A Mix

It is all in the timing.   A good photographer can make magic out of taking pictures.   A good photographer can make magic without looking for special effects too.    I am very fortunate in having some talented photographers in my family as you can tell when I post pictures they send.     It is gratifying to see the results of patience and adventuresome spirit so sit back and enjoy what a professional photographer did with his adventure out in the open world.   Composition, or is it competition as the basket ball player enjoys bouncing the moon.   

From framing the moon to another artist with a camera finding a delightful winter moon setting a peaceful and serene setting for us to enjoy.    A walk in that moonlight would have been special, maybe next winter you can go out and look around and see what scenes you can find and shoot a picture or two.

A picture of an active volcano.  Unbelievably beautiful, a word I find sliding of my tongue easily.   The art work is there, all the artist has to do is capture it on canvas.     Pretty awesome and a bit scary to boot.

The moon is a clock . . . well it is in some ways as it comes up in the dark and slides back down before the sun comes up.    It is a magnificent orb that we idolize every night when it comes out.  Sometimes riding down the Sierra mountains we would round a corner of the highway and come across the full harvest moon almost sitting on the top of the mountain peaks, at least it looked that close.   It was huge, enormous and the color of a big pumpkin waiting to be chosen for Halloween.     I also remember a moon or two that shone brightly when I was very young and had no idea what that song "Moonlight Becomes You" was all about;  um . . . wish I hadn't been quite so young.

Another beautiful moonlight scene with snow capped mounds.    Look at the color in the sky, stormy looking and heavy with more snow.    It looks stark and cold but it does have a beauty all its own.   

I am a bit late in getting my blog done this morning.  It is Sunday, grocery shopping day when Pat and I go over to Freddy's and look around to see what we can afford.    We usually buy pretty much the same things each week and have found special labels we can rely on.  The problem is Fred Meyers hikes the price not weekly but daily;  a for instance is yogurt went from sixty-nine cents a small carton to eighty-nine cents   and it comes from our local Tillamook Company right here in Oregon.     Talk about playing politics . . . I wonder if the food chains donate money to the politicians . . . bet they do . . . and I didn't think I did . . . well I think Freddy's makes sure I do.   Well, I wont spoil your Sunday grousing about things I cannot change.  As my little prayer of Serenity says," God grant me the courage to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."   A good idea, so practice that little mantra this week and make all your seconds count in your favor.    Hugs to all

An Eagle called Freedom

Good morning.    A tale to tell this morning that you will like.    The e-mail came in yesterday and the picture spells out love.  In 1998 Jeff came across this eagle with two broken wings and he took it under his care, bottle fed it for weeks and talked to it constantly about not giving up and to keep fighting to live. The eagle would never fly again. At the advice of a friend, Jeff gloved trained this eagle and soon they were going out and about  telling Freedom's story to the children at schools and other community events.  They were well received and became well known.

In the year 2000 Jeff was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma stage three cancer and had to go through eight months of chemotherapy treatments. He took Freedom for walks and he talked to him,even dreamed of him and felt that Freedom was helping him to survive.   Freedom wrapped his wings around Jeff, touching him, staring into his eyes and it was a magic moment for Jeff  as Freedom fought to give him strength and encouragement.  Jeff had a stem cell transplant and before long the cancer was gone.   People who were ill came up to them when they were out walking just to feel the love and power of this wonderful eagle.  Jeff quotes . . ."Best they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings of eagles;  they shall run and not be weary."  Isiah 40:31.

So today, let's hope that the American Eagle spreads its wings and ends the Congressional stalemate.   The American people are torn apart with each wanting their choice of party to win a battle few understand.  Harsh words are spoken, friendships are being broken as they forget that you cannot 'talk' politics or religion without creating a chasm.   Each of us has the right to our own opinion, and each of us has the right to vote.  There is no perfection in politics, just power . . . and we all know what power does to the human spirit.   We have to have faith and hope, maybe a little charity  . . . and lots of prayer that our elected officials will do what is right, just and fair...The American Way!!

It is Saturday all day . . . get up, get out and enjoy every second.   I'm off to make blueberry pancakes and have some hot coffee;  wish you were here and not there. . . Hugs to all.

Off to more of the Fair

Here is tatting at its best.   A very old craft in which a shuttel is used and fine lace is made.   A craft that I could not conquer, or maybe I just didn't practice enough as, like the sewing machine, I just couldn't make anything that looked like anything that was not dragged in my an old cat.  All of the pieces were intricate and beautiful.  All I can tell you is that it takes patience and agile fingertips.

This guy stood in a corner looking pretty smug.  The winner of the scarecrows.   There was a whole family of them off to the side, but this guy took the blue ribbon.

Bouganviellia in all its beauty.   Unusual and very beautiful.   I'd like a bush in my yard, wouldn't you?

The theme this year was Pigs and Parrots.  Wonder who thought that up?   This was the winner of the floral booth and it was well done.  Very colorful with a bush of a slender fern.

This was an unusual setting, several heads were shown with different 'hats' and this particular one had flowers that looked like red peppers.  I have no idea what they are but it was a winner.

What are these?   How exotic!   Unusual and another winner.

The bubble was something new and something I have never seen before.   The children were having a ball.  They were moving around and the ball was turning and they were giggling for all they were worth.   It might have been fun to try but you know it would sink if I tried to get into one of those floating orbs.

Here are La Verne and Jim, my neighbors, who were out washing windows, so I stopped and showed them the pictures in my camera and they had a chance to see a bit of the fair.

Here is Jock, standing proud beside a young man he taught to shoot his first turkey.  Jock teaches a class on gun safety and helps many a young person learn the correct way to handle a gun.   This young man used the turkey feathers and made them into a blue ribbon winner at the Fair.    

A war bonnet.    Very beautiful and attractive.  It took a lot of work and imagination to bring it to life, and a Blue Ribbon to bring smiles of pride in accomplishment.   Yes, I'd have goose bumps too.    We don't often think about the good things happening in our lives but here is a first hand story of a man who takes the time to teach the next generation of children all about safety and a young man who was willing to listen.   

So today, think about your talents and think about some way of sharing it with the younger folks.   There are so many that need some attention and a bit of love from someone who cares.    Make your seconds count today and if you do not have a talent to share, then share a hug or too, that works.    Hugs to all. 

P.S. - - - Back from the Fair at Gold Beach . . . First Area

As you paid your three dollars entrance fee, the first sight was an area filled with the most beautiful purple flowers, hydrangeas I believe, and they were worth the price of admission.   I wish mine would grow this big and beautiful in my yard.  I have one bush right by the front door.   Now, if I could talk the resident deer out of nibbling the leaves, maybe I could brag about a plant that would look just like this.

The Quilt show is always amazing.  They have quilts hanging over the upstairs banisters and along all of the walls, on tables, even one up for a raffle prize and I would love to win it.   This one was special as it reminded me of a friend, now passed away, who was one of the best quilt makers I have ever met.   She was telling me about a project she was going to do and described a Japanese lady dressed in gorgeous colors and it was to be her masterpiece.   She was unable to even start as the cancer came and took her before we had a chance to even say the word.    How much we miss her, and how proud we would have been if she had been the maker of this particular quilt.    There were so many beautiful ones, it would be hard to judge one above the other.    I am hoping I have the winning ticket on the raffle one.

I thought this sweater was gorgeous.   I wouldn't mind having it in my wardrobe.   Pat thought it was pretty special too and thought I would look good in it.    It was a piece of art and not for sale.

This was another kind of new art.    I am not sure what the medium is but it was a delight to look at.   A form of jewelry but I have no idea how the artisan went about making it.  It did win a prize.

Here is a tea cup quilt.  I took a picture so daughter Christine could see it.  She is a collector of anything with a spout and these teapots all had good looking ones.   I'd like to make one for her but someone would have to show me how to thread a needle.   I tried once, made one of cats for her . . . made great rags.

I made a new friend today, a delightful lady who rescues dolls.    She and I had a nice conversation about how she came about making doll clothing, but also making dolls from rescuing them from yard sales, bent, dirty, broken and bent.   She had two major operations and was not longer able to work outside her home.   She was staying with a neighbor lady who had an undressed doll on a chair, so she asked if she could dress the doll and it was the start of a new business career and the remarkable ability to repair and dress dolls like you would not believe.    This lovely lady is a jewel and the dolls she is holding are now the property of my daughter Patricia who loves odd and lovely things.  The two Mexican dolls have a personality you wouldn't believe unless you could pick them up and hold them.     They make you smile!

So this is my P.S. today.   A ride to Gold Beach in terrific wind and sunshine.  Old Band music playing making my feet tap and wishing I could get up and do a little dance.    Tomorrow you will have the second half of my wandering through the County Fair and see some of the floral exhibits.   Flowers you have never seen, or at least none that I have.   See you in the morning.    Enjoy the rest of today.  Hugs to all.

To Freeze or not to Freeze!

Good morning.    The computer is doing a freeze this morning when I try to bring up the photographs.   I can write but I can't get the blogger and icons to show.    Something new and different and ,of course, very frustrating.  With all of the modern techniques and all of the electronic byways to tread on, perfection is not here yet and probably never will be.    The answer to all problems concerning the computer is to make a different type and buy new but that is for the rich and those that have the know how; the rest of us have to have the patience of Job and the heart of a lion.    Why can't we have a made in America well built computer that will last a life time.  Why can't they make a computer that can have an added part or two, or even an addition if you want to go into something so called bigger and better . . . why can't we just have a really good working machine that gives us the freedom to communicate.  Oh well, life is not fair . . . and we have heard that over and over.    Speaking of fair, just had a thought pop into my mind about the Washington D. C. boys and girls who are threatening all of us with no checks for Social Security recipients.   You know the money we paid into our account so we would be able to retire with a little added money to our retirement and not live like paupers . . . well, threatening us and the military families and Federal retirees may be the name of the game but how come they still get their salaries?    Where is that money coming from?     So I am left with a lot of thoughts this morning, having to wait to unfreeze and several thoughts on how to vote this coming election . . .

So today, I hope your computer doesn't freeze up on you.   I hope that good news comes out of D.C. and the posturing is over and done with.     I hope that each of you will remember the good old days when everything was made in America and lasted forever, well at least more than a year or two . . . and we did have an occasional real true honest politician in the White House . . . don't stop dreaming and keep working at fixing the problems, as for me, I'm off to the  County Fair with my camera.  See you tomorrow hopefully with pictures I can post.    Make your seconds good ones....Hugs to all.

Quotes

This picture was sent along with an e-mail about friendship and some golden rules about releasing our friends to soar and to prosper, like we have had to do with our children . . . let them go so they can grow and then they always return.    The picture also reminded me of my daughter Eileen's funeral when friends brought in a huge bouquet of balloons to release and follow her soul up to heights we cannot imagine.    So there is always a little bitter with the sweet and one picture can say it all.  Balloons always remind me of birthdays and this month there are three names circled on my calendar.   Two are gone, out of our world, but always within our hearts and that is Cornelius and Tanie.    Christopher is here to celebrate and I hope he has a wonderful birthday.    He is growing into manhood very fast, out of school, working, dating and making the best of his young life.    We wish him much love and success.   There was a quote or two that caught my eye and I thought I'd share with you  . . . "Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important." . . . I would agree with that, wouldn't you?

"There is no place like here."  (Ceclia Ahern)   another good quote, as 'here' is a nice place to be.   I hope you find that your 'here' is where you enjoy living and loving.

Winston Churchill said "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."     Keep that quote in mind as you watch and listen to our politicians vie for the next election.   

So, that is it for today. . . I hope your day is special, just like you, and I hope that you are working on staying healthy and happy.     Those of you who have been under the weather, cheer up the virus has to run its course but you can help it along with a lot of fluids, rest and a hot toddy before you settle in for the night.   I know Fisherman's cough drops help even though the taste is horrible . . .but, anything that taste horrible always has a cure within and honest they work.    So pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get up and out and enjoy the ending days of July.     Count your blessings and be thankful for all the little things in life that make you smile.   Hugs to all.

A Candle

What it is about the glow of a candle that can make you feel ?  A bit of wax in a small container, or a large taper in a special holder gracing your dinner table or sitting in an iron framed sconce waiting for the strike of a match to bring light and comfort into our hearts.   This particular one is a reminder that so many folks have cancer.   They fight daily to just exist as they pray for a cure so they can enjoy today.    My friend, Tanie spent the last ten years of her life fighting lung cancer and she was a tiny, petite, lady with a sense of humor and a love of life.   She tried four long sessions with chemotherapy but finally lost the battle this year.  Her birthday is coming up this week and she isn't here to celebrate or to tease about being the cutest, but her spirit is here and when you look at this particular 'cancer' candle, stop and offer up a little prayer for her soul and the soul of the thousands that have fought the battle and hope that this candle will remind you to keep them in mind.   There are thousands who have fought the battle and won.   Survivors all, who ask you to keep this candle going in hopes of a cure for cancer and the other autoimmune diseases that ravish those we love. So light a candle often and keep them all in mind.

Here is a little cartoon to brighten your day.  I know you have had heat in your lives this summer and we are just about to get our first taste of summer heat.  We have been very lucky to stay within the fifty to seventy degree days with mist and fog and even a bit of rain, but, all good things must come to an end and we are about to have our week or ten days of hot.  We complain but to no avail, summer on the coast is here.

So today, know there is little you can do to change the weather but there is a lot you can do to change your attitude.   Decide early in the day that this one is going to be the best one yet.   Who knows what is in store for us today.   Maybe you will get an invitation to lunch, or maybe you will get a telephone call and some loving words or a message that someone you care about is coming for a visit.  If it is hot, find yourself a shady nook and stay quiet.   I'll leave you with a cute joke that came in last evening on the e-mail about an old woman sipping a glass of wine while sitting on the patio with her husband.   She says out loud, "I love you so much.  I don't know how I could ever live without you."   Her husband looks at her and asks, "Is that you or the wine talking?" She replies, "It is me talking to the wine." . . .  See, attitude is everything.   Make your seconds count today all day.  Hugs to all.

Swimmin' Hole!!

Hold your nose!   Jump right in!  Bombs Away!!!

Now this one is priceless.  It brought back a lot of memories of the back yard pool we had when we lived in Sacramento, California way back in the sixties.   I wish I had a picture of my kids jumping in looking as fearless as this threesome.   

Reminds me of a whales tale.    A fearless one who is going to grow up to be a great swimmer.

It is only 107 in the shade but who cares . . . It is heaven in Grandma's pool.    I needed a good laugh yesterday and when I received the e mail from my friend Paula I was laughing out loud.   Her two grandsons and a friend spent the day cooling off and it was like looking at a Norman Rockwell picture book.   Thanks for sharing Paula.    I enjoyed every second and wished I were there sharing the fun.


So today, if you are having a heat wave, take a good look at these pictures and you will know just what to do.    It is Monday the start of your new week so make it a good one.    Try for a little time out to have a swim if you can.    I'd like to be up in Carson City visiting the hot springs just soaking away some of the old bones even in the heat of the day.     We can't go backwards and jump in the old round pool except in memory and I have a dozen or more of those when it comes to tall tales and teaching children how to swim.   I've told the tales a hundred times and right now I am smiling.  So put a smile on your face and get on with your day doing all of the things that you love to do.   Hugs to all.

A Visit To Ecuador!

Good morning.    How about a visit to Ecuador to see how Joyce and Ken are doing.    They have been enjoying their new home and have had several moves around the area before settling into a new apartment.  Joyce writes about their adventures and sends e-mails along with a phone call now and then.    It has been a true adventure and a wonderful experience for Joyce.   Sad to say Ken is a victim of  Alzheimer and has been failing, although she tells me he seems to be content and happy.    His grandson who works for a Christian organization was in Ecuador on missionary work and they had a wonderful visit.   Joyce has found the medical help in the village is really great  and the people very friendly.    

Joyce has been busy trying to find furniture for her new apartment.   I'd say she did okay and found some different styles and comfortable seating for them.     She mentioned that the world is small as on the Fourth of July they went to a restaurant and shared a table with five other people.  All came from Oregon within twenty-five miles of each other .   I wonder what led them all to this village in Ecuador.     It certainly sounds like an ideal place and you do have to learn how to speak Spanish to get along.  

Son John had just received a card folder of places to visit and one of the cards had information about Ecuador and it was called 'The Highlands" ;  Joyce said they live at 8,500 ft. elevation.   So, according to this card they walk from one hacienda to another through valleys surrounded by volcanic peaks and traditional villages with great markets.    If you remember the original blog about Joyce and Ken then you would have seen pictures of their market and town.    It sounds like a lovely place to visit and I have been invited but hiking and altitude would probably do me in.  

So today think about saving up for future vacations and put Ecuador on your list, along with Panama, China India and Greece.    I think if I had money for travel I would go to Italy first, then on to other destinations.   They have walking tours I never heard of and they sound exotic and fun.    Meanwhile Rick Steves has a wonderful program on PBS and takes you to all over to places ordinary tourists do not go.    It is not the same as going on your own, but to those of us who have the desire but no longer the stamina for travel, it is the best way to see our world and all the beauty in it.    Don't put yourself on 'hold', make your seconds count and keep an open mind.   Hugs to all

What's Up?

Here is our friend Marcia in the pink shirt, out and about with some lady friends having a bit of a lunch and a meeting. Marcia is a lovely lady and a busy one, much like the energy bunny going all the time.   She is a twelve year cancer survivor and you can bet she doesn't let any grass grow under her feet when it comes to ideas on how to help others.   When you want or need something done, what do you do?  You ask a busy lady!

Here is my friend Angie and her son Jason.  They took off for a mini vacation and went to see the Padres play.   Angie and I go back some years as co workers and she was one of the first ladies to conquer the computer and make it sing.    I was not as adept and I can still hear her yelling across the room . . ."Jean, don't push any keys . . .I'll be right there."   and she was to rescue me from losing all of the data with one more key stroke.    I'd like to have her computer smarts, in fact I'd like to have her visit. She threatened to come spend a week with me but so far hasn't made it.

This is Donna, my friend Marge's daughter.  She came up to spend the weekend with her mother and enjoy the annual Kite Festival but the rains came and although they continued to fly the kites in the rain it was just not the same.    Donna and her mother, Marge, decided to go out and about and Marge sent me some pictures to put on the blog and share with you. They drove south and walked the Indian Sands trail.

They stopped at the Redwoods and here is Marge standing beside one of the trees.  Look at the base of that tree . . . amazing Redwoods, well worth a trip to see.

They stopped at the harbor in Eureka.  I bet they stopped in Old Town and had lunch.    I was introduced to a tiny glass coffee press here when son John took me to lunch at one of the restaurants.    I had a panini sandwich for the first time and am now a fan.   Daughter Pat and I drive down for a Costco run and love to go through the shops in Old Town. The thrift store always has a book that cannot be left behind.

Here is Donna standing beside a cave on one of our beaches here in Brookings.    I haven't been to see the cave yet, but Marge has promised to take me over to get a peek at it.  I wonder how deep it is.    I bet you have to get in and out before high tide.

This weekend there is more festivals in town. Marge happened to meet up with one of the pirates down at Sporthaven beach.   She makes beautiful jewelry and is wearing one of her creations.     Leave it to her to find a handsome pirate and get a hug. 

So there were more pictures and I'll save some for another day.   Thanks for the pictures ladies, and thanks for sharing the highlights of your weekend.      It is wonderful to see all of you and the places you did get to.  I see you are all making good use of your seconds and that is the way it should be . . . out and about enjoying family, friends and beautiful 'misty' sunshine.    

So today, the first day of your weekend, look around and see what you can find to do.    Be sure to take your camera with you and send me some pictures.     I'll be happy to share them and you.    I am going to take my camera with me today and see what I can find out and about our town today.    It is going to be a beautiful day which I hope will be filled with surprises.     So have a bright and beautiful day, just like YOU.  Hugs to all. 

Current Reminders - Politics

  The P.S. for today:   Hot off the press:  Smile . . I am on camera, ha.ha.    scare tactics and it could work .  Wonder how I could adjust to street living . . .me afraid of the dark . . . um . . . I'll give this a lot of thought just in case there is no agreement . . . ah. . . but there will be . . . maybe one we do not like but you can rest assured politicians are 'out there' and we are heading for the poles . . . taking any bets?

Good morning.    I would imagine each of you are as tired of all the posturing and lack of leadership from our President Obama to the entire slate of  Representatives and Senators all sworn to uphold the Constitution and keep America on the right track.   It seems they have all decided to be the engineer of a train going nowhere.  At least you can give the political cartoonist a pat on the back for keeping up apprised to what is going on.  Those closed door sessions don't give up much.

   I was reading an article in our local newspaper yesterday and the columnist was talking about love.    In it there was a comment by Eric Fromm from his "The Art of Loving" and a quote, "Without love, humanity could not exist for a day.  Love is the answer to the problem of human existence."   then added . . . "There is hardly any enterprise which is started with such tremendous hopes and expectations which fails so regularly."  Another quote, "Love is an action, the practice of a human power which can be practiced only in freedom and never as a result of compulsion."   Do you think we should put those on "Face Book" and maybe, just maybe the leaders will read that they need to remember they are "their brothers keeper"  and most of all each one of them has sworn on a bible, not sure about Obama, that they would accept the responsibility of the duties of their office.     Now it is time to prove it.

So today is Friday, so close to a new weekend.   What are you going to do with yours?     If you are living where the heat wave is playing havoc with your bodies, remember to keep cool and calm and go enjoy a movie in an air conditioned theater or just stay inside and call a friend to join you for a pizza and a movie at home.     Here on the coast we are having a bit of fog this morning so it is 'cold' at this time of day.   I am sitting by my open bedroom window and the air is cold but I am not going to close it as it is bringing in cool and later we are to get a bit warmer, seventy-three I heard.     I am crowing, sorry about that, as I know some of you are having a bad time with the constant heat.   Paula tells me in Arkansas they have had weeks of one-hundred degree days and even the swimming pool water is too warm to enjoy.    So I will quit teasing and get serious and end with a quote to remind you to love one another . . . just because you can.  "Love is an art, such as medicine, music or mime."   or, " A delight in the presence of the other person and an affirming of his value and development as much as ones own." and last, but not least, "The capacity to love pre- suppose self awareness, because love requires the ability to have empathy with the other person, to appreciate and affirm his potentialities-Love also presupposes freedom,certainly love which is not freely given is not love."  Hopefully all the leaders will remember how to love this great country of ours and all of us too.  So while you are waiting for the other shoe to drop, love one another.   Hugs to all.

A Memory and a P.S.

Here is Andrea enjoying a bit of shade as she walked around the pathways of one of the wineries in Napa Valley.   She and her husband Bob (our Sullivan cousins) have been spending vacation time in Napa, California.    They live in Arizona and, if you have been keeping up with the thermostat throughout our country, you know that the heat is 'hotter than hades' so they left one valley to visit another and have been having a ball.   I can't remember how long ago it was since I visited Napa, probably back in the sixties when we lived in Sacramento, California.   The pictures they sent bring back a memory or two as we made several trips to the valley and enjoyed a bit of wine tasting and some spectacular views.    I had a collection of wine glasses from the different wineries and they were quite a grand opening to conversations about the different wineries.    Somewhere close by there are 'mud' baths, something we often talked about trying but never did.   

A fountain , wonder if that is white wine or water?   A good idea if  it is wine and you have a tall glass with a stem.

I wonder what this is.  I'll have to ask Andrea and Bob when they get here.   I will be sharing some time with them soon.  They sent along twenty eight pictures of their day ride.     The pictures are great and the photographer be it Andrea or Bob has a good eye.   So I thank them for the memories and the pictures and a chance to share a day of their vacation with all of you.     Who knows when the opportunity will rise so that you can have a day trip to Napa Valley.   Stop by and pick me up, I wouldn't mind seeing it again.   

Meanwhile, here in the neighborhood, there is good news, in fact terrific news . . .no seagulls flying over, landing on the roof tops, dropping poop all over the place . . . why . . . I went up and visited our new neighbors and had a lovely tour of their home and grounds.   When looking over the back yard and the garage it was the perfect opportunity to bring up seagull poop, yeah, the nasty stuff, and I asked the lady of the house to think about the mess and ask her husband to stop feeding the gulls as they had an entire ocean filled with luscious fish to eat.   It may or may not be legal to feed gulls.   It is illegal to feed our resident deer.  I know they have kind hearts and I know they want to keep the birds and bees healthy and happy but I know they will feel so much better now that they have made their neighbors happy.   I did mention I could schedule a time they could come and clean up the poop . . . maybe that was an incentive, I'll never know.

So today, go about your business of being a good neighbor.   Look around and make sure you are not the cause of someones misery.    Be one of the good guys and smile a lot and remember to do a good deed every day, otherwise how will all those little souls get into heaven, you know the ones who need one more good deed to get through the gate.     Enjoy the day, a summer day, stay cool and calm and make it the best day ever.  Hugs to all.

PS . . . Just heard from Bob and he tells me the little floating house is actually a floating duck house that someone made and donated.   The ducks do come and rest on it.   A lovely little house that looks like the old building that houses the winery.   This, by the way, is the Hop Kiln Winery.  That is a new name for me.  I have never head of it.   I would imagine Napa Valley has changed a lot since the nineteen sixties.   Thanks Bob for the pictures and the information about the little house.   You are a keeper.