Fog Beautiful Fog....

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just a little reminder that Spring always follows Winter which makes me very happy #32....

Have a good weekend everyone and remember, do something that makes you happy.

Until next time.....

The List Goes On and On

Oh 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!?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

Have a great and safe weekend all...

Until next time.....

Sleeping Under Blankets

Fall is definitely making an appearance around here.  Believe it or not I turned my heat on yesterday, it was 66 in the house and I was downright cold.  We have so many trees and the way my house is positioned it rarely gets any direct sunlight until all the leaves have dropped and the sun is low in the sky (aka winter).  So thus, it was quite chilly inside.  I even put an extra blanket on the bed today in prep for those cooler nights (and I do love sleeping under blankets, don't you??)

This afternoon I went into town to deliver some monies that folks had directly given to me for the Alzheimer's Walk on Sunday, gathered some more info about the walk, where and when to arrive etc. and after that I decided to take a walk.  As I walked out of the building I caught this beautiful view of  Sts. Peter & Paul Church.

We will begin the walk on Sunday near the football stadium at North Central College, but today the field was filled with.....

large college football players, practicing for their next game.

As I walked around I spotted definite signs that Fall is on it's way....the cone flowers are drooping.

The leaves are already changing colors....

Do you see the man on the bridge on the far left??  I walked up onto the bridge and saw him with binoculurs watching the young men practicing football.  I asked him if he was a spy for another team, he laughed and said that no, he was watching his son practice football.  He is such a proud father, couldn't stop talking about his sons and he told me that he makes time every day to come and watch his son practice....he doesn't think his son even knows he is there, but it just gives him such pleasure.  I remember the days when my son played baseball and how I so enjoyed watching him.  But as a Mother I was always worried he was going to be hit in the head with a baseball since he was a pitcher...don't we Mother's worry!!  Dads are proud, Mom's worry.

Then I stopped by the yogurt shop where you grab a cup and fill it with what ever flavor you want. I chose raspberry on the bottom, cheesecake in the middle and chocolate on top, then topped it off with a few fresh raspberries.  A definite yummy combination.

The kids are doing fine....Cinder keeps crawling under the fence (she is soooo tiny) but after she is on the other side, then she can't figure out how to get back.  Thank goodness she just stands there and whines until I open the gate for her to return.  I think she knows she has a great, new, loving home so she doesn't run off...gotta figure something out to prevent her from doing that.  The problem is I now have that vinyl fence and I can't hammer anything into it to keep her inside, like adding a piece of mesh wiring onto the bottom...!!  We'll figure it out.

Hope your day was grand...tomorrow evening my son is coming home.  Haven't seen him in almost 2 years....I am a happy camper Mom.

"We can live a life full and complete, thinking with our heads but living from our hearts."  ~  Helen Hunt, M.A.

Linking with

Until next time.....

Pleasant Places

Trying to return to normal, what's normal anyway???, by participating in Kim's Texture Tuesday. There was a time I wouldn't miss this fun meme, but you know how life sometimes gets in the way of the fun things in your life.

This past week my sweetie's brother and sisters have come visiting, which I do so love seeing them. While they were here we took walks in our lovely downtown and strolled along our Riverwalk.  I love showing off our great little city...we have much to be proud of.  Our city planners have accomplished great places to wander and enjoy....mixing the old and the new.  Having lived here for over 35 years, I proudly call this my home (eventho I occasionally throw in the fact I was raised in the great state of Texas, calling Dallas my home for many years).

Our Riverwalk is a beauty....

Even our flowers & little butterflies/moths are delightful along the Riverwalk....

The architecture in our downtown reflects the age of our fair city....

Showing off my town....Naperville, IL is one of life's simple joys.  What brings you joy...hopefully you have pleasant places to walk and enjoy near your home.

Thoughts come clearly while one walks.  ~ Thomas Mann

Until next time.....

The Healing Field of Honor

 I read in the newspaper yesterday that Rotary Hill part of Naperville's Riverwalk was transformed into a field of 2,012 American flags that are paying tribute to the service men and women from Thursday, Nov 8 - Tuesday, Nov 13.  This hill, which is being called "The Healing Field of Honor is a way for visitors to express patriotism and gratitude for our troops, as well as to raise funds to research medical issues that affect many veterans.

As I parked near the top of Rotary Hill, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the flags blowing in the breeze, hundreds of them waving their red, white & blue.  Rotary Hill is dominated by the presence of The Millennium Carillon that stands tall overlooking the entire field.

Walking around the park, taking pictures from every possible angle, ofcourse I had to capture this little cutie as her Mother had dressed her in red, white & blue just for this event.

We are encouraged to buy a flag in honor of a veteran either living or dead in order to raise money to help fund the traumatic brain injury research by Dr. Jim Kelly of Washington, D.C.  Many of our troops are surviving injuries they would not have in the past, but traumatic brain injuries are causing long-term problems.

Naperville hosted a Healing Field in 2009 which raised over $100,000. for the Fisher House of Hines V.A. Hospital in Chicago.

As I walked thru this field of American Flags a feeling of pride filled my soul.  Sometimes we have to be reminded of just how blessed we are to live in a country where our flag flies freely with no fear or shame, how fortunate we are to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  God bless all those who have served and continue to serve to keep our freedom safe and our flag flying proudly.

Sharing with Kim & Xanthe's "5 on Friday" .  I think I bent the rules a bit the first time out on this newer theme....

"You can't separate peace from freedom, because no one can have peace without freedom."  ~  Malcom X

Until next time....