Pinecones & Roses

Gratitude

2012-01-29T09:45:00.001-07:00

Thank you so much for your generous comments about my pic of Leonard. It was just one of those lucky things but I learned something very valuable (to me, at least). I had taken a short video of him and he didn't know it. Then I taught myself how to capture the exact pose and turn it into a still shot. You've probably known about that forever but I didn't. Also, because he didn't know I was doing the video I was able to capture a very good shot of him which seems to me much better. Again, thanks a lot - you're great!

Life

2012-01-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. Crowfoot

Deep In Thought?

2012-01-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, my husband does spend a lot of time thinking. He's a great thinker - he studies politics and can read between the lines in much of the political gobbledegook. Over the years he's learned a lot about what makes people tick and why civilizations rise or fall. But this time instead of thinking about some big problem he's actually trying to figure his next move on solitaire.

Barn's Burnt Down, Now I Can See The Moon

2012-01-26T20:27:00.001-07:00

Strangely, this haiku by Masahide came to my mind as I walked along the creek today. After crying and raging about the irreverent "beautification" of the creek bank by city crews I settled down and realized that now I can see the creek, and the mountains. Leonard reminded me that a lot of that growth will grow back. I still don't like it and it's so frustrating that you don't have a voice in anything but I tell myself that I'm not the one in charge here - God is. Barn's burnt down, now I can see the moon. Diane

Dog Days of Winter

2012-01-25T20:01:00.001-07:00

In case you've been wondering how Rascal has been getting through the winter.............He loves to lay on the cold stone tiles underneath the wood stove. In case you wonder if I ever brush or trim him, yes I do, he has so much hair that it's almost a full time job. He just tickles me when he lays upside down like that, totally vulnerable. Hope you're getting through these winter days well. Diane

The Trucks Came Today.......

2012-01-24T18:50:00.001-07:00

So many times I've posted pictures of the very special place I like to walk -
along Big Goose creek.

In all seasons it's beautiful.

Today the city showed up to clear and trim and cut. When I walked by they were
eyeing the big tree on the left hand side. For 25 years they've paid no attention
to the creek. When somebody gouged a ditch along it I
had to beg them to come down with a load
of soil and fill it in. Last summer a hole developed alongside of the
bridge big enough for a child or adult could disappear into.
I called them several times and they finally came down and
put a little fence around it.

So here's part of the "beautification".
Where will the ducks and turkeys and pheasants find
cover now? Where will creatures find shade?
Where is the old apple tree?
Why are they doing this?
Diane

Enjoying This Moment

2012-01-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

A basket of old roses in my cottage. It's going to be interesting to see what I can do with my camera with the flowers this year, maybe butterflies. Imagine sitting clear across the yard and getting a fantastic shot of a butterfly or dragonfly. Everything is cold and frozen and slick as glass. It's a great time to think of next summer and how lovely it will be to go outside without a coat. But........don't wish time away. It's a great time to be inside! Diane

No-No

2012-01-22T19:46:00.002-07:00

When I got my camera I read the book through - really I did! Then today the light was so beautiful I took two pictures, this one and another. Then, on a hunch, I read through my book again and sure enough -- don't aim your camera at a light source, you might hurt the inside workings of it!

Dang! Well, I decided to share the picture and the advice and I'll just hope that two pictures didn't ruin my great new camera.

Happy 20th birthday to my sweet granddaughter, Hannah!!

Diane

White Tulips

2012-01-21T15:34:00.001-07:00

Some brightness on a gloomy day. This beautiful white tulip plant for $3.99. Just the perfect thing to brighten up the house today. Diane

How Can You Not Be Joyful

2012-01-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this? It just makes me feel good as well as amazed! Diane

White!!

2012-01-19T20:09:00.001-07:00

The bathroom is finished - more or less. A few little things are left to do but you can get the idea of the change. Below is a picture before.

Two Pictures

2012-01-18T21:39:00.002-07:00

This little Downy Woodpecker is a visitor to our feeders this time of year. I walked right past one on the suet feeder and didn't disturb him at all. Such cute little guys.

Seems that everything is black and white this time of the year.

I kind of like this - it reminds me of how I feel sometimes. Diane

No Place to Be

2012-01-17T17:48:00.001-07:00

Today as I walked I heard hundreds of birds in the treetops. Cedar Waxwings I was sure, but it didn't sound like them. It sounded like Robins. I zoomed in on one of them and sure enough it was. Hundreds of them chattering away and fussing and swooping down to an open spot in the creek to drink. Way, way too early for Robins. I think they must have been migrating or disoriented, it was 5 below last night, no place for these birds to be in the dead of winter. Diane

Life Imitating Art

2012-01-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took this picture of Cedar Waxwings in the top of a tree. After I got home I realized how similar it is to one of our paintings.

It's a geclee print by the artist Don Rodell who is the husband of a friend of mine.
It's called "Morning Warm-up". Diane

Special Little Things

2012-01-15T18:57:00.001-07:00

Rocks from Alaska, a Christmas picture when my girls were little, a handmade clamshell book - special little things to warm my heart when I see it. It isn't the expensive things that make you feel rich, it's the little things. Diane

Conversation

2012-01-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

So anyway I said, "if you don't decide what to do pretty soon you're going to have an awful problem." And he said, " I think I already do, somebody has found my hiding place................"

Do you ever wonder what animals and birds are saying to each other??? I do. Diane

Morning Light

2012-01-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

Beautiful sunrise this morning even though we have a fresh layer of snow and it's very cold. The leaves cling to the wayfaring bush refusing to give up like old habits that won't go away. We're on the other side of the sun now even with cold days. The cold days are easy to enjoy, staying in the house, doing things that need to be done or that I want to do. Each day's a blessing, a miracle. Diane

Goodbye Green Paint

2012-01-10T20:08:00.002-07:00

Our bathroom was white and several years ago I wanted to paint it a funny colored green. I've enjoyed the color and haven't heard any complaints. It's kind of a rich color that goes well with ivory and whites. I've decided to go back to antique white, it's brighter and cleaner looking. So that's what I've been doing, repainting the bottom half of the bathroom. But as I look at this picture now my heart pulls back to the richness of the green. Colors!!!! They make me crazy!!! Diane

Hangers-on

2012-01-08T18:07:00.001-07:00

Some of my little handmade and special ornaments just weren't ready to be packed away so I hung them on a little twig tree in my art room. They make an interesting silhouette against the window. Do you have things that you just hate to pack away and would rather enjoy at least for a little while longer? Diane

A Trip to Trail End

2012-01-07T20:09:00.003-07:00

The Kendrick Mansion or Trail End sits high on a hill overlooking the valley
where our home is located.
It was built by a cattleman who came north on a cattle drive and decided
to make his home here. Much of the part of the
valley below was once owned by him. As you turn directly around from the front
door of the mansion this is what you see.......

Is it any wonder that he fell in love with the location?

Sweeping views of our beloved Bighorn mountains.

Diane

Scattered Stars

2012-01-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

Remember a couple weeks ago when I hung stars on our Canadian Red Cherry tree? Then remember we had a Chinook with strong winds and pelting rains? Well, my stars blew away.

I thought it was sweet to think that maybe someone found a star and picked it up thinking...oh, look, a star - maybe it fell out of the sky and I found it!

Yesterday my husband was doing some work in the yard and found some of them. He carefully hung the ones he could back on the tree and picked up damaged ones and brought them in to dry! Sweet, huh?!! Diane

My Daughter Amanda

2012-01-04T19:31:00.003-07:00

Every week Amanda volunteers at an animal shelter in Alaska. Every week she puts her heart right out there to get broken again and again. A friend of hers took this photo yesterday - they're hoping to find a home for this little girl before it's too late. I tell her I could not do what she does, she tells me that if she can give the creatures some love and special attention she's doing something. She leaves me with such a lump in my throat because she has so much love to give them . Diane

Panic!

2012-01-03T19:39:00.001-07:00

Rascal had been sleeping last evening and when I went to take him out for the last time he couldn't walk across the floor. He would take a step and then sit down and look guilty.

Leonard and I went into panic mode. We just didn't want to deal with something awful. We picked him up and started looking him over. I discovered a cockleburr which had stuck in his tail hairs and then it had stuck to the back of his foot!

After trimming out the burr we all let out a sigh of relief, even Rascal!

Playing With My Camera

2012-01-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

This picture of the squirrel is nothing new except that when I took it I was on the ground and he was about 4 stories up in the top of a tree.

Nice to be able to capture crisp, sharp edges.

And I was standing up on the creek bank and shooting this about 50 feet away. It's the water running under the ice. Very chilly day here but at least we're on the other side of the Winter Solstice and heading toward the sun. Hope you had a peaceful day. Diane

My Word!

2012-01-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Last new year's day I began my journal with a word that I wanted to inspire me and keep me pointed in the right direction. That word was GLORIOUS. It was a great choice - in fact it was such a great choice that after thinking about it for a week and trying to decide on another word I chose it again. It makes me think of abundance, joy, beauty, excellence, gorgeous color, shooting stars, sparkles and of course, God's angels themselves. So glorious it will be for 2012.

Wishes

2011-12-31T19:11:00.000-07:00

As the year winds down I look fondly back at all of our chats and laughter, tears and joy. I look forward to what's coming next and I know that with God all things are possible. Wishing you all the best that life has to offer in the coming new year. Blessings, Diane

A Sigh of Relief

2011-12-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

Today was Cathy's last day of radiation treatment. She doubled up on the treatments two days so that she could have it over with by the end of the year. I'm so proud of her for going through this and getting to today. Hopefully that will be it and she can begin to feel better from the radiation and her life will return to normal. A sigh of relief for all of us! Diane

Chinook

2011-12-29T10:18:00.002-07:00

Right now we're experiencing something that we haven't for a long time. I left these pictures exactly as I took them, with the dark, brooding sky. The temp about an hour and a half ago when I took this was about 50 degrees. Warm wind, water running everywhere.

All the snow on the west side of our house is gone.

Ice melting.

Now it's raining - hard and the wind is howling.

It's a chinook. To partially quote Wikipedia chinooks occur in the interior West of North America, where the Canadian Prairie's and the Great Plains meet various mountain ranges. The original usage is in reference to wet, warm coastal winds in the Pacific Northwest.

Chinook is claimed by popular mythology to mean "eater"but it is really the name of the people in the region where the usage was first derived. In this case it refers to a strong Chinook which can make snow one foot deep almost vanish in one day. The snow partly melts and partly evaporates in the dry wind. The winds have been known to raise the temperature from 20 degrees below to as high as 68 degrees above for a few hours or days, then temperatures plummet to their base levels. The greatest recorded temperature change in 4 hours was caused by Chinook winds on January 15, 1972 in Loma, Montana where the temperature rose from 48 degrees below to 48 degrees above.

I remember these from my childhood. Very interesting...........and slick!!! Diane

Bighorns

2011-12-28T19:47:00.002-07:00

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2

There are some beautiful views of the Bighorns between here and Buffalo where I grew up and our mother is
in the care center. This shot was taken last Saturday. I never get tired of looking at these mountains. Diane

Some Christmas Things

2011-12-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor's Christmas mailbox......................

Catherine's handmade ornament.................................

Swag on the back porch. I'm loving this new camera.
O.K., so this one isn't a Christmas picture but you might like it anyway.

Blessings, Diane

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping that Christmas was a wonderful day for you. Ours was quiet, quiet's good. It was full of lights, music, food, peace, beauty and the satisfaction of knowing that you've done your best to make it a good Christmas for others.

On Christmas Eve day we went over to see Mother at the care center. She was tickled to see Leonard. Usually I go over and spend time with her but Leonard is a special occasion. He brought her some of her favorite treats and she was happy. That evening him and I walked around the neighborhood and took pictures of the neighbor's Christmas lights. We have lived on this street for 24 years and never have I seen it lit up like it was this year. Everybody had some kind of lights and each was as individual as the people who lived there.

And guess what...................I got a new camera!!! This picture of Rascal is one of my trial shots. My old one is a Canon PowerShot A550 and this one is a Canon PowerShot SX150IS. From 7.1 mega pixels to 12x optical zoom! There's no stopping me now!! Diane

Merry Christmas to You

2011-12-22T17:58:00.001-07:00

A Belsnickle and Six Tiny Reindeer

2011-12-21T20:06:00.001-07:00

This little tiny red sleigh rests in my pink tree. I didn't make it, it was found once on a trip to the thrift store. I have to share it with you.

You can see it's tiny....it's made out of one egg holder from an egg carton. It's very old, the runners are made out of some kind of old silver pipe cleaners I think. The little Belsnickle (Santa) just fits in it, both are very fragile. I found a team of 6 tiny reindeer that are the same proportion to pull the sleigh through the pink Christmas haze. Diane

Decking Out the Back Yard

2011-12-20T20:33:00.001-07:00

Stars already hanging in the sanctuary............I was hoping that the weather would hold out long enough so I could hang stars from our Canadian Red Cherry tree and it did.

And apples hanging from the old pine tree for the birds. Now we're really ready for Christmas.

Diane

Christmas Joy

2011-12-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone. - Taylor Caldwell

Sentiment and the Peanut Man

2011-12-18T19:47:00.001-07:00

If you took away the sentiment I don't think I'd have any Christmas decorations left. Everything means something. This snowflake with the jewel in the middle was made by Mother probably 18 years ago. It has a tiny music box inside and it still works. When I press the center it plays a medly of Christmas songs. Rascal hears the tiny sound and lifts his nose and "whisper howls". He howls very, very quietly. The crocheted snowflake laying on the branch is one of a dozen that Catherine made for me long ago, too.

The peanut man was made for me by my granddaughter Lindsay when she was small.

I know your ornaments and decorations are sentimental, too. That's what makes our Christmas trees so special, bringing back all those sweet memories every year. Diane

Shine Your Little Lights

2011-12-17T20:58:00.000-07:00

My little Charlie Brown tree. The little lights are rice lights and they've been everywhere in my house. Very tiny little lights but they're so cheerful and pretty. This little tree is on our back porch to greet everyone. Seems that everybody comes to the back door except for solicitors. Christmas sparkles to you.......Diane

My Reason For Christmas

2011-12-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

Late on a sleepy, star-spangled night, those angels peeled back the sky just like you would tear open a sparkling Christmas present. Then, with light and joy pouring out of Heaven like water through a broken dam, they began to shout and sing the message that baby Jesus had been born. The world had a Savior! The angels called it "Good News," and it was.
Larry Libby, Christmas Stories for the Heart

Diane

The Last Rose of Summer

2011-12-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

Enchantment

2011-12-14T20:35:00.001-07:00

Come into my enchanting little cottage. The lights are on, there's hot chocolate in the mugs and a little fire in the fireplace. We're just waiting for you.

And speaking of enchanting, this is one of the little fawns that I posted in the fall. I took this shot yesterday. he has his winter coat grown out and he's very interested in Rascal. I don't know if he think's that Rascal's another fawn or an enemy but he's very curious.

Thank you for your kind and loving comments about my post about Cathy. Bloggers are the best friends ever! Diane

Update on Catherine

2011-12-13T21:05:00.003-07:00

We had a little Christmas celebration with Catherine and
her husband on Sunday and it was so nice to see them and share
some time together. She's heading towards the 1/2 way mark of the
radiation treatments and I'm so proud of her, she's working as much as she
can every day and dealing with it as something that needs to be
done and over with. But I also know that this is one of the
roughest things she's ever been through and it's very hard on her.
I'm thankful that the cancer is no
worse than it is but somehow cancer is cancer in my heart and mind.
I'm proud of my son-in-law, too, for helping her
every step of the way.
Thanks for letting me talk about this, as a mother it's so hard to see your little girl
(and you still are little to me, Cathy), go through anything like this.

Well, thank you for letting me talk about this thing and being good friends.

Blessings, Diane

Tatum Found That Guy

2011-12-12T20:13:00.002-07:00

My granddaughter took her son Tatum downtown for the Christmas parade in Billings. They were going to see Santa but didn't get to so from then on whenever Tatum saw an image of Santa he would say "I'm gonna find that guy!" Well, as you can see, he did.

Then I messed the picture up because I unknowingly had some glitter on my scanner. I got most of it out of Santa's hair but Tatum has a glitter moustache! Diane

Trimming the Tree

2011-12-11T20:18:00.001-07:00

This treetop angle has survived many of my life's ups and downs and several moves and she's still as beautiful as ever. Leonard puts the tree up, puts the lights on it, finds the angel and places it on top and he's done with his tree decorating. I've had her so long I have no idea where I got her, probably the dime store.

All decorated for Christmas. Diane

Christmas Bells

2011-12-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Bells and Christmas just go together, don't you think? Jingle bells, church bells, sleigh bells - they all sound like Christmas. One Christmas Eve several years ago we were coming back from spending the evening with my parents. As we drove past St. Peter's Episcopal Church bells were ringing for the late services. A light snow was falling, bells ringing, hot chocolate at home.......a perfect Christmas Eve. Diane

Our Christmas Lights

2011-12-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

When the two big Colorado spruce trees were small enough we decorated them with Christmas lights. But soon they got way too tall and Leonard decorates the fence instead. I love the garland around the front door and the little red wreath in the front wreath is one like my grandma had. It was the first thing she hung up every Christmas.

Here the welcoming committee of one is greeting you at the front door.

Have you ever thought about why we brighten up the winter nights in December with Christmas lights? I'm glad we do, they're so cheerful and pretty and take away the gloom of the cold winter nights in the darkest time of the year. Diane

Paper Whites

2011-12-07T20:28:00.001-07:00

My own little garden of them in my art room. The window faces west and they love the beautiful light that comes in there. I do, too. Speaking of whites, this little snow baby hanging from the lamp is called My First Star.

I'm hoping that your home is full of comfort and joy. Diane

Time Out

2011-12-06T15:37:00.001-07:00

Not really. That's just the name of this figurine. Apparently the little Snow Baby has done something naughty and has to sit on the stool and have time out. I can't possibly think of anything that could be.....can you?

Like you right now time out is impossible. But it might be a wonderful idea if you can find a few minutes to steal away to one of your favorite places for a few minutes in spite of the rush of activities this time of year.

Sometimes I forget to thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I really appreciate hearing from each and every one and do not take you for granted. Have a lovely day. Diane

Will It Snow Today?

2011-12-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

That's the name of the center Snow Baby figure. The little penguin and walrus are trying to help the little sweetheart figure out the weather report.

We always love to get them out. Their cheerful little faces and chubby roly poly figures can't help but bring a smile. Blessings, Diane

Black and White

2011-12-04T19:55:00.001-07:00

Wearing my black hooded coat today as I walked Rascal I felt that his blondness was the only patch of color in the world. Everything, it seems, was black or dark brown and white.

Then as I rounded the corner I saw that the neighbors were flying their flag on their new flagpole. Old Glory stood out beautifully against the dark trees. Diane

Busy Time of the Year

2011-12-03T21:07:00.001-07:00

Just like you I have so many things that I'm trying to do right now that it

just makes Rascal worn out. Here he is trying to catch a little dog nap.

Diane

Toasty

2011-12-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

Come and join me for a cup of hot chocolate in front
of a roaring fire. It's been cold today and our wood stove
has sure felt good, especially when coming in from a frigid walk.
Diane

Pheasant

2011-12-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Mr. Pheasant lives in the south forty, too, but he's very camera shy. Occasionally I'll see him sprinting across the lot or he'll let out that blood curdling honk if he feels threatened but I don't see him much. Today I saw a movement in the bushes and was able to capture several shots of him as he made his way out of camera range. Caught you!! Diane

On Thanksgiving

2011-11-30T19:54:00.001-07:00

I always hate to ask Leonard to take my picture. For some reason it just seems vain or silly. But I did on Thanksgiving because he took me out to a lovely buffet meal and I got dressed up out of my jeans and t shirt uniform
. Hi from me. Diane

Another Difference of Opinion

2011-11-29T19:30:00.001-07:00

After working as a florist for many years I love the other colors of poinsettias - pinks, peppermints, especially the whites. These short ones, just the right size for a coffee table, were so cute I picked this one out. After I got it home I felt bad because Leonard likes red ones - poinsettias should be red. They were $5.97 so I went back and got a red one for him for the center of the table. Now we're both happy and it didn't cost a lot. Our house is slowly, very slowly, getting some Christmas touches. Diane

Home

2011-11-28T19:12:00.002-07:00

Lovey and Dovey (my names)
two Collared Eurasian Doves who call
our yard home. We just live here and provide
aggravation. When we walk out the door or
Rascal goes out they fly up into the tree
above the garage and then fly down into
the yard again when the coast is clear.
I love having creatures who feel that this is their
own home. Diane

On the Chalkboard

2011-11-27T20:14:00.001-07:00

Found today - this shred of a paper wasp's
nest. I taped it to the chalkboard
in the kitchen in order to get a picture.

Left on the chalkboard after Bean's
visit last year.
And there's always - I love you Gramma - Linz
or I love you Gramma - Hannah
after one of my granddaughter's leave
or
Don't forget to go to pharmacy
or
went to a call on Highland
or
hamburger buns
Messages of love or remembrance.....
or as an easel. Diane

Christmas Control Room

2011-11-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

My little art studio is a spare bedroom 9 x 12 square feet. One corner is where I pay bills (we won't look at it - not very interesting) Otherwise it contains my computer, sewing machine, printer, fabric, hodgepodges of collections of things to work with as well as my collection of boxes (???) and all kinds of favorite things.

This time of year it becomes Christmas central. Basically everything Christmas goes on here except possibly cooking. I have fabric mixed up with my journals and packages stacked on my printer and sewing machine. It gets worse, too. But what a fun time of the year and it's so great to be creating things for those I love.

Where do your Christmas preparations take place? Diane

Pansies or Hearts Ease

2011-11-25T20:33:00.001-07:00

For my dear friends who are going through a dark valley
I send up my prayers and I send you flowers to ease your heart
just a little. Diane

For Margaret at The French Bear
For Laurie at Buttons and Lace

Thankfulness

2011-11-23T19:58:00.003-07:00

I'm thankful for the power of prayer and that we can help each other in hard and difficult times across the miles, around the world. I'm thankful for your prayers and I'm thankful that you ask me to pray for you or a loved one. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Diane

Difference of Opinion

2011-11-22T19:24:00.001-07:00

One thing you can say about our marriage is that we both do our own thing - sometimes. Case in point - paint! In the foreground is the darker teal/payne's gray/dark shadow blue of the color I painted our old chicken house which we use as a potting shed/storage area. Eventually my husband bought another storage shed and it was placed next to the first one. This would be the blue and white painted one. When he asked me what color he should paint it I suggested the same color as the chicken house. Why? he asked. Because, I said, I had lovingly selected that color in a photo and the paint man had executed it perfectly. And besides, they would look better the same color. But no. He chose the color that he wanted and so this is what we have. A difference of opinion.

Rude Awakening

2011-11-21T18:32:00.002-07:00

Almost overnight the creek is practically frozen all the way across. It was just a couple weeks ago that it was entertaining ducks in leisurely laziness and fall colors. Then Boom! We're all trying to adjust to the sudden change of temperature.................

Even the creatures. Diane

Talking Turkey

2011-11-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

This was a picture I was thrilled to get in June of last year. Of all the turkeys we have
in our neighborhood these are the first babies I ever saw. There were
nine of them and they all survived.

Here they are a few months later with their mother nervously watching for predators. She continued until they got as big as her and I couldn't tell which was her. Maybe she still does.

I love these wild turkeys that freely roam our neighborhood. They're very funny characters as well as quite peaceful souls.

We will not be having turkey for Thanksgiving. We will be having something else and I will go for a walk with Rascal and laugh at the turkeys and it will be a good day. Diane

Warm Coats

2011-11-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on the old pictures. Here's one of Bean and I and she was about 9 or 10. We both had on our heavy winter coats. It must have been a day like today - brrr! 7 degrees above this afternoon. Diane

Marshmallow World

2011-11-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

The first real snowfall of the year is always enchanting and beautiful. Last night it started snowing and it still is as I write this at 3:30 p.m.

The south forty is particularly beautiful, causing secret, quiet places in the hushed whiteness.

A snow ball dog. After he's been out in the snow for a while he has snowballs hanging all over his tummy, it's very humiliating to him.

My cottage.

St. Francis of Assisi wears a snow shawl.

Soon winter will get old and tiresome but today every thing's white and clean and looking like a fairy tale.
Diane

A Gift

2011-11-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

I looked outside at about 4:45 p.m. the sky was pink. "C'mon Rascal, let's take a walk." He willingly obliged, he's always up for a walk. We just did a short little jaunt down the street and up the alley but
it was enough time to enjoy a wonderful gift............

...................this gorgeous sunset. Such beauty. It's just beyond my comprehension.
Another gift - I'm glad I have such a great little dog to share these things with. Diane

Department Store Windows

2011-11-16T19:30:00.001-07:00

Have you ever watched the special that they've had in previous years on HGTV of the Holiday Windows productions of some of the biggest department stores in the country? I couldn't find it last year. If you find it, and you like watching how these are born, carried out and finally the grand opening for the Christmas shoppers, you will like it. Coverage is usually for several stores simultaneously and but the end when the windows are unveiled I'm chewing my fingernails along with the designers. If you see that it's coming up please let me know.

November

2011-11-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

November always seemed to me the Norway of the year. - Emily Dickinson

We woke up to snow this morning. Now it's colder and you need your winter coat, now it's too late to do those things that I wanted to do outside. Now I'm off the hook. Diane

Long Ago and Far Away

2011-11-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

Working with my pictures this evening I ran across this one. It's my Grandma, Mother, and in front is Jennie, my sister, Lady, and me. Everybody looks so young, Grandma is gone, Jennie is gone, Lady is gone and Mother and I remain. Looking back into the past always brings out the nostalgia. Diane

Phantoms

2011-11-13T19:24:00.001-07:00

This is from last summer. As you can see it's a long way off. We were in the car moving and I had it blown up quite a bit but I still thought it was worth it.

When my girls were little and we were going somewhere they would lick their thumb, stamp it on their palm and pound it with the other fist whenever they saw a white horse. Diane

Old Things

2011-11-12T19:29:00.001-07:00

June at Laughing with Angels had a lovely post today and it made me think of my old treasures. It also made me think about the difference between people who love other peoples old things and people who don't.

My husband just shakes his head when I bring some new/old treasure into the house. He'd much rather have something new, clean, nobody else's. Of course we're exact opposites but he usually! goes along with it. Such was the case of these light fixtures I found at a garage sale. They replace the ones which we hastily bought and put up and I knew in my heart I'd find the right ones someday. These were the right ones.

Same thing with the chandelier over the dining table. I brought it home from our store when we closed and finally convinced him to put it up. He totally rewired it (all old fixtures should be gone through, the wiring is not safe) and put it up. We both love it.

Our little house is over 100 years old. It likes old things. Thank you, June, for reminding me of how dear these things are. Diane

11-11-11

2011-11-11T19:59:00.001-07:00

7-7-77 - "We have to do something to celebrate this day".
My friend, Mary Beth, worked with me and she couldn't ever pass up a chance to celebrate something - new tires on her car, the weekend, her new earrings, whatever. "Why don't we take our girls and go on a picnic tonight." she said. So after work my three and I and her and her one grabbed some food and headed out of town for a picnic.
Fast forward to today 11-11-11.
Me - "We have to do something to celebrate this day."
Leonard - "Why?"
Me - "Well, we just do!"
So we headed for the Commons and took pictures of each other with Rascal.

Leonard - "Are you happy now?"
Me - "Yes"
Rascal - "No, I thought I was going to go for a walk."

What did you do? Diane

Thank You

2011-11-11T19:02:00.001-07:00

All wars, for all time, thank you for your service, sometimes giving the ultimate sacrifice, to keep us free.
Diane

Holding On

2011-11-10T20:21:00.001-07:00

Golden coins dangling in the sunlight. The last of the fall leaves clinging to the dark branches of the trees along the creek. Winter is bearing down on us and the sight of the leaves holding on for dear life seems to be the same as us holding on to the last of the pleasant days in the final moments before the weather gets seriously cold. Each day without cold is a gift.

I remember one year - probably around 1984 - when it turned -30 degrees on Thanksgiving and stayed that way until Christmas Eve when it finally warmed up to -10 degrees. I don't want to see another month like that.

Hope you had a good day where you live.

Update: Cathy will begin radiation treatment next week, she doesn't have to have chemo. The doctor told her that she had the best diagnosis that it could have been. She thinks it will all be behind her by Christmas. Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers. Prayer works. Diane

Nervous Wreck

2011-11-09T19:11:00.000-07:00

My thanks to the artist for the use of this picture

Twenty-four hours! That's how long I've not been able to get my hotmail to come up. I'm telling you - I'm just too dependent on this computer world. The thoughts that kept going through my head were -
       Did somebody write to me about something really important?
       Do my friends think I'm dead?
       What did you write that I'm not getting to read?
Finally it's now back up and running and I'm happy.
So after it came back on I ran through my mail, read it all, posted .......now what?????      Diane

Really???

2011-11-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

"Man was put on this earth to eat meat....The Bible says so, dumbbell....I mean, look it up will ya? All them old Bible peoples, they was always eating meat; soon as they found out eating apples was wrong....It's true, on special occasions; goats and lambs. Who the .....ever heard of sacrificing a head of lettuce? You?"
Archie Bunker

It's Coming

2011-11-07T19:41:00.001-07:00

Pretty soon the creek will be frozen solid. This is where it begins, little growths of frost and ice along the weeds and rocks, clinging to the edges, lurking in the shadowy spots. Then it will slowly build up until there's no water left, only ice. It's supposed to be 10 degrees tonight, winter is on its way.

Joy

2011-11-06T15:57:00.001-07:00

This picture was in our local paper yesterday and when I saw it I just couldn't take my eyes off of it. I think it's the most beautiful picture I've ever seen. The writing is quite small but it says it was taken in the 1930s and it's father and daughter. Blessings, Diane

Some November Shots

2011-11-05T19:02:00.000-06:00

Just a few shots as I walked today. There was a bitter cold wind and about 30 degrees. Still it was
beautiful.

A pigeon looking a little surprised at the change in weather and our neighbor's oak tree. Have a great weekend. Blessings, Diane

"You Should Have to Live.......

2011-11-04T18:50:00.002-06:00

.......in a big city for 5 years and then you folks would appreciate what you have here."

These words came back to me today as I drove along the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.

It was several years ago, I was working at the Episcopal Church and the words came from a doctor who was considering moving here and had stopped at the church to be properly welcomed. I was the one who invited him and his wife to have a cup of coffee while I located the priest and I'm the one he said it to. My face immediately flamed and all I could say was "We already do appreciate what we have".

Later when I was talking to the priest about his remark he said "Why did that bother you?"

"Because many of us have lived here all our lives and put up with low wages, inferior jobs, no chances to climb up the corporate ladder much less hit the glass ceiling, and our closest place to shop is 120 miles away which means that if you really want to buy anything you have to spend two nights and three days there. And the reason we live here is because we love those beautiful mountains and desolate country. That's why we're here."

He answered as any other 40 year old would at that time "Cool!" Diane

Our Princess Mother

2011-11-03T19:49:00.000-06:00

A visit with Mother today and she seems to be doing well. I even got a smile out of her.

Every once in a while she likes to do something nice for herself and this is one of those times. She saw this Princess Diana ring and thought about it for a long time and when it became apparent that she wasn't going to be able to think about anything else she ordered it. She loves it and feels like a princess whenever she wears it. Diane

November

2011-11-02T19:57:00.000-06:00

When you think of months do you think of colors? I do. Maybe it's commercialism creeping through my brain, I hope not. Whenever I think of November I think of sepia or black and creams. It's kind of like a break between the brilliant autumn colors and Christmas colors, a rest for your senses. It even seems like the landscape has settled down into more subdued, somber tones.

Update - Cathy saw the doctor today and now they feel that they got it all and that it didn't get into the lymph nodes. She still doesn't know the treatments but she's still healing. Thank you all for your prayers and caring, it's appreciated more than you know. Diane

Last Night

2011-11-01T19:07:00.001-06:00

We had the grand total of two trick or treaters. This is our neighbor and his little boy. Gradin was dressed as a little skunk. What a cute little stinker he was. He had an awful time trying to hold his sucker in his "paws".

......and Kiddo. She's a Yorkie and I think Rascal likes her. She's littler than he is and he was so excited to have another real dog in his house. He would run over and grab his toy and look at her and then bark.
Oh, I forgot. Leonard looked out the front door once to see if there were any other kids in the neighborhood and there sat Luna, our other neighbor's cat so I guess that makes 3.

Halloween has changed and probably for the better. There are so many community events planned for the kids that they would rather be there than in an old neighborhood like ours. But next year I'm NOT going to stock up on so much candy!! Diane

Gratitude - the occasional feeling of peace and well being that sometimes settles upon me

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T12:44:00.000-06:00

The month of October is winding down and the Halloween fun will soon be over. It's been fun here in the blogosphere with all the cute things that have been designed and the graphics have been so incredible. We have very few trick-or-treaters, things are planned for them at the churches, nursing homes as well as haunted houses and parties. I hope you have a fun Halloween if you're celebrating it and if you aren't I hope you have a great evening, too.

Gratitude for today - Fun. It's just nice when people can laugh and be silly sometimes Laughing is so good for you. Diane

Summer's Gone

2011-10-30T19:39:00.000-06:00

Killing frosts, layering coats when I walk Rascal, cold nose. Time to put summer away, what's left of pots, hoses, furniture. Now the leaves are beginning to take over and if we're lucky we can get them raked up before the first snowfall. It's over for this year - the bees, butterflies, roses, morning glories, sitting in our sanctuary - over until next year.

Gratitude - The changing seasons - each bringing it's own beauty and traditions
Diane

A Different Experience

2011-10-29T21:00:00.003-06:00

Today I got a Bountiful Basket to see how the setup

worked. When I picked ours up it was well worth the $19.50. Ordinarily

it would have cost me $15.50 but I had to pay a first time $3.00 charge. The

process was not hard and we ended up with almost a laundry

basket of beautiful fruits and veggies.

We're going to be eating very healthy for a while.

People had told us about it and I had to check it out for myself. I would

recommend it if you have it in your state.

The pickup wasn't until 6:00 p.m. which seems a little late to me

but that's about the only negative. Diane

Bountiful Baskets

Gratitude - Home

2011-10-28T19:29:00.000-06:00

My bed
Our bathroom
Our quirky kitchen floor which was once an old
porch and still has the slant to it
Getting in the door and being home
Everything that's wrong with it
Everything that's right
My gratitude today - home

Diane

Update and Roses

2011-10-27T19:34:00.001-06:00

I drove up to Billings today to see Cathy. She's on pain killers and mostly resting. It was so good to see her and be able to hug her. 120 miles is so far sometimes, especially when you just want to be there. I'm so glad I went. This is my gratitude today, to see and spend time with one of my precious daughters and getting there and back safely.

To explain myself, Cathy is Catherine. I've called her Cathy since she was born and she decided several years ago that she loves her name Catherine and wants to be called that, but it's hard for me to change - sorry Cathy.

Have you ever seen these roses? Someone sent these to her - in fact she had flowers all over the house. They're called Tie-Dye roses, they've been treated some way to be very interesting gypsy-like colors. I think they're fascinating.

Diane

Gratitude - The List Gets Longer

2011-10-26T20:21:00.000-06:00

Warm coat on a cold day
My little dog not far from me whatever I'm doing
Books
A good car to get me places
Technology
Good, fresh, real food
That first sip of coffee in the morning
Coffee
Finding a parking place when I need one

For these things I'm thankful.

Diane

Gratitude - Surgery's Over

2011-10-25T19:13:00.000-06:00

Just to let you know that Cathy (Catherine) is through with the surgery and will be going home tonight. As far as we know it was successful, she'll know more next week when she has a doctor's appointment. I'm thankful that it's over and that it sounds good. I know there will be other treatments after this but this part, at least, is behind us. Thank you so much for all your prayers and concern. God is good.

I gave her the book that I made of all of you and your comments and prayers and she was so touched. I was, too, as I pasted and wrote and put it together. Again, I'm so thankful. Diane

Gratitude - Flowers

2011-10-24T19:49:00.000-06:00

I may have done one already on flowers but if I did I think they're worth doing again. The beautiful ornaments of our world, thanks to supermarkets we can now enjoy them year round. But in the spring, summer and fall we can luxuriate in their glory. I'm thankful for their many splendored beauty. Diane

Black and White

2011-10-23T20:30:00.001-06:00

Everyone comes to the back door. I repainted the little, mostly enclosed back porch to make it more welcoming and exchanged the red cupboard with a black piece of furniture. It really needed a place to put something down when we unlock the door. This black basket is a simple decoration as it holds a couple white pumpkins.

Gratitude for today - Rest for the weary

Happy Birthday 4 Times

2011-10-22T22:50:00.002-06:00

We went to Billings, Montana today to celebrate our four October birthdays. Godfather's Pizza graciously allowed us to sit and visit a while and the pizza was delicious. This is everybody except me - starting on the left Cathy, her daughter * Lindsay, Tatum, behind Tatum is Hannah, across the table coming down - *K.C. our grandson, his monther - Leonard's daughter Rose, * Leonard, Perry (Cathy's husband) and *Don, Rose's husband. * indicates birthday child.

Lindsay, my oldest granddaughter and Tatum (refusing to smile) Hannah is still behind Tatum. She works at Target and got to run over and join us on her lunch hour (note the tee shirt with targets on it)

And here's Mr. Cheeseburger himself, still refusing to smile for me - he did have a lot of fun.

Gratitude - Family Diane Oops! I almost forgot Lili, Rose and Don's daughter, here she and Tatum are in the game room

Today

2011-10-21T20:14:00.001-06:00

This is one of our side yards this morning early. The little apple tree was so pretty I slipped outside and got this shot. It's such a pretty time of the year when there's some green and some blazing colors.

Gratitude - Disasters that never happen. Like today when I dropped my very long pointed paper scissors and they landed point down right next to my bare foot. How many times do things not happen that could have. For that I'm ever thankful.

Gratitude - Bees

2011-10-20T19:48:00.002-06:00

This picture was taken today, the bees were in the alyssum, I don't blame them,

it smells wonderful.

These tiny little creatures, yes, the ones who's sting can hurt so bad, are some of our best friends. With the devastating loss of so many of them comes a reminder of just how important they are to us. Without them we would have no food, the crops would not be pollinated and basically it's the growing things that keep us all alive, including other creatures. So, we would starve to death.

Occasionally I can smell some poison that some neighbor has sprayed to kill the "insects" and they never think nor care about the consequences. The bees are welcome in my yard, dandelions and flowers grow and the bees are welcomed. I'm thankful for the bees. Diane

The Mail

2011-10-19T19:31:00.000-06:00

"Arnold you got the mail yesterday. It's my turn, now quit racing me."
"Lookout, Helen, you're in my way, maybe there's a check in the mailbox! Move!!"

Gratitude - Mail, packages, magazines, even some catalogs
Isn't it nice to wonder everyday what will be delivered?

Gratitude - Flowers

2011-10-18T19:42:00.000-06:00

Here it is past the 15th of October and my pansies are still blooming as fresh as if it was the first of June. Such happy little flowers with their eager faces, what a joy they are. I'm grateful.

Update - Cathy will have her surgery next Tuesday the 25th. Diane

Your Book

2011-10-17T20:21:00.000-06:00

I created this little book for Catherine and it's full of your prayers and a little bit about you. When I see her I will give it to her, I know she'll be touched. Blessings, Diane

A Different View

2011-10-15T19:37:00.001-06:00

I drive over the creek here at least once a day and every time I do the creek is so pretty from the bridge, it doesn't matter what time of day it is. This is the first time I deliberately took my camera to get a shot.

Gratitude - I'm grateful for my neighborhood. We live kind of on the edge of town and the creek meanders around through our neighborhood. The creek attracts all kinds of wildlife and so far has been kept natural. In the spring when the water's high it's kind of a worry but the rest of the year it's just such a blessing. My neighborhood is quiet and out of the way although we're only one block away from a main artery. When I turn off of that street back into where we live I can just feel the noise fall away. Diane

A Late Autumn Nap

2011-10-14T19:06:00.001-06:00

Mallards along the creek in their favorite place to sun and commune with each other.
Gratitude - Nature

I love the way nature can be so restorative and healing. It doesn't have to be much, a walk along the creek, a ride in the country, even a walk in the park. The smell of the air and the sounds and sights and just the removal of yourself from being in one place with a certain set of problems. Being out among the trees, water, fresh air, and birdsong just gives a different perspective, it works every time.

An update - Catherine has seen almost all of the doctors and will soon find out when the surgery will be. I'm thankful that she lives in a city like Billings, Montana which has one of the finest medical communities in the Rocky Mountain west. Please continue, if you would, to keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Blessings, Diane

Gratutude - Opportunity

2011-10-13T19:44:00.001-06:00

Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek and you will find,
knock and the door will be opened unto you.
Matthew 7:7 KJV

Maybe the word opportunity is just too boring.
Maybe we should call it bright (as in idea), or sparkle, or
Ta-da! Maybe then it would be more exciting.
Aren't you grateful, though, for opportunity? It's there all the time - you can walk
across the room and say hello to someone - or not.
You can walk outside and enjoy the sunshine or you can decide
not to. The choice and opportunity is yours.
Can you imagine how life would be if we didn't have opportunity all the time
to make choices? That we would just have to follow a straight line
and never vary, never do anything except what has been prescribed for you?
Today I'm grateful for opportunity.
Diane