61 thoughts on “Our Daily Thread 8-30-16”

  6. So quiet that it is putting me to sleep! So… time for my sleep.
    I was waiting for an email finalizing plans for tomorrow and our trip into the mountains to the dedication of a new school. I am excited to see what is over the hill.

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  7. Good morning! It’s hard to believe, but I was able to keep the windows open all day and night. It was 72 degrees early this morning.

    Art and I watched The Maze Runner last night. It has a lot of action and is a bit like Lord of the Rings type movies. The librarian said it reminded her of The Hunger Games which I have not read or seen.

    Recently we watched Meek’ s Cutoff which was a really different movie, very slow moving, and necessarily so, because it captured the reality and beauty of wagon train travel. The hired guide is a crude and evil seeming character who has them all lost and looking for a water source. They capture a line Indian who the guide wants to kill, but the others think the Indian can lead them to water. At the seeming point of resolution when you really want to know if the Indian helped or harmed the group, the movie abruptly ends. Art and I felt mad to be left hanging. I researched the movie and found an article that said that either of two possible endings was politically incorrect so that was why it ended before the conclusion. It is based on true history and that’s how it is folks 😳

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  9. 🙂 I just heard a country song with the words: “I wish that you could have turned my head and left my heart alone.”
    Never heard that before, but it’s the right concept. Just because a man takes a second look doesn’t mean he’s serious.
    I didn’t take a second look at Elvera. I was totally smitten the first time.

    Speaking of her. First thing this morning she asked what day it is. A few minutes ago, I said, “I have to go to Harris Teeter. Do you want to go with me?” She said, “is that where we get groceries?”

    Liked by 6 people

  10. Oh Chas, I don’t know whether to cry because I am happy you love her so or am I sad because she is slowly slipping away from you. Either way, I would bet she knows she is a lucky woman to have the love of a good man.

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  11. I love that you were smitten with her the very first time you saw her….and I know she is a very blessed woman Chas ❤
    Pretty cat on the header…for some reason I was thinking they call that color a tortoise….yes?
    We had some crazy rain/hail yesterday….Colorado Springs got the worse of it all…our forest is soaking with moisture…it's a good thing…but we don't want too much of a good thing ya know…husband is out clearing out the downspouts…we may be getting a second round of storms this afternoon!

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  13. We’re hovering in the high 70s here lately, not bad, although it *feels* a bit more humid than we usually like on the coast.

    I love tortoise cats (second to black-and-white, of course), beautiful color patterns.

    The Navy comes to town today, two active duty ships, the USS America & USS Wayne E. Meyer, will come in for LA Fleet Week (which runs through Labor Day weekend, Friday through Monday). All the free tours are spoken for, but people can still come and line up to get onboard the ships. It’ll be a madhouse on the waterfront, getting to the dog park will be a challenge this weekend. 🙂

    There will be air shows, including WWII aircraft flying around along with today’s fighter planes and rescue helicopters doing demonstrations.

    The LA Mayor will be here today to greet the ships, we should get some good photos. But we’ll be Navy-ed out by the end of it all, photographers already are complaining. 🙂

    Security for something like this must be a nightmare to put in place.

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  14. My husband’s group jams in an old school that has been turned into Senior citizen housing. There is a man who is 90 (although you wouldn’t realize it!) who is taking care of his wife, who has Alzheimer’s. It is so sweet to see. I must say, to watch these folks, who have been married for years, take care of each other is like seeing a glimpse of God’s heart. He is not the only one we know in that situation.

    Yesterday, we happened to run into an acquaintance who was out walking with two granddaughters. Each had a stroller. One had a dolly and the other a dolly and a cat. The cat was one of those with huge eyes and it talked. It was horrible, IMO, and would never be allowed in my house. So–question of the day might be: what toy would you not want your children or grandchildren or any children to have?

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  15. I had to think about what day it was this morning, I was just glad it wasn’t Monday again. 🙂

    The Salvation Army picked up my donation bags yesterday, now I have another one already started for another pickup. I worked in the house for about an hour last night after walking the dogs.

    Will have to make some calls today to get bids on the bathroom/windows (separate jobs that may require separate workers — unless the roofers/plumbers are able to do it, which my real estate guy thinks is likely, although he wants to get a few bids in place so I’ll have a better idea of costs, scope of work).

    I still feel really overwhelmed at times, so I’ve decided every time that feeling comes over me and I get discouraged, I need to look back and focus on what has been done — the roof + the front porch railings + the patio structure. Those were big jobs that are behind me, thankfully, as they caused me the most worry going into all of this.

    Of course, back then I didn’t even KNOW about the bathroom leaks … or the foundation … or how extensive the work would be on the windows. Naive.

    Happy belated anniversary, nancyjill! 🙂

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  16. Fifteen and seventeen are off to school this morning. Fifteen on the bus with dirty clothes and no supplies. Seventeen in his BMW with supplies, clean clothes, clean football gear, and paperwork fifteen did not sign for computer access at school etc and money to put in fifteen’s supplies fund so when he complains about not having the supplies he was given money to buy, the teachers won’t be out.

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  18. Pigskin Picks are up!

    Thank you Peter! 🙂

    I’m gonna win though, because none of you will pick against the #1 over-rated team in America- Alabama. I took USC for the upset. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Cats all have that wild streak. We’re still talking about building a wildlife-friendly cross-over on the Hollywood Freeway for our mountain lions.

    What could go wrong?

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  21. We have been eating something from the garden, from the strawberry bed. We don’t know what it is. The plant looks like a cucumber plant but the fruit is round and green and white striped. Tastes like a melon. Whatever they are, we are enjoying them! This morning it was about 3-4 inches in diameter. We eat the rind too, which is tender. We also have tomatoes coming up there, far from our vegetable gardens. But, it used to be the pig pen so who knows what might be there.

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  22. Oh Kathaleena I am that grandma who buys obnoxious toys for the grandchildren…and I send them home with them!! I purchased handmade pop rifles in Silverton last summer and the kids had a blast with them….we were at the town park and along the creek with them all day….well they took them home with them…my daughter was not too happy…she hid them…how do I know that…I asked grandson what happened to the pop rifles…”Mom hid them and said we could have them back when we left for college”…. 🙂

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  23. I’m way behind on reading here, but see you had an anniversary yesterday, NancyJill. Hope you and your hubby had a great day! Happy Belated! 🙂

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  25. QOD – Toys that make loud, obnoxious noises, or that don’t require much imagination.

    Some of the dolls & toys that are available do everything for the child, so the child doesn’t have to use their imagination much.

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  26. Nice tribute to Gene Wilder, who died yesterday (and whom many of us grew up watching):

    http://thefederalist.com/2016/08/30/gene-wilder-comedian-of-kindness/

    ________________________________________________

    … In a 2013 interview at the 92nd street Y in New York City, a frail Wilder explained why he did not star in any films in the final two decades of his life.

    “The swearing, and the, the loud bombing, after a while I said, they were so..they were dirty,” Wilder said, “and once in a while a nice, a good film, but not that many. I don’t mean when I was starting out, but later on. And I said, I don’t know, I don’t want to. If something comes along that is really good, and I think I would be good for it, I’ll be happy to do it, but not too many came along.”

    In making that choice, Wilder would leave millions of dollars on the table and millions of fans disappointed that they had seen the last of his comic genius. But comedy had passed him by, and he knew it. Not only because of the tragic death of his beloved wife Gilda Radner, but because society had changed. The clean, pleasant, and kind comedy that he had grown up with and eventually mastered had given way to crass and callous yuks, and that was a style Wilder would never embrace. …
    _________________________________________

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  27. That beautiful tortoise-shell (aka tortie) kitty is my Angel. No one has to be afraid of her, because she’ll be more afraid of you (unless you are a mouse, then watch out). Angel is very sweet & affectionate, & has a really loud purr that I can even hear without my hearing aids in. 🙂

    But the poor kitty sure is a scaredy-cat. She is afraid of almost everything, & spends much of her time in hiding. It saddens me that she turned out like that, as she had been a crazy-fun kitten. The best times to spend a few minutes petting her are first thing in the morning & at night, when the house is quiet. Some days we don’t see her at all.

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  28. Donna – I was disappointed when Betty White started doing that kind of “comedy” that Wilder eschewed, like when she was on Saturday Night Live. (I didn’t see that episode, but read enough about it to get an idea of what was in it.)

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  29. I have to admit that I’m kind of embarrassed about the background in Angel’s photo. Chickadee took that pic in her room, which has been kind of a junk room since she moved out. (She still uses it when she stays over for babysitting.) You can see a pile of Aldi bags that were on top of a box that is on top of our old TV. 😦 Angel is perched on the loveseat that will be brought back into the living room after something else has to be taken care of.

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  30. If “electronic devices” is the answer, what was the QoD? How about this: What is the most annoying thing you own for it’s ability to break down when you most need it?

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  31. Three o’clock today I have an appointment with my furry best friend, to say goodbye. Please pray for us. She can’t eat, can’t control her bladder, and it’s just time. I told the vet maybe it’s a bladder infection, and he said he didn’t think so, he thinks it’s the neurological stuff, but he sent me home with meds. But I can’t even get her to eat cheese out of my hand, let alone take pills. It’s time.

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  38. Thanks, friends. It was peaceful, but hard. I was wanting her to get into September at least. But the progression has been quick, and waiting any longer would have been only delaying the inevitable and causing her more discomfort. It was time. When she refused broth this morning (and cheese, her favorite), she licked my hand as if to say, “I don’t want it, just you.” I sat with her and petted her, and after a while I told my husband we probably needed to call the vet.

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  40. It isn’t Biblical but it is comforting…

    Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

    When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
    There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
    There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

    All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
    The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

    They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

    You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

    Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

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  41. A Dog’s Prayer

    Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

    Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

    Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

    When it is cold and wet, please take me inside… for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements… and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth… though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land… for you are my god… and I am your devoted worshiper.

    Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

    And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest…and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

    –Beth Norman Harris

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  42. Sorry about Misten, Cheryl. You made her so much a part of those wacky and wild discussions we used to have on Whirled Views that I will miss her.

    So far, fairly good. I’ve survived the preliminary orientation and opening speeches, despite some health issues. Next week, the work begins. Still feeling that mixture of excitement and nervousness. I’m also feeling my age, especially after observing a little of the superabundant enthusiasm of the new students out of high school during “Welcome Week”. It will be harder this time to keep the pace. I’m already tired.

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  45. Cheryl 😦 😦 😦 What a great dog she was and what a wonderful life you gave her. You were both blessed.

    Crying, too.

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  46. I spoke too soon about our weather being ‘mild’ (70s) for this time of year. Someone punched up the heat today, I literally came home and had to stand under a cold shower after spending a couple hours on the baking-hot deck of the Iowa for Fleet Week news conference. The bottoms of me feet were burning up.

    Saw the 2nd of the two ships come in, the Iowa shot off its guns (that was loud, echoing across the shipping channel, especially since most of us were almost right under them), the mayor randomly plunked down next to me on a bench at one point (fancy shoes), I got to interview a visiting couple from Iowa, and I briefly shared a parasol with the congresswoman who looked as hot as I felt.

    Now I’m drinking big bottles of water and sitting in front of my fan, getting ready to file a short story from home.

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  47. Oh, Cheryl, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Misten! I, too, am crying. May God comfort you as you grieve.

    I never knew her, but loved her through these years of reading about her.

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  49. QoD: Toy musical instruments. They’re out of tune, cheaply made, and generally just pieces of junk. Better to invest in the real deal, and maybe gift the children with some pre-paid music lessons for themselves or the grandchildren on said real instruments.

    The $.02 from the resident music teacher. 😉

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  50. Oh 6arrows, we had recorders, drums, tambourines, toy horns and the obligatory child sized piano…..granddaughter is now playing the trumpet at school…the boys like to bang things….so Auntie is teaching them to play softly on her piano… 🙂 BTW….when they are at Granny’s house…no electronics allowed…no tv either…they play outdoors when the weather is agreeable, four square, baseball, bean bag toss, bubble blowing, nerf gun shooting, water balloons, sidewalk chalk……indoors with Legos, blocks, games, play dough, art supplies, ping pong, books…etc…..

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  51. Nancy Jill, sounds like the kind of grandmother I want to be. Definitely no TV! (That was something I wanted very much for my own children, to raise them without TV. I didn’t raise them, so it didn’t happen, but I don’t want to turn on the TV for grandchildren. Books, toys, human interaction, hopefully some pets, but no TV.)

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  52. I grew up with TV but it wasn’t a go-to thing for us. After school & weekends were spent riding bikes, playing baseball, going to the beach, exploring freeway construction sites (on weekends when workers weren’t there), going to the beach, playing Tom Sawyer on a raft, playing winter Olympics (on the same wood platform in the backyard that served as the raft), going to the beach, playing horses (either with the little plastic kind or creatively using the swing set frame as our horses (lots of blankets needed for that game, going to the beach … I could go on. 🙂 Good times.

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  53. Those are great ideas for outdoor and indoor activities for the grands, NancyJill. And good for Auntie teaching them how to play softly on the piano!

    Please excuse the contrary-sounding nature of my QoD post. As anyone who’s read the prayer thread can see, I am short on patience today.

    It’s not an excuse to rant, however. 😦

    Oh, and I should say I like recorders. You can get pretty good-sounding ones for not a lot of money.

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  54. Oh you didn’t sound contrary 6….you are passionate about music…and the benefits there of….my two youngest have had piano training….and I do believe having the discipline and knowledge benefited them in their studies at school. The grandkids were interested in taking lessons, but, athletics has gotten in the way of time for that….volleyball, baseball, football, basketball, swimming, gymnastics…my daughter spends way too much time in the car taking the three to and fro….but that is their life….
    BTW…we had a lot of fun with our recorders and harmonicas….lots of laughs and giggles!

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  55. I used to teach recorder to the 4th graders in the second school district I worked in. One of those classes I remember quite fondly. Several of the kids in that particular class were very musically inquisitive, and they absolutely loved the recorder unit we did, to the point that about half a dozen of the kids asked me if they could come into my classroom during any recesses when I was in the building and not teaching another class, and work with them on extra recorder music.

    So, in addition to their regular music class time for 30 minutes twice a week, they also came in for an extra recorder ensemble time during I think a couple recess times a week.

    It was great fun! We explored a little more advanced recorder music during those recess sessions, and they just ate it right up. 🙂 And such lovely tone they produced, those 9- and 10-year-olds (even the boys)! 🙂

    One of my favorite memories from my school-teaching years. And, yes, I bought some recorders to have here at home — I think we have four of them — and a few of my kids have played them a little and enjoyed them somewhat, but not to the same extent that that one group of kids did years ago.

    (That group of “kids” now being in their 30s.) 🙂

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  56. We had all those musical toys and I never minded the ‘noise.’ The toy cat looked and sounded evil. I do like toys that can be used over and over again and encourage imagination. Toy pop guns would not bother me at all.

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  59. I agree with the Bratz dolls. Yuck. I am a little irritated that the majority of toy trucks have some sort if noise maker but on on them. What happened to children making the revving sound?

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  61. I hated the shrill noise of recorders, so…
    I bought my kids an alto recorder that had a very mellow tone. Well worth the expense

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