What are you doing with your extra second?

2008 . . . what a year!

You Remember 90% of 2008

You were paying attention during 2008. And you remember what happened really well. You'll be able to talk about 2008 for years to come... Even when most people have forgotten what went down.

How Much Do You Remember 2008?

eyes so bright

eyessobright
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I'm blessed to share Christmas with family, and family has grown to include two babies. This is CJ#1, who will be two in January. I think he had a great Christmas, and I know he made Christmas perfect for so many of his elders.

Oh Great!

Another first for Detroit . . . this one we could surely do without.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Destined :: fated
FAIL :: safe
Camping :: gear, tent, great way to see the country, fresh air
Only you :: can make me smile
Incessant :: constant
Tomorrow :: is another day, song from Annie
Impressive :: Wow
Riches :: rags
Dislike :: brussel sprouts
Speaker :: of the house

A Country Christmas

Merry Christmas!
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I did it!! The tree is up, most of the packages are wrapped!

tenseconds

tenseconds
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Sounds about right to me!

Spotted at Kwizgiver:

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

allthroughthehouse

allthroughthehouse
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Trying to get Christmas all through the house. This is the front porch. I'm not sure of the provenance of the ornaments, but I like that they have long green string ties on them.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Carpet :: Burn, Vacuum
Bottoms :: up!
Music :: of the Night
Nails :: Finger
Watch it! :: Look out!
Your life :: You Bet
Candies :: Christmas, light some, Grandma bea
Chafing :: Dish
Svelte :: Skinny
Ding :: Dong

Best Home Scent . . .

Pine sap oozing from the couple spots I had to snip . . . Priceless!

i did it with my little saw

ididitwithmylittlesaw
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Voila! I broke my big saw (something about coming at an angle and not sticking with a back and forth motion), but my little hack saw completed the task!

Note to Al Gore!

Give back your Nobel and your Oscar. This global warming thing isn't working!!!

Brrr.

Snow piling up, temperature going down.

choosing the tree

choosingtree
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I've become spoiled on getting my Christmas trees. Eighteen years ago, my mother had us plant spruces and pines on the back border of the farm lawn. They've grown without any pruning, and for the most part are way too tall to be a Christmas tree, but one can lop off a top here and there and come up with a most unique Christmas tree.

I also like to put red bows on the tree line for the holiday season.

Blue Christmas Tree??

You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace. You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy! You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better. You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that. Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Vacation time!

I left a couple of vacation days for the end of the year. The time has come! I'm off today and tomorrow. And I am soooo glad, because the weather folks are predicting a big dump of snow tonight, and now I don't have to worry about getting up in the morning and figuring out how to get to work. I have tons of supplies, so the kitties and I will just have fun getting ready for Christmas.

So how is my vacation morning going? Well, I have way too many projects going. I'm finishing up Christmas cards. I've wrapped a few presents. I've cut my tree halfway down. I paid the LP guy $550.00 for a partial fill. I'm trying to visit folks on the internet. I found my cookie cutters in the back of the cupboard. In a bit I'm going to make some pancakes to go with this wonderful blueberry syrup a friend gave me.

and so . . . how are you?

U.S. Civics Question

1. What year did the popular vote become the way U.S. Senators were chosen?

2. What amendment to the constitution changed the method of selecting Senators?

These are a Few of my Favorite Things

collectibleshelf
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Pink glass, angels, Great-Grandma Alty's buttons, and water from the Atlantic Ocean.

What are a few of your favorite things?

Unconscious Mutterings!

I say ... and you think ... ?

Travel :: Montana, Expenses
Expensive :: Diamonds
Backspace :: Delete
Traffic noise :: Not much of it out here in the country!
Now see here :: Listen to me!
Vegetables :: Raw, preferably
Chat :: IM
Your calling :: Farmer Pete
Weekly :: Reader. Remember them from grade school?
Oh! :: my goodness gracious sakes alive

My New Favorite Quote

From Dr. Seuss:

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

Dickens at Turner-Dodge

Dickens at Turner-Dodge
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Welcome to the Recession!

I understand we have a lot of folks that will be joining us in the recession this year. Welcome! We here in Michigan have been dealing with this for the last four years and we can give you some advice to ease your way through this experience.

1. Don't panic! If the present financial environment has you worried, take a good long look at your portfolio, however large or small it may be. Make an informed decision of your options. Select your option. Mark on your calendar a date in the next three to six months. Do not look at your portfolio again until that date, and don't worry about it. Really. It works.

2. Limit listening to "expert" opinions on the nightly news opinion networks, unless it is a verifiable expert.

3. Live! Don't start hoarding your money to the extent that you are passing up all the joys of living. Life really is too short to miss out on a variety of experiences while we're here.

4. As in #2, take care in your news reading sources.

5. Remember, elected officials are usually not experts.

6. Put extra effort into your work. (Okay, this is a toughie, but if you work for a small, as I do, that extra effort will pay off for both you and the company. Trust me on this.) However, here again balance is key, unless you own the company.

7. Think outside the box. Extra cash can be found by selling things you no longer need. Great garage sales abound up here in Michigan in the warmer months. Conversely, you can buy on the cheap from the yard sales. Have a skill that people might pay for? Whether it's taking wedding photographs, tutoring students, mowing lawns, or a myriad of other projects, try it out! Barter services, if necessary.

8. Keep friends close, and family closer. Things that cannot be accomplished by ourselves can and will be accomplished when we work together with those we trust and love.

9. Keep an attitude of celebration. Hurrah for the 2000th service call set-up at work. Yay for the $5.00 you found in your coat pocket. The sun is shining: why up here in Michigan that's enough to have everyone doing cartwheels. (Mid-Michigan is one of the grayest areas in the country.)

Follow these nine simple suggestions and you may find you actually enjoy your recession experience.

Peace out!

Eyes on the Skies!

The full moon tonight is going to be a bright one (if you don't have many clouds). Load your cameras, kiddies!

cardinal

cardinal
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I'm a northern type of gal, I guess

visited 27 states (54%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or try another Douwe Osinga project

Seemed Kind of Timely

You Are 50% Likely to Survive Another Great Depression

Even though you may not be expecting the worst, you're the type of person who prepares for the worst. You live a relatively modest life. You don't overspend, and you aren't very materialistic. You are also quite self sufficient and independent. You have many useful skills. You can take care of yourself and those you love... which is crucial to surviving another Great Depression.

Could You Survive Another Great Depression?

ponyboy

ponyboy
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Yesterday's event: The Dickens Village in Old Town. Last year I photographed the Dickens characters from A Christmas Carol as they wandered through town. This time I photographed the decorations at the Turner-Dodge mansion.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Love affair :: a movie
Bubble :: gum
Pimple :: zit
Knocks :: at the door
Persistent :: salesman
Infected :: diseased, virus
Yay! :: a good cheer
Repaint :: the pantry walls
Daily :: News
Quickly! :: Rapidly! Right now!

i know i left it somewhere

i know i left it somewhere
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Brrr! so cold today that the squirrels are already digging things up.

They Like it!

I had always heard that you could amuse cats with laser pointers for hours. I've had a pointer for awhile, just never tried it with Snuzzles and Sierra. I don't know if "amused" is quite the word, but they've sure been interested!

Baby it's Cold Out!

Temperatures are WAY out of whack for December. Yesterday it got down to 14F/-10C. Yikes!

I've been MIA . . . inventory time at work. We're updating files, and that takes a lot out of this old girl.

And how are you doing?

tree

tree
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

good morning

good morning
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Global warming hits mid-Michigan! Oops!

December

December Calendar 2
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Happy December!

Hate to See Stuff like this

Plaxico Burress was always a joy to watch when he played for the Michigan State Spartans. Sure hate to hear about him carrying an unlicensed gun and then, duh, shooting himself. *sigh* Does money make people stupid?

Going National

Tonight's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition features a family here in the mid-Michigan area.

Unconscious Mutterings

oh my! The Mutterings were up on Thanksgiving!

I say ... and you think ... ?

Sleepy :: Naptime
Thanksgiving :: November's Gracious Holiday
Fifteen :: comes before 16
Authority :: Port
Bangs :: Hair
Curled :: Hair
Young man :: Lad
Surprised :: by Joy
Mistake :: error
Handle it :: Take care of it

True Confessions - I Was Out On Black Friday

327/365 on location-A different 365 on location...
Originally uploaded by wash52121

I was there.
I didn't start out with our group (they left at 3:30 a.m. in the morning), but I did catch up with them by 7:30.

Personality!

Roscoe found the Typealyzer. This analyzes your blog writing. At first I thought "no way", but then realized, as Roscoe points out, that the blog shows only the aspects of ourselves we reveal here.

ESFP - The Performers
The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

They enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

Thanks, Roscoe!

And a Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Good Day to you!

Hello there!

The U.S. Thanksgiving is past now. *sigh* It's such a sweet holiday. I was expecting twelve for dinner. However, Wednesday night I became violently ill. It was one of those cases . . . well let me spare you the details. I was able to get a phone call out to my youngest brother. The darling said: "Worry no more." He was out in a half-an-hour with a jug of gatorade, and took the turkeys and stuff I had and said, "We'll take care of it." He and his wife are just the best. He called everyone and told them to come to his place, and they made not only the dishes they had planned but cooked the turkey, potatoes and stuffing. Wow.

I slept and pepto-bismoed and drank the gatorade. I had soup for Thanksgiving, but was able to join the tribe after the dinner. (And I did snitch a couple of pieces of turkey, so that was good.)

We play the Night Before Christmas Game both on Thanksgiving and on Christmas. Each person receives a small wrapped present, then the Night Before Christmas is read. Everytime the word "and" is said, the presents are passed. The gift you hold at the end is yours to keep.

Well, my sister-in-law's brother was with us, as he is living with them this year. He has Down's Syndrome. We included him in the game, not realizing how traumatic it was going to be for him. He fixated on that purple present he started with, and didn't want to give it up. Oh my. We finally got through the passing, and the person who ended up with the purple present was quick to trade with him. Whew. Crisis averted.

The nice thing about having the dinner at my brother's house was that we were able to watch the Spartans play Maryland in basketball. The bad thing about having the dinner at my brother's house was that we were able to watch the Spartans suck. Ewwww.

And how is your week progressing?

lit

lit
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

And Friday night, that tree did get lit!

Unconscious Mutterings!

I say ... and you think ... ?

Spit it out :: Say it!
Shadow :: dark, eye
Database :: customer list
Expression :: face, idiom, dagnab it
Boss :: Rich (that's his name, not his status)
Baby :: infant, child
Mystic :: Seaport
Kate :: Capshaw
Boobies :: some people i know
Raid :: bugs

State Tree of Michigan - Before

tree before
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day.

Tonight is the annual lighting of the State of Michigan holiday tree. We'll be there!

my favorite group

wash6
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

My brother's family, the Washington 5, are my favorite group to photograph.

I totally screwed up the shoot on Saturday. Yikes! I'm going to be editing like crazy this weekend to get decent photos to folks.

Fortunately, it was all for fun, so I don't have to return any money. And it is fun to play at the studio.

Well, that was MY weekend!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Please stop :: by when you're in the area
Move over :: scoonch down
Sweet as :: honey
Bet :: wager, gamble
Mad about :: you
It’s over :: relationship, the party
Intend to :: plan on
Blame :: Fault
Jefferson :: Thomas
Heartless :: cold, unfeeling

Holiday in Michigan

November 15th really should be a holiday in Michigan: It's opening day of white-tail deer gun season. The hunters were lined up even last night at the licensing spot in Meijers to get their permits.

When I was young I was against hunting. Two events changed my viewpoint. One was a serious car-deer collision involving dear relatives. The second was the day I counted 33 deer within the Lansing city limits. Both events say the deer herd must be managed.

I'm heading to town for a four-hour studio shoot. I made an offer at work. I'm shooting Elsie's great-Grandchildren, Dee's Grandchild, Mr & Mrs Smith, and then finishing with my niece and her son and my brother Boo's family. The only one I'm really worried about is the Smiths. Mr. doesn't know he's bald yet. Now, bald men per se are no problem. My brother Boo is gloriously bald, revels in it, and so no problem. Mr. Smith . . . . hmmm. Wish me luck!

And what are you up to today?

Survey Asks

Do any of you still read print newspapers. I take ours Friday through Monday, but am considering dropping it. How about you?

Unconscious Mutterings

Yikes! It appears I have turned into the weekend blogger. Hi everyone!

I say ... and you think ... ?

Coverage :: News
Cynical :: Skeptical
Gust :: of wind
Improvised :: made up on the spot
V :: Five
Guests :: Party
Brutal :: Smash-mouth football
Grant :: Land Grant University . . . MSU
Pull :: for the Spartans. Okay. I'm on a football kick here. Michigan State University is 9-2 for the season, 6-1 in the Big Ten. We are back!
Streaming :: Video

Standfast

Standfast
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

You can see why the deer are running now. Their lunchrooms are being sliced down before their very eyes!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

In love :: with life
Be my guest :: Go right ahead
Number one :: MSU . . . some year!
Swallowed whole :: If you eat a goldfish, that's how you should do it
50 percent :: half
Made in :: the USA
Supplement :: vitamin
Right for :: me
Endless :: Love
Ceramic :: Christmas tree

the new man in my life

backonhisfeet
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

caught

caught
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

How Sweet It Is!

MSU 35 UM 21

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Contemplate :: Muse
In the house :: The MSU Spartans just beat the UM Wolverines in the house . . . in the BIG HOUSE! We are so stoked!
Classical :: Music
Quest :: Don Quixote, Vision Quest
Best friend :: Has your back
1991 :: The year Wayne died
Never will :: say good-bye
Fool :: for love
Unhappy :: sad
Best man :: at a wedding

no more apples

no more apples
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

NaNoWriMo

It's almost time again. I'm looking into my magic mirror (anyone remember Romper Room?) and I see Patti and Ali and Onyx signed up again. And I've joined this year again, with great anticipation this year. I've only completed once, but I'm ready to go the distance this year.

Anyone else joining the party?

Go Green!

Michigan State University plays what we consider our arch-rival, University of Michigan, in football at 3:30 p.m. University of Michigan considers Ohio State their arch-rival. Normally UM's football team is a powerhouse, but they have a new coach this year and are doing poorly. MSU is in the second season of our new coach, but were doing well until last week's game with Ohio State.

Today the real test comes. Can we get over the psychologicals to beat UM? We'll know soon enough!

Go Green!

new garden bed

newgardenbed
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

the barn guy cleared out the south side of the barn bridge, leaving me another garden plot. Uncle H and Aunt M gave me a bunch of tulip bulbs and iris . . . guess where they're going? My friend Carla also has hostas and sedum that are coming out to the farm.

The rock border is handy . . . the cornfield is just to the right of this bed and I pluck stones out of it.

Recession? Well, Michigan has been in one for about 18 months now. You can't let it get you down.

Sigh . . . the Greenies had trouble this week.

Our worst loss under coach Mark Dantonio. Michigan State was expected to do well in this game, but . . . it didn't happen. Next Saturday: the big game with that school just to the south of us, UofM. 'Course, they're having an even worse year.

Go Green!

Cheap vase

nina2
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Canning jar, some beads, some copper wire, and voila! Personalized vase.

Flickr Colors

Looking for a particular color in flickr pictures? Check out the lab.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Magical :: Mystery Tour, Fairies
Shrimp :: Boat, Cocktail
Project Runway :: A show that a lot of folks watch
Economy :: is a mess, economy of scales
Porch :: I have two and I love them.
State of affairs :: Situation Normal
.com :: sadly, nothing comes to mind
Fifty cents :: rapper
Ripping :: Tearing
Bull :: Pit

Studio Night

ornaments

ornaments
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Some of you have met my friend trykemom on flickr. She's not only a great photographer, she creates wonderful Christmas ornaments!

waiting

waiting
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I was in Amish country on Saturday. I had a flash: I doubt if these folks are worrying much about the economic crisis.

Seeing this many places

And just swiped it from Julie's.

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.


• * Share fun times with me.


• * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.


• * Let me know that I am important and special to you.


• * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

• * Reassure me that I am interesting to you.


• * Reassure me often that you love me.


• * Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

• * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends


• * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better


• * being generous, caring, and warm


• * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings


• * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

• * not being able to say no


• * having low self-esteem


• * feeling drained from overdoing for others


• * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish


• * criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should


• * being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them


• * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

• * are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism


• * try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding


• * are outwardly compliant


• * are popular or try to be popular with other children


• * act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention


• * are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

• * are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)


• * are often playful with their children


• * wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"


• * can become fiercely protective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Unconscious mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Zoo :: Potter Park (the local zoo)
Neighborhood :: Watch
Salute :: Army
Immortality :: never-dying
Dominion :: Power
Rhonda :: Help help me
Parties :: Gatherings
Prince of Darkness :: Evil
Garbage :: In, Garbage Out
Standard :: Oil Company (i'm old)

boo

boo
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I'm amazed at all the different types of pumpkins and gourds there are at the market this time of year.

Color Me GREEN with Happiness.

Michigan State University won a ROAD game today. This is fantastic. We are now 6-1. It has been a LONG time coming, but it feels so sweet to have this wonderful start.

The game was on cable, which I don't have, and I had a project painting the new barn door today. So I kept track of the game the old-fashioned way: I would turn the car radio on now and then to keep abreast of developments.

Go Green!!!!

Go Green!

sgnome
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

So What Do We Do Instead of Worry?

scarecrow2d
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Why . . . we make scarecrows!
I have a lot to learn about scarecrow making, but it sure has been fun playing!

Home Sick

Well I've just taken two days off from work. I had a case of the flu, I think. I was sick Saturday, and Sunday, and still wrung out Monday, so I took time off. About 3:00 p.m. today my energy finally kicked back in. Whew

I Actually Finished a Project

marleneandchair
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I LOVE having the chicken coop as a kind of workshop. Projects can stay put until I have the time to finish them, instead of being swept into a closet. (Of course, it was the apartment that had closets. The farm only has one. Pre-closet days of building.)

The chair was an unfinished one from Michaels. I first painted it a dark green. I wanted it to look old, so before I painted it light green, I put vaseline on areas that I wanted to look worn. After the coat of light green, I wiped the areas of vaseline with baby wipes, leaving the dark green showing under.

My brothers, 43 and 52, are scared of this doll. What's up with that?

Grrr.

Just saw 60 Minutes section on the $700,000,000 bailout. Blood pressure just elevated again. *sigh*

Happy Birthday, Susan!!!!

A fantastic thing about October: it is North Carolina/Tennessee's Susan's birthday month, and the fifth is the day!!!! Susan and I have done the 50's together, since 2002, and what a blessing she is as a friend. You can visit her at EBC or SusanJayne. Happy Birthday, girl, you caught up with me again!!!!

Unconscious Mutterings!

I say ... and you think ... ?
Insight :: Understanding
Irksome :: Tiresome
Maybe :: Maybe not
Confirmation :: Reservations
Bib :: Overalls. Bought a pair today at the Goodwill store for my boy Scarecrow.
Stop! :: Look and Listen
Lobster :: Red
Boys :: Girls
Fire away :: Shoot
Give up :: Concede

This Makes Me Feel Better

Hi, sorry I haven't been around this week. I've been a little under the weather mentally and physically. But I have to feel better today with Michigan State University scoring their FIFTH win in football.

Go Green!

We Haven't Had One Since 2004

It feels like the rest of the country is catching up with Michigan. *sigh*

And speaking of Bryn, I swiped this from her:
(gotta admit I lied on the answers)

I could survive for 1 minute, 16 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

noitdoesnt

noitdoesnt
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

For Bryn!

http://celestialofferings.blogspot.com/

Unconscious mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Hearing :: Aid
Aggression :: Violence
Charged :: Electrified
Traveler :: Weary
Hydrate :: Water
Detox :: Sad place to have to leave someone you love
Qualify :: Make the cut
Prison :: Break
Frontal :: Nudity, Lobotomy
Pep talk :: Rally

Butch Cassidy was the first movie I saw with a date

A Michigan woman and her family were
vacationing in a small New England town where Paul Newman and his family often visited.

One Sunday morning, the woman got up early to take a long walk. After a brisk five-mile hike, she decided to treat herself to a double-dip chocolate ice cream cone.

She hopped in the car, drove to the
center of the village and went straight to the combination bakery/ice cream parlor.

There was only one other patron in the store:
Paul Newman, sitting at the counter having a
do ughnut and coffee. The woman's heart skipped a beat as her eyes made contact with those famous baby-blue eyes.

The actor nodded graciously and the star struck woman smiled demurely.
Pull yourself together! She chided
herself. You're a happily married woman with three children, you're forty-five years old, not a teenager!

The clerk filled her order and she took the double-dip chocolate ice cream cone in one hand and her change in the other. Then she went out the door, avoiding even a glance in Paul Newman's direction.

When she reached her car, she realized that she had a handful of change, but her other hand was empty. Where's my ice cream
cone? Did I leave it in the store? Back into the shop she went, expecting to see the cone still in the clerk's hand or in a holder on the
counter or something. No ice cream cone was in sight..

With that, she happened to look over at Paul
Newman. His face broke into his familiar, warm, friendly grin and he said to the woman, "You put it in your purse."

R.I.P. Mr Newman

Go Green!

I missed the Michigan State Football game vs Indiana today, as I was at a photography class. However, we won!!! I guess it was ugly, but hey, a win is a win.

Creative Check out at the Wish Studio

And an Autumn Quiz!

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

Indian Corn & Sherwin Williams Paint

indiancorn
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

The Indian Corn is posted for the season.

The backdrop . . . is my current project. There are many outbuildings here on the farm. Most have not been painted in half a century. We are slowly, and I do mean slowly, working on the buildings. My good friend Linn is our carpenter guy, repairing walls and windows. My brother Boo and his girls are one paint crew, and on good weekends I'm the other paint crew.

This is the south wall of the garage/granary. I'm starting the east wall this weekend, if weather permits.

And what are YOU doing this weekend?

EWWWW!!!!

My new mantra

market16
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Goodbye Summer

Goodbye Summer
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Still summer-like weather, but . . .

hosta loving squirrel

hostalovingsquirrel
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

my kind of squirrel.

double petunia

doublepetunia
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

remember the ditty that went something like this:

A petunia is like a begonia
A begonia is a big piece of meat like a sausage
Sausage and battery is a crime
People crime trees
Trees a crowd
The rooster crowd and made a noise
The noise is on your face like the eyes
The eyes are opposite of the nays
The horse nays and has a colt,
and if you catch a colt, you could get double petunia.

Chuck!

Whew. Only a week-and-a-half until Chuck returns. I am ready.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Heist :: theft
Hack :: Computer
Dane :: Hamlet
Stings :: Bee
Monkey :: see, monkey do
Junkie :: druggie
Pumped :: Raring to go
Brass :: Ring
Fight! :: Cheer for MSU
Vouch :: uphold credentials

Go Green!

The Michigan State University Spartans won another one at home today, 23-7 against Notre Dame! Go Green.

(Sorry about that, Roscoe)

Amy Atlas

Please, someone invite me to an Amy Atlas event. Please????

End of vacation

littlestonechurch
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Vacation continued:

We headed back to Lansing about mid-day, making a photo-stop at the little stone church on M-32. There is also a beautiful stone barn, but the rain was starting to come down, so we'll save that for another trip.

We fueled up in Stanton. "Where are you going?" the clerk asked.

"Lansing."

"Oh good thing you stopped here to fuel." She pulled out her cell phone and showed me a text. Gas prices hit $6.37 in Lansing.

"Hunh????"

"Yes, it's true."

Another customer came in. "Yep, I drove from Lansing yesterday, and they were out of gas."

Wow. But it didn't sound quite right. We got back in the car, and continued south. The gas prices kept hovering right around 4.20. We called my sister.

Long story short: The prices had started to go up on Friday from approximately $3.92. People started texting and stuff, and soon gas lines were being formed. The Attorney General and the Governor got on the media immediately, warning against gouging due to Hurricane Ike. I guess a few stations had gone over $5.00/gallon, but when they heard that they backed right down.

The gas lines did cause one distributor to run out of gas, but there were plenty of other places that were fine.

What a world.

Seeking

elkinfog
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

My brother Gary and I like to get up early and hunt for elk. The elk range is about 45 minutes from his home. We get up before dawn and travel winding, bumpy roads back to the Pigeon River area. We have our favorite roads. Remember when? and wasn't that cool? are part of the conversation, as well as important pieces of sharing lives that only work in the quiet bits of a darkened morning.

Searching for elk can be frustrating. There are a lot of deer in the area, and they are always first to appear. We go long enough without seeing an elk, and we start playing the "maybe that's one" game when we see a larger than average deer.

And then they appear. Even through the fog, there is no denying the large animals. They have a presence. They are exactly elks.

Sometimes I think searching for elk is a metaphor for searching for God, the great I AM. Whether we find God or not does not change God's existence.

deer in bracken

deer in bracken
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Vacation continued:

The next morning my brother and I went hunting for elk in the Pigeon River area. It was a foggy morning. I was able to catch a couple pictures of deer, but the group of elk we found were too hidden in the mists.

bumperdude

bumperdude
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

So to continue the vacation story:

After our stop at Hartwick Pines for a picnic, we proceeded farther upNorth. We had a football game to watch. Nephew #3's team was playing. Unfortunately, they were playing a team that has won the last 41 games, and well . . . they now have won 42. It still was a great game, and nephew #3 is the best darn nose guard in upNorth Michigan. And I'm not at all biased.

Chapel in the Pines

chapelinthepines
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

One of my top ten places in Michigan, Hartwick Pines and its tiny but beautiful Chapel in the Pines.

My mother recalls going to Hartwick Pines when she was a child. We need to get the greats there soon, so that this can be a five generation memory!

www.michigandnr.com/publications

Long weekend

playing
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

My mother and I occasionally take trips together. We hadn't done one recently, so we planned a day trip and an overnighter. Thursday we went to the west side of the state to visit State Parks we used to camp at and to see niece #3, our most recent engaged one. Time goes so fast, doesn't it? They are little kids, and then they are showing us around the house they'll be living in when they get married. Yikes.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Cut the crap :: Get to the Point
Scent :: of a Woman
Vanishing :: Act
Wetness :: Dampness
Cheap :: Skate
Badges :: Girl Scouts
Puppy :: Chow, Frisky
Problem solver :: Leader
Gambling :: Addiction
Sophia :: Loren

turtleseason

turtleseason
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

sometimes i feel like a turtle!