100th Post and Reflection

I noticed this morning that I had 99 posts.  A huge accomplishment for me.

  We often go to the lake near our house to walk.  What is it about water?  Especially when it meets the sky in that certain way that stirs the soul?  I could sit and stare at it for hours.  

Condolence to Manchester, England

Again words fail me at times like this.

Sunflowers

We went to the farmer's market in Augusta and I purchased some wonderful produce along with honey and these fantastic sunflowers.  They always seem to me to be a happy flower.

The Sunflowers — Poem by Mary Oliver

Come with me

into the field of sunflowers.

Their faces are burnished disks,

their dry spines

creak like ship masts,

their green leaves,

so heavy and many,

fill all day with the sticky

sugars of the sun.

Come with me

to visit the sunflowers,

they are shy

but want to be friends;

they have wonderful stories

of when they were young –

the important weather,

the wandering crows.

Don’t be afraid

to ask them questions!

Their bright faces,

which follow the sun,

will listen, and all

those rows of seeds –

each one a new life!

hope for a deeper acquaintance;

each of them, though it stands

in a crowd of many,

like a separate universe,

is lonely, the long work

of turning their lives

into a celebration

is not easy. Come

and let us talk with those modest faces,

the simple garments of leaves,

the coarse roots in the earth

so uprightly burning.

Jackson Browne - The Pretender lyrics

I listened to this over and over in the mid 70s.  Timeless though, isn't it?

The Pretender Lyrics

I'm going to rent myself a house
In the shade of the freeway
Gonna pack my lunch in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I'll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I'll get up and do it again
Amen.
Say it again
Amen.

I want to know what became of the changes
We waited for love to bring
Were they only the fitful dreams
Of some greater awakening?
I've been aware of the time going by
They say in the end it's the wink of an eye
When the morning light comes streaming in
You'll get up and do it again
Amen.

Caught between the longing for love
And the struggle for the legal tender
Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring
And the junk man pounds his fender.
Where the veterans dream of the fight
Fast asleep at the traffic light
And the children solemnly wait
For the ice cream vendor
Out into the cool of the evening
Strolls the Pretender
He knows that all his hopes and dreams
Begin and end there

Ah the laughter of the lovers
As they run through the night
Leaving nothing for the others
But to choose off and fight
And tear at the world with all their might
While the ships bearing their dreams
Sail out of sight

I'm gonna find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And we'll fill in the missing colors
In each other's paint-by-number dreams
And then we'll put our dark glasses on
And we'll make love until our strength is gone
And when the morning light comes streaming in
We'll get up and do it again
Get it up again

I'm gonna be a happy idiot
And struggle for the legal tender
Where the ads take aim and lay their claim
To the heart and the soul of the spender
And believe in whatever may lie 
In those things that money can buy
Though true love could have been a contender
Are you there?
Say a prayer for the Pretender.
Who started out so young and strong
Only to surrender.

Say a prayer for the pretender
Are you there for the pretender?
Say a prayer for the pretender
Are you there for the pretender?
Are you prepared for the pretender?

Gardenias

Another wonderful scent blooming right now......... my gardenias.......ahhhh heavenly.  Why can't we do a scratch and sniff on a blog post?

Magnolia Tree

Our magnolia tree is in full bloom right now.  It has the most magical scent.   

May in Georgia

First of all a big thanks to all of you that called, emailed or left comments with tips on taking good photos.  I appreciate all the tips and feedback.  After looking back over old photos as well as playing with the camera,  I have discovered that I have a good eye but a very unsteady hand.  However, it is a lot of fun to snap pictures and journal with a blog so I will keep going.

After five years in Georgia I have decided that May is my favorite month here.  It is cool in the mornings and evening, lots of sunshine and some good rains along with only a few hours of air conditioning needed.  I love airing the house out during the morning hours.  We were shocked that so many houses here have no screens.  So we purchased the sliding screens at the home improvement store and also a retractable screen for the door.  Problem solved!

I hope all Mothers, as well as any individuals that mother any living thing,  had a wonderful Mother's day today.  I had a nice long chat via phone with my son in Michigan and my fur baby, Annie,  has been extra sweet today.

Last but not least,  I wish to thank Magali for the inspiration to try a shadow picture.  She has a wonderful blog that you can find here:

http://thelittlewhitehouseontheseaside.blogspot.com

Photography Lesson

Scott gave me his old camera and today we went outdoors so I could practice.  I would love some honest feedback.  I know most of you that read this call or email me and that is perfectly fine.  Whatever works for you.  I appreciate knowing if you have any advice.  I have a LOT to learn!

A Birthday Visitor?

Look who came to visit today !!!  Isn't he (she) a beauty?

Eastern Box Turtle

Sunday and Back to Hiking

It was so nice to get back to hiking at our favorite nearby place.  Scott's knee seems to be healed so we hit the trails with Annie.

 Ready to go?

Very interesting and colorful

The scent of honeysuckle was fantastic

Decisions, decisions

Almost to the water

What a view!  Bikes and boats were out enjoying the beautiful day.  I stood watching and forgot to take pictures of them

Time to go home.  A tired dog is a happy dog.

Scott and Annie took a nap in the afternoon.  I envy those that can nap.  If I take a nap I cannot sleep at night.

Laurel & Hardy

The Laurel & Hardy Museum is located in Harlem, GA. just off I-20 near Augusta.   I have included some pictures of our visit along with a clip that I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Heggie's Rock

Today we took a tour of a local preserve called Heggie's Rock.  What an amazing place!  The Nature Conservancy hosts a very informative tour.

You may click on photos to enlarge

                                                                                  Diamorpha Smallii

 American Fringe Tree

Reindeer Moss

  Reindeer moss is not really moss but a lichen

                                                                 Resurrection Ferns 

The sky was so beautiful today with the contrast of the spring leaves 

Fountain of Youth

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. 

Sophia Loren

Tulips

Orange is the color of happiness in the tulip world. ... 

Condolence for London Attack

Words escape me at times like this.

We were there almost exactly one year ago to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary.