MEINER'S OAKS

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Do you know the way to MEINER'S OAKS ??

 

by: Kat (Mary ) Carlson  _ author/publisher


Maybe I should start with I am having the best time tonight,  laughing my "fool" head off.  I tell myself,  they're coming to take me away,  tra la !............................:)   Does it matter,  I say,  "NO",
a resounding "NO"  !!!  LIFE is just a bowl of cherries !  Got to pop some popcorn,  I'll be back
soon. 


I'm back,  where was I ?  Oh yes,  Meiner's Oaks.   Quaint little town of Meiner's Oaks.
Today I went to M.O. to catch the trolley,  only to discover when I arrived that this is LABOR DAY,  no can do.  Here are some pictures I took of a favorite of everybody's.  A popular hang out for many,  many eons.

See the sign,  it has been Jolly Kone forever.  They have the best soft ice cream cones and taquitos.

Yummmmmmmmmm _  truly!  How a little place like Meiner's Oaks has supported this favorite
haunt is a mystery.  But it's a fact.  We, here in Ojai Valley adore our "lovely" towns and vistas.
Someone said to me tonight after reading me last blog ........ "you mean people actually ready that " CORNY"  stuff ?   I laughed so hard,  I answered,   " I don't know"............:) More corny stuff
below .....

How do you like us so far ?  Showing a little bit more of our main street,  El Roblar.

   

Trolleys do not run on Labor Day

 

 They forgot to tell me that ! Oh well,  all's well that ends well.  I got some real nice shopping done at Ace Hardware.  And I got the "Red Carpet" treatment,  people always do there.  It's a right friendly place,  sure is ! 

Bye- bye!

 
 

CASA DE " KAT "

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Yep,  that's mi CASA ..........thank you,  GOD

by: Kat  (Mary)  Carlson _author/publisher


In one of my recent blogs/posts,  I accidentally named my abode,  Casa de Kat.  I like it and now I think I'm going to keep that title.  Oh,  by the way,  this morning,  I'm not mad at GOD anymore.
Yesterday,  I "went-to-bat" for my self and "talked " to my "Heavenly Father".  All i can say IS
OMG !!!!!!.........:)

So this morning after a "glorious"  night of "peace & rest",   my back almost totally better,  I am
thankful for this day and "everything" I AM,  and everything I possess.  Opening up my computer,
pouring  freshly brewed cup of java, & sitting down to "write",  see I never even know what I'm going to do .  At first I thought I'd turn on music ( another one of my LOVE'S ),  but soon,  I looked around the room, remembered the term "Casa de Kat",  and then I knew what to write about.  Not long after that decision was made I looked again around my place and the "tears" began.  I was actually "given" this place based on the fact that in 1989,  after my divorce,  I had no place to live,  no job, a few pennies from a former health care job, ( I actually slept in my car one night),  but in looking at places to live,  that I DID NOT like and cost too much $ anyway,  I said "boldly" out loud, "there's got to be a place I can afford that's just 'right for me",  ( an actual vision appeared of THIS exact place in my mind),  then I called the next number on my list.  After calling the number that lead me here to " Casa de Kat", ...:),  I came,  I saw,  &  I conquered !  I loved it,  could afford it and that was the name-of-that-tune !

Now I am here 26 years.  I don't OWN it,  BUT,   through many a happenstance,  after so very long,  it IS mine!  

Once, a few years back, I had been starting to write and loved it.  I was searching for a pen name.
In doing so,  I "felt",  "heard" this name appear up above,  "KAT",   I did not hesitate,  I grabbed that name (out of the sky) and that is how I got my pen name.  When I started writing I had this image and "love" for my friend's kitty, Lily

What a doll,  she became my mascot,  AND the title of my first blog's web site

    

http://lilymakesmesmile.com.  It was successful and once in a while I post this "sweet" image of her.  ( There's another story here,  but that will come later).  She's a "model" cat.   Spunky, mischievous,  lovable,  clever,  rambunctious,  " all-that" and  more.   Thanks to you,  my friend,
LILY. 


The pen name has,  delightfully" stuck and so now,   I have dubbed my "newly/old" home here in Ojai Valley,  "Casa de Kat".  


That's my story this morning,   for more stories, news about "health",  "miracles" ,  "healing" 
"music",  "country living",  exciting people I know and "LOVE",   adventures,  animals & pets, family & friends,   come on back to read " Kat Carlson",  here on this website.

Me,  outside in "love" with my "new " growing place"

In the interest of "great" living,  staying"healthy"  stay tuned!   My love & devotion,  to friends around the world !


(__ A Wink & a Smile _).................................................................................:)

 

" STRUCTURAL DAMAGE "

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Fortunately for me, .....  I am up, out of bed and slightly functioning

by: Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ Author/Publisher


I don't know how many people read my blogs on a daily basis.  Last night,  yes, it was me and I did put out that message about  GOD,  I was more than miffed.  Haven't had a time like that in "years".  I got to the "heart" of how I was feeling,  and really only until just moments ago, did
I sort of "come-to-terms"  with what I needed to express "for the moment".  It was a v-e-r-y 
l-o--n-g night.  Panic,  nerves, jangling, no rest,  "my back" went out.  The "pain" was excruciating.  And there's a great deal MORE to this story about the severity of it all. 

A few weeks ago,  right up over my head,  came this message " there's structural damage",
isn't there ?  Well, now,  I was sure I "heard wrong",  even tho,  it was quite clear and concise.
As it turns out,  that structural damage is exactly what it meant and I was right in the middle of
it being "adjusted",  in the fixins' of such construction.  My low back,  is so very painful.  To top it off,  there is lots of nerve damage in my brain,  that runs throughout my body.   That would be legs,  feet,  head,  neck,  etc.   As the upset in my brain came about,  "nerves" were disturbed and were sending "odd" messages,  clearly meant to confuse and panic.   Everything I knew to say or do,  did not work.  But I did try this,  I learned this one thing and wrote about it  in http://lilymakesmesmile.com  ( Wordpress.com)   I start using nonsensical phrases,  anything that comes to mind ,  I mean off-the-top-of-your-head type stuff,  like for me it was "Braxton Hicks",
Cornwall Jackson and Skip-a-beat, & a whole host of stuff that makes no sense or reference to what is going on presently.  believe me,   confusing the brain then , is exactly what it needs because it's stressed out then.  It's something that works anytime you are stressed.

Some of the stuff that I repeated was hilarious.   Anyway,  it keeps you from having to try and deal with something impossible for you to try and deal with when " NOTHING WORKS".  I went bananas and really got way out there in space.  But that is how it works.  Then the very next thing I tried really did help.  I cupped my hands together and made a kind of conduit.  I found that the 
best and MOST HELPFUL,  and did settle my nervous energy.  

Now, though,  when I go to the bathroom, bend over to reach for something (which seems like always)  ,  I "scream" in PAIN.  I think I mentioned that I don't take drugs or medicine,  I just don't.  My decision.  So,  I am learning how to deal with "pain"  these days.  

Structural damage !  I  really thought I had the whole "healed thing" in the bag.  Guess not,
But one of  the approaches I took last night was to rebel and go against "tradition".  I "felt" a little better doing that.  

It may take a while for me to be back in the picture taking game.

 

 

 

 

   

Tomorrow,  have a blast,  and drive safely.


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

GOD IS DEAD

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                                  WHO ?

JOY IN THE MORNING

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It's Labor Day weekend,  so I labor not !! ( ha )

by: Kat ( Mary ) Carlson _  author/publisher


Days,  mornings,  even future days are often enhanced by the "morning constitutional",....a "WALK" in these parts of our "beautiful" community  of Ojai Valley,    first off,   when you lend a listening ear,  the sounds are spectacular,  roosters crowing,   birds singing,  even the trees make a sound,  the hills seem to give off there own special wonder, (which can be translated as a sound),   the woodpeckers hard very hard at work ( see pic), lots of them.    I even hear the trees singing,  well, .....I do !  Maybe that's just "happy" me.   Happy to  be out and about.  in the "crest" of the morning .  

Here in this picture I took this morning, is one different example of the auras I find to enjoy

 

 

 

 

But the sights of sunrise on the mountains,  and the silhouettes of trees just before the sun peaks,
I am mesmerized and in awe of  the"teaming beauty" of  "LIFE" as  portrayed always in our Ojai gorgeous mornings.  All of LIFE is waking up,   ( well,  some are still snoozing, .... late night,  ya know?),  but when you have the chance and want to really experience something of JOY and WONDER,  this will knock- your- socks- off !  Do, please, stop,  look & listen !

Rice Road,  up higher above where I live in the river bottom,  I turn right and head back,  down the hill to delicious "casa de Kat"

 

I often pass this house on my walks,  I'm pretty sure these folks are still sleeping

 

I guess most folks are still sleeping on Saturday morning  and  it's a "holiday"  today.   But the couple you see below are braving the "beautiful" morning and vistas 

These early risers are enjoying their walk and told me that by the time they return home it will have been 6 miles..... Y-a-a-a-y !!

More Ojaians plus our animal friend (pooch) taking a stroll.....:)

The roads/streets of this amorous valley  "beckons" me and others to open our "hearts" ( physical & spiritual)  and "minds" to all that "IS" available in the course of real "Life" .

Look at ALL those holes,  these five woodpeckers are busy bees,  ( another sound of "LIFE" )

 

 

 I'd like to invite you to our neck-of-the-woods ,   for a  "joyful"  morning stroll.

"Happy Holiday".....

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

http://lilymakesmesmile.com,  http://akneadedtouch4u.com,  http://chooseurwords.com,  ( Word Press.com )  10/14- 1/15 Archives,  http:// 4u2become1.blogspot.com ( Living Words & I Support Life)  Google+

HE IS A "MAN " _ # 2

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A "LUCKY "MOM

by: Kat ( Mary ) Carlson  _  author/publisher


I' so proud to write this blog/post this morning.  Maybe it is personal,  but the story is absolutely worth telling.  My oldest son,  is 52 years old.   From the beginning,  at 2 1/2 years old,  this
fabulous "creature" displayed courage.  Courage because he was not afraid of authority.   At this tender age,   I asked him for a favor,   seemingly small one to me and it definitely was a small one. I was changing his younger brother's diaper,  and didn't have a clean one to put on him,  so,  I said,  would you please go get me a clean diaper on the kitchen table.   He said  "NO".   Re soundly,  and absolutely "NO".    I lost it !    I went "bonkers !  ( Now, mind you I found that I had issues at that moment.)  This story is phenomenal,  because,  it has taken both of us,  50 years to find a wonderful  "Love"  for each other.


The timing could not be more "perfect".  We have both been lost ,  but "looking" at ourselves
for ourselves .  Of course we have charted our own course,  but have now,   found our own " individual strength".  


Once I kicked him out of the house,  he had nothing except the clothes on his back.  He had gone off to college out of high school,  a bright young man,  ( physics major).  Down in San Diego,
at school,  he got caught up in culinary ideas as to what "heals" us.   So,  he converted to vegetarianism.  That became his direction.   But school ( college) got totally lost as a " priority "    and actually,  it  ( vegetarianism) WAS a primary concern because " HE" really needed "healing" inside,  desperately.    Our confrontation when he flatly refused to help me at the age of 2 1/2 was "ugly".


My son spent " years" on the streets,  found ways to take care of himself,  and came back to me after  many,  many years to help take care of me.  Then I had "trials"  issues too.  I fell,  broke my hip and was off to stay and recover in a "Nursing home & later Assisted Living Facilities"   But LIFE was "still" very,  very "painful for "both" us.  We did have the good sense to realize that it was an individual walk,  this LIFE.
  

Long story short,  NOW,   HE  &  I,   are at  fabulous,  glorious  "PEACE"  with ourselves and naturally & thankfully  with each other.   Right before,  he left for college ,  this time ( at 52 yrs.),
we played "Scrabble"  every night for a week.   He came home for a very short visit,  two nights ago,  & yes, we did play  "Scrabble" once again.   Here's where I  "proclaim" that "HE" is a MAN.  Before he left the next morning,  he put his arms around me and loved me "gently "and "warmly".   His "heart" is so tender and sweet.   He "loves" all Life.   He brought me a cute little frog a few weeks ago,  barely an inch in diameter.   It was cupped in his sweet hands and he said,  _  " Mom where can I put him,  so he can be in moisture" ? _ ( The weather was monstrously hot).     How I "loved" being a part of that "BEAUTIFUL" moment  !!!!


 I'm so "happy" that we have come to terms with our own "selves",  and can be whole together and apart.  It's "never" too late !!!!


Interesting note here,  is the title " it's quite prevalent in this world  " for "man"( hu-mans) to "feel the need to DOMINATE" (control) !   Not a surprise,  I'm sure.   Too bad that many feel so threatened,  that that is their only recourse.  The relationship between man & woman ( & our own selves) will and can be "healed"  with  "loving Hearts".   A real sense of our own individual "identities " .  First separately,  and then  "Together".   It's the "only" way, "RESPECT" and  "UNCONDITIONAL LOVE" can come about.   

Some say LOVE,  it is a flower ........

Well,  it just  "IS",  ...... that's all !!   "IT'S  POWERFUL "


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

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

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TO ALL PEOPLE "EVERYWHERE",   have a "safe"  Labor Day holiday weekend !

Time and again when out on my walk-a-day walk,  I discover a story and here is the one I found this morning

         Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ author/publisher



          A picture is worth a thousand words................ below

I'm hoping you will remember this picture of Claire,  "Cutie"  ( her own horse), and her close friend

          Now a close up of "Cutie" ........... Claire' s horse of 12 years...

"  Cutie"

The above pictures were taken in August,  2015.  I posted a blog entitled  _"On Holiday_ from Massachusetts ", _ all about these two  Claire and "Cutie".   Today,  as I approached the top of Rice Rd.  as luck would have it,   I happened upon Claire's mom,  Becky,  riding,  would you believe,   none other than "Cutie".  I couldn't believe it.    Of course when I asked the horse's name,  Becky,  ( Claire's mom)  said,  " Cutie",   I knew then it was "THE" Cutie in my post about Claire,  home for a visit.

Yep,  the one and only "Cutie" and now I have the privilege of  meeting Claire's mom ,  Becky !

Becky explained to me that on Claire's 11th birthday,  she received "Cutie" and that Cutie was 11 years old.  Claire and Cutie as you may recall,  are separated through the school year due to college.  And for Claire that means clear across the country in Massachusetts.  Surely they miss each other.  But as you can see,  Becky is giving Cutie lots of love & exercise.  Fortunate for both,  that all is well on the home front.  Good luck studying " Fine Arts" ,  Claire.   Maybe you will be home for Christmas,  ?  

Greetings from Ojai, CA ........ Happy "Labor Day" weekend !

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