8:365:2011

It's day 3 in a row of this amazingly negative energy cloud that seems to have engulfed me in it's snares.


First it was the news... sporting dismaying stories of dead birds, manatees, crab...
Then it was the incident yesterday at a local shop... people highly on edge and taking it out on innocent bystanders... spewing hatred and venom everywhere...
And now today... with the news of shootings and death in Arizona.

I am shocked and dismayed at today's news. It's not that these things don't happen every day. In fact... I am more in shock because these things DO indeed happen every day. It's like we as a human race have gotten so very far away from the good that we could be doing... and we are lost and confused.

It's like we, as a population... seem to be spinning out of control...

~~~

I feel like (for me at least)... it is time to take a huge step back... rest. Clear the air. Say some prayers. Think good thoughts. It's time to throw something positive back out and into the world.


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

101:365

We had planned on going to the local Gun Show (all 4 of us); but dad is in the hospital. At first we hesitated on going... but we decided to go anyway to see what all was there to tell my dad (who was really looking forward to going) -- and I took lots of photos of things to show him later. He is having alot of pain... and a horrible cough that progresses into choking episodes sometimes. It is thought that the horrible cough is related to a tumor on his diaphragm... but then, he also has pneumonia... so who knows.

This is a French flintlock handgun that was converted to a percussion weapon, and apparently was sold to the southern forces during the Civil War. There were alot of interesting guns at the show... as well as: cast iron cookware, vintage medals, fishing gear, books, animal pelts, and lots of war memorabilia.

One dealer happened to have quite a few items from WWII... including this Nazi Officer's hat in near mint condition.....

I... of course... was immediately drawn to the few jewelry items... and really enjoyed seeing these vintage pocket watches....

After the Gun Show ... my mom, my daughter and I went to Erway's Farm Market and Restaurant for the Sunday brunch. I had never been to Erway's for brunch... and it was wonderful. Scrambled eggs, omelets, quiche, pancakes, waffles, french toast, regular toast, muffins, etc.... bacon, Canadian ham, sausage patties, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, donuts and danish pastries... corned beef hash, fresh fruit of all varieties as well as a mixed fruit salad.... cereal, chocolate milk, V8, white milk, fresh squeezed orange juice.... coffee, cocoa and tea... farm butter and locally produced maple syrup... all for about $8 per person.

Yes folks... tasty tasty... and all you can eat!

We also stopped in the market area after eating... and got some fresh local-made goat's milk soap, and some bags of multi-flavored jelly beans (my dad loves the black licorice ones).

................................................................. *all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Tonight was spent visiting my dad in the hospital... and trying to keep up with the daily stuff. I have been enjoying nightly walks with Sabrina around town... and it is amazingly quiet and peaceful here....which I desperately need... and appreciate.