The Great Escape

It was sunny today and I was able to plant the rest of my flowers, hope it won't freeze. Every time I plant in my Mourning Gardens I have to climb over the wire fence that keeps the deer out. I notice I am getting better and better at lifting my legs over so I must be getting in good physical condition.

I talked to both the Sacramento and Texas office today and because I was hired back as a Loan Specialist and they will only call per diem people in a Major, major disaster, I may not get any work this year, so back to the drawing board on bringing in money!!! Woe is me.

Today I watched an interesting true English war film about a German pilot. He was the the only war prisoner ever to escape from a British prison. I have never seen such determination in his "duty to try and escape." He could lie and impersonate and never wavered on his goal.

The first time he just had too much English countryside to get through and was caught by the many patrols searching for him. They sent him to a new prison and after digging a long tunnel out he was just ready to take off in an experimental plane when he was caught (he had to lie to many officers, police and airport personnel to get to that point).

Then they sent him to Canada and he was able to roll out of the window of the train and eventually cross the frozen Montreal river into the USA. He was partly frozen and very weak when the border patrol found him. Since the USA was not yet in the war, he asked for asylum.

While the USA and Canada wrangled over extradition he had manuevered across in to Mexico and through four South America countries and finally flew back to Germany. A short time later he was back to flying for the Germans when he took a nose dive into the sea and was never seen again.

Why was he so successful in his efforts?

1--Confidence in himself, his abilities, superiority of his country

2--Dedication to his duty

3--Ability to get his fellowmen to do whatever was needed

4--Attitude of "whatever it takes"

5--His mind was always in gear, always thinking, always wary, always planning

I suppose this could be a model for success in anything you wanted to do. And it is interesting that if it had been the story of an American instead of a Nazi he would have been a hero--actually I suppose he was a hero ln his country as well, but what an ironic ending to his life.

"For the Boys"

It is hard to get my work done with so many good movies to watch. I really enjoyed another favorite of mine. "For the Boys". It is the story again of USO performers, a couple who did USO shows in World War II, Korean War, and Viet Nam War. Bette Midler and James Caan starred and it was filmed in 1991. Lots of good music and a tear jerker, of course.

It was interesting to see the contrast between the different wars in the way the soldiers looked and acted and the attitude toward the war itself.

Dixie Leonard (Bette Midler) loses her husband in World War II and then her son in the Viet Nam war. She advises a young man "to not outlast everybody". I can relate to that.

Helicopters in Korean War and After

While watching "Bridges over Toko-Ri" today I learned the Korean War ended in 1953 (Richard was in the Navy 52-53) and that was the first time they had used helicopters on carriers. They were used to save the downed pilots.

This made me curious as to what the helicopter pilot I was dating in 56-58 was doing since he wasn't in the Korean War. So I emailed him. (You know how curious I am.) This was his reply:

"Jan - my carrier was composed of S2F patrol bombers and our HS-6 helicopter squadron. We were all anti-submarine although we picked up folks in trouble and I do remember putting a wheel on a submarine conning tower to deliver the mail!! "

"We would spread out in an arc ahead of the fleet and use sonar to find submarines. I remember complaining to my CO that 'We find these guys, but then they take off in a hurry and we lose them--depth charges are not going to be effective'. (the subs were capable of 30 mph under water). I never forgot his reply- he told me that if the submarines were hostile- we had nuclear weapons and anything within 2 miles would be toast-"

"Jan, it is still alot of fun to think about those days. I am also very grateful that I came through with no accidents. One of my roommates was killed and another lost a leg in a crash."

If I ever knew all of that, I surely don't remember...anyway it was interesting to me after watching the helicopters in the movie.

"With a Song in My Heart"

It has been a delicious nostalgic weepy day of watching old war movies. I just finished my favorite "With a Song in My Heart".

This was the true story of Jane Froman, a singer who was injured in a plane crash on her way to sing overseas. She had over 22 operations on her leg during a three year period and then went back overseas while she was still on crutches to finish her USO singing stint. She did over 100 shows. She also fell in love with one of the pilots who was injured in the same crash and they finally got together after three years. It is a great musical and I have looked for it for years to buy. I think I was looking for it under the wrong title.

Now I can buy it on TCM.com or just keep it on my recorder! Robert Wagner made his debut as a young soldier in the movie. I saw it while I was in college and never forgot it.

The nice thing about a recorder is you can record other shows while watching so I have another six or so war movies to watch. Always something to look forward to...

Memorial Day Concert

I hope you were able to see the National Memorial Day Concert from Washington DC. It is one of the best programs on television every year. It was very moving and heart wrenching. It made me feel so blessed to be an American. We owe so much to our servicemen.

Stopped by a Susanville Cop--Again!

After leaving the movie last night, I went toward Safeway to buy some milk and meat. The police stopped me! I think it is because I made a hurried turn to get away from two strong looking thugs as I wasn't sure my doors were locked and I am always cautious of getting my car hijacked.

He tells me my front light is burned out and I don't have 2008 registration. I find my registration but then my mind tries to remember. Did I actually put on the new sticker? Or did I not put it on solid enough and it came off? Or did someone carefully peel it off? Of course, with my mind, I will never know for sure. I certainly don't remember, but here is his advice:

"After you secure the sticker, take a razor blade and slice through it a few times." That way no one can steal it, which evidently they do.

Now I have to go to the Susanville DMV and replace the sticker and also get my light fixed and then find a cop to sign my ticket and then I forgot what I am supposed to do...Just another vexing thing in my spacy life.

Me? A Lover?

Well, I took Maria's test and although I don't think of myself as the creative, caring person Maria is I did come up with the same predominance, I guess that is because I am so introverted and nonassertive but here is the breakdown with comments by myself.

You are predominantly a Lover. (but not by much) You also possess aspects of the Magician, Warrior, and King/Queen personalities and your complete personality profile can be described as 30.8% Lover, 23.1% Magician, 23.1% Warrior, and 23.1% King/Queen. Hey, that sounds kind of balanced, sweet!

With a gift for art and mystery, Lovers share a deeper meaning and vision of the world. Hmmm, sounds good.

STRENGTHS Creative--not sure about that. Caring Idealistic

WEAKNESSES Passive--actually I guess I am. Lazy--I never thought of my self as lazy, not a competitor, but lazy?? Over-sensitive -- hmm, am I?

DIVE IN Creative, intuitive, and deeply caring, your mind and spirit are open and capable of expressing deep meaning in the world. You represent the artists and nurturers of society—the romantics, the insightful poets and writers, the musicians and painters, the fools who make us laugh with joy—and your gifts of art and mystery resonate powerfully. NOT!

While nurturing like a King and Queen, and artistic like a Magician, you sometimes lack the ability to speak up and stand your ground, and have a tendency to be passive and introverted. TRUE!

Location on the cognitive-emotional spectrum: In the top right quadrant of the spectrum, your personality reflects your strong emotional sense of well-being. Your style of thinking tends to be more right-brained—creative, intuitive, holistic, and spontaneous.

Attractions: Located on other end of the spectrum, your perfect opposite is an assertive and analytical Warrior. (This is definitely true! Any 75 year old Warriors left?)

Quick read: To find out if someone is a Warrior, approach them carefully and in respectful body posture. Then in a funny or flirtatious tone, say "I feel your power." If they warm up to you immediately and respond to your regard for their status and rank, you have found a Warrior. You've also given that person exactly the positive emotional energy they need. (Do I dare try this, if I find a 75+ warrior, ha)

Advice: Learn to fight for what's right, dare to stand alone and be disagreed with, and discover that serious pursuits are not impossible. (What serious pursuit should I have at my age? I guess survival would count.)

Happiness is Coming Home! 2008

I always come home with a little trepidation wondering what damage the deer have caused, etc. Yea, no damage! Just lots of yellow powder from the cedar trees all over the decks and yard.

The airplane ride was simple and I came home much more rested than I would have if I had driven. Thank you, Linda.

Jean picked me up right on time and after a quick lunch we bought flowers to plant from the Home Depot and then from a delightful nursery in Quincy. Now if it just warms up, I will pot my plants and hope for a colorful summer. Thank you, Jean.

Marjorie had Bandido all walked and packed when we arrived at her home. I think he had a delightful time at her home. Thank you, Marjorie.

Ron had hauled away the large branches and even chopped some for firewood. Thank you, Ron.

I get by with a little help from my friends, sincerely, what would I do without them?

This morning I was up early to clean the decks and water the plants and now it is back to my usual--"throw out, clean up, organize"--that I do every time I come home.

SBA has called and is anxious to have me on their Hurricane Help List so maybe I will get some work when hurricane season hits...That means a summer home enjoying the sun and lake and going to work for the fall I hope.

Oh yes, and IRS has confirmed I will get my little check after May 30. Yea!

Grandchildren

I came to Jimmy and Camber's home Thursday and have had a delightful time with the children. Kelsi and I are good pals, as everyone else has things to do with school, work and such. We've enjoyed the swimming pool, reading books and watching TV. She calls me 'Maa'.

I am struck each time I come down how quickly children become adults and, of course, how delightfully different is each grandchild. Such individual personalities and talents, it's a wonderful world, this world of grandchildren.

Thursday night the Valkos and Pulsiphers came to the Hardys for a Mexican Feast. For some reason we all forgot to take pictures!!

Sunday I enjoyed sitting in the second row of Church with the grandchildren and James. After a bit of noise, they finally settled down to being fairly reverent. It reminded me of how difficult those years of keeping children quiet in Church was...

It has been a great trip, so glad Linda invited me for Mother's Day and beyond. Now it is back to see if the deer have eaten everything that has popped up or if the dryness has killed everything. I am looking forward to having a few more green things this year than last, though I hear it is the dryest it has been in a hundred years in Lake Almanor!!!

Two Sisters in the Sunset

We used to sing the song "Two Sails in the Sunset"--well this is "Two Sisters in the Sunset."

Linda and Maria against the setting sun in Oceanside, Ca May 14, 2008.

Mother's Day and a Beach Bash

On Mother's Day, Gary and his children prepared a gourmet belgian waffle and bacon breakfast with luscious fruit on the waffles. Gary could be an excellent chef in any restaurant, if he so chose, so it was really good.

They also presented Linda with flowers and we received cards. Linda wrote me a very nice letter--something we don't often see in this day so I really appreciated that.

After a lovely Church service we had a wonderful dinner with Gary's parents as guests and then the Pulsiphers were able to talk to Craig in Brazil for a whole hour.

It was a lovely Mother's day and I did not get the Mother Day Blues as I so often did in my younger years.

Richard could never figure out why I was so blue on Mother's Day and I didn't know either but I will never forget the Mother's Day he told me we should just skip church and listening to all those Mother Day talks and spend a few hours alone at Seaport Village. We did just that and met the children later for dinner. He was very thoughtful of my feelings.

On Wednesday the 14th we went to Maria's timeshare in Oceanside and had a Beach Bash. This was something we always did in June to celebrate Linda and James birthday--only that was always at La Jolla Shores. This reminded me of those times.

Pulsiphers brought a wood crate and Matt found another so there was plenty of wood for hot dogs and 'smores'.

The beach was quite deserted as the tourist crowds have not yet arrived.

You can see how lovely the beach and palm trees are. You can see Maria's timeshare in the background.

Matt and Tanner kept the fire going huge for a long, long time.

Just another day in paradise, as Maria says. The weather was great, surfers were in view and the water was quite warm...

I didn't have to do anything but pose for a picture...it was 7 at night so we did not have our bathing suits on...

Happy Birthday Amy!

For Amy's birthday party she requested Fantastic Dessert for her birthday cake!

But before that we had a delicious dinner out...

We went to Mario's in La Mesa for some delicious Mexican fare.

Amy, Kelly and Tanner...

It is a home converted to a restaurant which can hold 80--it was filled so we sat on the patio with heaters.

Marilyn and Frenchie were there plus all the Pulsipher's but Craig and Kristi, of course.

Three generations of smiles together in Linda, Sarah, and Grandma Janet...

It was a fun night--Happy Birthday Amy, 19 years old!

Early Mother's Day

I had a lovely early Mother's Day present tonight. Maria took Melissa and I(Mitch ate with us, too) out to dinner and then to the Susanville Symphony and finished off with sharing a Banana Split.

The Symphony was really in top form tonight and performed wonderful numbers like Themes from "Cowboy" and "Dances with Wolves" among others. It was songs from the American Frontier.

The Artistic Director is really fascinating to watch with all his arm movements and facial expessions and we were sitting in a perfect place to watch him.

And it was fun visiting with Melissa again. She says the nicest things...

It is Officially Spring...

This picture was taken on April 27 so officially the last piece of snow in my yard melted on April 28 and Spring was here, finally!

Unfortunately it went to 20 degrees a few days later!

Daffodils bloom in one of John's Mourning Gardens. It really helped to plant them in cages last year as the squirrels have left them where I put them. I will do a lot more this year now that I know!

The amazing thing is that on May 1 all of my lot had been raked and ready to burn all unwanted needles and branches. That is the earliest I have ever completed this task. It took me all week of working a few hours and then reading and resting and then working again. I finished "The Jane Austen Book Club" and "Eden Close"--recommend both of them. The reason it was so amazing is I didn't think I had the strength for all that but yea, I did it!!!! Now if I can just get the sprinkler system attached to the water faucet, I still haven't enough muscle to do that. Where is a good man when you need them?