The Motherlode, I Hit!

Good lord, I did hit the motherlode of fence posts today.  I walk several times a week and have always noticed this big pile of used up fenced posts.  Today, I stopped by and inquired - may I purchased some.  Heck, they gave them to me for free.  All they said was would I make them a candle; to which I will. 

The pile sported me a 12 foot fence post; fencepostville, that will make me 18 candles.  I am so delighted.

Rodeo Candles are made from used fence posts, cut to around 8 inches.  In the front of the wood base, tied to it - is a horseshoe.  I receive the horseshoes from a farrier (a person who changes the shoes from a horse).  By the time I received the horseshoes, they are full of mud/woodchips/and sh*t.  I clean them with a solution of coarse vinegar and water, scrub 'em up, and then place a coat of varnish on them.  I then take twine and lace up the horseshoe to the wood base of the candle.  Oh geez, I forgot to mention Noisemaker does the hole drilling for the tea candle that is set in at the top of the wood base.  Does this all make sense? 

I do not own a Rodeo Candle myself, I make them and give them away.  However, I am thinking now I could sing Paradise/John Prine - make Rodeo Candles and make myself a homebase business.

Calla Water Lily

We have many blossoming callas creekside, they are beautiful.  When we lived in the lower mainland, I bought these for the fish pond at $35.00 a blossom.  Now, it is my creekside and my flowers.  Busy weekend here, our annual fishing derby.  Lots of seasonal folks - you sort of have to help them along because they are city folks and rightly or lefty do not know what they are doing.  Not that I am the resident expert, but I do my best to guide them along. 

 Happy Fishing to all - May you all Prine!

Yep, he (John Prine) should be here for the derby, I could have Noisemaker whip him out in the Lund, because I do not drive a boat.  I would hope (oh god) that John does do worms, because I do not do that either.  I only place the fishing line in the water, it has to be complete with a worm (another - oh god), and hook - then I hope for the best.  I have yet to catch anything.  I believe that is due to the fact the fish have not heard much Prine here!  :)

The Squirrel

Female, very territorial, and like most females - sweet!

The Mountain

 

We had to go to the city yesterday, here is a photo coming down the mountain.  It was not a very nice day.

This one, is coming back up the mountain, home.

My word, it is a very long day going to the city.  We were up at 4 a.m. and on the highway at 5:45 a.m.  Went to two box stores, that is about all I am good for, I am not a shopper.  Noisemaker, on the other hand, he loves to shop!  He loves to travel up and down every aisle.  Sometimes, I sit a spell, sit anywhere I can find to sit.  Yesterday, I sat on a beautiful leather chair in the big box store, I sported my John Prine shirt; and rocked to Paradise.  I am quite certain some folks that walked by thought I was some reject from a mental institution, but I did not care - I enjoyed my rest.  Spent way to much money, but was able to have french fries, geez, I love french fries.  Today, I am very tired - but no problem, I'll rebound and come back stronger than a super nova!

Steve Goodman

Happy Birthday - Steve Goodman

July 25th, 1948

September 20th, 1984

Love your music, especially Rainbow Road and Yellow Coat. 

The Mushroom

ah, the perfect mushroom . . .

Found this mushroom early this morning, was not there yesterday just sprouted up overnight.  We have quite an assortment of mushrooms, we opt not to utilize them.

Happy Birthday, Noisemaker - got him the cutest birthday card.  It has a picture of a beer on the front and when you open it up its says ... Happy Birthday - it's what's for dinner! 

Cheers, Beers, and Prine - Happy 65th

Mel and Collie

I am deep in thought today, some sad - but trying to get on the sunny side.  I did sing today, I sing everyday.  I baked an angel food cake for Gary's birthday tomorrow.  He will be 65, pension time!  We will have the angel cake with industrial strength whipped cream and strawberries.  I cooked a roast beef supper yesterday, with all the trimmings; hopefully tomorrow we will go to the beer parlor just up the highway from us for Pizza.  I would enjoy that. 

Yes, Noisemaker was born the same year as John Prine and George Bush.  Good Grief!  1946.  I am glad I still have Noisemaker around to make noise. I could/would not live here without him.

Too funny, today I tried to get to the cellar.  My knee is badly bruised from the spill I took with the bear incident.  I fought hard with that stupid latch, finally I said - Gary, I cannot do this, my knee is bruised from the bear, you must come directly and help me.  He did.  He actually loves that he can do the incidental things for me, it makes him feel special/wanted.

Tomorrow is also the day we placed my Mom in the ground.  12 years ago, to me it was yesterday.  Same thing for our dog, when we laid him to rest.  I remember so clearly, and I want to.  I want to remember all the special days we had together, I do not want to forget.

...when jesus comes to claim us and says it is enough, the diamonds will be shining, no longer in the rough...  John Prine

Our Home

Here is our little mountain side home.  This is looking up from creekside.  Sometimes it is Paradise ~ sometimes it is hell on earth. . .

Noisemaker is not up to speed today; he had a tooth removed this morning - he is not yapping too much nor imitating a lady bug :)

Lots of wildlife have visited us the last couple of days.  A black bear - scared the heck out of me.  It was so close, just off the porch steps.  The bear did not bother us, it went its' merry way down towards the creek.

The mother deer are trying hard to keep the fawns in line.  The fawns are so full of beans - they bounce around, run, and are very inquisitive.  It is hard for me to watch when the mother deer is trying to teach the baby how to jump a fence.  The fawn is still to young to jump.  The other day, the little fawn was next to our steps, no Mom.  I do not want to become involved with nature; but finally I went out and spoke to the fawn.  Much to my relief, the mother came.  I think sometimes they know my voice.  God knows, I am always outside singing some song, usually a Prine tune.  Too funny, the other day, I made new words to the song The Sound of Music.  Hope you are sitting down -

...the hills are alive with the sound of John Prine

with songs he has sung for 40 years

the hills fill my heart with the sound of John Prine

my lips wants to taste several beers...

:)  :)  :) 

My Wild Flowers

Beautiful day on the mountain side today.  My wild flowers send cheer to everyone!  Special Prine cheers to Charlene - Happy Birthday.  Happy Birthday to her husband, Bill and Happy Anniversary to both of them.

Have a Prine filled day - SLUAPO!

The Feather of a Bird

The feather of a bird landed in on a string of a spider web, I just happened to be with camera and snapped this photo.  For those that are dim in seeing where the feather is ~ top left.  Some folks think it is a bird, no - it is a feather.

...Like Those Birds Of A Feather

They're Gatherin' Together

And Feeling Exactly Like You...

John Prine

Macaroni Salad (KD Style)

I recently made this recipe (thank you Kraft) but because there is only Noisemaker and I, I cut it in half.  Great recipe, easy, and it tastes KD Good!

2 packages Kraft Dinner Macaroni and Cheese

3/4 cup Miracle Whip Dressing (I prefer Hellmanns' - but whatever suits your fancy)

4 hard cooked eggs, peeled, chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1 small red pepper, finely chopped

1/2 cup sliced green onions

Prepare Kraft Dinners as directed on package.  Add dressing, eggs, celery, and peppers; mix well.  Sprinkle with onions. 

Serve immediately - or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes 12 servings - 2/3 cup each.

Thank you - Kraft

A Day On The Mountain Side

If anyone can identify this flower, well - you won't be winning a prize!  Never had this before, the seeds must have blown in with the wind.  The stem is fuzzy, much like a poppy.  Under the orange blossom the 'about to blossom' buds are purple in color.  The white buds you see in the photo are shasta daisys.  They grow everywhere on the mountain side.

A funny thing happened with our wildlife friend, the squirrel.  She comes to visit the feeder two/three/sometimes four times a day.  Yesterday, Noisemaker left the door to the wood shed open.  He walks in there and there is squirrel chewing on the big huge Rubbermaid container which is filled with bird seed.  There is not much left of the container lid.  I did contact Rubbermaid to see perhaps I could purchase a new lid - no answer as yet, but I just did that this morning.  The squirrel came back this morning but Noisemaker did the sho-sho-sho ~ off with you dance.  The squirrel maintained her balance.

Noisemaker is busy building a railing on the deck, we needed to do this for house insurance purposes.  He currently has the rails built (toot, toot, toot) and is now working on the hand rail.  I went to the store this morning and when I came home I noted the hand rail was up.  Noisemaker was out in the aluminum shed, but I thought eh, give it a try.  Yep, I tried it allright, holy smucksville it was not attached yet.  So the post went flying off its' perch.  Oh, luck was on my side, I was able to catch it before it hit the ground.  Noisemaker comes around the corner and says, it was not attached as you have found out.  I replied, yes, yes, it is not damaged.  I made a leap for it and was able to snag it and then I giggled forever.  Noisemaker shook his head.  I laughed somemore.

Now for news of John - well, he is on vacation.  I do not know where, but he isn't here on the mountain side.  I cannot understand why.  I could take him fishing.  Although, I do not do worms and I do not clean fish - we would have a fine, Prine time.  I could bake up brownies; do up supper in the slow cooker, bake bread - oh Johnny look what you are missing! 

...and, then there were two...

Yes, and they are Prinein'.  Can't you hear 'em... It's Paradise! :)

The Poppy - In Blossom

Beautiful and a beautiful day on the mountain side it is.  In the cool of the morning I baked chocolate fudge cupcakes for our community Bingo tomorrow night.  I bake twice a month for Bingo, my baking is a good seller and I enjoy to do it.  Off to enjoy the sunshine!

The Poppy

Giant Red Poppy

Managed to take the picture before the poppy losts its' pod.  One of my many favorite flowers. 

Happy 4th of July

...I knew a girl who was almost a lady

She had a way with all the men in her life

Every inch of her blossom in beauty

She was born on the 4th of July...

John Prine

Happy Canada Day - eh!

Everyone on the mountain side is having a fine Canada Day - flags are wavin' - seems like I am the only one out there Paradise Wavin' - go figure?

Lydia, oh my - she was in a fine state this morning.  Her jeans were down way below her knees.  I am quite certain Donald paid a visit last night.  Her hand had blown away, I searched forever this morning and finally found it.   I secured her belt and tied up suspenders, tucked her shirt back in her jeans - and now I can only hope for the best.  Damn - she had the biggest smile on her face this morning - she is one happy-go-lucky lady - she is lucky Lauruette!

Big rain last night, I do hope summer comes soon to the mountain side.