HAPPY WEEKEND

 Happy Memorial Day Weekend (celebrated in the U.S.)

I am so very grateful for all who have served and worked to give us the land I love.

Please - No Political comments, thanks.

Well, I thought I would show you the further "wildlife" that's wandering around our backyard.

This is pretty much IT after my last post...

I just love these birds and how attentive the male is to the female's safety.

I have enjoyed all of your comments on our fox visitor.  There has been some uneasiness on my part, mostly because it was such a shock to see that big fox in our yard.  No further sightings .  We are at this point just going to live and let live...

Both Dave and I had our annual check ups yesterday.  Apparently we are both going to live a while longer.  Yay...

And now to purging and pricing our Treasures for a yard sale when our son Mark and family come to visit in June.  What a job !!  It's never ending and we have some great things which we will keep for eBay.  Too valuable for the thrift sale group..

The weather has been cooperating so we are fairly comfy doing the work in the garage. 

So much to do

So little time

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

YOU AREN'T GOING TO BELIEVE THIS !!!

 Last night at around dinner time I looked in our backyard again.

I saw a "critter" which I have seen at dusk one other time.  At first I thought it was a cat but then I looked from the safety of behind my sliding glass doors.

It had a very long tail, kind of slinking along and a pointy snout.  I took photos with my phone through our smudgy window and there was a young gray fox !!!!

How in the world did it get in our suburbia backyard with houses completely around us?  

This guy seemed very comfortable and familiar with the place.  I think he is hunting for rodents and birds.  The fox sat on our retaining wall with a cushion of long grass weeds and curled up .  I couldn't see him any longer and I think he went on his way.  Sigh ... this Wild Life has got to stop.  We have lived here for 18 years and NEVER had this experience before.

In reading about the Northern California Gray Fox, it said that they get comfortable with urban settings and backyards... They are the only fox species that can climb trees and go out on limbs because of their very sharp claws that are retractible like a cats.  That wasn't very calming to say the least !

We are going to keep watch and call Animal control to see what to do.  Of course right after all of this adventure our residence Skunk made his way across our yard too.  

YIKES, let me outta here !!!

These photos aren't very clear  or focused but they were the best I could do.

Here he is sunning himself in the last rays of evening sunshine

We have no pets so there isn't any food out.

The plum trees haven't started to bare fruit yet, so there is no fruit laying around.

Its a mystery and I have to admit I didn't sleep well last night thinking about the menagerie making their selves at home in our yard.

SIGH

And so the saga continues...

HAPPY MONDAY

 Whew ... we made it through the weekend.

I battled the crazy shoppers at Walmart yesterday.  I think Everyone thought Sunday morning was the best time to shop.  It seemed like they all wanted to be in my aisle and block my way.  Finally made it through though sans some serious moola.  That's what I get for not shopping for so long.

The wonderful thing about the grocery trip was meeting some long time friends.

We had lost track of Ruby and Jim.  Jim had so many health issues including bladder and prostate cancer.  Frankly we were not sure if he was still living.  Covid19 was added to the mix and so it goes. 

They were on our minds often and in our prayers

We all served together at Bayside Church for many years.

I was practically in tears being hugged by them.  They live an hour from us in a very rural area of the foothills so chance meetings are really rare.

My heart was singing as I went home to share all of this with Dave who was mowing our backyard while I was gone.

Then

Last night as we were watching tv I looked out the window and said that looks like a big skunk in our backyard.

Yes, it was .. ugh ... 

He was nosing around , I guess looking for grubs.

Took these shots with my phone through the kitchen blinds. 

I don't know where he went or actually where he got into the yard either.

I Don't like these Critters in my yard !!!

At least there has been no smell from him but I do think its using our yard as its "cat box"  UGH again.

Gotta do some research on what to do from here on out.

Take care and always be Kind.

"Playing Hookey"

 Well it's not exactly "Playing Hookey", well, maybe it is ... 

We stayed home from church today, just resting and doing eBay and we are out of everything ... 

So

Its a much needed trip to the grocery store.  That's not the place I enjoy going to on a Sunday BUT...

Hope you all have a great Sunday.

I think I borrowed this picture from Shug.  I love it.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

FRIDAY FEELINGS

 Today is Friday and the temperatures are heating up.  

Its suppose to be 90F here in Northern CA.

How does that make me feel?  Too hot for me and its just the beginning.😜

It seems my brain is a bit like this Ferris Wheel lately.  The pressures (that I tend to put on myself) often make me feel like I am getting no-where ... and sometimes I don't even care ... Did I say that???

A few days ago  our "Daughter from another mother" dropped by for a visit.  Karen was taking a Mental Health Day from her work.

Did you know that this is Mental Health Month?

She had her caregiver all day for her mom Lynne and was enjoying a whole day to herself ... no work, no worries.

Karen ended up treating us to In n Out lunch and we just gabbed and had such a great time catching up.  Since we have known her since birth we really are like family.  She loves mustard and likes it especially on her french fries.  Karen knows that it pretty much grosses Dave out so she always makes a big deal about slathering it on everything.  Those are the things from which memories are made.

It is so wonderful to see her happy and teasing when things with her mom, Lynne steadily go down hill.  That Alzheimers is horrible.  Its all in the Lord's hands.

This is my mantra everyday.

Happy weekend

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

Morning Devotion

 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

 and you will find rest for your soul.  Matthew 11:28-29

If God can put such amazing detail in a simple flower, how much more can He give each one of us to go through our days.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MONDAY MONDAY ...

 Yesterday, Mother's Day, was a nice day.  We went to church and then out to lunch at Chili's Restaurant.  Good food and time to catch up on life.

Unfortunately Billy (granddaughter Amanda's husband) had to work at the church so it was just the 5 of us.

This wasn't the most successful selfie group photo, but it is a great record shot for me.  Wish Dave had been more in focus but maybe it was because we were all too full after our lunch..😀

The evening ended with a nice long phone call from our son Mark and his wife Kellie.  Granddaughter Maddie said hi before heading off to bed.  She just turned 16 last week.  These kiddos sure grow up too fast.

The best thing about the  call was finding out that Mark, Kellie and Maddie are coming down from Oregon for a weeks visit in June.

This makes one Mama and Papa really excited and happy.  We so miss seeing them face to face!

Here's some gorgeous tulips that Amanda gave me for Mother's Day.

Aren't they beautiful?

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

TOMORROW IS MOTHER'S DAY

 I am truly blessed to have had a wonderful and loving Mom.

She was kind, soft spoken and made a welcoming home for my Dad and myself. She loved the Lord with all her heart.  Mom and my Dad were active in church from my earliest days.  They served and were so hospitable to everyone.

Mom was born 116 years ago in Minneapolis, MN, moved to CA in the very early1940's and lived here until her death 30 years ago, this coming December 26th.

I thought  I would share a few photos of her early years.  I must dig out some old albums to find more photos of her and our family.

This is her high school graduation photo.                                                                     

I really love that stylish hair-do.

This was taken in 1927 when she and my dad were dating.  

This was his new car.

Photo taken in 1942

This snapshot was taken at the San Francisco, CA Zoo in 1945 or 1946.  There is no date on the photo.

Doesn't everyone dress like this to visit the Zoo?

I just love the outfits and think Daddy is really "dapper" and that coat of my Mom's, wow so pretty.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MORE WORK

 Today is Thankful Thursday.

I am thankful that my body still works, maybe not as well as it used to in younger years, but it still gets me where I need to go.

I am thankful that I have a Hubby that still gets things done too.  It may be slower and needing more rest breaks, but things do get done.

Today I am going out for the 3rd day in a row to pull some of those darn weeds.

It may be winter before everything is accomplished - but that's what the goal is for now.

My sweet husband mowing the lawn.

The birds are loving all the seeds developing in our weed patches.

Those spiky weeds just never stop !

My project for today and probably tomorrow since my back can only take so much bending over.

On a different note.  

When scrolling through FB I saw some lessons on taking photos with my iPhone.  I only have a mini iPhone so many of the bells and whistles don't apply.

I did experiment with a few filters and was fascinated how they changed my shot.

This is nothing to get too excited about but it is fun to try something new.

This was taken at my "Office" in bright morning sunlight and my overhead dining room light fixture was on.  Kind of interesting and off the wall.

Okay folks, its out to the yard..

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

TUESDAY ... IT'S ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT IT ...

 Dave and I worked hard in our backyard, mowing and weeding.

It's baby steps to getting control of our jungle, so I thought I would just do some random photos from my archives depicting one way of looking at IT.

There are many view points and ways of looking at things.

First of all this is totally Abstract.  I'm sure I have posted this before but hey, why not do it again?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... 

Definitely a Different Point of View

Choose your view ... Which Way ...

A different way of looking at things

Thanks for taking a peak into my tired mind today.. love you all ...

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

SATURDAY THOUGHTS

 The weather has turned gray and blustery today.

I sure don't have any drive to go out and pull those darn weeds.  I think I will stay inside and work on some more eBay postings.  I sure wish we could sell some things.  The pocketbook agrees .... 

So here are my thoughts for the day.  I'm talking to myself and maybe they will ring true for some of you.

I love when a photo of mine works well with a hope filled verse.

Maybe these thoughts resonate with some of you.  I know I need them today.

Enjoy your weekend

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

MUCH MORE THAN A TACO TUESDAY !

 Yesterday was another very special day.  

Finally, After many months our Small Group/Bible Study Group got together again.

We are pretty much scattered around and aren't able to see each other on a regular basis.  Melody and Doug were in town from Colorado and Jeff was here from Oregon.  Our leader, is slowly returning to health, after his open heart surgery. It was wonderful for Joe and his wife Sandy to be here too.  Stephanie and her hubby Shaun and Debra rounded out our evening of being together.

I snuck a photo of Joe and my Hubby shooting the breeze before every one arrived at our house.

I love the simple and yummy meals we put together and the way we can laugh and talk and talk and talk (sometimes all at the same time, haha), and catch up on our varied lives. 

We are One Crazy Family.  Been so (crazy) for over 13 years!  Lots of Highs and Lows and many In-Betweens and centered around our faith.

This isn't the best photo of all of us, but It was the best I could do to have a record shot.  Being at the end of the table wasn't the best perspective but since I was the only one who took a shot, it will have to do.

These are precious memories.  We missed Jeff's wife Debi, who had to be home madly sewing prom and grad dresses for her Grands and Karen who just arrived in Spain on the day of the Total Blackout  in all of Spain, Portugal and France.  She said it was a difficult day to arrive but they managed.

So, I would say that Dave and I have ended April on some really high notes.

I just thank the Lord for Friends like these and the love that just oozes out of each one of them.

We are Blessed

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WONDERFUL SUNDAY

 Sunday was a wonderful day.

We got to visit for a short time with our oldest granddaughter Lauren.

She was in town for the wedding shower her sister Amanda was giving.

At least we got to see her at church and then out to lunch to talk like mad for a few hours. 

We haven't seen her since October and there was much to catch up on.  It was almost like we were never apart.

It was hard to say good bye, but it was back to Las Vegas, where she lives, to see her hubby and  back to the End of Month grind at her work.

We are so blessed to have wonderful Grandchildren.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

A NEW WEED WHACKER

 Yesterday as we were going to do some errands we went by an open field several blocks from our home.  The field borders on a cute little park and some apartments.

There was a whole flock of goats doing a tremendous job of clearing the weeds.

I had to take a few shots with my phone since Debby of My Shasta Home  had posted about a herd of goats in her area yesterday.

I really love this concept of natural "weed whacking" for the good of man and animal.

Look at those tummies...

I tried to get their adorable faces but they had other things on their minds.

It looks like they are getting ready to leave their winter coats behind.

They were so shaggy and two-toned.

The goat herding dog made sure we stayed in our car and didn't bother the feeding animals.

So we took a few photos and said thank you for letting us enjoy your work, and we were on our way.

This was so fun to see so close to our home.

Now, if we could have a few of those guys come over for lunch in our backyard, we would be set!

Thankful the goats are helping with fire abatement and weeds too.

Always be grateful

Always be kind

GOOD NEWS

 First of all, Thank You so much for all of the sweet comments on my last several blog posts.  I truly appreciate them and love all of you.

Now to say ... Good News ...

Dave ordered my certified Marriage Certificate from Vital Statistics last Friday and it arrived in the mail on Monday !!!

We went to DMV yesterday and everything was approved.  I had the nicest lady doing all the "official" stuff and it took no time at all.

Now I am all legal and I can keep my married name ...  HaHa ... After 61 years I think its a Keeper.  💛😉😄

I'm so glad that I can move my brain on to other things.

So my Wednesday Wisdom for today is:

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WE ARE SO HUMBLED AND BLESSED

 We are so very humbled and blessed to have the next door neighbors we have.

I have posted this on FB but I know many of you aren't on that so here goes...

Our neighbor Mike saw that our Blue Spruce tree in the front yard was really dying and on its last leg. 

He said I'll come over and cut it down for you...

When I looked out the window there was Mike and his wife Shirley chopping and loading it into the green waste can.  I just couldn't believe Shirley was out there working so hard ...  it made me cry.

How does one ever repay for that kind of kindness?

We are So, So, Blessed.

I was in total shock as I looked through the blinds.

Of course Dave and I went out there and chatted and thanked them profusely.

Dave helped put some of the dead branches into the can.

My nose started to run from all of the pollen.  I had to go inside.

All that is left of the once beautiful tree is a bit of stump in the ceramic pot.

The yard looks kind of naked but it does look so clean and open.

God has given us a wonderful place to live and we call this our "Forever Home".

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind