This and That: James Gillice, third CD almost completed

This and That: James Gillice, third CD almost completed

James Gillice, third CD almost completed

Hello all, I spent almost two hours last night talking with my little brother on the phone (I use a prepaid calling card from AT&T since I have no long distance service). We talked about everything under the sun. We discussed various ways to make money on the Internet. One idea I have is to promote and sell my son's Cd's online. He is already selling them on Amazon.com and itunes but he isn't actively marketing his music. I would like to get his name out there as he has written some great music. He produces and records his own songs. He will be completing his third CD very soon. He loves his music (singer/songwriter) but as a responsible family man he has just finished his Bachelor's at Utah Valley University in Orem Utah,where he also is employed as a "media services engineer". He graduated last May, but has been working there for a few years now. While attending school and supporting his family he had to put his songwriting on the back burner for a few years. He is back at it again. If you are interested in hearing his music just google "James Gillice" and you will find several websites where you can go to hear his songs.Some links are listed below. My favorite song is entitled "Lyla in the Middle". His first CD is mostly about love lost, his second is about love found and I can't wait to hear his third CD. I have heard some of his new music/songs and they just keep getting better and better. I will display some current pictures of him on my side bar. You can go to several of his websites to listen to and/or download his songs. He is also active on facebook. An interesting thing about his music is that he plays the instruments (or computer effects) himself, and when you hear more that one voice, he has recorded all of the parts and he harmonizes with himself. He also plays harmonica and whistles in a few of his songs. He is basically a one man show. He has written the music and lyrics, and self produced his CD's and done all the legal stuff to protect his property rights. I would love to see his music used as background music in movies and commercials. It would be great if he could produce his own Music Video next. His senior project in college was a group project where they made a commercial type program/video about a food bank in Utah. They had Miss Utah and several people that work at the food bank interviewed and told how it helped the community. James' music was used for background and worked in perfectly. I wish I could find a way to get this project put on UTube. It is really professional quality (It should be since he and his team members got their degree's in mass media communications (or some such title). I may be biased but he is really talented. When James was a little boy he would often daydream in school. I remember his teacher in first grade wanted him checked for petite mal seizures because he would zone out during class. His EEG showed no problems. I later asked him what he was doing when he went into his own little world, and he said "I listen to the music". He has had music running through his head since he was very young. When he was about 11 or 12 his favorite music to listen to, was a Bach tape. He would listen to it day and night. One day he couldn't find it so he asked his grandma B, "where is my Batch tape?" His other favorite tape about that same time was MC Hammer. Go figure! What a variety that kid had and still has in his taste in music. He didn't pick up his first guitar until he was 16 years old, then taught himself to play. He has now taught himself to write music as well. Even after he was a missionary (for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in New Zealand, where he did not pick up a guitar for two years, he came back and just picked up as if he had never taken a break. I hope that you will take the time to check out his music and if you like it spread the word to others. You should not have to buy anything to listen. If you have any marketing ideas please share them with me. So much for my walk down memory lane with my son and you. I will be back soon. Love CJ

Winter is coming soon !

Hello family and friends, The rumor around here is that it will start to snow within a few days. It has been overcast with some drizzle and near freezing but so far no snow. The surrounding mountains have a light dusting on top. Did you know that there is an evergreen tree that turns yellow and looses it's needles in the winter? I did not know this but they are everywhere here. They are called Tamarack or Larch trees. They really add to the beautiful colors seen at this time of the year. There is such a wide variety of trees here. Right now the rivers and the lake are very low, and the trees are varying shades of yellow, red, orange, green and brown. It is just gorgeous. Yogi bear has been in my yard again recently. A few days ago I was transplanting my iris, rhubarb, and a few other plants when I accidentally stepped in a very large and messy "calling card" from my bear friend. Yuck!! I was hoping he was hibernating by now. I have seen deer, elk, and moose recently. Usually at the side of Hwy. 200. Thankfully, none of them has decided to jump in front of my car. It is hunting season around here but I'm not sure which animal anymore...it seems to change frequently. If you like to hunt this is the country for it. Everywhere that I look I see hunters around town. I can hear gun shoots in the wilderness around my home too. My plan is to eventually get a gun of some type (and maybe even go hunting in the future?...) A friend of mine got his deer yesterday in Montana. His BIG dog has already tried to tear down the door to get at the meat. Speaking of dogs, I am thinking about getting a large dog for protection. I especially would like a big one that could scare the bears away in the spring. I am planting berries in my yard and do not want to have to fight the bears for them. It is already bad enough that they want the fruit from the fruit trees. I am trying to get my garden plot ready for spring by rototilling it and fixing the fence but the weather has not been cooperating. I have taken down the old wire from the fence in preparation for replacing it. I would like to make the garden area larger. I have so many strawberries to plant that I could fill the whole area that is already marked off. I will need more space. I plan to plant raspberries and blackberries by the solid wooden fence so that I can see clearly if any bears are around (they won't be able to hide on the other side of the berry bushes). I have to go into Clark Fork tomorrow so will probably not get my strawberries planted then, but I will try to stop at my daughter F's house and dig up some raspberry plants. Her raspberries are so thick and are spreading into areas where they are not wanted...so I will help take care of that problem by moving some to my yard. I wish I could transplant Huckleberries too, they are so delicious and cost anywhere from $35 to $40 per gallon. I already have elderberries growing in my yard. Well enough about fruits. I will have something much more interesting next time. Love to all, CJ PS I have added family pictures...

Almost back to normal...

Hey friends. I haven't written for a couple of weeks, because of many reasons. It started two weeks ago when I had an episode of extremely high BP. It went up to 248/146. Yes, I did feel terrible. I ended up in the ER and was kept overnight for observations. It took from about 8 pm until 6 am for them to get it back down to normal using a nitrogen drip IV. I finally started feeling better when the BP came back to normal. Since then I have been taking it easier... at least until a few days ago when I finished stacking my wood. It had been split but the last 1/2 cord or so still needed to be stacked. It took me from 10am to 5:30 pm on day to get it done. I took a few "drink" breaks but finally got it done. The next day I was too sore to move. That lasted until yesterday when I finally could move without wincing. Today I only did small things, like paint an address sign for my porch and put away some things that I bought at the store yesterday such as toothpaste, etc. I put the perishable things away last evening after I got home from shopping. I actually went into town to get some prescriptions for some of my medications that I am running out of...but they weren't there (the prescriptions or the doctor) so I wasted the gas. I have a follow up appointment on Friday so will hopefully get them then. I have avoided typing on my computer because of the pain in my R. shoulder, which I think is caused from being on the computer too much. I have been researching coupons and other things on the computer the last two days. Today I stayed off the computer until just now (it is now 2 am). I need to get to sleep but am not sleepy yet. I hate not being able to sleep. Does this sleeplessness come with menopause? I've heard that it does but I am the only person that I know with this problem. Have you experienced it? Please let me know that I am not alone. I am going to go read to see if it will make me sleepy. Good night all. Love CJ

Too Proud [or Stupid] to ask for Help??

Well, hello again friends. I was talking about wanting to be independent and what happened? While trying to put up a bathroom cabinet I dropped it, thus breaking the mirror! All I needed was someone to help hold it in place. But, of course, I couldn't wait until there was someone who could help me. I had to try to do it by myself. Maybe independence isn't always the best way to go. Speaking of independence makes me think of shooting a gun. There is a quarry near my home where I can go shooting. Now if I could just borrow a gun! Does anyone have one to loan me? LOL. Really, I am going to ask my son-in-law Jo... to take me out shooting. He says that I need to have a gun...if only to shoot Yogi for the meat. Sorry, Jo... but unless Yogi threatens me or my dog, I will not shoot him OR eat him. But I would not mind going hunting with my daughter F... she goes every year with her husbands family while her husband stays home with the kids. Her husband hunts with a bow which is at a different time then gun hunting. He will go out during the day for deer or elk. We also have moose around here but I don't know if there is a hunting season for moose. I think that there is actually a bear season though. Until I moved here I never even thought about hunting seasons. I used to spend my time playing [sometimes working] on my computer. Today I spent hours on my computer. The stupid thing kept freezing-up and I would have to start over again. How do you spell frustration? I spell it like this: C O M P U T E R! Yesterday it snowed at my house. Today a little bit of snow is still sticking in some areas. It was 16 degrees this am and in the afternoon it was 28 degrees. I have been trying to keep the fire in the wood stove going all day. It seems to be either too cold or too hot in here. But at least my little chihuahua isn't shaking anymore. I have a cute little chihuahua, who has the personality of a wild animal. She will lick me and jump all over me, wiggling her little behind and making u-turns but with other people she barks, growls and nips at their heels. There is a rumor that she is much nicer and calmer if I am not around. She even allows my granddaughters to carry her around if I am gone. But as soon as I come home she mysteriously turns back into a monster. Am I so pathetic that a tiny 3 lb dog thinks that she has to protect me? I call her "sweetie". But most people call her "Rosita" or "Rosie". No one except me [and my grandchildren] think she is a sweetie. I have another sweetie in my life too. My cat, "Ginger" who is part Siamese. She has blue eyes, and white with dark tiger lines and a raccoon-ring tail. Why name her "Ginger" you ask? It's a long and boring story so I'll spare you the details. "Ginger" came to live with us when she was only half the size of "Sweetie". She is now over twice "Sweetie's" size. They both love to snuggle under the blankets with me at night. They are the cuddliest, smartest, sweetest, and warmest bed partners I've ever had!! [Sorry to my ex if he should hear about or read this]. Why did I move way up here? This is also a long story and one that I need to think about before I can share it. I want to assure my family and friends that I love it here. Of course, I might have a different opinion after my first winter. Some may ask, where is here? Here is in the country near Clark Fork, ID. There is a forest outside my back door and a gravel road in front of my large front yard. The front yard has a fenced garden, fruit trees, pine trees and lots of grass. Spring will be a time of extreme activity! I spent the summer on my hands and knees, planting, weeding, and harvesting the garden. Jo.. & F.. (and I) harvested tomatoes, corn, beans, peas, pumpkins, (the zucchini died, but we were able to get plenty from other people at church), carrots, onions, lettuce, spinach, broccoli and potatoes (after all, this is Idaho). We had such bounty that, even with canning and freezing, we were able to take our extra vegetables to the farmers market. I have to admit that F.. did the most and the hardest work. They {I did a little with them) have spent time this fall cutting, loading, delivering, and splitting wood for three homes and a business. I really appreciate them getting wood for me for the winter. I really appreciate them. Jo.. is an amazing worker and so are his parents and my daughter F. I have learned a new word from them. DILIGENCE. Diligence is a new concept for me, I am sorry to have to admit. I have been reading a book "Preach my Gospel". In this book, on page 121, it defines diligence as...steady, consistent, earnest and energetic effort. It is to work persistently and with great effort and care. Also to work effectively and with efficiency, using my free will to do good things, and to continue until I have done all that I can, even when I am tired. The way to be diligent is 1) to focus on things of importance, 2) avoid wasting time, 3) pray for guidance and strength, 4) plan regularly and effectively and 5)avoid distractions of mind and/or body. My son-in-law and his family are the most diligent people I have ever met. They do everything with full force and enthusiasm. I doubt that anyone could keep up with them. My daughter has learned from them since she married into their family almost 10 years ago. I am trying to become more diligent. Since I moved here June 1st, I have lost 33 lbs. I have increased my activity level by kayaking, walking, gardening, and playing with my grandchildren. I have also made it a rule to only eat when hungry and stop eating before I'm stuffed. I do not miss those extra pounds! I need to find ways to stay active in the winter. Snowshoeing or alpine skiing sound like fun. There is also a ski resort within a reasonable distance from Sandpoint. I hope to go with my granddaughters [J, B, and R] and take lessons with them. It has been over thirty years since I took skiing lessons on Mt. Hood. I will need lessons, especially to learn how to get up from a fall! It has been delightful being with you tonight. You make my living alone less lonely.

Single women need tools!

Today started out fairly well. I puttered around the house in the morning then had to go to town for an appointment. Since I was already in the big town of Sandpoint, I decided to do some shopping, mostly groceries. I also visited the Habitat for Humanity Restore. What a great place. It has everything, including the kitchen sink! This is only the second one I have ever visited and it is so much nicer and has much better items for sale than the one in Oregon. I was able to buy myself a B&D drill & power screwdriver. A single woman needs this type of tool on hand. I can now put up my own shelves and not have to ask someone for help. I really like to be independent. Having worked with the elderly in the past, I realize that independence will not last forever. I do not look forward to those "golden years", especially since I have heard that they are not so golden after all. Talk to an old person, say in his or her 80's or 90's and if you ask the correct questions you will learn that the weak and cripple old man was once a navy seal, or that the fragile and bent old woman once danced in the movies. It is interesting how they seem different from us younger adults but are really just the same inside. As I age I am beginning to understand about being frustrated with a body that is not willing to do things that were once easy to do...such as split wood. I guess that is why God gave us son's and son-in-law's to care for us as we age (at least that is what I hope will happen). Tell me your aging stories or experiences. Maybe you have some great things about aging that you would like to share. I feel that there are some great things about aging. #1 I am not afraid to talk to people as I was when I was a young adult and a child. I am not afraid of most things (except bears!) anymore. #2 I love being a grandparent...my youngest grandson just turned 1 last week. Have you ever noticed how the time seem to literally go faster as you age? I heard a person I once knew in California say that she thought that it was not just an illusion but an actual fact that time is moving faster than it used to. Wouldn't you think that modern science would have discovered this fact if it were true?

I'm following other blogs...do you want to be one of them?

I found a blog of the son of one of my friends from when I lived in Oregon. I have made his blog one that I am watching...do you have something that I might be interested in following also? If so, drop me a note. I might want to follow your blog also.

This and That goes online Oct. 2009

There is much happening to this city girl moved to the country! Just as an introduction, I moved from a town of about 80,000 people to a small township without a posted population. The nearest town is Clark Fork with a population of 530 people. I would guess that there are about 40 people in my new "town" in the country. We have no gas station, no store, but we do have a post office and a very small library. I heard that the library had to be closed all last week, because someone checked out the book. (Sorry about my sense of humor but you'll get used to it). The biggest occurrence (of interest) is that I have a bear that visits my yard every day. He comes while it is dark out to eat fruit from the trees in my yard. I have seen him at 5 am and at 9:15 pm, and I see his calling card that he leaves in my yard daily. If you think it is terrible to clean up after your German shepherd, try cleaning up after Yogi the bear. Yes, I call him Yogi. It seemed appropriate. Other interesting wildlife around here are; moose (I haven't seen one at my house yet but I did see one in a large field on a back road), elk (I saw three just a few days ago along side of the Hwy), deer (lots of them everywhere), I heard an elk in the woods (making a bugle sound - his mating call). I have also heard coyotes yipping, a wolf howl, lots of birds (both day and night birds). It is very quiet here, except when the wind blows hard. The electricity seems to go out most every day at least for a little while. I definitely need to get a battery powered alarm clock.