I had two meetings on the other side of the state today and when I got home my internet was down. It took us until 9:30pm to get it up again...all because we "upgraded" (HA!) to faster internet!
I thought of you, puddle! ♥
I sure wish some provider would let people CHOOSE which channels they want! I don't give a care for a single sports channel and I sure don't want Fox. Couldn't they at least have included MSNBC in the basic package? Humpf!
Beautiful photo of the iris on the new thread. I'm glad to hear of the statistics of voters wanting Democrats to take over the Congress.
Warm, sunny today after lots of rain. It's greening up fast.
Glad your kiddle's coming, Puddle. Shirlee, I know you'll have a wonderful day with your family, and you also, Listener. I'll go to a son's house. We'll all be there for Mother's Day: all the parents, children, and grands. I'm coming to see that we can't do anything about the past, can't know the future, so today is the gift, and it helps that the weather is bright and warm. I wonder if other critters enjoy each day for what it is, or do they also remember the past and fear the future?!
Oh my goodness, I worked so hard today!! First I did battle with my computer and printer and finally made 6 Mother's Day cards to mail. Then I got some flower seed packets to put in them and got them to the post office just before noon.
I then spent the better part of four hours cutting Poplars and other unwelcome plants out of the area behind the berm on our land, then planted Pansies, Iris, Dusty Miller and Alyssum. By this point Green Mountain Compost had delivered 5 yards of topsoil and compost and it was time to move it from it's massive pile to where it is needed. Didn't come in for dinner until 8:30pm!!
More soil to move tomorrow, but it's looking good! But, oh, I am going to need Advil. Ha!
The funny thing is that I am not expecting to see any family over Mother's Day weekend. We saw them ALL over the last few weeks, and anyway we are headed to Connecticut. On Sunday we will visit with a nephew, his wife and son. When his wife's mom was a teen, her mother died of cancer, so Mother's Day is always a bit hard for her. Sweet that she is a mother now and can enjoy it again. On Monday we are visiting a VERY close friend whose parents are both ailing. She is in CT to be with them for the month and, though she lives in VT, she has been in CA for the last few years. Since her parents are in need, so won't be coming to VT this Summer as usual. So we are going to go see her instead. It's been a rough road there, and we plan to take her out for some respite time. Then we hope to visit another friend on our way home.
Have fun with your kiddo, puddle, and your families as well, Pat and Shirlee (and Barb! and Jo!)...
You are wise to focus on the present, especially at such a special holiday, Pat. Our former traditions have to give way to something a bit different at times. It can be hard to let go of the ways we previously celebrated so well with loved ones. At least those cherished experiences are not gone. I wonder what new traditions are made possible by your openness to the present moment.
There are, as you so kindly reveal for us, ways of coping, day to day, with loss. I can see what you do with the time and the receiving of new doings, and newness itself. Yet what I most fear of such great loss isn't so much how to live day to day, but how to deal with the pain, confusion, and at-sea-ness of it. I am holding you in the Light as you navigate your first Mother's Day since David's death.
Thank you, Listener. I've read your message several times and will read it again. There is the at-seaness quality to daily life, sometimes less, sometimes more. But, life is a gift. There has never been any guarantee, and each life is individual, and who has never suffered loss, sorrow, confusion, grief. We learn from each other, and the generosity of friends is a rainbow on the path.
Here's a poem I wrote a while ago.
What We Were Taught about Angels
It wasn’t the wings nor the aura of the visions of sky, yet we chose to focus on those.
It was the you we knew, laughing at your own jokes, your getting a rise out of us.
You stirring the sauce on the stove for shrimp scampi and your baked beans none ever as good as yours
and at nighttime saying to Molly dog, “Come up and do your duty” which meant we’d give her hugs and pets.
No, no chromosomes or DNA, no recognition of body or thought was you.
You were more and now ephemeral. How could you not be here now?
The you of you in memory, a presence always. Is this what we mean by halos and wings?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all get together in person? I treasure the two visits Brenda and I had with Puddle. I have been so happy that we did it while both of us could do it!
Drizzly, chilly today...but expecting Marla and Herb...on their way from Florida back to their big house on Lake Erie. How to know one is getting old.....for me it is my two oldest eligible for Social Security, etc....
Beautiful, Pat. Yes, how could that reality not still be present? After all, the scientists tell us that matter cannot cease to exist, it simply turns into energy, while theologians tell us that the spirit doesn't cease to exist, only the body. What's more, our hearts speak of the presence of something we cannot see. Why wouldn't we believe?
💖💖💖 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, dear Friends!! 💖💖💖
Yes, Shirlee, that would be lovely!!! XOXOXOXX Is there a Bloggers' Day?
Oh, Puddle...I totally understand.....hard for me to bend at hips because of nearly 30 year old Total hip replacement......projected life span is ten years for these things. Takes time and tricks to just do ordinary things. BUT! Our brains/minds are OK...most of the time! Will settle for this rather than the Alzheimer's that my mother had for twenty years..or more!
Lovely sunny Mother"'S Day here....Brenda on her way to celebrate! HAppy Day to all!
Oh, Puddle...I totally understand.....hard for me to bend at hips because of nearly 30 year old Total hip replacement......projected life span is ten years for these things. Takes time and tricks to just do ordinary things. BUT! Our brains/minds are OK...most of the time! Will settle for this rather than the Alzheimer's that my mother had for twenty years..or more!
Lovely sunny Mother"'S Day here....Brenda on her way to celebrate! HAppy Day to all!
We made it home safely from Connecticut. It was not at all the visit we'd been anticipating. Never heard back from my nephew and his wife, so don't know what happened, but didn't see them. Couldn't visit the good friend we'd planned to see on our way back, as she wasn't feeling well (and is in her 80's). We did indeed see the dear friend we had mainly gone down to visit with, who was there tending her ailing parents. And guess what. Her mother died on Wednesday and her father died on Mother's Day in the morning...!! Her Dad was diagnosed in December with stomach cancer. Her Mom was fine except for dementia, but had something like a stroke and died first! What a rough week!!! We were so glad we had planned to be there today, and it was deeply appreciated by our dear friend. We walked, ate out, sat, got coffee, shed tears, laughed and hugged. I love that woman so much. In all the years we have known one another (nearly 30), I have never seen her so distraught. It was a deep privilege to be a comfort to her in such a time. 💖
It is extremely sad that someone so mentally ill as DT was able to become President in the first place. Even sadder that it is taking so much time and effort to get him out, especially given how easy he is making it
Robert Mueller, Former F.B.I. Director, Named Special Counsel for Russia Investigation https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/robert-mueller-special-counsel-russia-investigation.html?_r=0
Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!!
I got this note from a friend and thought you'd appreciate it: This is quite possibly one of my favorite quotes to date by Trump, because it shows that even he knows he should not have won the election. (The quote is in regard to the investigation of ties to Russia.) "It's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should've won."
Yeah.
There comes a moment every day when I have cause to think, "This would be so different if Bernie were President." I'm not sure what to hope for at this point. After VP Agnew had to resign, Gerald Ford was appointed Vice President. When Nixon finally resigned, Gerald Ford became President. He is the only President who was appointed, not elected, as VP and POTUS. I checked to see who appointed him, and it turns out it was Congress. Can you imagine the current Congress choosing the next President? Argh! I think there would be a real possibility of a return to the sort of protests we had in the 60's. Only with social media...you know: Political Flashmob Riots. Whatever happens, I think this country is in for some rough sledding. We need to pause now and strengthen our inner steering.
“The comparisons with Richard Nixon are plentiful these days, but even he did not seem so untethered from our basic governance. And I have never seen so many members of a political party rally around incompetence, intemperance, and inanity,” ~ Dan Rather
I just tried to reply and we had a power flicker, so will try to continue a little later. We have about 3 inches of snow and it's coming down steadily. We're between the high mountains and the foothills, and the mountains are predicted to get a foot. Ah, Springtime in Colorado! Will check in soon. Pat
So, the snow just couldn't wait for Friday, eh? We had hail on Thursday, but it was only pea size. Quite a storm with it ~ torrential rain and high wind ~ lasted just 6 minutes and covered everything in tree litter. Amazing! And a Rainbow at the last! :-)
Sorry, listener, I know you already commented, but put that post back where it belongs--mid-July, lol! Have no idea how that happened. It was still scheduled when I went to bed this morning. . . .
listener said...
I'd be content to be as happy as a commoner. 😉
May 19, 2017 at 11:14 PM listener said...
Exhaustified. I got word from Bernie's staffers today that he is not going to co-sponsor the National Nurse Act, and I've written back nicely demanding an explanation, and asking to speak with them on Wednesday (which is the first minute I'll have available). Send me good vibes! May 20, 2017 at 12:02 AM
Nancy's well still only at 420'--most of which was red clay, but did actually hit rock. They've gone home for the weekend. No idea why this is being so tough. All the wells I know about around here have been dug in less than four hours. Plus a whole lot of the water on that side of the river has sulfur.
Funny warm spells or sometimes with rain here ... bit Brenda and I were able to walk to Triad Stage last evening.......a special Mother's Day treat from Brenda. A full house with Laurelyn Dossett and her friends doing their bit for a fund raiser for the theater.
They just get better and better. She had all the musicians who have worked with her for the last twenty years or so there last night. Wonderful evening...and we had perfect seats ....for us...on chairs on the balcony...no heads in our way and I could tuck pillows here and there as needed.
We remembered Puddle and her special connection to that theater...and to this apartment..and marvelled again at life!
When the drilling company owner met with me up on the property several weeks ago, after looking over the site and soil he said it was going to be a hard drill. He knows his stuff. Good thing I'm not paying by the hour, although the casing is going to punch a big hole in the budget. Red clay for 400' was very hard to get thru - they had to continually stop drilling and clean the entire drill assembly and the feed pipes before starting all over again. Now they've hit something that doesn't want to allow them passage - I hope they are able to break thru that Monday, and I hope the water is on the other side!
listener's right--lovely to hear about! My Triad Stage mug sits on my kitchen counter. . . . very sweet memories, altogether.
Yesterday we had a barnburner of a storm: inch and a half in less than an hour. All kinds of thunder tigers prowling around. Got ourselves the biggest best flood of several years. Culverts look to be totally clogged with debris. Nancy said the road is badly gullied. River still incredibly loud and rushy. Still sheeting on the bridge deck.
Pat, you snowed in or what? Sending good vibes your way.
Hi Friends, Yes, over two feet of snow, no internet, and now I have internet but no phone. We've had at least two big ponderosa pines go down. Interesting how dependent we are on electricity, phones, internet, transportation, neighbors. But, supposedly they are working on my phone now. A neighbor came over in her ATV and offered to call Century Link.
Happy Sunday to all! Would that be rock Nancy's driller has hit? Brenda was here with groceries, supplies and dinner. Good time as always, but she left early..before the rain starts...expected every day this week!!!! Good excuse to stay in and read ....;)!
Pat!! We don't so much mind feet of snow in Winter, but it's so dangerous when it comes in Spring after the trees have leafed out! Small wonder you lost lines, and I'm so sad for you about the Ponderosa Pines. Has that changed your view significantly? Hurrah for the good neighbors who checked on your needs. I am so grateful to them!!! 💖
Ah, puddle, I don't like the idear of your river flooding over the bridge (never have) and that it's higher than usual. Sounds like it made a grand entrance! Take care. How's da Boy these days? Any new antics? Do you have your under-eave birds nesting again this year?
Yeah, already disturbed a phoebe a month ago. Too thrilling to have a frantic phoebe in the back room. Finally let himself out. Luckily, back door and I just didn't use the door for three weeks. By the time Cooter showed, the phoebes had already decided to move the family elsewhere.
Da Boy seems to have calmed into middle age quite nicely. Seems to like being in better than being out.
I don't mind the floods that much, never have. The worst I've had in more than 20 years here was Isobel in 2003, and even that was only to my second step (with four more above it to my porch level). Meanwhile, the pleasure of living next to a river is considerable, so. . . .
I only seem to have one peeper this year. Don't know why.
At 3 AM I heard a thump, went downstairs, turned on the lights on the deck, and a juvenile black bear scampered off. He knocked over the table that had some bird seeds left on it but no bird feeder. Luckily I had the car locked, and it looks like there was no attempt to get into it. The bears here have learned how to open doors.
I heard that over 600 trees in the Fort Collins area have been damaged or come down. Lots here but not that many. The rose bushes, lilac bushes, choke cherry, sumac and others have been buried. I spent two hours one day clearing off the deck and another two hours the next day. The snow from the roof slides down onto the deck, so even though I've cleared it, more accumulates. Ah, the mountains.
And you're right, Puddle, the moisture will help with the drought, but it hurts to see the trees and plants damaged. I wondered Why, Nature, must you be extreme? And Nature didn't answer. A smile here.
It's good to hear from you all. Today, clean, organize, hoping that the phone service comes back on.
Laughing--West Wing, second season, Noel, the snobby English butler type sez to CJ--You're a freakishly tall woman. Captioning renders that as You're a freakish little woman. . . . Watching -ly tall morph into little cheers me every time, lol.
Am now on my 14th time through. Can't seem to let it, and all its sanity go. Sanity, smarts, kindness and hope. . . .
So good to hear all the local news! Rain, rivers, snow, flood etc. not only are we getting off and on hard rain , but also, the temp is stuck so that it is just damp, damp, inside and out. I seem to need to re-adjust the thermostat often in order to be comfortable. Not a large problem in the scope of things....just interrupts my retirement activities! Reading, napping, watching the birds outside my balcony window etc. etc. What a life!
Woooo! Chilly. Am about to turn the heat on to take the chill off. What a weird spring!
Der turnip just told the Israelis that he just got back from a trip to the middle east. Box of rocks doesn't begin to cover it. Think he's pure testament as to how much $$$ can carry you/one. . . .
Slept well and long last night for the first time in weeks! Wonderful.
PhD*Son leaves at 5am for Alaska (above the Arctic Circle), for about 6 weeks. They'll get in the field in about a week, after they have the rifle refresher course (due to polar bears) and get the last of their supplies in order. We wish him the very best experience yet and hope he tags many Dunlins, Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Golden Plovers! You can follow his adventures here: http://shorebirdscience.org/#blogtitle_box
Littlest*Grand's best buddy, 16 months old, managed to fall out of a second floor window and land on pavement. They ambulanced him to the hospital and did a ton of tests and ... he's fine!! Didn't even need stitches. No broken bones. Amazing!! Probably didn't hurt that both of his parents are priests. :-D
And! Tomorrow is the closing on Root*Center*Son's house!! Whoo hoo!
News! Nancy's well came in at 540'! About 5 gals/minute (which is reasonably abundant). She has to wait a few days to test it for sight/smell/taste. Which is important as that side of the river has lots of sulfur water. But looking pretty good as of now. But don't stop the good vibes!
The best text message I ever received was Son's "Got the keys!" 😊 Now he's a home owner! He's been renting a furnished apartment heretofore, has some things in storage and needs to sift through all of that. But he also needs to pick up some good used items in a truck. Mind you, all the colleges in the area empty out this weekend, and try as he might he could not find an available truck. Mom to the rescue! It took a really long time and a heap of phone calls and waiting, but I finally found him what must be the last truck possible in the area!! Yay! Now we get to help him schlep his stuff. Ha! We're going over to see the inside of the house tomorrow evening. Looking forward to that!! 🏡🌻🌳
Pat, I'm so glad your phone is back in service! ☎️ It is such a danger not to be able to quickly get help if needed. Back in the days before phones, I think some people really suffered sometimes. They probably checked on each other more too, knew each others' habits and ways, so that if something was amiss they'd know. It's like the story I heard as a child about the man who was being held hostage by robbers in his own home. Everyone knew he flew the flag every day. He convinced his captors that if he didn't put up the flag, people would suspect and come to check on him. So they let him go put up the flag, but with a gun on him. What they didn't notice was that he deliberately flew it upside-down. Everyone knew he flew the flag every day and took great pride in it. So of course his action alerted the neighbors and the police were summoned and the robbers caught.
puddle, I send the strongest pure-water vibes for Nancy's well~!!! What is her recourse if it pans out with sulphur? Oh, I hope it will be sweet instead! 💦 And I love thinking of you getting a good night's sleep!!!! ❤️
Shirlee, what are you reading this week? 📚
Barb, what is new over your way? How is everyone?
The news is so disconcerting, isn't it? To me, the most jarring revelation of the week is that DT revealed that two of our subs are off North Korea. I know a woman, a Navy doctor, who has been on one of those subs. LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS! This is possibly treason, but it is at least highly incompetent. Our national security and the lives of Americans are at risk because of this self-focused, mentally ill person. What is it going to take to finally get this man out of office? Why is it taking so long? Invoke Amendment 25, or better, ANNUL the election and allow a do-over. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-submarines-idUSKBN18K15Y
Also, as you may know, the Montana special election is tomorrow. Well, today the GOP candidate body slammed a reporter! The reporter was asking him about the CBO report that had just come out. The candidate went nuts! There's an audio of it that is astonishing!!
Late Wednesday, Fox News correspondent Alicia Acuna reported that she and her crew witnessed the incident and saw Gianforte grab Jacobs "by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him." "To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte," Acuna wrote.
CNN interviewed the Sheriff and learned that the candidate had not even been interviewed by police, much less arrested. Apparently Montana law doesn't require perpetrators to come in for questioning. Instead he had his lawyer phone it in...! What the man did, though, was a crime (even by Montana standards), so we'll see what tomorrow brings. A lot will depend on how many people voted in advance and how may who weren't going to vote turn out after all!
This Montana incident is a great reminder of the horrible Influence Trump's attitude is having on his supporters. It was apparent during his campaign...and continues into his disdain for the American people. I hope this incident brings out Quist voters in droves!
What am I reading? .....a selection of things....a lovely little volume depicting and explaining the battles in Tolkein's world...selected and delivered by the local bookstore owner, a biography of Horton Foote...Texas author and playwright... Trip to Bountiful...play turned ito movie. When I lived in Texas I lived about 30-40 miles away from his home.. and listening to a new audio book about Wendell Berry.... 'The Given Life'. One of the first words in this were......"if there could be an exact opposite to Donald Trump it would be Wendell Berry."! So true. These last two items were gifts from Dana, my Cincinnati daughter.
Gianforte is a believer in Young Earth creationism, the belief that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old. He donated $1.5 million to the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum in Glendive, Montana, a creationist museum which teaches visitors that evolution is false, the Earth is about 6,000-6,400 years old, that dinosaurs were on the Ark and that they likely died out 4,300 years ago during the flood described in the Book of Genesis.[93][94][95][96][97][98]
We're doing late night grandchild care and no one has even woken up! Ha! All too easy.
Two guidance meetings earlier Friday, and travel to and from, then dinner, then childcare. Tomorrow is supposed to be the day to move Son into his new home, but there's a glitch...they might not have a truck for us after all! We'll find out in the morning. Heh.
puddle, is this a record for the river?? I'm concerned for you and for the integrity of the bridge with all that flow and potential erosion. Keep us posted. Sending love!! ♥
Rain this spring prolly about normal. Clusters differently every year. Not to worry about bridge--at 11 cubic yards of concrete (a fully loaded cement truck will hold 10 cubic yards), it's going no where, ever. Alas. It should never have been built. The ends have been a problem off and on over the years, stabilized for the last ten or so.
I stock the pantry for two or so weeks, and have never been cut off for more than three days. We have 'copter 911, if needed.
Kiddle's changed plans and is coming late this afternoon instead of Monday. Bringing his dad along.
Some weather! Glad to hear the news from everyone. We've had rain for the last several days, showers mostly, not flooding at least in the foothills. It's gloomy and damp though.
Still working on disseminating books, magazines, papers. Ah, I wish I'd thought of what the accumulation might be, and then, maybe I'd have been more selective. On reflection, Nah! Everything is greening up, a total change in landscapes. We lost 6 large ponderosa pines. I've read that the root systems are shallow and with all the weight of the snow, they were toppled or ripped apart. It's always sad, to me, to see a large mature tree die, but such is Nature.
It's a pleasure to hear of your connections, activities, and interactions with family. That's great. I'm also grateful when my kids and grandkids call and we talk for a while. But, how busy their generation is with work, commitments, sports, and other activities. I don't think we were nearly as busy or had as much stress.
Finally, a day with no rain....and body fine....off to the bookstore. Good time...came home with two fine books....both potential gifts for grands and GGrands. Have nine in each category....:)
Happy Sunday All.....I hope Kiddle and Dad get MANY things done for you, Puddle. Good times also!
Sunny in 80's here.....actually walked to the bookstore....warm welcome as always! Book man met me with a copy of Chelsea Clinton's new girl's book. 'She Persisted.' Bought one copy for myself and one for some little girl I know!
Our swimming pool is surely being used today! A lot of working younger folks live here...and they make good use of it.
76 comments:
Original Deaniacs are First!
I had two meetings on the other side of the state today and when I got home my internet was down.
It took us until 9:30pm to get it up again...all because we "upgraded" (HA!) to faster internet!
I thought of you, puddle! ♥
I sure wish some provider would let people CHOOSE which channels they want! I don't give a care for a single sports channel and I sure don't want Fox. Couldn't they at least have included MSNBC in the basic package? Humpf!
Must sleep. It's been a long day. But I am feeling renewed hope that DT won't last the year.
XOXOXXX
Thank you, Puddle for the new thread....just what we need!
Rest up!
Love to all !
Kiddle's arriving some time tonight. HooRay!
Hi Friends,
Beautiful photo of the iris on the new thread. I'm glad to hear of the statistics of voters wanting Democrats to take over the Congress.
Warm, sunny today after lots of rain. It's greening up fast.
Glad your kiddle's coming, Puddle. Shirlee, I know you'll have a wonderful day with your family, and you also, Listener. I'll go to a son's house. We'll all be there for Mother's Day: all the parents, children, and grands. I'm coming to see that we can't do anything about the past, can't know the future, so today is the gift, and it helps that the weather is bright and warm. I wonder if other critters enjoy each day for what it is, or do they also remember the past and fear the future?!
So, have a good weekend. Hugs and smiles.
Oh my goodness, I worked so hard today!! First I did battle with my computer and printer and finally made 6 Mother's Day cards to mail. Then I got some flower seed packets to put in them and got them to the post office just before noon.
I then spent the better part of four hours cutting Poplars and other unwelcome plants out of the area behind the berm on our land, then planted Pansies, Iris, Dusty Miller and Alyssum. By this point Green Mountain Compost had delivered 5 yards of topsoil and compost and it was time to move it from it's massive pile to where it is needed. Didn't come in for dinner until 8:30pm!!
More soil to move tomorrow, but it's looking good! But, oh, I am going to need Advil. Ha!
The funny thing is that I am not expecting to see any family over Mother's Day weekend. We saw them ALL over the last few weeks, and anyway we are headed to Connecticut. On Sunday we will visit with a nephew, his wife and son. When his wife's mom was a teen, her mother died of cancer, so Mother's Day is always a bit hard for her. Sweet that she is a mother now and can enjoy it again. On Monday we are visiting a VERY close friend whose parents are both ailing. She is in CT to be with them for the month and, though she lives in VT, she has been in CA for the last few years. Since her parents are in need, so won't be coming to VT this Summer as usual. So we are going to go see her instead. It's been a rough road there, and we plan to take her out for some respite time. Then we hope to visit another friend on our way home.
Hmmm, to clarify, I will be seeing a nephew and family, but not immediate family. LOL.
Have fun with your kiddo, puddle, and your families as well, Pat and Shirlee (and Barb! and Jo!)...
You are wise to focus on the present, especially at such a special holiday, Pat. Our former traditions have to give way to something a bit different at times. It can be hard to let go of the ways we previously celebrated so well with loved ones. At least those cherished experiences are not gone. I wonder what new traditions are made possible by your openness to the present moment.
There are, as you so kindly reveal for us, ways of coping, day to day, with loss. I can see what you do with the time and the receiving of new doings, and newness itself. Yet what I most fear of such great loss isn't so much how to live day to day, but how to deal with the pain, confusion, and at-sea-ness of it. I am holding you in the Light as you navigate your first Mother's Day since David's death.
AllForLove ♥
Thank you, Listener.
I've read your message several times and will read it again. There is the at-seaness quality to daily life, sometimes less, sometimes more. But, life is a gift. There has never been any guarantee, and each life is individual, and who has never suffered loss, sorrow, confusion, grief. We learn from each other, and the generosity of friends is a rainbow on the path.
Here's a poem I wrote a while ago.
What We Were Taught about Angels
It wasn’t the wings
nor the aura
of the visions
of sky,
yet we chose
to focus on those.
It was the you
we knew, laughing
at your own jokes,
your getting a rise
out of us.
You stirring the sauce
on the stove
for shrimp scampi
and your baked beans
none ever as good as yours
and at nighttime saying
to Molly dog, “Come up and do
your duty” which meant
we’d give her hugs and pets.
No, no chromosomes
or DNA, no recognition
of body or thought was you.
You were more and now
ephemeral. How could you not
be here now?
The you of you
in memory,
a presence always.
Is this what we mean
by halos and wings?
Cooter arrived at a quarter to three. Half hour later, everyone tucked in for the night. Now, outside, werking inna rain.
Ah, Pat! Utterly lovely. Tears came. xox
Thank you, Puddle. Love to you.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all get together in person?
I treasure the two visits Brenda and I had with Puddle.
I have been so happy that we did it while both of us could do it!
Drizzly, chilly today...but expecting Marla and Herb...on their
way from Florida back to their big house on Lake Erie.
How to know one is getting old.....for me it is my two oldest
eligible for Social Security, etc....
Love to all....
Old hit me this year: toenails. When you can't take care of them by yourself anymore. Freaked me out.
Beautiful, Pat. Yes, how could that reality not still be present? After all, the scientists tell us that matter cannot cease to exist, it simply turns into energy, while theologians tell us that the spirit doesn't cease to exist, only the body. What's more, our hearts speak of the presence of something we cannot see. Why wouldn't we believe?
💖💖💖 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, dear Friends!! 💖💖💖
Yes, Shirlee, that would be lovely!!! XOXOXOXX
Is there a Bloggers' Day?
Oh, Puddle...I totally understand.....hard for me to bend at hips because of nearly 30 year old
Total hip replacement......projected life span is ten years for these things. Takes time and tricks
to just do ordinary things. BUT! Our brains/minds are OK...most of the time! Will settle for
this rather than the Alzheimer's that my mother had for twenty years..or more!
Lovely sunny Mother"'S Day here....Brenda on her way to celebrate! HAppy Day to all!
Love to all...
Happy Mother's Day to all of us. We're here. Yea.
Oh, Puddle...I totally understand.....hard for me to bend at hips because of nearly 30 year old
Total hip replacement......projected life span is ten years for these things. Takes time and tricks
to just do ordinary things. BUT! Our brains/minds are OK...most of the time! Will settle for
this rather than the Alzheimer's that my mother had for twenty years..or more!
Lovely sunny Mother"'S Day here....Brenda on her way to celebrate! HAppy Day to all!
Love to all...
Oops..sorry for the duplicate post.
We made it home safely from Connecticut. It was not at all the visit we'd been anticipating. Never heard back from my nephew and his wife, so don't know what happened, but didn't see them. Couldn't visit the good friend we'd planned to see on our way back, as she wasn't feeling well (and is in her 80's). We did indeed see the dear friend we had mainly gone down to visit with, who was there tending her ailing parents. And guess what. Her mother died on Wednesday and her father died on Mother's Day in the morning...!! Her Dad was diagnosed in December with stomach cancer. Her Mom was fine except for dementia, but had something like a stroke and died first! What a rough week!!! We were so glad we had planned to be there today, and it was deeply appreciated by our dear friend. We walked, ate out, sat, got coffee, shed tears, laughed and hugged. I love that woman so much. In all the years we have known one another (nearly 30), I have never seen her so distraught. It was a deep privilege to be a comfort to her in such a time. 💖
Call it treason or call it incompetence, I don't care. Just throw the guy out of the White House!!
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/us/politics/trump-russia-classified-information-isis.html
Glad you were able to be with her! xox
The phlox in bloom and the butterflies in the sun this warm morning--just wonderful!
The Most Serious Charge Ever Made Against a Sitting President
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/333541-dershowitz-this-is-the-most-serious-charge-ever-made-against-a
BTW, listener, my phone rings 6 times now, thanks to your very good instructions and my kid's tech savvy. Thanks!
Bit too toasty today. And more for the next few. ack!
Thanks, puddle. ♡
Super glad about your phone and tickled to have had a toe in it...! ;-)
It's going to be a scorcher here, too, for the next two days. YUG!! We still have no A/C. But this is the year!
It is extremely sad that someone so mentally ill as DT was able to become President in the first place.
Even sadder that it is taking so much time and effort to get him out, especially given how easy he is making it
hot hot hot
Robert Mueller, Former F.B.I. Director, Named Special Counsel for Russia Investigation
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/robert-mueller-special-counsel-russia-investigation.html?_r=0
Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!!
I got this note from a friend and thought you'd appreciate it:
This is quite possibly one of my favorite quotes to date by Trump, because it shows that even he knows he should not have won the election. (The quote is in regard to the investigation of ties to Russia.)
"It's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should've won."
Yeah.
There comes a moment every day when I have cause to think, "This would be so different if Bernie were President." I'm not sure what to hope for at this point. After VP Agnew had to resign, Gerald Ford was appointed Vice President. When Nixon finally resigned, Gerald Ford became President. He is the only President who was appointed, not elected, as VP and POTUS. I checked to see who appointed him, and it turns out it was Congress. Can you imagine the current Congress choosing the next President? Argh! I think there would be a real possibility of a return to the sort of protests we had in the 60's. Only with social media...you know: Political Flashmob Riots. Whatever happens, I think this country is in for some rough sledding. We need to pause now and strengthen our inner steering.
OOPS! Clickable:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/robert-mueller-special-counsel-russia-investigation.html?_r=0
“The comparisons with Richard Nixon are plentiful these days, but even he did not seem so untethered from our basic governance. And I have never seen so many members of a political party rally around incompetence, intemperance, and inanity,” ~ Dan Rather
While puddle bakes, I find I need to ask, Pat, are you truly expecting snow on Friday? That's what I've heard.
Good Morning,
I just tried to reply and we had a power flicker, so will try to continue a little later. We have about 3 inches of snow and it's coming down steadily. We're between the high mountains and the foothills, and the mountains are predicted to get a foot. Ah, Springtime in Colorado! Will check in soon.
Pat
So, the snow just couldn't wait for Friday, eh? We had hail on Thursday, but it was only pea size. Quite a storm with it ~ torrential rain and high wind ~ lasted just 6 minutes and covered everything in tree litter. Amazing! And a Rainbow at the last! :-)
Hot and hot and hot. Enough summer, already!
Pray for Nancy's well--been two days and they've only gotten 400 odd feet. We're asking for under 800'. . . .
My phone's been disconnecting on it's own, randomly, for two days. Been called in. No special time for a fix. . . .
Sorry, listener, I know you already commented, but put that post back where it belongs--mid-July, lol! Have no idea how that happened. It was still scheduled when I went to bed this morning. . . .
listener said...
I'd be content to be as happy as a commoner. 😉
May 19, 2017 at 11:14 PM
listener said...
Exhaustified. I got word from Bernie's staffers today that he is not going to co-sponsor the National Nurse Act, and I've written back nicely demanding an explanation, and asking to speak with them on Wednesday (which is the first minute I'll have available). Send me good vibes!
May 20, 2017 at 12:02 AM
Nancy's well still only at 420'--most of which was red clay, but did actually hit rock. They've gone home for the weekend. No idea why this is being so tough. All the wells I know about around here have been dug in less than four hours. Plus a whole lot of the water on that side of the river has sulfur.
Funny warm spells or sometimes with rain here ...
bit Brenda and I were able to walk to Triad Stage
last evening.......a special Mother's Day treat from
Brenda. A full house with Laurelyn Dossett and her
friends doing their bit for a fund raiser for the theater.
They just get better and better. She had all the musicians
who have worked with her for the last twenty years or so
there last night. Wonderful evening...and we had perfect
seats ....for us...on chairs on the balcony...no heads in our
way and I could tuck pillows here and there as needed.
We remembered Puddle and her special connection to that
theater...and to this apartment..and marvelled again at life!
Love to all.
From Nancy this ayem:
When the drilling company owner met with me up on the property several weeks ago, after looking over the site and soil he said it was going to be a hard drill. He knows his stuff. Good thing I'm not paying by the hour, although the casing is going to punch a big hole in the budget. Red clay for 400' was very hard to get thru - they had to continually stop drilling and clean the entire drill assembly and the feed pipes before starting all over again. Now they've hit something that doesn't want to allow them passage - I hope they are able to break thru that Monday, and I hope the water is on the other side!
Shirlee, how absolutely wonderful!
puddle, sending good vibes to the drillers and especially to Nancy!!!
listener's right--lovely to hear about! My Triad Stage mug sits on my kitchen counter. . . . very sweet memories, altogether.
Yesterday we had a barnburner of a storm: inch and a half in less than an hour. All kinds of thunder tigers prowling around. Got ourselves the biggest best flood of several years. Culverts look to be totally clogged with debris. Nancy said the road is badly gullied. River still incredibly loud and rushy. Still sheeting on the bridge deck.
Pat, you snowed in or what? Sending good vibes your way.
Hi Friends,
Yes, over two feet of snow, no internet, and now I have internet but no phone. We've had at least two big ponderosa pines go down. Interesting how dependent we are on electricity, phones, internet, transportation, neighbors. But, supposedly they are working on my phone now. A neighbor came over in her ATV and offered to call Century Link.
Will be back hopefully soon.
Happy Sunday to all! Would that be rock Nancy's driller has hit?
Brenda was here with groceries, supplies and dinner. Good time
as always, but she left early..before the rain starts...expected every
day this week!!!! Good excuse to stay in and read ....;)!
Stay well.......and love to all!
I remember May snows from my childhood--but never two feet! Up-side: good for drought. . . . Stay safe and warm, and bless good neighbors.
Shirlee, we've got the same wet, cool week ahead.
Pat!! We don't so much mind feet of snow in Winter, but it's so dangerous when it comes in Spring after the trees have leafed out! Small wonder you lost lines, and I'm so sad for you about the Ponderosa Pines. Has that changed your view significantly? Hurrah for the good neighbors who checked on your needs. I am so grateful to them!!! 💖
Ah, puddle, I don't like the idear of your river flooding over the bridge (never have) and that it's higher than usual. Sounds like it made a grand entrance! Take care. How's da Boy these days? Any new antics? Do you have your under-eave birds nesting again this year?
Yeah, already disturbed a phoebe a month ago. Too thrilling to have a frantic phoebe in the back room. Finally let himself out. Luckily, back door and I just didn't use the door for three weeks. By the time Cooter showed, the phoebes had already decided to move the family elsewhere.
Da Boy seems to have calmed into middle age quite nicely. Seems to like being in better than being out.
I don't mind the floods that much, never have. The worst I've had in more than 20 years here was Isobel in 2003, and even that was only to my second step (with four more above it to my porch level). Meanwhile, the pleasure of living next to a river is considerable, so. . . .
I only seem to have one peeper this year. Don't know why.
Good Morning,
At 3 AM I heard a thump, went downstairs, turned on the lights on the deck, and a juvenile black bear scampered off. He knocked over the table that had some bird seeds left on it but no bird feeder. Luckily I had the car locked, and it looks like there was no attempt to get into it. The bears here have learned how to open doors.
I heard that over 600 trees in the Fort Collins area have been damaged or come down. Lots here but not that many. The rose bushes, lilac bushes, choke cherry, sumac and others have been buried. I spent two hours one day clearing off the deck and another two hours the next day. The snow from the roof slides down onto the deck, so even though I've cleared it, more accumulates. Ah, the mountains.
And you're right, Puddle, the moisture will help with the drought, but it hurts to see the trees and plants damaged. I wondered Why, Nature, must you be extreme? And Nature didn't answer. A smile here.
It's good to hear from you all. Today, clean, organize, hoping that the phone service comes back on.
Laughing--West Wing, second season, Noel, the snobby English butler type sez to CJ--You're a freakishly tall woman. Captioning renders that as You're a freakish little woman. . . . Watching -ly tall morph into little cheers me every time, lol.
Am now on my 14th time through. Can't seem to let it, and all its sanity go. Sanity, smarts, kindness and hope. . . .
So good to hear all the local news! Rain, rivers, snow, flood etc.
not only are we getting off and on hard rain , but also, the temp is
stuck so that it is just damp, damp, inside and out. I seem to need
to re-adjust the thermostat often in order to be comfortable. Not a
large problem in the scope of things....just interrupts my
retirement activities! Reading, napping, watching the birds
outside my balcony window etc. etc. What a life!
Love to all.h
We learned today that Trump asked DNI and NSA to deny evidence of Russia collusion.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-asked-intelligence-chiefs-to-push-back-against-fbi-collusion-probe-after-comey-revealed-its-existence/2017/05/22/394933bc-3f10-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html?utm_term=.ccaad719c558
Makes me wish Murphy Brown was still on...
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/05/22/trump_to_israelis_we_just_got_back_from_the_middle_east.html
Woooo! Chilly. Am about to turn the heat on to take the chill off. What a weird spring!
Der turnip just told the Israelis that he just got back from a trip to the middle east. Box of rocks doesn't begin to cover it. Think he's pure testament as to how much $$$ can carry you/one. . . .
Slept well and long last night for the first time in weeks! Wonderful.
PhD*Son leaves at 5am for Alaska (above the Arctic Circle), for about 6 weeks. They'll get in the field in about a week, after they have the rifle refresher course (due to polar bears) and get the last of their supplies in order. We wish him the very best experience yet and hope he tags many Dunlins, Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Golden Plovers! You can follow his adventures here:
http://shorebirdscience.org/#blogtitle_box
Littlest*Grand's best buddy, 16 months old, managed to fall out of a second floor window and land on pavement. They ambulanced him to the hospital and did a ton of tests and ... he's fine!! Didn't even need stitches. No broken bones. Amazing!! Probably didn't hurt that both of his parents are priests. :-D
And! Tomorrow is the closing on Root*Center*Son's house!! Whoo hoo!
News! Nancy's well came in at 540'! About 5 gals/minute (which is reasonably abundant). She has to wait a few days to test it for sight/smell/taste. Which is important as that side of the river has lots of sulfur water. But looking pretty good as of now. But don't stop the good vibes!
Hi.
I have a phone. Five days with no phone, wow, what a difference! How did people communicate nearly a hundred and fifty years ago with no phone.
Great hearing the news from you, Listener, Puddle, Shirlee, Barb.
The best text message I ever received was Son's "Got the keys!" 😊 Now he's a home owner!
He's been renting a furnished apartment heretofore, has some things in storage and needs to sift through all of that. But he also needs to pick up some good used items in a truck. Mind you, all the colleges in the area empty out this weekend, and try as he might he could not find an available truck. Mom to the rescue! It took a really long time and a heap of phone calls and waiting, but I finally found him what must be the last truck possible in the area!! Yay! Now we get to help him schlep his stuff. Ha! We're going over to see the inside of the house tomorrow evening. Looking forward to that!! 🏡🌻🌳
Pat, I'm so glad your phone is back in service! ☎️ It is such a danger not to be able to quickly get help if needed. Back in the days before phones, I think some people really suffered sometimes. They probably checked on each other more too, knew each others' habits and ways, so that if something was amiss they'd know. It's like the story I heard as a child about the man who was being held hostage by robbers in his own home. Everyone knew he flew the flag every day. He convinced his captors that if he didn't put up the flag, people would suspect and come to check on him. So they let him go put up the flag, but with a gun on him. What they didn't notice was that he deliberately flew it upside-down. Everyone knew he flew the flag every day and took great pride in it. So of course his action alerted the neighbors and the police were summoned and the robbers caught.
puddle, I send the strongest pure-water vibes for Nancy's well~!!! What is her recourse if it pans out with sulphur? Oh, I hope it will be sweet instead! 💦 And I love thinking of you getting a good night's sleep!!!! ❤️
Shirlee, what are you reading this week? 📚
Barb, what is new over your way? How is everyone?
The news is so disconcerting, isn't it? To me, the most jarring revelation of the week is that DT revealed that two of our subs are off North Korea. I know a woman, a Navy doctor, who has been on one of those subs. LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS! This is possibly treason, but it is at least highly incompetent. Our national security and the lives of Americans are at risk because of this self-focused, mentally ill person. What is it going to take to finally get this man out of office? Why is it taking so long? Invoke Amendment 25, or better, ANNUL the election and allow a do-over.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-submarines-idUSKBN18K15Y
Also, as you may know, the Montana special election is tomorrow. Well, today the GOP candidate body slammed a reporter! The reporter was asking him about the CBO report that had just come out. The candidate went nuts! There's an audio of it that is astonishing!!
Late Wednesday, Fox News correspondent Alicia Acuna reported that she and her crew witnessed the incident and saw Gianforte grab Jacobs "by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him."
"To be clear, at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte," Acuna wrote.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/24/media/montana-gop-greg-gianforte/index.html
CNN interviewed the Sheriff and learned that the candidate had not even been interviewed by police, much less arrested. Apparently Montana law doesn't require perpetrators to come in for questioning. Instead he had his lawyer phone it in...! What the man did, though, was a crime (even by Montana standards), so we'll see what tomorrow brings. A lot will depend on how many people voted in advance and how may who weren't going to vote turn out after all!
This Montana incident is a great reminder of the horrible
Influence Trump's attitude is having on his supporters.
It was apparent during his campaign...and continues into
his disdain for the American people. I hope this incident
brings out Quist voters in droves!
What am I reading? .....a selection of things....a lovely
little volume depicting and explaining the battles in Tolkein's
world...selected and delivered by the local bookstore owner,
a biography of Horton Foote...Texas author and playwright...
Trip to Bountiful...play turned ito movie. When I lived in Texas
I lived about 30-40 miles away from his home.. and listening to
a new audio book about Wendell Berry.... 'The Given Life'.
One of the first words in this were......"if there could be an exact opposite
to Donald Trump it would be Wendell Berry."! So true. These
last two items were gifts from Dana, my Cincinnati daughter.
Stay well, happy etc. Love to all.
Gianforte is a believer in Young Earth creationism, the belief that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old. He donated $1.5 million to the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum in Glendive, Montana, a creationist museum which teaches visitors that evolution is false, the Earth is about 6,000-6,400 years old, that dinosaurs were on the Ark and that they likely died out 4,300 years ago during the flood described in the Book of Genesis.[93][94][95][96][97][98]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Gianforte
Thanks for the background on this creep, Puddle.
Creep won.
River over bridge for the third time in 10 days. Tired of this, really am.
We're doing late night grandchild care and no one has even woken up! Ha! All too easy.
Two guidance meetings earlier Friday, and travel to and from, then dinner, then childcare. Tomorrow is supposed to be the day to move Son into his new home, but there's a glitch...they might not have a truck for us after all! We'll find out in the morning. Heh.
puddle, is this a record for the river?? I'm concerned for you and for the integrity of the bridge with all that flow and potential erosion. Keep us posted. Sending love!! ♥
PhD*Son is in Alaska...Anchorage, so far, soon to head up to the land with no night, above the Arctic Circle.
Rain this spring prolly about normal. Clusters differently every year. Not to worry about bridge--at 11 cubic yards of concrete (a fully loaded cement truck will hold 10 cubic yards), it's going no where, ever. Alas. It should never have been built. The ends have been a problem off and on over the years, stabilized for the last ten or so.
I stock the pantry for two or so weeks, and have never been cut off for more than three days. We have 'copter 911, if needed.
Kiddle's changed plans and is coming late this afternoon instead of Monday. Bringing his dad along.
Hi Y'all,
Some weather! Glad to hear the news from everyone. We've had rain for the last several days, showers mostly, not flooding at least in the foothills. It's gloomy and damp though.
Still working on disseminating books, magazines, papers. Ah, I wish I'd thought of what the accumulation might be, and then, maybe I'd have been more selective. On reflection, Nah! Everything is greening up, a total change in landscapes. We lost 6 large ponderosa pines. I've read that the root systems are shallow and with all the weight of the snow, they were toppled or ripped apart. It's always sad, to me, to see a large mature tree die, but such is Nature.
It's a pleasure to hear of your connections, activities, and interactions with family. That's great. I'm also grateful when my kids and grandkids call and we talk for a while. But, how busy their generation is with work, commitments, sports, and other activities. I don't think we were nearly as busy or had as much stress.
And so day by day, we go on.
Finally, a day with no rain....and body fine....off to the bookstore.
Good time...came home with two fine books....both potential gifts
for grands and GGrands. Have nine in each category....:)
Good way to lessen the sorting, etc when I die.
Time for a late afternoon nap!
Love to all... the
KidNdad are here! And the sun's out. So son in sun out.
Have a fine time, Puddle!
Oh, I love that: "son in sun out" !! :-)
I KNOW you've told me that about the bridge before, but I lost track of that fact along the way. I wonder if it'll stick this time. ;-)
If you're watching a rising river, this is a good FB page to know about:
https://www.facebook.com/NWSMARFC/
Happy Sunday All.....I hope Kiddle and Dad get MANY things done for you, Puddle.
Good times also!
Sunny in 80's here.....actually walked to the bookstore....warm welcome as always!
Book man met me with a copy of Chelsea Clinton's new girl's book. 'She Persisted.'
Bought one copy for myself and one for some little girl I know!
Our swimming pool is surely being used today! A lot of working younger folks live
here...and they make good use of it.
Have a happy day ...love to all.
New thread!
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