My Grama's Soul

This photo is from a trip to Ireland and Scotland we took a few years ago.  I don't think I have ever seen anything greener with the exception of the Pacific Northwest that is in our country.  Would return to these countries in a heartbeat if health and age would permit.                                                                  Jo   

Visited with my wonderful Aunt Ruth yesterday.....which prompted me to republish this post.  For those of us who are in the Autumn or Winter of our lives....introspection seems to always rear its head.  Here is mine. When we travel this beautiful country....we meet many people our age, and much older; reflecting on these memories prompted me to write this. When did this happen...this growing old? Seventy fast approaches, young sprites please take heed My young woman inside is still jaunty.....behind eyes that sparkle when she looks in the mirror When did this happen...this growing old? I view the world with a twenty year old heart Hope and passion still afresh Yet cataracts are growing now..dimming glorious sunsets and sparkling lights When did this happen...this growing old? My youthful body has departed now  Replaced by one I seldom recognize Yet spunk and vigor still reside here When did this happen...this grow...

Arrived home at 9:00 p.m. last night.....and went right to sleep... Just a little post today with a little trivia... There are over 800,000 people living in the city of Amsterdam with 1.5 million bikes.  Everywhere you turn...bikes, bikes and more bikes. I believe they are some of the healthiest people on the planet.  Sometimes I wish we in America would follow suit and rid ourselves of these gas guzzling cars and jump on our bikes! Have a beautiful day....will post again as soon as I am recovered from my travels. much love, Jo

Just a quick little note before we leave this Thursday.  It is a 20 hour or so traveling adventure to Budapest....of course, I have come down with a cold. Drinking lots of tea, orange juice and chicken soup to try and get this thing out of my system before we take off this Thursday. Leaving you with this beautiful seasonal bouquet. Please change the water while I'm gone. O O > \~~~/ Hugs, Jo

"Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism.  It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out."     Vaclav Havel Life goes on.......no matter what happens in it!!! xoxo Jo Pic by me taken while traveling across this magnificent country of ours.

Sydney, Australia is a fabulous city....... Here is their New Year celebration.... We have been there....but not during New Years...how much fun it would be to actually be present during this celebration. Happy New Year to All xo Jo  

We just returned from our little trip over the holidays.  Thought this pic was so exotic I wanted  to post it....we were in some very exotic spots.  Will post more later...have to try and get ready for the holidays....We are sooooo behind!! hugs from here, Jo

I have posted before of my love of Montana..... Here are a few shots of the area around where our little spot is located. Enjoy!! Cute spot in the town next door.. Gorgeous flowers everywhere...... Beautiful old barns and wonderful vistas everywhere one looks..notice the flag above....ahh.... folks in Montana are so very Patriotic..... Sweet little towns scattered across the state..... Hopefully I have shared some beauty with you today! Hugs from Montana. Jo

When one travels in a motor home across this wonderful country of ours....it is necessary to simplify one's lifestyle. It is impossible to bring all your "stuff" along. So....I find myself paying more attention to all the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis. Driving through a new little town with flower baskets awaiting us.....on every corner.. with a cigar store Indian thrown in for a smile. Looking out my window and seeing all the magnificent trees in the little park that we have stopped over for our night's stay. Visiting with friends in Colorado and having tea outside in their rainforest of a garden Having peonies on my counter in the motor home Seeing autumn's wonders as we drive along the highway Watching the sky.....just before a storm Seeing a huge pink dinosaur on the main highway.....makes me think of my wonderful grandson at home.. Looking up through the sky light in m...

Getting ready for our summer progress is always a bit of a "Chinese Fire Drill"....but once we are on the road all's well. Traveling up North through Page, AZ....took some pics going through the Navajo Rez.... If you have ever been out to this part of our country....you know how majestic these Mesas can be and the red  red dirt is like no other. The Navajo were given this land as part of their treaty with the government...many, many years ago....it is pretty barren and dotted with Navajo huts and trailers now and then because many of them refuse to leave the reservation and want to continue their lifestyle as a Navajo.  However, no matter how humble their home.....almost everyone has a new truck parked in their drive.  I actually gave this some thought while traveling....why would you live in a ramshackle house and have a brand new truck outside.  My conclusion is this.....to the Navajo....it is the land that matters....not the house upon ...

The Elizabethans called moving from a winter house to a summer house....their summer progress.  Well we are finally beginning ours. Will be leaving in the next few days for the summer....we have left late this year for some personal reasons...but departure time is finally here. Will be blogging from the road and taking lots of pretty pics along the way....I hope you will join us on this journey......This year could be Banff and Lake Louise in Canada if it all works out!!!  We are excited!~~!!!! BTW........I'm loving the colors of this little wagon above.....could you imaging having one of these of your very own. Hugs from here.....I'm ready to blog!! xo Jo   

At last we are back home in Arizona...we always love our summers away.....but as they say......THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME. I've got some catching up to do around here.....so I'll be missing here for a while. Hopefully I'll see all of you in a few days when I return. Till then.....stay happy!! Hugs, Jo

I  have mentioned before of my "summer progress" to Montana.  This year we were able to stop in many wonderful places.  Most of these places were new to us....so that made it even more joyous. This is my first "quilt show" and I have to say....the talent shown was overwhelming.  This show in Sisters, Oregon is one of the largest in the nation....with entrants from all over the U.S. and many foreign entrants as well. I'm showing just a small sample of the beautiful quilts displayed there. The above is a quilt made into an actual piece of art work. It was about 4X6 so it was really quite amazing. I am drawn more to the contemporary quilts...but they also had so many traditional patterns as well. The quilts were hung throughout the entire town of Sisters.  Every building....every surface that could be covered with quilts was.....there were hundreds of them. I'm showing you just a few of my favorites.....it would be impossible to show them all....