I miss you Sam!!

I miss you Sam!!
I miss you Sam!!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Evening, Wisdom and Beauty



This is a little different from what I usually do for my Evening post, but it's a beautiful story with a wonderful reminder to us all of just what is truly important.
NEED WASHING?

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall.I got lost in the sound and sight of the
heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little red-haired girl's voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mom let's run through the rain, she said.

'What?' Mom asked.

'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.
This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the
rain.'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?'

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!''

The entire crowd stopped dead silent.

I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No
one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even
ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life.
A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's
us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked. They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain!

Shadow Shot Sunday!

Shadow Shot Sunday is hosted each week by Hey Harriet! It's the most fun ever, so get on your sleuthing clothes and start looking for the shadows around your world. Click on her name, sign up today!



First of all, of course, a favorite color shadow that I happened to catch in a basement window.



And next, deck shadows in the grass and shadows on the deck itself -- one of my favorite places as many of you know!





Now this one you will need to click on to embiggen and then you can see the upside down duck amid the reflections of the trees in the water. It was taken at a lovely park at the beach.

The Perfect Solution for Senior Health Care

This was sent to me by a good friend -- too good not to share! Happy Weekend!

While discussing the upcoming Universal
Health Care Program with my sister-in-law the other day, I
think we have found the solution. I am sure you have heard
the ideas that if you ’re a senior you need to suck it up
and give up the idea that you need any health care. A new
hip? Unheard of. We simply can't afford to take care of
you anymore. You don't need any medications for your
high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, etc. Let’s
take care of the young people. After all, they will be
ruling the world very soon.

So here is the solution. When you turn 70,
you get a gun and 4 bullets. You are allowed to shoot 2
senators and 2 representatives. Of course, you will be sent
to prison where you will get 3 meals a day, a roof over your
head and all the health care you need! Need teeth, great!
Need glasses, no problem. Need hip, knee, kidney, lung,
heart? Well bring it on. And who will be paying for all of
this. The same government that just told you that you are
too old for health care. And, since you are a prisoner, you
don't have to pay any income tax.

I really think we have
found a Perfect Solution!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Evening, Wisdom and Beauty



Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak; sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go.



Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.
Phillips Brooks




Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers



Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.
Margaret B. Runbeck



"In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities."
--Janos Arnay



"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."
--Aristotle

Subject: Murphy's other 15 laws

1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why
some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

2. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

3. He, who laughs last, thinks slowest.

4. A day without sunshine is like. . . well, night.

5. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

6. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

7. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

8. The 50-50-90 rule:
Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90%
probability you'll get it wrong.

9. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end-to-end, some taxi would be stupid enough to try to pass them.

10. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

11. The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first.

12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit
in a boat all day drinking beer.

13. Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.

14. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in the dark.

15. When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of twelve people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Sky Watch Friday!

It's that time of week once again to bask in the beauty of skies from all over the world! Sky Watch is hosted each week by Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise! Click here to sign up and share the beauty of your skies with us!



Fall is fast approaching and there is a subtle difference to our beautiful skies here in Seattle. Sometimes it is easier to see down at the harbor and that's where the first two shot were taken. The last one was taken -- as usual from our wonderful deck!



Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
Franklin P. Jones



If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with a little rain!
Dolly Parton



Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt and dance like nobody's watching.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Evening, Wisdom and Beauty



The chemist who can extract from his heart's elements, compassion, respect, longing, patience, regret, surprise, and forgiveness and compound them into one can create that atom which is called love.
Kahlil Gibran

Find the person who will love you because of your differences and not in spite of them and you have found a lover for life.
Leo Buscaglia



Comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love.
King Soloman



A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway.
Fr. Jerome Cummings



Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.
Rose Franken

To Whomever Gets My Dog

Better get a handful of kleenex! This is a little long, but it is a beautiful story!

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, and the people really friendly.

I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to.

And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which
is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. But it became pretty clear, pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it.. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it,I could tell.

The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically,that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called,"Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more
accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too.

"Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".........

To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner.

I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it
right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls... the more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet.

Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals:

"back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like
nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening.

Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He's up on his shots.

Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet.

Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time.

I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life.. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.

Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....

His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming
back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems.

His real name is Tank. Because that is what I drive. Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no
one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request ofthe Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call theshelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though,frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter.

I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank.

Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every
night - from me."

Thank you, Paul Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. "C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood
floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.

"Tank," I whispered. His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball His ears perked again.

"Yeah Ball You like that Ball "

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room. And when he
came back......he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Evening, Wisdom and Beauty



We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.
Agnes Repplier

You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. ~Dr. Seuss



I would rather have eyes that cannot see; ears that cannot hear; lips that cannot speak, than a heart that cannot love.
Robert Tizom



Love, true love, is that which can give the most
without asking or demanding anything in return.
Mazie Hammond ~



The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.
Henry Miller

ABC Wednesday -- G!

ABC Wednesday is sponsored/hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt and it is a fun way to explore the alphabet from your perspective. Click on her name, sign up and share your view of the letter for the day -- which today happens to be G!



G is for Grapevines and Grapes !





G is for Green Grass!



G is for Gold! We could all use more of that these days!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Evening, Wisdom and Beauty



Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu



Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.
Kahlil Gibran



Didn't you know that people hide love like a flower too precious to be picked?
Wu Ti



Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love.
Albert Einstein



And the trouble is if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.
Erica Jong

If I know what love is, it is because of you.
Herman Hesse

That's My World - Our Deck

Time to share our worlds! This marvelous meme is hosted each week by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Ivar, Fishing Guy and Louise! Click here to find the directions for signing up and then share your world with us.



A big part of my world is here, where I spend so much time during the spring and summer particularly. It's where I find the marvelous skies and clouds that are such fun to photograph. It's a great place to read, write, enjoy a meal and enjoy the sun!



And these are a few of the beautiful things to see in my world, from here on the deck!



Beautiful skies -- summer, spring and .....



winter!



A tulip tree!



Lilacs!



The moon!



And the best place to spend time with friends -- including the four-legged ones!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Evening, Wisdom and Beauty



We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.



Love: We think about it, sing about it, dream about it,loose sleep worrying about it. When we don't know we have it, we search for it. When we discover it, we don't know what to do with it. When we have it, we fear loosing it. It is the constant source of pleasure and pain. But we don't know which it will be from one moment to the next. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define and impossible to live without.



I am nothing special of this I am sure. I am just a common woman with common thoughts. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, that has always been enough.



I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we're really not that different, me and you.

Pet Pride



Hey, wings, paws, hoofs and cat claws! Come join Bozo and the rest of us on Pet Pride to show some more reasons why we are so important to our human friends. Click here to sign up and bark, neigh, meow, cackle, moo -- whatever, you get the picture!

Here I am, taking a nap in my favorite chair -- I look pretty dignified as far a nap pose goes, don't you think?



Well, check out Mojo, the show off, and how she takes a nap!!!





I was just so disgusted with all the attention she was getting that I just got up and left the room!!



Where did I leave my cigar????

What Can I Say?

What Can I Say?
I'm interested in almost everything. Use to like to travel, but it's too expensive now. I take Tai Chi classes, swim, volunteer in a Jump-start program for pre-schoolers. I'm an avid reader and like nearly everyone these days I follow politics avidly. I'm a former teacher and Special Projects Coordinator for a Telecommunications company, Assistant to the President of a Japanese silicon wafer manufacturing company. Am now enjoying retirement -- most of the time. I have two daughters, one son-in-law and two sons scattered all over the country. No grandchildren.

Portland Time