afterwards...

The family departed yesterday, flying to Illinois and home (for them). We were fortunate to have them here for ten days - fun, food, merriment with friends along for the ride. Lindsay is now almost two - and is an articulate little one - all she wanted to do on Christmas morning was to go outside and tromp in the rain puddles. She could have cared less about presents, stockings or anything else. It certainly makes you think about what's really important...

The birds are out in full force this morning, the first day in almost two weeks of constant rain. I wish the kids were here to see it. We are so lucky to be able to live in such a beautiful spot. After thirty years of looking out the kitchen window, I never tire of the scenery.

Happy New Year everyone!

septic systems and such...

Oh Boy! Today we had our septic system cleaned out - what a yucky job for the "septic guy". I guess that's why he gets paid to do what he does...

This activity made me think of cleaning out the White House - it needed to be done!

I'm making a stuffed doll - not really in my comfort zone, but I'm learning a lot. My best friend, Sally, talked me into doing this with another friend of hers. Yikes...too many crafts on my table - literally!

I'm looking forward to our trip to Illinois. First we'll visit Matt and Julie (our son and daughter-in-law) in Chicago. And then, we'll take the train to Champaign (I know it rhymes) and spend about ten days with our daughter, son-in-law and baby granddaughter - yipppee! Ah...retirement is so much fun...

a larger than life man...

Today, Dave and I went to a memorial service for John Campbell. John was the current mayor of our town (Fortuna) and a member of the city council. He was the former CEO of Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO) in Scotia - one of the last remaining logging towns here in Humboldt County - and part of another era. John was a "larger-than-life" man in so many ways, and several of the eulogies today spoke to that very description of him. He was also the father of a close friend of our own son, Matt; coincidentally he is named Matt as well (thirty five years ago Matt must have been the name of choice, as we always joked that you had to be called Matt to belong to this particular group of friends), but I digress and that is a story to be told at another time...

The memorial was held at River Lodge in Fortuna, a community center of sorts, all redwood timber and glass, set alongside the Eel River - a fitting location to celebrate the life of a lumberman well known throughout our remote area and beyond. But John was oh, so much more than a lumberman. Born in Australia, he came to the United States as a young man, yet always rememained the quintessinal (is that a word?) Australian gentleman - impeccably dressed, polite and charming, with an accent that was ever present. Thirty years ago I was his sons' preschool teacher, and I have vivid memories of the boys (now men) flying around our gravel driveway on "big wheels" - handmade capes billowing out behind them. We talked about that today after the service, and how well they do remember those days. Where have thirty years gone? And how did this giant of a man lose his 14 month long battle with cancer, at only 67 years old?

Many stories were told by family members, close friends, and political icons of our community. Some were familar, but many were new to me. There was laughter, nodding of heads, and yes, even grown men's tears. And so, on sunny Fortuna morning, we listened as the bagpiper played and we said our goodbyes. Be kind to one another, friends, and receive each day as a gift.

7:45:00 PM
by Ilene Harris
Delete
1 – 1 of 1

The Relatives Left!

Oh my - a whole month of relatives...

Today the last one left - my Mother-in-law - a really dear person (at 91 years young). My husband drove her to the Oakland airport and they are flying together to Albuquerque tonight. I was supposed to go with them, but opted out and cancelled my plane reservations last week. The desperate need for solitude and quiet outweighed my guilty feelings about staying home.

Yesterday, our daughter and eighteen month old granddaughter left to return home to Champaign, Illinois. That was the sad part - saying goodbye after a wonderful two week visit. It was amazing seeing little Lindsay bond with her Great Great Grandma Ginny (Lindsay shortened this to GG). It was a very special time, indeed, for all of us.

I won't go into the nine day stay of the other relatives which took place earlier in the month. Suffice it to say that it won't happen again...

Today, I had breakfast with a group of quilting friends and then we all went to the Humboldt County Fair. I had so much fun - haven't been in years.

Tomorrow - I CRAFT!

Ilene

The relatives came...

We've been hosting family (Dave's) from Albuquerque the past week. If any of you enjoy children's books, as I do, see if you can find The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. It is one of my all-time favorites. Both children and adults find it hilarious (and very close to the truth, too).

So...it's been non-stop here for the past seven or eight days (I've lost count). We've experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. I need to get back to the sanity of my crafting - help!

My reward comes on Friday (when some of the relatives actually leave) and my Daughter and Granddaughter fly in from Illinois to join the remaining crew. I can't wait to see the smiling face of eighteen month old Lindsay...

...to be continued

Hugs,
Ilene

Ferndale Rummage Sale - OH MY!

On Fridays, I do a Baby Storytime at the Eureka Library - ages newborn to two (roughly). But I did have time to check out the Rummage Sale that the Ferndale Assumption Church puts on each July. The prices are always good, there's a wide variety of items, and it's well organized and of course, FUN! I convinced Dave to come with me, as he is learning how I manage to find such great bargains and entertain myself at the same time. So we crossed over the river with the idea we would come across a high chair for our soon-to-be-visiting granddaughter.

Anyway, I digress. After whizzing through the main room and through the hallway of clothes, I found myself going outside a back door to a melange (do you like that word???) of miscellaneous things on the ground. Mostly furniture - Dave found a lamp for $5 - I came across an old cardboard box. My curiosity over came me and I opened it. My heart started pounding as I saw the black case inside. I instantly knew what it was. I unlatched it, and yes indeedy, inside was an old Singer Featherweight sewing machine. I closed the latches, l lifted it out of the box and looked for a price tag. Nothing in sight. I carried it inside that door and asked the cashier there what the price was. She said, "Oh, that's one of those little mini machines. How about $20?" SOLD!!!

Now, what I didn't tell you, is that a woman I know from many, many garage sale sites was watching the whole time. She is part owner of an antique store in town, and I knew if I even set this gem down, she'd scoop it up. These treasures sell for $450-$650 - IF you can find them.
The color absolutely drained from her face when she heard the asking price. I would have thought she would congratulate me or something - but no - she did a little whirl around and walked off.

I'm in love with my new baby!

p.s. Dave had me go back for the box. It turns out that it is the original Singer Sewing Machine Company box that it was shipped in - to an address in Eureka. Oh, my - what can I do with this? I have to do something with it. Any ideas out there?

Saturday

songbirds in my garden

I've spent the past three days immersed in my garden. When we stopped at Sequim, Washington last week (the lavender capital of North America), I visited two lavender gardens. This was a life-changing experience for me (hence the blogspot name) - even though that sounds rather a little over the top. In one of the gardens, the owners had set out several finch feeders and many of these little creatures were clustered around them - eating the thistle seed. Now, mind you, I've lived here for 30 years and never thought to put out a feeder for them. So - I bought two mesh bags full of seed five days ago and hung them over the entrance to our small grape arbor. The first day - not one bird came. The second day there were two. And, THEN - an EXPLOSION (the word must have spread) - each day an exponential growth of birds! I walk outside to songs which lift my spirit and fill my soul. They've repaid me much more than the cost of seed (though, I need to find a bulk package somewhere!)...

A Very Sunny 5th to You and Yours!

Greetings from very sunny Fortuna, Ca. this morning. I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July, yesterday. So - good news with the "deer problem". The lavendar I planted around the birdbath is healthy and thriving. The snapdragons I planted on the deck are also blooming and colorful. However...the rest of the flowers and fruits (petunias, violas, tomatoes, strawberries) were gobbled up overnight - dang! Since our border collie, Rocky, died at the end of March, all kinds of wildlife have made themselves at home on our property. The neighbors chickens, ducks, wild turkeys as well as THE DEER have roamed freely. Now, I don't mind the birds/fowl as they eat pesty slugs and such. But oh, those deer. Today we are installing a motion light, and I plan to spray a homemade mixture of garlic and egg whites around my babies. If all else fails, the entire yard will be awash in lavendar blue and colorful snapdragons. Any other ideas out there, will be greatly appreciated. I know, I know - a ten foot fence would help keep those mammals out - but, hey - we want to look at nature, not fence it all in...

I did a little "saling" this morning and came home with a few choice items: two cosmetic suitcases for $1 and 50 cents respectively (I use them to store a variety of crafting items), and a cute cabbage patch doll for $1. I'm a happy camper.

Enjoy the sunshine today - and do a little crafting, too!

no deer, no deer!

Living on 8 acres for 30 years has been both bliss and torment. Now that I'm retired, I really want some garden space with veggies and flowers. However, the deer who frequent the yard sneak around and eat many things! Who knew that lavendar is one of the items they (supposedly dislike). So...today I planted four lavendar plants surrounding the birdbath. At dinner, looking out the window into the backyard, I caught sight of two dear deer, munching on grass and some of the apple leaves (they had to stand on tiptoe). I held my breath as they passed by the birdbath...

...to be continued