Love a good storm

I love a good storm.

  I love the reminder that I reside on a living planet 

that takes no notion of me personally - or any other living thing. 

It just plows through whatever is in the way and moves on.

And that is what happened last Friday.  It was a bugger of a storm!  Ten tornadoes were reported in the state.  Some of the damage in my neighborhood made we wonder if we had some tornado type wind motion.

So here is my deck normally!

Here is my deck just moments after the raging wind and rain
obscured the deck posts and trees from view.
Nuts!  I missed that shot.
(I was running around trying to find my darn camera.)
 Boy, it was exciting.
Wind was reported at 60 miles per hour.

Of course, I had to step outside and take pictures.
The side walk was like a mini river.

The run off was pretty impressive.  By the time I stepped from
under my front porch some of the street was showing.
But from my living room window,
the road was mostly covered by dirt filled water
racing down the street.
I missed that darn shot too.

Our neighbor's yard was totally covered by tree branches and leaves.

Emergency vehicles arrived before I even got out my door.
Two large trees covered the road.

The men worked very quickly and before you knew it,
they were back on the truck and on their way to another downed tree.
There were a bunch.

A day later I noticed trees that were stripped of their branches.

Or ripped out by the roots.

Trunk but no limbs.  Strange.

One of our neighbors had lost their chimney!

It will be weeks before it is all cleaned up in our neighborhood.  At least no one was hurt in that stormy weather.  And it was great fun to watch nature get all worked up and do her thing!

I sure do love a storm. 

But I have to be more camera ready next time!!

Getting Campy with Family

My son and his wife have a "weekend place" that they use for fun, friendship, relaxation, and a sanity refresher!

Hard to believe that I waited almost 3 years before taking advantage of a "sanity refresher," but that is exactly what happened.  Believe me when I say that my sanity has been sorely tested over the last 3 years.  It is a testament to my extremely hard head and stubbornness, that I am reasonably sane today (of course, it depends on who you talk to.)

This past Sunday we visited the Dennis Point Camp Grounds in St. Mary's County, Maryland.

Here is a photo journal of our visit ...

Arriving at the camp grounds the first thing we saw was this Pirate Ship.
The kids must love this. In fact, I plan to climb around in it
my next visit. :-)

The street names are themed: like Rockfish Lane and Oyster Lane.
My son and daughter-in-law are on Saltwater Lane..

Arriving at the Shanks camp ground site.

Meathead welcoming us to his "other" home.
What he is really thinking is,
"Gram, you are taking me home, right?"

Much of our day was spent just "hanging out" on the front porch deck.
(with a glass of wine in our hands)
It is really lovely wooded area with many beautiful views.

The area is well kept: pleasant and inviting.
My son says the new owners have made many improvements.

Bird house and water decorations in his front yard.
The birds were busy there all day.

Of course the most interesting thing is the way the camper
living space is organized.  Left: couch covered for the dogs .
Center: dining area.  Right: part of kitchen.
Couch and dining area convert to sleeping spaces.

Kitchen and entrance to the camper.

Another shot of the kitchen.  To the right is the fridge and the freezer.

Bedroom with a queen size bed - and me in the mirror taking
the picture.

I am a novice to campers. I have never been inside one before, so I was very curious and surprised about how well the space is used.  Matt and Mo's camper is 33 feet long.  Although looking from the outside the structure looks adequate, from the inside it is amazing how much space and storage is available.

Not shown: The shower, toilet and bathroom sink are located between the bedroom and kitchen areas.

We had a cook out! My son did the honors.
I have no idea where he learned to do that.
We never cooked out at home. My husband wasn't interested
and I didn't want to inside and outside cooking duties.

Time spent with family and friends is priceless.
Matt is opening a bottle of champagne.  Notice the way everyone is
standing back - those corks can be lethal.

Sadly, the day came to an end and we headed home.
But next time, we will stay for an overnight!
Refreshing sanity needs more than one day.

United States Marine Corp Flag.

Oh yes, we will be back.

"Writer" or "writer" ... that is the question

Recently my blogging friend at The Feathered Nest posted a piece on "writing prompts."  She described it as a rant.  Apparently there has been some discussion in blog land on this topic.  The point of contention is ... do "real" writers need prompts? Her rant generated a bunch of comments from her readers.

Her post on this subject initiated another topic for me ...

What makes a person a Writer (or a "real" writer)? 

In my opinion we are talking about 2 different things -  Writers and writers or someone who seeks writing as a profession vs someone who uses writing as a tool to do something else.

For me a Writer is one who ...

• professes to practice a craft
• uses prompts to spark new writing ideas
• declares they MUST write to be happy
• desires to be published or achieve some kind recognition for their efforts
• writes about writing
• reads about writing
• seeks to improve their writing skill
• puts the word 'Author' after their name or in the title of their blog

I am none of these things.

(Now if you substituted the word "Knitter" for "Writer" - that would fit me more.)

Blog land is filled with Writers or want-to-be Writers by my definition.  Usually I avoid these blogs because they are so focus on the writing process - character creation, plot structure, agent representation, their current writing project, or their next writing project.  Seriously, we do not share similar interests.

I am a Blogger ... I use writing as a tool to blog.  I guess you could argue that if I write (even for a blog) that I am a Writer.  But I would argue the following:

I cook

 but I am most certainly not a chef.

My blog is more like the artist who uses a sketch book as chronicle of expression

 and paints for their own enjoyment. 

 They have no desire to become an "Artist" like Van Gough or Picasso.

My blog is more like a game of golf with friends. 

I have no desire to be Tiger Woods.

So ...

Are you a Writer or a writer?  

Do you distinguish between those 2 words?  

Do you see any difference?

It's ok.
You can tell me if I am splitting hairs.

:-)

Retired Knitter, a Knitter

:-)

Move My Feet Campaign - Update

Photo by gelfayr.deviantart.com

Since reviewing my new Striiv Pedometer and starting the Move My Feet Campaign - I've confirmed a few things about my "walking-self" since I started this campaign.

I don't do mornings!

How I wish I was a morning walker!  My friend Happy One at the Life is Good Blog walks every morning right after she gets up.  It is cooler and quieter, the sun rises are beautiful, and distractions are minimal.  But my body isn't cooperative in the morning.  It needs time to oil up all its parts with coffee.  And my mind isn't firing on all cylinders until after caffeine and food!  Finding my way home might be hard if I skip the caffeine and food step.  Afternoons and early evenings are my "get moving time".

My body is schizoid about moving!

The conversation goes something like this:

Body:  This couch feels good.  There's knitting, reading, TV, lap top, and my grand-dog here.

Mind:  Your Striiv step number is low.  Get up and move. 

Body:  But, my eyes are a bit heavy, so just a short rest before  ....

Mind:  No!! It is 11:00 am after a full night's rest. Get walking.

Body:  But I this joint has been ....

Mind:  Up!! Up!!  You will feel better moving that joint.  

Do not embarrass me.

Body:  But, but ...

About 2 minutes into the walk ....

Body:  Hey, this feels good.

Mind:  Of course it does. Hey ... Watch the cars!

Body:  No, really, I could walk for an hour - no problem.

Mind:  I told you so.  Now stop for a moment and start a Striiv Competition.

Body: Heck, no. I don't want to stop.  I can do two things at once. No problem.

(legs keep walking)

Mind:  No, you can't.  Stop for just a moment.  

You are missing out on energy credits for your game!!

Body:  Really, I can multi-task. Just let me get the pedometer ... out ... of ... my ....

(hand gropes in pocket for the pedometer)

Mind: HOLY CRAP!  Look out!  Watch the curb!  Yikes!! Car on your left! 

Stop!  Stop!

Body:  No, No.  I can do this.  

Besides, that guy in the car has brakes.  He can use them!! 

(twitchy finger contemplates an ugly gesture at the driver)

Mind:  But, but ...

And so on!  The voices in my head keep me pretty occupied most of the day!  :-)

10,000 steps

My goal: 10,000 steps daily.  But I changed it to an average of 10,000 steps a day.  Many days I make the 10,000 mark with little effort - count in an hour of walking, 2 or 3 dog walks, plus my normal steps and shopping steps.  But the Striiv Competitions can easily push me up to around 13,000 steps on some days.  I love those competitions.

On other days I spend hours in the car or sitting at doctor appointments or mom visits - and getting to 9,000 steps is an effort.

So making the goal an average of 10,000 steps a day makes more sense.

Right now my average is running in the 8,800s.  But it creeps up every day.

I have more energy.

It has only been a few weeks but I can tell I have more energy.  It is amazing to me that you get more energy when you expend energy.  Yes, in the evenings I am tired, but that is good - I am sleeping better as well.

I love my Striiv.

My Land, the Striiv game on the pedometer, doesn't look as good as this yet, but it will. It all depends on me to make it so with movement.  But I'll get there because I love this little Striiv pedometer.

Conclusion

So all in all, I think I have made a successful start to walking regularly.  The real challenge seems to be:

• to keep focused, to not get thrown off by life's distractions, and
• to keep the voices in my head to a low roar!  :-)

Words of June (literally)

Oh!!

Hello.

I didn't see you there.

How nice you stopped by here.  But I am sure you are not looking for me.  Maybe my brother July, or my cousin, January.  I am just little old June - and hardly anyone ever looks for me.  January, June and July, we all begin with J, but the family similarity stops there.

July is so much flashier than me with his Fireworks and picnics and cook outs, and January gets his kicks by delivering big snow and ice storms, and loves to shut everything down. He gets a real chuckle out of that, I can tell you!  But some people really like that kind of weather.

You see, I got short changed in the "attraction" department.  My mom, November, has the biggest eating and family holiday of the year.   My Da, March, likes to keep everyone guessing with every kind of bazaar weather you can imagine.  And who can compete with my Grand-da, December, who has both Christmas and New Year's Eve!!

So if you are looking for any of them, you are in the wrong place.  Nothing much happens here with June.

Oh wait!

I know young couples in love like to pick June for a wedding.

June Brides, I believe.

That is pretty special with romantic feelings and sweet declarations.

I forgot about that.

Silly me,

I also forgot that I am the first month of summer 

- not too hot or rainy or cold or windy - 

just right, I guess.

I tell January all the time that he just isn't as well loved as the warmer months.
He doesn't seem to care!
Go figure!

HA!!

There is also Flag Day on June 14th, and Father's Day on the third Sunday.

  Wait until I tell Da that I have Father's Day, 

and he doesn't!!!

:-)

(Slaps hand to forehead!!)

How could I miss that June holds "National Knit In Public Day."

This year it is June 9th.

 You know those knitters! 

I would be in a mess of trouble if I forgot them.

Holy Moly!  

I almost forgot the biggest June event of all. 

Retired Knitter would never forgive me!  

Her beautiful daughter was born in June!

June 23rd.

Retired Knitter tells me all the time that

 she has the prettiest and smartest daughter in all the world.

OK, 

Welcome!

I know now you came here looking for June!

And you found me!

I am pretty special, you know. 

What can I do for you!!

Note:  This post is offered as a submission for the Words of June contest initiated by The Feathered Nest.
Please be sure to stop by and visit with my blog friend there.  

The Haunted Coffee Pot

We are coffee drinkers.

We drink a lot of it.

Over 40+ years we have had many different coffee makers: expensive, inexpensive, simple, complex, single function, multi-function, white, black, big, small ... eventually they all fail ... usually in about a year or two.

We now buy the cheapest and simplest drip coffee maker we can find.  They all last about the same and the coffee quality is more impacted by the beans and the grind than the brewer.

This week it was time once again to buy a new coffee maker, because our old one failed.  But the "fail" was extraordinary and totally unexplainable.

The old coffee maker was creating too much coffee.  

Yes,  too much coffee.

I would fill the water well to the 12 cup mark, and the brewer would make as much as 14 cups, spilling coffee over the top of the carafe, all over the counter and onto the floor.  Now this didn't happen every time, but often enough for you to forget to watch the pot to avert the disaster.

I know what you are thinking ... it must be holding water from previous brewings somewhere in the mechanism and at some unpredictable point it would use up all that extra water.  But no!

Our 12 cup carafe never showed up short of coffee at any previous point.   Setting aside the fact that the coffee maker was small and had no physical space big enough to hold 2 extra large size mugs of water - there is no way to make 14 cups of coffee from 12 cups of water.

The pot had to go.

My husband says the pot was haunted.

I say the pot is history!!!

Its replacement is working logically.

So what do you think!

Was the coffee pot haunted

 or just an over-achiever?

And the winner is ....

Number 36!!!

Take a peek at this!

Back in April I entered a blog contest on the blog 2 Bags Full. I have been a follower Vicki's blog for some time, and I am huge fan of her creative work.

Beautiful detailing.

If you haven't clicked on the 2 Bags Full link in the previous sentence,

Go back!
Click the link! 

Do it now!  

Because if you don't, you won't understand just how incredible my being #36 was.

Seriously

I'll wait!!

Ok, now for the rest of the story.  Vicki is an amazing fiber artist and all you needed to do to enter her contest was leave a comment on her April 15th post.  I thought ... what the heck, I never win anything, but it was an opportunity to tell her how much I love her work.

 I was comment #36.

Eggs in a beautiful green feathery bed.

Retired Knitter said...

36

I have no hopes of winning this beautiful nest, because I never win anything !! My mom is the "lucky" person in our family who seems to win stuff no matter how many there are in the contest. LOL

BUT, I want you to know that I so so so admire your talent and your eye for color. It is a gift. I am just happy to see these on your web site. That and your wonderful travel pictures.

MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012 

Now here is the unbelievable part.  Several days ago I opened up my email ... and this message was waiting for me from Vicki at 2 Bags Full.  (one more chance to click that link for those who are seriously stubborn! ... not that any of my dear followers are stubborn.)



Well girlfriend --- guess what? You are the winner of the nest!!! Miss Maddy girl drew your number right out of the basket and when I went to see who was the owner of # 36 -- I laughed out loud when I read your comment. So- you cant say you aren't a winner anymore -- because you WON this one! 

Will you please send me a private email with your mailing address? My email is on the sidebar of my blog. Thank you for being such a wonderful supporter of both me and my blog. I love you~

Vicki 

As fast as my fingers would type - I sent her my address!

The package came Thursday, beautifully wrapped in tissue imprinted with nests and a lovely note!

And here my beautiful nest sits on my kitchen table where she will live.

And here she sits on my deck where the light is better.

I am still in total awe that I won this beautiful fiber nest. 

Even the bottom is beautiful - knitted it appears.

Thank you so much Vicki and Miss Maddy

 (that enormously talented ticket-picking little lady)

 who selected my new FAVORITE NUMBER

 #36!!

PS - I named this nest Isabella!  Doesn't she look just like an Isabella ... all soft and colorful and textured and fancy.  Yes, Isabella is the perfect name!