Cutie Updated Pix of Keira!

Something healthy but so good!

I love this with her Auntie.

I like this, too, Mom.

The following pictures are from Matt and Meagan's trip to visit the Massey family in Humboldt.

My laughing face.

My serious face with my Dad.

My curious face with my Dad again.

This is amazing, I wonder what it is???

Life is good with my Mom.

Here I am with my Massey family,

Thoughts on Lincoln, BYU and Righteous Living

I just finished the Lincoln Series on PBS.  It was so excellent and I learned so much.  Poor Mary Todd.  I did not realize she had such a hard time emotionally.  I loved  listening to Abraham Lincoln's speeches.  He worked so hard on the words but it was the heart and spirit of them that was so profound.  How wonderful it would be now to be led by men in government who had a deep faith in God and sought inspiration in their law making.  I am so disgusted with our government leaders. 

Sunday I spoke in church with Kaylene.  She is off to BYU this year and it is 60 years since I attended.  I was remembering all those good things about going to college, and how much I loved my time there.  Kaylene said she was more excited than ever after hearing my comments.  She is so talented and has such confidence, she will do well.

The subject I spoke on was Elder L. Tom Perry's address on "The Tradition of  a Balanced, Righteous Life" which he had given at Utah Valley University.  I also put in a few thoughts from his life story and his fireside speech at BYU in March.  He has lived a very righteous life of success in the business world and then as a General Authority.  We are so fortunate to have his caliber of men to lead and teach us in the church, if only our government leaders could be half so competent and righteous.

I think this message was especially intended for me.  I have such a hard time living a balanced life.  When I am stressed out (which has been nonstop for the last 30 years I think) I eat badly and gain weight and then I try to lose weight and it is a vicious circle.  When I read, I read nonstop and then I won't read for a long time.  I can't seem to just lived a balanced, even life with no stress, no indulgence, no sadness, the right foods, consistent exercise, daily scriptures, etc.   How do people do that?  It can't be just that they have money and I don't, because a lot of people with money live very crazy lives.  I know exactly what to do, I just don't do it...Why?

The Mourning Gardens--Mid-July 2011

Sherry's Mourning Garden

Laurie's Mourning Garden

John's Mourning Gardens

The Memorial Mourning Gardens were begun in Spring 2004 after the death of John and added to after the deaths of Sherry and Laurie--all cousins who died in their early to late 40's.

Matt began moving dirt and rocks and that was the beginning.  Considering the gardens grow under the shade of large pine trees and over the pine tree roots and are also the delicacy of the roving deer, rabbits, and squirrels and the fact that they get very little sun, they are doing quite well.  Plus there is only about a four month growing season.  The lilies are just beginning to bloom and the daffodils are already gone for the season.

Anna Karenina--Again!

I just watched the Masterpiece Theater version of Anna Karenina which was produced in two episodes in 2001.  I loved this version.  I must have seen four or five by now and, of course, read the book.  I think I need to read the book again.  I just read one opinion that it is the best novel ever written.  I must think so, I never tire of watching the story or reading the book.

Ad for Masterpiece Theater version:
Leo Tolstoy's powerful tale of love and marriage in imperial Russia comes to Masterpiece Theatre in a stunningly modern adaptation of Anna Karenina.

Completed in 1877, Anna Karenina was not the book Tolstoy intended to write. He had been working on a novel about Peter the Great, designed to follow up his spectacular success with War and Peace. But the project went nowhere, and Tolstoy's thoughts turned increasingly to an incident that haunted him: A neighbor's mistress had thrown herself under a train after being jilted by her lover.

From this tragic seed grew a modern epic of sex, duty, marriage, and moral regeneration that many critics consider the greatest novel ever written.

Tolstoy's themes are particularly resonant today, notes executive producer George Faber of Company Television in Britain: "Anna Karenina isn't concerned with observing the minutiae of social etiquette, like Jane Austen, nor with righting social injustices, like Dickens. It's about raw, often uncontrollable passions, emotional and sexual betrayal, mixed-up people with mixed-up lives. It offers no easy solutions or simple moral judgments."

A Red Rose

 

First bloom on the rose bush I planted this year. Lillies will be blooming soon!

We Were the Mulvaneys

I finished "We Were the Mulvaneys"--at times it was a hard book to read, a family not having the tools they needed to deal with the sometimes tragic realities of life.

The Mulvaneys, a family living in the small, rural town of Mt. Ephraim, New York, during the later part of the 20th century, are the perfect family: four kids, the owners of a successful roofing business, and a high social status. We Were the Mulvaneys tells the tale of the demise of this perfect family—an incident that is hushed up in town and never spoken of again. It is this incident that shatters the family fabric with tragic consequences.--Wikepedia

It is a book where you continually think "if only"--if only she had done this, if only he had felt this, if only she had said this.  Unfortunately there are many "if only" moments in our life because we are not equipped with the right thoughts, the correct understandings, the truth, the correct values, the strength, the compassion, the love, the tenderness--all the basic things we need to navigate the relationships, careers, marriages, events, etc. of our life.  That is why I am so thankful I have been anchored in a "trust in God" belief.  Without it, I would not have been able to muddle through the many personal tragedies and difficulties or even appreciate the many blessings of my life.  I could have been broken so many times or too full of fear to move on...

I was thinking about the moments in my life that have become indelible in my mind.  Little vignettes that are always there for instant recall and feelings, such as:

...being helped down from a tree by my brother when I was about 4 or 5
...standing in front of my Daddy and singing a well-known church hymn with my family in our living room when I was just a tot
...being frozen with fear when a "bum" came to our front door
...riding on the back of our new tricylce with my sister Marilyn when I was about 5
...sharing hard-to-get bubble gum with friends in WWll
...being interviewed for Cougarettes when I was in college
...stranded at the bottom of an icy hill in South Pass when I was in college
...watching a dead boy being pulled from the creek when I was in grade school
...being thrown from side to side in a car that was out of control when I was a sophmore  in high school
...sobbing uncontrollably as they lowered the casket of Marilyn's boyfriend Claude
...Richard telling me he loved me
...being told my Dad had passed away
...seeing Richard wave at me from the upstairs window as I was doing yard work and hearing him say "Your children need you" in a very gentle but persuasive way
...watching my husband die in Maria's house
...hearing over the phone that my son John "did not make it"
...receiving the premonition that James and Cambers  first born was out of danger
...receiving the premonition that James was going to have a life threatening accident
...helping to dress my mother in the morgue
...being sealed to my husbnd and son John in the Temple
...watching my husband helplessly as he had a heart attack in 1970
,,,having the Dr tell the anesethist to "put her out" after the nurse complained they didn't have the right kind of sutures needed (after James was born)
...talking to a friend just before I left my Rancho Barnardo home, after giving the key to the realtor
..feeling so overwhelmed as I looked at all the boxes of files in our garage (after my husband passed away)
...being alone in the office with puppy Bandido trying to make a decision as to whether I could leave unfinished vital office work to make my commitment to be at the Temple--so overwhelmed and defeated
..feelings of despair as I wrestled with my financial situation and having James call at just that moment, with hope
...crying to Maria as I related John's attitude toward my buying my Lake Almanor house
...being with Linda in the delivery room when Gary was out of town
...looking at Maria in such agony just before they did a cesarean on her
,,,talking to a lady at Bank of America as she told me on the phone "that $3500 is yours, come and get it"
...having baby Meagan reach her arms out to me as soon as Jennifer opened the door of their little UCSD apartment


Oh, there are so many moments like this when you have no pictures to help you recall  but they are strongly etched in your mind, never to be forgotten because of your helplessness in the situation, your overwhelming grief or pain, or your great joy.

I love the saying, "Life is fragile, handle it with prayer."  So true.

Books and Reunion

Why do I keep selecting books I have already read???  I thought "The Brave" was a new book by Nicholas Evans but alas, I read it while in San Diego, how quickly I forget.   I will turn the audio off and look for a new bedtime book.  I have read all of Evans books, I wish there were more.  They all take place in Montana though he is an English man.  I just read about his mushroom poisening in 2008 and how it has changed his life.  Has to have dialysis and needs a kidney transplant.  I was just looking at some mushrooms in my yard yesterday and wondering how people knew what was poisenous.  Evidently you can make life changing mistakes by not knowing.

But I will keep reading "We Were the Mulvaneys" by Joyce Carol Oates.  She is an amazing author and I found this book in Tennessee at Goodwill.  What a great place to buy books.

The temp has been up the last few days but thanks to the pine trees my home stays cool and I love the time around 2 or 3 in the morning when it is so cool I need to pull the comforter up around me and really snuggle in.  But will I ever sleep all night ever again?  I doubt it.  I sleep, I wake, I blog, I watch TV, I read, I sleep, I wake, and so the cycle goes all through the night.

I talked for a long time this evening with Myrna, that is always fun.  We are both missing our High School Reunion tonight.  That would be the 60th of Dawson County High School in Glenidve.  It is a long way and not convenient to get to and no family there anymore so we both opted to stay in cool California.  Hope someone fills us in and all the happenings and who was there...and not there.

Letters to God

So enjoyed watching "Letters to God" on Netflix today.  Story of a boy with cancer, an alcoholic, a widow, etc. etc.  Very well done.  Writing letters to God is a good way of praying.

A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s search for meaning—the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.

Dysfunctional Families

Last night I was listening to "Townies" a memoir by Andre Dubus III who wrote "House of Sand and Fog".
I really like 'House of Sand and Fog'.

I did not like 'Townies".  I don't know whether he just exaggerates or what but if not he had the must dysfunctional parents, none of which can be excused by lack of income or having to work and raise children at the same time, after all,  what is new about that?  Most people still try and teach their children the basics of living a good life and being responsible. I turned it off.  I will never know if his parents were really as bad as he made them sound or not.

Why could I read about Jeannette Wall's dysfunctional parents in the "The Glass Castle" and not his?  I don't know but anyway, turned the book off.

Movies and Ice Cream

Tuesday Maryanne and I saw "Larry Crowne" in Susanville.  It was very enjoyable.  After we had a quick taco at Taco Bell (I like the fresco ones) and then did a little shopping in Walmart. 

After I returned home the UPS brought our new Cuisenart ice cream maker and I had everything needed to try the Favorite Ice Cream from the Family Recipes.  The container had to be frozen overnight though so early in the morning I tried it and voila, it worked!!  Very good and I didn't need the Rock Salt I had bought in Susanville.  Since I had cream left over I tried a different Chocolate Malt Ice Cream as well--but here again, it needed to be frozen overnight.  Wow, it works though.  I didn't like the recipe as well as the last one I tried though ,that was more like my cho chos.  I will need to remember that.

Wednesday Michael drove to Sacramento to spend time with his friend and spend the weekend with his Mom and siblings.  I listened to "The Hand that First Held Mine:" by Maggie O'Farrell.  I had listened to it most of the night but kept falling asleep and couldn't follow it.  When you stay awake it really is quite a novel and I will for sure check out more of her books.  She is another Irish author who is now living in London and thus the story took place there.  Interesting that I have several favorite Irish women authors.

The verdict came in Tuesday on Casey Anthony--Not Guilty.  She knows what really happened, how can she live with that???  They say she is a psychopath though and evidently they can live with a lot of bad things.  She will probably get rich by writing a book or doing a movie--will be interesting to see what happens to her next and if the truth ever comes out.

Oh, yes, the daisies that usually come out by Memorial Day, finally bloomed, so I changed my blog pix.  These are wild flowers, that come and go at will with little water, at least I never water them.  It has been very warm the last few days but always cool under my pines.

Oh, yes, there was gluten revenge on me Wednesday for all the hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza I had over the 4th--good thing I am staying home for a few days...and what a tummy ache.

Happy Birthday America!

I fully intended on going to the Chester parade and find Maryanne but I slept in!!!  I wanted to finish "The Age of Innocence" and so read for about 3 hours in the middle of the night,.  I guess I need my sleep more than I used to.

Anyway I enjoyed a lazy morning listening to more of my Bonhoeffer book and then I was curious about how the LDS Church fared in WW ll.  Lo and behold there is a new book out about just that thing!!  Then I find the same author wrote a book in 2009 about being "In Harms Way" during the war.  It is on line so I liked reading about the Saints and some of their stories.  I concluded you are much safer in the small towns and rural areas during a war rather than in the city, of course.  I also concluded the Soviet army that took over after the war was as much, if not more dangerous, as the Nazis..  One story that interested me was this:

In the first few weeks of 1945, the members of the Danzig Branch discussed what they should do as the Red Army approached the city. Branch President Willy Horn had received a letter from Paul Langheinrich (second counselor to the mission leader in Berlin) encouraging the Saints to evacuate the city right away and head west (which some branch members had already done). From Sister Eichler’s recollection:


When Brother Horn finished reading the letter, . . . he [said that he thought that Heavenly Father would protect us from all the terrors of the war, if we had enough faith in him. . . . He asked us to form a circle with the chairs. . . . We all knelt by the chairs, and Brother Horn offered a very humble and long prayer. When he was finished, he . . . told us to trust in the Lord and to return home with peace in our hearts—all would be well. A week later we heard that some of the members did not listen to his counsel but . . . left for the west. . . . Those of us who stayed behind experienced much agony and hardship.

 It would seem that Willy Horn’s inspiration may have been in error on that occasion. In reality, those who rejected his recommendation and left the city right away were spared great hardship. Those who stayed suffered. There were disagreements on the issue even between spouses. For example, Brother Eichler decided that his family should remain in Danzig, though his wife did not agree.

I think the above story illustrates the point that you should follow the direction of your leaders and not take it upon yourself to receive inspiration counter to that for those who you are serving.  I think Willy Horn did a great disservice to his branch by directing them counter to what they had been advised to do.

In another escape story as a family wound themselves through tunnels the wife wanted to follow a different route than her husband.  The daughter who was behind her mother told her Mom she should follow Dad as he had the Priesthood.  They did and they were safe.  If they had gone the other direction they would have been destroyed by fire.  The daughter said it was a testimony to her to always follow the Priesthood and their instruction.

It is interesting to me that these books are being written 66 years after the happenings!!!  Obviously other people are still as curious as I am about what happened in WW ll.  It was obvious from the Bonhoeffer book that the people just did not know what was going on by their government and they trusted to much and gave up one freedom after another until it was too late.

Had a sweet call the other night from a boyfriend from the 50's!  Nice we can still be friends after all this time.  He said he has very happy memories of me.  Nice to hear as I edge closer and closer to 80 years old!!  Who ever thought we would be this old and still feel like '20 something' most of the time????

Oh, yes, I celebrated the birthday of America with another special burger dinner from Michael and the fireworks on the Peninsula.  Unfortunately, I thought they were some of the least exciting fireworks I have ever seen!  The Macy's fireworks on TV are so much more fun and with music to boot!!!  Happy Birthday, America!

Catching Up on the Classics

The last two days I chose to read the classic "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton.  I read it on my "Library to Go".  I thoroughly enjoyed it and yesterday watched the film version made in 1993, thanks to Netflix.

.
I think the characters chosen to play the parts were perfect for their roles.  Daniel Day-Lewis as Newbold Archer and Michelle Pfeiffer as Countess Ellen Odessa and Winona Ryder a May Welland.

I actually watched the movie before I finished the book this morning.  Michael queried  that "Wouldn't that ruin the book for me?"  Actually, no, I still like to read the book whether I have seen the movie or not.

Question though, I would like to know why it ended as it did?  Why did he walk away????   He was only 57...which meant they both still had a lot of life and love in them...

Michael, the Gourmet Cook

Yesterday Michael and I reviewed the video "You Are Doing It Wrong?" on Chow.  This is one of the channels received on Roku.  The demonstration Michael was interested in was on making a burger.

He then proceeded to make the best burger I have ever had!!!  He loves to take his time and really does a great job.  It had all kinds of things in it...  I am really enjoying his cooking since I hate to take the time to cook.

Now we just need the ice cream maker!!!  I will do that.

Quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer--hung by the Nazis on April 9, 1945

We watched a documentary about Deitrich Bonhoeffer today.  I had no idea Hitler demanded allegiance from the churches and changed them totally.  There are several movies about Bonhoeffer.  I can't believe I had never heard about him.    He was hung by the Nazis just days before the liberation by the Yanks of the prisoners in German prisons.

These are some of his many quotes that have lived on after him.  There are also books of his letters and poems.

 "0nly he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.”

“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.”

 “First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me."

It is the nature, and the advantage, of strong people that they can bring out the crucial questions and form a clear opinion about them. The weak always have to decide between alternatives that are not their own.”

The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.”

“The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to h...”

“Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.”

"One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.”

“If you do a good job for others, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure.”

 "The morning prayer determines the day."

"Prayer is not just about opening your heart. It means rather to find the way to God and talk to him, if your heart is full or empty."

 "But the Christian also knows that he not only cannot and dare not be anxious, but there is no need for him to be so."

"Praying certainly does not mean simply pouring out one’s heart. It means, rather, finding the way to and speaking with God, whether the heart is full or empty. No one can do that on one’s own. For that one needs Jesus Christ."

The prison doc who attended his execution wrote, “I was most deeply moved by the way this extraordinary, lovable man prayed, so resigned and so certain that God heard his prayer.”

Bonhoeffer, the Man Who Stood Up to Hitler

I am currently listening to this book on my "Library to Go" and it is fascinating!!!

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile Vs. The Third Reich  by Eric Metaxas 

From the New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace, a groundbreaking biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the greatest heroes of the twentieth century, the man who stood up to Hitler. A definitive, deeply moving narrative, Bonhoeffer is a story of moral courage in the face of the monstrous evil that was Nazism. After discovering the fire of true faith in a Harlem church, Bonhoeffer returned to Germany and became one of the first to speak out against Hitler. As a double-agent, he joined the plot to assassinate the Fuhrer, and was hanged in Flossenberg concentration camp at age 39. Since his death, Bonhoeffer has grown to be one of the most fascinating, complex figures of the 20th century. Bonhoeffer presents a profoundly orthodox Christian theologian whose faith led him to boldly confront the greatest evil of the 20th century, and uncovers never-before-revealed facts, including the story of his passionate romance. 
 
What an intelligent, exciting and sincere man and I like that the author quotes from many letters, etc. in telling his story.  Now I wish I had the book so I would remember it better. 
 

Cho Chos and Tummy Ache!

For two weeks I have had a kind of earache, jaw ache, head ache kind of thing but have put off going to the Dr.  I am afraid it might be a tooth but I keep hoping it will just go away.

Now I have made a pig of myself on Chocolate Malt Ice Cream Mix and have a tummy ache. 

I had decided to be prepared when the ice cream maker I ordered came, so I researched recipes for chocolate malted ice cream and finally bought the ingredinets and kept adjusting the recipe till it tasted just like the Cho Cho pushups from my childhood.

However, the ice cream maker still did not come but I would keep going into the refrigerator and pouring some of it in a cup, like a milk shake, so good.

Tonight I finally looked up my order and it said it will not be here until the 5th!!  I decided I better put the mix into the freezer in the meantime.  Then as it froze up around the sides and bottom I would go get spoonfuls of it.  I can't believe how delicious it is and I just kept eating and eating until I have the worst tummy ache I can remember.

I then decided to look up Cho Chos just to see if anyone is still making them.  I didn't find that but I did find on Diana's Desserts a thread that has been going on since 2002 of other peoople who loved the Cho Chos of their childhood and would like to find them again or at least a recipe for them.

Cho Chos were push ups with chocolate malted ice cream inside--like Wendys Frosties, only smoother, not so grainy, more solid and with the chocolate malt taste.  I found them once in the 70's in the Santa Monica Temple when we ate there.  I was so thrilled, everyone thought I was crazy.  Now, I know there were a lot of us crazy all over the midwest for the Cho Chos.   But now I know how to get that taste and I will have the Chocolate Malt of my childhood any time I want!!!   Oh, woe is me.

Maria's Master's Degree Celebration!

 July 2  Newsflash === Postponed until August!

 

Graduation Celebration!

Celebration date: July 09, 2011

Come celebrate with me! 

 

The celebration will be at the Law St beach in Pacific Beach and on the deck of John and Maria's place at 860 Law St.

Melissa, Mike and maybe Matt and myself are driving down from Northern California for a long weekend and will stay at John and Maria's.

So proud of all Maria has achieved in her search for education and degrees to further her career!!!

Craig Graduates from BYU

I finally received the graduation announcement for Craig. 

It says Craig Andrew Pulsipher graduated on Thursday, the Twenty-first of April, 2011 with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology - Cum Laude.

From Brigham Young University

Craig will be furthering his education at UCLA to receive a Masters in Social Welfare.

Congratulations, Craig, you are nothing short of amazing.

Anne of Green Gables

For the past several weeks I have been watching "Anne of Green Gables" on BYU television.  The original book was written in 1908 about a girl who lived in Canada.  I think the versions I watched were some or all of those below.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the series and I am sure there are several that have been added on to the original book story line.

Anne of Green Gables film series, a television film series directed by Kevin Sullivan, perhaps the most famous dramatized version of the "Anne" stories.

Then I read "Anne and the Dream House" online and there are several more I can read online anytime for free.
These are some of my favorite quotes from Anne Shirley:

Anne Shirley: My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes. That's a sentence I read once and I say it over to comfort myself in these times that try the soul.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anne Shirley: This is the most tragical thing that has ever happened to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Mrs. Cadbury: Tell me, what you know about yourself.

Anne Shirley: Well, it really isn't worth telling, Mrs. Cadbury... but if you let me tell you what I imagine about myself you'd find it a lot more interesting.

Every night I either read a book online or listen to an audio for free.  This is all possible by "Library on the Go" furnished for the Northern California library system.  I can check out three books at a time from Plumas Library and three books at a time from Lassen Library and a many as I want from the other sections that have books always available, like the classics.  It is a wonderful source of books, what a service!  And good reason why I am not buying books lately.

Tanner Graduates!

This is the fifth Pulsipher to graduate from Hoover High School in El Cajon.  Congratulations Tanner!  You are looking so good and Linda and Gary look like very proud parents.

My Mourning Gardens 2011

In 2004 Matt started my Mourning Gardens after the death of John.  This picture was probably the following summer in 2005.  Today the gardens are overflowing and 

will soon be  blooming with beautiful lillies.

Frightening News

One unfortunate accident and one near tragedy marred this weekend.

First, Gary, on a scouting trip to Havasu, jumped in a lake and landed on a rock with his right foot.  His body went one way and his foot the other, resulting in a painful, fractured ankle.  It took 30 guys to carry him to a place that a helicopter could pick him up and transport him to Flagstaff, AZ. where he had emergency surgery.  He is resting at home and will probably have to stay off his ankle for up to 12 weeks.  It was his right foot and so looks like Kelly will be designated driver back and forth to his Orthodontist office--hope he can manage!

Secondly, Ryan, Kristi and Mike's second child, nearly drowned in a Community pool in Las Vegas.  Apparently he had been playing away from the pool and was not wearing his floaties.  Then, unseen, by anyone,  he apparently jumped in the pool and bumped his head and was discovered by Kristi at the bottom of the pool.  Tender mercies, a nurse was in the area and did CPR and he is recouperating in the hospital.

Life is so fragile, I am so thankful that both are mending at this time and there were good people around to help when needed.

Reading about the flooding in Minot is also frightening.  This is the worst flood since 1890s and may divide the town as the town is two hills with a valley in the middle.  The flooding comes from a river from Canada.  1/3 of the city has had to be evacuated and they  believe the water is contaminated so water has to be boiled.  I don't think FEMA has arrived with any help yet.  Over 10,000 people out of their homes!

My Name Is Khan

This is one of the most heart wrenching movies I have ever seen.  It makes you realize how much prejudice has followed the Muslims since 9/11.  I cried all through the last half of the movie.  The end about Pres. Obama was  a bit of good propaganda for him but made a good point.

Rizwan Khan, a Muslim from the Borivali section of Mumbai, suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism that complicates socialization. The adult Rizwan marries a Hindu single mother, Mandira, in San Francisco. After 9/11, Rizwan is detained by authorities at LAX who mistake his disability for suspicious behavior. Following his arrest, he meets Radha, a therapist who helps him deal with his situation and his affliction. Rizwan then begins a journey to meet US President Obama to clear his name. Written by Auntie A

This is a story reinforcing the Gospel truth that love, not hate, is the only way to peace in the world and we need love for all colors, all faiths, all ages, all abilities. It  also emphasizes how the children reflect the hate they are taught by the actions of their parents, teachers, leaders, and media, etc.

This is a must see movie that I never heard about until Netflix and Roku.which, incidentally, really are the best deals on TV.

Grandniece gets written up in New York Paper!

Street Style: Ginger Lights Up the Sidewalk

Catherine Blair Pfander

Amid a sea of black umbrellas, Ginger Warburton stands out like a beacon of light clad in a simple white sundress and teal suede flats.

A living embodiment of "understated," Ginger -- who, we soon learned, works at the famous Williamsburg eatery, "Diner" -- had just biked from her apartment in Bushwick in search of lunch fare.

While Ginger may not have been prepared to choose a favorite sandwich ("I have no idea what to eat!" she laughed), when it comes to clothing, she's obviously making all the right decisions.

"This dress is actually from Urban Outfitters, if you can believe it," she explains. "It just fits me so well. I put it on in the dressing room and was like: 'Yup, getting this.'"

Her teal blue flats, which feature dozens of tiny geometric cut-outs, were purchased while traveling in Austria. "I can't believe how long these have lasted," she says. "I got them five years ago and still wear them all the time!"

Clearly, anyone who looks this pulled-together in the middle of a summer rainstorm is someone whose style we need to steal -- even if it means high-tailing to a remote Austrian boutique.

BY Catherine Blair Pfander // Thursday, Jun 23, 2011

Father's Day, 2011

Many reminders of how blessed I was as a child.  Happy Family. Loving Mother. Wonderful Father.  We all got along, had plenty to eat, lots of friends, warm clothes, fun activities, parents who loved each other and us and had no vices, as far as I could see.  We were so blessed.  So much of it was the times, the ability to have freedom to roam the neighborhood without danger, plenty of jobs for everyone, enough, we had enough of everything, not rich, but enough, which was all we needed.

Some Father's Day pictures I found on Facebook:

On the Patio with the Fuquas in Billings, Montana

The Twinnies Sage and Raina look so grown up!

Meagan and Matt with Baby Keira and a Father's Day Card!

Marjorie's Mom

Tuesday Marjorie called and asked if I could drive to Vancouver with her and her 103 year old Mom.  Her daughter Karen had had to fly home to care for her grandchildren as Karen's daughter was in the hospital having a baby.

Michael drove me over to Red Bluffs.  Fortunately for Marjorie it now appeared she would be able to get her Mom in a private Home Care in Corning and she wouldn't have to drive her all the way to Vancouver, at least at this time.  I stayed with her during the day as she had her Mom's TB test read so she could enter the home.

What a delight the home turned out to be for her Mom.  She was happy to sit down and play the piano and enjoyed her meal at the big table with the other live ins and sitting in one of the comfortable recliners around the TV.  The home is run by an ex-Marine and his Philippine wife and they appear to do a super job.  We were amazed to watch Marjorie's mom walk around by herself and just beam.  She even sang for everyone.  She knows all the words to several songs...it is absolutely amazing at 103!!

Marjorie came back to Lake Almanor with me for a couple days to see if the home "took" with her Mom and the report was very positive!!!  Marjorie may move her to Vancouver later but it would have been very hard to take her to her two story home until she found a "home" nearer.  It is very hard to take care of elderly people unless you are set up for it and have the strength. 

Anyway I was glad to be of the little help I was and it was fun to visit with Marjorie again.  She and Michael had many lively discussions while she was here.

Lovely Summer Day!

What a beautiful day!  Temp just perfect, no wind.  Lots of sunshine and a few fluffy clouds.

Everything growing so fast!  All plants were watered today and all fertilized this week.  Michael and I cleaned the house, did a few windows, washed and dried our clothes, and washed the car.  Michael even made spaghetti for dinner.  So nice to have Michael here, we get so much done and with good conversation, too!

Tony Awards

"Book of Mormon" won as best musical of the year at the Tony awards.  In accepting the award, the acceptor made several jokes--"we wrote it because we wanted to be a big Mormon family, and now we are"--"we want to acknowledge one of the authors who died, thank you Joseph Smith, now you got your Tony Award".  The singer who did "I Believe" did a great job of singing the song and it was quite clever and sung with enthusiasm, really looked like a Mormon missionary.  From the little that I saw, it did look like it had a lot of humor and fun music.  They did not show any outrageous scenes.  Hard to assess without seeing it all.  It evidently is a hit so will be around for awhile, that is for sure.  Question is why they wanted to write it in the first place.  They said it took them several years.  Obviously they had a Mormon author to help write it.

It was a beautiful sunny day today.  We had several visitors at the Branch and a good pot luck.  My lesson went ok with lots of participation, especially from the visitors.  They were a lot of fun to talk with after the meetings. 

Michael and I drove to Frosties and I had a root beer float and he had a shake and then he worked on his assignment to create a Web Site and I watched the NBA Final game.  It was very exciting and the Mavericks won, yea!

Bandido is not getting the idea of the training pad at all--don't know what to do with him.  His eyesight is really getting bad also, poor doggy.  Growing old is for the pits.

What to Do With Bandido?

Yesterday Mary Anne and I went to the Reno Temple--oops, they were cleaning it when we got there--closed!!  So what do we do?

Head for the Dollar Store, of course,  where I found all kinds of things I absolutely needed.  Wish I had bought more of the Minute Maid Lemonade in a box!  It was really good.  I found training pads for Bandido there that were cheaper than the ones I bought at Pet Smart but first we have to see if he will use them.

The problem is that both my sister Carole's and my dog are old, and for some reason they have begun piddling on the rugs.  Now it is not that they don't get outside to piddle, they do, but for some reason they are confused.

I thought if I used the training pads like when he was a puppy he would go to that place when he needed to if no one was around to let him outside.

Well, today, he was using it all right, TO SLEEP On, like it was his own special spot.  So I am sure the problem has not been resolved.

We also headed for Wal Mart on the way home and bought plants.  I have my geraniums planted for the summer and even a rose bush.  So nice to have Michael here to help me, makes the job go so much faster.

So a good day, even if we didn't get to the Temple.  At least we had good intentions.

Diversity in Life

Today was one of those days when I rejoiced in all the different kind of activities you can enjoy when you are retired!

I slept in after reading till 4 AM.
I finished my book as soon as I woke up.
I didn't wash my hair and get dressed until after 1 pm.
I cleaned branches off my lot.
I listened to Big Band music from the 40's and 50's and danced in my sox.
I did my laundry.
I shopped and enjoyed the delicious fruits available right now.
I watched "Anne of Green Gables--really enjoying the series on the BYU Channel.
I watched the 5th game of the NBA Finals and screamed and cheered.  Mavericks won!
I planted some petunias in pots.
I communicated by email and facebook.
I blogged
I watched "Blue Bloods"--good, new TV show.
I ordered Roku on the internet.
I changed addresses on some of my mailings.
I ate spaghetti three times today and still didn't finish it!!
I ate peaches and raspberries and cream.
I ate chips and sour cream.
I studied my lesson for Sunday.
I took a walk with Bandido.
I chatted with Michael.
I talked by telephone to a daughter.
And I did not make time for my back exercises...again!

In other words, I did nothing vitally important but just what I felt like all day long...
just a simple life, filling my hours.   And finally, SUMMER IS HERE!

Black and Blue

Yesterday I read from start to finish one of Anna Quindlen's Books.  I love her writing.  This one was a sad one though, about an abused woman and her need to flee through the help of the underground that exists for such women.  The book was "Black and Blue".  When I read something like this I realize again how blessed I was to have gentle and kind men in my life.  The book also  helped me to understand a little as to why women who are abused stay so long with their abusers.  I have often wondered why there are so many of these male types, though.

Hedda Nussbaum was one of the most famous cases of abused women and her husband Joel Steinberg was convicted of manslaughter in the deadly abuse of one of their foster children.  Ms. Nussbaum spent years in therapy and then working with abused women and this is what she listed as red flags in abusive men.

Nussbaum's List of Red Flags:  (I don't know why anyone would date someone like this!)

1.He pushes too far, too fast, planning your future together right away.
2.He hates his mother and is nasty to her.
3.He wants your undivided attention.
4.He must always be in charge.
5.He always has to win.
6.He breaks promises all the time.
7.He can't take criticism and always justifies his actions.
8.He blames someone else for anything that goes wrong.
9.He's jealous of your close friends, family members, and all other men
10.He always asks you where you went and whom you saw.
11.He has extreme highs and lows that are unpredictable.
12.He has a mean temper.
13.He often says you don't know what you're talking about.
14.He makes you feel like you're not good enough.
15.He withdraws his love or approval as punishment.
16.He pushes you to do things that make you feel uneasy, like taking the day off from work or even breaking the law

Keira at Three Months

Keira and Daddy Matt

I can laugh.

I am pretty.

What Now?

I am enjoying being home but it is too cold.  Today I decided I better start watering as winter is surely over and spent the morning watering the front and back.  This afternoon it rained and rained and turned colder.  Summer is not here yet.

I enjoy having Michael here.  Yesterday we shopped, cooked a mexican dinner, watched a scary movie, and then played Trivia on the TV.  Michael won, of course. 

Today I had an email from an SBA friend in Sacramento and she said some of the workers in Joplin are having to travel 3 hrs back and forth.  Wow, that would be hard.  Maybe it is good I am here.

Sunday, we had a lesson on desires, choices, priorities, and actions.  I've always had a pretty good work ethic, learned from my parents I am sure.  As my father taught us, "Always be worth more than you are paid."  I have accomplished a lot as I have had to reinvent myself several times to fit the current needs in my life.  And I have always worked hard to learn and succeed in whatever role I was required to do at that time as I went from one career to another.

But it got me to thinking about where we get our desires.  If you have the right desires, it is easy to make the right choices.  Where do those desires come from?  Circumstances for one.  After Richard died and I had to sell my "retirement home". I really desired to have my own home again.  I worked relentlessly toward that end and the miracle happened even though I had to 'start over' again in my late 60's with only $25,000, my car, computer, furniture and clothes.

When Colleen and I came to San Diego to teach and had explored the city I had the desire to live in La Jolla someday.  That goal was reached 13 years later.

I had always wanted to marry in the Temple and that finally happened in 1960.  My desire to live in the mountains finally happened in 1999.  When we had the money, I could never talk Richard into investing in a home in Big Bear, though I tried.

I never had any great aspirations to be rich, or successful other than being a good Mom, Grandma, wife and serve in the church.  I can see I should have had loftier desires toward being rich and I might not have to still be working.  So where do those desires come from?  People we associate with, our reading, our listening, our family, inspiration from the Lord, where?  Something to think about.

After I saw Nadine's Memory books, I wanted my own.  I now have 37 scrapbooks, or memory books and I have written and printed a book on part of my life and working on the rest.  I have organized 10 large books of letters, emails, etc from the 40's to when I started blogging in 2005.   I have worked since the 50's on my genealogy and sent many names to the Temple.  Am I finished with everything I started, no, there is always more to do but I haven't been lazy, either.  The question is where did I get the desire to do it all?  Why does one work on acquiring friends and another work on writing books?  It is a mystery to me...but right now I am bored doing all the things I do and need a recharge, a reset, or something.  What now???  Hmmm, thinking about it...

How I Missed Good Mexican Food!

It was a fairly easy pickup for Michael at the airport and we were both starving so decided to cut off to the Natoma area to find a good Mexican restaurant.  Michael had a ten page paper to write and I was anxious to get home so we did not even go in to Sacramento to see Melissa and Mitch.

The restaurant we found was one of the real Mexican places and the food was delicious to me.  I ate so much!!! 

I was glad Michael was driving as I had read the whole flight home and my eyes had spots in front of them.  The canyon was beautiful but it got more and more cloudy as we drove north.  Summer was definitely not here yet!  I built a fire soon after arriving home but we are so low on wood...hope summer comes quickly, like before the Memorial Holiday on Monday...

If I Had Only Known...

That last day in Union City Brenda said we were to wait until Jan called because some of their people had gone over to Fort Worth to process loans and they may need us to travel to work another Disaster Center instead of going home.  Since I was just a loaner from FOCW, they had reviewed all their needs and as usual, try to send whoever is not needed any longer, home before a long holiday.  Loaners are the first to go home when not needed.  It is very expensive to pay overtime on Saturday and Sunday and then double time on a Holiday.

About noon we got the call to go home as planned--now there was a six hour drive down to Jackson, Ms to turn in our cars.  She would call us on the way to tell us where we were staying and fax the hotel with our flight plans.  Brenda did not want to leave yet so I left by myself.

The Country Inn did not have a printer that was working so I could not read the fax and had to call Jan until she finally looked up the confirmation number and I was able to go online and get my flight information.  It was at six am which meant I would need to turn in my car previous to that as the Country Inn did not have shuttle service that early.  I did not read the details very well except to verify my seat and see if I could change it to an aisle seat.  On the leg to Sacramento from Houston I saw I had a seat in First Class.  I thought it was because I chose my seat so late there wasn't anything left but in First Class.

However, the girl at the desk assured me the airport was just 12 minutes down the road at Exit 54.  Since I would be driving in the dark in a strange place and needed to know what to do with my car I thought I better do a dry run.

Good thing I did it was actually Exit 52 and there was a little swerve in the road which was easy to miss and two rental car signs which were easy to be confused by.  By the time I finally found where I was to go a half hour had passed.  The garageman told me no one would be there that early but blah, blah, this is what I should do.

So after a fairly sleepless night I did get to the Budget Garage in the early am and no one was there as he said and it was fairly dark.  I did not like it.

Going into the terminal from the garage I found I was first in line at Continental.  Since I did not have a readable eticket I thought I had to wait until the ticket man talked to me and he was having problems finding his key.   The young man behind me showed me I could just scan my passport and it would bring up the tickit in the kiosk.  Voila--there were my boarding passes and a mini version of an eticket.  Just what I needed for my voucher later on.   They were having problems without the key to print off our luggage tags but I wondered why they put a priority ticket on my luggage bags.

The flight home was good except I couldn't believe I really had a seat in first class.  The lady looked at my boarding pass and assured me I did.  However, I felt very uncomfortable there and was sure someone was going to claim my seat at any time before we left the airport.  Later when they asked what I wanted for breakfast I didn't know if I had to pay or not because they were talking on the intercom about prices.  I also chose to read my book instead of watching DirectTV because it had a slot for paying $7.99.  I asked for just a banana for breakfast.

So it wasn't until I got home and was working on my voucher that I studied the faded fax given to me at the hotel and saw that they had actually 'booked' me first class.  Evidently it was cheaper than waiting for another flight and paying me for the wait.  I could have really enjoyed that First Class ticket if I had only known I wasn't in the wrong place after all...  What a bummer trip.

Last Day

Today was my last day working for FOC East.  It has been very slow so we are being released.

Tomorrow I have the whole day to drive to Jackson, MS and then fly home from there on Friday.  The people in this area are quite self-sufficient I believe.

We had a little excitement.  There was a tornado warning for the area and when it passed over it was a lot of wind and rain and a little hail (not much compared to the hail in Montana) but fortunately we did not see a tornado!

Michael told me it was snowing in Lake Almanor today and actually sticking on the road.   Unbelievable!!!

Joplin, Mo Tornado

The news that is coming out of Joplin is so heartbreaking.  I listened to the radio on the way home from work and heard a mother's story of talking to her son on the telephone when the tornado hit and they have not been able to find him since.  His friend had dived into the back seat at the last minute after they got out to go in a store.  She told about all the injured that had been flown to all the surrounding states so even if he is in a hospital it is difficult to know.

They finally determined the tornado was an EF 5 which is the highest of any they have every known, over 200 miles per hour.  It wrapped and twisted things and flattened most of the town.  The hospital was ruined on every floor.  They are searching for over 1500 people, and known dead is at 122, and it will be more.  This is the highest ever for a single tornado and to think this all happened in just seconds.  There was little warning evidently.

We have been under thunder storm warnings every day but the warning for tomorrow evening is very severe.  It has actually been quite lovely today.  I will be home in the Hampton in Union City in western Tennessee ready to jump in the tub for safety tomorrow evening.

The American Idol is on and I must stay how much I have enjoyed it this year.  Lopez and Tyler added so much positive vibes to the show and they had such quality singers.  The youngest they have ever had are vying for the title and both Laurie and Scotty are so good.  I surely like having the good shows come on at 7 pm instead of 9 like they do in Calif!!!

Reelfoot Lake

In the 1811-1812 era there was an earthquake and this lake was a result. It is about 15 miles off Hiway 51 on the other side of Troy. We pass Troy every day on the way to Obion. I drove out there the other day at lunch. It takes quite a long time. Evidently there are several kinds of fish, catfish being one. So I sought out a local restaurant that serves catfish and it was very good. In fact, it was the best place I have eaten here yet.

Today while I was standing in front of the office one of the locals walked over and chatted with me. He said he didn't understand why they put the Center in Obion where there is nothing going on. He said in 1997 there was a bad flood and the worst places were "bought out" with the understanding that if they stayed there they could never get help from the government again. He said also the people here are very self-sufficient.

Evidently we had a lightening storm last night and I slept right through it. Yea. Except for not being surrounded by hills it reminds me of Montana here. The sky, the breeze, the scenery. The farms are beautiful. Obion stands for 'River of Many Branches' and was started by the Mississippi indians in the 1700s. Very peaceful life here.

Yesterday a lady brought in a beautiful 3-layer carrot cake.  It looked delicious but with my gluten intolerance problem I did not attempt to eat any.  I am missing lots of goodies that the younger ones are eaten...such a bore being old with a touchy digestion.

Michael picked up my mail today and paid some bills for me.  So nice having him in charge and taking care of things.  Bandido has been groomed, my car has been serviced and all is well on the home front.  Thank you, Michael.

Unfortunately the deer repellent I put in my bushes didn't work and the two bushes on the left side I took the wire cages off were stripped by the deer!!!

Everyone Has a Story...

Today I commiserated with another gal who had lost her son, her only son, through a freak accident when he was only 17.  Then she told me an amazing story about their life.

She worked for an investment firm for about 11 years in New York but every summer her son would go to Puerto Rico to visit his grandmother.  He was not happy in New York and pleaded with his Mom to move to Puerto Rico.  Eventually she gave up her job and did just that.  He was happy but she wasn't, at first, and then she found employment with FEMA and really liked it.

Being a very smart lady, she had invested her earnings in a high yield safe investment for her only son.  And when he died it had grown to $600,000!  What was also unusual is that he had been very prolific in his youth and at 14 he presented her with her first grandson, and then another granddaughter with a different mother, and then just before he died he had another mom pregnant and she delivered a beautiful daughter in time.

Each of these granchildren have been given a third of this trust and it will provide for them until they are 30 or so!  What a story, don't you think?

Mayor's Wife

Today the Mayor's wife came in and brought us a strawberry pie.  I took the opportunity to ask her some questions about this little town.  Like 'what happened?'  She said in the seventies there were several restaurants, clothing stores, drugstores, etc.  Today there is nothing except one Convenience Store.  What happened?  Well, there was a shirt factory and it closed and that was just the beginning.

There is an ethanol factory still and I suppose that is why all the corn is grown .  She told me the four houses I saw in a circle were the beginning of a subdivision but there were so many trucks going on the road in front of it, no more  homes were built.  When the new highway comes through, it will solve that problem.

It appears to be a dying town but I did see one beautiful home with really lovely sprawling lawns and a little lake with a boat dock.  She said the owner was a contractor and her son had been married there.  Really lovely.  I enjoyed listening to her as she talked on a first name basis about God in her life with her sweet southern accent.  She says, "Did I misunderstand you God?  I thought you told me this."  She says nothing can go wrong in your life if you just trust in God.  Amen.

Anyway life moves slow in these parts of Tennessee but I found the Subway and I love those 'Grilled Chicken Spinach' salads and I thought I found some good chocolate malt ice cream cups but they couldn't match up to the Cho Chos of the 40's.

Mexican Food--not so Good!

Tonight I tried some taquitos at a Mexican place and they were too greasy, burned and tasteless.  I was so disappointed.  I told the Cashier and he said this restaurant was Tex-Mex and referred me to another one down the street.  Hmmm, we will see.  Then I realized I had my jacket on and they will know it was a government person complaining, oh dear.

It was slow again today but they keep opening Centers trying to be very proactive.  It will be interesting to see how long this one stays open.  The area director told me it was a very poor area but I saw lots and lots of fields of corn growing! 

Beautiful skis again with low fluffy clouds and very blue sky.  Vickie told me it was allergy season, hope I don't get hit.

I enjoyed spending my lunch time talking to Marjorie.  The eating places are so far away I decided to just eat some yogurt and strawberries and then I found a close place with corn dogs.  Unfortunately they weren't a match to the Frosty's...  And not good for my diet anyway...

There is so much TV about the flooding down below here, I am not sure they show so much in the west but it is affecting so many people after they opened the floodgates.

My BIG BOSS and I Cross Paths Today!

President Obama and I were in Memphis today at the same time.  I was picking up supplies from Holiday Express on Union Street and he was traveling on the highway below.  They blocked traffic for about an hour.  Also all along the highway from Southaven to Memphis there were police cars parked with their lights flashing.   I was hoping to take a picture of the black SUVs as they flashed by, but never saw them.  I was also late getting to my destination but no problem, they understood.

From Memphis I drove along a peaceful highway to Obion, TN where a Disaster Center has been set up and later checked in to the Hampton in Union City about twenty miles away.  I tried to take some pictures of the thickets of trees and lovely green fields as I sped by---will post tomorrow.

Mississippi and Tennessee are very flat.  The Tennessee area I am in is very sparsely settled--must be farmlands, however the town has a lot of car lots and car businesses and a lot of fast food and a movie theater just five minutes from my hotel.  I pass one homestead I am curious about as I go from the Center to my hotel.  There are three mansions in a circular fashion with lovely landscaping at the entrance and their own lake on the side.  Curious who lives there.  Most of the homes are very modest looking.

Two of the families who came in today had their autos damaged and the other family had their flooring damaged.  Since the Center has not been advertised yet, it was a surprise to see them.  However, there is a big FEMA Mobile parked by the side of the Community Center and I am sure they saw the
name.

I also had watermelon tonight--wonder if it was from Tennessee or Mexico???

Humidity?

Not yet!  I am freezing!  A couple told me it doesn't get hot till July in the Southaven, MS/Memphis,TN area and then I better keep covered with OFF! because of bugs.  At any rate I am missing my comforter in Lake Almanor.  Tomorrow I will ask for more blankets from the Courtyard.

It was truly a beautiful drive up Mississippi yesterday and I saw only one spot in all the trees that line the highway that had been affected by tornadoes.  Trees were cut in half and smashed all over each other.  They tell us the snakes and alligators are looking for higher ground though so be careful!

I met a very friendly couple who was so gracious to me.  I was wearing my blue jacket at the grocery store so they want to know what you are doing, and are very appreciative of us being here.  They told me not to miss the Barbeque in Memphis but I see Saturday was the last night.  The wife told me of all the places she has lived, she liked this area the best. 

I find the grilled chicken/spinach salad at Subway is very delicious. 

Today as of 1 pm was the first day of seeing people but since we are very new here, no one found their way to us yet so we spent the afternoon exchanging stories about ourselves.  Everyone in SBA who is out here away from family has a story! 

I spent my free time last night refreshing my memory of what our job is here.  I haven't worked in the field since Katrina/Rita in 2005-6.  And I didn't realize until bedtime that I had left my pajamas on the bed at Jackson--(they will send them to me)...what will I lose next?

Disaster Duty 2011

Wednesday at 1:38 pm I was awaken from a nap and told I would be flying out east tomorrow. It was finally decided I would fly out in the morning so would pack and drive down to Sacramento that night. I left at 6 pm and arrived at Melissa's apt at 9:30. I took a rest on Melissa's bed and awoke at 2 am and Melissa and Mitch drove me to the airport at 3:45 am. Poor Melissa slept on the couch!

I am working for the SBA Field Operations Center-East which means I will be east of the Mississippi. We flew to Orlando and then on to Jackson and I rented a Kia. I like Jackson and I like the Kia. I met Stan from Sacramento on the plane and I tried to follow him--doesn't work, too many white cars. I like the pace of driving in Jackson, though--not so frantic as CA and as you can see it is beautiful with all the trees and interesting clouds.

 Thursday we met with our director and were assigned to new Disaster Centers that are opening up. Three of us are driving up to Southhaven, Ms which is just south of Memphis, Tenn. There has been both flooding and tornadoes in the area. The place we met at is going to be the big base of operations for FEMA and it is huge. Evidently it was an abandoned business park and they are still setting it up.  This is a view from the back of the building.

As usual everyone I meet at SBA is very nice. I remembered Dan from Guam and John from Sacramento. I will be driving up north with Jon from Louisville, Ky and Stan from California. Also as usual I am the Great Grandma of the group.  We all have our own cars so we can be reassigned to different centers as needed.

And as everyone warned me, it is humid here in the afternoon.  Also there have been storm warnings on the radio all afternoon.  It is probably a good thing I don't know how close these places are to me. 
These clouds remind me of the kind we had in Montana in the summer.

I did drive over to Wal Mart for some yogurt and it is half the price as California.  I also went to Dillards for the face cream I left at home--it is the same price here.  Dillards had a lot of tempting clothes but I swear I am not buying any more clothes and I am eating very light so I don't gain a lot of weight!

I am staying at the Fairfield but our leader told us 15 cars were broken in to at another Jackson hotel so I brought my GPS in.  How did we ever get along without them?  I am so turned around here, I never know where I am but I just follow directions and eventually get there.

They have me booked for 30 days at the Courtyard in Southhaven but not sure how much that means. 

Great Grandchildren

Kate and Ryan

Brynn Alice and Keira Jennifer

Mommy and Keira

Mother's Day

It doesn't take much to make this Mother happy.  Phone calls from children, grandchildren and even a very dear friend from the past, cards, tulips, chocolates, a lovely book.  This was a very lovely Mother's Day.  For some reason I am not having my usual paranoid issues about motherhood, just enjoying it all.  Maybe I am finally maturing or maybe I am just feeling mentally, spiritually and physically healthy.  It's a good thing.

Update on Baby Brynn!

Baby Brynn with her beautiful mop of hair--Brynn is my fourth great-grandchild.

It's a Great Day!

I can't believe it!!  My whole lot is raked and clean, plants are fertilized, and all my doodads are out--even the hammock is up.  We are ready for summer.

Matt surprised me and worked a day and a half and did everything, even the roof and gutters.

Even the daffodils are happy and ready to bloom!!

Today I had a burst of energy I have not seen since  I came home.  I even washed the car, hung out my sign and opened the windows to let spring in!!!  Life is good.

Matt was Here!

Matt did a super job raking up all the winter debris. Don't know how I could manage without him. Looks like I need a few new river rocks--wonder who could go with me?