Christmas is Coming!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

Next to Easter, my favorite Holiday is Christmas.  I love the music - Christmas Carols, the twinkling lights, the foods, the family gatherings. Sharing love and friendship through gift giving and the Joy of the Savior's Birth. 

I am a Christian so I have always said "Merry Christmas".  I love to make greeting cards and if I cannot make a card, I always choose a greeting card that is Religious. 

I always have a manger scene in my Christmas Decorations.  I know that the Christmas tree dates back to other religious symbols and was combined to help new Christians to learn and remember Christ related symbols. 

If I cannot have a tree, like the few years I was living with my daughter and we had three cats, two of which were new kittens and trashed a lot of things.  

This year my first back in Washington, we have no pets. So we are going to go cut down a real live tree. Sad for the tree to give it's life, but we live in an area abundant with trees.

We will put up our lights and house decorations inside and outside.  

The first decorations that have gone up are some Gingerbread Houses my daughter made. She has completed two so far.

                  Sweet Shop and almost finished Toy Shop

These two finished and the mico mini gingerbread men on the mantle above our gas log fireplace!

I will add more photos as we decorate!

As you know I usually make over 200 craft gifts each year.  I had to stop crafting in April.  Between my vision loss and my arthritic hands it was becoming too hard for me to do my usual crafts.   I will miss that, but I will try again with the felt. That seemed to be easier to do.  
I also can still sew on the machine and will get a new sewing machine, just a basic model as I do not intend on doing too much fancy sewing as I used to do.  

I found the photo for the quilt I am going to make.  

My Mom's last quilt close up

Me left and Mom right holding up the quilt she finished in 2010

I love this pattern. Mom made hers with twin stars and the one I want to make is one star,  The pattern for one star is called "Trip Around the World."

Here are some photos of completed quilts using this pattern.

                  Trip Around the World

                Basic design for Trip Around the World pattern

I have already started this quilt 10 years ago!  I went to a class and got the pattern and started. I was unable to finish going to

the classes. 

I got the remaining pattern instructions from the teacher and tried to finish it at home.  I got to the point where the instructions became vague and so I stopped. 

I have now decided to finish the quilt.  I have a very nice comforter that needs a Duvet cover as the comforter cannot be washed. It has to be dry cleaned.  It is off white. I have a plain brown cover for it which my daughter gave to me.  I use that now and so I want to make a new one as the brown one is getting worn thin.  

So when I get my new sewing machine I can finish my duvet cover!  

We had our first snow. It was not much just 3 inches. A lot has melted over the last 8 days since then. But it has remained well under 32 degrees so a lot is still there.  

Rain is coming so it will melt. We will have some snow but again it will melt as it will get above 32 for the rain.  

Here are some snow photos

Have a great day!

November - Fall 2015

Pacific Northwest Living

I did not post a lot lately because I have been unwell.  Lots of Dr visits and going to have Physical Therapy starting in January.  

I am showing photos of products in this blog post. I do not sell anything from Amazon or have a sellers account.  

I do not mind boasting over products that work great for me. All of these products I have gotten through Amazon except the table and lamp, and of course the wheelchair. 

I needed a lot of things since I moved in July from California to Spokane.  I only had several suitcases, my CPAP and Nebulizer and my Wheelchair with me on the airplane.  So I needed to get all new items. 

I got myself a new 4 inch foam mattress topper for my new queen size bed which is helping my arthritis and bursitis greatly! 

                  Sunbeam 2013-912 Xpress Heat Microplush 
                           Heating Pad Extra Large (12" x 24")

 My heating pad that I have been using for 5 years quit so I got a new one. This new one can be put in the washing machine and has a connection just like an electric blanket.  It is of a great comfort to my back whilst I sit in my wheelchair. 

My new desk with my wheelchair and new fleece arm rests with pockets

 I am using my wheelchair for a chair at my desk because I do not have a desk chair yet.  My nice office chair wheels broke in California.  I need to get a new chair.  I got a 1 inch light foam cushions for my daughters Van when I go out and for the Kitchen chair. That helps too. I have a dense foam cushion for my wheelchair that I got in 2009 and that has been a great help to my tail bone and lower back.  

     

I got the fleece arm rests that have little pockets in them.  I put the pockets on the inside of the arm rests so they do not get jumbled up with the wheels.  

                 Head of the Bell and Howell floor lamp

I got the desk and a Bell and Howell floor lamp with the four prong florescent light bulb at the 2nd hand store.  I got a new bulb for the lamp for $6.00. 


My daughter in California has been sending me boxes each month with things I need that I could not bring with me on the airplane when I moved to Spokane in July.  I am not shipping any furniture, so I had to buy a new queen bed, etc. 

That has been a great help. Next box is my winter clothes and things I used to use in Salt Lake City for 6 years.  We will get snow in a few days. Not much but cold weather is here already. It was 20 last night! 

Link to this Nikken Kenco Ceramic Fiber Quilt

Thankfully I have received the box that has my Nikken Kenco ©  ceramic fiber quilt.  I love this quilt as it keeps me really warm. I am allergic to feathers so I was grateful when my parents bought me this heavy ceramic fiber quilt made by Nikken company invented in Japan. They also make high Gauss magnetic products. I have a pillow that is ergonomically shaped to hold your neck.  That sure helps my neck and the magnets help too. They ground you and that helps healing.  

I am going to make a new Duvet cover for this quilt.  I have already cut out the strips of fabric for a pretty pinks and purples quilt top in the Native American design. The back will have a print material of Rainbow colored kitties!  Photos soon!  I will be getting a sewing machine at the 2nd hand store for sewing now and then.


                      

When I moved to Spokane I also bought a thermos that holds 1.5 liters. I also got an electric kettle to boil water. So every day I make two thermos  fulls of herb tea.   I love Peppermint, Chamomile, Bengal Spice by Celestial Seasonings, and Lemon Ginger.  I get the Lemon Ginger, Peppermint and Chamomile in the Stash Brand at Winco Store. 

The Ginger helps my stomach as well as the mint. I use the Chamomile when I make the 2nd thermos full for the evening.  The Bengal spice has cinnamon and ginger in it.

I use Almond milk that has coconut milk with it as I quit all dairy products earlier this year. That seems to help my pain. For some reason dairy seems to not be a good thing to use when you have pain from arthritis..  I had heard about this correlation 30 years ago.  Over the years I used dairy sparingly on and off.  I weaned off by using Soy products then switched to only almond milk.  I do not use cheese or any other dairy type products unless they are made with something that is not cow or soy.  I love the Almond milk that has some coconut milk with it. My daughter uses coconut milk only.  

Update from Lake County Fires this Summer


My daughter has two childhood friends who were affected by the California fires.  One who lives in Butte county near Jackson, was blessed as they were saved by the firefighters.   

The fire came up to her back door and wilted all her vegetable garden plants.  Her home and business of a storage locker facility were safe.  Thank you firefighters!  How scary!

The other childhood friend's husbands Father's home on Cobb Mountain was totally destroyed.  Thankfully he was not at home and did not have to stress fleeing. Unfortunately he lost everything.  This has happened to scores of people as outlined in my previous posts.

Yesterday I read this article about some survivors still having issues fining places to live. 
The article below outlines one of many families who's father lost his job as cook at the Hot Springs that was destroyed in Cobb area.  They are trying to save up money and find a place close so their daughter who is a Senior at Middletown High School can stay the remainder of her Senior year and graduate with her childhood friends. Her is the article below:

"Two months after fleeing the massive fire that destroyed their Middletown apartment along with more than 1,300 other homes and 76,067 acres of forest and wildlands, the Madrigal-Lopez family is still living in a travel trailer at the Hidden Valley Lake campground. "   
Mother, Father and children son age 11 and daughter age 17.   

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4739904-181/after-the-valley-fire-campers?most

Photo: Alejandra Lopez, 17, and her mother eat dinner at the Hidden Valley Lake campground, Tuesday November 10, 2015 their second temporary home after the family home was destroyed by the Valley fire in Middletown. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2015

That's it for this post and may you be warm and dry wherever you are living!

Fall - October 2015

Updates for me and my family

My daughter and son are safe and the Valley Fire of Lake county, California is finally 100% contained.
My daughter's best friends father in law lost his home and he was away that day from Cobb area.
My daughter works for social services and she says it has been very rough to accommodate all the requests for assistance that they have been inundated with in the last month. 
My daughter's other best friend also was in the Butte Fire of Butte County California which is also 100% contained as of a few days ago.   The fire went up to her back door and wilted her vegetable garden.  
The losses from these two fires is just astounding.  
There are so many heroic stories and love and giving of many people to help those who lost so much, everything in many cases as they had no time to gather anything or were simply not at home.  
Thanking the Lord that I moved when I did as there had been 4 major fires in Lake county this summer. The smoke and stress was unbearable for many and I know I would not have been able to live there with the smoke.  As it turned out were I moved to Spokane Washington, we had many days this summer with very unhealthy air and I could not go out at all or had to wear a filtered mask.  The fires are still going in Washington and Idaho and other fires in the Western half of the USA.
Here is my last fire report for the Valley fire.  

                    Map of how close the two main fires got to my kids

Singed USA flag from the Valley Fire in Cobb

           Comparison of the three main fires in Lake county this summer

VALLEY FIRE

Valley Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated:	October 6, 2015 5:00 pm	FINAL
Date/Time Started:	September 12, 2015 1:24 pm
Administrative Unit:	CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit
County:	Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties
Location:	southern Lake County
Acres Burned - Containment:	76,067 acres - 100% contained
Structures Threatened:	2,953 residential
Structures Destroyed:	1,958 structures destroyed, 93 structures damaged
Evacuations:	Residents are being allowed back into all communities affected by the Valley Fire. Evacuation Centers: Red Cross Shelters: Twin Pine Casino, 22223 SR 29 in Middletown.
Injuries:	4 firefighters injured, 4 civilian fatalities
Cause:	Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies:	Lake County, Sonoma County, Napa County, California Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CAL TRANS, California State Parks, Bureau of Land Management, CAL FIRE, CHP, Red Cross and PG&E
Total Fire Personnel:	248
Total Fire Engines:	15
Total Fire crews:	10
Total Helicopters:	3
Total Dozers:	2
Conditions:	Helicopters may be operating over the fire area as part of the mop-up operation. Firefighters continue to improve existing lines and mopping up hot spots across the fire area. Rehabilitation is underway to restore the natural landscape that may have been altered during initial firefighting efforts. Damage Inspection Teams have completed primary and secondary assessments of the structures destroyed by the Valley Fire. A total of 1958 structures have been destroyed including; 1280 homes, 27 multi-family structures, 66 commercial properties, and 585 other minor structures such as outbuildings and sheds. 93 structures have been damaged including; 41 homes, 7 commercial properties, and 45 other minor structures. All traffic restrictions denying access into the community of Cobb and the surrounding areas have been lifted. Some utility services have not been restored. For information regarding utility services, please contact (800) PGE-5000. With so many structures destroyed, the damage assessment continues. Click here for information on structures destroyed. *** Damage Assessment teams continue to collect information in the affected fire areas*** If you are interested in signing up to become a volunteer please click here. Currently, the need is met, but you can pre-register if the need arises you already signed up.
Phone Numbers	(707) 967-4207 (Fire Information Line)
Phone Numbers	1 (888) 565-2787 (Lake County Information Line )

Don't forget to say thank you!

Sometimes we forget to say thank you.

Here is a great true story of one man's way of saying thank you.

Another classic – and deservedly so!

 

 

It happened every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun resembled a giant orange and was starting to dip into the blue ocean.
  

Old Ed came strolling along the beach to his favorite pier.
Clutched in his bony hand was a bucket of shrimp. Ed walks out to the end of the pier, where it seems he almost has the world to himself. The glow of the sun is a golden bronze now.
  

Everybody's gone, except for a few joggers on the beach. Standing out on the end of the pier, Ed is alone with his thoughts...and his bucket of shrimp.
  
Before long, however, he is no longer alone. Up in the sky a thousand white dots come screeching and squawking, winging their way toward that lanky frame standing there on the end of the pier.
 
Before long, dozens of seagulls have enveloped him, their wings fluttering and flapping wildly. Ed stands there tossing shrimp to the hungry birds. As he does, if you listen closely, you can hear him say with a smile, 'Thank you. Thank you.'
  
In a few short minutes the bucket is empty. But Ed doesn't leave. He stands there lost in thought, as though transported to another time and place .

When he finally turns around and begins to walk back toward the beach, a few of the birds hop along the pier with him until he gets to the stairs, and then they, too, fly away. And old Ed quietly makes his way down to the end of the beach and on home.
 

If you were sitting there on the pier with your fishing line in the water, Ed might seem like  'a funny old duck,' as my dad used to say. Or, to onlookers, he's just another old codger, lost in his own weird world, feeding the seagulls with a bucket full of shrimp.
 

To the onlooker, rituals can look either very strange or very empty. They can seem altogether unimportant ....maybe even a lot of nonsense.
  
Old folks often do strange things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters.
  
Most of them would probably write Old Ed off, down there in Florida ... That's too bad. They'd do well to know him better.
  
His full name:  Eddie Rickenbacker. He was a famous hero in World War I, and then he was  in WWII. On one of his flying missions across the Pacific, he and his seven-member crew went down. Miraculously, all of the men survived, crawled out of their plane, and climbed into a life raft.
  
Captain Rickenbacker and his crew floated for days on the rough waters of the Pacific. They fought the sun. They fought sharks. Most of all, they fought hunger and thirst. By the eighth day their rations ran out. No food. No water. They were hundreds of miles from land and no one knew where they were or even if they were alive.

Every day across America millions wondered and prayed that Eddie Rickenbacker might somehow be found alive.
  
The men adrift needed a miracle. That afternoon they had a simple devotional service and prayed for a miracle. 

They tried to nap. Eddie leaned back and pulled his military cap over his nose. Time dragged on. All he could hear was the slap of the waves against the raft...suddenly Eddie felt something land on the top of his cap. It was a seagull!
  
Old Ed would later describe how he sat perfectly still, planning his next move. With a flash of his hand and a squawk from the gull, he managed to grab it and wring its neck. He tore the feathers off, and he and his starving crew made a meal of it - a very slight meal for eight men. Then they used the intestines for bait. With it, they caught fish, which gave them food and more bait....and the cycle continued. With that simple survival  technique, they were able to endure the rigors of the sea until they were  found and rescued after 24 days at sea.
  
Eddie Rickenbacker lived many years beyond that ordeal, but he never forgot the sacrifice of that first life-saving seagull... And he never stopped saying, 'Thank you.' That's why almost every Friday night he would walk to the end of the pier with a bucket full of shrimp and a heart full of gratitude.
  

Reference: (Max Lucado, "In The Eye of the Storm", pp...221, 225-226)
  
PS: Eddie Rickenbacker was the founder of Eastern Airlines. Before WWI he was race car driver. In WWI he was a pilot and became America's first ace. In WWII he was an instructor and military adviser, and he flew missions with the combat pilots. Eddie Rickenbacker is a true American hero. And now you know another story about the trials and sacrifices that brave men have endured for your freedom.
  
As you can see, I chose to pass it on. It is a great story that many don't know...You've got to be careful with old guys [and gals!], you just never know what they have done during their lifetime.

                                    Rickenbacker after being rescued in 1944

So I hear that the part where he goes to the beach and feeds the shrimp to the sea gulls could be false.  Also his story about the drifting at sea is true. It is a bit different, so Mr Max had wanted to make a point in his book so he embellished the story.
However, regardless of whether he did or did not feed the seagulls to thank them, we CAN!
Don't forget to thank people any way you can for what they do for you. And thank your pets as well! 

My Poet Friends Poems for August 2015

Poems I love by my Friends

Update on poems from my Poet friends for August 2015.  I had intended on having a post once a month featuring poems from my friends, with the move and illness, I got behind. So here are the poems for the month of August 2015.
I started this Poem page on my blog. You can read all about each poet at this link.

From Marilyn I Lott
Marilyn Lott's Poems/Notes at this link.

ACROSS THE SEA

While traveling all over the world
There’s so much that you can see
Across the expanse of ocean
So different traditionally.
The art work and the cultures
Are as diverse as night and day
Everyone casts a flavor
They all have something to say.
Food can be the same everywhere
But in such a different style
If only you can take the time
And stay for a little awhile.
We learn that people are much the same
Although in a different way
With hopes and dreams to yet fulfill 
And regrets of yesterday.
You can look into the faces
No matter where people are
And know what they’re feeling
Whether they live near or far.
So where ever you go in travel
Learn as much as you can
Cultures are so fascinating
As the generations span!
© Marilyn Lott
10-26-05

                              *~*~*~*~*

finding the solution

August 17, 2015 ©by poetlou

The wars rage on – the search for the solutions are all gone

Hunger, poverty, slavery, and hate

Seems to be humanity's fate.

There are three things that can save this world

LOVE, HOPE, and FAITH

If we honor GOD before it’s too late.

He is the salvation that we seek , if we become humble and meek.

How much does it take to bend your knee and to pray

To a higher power during these dark and lonely hours.

He gave us life and a mind to choose, and everything

We’ve done has led us to lose.

So let us follow what his son had said

And follow the path that the apostles had tread.

Let him be our guiding light, and lead us on the path that’s right.


© L . RAMS 08.16.2015
You can find all of Louis Rams poems at this link.
Just scroll down to the bottom of the page to Archives for the list.

                             *~*~*~*~*

From Cat's Poems [<-link] [Cathy Hodgson] 

Winding Trail

Lilac blossoms have faded
My heart dreams of fragrant blooms
Soon leaves leave mother behind
While fragment fly with northern wind
But a penny shines on the street
A beggar asks for food to eat
Prisons watch flying sports
And offer a bed to lie
Where is a dream to whisper?
Beyond in a meadow field
Yesterday played into tomorrow
And today isn’t finished yet

© cat

                                      *~*~*~*~*

 *~*~*~*~*

From Melvina Germain August 15, 2015
Her notes and poems at this link.

This is not a poem, but a note of great importance. 


Silent Killer (This is brief, there is so much more to talk about)

Some time ago, I wrote a piece on "The Silent Killer" and shared my views.  That was approximately 2006 or 2007.  Since then I've learned a lot more through experience and reading as well but seeing is believing.  A very beautiful lady whom I admired, she always looked so nice, well groomed, great personality, had an amazing relationship with her family. 

We had a lovely conversation one day and the next time I saw her she didn't know who I was.  As a mater of fact I didn't recognize her as her features had changed, she become old in a very short space of time.  I was in shock to say the least.  She apparently wasn't feeling well and took a fall, ended up in the hospital where she was diagnosed with a stroke.  Her brain was damaged and everything about this woman changed.  I found out later that this woman  had never had her Blood Pressure checked, well it's called, the silent killer.  You fall and that could be the end, what's the big deal, you go to the doctor for a physical.  If the doctor doesn't automatically check you, request it, a moment can save your life.

One of her children became her caregiver and had to make many changes in her life in order to care for her mother.  Now a young woman had to place her life on hold, I witnessed that and was so sad for her.  I know several who have suffered a stroke, a couple ended up in wheelchairs, two died, the one woman mentioned here still does not know any of her friends and a few are doing well.

Strokes effect both men and women but are you aware that women die from strokes more than men.  In 1973 there were 8,523 female deaths from stroke, compared to 7,702 male deaths, a 10% gap.  In 2004 in Canada there was a 45% difference.  

A couple of my friends have had blood clots and were treated for a time with a blood thinner, Coumadin, Warfarin, which are the same actually.  A blood clot blocks the blood flow to the brain known as "Ischemic", one type of stroke. A second type is called "Hemorrhagic" which many refer to as a brain hemorrhage and that is when a blood vessel bursts in the brain.

If we pay close attention to the risk factors below and think about ourselves realizing that awareness is key.  Perhaps we'll also realize that early diagnosis can not only save our lives but also save our families years of heartache and pain.  

Risk factors, now this first one strikes me hard and that is (HBP) High Blood Pressure and then comes smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol, these are some.  Here's the kicker for women, migraines are more common to women and doubles the risk of stroke and we women suffer in greater numbers than men.

You may have heard that some women during pregnancy will be diagnosed with High Blood Pressure or diabetes.  HBP increases the risk of stroke by about 60%.  The question may arise...if a pregnant woman has both diabetes and HBP, how much higher then is the risk of stroke.  Ladies talk to your doctor about all aspects.  Did you know that hormone replacement therapy which treats symptoms of menopause also increase the risk of stroke by approx. 40%. 

Are you aware that oral contraceptives slightly increase the risk of blood clots and stroke, with the addition of smoking that increases and if you also suffer from migraines, it increases again.  Still the question is why do more women die from stokes than men.   I don't know of any studies that have been conducted to give the answer to that.  If you have any information in that regard, please share here with us, much appreciated.

My conclusion...Keep stress at bay, learn everything there is to know about heart disease, exercise, stay hydrated, eat healthy, have your regular check-ups,  stay out of the dark, light up your world, try not to be isolated from people, laugh more, know that even you can get sick.  It' s your body and doctor's do not have a lot of time to spend with you...Be Aware of You...Melvina.....

Remember, early diagnosis is crucial...Melvina   
© Melvina Germain         



                            *~*~*~*~*
                        

                            *~*~*~*~*
From Olivia "Livvi"  Kent
Livvi poems are posted at this link.

UNITY
The young woman of summer dreams.
Dark glasses, a sun hat and bright stripey shorts.
Sits under the trees, with her offspring.
The three of them together.
They're watching the colourful boats as bobbing down the stream.
The race to the sea began.
No crew to guide them. 
No compass to follow, onwards they flow.
Riding little ripples.
Their hulls tickled by minnows
The children giggled as their creations flowed away.
They chuckled as they waved goodbye.
Far away from the 'hood, found something really good.
Enjoyed their day at play.
Maybe they'll make the sea, maybe they won't.
Daddy came to take them all home.
Mummy and daddy, children holding hands.
A united band, a family , cruelly missing in todays society.
(c)Livvi


                     *~*~*~*~*

From David Harris a poem written with Cat [Cathy Hodgson] 
David Harris Notes at this link.

 

Our Fragrant Roses (Written with Cathy Hodgson)

Our Fragrant Roses

Some roses don't grow on bushes, 
But grow within our heart 
Those are ones most fragrant
To cherish and never part 
Please God; nourish with your loving touch 
Softly let them flourish 
The ones we love so much
Each morning when it’s thirsty 
Kiss it with morning dew 
Ensure just like honey 
To mend a heart that blue
As the sun arises 
In the afternoon 
Kiss each bud with sunlight rays 
To assure an evening bloom
Ensure our fragrant roses never wither 
As each day passes through
Feed them when they are thirsty 
And nourish them with loving touches
When the cool breezes blow 
Make sure they feel the warmth 
Of love that grows and grows so in the evening 
When the moon rises they forever glow.

© David Harris and Cathy Hodgson

Cause of #Rockyfire determined

Cal Fire: Faulty Water Heater Caused Rocky Fire In Lake County

BY NEWSMEDIAON AUGUST 24, 2015

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CAL FIRE Law Enforcement officers have determined that the cause of one of the two fires, which grew together to become known as the Rocky Fire, was the result of the failure of a gas water heater in an outbuilding that contained flammable liquids.

The fire went on to burn almost 70,000 acres, destroying 43 homes, before it was fully contained last week. The outbuilding fire caught nearby vegetation on fire, and the flames quickly spread to the surrounding area, according to CAL FIRE’s news release.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection investigators determined that the fire originated from a faulty water heater in a property’s outbuilding on Morgan Valley Road. And the cause of the second fire remains under investigation.

The Rocky fire started July 29 west of Lower Lake.

Firefighters had the almost 2-week-old Jerusalem fire in Lake County 97 percent contained on Friday and continued to work on fire lines and fire suppression within the perimeter, officials said. As of Tuesday, the Jerusalem Fire is 95 percent contain but has burned more than 25,000 acres and destroyed 9 homes.

California’s extreme four-year drought continues to be a threat, leading to fire prone conditions, Cal Fire reminds residents, and urges them to take all precautions to avoid sparking a wildfire.