Movie Matinee

I've been wanting to see "The Help" for awhile now.

When Mike and I were on our little vacation in Montana we had planned to go to two movies.  I voted to see the one he wanted first, thinking we'd save my choice for the last day.  It all goes along with one of my life-long plans of "saving the best for the last".  I don't know why I keep planning my life that way.  Religiously speaking, it is what I expect of course, saving heaven for last.  However, in this world it has not worked out the best for me.  Remember the underwear story?  In Montana we saw Apollo 18, which was rather forgettable, and had something else going on and did not go back to see "The Help".

I also try the "saving the best for the last" all too often when eating potato chips.
In case you aren't aware of this, some potato chips are better than others.  It is such a joy to eat a chip that isn't already broken!  I especially like large chips that are folded over.  They crunch the best.  Equally good are the ones with just a gentle curl to them that kind of fits right over your tongue.  Saving those for the last is a great plan when I am eating alone.  However, when Mike is nearby it is risky.  He thinks it is pretty funny to come by and snatch one of those dandies just before I get to it!

Oh man, I've gone off-track, huh?

....so my friend, Donna, asked if I'd want to go see "The Help" with her yesterday.  I was excited!  I was waiting out front when Donna arrived.  She graciously allowed me to take a picture of her sweet face.  I just think she has a great smile and a face that really lets her beautiful sense of joy shine out.

The movie was wonderful.  You've probably already seen it, huh?

It was a story that needed to be written.  Having said  that, I'd have to agree with reviewers I'd read who said it kind of wrapped everything up in a pleasant kind of package to achieve a happy ending.  I didn't care about that so much; I actually appreciated it a bit.  I also appreciate any movie that reminds us where we've been in this country regarding racial issues.  Hopefully in the remembering we can better avoid going down that horrible road again.  In fact, I wonder why we even use the term "race".  Aren't we the human race?  Maybe we should just say "ethnicity issues" or  "skin tone" issues.  I just don't think "race" is quite the right word when what we are really talking about is the amount of melanin present. 

It did seem that there were some parts of "The Help" that didn't really contribute much to the movie, such as the main character's Mom making reference to new treatments for girls who have unatural attractions to other girls.  I kind of got the feeling they were making fun of Biblical references and making some sort of comparison to bigotry based on skin color.  I'm not sure about that and since it was just a blip in the plot I'll move on.

The movie somehow managed to make us laugh and cry, all while considering one of the darkest stains on our country.  The acting was great!  I particularly enjoyed watching Ron Howard's daughter, Bryce Howard, play the part of the person you most want to dislike.  She's a pretty versatile actress!

The thing that made me most happy, though, were the previews.  I'm not kidding!  I don't know that I've EVER watched previews and wanted to attend ALL of them.  Did you all see Fireproof?  Well, the makers of Fireproof have another one coming out.  I've forgotten the name but it is about Dads becoming better fathers.  All of the previews were about movies that seemed to have something important and good to say.

Maybe there is hope for the film industry after all.

And on to another issue...

Maria (daughter) and I have been busy preparing for Fall at our Etsy shop, Wyoming Rose Boutique.  Also, we are going to do our first craft sale on September 24!  We're kind of excited about that.  We've decided to discontinue our shop blog, though.  Our plan is to just occasionally give shop info on our personal blogs.  Maria had the idea of doing some tutorials also.  I think that will be fun!  In fact, Maria 

posted a great tutorial yesterday.  Check it out!  And while you are there, browse around.  She has the greatest blog EVER!  She loves new followers as well!

Have a great week-end!

What's Up With the Walmart Bathroom?

I don't really want to go into all my qualifications right now,

but trust me when I tell you that I am an expert on bathrooms.

I have done my research on many public bathrooms.

This photo was snapped in one of our local Walmart bathrooms.

I hope that wasn't wrong.

I had not planned to take a photo;

it was a spontaneous decision.

I had just exited one of the stalls.

Mike is probably reading this and worrying what I might say next.

He says I am sometimes too "earthy".

Anyway, no one else was in the bathroom.

I went up to one of the faucet areas and waved my hands...

nothing.

I wriggled my fingers around in front of that little automatic window 

that is supposed to notice me and provide cleansing water.

Still nothing.

Eventually, after doing a lot of sign language type movements,

I got water.

This happens all the time!

It's frustrating and

it's annoying to have to work so hard

 to get that little spray of water!

 

So, I washed my hands, using a thorough scrub technique.

I sudsed up really well.

I even took time to rinse under my finger nails.

That's not really the point of this story

but I thought you'd like to know.

When I was satisfied with my wash and rinse I

turned and headed to the paper towel dispenser.

Guess what happened?

As I passed by in front of all

of these little wash areas, on my

way to the paper towels,

the water came on in each!

It was as though they were

laughing at me!

After quickly drying my hands I

simply couldn't resist pulling my camera out

of my purse and snapping this photo.

Just as I turned and rounded the corner

I literally ran into another lady.

Thankfully I don't believe she saw me taking

a photo of the Walmart bathroom!

Welcomed Home!

Grandma Carol loves it when I show pictures of Cordelia.

So for you, Carol, here's the sweet face that welcomed us back to Wyoming...



  

Sunflowers

After visiting Giant Springs last week we weren't quite ready to return indoors.

As the sun was slipping still lower we drove along to see one of the falls for which Great Falls, Montana was named.  When we are there I always find myself thinking of Lewis and Clark and marveling at the mission they undertook.

They did not have a nice car with air conditioning, or even a road, when they embarked on this route.  They didn't even know what they were going to find.

We found LOTS of bugs there.

I was really, really glad we could jump back in our car.

Anyway, I rather enjoyed taking pictures the short time we were there.

I hope you enjoy looking at them.  

The beauty of the falls is rather marred by the dam. 

I do like electricity, though, so I'm trying not to complain.

The Missouri River continues on to the East....

I love this photo but can you see all those bugs?

 There is a ladybug in this photo.  Can you see her?

And my favorite...I thought I was pretty artsy.



Last Taste of Summer 2011

Mike and I have been on the road for one last taste of Summer.

This photo was taken near Livingston, Montana.

I was too lazy to stop and take a proper picture but this way you get to see the bugs on the windshield and to really get the feel of the trip.

Our goal was to spend some time with Mike's Mom (Carol) in Montana.

It was a low-key type of visit.

Mike worked on his music and I worked a little on my book and a LOT on crocheting.

We went for walks and visited and even shopped a bit.

We played card games.

Mike cheated.

I won't say too much about that but

I will advise you to NEVER

play Old Maid with Mike. 

He's really pretty devious.

I finally remembered I had a camera the last evening with Carol.

We were at a place called Giant Springs and it was beautiful!

Lewis and Clark discovered it as they travelled through that region

but its history with people goes back much further.  The water is 54 degrees year-round so it was first a popular place for Native Americans.  During the long Montana winters I am certain it was a delight to come upon that flowing water!

Giant Springs is a place that is kind of hard for me to fathom, even though I have been there many times.  It is a pretty spring that bubbles up right beside the Missouri River.  In the photo above, the springs are in the foreground and the Missouri River is in the background on the other side of the walkway. The water comes from underground after having travelled from the Belt Mountains.  The signs at the park say it takes 50 years to make that journey!

Mike's Mom enjoying a quiet moment by the spring.  She's likely trying to calm herself, pondering how she could've raised a son who was such a cheater at Old Maid.

Once the water bubbles out, it follows the Roe River right into the Missouri River.

What?  You haven't heard of the Roe River?

Thanks to some local elementary students this river was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Shortest River.  They no longer have that category but at 440 feet long, it is certainly a VERY short river!

It is so clean and pure!

I really, really wanted to jump in for a swim but I had to settle for taking pictures of fish swimming in the springs.

 The evening was absolutely perfect.

It was calm and clear, not too hot and not too cold.

And it was that time of the evening when the shadows make everything appear so crisp.

Mike and I strolled along the river path a ways, just enjoying the evening.

We found these cool cliffs that overlook the Missouri River.

Cliff swallows have made their home there...their Summer home anyway.

We went back to where Carol was waiting.

I don't know if she found any peace over the whole card-cheating-son situation...

...but maybe she came to realize she's no longer responsible for his actions.

(Special thanks to my mother-in-law, Carol, for putting up with the camera stalking her.  You handled it with good grace.)

Sometimes All You Need is a Good Nap!

He's sound asleep!

Bringing in the Sheaves

Be honest, did anyone else think this was "Bringing in the Sheets" when you were small?  I love the smell of line-dried sheets so I thought it was a great song!

Bringing in the Sheaves

Sowing in the morning,

sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noon-time

and the dewy eves;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves,

bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing,

Bringing in the sheaves.

(I still think it is a good idea to rejoice and be kind when doing laundry as well!)



Do You Think of Yourself as an Ancestor?

This is my Grandpa Red, probably before he thought of himself as anybody's ancestor.

Grandpa Red eventually became the father of six children.  My mom, on the left, was the second child born to him and my Grandma Rose.  She probably didn't think of herself as an ancestor yet either.

One thing I'm happy about is that my Grandpa Red was still living when we had Maria.  She was just a baby when he died but I still cherish some special moments as I proudly presented my baby to him.  Grandpa Red was from Texas and no matter what you think of Texas (Mike wants to MESS with Texas...in case you don't know, they have signs there that say "Don't Mess With Texas!") you have to admit that some pretty colorful sayings originated there.  When Grandpa looked at my sweet baby he said, "She's prettier than a speckled pup under a brass wagon!"

I glowed with pride!

I've never seen a speckled pup under a brass wagon but I know without a doubt that it would be a pretty sight to behold.

I heard Grandpa say something about being an ancestor. 

I remember how strange that sounded because I thought ancestors had to be really old.

Of course, no one begins life really old, not even ancestors.

When I look at Sam I sometimes think of my Grandpa Red.  I was delighted when Sam, at about 6 weeks old, developed a delightful version of red hair.  We gave credit to Ben because he'd said, "I hope our baby gets red hair."  However, I expect that was a genetic gift from my Grandpa Red, passing through several generations to end up on Sam's head.  It makes me happy.

Maria made a sweet painting that hangs in Cordelia's room.

It is a tree with names on the branches, names of Cordelia's ancestors.

Everyone on that tree contributed to the genetics now carried by Cordy.

Mike's name is on that tree; my name is on that tree!

I was looking at Cordy the other day.  Mike was playing with her and they just looked so cute together.  I felt my heart getting all warm and mushy.  I told him later that I had to admit that when we were dating in high school I never once remember thinking about our future grandchildren.  

I never thought of myself as an ancestor in the making.

But, here I am, an ancestor...

...and I love it!

The Best Pacifier Ever!

They just don't make pacifiers like they used to!



My Life as a Tart

When Mike was a new pastor we attended a week-end gathering just for new pastors and their spouses.  The bishop of the Montana Synod was there, as well as quite a few pastor/spouse couples.

One of the things memorable to me was a little communion service we attended.

OK, I don't remember the parts that I should remember but I do remember that when they "broke the bread" it was actually a hotdog bun!

Another thing I remember was an informal gathering with the bishop.

He was talking about how we needed to grow into our new communities beyond just the church we (and by "we" I mean Mike) were serving.

His point was that we needed to lead our lives as anyone else in the community, meeting others outside the church and expanding on our own interesets.  Most of us had already been in our new roles for up to a year so he decided to involve us in the conversation.

He went around the room asking us to each name something we'd already been involved in that was outside our church circle.

When it came to me I said, "Well, I've been a tart."

Of course, that caught his interest.

Here's the story...

I had been invited to play a bit part in a local musical.  I was told I would be an extra, a saloon girl just singing in the chorus.  Four other women were also talked into these roles.  One was my good friend, Gwen.  We had a blast!  Gwen was also new to the community and was teaching at the elementary school.  The other two women were a lot of fun as well.  One was a physical therapist and the other a nurse.

As the rehearsals went on, apparently someone thought it was kind of funny that the new pastor's wife and the new elementary teacher were playing these roles.  The play was "Paint Your Wagon".  I do not think I had ever seen that play or movie before but I soon came to realize the "saloon girls" were actually ladies of the evening! 

Another woman in town was a dance teacher and they called upon her to incorporate our characters into the play a bit more.  She choreographed 4 dances and taught them to us.  It was so much fun!  Someone else found costumes for us, complete with fishnet stockings!  The local newspaper guy came and took our pictures and put us in the weekly paper.  Unfortunately, I've lost my copy of that professional photo and my only proof is this poor photo.  Nevertheless, I think you can see that we were enjoying the attention.  I am the second one from the left.  My friend, Gwen, is on the far right.

So there you have it...my life as a tart!

Morning Glory!

One of the best things about Summer mornings, in my opinion, is blooming morning glory.  By afternoon they close up tight,

but they are glorious in the cool early morning hours!  

Mike doesn't agree.  On the farm the little white morning glory flowers were weeds that would bind themselves around the wheat.  Mike HATED them.  I thought they were kind of pretty but quickly recognized that they were an enemy to wheat.

When I first planted these morning glories at the farm, he was horrified!

I assured him that they were annuals so wouldn't come up year after year. 

However, I did plant them year after year.

Now, I have them in our yard here.  Don't tell Mike but I haven't replanted them for several seasons.  It turns out that even annuals can reseed themselves!

Oops!

Sam and the Coyote

This is a picture of a coyote in a little zoo where we used to live in New Mexico.

It is kind of a sad picture because the coyote is fenced. I'm not posting this picture to make you sad, though.  I want to tell you something about this coyote. 

At least, I think it was this one.

If so, it is a story from this coyote's youth.

Ok, I really don't know that, but it IS the same enclosure for sure.

Sam was pretty young when I used to take him to this little zoo frequently.

He was never a loud or rambunctious child, at least not in public.

He was respectful and calm around the animals.

He liked to look at them all but this coyote was a favorite.

Why?

Because this coyote seemed to know Sam.

They had a special bond.

He anxiously waited for Sam's arrival.

OK, maybe that isn't true... but maybe it is.

I took this photo on a visit back to New Mexico, a few years after we'd moved away.

Sam wasn't with me this particular day; I'd gone to the zoo just to have a place to walk around while visiting with an old friend.

When we approached the coyote's enclosure, he just sat there like that.  He didn't do anything more than just throw a bored glance our way.

That wouldn't seem unusual except that when I used to bring Sam there the coyote would get all excited.  His body language was not aggressive but playful.  Then, Sam would start running, back and forth.  If anyone were watching I expect they'd be a little startled at what they saw because the coyote would actually play with Sam, chasing along beside the fence.  Sam loved that game and would run back and forth along the cement sidewalk over and over while the coyote mirrored his run on the other side of the fence.  Sometimes that would go on for quite awhile!

I always felt pretty mean when I announced we needed to move on.

On a side note I'd like to say that I know this little zoo was known to save injured animals and birds, creatures that would not have been able to live in the wild.  I don't know if that is the story behind Sam's coyote, but maybe it is.

Anyway, I like to think of Sam as the "Coyote Whisperer."

Bode is Still Bode

One of the first things I got to do this morning was chase after Bode as he gagged.

Why is it that dogs always want to throw up on carpet?

I saw him gagging and sweetly called for him to go outside.  He actually runs right to the door then swerves, zips around the table and over to the carpet, still gagging.

I had to grab him by the collar and drag him out.

That can't feel good but what else can I do?

We made it, at least to the top step.  He couldn't manage to get off the deck but I was grateful to have made it out of the house.  This time is was just a pile of grass but a few days ago this scenario played out with Mike chasing him around the house.  When he finally threw up Mike discovered it was a big chunk of corn on the cob from dinner the night before.  No, I don't mean corn from the cob, I mean corn still ON the cob.

Afterward, he seems just fine...

...and ready to play.

Bode really is getting more pleasant.

He still chews things up but not at such a frantic pace.

Yet, it would still be premature to relax.

When I see what passes through him, I wonder about his chance of survival.

We try to keep things out of his reach.

The garbage is barricaded.

Our high shelves are loaded with things we've plucked from lower locations.

Still, he eats things like sticks.

How can that be good?

I hope he makes it through this stage before he perforates something.

Count Your Blessings

When upon life's billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged,
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings,
Name them one by one
And it will suprise you
What the Lord has done

Count your blessings,
Name them one by one
Count your blessings,
See what God has done
Count your blessings,
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings,
See what God has done.
Are you ever burdened
With a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear?
Count your many blessings,
Ev'ry doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by.

When you look at others
With their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised
You His wealth untold
Count your many blessings,
Money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven,
Nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict,
Whether great or small
Do not be discouraged,
God is over all
Count your many blessings,
Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
To your journey's end.
 

Have Lopper, Will Lop

Do you know what loppers are?

I did not know.

When my Mom was visiting I was talking about this tree in our backyard.

I know, it looks like a healthy bush.

However, it is actually scrubby stuff that has grown out of the stump from a Russian Olive tree that had to be cut down as it was falling over.  The stump was clean when Summer began, but is now all gangly.  Earlier this Summer I'd planted a raspberry bush nearby and it had virtually disappeared!

Mom then talked to me about her Lopper.

I must've had a dumb look on my face but I really didn't quite know what she meant.

She took me to Home Depot and bought me my own pair.

When I returned home I just could NOT wait to Lop!  I lopped and I lopped and I lopped...

And guess what, there was still a raspberry bush under all that mess!

In my excitement I forgot to photograph the other Russian Olive tree before I took the lopper to it with surgical precision.  Just trust me when I say it had branches all the way to the ground and they'd all grown there just since June!

Now, it looks kind of pretty with its new haircut.

I just went from bush to bush and tree to tree having a grand time.

Unfortunately, now I  have piles all over that look like this...

Nevertheless, I love my lopper!

Thanks Mom!



Who Says You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?!

I learned a new trick!

I learn how to imbed links!

I always wondered how people made a word in their text into something that you could click to lead to another site.  Well, I had to figure it out.  I've been writing articles for Suite101 but the editors told me I needed to try to imbed my links instead of leaving exposed URL's.... huh?  Well, I went online and studied it.  Some sites were very confusing!  Finally, I found a site that made it all clear and simple!

So there!  Sometimes an OLD DOG can learn a new trick!

Sara's Birthday the Day After

Did you see my great post from yesterday?

No?

Perhaps that is because I never published it!

Oops!

I'm especially sorry because it was our daughter-in-law's birthday!

I'm so sorry, Sara.

My only excuse is that I suffer from a genetic condition, inherited from my own dear mother, called late birthdayitis.  Eventually I hope that you realize it is just our way of keeping that birthday feeling going by spreading it out over multiple days!

So now, to our beautiful daughter-in-law.......

 

Happy Birthday WEEK!

Frisbee Lesson

How to Throw a Frisbee...

Before you even begin, listen carefully to your instructor.

Then,  practice the wrist action.  This is important.

A good wind-up is sometimes useful.

If you do it just right, and your partner doesn't seem interested in catching it, you can sometimes get a really cool roll going.

Try not to be annoyed if your partner doesn't throw it back. 

Just go get it yourself and start the process over.



Most importantly,

HAVE FUN!

Pizza and PlayDough!

Last night was lovely.

Mom is here and Eric, Maria and Cordelia stopped by.

We ordered pizza, which is an automatic party as far as I am concerned.

Enjoying each other's company, we were still sitting around the table long after we'd had our fill.  That's when Cordy spotted the PlayDough containers on top of the fridge.

Last week, while Cordy was visiting, Sam and I took her to Walmart and one of our purchases was a simple 4 pack of PlayDough.

It is a special 4 pack, though, because it was her first time with PlayDough.

Sam spent time introducing her to it, showing her how to stretch it, roll it and just have fun with it.  She was hooked!

She takes her PlayDough time very, very seriously!

I got it down for her again last night and we all watched her play with it.

Before long, pieces of PlayDough were being handed around the table.

Eventually, I glanced around and smiled, realizing each of us had PlayDough going.

We were having fun... maybe revisiting our own childhoods?

 

If you have no PlayDough at your house, I think you should get some.  Apparently it is not just for children!  And no, I was not asked to do a commercial for PlayDough and unfortunately I am not getting paid for this little advertisement.