On Friday, Suzanne, Roberta and I went to Daffodil Hill.  Yahoo mapped directions to get there, and of course it routed us through the most rural roads.  Not complaining though, we could not have asked for a prettier drive... though the roads were twisted and narrow it was georgous!!!  Saw three wild turkeys in the middle of a rough section of  the road.  One, a male I think, was ruffed up and flaired out and so concentrated on his "dance" that it took him a while to notice us, so we just enjoyed the show for a bit.  When he finally noticed us all three silently scattered and dissapeared into the woods.  For such large, showey creatures they certainly are camifloged well.  Once they stepped into the woods they were "gone" we could not see them at all. 

Daffodil Hill was very pretty, not large, but certainly worth the drive.  Suzanne and I counted at least ten spieces of daffodils, although hundreds of varieties are planted.  I'm glad we went before the showey display was over, because the bloom period is short, and the rains damage the blossoms.  Here is another instance of "if I knew how to insert photos..."

The  weather has been beautiful, although storms are predicted.  There was a fine talk last night by a brother from Bethel, and afterwards he and his wife were interviewd...  They were very entertaining.  Memorial is tonight, and I'm still coughing, so I'm going to try and conserve my energy till then. 

Have seen a lot of Robins, and the Sacramento area's Yellow Billed Magpies.

Flew home to California, Monday, via Southwest Airlines. It was a long, happily, uneventful trip, and I have jet lag- again... When I flew to the east coast, which is three hours ahead, my internal clock set forward another two hours, so instead of waking up at at 6:00 a.m, Eastern time I was waking up around 4:00 a.m., which was actually 1:00 a.m. Pacific time.

Now that I'm home, my internal clock seems to be set to wake me at 4:00 a.m.... go figure.

It's good to be home. It's good to see friends and family, and especially good to be with my darling daughter.

Still have a miserable hack from that nasty virus I caught, aggravated by allergies it has settled into my chest. However, I am feeling better, but need to recover soon... plans are in the works to visit friends in Oregon in the middle of April, and I want to be well!!! :-)

Extending special love and thanks to Lori, who put me up, and put up with me for all those weeks.

And my love to Pam, whose company I always enjoy immensely. And Belinda, my love and gratitude to you too, for enriching my visit so.

xoxoxo to all. G.

xoxoxo

Had to leave Gainesville, and my darling Pam and Mama Jan, and am back in Jacksonville.

However, I would like to note that before I left Gainesville I saw two Pileated Woodpeckers. Absolutely huge, and rather primeval in appearance. Also saw house wrens, and several other small birds, but everything faded at the sight of the Pileated Woodpeckers. Strange and Beautiful....

Still have that hacking cough I picked up in Gainesville, but otherwise am well and happy. Took Mom shopping on Monday and she bought five new pairs of shoes :-D Seems everything she had hurt her feet, so now she can purge her closet and start anew.

Completed my first "Dell's Best All Easy Crossword Puzzles", thank you Suzanne, and made the mistake of purchasing "New York Times Light and Easy Puzzles"... HA! Should have known better as it was edited by Will Shortz, possibly the worlds smartest and cagiest puzzle master...
Ended up giving it to Mom (the 90 year old quiz whizz) and she got me another Dells "easy" puzzles.

Also, Lori shared a new site with me... Is anyone familiar with bing.com? They have great wallpaper, and it is a very interesting site.

Well, that's it for now, except I should be heading back to California this Tuesday.

xoxoxo for now... G.

Pam and I finally got to the bead store, and have completed some projects - Yeah!!!! I actually brought along some beads I had purchased at an outlet in San Diego, the last time I visited with Martha. Completed a beautiful robin's egg blue necklace and earrings with silver findings, and a turquoise crystal dangle on each earring..., a turquoise, stone chunks necklace, no earrings, and a double strand coral necklace with earrings. Can hardly wait till I'm able to insert photos, for sharing images. (A picture's worth a thousand words.)

At Pam's local bead store they were having a truckload sale, with some of the best prices I've seen in an age. Picked up white, coin pearls that are absolutely fabulous, can hardly wait to get started on them. Will do something very simple.

We were also able to check out next door, the yarn shop and the Artisan's Guild Gallery, where we met Kana Handel, (from Japan) who does whimsical Sumi ink, watercolor paintings. I enjoyed her work very much, last year, and was delighted to meet her. What a nice day we had!

Pam's husband, John, moved the bird feeder closer to the house, so we now have a much better view of our feathered friends, will update later if I see anything new.

Picked up a lousy virus the yesterday and have been a bit mopey ever since. Anyway, hope everyone out there is well, and happy... bye for now.

Hola, anyone who is out there. First my greetings to the Rileys, thank you for keeping in touch, and apologies for not responding back correctly... have not quite gotten a handle on how to operate some of the functions of blogging. At any rate, your messages on this blog brighten my day. :-)

I'm in Gainesville now, have been here since Monday, and Florida weather has been COLD. Sorry did not mean to "shout", but it has been c.o.l.d.... brrr.


Second, a clarification on my my latest movie recommendations. "First, Do No Harm", and "I am David" are excellent movies, but I do not recommend them for children. I personally think these two movies are too intense for younger ones... just a heads up.

Have add ons to my birder list: Carolina Wrens, a Hermit Thrush, a Hawk (Cooper's, I think), of course assorted sparrows, and can't remember if I mentioned Robins.

This afternoon Pam and I are hitting the local bead shop, yarn shop and art gallery. Should be fun... I have a number of beading projects to finish up.

Was in Barnes and Nobles this morning and saw a book I'd like to read, "Play Piano in a Flash" and "Play Piano in a Flash for Kids" by Scott Houston. Read a bit and it was not a bit complicated, understood what he was saying. Maybe I could actually learn to play a tune or two.

More movies to recommend... I Am David, and First Do No Harm.

Pam is coming to fetch me and take me to Gainesville tomorrow. Am looking forward to spending time with her, we always have fun. So much to look forward to, but I'm tired now...goodnighzzzzzzz.

Need to add chickadee's to my birder list, also boat tailed grackles, mallards and mockingbirds.

I'm learning ASL (American Sign Language) from my dear Lori, who has more than graciously put me up for the past three weeks, and loaned me her car so I could visit Mom. She is Mom's newest daughter, and my newest sister... :-) At any rate ASL is different from the English sign language I learned years ago. Mostly all I ever learned was finger spell, and a few graphic signs. I never learned to read sign very well at all. Whole nother story now. Have learned probably 45 new signs, mostly theocratic language. What else...? Can count up to 14 which is not much, but it is a beginning. Have been signing in front of a mirror so that I can see what it looks like. Of course being left handed makes some of it a bit awkward. Can hardly wait to show Bonnie what I've learned. Went in ASL service doing a deaf search also.

That's it for now, gotta go... :-)

Arrived in Florida the evening of Feb. 4, 2010 to visit my Mom and friends. Mom was 90 years old this month. Have enjoyed lunching with her, and taking her shopping all over Jacksonville this past three weeks.

Florida bird life is abundant, have spotted goldfinches in abundance, red wing blackbirds, male and female cardinals, dove, bluebirds, tufted titmouse, woodpeckers, herons, blue herons, egrets, ibis, and I think a bunch of storks, but I'm not sure - spotted them from a moving car, they were rather ugly birds and not moving much, cormorants... It's not a complete list, but you get the jist.

Saw "The Fox and the Child". What a beautiful film. Part of it was a bit disturbing, but well worth watching, non the less.

Also am almost done reading "Thousand Pieces of Gold" which I would recommend.

What else? There's bunches to say, but not much time... am using Mom's computer to type this update, and we are getting ready to (what else?) go shopping again. :-)

Bought a little book on blogging so hopefully will make this a more attractive place to visit, and will (again) hopefully, soon add another update.

See you later...

(Retrospect) Drove my car cross country - started in Florida, up to AL, then straight across to San Diego... Pam was going to ride with me, but she was recovering from Pneumonia. Was a little concerned about going alone, afraid of getting over-tired... But Even by myself, it was a "most excellent journey" - three nights, four days of georgous country.

Was only going to spend the night, but ended up staying a week with Martha, in San Diego. We had fun exploring Balboa Park. Bought week passes, and we were able to really enjoy the museums without rushing. Only went to three - but really enjoyed them. Hope to do repeat the experience next time.

(Current) Have been in CA for a little over two months now. Am back with Certified, have almost completed my first assignment with them. What started as a seven day assignment, went to nine, then two weeks, then two weeks plus. Think I may be here (Jackson Lab) for another two days. While the pay's not the best they are nice people, and it's been good to have money coming in.

The weather has finally changed and there's a chill in the air. That's good, as far as I'm concerned... would rather be a bit cooler than too hot. It was over 110 the first month I was back. Too hot for my taste.

Poor neglected blogspot...


It's not that I haven't had anything to write. Access to an online computer had been a problem for a while. Can't say why else I've been so neglectful.


Worked for the census bureau for five weeks - drove all over creation, racking up milage and pay, so was able to...


spend two weeks with Pam in Florida, two weeks in San Diego with Martha (got to enjoy the international convention as a "family member"), and have spent the last three weeks in Sacramento with my darling daughter, and took Amtrak,by myself, to Garberville to visit my dear son for four days.


Was looking for an apartment, and actually thought I'd found one, but unless you have $7,000 in the bank or a current job it's almost impossible to find a place. So plan to move here and stay with a friend until I'm working and can get my own place.

That's it for now.

Can't believe it's been so long since my last post... I really have not dropped off the earth.

Things have been really good, with my sister, and the congregation, here in Alabama - and the weather has finally turned cool. Hope it stays that way and Fall is really upon us. :-)

Drove to Florida last week and stayed with my dear friend Pam, and her darling Mom Jan. Spent five wonderful days with them... We went to two beautiful beaches, the Haun Museum (sp?), and a butterfly conservatory that was like a taste of Paradise, absolutely overwhelmingly beautiful. Butterflies were actually landing in my hair. It took my breath away. Thank you my dear heart friend.

Then went my darling Lori's to visit with Mom in Jacksonville... was able to spend three days there. Lori took us (Mom and me) to the Cumer Museum (sp?), what a wonderful treat.

It is enough to be able to visit with dear friends, but to be treated so well too is a true blessing.

Drove home on Sunday - a seven hour trip - then back to work Monday. Tired but HAPPY!!!

:-)

xoxoxo to everyone, G. :-)

Hallo every-body... :-)

I didn't know that it would be a difficulty to leave comments. If you would like to comment, but it is not working, you have to register with blogger. It's not hard, you just need your e-mail address, and a password. Suzanne clued me in on this..., she was not able to comment until she registered. You don't have to make a blog page, but you can if you want to. IT'S NOT HARD... I did it... I needed to ask for a little help from a friend, but mostly I set it up myself, and I'm not a wizard at this type of thing. So... I miss you guys, and would love to hear from you, but if I don't, I will keep typing away anyway. :-P

It's been hot and muggy here. I only have to go outside and I'm drenched... ICK!!! But that's the way it is.

Got a job too...

I'm waiting tables at a cute boutique just down the road from where we live. I'm waiting tables, making sandwiches, salads, sweet tea (it's a southern thing), washing dishes (bou cou dishes) and busing the tables, and doing cleanup.

Am also picking up a lot of cooking clues which is not to bad for someone who Does Not Cook!!!

Cut up a whole box of broccoli... was told, but Traci my trainer, that it was the best job she had seen... nice little bite size pieces for the broccoli salad. Was also told that it would probably be a good idea to cut them a little larger next time as it would probably be too hard (i.e. time consuming) for them to duplicate (even though I did it in record time) because once the customers had enjoyed it they would not settle for the regular cut. It was fun... I just thought about people I love, my son and daughter... and making them something delicious to enjoy. Jimmy, you would be proud... I used a huge knife and remembered the tips you gave me.

Also learned how to make a special Broc. Salad Dressing (a little sweet for my taste - but good nevertheless). It's not the same as Fifth Avenue's, in Carmel, but pretty good anyway. :-)

Never waited tables before, but sec'y/recep. does not seem to be hopping right now, and most jobs are miles away $$$ and the pay is very low compared to what I'm used to. So, with my little salary and tips, and not having to buy much gas, and the hours are good, 10:00 - 3:00, I figure it's not to bad. The best part is the people I work with... They all seem to be Very Nice!!!

HOWEVER, it is exhausting work... so next time you guys eat out, Remember Big Tips for your waitress!!! Unless she neglects you of course. :-)

Well, that's about it for now. XOXOXO to Everyone. G. :-D

Hello all my darling friends...

We have been having some fantastic electric storms here in Alabama. A tree went down on Friday, and our electricity went out for a few hours... I love the sound of rain on the roof.

There have been storms all weekend, and I Totally Love It! It is such a sensation that I have to get out in it, for a bit - let the big fat raindrops plop down on me till I'm soaked... It is Wonderful!!! The only thing is that when you wear glasses and they get wet, you can't see a thing. Also, people seem to think that you are a bit crazy, and they believe you are going to get struck by lightning. I guess it could happen, but I think the chances of that are remote - so I say "enjoy it while you can".

Monterey almost never has electric storms, Sacramento had some pretty good ones, and my Mom told me once that Florida is the Thunder Storm Capital of the USA. I do remember some pretty good storms there.

I noticed that after a storm the country gets all steamy and a mist sort of lays on the land.

We still have the ferrets. Once the cage was clean the "odor factor" dropped way down. The actual smell of the ferrets themselves does not disturb me, in fact I rather like it. My hands smell sort of "sweet" after handling the little furballs.

Anyway, just touching bases with everyone. I miss all of you guys bunches.

More comments...
Hooray!!!! Hi Slade and ALL the Riley family xoxoxox. Thank you for checking in on me. :-D

Today we started "baby sitting" ferrets. A big white male, and a smaller, ferrety colored female. They are very cute, and friendly, but stinkey :-p "Erk..." More painting subjects.

Have been feeling more creative lately... Completed two small canvases, one a "portrait" of Lynda's dog, Washeau, and another of her black kitty, Little, on a patio. Whimsical, fun pieces. Also did a few little (card size) watercolors.

Have been experimenting with wood burning. Am having trouble keeping the point screwed in tight. It starts to loosen up while I'm working... most inconvenient. Must be turning it somehow while I'm drawing, or maybe it's because I'm left handed. Regardless..., I'm having fun! Cannot wait till we are connected to the Internet at home and I can include pictures. Have done four small complete pieces. Poisson Chat (Cat Fish) a too cute little cat-mermaid, complete with stamping and glitter, and three small flower pieces, which came out more dramatic as I'm learning how to handle a wood "background".

Well, it's getting late, tonight is a meeting night, so...

Ta ta for now, & xoxoxo to all.

Today I was told "The Alabama State Bird is the Mosquito".

Ack!!! I've got to many bites to count.

My poor hands are a mess...


There is a 2" burn on the top of my left hand at the the base of my thumb from an encounter with the element on our toaster oven.


I've got a bruise on the palm of my left hand. Then somehow I acquired a really black bruise on the my right thumb. It looks awful...


There are ump-teen mosquito bites on both hands, AND then... I went and broke a nail!


YOWZA!!! Guess I need to wrap myself up in "cotton wool" and go to bed... :-)


Not to worry... The burn is from last week, and although it still looks bad, it's actually much, much better.

Hello out there... Viewed my second "comment" today... I LOVE you Suzanne!!!! xoxoxo


Things are going well here. Guess what? I'm learning about horses... :-)


Lynda and I went to a field, way out in the country, last weekend to doctor a colt's foot (his owners were out of town). It had been raining hard on and off all day, and I have to say - I've never had the experience of walking in mud that thick. Ick... A person could loose a shoe real quick that way. It was getting dark, and spooky - I was trying to hold onto the colt with a makeshift harness and shine a flashlight on his hoof at the same time, which was a problem because the mare wanted to get to him and was leaning on me (hard) and pushing me into the fence.

Fortunately, the land owner sent three young girls out on four wheelers to give us some light, and help us out. It was good that they did, these young girls just waved the mare off like it was nothing - they knew their stuff. What a relief.. I realized at that point that if I'm going to be a "real" help to Lynda I need to know more about horses. I need more control.


The girls gave us a hitch, on their muddy four wheelers, so we wouldn't have to troop through the muck in the dark to our vehicle. I have to tell you - it was fun.

So... Groomed my first horse Tuesday - including the mane and 1/2 the tail... Lynda did the first half to demonstrate how, and how not to get hurt in the process. The horse, Satin, is a dream baby... when I did her neck and face her eyes closed and she (gently) leaned into me. She was so relaxed, it was amazing how much she enjoyed it. Wed., Lynda started to teach me how to do Ring Training. Worked with Button, a chocolate brown gelding. Got hands on experience... and he is SMART! Ring Training is rather dizzy-ing, and I worked with him till I was ready to fall over. He had done a lot of "what horses do" while I worked with him, so I decided it was time to step out of the ring. Don't want to fall down in "that stuff". Ha!


Also, Lynda is going to be "baby sitting" some horses while their Mama is out of town, so will be learning to feed them too.

Well, I guess that's about all the equine business I've got to relate, and I'm typing this at the library as we are not on line yet. Hopefully we will be connected up soon.


There's lot's more going on here, but my time is almost up so I will say "Ta ta for now - I love you all".

Hooray!!! I got my first comment... xoxoxo SR and family, and all.

S. and I spent a wonderful week in Florida. I have to say, I love Florida... (almost as much as CA :-D ) .

We arrived at Lori's in Jacksonville, Sunday evening, and spent most of the week with Mom. On Wed. the three of us went with Lori to Jacksonville Beach - had wonderful seafood on the beach at (I think) Joe's Crab Shack. Yummy!!!! It was overcast and windy, so we only went for a short walk on the beach as Mom was getting a bit chilled. She is 89, and Re-mark-able. Then we did the "tourist thing", with great success. :-)

Thursday evening we headed to Pam's and Jan's in Gainseville. Pam is my longest, through the good-times and the bad-times, friend. We have a history that is almost primordial. She and her mom, Jan (who is now 90), were my "life savers" when I was young. I believe S. made an instant connection with Pam - I know she came away loving thim both dearly. I'm so glad!!!

We went on a two/two and a half hour canoe trip, down a wonderful old river, completely away from humanity, S. and I in one canoe, and Pam and Jan in the other. S. "took the helm" with amazing skill for one who has never canoed before. She is a natural...!!!

We saw Great Blue Herons, Lesser Blue Herons, a Kingfisher, and multitudes of other birds including a very vocal Turkey. We saw "thousand" of turtles. I counted 29 turtles on just one log, some the size of your hand, others most as big as, and looking much like, old German military helmuts. We startled a large doe who raced along the river bank alongside us in her attempt to "escape", but the piace-de-resistance (sp?) was sighting two huge (at least 8 feet long) aligators on the bank about ten feet away from us. They were whoppers! Stuffed, huge as barrels they appeared to take no note of us, but we sure did notice them!!!

Cedar Key had their annual art festival, and we spent a wonderful Saturday there. I do believe I could live on Cedar Key. The sand is like soft white sugar, and the Gulf is beautiful.

The trip was over too soon, and we found ourselves driving back to AL on Sunday.

So now S. has flown home, and I am unpacking, and will soon start to look for work. Hope everyone is fine, and look forward to any comments anyone would like to leave. I miss CA, and all my friends...

If you guys are out there, let me know. xoxoxo G. :-)

Any time spent with S, is always time well spent. Four days and three nights - what a road trip!!! :-) Arrived in Prattville on Sunday, and we are in Jax, FL now, visiting Mom. Will head to central FL on Thurs. evening, or Fri. a.m. to visit my dear P & her darling mom J. Can't wait to see them.

xoxoxo to all. G.

First Blog

This is my very first blogsite, my very first entry... Hopefully this site will help me keep current with my many friends and family as I journey "Elsewhere".

I hope (as I learn the ropes) to make this a pleasant place to visit and to keep in touch.

Hope it works... :-D xoxoxo G.