Chevy Volt, Secretary Chu and Finding Another Outlet

Yikes! I just saw Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu get grilled at Congress. If you ever receive an invitation to chat with congress at their house...run for your life!!
The memo didn't get to Secretary Chu. And all I can say is yikes!

I did learn a great deal about the Chevy Volt....one Secretary Chu doesn't have one. But he would like for me to have one (thank you) but he doesn't have one. But no flies on him, he doesn't have a car at all. So from what I could tell his remedy for high gas prices is the vaunted Chevy Volt....an electric car. Now don't get me wrong I would love to just unplug my rollers and plug in my car. That 60 to 70 dollar a week gas bill - and going up - is killing us. But I want Secretary Chu to understand that as a mother I have been using that line of reasoning since my kids were little. For me it didn't matter what it was that we couldn't have or get or afford, we simply made whatever that was.....uncool. So who needs expensive shoes when you can go to Payless? Who needs a horse when you have a dog? Who needs to stay in a great hotel when you can camp? Who needs Disneyland when you can pop a quarter in the stuffed animal crane game at Wal-Mart?

See Secretary Chu I am on to you.....who needs to buy gas if you have a Chevy volt? Just plug it in, and the transportation problem is solved. Fabulous!! Because we all know that when demand goes down so will the price. Except that isn't how this works. Demand has gone down...and the price goes up.

The message Secretary Che wanted us to get was....Buy a Chevy Volt, and you won't care how high the gas price will go!!

But it might be problematic on a different level, while I could cram my considerable derriere into that tiny little car (I am still iffy on the $40,000 price tag...but hey if Al Gore can drive one around so could I)...I am not so sure how the volt is going to transport my pop tarts here from California...or a load of lumber for Home Depot.....Mayflower moving vans will have to trade in one big truck for 2,000 Chevy volts huffing and puffing up the hill with one families belongings....one long extension cord hanging out the back of the last one....but, dang it all, we are still going to have a gas problem that the volt cannot solve.

Sorry Secretary Chu my kids didn't buy it when I tried to use that logic. We may have to fix the problem instead of wishing real hard that it doesn't exist. And Chevy may have to put that darn little car back into production in order for us to even buy it....and figure out why it has a tendency to burst into flames.

Just sayin'

We Cannot Escape The Influence Our Lives Have On The Lives Of Others.

Ever think about how much you influence other people? I know I didn't either....until something happened the other day and I had to consider the influence we really have on each other.

It is the butterfly thing, you've heard of it right?

Sorry Einstein, "The Butterfly Effect"

Here is the explanation....The Butterfly effect is a term used in chaos theory to describe how initial conditions can affect large, complex systems. The term comes from the suggestion that the flapping of a butterfly's wings in South America could affect the weather in Texas, meaning that the tiniest influence on one part of a system can have a huge effect on another part.

Wow, I feel like the scarecrow (thank you Chelle) right after he got a brain...spouting all kinds of smart, intellectual stuff -

The reality is our lives truly reflect the butterfly effect...the tiniest influence in our lives can have a huge effect on other parts of our lives....

For instance...My uncle called the night before my mother's funeral. He couldn't attend and I was giving the eulogy...he wanted to give me support knowing I was going to be scared and useless. This is how it came out...."Donna! You can do this...you remember you are made of better stuff." That's it, one conversation, not only did I get through the eulogoy, but I have heard that voice for the past 12 years. When I get in a position where I need extra confidence, I just remember that fine Texas voice..."Donna! You are made of better stuff." And I remember I am.

My speech teacher in high school....a woman I already thought was made of gold, telling me simply...."You are good....you are really good." That one statement moved me through college. When I fell short, when criticism was intense.....and when I couldn't hear my better angels, her words would come to me..."You are good.."

The parent of one of my seminary students called one night to talk about her daughter. There had been some serious problems and I was one of many trying to help. She said this amazing thing to me...."you probably don't think about us very often, but we think about you every day." I was without words. She didn't mean it to be flattering....what she was saying and what I understood so plainly was....we need help and you are helping us and we are so grateful.

Recently a dear friend saved us in a way no one was else was able to. The butterfly effect...I whispered in his ear....."There will never be a night that passes that we don't pray for you and for your family, we are grateful forever." What he did for us was a sacrifice for him...but he followed an impression and it helped us so much.

Jan Graham sending the Mormon Missionaries to my home...one phone call changed my life forever. I learned how to share what means the most to me.

Pat Scott bringing a cooked ham to my home after a miscarriage...I learned how to bring in meals.

Betsey Holley coming to my house with a car full of food after a particularly difficult episode in my life....we cooked and laughed all afternoon! I learned how to serve my friends.

My grandmother teaching me how to set a table...and to never save your good things for a day that might not come. I learned how to share the best of what I have with others.

My daughter telling me her teacher only liked the "cool kids". I learned how important it is to treat people with love and respect...no matter how young they are.

My mother-in-law telling me how happy she was I married her son. I learned to accept people even if their culture and religion was different.

Beth Miller insisting I move back to Las Vegas from Houston....one month later I met my husband and began building the family I love so much. I learned to listen to wise people!

Molly Hyer who loved me when I was mess...never gave up on me and now cries each time she sees me....I learned to love people even when they don't really seem to want it, and are a little hard to love.

There have been endless times I have been the recipient of a small act that influenced my life in a big way.

The Butterfly effect works the other way too....negative flapping of butterfly wings...and I have let those demons shout my better angels down....but it's not much fun. So I continue to work hard to hear my angels....and to look hard to see what the smallest fluttering of butterfly wings will bring to my life.

Remember, remember, remember......we influence people every day.....mostly when we aren't looking.

We cannot escape the influence our lives have on the lives of others...President Thomas S. Monson.

My love to all the butterflys!!

Hey log on to my son Mikey's blog, it is a lot of fun!! http://suufootball.blogspot.com/

Modern Day Daniel

One of my favorite people in the Old Testament is Daniel. As you remember when Jerusalem was invaded by the Babylonians - see Nebuchadnezzar - they had several goals. One of course was to lay waste to Jerusalem.....which happened over and over again. But Nebuchadnezzar, no flies on him, had another goal. Instead of just invading and taking any 'ole thing, the edict was to find "Children in who was no blemish but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge and understand science and such as had ability in them to stand in the King's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans." Nebuchadnezzar wasn't just any Babylonian, he was a Babylonian with a clear goal. Take slaves, but take smart ones. He had a city to build....with hanging gardens....remember?

So enter Daniel, one of the greatest in the Old Testament and his three friends. Their names were Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.....we know them better by their Babylonian names, Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar, and then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. The king provided for them a daily portion of the King's meat and wine. He did that because he thought it would be the best for them...the King decided what was best for them, very important point...... However these young men would not eat the meat nor drink the wine, they had been given a strict law about what food they could eat...and they wanted to follow what they had been taught. They wanted grain....and no matter what the King wanted they were not going to go against the covenant they made.

These young men followed God not the King.....in the end they were brought before the King and their health was ten times better than the magicians and astrologers who had followed the King...

Now why am I bringing up this story....a great story.....but why?

We are living it today.

There is a mandate (a mandate is something you are forced to do) in Obamacare that contraception must be provided by every health insurance provider. Seems benign, most women use contraceptives. But here is the problem. President Obama is telling Catholics they must provide contraceptives. Must....you must. It does not matter that your religion forbids it.....you must. And it does not matter that most Catholic women use contraceptives. What matters is our government telling a religion that they must obey President Obama and not the God they worship. The military would not allow Priests to read the letter from the Catholic hierarchy over the pulpit 2 weeks ago furthering the perception of denying free speech. Sorry Catholic hospitals, built with Catholic money donated by Catholics....we the government tell you what you can do with the tenants of your religion.

Nebuchadnezzar would be so proud.

It doesn't matter if you are Catholic or not, this is a shot over the bow for all people of faith. ....this administration is telling us that the government is to be bowed to....the government is the last word...they know best.

Oh really?

Push back? You ain't seen nothing yet.

Stevie Nicks would do it...

As you know Stevie Nicks is the patron saint of my blog.....the reason is very simple......she was in the background of my youth. When I was young I didn't worry about much of anything....I kept life very simple.....tan, work, play tennis, dance, sleep.....simple.

And Stevie Nicks approved. She could twirl out on a stage in a beautiful black dress, long blonde hair and great music....and we all felt pretty.

I am not having a mid life crisis....but I miss that Donna sometimes....she was a lot of fun. And by the way, she was always late too......so not everything changes.

I have to remember that once upon a time I had fun.....We all need to remember that. So dance to Motown today! Lip sync your absolute favorite high school song....call up a friend who knew you when you had a waistline and laugh about the one that got away. Relive some harmless pranks.....and just laugh!!




Best Medicine.....Stevie Nicks would do it.

A little of this, a little of that

Caucus, Superbowl, Ashleigh's lawsuit.....where do I start?

First Nevada's caucus.......simple. We had a great leader of our little precinct. No confusion, no problems....there are 500 people in our precinct, 47 bold souls showed up. We elected a delegate.....then we listened to folks speak about their favorite candidate. Every person who spoke represented their candidate well. Oddly enough their personalities were just like the candidate they chose to represent. The Newt Gingrich supporter was direct and to the point. The Ron Paul supporter was passionate about liberty......the Santorum supporter was the weakest. She was simply against Mitt Romney. I wished Santorum had a better speaker....and then several folks stood up for Mitt, plain spoken and to the point. I was thrilled only one was Mormon. And they all had good reasons......We were home by 11....I am a good American. I feel strongly that the presidential race is important....but Barbara Bush was right when she told a group of U.S. college students, "Your success as a family—our success as a society—depends not on what happens at the White House, but on what happens at your house." So no matter what occurs.....rock your house. Block the contention...hug your family.
Results? Santorum 2 Ron Paul 8, Newt Gingrich 12 and Mitt 25.....almost exactly how the rest of the state went. There are some voter problems in our fair state.....welcome to 2012....I don't think Nevada will Caucus ever again....primary next time, please?

Since my husband and children are Giants fans.....the superbowl was great fun....loved the catch made.....I love it when professional athletes look like professionals. And although not a fan of Madonna, I totally want to grow out my hair and dance more....she was doing cartwheels!!

Ashleigh's lawsuit.....5 years ago (count it 1 2 3 4 5 years ago) She got stuck in a traffic jam on the freeway. Stop and go.....and the woman in front of her stopped too short and Ashleigh ran into her. She was going 5 miles an hour. No damage to Ashleigh's jeep....but the woman she plowed into at such a high rate of speed was severely hurt......NOT. Our insurance company investigated her had pictures and everything, she went bankrupt during this time, Ashleigh went through 3 attorneys in this ridiculous journey.....the woman has 4 other cases, none of which can come out in trial....and Ashleigh lost. The jury, and heaven help us if this represents America, didn't even blink.....gave her every penny. The judge even said when the jury left that the woman would get every penny. How about that blind justice? Unless you have been sued you cannot know how it feels. This won't affect Ashleigh except in much higher premiums, but seriously? You do realize people can sue you for any reason at any time....right? When we were being sued people would say all the time, " drop the case." Are you kidding? Once the suing starts you are in for the ride until it is over. Our lawsuits.......there were 3, were soul wrenching. We survived, family and marriage intact, but the people who sued us have shredded lives. I think putting people through that kind of pain damages you in ways you cannot know. I will never do that to another person.

On to a new week.....a great week ahead.....

PayPal or PayEnemy?

Napoleon is credited with saying that an army moves on its stomach.....I think I will be known for the saying....."I move forward on the velocity of my mistakes."

At an age that my mother was quietly winding down I find I am ramping up. And it is disconcerting. Learning the computer is not a sweet little hobby so that I can organize pictures and keep up with old friends....it is the keeper of my business, my bills and my money.

And you need to know I have been measured and I have been found wanting.

The other day I received a payment for services rendered through Paypal. At first I was upset at the enormous charge for simply using Paypal to funnel money from one source to my personal bank account. But then I was annoyed at how long it took for the money to go from my Paypal account to my bank......one day, then another day....3 days? I called and found out I have to request Paypal to send the money to my bank account. I had used it in the past and never needed to do that. But if I was more savvy to the world of commerce I would have suspected it.

One button, just that one request.....and the money was on the way. But according to the brain trust at Paypal it would take another 3 to 4 days. In my ignorance I had added almost a week to the process. Lesson learned, it won't happen again.....but how many other land mines are ahead for my very unprepared self?

A few years ago I was doing some geneology at the family history library. I approached a volunteer worker there with a problem. After we discussed it and I was still unclear she looked me straight in the face and sternly said, "Sister I am 87 years old and I am learning the computer....we are not going backward.....learn the computer!"

What have you learned to do? What mistake have you made that we can learn from?

OK, now I am really mad....

Most of the people who read my blog will not be interested in the tirade I am about to go off on. So please just send this link to your crazy uncle or deadbeat cousin and be done with it.

I am hear by recommending that Rush Limbaugh rename his program "The Newt Gingrich Show". I have had it. We are to believe that Newt can reform from his philandering ways....but Mitt Romney can't change his mind. Perhaps at 68 the philandering ship has sailed, but seriously? Newt? Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh doesn't remember Sharon Angle. The tea party favorite who was not Nevada's best candidate and frankly was embarrassing.

Seriously Newt?

And by the way, I loved Sarah Palin. She was me....a housewife who worked her way up all the way to vice presidential nominee....and now she endorses (or might as well) Newt. I see her now as someone who has a lot of money and power and is not handling it very well. And is throwing her weight around saying things that don't even make sense......

I joined the Republican Party in the year 2000. Mostly to vote for a friend of mine in a primary. I am a social conservative, and a fiscal conservative....I mostly voted republican anyway....but who are these people? Rush and Sara look like my unreasonable cousin who is still mad I got my grandmother's flatware.

Seriously Newt?

I felt the same way when Sharon Angle was nominated. Here we go, another 6 years of Reid doing nothing for Nevada. And I was right. I met with a businessman this morning who needed my support on a project he is doing. They all say the same thing, no one is helping Nevada get back on their feet. Not a single politician....ever see Reid? Ever see any of them?

I will not support an unelectable candidate again. I will not vote for Obama because he has tried to get us back to work and he can't. Everything else he stands for doesn't really affect me....and probably doesn't very many others......but he never gets up and gives us the Braveheart Speech....

I want the Braveheart speech! I want people to believe in themselves again! I want people to start taking chances...get out there and fight for your home, and your way of life.

Don't let Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin and the rest of them talk you out of what you know is right. And if they still speak to you then great. But think for yourself. If Gingrich had done such a great job in Washington he would have a lot more support from those he worked with.

Read what Steve Largent has to say about him. Largent probably won't endorse Romney because of Romney's religion, but read what he says about Gingrich. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/72084_Page2.html

Just a thought....now I am going back to clean my bathroom.

Just a Thought....

I know this may sound odd, but I love politics. I always have. It was my major in college, and I loved it. How to run a poll, government in China, Roberts rules of order.....you name it, I loved it.

But not this....not this....current war. No matter what level the race is, the pattern is the same. Dragging a candidate out of his warm bed and stomping on his neck happens with every race from dog catcher to president....and you know what? It always has been that way. Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams went at it like crazy...by the time of the election finally rolled around both men would have wild stories circulated about their pasts, charges of murder,adultery, and prostitution with the help of partisan newspapers and the year? 1824. The race was finally decided by the house of representatives, with the speaker of the house Henry Clay maybe tweaking the outcome..........the more things change, the more things stay the same.

And as much as I enjoy politics, I recoil at how much government we now have. In 1805 Thomas Jefferson said our government was too big.....it is a mess now. Government was supposed to be a condiment...making sure the clocks all worked and water when we turned on the faucet...but now it is an entity wielding more power than was ever intended. Comparable to unions, first created to keep children out of factories, and being a voice for the little guy....now instead of the factory owner taking advantage of the worker it is the union. Ironic?

A long standing argument between my mother and I revolved around abortion. I am adamantly opposed to it, my mother was in favor of it. And she let me know that often. I don't understand abortion....I also did not understand my mother's viewpoint until one day she told me her best friend had died in Chicago of a botched abortion. She told me how beautiful this woman was, how talented...but that her boyfriend would not marry her after she became pregnant....so she felt she had no choice. And she died from a botched abortion in the fifties.

That story didn't change my mind, we always have a choice, but I understood why my mother felt the way she did. I disagree with a lot of people, I believe the world was created by God.....but I do not believe it was created in 7 days. I believe in creative periods. For instance after all the plants and flowers were created that was "a day".

not a 24 hour day...but a creative period. But if you want to believe the world was created in 6 days.....no problem. Or if you believe in evolution.....no problem. I think we should be able to believe the way we want to without being ridiculed.

This presidential race we are slogging through is hard to watch, hard to listen to, and above all, frustrating with how the facts are so twisted . And they are all twisting facts. I don't know very much, but I know the difference between the tax rate of salary and the tax rate from investments......and for people who know better to say that it is unfair that Warren pays 15 per cent and his secretary pays more makes me angry. How do we know she pays more? Where are her tax records? And by the way the money invested and then taxed at 15 per cent has already been taxed once at 35 per cent. I mean that money he invested had to come from somewhere....right?

Whoever gets the republican nomination will have gone through the most difficult process ever. How many secrets could be left out there for the enquirer to discover?

However I wish the pundits would stop.....talking. All of them.

I wish editorials would be filled with opinions of ideas. Critical thinking....real ideas, I would love it.

And yes, character matters. My husband refused to hire people who cheated on their husbands or wives.....he told me that if someone would lie to the person they make the biggest promises to, they would lie to him.

I wish someone like William Wallace would run.....blue paint and all. I love that Braveheart speech. I think the whole country would like that.

People in Las Vegas are confused by the cold. It's not normal, so we just don't understand. And until it warms up our lives are just sort of like those pictures of dogs playing poker.....or the republican presidential primaries.

This is how I look at the world any more....the RCA victor dog. He is just slightly incredulous, head cocked to one side.....silently wondering, "what the heck is going on?"

So many things were going on in that primary in South Carolina. This is just my opinion....but I think some people are so mad, so without hope, that they would vote for someone and in this case, anyone, who they think will avenge their feelings. Newt reminds me of that sort of crooked police chief who bends the rules to
"get the guy." But people are looking for a leader.....and in lieu of a real leader......they have chosen Newt.

At least Debbie Wasserman Schultz is having a good night. They have to be thinking that this is Sharon Angle on steroids....

What do you think is going on? Is it really the totally abysmal week Mitt had? Is it Newt's basically charm free campaign? Is he really that angry? Is anyone really that angry? What is going on?

My husband is convinced people simply will not vote for a Mormon........he can't explain it any other way. So he went to bed.

I don't know, maybe that's part of it....but I think people are mad at President Obama and they think Newt can embarrass him during a debate. That's all they want.....revenge.

Which brings me to my favorite show......Revenge. It is shockingly fun....and bad guys are in trouble!!! I love it...

What in the world do you think is going on? What is going to happen? What, What, What?????

Is It Really December?

So much to tell you...I have been so busy...Oh, you have too? That's right, it's December!

Go back to a few days before Thanksgiving...we had a great job for great people to cook turkey and ham for about 200 of the good men at Nellis Air Force Base. With the help of extra roasters, and our trusty ovens....we (mostly Raymond) cooked lots of turkeys and hams. He cooked them and carved them, put them in large pans and met sweet Becky at the door. Off she went to serve good food to our wonderful men in uniform....it was an honor.

Even though we were up most of that night, I decided to forgo a nap and instead play with my children who were all home....after all, I could go to bed early, so no problem.

Never say...."no problem"

Sound asleep my phone rang at 9:30.....my oldest son calling from his bedroom in horrible pain. The kind of pain that doesn't go away....that's right emergency room and kidney stones! He is young, in great shape so he mended quickly, but oh the pain, (and lack of sleep) and that was just the 6 hours at the emergency room. His next pain will be in the form of the bill for his uninsured self....

Thanksgiving was happily celebrated at our long time friends the Soderbergs....The highlight of the whole day was the moment Joe Soderberg took to express his gratitude. It was sweet, sincere and will stay with me for a long time. His wife Karen then took a moment to do the same, to welcome us all to her home, thanked us all for helping....I loved it! And the food was of course wonderful!!

We got home in time to watch the last (I will not ever believe it) game between Texas and Texas A&M....please know this game is as much a part of my childhood as anything. My grandmother would set a beautiful table for Thanksgiving....and then we would eat at half time....in fact she would remind us...."eat a little faster darlin', our Longhorns need us" And the fact they won!! Amazing. However, everyone get it together in Texas and give us our memories back. Next Thanksgiving is going to be a little bit sad.

The next day we started the long road of decorating....I love Christmas...I love the red and green and silver and sparkling things. The lights and songs. I love it all. I have been pretty busy, so it isn't finished yet! Isn't that awful? I am going to finish today...whatever isn't done won't happen..I have put up my fairies, my radko tree, the garland is strung....it's enough.

Last Wednesday I was in charge, along with a lot of other women, our of church's Christmas dinner ..... just for the ladies. Women volunteered to set tables with their holiday finery...we even set up an extra table just in case....we had 9 tables of 8....beautiful settings, beautiful centerpieces...I made sure the lights were low...(that is my tip for decorating - low lights, we look better, the house looks better - your welcome) Every thing went so well.....so many people doing so much! My husband cooked all day and made a delicious Chicken with basil sauce...Kim made tons of wild rice...and then we all loved Raymond's salad of greens with strawberries and candied nuts...his new dressing is just right and makes it all pop! And all the women who made dinner rolls! Is anything better? We had a beautiful program on the life of the Savior and then....that's right! Pie!! Thank you Charlie for amazing desserts. And thank you all for coming....so many beautiful women...I love them all.

The weather turned horribly that night so we left everything in the car to take care of the next morning. I was so tired and Raymond was beat....we had 2 great lunches to make the next day so we got up and just started working. You know how food is, everything goes well and then at the last minute it gets nuts! So Raymond went outside with me to pack the food and he opened the back of the Yukon, not remembering how much stuff was back there.....hold on......wait for it.....my grandmother's china came shooting out the back onto the drive. I was in front and just screamed! It triggered so many emotions...why didn't I follow the prompting to turn the truck around? Our driveway is on an incline and I know how easy it is for things to roll out. Poor Raymond all those glasses broken (they were so cheap no problem) but my grandmother's china? She had had them for 70, 80 years...I couldn't get them one block? The news is not as bad as it could be, only 4 bread plates were broken. How protected was I? Raymond felt awful, and was even more relieved that only 4 bread plates were broken!

Reality comes....it's just plates....because the next day was sadly spent with friends at the viewing of a beautiful daughter who left us too soon......there are no words to express the emotions one feels in that setting.

I am hoping we can express our love to each other regularly, we never know what is around the corner. So hug your loved ones today.... please forgive people their shortcomings.....the forgiveness you receive back is well worth it....as someone who needs forgiveness often I count on it.

Which brings us to today....my list of things to be grateful for grows. Today I would like to thank Claudia, Byron, Cris and Susie.....they know what for....and I want them to know how grateful we are for them. There are no finer neighbors. None.

The day looms ahead..... lots of problems to solve...but I know I can...my attitude is changing...I am trying not to be overwhelmed by problems..but instead overwhelmed by solutions. I know where my strength comes from...and I am so grateful for the Savior's guidance and influence in my life. I feel His love.

Thank you to all my friends....both around me and cyber.....

Go and have a great day!!

Jury Duty .......yikes!

So in keeping with a life lived on the proper side of the law I reported today for jury duty. I usually am a good sport about my number coming up for jury duty....but not today. I wore my very bad mood right on the outside of my face, and left it there.

I forgot to call the jury summons folks last night...I don't know how your system works but here in the hinterland we call the night before to find out if we need to report or not. I forgot to call and didn't realize it until almost noon. I panicked and saw a bench warrant in my near future. I was so relieved to find I wasn't supposed to report until noon......so I drove as fast as I could, I was only a little late and this is what I walked in on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please line up numerically.....that is one number sequentially after another. What number are you sir? 108? What number are you? 115? We are missing a few people.....would number 109 please come to the front of the line? No Ma'am please stand behind 108 not in front of 108....would number 110 please come up?"

This went on forever......seriously forever.....

And then this exchange......."ladies and gentlemen would you please curve the line around the chairs in the back? No sir, behind them.....sir? could you please go behind the chairs in the back?

And this went on forever.......I felt like I was in the Star Wars Cafe.....

And I was just annoyed......and cranky.

And so I waited....and waited....I had some friends who worked in the building and they came down and visited with me.......and then some more friends came and went......they all seemed to find the humor in a situation that was certainly escaping me.

And then after another interminable amount of time the folks in charge of our little slice of heaven told us all to go home.

Another day in Paradise....and I made it through without a bench warrant for failing to show up for jury duty.

Flowers For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays....the colors are warm, the times are sweet, the food is good, and we stop just briefly.....just for a moment......for gratitude.

This is my husband's work, he used all my favorite colors....












If you would like to order any of these arrangements, let me know.










As my grandmother would say in the deepest of drawls, "She seems like a nice girl, but does she set a good table?"












Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Decide to Decide

Aunt Stuff called the other day....not happy at all. This is the same always happy woman who has minimized her ailments over her later years. When I asked her how she was doing a few months ago she told me in that wonderful west Texas drawl "oh, Donna we're still kickin'! Just not very high!"

That same Aunt Stuff wasn't on my phone the other day. The woman on my phone was shaking with anger. She almost whispered, "Donna? Did you hear what has happened at Penn State?" When I assured her I had, she told me she was sick. Sick in her heart, sick at her stomach and sick with the thought of what had happened there.

Sick that young boys had been so used at the hands of a monster.

And no one did anything to help them. I cannot get the images out of my head. I have two sons....I remember when they were 10 what if this had happened to them and no one tried to save them? I can't wrap my head around what is going through their minds. The boys, the moms, the dads...so many innocent people involved......

The fact that no one helped these boys, and so very many people knew what Sandusky was doing...Aunt Stuff read the grand jury report...so many people knew what had happened. And no one did anything. How can that be?

I hope I taught my children to be valiant. To be people of honor who stand up when the world would tell them to sit down. Should we have to reassess on something that should be a reflex? Shouldn't it be a reflex to protect a child? There should be no thought to our own safety or in this case to our own career when a child is being raped.

Joe Paterno was an icon. Now he is a pariah......his reputation ruined. He is scarred forever. It is horrific that he made such a disastrous decision. Couldn't he have made one more phone call? But just one report? And no follow up? There was an eye witness, not a rumor, an eye witness. But they all filed it away, oh that silly pedophile! Let's just take away his key and tell him not to bring young boys on campus any more. Again, I am sick.

This monster has brought down a whole town. Ruined lives and careers in every direction. Joe Paterno will never get over this, his wife and children are forever scarred, Penn State will always have this scandal to deal with. Proud students who have to come to grips with the man they considered their "dad" let a ten year old boy be destroyed and did nothing. And how many other victims? It is hard to believe such evil can exist, it is also hard to believe that this monster was welcome on the Penn State campus up to a week ago, working out in the weight room.

I have been heartened that most of the sports figures that have come forward have said the same thing....."I had nothing but respect for Joe Paterno, but I have sons....."

As typical with evil it was all well hidden. For years it was hidden. I saw Joe Paterno as a guy who never ventured out of his beloved State College Pennsylvania. His home was on campus, he was the undisputed king of Penn State Football. Hundreds of boys went through his program.....he prided himself on making them men, teaching them values, making them work hard and be disciplined. Again the reality is parents are the role models, parents teach morals, how to work, be disciplined. Parents teach values. Sometimes we trust the people around us with too much and we foolishly abdicate our responsibilities. This story should make us all stop and think. And then reconsider the people we continuously set on pedestals for no real good reason. And trust.....with our children.....why do we do that?

This is why we have to decide to decide.....no matter what, no matter the cost....we will stand for what is right.

Oh The Places You'll Go!!

When I bought this book for my children I had no idea how profound that statement really was......

Have you ever analyzed all the places you go?

Come with me, you won't believe it......

Today started out OK in front of the computer, I have had to deal with car insurance premiums...so I checked that status...and then noticed that the credit from the auto part we took back still hasn't shown up on the bank statement......I got Mikey out of jury duty. He isn't a resident of Nevada any more so you would think that would be a no brainer. Nope....he has to fax a litany of information to the jury people. Then all hell broke loose when someone called who said they have something to do with an upgrade, or a new model or something like that for my husband's diabetic meter. Now I listen because this sounds important. But something isn't right, you know that feeling? I soldier on because it's medical and that seems important. But then I realize they don't know what meter he uses, what medicine he takes or his doctor's name. After denying a million times that she is selling something I realize I have given her all my information and she is selling something...a new meter. What a dope I am. And to continue my dopiness instead of just hanging up I keep pushing this wagon right off a cliff. Remember that story about the group of kids who are hiking and one gets bit by a snake? And the rest of the kids take the time to find the snake and kill it instead of rushing the injured one for help? The poor sick kid had a way worse recovery than if they had forgotten about the snake and went for help right away. Well that was me, instead of just hanging up I had to argue with her.....so what happened? Because I wasn't paying attention the dog ran out. I had to finish my argument so a long time went by before we started looking for the dog. My daughter's number is on his collar so I had to wait for someone to find him and then call her and then she had to call me and guess what? She is in New York waiting for it to be Friday so she can go to my Nephew's wedding.....11-11-11. By the time all these events took place and I finally talked to the person who had him, they were 20 miles away!! So dumb? Ya think?

Now I am fit to be tied...madder than mad...I missed an appointment AND I had to drive 20 miles to get a stupid dog AND then go to a mammogram. Forgot to tell you about that didn't I?...that's right a mammogram, ah the sweet days of Donna.

Seriously?

I have on no makeup, a terrible attitude and a need for revenge. So I set out to find the dog.

Found the dog.....and the sweetest young girl comes out to meet me. She tells me how they had to pick him up because he was in danger. My heart melts. Thank you I tell her.....thank you. And put the dumb dog in the car......oh he stinks.

Then I look over and see this amazingly huge real estate building...I find the front door and go in. It is the coolest lobby I have ever seen. The directory speaks to you....no kidding. The directory has this great touch screen touch the office you want and a woman's face appears and tells you where it is. I went to the wrong door just to be able to do it again. I loved it!! Once inside the right office I find someone and ask if they have anyone who specializes in raw land as I have an acre to sell. I give them my flier and they buzz around a bit. It may not work but I felt better. Have to sell that land.......

Then I decided to cheat on my diet and have a diet coke. That's right cheating on this diet is a diet coke. Don't ask. So for some reason I decide to go to the Middle Eastern mini mart to get my soda fix. As I pull up I notice another store next to it called, "Trading Labels - Contemporary Designer resale" My bad mood has abated a bit so I go in there before the soda and am wowwed!! St. John's knits, Burberry coats, Coach boots, scarves, shoes, jewelry. At a fraction of the cost!! It was heaven! And two of the nicest women, Natasha and Marlina, own and run it. Fabulous..... and then not to mention and added benefit, the pet groomer next door who brought a poodle in with a mohawk. A green mohawk......love Las Vegas.

Note.....mood improving.

After that I go into the Middle Eastern mini mart and discover middle Eastern people don't drink diet coke. But their food is fascinating. So I walked around....took in the smells and aromas...and I saw some produce I had never seen before! But alas, no diet coke, so back in the car.

Oh the dog smells.

On the way to a diet coke mini mart my friend Lianne called to talk about tomorrow. We are going to the hospital to sit with another friend while her baby, that's right a baby, is having open heart surgery. Couldn't be more serious. Our first instinct in situations like that is to stay away, not intrude.....so wrong my friends. Unless they tell you so, intrude! Bring your love! You don't have to stay long, but you never forget who visits in the hospital....

Mood waaaay improving.....

Now on to the mammogram. Picture me driving down the road with the stupid dog standing up on the console and I cannot get him to move. What I must have looked like to other drivers.

I get to the radiology department and stand there waiting to be helped. I am just about to say something when an elderly woman walks in, holds up a bag with an urine specimen in it and asks "Where do I take this? I couldn't give a sample this morning so they told me to go home and bring one in later." It was the most incongruous thing I had ever seen. We are all about radiology....x rays, mammograms, cat scans....no urine specimens. They tried to tell her this was not the place, but she was determined someone in radiology was going to take that sample. They finally convinced her to go down the hall to the lab. She slowly walked outside and came right back. "The line is too long. I am not waiting in that line." Again, Sheila, woman behind the desk at radiology, tells her they don't take urine specimens, and please go to the lab. I pipe up and tell her to go to the lab and find the table near the bathroom and put your specimen with all the rest of them. No line, no waiting. You know if they take urine specimens there is a table near the bathroom covered in specimens. Right? She disappears again......only to come back after awhile to tell me she did just what I told her. Found the table and left her specimen right there.

I turned and looked at all the women working behind the desk. They had the most incredulous look on their face. You know how you look when you see something that you cannot believe you saw, but you saw it anyway? Oh my, this day is so odd.

Now on to the mammogram and the fabulous Nancy Taylor, my mammogrammer.......in preparation we talked about my weird day, and how it was getting better. All it took was kindness. A little here and a little there.....the woman who found my dog, the two lovely women at the resale shop, my friend Lianne, Sheila at the front desk of radiology....and now the fabulous Nancy. Nancy reminded me there was a full moon, a meteor had just gone by and not to forget Friday, 11-11-11, a numbered palindrome which brings some kind of mystic quality to us all. Then not to forget next year, specifically December 12, 2012 starts the Age of Aquarius. I thought the Age of Aquarius was a song....nope, the Age of Aquarius is connected with all kinds of activity. From mayhem to harmony you be the judge.

Nancy was a kind voice, a calm in my abetting storm, and I was a different person. Thank you, Nancy. You never know where you will find a little helpful philosophy.

Oh the places you will go.....all in one day. From the ridiculous to the sublime. I so grateful I could see it.....grateful I didn't stay stuck in my bog.

We really are in control of our lives....I keep thinking I am being acted upon. Things are breaking right and left, bills are piling up with no end in sight, and my stupid land is not selling. And all I am is noisy.....noisy in my head, noisy in my prayers......because of all the noise, I am not listening and not paying any attention to the amazing life that is around me. I am glad I had this day....It was a gift.

What places will you go?

To Augie.....

In the circle of life we have good times and we have not so good times. The not so good times are so we can appreciate the good times. The calm after the storm, the moment after the baby is born.....the minute a party is over and it was a good time. All good times....

But the not so good times pretty much stink. And when we are in that particular curve in the circle of life we depend on a few tender mercies to give us a will to live. To think the sun will come up tomorrow. And if you look real hard you will see all kinds of kindnesses. I know we have...

But to Augie.....not so much. In fact, he is a big donkey. And I don't even know him except for a brief, unpleasant time on the phone this afternoon. There was a bill due...on the 5th, but the 5th is on a Saturday, so they took out the automatic payment on the 4th. The 5th was fine, I had the money there on the 5th, not the 4th....so I received an overdraft fee. Yikes!! So embarrassing, so annoying....and of course, that would just start an avalanche of problems. So I called the bank...and got to talk to Augie. He was the most difficult, unhappy man I have ever spoken to. He told me he would send me the paperwork that showed on page 5 of 7 pages in one paragraph that if the due date is on a weekend then you have to pay on Friday. And NO we will not help you. And then he did the most amazing thing, he hung up on me!!

I calmly called again, actually because I was stunned, and spoke to an angel at Wells Fargo. I didn't even know that angels were bankers, but yet I found one. She saw the problem, refunded the money and wished me a great night!

How about that?

Did you hear that Augie?

And to everyone else, never take no or NO for an answer. Talk to everyone, after someone tells you no, call again. Never give up.....when you are right, or at least can prove an honest mistake, often people will work with you....unless of course your name is Augie and you work at Wells Fargo.

And to everyone who works with the public, or anyone who even just ventures out in the world, treat everyone as though they are having the worst day of their life and you will be right 50 per cent of the time. There are lots of folks out there who will be affected by a kindness, any kindness.....because the world is beating us up pretty good right now. Isn't it amazing how one smile, one honest kind word changes everything? I want to be that element of change.....

So to the woman at the store who raced around me to get to the checker when she had a cart full of fattening and disgusting food and I had one thing...and then pretended not to see me....let me introduce you to Augie........Enjoy......

Life is good and life is hard....I just want to make sure I behave myself at both ends.

To Talulah

Dear Talulah,

I know I haven't written for awhile, I get busy, and when I have a second I find the only thing that interests me is pointing the remote at the TV. And then when I realize how much time I have wasted I feel so guilty! But not enough to stop....typical.

Things here are the same, we are still trying to find an industrial kitchen to cater from, or a full on store front....we keep trying to find the answer, but it's not coming. In the mean time Raymond continues to improve his recipes for pizza and pasta, and a million other things. He does know how to make food sing.

I had a really disturbing thing happen the other day....Remember when I wrote that blog, you know the one about me pouting that a minister called my religion a cult? I was trying to be funny, but one person didn't find it too funny. She wrote to me and said it was good that Mormons were being scrutinized because she had had such a terrible experience with some of her family that had joined the Mormon Church. I was horrified when I read what had happened. It seems that her brother had joined the church and he and his wife decided that the rest of family was an evil influence on their children. What do you say after that? Except that her brother and his wife are NUTS. Who does that? How does anyone call their own family an evil influence? How can you profess to love God and then hate His children? I wrote back to her and told her that was not what Mormons are supposed to do.....we are supposed to be at least nice, and definately less like a donkey than that. How was she to know that all Mormons aren't taught to avoid family members who don't "see the light"? We had known each other through our children and I always wondered why she never seemed comfortable around me. I figured she was just shy....I had no idea I represented the devil himself to her. A reminder of a faith that had taken her family from her. Me, cute little Donna.....

When did religion become a club we can hit other people over the head with? Oh, yeah.....from the very beginning. From Cain to Caligula, people who can be jerks sometimes hide behind God and then use Him to justify ghastly behavior. I am pretty sure God would not like that....

Wow......no wonder folks get a little crazy about religion. We have really messed it up.

Remember when Uncle Bill wouldn't go to church and Aunt Stuff said how great church was and if he didn't go then he was going to hell, and Uncle Bill said he would go to church when Aunt Stuff's dad gave the money back to the Baptists and apologized for running off with the church secretary?

Remember when Aunt Stuff ran over Uncle Bill's football that was autographed by Earl Campbell himself? And then Uncle Bill said religion was baloney because if it was so great they wouldn't fight about it every Sunday.....Remember when Aunt Stuff said Uncle Bill's parents were never married? To everyone at Aunt Barbara's birthday party?

Oh, my don't we love religion.

Loving God is supposed to change you....make you want to be better, different than you used to be. God would never tell us to abandon our families because we didn't see Him the same way.

I am not even very smart and I can see that.

I am so glad my friend took the time to write that letter to me. I learned a lot from her, one thing in particular......she said we never know the burden another person is carrying. How true is that? I read that we should treat everyone as though they are having the worst day of their life and we will be right fifty per cent of the time. I wish I would remember that, and stop thinking of myself so much....and how I am hurt, how things affect me, blah, blah, blah. Maybe I could take a look at folks around me.

I wish I was more like you Talulah.....even though you are a heathen Episcopalian. I tell you what, if you get to heaven before me talk me up OK? And if I get there first I will polish the seat next to me.....unless I end up with Uncle Bill.

How Great Can You Be?

I love a great motivational speech...I love hearing I am taller than I am, smarter than I am and stronger than I am. Because I know when I think it, I can do it.

I can do it!

So this morning when my son called and was a little down, I asked him if he had listened to the Braveheart speech lately....he hadn't. So I told him to google the Braveheart speech before he did anything else.

Why?

Because we need someone to remind us what we are made of. Often.

There is a line I picked up from a short fim......after a montage of football hits, and the speaker says in the background, "nothing hits harder than life." I know it is why we enjoy sports so much, why we root for the underdog....we are all the underdog in our hearts and we want someone to believe in us and tell us we can do it. Because life does hit harder than anything else. And we want to know we can get up......

We don't want to die of thirst not knowing we were inches from water. Bad times do one thing.....it forces otherwise docile people to action. People who would be fine going back to Virginia to farm like George Washington saw a need and understood what had to happen.

Thank goodness great people have felt that need to do something. Do you see what has been invented or created in the last 100 years? We literally have gone from horse and buggy to having a computer in your phone.....what once took up an entire room is now available on your phone! I now believe I can launch the shuttle (if it was still running) from my house! A hundred years ago people were dying from the flu, simple infections and polio. Think things are better now? It is because people saw a need, knew they could fill it, and did it.

Innovation is what has made us strong....critical thinking makes us smarter......and good questions are what makes us think.

When was the last time you heard a really good question? When was the last time you heard the answer to a really good question? When was the last time you took the time to be the one with the answer?

My question for you is, How great can you be?

From My Son....

My talented film major son, Trey, also has a blog. He wrote about his beliefs and how he got there.

In the Third Epistle of John verse 4 it says, "I have no greater joy than to hear than my children walk in truth."

He is a blessing....enjoy.

http://alostspaceman.tumblr.com/

Is This Worth a Pout?

Dr. Robert Jeffress has hurt my feelings. He stood in front of a camera and called me the member of a cult. I know there are 14 million Mormons in the world, but lets be clear, it is all about me and my feelings are hurt. And because I am a mouthy salty woman I can't just leave it there.

It is not my intention to counter any of his points, I am not about to try and "set anyone straight". No argument here. Dr. Jeffress has access to the truth about my religion but he chose, as my sweet uncle would say, "to not let the facts get in the way of a good story."

And what good would it do anyway? What would I gain by trying to persuade him that Jesus Christ is the center of my life? He won't believe me.

But He is. The Savior....is the center of my life. But Dr. Jeffress says I don't believe in Jesus Christ. And no matter what anyone says, it doesn't stop, he doesn't stop saying it. And it hurts my feelings.

Dr. Jeffress couldn't know that I searched for a religion that felt right. I wasn't born a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints....I went looking for a place to worship. My mother's family is Baptist, but my mother never went to church. My father's family is Methodist, but he never went to church. When I started my search for a religion I went to the Methodist Church first. The Pastor asked that if anyone wanted to turn their hearts over to Jesus to just come up front. So I did. I went right up front.....and I waited, and nothing occurred. That was it.....wait, this is it? No further instruction?....nothing. I didn't know much but I knew that just saying I believed was not going to help me be a believer. I didn't even know what I believed in. I had questions, I wanted to learn, I wanted to know why, I wanted to know everything.....So I kept looking....and then 2 missionaries came to my house. Mormon missionaries. I knew lots of kids from high school who were Mormon. They went to 3 hours of church on Sunday, and before school every day, very intense. And a little daunting. But I listened to them anyway although I was eager to rush them out of my house.......but they kept coming back. And then that Sunday I went to church and suddenly I knew I was home. It just felt right....I had to join, I wanted that feeling all the time. There have been only 2 decisions in my life that have been easy, decisions I haven't regretted one minute.....they are joining the Mormon church and marrying my husband. It wasn't easy for my parents when I joined there was an implied rejection and a lot of tension....my mother's cousin didn't help by sending some information to my mother about Mormons that scared her to death. That was the first time I came across anti-Mormon literature.

I have been aware of it ever since.

Anti Mormon demonstrators are outside every temple opening, they come to every conference in Salt Lake City, they come to the pageants our church puts on in the summer at Manti Utah and Palmyra New York, all on our property. Everywhere we go, there they are. Signs, whistles,and yelling at sweet older women as they cross the street to go to conference. And as we leave conference, all 21,000 at a time, our leaders remind us not to engage the demonstrators.

Really?

I so want to engage them, I told you I am a salty mouthy woman.....I did do that one time, engage them......it was really dumb. But I did pull one great prank. When our temple was having it's open house, I was in charge of driving people up to the temple. Right there at the gate entrance were the anti's. I stopped and they walked over to the car to give me their literature. I was mad, I mean c'mon this is our temple.....but I was polite. All I could think was, leave us alone, this is a big deal to us...... but I smiled and took their stuff and went on my way....and then I had an idea........the next time I went through I was really nice...I told them how much we enjoyed their literature and could we have extras? They complied and we pretty much emptied them out. Every time I went through I got a stack of their papers and put them right in the trash. All Day Long. It was fabulous!!

I am not going to tell you that being Mormon is some big put upon deal, I mean after all we get every designated driver job. And if you needed a kidney wouldn't you hope a Mormon was available? We are actually very healthy people. I have never been denied a mortgage because I am Mormon.....but it does hurt when I have had great conversations with other mothers at school, we chat and find out how much we have in common, delighted to find a "kindred spirit" and then they find out I'm Mormon.....suddenly there is no friendship and no play dates. That stings.

But to be sure I have had great experiences with religion and friends who aren't Mormon. Case in point my friend Ellen Ayoub. She called one day and said, "Donna I heard something about your religion today that just doesn't sound right, I know you and I know you wouldn't have anything to do with a religion that believed what I heard today." She was right, it wasn't true and I was able to explain what we really did believe. I will never forget that, so kind, so tolerant.

Someone needs to contact Dr. Jeffress and tell him that the people he vilifies and judges so harshly have feelings. But it isn't new....People have been making people feel badly forever. From the Merchant of Venice, one of my favorite Shakespeare plays.......Shylock talks about being Jewish and doesn't he bleed like everyone else? I tried to put the quote in, but it didn't work...but you know how it goes, we are just like everyone else, we laugh, we bleed.

And as a people we are adorable. Gladys knight? Donny and Marie? Philo Farnsworth? (invented TV) your neighbor, your child's teacher, and of course, me.

So Bob, cut us some slack....and give me a call. I would like to know what you think....

The Urine Sample and the Search for Something Better

So for anyone who has been following the odd doings of my life....please let me continue.

I had a flu shot which produced a huge bruise. And then, lucky me, I promptly felt like I had the flu for the next 24 hours....I didn't care for that, and neither did anyone around me......oh by the way.

Then I went to offer up my blood to the technical lab ghouls, other wise known as phlebotomists, who work for my doctors. Since this last test they have the evidence as to whether my cholesterol is where it should be (it isn't) and levels from my B12 to thyroid to sugar to anemia to almost anything else including whether or not I can swim. I am amazed that blood reveals all our secrets......I just want whatever big bang that created me to know how grateful I am for such a handy way to monitor my health.....I love all the miracles that big bang was able to create...how lucky for us all.

At the end of my bloodletting they handed me the dreaded small cup....the urine sample....40 to 50 milliliters she says. I have been fasting I tell her, no eating no drinking...I think I am only a 20 milliliter girl. She doesn't smile......I go off on a journey that I am convinced will not have a happy ending. However, I noticed all I had to do was leave a sample in the cup on the table by the bathroom....and they were so busy no one could yell at my lack of "effort".

Another test down. I seriously am finished with this health stuff. I remember one time my husband went to Santa Barbara for a physical. He met with a doctor who interviewed him, and decided which tests he needed. He started his tests that afternoon, the last test was a colonoscopy....which is not nearly as painful when you have an ocean view. And then at the end of the 3 days the same doctor reviewed every test and told him the results. He praised him, yelled at him, counseled him and sent us home.

Now that my friend is efficiency. Very different indeed from my appointment on appointment wait and wait.......

The worst part is I haven't even ventured over to the Caligula Center of squeeze....otherwise known as the mammogram terrorists. I heard they get their training in Afghani caves from Al Queda operatives, that seems like a good fit.

I also went to the dentist this week with the worst pain....cracked tooth! Where has my luck gone?

Forget luck!! I am banking on the law of compensation.....which means I should be a size 6 next week along with sole ownership of a pair of killer shoes. Seems fair for a couple of really annoying weeks.

Life is like that isn't it? And the reason we stick around and stick it out is that we all believe in the law of compensation.....we inherently know things will get better.

That no matter what bad news we get we'll shake it off and start over. Put some dirt on it.......We believe there might some great thing right around the corner.....it's how we got TV from Philo Farnsworth, or a bigger map from Lewis and Clark.....without Neil Armstrong we would never be able to say, "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." It's what kept Mother Theresa going back to save one more child and got Rudy through Notre Dame. Without it Susan Lucci wouldn't have kept going to the Soap Emmy's, and my people wouldn't have gotten back on the boat in freezing Canada after a long trip from France to say, "we are off to somewhere warm". They then discovered Louisiana and invented gumbo. I am grateful for their search for something better....I don't like the cold.

From Philo to the Cajuns they all felt there was something better.

So the next time you pray.....ask for what you need.....or something better. Don't limit yourself.

And by the way stop complaining about all the medical tests you have been having......I am tired of being a good example for all of you. The strain and stress of it all.

Hook 'em! #RedRiverRivalry2011

Fall at my house.....

I live in the desert, it is a hard place to make things beautiful....being from Texas I don't like not having flowers...so years ago we made a deal with our yard.....actually we made a deal with the University that they could use our front yard and we would basically do what they told us to do. We had put in a Wetlands.......the first residential constructed wetlands in Nevada....and so our yard was a great fit for wild experiments. They simply wanted us to not use pesticides, and not to augment the soil. We had to see what would really grow here. So they brought in experimental plants and we dug the holes, Sometimes having to jackhammer to make the holes big enough. This ground is hard and rocky.....a true challenge. My front porch.....looks like a home in Texas doesn't it? A gift from my husband....I am so happy he likes it as much as I do....
And so now the flower show starts.....all of these pictures are of the front yard. I just wanted you to see the colors, and the possibilities of drought tolerant plants.

I tried to delete this picture because the palm in the pot is so ugly and I haven't replaced it yet. But it was too hard.....so not everything looks great!




This is the most beautiful plant, the flowers look like wisteria, but of course, it isn't....it does freeze, but all four of mine came back, after a lot of time.....most everything starts greening up in April, this one and the bougainvilleas didn't really start going until June. It does pay to be patient.
Verbena is always a must
You can't see this very well, but this is an African Sumac that volunteered in this place, so my husband bent it way over and tied it down to train it to watch over the wetlands....
the Cannas are what we have in the wetlands right now, we took out all the cattails and the curly willow. Too invasive. I which we had hundreds of different kinds and colors of cannas, but maybe some time.
Another African Sumac, they volunteer everywhere because we mulch the entire front of our yard. In fact so much volunteers that I plant and replant all the time.

The original African Sumac....love the trunks on these treesSee the purple? It is called purple heart and I got it out of a woman's yard I had admired. She just handed it to me and now I have it all over. In the bottom of my pots, in the yard, in water, in the wetlands, everywhere.
This is my favorite bougainvillea, it grows up around the mailbox, the mail man hates it, but I don't have the heart to cut it. It comes back every year.
And here it is again....
I love it....
purple heart and creeping myrtle.....I got the creeping myrtle from a friend, and now it is also everywhere.
Russian sage (smells heavenly) and purple ruella growing inside of it. They were both volunteers.....
Next to the purple buddies is California fuchsia, which absolutely takes over......and the start of the pumpkin story...

Last year we went to Sacramento with the Holley's and we went o every farmers market there was. my husband got several gourds and pumpkins and harvested the seeds......here is what he did with them.......
They are everywhere
all across the front of the yard.....


Is this wild? It goes right across the steps in front of our house.....and there are so many pumpkins and gourds.....just crazy....I wanted to share the fall in the desert....our imagination and a shovel....