September Rememberance!

Autumnn's Blue Eyed Kitten

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/autumn-s-blue-eyed-kitten/

Do you remember what you were doing on 9/11?

I think that is something that everyone in the US will remember forever. My husband and I were talking about it at lunch today and it seems like yesterday.

We were at a cabin that we used to stay at in Winthrop, WA on our motorcycle trips. We got up with the plan of heading farther east. We had our quick breakfast and headed out to check our bikes. Some Canadian riders were gathered together talking and said to us something about what a horrible morning it was. We didn't understand because the weather was just beautiful. But we hadn't turned on the TV in our cabin! So we rushed back in and saw the towers falling. No one knew what was happening and what else would happen. All we wanted to do was go home. You always feel safe at home. The Canadians were heading back to Canada! They didn't want to be in our country at all! The whole way home we didn't know what was going on or what more had happened. We just wanted to get there. A sad day in our country and knowing what we know now, it probably could have been prevented. 

The weather here has changed and summer was here one day and fall the next! I am not kidding, that is how it happens in the Pacific Northwest. I thought I would freeze to death the first day. I kept piling on clothes but am slowly getting used to it. Sounds like the southeast is looking for some really bad weather. I hope all can keep safe.

I finally broke down and went to the Dr. about my knee. I got a cortisone shot and it helped for about 6 days! I did too much walking yesterday and had go put the knee brace back on. Guess I will have to break down and get the ex-ray. The last one showed arthritis in it, but at almost 80 that is to be expected. Insurance companies make you go through the hoops before you can get a thorough exam. I am very active and don't move slowly so it kills me to try to walk slowly.

Going to get back to work so hope you all have a super week and September if I don't get back soon. 

 Leaves on Ground

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/leaves-on-ground/

Big Changes

Autumn on the Farm

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/autumn-on-the-farm

Just thought I would take a little time to let you aware of some changes that may/are coming to Persona themes. Right now they are trying to get the themes switched over to the Add-Ons. I have submitted a couple and had a hard time doing so. They take much longer to get reviewed and are not as easy to preview as they are now. I am hoping that the old way will be continued but progress...you know progress is good! Right? Sometimes the old way is easier and better, but I don't know if we will be able to keep the old way. You can go to my profile and see the way the old themes show up and the way the new ones show up as Add-Ons.

We have had a very warm, dry summer. And now we have smoke from forest fires making the air a bit hard to breathe. It is supposed to get a bit better when the sea breeze starts this week end so we shall see.

I was so pleased that I got to see my sister and brother-in-law last weekend. They were up for a neice's wedding. We didn't go to the wedding because of my knee and I really hated not being able to be there. I still haven't gone to the Dr. about it but it seems to be a tad better as long as I don't step on rough ground. 

We are spending time with some grand kids this week end. Our daughter, grand daughter and myself are going to do our annual dill pickling. We have so much fun working together, laughing and spending the time together, plus we end up with lots of dill pickles using my Grandmother's recipe. The recipe make the best, crispiest, hottest pickles ever! Of course we add a bit more red peppers in some jars...so you get your choice. We are going to open the last jar we made last year where we added the left over peppers and even some ghost pepper. May have to have an extra beer or glass of wine after we open them!

I will sign off for now and get back soon. Hope you all have a great week end. Summer is leaving us quicker than I like but I am sure kids are getting excited about going back to school. 

Night Owls

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/night-owls-by-m-donna/

 

August already!

Happy Goldfish

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/happy-goldfish/

August...Wow, summer is almost over and we are headed for fall. We have had wonderful hot summer weather and I have loved it. Lots of fires, though. So I know we need rain. We are way behind on rain this year. Since May we have had very little rain. 

My brother and his wife just got sent to the Redding, CA fire. They are on a support team for forest fires and had tried to take this summer off because they had a grandson high school graduation, a grand daughter college graduation and a grand daughter's wedding and showers this summer. I am sure they will be able to get back for the wedding. They got to attend the graduations, anyway. My husband would love to be fighting fire...he really misses it. 

I doubt if the majority of you have heard about our poor Orca mother.  J35, or Tahlequah, gave birth to the calf which only lived for 30 minutes. She has refused to let go of it ever since, carrying the infant either by one fin, or pushing it through the water on her head.  They don't know if she is getting enough to eat or not. There are only 75 members of the endangered family of southern resident orca whales. J Pod, the mother's clan has been staying with her and has turned out in force, with more members of the pod staying with her every day. There is a crew of people monitoring her all the time, keeping boats away from the pod. How can you not feel sad for this grieving mother?

I also watched the poor great grandfather that lost his wife and 2 great grandchildren in the Carr Fire in CA. I tear up every time I see the interview with him. I can not imaging the guilt and grief he must be feeling.

I have been having a good summer and really hate to see it end. My knee is still bothering me a lot and I imagine I will end up and have to go to the Dr. but will wait as long as I can. I tried 3 different braces and ended up using my old one. I ordered one similar but it isn't as good as the old one. Looks a lot better though!

My husband went up in the mountains with our oldest son and our oldest great grandson today. He loves going out with "the boys" and it gets him away from home for awhile. He is going on 83 and I really don't like him going alone but he does once in awhile. 

Going to sign off for the week. Have a super August.

Running Foxes

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/running-foxes-by-madonna/

Drought? Really?

Delightful Orchid

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/delightful-orchid-by-m-donna/

You have all heard that the Pacific Northwest is always wet and rainy! Well, not this year! May and June had lower than average rain and July is going that way also. I can't say we have had a lot of hot weather BUT it hasn't rained much. Now we are getting the warm weather. which I love. But I know the forest and brush fires will probably be bad. I can remember one summer when our kids were around five or six when my husband was away fighting forest fires most of the summer and into early fall. I would hardly get his dirty, smelly, smoky clothes clean before he would get called out again. We weren't making tons of money with the USFS but when he fought fire he got hazard pay and overtime so it always helped us out financially! But it was hard on me and the kids. We didn't have a chance that summer to cut wood so we had to have a load delivered and they dumped it in the carport. I couldn't get my car out of the garage until the wood was gone so the kids and I had to get it stacked in the woodshed. That was during the same period of summer when I was doing most of the canning. But I was young and had tons of energy and the kids, even though they were small were a big help. They were good kids. After we moved up here the kids all picked berries when they were younger and then the boys hayed and ran peapicker machines. Our daughter babysat and took a bus to work at a restaurant when she was old enough. I guess we were not good parents because they worked but they sure turned out to be hard working, responsible adults that we are very proud of.

We didn't do anything special on the 4th of July this year. I didn't think my knee was up to having the kids over so we sat around outside and read. Then went to DQ for some ice cream and fries! Not very exciting but we are old so it was fine....

I am not enjoying this summer as much as usual because my right knee is so bad. I abused it for so many years running every day, etc. Then crashing during a motocross really did it in and I had to have surgery and wore a cast for a month or more. Then several years later they had to do another surgery but it has never been the same and has really gotten bad this summer for some reason. I am hoping that wearing my brace and trying to take care of it, it will get better by itself. It always has before...

Well, our "president" is overseas embarrassing us again. I hope the world doesn't judge us by him. Most of us don't believe or "think" like him. Enough said. 

It doesn't seem like as many themes are bring submitted this summer. I imagine all the younger people are having a life and not working on them. But this old lady is still working away. Have even learned a few new things on my Photoshop program. There is so much to do but at my age, it is not an easy program to learn. And it infuriates me when I do something and then can't remember exactly what brush I used or exactly how I did it. I try to write it down but sometimes I forget to do that!

Apparently there is going to be some big changes for Themes. I don't know how that is going to affect me and my themes. One thing I do know is they are apparently going to do away with the preview of how it will look on your screen. So stay tuned and watch out for changes. I hope it doesn't change the themes themselves but it may. I will just have to wait and see.

The orchid one of our neighbors gave me at Christmas is doing so well. I love flowers but do not have a green thumb so I am amazed my orchid is doing so well. I Googled how to water it and I watched 2 You Tube videos that an expert orchid grower had put on and have followed his instructions and apparently he knew what he was talking about because mine is doing well! So it is time for me to go take care of mine!

Have a wonderful week end and hopefully I will be back.

Summer Time and the Living is Easy!

Lone Wolf Theme

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/lone-wolf-theme/

Waiting for UPS to pick up a package so thought I would write some on the blog. My life is not that interesting anymore that I have a lot to write about...but...that is OK. 

Cool out today but we have actually had some lovely warm weather. Some considered it hot but to me it was lovely warm! Forest fires have already started in the west and I think we will probably have more every year. Our summers are much warmer and dryer than in the past. May was the driest May we have had in many, many years. 

I think I wrote in my last post that my laptop had problems but I got it up and running fine. Well, last week my desktop decided it wouldn't work. And I could not figure out how to get it to restart. So I had to call my IT expert, my grandson! He stopped and picked it up on his way home from work. He thought it may be time for a new one. He built it years ago, but has replaced different parts over the years. The last thing was the electronic hard drive, anyway I think that is what it was. It made my computer work so much faster. But he found nothing wrong with it except I had too many programs trying to sync. So, he did some work on what programs to start, etc. And replace a fan that was getting a bit worn. So I really lucked out. I was dreading having to totally get Windows 10 and everything set up on a new computer. I have everything so personalized like using Classic Shell to make Win 10 look and work like Windows 7, etc. 

I hope everyone had a nice Fathers Day and got to reach out to your Dad.. I certainly thought about mine. We spent the day before with all the kids and some of the grand kids and great grand kids. When your family gets extended like ours is into a 4th generation, it gets hard to fix it so everyone can get in touch or spend time with their Dad's. Luckily all of ours are close by so it isn't quite as difficult. Our oldest son barbecued and the weather was beautiful so we got to spend it all outside. 

It doesn't feel like I am going on 80! I honestly don't feel that old. And I normally have tons of energy and get everything done I need to. I am lucky that my husband loves to be outside so he does all of the outside work, mowing the lawns and even mows the field so I am very spoiled. Being old isn't bad if you don't feel old, I guess. So I try to stay as healthy as I can. I wanted to start walking again this summer but with my one knee I now realize that isn't going to work out. I hurt it racing in a motocross years ago and had to have surgery on it twice. The first  surgeon didn't  do a very good job, so a few years later they did the microscopic surgery and it got better but from years of misuse it is not the same. The microscopic was so  much easier on me than the "cut you open" type. But I have a lovely scar!

June only has one more week and then it will be July. The days start getting shorter today by 4 seconds! 

I hope you all are well and having an enjoyable summer. Till later!

Freedom Reigns

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/freedom-reigns-by-m-donna/

Addiction!

Poppies Rain Shower

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/poppies-rain-shower-by-madonna/

June is here and I finally decided I am addicted! To making themes. I honestly wish I could step back and go at least a week and not make one! It ain't gonna happen. I am also addicted to listening to politics! I wish I could step back and not turn anything on for a week. I am sure the United States would not fall apart but then again.....it might...and I would miss it!

God Bless the USA

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/god-bless-usa/

That is why I made the above theme. We need his blessings.

Have you ever had a computer not start? Was fine when you shut it off or restarted it? But just won't start up. A blue circle just kept going round and round and round.  Well, my laptop did just that last week and I thought I was gonna have to call my IT grandson, but thought I would try to figure it out myself so got on the desktop and got googling! I printed out several different pages with ideas and started working on it. It is a Dell so I started out with that info. The first five or six things didn't work but I finally got a screen up and tried all 3 different things and still nothing so had to do the last one and it was pretty drastic but it worked! I didn't know if I would end up with Windows 7 because that is what was in it when I purchased it, but Windows 10 came up and I installed all the programs I had in it, plus the Classic Shell and got everything working and looking like Windows 7. So far so good. It seems to be working just fine. So I was pretty pleased with myself.

My cell phone was running out of space so I decided it was time to update and get a new one. I really dislike setting up a new phone but got most of it done. I was able to find a case like the one for my old one. I liked it so well and got so many compliments on it I was happy with Amazon! Again! But I have ordered 2 different screen protectors and had to return both of them. The tempered glass one was super easy to install but it made it much harder to tap the screen. And the film one was impossible. I had used that brand before but it had really changed and was returned. I have 2 more coming and will see how that goes. These install with a wet application so should be easier to get on but we shall see. I really hate putting any screen protector on but...you pay so much for tablets and cells you have to protect them.

Our May was the driest warmest one in history but June has been chilly so far. I heard that the lower 48 states had all had the warmest May so global warming or weather change is a fact! But I am ready for some real summer weather. 

I hope everyone has a great June and will try to write some more later.

Sun Over Mountain Top

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/sun-over-mountain-top/

May Half Time!

Summer Sensation

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/summer-sensation-by-donna/

May is half over and we have had warmer weather than usual. Very nice!

Been working on lots of themes and having fun doing so. I love working with flowers and butterflies in Photoshop. BUT I wish I had an actual green thumb. I do not like working in flower beds or gardens. I never have. We used to always have a big garden when the kids were at home but I can't say I enjoyed it or was very good at it. We were at our son's house one Sunday a week or so ago and their flower beds are just beautiful. Our daughter-in-law loves working in her flower beds and you can definitely tell it. Ours...not so much. 

Last Thursday morning started out like a regular morning, I rode my exercise bike and did the cleaning. Sat down at the computer and worked, but when I went to get up to start coffee and call my husband in, I got real dizzy. Got to the kitchen and was even dizzier so sat in a chair and buzzed my hubby in. Well I ended up sliding to the floor and all of a sudden everything kind of blacked out and I was freezing cold, shaking, shivering, etc. I used to get low blood sugar so my husband checked that and couldn't get any blood out of my fingers! And my blood pressure was OK, but he couldn't get me to the car so he called 911. I was pretty much totally out of it by the time they got here and don't remember much after that for a bit. They put a warmed blanket over me and I remember saying that felt so good. They took all kinds of tests, etc. and guess they figured out I was dehydrated. Anyway that is what they said. I really don't think I was, but...

It took me a couple days to start feeling normal. but seem fine now. I am trying to drink more water even if I don't think that is what was wrong...

I had to order a new keyboard. I decided on one that has illuminated keys because usually before I go to bed I come in and submit the last theme for the day and this way I won't have to turn the light on. The keyboard I am using is solar powered but it doesn't get enough light where I have it. I hope I like the new one. Thanks for Amazon. I hate shopping in the stores so the UPS and mail are kept pretty busy.

I hope everyone either called or got to see your Mom's on Sunday. Or if she is no longer with you, at least thought of her. I had a very nice Mother's Day and since my Mom isn't with us anymore, I certainly thought of her. We were at our daughter's house for the afternoon. She had way too much food, but we got to bring some home! Shrimp cocktail, cold salmon, chips, two different trail mixes from Trader Joe's. She makes these really good little "sandwiches" that are slices of tiny sourdough bread, with a slice of mozzarella cheese, basil leaf and a vinaigrette glaze. Then we had taco pizza, which we didn't need after all the goodies. Our oldest son had to work but our youngest son and a grandson stopped in to help us eat some of the food.  It was a beautiful day so we got to be outside.

This coming Saturday we get to see our oldest great grandson play lacrosse. Most of his games are miles away and we just don't go but this one will be close so we will. Hopefully it won't be raining. I actually bought a pair of rubber boots last year to go to his games. The fields were so wet at one of his spring games last year that my shoes got wet and muddy. But I hope I don't have to wear them Saturday.

Our rhubarb has grown so much this year! It is just huge. Our daughter took a big box of it to her office and they want more, so we have to cut more for her to take next week. I have made 3 rhubarb pies this year already. I use my Grandma Joe's recipe. It is so good and so easy to make. It is a one crust pie so if you don't like to make the crust you can use a boughten one. 

***********************

Grandma Joe's Rhubarb Pie

Fill crust with chopped rhubarb

Mix;

2 EGGS

1  1/2 CUP SUGAR

3 T FLOUR

3 T MILK

PINCH OF SALT

Pour over the rhubarb

Bake 90 minutes at 350°

******************************************

I bought one of those silicone things to cover the outside of the crusts and it works really well.

You either like rhubarb or you don't and luckily we do. I used to make a really good rhubarb jam but I don't have the recipe anymore. We used to sell our rhubarb to a business that makes mead.  He was trying to get his own rhubarb patch that would supply him with enough. 

Well it is time to finish this up and I hope everyone is having a great spring and looking forward to summer. 

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ruby-throated-hummngbird/