Running behind Monday

Am I packed no, am I ready no, but I will be by 10:15 AM in the morning when the limo is picking me up to transport me and my baggage to the airport for my flight to Colorado.  Dog is taken care of, mail & newspapers are taken care of.  Have you noticed I am blogging a check list today.  Now I really do need to get packing.  I must admit tho that after I visited my honey today and dropped the dog off at my daughter's, I did stop at Kohl's and did a little trip shopping.  They were having great sales with an extra 15% off entire purchase.  I saved the same amount as I spent.  Anyway, I bought some new jeans, new tops so I will be stylin' while I'm there.  I just love all the nice feminine touches the designers are adding to simple knit tops....a little lace, a little ruffle all sweet additions.  Thank goodness we have moved beyond the grunges. 

Not much time to blog tonight, gotta get movin' but I did want to add one photo to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  I took this on my way home today.  The softness of the dried corn against that lovely sky is my addition.  I used 2 textures, Scripted Autumn with 3 layers; 1 layer at soft light, 2nd layer at linear burn, and a 3rd at linear burn.  Added a layer of Robins Egg in soft light.  Really like it.  I also adjusted the hue to give the sky a lighter blue. 

The theme is grateful....I am grateful for the farmers that raise crops for sustenance....the changing of the seasons, the skies so blue, eyes that see, and my love of photograhy that led me to this beautiful image.



"We need to think of ourselves as gifts to be given and to think of others as gifts offered to us."

Until next time......

Suddenly Sunday

I don't know about you, but the weeks just seem to fly by.  This is already the 2nd day of October, we had our first hard frost last night, the leaves are changing and falling, time to pay bills again (that really does seem to roll around too fast), I think I have decided which of the new shows I am going to continue to watch, (altho I think there are still a few that haven't even aired yet, maybe I should leave this option open), and only 1 more day until I leave for Colorado.  Yippee!! 

My brother called today to give me a heads-up on the weather for the week (I guess he doesn't realize I have internet and can check the weather any place in the world) encouraging me to pack really casual.  Jeans, jeans and more jeans.  I can do that since I have jeans in a myriad of colors and they are one of my fav things to wear in cool weather.  My brother lives in Pagosa Springs, CO and as the name implies there is a spring there. Apparently a hot tourist attraction (also hot meaning the pools are hot, cool and everything in between).  Although the area is fairly liberal, he instructed me that nudity is not allowed in the springs and to be sure and bring my swim suit.  OMG my swim suit is so old it probably has holes in the knees.  Well, maybe not that old, but this body hasn't been in a swim suit in many a year, it's scary just thinking about it.  I asked if I could wear a T-shirt, he said "sure", so I must remember to pack a T-shirt.  So now I have 2 things to pack, jeans and a t-shirt. 

While I am there we are taking an over-night trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, which I am exclamation-point underscore looking forward to seeing.  I have heard wonderful things about Santa Fe so my expectations are really high.  Camera here we come.  Between Pagosa Springs which other than the springs is filled with mountains, trees, woods, wild animals, beautiful vistas and Santa Fe which is brimming over with color, color, color (and I understand there are a few nice silver jewelry stores along the way) I am going to be on sensor overload. 

And speaking of over-load, I went back to the Arboretum today.  Since it is only about 15 minutes from the house it was just too beautiful not to go.  The sun was shining brightly, the skies were clear, the wind was light and the temps were comfortable.  It was perfect and I was in for a treat. 

The dew was still heavy on the leaves when we arrived creating a beautiful effect.  (Love that bokeh!!)

The maples were turning yellow......

Some were turning orange.....

Some were turning gold.....

Some were turning red......love how the light was filtering thru the trees to highlight the one leaf.

Some even had touches of pink.....

Even some Japanese Anemones were still blooming....

And you knew I couldn't end this series without a red berry of some sort. 

Having the eyes to see this beauty is truly a gift from God.  Hope your eyes saw beauty today.

"You're only here for a short visit.  Don't hurry, don't worry.  And be sure to stop and smell the flowers along the way."  ~  Walter C. Hagen

Until next time........

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - The Oct 2nd Edition

A disclaimer right up front...I am stretching the ideas for the prompts this week, again due to not even close to being ready for this week's hunt.  It's not that there isn't plenty of time.....however, I seem to operate by the seat of my pants sometimes.....sometimes ha, all the time is more like it.  I envy those that make lists, and as they accomplish a task it get's marked off the list.  I am so not like that.....and I am afraid I am almost falling into that category of "can't teach an old dog new tricks".  So, here's the old dog's interpretation of this week's Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  (in no particular order)

LINGER ~

Yesterday was Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk which Catherine and I took part in....fun, fun, fun day.  I plan on a big "show and tell" later.  We stopped and split a hamburger (we split because it was advertized as 1/2 lb burger), chatted for awhile with the other participants, and then headed home.  We decided that the 1/2 lb burger was really a 1/4 lb burger resulting in a spot for some dessert.   OK, now where do we go for dessert??....."The Cheesecake Factory", ofcourse.  Saturday evening is not the best time to go to a popular restaurant like "The Cheesecake Factory" unless you enjoy standing and waiting and watching other people standing and waiting.  But we did and after hemming & humming over which flavor pie we both wanted, Catherine settled on Carrot Cake Cheesecake and I choose Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake.  You could see me shamelessly licking my fork after each bite.  Both slices were tastes of paradise.  As we walked out of the restaurant, we realized that we had lingered so long in the restaurant that it was already dark outside.  I turned around and captured this shot....I very rarely take night shots, but loved the look of this building. 

HAZY ~

October will be over quickly and the days will become hazy memories....


MOVIE ~

"Angels and Demons"  came to mind when I saw this.  Actually this was part of the Honore` (an early Chicago developer) monument, just a glimpse at what we found on our Photo Trip to Graceland Cemetery in the heart of Chicago. 

MOVIE ~

Had to add a 2nd "movie shot"...."Easy Rider".  Went to the Arboretum this morning because it is 1) in the 60's, 2) blue sky, 3) very little wind just about a perfect day after a "hard" frost last night.  The colors are changing rapidly.  This gentleman was stopped for a brief rest and as I walked by him, I asked if I could take his picture.  He loved it...you can see by the smile on his face!!


COFFEE ~

Coffee....I don't think I need to say anymore.


BROWN ~

This is really stretching "brown" but I couldn't help myself.  We walked a few blocks around Wrigley Field yesterday after the Photo Walk...great part of the city with rehab houses, iron fences, tiny front yards, big porches, ridiculous rents.   This guy was standing in a front yard behind an iron fence with a big sign that said "BEWARE OF DOG".  Must have been intended for another dog, because this guy was a sweetheart, check out the missing front tooth and those big brown eyes. 

So that's my take on Ashley Sisk's Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  Stop on over and give some blog lovin' this week.



Until next time......