SOCIAL MEDIA


Vintage Cast Iron Door Stop

Friday, June 30, 2017

I made a stop at a Goodwill Store today. Look at this vintage cast iron flower basket door stop...a great find! Circa 1900 to 1940. Less than $5! Now I will not need to use a boot to prop open the bedroom door. It could also have over uses... a bookend perhaps.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Dear Brilliant Girl,

Wonderful, fabulous you -- listen for a minute, OK?

It's time to stop waiting. It's time to become who you want to become and do what you want to do and learn what you want to learn and rest when you want to rest and take little pieces of time and do terrific things with them that are beautiful and personal and unique and true. 

If we are truly honest, we have no idea how long that wait will be, and it is not worth it to lose minutes, days, weeks, months and years of our lives waiting around for something that in all honesty, just might not ever happen the way we think it is going to happen.

Every day we can make progress toward our own big and little dreams. No more waiting, OK?

It is time. Time to find peace, time to be happy, time to really live. It is time. Today.

You are so beloved. Right now.
xoxo

LikeTwitterPinterestForward

Is This You?

Tuesday, June 27, 2017


I am getting recovered from the week of hard work, while having extreme heat. It has cooled off today! 

How about this quote from Queenofyourownlife.com?  Hum, reminds me of someone I know very well...me.  I don't care for the mushy, finicky, weird stuff people do. I am straight forward and don't like BS.

2017 Hay Season

Sunday, June 25, 2017


The last 7 days have been completely occupied with getting the hay crop cut, and baled....then getting it into the barn. A hard job for us, because we need labor.  It is getting very difficult to find teens willing to work for us. Today's teens are not willing to do any labor, it is a crisis for this generation. 

We somehow survived 7 days of work, and made 1400 bales of hay. The weather was a huge challenge. Very hot (up to 104),and about 20 degrees above average.

It is over now....and the good news is that the equipment worked well and there were no breakdowns.

Brave Girls Club

Monday, June 19, 2017

Betty The Best, by Kimberly Valzania

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

This Description of Vintage Camper Heaven is No Joke.

Via Kimberly Valzania
on May 29, 2017

A vintage camper is my own private Idaho.


What is it about a vintage camper that gets me all hot and bothered? Do I want to run away? Do I pine to live the life of a vagabond, a nomad, exploring the many secret (and not so secret) pit stops and places that this great, wide, open, and wondrous country has to offer me?
Yes, that must be it.
I imagine myself relaxing inside, (or outside, or on top), reading a book by myself in the middle of Red Rock, Sedona, or Bluegrass, Kentucky, or Big Sky, Montana, while a tea kettle begins to whistle on my little mini stove, and the wind chimes (the ones I bought when I went to see the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico), gently lull my senses.
Is that too much to ask?
I am seduced by these thoughts. These thoughts of vintage campers and wanderlust. They have become a bit of an obsession. Is it possible for you to understand my yearning? And if it isn’t possible, can you at least indulge me for a bit?
I love traveling. Let me rephrase that: I love traveling inexpensively.  A camper provides a way to do it! No hotels. I could easily don a pair of shorts, and live this way for three straight summer months every year.
What’s not to love about that?
There is something to be said for all the activity surrounding the “set up” of a camper as well. Unrolling the canopy, putting out the lawn chairs, building a little campfire. I’m the type of cutesy person who would insist on a darling welcome mat for the doorstep. And I would more than likely pin up little solar lights for simple, twinkling, evenings of enchantment. I would heat up some chicken noodle soup to have in a mug with crackers on the side, after my rugged hike and quick dip in a pristine lake on a glorious day—a day without  worries.
That sounds exactly like what I want.
Also, the thought of campers and wandering sure beats the heck out of scrolling and trolling through my Facebook news feed.
I guess it’s the sort of retirement I dream about. A benign 55+ “community” (shudder) where a perky activities director tries like hell to get me all worked up about going to bingo once a week? Sorry, but no, thanks. I don’t want to go to “mixers”  where they play music from my generation. Honestly, what would that be like? A bunch of gray-haired people, post knee-replacement, dancing around to Jay-Z, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam? (Cue the second shudder).
I don’t want another house. I want a camper. Seriously. I want my own private Idaho. 
Did you know that the word “Idaho” derives from the Shoshone language and means, “the sun comes from the mountains”? I didn’t either, but I love it.
I want to check things out firsthand, go to flea markets, and eat in greasy spoon diners (sometimes). It would be appealing to visit friends around the country, take in a few flea markets, or enjoy our nation’s parks, recreation, and landmarks. I want to camp by the ocean and walk to a coffee shop. I want to sleep in a cramped, but comfortable corner inside four sturdy walls with just a light, six-point Hudson’s Bay blanket to keep me warm, a cool breeze gently lifting the sheer curtains through an open window.
At night, I want to stare at the moon and swim. In the morning, I want to rise with the sun and listen to Earth wake up. I want to wash my damn clothes in a creek. No joke. 
I want to live frugally and respectfully and meaningfully and adventurously. For at least three months a year.

And any vintage camper will do, because I simply love them all.

How about this bright yellow 1964 Thunderbird?
I could live in it, cultivate my succulents, and read novels.
Maybe I could wear bright, busty, apron dresses with retro cherry clusters or birds on them while eating sliced and salted avocados and buffalo mozzarella on a French baguette for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Perhaps I would enjoy a few chilled Moscow Mules right around happy hour. For three whole months I could run in the canyons, float in the surf, and ride my bike through the Redwood Forest.
And my trailer would be tricked-out like a complete bad-ass.
A girl can dream, can’t she?
In my dream, her name is Betty. Betty The Best. 
~
Author: Kimberly Valzania

A Memory from 2014

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Camptown Girls at Big River Campground


Here I am. Hooked up, stocked up....and ready for the trip. I only wish my friend was on time....I had to wait a half hour. The drive was great, a Thursday morning, and little traffic. It took about 1 1/2 hours to reach our destination....Big River Campground.



Here is the campsite, a lovely place in the Ponderosa Pines along the river.



The river, so lovely......is known as the Deschutes River, in Central Oregon.



My picnic table, with floral tablecloth and solar candlestick.



Prairie Flower with the "trimmings", all ready for the weekend.



My friend Connie playing her violin beside the river. I snuck up behind her to get this pic. Her playing is very lovely, and I enjoyed the music very much.

The Big River Campground is very close to Sunriver Resort, and Bend Oregon. 






Happy Trailering...until next time. Have a nice campfire, and roast your favorite treat!!  Sharon

Waiting for ?

Saturday, June 10, 2017
Dear Ready Girl,
One of the worst mistakes we can ever make is to wait and wait and wait for there to be the "right amount" or the "right people" or the "right person" or the "right circumstances" to start living the life that is calling to us. No matter where we are or what we have, there is always a way to get headed in the right direction...and to just begin.
So, dear friend, begin today. Begin with something big or begin with something small, but begin. Begin with one step. And then just take another and another and another and another.
If you are waiting for the perfect time to start, the perfect time is now. If you think the time has passed and it's too late, it is not. Begin today.
We really just have to decide that we are going to make something happen, and somehow we will be able to pull together what we need to do it.
As the old Chinese proverb goes, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago -- the second best time is today."
Do what you can with what you have right now, today. Begin.
You are so very very very loved.
xoxo
(...pass it on...)

Let others own their own words...

Thursday, June 8, 2017
Dear Beautiful Soul,

Boy oh boy...relationships can be complicated, can't they? 

If you find yourself being on the other side of behavior that feels mean or vindictive or harsh or defensive or argumentative, try to remember to let others own their actions and their words. 

Sometimes things we do or say are triggers to other's unhealed wounds...wounds that have nothing to do with us but are simply unhealed. And often people will try to punish us for wounds that were there long before we were, just because we may have innocently and unknowingly triggered those old wounds.

So don't get sucked into all of that, and instead just lovingly let others own their own stuff. Make sure you own yours too.

The key to soul freedom is to own your behavior, your reactions and your thoughts....and to let others own theirs. 

It'll bring you more peace...it really will.

This is a daily message from Brave Girls Club.

Imagine Great Succulent Displays

Tuesday, June 6, 2017


I was out and about today. I stopped by a small rural roadside store, cafe, post office, and vintage junk place. All in one stop, shop. I took these two photos, because I thought that they are nice. Have a great day!

Vintage Beauty

Sunday, June 4, 2017





''I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:
I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go.
Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever.
Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.''
Brené Brown


Here is a quick question? For anyone who has known me for a long time. Do you think that these two vintage photos of unknown beauties look like me...at a younger age?

Daily Brave Girls Club Message

Saturday, June 3, 2017
Your daily truth from the Brave Girls Club...
Dear Influential Girl,

It's so important to surround yourself with the right kinds of people when you are striving to live a meaningful life. 

We can't always choose those we will walk with on our paths in life, but whenever we can, it makes everything easier, more joyful, and so much more productive when we choose to spend our days with people who bring out the best in us, see the best in us, and believe the best about us.

Seek out people who make you want to become a better person, the kinds of people who are focused on positive and good things in life.

It will inevitably rub off on you and before you know it, YOU will be the one that others are seeking out because YOU are leaving everyone better, happier, and more hopeful than they were before you found them.

You have SO MUCH more influence than you know. Thank you for using it in such wonderful ways.

You are loved.
xoxo

{pass it on...}

My Search for a Tenor Ukulele

Friday, June 2, 2017

I started thinking about getting a larger Ukulele last fall. I do own a very nice Soprano Ukulele, that is wonderful, and sounds great. I have arthritis in some joints in my fingers, and I have trouble with the small size of a Soprano. 

I needed to find my perfect Tenor Ukulele, as opposed to the experts...

I started my adventure in testing Tenor Ukulele's in nearby Shops. I think that I tried at least 25 different ukulele's. I tried every one that was in stock. I tried them form $100 to $2400. Yes, the more expensive ones were best. But...are they worth the price? I met some knowledgeable people along the way. I found what I wanted but...Collings Ukulele stopped making theirs, and expanded their guitar line. It was a bummer. I could not get one. I put the idea on hold for several months, thinking that one might be found. No luck.

I visited the local shops recently... to see what they had. One still had a vintage Martin, priced at $1500...it sounds really terrible when played. The Bulgarian import was much better...and $600. 2 tenor ukes, I was unimpressed.

I was thinking that maybe I should call pawn shops to see if there were any ukulele's that might interest me. 

I drove several blocks to another music store. Last fall they had many high end ukulele's there. They had a entire high-end collection on estate consignment, very expensive, hand-made instruments. I didn't want to spend $1500+ for my Tenor Ukulele.  I was surprised that all those consignment items were gone. There were many less instruments there. OK, I thought, I would try out all the Tenor's that they had in stock, about 15. There were all kinds. My idea was ...   1. Great Sound, 2. Play-ability and feel to me, 3. Pretty (why buy an ugly thing). A Tenor Ukulele must meet my desires and not be outrageously priced. I don't want to have one that is worry-some to take camping. Theft is a possible problem too.

To Be Continued...



Stand Up Tall Girl

Thursday, June 1, 2017
Dear Steadfast Girl,

One of the most powerful things we can do it is to stand in our very own skin and proclaim out loud what we will and will not allow...what we will and will not believe in...what we will and will not fight for, or fight about....what we will and will not accept as truth for our life or ourselves.

Sometimes we think things...but we never claim those things powerfully, or proclaim them. 

Sometimes we know something is not right...or we know something is very very right.....but we never stand in our own power and make it real.

Beautiful friend...here's something to try. Try to stand up tall....get your big beautiful soul into your own skin...and say some things out loud that you believe....that you may have been afraid to say out loud before. You will find that it will be incredibly amazing to hear your own beautiful self say things with such power and conviction...and you will find that your actions will follow your proclamations....come on, just try it.

You have the right, you have the choice...you even have the responsibility to live big in your own skin and to take charge of what you will and will not do..will and will not believe...will and will not allow.......Let yourself hear it from your own mouth.....miracles will happen.

Come on...be brave.

You are so very very very loved.
xoxox