A few pictures of Minot, ND. Very windy today, most of the leaves have fallen. Has the feeling winter is really just around the corner.

It's Fine Today

by Douglas Malloch

Sure, this world is full of trouble-

I ain't said it ain't.

Lord, I've had enough and double

Reason for complaint;

Rain and storm have come to fret me,

Skies are often gray;

Thorns and brambles have beset me

On the road-but say,

Ain't it fine today?

What's the use of always weepin',

Making trouble last?

What's the use of always keeping'

Thinkin' of the past?

Each must have his tribulation-

Water with his wine;

Life, it ain't no celebration,

Trouble?-I've had mine-

But today is fine!

It's today that I am livin',

Not a month ago.

Havin'; losin'; takin'; givin';

As time wills it so.

Yesterday a cloud of sorrow

Fell across the way;

It may rain again tomorrow,

It may rain-but say,

Ain't it fine today?

Hoping for you a "fine" day today!

First Tea Cozie

I learned how to make a granny square from a friend in high school and after that I made various little afgans. Everytime I would present my treasure to my mom and she would say, oh that's nice, you should take lessons. Then she would launch into about how wonderful my great-aunt Helen did and won blue ribbons at the fair. In all fairness there would always be some fairly shining error in my work. I like to work fast and wasn't into following the instructions too carefully. Well, I heard that statement one too many times, so I buckled down and set out to show I could do it. I have to say I will never crochet as well as my great-aunt Helen, I don't want to spend the time and effort, but I did win my first county blue ribbon in 1995 and a Virginia State Fair blue ribbon in 1996. Then we moved to Texas and on to other things. I decided yesterday to attempt a tea cozie, a nice quick project, and useful. So that's my story and here are some pictures.

Two fisherman afgans and the shawl in the middle.

Evening in Paris

Some years ago, I had a blue period. Literally, a cobalt blue period. My children were clearing out and moving on with their lives and I decided to surround myself with this lovely color. At the same time my mother was trying to clear out some of her things, scale down some. She asked if there was anything I could think of that I wanted. Well, there was this perfume she had, had as long as I could remember, Evening in Paris (in a cobalt blue bottle) and I asked for it. My mama shared that this was a very special perfume when she was in high school, and after. If a guy really liked you this is what he would give you. She used it very sparingly and the bottle is still pretty much full.

My mom passed on 6 years ago and you know I never thought to ask her if it was from my dad, ha. I don't think she had opened it for years. I had never opened it. My 20 year old son (the baby of 5, still at home, in college for accounting), right before I took this picture said oh, what's this, opened it up and smelled it. I'm glad he did because that meant I got to and you know what, it still smells good!

Why not Minot...

My reason to be in Minot

Pictures from the beautiful Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot

• 
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  

Tea time!!!

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the priced of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me ... Give me Liberty or give me Death."

-- Patrick Henry