I thought I was going to get some organizing done yesterday. Not. I did get some sewing done and made one pair of earrings. Decided I didn't like the head pins I had for the earrings so that scotched that project. The quilt top is coming along nicely, though. It's going to be a gift, I've decided, for a family member (no, not you K, wrong colors). I need to start thinking of that time of year since it always seems to sneak up on you. I like to choose items I believe fit the recipient and look throughout the year so I won't be caught at the last minute and spend too much money, etc.
It looks like it might rain today. Good. We can use it and it might cool things down a bit. Luckily it didn't rain the day I killed weeds. Now all I have to do is take care of the underground hive of yellow jackets. I'll wait 'til dark to do that. I have an idea of where it is....approximately, but need to clear away some vegetation before I can insert the proper liquid in the hole. Best done with flashlight in hand after dark when they are not active. Needless to say I do not like being stung by those nasty little buggers.
Y'all have an interesting day and remember: Nothing is simple.

It's Friday...whoo hoo. Not that it means anything special to me, but for others it's the end of the work week and time to relax. Me, I have things to do. I'm going to try to get some "stuff" organized so I can find things when I look for them. It's going to take me a while. I'd go outside to work but it's too hot. Last time I did I was soaking wet when I got through and it wasn't even 10:30! This evening I go to knit group. Good company and conversation. Yesterday was gallery day. Again, good company and conversation.
The hummingbirds have been very active and going through the "nectar" quickly. What's really entertaining is to watch them shoo each other off and every once in a while do this loop de loop flying thing when protecting their "territory". They are a great source of entertainment and don't cost anything but some sugar and water.
Hey, I've been voting for my daughter in Anthony Bourdain's contest. Every day. Don't know exactly when the contest ends, but it's soon I'm sure. Have you voted for her yet? Go to http://kyddryn.blogspot.com and look for the blog with Bourdain's picture. That will take you to where you can vote. Please.
I leave you with the following: To err is human; to blame it on the other party is politics.

Have a great weekend.

Hmmmm, let's see, it's Wednesday. Nothing special about today except I'm on top of the dirt instead of in it. Read Tatersmamatakeonthings blog and am glad she put what she did. It's about time we stop apologizing for being American. After all, if it weren't for our military, those in Europe and England might be speaking German and Israel wouldn't exist. Heck, we might even be speaking Japanese. And a thank you for the help from Canada, Australia, etc. Freedom isn't free. I just wish ours wasn't being eaten away by the PTB.

People will do what you let them. It's time to re-think who we should send to represent us.

Yesterday I picked blueberries. I mean I picked BLUEBERRIES. I have a lot of them in my freezer now and some in the fridge waiting to be included in my high protein drink, or on my cereal, or.....
I picked until my back let me know it was unhappy about my standing on uneven ground. I see the chiropractor this morning and, hopefully, all will be better when he's adjusted me.
I may go back and pick more in a couple of days.
For some reason when I see blueberries I think of the smurfs.
That's all folks.

The only imperfect thing in nature is the human race.

I can't believe but it really happened. I slept.....all day yesterday. I'd wake up, look at the clock, maybe answer Mother Nature's call, then go back to sleep. I decided, finally, that enough was enough and I really needed to eat something. And while eating I caught up on mail..mostly. After that I went upstairs, read a while, and slept again 'til this morning. Guess I was tired, huh.
Didn't realize trying to be creative while listening to someone hammering the heck out of a piece of copper (almost constantly) could be so tiring. but I would do it all over again and probably will next year.
If you want a laugh this morning go to http://tatersmamastakeonthings.com. Her eulogy for the Pillsbury dough boy is great.

Have a peaceful Sunday and remember: Life is a four-letter word.

It's been a short week, or so it seems. Time flies when you're having fun. I'm back home again and guess what.....I needed a nap! Guess I didn't sleep as well as I thought. 'Course my roommate left at o'dark thirty this morning. She had a long way to go.
Hope to use what I learned to make some new stuff. I have all kinds of ideas kicking around in my head. Must unpack first, though. For now it's off to take another nap. Tomorrow I'm picking blueberries.
Have a great day and remember: If you rest, you rust.....Helen Hayes
(Guess I'll be getting a little rusty).

It's our last day here and I must finish one project. Although I didn't get that much done I did learn some new stuff (it's always good to learn new STUFF). Think I'll stay tonight and leave tomorrow morning. I did pay for it after all. My roomie is staying also. I may go back to the gem show and maybe not. Lots to do at home. I'll be picking blueberries if the weather is good. So many ideas running through my brain and I know I probably won't get to any of them any time soon. Wish I could stay here and work for another week. Perhaps the next time I come here I'll come for two weeks in a row. I am going to make some things here in preparation for finishing at home. I would love to have a disc cutter and a table drill press, sigh. Guess I'll just have to save my pennies.
Y'all have a good end of the week and remember: buckle up, it makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your vehicle.

Hey, all you people out there that read this.....go to http://kyddryn.blogspot.com and look for her blog that takes you to where you can vote for her essay in Anthony Bourdain's contest. There's a picture of Mr. Bourdain in her blog so you should be able to spot it easily. She really could use your support, folks. As for me, I vote every day. You can, too.
Have a lucky day.

So here I am, the second day at school. Yesterday didn't go as well as I would have hoped. For some reason my brain did not want to have any creativity. I plugged along on the project hoping I'd get it finished by the end of the day. The bracelet is done, now on to other things that might be a lot more interesting. The instructor has some good projects in mind and I'm looking forward to something new.
Y'all have a good day and for goodness' sake.....VOTE! If you don't vote you can't complain.

And I'm off! To lapidary school, that is. Otherwise I've always been a bit off. Going to learn some new stuff and hopefully get my enthusiasm back for making artistic pieces instead of just grinding away with the chainmaille. Granted I've sold some pieces these last two months, but am glad I don't have to depend on those sales for a living. I would like to branch out if possible.
I'll be taking my computer with me and will keep up with all you folks I follow. Don't know how much, if any, writing I'll do. Must keep up with email or I'll have to spend half a day when I get back doing just that and most of it will be spam.
The gem show is this next weekend so I'll take a trip to that so as to purchase some clasps and other stuff I need. Nope, not buying gems. I'm on a tight budget. Besides, most of the gems are not of the best quality.
Y'all have a peaceful Sunday and remember: The alternative to getting old is depressing.

Yesterday I had my back adjusted without the boot. What a difference. While it still isn't 100% it is soooo much better. And guess what, my new shoes arrived. The ones that would make both legs the same length if I had the boot on. No biggie....I can wear them anyway and will at least have them if I have to boot up again.
K and all came up and J and I worked on my mower. We got the tires inflated and he made sure the gas was clean and the oil was okay until he got it back to their place where he could work on it in the garage. We had to put it back in the shed because of a gully washer that came up. A new battery was necessary so we went into town to get one. After installation, it still wouldn't start so I called a friend of mine who knows much about such and he came over to see if he could help. He turned the key and saw that the starter thingy was going backwards. Seems J had put the battery in backwards. Ooops. Well, that was fixed and my friend went home. J got the mower into my truck (pushing it....what muscles!) and drove it home to work on it there. I hope he is successful in getting it started and running. Wonder if he knows how to sharpen the blades?
While we were doing all of that, K and RA went berrying. She lets you know all about it at her blog http://kyddryn.blogspot.com
I'm off to gather things together for next week. I'm taking a course at William Holland Lapidary School. I'm taking my computer with me but don't know how much time I'll have for it.

Y'all have a beautimous day and remember: Each time in your life when you think you are about to be able to make both ends meet, somebody moves the ends.

I'm off to the chiropractor this morning.....without the boot. The orthopedist says it's up to me to wear it or not so I'm trying without to see how things go and hope that the adjustment without the boot on will put my back back to where it should be and I can get around without hurting. I'm looking forward to being pain free one of these days. When the company whose inversion table I ordered sends the missing nut and my daughter can get the table put together I will have further relief.
My neighbor says the blueberries are ready to be picked. K and J along with RA are coming up today so it's picking time. J and I are going to try to get my lawnmower running. I'll let him use it once it's up and running so he can hopefully earn some money. Jobs are a might scarce right now. Just have to get tires, battery, etc.
Y'all have a productive day and remember: The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.....A. Einstein.

Don't know about you, but I keep getting calls from candidates who want me to vote for them. I have news for them. I've already voted!!!! You see, we have early voting. I mean EARLY voting. Knowing I wouldn't be here on voting day I took advantage of it and voted LAST MONTH. Yep, a whole month ahead. Soooo all you people running for office can quit calling me and sending me stuff in the mail. Too little, too late. I did get to tell one nice lady who called, in person, that her candidate might want to consider getting out there a little earlier. To those who have recordings....I just hang up.
It's off to the gallery. Y'all have a gorgeous day.

Politicians are like diapers....they should be changed often.

I would like my daughter to know that I support her. I know that she really does want a second child and, although the timing isn't exactly the best, I hope that it's the little girl she wants. At first I wasn't happy about it. Her age, health, etc. are not the optimum. But she is taking care of herself and that's good. No longer does she have to fix bad for you food for a husband that won't eat the good stuff. Now she can eat all the veggies and good stuff she wants. And she has the support of her Someone.
I love you, K, and grow a little happier every day for you. Never thought I'd be a grandmother to 5. Yikes.
Oh, and I keep voting for you.

A girl day

Goin' shopping with a friend. We're going to Highlands, a somewhat hoi-poloi community tucked into the mountains of NC. When I say hoi-poloi, I mean expensive.....real estate and everything else. I've only been there once, a long time ago, and that was just a drive through town to deliver a piece of furniture to the parents of a friend. I sort of remember what it looks like. At any rate my friend talks about her adventures there so that's our destination today. I'm looking forward to this girls day. Hopefully she is too and I hope she finds the shoes she wants. Maybe I'll find a pair of shoes that helps me walk like both legs are the same length (this boot I'm wearing makes my left leg longer than the right and it keeps throwing my back out). Wish me luck.
Have a great day and remember: To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing.

My daughter has entered Anthony Bourdain's contest. I've voted for her twice and would love it if you would vote for her also. If you go to her blog Shade and Sweetwater (http://kyddryn.blogspot.com) and read her blog titled How Unlike Me, it will take you to where you need to go to vote. I'm going to try to vote for her every day until the end to give her the chance to win. Although it isn't necessarily the number of votes that will decide the winner, the more votes the more likely the editors will read her entry. She could certainly use the ten grand prize money now that a little one is on the way. She needs all that baby stuff, you know. Things like a crib, changing table, car seat, stroller, etc. etc. Anything you, her blogging friends, can contribute to help will be greatly appreciated. So please, go vote.
That's it for today....I'm going to take it easy and do mostly nothing, except laundry (ugh). Have yourself a peaceful day and remember: great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

Yesterday morning I received a second call from Tony the census taker. It seems her supervisor does not like to take no for an answer. I told Tony why I wouldn't answer her questions and why I only answered number 1, i.e. how many people residing in the house. It seems her supervisor doesn't care that I am only required, per the Constitution, to answer that one question. Sooooo Tony had to make that second call yesterday morning. I relented a teeny bit and gave her my date of birth and race (I told her to put "human" in that spot) and then told her that if her supervisor did not like the fact that I refuse to answer any more of those stupid questions, the answers for which the government already has, then said supervisor could call me and I would tell her/him about my reason for not answering and ask her/him to quote me the law that requires me to answer said stupid questions.
I've had people say, "Oh, but then we won't get money for....."(you fill in the blank). Nuh uh, folks, that ain't so. Big brother already has all that information available. All it has to do is get off its collective arse and get it. All the information it needs about me can be found in the 2000 census when I was naive enough to answer all the questions. Only two things have changed...my age and my attitude.
If I get hauled off to jail does anyone out there know a really good Constitution lawyer?

Y'all have a wonderful day and remember: What luck for the rulers that men do not think. ....A. Hitler

It's Thursday.....gallery day. Again? Wow. Time flies. Gotta go get ready. Have a great day and remember:

The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life....George Carlin

I'm hommmmmmmmmmme

I'm back from my trip to Tennessee. Seeing my friends was a dual experience. The first happy to see them, the second sad to see that they were both in ill health. My friend V's cancer is in remission, although her white count is not what it should be. J's mind is going more quickly. V has to tell him just about everything he has to do and Goddess help us when we go somewhere 'cause she has to tell him which way to turn half the time. I don't think it's going to be long before his keys are taken away.
Friday night we went to downtown Knoxville to the gallery V has some of her stained glass pieces in. We then walked down to the Salvadore Dali exibit. Oh, before that we went into the Mast General Store so I could get a couple of t-shirts that have sayings on them. Unfortunately the choices are getting slimmer. Anyway, Saturday we went to Dandridge to watch the fireworks. I think I threw something out while walking on the dam as my left hip is letting me know it isn't happy. Luckily a visit to the chiro ought to take care of that. It was a late night so I slept in the next morning. Unfortunately, Miss Priss, the cat, woke V up at a very early hour. Sunday was family gathering day. There were 11 of us to feed. Lots of good food and company. I enjoy seeing the "rest" of the family once a year. Sadly V got sick around 3 the next morning. I believe it was because she ate a lot of food her body isn't used to any more. She also did a lot more than usual, getting ready for the gathering. At any rate, we sat around Monday and did almost nothing except watch TV.
Yesterday I drove home through the beautiful Smoky Mountains. It's always nice to see the rhododendrons in bloom near the top of the drive. I'm glad I chose to come home yesterday instead of Monday as I heard traffic was horrendous. When I got here I decided it was time to take a nap. Hooray for naps. Now it's back to reality.

Y'all have a great day and remember: It takes a long time to become young....Pablo Picasso

A little later I'll be on my way to TN to visit some friends for the 4th. I'm looking forward to the time away and the time with them. She has cancer so I don't know if this will be the last trip or not. Guess I'll find out when I get there. She sounds fine on the phone but.....
It's raining which should cool things off a bit. Mayhap I'll see some cucumbers on the vine when I get back. My neighbor was kind enough to volunteer to water the plants while I'm gone. She's nice like that. Her blueberry bushes are full of almost ripe berries. When I get back I'll get to pick some as soon as they are ripe. She's going to call me and let me know. My daughter and her family will come up to pick also. I think we're both going to have freezers full.
Y'all have a safe holiday weekend and remember: Freedom isn't free.