Water, Water, Water Go Away

I know this is somewhat strange to say when we are having a drought here in California.

But, it looks like the earth is leaking.  This has been increasing for months and now it is time to take care of.  It's a leaking water line that goes from the house to the water meter.  Unfortunately, there was a mistake that was made by a Sprinkler System Installer that cut the line several years ago and repaired it but did not reveal the incident to me.  All was well for a few years before the "earth started leaking ".

When I had it checked out, we learned at that time that the line had already been repaired and then it had to be repaired again.  This is a photo of what it looked like when the last repair was done a few years ago.

Replacing the line was discussed. But, since it would be at my expense because it is on my property and not beyond the water meter I decided to try another repair.

But, now I thought the time may have come that would require a more permanent solution.

OK, now.  It has become very difficult to hire a plumber lately because there has been a lot of new home construction taking place in these Sierra Nevada Foothills. Finally, I found a Drain and Sewer Repair Service.  

Well, two men came out and took a look at the surface water.  I provided this photo for them and when they started digging they were able to determine that the leak was coming from above the other repair location. After they left to buy parts they returned and were able to do the repair.

I am certainly happy that this matter is taken care of, but I was very unhappy with their attitude and behavior.  Showing no regards for my garden plants when digging or throwing the rocks from the border! 

It seems like it is getting a lot more difficult to get service companies that show any real concern for issues at hand.  Now, I have to put the garden "back in order"!

I will receive the invoice in the mail.  And - - - I am so blessed I have the money to pay for it!  That hasn't always been the case.

Hope All is Well for You.

Mary

What's This All About

Well, it looks like it is the cupboard above the refrigerator and it hasn't been opened for years - yes years.  What's inside?  Well, I have been trying to clean out the house a little at a time while my physical abilities prevent me from doing a lot of activity like of the past.  And, this is my Dinnerware China service for eight and all the serving pieces that was bought 63 years ago when I got married.

YES, TODAY WOULD BE MY 63rd WEDDING ANNIVERSITY - - - - - if my husband had not been caught up in illegal drugs when he started new employment on night shift and I was working days.  These were the 60's when drugs, sex and rock 'n roll were the culture of the time.  We were going through a rough time regarding his employment. Therefor he was more vulnerable at the time.

Up until that time I couldn't have been happier with my life with a great husband and two very lovable children.  That was for about nine years.  It's rather a sad story and some thing I could never imagined in all my life.  I didn't even know anybody that was divorced! No more specifics other than the damage to all of us has been heartbreaking with a lot of trauma and heartache, especially for the children.  He died at age 47.

My life has been extremely challenging but I have had a full life filled with many wonderful experiences and I am content and  grateful for the life I have had. It's just terribly different than I would have expected.

I have my own home, enough money and I am still able to live at home even with my orthopedic situation. I am blessed.

As you can see, I enjoyed dishes and entertaining starting way back then! But, it is time to get help getting the dishes down and send them on their way for someone else to enjoy.  

I hope you are doing well and enjoying this time of year.

Mary

Statue Of Liberty

 

This lovely lady is on my 4th of July post a few days ago.  Lady Liberty is beautifully crated in fine bisque porcelain accented with pure 24 carat gold. She was fashioned in 1986 by Franklin Mint in celebration of 100th anniversary.  "The Statue of America, which has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States from its commanding setting overlooking New York Harbor. A giant symbol of the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the Lady with the Torch, as she is often called, has beckoned to people all over the world ever since the day 1886 when she raised her lamp beside the Golden Door.

And, what is the Golden Door?  Reportedly, it is the nickname for Jersey City, Ellis Island, the "golden door" through which many immigrants to the USA have passed.

And, where did She come from? The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States. The copper statue was a gift from the French people commemorating the alliance of France and  the United States during the American Revolution and was  dedicated on October 28, 1886.

The statue is a figure of a robed Roman liberty goddess. She holds a torch above her head with her right hand and in her left hand carries a tablet inscribed  JULY IV MDCCLXXVI   (July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals), the date of U.S Declaration of Independence. A broken shackle and chain lie at her feet as she walks forward, commemorating the Recent National Abolition Of Slavery.

After its dedication, the statue became an icon of freedom and of the United States, seen as a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea .

The other commemorative item on my posting is a Statue of Liberty Plate produced by Pickard China in 1986. The master designer, John Lawson captures both the physical majesty and the aesthetic subtlety of this most imposing of statues.

These collector's items are quite special to me.  And, it is a little challenging to realize that I have had these for so many years, which means I have lived a lot of years!

I hope you enjoyed this little narrative.  I found the description of the chains quite fascinating and I did not remember that part.

I have always wanted to go to New York and Washington D. C. But probably will not ever get there.  However, I did get close when I had an opportunity through my employer to go for a few days for a conference. My home responsibilities interfered.  But, I have been blessed to have traveled to Germany for three weeks and England for many weeks.  I have found European travel (or most any place) very interesting and educational.

Are your bags packed?  Let's go somewhere!

Mary

White Dawn Climbing Rose

A couple years ago I bought and installed this trellis for support for my climbing rose - White New Dawn.

(advertisement photo)

A few months ago when it snowed it looked like this covered in it's winter coat.

And, look at it now.  Can you see all the blooming white roses behind the Blue Bottle Tree?  On the right of the rose the fence is covered with blooming Jasmine that covers about 20 feet at the property line and it is in full bloom right now.  It looks lovely and smells nice also!

The Daylilies are starting to bloom and here are a few that have just started to bloom.

I love being out in the garden so very much.  Even though I am always in some level of pain I have been able to do a little work in the garden.  I have been enjoying the hand watering that has to be done.  I am surprised how much I have been able to do! I am not able to do any raking and lifting the refuse into the trash barrels.  But, a little at a time and I have begun to see the results of my efforts. I always have to wear my back brace and my knee braces.  And, of course I always have to use Tylenol on a regular basis.  I have plastic chairs throughout the garden so I can sit down often when my body says stop for a few minutes.  I guess it is true that "When there is a will - there is a way".  It's a day at a time and sometimes it is a minute at a time!

Happy Day.  

Mary

Happy 4th of July

Nice enough to repeat from a few years ago.

Wishing all of you a nice Celebratory Holiday

Mary

DOG days of summer - But, I have a CAT.

Today I set up the CATIO for Ivy.  She has been very restless. Sitting on the windowsill in front of an open window just isn't soothing her desire to be outside in the fresh air !  So, I got busy and cleaned the CATIO up from sitting outside through the winter. Lots of dirty leaves and cobwebs.   It is so much more difficult for me to do this type of activity than in the past.  But, I knew she would appreciate my efforts .

I don't think Ivy ever smiles.  But, I can tell when she is happy!

She says she is ready to get in and lie down. 

Now, she will be able to enjoy the outdoors when ever she desires.

I always enjoy the fun pictures of kitty-cats!

Ivy is such a comfort for me.  Even with her "special needs" issues she is worth all my efforts to give her a loving home.  And, the love she gives me is priceless!

Do you have a cat, dog or other pets ?  Their unconditional love is so special!  They are always there for you.  I have enjoyed having dogs in the past, also .  Yes, they are very different from one another.  But, a cat takes less care.  And, that works better for me at this time.

We are suppose to have elevated heat today.  It will be the hottest day so far this year.  Maybe it is the start of DOG days of Summer.  What does that mean?

"For many, the 'dog days', evoke those summer days  that are so devastatingly hot that even dogs would lie around on the asphalt, panting.  But originally, the phase had nothing to do with dogs, or even with the lazy days of summer."

"Instead, the 'dog days' refer to Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major which means 'big dog' in Latin and is said to represent one of Orion's hunting dogs."

"To the Greeks and Romans, the 'dog days' occurred around the time Sirius appears to rise alongside the sun, in late July in the Northern Hemisphere.  They believed the heat from the two stars combined is what made these days the hottest of the year,  a period that could bring fever or even catastrophe."

So. Now you know!

Mary

Tablescape Created In Bygone Days

The weather is warming in this area and the waterways are drawing people who want to fish, swim and do water related activities.  Since I enjoyed creating tablescapes in the past I am showing a favorite one of mine from bygone days.  This is similar to the one I posted in 2014 when tablescaping was very popular. 

Interests change and when "shopping shut down" a lot of different activities like shopping also changed.

A Fish Out Of Water

How nice of Ms. Fish and her babies to come out to play with me.  Doesn't this Mama Fish look a bit sassy and a bit glamorous? 

Look at these precious little salt and pepper fishes .

Tablescaping stirs many thoughts for me.  The creativity that one can put into this activity is endless.  The presentation can be "High End" put together with luxury items that may be readily available from ones own china cabinets and cupboards or in some case - "hiding places" . Thrift shopping can be a part of it or not . 

For me the little journey of creating a one of a kind little showpiece was grounded in putting together a tablescape that was pretty to look at and one that draws your eye to all the little hidden nuance of the presentation.  

The focal point of this table quickly became the Blue and  White Fish (Art by Diane) that I saw on Ebay for $4.99 (with low shipping) . What a find!  And, then one thing led to another and I was "on the hunt".

I do not live close to any of the stores that are common place for home items that you find in the cities, so my shopping options are limited.  However, I do have several thrift stores and a Dollar Store nearby.  Actually, the thrift stores are turning out to be a thrill of the hunt.  They are quite good . A half hour drive will take me to TJ Max, Ross, JoAnn Craft Store and another Dollar Store.  Many great items can be found on Ebay but I really resist paying high shipping charges!  That's just me Least I forget, there are many treasures to be found in my little (over stuffed, did I really say that) house.

This is so much fun for me.  I have always loved dishes .  As a little girl, I can remember having an old cardboard box that housed my dishes that were old and chipped and maybe cracked.  My box of dishes was kept in a special spot in the back yard where nobody could disturb it.  I would set a table and play house. I was always excited when I could add a new piece (chips and all) to my collection.

The fish shaped Studio Nova clear glass bowls are what I am using for our soup,  perhaps Gin Tomato Soup with  Pepperidge Farm gold fish on top as garnish.

Salad and Dinner plates are Ralph Lauren, pattern Mandarin Blue recently purchased from TJ Max. I love the simplicity of the dinner plate and the excitement of the salad plate.

Maybe, the menu will include a Ranch Wedge Salad and Asian Marinated Shrimp.

These Napkin Rings from Ebay are quite interesting to me .  I have never seen any like them, specifically the size which is larger than I have seen in the past. They measure 2-5/8 wide, 1-3/4 high and 1 inch deep .  

Look at the lovely inside design.

They are made in Czechoslovakia with the familiar Blue Onion design. Pretty!

Oh Dear - is she throwing you a kiss?

Since I first noticed Tablescaping on the Blogs, I have been amazed at the popularity of this creative endeavor. It seems to me that there are an endless number a newly created beautiful table settings. Just think about all the vintage,  lovely, beautiful and spectacular dishes that are being purchased by all these people across the world.  Amazing!

Some find this a great avenue for retail therapy and that is fine . The creative process is what I find the most enjoyable along with "being on the hunt" for a bargain.  And, you know I love a bargain !

I hope you enjoyed my little walk through memory lane .   As the years roll along I find that my life does not present as many snippets of my life to share. I certainly miss a lot of the activities that I have enjoyed so much throughout the years . And, I am so grateful I have had all these years to enjoy those things. It is only this past year that I have felt that I have entered the Aging Season of my life. And, that is from a physical (orthopedic) standpoint.  I think that is quite remarkable at 82 .  I am so blessed .

During the last day I have noticed a huge number of tablescapes on the blogs and that makes me so happy.  And, they are so beautiful! 

Hope you are enjoying some summer activities.

Mary

Neighborhood Wildife Visiting

It is amazing what our outside cameras capture in their frame while we are asleep!

For some reason (possibly climate change - drought and fires etc.) there have been a lot more wildlife visitors a night.  DON'T WORRY.  Not at my home. But, about 5 miles up and beyond the nearby highway.  

Five Lions On A Driveway

There have been many many photos on Nextdoor.com of neighborhoods that I know well and that are not very far away.  The above photo was taken only a few miles from my home . There have been so many photos taken by residents that are absolutely amazing to me.  And, lots of videos.  I wish I could show you some of them. 

The videos of the bears getting into mischief are some of my favorites .  They are so masterful at their craft of finding something that is eatable .  Opening a car door handle is a natural for them . Rocking the car back and forth is so laughable .  Breaking into windows and tearing off wood siding is something that takes a little longer!  They are very tenacious especially when they are hungry!  And, it seems as though all the wildlife are very hungry and thirsty this year.  The videos of Mama Bear and her babies scampering around are such a favorite of mine.

Some of the animals that are commonly seen are Mountain Lions, Black Bears , Coyotes, Gray Foxes - - - and  (Racoons - - They like chickens)!   And, all of them can be very dangerous .

Please don't misunderstand my enjoyment of the wildlife antics .  I will always be respectful of their existence and their place in the world . And, I am very sensitive of the damage of personal property, their surrounding environment and personal life!

Now, lets enjoy a video of a Mama Lion teaching her offspring about navigating the wilderness.   Don't I Wish - We could do that!   

Hug your Huggable Animals .

Mary