Leaves

I got my Bonsai trees bedded down for the winter and took out the "attack" rose bush. I'll look for a nice clematis to plant there in the spring.
The colors of the leaves are so great this year. I've been meaning to take my camera out every time I go and today I did. Be dazzled by the glory of fall.

A line of stately orange Maples.






A georgeous salmon maple.










A lovely deep red Maple. Such colors!

Thursday

The week has been full. Jessica, Jerry's daughter, is visiting from New York. While here she has renewed her driver's license, eaten with her sibblings and their families and gone through all of her "stuff" that was being held for her in storage since she was 20. Surprisingly, she found that she really didn't need to keep over half of it. We will store the rest (mostly music) for another while in our storage unit and in the crawl space.
Today I gave my Rainforest presentation to the second graders at St. Al's. It was great to see the teachers again. They have done some remodeling. What was once the stairwell going out to Mission Avenue has now been transformed into the main office/reception area. I only suggested that 12 years ago. The cogs of change move slowly. Do I miss work? Not on your life. I'm having too much fun playing.

Bonsai

Remember my Bonsai tree? I was forced by my condo association to "unplant it" and (for all they cared) dump it. So I decided to join a Bonsai Club with the thought of turning it into a Bonsai tree. The pictures I've seen of the end results are great. I did in fact dig it back up and it has been summering on the patio. Yesterday I took it to the Bonsai club meeting and they allowed that it was tall and spindly and needed to be pruned back (read lopped off). They assured me that the little bumps on the stem would bud out and become branches. What the heck. If it doesn't work I can always purchase another tree or quit the club.





Also in class we were asked to be the foster parent for a Ficus. This plant will be used as a demonstration plant at the Bonsai Convention to be held in Spokane in 2008.



While on Maui I purchased a Dwarf Schefflera.
Just a baby really, but she has a nice shape and could turn out to be quite fun. These two are tropicals and will need to stay in the house over the winter. The Ginkgo will have to stay outside all winter.

Gas Prices

This was the headline in the paper Wednesday:

"Friday, October 13, 2006
Spokane gas prices highest in lower 48
Only Honolulu gas prices higher!

"Fast fact:
Gas costs less in Des Moines. Spokane's price is almost 40 cents higher than the national average and far higher than gas costs in the cheapest city – Des Moines, Iowa, at $1.96 a gallon.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Spokane clocked in at $2.65. Only Honolulu's gas prices were higher, at $2.87."

That is no news to us. We have lived with $3.00 plus for so long that we are welcoming $2.65. While on Maui, I didn't flinch at the price at the pump. It was just like home. Well, they say that the prices are going to go back up after the election. What the *&%$ does the election have to do with gas prices? Do the incumbents force lower gas prices just to tell everyone how great they are and then let them pop back up after the votes are counted? Who makes these rules?

Have to go bake for a Tea Party tomorrow. I don't know the people so am not too hyped up. Guess I wouldn't make a good cafe owner (cause I want to know the people I'm serving).

New Baby born today

Traivon now has a son. The child will be called Traivon Michael Donta Asterino. He weighed in at 7 pounds 15 ounces and is 19" long. I'll check him out this evening. That makes two for Trai - a boy and a girl. He should stop. And 15 or 16 grand children for me (depending on who I'm counting as a grandchild) and one great grand child (which can stay at that number for a long while).

Peacock

While on Maui we spied a Peacock strolling across a yard (at the botanical garden), so I stopped to snap his picture. He came right up to the car for me to get this close up.
What a grand bird. Noisy but beautiful. Robin's neighbors have phesants. I think she should have peacocks. They make great watch fowl. See how he is watching me?

Food

When I lived on Oahu I was introduced to some lovely Chinese food stuffs. One of my favorite was steamed rice cakes or rice layered pudding/gelatin dessert. So, upon my return to Hawaii - Maui - I figured I'd just pop into a local store and pick some up. Well ... the stores have all sorts of Japanese sushi but no Chinese rice cakes. I even went to the Chinese restaurant and asked if they had it. I was told that I was the first person to have asked for it. Oh, I could go to Oahu and get some but none were to be found on Maui. Heck! I went to New York City and found it. Anyone have a receipt for it? Maybe I'll ask Jessica to bring some when she comes for a visit from NY next week. How about it Jessica?

Rummage sale

The church's biannual rummage sale was today. We hold it in the gym of the church. Yesterday was "set up" - read drag the stuff out of the closets and dump it out on tables , arranging, if at all possible, in some semblance of order. Today was stand on your feet for 6 hours (I can only do 3 to 4) and watch as the local population reek havoc of your semi neat piles of folded cloths.
I like to participate because on Friday I get first dibbs on stuff. There was a delightful little dolly bassinet which is in need of some tightening up and a new lining. Should be a fun project. Hope to have it finished for the Bazaar.

Had a wonderful time with the grandkids. From left to right, Shelby, Zack, me and Adam.

Isn't that a lovely quilt behind us?

This is Charlie the resident bird, trying to untie Jerry's shoe. Very tame bird but would have nothing to do with me. So I went out and found some that did.

This is a bird from a "bird show" in a park. They didn't perform for us but this one walked right up my arm and sat on my sholder for a while.

And then there was this 50 year old Cockatoo. He was a sweetheart. Wolf whistles. Kissy noises. Gentle massaging of my arm while I held him. If I could have I would have taken him home with me. All in all this was a great trip. The leg home was grueling but we live and learn. no more red eye specials.

We're back

Very long trip home. Luggage arrived with us. Cats are glad to have us back. Off to yoga now. Will post some pictures and more stories later.

Maui here we come

All packed. Hope I haven't forgotten anything. On the plane at 0'dark hundred. Eating saimin tomorrow night for dinner. Aloha

Maui Tomorrow

I survived Wild Women's Weekend. Actually it was very relaxing and rejuvinating. I was with women who just wanted to have fun and learn about themselves. The Drum ceremony was awsome. As we gathered several flights of Canada geese flew over. The forest inhabitants feel the energy of the drum (or so I'm told). I tie dyed a shirt, went canoeing on the lake, played cards, and danced my little feet off.

Wild Women's Weekend

It's off to Wild Women's Weekend today. I'm not as enthused as I have been in years past. Guess I'm geared up for the trip to Maui next week and haven't given WWW much thought. I have packed the table cloth and candle sticks (we can't be wild all the time) so I guess I'm ready. It should be rather cool up there in the woods so I don't think I'll go skinny dipping in the lake at 6 a.m.
Looking at the pictures of my nails I am noticing how old my fingers look. Well they are nearly 65. Old happens.

Beautiful Nails

There is a girl from the Ukrain who paints nails - dah. I mean she really paints little designs on them with a little paint brush - not nail polish. She did both my hands with little flowers. on my ring finger is a little yellow butterfly. I'm all set for Wild Women's Weekend.

Bummer

Had to cancel the Red Hat club meeting for tomorrow for lack of interest. Actually, every one who responded had a very valid reason for not being able to attend. I hate not to have a monthly meeting but what can you do?
On the other hand, here are a couple of pictures from my garden. The rose really is quite cute, small, gentle. See how tall my sunflowers are? They look great from the street.

Sewing class

I opened the sewing room at the church. I invited women from the Women's Hearth and another center that caters to low income people. Last week (before the invite) I had no one come - duh. This week there were four ladies. What fun. They loved going through the fabric closet, picking a project and thinking ahead to what they can do in the future. One is challenged but she did great. I am bushed. I have a list of what to take with me next week. I obviously cannot take a project to work on. They take all my time. But it was very fun. (Remember that in a few months.)

Week ahead

And so the fall begins with meetings most every day. Sunday was first day of the new Sunday School class I lead. Monday is Evening Fellowship (I'm president of that group). Tuesday is Sharing Team meeting (I'm chair of that group). Wednesday the singing group I'm in begins rehersals for performances at nursing homes around the area and I will again open the sewing room for any takers. Haven't received word yet as to whether or not Yoga will be on Wednesday or Thursday evenings. Thursday morning is United Methodist Women meeting (I'm the secretary for that group). Then we pick up the grand girls after school and watch them till mom comes home at 6:30 ish. I finally have a bit of a breather on Friday (maybe time to study the lesson for Sunday). I'll finish off the week with a Red Hat meeting (I'm Queen of that group). Who said I'd have lots of time to sew when I retired? Oh, well. As my mother used to say, it keeps me out of the bars.

At the Fair

Yesterday was opening day at the Spokane Interstate Fair. Since I had entered four things (2 red ribbons and 2 Blue ribbons), we opted to take the girls to see how they did.
Casey did quite well with her pottery work, handmade doll, and costume (blue dress with vest). Remarks were about closer attention to detail.
Sydney got the blue for the quilt she did last year and a third place for the laprobe she did this year. Difference? The quilt was professionally quilted the laprobe she did entirely by herself. Her comments were about better control of the fabric under the needle.
Then it was through the animal barns and then one ride. That's Sydney in the pink with Casey flying in right behind her. They had fun. I got tired and Jerry just came along to watch.

Sewing Wednesday

It's my fault that no one showed up. I didn't advertise except in my own comfort zone. Today (and hopefully the rest of the week), I'll take my flyer to the House of Charity, Salvation Army, and other women's shelter type places.
I did get a bag finished. Spent a lot of time trying to find a tape measure, pin cushion, and empty bobbins. (I'll have to bring said supplies next week).

Summer's end

Summer here in the Great Northwest is gracing us with one last glorius weekend. I am finishing up projects to be entered in the Interstate Fair and getting ready to open the sewing/quilting room at church.
For years the ladies have meet weekly to sew things for our Bazaar. But of late their numbers have dwindled to a pathetic few (most cannot drive anymore and are too frail to hold a needle). Rather than let the room and machines go to waste, I have decided to keep it going (if only myself in attendance) and inviting the downtown, street/underpriviledged women to come in and use the area for projects. That starts Wednesday. Pray for me.
Sunflowers are starting to bloom. I love this one as it is being groomed by an industrious bee.

Sunday school

Next Sunday starts the resumption of Adult Sunday school for which I am the facilitator. I am not the teacher, as each adult in the class has something to teach. I only keep the class rolling. Ours is an eclectic group; retired accountant, retired teacher, retired business owner, and three special needs persons. I must say they are the most loyal of the group. They are always prepared for class. One does all the work on the assignment and is invaluable when the class slows; I can always count on him to give the "right" answer. But Ed is my favorite. I think he is autistic but can't be sure. He is a scruffy looking guy, wearing faded torn cloths most of the time. He follows what is going on in the class and knows his Bible, volunteering correct Bible verses in other books that "fit". This morning I passed him in the hall and said, "Next week starts Sunday School." He got the biggest grin on his face, his eyes lit up, he raised both hands and said, "Yeah!" Why wouldn't anyone enjoy leading a class when there are eager students in attendance?

Winding down

August is in it's last week. Our temps here are in the 90's during the day and 50's at night. Very bearable.
Had a teeth cleaning appointment today. Why do I dread this so much? It doesn't hurt. The hygienist is very gentle (chatty but gentle). But I 'white knuckle' it every time. No cavities. Hooray.
A friend sent me a website in which you enter your name (or any name) and it finds people that match your search. There appears to be another Leonna Bowers in MO. What are the odds? Same spelling of both first and last. Wow. Then I looked for a former pastor in Hawaii. Left a message with my name while in Hawaii (he wouldn't recognize my current name) and soon received an email from a solicitor in Nigeria trying to "clear an account" of a deceased Chinese National. Hello. That message was immediately deleted.
Completed another little project to enter in the Fair. Have to get a couple more ready by the 5th of September. Piece of cake.

Today was the 'Cat' party. We played pin the tail on the cat, painted pet rocks, blew bubbles, played balloon stomp, broke a Cat-yatta and ate cat cupcakes.
I think they all had fun. Lots of giggling. No fighting. Success!
Sydney didn't have a guest but Casey had two, so she shared.

It's all about Sydney

Here she is, our little actress. She had one line in the play "Newsies", so her name was in the program.
Being on the small side, she was most always in the front row.
I videoed the whole play (33 minutes) so didn't get any still shots of her on stage.


She is very proud of the Quilt (lap robe size) she made this summer. She saw that I had some 3" squares cut out and has just been plugging alone day by day. She even did the quilting. We laid the top out on a piece of polar fleece and she stitched over the top of all the seams. Then turned the white edges under and top stitched all the way around. She even cut all the fringe. Way to go girl.

Cat Party plans

Today Sydney will be presenting a little play with the rest of her drama camp. They have been working on "Newsies" so it should be lively.
Next Thursday we will be having a Cat Party to celebrate the first anniversary of Ben Ben the cat adopting them. We are working on "Pin the Tail on the Cat" (I drew a cat & a separate tail); Catyatta (have to get a balloon and fashion something resembling a cat); we will have cupcakes decorated like a cat's face (haven't figured out how to do the ears yet but that will come), and maybe we will draw cats on the sidewalk. I'll take pictures next week.

Anniversary

Today I celebrate three years of being married to the kindest man I know. I can honestly say we have not so much as had a cross word between us. It is truely a joy to be in companionship (especially in my later years) with my soul mate. Happy Anniversary to us!

Bonsai

I've been reading up on how to start a Bonsai tree. In none of the books does it really give specifics like guage of wire to ancore the tree, type of screen to cover the holes in the pot, age of the tree when training begins, season of growth to begin. I went to several nurseries and found one lady who was into Bonsai who gave me some great tips like get it out of the ground now so as not to encourage root growth but put it back into the one gal. pot after triming it's roots and then wait a couple of weeks to trim the top back. I was given a card at another nursery (Spokane seems to be very lacking in Bonsai gardeners) of a couple just this side of the Idaho boarder who run a nursery with Bonsai emphasis. He was great! He too told me to get the tree out of the ground but only trim the roots three quarters of an inch and put it back in its one gal pot. In the spring take it out of the pot and trim another three quarters of an inch off the roots and put it into a one quart pot. Not until two springs from now do I put it into its Bonsai pot. They offer classes at the Idaho community college in October. I intend to take their class.
I have also sent in my registration to the Inland Empire Bonsai Society. Maybe I have another way to keep busy (lol).

Busted

Living in a Condo I should have realized that before one plants anything one needs the OK of the group. I knew that. I ignored that. I figured everyone would love to have an ancient Ginkgo tree growing in their yard. WRONG! One resident is very anti tree. Where I planted mine will distroy his view (in 20 years or so). Big time fuss. Condo meeting next Tuesday. I have appologized to him for my thoughlessness. He has agreed not to distroy the tree until the meeting.
In the mean time I am thinking "Why not just Bonsai the tree?" So, I went to the Library and picked up several books on the subject. Mine may not look as pretty as the ones in the books but it will still be mine and I'll grow it on my porch, in a pot where he has nothing to disagree or grumble about. I'll get that done before the meeting on Tuesday. Wish me luck on this project. I'll post pictures of the finished project.

Ginkgo is planted

I finally got the hole dug and my little plant in the ground.
You can see how much river rock is at the street side of the condo. Thats our place on the lower level.




I want to show you how my garden is growing. Those are sunflowers in front of the ugly gas meters.



The roses bloomed nicely once and have not been producing since.
It does look like a little secret garden tho, doesn't it?

Fast week

My this week went by fast. Nothing really happened, just stayed busy. Still do not have the tree in the ground - maybe tonight. Did finish a sewing project or two. Still more of them to go. Started thinking about what I should enter in the Fair. Entry forms are due next Tuesday. Nothing quite like procrastinating.
We had a broken sprinkler head that the repairman came to fix. I wanted to talk to him so I slipped on my clogs and walked across the river rock which covers a great deal of our street side property and stepped down a small incline of lava rock. Twisted my ankle just enough to be annoying. Also threw out my whole allignment. I can feel it as I lay down to relax and this sholder "yips" and that leg "yowls" and the middle of my back "growns". Ahh the fun of aging. One cannot just jump down a small rock incline like one could when but a child.
My swim group of ladies (8 of us) have been attending the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre this year. Our fourth and last gathering is tomorrow - "The King and I". We shall probably be comparing to the movie but still enjoying the event.

Picnic

Yesterday we went to Manito Park with the girls for a Picnic. .




Sydney had just finished VBS (Casey opted not to attend) and was really hyped.







They had a Christian Rock group that lead the singing with a lot of "get down, jump up, turn around" sort of dance steps

humming birds

Saw in the paper a neat site so went to it.
Check it out http://community-2.webtv/velpics/HUM/
Truly amazing shots.

Ginkgo

While moving into this unit (#1) Jerry & I often spoke of planting a tree. We looked in nurseries and talked to various friends but nothing struck us as being an indication of who we are as a couple. Then, on our recent trip, I said how about a Ginkgo? And it fit. The Gincgo dates from dinasour times. Trees are either male or female but you don't know which you have until they mature at about thirty years of age. So we stopped at the Petrified forest gift shop and bought a three year old tree. It is about 15" tall right now and goes striaght up (no branches). It has been very hot here is Spokane, so I have not as yet planted it, waiting instead for somewhat cooler weather (which should decend upon us next week). I'll post a picture or two later.

Bats, Bats, Bats

Saturday evening we, Jerry, Sydney, Casey and I went to Deep Creek for the Parks Dept. presentation on bats. The girls were reluctant to go at first but were very enthralled when the biologists finally began catching and measuring the bats.


Here is one caught in a harp trap





These next two pictures are of the scientist measuring the ears and forearm bone for identification. Yes, they have sharp little teeth. No, we could not handle them, however, we were able to touch their wings and back while they were being securely held by the biologist.






All in all six species of bats were snagged in the nets - 20 in all - 19 males and 1 female. HMMM. Males like to party at night?
The girls are looking forward to next year's hunt.

Excusses

See, this is why I don't keep a journal. I don't record regularly enough to make sense of it. I have been busy, though, since last I blogged.
Last week we drove to Sequim (pronounced Squim) to see the Lavendar Fields. The climate at the north end of the peninsula mimics that of Provance, France, so makes ideal growing for this beautiful herb/flower.














Then we traveled west to the Old Growth Forests. Magnificant - Awsome - etc. Saw a two point buck, resting in the shade of some trees, just feet from the road. He had no fear. It wasn't hunting season and he was in a protected National Forest.






We then went to to the Washington RainForest on the Olympic Peninsula.

While there we came upon a hear of Roosevelt Elk lounging in the sun. Quite magnificent.
Loved it.

Saturday

This is a Red Hat day. We will be meeting in Manito Park for lunch and touring the conservatory after. That should be fun. The weather is cooperating with us today. (Last year when we tried it we were rained out).
Then this evening we will be going to a birthday party. Jerry isn't too enthused about it but, "Oh, well", we are going.
Guess I will have to pack this morning for our trip to the Olympic peninsula. I want to get on the road right after church tomorrow. We will stay in a different motel every night and come back home on Thursday. Hope I can see everything I want to see in that short time frame. Again I seem to be dragging a reluctant husband. He made the reservations for the motels and now he's sounding like "do we really want to do this?' I just wonder about him. All the beauty of God's world and he doesn't want to see it.

hummingbird

Yesterday, just before we were to leave for a wedding, a hummingbird came sipping at our nectar bar. It was the first one I've seen there. I was thrilled. He/she had to sip out of all four spouts. Looked like he/she was sitting on the little roosts and taking his/her time. I really would like to get a picture of one at the feeder - if one comes again - if I am there to see it - if I have the camera ready.

Before church

And another week has slipped away. This being a short week, we seem to be back around all too soon.
We had grandparent duties a couple of days. The girls love to sew and can be entertained for hours creating cloths for dolls. We made bead dolls this week and Casey is trying to figure out a mobile apparatus for them. Sydney is working on a nine patch doll quilt.
I really enjoy have them here. But I really don't care for the bickering that sometimes accompanies them. I guess because it upsets their grandfather and I don't like it when he scolds them. They are off camping next week and then to Seattle for a week's visit with their other Grandma Bowers.
Might take Jhary to see Cars today.

Wooden boat

Won a ride on a paddle boat at our auction this year. The person offering this cruise made the yacht begining in 1972. He worked painstakingly over the next 25 years peicing it together, varnishing every board and polishing every peice of brass.

This is a picture of the proud owners. A very nice couple.








The boat has a tank of water (in the wooden box
in front) sitting over a small furnace (note the black smoke stack) that he keeps blazing to boil the water that turns the paddle wheel in the rear. The interior is marvelous. Just room for four people. Since we had six on board, the guys sat outside steering and stoking.




There is quite the ritual to get the boat in and out of the water, but once in and underway it was glorious. Hope they put it in the auction again next year so I can bid on it again.

I'm the Queen

After church today I will be attending the Coeur d'Alene Theatre's performance of "Peter Pan" with seven of the women I swim with. Afterwards we will go to dinner. I wish Jerry liked plays. He doesn't mind going out to eat but plays, movies, mystery dinners, auctions etc. just aren't his heart's desire. Oh, well. He has no other faults, is a good lover, a hard worker, makes me feel like a queen so I really have no room to complain. "Off of the tree of life I picked me a peach" (I know that should be plum but I like peaches better).

blocks

I decided to try to clean out my enourmous stash of fabric. My method is to cut all the odd sized pieces into 3" and 4" blocks with the intension of piecing them back together as table runners, quilts or purses etc. This morning I tackled my Purple bin. Half of the bin in satiny, silky, flimsy stuff for doll dresses and not at all suited for my supposed projects. The other half got whacked. I spent a good three hours just cutting squares. I was seated so my feet did not suffer but even with a rotary cutter, my wrist is tired. What color do I tackle next?
Bought some more elastic 'cause I STILL have not found my little box of elastic assortments.
The people are moving into unit #9. Maybe I should bake a cake and take it to them. Or not.