Lydia

Yesterday morning when I went to spend a few moments on my perch, I looked over towards Lydia.  I do this ritual every morning just to be certain, my dear Lydia has made it through the night.  Well, yesterday when I viewed her; my word she has no lips.  I just sat there and giggle.  Later on I put my boots on and strolled over to her.  Lydia, I say where are your lips ~ was Donald around last night ~ woman what has happend?  I started to look around thinking I could find her set of breath taking lips.  I walked around and around.  No luck.  Our weather the last few days has been quite winding and a lot of rain.  I stopped looking and went back toward the house.  I walked by the edge of the rock garden and low and behold, there are Lydia's lips - smacked right there on a rock. 

Lydia is, once again, a beauty.  Lydia will always be my beauty.

Remember This?

How many can remember drinking from a glass pop bottle?  My Noisemaker unearthed this gem the other day.  He saw glass a gleamin' and went to pick it up...it just kept coming and coming.  The entire bottle was filled with dirt.  When I washed it up; there was not one chip, a bit marked but that gives it character. 

Canada Dry - The Champagne of Ginger Ales!

Pink Columbine 2012

One of my favorite flowers - Pink Columbine

I thought today I best take a photo before the deer come and dine on it. 

Yesterday morning when I was spending porch time; I guess it was around 5:15 a.m. - I was sitting with peace, just enjoying my coffee, cigarette, and nature.  I turned my head to look towards the creek...holy smucksville, there is a deer standing no more than two feet from where I was perched.  I thought to myself, do not move - you will alarm it.  So I sat there, trying to be calm - it wandered by like I was not even there.

Today it is a beautiful day on the mountain side.  The creek is thundering, one of the highest levels we have seen in a few years.  We are in no danger of flooding, we are not level here; we slope towards the creek.  With that, I must depart and go visit the creek.

John Prine - Vancouver

I cannot believe I forgot to post the ticket.  I just found it yesterday while I was going through my card holder.  When I found it a big huge Prine glow came over me, oh heavens - it was delightful.  As was, of course, the concert itself. 

I was so pleased to have met David Jacques on that Saturday.  He was such a gentleman, a real nice fellow. 

Everything, every little thing was so happy for me that weekend.  I just sit here and smile; remembering.

Many thanks to Naj and Brett Ferguson; it was a pleasure to Prine with you both.

Luke Bryan - Tailgates & Tanlines

I heard another song by Luke Bryan last night, it was titled Drunk On You.  I finally figured out why I find his music so funny.  I mean I just start laughing, giggling, carrying on.  My word, I have only ever heard two songs by this musician.  I Don't Want This Night To End and Drunk On You from the cd - Tailgates & Tanlines.  Of these two songs; they make me want to be young again.  I can so see myself in these songs.  Luke seems to enjoy singing about trucks and girls - well, perhaps he sings about other stuffola but being as I have only heard two songs, eh.  Sitting here typing this out; I have had to break twice so as I could have a giggle, hold my stomach.  I best tend to the porch.

Happy Fathers Day

My Dad and I

September 2003

I miss you, Dad

Love ~ hugs and kisses

Stompa

Welcome

Welcome - my new garden stepping stone

Holy smucksville this slab of cement weighed a tonne to me.  It took everything I had in me to remove it from the van and bring it in the house.  I had to do that because I wanted to clean it before I applied 'Welcome' to it. 

I had eye-balled my spot in the flower garden and sort of did the 'level on the level' to make it not fling me when I placed my foot on it.   My word, it worked!  It is 'level on the level'. 

I wanted to place decorative items on it - hmm...Noisemaker pointed out to me - sooner or later you will trip on them and they will never be found again.  I had to agree.  So for picture takin' time ~as luck would have it~ this huge green, kind of bell bug came a crawlin' from the green plant you see in the picture.

Can you see it - it was a jing-a-lingin' to me....

Grandpa was a carpenter, he built houses, stores, and banks

Chain smoked camel cigarettes and hammered nail in planks

He was level on the level, and shaved even every door

And voted for Eisenhower 'cause Lincoln won the war

John Prine 

Douglas Prine 1942~2012

My condolences.

I have been trying here to post a link to an article that was posted in the Chicago Tribune on Douglas Prine.  I have tried three times; each time it has failed - if you would like to see more try going to:  www.chicagotribune.com and search for Douglas Prine.

Wood, (many curse words), Wood

I was outside early, early this morning pounding away at splitting wood.  Oh my, such a big job it is, but as mentioned good exercise.

I picked up a piece of wood and to me, if felt odd.  It was heavy and had many a knot to it.  I thought to myself, not to split but throw it to the pile of pit wood.  Pit wood is wood we reject and burn later at the fire pit.  I decided to go ahead to split it.  Holy smucksville - the splitter blade hit the knot in the wood and backfired - came shooting right off next to my head.  I ducked out of the way and let go of the lever controls, that automatically shuts down the splitter.  I had to take a break after that spell.  I was going to go wake up Noisemaker but it was 6:30 in the morning, I figured he did not need to be awakened by some lulu explaining a piece of wood backfired and near took my head off. 

I got myself together and thought well, I will try another one.  It worked fine.  For the love of god, I pick up another piece to split and it backfired on me.  The splitter makes an odd noise when that happens, I think it woke up Noisemaker.  He came outside and asks me, is there something wrong with the splitter?  I replied, yes - it is trying to kill me - but you get your coffee and I'll go on to something else; I'll explain it all later.

I saved the pieces of knotted wood to show to Noisemaker.  He sets me straight.  Explains to me, I must go over from the knot and then the wood should not missile on me.  I finished up my splitting but left four big pieces for Noisemaker to do.  I told him - those pieces are not getting along with me, I cannot deal with them - can't you take them back, do a return?

Noisemaker, could not help but laughed and so did I.  ah, the joys of living on the mountain side and doing wood - glorious, glorious, wood.

Wood ~ Glorious Wood

Oh geez, can you guess what I will be doing for the next week or so ... wood.  Wood, wood, glorious wood.  Of course, we all know I am a professional wood splitter/wood stacker/toe tappin'/john prinein'.  teehee  Every year we do this (many curse words) wood.  It is very hard work, very physical.  In a way that is good as it is good exercise.  I try to get out early each morning around 6 a.m. and by 12 noon well, I just think to myself it is 5 o'clock somewhere.  By that time, I am tired.  My noisemaker, he does most of the stacking because he is taller than I.  I stick mostly to splitting and singing Prine.  I can sing Prine and noises from the splitter become all my back up musicians.  Oh, it is truly a delight, I wish you all could join me.

Lydia got a makeover today.  Her radiant locks are nicely back in place along with her hat.  She is a happy little darling.  Lydia tells me this morning, where is my Donald - I have not seen him all spring.  I replied, oh Lydia do not fret - Donald will come around; he is probably busy doing wood.

Have a great weekend folks! 

My Dear Lydia

Oh my word, the wind was so harsh - it blew Lydia's hair, knocked her hat - thankful Lydia does not wear a skirt - as it would have blown up in the big wind.  Lydia, I know - was hoping for Donald to show....but Donald made no appearance, once again.

Lydia, well she is quite a fright, she is not a cute little dish - but Lydia is still standing.  She may have to have her locks and hat fixed, but she stands - Beaming Lydia.

Bloomin' Beauty - and it ain't me. . .

Bloomin' Beauty

One of the many wildflowers we have on the mountain side.  It is nestled in the saskatoon berry bushes. 

Raining here today, oh my, you should see all those worms out there.  Smucksville, I try not to step on them; but there is just so many - egads!

PSA Test

I would not normally go to preach on something but today is Sunday and it is raining outside; that's enough for me to go to preachin'.

I want to address the topic of the PSA Test - Prostate Specific Antigen.  All men over 50 should have this test done; men with a history of cancer in their family - age 40.  My brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he was lucky - he under went surgery (by a robot) and all seems to be well.

Some are not as lucky, like my good neighbor, Gary.  Gary called to me on Wednesday to let me know he would be away - explained he had to go to the hospital down south, asked if I would keep an eye on his place.  On his return, he called to say he was home.  I asked the question - well, how did it go - he replied, PSA was near off the page, they say I have cancer, I have to go back for more testing - can you take care of my home?  I choked, replied - yes, Gary no problem....but what can I do for you now.  Gary wanted to talk, he told me his Dad died of cancer - started with prostate cancer and spread to the organs, eventually his death.  Yikers. 

It is a simple blood test - please, men folk - make a doctors' appointment - have the test done. 

My neighborhood is quiet this weekend.  It is quiet because the lunatic neighbor that is in between Gary's property and ours is spending time in the clink.  He was caught shoplifting.  He was given 180 days and spends his weekends, clink time.  I wish the judge would have given him full time as then he would have lost his governmental benefits.  He lives off the taxpayer.  He has a history of crime, I do not feel sorry for him, he is a drunk, a drug addict, a loser, a user, and a thief.

When my stepsons were visiting I asked them...do you know that 'lol' that folks use on email.  They replied yes, laughing out loud.  I replied, oh no - here it is the land of lunatics and I am surrounded by them.  We laughed.  Noisemaker advised in speech, yep - you sure are.  

I rest my case - oh but wait - telephone your doctors tomorrow, men folk - you need the PSA test.  Thank you. 

Saddle In The Rain - John Prine

Saddle In The Rain - John Prine

I have had this song stuck in my brain since May 5th.  A few days ago, a light bulb went off and I was recalling the original last verse.  I was reading somewhere, this verse was cut during the recording of Saddle In The Rain.

Southern stars blow lonesome still dark and high

Blacks clouds shifting orange as they go passing by

Like some cheap religious painting hanging in the sky

You just touch my face and I wanna break down and cry

Break down and cry

If she should ever come down this way

Grab her by the throat and say

Won't you please explain

My saddle in the rain

Farmers' nympho daughter moans

Lets do it til the cows come home

Thank you Reeda Buresh - www.jpshrine.org

Words/Music - John Prine

Saddle In The Rain - on cds -

Common Sense

Great Days - The John Prine Anthology 

In Person and On Stage

Prime Prine - The Best Of John Prine

eh, eh, eh, it's a Beautiful Day!

One of my special places to sit and ponder Prine, it is close to Lydia (she is located to the left).  My feet cannot touch the ground when I sit on the wood bench, so I swing them.  My favorite plant in front - a pink Columbine (up from the strawberry plant).  

It is a beautiful day on the mountain side. 

Peddle Prine - Step On It!

I think my brain is in overload mode this morning, it had far too much dream activity last night.  However, I made my coffee and proceeded outside - it is a very peaceful morning.  It is always peaceful in the morning unless Noisemaker awakes before me. 

I was sitting on the porch recalling my dreams; there was music, there was Prine and that Luke Bryan fellow and his girl dancing in the truck song.  I could not help but giggle.  Geez, you know I peddle a lot of Prine - then, I said to myself - step on it! 

Alas, it gives me something to do; as does this blog - something to pass the time on the mountain side. 

Now should any of you folks be driving in your vehicles today and you are fortunate to have a cd player installed.  Put in some Prine, hurry hurry, step on it!

Scott Nolan - Argyle Gargoyles - A Darkly Humorous Novel

Argyle Gargoyles - A Darkly Humorous Novel - A Book By Scott Nolan

I was introduced (via the web) to Scott Nolan earlier this week.  I had to giggle, in pure amazement how the workings of the social web work.  Scott Nolan is a Prine fan and in his book, he makes reference to Prine songs.  His novel is an ebook, check it out on www.amazon.com (search for Scott Nolan - Argyle Gargoyles).

You all linky link on over there and have a look.