Mountain Mania

Winthrop outting

2009-04-30T06:26:00.000-07:00

We were expecting the power to be off all day for repairs (never happened) so we took a trip to Winthrop with a stop over at our favorite breakfast place "Tootsies" which for those of you that have never been there... makes the absolute best cinnamon rolls to ever dance upon your palate.

Upon arriving, we found it closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. But we are of hearty stock and decided to continue our trip to Winthrop and have breakfast there... however, they stopped serving breakfast at 11 so we had a super lunch at "Three finger Jacks."

A word of caution: At this restaurant, share. The portions are huge!!! We walked around and enjoyed this small western town that boasts of herding cattle thru the center during special events.

Sophie went with us. She is such a great canine traveler. We made a rest stop for her before entering the town (pics to the left) and while walking about, she protected us from the wooden carvings of cowboys. Grrrrrrr she is so frightening!

For awhile she wore some mardi gras beads out of season to see if she could be a fashion leader but I don't think it caught on.

Reading the prior postings to this blog, you have probably gotten the gist that we are ready for Spring and Summer. So the following pictures do not make sense. But to get to Winthrop, we must go over the pass on hwy 20. This is what we found:

Betty in front of an avalanche. (Notice the other two plus Sophie did not want to stand there.)

Below: Larry and Sophie after turning the snow to yellow at a rest stop because........

The bathrooms couldn't be entered without a bit of shoveling. It was amazing as we drove along this route. The waterfalls between snow covered rock formations, and even the snowplows made interesting patterns as seen below.

Also as we were intently watching the scenery

Larry and Betty saw a bike along the side of the road that had been there since morning. This was not a hiking area and not somewhere someone would consider to store their bike. It was broke but we picked it up and put it in the trunk (Obviously it would not fit entirely inside.)of the red car and proceeded to freeze the remainder of the trip since the hatch was open.

But this was a "Thia sized bike"!!!

And Larry could fix it!! He took it out at the next rest stop and found it was not in bad shape. I can touch the pedals while on the seat!!!! Its blue and beautiful and it feels like Christmas. (See Santa below without the red outfit and beard)

I just need a little bell and basket. Maybe put some clothes pins with playing cards on the spokes!!!!!!! Geeeeeeeee. Woooooooo Hooooooooo! Vrooooom Vrooooooooooom. I wonder if it will peal or wheelie in all 15 gears! Where are my goggles and helmet! lol Larry says the dingaling will be in the seat. By the way, he rode it first.

In other news - we still are not sure when our golfer from the south along with fade and the bird will be joining us. We had a weekend of the neighbors returning to their homesteads and there was plenty of activity. It was really great seeing this group again. But even last night, met someone new to the resort and had a nice visit.

Today is sunny and Betty and I will be going to town. We all hope all of you are well and that you are having a super day. Till next time.

TULIP TIME, HMMM MAYBE NOT

2009-04-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

We had seen on the local news beautiful fields of tulips in bloom the first week of April. So as you would expect, on the next opportunity down the hill, we went in search of these massive fields of color to help us believe there really was a season called Spring. We found many signs along the highway to guide us. Here is a picture to show you we were really on our way to "TULIP TIME". This was the 3rd sign.

Betty Boop and I were ready with our cameras. The light was good, not perfect, but good enough. We were set to shoot.... Tulips! But, we were only seeing fields like the one in the picture above. Nonetheless, we were resilient and Larry was determined to drive us to our photo op.

Then we started to see some fields..... That was growing... something.

(I still think farmers owe it to the uninformed to put signs up, like "CARROTS" "WHEAT",)

however; we felt we were getting close to our objective.

Isn't this beautiful? Carpets of yellow spreading for miles!

Maybe not the tulips we were looking for, but lovely expanses of these star shaped flowers that I can't remember the name of. We were encouraged. We found flowers!

We WANTED TULIPS. So, we drove on, slowly irritating the cars behind us.

And we found it! Except... they weren't in bloom like the news claimed. At least not in our area, maybe to the south they were blooming. But not us... So, we drove on in the direction now of home, heartbroken.

Then as we reached the final road to the highway we saw something worth screeching the car breaks over.

success!

TULIP

In other news, our neighbor buddy made it to the Anacortes Tea Party equipped with his sign. He explained, his sign is homegrown and always available and attached to the center of available digits on both of his hands. LOL! He says uses it often and proudly. LOL, gotta just luv him huh! I didn't get a pic. We are hesitant of naming this neighbor because the Department of Homeland Security is wasting dollars on keeping tags on ex-vets and people against abortion (the Pope also?) as being prone to extremist acts like Tim McVeigh's. I find my own middle finger gets overly stimulated with news like that, (and voting in unread stimulus earmarked packages,) but will try to refrain its exuberant flashing towards Ms Napolitano's extremist view against our soldiers whatever their active/inactive status. (Author now removes herself from soapbox proudly and humbly as she has children who have served and one still serving in the Armed Forces while daily views the American flag and Marine Corps flag in the front yard.)

B and L are working ever so hard cleaning up, trimming and chipping of limbs (trees not their own,) painting, plumbing, and all other means necessary to bring the Campground back into top form for the happy little campers that have already started making their way to the readied sites. They also had a day of CPR and First Aid training in which Betty CPR'd the dummies balloon outta its chest. LOL. There is never a camera handy when you need it, and I would have loved to catch her expression and laughter over that one! You should know that L did not miss out on the expected wisecrack as she relayed (no pun intended) the story to me.

Mitzi is thrilled! The past two days of sunshine has unleashed the fearless hunter in her that slept most of the winter. She is in top form and gracing the patio with her gifts. Nonetheless, the blue birds (the big ones) are double teaming her a bit. She went after one, while the other went after her. She is back to nabbing the smaller birds as if the other incident was not viewed. I still have this vision of her flying in the air from the awning, paws with claws spread wide and teeth showing as she catches the little birds in flight... or bats. She got two bats last year... I wouldn't care if she ate all of her carnage or left it as a gift at a neighbors house (not the one with the home grown sign) but insists on this porch.

The tree frogs start up (louder than the crickets and grasshoppers of Texas if you can believe it!) and fill the nite air with their song and amazingly stop all at once at 2:30 am. I guess that is when the karaoke party is over and the froggy bars are closed. I haven't seen one yet, meaning that they are either too smart for Mitzi or she eats the whole thing. Sophie on the other hand must get close to them because she is getting into something that really reeks. I have to hide her soap and sneak her towel so I can catch her for bathing purposes. Doggy treats do not put me back in her good graces. She gives me the eye, only allowing one to sleep at a time.

Via Alexander Graham Bell we are told our golfer to the south should be back soon with the bird. The snow is gone so we are very excited to see finally the blue fade driving past with Sampson the bird annoucing their arrival! Be safe on the road dear friend.

We hope you are all doing fine and enjoying the change of season.

Anxious for some sign of Spring.....3-24-09

2009-03-24T01:30:00.000-07:00

This is the money that Larry would save if he used GEICO. This is especially true since AIG raised their rates so Larry and Betty could "stimulate and bail" them out from both ends.... taxes and checkbook.... what ends did you think I meant, lol. Attaching the jingle to the commercial didn't quite work out so you are all individually challenged to sing the chorus to "somebody's watching you" in Larry's key while viewing the above pic.

Dinner can be an adventure here. For those with enquiring minds, pictured above is a Rueban Crescent bake with mac salad, (the peas were from the salad which illustrates Larry's ability to design a commercial while simutaneously filling his stomach and playing with his food. Tee he he. We have to talk to his mother about this practice.)

Betty saw Robin's yesterday, a large contingent upon the lawn next to the laundry room looking for food... we believe this is a sign for great things... like a season change. lol. Mitzi is already playing the brave big hunter up here... I can't tell you how thrilled we are to have her accomplishments on the patio to clean up. But, deep down, she is a wooooos! She can yowl and growl with the best of them and will not stop until picked up and comforted. Her nemis'? The vacuum cleaner. She yowls until comforted while it is used. If she is walking with B and L and she doesn't like equipment or some other device on a lot, Betty must carry her past it or she yowwwwwwwls and growwwwwwwls without budging. It is hysterical!

Sophie, on the other hand, is oblivious to most change around her that does not have a direction towards the 7 food groups. She lives for the nutrition pyramid. She does consider herself part of the welcome committe for returning resort owners and squeeks like a toy as they walk by the trailor. Yeah, vicious dog. Squeek , squeek.

Be well and take care.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING

2009-03-20T04:53:00.000-07:00

Daily there is something new to learn, for example: the first day of Spring has the distinction of being the first day after winter in which there is equal daylight and nighttime. I never knew that. Or more likely; learned it, answered it correctly on a school exam, and promptly forgot it like algebra.

It is doubtful the State of Washington was used as a protocol for determining "Spring" as we are still waiting for the summer of 2008 which... hasn't arrived. Today honestly looks like the first day of Autumn... minus the lingering snow along the side of the road. We are "season" challenged here. We have ONE season with numerous types of wet. Today's forecast is as the past few days, "wet, with continued wet, with wet to follow." I think this climate wishes to save all of us from the inconvenience of inflicting change upon us to make adjustments to our lives and wardrobes.

Yesterday marked B and L's first day together back to work at Grandy Creek. As if for the first day of school, (read protocol comment above) I wanted to sharpen pencils, make bologna sandwiches, and pin instructions to their shirts for the boss to return them in the same condition she received them.... lol. But what happened was, leftovers, no note, and the dynamic duo was a little achey when they returned at the end of the day. They are glad to be back to the varying projects and excited to have the season of fun campers to begin.

B and L also have been looking at the motorcycles that have an extra wheel up front. "Spyder" it is called for the googlers amongst us. Okay, I sacrificed opportunity... not a single "age" wisecrack.... I didn't go there or here or anywhere... kept a straight face. However now that it is days later and the middle of the night... Tee he he. I guess it might be time for persons older than myself to consider a tricycle... Albeit front or back extra wheel... Tee he he he. They are waiting for warm weather to take their helmets down and test drive, yeah I know.... gotta get a pic of that!

Speaking of the middle of the night... what would late night TV be without plumbing commercials? ExtenSe (isn't the giggly couple so quaint?), Viva Viagra, urinating tooo much - or not enough, gastric bypass, PMS, PMDD, leakage instruments... everything except roofing... ooooops, lots of hair loss commercials. What is up with that? Can't they confine these topics to infomercial channels? I don't like "Bob" and that big grin. Hey, and a drug channel... they spend 20 seconds on the name of the drug and 2 minutes on the side effects and possible death/damage/ask your doctor disclaimers. lol. Who are they marketing too? Who would ask their Doc for a drug that requires a disclaimer voiced at 100 mph that ends with - may cause untimely death in some persons? Don't you just love the anti-depressant that warns of higher depression or suicide thoughts? NOW that is the drug to try if you are down and out clinically depressed. What are they thinking? I do think that speeding tickets should be issued on all those speed talkers. I am suspicious of all speed talkers; albeit, disclaimers, prayers, or sentences from teens that start with "it wasn't me.... really." If it is worth saying, it can be said at a normal speed.

Larry's profound wisdom rings true. If you are sick of a commercial you are watching too much TV. Yup! But ping pong with Sophie and Mitzi at 2 am isn't advisable either. Sleep doesn't always show up on my multiple choice list.

Well, in celebration of the first day of Spring, I am defrosting some beignet dough (french donuts indigenous to New Orleans) to deep fry this morning for the duo of the day. All of us want to thank those of you sending such positive and humorous support about our blog. I remind you that I have such great ongoing material with B and L, Sophie and Mitzi and the delightful people we come in contact with. We hope for sunny days to all and as always, be well.

MANIA IS ALIVE AND WELL

2009-03-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

Our favorite Betty Boop and I took the Pollyanna "glad game" and our tolerance (or lack thereof) along with our failing sanity and bailed the mountain for the day and drove to the sunshine on the flatlands. Ahhhhh, sunshine let us rediscover you! Reborn and ready for the rainy days on the way. NOT!

We handled some business, we shared a "2 for" at JITB (Jack in the Box for those of you not acquainted intimately) and browsed through some stores we haven't been in for items that we have no idea how we ever lived without them all this time... on sale of course. Saving money now, right!!! HOnestly, how can anyone claim you save money if you don't buy something... on sale... Okay, well... upward and onward.

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day simply and without green beer. Nonetheless, the corned beef and cabbage in the refrigerator sings for warm up and serve as a rerun today. Lunch is at 1pm for those of you who would like to leave the sun and join us. Don't rush in all at once now.
lol.

Prior to dinner, B and L terrorized poooooor Mitzi on the awning. She will chase your hand if you move it around the underside (see pics below) so B and L each took a side and had her attacking in two different directions. She finally peaked over the edge and I believe she is planning her revenge. Messing with Mitzi can cause damage to your limbs. Crime scene photos to follow.

Be well everyone!

... 8 to 16 inches this weekend?????

2009-03-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

To our comrade currently golfing to the south of us.... check out the arrest of the axeman for aqua logging without the proper permits. What a bust when you have your weekly reality show "video logging" ('cuse the pun) your every move. Will he plea bargain from the bench.... stay tuned.

Even listening to Larry serenade Sophie with the song, "Raindrops keep falling on your head" cannot send the impending weather report to our loved ones in ... well anywhere but here. We are expecting 8 to 16 inches of snow this weekend after having 3 days of sunshine after the 5 inches of last weekend. Betty and I are going to put on our big (change that to slender and complimentary) girl panties (change that to lingerie) and cope with it. With that much snow the roofs again might become a concern. As our aforementioned comrade is golfing to the south of us, I can only wonder who will join Larry on the news showing how the Lake Tyee people shovel it best.

Of course we saw on the news an incident on a golf course in Phoenix, Az. A golfer beat up an 11 yr old for touching his ball. Threw the young boy in the bushes and went back to his golf game as if nothing had happened. We wondered if we knew for sure what PART of the south our comrade was golfing in, then remembered the description of the varmit's on our comrade's front porch could only be in California; and he is therefore not associated with incident with 11 yr old. But everyone knows that you never, never touch a golfers ballz, for the golfer plays with them exclusively. We do, however; await the return of our comrade. You are missed... and so is the bird.

The different stages of snow storms has its beauty and wonders. The aftermath has its glories also, the continuance takes us to levels of tolerance and the endearing game of Disney's "Pollyanna." Lately while playing the "glad game" we could only come up with the fact that at least we weren't in Fargo, ND. Lol or is it SD? Is it even in the Dakota's? ROFLOL. Meandering minds need to know.

There is a special program on about the history of Jello. Can't miss this one. Take care everyone and I will write after the thaw.

March 7, 2009

2009-03-07T04:51:00.000-08:00

On and off, we get some snow... and some melts. The temps on some days are warmer, some not. This is either a "some" month or a "none" month... Nonetheless, when the sun isn't shining, we let the brightness from within take over which, is why the name of this blog has the word "mania" in it.

Kem is back and we are so glad to see him looking so well. Equally, we look forward to Eric's emergence to the Tyee roads and his bird Sampson singing into the breeze again. Many have started to come up to look over their properties and prepare for the season. Sophie spent most of yesterday on her favorite ledge to start her tan and Mitzi.... well... she just wants a full time door person (uniform preferred.)

We went to LaConnor to look at the sister KOA in the area. Beautiful day! See left. There were some fawns munching in a front yard of a home near the ferry that were so perfect they seemed like the fake ones that can be purchased. Truly a nice outting. Soon, Betty and Larry will be able to get on the motorcycle along with their buddies and have some fun day trips as the weather warms.

Meandering Mania Minds

2009-02-07T06:13:00.000-08:00

Read at your own risk! Too much winter can cause mania minds! We have had fog and rain again for 2 days and next week looks like a bit of winterwonderland again.

Boop found a really cute saying; "Life is not meant to be a journey to the grave in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather, to skid broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, while loudly proclaiming - WOW! WHAT A RIDE!" We can go with that, lol. Nonetheless, we are dieting and spending the time to do so without the inherit PAIN of dieting. No fads, no pills, and although the greatest respect to Marie Osmond for the Nutridiet thingy and whoever the flavor of the month is the Jenny Craig spokesperson - we are not getting into that cost ratio per pound puppy poop. Keeping in mind Larry, we are making some adjustments on our own plates, prep of the food, and not denying Larry many of the things he enjoys. Luckily, he likes nutritious things overall.

During some of my research on diets, recipes, and food values, I found a saying: "Over indulgence is always bad and that includes moderation.... live a little!" We can go with that also, lol.

Personally, a Mounds candy bar would taste really good right now...

We had a few sunny days last week, ONLY a few. Mitzi took advantage of them and played possum with us on the awning.

Note: pictures of Sophie will increase, Mitzi is just such nut lately she provides photo op material. Sophie keeps her priorities straight:

1. Feed me 2. Pet me 3. Feed me treats 4. A belly rub... 5. Feed me what YOU are eating...

Well you get the idea. Soooo she hasn't been newly silly as the we all await the thaw. Its not just snow on the ground, it is glacier for all intents in texture. It's not melting in between storms. Its not to be shoveled; rather, an ice pick would be the right tool of choice. But through rose colored (or old prescription, lol) glasses, there is a beauty to it once you look past the dirty snow from the plow. Out among the trees, in the areas where 5ft below there would be twisted brambles there is instead this white carpet with interesting shapes and designs that changes daily if the sun visits. Perspective and the unconditional love of the Earth can help in this climate... BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE THE PLACE OF HAWAII, BERMUDA, AUSTRALIA OR CANCUN.

Wishing you all sunny days.

One Day Of Sunshine

2009-02-04T05:08:00.000-08:00

We had some sunshine here at Mountain Mania; nonetheless the landscape still hasn't changed. More birds, a few squirrels, and the family of racoons were out and checking the neighborhood. On TV there were conflicting reports (actually in total opposition) about the groundhog shadow - PA says 6 weeks more of winter, NY says an early spring...

We just want the sun... often... preferably with the heat element thrown in for good measure.

Larry was down the hill at friends for the Super Bowl and had a great time will all the boyz yelling at the screen making a big difference in the score of the game! Steelers will be charged a fee next time for the loud encouragement from that party fans in Concrete for we all know their input made the difference!

We had dinner last Friday at one of our delightful friends that originate from Canada. The meal, excellent reparte, and warm hospitality was so very appreciated. It is also interesting to compare what Canada reports on our news stories. In the end, it is clear that we are a silly bunch starting and putting out fires journalistically. The headlines of the world certainly missed the boat on a very positive happening that should be celebrated across the Earth:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DORIS.

Yup! She logged in another year (29) with class, style, and loads of love for all on February 1. We hope for many many more dear lady.

But my question to the cosmos is.... how many times can you turn "29" before you must turn .... "30?" Maybe the Stimulus package Congress is voting on has a research grant for 29 billion set up to look into it... lol.

This is Mitzi in daytime hybernation awaiting a change in the weather to chase game smaller than herself. The other night tho, she held a vigil at the window waiting for the dynamic duo to arrive home. Humorously, when they did arrive, she became indifferent and only offered a bored yawn... until Sophie received attention. In other animal news, one night while driving home we saw the biggest rack on top of an elk that you can imagine. He was calmly standing along side the road (not at a crosswalk mind you) and scaring us half to death. Huge! We had to ask ourselves if it was possibly a Moose... the rack changing our minds of course.

We have said good bye to another of our mountain people who has bailed for sunshine in the southern part of a different state. And we look forward to a return of one who left in November sometime this week who has been so kind to call us with the weather reports HE was experiencing. For this "kindness" and for all who called in with 60 plus degree sunny temperature readings, a firing wall should be set up and they should be bombarded with snow balls in a summer wardrobe until they yell uncle in five different languages. All injuries should be treated with a salt solution, and they should write sentences "I will not gloat when others are less fortunate in the sunshine dept." lol.

I send a special thank you to my Idaho buddy for some tips on the blog. As motivation depicts, I will educate myself and upgrade the format and take control of the pics on the right of this blog and put them in the right time frame. Take care everyone, we wish you all the best and of course enough sunshine to boast and brag about each day!