Soft Saturday

The snow is coming down in a determined fashion. I love it. All is quiet.

I also loved the workshop day, but I put my back off a bit. Too much leaning over at just that RIGHT angle. Or WRONG angle, depending on which way you look at it. Anyway, I am better today as is George. He was off his feed yesterday. Either a touch of food poisoning or a bit of stomach flu. He also is better today.

I am deep into thinking about a new way to do art. I think I have received a new way to "frame" my art as well as some new ways to do art. I am in seventh heaven researching it all and trying to think about what can happen. Of course, I have to buy some stuff. Always one of the draw backs to learning new things. I got my Cheap Joe's catalog out and started toting up the result of my mania. Oofta. But it is thrilling to me. Yowsa.

Now to go in and watch Saturday Golf. With the special pillow at my back. Double Yowsa. And I'm making chocolate chip cookies on the side. I stored some brown sugar in a jar and it got hard as a rock, so I moistened it up and put it in the microwave and it became sort of strange. So I measured it and realized I had just the right amount to make cookies. Voila. I actually have all of the ingredients at hand. So I don't have to put on snow shoes and head to Nelson's Store. Not that I own snow shoes, anyway!

Take care and have a spectacular Saturday.

Workshop Day

I'm getting geared up for a one day workshop in New York Mills. That's the town that has the Great American Think-off. Today they are involved in an art day. I love art workshops.

Today is going to be a strange conglomeration of feeling adequate and inadequate. When I first started this art stuff, I was always the new gal on the block, not knowing anything about anything. Now I am the old-timer who is usually in the know and helping others get settled. I love that. But more than that, I love learning new ways to make art.

I will report later on what I have learned and try to post an art "thing" in the new technique I will be learning. I am glad the big snow isn't supposed to come until tonight and tomorrow. And I am glad the big snow is coming. We can use all the moisture we can get. Take care and don't get stuck in any snow drifts.

Ash Wednesday

This morning I entertained our book club. There were only three of us as the ill husband of one of our members took a turn for the worse. Only two of us had read the book recently, although the other had read it some time in the past. We had a great time reading the book and discussing Anne Tyler's books in general. My favorite, by far, is "The Accidental Tourist." We came to the conclusion we like her writing with her quirky characters and situations and we can overlook some of the less than fascinating outcomes.

I served a brunch of coffee, jello, muffins and deviled eggs. This is our set brunch and is an homage to our erstwhile member, Fran. We still miss her, and hope to travel down to see her again in the future.

Our choice for the next book is "Snowflower and the Secret Fan." I do not know the author. I'll have to log on Amazon or Barnes and Noble to try to find it.

Lent starts today. Church tonight with the symbolic ashes on the forhead. The symbolism of the ashes hits home to those of us of my age. We are actually staring into the jaws of death... in terms that some of the younger people don't think about. We really are going to die in the rather near future, while - although we all are going to die, period - it isn't as much on the minds of the younger folks. The fact that Jesus came to throw us a life-line into the after-life looms large in our thoughts. Thank you Jesus!

Take care.

Today

I arrived at the gym this morning and went around the circle of machines once, having my usual good time when I realized I didn't feel very well. I went home, and then realized I hadn't remembered (!) to eat breakfast. Someone with diabetes should know that that is a no-no, but it simply escaped my attention. So I ate a piece of bread with peanut butter (not the brands that are thought to cause poisoning) and soon felt better! I got busy doing some projects that I am involved with, made lunch, and then started re-reading one of my favorite books.

It is "The Bean Trees" by Barbara Kingsolver. It's the kind of book that makes you glad that you are able to read. Thrilled, actually, and wishing you could also write like her. What fabulous writing. I have not been such a fan of her later books, but her first ones are aces.

On Wednesday my book club is coming to my house for a meeting. Two of our members have been in India for a month, and I was in Virginia for the month before that, so it is two plus months since we have met. We will be discussing "The Ladder of Years" by Anne Tyler. Pretty good, but not a favorite. I am eager to see what we each of us has to say about it and about our lives in general. The fourth member of our group has been struggling as her spouse has been ill. We are our own support group, all in the guise of a book club!

Take care.

Special Day

Today is Naomi's birthday. We celebrated with her when she was here. Jessie and Sadie also have birthdays in February, so we had a grand blow-out, as you can see! The little girls (Dru was here, too) didn't want to blow out the candles. But to eat the cake, it seemed necessary!

On this day I am remembering the day of N's birth. The night before, George and I with our son were watching television with Grandma and Grandpa. It was a movie with Don Knotts playing an astronaut. Gradually I became aware that I needed to take a trip to the hospital to get a bit of work done! We were on our way to Brazil, waiting for our visas and staying with my folks in Florida. We had thought we would be in Brazil for the big event, but the visa people dragged their feet and there we were, still in Florida. I must say I was glad. To be able to communicate with your doctor and nurses ranks high in my appreciation of a hospital stay.

My doctor kept telling me I was "elderly." I was 40. That seems the accepted thing, now, but at that time it WAS elderly for having a baby. My mom was 40 when she had me, too, so it must run in the family. All went well, but we stayed in the hospital for four days as Naomi needed special light treatment for jaundice. I had many roommates in that four days as it was a two person room. One woman came in in the morning and left before the evening meal! But the old lady stayed a full four days!

The whole experience is one of the most memorable ones of MY life. My folks were so gracious to give us room for the several months we stayed there waiting for our visas. John went to kindergarten in Bradenton. Naomi was two months old when we finally continued on our journey. The first night we stayed in Miami. Our motel was right on the water, and outside the window we could see the Onassis yacht! Naomi had an ear ache, so we stayed in the room looking at the yacht, while John and George went swimming in a pool that was on the roof of the motel. The next day we four intrepid travellers were off to our adventures in Brazil. and so on, and so on, and so on!

Happy Birthday, kid! You're the greatest!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I have been sorting through boxes of things which I have stored under beds. The plastic containers are great - long and flat - and protect the contents from dust. I have found diaries, old letters, poems, pictures, student projects (two stories written by my third year Spanish students and produced rather magnificently), and all sorts of odds and ends. All of my diplomas, way from grade school through College. My confirmation certificate and baptismal record. I actually have two baptismal records... one for July 12th and the other for July 13th. Was one a mistake so they replaced it with the other? They are both duly certified with all the requisite signatures. Does anyone know which was on a Sunday in 1930? That was no doubt the proper one. And my birth certificate with its cute little inked footprint. I wonder if it has any relationship to an inked image of my right foot now, 76 years later. I could try it out, but somehow I haven't the energy! Maybe, one of these days.

I hope you have a great time with your sweetie today. Take care.

Sunday White

The scene outside is WHITE with no sun. A flake or two of snow is drifting down. It is outstandingly beautiful, but I do like to have sunshine.

I am pretty pumped, however, as I succeeded in figuring out how to get a picture, put it in the My Picture file, and then publish it on the blog. I still cannot crop it, but all things seem possible. The title of the painting is "Lair of the She-wolf." When I had it in a gallery, the owner renamed it "India Print." You can take your pick... I stand by my own title as I am, afterall, the artist who created it! You, as the observer, can name it anything you jolly well please! That's art for you!

I have always kidded around saying that I am a dust farmer, but the magnitude of my crop success had never hit me until yesterday. We cleaned our bedroom down to the bare bones. It is now clean as a whistle. Took the bed apart, etc., etc... All is clean of dust. All I can think of now is that dust is slowly but inexorably collecting again. Is there any way to stop it? No. We live where dust and rust corrupt. One of the reasons I look forward to heaven is I am pretty sure there will be no dust OR rust there. We will be able to concentrate on the goal rather than constantly being bothered with the upkeep of things. That is my fervent hope.

I have managed to twirl the weighted hula hoop four times around my stodgy figure. That, in itself, is a small miracle. When (please notice, I said WHEN not IF) I finally succeed, I will include a picture of that olympic feat in this blog. Vicki doing the hula hoop! That'll be the day.

No... That'll be THE day. Take care.

Hmmmmmmmmmm

I went to the gym this morning and got some complaints about the fact that I had not written a blog lately. I didn't say so, but I could have remarked that THEY had not written comments lately. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

I have not written lately because I don't have anything to say. I am completely bamboozled by all of the complexities of my computer and art life, and I am having a difficult time getting off the dime. Shall I get a new computer? Shall I enter a juried art show for a magazine entry? Shall I try to get a new computer so that I can crop pictures? If so, what computer? AAAGH. I don't have time to try to get slides of my art work, at the same time that I don't even know if I want to do that. AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH.

And so on and so forth.

I tried to get a picture on this blog, but it is proving beyond my capabilities with the programs I have at the present time. AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH. Stay tuned for the ongoing saga of AAGH. Take care in the cold!

I'm ridin' high!

Ok. I'm ridin' low! But in any event, I really loved the super bowl game. I know not much about football, but I enjoy seeing all those big men playing around in the rain. And I happened to be rootin' for the winning team. Wahoo.

Today is a day to go to the board meeting of the Art of the Lakes Gallery up at Battle Lake. I was in Virginia for the last month's meetings, so now I have to get up to speed on what is going on. I love all my art activity. I have not had a real opportunity to paint since I got back in Minnesota as most of my time has been spent in trying to get back up to speed on my computer. I'm about 80 percent back. Given time, I should be ok.

I am contemplating purchasing a new computer rather than patching up this old machine. Fran splurged and is having fun learning how to run a new Apple iMac. Our best wishes go out to her as she learns a new program. Actually, learning how to run an iMac should be a piece of cake for her. She just has to practice taking deep breaths before she panics. That is, she needs to take deep breaths and then THINK instead of panicking. (Ok. How do you spell that last word?)

She has her daughter right there to help her, too. So all should be fine in about a week!

I am still recovering from bowl watching. And I have all the wonderful memories of our visitors. The shrieks and giggles of two little girls reverberate in the house. I am content. Keep warm and take care.

Football Fever

I have to admit that I get caught up in the Super Bowl mania like so many other folks. George insists he does not like professional football, but I cannot be blase about it. I love all the hoopla and fun surrounding the games. I intend to pop some corn and glue myself to the set!

It is an extremely cold day. We had four females here visiting from Friday night through this morning. They are very courageous to set out in the cold, but have had no difficulties so far. It was exciting to have little ones here again playing with the ancient Fisher Price house and little wooden occupants of that house with their furniture and dog and car. Also the tinker toys and forest friends board game. All good. We also watched "Babe" and "Babe: Pig in the City." And ran around and giggled and tickled and shouted and had a great time! So cute. Naomi and her friend and two little girls.. four years and two years old. Adorable and fun. Great. Three of the four visitors have birthdays in February, so I made a birthday cake and we had multitudinous candles and sang Happy Birthday. Fun!!!!!!!!!!

Now it seems very quiet. Living in a small town is also extremely quiet as there are not the sirens and other sounds that one hears in the city. The snow is pristinely white. All is quiet until I start shouting at the TV screen this afternoon. I have decided to be a Colts' fan as I like Tony Dungy and remember when he was here as one of the coaches of the Vikings. Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Coooooooooooooooooooooolts. Yeah, man!

Yippee kae yai!

Yep. That's me on my horse at the gym. Thanks to Karen W who was the giver of the horse head and the photographer. Mary W. brought her husbands stetson, and we were off to the races! I also have a picture of me with a sombrero that I will share at a later time. I don't want to give you too much of a thrill.

We are trying to figure out how we can use foolish pictures of me at the gym as an advertising ploy. Please share any ideas. I have succeeded in doing the hula hoop for four revolutions and then the hoop fell down and hurt my knee, so the present thought is getting knee protectors for me and taking a picture of me doing that adventurous, REVOLUTIONARY, exercise. Pardon the pun. All ideas welcome, no matter how ridiculous. Actually, the more ridiculous the better!

We are going into the deep freeze this weekend according to the weather prognosticators. (See, Karen l, I have not forgotten you like long words!) The ground is covered with a beautiful snow mantle and it will be fun to stay in and watch the Super Bowl... I have some pop corn, so that will be our treat on Sunday afternoon. What are you planning? Something much more exotic, I'm sure. Just think, Izzy, you will miss out on watching the great game! Or is there an interest in American Football in Japan? Probably not. Now, baseball... The Japanese like that, I'm sure.

Stay warm and take care.

?????

Well. This is one of my early paintings that I gave to John for his birthday about 8 years ago. I took a picture of the painting now when I was out in Virginia. The caption says something like, "You were expecting maybe Rembrandt?"

As you can see, I was unable to use the cropping feature that I used to have and I have been unable to use the pix that I have in Picasa2 where I have a cropping feature. I thought I was a bit overwrought until I read some of the complaints on the picasa2 comment board. People are a bit excited over the lack of cooperation of the two features. It will be corrected, all in due time, I am sure.

At least the little fellow in the painting is still smiling!

I didn't make it to the gym this morning as our choir was singing at the funeral for one of our long time members. She was 83 years old. I looked around the choir and the congregation and realized that many of us are teetering on the brink of being the one being sung for. What a wonderful rich life we have had together in our church, and that rich life is merely the threshhold for an even richer life. Say "hi" to Jesus for us, Ruby.

I sit next to a woman in choir who had gone to grade school with her and they had spent all those years as friends. We have a rich heritage and inheritance. Take care.

sigh

Ok. For the present I give up. Do you know anyone who can help me? I need to know how to get a picture from my computer (stored in the program called Piccasa2 which I downloaded from Google) to my blog (which is shown on Google!)? You would think that two programs would be copacetic, but so far, no dice. At least I can crop my pictures now. That is a bit of advancement... but I don't know how to get them on this blog. I admit it. I don't know how.
HHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP.

Okay. Got that out of my system a little bit. Take care in the cold.

A picture!!!!!!!!!!

Or not. I can't seem to access the picture from Picassa2. I will keep on trying. This new stuff is driving me slightly bonkier than usual. At least I can crop the picture in Picassa2. I have a new painting all ready to show you. I just can't seem to get hold of it. I will, though, I promise. I am very stubborn.

It is very cold today. We went to church and sang in the choir. One of the things I like most to do. Then this afternoon I went to a going away do for a friend who is moving out east. The furnace hadn't been on long enough so we kept our coats on at the Melby Town Hall. It was a rare and wonderful collection of people. Music and talk and - of course - food.

What would I do if I didn't have this frustration of computer stuff? I know I would smile a whole lot more. Yesterday I actually downloaded something for six (YES, THAT IS SIX) hours and then it wouldn't install. Today I have had limited success in that I downloaded AND installed Picassa2. I can hardly believe my good fortune. NOW, when I can actually get hold of the picture to put it in my blog, you will all hear my yell of accomplishment without virtue of telephone. Brace yourselves.

Take care.

Okkeedokee

Well. All is progressing. My computer guy/angel mentioned that I could probably use the second drive (which I thought was just for DVDs) as a CD drive and wahoo! It proved to be true. I have stuff back. I am weeding it out so I get it back to a more reasonable amount of pictures, but my computer is beginning to feel more like home.

Went to the gym this morning. Always a fun way to catch up with local news. Now to a few more projects in the basement. Why is the term "basement" so depressing? It gives me slight shudder even to mention the words, although our "basement" is finished and just fine. I think it brings to mind the old time cellars which were dark and dank and unfinished. Cobwebs with the concommitent spiders leap to mind. Throw in a few mice, and there you go... perfect Halloween fare.

OK. Let's get back to reality. I will go down to my well-lit studio and work on my projects. I hope to manage to include a few pictures by the next posting, so that will be more fun. I like a blog with a picture or two! Have a good one.

Oh, My Goodness!!!

Well. Finally. My computer is back home. I still have an issue or two, but it is looking up. I got the virus protection, etc., all taken care of. I have discovered a stellar repair person/angel right here in town so I don't have to panic when something occurs! Or doesn't occur. My e-mail is completely weird and I have no idea how to get it back to where it looks right. All in due time, though, is my motto. Sigh. I have a completely wiped clean slate: no pictures, no documents, no nothing on my computer. Luckily I managed to back up some of it a while back. Now my
CD Rom drive tray belt is already acting up (as the "angel" said it might) so I cannot reinstall this stuff. Hopefully my "angel" will be able to advise. THE ONGOING SAGA.......

It is amazing how discombobulated one feels when the life line to the outside world is interfered with. Not good. However, it is nice to be back home. I have been rather ill with a bit of my diverticulitis, but it looks as though I am on the way to complete recovery for the moment. We'll have to wait and see.

I am soldiering away on my "vicki room." I hope to get some order out of chaos soon. Naomi spent some time helping me, thank God, so I am not totally discouraged. now if I can continue to make small improvements day by day, there may be hope. Then, if I can be sure of the internet stuff working for the time being at least, I can get back to painting.

It was fun to get back to the gym. We had a small birthday party and jollity was enjoyed by us all. We are becoming better and better friends. Take care

oofta

Any self respecting person of Norwegian ancestry should probably spell that word "Uffda", but who ever said I was a self respecting person!

I have been stuck in Mpls because I got sick and didn't feel I could drive myself home. So I am hoping to make it later this afternoon. Fran has been putting up with me on her sofa and we have been having fun inspite of all.

Turns out there is much more to getting my poor old computer up and running than I know. It is very frustrating and almost enough so that I would give up this lively blog and the computer entirely and go back to a manual typewriter. Yeah, that's likely to happen. But, really, why do things have to be so complicated and endless?! (See, Karen l, I'm doing it too!)

Fran is trying to figure out the whole carb thing as she has been told that she has diabetes, maybe. One doctor isn't concerned and the other was. hmmm. Anyway, the way they try to make it all accessible to the mind is - instead - mind boggling.

I heard the magic words, "verse go" (whatever the correct Norwegian spelling would be, is gone, along with Uffda.) Fran has breakfast ready. I love being waited on as George could tell you. He often does breakfast for us! I love it!!!! Take care.

Yup! I'm still kickin'!

I am at Fran's so thought I would kick out a blog! Last night Naomi and I went to Best Buy and bought a hard drive which Tony is proceeding to install in my computer. A million thanks to both of them. What a wonderful deal. I get so "complexado" by the troubles with my computer. That is a Portuguese word which means I have a complex about being able to log on. I NEED MY COMPUTER FIX EVERY FEW HOURS OR I GET REALLY IRRITABLE AND CRABBY! So hopefully it will be all accomplished to the point that I will be able to cope! If not, watch out. I will be very crabby until I am able to cope!

Another thing that happened to me that blew my mind was the loss of a small wrapped package in my small home. It completely disappeared. The package was about the size of a baseball, then wrapped in bubble wrap and in a white plastic shop bag. It was not in the garbage as I searched through all the garbage (including endless coffee grounds!) or the other places it could be. In short... it just disappeared!

Naomi and I went to IKEA this morning. For goodness sakes. It is completely overwhelming. I bought a few little completely clever things: ten bookends, five magazine holder boxes, and five clothes hangers, all for just slightly more than ten dollars. Amazing. But there is just too much to get your mind around.

I am hearing a siren. That is a noise that Fran hears a lot here as we live close to a fire station. For this small town girl, it still gives me a little shiver.

Fran is here now and says I must come to eat lunch or the coffee will get cold. Perish the thought. My Norwegian genes are vibrating in horror at such a fate. Take care.

A death in the Household

The hard drive on my computer has died, and I do feel slightly bereft. It leaves a great hole in my day's activities! I came back from Virginia and one of the first things I did was try to hook up my computer and check my e-mail! Well, my computer was dead as a doornail. Woe's me!

Another rather distressing thing happened to our luggage. The golf club deal did not arrive with the other suitcase. Double woe is George! Hopefully they will arrive sometime soon.. at least soon enough for the start of the golf league!

I was thrilled to see all my old buddies at the gym today. The place is hopping with quite a few new members. Great way to keep in shape as well as laugh and talk. Wahoo.

I am presently typing away on Naomi's lap top which she managed to hook up to my dial up connection. I have yet to check my e-mail. We had such a great time in Virginia but are glad to be home.

I will continue to try to do a bit of blogging, but if I don't for a time or two it will be because of my computer woes. Keep on checking! Take care.

Family Trip

We set out yesterday on a family trip. First to Jamestown, then to Yorktown. Fascinating to see where some of the battles of the Revolutionary War were fought, right? We noticed an inordinate number of police cars on the highway. When we got to Jamestown we were stopped and told that everything was closed (AND I MEAN EVERYTHING). Today we read that Dick Cheney and the governor of Virginia were involved in a special deal at Jamestown with all of the state senators, etc. Made the front page. WE did not get to see anything in Jamestown, however, but went to the Victory Center in Yorktown and had a great afternoon. Went on a tour of a facsimile army encampment and a farm of early days. Matt got to dress up in a minute man uniform and loved the experience. The cold was penetrating, but otherwise the meander was great.
After a while, I got lost from the rest and wandered through the galleries. I went to a movie about the early times. Then I managed to find the GIFT SHOP and, of course, the family thought to find me there. We reunited and "the kids" took us out to dinner. Wonderful. I ate some calamari as an homage to one of my favorite movies, Shirley Valentine. The food was great. Then home after a short stop at Ben and Jerry's!
{ A small aside: I want to make a plea for those of you who use modern technology. Please carry your cell phone on your person so that when another person tries to contact you using a cell phone, she can contact you. It does her no good left in the truck when there is no one in the truck! }
We had a wonderful time, even considering cell phone complaints, and made memories for a lifetime. Our little grandson is a trooper.

home again, .....

home again, hippity hop. Should be back in the gym on the 15th if all goes according to plan.

No progress on the hula hoop front and hardly any exercise, so I am looking forward to getting back to you guys. You will have to get after me to be really on the hoop when I get back!

It is rainy and kinda cold here today after a series of days in the 70's. Just as we had amazingly good weather in MINN, so they have had here. Golf and walks and just nice stuff going on.

We have a fire place so I have been able to indulge myself in my favorite evening thing... sitting in the rocker in front of the fire while watching TV. The football games have been pretty much non-stop, although I also manage to watch lots of HGTV, too, to store up for the time when I am not near a cable TV set. Remember when I came back from California TV, and I updated my wardrobe so you gals wouldn't "out" me as the world's worse dresser? Now I have been watching house remodelers, so don't let me near a crow-bar. I'm fired up!

I decided that today was my day to cook. The family assented to my decision, so I am trying again to make that chocolate desert, and I am roasting a beef roast in the crockpot. We'll see how it all turns out. I am GREATLY outshined in the cook department by both Beth and John. They both love to cook and are very good at it. They try exotic recipes and we are the ones to benefit from their expertise. Matthew is at school. Leaves and returns on the bus while we are here. When we are gone, he will go early and late to his youth group. They are a busy family!

Take care and I am looking forward to seeing you in a week!

tgif

We watched the movie Miracle about the USA hockey team that won the Olympics in 1980. It was fun to sit around and have movie night. I am getting to the point that I feel like I miss an appreciable lot through deafness, so I bought a cheapy tv ears deal to help. I'm not sure it helps at all, but it can really make my life interesting. I pick up everything in the room BUT the tv. Sometimes it nearly blasts me into the next county. I am hoping I will become accustomed to its use enough to be able to listen to tv without having it on too high when everyone else is sleeping. I will keep you posted as to my success!

I am driving around the country side and learning where things are. Went to Poquoson to the Food Lion store this afternoon. Also the other direction to the Ben Franklin. We ate at the Chick-fil-a. The kids couldn't believe I didn't know what that was before I came here. It's pronounced Chick filet like filet mignon. Excellent restaurant. Had a great grilled chicken sandwich on a whole wheat bun with onion, tomato and lettuce. Yummy.

I am painting up a storm but regret I don't have the wherewithall (sp?) to share pix of the paintings with you. When I am back in Evansville, I will. I hesitate to go to bed yet as it is too early for me and then I wake up too early. I did that yesterday ... woke up at 4. Too bad.

Take care.

OKEE DOAKEE

I am pumped. I just got back from walking 9 holes of golf. It was wet on the course, so we walked. It was absolutely beautiful. No one else much was playing, so we could take our time. I didn't play, I just helped George see where the ball went (A bit like the blind leading the blind!) We had a wonderful time. Then we meandered home getting thoroughly lost but finding our way home with practically no trouble. I love being lost when I actually have some idea what to do. We got home in jig time and I checked my blood sugar.

I hadn't planned on walking the golf, so my blood sugar was low. It's about time I had some exercise. I have been couch potatoing !

I am about finished with one painting and about to start a new one. I can't show them to you until I get home, but then I will. I'm sure you are extremely anxious to see them!!! Ah, well. You'll just have to wait.

I am very lonesome for you all. It's nice here, but I miss there! The eternal dilemna.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The family is watching the start of the Rose Bowl, but I wanted to greet you all and wish you all the best for the New Year. I have started a new painting in a new method, so I am having fun. I am also getting to know my grandson a bit. All good, so far.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Last gasp for 2006

I am an ecstatic mom. I heard from my daughter last night and she is safely back in the USA. Well, relatively safely. These days I don't think anywhere in the world is really SAFE. But she's back where I can talk to her with no trouble. Very good! Double Wahoo.

I am zeroing in on a new art project. My project with my grandson turned out great. We made two artefacts, and they both were acceptable... and he didn't say "this is disgusting" even once! Now I have a new project in hand for me, myself and I. I got some tubes of watercolor for Christmas together with two canvases. I think I am going to try the technique I saw Cal De Ruyter demonstrate of painting on the canvas with water color right from the tube. Should be exciting and a fun time for me. Whether it will amount to anything much is beside the point!

Have a safe evening. And may you have a wonderful 2007.

okayyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Well. I guess I know what's happening. I can do two different blogs now if I want to. Why I would want to is anyone's guess.

We are thundering up upon a new year. What that year will bring is not known. The portents around the world are not good. Global warming, wars all over the place, lies and liars abounding........ Well, if it weren't for the hope that I have in Jesus Christ, I would literally not have any hope. We do need to keep on trucking but how, that's the question.

I believe that it is important to do the good thing that presents itself in front of you each day. I used to call that "keepin on truckin'"... Since I'm still kickin', I guess I can also keep on truckin'. Let's make that one of our New Year's Resolutions! Another one of those resolutions should be to laugh a lot! Wahoo. I can do that!

Take care and keep up the good work at the gym!

oh my

I am writing another little note to see what will happen. If this shows up, to get the new posts you have to add the 2 at the end of the twopairandaspare address. Sigh

wow

Well, we made it. We have been married for 53 years. Today we are sitting in our son's family home with our grandson coughing in the background. He is busily watching cartoons and we are eating breakfast. That is, George is eating breakfast and I am drinking coffee and blogging. John and Beth are off to work.

I have lined up an art project for Matthew and I t0 do. Not paper mache, Barb, but something akin to that. It is called cotton linting. You buy some cotton linting stuff, put it in the blender with water... blend, drain, and put in a cast. Let dry and then take it out of the cast. There are many places where this could go wrong. I found it in Michael's @ with all kinds of further applications we could buy if it works and we enjoy doing it. Time will tell.

Hats off to Naomi who will be back in the states soon. Have a safe trip.

Take care.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Nice relaxed day. Opening the presents around the tree. Breakfast fixed by chefs Beth and John. Open Christmas stockings. All is well.

We went to a very festive and celebratory church service last evening in a very old church here on the Langley Air Force Base. It was a great candle lighting service. Then home to a nice late supper. To bed after watching a roaring fire in their great fireplace. Wonderful.

I miss our own church. I wonder how it went on Sunday. Morning regular church service. Afternoon and evening services. I imagine Pastor just brought a cot to the church and camped out. That would be cool.

My best to you all. Jesus is the reason for the season, fer sure. love ya.

Oofta

Well. I managed to sign up for a Google e-mail account so that I could get this blog into the newest format, or something. John got me started and I hope that I have completed all the necessary stuff to have accomplished this daring feat. We'll see if I can post more efficiently or if a new nightmare has begun. Time will tell.

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Take care.

Christmas Spirit

Just picture me! It is evening and I am dressed in my red plaid flannel pants, my white and plaid sweat shirt and a red/blue/yellow/green/white plaid vest. I am the spirit of Kris Kringle personified. If I were at home I would grace you with my photo, but I don't know how to do that here, so you will be spared that horror.

We drove around here and looked at the Christmas lights on the houses. I must say we do equally well in the mid-west, if not better. We have some humdinger lighters in Evansville. There are all kinds of mansions around here and some of them decorate in a tasteful way, some in an extravagant way, but some of them gain the boo hiss award for awful. I imagine it is that way everywhere.

Have you put up lights this year? Which category do you fall into? Go outside and look it over. Tasteful? Extravagant? or Boo Hiss? Or nothing? That is not often the case.

We send our Christmas Greetings to you all. Take care.

Happy Friday

The ham was wonderful and superabundant. The Spanish Creme was not good. I have to visit Carol when I get back home and watch her make it, because it definitely was not successful the way I made it. I want to learn!

Hope you all are doing well.

Now, THAT'S a ham!

We have an 18 pound ham in our oven! It came wrapped in burlap-like stuff with the instructions written on it for various styles of cooking. After being soaked in water overnight, it was placed in the oven at 300 degrees at 10:30 am. We hope by carefully following the instructions, it will be ready for consumption tonight and many a meal to come. Cookbook, here we come. Any fantastic recipes out there?

Speaking of fantastic recipes, remember the recipe I got from Carol for Spanish Creme? Well, I am going to make it tomorrow. Everyone should love it as it is benignly without fat or carbs... besides tasting GREAT.

The new mattress and box spring came today delivered by two very accomodating young men from Macy's department store. They delivered it within the time-frame allowed and were very polite. They were competing for two tickets to the Super Bowl so they want us to call in and say how OUTSTANDING they were. I can do that, as they really were outstanding!

I now have done three different styles of dumplings on three consecutive days. Today was the best and I did the simplest recipe.. the one on the bisquick box. Yummmmm. I am retiring the chicken soup, however, as three days with the same lunch seems excessive. George is exceedingly patient and said the soup was the best today!

Take care. We are having chilly but preasant weather. How about you?

school bus

It has been many years since I thought about school buses. I took our grandson to meet the bus this morning. It comes to the corner just one house away, but he has to be accompanied by an adult, which is a good thing. We meet it at 3:15 in the afternoon, and if his adult isn't there to meet it, the boy won't be dropped off. Such care has to be taken to insure safety these days. I approve wholeheartedly. He ordinarily doesn't get to ride the bus, so he is really excited and glad about it. Grandparents are the greatest! Wahoo.

About the pie we made yesterday. I bought crust already in the pie pan ready to go. It was terrible. The pie "innards" were very good. I called my pal Carol to get basic instructions as I couldn't find the cookbooks here, and it went fine. It will take me awhile to figure out where everything is. Makes life very interesting.

Barb: paper mache is not one of the things I plan to do. Been there, failed at that. I would have to be really desperate to try it again!

I really miss my gym buddies. Hope you are all fine. Send me an e-mail so I have your addresses... I usually use my address book to write to you, and I don't have access to that here. Are you getting excited about Christmas shopping and decorating and food, etc.? Take a moment out every now and then to think about the meaning of the great day!

Running Man

I now live at a place called "Running Man." I haven't seen any men running, only a woman, but if I keep alert, who can tell. I am going to meet my grandson's bus this afternoon and then we are going to make an apple pie from the apples we brought from Minnesota. We have to do it very quickly because at 5 he has to leave to play basketball. Kids have lots of things to do these days. He's in kindergarten and already knows about phonics and spelling, etc. Of course, he's exceptionally bright, etc., etc., And he also takes Tae Kwan Do and showed us a board that he had broken in two with his very own little hand. oofta.

We are having fun learning to know a new place. Where everything is found in the house, but where everything is outside the house, too. I love it. More tales from - not the crypt - but from the ... what? What do you suggest?

Egg on Face

We were busy addressing and sending our annual Christmas letter. I had a whole stack done, and George, very helpfully, took them to the post office. Turns out that the top two had stamps and the rest didn't, plus there were no return address doodads on them. Sigh. I found out about it because Fran mentioned she had to pay to get the letter. She DID say that it was worth the stamp, but goodness gracious. Ah, well. If any of you were the recipients of that letter, I apologise profusely!

Naomi's latest blog is great. Be sure to check it out. I talked to her this morning and it was wonderful to hear her voice.

Readership

Somebody on TV last night said the average number of readers of a blog was ONE. I don't know how they came up with that number, but it made me feel rather good. As I am pretty sure I have more than one reader!

It was hard to come up with a name for my blog that had not been used many times before. I got desperate and used the title of one of my paintings that I had sitting by the computer, and it didn't get challenged, so that's how I came up with the dreaded twopairandaspare title. Not fun, but at least unique. The sub title, Still Kickin', is self explanatory.

I am not still hula hooping or belly dancing, but at least I can still kick, if not very high. The gals at the gym are always teasing me because I don't raise my feet from the resting board. I think part of the reason for that is that then there is no chance I will lose my balance. Even at that, I have lost over 30 inches round my various parts. Amazing.

The best part of the whole deal is that I can still laugh at my self! That's the best exercise there is! May you have at least a good chuckle today!

dinner vs. supper

There was only one response to my question in my last blog. I do thank Karen for her response! When I was a girl, the noon meal on Sunday was always called Sunday Dinner.. later in life I discovered that evening meals that were substantial were also called dinner. In the midwest, I believe that at the present time the evening meal is generally called supper so that you know what time of day you are thinking of.

Check out the menus the next time you go to the local eateries. There are lunch menus and dinner menus. Generally, the dinner menu is referring to the evening menu. Generally the dinner menu is considerably more expensive than the lunch menu.

If you say "luncheon" that seems a bit classier than "lunch." And we all want to be classy, right? Not. Whichever meal you mean, if the food is good, who cares!

Spanish Creme

We had the wonderful invitation to visit our friends Carol and Carl in Ashby last night for the evening meal. (In case you're noticing, I'm avoiding saying "supper" or "dinner"... Which do you prefer, and why?) She had home made bread (made in your gift machine, Fran), a wonderful chicken and rice dish, and yummy vegetables. A tour de force! But to top it all off, there was a GREAT dessert. She says it has been a favorite of her kids for many years. So here it is. Hats off to Carol for this, and obviously she substituted Splenda @ for the sugar so I could eat it.

1 pkg gelatin
3 C. milk
6 T cocoa
3 separated eggs
1/2 C. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 t. vanilla

Soften the gelatin in 1/4 c. cold milk. Beat yolks, then add rest of milk, sugar, cocoa and salt.
Cook until just custard consistency. Add gelatin mixture. Stir and remove from stove. Fold in beaten egg white and vanilla. Pour into a mold. Chill. Serve with Cool Whip or Reddi Whip.

I tell you, I am a fan. It looks great and tastes greater. Wahoo. We don't use much unsweetened and unflavored gelatin now, but this recipe is worth it. Check it out!

Beyond the eating fun, we had our usual fun time talking. Friends are just the greatest!

snow, beautiful snow

We finally got snow yesterday. It was very cold and windy. If we had had more snow we might have had a blizzard... but I do love the look of the white stuff.

It was a full day yesterday. The Advent breakfast went very well. I managed to tell the story to every one's satisfaction and, of course, the food was good. A great way to start off the advent season!

At one o'clock was the funeral of Kermit Zickur. Christina Lake Church was packed both upstairs and downstairs for the tribute to this very active and appreciated man. Then, at 4:30 was the meeting of our Evansville Arts Coalition. We are planning some wonderful events for the new year. I will try to keep you posted. Life is ongoing...

Shout out to Shirley. I got in touch with her after a long time because I saw her son at the funeral and it reminded me to send her an e-mail and I heard back. Always fine to get in touch with old friends!

Take care.

Painting revisited....

I took this painting to the gym (in its old form) and as we all were looking at it, I started to see that I had not yet finished it. So, I took it home and started in, and this is the new painting which I think IS finished. We'll see. The rule of thumb is that once you have signed a painting it is finished, but since when have I ever followed any rule of thumb!

My newest challenge is to learn to use a hoola hoop. They have weighted ones at the gym that look so easy to use. Right. The girls all encourage me, cajole me and generally give me the business because I don't try enough. It's a bit like the belly dancing. My old stodgy body is not very flexible. If I should ever succeed, I will let loose with a yell which will be like the "shula" that the Norwegian girl sang at the concert. A loud and piercing call that can be heard for miles (literally). Of course, that is another skill that I would have to develop then. It should be easier, however, than the hula hoop, which seems to be down-right impossible.

Church today was great. A baptism, communion, good sermon ... and then the choir got to sing a wonderful anthem: "Jesus, What a Beautiful Name." Then George took me for dinner to the local bistro. I have had a great day. Hope you had one, too.

We'll be thinking of Karen l and her husband as they begin their trip to Africa tomorrow. Hope all goes well and they enjoy getting to know a completely different part of the world.

Yes, second try...

On TV there are sad tales of ice storms, snow blizzards, all kinds of severe weather all around the U. S., and here in northern Minnesota, this is the extent of the snow. We do have temperatures in the teens and single digits, but no blizzards. It is pathetic! Will we have a dry winter? I hope not. I await the white stuff.

We composed our Christmas letter today. Later I might include it as a blog, but not quite yet, as it will spoil the impact of getting it in the mail for those of you who will receive it later. It is a masterpiece, of course, so I suppose you will await it anxiously. Right.

First Sunday in Advent tomorrow, and our Advent Breakfast on Monday. Those of you within driving distance are invited. 9 o'clock sharp. Egg bake for breakfast and then, yours truly is giving a program! It doesn't get much better than this. Sad, but true!

The news we await in the advent season, however, really is the best news ever! The messenger may be faulty, but the news.... always the best. We celebrate the good news of Christ's coming into this poor old world. Wahoo and double wahoo. Have a good day!

December's here

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

The sun is shining but it is 10 degrees F out there and I can feel the chill of winter descending. Notice the frozen rivulet in the picture. It has frozen with a vengeance. I didn't notice it until this morning, but I think it was just water until today. This is the scene that I see from my computer. Nice, eh? I love it. I love watching the changing of the seasons and take pictures a lot of my back yard! As I told you before, I took over one hundred pictures one year of this scene. I mounted them on a long strip of wallpaper border and entered them in a photo show. That was the first event of the Evansville Arts Coalition, I think. Let me know if you believe I am wrong? Well, for that matter, let me know if you think I am right!

When we first moved here our back yard bordered on a wetland scene, a marsh if you will. We had ducks and geese landing there. Then a maniac bought the property and drained it and tried to change it into a regular lot. No more ducks and geese. It is still a beautiful vista, however, and manages to flood occasionally regardless of every effort to prevent that. I am very happy at that, because then no one builds a house out there! I have my vista, at least.

When we lived in Brazil I had a cement wall four feet from the window over my kitchen sink. That was my view. That is what makes me go on so endlessly about the view I have now. I LOVE IT. Yes, I do.

In Brazilian cities, people love to live close to their neighbors. We literally had a small sidewalk's width between our house and our neighbors on either side. Our yard and house tool shed also had a wall around it. Not a fence, but a wall. I find that interesting. The whole block of houses was really one walled-in enclave. Not only did people live close to each other, they were really locked in together. There was a fear of robbers. One locked the shutters and doors at night.

As I am a bit claustrophobic, it took a bit of getting used to. It is also probably why I love my view now. I literally can't get enough of it. I photograph it at any time without needing an excuse. Then I pass on its beauty to you. Lucky you! Have a nice day!

titilating Tuesday

I include this picture of Naomi making a crazy face because I miss her especially today. The blog people want me to sign up for beta and change to this new stuff with a Google Account, etc., etc... and I don't understand how to do that and I'm perfectly happy (well, as some of you who have been reading this blog for a while know, I am not PERFECTLY happy) with this deal and don't know how to do the stuff they tell me to do, etc., etc... so I wish she were here so she could guide me through the necessary steps.. The time will come in January when she will be back and I will be back and we can accomplish this task. Until then.. I am frustrated! But I will soldier on.

I have had an e-mail or two from her and she will soon have a phone that will receive my phone calls (I HOPE) so maybe she can fill me in on the necessary steps over the phone.

Karen l is heading to Africa, too, in the next weeks. We are such a far flung people anymore. Kids in China, Japan, Africa, France, etc. But the internet makes it possible for us to stay in touch. Actually something positive about the present age.

My supper awaits. slurp, slurp, soup! yum

Give me a name!!!

Now you've got to admit that this is a challenge! I asked George for a title for this painting and he gave me one. I am now asking you to add your two cents to this mixture. The painting is 20 x 30 inches approximately.. and is crying out for a name. Please don't disappoint me. I was so thrilled by the last name I received for a painting via this blog, so I am sure I will be thrilled once again. C'mon.

It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood! sunny and mild. Next week is the week we are going to plunge into winter, evidently. Great. I am ready for it. Naomi's cell phone isn't working, but she will try to remedy that next week. We are in contact via e-mail. I LOVE E-MAIL!!!! Today is a day to shout hozannah.

Yesterday was called black Friday. The stores are trying to get into the black for the year? I don't know exactly the basis for calling it black, so I am putting that interpretation into the title. Some stores opened up one minute after midnight. Others opened at 5 or 6 am. They offered certain bargains that lured the public into the stores. They perhaps had 5 or 6 of the lures and three thousand shoppers out in the parking lot, but people are in a buying frenzy. Not me. I'm going to shop at the Heifer Project. If you don't know about it, give me a head's up and I will tell you about it. It's a way of helping the less fortunate in the world instead of heaping more things on our already overly heaped heads.

I want to send a shout out to all my friends and family who read this blog. I appreciate your friendship and love. Take care and have a great day! I love you.

Another Beautiful Day

Sun shining. Temperature very mild. Wow. We're having better weather in Minnesota than many of the people in southern climes. Fantastic.

I went to the gym and giggled my way around the circle. I just couldn't get into serious exercise mode. I am just too pumped by the fact that we have arranged to call Naomi on my cell phone. Now - if I can find a time when she is off her phone, all will be well. But I am really excited. If I call her, it doesn't cost her anything. I signed up and I can call her for $4. per month. Wahoo.

Then to add to my euphoria, I had lost a pound since Wednesday! Double Wahoo. I turned down some invitations for Thanksgiving with a resounding "no." I wondered why, until today when I figured out that I have control of food when I stay home. I don't have to face candied yams covered with melted marshmallows, or stuffing, or several varieties of pie. Just what we particularly like is all that is on the menu... turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and pumpkin pie with cool whip. I ate turkey, small portion of mashed potatoes with gravy, tablespoon of corn and a sliver of pumpkin pie. Voila. I made it through.

I am trying to control my diet so that I won't have to go on insulin for my diabetes. So far, so good. For some people, candied yams are just not in the proper picture!

But the news that I can call Naomi is the news that is especially fantastic. When we get together with the rest of the family for Christmas, we can call her, too. Life is good.

Thank you God for your blessings! Have a good day fellow pilgrims!

The Shinning Sun!

Ok. So it's supposed to be the shining sun! It is still shining and beautiful today! I am especially pumped because Fran is back home. I have no idea why I missed her so much while she was gone, but it is probably just a sense of her unavailability for comment or input that bugged me. Welcome back!

This afternoon we have the Art of the Lakes meeting and Nancy Lee is giving a program about Picasso. I have the most beautiful print of a painting by Picasso that Naomi gave me. It is not one of his cubist creations, but a painting of the back of a beautiful woman. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. That is why Nancy is going to be talking about the "Periods" of Picasso. He worked his way through so many different styles. I am eager to hear what she has to say. I do love my art groups. I have met many fascinating people in each group.

Have a wonderful sunny day!

Sunny Saturday

Yes, it's true. The sun shinning makes all the difference. I look out the back window and see the sun on the reeds over at Shane's, the great fir trees, well, the whole landscape makes my heart sing. Wahoo. I should hop to it and take a picture to share with you. Just a minute.....

Yup. I succeeded in taking the picture even though my batteries were low. They are in the charger now, so the next time I have an impulse to take a picture, I can do it. The actual scene is much brighter, but you can get the idea from this.

All this technology stuff is such a miracle. I didn't have to take the picture, finish the roll of film, take it to the store to leave it to be developed, get it back and try to remember why I took all those pictures... No. I run to the kitchen window, snap a picture, attach the camera by a wire to the computer, voila.... instant gratification. Marvelous.

Change of subject.... Dear Abby told Jim Carey (via TV) that she believed disorganization was related to creativity, so he was not to be too hard on himself if he wasn't organized because his creativity was the payoff. Wow. I will have to think about that a bit. Anyone who has seen the room that I call "the Vicki Room" will know why I ponder this idea. I think I called it that to let George off the hook. He has no responsibility for the chaos that reigns in MY room.

There is a bit of that feeling from Virginia Wolffe, too, that every woman should have a room of her own. I, actually, have several rooms of my own. If I had my way I would probably spread throughout the whole house. Woe, woe, woe is me. Luckily I have a neat husband who keeps pecking away at me to shape up. Almost 53 years of pecking haven't been too successful, but we are still married, so at least we are still trying.

My art room is much more organized than the Vicki room. As I am involved in any one discipline of art, I organize and put away the tools for use in other art disciplines. In this way there is an ongoing organization that helps keep chaos at bay. The Vicki Room is mainly for storage of stuff, and that gets away from me. In the center sits the computer, on the periphery many bookshelves. And as I sit at the computer I look out at the marvelous view. But around me is a seeming chaos that is becoming a real chaos. I definitely need to do something about it so that it can take a pause before becoming chaos again. Sigh.

When pigs fly, as they say. Have a good day.

Friday Fog

I am in a fog, so I just am printing another picture that Fran can see from her apartment... or she could if she were at home in her apartment. Please notice the tennis court on the roof of the building in front of the Renting building. A bit cold now for a quick set, but what fun to watch a match. I will hope to do so some time in the future. Hopefully she will be back in Minnesota some time soon!

The ills of the world are weighing me down today. So I will busy myself with painting, I think. Usually if I am depressed I cannot paint, but today seems to be ok. My mind is filled with the tragedies of the world. Hunger.. which it seems we no longer call by that name in the US.. but low food security. How can we possibly make language less forceful? We keep on trying. By our mad dash to make everything politically correct we reduce language to non language.

I just wanted to say hi. Hope you are having a good day. All of these no sun days get to me. Yes, I do have Seasonal Affective Disorder. I need light. Sun, where are you? Maybe tomorrow. Sigh.

Oh Happy Day

November 15 is my husband's birthday. In Brazil it was also a special holiday. As a result, everyone was off work and would come to celebrate his birthday. I became expert at entertaining in my offbeat imitation of Brazil style. As I didn't have family and my hired girl also took the day off, it being a holiday, afterall, I was left to entertain as best I could. At that time in Brazil no one used either paper plates or cups. Everyone was to be entertained at a sit-down table in the dining room on china. Both sweets and sandwiches were required. As one year we had over 75 guests, I was put through my paces! I made a wonderful rich tort from devil's food cake (we had to take care not to mention that name, or no one would have eaten it!) and butter cream frosting. Layer after rich layer. And endless open face sandwiches, and coffee and pop and other goodies. EVerything produced by yours truly.

I learned how to wash dishes in a flash which was interesting as the spigot in the sink was only three inches from the bottom of the sink so you could not fill a pan there, you had to go to the bathtub spigot. No hot water, either, so you had to heat it in a tea kettle. I could wash more dishes with less water than seems possible now. All the time being extremely jolly in a language I had to work to understand not only speak.

It left me with an extreme appreciation of what is possible for me do if Iampushed to it. It also left me with an aversion to entertaining. I suppose I could still do it if I was pushed to, but I really don't find it one of my favorite things.

We are planning a quiet day. We will meander to Alexandria, perhaps. Happy Birthday!

Hi Ho

Technology is strange and wonderful. At the present moment the woman in this picture is in Africa and the man is in Minnesota. This was our farewell get together. Now, she can look at the picture via the internet and remember the day, and we can do the same. A wonderful type of connection which can occur so quickly. Years ago when we were in Brazil, the connections with home were tenuous at best. A long awaited letter with news that was long out of date. Or a phone call by radio phone that was garbled but wonderful. Just to hear a beloved voice was great. Now we have cell phones and the internet. Makes the long distances more bearable. We were gone for five years althogether.

Oh, well, she isn't gone for years, only a few months. But I am lonesome today! Hats off, dear daughter. I would love an actual hug, but soon it will be possible in actuality. Take care and have a good Saturday! Hopefully the rest of the week will be good, too!

I will be sitting at our local art gallery today. There is a wonderful display of the art of Phyllis Joos (pronounced Joe ss). 10 to 2. Stop in to view the art and chat with me! I look forward to it. Our gallery is fantabulous. OK, Karen l, is that a made up word or not? Hmmmm?

Upbeat Friday

I know I was always thrilled that it was Friday when I was a working person. The weekend. And then I would get migraine headaches on Saturday. It took me a long time to figure that out, but I finally did. On Saturdays I was without the already decided schedule that work imposed on me. I had to face the endless decisions of time at home. Should I do this or that? Which of the endless tasks should I tackle first? Oofta.

I should have learned my lesson and made more lists, but sadly I am still one of those persons who can't decide what task to begin first. At least I don't get migraines any more. Knock on wood! (Where did that superstitious idea come from? Anybody know!)

I had a down day yesterday. We had our flu shots on Wednesday, and Wednesday night I started feeling the chills. All day Thursday I had a slight case of chills, but today I feel fine. I suppose a flu shot could have that effect, but if it keeps me from having the full blown deal, I'll take that any day. Get your flu shots!

So today I am fit as a fiddle and ready for the gym. Off I go. Take care!

Whatever....

I hit the wrong button and the last blog was posted as I was trying to edit it. I was going to say that Fran was in Chardon, Ohio, wallowing in family. She is getting to see her great grandchild Phoebe who is now two. And, then, of course, the rest of the family. For some reason, the stars are always those who are youngest. I suppose it is our eternal hope that the newest members of our tribe will have a successful life, and their way looks the least cluttered up yet with baggage.

The rest of us have had our chances.. bungled some and succeeded in others, and now this new person has new options. We always hope the very best for them! Yeah!

Okay. I'll sign off. I have no idea how this will look. Oh, well. Onward and upward. Take care.

Fran

Voting is over. Everything is shaken up. And then the amazing thing. Life goes on. Stuff gets reorganized. We take deep breaths and decide how we should proceed next. Great!!!!!

I remember how surprised the Brazilians were that we didn't have a military coup when Nixon was ousted. How come he didn't just take over the government? It hadn't even come into my mind that such a thing might happen. It just isn't the American way! As misguided as any leaders might be, they don't seem to question those basic underlying democratic guidelines. Once the people have spoken, we have to run with it. True, there seem to have been skulduggeries at the voting booths occasionally, but when push definitely comes to shove, the people speak and the leaders listen. Now, let the games begin!!!!!!!!!! We should begin to see the new look of the new skulduggeries! Oofta.

Answer the Phone!

Yes, this is me. I have had a haircut since this picture was taken in Fran's new place, but I want to talk to you. Yes, you.

Today is voting day. So be sure to vote if you can.

Today is living day. So live it to it's most awesome potential. Remember that life is fleeting, especially to someone who is already 76 years old (me) so I must savor each day. But you should savor it, too, no matter what your age. Remember that we all have a limited shelf life that will sooner or later expire. Each experience should contribute to the life of the planet, the welfare of its inhabitants, and our own happiness. We all have one thing in common. We are not going to last indefinitely on this planet. Time is awasting.

I believe that God is the only one who is going to be there for me in this life and into the next, and God is good. He/She is the anchor of my existence. There is a hymn which says, "all else is shifting sand." So be sure to vote. Be sure to live. Do everything you can to live life to the fullest. But do realize it is transitory in nature.

Okay. You're sick of my little sermon for today. I'll soon hang up the phone and head up to Battle Lake for a board meeting of Art of the Lakes. Later, I will vote. Perhaps I will paint. God willing and the creek don't rise. Take care.

costume

This is our grandson in his halloween costume. I hope you are suitably scared. He's a character from the XMan comic, Werewolf or some such. I was interested in my trying to access the picture from my cache of pictures. I wrote "halloween 1" which was the title of the picture, but the computer kept telling me that was an error. When I typed the title in the cache, I had typed "holloween 1" so the computer would not access it for me. It shows once again the difference between a person and a computer. A person would have recognized that it was a spelling error and given me the correct picture, but a machine couldn't do that... YET. Give the computers time and they will rule the world.

George went hunting deer today, but they had no success. Nevertheless, he is very tired. I can hear him snoring in the other room. I think his enjoyment of deer hunting (if he ever did enjoy it) is disappearing fast. He misses son John being with him.

Have a good one.

abracadabra

I think this building is so much fun. It is an entire building of mirrors and reflects what is around it. There are a few windows way to the left, but otherwise the building is windowless. I good way to give interest to an otherwise boxlike shape.

As you have guessed, this building is just behind the church and is also visible from Fran's windows.

We did a few errands this morning in Alex and then came back to Mac's Diner for lunch. We are experimenting with senior meals. We have attended twice now and find it very satisfactory. Usually we haven't done it because I could never remember to call ahead of time. Now we do not have to do that, so I presume we will do it now and then. The fellowship is fun and the food is good. What else does a person want?

I was sceptical because i have to watch my diet. I am diabetic and I manage to control the diabetes with no medication, only with watching what I eat. I was sceptical of the choices I would have as carbs run rampant, usually, in these deals. So far so good. We'll see how it goes.

This afternoon I will paint. I will, iwill, iwill, iwill. Yes, I will.

Here we go again!

Okay. This is the view from Fran's window of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. All she has to do is hop out the window with a parachute... or just climb down on a rope ladder and hop across the street. Luckily she has an elevator at her disposal.

As you can see it is a huge church that stretches the entire block. The towers on the far side are cut off a bit, but that part is the original church and then it just grew. Awesome.

We went to choir practise last night. Nice to get back to my routine. We have been joined by some other singers, and the group is a respectable size again. I think choir practise is the most fun thing. Sing away with abandon. It is fun to sing at church services, too, but we have lots of fun and jokes at practise. We kid around and give each other a hard time. Great. Of course, the size of our choir is minute compared to the size of the choir at Fran's Presbyterian church. I'm sure they had more than 100 singers (close to 200) and a fantabulous pipe organ. Just imagine all of the Christian churches around the world... and all of the people singing praise to God. Large or small. Rural or Urban. Wow. (By the way, should it be practise or practice?) Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Flakes of snow here today. Harbinger of those to come. Hopefully it will wait a bit. Another picture tomorrow, if the machinery permits! Take care.

Fun visit!

Several things astonished me about the trip to see Fran. One was that my driving was so flawless. I didn't take a single wrong turn the whole trip. I mean, can you imagine? Having a map is wonderful, and then Fran does live in a very accessible spot. When we went to the Mpls Institute of Art, it was just a few blocks away and I knew the area as Naomi lived just across from the Institute for a couple of years, so I knew where to park.

I drove out and caught I94 with no problem, too. I was really pumped. Now that I have bragged so much, the next time I try will no doubt be a disaster! Pride goeth etc, etc.

We had a wonderful time ... Talked non stop as usual, and Morgan came over and we did some stores. We had a great time!

Fran's new place has six HUGE windows. The views out the windows are fun. They aren't quite as nice as the views from the old place, but those will soon be blocked by a new high rise, so she's just getting a jump on that! Here are a few views:

Well... disappointed once again. I'll try again tomorrow.

Good to be home. Met George at Mac's Diner for lunch when I got back. Fun.

Church Day

I went with Fran to church at the Westminster Presbyterian Church kitty-korner from her building. Huge church, well attended with a terrific choir (choirs) and fine pastor. It is off-putting to me to not have the architecture I am used to, but the stained glass windows were awesome. A very wonderful time was had by me.

We went to the restaurant in Fran's building and then we had a long afternoon nap. Pretty great way to spend a Sunday.

We are watching many movies. It looks as though tonight will be Moonstruck with Cher.

Right now it looks as though I will be home on Wednesday, later in the day. Wow.

Art is Great

We drove directly to the Art Institute with nary a problem. It's wonderful how helpful it is to have the city map. Then we spent about five hours looking at art. We went to the special show they have and then around to look at the regular offerings. Fantastic. I looked up the Modiglianis... Turns out they have one of his sculptures, too. The painting is not one of my favorites.. but it was still fun to see it again.

We saw some spectacular textiles, and African, Japanese, Chinese, you name it Art. What a collection they have. And then I know that they have LOTS of other things hidden away and stored. A wonderful asset to our fair state is the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Yessir.

We watched two movies last night. One from Netflix and one that Fran has on videotape: The Man Who Would Be King with Michael Caine and Sean Connery, and My Cousin Vinny with Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei. The first one was intense and the last a hoot. Great double feature. When I was in high school most of the theatres would offer double features... now we can watch almost anything right from our own homes. And we can have as many features as we want.

Today we will hang out and also take a trip down the street to Target. It's supposed to be a beautiful day, so we are going to savor it. Most of the restaurants have removed their tables and chairs from the sidewalks, but perhaps they will put them out again for a perfect Saturday. I will report on our peregrinations later.

Off to see the Paintings!

I am very excited as we are planning to head to the Minneapolis Institute of Art today. I am going to drive there, and that is new. I usually have to get Morgan to drive, but I am going to make an attempt today. Stay tuned for the news. It looks easy on the map, but now I will try it on the actual road. We'll see.

Fran is not at all addicted to TV while I am. I have introduced her to one program so far that she likes: Shark on Thursday nights on CBS. James Woods is such a wonderful actor that she loves watching how he does it. And Fran and I both love The Gilmore Girls on Tuesday night at 7 on CW. And of course, Dancing with the Stars. She also loves dancing as do I.

The weather is beautiful today. I look out at a different view from Fran's new apartment. It is not as interesting, but she is up higher so it is mostly sky. That is one of the things she loved about Evansville, she could see the sky. So she is glad to be where the sky is visible and then some. We look down on the Convention Center and we can see her Westminster Presbyterian in an aerial view. A bit farther to the right is WCCO. Very interesting perspective.

Take care.

Mighty Mpls.

We had a wonderful time at book club. We arrived within five minutes of each other and both cars drove right to the proper place with no trouble! Talk about miraculous. Then we talked non-stop for about six hours. We walked the skyways, too. Went to a book store! What fun. It was a very spectacular success.

We weren't entirely sold on the book, feeling it was a bit over-written, but it certainly fomented lots of conversation. We are going to talk about "A Parchment of Leaves" by Silas House. We read "The Coal Tattoo" by him and loved it, so we are doing another of his about the same characters. Should be fun. There is another, too, called "Clay's Quilt," also about the same characters. We are captured, hook, line and sinker... A great writer, we think.

We tried to make a list of the books we have read and discussed over the five plus years that we have been meeting, and we came up with a list of a measely 30 books. We have met most every month, so we should have a list of at least 50 books. Memory is in short supply.

Fran and I are about to head for the Farmer's Market, just out her door, and then go to a coffee shop for some good stuff. There are only a million (hyperbole) places we could go.

Naomi called from TZ yesterday as we were talking about the book. Amazing! We could only talk for a moment as she was borrowing her friend's cell phone and didn't want to use too many minues. It was GREAT to hear her voice. Glad she is doing well and surviving! Wahoo.

Take care.

Check it out!

While I think of it I must tell you that Naomi is posting now from Tanzania. There is a link to her blog at the right of this blog. Check it out! I think she has two postings so far.

I am all packed for my adventurous trip with the book club. We have been reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter and are travelling to Mpls to Fran's house for our meeting. FUN. I have many and mixed feelings about the book so will report back about our discussion. I am going to try to leave the house at 6:30 in order to pick Donna up at 7. Then the other two members will head out separately as I am going to stay at Fran's for a few days while they are heading back to the north, but this way I will have Donna's company for the trip down. It will be fun to check out Fran's new apartment! She moved from one apartment to another in the same building. Her view will be different now, and she has more room.

I will post from Fran's, so don't forget to check it out! And I love your comments. People who leave comments are the best people in the world! Yeah!

Monday

Winter lurks. The air feels as though some of those white flakes could meander down any minute. No sunshine. Brrrrrr.

I went to the gym this morning. Great to see everyone. Missed Karen l and Colleen. I'll be gone for a week or so, so will not see them for awhile. They have a great hula hoop at the gym. three of them, actually - 3, 4, and 5 pound weighted hoops. I absolutely can't seem to get the hang of making them rotate around my waist. I am just as successful with that as I am with belly dancing. Let's face it, my fire plug body doesn't want to learn these sinuous moves. Too bad. I suppose I will keep trying, but I don't hold out much hope for success. However, hope springs eternal. sigh.

The bazaar at church was fun. Good food and fellowship. How can you fault that! A fun way to make a contribution to the church. The ladies use the money to help send our kids to Bible Camp. A good cause.

Take care. Bundle up.

Soothing Saturday

Well, I'm over my snit about the lack of attendance at the Canwegian Concert. I'm looking forward to our church bazaar. All kinds of fun home made stuff, home baked goodies and wonderful soup and sandwiches. I'm going to sit by a bench made by Norman Week which is being raffled off during the day. As a result I will get to talk to all kinds of friends and strangers about to become friends. Should be a blast.

My grandson is involved in a spell-a-thon. He's in kindergarten. The pressure! He seems to take it all with aplomb, however, so that's good. I will soon get to see him and learn about it all first hand. I am so looking forward to visiting them and getting to know a whole new set of directions to the school, the stores, the museums, the parks, the beaches, the whatevers. It'll be a blast.

I seem to be in a blast mode today. That's good. I'm over the snit!

Wow.

The presentation at the Coffehouse Art Center last night was awesome. I wondered where one could go to see something as good, and I could not think of where. I think I will write David Letterman to see if he would feature them.

Two consummate musical artists and storytellers just letting rip. I kept thinking, I wish my dad could be here. I wish my sister and brother could be here. Oh, my. People from as far away as Mpls. were there, but were the local people flocking in? No. Oh, well. There was a baseball game on TV. (As you can see, I'm getting a bit bitter in my old age.)

I just can't tell you how good it was. The fiddling was awesome. The dancing was spectacular and spontaneous. The storytelling in several languages was always understandable. The women were stunning in an entirely downhome way. Man. Was I ever glad I made the effort to go. I dragged George along, but he was too sleepy after having golfed in the cold to be very alert. Even he, however, loved it.

Eventually, I hope to have a photograph of the two performers, both named Sarah. Sarah Granskou and Sarah Naegell. Fantastic.

new name for painting

An interesting thing happened to me today. This is the second time such a thing has happened. Some thing happens that changes my view of a painting I have done. The first one was one that is in my gallery (the pictures on this site). I painted it, thinking it was one thing and then I read the novel, "A Fine Balance" by Mintry which is about life in India. The quote is "There is a fine balance between hope and dispair." It was one of those light bulb moments, and I knew that was the perfect title for that picture.

Today the title "Moses and the Burning Bush" was suggested for the picture I entitled (tentatively) Wild Flowers. I love that title and it is hereby retitled. I LOVE THAT TITLE.
I tend not to be enthusiastic as all of my friends will attest... but I do LOVE that title.

I have been lolling around today. Went to the gym and then read and rested and cleaned a bit. Coming down from the high of yesterday. My talk on Modigliani went great and the show in Fergus at the gallery was fun. I thought I would paint today, but couldn't get off the dime.

We miss you, Karen l, and hope you will soon be able to join us again at the gym.

We're going to go to choir practice tonight. We have been neglecting that as we both had pneumonia, but we are chipper again, so we will try to warble a bit. As I get older it is hard for me to welcome going out in the evening.

Speaking of going out in the evening, Tomorrow Night there is going to be a great little program at the Coffeehouse Art Center. The Canwegians (Norwegian ancestry from Canada) are giving a musical/humorous presentation. Should be a blast. Pry yourselves out of the house and attend.

Wild Flowers

Well, you gotta admit that these flowers are WILD!

I was all ready to print copies of paintings by Modigliani when my printer ran out of ink. So, a trip to Office Max tomorrow morning and then I will get busy with the printer tomorrow afternoon.

Now to start a whole new series of paintings. Where to go next... hmm? Toodle ooo.

Naomi is having a very busy time. Just time for a quick note.

Beautiful Saturday

I had the joy of taking part in a wonderful brunch at our church this morning. An inspirational speaker, great music and tasty food. We are having our annual friendship days when churches of different denominations get together and have meetings for specific people: kids, teens, teachers, men, women, and then - everyone. Always fun to get together with people one doesn't see every day.

The food we had was great, appreciated by all. It is called "Stuffed Baked French Toast" and is very tasty. Because it was made in church, all the calories were removed. Or so some of the ladies said. If you make it at home, forget that. But it is fabulous.

Preheat the overn to 350 degrees
Butter a 9 x12 inch pan.

1 lb French bread, cubed
8 ozs Cream cheese, diced in 1" pieces
8 large Eggs
2 1/2 cups Half and Half
6 TB Butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup Maple syrup
Cinnamon

Put one half of the bread cubes in the prepared pan. Spread the cream cheese evenly on top. Add the rest of the bread cubes. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs well. Add the half and half, butter and maple syrup. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the bread. Press the bread down slightly to make sure everything is moistened. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon before baking. Bake about 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Trust me. This is great. Should serve at least 8 people.

After I got home I had to make lunch for George, so I made waffles and brats and didn't eat any myself. I was good to go until supper. So I read a bit, played some computer games, watched some football and took a snooze. Saturdays are the best for just catching up on things that have slipped by during the week. I even got three big "papers" ready for my next bunch of art work. This is the part that is frustrating in my painting. All that white space waiting to be covered. Ah, well. I think I will try to put up a picture of my latest painting if I can get it to work. I'll post this, and then try that later. Have a nice evening.

comments are powerful

I finally got a comment, so I decided I better write another post. The power of a comment to get me off the dime is enormous!

The last three days have been a rude awakening into the land of winter. Some snow, lots of wind and brrrr. Today they say the wind gusts could make 45 mph. Wow.

Luckily I am ensconced in my little nest and intend to do some painting. I am having trouble posting pictures, but I will try later. I want to be sure I can get this posting in.

I am busy trying to get a handle on my Modigliani talk. It is hard for me to decide why I am so crazy about his painting. I love it. It is like his art is a thing apart from his life. The art is purity and line and color. His life was sound and fury. Now I am trying to make sense of it all.

So far I cannot figure out how in the world I am going to dress up for this talk. I just have to hope that something will come to me.

I have finished another painting that I really like. I have been trying to post a picture of it here with no luck. I will try again tomorrow. Have a great cold wintery day!

On the brink...

of winter! Tomorrow it's supposed to take a dip into winter with even a hint of snow. Today is still beautiful and George is intending to get to the golf course.

Fran has completed her move and is contentedly rearranging her funiture and art objects. She is a happy camper with plenty to do for the forseeable future.

I am preparing my head to give a talk next week on Amadeo Modigliani. I love his painting and enjoy giving talks. I thought my turn was in November, but the gal who I thought was doing October couldn't, so I sprang into the breach! Yahoo. I am already spending my waking up hours in the morning organizing facts and evaluating the character of this intriguing painter. He was a small man with the looks of a movie star and the dissolute life of a rock star. But he could paint like an angel. If you want to hear what I will finally come up with I will be talking at 1:00 at the gallery in Battle Lake a week from today... next Tuesday.

Off to my daily stuff. Have a GREAT day. Or, GRRRRRRRRREAT day, as Tony the Tiger would say.

Ok. second try:

I have to remember not to hit the wrong button. The tab is what works.

We went to church this morning and I actually got to hug Izzy! I am so happy to see that he is really a live person and not just a cyberspace mirage. He's heading back to Japan (I was going to say the Orient, but I can't remember if that is pc or not, so Japan seemed safer.) He is much taller than most of the folks in our church, too, so I imagine he is quite a smash hit in Japan.

This shuffling of the Singing Bird is reversed. But I have been working on it. It's the trying to do the posting stuff that everythings gets strange. Stay tuned. The next posting of it will be different again. Sigh.

I have the snuffles. I think it is just allergies from all the dust flying around in the wind. I feel really good and I love being back at the gym. See ya at the gym tomorrow!

Back amongst the living!

Happiness is....

hearing that your kids are safely at their destination! Naomi and Tony are in Africa and starting their teaching stint. I was so glad to hear that they had arrived. I am trying to post a new painting here as it would illustrate my feelings of joy, but the mechanism which is supposed to produce that result is refusing to cooperate. Sigh. Oh, well. Eventually, perhaps.

Yippee. They are there. Wahoo.

Wahoo!!!!!!!

This is a rather dark representation of the tryptich I have prepared called "Singing Bird." I have also managed to limp back to the gym. I think I am more or less cured of my malaise. Drum roll, please. I have, however, gained half a pound from my seige of inactivity. No cause for alarm, as yet, but just a further reason to continue my trips to the gym.

Just the little bit of activity this morning has worn me out. I will attempt to continue painting this afternoon after a snooze in the ever inviting recliner. Because of seiges of coughing, I have spent an inordinate amount of time sleeping in that wonderful invention, but now that I am beginning to feel better, I can return to my bed. Wahoo, indeed.

It was great to see my friends at the gym. I could catch up on the news, and spend a bit of time laughing. Laughter IS the best medicine.

If at first,

You don't succeed, try, try again! I was trying to make a comment on Fran's reference to my looking like my own grandmother. At one time I was much fatter and stressed out and DID look a fright... more a fright than I do now!

But her remark made me think of a common occurence for women. They look in the mirror and realize they DO look more and more like their own mother... or grandmother. Or they hear themselves talking and realize that they are echoing advice that they received from their own mothers when they were teenagers. Perhaps even the tone of voice is the same.

It seems to me that we become who we are in reaction to our parents. We either emulate them or rebel against them, but they have a deep impact on who we become. (on whom we become? Grammar questions continue to plague me.)

I carried out my mother's advice when my children were at home. No leaving the house after an illness until you had been fever free for 24 hours. You will often not have fever in the morning, but by afternoon, back it comes. So you should wait 24 hours to be sure. Naomi confided that she enforced that rule on a friend of hers the other day. She laughed as she told me. She herself realized how humorous it was that she was becoming me.

In the Bible it talks about the sin of the parents affecting people to the third and fourth generations, but I find it interesting that the quirks and sayings of the parents affect people to the third and fourth generation. What a responsibility.

I am still coughing but at least I have had no fever to speak of. Onward and upward!

"Your own grandmother"

Adios, sayonara and adieu

This is the place that Naomi met us for hamburgers yesterday. She had an errand in Delano, so we met there for our farewells. If you're there during the summer months, be sure to check it out. The food is good and the place is fun, a sort of merry little picnic/play ground and drive-in.

Saying our goodbyes was not easy. As I type this she is at the airport checking in for their flight to Amsterdam. She and Tony will stay there overnight and then head for their four month stay in Africa. She is off telephone. AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH.
How did people say goodbye to their family members years ago? When they would, in all probability, never see each other again. Most of us are descendents of the early immigrants. We listened to their stories with no appreciation for their feelings of separation from the known.

When I was 40, Naomi was two months old, John was five, and we set out for several years stay in Brazil. I can see my mother and father as they huddled in the driveway as we rushed out, threw our stuff in a neighbor's car and sped to the airport. The folks waved as we left. The cab we had hired did not show up, so we were lucky enough to get a ride. I think it was about 5:30 am, and we needed to get the airport post haste.

I was all taken up in the emergency situation, and didn't give a thought to my mother and father and their feelings. What did my mother think? She must have thought I was completely nutso. But she never let on. She wished us on our way.

I will miss the chance to pick up the phone and talk to Naomi, but she has a blog, there is e-mail, there IS communication. I also am very happy for Naomi and Tony that they have this opportunity for adventure. But, STILL. I will miss them. sigh.