No Fishin' - Only Prine-in

The fish and whistle suncatcher fell off its' perch yesterday. I replaced it with Prine. Lydia is one happy lady!

The sign reads:

No Fishin'

Only Prine-in'

Cuckoo Clock

It died of shock!

Laid to rest, peacefully.

Deere, John

hahaha, I have a new toy - all I have to do is replace the carburator. The price was right - it was free. Years ago I took a course on automotive maintenance, I hope the spark of a plug will plug into my brain.

I cannot wait to get it in operation. I am thinking to hang a flinger basket on the front over the steering wheel. I want to have one of those plastic handbags, pink, sticker it all up, maybe get one of those pink flags (I have several of them) attach it to the rear so that everyone can see me coming. Geez, the possibilities are endless!

Deere, John.

The Great Canadian Moo

Show your pride and MOO on June 3rd, 2009. Canadians everywhere will stand up and be counted one moo at a time. To show our pride for 100% Canadian Milk, we're going for the world record for the most moos in a 24 hour period.

http://www.thegreatcanadianmoo.ca/

Unfortunately, I tried to do this here copy, cut, paste, the moo here, it did not moo here. My talents obviously do not extend to udders.

Although the cows that trample around here are not dairy cows, they are beef 100% pure beef, I do support my cow friends.

Moo, Moo, Moo - please make sure to MOO on June 3rd - test out the Moo, Moo, Moo, now just to be certain it will be mooing for you on June 3rd.

Thank You From the Dairy Farmers of Canada and their little angel friend on the mountain side who chases them cows!

*as she grabs her stomach - roaring laughter*

He Paused For A Moment

This is a picture of John Prine at the Basement - the Duane Jarvis Memorial Benefit.

Nice Boots, John - nice boots.

Photo courtesy of:

http://www.jpshrine.org/

New Website!

It gives me great Prine pleasure to introduce you to Charlene Stevenson's new website.

www.crabbycharscharms.com

Crabby Chars Charms - A Tribute To John Prine's Music In Glass

Charlene's Charms are rare and hold a beauty all their own. A great deal of talent she holds and to boot, she Prine's.

Way To Go, Charlene - Congratulations.

New Addition - The Cuckoo Clock

Honestly, sometimes I do not understand how my mind operates. I was trying to find a gadget to address the fact that John Prine would be coming to my country, Canada in August (August 14th - first stop Toronto). What do I end up with, a cuckoo clock! It is too funny - make sure to have your sound on. This cuckoo clock will never die of shock.

...the cuckoo clock has died of shock and the windows feel no pane...

John Prine - Mexican Home

Still Christmas, Lucky Me!

Let me try to continue and focus upon the best parcel I received today.

It was from my friend, Charlene Stevenson in Madison, Wisconsin. Please favorite this blog as I am going to link her. She has a sense of humor that works overtime, a ravel for conversation, she is a very special friend. Like all Prine friends, a unique friendship we bond, us Priners/Prinettes!

Charlene and I have never met, one day we will. We met through http://www.jpshrine.net/

*focus* Noisemaker needed me to find the fry pan.

I honestly cannot imagine how it would feel to go a John Prine concert, knowing a friend is there. I have seen John Prine, oh now did I tell you, I met him! Smokin' and Yikers - I was thrilled and still to this day show off my autograph - Thank You jpparadise.

I am not focusing well. My christmas present was beautiful and it could not have come at a better time. Illegal Smile reigns up there along will a million stickers, chocolates, Jeffery Foucault, (I know I am missing something). I will be so proud wear an Illegal Smile. too funny! I smoke up the finest once in my life - remember I lived in the far north - that was enough for me, I saw elephants. Now I only chase cows and hope for the best.

It Is Christmas Time!

I went to the post office today, we travel near 20 miles to the post office - let me tell ya - it is worth it! What a treasure of warming parcels I received today.

I have been visiting the websites of states of the USA, Tourism Divisions requesting a Road Map, a travel guide. I only request a few a day so I do not overload the postal worker.

I travelled somewhat in the USA; states being - Washington, Oregon, California, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Kansas, Idaho, and Hawaii. None have been have been more beautiful than the state of Oregon. Noisemaker and I we married there, in Newport. On the Pacific Ocean in a gazebo. The only member we had from our families, was our dog - our beautiful dog.

*focus* - but I have Jeffrey Foucault singing John Prine in my head, it is hard to remain focused.

Today in the mail was a fine tourism package from the State of Illinois. Very nice.

I am also a member of the community a word of mouth marketing money making la-dee-dah corporation. Nice thing to blah, blah, blah about - they were Garnier Skin Renew products - Noisemaker says - 'don't you think it is too late'. . .

I knew my last parcel would be the best parcel because I knew the address, Wisconsin.

There are mighty fine Priners in Wisconsin. I have a number of three, but with friends and family I believe it is near a quarter of a million, spreading fast. We got it in up here in the 1970's. I do not think John Prine knows any borders, boundaries. His music is world wide. I have John Prine friends up north in my province, those provinces far east of me, Manitoba, New Foundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.

Jeffrey Foucault - Storms Windows - good on you Jeffrey! One of my favorite John Prine songs. I must try to *focus* - playing so slow, dont' let your baby down, (2 x 4 talk)... Do you know what is like not to have storm windows.

I could sing with Jeffrey :) just like I could John Prine. I can sing folks, I do have vocals. My Noisemaker would explain it quite different if he were questioned. If I could have NoTicketDonna, Chad, Rumbleshorts, CrappyChar, Florida John, that 'A' guy X 2, {I am not focusing...Jeffrey is singing Shoot The Moon - I like it} Swing it Not Ticket Donna, CC - get the pendants,....chorus,

My apologies. So much up and down from my chair - I had re-read, make sure all my spelling was ok. My thoughts, yep like that will happen - spinning top I have today. Oh, I do not venture into that great British Columbia product jurisdiction that makes my favorite politicians money. Them ones that have two wings, they ride big, big bikes. I have seen a few riding down my country road - damn - I run out there, waving, to no avail. It will always be my hope, to one day, ride a Harley.

*note, Crusher - I will lotto win - prepare the bike. I'll help will the medical bills - I want to ride in Wisconsin*.

Coupons

Yikers, sometimes I do get green with envy when I view what folks in the USA get compared to what we receive in Canada. I coupon myself to near death, always searching for a way to save a few cents here and there. Although, sometimes I think my sense is also, like the pine beetle, going south.

It amazes me that I can purchase brands like Betty Crocker, (use as an example), visit the website, and get struck like a light bolt from thunder activity when I try to receive a coupon. It is USA base. The website for Canada is General Mills which offers very limited coupons.

I email the appropriate corporations and tell them - your product is no different from the one I purchase in Canada - if it is different - tell me how - why is the coupon factor not valid in Canada? Your corporation is probably no different than your government or mine. Not valid!

Well, it was not too quiet of a morning on the mountain side - Noisemaker awoke from the wrong side of the bed, as usual. I made a dart for the door and sat outside, peacefully watching the wildlife. I widdled up two new weiner sticks and a new fire stick. The fire stick is a thing of beauty, even bevelled edges!

I do feel somewhat stressed today. My dear, favorite website http://www.jpshrine.org/ seems to be suffering health problems. Lord, have mercy, I too, seem to have health problems, I think they call it withdrawal. Yep, I seem to suffer from some strange, strange addictions.

Ouch!

I was out early this morning around 6 a.m. and met up with a neighborette of mine from down the road. We spoke, talked about the neighborhood, how folks were doing. I mentioned I had not seen the fellow, Will, in quite some time. She explained to me, Will has cancer of the tongue and throat. They give him just less than two months to live. With treatment maybe just under two years. The treatment factor is hell on earth, he would not be able to speak or eat - everything will be tubes. She was quite certained, he will be opting for no treatment and to spend the rest of his days, here.

I only met the fellow a couple of times and the times were not good, he was stealing from me and I caught him in the act. Still, I do not wish hard times for Will. It is painful for him and he did not have any money to get the medication bills paid. Because time was crucial, the ladies auxiliary of my community donated $500.00 to cover his medication.

I belong to the ladies auxiliary but the motion was passed at a meeting I could not attend. We were off to the noisemakers' appointment. The ladies auxiliary here does great work, I am glad to participate.

My Brother, The Postman/Letter Carrier

Too funny, well, not really. My brother - The Postman/Letter Carrier has opted to take early retirement from Canada Post, he will have his last day pounding the sidewalks/pavement in October.

I was trying to think of some well - wish - retirement thing to do for him. I came up with it. I wrote OhBoyRecords and ask for a sample John Prine pack. I am in good hopes OhBoy will ohwill Wesley.

My brother, Wesley, was born the same year as I, we are 11 months apart. He in January, me in December. He is a gentleman, sings well, and Prines.

Brings a big Prine smile to my face to see this picture. I know it is a repeat, but who cares.

Prine on.

Blossoms From The Mountain Side

Perry Is Winkin'

Strawberry

Dilly, dilly, Daffodils - almost makes you want to go and get an ice cream cone (dipped) from Dairy Queen.

Four Strong Winds

Four Strong Winds - Ian Tyson

Think I"ll go out to Alberta
Weather's good there in fall
I got some friends that I can go to working for
Still I wish you'd change your mind
If I asked you one more time
But we've through that a hundred times before

Four strong winds that blow lonely
Seven seas than run high
All those things that don't change, come what may
But our good times are all gone
And I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for your if I'm ever back this way

If I get there before the snow flies
And if things are going good
You could meet if I send you down the fare
But by then it would be winter
There ain't much for you to do
And the wind sure can blow cold way out there

Four strong winds that blow lonely
Seven seas that run high
All those things that don't change, come what may
But our good times are all gone
And I'm bound for moving on
I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way

One of the best songs ever written.
Thank you - Mr. Tyson.

The Bow and Chain - The Mushroom Factor

I utilize a bow saw to cut small poplars, willows. I cannot use a chain saw because I cannot even lift it up, let alone start one. Someone should invent a lady chain saw.

Today, my goal was to take down with the bow saw (which cuts crooked because it is so old - it belonged to the noisemaker's Dad) *focusing*

While I was out there I came across these strange mushrooms. I thought, at first, they were terds. Upon investigating - no...it is a mushroom complete with a cap. I have never seen anything like this before. I wondered - are these the mushrooms to which people speak, are magic. God Help Me! I could be sitting on a gold mine and do not even know it!

Oh, alas, - it is British Columbia - Everything here is very close to magic!

The Flinger

This is a flinger - a piece of 2 x 4 used to fling at anything pestering you.

For example when those heathen cows come to visit and trample all over the yard I use the flinger on them.

I also threat my fine neighbor, Chris with a flinger when he gets out of control. My noisemaker, he on a regular basis, gets informed about 'it could be flinger time'.

I could well ramble into a song - It's flinger tossin' time (to the tune of It's finger poppin' time).

Speaking of songs, I have two rolling upstairs today. Somebody's Knockin' (I cannot remember the lady who sang that song - Terry something - I must check). I combine Somebody's Knockin' with Ain't Hurtin' Nobody by John Prine and I have a entire new song. So typical of me.

The picture is taken in the woodshed where I have my stash of flingers. See in the picture how nice the wood is stacked. I stack well. The two toned wood is due to pine beetle which has devastated our forests here in British Columbia. We are giving it to the USA as a nice little present.

It's Breakfast Time

Butter Pecan Honey Walnut Breakfast Loaves

Good recipe, make two loaves, freezes well. Do not glaze loaves before freezing. Thaw at room temperature and then glaze and add nuts.

1 package of Butter Pecan Cake Mix
1 cup Water
1/2 cup chopped Pecans/Walnuts
1/3 cup Margarine, softened
1/4 cup Honey
3 Eggs

Heat oven to 350F. Grease pans, lightly flour.

Beat cake mix, water, nuts, butter, honey and eggs in large bowl on low speed with electric mixer. Medium speed for two minutes, pour into pans.

After 40 - 50 - 60 minutes (depending on the loaf pans your are using, I use glass, I hate teflon - I use PYREX (c). {geeez, I hope that is OK}. Cool about 10 to 15 minutes and remove from pans. Cool completely for about one hour. Proceed with Vanilla Glaze.

If you want to freeze them, do it now. Wrap them tightly. If not follow the glaze recipe.

Follow those who froze, - well, room temperature thaw - then proceed with,

Vanilla Glaze
1 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)
1 to 2 teaspoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix icing sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth - the consistency of thick syrup. If you do not have that, add a tiny bit of milk.

After glazing, add chopped nuts as topping.

Enjoy, - "Gramma you are a good baker - we don't get this at home"

Best Beef Stew Ever

I served this recently - when my stepsons/grandkids came to visit. It was the first time I had made it and I was not sure how it would be received. I like to test recipes out on the noisemaker and myself before serving to others. This was a big hit. The preparation is a snap because you do not have to brown the meat - the cans of soup make the gravy.

3 lbs. boneless inside round (or blade or chuck) Steak, trimmed of fat and cubed
6 medium Carrots, cut into chunks
1 medium Onion, cut into chunks
4 medium Potatoes, cut into chunks

1 can (10 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can (10 oz) Tomato Soup
1/2 cup Water

Place first four ingredients in the slow cooker. Everyone has to have a slow cooker - I have two!

Combine both soups and water in small bowl, whisk until well blended - pour over beef/vegetable mixture.

Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve with a loaf of homemade bread and have Unturtle Bars for dessert.

Now, if you do not have a slow cooker - well get one. Follow the recipe as directed - bake in a medium roaster or a 4 quart casserole dish at a 325F oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours until beef is very tender.

Special Sites - Addition - BC Bloggers

I rightly do not have great computer knowledge so I could not add their logo to my blog, maybe
one day I will learn how. I tried everything, but it did not work. I have proceed with a link under Special Sites.

Eastern Prine - Sold Out X 2

John Prine sold out in Fredericton, New Brunswick and St. John's, Newfoundland! New shows added. Please check:

http://johnprine.net

http://jpshrine.org

Now, we await the progression to the West.

Go West, Mr. Prine, Go West

Officer John

Good lord, the fine police officer that stop me for incorrectly/improperly wearing a seat belt has, once again, graced me. His name is Officer John. My small community was rocked by a flurry of activity this weekend, caused Officer John and his boys to come on out, calm things down. I saw four police cars up the road, I took my grandson up to investigate. Officer John spots me and comes to greet. He is very polite, greets my grandson - tells him he is Officer John. I laughed and said too bad you were not JOHN PRINE.

She Prines' - She 2 X 4's

Everyone knows when I get the 2 x 4, it means business.

Cory - Bev

My stepson, Cory.

Greg & Bev

My stepson, Greg.

Chris and Bev

My dear neighbor and I. If you look closely at the picture you will see Chris has hair extensions - it is my hair. He has none, I lent him my locks.

Bakin', John Prinin', Toe Tapin'

This weekend is a long weekend in Canada and you can sure tell. Our small community is near bursting at the seams, we have lots of seasonal folks coming in for the first time for 2009. Our Ladies Auxiliary holds an annual bake sale this weekend, I have been baking my heart out, I enjoy it. I baked enough for the entire community, I like to bake. I made 72 chocolate chip cookies, 72 chocolate chunk cookies, two butter pecan honey walnut loaves, rocky road bars, lemon bars, and unturtled bars. The Unturtled Bars are my favorite, I eat them, I have none for the bake sale, none for grandkids.

The grandkids/kids come this weekend. Cory, my stepson arrived already and he, the noisemaker, and my fine neighbor - Chris have already taken six pine beetle trees down. They are doing very good work. I cannot watch, it causes me nerve explosion.

John Prine has yet to announce any western Canada dates, but I am in hopes he will. I made a clock for him, a clock made out of pine beetle wood. It is kind of shaped like a four leaf clover. I purchase fishing rods for the arms and the numbers correspond to a John Prine song. For example:
One - One Red Rose
Two - Two Worlds Collide
Six - Six O'Clock News
you get the drift. I hope to give it to him to hang up at his home or OhBoy Records next time I meet up with him.

I met John Prine on August 5th, 2005 in Vancouver. I hope to meet him again, perhaps at my creek, catching a few fish.

I have lots of folks out there hoping for me that John Prine will make a western Canada tour. Yep, he could come to Kamloops, Kelowna, Prine George (Prince George), my creek. What a willy dilly time we could have at my creek! *roaring laughter*

My Prine friends are such treasures, I struck gold when I entered their orbit. I want to take a moment and thank them - Charlene Stevenson, skunkeyejan, Florida John, Crusher, Reeda, Chuck, Chad, noticketdonna, k47, jon s, and some I know I am forgetting. It is heart warming to have a circle of friends. I have never met any of these folks, one day I hope to. They are special.

I also have a Neil Young treasure friend, Bill Laing. see: http://www.billlaing.com/

oh near forgot to mention, probably because it is so calm for me now. Noisemakers' blood pressure for two mornings has been 220/110 (that is stroke range). It decreases during the day, somewhat.

I hope for better days. I hope Noisemaker does not have a stroke, and I hope that one day soon, again, I will meet John Prine and give him the tick tock.

Prine Is Coming To Canada

Some eastern dates have been announced. Nothing for the west, as yet.

http://www.jpshrine.org/

http://ohboy.com/

http://www.johnprine.net/

So Exciting!

Sure, I Hope For A Lucky Day

I shopped today, down one lone aisle listening to the Four Tops. I looked up/down - yep, go for it!

Dance chance - hell I grab it! Actually, I should have taken hold of the any bottled item in the aisle and sang into it. My microphone. I was singing my heart out. It was great fun. I danced solo, it was so nice, it was peaceful dancin'.

Next time, I am bottled grabbing.

Your Special Day

This is fun!

http://www.paulsadowski.org/BirthDay.asp

Happy Mothers' Day

Yes, Happy Mothers' Day!

I miss my Mom, she was a good Mom, Love Her.

For all the single Dads out there - Happy Mothers' Day to you too. You are two fold, a Mom and a Dad.

Many times, my Mom and I would sit and listen to music - a record player, her favorites/my favorites we would play. I loved those moments. My Mom and I also constructed a quilt, I have it near, it is with me -

To you, my Mom - Happy Mothers' Day!

...and yes, I know....

It Is Wing Time - A Provincial Election - Election Night Wings

ah - those dingbats and wingnuts are all trying to win my vote - we have never received so many telephone calls. I read a very good recipe in our local paper and understood full span why was it was published so near to the election date of Tuesday, 12th of May..

Honestly, in my opinion the Province of British Columbia may as well turn over the political reign to either the guy that pull in the reigns on the reindeer ~ Santa Claus or the guy who brakes that big harley ... you know, the guy acquainted with wings.

Election Night Wings

First we start with enough left wings and rights wings to make about 3 1/2 pounds.

1 1/2 cups of Brown Sugar, polictians can be sweeter.
2/3 cup of Mustard, nothing like a little tartness
3 tablespooons Soy Sauce (this binds all of the other ingredients together for a tasty political sauce)

Start up your slow cooker on low. Cut each wing into two pieces and remove the tip - the tip, save and freeze (ziplock bags - wonderful) - later use for soup stock. In a heated saucepan, with oil or butter (or both) add wings and brown until golden, god sent, or crispy - hell do not even bother to pat dry the oil off - the government does enough drying. Oh, if they cannot do it - the angels will.

Christ, ya'll better take a break - there is far too much for comprehension - here.

Take the ingredients noted above - combined in a saucepan - do not turn stove on. Move over to cd and place something you thing warms your heart. Relax.

Go back to the fn stove, turn it on medium/high - boil the sauce up, dump it on the wings, cook it for several hours (hopefully you have remembered to fry them up - oops (brown them up), and cooked these left and right wings until you are satisfied - governmental or otherwise.

Mr. & Mrs. Traxler

Long in posting a picture of my nephew - Trevor and his bride, Rita - finally I am able to.

Rita had a beautiful wedding dress, she was a beautiful bride. They make a beautiful couple! Understand each other, have consideration for each and most of all respect for each other (which is the key ingredient for making a marriage work).

A happy couple they are! They were married on the 19th of July, 2008 and will spend the month+ of July 2009 visiting Europe.

Trevor is a Chartered Accountant currently employed with KPMG. Rita is a teacher - she teaches children to speak English and learn our Canadian ways and customs.

Mr. & Mrs Traxler - I wish you well. May your life together, as a couple, always be a happy one.

Power Outages, My Soar Fn Back

Wow - what can a couple of days of without power do to a person? Pure bitch, I turn. I cannot stand it when I cannot get on line. I miss it.

A very bad accident happened; a young lass flew into a power poll. Blew the power off in a near 50 mile radius of where I reside.

I still try to remain with 'Paradise - John Prine'. Sometimes it works, sometimes not - just like everyone else.

I loaded up the wood rack yesterday, my back today is paying a major price - I am tired, but still try to do my best.

Gary's blood pressure continues to lessen - he gets very weak and cold - and he is not even looking at me!

I am not his Paradise.

Lydia continues to be strong, she is a fine woman - she lives in Paradise and understands it.

Oh yes, less than one month for Redrocks for Charlene and Skunkeye Jan (Janis)...oh teehee, they will meet for the first time, I wish I could be there. The owner of Illegal Smile (a bull) is also attending Redrocks. It will all be a treasure ~ like Paradise.

Long Monday

Great Mother of God - we had a major wind storm blow through the region yesterday. The wind took down several trees with one hitting the power line. We were without power for near 15 hours. I do not like being without power. When we lose power, we have no water. Thank god for having a creek, a bbq, and a noisemaker.

Lydia did not hold up well in the wind storm, she landed in the neighbors' yard. My potted up, drugged up neighbor, Chris found her this morning. Yep, 6:30 a.m. I see him strolling down the drive with Lydia in one hand and a beer in the other. I could not help but laugh. Later I repaired Lydia and last I checked she was still standing.

"...but dreaming just comes natural
like the first breath from a baby
like sunshine feeding daisies
like the love hidden deep in your heart..."
Donald and Lydia - John Prine

Birthday Greetings, Reeda

Happy Birthday, Reeda

Hope your day is special, like you!

oops, I may have errored out here, her birthday could be the 8th. Doesn't really matter, wishes for the best are the same.

Forest Fire

In the area to which I reside we have been notified that 30 miles (approximately) down the road is an 800+ hectare forest fire - started by the factor of human. The winds have been strong yesterday and today. The sooner it gets under control the better off I'll be.

I have experienced forest fires in the past and have been in the midst of one. I know to pack up quickly because in a moment you can/will be evacuated. I know not to mess with Mother Nature, she wins everytime.

Lydia - geez, she is a strong scarecrowette. I had to fix her up a bit this morning, but that is to be expected. She sagged where she should not have been sagging, a few string pulls and a nail mended her. Lydia appears to be happy and enjoying her duties. Knowing Lydia - if the forest fire moves in - she'd be the last woman standing! ;)

Lydia

Introducing Lydia - I made her yesterday in hopes of keeping the cows at a distance and the deer from eating the garden flowers.

Her ensemble is a striking plaid shirt and the finest pair of Levis graced with navy blue patches. Jewelry courtesy of Charlene Stevenson.

Unfortunately, Lydia has no boots. I am going to the community dump today to see if I can match her up with some.

...And The Winner Is

Hands down, the worms won!

I had to do a cartoon picture, real worm pictures - not permitted.

Final Score ~
Worms - Lost Count
Me - Lost Count at 8 leaps

SCORE ~Worms 20-----4 Runs For Me~

The worms are winning - they are in the lead by a good country mile. I did my best to stay but it did not work. I realize that is does not matter if they are big, fat, short, or skinny I leap away from them all. I tried singing to them, speaking kind words, and mostly trying to stay in one place. I asked them in a sweet little voice - please go back in your hole. Nothing worked.

After taking a 'what the hell am I going to do with all those worms' break, I came up with a plan. I will have a grassy spot to place a lawn chair and a small table that way I do not have to dig up that section.

Let see who scores today!

*she bows her head - she softly speaks, I love worms, I love worms*