Hi

Hi Every Good advice giver!

A few days ago, my friend Jacob , his Mom and Dad stopped 

for a visit.  You might remember Jacob (not Jake!) as the guy 

who was given Big Mike's Playschool Blocks about a year 

ago 

This visit he is is a daycare guy and goes to pre-school a couple

of days a week.  He made sure I knew my ABC's and knew how 

to write them as well, by demonstrating, how else?

The three of us had a good time and a fun visit.

Jacob's Mom took a picture of us and we both liked the way

it turned out!

What do you think?

Hugs,

Jacob and Jo

Happy New Year Everybuddy!

I told my readers I would post at least twice a week, and I think if I

don't I may catch heck from somebody!

A friend sent me a photo of myself and her son, but I can't seem to get it to run.  It seems like adding pics to the blog used to be

the easiest thing in the world, but no longer for me...All I can do 

is read what Google has written on this and give it another try or 

three.

LOOK what I FOUND!

This is one of Ann Adamus' creations wishing you a Merry Christmas which as we all know has been and gone.  But instead

lets wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

If you have any thoughts on getting pictures to appear on Google,

PLEASE let me know

Thanks and Happy New Year from 

Jo and Stella

For those who don't know our sweet little ZKHAT went

to the Rainbow Bridge last summer!

Christmas Day, 2016

Hello to those who might still be with us!
 
The beautiful Stella and I are back because I am weary of Fasbuk(as Dennis the Visla calls it) and the Porties Mom Sue said she misses us, and I miss her.  And all the rest of you.

If some of you woke up to Santas visit, I woke up to a totally different thing.  A siren going whoo-whoo- very close by.  All I had to do was look into my living room and it was right there.  If you remember, I am very deaf and I had my doorbell hooked up to a strobelight and sound so when I was in the livingroom, I could be aware of someone at my door (its set up on my wall.)  But it has NEVER worked right, if the wind is blowing hard, its just like someone leaning on the doorbell.  So one day I tried to stop it and couldn't so  I hammered it and that seemed to stop it.  But somehow it has been resurrected and its going again.  SO WHERE IS THE HAMMER  GIVE ME ONE MORE TRY WITH THIS MONSTER!

You would think that Stella would tell me when some one is at the door and in a way she does, if she knows the person who is there, she wags her tail and gets a happy look on her face.  If she doesn't know them, she gives out with a little "woof" and goes back to sleep.  So much for my service dog (she isn't of course but maybe its not too late to get her trained),

Its early enough in the day to wish you all a very Happy Holiday (you know who doesn't like that, don't you) and please let me know how you are!  I plan to post twice a week and maybe thrice, we will have to see.  Next time I want to share some good books with you,  Going to try getting my camera going again!  Such excitement!

Merry Christmas,

Jo and Stella

Hello Everybuddy!

Let me start by thanking all of you for your kind and thoughtful comments on our first post back! They all gladdened my heart after being down for a long time.

Now that I am feeling better, I have lots to do here.  Starting out with the kitchen cabinets and
here is where I wish I were highly organized  . . .but unfortunately that's not the case for me.  I think  I would need at least three clutter fairies to do what I need to do.  Did you know that a girl from Japan has written a book called How to Tidy Up (or something like that) and it is #1 on the New York Times best seller list.  That's another thing that made me happy, knowing there are SO MANY of us out there who need help.

So, today (another chilly one here in Minniesnowda) is my day in the kitchen  and I hope I can pitch about 100 pounds of junque and organize the keepers.

Wish me luck, won't you?

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, along with Stella and Zkhat who both go right back to bed after breakfast.  At least they are not underfoot!

So, do you think its the right time for Stella and I to do a come-back?

Stella wants you to see this poster.  Its from Pinterest and we hope they don't mind we borrow it.

Well, it appears we can't find it and does that frost Stella?  You bet!  We will keep at it and see if we can get it.

We have been away for a long time.  One of us, (Jo)has not been well and therefore not very interested in writing. She has had two visits to our local hospital, but now is doing much better and is determined to stay well.

Stella is tired of her whining and wants to get out for some good walks.  Jo is considering this, but it must be well above zero when this happens and so far its wicked cold.  Like 20 below some nights.

Zkhat finds us both tiresome and except for bedtime when she snuggles with us, she totally ignores us.  From a khat, we will take what we can get.

Hoping everyone is fine and we are mostly forgiven for deserting our blog.

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Boomers All Around!

Hi Every Buddy!

Last time I told you next time I wrote we would have lots of pics of our home improvements . . .but none have taken place yet!
We have done all the things we are supposed to, put the work out for bid, and we are almost ready for the roof to be replaced but that can't begin until the electrician appears to remove an old fuse box, and on it goes!I suppose much of the problem is our short summer season and everyone wanting work done between now and fall.

Stella had a hard time with all the booming of fireworks on Independence day(it starts mid afternoon and continues on and on!)She could finally go to sleep when they finished.  The next day she slept away most of the day, then about suppertime we got a huge electrical storm,thunder and lightning in every window and it went on for hours!  Not a break to be had for dear Stella!

Maybe workers here next time I write and we'll try for pictures galore. Sending hugs all around and wishing you all a happy summer.

Jo,Stella and Zkhat (who is not upset by boomers)

We ARE---BACK!

HELLO EVERY BUDDY!

I think we are finally back after working like a mad woman trying to figure out the operation of Windows 8.1!

I have missed terribly reading your blogs, hearing from you, it almost feels like we have moved away, because things are still in an uproar here.  

I need to have my roof replaced and since I use my upstairs as an attic, its full of fabric, furniture etc, that has to be moved or covered before they start, but first they are redoing the downstairs bathroom walls, and everything in there needs to be moved out (empty cupboards,etc).  So my main thought is where am I gonna put these things.  I think I will put it all in  the garage and hope for a good selling or giving day or two to come along.  

Stella and Zkhat are doing fine.  Stella has the most fun being "the Greeter" so as soon as workpeople arrive, she will be in her glory.

In the Dell crash I lost all my addresses so it would be great to hear from lots of you so I could contact you.  Thanks to Gail and Bertie, Kathy the Photog, and Tex for writing me.  No, I didn't lose all my photos in the crash, but had just put the collection up on discs a week or three before,and i am so glad about that.

So next time, we'll have some pics and more news of the re-do!

Cheers and hugs all around,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Has this ever happened to you?

Hello Every Buddy!

Long time no see, but I am very busy trying to do lots of houseworky things that I didn't do when I was so sick since last late summer. (I am fine now!)

Tonight I was sitting at the computer, I turned around and Zkhat was sitting on the washer staring at me.  Trying to do some kind of mind meld maybe (I'll have to check her food and water dish!)  I had my camera at the ready, and snapped a picture and got this "I wasn't looking at you, I was just sitting here thinking."  She was definitely STARING though, but here is the picture I got:

   

We are having gruesome weather like lots of the USA is having, just so far, nothing dangerous, but this coming week is predicted for rain

every single day!

Zkhat doesn't care though because she doesn't do outdoors, and Stella just is not for going out in it either except in emergencies.

We hope somewhere, here in the USA, someone is having some  nice weather.

We had some pre-Easter visitors with a little guy named Jacob who was celebrating his first birthday.  I was thinking of what I could buy him for a present when it ocurred to me my son Mike's blocks were up in the attic, 46 years old and in fine shape.  So we gave them to Jacob and he just loved them. Nothing like antique Playschool Blocks for this little guy.

Sending everyone all best wishes and good weather!

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

What to do with the pictures!

Hi Everybuddie,

We were told sometime back by a computer tech, we had to get rid of some of our pictures!  So like anybody does in the spring, we have been housecleaning the computer.  We plan to put lots of them on a disc, so we don't lose them and toss what we don't care so much about.

But here is my problem, almost every picture I have saved tells me a little story, and I really love that.  With this picture I am gonna show you today, its about my neighborhood when I was a kid.    You couldn't go to anyone's house at certain times of the day because all the old ladies couldn't miss "their stories" which means soap operas.  When they came to our house, they would drink coffee and TALK endlessly about what was going on .  It would sort of aggravate my Mom, who couldn't hear well enough to make sense of the stories but she would pretend to be interested.  So you can see why I fell in love with this
picture!

                             

A very long time ago, there were about 20 or more stories (soaps) on daily.  You had to carefully choose what to hear or see.  But I think today they are down to six or so!  But like my mother, I never caught the pleasure of seeing them!

Happy Springy Weather to everyone!

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

MY IRISH FAMILY WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THEY KNEW I MISSED A CHANCE TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY ST. PAT'S DAY!

SO HERE IS MY GREETING:

LEPRECHAUN #1:  DO YOU KNOW WHY GOD INVENTED WHISKEY?

LEPRECHAUN #2:  YES!  TO KEEP THE IRISH FROM RULING 
                    THE WORLD!

MANY BLESSINGS TO ALL, IRISH OR NOT!

JO, STELLA AND ZKHAT

Getting Stuck in the SNOW!

Hello Everybuddies,  (This is dedicated to the White Dog Army and their Mom and Dad)

Long ago, in the Winter Kingdom of Wisconsin, I had to drive out in the country to see some one.  It was mostly summer homes and not many people around.  My car rounded the corner of the road and went right into a snow bank, deeply!  I uttered a few words, then got out of the car, looked down the road and saw a farm!  Well, Whoopee.  It was a good walk, but I could do it.

Just as I started out, an old, beat up pick-up pulled up.  A very rough looking guy got out of it, went back to the bed of the truck and pulled out a big shovel!  He never said a word, and started in shoveling.  The snow flew!!!  First one side, then the other until I could see I was almost ready to go.  All the time I am talking to him, I tell him I have no cash, but I would write him a check and happily pay him for what he did for me.   No, no,no he wouldn't take money!

As he was getting ready to leave, he finally looked at me and said

"YOU'DA DONE THE SAME THING FOR ME,

WOULDN'T CHA?"

I said, sure I would have and I am more thank grateful!  But what was really going on in my mind is that I would have passed him up like a dirty shirt.  But God Love Him, all these years later, I still think about him and his kindness.  There are angels all over everywhere and we just never know when we will be lucky enough to meet one.

Cheers and hugs,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

(Stella wasn't there but she would have loved him and his pickup)

A Little Bit about Tex-Wis Girl and the Run-Around-Ranch

Hello Every Buddy!

Those of you who know Tex-Wis (Theresa), who writes the Run Around Ranch Report know that she is a terrific artist, and recently did a give-a-way of a lovely Goldfinch to Lynne.  I was lucky enough to win one of her bird portraits and this is what it looks like next to my Mt. Fuji tapestry.

He is a beautiful little Sparrow.   I wrote a note to congratulate Lynne on her win and she was more than happy about it.

Theresa has a  give-away of one of these hand made bird pics away every few months and if you go to her blog, she will tell you how it works.  I am not sure there is even one person who doesn't visit T's blog because  you almost have to make a reservation to make a comment.
She now tells us she is Mom to 250 Whistler ducks who are more than fun to watch.  Its one of the best Blogs ever and if by chance you have missed it, now is the time to get on board.  

   By the way, I also have another something to look at:  A Russian Mom of two little boys who is a photographer at

http://themetapicture.com/these-pictures-are-what-dreams-are-made-of/ .  Some very beautiful pictures to see!

Cheers,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

Drunken Birds

Hi Every Buddy!


Cedar Waxwings
This is one of my favorite birds and a couple of weeks ago, Montana Girl featured one of her great photos of a Waxwing.

I asked Montana Girl for permission to use this today and I hope you will take a look at her blog, great nature photos abound!

My story about Waxwings is when we lived in the South we used to visit a mall that had berry trees on both sides of the entrance.  Those red berry loving Waxwings were around a lot, but they really didn't go crazy for the berries until they had fermented.

Then the trees would be covered with these birds, and after a while, the ground around them would be covered with Drunken Waxwings!  They would stagger around until they couldn't walk or fly, you could go pick one up and they would give you the drunken birdie version of "Put me down, you Oaf!"  But even then they couldn't even pick at you.  Until that time, I had no idea birds would do this kind of thing!

I have a flowering crabapple tree that has their favored red berries on it, but don't think they ever reach the state of fermentedness these guys like.  They do eat a lot of them anyway and if the Robins get there first, they are gone.  Keeping an eye on that tree is one of Spring's fun things.

Here is someone who would like to have a lot of drunken birds on the ground.  Oh yeah, she would!

I would like to thank  Tex-Wis girl for her happy solution to my posting problem.  She suggested I Chrome it, so I did, and this post
has been easier.  Thank the rest of you for chirping in too.

Troutbirder wrote and said he had a new girl, Daisy, a beautiful German Shepherd.  She was a rescue whose family could no longer care for her and one lucky pup to join the Troutbirder family!

We (Stella and I) are going to try to start March out and do a better job of posting.  Think we can?  We are not famous for it!

Cheers and hugs all around,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

A Long Absence of Writing, but not Reading

Hello Everybuddy:

My Mom tells me that she is having the wurst time with trying to get a post done and its either our old Dell or Google.  Last night she spent a good amount of time putting together a post and then it would not publish.  We have a new computer that is going to start work here in another week or so, and we hope that solves our problem.  We hope ANYTHING would solve our problem!

My Mom got me a new dish so I don't gobble too much and it takes me a little longer to eat.  Then she got Zkhat a new eating station where it goes far away from where I eat and I can't get at her foods anymore which is too bad for me but good for Zkhat I guess.

My new dish

Zkhats new outfit which is way nicer than mine. A whole bag of cat food fits in the

bottom which I can't open due to the thumbs thing.  My Mom is starting to cuss again so I guess we will be going.  All the best from Stella, Zkhat and Jo and not from Dell or Google.

The Cuckoos Calling

I have two ersatz sisters, both younger, both very bright and both inveterate readers, like me.  Recently, my sister Mary recommended a book called the Cuckoos Calling, written by Robert Galbraith, which is a pen name of J.K. Rowling who has authored the Harry Potter books.

I read it over Christmas, and as a fan of detective novels, this just filled the bill for me.  I wound up loving it and wishing that it would not end quite so soon.  The good part is that Rowling says this will become a series, and I am already looking forward to the second one.

Now, I am not one for disecting a book, or picking it apart to criticize certain parts.  I tend to like most of it and just kind of gloss over any parts I am not so fond of.

This book was right  up my alley.  Rowling is a terrific character developer, the main detective was so well done as was his assistant.
If you are fond of the detective novel, I am betting you will love this book and I am happy Rowling is paying more mind to us grown ups.

Some commentary on this book from Amazon:

"One of the books of the year." (USA Today)

"Robert Galbraith has written a highly entertaining book... Even better, he has introduced an appealing protagonist in Strike, who's sure to be the star of many sequels to come.... its narrative moves forward with propulsive suspense. More important, Strike and his now-permanent assistant, Robin (playing Nora to his Nick, Salander to his Blomkvist), have become a team - a team whose further adventures the reader cannot help eagerly awaiting." (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)

"Rowling switches genres seamlessly...a gritty, absorbing tale." (People (3.5/4 stars))

"An extravagant, alien, fascinating world for its characters to explore...great pleasures." (Slate)

"I couldn't stop myself from thoroughly enjoying The Cuckoo's Calling... The book's real magic is in Rowling's distinctive descriptive prose." (Carole E. Barrowman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

"THE CUCKOO'S CALLING reminds me why I fell in love with crime fiction in the first place." (Val McDermid, bestselling author of The Vanishing Point) --internet

Visit your local library or bookstore for this one!

Cheers and Happy New Year,

Jo

Some different wishes!

Thats right, today would be my Dad's birthday, December 24th.  Because the festivities of Christmas Eve were coming right along, nobody EVER made a fuss over his birthday.  He always said he never even got a present or anything when he was a kid.

So when Christmas Eve day rolls around, my thoughts just naturally go to all the people who were born on this day, or Christmas Day, and get their celebration tossed in with the Christmas Festivities.

For all you people who are having an unheralded birthday today or tomorrow, I even went out and got a flashy cake.  Its one that would have been just right for my Dad some years ago but now he would be well past 90 and closer to 107 if he were still living.

But he is gone, and he leaves behind him all you kids who were born on his thankless day.  Now you can say its an honor to share the Birthday of our Lord and it is, but when you are a kid, that is not so easy, is it?

Happy Birthday to all you Special People, with Moms and families thinking of special things to do for your Christmas children. 

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Dad, wherever you are!

Love and hugs,

Jo

Let's Sing, Shall We?

Let us sing another wonderful Christmas Carol together, shall we?  Yes, I get to pick, I always get to pick. So here is another very favorite Carol called The Carol of the Bells:

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air

Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas

On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home

[Repeat from the beginning]

Ding, dong, ding, dong

Now if you don't know this one, just go to Google and type it in.  You will get lyrics, music and even a choir DVD. (We could be that good, all of us singing.)

Thanks to Ann Adamus for the Christmas card.  I only hope Zkhat doesn't see herself out in the snow with Stella, she would probably have serious heart palps!

Merry Christmas Every Buddy and a Happy 2014!

How we amuse ourselves in the winter!

Hi Everybuddy!

Its not so easy to stay amused in the winter time, but I must admit some Youtubes make it much easier.

Like me, our Texas pal Teresa is a fan of the Crow and the Raven. So I think she will love this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyp0zW9q8jU because I certainly did.  

Thank you all for your suggestions about photos.  I am going to go check on the external hard drive and maybe try some CDs too.  We will see what a little conversation at Radio Shack will tell me!

It stays so cold here, and windy too.  Hope its comfy where you are!

Cheers and Hugs,

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

A Few of my Favorite Things!

A computer tech told me I had to get rid of some pictures, either toss them, or put them on a disc or whatever.  But how can I?  I love all my pictures, old pics, new pics, long ago people, new people. . .



My Dad and my Dog, late 40s



Wall hanging I made called Aussie Dreams

One of my first list pals, sweet Dannon!



Fudge, Sister Sue and the beautiful Samba



The five Sullivan sisters (second from end birth Mom and next adoptive Mom)

Teresa Johnson's Sparrow I won!

My Son  and wife happy with bowling score!

The exhuberant Ludo, our Brit pal!

Theresa Johnson's pic of crow/raven?

Stella new to my house and my heart!

My first selfie!

Otis at the top and Sulie below

Loved the late Tsar!

Stella, still in the slammer!


HAD ENOUGH?  THERE ARE LOTS AND LOTS MORE!

HAPPY WEEKEND,
JO, STELLA AND ZKHAT

Stella Stringless!

Hello Evfurry Buddy!  Stella here.  Yesterday, it was a big snow and me and Mom went out to shovel.  She told me I could go with no string if I stayed right with her or in our  yard or the big lot next door.  So I did!  I had a good time just walkin' around on my own and it was nice with lots of new snow.

Mom was gonna take some pictures of me, but the battery was out so she said we'd do it tomorrow.  So today we got up and after a while we went outside but it was way colder today than it was  yesterday!  Like below zeros!  Tonight its supposed to be 20 to 25 below zero!  Way too cold for fu rry critters like me even!

So here is what I said to my Mom today when she was trying to take my picture:


LEMME IN THE HOUSE!      

While I was having fun walking around with no string attached, I was thinking of something else that
would be nicer.  I wonder if  Mom would let me slccp on her BED!  So much cozier and warmer than mine is!  Do you want to bet she will or she won't?

I hope you are keeping warm in this weather and its all not too hard on you.

We send warm hugs for a nice weekend!

Mom, Stella and Zkhat