Leaky Roof Makes Picture

In my wanderings around the formerly-abandoned and now-being-cleaned-up church across the street, I found where a leaky roof had dripped, then started to dry.

I don't just see a messy puddle. I see a beautiful bird kissing a heart.
What do you see?

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

Hold Your Children To Your Heart ...

I just got a phone call from a friend from Gleaners.
She told me about my friend Trish.
She lost her son last week.
He took a pill someone at school had given him to "help him sleep".
He told her he was going to take a nap - and never woke up.

He was only 17.

My heart goes out to Trish and her family.
I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose a child.

Please hold this family in your prayers today.
And hold your children close to your heart.

Slow Down!

I couldn't help but stop and get this picture.
Looks like someone needed a little extra encouragement ...
to SLOW down!

I Heart My Coffee ...

When I was in the hospital after my stroke, I woke up the next day with a horrid headache.
This concerned my doctors, who treated me to yet another round of tests - blood tests, CAT scan, MRI, ultrasound ... until it dawned on me that I HADN'T HAD MY COFFEE YET.
This so galvanized the nursing staff that they pulled out their coffee maker, made a fresh pot, and came into my room - a full cup of coffee in each hand. Bye bye headache - Hello Room Service! :=}

So ... now you know ... I love my coffee.

I was at the grocery store when I spied a fellow coffee addict.
These are just a couple of the DB stickers that adorned this little car - there were at least 5. Of course my favorite one combined my two loves - coffee AND heart!

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

The Tree Won

I was walking down our curvy country road, when I saw the aftermath of a car-versus-tree.
The yellow sign in the rear window said not to call 911 - the accident had actually happened around Christmas.

Then I had a Mr. Toad moment and was compelled to climb down the hill and take a closer look at the wreckage.

There wasn't much left of the Mazda, just a bunch of scrap metal reflecting the beauty of the forest back at me.

When I zoomed in to get a better look ... I even found a heart!
Therefore, this qualifies as both a "Weekend Reflection",
and a "Guest Heart Thursday"!!!

I hope the person/s involved in this accident are okay - nothing has been in the newspaper so I'm thinking this was a very expensive lesson that the tree ALWAYS wins - and given the empty case of beer on the back seat ... DON'T drive after drinking. PLEASE.

Happy New Year!

Papa Bear's eyes reflect his true feelings ...

I think he's saying "Happy Stinking New Year. Enjoy it, or I will bite off your hand."

Actually he's a stray, and what he said was "Loy, Loy, Loy, Loy" - and I have no idea what that really means.

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

New Years Resolutions - Part 2

Just a few more hours of 2010 ...

Here are some more resolutions for 2011!

Resolution: To make the most of my, er, assets.

Resolution: To work out and improve my strength ...
(My next job could involve picking up the customers!)

Resolution: To take the road less traveled ... no matter who says I can't.

Resolution: To grow where I can.

Resolution: No junk food ... and a better choice of ambiance ...

More Resolutions to come!

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.