Critters Drive Me Crazy

Some little critters that look suspiciously like this chipmunk are driving me crazy. They are digging holes in my potted plants and raised garden beds. There is almost a half acre of dirt but they only dig holes in my gardening areas. When I chase them with a hose or a noise making branch they run up a tree and get about 100 feet up and then look down on me and taunt me with a "chi, chi, chi, chi...". Bandido likes to chase them but he is no match for tree climbers.

There have always been squirrel holes around the yard but I don't remember any making all these big holes in my soft garden dirt. Yes, it is the fall and they are preparing for winter but....there is plenty of room for them elsewhere. What to do, what to do???? They will just have to move from the Garden Apartments to the Hillside Apartments, plenty of room for them there.

Happiness

Natasha in “War and Peace” was making a list of all the things that bring happiness. I have been making sure I put things into my life that make me happy. In no particular order they are:

1-Reading a very enjoyable book, that I can’t put down till I finish it. Last night I did that. It was 11 o’ clock, I wasn’t tired, I started a book and could not put it down until it was finished at 4:38 in the morning. HAPPY

2-Taking a nap under my favorite comforter with total silence surrounding me. That happened today. Being totally tired after reading all night, I took my nap immediately after coming home from Church and slept till 4:30 pm. HAPPY

3-Listening to other people share their testimonies of what makes them happy, why they love the gospel, their family, etc. Today we had many visitors in Church because of the Labor Day weekend. There were many visitors and many beautiful testimonies of love and faith. One of our favorite friends Mona was visiting and there were some distant cousins of Richards that I met. Their last name was Earl, they had to be related and they were second cousins. HAPPY

4-Talking to my children or getting emails, blogs, etc. from them. This week I had calls from Camber, Linda, Jimmy and emails and blogs from Maria, Mike, Meagan ,,, That is an easy way to make a Mom, Grandmom, HAPPY

5-Getting messages on Facebook from relatives, friends, family—What an easy way to get happy, just a little one liner will do it. There were lots this week. HAPPY

6-Having good conversations with friends or family—This week I enjoyed long conversations with Carole, Linda, Myrna, Marjorie HAPPY

7-Working in the yard—yes, that has always been an enjoyable task for me. I have a fond memory of Richard calling out from our upstairs window to me. “Janet, come in, your babies need you.”. He did not enjoy yard work. I loved it. This week I had lots of opportunities to water and mulch while listening to my favorite music on the ipod. HAPPY

Well, that is enough of a list for today. It is time to listen to my favorite music and go to sleep again under my favorite comforter…HAPPY

Bandido is half Lahasa Apso so I took this test.

Who is in charge? Quiz for Apso Owners

1. Does your dog fail to get up and out of your way when you are on a collision course with him? yes

2. Does your dog try to go through the door first - ahead of you? yes

3. Does your dog resist giving up objects when you try to take them? yes

4. Does your dog pull you when he is on a leash? Sometimes

5. Does your dog ever growl at you?

6. Does your dog resist grooming or nail cutting? yes

7. Does your dog sleep in your bed? yes

8. Does your dog ignore you when you ask him to come? yes, tries to

9. Does your dog guard food dish or toys against you.

10. Does your dog snap at treats or try to take them away from you? yes

If you answered yes to more than three of these, you are not in charge, HE IS. You have to get control before you have a real problem on your hands. (Too late, he is 13 years old.) Dogs, especially Apsos respond to a power vacuum by asserting their own dominance. If you fail to teach the dog his place in society, he will assume control and teach you yours. (My neighbor told me this when I first moved here, because Bandido did not mind me.)

OK, I admit, Bandido runs this house.

But I will say this, he is very protective of me and follows me from room to room, even getting up in the middle of the night and dragging his tail to wherever I may be, computer room, kitchen, couch, etc. When I bathe, he sits as close to the tub as he can and when I am out of sight, he finds me.

Overall, I would say he is a great companion dog with an independent spirit. Goes well with mine.

Rod Stewart

Talk about being thankful for other people's talents, I am a real fan of Rod Stewart. Actually I was not even aware of him or his music until 2000 or so whenever he started singing the classics. This was actually the start of his fourth or more decade of singing. Maria bought the cd and told me I would like it because it was all the songs of my youth and indeed it was. And then he went on to do three or four more classic song cds. I was still in my collecting music phase and so have all of them, of course. And I came to love some of his rock songs when I bought one of his concerts on DVD. He does a fantastic concert. Marvelous entertainer.

Yesterday I watched his biography and how he started out with the wild life in the sixties, (but he did have a solid family foundation) had nothing but success with music and women, fathered 7 children or more, became fantasticly wealthy and enjoys his family life now and his children and ex-wives even say nice things about him.

One of my favorite songs he wrote after one of his long legged, beautiful blonde wives left him. This was a first for him. No one ever left him and broke his heart but out of it came the tender song, " I Don't Want To Talk About It."

Anyway wicked lifestyle or not in the beginning, he has certainly made a success of his career and family life and I am thankful for his great talent. He even had cancer of the thyroid and his voice came back better than ever. How blessed can you get? Some people are indeed blessed all their life with everything, it seems. Hmmm.

Rod Stewart

Talk about being thankful for other people's talents, I am a real fan of Rod Stewart. Actually I was not even aware of him or his music until 2000 or so whenever he started singing the classics. This was actually the start of his fourth or more decade of singing. Maria bought the cd and told me I would like it because it was all the songs of my youth and indeed it was. And then he went on to do three or four more classic song cds. I was still in my collecting music phase and so have all of them, of course. And I came to love some of his rock songs when I bought one of his concerts on DVD. He does a fantastic concert. Marvelous entertainer.

Yesterday I watched his biography and how he started out with the wild life in the sixties, (but he did have a solid family foundation) had nothing but success with music and women, fathered 7 children or more, became fantasticly wealthy and enjoys his family life now and his children and ex-wives even say nice things about him.

One of my favorite songs he wrote after one of his long legged, beautiful blonde wives left him. This was a first for him. No one ever left him and broke his heart but out of it came the tender song, " I Don't Want To Talk About It."

Anyway wicked lifestyle or not in the beginning, he has certainly made a success of his career and family life and I am thankful for his great talent. He even had cancer of the thyroid and his voice came back better than ever. How blessed can you get? Some people are indeed blessed all their life with everything, it seems. Hmmm.

13 To Go!

I just reviewed the list I made in 1997 of 25 Things I Want To Do Before I Die and amazingly I only have 13 left to accomplish. Four of those involve physical fitness and shape and since I am going more the other directon as far as energy and stamina are concerned they may not ever be accomplished.

Four of them involve literary and spiritual fitness--all a possibility, if the eyes and determination remain strong.

And lastly four of them involve trips and fiscal fitness so depending on my abilities and desire to make them happen, they may or may not occur. At least the trips are all within the US.

So I am amazed at all I have accomplished. It really does work to write things down I guess. Interestingly none of the things I wrote down involved other people originally but, of course, involved other people in the final outcome.

So before the clock winds down I need to rev up the body and spirit and carpe diem!

Now We Know Why!

While I was working on my photo books this week I noticed a comment made about our 2005 trip to the Anderson family cabin at Silvergate, Montana. It was observed that the mosquitoes liked Meagan and Sarah the best and left me entirely alone. I just read this article and now we know why they left me alone. I had too much stress in my life!

FINDING SMELLS THAT REPEL

By SHIRLEY S. WANG

If you're one of those people whom mosquitoes tend to favor, maybe it's because you aren't sufficiently stressed-out.

(Picture by Michael C Witte)

Insects have very keen powers of smell that direct them to their targets. But for researchers trying to figure out what attracts or repels the pests, sorting through the 300 to 400 distinct chemical odors that the human body produces has proved daunting.

Now scientists at Rothamsted Research in the U.K. have been making headway at understanding why some people can end up with dozens of bites after a backyard barbecue, while others remain unscathed. The researchers have identified a handful of the body's chemical odors—some of which may be related to stress—that are present in significantly larger concentrations in people that the bugs are happier to leave alone. If efforts to synthesize these particular chemicals are successful, the result could be an all-natural mosquito repellent that is more effective and safer than products currently available.

Who knew? Go stress yourself out before a trip to the mountain streams and be mosquitoe free!

More of Sage and Raina

Aren't they just darling!

Grandma Carole reports they have already been out and about. I think we stayed in for weeks before venturing out into the world after our babies were born--and that was after spending a week in the hospital!! It is a whole new world.

TWINS

I think this is a first in our family--twins. My nephew Jon and his wife Bethany had twin girls-one before midnight on August 26 and one after midnight on August 27--different birthdays, is that cool or what. Their names are Sage and Raina. The family lives in beautiful Bozeman, MT.

They are fraternal twins and the report is that one looks like Jon and one looks like Bethany. Sage is on the left and Raina is on the right in Jon's arms so which looks like which??

Congratulations to the proud parents, they don't even look frazzled or tired--wow! This will be fun to watch. From the pictures I think Sage looks like Jon and Raina looks like Bethany--I wonder what the parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles all think...

Here is the official message from Grandma Carole:

"Jon and Bethany welcomed their twin baby girls, Sage and Raina at 11:46 pm and 12:14 am Aug. 26 and 27th. Nicely Done! Aimie, Bethany's nurse sister was at her side and we Fuquas and Dieides were cheering from the windows. Even with all the modern convieniences of today, childbirth has some uncomfortable situations but Bethany is a true trooper and in the words of their OB-GYN is a "rock star". Sage came first a little taller and 10 oz bigger at 5#13 oz and Raina, not far behind, at 5# 3oz. They are darling!!!! Father Jon doing very well and noticed the babies are held football style most of the time so no problem. Most of the Fuquas have had to go home but Grandpa Randy is coming today. We sure thank Bethany and Jon for this wonderful addition and continued best of wishes for the coming days."

Proud Grandma, Carole

Happy Birthday, Richard.

Today Richard would have turned 78 years old. I so appreciate that his Mom saved so many of his letters. I was just noticing today that when I was graduating from BYU, he was embarking on his mission to the Spanish-American Mission. We did not know each other, though he dated a girl in the same building I lived in.

He had graduated from Las Vegas High in 1949 and entered BYU and was active in the Brigadier Social Unit. He enjoyed the social part of college very much and his social unit won the winning float in the Homecoming Parade and Richard was in the Brigadier singing group in the 1950 Songfest. Richard's Dad died when Ruchard was only 11 and it is very obvious from his letters that money was a real problem in Richard's life. He finally left college in 1951 and joined the Navy and then came back to college in January 1954 under the G I Bill and then left for his mission to San Antonio, Texas in June 1955.

Evidently at that time they went directly to the mission field and so he had to learn to speak Spanish while on his mission and not before. I am just going to write a few things that gave me a smile or a laugh from his letters from Texas. Nothing serious today, just some laughs.

"Chuck, Eleanor, Marion, Aunt Winona, Uncle Will and Aunt Lois came down to see me off from the SL airport. They gave me some cash ($6.00) and a nice lunch." ($6.00 went a long way in 1955) "Well, things are pretty dull around here and I feel like a prisoner. I can't go anywhere or do anything. All I am supposed to do is study, 6 AM to 10:30 PM, all I can do is read and eat." (From the mission home in San Antonio)

"I'm picking up a few Spanish words and I've memorized a blessing on the food. I also lead the singing in Spanish and I don't even know what they are singing." "I went to the branch meeting on Sunday and I didn't understand one word that was said."

"We have just finished a three day missionary conference. It was very expiring (yes, that is what he said). I sat in one meeting eight hours--the longest time I have been in one meeting. I don't think I'll worry about two hour sacrament meetings again."

"Since I have been here (in the mission home) the number of people eating here has varied from eight to ninety-three!"

"The people are all grateful to us, some are grateful when we come to see them and some are grateful when we don't come." (from Houston, Texas 1 1/2 months into his mission)

"How's my car holding up? The District Presidents have so much responsibility and get so many calls to settle family arguments, I've decided it would be better riding my bicycle than being a D.P. with a car. You better keep the car around in case I ever get a chance to use it some place though."

"I bought a bicycle from the missionary that I replaced for $25.00. I will probably be able to sell it to the next one here for about the same amount." (from Laredo, Texas)

"Too bad you upset yourself by opening my mail, but really, I can't think of a better time to have my license suspended. Believe it or not it was a surprise, and if you didn't tell them I was habitually negligent in my driving practices, I can't imagine how they found out. I was keeping it a secret from everyone but you."

"My Spanish is coming along slowly, I can talk quite a little, but I can't understand a word the people say. When I give a lesson, I have to have my companion interpret for me."

"A lot of the people around here think we are the police (detectives) and when we go to the doors where teen age boys live, sometimes their mother will tell us they are not there before we have a chance to state our business."

"My pocket watch is holding up fine, but I am getting so I don't like to carry anything in my pockets. It bulges them and collects the perspiration, until before long I feel like I am wearing a wet sack."

"It sure is hard to keep in the mood to have people slam doors in your face."

"When one of the sons of our investigator went to school last week, the teacher asked him what religion he was and he told her Methodist and Mormon. After class a bunch of the Catholic boys beat the scrud out of him for saying he was a Mormon."

"We have been helping an old woman fix up her house this week so I've had to learn a little of what I tried hard not to learn at home."

"That leaking seal couldn't have been the one that screws up tight on the drive shaft could it? You are supposed to look under the car once in awhile and tighten a few of those things. By the way, the Chevrolet is one of those new-fangled kind that has to have the oil changed now and then. Don't get me wrong, it is your car now, but I hate to see the poor thing blamed for everything. If it was worth only $50, it would still be the best car in the world". (To his brother Scott, who bought the Chevrolet he left home)

Anyway, children and grandchildren, just a little mission and 50's humor from your Dad and granddad, courtesy of a loving mother who saved all his letters. Happy Birthday, Richard, we love and miss you.

From Sixth Grade to Miss America Pageant

My first date was a double date in sixth grade in Glendive, Montana. I went with my neighbor George and my girlfriend Berta Mae (Carla) went with Bill. Years later when Bill was in the service he learned about Berta Mae running for Miss America. This is the story he sent me today.

Hey, Janet,

I've enjoyed your blog about your Sweden trip and the time you and your girls spent in Copenhagen. It reminded me of the time I made the same trip. It is beautiful and enchanting. Of course, my trip was some time ago while I was in the Service.

I had spent Christmas in Bergen, Norway, and was on my way back to Germany. I decided to stop and spend a week or two with friends in Copenhagen. We shared a small apartment. Quite often, we would go to the public baths as they had a very large swimming pool (I love to swim). On the way back one day my friend suggested we stop by the newspaper building so she could practice her English. She said they put out American newspapers and they're fun to read.

The papers were full of stories, about the 1956, "Miss America Pageant". My friend knew I was from Montana, and right away looked up Miss Montana. Then the question came, "Did you know her?"

"Of course I knew her, I used to date her in grade school."

"Oh!! Bill, you're so funny, I just knew you were going to say something like that."

AND.., that's how I found out that Berta Mae (Carla), was in the Miss America Pageant. I knew it was true I had dated her, and never felt it had to be proved.

Two weeks later I was in Tripoli North Africa chasing guided missiles in the Saharah desert. I never really thought about it again, until you started blogging things.

Thanks, Bill H

Anyway, that is his story and he is sticking to it and so will I.

A Great Weekend in Lake Almanor and Beyond

What a great weekend I have just had. It started with a trip on Friday with Mary Anne and Jean to the Reno Temple. There were not too many of us there but it was a very spiritual experience and I am so glad I joined them on their monthly trek.

I was reminded of when Richard and I were called to serve at the San Diego Temple a few years before he passed away. We were both working full time, he as the head of the private loan side of our mortgage business and me as the head of the

brokering side of Choice Mortgage. We were both working over 60 hours a week and wondered how we could possibly have the time. We accepted the calling though, of course, and were assigned from 6 am to 12 noon on Wednesdays. How could we possibly do that, we wondered, we had hoped for Saturdays. We had to leave our Rancho Bernardo home before sunup to be at the Temple in La Jolla at 6 and then straight to the office after lunch at the Temple. There were always umpteen calls to make and frustrated employees and clients wanting our time and we always had to stay very late taking care of business.

But that call to serve was a. great, great blessing in our busy, busy life. Those six hours on Wednesday mornings became an oasis in the hectic, often frustrating work week. I also think those last years of Richard's were his most spiritual and perhaps some of the happiest of our married life and I know it was all because of our service to the Lord in the San Diego Temple.

As we had driven through Susanville Friday morning, Mary Anne said she was going to see 'Julie and Julia' on Saturday and I told her I wanted to go with her. Marjorie had said she would not go--was not a fan of Julia Child. Jean decided to come, too and Saturday was a fun day of a great movie and good mexican food after.

Julia Child died in 2004 and the movie was about this other girl, Julie, who in 2003 had taken a year to cook all of Julia Child's French recipes and write a blog about it. She later wrote the book and it was published after the death of Julia Child and then the movie was made this year. Nora Ephron wrote the screen play and was a producer. I have noticed so many of the movies I love like "Sleepless in Seattle" are Nora Ephron films and they are always wonderful. Love the talents of other people to bring joy into my life!

Saturday night Marjorie and I went to the Liberty

Quartet concert at the Lake Almanor Community

Church. They are a Southern Gospel quartet out

of Boise, Idaho and they are really good. They

have been around for 14 years and been coming

here for 7. My brother David had told me at

Jeanne's birthday party to be sure and see them

and then even called to remind me. I am glad he

did. We really enjoyed the concert. Here again, so glad for the talents of other people to bring so much joy into my life!

Anyway it was a great weekend, topped off by my staying up till 2 am on Saturday night to read a new book Jean had lent me, and then good messages at church on Sunday morning and home for a long, long nap. Life is good.

Bette Davis Eyes

Bette Davis is considered one of the top ten female movie stars of all time. I do not know who the others are but this I do know--You will never be disappointed in a Bette Davis movie. There were a lot of silly movies made in the black and white era. But none of them were Bette Davis movies. She is amazing.

Today I watched two of them--thank heaven for TCM and my recorder. I watch movies while doing my house work, while dressing, while working on my photo books. So much better to watch a good movie than the network shows. Anyway I saw "The Old Maid" and "Old Acquaintances". Both were wonderful even if they were made over 70 years ago. Here's to Bette and her beautiful eyes and exemplary acting skills.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends, August 2009

Last week Matt filled my log raised bed with good dirt and on Sunday I asked if anyone had some Iris they would be dividing this year. Mary Anne said, "Come on over any afternoon."

So yesterday I drove to her home in Chester and she dug up bunches of Iris from her yard (although it was a very small area of her big yard-she has lots!) and by the time I had divided and planted there were 75 new Iris in my yard! I had too many for my little teardrop plot so put some in the front yard as well.

Ah, sweet mystery of life, we will see how many thrive and show their glory next year. Isn't life just fun, fun, fun.

Update:Unfortunately those Iris did not do well and soon disappeared.  The Deer?, my Care?, what.  Years later I saw thriving beautiful Iris down the street and wondered again...where did I go wrong?
 

 

War and Peace

I watched the 1956 version of "War and Peace" this week and enjoyed it very much. I understand there is a Russian made 1969 version with subtitles which is longer and with much more depth. Think I will check it out sometime. I should just read the whole book. Someday. The thing I like most about Tolstoy is his ability to make you think about what you want out of life. At least he does me.

I liked the beginning when Natasha was telling Pierre she was listing all the things that brought happiness in life and he added a couple of things to it. I like focusing on what brings happiness and contentment and making sure they are a part of my life.

When I had my 68th birthday the Valko family gave me a card in which I had to list 68 things (or people) to be thankful for. It was not hard. I should reread the list and see if I have any to add to the list (or take away) in the last 8 years.

I liked the quote "The most difficult thing, but an essential one, is to to love Life, to love it even while one suffers because Life is all, Life is God and to love Life means to love God."

War and Peace

I watched the 1956 version of "War and Peace" this week and enjoyed it very much. I understand there is a Russian made 1969 version with subtitles which is longer and with much more depth. Think I will check it out sometime. I should just read the whole book. Someday. The thing I like most about Tolstoy is his ability to make you think about what you want out of life. At least he does me.

I liked the beginning when Natasha was telling Pierre she was listing all the things that brought happiness in life and he added a couple of things to it. I like focusing on what brings happiness and contentment and making sure they are a part of my life.

When I had my 68th birthday the Valko family gave me a card in which I had to list 68 things (or people) to be thankful for. It was not hard. I should reread the list and see if I have any to add to the list (or take away) in the last 8 years.

I liked the quote "The most difficult thing, but an essential one, is to to love Life, to love it even while one suffers because Life is all, Life is God and to love Life means to love God."

Happy Birthday, John!

This is one of my favorite pictures that John took on his trip to Peru. The little children liked to get down on their tummies and peek in to the tents of the hikers. He liked to photograph their curiosity.

We love and miss you, John.

Why Women Need Chocolate

Linda and I at the Chocolate Store in Gamla Stan.

Interesting to me in this book I find I have the 'Food Race Roar'. This probably comes from growing up with five other siblings during the depression and then WWII. We had plenty to eat, but you better be there when it was served or hot out of the oven because there was not going to be any leftovers. So even now it is a food race with myself. If there is a food I crave around, I get the urge to "eat it all now as fast as you can while you have the chance--because you may not be presented with this opportunity again."

When I am living at the Pulsipher's I love to eat all their left overs. There can be steak and potatoes left from Sunday that I can live on for three days!! And then there is always the goodies in the cupboard. I am not always sure whose they are but if they are there, they are to eat, right?

I also found that the way I used to eat was the right way to eat. I ate all the foods I enjoyed including bread and muffins and butter and if I wanted a sweet I didn't deprive myself. Before I was married I remember my helicopter friend saying he liked to take me out to dinner because I enjoyed eating so much--he also called me "queen of the goodies racket". Now if I have the urge to eat that cookie I will try and convince myself it is bad for me and eat something good for me like cottage cheese, and then an apple, and then some celery, etc. before finally giving in and eating the cookie. In the meantime I have added another 600 calories to my food intake. Much better to listen to your body and just not eat so much.

So when did I start this diet syndrome? It was after I had one of the babies. I realized I had gained 12 lbs since I had married and I went to Weight Watchers. When they weighed me in at 129 they said the program was not really designed for me. But I felt so fat!

The other reason for wrong eating that applies to me is 'The Emotional Outcry'. "The heart is crying out to be nurtured, but we may literally try to stuff the sadness or anger back down with food." quoting Debra Waterhouse. Been there, done that. So I can see the trick will be deciphering when the body is asking for food and when my heart is...

Yes, this is a book to learn from... I can see the exercise part is coming soon, yuk. My latest form of exercise is bending over and picking up all the fallen branches each morning. Good for getting rid of my 'muffin top', right? And also dancing around occasionally while watching a good show on tv. (Besides the yard work, that is, and walking Bandido).

Why Women Need Chocolate

I found an interesting book at the Library Book Sale entitled, 'Why Women Need Chocolate'. Now what real woman could pass up that book? Tonight I am going to read it but first I found this article about it and am more excited than ever. Honestly, I have been trying to diet but it is just a more enjoyable life when you are eating things you crave. And guess what, the subtitle to the book title is 'Eat What you Crave to Look and Feel Great'. Yippee, I can hardly wait!

Here is an article written by Catherine Ann Rauch (WebMD):

" Debra Waterhouse, a registered dietitian and the author of the 1999 book "Why Women Need Chocolate," thinks both culture and chemicals come into play. Chemicals in chocolate affect levels of the body's mood-affecting chemicals, including serotonin, endorphins and phenylethylamine, which the body releases in response to romance, Waterhouse says.

A comprehensive review of chocolate research, published in the October 1999 Journal of the American Dietetic Association, came to the same conclusion. Two nutritionists at the University of Arizona in Tucson examined almost 75 research papers published over the past two decades on the craving for chocolate -- and decided emotions, social values, sensory qualities, chemicals and the hormonal cycles of women all play a role. "It's the whole package," says co-author and nutrition professor Doug Taren, Ph.D.

Of course, the swirl of clinical opinions matters little when it comes to pleasing your sweetheart. "The bottom line is that chocolate does make women feel good," Waterhouse says. "If the message -- loud and clear -- is chocolate, trust your body, let go of the guilt."

Sounds good to me!!

The first page says, "men are 4 times more likely to feel good when they deny their food cravings and 2 times more likely to follow a very low fat and sugar diet and 5 times more likely to 'dislike' chocolate." I suspected that.

And "women are 2 times more likely to feel good when they fulfill their food cravings, and 2 times more likely to binge on their craved foods, and 2 times more likely to feel fatigued and depressed and 22 times more likely to eat chocolate to feel better." I knew that!

Mystery Solved!

I don't think the Security people would ever have gotten to the bottom of it at all but the Sheriff's office was very swift to come and swift to solve the mystery. Evidently a logger was cutting trees at a house across from me and the usual access to the backyard was closed due to construction so he cut a path through about 6 neighbors back yards and evidently had to trim two stumps on my property to get through. (How would we know it was stumps and not trees--it is not like I have my trees photographed in my mind).

Actually if they had asked me I could have shown them a shorter access and with no need to cut anything. They split a log at my neighbors as well. It was my neighbor who followed the truck tracks in and out and figured it out actually and the sheriff just finished it up. Nice to know we have a great sheriff's department with not a whole lot to do. But I am sure the neighbors have me labeled as that 'ditsy old lady'. But as my little granddaughter once said, "If you have grey (or white) hair, you can do anything you want.

And it is nice to know I live in a safe place just as I thought I did, though they were supposed to get permission to trespass. I guess the loggers do so much work in here they get to feeling free to do what they know they can without asking anyone.

Tree Thieves!

I feel violated! Someone cut and carried off two of my cedar trees! Who and why (well, for money I guess) and when. I raked my branches up on Monday because Ron was coming to pick up all my yard waste. They were there then. On Tuesday I was in town for a couple of hours and Wednesday I cleaned house all day and never noticed anyone out there. There were some guys walking through on Tuesday but one was a neighbor so doubt it would be them.

Of course, there was the loggers I made clean up their mess. Could this be a revenge steal? The lady security guard said she thought that would be too obvious.

A real mystery in my own back yard which can probably never be solved. I hate days like this.

The Perfect Cookie

Cookies are a really good thing in this life. As a child I had lots of cookies. My Mom was a great cookie maker. It was always fun to come home from school and find fresh baked cookies. One of my favorites was a raisin filled cookie. She would roll the dough out and cut large circles with a glass and then put a scrumptious raisin filling on one circle and top with another and then bake. They were wonderful. I probably only made them once in my life--too time consuming. My children got raisin oatmeal drop cookies which were flattened with a glass covered in sugar, but still a great cookie.

But about 20 years ago or whenever Deer Valley Ski Resort opened I was there with my husband. We didn't always ski there as you had to make a reservation and it was very expensive. However, they had the best food buffet of any of the ski resorts and my husband loved to eat lunch there--just he and I, while everyone else was skiing.

It was there I discovered the large sugar cookie with soft raisins in it. I loved it. Reminiscent of childhood--maybe. But I started a crusade to figure out the recipe for that cookie. And I finally did. Kids of today would prefer chocolate chips in it but I love the raisins. I seldom make cookies anymore. I have no one to feed them, too. And besides even the children of today don't eat the goodies the way we did when we were young and running all the calories off instead of sitting at computers.

Anyway Tuesday I made a batch of that perfect raisin cookie and I have so enjoyed sitting down and dunking my cookie in milk (soy milk, but still good). There is something about the texture of a well made cookie with just the perfect crunch and chew that is very, very satisfying. It can keep you happy for a long, long time. Not every cookie has it and we all discover our favorite. I had my favorite packaged cookies, too, but I never buy them now. Too dangerous. I would eat the whole package in one sitting! So here's to the cookie, long may it live and may the search never end for the perfect cookie.

 

The Warburton Home in Avon, Utah

While in Utah we drove up to see Jeanne's daughter's home in Avon (past Brigham City). It has this wonderful wraparound porch!

There are also umpteen rooms for family gatherings...

What is really amazing is this view from all sides of the porch--really gorgeous. This is Mick, Carole's husband.

This is a picture of Carole, her daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughter plus her Mom Jeanne, myself and sister Marilyn. Great home in a really cool place!

Grumpy Old Men and Cranky Old Ladies

What is there about us old men and old ladies that makes us speak our mind and become grumpies and crankies. I thought one of my neighbors was bad when I went to ask him about bringing a truck back to my yard to pick up my yard waste. He was just a whole lot grumpier than he needed to be. And his sweet wife was embarrassed behind him.

But today when I went out to inspect the tree another neighbor had had cut down and the clean up of my yard the workers were doing, I let the two young guys in the truck know their clean up job was not finished. I rake up all those loose branches at least twice a year. Why should I let them leave all the ones they caused for me to rake up later? I think not. Anyway I became that cranky old lady that pops in and out of my house from time to time. And they cleaned it up.

There was a time in my life I would have said nothing. My husband always had to handle any difficult situations that arose. But not anymore. The hard knocks of the business world and then being on my own to handle everything has changed me. That cranky old lady is me...

News from High School Friends

Bill Hayford looks like he is keeping ready for those Santa Claus stints. He sent the news on Chuck and also wondered if I knew that Sugar Loaf had been flattened. How can they mess with a memory like that? At least I can still see it well in my mind. Thanks for the news, Bill, good and bad.

News on Chuck England is that he is recuping nicely from his surgery. He can still drink beer but eating steak is a little harder, bummer, well, at least you have the beer, Chuck. Good to see you are up and around but still couldn't get a smile out of you? Maybe next time.

Carla's son Rhahime is pictured here with the President and one of his administrators. I don't know what Rhahime does but it must be important! Thanks Carla for the pix.

Being Your Own Best Friend

Janet at Choice Mortgage in the 1980's

Sometimes in life we have to be our own best friend to get that encouragement we so need to keep trying to do our best. Richard was always such a good friend in giving me the appreciation I needed, I miss that. Anyway I had a pleasant surprise while throwing away old paperwork from the garage the other day. I found a whole stack of letters received from happy clients when I was a mortgage loan officer in our business Choice Mortgage, Inc. Naturally I kept a few to read when I might feel I have failed or am of little worth to the world...

Here are a few comments...very fast, efficient, courteous, patient, always took the time to explain, very good person to work with, very good service, could not have asked for any better service, appreciate all the work Janet did for us, very satisfied with your skill and knowledge, excellent job in handling our loan, very helpful to clarify any questions, was patient with us, even spending time outside of office hours to talk to us, non-defensive attitude helped to smooth the process, appreciated your efficiency and integrity, impressed with the speed of the transaction, thank you again for making the process an easy one.

Thanks to Mrs. Hardy's extreme professionalism, Janet acted as an agent in our behalf rather than an institution, Janet was exemplary in putting together the loan package and managed the whole affair very effectively and efficiently, truly an exceptional effort, we really appreciate what you did in the ................ situation--it will never be forgotten, Janet, we think you are great, Janet was terrific and she did just what she told me she would do, quick, accurate, professional and honest, Janet was always on top of things, expeditiously accomplished, prompt and great service, pleasure to do business with someone we really trust, service was second to none, always attentive and knowledgable, outstanding, appreciate the attention to detail--saved us quite a sum of money, nice to feel confident someone was looking out for our interests.

I have never had the service I received from you and your group, Janet has been a wonderful person to have on our side, she has been a major contributor to keeping us sane, her professialism is the finest, every curve ball that came to you--you hit, a great job, you are the best, if I am ever in need to secure another mortgage--there is only one call I'll make--to you, service and guidance we have received was exceptional, it's just a shame that all professional business people don't conduct themselves in the manner that Janet does, every time we came into, or left your office we felt confident that we were receiving the most professional, courteous service that we could expect, always took the time to see us and to answer all of our questions without making us feel awkward or uneducated, helpful-courteous-and patient...

Oh, well, that should be enough accolades to take me through some more of my many senior moments and embarrassing situations that I encounter as I drift from efficiency and speed into old age.

Summer at 709 East Mountain Ridge Rd

It is summer in Lake Almanor and I am so enjoying my little habitat. It is a wonder how the weeds avoid growing but then so does everything else. Oh, well, you can say it is neat, if nothing else. Maria used to tell the kids I vaccumed my yard!

My Dog Bandido, and Me

You know how they say pets look like their owners? I can certainly say we have aged together, wouldn't you say?

 

When he was younger!!!

ay \nd I look a little spacey, wouldn't you? No wonder he looks at me as if I am crazy sometimes. Of course, my arm isn't long enough to get a good self picture anyway...

Visit Sisters in Utah

At a restaurant in Midway.

Since I didn't get to use my plane ticket to Utah for the BYU Homecoming in October I flew in on July 15th and we gathered at my sister Jeanne's in Orem for a week of chatting, eating and celebrating Jeanne's 80th birthday. She looks more like 50! Beautiful skin with hardly any wrinkles. She didn't spend her time in the sun like I did.

I had never been to Thanksgiving Point so we did a quick trip there and shopped in this wonderful vintage shop.

Sister Carole, she is the only one still in Montana.

 

We went to Julie's (Jeanne's granddaughter) to pick her up for lunch and her son Nixon entertained us royally.

Julie has decorated her house so beautifully.

Julie, Carole and Jeanne at a French boutique for lunch.

 

Marilyn, Janet and David's wife Tammy also at lunch. David is Jeanne's son.

 

Jeanne's granddaughter Ginger, the world traveler and adventurer. She is the daughter of Carole and Mick.

Jeanne's 80th Birthday Party

We gathered at Cascade Pavillion in Orem, Utah for a 80th birthday celebration for my sister Jeanne.

Granddaughter Winter (Steve's), husband and daughter Isabella.

 

Jeanne's son David and wife Tammy.

Our brother David and wife Dorothy, still looking very young and spry.

Jeanne's grandson Stan (Norma and Bryan's) and wife and son Emerson.

Jeanne's granddaughter Julie next to the friend of grandson Michael, Juliana, grandson Michael (Doug's) and grandson Trevor's wife and daughter.

Several grandchildren have lived a time with Jeanne while going to school. This is Julie, daughter of David Thayne and Gina, and mother of Nixon and wife of Morgan.

 

It was a fun party with a book being given to Jeanne of rememberances, gifts and nice things being said about her. Lots of good food but no birthday cake!! Michael and Juliana said they would bake one on her real birthday day.

Stockholm July 2009

We traveled by train from Copenhagen to Stockholm and visited with a Political Science professor who gave us very interesting details about Sweden. For instance that only 1% of the Swedish population is religious at this time. Many have domestic partnerships and those that do marry in the many beautiful Lutheran churches do it more for tradition than religious reasons.

To encourage couples to have children the government provides 18 months of paid marital leave which can be used anytime between birth and 8 years of age of the child and the husband can use 6 months of it!!! You see fathers wheeling prams and entertaining children at the parks all over Sweden.

We stayed at the Hilton Slussen near Gamla Stan so we were able to walk to many interesting attractions and were close to the railway and bus. Stockholm is a beautiful city on many islands. I loved it again as I did the first time I saw it in 2000. We were provided lavish breakfasts and suppers and snacks at the hotel but still enjoyed the many delicious pastries and treats available in Sweden. One dish that was surprisingly delicious was the mashed potatoes with deer meat on top of a round soft flat bread as seen in the movie.

My great grandparents on my father's side and my grandparents on my mother's side all emigrated to America in the late 1800s as new members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their stories are both heroic and inspiring as they embraced a new religion and a new country.

I am so glad the my daughters were able to see some of the beautiful countryside with the many red houses as we took the train from Copenhagen. My ancestors all came from the area east of Stockholm and off the east coast of Sweden below Stockholm. I chatted comfortably with a father and son from Gothenberg on the airplane. They said I must come back and see the west coast where they live as it is truly the most beautiful area of Sweden. I wish...

I am so thankful we were able to take this wonderful trip to Copenhagen and Stockholm with all our accumulated hotel points!!! It will probably be the last such trip for me.

Copenhagen..

Our adventure begins, colorful Copenhagen and then sedate Stockholm.

We went to the palace to see the changing of the guard and walked right into the marching guards--so followed them to the palace!The architecture was beautiful all over Copenhagen and I loved the colorful old buildings along the canals. Hope Maria and Linda have a picture to share of the canals and bridges, spectacular !

Copenhagen was sunny and was packed with tourists and there were jazz concerts all over the city. This activity was all within walking distance of the grand Marriott Linda had us staying at with her points.

Even the lollipops are giant size in Copenhagen! No, I did not buy one. But we surely enjoyed the ice cream, pastry and hot dogs, yum yum. Very good in Copenhagen. Mostly older men run the hot dog kiosks. Can't help but think how happy Richard thought he would be running a hot dog stand.

I couldn't believe how profuse and large the flowers were in Tivoli gardens. And I inspected everything and saw no nibbles from bugs or anything---in Tivoli or in the gardens beside the sidewalks

Lovely Linda next to another lovely garden in Tivoli.

Maria and Linda take a well deserved rest in Tivoli.

See how tall those lillies are! So Cophenhagen will be remembered for the gorgeous gardens with large flowers and no bugs, the most delicious hot dogs, ice cream and pastry, lots of colorful canals and beautiful old buildings and peculiarly the men were better looking than their women partners. Now what is that all about.

Great city to visit...

After the first day I just enjoyed the trip and let Maria and Linda take all the pictures so I will have to wait till they 'publish' to finish my trip.

Tomorrow I am off to a reunion with my siblings in Utah. Bon Voyage!