Day 2 part 2 Backpacking

We had a very full day so I broke down the second day into two parts. Part of our trip was going to Gold Beach Oregon. I went a couple years ago and it was so beautiful I wanted to share it with my daughter. Now mind you we had maps from Map Quest for the whole trip but I made Jess my navigator so I left it up to her. The way map quest had us go was through 299 which dipped way down into California then up the coast to Oregon but Jess studied the map and decided we could just go 140 West which was a straight shot. As we got on the road nothing but mountains were before us.

We had already had a hard trip down a mountain with a 9% grade which Jess was not at all impressed but we thought this was a fast and safe route so 140 West it was. We got stuck in Klamath Falls for an hour and after asking 5 gas stations for directions we finally got on our way. I can't begin to tell you how beautiful Oregon is and I plan on moving there as soon as I can. In the meantime we had a run in with some die hard golfers. I had no idea golfers could get so cut throat and I am married to one but these people where unbelievable. After they rode our ass I finally let them by and we had to snap a picture for the memories.

I mean I have never seen such serious golfers and they drove like James Bond. They brought their own golf cart for the love of God. These grey hairs were on a serious mission!!!

Okay so we get on I-5 for just a bit then we got off on a road that had no name on the map. It was a little grey line on the map but led right to Gold Beach. We found the road and it said Gold Beach was only 69 miles away. Meanwhile Jessie was reading me Twilight by Stephanie Meyers. It started so niche but then I began to notice the two lane highway was really one lane that was going straight up and the road was really curving and I was heading straight up. Jessie was happily reading away and I quickly realized this was going to get very ugly. We were heading straight up with no guard rails and sometimes the two lane highway that was really only one lane was shrinking. Parts of the road had started to sink down the mountain and I realized were now heading above the clouds. In the meantime there were speeding Suburbans towing 6 boats that barreled around the corners that I had begun to take at 10-15 miles an hour. There were no guard rails and the one time I looked over I got vertigo. It was one of those things that if I flew off the side of the mountain I would have 10 minutes to think about how I was going to die I was so high up. Well unfortunately we ran over an area that was on a curve that had had a mud slide. As gingerly as I traipsed over it Jessie's head popped up and that was the end of my reading. She was aghast and pissed to say the least. For the rest of the journey her eyes were glued to the road with colorful metaphors pouring forth unchecked from her mouth. I could even hear her finger nails digging into the dash board. I think the imprints will be on my car forever. In short a 69 mile ride took us over two hours and it was approaching dark. We finally made it and all we could think of to do was to get a hotel and find some alcohol. We checked into this great room that had a veranda facing the ocean and the marine layer (mist) was covering the town. It was breath taking.

The room was heaven. We could sit on the veranda and hear the surf pounding. I felt I was home and I felt such a sense of peace.

But dinner....We decided a place we could walk to would be wise. My fingers were still curled as if gripping the steering wheel. The hotel lady said the road was called Bear Camp Road and that a family had died on it last year....nice.

So we walk to Spinners and order appetizers that were to DIE for, especially the freshly caught crab that day (Jessie's favorite....We don't get fresh seafood in Utah). She ordered two watermelon martinis and I ordered what they call Flirtini's which consist of vodka, pineapple juice and champagne. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Then we limped our way back to the hotel and sat outside just listening to the surf. Despite the stress and sheer terror of the day I don't believe I felt that at peace and at ease since I was a child. Whenever I'm with Jess I just laugh. That girl who is so precious and beautiful to me can make me laugh like only my dear friend from Greece, Beth, could. I never wanted to leave. In fact the next morning I got up at 4 and just sat outside and listened to the surf and watch the sun try to pry through the mist that was much to think to penetrate. I was in heaven. So as can see we had a long and eventful and absolutely precious day that will forever be etched in my memory.

"Love is critical...and remember, when anyone gives love to another, happiness emerges from their mind, and they then are the biggest beneficiaries."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Day 2 part 1 of backpacking

Okay yesterday I told you we could not get a hold of my friend Joanie. We finally looked in the phone book and found her home number. I called it and she was so excited and invited us to breakfast. As we walked out of our room we saw nothing but hot air balloons all around us. The party animals were the ballooners.

They were everywhere and so close we could hear the "fire" coming in and out. Jessie and I both agreed that though we both have always wanted to go on a hot air balloon it would be a cold day in hell considering our unreasonable fear of heights.

So off we went to go to Joanie's. She's 79 and looks exactly the same. I wanted to cry. And when i got out of the car she just gave me a big hug and told me the same. Because I'm fighting a full blown mid life crisis this made me feel so good. We had home made waffles with homemade maple syrup and we gorged ourselves. We then walked around to see all her horses, chickens, dogs and cats...yes the same old Joanie.

Here is Joanie with her son in law. She had several barns, a strawberry garden with the chickens and the scenery was absolutely lovely. She calls it Shasta View because off in the distance was Shasta Mountain. As I mentioned she is 79 and is still riding. Obviously she is still my role model.

This is Bounce. I use to ride her her great great great grandmother whose name was Honey Bee.

She was just getting over a little illness but seems to be fine now.

This is Rosie. She is a rescue welsh pony and oh so sweet. What a doll. I could not get enough of her kisses.

On top of all this excitement two of Joanie's three daughters came. These girls were my idles. We looked at all the pictures of "little Lisa" on the beach in her Miss America Bathing suit. We talked about all the mischief I would get into and they told me they could never get mad at me because I was just too cute (too bad that doesn't work now).

The other most amazing find was "the door". When I spent my summers on Middle Rance there was a door that all the "little" people got to be measured and weighed and all data was recorded on that door. Even baby horses were walked into the house to have their measurements taken. The one thing they took from that house when they moved was the door and my name was still on it. It was very emotional for me. Again these memories are the best in my life. My summers on Middle Ranch were so rich and full and I truly believe that was the one and only time I was truly at peace and truly happy. I could write a book of my summers there.

We left after a few hours of a lot of catching up and I promised I'd be back every year. It felt so good to still be remembered and loved by this family that took me in so my single mom could have a break. I will forever be in their debt and will hold them all so close and dear to my heart.

Day 1 Backpacking across the pacific northwest

I know I have been out of touch for a while but I was on the most wonderful vacation and I'm just getting back into the swing of things. I drove up to Salt Lake City to spend the night with my daughter Jess. On the day we went to her Culinary Arts School to get all the financial aid worked out and we got a tour of the place. WOW!!!! What a place. We then had a dinner with my dad's brothers (he is one of 8) and we had a great time. The next morning we got up at the crack of dawn and hit the road. We drove by the Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats and then into Nevada. Nevada was mind numbing because there was nothing to see. Finally we arrive into Oregon where we drove down into North California to see a woman whom I love like a mother. When I was a child I would spend every summer on Catalina Island on a ranch in the interior called Middle Ranch. They raised Welsh Ponies plus the llama, pigs, goats, dogs, chickens and milk cows. Those were the greatest memories of my life. That's where I acquired my love of horses and all other four legged beasts. I haven't seen her since I was 15. Her name was Joanie and I always called her husband Daddy Doug. He passed a few years ago. She lives in Alturas California so that was our first pit stop. She left me her cell phone number and we left numerous messages but she doesn't really know about cell phones so I could not hook up with her so Jess and I got a hotel. We had a room that was right outside a wonderful veranda. So we decided to have a few margaritas and nachos. First of all they made their margaritas out of agave wine (?????) I asked if there was alcohol and she said yes so what the hell. However we wanted a second round but she informed us she already cashed out our check. I told her to make a new one. There was a lot of sighing but she came back with anew drink with the new bill and waited for the cash. WOW!!!! We walked back to the hotel and there were all these families with children hanging out at the table literally RIGHT outside our door. So we thought with kids and all they would shut it down early. NOPE!!! We waited a while then went out and there were even more people and now they are grilling right outside our door. I was tired and punchy so I got the giggles so it was hard to be discreet. We slept to the sound of these party animals all night. I will share with you the reason for all the hoopla tomorrow. In the meantime I have pictures to show you how close to our room they were. Alturas by the way is this little old western town that was wonderful.

This is the deck and if you will notice there is the grill

On top of the night just when Jess said it can't get any worse an old man walked out of his room in speedos and man boobs and that's when I almost fell over the deck. At that point I was done and Jessie had to put me to bed

Now you can see how close to our room the party animals were. Unbelievable. I don't think I've laughed that hard in years.

Day two will be posted tomorrow.

Rottweiler Rules

I'm feeling better now so I thought I'd share with you a fun game we all play around here.

I want you to meet Mr. Ball. This is a ball in all it's perfection. No other ball will do. If Mr. ball is missing I have a very depressed Rottweiler. Playing ball with Mr. Ball makes all who participate happy, happy participants. This is often all it takes to pull me out of one of my little funks.

Now we have other balls. Its not like we are too poor to buy new balls. I have dozens of perfectly new balls. However, these simply won't do. There is only one Mr. Ball and this ain't it.

Where ever the Rottweiler is so too is Mr. Ball and she watches everyone around her to make sure no one takes Mr. Ball because he is just so wonderful, of course, everyone will try to steal it. Even the kitties are not to be trusted. Most times we sleep with Mr. Ball tucked safely away in her mouth.

How does one play ball with Mr. Ball? Well, its very complicated.

Rule 1) The rules are developed by the Rottweiler and the rules can change at any time

Rule 2) When giving the ball over to a human to be thrown an elaborate, highly orchestrated dance occurs. The ball is tucked behind a pillow or snuggled under a blanket, nudged by the nose into a nook or a crannie.

Rule 3) If the human reaches for the ball before this elaborate and highly sophisticated dance is completed then the ball is snatched up, a ritualistic pace around the coffee table ensues and once again the tucking dance continues.

Rule 4) If the human messes with the Rottweiler or teases her with Mr. Ball and does not throw him in a timely manner a new human ball partner will be found promptly until the first human learns his lesson. Her Dad especially has to be taught over and over this very strict rule.

Rule 5) There is no bad time to play Mr. Ball. In fact, as the house shuts down and we go to bed is an especially prized time to play Mr. Ball. If no one "plays ball" there may be a lot of whining and sad eyes.

Rule 6) The wetter and muddier Mr. Ball is the better he is. In fact, when it rains the Rottweiler must be let out immediately so that she may roll Mr. Ball in the grossest, muddiest puddle one can find then she must be promptly let in to start the ritualistic ball playing event.

As you can see here emergency protective measures had to be taken as the kitty (Little Girl) walked by. Little Girl just looks at the Rottweiler with utter and complete disdain because she thinks Mr. Ball is stupid. In fact, both kitties agree that Mr. Ball and the game that is played is very alarming, upsetting and generally a real menace to society.

I just thought I should share this little Moore Fun Ritual with you because if I'm home I'm playing Mr. Ball. I have learned to do it while I'm reading, eating, watching TV, talking on the phone, on the computer. It doesn't matter. In fact, both Jessie and my mother have all accepted that if they are in my house they WILL be playing Mr. Ball. Annie (my mother) is really the prized ball playing partner. She gets it. I don't know why...she just does.

So Grasshopper, if any of you wonder..."Gee...I wonder what Dave and Lisa are doing?" Well now you know...we are most definitely playing Mr. Ball. That's just what we do.

"Every human being should realize that the future of humanity is dependent on their present actions and thinking"

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

My Harbor

Well I have been a bit busy and then got in one of my unpleasant moods so I avoided writing in my blog because I don't want to taint anyone who reads this with unhealthy thoughts. As I mentioned before I am reading a great book by Elizabeth Gilbert called Eat, Pray, Love. She has been a great comfort to me because I'm finding I am not the only neurotic 41 year old woman wallowing in a full blown midlife crisis. This is very comforting to me and she is hilarious. She and I are really soul sisters who think exactly alike. So I'm going to follow her lead and work very hard at not harboring unhealthy thoughts. As of late my unhealthy thoughts have been like a bulldozer running me over morning, noon and night. So I am going to share with you what she wrote in her words on this very topic and leave it at that for now.

Gilbert writes:
So I've started being vigilant about watching my thoughts all day, and monitoring them. I repeat this vow about 700 times a day: "I will not harbor unhealthy thoughts anymore." Every time a diminishing thought arises, I repeat the vow. I will not harbor unhealthy thoughts anymore. The first time I heard myself say this, my inner ear perked up at the word "harbor," which is a noun and a verb. A harbor, of course, is a place of refuge, a port of entry. I pictured the harbor of my mind- a little beat-up, perhaps, a little storm-worn, but well situated and with a nice depth. The harbor of my mind is an open bay, the only access to the island of my Self (which is a young and volcanic island, yes, but fertile and promising). This island has been through some wars, it is true, but it is now committed to peace, under a new leader (me) who has instituted new policies to protect the place. And now- let the word out across the seven seas- there are much, much stricter laws on the books about who may enter this harbor.
You may not come here anymore with your hard and abusive thoughts, with your plague ships of thoughts, with your slave ship of thoughts, with your warships of thoughts- all these will be turned away. Likewise, any thoughts that are filled with angry or starving exiles, with malcontents and pamphleteers, mutineers and violent assassins, desperate prostitutes, pimps and seditious stowaways- you may not come here anymore, either. Cannibalistic thoughts, for obvious reasons, will no longer be received. Even missionaries will be screened carefully, for sincerity. This is a peaceful harbor, the entryway to a fine and proud island that is only now beginning to cultivate tranquility. If you can abide by these new laws, my dear thoughts, then you are welcome in my mind- otherwise, I shall turn you all back toward the sea from whence you came.
This is my mission, and it will never end.

So....that's where I'm at. I thought instead of pouring all my rank, foul, grotesquely inappropriate and unhealthy thoughts to you I'd share with you my goals for a new outlook on life and Gilbert put it so eloquently I thought I'd just stick with what she said.

Thank you for your patience and tomorrow is a new day.

Love Lisa

"If you utilize compassion, it will bring you tranquility and strength".
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Some Thoughts

I apologize for not writing sooner. Things have gotten busy and interesting. Lets see....first David and I went riding on our horses on Sunday. It was so much fun. Elliot was a little gentleman except for his insistence upon eating THE WHOLE WORLD. We followed David and Prue. David had to constantly remind Prue that he is lead mare and not her. She had some problems with this but he stuck to his guns and we had a lovely ride on my parents property. However, I discovered I was going to be sore by Sunday night. At 3:00 in the morning on Monday I was pretty certain I had ripped some vital part of my body and was wondering if I'd ever be able to walk without looking like I had hemorrhoids ever again. (By the way I DO NOT have hemorrhoids).
I decided I was going to live on Tuesday so I helped my mother cut material for sewing. We actually had a good time. She finished sewing a border on a quilt I had worked on for my new cousin Adel. I want to bring it to her when I go to California so she helped me out while I cut material. We finally finished it on Wednesday so we put it on the rack to quilt in her bedroom. It takes up the whole bedroom which I sure my father just loves (NOT) but hopefully it won't take long.
Today I was going to meet my mom at the dentist because I had noticed this golf ball sized lump in her cheek that she insisted wasn't so bad. I cringed and made her make an appointment. As I was feeding my horses this morning I noticed my baby Penny had a swollen hock and of course the sign of anything questionable makes me run to the phone to call the vet (we call him Clyde or Doc Watkins around here. He is an amazing vet but a man of few words). He told me he'd be down in about 30 minutes which I know to mean about an hour. So I decided I would help my Dad thin out his willow trees and the branches with live growth I'd give to my horses. This is what we call environmental enrichment. As I threw the branches in the corral they all snorted nervously and stood very still and very wide eyed. Of course the baby is the brave one (which might explain her various injuries) and after a few stops and starts they were all dragging around these branches happily. Clyde finally arrived and said she just bruised her leg and to just hit it with some blue spray (????). I asked if he had any and he said no but that he'd set some out with Joanne, his wife.
By this time I only had a half hour to run and get the "blue spray", get a latte, and my book and meet my mother at the dentist. Joanne was very excited because, like me, she is getting ready for a trip to Michigan to be with her family but I had to run so I finally got what I needed, ran and got my latte (they start making it when they see my car pull up...I love The Peace Tree) and I barely made it home to get my book but I arrived on time.
I was juggling my mother, her walker, my keys, her checkbook, my book and my latte. Something had to go and I lost my latte. We sadly looked down but no matter my mother said...just get me inside and get another one...we argued for a few minutes and I finally relented (like anyone had any doubts). So I got her in and ran back to The Peace Tree. I could see in their faces that they now think I have a "latte" problem. I tried to explain but perhaps they're right. I'm waiting and reading in the waiting room and they call me in. My mother had two teeth pulled. I was in awe. For me to even get in the chair I need at least 9 prescriptions of happy medicine and she just sat down and had a few teeth pulled. WOW!!!!
She then came over and played with Mr. Ball and Alex and helped me do my bobbins on my sewing machine (me and this sewing machine go round and round and oftentimes my mother has to intervene).
After she went home to nap I turned on the TV and once again Law & Order came on. I had a choice between regular Law & Order or Law & Order: SVU. I decided I couldn't take it any more. I have seen every episode of Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: CI at least 10 times. I'm done. I can't pretend to care anymore. I admit I had a Law & Order addiction for years but I just can't do it anymore. But there was nothing else on so I'm giving Turner Classic Movies a try. Today was Eva Gardner day but I will admit in the first movie I began reading my really great book Eat, Pray, Love and during the second one I'm writing a new post to my blog so I'm not sure how long Turner Classic Movies is going to last. I'll keep you posted (Ha Ha).

As long as we are on this small planet together, we need human gentleness, human affection.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama


Love Lisa

By the way the "Blue Spray" is the bluest crap I've ever seen. Besides staining Penny's leg blue permenantly (I'm sure) it has stained my hands blue as well. And this is very blue. I believe the blue has become one with my cells and pretty soon I may resemble something out of X-Men but if it helps my little princess than its no big deal.

Little "Jessie" things

I wanted to write about some of the silly things in my life. First of all meet Guillermo. He's a lawn gnome. Yes...a very tacky lawn gnome. You see when Jessie was growing up we discovered she had a tacky side. She LOVED lawn gnomes. She told me when she had her own house she was going to have a front yard littered with these little guys. I just sighed and figured this weird obsession would pass. She would beg me to get some to put on my lawn. I told her ABSOLUTELY NOT. Well I broke down. Finally at the ripe old age of 22 her lawn gnome obsession is still with us. She was getting ready to move to Salt Lake and we were sad. We were shopping and she and I just stopped in front of this little guy. She looked at me with those puppy dog eyes and I said "What the hell...he's coming home with us".

She named him Guillermo. I have no idea why and one doesn't ask. You just go with it. That's what I love about Jessie. She has taught me to "Just go with it" so many times and to laugh. Does she make me laugh!! I love that she's tacky and spontaneous and all the things I'm not. Now Guillermo is much like Jessie. He concerns me some times....he sleeps all day. He just sits there with his little hands folded and sleeps. I know he's out and about at night. What he does...I don't want to know but many times David and I have gotten up and Guillermo is slumped over int the flowers or laying on the ground like he just couldn't quite make it to his little spot amongst the flowers. As I have said he reminds me of Jess...but that's a whole different book.

The other thing she left me with when she moved was "Little Girl" Like Jess she's a survivor. When she moved to Utah she was only a few days old and nursing with her litter mates on her Mama. He mom's name was Flashlight (again don't ask...just go with it). Jessie gave many of the kitties away but kept two...McStiff (named after a bar in Moab) and Spotlight..(??). It a long story on what happened to everybody but we'll just focus on Spotlight. Her nickname was little girl so that's what I call her. When she was super young she got caught in a door and broke her leg high up on the hip on a growth plate. The vet mended her believe it or not and you'd never know anything

happened to her. But Jess couldn't take her and she was so darn cute I told her she could live with us. Alexandra was so happy and it pulled her out of her funk after losing her brother and sister this spring. Like Guillermo and Jessie...shes a night owl. Her favorite thing is to some how get up on the roof and walk above our bedroom at night. She's not exactly petite so it sounds like a herd of elephants. The she cries and cries so I have to get a ladder and do all sorts of acrobatics to get her down in the middle of the night. Good times.

So Jessie left me two precious things to remind me of her where ever I go here.

I'm so excited I'm driving up on Sept. 12th to help her get enrolled in school. Then we get together with all my uncles and the next morning we leave bright and early to California. This will be a grand adventure I'm sure many a post will be dedicated to but for now I dedicate this one to my night owl daughter. I love you Jess and look forward to seeing you everyday.

The spiritual actions we undertake which are motivated not by narrow self-interest but out of our concern for others actually benefit ourselves.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Prue's pedicure

Today was a big day down at the Moore Ranch. First, we introduced Uncle Jimmy's Hanging Balls and I have to say they are a HUGE hit. I love it when Elliot is trying to get one and it swings back and smacks him in the face. He just takes off running and asks questions later.

Dave, by the way built this shelter for them which they avoided like it meant certain death all winter. The baby spent the winter at a trainers to get weaned and learn some much needed manners and she spent the winter in a barn so until she showed them it was not certain death it was rather pointless. Luckily they have embraced it (an even ate some of it) since.

Speaking of...this is our beautiful Penny Lane. My daughter is a huge Beatles fan so when she was born on Earth Day April 22, 2007 she named her Penny Lane. Notice the wood in the background. Wood is a chew toy...hence Uncle Jimmy's Hanging Balls. She is truly beautiful and such a joy. Her manners are coming along and she is going to make a fine trail horse one day. Until then her and David share a special bond that usually results in him repairing something.

This is my little prince. His name is Elliot's Paper Son named after my favorite band and its singer Joe Elliott from Def Leppard. He can do no wrong as far as I am concerned. I cannot tell you the love and joy this guy has given me. Now my horses were in rather dubious shape when they arrived and it took patience, lots of food and vitamins and lots of love and its paid off. He follows me where ever I go and he adores me and the feeling is mutual. However, these horses have become some of the biggest in the area. My husband loves to comment on that because I always call them my "wee ones". How can you not love that face. Whenever I get down or feel stressed I just go and sit down at my little ranch and this peace just washes over me. This has been my dream since I was 2 years old. David finally made it happen when I turned 40.

This is Prudence. When I struggled with sadness when I was in Virginia Jessie played me the Beatles song "Dear Prudence". It just seemed fitting that I should name her that. She is also Penny Lane's Mama and Elliot's full sister. She is Queen Bee and no one messes with her and shes also the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Where it took Elliot over 2 and a half hours to get his feet done she just took it like a lady that she is. Isn't she gorgeous? That's also Daddy's little girl (David).

This is Rick Winsor. You see our normal Farrier broke his leg and so we found Rick through our vet. He is the kindest, most patient man when it comes to horses and their greenhorn owners. How these men do this day in and day out I have no idea but its back breaking work and basically you are wrestling around with an animal that has the capacity to stomp you into the ground but luckily my horses love him.

You see that hat he is wearing? well many times Prue just didn't think he needed it, and she loved licking his head but he hung in there. What a pro.

This requires removing shoes and nails from four hooves, clipping then filing four hooves, making sure all hooves are even then shaping the shoes to fit each hoof then the nailing begins. It takes patience and skill. I am so grateful we found him...AND he is our neighbor!! Good to know.

This is Prue saying "Are we done yet?"

Nope...now I wanted a lesson for David. We learned so much useful groundwork today....the theory is its better to work out the kinks while you are on the ground rather than on top of a huge horse. I can definitely see the merit to that. So after an hour of ground work we then learned how to hook up her brand new hackamore and learned how to deal with the saddle a dear friend Preston Grover lent us.

As you can see David paid attention. Doesn't he look like a regular cowboy? He was so excited to finally figure out how to ride these horses. Its been so hard to get help or advice and even though we read books and watch horse clinics on TV its way different seeing how its done with your own horse. I really believe we are starting a new chapter of major riding in our future. I could cry because this is all I have wanted since I first rode my Shetland Pony, Nutkin, when I was two. This dream is everything to me.

So tomorrow David and I are going on our first ride together and we both can hardly wait. We have paid our dues and I'm sure there will be many a blog post with all of our new adventures...the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Dalai Lama says:

The true test of honoring Buddhas or God is the love your extend to your fellow humans.

Love Lisa

My Flowers

One of my hobbies I decided upon, finding myself unemployed or retired as I like to see it, was gardening. Maybe it was something I picked up from my father but I just love it. For Easter I told everyone I just wanted seeds, bulbs, buckets and gardening tools and that's exactly what I got. I lovingly planted the seeds and bulbs. But I should've drawn a map as to where I put things because then I just forgot and I believe I planted things on top of things...and well lesson learned. Moving on....here is the result of my labor.




This is a poppy....I LOVE POPPIES and they came out quite beautiful.

I planted a number of Stargazer Lillie's in honor of my daughter because they are her favorite.

They are so cool and I just cannot believe I pulled it off

That was already there so I can't take the credit but its still gorgeous

One of the flowers that just says summer and sunshine and all things wonderful are sunflowers. I got Mammoth Sunflower seeds and they weren't kidding. They are now way over the fence. I will let them mature then during the winter you just set the heads out and let the birds eat from them.

These are California poppies which have a special significance to me and then there are sweet peas. I wanted to plant sweet peas in honor of my Dad's cousin George and his wife Donna Jones. They lost one of their precious children at the age of 12 due to a heart condition. I can see it in Donna's eyes....you never get over something like that. Amy was her name and her favorite flower was the sweet pea. They are all different colors and they are so beautiful.











This is my butterfly garden. I just spread the seeds willy nilly and darn if those butterflies don't just swarm around that area.
















This is Little Girl (a story for another post) but she is a lioness in the jungle amongst poppies and columbine and painted daisies.









The amazing thing is is they are sprouted and grew. Yes I'm a biologist but my concentration was in animal biology especially animal behavior. However plant anatomy was a required course so thank you Dr. Bankes...I guess I really did pay attention in class. I have found so much joy in making my garden grow and to have all these beautiful flowers poke up their little faces at me. It just shows a little love, sunshine and water and a big dose of God's miracle work can create something so wonderful. I start every morning by watering the garden and end every evening watering my garden. Even my father is proud and our gardens have brought he and I so much closer together. I thank God every day I made the decision to move here to not only help but to get to know my dad. He and I have had our problems and I think I have finally made him proud. With him being so sick everyday is a gift that I spend with him and I am so fortunate that we are okay. I think I am the only one he trusts to mess around in his garden and that garden is something to behold. I will take pictures so that you may share in his little desert oasis.

The Dalai Lama says:

The aim of all Buddhists must be to empty themselves of greed and grasping desire, the root of all suffering.

Just a day in the life...

I am sorry I couldn't write yesterday. I had to take my mother to Cortez, CO. to get an MRI on her arm/shoulder. She is not healing the way she should and we all feel something is torn. I did fit in some horse shopping. I first got a loaner saddle from a family member who is an awesome cowboy. So I needed a blanket. This is all for my mare, Prudence, who is a bit moody. She has tried to throw us a few times but only when a bit is in her mouth so we bought her a hackamore which is a bit less bridle. Of course we needed the head piece and reins. I also got some toys to fight the boredom that usually results in Dave fixing something. The first thing I got was "Uncle Jimmy's Hanging Balls". These are fun treats that you hang up from the barn and they have to try to get them. I just love the name so I bought two. Then I got an apple treat that also hangs down and is difficult for them to get a hold of.
Mom picked up her sewing machine from the quilt shop that we LOVE and then off to the MRI. I did the driving and sipped my lattes which resulted in 5 stops to pee.
I received my new Body and Soul Magazine as well as my Horse Illustrated. In Horse Illustrated there is always a centerfold. I always whip it out and Eww and Ahh. David said "boy have times changed for me"...no comment.
Today I have to see my Chiropractor, gather up all the veggies I can to sell tomorrow at the SFM and I need to steam my parents clothes. I noticed my dad had set aside some pants and shirts on the kitchen bar. I took that as a hint. He's very subtle.
Last night as we settled down to watch Burn Notice we lost our power. So we took a drive and we notice the ENTIRE town of Blanding and all outlying areas were out as well. That always scares me because my Dad is on oxygen. I was fairly disgusted with the whole situation because no power, no swamp cooler or fan. Not good. Right as we resigned ourselves and prepared to go to bed (what else are we going to do) the lights came on. We sang Hallelujah and other celebration songs. But by then I was tired so I read a page and a half and fell asleep. My husband informed me I snored (cute baby snores.....whatever).
so that's it for now. I will be posting later today. I joined an online book club which is most exciting. That's all I've got folks.

The Dalai Lama says:
I feel the different religious traditions have a great responsibility to provide peace of mind and a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood among humanity.

I agree

Lisa

Alexandra the Greatest

I wanted to introduce you to a very important person in my life...Alexandra the Greatest. She was born on 9/11/2003. I wanted a special name for her. because she was born on a very significant day I chose Alexandra. She was named after, obviously, Alexandra the Great but also the name means "defender of man". Her parents lived across the street from me and their names were Reba and Cujo. I got pick of the litter. When I picked her up she fit in the palm of my hand and she cried the loudest. She was the one for me. She was one of 10 puppies. 10 days after she was born Hurricane Isabel hit. These were very trying times. In order to protect her puppies Reba gathered them all up and shielded them. In her efforts to save them she smothered 5. Already my little princess was a survivor.

She arrived at my house on Halloween night. there was a big upset. I already had three dogs. I had just lost my Abby (more on her later) the year before in August and my sweet, sweet Sabbath was on her way out. The other two were already working out who would take what position in the pack and in walks this bouncing bundle of joy. At the time I worked at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. I ran the animal research department so she came to work with me until she got to big and too bouncy.

Three weeks after her arrival we had to put my Sabbath down the day after Thanksgiving. Alex helped heal my loss. Now Alex has more names than anyone I know. Most of the time she goes by "Big Girl"...that started when she learned to do her big girl potty outside. We also call her Xandra, Goofy Gus, Shimmer Shine, and Princess Girl. She knows them all. When we moved across country to Planet Utah she rode in the van with me and Baby(more on her later) and then David drove the mustang with Bo and Catty (more on them later). We made it in 5 days hitting every motel 6 we could find. As we were driving through Tennessee a tornado hit. I have never been so terrified in my life. The siren was screaming and people were pulling off the highway and diving into ditches. I couldn't see anything except the tail lights of my husbands mustang. I blindly followed him (sobbing of course) and we pulled into a Motel 6. We all survived and I truly believe it was because I had one of God's little angels in my car.

I soon realized not long after we settled into Blanding that there was something wrong with my little angel. Her knees were bad and she was in pain. She was only 2 years old and the joy of my life. I was terrified to take her to the vet but off I went. He confirmed the worst. She had torn the cruciate ligaments in both her knees. We could do a surgical repair that would buy us time, we could put her down or we could do a very expensive surgery that would work if I played by all the rules. it required cutting the leg bone above her knee, rotating it to sit correctly and bolt it together with titanium. Now by the time I was faced with this horrible decision another person had fallen in love with her and Alex had fallen in love with this person. That's her Annie (my mother). Big Girl could not get enough of my mother. So my mother decided we'd do the surgery and she's help. it was a ridiculous amount that I don't dare mention but if you could know this dog you'd understand.

Rottweilers have a bad reputation because many people get them and then work to make them aggressive and mean. They already have that in them. They were originally used by the Romans on their campaigns to conquer the world. They first guarded the live cattle they brought with them to feed the troops and then were often used in battle (armour and all) to help defeat the enemies. Alex is a mama's girl. I walk on water and she would die to protect me. What I taught her was love. She was a very good student and is one of the kindest, most gentle souls I know. She is so gentle with my mother who is unstable on her feet and she loves her little kitties. I would trust her with my life. One of the people who helped teach her that was Jessie who calls her "mamasita". You mention that word and she just starts getting so excited. It can mean only one thing....her Jessie is coming for a visit. When I no longer could take her to work I paid Jess to babysit so they have this unbreakable bond. And Dad is the coolest. He plays the best games and knows all about Rottweiler Rules (for another post).

When we did her surgeries a specialist came in and all the doctors that got to know her said I had made the best decision because she was the sweetest, most patient dog they knew. We did one leg at a time and she had a long row of metal staples down her leg to hold everything in place. When it came time to remove them she would just lay down and we wouldn't even have to hold her. She is the bravest little soul I know and did I mention she is a survivor?

Well now she's unstoppable and so she is now also known as "the bionic puppy". She is my best friend. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love her. When I am down she comforts me. When I'm happy she celebrates with me. We spend all our days together including taking great naps together. You will hear lots and lots of stories about her but as I've mentioned before I am laying the groundwork down for all the characters in my life. She's one of the biggest and most important in my family. Yes...my husband, mother and Jess are everything to me but she's right up there with them. I feel like she has saved my life so many times. She speaks English so we have to spell things but now even that's not working...she can spell. As you can see from the pictures she has good self esteem and doesn't mind just letting it all hang out. Everyday is something to be celebrated. She walks around happy and joyful everyday. She truly is a gift from God and I am so blessed she is in my life.

Now...about yesterday...sorry I missed a post. I went to the doctor with my mother and I had some x-rays taken for a pain condition I am working through. My mother dislocated her shoulder 2 months ago falling and its not healing well so we are off to Cortez, CO to have an MRI done. I then had to go to a funeral for Eric Johnson. I believe the whole town showed up and it was heart wrenching. The I went to the chiropractor and finally I met my farrier down by my horses so Elliot could get a trim and new shoes. it took 2 and a half hours. He's not real crazy about all that but peppermints help (he's the other love of my life that I will talk about soon.)

I'll leave you with this:

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness, a good mind, a good heart, warm feelings- these are the most important things.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Have a super day

Love Lisa

My 15 minutes

I pick up the Salt Lake Tribune this morning and look what I find. I have mixed emotions about my new fame. This isn't really how I wanted to experience my 15 minutes. I figured if I made it into a big paper it would be because I accomplished world peace, discovered the cure for cancer or at the very least I could be a victim of a crime, be a witness to a massive explosion, survived a hurricane....you get my meaning.

My other problem is of the picture. You see...I had just set up for the SFM (we all know what I'm talking about here) and I REALLY needed a latte. The Peace Tree is like my Cheers except they don't yell "Norm!" when I walk in. Anyhoo...The manager, Kristin and I were talking with these "tourists" about this tragedy. I walk out and they are waiting and they are still asking questions. Then they ask if they could take my picture. At this point I become suspicious. That's when they inform me they are with the Salt Lake Tribune. The dude is taking a crap load of pictures. I know there was at least 20. And this is the picture they settle on???? I couldn't believe it. I of course mumbled my complaint and David said it was great because I look sad. I am sad but this picture makes me look constipated...am I right?

The other thing I want to point out is the TWO lattes I have in my arms. Remember whenever I had to bite my tongue at the SFM? Remember I just sip my lattes? Well I could tell this Saturday I was going to need two.

I told these lovely gentlemen that I had only lived here 21/2 years and that there were tons of other people that they could interview that would shed more light. Never in a million years did I expect my picture in the paper. I feel kind of bad but one doesn't choose his/her 15 minutes. So that's it people...I've peaked...terrific.

I can't help but to point out just one more small thing....remember how I post David's picture in the paper. His paper comes out once a week. My picture is bigger in a bigger paper...not that I'm competing or anything...I'm just saying.

So that is my post for today. I had other plans but theres always tomorrow. I'm going to start leaving you with very wise words from one of my most favorite people in the whole world, His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

If you shift your focus from yourself to others, and think more about others' well-being and welfare, it has an immediate liberating effect.

Love Lisa

Correction...sorry Justin

Okay ....my husband is a wonderful man but he gets on my blog and critiques it and he pointed out ...I don't know...8000 times that I miss spelled something. In the my rodeo post mention of Justin Keyes I mentioned he was a "cutie pootie"....that is NOT correct. I meant to say cutie PAtootie. Got that everyone. Justin...you are not a pootie...you are a PAtootie...you know a sugar britches. So please accept my apologies and just know I am now diligent in my proof reading and spell check. What can I say...I get in the zone and my brain works much faster than my fingers.

Thank you for your patience
Lisa

SFM

What is SFM you ask? Well I'll tell you...it stands for Stupid Farmers Market. My mother and I signed up for it three years ago and we are still kicking. Since my mother was having a hard time getting around and she loves to do all kinds of crafts I thought this was something we both could enjoy. That was three years ago. It is now where I go to see and be seen. Its where all gossip is caught up upon and gossip is spread about you no doubt. Its a place I go to every Saturday morning to unload heavy things then reload heavy things...oh did I mention it is so much fun?

The above picture is taken of Dale and Sherrie Shumway. They do rock carvings that look like the arches you find naturally in the huge cliffs and rocks that surround us. We have over 100 arches alone in San Juan County. In Moab, where Jess use to live, there is an entire State Park that stretches miles full of these natural wonders and people from all over the world come to see them. Its really worth seeing in ones life time. These two people are just two of many wonderful people I have come to know since I have moved here. There are so many good people that would drop everything at a moments notice to help with anything.

There are also other kinds of people (whom shall remain nameless to protect me)...did I mention this is a very, very small town? Not that my blog is any one's top priority but you never know....these people may have spies.

For instance, I take nature photographs (something I'll share in another post) and I decided to make them into cards for the tourists (we set up at the visitor's center). A nameless person, a God fearing woman, decided her cards were better and had no problems coming over to our table, dragging these poor souls away, while explaining how much better her printer was and how they had archaeological experience so that's why her cards were not only much better quality but more expensive. I was astounded. I have never seen free enterprise at this level. I just wanted to sell some @&%^ cards for a DOLLAR. wow!!!

This is my mother and I. We probably spend more than we sell. But the whole idea behind this Farmers Market is handcrafted items only plus produce. I was too lazy to pick my produce this week so instead I sipped my iced latte and relaxed

David often stops by because whether he wants to admit it or not he LOVES hearing the goings on in this town. There are two sources....the farmers market and the hair dressers (like in Steel Magnolias). Somehow this year my mother got elected as president which means she is a figure head while I run around and "get 'er done". Its added a whole new spin on this lovely Saturday morning tradition. David finds all of this extremely amusing and I get absolutely no sympathy.

What I love is when I am setting the damn thing up and I get "advise" from all the other participants like I'm a moron. I want to scream I WENT TO COLLEGE but for the sake of all concerned I bite my tongue and sip my latte. But seriously...the creativity of these people is unbelievable. This what we all work for. We spend out winters trying to come up with ideas no one has to out do each other come June. Yes....it runs from June through October. That is why I spent all summer swatting gnats to grow vegetables to sell at the farmers market.

Whenever I get fed up with the shenanigans of all these personalities I look over and see that face...my beautiful mothers face and I realize it is all worth it. And I can bitch and moan about some individuals but if I come (like for example when I had a tooth abscess) everyone, I mean everyone cares and offers ideas for home remedy's. Plus there is such satisfaction in selling something that you and you alone created with your own bare hands.

My blog has been laying the ground work for all my little stories. So in future when I mention SFM we all will know what I'm talking about. Its like the first few chapters of a book where you become acquainted with the characters and their stories. I wish I could get into more specifics...because I have got some specifics but at least you have some idea of what I do.

I appreciate you sharing my life with me. i miss my friends and family. I needed a way to stay connected to all of those I love that I left behind in Virginia and California. Life has become "moore fun" since I began this blog and I look forward to sharing many more events. I plan on doing a town tour and just the little quirky events that I seem to trip over on a daily basis.

Would love to hear what you y'all think.

Love Lisa