tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33953382890336229082024-03-05T23:31:05.712-06:00Snippets from SpringdaleThis is a place where I like to share the joy I have discovered in photography, the everyday images of life around me, and a journal of my days.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.comBlogger976125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-44603540157895655112020-05-14T17:29:00.001-05:002020-05-14T17:31:47.103-05:00Enlighten Me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I stood at my front door this morning, watching the rain fall and enjoying all of the Spring pleasures of greens, pinks, yellows, reds, colors which we normally never see during our long winters. While standing at the door, relishing the lushness surrounding me, I thought to myself, if I take a picture of what my eyes are seeing at this moment no one would have a clue what is going on in this world. I feel safe when I am walking outside, keeping my distance from anyone near me, but thoughts of going into a restaurant, being on a crowded beach, sending children back to school, even going to church has me frightened. It's difficult for me to wrap my head around this article that appeared in our local newspaper...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "helveticaneue" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">heir thinking, as alluded to in a Naperville Sun article, is that despite what medical experts say about prematurely easing stay-at-home orders, an educated population can figure out what to do for themselves. And, that continuing to go without park facilities is a bigger problem for the city's population than the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is basically saying, let's ignore what our national experts warn against, that opening up too soon could be deadly to many, but instead it's more important to open our public parks and our Naperville Swimming Pool and let the "educated population" figure it out. Our most educated population is saying "not a good idea". Getting people safely back to work would seem to me to be more important than having a fun day at Centennial Beach. I know everybody has their own opinions about this current "lock-down", many feeling it is taking away their rights to certain freedoms but I don't see it as taking away our freedoms, but protecting us for our freedoms. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm really </span></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">deeply </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">disturbed when I think that our leaders did not prepare us for all of this devastation, did not have enough protective equipment for our front line workers, did not warn us of the danger that was coming, and now want to rush back into "normalcy" way way too soon. Yesterday I actually saw friends I knew due to a surprise birthday drive by parade for a good friend's birthday for the first time since March 11th. Afterwards I stopped my car to chat with another really good friend, social distancing ofcourse. I so wanted to reach out and give her a big hug and I know eventually that will happen, but not for awhile. Maybe not for a long while if we keep ignoring the warnings that our TOP medical experts keep relaying. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I normally don't sound off like this, I am usually a very positive person, love life and all that it offers, but ignoring the warnings and hearing that </span></span><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Illinois public health officials yesterday announced 138 new deaths reported from COVID-19, among 3,239 newly identified cases. That makes for a total of 3,928 deaths and 87,937 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Almost 3,500 new cases as of yesterday and our city mayor wants to open our parks and swimming pool. Someone needs to enlighten me on the reasoning behind this. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll stop my ranting, I just don't want to be one of those statistics. So I will choose to stay away from the parks and the swimming pools, will only go to a restaurant for curbside service, will wear a mask whenever I am in a public place, such as Walgreens and grocery stores, go the Morton Arboretum when it opens but remain a safe distance from everyone where it's easy to do with their 1,700 acres, and continue to pray that someday we will conquere this villian that has changed all of our lives. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time, stay safe, stay well,</span></span><br />
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A brand new Monday in a brand new month. May, one of the most beautiful months of the year. I debate with myself over which season I love more, Spring or Fall. Most Springs around here are "fairly iffy, usually not very nice weather. Many days are cool, cloudy, and rainy, lots of days are windy. Ever wonder why they call Chicago "the windy city"? Well, actually it has nothing to do with the "wind" but a <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.8px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">popular <span style="font-family: inherit;">theory holds that it was coined in reference to Chicago’s bloviating residents and politicians, who were deemed to be “full of hot air.” Don't you love that word, "bloviating" - the dictionary defines it "to speak pompously." Well, I do believe we have had our fair share of bloviating politicians and others in our history, recent history, very recent history, how about right now??!! And I'm not speaking of our current leaders in Chicago, I commend our new mayor, Lori Lightfoot and our new govenor, Gov. J.B. Pritzker for being such strong leaders, making sound decisions and speaking honestly about our current way of life. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.8px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wish I could announce some good news or tell you about a great event I attended recently, but my events are limited to talking to neighbors as I walk with Lily. I've met a couple of new neighbors, seen some I haven't seen in months. Most people are friendly, they give a wave or say hello, others walk as if they are on a mission from God, like Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in the Blues Brothers. Can you believe that movie was released in 1980? That's 40 years ago and I can still remember most of it, especially the music. My communication is limited to those short visits with neighbors, a hi or a wave to others and ZOOM. Thank goodness for ZOOM. Not the optimal way to communicate but it sure beats no communication at all. We've been ZOOMing our Bible Study on Wednesdays, I meet via ZOOM with my photography buddies on Fridays, and a couple of weeks ago I started a Saturday Night ZOOM party with some of my girlfriends. We usually are tipping a glass of wine or another elixer as we talk about our week, ponder our existence, and dream of the day we can rejoin the human race.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.8px;">A couple of weeks ago my neighbor messaged me with a "self-care" list that she had received from a nurse friend of hers. I obviously erased it because now when I want/need it I can't retrieve it. But I did google "self care checklist" and bunches of them appeared. After reading a dozen or so I think this one is fairly like the original nurse list. I think we all need to think of "self-care" during this extremely stressful time in all of our lives and just maybe this might help you with some ideas. A couple of asides...I drink coffee, not tea in the mornings, and nowhere did I see "enjoy a glass of your favorite wine" so feel free to add, subtract or substitute wherever necessary. And FYI, if you have an Amazon Echo you can ask Alexa to play "meditation music" or play "classical meditation music" which has been a bonus in seeking peace. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.8px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time....stay safe, stay well,</span></span></span><br />
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Today I was scheduled to be on a photography trip to the Smokey Mountains, enjoying the Spring wildflowers and the view from those glorious mountain tops. Ofcourse I am not there, nor will I be on my scheduled river boat trip with Uniworld in June from Passau (Berlin) to Budapest on the Danube River. And at the top of my bucket list was a trip to Africa in August to marvel at the animal migrations, which also isn't happening. So many plans, dissolved in our new world. All these adventures, except for the Smokey Mountains involved airplane travel. I honestly don't know when I will feel comfortable on long flights that are required to tour those lovely places. Perhaps if all those brilliant scientiest that are working toward finding an effective vaccination and if they are successful, will bring comfort and confidence to once again resume a somewhat normal life . Praying. I know eventually we will recover, it's a matter of time, patience, and adhering to the safety guidelines.<br />
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On May 1 our govenor mandated that all wear masks when in a public place. I'm surprised it took this long for this to happen, altho my guess is that all will not obey. I told my girlfriends at least a month ago that the next biggest fashion craze would be designer face masks. Not claiming bragging rights, but have you checked Etsy lately? For literally a scrap of material, minimal elastic and voila a face mask for $20, $30 or higher. Creativity and resourcefulness at its prime. I've seen some pretty impressive fabrics made into face masks. Before this whole thing is over our mask collection may rival our jewelry collection. I just ordered the one below...<br />
<img alt="Cat All Over Prints" height="640" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0301/9171/4441/products/1111-8CATFM02-26_2000x.jpg?v=1587476081" width="640" /></div>
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I just returned from my almost daily walk with Lily, it's beautiful, sun shining 70 degrees, and blooms bursting. I was surprised by how much the neighborhood resembled a regular Saturday, couples working in their gardens, men mowing lawns, kids fishing at the lake, bicycles racing by, flowers in pots ready to be planted. You could almost forget for a few moments about the alarming world beyond.<br />
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A neighbor that I had not talked with or seen for quite a while called me this morning. It was so good to hear her voice. We chatted for over 1/2 hour, sometimes silly chatter, sometimes more serious. She tries to reach out to those she hasn't seen or spoken to in awhile to let them know she is thinking of them. I felt blessed to be in her thoughts. I am hoping that by writing this blog that I am reaching out to you, all of you that have read my blog in the past and those of you that have returned to read my ramblings.<br />
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OK now it's Sunday, I never managed to finish this yesterday, but today on my Lily walk with camera hanging around my shoulder I snapped some beauties as we traveled. With our spring-like temps and rain earlier this week, spring blossoms are in abundance. I noticed quite a few neighbors have purchased pots of flowers ready to plant and I also heard that the garden centers were overflowing with customers this weekend. After Mother's Day is my start date for most of my plantings plus I really don't want to be in the midst of the masses on the weekends.<br />
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Our church has on-line services on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, most of the service like the music, the prayers, the readings from the Bible are all pre-taped. The only segment that is live is our Pastor Pat with his sermon for the day. He began a new series today, and today our focus was on Psalm 139, Pastor Pat asked us to close our eyes and listen closely to the words...."Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." After reading it a second time, he asked us to open our eyes, but Deanna had unfortunately slipped off to sleep and did not wake up until Lily barked and Pastor Cindy was repeating the Lord's prayer. I guess being in my PJ's and sitting in my comfy chair is not the wisest place to focus and listen to our Sunday morning service. Fortunately the services are taped and we can re-listen, which I did. The phrase "God knows everything about me...." darn He knows that I fell asleep. Next week I'll be better.<br />
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Until next time...stay safe, stay well,<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-12529111766810998712020-04-29T18:58:00.001-05:002020-05-02T09:06:01.620-05:00Life Continues, Seasons Come...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Haven't checked in for a few days, honestly not much is new in my life. Still in self-quarantine, still haven't accomplished much around the house altho what a perfect time, right?? I can't seem to stay focused on any one thing. I begin a task, then I get sidetracked onto something else. If I come out of this pandemic without accomplishing anything at home I'm gonna be mighty angry with myself. Perfect time to read, there have been some great deals on Kindle books lately, but honestly I read only a few pages and I either fall asleep or my mind begins to wander.<br />
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I read an email today from Susannah Conway, a Brit that's written books, photographer, Tarot Card devotee (which I have absolutely no interest in) but in the email I found something that kinda explains what's going on in peoples hearts and minds during this time of exile. When it comes to stressful situations there are loosely two kinds of humans, dealers and feelers. The dealers deal with uncertainty by action, they are productive, they make plans and get shit done. The feelers on the other hand move through this time with uncertainty and chaos in a feeling state. They find it difficult to focus and can't get their shit together. Guess where I fall. Obviously there are those that are in-between but I'm pretty sure most of us fall in one category or another.<br />
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Today, our govenor announced no school for the rest of this school year. No surprise. With the cases still mounting, our hospitals still struggling, people still dying, who would feel safe going back to school or to a movie, or to church, or anywhere there is a cluster of people. We are living in a Stephen King novel. Damn!<br />
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Thank God for the advances in technology that we can stay in touch via ZOOM, texts, messaging, facetime etc. You don't have to be totally isolated with these high tech advances. Altho a surprise Facetime that catches me offguard with no makeup, hair not combed, and still in my PJ's, not a good look.<br />
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I don't lack for entertainment via TV....I stream Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Acorn, Sundance, Apple TV and PBS. None of them are expensive, except Prime and it's a yearly fee with other perks as well as Prime Video, and it gives you a world of entertainment, takes your mind to a different place and time. You may think this is a little overboard, but I'm alone, have been for 8 years and I enjoy a good story. The networks have been really lacking lately in decent TV. I think the only regular TV show that I continue to watch is "How to Get Away With Murder" It is down to the last 3 episodes so then that will be gone. Oops forgot about Killing Eve....I really like both characters. I do watch PBS quite a bit. World On Fire started a couple of weeks ago on Sunday nights is a good one. If you didn't catch Windermere Children a movie about the surviving children of the Nazi consentration camps, a true story and is quite compelling, I recommend a watch. I know we don't want to hear, see or read about the horrors of war, but this was truly inspiring.<br />
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I'm considering one of those home delivery meals, there are quite a few choices of companies but when looking over their selections I am a little overwhelmed with their meal descriptions.... Roasted togarashi salmon with miso-glazed eggplant, Korean glass noodle japchae with cabbage and carrots, then this one Cauliflower-Shell Bolognese with ground beef and Italian Cheeses. If I went into a restaurant and these were on the menu, there would be no way I would order any of these. Can you understand my dilemma? Anybody else tried one of these companies?? Would you recommend any particular one??<br />
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Hmm, I started this post probably a week ago and never finished it...again proving that I am in the "feelers" group. Since then I have made my first entry into civilization by making a trip to Walgreens, mask on. Glad to say everyone in the store had masks on, excluding a vendor taking inventory in the liquor department. Walgreen's had my favorite ice cream on sale, Haagan Dazs Swiss Vanilla with Chocolate Covered Almonds, buy one, get one 1/2 off. I bought two, came home and immediately devoured one without stopping. Ice cream is a comfort food for me and I've been without that comfort for a few weeks. Don't judge.<br />
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I read and see on the news that many want everything to open back up and resume life. I get it, I know people are suffering without income, lacking social lives, without a place to go daily, feeling totaly helpless and without hope. But....I honestly think it's too early. The virus is still attacking. Here in Illinois there were 2,253 new cases today along with 92 deaths TODAY. If we open up now, how many more cases and how many more deaths will there be??? I don't get those religious fanatics that want to open their churches and claim that Jesus will protect them....yes, but Jesus also gave us brains and rational thinking. Sorry...I'm ranting. They also may be secretly sipping Lysol too. I miss my church and my church family alot, but I'm willing to wait until I am convinced it's safe. I have daily conversations with my Lord, I don't need to go to a building to have a relationship with Christ. We have ZOOM Bible Study every Wednesday, I love seeing all their faces and hearing their voices. I know it's not the same, but it's better than risking my life and theirs as well.<br />
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OK, enough. It is really looking like Spring around here. Lily and I walk almost everyday, not today because we are having our April showers, all day long. The grass is so green, the flowering trees are beginning to blossom, the tulips are up with their brilliant colored blooms, ahhh. Life continues, seasons come, babies are born, and one day our lives will resume.<br />
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Until next time, stay safe and well,<br />
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Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-70761781545649631212020-04-10T11:53:00.002-05:002020-04-10T12:01:00.965-05:00This Time Last Year...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Right now, the temps are in the 60's, the sun is shining and there is very little wind, the perfect day to grab my camera and breeze over to the Morton Arboretum or drive up to the Chicago Botanic Garden, but oh wait, they're closed.<br />
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So today, I have to rely on pictures from last year. Sweet memories, I was in France on a riverboat cruise with girlfriends in April, with an extended 5 day stay in Paris. I know you will remember this time last year, we arrived in Paris the day after Notre Dame caught on fire. How devastating that was for Parisians and for the world. Thank goodness I had been to Paris 3 years prior and had toured the church, but it was still such a disappointment and loss. Several blocks around the cathedral were blocked off and even the river boat cruises could not sail past the site. Just googled progress on the restoration and the building is still covered in scaffolding with no end date. It's hard to believe Notre Dame was built in the 1200's and this past Christmas is the first time in history that they have not celebrated Christmas Mass. I'm not going to do the math, but the number must be staggering.<br />
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The side of Notre Dame in 1995</div>
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Paris has to be one of my favorite cities in the world. I've been twice and could go again without hesitation. The architecture is so magnificent, their neighborhoods are exquisite, their parks are gorgeous, their museums are supurb. If you haven't been go, well not right now, but you know, when things return to normal. And who knows when that will be, there is no such thing as planning ahead these days. One day at a time.<br />
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City of Lyon</div>
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Avignon<br />
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Our riverboat cruise was in the south of France, from Lyon to Avignon. We drank a lot of wine and visited quite a few wineries and even a truffle farm. Truffles are grown underground and history tells us pigs would dig them up, but today the truffle farms now have dogs that do the digging, instead of oink oink, we have barks. Rather fascinating to watch a dog sniff them out. Damn expensive little morsels. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The Perigord Black </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">truffle</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">grow</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> from spores that live underground in a symbiotic relationship with the roots of several tree species in particular hazel and oaks. The fungus helps the tree extract nutrients from the ground and the tree provides the </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">truffle</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> fungus with carbohydrates to </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">grow</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. Those last two sentences were copied directly from the internet. It's rather a complex system to grow and harvest those "diamonds in the kitchen" . A term used by a French lover of food. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"> Scene from the first night on board our river boat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Along with wine and truffles we also toured cathedrals, bakeries, museums, walked through small villages, visited the markets, and even saw the bull running thru the streets of Arles prior to the bull fight, which we did not stick around for. Easter weekend Arles has an massive outdoor market where you could easily drop quite a few euros, street bands and ofcourse the bull fight. Quite a fun day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The neighborhoods of France</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We spent Easter Sunday traveling by train from Avignon to Paris, checking into our Paris hotel late in the afternoon. Literally dropping our bags in our room, we headed outside. The famous Tuileries Garden was a block away so off we headed to drink in the beauty. We ate our first meal in an outdoor corner bistro across from the garden. What fond memories. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">And to end this rather lengthy blog post, I am sharing a post from a facebook friend whose 16 year old daughter, Anya said this...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">“I don’t understand the concept of “needing” friends. Sure it’s nice to have friends & other people around & I enjoy being with my friends and family when I can. But </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline;">the idea of being unhappy when you can’t see them or the idea of NEEDING to be with them for happiness doesn’t make sense to me. You should learn to be happy within yourself, be happy with just your own company, in your own skin & not find happiness IN others. If you rely on others or being with others for your happiness, you will always be disappointed because people can let you down. Find happiness within & then share it with your friends when you are together.”</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuhSbDoq0uav6G4_z8ngYmIMiGUohMedbBdK6b0rEOtJKiCPBic7b-6AInz7eMBAc54gHZplp_Zg0ttmZwY_FN27BEg9NjyVE4iTmo_B5SyKWOfH4cz6QKoc0WZoEqCSAy1dPc0gEEmEG/s1600/4-9-1-Edit-studio+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuhSbDoq0uav6G4_z8ngYmIMiGUohMedbBdK6b0rEOtJKiCPBic7b-6AInz7eMBAc54gHZplp_Zg0ttmZwY_FN27BEg9NjyVE4iTmo_B5SyKWOfH4cz6QKoc0WZoEqCSAy1dPc0gEEmEG/s1600/4-9-1-Edit-studio+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline;">Finding that happiness from within, having faith that we will return to being with our friends and family, is the real message here. We can't rely on others for our needs or our happiness right now, we have to rely on our own strengths and faith, realizing our true blessings. God bless you during this Christian Holy Week and Jewish Passover. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline;">Until next time, stay safe, stay well, stay calm....</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline;"><br /></span></span></span>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-53307803318557434762020-04-07T13:15:00.000-05:002020-04-07T13:15:25.105-05:00Smiles, Giggles and Laughter...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After I finished writing my latest post I thought back to when I created this blog, way back on April 10, 2011 I published my first post. Now 970 blog posts later, completely ignoring this space for years, I have returned to this page. Thinking back 2011 was a stressful time for me. My sweetie was still living at home, failing fast with Alzheimers, my mother who had been living with us had passed away the previous November, I was apart from my friends and activities, but blogging, along with photography was a savior to me. Kind of like I am today. The circumstances are totally different, but not really. Blogging was a stress reliever for me back in 2011 and now in 2020 it's emerged once again to be a repeat performance of stress relief. I hope each of you has found something, anything to relieve the tension that has become a daily dose. If I had young children now and had to be responsible for helping them learn at home, the scene would be a complete failure.<br />
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However, along with the tension and stress there has been some outloud giggles and laughter. I have collected some of these "funnies" I have seen posted on Facebook and want to share them with you and maybe you can laugh outloud or at least put a smile on your face. But I gotta admit that the absolutely funniest one I've seen and can't post are the pictures of honest to god folks and their inventive means of protecting themselves. Now if you can, picture this....woman in grocery store with a party hat strapped around her head as protection for her mouth and nose, pointy and colorful, another lady totally wrapped in plastic, not sure how she was breathing, and the man paying the grocery cashier with a paper bag over his head, a black garbage bag over his arms and torso, plastic packing wrapped around his legs, trying to get money out of his wallet with yellow plastic gloves as protection for his hands all the while the cashier is trying really really hard not to laugh at him. And finally the lady at Home Depot with a zippered plastic blanket container over her head with the clerk again probably trying very hard not to laugh, not to mention the lady on the motorcycle with her bags of groceries hanging from the handle bars with a kitchen sponge wrapped around her face, you know one of those yellow sponges with the green scrubber on the backside. At least she had the scrubber part facing out. You gotta give them credit, just trying to protect themselves.<br />
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I've also read these funnies....<br />
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<b>If you see my kids </b></div>
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<b>crying outside and</b></div>
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<b>picking weeds just</b></div>
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<b>keep on driving.</b></div>
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<b>They're on a field trip.</b></div>
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<b>Warning:</b></div>
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<b>Wear your mask at home.</b></div>
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<b>This is not to avoid the</b></div>
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<b>virus, it's to avoid the</b></div>
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<b>constant eating.</b></div>
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<b>Does anyone know if we can</b></div>
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<b>take showers yet or should</b></div>
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<b>we just keep washing our hands?</b></div>
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<b>Remember when we were little and had</b></div>
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<b>underwear with the days of the week</b></div>
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<b>on them? Yah. Those would be</b></div>
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<b>helpful right now.</b></div>
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<b>Home schooling question:</b></div>
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<b>Does having your children fix you mixed</b></div>
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<b>cocktails count as chemistry?</b></div>
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<b>Gwenyth Paltrow said in an interview we should take</b></div>
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<b>this time to learn a new language or write a book.</b></div>
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<b>I just shook chip crumbs out of my bra & I don't know</b></div>
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<b>what day it is. I'm fairly certain I'm not going</b></div>
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<b>to attempt either of these things.</b></div>
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<b>Ran out of toilet paper and now</b></div>
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<b>using lettuce leaves. Today was just</b></div>
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<b>the tip of the iceburg, tomorrow romaines</b></div>
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<b>to be seen.</b></div>
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<b>Anyone else's car getting 3 weeks </b></div>
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<b>to the gallon at the moment?</b></div>
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<b>Stepped on my scale this morning and it</b></div>
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<b>said: Please use social distancing,</b></div>
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<b>one person at a time. </b></div>
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<b>Remember when you wished the</b></div>
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<b>weekend would last forever?</b></div>
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<b>You happy now!?!?</b></div>
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<b>First time in history:</b></div>
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<b>We can save the human race by</b></div>
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<b>lying in front of the TV </b></div>
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<b>and doing nothing.</b></div>
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<b>Let's not screw this up.</b></div>
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And finally, Steve Krasinski from "The Office" and Prime Video's "Jack Ryan" has a youtube video entitled Some Good News with John Krasinski...check it out on youtube, it will definitely make you smile. In the search box type in Some Good News and it will pop up for your enjoyment.</div>
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Until next time, stay safe, stay well,</div>
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Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-83976011531026310002020-04-06T15:18:00.003-05:002020-04-06T15:22:12.141-05:00Seems Like Ages...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What day is this, oh yes, Monday. Sometimes I actually have to check my IPAD to summon up what day and date it is, you too? Every day is about the same for me. Get out of bed around 7:00 AM, let Lily out, feed Lily and Gracie, make the coffee, wait for the coffee in anticipation, give Lily a chewy treat so she will let me sit and check emails, read the newspaper, check Facebook, check Instagram, read my daily devotionals, and then every thing begins to repeat....let Lily out, check emails, check Facebook etc etc. Usually talk by phone with a friend or my son or daughter, begin a group text with friends. Somewhere between all this I wander to the kitchen to search for food. Vowing that today I'm going to accomplish something. I am a big fat failure in that department. I know many have taken this opportunity to dig in and get those tasks done and I applaud them, but me, not so much. Please don't ask me where the time goes, it just goes and before I know it, the day is almost over. Honestly sometimes I get dressed, sometimes I don't. I usually get dress when the weather is desent and I can take Lily for a walk, but if the weather is crummy, cold, rainy, the robe and gown may stay on.<br />
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This being alone is sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse. Being alone affords you to get dressed or not, cook meals or not, eat what you want when you want. But if you have others living with you, you tend to get dressed, make the bed, clean up the kitchen, change lightbulbs, keep the refrigerator and pantry stocked properly, etc.<br />
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I have a friend that is ultra organized, she has not minded this "stay at home" at all. Gives her the opportunity to clean out her garage, rearrange her book shelves etc. She says "I may not be able to control things out in the world, but I can control my own space around me." Oh I wish I would follow her lead. And kudos to all those who have that same mantra. So you are thinking I must be some kind of slob....and yes, you could say that. I tend to be messy, and not pick up after myself. Right now I have no structure and just like kids and animals I need structure. Having a cleaning lady come every two weeks helps me get my house in order, gives me that structure...throw out all that mail that has been collecting in piles, hang up the clothes I have left laying on the chair, make sure the kitchen is clear of dirty dishes etc. but now with this "stay in place" order I don't have her to help. I know, don't feel sorry for me, I should be able to clean my own house, but since I have confessed my lack of gumption, I really miss her.<br />
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I said yesterday that my plan was to go to Trader Joe's today, well after I wrote that, I had a friend text me and urged me to order on line and either pick up my order or have it delivered. After thinking about it, and the fact I didn't have a face mask or the means to make myself one, I decided yes, I will order from Jewell (our largest grocery store). I thoughtfully put things into the virtual cart, ofcourse no TP, which didn't surprise me, and after $200 I thought it was time to check out. When I began the process of date and time of pick-up I was shocked that I couldn't pick my groceries up until Sunday....what??!! So, yes now I must make a trip out to pick up a few essentails in the meantime.<br />
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Good news, while grocery shopping on-line my (thoughtful, lovely, considerate) neighbor brought me a homemade mask. And she being a nurse, made sure it was a full face mask along with an extra bearier in between layers. Now, I feel a little safer when I do go out. I felt like she presented me with a pot of gold, that's how excited I was.<br />
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And speaking of a pot of gold, that bottom image, and all the images above were taken at the Chicago Botanic Garden's Orchid Show in March. Such a short time ago but seems like ages.<br />
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Now I'm going upstairs, take a shower and get dressed altho it's hardly worth it since it's already 3:15 PM. See what I mean about where does the time go??<br />
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Until next time, stay safe, stay well,<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-59644588642634124822020-04-05T17:47:00.000-05:002020-04-05T17:47:23.705-05:00It's Good to be April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d4nuqGDKlPzhjRb4HCYllpgW5ly-KzUEGa9jh5EcuywiACX_EyPUh50-1dUhzWssG1QczOyo_iTvZpDDBZ0QDqx5y3uYSURv8CR156iXHQ0DBfrqQWhdBbUOjslakUTQolKc_4ozDTGN/s1600/04+April+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d4nuqGDKlPzhjRb4HCYllpgW5ly-KzUEGa9jh5EcuywiACX_EyPUh50-1dUhzWssG1QczOyo_iTvZpDDBZ0QDqx5y3uYSURv8CR156iXHQ0DBfrqQWhdBbUOjslakUTQolKc_4ozDTGN/s640/04+April+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Above is the bird calendar for the month of April that I sold last November, collecting a nice profit to be donated to The Alzheimer's Assoc. I've been doing this for several years now, printing note cards, creating calendars with different themes, and last year I began selling Canvas Prints. Hopefully I can continue this practice this year but who knows.<br />
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Life has turned a very strange and disheartening direction affecting each one of us. Dangerous for all, isolating for many, Not to mention job losses and the ever present threat of having the disease. Our healthcare workers are risking their lives to save others, extremely admirable and so very brave. This pandemic has brought out the best in many people.<br />
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Today being Palm Sunday many gathered around their computers, IPADS, and Smart Phones to listen to our pastor present our Palm Sunday morning service. Pastor Pat just recently joined our church as an interim pastor for the next couple of years, fortunately we all had an opportunity to meet him and to attend Sunday Services to listen to him deliver his message before this horror began. This morning early in the service he looked at each of us thru the camera and said with such compassion "how are you, how are you really". Honestly I broke down in tears, the first time since this all began. I have been living on a day to day basis, taking one step at a time. Staying home and only going out for walks with Lily. But the cupboard is bare, the only thing left on the shelves or in the refrigerator is "out of date" items that should have been thrown away many months ago. Thank goodness all grocery stores around here have "senior" hours so my plans are to go to Trader Joe's tomorrow and hopefully stock up for awhile. Since it's just me, I can have breakfast for dinner and vice versa, I have been known on occasion to have cereal for dinner. But even the cereal is gone. My neighbor across the street has brought me 4 bottles of wine over this past month, thank God. That is the one thing in my day I look forward to, a glass of wine.<br />
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Yesterday was my Mother's birthday, if she were still with us she would have been 102. I'm relieved that both my parents and my sweetie are in a place much better than here right now. I still miss my Mom, I guess you never get over needing your Mom. I'd sure love to be playing gin rummy and having a glass of wine with my Mom right now, she loved playing cards and she loved her 5:00 PM glass of wine. Sometimes we would sneak it in a little earlier than 5:00.<br />
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This time of year is absolutely my favorite time to be taking almost daily trips to the Morton Arboretum with camera in hand. In April and May the daffodils and wildflowers are blooming, the crab apple trees, magnolias and dogwoods are bursting with their loveliness, but no trips to the Arboretum this year. They closed on April 2nd which was a real blow. I could spend hours driving thru the Arb stopping to take pictures of whatever I saw in bloom. Last year I found a whole area filled with Virginia Blue Bells, a mass of blue wherever you looked. Driving or walking the Arb is one venture you could easily "social distance" from everyone considering it is spread over 1,700 acres. Right now they are only closed until April 30th but I have doubts they will open on May 1st.<br />
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The calendar picture above was taken at the Arb about this time last year, robins gathering their cuisine. The two flower pictures were from today's walk in the neighborhood. It was a beautiful day today, as I walked and looked at the blue sky and spied the buds on trees and bushes, my hope continues that we will get through this nightmare. Right now we are in that valley of darkness, but our Lord will lead us through and we will together say "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."<br />
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Until next time, stay safe, stay well.....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-76181154338460768932020-03-29T11:59:00.000-05:002020-03-29T11:59:27.767-05:00Flowers Bloom, Color Returns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The picture above was taken last August as I was driving home from our 95th Street Library Brown Bag Lectures. Twice a month the library would have a presentation from a "story-teller" dressed in an appropriate costume, speaking as tho she/he were indeed that person. <span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Fiona Carnarvon, the former mistress of Highclere Castle, also known as Downton Abbey was the main event that day. Enormously entertaining, a delightful way to spend an afternoon. Driving home I spotted a garden growing along a fence line in full bloom. It was on the opposite side of the divided road so at the next available turn I did a quick U-turn and backtracked to the blooming garden. OK, admittedly I should have had both eyes on the road, but I'll bet any photographer will confess that their eyes are always on the look-out for those unexpected moments. As I parked, grabbing my camera I was a bit hesitant, because the garden was planted along side a long driveway leading to a house. I took my chances and approached, ready to come up with some excuse if needed, and began to make the pictures you see here. It should be obvious why I stopped...!! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I love flowers and I love taking pictures of flowers. I have gardens in the front, back and side of my house and the joy that flowers bring to me is comforting, reassuring, and refreshing. The flowers in my backyard bring me comfort as I sit on my screen porch looking out at the pinks, reds, yellows, purples and greens. Reassuring that every year the daylilies, are the first to poke thru the earth as it begins to warm, knowing that other perennials are sure to follow. And my gardens are a refreshing change from the long, cold and sometimes dark winters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not sure how the next few months are going to unfold but I can be assured that seasons come, flowers bloom, and color returns. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul." – </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Alfred Austin </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Until next time.....stay safe,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-24449226897144954912020-03-26T20:26:00.001-05:002020-03-26T20:26:12.461-05:00And Get Dressed Too....<div class="p1" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.4; text-align: left;">
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<span class="s1">In the forced solitude of waiting, lean into silence.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In the mindfulness of inhaling, exhale grace.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In the intentionality of washing your hands, feel God’s presence with you.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In the darkest valley, remember that Christ is the light of the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This passage was the intro to one of daily Bible studies and it is so appropriate for today and every day for that matter. I am currently on day 14 of my self quarantined status. I have only gone out of the house to take Lily for walks, I haven't driven my car in 2 weeks, probably will have to take driving lessons when this is all over. Saving money on gas. saving money on restaurants, saving money on movies. But believe me I would rather be spending money on eating out, going to the movies and concerts. I am blessed that I can stay home and not worry that a paycheck is not coming at the end of the week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Paris - April 2019</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently my family is all OK and still have jobs, however my daughter did close her dance studio and is ofcourse unsure when it will re-open. My son-in-law, grandson and his wife, and my granddaughter are all working from home. My granddaughter in Denver is still working at an emergency vet, they are considered necessary. My son is going to work, but he and his production manager are the only ones working, his 2 stores are currently closed. His wife is able to work from home. I just shake my head that never did I ever think that I would be writing these words. Ofcourse none of us considered anything like this would happen in our lifetime. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our 24 hour snow last week...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just watched a book talk webinar and the author being interviewed stated that we are actually overdue for a world pandemic. I guess I haven't studied the history of pandemics enough to realize that this comes along in every so many years. Sure wish it could have waited longer to repeat history in 2020. If you search for Pandemic on the Wikipedia page you can get more information than you probably want. It even lists the books, movies and TV shows about a Pandemic. No thanks. We hear enough about it via emails, TV and social media. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lily and the ball...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, how are you doing? I'm still fine, but growing somewhat weary of all this and what is so exhausting is the fact that this is going to be our lifestyle for the foreseeable future. I love my pets but being with them 24/7 is draining, not Gracie, but Lily. Since she is still a puppy she stretches my patience to the utmost. I don't have children that have to be corralled into staying home, I don't have a husband that could be out of work, I don't have any financial worries at the moment so I am truly blessed to be in the condition that I'm in. I need to remain positive and know that we will survive this. I don't usually watch much TV except streaming services ie: Netflix, Hulu, Prime, & Acorn thus keeping me from hearing the bad news all day long, but I did read an article about Governor Cuomo from NY that is worth a watch. Apparently he gives daily TV interviews, is a straight shooter and a caring individual. Not too big on watching President Trump, he wants everyone back in church on Easter Sunday. I want that too, but we need to be rational, that ain't going to happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow my buddies from our defunct blog "Focusing on Life" are having a wine gathering via ZOOM. We try and get together once a year but it has been awhile since we've all been together. Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New Jersey and Arizona all represented, hopefully all will join the party. I guess I'll have to put on make-up and fix my hair, oh and get dressed too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Til next time....</span><br />
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Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-28008131842973155472020-03-20T20:01:00.000-05:002020-03-20T20:03:46.904-05:00Self-Quarantined <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of days ago after being self-quarantined for several days I decided to start my long-deserted blog again. Well, wouldn't you know it, I couldn't access my blog, and after trying different methods, got discouraged and gave up. Today I got the urge again and "googled" how to access your blog and google stepped me thru the process and voila it's back. I do believe "google" has to be one of my best friends. It/She/He/They always seem to have the answer. No more laying in bed wondering what the answer could be to almost anything you could possibly imagine. The thought of starting over with a brand new blog was too daunting eventho I definitely had the time, I just didn't feel like using my brain that much. Ever do that? Just don't want to do something because it will exhaust the brain particles that are getting fewer by the day? I know you are supposed to exercise the brain to keep it healthy, but re-designing and creating a brand new blog was just too much for right now.<br />
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So, how you doing? What strange times we are living through right now. Remembering those old TV movies about a Pandemic are way too real now. I'm just hoping and praying that people will heed the warnings and do all the things that are suggested by the medical professions. And those idiots down in Florida, thinking it's no big deal, young people think they are immortal and hopefully they are, but perhaps their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles etc are not. I would like to return to the "real" world again sometime soon and not be in my house without human company before too many more grey hairs appear. News flash....Illinois is now in "stay in place safe" position. In other words, stay home. California has done the same and my son had to fire 53 employees today because of all the closings. He fired them so they could collect unemployment and will re-hire when all this is over.<br />
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Thank goodness for texting and face time....<br />
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Since last I blogged I have gained another beating heart to my small family. Besides Gracie, my rescued cat I have a new Golden Doodle puppy named Lily. Lily is now 7 months old, I've had her since September 30, 2019 and we are still at odds with each other. If I've said this once I've said it at least a dozen times...."What was I thinking?" Gracie and I were doing just fine, the two of us. She is a very social cat and is with me most of the time, until you know who joined our family. I must admit that as time goes on Lily, now 7 months old, is a bit more settled. She sleeps more than she used to, thank God since I'm here 24/7. In fact right now she is asleep next to me. Shhh don't wake her up.<br />
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Trinidad, a really colorful city...</blockquote>
I had a great year last year with all the trips I was able to enjoy. I launched the year in March with a trip to Cuba. We began in Trinidad and worked our way to Havana. What a country, beautiful but so in need of reconstruction in so many places especially Havana. We had the absolute greatest guide while there, born & raised in Cuba, recently retired from the government, worked right along with Castro so he gave us great insights into the people, economy, culture and country. In fact, he still stays in touch with each of us. Received an email from him a couple of days ago showing his concern for the US during this time. Apparently Cuba has seen very little of the virus. They volunteered to accept the cruise ship from Great Britain, the MS Braemer that had been stranded. Extremely friendly and generous people.<br />
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The area in Havana where we stayed..</div>
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El Malecon in Havana</div>
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The tobacco fields </div>
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The old refurbished cars waiting for business - Havana</div>
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Great trip. Was able to get very well acquainted with Mojito's...you know those wonderful drinks with Cuban Rum, Cuban sugar cane and mint. Oh my! </div>
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Take care, wash your hands, and stay at home if possible...</div>
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Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-84062662972338590322019-02-23T18:29:00.000-06:002019-02-23T18:35:09.678-06:00Pork n' Beans <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Saturday from the land of rain and gloom. Yesterday hit above 40 degrees with sun. Time to bring out the summer-wear...well, not me but there were those that felt the need to show off their hairy, white legs. And speaking of white legs, I will be showing mine off in less than 2 weeks, a flight to Miami, overnight stay there and then off to Cuba for a 10 day photography trip. Oh man am I looking forward to viewing something in my camera lens besides Gracie, TJ's flowers, and whatever bird decides to land on my bird feeder. I'll be in the land of color....yea!!<br />
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I wasn't too good, what am I saying, I was horrible at blogging about my trips from 2018. Such great places, what fun, I don't know if I could pick a favorite.<br />
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Began the year with my usual trip to Arizona. Always look forward to visiting with old friends and enjoying the warmth and sun, cactus and birds, trips to Butterfly Wonderland, and to the Desert Botanical Garden. I would probably be there about this time, and it snowed....that would not make me happy. I go there for a little respite from winter and if I was greeted with the same weather that I came from, not good. Unfortunately this year I'm not making the trip. My good friend, Rich has been battling Cancer with procedures, chemo and radiation. They don't need a visitor to muddy up with what they are dealing with right now. I'm praying for a good outcome, he's been through a lot in the past months. Please remember Rich and all others who are suffering thru the battles with Cancer in your prayers.<br />
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It's amazing what a $4.99 bouquet from TJ's can do to lift your spirits when the weather is so gloomy outside. Even tho today is gloomy I have had a great week with movies, dinners, theater tickets, a concert. I have a group of women, some single, some married that love to go to concerts and to the theater. This is my 4th year at having season tickets to the Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL, with presentations that are absolutely outstanding. Wednesday night we saw "The Producers", amazing talent and ridiculously funny. And then a group of us dubbed "the rowdy church ladies" love to go to the movies and out to dinner. We are having an Oscar Party Sunday night so we've been hustling to see all the movies nominated. Last night and a couple of weeks ago we gathered at my house, because I have Amazon Prime and watched "The Wife" and "Bohemian Rhapsody", both good but I have to say my favorite this year was "The Green Book". Great casting and heartfilled story. The only two I have not seen are Roma and Black Panther and both are on Netflix. Might have to crawl in bed and watch these tonight....not much time left. We did see "The Favourite" it was not my favorite. And to think the lead in that will be playing Queen Elizabeth in the next go round of "The Crown" on Netflix.<br />
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Gracie at her finest....she has bitten me a couple of times with those fangs and they are a might sharp.<br />
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I pulled out my trusty 50mm 1.4 to take all these pics. Probably one of the first lenses I purchased. Stays true and is the lightest weight lens I own. Too bad it's not a good landscape or macro lens or I would have it on all the time. <br />
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And fyi, that first image is my latest succulent addition. Wasn't planning on adding another but a trip to Hobby Lobby (another dangerous place along with Home Goods) produced this cute little vase and it was just calling to me to add to my windowsill. It reminded me of a little pig and when I shopped for a new succulent I found this one, perfect name, "Pork n' Beans".<br />
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See you next time...<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-32668384158153824332019-02-15T16:09:00.000-06:002019-02-15T16:09:42.702-06:00Happy 2019 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh for crying outloud....it's been since March 7th 2018 since I have written on this page. Honestly, <br />
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this past year has been a time of letting go, letting go of so many of my former routines. Some good, some not so good. I have a definite propensity toward laziness and believe me it has truly blossomed in the past year. My garden suffered this past summer due to not spending time that is needed to cultivate beauty, I've added pounds to my body due to the lack of movement, I have not decorated the house for Christmas for two years running, in fact I'm what you call a "hot mess". Since I live in the US and our habit is to blame someone or something for our failures, I'm pointing my finger at losses. My losses were rather significant in the past year. First and foremost was the loss of my sweetie. Final goodbyes are the worst and then just a few short months later, one of my kids, Toby (dogs) contracted lymphoma and with reluctance I had him put down. Then....another few months go by and my other kid, Cinder had several major issues, mammary gland cancer and Cushings Disease and again, with reluctance I had her put down. Three major beings in my life all gone in less than a year. So hell yes, I'm pointing my finger at losses. My star word for the year was "weeping" and you bet that word encircled my year. (fyi star words are words from the Bible that we choose during church services on Epiphany Sunday by reaching into a basket and selecting a star cutout not knowing what word will appear on the star)<br />
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We are about ready to turn the corner on a New Year and next weekend is "star" weekend. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my word for the year will be more affirmative than "weep". There are no give-backs so I'm stuck with what comes my way. Catching up....I'm now writing this post Feb 15th and my star word is BOLD, you noticed I even typed the word in bold type. OK, so what am I going to do to live up to this word BOLD? In retrospect, "weep" was accomplished, not exactly to my liking, but I did weep, no question.<br />
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When Cinder left in August I was heartbroken. Returning from my trip to the Oregon coast I began crying in the limo driving home knowing that no dogs would be greeting me on my return. Again, that weeping thing. After a few months without any animals, I decided to rescue a cat. Me, who has never had cats in my entire life except for brief exposures when my daughter had one for a short while and when my Bailey lived with me for a year. So now I have Gracie, a Tabby about a year old, and fortunately is very affectionate and likes to be around me most of the time. I've had Gracie since December 1st and we have developed a very loving relationship. She is usually by my side, sleeps at the foot of my bed at night and enjoys playing fetch with her puff ball. And....is quite a bit easier to care for than a dog. I can stay out all day and not worry about something unpleasant greeting me when I return.<br />
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And speaking of trips, I do have a few already planned for the year. I'm leaving in early March for a trip to Cuba with my friend, Winnie. Winnie and I became fast friends at a photography conference about 3 years ago and we have been traveling together a number of times. She and my friend, Sue Anne, are the only two friends that I can room with that can tolerate my snoring. While in Cuba I will be celebrating my 76th birthday...hooray or in Spanish hurra.<br />
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Last year I was determined to come up with 75 things that made me happy prior to celebrating my 75th birthday, but I failed at about #50. I am not even going to attempt the challenge this year. There are many, many, many things that make me happy and I do feel really blessed but I know that trying to come up with 76 happy reasons is not in the cards unless I try to do it all in one post.<br />
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I don't know about you but we've had a rather interesting winter....our temps and moisture have been all over the place. We managed to get thru the Polar Vortex (I never left my house for 4 days straight, didn't want to, didn't have to) and then the temps heated up to over 75 degrees warmer and then we had a snow/ice storm, beautiful but wicked. Who says we are not going thru some climate change??? I was so grateful that my heat and electricity remained intact thru the worst of the cold. I was sure feeling it for those poor souls that had to be out in the dangerous weather ie; firemen, policemen, outdoor workers etc. Thank God for them. And I guess you saw on the news, the woman from Chicago who rented out rooms in a hotel to house the homeless during the worst of the cold. There are so many good people in this world, the bad news seems to be always louder than the good news.<br />
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So that's about it for now....Happy 2019 as I shake my head in wonder. <br />
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Until next time....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-69032114405083295562018-03-03T10:34:00.000-06:002018-03-03T10:34:48.153-06:00All The Way to 50 March 1st.....how did that happen? Two months gone, and what have I accomplished? Hmmm, nope can't seem to come up with anything significant. But I better get crackin' on my list of 75 things that make me happy before BD date.<br />
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#42 - #44 I leave for Phoenix on Tuesday to visit with friends and enjoy some sun and warmth...it's been cool there lately but according to our ever reliable (?) weather forecast it will be in the 70's and 80's while I am there. Can't wait to to see sites like this....<br />
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or this....one of my favs because of it's pinkish red color!<br />
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And how about this....the view from porch.<br />
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and ofcourse there are the sunsets...<br />
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My morning ritual is always the same...rise, potty, let Cinder out to do her potty, make coffee, grab my I-Pad and check email, read the paper on line, check instagram and facebook. Pretty boring, but it begins my day. I am definitely not a leap out of bed, immediately get dressed kinda gal. Easing into the day is my way. Today as I was doing the above I ran across a blurb about recently read books and she printed a quote from "An American Marriage" by Tayari Jones....it says <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">But mostly my life is good, only it's a different type of good from what I figured on." That pretty much sums up my life...good but not exactly what I had planned.#45 Life is definitely not a straight line but twists and turns that become a part of who you are.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Door County, Wisconsin</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Last Sunday I joined up with a photography group with Lou Nettlehorst and his son, Todd. I met Lou several years ago on a trip to the Smokey Mountains and have kept in contact with him since. He's a great teacher mentor and it's always a pleasure to be with him.#46. We met in the city around Lincoln Park, which is on the north side of downtown Chicago. Great views of the city from this vantage point and I managed to get a few shots of our beautiful city. #47</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Fancy Schmanzy Apartment/Condo with views of Lake Michigan</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I've had a rather quiet week, which was welcomed after last weeks busyness....after we walked and walked and walked on Sunday my ankles and thighs were screaming on Monday. I've always had bad ankles, even as a kid. My friend Winnie walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage last year and wants to do it again this year. I can't even fathom walking a journey that long. My hats off to you Winnie!! And to all others that attempt these journeys. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Out of Chicago Photography group that I participate with is having a 4 day workshop at the Chicago Botanic Garden in August photographing flowers and such. Only 100 participants, and 10 professional photographers to guide and mentor us along the way. Oh joy oh joy!! Definitely #48. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And yes, I have already registered, absolutely no hesitation. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">OK to round this up to 50, yellow roses from TJ's....#49</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Sunny days...2 in a row after a gloomy February. March came in like a lamb...hoping it doesn't go out like a lion. #50. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Enjoy your weekend. Oscar night, Sunday night. And do something that makes you happy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Until next time...</span></div>
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Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-47513778028127637242018-02-22T16:32:00.000-06:002018-02-22T16:32:01.677-06:00I Wrestled With A Sump Pump....On tap for last night was another wonderful evening out with the girls for our dinner and trip to the Paramount theater where we have season tickets to see 4 musicals each year. "Cabaret" shined bright . And yes, it was raunchy and bawdy, but oh so fun. Terrific cast which always amazes me the extensive amount of talent that we have in the Chicago area and that we don't have to go into the city, pay over the top prices for a ticket and exorbitant parking fees to see a terrific Broadway show. And a definite #33 on my happy list. And #34 is having left overs from dinner to enjoy a second time around.<br />
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#35 Field Daffodils from Trader Joe's </div>
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I had an arm wrestling match with my sump pump hose yesterday. I'll back up....first came the snow almost 10 inches, then the warmth which thus began to melt the snow, ground is now saturated from the melted snow and then the rains came and came and came. Last Fall I threw my sump pump hose in the garbage because Toby (sob) loved to chew holes in the plastic hose, thus making it rather useless for hauling water away from the house. OK, now the rains have come (as stated) and the sump pump is running constantly, literally every 5-10 second intervals. Water is pooling around the house because of da dah NO hose.<br />
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Definitely Duck Weather....</div>
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I'll shorten this long story, bought the hose, wrestled with getting it on the pipe because ofcourse it didn't fit, resorted to duck tapping the damn thing onto the pipe between gushing water but first had to slowly cut the old duck tape away from the rim of the pipe, This whole event became so much longer than anticipated (isn't that the way everything goes as you age)...and to end this event I couldn't get my rubber boots off of my feet. Well, I finally did, but I pulled every muscle in my arms and back and legs struggling to release my feet from the death grip of those damn rubber boots. I know I have used the word damn twice in this paragraph and while I was in the midst of this event I probably uttered the word "shit" dozens of times. It's difficult to be pure of mouth when you arm wrestle with a sump pump hose. OK, happy #36 it's done.<br />
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Monday I played bridge with a group of ladies that gather ever once in awhile for a few rounds. Mostly dealt very low point hands, but at least once I bid 5 hearts and made 5, which makes for a happy morning, not to mention the absolutely best home-made sticky buns I've ever tasted bar none. So good bridge hands and Flour's Famous Sticky Buns #37 and #38. Here is the link to the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/joanne-changs-sticky-buns-recipe-1947951">recipe</a>....<br />
It's long and tedious and I would never attempt to make these, but I so appreciate that my dear foody friend Ruth treated us to these little pieces of heavenly baked buns.<br />
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Oh my gosh, I almost forgot about my outing with a photography friend last Friday. Jeanne and I love to photograph barns, and the older the better. If you ask Jeanne what she enjoys shooting she will reply....old, crumbling, rust, gritty. So last Friday off we went to see if we could find some old barns. So #39 is definitely finding old barns to photograph.''<br />
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And #40, my Orchid from a previous post (see <a href="http://deannaswauger.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-list-goes-on-and-on.html">here</a>) is still alive and blooming...<br />
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Off to Bunco this evening, which means good food, fun and friends...has to be #41.<br />
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Enjoy your weekend and do something that makes you happy!<br />
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Until next time...<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-3317280990989449302018-02-15T21:07:00.000-06:002018-02-15T21:07:25.309-06:00Fog Beautiful Fog....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night I could see the fog rolling in and then a Fog Advisory warning popped up on my I-Phone. We very rarely get fog here, but with so much snow on the ground and the temperatures rising, thus causing the fog to develop, my little heart was doing a happy dance. When I woke up this AM it was like pea soup. Yea!! Now if it will stick around so me and my camera can have some foggy fun I'll be a happy camper. I had a dentist appointment this morning, my last one for awhile....thank goodness, to finalize a crown that I had to have replaced, along with a root canal. Those 2 are in my top 10 of things that "don't" make me happy. I would say pretty much anything to do with Dr's or Dentists don't make it on my happy list. But I am happy that all that is over with #27.<br />
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Anywho...the fog did not dissipate while I had my mouth wide open reclined in the dentist chair. As I lay there I began to wonder where should I go to capture some fog shots. Then it came to me....a cemetery. We have 2 cemeteries in town, and believe it or not I've never been inside the gates of either one. I find that rather strange since I've lived here 41 years. Well, today is the day I take my first steps into St. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery. No one around, no wind, perfect. If it weren't for the 2 streets busy with cars and trucks surrounding two sides and a railroad track with trains running on regular schedules on another it would have been totally silent. Rest in peace is not happening here. But the "no wind" and "fog" made me very happy #28.<br />
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Back in the car....where to next? Ah ha...Seager Park, woodsy and on my way home. Many years ago this used to be a RV campsite. When my Mom and Dad were doing their summer trips all over the US and Canada pulling their silver Air Stream trailer they would set up their home base at Seagar Park while visiting us. The kids thought that trailer was the best! Now, lo and behold, many years later my brother has one that he and his wife trip to all the gorgeous places in the west and northwest areas of the US. Those memories of their visits are happy ones...#29.<br />
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On my way home, since I hadn't eaten anything I swung into McDonalds to pick up an Egg McMuffin and a Pineapple-Orange Smoothie, and yes, that is a happy #30 meal for me. There was a man standing by McDonald's with a sign that said..."need money to eat". After picking up my order and driving past him again, I had to stop for the red-light. I handed him my bag with the Egg McMuffin and the shredded hash brown patty. He walked over to the car and thanked me. I didn't give him money, I gave him food. OK, now that left me without breakfast, I turned around at the next block and headed back to McD's a second time and once again the man was standing there with his sign. I thought..."what the hell" I gave him food and he is still begging. As I pulled out I stopped and asked him what he did with my food that I had just given him. He explained that he has to eat before he takes his meds for seizures and the meds put him to sleep. I don't know if the guy was just telling me a story or what, but made me happy #31 to think I might have helped the man in some way.<br />
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Just a little reminder that Spring always follows Winter which makes me very happy #32....<br />
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Have a good weekend everyone and remember, do something that makes you happy.<br />
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Until next time.....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-82623940101033281722018-02-10T17:02:00.000-06:002018-02-10T17:02:01.088-06:00Yes, It Snowed....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, it snowed, we have at least 10 inches maybe more, and a weather snow alert just popped up on my I-Phone warning of another 3-5 inches overnight. Hmmm. And yes, I'm bummed because they cancelled the Out of Chicago Photo Conference scheduled for today. Oh well, can't fight Mother Nature. So what do I do instead....and no, I don't grab snowshoes or cross-country skis and head out the door, like some really exercise conscious people, I grab my camera and take pictures of the tulips I purchased at TJ's on Wednesday.<br />
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Alright, I'm warning you now all you are going to see in this post is snow and tulips. That's about my limit for the last couple of days. Now, what has made me happy for the past few days...#21 I loved The Phantom Thread. Daniel Day Lewis is perhaps one of the best actors of our day. The acting, photography, gowns, music, story...loved it. Probably my favorite movie of all that I have seen lately and that includes many of the Oscar nominated films. FYI....ladies, if you have a spouse, partner whatever, men probably would not enjoy this movie. I don't mean it's a chick flick or a mushy love story, but it's filled with women, beautiful gowns, smart dressing and many quiet moments.<br />
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#22 my book groups. I belong to 3, yes 3. Two of them we read a book and discuss each month, meeting at alternating homes, and the 3rd meets at the Country Club where we have lunch and a book review usually given by one of our members. Delightful afternoon, but we don't meet during the months of Jan thru March, the CC doesn't serve lunch on Wednesdays in the winter-time. And we certainly can't meet without having a lunch....snort. Our bookgroup that I call "the 2nd Thursday Book Club" met this past week, reading "Before We Were Yours". A past and present story of children who were swept up into the adoption sale to the wealthy who couldn't have children of their own. Very shocking,and is based on a true woman who did just that, kidnapped children, threw them into an orphanage and then sold them to the wealthy.One of our member's husband was raised in an orphanage and he had fond memories of his childhood, so not all orphanages were bad.<br />
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I don't know about you, but since Google came into my life it has saved me from laying awake nights trying to remember a certain movie star, a book, a song....whatever. So #23 is definitely the land of Google and all that information right in the palm of my hand.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One more picture and I'm done. Come Monday or Tuesday I will be out and about with my camera, but for right now, I'm staying in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank goodness for Netflix #24 and Amazon Prime #25. Any recommendations for either one of those? I'm in the middle of watching "Absentia" on Amazon Prime with Stana Katic, you remember her from "Castle". The story picks<span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">up after Emily Byrne suddenly reappears after going missing for six years with no memory of what happened while she disappeared, the show is chock-full of mysteries to solve and questions to answer. In addition to solving the mysteries of the past, Emily has a quest to clear her own name of various crimes she's been implicated in. In the six years she has been missing, her son grows up not knowing his mother, and her husband remarries. Pretty riveting. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">OK, that's it for now. Stay safe, stay warm, stay healthy....oh just thought of another (I hope this doesn't jinx me) I am happy #26 </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">so far I have escaped the terrible flu that has been spreading like wildfire. Like I said, I hope I didn't jinx myself for saying that. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Until next time.....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-77278491623635590632018-02-08T12:07:00.000-06:002018-02-08T12:07:36.200-06:00The List Goes On and OnOh my, running behind again. It's that lazy factor that keeps raising its ugly head. And now that it's cold and snowy, it causes me to just snuggle in my cozy chair and do absolutely nothing....maybe read or play a little Spider Solitaire...I did mention that is an addiction, right!?<br />
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And speaking of snow, we finally scored a decent amount, one that at least stuck to the trees and bushes. We have had snow but it has always been so light and fluffy that in my mind it wasn't quite photographable. I know that skiers prefer this texture but we photographers like that wet, sticky snow that clings to branches aka "heart attack snow". So #13 on my list of happies, is a good thick wet layer of snow. Following with that my #14 happy is my neighbor with his "large" snowblower". It makes me very happy when I hear that snowblower roar and know that my driveway and sidewalks will be clear. He calls it his toy, I call it my savior.<br />
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Yesterday, after a very pleasant morning at Bible Study and a trip to Trader Joe's (I'll tell you about that later) I drove to the Riverwalk to wander and grab some photos of our pretty snow. I wore my heavy coat, but man, by the time I got back to the car I was a little icicle. Looked at the temp on my car thermometer and it was 17...no wonder my hands and fingers were stiff. #15 is our lovely Riverwalk. Our city fathers have developed this beautiful walk along the DuPage River that is lovely any time of the year.<br />
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I know in my last post I mentioned something that was not on my happy list and that was my boob smashing event. Well, #16 is that I'm happy that my mammogram was normal....whew, that's always good to hear.<br />
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OK, so after Bible Study and before I drove to the Riverwalk I shopped at Trader Joe's for the necessities...flowers and a bottle of Villa Alena Moscato. I guess I better mention that Villa Alena Moscato is my favorite wine, and yes it makes me happy....#17. I picked up a few other items, but what was prominent in my cart was a beautiful bouquet of pink roses and a double bunch of deep pink tulips. As I was checking out, the cashier (male) asked if these were for Valentine's Day and did I have a sweetheart to share them with... Uh, no my sweetie passed away in September. Following was..."I'm so sorry, hope you are OK.." I assured him that I was fine, he suffered a long time, he's in a better place etc. Now, here comes the "18, he asks me to follow him on my way out the door, he runs over to the flower section and picks up this absolutely beautiful orchid, presents it to me and wishes me well. Now who does that, except Trader Joe's. I am convinced the employees are given permission to share kindness to their customers. That's not the only time I have been gifted by a TJ's employee, I've been given a bag of their dark chocolate peanut butter cups, a can of their delicious toffee at Christmas time, and when in Arizona the cashier gave me a TJ's shopping bag with Arizona emblazoned on the front.<br />
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I'm headed to Arizona in March for 10 days. I almost decided not to go this year because I am leaving on a Riverboat Cruise to the Netherlands March 25th....tulip time with 3 girlfriends. But I so enjoy feeling the warmth and sunshine and visiting with friends that I decided, what the hey, and booked my flight this week. Visiting Arizona is a definite happy #19. How could I pass up this...<br />
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Today I'm heading to the movies to see "The Phantom Thread" with Daniel Day Lewis. Later today, more snow is on the way, so our movie and dinner will come early.<br />
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Saturday is The Out of Chicago Winter Conference" in Joliet.....a definite #20. I have made lots of photography friends through this group and always look forward to learning and reuniting with good friends. More about this next week. And PS I broke down and ordered a new Nikon D850 camera this past week. Supposed to be phenomenal. I'm sure it will make my top #75.<br />
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Have a great and safe weekend all...<br />
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Until next time.....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-38545134478120940662018-02-01T18:46:00.003-06:002018-02-01T18:59:16.043-06:00Happy Post #8 - #12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Look at that tongue....Cinder isn't a tongue wagger unless she gets really hot and today was that day. She loves the sunshine but being almost all black her little body heats up pretty quickly. Today the sun was shining, the birds were out and about and Cinder was enjoying every last light beam she could handle before she became so hot that the tongue began to reveal itself. She would eventually give it up and jump off the couch to land where the beams weren't streaming. Very shortly tho, she would be back in that sunlight, basking again. Please don't remind me she needs a good groom, I know, she knows, and the groomers know. It's coming. Cinder basking in the sun with tongue out is my #8 on the happy list.<br />
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Now you do realize that this list of 75 things that make me happy are in no particular order...please keep that in mind as my brain wanders through this list.<br />
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Yesterday 6 of us girls went to see "The Shape of Water". Have you seen it? All I'm going to say is the writer/director has quite the imagination. I did think both Sally Hawkins and Richard Jenkins were outstanding in their roles. Just a heads-up, you may come out of that movie theater with a big hmmmm. It's quite a journey.<br />
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Our WOW (Women on Wednesdays) Bible Study began again in January after our holiday break. Liz Curtis Higgs is the author of "Bad Girls of the Bible" and what a hoot she is. There is a video with each lesson and her descriptions and tales are a complete delight. Being with like minded women each Wednesday is always a delight whatever we are studying, but having Liz Curtis Higgs as our study guide makes my #9 happy list.<br />
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#10 has to be blooming plants indoors in February. Right now it is 14 degrees outside, but my blooming cyclamen plant is toasty warm inside on my table next to my winter chair with a pile of books to read.. I say winter chair because in the good ole summertime my wicker chair on the backporch is my summer chair. Both are my "safe havens" my "nests" my "relaxing" spots and my, yes, my "napping" spots. A short snooze in the afternoon with those winter rays warming me is my #11 happy thing.<br />
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And #12 is my granddaughter's blog <a href="http://cooking.cats.charisma/">Cooking.Cats.Charisma</a> Bailey has quite a sense of humor and she loves to cook. Combine those 2 elements and you get recipes and a chuckle to boot. Check her out, you'll enjoy her witticism.<br />
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So tomorrow is boob smashing day...aka mammogram. This does <u>not</u> go on my list as a happy thing, along with Dr's appointments, colonoscopies, and trips to the dentist.<br />
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Until next time.....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-58319614513676215282018-01-29T16:31:00.002-06:002018-01-29T16:53:56.731-06:00To Continue....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If I'm going to list 75 things that make me happy before March 10th I better get this list movin'. But first I want to give a little shout out to all those that still flip on their Christmas lights every night and have their crispy, brown-tipped "fresh" wreaths still hanging on their doors. It's over people....give it up. I'm bad, but not "end of January" bad. Our weekend was up in the 50's so there is no longer an excuse. OK, I'm done with the bitchin'.<br />
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After bemoaning the fact that I have been very sad and tied to my I-PAD for hours on end, I have actually been quite busy and have had little time for playing Spider Solitaire....oh I didn't mention that did I?! Don't and I really mean don't start, it is a true time suck. I couldn't understand when many became so addicted to Candy Crush, but I'm probably worse with Spider Solitaire. Hour upon hour upon hour, I feel like I should stand in front of a circle of like minded people and admit that "I Am A Spider Solitaire Co-Holic." Please tell me that there are others out there who have such addictions, it would truly make me feel less obsessive.<br />
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Friday was Chicago Symphony Orchestra night with a lovely group of women. We purchased season tickets (3 in total) and have enjoyed meeting for dinner at a delicious restaurant, imbibing in a glass of wine and consuming a delicious dinner along with sharing a decadent dessert prior to the concert. The concerts are a tremendous delight and expands my knowledge of classical musicians and their great works. So that becomes #3 in my makes me happy list....my CSO night with the ladies.<br />
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#4 has to be the simply wonderful movies I've seen lately. I've probably told this story before, but when I was a child, around 7-8 years old, we lived on a rather busy street. My Mother would help me cross the street and I would walk the 3 or 4 blocks by myself to our local movie theater, pay $.10 for a ticket and sit thru whatever movie was playing that week until my Dad would pick me up on his way home from work in the evening. That is where my love of movies began. We didn't have TV in those days, so the movies became my favorite entertainment as a child. This year there have been some outstanding movies that I've seen, "Wonder", every school age child should see this, "The Post" a timely movie considering what has been perceived as "fake news", "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MO" omg Frances McDormand is such a bad-ass actress. "The Darkest Hour" another brilliant performance by Gary Oldman, Winston perfection. I did see "Get Out" early last year when it came out....I must be too old to appreciate this kind of story. Maybe if I saw it again, I would have a better reaction. "Lady Bird" was good, but I wouldn't call it the best. I watched "Mudbound" on Netflix and again, it was just OK. Plans are to see "The Shape of Water" on Wednesday. Thank goodness I have girlfriends that love movies as much as I do.<br />
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#5 Doritos or Fritos Scoops (not picky) and and Tostitos Salsa Con Queso. I have to physically grab my grocery cart keeping both hands on the bar so as to not reach out and grab a bag and a jar of these 2 treats that are like a narcotic binge for me. But I admit there are times when the urge is greater than the struggle and I give in. And as long as the jar still has even a dribble left, I am in binging bliss.<br />
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Capturing the sweet Junco outside my window always makes me happy, so this is my #6 (see photo above)<br />
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And *7 is tulips from Trader Joe's....what a welcome sight during these grey days. So much joy for $4.99.<br />
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OK, only 68 more to go. And I have a little over a month so stay tuned for this continuing list.</div>
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Happy Monday, have a great week.<br />
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Until next time....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-7117997259376378692018-01-25T15:29:00.000-06:002018-01-25T15:29:20.623-06:00The Sad/Happy Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Blog, I have this bad habit of telling myself that I'm going to begin being more consistent in writing to you, but somehow OK, I'll admit it, pure laziness seems to get in the way. I have these great thoughts on what I could write about, and what do I do...nothing, absolutely nothing. I certainly can't blame anything on "I'm so busy", because let's face it, unless you have a full-time job (did at one time), small children (also did at one time), are a care-taker (double did at one time), I can't come up with anything else that might keep me from writing a simple blog post. I get up every morning to "must have a couple of cups of coffee", read emails, read the morning paper (on-line) check facebook and instagram and start the circle again....check email etc. I'm in a rut. I'm blaming it all on my I-PAD....it's too easy, too convenient and I have to blame someone, something, certainly not myself.<br />
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I'll admit the last few months have not been the easiest, losing my sweetie in September and then losing my Toby this month. Somewhere I think it's written that you are not supposed to lose your husband and your favorite pet within months of each other. If it's not, it should be. Toby had been with me for 11 years, got him as a puppy, and honestly the BEST dog I ever had. He was with me all through those bad times struggling with my sweetie's Alzheimer's and then being a comfort to me after my decision to place my sweetie in a care facility. He had not been acting quite right for a couple of weeks, not eating well, having trouble getting comfortable, restless. I thought probably a flu or a virus. Brought him to the Vet on a Monday evening and left without him. He was diagnosed with lymphoma and since I could tell he was already suffering with his not acting right, I made the decision to have him put to sleep. One of the top 10 toughest decisions I have made in my life. But I did it out of love, so he would not have to suffer. I would only be keeping him alive for myself, not for him. I know many of you have had to face this decision and it ain't easy. Will I get another dog, absolutely. Cinder is lonely, she looks for Toby all the time, and she also will be leaving me soon, she has breast cancer and she is too old to have the radical surgery she needs. So I'm facing this again before too long. Right now she is OK, but tumors are popping up in her mammary glands. I've loved my kids with all my heart. Sorry to write all this sad stuff, but this has been my life lately. I do try to keep busy, book club, bible study, movies, reading, but I'm in a rut and I need to change my lazy habits.<br />
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I do have several great trips planned for this year and I'm looking forward to all, but it's this day to day shit (pardon me) that I'm having trouble with. My 75th birthday is coming up in March and a couple of years ago I wrote 73 things that make me happy in my blog posts. Maybe that will help. I'll start with these two...<br />
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1) Crunchy Peanut Butter on Trader Joe's Classic British Muffins toasted with Stonewall Kitchen's Peach Amaretto Jam spread on top. Try it, you will like it.<br />
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2) Reading a really good book, just finished "The Woman in the Window" by A J Finn. If you enjoyed the old Hitchcock movies, you will enjoy this read.<br />
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Ok I'm on a roll. Maybe this will keep me going. Inserting a few picture, they have absolutely nothing to do with this post. Just some pretties to look at.<br />
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See you next time.....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-33314504284907981962017-12-26T18:00:00.000-06:002017-12-26T18:04:48.321-06:00Dear Blog....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Blog,<br />
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I know it's been a mighty long time since I last wrote, but I've been thinking about you for some time now. Wanting to write, but then not wanting to. My life has changed, no not physically, I'm still in my home, but mentally, I guess. Since my sweetie passed away in September and with his Memorial Service in November I have felt a huge chunk of my life is gone. You can easily say that my sweetie has been "gone" for a long time. Indeed he has, mentally. But physically he was still with me. I could still reach out and touch him, I could still give him a kiss, I could still whisper in his ear, "I love you." But with his passing, that too is gone. I truly did not think I would mourn his passing to the extent I have. But one never knows how mourning comes to us. This was not a happy Christmas season. Yes, I spent lots of good times with friends and family, went to church events, out to eat, attended musical events, went on a Christmas House Walk. But with all that merriment, I still felt a sadness, I just couldn't get into the spirit of the holidays. I didn't decorate this year, which is absolutely the first time in my 74 years, that there was no Christmas tree in my home. No decorations, no tinsel, no lights. Indeed the Grinch dominated my scene this year.<br />
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In less than a week it will be a new year, 2018. I want this to be a good year. Between what is happening in our country, what is happening in the world, and what has happened in my life 2018 merits to be better in everyway. Strife will continue, there is no doubt about that but we can still continue to pray for a more peaceful world, Trump will still be President, but again we can pray for good decisions, and life continues, and that is for certain.<br />
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Looking back, I really took some terrific trips this year, Arizona, Door County, Lexington, New Mexico, Colorado, Germany, and Prague. I already have trips planned for Arizona, California, Utah, and Hawaii. Nothing overseas....yet. My life is blessed with goodness. I have good friends, a great family, a wonderful church community, my two kids....life is good. The loss of my sweetie will always leave a hole in my heart, but knowing that he is in a much better place also fills my heart with joy.<br />
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Scenes from Christmas....<br />
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Anticipation of presents to come...<br />
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Sisters....<br />
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Come on Dad, you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.....<br />
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Joy oh joy...<br />
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Surprise....<br />
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We have a new doctor in the house....<br />
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Are we done yet....<br />
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Grands and Great Grands....life doesn't get much better <br />
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Happy New Year Everyone....!!!!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-59414368975297675922017-11-01T20:14:00.001-05:002017-11-01T20:33:55.102-05:00November - The Gratitude Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's November 1st. How did that happen? I am barely used to writing 2017 on what few checks I do write and it's almost time to begin writing 2018. I just shake my head and wonder how life speeds by so fast. Since my last post on my memories from Colorado I have since been to Germany and Prague. I am traveling as much as I can while I am still upright and able to move about with few problems. You young ones out there, appreciate your hips, knees and ankles because sooner or later they will begin to rebel and not want to participate in daily activities. My pace is slower and rising from a comfy chair, you may detect a groan or two, but it's not stopping me from going and seeing. Life gets shorter by the day and I'm cramming in as much as I can before my whole body rebels and traveling must stop. Again, cherish each day.<br />
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My trip to Germany was terrific. We landed in Berlin, spent a couple of days there and then traveled mostly thru east Germany tracing the path of Martin Luther. This October the Protestant Reformation celebrated it's 500th Anniversary when Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to a door on a church in Whittenburg, Germany challenging certain practices in the Catholic Church. This eventually led to the "reformation" that ushered in the Protestant religions of Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists. Probably more, I didn't google it. Luther was an extremely religious man, attended university with the intent to become a lawyer but was "called" to become an Augustinian Monk. It was during this time that Luther began to doubt some of the "practices" within the Catholic church, particularly paying for indulgences.<br />
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It was a fascinating trip, walking into the very church that Luther preached in, visiting the monastery where he lived as a monk, seeing his grave and the town where he died of heart failure. All this happened in the early 1500's. Our country was a baby at that time, still called "the new world" with colonies beginning to form...the time of Ponce de Leon, Cartier, and Vasquez....you remember those names, explorers discovering this new world. All this while Luther was translating the Bible into German, writing poems and songs, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" (I'm sure you have sung this on occasion) and preaching that men become closer to God and gain salvation, not by their deeds but by their faith.<br />
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This is the month of gratitude (actually every month should be, but November has been labeled the month of gratitude). So I am beginning this month with gratitude that my trip to Germany was totally grand....nothing lost, no injuries, good company, and fascinating sites to see. BTW I have close to 2,000 pictures, so I may be grateful for this trip all month long....snort!<br />
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PS - this is the weekend of my sweetie's wake and Memorial Mass, I will be surrounded by my family, prayers are always welcome.<br />
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Until next time....<br />
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-5921352804839620762017-10-05T16:40:00.001-05:002017-10-05T17:05:18.693-05:00Trip Memories....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Traveling thru Texas on the way to Santa Fe, NM</div>
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A trip to Colorado to photograph the aspens in the Fall led by my friend and mentor Lou Nettlehorst, good golly yes, I'm in. That plan began much earlier this year with my blogging/photographer buddy, Jeanne Stone. We have made 2 trips together, one to Charleston, SC and another to photograph the Hill Country in Texas during bluebonnet season. We are compatible companions, even with my snoring and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and nature. We get it when we take 30 minutes to photograph a wildflower, unlike those who do not see how we photographer's see. You guys out there know what I'm talking about. Jeanne has breathing issues in high altitudes and her doctor advised her to drive to Colorado instead of flying to help her lungs gradually get used to the difference. OK, instead of flying to Colorado as originally planned I flew to Dallas (where Jeanne lives). A wee bit off track but not only did we plan on joining Lou in Gunnison, Colorado on Saturday, Sept 16th we decided to extend our trip by driving from Dallas to Santa Fe, NM...<br />
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staying 2 nights in Santa Fe (which was not nearly enough), then drive to Ghost Ranch near<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Abiquiu, New Mexico, the land of Georgia O'Keefe spending one night there (again not nearly enough) and then on to Gunnison, CO to meetup with our group for dinner and a get-together before outings began early the next morning. And what I mean by early is setting my alarm for 3:30 AM, holy mackerel who gets up at 3:30 except maybe to go pee. Lou has a habit of choosing places that are a bit of a drive for those early morning sessions, but it's all worth it for the end results. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The night we arrived in Santa Fe we ate at a restaurant known for their tasty margaritas. Now I'm a frozen fruity margarita fan so that was a choice I decidedly agreed upon. Jeanne could only take a few sips, while I enjoyed every last drop and didn't feel a thing. While in Santa Fe, we wandered thru the streets, popping into churches to admire their beauty, touring the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and stopping at the rail station where the rail runner still had regular scheduled departures. Notice the rainbow in the scene....I took this as a positive sign that our trip would be filled with good times. It was until the phone call from my daughter came on Sunday evening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After leaving Santa Fe we headed to Ghost Ranch, the iconic place where Georgia O'Keefe created some of her finest work. The ranch itself is over 22,000 acres, but to my surprise, Georgia only owned about 7 acres of this grand space. Apparently she tried with earnest to buy the whole 22,000 acres, but in the end the owner, Arthur Pack left everything, except the 7 acres to the Presbyterian Church. It now resides as a retreat and education center with over 300 classes taught there each year. In fact, our humble abode (and they are rather humble, with no AC and concrete floors) was right next to a large group of oil paint artists that were in the midst of their last creation before packing up and leaving the next day. What a panorama for a subject. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah, that's me on the back of the horse, not the good looking cowgirl in front leading, me on the back of blonde horse, clinging (not really) to the reins and trying desperately to take photos with my big girl camera as we rode around Ghost Ranch for 1 1/2 hours. Please don't inquire as to my butt condition after that ride. Let's just say, I didn't fall off and the scenery was amazing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our two wranglers, very kind to us oldies....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That evening we wandered down to the entrance to Ghost Ranch to capture the sunset. You can see from the wagon that the golden hour was indeed golden. Wonder if riding in the wagon would be any more comfortable than the back of the horse...probably not. And that sweet little cabin is the one (so I have been told) that was featured in the movie, "City Slickers" with Billy Crystal. In the visitors center there are a whole slew of movie posters featuring movies that were filmed at Ghost Ranch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next stop (except for a few minor pull off the road I need to get that shot episodes) Gunnison, CO. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PS - Thank you all for leaving such kind comments on my last post. I so appreciate your prayers and love that you have expressed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!! </span></div>
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Until next time.....</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395338289033622908.post-26105938536564745172017-10-03T17:37:00.000-05:002017-10-04T20:38:13.666-05:00Time Goes By....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sunset at the Mackinac Bridge</div>
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I've been missing this place. Since my last post back in May, (surely it can't be that long ago) a lot has happened in my life. Some great, some good, some gladness, some sadness. I began this blog in May of 2011 when my sweetie was still home with me and I was desperate to find an outlet for creativity. I had found a new passion, photography that was a "hobby" that my sweetie could be with me by my side as I began to hone my photography skills. I began using flickr as my "go-to" for posting my pictures a year earlier, but somehow I felt the need to write more, post more....thus the beginnings of this blog. After I settled my sweetheart in bed for the night, I would open my laptop and begin writing. It was tranquilizing after a day of dealing with the devastation of Alzheimer's. I purposefully didn't want my blog to be about my struggles or about my sweetie's illness. I focused on the beauty around me and it's here that I found peace.<br />
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Shaker Town near Lexington, KY</div>
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This blog gave me that outlet that I needed, and I posted almost daily for several years. Then I began to let my posting slide, I began to skip short periods of time, then long periods of time, now so irregular that I will be surprised if anybody finds this. Blogging has become almost a thing of the past, Instagram has taken over. I don't know about you, but I find it difficult to express feelings on Instagram. And I'm sure not crazy about ranting and whining on Facebook. My soul hurts from all the negatives that are posted on Facebook. We've had so much sadness and devastation in our lives recently that some days scrolling thru social media becomes a burden. Yes, I do agree that it's a good platform for keeping in touch with friends and family, but so much more has filtered thru.<br />
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Sunrise in Door County over Lake Michigan</div>
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Oh my, when I began writing this post, I didn't realize that I would get off track with social media. Now, back on track....I've traveled quite a bit since early spring going to Mackinaw, Michigan, Lexington, Ky, Door County, WI, Santa Fe, NM and finally to Gunnison, CO. Ofcourse having my camera always attached to my body.<br />
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North of Santa Fe, NM</div>
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While I was on my last trip to Colorado for a week-long photography workshop I received a call from my daughter that my sweetie had been admitted to the hospital with a UTI. He has had a handful of these attacks since he has been in a care facility, always responding to the medication and after about 3 days in the hospital he returns to his residence. Not this time, he developed a serious infection and there were few options. Prayerfully and with a great deal of thought, I made the choice to place him under Hospice Care, knowing that his quality of life was not what he would want for himself. With all in agreement that this was the right choice, my sweetie passed in no pain with his family by his side on Thursday, Sept 21st. There were many tears shed that night, a lot of hugs and a beautiful prayer and blessing from the hospital chaplain. As we were leaving the hospital the night nurses that had cared for him earlier in the week came to us, also with tears in their eyes and gentle hugs for our loss. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionxkCYVU33h2XTM9jdw17HAFoBvzLEQ5Za988K-iXwV9bGEBotZbM2YTzU9-0aUxlXqIaRLe-_pcCRv2209WeNLdjrBOsu1qDUn29puyxC0mRgK_Evp_gp6tSU7UB6kpaNYnU_0J8j3_V/s1600/26+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionxkCYVU33h2XTM9jdw17HAFoBvzLEQ5Za988K-iXwV9bGEBotZbM2YTzU9-0aUxlXqIaRLe-_pcCRv2209WeNLdjrBOsu1qDUn29puyxC0mRgK_Evp_gp6tSU7UB6kpaNYnU_0J8j3_V/s1600/26+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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Santa Fe National Cemetery </div>
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I took this image above less than a week before my sweetie died, not knowing that within a few days I would be making the decision for his ashes to be buried at a cemetery similar to this one with a gravestone like the ones above. My faith, my family and my friends were there for me when I needed them the most. I am at peace with my decision knowing that he is resting in God's hands, whole again and without any pain. Fifty-three years of marriage to a wonderful man.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6FHMOlE2AnNh3rzbe8mmGlfWvf0jZPQYCoIxugnpqmyOEZ0-VSzohVwY4lQ6doKc4qWRB49mRoByHG3lNpiAxXgM1RWePsTXPl-iVvdvvreJS7reym6Z3fJTY-4T8yr_Q1VCReFt0X7b/s1600/fun+on+the+3rd+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426px" i="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6FHMOlE2AnNh3rzbe8mmGlfWvf0jZPQYCoIxugnpqmyOEZ0-VSzohVwY4lQ6doKc4qWRB49mRoByHG3lNpiAxXgM1RWePsTXPl-iVvdvvreJS7reym6Z3fJTY-4T8yr_Q1VCReFt0X7b/s640/fun+on+the+3rd+16.jpg" true="" width="640px" /></a></div>
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Until next time.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNZ28Ujd7KfXp4iCxPchYJbK3TjSGn_urnDUbcvveH9BdyXLVONP1B4RCB05FEvc1x3ZHvgINHvZ9nGzvm1325qRRh1JEgbLVazP4QQB7PYogF4T4TteY2j_l_UH2ZJ4qC-qcF4HGs8_t/s1600/my+signature_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="796" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNZ28Ujd7KfXp4iCxPchYJbK3TjSGn_urnDUbcvveH9BdyXLVONP1B4RCB05FEvc1x3ZHvgINHvZ9nGzvm1325qRRh1JEgbLVazP4QQB7PYogF4T4TteY2j_l_UH2ZJ4qC-qcF4HGs8_t/s200/my+signature_edited-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857633931690620336noreply@blogger.com22