A Little Color...

I suppose anyone would wonder why I make such a fuss over such a meager garden.  It is because with the soil and tree roots I have very low expectations so when I have anything bloom, it is a big deal!

The one sure things is these yellow lilies, they are about to pop.  They have full sun and are in a pot by themselves--they are happy.

This is something new I bought on sale at Martins--it is actually going to bloom!

Uusually this is first bloom the deer pop off, so far, so good.

And even a second one this year the deer have missed.

The lilies are starting!

They do look a little scant this year, I really wonder if the deer ate some of the buds...

Catching up

I am doing a good job of putting things on my Google+ but my blog is getting neglected!!!

Things I am wondering about today--

Why does that little squirrel eat all the petunias on the back deck?  They are sprayed with repellent.
How much will it cost to have the 3 rotten firs cut down?
Why do the cedars look like they have been scorched by fire?  Low snowfall this year?
When did the deer chomp in to the lilac bush?
Will they get the lilies, too?
What is the Blue Jay doing under the front stairs so often?
Why are there so many webs this year?
What is causing my eyes to burn, my nose to run and my throat to itch when I water in the morning?
Why did I have to have two naps today?
When will the Door Company get back to me with quotes on the garage door?
What would be interesting to eat--instead of the sameo, sameo all the time??
Why can't I get pix from Instagram to Picasa?
Why doesn't Sadie bark when her leash gets caught on the fir tree?
Why do the bats leave droppings on the hood of my car?
Why is my Samsung tablet acting touchy?
What does that grey handle I found on my kitchen floor belong to?????
Why does the printer always have to be turned off and on before it prints--that is a new thing????

Good things I have noticed lately--

Using Coconut Oil for lotion on my arms and legs and body (instead of lotion) stops the itching, yea!!
I watch a lot less TV since I downgraded my options, it's a good thing.
I have read a lot (or listened to a lot) of books this month.
I love the quiet of the house, I do not have to be listening to something all the time.
I have some of the most beautiful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that I have ever seen!
We have very loving, kind people at the branch.
We have excellent teachers at the branch and a lot of musical talent.
I am enjoying finishing the first part of "The San Diego Scene"--wonder who would want to read it.
I really have had a fantastic life with many wonderful memories, but it does not make for exciting reading.
My journals and memory books are a Godsend to me at this time of my life when my memory has dimmed.
The moths are about gone, gone, gone!
My home stays cool even when it is hot outside if I shut the windows early in the morning.
The humidifier has really kept me from being all congested.
The pictures are uploading to Picasa--only to my Picasa Web-not to my Desktop Picasa!

Great Grandchildren on the 4th of July--All Six of Them!

Keira and Eden ready for a swim at Scripps Ranch!

Meagan and Matt spotlight Eden for the 4th of July at Scripps Ranch!

The Stewart Family goes to Carlsbad for the 4th of July!

What Is Happening with the Grandchildren?

 Jacob and Jimmy headed to Scout Camp on Catalina Island!!!

 

Last week Lea headed to Santa Barbara with friends for Especially for Youth!

Amy continues to get more and more buff!!!  You go girl, I envy you your stamina and drive!!

Melissa rents a darling new apartment in Asheville, North Carolina.

 Looking good, Melissa!

 Keira all pretty in pink!

I did it myself!

Moths, Be Gone!!!

This has been a bad week as far as the moths go--went from bad to worse--now there is just one or two that I see, hope they are all not hiding some place.  It has been disturbing to say the least and I can't find anyone to fix my thermostat and make sure the furnace is working correctly.

The other problem is I was taking the broom after some of them in the living room last Sunday night and the plank over the mirror came down on my big toe and that has been miserable all week.  Then the instep began to hurt and I had to wrap that, too.  Limping around but I did get to see "Maleficent" with Maryanne and her grandson Gavin.  It was a different take on Sleeping Beauty but then the whole world has a different take on most things these days.  The things they can do in the movies now is amazing and I enjoyed that even if it was a dark side of the fairy tale.

Friday I also managed to get myself to see "Jersey Boys".  Definitely enjoyed that!!  Some reviews thought it was cheesy--if so, I like cheesy.  I have liked all of the movies that Clint Eastwood has directed.  Love all the great music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  Sad there are always those that take advantage though.  We expect so much from our superstars, not fair to them.

Anyway it has been quite a depressing week in many ways and today I had such a stomach ache and congestion I did not stay at church.  Hopefully I will feel like taking on the world tomorrow.

I have been so depressed I decided the only way to beat it is to do thorough housecleaning of closets and everything and get rid of a lot more stuff.  I keep wanting to simplify my life...I just don't have enough energy to do it.  Would love to paint, paint, paint and stain, stain, stain but I know I don't have enough energy for that but it would be cathartic I think.  Cleaning up your house always cleans up your mind.  We will see how the week goes.

Tonight I am looking forward to seeing the second part of Masterpiece Theater "The Escape Artist".  So scary, I am glad I am living in a gated community, makes me feel a little less vulnerable.

Then there has been all the comments and blogging on the possible church excommunications of Kate Kelly and John Dehlin.  It is so amazing to me the many different opinions on everything.  We certainly lived in a sheltered world growing up, no wonder it was a great life.  We just enjoyed living and not reading about and rehashing everything--that takes too much time out of living now.

To think I lived in a world with no tv, no cell phones, no tablets, no copy machines, no computers, no fax machines, no microwaves, no dish washers, no ipods.  It was a great world of enjoying the outdoors, house parties where we played games, picnics, movie shows, roller skating, watching ball games, dancing, horse back riding, hiking, and oh, yes, dragging Main was fun, too.  Above was a house party just for the girls, and Carla got a birthday present, wonder why Raine and I looked so serious...just our look, I guess.

Father's Day 2014

Father's Day today and while I was listening to four children talking about their Father and telling Father's Day stories I was thinking of some about my Dad.

I remember so well in my preschool years standing in front of him at our Cottage meetings and singing "In Our Lovely Deseret"--an old fashioned song they never sing in Church anymore.  I didn't know all the words but the ones I did I loved to sing out.

We went on picnics and he would help us get that strange thick grass that had joints--so fun to play with, I wonder what it was.  We also gathered cattails.  This was when I was in grade school.

He expected us all to work and always had something for us to do--I started putting price tags on clothes at the store when I was very young.  It was things like sox and simple things like that.  He made us all part of everything and never acted like we did anything wrong.  Were we really that helpful when so young?  I remember doing the inventory every year between Christmas and New Years.  Very tedious but no one complained that I remember.

He never yelled at us, did he?  Very gentle.  No physical punishment of any kind.  Were we always so good or did my parents just not believe in punishment.  They just expected us to do what we should and be where we should be it seemed.

In high school he was always at all the ball games and knew our friends who played ball and would talk to them.  He drove me and my friends to many a football and basketball game away from home. My friends thought he was marvelous to be willing to do that.

He didn't get mad at me when I dented the car running into someone else, he just talked quietly to me and had me drive the car home so I would not lose my confidence or dignity I guess.

He never seemed stressed by so many children with needs--just seemed to enjoy the whole family scene.   He had three in college at a time for quite awhile.  Never complained that I remember but he did expect us all to work to share in the cost.

Maria also sent some thoughts about Richard, her Dad, which I appreciated so much!

Happy Father's Day!  Since I don't have one here to send anything to, just thought I'd tell you picked a great dad for your kids!

A few favorite memories as a child:

You always had dinner in the oven for him and a place set on the table for when he came home late (which was often).  I loved coming downstairs and sitting with him while he ate.  He would put bread in his milk...I always thought that was so funny.

He made bologna treats, just wrapped lettuce and miracle whip in a bologna burrito for a snack.

I loved running down the stairs and jumping in his arms, standing on his feet to dance and playing games with him in Sacrament meeting with his hands, while his eyes were closed.  He was so patient and easy going.

Once was challenged to walk on his hands, and he did, right in the foyer at church.

I still miss him and often wish I could talk over things with him because he always had a great perspective and an analogy that shed light in a new way.

Lots of good memories of growing up in our house!

PS--About the bread in the milk.  This was something we did when we were growing up, too.  If it was toasted, we put butter on the bread and put it in warm milk--so soothing.  If it was plain white bread in cold milk, we would sprinkle a little sugar on it.  My dad loved to put his cake in milk--always ate it that way that I remember.

Moths!!???

This week Sadie and I have been battling the moths.  Not cute little moths that put their wings out like cousins to the butterfly but ugly dark moths that have wings tight to their sides when they are resting.  I have never seen anything like it.  The hardware man told me other people have said the same thing.

Is it because we had a mild winter, as Matt suggested?  I don't know but two nights ago I was knocking them out with a broom (about 10 in my hall) and knocked the thermostat off the wall and broke it.  I will have to call my heating man to come fix it for sure.

Two days ago I found out where about 100 were sleeping? in the daytime -- under the pads on my chaise lounge.  I battled them with the broom one day and the hose the next day.  Today I did not see any. Another place I have been squirting out everyday is the top of my lattice under my deck.  Hundreds would fly out of there.  Not too many today.

When I say Sadie--she is the one who noticed them first and was attacking them on the deck and in the patio door.  One day when I opened my front door a flurry of them flew--I opened the screen door fast and they flew to the sun, thank heaven.  Today when I got in my car, some flew out.  How could that be???  I found they had tucked themselves into the rim of the door--so had come from the outside.

I am worried that some may have gotten into my closet but I have not found anything safe to put in there yet. I guess I will have to make my own sachets--the moth balls are too dangerous.

Still, the question is, why are they so plentiful, what does it mean?  And have I ridded myself of them, in the house at least???  I surely hope so.

Big Week for Graduations!

Craig earns his two Masters--in Social Work and Public Policy.  Congratulations to Craig!

He has taken employment with AIDS Project Los Angeles and will be able to stay in Santa Monica!!

Linda made the beautiful quilt for Craig to celebrate his achievements.

Jimmy graduates from 6th grade.  Congratulations to Jimmy!

Lea graduates from 8th grade.  Congratulations to Lea!

Pride Parade

 Why I marched in the Pride Parade?   as shared by Linda

I’m not sure if words can adequately explain why I was compelled to march this year in the pride parade. As a faithful LDS mother, there are reasons why I haven’t marched up to this point. 1) It's on Sunday, I typically spend the day with my family refraining from activities that could be done on Saturday. 2) Let’s just say I have seen pictures of the parade and knew I probably wouldn’t be comfortable taking my children to it, so why would I go?

That said, this year I was compelled to go, so much so, that I had to convince my daughter that it would be good thing to break the Sabbath and expose ourselves to sights that we weren't used to seeing for a few reasons 1) My wonderful gay son is graduating with a double masters this week. This kid is AMAZING! I want to shout that to the world and celebrate with people that get how wonderful these kids are. In the church, it doesn’t really seem to matter how amazing these kids are, if they are gay, that is somehow bigger than any other accomplishment or incredible divine gift they possess. 2) I want the lgbt community to know that I see them and they are worthy of love, especially God’s love.

In the church, I sometimes feel like we are the Priests and Levites that refuse to see the suffering that our doctrine causes in individuals trying to navigate between what their heart is telling them and what their church is telling them. We can do much better! 3) If my son can sit through four hours of conference and choose not to be offended because he loves and respects his Mormon family, I can attend a gay pride parade, because I love and respect my son and want him to know it. 4) Affirmation is a wonderful group doing a great service and I want to show my support for them.

So, how was my first experience at pride? We had a great day! My daughter and son marched with me. It was wonderful to see how happy (and surprised) my son was that we wanted to come and march with him. We met wonderful people that are putting themselves out there to make a difference, heal broken hearts and show love to all people.

People cheered for us. There was a wonderful overall feeling of love and inclusion. It was a great bonding experience for our family (even the ones that weren’t there in person were happy to see us all marching together). Our hearts grew a little bigger along with our capacity to love a little more. Would I do it again? Of course, who can argue with a desire and prompting to show love to ALL of

God’s children?

Well said, Linda, well said.

Our Branch President Loses? Wins?

Our Branch President is a third grade teacher.  He challenged his class that if they read the most books by the end of the year he would shave off his hair and mustache.

 Tuh duh, today was the day!!!  The class won, he lost--wait a minute, doesn't that make him a winner as a great teacher!!!  I think so, anyway hair grows back... I am not sure who they had to beat to win, but this is a good thing, right?

The new President G

Just Another Stressful? Day in Lake Almanor

It is a beautiful day in Lake Almanor.  The sun is shining and Sadie has snagged a sunny spot to spread out and close her eyes.  Every day CNN shows pictures of the homeless.  I have much to be thankful for.

A tragedy happened earlier this week at a home over on Clifford--not too far away.  A propane company was exchanging a new tank for the old and the connecting pipe? was not secure I guess and the old tank exploded burning the attendant and part of the house and the surrounding trees.  Even the neighbors deck was scorched.  We heard three loud explosions, I was talking to my sister at the time and she immediately said it had to be propane.  I could see the smoke but did not go to look, the roads are narrow and there is not room for lookyloos.  Evidently the last two explosions were the tires on the propane truck...? Yes, one more thing to be thankful for, my home is secure today and I am safe and well.

I noticed two sick trees on my lot--one more expense to look forward to--I guess the thing to be thankful for is they have not been marked with X's yet--when that happens, action must be taken.  Maybe it won't happen until after I figure out how to get the garage door taken care of.  There is still several months before winter.  I love summer in Lake Almanor.

My project for the week has been taking out the foxtail weeds which took over because I was not paying attention.  It may take me a long time.  I find if I bend over too much, I cannot straighten up and my back hurts but If I sit on the ground I can do it without too much back pain.  I have a terrific shovel that goes under and then I can easily tear them away.  I just can't do too much at a time--oh how much I neglected to be thankful for the energy and strength of youth.  I am so thankful that for most of my life I have been healthy and energetic.  Work was never a problem for me.

Carole just called--another blessing in my life--sisters!!!  Someone you can tell your troubles to and they listen and empathize--don't condemn or avoid, just listen and share theirs, too.   Carole even reads my blog and thinks it is interesting, I think she is the only one.   I can remember when I was a freshman at BYU, we each had a person, mine was a professor, we could schedule a time to talk to, just a listener, someone who cared.  Bet they don't have the ability to do that today.

Carole may have to have knee surgery--another blessing--I do not have knee problems.   Well, I did have when I first came here--we were cleaning the house and getting rid of the mildew and preparing it for stain and I got "housemaid's knee"  but I don't work that hard anymore.  I quit skiing in the early 90s because of knee pain and then I quit bicycling in the early 2000 sometime because of knee pain. Guess I don't do anything now that bothers them.  When she works she is on her feet all day and that is hard on them I think and plus she has carried a lot of babies around.  I am not near mine enough anymore--sad about that but it is not damaging to the knees.

Oh, wow, I have never run so fast.  I had just told Carole the deer were not bothering my yard and was here writing when I look up and see three big bucks looking for something to munch right in the middle of  my sad little gardens.  Out with the spray--must do that every day now until the lilies have bloomed and died.  They love lilies.

Update on Mike

Had a long conversation with Mike.  He was on his way to Amityville? for a Metal Concert.  He was geared up for seeing a few good fights he said.

Mike works for a medical company at a prison and he has the 3 pm to 11:30 pm shift and sees some interesting things.  I am glad he is so big and can take care of himself, there is evidently a lot of arguments.

He must be doing an excellent job.  He received the Employee of the Month award!!  His job is to give out the medication to the patients so he goes all over and sees things the administrators should see--but of course, they do not want his opinion...that would be too logical.

He said he has been getting a lot of overtime, tries to stay under the radar, never be late, and never miss a day!!

Mike has also settled into his attic loft with a new bed and a little furniture.  He really likes it but he does sleep in the daytime and the noisy jets overhead can be a problem.  He shares a bathroom but he says that does not appear to be a problem so far.

He shared a lot of stories...sounds like an exciting job. Be careful, Mike!!!  Hope he continues to keep in touch.  I told him Melissa was headed that day for North Carolina so they may be just about 7 hours apart in their east coast homes.  Asheville is more inland near the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and Annapolis is on the Chesapeake Bay, of course.

Lea makes Cheer!!!

Last Friday Lea had a tryout for JV Cheer team and she made it!!!  This is for Torrey Pines High 9th grade in the fall.  Congratulations to Lea!!!

L

When Reality Dashes Hope

I have made three trips to get fish tacos at the Locker Room.  I love them.  I was also suspicious that they were the culprit causing my gluten attacks.  I have not outruled everything else but them. So it must be the batter on the fish??? or the tortilla????  Which.  Can I have them grill the fish and still love it and not have any gluten???  Next week I talk to the owner and see what I can find out...so sad.

It is Memorial Day Saturday and I did not go to the Crafts Fairs or Garage Sales--I stayed home and finished a book.  What do I like about Nora Roberts books--her detail in her big books for one.  I can visualize effortlessly where I am and who I am seeing, the views, homes, excellent!!! without getting boring.  I love her woman protagonist--it is always someone I would like to be like with multi talents and courage.  I like her man protagonist--it is usually someone I could also fall in love with. And sex, well, no one can do sex like Nora Roberts. I have a friend who always felt that part could be eliminated, I always thought that was some of the best of her writing and why she is such a popular writer with women.

When I started reading her books when we lived in Pacific Beach I did not like that so often she had her women heroine swearing which I do not like in women at all, even though it is very common among the worldly women--she has cooled that in her later years.  They are tough but not so vulgar. Anyway the book was "Northern Lights" about a policeman and she made Alaska seem like a place we would all like to live.

I am almost finished with the series "Little Men".  I never read the book by Louisa Mae Alcott but I thought her strong woman Jo was a little too headstrong.  Seems she is apologizing in every story line at the end.  But they are well done--enjoyable series--26 episodes.

Yesterday I bought some good gluten free hamburger buns from Holiday and the cashier was surprised I was buying Miller hotdogs but hamburger buns.  I told her they do not have hot dog buns but you just cut the hotdogs in half and half again so they fit very well into a round bun.  Yummy good fare for the Memorial Day weekend with pineapple cabbage slaw on the side.

Weather is glorious, up to 80--flower pots happy, no wind, neighbors on both sides up for the weekend.  Jeff on the right reminded me they have been up here 10 years now!!  I reminded him I could not get any satellite reception until they built their house and had the trees cut down.  They are here alone for the weekend with no family.  Neighbors on the right spend their time at the beach--still have not raked their front yard in all the years I have been here!!!!  Cal Fire told me they would be fined...I wonder.

Books and Yardwork--Good for the Soul and Body!

So what do you do when all your work is done, you are tired of the tv, etc, and you are feeling nostalgic and lonely.  You get a book, of course!!!

The Missionary Ladies called and said they could not make it to dinner so yea, I will miss them, but anytime I don't have to cook a dinner it is a great day.  So I headed for the library first, to find a book I could not get on Library to Go.  It was not in but she ordered me a copy from Greenville.   I found four other books. (Sometimes you just have to have a good book in your hands--especially a romantic book when you are lonely) and then headed for the Locker Room for a supper of Fish Tacos!!  I can't get enough of them.  I have had five now and will get a free one when it gets to 11.  In chatting with the owner I found out more about these former San Diegans.  (Unfortunately I found out I get a gluten reaction from the tacos.)

Four couples came together to run the restaurant and a church.  Yes, they have been to Master's Commission (get training for the ministry) and are now a part of the ministry over at the Assembly of God church.  It did not work out the way it was originally planned and at least one couple went back to Oregon but there are five families at the church she said.  In reading about the church I find they are part of 66 million around the globe so no need to feel totally sorry for them on their own.  From the website I would say they have lots of support.  I was impressed.  I have enjoyed talking to three of the family members now and hope it all works out for them here because they are surely nice and I do love their restaurant.  Some day I will try something else besides the tacos, oh yes, I have had the fries and they are wonderful, too!

So I get home and immediately launch into "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend"  by Robert James Waller, the author of "The Bridges of Madison County".  By four hours later I had finished it, and yes, I do like his writing and I see he has other published novels as well, good, more to read.  Then I read something about him on the internet and I see he had a real life experience very much like in his books and he and his wife of 35 years divorced and he married a younger woman who had been working for them...wonder if one of his books is about that.  Very interesting, learning about the authors whose books you like to read.

My yard is clean and watered and ready for Memorial Day! The flag is flying beautifully in the breeze.  I have flowers growing in my pots and even planted some seeds--will see how it all looks as the summer goes on.  I love that I kept my house and have to work in the yard, it is the only exercise I get and so good for me and I am so good for it.  Looks beautiful!

Melissa Graduates!

Melissa Valko graduated from California State University, Chico on May 17, 2014.  She was a Business Major in Accounting.   She had worked for two years for the Budget Analyst at Chico State and is well-prepared for employment in accounting.  She is leaving June 1 for Asheville, NC where she is seeking employment and will be living with a former girlfriend from Susanville.

CSU, Chico is the second oldest campus of the 23 CSU's and has 16,000 plus students.

All of Melissa's family was at her graduation, except for Mike (Annapolis).  It was a beautiful day and though too long for sitting, the talks were good, and individual recognition was given to each graduate.  It was a dignified, family-oriented graduation ceremony.

After the ceremony we walked to Melissa's rental and had a great lunch of salads, croissant sandwiches, wraps and drinks.  Sharing the brunch was Melissa's Mom and Johnny, who came from Oceanside, Melissa's Dad, who came from Tehachapi, Mitch, who came from Tahoe and rode with his Dad, and who is on his way to work in the Sierras for six months with the U S Forestry, Matt, who came from Tahoe where he works, Grandma, Me--Matt and I drove from Lake Almanor together.  Melissa's roommate and Melissa's Boss came by to wish her well and tell us all how much she is going to be missed!!  She wrote a great recommendation letter for Melissa.  She said since they can't keep her, (they--letter recipient) ought to hire her because she is so good--or something like that, among other things.

Mom and her boys--not boys anymore, they are hardworking men!!  Before Matt left my house to go back to his job in Tahoe he unclogged my sink( that was a hard one), and fixed both the front and back hoses.  Don't know how I could make it without these grandsons helping me out!

59 years from my graduation to Mel's.

Fires Rage in San Diego County

San Diego has had tragic repercussions from deliberately set fires.  Linda's ward family was very much affected by the Poinsettia Fire, Maria's Cal State still has the San Marcos Fire dangerously close, and James and Camber had to evacuate for a time as well.  It has been going on since Wednesday morning and still going.  Many houses, apartment houses and some businesses have been burned.  So far only one death has been reported. 

PS  47 homes were burned before the fires were out and over 20 million dollars in damage.  And they believe it was all arson!

Kelsi at 8

Kelsi, a girl after my own heart, who loves her American Girl doll and wanted a matching outfit with her!!  So darling.

Styling!  I love it.

Keira and Eden Update!

 Keira gets into the camping experience with a tent in the yard and telling ghost stories.  Eden gets to join them for awhile!

Eden celebrates her two month birthday with smiles and laughs, like she really knows how lucky she is.

 What a doll!!

 So much to see and laugh at--what a blast!

 What's Up, guys?

Hey world, here I come!