HUMM

pic taken on beach in North Carolina

If you do something good, enjoy it, repeat it, allow it to become a way of life.
-Dhammapada




water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than 1/50 in. (0.5 mm) in diameter.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
drops of fresh water that fall as precipitation from clouds


I've been wondering. If rain is condensed from aqueous vapor in the atmosphere, then why do we have to have water rationing? I know I must be stupid or something. BUT.... if we use water to water plants, etc.... won't it go back into the ground or condense into the atmosphere and continue that cycle? I must be missing some part of the cycle.

Steel prices cause inflation like wet sidewalks cause rain.
-Blough, Roger M


If you want to be vice-president, stand out here in the rain in your underwear and let everybody see what you're made of.
-Brady, Nicholas F(rederick)


When for a moment, like a drop of rain, He sinks into thy depths with bubbling groan, Without a grave, unkindled, uncoffined, and unknown.
-Rochdale


But afterall it's not the winning that matters, is it? Or is it? It's ö

to coin a word ö the amenities that count: the smell of the dandelions, the puff of the pipe, the click of the bat, the rain on the neck, the chill down the spine, the slow, exquisite coming on of sunset and dinner and rheumatism.
-Cooke, (Alfred) Alistair


nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands
-cummings, e e


Do not expect again a phoenix hour, The triple-towered sky, the dove complaining, Sudden the rain of gold and heart's first ease Traced under trees by the eldritch light of sundown.
-Day-Lewis, Cecil

doggie days

Ok folks here is the new puppie I got for my
granddaughters 9th birthday. Both of them are
crazy about dogs. In fact all the kiddos love them.

She is a Yorkie Poo- She is so sweet. I don't think Snickers has quite figured out what she is yet. A wind up toy or what! Uh OOO she just grabbed one of his favorite toys and ran off with it.
Good boy- he is sharing.
Right now she is going by Sadie Lynn.
My friends have given her some real names! (Desdimona, Baby Beamer, Onyx, Sheba, Emma).
I don't think she weighs a pound yet. She is 9 weeks old.
She likes to grab snickers scarf and pull on it! I am supposed to have her toilet trained by the time I take her up to Maryland-wish me luck on that one. It's all I can do to get her to eat right now.
The collar I bought her is too big, and it's the smallest one I could find. She is only supposed to get to about 7 pounds. She looks about the size of Snickers when we got him.
It's real hard to get the dogs to both look at ya the same time. I guess I didn't do too badly. Dau #1 is scolding her now for biting her toes.
Aunt Mel looks like she can love all the dogs HUH!


A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down.
Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945)
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
Roger Caras

Mountain Man

Bought this hydrangea for Easter- so pretty.
Still haven't planted, but will get around to it one
of these days! Am planning some gardening, but don't seem to get around to it. Has been pretty hot, guess I will have to set the clock to get up before it's too hot to work outside? Today is supposed to get to 85 or so. NO I am not complaining.

Was feeling pretty sad the other day and wrote this little thing. Sometimes it makes one feel better just to write? Maybe one day I will get better at it?



Why did you leave me?
I know the reason why,
but I can't forget your beautiful blue eyes
cloud over with death.

I'm having a tough time
especially during the night.
You aren't there to awaken
to discuss trivial & deep things.

You were a mountain man
in so many ways
not just in physical size & coming from Colorado.
Your calm soothing Burl Ives voice,
your gentleness & genuineness.
Your patience with everyone you met.
Your knowledge of the Bible
was what I wished I could get!

I know I'll meet you again one day,
but why does it have to be this way?
See ya buddy, confidant, friend,
lover, honey, my mountain man.
I know you're watching over us,
but sometimes the pain is more than I can bear!

It's all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation.
Dr. Rob Gilbert

The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.
Okakura Kakuzo

Earth Day a Day Late

Tote cotton bags to the grocery store. Drink out of a reusable water bottle. We've heard more Earth Day tips than we can shake a Forestry Stewardship Council-certified stick at. But what about the environmental no-nos? Diane MacEachern, author of Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World, offers a top 10 list of things we shouldn't’t do to protect the planet.

1. Don’t drive like a teenager, speeding up and slowing down and weaving in and out of traffic. Such aggressive driving can lower fuel efficiency by 33 percent. Accelerate gently and stay with the traffic to save gas and money.
2. Don’t use cleansers and personal care products that contain triclosan or other antibacterial agents. Public health officials worry that antibacterials in cleansers, window cleaners, and soaps are causing us to become resistant to antibiotics. Use simple soap and hot water for cleaning, and body soaps and lotions that do not say “antibacterial” or “fights germs” on the label.
3. Don’t go shopping without a list! According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, people waste about 30 percent of their household food budgets buying groceries that eventually expire and have to be thrown out. Know what you want to buy before you hit the store aisles—you’ll buy less of what you don’t need, buy more of what you’re likely to use, and reduce the impact your shopping has on the planet. Then put your list on your refrigerator so you don’t forget what’s inside.
4. Don’t leave the lights on when you leave the room. You could save as much as $100 per year in electricity costs by turning off a 100-watt light bulb when you’re not using the light.
5. Don’t leave the computer on if you’re going to be gone longer than two hours, and don’t leave the monitor on if you’re going to be gone longer than 20 minutes. If you plug your electronics into an energy-saving power strip, you can reduce the energy they use by as much as 40 percent.
6. Don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth. Turning off the tap when you brush your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water a day, 240 gallons a month – saving hundreds on your water bill each year.
7. Don’t buy “snack packs” that come wrapped in cardboard and plastic. Small individual packages use more energy and resources to manufacture and transfer, and are often twice as expensive as the same product sold in a larger bag or box.
8. Don’t use so much shampoo, soap, lotion, make-up, gel, and perfume. More than 25 percent of all women and one of every 100 men use at least 15 products daily, according to a survey of 2,300 men and women, exposing people to hundreds of chemicals during the course of a day. Can you reduce the number of products you use by at least three?
9. Don’t buy new. Remember the 3 R’s of eco-friendly living? They begin with “reduce” (the other two are “re-use” and “recycle”). If you need to shop, start with eBay, Freecycle.org, the neighbor’s yard sale, or the community vintage or thrift store.
10. Don’t sit at your computer all day. Get outdoors for at least an hour to remember why Mother Nature is worth protecting. Besides, if you’ve done all the other don’ts on this list, you deserve to take a break!

Was out all day yesterday trying out my new car. Probably wasting gas, but at least not as much.' and it was such a pretty day to do it! I find myself conserving more every day. Is it my age or is it I am more aware?

Ya know Americans waste so much! Ya just need to visit other countries. We are definitely a throw away culture!

I am gonna try and get out side and do that garden I have been wanting to do so, better get off the computer before the temp rises too high.

MY NEW TOY

Well I decided I needed this? Actually before hubby died we were talking about it, so decided I should go ahead and get.

As you all know, dau#1 is handicapped, and had so much trouble getting into the van. She has absolutely no prob getting into this!

Ya think the red is me?? Hubby always said we shouldn't have a red vehicle-'Stats say they have the most accidents.' Owell what will be will be!

It had 9miles on the odometer when I picked up, I bet that won't last for long!

Hey and I can get it into the driveway!

All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that.
Baltasar Gracian

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967)

After the Rain

Guess everyone has heard by now we had 'tornadoes' here in Florida.
I fell very lucky they didn't hit my house, but were quite nearby.
Man the sky's were awesome, a very different color & hue.
Black & green clouds quickly flew by. It moved 25 miles per hour.
Maybe so, but it was pretty ugly all day here.
Late in the afternoon, while I was laying down reading in my room,
there was such a clash & boom of thunder & lightening.
Dau#1 screamed, and I quickly got out of bed to make sure all was ok in the Casa! Whew, butterflies were ablast in my stomach! but all was well!


During the day I put all my plants out for some good ole rain and
even went to neighbors to get theirs out too.
Both of them are over 80, what else could I do.
Had to take pup out in the rain-he doesn't like that,
but I waited till it died down abit. He doesn't like the rain!
I also had more visitors in the Casa than the norm!
I couldn't believe they were out.


Now the after the rain part-
my back and knee are killing me
the sinuses are free from gunk!
I can breathe with glee
The skies are clear as can be
the flowers are perkier
and everything looks cleaner
even the birds are singing beautifully.
There is a crispness about the air
how very fortunate for me!

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

PEEPS

OK, you caught me in the Easter Candy! I just can't help myself. Don't buy much chocolate, cause I just can't eat one! Actually this is Dau#1's
but owell she is in bed !
Don't ya love the peeps "basket"? A yard sale find-I actually paid 25 cents for the basket so I could afford to buy more candy!
Went to a friend's home for Dinner last eve. That woman can sure cook. We had ham, potato salad, sweet potatoes, a fave squash thing she makes, homemade green beans, corn, apple sauce,deviled eggs, homemade Sangria and this decadent chocolate cake! WOOWOO I was stuffed.
O I forgot, I brought a shrimp & tortellini dish. I always forget you are not supposed to cook Italian food for an Italian, but all said it was good.

Don't feel too bad for me, but I actually got a sunburn on my back yesterday! Just walking the dog. Today it was hard getting up! Probably was a combo of the sunburn & wine & food I had yesterday. I am drowning myself in water today to flush it all out!


Some flowers from a friend for my birthday- a little belated. but appreciated none the less!

Was another lovely day here in Florida. We are expected to get rain tomorrow. We really need it. we are only supposed to water the plants one time per week! You guessed it- tomorrow is the day! Well I guess I have rambled long enough. Hope all are well!

Do not judge men by mere appearances; for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy.
Edward Chapin

the Hat Lady

I never, never wear a hat and found the sun so hot decided to steal this one from dau#1. Actually was having a very bad hair day but wanted a pic from this beautiful site. Silly me, but her hair always looks good even when she says she is having a bad hair day. You would not believe my daughters' hair- both of them! Have an abundance of hair! I know they got that from both sides even though dear ole dad was pretty bald! He had luscious hair when we first met. He always told folk " she wore it off me", or "they don't put marble tops on cheap furniture". He had an abundance of those silly sayings!

Whenever asked "whats your favorite holiday?" I always say 'o I don't know', but this week I am saying Easter is my favorite. I have never really liked Christmas, but now really don't like too much. My mom died 2 days after and hubby died 4 days after! Plus Christmas always has so many expectations that aren't always realised! Plus I get SADD.
With Easter, spring is starting all the flowers I love are blooming, and the world is waking up. My SADD departs for another season! YEAH

Went to do some last minute grocery shopping this am before the crowds started. How smart is that! However, when I stopped by Einstein Bagel to get something for dau#1, YIKES the folks were out in a vengeance! I had to wait a bit til her one breakfast sandwich got done!

Does anyone hate crowds as much as me? I hate shopping period. People don't understand that in me. Owell, just another tidbit about me.

Well I have loads to do before some friends stop by for dinner, so better close!
Despite all the rambling- Everyone have a wonder Easter, wherever it may lead you!


Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Good Friday

The deafening silence
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard... 1 John 1:1

Jesus. Was from the from the beginning. Which we have heard.
His newborn baby cries. Luke 2:1-7

Teaching in the temple at the age of 12. Luke 2:41-50

Refuting Satan when tempted in the desert. Matthew 4:1-11

Calling His disciples. John 1:35-49 Instructing the stewards to fill the water jars. John 2:1-11

Teaching on the mount. Matthew 5-7 Speaking in parables. Luke 12-19

Explaining the parables. Matthew 15:15-20 Calming the storm. Mark 4:37-41

Rebuking demons. Mark 5:1-20 Foretelling His own death. Matthew 17:22-23

Blessing young children. Matthew 19:13-15 Healing the sick. John 9:1-41

Praying in the Garden. Matthew 26:36-46

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard... 1 John 1:1

Jesus spoke. The people around Him heard his voice. In His 33 years, He squealed as a child, taught, rebuked, comforted, pleaded, corrected, encouraged, prayed, blessed, predicted, challenged, healed, and explained.
Then.. At the most critical point in history, He became silent.

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." Isaiah 53:7

"And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Matthew 26:62-63
"Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, 'You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.' So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 'He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, "I am the Son of God."' And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way." Matthew 27:38-44

Though He was condemned, mocked, whipped, beaten and nailed to the cross He remained silent. Not accusing, not defending, not arguing, not condemning, not angry. No rather, He remained silent in submission to the will of the Father in perfect obedience.

"...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

The silence that was deafening.
Quiet your spirit today, and listen to that silence.


composed by Diane

Tuesday Already?!

Treasure Island Beach Fla. Corinne, my niece has been visiting! I have been so busy! Never a dull moment with her around.
Then a friend had to go away for a few days and I am now with 2 dogs! yikes, how much fun is one woman to have! our dogs get along just fine, but walking 2 dogs is soo much FUN, not. Then the issue of where do they sleep! They want to play into wee hours of the night! We have taken to putting in separate rooms, but they try all night to get together to PLAY! Of course Mollie, the visitor doesn't want to eat, but my dog Snickers loves her food. Today I even took him out longer so she could eat, did she eat, of course not! I figure she will eat eventually!
Did I mention they look a little similar? Snickers on left Mollie on right
O my niece doesn't like animals!

A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things - a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.
John Grogan, Marley and Me, 2005

O I almost forgot- the tree I posted about last is an Oak- it is dated 300-500 yrs old-how do they date a tree again!?

HOT N HUMID

The oldest tree in these parts- in our town. Don't think I posted it before, and too lazy to look.
Well we arrived safely back here in Florida. Took 2 days from Maryland- we stayed overnight in Georgia. We have to stay in a place that accepts pets as our pretty pup goes with us. Ya know they charged $10 for him, for a small shih tzu! Owell I could be dishonest and not tell, but am not made that way! He is small, quiet and well behaved!
Glad to be back to my own bed, but is it hot and humid! was ok slowly getting used to it, but OMY after being in MD with cool temps it's quite an adjustment. Guess I will have to spend the afternoon at the pool! Whats a woman to do- someone has to do it. I will be thinking of ya all up north!

Well Happy April Fool's day! I always remember it with great delight. My dad didn't like many holidays, but he loved April Fool's Day- He loved to play pranks and the better he fooled ya the better he liked it. Also, I remember a woman I worked wiht over the years always said say "White Rabbits, White Rabbits , White Rabbits on the first of April and you will have good luck the remainder of the year- Somehow I always remember to say it! silly huh, what we remember and do!

Defining and analyzing humor is a pastime of humorless people.
Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945)

Sorry I had to change that blue, I am unsettled these days!? know any good therapists- OYEAH- Citizen-need a client in Florida! TEEHEE