Taking it as it comes...

Woken up very early this morning by the smell of rain on the breeze. We have had temps in the high nineties, low hundreds for a couple weeks now. Rain, So far we have gotten .50 inches out of this storm!  There is  a projected high of 80 degrees for today. But, right now it's 60 with a slight breeze. Perfect sleeping weather, which suits Wee Willie just fine. That dog can sleep, he has unmade my bed twice now to get the duvet mounded just right to sleep in. I will wait a bit to turn on the whole house fan, since it's in the hall ceiling, right off my bedroom.

I have been trying to get the yard in some sort of shape. Chain saw, hedge clippers, hoes, and rakes have been a big help.  Hank and I have made many trips to the green waste station, and have many more to go. 

I seem to have inherited some of Dad's friends. One elderly lady has had cancer surgery and her husband called to let me know. So off to Oak River rehab in Anderson to take her flowers. As I was getting ready to leave home, I recalled that Dad and I had  lots of fun flying combat missions with our RC helos around the house. Sam the ol cowman Navy pilot (I adopted him when Dad was in rehab) lives at the care side of Oak River.  So I loaded up one of the helos and took it up to Sam. He is enjoying terrorizing the staff with it immensely.

I keep close tabs on Dad's girl friend, as she has not been well, and her family is busy and dysfunctional to boot.  Dad called her every night, and I know she misses him greatly.  But, boy can that lady talk.

Haven't gotten to take Dad up to hunt'n camp yet. The flight has been delayed by a couple of family issues. It makes me sad that it is one of the special things I promised Dad I would do, that has become another bone of contention. 
 

Trying to see that the people that need or can use Dad's stuff are getting it in a timely fashion.  Some time ago he gave me the only thing of his that I truly wanted, his pilot wings. 

Memorial Day

Different world...

 

Early the other morning I headed out to the Sacramento River Discovery Center gardens to check out the Romneya coulteri - Matlalija Poppies they are growing.

Since it was early and I had only had a few cups of coffee I decided to go through the drive thru and get a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and a large black coffee to take with me. It came to $6.67. I handed the girl at the window a $10 a $1 and .67 cents.  She looked dumb founded, slammed the window shut, fumbled around for a bit, slammed the window open, and handed me a $5, a $1 and .23 cents, and slammed the window shut. Now, I was dumb founded. She was busy taking other orders and rolling her eyes, so I tapped on her window.  Window slams open, "Yes?". 

"Ah, you gave me too much money back, I just should have gotten back a $5."  

"What, no I didn't give you too much!"  

"I realize you are busy and it's early, but I have to live with my conscience, so you take back the $1.23, I'll keep the $5, and I promise to never ever darken this establishment again." 

"What ever!" 

It's a different world out there these day.

 

Mom...

Tidbits in honor of the best mom I have ever known.

Never saw her on a horse, she was too busy raising seven kids.  Never saw her shoot a gun, she had other defense mechanisms. Never saw her drive a tractor, bale hay, or feed stock. She was too busy driving kids, feeding kids (her own and a bunch more), visiting the infirm, healing the sick, and patching up kids & grownups alike. 

She was an RN, that could walk up to Doc and say this is the way we are going to do this and get it done right, and she did it all with grace.

She was a character, the good kind. Who else would take a thermos full of vodka on a day hike in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness, and say when asked why she didn't take any water. "There's water everywhere if you know where to look, vodka you have to pack in."

She was a classy lady, and could handle a formal dinner party as easily as a ranch BBQ.

She served her community in many many ways, most that people outside the family will never know about.

She was a good cook. We often laughed that every kid in the neighborhood knew that dinner was at 6 sharp, and if you were there on time all you had to do was get in line. 

She always knew when she was needed, whether it was for advise, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on. 

She was fierce in defense of her own.

She taught me so much about love & life, grace and honor, and I will forever miss her... my mom-in-law.

Basket case...

Time to take up basket making again, or just declare that I'm a basket case...

Dad left so much behind to sort through, his favorite hats are still on the hall tree by the back door.  I haven't the heart to get rid of them, yet.

Been doing repairs around the place, which means a hammer, a tube of caulking, and a touch up paint brush are with me at all times.  There is also a length of weed wacker string, pruners, fencing pliers, and garden gloves dangling out of other pockets. I need to get one of those cool folding wagons to pack all this stuff around.  Cousin Jess had one at the range, and that thing was great for hauling ammo cans, range bags, etc to the stations.  The crimson trace came in for the little Sig. Very cool.  I wasn't going to get one, (not a budget item) but then they put a $50 rebate on it, and the local gunny gave me a deep discount, and I weakened.

Gave Cousin Jess my cowboy hat from Wall Drug in S Dakota, since he has really been saving my butt with the guns and ammo dollars.  I finally got the hat I originally wanted (budgeted for).  

  Now I have some settling cracks to take care of...

and then painting, and then, and then more legal stuff, and then...  my budget is shot to hell, and I haven't gotten my dress for Ali's wedding.  Time to get out the sewing machine.