Silly, but part of my childhood

It is a dreary wet day here on Whidbey island and thoughts of my visit to New Zealand in November are running through my head. Memories of my childhood in New Zealand, came flooding back, memories of splashing through rain puddles wearing my gumboots and along with these memories came the melody of The Gumboot Song

It is a silly little song which put a smile on my face on this dreary day. BTW gumboots are kiwi for rubber boots or wellingtons.

You can read the history of the song and listen to it HERE don't forget to turn your speakers on

THE GUMBOOT SONG

by Fred Dagg


Righto, kick it in the guts, Trev...

Gumboots, they are wonderful, gumboots, they are swell
'coz they keep out the water and they keep in the smell.
And when you're sittin' round at home, you can always tell
When one of the Trevs has taken off his gumboots.

Chorus:
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.

Now there's rugby boots and racing boots and boots for drinkin' rum.
But the only boots I'm never without are the ones that start with "gum".
I've got short ones and long ones and some up to me belt.
I'm never dressed 'till I've got on me gumboots.

Chorus:
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.

Whenever I sing at the opera, my gumboots are a must.
They help me hit the high notes, and protect me feet from dust.
They keep the water well away, so me voice won't get no rust.
You will not never see me without me gumboots.

Chorus:
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.

Now Rob Muldoon and Rowling, they haven't made a hit.
They're ruining the country more than just a bit.
If they keep on the way they're going, we'll all be in turd.
So you'd better get yer feet up yer gumboots.

Where have you been, where are you going?

GLEANER

Yesterday I saw this tug boat cruising, quite a distance away, past the spa where I work. I thought to myself, this is a great opportunity to see what I could do with my new camera. I am sure I could have done better if I was more familiar with the settings on the Kodak, but I am still in the learning mode.
What an interesting boat, you can see potted plants on the back deck, and all kinds of other things for use in their daily lives. Just imagine what stories the folks on the boat could tell.

I admit it, I have been tardy.

Yes I know I have not done much in the way of posting the last week. All my energy had gone into setting up the drip irrigation system in my gardens, which, incidentally works like a charm. There will be no more standing around for ages, holding onto a hose while wetting down the garden Yay!! I have also put in a few hours at work and now I have to plan what we will have to pack in the RV for our four days away.

Friday morning bright and early, well perhaps early, we are leaving for Missoula, Montana on our annual trip to shoot in the Montana Shooting Sports Association's annual Bowling Pin Shoot.
I just know the weather is going to be hotter than hell, well, I don't actually know how hot hell is, but from last years experience at the shoot on Saturday, it was a miserable time for someone who is used to much lower temperatures than the 100 degrees plus I suffered through, so it was a hellish experience.

So you ask "why do it if you hate the heat so much?" The answers is " we, that is MrC and I, love to shoot at this event where we have made some wonderful friends, and we are supporting a worthy cause. Also, this year, my dearest friend Hostagirl, who moved to Darby about a year ago will be driving up to Missoula with her husband JW to see us shoot and to visit with us. I am so looking forward to seeing her again, we sure do miss each other.

Hostagirl and I used to work at the same establishment and enjoyed taking breaks and eating lunch together, and all the things best friends do, so it was a huge change for us both when we both moved away from that city and now are living a couple of states apart. It's not as though we can jump into our cars and meet for coffee or a soda as we used to.

I have done my chores, written a long letter to send to my daughter in New Zealand, it is 10:15pm and I am fading fast. I had better go to bed before my nose hits the keyboard and I wake up later on, with key imprints on my cheeks *grin*

Entertainment at it's best

6am this morning, and all is quiet after last night's performance.

Last evening, MrC and I had front row seats, from our home, for a spectacular show of fireworks. All along the shore, the beach was dotted with bonfires and the clear inky blue of the sky was a perfect backdrop for the vibrant colors of balls of exploding stars, corkscrews of silver which burst into red white and blue as they were propelled many feet into the air, and many more fabulous fireworks.
The air vibrated with thumps, squeals, high pitched shrieks, bangs, pops and fizzes as the gorgeous fireworks were launched into the semi darkness of the night sky.

Who needs to leave home to see a fireworks display, when you have one almost in your front yard, how fortunate, we are.

Something for everyone here

The children and family members of the couple who lived on this piece of property before their deaths, held a huge estate sale over the weekend.
I wandered down there this morning and found a couple of things to buy, but what really interested me was the history. There is the first family home, a cottage, old out buildings, wonderful antique pieces of farming equipment and household goods. This was an opportunity to record some history in pictures.

An interesting old barn which is still full of all kinds of stuff.















The first home of the family















This quaint cottage, is where some of the family were raised.









An old out building decorated in blackberries.

I wonder how many members of the family, were wheeled around in style, in this perambulator.

More wonderful farm equipment, which may end up at
someones home as yard art.

Probably a cherished labor saving washing machine in it's day.

This home which housed more sale items, is where the senior couple of this family lived before their passing.

Some very old, and some, quite not so old things for sale.
















Inside one of the buildings is an amazing array of tools and misc. items,
you name it and I am sure it is in there somewhere.

My treasure.

I was just on my way out of the driveway, when this little old wagon caught my eye. I could not resist buying it. I already knew what I was going to do with it, even before pulling it back home.

After a visit to the garden center, this is what the wagon looks like now.

Going, going, gone!

I am sure many of you have a junk drawer in your home somewhere.

We had such a drawer in the kitchen, until I emptied it out, sorted all the stuff into baggies, and put it away neat and tidy. Things like tools went into the toolbox where they belong and all the screws, nails and hooks, went into my toolbox, so next time I am looking for a nail, I will know exactly where to find one.
I found objects in the drawer, I had no idea what they were, or what part of something, they originally came off. Had to check with MrC before tossing anything important out.
The garbage sack, I had beside me as I worked, did not go out to the trash empty.

Why we keep placing things like, nails, screws, paper clips, coupons etc. in a drawer instead of putting them away in the first place, is beyond me. Is it because we are lazy or because it is more convenient to open a drawer, toss the item in and walkaway.
This is one more chore to cross off the list. sometime soon I may get to the end of the list.

Dinner Date

Last week while at work, I heard the sound of an engine out side. At first, I did not really pay attention, as there is construction going on next door, but After a short while I realised the sound I was hearing was not a construction sound, so I went outside to investigate.

Here is what I saw. Back inside I ran, to grab my camera, wow, what was a float plane doing this close to the spa and Inn. The plane started to circle on the water and as I looked along the beach, there was another float plane off loading passengers onto the beach. I put two and two together and figured out the second plane was waiting to taxi to the beach to let it's passengers off after the first plane pulled out.

I walked along the boardwalk closer to the plane, to get a better picture and to also confirm my suspicions that the visitors were coming to stay at the Inn. One of the Inn's receptionists was standing here where I took the photo and another was down on the beach helping people off the plane. I asked the woman if the people were coming to stay at the Inn, and she told me they were staying for dinner. Imagine that, flying across from the mainland just to have dinner.

The first plane had landed all it's passengers, and the second was taxiing in to let it's passengers off onto the beach where they had to walk the short distance to gain the boardwalk, then on into the Inn. I hear the passengers were from one of the BIG companies in the Seattle area.

The second plane, a speck in the sky, heading back to where it started from.
There is always something interesting going on around where I work, so I am hardly ever without my camera to record such events.

Urban legend?

No is it not, check out more information on this awesome sight HERE

THIS IS A FIRE RAINBOW - THE RAREST OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURING ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA.

THE PICTURE WAS CAPTURED THIS WEEK ON THE IDAHO/WASHINGTON ORDER. THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR.

CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT LEAST 20K FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES.


Thank you Joyce for the email

Be Careful What You ask For!!

A few days ago MrC asked our friend Wayne, who owns a landscaping business, if we could have a few pieces of firewood from the trees he was felling.

I was busy sitting at my computer posting an entry to Keewee's garden when I heard a truck pulling into our driveway. I looked out the window and saw a dump truck full of sawn logs.
Knock, knock on the door. I opened it to find Wayne standing there asking where we wanted our load of firewood. OH MY!!
The pieces of wood are very large and I see much work ahead to split and stack it.
The large log in front is probably about 30 inches across by 24 inches deep, and that is not the largest.

This one is not very much smaller than the log in the picture above, I can feel sore muscles coming on already. *grin*

The Oscars

My choice for the best dress. This is a dress I would wear, it is very elegant.

HELEN MIRREN is in a Christian Lacroix gown with Chopard jewels. Husband TAYLOR HACKFORD wears a Spencer Hart tuxedo

I am in Luv

Saturday afternoon, we went up to the range to get in a little practice before the first match of the season in March. We also had Mac and Wayne along so they could do a little shooting. As much as I enjoy shooting, my whole day was made when I saw this little guy.

This is Gunner, who's owner, Mad gun, is a blogger and shooting friend of ours. This morning when I knew Lou, AKA Mad Gun was going to be at the range, I was hoping he would bring his new Boxer puppy along. As you see, my wish was granted.

Just look at that face, and soulful eyes. Just makes my heart melt.
What's there not to love?

Merry Christmas to me

I had been searching for a casual dinner set for quite some time, when this one from Pfaltzgraff caught my eye. Right away I was delighted by the color and design of the dinnerware which Pfaltzgraff has created based on the book, The Secrets of Pistoulet by Jana Kolpen.

The dinnerware is brightly decorated with freely rendered flowers, vines and vegetables drawn from or influenced by the book's illustrations, also by Ms. Kolpen. Bright, colorful drawings are set against wide watercolor washes that evoke the light and colors of Southern France.

I am aware that we eat with our eyes and senses as well as our mouths, and have found, since serving our meals on the new dinnerware, I am enjoying my food more than previously. It is especially true of salads which I eat a lot of as I am watching my weight. When serving a salad in the largest of the bowls, the color of the food against the beautiful colors of the dinnerware is most appealing.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved color, whether is be in the artroom at school, in nature, fashion, or in my home. So I am sure my love of color, has everything to do with my new found delight with the Christmas gift to myself.

Fire ! Fire ! Fire !

Last night I took many pictures of this event but my small camera did not do the job I wanted so I am sending you to MrC's site to see more.


A couple of nights a year I let the local volunteer fire department set up some propane tanks on the far end of my pasture for night time propane fire training. They hook up a propane line from a tank ................
Push this BUTTON to read more

I wonder why!

This morning I was at my computer, I thought, early enough to get my post done before I left for work. Funny how some plans are just not meant to be. Blogger seemed to be slower than usual, and that is prettty slow in the mornings. The picture of the Hibiscus would not load so I finally gave up and went out to get our breakfast.

I had almost eaten all my oatmeal when I glanced at my watch and it showed 7:45am. I knew it had to be much later than that and asked Mr. C what time he had, he said 9:15 am. 9:15 I all but yelled, S**T I have to be at work by 9:30. A quick hug and kiss for my honey and I was out the door.

I made it to the spa on time and did not break any sound barriers getting there.

Now it is Monday evening almost all the creative ideas I had for my AM post have faded as has the daylight.

I do remember I was going to show you this picture of our Hibiscus plant, which I moved indoors a few days ago before a frost could damage it. Since moving it inside, it seems to be blooming more than ever and the blooms appear to be a more intense shade of red.

Do any of you make observations like I do? You notice something but it does not fully register at the time, until the same thing happens again, then you say to yourself ( well I do) gee! how about that, I have seen/heard that before.

It rained quite heavily yesterday and everthing was still very damp this morning.
As I arrived at work and stepped out of my car I was instantly aware of the sounds of many, many different bird songs. It sounded like every single bird in Langley was singing at the same time.
I now remember hearing the same chorus a couple of times before, after it had rained, and it makes me wonder if the birds were singing because they enjoy having their world washed clean by the rain, or is there another reason why they sing after a rain shower.

OK who did it?

VERY strange, the side bar on Keewee's corner is GONE. I have *reloaded* the page, done the F5 thing, and it still is not there. I went to Mr. C's blog and checked in on Keewee's Corner from there and there it is, very weird.
I will wait for Mr. C to get out of bed to take a look at it.
I sure hope the rest of my day runs smoothly. This is the first week of my new schedule of working three days then four off, I think I am going to like having the four days to myself especially over the winter months.
Well it is coffee time, and time to think about getting to work by 9am for our monthly Diva meeting.
You all have a wonderful day and be watching out for the *side bar thief*

UDATE : The side bar came back all on it's own,. By the time I had posted this and checked my blog again There it was.

Our little goldfish seems to be OK. He has survived two days, so that is a good sign. Gosh, he was dry and lifeless when Mr. C picked him up of the floor, that goes to show you, he is one tough little guy who was lucky he was not Rocket's breakfast on Sunday. The goldfish god must have been watching over him.

I see out of the den window that a backhoe bucket of "black gold" (compost) has just been delivered and dumped on the tarp I set out yesterday. I am off to get my breakfast and start moving the compost on to my gardens. The newly created garden will be first to be covered with the rich "black gold"

Three hours later

It has taken three frustrating hours trying to, download, upload, sidewaysload, load anyway you want, three pictures. Blogger is having a tizzyfit this morning.

Tonight is the monthly meeting of the Fishin' Club and I usually make cookies for the half hour social time before the meeting starts. As the carnival of recipes theme this week is *back to school* I decided to whip up a batch of Chocolate Peanutbutter Brownies, enter the recipe into the carnival and send the brownies along to the meeting with Mr.C. Nothing like *killing two birds with one stone*, so to speak. The recipe for the brownies will be on keewee's Corner tomorrow.

Instead of attending the club meeting, I am going to an all girls party for one of the lovely young women I work with. She is leaving the spa, to move east of the Cascades to live.



This morning I went outside, this time with camera in hand, to check on the ripeness of the black berries, and to take pictures so you can see just how many blackberry bushes there are. I did not take pictures of all the bushes as I did not want that many pictures on my blog, take my word for it, there are many more blackberry bushes. Considering how long it took to finally get the pictures on keewee's Corner I am glad there are just three..

We have huge mounds of blackberries on our 10 acre property. Once in a while Mr.C borrows our landscaper friend W's bulldozer to flatten the bushes back into smaller mounds or they would overtake the whole property.




This year there are so many berries, they are going to be large and juicy. I am drooling just thinking of all the wonderful blackberry pies, cobblers, etc. I will be able to bake, and of course freeze some, to bring out during the cold dreary days of winter and enjoy a taste of summer.

What Color Is Your Aura?

Once in a while I like to play with these *tests* sometimes they are right on the money, sometimes, nowhere close. This one has a little truth in it.

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?