12-15-17


Happy Friday!
Today I've been re-organizing my Etsy and Ebay shops... and trying to figure out presents for folks.
Supper was leftovers... and we've a movie on tv for mom to enjoy.
It's been a day of catching up and figuring out things I need to get done over the next week or so.
See you all tomorrow 💚

12-14-17


 Winter has arrived with a dumping of snow these last couple of days... and it is gorgeous, albeit cold.
I've been trying to catch up on some things... a bit unsuccessfully... and it is frustrating. 
I need to remind myself that I am a full-time caretaker of my mom, and things have changed as far as what I am able to get done during my waking hours... and that sometimes it's more important to rest, than it is to get something checked off my "to-do" list. 

I wonder what ZeeZe thinks when he looks outside the windows at the snow.
I wonder if he remembers before he came to us... and was outside all the time.
Summer... winter... deep snow and all. 
I know how very much he loves the blankets... and this afternoon he was gleefully romping in the bed in and out of all the quilts.
Such a sweet boy.
See you all tomorrow.


12-13-17


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

Rebekkah Lynn was born on a sweltering morning just outside Beaumont, Texas to her parents Marshall and Jean. She was the youngest of 6 girls... and her father  --- modest accountant by day, was a bootlegger by night. It was the early 1950s... and the demand for homemade brews was strong in the region. Rebekkah adored her father, and followed him everywhere; so it was no surprise to find her having hid in the backseat of his "delivery truck" on his many nightly jaunts. No one minded though. The buyers all gave her candy and a pat on the head. She was a cheerful girl with a ready smile.. and everyone loved her.
As she grew older, she became involved in all the school plays, musicals... cheer-leading... anything that catered to her more outgoing personality.
After graduation, she won the Miss Texas title in 1969... and intended to try for Miss USA.
Such was not to be though... she fell madly in love with one of the military escorts for the pageant... a young Marine named Tommy.
It was a quick and passionate affair... and by fall they were married.
Tommy was equally passionate about his military service; which took him to Cambodia during the Viet Nam war. He never returned. It was rumored that he had died protecting a young family during some illegal genocide maneuvers... but, of course, it could never be confirmed.
Rebekkah Lynn was inconsolable. She spoke to no one for almost a year... and then, just as suddenly, she moved to San Francisco and moved into the art district. She began designing music posters, festival posters, protest posters... and was amazingly good at it. Soon, she became the "go to" person for any young band wanting something new and exciting for their promotions.
She excelled in her work, thrived on the culture, blossomed in the sights and sounds of the sunny west coast.
But something was always "missing"... and she couldn't put her finger on it.
She retired to the wilds of New Mexico, and was still active in the art community there.
There, she began creating full on paintings... gorgeous abstract renderings of her life in the music scene,
and she began growing medical marijuana for the burgeoning health industry there.
Of course, she also "dispensed samples" to those who needed it... and thus she came full circle. Driving around in the middle of the night in her jeep... delivering goods to her friends and neighbors. It was reckless, it was dangerous... and of course, against the law...
not unfamiliar terms for her... and that's alright... she thought...
as she tipped her hat and drove off into the moonlight, a coyote howling in the distance.

12-12-17


Today was a good day.
I was able to get my eyes checked (first time in about 8yrs)... and hopefully I will find an affordable pair of glasses online later this week. While my eyesight is slightly worse, my astigmatism is actually improved; and (in theory) my eyesight will continue to improve now as the years go on as opposed to getting worse. It's a modern day miracle... especially for someone like me who has been legally blind since I was little. 
I was also able to stop into our local bookstore, and pick up a couple presents for folks for Christmas.
And of course, today is TACO TUESDAY at one of the local restaurants, so we've some fabulous brisket tacos for dinner.


Tonight I hope to rest a bit.... because tomorrow will be another busy day.
See you all tomorrow.

12-11-17


It's been a busy several days. 
We continue to work a little bit at a time on my mom's "new" room. 
There are now cold & light blocking curtains, her little tv is hooked up .. 
and we have more of her stuff up here. 
The tree is all decorated for the holidays (and has been up since the 1st)... 
and we got a gorgeous wreathe from a local crafts-person for our front door (see below).



And we've also been trying really hard to enjoy some "downtime" when we have it... 
as evidenced by ZeeZe's photo below 💚

Today, being Monday... I tried to get all the usual stuff for the week done: laundry, dishes, vacuuming and dusting, sweeping, collecting the recycling, watering/trimming plants, checking mail, checking my Etsy and Ebay shops... etc. I also helped mom get ready, as she is going to an event tonight at the school. 
I have so much work to catch up for my Etsy business... that I am a bit overwhelmed... 
but it will come. It will come. 
And for now... there are other priorities. 
See you all tomorrow.

12-8-17


Happy Friday!
I was up late last night, puttering around the house... so I am rather wiped out this am.
But I do hope to get caught up on a few things later if at all possible.

I also finished Truman Capote's novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's, " and am working on "In Cold Blood." 
Not sure I am a fan of either work.... but, he does have a very read-able writing style. 

The photo for today's post is one I took back in 2011, at a bus stop in Albuquerque. 
There is great beauty in the solitude of night... and I think lots of folks miss it. 
Being more of a night person.... I love it.

12-7-17


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

Like me today... Frank always felt like he was "a day late and a dollar short."
Last to be picked by teams in his youth... never had a date for the prom...
his first car was a lemon, sold by a shady car dealer in the next town over.

He just couldn't get a break.
He tried to join the military, but was rejected because of his flat feet.
He dated a girl he worked with, Florence, for 3yrs... and when he went to propose... discovered she had had another boyfriend all along when she handed him an invitation to her wedding the next month.
He worked every day, but time after time he was looked over for promotions.
Even his dog preferred the company of the family next door... often leaving the house in the morning and returning at suppertime.
Through it all... he got by.
He enjoyed the little things.
Tv dinners while watching his favorite shows...
bowling with the league on Tuesdays...
fishing in the Keys with his brother Fred...

After retirement, Frank moved to Florida, where his life actually improved.
He joined a "seniors" group, and met a vivacious little blond named Phyllis.
They married, and began touring the USA, one casino at a time in a baby blue Winnebago.
Sometimes they won big... some times they didn't win at all..
but they always had fun.
They got a cat, that Phyllis named Sinatra... and they would often play records and dance in the parking lots of whatever casino they were at, while Sinatra looked at them from the window of the Winnie. Life was sweet...

12-6-17


Yesterday I was able to carve out a few minutes, and took some photos of a few LEGO pieces to sell.
I've been trying really hard to get things done... but logistically it is almost impossible most times.
It's a conundrum... and we will get through it.
But it does mean that I am way behind on making and gathering things... 
which means I am way behind on selling things... which means our bottom line is a bit anorexic.
For today... I am grateful for dinner that my daughter made... 
laundry being mostly done.. and my pup ZeeZe.
See you all tomorrow.




12-4-17


 I've been trying to work on things a very little bit at a time... 
and these are some of the things I listed for sale on my Facebook page 
(and will be available in the Etsy shop this week if they haven't sold).

We also were able to get a (much needed -- sort of an early present from Kristin and I) desk for Jim,
 and he is setting up a small work-space in our bedroom.
Last night and tonight, is this year's SUPER MOON... and it's been gorgeous.
Hope you are all doing well... see you tomorrow.



for the weekend


Christmas lights aglow
making a cherry hello
Holidays at home...

-------------------------------------------

((I think I have over-dosed on those Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel that my mom loves so much...
But I do like the photo))

12-1-17


This is a photo I took a few years ago, but I love it and thought I would share it again.
It's hard to believe that it's December already... and another year has flown by.
This year has brought so very many changes, not the least of which is having my mom now living with us. 

Today, I have a ton of work I need to be catching up on.... 
but I may just have to make some tea and sit by the window for a bit. 
See you all tomorrow.

11-30-17


Yesterday, mom had a surprise visit from her only living sibling... my Aunt Adeline. She is wonderful, and took my mom out for lunch. Unfortunately, last night was a blur of difficulty, as mom was tired and completely out of sorts and argumentative. 
Such is life. Each day is an adventure.

For today... I am trying to sort through things. ... and find some more things of mine to potentially sell. 
I am back-logged on some things I have to make... and there is much (in general) to be done...  
and I must confess... I am a bit overwhelmed.
Time for some tea....

See you all tomorrow.

11-29-17




Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

JoyceAnne was born prematurely... seems like she was always in a rush.
Hurrying here.... hurrying there... there was so very much to see and do.
Even as a child... she didn't walk or crawl... she RAN.
And growing up in the hills of South Dakota... she had plenty of room to run wild and free.
But her favorite thing, was being out in nature.
All day long she would play with the deer and rabbits in the forest.
She listened to the calls of the birds and memorized them.
She learned the Latin names of all the plants. She foraged for mushrooms and berries.
She loved the strand of tall pines in the foothills, and would often hike to them and climb them in her bare feet.
By the time she was in her 20s, she had become the "local" expert, and was often sought after to lead hunting and camping expeditions. After all, she knew those woods better than anyone.
So it was no wonder, when one sunny winter day she received a distressing phone call.
A small plane containing one passenger and the pilot had not shown up to it's destination 2 days earlier... and was presumed lost. The last known sighting of it, was in the nearby mountains. Could JoyceAnne possibly lead the search parties to the areas in the high hills to look for survivors? Of course, the answer was "yes"... and she packed her gear and headed out. It took 3 days to find the crash-site. The pilot, it was presumed, had died on impact, but was found buried under a low-lying bush. Meaning, that lone passenger had survived. But where was he? Parts of wreckage were everywhere. ...but there were no other signs of life. There were a few tracks heading southwest... and JoyceAnne set her course to follow. The rest of the search party, weary and sore... not accustomed to the climbing they had done... vowed to call ahead to the next town to see if he had shown up there. They would search again in a day after a good -night's rest back at their homes. But not JoyceAnne.
She found him the next afternoon, suffering from severe frostbite and dehydration, collapsed in a hillside cave, both of his feet broken, and in some kind of handmade brace made from twigs.... but he was alive.

Years later, they would tell the tale of how she half-carried... half pulled him down the mountains on a sled made from tree limbs and some rope she had brought with her. How they fell in love the minute they laid eyes on each other. How he knew she was heaven-sent, and how she knew that her whole life had been a "school" ... teaching her and leading her up to that moment when all her knowledge of the woods, plants and survival would aid her in saving the love of her life.
And so it was.

11-28-17


I must admit... I didn't get much done today.
But I did give a shower to mom's mammoth Christmas Cactus that I brought up from her house last night. I bought this plant when I was only about 8yrs old. I had gone to a church Bazaar at the Presbyterian church and for 25cents, I got this fabulous baby plant in a styrofoam cup.
Needless to say, it is larger... and about 45yrs older. It practically filled my tub.

I also got a much needed... and much appreciated nap (as did my mom and ZeeZe).
In other news... my daughter found this photo of my dad (he is on the right) in an old book at my mom's. 
I am guessing that my dad is about 14 or 15? 
I have no idea who the other guy is... but it sure is cool. 
See you all tomorrow.

11-27-17


These past few days have been a balancing act.... a bit of a juggling act.... well, you get the idea.
(hence, the photo)

Mom is getting settled a bit more in her new room at our house, and we think we may have found a nice little camper/tiny home for my daughter... we'll see. Of course, things are in flux, and will be for quite a bit I am sure. Today I was able to move most of her clothing up to her new room, along with her indoor plants. Tomorrow, she and I hope to go through the clothing and set aside things she won't/ can't wear.. or is no longer interested in keeping. 

I also hope to be making a bunch of new things for the Etsy shop for the holidays... so please stay tuned. The past week or so I have been working on a bunch of envelopes. Here are a few of them -- hunting and fishing, really old maps, calendars (Vargas art and Ireland)... 

Have a good night and I'll see you all tomorrow.


11-22-17


Sorry for my absence here... but let's see if I can catch this up.
Friday afternoon, my mom had an emotional crisis; and I believe, had a TIA. She refused to go to the hospital, and came to my home for a "sleep-over" to try to get her calmed down and a bit more settled. Things.... evolved.
Over the course of the weekend, it became quite apparent that she needed more help than she was willing to admit. And while my husband, daughter and I were checking in with her multiple times a day (with increasing frequency over the past year)... and she was coming to eat dinner nightly with us... it just wasn't enough.
We are now in the process of clearing out my daughter's bedroom, and hope to paint, decorate, and furnish it for my mom. Kristin, has been exploring all kinds of alternative living arrangements within our (980+ square foot, 2 bedroom home)... and we think we might have a really good option coming in the near future. For now, things are a bit crazy, but we are all together... we are warm, fed, and sheltered.


In the meantime, we've been trying to get some semblance of a routine started... and have been occupying her thoughts with lots of vintage movies and music that she loves. Yesterday, an enormous tree collapsed and took out a couple transformers and power lines in our neighborhood; causing the power to be out all afternoon and into the evening. So... we had a fire in the fireplace (mom was cold), candles all over... and I played her a movie on my laptop while she snuggled our pup ZeeZe (who has fallen in love with my mom and often curls up at her feet). Meals have been simple, but nutritious... and she has been sleeping and eating better than she probably has in a long while. There are lots of things to figure out... but because I work from home, this seemed the best solution, as I can be with her all the time.
And... tomorrow is Thanksgiving. 

I have no idea how this will all pan out. That said, when I promised my dad back in 2010 that I would take care of mom; I meant it. Moving back here to PA in 2013 (and only a block from my mom's house) was a major shift in that care... and now we've another huge shift. 
Much love to you all, and I will try to post tomorrow.