Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Back to Normal

Life is returning to normal around these parts....someone came up with the term "Chiberia" get it?....Chicago/Siberia and it truly was pretty damn cold here for the last 3 days.  It warmed into the teens today so everyone went back to work and the kids FINALLY went back to school.  I bet those Moms of all those totally bored, stuck in the house kids were absolutely delighted when those little darlings stepped into those big yellow buses this morning.  And I do believe everybody decided at the exact same time to return to work....the roads around here were packed, not with snow but with traffic at the exact time I was leaving to go to our first Bible Study session of the year.  Maybe now that temps will be rising into the 20's and the balmy 30's people will get back to a regular schedule.  Garbage pick-up today....hurrah!!

As I mentioned yesterday we are doing a Beth Moore study from the Book of James.   We viewed a short introduction video and I am convinced this woman must be on some kind of a "holy high" what with her faster than a speeding bullet delivery.  She honestly overwhelms me with her "over-the-top" enthusiasm.  We have 2 women in our group that are not returning because of this study...they just can't "take" her.  I know she has a kazillion women that absolutely adore her, and I almost sound blasphemous with my critique, but omg, she needs to take a breath.  I LOVED our last study, it was quiet, thought provoking....this one....hmmm.  OK...don't hate me for my opinion, and that is exactly what it is...."my opinion."


OK...on to better thoughts.  My Downton Abbey groupies gathered at a nearby restaurant to chat about our absolute favorite TV show....we brought books, articles & magazines that were all about Downton Abbey.  We all agreed, Edith will be a hit this year, and Maggie Smith as Lady Violet Crawley has to have the best lines of all, delivering them with perfect pitch.   Do you have a favorite character?  We chatted and drank, some had tea, others had a glass of wine, ate and chatted more. A grand afternoon.

I drove around a bit after we ended our gathering trying to capture some snow shots, but there are so many piles, and tall piles that it was difficult to get to a spot to capture the beauty of the landscape.



Gotta go....kids are getting restless, been gone for most of the day so you know they want a little time with Mom.

"For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Until next time....

25 comments:

  1. Some ladies I know feel the same as your no-shows. My SS class has had several of her studies, but I've never attended though I have in a previous life. Nice images...love the birds!

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  2. Ohhhh those little birds are precious. I bet those moms were ALL to happy to shove i mean push I mean wave good bye to their little ones off to school!!

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  3. my favorite character in Downton Abbey is Maggie Smith (known from the Harry Potter movies. i love her!!) her humor, her outfits, those hats, she is the greatest!! ( :

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  4. Love the Starlings lined up on the fence.
    Lady Violet is my favorite DA character. You're right...she gets all the best lines.

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  5. Glad things are getting back to normal there.
    Being from Texas, you won't be surprised when I tell you it was 12, for the low yesterday morning, and 39 this morning.
    The weather roller coaster, is back in gear.

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  6. Love that Emerson quote - so true. Glad things are back to normal there and hope it warms up soon. That is funny about your bible study - I got a good laugh out of that. Over enthusiasm is a bit of a turn-off sometimes. Love the beautiful images today - those birds are just so sweet. We escaped the cold, but not the ever present rain here near Seattle. But that is what we are famous for. Keep cozy. xo

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  7. Love your honesty here. I know I would prefer a quieter approach to things as well. I love those little birds - perfect capture!

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  8. Oh I love the grey in your header, that is perfect for the snowy month of January. Sounds like you had a full day, I watched Downton but thought it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. I don't know it seem so go on a lot about nothing. I did enjoyed Anna and Mr Bates interaction and also Edith new roll but the fact that Lady Cora went ahead and hired the new Lady's Maid just didn't seem like it fit in right with me especially not consulting Mrs Hughes. I don't know it just seemed like a strange plot for the most part all the way around.

    I love the bird on the fence shot and the show images are awesome.

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  9. Thanks for mentioning the 50mm photo class the other day! I was able to get in and am looking forward to some new insight into photography and using my 50mm lenses.

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  10. love the starling line-up. glad temps are returning to normal winter there. :)

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  11. The "on the fence" birds are perfect - frame that one! I like enthusiasm - in moderation.

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  12. I know what you mean about the "over the top-ness" of Beth Moore's delivery. I wish I had half of her energy! I generally like a quieter approach, too. I liked her best when she was delving into the details.

    That bird shot is gorgeous! Such great detail. Glad you're able to get out and about in the warmer temps.

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  13. I like quiet thought provoking like the spruce in the snowy landscape . . . inspiring.

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  14. Hi Deanna! I just popped over here from Barb's blog! I like all your 50mm shots. That's a great little lens, isn't it?
    I scrolled back a few posts to read a few of your chatty musings and noticed how popular "Downton Abbey" is over there!! In England, it's been having mixed reviews because it's so slow-moving and the dialogues have been criticized. Oh well, not everyone can be pleased all of the time! I'm still enjoying it here in Switzerland where I live.
    Looking through friendly comments on my blog, I can see very nice Christmas greetings from you and I'm not sure if I returned them, so now I've come in to wish you a wonderful 2014!
    My favourite 50mm shot is the one of your dog wanting to play ball inside. Your focus on his nose is spot on and I love his eyes and hair in soft focus!

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  15. Glad you're back out and about. Stay warm!! We're still in the deep freeze, oy! Love the term Chiberia!
    And Downton!! oo I dislike that Thomas and have always been rooting for Edith!

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  16. Those little birds in a row look like they would make a cute card.

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  17. Hi Deanna. Love the line up of starlings and the second but last shot is stunning.

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  18. Glad things are becoming "normal". Love the bird shot, and that second shot is simple wonderful. My favorite Downton character changes from minute to minute. We both love that series. (I hate to admit, but I think I have a crush on Mr. Barrow. I know, I know . . . )

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  19. Great quote. Lovely photographs. As always :-).

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  20. I have always loved Maggie Smith in anything she's done. She's a wonder! Yes, 'normal' is good. Miss C went back to school yesterday and was excited to do so. I was excited, too! You got some lovely snow images in spite of the not-so-pretty aftermath that occurs with snow. Have a grand day, my friend!

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  21. Everyone seems to be buzzing about Downton Abbey- I have got to check this show out! Have a wonderful day!

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  22. That first photo of the birds is FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Such crispness and clarity! I never thought I'd say this but....I'm kinda liking "Thomas" this season so far. I always disliked him IMMENSELY! So I'm a bit gobsmacked at my turnaround! And I agree about both Lady Edith AND Maggie Smith. Brilliant I say! :)

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  23. I am a huge fan of Maggie Smith, love her zinger lines! I think you still found some beautiful winter footage to shoot.

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  24. I watched only a couple of the first episodes of the first season and never got back to it.. But it is on Netflix and I keep saying I am going to watch it, we shall see. Loving all your photos my friend.

    Hugs~

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  25. I do tend to agree about Beth Moore. I've only done one study of hers, this past summer. My friend, who hosted the Bible study, was absolutely over the top about this particular study & invited several of us to join in. Gotta say, it was good - but I must not have been in the right place for this study to have a deep affect on me? There were parts that were good, but as you said - her enthusiasm sometimes just doesn't seem real (to me at least).

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