Senior day at the thrift store, I bought two buildings and a horse

Today the smoke hit the ground. All day the air quality has been zero quality. Orange light, dark grey sky, irrespirable air. We are not on fire, unlike Allison and Jim in Spokane just over the mountains;we are getting the residue and it is toxic. What to do  on a day such as this?

Go to the thrift store, of course- senior day everything 30% off- all fresh stuff , hot from the back room. 

I bought the Empire State Building

I bought the Brandenburg Gate 

I bought tiny groceries. the photo only represents a quarter of the groceries in the $3.00 bag. Who can resist mini groceries? Not I.

I bought a Seminole girl. 

I bought hand carved hand made swinging rocking horse with horse hair tail  - clever design and well made probably by someone's grand dad. 

 

I bought a pig, for Emmett. The lad likes pigs . It is really a dog toy and when squeezed makes a terrible sound. It is loud and obnoxious, funny for about two minutes- then it must be hidden  away until everyone calms down. 

I bought a bracelet made out of Camp Fire Girl merit beads and a little wooden key chain girl from Estonia.

 

I spotted a thing in the trolley that had not yet been put on a shelf. I asked if I could have it before anyone else saw it and the woman said "yes".

Two headed Mexican folk art angels. Large , weighty, hand carved out of a single piece of wood. No idea where they may be hung. 

So much for streamlined   , minimalist sensibilities, right?  Could you have resisted these  conjoined angel heads with fancy wings? 

Neither could I.

Hard to believe , but I did return more to the shelves than I took away. It was a good day at the thrift store- pays to be a "senior" with a pocketful of dimes. I returned two vintage  child chairs , needlepoint seats, a four ft tall wine glass, a large prism , a bag full of glass candle holders that looked like  bubbles. a 100% wool blanket in great condition from the fifties, an  apron, a wooden carved and painted giant strawberry, a perfect square silk Furoshiki wrapping cloth  from vintage Japan, two lucite rings, So many cool things- back to the shelves from whence they came. 

If I still had my shop I would be spending more time in  thrift stores, At one point I had five booths, three ETSY shops and ebay- it was a lot but it was fun. Stella did the same. We made some dollars. Having five booths made inventory easier to refresh, just shifting goods from one booth to another. in three different towns.There was theft,there was breakage,  rent was high and the percentage that the owner of the shop took was about 40% . Etsy used to be amazing but has gone all  corporate greedy and the taxes and postage  are a hassle. SO, Can't be bothered with all of that now. I can be bothered collecting stuff for no good reason. It's a high. Better than skydiving, probably.

If that is not thrilling enough- Eye jab first thing in the morning tomorrow!

Can't say my life is not full!

 

  

 

 

a day with Stella, deck wildlife, a man and a gadget

I drove out to Stella's yesterday, she made  salmon salad lunch and lemon tart. Lovely day. Her garden is fabulous. Next summer she may just fill it with lilies and skip the less dramatic blooms.

 The lake is so overgrown with lily pads and some sort of grass weed, invasive , it looks like one could walk on/ across water. Defeats the reason to live on a lake really,  it is pretty regardless and Stella did watch an otter run across her lawn.  

Home on the deck this morning, wild life watch.

moments later there was a  plop, baby in the bucket - my camera was not ready to catch that  humiliation. Baby survived, the bucket of water didn't. I think that a bigger water source would be the next thing to get for them. Of course they would swim in it and that would be amusing. 

another amusing thing- Dennis bought everyone on Orcas this device to save their  lives. I have applied the  Heimlich maneuver  exactly once in my long life-It worked and the child lived. This gadget might be OK if the choking person could actually find it in the cupboard in time. Just as sensible to use the counter but , you know, gadgets have more cred...

Get them while they're hot! Nothing else happening here- the smoke from many fires is beginning to arrive and settle to the ground. air quality is iffy. Advise is to not go out if it can be avoided. 

The sunset will be impressive , as it is when it is fire season.  I will let you know.
 

 

 

 

THEY were here, wildlife in the yard, a wish to say bub-bye

 

Good morning, Saturday. Today is the day that Mr. man returns and the party is over. I have had a lovely low key week, friends stopping by, wildlife in the yard, popcorn for dinner and naps whenever they felt like attacking. The kids were here, I met Ziggy finally, of course I love her! or THEM, I should say correctly.  They went to the island for a couple of days , came here for dinner where we spent all four of our complementary coupons . $80.00 worth. Still the bill was crazy expensive  - the reality of dining out...

 Raining and cold , raccoons on the deck flopping around . The cuteness does not let up. I went out the front door and met three deer, they are so used to us they are not at all bothered. Rabbits in the yard , Tharn( Watership Down), not moving except for nose twitches. I could have pulled their whiskers.- that close!

Lovely quiet - until Mr. Man enters, uncomfortable with silence he fills the space with chatter. I suppose he is  used to doing that to put patients in a more comfortable state. Whatever, that technique no longer applies.  

The Rowan tree has certainly grown well  in the crotch of Mr.s Plum. A safe and cozy place to take root. It is becoming well established with a solid thick trunk.  Mrs. Plum is a good Mother. her life is waning.

The ghost of the Fir tree is also birthing a life form, Phaeolus Polypore Fungi- velvety 

 

I picked a bouquet of edible herbs/flowers for Ziggy to take back to Portland with them. If nothing else it will make the journey back smell fresh! They are so utterly PORTLAND- pierced, tattooed, wearing attire that fits in well within the city. Youth is a wonderful thing!

They brought soap back for me that smells earthy and divine.  "Island Hippie" yes, indeed. Gone are the days. 

How is it that I managed to slip  into "status quo" like it was a sensible thing to do?  I tricked myself. Society demanded , my parents approved (for once in my life), path of least resistance, I don't know , but these days of enlightened elderhood it all seems soul less , predictable and dumb. Not to mention, boring AF. I feel an escape coming on. If my vision improves I may fly away for the last round up
 

ADIOS!

 To  WHERE? London , of course. After the next eye jab I will have a conversation with the eye guy . Could it be possible? Could I get an eye jab in London without fussing around with tests etc.?  OR is it down to  acceptance of rocking chair tourism for this old woman? What is it they say - "hope springs?" Maybe I could take Erik. and Ziggy if I paid for their flights and housing...and food...and frolic in the city. The LAST  round up , indeed! I will have zero $$$ left to live out the Apocalypse .

Talk me down, please... 

 

Small animals, large oranges

 

 

I don't know how to get a video from my phone to here, but this is my stab at it. It might work (?) sorry about the sound. It was playing too loudly - nothing to do with the video . it is much better  on you tube if possible. 

Two little raccoons , too young to be adventuring  on their own, yet there they are. Unusual to see babies alone, worried that mother is out raiding trash  or being coyote lunch  . The little raccoons were  very nervous, they didn't stick around , a few kibbles a quick drink, then the breeze lifted leaves across the deck and freaked them out. Off they did scurry,  but not before the ghostly gull   owned the deck until it lost interest. Gull is larger than they and a hell of lot bossier. Gull -Not friend. 

Dennis is packing up to go to Orcas, to meet the family for a week. The cabins are small and there is not enough room for all of the folks that he has invited . I will stay here and relish in alone time.  he will not be taking his boat this year , still has loads of pain from his butt problem. Poor guy, he so looks forward to this annual event with the kids, taking Advil all day is somewhat helpful, but his mobility is certainly compromised.  The boat is too much to handle. 

Sleeping has become such a production for me lately! The CPap machine that has bailed me out has become  disappointing . I may need another mask, one that covers my entire head. Having to tape my mouth shut with layers of tape, I look like a hostage- A mummy, a burn victim... the efficacy of the machine is waning. What next in this adventure of becoming 80??  Let's just get on with it- I am not clinging to being 79 , telling everyone that I am already  80, getting used to that BIG number and owning it. Like a BOSS!

I did finally  find out what happens to us when we die and this is certain! Flora told me today that when we die the doctor gives us a shot and our Mom's put us in the ground. There is a whole city underground just for us. We play with everyone and all of the dogs and cats. The sparkly god mother and all of the fairies live there too. I asked if there are stars underground, "Oh YES, there are stars- more many than what we got!" WOW, I said, Can't wait!

I came home from Flora and Emmett to find that Dennis had been to his place of worship (cost co) and bought oranges the size of  buses-(orphans for perspective). The bag doesn't claim that the oranges  are Organic ( no kidding?) and do warn to wash well before eating.  The smaller more normal oranges are  from the coop. Only in Umurka is bigger, better.

Last week I caught  a bug of some sort. Still feeling less than magnificent-Maybe the giant oranges will help snap me out of it. Radiant oranges, glow in the dark! Or maybe , it is just being so close to  80!  I really should not be alive!  

Flora asked me to read what was on a 1/2 inch tag. I couldn't even read it with my magnifying glass... 

" Are you the one who troubled your eyes?"  She asked.   

-Inheritance. Thanks Dad. So, luck of the draw, which Flora is too little to understand. I just said "yes, I broke them".

Going to church , finding a saint, SHADE is friend and an old sofa.

Hiding from the sun. It is well hot up here today, I shifted all of the deck pots to the shady side, the heftiest ones are under the umbrella.  No reason to go anywhere today. My car is very old , no air - a good enough heater but no cool air. So it's good that there are no appointments to keep, no emergencies to tend to.

Shade is  somewhat forgiving- the babies have not ventured to the deck today- staying in the forest near a creek, I suspect. The French lavender is having a hey day. Its second coming,  an odd plant.

Yesterday , while I was out and about, I went to church (thrift store) to replenish my soul...much catch and release and a few purchases, some for Emmett and Flora- the most dear  little cat and mouse stuffies I ever did see. I may keep them for a while. I bought a couple of Skookum Bully good dolls in excellent nick. Also bought  a small silver framed  Virgin of Guadalupe because of course!!! If ever I  asked a saint to assist those in need it would be she, to watch after our brown folk, our children, and all of the cute  little forest animals- priorities...

 

From there I went to Walgreens to get hair stuff, surprised to see that it is kept in jail now. Must ask clerk to unlock  and carry it for you to the register. I guess anything over the price  of twelve dollars is jailed. 

On my way home I stopped in at the local furniture store to look at a sofa once again to see if I still thought it suitable.

Old Lumpy has three holes  and a  tear , bought so long ago on sale for $300.00 . The new one cost eight times as much...also on sale! Bloody hell. It  is beautifully made- 100 % leather, scalloped back, curved arms, simple , straight forward,  but  not nearly as much of a hug as old Lumpy. 

Rather sad to see Lumps go- she cradled us through illness, heartache, grumpiness , Christmas mornings , family get- togethers, dogs, cats and kids. A good old friend.   

See the structure of the new girl- like she is wearing foundation garments . She is solid - " sit up straight , feet on the floor. " - bossy. Leather is forgiving though, she will wear well and become less uptight I am sure. She has to , to live in this family. 

Goodbye old Lumpy, it has been swell. I will certainly miss you next time I have some random surgery or the flu or a good cry...you have held so much. Getting emo about tired , trashed  furniture is a new  experience for me. Old Lumpy was like a MOM!

Today is ice cream and bubbley water day. It will not last long, the heat, I mean. What Ice cream??? Already gone! May the Virgin of Guadalupe bring peace to your core, may  the memory of a well loved sofa bring you comfort.  It is too hot today to do anything other than sit in a tub of water and be sentimental.  

 

immature harvest, baby boy, Aspen fire, what would you take?

Cool as a too- soon- harvested -cucumber. Today it is raining and the temperature is about 60 degrees. Very pleasant! Dennis got excited about the cucumber growing so well and picked them!  He is new to gardening....

Emmett spent the day here while Flora went with Emily to a book / story reading. Flora's friend was also there. Flora's friend is rather naughty and influenced Flora to be a wild thing. Disappointing , as the author of the story book is amazing and one of Emily's heroes.  So, they spent their time outside on the square where children can be wild and mother's can chat. 

 Emmett and I played, watched a bit of Bluey, had a bath, ate stuff.

Putting Bear to bed.

A bug

That child's eyes are the most remarkable color! 

Glad it is dark and raining today- peaceful! A good day to sort and clean. Put things in boxes, shift things out to the give away pile, Try to sort out the bedrooms downstairs in case Grandson needs his own room until classes start. 

  A bag full of Barbie wigs from thrift store , too small for the orphans so we scissored them to wear as hats. Barbie has a tiny head and tiny feet... not real, the orphans  claim. 

NOT like US!! 

I phoned my sister-in-law, Dawn,  this morning to find out what ever there is to find out. Their house and out cabins are right in the heart of the Aspen fire that has not yet been tamed. So far 98,000 acres have been torched to the ground, 338 mountain homes - gone. Sister's cabin was protected by the fire fighters because it is right on the creek, and had the creek caught fire , the entire town of Beulah would have been destroyed.  

My niece and her husband had just begun a new venture- A chicken farm, free range , named and loved ...plus home made baked goods, Jams, produce- small mom and pop business.  They gathered all but two of the 70 chickens, four dogs  and Dawn and went to Dawn's nephew's place,  in a safer area, camped in the field, bought a huge tent for the chickens, to wait out the fire. Two weeks of that, now returning to find what is left of their homes. 

In the shuffle,  Cinnabear, the giant red bear that calls Dawn's mountain " home" , got hungry for chicken dinner. Made his way to the neighbors coup and got angry that there was no dinner left for him. He charged the human, the Human shot him. Another bigger bear came out of the forest , sniffed the wounded Cinnabear, shook him, and left. Human went back to Cinnabear and shot him some more to be sure that he would not wander around half dead..  The fire - closing in. It took several men  and a front end loader to get  big beautiful Cinnabear into the back of the truck to be taken to wild life folks to do what ever they do with Bear who make poor choices. Sad. To kill a bear a human has to have a damned good reason- the wildlife folks reckoned it was justified.  No hefty fine today.

The entire Flag mountain is burned , scorched to the ground, there is nothing to hold the soil. Rain is in the forecast... Flood predicted. 

Welcome to climate change y'all. Keep your emergency packs updated and ready.

What would you grab on your way out?