PJ's River

Troll Toy

2011-12-26T09:50:00.001-08:00

Troll Toy, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

My photo ......

2011-12-23T14:30:00.000-08:00

Lily and Tanna
December 2011
Polson, Montana

2011-12-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Karen, Lily and Jo Strong
Polson, Montana Dec. 2011

2011-12-23T14:26:00.001-08:00

Lily and Tanna
December 2011
Polson, Montana

2011-12-23T13:56:00.000-08:00

Lily Grace and "Tanna" share the frosty limbs of the bushes outside.... painted by Jack Frost.
(it is officially called hoar frost).

2011-12-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Looking towards HOME!

2011-11-29T10:04:00.001-08:00

Looking towards HOME!, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Winter's Fuse Box Delima

2011-11-21T09:21:00.001-08:00

Exasperated by the Winter Fuse Box delima and the frequent trips to the fuse box to reset it.. I. .am so tired of this old duplex electrical delima. Tears well up in my eyes as I write this and I am exhausted. The move to Missoula to live near my elders (friends and "family") come Spring has me hopeful that this will be my last Winter to have to deal with this.

My back pain is screaming at me this morning and I have tears of frustration that keep my sense of peace at bay.
My landlord's husband came just now and looked it over. Nothing seems to work for very long periods of time here.
I feel like I need an advocate to help me deal with this problem and to help me out.

2011-11-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

cat in the sink

2011-11-20T23:28:00.001-08:00

cat in the sink, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

cat in the sink

Visitors

2011-11-15T13:54:00.001-08:00

Visitors, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Anika Riley Johnson....artist
(My granddaughter)

P J happy @ HOME

2011-11-13T15:48:00.001-08:00

P J happy @ HOME, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

P J happy @ HOME
A bit out of focus.. (as I am feeling lately after all my travels and family loss of my sister) but I am STILL SMILING... and so glad to ge home after two long trips to NY and Houston within a short time of one another. HOME TO STAY I HOPE for quite a while..... Dorothy had it right when she said (in the Wizard of Oz)..
"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME" (clicking my ruby slippers together)... grin

2011-11-13T09:38:00.000-08:00

Anika, Patrick, Luke, Dori, Liam Johnson in NYC
October 2011

2011-11-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Visit to New Jersey 09/2011 Gramma Montana and Luisa Johnson

P J happy @ HOME

2011-11-09T12:14:00.001-08:00

P J happy @ HOME, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

After recent trips to NYC and then followed by the trip to Houston to attend Suzy's funeral, I am exhausted both physically and mentally. Tears, always close to the surface come as I write this. It was good to be there and to be with family. Better still coming home to my precious home, my kitties, and my own bed. I will refrain from never saying 'never again' since it does no good to my heart or life but to just live each moment and to accept what I cannot change and change what I CAN.
Suzy, I never told you thank you for what you did to protect me at the ages you were 8 and I was 2.
Rest well dear sister.....Don't give Godde a hard time. Be my special ''angel'' and watch over me still.
I love you. I am sorry I didn't get there before you died.
I LOVE YOU ......
Suzanne Karen Condon Trammell-McClain..........

P J happy @ HOME

2011-11-08T23:25:00.001-08:00

P J happy @ HOME, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

After a great trip to NY and seeing family... then barely home I had to fly to Houston to my sister Suzy's funeral. I am exhausted and enjoying just sitting and watching alot of TV these days. HAPPY at HOME!!!!!!

P J happy @ HOME

2011-11-04T18:09:00.001-07:00

P J happy @ HOME, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

P J happy @ HOME

Looking down to Earth from the plane-

2011-11-04T12:07:00.001-07:00

Looking down to Earth from the plane-, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

On my way home from Suzy's Memorial Service. She died on Oct. 25th 2011.
at 72 years of age.

Siblings

2011-10-25T21:41:00.001-07:00

Siblings, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Suzy died today... I go to Houston to attend her funeral this week. .... TBC

2011-10-25T21:30:00.001-07:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

We'Moon 2011 Calendar (today)

2011-10-24T13:22:00.001-07:00

We'Moon 2011 Calendar (today), originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

It hurts me so to not rush to your bedside... but I know that my body needs rest and recovery.... I hope to get there Suzy.... soon.
rest well... dear sister. Go peacefully when you let go of this place and go on...
Let Mother meet you there and take her hand. DO not pull away.... she will show you the ropes... She has been there for awhile waiting for you to come and reconcile with her. You two did not do so well your first time here so hope you can love and be at peace up there.

THE SISTERS VISIT (Dec 09)

2011-10-23T22:53:00.001-07:00

THE SISTERS VISIT (Dec 09), originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

THE SISTERS VISIT (Dec 09)
call tonite from Mike that Suzy is dying....10/23/11 (she died on the 25th) after years of laying in the nursing home bed, helpless and yet cheerful, with pain every single day. Still was able to smile
here and even put her teeth in to take the photo.
Her massive cerebral hemmorrage was in 2005.

2011-10-23T01:45:00.000-07:00

2011-10-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

It doesn't get much prettier than this... from my living room window... love Montana (Polson)!

2011-10-23T00:46:00.000-07:00

Precious... in her new cat home
looking out to see if her older sister
the GROUCH is near by.

Fall in Montana

2011-10-23T00:27:00.001-07:00

Fall in Montana, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Fall in Montana. photo taken just outside of the Nursing home where I teach an art
class. Went today and I had a large group. I find it so rewarding to go do this time there
with them.

Just a leaf floating on the river of life...

2011-10-21T11:28:00.001-07:00

Monochromatic Surface Tension, originally uploaded by Pictoscribe - Home again.

My friend's photo but my life long theme and purpose... to go where the river takes me.

Via Flickr:
Take away the colors and you still have the lines.

around and higher

2011-10-21T00:47:00.001-07:00

around and higher, originally uploaded by Blue eYes ArT.

Rediscovering photos of Liam

2011-10-21T00:17:00.000-07:00

A walk with a friend down Kootenai Canyon

2011-10-20T09:33:00.001-07:00

A walk with a friend down Kootenai Canyon, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

A Walk on my favorite place with one of my favorite friends....(the day after flying HOME)...last week. Remembering Mercy and all her goodness to me..
This is the canyon's river that I poured her ashes into after her death. I had not been here in awhile so my friend Judy agreed to walk with me there. I LOVE and Miss you Mercy, every day of my life.

It's a beginning

2011-10-19T20:52:00.001-07:00

Enlightenment

2011-10-17T23:56:00.001-07:00

Enlightenment, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Night Light

2011-10-17T23:55:00.001-07:00

Night Light, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

art work by my students at the nursing home (done on canvas with Acrylics)

2011-10-15T07:16:00.001-07:00

art work by my students at the nursing home (done on canvas with Acrylics), originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

This piece is still in process... but it is really coming along nicely.

The long walk home...

2011-10-14T14:13:00.001-07:00

The long walk home..., originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

three miles... I made it all the way.... a miracle... Oct 2011

Grandma Montana and Olivia...

2011-10-14T10:40:00.001-07:00

Grandma Montana and Olivia... a "grand"daughter for sure~, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Visit to NY to see family .... well worth all the cost and energy... to be with my son and his kids.

2011-10-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

2011-09-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

Art work from my daughter in law, Dori Johnson... I am amazed and so proud of this... I saw it in the beginning stages when I was last there... GREAT job... Dori~

2011-09-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

My new turtle icon.... found online....

2011-09-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

Precious and me, watching TV.... My kitties keep me such company.

2011-09-21T13:37:00.000-07:00

Just a little chat with Lovey
My two kitties keep me such good company. Even Lovey (the older... grouchy one) comes and sits on my lap/chest while I am watching TV in the evening. I am just an old cat womon..... but it sure is alot easier this way.... living alone and doing what I want when I want how I want....

2011-08-06

2011-09-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

Art Day at the Nursing Home: I went to hold an art day class for the nursing home residents. Five women showed up and we had a great time.

Watercolor by PJ

2011-09-16T23:03:00.000-07:00

Watercolor by PJ, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

2011-08-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

One of my new joys in retirement is being able to have time to go to the nursing home/retirement/rehab center here in Polson. I volunteer my time every Saturday or every other Saturday and take all my watercolor/acrylic paints, canvases and expertise to them and have as much if not more... fun doing it. It gives me such joy and I get to paint with others at that same time. It really is one of my newest best things to do here.

Feline Drama

2011-08-28T10:27:00.001-07:00

Feline Drama, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

My two sweet cats, Lovey and Precious (sickening, I know)~
Lovey was trying to take a nap and Precious wanted to play. I just watched from the doorway to the kitchen and grabbed my camera to shot the drama as it unfolded.

Good friends visit

2011-08-25T21:31:00.001-07:00

Good friends visit, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Deborah and her cousin, Connie. Early June 2011.

Mother and Child

2011-08-22T22:05:00.001-07:00

Mother and Child, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").
A lot of water under the bridge since this day (when this photo was taken) and I wish that things after this photo... had been different and that there was peace in our hearts towards each other. Her visit to Polson with me was a challenge and ended with me very sad over the loss of things as they could have been.

Magnificence~ at the Lake near Polson Montana

2011-08-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

2011-08-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

It was a day at the lake with JKL and Lala. Picnic lunch and water play. It was a good day~

2011-08-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Beauty of Time

This huge round rock (at the park where we had our picnic) was beautiful and the anchientness of it seemed to speak out.... "I am older than you".... and am beautiful TOO!

2011-08-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Dinner at the campgrounds and art with Lily and Tanna, AUG 2011

me and Mom at her nursing home in Providence RI 1996!

2011-08-06T17:27:00.001-07:00

me and Mom at her nursing home in Providence RI 1996!, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

First cup of the day~

2011-08-03T09:58:00.001-07:00

First cup of the day~, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

It is a type of ritual that I seem to do most mornings..... coffee, meditation, check my FB entries and friends, and I am blessed to be retired and able to relax each day after 46 years of working.
I am truly blessed to be able to enjoy my retirement... at home, in my home, in my own space that feels so blessed.

Lisa 2006

2011-07-25T08:45:00.001-07:00

Lisa 2006, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

WHITE LACE in the garden~

2011-07-22T10:10:00.001-07:00

WHITE LACE in the garden~, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Such sweet beauty... surrounds my life... and yet sometimes I still fear the unknown... aging, health challenges and at times, loneliness. MOST OF MY DAYS and nights, are filled with fun,joy, adventure and trusting that ALL IS WELL.....(that in itself is an adventure).
Today, I am (many things... easy and hard; blessed and challenged, etc) ....
I AM: blessed, full of life and gratitude, lonely a bit lately, in pain daily (and grateful for my pain medications which do help me to function and move and still am alert!).
Life is good.... full of JOYs and WONDER.
IT IS GOOD TO BE ALIVE.
pj

2011-07-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Sweet day... to the dentist then to the store... Now home and with my kitties...
My alone time seems to be a bit much lately... but guess it is what I am needing...

2011-07-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

Great visit to the Garden of the Buddah (at my friend, Cheryl's beautiful gardens today~

2011-07-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Lost Loves

Photo taken by me: in Washington state (between Leavenworth and Cashmere. WA on a hike with my best pal ever (Mercy).

Two of the loves of my life.... now gone out of my life....
Mercy! best dog ever.... I miss you with tears ... just thinking about your sweet love to me...
Pam... now a friend... but we tried so hard to be lovers and partners... There were so many good times and some bad times and I will never forget them all. You will always be loved as a friend... I wish you well....ALWAYS!!

2011-07-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

My companions (2 cats (this one is PRECIOUS both in name and in attitude) They keep me company but aren't much for doing chores or cooking me supper... )

pjsixft ("PJ")'s photostream

2011-07-13T10:41:00.001-07:00

pjsixft ("PJ")'s photostream on Flickr.

2011-07-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

2011-07-05T00:18:00.000-07:00

2011-07-04T23:35:00.000-07:00

2011-07-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Inspired in a moment of boredom... to go paint... anything.... something...
Just to get back to my creative juices and let them start to flow once more.

"Fish Tales and Tails"

2011-06-26T23:01:00.001-07:00

"Fish Tales and Tails", originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

The 3 Mushateers ... grin

2011-06-26T22:50:00.001-07:00

The 3 Mushateers ... grin, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

2011-06-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Missoula women that came to stand with us. Blessings... PJ

2011-06-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

One of my very favorite photos... taken at the Arboretum in Minneapolis, MN June 2011
During my visit there to see my son and his family.

2011-06-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

2011-06-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

Visit to my son, Patrick's home in MN where we all went to this place of beauty and spent the day. It was the best day there.

2011-06-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

2011-06-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

2011-06-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

There is beauty on this river of life .... everywhere I LOOK!

2011-06-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Oh, I am not ready to leave today but do see the day coming in the horizon of my life. Whether it is today or tomorrow or ten years or more from now... I want to be ready...to fly. Engines clean and fired up to lift off. Heart open and ready to take wind in its sails. Peaceful and serene, my heart will know that this life is not ending but just bowing to the next chapter. When we are young we do not REALLY ever believe that we will die. When sixty-five, we KNOW that we were wrong and that life is sweet but can seem very short all of a sudden.
I am not morose or fatalistic but just watching the dawn of my life turning to sunset. It is exciting and mysterious to think about..... "What is NEXT"
I want to have wings then, so I can fly and soar up over the mountains to see what is on that other side of the mountain..... ONCE and for all!

2011-06-10T20:57:00.000-07:00

Tho' I have seen out these windows night after night for over a year now.... I never tire of the beauty that comes each evening... each season and blesses my spirit to sweet joy and peace. No matter what is bothering or challenging me... my sigh of deep presence comes to bless me at dusk.

2011-06-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

Today on the Great Mother River... I am grateful for all that is richness in my life. I am also aware that my body and my mind are challenged beyond what I ever thought I would be experiencing this early in my aging retired life.
Yesterday ... an old online friend (DONNA)who sent me this stellar creature to remind me of what blessed me so when I first moved to MONTANA in 1998~ The red tailed hawk come to me one day as I was standing on the road near my house. It was my dead mates' spirit that came to me and asked for forgiveness.
Full circle moment....

2011-06-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

2011-06-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

Tanna stops in to play with Lily..... We had so much fun.

2011-06-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Lily and Tanna have an enpromptu PLAY DATE.

2011-06-09T19:58:00.000-07:00

How magical is a simple flower in the kitchen window bordered by a lace curtain. I am finding such joy in the small special moments and the beauty that surrounds me. I sometimes feel like I am floating in a dream and that I will wake up and it will be time to go to work .... or maybe I am running late and overslept.......
I haven't even YET, after being unemployed for over a year... totally embraced the moments of magic in my life that bring me such joy.
I still feel unfocused and even lazy at times. A deep quiet voice within me says, "Patty, for Goddes' sakes, you have worked every year of your life since you were 18. It is time to "smell the roses" so to speak.... or these beauties that you picked and brought into the house this week."

2011-06-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

I am home.... and this rainbow falls on my town of Polson, Montana.... The view from my living room window is always new and breathtaking.... This is only one of hundreds of shots I have taken from there.... I am blessed beyond all measure... no matter what trials and hardships come... my way... I am blessed fully present and accounted for.

2011-06-04T21:37:00.000-07:00

My "Precious" kitty..... living up to her name....

2011-06-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Purple Mountain's Majesty

Tears come to my eyes as I talk to a friend, listening to her story of discontent. I tell her that I am scared of the diagnosis of dementia and wish that it was not my challenge. Her challenge (to me) seems so "doable" but for her is just as hard perhaps.... tho' I think not.
And in my "troubled" mind... I look at this beauty outside my window.... and I too come to a better perspective....
Life is JUST THIS VERY MOMENT and what I do with it.... with gratitude or fear or anger or joy..... is what will make my moments livable.... however long they are.

2011-06-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

Magical Mystery Tour

The title of my life, as it seems to feel these days at the age of 65 and memory challenges that seem to be growing as I live alone and do not remember important things without a list or my "memory board". The "memory board is a dry erase calendar on my wall of the kitchen. I am a bit less stressed after spending the day with good friends that are my age and who tell me that they can totally relate. (I am not so sure... but it gave me a sense of relief temporarily).

2011-06-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

I call them my MN CREW... (my oldest son, Patrick and his wife Dori's children) I go in less than 2 wks to spend a long weekend with them. I have not seen them for 3 years. (since Summer of 2008). I will fly there (which is different for me as I love taking the train. The summer prices were just too high... so am flying out of Missoula.
My leaf of this River of Life is more dry and brittle now and I must hold each moment and memory close to my heart. My memory is failing to keep me wholly here.... but I am trying to not be fearful... I want to see these children grow up and have my great grand children... before I am gone... SO BE IT...if it is Godde's will and plan.

~Spring~ (2011)

2011-05-21T18:39:00.001-07:00

~Spring~ (2011), originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

......and so it is with all life... renewal comes when after life has worn out and died and springs again into new life forms. It is that hope the gives us courage as we age and become more frail, forgetful, and more needy.
Life a Spring flower, I too shall re-bud and bloom again. Where and When, I do not know. but I do believe it is the way of nature and LIFE.
and so... I trust in the middle of sadness and fear, worry and struggle....and once again my spirit will bloom with courage and hope.

2011-05-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

These babies have grown up so fast and I have not seen them in three years. I am going soon to visit this summer.
Watch out MN Crew... here comes Gramma Montana.

Meditation Magic

2011-05-17T08:39:00.001-07:00

Meditation Magic, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

She came to me from my incense. I took her photo and did not truly SEE HER until I put her on my computer. She is my magical Spirit Guide....

Revisiting childhood

2011-05-14T14:26:00.001-07:00

Revisiting childhood, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

This is my "little Patty" image... (tho' it is not of me) it is my mind's eye of me when I was this age. Free to run half naked in the trees and flowers....
It is so.... me.

Daily Rantings and Gems from an aging Womon: "For now we see through a glass darkly"

2011-05-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

Daily Rantings and Gems from an aging Womon: "For now we see through a glass darkly": "....'For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully kno..."

2011-05-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

2011-04-23T13:05:00.003-07:00

Customize a free ecard">

Andrew Michael Johnson and family

2011-04-21T15:12:00.001-07:00

Andrew Michael Johnson and family, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Going to NYC to teach at NYU at the end of this summer 2011.

Eagles taking a break on the Ice

2011-04-20T14:24:00.001-07:00

Eagles taking a break on the Ice, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

The beauty of my life here in Montana, on the lake, keeps me balanced and "WHAT MATTERS" in focus. I am in pain from arthritis of the spine and the memory is such a challenge but all the stress of that is blown away in a moment at the sight of the life here out my windows that look to the Flathead lake and the Glacier peaks just beyond that. I am blessed by so much and will remember that at times that feel hard, scarey or painful.

Daily Rantings and Gems from an aging Womon

2011-04-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

Revisiting childhood

2011-04-09T13:08:00.001-07:00

Revisiting childhood, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Awe yes..... and the freedom and energy to run around like this... I only know that this was "a find" this morning in my Flickr review and it gives me such joy... this photo and the fact that I "caught it" so magically!

Pensive~ a bit depressed at times~ Spirit guides me!

2011-03-28T13:01:00.001-07:00

Pensive~ a bit depressed at times~ Spirit guides me!, originally uploaded by pjsixft ("PJ").

Each morning as I do my meditations, I am lifted out of my "funky" attitude. I always get just what I need to help me lift myself up to that place that is safe, full of love and spiritual blessings. I am made of many different "beliefs"...
Christian, Buddhist, Wicca, Metaphysical Womon who Trusts Godde to lead her moment by moment and day by day.
(Seen in this photo are: Runestones, Soulcards, angel cards, my Buddah candle holder, my Wild Womon Spirit Stone, my Temple chime, my Plains Indian Flute, etc....
I am blessed in different ways by each different item and belief.
Godde is Good, God is Just, Goddess is LOVE!
It's all GOOD!

PJ's River

Troll Toy

Looking towards HOME!

Winter's Fuse Box Delima

cat in the sink

Visitors

P J happy @ HOME

P J happy @ HOME

P J happy @ HOME

P J happy @ HOME

Looking down to Earth from the plane-

Siblings

We'Moon 2011 Calendar (today)

THE SISTERS VISIT (Dec 09)

Fall in Montana

Just a leaf floating on the river of life...

around and higher

Rediscovering photos of Liam

A walk with a friend down Kootenai Canyon

It's a beginning

Enlightenment

Night Light

art work by my students at the nursing home (done on canvas with Acrylics)

The long walk home...

Grandma Montana and Olivia...

2011-08-06

Watercolor by PJ

Feline Drama

Good friends visit

Mother and Child

Magnificence~ at the Lake near Polson Montana

me and Mom at her nursing home in Providence RI 1996!

First cup of the day~

Lisa 2006

WHITE LACE in the garden~

pjsixft ("PJ")'s photostream

Recently Updated

"Fish Tales and Tails"

The 3 Mushateers ... grin

~Spring~ (2011)

Meditation Magic

Revisiting childhood

Daily Rantings and Gems from an aging Womon: "For now we see through a glass darkly"

Andrew Michael Johnson and family

Eagles taking a break on the Ice

Daily Rantings and Gems from an aging Womon

Revisiting childhood

Pensive~ a bit depressed at times~ Spirit guides me!