Love Sparkles and the Glory of Life

 

Beautiful day today! The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the perfect white fog bank rolls across the mountains surrounding us. Awesome February 10, 2024, I must say. At least in my little world. I'm sure someone, somewhere is not having a good day, and for that, I'm sorry. Sending love sparkles your way. We have all suffered through days like that, haven't we? 

As I stated in the last post, I love the artful design of the fog banks juxtaposed with the wonderful dark green-blue coloration of the mountains. Nature sure knows how to paint the most magnificent scenes. Viewing grand scenery will make anyone's day seem more alive and vibrant. 

I sat in the living room this morning, staring out at the picturesque views while sitting in the sunshine streaming in through the large sliding glass doors. The warmth of the sun was relaxing and the scenery outdoors was incomparable. Mixing the two together created a perfect powerful feeling of joy and happiness. 

Today my sweet man and my daughter Mallory are coming to town to visit. I suggested we all climb into the car and head into Springfield. I wanted to go into a store if possible, then find a Cafe Yumm in the area to have lunch. Mallory has never eaten at Cafe Yumm and so now is our opportunity to introduce her to them. Yumm bowls scream, "Eugene!" The first time I took Terry to the Pacific Northwest chain, he loved the healthy option. We purchased Yumm Sauce and began having them for dinner at home as well. 

Cafe Yumm yum bowls are the perfect blend of rice, sauce, tomatoes, olives, avocados, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream on top. The mixture is flavorful and the dish is filling, healthy, and great tasting. It's eating healthy without knowing you are!

Yum bowls are offered in various sizes, plus there are wraps, soups, sandwiches, and other options for a lunch or dinner delight. So good! This dish is so Eugene that anyone who comes to visit needs to eat at Cafe Yumm at least once. Yumm sauce is unlike anything else I've tried until recently. There is now another sauce, called Bitchin' Sauce that comes in different flavors. Some are hot, some are not. The original Bitchin' Sauce tastes along the same lines as the Yumm Sauce, but the Yumm Sauce is the original sauce of this type. 

Anyway, we are heading out as soon as they get here. I can't wait to get into a store to do a little shopping. Mainly just to get out. I hate shopping, but am in the mood to get out into the sunshine. Since I will be with my sweet man, I will enjoy it as I usually do when we shop. But now that the cast has been on so long, I really want to get outside for something other than a doctor's appointment.  

Even the grand dogs are lounging today. They had a chance to go on a hike up to the Pittock Mansion in Portland yesterday, with Marina and her daughter, Kaylie Rose. They loved it, but this also meant muddy, goopy dogs when they returned home. Upon jumping out of the car, Marina washed Franklin in the hot water spigot outside, while John brought Charley Girl into the doggie shower room to erase her attached debris. They enjoyed their day out though and all is good in the doggie world. 

Hiking along Macleay Trail in Portland led Marina and her daughter, Kaylie back to the beautiful Pittock mansion. The hike is about five miles long. They loved it, as did the dogs. The girls walked on the Wildwood Trail, which led them up to the Witch's Castle or abandoned stone house. After stopping there, they went further to Pittock Mansion. Beautiful hike!

Then, Saturday morning, Marina called Brandy, my other daughter, and the two sisters chose to take off to a ranch and hang out, after walking through downtown and eating lunch. They too enjoyed their afternoon. Great day for everyone to get out and enjoy the day. 

And who doesn't want to stop to take photos of the grand dogs while on the farm? Charley Girl and Franklin posed well for the photos!

Everyone arrived back home around the same time. Terry smoked a cigar and both he and Mallory headed back home. Once again, they didn't leave until after dark. I enjoyed seeing them both and was so happy they both came up to hang out. Since I'm heading home next Friday, the travel end of Terry's weekend is over. We'll be together once more. I can't wait. 

Once my purple cast was put on, Marina grabbed her phone and ordered some pens to write on the harder cast. She was going to draw a cute ostrich but the pens were not showing up as well as we thought. She got the metallic writing tools and they were just too dark or actually, as the case may be, the purple was too dark. 

As Marina began the art project of the ostrich, she could not find a color to make it stand out, so she settled for a sun design. It's pretty. I love it! My first autograph on the cast has been done by Marina and I am loving it. Mallory and Terry forgot about writing their names or drawing anything on it, so that will have to happen when I'm home. 

I stretched out in bed this morning, to relax a bit before Terry and Mallory arrived. It felt good and just as I was relaxing, one of my favorite buddies came in to see me. Mr. Franklin, in all his glory, pushed his way onto my bed to tell Grandma "Hi!"

I love his cuddly face! He is so gentle but sometimes does not realize he weighs in at a whopping 110 pounds. But that's okay. It means there is more of him to love. My day begins with this beautiful, loving boy's kisses on the hand, and if I lean forward far enough, I get a long, wet tongue across the lips. Doggie kisses are the best! A perfect way to start the day. 

Terry and Mallory showed up around noon. I loved it because now came the time to get into the sunshine and enjoy the day. After the typical "I've been missing you" sentiments, we went out to the car. Now, this may not sound like a grand event, but with a wheelchair, it can be grueling. In my case, it means backing out of the front door onto the deck and then having to be balanced off the deck onto the concrete path. There is another step to deal with once the concrete begins. 

The path leads into the driveway. I have to be pushed directly beside the car, without scratching the new paint of course. Brakes on and the transfer begins. Pivoting on one foot, I turn myself so I can sit in the car seat while holding onto the frame of the car or the dash or whatever solid grasp I can make to safely transfer. Then the fun begins. 

That awkwardness of the wheelchair and having to fold it up to place it in the car. Now, this sounds easy enough, but in our trunk, this means pushing it around to fit it all inside, leaving the ability to close the back lid. It's like doing a puzzle with two wire shapes. In this case, the wheelchair has to be lifted once inside the back, where a portion of the chair can fit over the seat. 

Once the job of fitting the chair into the back, Mallory and Terry climbed in, out of breath. The struggle is real. All of this so we can do it all over again at Walmart and then once more at Barnes and Noble bookstore, and the last time at Cafe Yumm!

I purchased some sugar-free candy and some lotion at Walmart. Off we went to Cafe Yumm, where Mallory would have her first taste of the best Eugene dish offered, the Yumm bowl. All three of us ordered various types of meals. We fit ourselves into a booth and began to chow down. Once again, the Yumm Bowl did not disappoint. 

Barnes and Noble had the usual book supply, but the games are always a blast to look at. Terry and I found several we are thinking about purchasing but at a later date. No need to get them now. Maybe the next trip to Eugene will become a game-buying fiesta. 

But until then, off we go, back to Wolf Tree Ranch. Terry took some time out to smoke a cigar while Mallory and I spent time talking with Marina. She had returned from her walk with Brandy and was deeply engrossed in stuffing chicken breasts with cream cheese, asparagus, and a couple of herbs. I watched with a full belly, hoping I was hungry again after the Yumm bowl I had eaten only an hour or two before. 

Terry smoked, we chatted, and finally, it was time for us to all say goodbye again. I hate this moment as it means I won't see my sweet man again for several days. Friday cannot come quickly enough. After I'm home, I'm sure I'll be missing my daughters and my granddogs. I can't win in that department. 

That's this weekend so far. Tomorrow is the Super Bowl LVIII of course, with the 49ers and the Chiefs. Terry will be immersed in the American tradition at home, while I will be finding something to do here. That is never a futile adventure. I always enjoy writing, working on files, or just watching shows. I'm an easy date, but don't let word on that get out. 

Anyway, the weekend for the most part is over. Sunday will be a day of relaxation. Until our next post, Terry and I love to wish you all the best life has to offer. Today, February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was freed from prison after 27 years of servitude. 

Make the most of your life this week! Live, laugh, love is an awesome phrase to live by. Consider all the things in your life that bring you happiness and expand on those items or people. Surround yourself with nothing but fun, loving, uplifting people. Most of all, love yourself. There's nobody like you! You are special in every way. Spend time this week giving yourself the love you deserve. Take time out to treat yourself to that extra-long break, or a hot bath and cup of coffee or tea. Pat yourself on the back for your good achievements. 

Be sure to let your light shine! The world needs all the light it can get! Take care. Until next week, we wish you the very best.