Sunday...Dawn

I awake at a time when most people would be sleeping.  I go to bed early, I rise up early.  This morning was no different.  4:15 up - make the coffee, dress for the porch fashion show, and off I am.

I sit outside, on my perch, only to hear the blasting music of that lunatic that resides between our property and Gary B's.  It is very dark outside, I do not venture to the roadside to see the ongoings of this lunatic. 

Dim light, I have dawned my fashionable cleats - proceed on up the path.  Good lord, I get near two/thirds of the way up, I hear all this frantic tree busting; I think to myself - I have no where to hide.  I turned, and venture my way to the van - yes, I have the keys...look back, it is a deer.  She is frightened probably more than I.  I believe the cleats I am wearing against the crispness of the snow, alarmed her.

That noise, I can take.  I cannot take the blasting music of the alien located in the property next to ours.

Tomorrow, 8 a.m.  local detachment, I will be calling.  No sense calling today, as I will get referenced to a detachment near 350 miles away.

Sunday

Much gratitude to my friends/acquaintances who contacted me (in some form or fashion) to see if we were anywhere near the earthquake located in British Columbia, Canada yesterday evening.  We are far removed from the location of the earthquake. 

 

Located off the west coast of British Columbia, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands).   Haida Gwaii means Islands of the People.

 

Pure Beauty.

 

 

  

Rudy

no, this is not Rudy - but Rudy owns him.

 

Rudy, was once our woodman - he was clearing his acres of land and we were fortunate to purchase some of his wood.

 

Rudy, a true cowboy gentleman owns a buffalo ranch located about 50 miles south of our home.  It is quite a site to behold, those buffalo are huge.

 

While in town the other day I ran into Rudy - he did not know who I was because my hair was not flying in every direction, I had my toque on.  I said, Hi Rudy - he looked at me puzzled - I replied, horseshoe lady - oh yes, he said, now I know.    I explained that anytime he would like to replinish my horseshoes, sure - come forth.  But this time you will receive a rodeo candle complete with black cowboy hat.  ah, maybe some baking too!  He smiled, and said he would be here soon.

 

I made his rodeo candle this morning and baking I must get a move on.

 

...someday I'll go and call up Rudy

we worked together at the factory

but what could I say when he asks what's new

nothin', what's with you, nothin' much to do

 

you know that old trees just grow stronger

and old rivers grow wilder everyday

old people just grow lonesome or waiting

for someone to say

Hello In There, Hello

John Prine ~ Hello In There

 

 

New Prine Fans

Some posts ago, I posted that I was Prineing with the fellows that came to paint up the home.  Today, while we were in town I stopped by and asked - how did you like John Prine - reply - Loved It...that is really beer drinking music isn't it?  I replied, yes it is.  Warmed my heart to have two new Prine fans.  Oh teehee, seems I am always peddling Prine.  I think I should get myself a two wheel bicycle in the spring.  I could take some Prine photos in and get them cover in plastic.  Slap them on the spokes, viola - the neighborhood would never be the same!

Toe Tappin'

ah, precious is the photo, the moment.

 

Photo - Thank you Sue and Sophia.

 

I suspect in no time she will be toe tappin' Prine.  Probably head noddin' too.  I was toe tappin' today when I went to get the mail.  I have to wear my cleats now and when I got to the pavement I thought oh my, tap dance!  Tap dance I did!  I sang - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.  My cleats against the pavement sounded just the tap dancin' folks on the John Prine song.  They are tap dancin' aren't they?  Well, no matter it was fun for me. 

 

Reeda gal, she tap danced in her younger years, a studio - Beverly's Dance Studio, if my memory serves me correct.  One day, even if it is in my dreams, I will tap dance with Reeda.  Then we will say, we tap, we Prine!  major giggle!

 

 

The Beginning of a Winter Wonderland. . .

Winter is upon the mountain.  I do not like it. 

I pan over - and viola - heart cloud!

 

Life's complete now. 

Snow, don't you just love it . . .

A sprinkle of snow is upon the mountain side and it will be staying - it is not going to melt.  We will have this (many curse words) for roughly six months.  It will all accumulate and we will end up with about 3 1/2', god help me.  I so need to win lotto and depart from the mountain.  But, alas - in my dreams that does happen.  Today if you looked up at the sky and not the ground you would think it was July.  The sky is blue, a few clouds.

I am planning to do the path again this year.  The path I walk in the winter between our lot and our seasonal neighbor.  I counted my steps and it takes me 110 steps to get to my neighbors, return 220.  200 steps is roughly equal to 1 block.  2,000 steps is roughly equal to one mile.  I got a lot of steps to take :)  I would walk the main road, but there is no shoulder and folks go way to fast, I have had occasion where I have had to jump into the ditch for fear of getting pasted onto the pavement.

Bruce Springsteen - The Wrecking Ball Tour - was in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - October 19th.  Nice to see Jake Clemons, the nephew of Clarence is now playing with Bruce.  That just warmed my heart.

"The older you get the more ghosts and spirits walk alongside.  When you're old those ghosts become your travelling companions.  They remind me when they walk side of me, of the preciousness of the day and how sweet life is".
                                            Bruce Springsteen

Lydia

Oh my, dearest Lydia has been placed into rest mode - she will return in the spring of 2013.  While I was taking her down, her head split apart; good grief, I said Lydia - just because Donald did not come around this summer that should not cause you to split your head.  I will have to rebuild her a new head before spring.  I did keep her dazzling eyes, lips, and her hair.  I spent an hour this morning untangling her hair.  I was almost ready to give it some water and use Dove on it - it was tangled mega.

Her jeans are still in relatively good shape but she will need a new shirt - oops, blouse for spring.  I am thinking of something of the flowery nature.  Perhaps, Lydia was looking too harsh in the plaid ensemble.  I shall go to the second hand store near spring time and see what I can choose for her spring 2013 collection.

What weather we are having on the mountain side today.  Thunder, lightning, hail and now blue sky and sunshine outside.  I am very thankful the power has not gone off - so far, so good.

Congratulations to my Prine friend Sue and her husband Rob on the birth of their daughter - Sophia.  I do not know what her middle name is but rumour has that it is Markalee, Joan, Janis, Reeda, Shanda, Charlene, Donna, Bevytwo, Amy, Johnetta, - geez, this list is endless.

But end this post I must because I am off to the porch while it is not snowing, raining or hailing. 

The Flakes Will Be Falling Soon . . .

Winter is near upon us, today we had the last outdoor fire.  It is a ritual. 

The weather is certainly cooling and the forecast says could be some white stuff falling from the sky in the coming days.  I do not look forward to that.

However, the fall/winter months are such a good time for homemade soups and stews.  Tonight, I have a fine homemade stew simmering on the stove.  Made from all our homegrown vegetables.  The aroma is beautiful, I love it.  I probably should have made some homemade bread; but eh, that is stretching what I will do in the kitchen on one given day.

Before you know it, christmas baking will be on the agenda.  I have my list ready - Butter Tarts, Rocky Roads, Spice Cookies, Peanut Butter Balls, and Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Of course, added to that is the community baking for bingo and the Christmas Party - cakes and cupcakes!  All decorated up with cute little picks, christmas cupcake liners, and decorative sugars - I love that.

ah, yes - last but by no means least - it is lotto night - ya'll pray for me to win! 

Chiclets

This is my favorite gum.  Each year, after Halloween I purchased two bags at the 50% off table.  Last me all year and I do love it, I love the candy coating.  

 

Today, when we were in town shopping I noticed at the dollar store, they had a big huge double bubble machine.  I laughed, said - Noisemaker, I need one of these.  Only problem, we did not have a twenty five cent piece, so we skip on out.  I will get one next time, it is a really big piece of bubble gum.  

 

As we are exiting the store, Noisemaker says to me - I guess you need the twenty five cent bubble gum for when you go out on the porch and do those 'things'?  What 'things' - what are you talking about?  Oh my word, Noisemaker does this little jerk dance (lasted about 10 seconds), and oh I laughed.  Noisemaker does not do things like that.  My take - he is getting on in years...gracefully - but really wants to learn how to dance.  Like I want to learn how to tap dance.

 

Our day progresses, we shop and get everything done.  As we were driving home we noticed Charly's place is for sale.  Charly is a very nice gentleman.  He is now retired and moving to a warmer climate (oh lucky, Charly).  I asked Charly, well - give me your new address..  and to this he does.

 

My word, I nearly peed on the spot - he gives me a piece of paper and it reads Carl.  His real name is Carl. 

 

I burst out laughing and said - when in doubt or what fits, just call them Carl ~

...she called everybody Carl...

 

Come Back To Us Barbara Lewis Hare Krishna Beauregard 

Common Sense - John Prine 

 

...We will have the wings of eagles...

...then it spreads its' mighty wing span out across the open sky...we will have the wings of eagles...when the fallen angels fly...

Billie Joe Shaver

 

My word, you have to be so quick in movement to do a photo of birds, especially eagles and herons.  I saw the eagle land on the lower tree and raced in to get the camera.  I snapped, this is what I received.

Happy Birthday, John Prine

 

{Prinetoon - Burl 2009}

 

Cheers, Beers, and Happy Birthday John Prine. 

 

Imagine 66 years young, same age as my Noisemaker - 1946 was a good year.

 

Today, I shall strike up some Prine and sing ~

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

I'm laughing like hell

Because I'm younger than you!

 

{giggle, giggle}

Thanksgiving Day

Holy smucksville, it is so quiet in the house at the moment, you could hear a pin drop.  Noisemaker is out in the tool shed.  I have my turkey in the oven, vegetables peeled, and now I came to sit a spell.

Tonights' menu is fairly simple - turkey, potatoes, brussel sprouts, gravy and my homegrown tomatoes!  I am hoping to make a turkey/dumpling stew later on in the week.  I tried dumplings before and good grief, even my dog would not eat them.  They were as hard as rocks.  I shall look for a recipe today and see what I can come up with.  Neighbor Gary B. brought fresh homeground turnips over for us, I love turnips in stews or soup.

Another beautiful autumn day on the mountain side.  This is unusual for this time of year, good lord, generally we have snow flying.  I am loving this, do you know we still have butterflies; lots of them.

I have a Prine Telephone Bucket List and yesterday I was able to stratch one name off the list - Amy Mullins.  Oh my, what a pleasure it was to speak with her.  Her voice was just as I expected it to sound, cheerful.  I hope one day all my Prine friends will meet; geez - that would be mega holy smucksville!  There does seem to be a general basic line with Prine people.  You all start off with one thing in common John Prine, you build from there.  I have met some great people through John Prine.  It all just brings a big smile to my face and warms my heart.  A good thing to give thanks for - Happy Thanksgiving Day.

The Bird/Squirrel Feeder

Noisemaker, on a daily basis, feeds the birds.  Today when he went to feed them, he noticed mushrooms and assorted cones in the feeder.  The squirrel has found a new home to stash its' food for the winter months.  The chick-a-dee is looking down at the harvest and thinking...what the hell is this.  :)

The Heron

Yesterday, my Noisemaker spotted a blue heron atop the roof on the lot next to us.  I sprang up and raced to get the camera, I was able to take this.  I should have made it bigger, but you can see it...to the left of the chimney stack.

 

Our community is coming up in the world, we now have cell phone service.  Not that I would get one because I do need a landline for this (many curse words) dial up service.  The tower that I spotted a week or so ago is a cell phone tower.  Oh, I so await high speed internet.  However, I am not going to complain much, I am glad to have access on the mountain side.

 

I picked five pounds of tomatoes today, good lord - my tomatoes abound!  Stupice Tomatoes, I grew this year; so full of flavor, I love them.  I froze two - two pound bags, I made homemade salsa, made hero deli sandwiches (endlessly), and now I am wondering ... hmm ... I do not want to see them spoil.

 

Ah, to the rescue this afternoon comes my neighbor, Gary B.  He is in need of flour.  He does not bake, he does not buy flour.  Gary B. has relations visiting for Thanksgiving weekend - cooking a turkey - but no flour for gravy.  He went home with his cup of flour and two pounds of my tomatoes, he was delighted.  A Happy Thanksgiving indeed. 

 

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

 

Recently, my brother and sister-in-law came to visit the Noisemaker and I.  As we were chatting, I asked my brother if he could do the - what I called it - wetunes thing (he corrects me, it is itunes) - and get me Israel Kamakawiwo'ole...

 

Oh my word ~ what shows up in the post box, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. 

 

CD - Title - Somewhere Over The Rainbow.  One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.  Great voice.

 

Unfortunately, IZ is no longer with us - he died in 1997.  As with all musicians of the past, his music ~ remains.

 

As does the memory of my Dad ~

March 14th, 1920

October 5th, 2003

Autumn Pictures

A beautiful autumn day.

Must be a melting lemon drop from somewhere over the rainbow.

Here is the fall rainbow.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends/acquaintances - may you always have a roof over your head and food on your table.  Best Wishes to you and yours.

 

 

Prine ~ Sunday

On Sunday when the painters had finished up; we had a drink with them - chatted and when I saw my opportunity to Prine come-a-knockin' - I knocked!  Hello In There. . . 

Oh such fun I have.  I started the conversation 'you like music - I heard your music playing, do you know of John Prine?  Mark replies no, but I see that on your shirt, what kind of singer is he...I explained folk/country/won some Grammys', he's good.  I told of how I went to Vancouver to see him and how I met him...(do you folks remember, August 5th - teehee).  I told him, if he would like I could loan him up a cd or two of mine and he could have a listen.  He jumped at the idea, replied, I love to hear new artists - sure. 

I picked two - The Debut CD - 1971 - John Prine and In Person & On Stage 2010.  I figured that would give an opportunity to hear Prine sing in the studio and then hear some of the same songs recorded live some 39 years later.  It will be interesting to hear what painter Mark thinks of John Prine.  My guess is he is going to really enjoy him; he will want to know more about his music and of course, I'll get the lips flappin in overdrive. 

You know, I figure John Prine is a staple like flour, salt, and sugar.  Items you have to have in your household to make it a home.  I love home.