WHO HUNG "THIS" MOON ??

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It's 7:00 a.m. ,  look closely at the bird in top of the tree (middle)

by: Kat ( Mary ) Carlson  _  author/publisher


Headed down to the horse stables on Meyer,  I spotted this lovely moon.  Of course,  we have been having a "beautiful" full moon these last few nights.  My entire back yard was bright and grand. 
Then of course so was the inside of my house.  I "love" mood-lighting" anyway.  Up high in the tree in the middle of this picture there sits a bird.  I tried to zoom in so we could see him.


Then after seeing Red and Vicki at the stables,  I climbed this hill, 

By now,  everyone knows that this hill is my daily challenge, & most often after reaching the top

 

The top of my hill,  I either turn left on Fairview or right on upper Rice Rd. and continue trekking

 Maybe one of these days,  you can join me,  I'd love some company.  As you can tell though,  I do 
engage with people of all sorts,  people jogging,  walking their dogs  ( oh, yes,  many of them)

Like Fred for instance and his master .......

Jaimie and her two dogs

 We all get to meet & greet often and each other adieu.  Her dogs are so patient.  Jaimie is expecting a new arrival to her family,  a baby.

A very familiar scene on a regular basis,  joggers here and there

 

This bicyclist was "happy" to have his picture taken ( Libbey Park)

Who hung this moon ?  (first picture )..... you decide !

Probably the same one who produces " ROSES" ...........:)

 

and MORE _

(_ A Wink & a Smile_) ......................................................................................................:)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

AND AWAY WE GO....( Honeymooners)

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Luke Skywalker & me,  this a.m. (7:15)

by Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ author/publisher


Bright & early this morning,  after reluctantly crawling out of bed,  I took a shower to loosen the kinks, up and down my spine,  then I selected my cool clothes for the day ( shorts & tank top),   I made a fresh pot of java.   Sometimes I love the aroma so much I just stick my nose in the container and take a whiff.  ...:)   Soon,  the signal was a "go" from my freshly brewed pot of coffee,  and I poured a cup,  added honey,  always,  I use "honey" for practically everything  ( honey is a natural antibiotic), and for extra flavor I add a peppermint.   I just discovered this little treat.  It's s-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- good !


This  sizzling hot weather here in Ojai,  has left the orange trees looking a little wilted and thirsty,
so  I watered some before I took my "usual" walk down Rice.  The horse stables are on my way on
Meyer Road.  Stopped for a bit to see my friends there,  Vicki,  Red,  Darth Vadar,  and the horse you see above in this picture with me is Luke Skywalker.   I named then myself.   Horses are sensitive,  I've discovered.  On certain days,  they can't be cozy enough and dearly love petting,  other days,  they practically run from you.   Sounds a little like people,  huh?  

These passers-by showed up as I started my upward climb 

This "trio"  is Marlene,  Chad and Jeff.  

Here is the first shot I took of these Ojaians

I have always felt that this picture should be published in some magazine,  it's just so .......

magazine-ish.  

I checked my photos this morning & found this interesting one that I took yesterday shopping at the local market.  

I just "love" having my camera ready at moments like these.  Both of us had visited the shop called " Attitude Adjustment ". .....:) 

One more picture of me & cool-hand "Luke"....

Oooooooops,  this isn't Luke ,  this is Darth !   (Luke &  Darth share the same corral.,  Luke has the pretty stripe down his nose and Darth is,  "Dark" ..)

*  It's Sunday  August 30, 2015.  Still a little time left to make it a day you'll remember....



(_ A Wink & a Smile_).........................................................................................:)

IT'S OH SO GOOD

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Morning everyone ....... It's me,  Kat

 

 

 

by: Kat  ( Mary ) Carlson  _ author/publisher


Saturday,  August 29,  2015.   I'm coming to you this morning dressed in "grown up" garb.
And that only because I was inspired to say a few things about "my" spiritual journey".
Years ago,  many many years I began serious growth determined to take charge of the
sickness in my LIFE.  I started with "Words",  meditating and concentrating on them until "they" ( words)  became "real" and had meaning.   Gee, that has gone on now for years and years
and has brought about absolute change.  

Absolute in that I have "most gratefully",   learned that the place I am at now,  has a solid footing.  I asked to be rooted and grounded in profound  " LOVE".    Now,   I know without a doubt,  that no matter what changes come either inside or outside,  I will always be shored up in "love's power".    I can "NEVER"  lose ground.   All that has gone before me,   the "growth"  I've made,  is "solid" as a "rock".   With that awareness,  I  "rest" and know that those kinds of dividends are spectacular.

The world system,  at large,  can and will "never" grant you or me that kind of  " SECURITY".
 ......."N-E-V-E-R".


So,  as the title of my blog overall,  is this  "ONE STEP CLOSER" ,  because I "really" am "One Step Closer",   you see.  I can only build,  better and better "substance",  it IS "money-in-the-bank",  only  much,  much, better!  We all know how "fleeting" the value of money is these days,
don't we ?  Life and Solidarity,  that's where my focus is.  That's what  I "Herald",  this morning,
that's where I spend my efforts,  just  plain,  "BEING " and "BEING" at "PEACE",  being
"FREE".  There is a song,  it goes like this ,  "house built on a weak foundation will not stand,  oh no".

You & I are able to "stand" now,  because we have seen to it that our "house"  is built to "LAST",  no "matter" what.   And I really do mean " matter".  It's something to give thought to.


 

Enjoy your weekend !!

 

 

    
 (_ A Wink & a Smile_)..............................................................................:)

GOODNIGHT

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" SWEET   DREAMS "

 

 

 

"You must remember this,  a kiss is still a kiss,  a sigh is still a sigh,  the fundamental things apply,  as time goes by.......and when two lovers woo,   they still say "I love you",  on that you can rely,  the world will always welcome lovers,  "as time goes by",  ...moonlight and love songs never out of date,   hearts full of passion...........jealousy and hate,  woman meets man,  and man must have his mate,   that no one can deny,   it's still the same old story,  a night of love & glory,   a case of do or die,   the world will always welcome lovers,   "as time goes by"........  ah,  _"Sleepless in Seattle"_   Indeed !

(Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan )  "Nite -nite"


(_ A Wink & a Smile_).........................................................:)

STUFF

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Gorgeous " Lavender Inn".......................downtown Ojai on Matilija Street

by: Kat ( Mary ) Carlson   _____ author/publiisher


Once in a while,  you just decide to put " STUFF" in a blog,  well, because you just decide to,


I'll peer into my "bag of tricks",  and pick this...............

Oh yeah,  that's lovely,  don't you think  ?

 

Maybe I'll look again,  ........ how about this .......

This happens to be my good friend Martha ,  98 yrs. and counting (she's still bowling & wondering why she hasn't made a strike lately )....

Not doing badly so far,  huh?  People just can't be beat ......they are funny,  curiously odd, & often so awesome too ....... Gotta love them .....Now,  what's next ?

Hey Martha,  there you are again on your 98th birthday,   wearing a Mickey Mouse hat.... ha ha ha

 

 

 

I snuck that one in because,  why not ?

I admit that this picture of me is one of my favorites,  I remember the walk I took and all those pictures of Topa Topa

 

exhausted me and I just plopped down outside in my patio chair,  decided I'll take a "selfie" ,  what's next,  let's see .........

Yep,  I like this pic of Chrisy ......."beautiful"

 

 

 

Next ...............

Prettiest place on "earth" ......my home

 

Lily (Snow) .......funny ,  first time I gave her a last name,  of course,  Lily is my "featured image on

 

http://lilymakesmesmile.com ( Wordpress.com) ...back in 2014-2015 * lots of interesting topics there to choose from.......more stuff ?

Another "fav"  of mine,  

 

Be sure & mail your letters here at our Ojai Post Office

* Look out ..... more of this kind of thing ........ give yourself the attention you need
 

Don't forget the "MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE"

 

 

I'll stop filling these pages with "stuff",  and let you "get on with your day" ... " Happy Trails"



(_A Wink & a Smile_)......................................................:)

MEASURED SUCCESS

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IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.............( love that song,  have you heard it ? )

by: Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _  author/publisher



My daily walks/adventures here in our local Ojai Valley,  find events & people who have stories
that excite me.  One such story is that of this fellow walker named Dennis Leary, see pic

Some time ago,  I published Dennis's picture on this blog.  He & I had a similar experience,   a fall resulting in a broken hip.

Yesterday around two months later,  I happily came across this friend of mine "walking" without his walker.  ( Dennis & I are the same age "75" ).  So out came my camera,  and he kindly let me take his picture now ...........walking anew

Bravo Dennis .......that's "GREAT"  !

Our celebrated "climb-up-this-hill"  is a challenge but oh,  it yields fabulous results!  Getting well is a "joy" to those of us who get to go there in our own "reality".  I'm proud of you Dennis!

Every morning,  before & after I pass these guys straight down my short gravel road and over the fence,  "Alpacas".  Yesterday  I couldn't resist taking this picture.  

   
The alpacas don't usually come up this close to the fence.  There is a "tree" behind them and that's their "hangout" as a rule.  Aren't they an interesting lot ?  And I think they are "adorable".

Vicki and Red,  my two "great" friends down at the stables,  well,   I have the pleasure of visiting these two everyday

As time progresses,  come October,  2015,  Vicki and I are going to sit down and start interviewing
with hopes of me writing Vicki and Red's interesting "LOVE" story.  Vicki's story in her own right,  is really something I want to share with folks around the world.   I know you'll fall in love with her as I have.  I can't wait to get started  ..........


More to come in the days ahead,  news about  Ojai Valley and it's vistas ,  also stories and pictures
of "very" interesting colorful people around town. 

Meanwhile, stay tuned everyone,  I am going to be driving my "golf cart" in the near future.   Keep those positive thoughts & donations coming ! 

 To donate:  https://www.giveforward.com/donate/282673  (Relief Fund - Managing Transportation)  "Mary Carlson"   Thanks!

Although this golf cart is sitting in my very own back yard,  this one actually belongs to my friend,  Karen.

"It's a very happy occasion for me folks,   meeting like this each day.........................."



(_ A Wink & a Smile_) ....................................................................................................:)

MYSTIC MORNING

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www.giveforward.com ( Relief Fund- Managing Transportation )

If you've been  on Rice Road in Ojai, CA,  head north ( toward the mountains),  to this familiar view.....appearing "just" before one heads down to the river bottom

 

by: Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _  author/publisher


In my mind and fortunately some of the minds of folks around this country & further,  is the Fundraiser I have been heading up.   The name of it is Relief Fund  ( Managing Transportation).
www.giveforward.com is keeping track of my campaign systems & information,  and reporting all transactions.  My Facebook page ( Mary Carlson) will inform those of you who may want to investigate and/or donate.  My "dream" is to purchase a Golf Cart,  to assist me in my transportation needs.  Hence this avenue of asking friends & family to help in what ever way they may care to,  to help make this dream of mine come true.

Viola'..... a golf cart ( similar to what I am looking to purchase) before winter rains

 

In this picture I have gotten off our  Ojai trolley and will continue to head down Rice Rd. _ ( above),  to my humble & CUTE  "abode."....1 1/2 miles left to go.

 

So,  "Mystic Morning",  has to do with this morning's walk.  Days ago, I was talking to my older (...ha...), brother who lives up north in Spokane,  WA.   As per usual,  my walk takes me oodles of directions "in my head" and many unusual vistas as well.  I "love" to window shop,  looking and dreaming of houses I like etc.  But "inspiration" ,"personal growth",  talking with my "divine
creator",  is my "mainstay",  and "key to LIFE".  When I get there in my "heart & mind", I see
LOVE,  and creation and punctuate my "BEING".   Right in front of my "eyes"  there was a 
trellis of beautiful morning glory's.    That awareness took me to the article my brother in Spokane wrote ( Facebook _ Ron Kurtz),   In it,  he declared that "I" ,  would continue to walk,
even with my new /or old golf cart.  I chuckled to myself,   this morning,  after I saw the morning glory's  and said to myself,  now he lives in Washington,  and I live in CALIFORNIA,  "how will he know if I continue to walk ?.........Ha, ha.    So this is the way it goes,   "we" do,  know each other well,  after our ,   shall I say,   l-o-n-g acquaintance and advanced years,  _ by "NOW",  _it's apparent to each of us that,  "staying healthy" and "well" is "a- way-of-Life".  Never to part from us.  

www.giveforward.com/dashboard/fundraiser/282673 _Relief Fund ( Managing transportation ) is where you will find information about why I want a golf cart,  where to donate, etc. 


Remember that "walking" cannot be substituted by a Golf Cart or any other kind of vehicle.
The benefits are nothing short of "miraculous".  For me,  I have been walking now more then three years, _ my "entire structure and being"  by  maintaining this tradition,  has made me a "new creature".  "I LOVE WHO I AM." 

Glad I don't feed a large family...... ha ha !  Anymore !

 

To those of you have "donated" to my Fundraiser,   _ I thank you !
 

(_ A Wink & a Smile_)..........................................................................:)

B B B

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I'm on hiatus folks,  taking a little "BREAK" for some of this summer .....

 

 

 

by: Kat ( Mary ) Carlson  _author/publisher



B   stands for  "bewitched"


B   stands for  "bothered"


B   stands for  "break time"

Time for a "little" downtown shopping ....

 

 

Summer "fun-in-the-sun"

 Make it a "happy" time


September 1,  2015 ....beginning anew
join me then,  everyone

 
(_ A Wink & a Smile_)................................:)
 

WHAT DOES A MOUNTAIN DO ?

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Let's talk,   for a moment  ?

 

 

 

by : Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ author/publisher


Now, I have heard time and time again,  with " FAITH"  you can move mountains.   I am certain you have heard the same thing.   As  I was sort of meditating ( well, you know, "quiet inside" )  moment ago,   I heard a voice on the radio say to another,  same exact thing,  "you can move mountains,   if you have "faith".   With a chuckle inside,  I said to myself,  hmmmmmmmm,...
and could a mountain move a person ?    So,   you see what we all knew all along is that this "speck of DUST,  (me& you)" is  mighty important.   The mountain,  not so much !  ..............:)


Yeah,    a lesson i had this week is to not focus so closely on the "creation" so as to get hung up on what transpires when that sort of "beauty" gets completely out-of-focus.   That 'DID" happen to me more than once,  in recent years/days.    The real importance of that,   is our own being changes from time to time and when disaster imposes itself on "man/woman"  ( humanity),  to be ready" for such an event,  we will survive when we "KNOW WE KNOW",  _ "FAITH & LOVE".  It's then that nature abandons you and me,  it's then that  "knowing"  "SAVES  "YOU & ME" !
AND another "biggy" is this ,  it also "HEALS" _YOU & ME,  _ physically as well as mentally.
   

Thinking about these things isn't really something that is,  say on the top-of-our-list.   And quite
rightly,  it , IS _ the thoughts who have had to deal with "TRIALS",  that have called for "reaching"  & stretching beyond ........   way  beyond what meets our eyes.   Hence the reality of   "  I  walk be Faith and not by  Sight."


If you've done this and been there,  then,   for certain,  you Do know what I'm talking about.  Now,  "in retrospect,"  as difficult as it was,   I am glad I've had the "training" for "LIFE "!  
I believe every aspect of "MY LIFE".  It's a HUGE statement and knowing that curve balls come 
frequently,  it surely will be challenged.

No,  no,  not  "THIS" kind of getting ready

 

This kind of getting ready  "DOES"  help a lot though but,

    


getting down right "HONEST"  will do-the-TRICK !   "YEP",   it is what it takes,  people,
in order for you & I,  to _ "Move Mountains". 



Most of us really do "NOT "want that there mountain we "look" at and "enjoy"  "TO MOVE",
right ?  Your move .........

I've got an "arm"  that is quite "willing" to  experience "healing"....... it's "SORE"......:)

 

 

 

 

 

 (_A Wink & a Smile_).............................................................................:)

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

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*********************************




                                 
                                  ********************** 

These gorgeous flowers have stayed a "favorite" seems like forever.........

 

by:  Kat (Mary) Carlson  _  author/publisher


In this drought season,  my yard is sporting only one rose bush.   I am not certain if I will keep even that one.   The weather has not been kind to my  "Yellow  Rose  of  Texas".   Some buds,  i have snipped and taken indoors to show off.   They really aren't well,  though.


I have pondered and debated about keeping it or "digging" it up.  Frankly,  I am not that interested  in pampering it.   Long ago,  it seems,  I used to "really"  like them.  Things change,  I changed and although they are beautiful,  my  "Yellow" rose bush has probably seen better days.


A few more pictures, ..........

The color of this beauty is exceptional

 

A color like this "rose" reminds me of fine lingerie ....  soooooo  soft !

 

 

I'm just going to give these "precious"  gems their due.   Today,  just remember them and all the times these flowers have graced hallways,  card tables,  offices,  receptionists  desks ,  birthday parties and so much more.   


Many times I have pruned my bush,  never ever thinking of it "not" gracing my garden.  How do you feel about roses ?   Please leave me a comment.   I'd very much appreciate hearing your point of view regarding this "eternal"  flower.  

Will they always ...... "BE"  ?

 

 
(_A Wink & a Smile_).....................................................................................:)   _   ( For everyday)