I am working ( i say to myself even as I sit at this keyboard)
Work has become life and life has become work.
I have stopped unhealthy associations with work as unpleasant,
something we only do for others, or for pay. Work is no longer just physical,
it can be emotional, relational, and spiritual as well.
    Some days when I bake bread or make soup, I consider it play, relaxing, decompressing! but the fact is that kneading bread dough is work, just as is kneading muscle tissue when I am giving a massage. Cleaning up the mess after a construction project and cleaning the kitchen floor are both valuable to me and both worth doing well.  I am working at seeing worth in all I do, and in the efforts of others.
   A lot of time when I write, or create poems it just flies off my fingers, and other times it is more laborious. Either way I want my work to be pleasing to God and to those intended to read, enjoy, apply the words I get down into their day or their lives. Once long ago a blog friend, reminded me of my own testimony here, quoted it back to me, and made me see that truth was still true, even though I was not feeling as strong, several moths later. Her words WORKED.

I have not talked much

when I was alone, i needed this pace more as a 'listening friend',
now it seems that since I am part of an amazing 'power couple', I do most of my conversing with one special person and do not have so many unexpressed inner thoughts, longings and dreams. My recent work is also great medicine, bring out the child/creative me, at the same time as it exhausts 85% of my human energy. the challenges are good ones, physical, emotional, and a good bit of self therapy in there as well. my eyes are working at the same time as my imagination; is what i just did right? and what goes next to or on top of that? will it all fit, look good and last a long time?

I love my writing and will come back here now and again to add to this space, or to tune or edit some postings. Know that if I am not here, I am out there enjoying a great summer, and making things that improve my corner of this world.

My children ( 2/3 of them) are here for the summer, and I look forward to all that potential. There is so very much to do on all fronts, pray that I will be inspired, motivated and have great energy for the work, and the play.

I want ( and need ) to travel to see some of my mom's relatives ( that I have never met) before it is too late. i want to see Seattle, and am dreaming of a trip to Germany, in the fall. I need lots of possibilities to keep me happy. if they all don't happen this year, that will be alright. It is in God's hands.

MOST of the four pallets of paving stones are in place(s)
My back is 'strong, like Ox' and my head is full of more ideas for improving the front of the property.....
MANY plants are being planted, transplanted and imagined.
Seeds in dozens of containers are springing up in the greenhouse and on the back deck.
Possible snow tonight and a low temp of 30 degrees F

Yeah, its Mothers day, bring on some snow...... and wind

driveway sand

Driveway:
i am using the string to check the grade.
the sand is compacted so hard I can drive on it.
just playing with the first couple rows
( the main delivery is next week )

greenhouse

..
.
..
.
.
.
.











While it is still topless and has only three sides, you can see here the beginnings of my 9x12 greenhouse.

we lack the heat here in the mountains to do proper tomatoes... and it freezes so late in the spring and early in the fall that I get little produce. this way I will be able to grow more crops and much longer.

I am in love with my RECYCLED doors and the designs they created.

what am I doing ??

w wowork
working late tonight
as the vinyl comes tomorrow
the walls are ready and teh floor needed a MAJOR patch
because it had sunken and been water damaged. All better now, strong and mostly Level.

Saturday

Fourth of July Shed project started at 9:45 with four persons working.


By 1:45 we had the plywood on the roof.


My son and carpenter helper had to leave early

By 3:45 I sat back with a cup of coffee and saw a mini house with three walls complete, a door, and a very cool mountain look.


It is almost too nice to store your rakes and shovels.

a picture of the "end of the day" product is HERE

Tip of the day for new bloggers

when having a hard time sorting many thoughts
and not knowing what to slap into a blog post, do a bullet list.

Ten thoughts on a Monday:
1. Monday dawns cloudy, no matter what the weather man said
2. To the birds it is just another piece of sky to fly in, another wedge of time for eating, nesting and rejoicing in being such a cool bird.
3. The Sun which is as constant as anything we know, has no problem with the clouds, or Monday.
4. The Oaks which have endured hundreds of winters, will announce spring in their own time and in their own way, soon. They live for summer, and glory in the power of the earth, and water and sun. Every Summer Monday is a good one for the oaks, and for acorns and squirrels.
5. Having experienced only 18 mountain winters, I am not as strong as an oak, but I am getting there. (aside- Beach boy endless summers do not make you strong or teach perseverance. )
6. Having three children DOES give me the opportunity to grow wise and gray at the same time.
7. Monday is one seventh of my week, it would be wrong to to lose any part of it complaining.
8. I love the work I am doing and the ministry God has given me, seven days a week.
9. Fasting makes me strong, in many ways. Taking away food today makes me appreciate it more on Tuesday.
10. Allowing myself juice and tea with honey is practicing self love, self care.

Joy of set

There really is no happiness like that of setting tile.
This week I get to take a simple tile and make it Beautiful because we add a little slant to it.
The blue wires are a heater that the home owner added to keep his lovely wife and babies' tootsies warm in the winter. he is a very smart guy.

I am glad to have an opportunity to serve them and to get out of my "shell" for a while. I just wish I was healthy at the same time. Today we will finish the kitchen and set tile in the entry hall. Maybe some time for grout and sealer.

Captain of my vessel

I love that my life is in my hands, and that I seem to be able to steer it again.
I am steering toward a camping trip and toward staying closer to my family, they mean the world to me.
My sister has let me work on her place many times, and it is always a blessing.
This time I am down here on vacation but I just can't resist fiddling with some of the things that make me happy and make her place look even MORE beautiful.

Had a good Swedish massage tonight - very relaxing, almost went to sleep on the table. drove down to the beach but it was gray and cool so I did not stay long. I have plenty of sun already on plenty of my pale parts, so I am happy all over about the trip so far. more tomorrow.

Dr. Stihl and I

We are going out to trim trees,
not a bad day
but I just wish I was paddling my kayak on the lake instead.
oh well.

I ate too much and lived to tell,

here are 52 things:

side lighting marigolds is the best, how does God do that every day!

back lighting new oak leaves makes them appear liquid

skin is the most amazing sensory organ, even my typing fingers agree.

wood is the most abundant of construction materials other than mud
( a nod to the elbonian engineers)

I have not three, but at least six saws.

when I want disgusting heat and crowds they are only an hours drive away

blogging in your underwear is over-rated. Too confining

I survived my birthday dinner with only minor swelling

it was swell

when was the last time you used 'swell' as an adjective?

birds are my last pet, until i get more zoo space

seems silly to have caged birds when the wild ones come right up to the window

when I took the time I could handle my pet birds, so I guess there is a difference

you can have a break, I think you are halfway through.....

back already? good!

if you understand light, please explainit to me, I am in wonderment

why did the young scrub jay hop right up to me yesterday and allow mw to talk to it?

flowers have no time to complain, they are busy being naturally beautiful

I missed my dentist appt. yesterday, I was 11 days early, hehe

any one left out there who doubts my insanity?

for those two I will go on:

I work with electric circuits HOT because there is NOthING like 110v scampering across your skin.
I taught my sons to do the same, as I must leave weird legacies

(more because you soak up this stuff :-)

the hum of a computer fan draws me like a moth to a flame

i still have no prescription, which means i am still blogging.

If I get "well" and stop blogging is that a cure that I can tolerate?

number 1 son has fixed my computer, it is only 5 hours away.

that means I could be back in time for more of michele's meet-n-greet.

i am almost tolerating a laptop's different keyboard

but I think I still like the one that sits on a desk

could you imagine me with a portable computer?

tomorrow is a big day for a good friend's family

clear cool weather in August would be nice for an outdoor event

I really need more work time and less "down time"

who EVER says THAT?????

i also could use a lottery win

I have more plans than HGTV..... hehe

I am going to a "progressive dinner" at our church tonight

I hope that is not what they now call "Liberal dinners"

I will eat conservatively, no matter what

enough about me, lets talk about my pets:

Mango is a love bird with no spouse

Beautiful is half of two parakeets I received from my good friends

the other parakeet did not make it

I do not mourn lost birds, or hamsters

I still miss my cat Patches

and double that my dog, Chipper

( evening break)


more later - as access permits

for now I am able to post, and read YOU ( if you comment)

shalom is the perfect word, it says it all
Peace

Bring me the special pill, nurse Ratched!

while all of you are planning my birthday bash i just have to manage to get a lot of work in.
SOMETHING NEW: refinishing and old tub!
Something borrowed: too much to list
something blue, half of the sky, apart from where there are thunderheads.
many pictures taken, waiting til i get my computer back from brilliant son number one,
then I can post them

thinking of starting a new prescription for the ADD
after I talk to my Dr. friend, that is
I need traction, have none.
Need focus, have about a hundred.
Need friends, so glad I have you.

tale in two pictures

below, a serene duck pond.
I love ducks, even when the start quacking at the first gray light of the dawn.
These live across the street from me for as long as they are on their nests and raising their young.

below that - my pond away from home. I pampered myself with a night at the Raddison, where even the bed has a remote control ( Select Comfort) for good sleeping after a day of concrete, and a good hearty breakfast in the morning. I liked the mirror shot, reminded me of my friend Carmi, and all his hotel pictures.

I have added e few new friends to my list of favorites
Do check then out often - and ALWAYS go see Minerva,
She has excellent writing skills, a great vocabulary, and a pure heart.

sunny Sunday

its ( almost) too beautiful to blog.
I am headed outside after this post
to wash a car or two, since there is NO snow or rain in the forecast.
I will tell you later of
new clients, different church service, and a recent visit with Dr. Stihl.
I am blessed with good health, loving family and friends,
and joy in the midst of each challenging season of my life.
and the sailboat? its sitting at $7600.00 but was described by the marina personnel as a boat in a box. (translation: Much a$$embly required. )
I am staying a good distance away.

take a side trip with me

I just read ( for a second time) something terrible, horrific and really sad.
( but not TRAGIC, thankfully)
I hope you will benefit in some way by knowing this blogger
and reading her powerful post:
NOT A CINDERELLA STORY

There is always the possibility of (me) being the nice neighbor who was too good to let evil go on unchallenged.
Could You be the neighbor in some other child's story?

--------- friday, I am off to save a 60 year old Chinese Elm by pruning it,
so that the owner would not "rip it out" to avoid the 'maybe' of it falling on the stupid jerk neighbor ( and making the planet a nicer place)
maybe I can drop a chainsaw on this crazed and evil woman?

you know what?

I am just excited
so many things going on
small things:
like my mom doing better every day
and the peace I have that overcomes nagging doubts.

Big things, like good work and challenging
projects and renewed contact with good clients.
healthy activities and beautiful art work.

not to mention all the mornings I wake up here
at 7000 feet and enjoy the clean air and deep blue sky.

and maybe, just maybe God will let me have that sailboat.
some day this week I will go inspect it, after laying my hands on it
my heart will be knit to it, and the blood in my veins will go a bit saltier
even though I know that
Yes there is a sailor inside of me,
but he does not have permission to cast off shore just yet.
"Patience, your time will come, Lad."

Aye Captain. ( sighs)
someone go to my paypal account and put in xx,xxx.00
just for fun, ok?

how I spent my week

just hanging out with my bird friends, ( in Oceanside)
Eating good seafood,
Mixing it up.
so to speak
Doing something HARD
and rewarding
making lots of mess
and putting another
400 miles on the
Ford.

You know what? I am having the time of my life! Notes: i just liked the shapes and colors, the seagulls caught my eye first. second pic - poured concrete floor - in process, design will be enhanced by stain to be applied later.

e

I am the luckiest man on earth!

or so it seems
today I drive 3 hours south to
Carlsbad, Ca
and do some of my favorite type work
stay down near the ocean ( it has been too long)
and take on the same project Tuesday
and then scoot home while it dries/ cures
for a dental visit Wednesday ( there goes my luck)
and Next week I repeat the trip for finishing touches.
Oh God, you are so good!
Thank you all who pray for me