For Trina!!!

Trina is from New Orleans. I met her in Colorado.

She is one of the nicest, funniest, FUNNEST people I know. She has helped me through some of the bleakest times in my life.

She has had some very hard times herself, including Hurricane Katrina (she lost everything except what she could fit in her car) and the loss of her parents.

Her wonderful spirit and sense of humor remain strong.

I'm trying to talk her into starting a blog. I know she checks out my blog, so how about working with me to convince her that it needs to be done???

Soooooooo ... Today, in honor of TRINA and the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS Superbowl Champions --

I hereby declare this to be International "LEAVE A COMMENT FOR TRINA ON CLYTIE'S BLOG" Day! Let's get her on board!

"pigs have flown, hell is frozen over, geaux saints!"

Bug House Face

Do you see the old man's face in this squashed bug house I found on the road? He has a large nose, and appears to not be very happy ...

Face in Tree -- With DRAMA

I saw this face in a tree in Canby on my way to Gleaners.
So on my way home you KNOW I just had to stop, park, walk over and take his photo. It would take just a minute or two ....

I should have known better.

On the way back to my car, I noticed a loud monsterous truck tailgating a small black car, vrooming and weaving back and forth, while the car tried to dodge him. "Crazy teenagers" I thought to myself.

I got back in the car and pulled out. I heard sirens in the distance so I sat and waited. Cars pulled over for whatever emergency vehicles were converging.

Of course ALL 3 sheriff cars, 1 state police car and a motorcycle cop converged right in front of me. A woman jumped out of one of the pulled-over cars and yelled "that's him! Over there! In the big black truck!" Uh oh, had I witnessed part of a hit and run? I pulled back to the curb.

Turns out a woman's ex-husband had (allegedly) tried to take their kids from the local middle school and when the ex-wife and current husband tried to intervene he punched out the drivers side window of their car. Then he chased them down the street, trying to hit them with his truck. That was the part I saw.

I ended up having to stay and give my statement to the police.

This all happened just hours after Dad had a small stroke. He was still in the ER and I had been in a little bit of a hurry to get home ... in case I was needed.

WHAT. A. DAY.

DAD IS GOING TO BE OKAY. He had a minor stroke, and it seems to have only affected his face and speech - he slurs a little. We just have to watch him to make sure this wasn't the warning before a big stroke.

Oh, and they caught the "bad guy" -- He went to jail.

It Happened in Colorado ...

It was probably 15 years ago ... I was driving down the street and noticed a Sysco truck pulling into traffic. Overnight, someone had broken into their truck yard and, with a can of spray paint, modified the slogan on their trucks.

Above is what the slogan SHOULD say.

Enlarge the photo below to find out what made me laugh hysterically ...

No Trucks.

As I exited the train station parking lot, I had to wait for a semi to make a turn across the street. I had to laugh and snap this picture ...

Could the sign be any clearer?

"The Scream" Tree

This is the original "The Scream"
by Edvard Munch

Below is MY version!

Beauty Glows From Within

With the sun playing peek-a-boo today,
I found glowing beauty
In fallen oak leaves.

And a climbing English Ivy plant.

Nature's Jewels - Diamonds!

A brief rain shower
A flash of sun

Enlarge this photo to see --

Nature's Diamonds!

Independence Gate

Isn't this fence/gate adorable? I found it in Independence, Oregon ... where my sister lives in an old historical house which I adore.

I can't wait for my next visit to Beth's town -- to go for another long walk and discover more treasures like this. Love ya, sissie!

Another Funny Face - Taped!

I found this guy watching me as I was going for a walk yesterday. He looks a little leery of having his photo taken, I think.

Muddy Cross

I would not have noticed this cross, except for the rain.
And the sun.

The Rains Are Gone ... For Now

It finally stopped raining ...
And look what I found!

Reflections in a puddle --
Finally -- blue sky!!!

Raining Cats and ... Cats?

This peaceful pond ... was once a lovely garden spot - right outside the picture window.

Before the rain started pouring this morning.

Hmmmmmm
I thought cats were supposed to hate water ?!?!

Dark Into Light

The late morning turned dark.
I looked up from my work to see why.
A huge black cloud was overhead.
Threatening rain.
I ran outside to see ...
It was directly above me.
Then the threat became reality.