There's some changes happening!

First, you probably noticed a change to the format of this blog. I decided it was time to spiff things up a bit. And, you can look for more "life as we know it" type info. If that bores you, tune out; otherwise stayed tuned, add comments, participate if you choose!



Hughie and Susie arrived for their visit on Monday afternoon. Hughie is completely amazing. Check this out:

He will be 96 in September and looks wonderful in his shorts. Hughie walked around pulling weeds as is his habit. He'd brought his pruners in case we needed help in that department, but since we have no shrubbery yet, they didn't get used.

Day two brought a bit of car sickness, plus just plain ole tiredness to our elder statesman. He napped and Scott and Susie helped put together the little solar fountain I wanted to use in conjunction with an old grindstone.



It worked - with the past tense being important. The blankety-blank thing quit within 24 hours. I'm returning it. Will either get a regular, non-solar pump that is more powerful or just forget the whole project.



The guest room and bath apparently worked well, or Hughie and Susie were too polite to tell me if they didn't!

Good friend Shari back in Illinois is turning SIXTY very soon. Happy 6 - 0 Shari!!!! Get going and get that visit re-scheduled.

It's a time of high heat here. Expected to get over 100 today and tomorrow, then back to more normal temps. Funny how wilted I become when it's so hot. I look out the window and see rust color trees in the hills, those being the buckeye. Funny tree. It doesn't like heat and drops its leaves in the summer rather than the winter. Watering doesn't help as it's not drought deciduous, but heat deciduous. I feel the same way.

Ready for Company!!

Well, we are as ready as we can get right now. Scottie's office/the den/TV room is crowded, but at least much better organized. Until his desk moves to his permanent office, no one can use this as a bedroom 'cuz we can unfold the sofa bed. Love the window seat & have top down/bottom up blinds ordered for sun control.




The living room is in pretty good shape. I hung the big old empty frame around the clock. Like it.


The main guest room (for the time being "Hughie's room) is spiffed up. Curtains hung, bedspread washed to get rid of the cat vomit, all the usual things one does in preparation for company. I like the blues in this room with the pale greens. It's a very peaceful look.



My studio/office/laundry room/cat room, which is presently "Susie's room", is as good as it can be made for the time being. It's quite "busy". Too much stuff happening and furniture that is not even remotely coordinated. But with a bedspread on the day bed and lots of pillows, it's not too bad. Hung my Mom's old embroidery hoops around the painting above the bed. Think I like that too.

So, Hughie and Susie arrive tomorrow, Monday, and stay until Thursday. We have about 10 days activities in mind but will do our best to remember that Hughie is almost 96!


Cats are shut out of Hughie's room. Unfortunately for Susie, there is no other place than her room where their littler box and food can go. She's pretty adaptable though.

We're thinking 2 nights of eating at home and one night up to the Gateway to eat overlooking the river.

More later.

Early morning

I sit at my computer in the early AM and watch the sun hit Eagles Peak. If only I could make the power pole and lines go away!

This is just an incredibly beautiful place to live, and I feel so lucky to have found it and managed to get our home built here.

It's quiet, peaceful, has lots of animals to watch, artists galore, just enough to do. Perfect.




And, this is my Japanese Maple. We just got it potted. I'm not wild about the pot, but the ones I like in this size are quite expensive. I may put some yogurt on this one to encourage it to grow moss so it looks less plasticky.

Hughie and Susie (for those who don't know, that's my father-in-law and sister-in-law) arrive Monday. Can't wait. And, I'm so pleased that Hughie, who is almost 96, wants to make the trip and is up to doing it. He's pretty amazing.

We need to finish cleaning up the guest room and studio, where the day bed is located, and get curtains hung in those rooms so there is some privacy for visitors.

Most of the house will remain curtain-less so as not to spoil the views.

The wireless fence and collars are working just great for Cocoa and Buck. It's such a relief to be able to let them out and know they will hang around. And, for who knows what reason, it seems to have had a calming effect on both of them. Wonder if they make those collars for husbands. Wonder what part of the male anatomy would be the most effective place to fasten the shocker. . . . Hmmmmm.

Mayhem, Murder, Magic - and the Power of Love!

It started as a tragic tale. No more horrible mayhem had been seen since the days of Jack the Ripper.

Andy of the Raggedy family was found decapitated. Pieces of his scalp were strewn about. Stuffing was everywhere.

The prognosis was NOT good.







With Andy's body propped up, our Magician gathered all his pieces, and all her courage, to see if she could do better than all the King's horses and all the King's men had done for Humpty Dumpty.

Closer examination revealed that Andy had some missing parts, specifically his nose and a couple of pieces of scalp. Not a good sign.









Andy's parts were carefully arranged, and our Magician gathered some special pieces of magic, fusible tape, an old handkerchief and iron-on patches. Could Andy be repaired into at least a semblance of his former self?

Anne waited in the wings, her winsome smile never wavering. She knew a secret that none of the rest of us could fathom.





With Andy's head reassembled, a new nose drawn on, his blond hair re-glued and an almost round shape accomplished, the Magician opened Andy's clothing to determine just how to re-attach his head. There, hidden from view, and apparently drawn in by Andy's original Creator, was a simple red heart with the words "I love you" written inside.






With renewed confidence the Magician set about the final part of Andy's surgery. Sure enough, he was soon able to sit upright. Anne was obviously pleased to see her beloved brother!

So, our story has a happy ending. Anne and Andy now retire to a version of a retirement home especially for members of families like the Raggedy's - our storage room. Some day they may have their own condo in the form of a shadow box from which they can watch life pass by in safety. For now, a little time to recuperate is in order, along with protection from those unknown monsters - well it could have been either one - who attacked Andy to begin with!

All's well. Andy's scars will only add a Rhett Butler sort of charm to his good looks.

It's been a tough week

I've had the worst week health-wise in some time. After managing to throw myself in to a major fibromyalgia flare, I kept spiraling down until I reached then blew right through a tipping point. That left me with a day of tears, pain so bad I thought I'd vomit, swelling, etc., etc., etc.

And, yes, I do know better.


So, no updates all week, and not much of anything else.
We did manage to hang some art the past couple of days. That always makes a place feel more "mine". So, here's the tour:



This piece is one of mine. It's hanging above the little telephone table (actually a built in cabinet, but made to look like a telephone table) by the kitchen door. This painting won a minor award at a San Diego show, and it's one of Scott's favorites.














This is in the den/Scottie's temporary office. The large photo above his desk is a blow up of a photo he took while in the service, during his paratrooper training. It was later used for an ad for his old business, Pt. Loma Bag Co., and I think it won some sort of award for the advertising guru who did it.









These bird photos were a junk shop discovery. I don't think they are hand colored, but they are quite old; and I got them at a real bargain as a gift for Scottie several years ago. They fit perfectly above the opening between kitchen and dining room.









OK, ignore the mess. This is in my studio. The painting above the day bed is what the kids and Scottie got me for my birthday this year. The frame was white, which caused the picture to be washed out. I did a quick, down and dirty paint job on it knowing that I'll eventually reframe. The clock on the wall to the left was one of the group we made a few years ago in New Mexico as Christmas gifts. It's great red rock with lichen on it. On the old sewing machine is a tray we made another year. I got a bunch of used horse shoes from a rancher. Scottie cleaned them up, attached them to wooden trays he made and I word-burned the "Casa Pacifica" logo on them.

Above our bed is a painting I did of three pears in which I used crumpled rice paper on top of the water color paper (just w/i the outline of the pears), then painted over. Had to call it "A Pear to Paint To" - get it??? Anyway, Scottie liked this one.


On the stairway landing is one of my favorites by Mona Segal, an artist who was in some classes that I also took. Mona is a fabulous artist! If you notice anything missing, like the raggedy Anne and Andy dolls, blame Buck. Well, I'm blaming him, though it could have been Cocoa. Someone decapitated Andy, and I have to repair him. Not nice. Usually it's Buck who does that sort of thing, though if Cocoa thought it might be a squeaky toy, she would move heaven and earth to find and "kill" the squeaker. Anyway, they've been put away. After I fix Andy I'll put them where the dogs can't reach.
These are two photos that Scottie took and that I really like. To the right of these is a sketch of my father done by a buddy of his while they were under fire at Anzio Beach in WWII. A steady enough hand in that circumstance to draw and a calm enough brain to capture a darned good likeness - amazing! The chair used to be in our bedroom in San Diego covered in a denim fabric that had seen better days and was called "Mousse's chair" 'cuz our old dog loved to sleep in it. We had it recovered while living in New Mexico. Memories. . . .


And THIS is my favorite piece of current art. I call it "Footprints on Tabletop". It's by Ellie Cat, using easily available dust. I guess we'd have to call it a performance piece as it's being constantly destroyed by a less than appreciative audience and just as constantly recreated by the artist.

Is this LABOR Day rather than MEMORIAL Day???

Does seem that all we've done is labor and labor some more!



Scottie has built these great shelves in his building. Now he gets to start sorting and putting away. There are boxes upon boxes of outdoor gear, tools, hiking stuff, loading stuff, shooting stuff - I don't see any way it will all fit, but he's got a good start going.




The loading bench, made just for Scottie by our good pal Joe (who moved to Minnesota so we only have email with him now), is in the shed. It's to be covered with some sort of plywood top so it doesn't get damaged. The collage of photos was done for the big SIXTY surprise party. Wow, 8 1/2 years ago. Tempus Fugit.












While Scottie worked on the shed, I played with rocks and dirt. Once a farmer. . . . I just can't resist getting my hands in the dirt.


So, I've constructed a tiny rock wall to mimic the neat one we had built and enclose the half of the front yard that wasn't enclosed.

I put in some blue fescue, a clumping type, and a mulch pathway to the front door. I'm hoping this may cut down on some of the constant dirt we track in. We also put more mulch in the kennel, door mats inside in front of every door - including the door door, and are wetting all this down regularly.




Not really visible in all this are the rock steps to the right of the wall in this photo. I will plant some sort of ground cover around them, maybe a thyme so it will smell good when it's stepped on.

Transplanted my two lavender plants to the back side of the taller wall. I want to add some ornamental oregano there to spill over the wall and a few other aromatic plants. And, the old grinding stone is placed roughly where it will go as a fountain. I'll need to create a basin below, some sort of grate over that, and a few decorative rocks to raise the grind stone. I found an inexpensive (relatively) solar fountain that I think will work in this spot so we don't have to run power out to it. I'd say it's taking shape a bit!

And, we are both utterly exhausted! I'm done for the day, on my second neurontin already and just about to crawl in the tub. I won't tell how many tylenol PM's I took last night; let's just say more than one should take. But, it's not something I do often, and I did finally manage a few hours sleep after getting the throbbing pain under control. So, did I take it easy today as planned? Not really, but I did STOP early in the day, have been lying down reading, and I'm DONE. No more labor on this Memorial Day weekend. Really. Really.

Old Stuff and New Friends

Lots of photos and not much verbiage this time so I've reverted to the "small" photos. If you want a close up, you can click on the photo.

This is the old transit and old crock. The fern that is sitting on the crock will be hanging from the transit soon.







And this view has lots of good stuff. The clock Monica gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago; love it! The old clock that was my grandparents. And, the little pitcher which is the only piece of pottery we have from the days my husband was throwing pots. Wish he'd still do it 'cuz he's very talented.







Here we have a tribute to both our families. My grandfather made the little rocker and high chair. Scottie's grandmother had the blond raggedy Anne and Andy made for he and his sister, two little blonds. Oh, and my pretty Lucy Cat.








Here is a good view of my mother's (and earlier my grandmother's) pie cabinet. It is now topped by a painting Scottie has had for some time along with another plant.

(Hey brother Bill: remember when you drove to Peoria and helped me moved and there was a complete pick-up load of plants???)






Here is the new fiddle-leaf fig. The crock it sits in is one of my few antique purchases - most are old family pieces. In the background, to the right of the window, you can get a semi-view of my favorite of my own paintings. Most of my stuff disappoints me.








Another new plant and a good view of the new table and old chairs. Works well.









And, our first dinner guests - Rose and Bill Murphy, who will at some point become our full-time neighbors. Right now, they "visit" their land and camp out when they can. It's very cool to discover we will have neighbors with whom we share a lot of interests, pet peeves, even political views. Good news!



And, a final note: I've managed to throw myself into a FFF - that would be F---ing Fibromyalgia Flare. My first really bad one for some time. Mucho pain, swelling, brain dead, etc., etc. Guess we could say I've been overdoing it big time.

So, I'll be taking it easy tomorrow. Remind me of that, huh???

Bouncing Bubbles, Shimmering Shadows, and Hibernating Husband

Moving is hard work!


Backs and muscles in their 60's seem to feel it way more than they did in their 30's.


Even though I don't have the extra crystals added yet, I wanted to get a couple of shots of the tub and light in the blog.


Ignore the fact that the windows aren't cleaned yet, either, please. This view is to the East/Southeast. There are no houses in that line of sight, so I can feel free to sit in the big old tub naked as a jaybird and soak. (Ever wonder why the phrase is naked as a JAYBIRD? Are they only birds that run around naked?)






Check out all the bubbles. I keep forgetting to buy bubble bath, so it's shampoo. Smells good. Candles in both windows too. The other window faces the 90 degree direction; can't be seen in the photos.


Mom's old pie cabinet looks great doesn't it? And Ruth's old tub. Yep, this is my sentimental corner.


It's also my private corner. I close the door, and dogs, cats and husband all manage to give me a few minutes to myself. Actually, cats do scratch at the door, but I ignore that.




Lounging in the tub (which is nice and deep, unlike modern tubs) this is the view looking up.

The chandelier is a cream color and the ceiling a lighter cream, almost white. I love how the shadows play on the ceiling. It's a bit exaggerated from the flash, but this is the general look. Very calming.




So, you might wonder, while I'm having all this peace and tranquility, what might Scottie be doing?







He would tell you he was watching TV, but we know better. Snoozing. Definitely. And, if it were a closer shot you just might see a bit of drool dropping down to the T-shirt.


Like I said, moving is hard work.

He's baaaaack!

Scottie that is. Been at his Dad's in San Diego for a few days doing some painting. Now I get help on the remaining unpacking, etc.


This is our new dining room table surrounded by 8 antique chairs I found - 2 sets of 4. I'm going to stain and recover seats. The old transit in the corner was my grandfather's - bought to settle an argument over a fence line - and I have the top piece for it. It will have a plant hanging. Beneath it is a blue and white crockery piece that my grandmother on the other side used to make pickles in.






I'm thrilled, thrilled, thrilled with the table. I found a fabulous guy via the internet and ordered the table. He's in New York; we're in California. He made the table, which is 8' and has two extensions of 22" each that will add to the ends to make a BIG table for a crowd. It's real wood, not crummy veneers, beautifully made and finished, signed and numbered.






So, when you open the front door (the red to the left), you see the table, then the living room. I'm hoping it won't always have a cat on it, but you never know in this house.


In case you are interested, you can email theolecraftsman@craftsmantables.com. I simply can't recommend him highly enough!











Our bedroom is being kept very simply and quiet. This old armoire came with us from New Mexico. Scottie has to drill a hole for the cables as this is where the TV hides. Two matching feather beds for the dogs, one on each side.









Our shower has a window looking out to oak trees. Guest bath got one too, so no one gets cheated.

















The vessel sinks worked out well, and the medicine cabinets above them reflect the windows. I've never understood why bathroom vanities are low, causing people to have to bend over to brush teeth, shave, etc. So, ours are high despite me being short. Feels a bit funny at first, but I still like the idea. No more toothpaste spattered everywhere. No more husband's whiskers all over.



I still need to add a few crystals from Yvonne's old fixture to the new one above the tub. Photo of that later.

Oh - under the left front of the vanity cabinet is a view of one of the "vacpans" for the central vacuum system. We have one in the kitchen and one in the master bath. You just open the outlet, sweep stuff toward it, and poof - it disappears into the bowels of the vacuum. Love it!

Oh, and this is the old pie cabinet. Lookin' good!

It's all about the kitchen

Look carefully now. I've been very busy editing down my various collections. You'll see numerous cutting boards, rolling pens, bird houses, yellow-ware, pottery, and a few lemons.





This pig on the left is a true antique; I think Shaker in origin. It's the culprit behind my obsession with cutting boards. Several others are old, and too many are of my own design.


That's from my stage of being Chief Product Designer. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

The rolling pens - well, I just like them. And, no, I've never used one on Scott!

The bird houses were a short-term obsession. Got one or two as gifts and started making and painting them. I just can't seem to help myself.



And the lemons? (Look in the dark cupboard.) Well, those belonged to my wonderful mother-in-law. Her obsession I guess. Most are still with my father-in-law, but I've managed to talk him out of a couple.

Much of the pottery was made by my brother-in-law, Don. There are a couple of old pieces, too; but most of the old ones are in a different room.


Scottie would say too many cutting boards and too many rolling pens. I'd say too few lemons!