SPRING SPROUTING

Spring is born in the chill of Winter.

I have a hair appointment tomorrow morning to get my hair snipped into shape … and I’m going hiking with a friend Friday if the rain calms down from a storm to a light drizzle. 

Right now, it is storming.

And the stormy weather is causing a great deal of chaos, frustrations, and damages.

Astoria, Hwy 30 landslide & info about pending landslides indicators inside the home, and outside property changes.

(https://katu.com/news/local/slides-reported-amid-soggy-start-to-2021-hwy-30-closed-near-astoria; https://www.thechronicleonline.com/news_free/update-landslide-highway-30-east-of-astoria/article_c137a4e8-4eca-11eb-822a-cf2b90054ace.html).

I was thinking about this stretch of road the other day – it is always a mess at some point along it; with water across the roadway, mudslides that close the road (one year, in the mid-1990’s, a mudslide actually slid a house right off it’s foundation, planting it smack dab in the center of the highway), and landslides. The PNW gets pretty saturated, and when saturation is intense, the land shifts and moves; best to stay home until mid-Spring.

So far, I don’t see any notifications for Skamokawa or Graysriver, concerning flooding or landslides.

But, I did see a post that interested me: and the date is suspect.

Letter to the Editor/Longview Daily News, March 18^th, 1969?

My family moved to Skamokawa from Grand Rapids, Minnesota in the summer of 1966 … the highway between KM & Cathlamet was “in” then; and people talked about it pretty excitedly: referring to it as “the new highway”: the new laid blacktop ran right past Ingalls Road, in Skamokawa, where we lived. The newspaper clipping says 1969, but I remember it being in waaay before that; from the KM Mountain to Crown Zellerbach, just outside of Cathlamet, coming from the Skamokawa end. It was before the Skamokawa School was closed, and kids were bused to Cathlamet. I remember clearly because the Fall of 1967 is when we started the school year here, and my eyes were treated to the man who walked past me one lunch break … and would become my husband 7 years later.

I love country life – I may live on the outskirts of Longview now (small town “city”), but my country heart is permanently tied to the country.

The kids and grandkids hate the country, and always talked condescendingly to us about our roots: but I am not ashamed of my country roots.

I wear my tomboy/boondocks background proudly 😉

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RxInn7tkRQ)

Earlier this morning, when I glanced out the windows along the front porch, I noticed hyacinth leaves, and tulip leaves, poking their way out of the soil 😊.

Grape Hyacinths sprouting in a container in the Leek garden box; I’ll separate the tiny bulbs after blooming has run its course, and replant them in my front flower beds, and in my tulip planter.

Tulips sprouting on the front porch. They will be a welcome “ray of sunshine” under the cloudy gray skies.

I also worked more rows on my Bazzar cache mitts – these mitts are my own design; they are working up quite nicely 😉.

Spring isn’t even here yet … and I’m busily working on Fall and Winter Bazaar items. LOL

MOD Zebra Print Mitts; half way mark.

Can’t wait to see the finished work!

MAKE THE ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY

How do you celebrate the ordinary to make is extraordinary?

When the dawn melds with daylight, I like to get out of the house and let my senses dance to the music of the sighing of the wind as it breezes past my ears; I like the way my soul sings surrounded by Yeshua’s creation, all around me; I like the way my spirit laughs with the joy of Yeshua’s created wonders of the land.

When dusk becomes darker nighttime, I let my imagination soar with the twinkling of the stars – and brilliant moonshine above me.

And every hour, on the hour: day or night, I reach for my dreams of a richer, fuller life.

I know Elohim goes before me to prepare my destiny; If what I want is in His Plan for my life … I will have it. I dare to dream big 😉

Let life’s hum rejuvenate your soul experience: time doesn’t stand still.

Every minute of every day is a new discovery: savor the moments, and make them special.

GETTING IT DONE

First thing this morning; before my eyes were even fully awake, I unsubbed from a widow’s group. I had been debating with myself about the decision for a few weeks (I wanted to see if things would calm down between moderator and members: it hasn’t); but it was clear to me from last night’s activity, that things were escalating. So, while my mind was saying, ‘just do it, Val: get out before you get sucked into the drama” … I opened my laptop, pulled the group up, and poked ‘leave group’.

Immense relief.

I meant it when I said a few posts ago, I am eliminating anything that sucks more life out of my days than it infuses.

Weeks ago, I bought a cartridge of ink to put in my printer, and set it in the alcove – waiting to be slipped into place.

And every day for weeks, I have walked past the alcove … glanced at the cartridge of ink: and kept right on walking.

How can something so little – and so simple, make me feel so clumsy and insecure?

Because I am not a ‘delicate flower’ … 

… I am an aging tomboy. Gentleness is not my strong point. There was a pretty good chance I could jam the thing, and I can’t afford a new printer. So, I would glance at the package waiting to be opened and slipped into place, and scoot past the open doorway as quickly as possible, thinking, “Nope – not today”.

And some days, I could actually feel that little thing mocking me as I scooted past it. If the thing could laugh, mocking laughter would have echoed off the hallway walls.

I don’t know what was different about this morning, but when I glanced at it on my way down the hallway, I felt up to the challenge: I straightened my shoulders, picked the box up – tore into the box (I did mention I am a tomboy girl, right?) – looked at it a good hard minute, and said, “today, you are going in … and you better not give me any trouble about it.”

I plugged the machine in, opened the lid – removed the old cartridge/replaced the new (praying to God I wouldn’t shove it too hard) – lowered the lid, and obeyed the digital text demands.

Riding high on that tiny success, I got to thinking that Spring is coming up … and that means Sunday~Fundays 😊

If Elohim wills, I will be getting back to my Sunday adventures with the arrival of Spring 2021. I will not be bound & tethered with the fearmongering tactics biden and inslee are trying to force.

Most of 2020, I went to places Bob and I used to frequent together: this year, I want to spread my wings and try new places – be a bit more adventurous. I still won’t be traveling too far from home base, but it will be exciting just the same: it will be new to me.

And I will be doing these things without making consideration’s concessions: there is no one left to consider. There is just me-myself-& I. I will be having a traveling companion at times (I was informed a few weeks ago that someone is interested in going places with me); but most of the time, there will be just me – solo lobo in the car, and at point destinations.

I’ve been filling my Daytrip Ambitions jar with addresses of fun destinations: this Art Walk in the Willapa Wildlife Refuge, looks like a fun and colorful way to enjoy a day out of the house 😉

My Ambitions Jar is filling up with fun Daytrip suggestions.

I can’t wait to hit the road again!

The Art Trail in Willapa National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/twocolumn.aspx?id=2147515142)

Every Sunday, I write down a new destination – with address to punch in the GPS – and estimated milage/arrival at said point.

Most are about an hour driving 1-way; so I’m thinking most will be a full day Daytrip 😉 I am also figuring a few over-nighter’s too, “just because I can”: and I really need to figure that out. Bob always took care of that part of our adventures; but now, all aspects of my day-tripping adventures are on moi.

I can do this 😊 

“I Am Woman” … hear me roar. LOL!

Bob always hated this song … but he got a bang out of hearing me use that phrase when I needed courage (or extra ‘oomph’) to get something done: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rptW7zOPX2E)

I could be soft and loving in Bob’s embrace … but I could also match anything life threw my way. Bob liked that combo 😉 

So do I 😊 

I’m getting things done in 2021.

MY MANLY MAN

This was the first movie I ever saw with Bob. It was playing the Columbia Theatre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBeTKEeyJeU

Bob had told me he was Shovel Operator in Durrah & Martin’s Logging, Inc. (a small gypo logging outfit). I think he took me to the movie to show me what he did.

Skagit Logging Shovel

Before Bob was promoted to Shovel Operator – the gravy train position; he had done it all: started driving log truck, which he was very familiar with because his father owned his own log truck, and his mother had driven that truck for years … until Kerry was born: then she quits, saying, “4 kids in the cab of a log truck is too damned many!” She was as good a driver as most men: and better than some 😉

1960. BOB, 11 yo. Standing by Bob Sr's. Log Truck. Bob was maintaining and driving that truck - he grew up in it.

1969 - BOB. Toutle Hargand property. Bob Sr, Bonnie, Bob, Merry & Kerry.

1969-1971 timeframe. BOB securing the log wrappers on the loaded logs while driving log truck in the Mt. St. Helen's area.

Bob also was a choker setter, a log skinner, and a tree topper. The first time I saw him thousands of feet off the ground, sawing a tree down to size, I was freaked out – he looked so tiny up there!

Choker setting

Tree Skinner

Tree Topper

Bob also drove the Crew to work every morning in the “Crummy” (the crew van): it was parked in our driveway for 18 years – and the crew was dropped off at our house by their wives. Bob never hauled me out of bed to pour coffee or to see him off, because I was usually dropping into bed as the alarm clock was going off to start his work days. He just kissed me and I mumbled, “I love you, Babe – stay safe and come home to me alive.” My biggest fear was his boss coming by during the day to tell me I was a widow. Logging was a very dangerous job.

His boss, Jimmy Durrah, did drop by the house one afternoon to give me Bob’s bonus (an extra surprise) … and when he saw my face, he never did that again. He was so sorry he scared me, that I ended up consoling him! I loved Jimmy, and he always treated us like family – he knew Bob from birth, and really did love Bob like a son; he treated me like a daughter, and Stacey like the grandchild he never had. When he died, I cried like I would for a beloved family member.

Bob was also the mechanic … so when machinery needed tended too on weekends, we all went to the landing. I loved being in the forests. Stacey never did; but for me, it was a day in paradise. I miss that.

Bob was a jack-of-all-trades, and pretty irreplaceable in his boss’s outfit; as well as in my life.

I don’t know if Bob ever tied logs together in a log raft … but I do know his hotrod Camero ended up sitting on a log raft at the Puget Island end of the bridge that links Cathalmet to Puget Island: he showed me where the log raft sat at the time, while he laughingly told me how his car ended up on the raft in the river. I am glad I did not know Bob at that time – I would have been white-haired before 30! By the time I met him at 17, his wild streak had pretty much burned out. Thank the Lord 😉

Log Raft in river

Bob and his 1968 Camaro hot rod.

Bob would come home with fir dust in his hair, and on his clothes – mingled with diesel oil: I would always breathe in deeply when he swept me up in a bear hug – and he would laugh and shake his head until I had fir dust on me too. We had a wood stove too for half of our married life; I loved the smell of fir: the pungent scent of freshly cut fir will always make me think of Bob.

I watch this movie every time it is available to watch; and I always smile, because though this movie is fiction … the logging scenes, and the log raft death is very realistic, and true to the hard way loggers live – and make a living.

Man! I miss Bob: but, I am not crying tonight – I am smiling. Bob gave me lots of good memories 😊

WHERE I STAND GOING INTO 2021

The war on The People is picking up speed.

The plan may have changed for The People … but the goal stays the same.

The devil’s political tools are busily at work; but so is Elohei: they cannot stop His Plan or a Goal touchdown – despite the devilish behavior on earth’s goal lines.

So, just so everyone reading this post is clear on where I stand ... let me spell it out for you (just in case you weren't already clear).

I am first and foremost a Christian - my inner circle is already small.

Only Yeshua is perfect – the rest of us are in a lifelong process of processing.

CE. Mingle with people …. But surround yourself with a core group of people who are true friends (Yeshua’s main “3” were Peter, James & John – Matthew 17:1/Luke 5:1-11/Mark 5:37).

Even Yeshua took time apart from peopling. Solitude is a necessity, at times (Matthew 14:1-13; Mark 6:30-32; Luke 4:1-2/5:16/6:12-13/14 thru 15/22:39-44).

Secondly, I am glad to be an American - I was born and raised in America. But my Home is beyond the clouds. The politics of America only affect me so far as my living on Earth goes: I am not bound by the policies forged in DC.

Being a Christian does not make me immune to intentional pain - the obama cartel is intent on inflicting pain on Americans ... specifically on Christian Americans. I have family members who have been hoodwinked by the obama cartel: I rarely visit their FB Pages because most of their posts are poisoned twaddle that take gleeful aim directly at me - it is arrogantly childish, and ignorantly ridiculous.

The inclination to "forgive 70 x 7" is beginning to wear thin; give me strength, Yeshua.

I don't know exactly where my friends stand in their political leanings ... and I really don't care, UNTIL I'm viciously slapped in the face with it. Everyone pretty much knows how I lean - I haven't kept my feelings secret: I will ALWAYS fall on the side of Love, Life, Freedom, and the Pursuit of Happiness. We may disagree on what each of those points mean, personally, but they do not need to divide us. Bob and I disagreed on just about every issue; and were still able to maintain a healthy and happy marriage for 44 years.

It IS possible to disagree and still love one another.

The obamanites do not love – in any sense of the word: they are only about creation chaos and destruction.

barak and michael's 3rd coup was cemented in DC a few days ago. Elohim has spoken: I will not argue His decree. America will suffer greatly ... and those who support this unholy coup will reap what they have sown/chosen. It will be sad to watch. It will be tortuous for me to know my family and friends will suffer harshly - but that is what they have chosen. I can only stand by helplessly, and watch them self-destruct.

I am sure, that over the coming months, I will lose more family and friends: it is inevitable, as people are people ... and will position themselves where they feel they will feel safer.

I will still be true to ME.

And I am comfortable with a small circle of people who genuinely love and care for me; if it comes down to the wire - I am very comfortable being a solo lobo.

I am not going to argue with anyone over the shameful thing that has taken place in DC with the obamanite power grab - either on FB, or in my private space in the real world.

If people are offended, I will miss you; if you want to stay, you are welcome. But, I will not fight with you about the coup. Other than how politics directly affect ME, personally, I really don't care anymore.

America, as I knew it for most of my life, has been gone since 2009. I'm just living my life - for me - as best I can, given the shitshow freakish nightmare being played out on the global scene every hour on the hour.

There was 1 chance left to rein the insanity in and bring some reality back into focus, and that has been forcibly taken away by political thugs with gangster mentality.

I'm done.

I don't care anymore; there is nothing of this world that holds me, now that Bob is in Heaven.

I am 64 years old - I just want to live my remaining years in peace.

And I intend to have that peace by whatever means I need to employ.