Neighbors

This morning I discovered that a family of toadstools has moved in with the geraniums.

New Growth!

Our Tulip Tree, which lost a large limb from the weight of the Easter snow, has new growth around the broken place. Hallelujiah! The black scar will always be there, but with gentle nurturing and time, a strong limb will grow from these sproutings. This new limb will help balance the tree, bring green into a place that was empty and will gently cover the black scar. New growth....good for trees and people!

Feeling Light-Headed

and quick handed. 7 inches of hair has departed from Nathan's head. What a cutie!

Memorial Day!

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me...

8pm and no photo for today! I headed out the backdoor and as the sun was setting, I clicked away on my little camera. It's been very rainy the past few days and rather dreary too. The colors from this little corner of the yard made me smile.

Farmer's Market Haul

Texas grown sweet onions, new potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon AND Georgia peaches.

Today

Today I observed a "Tai Chi" class at the above Community Center. I was drawn to the fluid movements, the melodic asian melody accompanying the movements and the easy going comraderie of the group. I left feeling downright peaceful! Soon I will be moving fluidly too.
After class, I walked the grounds a bit looking for photo-ops. I spied four tiny ducks making their way to the lake. Click on the photo to get a better look at the quadruplets.
I sat here a while, contemplating the sentiment etched on the rock below.
"In memory of those we have loved, learned from and let go."

Deep Breathe

I go here weekly. It is a place of pain. It is a place of digging up the hard ground. It is a place of saying the words you were once afraid to say. It is a place of safety. It is a place of new understandings. Ultimately, it will be a place of healing.

St. Francis

Early Saturday morning, I spotted four deer grazing on my friend's front lawn. Though I opened the door as quietly as I could, three of the deer bounded away before I could point and click. This stately fellow stood for a few moments, amidst the butter yellow morning light, and allowed me to capture the moment for you.

The Five Hundred Acre Wood!

The table where we ate and talked for four hours. The table setting was gorgeous, the meal scrumptious and the conversation flowed freely. Talk about feeling pampered!
Girlfriends Gab! These are my soul sisters. From left to right: Linda, Karen, Sheila, Susan, Jana (our fantastic hostess and the lucky lady that lives in the 500 Acre Wood) and my empty chair. What a special afternoon we had!
In the evening, we sat around the fire and talked a while. We also played with sparklers. Red played her fiddle and guitar in the background. It was a magical time!

BAD HABITS or...

LIVING DANGEROUSLY or UNPRETENTIOUS LIVING?

a. 1/2 pastrami and swiss cheese on 12 grain bread
b. internet usage
c. coffee cup full of ice water
d. small(ok, medium) portion of ruffled bbq potato chips
e. eating at the computer
f. photoblogging
g. eating your lunch off a paper plate
h. displaying incorrect date on your photo, evidence of techno challenges
i. posting partially unfocused photos
j. coffee splattered speaker

"When I took a tadpole puddle home, I realized just how much things can change overnight."
Zoe Lewis, my new favorite musician

Weekend Wonders

Happy Hour at "Land of Ease".
What do you see?
I am fifty and truly believe there are many "bests" ahead of me. Let's all grow old with gusto!

Gifts from the heart...

A super heavy concrete rock, with a personal message from Christy!
Ana's painting of our old house, where she lived from age 2 to 14. She included some of her favorite things. I love the quirky style of the picture...captures the personality of that home to a T!

My camera just ran out of battery power, so I didn't get a photo of the CD "mix" Nicole made for me, nor the sweet card from the Kids and John. Later, the kids are going to prepare Lemon Chicken, Salad and French bread for dinner. YUM! Also, Nathan and Nicole are going to do a "show"...drums and electric guitar and perhaps a bit of song too. Sounds like a fun evening. I'm a lucky Mom!!

Room With A View

This is the window from yesterday's photo, as seen from the inside looking out. In front of it is a comfy love seat that I bought fresh out of college. That was 27 years ago! Sometimes I sit in that peaceful place and look through the ivy covered window. If I squint my eyes, I can almost see thatched roofed cottages and the rolling English countryside.

"We all need to have a creative outlet - a window, a space - so we don't lose track of ourselves."
Norman Fischer

Morning Reflections

I guess my hands are a little shakey this morning, thus the blurry photos. Rather appropo...as my reflections on life are a bit shakey this morning. One thing I do know: blurry views soften us and there is much to be learned from them. In a strange and painful way, they are even beautiful.

Comfort Food!

Homemade chicken enchiladas and ripe strawberries with a sprinkling of sugar. Mmmm Mmmm Good!

Long Ago

a little girl named Susan wanted to learn how to play the drums. Yesterday, her very patient son taught her a "rock sequence" and today a "paradiddle"! WOOHOO!!! Sometimes little girl wishes do come true!

Make A Wish!

Yesterday we celebrated Daddy's 74th birthday(May5), Mama's 73rd birthday (July3) AND their 52nd anniversary, which is June 19th. It was a triple celebration day!

My wonderful parents...a match made in Heaven!

Hard Work Pays Off!

Nathan has done so well with his drum lessons! He has practiced faithfully on a drumming pad, book and "pretend" pedal. Today he can practice on the real thing: a five piece drum set with double bass pedal! Congratulations Nathan!!

Sitting On The Backporch!

My folks are here for a few days and we always spend lots of time on the backporch; talking, laughing, taking in the view and swinging. Saturday we will celebrate my Dad's 74th birthday. We will have 14 in attendance, should be a lively crew!

Flotsam and Jetsam

Heavy rains on Monday created a roaring torrent with all manner of trees and plastic miscellaney rushing down the creek. The debris catches on the bridge, which is at the edge of our property. Lovely view! I imagine the good city workers will be by soon with their long necked crane. Usually they make a day of it. It takes a LOT of guys to clean this up, quite a bit of conversation before, during and after as well as a break for lunch. It's entertaining listening to them, as they often see a water mocassin or two and the language becomes quite comical when they do!

April Showers Bring...

May Flowers! I discovered these little beauties this morning. A fine discovery for May Day!