SISTERHOOD.

Women treasure their friendships and plant deep roots with each other. Lizz Emerson is one of the strongest women I know. Out of a job? No problem, I'll have one tomorrow. From a non-opportunistic background, with no education, she raised her children, on her own, since they were little. One daughter has been a city supervisor and is now running for congress. Another has her own catering business in Sacramento. Both success oriented like mom.  Lizz, called me and said, I couldn't make your birthday party, so its belated birthday party time. I'll bring the food, what do you like? I told her I like vegetarian food and, voila. Let it be done.
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Hor's de ouevres.


A Mexican casserole with fresh corn, and olives rolled in lasagna noodles.


A Greek spinach and cheese casserole. She brought the food cooked, and placed cheese on top before we put it in the oven to warm-up.


She brought all the condiments, a Greek salad and dessert, too. I didn't get pictures of everything. Plus, her instructions were that she wanted every guest to go home with food.


First to arrive was Jan Stewart, who also couldn't attend my 75th. I like to describe Jan as an expert at pushing all the negatives away, forgetting them and making haste to see sunshine in everything and everyone. She practices esoteric healing and she practices love. Love thy neighbor, love thy neighbor's dog, love all children, help everyone you can. I'm grateful to be in her sphere and have felt her love and helpfulness.


Karen Phillips is my housemate. She's been with me for 10 years. Loyal, conscientious, she literally keeps the home fires burning.  I could not have chosen a rambling lifestyle without her. Gathering my mail, watering my plants, keeping my place looked after and occupied. You name it, she does it. An excellent cook, she feeds me when I'm busy. This picture was taken in 2010.


Margo and Pam were the last to arrive. Pam Quyle, raised a son on her own with no support.  Pam is a potter and drives a big truck delivering clay all over the Bay Area, besides making pots. She has one day a week off and arrived straight from work. Harried and tired she said, POUR THE WINE.

Margo Osborn has a son, a grandchild, divorced and in her late 60's and continues to work. I love talking to Margo because she has such a diverse background and speaks with ease on any subject. Both she and Pam are associated with the wine industry. Margo's winery was sold and she is the only employee retained from the former staff. Lucky for them, she is the most popular wine advocate in the county, as in "everybody knows Margo." She speaks several languages and has a magic way with people. She was in Italy during my birthday party.

We managed to discuss all subjects important to women with no men around, as in breasts, bras, sex, men, food, life, shoes, healing our wounded souls and bodies as we age. Not necessarily in that order.


Pam took a picture of all of us.


And, someone took a picture of she and I. We share so many experiences. Lizz making me go out on New Years the year my husband died. Pam's 25 year old son taking his first steps on my deck. Karen and I learning together how to deal with her adversarial boss. Jan performing reiki and meditative healing when my spirits were low. From Margo flows hiking club, zumba, health, sharing and "yes, let's do it." Our roots are deep. Girlfriends. Sisters all. Happy Valentines day.

MEN OF WORTH AT CAMPS.

We call ourselves girls, as in girl friends, girls night out. I guess when we are 90 we'll still be girls. Girlfriends are the best, we decided.  Barbara Grogan, Madelaine Krska and Patti Johansen, are from north county. It was touch and go as a fire had the road between San Andreas and Angels Camp closed for a while. They got through and we gratefully hoisted our drinks, and nibbled on appetizers on the patio while the band set up.

We moved inside to listen to the music and chat. Madelaine talked to Bob Leemans during a break. Men Of Worth will be playing Camps for over a month of weekends, so if you want to catch them, go for it. Their singer is in his eighties and still has a powerful voice. He is a former musical arranger for a host of Hollywood greats, now retired and living in Sonora. We didn't dance, but others took to the floor.

Barb, Maddie and Patti are old friends of Laurie and Bob Leemans.  Laurie decided to attend her husband's gig another night. Barbara and I did a fair amount of people watching. A table near us had a couple who couldn't see any one else but each other in the room. We chuckled a bit. Been there done that in another life. Before leaving Barbara got a hug from Bob.

Patti took advantage of Mark Twain's sculpture at Camps Restaurant and Bar entrance,  and hugged him before we left. The sculptor captured Twain's  rascally personality.  It was nice to step out with friends and get someone to commiserate with me on my car.

We left just as the sun was setting. No matter how busy life gets, friends, music and time away, the perfect solution to off-set the day's tribulations.

GIRL FRIEND TIME IN HASTINGS, NEBRASKA

Moving across country, picking up and moving to a new location  each day can sometimes be disorienting. Of a sudden, you ask yourself, am I in Indiana? Or Missouri?  Where did we stay last night? What day is it? Well, I'll never forget Hastings, Nebraska.
That's because another affect of moving so swiftly is you don't get to bond and have girlfriend time. We girls need that. And every girl needs a Deneeta in her life.

Deneeta Svoboda is the Manager of American Legion Post 11 of Hastings, Nebraska. We pulled into town about 4 p.m., the bar was just about empty;  a week night. There was Deneeta, one of those women who makes instant friends. She is sunny and happy, it shines from her eyes. She made me feel right at home. We yapped for four hours about life, religion, values, places, children, small towns, jobs, friendships, the economy...the world was our subject!  Jim went back to the motor home so we could really get down and dish. We laughed and commiserated with each other. And, Deneeta even shared some of her private stash with me. Thanks Deneeta, I needed that.

  Don't laugh when I say the restrooms here were exactly like walking into your bathroom at home. THAT CLEAN .
And yep! That's Deneeta's doing as well. One of her values is cleanliness and the place sparkled. She decorates for every holiday, or event, such as the  Nebraska Huskers games coming up. The town of Hastings is blessed to have a cozy, friendly little nightspot to enjoy in the comfortable arms of a personality like Deneeta.

Now, I must dip back and explain our trip from Maryville, MO. to Hastings. Jim started out driving; it was raining lightly. We were rolling along on 136 West, our hiway of choice, when, Wham! A huge sign informed us the bridge over the Missouri River crossing was only 8'6". Wha? Our motor home is 8'6".  Jim got out the atlas and studied roads. We switched to Highway 2, then a missed or non existent road, seconded to Cheney Rd. which turned to dirt in less than a quarter mile. Finally found the right OLD Cheney rd. It was several aggravating turn-arounds and feeling out where to go.
We finally made Highway 6, and smooth sailing for my turn to drive, all the way into Hastings.

GIRLFRIENDS

Everything they say about girlfriends, is true. We really bond, talk and understand each other. (Jim calls himself a thorn among the roses. He took the picture.)
All I know is I would be bereft without my girlfriends. This impromptu gathering was so much fun, the toasts we made, the laughter and "girl talk."
Tomorrow I have girls night out with the three M's, that's myself, Michal and Madalaine. Because I'm now on the road so much with Jim, I find these get togethers all the more precious. When I'm gone, I miss some family gatherings, neighbors, deaths, weddings, local events, my local newspaper...gosh, whole buildings go up in the neighborhood when I'm gone.
Its about choices. I'm glad I've become a rambler; I'm glad I have Jim in my life. I'm happy to have these years of good health and happy to have new adventures to look forward to.

A good girlfriend, (now deceased) used to always toast with these words:
"Here's to us good friends and true. Stab her in the back before she stabs you." Which always brought rollicking laughter.
Another, that I tend to over use is: "Here's to you and here's to me. May we always agree. And if we should disagree, to hell with you and here's to me."
Of course toasts can be serious, but for some reason or another me Irish comes up when I have a drink in hand.

"Heres to my friend, the bride. May you always have diamonds on your fingers and knock-you-dead-destroy-the-paycheck dresses to wear. And to the groom, may you have an indestructible paycheck."

Truth to tell, my usual toast is may you know as much happiness as I have known. And that's for real.