Golden Oasis

Where did it go?

Today I went into 'work' on Adams Avenue...I say 'work' because it's only a few hours a week mostly done from my home office. After I took a drive.  I used to be a person that would love to go on drives. Growing up- drives were very important! We'd take drives after dinner...see new sights, look for animals, go on roads that would need 'four-wheel' drive...of course this was in the southern mountains of Colorado.

In those days, there was no cable, my parents (on purpose) didn't get one of those HUGE white 'dish' until after I was off on new adventures in the Navy.  Let's see years before that time I guess there was Atari...friend had one- I didn't. Nope, it was just my dog, Mindy, and my beloved mountain bike!  Miles....during the summer 10 miles on rough up and down dirt roads was the way (yes, I had one of those wheel mile counters!)...finding new roads..finding little streams....getting lost OFF road through the aspens or even the sagebrush...once I found one that was taller than me standing by it! 

  My point? I don't know.....I miss that....but today as I was leaving the office I just drove the opposite direction and found this neighborhood!  Beautiful Bungalow Homes!

For some reason I felt that feeling of adventure.....I've got caught up with life lately....with 'time'..with busy time ....with the feeling of 'got to get home'....it's hard for me...I'm a fish out of water these many years later....being kept in a city (15-16 years in different states and different cities)...the hustle of freeways...the appearances people keep....the Lexus's ...the BMW's....the MRX's....(please- nothing against those cars if you drive one) Our Silverado does just fine...plus it pulls a 25' trailer too! My Blazer that is old as my son (got it when he was two months-he's nine!) and I absolutely love it...hopeful I drive it into the ground....but to have two paid off vehicles is pure bliss.....Gosh where am I going with this???  The city stifles me. I have friends that are the opposite..and hey that is great...that is what makes the world go around. I just miss the mountains, miss the snow, miss the wood stove... driving around with green palm trees & grass -listening to "Let It Snow" on the radio just REALLY 'got' to me today!

-I ache for the simplicity of the past.-

(picture from last summer ghost town in Bowdie, CA)

-Tomorrow I will go on an adventure-  -Just for me- 

Agarics

...that is a family group of mushrooms! Yesterday I found the most adorable mushroom in my back yard. Perhaps if you look carefully, you may see a tiny mouse living under it ;)

I tried to look up the exact scientific name, however, you be the judge at this site! California Fungi   I've always been intrigued by mushrooms...they are works of art that are produced only in the right conditions...something so fragile, yet so strong and perfect. The right BALANCE. Take a look within that site and you will find some of the most beautiful specimens of what nature can produce for us! This Saturday morning I almost forgot about my little mushroom. I was playing tennis ball with you-know-who and ....this is what it looked like this morning

so now the little mouse has a beach umbrella! Here is the pattern on top:

My son made the comment that it is amazing that the dog doesn't get it....perhaps there is a odor that warns a canines nose 'Stay Away!" 

On a creative note- some gel pen doodling...

I tried many ways, but couldn't seem to capture the shimmer of the ink.

--Relaxing with leftovers in Southern California--

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I was at dog beach! Since Mama can't seem to get this blog going I thought I might share my experiences and what I'm thankful for!

Wanna go to the beeach, huh? huh?.....Luckily Mama and my human brother and sister were game!

It was high tide and over cast, but still warm enough...and fun! I like people more than other dogs, but today I felt a little bit more social...plus no one was chasing me!

I took a gaze at my love....the water...see? I'm still dry!

BUT that didn't last long and my family found a stick for me!

the I found my love......!!!! All mine nobody claimed it..losers weepers finders keepers!

Mama caught a picture before I made sure the shore was clear of birds!!!

WHAT? at the beach? I didn't know they grew there!!!

Anyway, I'm tired out and just want to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Pleeeease ask my Mama and Papa to drop some turkey for me tomorrow!!!

Oh, my...

I'm sorry for my delay in posting....the flu has hit our house and the other two had bad colds...thank goodness I've been the 'well' one! It goes without saying that I hope that continues. The last few days have been catch up!  Caught up at in-house part-time job with a few trips to the office/bank ....I've bought the Thanksgiving dinner ingredients! I have even started Christmas shopping and hope to be done before Thanksgiving....don't you hate people like me?   Well, I don't care about the sales and I get so stressed with loads of people around me that it is not worth the anxiety of it...and to be sane I have to do it this way! Oh, also in the land of school it's conference time, holiday program time...etc. I'm sure many out there know exactly what I'm talking about in that realm of life! The only thing I have to show for is one half side of a knitted bear head...not worth getting the camera out for....hopefully 'Robert' will have his future soon.

Veterans Day

 

Thank you for all the Vets past, present, and future!

History of the Day

I'm IT!

I have been TAGGED....yes, Tracy has been so kind to tag me! I've always loved her site and have been a daily reader for months now, so I guess I had it comin' to me with my new blog ;) I have to admit this is a interestingly hard one for me when I seriously think about it. I seem to have more male people that inspire me than female....I'm sorry to be so vague, but this is personal-not that anyone reading my blog knows names of people I'm talking about...and by chance if a person reading this is indeed listed..they will know who they are.  Enough with the explanations, right? I Think I'm taking this way too seriously!

Name Five Women Who Have Inspired Me...

a family member...  "inspired"-does not have to equate to all positive, yes? This female inspires me to be better than...inspires me to make things right...of course it is like my mirror so I'm so tied to it and forever mentally check with it to make sure I strive to do better.                leave it at that.

a older friend of my family...   she is so creative in a very simple way..she is very down to earth and is very non-assuming. Although she is very well off ($-wise) due to oil rights, she only wears t-shirts and khaki pants with hiking boots. She is alone with her dogs...she is a photographer who has her work in gallery. She has conquered breast cancer.   I don't know the list goes on and on.

a doctor I worked with in earlier times...   many moons ago a female dentist I worked with when I was in the Navy...she say so much in me and tried to foster that and urged me to go into things that I normally wouldn't be part of. Opened my eyes to new things like fish tacos! HAHA! Seriously though- a person that I knew 'had my ticket so to speak.    you know those people when you meet them!

'Biddy Mason'...   As far back as I can remember I was drawn to her story. The strength she would have had back then...and never giving up. Her story is just very interesting and inspiring to me.

and finally I will pick a friend...  She is always productive for her family whether it's making clothes, cooking, or activities...and also homeschooling! Her life has not been that smooth and without many personal speed bumps, yet she strives to make the best of everything and will enjoy the simple things like tea and a good book :)

A Couple of days late...

I want to share my brothers creation... He lives in Pompano Bch, FL...I'm awaiting the damage pictures from Wilma as they were hit pretty hard.... :(

November?! Where has the time gone? I have so many projects to start and finish ..I have some gifts in mind that I would like to make. I want to dabble in my art journal today, though... should I say that there is 53 days left until Christmas? I don't want to sound like Scrooge, but I'm so over it already. Can we go back to the days of putting Christmas stuff in the stores AFTER Thanksgiving? During this time I feel like I just want to go hibernate....

I will leave you with this picture....