Some Of This....Some Of That

I did mention that I was dog-sitting, right?  So far so good, except for yesterday when Mac decided to hop the fence because I was standing in the driveway with one of my gal-pals who had come for coffee and he felt the need to get up close and personal.  With one leap, over he came.  So now, instead of feeling comfortable with a fenced in yard, I now have to consider that a fence does not equal total captivity.  If Mac has a hunkering to check out what is on the other side of the fence, a mere effortless leap is all it takes.  Toby's kingdom has been invaded by outside forces and he is being tolerable, but definitely not happy with the intrusion.  I can see the pleading in his eyes..."Mom, when is he leaving?"

Yesterday, a box from Amazon arrived on my doorstep, in it was some new software and a new instruction book on HDR (High Dynamic Range photography).  I have been fascinated with the images you get utilizing HDR, so thought I would dive in and give it a try.  No, I have not even downloaded the software, yet.  But soon.  While reading the book there was a quote that really tickled my funny bone, I was sitting on the back porch laughing out-loud.  Maybe you won't think it as funny as I did, but it did make me laugh in its simplicity....Photographer Jay Maisel says, he likes to always carry a camera because it is hard to take a photo without one.  That just struck me funny.  Maybe I had one too many cups of coffee by this time.  But it's true, it's hard to take a photo without a camera, pretty damn near impossible I would say.

Also in that box from Amazon was this little sign, that I just couldn't resist purchasing.  It now sits in the downstairs bathroom, and it too makes me giggle.....

The garden's best month is July.  Most everything comes alive in July...at least in my garden.  Yeah, there are a few beauties that arrive in early Spring and a few more that come along in the Fall, but July is the best.

And I also had the urge to buy some new actions by Paint The Moon.  I use her actions on practically every photo I edit...have been very pleased with her actions....this one is called Luminocity and I particularly liked this b&w action....

And this one on Sammie and her family....wish I could change that little frown to a smile, but the software doesn't go quite that far.....

And this one of the roses.....

OK, that is definitely enough rambling....hope Thursday brings you special things...

Joining with Kim at "Little Things Thursdays."

"Think left and think right and think low and think high.  Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!"                              
                                              ~  Theodor Suess Geisel  (aka Dr. Suess)

Until next time.....

Bragging = Kick in Butt

You know how it is, you start bragging about something and then it turns around and kicks you in the butt.  Yesterday my post was about how I successfully (?) weaned myself off of the anti-depressants I have been taking over the past several years.  No sooner had I hit the "publish" button than I received a call telling me that my husband had been accepted at the nursing facility here in my city, and they needed a definite day that he would be moved.  Well, the tears began to flow and flow they did for most of the afternoon as I made the arrangements for his move on Friday and asking my friend, Marti to be with me since my daughter just left this morning for NYC and won't be back until Sunday afternoon.  Tears continued to flow as the Director at his "new" place told me what a gentle man he was, how he would fit in well, they would take good care of him, etc etc.  Am I going to get that bottle out with the little blue pills, no.  But I know that it is there if I feel the need for that extra help down the line.  Granted this is an upsetting time, moving my sweetie from a place that I felt very comfortable with to a new more hospital like environment, but I know it is needed, he needs it and that is what's important right now.

Thank you to all who commented yesterday on my need for help when I was at a very low point in my life and I congratulate those who have recognized their own needs and have taken steps to live better, happier, more fulfilling lives with the help of medication when needed.  There is no shame in these needs and I thank God that there is medication to help us when our lives spin out of control.

My daughter, her husband and my youngest granddaughter came with Mac (the Huskie) to spend the evening and the night with me prior to leaving on their trip to NYC which is a grand way to cheer me up.  Their lives are always so busy that this is a rare occurrence when they can spend the night.  But since I am 1 hour closer to the airport and they had an early morning flight that made sense.  I took the opportunity to shoot a few pictures of Brie right prior to the sun setting.  When she was younger she really didn't like Nana taking pictures, but now she gladly poses...makes this Nana's heart happy.

Brie will be a junior at Iowa State University in the fall studying zoology.  Her dream is to become a zookeeper and currently she is doing an internship at a small zoo during the summer months.  She has always been an animal lover since she was just a wee one, so working with zoo animals is perfect for her.

Well, must go...need to hop in the shower, the girls are coming here this morning instead of our usual B&N.  I am dog-sitting Mac, the Huskie, and just didn't feel comfortable leaving the two dogs here ALONE so soon after my daughter & family left.  So coffee on the screen porch instead of B&N this morning.

Have a good day, hope the sun is shining, if not in the sky, in your heart.

Until next time....