Ditzing Around Again

Hi Friends,

The other night I was out running a couple of errands and remembered to grab my camera before leaving the house.   One of the streets I pass by quite often is very decorated.  It seems that if one house on the block goes all out, quite often 2 or 3 others will join in with putting up lights!  At least that is what I have observed in our neighborhood through the years.

Out of 6 pictures taken, this is the only one that I felt somewhat happy with. What a disappointment.   Will try to go back and retake a couple one of these nights again.   

It's supposed to snow again tomorrow, then Thursday a possibility of a few inches coming.    I am so very thankful for the man who comes to shovel/plow us out whenever we do get snow.   He did tell me tho that he plans on taking a couple of days this week to go skiing.   I'll have to call a neighbor to see if he can help us out.   Neither Don nor I can do it anymore.  I tried scraping a light coating of snow off the driveway the other day and my back squawked loudly "don't do that!"  Okay back - you win this round.

Until next time,

Mary


   

Day Stretcher Needed

Hi Friends,

I'm feeling panicky today - my computer is over heating terribly, so our dear son-in-law is coming to the rescue again.   But that means I'll be without the computer probably until the weekend.   i'm madly trying to think what all I should print out before it goes.   Are we terribly dependent on these things or what?

The tree (all 5 feet of it) is up anyway, and the cards in progress.   It would be nice to have another week before Christmas.  I think we all need a "day stretcher" at this time of the year.

Hope you are not getting frazzled too!

Mary

From Our House To Yours

Hi Friends,

Thanks so much for stopping to read my blog.  I do appreciate it and any comments you care to leave.

Whenever I think of Thanksgiving, I always think of this song.   When we first moved to our current city, we used to have to travel back home 136 miles to visit our parents for each of the holidays.   While we traveled by car then, it still reminds me of this song.

Over the river and through the wood,

To Grandmother's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the wood,

To have a first-rate play;

Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding!"

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the wood,

Trot fast, my dapple gray!

Spring over the ground like a hunting hound,

For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood,

And straight through the barnyard gate,

We seem to go extremely slow,

It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood,

Now Grandmother's cap I spy!

Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!"

Our parents are gone now, so no more traveling home.  But we do have a son-in-law and daughter who have been hosting Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day for D and I, SIL's parents and brother, his brother's wife, and his brother's in-laws, and soon to be child.   There are usually 10 of us and we all bring a dish to pass.  We are so blessed to be part of this family gathering when so many are alone and without families on holidays.

Thank you dear daughter and son-in-law for doing this.

We are very thankful for our family, extended family, local friends, and our many friends on the Blogosphere, Twitter, and Facebook.    You keep us shuffling along!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Mary

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