THE DUST WILL WAIT

Tami is a dental hygienist. A very good dental hygienist. Hygienists use special protective lenses while working in a patient’s mouth. Tami keeps her personalized eye protection organized and in perfect condition. However, when it comes to her casual eyewear, Tami is renowned for the exact opposite. One perfect example occurred when Tami drove her car and two of her associates to a Dental Hygiene Seminar. At the end of the day, they piled into the car, tired, weary, and ready to head home. However, before they hit the road, Tami needed to check her phone messages. Even with the dome lights, she wasn’t able to see the information on her tiny cell screen. “Drat it, I need to find my reading glasses,” she grumbled and began digging through her purse. Tami’s co-workers knew the drill. She often removes her “dime store glasses” and forgets where she placed them. Her searches usually end up with replacements purchases at Costco, or whatever store is co...

One of my very first blog friends, Julie of Another Chance Ranch , is having her very first give away. So, click on that coffee colored link, leave a comment (tell her I sent ya), and win that travel mug!!

I was fortunate to have 20/20 eyesight until I reached my forties. Then I began a torturous metamorphous. Very subtly, yet methodically, my ability to focus deteriorated. The condition is called Presbyopia. You can read about it here , here , and here . The short of it is that the lens in the eye becomes rigid (loses its elasticity) and may involve muscle atrophy as well. All who reach middle age will experience this aging phenomenon to some degree. My first response was defiance and holding my reading material at arms length. When my arms grew too short, I purchased a pair of drug store reading glasses. (That’s what I call them.) They are available in little kiosks similar to the ones that display sunglasses. Magnification begins at .5 and can increase as high as +600. That last one is denial at its apogee. I accepted defeat early on and signed on for my first pair of prescription glasses. They were no-line bifocals that induced seasickness when I de...

Sunday proved to be the perfect day for us to choose the long road home. It took us about an hour longer in travel time. Chinook Pass was gorgeous. The clouds lifted and the majestic mountain posed in white chiffon, blue silk, and green velvet. She towers over 14,400 feet. Driving up the Western slope. The pass reaches its summit at 5,432 feet. A view from the first east side curve. The cars on the highway look like ants.

I nearly walked through this Golden Orb-Weaver web at my brothers house this weekend. It wrapped up its dinner and put it away for later.

Lisa, The Food Snob , is hosting today's Fun Monday. True to her calling - she has requested that we post about our favorite recipe. In her own words: My challenge: I want to see your favorite recipe, be it either because your grandmother wrote it, it's the easiest thing you can slap together that everyone likes, it makes you feel healthy, it's cheap, etc. You don't have to make it (although you could if you want) but let us see the index card, cookbook, printed paper from the web, and why it's a favorite in your house. If you have a lot, just pick one, I know I'll have to! Mom baked so many pies during my growing up years: Three pies each time. She cut them into fourths. Each of her eight children got 1/4 of a pie for dessert. It wasn't until I became a teenager and ate pie at other people's houses that I realized a pie should be cut into much smaller pieces Dad loved pie. He told me on more than one occasion there were only two kinds of pie t...

A song of love is a sad song, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo A song of love is a song of woe Don't ask me how I know A song of love is a sad song For I have loved and it's so I sit at the window and watch the rain, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo Tomorrow I'll probably love again, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo. (1953 From the musical LILI, sung by Leslie Caron. Later performed by Shelly Fabares in the sixties.) These are the gorgeous tropical lilies blooming this week in our pond. Unfortunately, fall is pushing the thermometer down into the forties the next few nights. One morning very soon they will say goodbye. Bye Lily, Bye Lily, Bye low........

CZECH SPEEDWAY RIDER KNOCKED OUT IN CRASH WAKES UP SPEAKING PERFECT ENGLISH. When Matej Kus's teammates heard him talking after he was knocked out in a speedway accident, they were relieved he was conscious. But they were also a little surprised. For although the 18-year- old Czech knew only the most basic English phrases, he was conversing fluently in the language with paramedics. BRAIN SURGERY LEAVES YORKSHIRE BOY SPEAKING LIKE THE QUEEN! With her nine-year-old son William lying desperately ill in hospital following emergency brain surgery, Ruth McCartney-Moore prayed that she would one day hear his voice again. But when he did speak weeks later, she was in for a shock. He had lost his strong Yorkshire accent and was now speaking the Queen's English. P AMELA FELL OUT OF BED AND WOKE UP TALKING LIKE A PIRATE She just opened her eyes and said: 'Tis a fine day to be walkin' and talkin' like the pirate I am. Now, all ye cockswains, grab ye black...

Sayre is hosting todays event. She asked the participants to: Brush off your interview skills. Talk to everyone who lives in your house. I want to know what their, and your, favorite piece of art is in your home. Photographs do not count. If there was a fire in your home, everyone would grab phot ographs, but what is the non-photographic piece of art you would grab on your way out - and why? (Edit: These don't have to be paintings - these can be wall hangings, statues, lumps of clay by your child, anything that is artistic expression of some kind EXCEPT photographs.) * * * * * In 1969, the hubby, assigned to the submarine USS Grampus (SS532), participated in a Good Will Tour dubbed by the Navy as UNITAS X. They navigated the Panama Canal and headed south along the beautiful western coastline of South America. The second stop was Salinas, Ecuador. Vendors set up on the docks to sell their wares to the tourists and travelers, some arriving on Cruise Lines or private...

I've known all along that I could use my digital camera for short videos. I figured it out on Saturday when Curlymop was here. I give my grandchildren some strange toys. I also learned that I should not turn the camera sideways. Ooops Grandma from pamela on Vimeo .

Go Draw a Pig and let your illustration of a little porker analyze your personality. It was tough drawing a pig with a mouse. I'm sure it would be just as difficult drawing a mouse with a pig. Here she is. Thanks Pensieve for the idea. If you think I went whole hog on my drawing, go check out Robin's. She butchered it. This is me, according to the swine chart. you are a realist. you believe in tradition, are friendly, and remember dates (birthdays, etc.) you are analytical, cautious, and distrustful. you are secure, stubborn, and stick to your ideals. you are a great listener O i n k . Other pigs: Karmyn PurpleWorms Chris B Amanda Wendster Robin @ MyTwo Blessings Let me know if you did the pig and I will link you here.

Today he turned 60. Tomorrow he is riding his bicycle 130 miles (209 kilometers).

In 2006, we were approached by the Hospice Board of Directors with the request that we consider being a host for the next year's fund raiser. The date was already set: September 8, 2007. There were so many things that kept us busy this summer; I was positive that our yard wouldn't be ready for the event. However, last week we battened down the hatches and spent every day after work cleaning, weeding, pruning, and generally getting dirty. The hubby's sister joined in the chore. Then Amanda drove from Portland on Thursday. She worked her fingers to the bone on Friday helping her dad shovel fresh bark on the flower beds. Saturday morning our yard was ready!! Eight other families joined us in opening their homes for this years Pond & Garden Tour fund raiser. It was a great success. The hubby counted over 400 people visiting our house. It was much more fun than I anticipated. Total exhaustion at the end of the day was something else that we were not expecting. Sunday...

I began reading Amy 's blog many months ago. Each entry chronicled her battle with leukemia. She lost the war on Monday. I feel compelled to honor and recognize her well-lived life. She leaves behind her husband, a small child she longed to watch grow tall, siblings, and parents. And, thousands of bloggers who were inspired by her constant and positive faith. Goodbye Sweet Amy - Sleep peacefully.

Nikki at anticsofacrazymom is hosting this weeks Fun Monday. We've seen your shelves, peeked inside your cabinets, looked at what your house looks like in both the summer and winter, viewed at some of our handmade pieces and even talked about our best friends. Now it's time we do something. Have you ever had someone out of the goodness of their heart do something for you without anything asked in return? Offered you money when you needed it the most? Helped you change a flat tire in the pouring rain or even just simply held the door open for you when you had your hands full? For Monday, September 10th, we are challenged with doing a good deed. I am n ot looking for a story of when you have offered your help in the past, I actually want you in the next two weeks to go out and help someone. Go visit a nursing home, cook dinner for someone sick or with a new baby, donate to a charity or even send just a "thinking of you card" to someone who needs it. It doesn't m...

If I missed any Meme Tags, please let me know. This is what happens when you have a busy summer.

Kathleen Marie -The Open Window tagged me with the Marriage Meme. This one comes with a list of required questions. The First is: Where did you meet your spouse? We were both invited to sing at a friends wedding. As we were married to other people at the time, we didn't pay much attention to each other. However, we met again after our divorces. He was the firefighter/paramedic that answered a call to my house. Shortly after that, our shared friend set us up on a blind date. What was the first thing you said to your spouse? When we met??? I don't remember really saying anything. We were alone on the balcony at the wedding rehearsal of our shared friend, and we may have discussed where we would stand. Where was the first kiss? first date? Possibly on my front porch. There was a train that rumbled through about 11 pm each night, and I remember the engineer Tooting his Whistle at us. I probably kissed him first - at least that would be his claim. Our first date was my...

Time With Shelby tagged me eons ago (66 days to be exact) with the meme requesting eight random things about me. I've done several of these in the past, including one by my alter ego ME2. You may want to click on my Label for Tags on the right side bar to hear from her. In the meantime I'm sure I can come up with eight more random things that I might not have mentioned previously. Belly Roll please: 1) I hide behind doors in the darkness and jump out and scare the hubby. 2) I have caller ID - and I don't answer the phone if I don't recognize the caller. 3) I don't like potato chips, but I love potatoes. Figure that one out. 4) My little toe is ugly. 5) I have a metal rod in my left leg, and four screws. 6) My most recent resolution is to remove all labels from fresh fruit. 7) When I was younger I could hum a b-flat upon request. (No pitch pipe) 8) I can count to 99 on my fingers. Those were about as random as I could get. Hope to see your list soon. ...

Amy of A Family Story tagged me with The Middle Name Meme. She hates her middle name. So you really should click on that link to find out why. The rules: "You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog." I'm so darn lucky I have a short middle name. R: Reactive (when I should be proactive) A: Altruistic (I should take better care of myself) E: Effervescent (I drank too much Alka Seltzer for my heart burn) Now who to tag? R: READERS A: ALL OF YOU E: EVERBODY ELSE

I've been remiss in thanking many of my blogging friends for honoring me on their blogs with some of the awards that have been circulating. I 'm not going to pass these on - but instead mirror them back to those who were kind enough to link me with such positive words and encouragement. They also are Nice, Creative, Rockin and I consider it a blessing to have crossed paths with them. Especially when you realize how many million bloggers are out there. How was I so lucky to have bumped into then. Nice Matters Give it A Try, One Day At A Time Kailani, An Island Life Deb's Melon Patch Creative Blogger Award JJ's Gaining Balance Her Indoors Rockin' Blogger SOS (Shauna) Kailani (An Island Life) Rabbit Run Cottage I apologize if I missed anyone - Please feel free to send me the link where you posted and I will crawl on me hands and knees, begging for forgiveness - and then add you to my thank you list.

Time With Shelby tagged me with this several weeks ago. Mother's Home started a new game. Shelby called it a viral link- she thinks. "Remember passing 'round a piece of paper when you were a kid, and everyone had to add a sentence to make up a story?" (It was tooooo long ago, but maybe?) The rules are: 1. Copy and paste the story below, and the rules, on your blog. 2. Decide who you're tagging (2-3 people, or more). 3. Write one or two sentences continuing the story, and use the titles of the blogs you're tagging or any word(s) associated with them as keywords in the links you include in your part of the story. 4. .Tell your taggees you've tagged them. 5. Feel free to use this and start your own viral link story. Mother's Home would appreciate a link back to her (or a tag). Here's what we have so far . . . * * * * * * * * * * Once upon a time, after the evil stepmom had put up a Barb ed wire fence around ...

My mom was born in 1914 and died in 1993. I still miss her; especially when something brings to mind the songs she sang to me and my siblings. Some of the songs have been passed on to my children, and now to their children. I saw this moon peaking over an old roof covered with moss in Oregon on Saturday morning.. In my heart I could hear her voice and the melody to a World War I Song ("The Sensational Stammering Song Success Sung by the Soldiers and Sailors") - K-K-K-KATY K-K-K-Katy Jimmy was a soldier brave and bold, Katy was a maid with hair of gold, Like an act of fate, Kate was standing at the gate, Watching all the boys while on parade. Kate smiled, with a twinkle in her eye, Jim said, m-m-m-meet ya by and by. That night at eight, Jim was at the garden gate, Stuttering this song to K-K-K-Kate. K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy, You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore; When the m-m-m-moon shines, Over the c-c-c-cowshed, I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen ...

I was reading over at Mercy Maid's about something she overheard at the post office recently. It reminded me of something I heard not long before the Postage costs were raised. Our Post Office is an old but elegant building with Marble Floors and old brass boxes. There is a large table set in the outer entrance where you can weigh your packages and large envelopes. An express Stamp machine is there if you have the correct change and you don't want to stand in line. I was sorting my business mail into my canvas bag when I heard a young woman's voice. "The price of stamps is going up two cents, " she announced to her walking companion, "and I have 100 wedding invitations that need to go out next month." A middle age Mexican man was putting stamps on his envelopes on the opposite side of the table and he looked up and we exchanged a nod of shared frustration about the rising cost. Our friendly glance became lifted eyebrows and suppressed laughter when...

Why Does the Hummingbird Hum? My Red- Headed Girl would say " because they don't know the words.  (Here is my red headed girl and her brother, Lil bud, with the rufous, black-chinned, and calioipe hummingbirds in the foothills of the blue mountains, spring 2005.) Maintaining a hummingbird feeder takes time and sugar. (Four parts water, one part Sugar) It isn't necessary to boil the water. I do, however, heat the water in order to mix the sugar well. It's the itty bitty birds that introduce bacteria to your feeding solution. That is why I wash the feeder and replace the solution every three days; every two days if the temperature is over 90 degrees. Hummingbirds are awesome little feeding machines. Many people don't realize that the bird only fuels up on sugar water and flower nectar (a form of sucrose) to provide the energy required for the chase of soft-bodied insects, including spiders. The Cistena Plum tree is a favorite haunt for the hum...