"Sticks and stones will break our bones, but words will break our hearts."
Robert Fulghum

"Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up."
Robert Frost

"If there is a sin against life, it consists perhaps not so much in despairing of life as in hoping for another life and in eluding the implacable grandeur of this life."
Albert Camus

“Playing chess is like looking out over a limitless ocean;
playing checkers is like looking into a bottomless well.”
Dr. Marian Tinsley

Life Is A Duet

My husband and I recently learned the duet version of "All I Ask Of You" and have had a lot of fun playing together. I am trying to figure out a way...as in find the moola...for hubby and I to get to New York to see the play, "Life Is A Duet". You can read about it here.

Time Flies

Amazingly, it's been a year since I started this photoblog. A year full of joy and sorrow, highs and lows and lots of pictures! What an experience it has been to try and capture my little corner of the world for you and to share a bit of my heart...by photographing the people, places and things I hold dear! I have so enjoyed viewing my fellow bloggers photography and can honestly say I know each of you better because of it.

I intend to continue photoblogging for a while yet but wanted to stop and say THANKS! to all who have commented or visited my little corner of the world this past year.

"Between the banks of pleasure and pain flows the river of life.
If you spend much time on either bank
you will miss out on life."
Nisargadatta Maharaj

This was an oops photo that got me to wondering how many batteries I've gone through during this "365 Photoblog Year". I probably don't want to know.

"Sometimes we come to life's crossroads and
View what we think is the end,
But God has a much wider vision and
He knows it's only a bend --

The road will go on and get smoother, and
After we've stopped for a rest,
The path that lies hidden beyond us is
Often the part that is best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger
Let go and let God share your load,
And have faith in a brighter tomorrow
You've just come to a bend in the road."
Author unknown

My First Paycheck...

in over 21 years! O Happy Day! Can you see my name? In case you can't see the amount, it is a whopping SIX DOLLARS AND 74 CENTS! This check, minus FICA and Medicare of course, is for the substitute teacher training I attended. There are many great reasons to teach, but money is not one of them! Nevertheless, I was pretty excited about my first check... even if the amount is miniscule.

48 Hours...

at a "Beginning Experience" weekend resulted in the following:
new friendships
lightbulb moments
tears
laughter
new ways of thinking
forgiveness
chocolate
clarity
hope
AND a spring in my step!

Sunday Scenes

STEAKS...cooked to perfection!
SEAMSTRESS Nicole...diligently sewing as Nathan and Christy look on.
SERENE Ana...journaling in the gazebo.

Seen and Heard...

Today I was the substitute teacher for five classes of 11th grade US History. Most of the 50 minutes was taken up with attendance, instructions and a test. These 11th graders were a piece of cake compared to last weeks 2nd graders. I have observed that boys talk more than girls...be they 2nd graders or 11th graders.
First Male student: Do you like music?
Me: Sure!
First Male student: Do you like rap?
Me: Mmmm, not really...mostly because I know a lot of it has bad language.
Second male student: Do you like country western?
Me: Yes, I grew up dancing to country western.
First Male student: I can teach you to dance rap. Wanna learn? (He is dancing)
Me: Nah, that's ok and how about sitting down in your chair.
************
Me: I am a really mean substitute and I will take up your test paper
if you talk while testing.
Male Student: No, you aren't mean...you are pretty.
Me: OK, I'm not mean but I will take up your test paper if you are talking!
************
Me: After everyone turns in their tests, y'all may talk QUIETLY till the bell.
Male Student: What do you consider "quiet"?
Me: Quiet enough that the teacher next door doesn't come in to see what the ruckus is about .
Male Student: OK, cool...

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

Christy's first clarinet lesson.

Nathan, Christy and Ana hamming it up for the camera!

My recent lab results...with "A++" kudos from my doctor!

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."
Chinese Proverb