Theanne and Baron

great white egret...

2012-03-05T19:07:00.000-05:00

visits the patio, on a sunny, Sunday afternoon

click on photos to enlarge

photos taken through dusty glass

and black plastic screen on sliding glass doors

I came out of the kitchen

and there he was looking in the apartment

since doing more reading on the

great white heron

(Wikipedia and my "The Sibley Guide to Birds")

I believe he was hunting lizards which

(some of you may remember) are abundant on the patio

he and I watched each other for about ten minutes

every now and then he'd weave his head back and forth

like a snake

finally he tired of my click click click

and moved on

I've never been this close to an egret before

what a beautiful creature

all the more reason to ensure that he ALWAYS has

a hospitable environment in which to live

the patio garden attracts critters...

2012-03-04T19:04:00.000-05:00

this morning

I found this caterpillar leaving my baby lettuce plants

click on photos to enlarge

Io Moth Caterpillar

his stinging spines do hurt, I tried to be very careful,

but took one to the little finger of my right hand

(I took a antihistamine immediately

in case I should have an allergic reaction)

when the photo is enlarged

it can be seen that the spines are tipped with

something dark

he was only in "captivity" about 30 minutes

I gave him time to relax and start crawling around

(photographed him)

then returned him to the patio

now I will be on the look out for a cocoon and a moth!

once a month photo on the lake...

2012-03-03T11:12:00.002-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

once a month I take a photo(s)

of the same location on the lake behind Son's home

these are my captures for March 2012

note the cormorants drying their feathers

the object of the photos is to observe

the changes of the seasons, at one location

the year is early yet, perhaps as time goes on

there will be some changes

in flora and fauna at this location

me, I'm enjoying taking photos of the birds!

HERE

to view photos for January, February and March 2012

our thoughts are with you...

2012-03-02T21:54:00.000-05:00

prayers for the tornado victims

their families and friends

shoes...

2012-03-02T00:45:00.002-05:00

for protecting

and

dressing up our feet

click on photos to enlarge

sparkly red shoes

dancing shoes

waiting shoes

granddaughter shoes

yaya's beat up shoes

what kind of shoes do you have on your feet today?

if it's not tied down they'll steal it...

2012-02-29T23:05:00.002-05:00

just how desperate is our economy?

when leaving the market the other day

I spied a rusty grate

and figured I'd get a shot of it

I noticed that the grate had a chain at one end

and thought about a newspaper article

I'd read a day or two prior

(a similar article, but not the one I originally read)

t he stealing of storm drain grates

apparently people in the area are

stealing storm drain grates

and selling them to make a little money

wonder just how long the heavy duty chains

will keep the grates in place?
wonder just how much worse our economy
is going to get?

~ click on photos to enlarge ~

photos and my words

reflection and play

2012-02-28T21:36:00.000-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

tree reflections

and

playing with a photo

Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3

sorry Giacomo I couldn't help myself!

recycling, reusing...

2012-02-27T22:34:00.001-05:00

making a much taller jewelry rack

out of

my original "female form" jewelry rack

and

the base of a lamp

I found in the dumpster

I like long necklaces

and the minute I saw this lamp

I knew it would be perfect

to increase the height of

my jewelry rack

and provide the length I needed

my son used his hacksaw

to cut off the piece of pipe

that had held the "harp"

I glued the base and the top

together with epoxy

allowed to dry overnight

lightly sanded the entire piece

and painted with

cream colored acrylic paint

to antique

I mixed black acrylic paint

and

burnt umber acrylic paint

with water

and starting at the top

of the piece

I mopped on the mixture

with abandon

wiping with a wet paper towel

before paint could dry

I allowed this to dry overnight

and, as a finish, I

mopped on acrylic matte varnish

starting from the top

and allowed to dry overnight

and

at last

my recycled, reused

jewelry rack

perfect!

click on photos to enlarge

prayers for Chardon Ohio

2012-02-27T15:38:00.000-05:00

I'm always left asking

"why"

"why do we kill our own"

???

prayers for the family and friends

of those killed and injured

in this tragedy

Chardon Ohio

Chardon High School

27 February 2012

bowling for...

2012-02-27T01:12:00.003-05:00

NOAH

and

Neylan!

click on photos to enlarge!

where?

Clearwater Florida

dancing at the bowling alley

~Neylan in the middle~

Auntie Rochele says "let's bowl"

family and friends

good one

maybe a spare!

the annual bowl-a-thon

raising money to help NOAH assist

those with albinism

last year's post for the

NOAH

Bowl-a-Thon

can be found

HERE

so much to do

2012-02-25T07:38:00.000-05:00

at the (pet) beach

click on photos to enlarge

running

socializing

(about 5 seconds after I shot this, the big dog tried to bite the little dog)

fishing

edited in

Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3

to intensify the color

a mysterious castle in the marshland...

2012-02-24T09:47:00.000-05:00

perhaps

with kings and knights and horses rampant

and

ladies waiting in the tower

click on photo to enlarge

but...alas do I spy a satellite dish?

photo taken

Tarpon Springs Florida

23 February 2012

combine pirates and Mardi Gras

2012-02-22T20:28:00.003-05:00

and you get

Gasparilla

original to Tampa Florida

also

celebrated

Dunedin Florida

with

~ food ~

click on photos to enlarge

~ fun ~

click on photos to enlarge

and

~ style ~

click on photo to enlarge

gardening on the patio

2012-02-21T16:56:00.001-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

peony felix crousse 2012

peruvian daffodil 2012

garden amaryllis red 2012

end of season purchase from Walmart

added to pot with the Red Amaryllis

I had at Christmas time

bulbine yellow

purchase from Walmart 2011

it has grown wonderfully well

I want more

Deluxe Butterfly Feeder

from

http://www.mysecretgardenstore.com

"About your Butterfly Feeder ~

The sponge that comes with your Butterfly Feeder

was harvested from the Gulf of Mexico and comes from

a small Greek Village called Tarpon Springs,

located on the west coast of central Florida.."

"All you need to do to attract the Butterflies is add

a Sugar Water mixture inside the container.

Mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Some folks

even use fruit punch Gatorade, either one will do just fine.

You will want to boil your sugar water mixture for

3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally (this will break

down the granular sugar)."

I purchased my Butterfly Feeder at

Earthscapes Garden Room

Yellow Onions

Waldmann's Dark Green Lettuce

http://www.seedsofchange.com

purchased at Walmart

Also from the same company online,

I have purchased:

Summer Squash

Squash Winter Butternut

Squash Winter Gold Nugget

Garlic Chives

Gourment European Salad Mix

Chives

been using from this bunch for about a year now

and I'm gardening,

keeping track of what I've planted

and

what I've ordered

and

I still have half a patio

left to use for veggies and flowers!

but

forget that

I'm ready to eat!

more from The Garden Room

2012-02-20T14:56:00.000-05:00

at Earthscapes

Palm Harbor Florida

February 2012

click on photos to enlarge

edited in

Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3

Psalm Challenge ~ Psalm 49

2012-02-18T20:33:00.004-05:00

Psalm Challenge Host

Robert Geiss

daily athens photo

Psalm 49

Contemporary English Version ~ CEV

A psalm for the people of korah and for the music leader.

1Everyone on this earth,

now listen to what I say!

2Listen, no matter who you are,

rich or poor.

3I speak words of wisdom,

and my thoughts make sense.

4I have in mind a mystery

that I will explain

while playing my harp.

5Why should I be afraid

in times of trouble,

when I am surrounded

by vicious enemies?

6They trust in their riches

and brag about

all of their wealth.

7You cannot buy back your life

or pay off God!

8It costs far too much

to buy back your life.

You can never pay God enough

9to stay alive forever

and safe from death.

10We see that wise people die,

and so do stupid fools.

Then their money is left

for someone else.

11The grave [a] will be their home forever and ever,

although they once had land

of their own.

12Our human glory disappears,

and, like animals, we die.

13Here is what happens to fools

and to those who trust

the words of fools:

14They are like sheep

with death as their shepherd,

leading them to the grave. [b] In the morning God's people

will walk all over them,

as their bodies lie rotting

in their home, the grave.

15But God will rescue me

from the power of death.

16Don't let it bother you

when others get rich

and live in luxury.

17Soon they will die

and all of their wealth

will be left behind.

18We humans are praised

when we do well,

and all of us are glad

to be alive.

19But we each will go down

to our ancestors,

never again to see

the light of day.

20Our human glory disappears,

and, like animals, we die.

Footnotes:

Psalm 49:11 The grave: Some ancient translations; Hebrew " Their inward thoughts."

Psalm 49:14 as their. . . grave: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

credit for everything in this post goes to others

all photos taken by others

the Bible as the Word of God, written by others

a bench above...

2012-02-17T16:12:00.001-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

this bench "in the sky"

can be found at a business next door to

The Salvation Army: Family Stores,

a thrift store,

in Clearwater, Florida

designated smoking area...at the eye doctor

2012-02-16T22:37:00.001-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

a visit to my eye doctor...

2012-02-15T16:43:00.001-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

drops of water

pink Knock Out Rose

from the eye doctor's second floor waiting room

visit to the Earthscapes Garden Room...

2012-02-13T15:52:00.003-05:00

Palm Harbor, Florida

13 February 2012

celebrating nature's beauty the day before

St. Valentine's Day

click on photos to enlarge

wishing you a loving, joyous

14 February 2012

and

if you're ever in Palm Harbor

if you're just cruising the internet

stop by the

Earthscapes Garden Room

for a visit

Earthscapes Garden Room

for Whitney...

2012-02-12T09:35:00.001-05:00

or directly from YouTube here:

http://youtu.be/8QaI-M9sxW4

(c) Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" 2012

for the memories that grip my heart,
for the love I still have
DCC + TLC
forever

old saw mill...

2012-02-10T23:43:00.000-05:00

click on photo to enlarge

located at the

The Florida Railroad Museum, Inc.

Parrish, Florida

2011

view a working saw mill here:

http://youtu.be/XILCJ2bM1Zk

or here:

a g'kids photo op...

2012-02-10T03:55:00.001-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

"N" dressed up in purple...one of her favorite colors

and "W" in his Lightning McQueen jammies

and his Virginia Tech hat!

on the pet beach...

2012-02-08T21:36:00.001-05:00

click on each photo to enlarge

looking south toward

Caladesi State Park

you can take a ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island

walking

one of many benches

rowing

liked these spikey bushes reaching for the sky

all photos taken early afternoon

8 February 2012

going fishing...

2012-02-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

click photo to enlarge

November 2011

Honeymoon Island State Park

my monthly photo...

2012-02-06T19:34:00.000-05:00

you can also see it

here

to compare January to February

click on photo to enlarge and see if you can spy the turtles
(they were a bonus I didn't find till I was reducing photo pixels)

I'll be taking a photo in this same location, each month,
for the remainder of 2012!

(c) Theanne and Baron 2012

who remembers...

2012-02-05T23:42:00.002-05:00

that I adopted

Livorno/Leghorn Italy

for the year 2011?

years ago when I first met Don

he had occasion to be in Livorno with his work

I made my first ever transatlantic call to him

at the Hotel Golf, (I believe) near Piza!

(in the 1980s, no cell phones/no Skype)

during 2011

I was meant to learn some Italian language

and to cook some Italian meals!

what I did do was meet VP who lives in Livorno

these are his three blogs:

Livorno Daily Photo

Daily Photo Stream

A Bunch of Benches

he takes excellent photos in Livorno,

England, France, Germany

and the USA!

(and probably some countries I missed)

between his photos and the virtual drive

I took around Livorno

(was thoroughly lost near the port)

I've enjoyed getting to know his city

and the other countries he has visited

I already knew how to say and spell "ciao"

learning beyond that has been difficult

as for cooking

if only

there'd been more than just me to eat what I cooked

I did make Eggplant Parmigiano (once)

this is not a stock photo

I made this, I photographed this, I ate this

yum!

however, cooking Italian is not in my blood

so I leave it to those who know what they're doing

I want to thank VP for answering my many questions

and visiting my blog

I also thank Franz, Arianna

and others who live in beautiful, historic Italy for visiting my blog

love and hugs to you all!

Psalm Challenge ~ Psalm #47

2012-02-04T21:59:00.001-05:00

Robert's Psalm Challenge #47 can be found

here!

Psalm #47

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

^[a]¹ Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.

² For the LORD Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.

³ He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.

⁴ He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.^[b]

⁵ God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.

⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.

⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.

⁸ God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.

⁹ The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings^[c] of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.

Footnotes:

Psalm 47:1 is numbered 47:2-10 in Hebrew texts.
Psalm 47:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Psalm 47:9 Or shields

Find Today's New International Version ~ TNIV...here!

Thank you Robert for hosting the Psalm Challenge!

a bench...

2012-02-02T19:16:00.001-05:00

in Pinellas County Florida

31 January 2012

one of the random decorated tiles, on floor, around bench...

a cozy little corner in which to rest.
with the cushion you brought
and some hot tea
.
.
.
enjoy!

and we're...

2012-02-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

drilling!

want to make sure the jobs done right,
then have the right equipment!

if you need a bodacious hole,
use a bodacious drill!

wasn't around long enough to see what
went
in
the
hole
.
.
.
a very large pole perhaps!!??

art at the ...

2012-02-01T09:49:00.000-05:00

doctors office

24 January 2012

a most amazing doctor's office

very different from the doctor's offices I go to...

why just because I'm an adult

is it assumed

that I want a sterile, neutral, colorless

doctor's office to sit in?!!!

give me color

give me texture

give me shape

give me ART!

at the very least, give me Van Gogh!

take your pick...

2012-01-30T18:48:00.000-05:00

today you have a choice...

visit

yaya paints

and

check out some of my

"out of my mind"

creations using the paint app on my Kindle Fire

(plus other sketches I've done during my life)

stay here

and observe

this delightful photo of

a bus bench

taken from 6 floors up

excuse the skew,
my angle wasn't the best when I took the shot
so I straightened it up a bit

there's still time to make the trip over to
"yaya paints"

;-)

today we're taking a detour to "color my world".....

2012-01-30T09:09:00.000-05:00

this is called being lazy,

2 blog postings for the "price" of one!

this is the way to

"color my world"

and

actually it's called cheating too,

I want you to visit

"color my world"

hope you do!

...hospital high

2012-01-27T08:40:00.000-05:00

All Children's Hospital

St Petersburg Florida

24 January 2012

as seen from a 6th floor doctor's office

granddaughter's eye appointment went well

she has albinism, eye issues come with this condition

a bench in St Petersburg...

2012-01-25T21:24:00.001-05:00

while I love the variety of outside benches I see,
sometimes
I find a lovely bench
inside!

this one was discovered at the eye doctors
where g'daughter went for an eye exam

add some cushions and this would
make a nice spot to
rest
read
or
just hang out!

so Christmas is over...

2012-01-24T15:49:00.001-05:00

the tree is on the junk pile,

forlorn and sad,

not even to be given a chance

to brightens someones day another season...

the celebrating is done,

thankfully...

Christmas

can

be
celebrated,

our

hearts,

all

year

long!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

photo taken during thrift store drop off of out grown g'kid toys

January 2012

take time
and check out my 3 other blogs
color my world
yaya paints
sweeping out the cobwebs...
you'll be happy you did!!!

colors of fall...

2012-01-19T23:29:00.000-05:00

deep into winter...brilliant red/orange against neutral stone

one dead leaf, curled, hanging,
holding on perhaps,

by a silken strand from an abandoned cobweb

one day
will
.
.
.
.
.
fall

Anhinga...

2012-01-19T09:28:00.001-05:00

according to Wikipedia this bird is the
anhinga leucogaster
found in southern United States, Mexico, Cuba, Grenada

additionally, the National Audubon Society book
The Sibley Guide to Birds
written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley

states that the Anhinga is 35 inches in length,
with a wingspread of 45 inches
and weighs 2.7 pounds (1,250 g)

described as "Unique, with heronlike neck and bill;
long, fan-shaped tail; and long pointed wings.
Swims with only head exposed."

my photo is of a nonbreeding, adult male
on shrub at edge of lake
15 January 2012

wintery tree...

2012-01-18T00:31:00.000-05:00

this little tree is behind my apartment

I thought it looked rather wintery in the above photo

the clumps, that remind me of bird nests, are Spanish moss

a little metal flamingo to brighten your day

continuing prayers for the victims

and survivors of the cruise ship disaster

berries and birds...

2012-01-15T14:06:00.000-05:00

red/orange berries at the market

Osprey at the market

ruffled feathers because he/she was preening

the one loner duck on the lake

I used a tripod when I took this, saw some improvement of blurriness

happy to say there's been cooler weather here in west central Florida

sad to read of cruise ship disaster near Tuscan island of Giglio

prayers for victims and survivors

packed away the Christmas ornaments...

2012-01-12T22:04:00.000-05:00

and the Christmas tree

I miss the color and the sparkle!

While I was at it, I packed away the Halloween costumes

and decorations. I had to wait till I went through g'kids

toys (and packed most of them up for the thrift store)

so I'd have a bin to put the Halloween things in!

So now Christmas, Easter and Halloween

are all tucked away till later this year!

I have, finally, managed to clean the patio,

prune my little trees and the jasmine!

And we finally had rain yesterday!

Wonderful!

2012 has started nicely for me,

hopefully your year is going well too.

birds of winter...

2012-01-10T20:16:00.000-05:00

migratory rest stop

views from Son and DILs backyard
(the K-9, in first photo, is my granddog Dora)

the ducks (they might not all be ducks) come, stay for a while,
then go on their way!

no doubt traveling further south as the temperatures drop lower
(well hopefully the temperatures are going to be lower this winter)

* * * * *

Camera art is not made by the camera, it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

waiting...

2012-01-10T02:14:00.000-05:00

beach on St. Joseph's Sound
Dunedin, Florida
2011

From the Shore
by: Carl Sandburg

A lone gray bird,
Dim-dipping, far-flying,
Alone in the shadows and grandeurs and tumults
Of night and the sea
And the stars and storms.

Out over the darkness it wavers and hovers,
Out into the gloom it swings and batters,
Out into the wind and the rain and the vast,
Out into the pit of a great black world,
Where fogs are at battle, sky-driven, sea-blown,
Love of mist and rapture of flight,
Glories of chance and hazards of death
On its eager and palpitant wings.

Out into the deep of the great dark world,
Beyond the long borders where foam and drift
Of the sundering waves are lost and gone
On the tides that plunge and rear and crumble.

* * * * *

Camera art is not made by the camera, it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

a neighbor's bench...

2012-01-09T17:28:00.000-05:00

early Sunday morning January 2012

I like this bench, felt compelled to take a photo of it

sitting there alone, amongst the palms,

waiting for friends and neighbors to sit and enjoy

* * * * *

Camera art is not made by the camera, it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

Psalm Challenge ~ Psalm #42

2012-01-08T17:00:00.002-05:00

Psalm Challenge Host ~ Robert

Daily Athens Photo

Psalm 42 ~ New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 42

For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.

1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, Where is your God?

4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and

6 my God. My soul is downcast within me;

therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon— from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock, Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, Where is your God?

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.

Psalm 42 found at
http://www.biblegateway.com

Note:
All photos, except "the rock,"
taken at church this AM.
Photo of the rock taken on the way to church.

trying something new...

2012-01-06T23:47:00.002-05:00

If I have the photos to illustrate the Psalm,

I will be doing Robert's Psalm Challenge,

because it encourages me to read the Bible!

the clouds of Palm Harbor

2012-01-06T14:26:00.000-05:00

photos taken at a Palm Harbor park 2011

visit Wall Springs Park here

all content (c) Theanne and Baron 2011~2012

a very short slide show I put together in 2005...

2012-01-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

I realized, while I was watching this today,

that the photo of Don and my oldest two g'kids

should actually say "Father's Day"!

The cake was his Father's Day cake,

June 2005!

The two photos of Don with candles on cupcakes,

ARE of his 80th birthday!

(Both events were close together as his birthday was June 25th).

The photos aren't that great,

but it was sweet to see the photos of Don, Sky and Pooh Cat!

All of them gone from me now!

* * * * *

If I had

a single flower

for everytime I think about you,

I could walk forever

in my garden.

~Claudia Adrienne Grandi

going for the gold...pollen

2012-01-03T20:06:00.004-05:00

click photo to enlarge

January 2012

friends front yard

* * * * *

“Honeybees depend not only on physical contact with the colony, but also require it's social companionship and support. Isolate a honeybee from her sisters and she will soon die.”
― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

egrets and flamingo on lake

2012-01-03T00:40:00.003-05:00

there are two large white egrets
one pink flamingo
and several birds with which I'm unfamiliar
taken behind Son and DIL's home
1 January 2012

Camera art is not made by the camera, it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

a bench in Largo

2012-01-01T21:46:00.000-05:00

a resting place for birds and reptiles

bench scene in Largo Florida

30 December 2011

~~~~~

I regret missing Psalm Challenge 41,

I was unable to find a photo,

among those I've taken over the years,

that I felt adequately illustrated this Psalm!

Theanne

Camera art is not made by the camera, it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

Baron and I may be one brick short of a full load...but we're FUNNY

2011-12-29T23:57:00.000-05:00

The folks atNoodle and Friendssent Baron this cute little squeaky toy,when I ordered the winter/summergear I gave him for Christmas!
He did this with it all day Christmas Eve,the day after Christmas he chewed the thingup into little bits and pieces!
He hasn't chewed up any of the toys Santa brought him for Christmas...yet!
Here's another (Christmas) video I created on JibJab,of Baron and me, this one wasn't free:

A little frivolity to ring in 2012!

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year!

Camera art is not made by the camera, it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

girls day out...in Dunedin Florida!

2011-12-28T23:59:00.000-05:00

DIL drove Neylan and me to Main Street,

in downtown Dunedin...

where we ate lunch, sitting under this live oak tree,

at the Broadway Deli and Cafe!

DIL and I split a veggie panini

and Neylan had a hot dog and potato chips!

What's not to like, the weather was a balmy 60+...

cool in the shade, warm in the sun!

The perfect day for the "girls" to eat outside!

Dunedin has a lovely small village feel to it,

it's on St Joseph Sound right next to the Gulf...

has small shops and eateries...

it's charming...and I plan to go back!

The best part is,

it's not far from where I live!

Camera art is not made by the camera,
it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

fast away the old year passes, hail the new ye lads and lasses

2011-12-28T00:14:00.001-05:00

1. fresh sunflowers from the market, to feed my soul

2. believe this is an egret, I saw this beautiful bird

outside my tax preparer's office catching lizards

3. in reflection, Christmas 2011

4. the family Halloween extravaganza, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell,

John Darling, Wendy Darling and

the infamous Captain Hook

5. Baron...the best half of Theanne and Baron

6. a Valentine Day card for Don, my eternal sweetheart

7. Thanne and Baron, in conference

8. the apartment neighbor's smooth padded cactus,

which provides me with

year round interest on the patio

9. cloud formation, in which I saw the head of a K9

photos taken during 2011,

reminding me of the year that is passing slowly away!

about

Deck the Halls (or Deck the Hall)

problems with video click

HERE

http://youtu.be/4lxYYQ7yxpU

Camera art is not made by the camera,

it's made by the heart of the photographer! ~ TLC

...waiting

2011-12-26T20:26:00.002-05:00

St Joseph's Children's Hospital

Medical Arts Building

Tampa, Florida

2011

NOTE: The person photoed is a stranger,

I thought his sunglasses humorous!

Neylan was there for an appointment!

She and William are both fine!

Psalm Challenge ~ Psalm #40

2011-12-26T13:13:00.001-05:00

Psalm Challenge Host ~ Robert
Daily Athens Photo

Psalm 40
New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 40[a]

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
5 Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened[c]—
burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.[e]
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, LORD,
as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, LORD;
come quickly, LORD, to help me.

14 May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The LORD is great!”

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.

Footnotes:
Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me

O Holy Night ~ John Sullivan Dwight's Version

2011-12-24T00:37:00.001-05:00

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hears the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise us,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

birds gently moving in the warm atrium air...

2011-12-22T23:14:00.001-05:00

Atrium

St Joseph's Children's Hospital

Medical Arts Building

Tampa, Florida

22 December 2011

click on photo to enlarge

Christmas party at Mary-Ann's School of Dance.....

2011-12-22T09:49:00.000-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

tutus and leotards

Neylan and William

I believe he's trying a dance move ;-)

during the Reindeer routine

(William gave his Mom his Reindeer antlers!)

taking a break

listening to Miss Mary-Ann

reflecting on Christmas

after the party

Theanne and Baron

wish you

Merry Christmas!

flamingos at Christmas and all year long...

2011-12-20T21:51:00.003-05:00

click on photos to enlarge

the two flamingo photos above were taken 2010

at DILs brother's home!

taken at Largo Park

19 December 2011

(Robert if you should come by for a visit

I've got angels dancing all over everywhere

in the above photo ;-)

this flamingo's photo was taken

spring 2011

at DILs Aunt's home

my own weathered little flamingo

(the bulbine in this photo has tripled in size)

Click HERE to read about the beautiful flamingo...

Merry Christmas to all my blog friends...

you've all definitely made this a Merry Christmas for me!

Note: for those who think flamingos when they think Florida,

our state bird is actually the Northern Mockingbird

(minimus polyglyottos).

counting down to Christmas...

2011-12-20T07:46:00.001-05:00

five days till

Jesus' Birth Day!

celebrating in Florida with LIGHTS!

The LIGHT I am celebrating is the LIGHT

that began with the birth of Jesus!

The symbolic lights only remind me of the LIGHT

he brought to the world!

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people,

he said, “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

Psalm Challenge ~ Psalm #39

2011-12-18T00:46:00.007-05:00

Psalm Challenge Host ~ Robert
Daily Athens Photo

Psalm 39
New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 39

For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.

2 But as I stood there in silence--
not even speaking of good things--
the turmoil within me grew worse.

3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:

4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered--
how fleeting my life is.

5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.

Interlude

6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.

7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.

8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.

9 I am silent before you; I won't say a word,
for my punishment is from you.

10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.

11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath.

Interlude

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don't ignore my tears.
For I am your guest--
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.

13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.

Finding photos in my meager collection, to illustrate a verse or two of this Psalm where David continues pleading for God to be merciful to him, has proved futile...I decided it was time for me to think more broadly about these verses. To think of a man in a more modern time than David, who sinned more by omitting than committing! A man who needed to be reminded of how transitory life is, a man who needed to be reminded that heaping up wealth on earth does not buy one a place in heaven, nor does it help his fellow human beings.

A man who needed to be reminded that he would be able to "smile again" if he changed his entire way of thinking and doing!

It's Christmas time and I found it easy to think of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" and Ebenezer Scrooge! Scrooge a man who was so busy accumulating wealth that he had lost touch with everything and everybody around him. He was reminded by various means that life was short, that all his wealth would not help him when he was dead and gone, and that his lack of charity and not opening his eyes to what was going on around him could cost the life of an innocent. After being shown his past, present and future, I believe he too could easily have prayed, "Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don't ignore my tears."

Photo from Wikipedia Commons

I know that "A Christmas Carol" is fiction and that David was a living breathing human being, who was suffering mightily for his sins! Yet fiction and reality sometimes collide and when they do our hearts and minds can be opened to a greater understanding!

Freddy Frog paid us a surprise Christmas visit today...

2011-12-16T22:41:00.000-05:00

Baron and I had a brief, but interesting visit

with Freddy Frog today!

He never knocked or rang the doorbell,

however Baron alerted me to the fact

that we had a guest!

By jumping at the door and scaring poor Freddy,

until he lept from the door to the hall table!

Being afraid that he would disappear

somewhere in the apartment,

I grabbed a dishcloth

then gently captured Freddy,

apologized for his visit having to be

such a short one

and

put him down outside the front door!

He was last seen on the little corner shelves

which live in my entryway!

Merry Christmas Freddy

(don't hurry back!)

Note: In case anyone who has been

following us for awhile

has forgotten...

our last visitor was Max the leaping lizard.

See Max here!

Visit our blog

"Color My World"

here!

let's do some Christmas rocking...

2011-12-15T23:28:00.000-05:00

click on photo to enlarge

Cracker Barrel Restaurant

Clearwater, Florida

11 December 2011

A Christmas Tale from the Past ~ recycled from 2010

2011-12-14T09:04:00.000-05:00

a story of Christmas

62 years ago...

It's December 1948, the wars with Germany and Japan are over...

and the United States is settling down for a long, peaceful winter's nap.

However, Christmas is coming

and life is anything but settled or peaceful in our household.

Starting in the fall a cedar tree is located in the woods,

it will be cut down Christmas Eve (when it will also be decorated).

The running cedar is located

and the holly tree with the most berries is located.

Inside, the house is cleaned, the "good dishes" are checked,

the silverware is polished and the Christmas menu finalized!

But the most important thing to happen before Christmas is

THE BAKING OF THE SUGAR COOKIES!!!

Now you have to understand a few things before I go further,

one of them is that my Dad loved Christmas

more than any person I've ever known,

another is that my Mom was a perfectionist (and sometimes had issues)

and lastly that sometimes my Dad and Mom

did not see eye to eye on the topic at hand...

Setting the Scene:

Our kitchen had a HUGE wood burning cook stove

with a water heating tank on the side

(where, yes, my children the water we bathed in was heated).

A kitchen cabinet, one of the old ones that had a built in flour bin and sifter,

storage above (where the sacred Sugar Cookie Recipe was kept),

a roll-top front that hide spices in tidy red topped jars,

a door below that opened to reveal the cookie sheets

and wooden rolling pin,

3 drawers (one held wooden spoons for mixing)

and a counter top that pulled out so you had more work space.

And a table where the chilled cookie dough was rolled out,

cut with cookie cutters and sprinkled with red and green sugar sprinkles.

The 4 Characters were:

Mom (the keeper of the recipe and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer)

Dad (the keeper of the fire and time keeper of baking cookies)

Older Sister (a cookie decorator, Senior Grade)

Younger Sister (me) (a cookie decorator, Apprentice)

The Drama:

The cookie dough had been prepared earlier and chilled in the refrigerator.

This had started an ongoing discussion between Mom and Dad

about the recipe ingredients,

the amount of time needed for chilling the dough, so it wouldn't be sticky,

whether the oven was hot enough, cool enough and on and on.

So things were already somewhat tense before the

actual rolling, cutting, sprinkling and baking began.

The chilled dough, still in it's mixing bowl was removed from the refrigerator,

the bowl was placed on the pull-out counter top of the kitchen cabinet. At this

point Mom was at the table, the two decorators were sitting obediently in chairs

at the table and Dad was standing between the kitchen cabinet and the stove.

And the real argument began...

about which particular thing I no longer remember...

for some reason Dad grabbed the countertop and yanked,

the bowl of dough shot up into the air

(which was filled with shocked, awed silence)

curved slowly,

slowly,

slowly

over

and

dropped

PLOP

upside down

tiny pieces of woodchips...

With the aplomb and grace of a professional actor,

Dad reached down (without the blink of an eye),

picked up the bowl, flicked off the tiny pieces of woodchips and

handed the bowl to Mom

who

took the bowl,

without a sound,

without the raising of an eyebrow,

without a glare from her pretty blue eyes,

and started rolling out the dough.

Big and Little Sister cut and decorated

and nothing was said about imperfections,

too many sprinkles, too few sprinkles,

Dad put the cookie sheets in the oven

and took them from the oven

and

nothing was said about some cookies that were a little pale

and some cookies that were a little brown

Nothing was said when cookies were sampled at the end of the baking.

Nothing was said,

and

Christmas came and was enjoyed

and the Sugar Cookies were eaten,

tiny pieces of woodchips and all.

~ The End ~

Wishing You a Merry Christmas!

almost home for Christmas ~ A Tale from the Past

2011-12-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

In the fall of 1947,

Daddy began suffering from intense pain in his right leg,

within hours the pain moved to his lung.

He had turned 39 in late spring,

I had turned 5 during the summer.

A local doctor diagnosed his symptoms as influenza.

Daddy came home, wrapped himself up

in a thick (orange, green and brown) winter blanket,

sat in an easy chair and

shivered with pain.

When he didn't get any better, his parents

insisted that my Mom bring him to Norfolk
(2 1/2 hours away),

so he could see their doctor.

She drove him and maybe my sister went along too,

I don't remember.

When my Mom came home she told me

my Daddy was in the hospital.

What did that mean, he was in the hospital?

I understood that he wasn't home.

I understood that he was sick when he left to go to Norfolk.

But what did it mean to be in a hospital?

In due time I learned...

My Mom explained that Daddy had had a

blood clot that had traveled from his leg,

through his heart

and lodged in his lung.

I understood that too...somehow!

Or maybe I just accepted what my Mom told me.

The Norfolk doctor had also told my Mom,

and when I was older she told me,

that my Daddy had come about a hair away from dying.

It was a miracle he was alive!

So it was fall and Daddy was in the hospital,

getting well from the clot, so he could come home.

He began to write letters to my sister

and she would read them aloud to my Mom and me.

In one letter he told her that he felt like a pincushion,

that every so many hours the nurses came around

and gave him an injection of heparin

(while it doesn't actually thin the blood heparin

is commonly called a blood thinner).

OK that was upsetting to me right there...

injections?

every few hours...OUCH!

AND he said his doctor called him a "guinea pig"

because they were using the heparin on him experimentally.

(Heparin was discovered in 1916, did not undergo

clinical trials until 1935, and was apparently not used often

or at all in Norfolk hospitals, in 1948).

Daddy wasn't in the hospital for days or weeks,

he was in for months.

And Christmas was rapidly approaching.

He probably wouldn't be released from the hospital
before Christmas
and

Christmas was the yearly holiday my Daddy loved best.

So the Mom that I inherited my imagination from,
put on her thinking cap and came up with a plan!

If the doctor would let Daddy out of the hospital
long enough to celebrate Christmas Day,
then Mom, my Sister and I
would move our Christmas from our country place
to the city apartment that her mother and sister
had upstairs in their house.

We'd take a cedar tree,
baked cookies,
colored lights,
tree ornaments,
tinsel,
the nativity scene,
and the star for the top of the tree
and
create Christmas for Daddy and us in Norfolk!

The doctor agreed that Daddy could leave the hospital
for a day or two.
Mom, Sister and I got all the Christmas decorations
and
goodies moved from the country to the city.
We decorated the apartment,
put up the tree,
and had a
little
CHRISTMAS
MIRACLE
in
a
small
apartment
in the
city!

And
I was
HAPPY
my Daddy was "almost home" for Christmas!

my Christmas tree
2011

Daddy was the one who taught me how to make
walnut ornaments!

I'm thinking I might do a "how to" for these ornaments...

...from my imagination

2011-12-11T21:12:00.001-05:00

click photos to enlarge

painted on canvas board using acrylics

detail of completed work

progress

the original sketch

all photos, sketches, paintings (c) Theanne and Baron 2011

announcing my NEW blog >>>>> COLOR MY WORLD

today I'm coloring my world...ORANGE!

Psalm Challenge ~ Psalm #38

2011-12-10T21:59:00.002-05:00

Psalm Challenge Host ~ Robert

Daily Athens Photo

GOD'S WORD Translation

Psalm 38

A psalm by David; to be kept in mind.[a]

1 O Lord, do not angrily punish me

or discipline me in your wrath.

2 Your arrows have struck me.

Your hand has struck me hard.

3 No healthy spot is left on my body

because of your rage.

There is no peace in my bones

because of my sin.

4 My guilt has overwhelmed me.

Like a heavy load, it is more than I can bear.

5 My wounds smell rotten.

They fester because of my stupidity.

6 I am bent over and bowed down very low.

All day I walk around in mourning.

7 My insides are filled with burning pain,

and no healthy spot is left on my body.

8 I am numb and completely devastated.

I roar because my heart’s in turmoil.

9 You know all my desires, O Lord,

and my groaning has not been hidden from you.

10 My heart is pounding.

I have lost my strength.

Even the light of my eyes has left me.

11 My loved ones and my friends keep their distance

and my relatives stand far away because of my sickness.

12 Those who seek my life lay traps for me.

Those who are out to harm me talk about ruining me.

All day long they think of ways to deceive me.

13 But I am like a person who cannot hear

and like a person who cannot speak.

14 I am like one who cannot hear

and who can offer no arguments.

15 But I wait with hope for you, O Lord.

You will answer, O Lord, my God.

16 I said, “Do not let them gloat over me.

When my foot slips,

do not let them promote themselves at my expense.”

17 I am ready to fall.

I am continually aware of my pain.

18 I confess my guilt.

My sin troubles me.

19 My mortal enemies are growing stronger.

Many hate me for no reason.

20 They pay me back with evil instead of good,

and they accuse me because I try to do what is good.

21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.

O my God, do not be so distant from me.

22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my savior.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 38:1 Hebrew meaning of “to be kept in mind” uncertain.

God's Word Translation found at: biblegateway.com

Pacific Ocean ~ San Diego, California 1996

2011-12-09T23:50:00.000-05:00

computer painting

I did this stroke by stroke

just like a "real" painting

my inspiration this chunky female

cavorting in the surf

oh hey that's me

.....which is it, Hippeastrum or Amaryllis?

2011-12-08T20:41:00.000-05:00

no matter what the name

this is my grocery store beauty!

In west central Florida, the bulbs over-winter in the ground,

blooming in the early spring...

floridaplants.com

Amaryllis

color my world YELLOW

2011-12-07T21:24:00.000-05:00

fire hydrant

kitchen wipes

yellow tailed gecko

reusable grocery bag

school crossing

remembering...

2011-12-07T11:58:00.001-05:00

the fallen at Pearl Harbor...

7 December 1941

I was born 7 months and 10 days later...

into the middle of

World War II

Don was 16
when he was 19 he was fighting in Europe
with the 42nd Rainbow Division

thistle ~ Arizona 1983

2011-12-07T00:25:00.000-05:00

Painting 2011

Photo 1983

Largo Florida celebrates the Christmas Season with an "old fashioned" Christmas Parade!

2011-12-06T02:16:00.003-05:00

I've linked the parade to:

Our World Tuesday

Week 15

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

http://www.discoverlargo.com

It was a great parade...homey and fun!

Way to go Joseph,

the young man who got the parade up and running!

Psalm Challenge ~ Psalm #37

2011-12-04T00:31:00.002-05:00

Psalm Challenge Host ~ Robert

Daily Athens Photo

Psalm 37

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

6 And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently look for his place, and it shall not be.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13 The Lord shall laugh at him, for He seeth that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn out the sword and have bent their bows to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright manner of living.

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall be consumed; into smoke shall they be consumed away.

21 The wicked borroweth and payeth not back, but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth;

22 for such as are blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but they that are cursed by Him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.

26 He is ever merciful and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

27 Depart from evil and do good, and dwell for evermore.

28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever, but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33 But the LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the LORD and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and lo, he was no more; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is in the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them, because they trust in Him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

rabbit eating spring grass and weeds behind apartment;
Eggplant Parmesan;
midday sun at the beach;
Theanne age 5;
Theanne age 68;
Anglican Church, Virginia

wipe your paws

2011-12-03T11:01:00.000-05:00

and come on in...

the before door ~ washed a years worth of grime off

moved the sandy shoes...from way back when we went to beach

kicked the mat back into place

the after door ~ clean and decorated for Christ's Birthday

hey it looks like I "kicked" that rug about an inch

guess my kicker isn't what it used to be ;-)

up close to see how the wreath really looks

I'm thinking it needs some more red

what do you think?

patio garden ~ spring...fall

2011-12-02T21:39:00.001-05:00

~ spring ~

May 2011

The big black tub, my son used to plant my Mother's Day

plants in, is behind the orange flower

and in front of the hibiscus.

It was beautiful till we started having rain almost

every afternoon...either the drain holes are clogged

or it doesn't have any drain holes. Every time

it rained, during the summer, the tub filled with water

above the soil and eventually the flowers

and the ornamental grass...died of root rot!

~ fall ~

December 2011

Now I have a variety of weeds, with the

ornamental grass struggling to make a comeback.

I'm going to transplant the grass to another pot

and see if I can save it.

Meanwhile I'm going to buy a cheap drill

and drill holes in the side of the container,

at the bottom and about a quarter of the way up.

Then I'm going to plant me a winter vegetable!

~ spring ~

May 2011

My granddaughter gave me one of these plants

for Mother's Day (I believe).

Looking good aren't they?

I kept them going through the summer,

sometimes blooming, sometimes not.

Toward the end of summer they were

looking like they had a fungus...so

I cut them off at ground level to see what they would do!

~ fall ~

December 2011

I discovered today that they've put out a great many leaves,

I doubt if they're a cold weather plant so will bring

them in if they start to look like they're going to bloom.

The cactus is going to have to be repotted,

I started it from a pad that got knocked off my neighbors

cactus during a wind storm, back in the summer.

The smaller single pad was knocked

off the one I'm growing...by me!

~ my neighbors cactus ~

HUGE

I'll only be able to keep my cactus in a container if,

I keep it small by removing pads

find myself a very large container that I can lift

to put in the car and bring home.

Otherwise,

the only place to plant it in the ground

is directly under my neighbors.

His cactus is 8 to 10 feet tall and hangs over

the privacy fence, above my little patio.

Maybe I should have just let that pad lay in the grass and dry up.

However,

after living in Arizona, I dearly love cactus,

so I couldn't do it :-)

This is a

Cholla or Jumping Cactus

if you've ever had one stick to you,

you know why it's nicknamed a Jumping Cactus.

I was doing something outside our RV

one day and managed to stick my backside

in the Cholla Cactus...about 6 or 7

segments detached and the spines embedded

themselves in my posterior (through denim jeans).

I started hollering and Don came out to see

what was going on...after he finished snickering,

he pulled the spines out with a pair of pliers.

Jumping Jehoshaphat

don't mess with a

Jumping Cactus!

The one I'm growing now is a SMOOTH padded cactus, no spines!

Note: I painted the Jumping Cactus in Rusty Tin Can in 1988

decorating for Christmas...

2011-12-02T09:49:00.000-05:00

The wooden tote box, Santa and Christmas tree

all came from the thrift store last year.

The berries were cut from a garland that I used for a while.

The small gold framed photos are of family members from long ago,

so old I do not recognize any of the faces.

The lacey table covering is actually a table cloth

that belonged to my mother.

Put together to create a happy Christmas

moment for our enjoyment!

Theanne and Baron celebrating Christmas!

I sprinkled "snowy" glitter on my tree this morning,

Baron entertained himself by eating what fell on the floor!

Baron this past Tuesday morning!

The color of my REAL world is shown in this photo!

*smile*