Elk

We've lived in the woods some 20 odd years and this sight was a first for us. I took this picture from my porch with my iPhone.

The Secret Life of Cats

Oliver showed up a few years ago wearing a collar tag with his name and a phone number.  I called and said "Your sweet Oliver cat is here trying to move in with me" He said "You can keep him. We moved." HOW COULD THEY!

Goody for me!  The universe sends me a cat when I need one. Oliver is a "big, bad farm cat" and a bed lounger. Best cat ever.

I've always known that he was a superior being. The tv show, The Secret Life of Cats, on Nat Geo Wild proved it to me. It will be on again Nov. 1. I highly recommend.

"That Girl" wannabe

My high school graduation photo, 1968

There are braces under that non-smile. I'm so grateful that the photographer said "No. Don't smile"

Interview with Meggiecat

Repost from August 2008

The interview with me has been published on CraftStylish. I'm taken with Diane's introduction and was surprised when she first proposed the interview that there might be any interest in a craft business from the "olden days" ;-)

Great Concert Experience

Steve Winwood was in fine form but the Heartbreakers and Tom Petty really rocked it.
It was 96 degrees, beautiful sunset then full moon and stars. 20 thousand hot, sweaty, happy people dancing and singing. Last night goes to the top 10 of my concert favorites. I thought Mark Knopfler was great last month but the experience in this venue was nothing short of spectacular. I stood through the entire set! I can do it if I want it enough. The band played a great rendition of Gloria during the encore; the place was rockin'. Here is a good YouTube Video of it.
We left the amphitheater about 1 AM and arrived home about 7 AM. It's been a long time since we had an all night date.

My husband snapped this pic of me during a rest stop on the way to the concert.
Click the pictures for larger versions. I'm starting to accept my wrinkles......I earned them.

In the past I've tried to keep personal stuff out of this blog. I'll be sharing a little more in the future for friends and family. Hope you don't mind.

Tom Petty Tonight

My husband and I have attended rock concerts for the last 30 years and always have a great date when we do. Tonight we are headed for the Gorge at George Amphitheater in Washington.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Steve Winwood as the opening act. We will be in row 26 in the center of the section left of the stage.

I haven't been in a venue this large since I lived in Colorado and last saw the Doobies at Redrocks not long after my radiation therapy. My husband had to practically carry me out of there, I had danced too much.
Now I have to pray that everybody in front of me doesn't stand the entire time since I can't dance the night away. I've had some fear about this venue.....look at how large it is! That is a lot of walking.
Think of me tonight still rockin' out.
Tom Petty AND Steve Winwood. Wow.

Great Vacation

I am rejuvenated, refreshed and had more fun than I have had in many years. This was my first ever "me time" vacation. My dear sister, Elizabeth, pampered me and I spent many hours in her backyard living as a cat. I did not have to do anything but be. I called it time spent at "Spa Sister"

Then there was my 40th high school reunion. It was for both high schools in our town and most people were from classes '66 through '69. I am class of '68. It was up there as one of the best parties ever! Many of us stayed at a nearby Hilton the night of the reunion. I had adjoining rooms with Ann and Susan who I had not seen in 40 years. We laughed and had a great time before the party and would have been more than satisfied sharing time with each other had the party been a dud.
This picture of Susan and me was taken at the reunion. There are more pictures on other people's cameras that I'm hoping to get.

Susan had come to my sister's home and treated me to a great haircut in the backyard. We were together when the earthquake hit. She is so much fun and as beautiful inside as out.
The evening of the reunion we took a cab to the restaurant. Here's the story:

As I stepped out of the taxi and saw the party spilling out of the patio at Schmidt's I wondered "Who are all those old people?" Then I knew it was us.

Throughout the evening I came to the realization that each of us were the still the same only better. We had aged like fine wine. All had been tested by fire, experienced joy and deep sadness. I sensed an aura of contentment, that we are happy with ourselves and had learned much on the paths our lives had taken.

It was wonderful to see siblings, childhood sweethearts still together and gather news of those who weren't attending.

There were poignant moments, too, as I learned of classmates no longer with us, the damages of life and the Vietnam War. It was with trepidation that I asked after parents who had kept a watchful eye on me. My sadness on hearing of some passings and joy that many parents are living incredible lives still.

I'm in awe of us. We were cool then. Still are.

P.S. I got a couple of "Damn, you're hot" comments, always good for a girl's ego. One man asked "How did I miss you?" My reply "4'11", braces, dork, straight A girl" Another man asked about the reason I have difficulty walking. "It's a boring, old lady story that I don't want to tell" From someone behind me in the group I hear a "Right On!"
God forbid I ever turn into that elderly woman only too happy to explain her list of maladies!
The party was an injection from the fountain of youth and still feels really good.

My Dad Is Happy

The Old Professor has finally been properly recognized in print. He's had a short story published -- a very short story. Dang, he makes me laugh. See his post.

Well Wishes

Today is the 6th day of drilling. 340 ft. drilled and cased and still no water. We were hoping for better but this isn't a surprise. Our property is on a hill and the drill site is at the highest point.

June asked how the drillers know where to drill. In our case there are a number of factors such as where the equipment is able to be located, where the septic system is and how far from the house to trench and install pipe and electricity. We have to rely on the driller's experience and knowledge of the geology.

Our house is located at the top of the hill and the septic is on the downside of the house. Our current well is at the bottom of the hill and is very shallow, old and has magnesium dirty water requiring a number of filters. We knew this when we purchased the property for the cost of land only. This well has two pumps to get water up here and when the electricity is out so is the water.

Our goal is quality water and a storage tank so we have gravity feed to the house when the power goes out.

These pictures were taken last Friday. The driller told us he was through the clay layer and was starting to hit sandstone and rock. We need rock layers. So far there had been a river of grey clay and a smooth sound to the drill. This morning the clay has changed to tan color and I can hear the drill start to bounce. That's the sound of rock but so far it hasn't been constant.
Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Forever a Girl Scout

My Promise:


On my honor,
I will try
To serve God
and my country
To help people at all times
And to live by the
Girl Scout Law

The Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting a troop of Brownies holding their first cookie sale outside at the grocery store. They were shy and eager, not quite sure about attracting attention. Some had been visited by the toothfairy but they all were adorable; so proud of working to earn their first trip to camp.

These days I see so many young people flashing their hand signals so I thought I would share mine in the picture above. That's my hand and my Brownie pin.

Kids of Summer

The handsome young man on the far right is my father.
Click for a larger view.

Happy Birthday Sister Sweetpea

This photo of my sister, P. and me was taken by our father shortly after we moved to California. He had sent it to my grandparents and on the back he wrote " These are the kids in front of the fence. They are standing where we now have sweetpeas coming up."

Happy birthday Sister. You're still a sweetpea.

First Snow

I took this picture of Buddy waiting patiently by the glass door. He loves the snow.

Thank you

I want to thank all of you who were kind enough to leave condolence comments and those who took the time to e-mail. I'm overwhelmed by your friendship.
Maybe you would like to see the rest of my critter family.
Frankie came to us as a kitten last year. Some moron left him and his 2 tortie sisters at the bottom of our hill in a taped up box. His sisters went to live with a friend and Frankie grew to be our "monkey boy". He likes to sleep in the bathroom sink and keep watch over everything from the top of my computer chair. That chair is 20 inches wide. He's a big moose who brings me at least one "gift" a day of a mouse or a mole.

Lulu came with our house. The previous owners just left her here 6 years ago. She is the sweetest, most polite girl. She had never been inside before but is now a bed lounger. She has really blossomed since Meggie passed. Megs was a "Queenie Bean" and really quite horrid to her. Lulu is now my lap cat with her squeaky motor purr.

Buddy was adopted from Animal Control in June of last year. He's a Red Heeler who thinks his job is herding cats. The wonder is that they all get along very well.

Frankie asks for lovies from the dog more often than he asks me.

I think maybe that is enough personal stuff; hope you weren't too bored.
You've been sweet, good friends and I do appreciate your caring words.

Bye Baby Kitty

Thanks for sharing your life with me.
Meggie 1987-2005

The real Meggiecat

You've probably noticed that I've been MIA for much of the summer. One of the reasons is that this blog's namesake, Meggie, has been very ill. She's in renal failure but is getting some intensive nursing care here at home that included giving her IV fluids under her skin twice a day. She has improved quite a bit and now only has to have the fluids every other day. Poor Megs; no more snacks and treats including her favorite, ice cream.

She and I have been together for nearly 19 years of perfect companionship. She's taken good care of me and I'll do the same for her for the time we have left together.
Our veterinarian is very compassionate and will tell me when it's time to let her go.

So, I thought you might want to see the cat who chose me.


I'll get back to normal soon. I'm about a month behind responding to e-mail and hope that everyone will understand. Thanks for letting me share.

My Dad is Famous ;- )

There was an article in the Monterey Herald about my father and wonderful stepmother.
Dad tells the story in his blog.
Fame and Fortune

Aren't they cute? So very much in love.

MY BROTHER, THE ROCK SINGER

Please visit my Dad's blog to read his story about my brother, Michael Henry.
Here is the story.
I added a little story in the comments.

Mike is the blonde in the center of this photo.
I miss him.

Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam

I live about 50 miles southwest of Mt. St. Helens but I can't see it because the the hills block the view. Next best...
Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam

Paulz Blog

He sees weirdness in the mundane. He's my dad.