68 thoughts on “Our Daily Thread 8-14-15”

  1. Beautiful. I love living along the coast. Can you just imagine our ancestors setting off into the horizon not knowing where they would end up?
    Peter, I am glad you got to spend time with family and have a nice long vacation..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Thanks for the compliments. I wish I could have spent more time at the beach, but we were there to see family. Most of the mornings Mrs L and I went for a walk along the beach. I took pictures and she looked for sea shells. She couldn’t answer when I asked her why she needed so many, but she was reminded of the chapter in one of the Little House books when Laura Ingalls Wilder tells of a time when she collected too many pretty rocks and tore the pocket off her dress. Mrs L’s pocket didn’t tear.

    And yes, Chas, it is indeed Friday. ~Sigh~ That means I go back to school Monday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. The renaming of the White House is what I’m afraid of.
    Not funny! That’s the thing that scares me about Trump. The kind of person he is.
    Same as Obama.
    And Hillary.

    😦

    Like

    Reply

  10. Nice photos of that ‘other’ beach. 🙂 Sounds like a restful time away.

    So what’s the first day of school usually like in your classroom? Teachers must size the kids up pretty quickly? It still seems like school should start after Labor Day.

    Like

    Reply

  11. Chas at 8:27 must not have had his coffee yet.

    Interesting driveway chat with a neighbor yesterday who was kind of all over the map politically … They now are conservative (I guess, they don’t like Obama I know), but when I mentioned Gore she said oh, she really liked him (and they’ve always been a strong pro-union family) … But she also now likes Trump … but thinks the elections are fixed anyway, that the next president already has been “chosen” no matter what candidate we vote for …

    I forget that most people don’t follow political news very closely or consistently. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. In Virginia, there is (was?) a law that school couldn’t start before Labor day.
    That is (was?) because of King’s Dominion and Busch Gardens primarily, but teen agers were needed in other tourist attractions for the holiday.

    Like

    Reply

  15. There used to be a law in Missouri that said schools had to wait until after Labor Day, so the amusement parks in Kansas City and St. Louis would have workers. But then they made an exception for rural schools for some odd reason (planting season in late May/early June?), so now few schools wait. I teach in Illinois where Chicago decides everything.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. There is no first day of school in our classroom. It never stops. Ever, It just goes on and on my friends, some people started studying and not knowing how it ends….

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

  17. D1 sent a text that their dog caught a baby squirrel. Typical gender-based responses. Granddaughter said, “Poor baby.” Grandson said, “Good dog, killing what’s eating our garden.”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  18. Poor baby.

    We’re heating up out here for the next few days — Carol has asked me to come visit again tomorrow so we can go to a free showing of “Front Page” at the central LA library. I haven’t been inside that library in a while, I used to love that place, it had lots of old murals and beautiful, polished (vintage) wood desks, tables and chairs … The library partially burned down a couple decades ago, but they were able to save part of the older section.

    http://www.lapl.org/branches/central-library

    Like

    Reply

  20. There is a law in Minnesota to wait until after Labor Day to start school. I think there may be an exception this year, because of the lateness of the holiday. We need resort/ tourist workers.

    Like

    Reply

  24. Back from my tour of southern NM. Got to spend time with hubby to celebrate his birthday. He is working in TX, south of Carlsbad. Went to see my youngest daughter who lives in the SE corner of NM. Got to see the house and land they are in the process of purchasing. They should be able to move in the next 6 weeks. Picked up my mother and brought her home with me.

    My son has learned several new words on our trip. They include refinery, which he had to be convinced was not an electrical substation, pumpjack, and drilling rig. He now knows that pumpjacks pump oil, windmills pump water, and wind turbines create electricity. Not bad for a 3 1/2 year old.

    Pictures are beautiful, Peter.

    Great news, Phos!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  25. We had more of our wildlife-documentary activity in the back field this morning. No deer involvement, but turkeys with their young did a standoff with turkey vultures and crows. Twice the turkeys fled, running across the field toward the trees, with some of the young flying part of the way. A harrier (that’s a kind of hawk) was out there at one point, and photos of the turkeys rushing back into the trees show something I didn’t see when I was taking the photos–that the mothers flew up into the trees to chase a red-tailed hawk. No clear photos of that action, but I did get clear photos of two red-tailed hawks flying away from the vultures, and several photos of vultures fighting each other.

    So we had five species of birds 18 inches or bigger all wanting roughly the same property and sure of their claims to it.

    While I was typing this, a coyote ran across the field, first one we’ve seen in a year or so.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  26. rkessler, I am continually baffled by your family. One day you have a seven month old on your lap, the next you are visiting your youngest daughter far away. I am not nosey or any thing, of course, but curious for sure.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  27. I have been seeing one lone deer in the burned out field above the house and we heard one lone coyote howl. And last night, we heard one strong owl sound followed by a weak, hoarse reply over in the willows.

    Like

    Reply

  28. AJ, I’m not sure you ever answered about the fedora. You said something that suggests you wear one, but since what you said was worded as a joke, I wasn’t sure whether the fedora part was true.

    My husband is the only person I know “in real life” who wears one.

    Like

    Reply

  29. And the words have begun….those fire fighters are soo useless….those farmers will not get out of the way. I can tell you from my eye witness account, God used the farmers to save my property and He used the firefighters to save the neighbors’ property. They are both valuable. Fires are tricky and dangerous and it takes team work.

    Liked by 8 people

    Reply

  31. I was disappointed today as a Retired Navy Chief was laid to rest. He was a World War II Veteran, a Korean War Veteran and long time volunteer. There was a photo of him shaking hands with President Reagan. There was a photo of him as a baseball player. There was a photo of him with his lovely 17 year old bride when he was a mere 20 year old. There was a poem the children of the Parish school wrote called Where is Mr. Brown? Two of his grandsons read the Bible readings 4 of his grandchildren presented the gift before communion. It was a full Catholic Mass with incense at his request.
    We processed to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery where he was supposed to receive full military honors. The Navy sent two men. He got a recording of Taps and a flag. The funeral was planned for today so that he would have the full honors.
    The family sent home a version of this poem with everyone.

    He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
    And he sat around the RNA, telling stories of the past
    Of wars that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
    In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

    And though sometimes, to his neighbours, his tales became a joke,
    All his naval buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
    But we’ll hear his tales no longer for old Jack has passed away,
    And the world’s a little poorer, for a sailor died today.

    He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
    For he lived a very ordinary and quite uneventful life.
    Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
    And the world won’t note his passing, though a sailor died today.

    When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
    While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
    Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
    But the passing of a sailor goes unnoticed and unsung.

    Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
    A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
    Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
    Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

    A politician’s stipend and the style in which he lives
    Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
    While the ordinary sailor who offered up his all,
    Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

    It’s so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
    That the old Jacks of our Country went to battle, but we know
    It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
    Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

    Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
    Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
    Or would you prefer a sailor, who has sworn to defend
    His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

    He was just a common sailor and his ranks are growing thin,
    But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
    For when countries are in conflict, then we find the sailors part
    Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

    If we cannot do him honour while he’s here to hear the praise,
    Then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days.
    Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
    Our Country is in mourning, for a sailor died today.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  32. Mumsee, My husband and I have 5 grown daughters and 16 grandchildren. This is a second marriage for both of us. We have a 3 1/2 year old son. There is 25 years between my youngest daughter and our son. There is no telling from one day to the next how many grandchildren might be at my house. The 7 month old is Connor Matthew, with whom I believe yall are already familiar.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  34. That showed up in my mailbox the other day, always brings a tear to the eyes.

    Husband is often part of the honor guard at those funerals. They try to have enough to provide a twenty one gun salute, but many of the available vets are too old to hold the rifle up any longer. They try to make certain a real bugle is played, but sometimes they have to make do with the tape. As the ranks dwindle and nobody steps up to take their place….

    These old vets are the ones who put the flags out at the cemeteries. Keep in mind, they are generally between the ages of eighty five and one hundred. The younger ones just aren’t interested or have jobs or don’t live in the area.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  36. 25 year between your youngest daughter and your son? Wow. (Mom had 17 years between oldest and youngest, and that’s usually seen as a lot.)

    Like

    Reply

  38. I did not think you were crazy. That is how I view our seven year old, twenty eight years younger than our oldest. Fifty years younger than me. But a blessing and a joy. And, because she is almost “normal” as compared to several of her siblings, a huge relief for finishing up the family.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

  42. RKessler, generations are very long in my family. In fact, I have a brother who’s about to turn 45 and not yet married, and a couple weeks ago I sent him an e-mail showing that if he has a child when he is 50, he will be just exactly average for his own line, back I think four generations (five including that theoretical child), on our dad’s side of the family, and he can wait till 51 to be average on our mom’s side. He wants to get married and have children or it might have seemed like pressure, but he in fact appreciated it. Another brother is in his fifties and somewhat recently married, so my father will almost certainly still have more grandchildren both after the 100th anniversary of his birth (two years from now).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  44. Well, they are correct. High winds today and the fires are moving. Apparently, everybody west of Kamiah is under mandatory evacuation. We are west of Kamiah but I suspect there are limits as too how far that extends. We are in the center of the fires, as far as I can tell. Fire to the east, fire to the west, fire to the south, and fire to the north. Hopefully, we have enough of a fire ring around us to keep us safe. I have seen no sign of fire fighters lately. My neighbors are gone. Hopefully, they did not evacuate and forget to tell us. Husband and older sons are all gone with various moving vehicles. I still have the van if I need to take the little folk out, but everything else will remain behind. No sign of aircraft today, they cannot fly with the visibility so low.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  45. Sorry about the house deal, Kim.

    Peter, beautiful pictures. Thanks for sending them in.

    Great to hear your news, Roscuro!

    And I love this discussion about the great blessing of children. 🙂

    Well, I had big plans for this week, but things happened I wasn’t expecting, and my finished list looks a lot different than the original to-do list.

    Life happens. 😉

    Now that 5th Arrow is feeling much better, I can resume some more of my normal activities. I guess I’ll be going over that list of stuff I wanted to get accomplished this week, and evaluate the undone things for their necessity, or lack thereof.

    Onward ➡️

    🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  47. Roscuro, I am praising with you that mighty answer to prayer. God is working in your life and we are all excited to see the next step for you.
    Kim, sorry about your dream house. I so enjoyed the pictures and could see you on that porch.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  48. The older boys are home now, with reports that the fires are even bigger. Some folks are reporting their homes burned down. Their football coach for one. They agree that we already have a significant burned ring so should be okay.

    Like

    Reply

  51. Made and offer on another house. It will work or it won’t. There are other things to like about Option 2.
    No, I won’t have my dream front porch, but I will have a very nice back patio and room for all of my furniture. It has lots of drawer space in the kitchen and having had a kitchen that had really deep drawers for the pots and pans near the stove it is a nice feature.
    I have worked at the same company as this listing agent and I think she will do her best in presenting my offer to her sellers. They are personal friends of hers, but she also knows me.
    I will post the link again tomorrow with and update.
    http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/210-Eleanor-Dr_Fairhope_AL_36532_M71210-43211

    Like

    Reply

  54. I like that house, too, it’s very classic looking and a good size. Very pretty. And the name of the street, Eleanor, was my mom’s name. 🙂

    It’s almost 90 degrees in my house tonight (at 7:30 p.m.), sweltering. This is just NOT my favorite time of year ….

    But you all know that …

    At least there are no flames lapping at my property line. And when my roof leaks in November, this will all be a distant memory. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  56. I will not be baited into a dog park discussion.

    Glad to hear Donna finally got a shower.

    They have downgraded both town evacuation orders. In Nezperce because the prevailing easterly winds are not blowing, instead, it is blowing south. In Kamiah because they were able to chase it back.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  57. Do you sleep at all?

    OK, cool shower helped — temp has *dropped* to 87 degrees in the house.

    With a wet cold towel draped around my neck and head, and the fan 1 foot away turned directly on my face, I’m barely surviving.

    I do not tolerate hot weather well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  61. I enjoyed looking at the house Kim. However you will have t supply the photos of the backyard and patio as none were shown. Quite a classy place. Not cozy looking like the other one.

    Like

    Reply

  62. Cute fireplace … BIG kitchen.

    Of course, this from someone in a 1200 square-foot 1920s home.

    Are you still allowed to burn wood in your fireplace there?

    We’re approaching the point where it’s being outlawed by the greenies — looks like my fireplace is already hooked up for gas, but I would need to buy a gas log — and they’re kind of pricey.

    Like

    Reply

  68. Donna- In Alabama everyone has air conditioning, so the humidity wouldn’t be a problem. But the cost of electricity, on the other hand…

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment