Reflection

Oh my, have I been neglectful of this blog, wow. No updates since October. It looks like I fell off the blogger wagon, which I did but with the New Year 2016, I hope to do much better. I'll admit I don't seem to take as many photos as I used to, no reason, just lazy I think.

Last week in church, our Pastor asked us to reflect on this past year, reflect on the good as well as the bad and that is what I have been contemplating all week.  Little snippets of the year have drifted in and out of my brain for most of the week.  I should have written them down, since the operative word in that last sentence is "out". Images and thoughts have wound their way thru my brain like snow, landing but either whisk away by the wind or buried by others falling from the sky.

This past year what has not disappeared is....

I have found delight in my travels, Paris being the highlight. And a close 2nd is Arizona. What a nice getaway each year.

I have become lazier, spending way too much time on my I-Phone, checking emails, facebook and instagram or playing some benign game. Time I should have been making pictures or writing a blog post.

I am beyond blessed with finding a church that has totally embraced me.

I am distraught over the violence in the world, one that I alone cannot overcome.

I am buried in books to read, only wish my eyes wouldn't tire so easily. To help resolve this I have begun to download audibles when affordable.  Read for awhile, then listen until the eyes regain clarity. (falling asleep while listening has also become a slight issue, it's nice that you can set a timer with audible)

I found this Christmas holiday a little sadder than usual. My calendar was quite full of lunches, breakfasts, celebrations, holiday musicals, church events, but in the midst of it all I felt a sadness that my sweetie isn't here with me, more so this year than in the past. No wonder they title this disease as "The Long Goodbye".

I am delighted that there is a toddler in our midst. Matilda Mae is just pure delight. So inquisitive, so focused, pure joy.

I am not happy about the increasing expansion of the waistline (probably due to the laziness issue, see above), the addition of more wrinkles (don't let anyone convince you that there is a product that removes wrinkles within a week, 10 days, 2 weeks. Not happening.)

This year our Fall was beyond beautiful. Colors so deep and lush, with some leaves hanging on until our first snowfall.  And the light was tailor made for photographing those lovely shades of yellows and golds.

I was introduced to Netflix last year which probably added to the "laziness" issue.  In defense, there are some darn good series on Netflix and Amazon Prime.  Right now I am watching "The Man in the High Castle" on Amazon Prime. The premise is what the USA would be like if the Axis powers, Japan and Germany had won the war. Something to think about.

I presented my first book review last year and if I do say so myself, I think I did an admirable job. I belong to 3 book clubs.  Two of them we read a book a month and then discuss it, the 3rd book club is a luncheon along with one of the members reviewing a book.  I call it "the story-time book club." I kept the delivery quite animated which in turn kept everyone awake. Giggle if you will, but after a nice lunch and a comfy chair it's quite easy to nod off. The book I reviewed was "The Red Notebook", a charming story with Paris as the location and a main character a bookstore owner.

I participated in my 3rd Open House in November where I sell greeting cards and calendars created from my photography.  The profits of $576. went to the Alzheimer's Organization. Going to put my thinking cap on this year to come up with more ways to expand.

Family time is certainly the best time.  Thanksgiving brought my whole family together around our table to eat and give thanks for our many blessings.

I hope this new year of 2016 is good to us all.  No resolutions, no word for the year, I tend to fail miserably at both, so I am just going to focus on appreciating life and the goodness and love that surrounds me.  I wish new hopes will always be a part of your life. Happy New Year.

Until next time.....

That Time of the Year

Spring came, Spring left, and now it seems to be returning again.  I did say that it was a fickle season and this past couple of weeks proved my point.  A week ago Monday it was 70 degrees, this Monday we had a snow-fall of about 5 inches, wet, heavy stuff.  Today there is hardly any trace left of that 5 inches.  "Hope for the best. Expect the worst. Life is a play. We're unrehearsed." ~ Mel Brooks  That about sums up Spring around here.  I did manage to find a robin or two during the snowstorm, sitting on the rose bushes in the backyard, patiently waiting for the snow to stop.  

Now we are back to this.....

Linking up to Theresa's Good Fences 

I get real antsy about this time of year.  The holidays are long gone, the winter has gone on too long, my getaway to Arizona is over, too early to even think about planting flowers, it's that ho-hum time of the year for me.  I start getting real lazy....sitting around reading, binge watching TV shows, playing solitaire on my I-Phone, ya know all really important meaningful ways to spend the day. 

I volunteered to take pictures of the animals at our Humane Society, thinking I would go a couple of times a week.  But after further discussion, I think they want someone that can come practically every day.  I don't know if I want to be that committed to a volunteer undertaking.  They did say they needed photographers for their events, which is a consideration.  I was so excited about the possibility of being around animals and photographing them, but it's just a might much for me to commit oneself to.  I know my limits.  

We have been studying Joanna Weaver's "Having a Mary Spirit" in Bible Study.  This last week we focused on forgiving others.  Sometimes we have been hurt and the person responsible isn't even aware of the hurt.  Many times we carry this burden of hurt and don't want to forgive.  I found this quote today and thought it was so appropriate for letting go....  "Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life." ~ Joan Lunden  Isn't that just perfect. And I also found this on Pinterest and decided to add it to an Arizona image of mine. 

Yes, we can count on God and his love for healing old wounds and help us to forgive.  Who wants to carry around old hurts, not me. 

Until next time.....

Seeing the Beauty

Daffodils, one of the earliest flowers to begin blooming here, altho these are not from here, well, technically they are not, they are actually from Trader Joe's and I have no idea where they came from. But they remind me of Spring and what's eventually to come and the sun is shining and all is good with the world.

Well, not everything. Just reading the newspapers is a scary event.  What with Hilary hiding e-mails, the violence continuing in Ferguson, ISIS spreading and destroying lives as well as precious artifacts, and next season may be the last for Downton Abbey, so no I guess everything is not right with the world.  It's difficult to think of all the bad things there are in this world, all the unfairness, all the diseases that are not curable, but dwelling on these fears is not good for our souls.  Many of you know that my husband's decline is what brought me to photography.  It gave me beauty when I was surrounded by grief and anger.  So I encourage you all to find something, someone, anything that takes away the fear and sadness in your life and replace that with something of beauty.

God has given us beauty, let us enjoy that beauty that surrounds us and try not to dwell on the ugliness in the world.  I don't know why I chose this subject to write on today, except perhaps after reading the newspaper this morning, which seemed to be exceptionally worrisome, I looked up and saw the daffodils that I bought yesterday that were nothing but tight little buds, now in full bloom and so cheery on the windowsill.  So my focus went from troubling to beauty in a turn of the head.

My trip to Arizona was filled with beauty everywhere I looked.  I probably have close to 1,000 shots taken while there.  This shot in particular caught my eye as Terri and I wandered the streets of the Barrio in Tucson.  Do you suppose the owner of this motorcycle bought this particular color with the BMW logo to match his house??  I choose to think he did.  And because it has a little fence separating the bike from the house I am joining Theresa at Good Fences and Kim at Little Things Thursday because daffodils after all are little.

"Surround yourself with people who make you a better person." ~ Unknown

Until next time.....

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday to Deanna

Happy Birthday to me

(and many more!!!)

That last line is really important at my age....72.  Holy moly, in my younger years I would definitely say that's old, but now that I am that age, well, it's still old.  But....I don't feel 72, thank God, and I don't think I look 72, so I'm good with it.  My Mom lived to almost 92 and for most of those years she was in really good health and very active and mobile, so I only pray for the same. 

Since there is absolutely nothing to photograph outside my windows, no signs of Spring (no robins spotted yet) and the mud level is getting higher with the warming temps and melting snow, I will continue sharing Arizona images.  Much more appealing than what's going on in my part of the world. I could share a pic of Toby's mud-caked legs and paws, but definitely not a pretty site.

I searched the whole time I was in Arizona for a Desert Wren, the state bird, but darn I never spotted one.  But I did spot these beauties....

A Black Crowned Night Heron, eventho it's more blue than black, he's a beauty.

A male Quail...notice the dark on the neck area.  That is what distinguishes them from the females.

This is the female Quail, light on the neck area....and so sweet!!

A Texas Mountain Laurel bush in Arizona.  I saw both bushes and trees with these dazzling lavender flowers.  The flowers are about the size of a fist, well my fist, so they show off quite well. 

Tiny cactus with red flowers rimming around its tips.  Almost reminds me of the laurels of flowers for May Day, except there are no prickly thorns on May Day.

I love this one because of it's bend...most of the time they are tall and very straight. Must be a female showing off her curves

This is a Jacaranda tree.  Isn't it stunning!!?  It was in full bloom while I was there, lucky me.  These beauties can grow up to 50 feet tall.

  

So now you see why I would much rather share these images than anything from my parts right now. I need to go to Trader Joe's to add color to my world.  Hint, for those of you who have purchased cut Hydrangea flowers and they have wilted almost immediately, (which happened to me) I saw where if you mist them with water daily they can last up to 2 weeks.  Gonna try that for sure.  

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. ~  Oprah Winfrey

Until next time.....

A Little Winter Weary in Pics....

It's so wonderful seeing the early signs of Spring in other parts, here....not so much.  Snow is still on the ground, getting to that really messy stage where the kid's feet are usually covered in mud everytime they venture outside.  I haven't seen Robins yet, and I usually always see them just about this time of year.  I bet they are here, I just haven't spotted them.  When I do, you will be the first to know.

By this time of the year I feel like I could really use a tan....how about you??

And I am so tired of wearing that heavy muffler around my neck...

I have definitely overeaten this winter...

I am really tired of stepping gingerly thru the piles of snow and slippery ice...

I am so looking forward to Spring colors....pinks & yellows..

A trip to the spa where I am preemed and pampered is probably a "must do"

Or a new hair-do would be just the thing....

I get really bored about this time of year, just waiting for that warm weather to return...

Where I can sit in the sun and just let the sunshine warm my body...

How about you, are you feeling the first signs of Spring in your neighborhood or are you still in a snowy mess as I am?  Hang on, Spring will come, I guarantee it!!  

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt 

to revive also.—Harriet Ann Jacobs

All images are from the Phoenix Zoo where my friend, Joyce volunteers twice a week.

Until next time....

The Butterfly Edition

Here I go again apologizing for being a sometimes, almost never blogger.  I was in Arizona for 10 days, just returned yesterday with the same snow still on the ground. So that was part of the reason, but come-on the last time I posted was Valentine's Day and that was Feb 14th and this is March 7th. What the heck. Anyway, I had a really, really great break from our snow & cold, stayed busy the entire time, saw 3 movies, went to Tucson, visited the zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden, and the Butterfly Garden. Went shopping, out to a birthday lunch, tagged along while Joyce bowled and enjoyed a leisurely lunch after with a new friend.  Out to dinner practically every night, quick trip to Superstition Mountain, and perused the Swap Meet where I bought 3, yes 3 purses.  Oh the list goes on and on, needless to say I am in recoup mood today.  Taking a breather before the next round of events here at home begins.

While there I met up with my gal pal, photography lover & blogging buddy at Focusing On Life, Terri Porter to visit the Butterfly Wonderland and the Desert Botanical Garden.  Thought I would share just a few of the gazillion photos I took while there.  Visiting the Butterfly Wonderland is truly a treat.  Flying free and landing anywhere their wings decide.  I had them in my hair, on my arm, in my hand, on my back.  I could feel them when they landed, but only just slightly.  So here a few of those glorious winged creatures.

This one had just hatched from the cocoon, so she is brand spankin' new!!

Loved the way the light shined on her wings.  Hmm is it shined, shinned or shone??

Whoa, this is almost too close....

OMG, nature is just incredible!!

Each one is just drop dead gorgeous.

Look at the way the light illuminates the antennae!!

If you hop over to my collaborative blog "Focusing On Life" you will see a variety of the green in Arizona, along with a couple more butterflies.

I spent 10 glorious days in the desert, but it's always nice to return home.  My kids were indeed glad that it was me who opened the door last night.  So many wags and kisses, ahhh the love of a dog is unparalleled. 

Joining Madge at "The View From Right Here" for her weekly Top Shot

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.  ~  Nathaniel Hawthorne

Until next time....