Oh the Places You'll Go!

Good Guy suggested that we go on a picnic this weekend, which sounded grand until we looked at the forecast. We'll need a long extension cord to bring all our cooling devices out to a picnic venue. Maybe we'd swim. Who knows.

But to get out of the house, without actually leaving air conditioned comfort, I've been catching up on mail and blog reading.

Manny Wilke is having surgery in California. He has had one ear rebuilt and is having surgery on the other one. (He's on a prayer chain, and thanks to the internet we get wonderful updates from his mom about their travels, and how they cope with all this.) Check him out----he's a doll.

In her traveling this summer, Kristin found Chicken Lady. She's been gone for awhile, but not forgotten. She was able to channel her oddness into "support" for her lifestyle. The American way in action. LOL. You need to see that, too.

My daughter is moving from an apartment into a little house this weekend. She sounds like she's having fun sorting and pitching and is happy to move into a smaller place with fewer belongings. For sure, she's happy to be done with apartment dwelling again.

Which reminds me of the ongoing gag in "Mad About You", when Paul used to wait until he could hear that his neighbors were in the shower, and he'd go and flush the toilet. It's been a long, long time since I've had to share space that closely. (Thank goodness!)

We were happy to get some rain last evening. It had been hot when the rain and wind moved through, and we were happy to have the temperature drop twenty degrees in twenty minutes. Sweet relief!

The photographer has been camping with the grandsons on the shore of Lake Superior all week. I hope they've been having a jolly time. I know he took some awesome pictures, because he posted a sunset photograph on Facebook. I know it's a big tease to tell you and not show you. (Sorry about that.) I'm hoping he's got some great ones to share with me when he comes back. Hold that thought.

Have a happy Sunday, wherever you may be!

Friday Fragments

And I am late to the party once again. I was going to do it last night, but was engrossed in a mystery I was reading. No computer. That is rare, for a book to win out over a chance to visit with you people.

So here I am, racking my brain for a way to compile enough fragments to make a contribution to Mrs 4444's weekly dumping ground/gathering place for random thoughts and bits.

This morning we beat the heat by walking at 7AM, when the temperature here was still in the 60's. Very wise, and very comfortable walking then.

None of Good Guy's golf worked out completely this week. Local golf was hot and he only golfed 9 holes each day, and when he traveled south, it poured. He did visit the Farmers' Market and bring home lots of vegetables, though.

On quilting day, I had only Show and Tell items to bring along, so I ended up knitting about 20 rows on someone else's prayer shawl. I gave myself a lame shoulder in the process, so spent yesterday reading and resting my aches. So soon old, so late smart.

We were disappointed last evening when an hour of thunder and lightning resulted in only sound and fury, and no precipitation. We could use a couple days of gentle warm steady rain. Maybe if I wash and polish my car........

Our "kittens"-------the younger two of our three, have now been with us for four years. Shouldn't they be sedate, adult cats by now? Or is maturity as optional for feline life as it is for homo sapiens.

I have been going to Weight Watchers for a fifth of the year now, and I'm progressing in an orderly and sensible manner, but this morning I'd like nothing better than to be smelling brownies baking and to take them out on the deck and devour the whole pan by myself. I won't do that, but it sounds like my Inner Child wants her own way.

Thanks for checking this out, if you are here from Friday fragments. If you aren't write a post and link up, and meet some grand folks.

Diversity

My reading list this week is a good illustration of something. I don't know that actual tolerance (for diverse lifestyles, race, religion, and other differences that exist among us) has increased or perhaps changed in focus.

I am re-reading The Help for our book club which focuses on racial attitudes in the 60's, and the library book I started last night has several gay characters in leading roles.

I am aware that I have attitude issues----other people have prejudices. But I think they aren't the common ones.

Husband #1 and I had black friends in Chicago in the 60's and they described the hassle it was for them to travel in the south in those days. How hard it was to find a lodging place, or a place to have a nice dinner, and how they did not want to be stopped by any local policemen for any reason at any time.

We enjoyed being city dwellers for a time because of the mix of races and attitudes, the wonderful ethnic foods, other languages, other skin tones, other voices.

We completed our family by adopting two sons from Colombia, South America, and so increased the diversity in our community by quite a lot. Because by that time we were back up north where we have a healthy mixture of various European nationalities, and a great many native American or first nation tribes, but not too many others. (Not in the 70's, anyway.)

I found out after my sons were adults that the road wasn't always smooth for them in school and that there was plenty of harassment from a few kids.

Michigan History magazine recounts the prejudice that every new ethnic group that settled here experienced. And at the root of each wave of immigrants was the fear that they would be taking all the available jobs. This happened with the Swedes, the Finns, and the Italians. Often when the Cornish men arrived they came because they were the experienced deep shaft miners. So, because they knew the ropes, they ended up in positions of authority, which brought about resentment, no doubt.

We still aren't extremely diverse, though we have a few black families, a number of Asian doctors, Filipino nurses, Thai cooks, and a smattering of other representatives of other cultures. But for me, experiencing greater diversity is one of the greatest reasons to travel. Canada is a great destination in this regard. (Just keep in mind that it's easy to get into Canada, but not as easy to return.)

Twos-Day

Do you find vanity plates and bumper stickers distracting? Amusing? Puzzling? All the the previous?

Yeah, me too. Like the really unique---Grandma418. Maybe she should have stuck with her old BBQ 698.

I seem to remember that my nephew had a plate that read "Vanity Plate". Pretty funny the first time. His mom had a bumper sticker propped in her back window that read Visualize Whirled Peas which I found entertaining. Now she drives a hybrid and has a "Go Around Me, I'm getting 60 mpg" posted in her back window.

We were tagged as round the bend liberals for having an Amnesty International tag on our bumper.

I'm not fond of those that make me feel stupid because I can't figure them out, though. I should write them down and try to figure them out at home, perhaps-----if I'm the passenger. And praise for oneself is always a big turn-off. A plate that say Ht Stud, makes me think, "Huh, I'll be the judge of that!" Or a plate that read "Flasher3" should probably attract police attention.

Have you seen a plate or a bumper sticker that tickled your funny bone lately? I'd love a good laugh!

Monday, Monday

I have cleaned myself into a corner, because now that my workroom (I'd love to call it my studio, but that's a bit over the top), is all cleaned up, I'm reluctant to get back to work and get it messy again.

I would not say that this is normal for me. Messy is my middle name, and it has to get pretty chaotic before it bothers me. But I love seeing the room so neat, even temporarily.

Maybe I'll just take a picture of it neat. As an aside, I have still managed to keep my desk uncluttered. My desk in the living room was the "hot spot" for me. The other hot spot is the coffee table which is Good Guy's responsibility until I get mad and clean it up. He never seems affected by chaos----which is nice for me. I wouldn't have to clean much to please him. Unfortunately, I don't have the same level of tolerance.

When we were first married, his mom came to visit and was amazed at the change in his house. I had to laugh, because he had no idea that anything was different. I sorted and pitched and folded for months, and he was clueless. Bless his heart!

But I have made my list of what needs to be accomplished this week, so I'll forge on and trail the vacuum cleaner behind me. We have a break in the hot weather, so I'd better accomplish something while there's a chance. I'm not much good in the heat.

The Completed Baby Quilt Top

As the World Turns

How I love quiet Saturday mornings in my quiet neighborhood.

Especially on a morning when the temperature is still in the 60's and there's a nice breeze. The cats are sitting in the windows watching the robins splashing in the bird bath, the paper guy has already delivered the paper, the coffee is hot, and life is like a dream. (shi-boom).

Two borders are finished for the baby quilt, and I want to keep at it this morning, so I can clean that room. The confusion in there is making me nuts, so it's past time to sort and pitch. That won't take long, though.

I think there has been quite a change in the weather, because I have a real powerful urge to bake bread. Unfortunately that would bring about a significant setback in the diet war. I can resist store bread and bakery bread, but my own homemade? Not so much!

My grandsons ate lunch here yesterday and depleted the bread supply, which was a public service, really. Good Guy buys way more stuff than we could ever eat and I end up throwing bread away often.

We ended up having a little neighborhood party in the cool of the evening yesterday. I walked down the alley to return Saint Bev's tupperware and we had a nice visit, then we were joined by her daughter and great-granddaughter (and a large dog named Ginger). Soon her sister-in-law came from across the alley followed by a toddler and his dad. It was so pleasant to be able to congregate outdoors that people were reluctant to go back home to their pods of confinement. That's how I felt anyway. Ahh, fresh air! It was a blessing last night.

Well, I'm off to wind up my project and do the workroom sweep out. Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Again

At the end of the week there tend to be "floaty bits" that don't fit anywhere. They don't really merit a big write-up, but they nag at the edges of consciousness. Mrs 4444 has provided a platform for them here on Friday Fragments which she hosts at Halfpastkissintime.

If you find yourself with contributions that amuse, or amaze---or if they just need to be put down in black and white, join us and decompress.

My baseball team is tied for first place with the Twins in their division. Good Guy shakes his head about the relief pitching, but even at that we do have a share of first place. (There's a long, long way to go yet, so we enjoy this little good spot while we can.)

As I write this on Thursday evening, the NFL owners have agreed to the long awaited agreement. Now we'll wait to hear what the players think of it. We football fans don't want to do without a single bit of football season. (They are playing in Canada, you know.)

The Fuzzies have been unusually lethargic in the unusual heat this week. They pick a spot and collapse for hours and hours. Lucky kitties.

My friend, Carol, reported at lunch today on her child care days which she provided so her daughter could serve on a mission trip to Kenya. It's been a while since C. has dealt alone with three young children and she resorted to an earlier tactic which she employed when her own were growing up. Yelling. Lots of yelling. (You get older, and you think you've forgotten, but it's like riding a bike.)

I found some little scrappy squares and fashioned a center for a baby quilt this week. I am hoping I don't run out of steam before I make some clever borders for it. See picture and ignore shoes.

It is possible to suffer from cabin fever in the summer when confined to AC, just as when you are held indoors by blizzards and ice. Who knew?

The folks at Arrow Acres Farm have been showing us the pictures of their sweet baby alpacas for the past month or so. This week they welcomed a family baby, too. So sweet. Check on him here.

All my knitting on a sock was for naught. Today I decided it's definitely too small and I pulled out the needles and made a nice ball of yarn out of it. No sense wasting more time on a hopeless endeavor.

I think I've exhausted my supply of fragments. I'm missing some of my friends this week as they vacation and are keeping different schedules. They get to post, but not to read and comment. I'm happy they are having fun, but will like it when they get back home. (LOL, it's all about me.)

Hear Me Roar!!

I think I made Good Guy laugh this evening when the phone rang and our caller was a solicitor from some "charity" that uses the buzz words well chosen to induce guilt if you should turn them down.

Those buzz words would be "police", "firemen", "cancer", "children", or "veterans". There are probably more, but those folks don't call me.

So, this was Brian who was giving me the opportunity to share my wealth with our returning troops. I interrupted his spiel with, "Here's the deal, Brian. As soon as I hang up, I will check you out online to find out what percentage of my donation will help returning veterans."

Oh, ma'am, the percentage is 80/20.

"80 for fund-raising, and 20 for returning veterans?"

Yes ma'am, let me explain...

Click. Explain. Sure, you and Bubba, there on the telephones are taking home most of the dough. I think I might have talked to Brian before, and I returned my "pledge card" with the same explanation I just heard.

Thankfully there are charities that are good stewards of the money that people donate! And thankfully there are good ways for us to check up on them.

Our comment count so far this month is 73. Comments for July and August will each earn 50 cents for Operation Homefront. I have a particular concern for injured veterans and their needs, partly because the family has many people who work in rehabilitation, and because my birth family had a goodly number of gimpy and semi-gimpy people in it. They overcome, but sometimes we can help!

And that's another reason why it's annoying to hear of "agencies" who purport to help, but little of the money goes to provide that help.

Thanks for listening to yet another rant. I feel much better now. LOL.

Twos-Day Again!

Carole of Carole Knits has a meme called Ten on Tuesday which is a great idea----but a whole lot of work and thought to come up with on a weekly basis. So I'm happy if I can come up with more than ONE thing to share with you. Maybe as I drink more coffee, my sluggish brain will rev up and --------well, you know. Hope springs eternal.

I do have one interesting thing to share with you. I read a recommendation about a book this morning called Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives, by Mina Samuels.

It sounds like a good read for women of a certain age----meaning exactly the opposite of what it usually means. I may still be tweaking my life, but don't really plan on marathon running or bungee jumping. Anyway, I digress. Read about this book here.

My other musing this morning has to do with the power of The List. I remarked on this the other day in passing. But yesterday in this heat I needed something to keep me on task. So I had to spend a half an hour in my work room. While there I scrounged up 25 little squares that were languishing in a drawer and I fashioned -------- the center of a baby quilt! By tomorrow it will be fit to photograph, I think. I worked on the current project of the Words Quilt for awhile, too.

What is it about working at a sewing machine and ironing board that attracts a cat? Mine were all gathered around and in the way every time I went in there to work.

I had to fight my lazy, comfort-seeking nature every inch of the way to get out and walk yesterday morning. I need to establish the habit so it isn't a big decision every morning of my life, but the heat is working against me. It's not hard otherwise, except if it's raining, or cold, or hot, or (you get the picture.)

I would be ashamed, if it weren't for the fact that I think I'm normal in that regard. I read that if exercise came in a pill, it would be the most prescribed medication. I'd sure take it.

Wherever you are, stay cool and drink your water.

Sentimental Journey

My youngest son, the photographer, and I took a ride today. Our destination way Presbytery Point on beautiful, (huge) Lake Michigamee, the site of our denomination's church camp. This particular kid spent lots of time there, since his parents served as staff members at Family Camp, and I was sometimes the camp nurse. He was a camper and counselor, too, at various times.

Since the days when we were there a lot there have been some beautiful updates. A new dining hall has been built, and another great building that can be used for small groups who can use the campgrounds.

However, the areas of the camp that kids always seen to remember best are basically the same. The campfire, the beach, and the outside chapel areas are as I remembered them.

Many red pine trees had to be removed at the site where the new dining hall was built, and the director told us that the trees were milled by volunteers, and then dried and treated to be used as the interior paneling for the dining hall. Then the camp procured pine seedlings for the campers to plant the following year.

We took our walk to the places we wanted to see and photograph, and then got out of Dodge, before the Junior High campers started to arrive.

I don't envy the campers there this week since our forecasts are for temps in the 90's most of the week. No, nothing is air conditioned. Perhaps they'll have more swim time than usual under these circumstances.

It's hard for anyone who hasn't been a camper as a kid to imagine the kind of community that can develop in only a week at camp. But talking to kids about their time at The Point usually evokes a big grin and some funny stories. Hopefully the kids learn more about God's love for them through the example of the adults who serve as staff. At least, that's always the goal.

I liked being the nurse, but wasn't a very patient counselor. We all have different gifts, and I know my limitations.

I'll do better praying for camp, than being on the scene as a staff member these days. They are at the top of the list.

Sweet, Sweet Silence

It is morning on a Saturday, a time of such delicious stillness that I look forward to it all week. No traffic, no conversations, no lawn care, no barking dogs.

People are sleeping in or gone to camp and I can only hear a couple of birds. I love it!

Later today we will hear the sounds from the Hog Wild celebration, for the bands will be playing and there will be traffic and folks walking by. That's good too. I like hearing people have fun and it's hard to have fun with friends in silence, I suppose. But for now, I'll savor the quiet.

You're welcome to join me----if you promise not to chat.

Fragmented Friday

The talented and lovely Mrs. 4444 hosts a get-together known as Friday Fragments. It gives scatterbrains a forum wherein they may sweep up the bits and present them to others.

It's a public service, really---as you know if you're visiting me from there, but otherwise, I urge you to join in the fun.

1. In addition to my "adopted" soldier, I signed up to write a letter to another soldier or sailor each week. I am so happy that our service personnel are mentioned in the media so often to keep us aware of their task, and their sacrifice. We can all do something to remember them.

2. I'm having so much trouble with Blogger tonight that I can't keep the typeset I want or the size I want. I find this annoying in the extreme.

3. My membership at Weight Watchers is paying off well as I have had a weight loss at every weigh-in. I try not to think that a lifetime of returning to weigh in may lie ahead of me to keep the weight from creeping back.

4. Mrs. 4444 offered a nice tutorial on the new Google +. I'm not an avid user of social networking but it appears to have some very helpful features. I really like the "circles" feature.

5. I brought Saint Bev some dog food coupons she asked me to save for her----and true to type I returned with a big container of strawberries. There's no way to outgive her. Bless her heart.

6. My photographer son is spending July in our area, and we are finding that he can pick up some jobs here among his friends and family. Good Guy and I should have our picture taken for the church directory, and we have family members who are ready to have their senior pictures taken, too.

7. I'm an endless hawker for The Happiness Project. I don't know many people who wouldn't benefit by being aware of some of the things Gretchen writes about. I've been pretty happy for years, and she continues to teach me new stuf

Time to wind up and check to see if my links will work. You know how that goes....

Happy Friday, Friends!

Park It---Yesterday and Today

Most early mornings (in the days when my dog and I used to be out for exercise) we headed for a huge park in our neighborhood, and it was usually deserted except for us. It gave us the illusion of having the city maintain a four block area for our use only.

This area used to be part of the local industrial area that was occupied by Ford Motor Company in the days that they made wood sided station wagons here.

During WW2, this facility was turned over to making gliders for the war effort and it is said that they were able to made them better and less expensively here than anywhere else in the country. This weekend the Menominee Range Historical Society is dedicating the Glider Museum. There was quite a write-up in the paper tonight about this event. You can learn more here.

Also in this very park area, where my dog could run to her heart's content, is another local event. The whole area is all spruced up to host Hog Wild, a barbecued porker event. In addition to the competition for the honor of the best barbecue, there will be live music on stage in the evenings, and there are some fun carnival type rides, and other food and drink to be had, no doubt. Our quiet little street will hear the bass beat of the bands, and we'll have car and foot traffic like we never see any other time of the year.

Nearby, (forty miles to the west) in our old home town, they are having fun celebrating the Rum Rebellion. It is said that the original rum rebellion took place here in 1920, and each year the hams of the town stage a revue to commemorate this bravery. It is always a hoot---whether the history is accurate or not. They also have various events all over town. Wine and cheese parties, vendors on the blocked off streets, pie socials, parades, pancake breakfasts, etc, etc.

Our weather is supposed to be full summer weather over the weekend. Plenty of heat is forecast, so our three day respite of 60-70 degree weather is over. Just try to enjoy it all. It is summer, after all.

Photo courtesy of Amazon book site

Busy Hands are Happy Hands

I realized as soon as I posted my last entry about our trip to Minnesota that I sounded like I was heavily tranquilized or else I was just a Pollyanna. I'm not retracting what I said, mind you, but I do realized I was "super-peaceful". Just so you know that I haven't withdrawn into La-la Land.

Well, we're home now and the feet have hit the ground again. I told you before that I had the benefit of Lynn's church's rummage sale. She found a fine bag of yarn that she purchased for me---in case 105 balls and skeins weren't enough to keep me occupied. This yarn resembles homespun in that it has thick and thin areas, which doesn't make it especially easy to work with, but does yield a nice result.

I also read a book during our time away: Clear and Convincing Proof, by Kate Wilhelm which was a pretty good read. I thought I had the villain all figured out, but I was wrong (again). She has a recurring character named Barbara Holloway who's what GoodGuy calls a "strong, determined woman". Some might call her stubborn and willful, but she gets the job done. Sort of a role model.

I have also resolved to spend some time each day with my quilting project. Gretchen Rubin says it's the things you do each day that make you happy, rather than the occasional "treat". So far I have found this to be true. I might actually have a product to show you soon, if I spend some time each day! (What a concept!)

I'm woefully behind on reading though. If only retirement weren't so busy. I will leave you now and do some planning. There's the key. I am also a great lover of the to-do list. If for no other reason than for the joy of crossing completed items off of it.

Here I go. Item #1: Write blog entry........check! See you later. Have a great day!

Ten Thousand Lakes

Greetings from Minnesota, land of shut down state services and political grumpiness.

Don't go away friends. I'm not pursuing that line of thought. Instead in the 92 degree heat, I am feeling blessed with the invention and the presence of air conditioning. And I feel blessed with peace and happiness in spite of---or maybe because of the memorial service for Earl this afternoon.

Yesterday as we traveled through beautiful green Wisconsin, admiring the cornfields, the cattle, and the picturesque old barns and log cabins I felt so blessed. I was able to make this trip with someone else driving so well, and so willingly. I could afford to go, having both the time and the money. I was so looking forward to seeing my cousins, who weren't able to make it to the reunion, and I was able to be a part of the service (having been asked to read scripture.)

The chapel was standing room only today, filled with friends he had worked with, friends from their condo association, daughters and grandchildren, and stepchildren, etc. etc. It was a wonderful tribute to a life well lived, and a wonderful loving man.

The minister who conducted the service was excellent, and people left the sanctuary with a smile on their faces instead of wiping away tears. Faith makes an enormous difference in times like this.

(We passed within a hair breadth of Hayward, by the way.) To whom it may concern.....

Fragments Galore

Hold everything and cover your head! It's the day for Friday Fragments hosted by Mrs. 4444.

Got weird little flitting thoughts buzzing through your head. They're a little bit interesting, but you don't have time to research them and write a real whang-doodle of an entry? Drop 'em here, and let the chips fall where they may. The ball is then in the reader's court.

You have been warned.

I have done one of my most dreaded household tasks this week. I washed the bay window curtains and the living room lace valances. The hardest part of the bay window curtains is the time spent defuzzing them before they hit the washer. (Three cats----enough said.)

(I really hate cleaning the oven more, but the less said about that the better.)

I also hate talking about politics and I only want to mention that it seems that the "next" election process begins ten minutes after an election has been held. It makes me feel old and cranky.

I just noticed that I still have snowmen on display in my living room. It will hit 80 today, and perhaps I can admit the season has changed.

Yesterday afternoon I thought we were running a wildlife refuge here on our town lot. Chipmunks have been in short supply and I was tickled to see one on the deck. That was followed by a bunny eating clover in the back yard, after which a doe sauntered through on her circuit of the neighborhood yards. I guess yards have more tasty fare than the fields nearby.

The upside of the weekend trip will be seeing people that I love so much, my son and his family, and my dear aunt and cousins; but the reason for the journey is to celebrate the life of my uncle. So it isn't all happiness for sure. I'm happy we all had him, but sad that we'll miss him so much.

The news reported that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were visiting Prince Edward Island. I wasn't thinking lucky PEI, I was thinking lucky Duke and Duchess. I think Prince Edward Island is a little bit of heaven right here on earth. We had a perfectly idyllic vacation there a few years ago. Great weather, lovely people, and lobster, lobster, lobster!

And last but not least, I wish the Duke and Duchess a wonderful and happy life together always. Now I'll see if my links can work, or if I screw it up again.

Have a great Friday!

Wheels and Old Hippies

Last week while we were still at the lake, my youngest son and I made a grocery run to Angeli's Super Foods. I can't believe they don't have a website, because they are easily the premier grocery store for a hundred miles around.

Anyway, when we returned to our car, we saw this vehicle. At the far left you can see the motorcycle handlebars, the comfy boat seats, and in the back there's a real trunk for carrying gear.

Even more colorful than the cycle was the builder/driver, an ex-surfer with a full head of wavy grey hair, a ready grin, and a willingness to share the whole story as long as we were willing to stand around shooting the breeze.

Al took lots of pictures and the whole experience just tickled him to death. He kept laughing and saying, "That was such a hoot!"

A great example of stopping to smell the roses, I think.

Make New Friends, Keep the Old

I can't tell you how much blogging friends mean to me! Really, I mean it.

What a week! I won't name names here to protect the innocent but generous people who did these kind deeds for me, but one talented person sent me a beautifully crafted bookmark. (And what do I need more than a sturdy, beautiful bookmark?) As a confirmed bookworm, I really appreciated that.

Today I got a box of delicious sweets as a thank you. GoodGuy and I had a wonderful dessert tonight. Nice work, baking lady.

More personally, as far as getting to know a person is concerned, Tessie Tracfone and I spent some time overcoming our mutual concern that our Tracfone minutes would accumulate to weeks of time we hadn't used. Her husband asked her if she would have to call someone in Australia to use the hours of time she'd paid for.

What fun we had, and how much we have in common!

After several weeks of being AWOL from my quilting gang, it was great fun to spend some time with them today. The productive ones were working hard, and Kay and I knit again. It isn't too imaginative to be knitting mittens in July, and for those of you who live in sweltering heat, you can't even imagine needing them. We have about six months of the year when wearing them is a distinct possibility, if not a necessity. (Plus, they get lost. Or one of them gets lost.) Kay is making another pair of beautiful socks.

Thank you friends, whether you are near enough to hug in person----and those of you far away. You enrich my life in so many ways. Take care if you are traveling, and we love you whether you have time to blog while you're redecorating, or having a baby, or on the road.

Wordless Wednesday----you knew that had to be too good to be true, right?

Wordless Wednesday

To Every Thing, A Season

Last week while my family of cousins and their children were making merry, a cloud lingered nearby. It wasn't obliterating our good time, but it was on our minds, and people were praying for a happier outcome than we ended up with.

My last uncle in my Dad's family was gravely ill after suffering a stroke following back surgery earlier the week of the reunion. He had implored the doctor to delay the surgery until after our get-together because he so wanted to be there. In fact, his suggestion long ago was one of the reasons we began having fairly regular reunions.

We were given stern looks at the funeral home when our family was laughing together, and Earl said, "We have to get together at something more fun than funeral visitations."

Well, he didn't recover from his stroke, and we will recall this reunion as the one during which Earl was in Intensive Care. Things were always more fun when he was there. My dad's three youngest siblings have all died in the past year.

As you can see on the headline gadget, I chose Operation Homefront as the July/August Charity. But while I was searching yesterday, I came across "Soldiers' Angels" which gave me the opportunity to "adopt" a soldier and commit to writing letters and sending boxes. I didn't have to worry about their good stewardship of money to get an address from them.

Now I need to get out and buy some stamps. Please leave a comment if you visit. I'll be grateful!

Decisions, Decisions

I have spent some time in studying the philanthropy sites today to discover that there are a great many well-run organizations serving the needs of American servicemen and women, their families, and survivors.

I also have discovered that I haven't ever heard of many of them, because they spend the greatest proportion of their funds on program instead of publicity and fund-raising.

Today I'll make a list, just for your edification, and so my day of study won't be wasted.

Fisher House Foundation

Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust

Armed Services YMCA

Homes For Our Troops

Injured Marine Semper Fi

National Military Family Association

The Navy SEAL Foundation

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Operation Homefront

All of these entities earned a four star rating for using almost all donated money for programs to benefit men and women in the service or their families.

A short list of groups that spend 80% of their fund on further fund-raising are American Veterans Relief, American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation, and Vietnow National Headquarters. FYI

In a completely different vein, we saw eagles and geese out at the lake, and deer along the roadsides. We had been home in town for about an hour when three deer ambled through the yard munching on my hosta plants. How you gonna keep 'em out in the woods, after they've seen Paree?

Doctors Without Borders Tally

Thank you all leaving your comments in June. The total came to 85, and the money will go to a good cause indeed. Being a nurse, I am partial to medical good deeds, and I'll round our $42.50 up to a nice round number.

Beth Anne's comments enriched the coffers of Meals on Wheels in her community, and Karen and Gerard of Right Where We Belong donated last month to Joni and Friends.

And this month they are donating to Heifer, International. They posted a very cool video of Alton Brown (the funny food guy) telling about the good that Heifer, International does. I am still so pleased about our being able to send our goat and chicks off to help someone prosper---and drink milk, and eat eggs. (As you can see, I'm partial to eating, too.)

Here I'm deciding what should be next, and with my flag flying in my front yard, I think I will research which entity does the most good for our service personnel or our wounded veterans. July seems like an auspicious time to pay extra attention to their needs and their sacrifice.

If you have some suggestions, please feel free to put me in the know. Maybe I'll combine July August's comments to that end.

Have a great weekend. Eat a hot dog for me!

Enjoying the Peace and Quiet

For the very first time, Brotherbob, Lynn, GoodGuy and I had a whole week at the cottages alone. We do not prefer it that way, necessarily, but that's the way it is this year. None of the sons can get away from work at the usual week we have reserved, which has been the same week for years now. We have always had fun spending time with the next generation or two, but happy folk that we are, we had fun hanging out together visiting and reading too.

For once, Lynn really got to rest and read, and she'll go back to work feeling like she had time off, for once. I took three hour naps the first two days, in addition to a full night of sleep! It must be the effect of the fresh air.

The rest of us were vacationing from retirement, so the guys went golfing together two mornings, and GG had golf at his own club at home two days, too. We ladies went in search of Wi-Fi a number of times so we could check our e-mail, too.

One of the things that happens to me as a knitter, is that my friends and loved ones spot yarn bargains and they bring me the raw materials. I got a nice bag of real wool from Lynn which someone donated to the church yard sale and she bought them for me. Yesterday when it hit 90 degrees-----I was knitting on some mittens. (Winter is always coming, so far, anyway.)

There are changes happening at our cabin site, and we are thinking that this may be our last year there. We have many happy memories of our years of vacations spent together!

So I'm happy to be back in blog land. We have no cute grandkid pictures to share, or big fish, but we are home refreshed and pleased.

I will report on what we can send along to Doctors Without Borders tomorrow. I hope we did well.