Photos by Cindy

The Story of the Trees

2012-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

"The oaks and the pines, and their brethren of the wood,
have seen so many suns rise and set, so many seasons come and go,
and so many generations pass into silence,
that we may well wonder what "the story of the trees" would be to us
if they had tongues to tell it, or we ears fine enough to understand." ~ Author Unknown

Both photos taken with my Android phone and the app "LittlePhoto". The first photo's effect is called f/1.4 lens and the second photo's effect is called Lomo.

Charlie & Annie

2012-02-11T07:59:00.000-05:00

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." ~Roger Caras

My two best friends.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

2012-01-15T21:05:00.002-05:00

"And the song, from beginning to end, I found in the heart of a friend." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I found this little guy in the archives. It was taken back in Wimauma. I know this little guy or gal has a red head but I believe this is called a "Red Bellied Woodpecker". I added a canvas texture to it.

Approaching Storm

2012-01-14T23:36:00.000-05:00

It seems that these days I'm sorely lacking in any really good photos to post. I've resorted to posting some that I'm sure I posted on another no longer existing blog but since some of you have never seen these I thought why not. All of the photos were taken in Wimauma, Florida. A place I dearly love. It didn't start out that way, mind you. I was excited about moving there but I was terribly home sick and it took almost six months for me to adjust. Once I did I loved it there. We no longer live there but I have a small collection of nice photos to remember it by. Or at least I think they're nice.

If I remember correctly the first two photos were taken on the same day. The above photo of the storm as it rolled in - I love storms. I know that may sound ridiculous but I do. They are so moody and I love how everything turns a unique shade of yellowy green and the leaves and grass stand out like a beautiful sore thumb against the dark clouds.

This photo is after the rain fell and the storm had passed. The land behind the fence is a Muck Pond. It's protected wet lands (maybe I should say "area"). Anyway, it's not allowed to be mowed or cut in anyway. Wild birds such as Herons, Egrets, Storks, Flamingos, ducks... visit and when they do it's so exciting. I would always run out camera in hand and try to get as close as I could to get some shots before they noticed me and took off. I would not make a great spy. They'd hear and see me coming a mile away. Unfortunately there are no birds in this photo. There is however, a white egret/heron in the photo above off to your left.

This is the first photo I took of rain drops dripping off of pine tree needles. I was so excited that this photo came out and I think the bokeh is awesome. I love this photo. Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle,...sparkle.

And the last is a shot of a Mockingbird sitting in a tall tree in the back of our property. The day was gorgeous as you can tell. Not a cloud in the sky.

Well, that's all for now. Wishing all of you a wonderful rest of the weekend.

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby". ~Langston Hughes

Bibles, Birds, Skies and Candles

2012-01-13T23:00:00.000-05:00

Wow! The weekend is already here and the weather has turned cold. Today was not an exceptional day by anyone's standards but I did finally find my old Blackberry Pearl cell phone. I was using it for the music that I have stored on the media card. I can't tell you how much hair I lost looking for it over the past three weeks. Okay, so I didn't really lose any hair but it was very irritating and frustrating. Packing is going well. The house is almost empty with the exception for my Dad's room and my bedroom, the dining table and my Dad's TV and chair. There are a few odds and ends to pack as well as the kitchen. Most of the stuff, furniture, what-knots will go into storage until we find another home. We'll be taking only what we really need to my sisters. Which if you know me - that's everything I own. Okay, I'm just kidding. It's not everything but close. I haven't had much time to go out and take photos but I did find a couple or so ones on the hard drive and I took some with my Android phone so I thought I'd share those with you.

This is just a little photo of some of my bibles. Don't ask me why I felt the need to take a photo of them but I did. I then added a window and aged effect to it along with a frame. This photo is taken with the Android and the effects came from an app called LittlePhoto. It's a cool little app that I'm going to enjoy messing around with. Can't wait to see what other little goodies it has to offer.

This photo of a Mockingbird was taken awhile back. Not the best photo but I like it. I think they have a lot of guts these little birds and they are very tenacious. They fight the hawks with not one ounce of fear or at least it seems that way.

You must forgive me but I can't remember if this is a sunrise or a sunset. All I can quote is, "Every sunset is also a sunrise. It all depends on where you stand". ~ Karl Schmidt. I used this quote on a photo of a sunrise in a previous post. I guess I knew that but never really thought of it that way. This photo has a canvas texture applied to it.

And last but by no means least - a little memorial scene setup for my Mom who passed away on November 26, 2011. We keep a candle burning near her urn when we are home. The only time it isn't lit is when we are asleep or gone. The urn is in the back with the praying hands. The chicken was one of her favorites. The flame on the candle gets quite high and the wick has to be cut back. Can you say "fire hazard". Oh, and this was also taken with the Android but the frame I did on the computer. Miss you Mom more than anything and each day seems harder than the one before. Does it ever get easier? I love you Mom!

Well, that's about it for today. I will share a little bit of news with you that I think I'm excited about. As some of you know I am jobless. It's still hard here in Florida to find jobs, even after you've graduated with a degree, as I'm sure it is everywhere else. Anyway, I've decided to apply to become a substitute teacher. I've always wanted to teach but I have a real difficult time speaking publicly but thought why not give it a chance. So, please wish me luck. I'll let you know how things go.

Until next time. Have a wonderful weekend and remember...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

Happiness

2012-01-08T16:37:00.000-05:00

"The Bluebird carries the sky on his back." ~Henry David Thoreau

Wow! I can't believe I saw a bluebird in my backyard today. I was in the kitchen and saw a little yellow bird flitting around on the ground and went to get the camera. When I walked out I saw what I thought was one of the little yellow birds in the branches of a bush growling along the back fence but when I looked through the view finder this is what I saw. Some of the photos didn't come out to well but seeing how it's a bluebird I'll take what I get. Oops I just saw that my photos aren't aligned properly!!

Perfect Faith

2012-01-04T00:27:00.002-05:00

"The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for faith is necessary to have wings." ~ James M. Barrie

I hadn't planned on posting anything until early next week. However, the mood hit me to find something so found something I did. I took this one day while visiting Bayport Park. Dozens of seagulls were flocking around here and there but this one decided to have a rest and stopped right in front of my car.

Beyond the Sunset

2011-12-29T16:22:00.000-05:00

"Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning
When with our Savior heaven's begun
Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawning
Beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy
O day of gladness, O day unending
Beyond the sunset eternal joy.

Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me
To God the Father whom I adore
His glorious presence, His word of welcome
Will be my portion on that fair shore.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion
With our dear loved ones who've gone before
In that fair homeland we'll know no parting
Beyond the sunset forever more..."

~Virgil and Blanche Brock

This is one of my favorite gospel songs. There is a part of the song that is spoken but I didn't list the lyrics here.

Wimauma Sunrise

2011-12-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

"Every sunset is also a sunrise. It all depends on where you stand". ~ Karl Schmidt

Just a plain ordinary sunrise. I took this while we still lived in Wimauma. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas day.

Old trees

2011-12-24T13:30:00.000-05:00

This is a photo that I posted on an old, no longer existing blog. I hope you don't mind seeing it again. I've been trying to find something that is cheerful and happy for the season but alas it escapes me.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. ~Cindy

On the far shore

2011-12-22T23:23:00.001-05:00

"One summer night, out on a flat headland, all but surrounded by the waters of the bay, the horizons were remote and distant rims on the edge of space. Millions of stars blazed in darkness, and on the far shore a few lights burned in cottages. Otherwise there was no reminder of human life. My companion and I were alone with the stars: the misty river of the Milky Way flowing across the sky, the patterns of the constellations standing out bright and clear, a blazing planet low on the horizon. It occurred to me that if this were a sight that could be seen only once in a century, this little headland would be thronged with spectators. But it can be seen many scores of nights in any year, and so the lights burned in the cottages and the inhabitants probably gave not a thought to the beauty overhead; and because they could see it almost any night, perhaps they never will."

~Rachel Carson

I try to find a quote that will go with the photo but I'm not always successful. This is a beautiful quote by Rachel Carson. It's one of my favorites and I've been wanting to post it. I hope you enjoy it.

The Morning Sun

2011-12-20T02:01:00.000-05:00

“One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?”
~Rachel Carson

Fern

2011-12-19T11:48:00.001-05:00

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
~Rachel Carson

Seagull II

2011-12-17T18:54:00.000-05:00

"I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over."
~By John Masefield (1878-1967).

I took another trip to Bayport Park today. I sat in the car a long time just watching the seagulls fly around. It was good to get out of the house. The poem is titled "Sea Fever".

Sand, Sea and Sunshine

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it's always our self we find in the sea. ~e.e. cummings

I took this photo at Pine Island. Dad and I went yesterday to get out of the house for awhile. It was our first trip there. It's a small park with a beach, a playground, picnic shelters, small observation deck and a cafe. The good thing about it was it wasn't very crowded as you can see. It was a little warmer by the sea then I thought it was going to be. I wore bluejeans, two tops and a sweater. I was actually comfortable but you can imagine the looks I got. Anyway, it was a nice little outing.

Simple Beauty

2011-12-13T07:14:00.000-05:00

"If you get simple beauty and naught else, you get about the best thing God invents." ~Robert Browning

A closeup of a tree trunk. I don't know why but I saw all the little green moss/lichen on it and thought how pretty.

Red Shouldered Hawk

2011-12-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

"Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all." ~Emily Dickinson

This is a photo from my archives that I took back in 2007. I have several shots of this bird perched on the trellis. I don't believe I've posted this particular shot before.

Changes

2011-12-11T19:52:00.001-05:00

"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit."
~Robert Louis Stevenson

Nothing spectacular about this photo of leaves. I took it today while visiting a local park not far from home. I thought it was pretty.

Seagull

2011-12-10T22:26:00.000-05:00

"The seagull sees farthest who flies highest" ~proverb quote

Solitude

2011-12-09T01:00:00.000-05:00

"Loneliness adds beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better." ~Henry Rollins

I took this yesterday evening while visiting Bayport Park in Spring Hill, FL. I'm told that just beyond this buoy is a grass field for manatees. Unfortunately I didn't get to see any, maybe next time. Don't you think the buoy together with its shadow look like a cross? I do. The only processing I did on this photo was reducing it's size.

In the thicket of it

2011-12-08T09:31:00.001-05:00

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corn cribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." ~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

I thought I'd post this even though it's not the best photo. It's a little blurry around the head but I still like it.

Branches

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

"For the birds that cannot soar, God has provided low branches." ~Turkish proverb

A Little Flower

2011-12-06T09:53:00.001-05:00

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower'.
~Hans Christian Anderson

In Autumns Light

2011-12-04T11:30:00.001-05:00

"How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days". ~John Burroughs

A photo from my archives.

My Mom

2011-12-03T20:17:00.001-05:00

Martha Ann Miller September 09, 1932 - November 26, 2011

Okay, I said I'd never post a photo that wasn't mine. However, this is a special exception so I hope that you won't think badly of me for breaking my own rules. This photo is of my Mom. I can't tell you when or where it was taken. As you can see it's an old one and is ripped on the side. But even with the fading and the tear it's still quite a beautiful photo of her. My Mom passed away this past Saturday November 26, 2011, a day before my birthday. She had been diagnosed with a rare cancer (a sarcoma). Sarcoma's are rare but Mom's cancer was rare for her age and the location of the tumor. She was seen by a specialist who deals only with Sarcomas and was told that he could remove the tumor. Unfortunately she wasn't healthy enough to go through the surgery and so she couldn't have it. Chemo and radiation would have killed her so her only option was to live with it. To endure the discomfort it caused. To allow it to grow and spread. She did this but never gave up hope that she would be okay. She told me one day that she wasn't going to die. I didn't know what to think but secretly I hoped she was right. Of course things don't always work out the way we want. Mom suffered in her last few days. I would have endured the pain and suffering for her if I could have. She was the most wonderful, loving and caring Mom anyone could have had. She was awesome. I hope she knows that I love her very much. I'll see you again one day Mom. I miss you and love you the whole sky full.

A glorious day

2011-06-06T10:45:00.000-04:00

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1

This is another photo from my archives. I really need to get out and get some new shots but that might have to wait until school is over. I took this at Emerson Point Preserve in Manatee County Florida. This is a fairly large hill right next to the bay. I posted this once before on another blog. Again, if you've seen it I hope you don't mind seeing it again.

Where have all the leaves gone?

2011-06-04T00:34:00.006-04:00

"If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees."
~ Khalil Gibran

I was digging in the archives again and found this photo of an Oak tree. The color version leaves a lot to be desired but I like the B&W version. I believe I've posted this before on one of my other blogs but not on this blog. However, it is the same tree in the post titled "The Moon".

Crape Myrtle aka Crapemyrtle

2011-05-31T07:23:00.001-04:00

"For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends".
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo of some Crape Myrtle buds taken awhile back. I think they bloomed pink.

I went out yesterday on a photo hunt but didn't really find anything. I'm not sure I like this photo but I wanted to post something.

A Maple leaf

2011-05-30T00:00:00.010-04:00

"How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude".
~Emily Dickinson

I took this photo a while back. It's from a small maple tree in the backyard of our old home. The tree never seemed to grow but always had leaves on it.

Ocean treasures

2011-05-29T00:00:00.003-04:00

Song of a Shell

"I held a sea shell to my ear,
and listened to its tale
Of vessels bounding o'er the main
and all the ships that sail.
It sang of brilliant water flowers-
the bright anemones
that bloom beneath the ocean waves-
tossed in from seven seas.
Each time I harken to this song,
I hear the breakers moan,
and fancy that a warning bell
rings from a lighthouse lone.
No longer need I wish to go
where foam-capped billows swell,
for I've an ocean of my own
within this pearly shell".

~Violet L. Cuslidge

A sensitive plant in a garden grew

2011-05-28T00:00:00.002-04:00

"A sensitive plant in a garden grew,
And the young winds fed it with silver dew,
And it opened its fan-like leaves to the light,
and closed them beneath the kisses of night".
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Seashell

2011-05-27T13:33:00.002-04:00

"Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye".
~Helen Keller

This is a moon shell or shark's eye shell.

Beauty in imperfection

2011-05-26T21:04:00.000-04:00

"There is a kind of beauty in imperfection".
~Conrad Hall

A butterfly photo that didn't come out to well. I loved the colors but they were too light and the butterfly was not in focus. I added some processing along with a canvas texture.

Ripples

2011-05-24T09:21:00.000-04:00

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end".
~Scott Adams

I have posted this photo before but on my other blog which no longer exists. As for now I have no new photos and so I'm digging around in my archives. If you've seen this before, I hope you don't mind seeing it again. This was a ditch overflowing with water after a massive thunderstorm went through our neighborhood. The sun came through just enough to create some interesting light and shadows on the plants and the ripple was just perfect timing.

Opportunity

2011-05-23T09:17:00.000-04:00

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting".

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Patience

2011-05-22T10:58:00.000-04:00

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience". ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Clouds

2011-05-21T10:31:00.004-04:00

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills..."

~William Wordsworth

Hope

2011-05-09T10:02:00.003-04:00

"All it takes is one bloom of hope to make a spiritual garden". ~Terri Guillemets

Forgotten

2010-12-22T10:54:00.003-05:00

"When life takes the wind out of your sails, it is to test you at the oars." ~Robert Brault

The quote has nothing to do with the photo. I just liked it and thought I'd share it with you. Happy Wednesday.

Sunshine and Shadows

2010-12-15T09:19:00.002-05:00

"Keep your face always towards the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you."
~Walt Whitman

Added a texture to this photo. It helped bring out the barn a little.

A new day

2010-12-14T22:22:00.000-05:00

"It's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky. Behind me and before me is God and I have no fears." ~Helen Keller

Sparkling

2010-12-12T05:49:00.005-05:00

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us." ~Helen Keller

Some berries on the tree in the side front yard of the new house.

Bougainvillea

2010-12-11T21:13:00.001-05:00

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Bougainvillea bush in the backyard at the old house.

Falling

2010-11-26T09:57:00.003-05:00

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

Fluttering from the autumn tree."

~Emily Bronte

Another photo of the Chinese Tallow tree and the big red barn in the background. I took this photo a couple of days ago before most of the leaves fell. You can see them on the ground beneath the tree.

The Tree

2010-11-25T09:23:00.005-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

"There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it." ~Minnie Aumonier

Home Sweet Home

2010-11-24T10:13:00.001-05:00

"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~Henry Van Dyke

This is our home. That is until December 3rd, when we will move about 65-70 miles north of Wimauma to Spring Hill. The first photo is looking out over the back of the property and the second photo is the front of our home. When you step out onto the back porch you see the big red barn in the distance. The early mornings here can be magical. The sun comes up over the trees casting shadows and light and a lot of mornings there is a mist that adds to the beauty. I will surely miss this piece of land and the little home that sits on it. It will be hard to leave but I've made a promise to someone that I will try and be happy about the move. I'll try and accept it and do my best to be happy at the other house. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches I'm trying to remember the things I have to be thankful for like my family and all my friends near and far and for finding a house that will accept Charlie and Annie. Wishing everyone a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving and may all of you be spending it with the ones you love and where your heart is. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Love,

Sweet Rose

2010-11-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

"The perfume of roses are like exquisite chords of music composed of many odor notes harmoniously blended."
~N. F. Miller

Autumn Flowers

2010-11-21T13:31:00.000-05:00

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

~Anais Nin

Autumn Beauty

2010-11-16T10:08:00.001-05:00

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."
~William Cullen Bryant

The Bougainvillea bush is still blooming. I thought this was lovely and wanted to share it with all of you. Happy Tuesday.

Autumn Grace

2010-11-14T17:25:00.003-05:00

"No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face."
~John Donne

As far as I know this is a Chinese Tallow Tree. It's my favorite tree in our yard. I love it in the Spring when the leaves are green but as the temps here in Florida start to fall some and November approaches the leaves start to turn beautiful shades of yellow, red, orange and gold. As you can see it's quite beautiful. I spent a good part of the day outside standing around and under it snapping away. By December 3rd we will no longer live at this address and my Tallow tree will remain behind for the next owners. If only I could take it with me.

A little bit of Autumn

2010-11-13T09:33:00.000-05:00

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
fluttering from the autumn tree."
~Emily Bronte

The leaves are from a tree in my backyard.

Morning

2010-11-08T00:22:00.002-05:00

"The sun is but a morning star." ~Henry David Thoreau

Keeping Watch

2010-10-08T10:36:00.004-04:00

"There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before." ~Robert Lynd, The Blue Lion and Other Essays

Cosmos

2010-09-07T08:05:00.005-04:00

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

~Robert Brault

This little Cosmos grew from some seeds that my Dad threw out in the front flowerbed. At first we thought nothing was going to grow but then a tiny sprout appeared and then another and another. I created the b&w for a blog I contribute to called "The World in Black and White". Wishing all a very happy and wonderful week.

Light

2010-09-01T11:34:00.004-04:00

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

~Henry David Thoreau

This is a Plumbago flower. The original was pretty but I'm so obsessed with the glamour effect that I had to use it. It gives the blooms a dream like appearance and I like that. I hope it isn't too bright. Happy Wednesday!

Sea Oats

2010-08-31T09:37:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday I journeyed to Emerson Point Preserve. It's a nature preserve where you can hike, bike, picnic and swim. There were mounds of sea oats growing along the beach. I thought they were pretty blowing in the breeze.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." ~Henry David Thoreau

Fungi

2010-08-30T10:56:00.002-04:00

This little mushroom sprouted up in the front of the house. We've had a lot of them lately. Must be due to all the rain we've gotten. The quote has nothing to do with the photo. I just like it.

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

~Winnie the Pooh

A little sunshine

2010-08-29T18:33:00.002-04:00

As planned I went to Emerson Point Preserve today. The only flowers blooming were the Beach Sunflowers.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched -- they must be felt with the heart." ~Helen Keller

Saturday

2010-08-28T21:44:00.008-04:00

Today was a nice hot muggy summer day. It did rain a little but late in the afternoon. Earlier in the day I was able to get out around the property but no where else. Nothing really new caught my eye except for some Ibis birds sitting atop a tree. I've not decided if I"m going to post the photos of the Ibis birds. I don't really like them that much, the birds that is. I also took some more photos of the Bougainvillea. It still has only one cluster of blooms on it. This is the same cluster I took photos of last week. I can see that they're beginning to wilt but they still look pretty. I can't believe Saturday is almost over. Sunday will be here and then the week will start. I'm not ready to go back to school or work. I'd love to say what's going on there but due to the possibility of leakage I'd better not.

Charlie and Annie were as adorable as ever today. Charlie didn't want me to get to far from him while we were out walking the property. He's such a Mama's boy and Annie is a Mama's girl. They are so sweet and lovable. I sure do love them. I think I'll try and take a little trip tomorrow. Maybe I'll go to the preserve in Manatee county that I like to visit. It's called Emerson Point. It's actually a very nice place to spend time nature watching and walking. I'm definitely not going into the deep part of the trail. There are way too many spiders for my liking and we all know how I feel about spiders. If one got on me I'd kill myself trying to get out of there. I think that's the plan if it doesn't rain.

Well I think I'll end on that note and get ready to turn in. I've got a little homework to do and I do my best work at night. I'm sure I'll fall asleep while trying to get it done. I always do. Have a great night and a wonderful Sunday everyone. Take care.

EDIT: As I sit here finishing up my post the thunder has started and its pretty loud. I guess there is a storm in store for us tonight. Hopefully its a fast moving one and will be out of here shortly.

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." ~Maori Proverb

It's a great day

2010-08-27T12:30:00.008-04:00

I think today is going to be a great day. The rain looks like its stopped for now and things look to be drying up. The sun is actually shining right now and I can see blue sky from my bedroom window. Besides watering the grass, flowers and trees the rain has brought the tropical birds out. The pond across the road has been filled with Herons, Egrets, Ibis and ducks for the past few days. I look forward to getting out a little later today and seeing what I can snap a photo of. Took the pups out for a walk around the property this morning and snapped a couple of photos of a butterfly and a vine growing on our fence near the back of the property. Dad was out mowing the back and Charlie and Annie who hate the lawn mower with a passion (and I don't know a dog that doesn't) stuck to me like glue. Annie is the most afraid and would come hide in front of me as I looked over the fence into the ditch that runs side the property. She was sure to keep me in between her and the mower and didn't take her eyes off of it. Nothing too great to see. I was a little disappointed but it's a ditch what was I expecting. I will say that the dragonflies are back in force and I did see a couple of spider webs with a very menacing spider in each. I took a couple of photos but I'm not a fan so I won't post them. I'm terrified of those things and taking photos and looking at them later might help me with my fear. In my dreams. Those creepy crawly things are hideous. Apologies to all the spider lovers but I firmly believe that the only good spider is a dead spider.

This is the butterfly I found this morning. I don't remember the name of it but isn't it beautiful? This one was flying just above the ground on the little plants growing along the side of the front ditch across the road.

I really like this photo or the subject in it. I thought these leaves looked like hearts and I love how they get larger in size as they go down the vine. There are a lot of these vines growing along side the ditch. And this particular type of vine has overtaken my post in the back. They'll die back soon and I'll be able to see the post again. I have no idea why I'm so infatuated with that post but I am.

Charlie and Annie are asleep. Charlie is under the desk at my feet. Every once in a while I'll rub his tummy with my foot and his leg will start shaking. I know he wishes I wouldn't do that but he has such a cute tummy and it's so soft that I can't help it. Annie is lying on her blanket next to me and is also asleep. As I sit here and write this post clouds have blocked the sun and now I fear the clouds are coming back to release more rain upon us. The property is already saturated that half of the lawn near the house cannot be mowed. Hopefully it's just some stray clouds that won't amount to much and the sun will be back out soon.

Charlie has stirred and moved from under the desk to my bed (maybe I should say his bed). He is such a bed hogger. Annie has also moved to the hallway. I think she's guarding the door. Errand time. I've got to go to the bank and deposit my paycheck. So until next time have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by.

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."

~James Dent

Possibilities

2010-08-25T11:07:00.004-04:00

I have no idea if this is a weed or wildflower but I like it.

"Our aspirations are our possibilities."
~Samuel Johnson

Annie

2010-08-18T23:29:00.005-04:00

This is Annie. She is such a sweet girl but boy is she stubborn.

"All God's angels come to us disguised."

~James Russell Lowell

Butterfly Moments

2010-08-15T01:30:00.003-04:00

"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough."

~Rabindranath Tagore

I'm not sure what kind of butterfly this is. I took the photo a few days ago out walking in the backyard.

Charlie

2010-08-06T00:40:00.001-04:00

I believe there are more than angels watching over me.

Chrysanthemum

2010-08-04T08:02:00.007-04:00

I will be the gladdest thing

Under the sun!

I will touch a hundred flowers

And not pick one.

~Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Afternoon on a Hill"

I took this photo a while back and thought I posted it on my other blog but I can't find it there. So I decided to post it here.

The Wagon

2010-08-02T12:00:00.006-04:00

I tried to find a fitting quote for this photo but nothing seemed to work. So I chose one that I liked.

When the world says, "Give up,"

Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

~Author Unknown

Sunrise

2010-08-01T08:28:00.002-04:00

I'll tell you how the sun rose a ribbon at a time. ~Emily Dickinson

This sunrise was taken from my back porch. I remember standing out there watching as the colors changed and the clouds slowly drifting in and then out.

Everything has beauty!

2010-07-31T21:03:00.004-04:00

I'm not sure what kind of plant this is but I like it. It grows in a field near a pond across the road from my home. I've taken many photos of it and even as it nears its end it is still quite beautiful.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~Confucius

Horse

2010-07-30T14:57:00.003-04:00

My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunder

He carries me away from all my fears

And when the world threatens to fall asunder

His mane is there to wipe away my tears.

~Bonnie Lewis

Begin at the Beginning

2010-03-22T22:28:00.008-04:00

"Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop." ~Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland

I am not an Alice in Wonderland fan. I really don't like the story at all but I do like this quote.

The Sweetest Things

2010-01-25T18:27:00.002-05:00

"Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into." ~Henry Ward Beecher

The Moon

2010-01-20T20:45:00.004-05:00

"The moon is at her full, and riding high, floods the calm fields with light. The airs that hover in the summer sky are all asleep tonight."
~William Cullen Bryant

Loveliest of Lovely Things

2010-01-15T19:53:00.005-05:00

"Loveliest of lovely things are they On earth that soonest pass away. The rose that lives its little hour Is prized beyond the sculptured flower." ~William Cullen Bryant

Horses

2010-01-14T20:55:00.006-05:00

"Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again."
~Stanley Harrison

Shadows and Light

2010-01-13T11:23:00.004-05:00

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." ~Ansel Adams

Textures courtesy of Shadowhouse Creations . This is another photo looking back of our property. The land was covered in frost this morning and the sunrise created interesting shadows and light on the ground. I also added a glamour effect to the photo.

The Butterfly

2010-01-09T11:30:00.004-05:00

"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond."

~Irish Blessing

Cobblestone Bird II

2010-01-08T00:00:00.003-05:00

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes. ~E.E. Cummings

I went out exploring in the backyard today. This mockingbird flew into an Oak tree and I circled the tree numerous times trying to get a good shot. I was finally obliged. Texture courstey of Shadowhouse Creations. I also added a cobblestone texture as in the previous bird photo.

Rose

2010-01-07T15:04:00.001-05:00

How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew! ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Texture courtesy of Shadowhouse Creations. In addition to the texture from SC I added a canvas texture.

Cobblestone Bird

2010-01-06T12:15:00.002-05:00

Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings. ~Victor Hugo

Texture courtesy of Shadowhouse Creations. In addition to the SC texture I added a cobblestone texture to the photo. Hence the title.

Light

2010-01-05T15:14:00.005-05:00

There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. ~Edith Wharton

Texture courtsey of Shadowhouse Creations.

What's in a name?

2010-01-04T16:48:00.004-05:00

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. ~William Shakespeare

Texture courtsey of Shadowhouse Creations.

Under the Stars

2010-01-03T10:55:00.014-05:00

I often lay on that bench looking up into the tree, past the trunk and up into the branches. It was particularly fine at night with the stars above the tree. ~Georgia O'Keeffe

This photo has a snow texture applied to it but to me it looks like millions of tiny stars shining down.

I Am Only One

2010-01-02T09:38:00.007-05:00

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can.
~Helen Keller

Misty Morning

2010-01-01T18:57:00.006-05:00

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. ~Ansel Adams

Texture courtsey of Shadowhouse Creations.

Quotes, Poems and Sayings

2010-01-01T05:00:00.024-05:00

"The fairy poet takes a sheet
Of moonbeam, silver white;
His ink is dew from daisies sweet,
His pen a point of light."
~Joyce Kilmer
.....

"There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it."
~Minnie Aumonier
.....

.....

"How did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill? A kiss, and all was said."
~Victor Hugo

.....

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever love."
~William Shakespeare
Sonnet 116

.....

"Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven,

Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
.....

"Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again."
~Stanley Harrison

.....

"Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay."
~Robert Frost

Nothing Gold Can Stay
.....

"In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!"
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Autumn Fires.

.....

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft thro' footless halls of air....

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark nor even eagle flew—

And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."

~John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

.....

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

~By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)