the tough work of getting a recycling program started in Lewistown finally.

We envision how smoothly these goals will be obtained, with just a little motivation to stay the course. The visual results of our success will spur us on daily, we are certain.

Then January 1st arrives and we begin to live the reality of our commitment. It will take hard, consistent work, day in and day out. We realize that immediate gratification is so tempting and hard to resist when we are confronted by it at the time. Maybe I'll only run three miles today or maybe I need to sleep in a little just for today.

Or, that pie really shouldn't be wasted. I could always cut back somewhere else tomorrow and run a couple of extra miles to compensate. But, right now my mind puts those lofty, idealistic goals aside long enough to get that immediate satisfaction that I really don't want to, but wish I did, resist.

Now I have to apply this principle to following through with the completion of the recycling project. The easy part was envisioning a program that would enable the community to dispose of its waste responsibly. The easy part was working out how to execute the program. Now the hard part is making the phone calls to people who have not been as forth coming as I had expected and convincing them to get into gear.

Knowing that long term goals are easy and that the present reality of today of carrying them out is difficult helps. Knowing that this is all just part of the human psychic helps. Keeping these realities in the fore front of my thinking helps me face the tasks and just get them done. You just have to get through the pain first before you can enjoy the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing the goal compeleted at the end. And that makes it all worth it.

A little insight would help

2011-12-27T09:15:00.000-08:00

I wish I could have a view from inside some people's brains sometimes. For instance, when you haven't heard from people in at least a year, why don't they write a little something in their cards that they send to let you know how they are doing and what they have been up to instead of just signing their names, at best? Me, I like to try and get my postage worth.

And why do people litter? What are they thinking when they throw trash out of their car window? When I went out on my morning run today I picked up the trash along the road that had been thrown out just yesterday. Now, I noticed that the fishermen who were fishing off the bridge actually cleaned up after themselves Christmas Eve, as there was not a scrap for me to pick up the next day. They must have been feeling a little good will towards men and the earth at the time. That sure was short lived, however, as there was plenty to pick up this morning again.

So there I was, with my hands full of trash and heaven only knows what germs, running along the road with the sweat pouring off my nose on this 100% humidity day and no way to do anything about it. I'm sure I really look suspect when there I am running down the road with a beer bottle in each hand. Maybe that is what those people are thinking, " Let's see if we can get that old lady who shuffles down the road with beer bottles to do it again for us today". Or maybe not. Maybe they just aren't capable of thinking that far out when they trash our earth.

Back on Track

2011-12-26T11:39:00.000-08:00

We're getting back to our old routines again. That's not really a bad thing, really. I went out for a four mile trudge, far from what I usually call a trot. I stopped after the first mile for water, the second mile for a stretch and the third for another drink of water, all good excuses for a bit of rest. It is like a train that has jumped its track and is slowly getting back on, two wheels at a time. Once all wheels are back on, it is smooth riding from then on usually. Until the next derailment, of course. It takes so little time to get out of shape and so much more effort to get it back together again, the older I get. That's incentive enough to keep those intervals of time as short as possible.

Don't know what to do about all the tempting, bad choices that have entered our home over the holidays. It didn't help that Santa added to them. Michael got not one, but two boxes of Whitman chocolates from the big guy. He really is a bad influence, but what would you expect when you look at the size of him. Guess I should make my next project improving Santa's choices, but what would be the fun of that at Christmas time? So, I suppose a good place to unload a lot of the sweets is on my friends, when they come over or at the monthly social at the pool on Thursday evening. With a friend like me who needs enemies? Actually, I'll bet I'm not the only one with that idea.

So, I'm ready to roll. I intend to devote a good segment of my afternoon today to writing an article for the Lewistown Argus titled: Recycle Lewistown: A vision for 2012. I hope it gets a lot of the locals' attention and some buzz going to generate some excitement in the community about the prospects that lay ahead for them. I intend to put a few of the reticent ones on the spot by reminding them of their initial commitment at the meeting they had in November. Sometimes, that is just what they need to wake them up. Once a few of their constituents start to put the pressure on them, I think they will either get busy or come looking for me.

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T16:59:00.000-08:00

Kathy and the kids left for Orlando about 5pm for their flight out, back to Montana in the morning. It was an especially memorable Christmas since it has been many years since we have had children around the Christmas tree Christmas morning. I just wanted to soak it in to savor the moment for the years ahead when there will not be any children here. They are all growing up so quickly there won't be any little ones in our family for much longer. Unless you count great grand kids we hardly ever see.

Christmas dinner was different than for those up north, as we sat gathered around the table out on the lanai, since it was too warm in the house. Unusual even for us here in Florida, which is usually about 10 degrees cooler. We weren't complaining, though, since it gave a welcomed break for the visiting Montanans. They will have to brace themselves for that first blast of frigid air as they leave the airport.

Michael got all the Christmas boxes, etc. over to the recycling center today to get ahead of the full containers bound to be over flowing by tomorrow. It sure did keep our regular trash down to a minimum. I can remember from years past how the trash was always stuffed on Christmas day. Makes me feel sooo much better about it all.

Forewarned!

2011-12-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

The first of January, I will be hitting the recycling project running. So all those who have been negligent about following through with their part of the process, be forewarned. I will be hunting you down, contacting you with a vengeance and hounding you until you complete the role you had committed yourself to in this process from the beginning. I will take you at your word, that you want me to get this done and that you are willing to help in anyway you can.

Of course, I am realizing that people are more talk than action. How naive I can be to take people at their word. That may work to my advantage, though. Since I really do expect as much out of others as I do myself and I do expect that their word means as much as mine, than I can honestly proceed with my expectations that they will come through in the end. I really do have faith in this endeavor and expect them to, too.

So I will be charging forth with more conviction than I have ever put forth into an undertaking. And I will need all the support I can get.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Feels like I should be doing something more demanding than writing in my blog at the moment.

Enjoying the grandkids

2011-12-22T17:57:00.000-08:00

I've been too busy lately to update my blog. My daughter is here with her children, Nikky and Anna and boy friend, Rick, for Christmas. They are here for just a week so it is more important that I spend my time with them than for me to be blogging. We have been having a great time together, enjoying the activities that unique to Florida this time of year. The kids have flirted with the pool, which is pretty chilly this time of year, but the sun warms them back up pretty quickly. Nikky has taken to playing tennis and riding in the kayak like a natural.

Today we had a full day a Silver Springs in Ocala. It is a refreshing change to the super hype of Disney. Just a laid back natural park that has been here as long as Florida, just about. Even if you don't have all the exciting rides you also don't have the huge crowds and long lines. Just lots of gators and a smelly giraffe, pretty much, as you ride in glass bottom boats and have a bumpy ride through the brush behind a jeep. I hope old Florida doesn't become something totally of the past as big commercial enterprises take over and make it look so passe.

There is always a placed for the passe, when you just want a little of yesterday again.

If we make it, we deserve to lie in it.

2011-12-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

I really love that we need a larger container for all of our recyclables. We recycle way more than we throw into the regular trash for garbage pick up anymore. It makes me feel good that so much of what we throw away is going to be reused instead of ending up in the land fill. Can you just imagine, when you multiply what we recycle with the millions of households in America, the impact it would make? I hate to think that hundreds of years from now, when our ancestor go to plant crops or build new homes, all they find after the first thin layer of dirt is plastic! The soil and water would be so contaminated, who can even begin to imagine the consequences?

As is so typical with mankind, they just don't think that far ahead. The future beyond our own life expectancy isn't really a reality. What a terrible way to treat the precious gift we received from our creator. I know what I would do if I were him. I'd say, "Well if that's all the thanks I get, then just live in your own putrid stew".

Got the muffins baked for the grandkids' to eat for breakfast. I won't tell them how good for them they are.

Reaching for the brass ring

2011-12-15T10:09:00.000-08:00

I saw Santa on the trail today when I was biking to Floral City(16 miles round trip). He was just wearing his red undershirt and shorts of course, because he was on the trail in Florida. He would have died in his red wool suit trimmed in white fur! His snowy, white beard looked a little sooty. I guess he hadn't had a chance to clean up, since he has been so busy lately. He also was sporting a cane, which I would expect, since he had walked so far from where his sleigh had broken down. He must have been down from the north checking to see which kids were going to be in Inverness visiting grammas this Christmas. Good thing.

I thought I would take a stab at filling out the application for the Pepsi grant to support our recycling project in Lewistown today. (Of course, after I wrap presents and make cookie dough for the grandkids). I have never attempted such an endeavor before, so I guess I'll just have to write it from my heart. I really feel that if they hear what we are attempting, in our own little corner of the world, they just may be interested. Everything is so close to becoming attainable, it just seems the brass ring is almost at my finger tips. I just have to stretch a little further.

I know that Moses was a great leader(no, I am not equating myself with Moses by any means) of his people. But he had Aaron as his spoke person, because God knew that Moses wasn't the greatest orator around. So where is my Aaron when I need him? Or her.

Don't believe it!

2011-12-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

I went to lunch with my girl friends today for our before Christmas get together. I had a delightful Ahi tuna salad. Since it was still early in the day, we went over to Nancy's for tea and a chat.

After my morning run, I was cleaning up for my luncheon date and decided to try a tip I got from the Dr. Oz show. He said to put olive oil in the cream rinse after washing your hair, then just rinse it out. It would not only give your hair a beautiful shine, but also protect it from damage done by frequent washing.

That part made perfect sense, but I should have trusted my instincts about just rinsing it all out. By the time I had dried it and tried to style my hair, I knew it was a huge mistake. My hair was a greasy mess. But it was too late to rewash it and dry it once again. So I tried baking soda and blotting it. No improvement seen. Time was up, time to leave and there I was, looking as if my head had been basted.

I tried to explain what had happened as soon as they saw me. They reserved comment. At least they aren't phonies and didn't make comments about how becoming it was. One just said," Well I must say, I do prefer your hair the way it usually looks". At least they didn't try to ditch me at the restaurant or any thing.

That's the thing about friends at this point of my life. They accept you, warts and all. When I was a teenager trying to find where I fit in, I never really did. I was always on the fringes of the in crowd. They included me in most events, but not on the "you are my best friend category". Maybe that was from being a late comer to the group, I don't know. Now when I say that to those old classmates they say they can't believe I felt that way. I think they are just saying that to be nice.

When I was in Germany, I had lots of friends again, but sometimes I had the feeling that I was included because they needed one more person to fill the car or share a room when traveling.

Now, my friends are all different with different interests and ideals, but we all get along just fine. We just don't talk about politics or religion much. And their remarks are kind.

A time of year for socializing

2011-12-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

I just walked around the island for 30 minutes for my exercise so far today. I must have strained my back when I lifted the bike rack and put it into the back of the car to go down and pick up Michael. (More rubbing of salt into the wound). Actually, it is a lot better today, but thought a day of easy exercise wouldn't be a bad idea. Good chance to see what the neighbors have been up to, anyway.

My social calendar sure has filled up quickly this week. It is kind of a last mad rush for us all to get in any get to gathers with each other before those going north for Christmas leave and those of us staying and having family arriving, get busy with grandchildren.

Tonight, the ladies are meeting at Julie's for the Nutcracker and popcorn. It isn't Christmas for Julie unless she sees The Nutcracker each season. It's lunch with the girls on Wednesday. Our circle is getting so big that we need a larger table to accommodate us all. And then a cocktail party Saturday night at a new friend's house.They just arrived back. Everyone is back now, in fact.

This time husbands are included. Of course that means that more times we have to reciprocate, too. That means digging out more recipes and trying new things that are bound to fail as usual.

I have some more cookie baking to do. I won't mess with the recipes to make them healthy, either. My girl friends came to the consensus that we didn't need to exchange any small gifts or do a cookie exchange this year. I go along with most anything, usually. But, I think I can sneak in a few home baked cookies when I see them. It just doesn't feel right if I don't.

Looong drive

2011-12-11T12:30:00.000-08:00

I spent eight hours on the road yesterday. Usually, when I spend that long on the road I'm going somewhere. For enjoyment. To stay for a few days. But, I drove four hours south by Ft. Myers to pick Michael up and he drove back for another four hours. One of my last comments to him before he left for his bike trip was,"don't call me to pick you up."

After a day of flat tires, then finally breaking the quick release on the wheel so the wheel kept falling off, he checked into a seedy motel in La Belle, Florida, and called me. He was far from any possible help for getting his bike repaired. I could see why there was no bike shop around. No one would ride there on purpose. It is in the middle of no where. Not the intended route he had planned to take, but hoping he would be able to get as far as a town of size enough to repair his bike.

Needless to say, he was very happy to see me show up around noon yesterday. I think I could have asked for the moon and he would have given it to me. Of course, I had rubbed a little salt into the wound by telling him of all the great shopping plans I had had with my friends for the day.

But, it is good to have him back home again, safe and sound. I worry about him a lot less when he is within sight.

I stand corrected- not Brad Pitt

2011-12-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

I quickly realized last night, as the movie began, that Water For Elephants does not star Brad Pitt. I don't know where I got that idea, except sometimes our perceptions of reality can be a bit off. Anyway, the leading man had nice eyes.

As so often is true, what we hold to be fact is only an illusion of our own perception, easily distorted, of the situation. That's why politics is such a crock. All this posturing, you don't know if they really believe what they are saying, or if they are just trying to play games with our minds and convince us that what they are saying is true. I never have believe that this is a black and white world, anyway, just shades of gray.

Michael called this morning telling me that he woke to a flat tire this morning. He tried changing it, but it went flat again. He tried another spare that he had with him and it went flat, too. He tried the old repair kit that he has carried around for ever, but that didn't work either.

The next time that I heard from him he was walking along the side of the road to the next town. He said he should be there in about an hour. Next call, there was no bike shop in town, but he found a True Value and was able to buy a couple of new tires and a new patch kit. That's what happens when you don't replace old spares that have been in the hot garage for several summers. They just don't hold up. Go figure. They're rubber. The garage gets very hot.

Some things it just doesn't pay to be conservative about.

How do you keep up?

2011-12-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Apparently, conservation wasn't big on my mind today. A gaggle of women friends are coming over tonight. We call it a sleep over, but they don't sleep and they don't stay over. It just lets them know to come dressed comfy, and enjoy a good movie and good company for several hours. And no men invited.

We wanted to see "Water for Elephants", since some of us had read the book and others just wanted a good story and to see Brad Pitt. So I drove to a Red Box at Winn-Dixie to rent the movie, brought it home and put it into our DVD player. It read "no disc" on the screen. I tried wiping it down and trying again, with the same results. Once again, I drove back to a Red Box and tried another time, different box same movie, went back home put it in and had the same result.

I was smart enough to copy the phone number of the Red Box Co. down, so I called to see if they could give me any ideas of what was going on. After answering some general questions, the very pleasant girl on the line told me that, because our DVD player was over a year old, we couldn't run a recent release. I told her it hadn't been used more that a dozen times tops, but she said they have changed the format of new DVDs now to prevent duplicating issues.

So I had a choice of renting an older film or buying a new DVD player. Since conservation wasn't on my agenda today, I drove out to Walmart and bought a new one, 15 miles each way. This only makes sense if you really had your heart set on seeing a particular movie and you didn't want to let your friends down.

I can't keep up with how quickly technology becomes obsolete. In the old days we would brag about how long something lasted and just never wore out. Today, the gadget may still run, but it needs to be replaced because it hasn't kept up with the rapid developments in the technology. So there we are with all of these perfectly good things that are totally obsolete. So frustrating to me, yet I know the younger generation just eats up all the newest and latest things coming out each year.

So bring on the pizza and popcorn! I'm ready! This time.

Recycling Christmas

2011-12-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

I got out all the Christmas decorations out yesterday. I had forgotten how tired looking they all are, until I went over to Nancy's house for dinner the other night. When I walked in, all I could say was,"wow!" and "ooh", and "aah!",she had such lovely, elegant decorations so pointedly place in each and every corner and room. Her tree looked like it came from a Macy's window in New York City, like I remember seeing when I was a child. She said her daughter had come over and decorated for her, (sigh) and had it all done by the time she came home from shopping that day.

Now we'll take a look at my decorations, which I have had from the beginning of time. Really. Our tree,(I might add was one a friend was throwing away because only half the lights on it worked. So I took off the lights and kept the tree) which will be decorated by my grandchildren when they arrive, has an eclectic collection of what would be called "early teacher gifts" theme. I have saved every one of the decorations given to me over the years. As they each eagerly presented me with their gift, I assured them that every year, as I placed the ornament on the tree, I would remember the very special child who had given it to me.

My memory of the name would last me for about five years, at best. Then I would only remember that a thoughtful child had given it to me.

The rest of my decorations have been used and reused for ever, too. I have some grosgrain, red ribbons that came on some beautifully boxed cheeses and nuts from one of those expensive catalog companies. The taste of those treats no longer lingers, but the bows grace every lamp shade in the living room. I think they look kind of pretty and that I am pretty clever, until I saw Nancy's(or should I say, her daughter's, sigh) decorating flair.

I also have lots of gold, silver, red and green Mardi Gra beads that I have collected over the years. Some I've given to grandkids, but I hung on to just enough to string around mirrors and things to add a note of casual elegance.

To finish up the theme, I have quite a few, not plastic but not silk either, red and white pointsettas, which were ready to be thrown out after serving their original purpose as table decorations at a party once, to place around my gently burned over the years candles. Not too bad, really. Throw in a few mini, white lights and you've got atmosphere that you won't see in any Macy's window anywhere.

Now that's recycling.

Michael left on his bike trip today.

2011-12-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

I don't give tests to see what people remember about my past blog entries, but I will check myself to be sure I have explained things carefully enough, though. I had said that I like to collect the wasted shower water to put on my plants outside. They appreciate it and it beats hauling the hose around to the other side of the house.

Michael left at 8 this morning for his bike trip to Key West. After a hearty breakfast and packing several P&B sandwiches,(all provided by yours truly I need not add) he was off without much of a hitch. Just a last minute reminder to put on some sun screen and he was off, with only a slight wobble when he tried to throw his leg over all his gear packed on the back of his bike.

So I headed out onto the lake in my kayak, since it was such a calm, warm day(the warmest in the nation yesterday, by the way. I'm not complaining). It was so peaceful, with just the rhythmic sound of my paddle dipping into the water most of the time. Except for the occasional air boat roaring by somewhere in the lake. I absolutely hate those things and can't imagine why in the world anyone would need to use one in the lake. The everglades ok, but not in the lake. We hear them late into the evening when we are trying to relax for the day and they don't even need to be very close for their loud, obnoxious noise to be heard.

I paddled to all the places I have seen gators in the past, but they must be asleep under the banks, I guess. Didn't anyone tell them it was the hot spot in the nation yesterday? Anyway, it was a great way to get some upper body, recreational excersize for the day.

Where I didn't find gators, I did find alot of trash to clean up. I had so many plastic bottles and sandwich bags in my boat, there was hardly enough room for me by the time I got back to the dock. What, I'm supposed to thank people for allowing me to have my altruistic experience for the day? I'd rather do that by getting my Christmas cards written(hope people appreciate them, anyway) today.

Just two things to remember when you go out in your kayak. 1. Don't drink too much water and 2. remember, you have to paddle back, too. Hope Michael remembers that on his trip.

It all just takes practice

2011-12-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

When I began running in the 70's, it was really hard to even do a mile or two. But, with time and consistency, it got easier and I got good enough to win a turkey or two at 5k races. Ok, so Michael won the turkey and I won the pumpkin pie, but there is a point that I'm making that is more important than pumpkin pies and turkeys. (actually, once I did win a certificate for a turkey), but I've digressed.

The point is that, yes, at first it may seem like a little more work to recycle, but it does get easier and more natural with practice. And it's just like a successful run, the feeling of satisfaction you get knowing that you are indeed doing something good for the earth, each other, and yourself respect. So, take the small moment of time from your busy day, rinse out the container and put it into something that can hold your recycleables until you take them to a recycling container around town. Face it, you are going to go out sometime anyway. So just take them along and drop them off. No big deal and no extra gas since you are going out anyway. Those who have curbside pick up should really feel embarrassed if they don't make just that small effort to take it to the curb with your other garbage.

We talk alot about what the world will be like for our children economically in the future. What about what it will be like in their environment in the future? If we feel that we have a responsibility to give them a debt free world to live in, then why isn't it just as important to give them a world free plastic and other harmful things in our soil and waterways? What will they do with a contaminated, dirty, polluted world even if they do have money to burn in their pockets someday?

And I did put the bucket in the shower with me today and collected a gallon or two. When Michael asked me what I was doing, I told him, "Just read my blog and you'll know!"

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle update

2011-12-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, so some of us are more motivated to jump on the bandwagon than others, I admit. I just enjoy the challenge of seeing just how much I can reduce, reuse, and recycle and how little we can have picked up for the trash that goes into the landfill each week. Since we have single stream recycling here in Florida, it is just plain interesting to try recycling everything that we used to throw out and it is difficult for me to understand why everyone else isn't as enthusiastic about it as I am. I mean, we can recycle about anything but raw garbage here and I guess we could compost that, if Michael could stand the mess. He just doesn't take to messes too well. Plus, I would expect that the raccoons would dig it all up and have it strewn all over the yard by morning.

Yes, I am more committed to this enterprise than Michael is. I'll dig the toilet paper tubes out of the garbage to recycle where as he says we don't need to go that far. I should start saving some for the grandkids to make Santas and elves with when they come. You never know when you might have a rainy morning to occupy.

I'll grab an old sponge under the sink to wipe up a spill, but not quite as fast as he can snatch a tissue out of the box, wipe and throw it into the garbage. Drives me crazy. That is one more tissue wasted, one more little piece of a tree that could have been saved. I'm not really that cheap, just like to conserve.

I did get him to quite double plastic bagging our garbage, though. That's some progress. And sometimes he'll use an old running tshirt to wipe windows, but not all the time. So I just have to appreciate the progress there is, as little as it may be.

Really though, my efforts are put to shame next to my friend Julie's. I am actually embarrssed when she asks me if I use plastic bags for sandwiches or left overs in the frig. I try to reassure her that I wash them every time and reuse them over and over again. She is better than I am. She uses storage containers that she has washed from a product and reuses them. And she uses bread bags instead of buying bags when she needs a bag for something. So I am reusing the bread bags even though it drives Michael crazy to see them in the drawer. It's like having garbage in your draw to him.

I've tried using a bucket to catch the wasted water that goes down the drain as the water is heating up in the shower. After my shower, I would carry it outside for my plants. Guess I need to try that again. Coming through the house with a full bucket of water really must drive Michael crazy, though.

What ever you want to call it

2011-12-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

This morning on my run I did some fartlets, ausfarts or ____, what ever you want to call them. Anyway, I picked up the speed every couple of minutes for about 30 seconds at a time. I did run during those intervals, but I guess you can't really say that I look like I'm"running" the rest of the time. It's mostly a "trot", I think since, according to my crossword puzzles, a trot is a slow run. And I don't want to call it a "jog" because that's what old people do. They jog and I'm not old. Now don't ask my sister, because she would say that I'm old so get on with it all. Aches, pains , and all that type of thing. But, as I told my son when he said that, I said I may be older, but I'm definitely not old. People just don't have to be old at 70 anymore.

The reason I haven't been blogging about my recycling project is that I haven't had any information back yet from Roger, formerly with Headwaters Recycling, and they have the program that seems the best for us so far. So I bide my time writing about fartlets, etc. I am hoping that I hear early next week so that I can devote my time to it while Michael is on his 10 day bike trip to Key West. I may have to get alittle assertive with some people if I hit a brick wall.

My friends and I have several activities planned for while Michael is gone. It is a good time for us to have our slumber party again. We'll (all women, in case you are wondering) all get comfy, eat lots of junk, drink some wine and watch a movie, between gabbing about a lot of nothing important.

How times change

2011-12-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

As I was on my morning run, I noticed a man along the side of the road in his car, talking loudly and gyrating with his hands. Now, in not too many years ago I would have been alarmed and figured he was hallucinating or had something mental going on with him. Of course, today we think nothing of it, knowing that he is probably on cel having some heated political conversation with someone. No big deal, heated political conversations are pretty common these days.

Speaking of, as I have probably said before, I classify myself as an independent, politically, I mean. Yes, I have always been pretty independent you say, but I'm narrowing it down right now to politically speaking. Really, why would I want someone else to define what I think and believe? I can do that for myself. Just because some politician says that it is so doesn't mean it is in my book. It is interesting that often when they say what first comes into their head (which is usually what they really believe) they later retract when they hit opposition with their party. Oh, that's not what I really meant to say or after careful evaluation on the subject this is what I really meant.

There just aren't many absolutes in this world and politics is just not one of them. And anyone who holds to a view solely because their party tells them that this is the way "we" think and if you want to be one of "us" then this is your truth, too. There is some truth coming from each direction as well as a lot of hog wash coming from both. Take the topic of unemployment insurance. There are people who really have tried to get a job. Then there are those who won't take a lower paying, because they have a steady income from unemployment coming in each month. It may not pay what they would like, but they prefer it to doing something they prefer not to do. So, something that can be a good thing can become an enabler for the opposite effect. No black and white here. And so it goes with most issues, so I remain on the middle of the fence and decide which way I will jump as the wind blows.

Winter in Florida?

2011-12-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

Winter in Florida is an oxymoron, but to go by the evidence in the stores, it be lies that fact. Sure this morning was in the 40's and a bit chilly during the first part of my run. But by the first mile I was shedding both my jacket and gloves. And during the day it warms up to 70's. Now that is not "winter". Montana's weather of below zero on a bad day and high 40's on a good day is winter. Minnesota, with several feet of snow for months on end, now that is winter.

The problem is that in Florida the stores have the idea that it is winter here. You ask for outdoor games and activities to buy and they say, "We put them all away for the winter." What, people don't go outdoors in 70 degree weather? Grand kids come here this time of year and, of course all grandparents are looking for games to occupy the little darlings outdoors as much as possible. But, I guess venders don't relate to this situation like the retired residents here do. So far, I haven't been able to convince them that this is not "winter" as we northerners know it from years of previously living in the real thing.

I had great news from one of my daughters yesterday. Back ground: she had not been able to work at her former job, due to the painful stress on her back from the tasks she was required to perform. She has been going to school to complete a degree, providing a less physically demanding career, but she also needs to work. Other avenues for help had closed for her and she was very discouraged, to say the least. This kept her awake at night with worry so she resorted to praying most of the night for an answer. When she woke up in the morning she had a message that the local YWCA wanted to hire her as their manager. How awesome is that? So you may ask,"Do I believe in the power of prayer?" Yes, I do. All we need to do is ask and have the faith that God will indeed provide. Maybe not what we necessarily ask for, but He does know our needs. Anyway, I have said a return prayer of thanks. We always need to say thank you and count our blessings. There are a lot more than we realize.

A murky fish bowl

2011-11-30T11:00:00.000-08:00

Seems like raising kids is like living in a murky fishbowl with your small fry. All the fish are swimming around, not able to see very well what they are each all about. They just can't get a handle on where they are going and what is up ahead of them very well. And they certainly don't know what has caused the blurry vision. Yet, those on the outside of the fish bowl can see each of the fish swim by individually and collectively when they wear their polarized glasses. Maybe the parents need to get outside of the fish bowl once in a while to get a better perspective of what's going on inside the bowl .

We went on a 20 mile bike ride with Michael's running buddy this morning. Michael went on to do another 10 miles, in preparation for his ride to Key West next week, when he plans to bike 90 miles a day. Obviously, this will be a trip without me. I'm not a masochist the way people who are long distance runners and bikers are. Four mile runs and 20 mile bike rides suit me just fine and I don't feel any sense of guilt for not achieving more. But, I'm sure I'll hear some exhaustion in Michael's voice when he checks in with me each day.

I heard from a man, who worked for Headwaters Recycling 10 years ago, yesterday. He has been in contact with the present head of the company and will send me information about their recycling operation. They work on a co-op concept and formerly didn't collect plastics. But they are operating in many small communities in Montana for the cost of $2 a household and they would collect weekly. So I'm anxious to hear what their program looks like. Do they now accept plastic, in addition to glass and aluminum?

So we would have two companies interested in our plastic. That's good. They need to have some competition. Plastic sells for .10 a pound right now. That is a huge amount and I want to be sure to contract with the company that will give us the best return. We need to weigh all the pros and cons of each company. Right now I feel that we hold the cards and have some dealing power. The gal at the recycling business here in Florida said the best advise she could give me was to be sure to get the best price we can and don't let anyone take advantage of our eagerness to find a market and buyer. I'm ready to hear about their offers and demand the best deal for the community. Hoo rah!

Recycling project explained

2011-11-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

For thoses with who have been dragged through every detail of this project for the past few months as it has developed thus far, please bear with me. I need to bring all others up to speed.

Once I determined that there was a need for developing this recycling program and I began to field opinions, I was overwhelmed by the number of people in the community who really wanted to be able to save our landfills from over flowing with plastic. Actually, I had started with the idea of recycling glass. However, after hours of research into this direction, I found that not only is recycling glass very difficult and costly for a town remotely located as ours, but glass really isn't the problem for our environment that plastic. Where glass, which is only sand, is ground back into the soil, plastic actually swells in the landfills, taking up more room over time.

From that point I was able to get 12 people in the community of like minds yet with varied expertise's on the subject together to discuss the feasibility of implementing the project for Lewistown. They were overwhelming in agreement that this should move forward and that I should continue to manage the project.

The problem with this, however, is that now I am in Florida for the winter and can't have hands on very easily. Everyone reassured me, that in fact it, would not be difficult for me, with the access of technology available today. Oh sure, easier said than done and they aren't the ones doing it. They are great cheer leaders, but not the greatest movers and shakers at getting things done.

So, after many phone calls and e mails I don't have a sense that I ahve made a great deal of progress. I was reminded that this is a marathon not a sprint. It feels more like I'm on a treadmill, actually, but each day I push ahead a bit more, with a little more knowledge about how to get the job done.

A new dimension-Recycling

2011-11-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

My "public" has been clamoring for me to post on my blog, so I am once again actively blogging. The main reason I hadn't written for months is because I was just too busy living my musings to have time to write them. Isn't that what life is suppose to be about? Sure I have dabbled in watercolor painting, actually taking great pleasure in my efforts. And I continue to put health and fitness high on my priority list, but you can only say so much about routines that don't really change that much from day to day.

I have been looking for many years to find my niche, where I can make my impact on my small corner of the world. Then it came to me. When reading the letter from the House of Bishops to the congregation about our responsibility to the environment, I came to the conclusion that there is something that I can do that actually isn't being done, but really needs to be done. When ever I have thought there was a place for me, I found that there were others already involved and had that area covered. Just serving as another helper on some bodiy elses project isn't my idea of finding my place in the world. But, no one has done anything about increasing the recycling capabilities of Lewistown, our summer home.

So, there is my mission for my little tiny corner of the world. We have begun a project to recycle plastic in Lewistown and the surrounding area. This will be a model program that can be used in similiar communities in size and distance. So, in addition to my usual sage thoughts, I will be sharing the progress, disappointments, and efforts I go through to get this program off the ground this year. If anyone has any suggestions or expertise to share to help me, it would be greatly accepted. I'm starting from ground zero and my learning curve is huge.

Happy Fourth of July

2011-07-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

Our Fourth of July parade is over! We had a few glitches, but over all I think it went well. We had everything ready so all we had to do was slap the streamers, etc. on the truck with some masking tape when the truck arrived at the parade site. We had to be the most colorful float. Small but so festive looking.

The problem came with our feeble sound system. Not that we didn't give it a grand try. We had a recording of Judy Garland singing Over the Rainbow, but decided at the last hour almost that we wanted some Sousa music. We tried everything we knew without luck. So we were going with Judy on our little CD player. We cranked it up and got nothing out of it after everyone gave their opinion of what went wrong. (It worked fine when we got home). So we had to ditch that idea. As luck would have it however, Betts had insisted on this humongous bell that we had added to the float. So all was not lost as we rang the bell all the way down Main St., waving our streamers and passing out candy and flyers welcoming to our church. As it turned out anyway, the frontiersmen with their muskets were right behind us so it took the big bell to compete.

My painting hiatus

2011-07-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Need to get back to my watercolor painting soon. I notice I'm losing my artist eye. I haven't been noticing the different shapes of trees and the individual aspects of each flower. I fleetingly noticed an interesting sky today, and wondered how one would capture it. But didn't take it the next step further to figure it out. How I enjoy riding along looking at the countryside and observing it with a more critical eye. I appreciate the world in a different way than ever before. I'm itching to get out and try some al fresco painting here in Montana. Not that it will be any good but how inspiring to try it, anyway.

Maybe I'll fix Michael a special breakfast in the morning for his birthday. Not biscuits and gravy, though.

Can't let you down

2011-06-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

I know. If I don't post regularly enough, then I'll lose my huge fan base. Even when I have no words of wisdom to share. I've just been so busy, I haven't had time to think about sageful thoughts. Ok. Right, how busy can you be, being retired. Actually today is the first day in a long time that I can actually say I have some down time.

I keep making more stuff to decorate the float truck. Last time we won first place, but we didn't get a trophy or anything. This time I understand there are trophies for the winners. So I'm throwing everything I can come up with at it. Wouldn't it be something to have a trophy to show off at the church? Wish us luck.

Yesterday I made covers for new pillows for the couch.My sister helped, actually.) Michael helped pick out the fabric and he really does have good taste. Then I put the same trim on top of the dining room drapes, which really ties it all together nicely. Sure does give a whole new look to the place and have to say a great improvement.

Michael's birthday is Saturday. He'll be 65. I can finally cancel my health insurance. I bought him two small watermelons, some beer, a thermometer and a massage. Ok, so he bought them. But I told him those are all for his birthday. Aren't I just sooo nice?

Just who was Dad, anyway?

2011-06-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

My niece is in town for a few days. She has been the spark we needed to start finding out something about my dad. His birth certificate has a different name on it than he knew as his name. Not only that, his birthday is different on it than he thought it was. His mother was very secretive about any information about the family. He had no other living relative that we knew of other than his mother and she never remarried. So we started on Ancestors.com, looking for some solid facts.

We found someone who matches up pretty closely with the facts we have who was a boarder with a family at a very early age. Putting pieces together, he may well have been put in foster care after his father died when he was probably 3 years old. His mother must have had to go out and find work somewhere before she was able to care for him on her own.

So the search will continue until we get some truth about his family. It is interesting how there were more skeletons that stayed in closets back then than there are today.

What's in a Generation?

2011-06-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

We had a mini family reunion picnic today. Two of my daughters have been visiting, as I had previously mentioned, along with my sisters two daughters and her daughter's two grandchildren by marriage. Add to that my two sisters and our husbands. So an interesting discussion came up. My niece's grandchildren are only a couple of years younger than my daughter's children. Add to that, my daughters' boyfriends are closer to my age and definitely Michael's age then theirs. Age and generations all seem so relative anymore. Not to mention not so important as in the past.

I remember my grandparents. There was no confusion with which generation they were in. Or my parents. I knew my grandmother was of the old generation. She got one dress a year to add to her wardrobe and I would never be caught dead in anything in my mother's closet when I was a teenager.

Ok, so there is no confusion in my kids' eyes about what generaton I'm in. I always give away what generation I'm in by my comments about are they eating right or what they are doing about that cough, just like my dad always asked me if I ever gave off a little ahem.

One daughter had to remind me, when I memtioned a classmate that had passed away of natural causes, that in fact yes I was of the age that people die of "natural causes". Really, now? I think that is all relative, too.

Summer time in Lewistown

2011-06-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

It has been great getting out in the mornings now that the weather has improved, hearing and seeing all the signs of activity and energy coming alive in the community. Yesterday there was a little league tourny in full progress at one end of the park while a huge Midrivers customer appreciation picnic was being set up at the other end. Every neighborhood had painting or roofing crews working away on houses. Across the street they have been working on remodeling the old donut shop for weeks. We have no idea what business is going in there. The preschool on the corner has more little ones than ever out side screaming and having a great time. Today there were people streaming to the garage sales on many blocks around. Something about summer that just makes the world come to life. Guess it is even more noticeable after the long winter that has everyone huddled up tight inside just trying to keep warm. Summer time is just too short around here, but boy we all really appreciate it that much more when it comes! Even me after only one month of rainy,cloudy, cool weather.

2011-06-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

My daughter came today. We have had fun just chatting, mostly. We even chat on FB sitting across the room from each other. Now we're even siting next to each other, on our own computers. But, we are together, and that is what counts. She can't blame me for all of her distractions from her studying, though. She is chatting with her niece and sister now. What fun. This sure has opened up a new vehicle for communicating with my kids. Tonight I learned that my grandson hit two home runs tonight and my granddaughter has a boyfriend she didn't want me to know about apparently. She blamed her mom for telling me. She didn't get it that i figured it out by reading FB. It just showed up on my page. I didn't even have to snoop.

So when the miles and time separate you from your loved ones just hop into FB and get the latest scoop.

Summer's warming up

2011-06-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

The summer is warming up in more ways than one. Not only do we finally have some real summer weather(actually right on cue), but it's getting pretty busy around here. Michael is dealing with all of my busyness pretty well, but I can sense he misses the neat and tidy daily routine that hasn't been part of his life recently.

Since I gave in( I really swore I would not do it this year) and took on the Team leadership for Relay for Life I have gone alittle crazy. One idea generates another until it all snowballs into one big avalanche of activity. We now have 25 members on our team(not much money coming in but an eager bunch), which leads to big communication logistics. Some have email addresses, some have old ones that don't work, some have phone numbers that don't work either. Some are in church on Sunday, some aren't.

We have some spirited old gals who I don't want to squelsh their enthusiasm. One said,"We should sing a song on the stage". So, I wrote new lyrics for "Over the Rainbow" (Sorry Judy Garland). We have a huge banner I made. I thought it was good enough until my sister said it would be better lined(it's a rainbow of fabric with painted words. So I lined it. Then I made another one for the in memory of and lined that one, too. One said we needed a bell. So we have a big bell to ring. Guess it will fit in some how.

Well, that wasn't enough. So I said we needed to be in the 4th of July parade. So now we have been making a huge rainbow of individual tissue paper flowers. (I'm sure Michael loved having two big refrigerator boxes spread out on the living room floor). And streamers made out of rainbow colored tulle for them to wave as they sit on the truck. Then, of course you need a truck and people to decorate the truck and people to ride in the truck and people to walk beside the truck and pass out candy to the kids and pass out a flyer to the parents (which had to be written and produced). Then I figured we needed music on the float. So we're going to get Judy to sing(burned CD, of course). The bell will work there, I guess, too. Then we had someone with an American flag. So we'll throw that on the float somewhere, too.

But, that has all been put aside for now because more important things are coming, starting tomorrow, for a few days. Two of my daughters and two of my grandkids. That is pretty special since I don't get to spend much time with them. They are worth being busy about.

Happy birthday, Dad!

2011-06-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

Today would have been our dad's birthday. My sisters and I celebrated in our traditional way. Milkshake(Dad's favorite) and fish sandwich (Mom's favorite) from Mac Donald's. It was too rainy and cold to sit on the bench we had put in the city park ,over looking the flower garden, in their memory. So we sat, with Dad's picture propped up on the dash, in the car eating our fish sandwiches and drinking our chocolate shakes. We toasted him and reminisced about our fond memories of our dad.

Dad was a very special man. I have to say, we haven't seen many men who could ever match him. He was an unassuming man, yet in church his booming voice resonated through out. He knew how to sing a joyful noise unto the Lord and I doubt many fell asleep during his sermons. He didn't tell us what we had to believe, but allowed us to talk it out and helped us come to the best conclusions for ourselves. I never felt judged. I never felt I was odd for my thinking. I remember when I was with him, as a child, I always felt I was special in his eyes. I always felt he was proud of me for just being me.

We miss you dad. I have a feeling you are being looked after very well. Happy birthday, Dad!