June 6, 2007

  • TODAY

    Boise is 50 miles away and because of gas prices we like to combined at least 2 things in one trip. Yesterday 4 things came together so we will save 4 times the gas that we would have to burn if we just had 1 thing to do.  Pop likes that!

    At last I have an appointment with a speech therapist.  Pop called around different places till he finally got one that a real people answered the phone. And that's the one he chose.  I told my doctor how Pop found one and the doctors reply, "I don't blame him, I wouldn't even have a phone if I didn't have to"  A doctor that doesn't want a phone? Although I suppose news can travel fast in the desert, (one jack rabbit to another)  I actually have a very good doctor, but my children refuse to admit anything good could come out of the small town we live in.

    I don't know how I feel about going to the doctor about my speech.  As long as I don't go there's hope.  If I do go and finds out there's nothing they can do, then the hope is gone.  It gives me comfort to know that God has everything in His control.

    I also get to pickup new computer glasses today and a couple rolls of wallpaper border that I had ordered. Plus, (guess what) we can go to costco for more reprints.

    A call this morning let us know that a truck arrived from Maryland, that carried 3 tractors to my daughters place in Washington.  I think they have enough tractors to have there own tractor lot.  They have at least 6.  But it is always lots of fun to go up to the farm. And the little ones love to ride on the tractors with the big boys.

    Yesterday it rained.  After several hot, hot days it cooled down and rained.  Rain was quite welcome.

    Believe it or not I am still unpacking boxes.  It will seem so good tohave everything put away. That way when I want to sew,  I can just sit down and sew instead of spending a day clearing the path to the sewing machine. 

    Nothing af any excitment has happened around our place, so I'll have to take a trip down Memory Lane again.  Although God is exciting everyday, and I'm so thankful that He gives a good nights rest so we can wake up refreshed and ready to face another day.

    THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.  Psalm 118:24 /niv

    Lord I thank you for this new day! I will love and learn...savor the joys and give it my best. So, when this day is ended, I can look back and be at peace.

June 5, 2007

  • A YEAR AGO TODAY

    As I was looking back to see what I was doing a year ago....I decided to post an entry I did a year ago... Looks like I haven't changed much  

    Photography Ventures

    One thing about photography, you never know what will happen next, or maybe I should say, what a day will bring forth.

    Several years ago Pop and I were on the beautiful Oregon coast. On the cliff behind Heceta Head lighthouse to be exact. (actually we had climbed a fence to get there, and followed the path other photogrphers had traved before us)  We waited about 2 hours for the sun to set, of course giving us the right light.  It was nearly dark when we finally came down. As we crossed the fence and headed down the path, we met a man who was running up the path towards us.  Exditedly he exclaimed, "Is there anyone else up there? There is somebody stranded on the rocks."

    It was a beautiful stormy night, the kind of night when one could just watch the waves and breakers as they boiled and broke against the rocks, sending towers of ocean up toward the sky.  Truely representing the mighty power of our creator.

    In answer to the man's desperate plea our answer was a "No I think we were the last  ones up there.".....Still headed up to the lighthouse (where it's beam could be seen piercing the misty night) Mr Keeper said  "Someone spotted a couple through their binoculars, and they seemed stranded on the rocks so they called 911"

    One could only imagine the fate of fragile humans against the turbulence of the crashing sea.  Out of deep concern I asked "Could we be of any help?"

    The reply, "Well we've called out the ememrgency crews and they are calling the Dolphin (Coast Guard Helicopter) from Astoria (150 miles away)'  "We think we can rescue them without too much risk to our own lives" "it is a bad night to be out there alone on the rocks high above the sea, one wrong step..." It was hard to finish the sentence that was .clear in everyone's mind.

    We slowly headed down the trail.  As we reached the Keepers House...sure enough therewas a fire engine, emergency panel truck, an ambulance, police and others waiting to assist in the daring rescue.

    I couldn't help but think, that it was a comforting thought to know that help would come if one were in danger.  After all the response to this 911 call was daramtic.

    Pop, not being as curious as I wanted to hurry along before we got involved. I wanted to wait and witness the excitment, or at least see the Dolphin. ( Imagine how much money that would cost to start up and move that huge machine.  It showed how dedicated they was to helping someone in need.)

    When we finally arrived at the parking lot, there was a fire truck and another police car, they were shinning a light in our pick-up, talking to us as we walked up, making sure we were safe. We were, and they sooned turned their attention to more serious work at hand.

    Slowly we looked at each other, as it dawned on us, that someone had spied us on the rocks from down the road at a turn off, about a quarter of a mile away, and called 911.  I felt bad about it but it seemed there was nothing I could do.  The rescue workers wanted to make sure they searched out the rocks.  We got in the pick-up, and deep in thought we made our way out of the parking lot.  Up the road a little ways there was a turn out.  We stopped and waited awhile hoping to see the Dolphin. My beloved lost patience and drove on.  The last thing I seen as we drove out of sight was a huge light shinning down on the rugged rocks below the lighthouse, making the night as bright as day, searching the shore line and rocks above for those that were reported, stranded.

    As we drove off into the night Pop just groaned, "I can't believe it."  I felt kinda wicked as I chuckled and said, "If people only knew how long a photographer will stand and wait for just the right light and/or moment"

    In all honesty I do not want to take lightly the dangers of the sea.  It could have been very dangerous and I would have been very thankful to see the rescuers had we really been stranded.

     

June 2, 2007

  • THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING !

    image-1.jpg I found these words on a frame around a clock at Multnomah Falls  "The mountain is calling - and I must go"
    That is the way I feel sometimes. The sea is calling....The mountain is calling... Red rocks are calling.... All of nature is calling.....The birds...The flowers are calling, and I must go.....  Most of all when we go on long trips the grandchildren are calling.  This time it happened to be various things that were calling.....
    I haven't really picked my camera up for over a year.  This was the week we had been waiting for.... Memorial Day week-end on Monday and on Wednesday evening was the night before full moon. 
    We had waited for this moon for several years, yes that's right, several years.  There is only one Moon per year that is in just the right place.   We've tried July. August, September and this year we were going to try May.
     
    First of all, we left home Friday morning. On our way to the Falls as we were traveling on I-84 west, we were blest with being able to see the Mountain Sheep that graze the steep cliffs along the Columbia River.
     
    Psalms 104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.  (These are wild sheep and I think God included them)
    image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpgimage.jpg image.jpgimage.jpg image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
     
    We of course stopped at Multnomah Falls.
    Revelation 19:6  And I heard a voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,  Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
    image-3.jpg image-3.jpg image-3.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
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    From the Falls we spent the night at our son's place, and on Saturday we headed up to Washington to my daughters.  We spent most of the week-end and Memorial Day at her place. On Monday my son roasted a pig and along with my son and his family, my daughter and her family, also my son and his wife, and several church families, we enjoyed a BBQ Pig Roast.
    image-1.jpg               
     
    Back to my son's Monday evening and the next day we went to check cards at a couple places in the valley,  Tom's Garden Center and Lone Pine.  My youngest son lives in the valley so after giving him a call we went to his place and seen his little daughter and son.  We enjoyed a delicious meal with them, and then it was on the road again. 
    Wednesday; On the way home we checked the photos at the Falls, then on to our final destination.  Lost Lake......
    The Lake was beautiful.  Because I hadn't brushed up on what I used to know,   I just took pictures, and pictures and pictures.  Which isn't hard to do as the lake and mountain keep changing as the day comes to an end.
    Psalms 104:19 & 20    He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down....Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
              
    I just thrill when I read these verses in Psalms 104.
    We left Lost lake at 10:30pm arriving home at 4:30am.
    After sleeping late the next morning, I got up and emptied more boxes. The only thing wrong with that is,  I find some photos and get inspired to make a scrap book page.....
     
    I thank God for a very pleasant week-end and safety over the many miles we traveled.
     
    p. s. I don't what I did to make the pictures so small this time but I can't seem to make them larger, so if you get out your magnifying
    glass you might be able to see them.    (Help, Vonda !!!)
     

May 24, 2007

  • ON THE GO AGAIN

     Sorry friends but I'm on the go again for about 10 days.  I truely will miss you all, since you have become my friends.  What would I do without my blogging friends.

    Pop would say. I might get some work done.    But he does understand, I need my online friends. Until then, God bless you all real good, and if you don't know my Jesus, learn to know Him.  He's the only way to peace and contentment in this mixed up world.

    I read on my Mom's bulliton board one time.  "Work for the Lord, the pay might not be much, but the retirement plan is 'out of this world"    I can't wait.

  • IF I EVER MOVE AGAIN

     

    January - 2002 -  We moved from a 17 room house to a 7 room house 376 miles away. The tears I shed as I left the old home place and as I crossed the Snake River can not be counted.  Against my will, I began to fall in love with Idaho. One thing bothered me, although we moved in a nice house, it was small, but it had flowers of every kind and roses, roses, roses.  If I knew company was coming, in the summertime I could have a bouquet of roses in every room in the house,  with still hundreds left on bushes in the flower bed.
    We had been there about 3 1/2 years, when we got a call.  The seed company next to us had built a big office, but needed more land,  therefore the call to see if we would be willing to sell our place.  After a few months we settled on a price of $117,000.00 more than we had paid for it.  We began house hunting again,  I don't like to move but I love to look at houses.
    October 2005 - We moved about 12 miles.  The only problem is, I didn't have everything unpacked from the last move.  And I don't have 1 flower, but I have a nicer house, and it enough bigger that I can fit in all the rooms. 
    May 2007 - 1 1/2 years later Pop and I began a project.   We started to unpack the boxes, some had been packed for 5 years some 1 1/2 years.  ( My SIL would clean house and put things she wasn't using in boxes, if she didn't need anything out of the boxes for 1 year, she would give the boxes to Good-Will without opening them.  The more I open boxes, the smarter I think she was.)
    Boxes of Photo magazines and lenses and filters and stuff.  Boxes of scrapbook items, like paper, pencils, templates and stuff. Boxes of china ("I wonder where that came from, O that piece was my moms, I don't dare throw it away"), and stuff.  Catering things that would be enough to open a business.  Cake decorating items, plates, pillars, tips and triangles, and stuff.  Birding magazines and binoculars.  Things to embroider , embroidery thread, patters and material enough to fill a small fabric store (Hmmmm, I wonder do I have too many hobbies?)  But someday....... In the old home place I had 3 different offices and I only have 1 to furnish now, that must be why I have 3 of everything an office needs.  300 pens 100 marking pens and dozens of high lighters.  O, I forgot I had an office in the motor home that I cleaned out this spring, that means 4 of everything an office needs. Plus 1,000's of photos and more 1,000's slides  and stuff and stuff. Did I say I had lots of stuff.  "For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much"  Ex. 36:7 nkj
    Some of the stuff was interesting to find and it took a long time since I had scrapbooks I had to look through, since I hadn't seen them in a looong time.
        My mother loved poetry as much as I do and I found a couple scrap books full of poems that she had collected, also candid comments liked  the following one  "No wonder I can't save money these days  -   The neighbor are always buying things I can't afford."
    Another one, ( to the people that don't like jokes about husbands or wives, forgive me.)  but I thought this was kind of good... "Having trouble? Well take it like a man, --blame your wife"
     although the above don't sound like it, my mom was more of a serious person.  and most of her collection of poems are about living for Christ.
    .
    PERFECT TIMING
    God's help is always sure,
    His methods seldom guessed;
    Delay will make our pleasure pure,
    Surprise will give it zest.
    His wisdom is sublime,
    His heart profoundly kind:
    God is never before his time,
    And never is behind.
    ___________________________________
     
    An angel paused in His down-ward flight
    With a seed of truth and love and light:
    And he said "Where must this seed be sown
    To bring most fruit when it's grown?"
    The Master heard, and he said, and smiled,
    "Go plant it for me ...
    in the heart of a child."
     ______________________________________________
     
    WHAT IS MAN
    He cannot put one little star in motion,
    He cannot shape one single forest leaf,
    Nor fling a mountain up, nor sink an ocean,
    Presumptuous man, large with unbelief!
    We cannot bring one dawn of regal splendor,
    Nor bid the day to shadowy twilight fall,
    Nor send the pale moon forth with radiance tender:
    How dare we doubt the God who does it all?
     
    Well there's more stuff to go through tomorrow, so I'd better get to bed I'm honestly praying for wisdom to know what to keep and what to toss.  Like Pop said "When we lived in the big house, no matter what we would bring in, it would get swallowed up in the house and was never noticed"  That was the case with furniture or another photo or a shopping spree at Wal-Mart.   In this house, we bring in a box and, the walls just become a little closer.
     
    BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE: BE NOT AFRAID, NIETHER BE THOU DISMAYED: FOR THE LORD THY GOD IS WITH THEE WHITHERSOEVER (whatsoever) THOU GOEST (do-est)   Joshua 1: 9 nkj  (  ) mine.

May 20, 2007

  • WHY?

     

    Why do I struggle to make a living.  When the young people now days seem to have the money to spare?
    Why do some older people, have to live in poor houses because they have nothing?
     
    Why do I have to live where it gets so hot it is almost unbearable?
    Why do some people die because of the heat because they have no air conditionings and no money to get one.?
     
    Why do I get impatient when my office don't get done when I think it should?
    Why do some people have to live in cars because they have no other place to go?
     
    Why do I get impatient when I'm interrupted to get a meal?
    Why do some people have nothing to cook?
     
    Why did I get tired of dirty diapers?
    Why do some women long for babies and never get them?
     
    Why do I get frustrated when the house gets messy?
    Why do some people have no house to clean?
     
    Why did my son have a breakdown on a very busy weekend? Why did  we have to stay up all night and then work the next day?
    Why do some mothers have a child that is mentally handicapped , when my son got well.
     
    Why was our first son born with an incurable disease?
    Why do some women have to raise a son with an incurable disease, when my son was healed?
     
    Why did my son have a wreak and ruin his nice pick up truck.?  He had just bought it and was so happy for it Thankfully he walked away with just a few scratches.
    Why was it, just a month before my son had his wreak, that one of my son's best friends, was in an accident and killed.?  Now his mother weeps in loneliness.
     
    Why is it that I can't speak plain anymore?  It is such a bother.
    Why is it that some people are born blind or can not speak at all?
     
    The Psalmist has these word to say from Psalms 25. Parts of verses 1-6  ( the whole chapter is my prayer)
     
    UNTO THEE, O LORD, DO I LIFT UP MY SOUL, O MY GOD I TRUST IN THEE, LET ME NOT BE ASHAMED, LET NOT THE ENEMY TRIUMPH OVER ME.  SHOW ME THY WAYS, O LORD, TEACH ME THY PATHS. LEAD ME IN THY TRUTH, AND TEACH ME:  FOR THOU ART THE GOD OF MY SALVATION; ON THEE DO I WAIT ALL THE DAY.  REMEMBER, O LORD THEY TENDER MERCIES AND THY LOVINGKINDNESSES.
     
    I thank God for all His blessing on me: 

May 19, 2007

  • THIS IS NOT NORMAL

    This is not my normal way of posting, but a friend sent it to me via email and I just can't pass it up.....

    THE COMPUTER SWALLOWED  GRANDMA

    The computer swallowed grandma.
    Yes, honestly its true!
    She pressed 'control' and 'enter'
    And disappeared from view.

    It devoured her completely,
    The thought just makes me squirm.
    She must have caught a virus
    Or been eaten by a worm.

    I've  searched through the recycle bin 
    And  files of every kind;
    I've even used the Internet,
    But nothing did I find.

    In desperation, I asked Mrs. Darling   
    My searches to refine.
    The reply from her was negative,

    Not a thing was found 'on line.'  
        

    So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
    My Grandma you should see,
    Please 'Copy,''Scan' and 'Paste' her
    And send her back to me. 


    This is a tribute to all the Grandmas who have been fearless and learned to use the:

    Computer........  They are the greatest!!!  


    We do not stop playing because we grow old;
    We grow old because we stop playing.
    NEVER Be The First To Get Old!

    This is kinda silly, and I don't think it goes well with Bible verses, maybe tomorrow.......

    Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child: but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

May 18, 2007

  • ANOTHER CAKE

    image-2-1.jpg

    I was trying to clean and organize my sewing, craft, misc. junk room tonight.  I ran across this picture and I thought some of you might enjoy it.  That is Pop and I behind the cake, although it wasn't our wedding cake.  The photo was taken by Bill Duff from Portland. A photographer that I worked with in the bride shows. He was very kind. He would take pictures for me, of my booth, of individual cakes, and this time although he was not the Potographer for this wedding he came just to take a picture of it for me. 

    This was the largest cake I ever did.  I came home from town onr day and my daughter informed me that a girl from Calif, called and wanted me to a 21 teired wedding cake.  I didn't get too excited because I live near Portland, Or and she called from Calif. Not so.  Although I was curious enough to call the number she had left, Someone answered and said Mary (not her real name) was not home at the time. At least there was someone by that name living in Calif.

    She called back the next day and sure enough she was marrying a boy from our area and was getting married in Portland.  She was 21 and wanted a 21 teired wedding cake which her groom-to-be had helped her design it.  Mary was from Hawaii and it is the custom there for all the aunts to sponser or pay for the cake, and I don't know what else, so she could pretty much have what she wanted.

    I got a huge enlargement of the picture and used it for a display in my booth at the brides show.  I didn't get many orders for this size cake but the picture sure got lots of attention at the Bride's Show.

    I miss those days.  But don't tell Pop, he groans when he even thinks about it.

    I've often said that those that don't believe in miricles ought to come to our place on the week-end.  It was a miricle that we ever made it through some week-ends, I'm sure God understood, and helped me through many, many times when I didn't think I could make it.  The above cake was the only cake we had this week-end, but it was the same as 5 wedding cakes.

      Also when I first went into the bride show, I was excited with all the orders and took every order that came along. So there were week-ends the first couple years that I would have 9 to 11 cakes a week-end, during the busy months.  And my friends that is tooooo many for one person to do by themselves. 

     I would get up at 5:30am on Friday morning and wouldn't get to bed until midnight Saturday night.  I learned that about 3am, when I was so tierd I thought I couldn't go, I would let myself cry real hard for only a few minutes, then it kind a woke me up again and I would get my second wind and decorate on through the night. 

    I can only give thanks to God that he was with in spite of my ignorance.

May 16, 2007

  • IT'S BIRTHDY TIME

        H A P P Y
     BIRTHDAY
             POP !!!!!
     
    A long time ago (67 years) there was a little boy born. He was a bashful little boy and the third of 5 siblings.  
    When he went to school his basic language was Pennsylvania Dutch although he could speak English also.  Today his language is English.
    While he was growing up he had many hobbies.  He raised Guiena Pigs and sold them to some Universities for study. One was in Moscow, Idaho and also to Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.  He made and sold lawn ornaments. And he would put together bikes and sell them.
    As a little boy he was raised in the valley and often as he was growing up he would look east to the mountains and wonder what was in the mountains.
    He graduated form 8th grade and went to public high school his freshman year after that he took correspondence and went to our church high school. 
    It was during his senior year that he met me and we were married  the fall after he graduated.  He was 18, I was 16  We had our first 3 children by the time he was 21 (old enough to be married)
     
    It's been 48 1/2 years since we were married, and I would say to my husband.
          It has been a good life, even though there were heartaches, tuff times and tears. You have worked hard to support the family while the children were growing up, leaving for the woods before daylight.  Driving many miles before reaching the job.  It was hard work and I thank you for it.  And you ware able to raise your family in the mountains you wondered about when you was a little boy.  In the foothills of the Cascades. 
    We've had many happy times together. You love nature as well as I.  I have had too many adventure and travels to mention.  Each brings a memory that I look back on with love, happiness and appreciation.
    God has been so good to us in giving us healing for our first son, (who was born with Cystic Fibrosis, "65 Roses") after 5 girls.
    God has also kept us safe, and been with us through every day of our lives, leading us to where we are now in life.  You've stood beside me in  work, play, happy times and sad times. We've figured out so many puzzles of life together. We even know the best way to get across the US.
    I love the way you pamper me now, that way you bring me Cold Stone ice cream, when you've gone to town by yourself, and I'm home working hard. (surfing the blog world)   Your love has always been faithful and true. You've let me heal when I've needed healing. You love the Lord and He is the center of our marriage, holding our marriage fast and secure.  I could go on and on, but this is pretty long so I'd better quit, and i don't know if it makes any sense to anyone, but I know what I'm trying to say.  I guess I'm trying to say I love you and I'm so glad I married you, you are the love of my life and are my best friend.
    I guess the song that kind of explains how I feel.......
     
    Too many miles behind us,
    Too many rivers We've crossed,
    Too many sunsets lie behind the mountains,
    And we've too much to gain to loose.
     
    I also like the song the quartet sang as we walked out of the church.
     
    Savour like a shepherd lead us, Much we need thy tender care.
    God has certainly led the way in my life, and I'm glad He led it with you by my side.
     
     
       
     
    With Love, Your wife, Sugar, Mom, grandma, great-grandma, and your little Darling.
     
     
    Before I forget, that bashful little boy has turned very talkitive.
    He is the life of a party and can tell stories for hours.
     
    Thank-you God for Pop (my husband)

May 14, 2007

  • MOTHER'S DAY

    Thanks to those of you who wished me a Happy Mother's Day.  I had a very wonderful Mother's Day.

    I was reading on another blog and the person said that being a mother is the hardest job in the world even though it's the best job in the world.  I agree and I think any Mother that takes Motherhood to heart would agree also.  I used to tell my children that it was almost impossible to be everything that one person (Pop) needs, much less be everything that 9 other people need.  Even though I failed many times I'm sure I loved my children more that any other mother has. 

    Mother's Day...We were invited to my son's house for dinner.  Ted lives a couple hours away and it is a half hour further to the church they attend.  Leaving here at 8am got us there by a little after 10am.  Don't try to do the math because we were on the road 3 hours even though it is only 2 hours between 8 and 10.  We crossed a time zone in our favor.

    I think I've mentioned before that we live in the desert. I never knew how much until today.  We were traveling from sage brush country to pine country.  Soon after we began seeing trees my little 5 year old grandson (who was watching the scenery go by) said "It looks kind a like a jungle out there" about a half mile down the road his remark was "It could be called a forest"  We smiled and commented on seeing whistle pigs, and a chipmunk cross the road.  About that time the five year old said, "what I want to see is a monkey." while the rest of us looked out the windows, so he wouldn't see our smiles(?) His Mommy, trying to keep a straight face, was left to explain why we wouldn't see monkeys along the road.

    We arrived at church and listened to a real good sermon. Titled "10 ways to be a number 10 mom"  It was very interesting, but the part that really impressed me, after the sermon, the minister had all the women and girls stand in a group along the side of the church. (It was a small group of about 40 people in all.)  Then he had the men and boys join hands and make a circle around the group of ladies. This was to illustrate how our husbands and boys are to protect their wives, Mothers, and sisters.  He then asked the men, who wanted to, to pray, blessing the mothers and girls, that would grow up to be mothers.   After that he called for the oldest boy in each family to come to the front and he handed each a rose to take back to give to their mothers.  My little granddaughter brought mine to me. It was very precious.

    After church we went to my son's place for a tasty dinner and very good time of visiting. We drove home, arriving home around 8:30pm.

    All the messy diapers, 2am feedings, wet beds, doctor appointments, cracker crumbs in the bed, Waking up at night to hear a small girls confession, or staying awake while a little one went downstairs to the bathroom (so she wouldn't be afraid) All the all night canning when the fruit was ripe.  All the questions, even the little fights, the scraped knees, the emergency room visits, the late night talks, and more are all but a distent memory.  I would do it all again, only try to do better, because my children bring me so much joy, and I love them so much.

    THANK YOU GOD FOR MY FAMILY!!!!