I'm trying to talk myself into loving the pace I am stuck at right now...it feels like a whirlwind.

Bit it does makes me appreciate...

long showers,

my bed at night,

friends who check in to make sure I'm still alive,

red lights,

and even grocery store lines.

Some days we just need to be forced into standing still so we can be observant to how special the day is.

sending Earl home

I am so sorry, I forgot today was the Brenda Photo Challenge. The last two days have been really busy for me and it completely slipped my mind. Between getting Earl situated and helping another friend organize a memorial in the park for her boyfriend who passed away - I've been a little preoccupied. Homeless people can keep you very busy you know!

Last night went well. I found Earl under a tree and he was upset that someone had ripped him off (again). He had become quite an easy target I think. So we visited and I asked him how he'd like to go home TONIGHT. I could tell he was searching my eyes to discern if I was serious or not. When he realized I meant right now - his eyes filled up. So we left his blanket right there beneath the tree for someone else to find. I brought him home with me. My neighbors stared as we got out of the car and I wondered what they were thinking, but I really didn't care. I showed him around my home and let me tell you...if you ever want to regain appreciation for the things you take for granted, bring a homeless person into your life. I had fixed a dinner I thought he might like with roast, mashed potatoes, and corn, but he wasn't hungry and settled for sweet tea. After a while he took a shower and got all cleaned up and I washed what clothes he had in his backpack. He repacked everything and I made him a bunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to take with him. Without refrigeration his choices were minimal, but he was graciously appreciative. We arrived at Greyhound in time to wait for about an hour and finally the bus rolled in. Getting him all checked in with only a confirmation number and password was easy, but when I reminded the driver that he needed assistance with his transfers I was confronted with one of the rudest people I have ever met. The driver informed me he had too much to remember and if I wanted my passenger to be assisted I should be on the bus with him. We exchanged a few more "pleasantries" and then a young man who overheard my dilemma volunteered to help Earl out at his first transfer. Thank goodness. Now I only pray that he will have a little guardian angel all the way to his destination. I don't know if Greyhound has checkpoints where you can call to confirm transfer success, but tomorrow I will call and see if he made it to where he's suppose to be by then. Bless his heart, he's such a nice man and his family is so excited that he is coming home. I called his daughter when I returned home and she was waiting up for the call (3:30 a.m. her time). We talked for almost an hour - she had so many questions. So goes the Earl saga. His daughter promised to let me know if he showed up at her end. Last night was kind of bittersweet and yes, I did get a little tiny tiny tear in my eye, but the joy in my heart outweighed everything else. Oh, and Annette...he said to tell you bye - "my friend with the pierced nose" - Bon voyage Earl....we wish you a happy reunion, but maybe not so many adventures! Now....have I ever told you guys about Byron??? Ha, ha...just kidding. Maybe.

all in a day's work

What a busy day. I spent the greater part of the afternoon doing yardwork...planting flowers, pulling weeds, pruning wild branches. Now I have blisters on my hands to match the ones on my feet. Kristin and I went for a long walk yesterday and I wore the wrong shoes. I knew better, but still did it anyway...

carpe diem

It's Friday! I have many errands to run today and I'm hoping to squeeze in a little Christmas shopping.
I know, I know...it's not even Thanksgiving yet...but I'm starting to be in the holiday spirit now and one never knows how long that will last so I have to seize the moment before it goes away!

election 2008

sharing is caring

It's Friday...a day that I always look forward to for a number of reasons. I am a little tired today though because I've had a sick hound since Wednesday morning and when she's miserable, we're all miserable. I'm waiting for the Vet to call to see if they can squeeze her in today. I think she might be having a reaction to the Rimadyl medication she is taking for her joints, hopefully it's nothing too serious. When she looks at me with her sad brown eyes I feel so sorry for her!

Yes, I am going to go feed my new found friends this evening (I'm having a little difficulty referring to them as homeless, or those people anymore). Last week when I went one of the ladies asked for spaghetti so spaghetti it is. She's a sweetheart. She received some food from a food pantry somewhere and in her box of goodies there was a box of cereal. She handed it to me and I must have looked at her funny...she said, "Go ahead and take it, I've saved it for you all week." I told her I could never take her food, she should keep it and eat it. She said she never gets milk and doesn't like it dry and it would mean a lot to her if I accepted it. So I put it in the bag of things I brought with me and thanked her. She said she wanted me to take her shopping when she got her food stamps so she could buy meat and I could take it home with me to use for when I cook for them. I told her I just couldn't do that. Now I'm wondering if it is important to some of them that they feel they have contributed something. I'll have to let this idea bounce around a bit, I just don't know if I could do that. What do you think? One thing is for certain, I'm going to have to get their bottles of water under ice early today, because it's going to be a hot one!

I so appreciate the kind comments you all leave me, I wish I could give you each a big hug...your friendship means so very much.
Have a safe and fun-filled Labor Day weekend!

busy bee

I'm tired...takin' a break...I've been working diligently in and around the garden and in the house getting some long overdue Spring cleaning done. I've been washing windows, screens, planting flowers, pulling weeds...you know, all THAT stuff.
It's actually so very nice to be outdoors.

I am always amazed at nature...every year we are gifted with these crazy Japanese Maple trees that just sprout up everywhere. I find them, transplant them and then watch them grow. They are beautiful trees. Pretty soon I'll have a whole forest of them that I can share with others.

Anyone need a Japanese Maple tree?
The little seedlings are so cute. I almost admire their perseverance and ingenuity at the spots they take root in...I'm sure there is a life lesson there somewhere, but I'm too tired to think that deep today.

Wednesday Wash

El Miercoles, Mercredi, Mittwoch, Woensdag...Happy, Happy Wednesday! These Summer days are sure flying by! I will be so delighted to embrace Fall. I do not look forward to the upcoming workload but even that cannot persuade me to be anything other than grateful for each day. I love the color change and the fact that I can actually bake and cook without heating up the entire house. I use to do weekly dinner menus for my family because it was easier to derive my shopping list from something I knew I was going to make and also because when I had the time to plan ahead I could prepare new dishes and they could anticipate the flavors from the kitchen. I don't do that anymore because the entire family is rarely home for dinner at the same time. They have obligations and things going on. I've even had to sacrifice my one rule that "no matter what" you have to be home for Sunday dinner. Dave's small group meets from 4:00-6:00 and Erik's college group meets around 7:00 so that fizzled out. But Fall always brings new hope that program changes will contour to a mother's needs. If it were anything other than church I would put my foot down but I can see that priorities are as they should be. Yesterday I finally confiscated the digital camera from Kristin. I took a few pictures of the projects I have been working on but I'm waiting to get some before and after shots before posting them. Although I did sneak in a picture of Lacey because she is so cute. I REALLY need to transplant the Japanese Maple trees that come up along the fence line. What a wonderful gift to be able to share. I do not have the space for them so if you know me and are reading this and would like a Japanese Maple tree let me know. I have been told that they are the kind that grow tall not the short, thick topped ones. Right now they are mere seedlings about 2-3" tall but with care away from Winter nights they grow quite quickly. I have one that is in a container that is about 6 foot tall and I move it around from time to time. The leaves turn a bright orange-red. Anyway, that is something I need to get done because the Winter frost might get the ones I leave behind and that would be an unfortunate waste. Not too much excitement on today's agenda. Housework, laundry, etc. I did get Kanako's package mailed to her in Japan... finally. I can be such a procrastinator, but truly I despise standing in long lines. I heard from a friend yesterday that I haven't heard from in awhile. Wendy. She is selling her business and thinking about moving to Oregon or Washington. Everyone is moving out of California. Can't really say that I blame her. It is expensive to live here, but the nice thing about where we live is that we are only 2 hours away from anywhere. The mountains are to the east and the ocean is to the west. Yosemite National Park is only a short drive. San Francisco is very close. There really are many places to go if you can afford the gas. Actually gas prices have went down somewhat. Yesterday they were at $2.77 gallon. That's not so bad from $3.25 gallon. Well I am going to get busy, I have many things to do. May you get everything on your list done...and if you don't, there is always tomorrow?

Kanako

It's Friday, yet another blessed day to wake up in. I love to get up early and feel rested. Sometimes those two things do not go together. Today I have plans to visit a dear friend. I have not seen her in such a long time so I am excited to see her. When we get together we talk for hours. There have been many changes in both our lives since our last visit, so we have numerous things to get caught up on. Yesterday I bought all the ingredients to make biscotti, I wish I had the time to make it before I saw her, she would love that. Unfortunately my oven door is on the fritz and can't be fixed until this weekend. Something is wrong with one of the hinges and can only be opened about 5 inches. Somewhat of an inconvenience and absolutely an eye opener as to yet another item I take for granted. Kristin wanted chocolate chip cookies the other day and I had to say "sorry". This weekend should prove to be quite busy if I actually get the things done that I would like to. I need to concentrate more on my Summer projects if I am going to get them completed before school starts. I have gathered things for Kanako my Japanese "daughter" and I need to get those in the mail. She is having a baby and I only wish I could be there to experience this special time with her. Her baby is due any day now and it is customary to move back home for one or two months with parents to get help. Sho (her husband) will travel to see her and the baby on weekends. I am sending her American lullabies on CD, a Winnie-the-Pooh blanket, and a number of small things I have collected for her family. I began knitting her a baby blanket but the weather turned hot and I have been slow to work on it. Not to mention I could not find the pattern I wanted to do so I made do with simple work and didn't think it was very enjoyable to work on, but I will get it finished before Christmas. Kanako is a special girl to my family. She came to us when she was 15 years old as an exchange student. She only stayed with us for two weeks but we fell in love with her gentle and caring nature. She returned to us when she was 17 years old and lived with us for one year. She graduated from high school here and made many friends. There were times when she was a challenge to us but in some way she helped me to prepare for the teenage years of my own children. We were very sad to see her leave. She returned again two years ago and brought her mother to meet us. They only stayed for one week but we had the best time. The difference in language was never a barrier. Kanako's english is quite good and she would interpret when needed but overall expression and body language spoke for itself. We stayed up late every night drinking tea and comparing cultures. The time was priceless and we didn't like seeing them go back to Japan. We still stay in touch and often exchange packages through the mail. Kanako recently got married and sent us a video of the ceremony. It was such a beautiful wedding. I had the honor of making the welcome board for the entry way. Her colors were yellow and orange. I think I may have some pictures of it that I will post. It was a fun project. Now here she is having a baby at age 25. I really wish I could go there for a couple of weeks but it isn't the best timing right now. I have her package ready to mail so I need to take it to the post office. Well I had better get out and water the garden before the temperature rises. Yesterday I received two packages of assorted garden seeds from my GardenHere friends and I want to spend a little time looking them up as some of them are unfamiliar to me. I have many things to do today...if you have joined me during a portion of my quiet time then I hope your day is blessed with busy hands as well.