THAT LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAVE BEEN...

Hectic, to say the least. B had his hand surgery, has recovered nicely, and yesterday we went to the Occupational Therapist who hand-built a splint for him to wear during the day and also another one for when he sleeps at night. I think his had looks like Frankenstein with all these contraptions, strings, and bolts holding his fingers up in tiny little slings.

While he was having hand surgery (actually directly after) we had a toilet failure in our "new" house. Apparently, the bolts were not tight and the wax ring failed, leading to water damage to the flooring. I don't know how long this had been going on. It never showed up on the home inspection. This is just a tiny bit of the mess I encountered while B was recovering from his hand surgery. I had to take the old toilet out, buy a new toilet, rip all flooring out (which ended up being two layers and required lots of elbow grease to remove, let me tell you!), and then install a new flooring material, cut new baseboards, paint them and then install them, and then set the new toilet ALL BY MYSELF! I hated the old flooring anyway and was just waiting to do the entire bathroom remodel next year but sometimes things don't wait until you're ready. So, out with the old and...
in with the new. Here's the new floor before the baseboards were installed almost a week later. I had to wait until everything was totally dry before completing the job.

And, here is the finished project. New low-flow toilet, new baseboards, new flooring, all wall paint touched up and ready to go. I wish that I could have done the entire remodel at this time but time and money never coincide, at least in this household. I needed B to help me with all that and he will be "out of commission" for 6-12 weeks. He helps the best he can but doing things with just one hand is not as easy as one might think. And next Monday we start watching our new baby granddaughter when our daughter returns to work from her maternity leave.

How I wish that things weren't as complicated for young couples as they seem to be. It seems that a household needs two incomes in this day and age to really "make it". I know that B and I gave up a lot when we were raising our twins so that I could stay at home. We didn't have the latest automobiles, we didn't have the nicest furniture, we didn't have the latest clothes. But, we were able to manage for me not to go back to work. It was a struggle but I think that it was worth it. We didn't feel the peer pressure that most young couples feel these days to "have it all". We were happy with less. We hardly ever went out to dinner. I grew a lot of my own vegetables. I worked part-time to be able to afford vacations (which were not lavish but they were vacations) once the twins got old enough and were in school.

I guess it's all a matter of choices. Heck...we didn't even own a travel trailer until our late 50's! We have never been to Hawaii or Tahiti but we have been to Canada and the east coast. I'm not sure if it all matters in the end where you have been or what you have done. In the end, it seems like it comes down to the time you spent enjoying the ones you love. It comes down to the fact that you can't take it with you when you leave this place. So, I'm wondering how important it all is in the first place? How many places do you have to see in a lifetime to make a difference? How many new cars, new houses, new clothes or shoes do you need to be happy?

"BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, REJOICE IN THE WAY THINGS ARE. WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE IS NOTHING LACKING, THE WHOLE WORLD BELONGS TO YOU."

Lao Tse

flickspire - If I Had My Child To Raise Again Movie

flickspire - If I Had My Child To Raise Again Movie

BENEFIT QUILT SHOW

Last weekend my former hometown quilting group held its annual outdoor quilt show. The show is usually held in the month of September and has always been held outdoors, as far as I remember. The proceeds from the show have always gone to the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department.The 1937 Studebaker fire truck was restored by my husband when he was a volunteer in the fire department. He retired after 15 years of service. And that word "service" is really accurate: there is no monetary benefit. It is strictly volunteer. They give tirelessly of their time and energy. And after he devoted 15 years to the department, he joined the board of directors to have a say in what decisions were made for the volunteers.
Here was one of my favorites for its sense of humor and artistic ability. In fact, I voted for it for "Viewers Choice". I'm not sure which quilt won but this was my choice for originality.
Here how some of the quilts were displayed on the gazebo in the park. This gazebo was a boy scout (or eagle scout) project for a young man years ago. It is made like a fortress with giant telephone poles for uprights.
A close-up of some the the blocks and the stitching. I notice more and more machine quilting and less hand quilting. I suppose that has to do with the amount of time it takes to put a quilt together in the first place and then wanting to be able to enjoy it without having to take all that much more time to do hand quilting. I prefer the look of hand quilting still though. Something about it just really makes a quilt "sing".
Take time to enjoy your day today. Take time to smell the flowers. And if you have some time left over after all your hard work, go do something creative. It's not every day that you get to fulfill the need to contribute to what you need inside. Most days are filled with pleasing everyone else.

"No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself."

James Russell Lowell

THE HAND

THIS IS B'S HAND BEFORE HIS SURGERY YESTERDAY. IF YOU CLICK ON THE IMAGE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE A LARGE GROWTH ON HIS MIDDLE FINGER. WHEN HE WAS IN HIS TWENTIES, HE WAS HIT ON A MOTORCYCLE BY AN AUTOMOBILE AND ALL THE TENDONS ON HIS LEFT HAND WERE SEVERED. SINCE THAT TIME, ARTHRITIS HAS FORMED INSIDE THE JOINT, MAKING IT VERY PAINFUL AND ALSO STARTING TO DISTORT HIS HAND.

THIS IS THE IMAGE OF HIS FINGER AFTER AN IMPLANT WAS INSERTED IN THE MIDDLE FINGER. WE WERE AT THE HOSPITAL ALL DAY YESTERDAY. HE WAS IN PAIN LAST NIGHT BUT EACH DAY SEEMS TO BE GETTING A LITTLE BIT BETTER. HE HAS A CAST FROM THE TIP OF HIS FINGERS ALL THE WAY UP PAST HIS ELBOW. AT LEAST 5 WEEKS OF RECOVERY ARE EXPECTED AND ALSO PHYSICAL THERAPY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HIM BEING PAIN-FREE AFTER THIS IS ALL OVER. IT IS INCREDIBLE WHAT MODERN MEDICINE CAN DO FOR PEOPLE. SUCH ADVANCEMENTS IN MEDICINE GIVE ME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

MY NEW DOWNTOWN

JUST SOME IMAGES FROM DOWNTOWN AUBURN, CALIFORNIA, WHERE I HAVE BEEN HAVING A GREAT TIME ON COOL SUMMER EVENINGS WITH FRIENDS. IT'S GREAT TO FINALLY HAVE A DESTINATION IF YOU WANT ONE. BUT AT LEAST I HAVE A CHOICE. THAT IS WHAT I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT.

Page 4 - Five Flick Friday

Page 4 - Five Flick Friday

This is a video clip that my cousin's son, Kyle Buthman, posted on his Facebook account. I am in awe of this young man who seems to have the world by the tail right now. He had been making movies and getting some publicity from them. And, he has been traveling too. Not sure if the bill is being picked up by his promoters or not but whatever the case, he is really enjoying his young life. I wish that I could turn back the clock!! Keep it up Kyle!!!

GRAVEL GRAVEL EVERYWHERE

IN ONE DIRECTION

AND THE REVERSE OF THAT DIRECTION

AND FROM FAR AWAY...

THERE IS GRAVEL EVERYWHERE.

THERE ARE SO MANY MORE PLANS FOR FLOWERS AND GRASSES

ROSES AND BUSHES

BUT UNTIL THEN...THE VEGETABLE GARDEN WILL HAVE TO DO.

I WISH ALL THE DIRT WAS THIS DARK.

WE LIVE IN AN AREA OF RED, RED CLAY.

NOT THE BEST FOR GROWING THINGS

EXCEPT GOPHERS!

BUT THE VEGETABLE GARDEN SEEMS TO BE PRODUCING WITHOUT MUCH HELP FROM ME THIS YEAR. JUST WATER AND LET THE SUNSHINE DO THE REST!

IT IS A GOOD THING TO HAVE A VISUAL RECORD OF WHAT THINGS LOOK LIKE AT THE BEGINNING SO THAT IN A YEAR OR TWO YOU CAN REALLY SEE PROGRESS.

THANKS AND GIVING

No...it's not time for the turkey to appear yet but rather this post is about the two words that make up the holiday we celebrate in November: Thanks and Giving.

There is a pile of rocks in my backyard today. It is not this pile of rocks you see here but you get the idea. Today, around 9 AM my daughter and her husband surprised us with the delivery of a pile of gravel. We were told to be at home at this time of the day; at least one of us. I had to take the two dogs to the groomer so B stayed at home for "the delivery". It was a surprise what was being delivered so we had no idea what to expect, although we had an idea that it just might be gravel. You see...I had been complaining.

I know...hard for those of you who know me to see me complaining (ha-ha!) but with the new house came a lot of unexpected effort. The first day we arrived at this place I walked out into the back yard and muttered: "What did I get myself into"? Having lived in our previous home for over 37 years gave me lots of time to play in the yard; lots of time to change things and rearrange things that didn't work. And it was fun. I picked out fruit trees (the peaches we picked last year for the first time ever were fantastic!), ground covers, vegetables, etc. I moved rocks, planted grass, planted memorial trees and bushes for beloved animals that had passed. I planted a weeping cherry when our Standard Poodle, Misty, died suddenly on Easter Sunday right in our living room. Those things are hard to leave. I could walk around and look at every plant and associate it with someone or something.

Not here. There was no connection to this place or this land. None whatsoever. But, after hauling five truck loads of plants from our former home to the backyard of this new place, I finally felt that I had a connection with this place. I planted each and every one of the old plants in their new environment. And now when I walk around and water I literally think of each plant that I brought with me. And I do this each and every day. Every plant that I water has a thought that goes along with it in my mind. Each plant reminds me of someone or something.

There is the lilac tree that my Grandmother gave me. There is the baby's breath that Arlene gave me seeds for when her daughter had a baby shower. Iris' have been cut back and planted in a new bed dedicated to just Iris. Most of these were given to me by my Grandmother but some of them were given to me by my friend Gay who now lives in Santa Cruz and has actually Fed Ex'd me Iris plants when she is dividing. Obviously the Iris thrive on the coast where they are bathed in moisture most days. Here, they really struggle and need constant watering in order to look good in the Spring. I can see my Peonies planted all in a row; gifts from my husband and daughters on different birthdays. The Bergenia with it's pink blossoms is doing really well in it's new location close to the fountain in the back. They originally were given to my by my Grandmother as well. The Meyer lemon given to my by my friend Lynne, the rose bush from my sister, the wisteria from my daughter, the azalea given to my by my cousin, and on and on.

My Grandmother had quite the green thumb. I guess it skips a generation because my Mother does not have this capability and barely knows one plant from another. Not her fault though. I assign no judgment there. Some people just "have" it. I think that I was born with it. I have always been interested in plants.

When I was in high school we lived on the top of a hillside where the backyard was just a very steep sloping section of land that was always filled with grasses and weeds. For punishment we would get assigned to pulling the weeds on the hillside. The joke was actually on them because I never felt it was punishment. I loved pulling weeds and still do to this day.

So, arriving at this new place and seeing the backyard in such a mess (and filled with weeds no less) sent me on a mission. I got out my asparagus tool, sat down on my behind, and began to dig weeds. And dig, and dig...! Finally, there were no remaining weeds but there was something else that was more worrisome to me and that was RED DIRT! It is everywhere now, thanks to my diligence in digging weeds. And have you ever seen two white dogs after they have been chasing each other out in RED DIRT? Not a pretty sight. They look more like pink dogs most of the time.

So, this gift of gravel...this very kind gesture from my daughter and her husband...is something so special to me that I can barely express the depth of the thanks that I feel. They are such giving young people who out of the kindness of their hearts (and being as perceptive to their surroundings and other's) decided to order a dump truck load of gravel to be delivered to our house this morning at 9 AM. What a treat! What a joy to behold.

B and I spent most of the day shoveling load after load of gravel into a wheel barrow and moving it from the "hill" of gravel to it's final resting place. And we haven't even finished. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to photograph the new gravel walks, looking all pristine and clean next to all my favorite plants. Now, when I walk through my yard, hand-watering my plants as I always do, I will think of my daughter and her husband. And their kindness and generosity. And I will give thanks. For them and for the gift that they bestowed upon me.

SIMPLICITY AND BEAUTY

"SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION"

Leonardo da Vinci

"IF YOU TRULY LOVE NATURE, YOU WILL FIND BEAUTY EVERYWHERE."

Vincent van Gogh

This gorgeous felted scarf/shawl is hand-made by an acquaintance of mine. Joan and I first met each other years ago when we were taking quilting classes. We took many classes together in those days. Time passed, I went on to college and got my degree in art and wasn't quilting much. Joan went on and took other exciting classes, felting being one of them. She has her beautiful pieces of wearable art for sale at the Gallery located at High Hand Nursery. What an inspiration she is to continue learning and growing. And finding beauty in everything. And everywhere.

RELAXATION

Some relaxing images from a recent garden tour in Colfax, California. Wheelchairs were optional!

Enjoy your weekends, everyone. And be fire-safe. Fire warnings are in effect.

TODAY

Today, I woke to the most beautiful sky. There was a feeling that something had changed; something imperceptible yet I sensed that something was different. The sky was filled with clouds that moved slowly across the sky and there was a cool breeze in the air. Overnight, things had changed and I was a witness to that change.

I have been meditating now for almost a year. I have to admit that some days I don't do it at all because I let something get in the way of it. If I am to be successful at the transformation that I am desiring, I need to practice it every day. According to Deepak Chopra, "the spiritual path delivers everything; it can resolve all conflicts....Spiritual unfoldment is delicate. It can't be reached when your mind is too agitated or your attention overwhelmed by stress or other outside pressures. "

I've also been attending a woman's book group weekly. We support each other and encourage each other on our journey through life. We usually pick a book that has a message in it and something that we feel we could all benefit from. The book we are reading currently is "The Shadow Effect". On page 76 of said book I found something that resonated with me. It is this: "As you get closer to your true self, you begin to sense that you are part of everything. Boundaries soften and disappear. There's a blissful feeling of merging."

Since the shadow is a "thing of denial, resistance, hidden fears, and repressed hopes" these things will gradually start to disappear if you are achieving what you desire on your spiritual path with meditation. Instead of denial, resistance, hidden fears, and repressed hopes, one should be experiencing these instead:

Life becomes easier, losing its struggle.

You feel and act more spontaneous.

The world no longer brings negative reflections.

Your desires are fulfilled more easily.

You find happiness in the simplicity of existence. Being here is enough.

You gain in self-awareness, knowing who you really are.

You feel included in the wholeness of life. (Page 78)

Just recently I have realized that it important for me to move past my expectations of other people in my past. In the past, I have tried to make things right, apologize, send gifts to compensate for my lack of apparent understanding, and just plain wondered "why". Perhaps there is no real answer to my question and if there was, it has fallen on deaf ears and now has become a moot point. This is fine. I am happy with who I am and I see that my spiritual work and path is leading me on a much different journey. Sometimes we move beyond others. I know who I really am and I feel myself becoming part of the whole. I feel no reason to assign blame any longer and only send light and love. That is all that I can do. That is all that I need to do.

I am happy that I have taught my daughters well and that we have an open dialogue. We can speak the truth to each other and I can apologize for any past mistakes I might have made in raising them. They understand and forgive me and we move on. I have taught my daughters how to be polite and considerate of others. I have taught them to be honest and forthright. I have shown them love and compassion and would never say or do anything (knowingly) to embarrass them. And I know that this will only transfer through them to my two granddaughters. I am aware of my shadow but knowing it helps me see what is right about me also. And the great thing is that they don't have to assign blame either. They are loving, wonderful daughters who display these qualities to everyone. They do "the right thing". And it pleases me greatly.

"Life----meaning your life and mine---transcends any win-or-lose orientation. Wholeness goes beyond simplistic cause-and-effect explanations. In the web of relationship, you function in a much larger context. Once you see yourself as part of the whole, a new understanding arises. There is no need to label yourself or anyone else as part of the good-versus-evil, right-versus-wrong drama. You can exchange judgment for the real experience of compassion, love and forgiveness. That is the healing that comes with being whole." (page53)

THE TRUE SELF

It's no wonder that when I walk into a beautiful nursery or landscaped yard that I feel at peace. All of my life I have been curious and transformed by plants and nature. I always wanted to take a horticulture class when I was in high school but in those days classes like that didn't exist for me. I was prompted to take college prep courses and also all the classes that would lead to a job (ie: typing, shorthand, etc.). None of those classes meant anything to me. And it didn't matter how long I studied Algebra, it was never going to fulfill my true self.

Last week my granddaughter asked me if we could go to the place with the fish. I realized that she meant High Hand Nursery. Natalie loves this place as well as the rest of us. It evokes a feeling of calm when you arrive. You feel as though you have been transported to another place when you go inside the gates and begin wandering around. Natalie loves the Koi pond and enjoys feeding them when she is there. They actually let you touch their heads when you reach down to give them food.

Baby Mae wasn't as impressed with High Hand as Natalie was but then again, she needs her rest in order to grow. Don't you just love those leggings she has on? This is one case in which it doesn't matter if the legs are a bit chubby to look good in leggings. Anything on a baby always looks just perfect in my opinion.

Maples galore!

"The most visible joy can only reveal itself to us when we've transformed it, within."

Rainier Maria Rilke

I feel at peace in this garden. I imagine that is why it is so successful. In addition to the garden there is an area that houses an art gallery with many works of art in many media. I feel content when I leave this nursery because it feeds my soul. It gives me inspiration for my own garden. And out of the mouths of babes came this comment from Natalie: "This place makes me feel relaxed". Indeed! I hope that she realizes her true calling in life and pursues it.

According to Paul Ferrini in his book "Embracing Our True Self" "Your gift is what you do well without great effort. It comes naturally to you. You enjoy cultivating and giving your gift and others appreciate receiving it." (Page 43) He also says this: "If you want to find your purpose, be clear on what your purpose isn't and refrain from pursuing that direction". (P.44)