Inspiring Truths

Expensive to Eat

I want to prepare better, tastier, and most especially healthier meals for myself.  As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I see the importance of eating a healthier, more sensible diet than what I have done in the past.  My body needs to be properly nourished in order to regain and maintain good health, so it must be fed good food.  I have always given my vehicles the care they need to run well and long, and I have always made sure I took good care of my animals, feeding them only the best of what they need to be healthy and happy, yet I have not followed through with this type of care & treatment to my own body.  It is time to smarten up and take better care of me!  This being said, it is really a huge challenge to do so.  I look at recipes for good, health filled meals, and there are many ingredients I have never heard of before, or there are ingredients I know well, but can only purchase in larger quantities than I need for the recipe and I know the rest of it will go bad before I get the chance to use it up.  For example, 1 tsp. of fresh cilantro, finely chopped.... I have to buy a full bunch of cilantro and the teaspoon of it for the recipe is only a small amount of what is there so the rest of it would go in the garbage before I could use it for another recipe some time down the road. A recipe calling for 2 stalks of celery leaves the rest of the head of celery to rot, unless one can use it up in some way.  I enjoy eating celery raw and I know it's good for me, yet I alone can only eat so much of it.  Being a single person really makes meal preparations a challenge compared to having a full family that would eat up the meal so much faster and therefore require many more meals to be cooked, and the ingredients to be used up much more quickly.  Being a single person, it is almost as expensive to live as it is for a family of 4, when you consider rent or mortgage has to be paid for 1 or for a family.... hydro, heat, phone, etc etc all have to be paid for 1 or for an entire family, then the food comes to nearly as much money, but the family eats it and the single person tosses a lot more into the garbage or, as in my case, the compost pile.

Wireless World

Some time ago I bought a Lexmark printer for my computer. It was an All-In-One printer, copier, scanner and for being an inexpensive printer I found it worked very well. In fact, it still works just fine.  In the past, I have found that when I put in a new ink cartridge in a printer it often does not work due to the ink jets drying out and consequently plugging up.  This doesn't usually do this with the black ink, but does with the color ink.  This, I figure, is due to the fact that I don't use my printer often enough and when I do use it, it is usually black ink rather than colors that get used.  This leaves the ink sitting for too long at a time, so they dry up.  With Christmas coming up, I thought I might like to do up some nice letters to friends and mail them out. I feel these look so much nicer if the text is in black and it has some graphics/clipart in colors, rather than having just a plane black on white letter.  Hey, it's a Christmas letter, it should be bright a jolly!! haha.  I didn't think anyone I know would like to trade printers with me, my old one for their newer, working better one, and I saw a cordless printer in the WalMart sale flyer, so I ended up going and buying one of those for myself. This was a few weeks ago and still I have not even opened the box.  I guess this is what they call an impulse buy, something I really didn't need, it just seemed like a good idea at the time.  Oh well, one of these days I will open the box, take out the printer, and figure out how to use it. It will be nice to be able to print something without having to take my laptop over to the desk and plug it in to the printer, I will be able to just sit here in my chair with my beautiful cat curled up beside me, and send the job to the printer wirelessly.  Or at least that is the way I think it's supposed to work.

Headphones

I can not sing well, nor can I play a musical instrument... unless you include banging on a native style drum.  I sure am grateful that other people not only can sing and play instruments, but that many of them also record their music so the rest of us can enjoy listening to it at our leisure. I don't think I know anyone that doesn't enjoy listening to music. For me, because I live alone with my animals, I mostly can listen without needing to use headphones of any kind. There are times, though, when I am traveling with someone or when I have company and I want to listen to my music while they try to get some sleep, watch television, or just relax in the quiet. For this reason I decided to check out some headphones on the internet and I liked what I saw at Sennheiser studio headphones.  I wonder if these would work in my computer and I think they likely would since computers are an important part of recording things like music.  I think I will do some more research.

Memories.....

Have you ever noticed how little things can trigger memories?  For example, a smell such as fresh hay drying in the field or of bread fresh from the oven.  For me, the hay reminds me of growing up on the farm as well as riding behind Marcelle on his motorcycle, a black Yamaha, though I forget the CCs it was. Those at least are the first two things that come to my mind, and there are others.  The smell of bread baking makes me think of my Mom and how she always baked so many things for us while we were growing up.  Between her 5 children we went through a lot of food, so growing her garden and baking went a long way to feeding us healthy food while keeping the costs down. Earlier, when I read the words "Les Paul guitar", my mind went back to a boyfriend I used to have... no... make that 2 boyfriends that I had over the years who played guitars in bands. So many evenings listening to the band play while I served drinks in the cabaret, or while I danced the night away.  I really loved those days when I was young, loved music and dancing, and had the world by the tail with a down hill pull. I wonder what ever happened to those boyfriends, hmmmmm.  Now an advertisement that is playing on the TV reminded me of when I had horses in my life and rode them a lot, along with friends.  That memory reminded me that while riding motorcycles with friends today I saw a horse that looked soooo much like Wonder. I would have loved to stop and call the horse over, call it Wonder and see if she/he came to the name, and if it is a mare, if it has the same spots that it so loves to have scratched. Could Wonder even still be alive after all these years since I last saw her? I mean, she was already up in years back then.  But this horse is a 'dead ringer' for Wonder.  I must call PatZ and see if she remembers how old Wonder would be now and if she would like to take a drive out to see this horse, to see if it is Wonder, and maybe take my great-niece Nicole who, from age 5-7 or 8, rode Wonder all over the ranges with us. Wow.... memories sure can lead one down an interesting lane of thought.  I am so very very grateful to remember these memories, and to have lived through the events that the memories reflect.  I am so grateful to have had horses in my life and the dear friends that shared my life on and off horses at that time.

Airbrushing

Earlier this summer, my friend Phil was showing me his Airbrush equipment and how he paints things with it.  He even let me play with painting some myself. I enjoyed it and think I might be able to get fairly good at it if I had lots of practice at it. Phil did say I can practice with it if I want, but I never have because when I go there to visit him I don't want to sit in his back room airbrushing.  I go there to spend time with Phil, to visit my friend, not to sit alone in his back room. I told hi this one day and he understood and I think even agreed.

This evening, I happened to discover something online to do with airbrushing...  but this is not with paint, it is airbrush makeup kit.  I admit I was kind of surprised.  I so rarely wear make-up.  It has been so long since I last did that I actually don't even remember when that was. I used to wear it when I went out for the evening, then when it was a special occasion, and now I think I look like a clown if I wear anything more than lipstick. I look good 'natural' and have nice skin. I know I am unusual and that I am blessed as so many other women wear make-up every day. I wonder though, would anyone use airbrush make-up for personal use, or is something like this only used by professional make-up artists?

Just Sayin'

Now that I am soon to be feeling better after all the nastiness with my health, I will soon be catching up on some posts. I've been having a really great summer I want to tell you about.  So.... come on  back in a few days and see what I'm talking about!!

Just Sayin'

Browsing on the internet a wee bit here this evening. I was just looking at a cute little table I think would make a great stand for some of my house plants.  It is actually a small bistro table from thegardengates, but I think I personally would get more use out of it as a plant stand. I am single and rarely have visitors, and I do have an abundance of house plants.  This reminds me... sigh... I should be getting off the computer and watering said house plants as well as the plants that are outside in my garden. Always something is wanting for me to take care of it; plants, animals or  business of some kind. Since this is Thursday I will soon be heading into town to visit with friends... another awesome evening I am sure.

Internet Kudos & Quotes

The internet reaches out to touch us anywhere in the world. No matter where you live or what information you want, you only need to go to your computer and search the internet. For example: If you live somewhere in Canada or even in China and want a recipe for a certain dish you only need to do an internet search and you will find lots of different options. If you live in Virginia perhaps you will want to replace your windows and will find about that online at window replacement newport news va. When vacationing in Newfoundland Canada perhaps you will desire.... well you get the point. The internet can be extremely helpful to us when we want or need information, wherever we happen to be at the time.

When you want a quote you can get loads of them from the internet too!!

Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.  ~Author Unknown

National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway.  ~Tim May

Looking at the proliferation of personal web pages on the Net, it looks like very soon everyone on Earth will have 15 megabytes of fame.  ~M.G. Sriram

A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click.  ~Author Unknown

Random List ...

Some things I've read on the internet today:

- World's Largest Pyramid Discovered, Lost Mayan City Of Mirador Guatemala CNN

- "The Church says the Earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the  moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the church." ~ Ferdinand Magellan (148-1521)

- An interesting recipe for making your own First-Aid Antiseptic Ointment

- A web site where they have vestax mixers for sale.  I think I should tell some of my musician friends so they can check this out if they have a need for this kind of equipment. Some of my friends get together on a regular basis and we sing and chant, drum and Chris plays his guitar, even play the didgeridoo! This is a really great group of spiritual people that I so love being a part of!

- The OFFICIAL website for the BC citizens' Initiative Petition to stop smart meters in British Columbia, Canada

- 80 Uses for Coconut Oil and on another web site, 160 Uses for Coconut Oil. This truly is a wonderful, health filled oil

 - The Old Farmer's Almanac, giving Gardening tips 

- The Happy Brain Chemicals: The neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, etc.

There were other things I read online too, but I think this gives you an idea that there are so many different and interesting things for us to read and learn from here on the internet.... in case you didn't already know, lol.

 I am very grateful to have a good computer, internet connection in my home, and hydro to run these things. 

Travel Dreams

The other day I was so wanting to just pack up and go somewhere.... anywhere other than here. Some days life goes so well and other days it doesn't go well at all.  On those days when things aren't going well I sometimes just go back to bed and have a good nap. When that doesn't work I just want to take off  and go where everything is new. Where it's new scenery, new people, new everything.  At times like this I become very interested in ocean front property in Costa Rica, maybe a condo in Arizona. Somewhere I could ride my trike or go for walks in nature all year round.

CBC

In my truck I like to listen to the radio while I drive, however, I don't care for the music they play on the 2 local radio stations.  In my old truck I was able to pick up an 'oldie' station from Kelowna that I really enjoyed listening to, but in my new truck the radio won't pick up that station. What I end up listening to all the time is CVC Radio (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).  On TV I watch a variety of stations and some are CBC TV.  I was really amazed today when I read on the internet that there is a CBC Los Angeles!!  WHAT?!?!  Los Angeles is not in Canada, so what's with the CBC being there?? Well, there are many companies in Canada that are owned by American companies, so I guess maybe this is that same kind of thing, just in reverse. It's amazing what you see on the internet!!

Watch Out For Bikers!!!

When you are out and about in your car or truck

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

watch out for my friends and I as we ride our motorcycles!!

We want to live and to love our families and friends for as long as possible!!

THANK YOU!!

Keeping In Touch

When I am out and about on my trike in the summer months, I meet a lot of people and some of these people I would like to keep in touch with.  They are people I would like to exchange emails with and one day meet again.  In these kinds of situations, I either do nothing, or I dig around for some paper scrap in my purse and a pen with which to quickly scribble down my information.  I have often thought it would be a good idea to have some business cards with me, maybe some translucent plastic business cards would be nice... or maybe I should call them by some other name since I don't have a business, lol.

Life is a Zoo!!

Welcome back to The Zoo!! Things have been a bit wild around here again lately. For example: I got an email one evening from my eldest sister, it had been sent to all my siblings and a few of their children. It said that she, Anne, had taken Mom to the hospital and that her heart rate was very erratic with her blood pressure being extremely high. The doctor had given her meds and she was being kept in hospital for observation. The next day another email, the doctor decided that, since the blood tests showed a certain chemical in Mom's blood, it meant she had experienced a mild heart attack. At age 88 years, there is no such thing as a minor heart attack so we were all worried. Mom was in hospital 4 days, then when she went home all she did was lay on the couch with her children, at least the ones that live close enough, taking turns looking after her and spending the night at her place. Even my younger came out from northern Alberta to visit and look after Mom for about 6 days. Then we got another email. Mom had been to see her own doctor and had gotten the results of some more tests that had been done while she was in the hospital. It turns out that there was not enough of the chemical in her blood stream to actually indicate a heart attack, and her heart is still in very good shape, so there was no heart attack. So why did she have such crazy out of whack heart rate and blood pressure?? We'd like to know that too, but there is nothing to indicate the cause of that. We are left wondering.... and we are very grateful that Mom still has a good heart!! Mom's mother died of a heart attack and I think Mom was probably thinking a lot about that until she got her results. I haven't seen Mom since she got the last results, though I was one that went and looked after her. I have heard she is getting out for short walks and working at rebuilding her strength. She was very week after all of this, but I think she will not remain so for long.

Chiropractic Keeps Me Going

My neck is hurting, my head is aching. I have been doing some neck stretching exercises and this is helping quite a bit. I have an appointment to go to my chiropractor again on Monday, so this is good. I went to see him on Wednesday and while there getting the 'usual' work done, I asked him if acid reflux could have anything to do with my back. You see, I have acid reflux problems and the medical doctors can't figure out what causes it, they just know how to prescribe drugs that did work but don't any more. The chiropractor said yes, there could be a connection, and adjusted that area of my spine. I still do have a bit of acid reflux but not as much as I did before the adjustment. My sore left foot has also improved a lot with chiropractor adjustments. for the last 30 years, chiropractic treatments have kept me going.

Random Thoughts

- I just changed some of the things on this blog, so while it is still the same template, the look has been changed by choosing different fonts, different shades of white/grey/black, different size of fonts, etc. I also widened the center and both side bars. The changes are subtle, yet I like this look better.
- I love the smell of hay drying in the fields, the smell of bread baking in the oven. I love the smell of leather and the smell of the air after a good rain. I love the smell of freshly dried laundry, and even the smell of horse stalls and of a cattle feedlot in winter. Yes, smells are important to me. I wonder what arturo fuente cigars smell like.
- I am blessed to be sitting here on my couch, watching my 51" TV, my cat cuddled up beside me, my cop of tea on the other side, the birds asleep in their cages across the room. Yes, my life is very blessed.

More of Life's Ups and Downs

I told you about a man friend of mine in my previous post: Life's Ups and Downs. Well, as time progresses, I am feeling more and more like he is not the right man for me. In fact, it is starting to feel like he may not even be such a good friend. For some time now, we have been friends, seeing each other every weekend when he was working, then when he went off work due to back back issues, we started seeing more and more of each other. Every day he phones and or we get together, usually me going to his home to watch movies or meeting downtown for coffee & tea. Lately he's even come to my home a few times, though that's not something he does often. He so often says how bored he is and sometimes when we part he says something about if he's bored he'll call tomorrow. The other day I was fed up with this "if I'm bored" he'll call or we'll get together, like if he has anything better to do I won't hear from him. So I got assertive and told him if he wants to call to share something, call... or if he wants to call to talk to a friend, do it... etc... but if he is going to call just because he's bored and has nothing better to do, then don't bother. The next day he didn't call all day until about 6pm. Still, I hear from him every day. Today he bought some blank DVDs and came out as I had told him I had downloaded a bunch of movies and would burn him some. He was obviously antsy and wanting to get his movies and get out of here, go home and watch them. I ran into issues burning and told him it will take a day or two to get it done, so he left. I'm feeling like it's maybe time to cut him loose... or even to kick him to the curb. This makes me sad as I do care a lot about this man, but I care more about me!!

Life's Ups and Downs

All my life I have felt like, while my sister's life is on a Merry-Go-Round, mine is on a great big old Roller Coaster. All the wild ups and downs that I have experienced, wow. Wome have been so awesome and exciting, then of course they were followed by the fast trip down to bummed out. Mostly these involved men, the wild excitement of love followed by the pain of the end of the relationships. Finally I just quit taking the chances, just quit going out with guys. Oh, I still have lots of men friends, but they are just that... friends, not love relationships. Life is good.

Lately it seems like my life is something of a yo-yo and maybe I need to go hang out at yoyoplay.com for yoyos,lol. One of my friends might, just might, be becoming more. He said he doesn't want a relationship and I said good, I don't either. We have been just friends. And I have 'more than friendly' feelings starting to raise their heads... sigh. Twice now when he was drunk, no he doesn't get that way all the time, but when he did, he talked about me becoming his ol' lady. Biker talk for girlfriend. The first time, when he was sober he claimed to not remember, the second time he said he had just been joking, just having fun. So each time the ups, then the downs of the yo-yo. Today he was sober when he told me he's getting tired of being on his own, something about when we get older we start to want companionship. I am trying not to read something into this than there really is, but I can't help but think "maybe, just maybe". He's not "perfect", not quite everything I want, everything I had on "my list", yet I like him a lot. I feel safer with him than I do with most men, more comfortable, and I trust him more than I have trusted anyone in a very long time. Somehow, even though he isn't all I had in mind, something about this just feels really right.

It's November 12!!

Today is November 12, 2o11 and with several Christmas ads already on TV, I have been thinking about gifts for people I care about.

I think I will be baking cookies to give to Phil... and to Ray, 2 friends of mine. Maybe I'll even give some cookies to another friend, Dan, though any time he's visiting if I offer him anything to eat he always refuses it. He loves candy so I could buy him a big bag of it, even though he is well able to buy them himself and always does. I think earrings for Joyce... not sure what I'll give to Cat as she's a new friend and I'm not yet sure what she'd like. Also there's Pat, Pauline and DJ to think about.

As for family... I gave a gift of homemade jam and Christmas motif Jam Knives all in a basket to my sister Marcy & husband Randy in October before they left to Arizona for the winter. My brother Terry & wife Alana will be up for a few days. I'm thinking of getting them some kind of dragonfly as when I was in their home in October I noticed a couple dragonfly ornaments, so I know they like this sort of thing. For Mom it's not easy to know what to give. Since she's 88 years of age, buying for her is a challenge... I guess since she's a great grandmother, it's sort of like needing grandma gift ideas, LOL. I bought Mom a nice rose broach that came with a story of the Christmas Rose. I think she'll really like that. I am thinking too that I will donate some money to the Food Bank in Mom's name and give her a copy of the receipt in a card. I've been thinking I could give one of my spinning wheels to my niece Rebecca as she just moved back to this area and into a new home. I know her mother spins, so think Becky might enjoy being able to spin too, or at least enjoy this beautiful, hand made traditional style spinning wheel as a decoration in her home. I'm not sure how many other family members will be around for Christmas. Apparently, Terry & his family will all be spending it at Alana's family's cabin in the woods. Mom doesn't want to go there as she feels it would be too hard on her to go on a rough road, even in my 4x4 and even though it's just a very short distance off the main road, so probably it will just be her and I for actual Christmas day since I can't go knowing Mom would be home alone on such a day. Someday all too soon I will be alone on Christmas day, for now I will enjoy each time I get to spend it with Mom before she 'moves on'.