Monday, December 28, 2009


My dog Leo in the snow 2008

ALMOST NEW YEARS!!!!!


A new year, 2010 just around the corner. 2009 was good to me, I can't complain. So many changes in 2009, I am ready for more little changes, not the life altering kind. Positive thoughts are here as we inch toward the New Year. What JOY, I wish for peace and love.

Perhaps in 2010 my muse will come back and I can start to write again!

Happy New Year all. Leslie Ann.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Outages




I believe it is time that I updated everyone.


Last Thursday my heat, water, fridge and freezer went out. Luckily I had my moms space heater! I am learning a lot living in this trailer and having to learn over and over again how I am not worth a dang, so my family reminds me often!


The diet is going good, or was until I lost the food in my fridge and freezer. It's going to be a LONG two plus weeks until I can go food shopping again. (Bah! Humbug I say).


It's rather funny how we don't notice how much water we drink until none is available. A shower every day? Not when there's no water.


I slept on my floor as I had to shut the bathroom and bedroom doors to keep what little heat I had in the main area.


I got really lucky, no water hoses were broken or damaged, no burst pipes. Now that was the Lord looking out for me. In reality I got an unlucky break when my heat went out, through no fault of my own according to the guy that fixed my furnace and didn't even charge me for it.


Merry Christmas everyone. May the Lord bless you all this season. Leslie Ann.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Diet Woes!

Well this is just unfair, my diet has stalled now for almost 3 weeks. Bah humbug.

Watching the Biggest Loser last night I really felt a kinship with Daniel. He realized that his mothers always telling him to eat better and lose weight was her love for him. Man did it hit home hard for me. I hate being fat. It isn't easy to be a "big" woman. Not exercizing much sure does not help me either, my poor ol' knee limits me. It's just frustrating to hear people say "portion control" when I am still hungry...

Ah well, the South Beach diet goes on for me. Got to lose more weight. With my birthday a week from today I wanted to have lost more weight than I have by then. 50 pounds lost in five months... So what? Boo hoo, poor me, lol.
See you all soon, Leslie.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Wallowa Lake, Oregon

Although the date is wrong on the picture (should show 09/21/2009), this is my mom and my dog Leo at Wallowa Lake up in the mountains. We spent half a day up enjoying the sights and gathering information for two years from this last August for a Lindsay Family reunion up there.
It was a fast trip, but so beautiful. Thanks mom for sharing the view. Hugs, Leslie.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Eastern Oregon Poets Reunited.


GeorgeAnne Smith and I, at Pendleton Round up week, outside her jewelry booth. September 16th, 2009. GeorgeAnne and I met four years ago at her first poetry book signing in Hermistong, Oregon. I am sad to see my good friend GeorgeAnne move out of the State, but wish her much happiness. Her jewelry is georgous, I have a quartz crystle set. Good luck my friend and keep in touch. Leslie.
September 16th, 2009.

EMAIL ADDRESSES

I have an additional email address for "writing emails" leslieann.lindsay@gmail.com along with my original email momportland@hotmail.com please us momportland for personal emails for me. Thanks and have a great day. Leslie.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

A Wonderful Four Days

Camping up in the Blue mountains was utterly beautiful. We arrived about 3pm. It took us about three quarters of an hour to set up camp. Jublilee camp site number four is one that has four steep steps down to the actual site from the car or truck you came in. We really took too much stuff but it was sure fun.
I'd never helped put up moms tent before, it was as funny as it is sturdy once it's up. We took up cut, processed wood from Mr. Duane Wood. Walking through the nearly empty camps we found ten beautifully cut Tamarack logs split perfectly. So, we loaded them up in two trips and walked them back to our site. Nothing crackles like pitchy Tamarack as it slowly burns... With the found Tamarack wood and our wood we hauled up there we had perfect fires morning and evening everyday.
I froze the first night and didn't sleep much. Leo is a bed-hog I tell you. He was warm and I froze. Believe me the second night and there after I got in first and let him snuggle in. In the morning he had his shirt on, but didn't need it very long.
A few chuckles along the way, such as the only pan we had was a frying pan which upset my mom a bit. She really didn't want to cook with one pan on her little gas stove. We ended up wrapping the bottom of the frying pan to cook over the fire and even on my little BBQ-er too. Roasting hot dogs, roasted marshmallows, chili and corn bread, mush (oatmeal) for breakfast, or eggs and bacon and toast, and fresh salad and fruit. We had snack/energy bars for lunches which were great!
The hike around the lake was beautiful, just breath taking. I made it once, mom kept saying it's just a mile. Naw, huh uh, no way, it was, according to the sign in place, 2.6 miles. I was tired and sore. My dog (Dachshund) Leo made it around each of three days with my mom. Only difference between the two of them was that Leo was still rareing to go after each hike.
We saw deer, chipmunks, ducks, heard the echos of elk, saw a small fish or two jump. The deer came right through our camp, four mommas and four fawns, bold as can be until Leo woofed at them!!! The trees were laden with yellow pine cones. A chipmunk was up plunking down those pine cones, some even bounced off the tent. Occasionally that chipmunk chattered at us like it was mad, too cute. Something made a feast out of Leo's dog food, so we had to bring it in with us at night. I heard a wood pecker doing it's rat-a-tat-tatting, it was lovely. But more than that the night sky and stars just filled us with awe. If the nights didn't get so cold so quickly we'd of sat and watched the sky for hours, but it got cold very quick.
In the mornings after we built a fire we watched the steam roll off the lake. The second morning I fell, there I was on all fours hurting like crazy. I think I scared my mom!! She was there in a flash. I got up without her help, but an hour later I was so sore on both knees I could barely walk. I have the scrapes that bled on my good knee to prove it, worse than that I twisted my neck and back. (Nothing stops the beauty of the scenery though.) I fell again the next morning. That will teach me to not use my cane, lol. Despite my weight loss of 42 lbs I'm a big lady at 50 years and 5'8" as compared to mom at 81 years old and a slim 5'3" and 110 lbs. I was seriously afraid that if she helped me up and we fell she'd be really hurt badly.
Well that is it for now. Sorry we got no pictures because both our cameras had bum batteries. Leslie.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Going camping...

Going up to Jubilee Lake today, Wednesday through Saturday. Camping in my moms tent, a warm fire and my charcole BBQ should provide heat and cooking. We are hoping to take some great pictures, then I hope to be able to show them here. (Showing them here is "ify" with moms camera, lol. The downloads are a hard thing to accomplish.)
I thought mom was going to go fishing, but she didn't have time to get her pole ready. I am taking up Shauns throw blanket (and yarn) to get more done, I hope. (Also pen and paper in case my muse shows up).
Cold nights and warm days are what we are hoping for, after all we are hauling up firewood and bbq charcole. My mom has neat little fire starters. I hope to get her recipe for the campfire starters when we get back and share it here.
Hotdogs, chili and corn bread, moms homemade sour dough bread. Instant oatmeal, soup, sandwich meat and tomatos and ooh~ marshmallows, ooh there goes my South Beach diet, lol, and I'm not complaining. I got mom some chocolate, good chocolate, but I am hoping to abstain, wish me luck. Oh yes, energy bars too are going...Water, did I say water? Oh yeah, clothes and camping gear and can you tell I am going to feast up there?
Leo (my dog) has never actually been camping before so it will be fun to see what and how he does, woof, woof, woof. Well that is where I'll be. Later. Leslie Ann.

Friday, September 4, 2009

511 NE O'Brien Pl.

511 NE O'Brien Pl.
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
"Home"

Sometimes it's the effort...

My yard
My first BrokenWing book

Today, September 4th, Friday, 2009


Still having leaking pipes and so I'm doing laundry by hand and dumping the water outside by the fence. Of course, walking Leo is a fun sun thing to do.


I made my first small payment on BrokenWing the Faerie, Book Two...


I have some great pictures to share if I can figure out to transfere them from Microsoft office, lol.


Saturday, August 29, 2009

Beginnings of Feeling like Home...


August 29, 2009

(Pictures taken on August 15th, 2009~) HOME!!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

The South Beach Diet

Don't you just hate those people who always talk about a diet they are on?
Well, here I go.... I am on the South Beach Diet. I started about May 15th, 2009. Now here it is August 23rd, 2009 and I've lost 35 lbs!! This book has 3 phases. I am still on phase one, with an occasional phase two thrown in for variety. Okay, I am obese, but I am doing this weight loss without exercise, because of injuries to my knee.
I regularly walk my dog (a standard size Dachshund named Leo), I help out in my moms garden a couple days a week, watering and occasionally pulling weeds when my knee will allow me to. When she goes on a mini vacation I water and pick veggies and yes I pull weeds!! I have the advantage of having fresh veggies, I have always, always loved salads. Eggs, the whole egg none of this egg white stuff, steak, salmon, tuna, part skim cheeses, lots of olive oil and red wine vinegar, what what ever vinegar you choose except the fruit kinds. This book says if occasionally you feel like a double bacon cheeseburger and fries, then just eat it. They also suggest that if you skip the bread and fries and catsup then you are doing a good meal.
Basically this is a NO SUGAR, NO BREAD, or any other white stuff like potatoes or rice.
Even if you are not interested in this, do me a little favor, next time you shop for groceries look if they added any type of sugar or corn syrup...
What is fun is that there are some great snacks~~ did you know they make SUGAR FREE Fudgesicles, Sugar Free toppings and popsicles??? Oh yeah, peanuts or almonds in limited quantity.
Yeah I've cheated here and there, but that is my whole point, instead of feeling so horrible that I give up all together, I go back the next day and feel good knowing I have the will power to do so. I have a slight disadvantage with being on some powerful meds, but hey~~ If I Can Do It...

Sunday, August 16, 2009

PARADISE (acrostic)


Pleasure of a quiet place.

Around family and friends filled with joy.

Rain so cool that cleanses the earth.

After the rain when the earth smells new.

Doing something divine like going to church.

In the city or country a spot of grass to meditate on.

Soul rejoicing in the good, letting the bad go.

Everywhere there is natures song, just listen.


August 16, 2009

Sunday, August 9, 2009

The Lullaby Album

The Lullaby Album, for all ages!! Out now on cdbaby.com, Amazon.com or directly through www.carolynsouthworth.com website. I have my copy and it's a two disc set, one orchestrated, one piano only. By Carolyn Southworth and Jennifer Thomas, what a talented mother and daughter duo!! It is amazing, I listen to it on my computer when I'm online, in fact I'm listening to it now. Go, buy, be surprised at the beauty and the talent. Leslie.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

My Midnight Adventure (part one)

It is a dark, kind of hazy night with a star or two peeking through. The clock reads ten after midnight and I am not sleepy. Hey, I can go out in the garage and put potting soil in moms house plants that really need it. So out I am going, with all the other doors locked up tight. My dog Leo is wanting to stay inside and munch his dog food as is his routine before bedtime.
I check the door between the house and garage to make sure it is not locked first and out I am going. Ballancing three large house plants fills my arms and I sing a song of joy. What a thrill mom will have when she comes home in a couple of days. A blue pot, a dark green pot and a devilish pink pot of drooping plants, soon to be perked up and growing strong.
"Somewhere over the rainbow way up high. There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby." I think of how that is my moms favorite song. With no one around I sing loud and strong to the garage. Joy, pure joy fills me as I open the bag of soil and smell the richness of it. Earthy, whole, nourishing as the earth itself.
The first blue pot is now filled, my hands covered with dirt and a bit of water that spilled. Grow plant, grow strong as only a lovingly cared for can.
Bang! The door between the house and garage slams shut. Okay no big deal I had checked it, now on to the second plant needing my care. Now the rich smell of soil permeates the air as I scoop it with my hands the much needed soil. Who needs a cup or scoop, my hands are just as fine, the water is in a cup though, no need for me to make mud pies. A dash of water then I wait to se if it needs more dirt.
Again I start to sing even louder this time. "Somewhere over the rainbow. Skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true". Hey this is neat, who knew a garage has such great acoustics?

One more plant to go in the devilish pink pot, what pure joy. Leo starts to whine as only he can do. Okay boy just let me finish here and I'll let you out here with me and we'll go for a run in the cool grass.
"Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops. Away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me." I do love to sing, sweet like the happiness spilling out from my heart.
Okay Leo, here we go for that rpomised run. I grasp to open the door, oh no, it's locked!
Leo hold on, let momma check all the doors from out here. Locked, locked and LOCKED. I am locked out and I put the safety boards in case anyone tried to break in. All the doors and windows have safety locks and boards in them. I look to the sky and ask how many times I've groused to myself about putting the safety boards in?
Okay, the neighbor Annie has a spare key, over I trudge seeing that there are no lights on over there. Was that the witch I heard calling "I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too"?
Knock, knock, knock I found myself pounding on Annies door. Please Lord let her be home, please don't let me have to sleep in the garage. Oh crap, now my hand hurts from knocking on her door. Obviously she is not home, bummer.
I walk back in the cool air as Leo starts to howl. He's a real stinker you know. He'll get all upset and pee all over the house and chew on my shoes. He knows better but for some reason my moms has been a challenge to his house breaking training and good behavior. I'm in big trouble here. Leo, Leo it's okay, momma will find a way to get in, calm down right now. Calm down I say, that's a good boy, I'm right here.
There has to be a way I mutter to the house. Okay there it is, my bedroom is open and the light is on. Barriers, the screen and the thick soil freshly watered beneath the it. Light begins to dawn now. There is a step stool in the garage and a sharp tool to cut the screen. TA DA, I am saved, or so I thought...
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow", lyrics by E.Y Harburg for the movie The Wizard of Oz, (1939).

My Midnight Adventure (Part two)

Locked out my only hope is to cut the screen and climb in. I walked quickly with a striding purpose to the garage to get a sharp knife and a step stool to get back into the house. Looking at the sky I see the haze has disappeared and the stars are twinkling in all their bright glory.
Through the damp grass at 12:30 am I get what I need and go back to my bedroom window. Note to self, tell mom to get a less heavy step stool.
At the edge of the grass I heave over the step stool to my bedroom window. Promptly the stool sinks into the dark freshly watered dirt and sinks in at least six inches. I step up to the step stool and my feet sink up to my ankles. My flip flops sink and I can not get them out.
Mumbling some sort of unkind talk under my breath I realize I can not reach the window enough to climb in. Dang! So I haul the stool back to the garage, sliding my feet in the damp grass hoping to rid them of the sticky black mud. At some time I must have wiped the mud on my face, what a sight.
Inside the garage I realize the ladder is behind the old Queen size mattress and box springs. Okay I've come this far, I can get it. Sweating now, mixing with the mud on my face. I finally get the ladder free and swoosh it clangs into my shins. Half dragging, half carrying in to the front yard I suddenly realize that if the neighbor sees me he'll probably call the police.
Still, the clanging metal ladder get to the window. I know it will sink into the mud but it is big enough to get me inside. Gingerly but with much noise I secure the ladder in and climb up to reach the window. Using the knife I cut a triangle shape and slip it back. There is Leo wagging his tail at me and barking his happy bark.
Okay here I go, breaking into moms house late at night Suddenly a glaring light comes on next door. Not Annie that has the spare key but the other neighbor next door. Laughter springs up in me and rings eerily in the crisp night air. I can't help it, I giggle and giggle. Now my silly tears mix with the mud and sweat dripping down my face.
On the inside of the room is my small bed and a night stand, so how am I going to get in? Head first I start to inch in as the ladder tips over with a loud bang. I partly crawl over the window sill. Did I forget to tell the world that my moms beautiful house is a light and airy with white walls and white carpet and colorful accents, always looking so clean, her pride and joy.
Slowly I get one knee on the window sill and let a sigh of relief out. I get my leg in and feel a sharp sting in my knee. What the heck, I'm half way in covered in mud and tired. I put my foot on the inside wall and in a giant heave ho in I go.
As I slide in, my head knocks everything off the night stand. Ouch my tummy is stuck. No, no I tell Leo, here I come. My black foot on the white wall I drag myself toward my bed.
Success, I am in the house. Leo licks my face which usually I enjoy but it annoys me now, sort of. I lay on my bed with muddy jeans and feet. No time to rest, I have to get the ladder back into the garage. This time I make sure the front door and I have a way back in. My weird sense of humor makes me sing, finishing the song. "Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow, why then oh why can't I? If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow why oh why can't I?"
Now isn't that absurd? Maybe it fits but it reminds me that I have a whole lot of mud to clean up. Moms favorite song, moms beautiful white house, it does sort of fit.
Cleaning up the mud takes me about an hour. My head hurts from bumping it. My knee stings where I cut it and various bruised and scrapes are starting to show up.
Looking at the clock I see it is now 2 am. Leo, ever patient Leo is still waiting for his romp on the grass, so out we go. I can always shower later, at least I washed my feet.
The outside romp makes me feel slightly ill and my vision is starting to blur just a bit. Leo and I go inside and right to bed. Tomorrow is soon enough to pick up the outside doggie poop and see how badly I am hurt.
As I look back now I wish someone had a camcorder both inside and out. Americas Funniest Videos would have had nothing better than this one.
So this is my Midnight Adventure. Two and a half weeks later I still have the bruises and a healing cut on my knee. To top off the adventure, yep I locked every door and put the safety boards in the windows. 'My moms reaction was "Thank goodness you weren't hurt worse". I love you mom!!!
("Somewhere Over The Rainbow" lyrics by E.Y Harburg for the movie The Wizard of Oz.)
This is true. written by Leslie Ann Lindsay.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Book two underway!!


Finally,

the editing I've been working on "BrokenWing The Faerie Book Two" is sent to my friend, editor and publisher. I am so excited, book two, who'd of ever thought it would happen? Well of course I did but well anyway... This above is the original BrokenWing the Faerie. I'm thinking the cover of book two will be green...

BrokenWing The Faerie is available at http://www.soulasylumpoetry.com/ click on book store boutique and please get my childrens book. Okay it's my blog so why not self advertise, lol, lol.
Hey it's August already, where did July go???

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Bumps In The Road


Life is sort of funny. Just when I think that everything is starting to turn around and looking good, wham, bam, off the track I go.

My trailer, which is actually my mothers until I get it paid off, has become a haven for me.

Today is the Sunday that I'd be paying my tithing, ten percent to the Lord at church. But since I have no money to do so, well, I guess I'll stay home. I was SOOO looking forward to paying my tithing, which I believe in devotedly. Now since my "Payee" has taken over my money for me I am left without being able to pay my tithing. Ironic because she is following her duties and helping me. Paying my bills should be a relief off of my shoulders but it took away the one thing I was doing that made me feel human. Guess I'll just go back to bed. On second thought maybe I'll celebrate!!

Bumps in the road... I love my family and I know they love me too. I love them! So many changes in so little time!! I was euphoric until Friday.

Here it is August already, can you believe it? We've been under an excessive heat warning for four or five days now here in Pendleton, Oregon. Yesterday was 108 degrees and it's supposed to be the same today. Here inside my trailer it was 100 degrees yesterday. Bumps in the road, do I run up an electric bill that is high, or just survive this heat for a couple of more days?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Me, July 11th,2009

Here I am in moms kitchen again on July 11th, 2009. It was a very hot day, but we had such fun.

Pictures July 11, 2009


Shaun came home for a short visit. We sat in my soon to be fifth wheel trailer!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

A Long Time


I had a blog, long ago. Now at the insistance of my sister Carolyn Southworth I am starting a new one.

I keep wondering if I am actually disabled, which of course I am.

I keep wondering if I'll have a new place to call my own soon, which I will (a fifth wheel trailer). It is so exciting to furnish my very own home.

I keep wondering when I'll get back to editing Brokenwing the Faerie book two, no answer there yet. Brokenwing the Faerie is out now at the bookstore boutique www.soulasylumpoetry.
Family is everything! Families are forever.