Long Monday - You Bet!

Gary, with hope, will be having surgery - on Monday. A Long Monday it will be. All depends on the 'lists' of the government. It is tough and rugged on the mind.

Pardon Me, I will be listening to John Prine, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young and receiving emails messages, ~ as now ~

tears

Doctors, The Lawyer, and The Old Fire Chief

The Doctors have been in communication with us ~ I do not know how much communication they have been with each other ~ however, things are progressing and we are doing our best to deal with everything.

The Lawyer - well, he is my brother and he does look out (keep a watchful eye on his much younger sister) for me. I do appreciate it very much.

The Old Fire Chief - he stopped by today while I was shovelling. The plough went by and left a foot of to be desired chunks of snow. The old fire chief and I had a lovely chat. I was telling him it is hard to get old and if there was a god or goddess of age I think they should have left me alone and not let me pass my bust size. Oh, the poor fire chief - he laughed so hard I thought I was going to have to call for help. He regained himself, thank god!

It is good we can laugh, it is healthy. Thank you to all that have sent good wishes, so thoughtful of you all and much appreciated.

~keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side, keep on the sunny side of life~

Florida John, Bruce, Gary - Waiting On A Lucky Day

I cannot believe how a minute can almost change ones' life. Yesterday, we had to drive to the city because the unit of spouse had two doctors appointments, results were received. The results were not good. My husband, Gary, is sitting with a bulge in his aorta. Serious, very serious. The best way I can describe is to compare it to a tire. When a tire has a bulge, it is only time before the tire bursts. I wish it was as simple as taking the body to a tire shop and having it repaired. But it is not. Surgery will be performed as soon as a bed is available and we await to receive a telephone call from the surgeon in charge. Amazing, when you live rural, a surgeon does call you! I'll believe that when I hear some person telling me, I am Surgeon In Charge. I hope for the best, it is all can do. It is sad, tears come and go.

On a brighter note, I received a parcel from one of my John Prine friends in Florida, Florida John. Such a gentleman, he is. There I am opening parcels, crying over Gary, then I cry over what the parcel contained. There was a book, it is like the bible of Bruce Springsteen. You turn a page and there is pocket - there are surprises in the pocket - a napkin, backstage passes.

The parcels are all wrapped up in christmas papers, an odd near square one took my fancy. I ripped opened. My heart, flutters, it is Bruce Springsteen. More tears. Working On A Dream - the cd.

I am thankful for friends ~ more than you know friends ~ more than you know. Thank you.

May the hinges of the gates of friendship never grow rusty. You could well be my Lucky Day!

2009.02.19 - Special Day

February 19th is a special day. One of my followers, Skunkeye, it's her birthday. In honor - here are her John Prine Stoned Angels. Happy Birthday Skunkeye!

For those of vision impairment - click on it - it'll make it bigger.

February 19th is also the day that the President of the USA comes to visit my country, Canada. Too bad, he cannot come to the beautiful province of British Columbia but good that he will pay us a visit, just the same. I suspect in 2010 President Obama will attend the Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. The closest I will see him will be on the television set.

Vancouver is very expensive to visit or to live. I lived in a surburb of Vancouver for near ten years. I quite enjoyed it - I had great neighbors and if John Prine, Neil Young, or Bruce Springsteen was to pay a visit to Vancouver - I'd just catch the train and like magic there I would be - toe tappin' - head noddin'.

Prior to 2010 in Vancouver the hotels will be jacking their prices to the point where the middle class will not be able to afford. A dumpster bucket in the East End will cost you $500.00. Geez, come to think of it - maybe that is the way of the world - to wipe out the middle class, the working people - Joe and Mary Six Pack.

I was reading on the news today whereby, Vancouver has now become the capital of gang shootings in Canada. So if anyone is going to visit metro Vancouver - wear a heavy duty padded bra or a vest that cannot be penatrated by a bullet.

We do not have a gang problem on the side of the mountain. It is very peaceful. All we have is wildlife and at times - let me tell you - I fit right in!

Spring Is Just A Smile Away-Click Your Heals!

ok, let us get on with Easter. I like Easter it makes you feel like spring is here - if the calendar has Easter in April. If the calendar has it in March well, we will still have snow - which constitutes to making very colorful eggs.

Not much is new on the side of the mountain. The community held a Valentines' Dance last night; I am quite certain all had a big heart time! My wonderful neighbor graced our home this morning, god help me! I swear one day I am going to stand on a chair and knock him silly with a 2 X 4. He is the biggest parasite on earth. I do hate to use the word 'parasite' because it is very close to the spelling of Paradise. My favorite John Prine song.

Paradise, by John Prine reminds me of how I grew up. My Mom and Dad would load up the sedan delivery and we would travel west, to visit my Dad's brother and wife/family. We had such fun!

Along the way, we would pass through, Lejac - a native school. In British Columbia (several years back) the government of the day rounded up all the children of the natives to British Columbia and brought them to Lejac. It was a sad, fallen situation - then - as it is now.

The sedan delivery proved to be a great buy for my Dad. Mom and Dad would load us kids up on a Saturday night and head off to the drive in movie. I loved those drive in movies. Mom, every Saturday morning would grocery shop, she always bought a six pack of cokes. We were permitted to two cokes each.

Good Grief, I recall one day when I went shopping with my Mom. Garter Belts were still in fashion. My problem, was I did not have hips for a garter belt. My Mom, she fashioned me one out of garters from her girdle. Wow - I was a scene of fashion with my new stockings (dazzling diamonds). We entered the store and kerpow!!! The newly fashion garter belt gave way! My stockings fell to my ankles. (Major redface - and oh - what the 'f' has happened to me - why was I born short). I picked up my garters, pulled the diamond stockings over my knees and ran like hell!

It is a fond, loving memory - a shopping trip - I never will forget.

It's A Very Moose Mornin'

When I went outside early this morning for my coffee and cigarette, I noticed some dark shadow up near the roadway. I could not hear anything; heck, I could barely see anything, so I came back into the house. I waited until more daylight appeared but I kept thinking to myself, what the heck is it *peeking out the window - still seeing that shadow*. As daylight approached, I thought, oh it is two quads, maybe someone is poaching (they do that here). I went back outside only to realize, I am looking at a big horkin' moose. Yikers, I quietly moved back to the house. I watched that lady moose quite some time. Then I hear my husband flicking the venetian blinds, he says hey, there is a moose out here. I replied, yep - you should see this big baby out back. The lady moose stood up - my word - she had to have been 8', as graceful and majestic as you would expect. Both the calf and the mom had a delicious breakfast of twigs and dried berries before they left on their merry moose way. Oh, yes - just prior to leaving mother moose decided to leave a special hearts day present for us. Happy Friday, the terdteenth.

Happy Broken Hearts Day

Early Happy Broken Hearts Day - February 14th. St. Valentine's Day. Wishing you all the best.

...broken hearts and dirty windows
make life difficult to see
that's why last night and this morning
always look the same to me...
John Prine

Created and Made By:
Charlene Stevenson
Madison, Wisconsin

Welcome A New Follower

I would like to welcome another follower - Sweet Songs Never Last Too Long. Enjoy!

John Prine Pendant - Illegal Smile

A new pendant - Illegal Smile - isn't it just the cutest thing! Charlene outdid herself on this one, I believe this is the best so far. You can just feel a giggle coming on.

ILLEGAL SMILE
Created and Made By:
Charlene Stevenson
Madison, Wisconsin

Today, is Wednesday - lotto day. For the people who read this blog, I request that you pray for me. Do not get me wrong here, I have no upstanding beliefs in the heavens above.

If you are preparing a cake mix you mix all the ingredients together and hope for the best cake ever. I am hoping for a fn miracle, a lotto. I do not need much. I only want enough to get me to Redrocks to see John Prine and meet my friends, Charlene and Janis.

Please note, John Prine - well, I have already met. The Pendant Maker and The Rock Maker, I have yet to.

So my dear blog friends, bow your head and pray for me. I need all the help I can get.

John Prine Pendant - BHDW

Another John Prine Pendant by Charlene Stevenson. This one is called BHDW;

Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows taken from the John Prine song, Souvenirs.

She makes them with different colored hearts - pink, purple and different shades for the windows.

Charlene says her glass pendants are 'pretty simple'. She uses fusible glass so you can stack it and fire it. The glass will heat up and expand, fuse together. Two kilns - one large, one small for the firing process. The glass heats up to 1390 degrees. She uses several tools for her projects, a glass cutter with a carbide wheel, a saw with a round saw blade to 'break' in the heart. She stacks up the glass, puts it in her programmed kiln and walks away until the next day. Upon completion she polishes it up and places a bale on it.

Beautiful pendants they are. Charlene has quite a good imagination and has made several pendants from the words of John Prine songs. I wear mine Prine proudly.

Creek & Bull

I have been asked the question - what is that picture I have. The picture is of our creek. Well, my creek if John Prine would play here!

It is rural British Columbia. Full of peace - no bull. Well, not so - we do get the odd bull running around - causing havoc. Bulls charge, I run. Cows, I chase.

John Prine Pendant

Designed and Manufactured by:

Charlene Stevenson

Madison, Wisconsin

She got the idea from the John Prine cd - Fair & Square. I will have her do a write up for me as to how she makes them and add to this post at a later time.

John Prine Rocks Redrocks (so do two of my friends)

Oh the glory of true love! John Prine will be playing Redrocks again this June. I have two friends; Janis and Charlene who will be attending the concert - it is a big wow day for both of them - excitement fills the air. We all correspond via emails; this blog; the jpshrine and have become good friends. For these two to meet at a Prine concert it just a head shaker. Charlene lives in Wisconsin - Janis in Manitoba, Canada and in June the two shall meet in Colorado. Charlene is a maker of fine pendants - John Prine Pendants. I shall try to post some later (it takes me time to learn to incorporate pictures).

At this moment, a big smile is on my face. I am so very happy for them both.

It is a fine Prine day, a find Prine day, indeed!

I Received An Award - The Lemonade Award!

I received an award today - The Lemonade Award from Eboni. It is for attitude and gratitude. I am lucky and I am smiling! There is nothing like lemonade and rye whiskey on a hot summers' day. I cannot drink whiskey very well, but I enjoy every once and awhile. There were instructions for me to follow in receiving The Lemonade Award. It was for me to list ten other bloggers, but I only know two. I am going to try and follow the directions Eboni posted for me, however, I am not good with directions . . . hmmm...they could end being sent off to Russia. Thank you Eboni.

I believe a Lemonade Award should be sent forth to Rumbleshorts. He needs a lemonade immediately. Rumbleshorts is a kind hearted fellow with a great sense of humor. His blog is: http://rumbleshorts.blogspot.com/

Also to Eboni because she is well voiced and knows her food. A kind and considerate person. Her blog is: http://acommonstreetpeddlar.blogspot.com/

I give Lemonade awards to everyone, Crusher, Janis, Reeda, Charlene, Chad, Florida John - all my Prine friends. My animals friends, the deer, the birds, the moose (geez, my list is endless). Three cheers to all!

Chocolate Bars and Beer

Truly, I am amazed with the internet. Yesterday, I was thinking about some folks I know in the state of Wisconsin. They will be meeting soon to see the concert of John Prine in Milwaukee. So I am puttering around on the computer and thought to check up on the email. Magic, there is an attachment in one email - it is a picture. Yep - there are my two friends from Wisconsin yukkin' and yappin' (good thing they were not lunchin' at a yurt or I would have to type yukkin', yappin', and yurtin').

The amazement of second was with reference to angels. I was trying to find on the internet some coloring pictures of angels. I did not get far. I thought well, I'll see what my brother in blog is doing, Rumbleshorts. He has posted about angels.

I am not spooked, I believe for the moment the angels are with me. Yes, me - that angel with black wings. My Mom always called me her angel with black wings and told me I was born that way.

Believe in magic and angels
Chocolate bars and beer
Milwaukee here I come
From the interior of BC
*winkin' and wavin'*

The Wave

When I become excited (smack your head, not that way), I do this wave thing. It is a Hi, Hello, Greetings. It is just something I have always done. I wave to all the animals that come to visit me. I waved at John Prine, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young when I attended their concerts. I waved at the television when Barack Obama took his oath.

The wave, it is simple. It is not a wave like you would see a beauty queen or Queen Liz doing, the fingers are not bent. The hand is not raised any further than the shoulder. The wave is done close to the heart and preferably using the left hand.

Speaking of which - I was born with a brain that does not recognize left or right. So as, I have to think before I can utilize my hands. What application I am doing will constitute which hand I am going to use to best provide getting the job done quickly, and accurately.

For instance - when you are using a hammer - (those nine pound hammer are not fit for women). I lift the hammer, look at what I am doing - change hands - wonder if this is a job for left or right. Screwdrivers, I never get correct - I sit there and think to myself, lefty righty - lucy goosey. My Mom had a nickname for me, Lucy Goosey.

I write left handed, I played guitar right handed. I bowled right handed. I eat left handed. It is a happy medium, well I hope it is.

I must extend thanks to a friend of mine in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - skunkeyejan - a Prine Friend. She tweeted in and left my brain wondering - is that right?

*calmly she raises her left hand, close to the heart and does The Wave.* No need to look about below because the drop is not a long one.

My Followers

What has happened to the pictures of my followers? I can see them when I click, but they do not seem to be appearing on entry. Appearing only as shadows.

Springsteen Rocks!

Oh that hunk of a Bruce rocked the world yesterday at the Superbowl. He received a great review from the New York Times which is good preparation for his upcoming world tour. My favorite was Tenth Avenue Freeze Out. I was surprised that he did not sing The Rising.

I have been to see Bruce Springsteen in concert, twice. Geez, that guy is a better dancer than I. He has hidden moves like he has some wild card up his sleeve.

Much snow today on the side of the mountain and the crazy groundhog says we have another six weeks of winter to look forward to. We receive a considerable amount of sunshine here so when the long winter gets to me, I look up to the blue sky and make believe I am in Florida or Hawaii.
But then, it is back to reality and snow shovelling.

Super Sunday For Some

My Sunday has to get better, it only can - soon Bruce Springsteen will being doing the half time show at the Superbowl!

My early hours of day, well, I have had better. Yikers, once again I am having eye gazing problems. I took what I thought was shampoo to wash my hair - it was not - it was conditioner. Have you ever tried to wash your hair with conditioner. I finally realized the problem and have locks now that are television commercial material!

Furthermore, I seem to shower at the time my lunatic neighbor sees fit to pay a visit. He has to be the most inconsiderate person I have ever met. He graces our home with big winter boots, (they have to be big, he is a big man), opts to not stand on the provided rug but steps forth so as the snow and dirt on his boots will silently run onto the floor and cause a puddle of what is deemed to be something I should clean up later.

Part of me would like to call this fine neighbor of mine, a parasite. However, being as that the spelling of parasite is far too close to that of PARADISE (my favorite John Prine song), I will not do that.

I have always had good neighbors, always, no matter where I resided. My neighbor/neighborettes and I would exchange baking, casseroles. It was great. My neighbor, Helen - she would always give to us baking treats for every occasion possible. I, in turn, would do up a casserole and call her up - 'meet me at the fence, Helen - supper is ready'! It was great.

I sing a lot. One day, Helen came over and asked me if I wanted to join up with the local church choir. I replied that I did not think I was choir material ~ Helen replied - I heard you sing Johnny Horton the other day and it was good. I never joined up with the choir.

After we moved from that neighborhood; I took Helen's idea of giving to neighbors - baking. Our neighbors had 4 kids. I would bake cupcakes on every occasion, sometimes did not even have to be an occasion. Just treats! I miss my neighbors.

And, now here I am shaking my head at what a neighbor I have. Do not get me wrong folks, he is my closest neighbor and I know he is a good person. He cannot see fit to have a day go by without the combination of medication, stronger medication, and booze.

Enough - sincerely, I do hope for better days. They are coming to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
*as she sits and calmly does her wave/toe tappin/head noddin'/john prinin'*

Go Steelers!

To Note - The shampoo bottle is dressed now, with an elastic band.