Beautiful Travel Photography

February 23, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 3 Comments

Another place to visit, if only in pictures.

Beautiful Photographs of Italy

February 22, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 13 Comments

Pretty, pretty, pretty!

Norwegian Wood

February 18, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 3 Comments

These pictures remind me of Colorado and my cross country skiing days. Lovely blogsite. See Norway!!!

See Norway - Se Norge

I 1965 slapp rocke-gruppen The Beatles melodien ved navn ‘Norwegian Wood’ og den har siden blitt like udødelig som naturen i de norske skoger! Derfor anser jeg navnet på dette innlegget som svært passende når jeg viser dere en rekke vinterbilder fra skogene i mitt nærområde.

In the year 1965 the rock group ‘The Beatles’ launched a melody with the name ‘Norwegian Wood’, and since then this melody has become an evergreen that seemingly will last forever. That’s why I find it very suitable as a title for this post where I present you with a number of winter pictures from the woods ion my iminent neighbourhood.
Det har vært en del tåke i området samtidig som natte-temperaturer har ligget rundt 10 minusgrader. Underkjølt regn har gjort veiene såpeglatte, men også pyntet litt på busker og trær!

It has been somewhat foggy in our parts lately and the night…

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Stabbed 37 Times

February 15, 2017February 16, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 45 Comments

Hello blog friends. I’ve been MIA from the blog community and will unfortunately be a long time trying to catch up on past blogs.

I had to depart suddenly as my brother was stabbed by a “tenant” he was evicting from his home. He is fortunately recovering well. The trauma team was amazing and repaired his heart and lung, damaged in the altercation. We have determined he comes from sturdy stock, because it was a miracle he did not die. Although he did say he remembered a “gold” room where he saw mom and his dad, both deceased. So who knows?

I cannot say enough thanks to all those who came to render support. It was very inspiring at how so many coworkers and friends showed up for the next few days. I think it helped for him to know so many family members and friends came to his side and offer if nothing else moral support. It was a tenuous few days but he is doing well.

It was also cool to hear stories from previous Air Force buddies who told us stories about his knack for picking up strays and rehabilitating them, making mascots of some that stayed with them during their service. Not surprising.

My brother Michael is one who has a big heart. He has a tendency to take in troubled youth and this one was more trouble than he ever anticipated. Having been a foster child himself, he knows how young people may sometimes need a break. Despite the fact that this young man had assaulted his own mother and grandparents, Michael was determined to give him a chance. I am unclear as to how old he was but I’m guessing he is in his early 20’s and still at large.

All the way over there, (I drove) I kept remembering the first time, I saw Michael as he got off the plane with his older sister to live with us. He had been in a foster home in Boston and both he and his sister were just as cute as could be. He was 5 and she 7 and I was in love immediately. I had just turned 18 that day, so I always thought of them as my birthday present. It still brings nostalgic tears to my eyes.

He was wearing a little beanie, shorts & jacket, knee high socks and a big, big smile. I wish I’d had an iPhone then, but no matter, it’s permanently engraved in my memory. Tears fell when I told him.

His buddy, “Jim” was telling us stories and the one that stuck in my mind was about a dog, they would later call “Runway”. He said, it was near death and rescued by Michael, taken to the vet and how Michael didn’t bat an eye as he promptly plopped down several hundred dollars to have her looked at and treated. She came to live on the base in, I think he said, Minot? (Not sure.) She was there for a good many years before she died.

Michael was a mechanic for military aircraft and I remember how he was always bouncing back and forth between there and Saudi. After retirement, he went to work for Boeing on what I suspect are aircraft requiring top secret clearances.( I only know because his family always has to be cleared as well, which they do periodically for his job. No clue what he does though. One year, we went through it twice as my son’s MSG assignment required it as well )

In the last couple of years Michael has fought cancer, gone through chemo, had a stent put in his heart which the nurses and docs commented on as he had a possible attack while in surgery. Shortly after that he had back surgery, so he’s had a very busy year. Despite all that, my daughter and I were amazed at his ability to bounce back. He was disappointed when the docs nixed his bike riding days for several months. Sigh! No holding this guy down.

We hope he will get to go home soon, though maybe with his wanting to get up and get going might be harder to control.

In the meantime, his assailant has not been apprehended. We called the police and asked about this, but he lives in a city where law enforcement is overwhelmed with stabbings and other grave crime. I was shocked at how many more had made the news in just 24 hours!!

With my other brothers help we changed locks on his home and my daughter and I cleaned up what had not been picked up yet.

It might interest everyone to know that his nurses were mostly men and his trauma doctor was a woman. Progress. My, how times have changed!

The trauma doc didn’t look like she’d hit 30 yet, but she was phenomenal and just as great about explaining what she did and even answered my other daughter’s questions (on the phone) and who’s in nursing school. Living in a small town, incidents like this would be rare and she was disappointed she was not in a place where she could attend to her uncle. I took pictures of all the data on equipment, tubes in and out of him and wounds for her to observe. With his permission, of course.

Sorry, no pictures that are releasable.

Just so you know: If I don’t “Like” or “comment” on your blogs, do not despair. It may just be too overwhelming to catch up.

POST SCRIPT: He is a hardy soul. What I failed to mention was that most were defensive wounds, still serious of course because of the possibility of infection, but only about a third were in vital areas. For awhile they were not sure of tendon damage, as the ones in his arms did affect movement but only for a few days, so they didn’t have to go back in for more surgery to repair them. So that was good.

Thanks for all your well wishes.

A Selection of The Best of Russia 2016 Photography Competition

February 7, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 2 Comments

Gorgeous photos. What I don’t understand is why people build towns on mountain ridges? It looks so dang cold.

Trespass Marijuana Grows are Poisoning Northern California’s Mountain Lions

February 2, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 19 Comments

I thought the information in this post worth passing on.

The Jaguar

In March 2014, celebrity mountain lion P22 tested positive for anticoagulant rodenticides. Here is a photo of him suffering from mange. P22 Mange by the National Park Service. Public Domain.

On December 1, 2016 I attended a talk hosted by tracker and Humboldt State University student Phil Johnston. In it, he spoke of a grave threat to Northern California’s mountain lions (Puma concolor): trespass marijuana grows. This is a serious problemthat needs attention, and I recently sat down with Phil to learn more about it. What follows is a shortened version of our conversation.

Humboldt State University student and tracker Phil Johnston. Talking about Rabbit Tracks. Image © Kim Cabrera.

You said in your talk that you work in the Hoopa Valley. How long have you been working there, and what do you do?

I’ve worked in Hoopa for two years. I work for the

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NEPALIAUSTRALIAN’s Blog Award 2016 Nominations Announced

January 27, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ Leave a comment

Okay everyone. So you all know, I’ve been nominated for most divers blog. If you like my blog. Please vote and while you’re at it, check out some of the other blogs nominated in the other categories as well and show your love by voting for them as well. Thanks!!!

nepaliaustralian

Thank you everyone for getting behind Nepaliaustralian Blog Award 2016 and nominating your favourites blogs. So now the nomination has closed and it’s time to vote for your favourite blogs to win the title.

Following are the nominations in each category.

Best Blog for 2016

Best Photo Blog 2016

Best Food Blog 2016

Best Travel Blog 2016

Best Fashion Blog 2016

Best Personal Blog 2016

Most Diverse Blog 2016

Best New Blog 2016

How to vote?

Please copy the following on the comment box and type 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 next to each category.

Best Blog for 2016
Best Photo Blog 2016
Best Food Blog 2016
Best Travel…

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Chloe and the Rutabaga

January 25, 2017January 25, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 40 Comments

I don’t know what it is, old age or perhaps something else, but…

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Do you think she’ll find me here?

my kitty has recently started to beg for leftovers. After 14 years, she’s become a pest at begging, pacing the coffee table or pacing for us to give her something. Of course, we don’t. Well, maybe a piece of meat now and then or she gets to lick our ice cream bowls. She’s been doing that for years, but that’s pretty much it. Honest. It’s that damn dog, I’m sure of it! She’s picking up his bad manners. The difference is, he can’t jump on the counter to get into what she can.

Earlier this morning, she had yowled something fierce to go outside. It wasn’t until sometime after she’d yowled to come back in, that she launched the erring meal.

I was heading to my office and there it was. That’s how I happened upon a copious amount of kitty barf. It wasn’t just her normal barf, hairballs and such. Nope, for low and behold when I went to clean it up, it had rutabaga in it. Rutabaga!? Yup! Rutabaga.

Hmmmm, so that’s why she wanted out. She went for her herbal cure, some greenery from outdoors to help her expel the in-digestive culprit. How she managed the feat without me hearing or knowing what she was up to, ie her usual heaving, I have no clue, but she did.

Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the hallway, where I couldn’t ignore it. There was no getting back to it for a later pick up. I suppose I could have jumped over it, but no, it was in my path no matter what I did. If I went to the kitchen, it would be there. If I went to the office or the bathroom, there it would be telling me, “I’m waiting”. Do I dare leave it for my hubby for when gets home and let him do the clean up? Nah, I wish. There would be no way to pretend it wasn’t there. Now, if I were a guy I would probably have photographed it to prove to you the massive, enormous proportion she expelled, but alas I am not and I didn’t. Obviously I thought of it though. Hehe.

Back in time:

It brought back to my mind, the time I was a flight attendant and this one passenger was not handling the flight well. As I walked past her, she held the bag to her face like a lover, heaving into it profusely. From where I stood, it looked more than half full. I offered to take it as I extended her another, but she vehemently shook her head no. This poor young thing, green as she was would not relinquish the bag but kept heaving more into it.

Finally, I entreated her to please let me give her a new bag. I assured her we had plenty. She motioned for me to draw near her. I leaned in as far as I could, as she was sitting in the window seat .. She then whispers to me, “I dropped my dentures in the bag”! Dentures? She couldn’t have been more than 20! OMG!! Well, being the professional I was, I handed her the new bag and insisted I would take care of the other.

Yep! I did it. By now, the bag was so full I had to gingerly carry it into the “biffy” and close the door behind me.

Inside, I took a deep breath and started pouring her “remains” into the sink. (It couldn’t be the toilet or whoosh out it would go into Neverland.) Nope, not outside the plane, but instead the sink where I would have a measure of control of it’s contents. Why didn’t she tell me sooner? Well, as you can imagine my gag reflexes kicked in. I was gagging and dry heaving the whole time. After what felt like an interminably long time, I finally found the wayward ivories. I then proceed to disinfect them and everything else, before wrapping them up in a towel. Before exiting, I pull myself together and re enter the cabin as composed as possible. With a victorious smile, I graciously and discreetly hand her her teeth. Still distraught, slightly green and ever so grateful, the embarrassed young lady thanks me.

The now:

So here I am arming myself to mount my attack. It’s a dark mustard yellow so it was a good idea I didn’t leave it for the hub. By then it would have become permanently infused into our pale carpet. It would have left a stain. Nope, gotta have the chlorine wipes. Hopefully, that ought to get it. Next, are the carpet cleaner and loads of paper towels. Ah! and a baggy to throw it all in when I’m done.

Good Grief Chloe!

I start out first rounding up the excess. That’s when I discovered the rutabaga. We had rutabaga’s in a stew, two nights ago. Two nights ago? Ahhhh, but leftovers yesterday. Hubby didn’t care for it. He’s not much into “exotic” veggies. Normally, I wouldn’t put rutabagas in stew, but I’ve been trying to avoid potatoes, so I gave it a try. It was just okay. He still prefers potatoes. Oh well.

Apparently she jumped the counter and got into my leftovers. Note to self: “watch that cat!”

Fortunately, kitty barf doesn’t have the same smell or effect on humans that people barf does. That done, I douse the area and re-douse it until you’d never know anything had ever transpired in that spot. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

As my step mother would say, “Thank you Jesus!” then she’d proceed to cross herself.

I will really like it when we can afford to lay tile everywhere.

The Blogger Tag

January 23, 2017January 23, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 14 Comments

I was tagged by the lovely Tanya for this blogger tag. I’ve not done a blogger tag before, so I’m not quite sure how this works. I’m guessing I will use the same questions my blogger friend replied to. I am flattered at having received this and compelled to respond to it for so many reasons. The most important being that I think it’s absolutely amazing that through blogging, people of all backgrounds from all over the world, and in various stages of their life can share information, perspectives and encourage one another from so many different vantage points. For example I am several generations senior to sweet Tanya who is still in high school and yet we’ve made a connection. That, in of itself, is phenomenal! So here goes.

Question 1: How tall are you?

I am short. I am somewhere between a 5’2 and 5’3, but I think I’ve shrunken some. It comes with age, you know. And no you can’t take my height as 5’2! As Tanya wrote, “The tiny difference is important. (short people will understand).” She’s right, we count every cm or micro-inch we can.

Question 2: Do you have a hidden talent?

Hmmmm. If it’s hidden, how would I know about it? I’m inclined to think not. I’m what you may call, “A jack of all trades, master of none”. Since I have friends from all over, that just means I can do almost anything (or try to) but I’m not magnificent in any of it.

Question 3: What’s your biggest blog-related pet peeve?

Rants. Not much else. I can’t stand blogs that go on and on about the same thing, like they’re beating a dead horse. My feeling is “get over it”. Sharing what you learn from a bad turn of events is different, sharing to help someone else is also different, but belly aching about the same thing over and over and over again and getting nowhere is an exercise in futility and beneficial to no one. I like cheery blogs. Entertain and teach me something new. I’m too old to be feeding on negativity.

Question 4: What’s your biggest non-related blog pet peeve?

People who expect me to believe and respect their opinion or way of thinking without giving consideration to mine. I may come around to your way of thinking but don’t force or tell me I have to believe as you do. The street runs both ways.

Question 5: What’s your favorite song?

I don’t think I have a favorite song. The theme from To Kill a Mockingbird still sends chills up my spine and I like Monday, Monday by the Mama’s and Papa’s. It reminds me of Badfish, and “Little Surfer Girl” by the Beachboys remind me of ditching school to go surfing. (I didn’t surf, but my boyfriend did and I’d write all the excuse letters for him and his friends to go to the “dentist”, so I was the surfer girl).

Question 6: What’s your favorite social media website?

Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn. I get to meet so many like-minded people there.

Question 7: What’s your favorite way to spend your time when you’re alone?

I’m alone most all the time. (Not Kidding) I read, write, bask in quiet solitude, play cognitive games to challenge my brain, (mother had Alzheimer’s so that worries me some) or watch movies and shows to relax me and learn. At least that’s what I tell myself.

Question 8: Whats your favorite junk food?

Ice creams with chocolate, fruit and nuts and Lays Potato Chips. Unfortunately, I puff up like a balloon (salty Lays) or go into a deep frump (sugar downer) when I have them, so I dodge them like a bullet.

Question 9: Do you have a pet or pet(s)? If so, what kind and what are their names?

I have two. I have a Papillon named Ferguson around 7 years old, and a tabby cat, Chloe who is 14. We’ve known her since she was a kitten.

Question 10: What are your number one favorite non-fiction and fiction books?

Non-fiction – As a kid, it was the entire encyclopedia Brittanica . Otherwise, If How To’s Were Enough, We Would All be Skinny, Rich and Happy by Brian Klemmer.

Fiction. Wow! No number one book here. I guess novels of fantasy adventure, historical and mystery genres. I’ve read all works by Agatha Christie (at least I think I have). I love old works, stories written ages ago and found at yard sales and old book stores.

Question 11: What’s your favorite beauty product or tool?

I take very good care of my skin. My favorite “tool” is my hands. Cleansers and creams vary all the time as I rotate them out as I age. Some I make myself by combining product, but that’s how I stay looking young. Believe it or not, a blend of olive oil and coconut oil massaged in the creases works better than botox (not that I’ve ever used botox) to minimize wrinkles.

Question 12: When were you last embarrassed? What happened?

I keep embarrassing myself. I have poor navigational skills and my husband never lets me forget the time we went on a hut trip (cross country skiing) in Aspen. We left our cabin to ski some slopes not far away and at the end of the day, I offered to lead the way back… as I confidently headed in the wrong direction, the rest of the group just stood there staring at me and laughed. Actually, I don’t know who was more embarrassed, me or my husband. Needless to say they never asked me to lead again.

Question 13: If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life what would it be?

I have to pick one? I like water best. I make my own juice (a combination of beets, carrot, celery, kale, ginger, apple or pineapple), but I only have that once first thing in the morning. Coffee or tea (maybe) later in the morning and wine (occasionally) in the evening. Coke or Sprite with popcorn at the movies. So of all those, any dry wine, (I’m not a sweet wine drinker).

Question 14: What’s your favorite movie?

To Kill A Mockingbird has always been my favorite, but I was really affected lately by a new release called A Monster Calls. Trailers linked.

Question 15: What was your favorite lesson at school?

P.E. Physical Education (I always liked sports) followed by English.

Question 16: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

I have always thought I’d like to live in Italy, though I’ve never been. If wishes grew on trees (like money does) I’d live out of my suitcase and be a wanderer and sample all (well most) countries. Some for longer periods than others.

Question 17: PC or Mac?

PC (and iPhone.)

Question 18: Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boy/girlfriend, spouse?

Ummm Sorry. I gotta censor that one, but it was all good. (smile) Trust me. For those of you still young and have a belief that “it” may die, it doesn’t, I promise.

Question 19: Favorite celebrity?

Liam Neeson. I have a big megga crush on him and as long as he keeps his politics to himself, he will remain on my “hot” list. Kurt Russell is my next “hottie” love.

Question 20: What blogger do you secretly want to be best friends with?

No one special friend, well maybe Badfish because we already know each other personally. I feel that my other blogger friends and I are already “besties” though we’ve not met and despite the fact that we may not agree on all subjects. Our diversity is what makes them all special to me.

Question 21: Who is your biggest inspiration?

My family, my children. They cheer me on when I think I can’t and their confidence that I can do anything is what keeps me motivated.

Question 22: What is your favorite blog to read?

Oh, I have lots of favorites and not enough time to give them. I like Badfish‘s travelogues, Bunkarydo‘s humor, Nutsrok’s stories, fashion, cooking recipe, photography, inspiration, health, bodybuilding, poems, reviews, you name it.

Question 23: What is your favorite high street shop?

What’s a high street shop?

Question 24: Are you in education or do you work?

I currently work at being retired and it gets lonesome some times, especially now that my husband has a day job. Before that we horsed around a lot and that was fun. We enjoy one another’s company and I miss that.

Question 25: One thing you are proud of?

Family. I love my kids even though I sometimes question their choices as they take detours that surprise me. I love my hubby, who is my best friend.

I Tag –

My most difficult past post to share is here. (You could say my last post or favorite post or whatever.)

My social media links are:-
Twitter : joliesattic || Instagram : joliesattic || Facebook : joliesattic

And until next time… OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Dear Mr. President-Elect

January 22, 2017 ~ Joliesattic ~ 1 Comment

I really liked how she presents a human perspective on a touchy subject. She’s right, we are after all family. We can be stubborn or we can bend. The choice is ours to make.

Green Life Blue Water

Dear Mr. President Elect

My Greek immigrant grandparents arrived in this country sometime in the early 1920’s from Istanbul when it was still Constantinople, and while no one talks about it, I’m fairly sure they didn’t just leave, but escaped. Ethnic cleansing is nothing new across the globe: WWII Germany; Bosnia and Rwanda in the 1990’s; Syria today. For my grandparents, it was the problem of the Armenian extinction. About 1 million Armenians and half a million Greeks were killed between 1915 and 1923, but the number is sketchy because to this day, Turkey denies it even happened. (For a great book on the topic, read Black Dog of Fate, by Balakian.)

What was once the Ottoman Empire — the most culturally ambitious and religiously inclusive place the world had known, a stunning experiment of cooperation and trust — was losing ground as parts of it claimed independence, and…

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