Amazing and Unexpected

I've edited this post because the first paragraph was no longer relevant. I've removed some people from my email list to recieve updates. It's a good way to promote your blog but if those people never respond it becomes obvious they're not interested.
But, I also thought doing it this way I can share more personal thoughts when I do post which usually isn't often.

Mandie and Rhonda, you are now the only ones who will get an email from Google when I post something. You're family and commenting isn't required but, do bookmark  and write this link down as well as my email address in case your pc blows up.

Original post or relevant part below:

Checked my email after work to find an email from a long lost daughter. While I have been searching for my family members without much success she has as well. Thank God someone was able to help her.

I've had a public Google profile for years in order for family members to find me.
I should write Google and tell them how utterly useless it's been so far accept to spam robots.

Thanks for the wonderful pic, Rhonda.

It's Only Been A Month, Hon!

Not like there's any concern about my lack of posting but, I must pretend or why post? Okay, here's the list of excuses....all true btw.

My desktop pc started acting squirrely not long after my previous post and being quite sure it was due to an email I opened that even as I read it I knew something wasn't right. Who writes...Dianne, I'm so glad you opened this? Huh? I remember the site I went on for some free (watch the free stuff) stencils. Of course, you have to sign up to get the so called free stuff. Anyway, it's still in pieces on the table behind me because I haven't had time to put things back together again. I probably won't remember where things go when I finally do. I'm using a 10 year old laptop that's heavy and soooo slow but, it gets the job done eventually. I do get tired of it hanging up and having to shut it down cold always worrying it won't boot up again or if it does it will have lost something important. This sucker is almost as heavy as my desktop pc. I may as well take a Xanax before working on my photographs. I hate that little hourglass.

I'm working as a landscape gardener at the moment and in this South Louisiana bayou swelter you can literally see and touch it's hell. I'm so tired and dirty when I come home blogging never crosses my mind. Only because I have a couple of days off am I here now. Someone sent me an email with a link to a song I had posted on Facebook and I came to check if I had posted it here as well and here I am.


It's thundering outside so I'm going to stop and post this in case the transformer blows and it does so often in bad weather. Wouldn't want to lose this literary masterpiece.

Goodnight ya'll...see ya around.

Fourth of July Online Fireworks Interactive Greetings Card

For those like me who worked today and missed out on the fun. Click higher than the tip of the flag and make your own fireworks show.

Where I come from Independence day is about beer, barbecue and fireworks hopefully not outside your bedroom window at 2:00 in the morning. If you ask the kids about Independence Day they would tell you it's a movie.


Fourth of July Online Fireworks Greetings RiverSongs 4th of July Cards

Be Yourself, Difference Is Good

I was filling in my profile info on another site and of course, there was a place for my site url. I forget about these things mainly due to my friend and lifelong partners ADD and OCD (we might talk about these another time). I cannot tell you how many blogs I have out there with 1 entry because I've lost track of them. Not too very long ago I decided if I started another site I would post regardless of the fact no one is reading or my thinking it's a totally boring topic and ridiculous to post. I will also not delete a post because it's gotten entirely too long which I do often. I mean really...what's going on with that, hon? I can deal with the imperfections of others but, not myself.

Back on topic....I had to look through my favorites to find the site and the first thing I noticed was my huge image. Now, I'm going to be 60 years of age in November and I'm a landscape gardener (I've been working outdoors year round for a few years) so this is not about beauty. First of all, I like the picture because it actually looks like me and I'm not making some goofy face. I'm a photographer that can't stand in front of the camera without getting self conscious and of course, always end up looking silly as I try to arrange my face. You can see why my post get long...there are hundreds of thoughts going through my head at any one time and one thought leads to another and I'm off. This is me in real time as well. I've worn 3 husbands out and decided to stop with the last one. ;)

Secondly, concerning the image....I like knowing who I'm talking to or reading. A face tells you a lot about a person and the tiny mugshots on most sites are so small you would not know the person if you bumped into them. There's no way you will fail to know me if you see me around somewhere. If you do be sure to say hi.

 Last and probably should be first, I like my irregularities, being different and doing things my way when I can. Life too often has a way of arranging us into something we aren't. We don't like it but, are afraid to stand out, be different and maybe call attention to ourselves. And, there will always be some insecure person ready to point out your abnormality in order to make themselves feel better. Just smile, say, "God bless you" and get on with the business of being you.

Creation Calls by Brian Doerksen

Creation Calls

Beautiful, uplifting video with lyrics.

Stopping the itch of a yellow jacket sting

After doing landscape gardening for years without injury from anything inhabiting the area around me I was torpedoed by a yellow jacket 3 days ago. It got me only once but, once was enough. My left forearm looks like Popeye's and the itching although not continuous is intense. I'm sharing here only what works for me but, Google will bring up much more I'm sure.

The only thing that will take care of it is time (several days) if you're not allergic. but, many things will ease the pain and itching. Because I work outside I carry an ice chest so I grabbed a chunk of ice and held it to the sting. Ice will numb the nerve endings in the same way very hot water will. Both work but, if you have circulation problems be careful holding ice in your bare hands for an extended period.
I have used very hot water for years to stop intense itching if the skin is not broken. I do mean "very hot". For me this is right before burning my skin. I can barely hold the rag under the water. I know it sounds crazy but, it works for me and for quite some time. 

There is pain involved the first few hours after being stung. Later it will itch so much you will have to be careful not to scratch and make things worse. Clipping your nails very short during this time is advisable. Even if you never use drugstore products I would suggest getting some diphenhydramine (antihistimine) in case the natural products don't work. Diphenhydramine is found in Benadryl but, the cheaper off brand will serve just as well. Nothing like intense itching at 2:00 AM with nothing to relieve it.

I use a lot of epson salt to relieve muscle soreness and common sense told me it would help in this case also.  I add a couple of cups to my bath water and soak 10 to 15 mins. Cortisone will help but, so will a paste of baking soda and vinegar and the latter you can use as often as needed.

Another natural substance I use often is aloe. I've never heard of it being used for stings but, I use it on my arthritic joints and knew it couldn't hurt.

If you don't have aloe vera plants your friend or neighbor probably does. Cut a leaf from the bottom of the plant, wash and if you're using the type with thorns take a sharp knife and run along the edge removing them. . My plants are quite large so from there I cut them in pieces, size depending on how I'm going to use them. Next run your sharp knife carefully down the center from the side making 2 pieces. At that point if needed immediately it can be used but, if not I put them in a plastic bag and refrigerate.  Once cold I use them as you would any compress. It can also be used as often as needed.

Yellow jackets are not considered dangerous unless you're allergic but, I would advise being careful around them. They will mark anything they consider a threat causing the entire hive to pursue you. If you happen to see one on the ground acting like it's had too many muscle relaxers leave it be. When you crush them they leave a bit of chemical that will irritate other yellow jackets. They know you stepped on their brother.
What's going on with that, hon?

Freecycle Spam

Freecycle is a non-profit organization made up of people around the planet recycling things rather than throwing them away. As I deal in waste management I know all to well what is tossed in the garbage regardless of whether it is in good condition or not. Appliances, toys, clothes, anything you can imagine goes into the dumpster as people accumulate more stuff.

But, that is not the intention of this post. I need a place to put an image in order to share it with my Freecycle group. The following is my email to the group telling them what I am looking for. The opened email is spam. It was unexpected and I clicked on the link although I should have followed my first thought. The wording was really weird and the link strange. But, just getting home from work where I walked  literally miles delivering notices my only excuse was exhaustion.

Clicking on the link opened up the following site.

All I can say is pay attention and follow you're instincts. And, Lisa Berkeley, you're a fraud and not to be trusted.