February Already

February already, hard to believe when I am still culling through Fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas pictures. And the fact that our winter so far as been a "nothing" event. All that snow keeps dodging us. We were predicted for a snowstorm on Tuesday, but this morning reports are it will skirt us again. So no lovely snow pictures (again).

And speaking of pictures I entered an exhibit at one of our local public libraries today....not sure if I will be accepted, but it is my first time ever in doing this. I figured the best they could say is "yes" and the worst would be "no".  No charge, so no risk.  It is a Nature Photography Exhibit, so no domestic pets, (sorry, Cinder, Toby and Boone), and very little "hand of man" in other words, no buildings, barns, fences except if it is very obscure and not the main focus. These are the two I entered....

So, wish me luck.

Reports on the movie front....went to see Brooklyn on Saturday, good movie, sweet movie, but (in my opinion) not Oscar worthy.  Saoirse Ronan (please don't ask me to pronounce this) is the leading character, an Irish girl that sails alone to the US and lands in Brooklyn where she finds, a boarding house, work, school and love.  And if anybody can tell me where I have seen the Landlady that owns the boarding house in other works, (TV or movie) I would be forever grateful. You know how things come to you in the middle of the night?....well, it has been 2 nights and nothing has appeared. No aha moment. And it is really buggin' me.

Still reading "Pretty Girls" and yes, it is disturbing, but I will finish it just to find out who, why, how.

Pretty sad that Downton Abbey is down to the last wire. Last night we saw more blood than we have in the last 5 seasons. Julian Fellowes really decided to kick things up a notch. We are running out of episodes and there are too many loose ends to be tied up. At least Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson are wed, eventho he has already complained about her cooking, and looks like Mrs. Patmore may have a love shortly.  Things I will miss the most....the costuming (just wonderful) and Lady Violet's stinger remarks.

And btw, in checking out the website for "Downton Abby" I figured out where I had seen the "land lady in Brooklyn".  She was in another PBS series this past summer entitled Indian Summer where she played the part of an Englishwoman that owned the local social gathering place for all the uppercrust English when England ruled India.  So I can rest now. I just had my aha moment.

It feels like March instead of February, 46 degrees, no wind and the sun is shining. The kids are sunbathing in the front yard.  Hope February treats you well.

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." -  John Boswell

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.....

The Little Things

OK, so on Tuesday evening I text my granddaughter Bailey, (you know that is the only way to communicate with the younger crowd....an actual telephone is beyond their comprehension). She has been out of town on business for 4 weeks so haven't spent any girl time together and I knew she was on vacation this whole week.  Anyhoo my text said, "are you busy tomorrow? how about lunch and a drive in the country so Nana can shoot some countryside and barns in the snow? Sounds like fun...right??"  She text back.."yes,sounds like fun!".  Now I don't know if she really enjoys country drives, is humoring her Nana, or the sound of a free lunch was appealing.  I didn't care, I love spending time with her and I haven't been country driving at all since it snowed.

After we had our lunch, (Noodles) we were on our way.  It was cold, the wind was whipping, and the sky was totally without color, but I didn't care.  I was with my grand and on the road.  We ventured into territory neither one of us had ever been thru and along the way I found this....perfect for Theresa's Good Fences Thursday and Kim's Little Things Thursday.  After all it is those little things that truly count in our life.

And another one....

Added a texture to this one...

And then barns....probably a little bit breezy in this one.

And just about the time we were done for the day the sky began to brighten up a little..

It was a great day, well spent and now off to the movies with friends and bookclub this evening where we will be talking about "Orange Is The New Black".  Enjoy the rest of the week!!

"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything." ~ Aaron Siskind

Until next time.....

Going to the Birds

OK, after my more than usual serious post on Saturday, and I do appreciate all the encouraging and positive words of encouragement more than you know....I am back to my more light-hearted self.

Ask me what I have done today, just come on ask me.  I filled up the birdfeeder before our whoopin' snow storm a week ago Sunday. I know I am always a little behind in doing this, should have been hung and filled in early winter but I figure as long as there is bare ground and seeds on the trees the birds probably have enough to eat.  Now that the ground is covered in white, I'm thinkin' they would appreciate their local diner to open for the winter season.  I guess the birds thought the diner was closed for the season because it took them darn near a week to realize it was open for business.

So this AM I have been standing at the window, (which really needs a good cleanin') still in my PJ's and robe, snapping away.  You won't see any pics of sparrows in this group. Sparrows are the most populous bird in this area. Maybe they ought to pass a law like they did in China limiting a family to only 2 children per household nest, up 1 from when the law was passed in the 70's stating that each family could only have one child.  Somehow I don't think the bird world would adhere to that mandate.

I digress....

I know this is some kind of woodpecker, when I searched the internet I just got more confused. There is another one that has red on it's breast that I have seen but haven't been able to catch her/him in my lens.

Not sure what this is either, I think some kind of a wren.  Not crazy about the non-sharpness, but was excited to see this rarely seen bird in my yard.

And the Junco's so sweet, only see them in the winter-time here.

And then Mrs. Cardinal landing on the trellis.  She stayed for quite awhile, and just like a woman kept turning to make sure I had her best side.

 

And now a week later and after the snow has melted quite a bit, Cinder is much more willing to go outside.  She can maneuver through the banks and trails.

"You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with"  -  Wayne Dyer

Until next time....

It Snowed!!!

Oh boy did it snow here today. and it was that nice heavy "heart-attack" kinda snow that just sticks to everything.  Perfect for making a snow man.  It started before 11:00 PM last night and the last I checked it was still snowin' and a blowin'.  Needless to say I barely stepped out today except to shovel a pathway for my kids to do their thing.  Speaking of doing your "thing" I still remember my grandmother's outhouse.  Oh Yuck!!  We only visited in the warm months and it was bad enough then but can you imagine traipsing out with snow up to your knees with the wind howling. Oh no....so glad I am a 21st century woman.  How did I get off on that train of thought!!??

These are my snow angels.  They are the family that live across the street and every time it snows they come over (all of them) with shovels in hand and shovel my driveway and walks.  You can see by the pic how heavy it was snowing.  God bless the good neighbors in this world!!

Toby loves the snow....he jumps and runs and buries his nose in the white stuff.

While Cinder, on the other hand, is just fine staying in the nice warm house with her new sweater to keep her extra warm.  She only goes out when it is absolutely necessary, if ya know what I mean.

OK now it is the morning after and Toby has managed to burrow his way through the snow...you can tell by the huge piles just how much snow actually fell yesterday.  I saw on facebook someone measured 16 inches on their back porch but I don't think it is quite that much.  It's still a pile whatever the actual measurement is.

And another shoveling angel stopped by this morning and snow-blowed my driveway and sidewalks. I am so grateful for my neighbors who do this for me.  I have enough trouble just keeping a walkway cleared for the kids.

And to remind us that Spring is on it's way....(altho today being Ground Hog's Day and the critter saw his shadow which means another 6 weeks of winter) we will think warm thoughts and enjoy flowers from TJ's until they begin their emergence in the warmth of April May June.

Stay warm, stay safe!!

Until next time.....

For Cryin' Out Loud.....

For crying out loud, I did it again.  It's been almost a week since I last sat down to the computer to write a blog post.  How can I get back in the habit if I don't do it!!  But honestly my life has been pretty boring lately, only went out twice this week, once to Bunco and Wednesday to Bible Study. You would think that would leave me plenty of time, right??  Admittedly I have been taking pictures with my I-Phone and posting on Instagram (something I said I would not do), but heh, sometimes I break my own rules and since I upgraded to an I-Phone 6 the camera has far improved.

I have the travel itch....thinking about taking a trip across the pond.  I have been looking into Tracey L. Heppner's Follow Your Heart Travel Experiences, she is going to Morocco, Italy, and Turkey this year.  Doesn't that sound like it would be a great experience?!! Each trip is about 10 days except Italy is shorter, Tuscany and Umbria.  Oh be still my heart.  I am going to Paris in July with my daughter, granddaughters and some of her dance students with their parents. We will be there approximately 8 days with an itinerary that is packed to the gills.  I am hoping to make contact with someone who
lives there (photographer) since I have one day free and would love for a native to take me to places that I know I will never see on the tour.  Anybody know anyone??

It really isn't that snowy outside right now, it is in that "ugly " stage, where it's melted in spots so it looks like it either needs signs of Spring or another good covering of the pretty white stuff.  And I can guarantee that there will be no signs of Spring even when the calendar announces that Spring is here, it won't show up for at least a month or so after.  A couple three years back we had a really early Spring and it was almost creepy, so unlike here.  And then, you betcha, a hard freeze that killed off all those early buds and virgin growth.

OK, so because of the scenery I stop by Trader Joe's weekly for a dose of prettiness and color.  Last week it was a bouquet of mixed flowers.....

This week it was a small bunch of pale pink roses....

And then sometimes I even buy food while I am there that also gets photographed....

Some raspberries with vanilla yogurt....pretty tasty!!

So, I finished "The Girl On the Train" in 2 sittings (something I never do) so it was a darn good page turner...2 thumbs up.  And I have started "One Plus One" by Jo Jo Moyes, love her books, so I know I will enjoy it.  I started one of those "cheap" books I grabbed off of Book Perks, or Pixel of Ink or Book Bub (if you are a Kindle Reader you should subscribe to these sites, I have purchased some excellent books via their daily emails for $1.99 to $3.99 or in some cases "free").  Anyhoo, I started this book entitled "Burial Rites" by Hannah Kent.  It was quite a downer about a young woman accused of murder and scheduled for execution.  I think it took place in Finland in the 1800's or one of those Scandinavian countries where everyone's names are unpronounceable. I decided to put that down and move on to a more "light" read.  Sometimes I go back and finish reading a book that I have started and sometimes not.  Life is too short and there are too many good reads out there to suffer thru one that isn't appealing.

And speaking of books....sad to hear that Colleen McCullough died yesterday at age 77.  "The Thorn Birds" captured me when I was in my 30's and remains one of my favorite all-time reads.

"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy books and that's kind of the same thing." ` Anonymous

Until next time.....

Some Beach Thoughts and More....

Well hello.  How are you?  I'm fine, thank you.  Been a might busy doing fun things and then there is the wasting time thing that I am sooo good at. I really loathe (not sure if I like that word or hate better) myself when at the end of the day NOTHING has been accomplished, not even a blog post. And to top it off I haven't been out with my big girl camera lately.  I have been satisfying my photography thirst by taking pics with my I-Phone, something I said over and over again I will NOT do.  Thank goodness I can eventually bend and embrace something new....but I still can't take cucumbers or brussel sprouts.   Hop over to my Focusing On Life post that I wrote yesterday about this new found passion and some tips on some of my favorite "apps".

A couple of weeks ago (yeah, it's been that long) I took Cinder to the vet for her yearly check-up and shots.  After $200 worth of shots, tests, and for Dr. Minor to tell me that she is in good shape except she needs dental work desperately with a $350 - $550 estimate as to the cost, I took the time after leaving this place that seems to be sucking away at my money to drive through a forest preserve with camera in hand.

OK the first thing I spotted, even backed the car for this one, was this scene.  If the snow would have been tan, I could swear I was at the beach and just over that hill was the ocean.

 
And then I came upon this....

Just like those fences that I seek out when I do get to the ocean....never expecting to find them in the next town over in a forest preserve with no ocean in sight....

PS I took this at the beach in Galveston in October....I obviously had beach envy rattling around in my head on this cold, snow-covered day.

I found this purty tree....

And this...not so much beauty here just interesting with the outline of all the trees....

A couple of things to recommend.  I saw "Whiplash" - terrific acting by J K Simmons, hard to watch at times, but brilliant acting by both Simmons and Miles Teller (the drummer & student).  And I finished reading "Orange is the New Black" for bookclub.  Now I will admit that in hearing and reading about the Netflix production I was a bit hesitant to read this, but it was actually quite good. Very little "language", no Lesbian encounters, just the story of a pretty, white, well-off, supportive family, and well educated woman that made a mistake who was sent to prison and her life, her relationships, her support system and her realization of the injustices to women caught up in the prison system.  One of my friends has been watching "Orange is the New Black" and said it is like watching porn....I guarantee the book is NOT anything like the TV show.

Now I am reading "The Girl On the Train" what a page turner.  I am about 1/2 way thru the book and can't wait to return which I will do later today.  Next up..."One Plus One" by Jo Jo Moyes, I absolutely loved her last book, "Me Before You" so hoping this one is as good.

Hope you are having a good year so far and hope you all stay well....having the flu at Christmas was not fun.

Until next time.....