New Years Resolutions - Part 1

2010 is nearly gone ...
It's time to review my year,
And make some resolutions!

Resolution: To put off the old ...

Resolution: To let go of the past!

Resolution: To accept that I am me.
I am beautiful.

Resolution: To continue to see and share what others might miss ...
(Sasquatch?)

Resolution: To put more Fireworks in my life!!!

And I'm just getting started!!!

Reflections I found - Weekend Reflections, Guest Heart Thursday

I was parked in front of the doctor's office, when I noticed my car's reflection in the main door and window. I had to laugh at the way it looks!

I also like the double reflections ... the reflection in the car window is a reflection of the building the car is reflected from! (Huh???)

This morning, as the sun was starting to burn off the fog, I noticed the reflections glinting off of the heart I have hanging by the driveway.

To see found hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts - and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Abstract Rail Reflection - Weekend Reflections

I was waiting to take my sister-in-law to the store, when I saw this delightfully abstract reflection of a handrail in one of the apartment windows. I also liked how the hood of the car next to me reflected the blue sky and the apartment building roof ... Unfortunately that was the last blue we will see for quite some time; and we are expecting a "Pineapple Express" tomorrow, with wind and rain - and lots of flooding.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Disabled American Veteran Reflections

Dad is a disabled American veteran - he was a Prisoner of War in WWII.
He qualifies for a disabled parking permit ... but can no longer drive.

Dad was at the doctor's office and, as I waited outside, I was nearly brought to tears by the reflection I saw in the car's window ... the American flag ... the disabled parking permit ...

Yeah, Veterans Day is over. But the war these men and women fight is ongoing.
Each and every day - for the rest of their lives.

It is my honor to take my dad wherever he needs to go.
He has earned it.

To see reflections from around the world, please visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Surfer Dudes and Their Shadows ...

While I was surprised at the snow that fell on the beach last week ...
I was even more surprised that the surfers were still out!

They didn't last long. After they braved the cold Pacific ocean for a while, they stopped to wash the salt from their wet suits ... and change into warm clothes. We couldn't help but laugh at some of the antics they employed to keep from, er, being "exposed" to the elements!

The late afternoon sun peeked out just long enough to catch some amazing shadows.

REALLY! It was the SHADOWS that I was taking pictures of!!!
Seriously!!!
Snicker.

It wasn't until I got home and was going through my pictures that I noticed the strange diffused and almost yellow lighting ... and realized that's what I got from taking the pictures from behind the screen door. (Now why would I be there???)
And they really are Straight Out Of the Camera!

To see beautiful shadows from around the world, visit Hey Harriet, and check out Shadow Shot Sunday.

To see amazing pictures taken Straight Out Of the Camera, visit Murrieta 365, and check out SOOC Sunday.

Mika and Bird Staredown!!!

Mika caught my eye, standing motionless on a branch at least 30 feet up the birch tree.
As I came closer, a slight movement on the other side of the tree ...
Revealed the reason for Mika's intense stare.
A red headed sapsucker - oddly oblivious to the imminent danger!

(If I didn't know better, I would swear the bird was doing this deliberately - it stayed on the opposite side of the tree from Mika for nearly an hour!)

But the bird finally flew away, and Mika climbed back down the tree ... a maneuver that was almost as funny as watching Mika watch the bird!

To see other wonderful pets, and to show off your best friend, link up with Pet Pride!

Time Out at the Beach ...

The seagulls were persistent ...
Even coming into the house to reach a dropped breadcrumb!

At times, it was almost scary to venture out onto the deck ...
Not that it would have been comfortable what with the SNOW and all!

"Mine!"

As we were preparing to leave the beach house that was our refuge for 3 days, I caught this picture of my sister and I in the coffee pot.

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo, and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sissie and I had a WONDERFUL 3 days at the beach!
It rained, it stormed ... we saw wind gusts upwards of 50 miles per hour ...
And then it snowed.
Right down onto the sand.
A once in a lifetime event!

I have so much to be thankful for this day - I hope you do too.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!


To see hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts, and join us for Guest Heart Thursday!

Tree Frog Confrontations ...

The tiny green tree frog slept in the safety of the dark forest floor debris.

FLASH!
So bright it was to his eyes ...

Fully awake now, he turned to glare at she who dared wake him from his slumber ...

AND FLIPPED HER OFF for good measure!

It Was a Dark and Rainy Night ...

I didn't want to go out after dark, in the pouring rain ... but mom needed a prescription filled, so off we went.
I brought a book to read while I was waiting in the car, but soon became entranced with the glowing paths the rain's reflections made on the pages of my novel.

As I pulled into our driveway, I saw something I had missed before ...
Backlit by the lamp in the window ...
The angel that hangs on the curtain ...
Has hearts for wings!!!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo, and join us for Weekend Reflections!

To see hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts, and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I found this fun meme - Scavenger Hunt Sunday over at Ramblings and Photos by Ashley Sisk, where she provides 5 words/phrases, and we get to interpret them in photos!
I decided to give it a try ...
It took a while, but I managed (barely) to squeak in before the Tuesday deadline! The 5 words for this week are: 1. Self portrait; 2. Handmade; 3. Orange; 4. Candle; 5. Traffic Signals or Signs.

1. SELF PORTRAIT

This is actually a SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera) shot. I took a flashlight into a bathroom at the abandoned church across the street and shined it on my face in the broken mirror ... and took this shot. I kind of like it!!!

2. HANDMADE

I made these pants for my daughter after she found some in a magazine - where they were selling for up to $300. They took several weeks, and many many hours of labor ... but she loves them and that made it worth it.

3. ORANGE

I found this orange lichen in the pile of oak leaves by the driveway.
(I like the little white heart shaped spot, don't you?)

4. CANDLE

This is an ACEO/ATC (miniature art cards 2-1/2" x 3-1/2") that is made out of graffiti that I found at the abandoned church. Vandals had kicked in the drywall the graffiti was painted on, and I stripped off the graffiti from those pieces to make into art cards.

5. TRAFFIC SIGNALS OR SIGNS

Can a road be closed ... when there is no road? And if there is no road ... WHO IS GOING TO READ THE BACKWARDS SIGN?

I have had a lot of fun doing this Scavenger Hunt.
I think I will do it again!!!!!

Blueberry Leaf - Autumn's Treasures and Shadows

The blueberry leaves are showing their Autumn colors ... Reds ...

Yellows ...

Greens ...

Shadows arranged on the leaves whisper of what will soon be ...
Empty branches, awaiting Spring ...

To see shadows from around the world, visit Hey Harriet - and join us for Shadow Shot Sunday.

A Walk on the (Not So) Wild Side!

Walking down our country road I spied something I have never seen before.
Peeking through the grasses in the ditch ...
Shhhhh, it's the elusive and delicate "Lipshade Tossitoutius" - and it's in full bloom! Look at how it uses reflections to blend in with it's surroundings!

I took a photo and went on my way ...
Paying careful attention now.
And look! Not 20 yards further ...

Three more "Lipshades"! Two were still in chrysalis stage!
One in the late stages of bloom!
What a day!!!

Leaving the "Lipshades", my attention was caught by a shade of orange not usually seen in the woods here. I went to investigate, and found ...

A very rare specimen indeed!
A "File-Drawer Vandelizeous"!
This one must have escaped from across the street - I've seen them there in the abandoned building! But I never would have expected to see one all the way out here in the woods!
Wow, my day just gets better!

Finally, I have found what I came to see ...

A "hearty foilus".
Tucked there in the grasses.

What a walk I have had!
What treasures I have uncovered!
I can't wait to go out again!

To see "hearty foilus" from around the world, visit Random Hearts - and join us for Guest Heart Thursday!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Mika Stands Alone ...

When I saw where Mika was standing, I couldn't help but think of a Sunday School song from my childhood ...

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes that's the Book for me.
I stand alone
On the word of God -
The B-I-B-L-E!

I am honored to link Mika with Pet Pride! Come join us, and meet the special friends in our lives!

If Only I Had a Video Camera ...

No pictures today, because I don't have a video camera ... and nothing else would do.

Cipole Road is a curvy country lane between two busy highways. Several run-down businesses line the street; no parking lots, you just pull over alongside the road onto the grass and walk in ...

I was bringing mom home from the doctor's office, via the Cipole Road shortcut. As I rounded a corner, I noticed a car pulled over in the grass in front of a large hedge. The driver had a peculiar stance in front of his door that made me slow down and gawk - you probably know the posture I'm talking about. Both feet spread slightly apart, hunched over a bit at the shoulders, arms overhead ... the coat hanger in his hands stuck in the edge of the car window, which he was desperately maneuvering up and down - obviously trying to unlock the door from the outside.

I felt a moment of sympathy. I have been there, and know well that sinking feeling when I realized my keys were not in my purse, but locked in the car.

I slowly passed the poor locked out frustrated soul, hoping he got his door open soon.

Until that moment when I passed him, looking back in the rear view mirror ... at the poor guy with the coat hanger ... fruitlessly punching at the door lock ... while the passenger door of his car stood WIDE OPEN against the hedge ...

Mom and I laughed hysterically all the way home.

Stay Away from Bell Road!!!

I decided to revisit the Bell Road Tree for Halloween this year.

Bell Road is a dangerously curved country road that claims many victims each year ... many trees that line it's twisty length are scarred from collisions with careless drivers.
Like this tree near the "big curve" that has claimed several lives over the years.

As I looked more closely at the scars, I found this praying lady.

And this scary troll.
Do you see him?

Happy Halloween!

Stay Away From Bell Road ...

Peace Well - Weekend Reflections

It is an abandoned well, tiny and lined with bricks ... we found it when we were kids, and called it the Peace Well.

Over the years the land around it has been trashed, thrashed, dug up, and replanted.

But the Peace Well remains hidden and protected under an ancient cedar tree. A quiet place to catch a few reflections ...

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Leaf is Only Half into Autumn

Half Fall.
Half still Summer.

Soon it will have to make up it's mind!!!

Teenage Angst ...

My brother and his 14-year-old son on the bus ...
No additional words needed!!!

Hawthorne Berry Reflections - Weekend Reflections

During a lull in the Autumn rains, I found these hawthorne berries tied together by a single drop of water - reflecting the forest around me ...

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

All Taped Up And Nowhere To Go ...

I saw this car yesterday, parked across the street.
What a creative use for duct tape!!!

But I kind of wonder what would happen if somebody took off the tape ...

Tiffi and Jenna Reflect the Heat - Weekend Reflections

Can you tell it was a hot day?
My nieces Tiffi and Jenna were with me waiting in the car.
I caught them in the flip-down mirror.
Aren't they cute?

To see reflections from around the world, visit James at Newtown Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Load of Hey!

Friday afternoon traffic was brutal.
A crash on the interstate brought everything in town to an abrupt halt.

Except this guy.
I ended up following him for nearly 5 miles ... couldn't go around because of the oncoming commuters trying to use the back streets to get around the freeway jam ...

A truck loaded with hay is NOT an unusual sight around here; after all once you get out of town we're pretty rural ...

But this guy was really loaded.
And this load was NOT TIED DOWN.
Nope, not a rope, cord, wire or anything holding this stuff in place.

And I had to follow him, 20 miles an hour.
Little bits of hay drifting through my window ...
Keeping my distance. Just in case.
I hope he made it home without spilling his load.

Recycled Table and Bench - Shadow Shot Sunday

An interesting table and bench I found while walking near the river ...
At first glance, it's a peaceful and shadow-dappled oasis ...

As you look closer, you will see how creative it is ...
Made from old concrete slabs.

Talk about recycling!

To see amazing shadows from all over the world, visit Hey Harriet - and join us for Shadow Shot Sunday!

Peek-a-Boo Window Blinds

The windows at the abandoned mega-church are all gone now.
Broken into millions of pieces.

But a few window blinds remain ...
Tempting the blackberry vines outide ...
To take a peek inside!

They are probably just as curious as the rest of us!

What To Do With Bagel Dough ...

It was a hot day, and I was needed.
My sister-in-law, Bert, was stranded without a ride to the bank, and her rent was due by 5 pm. She had surgery on her feet Monday, and could barely walk.

So I went. No AC in my car ... Bert's three crying, sweating little ones in the back seat - one cranky sweating adult in the front seat (uh, that would be ME). It was Friday afternoon, not a good day for banking and traffic anyway, but it was also the Friday before the Labor Day Holiday and getting anywhere in town was nearly impossible.

There was no shade, so I had to park in the full sun.

Suddenly the back seat became very quiet. A tiny voice called out "uh Auntie Clytie?"
"WHAT!" I snapped.
"Uh, Auntie Clytie, there's DOUGH coming out of the box back there."
Uh oh.

How could I have forgotten?
Thursday. Gleaners. An entire case of frozen bagel dough.
Ack. It was still in my car!

I glanced back to the cargo area. Sure enough, the bagel dough had thawed in the heat, and was starting to rise. FAST. It had stretched the tape on the top of the box, and popped it open. There was a pile of gooey, sticky, thawed bagel dough towering over the top of the box. Any minute now, it was going to topple over ... all over the cargo area of my car!
Ack!

"Alright kids," I said. "Take off your seatbelts - QUICK!
Now turn around on the seat, reach into the back, and poke your fingers into the dough - HURRY!"

All three of the kids kneeled backwards on the seat, reached back and delightedly started poking the bagel dough. It immediately subsided back into the box. A giggle. Another giggle. Then we were ALL flat out belly laughing. Heat, sweat and crankiness were forgotten. The kids continued poking the bagel dough - and having a BLAST - until their mom came out to the car and I took them home.

What a blessing.
Bagel dough.
Childrens' laughter.
Creativity.
An afternoon I will remember for a long time. With smiles.
Thank you Tiffi, Jenna and Markie.
I love you all!

Lions and Tigers and CHAIRS, oh my!

It was the middle of the night ... 2:45 AM to be exact.
The dog started barking.
I woke up.

There was a commotion at the gate of the abandoned church property across the street.
Banging and clunking, then silence.
And a pickup drove away.

At first light, I went to investigate.
And found these abandoned chairs -
Lurking in the grass.

The new owners are on the property today, filling dumpsters with trash.
I imagine these will be the first to go away.
But I got my pictures first.