Merry Christmas

From our house to yours!
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Training

Training to run the race, training to fight the fire. Training to enter heavens gate. We spend our life in training. Very few true emergencies cross our path. Yet the sirens will sound and the fires will blaze.

That time will come when you will have to put all your training into action. Whether it is an apology for a wrong, or a struggle you need to overcome.

Sometimes this struggle is time itself.

We are left with all the time in the world. Time is eternal, ever lasting. Love follows suit and is forever. Sometimes she follows the path home to heaven before you. Bide your time; you are still needed here. Heaven for you is a few earthly days away.

Stay a while for me. Ensure I am OK. Then follow her home to heavens gate.
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Lonely?

Grrr ~ says the wolf! They might look like they are smiling at you in this picture but what they are really doing is scaring the lonely bug away. Sometimes when we feel lonely we need a little helping hand. May these smiling wolfs help scare those lonely feelings away. Take comfort in knowing that when you are thinking of me ~ I am thinking of you too.
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Two Days to Winter Solstice

Only one more minute to go and then we level off in the loosing game and start our crawl back into the sunlight. One more minute lost will soon be our gain.

Today sunrise 10:57 a.m. and sunset 2:40 p.m.
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Years End

At the end of the year we look back at the roads traveled. May your roads be windy through Gods country. May your roads traveled have bumps of laughter. May your roads traveled have good companions. Love the Lord, laugh with a merry heart and see the sunrise of tomorrow in your grandchild's eyes.

Leaving Behind

I will not save the world. The cure to the disease will not hold my name nor will I patent that next best thing. What I hope to leave behind is a good name. I want to be known as someone who always wore a smile. Someone who greeted you with kindness and looked out for the other fella.

A giver with a generous heart. A person who remembers the past and teaches for the future. I want to leave behind a trail of kindness. It is going to be a long trail too.

Shape of Love

Is love what it is meant to be in your life? Does the shape fit you? Like the ever changing sand you can change the shape of the love in your life. The shape and shadow of love are at your beckon call. Muster your strength, embrace love and you will find that the shape fits you to a tee.

Just Yesterday

Just yesterday I held your hand. Just yesterday we laughed. Just as I turned around our world changed. You are but a shadow on the rock. Yet the tracks in the sand show the evidence and tell no fib. Just yesterday I was in love.

Fall Flash Back

First Snow this fall ~ just over two months ago.
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Reason to Smile

A beautiful sunrise.

By the way this is image number 1313 ~ Nice!
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May Each Day

May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
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Author unknown, emailed to me today by CJ.
May these words speak volumes to us all.

Roxanne

My first car ~ Roxanne
It even had an 8 track player.

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First Day of December

Warm winds to warm our hearts as the first day of December greets us. Currently it is 35 degrees Fahrenheit gusty winds up to 17KT. It is a great day for an afternoon walk.

In case you were wondering the sun will rise today at 10:20 a.m. and set at 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy your day.
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Happy Thanksgiving

Family, laughter and walks in the woods.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Photos from Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa's 1986
I love and miss you all very much and wish we
did not live so very far away during the holidays.
Hug Grandpa for me!
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Northern Lights

These photos were part of an email sent to me (thanks Candee) so I am not sure who to name for the photo credit. They were supposedly taken at Yellow Knife, Yukon Canada. However where they were taken and who took the photos does not change the fact that I have witnessed in person such displays of wonder. The best displays of lights have a tendency to occur when the temperatures dip into the -30 degrees Fahrenheit and my camera is not fancy enough for night time photos at such cold temperatures.

Enjoy these photos in place of any I might take.
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Will Power

When it comes to will power and a plate of cookies my resolve to eat healthy falls short and the feasting begins. A wise woman (my mother) once told me that eating healthy is the blind leading the blind syndrome with the occasional ADHD side tracked moments that involve cheese cake, to much prime rib (my youngest can eat the entire Miners Cut at The Turtle Club) and way too many oatmeal cookies. Which leads to a good slap in the head and that little voice saying "get a hold of yourself man!!".

Here's to all of us being able to maintain most of our healthy eating habits in the upcoming holiday baking/eating season.
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Spend

You spend your whole life accumulating stuff, and then you have no where to put it.

Everywhere you can see it, every store now has it on display ~ Christmas. More importantly stuff. Stuff for your pets, stuff for your kitchen, and stuff for every Who down in Whoville. Stuff is everywhere packaged in red and marked to sell.

If you were wondering what I might want for Christmas ~ stuff is not on my list. Those that live in close proximity to us know what in our house might be in disrepair or broken and needs replacing. Something new in for something old out of the house I will tolerate. As for the rest of ~ what I want for Christmas is a letter, including photos would be like the beautiful bow on the package.

If you must spend, then spend your time working for your community, spend your energy for someone in your area who could use a helping hand and spend your life being of service to your fellow brothers and sisters.

Remember less is more. Do not spend your life gathering stuff only in the end to have a house so full that there is no where for me to sit and visit with you.
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For Emily

This is my cousin Mist is
laying on her bed.
And she is reading a book
And she is nice to
play with I like her so
much.
By Emily Winkelman
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Written summer 1987
when Emily visited North Pole Alaska
and found recently in my old high school yearbook.
Now Emily is all grown up and married with three kids.
Who by the way are the cutest!
Keep up the great job Mommy Emily!
Hope to see you all again real soon.
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The Gap

Every generation has a gap. Gap of technology, gap of language, and even just the smallest things like hair or clothing. Some times the adult tries to fill in the void between parent and child. Sometimes it is the child that drives the dump truck filled with gravel and dirt to fill the distance between so that they can understand each other.

Most parents try to save their children from some of the same mistakes they made or they try so hard to shelter them from any situation where they might get their feelings hurt. Parents educate their children on a variety of topics yet every generation has to try it their way as they think this time it will work because they are doing it their way.

Technology can advance and our scientists can discover new elements or see stars in other galaxies but always remember to look back as our elders are on the same course and they have so many amazing things to teach us.

Dinner in Arizona

Let's meet for dinner in Tucson, Arizona. I know this great restaurant where the food is oh so yummy, the wine is tantalizing, and the company will be delightful.

When you are in the area make reservations at Jonathan's Cork.

Hope to see you there soon.
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Too Much ~ Too Little

Would you rather say too much or too little? Saying those things that are on your mind and weighing heavy on your chest can be an enlightening experience. What if what you had to say might make the other person mad at you, would you still say it? Would you reveal a truth to someone else if you thought it would drive them to the other side of the room?

Sometimes revealing a truth or feelings to another can feel like the clouds were breaking up uncovering a clear blue sky. Other times this expression of transparent color leads to a visible clouding over of the others eyes only to spoil and mar the relationship.

Sometimes revealing a feeling to another can only further cement the bond that unites you both. Becoming clay bound tightly together to form great works of art or monuments to stand the test of time.

Given the chance to tell a loved one that I will always remember them and that I will pass along the love and joy of our relationship I will take that chance, that opportunity. Having someone leave your life without being able to express to them how you feel towards them and what they mean to you in your life, just plain puts me in a tail spin of misery.

Would you say too much or too little in the end?
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Francesca

Introducing ~ Francesca!
Toyota Rav4 2010
Black Forest Pearl

After 20 years of driving used cars it is a real treat to have new wheels. When I graduated from high school the first used car I purchased was a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme ~ Roxanne ~ she was a great car and after 180,000 some thousand miles parts started to give way. The summer of 1997 my Dad said it was time for a new car so along came Julia ~ a 1995 Mercury Tracer. It is an understatement to say the family has outgrown the Tracer.

Francesca handles great on the snow and ice, has a good heater and even fits in our garage with all my projects. I still plan on riding the bus to and from work but when I need to go to the store or out to the folks house I will have a warm safe vehicle to drive. Or better yet be a passenger when my wheel-man is in town.

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Moments

Moments of insanity, turned to dysfunction leading you down the path of unity. Families have moments of insanity. Fights and disagreements. Moments of quiet vows.

Never talk again.
Never call again.
Never to smile.
Hate everyone.

Until that moment when a quiet sideways hug unites. Never forget to forgive. Never need to be reminded to hug your mother.

Never forget to smile.
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Fall Harvest

When we are surrounded by fall, the smells, the crisp air and the reflection of a summer well spent we also look for evidence of a life well spent.

Christine ~ Meet me at the gates ~ posted this yesterday.

Most of life and the experiences that come with it do not have a grade attached to it or even a medal that says I won at state. Life will be measured in the end with how much we loved. Loved God and others. How did we serve those around us. Do we clean with a grumble or make yourself humble. Did you serve God and others with your talents or yourself.

Exceptional words ~ thank you Christine your words have inspired.
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Roads to Travel

Life has plenty of choices, a plethora of roads to travel. Left or right. A path of ease or a mud bog of difficulty. We can even choose between pain or a life filled with enjoyment. There are those things that come our way that we did not choose to have in our life. Those things that someone else weaved around us, and yet we can make the choice to live in the light or the dark. At times I whiffle-waffle back and forth and in the end land in the light. A positive happy heart is lighter to carry around for all the long earthy years I plan to partake of.
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In Life

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Greet every person with a smile.
Read to feed the soul.
Pay every debt.
Never harbor any malice.
Be optimistic ~ believing in love & faith.
Close the pages on all regrets.
Count one by one the blessings of each day.
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Shining Bright

The light that shines is brighter than ourselves. The love in this light carries a message of joy and hope to our hearts. The Lord provides for us the path to this light. We are even given the opportunity to be the light and to illuminate the way for others.

To everyone who has lost their earthly guiding light know there is a bond on your heart that will never break. A bond of kindness and love that is forever ~ never ending.
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Looking Glass ~ Part Two

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Just over a year ago when we were in Minnesota I picked up a window that use to hang on CJ's house. It just occurred to me that I have never posted the end results. Here is the original post: Looking Glass. Here is the finished work of art that hangs in our dinning room.

The top left photo is of me and the giants.

We were able to visit again recently, that small Minnesota town where they live, what a pleasure to be in the company of such great friends, wonderful parents and loving people.
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Dorothy Jean

Dorothy, her mother Bella & her twin brother Walter Dean
1927 Rippey Iowa

Dorothy's high school graduation photo

Friday October 16, 2009
Rippey Cemetery, Rippey Iowa
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Tears & Joy

I am unable to fully express to you the feelings that keep rolling through my heart or the thoughts that keep turning over in my brain. We all suffer uncertainty during times of bereavement and transition.

For me it is the earthly loss of my Grandmother. For my father, aunts and uncles it is the loss of their mother and for my dear Grandfather ~ his wife of 63 years. My heart is heavy with sorrow, their grief I cannot fully understand. The loss of a parent or spouse is unimaginable to me.

To everyone who feels this heart ache my prayers are with you. Lean on each other, together our strength has the power to heal. Look for the joys among the tears. The blessings that are received may come in small doses. Noticeable only to those who are looking ~ be looking!
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Perry Iowa ~ Make Yourself at Home

We are headed to Perry Iowa tonight. Last minute change to the plans ~ my Pops is going to make the trip with us ~ Grandma Dorothy has passed away. Back soon.
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Steal

The lonely can leave you bored and wondering what to steal. Steal away the time. Steal away your thoughts or steal away your love. Yet nothing materializes, nothing stirs the mind enough to move the body in any direction.

I sit. I listen to the music and invent a life full of memories. Conversations filled with laughter and words of joy. You are here with me. We touch. We kiss. We smile and laugh. A life lived between the smoke and mirrors. Between wishes and desires.

Can I steal you away? Claim you for an instant in my life? Can I have moments to steal away the lonely?
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Song on the radio True by Spandau Ballet. The song is good, words do not say much and the video is just plane silly but have a listen anyway.
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Ready for Use

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Stuck

What if you felt stuck? Stuck in the mud. Stuck on a treadmill. Stuck on a never ending moving sidewalk passing all that was wanted by? Stuck in the far left lane of a vast freeway unable to reach the right hand lane and the exit?

What if you felt stuck in a relationship you no longer wanted to be part of? What if this relationship was someone life had knitted you to for all time? A father, a mother, a sister or a brother?

What if all you saw was desert, a never ending view of thirst and dust in your eyes? Making you want to break down and cry. Only the years have dried up your tears. Not a drop could be found save for the blood your heart bleeds with each moment of pain.

What if by some measure of fate you could taste the frosty goodness of life again? Vanilla or chocolate your choice.

Take a spoonful. Savor the flavor of life. Creamy, sweet sensation, palatable to the scenes and lightening your heart, no longer a tau particle. Your heart once a tazza now has the depth of a vase holding the most beautiful ornament of roses. Breath deep the aroma of the love they carry.

You are not as stuck as you once imagined.
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Secret Code

Between two people there is a secret code that develops. Once these people are in a relationship for even a small amount of time they begin to know each other and learn their quirky ways. After a year or so each person can begin to anticipate the others actions, manners and even their emotions in given situations. After 40 years we know this person so well that we can easily become irritated with the other, unreasonable when we want our way and even expect the other person to be able to perform feats that include miraculous healing powers.

When we have something we want or have something to tell the other, we use this knowledge to 'butter' the other person up. We use flattery and complementary words in the hope that this something we want to share will be smoother somehow and more tasty. When in fact the best way to tell someone news, any news is to just spread that butter on the bread and take a big ol' bite of the tasty goodness that is the truth. However, it seems, that if you have just meet this person or if you two have been married for 40 plus years somethings are just plain hard to say.

Remember you have the secret code ~ you know this person. You have the code to be able to talk to them and they have the code to understand what you are saying and what this truth truly means in both your lives. You each have the other in mind and in the end have always wanted the same goals. The roles might be reversed as one has always been the worker and provider and the other the follower of their dreams. It is time for the worker and provider to have a dream. To have a desire for a new path and change.

Dream for the future, provide for today and always include the other person in your plans. Life is best when it is shared.
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Introduction Etiquette

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Meeting a new friend or business associate? The most important point about introductions is to make them. Even if you make the introduction incorrectly. If given a choice, most people would prefer you to make the introduction incorrectly, even if you forgot their name, rather than stand there unacknowledged and disregarded.

Second in line of importance is the order of names for those being introduced. Social etiquette is based on chivalry and both formal and informal introductions are made according to age, then gender, and then social status. A man would be introduced to the woman unless the man is obviously a great deal older, in which case one would defer to age over gender.

Business etiquette is genderless as in the work environment, men and women are peers and is based on rank. The proper way to make a business introduction is to introduce a lower-ranking person to a higher-ranking person.

Always stand for introductions and greet the newcomer(s) at both business and social functions. Shake their hand; shaking hands with someone can leave a powerful impression. A firm handshake made with direct eye contact sets the stage for a positive meeting.
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Cool View

Photos taken September 14, 2009 at about 9:00 a.m.
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Wood Cutting Day

Split that wood boys!

Take a steam sauna in Ole Jake's Bath House.

My Pop's other name is Jake.
My Mom is the artist.

Fall on the banks of the Chena.

End the day with a warm bowl of halibut chowder.
My Mom is a master soup maker.
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