Orphink is Patches!

Quick note on the lost dog:

The owner saw the note (finally) I left on the bulletin board at the little convenience store here in Bay City. She called this morning. After 5 days, this afternoon we had a happy reunion! Shannon lives two block above us on the hill; we still can't figure out how a blind, almost-can't-walk dog got so far in a driving storm. She was out all night, according to Shannon. Shannon's mom put the dog out to potty in the (unfenced) yard while Shannon was sleeping - we think perhaps the storm and rain got her nose scrambled, Patches couldn't find her way back to their porch.

Patches is 12 years old; Shannon has had her from puppyhood. Shannon is mid-20s, a single mom with 3-year old twins and a lab pup. What a houseful!

I neglected to take a photo of Shannon and Patches before they left - but we offered to be her dog-sitter anytime, so maybe we'll see her again.

We miss her already, she was a sweetheart!

You never know what adventure will fall into your lap. I just found a new favorite saying:

"Come what may - and love it!"

Why Temples?

About once a year, each member receives their invitation to present a talk to the congregration of our branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My turn rolled around this week. Sometimes topics are assigned. More often, the topic is left to the speaker to determine.

With much pondering, fasting, prayer, and searching through topics of personal interest, I felt impressed to present some information on why, as a covenant-keeping people, our temples are so critical for us.

There are currently 135 LDS temples, sited all around the world. In addition, there are 18 under construction, and 15 more temple sites have been announced by the presidency of the Church.

Gathering information, studying materials, sorting what would be most appropriate for a 20 minute presentation, takes time. One of the things I appreciate most about this process, is that I learn a ton more than I can ever share in the amount of time alloted during the sacrament service. Things brought to my attention by the Spirit are always for my personal growth and edification. It's like receiving my own tailored course in whatever the subject happens to be.

This time, I was particularly reminded that I can receive the most from attending a temple session by combining the blessings of meditation with the blessings of the instructions taught during a session.

Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as "a form of private devotion, or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued refection on the subject." Meditation is a form of prayer; spiritual communion. We sometimes tend to pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion.

Our nearest temple is in Portland, near Lake Oswego. By attending temple sessions as often as I can, I not only serve those beyond the veil, I have continuous opportunity to grasp what the teachings mean for me personally. I am strengthened in the covenants I make.

"Keeping covenants is true joy and happiness. This is comfort and peace. This is protection from the evils of the world. Keeping the covenants we make within the temple will help us in times of trial. As we have faith in Christ and cleave to our covenants, we will receive the joy spoken of in the holy scriptures and promised by our latter-day prophets." Barbara Thompson, 2nd Counselor Relief Society General Presidency

Opening paragraphs of my presentation, "Why Temples?":

In some churches of the world the particular building containing the cathedra, or chair of the bishop, is called a cathedral. Since these houses of worship have normally been the largest, the most ornate, and by far the most costly of all places of religious assembly, it has become common in the world to refer to all large and important church buildings as cathedrals.

The Latter-day Saints, however, do not build cathedrals. We build temples. The temple is, literally, as it has been throughout history, the “House of the Lord.“ It could be argued, that our temples are indeed large and more ornate, at least inside, as compared to our smaller meeting houses. There is a distinct, and important, difference in the two types of construction we see in our LDS buildings of worship.

The chapels (or ward, or in our case - branch, buildings) are the workhorses of Mormon worship. They are used for Sunday worship and meetings, where visitors are welcomed and encouraged to attend. We learn the principals of the gospel. We study doctrine and share our opinions with others, in a loving atmosphere. We teach each other; we meet new people and socialize. During the week, these buildings may be used for various Church activities and youth groups. They are also sometimes used for community events such as polling stations, or as shelters for natural disasters.

Temples serve solely as places for the performance of religious ceremonies. Temples are not used for Sunday worship, and are closed on the Sabbath. A temple is also different in that certain standards of worthiness must be met to enter into such a holy and sacred place. Not just anyone, actually not just any Latter-day saint, may pass through the doors of a dedicated LDS temple. Before that final dedication, interested public, church members and their families, and civic dignitaries are invited and welcomed to attend guided tours of the temple building for a short period of time.

So - just why do we build temples?

First and foremost: whenever the Lord has had a people on earth, from the days of Adam to now, he has always commanded them to build temples so they could be taught how to gain eternal life. .......

It's the small things...

"Until you lose your home, you can't really appreciate things like a warm fire, a bowl of food, a cozy blanket."



She lost her home, her family, her bearings. A rather tramatic event for an old gal with no eyesight. The good news is, that she managed to stagger into our life, even in the pouring down rain. We weren't sure she was going to make it through the night - she pretty much didn't move for 24 hours.

After an hour of phoning various community resources for animal rescue, we partnered with the Animal Shelter to get her a vet check.

The shelter paid for the exam, which revealed that Orphink is in good general health - all vital stats are stable, good color, plumbing is working, she does hear - but is definately blind as a bat. It seems to be a neurological problem, the cataracts aren't severe enough to cause the total blindness.

But her NOSE and at least ONE ear works just fine, she can track us really well and doesn't miss a morsal of food! The vet tech just about sprained her knees getting Orphink back up off the floor scale - 40 cotton-pickin' pounds!!

The vet cut those horribly long nails, applied some Advantage to take care of a few stray fleas, gave Orphink a treat (her first food since we nabbed her out of the storm), and sent her home with some special bath soap. She was a different dog from that point on.

"Even a nice warm bath is something to be thankful for. Especially when there are gentle helping hands and a blow-dry"!

Thanks, Matt! She especially loved the towel massage; if she were a cat she would have been purring.

Thanksgiving was in Salem this year. Of course Orphink went with us. With a spiffy new collar and leash, a bag of "Good Bites" for Hip and Joint (she knows what THAT crinkle sound is - steak flavored!), enough kibble for two days of vacation, her dishes, a bottle of water, doggy-doo pick-up bags, a change of bedding (just in case) for the kennel, two big towels for the bath project - it was like packing the diaper bag when the kids were little!

We were amazed at how well she adapted to traveling and being in a new environment with more new sounds, and animals. She's a pretty smart little pup. She has got Gram trained already, for taking nice walks and handing out treats!

"Soft grass is best for walking on, but level paving is OK too. I may not be able to see, but I love the feel of the sun, and all the interesting smells outdoors. It's good to have a friend to walk with!"

The "Hip and Joint" goodies can't possibly work that fast, so part of her new spryness has got to be the consistent water and food, good massages, lots of attention, and getting outdoors regularly for walks. She literally springs up now, where in the beginning we had to boost that weak hind-end off the floor and steady her for a few minutes before she could walk.

The best part? She wags her tail when she hears us talking to her!!

NOTE: There has been no response to various notices of "Found dog". The Tillamook Animal Shelter, and United Paws, are offering to help place her in a foster situation in hopes of re-homing her.

Orphink of the Storm

About a month or so ago, I nabbed a kennel from the thrift store. It's all set up in the garage as Birdie's emergency carrier. BUT - I know from LOOOONG experience, an empty kennel follows the universal law - "If there is a vacuum, it will be filled." I knew that kennel was like a ticking bomb.

And it has never failed me yet. We have rescued, raised, boarded, so many odds and ends of critters over the past 50 years, we should have a zoo license.

This morning, it happened again. It's been two years since Birdie strolled in. At least she choose good weather. I knew we were overdue for another orphan. Like waiting for the "Big One" earthquake off the coast...

This little gal caught our attention during one of the nasty coast storms we get from time to time. BUCKETS of rain, flooding rivers and drains, high winds, water over roads, lightening, power blips - the whole lolapalooza.

I looked out the front window about 10:25, thinking about what time we needed to leave to make it into Tillamook for an 11:00 chiropractor appointment. Across the street, on the steep bank, was a small white dog. Trying to get up the bank, not making it, staggering around.

It was windy and POURING. I figured I might be able to coax the dog across the street into our garage, so dashed out (sans coat, of course)only to discover that the dog was not only soaked to the skin, she was BLIND and DEAF. No wonder she wasn't responding to coaxing...

With the help of a passing neighbor, who jumped out of her car into the rain, in her nice shoes and work clothes, I managed to get the dog into the garage. Mom brought out some towels, we bundled her up and then I CARRIED her (all 100 pounds it felt like) into the house where I had hurriedly placed the kennel by the stove, all comfy with thick towels. We dried her as well as possible, stuffed her in the crate where she promptly curled up and closed her eyes, then I bolted into town for my chiro appointment - which I REALLY needed by then. That is one brick of a pup, no matter if she is as old as dirt.

She is about the size of a cocker spaniel, but looks to have maybe some terrier. Mostly white, rather wirey coat. Nails like Elvira. Smells like an old, wet dog, if you know what I mean.

So mom stayed to watch over her, I ran errands, got a can of dog food (after all, we can't feed her the CAT FOOD, for heavens sake), and survived some very dicey driving in the high winds and slanting downpours. Not to mention the lightening, which I really don't care for.

Little Orphink hasn't moved. At all. She IS still breathing, we check her every hour. She doesn't react to food rubbed under her nose. Or the cat breathing down her neck.

You have to understand, Birdie now associates dogs in kennels with TOYS. As in, the dog becomes her personal toy. She is so puzzled by this one. She has sat and watched. She has laid down right by the door, waiting...waiting. Not a whisker or eyelash has wiggled. Now she has taken up a post where she won't miss a thing, including if the dog gets that dish back that has the FOOD in it...this cat has a one-track mind, centered in her stomach.

I've notified both local vets, and the city office, that we have Little Orphink here, in case someone calls looking for her. I'm going to talk to some of the neighbors up the street, see if anyone knows her. We have not seen this dog before, and we know most of the closest family's pets.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, that she hasn't been dumped. Makes me very upset to think of anyone doing that to an old dog. But it happens, just as much as people dump pups or kittens.

Orphink may be going to Salem with us for Thanksgiving. Hope she wakes up for the turkey... Will keep you posted...

Oh - and she SNORES.

Turning over a new leaf...

Passion is a funny thing. It can strike in an instant, without any planning on your part at all.

That's what happened. It began with a random memory of Card Exchanges with some calligraphers I used to hang with. We would choose a topic (or not), and make a card for everyone who wanted to sign up for the exchange.

While taking the photos that are in the previous post, I naturally picked up a few leaves. Then a few more. Then I raided the backyard. Then I went for a walk and stole (oops - you didn't hear that) some from a neighbor's tree. Insidious. That's what they are.

So with a pile of leaves, the thought came, we should do a Fall Leaf Card Exchange, since they will only last a short time before turning brown and shrivelly. (Hmmm. Those are interesting forms, too.) Anyway - since I no longer have all those contacts at hand, I thought of my artistic friends in various states and assorted artistic relatives who might be interested, bullied them into a two-day deadline, and grabbed my paintbrushes!

Here are my cards. In various formats. And a few experiments.

140 pound cold pressed Arches paper; Graham watercolor paints (tube).

One thing I've been wanting to explore is sewing on paper. This seemed a likely project to try it out. The black thread (only because I was too lazy to change the bobbin) really makes the color pop! I fell in DEEP SMIT, as Anne says. What fun! Now I have a dozen more projects whizzing through the alleys in my brain - makes it hard to sleep sometimes.

I loved this leaf. I pressed it. Then brought it out to have a conversation with techniques. I decided in the interest of sanity to just use masking fluid for the holes. Worked well, don't you think?

Naked leaves on white paper can be a little stark, so with some various backgrounds the cards starting looking a little more grand. But they still needed something. This calligraphy script, called AKIM, is one of my favorites for quick projects (that's what I said this would be - about 12 hours ago). Akim is lyrical in rhythm, which seemed to fit the idea of fall leaves. The verse was something just repeating itself over and over and over in my mind as I played with the leaves - so as I do in the middle of the night with pesky ideas, I wrote it down to get it OUT of my mind!

Another fun medium is using watercolor pencils or crayons. You color it on, then use a wet brush to blend (the orange/red around the leaves on right). That particular purple leaf was an old stand-by technique from grade school art - paint the back of the leaf, then press it onto the paper for a contact print. Then I cleaned the leaf, flipped it over, and used the watercolor pencils to color around it as a negative stencil.

The "artsy" card on the left is a simple wet-the-paper, drop-in-color and let it do its thing technique. Another beginners watercolor exercise. Then I did some blowing on a few puddles to make vein-like lines of color. Some negative painting around a few edges to give some suggestion of leaf shape. Some veining painted in with a tiny brush.

Two of the paintings were done on this postcard size wc paper. After drying well, I went over those particular paintings with a piece of parafin, so the cards are waterproof for mailing.

So much of a painting is viewer's perception. The project doesn't have to be photo-like, it's often more effective to let the viewer see what it means to them. So "artsy" works!

Watercolor painting can be challenging. But by keeping it light and fun, a lot can be learned by just playing.

The cards all went into the mail this afternoon. When I get some in return, I'll post photos of those, too. We all have different styles, favorite materials, quirky and original ideas - I can hardly wait! Anticipating "happy mail" is so uplifting!

It's busy times for all of us, so usually only a few artists respond, on any given project...but it gets the juices flowing, and that's part of the benefit of these "quick" projects. Taking time for ourselves and our art is important - especially in such a hustling world.

Chosing a subject that you like is good; but it really doesn't matter - anything will work. Until it grabs you and won't let go. Then you paint like a fiend, into the night...

Who knew fall leaves were so sneaky? Especially the shrivelly ones...

Fall color on the coast

The temperature is edging down, the rains have arrived, and the COLOR is in full glory!

My paint brush is salivating!!

Watercolor sketches

My little watercolor muse has unfurled her wings again - my brushes and paintbox have been dry for too long.

Painting can be relaxing, it can be frustrating, it can be educational, and most of all it can be JOY!

Bringing joy to the front for me means trying new things, seeing where it takes me, going along for the ride and improvising as things unfold. I'm trying some new-to-me techniques, of pouring pure colors and moving them with a spray bottle, seeing what emerges and then going in for details with the same pure colors.

My first excursion, after viewing a video session with Lian, resulted in this sketch of grapes. Using only Cadmium yellow, Napthol red, and Prussian blue, it was great fun to see the blending, meandering colors develop, moving them around a bit with fingers and blowing on puddles. With a basic idea in mind, plus where the focal point would be, the colors were free to present opportunities for further development with a couple of brushes (round 4, flat 8).



Because I want to use this basic, loose method to do a painting of beach rocks, the next thing was to see if rock shapes and textures could be developed. An instructor from eons ago, when I was playing with oils and palette knife painting, told me (very tongue-in-cheek) that "Rocks are hard."

This time I used Gamboge (a yellow), Ultramarine blue (because it granulates, to make textures), and Burnt Umber. The Ultramarine and Umber were mixed in various dilutions, giving me some luscious greys. After spraying the 140# paper in different areas, the greys were poured on, then more pure Ultramarine and Umber dropped in to move things around. For a pop of color and a strong focal point, Gamboge was poured on, with a few dribbles of greys and blue dropped in to start the rock-making process. Using the same two brushes, details started forming, shadows developed, real rocks started taking place! Some additional texturing and blending with a seasponge resulted in some pretty nice rock forms, textures and colors.

My venture into new territory is pushing me to loosen up my painting techniques, which helps keep color alive and gives the subjects more zip. The next sketches will work towards rounding the rocks for more sea-tumbled shapes, getting some sand textures worked out, and then see what else shows up in the paint!

Watercolors are a medium I love to play with. Creating is an adventure!

Emergency prep includes ALL the family...

She thinks she's the Queen of the House. She's actually only the spoiled brat. But she IS definately part of the family.


Emergency prep lists always have a little blurb on making sure pets are provided for, both for "sheltering in place", or in case of evacuation.

We have had the home stuff covered for quite some time, along with our own supplies. Today, the evacuation kit is now ready to roll.

A local thrift shop yielded a medium size kennel/crate, whatever you what to call it. It's for dogs, but we aren't telling the princess that... The goal was to find something bigger than a cat carrier, that would house the cat, her bed, her potty box, be easy to load in the back of the van, and fit into a specific corner of the garage.

The next step was rounding up appropriate supplies:

It's best to use the same brand food the pet is used to. In this case, an good option was the dry cat food in a plastic, lidded jug, instead of the usual sack we get. The snap lidded storage tote will double as the litter box when needed. Her favorite canned goodies, some water, some soft toweling, a litter scoop, and the find of the day - heavy metal dish for 50-cents from the thrift store!

Everything fit neatly into the storage tote...the whole kit and caboodle is very managable to lift into the van. Then all we would need to do is corral the C - A - T.

Our "get outta town" kit is stored right near the van, to make for quick and easy loading. The cat castle fit into the space perfectly! The suitcases hold 1) clothing, toiletries; 2) food/small Coleman stove and fuel; 3) tools. Then the box of wood, paper, kindling, and finally several gallons of water.

It's a grab-n-go set up. If we have enough warning (they figure 15 minutes, if it's an offshore tsunami) we can quickly load the van (the gas tank is never below half), which already has a couple of storage totes of bedding/sheltering stuff, and more water. We can use the van for sheltering, once we get to where we are going. At least that's the plan.

And I sincerely hope we NEVER have to use it!!!

But just in case...I've been explaining the whole plan to Birdie. I know she understands. We'll even throw in some of her catnip mice.

Family Time

I got a bonus in October - a bus/train trip to Olympia to spend a couple days with Pat's family! We didn't plan anything but just hanging out. I tagged around in Pat's back pocket while he worked with the horses, and when we were home we played games, baked a pie, and had fun!

Elyse learned to play cribbage pretty early, just like most of the grandpunks have. Good for the math skills. And we're not competitive - no, not MUCH!! She whupped me, and I whupped her. All's fair in war and cribbage!

Elyse loves basketball, and other than babying her sprained ankle she does really well. She had to show me the "triple threat" position, and why it's called that. She goes to school early, for practice. That's dedication!

Another thing many of the grandpunks have inherited is a love of music; most of them play one or two instruments. Elyse played her clarinet for me, she's in her fourth year with it, and sounds very good! Someday, I hope to get back up there to hear her play in one of their concerts. Having music in the home is such a blessing, really invites a sweet spirit.

As guest of honor, I got to bunk in Elyse's room. I loved her cushy new bed, so comfortable! A typical teen girl's room, wallpapered with posters. The quilt was a project that Gram Griffin and I put together for Elyse last year. She loves it!

Here's the utility room, AKA "The Man Cave"! Probably the most popular room in their cozy new home :D The owers have totally sound-proofed this room, which is about 12x12. The washer/dryer lives there, along with the office stuff, and the computers. Pat and Stephen have their gaming stuff all organized, with plans for more to come. This is "bonding" 21st Century...

So fun to just hang out and enjoy each other, sharing stories, memories, interests - and eating pie!

Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding

Mom had to choose. Between Old Fashioned Rice Pudding or Pioneer Bread Pudding. Pretty much her two favorite desserts. Today, being her birthday, she had to choose.

You don't even have to use fancy Madagascar Vanilla, or exotic rice, or even Watkin's Cinnamon (one of the best!). Just plain old spice cupboard ingredients. I DO favor organic raisins, though. Mostly because grapes rank at the top of pesticide/chemical contaminated fruits. So it's good to go organic with grapes, and their sweet mutation - raisins. Anyway - here's a recipe you will definately enjoy.

Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding
In a saucepan, bring to a boil, stirring constantly:

4 1/2 c. milk

1/2 c. uncooked long grain rice

1/3 c. sugar

1 tsp. sea salt (optional)

Pour into a buttered 1 1/2 qt. baking dish. Cover, bake 45 min. at 325 degrees. Stir every 15 min. Add and stir in:

1/2 c. raisins

1 tsp. vanilla

Cover, bake another 15 min. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Serve warm or chilled. Warm with a scoop of icecream (Tillamook Vanilla Bean, of course) is preferable...
Store refrigerated, if there's any left.

I didn't tell her, I would probably have made BOTH of them...it IS her 84th birthday, after all!

The Golden Girls!

(OK, so it's three golden and one silver...)

From left - Judy (63), Connie(62), me (63), and Patty (61)

Judy and I went all through school together, from first grade through highschool graduation. Her little sis, Patty, was right there with us. Connie came in a little later in our school life, and left before graduation, to graduate in Idaho.

We grew up together in our small town, which was safe and kid-friendly in those days. Only 5 blocks total, separated the three families. So yes, we spent a lot of time together, with a lot of memories attatched. Judy ended up in California soon after graduation , I went north to Washington, Connie stayed in Idaho, and Patty remained in Oregon. Time marched on. Two of us are widows now. Three experienced divorce. Two remarried. We all have grandpunks.

On October 28, we ALL got together for the first time in - well, I hadn't seen Connie for 46 years! Judy's husband managed to sneak me in for her surpise 60th birthday party a few years back, and we hadn't seen each other for about 35 years at that time. Patty lives in Salem, close enough to get in a visit and enjoy her cute little home.

Judy called to let me know her family was gathering in Tillamook for her brother Bob's 80th birthday, and she had found out Connie was going to be in Bay City the same weekend, visiting her mom (who, like my mom, still lives in her same home here in town). So of course we HAD to have a reunion!! Meeting at ArtSpace Cafe here in Bay City for lunch, we shared photos of family, kids, grandkids. We talked for 2 1/2 hours. And could have gone on that much longer.

Wonderful memories flowed - we remembered things like the peanutbutter and honey spread Mrs Mapes, the school cook, made for us to spread on bread. We were all kitchen helpers at one time or another - it hath it's priviledges, like thickly spreading your own bread slices! Mrs. Mapes also introduced us to vinegar taffy and taffy pulling. (Patty had just made some the night before we got together!) Judy's mom generously let us stuff ourselves with her famous doughnuts - Connie says she always made sure she went home from school with Judy on Mom McVay's weekly baking day! Singing songs from the Everly Brothers. Wearing our dads' longsleeved white shirts, tails out and sleeves rolled to elbows, over jeans rolled to the knee (quite the style then, so don't snicker!).

We talked about our lives, the ups and downs, the happiness and heartaches. We talked about perspectives and hopes, travels and adventures. Our "Bucket Lists". And friendship.

Friends you grow up with are always friends of the heart. You don't really change that much. Inside, at least. And that's the part that counts!