and the winner is ...

photo by Elaine A. Russell

So -- my parents now own a Buick. Having owned mostly Fords... this is a change. But, my mom has always joked about wanting a Buick luxury car.. and now she does.
We had it narrowed down yesterday to the Buick and the Honda CRV. The Honda was a close contender. Being a 4 wheel drive, it certainly had it's advantages.. but it was about $1000 more, and had over 100,000 miles on it.
The Buick has only 58,000 miles, and is very comfortable. It has dual climate control, a cd player, and was very clean. The main disadvantage, was that it looks very much like the Taurus they traded in.. same color scheme and all.

We also managed to decide on a rough draft for their will.. which they will take to the lawyers this coming week or so. We decided on the funeral arrangements and service plans. We went thru their stuff and set aside things for certain people. It was great.

So -- what's left ? Fishing. And photo taking if the weather permits. Then I will be on the road coming on Monday after I pick up a charm I ordered at the local jewelry store.. which is awesome !

cars and other adventures

photos by Elaine A. Russell

I have been busy the last day or so trying to help my dad pick out a new (new to him) car. The one he has was recently hit by another driver, and it is 10yrs old.. so it was time to trade it in.

We have looked at lots of cars...and it has been fun. I got to drive a really cool HHR.. talk about awesome. My dad spotted a hot rod.. being driven by someone up the street... that he would have loved to have gotten... course-- not exactly a practical car for here. We looked at Luminas, Fusions, even a Honda CRV (my fav). I think he has decided on the Buick. We'll know later on today.

In the meantime.. I wanted to do a post on my niece. She is an awesome woman. She has been thru so much the past couple of years... from her mother dying, to her husband having an affair and leaving her.. thru her best friend's betrayal... thru raising 3 kids ( 2 of whom are special needs ) on her own... all kinds of trials and tribulations. She has overcome and shined thru it all. She is a very bright and resourceful young woman.. and I am so very proud of her.

a brief spot of sunshine




photos by Elaine A. Russell

.... and I missed it. I had a migraine last night, and was not feeling well the night before.. and I think it caught up with me. So.. while that brief spot of glorious sunshine was bursting forth, and my brother mowed the lawn, and my parents ran errands.. I was asleep with Sabrina curled up next to me.. missing it all.
And when I awoke at 2pm, it was back to overcast and hazy.. and threatening to rain.
Ah well. I think I am destined to get rainy day pictures this trip. And maybe that is a good thing. When I get back to ABQ, and it hasn't rained but 6 days out of the year, I can look at all my rain photos.
So-- here are some photos (taken in the rain) up in Sweden Valley.. just 6 miles out of town. My brother in law and his new wife live out there, and it is gorgeous.
According to some quick internet research, Sweden Valley is home to about 500 people, with an average income of $35,000. There is one bar, one church, a putt-putt golf, a health food store, a golf club, a dog rescue, and a blueberry farm. It used to be home to the "World Famous Ice Mine" .. which has since been bought, posted, and left derelect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coudersport_Ice_Mine
If you continue on thru Sweden Valley, you will end up at Cherry Springs... a great place to watch the sky and to get an airplane ride at the family owned airport. There are camping places and picnic places.. and some great scenic views. http://www.kwastronomy.com/History_of_Cherry_Springs_Park.htm
Up the road from the turn-off to Sweden Valley, is "Denton Hill" .. where you can ski in the winter, and do archery in the summer. http://www.skidenton.com/
And down the road towards Coudersport, is Sweden Valley Manor (nursing home) and Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. .. where I used to work years ago.

into the woods



photos by Elaine A. Russell


I have been a little upset because one of my goals --photographically speaking -- was to take some shots of all the ferns around the woods here. I am a HUGE fern fan.. always have been.. and there are tons of varieties here that grow in the woods. But it's hard to take photos in the middle of a rainstorm. Today it is actually sorta sunny... so I hope to head out and get some shots. On the other hand.. my dad wants to look for a car.. so we'll see who wins out.

In other news -- my brother has informed me (jokingly I think) that he is reading my blog now.. so I guess I had better watch what I say :) .... Censorship ! .. I don't think so.

And -- the other night Sabrina and I saw the bear on our nightly walk... and he saw us. I don't think either one of us handled the shock very well. On the plus side, I don't think Sabrina is constipated any more.. and probably neither is the bear.


under pressure



photos by Elaine A. Russell ( a vintage 50's firetruck )

I keep thinking of the Queen song today.... "Under Pressure." Besides it being a really good song... it has a great groove. So good, Vanilla Ice tried to steal it. But I digress.
It's been a weird day.

My parents left early this am for her appointment in Erie to see the surgeon. It is a very long drive, and one my dad doesn't like to take. He hates driving in cities. I woke up late, after 1pm. I just didn't feel well today. And I didn't get much sleep this am because the phone kept ringing. Turns out, it was my brother trying ot figure out if I was there so that he could mow the lawn. And.. my neice asking me to watch her kids. She had taken her oldest to a doctor's appt (also several hours away ) and wasn't going to be back in time to get her other 2 kids from daycare.
I took a shower, ran a couple errands, and picked up her 2 youngest kids. I took them to McDonald's for happy meals, and we went to my neice's house. Unfortunately, my neice didn't get home til after 7pm... but by then, the kids had had their supper, and we had picked up the house a bit.

I got back to my parent's house, and they weren't back yet.. so I did some chores around the house... took another shower, fed my puppy, and ate a late supper. My parent's got home around 8pm.

My mother needs surgery, but needs to get things cleared with her pulmonologist, cardiologist, and general physician first. Surgery is tentatively scheduled for September. Unfortunately, I can't stay that long.. so we'll see how things go.

I'm torn. On one hand, I feel an obligation to help take care of my parents, on the other hand, I have obligations back home too.
I did learn one thing today....and that is that I am definately too old, tired, cranky... whatever.. to be taking care of a 2yr old and a 4yr old on a regular basis. The powers that be definately knew better when they passed out kids to only younger people. I read somewhere that the oldest woman to give birth was a 66yr old lady in Italy, who had twins ! yikes. I just wouldn't be able to do it. She actually took hormone therapy to reverse 20yrs of menopause just to get pregnant.
http://community2.myfoxaustin.com/_Oldest-woman-has-baby-dies/BLOG/440081/82263.html
I just can't fathom it.




mondays

photo by Elaine A. Russell

Mondays are usually my cleaning days when I am home. I clean the whole house, do laundry, sweep and clean the floors, take out garbage, sweep the patios and driveway... water the plants. I usually work on it all afternoon... but could probably do it in a hour or two if pressed.
This monday is completely different.
For $45, you can get an hour-long massage at the local gym on main street. I took my mom with me, and she got a 1/2 hour massage as well while I looked thru the therapist's anatomy book.
The therapist had her training in Florida, and did a great job. Here is a link to her business:
http://chadcowburn.com/serenity.html

Unfortunately, she initially had a candle burning that irritated my allergies ( which she kindly put out )... so I ended up taking a Benadryl when I got back to my mother's house... and ended up sleeping all afternoon. In the whole scheme of things.. it was probably the best thing for me. It forced me to take a long rest after the massage, and perhaps helped heal some issues I have had in my back for months now.
My mother enjoyed her massage... the 4th one she's ever had. I am hoping it helped relax her a bit before her trip to Erie in the am.

Tonight a neighbor lady brought my mom a home-made lemon meringue pie. It is my mom's favorite. Now, I have never ever like lemon anything... but this was delicious. The lady is 72, and looks 52. She is amazing. Must be all the clean air here....

heredity or environment



photos by Elaine A. Russell

My dad likes to recall a time when I was an early teenager. We were taking care of my grandparents, and living in a bad situation at that time. Apparently, in desperation, I made the comment that I had heredity and environment going against me... and that I was doomed.
Several years later, while in nursing school, I had the opportunity to study psychiatric issues, and I loved it... likening various disorders with members of my family etc that exhibited similar quirks.
My family is riddled with various mental problems, disorders and tendencies. No family is immune... we just have more than the average share I think. Fortunately, it has become a laughable matter, and not one of shame.
I mention this because it has occurred to me, that we really are a family of hoarders ( among other things ). This has really hit home on several occasions, and this visit was no exception.
Each of us tends to focus on a different thing.. my mother saves memorabilia (newspaper clippings, etc) and mice figurines, my brother saves every scrap of paper he's ever seen I think.. as well as stuff he finds on the road. My sister.. fabric, wrapping paper, toys...even egg cartons and dryer lint. My dad... books. He has over 8,000 books in the basement, and even more in the living areas of the house.
Now.. he has catalogued them, alphabetized them, and grouped them by genre. But..and obsessive collection it is, none the less.
It got me thinking about what I hold on to. I have collected a few things over the years... Disney snowglobes at one point, Thumper figurines, pink depression glass... but I never had collections to the extent as some. The past couple of years I have made a concerted effort to cut down and down-size most all of my belongings. I have managed to get rid of alot of things. Now the only things I really collect are sterling silver charms. I still have my Disney Thumper collection.... but it is only 6 figurines. And I still have some depression glass... but thanks in part to the tragic cupboard accident of 97, not as much.
Now, I am not saying that having a collection is a bad thing. I think that everyone has something that they collect and are passionate about. What is a problem to me though.. is when that collection becomes an obsession... or it becomes a hindrance to your daily ability to live.
I happen to know people that collect things to the point of only having a very narrow pathway thru their house.
I guess my point is that heredity and environment can play a significant role in your tendencies in life. Yes, I have the compulsion to collect things.. and to sort things. But, I also have free will to decide that that is not something I want to take control over my life.

the long weekend

photo by Elaine A. Russell

I am anticipating a long weekend. We'll see what I find to do.

Today my mom finally got her appointment to see a specialist up in Erie. She's been awaiting this consultation for about a year now.. and needs someone to advise her on her problems with her thyroid & parathyroid. About a year ago.. the doctor here recommended that she have surgery ASAP.. and it has never panned out. I'm not sure why it took so long... but it has. Anyway.. she is going on Tuesday, so I am anticipating lots of anxiety until then.
On the plus side, the massage is scheduled for Monday.. so hopefully that will help.

It is extremely overcast today, but it isn't raining. I hope to get out and about this weekend to take photos, so with any luck, the weather will be nice.

As a special treat ... my family sent me a "care package" -- which I got in the mail today. Thank God for pita chips, Nutella, and love from my hubby and kids.

thursday's child



photos by Elaine A. Russell


"Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day
Is bonny and blithe and good and gay."

---I certainly have far to go. But not today. Today was spent helping my dad organize his state quarter collection into books. Somehow he is missing Ohio, Delaware and Mississipi.
Go figure.
I went to Rite Aid to get some photos put onto CD, and looked at used cars for my dad.
I got McDonald's for dinner to go with some fresh corn on the cob.
And -- I was thinking about going out to take some photos... because it wasn't raining.. and then it started raining. Ah well.

I also went to Valley Hardware to get some yarn to work on a scarf. I also picked up some fresh roasted cashews for my mom. This is a cool place.. it has a little bit of everything there.
Then I went to "The Right Stuff." This is an antique "mall" just outside of town. It actually isn't a mall at all, but a series of rooms that are connected in one long building. It is however, extremely cool. It has a ton of stuff... lots I would like to get. The photo above is a college of some of the cool stuff you could get. I picked out a bunch of little things.. but ended up not having enough money with me *(they only take cash folks).. so I will go back tomorrow.

I am being 'encouraged' to stay until next friday so that I can be Godmother to my neice's son who will be baptised that night. So -- we'll see. I think we have found a good/affordable dishwasher and microwave for my folks. I also found a lady who does massage.. so I made an appointment for Monday for both my mother and I.

I am trying to fill my days with good thoughts, peace, health... and photo taking.
Oh-- and my nephew slaughtered my neice at pool last night. YIKES. But -- good coffee, good company, and some wicked cool pool playing.

news from Potter County



photos by Elaine A. Russell

I think that I have been here about 10 days now --- not including travel time.
It has rained every single day. Today.. it has been an all day affair.
I mention this because Sabrina is spoiled by the lack of rain in ABQ, and doesn't think she can go outside if it is wet... she just doesn't like to get her paws wet I guess. She has been "holding it" all day.. and I think she is going to have to give up pretty soon.

The birds don't mind the rain. So far today we have seen robins, cardinals, finches, swallows, an evening grossbeak, an indigo bunting, a rose breasted grossbeak, some nuthatches, and lots of hummingbirds. We certainly don't get this kind of variety in ABQ.

We just fed some crackers to some wild ducks that came into the yard.. they were stunning. There were 3 female mallards.. and one had some gorgeous blue markings on her feathers. I took some photos, but I don't have much of a zoom lens, so none of them are very close. Someday I will have a better camera and lenses. Someday.

In other news.. I have been helping my dad gather and wrap tons of change he had stashed about the house. Not sure what he was saving it all for... but we made an impressive deposit into his checking account. We also cashed in some bonds he had. In the next few days, he wants me to help him shop for a new microwave and a new dishwasher for the house. They have lived in this house for about 10yrs, and have never had a dishwasher, and the microwave died awhile ago.. so I guess it's about time.
I am also going to be helping him look for a new car... that is... a second hand car in good shape. Their current car is about 10yrs old, and was recently hit by another driver; so he wants to trade it in.
Today we went and bought a brand new mattress, boxspring, and frame set for my brother.

So -- doing a few errands.

Tonight I am going to head on down to the Hotel Crittenden, where both my neice and my nephew are playing pool. They will actually be playing against each other in differnt leagues... so I will have to root for both somehow. Should be fun.

to be known

photo by Elaine A. Russell

I was going to write about something completely different today.. and I have changed my mind. I got a phone call from a dear friend of mine. Probably one of the most influential people in my life... In fact, if I could choose to be like anyone in the world, it would be a combination of this lady and the older lady I spoke about in my blog several days past.
Nancy was my Sunday school teacher as a child, but she left the church (for many reasons) years ago. She was one of the few people in this world who actually understood me as a kid... helped me emotionally through some of the worst years of my life... and still loves me. I have always thought of her as sort of an older sister.. although she is technically old enough to be my mother.
She now lives on a farm near Ulysses PA ( not near anything ). At one time, her father owned the entire valley she lives in. She and her husband own about 70 acres now. They have a horse, a dog, some hens, a beautiful pond, a barn... and an extraordinarly gorgeous home. The home encompasses what was once the farmhouse, but they have expanded and tweaked it over the years. They have these stunning windows that look out over the entire valley.. and a wonderful wrap-around deck to sit on and enjoy the views. She took me on a drive in her truck all around the "back 40" so to speak. We walked thru the woods. We named all kinds of flowers and trees. We walked around the pond. We startled bullfrogs, ate raspberries, and watched the sun set. We talked about life, love, and learning.....We talked about families, and priorities. We talked about illness and death. We talked about the meat and bones of life that most people avoid talking about. We talked about religion, and philosphy.
We also watched as Sabrina found her new-found joy in life... rolling in bear shit. And, we gave her her 3rd bath of the week or so for having rolled in it. ..again.
We went back to the house and had eggs and toast, discussing books all the while. The day ended far too quickly.
As soon as I am able, I will post some photos of her spot of heaven. In the meantime, I am relishing in being known. Being understood. Being loved for who I am. She and her husband are truly some of the best people I know. And some day -- when I grow up, I want to be like them.

lazy and hazy days of summer


my Aunt Adeline and my Uncle Donald. They will be married 60yrs in October of this year.
photo by Elaine A. Russell



Today I was all hung over from the Benadryl I took last night for my allergies. I slept in til noon.. AND.. took a nap later on.
So.. needless to say, it has been a rather lazy day. Reminds me of the song "those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.." I think Nat King Cole did it..but it's ringing in my head. My brother used to work at the local radio station a lifetime ago, and I remember most all the songs from that era. Plus, my mother is a HUGE music buff.. one of those people who can name a song that goes with any part of a conversation. Say you mention the color blue.. she would pipe up every song from "Blue Bayou" to "Blue Suede Shoes", "Am I Blue" to"Red Roses for a Blue Lady..." and so on it goes until someone begs her to stop. She was a great fan of Name That Tune.. tv show from the 70's. She would have made a fortune if she ever got on that show.
I am sitting here in the kitchen doorway to the outside patio. I can hear the creek behind me. There is a hummingbird only about 2 feet away slurping on a flower. There is a family of cardinals at a birdfeeder about 5 feet away.. and the cutest little chipmunk is eating seed that has spilled out of the feeder and onto the grass. Sabrina is laying at my feet, tired from having chased a cat out of the yard.
My mother had a "spell" today. She gets terribly light headed. I am sure it is her blood pressure. She has had horrible health problems her entire life. I tried to talk her into taking a nap... but the best I could do was to get her to at least sit down in her chair. My dad has been making progress on cataloguing his book collection in the basement... some 8,000 or so.. and I am not even exagerating. Does anyone want a paperback collection >!
**In other news.... I understand that the Re-Animation Show at the Factory on 5th went extremely well. Much kudos to all the artists !! and especially Kristin who not only put out and handled her stuff... but mine as well. love ya.




saturday ... in the park....

Red Headed Stepchild-- at the gazebo in Coudersport, PA





train cars being remodeled near Mt. Jewett Pa by Elaine A. Russell



Today has been rather busy. When you live in the country... the week is full of chores, and if there is anything fun to be done.. it has to be on the weekend. Saturday brings the residents of Potter County out and about as much as anything does.
Today there was a Farmer's Market in the town square/park, and monthly book sale put on by the local library. I got fresh peas, salad greens and leeks. Made an awesome salad for dinner.

Over near Austin Pa is the "Dam Show" ... a yearly musical treat located at the ruins of what used to be the Austin Dam. Here is what happened there : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Dam.
This is another really good blog about it: http://caris-photo-journal.blogspot.com/2008/02/austin-dam-disaster.html.

One of the bands featured at the show is Red Headed Stepchild. A local group, now located in Nashville. They have been wowing people here for years. http://www.redheaded-stepchild.com/index.htm
As a special treat.. they put on a free 2hour show at the Farmer's Market as a teaser for tonight's show at the Austin "Dam Show."
I was able to pick up a couple of their CDS, schmooz with the band, and even got a photo (see above).

Then I was off to a birthday party for a "sorta" nephew. It was a great party with some great people.

The majority of the afternoon was spent watching torrential rains coming down. I think if it rains any more -- I will have to go mushroom hunting.

I also got to play with some friend's pet rabbits. Adorable... but now my eyes are almost swollen shut. Ah well.

And in other news... I found a home for the dog I mentioned in my blog. She is now on a farmette in the rolling hills and woods of Sweden Valley.. about 6 miles out of town. She is living with people who run a Dog rescue. I can just imagine her herding all the other dogs at the rescue and playing in the fields. She was very excited to be in the car riding up there.. and immediately allowed the owner to pick her up and give her some lovin. It was awesome. http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/73589.html

Kiara's tale



--photos by Elaine A. Russell

Things the past couple of days have been a blur. Not so much because there is a ton of things going on.. but more because I feel as if I am in time warp of sorts.
Walking the dog, doing dishes, cooking, running errands, visiting with people... all normal events -- somehow becoming a bit contorted with this whole sense of deja vu.

I am trying to find a new home for my neighbor's dog. The dog is a gorgeous 2yr old female Sheltie. She is smart, adorable, potty trained.. and starved for attention. When she is bored.. she barks. Which is alot of the time.. so needless to say, alot of the neighbors will be glad when she finds a new home. She is a wonderful baby. She just needs something to do and someone to be a companion to. Like alot of dogs ( and people too ) she finds meaning in having a task that she is responsible for... and right now, she doesn't have one. So far, I have found 3 potential homes for her... so we'll see how this goes. I would gladly keep her myself, but I think that Sabrina would not be happy with me. Her name is Kiara.

And so they day goes on. The weather has been interesting. I have never seen a summer in Potter County this mild. It has rained every day since I have been here. Then the sun will come out near sundown, and it will be gorgeous out. Sabrina is happily playing in the grass.. although she has had a bath 2 nights in a row because she rolls in bear scat. Silly girl.

A neighbor is playing "America" .. specifically "Sister Golden Hair" on his stereo... while he tends to his garden. Children scream up the street at the local baseball field. ... ducks are honking in the creek behind the house.... these are the sounds of Coudersport PA.

**If you are in Albuquerque.. don't forget to go to the Re-Animation Show at the Factory on 5th tonight from 7-11pm. There will be about 20 or so artists, a fashion show, movies and more !!! Kristin will have both her and my artwork out. Plus there is a very cool Zombie themed bunch of art entries for you to vote "best of show" on !

changes

powerlines in Ohio

back roads to Smethport, PA

vintage Mobile gas sign near Wadsworth, Ohio
All photos by Elaine A. Russell


I've been thinking alot lately. I remember the phrase "you can't go home again..."
I always interpreted it in the context of how things change. Buildings, homes, roads.. etc. Places and objects that are etched in your memory.. that are never the same as what you remember from your youth.

It is true. My home town (population 2000 --including cows)... has certainly changed over the years. New businesses have come and gone like people change their socks. Homes change their appearance. We actually have a McDonald's now in town. And there are 2 traffic lights now in the main part of town... both of which go to blinking yellow after 6pm.

Some things don't change. There is still only one theater... only open on the weekends. One bowling alley... that has definitely seen better days. 13 bars, 13 churches (you gotta have these things balanced).

I've been thinking that the phrase means so much more. More on a human level. How people change over the years. Sometimes it's for the better, sometimes it's not. I've run into several people from high school. The only reunion I have been to was my 10th reunion. I just haven't been able to get back for the others. It occurred to me that I have been out of school for 27 years. Seems impossible. On one hand, it seems like only yesterday, and in many others.. a lifetime ago.

People seem so different, and yet, so much like they were too. It's a strange paradox.

And then I noticed how very different.. and yet, how very much the same members of my family are. Life and circumstance have changed us all in different ways.

I think I am beginning to finally like who I have become.

you can't pick your family

railroad station in Kane, PA

chicory plants in Indiana

scenic Route 6 near Roulette, PA
all photos by Elaine A. Russell

You can't pick your family. But if I would have been able to, there are members of my family I would have chosen -- for sure. Yesterday I got up and took my mom over to Bradford PA... about an hour's drive away ... to get her hair cut.
When my mother was a young girl, some of her family moved from Philadelpia PA to the very very small inlet of Mina PA. Population around 20. Seriously. My mom was the youngest girl out of 10 children, and had severe asthma. Her mother brought my mom, and a couple other siblings up "to the country" for her health, and stayed on the farm of a cousin. It was fortuitous, as that is how my mother ended up meeting my father. I can't imagine what it would have been like to move from a bustling city-- to the middle of nowhere. And my grandmother, who was willing to drop everything she knew and loved, including my grandfather, to save her child. My grandmother was an interesting lady.. very bold and independant for her time.
One of my cousins lives in Bradford, and cuts my mother's hair for free. Her mother (my aunt) passed away 9 yrs ago, and she has sorta adopted my mother as her own. Kim (my cousin) is sweet. My mother, being one of 10 children, has tons of family... and as such... I have tons of cousins. In fact, alot of them I haven't even met. But Kim, I remembered from fourth of July picnics with cousins over the years.
We then went to visit another of my mother's siblings... my Aunt Adeline. She is my favorite aunt....and her hubby is definately my fav uncle. My aunt looks like Queen Elizabeth. I am not even joking. When she traveled years ago to England to visit her one son who was stationed there in the military, she got stopped multiple times for autographs and salutations. .. thinking she was the Queen and had gone "slumming" amongst the commonfolk.
My Uncle, is a veteran of WWII. He saw alot of combat in Europe, and was priveledged to have liberated a concentration camp. He was also a photographer, and has images in his attack that he won't show anyone from his war years. At one point, he got trapped behind enemy lines and hid in the cellar of a farmhouse, surviving on potatoes and shear will. He is now 88.. and is still a vibrant, energetic man. He makes cabinetry, and still rides snowmobile and ATV with local clubs. I adore these people. It was sad to hear that they are going thru some rough spots with health and such. But I know that they are of hardy stock... that they will overcome.
We then went to visit another Uncle. He was married to another sister of my mother's. She passed away years ago, and he has since remarried (at age 86 ! ).. and I got to meet his new wife. He is a retired architect, who now has a thriving profession as a painter. He loves to paint scenics and what people consider 'americana.' He is also sort of a character. He reminds me of the Rat Pack of the 60's... having his cocktails on the patio before supper....gazing off into the woods and working on his latest painting. I remember years ago after he retired, he worked for the shriners. He went to clown school down in Florida, and happily made balloon animals and drove those funny little cars you see in small town parades. He has a crazy laugh.. sort of like Muttly from the Whacky Racers cartoons.
They are a colorful bunch... and ones I am proud to be related to. Not that they are perfect. No. But they have overcome the things they've been dealt, and have managed to still enjoy themselves and have loved well. They have a driving passion; be it.. playing music on the church organ, painting, carpentry... whatever.
What more can you ask.....

and finally

driving across the mighty Missouri river... (don't take photos and drive folks )

Japanese beetles in Indiana

country ponds and farmland in Ohio
All photos by Elaine A. Russell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

so -- there as a major thunderstorm here last night, and I could not get a connection to the internet. Being in the middle of nowhere certainly has it's advantages.. but internet capabilities is NOT one of them.

My parents are ---shall we say--- very religious. They do not have cable, they only watch one religious tv station that they get via dish network. They do not listen to the radio. They do not watch movies made after 1960. So -- they do not, nor ever intend to get... a computer or internet. Sometimes I can get a connection on my laptop if I sit out near the bank of the river. I am sure I am sponging the signal off of someone.. I just don't know who. Anyway, I can usually only get one bar of connectivity... sometimes 2 bars if I am very lucky.

One of the advantages of being here is definitely the scenery. As I was traveling, it was very interesting to see how the topography changes from state to state. So much more rain and green. Of course, along with that comes humidity... but alas.

The photos are ones I took on my travel to PA.
I love the idea of taking sort of a photo journal of my travels... come ride along with me :)

the day after

Wind farm in Oklahoma

vintage cans at Heartland Antique Mall in Lebanon, MO

amazing rainbow between Roulette and Coudersport, PA


Today I have been very tired. I slept quite well, and woke up around 11am to the sound of my brother mowing the lawn. Having lived in Albuquerque since 1995, we don't have grass in our yard.. and neither do most of our neighbors. So, at first, it was a foreign noise. I quickly figured it out.
My brother is an interesting person. He and I do not exactly get along very well.. but we are polite, and try not to annoy each other when we are in each other's presence. Sometimes this is easier said than done... but such is life. He rambled on about the local politics and bias in this small town... and as a parting comment (as he road on his bike down the street) was "did I say hello?" ...not waiting for a reply.
Visited a friend from years ago. She is almost 86, and is an amazing person. I want to be like her when I grow up. She is very smart, loves to read, garden, and travel. She is going on a woman's retreat this weekend. Today when I drove up, she was happily removing Japanese beetles from her asparagus ferns and drowning them in soapy water. We chatted about philosophy and life while sitting on her back porch listening to the hummingbirds fly by. She is in the middle of remodeling her bathroom with her grandson. He is doing alot of the carpentry and plumbing, and she is doing the rest.. saying... "I want to make it handicap friendly just in case I need it in the future." Somehow, I can't see this energetic, effervescent woman in a wheelchair.
Went to the local Chinese restaurant and ordered take-out for dinner. Everything was really good... except that I mistakenly got pork fried rice.. which my parents won't eat. OOPS.
Then my niece called, and I ended up helping her move furniture around her house. She is a divorced/single mom of 3 kids, 2 of whom are special needs. She is doing amazingly well with her kids, and I am so proud of her.
Went to Rite Aid (our town's version of Walgreen's), and was able to get my trip photos off of the camera and onto CDs. This way I can load my photos and work on getting all the spots from my crappy lens off of the pictures. Also got Sabrina some food.. and visited with my mom's neighbor who works there.
I am starting to run in to alot of people I know from when I was a kid....it's a small town after all. Should be an interesting visit.
more to come.........