BROOM HILDA...IS THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL...

Now this is the part where your Grandchildren go screaming from the room if they are small...and merely wince in disgust if a teenager.

Your son's will laugh, and your daughters will worry that they will 'look like their mother' when they get older.

Your son-in-laws see you this way much of the time...and your daughter-in-laws saw you this way before you ever met.

Our son Joey inspired me to choose a costume this year so that I could look like a real 'babe' when we went to a Dance at the Elks Club tonight. As I suspected...among the roaring twenties, little girls, elvira's, devils and clowns...I was 'by far' the ugliest, hands down.

The hump back got a little irritating....and the hat came off as well...but as soon as anyone really looked at me...smiling at them of course...they didn't look straight at me again, so I must have scared them a little, huh?

Allen went as a goth sort of character...but even he seemed a little distant from his 'lovely bride' tonight....didn't even ask me to get out there on the dance floor for a 'slow dance'....and wouldn't even take a bite of the delicious apple I offered him.

He kinda acted like, I dunno...like the apple could have been poisoned or something. Can you imagine anyone doing something like that? No one seemed to want the lovely red apple....

That's when I knew I would hear the good news from our son Joe as soon as he sees this blog.

That this was indeed, a 'very cool costume and make up job'....bravely worn in public...among people I don't know, and a few I was 'introduced to' this evening for the first time.

Now, THAT'S when you know you're really, really 'brave'...!!!

Cackle...Cackle....my little pretties...

UH...so after all that hard work, with Jordan as my assistant make-up artist...I just wanna know....where's my fabulous prize???

HANGING WITH THE BIG DOGS...

Wendy's Recognition Luncheon for Champions who serve, or volunteer in the Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and/or drug abuse turned out great. The house was packed with about 100 people or so, and there was entertainment, presentations, awards, drawings, an awesome lunch, etc. She received a lot of 'thanks' and 'kudos'...and the best part was that the whole event was paid for by donations she obtained in the community.

The winner of the Essay Contest wrote about her horrifying experience as a child of alcoholic and drug addicted parents, and told a story about the deadly disease that had everyone in the room crying...it was very powerful, and reminded everyone 'why' they keep plugging along trying to make a difference. I may be able to print her essay on my blog...as it is such a great example of the resilience of children...and with her recovering mom, and grandmom at the luncheon as well...it was a tremendous witness for 'hope', even when the situation seems hopeless.

My grand daughter, Jordan was there to help her Mom, Wendy... just as her Mom was there to help me many years ago. I was very proud of them both. Jordan was "taking a bite out of crime' as she wore the 'McGruff" costume...and people lined up for 'photo ops' with the celebrity...and of course...Grammie had to get a picture with that celebrity.

It was one of those days when nothing went smoothly for me, but it was also a very joyful time when you just feel very proud of your children's accomplishments and expertise in anything they commit to. The added treat is to watch your Grandchildren lend a hand as well. I know one day Jordan will be doing some 'community service' in some arena....and it will be great seeing her when she 'flys' as well.

Good to see that Jordan is displaying our families greatest asset, 'humor'...and she really, really loved McGruff's 'pants'.

"CHALLENGE CAMP" RECEIVES AWARD

I don't know why this picture wouldn't load on the Blog about the kick off to Red Ribbon week below...but here we are (Wendy and moi) presenting Chief Don Denison with the check from CCR4C's 'Adventure Run 4 Kids.

Just want to thank Wendy for Hosting the Event, and the Chief for taking time out of his busy day to be there for the presentation.

Lot's of good stuff being done by lot's of good people, sometimes it is good to notice that...and to say thanks.

THE WEEKEND'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE...

Unfortunately, I didn't arrange the photos in the order they should be, but I think you can follow the Adventure and select the one that fits....

It was Sunday, and time to get outdoors again and snoop around the property some. I could spend hours watching 'Joey' as he goes about his frolicking...picking up his tennis ball in a sock...carrying it somewhere...then a stick, then a chew bone...then a toy. He is certainly a 'retriever'...and every once in awhile he will go about finding all his toys and take them to the porch and lay them near his bed. GOOD DOG!

Part of the frolick comes from annoying the goats, but you might notice that Joey at 3 months old is almost as big as Tommy now...so he will jump at Tommy in play, and Tommy usually is laid back about it...but if he gets too annoyed, he will butt Joey and send him rolling down a hill.
Tommy and Jordan like to jump up on any cliff or high ground...and Joey has to try it too...but usually this results in a good roll down a hill...but never fear, Joey is up and going on to something new. When it turned kind of dark and overcast, the Goats started baaahing because they think it is night time...and that is when they are given the frosted shredded wheat yum yums as a desert and reward for their hard day of 'eating'....so Allen takes them to their new 'condo' he built to make sure no mean critter wants to eat them for dinner when it is dark.

Anyway, they have the pen and their condo, but unless they are really tired...they like to be on top of their condo...so Allen puts some alfalfa on the top...and they are in seventh heaven. I noticed that they had cleared out all the overgrown berrybushes from the backyard of our home and that we could now open the gate to part of the pasture. I know there is a small island down the hill from the back driveway...because I hear the water...but couldn't see the brook or pond that goes around the island because of all the brush.

So, Allen said he would show it to me, as the Goats eat all the leaves off the berry bushes, and then Allen or Paul (our field hand) use the machette to cut the stocks down and get rid of them.
After I went through the gate and got a glimpse of the pond I noticed a trail and wondered where it went.

So off we went to see where this trail would lead...or go as far as we could before we were blocked by brush or some other natural barrier. As the trail wound it's way from the house heading North, I noticed the brook on our property that I hadn't seen yet...called Little Beaver Creek located north-west of our home. Then the trail took a turn to the east and began to get steeper...but we went on to see where it ended...if we could.

Of course, Joey was running up ahead and then realizing he was alone...came barreling back only to slide and roll and cause us to laugh like crazies...then he would pick up a stick and have that hanging out of his mouth...and then a twig and then a big limb he could barely lift...then he would dart into the ferns and then out...and he was just 'busy' all the time. Reminded me of my Grandson Ean when everyone got home from work...just non-stop...then I remembered that Joey is a baby...and like all babies...the energy never stops....and neither does the laughs as we observe their antics.

Finally as we rounded a bend I noticed a large open area of leaves and recognized the spot as being a big open area near the tackroom where three trails forked off the main trail...and the one we came up...we hadn't taken a trip down yet. I was delighted as it was another adventure to be had on the Quads once all the large branches were removed from the trail eventually...but, exploring new regions of the property is always exciting to me...because it just doesn't seem real OR POSSIBLE at times that all that land and trees and ferns and forests and flowers and brooks and wildlife belongs to US. It sorta seems like a magical forest with all the moss and ferns and leaves on the trails.

Toward the top, Allen saw a female pheasant...but I was taking pictures, and we have seen quail and ducks and geese and deer and rabbits...but for the first time, I also saw a cotton tail rabbit running for his life from Joey....and suddenly he jumped into the berry bushes to save himself! Little did he know that Joey would be fascinated with him...but any sudden move by the rabbit would have Joey leaping back and rolling all over himself...wondering what in the world is THAT????

Then we walked down to the shop where Allen is building a wall to protect it as the rains come down this winter...and we talked about how we are going to bring electrical in to serve the power tools etc. in the shop this winter. Right now, it's a 20 watt box that barely handles a lightbulb!
Then it was back to another area where I said I wanted all the berries and weeds and everything but grass taken out, and then I want that area leveled out into a nice sloping grassy knoll as I want to put a bunch of play equipment there for my Grandkids...like the tire on a rope, and the monkey bars...and a sort of balance beam etc. and where we can put some of the benches we have in the front yard now.

As we meandered back toward the house, we stopped at the Goat's condo and Joey had to check and make sure they were still there...and they were...but he stared through the gate for some time then wiggeled himself through one of the square fence holes trying to find a way in with the goats from the back of the goat condo...and then as we finished talking about painting it red like the barn and making another shelter...before next spring...and started walking toward a resting place...Joey forgot about getting in the condo with the goats and sped up ahead to beat us to the bench...where he got some more pets and scratches and loves...as he did here and there during the whole adventure.

Now the ATV's are generally parked up at the red barn, but the next morning it sounded like they were nearby for a long time which was unusual...but later I found that Paul and Allen had taken them up the trail we discovered the day before and wacked the limbs off the trail that would or could harm a driver or the ATV's going up it. So, now we have another trail for the ATV's to explore...and ask anyone who has driven them...it is a kick in the pants to ride those four legged beasts to hell and gone all over the property...so when we find another good 'riding spot', it is sort of a thrill...and that makes it a real adventure. To explore and then to find something to enjoy and share with the kids when they come up for Christmas.

Well, Joey ended up getting his weekly bath, so he was all proud and happy...and as a Lab he has no problem with the water, as you can see...but just before he crashed into his bed for his afternoon nap...he posed to show you all how handsome he is getting and some other piece of something he 'retrieved', which is hanging out of his mouth.

We are training him to have good manners though...as there is a time and place for freedom and frolic...and a time to be calm...and when Mama or Aunt Faye is around, that is the time to be calm...so we don't allow jumping up on us...or frolic around our feet...and he now has been trained to sit (but not stay long so far), and he will shake hands as well. He understands down, and NO...but NO doesn't always get the response we expect yet either.

In otherwords...we have a baby to dote on, marvel at and spoil...who is thrilled to see us at anytime of the night or day (even Faye says he is a really good dog...and very smart)... and he wants to please us very much....but he is happy sleeping in his bed on the porch at night, and doesn't whine and bark at the wrong times...and doesn't try to follow the cars down the road past the shop. If he ever grows into his feet he is going to be a very big boy...so you don't want some huge dog knocking you over...so it is good to start early getting them trained....but he is already trying to ascertain and protect his territory...and a strange sound will get a gruff and a bark...which his pretty high pitched right now...but give him six months and that voice will deepen and that bark will warn the large and the small that there is a dog on duty...and it is best this home not be messed with.

Everybody works on a ranch...even the dog. The reward for the work is being able to walk through a park...with a purpose! An excellent adventure...although a simple one.

So, here's to the UNSUNG heroes....

In celebration of 'Red Ribbon Week', we (CCR4C - Central Coast Riders 4 Charity) handed out the checks from the Adventure Run we had in July!

It might seem strange that we would wait so long, but several of the checks were for Different High School Sober Grad Committees, and of course, we had to wait until school started and new parents became involved.

Then with our move and all that has happened here lately, Wendy did some smart thinking and scheduled the presentation for the First Day of Red Ribbon week...which was perfect! She brought home made cookies..and Mary brought the really good coffee from her new Coffee Kiosk...and it was a very nice event.

Of course you all recognize Allen and I and Pat hiding in the background, and probably Chief Don Denison...and maybe Walt Young of CCR4C (Mary's husband). "Hogfather's" was not only a Major Sponsor...it covered almost all the costs for the First Adventure Run so the money Bikers participation brought in could go to the programs.


It was neat meeting the volunteer Parents from Lincoln City's High School "Taft", Newport High School, and Waldport High School. The parent from Toledo High School wasn't there, but the Ladies of the Siletz Valley Friends of the Library were there. It felt good to be a part of something so positive for kids. At the event itself, the Cancer Society, and Partnership Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and the Siletz Valley Partnership were able to raise some money too. So a lot of good programs received money the first year of the event...which is awesome I think.

Of course, Chief Dennison's 'Challenge Camp" received the largest amount...and we hope to raise a lot more for this Camp as time goes on. Mary had us hold some money back for our next event the "Biker Ball' coming up in December...but hopefully that event will come in making some money as well, and then we'll have more money to give away.

I added a quality gold ring with precious stones for each program (nothing big, but...valued between $200. - $500. retail) and gave it to them to raffle off or use in a silent auction for fundraising for their programs...so all in all, it was very successful for everyone for a first year event.

Coming this Friday, Wendy set up a First Class Luncheon (and then went out and got all the donations to make it happen) to honor volunteers and professionals and various programs in Lincoln County who serve humanity all the time and never get acknowledged for their efforts outside their own groups.

Many of the programs and work is geared around the 'prevention' of drug and alcohol abuse...and by its nature...no one gets many 'kudos' when something 'doesn't happen' do they? They'll name a Professional of the Year, Program of the Year, Youth of the Year, and Essay Contest Winner....but, everyone there is a winner.

Wendy asked to play a Power Point Presentation I did called "Some Truths Are Self Evident" which is an honor for me...but hey, I had great help from most of the Grandkids as I found so many awesome 'favorite' pictures that inspired a poem or a thought to go with it. So I guess...the Grandkids will be the featured entertainment for the event without ever knowing it...except for Jordan, of course....who I think is about the same height and weight as McGruff the Crime dog who will be there for photo ops...I want to get a photo of me with THAT CELEBRITY...and will Post it if I get one.

So, Wendy is "at it again" in the Community...and next she wants to establish a "Public Safety Day" to honor folks here...just like she did for all the Police, Fire and EMTs in Visalia. She has something big going on every day this week...but fortunately, she let me work on my pile and this place for most of it. ha ha

As for my involvement...it is totally cool...since I just suit up and show up and do whatever she points me at....(like I once did to her).... and I have the chance to be 'creative', which is my favorite form of work anyway, and as a bonus I get to feel like I am doing a little something for someone else, other than me and mine.

I'll try to get some pictures at the event and post them here...but just wanted to give a 'oooh raah' to those who seldom get them in real life, and to give Wendy an attagirl for her efforts! .

OOHHH RAAHHH! ............................ATTA GIRL!

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE.... 'HOME' IS THERE?

It's taken a few days to adjust to being home again following the long journey through California for the past several weeks.

What amazed me most is the continuing 'growth' of Californians spreading out everywhere I went. I drove South on Highway 5 and even in Shasta there was new construction going on North and South...Redding is bustling with new homes and new commercial buildings...and new housing developments sprung up in every backwoods, bodunk little town all the way to Sacramento.

Traffic has grown right along with new homes, and in Visalia...it was apparent on the way in as Caldwell Avenue (once a far South rarely traveled main road) had the same conjestion as the much bemoaned 'Mooney Blvd' of just a few years ago. Where are all these people coming from, I wondered...as I recalled the directions to my daughter's new home in a subdivision that didn't exist just five years ago?

One of the things that struck me is the 'sameness' of many developments. Is there any other color for new homes than tan, beige or gray...I wondered? It was the same as I headed West from Visalia toward the Coastal Cities...growth and new beige, tan and gray homes...huge subdivisions with a four or five "plan choices" for new residents. It seems like everyone is wearing a 'uniform'...only in this case, it's their home. I laughed as I imagined the horror the neighbors might feel if someone painted their home 'blue' for example. Is the sameness for 'practical reasons', or is the growth so demanding that any 'birdhouse' the builder offers acceptable these days? I fear the latter is true.

These new homes are just 'blown up' track homes to meet an explosion in population that reminded me of what it must have been like following World War II when the great race to the suburbs started. When I was a child we traveled from San Francisco to Los Altos to visit Nono and Nona (Grandfather & Grandmother in Italian)...and we passed farms, pastures, trees and open land all along the way.

Of course, everyone knows that the Bay Area Peninsula now stretches to Gilroy and even south of that with nothing but homes and no 'green' except on the occasional golf course. It's impossible to know one town from another without seeing the 'exit' sign on the Freeway. So many people...I lamented as I drove and watched people rush around me in a frenzy to be first and then slam on their brakes...but hey, they must have gained at least ten feet by endangering everyone on the road.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have always left adequate space between me and the car in front of me as we race down a Freeway going 70 to 80 miles an hour.
Even at this speed...wherever possible...there were cars passing me like I was standing still. Keeping that space between me and the next car cost me plenty. It was like bumper to bumper traffic at 70 miles an hour...but any small space open seemed to be an invitation for a driver to dart into it in hopes he would gain 2 seconds on his journey to wherever. I got royally flipped off about 3 or four times heading North to Sacramento once I had all I could stand of the Bay Area traffic and it was time to head home. My offense was maintaining that dreaded 'dead space' between me and the car in front of me.

I was heading to the barn here in Oregon and was probably as anxious as anyone else to arrive at my destination...but hanging on the bumper of the car in front of me was not something I will do...no matter how many 'birds' I get in return for it. It was about 3:00 pm and traffic slowed to a crawl all the way from Livermore to North of Sacramento...and it took me about 6 hours to make what should have been a two hour drive. I envied the motorcycle riders as they passed by the rest of us by riding the line...dangerous, but very effective strategy...I also thought them genius each time I stopped to fill the gas tank on my BIG HOG as well.

O VEY! I noted as I experienced more of this insanity...I wondered at the number of people who drove more than two or three hours each way to work a day in order to find a place where they could afford to buy a home? They might work in San Francisco, but they commute to Modesto. That reality alone gave me a lot of gratitude for my life as I can live it today.

I moved from the Bay Area to the Central Valley when it seemed like there were too many people and I got the feeling that I needed to take a number to join the PTA...and then of course, on to Oregon recently when the City I lived in became one of the worst Air Polluted Cities in the Nation! It was also becoming a 'big city' and with that comes an impersonal sense of community somehow fragmented into small ethnic villages many seldom venture from. Something in my soul has always longed for a little space around me for some reason. I could never live in Japan I fear.

Every place I went in California seemed too 'brown and dry' and each of those homes and the expansion of population presented greater and greater demand for something that California doesn't have...water. I met with a client who happens to be an energy expert and he said that if California doesn't have another record 'wet winter' as it did this past year, that it's people will experience black outs more and more beginning next year. California hasn't invested in enough power generation plants to sustain it, and other States around her want to keep more of their own as they are experiencing growth as well.

Thinking about that inevitability...I know that lack of power paralyzes everything. When the computers 'shut down' life comes to a standstill today, and I can't think of many functions in life not dependent on the continuing availability of power. You can neither buy nor sell at any store or market when the cash registers won't work...toliets won't flush...food will spoil...and chaos will begin...maybe even anarchy as we watched in New Orleans.

This worries me as so many in my family live there. I remember eight years ago when there was a black out for FOUR HOURS...and I witnessed two grown men almost go to blows over the last bag of ice available at a store. I need to remind my kids to buy a generator sometime this next season....just in case.

Compared with the tragedy of New Orleans, the Floods in New Jersey, the Earthquakes in Pakistan...and the other Acts of God of tremendous destruction worldwide of recent history...it may seem trivial to borrow worry like that, but without a sense of community...people do not tend to help each other out...they tend to take and steal, plunder and revert to the survival of the fittest...and among my loved ones are several children as well....so, forgive me if I err on the side of caution and concern.

I know my kids probably roll their eyes at these thoughts believing all is well in our Great Nation as it has always been...and I hope my fears are just the rantings of an old lady who may be reading more into current events than they merit. I've always been the eternal optimist and even faced with great adversity (except once) I've been able to roll up my sleeves and jump back into the fray believing all would be well if I just worked hard enough and tried to do the right things...but today, I'm not so sure that is enough.

All I know is when I came through Grant's Pass heading north I felt the muscles in my neck relax and my eyes were relieved with the sight of that "Oregon Green". The cars were sparce, and the truckers seemed more considerate so I could take a few seconds here and there to look around at the Countryside.

It seems like such a Gift from God to live in a place where rivers, streams or brooks cross any land more than ten acres, and where the sky is clear and blue and the stars number in the millions once more as I remember them as a child.

As I finally drove onto the mile and a half gravel road that leads to this sanctuary I call 'Home'...it was with a tired body and a humble heart.

Not everyone is blessed with children who are so spiritually grounded they believe 'parenting' is the most important job they will ever have, that a good and loving God is there for them in good times and in need, and who have been responsible for such joy in my life...rather than great sorrow. Not everyone can hold their new grandbaby one by one as they are welcomed into the world, and not everyone has kids that they get along with, and who get along with each other.

Not everyone is blessed with always having more than enough of everything anyone could want in life, and being able to claim a little piece of the world as their very own. Not everyone is blessed to be able to work at home, care for an elderly family member nearly 95 years old, and walk or ride for several miles on trails boasting ferns and flora and fauna and trees and even better...never having to see another human being along the way.

It's easy to just curl up in this place and breathe deep, view the landscape God made, and wallow in the elbow room. It's not a place for everyone...but for someone who has been heaped with such good fortune in a million ways...it's truly HOME to me, and "there's no place like HOME", is there Dorothy?

FOUR MOORE BOYS...

GREG - I think Greg was about 14- 15 when he became a Grandson by marriage...and by then it was hard to develop a close relationship because all older people become 'dumber than dirt' during those specific teen years.

I haven't seen Greg for sometime as he has been living with his natural mother...and turning 'left' in some areas where he needs to turn 'right', but I think he will turn things around one of these days because he is a good kid right under the surface of the rebellion.

Greg has always been very respectful to me, and has a good heart and sense of humor as well. I think that his good sense of humor will help him face some tough choices so he can get on track and use all those smarts for something good and meaningful to him in his life. Fingers crossed, and little prayers go out to Him. He's a pretty fine skateboarder too and has a natural athletic ability too.

TOM

Tom was about eleven years old when my daughter Lindsay, and Jim married so I had the opportunity to develop a great relationship with him over time.

He may stay with us in Oregon when he goes to college next year, and it is always great to spend some time with him...even though he has a very busy schedule right now...as we seem to have a lot to talk about together. He is a great kid..or I should say 'young man now' and here he is shown with his McDonald's uniform on, ready to go to work and standing in front of his car.

If I had to pick someone I know who could be President of the United States, it would be Tom. I don't think Tom will have any skeletons in his closet to fear exposure of, and Tom hates to do anything...and I mean anything...wrong. He is connected to learning about God more than I have ever seen any young man, except my own son Joey...which seems unbelievable to have two 'seekers' in the family like that.

I loved discussing the Bible and the meaning of scriptures as I see and understand it with Joey when he was home...and we could spend hours on that topic alone, and no I feel like I have a good kindred spirit in that discussion with Tom as well. I'm not much for "organized religion" anymore as they seem to get more 'corporate and showbiz-like' as the years wear on...but I can't wait until Tom and Joey...maybe son David and I can sneak off during the holidays and talk about the principles of the Bible and how we are applying them in our lives..or not.

Now, that is a church I can really 'get into' if that makes any sense at all to anyone except those mentioned above.













EAN - Now 18 months old, was the first natural blood Grandson. He is of course, adorable...but so lovable too. Not so much 'lovin' for Grammy as I have become pretty much of a 'stranger' to him over the past year.

He kinda gives me the 'eye' as I drop into his life outta no where...and he treats me much like he does a couple of stuffed animals he has decided to be 'scared of' for the moment, including the little stick horse I brought him and the cub from the Lion King. He doesn't pay much attention to the word 'no' yet, but I think Jim and Lindsay were genius when they set that suddenly 'scary' Lion stuffed animal on top of the DVD player so Ean would leave it alone. I never thought of those kind of things when my kids were small but I did keep a plastic spider in my drawer to keepmy Grand daughter, Emily out of my desk now that I think of it. The horse is sort of relegated to a hidden barn behind the couch as Ean doesn't even like the looks of it...but I have a feeling in a few months he will be riding it...since at Christmas time, Emily promised she would teach EAN to ride a stick horse as well as she does at two and a half.

Knowing how the 'younger ones' always want to tag along with the 'older' cousins...I have a feeling when EAN heads home after Christmas that old scary stick horse will become a worthy steed if Emily has anything to do with it.

EAN is in constant motion from the time he gets up until he hits the sack...but is very good about taking naps and going to bed at night...in fact, he ASKS to go to bed and gets kinda cranky when it is delayed. He is just starting to talk and is saying (and repeating) words now. He virtually ignored the existence of his new brother most of the time as he is still a baby himself aware only of his own needs and wants...but during those moments when he did connect with baby Benjamin...he was very tender with him.

Benjamin doesn't seem to have the same 'amazing' laid back nature EAN had when he was very small...he's kinda fussy unless he is being held and seems to have a touch of colic so doesn't appear all that 'comfortable' in his own skin yet...but then it is hard to judge when the little guy is only three weeks old this Sunday. As EAN gets older he'll gain a longer memory of Grammie...but for now, he seems to sense I am 'someone he sort of remembers' ...and is willing to play with me a little 'roughhouse' here and there...but crawling on my lap and hugging me is definitely OUT for now. That is one heavy price I've had to pay and swallow when I chose to move away from Visalia. When children are small...they will even forget their parents if their parents aren't around very long. Grammies are no exception to that rule.

BENJAMIN, on the other hand could care less who is holding him at this point so I was able to snuggle with him a lot and watch all those funny faces and eye movements they have when they are newborn. He really started to 'focus' on me though before I left to come home...and he is going to have the same beautiful blue eyes that EAN has I am pretty certain.

I may get into trouble for saying this, but newborns all look kind of strange to me...and did even when my own children were born. People say "Oh, what a beautiful baby!" and I take a second and third look to see what I am missing in my own evaluation? They remind me of tiny little old people...sort of pruned up and frowning most of the time.

Now, I don't blame them for appearing like that considering they have to learn to eat and breathe and take a dump and have no control whatsoever of their hands and feet or even their eyeballs...as one eye goes one way and the other eye the opposite. Newborns are very precious because they are so helpless and tiny and their skin is so soft and that 'infant smell' draws me to them. Yet, call it gas or a freak of nature....but when they 'smile' it is like their whole face lights up and you just can't NOT respond to that in delight!

The "Moores" and their BOYS are coming to our new home for Christmas though and Benjamin will be looking more like a baby boy than a little old man by then, but I have a hunch that he is going to look more like his Daddy...while Ean seems to favor his Mom.

BUT...there is no denying the "Moore" bloodline in any of the Boys...that's as clear as the nose on your face. I hear that there are not going to be ANY MORE...MOORE BOYS from headquarters in Visalia...nor any try for a MOORE GIRL either. I think Jim comes from a family of five or six brothers and only one sister...so unless they want to risk a Basketball team...it might be all right to settle for the FOUR MOORE MUSKETEERS, no?

MEET BENJAMIN

Here is the newest addition to the family, my grandson Benjamin Jordan Moore! He was born on September 25th and weighed in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 21 inches long.

I drove down to Visalia to help my daughter and son-in-law wherever they needed it, but for most of the last week I have been pretty worthless.

Both calves on my legs spasmed and I have barely been able to walk for several days. It may have been caused by being in the same position for hours and hours, or it could be something else...anyway, I was forced to go to the doctor on this one, but it seems to have 'calmed down' now, so was able to go to sit an Open House and design an ad so far...and of course, play with Ben's big brother "Ean", visit my grand-daughter 'Sierra' and son David, and hold the wee one as long as he's 'game'.

The weather here has been 'hot' and it has worn me out as well...since I am well acclimated to our Oregon 'green' weather now which has been lingering between 65 and 75 degrees for months...so coming into this blazing inferno takes a toll, believe me.

Most important is that Mama Lindsay and Baby Ben are both doing fine, and this is a picture of Lindsay coming to the office when Ben was ONE DAY OLD so her bouceback is just incredible. She and Jim are still unpacking and organizing their big beautiful new home, and I have landed there for the most part.

Well, not a lot to talk about right now, but it has been awhile since I've added to my blog so yes, I am still alive and kicking, away from the ranch...missing home, but still enjoying the time I have left to spend with my kids and grandkids here in the Central California Valley.

...and having the chance to say "Welcome Aboard" to little Benjamin as well. I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be a very busy day...so will check in later...and let ya know the scoop.

Hugs to all...