to this...
and then again this...
to this in less than 24 hours.
Not only did the temperature change....drastically I might add, but my overall attitude went in the toilet. I wish I could say that the effects of the 10 days of sun and fun would have managed to hang on and last me thru the rest of the winter, but it didn't take my attitude long before it began to grumble just like the rest of the folks around here. Putting on boots, gloves, heavy coat, & muffler just to drag the garbage can to the curb for Tuesday pick-up is a drudge. I know, I know I am definitely whinning, and I know there are many out there that did not have a chance to get away, I know there are many that battle the elements daily (ie: the garbage pick-up crew) but I am being honest...this winter absolutely sucks.
The "kids" love to be outside, but it doesn't take more than 3 or 4 minutes before both are hobbling back up the sidewalk, limping because their little paws are so cold. So I am sure they echo my sentiments. I think the look on their faces pretty well sums up our present conditions.
OK, enough of the grumbling, moaning, & complaining, now is the time I need to stop and think of all the good and the blessings in my life....hmm, having to dig a little deeper, my attitude seems to be blocking those thoughts right now or maybe they are just "frozen" along with everything around me. Oh stop it, now I am just rambling negative thoughts.
OK...a little positive, here are a couple of "doors from the Barrio" in Tucson where my blogging buddies and I spent a wonderful day wandering around taking pictures of these fabulous doors. I did a whole blog post on these on my collaborative blog here if you would like to see more (I know I was in much better spirits too).
Love the cat in the window....linking this to Kim's Texture Tuesday. Used her Marabelle texture
This is so typical of the type of doorways you will find in this area, painted a bright color, crumbling brick, old doorknobs, a photographer's dream. Who gets excited when they spy peeling paint...ok, raise your hand high.
OK, I am in a better mood already, just knowing that I have all these wonderful memories of such a grand time along with almost 2,000 pictures to prove it.
"The difference between misery and happiness depends on what we do with our attention." ~ Susan Salzberg
Until next time....
hang in there a while longer. spring will be worth it (it sure better be!) :)
ReplyDelete"At least we have power". :) Blessings to you Deanna... and welcome back to the Midwest. xo
ReplyDeleteWow what a change I love the doors of Tucson...
ReplyDeleteOh goodness those sad eyes on your pooches are just pure torture to me and tug at my heart. Come on get back on that plane and stay here with me until the thaw comes. I love the doors and the kitty and yes I get off on peeling paint.
ReplyDeleteman i am so there with you when it comes to winter. thanks for sharing these wonderful, colorful shots from your trip! amazing how a little color can totally transform my mood! xo
ReplyDeleteAnd, oh! That 100% Southwestern green in both your barrio photos! That warms me up. It has been a long winter. I can't remember ever having snow on the ground as long as we have here in KY this winter. Not much, but every second or third day, another inch falls to make sure we don't forget that it's winter. But two days of sunshine have brought about a nice bit of melting. And ... temperatures next week are forecast to be in the seasonal high of 50s. Yay! We're heading out to FL on Monday where temps are forecast for near 80 and sunshine. Yes!! I'm hoping we'll be 'on the other side' of winter when we return. Remember: No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn. {Hal Borland} Whoever he was.
ReplyDeleteI hear you! And love that door!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images!! I've tired of this winter too and have started counting days to spring. Looks like you had a great trip - with lots of warm memories!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a tough transition, Deanna, but every day that passes is one day closer to being able to shed the boots, scarves, and gloves! :-)
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE that window!
I'm sooo with you on this Midwestern winter this year. Ready for spring. Wasn't a great year to have to cancel our winter vacay to warmer climates! I think the shot of the window and cat is my fave!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Texture Tuesday.
Such a difference in temperatures and landscapes within short notice! Oh the blue skies in the upper photo ... Lovely! And the green wall with the cat in the window ... and the red door ... The trip has been a pleasure to the eues and you "shutter finger" :)
ReplyDeleteIt must have been miserable coming back to this Midwestern winter. Love the before and after photos though. I raised my hand when you asked who gets excited seeing pealing paint. I'm going over now to see the doors.
ReplyDeleteOh yes…peeling paint :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Sarah.... Swooning over the peeling paint. That first shot is incredible-the clouds look like what you'd see in a view master!!
ReplyDeleteDeanna,
ReplyDeleteGlad you had an awesome trip to AZ. It's hard to come home from a trip, no matter what kind of weather greets us, because we have to go back to doing all the things we needed a break from. Cleaning, bill paying, jobs etc. The main thing is we take the time to get away and enjoy something different.
Your "kids" in B&W are gorgeous!
wow, that is a big change. i think you need to head back to warm times. but i thank you so much for sharing the snowy times. we are suppose to get some snow this Wednesday. we will see?? i am ready but i wonder what we will enjoying or regretting??! ha. ha!! ( :
ReplyDeleteI permit a grumble or two, three, four . . . I have been doing some of the same. Trying for bright spots though. Your beautiful photos help!
ReplyDeleteSuch dear little faces - and I am so completely in love with the window cat picture. I came back from California to sub-zero temperatures and a cold that turned into sinusitis into bronchitis and a perpetual cough. I feel your 'ugh' about this winter - I truly do.
ReplyDeleteLove the kitty in the window.
ReplyDeleteSorry winter is being such a monster up there. We're tired of it here, and we haven't had that much. Just yo-yo mess.
2,000 photos to sort and edit should give you some inside time, and great memories.
It's been a tough winter, but I know you'll hang in to the end - and then Spring! and flowers! and sunshine! and warmth!... Your dogs are adorable, what cute shots!
ReplyDeleteYou're allowed to whine. :-) I would, too, if I had such a change in climate and atmosphere so quickly. I love the cat in the window! Hang in there--spring will come before we know it and we'll be taking pictures of lovely flowers again.
ReplyDeleteThe first image is magical! Too bad you were welcomed home by old man winter!
ReplyDeleteThese bright doors full of character would cheer me up! 2000 photos! Wow! Sounds like you had a great time in the soon. Well, imagine how fun Spring will be after all this wintery stuff!
ReplyDeleteGreat doorway shot, and I can totally feel your pain with this LONNNNNNGGGGGG winter... and I am in texas and have no business complaining... but i am complaining too. Just hope it will be nice by the time we are in Charleston. I am going to the coast for the weekend for some bird shots on whooping cranes and it is supposed to be 70 degrees. can't wait! freezing here today!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back,Deanna - winter isn't over, I guess! I see you were at Desert Botanical Garden, too - such a beautiful place in every season. I like your warm desert colors, but I also like you snow shots! Take care and stay warm. We have lots of snow here in CO!
ReplyDeleteI think snow is tougher to deal with when you just leave a sunny beautiful place. Hopefully winter will be over soon. I love the kitty in the window picture. And my hand is held high for the peeling paint, along with crumbling brick.
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to what you are saying, and even though I'm so used to that type of weather I find winters seem a lot longer than they used to. A good dose of AZ heat does help though! I love your photos!
ReplyDeleteGoing from one extreme to the other must take a psychological toll on one. Perusing 2000 shots must warm your spirit. I'll bet those sweet little dogs were ecstatic when you returned from your trip.
ReplyDeleteI love the cat shot too!
Doors and winter wonderful... winter yuck! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how peeling pain (on someone else's house mind you) can excite so many women? haha And I'm not sure there is a vacation long enough to prepare you to go back to the cold and the snow and the grey and the yuck...but 2,000 photos....not that's gonna be a good time!
ReplyDeleteI sure do know how you feel only in reverse.. The weather here in Arizona is in the mid 70 you couldn't ask for more perfect weather. But I have been in such a bad mood since leaving Washington. I am pretty sure it is because I grew up in the desert and I am so over all the dust and heat. I would be perfectly OK if I never came back to the desert again.. Just give me some trees for goodness sake. Lots of them.. But I am almost sure if I lived where it snow my whole life I would feel the same way as you do. We have to be here in the Desert because my dad is not doing well. But when the time comes I am so outta here..
ReplyDeleteSorry to vent my friend.. But it sure did feel good to get that out.
Hugs~
I didn't even tell you how much I love your photos.. They are wonderful my friend.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it bizarre how you can travel from one climate extreme to another so quickly. Hopefully you stay healthy as it's easy when coming from a warm climate to a cold one to catch something. Poor doggies look so sad. Hoping they get some reprieve from the snow soon.
ReplyDelete