CAPTURING SPRING

The other day I took a walk with my camera and captured the signs of spring all around me.   It was so exhilarating.  I had been so anxious to get out and about with my camera. When it is raining it prevents such jaunts.  Now I want to share what I witnessed of God's beauty.

Pops of color everywhere.

Leaves competed with flowers.

Pretty in pink.

Golden glow.

Textures

and 

color

Ladybugs

Peeling bar is so

appealing.

color subtle and bright

daffy-dils

And there was a beautiful end to a beautiful day...

PARKS AND TRAILS AND ADVENTURE--OH MY!!

Hunting an experience in a natural setting?  Seeking a place for a leisurely stroll or bike ride?

Want to commune with natures creatures?  Out and about with a camera?

Well, you can find information on many parks and trails at this site:

http://www.theintertwine.org/

Intertwine features every park, trail and natural area the Portland-Vancouver region.  You can search adventures types, see the latest news on environmental items, view upcoming events, and more.  Great days lie ahead and you can search for where you want to spend them.  And if you want, you can take me along!!

Really!

ACTIVITIES AND ENJOYMENT

I found a great search site for finding our about events in and around Portland, OR.  It displays art events, photography events, plays, museum exhibits, dance programs, festivals--everything! You can check out a specific day or weekend, week or entire month!  When you want to get out and about, do a search.

http://www.travelportland.com/calendar/calendar

In the section link below, you can search some specific areas of what to see and do.  if you want to find gardens to take a stroll, you can find them here.Want to know the top sights to see, you'll find them listed here.  Seeking a day trip--look here. 

http://www.travelportland.com/things-to-see-and-do

I plan to try to get out and about and have some fun this spring, summer and fall!

Maybe I will see some of you!

COPING WITH KINDNESS

I have spoken to a couple friends who had dealt with similar situations like mine--coping with a loved one who has dementia or Alzheimer's.  It is not easy to see someone you love slowly fade from you, slowly become someone you barely know.  The three of us recently lost our loved ones, and our sorrow is bittersweet.  Essentially we lost them a while back, and maybe some of the mourning began then.  It is sad to see someone you loved, adored and cherished slowly become a different person.  They become quick to anger, less kind, forgetful, paranoid, threatening, and have odd behaviors.  Some days they may seem okay, may spend some time with you that seems so good.  Other days they might be screaming or accusing.  It hurts to know that the person you loved is drifting off into shadows.  Sometimes you look at them and see how they used to be--see the smiles, hear the laughter, feel the tender touch--and you want it all back.  

It is not easy to stay calm and patient.  When my husband would be screaming at me, I would have to bite my tongue to not scream back.  I knew it would do no good as it was the illness screaming, not him.  But it still hurt.  When he would scream 'I hate you' I hollered back 'I love you.'   You learn to become a very patient person.  You also learn you must have time away. And you learn to vent away from them, maybe screaming at the clouds or scolding the coat or dog, or just having a good cry.

When they die, you feel sadness and relief.  The mourning I experienced as I watched him drift into the fog of frontal lobe dementia was so different from the experience afterwards.  

But instead on dwelling on the difficulties of the past 6 years of the illness, I began to start to dwell on the 30 good years.  I sifted through photographs and recalled each memory of the time it was taken.  Sounds, scents, feelings, drifted to me.  I heard his voice and laughter.  I saw his big smile and the glimmer in his blue eyes.  I felt him.  It was so good, Yes, it brought tears, but they were good ones.  And it also brought smiles. 

It helps no one to dwell on those difficult times.  I prefer to live with the positive.  Today I found old letters and cards to each other and as I sat reading them, I laughed and cried and gave thanks for such wonderful memories. 

Clay and I shared so many experiences in the 30 years prior to his illness and those far out weigh the bad ones.  I know sometimes I wanted to leave, to run away from it, to be free, but in my heart I knew I had made a pledge to him--first when we were married, and second when we found out about his condition and he asked me to never leave him. 

I am thankful to have had his love and to have shared his life.

I hope my friends will come to feel the same way. I hope it for their sake.

HOW TO HOLD THE LADIES UP

When I was young I remember my mother teaching me how to put on my first bra.  She told me to put the bra on backwards,  fasten the hooks in the front, turn the bra so the it faced right, then lean over and arms through straps and adjust as needed.  I always thought the leaning over thing was so unnecessary, and it was...then.  NOW as I have aged I learned why, but being so petite then, I just thought she was odd.  Now I definitely need to lean over and coax the "ladies" into their proper positions even though they protest and continue to do so all day! 
For one thing, I have never (at least not since "developing" some time in my 30's) had a well fitting bra.  My bras have always left me tugging, adjusting, and uncomfortable.  A man named Sigmund Lindauer from Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, Germany developed a brassiere for mass production in 1912 and patented it in 1913, but they say women in ancient Greece wore them as well in another version. I consider them torture devices.
When I was young and dainty (no comments about being small) I could fore go the bra and it didn't much matter.  As I developed (after turning 30) I realized that they were becoming necessary.  In the evenings, I was always eager to set the ladies free and sigh in relief.  Now each night when I set them free and lay down, each runs to the opposite side of me!  I think they have become greatly disenchanted with each other.  And after I rise each morning and begin my day, daring to be bra-less for a little while, they both continue to sleep using the top of my tummy as their pillow. Not a sight to be shared!
Anyways, has any of you EVER had a perfectly comfortable, well-fitting bra? 
My sister-in-law, far more blessed up front than I, has also suffered for many years, and, as many of you blessed (?) women have (you with teeny titties will not understand).  She finally went to someone who makes bras for the individual and says it was the greatest event in her life!  She says each costs $35-$40 but she feels it was the best spent money EVER!!  As she told how amazingly comfortable her new bras are, how she no longer tugs and adjusts them, I began to imagine me skipping along in one fit just for me.  I could never do it in the bras I have, and to be honest, at my age skipping is just a word and not an action.
I have sought to find someone who does make the magical bras for women but no luck.  So, if anyone can suggest a good bra maker in or near Oregon City, PLEASE let me know!!
I would love to have one that feels comfortable, holds the ladies up in their proper positions, no longer has me tugging at them and makes me feel like I am bra-less!!!!

SHOWING YOUR FAITH

When I was driving home after church and lunch with friends, I spotted a young man walking slowly, arms outstretched to his side, eyes gazing upward.  I slowed as I approached and rolled my window down.  He was singing to God!  I did not recognize the song from what little I heard as I passed, and maybe it was a song he was creating in the moment. 
What I found moving was the fact that he was not inhibited in giving praise. He did not think, "I should be quiet as others may think I am crazy."  He followed his feelings in that moment to give thanks to his Lord.
It touched me.
How often do we avoid even speaking of our beliefs, our Lord, afraid we might be judged.  Why should we be fearful to be judged as religious,  "Jesus freaks," Bible thumpers?
Why should we avoid sharing our faith, living our faith?
I plan to be more open more often as to my love of Jesus, of God.  I am always thankful, but now I hope to make others be thankful as well. 
Maybe I can help them to see and appreciate the world God gave us by using my photography?
By being compassionate, caring and sharing maybe I can be an example for others to lead a Christian life?
It doesn't matter that others judge us, for the only judgement that should mean anything to us is that by God.

CHANGES

I had a leak for new year's, a hot water leak, which caused damage to the downstairs flooring.  Some sub-floor had to be replaced, and I chose new flooring to go in the kitchen and small dining area off the kitchen.  I chose a flooring called Allure Red Rock. It comes in planks and looks like stone, even having a texture to it. I like the look and so does everyone who has seen it so far.

In the foreground is the laminate oak flooring that was put in to replace the carpeting.  The flooring had sit in the garage for close to 10 years because my husband who had bought it refused to pay to have it installed as he thought they asked too much.  I am loving it so far. There is enough of the laminate oak left to possibly do the formal dining room.  That would be great.
So changes abound.  When i look at it all I think Clay would have liked it.  My life is and will be filled with changes.

STYLISH STORAGE

Today I had to make a stop at Michael's Craft store to get something to repair a necklace chain.  Then, of course I had to browse.  They have these lovely boxes on sale for 30% off.  I found 5 cute ones to use for various storage ideas.  When I went to check out they said if I provided my email address, I could get another 25% off. WOW! Great deal.

I love the colors of this one.
Here is a top view.
It measures about 18" x 10" x 4".














Here is a side view of the front.
Perfect size for holding magazine and such on the coffee table shelf.

This one currently sits beside my stained glass lamp.

Butterflies seem to go with the floral lamp.  They also make me think of my writing group--

Chrysalis: Women Writer's.

It measures approximately 10" x 10" x 5".

I am story remotes and calculator in this box. It is not as colorful but still lovely, and I like the words on it.

It is about16" x 8"x 3".

This box is designed like a small suitcase.  I put plastic guards on the four bottom corners as they are metal and I did not want scratching of the furniture.

This box will sit by the phone downstairs and hold pens, pads and such.  

It is about 6"x6"x4".

I love its words: HOPE - Dream - INSPIRE.

I am thinking about going to get a few more for pretty stylish storage.

CATCHING UP

I have not been keeping up my blog as before but things have happened and I have been so distracted.  Now I am going to catch up. I spent Christmas with my best friend, Sue, and her family.  It was nice, especially being around the children.  They add joy to each day.

Brogan was all smiles Christmas morning, so eager go get to the gifts. But breakfast came first.

Then a few snapshots were taken for posterity, postponing the ripping of wrapping paper for a little longer, much to the dismay of the Brogan and Bella.

Now this shot below is perfect for a Christmas card!

Reactions to gifts were priceless.

Bella took on a rather large task unwrapping a gift.

Brogan enjoyed one of his new books.

It was such an enjoyable time.

After all gifts had been unwrapped and scattered about,  the family gathered together and presented me with one final gift...

I have been adopted!  (My last name is blacked out here due to being so unique, but not on original certificate)  It made me feel so loved!.

ICY BEAUTY

This past weekend I grabbed my camera and took a walk in the frosty wonderland. It was so gorgeous. I snapped away.  I was so thrilled to find glistening spiderwebs which looked like they were made of crystal.

 

The flora and fauna were also crystalline and glimmered.  I loved the walk and discovery and how it all took my breath away!  I hope you all had similar experiences.