A Contrast to Home

Minneapolis is a beautiful city, but it is so different from home.

I couldn't get used to sirens blaring all night, the sun being lost behind tall buildings, and feeling closed in by those tall buildings.

 It was a nice visit, but I love my wide open spaces.

I did feel a bit of familiarity when I visited Barnes and Nobel. I must have looked familiar also because three people asked me for help while I browsed the store. Finally I turned over my name tag.

Away from Home

I don't leave home and travel too often. I am spending time in Minneapolis at a conference called " Recruiting for Diversity" sponsored by the National Writing Project.

In the heart of downtown the tall buildings block our the sunshine. Gorgeous flowers are everywhere in bloom. The rain and thunderstorms remind me of home. 

I am surrounded by good people, good conversations, good food and good infomation.

The Whole Truth

On the last page of each issue of the magazine Whole Living, Body +Soul in Balance there is a column called The Whole Truth. Each month a different famous person answers similar questions. I have found their responses enlightening and decided to do it myself today.
  
If I could say one thing to myself ten years ago.... " When you plant trees and ground covers in the gardens eventually shade WILL  be created and the ground covers WILL help control weeds."

My favorite place in the world..."A quiet campground close to home at the end of September when the air is crisp, it is quiet, and we can sit by the campfire with the dogs and relax."

The movie I watch when I want to laugh... " I haven't watched comedy movies recently, but if I wanted to laugh at a classic comedy it would be Tootsie. 

No one knows I... "also say prayers for the safety of all my dogs and cats when I go to sleep at night."

I feel healthy when I... " drink lots of water and cut out sweets."

If I could do anything else for living I'd... " work in a plant nursery in the mornings, then grab a coffee drink and work in a book store in the afternoon."


Exercise routine... "Right now? I walk around the yard to take pictures, I walk out to the road to get the mail, and I walk back and forth building to building at school. I think I need to find a place a bit further away to walk."

Proudest moment in my career..."was when a student that had been "a challenge" came back to visit me a few years later and apologized, then thanked me for believing in him."

My dad always told me.." Your mother asked you to do it. Do it!"

My mom was right about..." The time from the vine to the brine is the secret to crisp, flavorful dill pickles. Amen Mom!"



The lesson I keep learning over and over... " If a child isn't learning in my classroom, it's not because they can't, but often something I can't control is getting in the way."


I wish I had more time for..."spending time with family that lives far away."

My great unfilled dream is...." to gather creative people together at my place where we can have a sanctuary to dream, write, create, and learn more about ourselves. "

Real contentment is "sitting in the garden after dinner with my husband reflecting on all the good in the world."

One of my favorite quotations is... " To the outside world we all grow old.  But not to brothers and sisters.  We know each other as we always were.  We know each others' hearts.  We share private family jokes.  We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.  We live outside the touch of time."~Clara Orteg

I always feel saner when I.... " grab my camera and capture the simple beauty of the world around me."


If you feel like joining in and finishing these sentences I would love to read your responses.
You can find Whole Living magazine here.

Ten Cool Things About This Rainy Weather

While all of us are wondering if we will see sunshine two days in a row this summer, I have to say there are advantages to this cooler weather that has gripped the inland empire.
1. I have seen the most spectacular rainbows ever... even some double rainbows.
2. Weeding and deadheading have been postponed way too many times.
3. Photos turn out better on cloudy days.

4. The roses have never had more buds or bigger blossoms than right now.
5. I figured out my back windshield wiper on my car needs replacing. How would I have known?
6. Umbrellas are hip and in style.
7. It is easier to stay in bed in the morning when it is gray and cloudy.

8. The campgrounds aren't as full. Of course... who wants to camp?
9. The new kittens can lay in the windowsill and not get sunstroke.
10. I don't have to worry about a pedicure. I am still wearing wool socks!

Blending Dogs and Cats: Obsession

Now that Grayson and Junebug have been officially named we continue to try to get them acquainted with the dogs. The cats did great this evening, but the dogs were frozen to their spots playing "Obsession Dogs". When they play this game they sit and stare frozen at whatever obsesses them. Annie plays it better than Shelby, but tonight she had the rules down also.The kittens were ready to just play.... they didn't get it.

Are we playing frozen tag?

What is wrong with her? Why don't they want to play?These dogs are very strange! Come on... let's play!

The Garden Shed Makeover

As I mentioned last week JEJ had a terrific idea for changing the garden shed. It was an inexpensive makeover. He took all the "garden junk" out of the shed, added some walls, painted, and found some leftover flooring.

It started like this.

Then some walls were added. JEJ painted them.

Then we dusted off the old twin bed,found a table JEJ built, recycled an old computer chair, and brought in a lamp from another room.

I found a few other doodads that I moved to the room. ( It helps that most of my "found treasures" are the same colors!) 

  Lily even came to pose outside the new guest cabin. Even if we don't have any guests soon I think I may have to sneak off and do some quiet activity out there...or maybe a nap!