Wordless Wednesday: She Walked in Beauty

container for mom's ashes

A Lovely Goodbye

I am home again. There is a difference inside of me. I haven't sorted out all the feelings yet.

The Memorial, last Monday, was so lovely. The blue sky, with it's gray and white clouds moving quietly across the landscape, were beautiful and protecting.
All of Mom's friends and relatives were there as we said goodbye.
A priest gave the memorial service. A poem was read, a neighbor talked of memories and we all touched the container before it was put into the earth.

We drove back to my Mom and Dad's house and had lunch. All the folks that she loved were there, in her home, eating and having a good time: Some inside, some out in the backyard. Everyone had a story to tell about this woman we called "Mom". I know that she was there, somehow, listening to the conversation and the classical music.
She loved this house and loved it even more when it was filled with people and good food.
It was a wonderful conclusion to our Mother's life.







Her cat, Honey, was watching from the fence behind the old oak. We have been feeding her for all the months that Mom has been gone from the house. Honey stays...., waiting. She eats and looks around but won't let anyone get near her. She seems OK and continues to live, at least primarily, in Mom's backyard. We see her across the street and in front of the house where she then disappears for the day, returning at night to sleep in the safety of the garage.
We are not sure what to do about her. My son and his family will be moving in next month, which is a wonderful development and we are hoping, with a little encouragement , that she will become this family's new cat.
We can only hope.....

Full Moon and a Twinkling Star

I will be gone for a while. My Mother's memorial is next Monday and my sister and I have a lot to do before then. The picture above is of the collage I made for the memorial . I had copies made for everyone who will be there. I'm pleased with how they turned out.
Wanting to do something in remembrance of Mom, I made Sis and I, each, a necklace. The small bird inside is looking at us saying "Think of me." We will wear these at the Memorial. It's my way of saying goodbye.
A few nights ago the moon was full and we had a few clouds. I took this picture with an open lens that gave it more exposure. The star to the right of the moon was twinkling at me through an opening in the clouds. Do you think it was Mom, saying Hi? I think it might have been....

The Pupster Seizes the Day

"Hey, I've never been able to come into this part of the garden before. I think Farmlady forgot to put my leash on. I'm not attached to anything...., whoopee, where's Maggie....."

"Maggie, look..., here, no over here...., look at that view..., what's that smell. A fox, I smell a Fox..., no wait, it's THE CAT. I smell the cat. No, maybe it's a lizard. No, it's definitely a Fox. Well, maybe it's ...., what's that noise? Maggie listen. I hear dogs on that hill over there; howling. Lot's of them. Maggie? Do you hear that? ...., What? I saw something run under the bush over here. I'll go find it ....., what was that?..., wait, I smell, uh, goats. Yes, where are they? On my...., what's that other smell? Maggie? There's poop here and it's not ours. Want a bite? Oh Maggie, this is so fun. Do you think Farmlady knows where I am? I think she...., what's that smell? Hey, Maggie....."

"Hi Farmlady. You forgot to hook me up to my leash this morning but It's OK. It's good that you keep me on a leash because I'm safer and I can't get hurt but...., I had so much fun. I didn't see any rattlesnakes. I was really OK. Did you know a fox came into the garden last night and left you something. Maggie and I helped clean it up. It was delicious! What do ya mean NO kisses?....,
Thanks for the free run this morning, Farmlady. I love you."
"Wanna go for a walk? Let's go for a walk. What's that? I smell something......"

Happy Labor Day Everyone.

The Bell

Three hundred and sixty four years ago a man named Basho wrote...

The temple bell stops
but the sound keeps coming
out of the flowers.

Basho (1644-94)
(translated by Robert Bly)

If you listen very closely, I think you can still hear something...is it singing?

My long time friend, Carol, is visiting for the weekend. She came up from Sacramento, yesterday. Carol and I met in high school and she was my bridesmaid when I got married 44 years ago. That was in the 60's. What a time it was. We have gone through a lot together and even though we spent many years apart, we always found each other again.
The weather has cooled off and last night we stood outside and watched, in awe, at the beautiful full moon, rising over the eastern mountains. We have shared a lifetime of experiences, from a little house in the Pygmy Forest of Mendocino to a farm in the foothills of Amador County, so last night it seemed right to share the full moon rising.

I have asked her to do a guest post for me. She said "Yes" so...., my friend..., you're on.

Carol's Post

Some wise person, I don't know who, wrote "there are no coincidences in the universe..." and so I can't say what a strange coincidence it is to be asked to write about a poem translated by Robert Bly. I've often been moved by, irritated with or in awe of his poetry. What a mixture of confidence, profound respect and linguistic ability must have gone into his decision to attempt these translations from the Japanese.

As for myself, I think I'll just wander outside again into the Farm Lady's garden and watch the late summer roses fade.

Vintage Thursday: A special gift.

Remember my dear friend "D" who came down here when my Mom passed away. Well, many years ago, when she came back from her travels one summer ( June of 59'), she brought me this bible. It is the most beautiful bible I have ever seen. It's covered with mother of pearl and leather and says on the Licence page...
In terms of the Letters Patent granted by Her late Majesty Queen Victoria to Her Printers for Scotland, and the Instructions issued by her said Majesty in Council, dated Eleventh July Eighteen Hundred and Thirty- nine. I hereby License and authorise Messrs. William Collins Sons and Company Limited, One hundred and forty four Cathedral Street, Glasgow, to print and publish, as by the authority of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second, an Edition of the Holy Bible in Times Ruby Type..., dated at Edinburgh the fourteenth day of April, Nineteen Hundred and Fifty Eight..., and it's signed W. R. Milligan- lord Advocate.
A few of the mother of pearl pieces are missing now but it's still in very good condition.

The illustrations are just wonderful and there are maps of the holy land in the back. I have taken good care of this bible for 50 years and it's one of my prized possessions. "D" brought it back from Jerusalem and told me that it had been blessed on Jesus' tomb. I remember thinking, at the time, that this was very cool.
I always wonder if some of these many bibles that were written in different languages lost some meaning in translation and I have my doubts about the accuracy of them, as a whole, but something that has lasted for 2000 years can't be completely dismissed and it's a fascination to me that each translation can still be so interesting.
I'm sure there is an argument for and against every interpretation. To me this small bible represents more than a history of a people that lived 2000 years ago; it's also speaks of life, struggle, belief and faith in something much larger than any of us understand and yet something as fundamental as a friendship that has weathered time..., and the need for connections , memories and love. To me , this beautiful little bible is filled with the "holiness" of each life that has been touched by it and in that respect..., it's invaluable.

Please stop by Colorado Lady's blog for more vintage things. If you like "Vintage", you'll love the list of blogs that have something to show you.

Artwork: Picasso Bean, Baby Bean and Beautiful Innocence

The Bean is Learning to Swim

"If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams,

....and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined,

one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." ~ Henry David Thoreau~

Sister Visit

Sis called and asked if she could come up for the weekend. Absolutely...., let's make something for dessert!

I had some peaches from Slough House. I picked them up on the way back from Sacramento on Wednesday, so I made a Clafouti. What?..., a Clafouti. (pronounced Kla-foo-tee). This is an easy French dessert that is more traditionally made with cherries, but can be made with any stone fruit or apples, or pears etc. Google "peach clafouti" and you will get so many recipes it will boggle your mind. I followed a very basic recipe , used less sugar, regular milk, no amaretto( just didn't have any) and cooked it longer than they recommended. Maybe it was the heavy ceramic pie plate I baked it in, but it took a lot longer that 45 mins. I recommend this recipe and next time I will have some amaretto and half & half so I can follow the directions exactly. All the same, it was really good and even better the next day cold from the refrigerator.
It was delicious!! I didn't "arrange" the peaches, but you can if you want to. I also wouldn't dust with confectioner's sugar until you're ready to serve it. It's a pretty dessert and would be great for a luncheon or tea.
The two little dishes in the top photo were made and baked because I had too much batter, so I threw some frozen blueberries into these ramkins and poured the rest of the batter into them. I used too many blueberries..., they cooked too fast and made a hole in the middle. Pretty but not as good.
I first heard about this dessert on a blog called Posy Gets Cozy. Alicia Paulson makes (and photographs) food beautifully, among other things, and you need to check out her site. Hers was the first Blog I ever looked at and she got me motivated to start one of my own.

Sis and I had a good visit. Took a long walk with Carl on the road that goes down to the Mokelumne River. It was so beautiful. We got a good workout( a bit too warm though ), picked up some trash (as ever), and saw this beautiful thistle blooming on the side of the road , near the creek below our road. Can't find it in the wildflower book. It's very lush in this spot because water continuously flows out of our gold mine into the creek here and there is a constant source of water for the wild figs and cattails. I've always wanted to build a small cabin here. It's right on a seasonal creek and it's just so pretty.

Glad you came Sis. It's never long enough, but we had such a nice time. Want to build a little cabin on the creek?..., just for a small getaway..., with your own key and you can borrow Carl to sleep with. If you get lonely you just drive up the hill to our house and have some Clafoutis. It would be your own little sanctuary from the world. On second thought, it sounds so nice I might build it myself. Wouldn't it be lovely?..., to have a place where you could go, all by yourself and just BE? No phones, TV, people or problems allowed. We need to work on this.

Take Me to the River

If I get any warning a few hours before leaving this earth, I will get into the car and drive myself to this river. This is the place I want to close my eyes on for the last time. Not because there are no other more beautiful places on earth, but because this place has my footprints and part of my soul. The Mokelumne River is , other than the Prospector, my soul mate. I want to die sitting on a big rock, in the middle of this river, with my pants rolled up over my knees and a gold pan in my hand. I will see a large gold nugget glimmering in the water, reach for it and take my last breath...
Morbid?...,maybe, but how many of you know where you want to be at the end. How many of you know what brings you such joy.

'The Pupster isn't quite as convinced but he doesn't think about things like that. He just goes along for the ride.
Carl gets in the water, now, without having to be coaxed and he thinks it's the biggest adventure that there ever was. Carl is 10 mo's old now. He's getting bigger and braver near what must seem like a huge amount of water to him. He doesn't like to get in too deep and it's still a slow process..., one paw at a time.

Look at you Carl! Wet, sandy, ready for the next big adventure. What an expression! Wish we could all look at life like this. It's a lesson to be learned and a joy to see in a wee dog with short legs.

Dogs Rule on This Farm

I collect dog statues. Many of these are very old and were given to me by my Mother-in-law many years ago. Some are from Italy, Czechoslovakia, and England but most are from Germany. I haven't done much research on them and I have no idea how valuable they are but I love everyone of them.

I bought some of them, myself, from a company in Italy, called Castagna , because they were so realistic. I don't see them being sold anymore so I think the company went out of business.
The Wolfhound on the right bottom of the upper photo is probably the most valuable but you never know. It could very well be that the little Cocker Spaniel with no markings at all or the Lassie cup from Lancaster, England are much more worthy of being on Antique Roadshow. I guess I should have them appraised and someday I will. Until then, I will take good care of them and at some point give them to my grandchildren.
I just love each one, as they sit and guard my house . They don't require feeding, discipline or walking (like some dogs we know around here) and they will live forever. Of course they will never take the place of my real pooches but I just love their stately grace in my house.

Wanna-be's and other wonderful creatures...
Sometimes I see other animals that I just can't pass up and have to take them home with me. The Penguin is very old and has a sticker on it that says "Genuine Bisque" and the word "Penguin" written in script on the pottery itself.
The Moose, on the left is Italian and I just love him. What elegance. Did you know that a Moose is the largest cervid in the world. A male can weight up to 14oo lbs. Now, that's a big dude. Do you remember the series called Northern Exposure on T.V.? and the moose standing on the street in the intro? Can you imagine this animal walking down our streets here? Whoa Mama!
Still..., I'd like to see one some day.

Please link over to Colorado Lady's blog to see other vintage things.

Wordless Wednesday: Murphy, Our Magical Nubian Goat

Peach Crisp..., oh yea!

Peach Crisp (an old family recipe from the summer of 2009)

1 (19 oz.) can sliced (drained) peaches, or 2 very large ripe fresh peaches.
1c. Trader Joe's Multigrain Baking or Pancake Mix (you will never use Bisquick again.)
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 to 1/2 c. butter
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Now, clockwise from cut-up peaches.
1. Peel and cut peaches into slices or drain and dump canned peaches into an 8X8 pan that has been sprayed with a release agent like Pam . 2. Sprinkle lemon over peaches. 3. Set aside.

In a separate bowl; 1. mix the Trader Joe's, sugar and cinnamon. 2. Add the egg and vanilla. 3. With a fork (or my personal fav..., my fingers) mix until it is crumbly. 4. Sprinkle mixture over peaches. 5. Pour butter over top of crust.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until top is browned and crisp. The top picture is before baking and the bottom picture is after it's done.

If I can keep the Prospector from taste testing before dinner. This is what we will have for dessert tonight..., served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Yea! Come on over..., there's enough for everyone.

Wishes for a friend

Dearest Friend, I hope you know how much I care. I wish you blue sky with whispy, wind blown clouds...

A nap in the afternoon...

..., and a sense of wonder that brings worry and fear down to size.

Smoochas...., love you.
(Go ahead..., eat the bag of potato chips. They won't get stuck in the braces if you suck on them.)