Early morning convo with Mom (TOOO early)

The following is a conversation with my Mom from this morning.
A 'typical' conversation, I might add.

Mom: I read an article in the Sunday newspaper about a Catholic Church up near Green Bay, WI. It's called Our Lady of Good Hope. Have you heard about it?

Me: Yes, it's been all over in the news. There are reports of Mary appearing to people there, and many miracles taking place.

Mom: After much review and prayer, the bishop has sanctioned the visions as 'worthy of belief'. They had a very special ceremony.

Me: I imagine many people across America will flock to it, for healings and answers to their prayers.

Mom: Yes! And last evening I met a man at the grocery store that made the trip up there already!!! The two of us were waiting in line by the deli. I struck up a conversation with him to pass the time. I asked him if he had read about that church. He said that he had been there already!!!

Amazed and curious, I asked him to tell me how it went!

He said, "The priest asked me why I was there. I told him I was there for prayers regarding my hearing. The priest solemnly moved in closer to me, gently placed his hands over my ears, and prayed softly--the most beautiful prayers I've ever heard. He then backed up, caringly gazed into my eyes, and asked me if my hearing was back. I said I really won't know until after next Thursday. With a confused look on his face, he said....why not until Thursday, my son? I said because that's when my hearing takes place."

~~~~

I am so GULLIBLE.
I fall for my Mom's shenanigans ALL THE $%^&* TIME.
I agree it's a hysterically funny joke, but I still want to screeeeam everytime she tricks me like this.

I feel vulnerable.

She feels empowered!!!!! lol

A bear with no name

He could use a warm, sudsy bath. But he won't get one. I simply couldn't risk scrubbing all the history off of him. Even his plastic nose will remain smudged with a much smaller version of my fingerprints. He was a gift to me when I was born, a present from my Mom's very best girlfriend.

When I hold him, I like to think of all the childhood treats that MIGHT have left a stain behind: DQ dilly bars, crackerjacks, cheerio bracelots, chiclets, candy cigarettes, tootsie roll pops, caramel bullseyes, and chocolate ice cubes. And the many UNedibles: rusty bottle caps, worms, robin egg shells, sandbox sand, butterflies, bugs and snails.

Nothing would please me more than to tell a few whimsical stories about him. But my memory holds none. 

Why do I keep him? Why do I feel attached to him? Well, we moved many, many times during my childhood, and this bear always made the trip. I have to believe that my Mom kept him safe for all these years for a reason.  : ) And besides, he didn't get THAT dirty sitting on a shelf.

WAHHH' ter

Of course, I need water to live. But water does something else for me. When I'm submerged in it, I feel all fresh and anew, baptized all over again, --minus the crying. 

For me, water is liquid sensation, like a magic tonic. It always has been. Water agrees with me. As a child, I didn't care if the water I swam in was ice cold. As an adult, I do. *~*

.

But a couple years ago, I did something that was water-related but --without water??

I strolled the bottom of a river, a drained river! The river had been drained in order to fix the dam. It turned out to be an exciting day. I'm so thankful I didn't pass up that opportunity. 



The dam that was being repaired.
I 'm standing in the waterless river taking this photo.





An ISLAND!!





The Boat Landing

The River Bank



I discovered many treasures on the bottom of the river floor: shells, fishing lures, colored glass, plastic toys, rusty cans, and lots of bottle caps. I had to be especially careful not to step on nails and other rusty junk.

I had given the river bottom plenty of time to dry out thoroughly before I went. But I'm sure the treasure enthusiasts with their metal detectors snapped up all the coins, jewelry, relics, and other collectibles while the river floor was still very slippery and muddy.

I wasn't that brave!

 

 

P.S. HAPPY  75th  BIRTHDAY,  MOM!!!! 

LOVE YOU!!!!  XOXOX  <-- lotsa wet ones   : )

Pals :)

WAIT!!!!!!!

Before you scroll down, hit this link so there is music playing in the background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc2Vj3ka5BU&feature=related

I'm trying to set the mood a little ...

Music playing?

Yes?

Then feel free to scroll down to see one of the cutest darn things ever in nature. *purrr purrr*

 

A rock with a true pal!

I walked away from 'this couple' three times, before I finally decided to grab my camera. I love this photo so much :)

*Photo taken on the Keweena Penninsula in Upper Penninsula Michigan

A Bond Pickle Boo!!

The Bond Pickle Company in Oconto, Wisconsin is.... history. The building, the former Oconto Canning Company, was recently razed. I liked that building. It took me back to my youth, and our own town's canning factory. *daydreaming* There are so many tales to tell about that place in future posts.

Bond dill pickles were my husband's favorite. The owner, Leon Bond died at age 104, so I'm hoping there is some longevity secret in those pickles, so my husband will be around forever also :)

(I also have to add that Leon Bond built the Oconto Bond Center for his 
community. This facility houses the best swimming pool, hot tub, walking track, and infrared suana in our area. LOVELOVELOVE it there!!)

Where am I going with all this, you ask?

One late evening, before the Bond building had been demolished, I circled around a McDonald's drive thru for a carton of OJ. This McDonalds was located directly next to Bonds.

I was beyond exhausted, having driven for hours and hours. My brain was fried from a long and 'trying' week.

I pulled away from the McDonald's window, and parked facing the Bond Factory. Impatient-- I clumsily tore open the OJ carton, and chugged the delicious sweetness down. It was ice cold and refreshing, and it tasted sooooo gooooood. It hit the spot! Just the fix I needed to get me the rest of the way home.

I tipped my head back more and shook the last drops into my mouth. As I lowered the carton and opened my eyes, I saw a freaking ghost!!!!!!!!

Yes, I mean it. A GHOST in the Bond Factory. My eyes felt big like saucers.

Now, granted it was pitch dark out when I saw the ghost. And it looked ABSOLUTELY SCARY AND REAL. 
                                  (O,O) <---my face.

I whipped out my camera. Not sure how I thought I was going to take a picture of a ghost?? But it was the blinding light from my camera's flash that brought me back to reality, as soon I discovered it was all just a silly yet fabulous prank.

'Hats off' to whomever did this. 


'without the flash'
"OHHH!!!"







'with the flash'

So, a "BOO!! to YOU!!, too!!"

 

Do I trust a groundhog or a bok choy?

This past February 2nd, Jimmy the Groundhog from Sun Prairie, did not see his shadow, thus predicting an early spring.

Unfortunately, there was such a huge blizzard that day, that the annual ceremony had to be postponed until the next day.  Luckily, Jimmy was kind enough to 'Tweet' his prediction to the nation.

Okay. I don't even tweet, but a groundhog does....  :/

Footage from the Feb. 3 ceremony:

http://www.flixya.com/video/2565280/Jimmy-The-Groundhog-Makes-Winter-Prediction


So, do I trust Jimmy? Well, he claims to be 100% accurate, and that when he has appeared to be wrong, it's because his owner misunderstood his message. Too bad Jimmy can not speak. He can only 'tweet'.       :/ 

After all of that excitement, I returned to my daily chores. With plans to stir-fry vegetables for lunch, I began to peel away the many layers of a crispy bok choy.

When I reached the inner core, what a beautiful surprise! The plant was in full bloom deep inside the head!





Another prediction of an early spring??
Or...
God has a great sense of humor?!

I choose BOTH!



Off to a new home

Sorting through a couple boxes in the storage area of the basement,

I came up with:

                  'A bowl of troll'




                       AND.....

                'A brown box of
                      beaming 
                    big-busted
                     blue-eyed
                      Barbies' 


Good bye! Off to Goodwill! Hope they make other kids as happy as they made mine :D

i hear you....

who ever is calling out for me
i hear you.

don't worry

i am in your corner
supporting you

remind yourself
that the past is over

the past expires with every passing moment
it expires the moment it happens
it becomes an old expired story 

keep something positive from it
if possible
learn something from it
become stronger for it
but never let dead expired memories
control you
and pull you down

some of the memories that haunt you
you have to sift through
take control
discard hurtful events
they serve no purpose

besides, some of the memories that haunt you
were someone else's journey
and you got pulled in to simply play a role
it wasn't about you
it was all about them

decide what is worth storing in your brain
toss out what's left over
it's junk
it's worthless junk

save the stuff that makes you feel love
save the stuff that makes you laugh
together love and laughter charges the battery of your power
as you
have well noticed by now
if you'll admit it

build on today

move forward

smile before getting out of bed
plan the day before getting out of bed
take deep breathes and holler yes

you are never alone
never ever

i heard you this time

i will hear you again

Prang's salute to my Chakra

       WOWZAH! This photo energizes me!!

My inexpensive Prang watercolor kit has turned out to be cheap color therapy.  It gets my energy flowing through me as if someone just opened up the flood gates.
           WAKE UP, CELLS!!!!!
This photo stimulates my body's own healing process and balances me out.

       **taking a deep cleansing breathe**  
loveloveloveloveloveloveloveloveloveloveloveLOVElovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelove

Frog Blog

One evening this past summer, a shrill musical sound filled the air. The tune reminded me a bit of the courtship song of the male katydid. My ear lead me to the source of the pleasant, yet mysterious sound.

Here is the little fellow behind the big voice:

Listen:     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2loG-Htcp5Y


Perched high on top of a hummingbird feeder, was a tree frog singing at the top of his lungs. How did he get up there?!?

The next day, sadly he was gone.
Or so I thought.
As I turned to fill my watering can, there he sat on the patio deck staring at me.

 

                      What a great opportunity to examine him up close. 

For the next few weeks, I kept an eye open for him. Several times, I found him clinging to the glass on the patio door. A few times, he was nestled in a flower pot.

Sadly the day came when...no tree frog...ANYwhere. :(  :(  :(   *sigh*
A month went by, and soon I forgot about him.

One morning, while tugging some dead, dried vines off of my fence trellis, I glanced upwards at a birdhouse. This particular birdhouse always housed bees or hornets. I don't mind them living there, but I do not care to be stung.

This time, I rubbed my eyes, and looked again. Then I stepped closer, squinted a few times, and looked again. I couldn't believe my eyes!

No more sleeping out in the elements for THIS tree frog. He had found a real house! And just his size! Look how well his body matched the texture and color of the birdhouse. 

No bees last summer--I guess his plump body blocked the hole.

Training: IN SESSION

My daughter had this past weekend off from work. Is she sleeping in late? Is she running errands? Is she working out with a girlfriend? Out of curiosity, I sent a text to see what she was doing.  

This is what I got back- no typing, just a quick 'cell phone' photo:

What the heck?!?!? 
Some types of birds can be potty trained???
But, why??           
And,......HOW???? 

I promise an update.



Introducing! *drumroll*

THE SHAKER SISTERS!  :)

I recently shared this photo with a favorite relative of mine, who also shares a love and curiousity for the gals of the holy habit.



Srs. Mary Salt and Mary Pepper
or, better known as
The Shaker Sisters
(yes, they both have four holes in their head)

I purchased them at an antique mall. They were living in a locked glass case. Fortunately they caught my eye as I was about to leave. Aren't their facial expressions priceless? One with eyes closed in deep, peaceful meditation; The other praising God, eyes lifted towards the heavens!
Check out those rosy cheeks :)


Dedicated to my most favorite nun, Sister Irena. 
"RIP"



Kohler Doll & Bear Show

This entry might not interest everyone, but remember that my interest in dolls is practically nil, and my interest in bears...does not exist.

With that being said, I got a whim one day to attend the Kohler Doll & Bear Show in Kohler, Wisconsin. Something new. Something different. I had no idea what to expect. Despite having 'no right!' to be there lolol, I had the time of my life!!

My first thrill of the day occurred as I approached the American Club Resort Hotel (Kohler).

Gorgeous! 

The high pitched roofs, wood framing, and brick walls --it's tudor-style design is absolutely dreamy. Top this vision off with some rich green ivy and ...PERFECTO!

Of course, all the bathrooms in this hotel are fancied-up with world famous Kohler products.  

Oh gosh, I MUST return some day.

I was grateful to have purchased a tea party ticket in advance.

What an experience that turned out to be!

Each attendee was gifted a Ginny Vogue Doll and pattern booklet.

A display board at the head table displayed many outfits made from these patterns.

The meal, as you can see, was a piece of art, and out-of-this-world delicious! We were also treated with tiny cakes, tiny scones, tiny cheese cakes, and tiny muffins.   :)

This is a shot of the elegant display table. I realize it's not a great photo, but a very talented Irish dancer was about to begin dancing and I had to act fast.

You are probably wondering why I included this photo in my blog, since you can not see a darn thing on that head table??

I included it because it wasn't until I looked through all my photos at the end of the day, that I spotted the ornery tough chick in the orange shirt giving me the hairy eyeball for taking her pic!!!!  OUCH!
Holy CRAP. She seriously wants to kick my a** at a doll tea party! 

My guess is that she either got dragged by her hair to this party by the lady in green, or she is the kind of doll lover that scars dolls' faces with magic markers and then chops their heads off. Good thing I didn't realize this until much later or I might have fled Sheboygan County immediately.

After the tea party, we were free to browse through the main room where over a hundred doll and bear venders had set up displays. Lots of interesting things to buy: dolls, bears, wigs, clothing, 'vintage' clothing, accessories, furniture, and dollhouses.

It was a long day, but I couldn't leave Kohler without checking out a doll store called, The Nursery Window.

Baby dolls are displayed as if in a real hospital nursery.
This photo was taken through a glass window just like in a hospital!



The interior design of the shop has a castle theme.



A beautiful, stained glass dome ceiling tops the center display room.




Dolls and bears are for sale by famous artists, such as Helen Kish,
Berdine Creedy, and Henry and Sophia Zawieruszynski.
Resin ball-jointed dolls are shown in this photo.

I will make it my new goal to add strange and unfamiliar adventures to my list of to do's. This one was a blast!

Pinky St.

Introducing four of my cute little Pinky: Street characters made by Mr. Kanaya and Vance Project!


Only 4 inches tall, their hair, costumes, and accessories are interchangeable.

They can also be repainted to make them totally unique--not something I care to do--although I thoroughly enjoy the ingenious creativity of those artists that do 'repaints'. 


Pinky: Street also sells paper scenes that can be assembled and used for posing for photos! Here is one example:

http://www.pinky-street.com/index.php?page=assembling_paper_scenes

Some re-ment kits are size appropriate for Pinky:Street, and they are precious, so precious!

   http://www.denverdoll.com/rement.php

Why do I like Pinky: St so much?

I carry one or two in my purse at all times, so that when I spot a fun spot for them to pose, I whip out my camera and capture the moment. They have so much expression!

 Though a tad blurry, I couldn't resist including this photo.

Gigantic Osprey Nest

Driving home one day, I spotted this gigantic bird nest perched high on a transmission tower. I wish the photo was zoomed in more, but there was traffic on this road, and I am grateful for the photo I DID get.

It's an osprey nest made of huge sticks. No delicate twigs and soft, colorful yarn required! An osprey's body is almost two feet long, so you can imagine the size of this nest.

After seeing this photo, my husband was curious to see the nest in person.

When he drove by it, there were two baby birds (BIGGGG baby birds!) stretching their necks high out of the nest, with hungry mouths wide open.

I wish I had seen that --maybe next year.

Ily (stands for I love you)

Some ppl have grandchildren. I have a grandbird.
Her name is Ily, which stands for 'I love you'! It's pronounced: I' lee.
Most birds are content with one pair of wings.
As noted in the photo, this cockatiel, is not! 

I dedicate the following poem to all birds, domesticated or wild, that read my blog.

                      Early Bird
Oh, if you're a bird, be an early bird
And catch the worm for your breakfast plate.

If you're a bird, be an early early bird-
But if you're a worm, sleep late.
                    by Shel Silverstein

Happy Toes!

My daughter flew out to spend time with friends stationed at Navel Base San Diego. She experienced lots of 'firsts': first time flying, first time traveling alone, first time seeing an ocean, first palm tree! She was also very fortunate to spend a day at the world famous San Diego Zoo, where the stingray exhibit won over most of her attention.

Despite all the photos she took, call me strange---this one remains my favorite: her happy toes digging in the sand leading to the grand Pacific Ocean.

Just by holding this photo, I can hear the soothing waves, and taste the salt in the air. I can picture the breathtaking sunset. I can even feel the giddy high she's getting from sensory overload! 

.....All of that from one simple photo.

Buckle your Seatbelt

My neighbor's sister drives like a drunk. She weaves from lane
to lane like a stockcar driver warming up his tires. All this
while smoking a dark brown, extra long cigarette(?), texting nonstop,
and flicking through Yanni songs on her I-pod.

How do I know this? Because I desperately needed a ride one day,
but I'm quite sure I didn't need one THIS badly. I'll never ride
with her again as long as I live, and that is to ensure that I live longer.

When she and I finally arrived at our destination, I was puzzled when she barreled into a handicapped parking space and slammed on the brakes.

I DETEST when unauthorized people do this! Not only is it illegal but it's terribly thoughtless and rude.

As I grumbled to myself, lo and behold, she
whipped out a handicap parking permit and hooked it over her rearview mirror! Despite the fact that I was still trembling with fear from the ride, this last incident at least offered some distraction.


I chose my words wisely as to not offend and said, "Gosh Sherry. I  didn't realize that you had a physical disability. If this is none of my business, please just say  so."She nonchalantly ground her cigarette butt out on the top of an empty Dr. Pepper can as she replied, "Oh yes. All of my adult life. I'm legally blind."


0.0   <----- ME.

Stunned but not quite speechless, I asked, "How in the world did you get a driver's license if you're legally blind?"She did this weird thing with her eyebrows as she glared at me. Her expression was intended to make me feel like a total idiot. And it worked.

She loudly stated, "DAHHHHHHHHH. You don't need a driver's license to get a handicap permit!!!!!!!!! Sheeeze."

Then, .....I WAS speechless.

I am so gullible.

I have a cabin in Upper Penninsula Michigan. A person that lives in the U.P. is called a Yooper (short for U.P.'er).
I'm going to share with you an excellent example of what it's like talking with a Yooper.

Me: "So, what did you do for a living before you were a carpenter?"

Yooper: "I took a job wit dah highway department painting dah
          centerline on Hwy 2 der West of Crystal Falls.
          First day I painted 10 miles 'eh. Boss was happy.
          Next day, I painted only 3 miles. Dah boss didn't say much.
          Dah tird day, I only painted 500 feet!
          Fort day, I got fired 'eh."
Me: "How come you painted less and less of the center line with 
         each new day? Were you just getting so tired????"
Yooper: "Well, YAH der gurl. Holy wah. Each day I was gittin' farder
         and farder away from dah darn paint pail."
Me:     "Ohhhh."  

I never know if I should laugh or not because he doesn't.
I am so gullible.

Splish Splash

Whoever introduced water walking as a beneficial way to exercise-- had me in mind.
Thank you very much!!
I love water walking.
I love Love LOVE it.

I love it enough to watercolor what I must look like while doing it. I think my concept came out pretty darn accurate. When I show it to others. I can tell by their facial expressions, my painting is 'right on'.

I realize the results appear blurry, but the crisp lines on the original art were not true to life. In the pool area, everything is steamy and hazy. So I sprayed a fine mist of water over the end product, and this is what I got:

I'll paint another version in a year or two, so we can all decide if water walking is not only good for the heart and joints, but is also good for losing weight. *fingers crossed*

'MARY' Christmas?

It's been a month since the excitement surrounding Christmas fizzled out. 

In that time the holiday dishes were packed away, the leaf was
removed from the dining room table, plain towels replaced festive 
ones, decorations were removed, and the tree was crookedly jammed
into a snowbank out by the curb. Or, to be more precise, the bare
tree TRUNK was out by the curb. It's needles were scattered all along the pathway to the front door, while some will remain embedded in the living room carpet until around the 4th of July.  *_*

At that time, I thoroughly inspected the house at least a dozen times for any leftover Christmas themed items. When I was positive I had evvvverything, the Christmas boxes were put away in storage.

It's now Friday, February 4th. There is no leftover evidence that 
Christmas 2010 ever ever happened. Or so I think.......

Today, I'm at the kitchen sink, elbow deep in dish soap suds. With eyes pinched tight, I'm singing, "There isssssss a towwwn in north Ontaaario...".  I'm pouring my soul into my mic, a rubber spatula with dried tomato sauce on it. I turn my head as I open my eyes to reach for a saucepan off the stove, and AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! My 'mic' drops on the floor. I see this!!!



          A SANTA CAP ON THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY!!!
           I somehow always leave ONE thing out!!!!!! *pulling hair out*
So, 'MARY' CHRISTMAS??



"Branded" oven glove

I stopped in at my daughter's home to check out her new window perch for her cat. Libby, the cat, was all sprawled out on it, seemingly drunk from the hot rays of the sun.

Distraction hit, as my nose detected a delicious aroma escaping from her oven. My mouth hummed  'yummmmmm' outloud. My 
daughter smiled as her eyes lit up. She opened the oven door and
carefully removed a steaming hot casserole.

My heart instantly filled with glee. I am so grateful that she shows an interest in preparing meals vs. depending solely on fast food and frozen entrees (the modern and classy term for tv dinners).

Thennnnnn my eyes curiously wandered
from the casserole to her oven mitt....

A  round "brand", shaped EXACTLY like

a stovetop burner, covered the mitt.

I grinned from ear to ear as my mind did

a slideshow of flashbacks from my own
novice cooking days. I can only imagine the hysteria that followed when this incident occurred!

Naturally, I had to whip out my camera

to preserve this special moment.

"Put the needles down!"

No. Not drug needles.  KNITTING needles!

I chose to take it easy this past week following my dad's death. I decided to relax by knitting something simple and repetitive - a scarf.

But whenever I tried to put the needles down, my hands seemed to plead with me, "make one more row, just ONE more row, just ONE MORE ROWWWWW!!!" 

And sure enough, I'm k1p1 k1p1 back across the scarf again!! arghhh.
What an addictive hobby...

Today instead of knitting, I relaxed by surfing online. I came across a knitting site, http://www.agoodyarn.net/ , where they offer free vintage images with knitting themes.

                                       
                 This one popped out at me.

From now on, I'm taking the advice of this smart little knitter. 
When it's time to take a break from knitting, I'm going
to spring out of my chair 'n dance with a grinning goat.

I love you, Dad xox



My Dad (age 78) died today after an exhausting battle with colon cancer. He could not have hung on so long without the devoted hospice team that served him,... and the love and devotion from my dear mother. My mother has loved this man deeply from the very moment she met him sixty years ago!

What a colorful character, my dad! He had deep, beautiful blue eyes and a flirty smile. He was charming and interesting with personality galore. He loved doing auto repair, both mechanical and body work. He enjoyed the challenge of buying a used car and rebuilding it into custom design. He also loved music. He was techy savvy when it came to computers and cameras--all self taught.  He made his living doing home repair and remodeling. My mother said he could fix anything. I believe it.

My dad was a talented artist in many ways. Even his gorgeous penmanship was proof of that. I think back and remember how beautifully he decorated our Christmas tree with 3-D stars that he had folded from shiny, colorful ribbon. Later in life, I asked him where he learned the art of origami. He said he picked up that skill as a very young boy, and would sell those stars on the street to earn money. I wonder where he found all that ribbon?


                                          




See you again someday, Dad.
                                      
    You are missed. xoxox