Sacred Ruminations

Sharing this Beautiful Meditative Video ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:26:00 +0000

and hoping you'll find it of value like me

I'm watching it daily ... just because.

A Warm Embrace - The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering)

from R Smittenaar on Vimeo.

Thought for Today

"As for the future, your task is not to foresee it but to enable it." ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A lovely 'random' act of culture at Macy's ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:29:00 +0000

Stop, look, listen ... and Enjoy!

You can find me at my new blog ... Giraffe Journal

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new self-hosted website ... Giraffe Journals at WordPress. I've shared a couple of inspiring & life-affirming links and a different 'flash mob' event featuring the Hallelujah Chorus in a Food Court at Small Reflections. They're well worth a look & listen too if time permits.

Thought for Today
"Whatever situation you're in now: send love to it, place it in God's hands, open your heart to everyone involved -- and it will turn out miraculously." Marianne Williamson

Sky Watch, FaveFives, Just for Joy and more ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:17:00 +0000

1. Mimi's Cafe keeps offering email coupons for free 4-packs of muffins with purchase a breakfast, and I keep taking them up on the offer so I have quite a nice supply in my freezer for when they stop this marketing plan.

2. The weather this past week has been most unusual and today was no exception. After eating half of my Monterey Omelet, I sat in the blue chairs on the front patio ... with Molly greeting people passing by while I wrote for about an hour & a half. She got to meet and play with Guapo (see photo below), a new little dog that's been adopted by the guy who moved into the little blue house where Aloha & Jenke lived previously. I've shared photos of the two of them playing together for Camera Critters & Pet Pride at Small Reflections. I just noticed what BIG paws this little dog has and suspect he might grow to be much bigger eventually.

3. I stopped to take all five of these photos (and several others) today within minutes of one another (pointing the camera in different directions) while LISTENING to rumbling thunder inland under sunny skies above ... strange weather here in Southern California at the beach!

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Sky Watch

4. Life's been richly exciting and quite busy with lots of wonderful changes recently! It all started during the 2010 Writer's Retreat in Taos, New Mexico this summer ... and the pieces came together during a 4-day event at the Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Phoenix, AZ. I've shared more details in my first post at my new self-hosted blog, Giraffe Journal.

5. I've discovered and availed myself of some marvelous resources online and feel as if I'm in school without leaving home ... getting an education by listening to 'free webinars' ... learning all about 'publishing' & 'internet marketing' as I move toward publishing my first book, creating a business and setting up a website.

Click for others participating in
Friday's Fave Five

Here's a GIFT below for all who pass this way
with a message we ALL need to hear more often ...
click the play button for a pleasant surprise!

Click for others participating in Just for the Joy of It

Thought for Today
"The universe is wired with the electricity of God, and each of us is a lamp. It doesn't matter the size or shape of the lamp; it only matters that the lamp is plugged in. With every prayer, every thought of forgiveness, every meditation, every act of love, we plug in. The more of us who plug in, to more the darkness of the world will be cast from our midst. Today, let's all increase love's wattage!" Marianne Williamson

Big changes in my life right now ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:55:00 +0000

I invite all to participate
and spread the word far and wide ...

Thought for Today
"Letting go of the past means that can you enjoy the dream that is happening right now." ~Don Miguel Ruiz

Friday FAVES ... Skies, Beauty and JOY!

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:42:00 +0000

Scroll down for Friday FAVES,
Finding Beauty and Just for the JOY of it!

more blue skies of late
with some wispy clouds passing
... finally 'summer'

as Fall approaches
September already ... soon
kids return to school

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Sky Watch & Haiku Friday

1. The roses in my garden seem to LOVE the odd overcast weather this summer ... they're looking healthier than ever and blooming up a storm. These are Mr. Lincoln's straight out of the camera.

2. I've really enjoyed having my sister back in town for a few weeks before they leave mid-September for another Alaskan cruise & more RV traveling. We spent two days together this week ... Tuesday just 'hanging out' and visiting while we ran errands (getting things done) and (after a productive morning at home yesterday) we enjoyed the afternoon together ... ending the day eating fish tacos at Duke's in the Barefoot Bar by the HB Pier ... DELICIOUS day & dinner! We're going to spend 6 days together next week in Phoenix while attending an exciting event there. This was an unusual cloud formation she captured while we were driving.

3. I've signed up for a Festival of Change at Online Clarity. It's ... "a celebration and exploration of how we align ourselves with the flow of change -- simply, naturally, and with a deeper, richer awareness" ... and participated 'virtually' in another event last week: A Call to conscious Evolution: Our Moment of Choice at Royce Hall of the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles.

4. After resisting 'smart phones' for years, I'm a believer at last and love my new Palm Pre Plus. Each day I'm surprised as I learn something new this little gem can do and become more skilled at using its features. At 'free' (except for sales tax) at Verizon Online ... the price felt too perfect to resist. I still don't 'text' ... but it's kewl to have my calendar, useful apps, email & the Internet at my fingertips wherever I go.

I've even learned to change my wallpaper to be a photo of the 2010 group from Taos ... shared yesterday at Small Reflections along with some photos of the grounds around the Mabel Dodge Luhan House and my August Gratitude List.

5. I'm writing daily Just for the JOY of it ... feeling excited about prospects for publishing & beginning to explore marketing possibilities in the service of others ... gaining clarity & focus each day!

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for others participating
Friday's Fave Five, Finding Beauty and Just for the Joy of It

Thought for Today

"The quality of my decisions is directly proportionate to my patience with not knowing what decision I need to make." Anne Wilson Schaef

What I've been doing this past week ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:53:00 +0000

Scroll down for Window Views,
Haiku Friday & Sky Watch
Scenic & Shadow Shot Sunday

1. writing LOTS ... just for the JOY of it ;-)
2. culling, labeling, organizing, and sharing photos from my trip to Taos with retreat participants
3. connecting with friends & neighbors back home
4. pulling weeds in my yard
5. I ate breakfast at Mimi's Cafe yesterday and got 4 free muffins with an email coupon ... replenishing my 'stash' in the freezer
6. listening to the Successful Author Secrets series online and taking notes to help myself stay on track
7. following up with helpful resource links
8. doing my best to remain calm ... avoiding a sense of 'overload'
9. generating lists of things I want to do and need to schedule
10. walking on the beach with (and without) Molly ... just for the JOY of it!
11. getting lots of rest ... catching up on missed sleep
12. reading ... just for the JOY of it!
13. creating a plan for my future ... just for the JOY of it!

Click for others participating
in Thursday Thirteen and Just for the JOY of it!

rainbow appeared on
our last evening in Taos ...
lovely sight behind

Mabel Dodge Luhan
House & Conference Center
... delightful mem'ries

Click any image to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Window Views, Sky Watch , Haiku Friday,
Scenic Sunday and Shadow Shot Sunday

Thought for Today
"Aim for service and success will follow." Albert Schweitzer

I'm back from Taos, New Mexico ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:42:00 +0000

... transitioning gradually from the space of 'retreat' to that of 'real life' ... filled with gratitude for the many blessings of this journey ... Just for the JOY of it!!!

Scroll down for Haiku Friday & Sky Watch

This morning I'm grateful for ...

1. 'lessons' learned during my week at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House & Conference Center
2. pieces of writing I generated during the past two weeks and intend to share eventually
3. rich encounters with lovely women & writers while there (in addition to those I met along the way to and from New Mexico)
4. delicious Santa Fe meals prepared by the talented 'staff' at MDL
5. the beauty of nearby Henningsen Gardens as lovely in 2010 as it was in 2007
6. the resonant energy of Taos & MDL still in my heart, mind & body
7. gaining some clarity & focus for writing I intend to do & share in the days, weeks, and months ahead
8. a myriad of supportive resources to explore & put to use
9. discovering the El Rey Inn in Santa Fe ... a 'destination' for many vacationers from all over the USA
10. literally HUNDREDS of photos to cull, label, organize and share!
11. discovering the Dance of Shiva ... learning how it allows our brains to dissolve old & create new patterns of thinking
12. the company of Molly & Ms Kitty here by the beach in Southern California
13. a ready willingness for whatever comes next ...

Click for others participating
in Thursday Thirteen and Just for the JOY of it!

For those who may be interested in a bit more info, I've updated my Gratitude List in the sidebar of Small Reflections and will share more soon (both here, there, and a Happily Retired Gal)

Early morning view
of the Taos 'classroom' where
we met for a week

Gradually sky
brightens as the sun rises
beautiful clear day!

Click the photo below twice
because the white circle is the full moon
and the dark spots are large ravens in flight ...

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Sky Watch & Haiku Friday

Thought for Today
"I love the sweet smell of dawn -- our unique daily opportunity to smell time, to smell opportunity -- each morning being, a new beginning." Terri Guillemets

Daily Delights and Discoveries

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:32:00 +0000

Scroll down for Friday's Fave Five,
Finding Beauty, and Just for the JOY of it!

Yesterday the skies
looked dramatic to the east
where thunderstorms struck

Turning to the west
skies were colorful as the
sun slowly vanished

Early this morning
drizzles fell and I looked up
to be greeted thus

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Sky Watch & Haiku Friday

1. I'm delighted that extended May Gray days and June Gloom have finally passed as of yesterday ... though it's hotter than usual currently with odd thundershowers occurring and fires started by lightning strikes are burning around the Southland. Fortunately it's not windy so hopefully they'll be out very soon. I've shared recent colorful skies above and this morning's RAINBOW too ... Just for the JOY of it! The 'drizzles' below are also from this morning but didn't last long and it's quite sunny out already today.

2. I've watered the yard and done some much-needed weeding already (after taking Molly for a walk earlier today) ... and I'll continue gardening activities later this afternoon once it cools off again. I do enjoy this unusual blossom ... methinks it's an onion or garlic plant but I'm not actually sure just what it is. I have several growing in my yard as they tend to multiply on their own.

3. I've been getting my ten year old Ford Explorer ready for the drive to Taos & back so that I feel safe on the highway ... getting new rear brake pads & brake fluid was my biggest expense but the tires are still good to go and my local mechanic has performed a safety check while doing regular maintenance so I should be able to relax and enjoy my 'road trip' when the time comes.

4. Since all my clothes are 4-5 years old, I decided to use this trip as an opportunity to update my 'casual wardrobe' with new 'Fresh Produce' pants and a few new 'Life is Good' t-shirts from REI ... just for the JOY of it!

5. Monday was 'Retired Gal's Lunch' at 'the Corner Bakery' and I enjoyed reconnecting & catching up with friends ending with a latte at Starbucks afterward. I'm headed out soon to have lunch with a friend today ... Just for the JOY of it ... then I'll run a few errands before I come home and work on my 'to-do' list.

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for others participating
Friday's Fave Five, Finding Beauty and Just for the Joy of It

Thought for Today
"Enthusiasm is the great hill -climber." Elbert Hubbard

Life goes on ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:31:00 +0000

Scroll down for
Outdoor Wednesday,
Thursday Thirteen, Yard Art,
Haiku Friday, Sky Watch,
Window Views & Just for the JOY of it!
But first, my belated ...

Click for others participating in
Wordful Wednesday

Once again I find myself wondering where the time has gone since it's been almost two weeks since I've shared anything on this blog ... and considerably longer since I've opened my reader to visit anyone out there in the Blogosphere. I have published at Small Reflections and Happily Retired Gal ... sharing thoughts about tennis at Wimbledon & 4th of July photos snapped around the neighborhood recently, but even there my offerings have been few and far between.

Now that Grand Slam tennis is over until the US Open at the end of August and my friend 'S' is in the Midwest for a family wedding, perhaps I'll find more time for blogging. Of course I'm still doing my best to keep to a schedule of daily journal writing in anticipation of the upcoming Writers Retreat in Taos, New Mexico and continuing to clear out clutter accumulated during the 31 years I've lived in this house ... a task that seems endless no matter how much progress I make.

Molly's adjusting to life without Aloha and has made friends with the new tenant in the little blue house who moved to So Cal from Virginia and plans to 'rescue' a hound in the next few weeks once he's unpacked and settled in ... so perhaps she'll have another canine playmate eventually. Until then she's 'making do' with me and whoever happens by in the neighborhood when she's out front with me as I work in the garden & catch up with neighbors.

I thoroughly enjoyed a local performance of Boomers: The Musical Revue of a Generation at Vanguard University's Lyceum Theater recently. I was surprised to discover myself sitting next to a gal I met a while back at an Adult School class ... small world, eh? In addition, I've purchased season tickets for the Laguna Playhouse (Just for the JOY of it) and am looking forward to this year's series including performances of Life Could Be a Dream, I Loved Lucy, Daddy Long Legs, The Art of Leonard Bernstein, and Private Lives.

For the most part, June gloom has continued into July. In fact, yesterday morning's 'drizzles' were more like actual RAIN, but skies have cleared in the late afternoon and I've shared 13 beautiful BLUE sky views below showing off So Cal at it's best ... along with some views of a local 'historic house' and a mosaic of local holiday 'yard art' ... just for the JOY of it!

This year's fireworks
were spectacular but I
didn't photograph

anything at night ...
just some afternoon views as
drizzily skies cleared

Just for Joy as I
walked the neighborhood and looked
'up' as planes flew by

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating
in Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch, Haiku Friday
Midweek Blues and Outdoor Wednesday

Newland House snapshots
from different perspectives ...
blue skies and windows

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Window Views & Just for the JOY of it!

Finally a few
holiday 'yard art' views in
this week's mosaic

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Yard Art

Thought for Today
"The United States is the only country with a known birthday."
James G. Blaine

Windows and Reflections at Wimbledon ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:38:00 +0000

Scroll down for Camera Critters, Pet Pride,
and Shadow Shot Sunday

Window Reflections
captured with my camera
from ESPN

Straight out of the camera ...

Posterized

Palette Knife

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Window Views, Weekend Reflections,
Mellow Yellow, Blue Monday, and Mosaic Monday

While others are captivated by World Cup soccer,
I'm watching TENNIS on ESPN2 & ESPNU.

I've shared some thoughts about 2010 Tennis at the All England Club previously at Small Reflections in Wednesday Wonders at Wimbledon and at Happily Retired Gal in Friday's FAVE Five and more. Thus far, play has been entertaining with considerably more 'drama' in the men's draw than in the women's, but not as many upsets as in years past. Amazingly, there have been NO rain delays. Because the courts are dry, play is fast and that's good news for Andy Roddick.

There have been at least 25 five-set matches ... with at least 8 'comebacks' from 2 sets down making for some exciting matches. David Ferrer managed to come through in the 5th after dropping the 3rd & 4th sets to Chardy and DeBakker just took the 3rd set against Soderling who won the first two sets so they're playing the 4th. In the match I'm currently watching, Petzchhner has triple set point (on serve against Rafa) at 5-4 for the 2nd set in his match against Rafa Nadal ... hoping to level the match at a set apiece so the excitement continues. Ah ... he converts on his first break chance on a beautifully played net point ... so the thrills continue!

The Williams Sisters are doing great in both singles and doubles. I'm really looking forward to Serena's match against Maria Sharapova next week ... and the match between Kim Clijsters & Justine Henin especially. Methinks one of those 4 players is likely to win this year.

Andy Roddick and Leyton Hewitt are both playing well and (after Roger & Rafa) are my picks to win on the men's side. I'm really hoping Roddick finally gets his win, but it would be delightful to see Hewitt win again as well. Of course Robin Soderling and Novak Djokovic are certainly 'in the mix' along with other players. For now I'm simply taking it all in thanks to ESPN.

Sunday morning addendum: I'm glad Rafa managed to make it through in 5 sets so he'll play in the round of 16 on Monday. I hope he'll be able to play his best tennis next week. I'm really looking forward to the match between Novak Djokovic & Leyton Hewitt and hope it gets broadcast on either NBC or ESPN because my cable company doesn't seem to have a contract with the online ESPN3 streaming coverage ... sigh. It's a match I'd LOVE to watch no matter who wins, but I'll be rooting for Hewitt ... just because ;-)

For the first time in a LONG while, four Americans are in the Round of 16 ... Andy Roddick, Sam Querrey, and both the Williams sisters. Monday promises to be an exciting day of play and I'll be watching as much as I'm able ... recording the rest to view as time permits.

Aloha has moved
with her family ... of course
Molly misses her

yet she LOVES to play
with a 'squeaky' tennis ball
alone and with me ;-)

Straight out of the camera above ...
mosaic 'flipped' with poster edges below

Palette Knife above ... Watercolor below

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Shadow Shot Sunday, Camera Critters, & Pet Pride

Thought for Today
"Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy." Cynthia Nelms

My Forty-Something Year Old Fuschia Lives On

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:36:00 +0000

Scroll down for Mosaic & Blue Monday,
Ruby Tuesday, My World, and Outdoor Wednesday

but first, belatedly ...

Skies are grey in June
here in California
but my HOUSE is blue

Tiny though my yard
is ... I take delight in it
each and every day ;-)

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."
Cherokee Indian Proverb

1. As usual for June here in Southern California at the beach, our skies have been gloomy in the morning (and occasionally all day long), but my garden is doing well. From personal experience as a Native Californian, I know the cooler weather WILL pass eventually so I'm just trying to enjoy 'what is' right now ... Just for the JOY of it! Today's post focuses on an elderly Fuschia I brought with me in a hanging basket from a previous home and which planted itself in the ground decades ago when the hanging basket fell apart.

2. I always enjoy catching up with my retired friends on the second Monday of each month, my sister (whenever she has a cell signal and calls me from the road), and neighbors when I work in my yard ... Just for the JOY of it! This week provided many opportunities to connect with others social for both Molly and myself ;-)

3. I'm happy to be able to help out a friend (dealing with serious health issues) by providing transportation for her after she was involved in an auto accident last week. Fortunately the Subaru protected her from injury by coming apart as it was intended to do ... but as a result, the car's a total loss so she'll be looking to purchase a used vehicle in the weeks ahead. After listening to her talk enthusiastically about her marvelous twice-weekly craft classes for more than a year, I observed one first-hand on Wednesday and met the friendly folks who all encouraged ME to sign up for the classes next Fall.

4. Jennifer Louden's assistant Deb has set up a Google Group for the upcoming 2010 Taos Writer's Retreat participants so we can renew old friendships and get acquainted with new folks as we prepare for the gathering at the Mable Dodge Luhan house later this summer. Sadly, I suspect I must have done something inadvertently when I updated my profile there because I'm unable to connect at the moment, but hopefully that will be corrected soon.

5. Although I'm not much of a sports fan (with the exception of the four major tennis tournaments), I did watch the last two Lakers vs. Celtics games and found the last one quite exciting. I'm looking forward to upcoming Wimbledon matches over the next two weeks and have my DVR set to record coverage on ESPN so I can watch as time permits.

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others participating
in Shadow Shot Sunday, Today's Flowers,
Friday's Fave Five, Finding Beauty, Just for the Joy of It,
Blue Monday, Mosaic Monday, Ruby Tuesday,
My World, and Outdoor Wednesday

It's been a while since I've blogged with any regularity and even longer since I've visited virtual friends in the Blogosphere ... but rest assured that my reader continues to collect your posts and I'm confident that eventually life will slow down enough for me to spend more time at the computer. In the meantime ... thanks for your patience. I hope all is well with you and yours.

See my Daily Gratitude List
in the sidebar at Small Reflections
and the lists I've transferred to Happily Retired Gal

What are some blessings in YOUR life currently?

For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'

go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the
Blog Your Blessings logo
above Really Good Things.

For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:

Blessed Be ... and so it is!

Thought for Today
"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them." Kahlil Gibran

Wishing everyone a Wonderful Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:08:00 +0000

Scroll down for Yard Art,
Window Views & Just for the JOY of it!

These 13 photos
of the Goodyear Blimp were snapped
in just minutes as

misty clouds drifted
through the neighborhood ... changing
views amazingly

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...
doubling up, just for the JOY of it!

... and for others participating
in Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch & Haiku Friday

I do love to walk
all around my neighborhood
with my camera

capturing Yard Art
flowers, signs, and windows too ...
for the JOY of it!

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Yard Art , Window Views
& Just for the JOY of it!

Thought for Today
"Only the educated are free." Epictetus

Daily Delights ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Scroll down for my belated
Finding Beauty, FaveFive, & Just for Joy
... then Camera Critters, Pet Pride,
Shadow Shot Sunday, and Macro Monday

Straight out of the camera ...

... flipped with Poster Edges

Watercolor Filter

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Today's Flowers, Mellow Yellow, & Mosaic Monday

belatedly ...

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Friday's Fave Five & Just for the JOY of it

1. Although I'm a day late with my 'joy-filled' Friday Faves & Finding Beauty again this week, I've truly enjoyed watching many exceptionally exciting men's & women's tennis matches this past week at the French Open ... (Just for the JOY of it) ... generating some ending with rather unexpected results along the way (see my T13 this week at Small Reflections for details).

2. I just finished watching Saturday morning's competitive Women's Championship Match (although I confess that I was hoping for a 3rd set because the tennis was such fun to watch) ... and I'm looking forward to the promise of another competitive Men's Championship Match on Sunday ... Just for the JOY of it!

3. I've savored the colorful flowers in my own yard and around the neighborhood this past week as the weather improved bringing more sunshine.

4. Time to take care of myself and my health last week when it seemed like I was coming down with a cold and playing with Photoshop Elements filters ... Just for the JOY of it!

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Finding Beauty and Macro Monday

5. Watching Molly play with her neighborhood 'fur-friends' and visiting with their 'people' as I snap photos to share is always a pleasure. It's sad to think that Aloha will be moving soon, but hopefully the next family to move in will have a dog to play with too ... Just for the JOY of it!

Another play date
Aloha is moving soon
with her family

Straight out of the Camera

Watercolor filter in PSE6

Poster Edges

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Camera Critters, Pet Pride,
Shadow Shot Sunday and Mosaic Monday

Thought for Today
"In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less ..." Lee Iacocca

Beautiful Shadowy Blooms ... Joy-filled Faves

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Sat, 29 May 2010 13:20:00 +0000

and belatedly ...

1. Those who know me might have already guessed that I've been watching TENNIS this past week since the French Open started last Sunday, but I have taken time each day to walk Molly and snap some photographs ... Just for the JOY of it.

2. Between the coverage on The Tennis Channel and ESPN2, I've not had much time for anything else, but I did take time out Wednesday afternoon to get my hair cut & permed ... Just for the JOY of it and it's good to have 'care-free' hair again!

3. This morning (for some inexplicable reason) my Tennis Channel coverage died for about a half hour ... (although all my other channels were working just fine). With help from Tech Support at Time Warner Cable, I managed to get it working again ... though I missed some matches I wanted to see. Apparently (while I was without coverage) Serena Williams won her 3rd round match this morning, but Andy Roddick lost his ;-(

4. Friday morning I took a 3-hour class on Google Docs ... (Just for the JOY of it) ... and learned how to collaborate with others via the Internet. It's a pretty nifty tool ;-)

5. Today I'm sharing BEAUTIFUL shadowy views of African Iris blossoms ... also known as Fortnight Lily. Although MINE haven't yet bloomed this year, several of my neighbors' yards have been filled with lovely blooms this past week.

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Shadow ShotSunday, Today's Flowers,
Finding Beauty, Friday's Fave Five & Just for the JOY of it

Thought for Today
"Far away, there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." Louisa May Alcott

Wistfully wondering where weeks went ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:25:00 +0000

Herein are my
Morning (perhaps Midday) Musings
belated (or early) 'thirteen thoughts' for Thursday
with some neighborhood flowers
... just for the JOY of it!

Scroll down for Watery Outdoor Wednesday.
Midweek Blues, Yard Art, Thursday Thirteen,
and Just for the JOY of it!

1. It's hard to believe that my last post here at Sacred Ruminations was published on May 6th and that I shared my last 'randomness' on April 27th. I guess this is a result of altering my morning routine a while back ... (Just for the JOY of it) ... taking time to meditate and write in my journal by hand before turning on the computer.

2. I've chosen to set aside 'true but useless' information & things over which I have no control and decided instead to focus myself on 'really good things' ... (Just for the JOY of it) ... a practice which leads me to feel motivated to tackle tasks around home with renewed enthusiasm. I find myself coming to the computer (and/or the days news on the television) MUCH later in the day ... if at all.

3. One blessing of retirement is freedom to choose how I spend my time ... and for the last decade I've delighted in that opportunity. Occasionally, underneath the daily joys of retired life is the nagging feeling that I'm not contributing to the world as productively as I did ... once upon a time.

4. I'm aware that my yard is a gift to myself and others ... so when I spend time there watering, weeding, cutting back exhausted blooms and preparing the soil for new bedding plants ...(Just for the JOY of it) ... we all benefit. Sharing photographed views on my blogs extends the blessings to this virtual world ...

5. ... in addition, I've continued my daily habit of sharing thought-provoking quotes (Just for the JOY of it) in my blog posts (as I did for decades in the classroom) ... but wonder if that's enough?

6. I miss connecting with others in the virtual world through blog visits and feel out touch with those I've come to think of as friends in the Blogosphere ... so I'm hoping to find some 'balance' between the real & virtual worlds as time goes by.

7. I'm concerned about the continuing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico ... pray it can be contained soon so that necessary 'clean up' efforts can be initiated ... HOPE this disaster will help us come to our senses about offshore drilling, rethink our dependence on fossil fuels and build a consensus to commit to real change now.

8. My heart goes out to all those directly affected by this oil disaster and the natural weather related destruction interrupting the lives of people in affected areas.

Click any image to embiggen for better viewing ...

9. After some lovely Spring weather over the past few weeks that allowed me to write outside on my front patio, we've had nothing but slow drizzles for the past few days here in Southern California ... just enough to keep the ground damp and the temperatures in the mid-60s. Last night I fell asleep to the sound of gentle raindrops on the roof ...

Fun to catch droplets
suspended from these lemons
on the tree out front

10. Today is no exception. In just a few minutes outdoors with Molly, I found myself quite damp & chilled ... and I needed to dry her off with a towel when we came indoors so I suppose that the colorful bedding plants I purchased over the weekend (shared yesterday at Small Reflections) will need to wait a while longer before finding a place in my garden!

11. I'm grateful for the small market a few blocks from home carries 'half & half' so that I can walk to replenish my supply when I run low rather than drive to the supermarket. That acknowledged, I'm relieved to have to have fresh produce and food in the fridge this morning after a major shopping run yesterday ... and it's very 'kewl' to have saved almost $43 using coupons.

12. A good friend just got herself an iPhone and is very excited about it. I'm reminded that Verizon Wireless keeps telling me that I'm eligible for a new phone. I suspect they'd like me to upgrade my service to include a $29.99 'data' package, but methinks I'm happy with my current plan and 'low-tech' red flip phone. I don't 'twitter' and hardly ever check my Facebook account so it hardly seems worth spending more money for something I probably won't use. My main reason for having at cell phone at all is for the regular contact with my sister as she travels the Southwest with her husband ... Just for the JOY of it!

13. My rose bushes are without blooms at the moment, but fortunately there are lovely morning glories and roses (like the ones I've shared above) in yards all around my neighborhood ... and I've shared some with you here ... Just for the JOY of it!

Click for others participating in
Random Tuesday Thoughts, Midweek Blues,
Wordful , Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday,
Yard Art and Thursday Thirteen ... Just for the JOY of it

This 'yard art' seems like
it's been cast aside ... but I
like it anyway ;-)

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in
Midweek Blues and Yard Art
Hope you're each having a delightful day!

Thought for Today
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson

Morning Musings ... Miscellaneous Memes

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:15:00 +0000

Scroll down for Color Carnival, Midweek Blues,
Haiku Sky Watch Friday, Camera Critters, Pet Pride,
Weekend Reflections and Shadow Shots too ...

Belatedly Celebrating my 500th Post
in this my 502nd here at Sacred Ruminations

1. The weather has been lovely lately. I've spent considerable time cleaning up weeds and pulling out spent Nasturtiums & Irises the past few days to make room for new bedding plants, but I've not yet decided what to add. I left a few interesting 'mutants' ... just for the JOY of it ! Aren't they colorful ...

Love the little ladybug visitor here ...

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Color Carnival

2. This NEXT 'mutant' was photographed after some recent drizzles ... before the winds. I do love the droplets and the reddish color of the petals and am sharing Just for the JOY of it!

3. The Nasturtiums below grow in my neighbor's garden where there's more shade than in my yard ... but I noticed she's getting some interesting 'mutant's too. I like the way the light gets 'filtered' in her yard ... creating interesting shadows and larger leaves that in my own yard ;-)

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Shadow Shots

4. Here are a couple of views of my 'Yard Art' discovery this week from around the neighborhood ...

Wooden Tiki God
amidst the Gazanias ...
orange & yellow blooms

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others sharing Yard Art on Thursdays

5. We've had mostly beautiful BLUE skies for the past week ... with just a few scattered clouds that ended up over the mountains off in the distance.

lovely skies this week
here in California
... delightfully blue ;-)

Molly's hoping Layla will come out to play!

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Midweek Blues,
Sky Watch & Haiku Friday

6. Because my D-Link wireless router finally gave up the ghost for good, I've set up a new wireless network in my home using a Home Valet from Cisco. They've certainly made it simpler than it used to be to do such a thing. The system comes with a flash drive referred to as a 'key' that pretty much does the set up for one and any changes I made got saved to the 'key' so that if anything happens, I won't have to make them again. Pretty nifty ;-)

7. My strawberry patch is producing a few berries ... they're small but tasty!

8. If you missed my 'security alert' at Small Reflections yesterday and you use copy machines, you might want to check it out ... just because. Awareness of 'what is' might help YOU protect yourself from now on.

9. Molly often watches the dogs walking across the street longingly, but knows better than to go into the street herself ... even when Aloha forgets the rulez and runs across the street.

10. Her good behavior was rewarded this time as the dog walkers noticed her and decided to come visit for a while.

11. After some playful activity, all the fur-kids took refuge in the shade of this palm tree to rest a while ...

12. Then Molly & Aloha watched as their friends headed on their way again.

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Camera Critters and Pet Pride

13. I couldn't resist snapping some 'reflections' of the doggies in a parked car and some flowers too ... sharing here just for the JOY of it.

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Weekend Reflections
Thursday Thirteen and Just for the JOY of it

Hope you're all having a delightful day
and that you have a wonderful weekend too!

Thought for Today
"If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative." Woody Allen

FridayFAVES - Joy-filled Miscellany - Heartbreak

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:06:00 +0000

Scroll down for Window Views,
Shadow Shots, Camera Critters & Pet Pride
and some Miscellany on my Mind

1. My brother-in-law managed to share three 'snow photos' from their recent visit to Yosemite with help from their oldest son. They've been resized to be smallish files (to cut down on time time required to send them since campground Internet access leaves much to be desired), but you can click to embiggen a bit for better viewing.

2. After a few days without phone contact, my sister called late yesterday afternoon to catch up. They found campgrounds in Death Valley crowded so they weren't able to stay as long as they'd planned. As a result they're currently just south of Flagstaff and plan to stay in a Coast to Coast campground for a few days ... taking day trips to explore the area before heading south. They have no Internet access so can't send any more photos at the moment, but have promised to do so as soon as possible.

3. After hearing about this resource from friends & acquaintances for a long time, I've checked out Goldstar.com ... finally! What a nifty way to save money while getting out to enjoy entertainment opportunities. I've purchased tickets at half-price for a weekend matinee featuring the music of the Eagles (let's hear it for nostalgia folks) and plan to attend with a friend.

4. Although we got a little overnight rain this past week, my yard required deeper watering ... and it's WINDY currently so I'll probably be watering again this weekend. If you missed them, I did share some outdoor flower views in my previous post here at Sacred Ruminations and Ruby Red Amaryllis in my Colorful Outdoor World at Small Reflections. My weekend post at Happily Retired Gal is a Playful Potpourri ... with YardArt, T13, HF SkyWatch, WindowViews, Reflections, and Critters too ;-)

5. This week I've set up an automatic backup for my Dell Inspiron 1720 and my Sony Vaio (using separate Iomega external hard drives) after shifting relevant files from an 'out of date' Western Digital 'MyBook' backup of the old Dell Inspiron 9100 that crashed a while back. You'd think I would have learned the importance of regular back ups years ago from previous computer crash disasters, but sometimes I need multiple opportunities to learn valuable lessons. If either of these computers crashes down the line I won't have to reconstruct and/or recreate the files bit by bit as I've done in the past. If YOU don't back up your files on a regular basis, may I suggest you get yourself an external hard drive and set one up ASAP ... just because.

Click images to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Friday's Fave Five
and Just for the JOY of it!

A few important things on my mind today ...

and 'Gotcha' day too ;-)

It's my youngest nephew's 28th birthday today (and his older brother's 'gotcha' day) ... so I want to wish them each a delightful day to celebrate. I love you both! My sister & her husband adopted both boys as infants and in a strange turn of events ... each one arrived on the other's birthday. How's THAT for a bit of serendipity?

to Lily Hydrangea of
Long Island Daily Photo

Lily celebrated her Blogoversary a while back with a wonderful give-away and I won my choice of FIVE lovely cards from her Zazzle online gift shop plus a sheet of personalized postage stamps with my choice of design. I've tried to photograph them to share but downloaded (and cropped) this image from her site. Methinks you'll get a better look by checking out the links. Her work is beautiful ;-)

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Window Views and Shadow Shots

The original shot of these palm fronds on the roof
taken WEEKS ago ... is a bit crooked

so I straightened it a bit before cropping for
this close up of the 'palm fronds' ...

because yesterday's wind blew them down

into the front yard ... where Molly & Aloha played

Straight from the camera above
with Poster Edges below ...

and cropped for better viewing ...

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Camera Critters and Pet Pride

On a sad note ...

My heart is heavy for those who lost loved ones in the catastrophic explosion on the offshore drilling rig that caused an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that appears to have a real potential to become the worst oil spill in history if the continuing leak isn't plugged soon ... surpassing the damage done by the Exxon Valdez tanker that spilled 11 million gallons of oil into the ecologically sensitive Prince William Sound in 1989. Apparently this leak is pouring out crude oil at a rate of up to 5,000 barrels (210,000 gallons or 955,000 liters) a day because there was no 'automatic' shut off on the rig ... and it makes me wonder about all the other oil rigs out there.

These Internet photos from earlier oil disasters
break my heart and cause me to question our priorities

Thought for Today
""You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind." Darwin P. Kingsley

Midday Musings about my Outdoor World

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:56:00 +0000

Herein are my
Morning (perhaps Midday) Musings,
some struggling flowers and
a multitude of roses
just because!

Scroll down for Wordful,
Watery Outdoor Wednesday
and Midweek Blues

1. It's cool & dreary out this morning but apparently the predicted rain isn't going to fall after all so I'll be watering the yard in a little while because WINDS are on their way and the ground is already quite dry ... even though I watered just a few days ago to keep my flowers blooming. Here are a few struggling plants ... Allysum, Johnny Jump Ups, Pansies, and Gazanias.

I love this 'string' of Johnny Jump Ups
appearing to support one another ...

while this one hangs in there all on its own.

Click to embiggen any photo for better viewing

Small pansy plants above
and a clump of Johnny Jump Ups below

2. So far my roses don't seem bothered by the lack of water and are blooming enthusiastically in pink, red, and apricot hues! I've shared previously on each of my blogs, but here are photos from yesterday.

Red Veteran's Honor Roses above
and a more 'generic' pink rosebud below

My one remaining Mr. Lincoln rose ... fading

from various perspectives

Click photos to embiggen for better viewing

3. Roses seem to do well in the neighborhood as well. Here are some views from recent walks to brighten your day ... each treated with 'Poster Edges' because I like the look.

4. Molly & Aloha have become friends ... in fact Molly seeks her out whenever possible ... though their play is rough because Aloha (the almost one year old Dalmatian-Whippet mix) can be quite aggressive and relentless, and Molly needs frequent opportunities to rest mid-play ... though do both stop to drink often.

Straight out of the camera above
Poster Edges below

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...

Molly takes rest breaks sooner than Aloha ...

and Aloha initiates play quickly in a myriad of ways

... but BOTH take 'water' breaks often!

Other than from the hose,
this is all the water we'll be seeing outside

... unless we take a walk down to the ocean ...

where I see beautiful watery views like these ;-)

Click for others participating in
Random Tuesday Thoughts, Midweek Blues,
Wordful , Watery and Outdoor Wednesday
Hope you're each having a delightful day!

Thought for Today
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
Albert Schweitzer

Faves, Skies, Joy and Colorful Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Scroll down for Color Carnival,
Finding Beauty and Just for the JOY of it

Click for others participating in Friday's Fave Five

1. Looks like the weather will clear for the weekend, but we've had intermittent rain throughout the week with wonderful sky views. The 'billowy' clouds in the distance hovered over the Coastal Mountains and dropped SNOW ... and I'm HOPING to capture some snow-capped mountain views today.

Blustery winds blew
weather through the neighborhood ...
intermittent rain

over sev'ral days
but the weekend will be clear
with more rain next week

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Haiku Friday and Sky Watch

2. My sister and her husband have been camped in Yosemite Valley for the past few days where it's been SNOWING! She tells me she's taken lots of photos, but I've not seen any yet and probably won't for a while. I found this one of Yosemite Falls taken on April 21st on the Internet ...

They've spent quite a bit of time hanging out at the Ahwahnee Lodge and that's how they've been able to keep warm and in telephone contact with me. In addition, they've taken a few guided bus tours because apparently you can't drive all over the park the way we used to in days gone by, but they're not quite sure where to travel next because the road over the Tioga Pass is closed currently.

3. I enjoyed attending a 'Spring concert' Sunday afternoon with friends and I ran errands after class Monday so the Explorer has a full tank of gas, Molly has food & treats and I have fresh groceries in the house.

4. I've managed to find and copy most of the photo & data files from an old backup of the Dell that 'crashed' a few weeks ago and I'm very relieved. As a result of this experience, I ordered two Iomega external drives from Costco.com earlier this week and they arrived yesterday. I hope to use them to back up each of my laptops 'real time' so that I won't have to scramble in the future if one of them crashes.

5. I enjoyed sharing more rose photos (and a few lingering irises) at Small Reflections ... ruby red Mr. Lincoln and apricot colored Just Joeys ... with some 'random thoughts' midweek, and planned to share more flowers from a recent walk around the neighborhood here ... Just for the JOY of it! However I must leave for class now, so I'll share when I return

11:30 am Addendum

Thanks to Debbie, Sallie & Sylvia
for your visit & comments
while I was away!
I'm back and here's some
Colorful Neighborhood Beauty
to brighten your weekend!

Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others participating in
Today's Flowers, Mosaic Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday
Color Carnival, Just for the JOY of it & Finding Beauty

Apparently Claudia of Dipity Road
is taking a couple of weeks off (until May 1st)
but the link above WILL take you to previously shared 'Beauty'

I'm back feeling just a bit frustrated since it turns out that the class was designed for folks using XP rather than Vista or Windows 7 so I didn't stay long. Guess I'll be figuring out how to configure the 'automatic back ups' on my own later on today. I do have a copy of 'The Missing Manual' for Windows 7 and one for Vista ... both by David Pogue. They're quite comprehensive and straightforward references.

I was pleasantly surprised when my brother-in-law answered the cell phone this morning and enjoyed chatted with my sister while I ran some errands before heading home. Apparently the weather was good enough during the day to hike to Vernal Falls and visit Mirror Lake. Today they're on the road (following advice from the folks at the Ahwahnee Lodge) ... headed for South Lake Tahoe ... hoping to get over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and down to Hwy 395 while there's some clear weather ... before the next storm arrives.

I've added the 'colorful neighborhood views' for #5 above (as promised before I left) after listening to messages & returning phone calls and after eating a bit of lunch, methinks I'll take Molly for a walk to calm her down and clear my head.

Hope you're have a delightful day
and wonderful weekend!

Thought for Today
"Unshared joy is an unlit candle." Spanish Proverb

Friday FAVES ... Skies, Joy, Beauty, & Reflections

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:29:00 +0000

Scroll down for Finding Beauty, Just for the JOY of it,
Haiku Friday, Sky Watch, Weekend Reflections, & Window Views

1. What a BUSY week! For the most part I've been away from the computer enjoying 'real life' connections with family & friends. I'm a bit sad that my sister & her husband left town yesterday morning in their Pleasure Way RV (see it parked in their driveway below) but perhaps I'll have a bit more time to spend online in the days and weeks ahead. I was able to spend time with her on Wednesday afternoon reminding her how to use 'labels' in Windows Photo Gallery rather than spending hours renaming all photos ... then I showed her husband how to do 'searches' differently. I suspect I'll get some phone calls from the road until they build up some experience with the new procedures, but it should save considerable time as they manage their photographs on the road.

2. Although I visited no blogs in more than a week (and am suffering a bit of 'withdrawl' as a result) because what little time I did spend at the computer was devoted to resolving 'glitches' on the Dell Inspiron caused by all those Blue Screen of Death crashes from the past, I've finally managed to make the 'organizer' in PSE6 show 'thumbnails' again! Unfortunately all the labeled photos I had imported previously aren't there any longer because I had to get rid of ALL 'Adobe' folders to make this 'fix' work, but hopefully when I import them the labels will be there too. In the meantime I can find specific images using Windows Photo Gallery and/or with Vista's rather sophisticated 'search' functions. Just this morning I've figured out how to 'modify' and 'save' specific search criteria. I'm impressed with how much improved the 'search' functions are in Vista & Windows 7 (as compared with XP), and I'm reminded how intuitive experimentation and persistence pay off in the end.

3. I'm relieved about getting my hair cut yesterday because it had grown too long to do much with for the past week or so. I've scheduled my next two appointments (for a perm in 6 weeks & a cut 6 weeks after that) in anticipation of my trip to Taos for the Writers Retreat. The timing isn't perfect, but it should work okay for 'carefree hair' on the road because I'll be about 3 weeks into the 'cut' when I hit the road.

4. I'm happy that I've reestablished the habit of writing 'morning pages' each day even though doing so eats into my time for other activities. In addition, I've created some lists to help keep me productively focused ... and I'm hoping they'll keep me 'balanced' in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

5. Finally ... I take JOY in sharing some of my FAVORITE weekend memes, just because.

I shared my first Mr. Lincoln rose at Small Reflections previously
(with some early views of my Veteran's Honor Rose bush)
but is my first Veteran's Honor rose bud opening ...
I think it's absolutely beautiful!

I've collaged previous views
to show the progression below ...

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and
for others participating in Just for the JOY of it and Finding Beauty

Recent sky views snapped
while visiting Sunset Beach
and some 'window' views

with kewl reflections ...
colorfully intriguing
almost 'artistic'

Click images to embiggen for better viewing and
for others participating in Haiku Friday, Sky Watch
Weekend Reflections, Window Views and Friday's Fave Five

Hope you're have a wonderful weekend!

Thought for Today
"When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday Memes & Motivation

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:41:00 +0000

"You may encounter many defeats,
but you must not be defeated. In fact,
the encountering may be the very experience
which creates the vitality and the power to endure."
Maya Angelou

Mellow yellow blooms
from my garden ... shared herein
to brighten your day ;-)

Straight out of the camera above ...
Poster Edges below

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Today's Flowers,
Mosaic Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday

“The supreme happiness of life is
the conviction of being loved for yourself,
or more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself.”
Victor Hugo

1. It's been raining since about midnight ... though the weather broke for about an hour earlier so I took Molly for a walk, and that's a good thing because I have to leave for my Windows 7 class at 11am.

2. As preparation for the Writers Retreat in Taos this summer, I've tried to reestablish the habit of writing 'Morning Pages' again ... and it's a good thing even though it throws off my publishing and blog visiting routines. Between my busy schedule last week and the rather continuous sinus headaches caused by changing weather conditions, I didn't get to do any blog visiting last week ... and may not get around much this week either. That said ... once my sister leaves next Thursday, I'll have more time on my hands ... and my 'reader' is collecting unread posts so I'll do what I can to catch up then.

3. I've run into difficulties with my Windows 'search' functions on the Dell Inspiron and can't find the Macro Views I intended to share today to resize and publish them ... in fact I'm finishing this post on my Sony Vaio because I'm rebuilding the 'index' on my Dell in hopes that might help me sort & search in the future. Guess I'll share them NEXT week instead of today because I have no access to them on the Sony and I need to leave for class.

Hope you're each having a delightful day!

Thought for Today
"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning." Mahatma Gandhi

Friday's Thoughts, Memes and Musings ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:38:00 +0000

Scroll down for Finding Beauty, Haiku Sky Watch,
Camera Critters and Scenic Sunday

1. It's been a wonderful week! I thoroughly enjoy reconnecting with family on Tuesday at Knott's Berry Farm and sharing a variety of views from that day in Thursday's post at Small Reflections. Hopefully we'll get together again sometime soon.

2. I shared some views of the Wetlands in #4 of last week's FAVES (taken while walking on the bluff to the south & east above the wetlands without Molly) and intended to share more during the week but didn't ... so I'm going to follow through today before I forget. Looking northward you'll see Long Beach high rise structures in the far distance on the left.

I don't know the names of the little birds
hovering above the flowering shrubs
but there were lots of them around.

(Click twice to embiggen fully
and you might see them)

This seemingly dead shrub fascinated me
as I zoomed in for a closer look.

3. Thursday morning as my sister and I walked the wetlands at Bolsa Chica together (with camera in hand), we found more scenic beauty to share ... including several herons (and other birds) on the ground and in the air too.

Amazing to see
Great Blue Herons in the sky
soaring high above!

Apparently these
birds nest high up in the palm
trees in the wetlands

(Click twice to embiggen fully)

We didn't get much rain here last week but it
did snow in the coastal mountains!

4. We learned from a birder on site that the smaller birds in the photo above are terns. They're quite active & very noisy! We encountered huge colonies of Terns in several different spots. I'll share more views next week, perhaps for Watery Outdoor Wednesday ...

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...

I've created a collage for Camera Critters
containing a variety of birds ... just because.

Click for others participating in Friday's Fave Five,
Haiku Friday, Sky Watch, Camera Critters,
Finding Beauty and Scenic Sunday

5. After our excursion in these wetlands, we revisited Matsu for lunch once again ... the Miso Soup, steamed rice and Assorted Sushi were absolutely delicious. She'll be leaving with her husband next Thursday for Yosemite (and places beyond) but we have plans to get together one last time next Tuesday.

Thought for Today
"We keep moving forward. Opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity leads us down new paths." Walt Disney

Morning Musings and more ...

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:29:00 +0000

Herein are my Morning Musings
Scroll down for Watery & Outdoor Wednesday

1. We did get a little rain overnight Sunday and scattered showers Monday morning, but not enough to really soak the soil ... so I'll be watering the yard today myself because the weather shifted in the afternoon. It's windy and dry messing up my nasal passages already.

2. The good news I mentioned in yesterday's post at Small Reflections is that (thanks to Karen, aka Stagwoman, of Journey to Authenticity, a friend from Taos in 2007) I've decided to return to Taos for a week this summer ... joining other writers for a retreat led by Jennifer Louden and Havi Brooks. She and Kara (aka Spiritdoll) are planning to attend ... and when I left an announcement on my Facebook page a few others I met there expressed interest too. What FUN to reconnect with these friends and to experience the joy of writing & sharing with others once again. I'm not sure how I'll pay for it in the end and may need to dip into my Home Equity Line of Credit to pay off the Credit Card used to reserve my spot, but methinks I'm ready for another 'dose' of inspiration for the writer in me. Of course, I'll bring my camera and my Sony Vaio ... but I suspect I'll do most of my writing putting pencil to the page as I've done all my life.

3. I enjoyed brunch with my friend yesterday but we weren't able to access the AT&T wireless at Starbucks free with my Gold Card ... so that was a bit frustrating. I've since called for assistance and think I'll be able to access the wireless at Starbucks on my next visit ... keeping my fingers crossed.

4. This morning I'm meeting my cousin, his wife, my sister, and her husband for breakfast and a long overdue catch up visit. I'm not certain, but methinks the last time I saw my cousin was at my brother's memorial service almost a decade ago.

5. Here are my Watery Outdoor Views for the week ... photos from the Long Beach Market Place here in Southern California.

Straight out of the camera above ...
Poster Edges below

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...

Click for others participating in
Random Tuesday Thoughts
Wordful , Watery and Outdoor Wednesday
Hope you're each having a delightful day!

Thought for Today
"It is not good enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well." Rene Descartes

Friday's FAVE Five and more ...

noreply@blogger.com (storyteller) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:34:00 +0000

Scroll down for Haiku Sky Watch, Finding Beauty
Camera Critters and Pet Pride

1. Sending my belated Christmas, New Year's & current Easter cards this past week prompted a cousin I've not seen in about a decade to call Thursday while I was enjoying the day with my sister ... and we've made plans to meet on Tuesday to catch up. Should be fun.

2. Although I'm feeling a bit marginal and am taking it easy at home today, I spent a pleasant day with my sister yesterday. We started with breakfast at Mimi's Cafe sharing our favorite Buttermilk Spice muffin and Monterey omelet (with spinach & tomatoes added) ...

Click to embiggen for better viewing

... then we walked through Ikea while my ten year old Explorer was getting 'smogged' at the Automobile Club. Happily, it passed with flying colors and I renewed my registration at AAA so I have the tag to put on this weekend. Next we walked around South Coast Plaza where she purchased a pair of Not Your Daughter's Jeans at Nordstrom's before we headed to Bella Terra for Jamba Juice and back home.

3. This morning Molly enjoyed playing with the three pugs (Jake, Allie, & Noah previously featured in Pug Invasion) for the first time in quite a while. They were joined by Aloha & Layla (neighboring fur-kids) briefly and here are a few views ... just because.

Molly loves playing with Jake the pug

Aloha loves to get in on the action as well!

Allie & Noah who are about 11 years old

prefer to watch from a distance ...

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...

It's the 2nd Anniversary at Camera Critters
Pet Pride is at Gattina's

4. While walking without Molly recently, I found some lovely views overlooking the Bolsa Chica wetlands to photograph and share ... here are the first two. I plan to share additional photos ... perhaps on Wednesday.

Beautiful blue skies
with clouds on the horizon
above the wetlands

Click to embiggen for better viewing

and for others participating in Friday's Fave Five,

Finding Beauty, Haiku Friday and Sky Watch

5. I received the following email this morning, watched the video (as I've done several times in previous years) and decided to pass it along here ... just because. I hope you'll have time to check it out.

Dear Virginia,
If you are of the Christian faith...you are about to experience something meaningful. One Solitary Life was written by James Francis in 1926. In 248 words he captured the essence of how the life of Christ has made a powerful difference for over 2,000 years. Therefore, to celebrate this Easter season, we'd like to share this unforgettable 3 minute movie from our friends at Inspired Faith. Just Click Here to watch. Also, feel free to forward it to your family and friends...they'll thank you for it!
We wish you a wonderful Easter!
To Life,

Mac Anderson
Founder, Simple Truths
Simple Truths, LLC.,
1952 McDowell Road, Ste. 205,
Naperville, IL 60563, USA
Phone: 800-900-3427 / 630-946-1460
Copyright 2010, Simple Truths, LLC. All rights reserved.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend
and a Joyous Easter

Thought for Today

"And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here."
Saint Augustine

Miscellaneous Monday Memes and Musings

noreply@blogger.com (happily retired gal) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:14:00 +0000

“An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scroll down for Macro Monday

“Education is hanging around until you’ve caught on.”
Robert Frost

Straight out of the camera above
Poster Edges below

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Today's Flowers,
Mosaic Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday

“Never interrupt someone
doing something you said couldn’t be done.”
Amelia Earhart

As I began writing notes in my belated Christmas/Easter cards to family & friends over the weekend, I realized that I lost my address database list when the Inspiron 9100 hard drive crashed ... so I'll need to scrounge up addresses from hither and yon then create a NEW list in Word 2010. I'm hoping I can figure out how because I don't think my right arm is going to cooperate if I have to address all those envelopes by hand.

I enjoyed visiting blogs over the weekend to do some 'catch up' from last week when taking breaks from note writing to rest my arm, but realize this morning that I never got around to Blogging my Blessings yesterday ... so methinks I'll take a few minutes this morning to do so.

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."
Cherokee Indian Proverb

1. Our weather this past week has been lovely and I enjoyed sitting on the patio as planned (adding notes to the cards I plan to send this week) ... visiting with passers by who stopped to admire the colorful view. Here's my first strawberry of the season:

2. The fur-kids kept me company and Molly enjoyed greeting folks & playing with a variety of fur-friends in the neighborhood.

3. My Veterans Honor rose seems to be doing just fine on the parkway. I'm watering it every other day for a couple of weeks as the gardener suggested. It's been pretty dry here lately (though some rain is predicted for later in the week). I'm planning to water the whole yard this morning before I head to my Windows 7 class at 11:30.

4. One of my Amaryllis plants has a 5th bloom instead of the usual four ... I wonder how unusual this is?

5. Methunk I'd seen my last purple & yellow iris this year ... but another has joined the one I shared in my previous post here as the yellow ones begin to open too. Pretty kewl ;-)

6. My hen & chicks continue to bloom ...

and the cactus I though had died seems to be sprouting new growth. Will wonders never cease?