Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Friday, October 31, 2008

The snake

Yesterday when I was at the stamping workshop I sat next to a woman named Eleanor. We got to talking and we discovered that we go walking along the same path along the river. We have never seen each other because she usually goes later than I do. Today I walked a little later than usual and what a surprise it was to see Eleanor walking along the path with a friend!! We stopped a chatted for a bit. :-) I also came across this snake taking a nap on the paved part of the path. I took these three pictures.I went on line when I got home to see what kind it was and it looks to me like a copperhead! Does any one know for sure what it is? The end of the month is when I add up the miles I've walked for the month. This month I walked 188.9 miles. So far this year the miles total 1,885.

SkyWatch

SkyWatch Friday is here again.
Here are a couple more sunrise pictures I took on one of my morning walks. If you want see more sky pictures or want to post one of your own click on the picture below.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Stamping Workshop

I saw something really gross while on my walk this morning. It was dark so I couldn't really see and I didn't want to get to close to it, but I saw what looked like a dead fish on the sidewalk. Later on the way back when it was light I went back there to see what it was and I was sorry that I did. It wasn't a fish at all but a squirrel that had been skinned. I can't figure out what happened. If an animal did it wouldn't it have eaten it? And if a person did it why would they leave it on the sidewalk? Pretty creepy!! Maybe it was some kind of sick Halloween prank!
Here is a picture of the town house from yesterday.
The picture isn't very good because it was pretty dark out and I lighted it up a bit with photoshop. Both the front and back I beams are in place now. As they build the houses they start from the other end of ours so that ours is the last one that gets stuff done. So even though we only have the I beams in, the first few houses down the other end have the framing started. Ken just left a little while ago for another glass class and he is going to stop by and see what's been done today. I'm sure there will be lots a framing done.
Today I walked over to the stamp shop, Queen's Ink, which is located in the mill and met Cheryl and Bonnie there. We went to a stamping workshop to make Christmas cards. Cheryl is an old hand at this but it was a first for Bonnie and I. We all got the same stamp of a snowman looking through a window which we got to keep. It was interesting to see how every one's turned out so different using the same stamp. We stamped, painted, cut out and assembled it all using the colors of our choice. I made two different ones and will continue to make more at home. It was a lot of fun and I learned some good tips. The work session was from 10:30 to 1:30 but most of us stayed a little longer. I left around 2 because I was all stamped out after three and half hours, but Bonnie and Cheryl were still there when I left.
Here is the table where the three of us worked at.
Bonnie is taking a picture of Cheryl 's card.
Another stamper was kind enough to take this picture of the three of us. Me, Cheryl, and Bonnie. I am holding my two cards.
I still have to do my exercise tape this evening because I never got around to it during the day. I'll do that now, then get caught up on some blog reading. When Ken gets back from his class we will watch a Veronica Mars and have a snack. This day just seemed to zoom by. I hope you all had a great Thursday! Be Happy!!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Along the path in the woods

Yesterday we did go to take a look at the town house and what a surprise as we pulled around the corner and saw all this wood piled up.
They put the top plate on the concrete all along the top.
The first two houses have the iron girders up and ours are probably up too as I write this now and I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the wall up when we go look at it later today.
I am standing on the concrete at the front of the house when I took this picture.
A good trip to the dentist this morning for both of us. Just a routine cleaning and we are set for another 6 months. The Dr was happy with the cookies I baked for him and I reminded him to brush his teeth! :-) Ken dropped me off home after the dentist and he went to work. I came in the house, changed into my walking clothes and walked up to the park and along the paths. Here's a little video I took along a path.
I took several photos as well. Along the path.
The river along the path.
A place to sit and watch the river.
I stood on some rocks in the river and took this picture.
I saw a few people walking and running but I pretty much had the paths all to myself. I stopped at the two bridges I came to and watched leaves floating down to the water and then float away. It was so peaceful watching the river. I love walking in the woods, hearing the wind through the trees, the rustling of the leaves as I walk through them and the water tumbling over the rocks. What a perfect fall day. I ended up walking a bit farther than I normally do because I just didn't feel like turning around and heading back. I ended up walking 8.5 miles! Now I'm off to read some blogs, do a few things around the house and if there is any time left I'll read until Ken comes home from work. I'm hoping your Tuesday is a Happy one, and if it's not that tomorrow will be better!! Smile - it makes people wonder what you've been up to. :-)

Monday, October 27, 2008

Last of the flowers and dish cloths

The weather was pretty mild out there this morning on my walk, though it was dark. It was nice when the sun came up but it didn't stay out for long. By the time I got home it was cloudy, windy and cooler and later in the day it rained. I didn't see very many people out walking or running and didn't see anyone until I was 2.5 miles into my walk. I was lucky to see the heron perched on top of the Pratt Bridge along the path where I walk. As I walked on the bridge it took off flying down along the water - such a beautiful sight!! Quite a few deer about and also a couple of bunny rabbits. My new header picture I took this morning up at the park. Ken went into work yesterday for a few hours and while he was gone I knitted dish cloths. Later in the afternoon I went outside and started the leave raking for the season. The leaves keep coming and coming for so long and though I do like to rake leaves after a while I do get sick of it. Ken blows a lot of them far out in the back yard under the trees too. I really like the movie Anne of the Thousand Days about Ann Boleyn and have watched it 3 times. Last week I bought the DVD and the movie came in a set with Mary Queen of Scots. We watched that last night which I liked too about the life long battle between Mary Stuart and Queen Elizabeth, who was Anne's daughter. This afternoon I baked chocolate chip cookies for our dentist. Ken and I both have dental appointments for a routine cleaning first thing in the morning. Our dentist loves sweets and I like to bring him some when we go because he's a great dentist and is really nice. I took these two pictures today of the last few remaining flowers in my gardens. So sad to see all the flowers die.
Black Eyed Susan
Cosmos
Here are several of the dish cloths I've knitted. I love washing dishes with these.
They are very simple to make. I cast on 3 stitches with size 3 needles. 1st row - Knit 2nd row - Knit 1, increase 1 stitch in the next stitch. Knit to end of row. Repeat 2nd row until there are 48 stitches on the needle. Next row - Knit 2, Knit 2 together. Knit to end of row. Repeat last row until there are 3 stitches left on needle. Cast off. I use cotton yarn and buy it at Wal-Mart. It looks like this. This yarn on these big spools are for knitting machines, but it is a lot cheaper to buy it like this than individual little hanks.There are still many hours left in the day and I'm not sure what I'll be doing with them yet. Maybe read, knit, go out to eat, take a look at the town house, or sit in the chair and do nothing. :-) I hope you got to do something on this Monday that you enjoyed and it made you Happy.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

God watches over me

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Maryland and I wish you a Happy Sunday. I picked one of the Psalms this Sunday. It is so comforting for me to know that God is watching over me all the time. Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Have a blessed Sunday and remember God will watch over you too if you want him too. Smile - GOD loves you! :-)

Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Little Giant Ladder

Today we went to Upper Marlboro which is only about 40 minutes from our house to the Home Show. Lots of good ideas and things to buy for improving your home. While walking around looking at stuff I even got a couple of compliments on my silver hair. :-) I'm sure they just thought it would be a good way for them to get us to stop at their booths, but it was nice to hear anyway. We saw some really cool ways for fixing up the garage with shelving, tool boxes and work tops which we might use in the new garage. Things could all be arranged neatly and easy to find something when you need it. We also looked at some motorized awnings for the deck when we move. They are really nice and come in lots of colors to choose from. They even wind themselves up if it gets windy. How cool is that!? I took a picture of these kitchen cabinets just because I like them. Too bad these weren't available for the town house. At the last home show we went to we came very close to buying one of the Little Giant Ladders so at this show we bought one. They are really cool and it is a whole bunch of ladders rolled up into one. Since we ordered one at the show we got a really GOOD discount. This ladder will come in very handy when I have to reach those sky lights in the bedroom in the town house. Great for all the painting we will have to do too. It's also very light and I can carry it up the stairs by myself. We also got a few accessories. A telescoping plank, a leg leveler, work platform, a wall standoff, and a project tray. Everything will be mailed to us in 4 weeks at no extra cost.
Here is Ken ordering our new Little Giant Ladder.
We were at the show at opening and when left it was just after lunch time so we stopped and had a bite to eat on the way home. No new pictures of the town house. We drove by and no more work has been done. But all the dirt is back filled and things have been tidied up. Looks like they are all ready for the framing to begin next week. No work today because of the rain. I knitted a couple of dish cloths with the cotton yarn - one yesterday and one today so far. I'll probably finish another one later. I'll post a picture of them when I have a few more done. I'm going to give some to neighbors for Christmas gifts along with some baked goodies. That's my day so far and it's been a good one. Hope your day has been a good one too! :-)

Friday, October 24, 2008

SkyWatch Friday

Two sunsets this week for SkyWatch. This one taken from Lowe's parking lot.
Husband Ken took this sunset over by the town house.
And I took this one yesterday from my yard of a bright blue sky.
Want to see more SkyWatch pictures or maybe post one of your own? Here's the place to do it. Have a Happy Friday!! :-)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Dancer

There was some frost out there again this morning on my walk. I stayed warm though in my layers. I've already noticed there are fewer people out walking or running in the morning now that's it getting colder and there will be even less once it really gets cold. Of course there are the regulars who I see year after year - the weather has to be pretty bad to keep us inside. :-) I got to see the fox again today running along up by the park.
I took this picture of the sun shining through the trees on the path as I'm just about to come back up to the park.
I have seen lots of things during my years of walking around town but today I saw something that I've never seen before. I walked around the mill parking lot in the back and there was a girl with her car doors open and loud rap music playing and she was "dancing". As I passed her I said, "That looks like a fun workout." She said she was an erotic dancer and was practicing her routine. She did have all her clothes on - I guess it was a bit too cold to be in "costume." A lot of people put up pretty fall decorations on their porch or yard but in my neighborhood they go more for the Halloween scary stuff.
A closer look.
I went through all my yarn to see what I had and sorted it all out and put it all in several baskets so I can see that I have at a glance. I'm trying to use up all the bits before buying any more. I mostly just use the acyclic yarn but I really like working with the cotton yarn. I'm going to make my next ripple afghan using that. I also went through all my counted cross stitch books and threw some patterns out that I know I'll never get around to making. They were the old black and white ones and the patterns that are in color are so much easier to use so I just saved those. I have a few small knitting and cross stitch projects to make for Christmas presents that I should get started on now. I did more laundry, ironed more shirts, and finished cleaning the house.
I finished reading The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith.
It is the third book in the Isabel Dalhousie series and I enjoyed reading this as much as the other two. Isabel lives in Scotland and is the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics and in this book we hear more about her adventures. Here's a quote from the book which I liked. "He was right, she thought. It was easy to be moral when that was the way you felt anyway. The hard bit about morality was making yourself feel the opposite of what you really felt. That was where credit was deserved". I got the fourth book of the series from the library too and will start that one tomorrow. Ken went to his glass class about an hour ago and was going to stop by the town house to see what they did today so I don't have any pictures yet. When he left I made some Welsh Cookies and when he gets home later we will have them for our snack while we watch Six Feet Under. And so that's my day today. I hope your's was a Happy One.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Stamping Class

Cheryl called me yesterday afternoon and told me she just signed up for the Christmas Card Stamping Class at the store in the mill and that there were only 5 places left. I walked over and signed up right away. Bonnie signed up today too so now the three of us get to take the class together. I'm so looking forward to this. We will have loads of fun. It's next Thursday, October 30. I've saved up some of my spending money and went to put it in the bank this morning. No one was in the bank - only me! From there I went to the commissary. I only had to pick up a few things so I was in and out of there right quick. I even remembered to bring the green shopping bags this time. :-) I then hopped across the way and had a look around in the Exchange too or PX as the Army people call it. I found Vera Bradley stuff there and just couldn't resist buying another pocketbook $12 off the retail price. This one is called Little Betsy Night Owl. I'm already all moved in to it. I love getting new pocketbooks!! It makes me HAPPY!
Here it is!
And here's a close up.
The Ripple Afghan that I'm knitting for Nola is coming along slowly but I've gotten this much done on it so far. Played around on the computer a bit this afternoon and read. No drive over to the town house today. Kenny will be getting home late from work and it will be too dark. I'm wondering now what I should have for supper. Maybe some left over pizza or a couple of those strawberry sandwiches I'm so fond of. It's still a bit early so I have time to decide. I hope you are enjoying your Wednesday!!
I took this little quiz just for fun. What type of weather are you?
You Are Sunshine
Soothing and calm You are often held up by others as the ideal But too much of you, and they'll get burned You are best known for: your warmth Your dominant state: connecting

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Update on the town house

A short post with the latest up to date photos of the town house.
We drove up to the town house right after supper and took these pictures.

The concrete floor was poured today.


The back and the side which shows the dirt line.
The front with the dirt filled in.
It's nice that every time we go there we see that work has been done. I don't mind waiting knowing that things are moving right along.

Still eating fire balls

A bit warmer this morning walking but that seems to be changing now as I write. It is sunny but very windy now as a cold front is blowing in. The wind chimes are having a grand time. I have a couple of loads of laundry (one of which is sheets) hanging out on the line and they are sure to be dry by now. I'd better go take them off the line before they end up in the neighbors yard. A night to sleep on clean, crisp, great smelling sheets. One of life's simple pleasures. :-) We took a drive over to the town house yesterday after supper but I didn't take any pictures. Kenny did though but there was nothing that you could really see. Just a lot of big holes by all the houses. They are hooking up the gas lines and sewer lines to the town supply. I guess then the next thing up is pouring the concrete floor. Maybe they are doing that right now! I spent the morning cleaning the upstairs. After lunch I had one of those fire balls that my daughter gave me for Mother's Day. If you happened to read my blog in May then you will remember that she gave me a whole basket full of them (197 to be exact). :-) I eat one or two a day and then I have to go a few days without having one. They mess up my taste buds if I eat too many.
Here's what's left. (73)
After I take the clothes in and make up the bed I plan to do my exercise tape and then read. BTW - I did wait and have that ice cream last night and it was well worth waiting for. If we happen to go by the town house after supper again and I take pictures I'll post them later tonight. I wish you all a Happy Day.

Monday, October 20, 2008

First frost, cats, and more

Pretty chilly and dark early this morning on my walk. It will be nice when we turn the clocks back in a couple of weeks so it won't be so dark. It was 35 degrees when I started out, and I saw frost for the first time this year in a few places, but the sun did come out and there was no wind. I was sure glad I dressed in three layers. I was toasty warm on my 6.5 mile walk. :-) My parents drove down from Pennsylvania on Saturday and we had a nice little visit. We all enjoyed the chili we had for lunch. Saturday evening I got a call from Cheryl. She was over at the mill and told me about a stamping class and that she was at Ram's Head having dinner alone. So I ran over there and surprised her. We had a nice chat while she ate and I had a Guinness. Then on Sunday Ken and I took a drive up to Waynesboro, Pennsylvania (1-1/2 hours from home) to visit Trudy and her cats. She breeds Ocicats and we are thinking about buying one once we get settled in the town house. These cats are beautiful, smart, and very friendly. Trudy has them all over her house in very clean big cages made out of what looked PVC pipes and the cyclone fencing with the plastic on it. All the cats are so friendly and look very well cared for. Trudy has made these little hammocks that hang in all their cages which all the cats seem to love. She took the time to show and let us meet every one of her cats - we were there for over an hour. They are all named and you can tell how much Trudy loves the cats. There were a couple of cats that are ready to go and it was hard not to take one home. The cats come in so many really beautiful colors, but my favorite is the silver chocolate. I'm pretty sure one of these cats will find a home with us. A great day for the clothes to be out on the line drying and I hung up a load of whites before going to do Meals on Wheels. I had my regular 5 people and all of them are fine and happy today. Mrs P is usually number 2 on my route but today she was the last one. I was driving and singing along with Dr Hook and just sailed right passed her street. By the time I realized where I was going it was too far from her house to turn around so I just continued on to the others and went back to her on the way back to the kitchen. After Meals on Wheels I stopped in at the library. I had some books to return. Even though I have two other books from the library still out, I checked out two more today. I just can't walk into a library without coming out with books. So here it is Monday afternoon. I still have to do my exercise tape, take in the clothes and iron some shirts before Kenny comes home. I'd also like to catch up on my blog reading and read some more of my book. I think I need a couple of more hours added on to the day. There is never enough time to do all that I want to do. It's a good thing I don't have to go out to work!! I am looking forward to a snack tonight of chocolate chip ice cream. I really feel like having some right now, but I will wait. Enjoy the rest of your day and make it a Happy one.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

He sent you

There is a story of a man who once stood before God, 
his heart breaking from the pain and injustice in the world.
 
"Dear God," He cried out, look at all the suffering, the anguish and distress in your world. Why don't you send help?" God responded, "I did send help. I sent you."

1 John 3:17 & 18 
But, whoever has the world's goods, 
and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, 
how does the love of God abide in him?
 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

We might not be able to do much but we can all do a little something to brighten a life around us. I am always surprised to find that some seemingly little thing makes such a difference to someone. Do your little bit of good where you are. 

It's those little bits of good put together That overwhelm the world. - Desmond TuTu Have a blessed Sunday and make someone smile today. :-)

Friday, October 17, 2008

Food, books and glass

Back to a more normal temperature of 50 degrees this morning on my walk. I ran into Nola and walked with her the last mile and a half of my walk. Last night Ken finished his mirror project in his mosaic glass class. Here is a picture of it. I think it looks really cool. I like the matching tile that goes with it and he is going to make another small one to complete the set. I love the colors. First thing this morning I made some chili and put it in the slow cooker to cook all day long. My parents are coming over tomorrow for a visit and the chili is for lunch. I have been making this chili for about 33 years. It's a recipe that I got from a friend Sue who was my neighbor when we lived on the base in Scotland. Every time I make it I think of her. We still keep in touch every once in a while. Her chili is the best I've eaten. The rest of the day I got my house cleaning done in between reading blogs. When Ken came home from work we went to check out the work that was done on the town house for the day. They started getting the floor reading for pouring the concrete.
This is the back.
In the front they put the window well in and painted the concrete with tar.
We are still watching episodes of Veronica Mars (which I really like) and Six Feet Under most evenings. Six Feet Under I think is so depressing. No one is happy in this show!!! Tonight is a Veronica night. I will do some more knitting on the Ripple Afghan that I'm making for my friend Nola. I haven't had ice cream in a few days. Last night I had a big York Peppermint Patty. Those things are soooo good! Only trouble is they don't last long. A couple of days ago one of my neighbors stopped by and gave me some cinnamon squares that she baked and I've been eating them too. I'm going to have one of them tonight and a couple of chocolate chips cookies.
I finished reading Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith.
It is the second book and takes up right where 44 Scotland Street left off. The books are about the people living in an apartment building in Edinburgh, Scotland. I like these books a LOT and my favorite character is 6 year old Bertie, a gifted little boy. Great characters in these books. I feel like I know them all. It's a couple of minutes before 8:00 and just about goodie time so off I go. I hope you had a Happy Friday!!

SkyWatch Friday

These Friday's sure come around fast!
These two photos I took Monday evening in the street in front of my house. I faced one direction and took this picture of the moon. Then I turned around and took this picture of the sunset. This last photo I just took a couple of minutes ago from the deck in my back yard. If you want to see more SkyWatch photos or post some of your own you can do that right here.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Leaves and eggs

More mild temperatures in the 60's and foggy in spots on my morning walk today. I stopped along the way and picked up pretty colored leaves for my cousin Patty. She lives in California and loves the fall leaves so every year I mail her some.
This is a picture of the town house yesterday with the plumbing being worked on.
They were just finishing putting the big black electrical cable in the unit next to ours so that probably was done yesterday too.
I already posted a picture of the front stoop cinder block the other day but this is just a better picture.
I bought these wooden eggs to paint a long time ago. They have been just sitting in a basket waiting to be painted.
Yesterday afternoon I decided to paint them. I know it's fall and I should be thinking about pumpkins and fall stuff instead of colored eggs for spring. Maybe because I like spring better and I'm not looking forward to winter. I'd like to skip right over winter and go from fall to spring again.
Anyway here are those eggs painted.
And here they are painted and back in the basket. I think I should paint the basket too.
Ken had another vacation day to use up yesterday but we stayed home most of the day. Ken was working on his glass project for his class tonight and I was inside doing a bit of cleaning. We took a break to go to the town house and had a sandwich from Subway (in the shopping center across the street from the house) for lunch. I'm trying to finish up my house cleaning today but I don't think I'll get it done. I still have to do my exercise tape and my book is calling to me. Reading sounds a lot better to do than cleaning. So off I go for now! I hope you are doing something that makes you happy!