January 31, 2018
CATHY:
“Seize The Moment” – After the sudden loss of a dear person in our little town, I was reminded, again there are no promises for tomorrow. We know in the back of our mind that “the day is coming ” but convince ourselves it’s no time soon. Well I do anyway.
Death can come at any moment. We really, really need to live our life as such. I’ve had more reminders of this in the last year or so than I care for.
This evening I was tired, it was cold and I wasn’t in the mood to see if I could capture some memories of this rare event. When I got to thinking that I may never have another chance, because tomorrow may never come, we jumped in the Jeep and headed to town.
It was ever bit worth my time to see and record Gods beautiful art. So if you have a chance to “seize the moment” please do so.
DANA:
“Tracks” – When it snows I love to look out to find tracks in the snow. I wonder what kind of animal passed by leaving it’s mark in the white powder.
When I go out to take a closer look most of the time it is deer or rabbits or squirrels. (And of course there are LOTS of bird tracks.) There was one time I had wet bear tracks on my porch and muddy prints on my front door. I blamed that on the smell of the bacon that I had fried for supper. But it still makes me wonder why they chose my yard to pass through.
Then I think about what kind of “tracks” I leave for people to find as I go about my day. I would hope that for the most part they are positive ones like the ones left in the clean white snow. But if I am honest with myself I know that sometimes I leave some muddy ones behind too.
So here is to leaving good tracks with positive vibes behind us as we strive to move forward.
January 30, 2018
CATHY:
“Wordless” – I’m wordless tonight, so just a picture of my snow loving critter.
DANA:
“Ditto” – I’m with Cathy on this one, no words. Hope everyone had a great day!
January 29, 2018
CATHY:
“Hillbilly” – There is no denying that I’m a Hillbilly. In my (much) earlier years I thought I was cool and not Hillbillish at all. That was before I ventured out of Southwest Va, especially Grayson County. We really do have our own language.
My job requires me to screen patients for MRI safety compatibility, so I have to ask a lot of questions. Sometimes they just don’t understand me and ask me where I’m from, they seem shocked that I’m a Virginian too. I tell them I speak Appalachian Hick, we laugh and move on to the next question. Most tell me, they like to hear me talk (probably because I’m going to cram them in a small noisy tunnel).
Anyways…one of our new Techs and I were talking, and she said she thought it was “cute” that when I ask patients about shrapnel I said “scrapnel”. What? No, I don’t (I thought to myself). Sure enough the next day at work when I asked that question, I said scrapnel. I had to really concentrate to say it right. No wonder people hesitated when I ask that question, I thought they didn’t know what shrapnel meant. I now know why they didn’t know what SCRAPNEL meant.
Then again a lot of them didn’t blink an eye. It’s not easy being me.
DANA:
“If You Can’t Beat ‘Em” – When I moved into the cabin about two years ago I noticed that I had a lot of “cute little ladybugs” living there. They would find the warmest window and congregate there in droves. I thought it was because no one had lived there for a while and they would go away.
It wasn’t long before I noticed that they really weren’t that pretty ladybug red but kind of a dingy orange. And I also noticed that wherever they crawled they seemed to leave a little smelly trail of that dingy orange behind. I asked around and “googled it” and finally found out they were called Asian Lady Beetles. Now I don’t know about you but the word “beetle” instantly brings to mind my Nanny putting “beetle traps” made of cut up plastic jugs filled with something I can’t remember on the clothesline in the summer time. Otherwise, those big black beetles would crawl on the laundry and on you if your weren’t careful. Sorry, never been a fan of the creepy crawly buggy stuff.
So, I started on the offensive. I bug bombed the cabin….twice. (Which I hate to do but if kills a big hairy spider too while it’s at it, that’s a bonus.) I had lots of Asian Lady Beetles littering the floor….dead. “Gotcha” I thought to myself as I vacuumed them up. Summer came and went, then Fall, then…..hundreds of Asian Lady Beetles. They were really driving me crazy! One more bug bomb….just to be sure. Hundreds of dead beetles sucked up in my vacuum. Yay!
I didn’t see many over the Spring and Summer but as soon as Fall came around and the weather turned cooler…..another invasion. They are native to Asia but were brought here by the USDA starting in the ’60’s to control agricultural pests. Well they were about to control my nerves until I read an article that basically said “deal with it”. They will be here, in my cabin when cold weather hits….like it or not. AND they eat aphids which I probably have plenty of on my indoor plants….wait…this could work!
So I have learned to try to just accept my Fall/Winter roomies and deal with them the best I can. I now shoo most of them out whatever window they decide to have their group meetings on or, if I’m in a mood, some still go into the vacuum.
Oh well, “If you can’t beat ’em……”
January 28, 2018
CATHY:
“Take 4” – I’ve had breakfast all three meals today. No, this is NOT helping my weight loss endeavors. I didn’t eat the sausage though, so it could have been worse. (that’s what I’m telling myself) Tomorrow will be Take 
4 and, my free trial period is about to run out. (Telling myself this too). Hmm!! Maybe I should quit talking to myself.
Hubby has quit eating, AS MUCH, junk food and lost some poundage. In what universe is this fair? Men can stop drinking a few sugary soft drinks and lose 50lbs in a month. My female body realizes that I’ve cut a few calories and instantly goes into total fat conservation mode. I know our bodies are always trying to keep us in “baby growing” condition, but come on, I’m old, ain’t no baby seeds left.
My body takes every half calorie and keeps it for hard times, and if I cut calories it takes even more. To bad it couldn’t do that with money cause I would be retired….years ago. Oh well, tomorrow is another day and I have a few more practice days before I get serious.
DANA:
“Recovery” – I can’t remember when I have actually felt bad enough to just stay in bed and sleep all day. I am thankful that I feel better and I am very thankful for all those who checked on me and offered to help even if it was to bring it to the door and “run like hell”! LOL! You all are the best!
Well, tomorrow I have to get up and get going again so I will say “Goodnight” and hope everyone rests well!
January 27, 2018
CATHY:
“Love” – People who know me or Facebook friends probably get a good idea that I like to decorate my home for holidays and seasons. If you don’t, then you’re not looking at the million of pictures I post. I don’t blame you if you don’t, but maybe some peeps enjoy my efforts. We live at the end of a dead end (dirt) road. I’m not decorating for the public, or maybe I am, thus the millions of pictures.
Anyways I decorate. I cover all the seasons, and add bits and pieces for the different holidays. Christmas I kind of go all out, but there is a lot of Winter in the mix. Valentines Day is another Winter holiday, and I add a few decorations to observe it.
February, makes me think of love. Since Virginia’s slogan is “Virginia is for Lovers” and so many of our towns and wide spots in the road, have the word Love spelled out somehow, I’m going to search them out and take a picture. This is going to be my February goal. Be prepared to be awed by Love 
DANA:
“Conquered” – After trying my best and using all of the preventative measures I could think of and, although I don’t have it as bad as my daughter did, I am sad to say it is Stomach Virus – 1, Dana – 0.
Casualties: 4 tickets to White Horse Black Mountain, 1 bathroom trashcan and 1 pair of my favorite undies.
Hope everyone stays well….I’m going back to bed.
January 26, 2018
CATHY:
“Lists” – I am not a list maker. If anybody in the whole world needed to make a list, it would be me. I have intentions to make lists, but never seem to accomplish it.
Through the years I’ve bought little notebooks, magnetic list thingy’s for my refrigerator, downloaded list apps on my phone, you name it I’ve probably owned it. Every week, while I’m putting my groceries away I’m “listing” verbally all the things I forgot. Do I then write down what I forgot? Nope!!
When I go back the store another day I can’t remember what I had already forgotten the time before. I even have a home “government surveillance” system, that with spoken words will add items to a shopping list on my phone, and I still can’t manage to get what I need. It’s not easy being me.
DANA:
“The Sick Abyss” – When I got the call, “Mom we are all three sick with the stomach virus” my first response was “Do you need me to come help?”. Because having nausea and fever while trying to take care of a sick one year old who also has nausea and fever is absolutely no fun, I loaded up the Nana truck with chicken soup, orange juice, yogurt and saltines and headed down the mountain.
Because I had been traveling I was already overdosing on vitamins and Thieves oil (hey, it stopped the plague). But for this trip, directly into the sick abyss, I added Airborne and grape juice to my arsenal. The worst was over by the time I got there so I went into cleaning and “you need to eat something” mode. Oh, and I spent lots of time holding and cuddling my granddaughter so mom and dad could rest and feel better.
I’m at home now so we will see if my prevention tactics worked. So far so good……
January 25, 2018
CATHY:
“Mister” – “Honey, I had to order something from Amazon because Mister needed a new box!!”
DANA:
“Good Day” – You know it’s gonna be a good day when you’ve been sick so Nana sneaks Dr. Pepper in your sippy cup!
January 24, 2018
CATHY:
“Gummy Addict” – Alright, I think have got the point across that I am DIEting. Well, maybe I should say trying to diet……hmm that doesn’t ring quite true either. Okay I’m thinking (some days) about eating less and healthier. I do good for a few days then…..not so good. I think I’ve lost the same pound several times.
Why is it, I can lose everything else except pounds? While I’m attempting to eat right, I’m thinking about my special treat I can have twice a day. One in the morning and one at night. Some days when I come home from work I indulge right then, I just can’t wait until bedtime. This morning I forgot it and really struggled to not turn around and go back home to get this special treat.
This sounds like an addiction don’t it? I’m probably the only person in the world addicted to Gummy Probiotics. They are so delicious. Just blogging about them makes me want one NOW, except I’ve already had the second one. I do stick to the two a day though, for fear of what a probiotic overdose could do to me. Maybe this weekend I could buy some Gummy Vitamins for mid day fixes or maybe I could get each single vitamin and mineral in gummy and eat them all day.
DANA:
“Foodies” – If you were lucky enough to have a grandmother that cooked as well as mine did you had no choice but to have some “foodie” genes in your bones. A foodie is defined as “as person with a particular interest in food”. So I love to try different kinds of foods either at a good restaurant or attempting to make it at home. Growing up when we went on trips or just to town the question wasn’t “What are we going to do when we get there?”. It was “Where are we going to eat?”. We always had different restaurants with great food that we wanted to eat at while we were there. We would say that is where we have to eat because “It’s tradition”. 🙂
I passed this foodie tradition on to my daughter who I am sure will pass it to hers. For example, at the beach we eat fresh seafood at Bimini’s, in Gatlinburg it’s a great variety at Bubba Gumps, in Oklahoma City a good steak at Cattlemen’s and in Texas, well, you gotta have a Whataburger before you leave.
January 22, 2018
CATHY:
“Angry Bird” – Worn smack, dab out! So I will leave you will these words of inspiration:
“In the Angry Bird game of a Life….May all your pigs be slain!”
DANA:
“Travel” – Ok folks, no secret I LOVE to travel. I get “itchy feet” pretty often and as I get older it just gets worse. Luckily growing up, mom and dad (and Betty and Joe, and John and Susan) traveled regularly. It may be driving out to Cheyenne Frontier Days, to the beach or driving to Pigeon Forge (and back the same day) just to eat at the Apple Barn.
So I implore you….travel! It doesn’t have to be far but it needs to be somewhere that is unlike the geography, culture, etc. from where you live. Learn that there are other people and places in this world and teach your children. Like to fly? GREAT! There are some cheap ticket deals if you just put in a little effort. Don’t like to fly? GREAT! There is a lot to see between here and there.
When I drive somewhere I pack food and water for the trip. Saves a ton of money! Getting last minute hotel deals can also be a real plus! But to travel you must take a deep breath and just GO!
January 21, 2018
CATHY:
”Nose…y” – If I were a dog I’m sure I would be some bred of hound dog. The reason I feel this way is I can smell like nobody’s business, or maybe I should say I can smell everybody’s business. This is NOT a super power that I would have chosen willingly.
There are some good things about a good smeller….such as, good smelling things. Amazing how I can think this stuff up. My brain sorta works like a hound dog too. I guess the fact I can smell smoke a lot quicker than Hubby is a good thing. I’m better than a smoke detector. Coffee and skunks smell alike to me. This is a real thing, google it.
Now to the very real downside….I work in health care. Health care is the worst place to work if you’re a “hound dog”. I guess if you are diagnosing patients it could be helpful, but we who are just doing diagnostic testing, it is not a good thing. I carry Carmax gel lip balm to rub under my nose, just to get through the day. People, please….take some sort of bath before you come for a test. If you’ve worked all day and then come in, that’s okay, but if you haven’t washed your stinking butt for days YOU are offending me. I sure if you haven’t bathe in days, weeks or….ever, you’re not worried about offending.
DANA:
”First Steps” – Finally! The moment that we have been waiting for….my granddaughter, Harper Kay, finally took her first steps this week! What an accomplishment! I don’t even think that Harper realized what she was doing was a pretty major step in her short little life. The sad thing is she will never remember that exciting moment.
Have you ever noticed that in life we go through a LOT of “first steps”. First day of school, first test, first crush, first kiss, first job, first marriage, first child, first grandchild 🙂 …….. These first steps can be stressful, happy, sad or painful. But they are all a part of life.
This just means that we are experiencing life so just like my excitement for Harper I am looking forward to experiencing new things and taking many more “first steps”.
Note: The picture is of Harper’s first snow experience…….she wasn’t impressed.
January 20, 2018
CATHY:
“Willy Nilly” – I have a FitBit. A FitBit is a little computer you wear that counts how many steps you take a day, among other things. I got one several years ago when it was all the craze. I LOVE my FitBit. You can compete with friends through the FitBit app on your phone and it encourages you to keep moving to get those steps. When you reach 10,000 steps you are rewarded with the device vibrating and little firework images that scroll across the screen.
I can easily achieve my 10,000 steps when I’m at home. At work I’m on my feet a lot running between our mobile unit and the hospitals. One would think I would get more steps there, but there I have to stay on task. At home I am “willy nilly”. It is a wonder that I ever accomplish anything. Every time I go into a different room I forget why I went in there and see something else I need to do. Today, while I was trying to get some things done, I stopped and thought about what all had just transpired.
This is just a small example of my day. I needed to get the clothes out of the washer and put into the dryer. Hubby was in there working on the remodel so I thought I’ll get the vacuum and clean up the wood dust. I have a Rainbow vacuum so I decided I needed to clean the filter. I went in the kitchen to rinse it out and then decided I could wash the dishes while he was in there working. I started washing the dishes and when I washed my insulated mug I thought I need to fix me a drink. My ice maker randomly makes ice (because it’s possessed, that’s another story) so I thought I would dump some ice tray ice in the holder so you can use the door dispenser. I was filling the trays when I noticed the bird feeder, at the window needed filling. (I did finish the ice trays) I went out to the building to get birdseed when I saw the empty bag of dog food. I then took the bag to the trash cans (across the yard) when I saw dog poo that needed to be cleaned up. I went to get the shovel and cleaned the whole yard of dog poo. (it was a pretty day) I went back in the building to get the birdseed when I saw the board that I use to put my puzzles on. Didn’t I make a trip out here to fetch that the other day? So I got it went to the basement and set up a table so I could start a puzzle. Well of course I needed to find that puzzle I’ve been meaning to put together………….. The bird feeder still needs filling.
Wal-lah. 10,000 steps
DANA:
“Doin’ Dishes” – In the world of convenience and dishwashers, hand washing anything except fragile keepsakes is a rarity. Well I don’t have a dishwasher at the cabin (don’t know where I would put one!) so it is hand washing for me.
Unfortunately the age old standing at the kitchen sink “I’ll wash, you dry” concept is gone. It was a time to visit, to talk about the food, the weather…..and ok, to talk about the people you just ate with and other interesting topics. 🙂 Don’t get me wrong, I miss just throwing everything in the dishwasher and letting it do it’s thing. But I don’t have many dishes so I don’t mind standing at the kitchen sink, looking out the window, letting my mind wander and washing the dirty pots and pans.
January 19, 2018
CATHY:
“Country Life” – Just a typical night on the town for us ole country folk. Out to eat, trip to Lowes and then Walmart to get groceries and other essentials. We usually have three restaurants that we take turns going to, but recently we’ve added a fourth. Yep we’re getting adventurous as we get older.Driving back home Hubby complained, after meeting several vehicles in a row, that they wouldn’t let him deer hunt (code for high beams). We talked about the house with Christmas lights on and we’re pretty sure they didn’t burn them during Christmas…..what the heck?? There were people leaving the Rec center so “they must of had something there tonight”. We were shocked about a car coming out of a driveway that we’ve never seen coming out of before. We didn’t have to stop at the STOP sign cause Hubby had a pop bottle to spit in. Last note of interest was the neighbors back porch light was on, “wonder why?”
Who says Country Life isn’t exciting, I’m worn out.
DANA:
“Indoor Plants” – I love indoor plants especially in winter time. But they take one look at me…….and die. I can grow herbs, vegetables, flowers outdoors in the summer but give me a hardy plant to bring into the cabin when the cold weather hits and BAM! no more hardy plant.
I do have a calla lily that I have had for a few years, bless it’s heart it is still hanging on! And then there is the Christmas poinsettia that looks miserable but just doesn’t know how to give up gracefully. I also have a pot of succulents that includes an aloe plant that I use frequently. My grandmother always had the biggest aloe plants and we would use them for sunburns, scrapes, etc. She also had the most beautiful violets…..sigh…..
Even my aloe was beginning to look like it had the winter blahs so I read that they do really well in the bathroom because of the steam, moisture, etc.. OK, my bathroom is just big enough for a shower, potty and sink. Actually you can pretty much get everything done you need by just staying in one spot. The only question is “stand up or sit down?”. But because I love my indoor plants and am determined NOT to kill this one I hauled it into the bathroom.
It sticks me when I brush my teeth, I have to watch when I pivot because some of its $h!t falls off, but it IS happier in there. Oh well, we will see.
January 18, 2018
CATHY:
“Winter” – Oh, the dreaded season by so many. Me, I like Winter, actually I like all seasons. I don’t think I would be happy living in an area that didn’t have four distinctive seasons. Each one has things to enjoy.
There are many things good about Winter. To me Christmas kicks off Winter with decorations, good food and family gatherings. I like Winter clothes because you can hide a lot of….um…stuff in them. The longer nights means more sleep, so I’m more rested. There aren’t many bugs, except a few pesky flies. SNOW 
. I personally have more pajama days. Who doesn’t love a PJ day? I was off today and totally had a pajama day.
In Winter I have time for simple pleasures that I never seem to have any other season. Tonight I got my chores done early, got my coloring book out (Christmas present…..thanks Lance & Julie) and colored. Everyone should invest in a coloring book!!!! I think I’ll drag out a puzzle too.
DANA:
“Wine” – Wine, a drink that, other than Boones Farm when I was younger, I have little experience with. But it just looked so darn elegant to sip wine out of those crystal glasses that I thought, ok I’ll try it. (I am really a craft beer sort of gal!)
Come to find out, after much trial and error, I am still just that good old redneck Boones Farm type. I can’t drink the dry wines (tastes like medicine to me), I can deal with the semi-sweet (that is my pick if I gotta), and the sweet table wines….well turns out if you drink more than 1/2 a bottle at a sitting you will wind up with one hell of a headache in the morning!
But because of the health benefits 😉 I still like to sip on wine every once in a while. For the most part I like the taste, I like the process of opening the bottle and letting it “breathe” and I like drinking out of my fancy wine glasses that my daughter gave me for Christmas. But ultimately I think I will always just be that ‘Tinkled Pink on Strawberry Hill’ sort of gal.
And kudos to those of you who understood that last sentence! 🙂
January 17, 2018
CATHY:
Snow❄️❄️❄️: I Love Snow!!!! I like to walk in it, take pictures of it, drive in it, build snowmen ⛄️, sleigh ride……….you get the picture. I have been told for years why I shouldn’t love snow. (They) said when I got older I wouldn’t like it……..wrong, I’m older and I still love snow.
When I was a kid my poor mother couldn’t keep me in the house when it snowed. I would play all day long. When my kids came along, I was excited to share my love of snow with them. They loved snow for the wrong reason, getting out of school. They would come out and play awhile, but then get cold and tired and go back in the house. I often ended up alone to finish the snowman. I still build a snowman every year.
A few years ago my daughter sent this to me….LOL!!
Dear mother,
I regret to inform you of a dire situation that occurred this afternoon. After much encouragement and persuading I was finally able to get your grandchildren to go out and play in the snow. After approximately 2 minutes I looked outside to discover your eldest grandson Noah sitting on the porch pouting. After telling him to go play NOW he scampered off with few complaints. Exactly five minutes later both boys came to the door begging to come in spouting out some story about how they both had tragically forced each other to put their face in the snow. I believe this was a well thought out plan so that I would grant them entrance into the warm house. This situation has led me to believe a sad truth, that the love of snow is now endangered and will surely die with your generation!
Sincerely,
Your grief stricken daughter
Maybe my Granddaughter or perhaps Great Grandchildren will inherit my love of snow. If not they will have lots of pictures of me playing in the snow.
DANA:
Survival: The definition of survival is “the state of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances”. I can’t help but think of all the wildlife that have to try to survive in this cold and snow. Yes, I know God created them with survival instincts to live through such times but I still can’t help but feel for them. That is one reason I feed the birds, squirrels and whatever else comes around.
So here is to those animals who not only survive but thrive through this winter weather. And thank you God for allowing me to be able to sit in the warmth and enjoy watching Your beauty.
January 16, 2018
CATHY:
“Blessed” – On my drive to work I was blessed with this beautiful sunrise. I pulled over to snap a few quick pictures and marvel at how lucky I am to live in such a pretty part of the country. This simple beauty set the mood for the whole day.
DANA:
“Pen Pals” – I know I keep dating myself with these blogs but who remembers having a Pen Pal growing up? Now for you young whippersnappers a pen pal is someone from another town, state or country that you took a pen and actually wrote letters to periodically. Then you would put your letter in an envelope, stamp it and mail it to your friend.
There was a publication called Play Mate magazine and before everyone gets all excited it was a CHILDREN’S magazine and everyone had their clothes on! In this monthly magazine you could send in your name and photograph and exchange letters with other kid’s around the country. My mom said she was around 10 or 11 when she sent her info in to Play Mate and got a pen pal named Marianne from Hawaii. My mom is 86. She and Marianne have kept in contact and still exchange Christmas cards every year. How cool is that!
My picture today is of some of the postcards that Marianne sent to mom back in the 1940’s from Hawaii. Mom is in the process of trying to gather all the cards and letters that she kept from her pen pal for the last 75 years so we can compile them into a book. Oh, and these ladies have never met face to face.
January 15, 2018
CATHY:
2018 Weight Loss Campaign……..Take III 🎬: It’s a good thing January is my free trial period. I was doing fairly good, well maybe good is not the correct word….umm, I was making an attempt to eat right. About two days in, I started slipping.
I worked a really long day, so I earned some of the good stuff….right??? You darn toot’n I did. Of course then I was so tired I didn’t sleep good, soooo the next day I HAD to eat for energy. OK, now I’m going to get back on track. What?? Free food? It would be rude to not eat a little, since, you know, it’s FREE. Oh well, I blew it and it’s the weekend so I’ll start again Monday.
Week two, back in the game. Monday doing good. Tuesday the evil junk food fairies started whispering to me, “there is luscious left over Christmas goodies in the cabinet”. Well I can’t afford to be so wasteful, so I’ll eat it then start dieting. Then there was doctors appointment and the restaurant gift card we needed to use. Well, I blew it….Again. I’ll start again Monday. I do good on Mondays. The evil fairies know I’m strong on Mondays. Maybe Take III will be the charm.
DANA:
”Focus People!” – I love to travel. I love to fly. But I really enjoy driving to my destination if time permits to see what I can see along the way. This means many hours behind the wheel “sharing” the road with other drivers.
I guess driving in the West has spoiled me somewhat. Wide open spaces, straight roads and very little traffic. You can set your cruise and go for miles without seeing anyone. Sometimes when you are on one of those isolated stretches of road and haven’t met anyone for an hour or so you can even get that “did Jesus come and I got left behind?!?” feeling.
But here in the East lots of people means lots of traffic. Sometimes I wonder how some of these idiots even got their license. I am from the ‘Independence High School had Mr. Davis for Driver’s Ed’ hard line of old school driving. If he had had some of the people that are out on the roads now in driver’s ed he would have worn out a passenger side brake a week trying to teach these people how to REALLY drive!
So here are my biggest driving peeves out there today:
1) If you are so nervous about driving on interstate that you have to pull yourself within an inch of the steering wheel that you have a 10 and 2 death grip on and peer wide eyed through the windshield…..you might want to do some relaxation techniques and breathe before starting your vehicle.
2) I have no problem with drivers staying in the left lane IF they are hauling ass. But if you are going 5 miles below the speed limit and hanging out in the left because you don’t want to merge in and out……..you are creating some major road rage for the rest of us!
3) If you are out on interstate PLEASE go at least within 5 mph of the speed limit, i.e. if it is 70 please go at least 65 so those of us who are doing the speed limit won’t suddenly run up on you, have to slam on brakes and cause a traffic slow down. And if you are nervous about traveling the interstate there are still 2 lane roads with a lot better scenery that you can travel and that will get you to the same end.
4) Please realize that when you get out on the road YOU DON’T OWN IT! I understand being late (trust me) and in a hurry but when you run up on my bumper in heavy traffic like it’s my fault you are missing your meeting and then weave in and out of cars like a pole bending horse, the majority of the time you don’t gain anything. Chances are I will pass you just as you are getting off your exit.
5) If you are riding in the left lane and see a car is merging onto the interstate and you have me blocked in so I can’t get over to let it merge, it only takes a tap on the brake or a little push on the accelerator to create me a space you rude $!%$!
6) I am a firm believer that everyone taking drivers ed should have to pull a loaded trailer across a parking lot and be made to try to stop at different speeds. Maybe this would give them an idea that when they whip their cute little lime green hybrid right in front of my horse trailer my chances of stopping in time to not squish them like a pancake is pretty slim!
But most of all FOCUS PEOPLE! You are driving and with that comes the responsibility of keep yourself AND the people around you from danger! This is my rant for today. Everyone stay safe!
January 14, 2018
CATHY:
“Cat It Made” – If I could “come back” as someone or a critter, I would want to be Mister our cat. He did have a rocky start according to the animal shelter, but was nursed back to health by loving volunteers. I discovered him at a local pet store, and it was love at first sight.
Hubby told me when we moved into the new part of the cabin I could get a cat. He wasn’t crazy about an indoor pet but that’s the only way we can grow a cat. We’ve had some outdoor cats and they eventually disappear. The plan was the kitty could stay in the basement at night and when we weren’t home. The basement is dry, warm and has an outside access so I thought “Okay”.
I brought Mister home and he has never been kept in the basement. He is treated like the king he thinks he is. He sleeps wherever he wants and has plenty of food and treats throughout the day. He has his bench (over a heat vent) where he watches birds on HIS bird feeder. He has toys, and dedicated humans who play with him when he’s in the mood. Who wouldn’t want to have this life??? I would.
DANA:
“Goodnight” – It’s been a good day but I’m cold, tired and ready for bed. This is as creative as it gets some days. Goodnight all and hope everyone has a fantastic week!
January 13, 2018
CATHY:
“What?!?” – Let’s talk about earplugs…..earplugs you say??? Yep earplugs.
My job nowadays requires that each patient wears earplugs. For years we just used special headphones with some music to help with all the noise our machines make. We occasionally would use earplugs for certain patients for an assortment of reasons, but mostly just the earphones. Patients for the most part were happy with this, and most of them enjoyed the music. There was some exceptions, like the elderly librarian that I played heavy metal instead of classical…..oops!
This last year the governing bureaucrats for patient safety has decided we need earplugs AND headphones. Our frequent fliers don’t really understand these changes nor do they want them. Some have valid questions like “don’t you have to turn the music up so when can hear it and this means more noise?” Well, yes.
In the past many years ago, one of our techs handed a patient earplugs, he popped them in his mouth and swallowed them. He was quite happy that our service offered pre-medication. With this in mind I ask patients if they know how to use earplugs. This often gets me the “well duh” look as they try to cram them in their ears……..wrong. Another elderly patient asked me why I gave him corn kernels…what?? There are instructions on the wall, with pictures showing how to correctly use earplugs. Sure I have all day while you read and practice……NOT 😕
2018, learn a new skill…ear plugging
DANA:
“When All Else Fails” – Why is it so hard for us to ask for help? Today I wanted to take some pictures and try out my new tripod for my camera. I found this one at a photography workshop for half price and snatched it up. But I have never had one quite this fancy. Now I know what you are thinking….it’s just a flipping tripod!
Yes, well, sometimes when I am in that “creative” mode my common “how to set up a camera tripod” sense flies right out the window! Today it left and went to town.
Instead of setting up the tripod and getting it level with the legs adjusted, etc. I decided that to save time I would just attach the heavy camera to the top of it first. This resulted in much aggravation and irritation on my part. And there was that one feature, that ONE cool camera angle feature that I so wanted to try and couldn’t figure out, that it almost cost me one Canon camera and all of my patience.
After about 30 minutes and finally removing the camera (which still had not taken one picture) from the teetering three legged tripod I decided to dig the directions out of the bottom of the box. Duh!! After that my tripod worked great and I got some pretty decent photographs.
So today reaffirmed my belief in the old saying “When All Else Fails….Read The Directions!”
January 12, 2018
CATHY:
“Blessings” – Being that I have to get up BEFORE 0 dark thirty for work and should be sound asleep, I will make this short.
It was a quiet rainy day here at Rustic Manor. The wind blew Mister’s box away 
. I did get a chance to snap a shot of God’s beautiful artwork. So thankful for all my blessings. Night all.
DANA:
“The Struggle Is Real” – I don’t mind getting older because it is inevitable, so I am trying to do it as gracefully as possible. But there are a few things that I miss. I miss the pain free, carefree feeling of thinking I am invincible. I miss a smooth, wrinkle free complexion. I miss being able to eat what I want and not gain weight. And I really miss not having to pee every 1/2 hour and being able to hold it indefinitely!
So today, yes, I waited too long to go. In the grocery store I kept thinking, “No, I will just wait until I get home.” Helping mom unload her groceries I thought, “Nah, I can make it.” Meanwhile, my bladder was screaming “I gotta go!!!”. About the time I finally made it back to the cabin and brought the first load of groceries in I realized I was no longer in control of my own fate. So I rushed to the bathroom doing that desperate “need to cross my legs squat walk” and sat down on the toilet………..directly on the closed toilet lid.
Now I don’t know about you but I would rather sit down on a toilet that some man had left the seat up on and my rear touch the water than sit down on that cold solid toilet lid. Twenty years ago I would have been able to control myself, laugh softly at my mistake, stand up calmly, raise the lid and sit back down daintily. But today, the shock of the cold seat, the instant curse words and then……the cleanup.
Lord, thank you for allowing me to grow older and I hope to continue to be able to do so with dignity. But to be honest, I just never expected it to be this humbling! LOL! Everyone have a great weekend!
January 11, 2018
CATHY:
“Half Full” – Blah! I’m having a blah day. I didn’t sleep good last night, the weather is yucky, and this is the 11th day of denying myself tasty pleasures. My glass is NOT half full, it is NOT half empty, it is EMPTY.
Today of all days I feel that this glass needs to be overflowing! Wine is also on my list of things I must not have 
.
Tomorrow is another day, and I know it will be a better day. I know my glass is really full and I’m just in a mood. I’ll pour me some cranberry juice, pretend it’s wine, and pretend that I’m satisfied.
DANA:
“Going To Town” – My blog idea today came from a conversation with my daughter this morning. She asked me what I was going to do today and I told her I had to go to town.
Back in the good old days (good grief that makes me sound old!)….ok…..back in the good old days the phrase “We are going to town and going out to eat” carried a lot more weight than it does today. Now we think nothing of getting in the car and heading to one of our nearby towns to shop or eat. But when I was growing up getting to go to town mostly happened on a Saturday night. Ninety percent of our meals were eaten at home, gasp! So it was exciting for a young girl to hear daddy say, “Call Betty and Joe and see if they want to go eat.” If they said yes then it was time to put on your good clothes, which were just a step below your “church” clothes and a step above your “play” clothes, and be ready for the ride.
Now the ride to Galax was nothing like it is today. The wonderfully smooth 4 lane of Rt 58 didn’t exist. We went Carsonville Road, a winding, twisting, narrow two lane country road. The girls road in the back seat in a car that was so big you felt like you were floating down a river. You were also constantly bracing yourself for sharp turns and sudden braking. (Ugh….almost makes me car sick to think about it!)
And the smells…..at that time mom and Betty were into chewing Doublemint chewing gum and wearing White Shoulders perfume. So while I was in the back sitting between them trying to be a big girl and not lose my cookies all over my “good” shoes, I was smelling those two combined smells. To this day I can’t stand Doublemint chewing gum or a lot of perfume.
But, finally, after what seemed like hours we got to Galax. We usually went and ate at Western Sizzlin’, some seafood restaurant or Roses. Yep, Roses had a restaurant which made it a one stop shop. To a little girl this was just cool getting to go out to eat and shop on a Saturday night.
By the time we had eaten, wandered around Roses for a while and finally managed to coax mom and Betty out of the craft and dried flower section, I was tired enough to be able to sleep on the way home. This kept my supper inside me and made the four hour ride seem much quicker! (Ok, it wasn’t, but it sure did feel like four hours!)
So there, I’m getting older but I’m proud of the fond memories I have of a simpler time and the thrill of getting to “go to town”.
January 10, 2018
CATHY:
“Simple Things” – This picture, if you really look at it, is one of life’s lessons. There is a ginormous cat tree and in front of it, an opened flat box. Mister has played and slept in that box for a whole day. Hours of SIMPLE joy from an old broken down box. He looks at that cat tree with disdain.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all get such joy from simple things??? We are born with this super power. How many times have we said or heard “they liked the box better than the gift”.
I remember as a child when we got new kitchen appliances, we played in those boxes for days. I was so disappointed when the “wind blew them away”. (Hmmm…..did the wind blow them away???).
In 2018 let’s find some joy in the simple things.
DANA:
“Because I Can” – I remember listening to the jiggle of the canner as the steam escaped from the big pot. I remember my Nanny keeping a close eye on the jiggly thing and adjusting the knob on the stove, though I didn’t understand why. I also remember a hole in the ceiling when the jiggler couldn’t stand the pressure and went airborne one day!
Sometimes I got to help “tamp” the ground sausage into the jars or carefully stack the slices of tenderloin. But I was young and it was more fun for me than a chore. (Of course standing over the wood stove and stirring lard for what seemed like hours was another story. Now THAT was a chore!)
Well it took about 40 more years and I finally went out and bought myself a canner. (I was craving canned tenderloin because it is my favorite!!) I taught myself to can and tried to remember things that I had seen my grandmother do. Well I am hooked. I look for things to can plus I love the convenience of just grabbing a jar off the shelf and poof…..supper.
For me canning brings back warm memories of my grandmother in the kitchen in her apron cooking something wonderful. It is a stress reliever, a calming chore and a therapy that has a great perk!
Gotta go, the jars are ready to get out of the canner! I’m thinking tenderloin for supper tomorrow night.
January 9, 2018
CATHY:
“Chaos!!” – My house looks like chaos! There is a washer in my hall, a dryer in the living room. I am totally amazed at all the stuff we had in the laundry room that is scattered all over the house. I don’t consider myself a neat freak, but I do like everything to have a place and be there when not in use. OK that might sound a little neat freakish.
Hubby’s job is predominantly an outside job, so when the weather is not work friendly he usually has a slew of improvement projects in mind. I’m really thankful that he is this way, and that’s why we have a beautiful home. My contribution to the homestead is domestic engineer. The inside house projects make my domesticating more challenging.
Our whole world is full of chaos now days. Government, TV, news, social media, work, sports….Walmart. The one place I usually can be free of chaos is home. I know this is temporary, and I’m going to to have a very pretty and ORGANIZED laundry room. So I’m just going to suffer quietly through the chaos, so I can soon enjoy the calm.
DANA:
“That Dang Fly!” – Have you ever thought about questions that you want to ask God someday? I do, is that weird? Anyway, one of the things I want to know is about flies…….like, WHY?!?
Put me in a quiet room with a couple of big buzzing flies and it’s like being held in a torture chamber! OK I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything you want to know but please just kill those damn flies!!
Yes I have tried to just ignore them. Yes I have tried to gently shoo them outside by carefully opening the window that they are crawling on. But if that doesn’t work I look like a soldier on a recon mission armed with my flyswatter and a rolled up newspaper. Bent down low, sneaking quietly thru the house, flyswatter and paper ready for combat, stopping every few steps to look around and listening to see if I can hear that insistent buzzing!
And I am convinced that flies are smart. Most of the time they know that you are after them and will sit really still until you hang your flyswatter back on the cabinet door and put away your newspaper. They let you sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open up your computer and then dive bomb you before flying away laughing. Ok God……what about those dang flies?
Note: The fly in the picture was not harmed during the creation of this blog. Not because I didn’t try but because I couldn’t catch the irritating thing!
January 8, 2018
CATHY:
“Boo Tales” – Let’s talk about Boudreaux. Boudreaux whom we call “Boo” is the latest edition to our fur family. Boo is an 11 year old, eighty pound, Black & Tan coon hound. His Mom couldn’t take care of him any more and asked if we would take him. I had some reservations, he was old, and we had lost one of our dogs to old age just a few months earlier, but we decided we could give him a good home for his final years and went to get him.
After just a few months, we already have quite a few “Boo” tales. He had never seen a cow or horse. He still can’t understand they are OK and we aren’t upset that they are close to the house. He has discovered after licking Mister, the cat, that he might taste like chicken. (Mister doesn’t run out the door anymore). He has been introduced to children, and loves them, especially the ones he towers over. He learned that when you bark with your whole body you shouldn’t stand close to the edge of the porch and if you raise enough “cane” the special food will be served at 5:00 pm. (It was 6:00 pm before the time changed)
As all our fur babies he brings his own kind of joy, and makes me smile on the inside.
DANA:
”Searching For The Sun” – I love my little cabin in the woods. The only thing I miss about living at the farmhouse is being able to see the sunrise. Here at the cabin the only way I know when the sun is coming up is by looking out my kitchen window and seeing the rays of light start falling on the tops of the trees. Sometimes those rays shine in soft pinks, other times bright or muted yellows. If I actually want to see the sun I have to go to the front window or step out onto the porch and look for it coming up between the tree branches in the woods.
In the winter the sun has no problem peeking through the naked tree limbs and shedding early morning light on my yard and cabin. In the summer, with the heavy foliage, the sunlight does not reach me as soon as it does now so I don’t get that early morning warmth that it brings in the colder season.
Isn’t life funny that way? Most of my life I have spent on the go, not taking the time or caring about watching the sunrises because I had more important things to do. Always performing, trying to please everyone, trying to be nice, trying to be the perfect person my mother expected me to be, trying to be anyone but…well……me.
Then, not that long ago, I realized that it was OK to just “be myself”. I spent some time getting to know myself again,. And even better, I remembered that I liked being me! The people who really care for me would care for me regardless, my true friends would still be my friends and the haters really don’t matter. Next I found myself relaxing, taking time to notice my surroundings, traveling more and stepping out of that “comfort zone” that I was engulfed in.
So this morning when I was watching for the sun’s rays to hit the tree tops it occurred to me that my life had sort of followed in the path of the sun on the cabin. When I was lost and in so deep that I couldn’t see a way out, much like the heavy summer foliage on the trees, the Light I so needed had a hard time getting through. It was only after I stripped myself of the chains that were holding me back, started looking up and ahead and came to terms with my life, that I was able to let the Light shine through and warm my soul.
So I am telling you, never let yourself get so entrenched in the status quo that you forget to live. You see life is precious and we should never stop “searching for the sun”.
January 7, 2018
CATHY:
“Unconditional Love” – Today’s subject is another one of our fur babies, Sassy, aka Sassy Britches. Sassy has been with us almost eleven and half years. She showed up on our back porch one warm July day and has been our most loyal friend ever since.
She truly is man’s best friend…my husband’s. Even though I took her in, feed her, and take care of her, she worships Barry. I know she loves me too, but if the house caught on fire, she would drag him out, bring him water and lick his face until the fire was burned out. Mister, our cat, probably likes….um…tolerates me more, but I would be on my own in the event of a disaster.
Pets have been a big part of my journey through life. I think they make the world a happier place. They truly are a gift from God and if we let them, give us a glimpse of God’s unconditional 
.
DANA:
“Just A Little Time” – I wish I could tell you that I am the type of person who enjoys the fact that I am able to take care of my aging mother. I wish I could say that I am good at it and that I am diligent. I wish I could…but I am far from it!
I really struggle. I struggle with the fact that I am watching her get older, more frail and more forgetful. I struggle with myself that I lose my patience way too easily when she repeats herself over and over. I struggle with myself because most days I dread going to pick her and her little dog up to go somewhere because I know that it’s going to take longer than it should to get everyone loaded up and on our way. I struggle with myself because in order to be able to handle this I had to change my way of thinking about her and about my life. And one of the hardest struggles was in finally accepting the fact that it was ok to ask for help.
As they say…..God works in mysterious ways! In the last couple of months I have started coming to terms with myself. Yes, myself, because none of what is happening to mom is her fault! I have found myself not dreading as much or losing patience as easily. Now don’t get me wrong, I still can only take it in small spurts but it is progress.
Tonight we had supper together at the cabin. As we sat at the kitchen table, chatting about birds (I know it’s an ongoing theme), deer, and what she had done today, I realized that I need to cherish these moments. Because someday I will look back and appreciate these days when we got to spend just a little time together.
January 6, 2018
CATHY:
“Walking On Water” – I must say, that today’s entry surprises me. Now how could that be if I’m writing it? Throughout the day I’ve thought about what I would write about. The joy of a lazy Saturday, maybe something about not ever being bored, or about the sleeping late hangover that only adults seem to have. Perhaps these subjects will come in the future, but a trip to the Dollar Store became the “event” of the day.
I live a few miles from a small town in rural Virginia. Our little town has no stop lights and has very few businesses. We are the remains of a once booming little mill town. “Town” is right beside the river. This IS important to the picture and what was happening.
I thought a few pictures of the icy river and dam would make for a pretty FaceBook post and something for the blog too. I was snapping away (freezing to death) when KABOOM!!!! about four times. I was thinking “whatda, whatda (yep that’s how I think) was that?
Then here comes this man with a gun and walks right out on the river. The part I find so amusing is that this was almost on our Main Street and nobody around was disturbed at all. I love being a “Hick” in the backwoods of Virginia.
DANA:
“Coming out of the Cave” – I could be a hermit. I could easily be a hermit because most days going outside is just too “peoply” for me. Then sometimes when I do go out, interaction seems exhausting. Surprised?
Well this cold snap gave me even more of an excuse to stay home. But let’s face it, I need Vitamin D, fresh air, oh, and groceries! So I called mom to see if she (and her little dog Maria) wanted to ride with me. Mom loves to get out and go so we loaded up and headed to Independence. After we ran our errands we turned toward Fries to go see the frozen New River and frozen Fries Dam. That is just something that doesn’t happen very often to this degree.
I can remember the first time I saw a bald eagle in this area. (I know, just stay with me.) It was when Mary-Alice was at RRMS and I saw one perched in a tree on Cedar Springs Road on my way back from taking her to school. I freaked out! Remember, I am a closet birder. I then became an eagle stalker just because I thought it was the coolest thing that they were in our area! I’ll show you my hundreds of pictures sometime. LOL!
Then on a particularly rough day about 4 years ago I looked out the back window of our farmhouse and perched in a tree in the cow pasture was a bald eagle. He sat there all day just hanging out and somehow I drew comfort from his presence and it helped me get through my day.
So when Mom, Maria and I were driving towards Fries this morning and I saw this bald eagle, just hanging out beside the beautiful frozen New River, I knew that this was a sign. Coming out of my cave and enjoying God’s creations in this “peoply” world was just what I needed.
January 5, 2018
CATHY:
“All In A Days Work” – Thank God it’s Friday!!!!! Today has been a very busy day, so Thank God I took a moment to stop and smell the roses 
.
My drive to work this morning brought a pleasant surprise……SNOW. I love snow! Now don’t get me wrong I prefer a warm Summers day, but if it has to be cold, put some snow on the ground. I really don’t have the time on my way work to take a picture, but sometimes you just gotta.
I shot this picture quickly due to 5 degrees and I was in someone’s driveway, but you can get a glimpse of how amazing God’s artwork is. I feel very blessed that I get to drive to these beautiful rural areas all in a days work.
DANA:
“Chasing Squirrels” – Today I learned that -14 degree wind chill temps may not be all that bad for me. #1 – Hot flashes become a welcome event. #2 – If you run out of junk food and you don’t want to make a grocery run you are forced to eat the “good for you stuff” thus decreasing caloric intake. And #3 – It makes me stay in and get some work done!
As some of you know Dawn and I are writing children’s books based on our farm life and the outdoors. I do really well sitting at the computer and putting them together……for a while. I am on fire and post on Facebook, Instagram and keep the website updated…..for a while. I am making contacts, marketing, and promoting…..for a while. Then something happens and it is what I call “chasing squirrels”. My focus decreases, my desire for the work decreases and I go skipping off in another direction like a kid in Walmart.
So here is looking for a positive in what seems like a negative situation (I had to dig deep for this one!). I have been fairly productive the last few days because it has just been too darn cold to “chase squirrels”, my sugar intake has decreased because I am out of sweets and I have a new appreciation for menopause! I hope everyone is staying warm and I am looking forward to a little warm up next week!
January 4, 2018
CATHY:
” ‘Mister’ of the Universe” – Driving home from work today I was mulling over what my blog entry would be. It was one of those never ending work days that had way too many challenges with patients, horrific wind, frigid temps, and NO time for lunch…………. Yep it was going to be a picture and one word (not a nice one)!
I finally get home and walk into a warm house and the first thing I notice is Mister (our cat) who came sauntering into the kitchen, stretched, yawned and looked at me like “Why haven’t you fed me anything yet?”. He then moseyed over to his never empty dish to eat. I did mention NO LUNCH FOR ME TODAY didn’t I?
So we (humans) intelligent, top of the food chain, superior to all other creatures, who think we are the Masters of our Earthly home, are completely wrong. The common house cat is far superior to we lowly humans. I get up at 0 dark thirty (sorry I like that phrase), and go to work. I have to go in all kinds of weather conditions, when I’m tired or feel bad, and whether I want to or not. My cat on the other hand sleeps most of the day, eats when he wants to, always has fresh water that is never too hot or too cold, has his bathroom cleaned daily, and gets treats, toys and humans to play with him.
Now who do you think is Master of the the Earth…..um….Universe?
DANA:
“Hunker Down” – Yep, I feed the birds. If anyone knows my mother, then they know that I grew up around an avid birder and feeding the birds in the winter was crucial at my house. It even became a contest between mom’s best friend and her to see how many cardinal pairs they could count at one time in the winter and how many hummingbirds were coming to feed in the summer. So yeah, I got it honest.
This morning after I threw out my birdseed I was standing at the kitchen window and the ground was alive with birds! It was cold and blowing snow but that didn’t keep them from picking a seed off the ground and quickly flying up into the trees to eat it. And like most mornings I had my camera ready to take a pic through my kitchen window.
That is when I started watching these birds brave the wind and snow to find those seeds! The one cardinal in today’s picture flew up into the tree, ate his seed and then hunkered down on his swaying tree limb as the wind and snow blew around him. After the gust of wind subsided he quickly lifted his head, fluffed his feathers, and flew back down on the ground for another seed. So that got me thinking…..
As I go through my day by day existence, one of the biggest challenges that I face is to try NOT to overly control my life and it’s challenges just because I think I know what is best. (And to try not to control other’s lives too!)
Today’s cardinal reminded me that sometimes the best way to weather a storm that is blowing around you is just to “hunker down”, breathe, pray and have faith that God will weather it with you until it blows by. I must also trust that God knows what is best for me even if sometimes I don’t see it. That will make it much easier to raise my head, fluff my feathers and continue on my life’s journey.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”
Psalm 46:1-2
January 3, 2018
CATHY:
“Home Fires”: Today, on this cold Wintry morning, it was difficult to leave my warm cozy home. Leaving at 0 dark thirty, on a 2.5 hour trek to the wilds of Virginia did not appeal to me at all. I’m a trooper though, so I piled on layers of clothes and braved the single digit temps.
On my drive home, I thought I might stop and take a picture for todays entry, but the longer I drove the more compelled I was to get home. Today’s picture is a realization of why I needed to get home. Seeing the home fire burning was the warmth I needed all day.
DANA:
“Just Visiting” – Today I salute the quickly dying art of “just visiting”. As I sat in a local fast food restaurant at breakfast this morning I couldn’t help but smile at the table in the back, filled with old friends, laughing, talking, drinking their coffee and enjoying each others company. I am sure they do this most every morning at their favorite meeting spot.
I can remember when I was growing up these events happened at Mr. Carl William’s store or on the front porch on Sunday afternoons after dinner. People just got in their cars and went out for a drive. (Imagine that! They were in no hurry, had no place to be and had the whole afternoon to do it.) And as they slowly drove by they might see their neighbors sitting on the porch and drop in for a visit.
Now this visit might consist of rocking chairs and porch swings with conversations about the latest local gossip, the weather, who was or wasn’t at church this morning and why, who is sick, how the garden is doing and, did I mention the weather? This visit would probably take the rest of the afternoon with some sweet tea thrown in at some point for good measure.
The next morning on the phone or at the local store someone would ask the question…..”Hey I saw you all at Billy’s yesterday was anything wrong?” To which they would reply….”No, we were just visiting.”
So today I salute those who still know how important it is to interact with friends, show kindness to their neighbors and who still practice the ancient art of “Just Visiting”.
January 2, 2018
CATHY:
So this frigid weather puts a “freeze” on my potential beautiful pictures with the “big camera”. The full moon setting over the mountains this morning was my goal. It was so darn cold my lens fogged up and would have frozen. With this brilliant excuse it’s just another cell phone picture. This is my Winter tree (aka) Christmas tree. The battery powered candles are still going strong so I’m leaving it up awhile with a new name.
DANA:
Sitting in my kitch
en, working on the computer, in the quiet, thinking. Sometimes that can drive you nuts! But today I looked up and noticed my signs. The ones I have had hanging in my kitchen for a few years but take for granted.
So here is to a new year with more prayer and more willingness to bend and let things that are of little to no importance be. To less stress, more positive thoughts, more human kindness and to strive toward a greater peace.
January 1, 2018
CATHY:
A new beginning……again. This year my New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight. What????…..Again?!? It could happen, right?….
OK then, maybe something a little more creative like start a blog with my bestie! Confession, it’s not my idea but hers. She is the smart one 😉.
We are the kind of friends that can go for years without contact then pick back up like it was yesterday. This IS a true friend and I am blessed to have her. So here goes, a picture and a few words about our daily life. This should be fun.
DANA:
AND life goes on! For the first time in quite a while I am actually looking forward to see what this next year brings. I know it won’t be all puppy farts and glitter but hey, it will be ok.
So I had this idea…an idea that I knew only one person could pull off with me and keep me motivated. It would take a creative best friend with a different life, different ideas, and patience to put up with me!!
Yep, I have the perfect one! Did I mention that she is also a kick ass photographer?
So here goes….our daily lives with one picture and one word, or phrase, or maybe on those trying days a whole freakin’ book!!
“March Weather” – Snow, Sun, Wind…with flowers and green grass.
“Moose Drool” – Nothin’ like a little Moose Drool to calm your nerves and quench your thirst after a hectic day.
“Sunup to Sundown” – Sunup to sundown was spent at work. This picture I took a few days ago of a Sunflower that still stands in our garden. Hubby tried to knock it over with the lawnmower last Fall but it refuse to crumble.
“Good Morning” – Feeling very blessed to wake up with this out my window this morning. Looking forward to another productive day!
“Sick Day” – Just a picture of one of my favorite festivals. Claytor Lake shoots fireworks off a barge the 3rd Saturday of June. What a beautiful way to watch and photograph them. Takes forever to get out afterwards but worth every minute!
“Writing Class” – Had my first writing class at Valley School today and my picture is what the road looked like getting there! I also met two school buses coming back from a field trip. Trust me when I say they don’t miss school for snow out here!
“Just For Me” – After a miserable night of snotting and snorting, I dragged my weary butt out of bed for work. I drugged up sufficiently, and hit the road. I was pretty much driving on auto pilot when I noticed a large bird in the tree over the road.
“Fly The Friendly? Skies” – This was a beautiful view from the plane as I landed in Billings, MT today. I used to love to fly! It was easy, laid back and the airport personnel did not treat you like a terrorist!
“Man Cold” – Almost made it through the Winter without cold or flu, but alas it has caught up with me. I really hate to whine, but this one could almost make me act like I have a “man cold”. I’m a woman though, so I got my chores done and I’m ready to go to work tomorrow.
“West” – Looking forward to heading West soon for a short visit. Was fortunate enough to get this picture early one morning last September. Yep, it was snowing and 23 degrees and it was beautiful! God has given us some wonderful things to see in this world! We just have to get out there and find them.
“Robins!” – Awaken to a beautiful sunny Saturday and when I looked out the window my yard was full of Robins. They were late this year for some reason, but they are here now.
“In Nana’s Arms” – So here is the poem that I finished last night.
“Spring Fever Letdown” – So much for Spring fever and thank God I didn’t take my Winter decorations down. Why, you ask….because Mother Nature is fickle and I like to think, she can’t fool this wise old bird. I’m not wise for the most part, but I’ve got a half of century…plus, on this Spring tease, song and dance, and she didn’t score one point with me.
“Create” – Well I thought I had dodged a bullet. High wind warnings from Thursday, wind gusted all night, power flickered but I had electricity this morning! Yay!
“A Step Back In Time” – I grew up watching the Andy Griffith show. Since most of them were in black & white, I’m sure I was watching reruns years later….right???? Well I Googled it, and sure enough they began before I was born. Anyways, as a kid, I thought it was cool the setting was so close to home. My Airy was Mayberry and Mt Pilot was Pilot Mountain.
“Cat” – I am trying to finish our latest children’s book about Cat, one of my daughter’s rodeo horses. He is one of a kind. In his rodeo days he was as powerful and quick as he was quirky. He definitely has a distinct personality and he loved to go to the rodeo!
