Goodbye Fall - Hello Winter

"Hoop Girl"
painted by Don

Hello Friends,

Well, it had to happen before too long - snow is arriving tonight.  Now granted it won't be much (1/2 to 1 inch predicted) but that's more than what I even want to think about.   Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet.   The deer hunters will be happy, even if I am not, as they should have tracking snow for the opening of the Dear Hunting Season in our state on Saturday. "RUN FOR YOUR LIVES DEER!"

Many of you don't know, but Mr. D is a hobby artist. The picture above, "Hoop Girl," is his latest finished painting.   

I'll be  featuring one of his pictures in my blog periodically.   If anyone has an interest in purchasing a painting, send me an email and we'll see what he will come up with for a price.   

He dabbled in painting while in high school, but didn't begin taking art classes at the Tech School until he retired from employment.   A local friend, who is an artist, was taking classes and suggested Don might enjoy art once again.   Painting when you are shaky from Parkinson's Disease isn't easy, and Don does get frustrated with himself at times.  But we think he still does a great job.  I can't even draw a straight line with a ruler!  he he  (not kidding either). 

Well, that's all the news for this time.   Stay tuned on the amount of snow we get and how long it sticks around.   It is supposed to turn bitter cold with a front coming down from Canada.

Mary

It Takes A Lickin' And It Just Keeps Tickin''

Dear Readers,

Do you recognize the title of my post?  Ring any bells?   It was in the advertising for Timex Watches.   ha ha - well I'm here to tell you -  it does just that - keeps right on tickin'!

Usually once or twice a week I go to the CP Center and do some walking and exercises in their warm water therapy pool.   Last Friday I was 15 minutes into the class and chatting away like a magpie with a couple of ladies.   All of a sudden I pulled my arm out of the water and looked down -  whoops!   I had drowned my watch in water for 15 minutes.    Well, we all had a good laugh over that and since I had already dunked it for 15 minutes, I figured I might as well stay in the water another 15 minutes until the class was over.

Would you believe (6 days later)  the watch is still working just fine?   I would imagine after a few weeks parts will turn rusty and there will come a day when it won't "keep tickin'".   But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.   i'm in awe of this $40.00 watch that is probably 5 years old now anyway.

Sometimes I wonder where my brain is or if I even have one anymore.   Have you ever done that?

Until next time,

Mary

Book Review - Heart for Rent, with an Option, by Karla Brandenburg

Hi Friends,

As a good many of you know, I love reading.  Usually it's Mysteries, Romances, CIA Operative Fiction books, etc. and usually I'm stuck reading my favorite authors, which quite often are on the  Best Seller list.  Every now and then I like to break out of that mold and try a book by another author, preferably one who hasn't hit the "big time" yet.   Such is the case with Karla Brandenburg's books.   I have read 4 of her 7 books and enjoyed each one of them.   I'd like  to share a quick review of her latest book:

Heart for Rent, with an Option

by Karla Brandenburg

Michelle,  a ghost writer, decides to return from Europe ahead of schedule, which presents a problem for the man she rented her house to.   Keith’s mother is in a nursing home and not expected to live much longer.   Michelle has never met Keith, as his housing arrangements were handled by their mutual publicist.   The publicist talks Michelle into letting Keith stay for a couple of weeks until his mother passes away.   Michelle does not know that she has been ghost writing for Keith and Keith does not know Michelle is his ghost writer.  Keith had made a couple of comments that he was not happy with the way his ghost writer had handled a couple of  publications.  

Both Michelle and Keith feel a strong attraction to each other but talk themselves out of getting too close.     Each has a sister with complicated problems in addition to not liking the fact that their sibling  has a roommate of the opposite sex.   Family dynamics in this book run strong on each side.  

While away on a book tour, Keith discovers secrets about Michelle that even she does not know, secrets that could put her life in jeopardy.

This book is full of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. There were times I did not want to put the book down even tho I knew I had to.

I think you will enjoy the book.   It is available for Kindles at Amazon and available for Nooks at Barnes & Noble and also in paperback or hard cover.

For what it is worth, I have received no compensation for this review.  I simply enjoy giving unrecognized authors a little extra publicity when they are worthy of it.

Mary

  

Dona Nobis Pacem

I am a peace blogger today.   The following was posted in Mario's blog too as it's my  favorite song.   

Peace begins within and radiates out.  We need peace radiating over the entire world.

"Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Written By

Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step i take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.

Mary

You Know You Are Old When......

Typical Fall scene in our area.

Hi Friends,

I am old! There - I said it in public no less.  What is typical of older people?  'We don't LIKE CHANGE!"   I've always been that way somewhat, but now that I'm older, it's really noticeable.  

A friend and I went for lunch on Tuesday, and I happened to mention that I really needed to start shopping for a new winter coat.  The one I have, I dearly love, but it's probably a good 20 years old.  In fact, it's so old that another good friend (who happens to be a wonderful seamstress) has replaced the zipper for me at least once, and I'm trying to remember if she did it a second time!   This coat is nothing special - a dull brown (taupe color, zipper up the front, lightly quilted inside with satin lining).   It's light weight and doesn't weight me down - I can actually move freely in it.  Not a beautiful coat - but I JUST LOVE IT!

We ventured over to Burlington Coat Factory (a new store that just opened).   Their selection of coats was a disappointment, but i did half way like a black, wool car coat.  I bought it knowing I could always return it if I could not find anything else.  A $20 coupon also helped lock in the purchase.

On Wednesday we had another outing and decided to stop at Sears.   Well, enter Coat #2 - a black, smooth polyester, quilted coat with zipper up front.   Non-descript!   It fit and didn't look too bad, but I DID NOT just love it.

On Thursday I was at a local department store chatting with an ex co-worker, when my dear friend came up to me and said "I've been shopping for coats for you - you must take a look in here."  

Well, yesterday, Friday, I went back to Younkers and found a coat just like I have been wearning for almost 20 years - almost the same color, same type of fabric, etc.   I tried  it on - it fit and felt comfy.   Better yet I had a $50 coupon off if spending $100 or more.   A win-win situation and I think I will JUST LOVE IT.

I think I'm finally happy - I have a coat just like I've had for 20 years.  ha ha I did make one return yesterday, but have one more to do.  I can't believe I got this hung up over a winter coat!

At least I didn't buy a Purple one!!!    

How about you - do you have trouble buying a replacement item as insignificant as a coat?

Mary

Good Intentions Just Isn't Enough Sometimes

Hi Friends,

Well, when I wrote two weeks ago I had good intentions of writing at least once a week.   Already I have fallen off the wagon and it's only been 2 weeks. Good intentions just isn't enough! 

Fall is at it's peak around here.  I was out a couple of evenings trying to get pictures of our trees around the neighborhood, but unforunately all of the treets have buildings in the view and I have no way of blurring the background.   At least this wasn't taken on a busy street like some were that I took.  

I got a new Nikon point and shoot camera and I'm having fun taking pictures. This one has a anti-shake feature that has worked beautifully for me especially and quite well for Don.    Prior to this camera, every other picture taken by me was blurry.   Now I only get a blurry picture now and then.

After taking several weeks off from my Water walking program at the CP Center, I finally got my bones over there and walked for 20 minutes.   I know that doesn't sound very long, but I know from previous experience that I can't over do in the water.  You really pay for it.   Next time I'll increase the time to 25 minutes, and then 30, and.......  I hope to get there next Monday and then on a regular basis once again.   

We are so fortunate to have the CP Center right in our city.  They have two large pools that have warm water for their clients to help keep their limbs limber!   When the pool isn't in use by their clients, they schedule classes for adults daily.   They have an amazing program for all levels of activity.   My plan is to get on a schedule of twice a week - perhaps Mondays and Thursdays.   

I was out trying to take pictures for a bit this afternoon, but was not successful.   Will try again maybe Sunday afternoon.   What stage is your fall color at?   It's such a beautiful time of year!  Wish we could hang on to these falls days and skip winter!  ha ha

Until next time,

Thanks for visiting.

Mary

"Where Have You Been Little Girl!

Hi,

"Where Have You Been Little Girl..........."    That reminds me of  a song only I don't have any idea what song or what the lyrics are!  Don't mind me, my mind goes off center now and then.  he he  And sometimes things remind me of a song but I can never remember what song!

Actually I was having fun for the past 2 weeks.   A dear Twitter and blogging friend (@PumpkinPuddy's mom) came to spend a week in Wisconsin.   I had a great time and enjoyed her visit so much that it was difficult to say goodbye on the Friday she left.   We even did a mini Wisconsin animal meetup in Oshkosh and met 4 other Twitter friends that live in our state.   This was the first time most of us had ever met in person.    After being on Twitter for a good 4+ years, you get pretty close and know each other quite well even tho you have never met in person.

Of course I couldn't keep up with LadyC 100%, but did manage to spend quite a bit of time with her.  Other times, like when touring Lambeau Field and the Atrium, she was content to have the time to wander around on her own.  Together we went to Door County (my favorite spot in Wisconsin).   And we did a couple of half day things such as going by the University Park along the Bay of Green Bay and sitting by the water, taking a wonderful boat tour of the Fox River on the Foxy Lady (where this picture was taken of the shoreline along the Fox River!  

I had a great time, but was really tired out at the end of each day.   She lives in Colorado, so she had a 2-hour time difference to adjust to.  Unfortunately, I was yawning and ready to end my day at about 8:00 when she was just gearing up.  he he 

Mario posted several pictures in his blog that were taken while she was here if you are interested.  http://mariodacat.blogspot.com/  I will be posting a few of them in my blog too over the next few weeks.

I'm going to try to be a little more regular now in posting - at least that is my goal.   It's either that or I need to give up on the blog.

Hope you are having a beautiful fall.  Temp is in the 70's here and colors are not quite peak yet - but will be next week.

Mary