The Difference is so simple...

The difference of
appreciated and taken for granted...
Is taken care of by just a
few words... actually two.
THANK YOU... said in earnest
and with heartfelt.

Some times when one is asked
to do something, from time
to time, and when the deed
is done.. and nothing is said..
you sort of feel used.

But when someone says those
two words, you feel so
good about helping out. That
if you had to put something
aside to do the task, it is
all good. Because the person really
did appreciate it.

It doesn't mean you expect
it.. well, most of the time. You don't
want a gift, or a big hoop
dee do... just the words said honestly.

When I was working, we would
get what we called rent-a-aide.
Some of them coming from as
far away as Spokane. They are
aides who come in to cover a
missing aide. Yes, they were paid
well by the agency that had
them. But still I was always so appreciative
that they came and filled
in.. I made sure I made it around to each of them
and thank them personally,
and tell them good job. It isn't easy to
walk into a strange place
and know where things are and do the job.


The difference is so simple.

18 servicemen or women..a day..commit suicide...

Read that title again...
18... servicemen/women...A DAY...commit suicide.
We aren't talking about
overseas. But right here on USA
soil. 18.... A... DAY... that is mind boggling.
Heart breaking.
Not just the reader of those
words...but for the families left
behind. Wives/husbands...
children... parents... grandparents.

Why is the question? Is the
VA doing enough? The quick answer
is no, after all we are
talking 18... 18 A DAY... I have
written before
about how we take our young
men and women, make them killing
machines, send them out to
do the killing... and then bring them home,
tell them live your life
normally for a couple months.. and then send them
back again.. and again.. and
again... 10 day debriefing or less doesn't
do it. We have to do more. We have to give these
troops more. We
OWE it to them.

It is a rare family or
friend that doesn't have some where in their
families.. someone who is
hurting.. and some of us, even know
of a family who had such a
lost in their family. We have a friend who
lost his grandson that way,3
years ago.. The heartache is daily.

We have a young man, in our
family, coming home this week from
Afghanistan, he was also in
Iraq just before that. I know he has been
twice at least. He is new in
our family, as of last December.
We are hoping that by having
a new family, children involved that
he will feel welcomed home. And
the chores of being a dad, and husband
will fill his heart and mind
and he can find joy in that.

I pray for him, and each and
every one of our troops as they get rotated,
and hopefully some day soon,
they can come home for good. Home in
person and mind. We OWE them that.
And may the government finally see that that
they too, OWE them the best mental health that
can be found for each of them.

Parenting a two way street..co piloting

I don't know which is harder,... being a step parent or the spouse
of a step parent. Neither is easy. And in the
beginning it can try your marriage.. And surviving thru it,
attitude is 95% of how to make it thru.

Once a young man who lost his wife, who had two great kids,
was talking to a friend of mine. He said his future wife was great.
She loved the kids as much as he did, if not more... AND THEN,
he said the words of doom... "But I am not ready to give up the
reins to her to discipline the kids." My friend and I looked at him
in disbelief. He just got done saying she might even love the kids
more than he did... My friend stepped up to the plate and said..
"Well, maybe you shouldn't be getting married, because being
parents is a two person job."

He had a shocked, almost hurt look on his face. But you could see
he thought about it. And then said, I will have to really think about this..
"I guess I have been in charge for so long, (7 and half years)
I forgot what it is like to share." My friend asked him if he was going
to continue doing all the housework with the kids only? He said no.
Are you going to pay all the bills, and not talk to your wife about them?
Again, no.. If there is a big decisions come up for the family... are you
going to decide them all? Again, no... So my friend added, well, then
why in the hell would you not share parenting with her?
Remember it is shared, not you "letting go".

Being on both sides in my life time, I can tell you..it isn't easy. And
some times the kids don't help it be easy. They know the natural
parent is an easy mark. But ours learned really fast.. the words of
doom for them.. "I will talk to your mom/dad about it, and let you
know". When they find out that the two parents are on the same
page, it is hard for them to put in a wedge. And that is up to both
of you parents... natural or step.

Thank you seems so small

THANK YOU...
Herbert Brownell
Everett Linekin
Harold Richardson
Edward Gors
Marvin Hughes
Arthur B. Worel
Dick Worel
Allen Worel
William Worel
Dean Thompson
David Hudlet
Gary Gors
Sandee Gors
John Lawson
Tim Haines
Doug Haines
Stan Worel
Andrew Johns

And for all of those who did not return... thank you seems so little
for you and for your families left behind.

Swimming Lessons

For the past couple weeks, the King has been teaching a young man

how to swim. This is our great grandson, Jesse.

It started out kind of tedious. It took a lot of trusting on Jesse's

part and a lot of patience for the King. "Water too cold, no I will

drown, and I can't do that." Finally, the King convinced him, he could.

Of course, showing him a 3 year old girl who was learning, helped the

King's argument. :-)

Now Jess, can float, swim 5 feet at a time, and he can be thrown

up in the air and swim underwater to the edge. This picture says it all.

He can dive under the water and pick up balls off the floor of the pool.

The King is really proud of Jess. Also it takes him back about 14 years

to another young man he taught how to swim. At the same age. Now

that young man, our grandson, is a young adult and swims in Hawaii.

He swims with the fishes... he snokles for his dinner, spearing fish.

Great memories.:-)

Lost in the 50's 2012...... part 2.. car show

the car show is on Saturday... and this is about 1% of them..on this page.

The streets are lined with all kinds of cars, all colors, and types. People looking

inside and out. Here is Charlie, the helicopter the local Vets are restoring.

This is one of the oldies... a classic Plymouth

One of our locals has his car in each year. Terry Iveson, a retired teacher, who

has one of the loves of his life here.... after his wife, of course.

Some of the paint jobs were really neat.

Then there are the hood ornaments were great.

Some of them were in the rough, instead of the shiny paint jobs.

Some had some really beautiful paint jobs.

Not always easy to get a good picture, when you have so many who are looking..and

after all that is what the day is for... looking, admiring...wishing...

This is just a small section of the people... there is actually a bare spot there, which

was unusual on anyone of the streets.

Even the midget cars were there

And powerful engines were all over the place.. big and loud... didn't disapoint.

This show is always a people pleaser, and we had beautiful weather to enjoy it in.

Another year but to bed, for the many many many people who bring this wonderful

time for all of us. So many behind the scenes... THANKS AGAIN...LOST IN THE 50 CREW!!

But what part of NO, didn't they understand?

May 22, 2012
But what part of NO, didn't they
understand?

Last week we had some very pushy sales
people..
They weren't satified with our no's
(some said yes)so
they sent some more the next night.
That is the straw that broke this
camel's back.

We have had sales people
before.. one here and another there.
About 2 or 3 months apart. Use to be vacuum salesmen. But guess
they got tired of cleaning
up dirt they spilt and no sales on the
product.

Even have the Omaha Steak
guy or someone like him, from time to time.
But he gave up too. Even
Schwan man has given up on our neighborhood.
We just aren't big buyers...

So why not these guys? Not
only they were pushy but condescending as
well. They were selling some
kind of cleaner that you could even put it in
your mouth. Even when the
neighbor who did buy one and came back to do
a imitation act of the
salesman, we couldn't find a brand name on it.
Weird.

So that is the reason why
the sign.. I have to find some place that makes
signs and have a good one
made up (this one was in haste, incase they
came back.. Wonder if I sell
sign maker the rights to make one like it ...
will he give me a break on
it. lol.. I never seen one worded like mine.
May 22, 2012
But what part of NO, didn't they
understand?

Last week we had some very pushy sales
people..
They weren't satified with our no's
(some said yes)so
they sent some more the next night.
That is the straw that broke this
camel's back.

We have had sales people
before.. one here and another there.
About 2 or 3 months apart. Use to be vacuum salesmen. But guess
they got tired of cleaning
up dirt they spilt and no sales on the
product.

Even have the Omaha Steak
guy or someone like him, from time to time.
But he gave up too. Even
Schwan man has given up on our neighborhood.
We just aren't big buyers...

So why not these guys? Not
only they were pushy but condescending as
well. They were selling some
kind of cleaner that you could even put it in
your mouth. Even when the
neighbor who did buy one and came back to do
a imitation act of the
salesman, we couldn't find a brand name on it.
Weird.

So that is the reason why
the sign.. I have to find some place that makes
signs and have a good one
made up (this one was in haste, incase they
came back.. Wonder if I sell
sign maker the rights to make one like it ...
will he give me a break on
it. lol.. I never seen one worded like mine.

Last week we had some very pushy sales
people..
They weren't satified with our no's
(some said yes)so
they sent some more the next night.
That is the straw that broke this
camel's back.

We have had sales people
before.. one here and another there.
About 2 or 3 months apart. Use to be vacuum salesmen. But guess
they got tired of cleaning
up dirt they spilt and no sales on the
product.

Even have the Omaha Steak
guy or someone like him, from time to time.
But he gave up too. Even
Schwan man has given up on our neighborhood.
We just aren't big buyers...

So why not these guys? Not
only they were pushy but condescending as
well. They were selling some
kind of cleaner that you could even put it in
your mouth. Even when the
neighbor who did buy one and came back to do
a imitation act of the
salesman, we couldn't find a brand name on it.
Weird.

So that is the reason why
the sign.. I have to find some place that makes
signs and have a good one
made up (this one was in haste, incase they
came back.. Wonder if I sell
sign maker the rights to make one like it ...
will he give me a break on
it. lol.. I never seen one worded like mine.

Lost in the 50's 2012...... part 1

This stars and stripes car was the hit of the parade in our area...on Division Street...

This one ... the green one, is our neighbors project for the past year... and we have seen it

develope over the year.

This is Charlie... the project of the local Vets

An old favorite of the crowd.. each year he comes back.. and you will hear.. back fire...where is

the back fire... and he never fails to live up to his reputation....

HELLO, is this AAA? looks like he is calling for help... but as much as this was

embarrassing.. luckily after he got off the road, he was able to rejoin

after a few repairs... and finished the parade.

This isn't even 10% of the cars that came down the road for the parade that pleases the

crowd each year... they say they have 400 to 600 cars each year...

Hard to blog in this weather...

It is hard to settle down, to think
about what to write.
As the sun calls each morning.. Even
the television has
been off more than it is on..

It is grab the paper, a cup of coffee
and the deck table calls.
Basking in the sun of the morning,
listening to the birds as they
call to each other.

When you never know what the weather is
going to change to
you have to make a day of it, as the
next could be rain and wind.

So I have been having trouble settling
down to a subject. Especially
with our local politics calming back
down until November.
Avisita as learn that dabbling into the
Northern Idaho politics is
a money losing deal. We have loyalty here, and get annoyed by
big money trying to tell us who we
should vote for. All the nasty
ads were a waste of money as well.

So maybe politics will take a note of
calmness for now, following
the warm weather. Time to stop and smell the roses. Watch the
birds,
and play in the dirt.

THESE HANDS

I as I was washing my hands last night, I noticed,
so many sores and scratches and just tired looking hands
that look so rough... It brought to my mind, Hank Snow's
song about hands. I
can't remember all of the words.. only
a few here and there... it went something like this.....
These hands are
calloused and old
If these hands filled
their task then what more could one ask
For these fingers
have worked to the bone
While these hands
brought me happiness
Now I'm tired and I'm
old and I ain't got much gold
Take a look at these
hard working hands
So true of my hands... they have served me well for these
72 years. And while I don't feel that
old, I look down at these
old hands batter and rough, and they
have brought me
happiness. As I have held my babies who
have grown to
adults, and grandchildren and even
great grandchildren.
They have held the elderly as I took
care of them over the
years of being an aide. And they have
let me hold on so
tightly as life has given me a roller
coaster ride.
Some times it makes me sad, as I
realize all that they have
been thru... these hard working hands.
And I have taken them
for granted up until recently, as I
feel how they don't grip as well,
as they use to. The jars are harder,
the zip bags are harder.
But as old and callous as they are,
they still work well...
Looking at these hard working hands...

This dang primary...election..

Well, today, I have to walk
into a building.. and it angers me that I am
forced to say I am something
I am not. For it I don't, I don't get to vote.

I have taken pride over the
years of voting for whom I thought would
try to do the best job.
Never having to claim any party.. yet because I
live in a flaming red state,
that made it a law last year.. I have to proclaim,
I am something that I am
not. A Republican. I am not... a
Democrat either.
I am not there to lopside
the election for November. I am there to see if I
can lend a hand to have some
good voting choices.

In the old days, there was a
Democrat and a Republican ticket. Well, there
was a few other ones but
those scare me. Heck, now they all
scare me.
But I never went to vote to
make it easier for the other party ... I just want
some what I deem to be good
honest people to run and not some radical
who says they belong to the
Republican party.

See in Idaho we have about 4
or 5 different kinds of Republicans.
There is the good old ones.. and there is the Reagan Republican, the
right wing conservative Republicans, and then there is the mid Republicans and
lastly but far from last.. the TEA party Republicans. What the heck is the
difference I don't know.. I wonder if they do. But they are so paranoid, they
have outlawed us, who have no party, so we can't vote. UNLESS we admit we are
Republican (thankfully we don't have to say which one).

So I will head down today,
and sign a paper claiming to be a Republican.
I want
to write ... only for
today... but was told that is illegal...
So I figure I would go in,
and lie, just so I can vote. And then
after I leave the building, I will be a Catholic while I am at it... and say.
FORGIVE ME FATHER, FOR I HAVE SINNED... and then tell my self I have to do 10
Hail Mary's. Just
to get the taste out of my
mind.

Short and Sweet..and story of Terror

With my achy body, I will return to the yard this morning..
Just as I have for the past couple of days.

We have been hauling rock ..river pebbles for the walk way.
Cement for the straightening out of the leaning fence.
Sand and brick tiles for extending our patio area.

Oh, because the weather can't make up it's mind, I have hauled my

30 some odd hanging baskets and planters in to the shed, out to the

lawn edge (where I am watching for half to get strong enough to be placed)

and to their hanging place... and then back to the shed again, and back

out and back in.. well, you get the idea.. As we have had freezing am's.

Finally I have said the heck with it.. they are out...they will survive.. or die..

those who die will be garbage,

I am tired of this merry-go-around.

So I leave you with this picture.. I saw it on Facebook.
It reminded me of days gone past.. way, way, back.. lol
To my young years of helping mom do the wash. It was
a Maytag in our household. And I hated that machine.
It was a chore that I wasn't crazy about because I am not
graceful. As I fed the mighty roller, I would be reaching
for the next item, as I watched the last one go thru. But
for some reason as I fed the second one, some how.. some
how..... I would get my fingers stuck in the dang roller.
Sometimes reaching mid palm by the time I was able to
hit the release to pop the rollers apart.

God, I... hated... that... dang... machine.

Then Mom got an automatic.. it was a miracle of miracles.
But then terror struck my heart as Dad rolled the old one
around
the corner in the basement.. and he told me.....(I called it
a threat.)
"I am saving this for you, so when you get your own
place."
I fooled him, I moved across the country... don't know what
ever happen to that dang machine.

MARRIAGE: the defining of it....

Maybe the definition of marriage should be ...

A unit between a man and a woman joined by a religious type
of ceremony. Meaning
if you get married in a church, Synagogue
or any religious building of your choice...by a Pastor,
Priest, Rabbi,
or another cleric type... . it is called a Marriage.

But if you were not joined in a church or any religion
building
it should be defined as a civil union. Those of us who got married
(opps, joined) in your back yard, in the forest, in the
park, on the
beach, in the ocean, in the air, flying thru the air, and
etc...it is called
a Civil Union.. you do not have a marriage...

Marriage is strictly a religious term from now on.. Another
one of those
politically correct terms.
Oh, the Marriage group, can't have the word
married.. because that is a verb meaning joining...not only
in wedding bliss
but in welding two different objects and etc...

Hey, attention all crooks and Terrorist...

This is how you do it, or how we check you...

Might as well, have a public announcement, the way the media
broadcast the fact the police tried this and that.. when something
happens...We caught them because we did this and that.. (well, crooks
you will have to try something else, because they know about that one.

Or the government and the airlines don't have the tech
abilities yet for checking you out to see if you have bomb next to
your kidney.

What the heck? I have stressed before... LOOSE LIPS SINK
SHIPS..
And the remark by the government official who was on CNN on
Tuesday, telling how we don't have the tech abilities of
some search, seems to fall under that. What the heck is wrong with
bluffing? Is there any rule or policy that states one can not lie to
the crooks?

The police and the government has done their fair share of
lying to us in the past.. So why not for safety reasons. Heck if
anything we should lie about should be for the safety of the nation.

Won't let us profile people? Like the email states, if it
walks like a duck, quacks like a duck... it is 99.9% a duck. And if I
have my choice I would error on the 99.9.

So many times we see some big official explaining how we do
things, what we can do and can't do. Be it the airlines checks or
the troops and planes. The less they know the better. What they don't
thinkthat terrorist have computers and television?
The need to know is crap to me..

I sure wouldn't want to be President...

As we start the race, even tho they haven't gone thru the conventions
yet..we all ready have the grand slams..

And as we all know that there is truth, lies, spins and twist. And of course, the biggest
one of all.. TELL THEM ANYTHING THEY WANT TO HEAR. we can do
as we please later game... They all do it.. no matter what party you are talking about.

But here we are 3 years later, and we are slightly better off than we were before.
Companies are recovering.. BUY AMERICAN is helping out a lot of companies.
Which gives jobs. Some people can insure their kids
still on their health policies. And not so many houses are going into foreclosures.

But we have a long way to go yet. There are some people who are getting jobs,
but still we are standing at 8.5. Stock market is till a roller coaster thanks, to foreign
countries. Interest rates are still in the toilet. I mean, part of 1 per cent, really? Loans are hard to get.

So of the two, who do you think is really going to turn this whole mess around
and have the 500,000 a month jobs as Mr. Romney seems to think is the going rate..
didn't hear how he propose to do that, and for that matter, he didn't say he would..
he just raised the bar that high. And if he gets in.. the American people who believe
in him.. will expect him to do it.. and do it in 2 months.
After all they were calling for Obama's head 2 months after he got in, because
he had not taken care of the countries ills by that time.

But of either one of them.. who is really going to do something great? I know even
if I had the best of the best in each division... I know I couldn't get it done. There are
to many variables involved. And as we know, they aren't all here in America.
So unless we start making EVERY thing here in America... and not only sell here, but
overseas as well... and don't buy overseas.. then .. and only then, we might
come flying out of this hole. But I sure hope you aren't holding your breath.

Nope, I wouldn't want to be President in 2013.
It will be like the old English days, of OFF WITH HIS HEAD... when they
find out who ever wins, has feet of clay.
And I am telling you by the end of 2013.. I will be totally shocked if
we are out of this mess that Bush and his cronies made. And yes, I do blame it
on Bush. He had 8 full years to throw us to the wolves.. and did greatly.
My little pithy stock was worth twice what it is now, just a month before Mr. Bush
came in to office. A year later... sliced in half.. and that is before anyone even
knew who Obama was.

Yep, this will be interesting.. and as I said before Obama was voted in, I don't put much
stock into who is President.. it is the cabinet and the congress people who
worry me. And of course we have little to no control over that.

No Server

Nothing strikes terror in a bloggers heart, than those two little words..
This post was suppose to be called.. WHY I LOVE LIVING IN IDAHO...

So this is what I did on the weekend... got the cover over the raised garden,

got the plants put back out (freezing mornings here) and got a few more up.