• clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  snow,  sunsets,  winter scenes

    Grateful

    December 29, 2019
    Sunset this past Friday evening before the storm moved in.

    Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.

    J.K. Rowling

    Snow fell overnight Friday and into Saturday evening. Probably have over 3 inches. It has made for a wintery look and feel. I saw this image on the way home from the store Friday evening before the storm arrived. Actually had to turn around and go back to get a shot. Unfortunately by the time I turned around I’d lost some of the colors from when I first saw it. This is a time of the year for me to reflect on how much I have to be grateful for.

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  • frost,  leaves,  quotes

    Believing it’s worth it

    December 28, 2019
    Morning frost on a leaf probably because it’s cold

    Life’s too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it’d be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

    Dr. Seuss
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  • clouds,  landscape,  poems,  quotes,  sunrises

    Sunrise Morning

    December 24, 2019
    This was yesterday morning sunrise.

    “Praying

    It doesn’t have to be
    the blue iris, it could be
    weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
    small stones; just
    pay attention, then patch

    a few words together and don’t try
    to make them elaborate, this isn’t
    a contest but the doorway

    into thanks, and a silence in which
    another voice may speak.”
    ― Mary Oliver, Thirst

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  • Candid Portraits,  Children,  Holiday Seasons,  Holidays,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits

    Looking with Awe and Wonder

    December 23, 2019
    Looking with Awe and Wonder

    Wow, this is Christmas week! I must admit I’ve not had much of a Christmas spirit so far this season but that shifted some on Saturday evening. My good friend , Joan, and I made a visit to the Garden of Lights which is put on by the Gardens at Spring Creek. It is a wonderful way to excite all of us children at heart. Joan and I enjoyed walking along with a smile as we listened to the children “ooh” and “aah” or their excitement when they saw Santa or the reindeer. The Gardens had Christmas carolers and a magician. The young girls in the above image are enthralled as they get a look into Santa’s workshop. I think all of us kids had a good time. I know Joan and I did. In fact it lifted my spirits a bit. Have a great week!

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  • Holiday Seasons,  Holidays,  Humor,  lifestyles,  Transportation,  truck

    Trucking Santa

    December 22, 2019
    A trucking Santa on West Oak Street

    I went to Old Town this past week to see Don Thurn play and sing at the Walnut Creek Gallery. I picked up a friend who went with me and found this Christmas Lighted truck and Santa parked on her street. Had to have a photo.

    Rene on the ukulele and Don assisting with vocals

    A friend of Don’s showed up and played her ukulele while Don assisted with vocals. Snacks were aplenty for those into grazing and even had drinks for those old enough. It’s one of those stores that requires a four hour visit because there is so much to shop for.

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  • shadows,  snow,  winter scenes

    Warmer days ahead

    December 20, 2019
    Snow and shadows

    It has been cold the past few days. The 15 inch snowfall we had has not melted due to the cold temperatures. However, there is hope over this weekend as we could reach 50 degrees. I will not complain as there is major weather stuff happening all over the world that’s destroying peoples homes and massive amounts of land. It’s almost incomprehensible that almost 7 millions acres have burned in Australia. 

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  • Cityscapes/Urban,  sunrises,  trees

    I knew that….

    December 16, 2019
    Cold December morning Sunrise near my condo

    This image was taken this morning as I walked to the bus stop. It is a wet area along Spring Creek with cattails and tall grass.  It is located behind the Walgreens and some apartments. When I first moved here almost 20 years ago I would see foxes, raccoons, deer and lots of birds in this area but not any more. We have disturbed them enough that they’ve moved to other areas.

    I had my annual physical this morning. It was a year ago this month that I had my heart surgery and things seem to be fine. Doctor gave me a thumbs up on my blood work and my heart sounds good. His only suggestion for improvement was to lose some weight. The thing is I knew he was going to say that because he’s right. More walking and less sugars seems to be the suggested remedies. I knew that, too! I suppose that means no more chocolate eclairs. Sigh!

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  • Art,  Art/Design,  Black and White,  lifestyles,  quotes,  shadows,  Woodcarving

    Casting Shadows

    December 15, 2019
    One of my dad’s wood carving and morning shadows

    “So don’t be frightened, dear friend, if a sadness confronts you larger than any you have ever known, casting its shadow over all you do. You must think that something is happening within you, and remember that life has not forgotten you; it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall. Why would you want to exclude from your life any uneasiness, any pain, any depression, since you don’t know what work they are accomplishing within you?”

    Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
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