Get Well Soon, SkunkeyeJan

One of my followers, SkunkeyeJan has been strickened by a bad, bad infection. Viral menigitus (could be spelled incorrectly). Janis is in hospital now, hopefully progressing each day. I knew from her daily emails she was running her tank on empty, maybe she was just running on fumes.

I had not received any emails from her and began to wonder what, now, had gone wrong. I had decided that if I had no word, I would call the next day. That night around 7 p.m. the telephone rang. I answered, it is a mans' voice...saying his name...skunkeye's husband. Good grief, when all that registered on my brain, I did think the worse. Not to be, thank god. She'll return home soon and now must take steps to learn not to skate on thin ice. Rest when rest is required.

Poppies are her favorite flower. Janis these poppies are for you.

Get Well Soon.

My Day Must Get Better

Smucksville, I have not had a very good morning. I had a major tanglement with the woodstove this morning. Noisemaker had built a fire just after midnight, so this morning I did not have to build until around 6:30 a.m. I placed the wood in the woodstove, as I always do - normally. The third piece of wood was too heavy for me (using one hand), I knew this piece was going to cause me nothing but grieve. However, I proceeded with my day and my lady bug chores. Great christ - the next thing I knew the woodstove is in bloody rage, lord I thought it was going to explode. I ran and awoke noisemaker....I should have been singing noisemaker, noisemaker, I have a complaint - The woodstove is too hot and coolin' down, it ain't.

Noisemaker calmed me. It took about two hours to cool it down. I should never have placed the third piece of wood in the woodstove. You live and learn. I am on the big curve of learning about wood and woodstoves.

Now I must go to shovel the flakes that the snowgod left overnight for me. We have near 200' of shovelling area (god, help me). I was about 3/4 through when noisemaker came to my rescue, he finished it off.

I had a letter to post so I walked up to the postbox and here comes the plough boys, two of them doing about 80 miles an hour. The snow is flying everywhere, lord they are going to drown me. I launched, near went airborne and wedge myself by the mailbox. After they passed by, I went full blasting down the road, arms waving, lips flapping - I was cursing up a storm. I had thoughts they had buried my driveway.

But eh, oh no - they were blasting up the snow off my driveway, my dear plough boys!

I start my walk to get home...some guy driving a ski-doo, wearing a Daniel Boone hat (I am thinking to myself...lord, have mercy on my soul). He has launched, he is way up their near the clouds. I have no time for this, I want to get home. Then, I see my next venture of the day, my fine, fine neighbor Chris. He asks do I have a cigarette (I do not)...do I have any beer (I do not)...Chris, I said - look I have not had a great morning, leave me alone now, I need peace. Happy New Year - I am going home.

Home is where I am, I am calm now - all is well.

Happy Birthday Florida John

Happy Birthday Florida John:

Cheers and Beers!

photo credits: Mrs. Florida John via http://www.jpshrine.org

The rose and - if you can see the two fishing hooks under the card were for John Prine. Florida John was en route to a John Prine concert.

(side note - could be his birthday tomorrow or the 31st - no matter - wishes are extended just the same. May your birthday be as special as you are, Florida John

Hockey Night In Canada (my way)

Growing up in Canada means growing up with Hockey Night in Canada (Saturday). I grew up with the original six teams, not like it is today - heck I cannot keep track of the teams - let alone who is winning.



One of my favorite players was Guy Lafleur #10 of the Montreal Canadians! He was a flame on the ice.

The best flame on the ice was by far, Yvan Cournoyer - #12, the captain of the Montreal Canadians.

To Note: My Mom's day ended at 5 p.m. every Saturday night throughout the

winter months, for years. She loved hockey.

My favorite hockey player, by far - my brother, Wesley.

The original six:
Montreal Canadians
Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins
Chicago Black Hawks
Detroit Reg Wings
New York Rangers

Hockey - World Juniors

A Canadian tradition between Christmas and New Years' is to watch the World Juniors'. Geez, that is some great hockey.

In the final games, my guess - certain to see Team Canada, Team USA, and a Wildcard. . .

Christmas Baking Boxes

I make up christmas baking boxes for a few of my neighbors here on the mountain side. I generally include butter tarts, various cookies (chocolate chip, peanut butter, and sugar cookies with icing and decorative sugars). I add candies and a card. The box is well received. I have two more boxes to deliver tomorrow and then my christmas baking delivery is done.

For those who do not fancy to make butter tarts - here is a recipe for Butter Tart Squares.

1 cup Flour
1/4 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Butter, room temperature (do not use margarine)

TOPPING

2 tbsp Butter, melted
2 Eggs
1 cup Brown Sugar
2 tbsp Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Vanilla
Pinch of Salt
1 cup Raisins/Currants
1/2 cup Nuts (pecans/walnuts or a combination of)

In bowl combine flour, sugar, and butter. Press into cake 8"/9" cake pan.

Topping: Mix together butter and eggs. Blend in sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla, and salt. Stir in raisins/currants and nuts. Bake 350F for 20-25 minutes. Makes 16 squares. Freezes well. Enjoy!

A Christmas Paradise

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the
mountain side.

We're A-Leapin'

For two mornings in a row when I have gone outside for my morning cigarette and coffee, a new friend comes to visit. A coyote. Lord, have mercy on my soul, scares the heck out of me. First morning he (well, it could be a she for all I know) leaped up onto the deck. I leaped into the house.

This morning I go out and about three minutes into my morning ritual, appears the coyote. I whispered to him that it is ok, do not worry. He leaped off the deck and I leaped back into the house.

I am not secure with coyotes...yet. I do better with foxes, only because the ones that come to visit here know me. They know my voice so all is well. I search for the coyote (I must think of a name) during daylight hours, to no avail. I must research coyotes - see what omen they are trying to send me. . .

On The Side Of Short

December 21st - the shortest day of the year. I can relate to this date, however, I am short all year 'round, not just one day - everyday!

Today I felt super short. We had a major snowfall last night. First light, this morning I went out to shovel. Good lord, the snow was so heavy for me, there was a solid 4". It was all I could do to lift it on to the snow bank.

Noisemaker and I now change positions - I go to tidy up and Noisemaker does the major shovel.

Speaking of short, oh how it irritates me when I grocery shop and I need something from the top shelf. I cannot get there....I wait until some tall person strolls down the aisle and then I do the dance of pounce. I do a leap...please, can you help me? Kind of like when I pounced and leaped at John Prine in August of 2005. 2009, I did not do the pounce dance, oh teehee, I was quite calm - hahaha!

Thank you to those who come to read my blog. I appreciate you doing so. Merry Christmas!

Paradise Valley

I was just cleaning up my items to recycle and I came across a box, I noted the word Paradise. I lifted it out only to find it was a box that comforted my cd from Mr. Skunkeye and his Mrs.

Paradise Valley All Natural Mash Potatoes. When SE does mail she even includes cardboard Prine!

I read on the box this product is natural - no preservations or chemicals. I would post further but I am reading the french side of the box and it is not computing. Big box item - 108 servings; 18 packets. Can be purchased at Costco.

Looks like a great product from:
Paradise Valley
One Potato Place
Winnemucca, Nevada
89445

See: http://www.usfds.com/

Birthday Greetings

Birthday Greetings Abound!

A couple of my Prine friends are having birthdays today.

Happy Birthday Scarlette

Happy Birthday Al

May your day be as special as you are