Holy Happy Smucksville

Welcome Beverly.

Geez, I think that might be the first time I spelled Beverlee with a 'Y'.

I hope you sit a spell and don't fall off the perch.

I believe Beverly spells Peaceful Waters.

Right off the 'bat' we have two items in common. We PRINE and we Beverlee/Beverly!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween you little pumpkins! Reminds me of a song by John Prine - Daddy's Little Pumpkin.

We have never had any treaters since we moved here; however, I always prepare a little something just in case. Well, it is rather a big something because should someone arrive they would receive a chocolate bar, a bag of chips, and a can of pop!

On Friday in the mail I received an envelope - I recently one a prize through a contest I entered. I won a lipstick and a mascara (high end make up; nothing that I would purchase). It is lovely and I so wanted to try it out, but I had no where to go. I thought, what the heck, I dolled myself up and thought to go out to see the eagles and ducks.

I came out of the bathroom and noisemaker says to me - where are you going - I replied - I am going to see the birds. He says - with make up on? Well, of course, I said - where else would I go with make up on except to see the birds. Like duh, my sweet, duh . . .

Another beautiful day here; the birds have been a beautiful site to watch. The eagles and herons especially. There are flocks of ducks that seem to quack forever; I quack along with them and of course, I break for a giggle.

Photo - Reeda Buresh - www.jpshrine.org

Oh Boy, Oh Boy

Geez, you will need a magnifier to see this.

It says - Cheers - John Prine - Great Days.

A while back, I stumbled across Crown Royal Whiskey - they had a promotion - I took advantage of it. Sent it to all my Prine friends. Unfortunately, I never took a photo - duh. I sent some out that said - Paradise. I think Chad got that. Chad has a bottle collection, Paradise is a new addition.

Sometimes, in life - what you give comes back to you. I sent one label to Naj (skunkeyejan) - she sent it back complete with a flask - I now have the only flask in the world - with a label - Cheers - John Prine!

Photo - Ruth Anne

Skipping Songs

The last few days, I have taken to singing skipping songs. I have a very nice skipping rope - it is imaginary!

I was out there on the porch singing up a storm ~

Jelly in the bowl
Jelly in the bowl
Wiggle-waggle
Wiggle-waggle
Jelly in the bowl

Sausage in the pan
Sausage in the pan
Flip it over
Flip it over
Sausage in the pan

I sang that one - Spanish Dancer and I was able to perform all the actions. I love the songs you can do actions to!

Then - the Prine light bulb went off - good lord -

Johnny on the stage
Johnny on the stage
Paradise
Paradise
Paradise Wave

(naturally, you do the paradise wave)...then, I giggle. I swear I am going back to my childhood days. Noisemaker has even asked me...where are you getting these songs from; I replied - do you really want to know.

So, come first light I'll be skipping on the porch or perhaps today, I will skip to the mailbox.

Constellation - Orion

Chilly morning on the mountain side. The moon is shining and I sat quietly on the porch to have my morning coffee and cigarette with my new friend, the constellation Orion.

There has not been much happening around here; noisemaker twisted his ankle the other day; so I played fetch. He would say....I was wondering if you could bring me...I would fetch. Honestly, I felt like fetching a flinger to fling at him.

Early this morning I was trying to catch some news on the radio; I turned the dial up and down to no avail. ah, but what I did get to hear was Lukenbach, Texas - Waylon. That brought a smile to my face.

I am searching for a Halls cough candy; I am going to have to settle for a peppermint. I still have this bad cough and I made things worst by walking outside with no hat on in the wind the other day. I did not have time to get my hat; there was a lady out on the road to whom I want to lip flap with, hence - hurry along - do not bother with the hat. You play - you pay!

Luckenbach, Texas

ah, Waylon. Today, I woke up with that song stuck in my brain. I wondered if people in Luckenbach, Texas were feeling any pain. I felt no pain today; although I have a terrible head cold, no pain. Simple happiness.

Such a beautiful day on the mountain side. A beautiful day, indeed.

I received a very nice parcel today, I picked it up at the post office. Thank you Charlene. Holy Smucksville!

I may have already posted the picture, however, I lost it due to computer malfunction. In todays' mail I received this picture, autographed by Jason Wilber. How sweet is that. The photo was taken in the back alley near The Centre (Vancouver) to where John Prine played last year - October 16th to be exact. Did I tell you folks how it was the second time that I met John Prine and Jason Wilber...oh I must have told you. I tell everyone!

If only I could snag David Jacques. That gentleman eludes me. I have missed him two times.
Next time, I am coming after you Mr. Jacques! ;)

Photo - Charlene Stevenson

Cranberry Squares

With the left over cranberry jelly, I make this recipe.

Cranberry Squares

1 cup Flour
1 cup Rolled Oats
1/2 cup lightly packed Brown Sugar
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 cup Butter or Margarine
1 1/2 cups whole cranberry sauce/or jellied cranberry sauce
1/3 cups chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)

Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda in mixing bowl. Stir well to blend. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Press half of oat mixture into greased 8" square cake pan. Spread with cranberry sauce. Stir nuts into remaining crumb mixture. Sprinkle evenly over top. Pat lightly. Bake 350F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Serves 9 with ice cream/whipped cream
Serves 16 without

6 million 7 hundred, 33 lights on!

Geez, how I dislike not being able to post a picture along with the post. That is the way it must be for awhile. I enjoy to post my own pictures, my life on the mountain.

I have a terrible head cold, lord have mercy - I have not had a cold in well over 7 years. Broken bones, but not one cold. I think my head has caused me weight gain. I have so much fluid floating around up there - smucksville. Everybody gets these head colds - you know you cannot breathe at night. I slather myself up with Vicks - I love Vicks. I tried to sleep comfortably, but it was not really meant to be. I had endless dreams and was up and down blowing my delicate nose. (teehee). At about 1 a.m. my neighbors sensor lights came on - good lord - it is Las Vegas. They light up the sky; heck I could take a book out to the porch and read.

This morning, first light I went outside to make sure everything is as it should be next door. A big huge heron flew near 3 feet from my head. Those darn lights go on. All those lights do is scare the heck out of the animals. Then I started to sing:

6 million 7 hundred 33 lights on
You think that people would listen to the words of
Johnnys' songs

Then, I laughed. It struck me funny. Here I am in the middle of nowever, singing about lights. Herons are flappin' their wings to get out of here and I am flappin' my lips singing a Prine song.

John Prine Toast!

Without a doubt, without a question; this has to be the best Prine toast I know of. Thank you Janis Ferguson!

It is priceless - Janis has an imagination and she is one creative person.

It'll probably take me near to christmas to find a new digital camera, until then, I am borrowing and to the best of my knowledge, acknowledging!

Photo: Janis's relatives

Thank you!

Happy Birthday, John Prine!

Birthday Meatloaf - Thank You - SkunkeyeJan (Naj).

Photo - Thank You - Reeda Buresh

-John Prine -
May your birthday be as special as you are.
May your mind fill with ideas and
may your fingers always be close with your guitar.

Happy Birthday with many more to come.

More Celebrations, On A Sadder Note

John Lennon, had he not been slain would be 70 years old tomorrow. Imagine that!

I am reminded of his death; he was murdered on my birthday. December 8th; a Monday night. Monday night, back then, I bowled. Us young ladies always went for a beer after bowling. Although it was my birthday, I opted to be homeward bound. When I arrived, my answering machine was in overload. Everyone was calling to relay to me the death of John Lennon.

I loved the writing of John Lennon. He certainly grab the attention of the government of the USA.

Good on you, John.

I will always remember you.

A Celebration, Indeed

Smucksville, I have so much to write today, I should be wearing my John Prine hat - Old Prine Fans Never Die - they just go to Paradise (where Tom Reynolds is now). I need the hat to keep all my thoughts in my brain.

A Celebration weekend is near upon us. In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving and I do have much to be thankful for. Thankful for the friends I have, thankful for a body, a soul and a heart that still beats. Sometimes, it goes to flutter stage but that is only when I meet John Prine, see photos of Bruce Springsteen and a few other minor situations.

We have lots of seasonal folks coming to the mountain side to celebrate Thanksgiving. That constitutes a big baking day tomorrow. I have Honey Pecan Breakfasts loaves to make and 24 cupcakes. The cupcakes, I have fancy, decorative sugars to put on the icing. (Thank you, Naj).

The big celebration is the birthday of John Prine. October 10, 2010. 10-10-10. Hopefully, all will toast (big time) to Mr. Prine. On special Prine days, I wear my John Prine t-shirt. On really special days like Sunday, I will wear my new socks. I love new socks. When I went to see John Prine in Vancouver last October - yep - I had new socks. I wore my Prine t-shirt, my Prine pendant (Thank you, Charlene). Good grief, I even had black panties on that had a little 'J' label on them. Oh lord, I must focus or go and get my hat!

Oh yes, Naj - that is Janis Ferguson (skunkeyejan). I experienced some difficulty with email and got her and Jason Wilber mixed up. Her name got changed to Naj (Jan backwards).

We went to the village yesterday, we bought lots of groceries to fill up the deep freeze and the pantry. I should never let Noisemaker loose in a grocery store, alone. He comes back with two turkeys - oh, the good lad was just thinking ahead. One of the turkeys he purchased comes not far from where Naj lives. I bet you that will be the finest - best tasting turkey!

I am looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving and John Prine's 64th birthday - such happy events. Heck I was porch side this morning singing Happy Birthday. That was my dog's favorite song. He'd sing along with me. That brings such a smile to my face; such warm, loving thoughts of my four legged friend.

My lips will be flappin' this weekend and I did not want to miss the celebration blog for our Johnny. So ~ Cheers, John Prine, Cheers! Reminds me of the labels from Crown Royal that I had made up. Cheers - John Prine (that is what I put on the label). I think Chad thought the world of the labels as he is a whiskey drinker. I sent a label to Naj - it came back to me in the form of a flask - John Prine stickered! I placed it in my John Prine treasure box; *she does the paradise wave* at the Prine boxes - that sit atop the desk.

John Prine - he is a treasure. As are all my John Prine friends. I am so thankful for them, I so very much appreciate each and every one of them. They all have gold inside of them - they have hearts of gold!

Happy Birthday John Prine
Happy Birthday to you
I'm laughing like hell
Because I'm younger than you

Cheers!

Photo Credit - Reeda Buresh
from the John Prine Tribute - Madison, Wisconsin

ah, Sunday

Another beautiful autumn day here; the leaves are falling fast. I walked down to the 'development' today. The development is located less than a block away from our abode. Quite the development it is. The land is around 5 acres located on the lake and prior to this new development it was a Ma and Pa resort operation. The new owners are making it into somewhat a gated community. 14 homes - all two story - 500 square feet each level.

I know I cannot prevent development; especially here. What really gets me riled up is the developer/contractor has no concern for the enviroment. No concern to recycle any of the wood. They had some beautiful old fence posts, I could have used them to make my rodeo candles. I am going down there tomorrow to speak with them. Perhaps, the contractor will grant me permission to go in and remove wood that I think I can do something with. In all honesty, I'd like to take a piece of wood and slap him over the side of the head. However...

On a lighter note - a week from today is the 64th birthday of John Prine. 1946 he was born - the same year as my noisemaker and George Bush. Too bad my noisemaker could not make the same noise as John Prine or George Bush - hell, we would not be sitting here on the mountain side.

My noisemaker is hoping he will be alive to celebrate his 65th birthday. At that time, he will receive his pension from the government. Lord, I hope he lives that long - he does too!

We live on such a limited budget, but it is not that we need alot. I do the coupon thing; I find ways to make a dollar stretch. The most important thing; we do not have payments. What we have is ours; it is paid for. We call it home.