In Search of a Little Fun

Last weekend I asked my daughter to drive us to the small town of Mt. Angel about 30 minutes from my home. The town was at one time settled with Benedictine Monks and families from Bavaria giving it a Germanic flavor. This weekend was their Oktoberfest.

It could almost pass for Germany

He was nice enough to pose. His hat said he’s been to more places than I have

I was not going for pretzels and beer though. My mission was for pickled garlic. I’ve been searching for some since I finished my last jars. I found, several years ago, that pickled garlic helped to naturally bring down my cholesterol numbers. Since mine runs high due to genetics and I refuse to take prescription drugs, I’m always looking for natural alternatives. Oddly, or maybe not, sugar also raises my triglycerides, so I’m working hard to keep that to a minimum as well. Once my 2 quarts of pickled garlic were procured, we proceed on to the rest of the festival.

It’s hard to find good pickled garlic. This is good stuff

My daughter found local lavender honey and a silly crocheted hat.

She had more fun with this hat though in Portland, weird goes unnoticed.

The young woman selling honey for her friend, was wearing a top that reflected many colors in her eyes. I was so taken by how beautiful the soft sage green in her shirt brought all your attention to her eyes. The shirt neckline was banded by autumn orange and flecks of brown that were also reflected in her eye center. Her entire eye was rimmed in a soft warm blue. I mentioned to her how stunning the shirt was on her and we began a conversation that led to her wedding dress. My strong suggestion was to avoid stark white and lean toward ivory or creamy whites. She had the loveliest tanned skin tone and I suggested that she should paint her bedroom walls that color once she is married. For me, that was the most fun of the day. I love helping people find their most enhancing colors. She asked for my card to possibly ask for more color consulting regarding her wedding. Even though I no longer do it professionally, it’s still fun when I get the opportunity.

Mein hut. Finally a chance to wear it.

Then we took just a few pictures since there were so many people around. We came home early as my daughter’s Fibromyalgia makes walking a lot painful and I had what I came for primarily.

My day was capped off when I looked out over the balcony to see two of my neighbors out with their dogs. I had to take photos. They played so nicely together that I just had to smile for the rest of the day. Can you figure out which is Boomer and which is Charlie? What do you do for fun?

2 moms and their babies

Can you figure out which is Boomer?

Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it. ~ Eileen Caddy

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself

In Search of Autumn

By the time I get this posted, I will have melted into a puddle on the floor. Summer is holding on with a death grip. I don’t remember 98 degrees in Portland, but then I don’t remember much. That can be a good thing. I decided it was time to take down my “Welcome Summer” wall hanging and replace it with some encouragement for Autumn to make it’s appearance.

Before the clean up work

Finished with scrap fabric

The Autumn sign was framed and backed with scrap fabric that was gifted to me. The colors were just perfect. I love summer for growing things but have very little of that around as I plan to move next summer into a home of my own. I had hoped to make it this year but the Universe seems to have other ideas and timetables. So I flow with it. Instead, I get to enjoy the nature that’s all around me.

This cooled our spirits

On Labor Day, my daughter and I visited the Japanese Gardens here in Portland. It was my first visit though she had been before. We did not wear the appropriate footwear as the paths were rocky and uneven. I was hoping for more flowering plants there but saw only lush greenery. The garden has a perfect view over the entire city. They had an artist’s exhibition there as well, but of course, no photography is allowed.

At the beginning of our walk

This instead of flowers but it’s pretty.

We have been setting records for our heat this summer so last weekend, we just rested and saved out energy for this coming weekend. I thought I’d let you see what an old, HAPPY American-German looks like on her birthday.

Yes, I had beer and strudel together. Notice the straw in the beer? Still necessary.

My time has been spent this week keeping cool and getting things ready for my next projects. I’m hoping to finish a crazy quilt that was started in a class almost 4-5 years ago and I want it bigger than it looks now. I also want to make a Christmas quilt with embroidered squares, along with a few gifts. I’ll be in the sewing room for months. I was waiting for the cool to come and I think it will arrive on Sunday. Come on autumn!!!

it was a gorgeous day overlooking the city.

Are you looking forward to autumn or are you still really enjoying your summer? What is the best part of autumn for you?

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.~ George Eliot

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself

In Search of Easing the Ache

I had to remove this part of last week’s post on celebration. I’m sure you’ll understand in a moment.

My daughter was at my apartment both days the weekend before to finish her very first skirt for a wedding Labor Day weekend. As she was getting ready to leave Saturday evening, I walked out with her. There was a cat sitting on the step outside my door. We have lots of cats loose around the complex so I paid it little mind. It didn’t budge as we walked by. Sunday morning the cat was still sitting there when I looked out in the early morning and when my daughter came back for the finish work. It sat at the top of the landing as we left to shop for a top to go with the skirt and remained when we returned. We asked the neighbors but no one knew anything of this seeming friendly cat.

She of course, like her mother, never picks an easy pattern for a first try.

As my daughter left happy with her completion for the evening, this cat reached up and stretched itself up my pant leg to be petted or picked up. I did both. There were no front claws! Outside for days with no protection and infested with fleas to the point of fur in the ears and eyebrows being worn away. I was horrified and angry. First thing Monday morning, I called a vet down the block that saw cats only. They had to be good if they specialized, right? I made an appointment and picked up a cardboard carrier for $10. Then I checked with the office to see if anyone reported their cat missing. There were posters up near our mailboxes for lost animals but this one was not there.

She was cool and comfortable at the wedding. It was 94 that day.

The Vet determined that this was indeed a female between age 3-12 and infested with fleas so she treated with a deluxe dose of flea killer and prednisone for the itch. I had secretly longed for a companion but have been reluctant because of my location and the cost of caring for an animal. That this cat was female and declawed were bonuses, though I would not declaw a cat.

We confined our newly named Gracie to the bathroom and she allowed me to gently comb her with a flea comb regularly to speed up the process. She ate voraciously as she had while still outside my door. I always keep cans of food around for strays and have for many years. We’ve even managed to get many back to their rightful homes. Gracie had no chip or collar. I claimed her and paid the vet bill. I expected the pet deposit would be next.

By Wednesday, she was flea free and I opened the bathroom door putting her in the bedroom window where she could look out. A few moments later, I found her back in the bathroom on the counter where her towel was. She remained there till my sister made out the futon for the night. Gracie slept with her. I noticed her breathing was a bit labored and wondered if it was the meds. The next morning, the breathing was still labored and her heart rate was high. She seemed to be trying to cough up a hair ball from too much grooming with all those fleas. My gut said we needed a different Vet that day and I made the appointment. My sister went to her job and Gracie and I took a ride. The Vet did X-rays and called me. Blood tests wouldn’t be needed. Well over age 12, she had lungs full of fluid, a tumor under her extremely arthritic ribs. There would be no saving her. She had bitten me already three times as I tried to gently pet her. Every bone in her poor body hurt.

The Vet was kind and gently recommended an end to this poor, very old lady’s suffering. Fortunately, my sister was able to be there with me and Gracie in her last moments. The tears still sting at the loss but I could not let her hurt one moment more. Gracie is now in a gentle state of rest. She came to my door and asked for help. I did the best I knew how, hoping for a different ending. My job was to invest in this sweet creature’s peaceful journey. She has carved a deep place in my heart and I must write her story. The timing was obviously not right for me to keep her but for me to help her go. It brings to mind a picture of coming to the end of life alone. I have tried to make this shorter and happier, it just can’t be. Gracie deserves the space and the ache. I wish her story were unusual, but it’s just too common. When will we stop abandoning animals?

Have you had an animal that put that kind of ache in your heart in a few days?

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself