BoO!

Happy Spook Day!  There are many spooks on the mountain side especially early in the morning when I go out on to the porch - yikers!  It is so dark out there - just me and the stars.  Sometimes if I am on the side of luck I see shooting stars and yes, I do make a wish.

Yesterday we drove around the mountain side; oh my. . .we went up and up and up, good lord.  The scenic view of the mountains reminded me of Waltons Mountain.  I could hear the kids laughing and Gramma and Grampa Walton bantering like that of skunkeye jan and Florida John :)  We had to turn back as there is much snow up there, I was worried we may get stuck and be stranded up there for the rest of the winter.  It was a pleasant day.

Had I had my thinking cap on, I would have remembered to take the camera along but I forgot to put my thinking cap on - unfortunately, I do that - just sometimes.

No, It is not potatoes!

It is a small orange cake, decorated/piped butter cream (Duncan Hines) icing. 

It is difficult to bake for Noisemaker and I - I have taken to baking - like me - small portions! 

I was concern about the icing - how tub icing would stand up and last as compared to making ones' own buttercream icing. 

This morning, I tried - EGADS.  I did not have a piping bag so I thought I would use a baggie.  Do Not ever try that.  The bag broke - I had icing near all over the kitchen.  I transfered the icing (what was left)  to a ziplock bag; much better.

As best as my wrists will work, I piped, The result was good, Duncan Hines worked, I am impressed.  I actually wrote to Duncan Hines and asked the question - would the icing stand up and last once it has been piped.  They said yes, and I agree.

Not many times do I or would I have a recommendation for a product, for this I do recommend, it is a good product. oh teehee - it is like John Prine!  Good lord, I bet he never thought he would rank right up there with Duncan Hines Buttercream Icing! 

The Singing Mailman Delivers

My driving postal delivery person, delivered The Singing Mailman Delivers today.  She said to me, you have goodies delivered today, I knew it was going to be John Prine.  We chatted, she left on her route, I opened the postal box.  I saw the hand writtened, padded envelope - oh my - OhBoy!  I yelled out, I GOT JOHN PRINE TODAY!  I had other envelopes and mail to deal with so I shoved them in my pockets and got to work with the pressing issue at hand, John Prine.

I opened the envelope right there at the mailbox, talking to myself - ohboy, ohboy, it is my John Prine Day - oh Johnny, oh Johnny. 

...then, I heard a voice - who are you talking to?  It was the lunatic next door Chris.  I packed my envelopes and started to run back home - I did replied - I am talking to no one.  I have my cleats on now, I can run fast.  I raced down the driveway, Prineing all the way...oh what fun - it is my Prine Day today!

I opened the door to home and yelled out, I got my parcel.  I am so excited, the t-shirt will fit perfect - I looked at the mailman.  I, am again, reminded of my brother - our Prine time.  It is wonderful feeling.

With some fluttering and  paradise wavin' - I do managed to get myself together.  I sit to listen to

 the Singing MAILMAN Delivers. 

I am impressed - how could I not be.  I have followed John Prine for many years. 

Songs that took me - Angel From Montgomery was the first.  I like how John's voice is lessened on the 'an' of angel - and heavy on the 'gel'. 

Dogs, are the biggest fright to a mailman - a postman - a letter carrier.  Yep, right next to the corporation they work for :)  Remember folks it is not dogs that frighten up letter carriers - it is the people that own them.  There is no greater love than the love of a dog, the love a dog is unconditional. 

Hank Williams - Hey Good Lookin/Jambalaya - these two songs are have always rang true to me.  We sang them with I was a young girl.  To hear John Prine sing them, well - it is near tear time for me.  Paradise ~ John Prine 

I am glad that the wife of John Prine, Fiona does make him do household chores.  According to the notes of John Prine - "by the way, I found these tapes because my wife Fiona made me clean out our garage the last time we moved!

Thank you, Fiona and John Prine.  Also the first wife of John Prine, Anne. 

 

The Singing Postman Did Not Deliver Today

teehee, I do not have a Singing Postman to deliver the mail.  It is a lady and she does not sing Prine.  However, she does know of him, thanks to yours truly. 

Yesterday afternoon I received a telephone call from a retired letter carrier - no, it was not John Prine - it was my brother, Wesley.  Oh my, we had such a nice conversation - it was really heart warming for me.  We yapped endlessly about John Prine.  Wesley actually had people on his route that called him The Singing Mailman.  Yeppers, he sang Prine.  Wesley commented on how he had much in common with John Prine.  I laughed and replied - well eh, if you had millions :) would you share with me!

Wesley and I made a deal that when John Prine comes to Vancouver again, he would take the Greyhound - I would leap off from the mountain side - meet up with him and travel south Greyhounding to Vancouver.  I told Wesley, you know what - we would wait out back after the show, I would take you in to meet John, I would take a picture.  *paradise wavin*  I find the words so exciting.  Actually, the first time I saw John Prine was with my brother, Wesley.  I think it was May 1978.  John's wife, at the time was Anne  - they sat the row in front of us - they - meaning - that big tall brother of his and some other folks. I spoke with the tall one,  I asked him what was on his leg, it was a backstage pass.  Geez, too bad I was not as bold as I am today.  I should have leached on to him - leaped right on up to that tall guy and told him - take me back stage!

So, John Prine this is directed to you - please come to Vancouver, British Columbia.  Let the retired postman and his sister do Prineville - together - once again.

Each year our community holds a fall dinner - it is a major event for the folks that live on the mountain side.  I could not attend this year because I have my step son visiting.  Yes, I could have bought a ticket for him, Noisemaker, and I to attend but I felt time would be better spent visiting with him than flapping my lips at the dinner :)

The dinner menu is roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, several vegetable dishes, buns, pickles, and of course, dessert.

This is my contribution - a carrot cake. 

The leaves and sprinkles - well, thank you my Winnipeg Friend - Janis Ferguson.

Jason Wilber

Photo Credit - James R. Martin Photography

James R. Martin has captured the best picture of Jason Wilber.  Five star it is!

In my opinion, this picture relates just what a fine gentleman Jason is.   

A very nice Sunday morning picture.  Thank you James R. Martin Photography!

Just Saying. . .

I wonder sometimes, if I ever should have moved to the mountain side.  I am starting to question.

With the recent criminal functions that have started to rise up ~ I am having thoughts/doubts.

I honestly can say, I miss the fact that I cannot jump in a vehicle and go to the grocery store to pick up a gallon of milk. 

I think I best look at the livestock section of the newspaper - Cow For Sale.

The mountain side is a beautiful place.  The four walls that we call our home, I do try to make it that, a home.

~~~Trying to mail out some Prine suncatchers - oops - totally forgot I needed a declaraction because I am sending to the USA.  I have three declarations coming on Monday.  Our letter carrier will deliver.

Perhaps, she will also deliver - The Singing Mailman Delivers!

ah, the Witch of the North

Love this photo, can you see the sparkles and fire aglow...I am waiting for the witch to take flight :) south!

Geez, I have not even started typing about John Prine and viola there comes the Paradise Wave.  Seems like the new cd - The Singing Mailman Delivers - is being shipped out.  I, so wish I could have stuck it out to get the big combo - the cd, the ball cap, t-shirt and ...... but I could not.  My brother, Wesley is so going to love this.  As mentioned, Wesley is a retired letter carrier.  He sings Prine.  I could not rile him up on the telephone so I sent him a postcard (you know to keep all those mail carriers employed).  I sent another postcard to a friend of mine.  I like to keep my northern friends informed of new Prine releases - well, not just new releases - anything Prine will do. 

...but dreaming just comes natural...

just like that paradise wave

My so called law abiding Noisemaker still has not come to peace with the law.  I think I should be calling him a renegade or a bandit -- actually plain stupid would put the icing on the cake!

Oh alas, such is life and life goes by too quickly.  I am thankful for prine friends and that Zuckenburger (sp) guy for inventing Facebook.    geez, you'd think I could get that guys name right, but eh, ...six million, seven hundred thousand, and thirty-three lights on

you think someone could take the time to sit down and listen to the words of my song...

John Prine

Miss and Mash

It is almost time for spook time.  We do not receive any trick or treaters on the mountain side, I keep hoping.  I buy candy and bag it up (about 10 bags), no one ever comes down the driveway.  I loved dressing up for Halloween - where I grew up - the temperature was not accomodating to trick or treaters, hence - you dressed warm.

As a teenager, with Halloween - I remember one time - my girlfriends and I bought some eggs.  We stood near the highway and egged up every vehicle that went by.  Ah, but what goes around comes around. 

One time, I was not quick enough to climb the fence after we had egged up a vehicle, the woman, stopped and ran after me.  She grabbed me from 3' up on to the fence.  She said, clean my fn car off - I will let you go.  I did, she sent me off and running - like Lesley Gore! :)

Last night I had a delightful dream.  I dreamed of John Prine.  He was giving me his autograph.  My Mom was with me.  Mr. Prine had to leave quick, seemed like he wanted a disguise - so my Mom pulled out a gray haired wig...John put it on and away he went.  End of dream.    The autograph of John Prine was on something that was blue and white, I cannot quite remember.  I remember placing it in my pocket, on the left.   

...I leaned of my left leg in the parking lot dirt...

...you must be Daddy's little pumpkin, I can tell by the way you roll... 

Tom - The Turkey!

This is how I spend my time on the mountain side - creating crafts that amuse me.  teehee  The feathers are from a grouse that a fox (we think) caught.  I washed them up, dry them, and viola!  Tom, The Turkey.

Who would have ever thought I was once a city girl with gainful employment - now I make turkeys and listen to John Prine.

John Prine is not the only artist I listen too.  Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, I tune up to.  They are all seeing their years gracefully.  oh teehee, me too!  Well, hell - if do not look at the bags under eyes, I am in sure shot for the age of 40!  aREN'T i!

Happy 65th Birthday ~ John Prine

Photo Credit - James Martin

Oh, John Prine you must be a happy man to have live to 65 years, he turns 65 tomorrow.  I am wondering though...do you collect a pension at 65?  Noisemaker did, he is a couple of months older than you.  I am 10 years younger than my Noisemaker and you.  I am quite a Spring Chicken - I regularly take to dancin' on the porch, tap shoes I do not have - but I invent dance.

The wild animals (not human) are very fond of your songs/words.  Not a day goes by that I do not sing to them or talk to them some Prine words that have been imbedded in my mind.  It is a treasure, it is golden.

Happy 65th Birthday to our Johnny 

Geez, I hope I remember everyone - Florida John, Reeda Buresh, Donna Laurent Palmer, Janis Ferguson, Chad Dunn, Mark William Sannes, Sue Ronis, RuthAnn Ogg Peacock, Charlene Stevenson, Bev Owens Thompson, Chuck Micallef, Amy Mullins,  Earl D. Brogan~  my brother - Wesley Traxler -  the retired letter carrier and myself, Beverlee Traxler.

Happy Birthday John Prine

B. A. (John Prine Fan) Traxler

Beverlee Ann Traxler

Thanksgiving Weekend

I cooked up the turkey dinner yesterday - a great dinner it was!  Everything I cooked turned out; the gravy was excellent.  I love the leftovers - you nibble at will.  I like to eat when I am hungry not only because food is there.  Today I made hot turkey sandwiches.  Slice of buttered bread, turkey, and potatoes - heated up in the oven.  Topped with a generous scoop of homemade gravy!  eh, I think even John Prine would like that meal! 

I have much to be thankful for - although sometimes my stress level says no!  I am thankful to be alive, thankful for friends and folks that care and know I care.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Rodeo Candle

It is complete!  The picture is not great.  I love the additon of the cowboy hat.  Giddy Up!

Pen Holder

The original product looks better than the photo I have taken, trust me.  These are made out of pine beetle trees - hence the formation of blue.  Not to worry that pine beetles are in the wood anymore - nah, they have moved east and south!  It is Canada's gift! 

The Singing Mailman Delivers ~ John Prine

How Exciting!  I am so Prine thrilled, I think I may have to latch on to a depends.  I love the titled of this new cd - reminds me so much of my brother - a retired mailman - who did sing on his route, he sang the songs of John Prine.  My Noisemaker got me this for my birthday - it is near two months away - but eh, who cares - it is John Prine!

Spoke with a nice gentleman at Oh Boy - John was his name.  Oh, I had to flutter a bit, but it was not John Prine.  I was actually hoping to talk to Nick - ah, Nick/John does not matter - the double cd and t-shirt will be coming via Canada Post. 

My Noisemaker now has his legal issues dealt with.  All he has to deal with is me - I have a good supply of flingers stocked up and yes, I will use.  Knock some sense in his head when he wanders off into parts unknown.  Like Linda did when she went to Mars.  Linda was the name of Noisemakers' first wife - she flew on to Mars on a regular basis. 

Of all my happy notes today, I must post that tomorrow will be 8 years since my hero past away, my Dad.  We had our disagreements - for sure, but I miss him very much and I will always love him.  He will always be my hero.  Bert Traxler ~ March 1920 - October 2005

Robert J. Wiersema

I saw this author on our television station (GlobalTV) and was highly impressed.  This is not your typical book on Bruce Springsteen.  Wiersema took 14 Bruce Springsteen songs and made 14 chapters for his book, titled Walk Lake A Man.  I will have to check for this at our local library.  You can read more on Robert Wiersema at www.robertwiersema.com