BUYER BEWARE

aka DEFECTIVE PRE-LIT TREE

"Christmas is a-comin'..."

Would you put these lights on your tree? Look carefully -

Yes there are 2 places that the wires coming out of sockets end as loose open wires.

 Yes there is also a loop of about 5 lights that are on a 3rd single wire running out of one of the sockets and back in another socket further down the line - in 2 different places.

Have you looked at the lights on your pre-lit tree?

Closely?

Are they safe?



I don't think mine were.
I wasn't comfortable with what I found.
No wonder there are so many fires!

Last year we wanted a new tree but decided we couldn't afford one.  We don't want big trees anymore and often only put up 4.5' trees.  [That is easy - just use the top two sections in the stand.  Leave the largest bottom section in the box. The top 2 sections are fuller and nicer than smaller trees on the market. Leaving the bottom section in the box doesn't affect the tree or its stability at all.]


After Christmas we saw a great sale on a small 6.5' pre-lit green tree and decided again - we bought it at the terrific price.

There were lots more - maybe you got one too. We even plugged it in at the store to be sure the lights worked.

We stowed it in the attic and just opened it today.
My husband unbaled it - funny - it was tied in a bundle just like the real trees you can get this time of the year.

As I began to 'fluff' it up I noticed a wire that looked like part of the light set had pulled apart - but it also looked like it was being used to secure the lights - that didn't seem very safe. I don't know much about electricity but maybe one of you does and can look closely at the pictures.

I looked more carefully and began tracing its source.  It was twisted around the branch and appeared to tie the lights to the branches - that would make sense I suppose - just use the same wire easily available to put things together with. I especially thought that might be the case when I found the next 2 wires - but it didn't make good sense either - why so much wire twisted and balled up all together in one spot?

Sloppy? - yes!

Cheap? - yes!

Safe? - ah that is the question.

I had been debating in my mind if I wanted to use colored lights or clear this year.  If I used colored I decided  they would be green.  Clear, colored, sigh, clear - it is too much trouble to replace them, green - I will put the green on and not plug in the clear - no that is just too much wire ...

Green, clear, green, clear, ....  this is where I was at when I saw the wire and began to investigate.  I unraveled it about a foot until I was certain one end fed directly into the set of lights on the top half the tree.

I had found meanwhile the next miscellaneous 2 wires - I started undoing them next. Those 2 wires turned out to be loose wires also that were twisted and then knotted around that light socket together.

GREEN - my decision came together rather quickly then.  My lights will be green this year. I had a genuine mess and I couldn't for the life of me see how it could possibly be safe.  We stripped those clear lights off the tree and will have a diy green pre-lit tree on hand for the future.  I will let you know how it turns out.

All the light sets we removed from the tree had miscellaneous wires with uncapped ends and extra loops of single wired lights looking like a third wheel on a date.  Common sense tells me that is not OK.

Am I just being paranoid?

NOPE - better paranoid than on fire.

Isn't common sense a gift in its own right?

And I wanted green lights anyway. [The basic tree is a decent enough little tree that was so inexpensive I will keep it and use it as is.]

Meanwhile - check your tree.
 Is it a fire hazard?

FROZEN FROST FORMATIONS

Winter arrived with several inches of snow.  It sifted down light and dry until a stiff north wind drove the dust like particles into icy temperatures lower than any November on record.

Then the real storm came: a few days later. Again that snow began dry and light but the sheer amount of it became heavy as sculpted drifts sank and packed, and as temperatures warmed that day the snow became large wet swirling flakes and many more inches even on level ground. 

After cleaning 4 or 5 " off the car I became brave enough to shovel and was amazed at the process.  Each narrow pass I made along the driveway felt wonderful as I breathed deeply of cool air, felt the work muscles can do and watched the continuing snow cover the car again before I returned indoors - at least David did not have as much to shovel nor was it as heavy for him.

My jacket and toque were soaked but it felt so incredibly good to do simple work that I almost cried - not quite though - I was too busy breathing and working, marveling at the wondrous gift I have of life and of my physical body. 

Hoar frost has decorated nature with a beautiful coat of white for several days so that we are living now in a winter wonderland .  

Today was a sight to see. The white furry coat has become 'hairy' - that's right hairy.

This is not on the evergreen - it is a normal thin stick twig. The frost has grown like sugar crystals in a child's experiment and narrow needles protrude everywhere. 

This morning it was very slippery and cold.

 The world outside

( including porch posts,

cars

and sidewalks)

 was completely cocooned in an icy crust

with needles of frozen crystals growing.

The car was amazing.

Then it began to rain - except it wasn't really rain - it was a super fine mist.  The mist froze instantly as it touched down and the crystals became shiny sheer and almost dripping - but not quite -

at 28 degrees Fahrenheit they continued to freeze. If you click these pictures larger you can see the tiny drips on the tips.

I am really glad I learned to skate as a child.  I never knew though that I could skate in Sorel Pac boots. Never mind - I didn't know I could still skate at all.  I am as proud of myself today after that adventure of leaving the house as I was the first time I laced on blades and did not fall down, thump!

 [I never enjoyed skating because I don't like falling - frankly it hurts! The thrill of sliding and gliding couldn't quite outweigh the unthrill of not.  Ask me about skiing, though - what's to hate? If you fall down it is into a soft pile of snow - I LOVE it. ]

I took some pictures out there today.  

I just had to.

The sunflowers were amazing.  

birds have eaten almost all this one

In the fall we leave them standing as 'birdseed'

and love to watch
the busy little birds flit

and sit digging the seeds out of the heads.

Plain chain link fences were -

 incredible

 unrecognizable!

The trees were astounding.

I specifically noticed the forming buds

on our young trees.

 Sometimes it is best to resist silly rhymes - one never knows how silly silliness may become ...

PERFECT PANCAKES

David likes pancakes for breakfast.

I think what he likes most is all the 'stuff' that can be varied and used as toppings: syrup - of many flavors [that,
need I say, usually accompanies most other toppings], peanut butter [it is just fun to make trenches in with a fork to channel the syrup], apple butter [a true old time favorite], honey, jam - often blackberry but any berry will do, jelly,  fresh fruit in season, and many other tidbits and tantalizing tastes.

What do you like on pancakes?

Myself I prefer waffles (not often for breakfast) - the kind with little holes not big ones - but just try to find that kind of waffle iron.  And yes let me know if you do.

I learned to make pancakes as a child.  Even a very young child knows a bubble when they see it.  I remember standing on a chair at a safe distance watching for bubbles.  My job was to call dad or mom when the bubbles started to pop. Mornings were a very busy time at the Forsyth house and I suppose this helped them get other things done while the batter cooked.  (Later, when we got big enough we were taught to flip the pancakes over.)

We had a large, heavy aluminum griddle that spanned two burners and could cook 8 four inch pancakes at one time.  Dad often made them for breakfast - for the 13 of us!

One of the first lessons was to flick water at the griddle to be sure it was hot enough.  I bet I said, "Why" enough to drive my parents insane (and still do). The tiny drops of water would hiss and dance before quickly evaporating.  I have a cast iron griddle and test it the same way.  Dad would turn on the electric burners at a medium setting before he started mixing the batter.

He said that the griddle temperature is the most important thing for good pancakes - too hot and it smokes and will burn the pancake outside before it is done in the middle, too cool and they stick and do not brown well - they tend to be creamy in color. He said it works out better if the griddle heats a bit more slowly.

My personal peeve is doughy middles - YUCCKY - not a lot worse than raw in the middle pancakes!  He said it is caused by a griddle that is heated too hot or too fast and that a pan that isn't heavy enough to hold the heat might as well be thrown out. In my mind I can still see where those burner settings should be adjusted - it was a very specific place - different for each burner.

Although temperature settings will be different for every stove usually it is slightly below half - experiment with your range to determine the ideal place. Batters can influence the settings.  Check a small spoonful first - it will allow you to check and adjust flavor too - or maybe only keep baby happy while s/he waits.

The next thing dad taught is how much batter to put on the pan - a specific amount for a specific size. Yes he did get creative.  I think that was something he liked about pancakes - he might make a face or an animal - all free form art.  We never knew when he would get all creative and cook fancy ones - dad just cooked what he cooked.  Sometimes he dropped chopped apples into the batter, or fresh berries in summer.  We loved Dad's pancakes!

Besides - I not only hated mush but in the mornings food often looked back at me and pancakes could be buttered, sugared, and eaten later on the bus like a sandwich.

When the pan was ready and not until - and after the batter was poured out onto it then we watched for the bubbles. When they begin to rise in the middle and pop, it is time to turn the pancake over.  It will be nicely brown. Don't wait until the all the middle ones are popping because the edges will be drying out and the pancake may be overdone and dry (or burned even, if the griddle is too hot).

Flipping pancakes is an art in and of itself.  I am not great and still miss at times but I can do it well enough to get it done - especially on my griddle - I do one at a time.On the big griddle the pancakes sometimes ran into each other and had to be cut apart before turning.  And at times when they were flipped they landed on other pancakes or even off the edge of the pan.

 FUN stuff learning to flip flapjacks!!

The second side is done when a crisp brown edge is visible (like a thin line against the pan) - if in doubt I just slide the pancake turner under them and peek.

Sometimes we made dollar pancakes with a Tablespoon of batter at a time - 15 or 20 at once. Often the first ones were ready to turn by the time you got them all poured. They must have been a bit of a nuisance because we didn't have them often.  I did love them.  My idea of a nice pancake is still that size, smothered in butter and dusted with granulated sugar.

 I never was a syrup fan.
I liked my sugar straight!

And btw - one of us likes to butter them and eat them right (1st) side up (and can't imagine anyone so silly as to turn them over) and the other thinks they taste better bottom (2nd) side up.

 Can you guess who likes them which way?

GIFTS - Why didn't I think of that?

On a recent Saturday night, a girl was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She has one small child. Her husband attended the small gathering.

My husband was responsible for arranging music, speakers, a program, witnesses etc.

I have been thinking on that baptismal service.  A friend, Denice, pointed out a helpful perspective that I had never really considered previously - or have I just forgot it since she told me some other time? Denice told me about a lesson in Relief Society (RS) about baptism.

Our RS course of study in 2010 is 'Gospel Principles'. I attended church the Sunday before with my daughter and her family. Their lesson was about repentance. Anywhere you go, anywhere in the world the course of study is the same even though that particular area may have a slightly different schedule.

The course of 47 core principles (available on lds.org) systematically discusses and studies the 47 core principles in a simple but comprehensive way.

Baptism is for every person that is 8 years of age and that is accountable (responsible) for their actions.   Satan cannot tempt babies and young children until that age and they are not able to sin. When they develop normally there comes a time when they are accountable and can sin.

Dalin H Oaks has taught that "... the missionaries' purpose ... is to save souls, to baptize converts, which is to to open the doors of the Celestial Kingdom to the sons and daughters of God."

Think on that! Opens the doors - we are not forced to enter but the door is unlocked or open and we may choose to.

Once we have received that ordinance, even if we never again obey Heavenly Father's commandments, attend church or make additional covenants - that door is open for us to make the choice to do so at any time.

What a glorious thing - baptism -
the key to open the very door to God's kingdom!

In April 2009 Quentin L Cook, a member of the 12 apostles, again taught us and reminded us that "... because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all spirits blessed by birth will ultimately be resurrected, spirit and body reunited, and inherit kingdoms of glory that are superior to our existence here on earth."

Elder Cook's talk was entitled Our Father's Plan - Big Enough For All His Children.  Truly all people (except a very very few) will receive this gift of joyous life from Jesus Christ.  We all die but we all will live again and will live in conditions "superior to our existence here on earth."

Those conditions will be mostly of our own choosing. We make choices here on earth about that happiness and what we desire and there we will live with all the joy we truly desire. Even those that are NOT obedient to God will eventually have a place of glory there greater than this earth!

Amazing!!

 I witness to the validity and veracity of this promise. I know each of us will live after death as the scriptures and prophets teach. There is hope and happiness for every one of us. And the humble and obedient can not begin to comprehend the greater happiness and exceeding joy that they will receive. The Doctrine and Covenants (Section 76 among others) specifies and outlines some detail.

Too many of us, perhaps, do not realize the hope for the reality of great happiness.

If even the disobedient - but never mind - I digress ...I love the gospel - the 'good news' and thrill to think about these things.

Now back to the insight my friend shared -

When we become accountable we face many temptations. Each of us needs to be baptized so that we may be blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. As in all things we follow the example of the Savior and are immersed in water and then receive the spirit - the gift of the Holy Ghost, a comforter and guide.  As we struggle to be more perfect, more like our Father in Heaven and face temptations and trials the Holy Ghost can and will guide us.

There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  When we receive the latter we can have that guidance with us at all times.  What an incredible thing - would you not desire such a gift? especially knowing that Satan and those that follow him desire your misery and constantly seek to ensure it?

We pass over this thing too lightly.  After the age of accountability Satan can tempt young children. Some individuals want their children to be 'older' and make their own choice about baptism but that child will not have the Gift of the Holy Ghost to guide them at all times unless and until they are baptized at (or beyond) the age of accountability.

To me that is chilling.  I would not allow my child to face a freezing blizzard or a scorching summer day unprotected and without resources. As a parent I am responsible to also ensure their spiritual protection and well being yet I would not force, coerce, or compel them to be baptized.  I would though be very diligent and concerned in teaching them truth and confidence in their ability to recognize it and make their own choices about the truths they can understand - that, after all, IS being accountable or responsible.

Denice shared with me the insight that when we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost it is a critical shield and protection - I know that but I just haven't thought about it in this specific way regarding children and temptation before.

I think of this girl that received this marvelous gift the Sunday after her baptism. She is an adult. There are so many good people that might rejoice as she is and truly desire such a gift and cherish it.

Am I willing to help them find  and have such a gift?

EAT A CHRISTMAS TREE

This 'tree' looks festive and tastes terrific for school snacks,
 holiday buffets and potlucks or even as a table center.
(This one looks better.)

I am so glad there are creative people that think up things like this - I learned how to make it many years back and wish I could thank them for their talent.

TIP: If prepared the day before mist lightly and cover to maintain moisture. Keep in a cool place that will not freeze. (I just place on the top shelf in the frig.)

[I did not particularly care for the shape of this tree.  The tomatoes were too oval for my taste and I was a bit short of nice long stems to complete a more 'pointy' top.]

TIP: Buy lots of broccoli - you can always use left over broccoli - right?

Last year a grandson's kindergarten teacher said it was amazing to watch the kids eat the vegetables - they ALL wanted to eat the 'Christmas Tree'.  Children must be carefully supervised to not ingest toothpicks.

You will need the following supplies:

cherry tomatoes - round are preferable to oval

fresh cauliflower - 1 head that is not marked or yellowed

fresh broccoli - equal to (or a bit more than) the head of cauliflower
at least 4 or 5 large bunches for an 8" cone

toothpicks

pliers (or multipurpose scissors)

a foam cone form [covering with foil keeps foam from contact with food - colored foil looks very pretty as the pieces are removed or eaten]

support (disposable paper/foam plate - at home a tray or serving dish/plate)

Using pliers or sturdy scissors (or a craft knife)
 cut toothpicks in half.

Wash vegetables and pat dry (drain on paper towel). Keep nice and cool  so they don't go rubbery - no one will like to eat that.

Cut broccoli and cauliflower into bite size pieces. Some stems need to be longer and some shorter - the sizes needed will vary.

Cover foam base with foil (plastic wrap is fine but is a bit harder to 'poke')

Insert a toothpick into the bottom of a piece of cauliflower or broccoli .

Next inset the toothpick into the foam (through the foil).



Starting at the wide end of the base,  cover the cone with vegetables.

Keep the peices proportinate, larger and longer pieces near the bottom and smaller / shorter near the top or to fill in.

Work your way around the cone and gradually fill all areas so the foam is completely covered.  On larger pieces I tend to imagine thirds and start by placing a piece of cauliflower at each of the imaginary 3 points along the perimeter of the base and fill in-between with broccoli on that first round.

The cauliflower may be placed randomly or it may be placed in a spiral pattern that resembles a 'garland' on the tree.  Continue placing vegetables evenly around working up toward the top.

Tomatoes may also be placed at random on the cone where they 'decorate' the tree - I tend to just step back a bit and think - 'put one there' or 'it needs a bit of red over here'.  If I have already placed broccoli or cauliflower there I push the tomato or my finger between or if it is too snug I remove a piece.

TIP: tomatoes are too soft to effectively be used to 'push' a toothpick into the foam so I prick the end with the point and then place the toothpick into the cone.

  Next I  push the tomato onto the toothpick I have poked into the cone.

TIP: As the top becomes narrowed it may be necessary to use pieces with longer stems or smaller heads. This strategy 'adjusts' the cone's shape. By using longer (or shorter) stems on individual pieces, a more 'triangular' shape can be maintained.

After the cone is completely covered top with a perfect cherry tomato.

Serve with ranch salad dressing or a variety of dips.

If placed in the center of a large platter of tray, other vegetables, crackers, and snack foods may be arranged on the plate. Olives, celery, carrots, peppers and any extra tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower are great 'plate' fillers.

NB: secure cone to plate with florist putty or a stiff paste of icing that will set.

NOTE: This is a LOT of food! One 8" cone typically will serve a classroom of 25-30 students with some left over. Be careful to think small and use this size of cone for all except the very largest gatherings.

Here is a larger tree on a 10" cone. This one served a mixed crowd of about 50 adults and children (for about 2.5 hours of random snacking) with about two rows left near the base after the party. A small bowl of the same vegetables placed near the tree helps allow guests  'break the ice' - to begin snacking and not feel obligated to be the first to pull pieces off the tree - this also allows most guests to arrive in time to see the presentation.

PERFECT

I am NOT perfect.

Can I be? 

Now there is something to ponder!
And when?

As we look forward to the time Jesus Christ will return to earth - a time of prophesied peace - Paul counsels all that seek to obey the command to be perfect found in the New Testament (and as taught by Jesus in the Book of Mormon), regarding their choices and resources amid the extreme wickedness that will prevail.  In 1984 Ezra Taft Benson, taught that 'Paul also saw our day' and in 1995 Boyd K. Packer said that the time Paul is referring to is now.

I am contemplating what Paul taught.

He explains that "all scripture [instructions given by inspiration] ... is profitable ..." and lists 3 specific things it is 'profitable' for: doctrine, reproof for correction, and instruction for righteousness.

I can study and ponder the scriptures given long in the past and the words prophets are giving us today. They will teach me true doctrine, help me make course corrections AND comfort me when things are difficult or discouraging by helping me learn and understand what to do and when to do the things that I should do to be more like my Father - my Heavenly Father.

 Mathew 5:48 specifically commands us each to be perfect like our Father in Heaven is perfect. How is he perfect? In the footnotes the Greek meaning for perfect is to be complete, finished, fully developed.

[I am grateful for scriptures that are so readily available - words of both ancient and modern prophets in my home, or car, and even at my fingertips as searchable documents any time, any where.]

A footnote for 'perfect' in verse 48 directs me to revelation given to Joseph Smith,  Doctrine and Covenants 67: 13. I paraphrase in parts, "[I am] not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore [I must] continue in patience until [I am] are perfected."

I feel a sudden sadness, even despairing hopelessness but then I remember the word's of Paul. I think on scripture stories of men and women, girls and boys that were able to 'abide' seeing God and/or angels.  My ancestors knew Joseph Smith as a human being, like me. HE was able to 'abide' the presence of God and ministering angels ...

In Mathew chapter 5 verses 44 and 45 Jesus teaches us to love our enemies,  (blessing those that curse us, doing good to them that hate us, and praying for them that despitefully use us and persecute us) so that we, as children, can be more like our Father which is in Heaven.

A footnote on the words 'may be' in Verse 45 indicates that a Greek translation would be 'may become'.

I like that -
I may become like our Father in Heaven -
I am His child.

How am I like my dad?
What ways do I wish I were more like him or less like him?

My father here in this life is a good man and although not perfect nevertheless is an rather excellent example. He keeps working at being better every day.  That is one way I hope I am like my father: he tries to be the best he knows how to be; continuing to learn, gain knowledge of good things, and become better - changing to be better.   

Our Father in Heaven IS perfect.
He lives within the knowledge he has.

2 Timothy 3 enlightens me a little more as Paul warns those trying to perfect themselves, in this manner, about 'perilous times'.  I think if you were to read it you would understand it differently that I have.  I think it would warn and/ or comfort and teach you in things you need to know.  Romans 2 is the same.  Paul teaches me that it is not the outward appearance of my actions that will help me to be able to become like my father but rather the inward desires that are in my heart and mind. As a reformed and converted anti-Christian Paul should know!

Apparently I can become perfect -

it will be an ongoing process -

so can you -

IF we want to.

THAT

" ... for which I would spend money"

Today is sunny and beautiful outside.
This morning was snowing but the day warmed and cleared.

I was wishing I had a snowman.
I knew better than to build it myself.
I have spent my energy
(and much of David's too) on carpet cleaning.

While David ran an errand 3 young boys came by.

shoveled area and boys after being paid

They are the same ones I keep asking to stop using my yard as a shortcut.  They promise but eventually the temptation is too great and they cut through again.

(Don't worry I ask everyone to please go around - I don't pick on them.)

They seem nice enough - they did ASK if they could have apples.


(We made sure to give them a large bag full when the apples were ready.) We are so grateful to have enough to share.

But boys will be boys! These three are pretty fun.  They don't know I have informally adopted them.  I hope they can learn to stay out of trouble.  When I caught them picking the flowers I gave them a bouquet.  I told them to always ask - that was before the apples.  I was so pleased that they did ask! Many more things to be thankful for there.

They wanted to know if I would pay them to shovel my snow.
Ironic since David keeps it cleaned off but today the fresh snowfall, half an inch or so, was melting on the step and driveway.

snow left after they were done

I looked out, told them there is not very much snow, AND that I don't have very much money either but I would make them a deal (seriously I only have 5 one dollar bills and some change of my spending money until pay day). If they would clean off the snow - I would loan them our shovel so it would go twice as fast and 2 of the 3 could be shoveling - and if the 3rd boy, and youngest, would build me a snowman and sweep the front step then I would give them a dollar each.  They think they got a good deal! It took them less than half an hour including the snowman.

I think I got a good deal.

I bought myself a small snowman for $3.75 (he's out there looking at me through the window right now - it is looking at the house not the street) and as a bonus got my step swept and 'some' of the snow off my driveway - they shoveled the way most young boys shovel - a little here and a little there but I got a snowman! I even suggested a carrot for the nose and gave them one along with a .25 tip for being such good sports and so nice to a crazy old lady. Their shovel was pitifully little but the biggest boy asked me why ours was so big and heavy. *snorting laughter* David finished clearing the snow in a few swift passes when he returned.

snowman on lower right 

He noticed the snowman. It might have been missed but there was no way to miss the trompled snow replacing the pristine wind carved drifts he has been admiring all week.

I am sure I couldn't go to the local stores and buy a better yard decoration - especially not for the price.

2 satisfied parties for one deal -

and later I saw them cut through the yard with their older sister, - or a baby sitter, - or cousin or maybe their mother ... I can't tell - age is so hard to tell anymore.

[There are babies of course, and older toddlers; and younger and older children; teens and young adults; adults that must shoulder the cares of the world and think they know enough to do so; then those that have some grey in their hair and may not have a lot of 'sproing' in their gait or their attitude anymore; and lastly those with papery thin skin, failing eyesight or hearing, and frail shuffling steps.]

I know where I fit into those categories and where some of you fit in but you might not agree. My oldest daughter definitely is a youngish adult *giggle* but I think her 16 year old would place her into the beginning of the grey hair category.  I know she doesn't belong there because I am hardly there myself *snicker*- it is her birthday here at the end of November. Happy Birthday, deary!

This woman was younger than her.  (I think that is why I couldn't judge her age.) The 3 boys proudly pointed out the snowman that they built to her, as they cut through the yard!  I told them earlier that it is OK to come in the yard to build snowman anytime they want to.

I still think I got the deal.

Why didn't I think of kids earning their spending money that way when I had kids? They sure shoveled a lot of the white stuff!

Never mind - back then people would have thought they were crazy and told them to 'go fly a kite'. I bet that now many people would pay kids to build snowmen in their front yard.  Please let me know if any of your kids make it to college on these earnings - I'll be very surprised - but happy - I'd be happy for them.

And it would be a good service project for a group - don't you think that would be a blast?

So what if everyone thinks we're goofy - we are -
and lovin' every minute of it!

GREENER GRASS

Just so you know -

here is documented proof -

sometimes the grass IS greener on the other side of the fence! and no that is not snow - it is too much light - the grass was actually very yellow brown like hay but on a rainy day pictures were no easy trick.

The first time we saw this area while traveling through Oregon we thought it was fluke and wished for our camera.

When we saw it this last trip it was too late to snap the picture. On the way home we stopped first by the side of the road and then in another area at the lookout above the winding road up the hill. My adventuresome hubby trekked off over hill and dale and captured the shots.  He wanted the evidence. So did I.

Why is the grass (in at least 2 places in Oregon) greener on the other side of the fence?

I have no idea! I could make up some theories but so can you.
What are yours?

There are many ways we compare ourselves to others.
Sometimes their lives seem 'greener' than our own - better in some way.

I despised my frizzy mousy brown hair when I was growing up.  All the really 'cool' styles required smooth locks. And nice blonde was beyond my wildest dreams. I so wished I could only have hair that wasn't so frizzy that the other kids shouted, "Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Bear ... " and other taunts.

(I had to learn to NOT brush it 100 strokes a day.  That didn't make my hair shine - it made it fuzzier!)

Last time I visited a very young granddaughter, she asked me why my "hairs is all curled." She said hers isn't and 'curls is pretty'. Her mother's 'hairs are all curled' too - we both have naturally curly hair.

I am very grateful for naturally curly hair.

Once someone asked my daughter where she got her beautiful perm. She said her mother gave it to her.  They phoned me for an appointment! We all had a good laugh. I suppose that wasn't a lie. I do NOT 'do' hair - not even my own. I live on the wash and 'finger-comb-shake' method.

My poor little grandchild - I think she feels bad that her shiny blond hair is straight as a board.

I told her that when I was a little girl I thought only 'hairs' without curls were pretty.

I left her mulling that over as a seemingly new thought.
She is one lucky little girl to have straight blond hair!

In my life I have often just had to accept that I am not always on the greener side of the fence.  I do my very best to be my very best and be in the very best places I can be. That will have to be good enough.

But at times I come to realize 'all my hairs is curled'.  There are some who believe I live on the green side of that conundrum.

I will have to be sure I don't envy those that are in greener places and be grateful for what is on my side.

Perhaps you wish your grass wasn't so green because it needs to be mowed.