Eastern Red Fox Squirrel in My Backyard!

This is a first for me. Who knew that an Eastern Red Fox Squirrel would show up in my backyard? I am used to seeing gray squirrels in my yard and have seen black squirrels on a golf courses or parks. Never have seen one of these until it appeared a couple of days ago.

I looked out my window and low and behold there it was gleaning black oil sunflower seeds from around my bird feeder.  There was a grey squirrel gleaning along side, but that didn't deter either one from accomplishing their mission. It was really big in relation to the 'Gray". I checked the next day, but it hasn't returned. 

I'll be vigilant. Keep you posted.

I'M CHARMED

I recently saw an article about charm bracelets and started reminiscing about mine. My charm bracelets are more than decoration. They are a journal of my life, my family, and the trips I have taken. They are easy to find and easy to pack. They do not catch dust. 

My collection began when I made a trip to Williamsburg and bought a bracelet. The rest is history. The gold and silver ones are mementos from my life and travels. I started the silver one when gold got so expensive. 






Then, I branched out when I started collecting heart lockets and crosses. Each locket has a picture of a member of my family tucked inside. 

The one with the evil eyes was bought in a favorite antique store. I added the Scorpio and Libra charms that were bought from the same store. It helps ward of 'evil spirits'.

I still wear them from time to time and feel 'charmed'.

Song for Sunday

Put Your Hand in the Hand

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who stilled the water

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who calmed the sea

Take a look at yourself

And you can look at others differently

Put your hand in the hand of the man

From Galilee

My momma taught me how to pray

Before I reached the age of seven

When I'm down on my knees

That's when I'm closest to heaven

Daddy lived his life, two kids and a wife

Well you do what you must do

But he showed me enough of what it takes

To get me through, oh yeh!

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who stilled the water

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who calmed the sea

Take a look at yourself

And you can look at others differently

Put your hand in the hand of the man

From Galilee Oh yeh!

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who stilled the water

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who calmed the sea

Take a look at yourself

And you can look at others differently

Put your hand in the hand of the man

From Galilee Oh yeh!

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who stilled the water

Put your hand in the hand of the man

Who calmed the sea

Take a look at yourself

And you can look at others differently

Put your hand in the hand of the man

From Galilee Oh yeh!

Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee

Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee, Oh yeh!

MYSTERY IS IN THE AIR

I have been reading my way through three mystery series. All were recommended by library patrons where I volunteer. I am recommending them to you. It's best to start at the first of each series. I have given you my review of the first book of each of the series. If your library doesn't have these, check out Amazon.com. 


First recommendation: Martha Grimes, author       Richard Jury,  Scotland Yard

The Man With a Load of Mischief 
                                                                      My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a new series for me. A patron of the library recommended Martha Grimes and her character Richard Jury. It is another historical mystery set in England. I have always been a fan of Agatha Christie and M. C. Beaton. I love mysteries set in England. I look forward to reading my way to the latest one.

Second Series: David Rosenfelt, author    Andy Carpenter, Lawyer

Open and Shut  
                       My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Found a new series to read. Library patrons have been recommending 'Andy Carpenter' for quite a while. I will admit with the first for the series I was more interested in the mystery than the characters. I am hoping I will 'get' them as the series proceeds.


Third Recommendation: Charles Todd, Author   Ian Rutledge, Scotland Yard

A Test of Wills  
             My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been reading Charles Todd's "Bess Crawford" series. I thought I would check out his "Ian Rutledge" Series. Ian Rutledge is an Inspector with Scotland Yard. I can relate to him and how he goes about solving a mystery better than I can relate to Bess Crawford. He is a professional while she just happened to have some knowledge that might help the professionals. The Ian Rutledge character equates more to John Barnaby in Caroline Graham's Midsomer Murders or Colin Dexter's Inspector Lewis. I am switching to Ian Rutledge.

View all my reviews on Goodreads.com

HERE'S MY PLAN FOR 2018

2012 Tags 

I started keeping a daily journal at the turn of the century, Year 2000. I haven't missed a year, but I don't always write every day. In 2012 I made art on tags and hung them on an old milk bottle filled with pennies from the Year 2000.

Last year I wrote one thing that made me happy that day. One year I made an Artist Trading Card each week. One year I collage an old CD for each month.

2015 A Collaged CD
for each month

This year I plan to actually use my blog as my journal. After all, it is Plaid Pages, a journal. We had a major move a few years ago and I have not kept up my Blog. I couldn't seem to make time for it. This year I am focused on those things that I really want to do. Play First/Work Later. All my adult life it has been just opposite. I am retired now so why not Play First?

Diptich-Under the Ocean
2 canvases with
shells, beads,cheesecloth

The things that will take priority are blogging, quilting,

collage,acrylics,alcohol ink. All of these boil down to making art in some form or fashion. Next in priority will be my Etsy Shop, Esmee Lynne. I have been in business for five years. My goal is to get rid of 'stuff', have a fun doing it, and make a little 'walking around' money. If any one of those things, goes away so does the shop. So far, beginning with the first year I have accomplished those goals. 

2012 An Artist Trading Card
each week 

I still volunteer at our local library, but only two times a month for a total of 8 hours. I love the library and don't want to quit. I still belong to an art club with my husband even though they do not do the kind of art I like to do. Participation in our Quilt Guild ties in with my quilting. Also, interacting with my neighbors and church friends is important to me. Oh, I forgot I read a lot. I'm going to that in my spare time.

I will still keep my house 'picked up' and the bathrooms cleaned. My husband and I share the cleaning and the cooking.

That doesn't sound like I am retired. My philosophy is to keep moving. I saw my mother sit down and she never got active again. The goal is not to do away with anything, but to make my hobbies my priority each day. 

This is not a resolution-making exercise. It is trying to retrain my brain to have fun and then work. My daughter writes down her plans for the year in January. Puts the paper in an envelope and seals it. It will be opened January of next year. Mine is done and sealed and ready to be opened in January, 2019.

South Dakota No. 13 of 50 States*

Artist Trading Card

I have actually been to South Dakota two times. Once in the 60's or 70's. It was a 'pass through' trip on the way home from California. We took time to stop at Mount Rushmore and the 'Chapel in the Hills' west of Rapid City. It is a full size replica of the famous 800 year old Borgund Stavkirke (Stave Church) in Norway.

Mount Rushmore 1977

Arkansas Flag at Mount Rushmore

Chapel of the Hills

Mount Rushmore 20 years later
The main difference was the addition of
the Visitor's Center and Flag display. 

The next time I went was in 1997 for a National Space Grant Conference in Rapid City. My boss and I were representing the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium. It was a great trip. We actually had a day trip to see the Black Hills.










*For "new to my blog" friends...on May 17, 2010, I visited Wisconsin.

I can now say that I have been in, to or through all 50 United States.

I am committed to make an Artist Trading Card "ATC" for each of

the 50 States.