RAIN

I set the alarm clock last night to make sure I’d be awake and alert for the car maintenance appointment in Kelso, this morning. I woke up to a flood warning.

A 'what to do' kind of morning ...

I had to make that appointment – there was no way to cancel it, short of making the drive … and if I had to make the drive, I might as well keep the appointment. I mentally drove the route I thought would be the safest route; and then got myself ready to face the day.

The electricity went out just as I was getting ready to brush my hair into shape (I prayed it wasn’t a blown fuse); I needed to get my hair brushed/sprayed into shape before it lost its curling iron swank … so I quickly padded down the hallway to the spare bath, where the skylight would give me the necessary light, I needed to get the tricky job done. Halfway down the hallway, I heard the forced heat kick in, and breathed a genuine sigh of relief (‘Thank You, Yeshua!’; lights out was due to the weather and not the fuse box) as I pivoted and headed back to the master bath.

And I also thanked the Lord for whoever created curling gel! My baby fine hair needs all the help it can get when nature works against it 😉

Dabbing my lips with a bit of lipstick, I hoped that early morning snafu was not an indication of how the rest of the day was going to go.

Heading over to Kelso, where flooding warnings are in effect.

Dick Hannah's Toyota via #432 & Talley Way; no flooding enroute.

I was early as I made the Talley Way curve, so I decided to nip over to the Chef’s Warehouse Store and grab some aluminum foil: BIG rolls are sold there, and that works best for me. I use a lot of foil when baking my freezer meals 😉

Getting that roll of foil was not as easy as it usually is.

Count Crew working on the Kelso gas line & traffic held up; Talley way.

Held hostage by STOP sign, with nowhere to go ... in a puddle nearly up to the bottom of the driver's door.

I was waylaid by floodwaters of a different sort, as county maintenance workers were working on a gas line ☹ I hope that flooded pothole I was forced to pass time in, gets fixed, as well.

Finally allowed to creep forward and enter the store’s parking lot, I checked the time (still safe to grab the foil); entered the store, and found the relocated item.

I heard Eric Burdon singing over the intercom, and practically danced up the aisle … the happy feet urge to dance stopped when I saw the sticker tag on the aluminum foil – a $50 dollar increase! Ow, a serious economic pinch.

Eric Burdon – ‘Spill The Wine’ song:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i0DMbCKnAg)

Song Meaning Explained (https://medium.com/the-riff/eric-burdons-baffling-spill-the-wine-explained-18f9bc4b41d9)

I needed the foil – but not at the $$ increase: I bought two smaller rolls for the price I usually pay ($25/roll). I know I can buy cheaper foil, but this store sells industrial strength foil like restaurants use for cooking. That’s what I want.

Foil bought and stored in the car, I backtracked through the flooded pothole to make my scheduled appointment. If the brakes were flooded, I prayed I would not need to apply them until I reached the maintenance shop.

As I neared the shop’s entrance, I had a winged visitor touch down on the hood of the car; I hoped it would leave me alone when I parked and exited the vehicle.

I am deathly allergic to bees, wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets: one sting, and I’ll be a goner if I can’t get to a medical facility fast enough. A normal anaphylactic reaction can occur in a 2-hour span of time … I will get nauseous and swell up immediately at the bite mark, my heart rate accelerates and my throat will start to close in a matter of minutes; for me a bee sting really is ‘death on wings’. I do carry Benadryl at all times, “just in case”. And I rely heavily on Elohim’s mercy.

I also admit that tiny winged thing made me nervous as I cut the motor.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when this tiny winged death machine touch down; Dick Hannah, Kelso.

Yellow-legged Bee - Calliopsis andreniformis

The cute little killer is a few weeks early; Spring 2022 doesn’t ‘spring’ until March 20th.

I managed to exit the Highlander safely 😊

Pretty quiet in the Lobby this afternoon ...

Passing the time; I’m still working on the book I started a month-half ago. I’ve been so busy lately, during the week.

They Shop Crew had my modern chariot ready to roll in about 1½-hours’ time. And I was right, when I said last week, that $300 of the $500 price would go towards labor. But, I’m glad it’s a safe ride, now 😉

Bob would instinctively know about this ‘tip-top shape’ stuff: I’m learning.

Driving back towards home through town, I decided to top the gas tank off; it really didn’t need much gas, but I like to keep the tank full at all times.

I also deposited Bob’s Love Gift provisional beneficiary IWA check at the bank. It won’t significantly offset the $500 drain forked out this afternoon … but it is welcome, and I am thankful.

A little color showing as the gray clouds part; Lowe's.

The political pinch has arrived ...

$4/gal. gas price will continue to escalate as the obama-biden cartel forces it’s ‘european model’ political agenda (https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/595706-biden-not-putin-to-blame-for-higher-gas-prices)

Oz’s Strawman Brain Song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG3mJcUzwaI)

I turned towards Pacific Way; and hoped the road would be relatively dry: it was.

Driving Pacific Way Road, I saw that the slough waters were definitely above the flood level; and I was hoping, as I eyed the significantly high water, that the nesting sites for ducks had not been damaged. I hope there will be baby ducks this year … I enjoy watching them at various locations, as I hike along the Pacific Way Trail 😊

High water along Pacific Way.

Flooding Coal Creek Slough.

High & muddy; Pacific Way.

Nesting Mallard Ducks: https://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/helpingbirdstest/nestingmallards/

Waterfowl Nesting Period: https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/understanding-waterfowl-the-nesting-period

Entering the Park, I collected my mail, admired my blooming daffodils, switched out the furnace filter, and paid bills – all to the backbeat of falling rain.

So far, the only flooding I have fallen victim to today, was that flooded pothole on Talley Way 😉 I hope it stays that way.

A little early season color showing at home.

I'm going to plant Hens & Chicks sedums along the fence line - I have a LOT; they’ll spread like wildfire and fill in the area nicely.

(https://www.thehypertufagardener.com/growing-hens-and-chicks/)

The price of Aluminum Foil has gone through the roof!

Trying the newer filter today ...

As daylight fades, I’m going to sit back and relax while the rain tap-dances across my roof and swirls down the drainpipe. I’m going to find old black-n-white movies on YouTube to enjoy; and try to finish up my latest knitting project 😉

MOD latest Angel Baby Blanket Design - halfway mark.

MOVIE

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Woq3AWxLlM)

SPRING PROJECTIONS

I had plans, for downtown this morning – meeting a friend for lunch. The plan had been made a week ago; when the weather held a hint of Spring on the breeze.

This week … snow has been making an appearance as Jack Frost has been reluctant to move on.

I looked out the windows as I passed through the house on my way to the kitchen, and noticed that the snow that fell while I slept, had clearly stuck around.

My budding plants had had their Spring projections interrupted by a serious decline in the warming weather temperatures they had been experiencing ☹

I like snow around Christmas time, and for my birthday the end of December … but I don’t like late-season snowfall that hogs Spring projections. I am at the place with Jack Frost that I am with the obamanite biden administration; GO AWAY ALREADY!

A light dusting of snow touched down overnight.

The tiny daffodil bulbs I planted in the Fall were starting to blossom.

There was no bird chirping this morning; they are conserving warmth and saving energy.

My poor strawberry & sedum plants.

On a hope and a prayer, I washed my hair/dressed warmly/applied makeup – and drove into town. I hadn’t been downtown-downtown since before Christmas: I was missing my weekly “treat yourself day”. I figured if I was the only one that showed up … I’d have lunch anyway. Not a hamburger basket lunch as usual, but a bowl of soup; a warm soup is satisfying on a cold, wintery day. And I’m determinedly sticking to my ‘shrink the kardashian ass’ goal 😉

I had an allergic reaction to yesterday’s potluck buffet, and my cheeks were cherry red: so, I didn’t have to use much blusher today; just the barest hint along the upper cheekbones.

Ready to walk out the door.

I arrived a little early, and received a text from my friend: there had been 1½-inches of snowfall in the Silver Lake area, but I would still have company downtown 😊

The hour was filled with laughter, catch-up chit-cha;, and Spring projections, that included a trip to Packwood – and I may go back again, in the Fall. I like pawing through Flea Market offerings.

Lunch plans at Country Folks Deli, on Commerce.

’Downtown’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GdPPhTbg-0)

Packwood Flea Market 2022 scheduled. YAY!

On my way back home, I saw plenty of evidence that The people are angry with what is happening in DC, and they are revolting against local civic leadership with dispays showing thier discontent ... and intent on changing things in the near future. Spring projections are showing that the obamanites will be losing thier placed seats in all elections across the board: across the Nation.

The People are fed up with the obamanite lunacy, and ready for a real Leader to be at America’s helm.

And I stopped at Lowe’s, and bought filters for the heat pump furnace. I bought a lot – enough to last the year. With all the damage the obamanites have done to the economy and fluid moving of merchandise, I didn’t want to risk the chance of not being able to have a filter when needed.

It seems like every time I walk into Lowe’s (or any store, actually), everything has been moved to a different location; so, I asked where the filters were now located. The salesman pointed them out … and also pointed my attention to a new filter on the market ‘designed with a finer mesh to do a better job of filtering out viruses’. I bought three. I will use one on Tuesday when I switch the older one out. If I do not notice a difference, I’ll return the other two, and replace them with my regular type filter.

I bought 8 filters today & had 4 at home; 12-months’ worth of filters; the 1500 appears to be cashing in on the covid craze.

A finer mesh; we'll see how it does - this one will be going into place Tuesday ... it's a very spendy 1-filter package.

Something new. The salesman said he uses it because his wife has COPD, and he thought it might work better for my asthma, too.

This is what I've been using, and it comes in a 2-pack; at an economical cost.

I've noticed that the new 1085 filter, now has concave edges. WTH; I hope the new edges won't trip up the fit needed for my heat pump operation.

I finished the evening by designing and working on another Angel Baby Blanket. This design is a projection of soft Spring pastels 😊

MOD Andalusian Stitch Angel Baby Blanket; Girl. Knit.

ATTITUDE, NOT AGE

When I became a widow in the winter of 2018, and started documenting my New Life Journey on my Blog – I realized that women of all ages were contacting me, and following my FB Page because what I had to say was inspiring to them. I began to see how things I had survived, and things I was struggling with (before, during, and after Bob) was helpful to strangers who were going through similar things in their own lives.

While there are bad situations you experience throughout the course of your life – and your life, currently, may not be working out the way you want it to; you can make a change. Even if it’s scary. There is no need to accept an unhappy life. You can mentally … and actively … make a Plan to live a happier Life.

18 months into my new life, I determinedly downsized personal belonging (Bob’s, mine, and ours), waved bye-bye to a life that no longer existed (except for memories); and started a New Life hustle in my now hometown of Longview, Washington – in my mid-60’s.

And you can too 😊

It’s all about attitude, not age.

You do not have to fade into the woodwork once you turn 65, retire, or become a widow. You can still cultivate and enjoy a vital, vibrant, fulfilling life.

You only get one lifetime to experience life on this planet Earth: make it worth leaving your mark in living your Life Journey. Own your life. Stay focused. Keep resolute. Be your own judge (be kind to yourself, but also be realistic). Constantly reassess your outlook, your goals, motives, and behavior.

In the beginning of my new life’s journey, I didn’t do much of anything. I was in shell-shock-limbo. When I did finally start re-engaging in life – solo lobo – it took me two full years to learn how to enjoy it. It had been decades since I could indulge in being fully myself: it was strange to be in a place in my life where there was only me to consider (I’d been married to the love of my life since I was seventeen; motherhood and grandparenthood followed in those 44 years).

I began to enjoy hitting the road whenever, and wherever I felt like heading the car’s nose. I cook/eat foods my taste buds had been craving; and while out and about, I ate at restaurants along the road route that looked interesting (I also gained weight – there are pros and cons to that). I started wearing clothes again that appealed to me (I prefer shopping Thrift Stores, flea markets, estate sales, and yard sales for boho style bits and pieces that make up a whole; Bob never understood why I wanted to spend “good money on all that junk”). I fell back on a shorter hair style that I like (Bob liked my hair long, and I do too, but I really prefer the Shag style 😉). I started playing around with makeup again – not crazily, but just for the fun of experimenting with it again. I walk every day – sometimes a short 2-mile loop walk, sometimes a lengthier 4-mile loop hike.

And I embrace getting older; most women feel anxious about aging … too many even attempt to hide their age as they feel the years creeping up on them. What’s the point? Their bodies will continue to age – whether they consent to it, or not.

I admit I could stand to kick some excess poundage to the curb – and I’m working on that by curbing what I eat/when I eat it/how I prepare my meals; walking every day; muscle-toning exercises; and body strengthening weight workouts. I’ll continue all of this as long as I physically am able to do so. I’m not unhappy with my body, but I need it to be in tip-top shape to carry me through the ensuing forward years 😉

Walking past the floor length mirror this morning, I nodded to the reflection staring boldly back at me; and thought that at 65, that reflection wasn’t anything to be ashamed of. My body has been good to me – it enjoyed pleasure, and gave pleasure to a loving man; it carried a baby to full term, and it cuddled and comforted a daughter and four grandchildren. It continues to support my walking habit, and it’s relatively healthy (aside from the asthma, and heart arrythmia). It’s hour-glass curviness is a bit more ample than it used to be … but it still appeals. My skin (face, arms, legs, hands, feet, and breast area that shows) is freckled, and I’m okay with that; I enjoy being outside on nature trails, or dinking around in my garden areas: my skin really is holding up well for its 65 years. I decided a loooong time ago (1974; I was 17 at the time of this decision) to gray naturally – and so far, the gray is coming in complementarily.

I can honestly say that aging is being good to me. People (mostly men) are surprised that I do not dye my hair – aging has been kind in allowing me to retain my natural hair color throughout most of my hair at this late stage of life. It looks great. Again, I hear mostly from men, “How old are you? You look great for your age!” I am not offended. I know I look good for my age. And I am not trying to hide my age. I feel privileged to have reached this age, and I’m actually excited by the unfolding blessing of being able to be living this new era of my life.

I’m having fun 😊

And I’m not spending too much time worrying about my plain face, or my abundant curves. It is what it is, and I do the best with what I have. God designed this body specifically for ME, and I am okay with it.

I like wearing the clothes I have found on my 2-states hop, out and about: some are just everyday wear … some are really too fancy for Longview, so I wear those when I go further afield on my Daytrip ventures, or to Fellowship in bigger metropolises.

Makeup, for me, makes a huge difference. And I’ve taken to wearing it most every day this past year. My face is pretty plain. I’m fair-skinned with sparse eyebrows, and very short skimpy eyelashes. My face also has a short sharp chin, and a thin-lipped mouth – only Bob every saw me as beautiful; with or without makeup, he loved me. Bless him.

That said … makeup transforms my appearance; and I enjoy playing with it. Sometimes, my eyes are very colorful with makeup application – other times, like today, the makeup is low-key.

I was meeting friends this afternoon; so, I just wore jeans, and a sweatshirt. I did wear fancy footwear, and I fooled around with the curling irons – but I didn’t spend a whole lot of time on my face.

I don’t wear foundation: I apply my makeup to a bare face because I have sensitive skin – I always have had to be careful when applying anything to my skin: I was even allergic to my husband’s skin next to mine, until my skin acclimated to his; we laughed about that, but it was a serious issue, and I had to see a dermatologist for a while.

While my face will tolerate makeup on it for a brief period of time, I keep makeup as minimal as possible to keep irritations as low as possible.

My 'now' morning routine; 55 minutes from A to Z – includes fingernail polish.

My sensitive eyes were red-rimmed this morning (due to last night’s makeup remover), so I chose a pink based eyeshadow combo.

I used Soft Brown sculpting brow gel; it wouldn't clash with the eyeshadow.

A light hand with black mascara ...

And a rose-tinted Cheek Heat liquid cream blush - I have high cheek bones, so I apply blush in a 'wedge' shape.

The gray is coming in ... but I've not lost all of my original hair color yet. The 2 shades blend very nicely.

I have a long face with a short chin, so I wear a Shag haircut, and use curling irons to add height & softness around the face. I have crooked teeth due to a very small mouth; a 65-yo body, & I wear glasses. I'm okay with ALL of ME.

A light coat of glittery fingernail polish & ‘Hard As Nails’ topcoat - and I'm out the door.

Stepping out in my cheetah boots.

I always remove my makeup as soon as I get back home. Over-using makeup – and leaving it on your face for extended periods of time, will prematurely age your face. I’m 65 … I don’t need premature help in the aging process 😉

Remove makeup as soon as possible - do not wear it all day long.

Then I repaired my brow and lash brush …

Repair work on brow brush-lash comb tool; good as new ... for a few more weeks.

And I did some workout time, to tone and shape my curvy curves. I enjoy workouts, I always have.

It’s all about attitude, not aging 😊