A Rural Journal

{Lilac Love Redux}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

In the dooryard fronting an old farm-house near the white-wash’d palings,

Stands the lilac-bush tall-growing with heart-shaped leaves of rich green,

With many a pointed blossom rising delicate, with the perfume strong I love,

With every leaf a miracle—and from this bush in the dooryard,

With delicate-color’d blossoms and heart-shaped leaves of rich green,

A sprig with its flower I break.

Excerpt from When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d by Walt Whitman

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{Howie}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:23:00 +0000

I spent last evening walking around the yard, capturing the few spring blooms that remained.

Howie, along with Buck, Jack and Gibbs -- formed a line behind me and when I stopped to take a few photos, they stopped -- and found a comfortable place to wait.

A relaxed, rural version of follow the leader.

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Sharing with Weekly Top Shot, Camera Critters.

{Random 5 Friday}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

1. I'm a registered Dem, but these numerous scandals lately make me want to be an Independent. Just sayin'. (Don't tell my hubby, who is a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat.)

2. I have a nasty Spring cold. It's 4:30 am in the morning and I'm getting some much-needed sleep.

My hubs is up, ready to leave for work and yells to me "How are you feeling?"
Translation: "Please wake up and fix my lunch, brew more coffee -- because I don't know how to do it."

3. I forgot to braid my hair yesterday and just left it in a pony-tail. The wind whipped it into a knotted, matted mess. When will I learn?

4. Our wren is back. Like clockwork.

5. When you are a Mom to one or many, being sick just doesn't cut it. I went out last night to feed the pullets, and discovered one of the coop doors had been wrenched open by the wind. Little bantams everywhere! Fortunately, they come when called.

This made Momma Chicken (me) smile.

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Sharing with Favorite Photo Friday

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Now it's your turn!

Guidelines:

1. Link up a blog post with 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

2. Posts not containing 5 random facts may be deleted (sorry, but I don't ask much!)

3.Visit a few other participants if you are able. This is a very friendly community!

{Lilac Love}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

When we moved to the farm in 2003, there were quite a few heritage lilacs in the windbreak and one lone lilac bush planted by the propane tank.

Over the years, these old lilacs have suffered from extreme temperatures, wind and drought.

Fortunately, we had the foresight to plant about 200 new lilac bushes around the farmstead to serve as windbreaks during the hot summers and frigid winters. They have grown from 3-foot conservation "sticks" to 6-foot lush bushes in 10 years.

Yesterday, as I was taking out the trash, the most wonderful scent of lilac wafted towards my direction -- these new lilac bushes were putting out the best blooms ever.

Growing up, my parents had one lilac bush in their 3/4-acre yard. It was taken out sometime while I was in my early teens -- mostly because I don't think my dad knew how to care for it. (This was pre-Internet days and I suppose he just didn't know enough to prune it correctly.)

I remember sitting at the base of that bush in the spring and summer -- smelling that delicious scent that only a lilac can give.

So, in retrospect, I am thankful for that memory and now, with my own lilac bushes -- creating new ones.

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Sharing with

Rurality Blog Hop

Floral Love

Little Things Thursday

{Not So Wordless Wednesday}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Every spring, I take the traditional walk down to the pond to see what I can see.

The overflow pond is feeling the pain of last year's drought.

Monday was a perfect day to do so. High 70s, no humidity. A perfect 10 day for this Nebraskan.


Fortunately, our main farm pond had plenty of water for Sioux to take a swim and fetch sticks.

The kids were over-run with smells -- dens, burrows, scat --

a German Shepherd's paradise after the long winter.

The pastures have recovered well.

I'm happy about the number of Eastern Cedars that have cropped up.

This is a Thundercloud Crabapple -- one of two that are planted by Shane's father's marker in a corner of the south 40.

So happy to see them blooming for the first time in about 5 years.

Another crabapple near the farm house -- I don't know the variety, but the tree started out little more than a root that I saved from my mother's yard when a dead hibiscus was dug up.

A few years later -- it's about 10 feet tall and providing these gorgeous blooms.

Isn't nature amazing?

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My plan this year is to take a similar walk every morning
to provide me and the dogs some daily exercise.

I hope to keep to this plan.
(Due to a nasty cold, I missed our walk in the 100-degree heat yesterday,
but will try again today.)

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A Rural Journal: {Tuesday Muse}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

kk_Anna Texture and nc_Omaha Texture

I admit the verse featured on this photo is a bit morose -- but it caused me to think of times long ago.
Not everything is sunshine and butterflies. Nor should it be.

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I've had a few requests for Gimp tutorials, so I've added some extras to this Tuesday Muse post.

As far as Photoshop and Adobe go -- I'm not in a position financially to purchase either. If you are in the same boat, or just don't want to spend the money for something you can get for free, I strongly urge you to download Gimp and give it a try.

A new texture in the Native American series -- Omaha. You can download it here.

A couple of things I have used in Gimp:

1. Duplicate your base image and apply as a layer on the overlay mode. Adjust as needed.

It gives your photo depth.

2. Try the Emboss filter on a duplicate copy of your base image.

Apply as an overlay layer and adjust.

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Receive additional free textures by subscribing to my newsletter.

Sharing with Texture Tuesday

Tuesdays Around The World
Tina's Picstory Tuesday

Tuesday Muse is a weekly photo meme

where you may share any photo you've created .

The Tuesday Muse Photo Meme post will be
available at 12:00 am every Tuesday.

I'm looking forward to seeing your submissions.

Guidelines:

1. Link up a photo. (It does not have to be textured or edited.)

2. Share the Tuesday Muse icon or a text link on your post to this post.

3. Visit other participants as you are able.

A Rural Journal: {Mud}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

When it rains, there's mud.

(It's dried out nicely since this photo was taken,
so Tuki is in a much better mood.)

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Sharing with Homestead Barn Hop.

A Rural Journal: {Happy Mother's Day}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Sun, 12 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Whether your children are of the two- or four-legged variety,

wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day today.

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A Rural Journal: {Chats On The Farmhouse Porch}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Sat, 11 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

I've been promising Patrice I would join in at "Chats On The Farmhouse Porch" for a few weeks now and decided it was time to put up or shut up. So... here we go.

1. How many loads of laundry do you do each week (about)?

With a husband that's an iron worker and a trapper, you can imagine the laundry I have. Can you smell the fox urine wafting in the air? Oy. I would say I do about 4 loads of laundry per week -- and I hang everything on the outdoor clothesline. Rain, shine, snow, whatever.

2. Where do your household pets sleep? If you have no pets, please skip to the next question.

Our two indoor dogs, both German Shepherds, sleep on their beds on the floor. They have never been upstairs where our bedroom is. They were trained that way.

Jack the cat? She sleeps on my head. You can't train a cat.

3. What is your favorite thing to listen to while you drive?

I'm a news junkie -- so I listen to our local talk radio channel when I'm driving.

4. Do you have to do a big clean-up when you have company, or are you always ready for guests?

Oh, that's funny. My house is a wreck. I try -- but see #1 above. There's no hope I tell ya.

5. What's your favorite breakfast food?

I don't really eat breakfast, per se -- if there's some Italian sausage in the pan left over from last night's dinner -- that will do just fine.

Weekly Top Shot

A Rural Journal: {Just A Brief Note}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:20:00 +0000

Due to some technical issues with the new blog, I will be posting here until further notice. I've switched the feed back to A Rural Journal, so you should not notice anything unusual in your reader or blog roll.

Thank you!

P.S.: One chicken is wondering what the heck is going on...
the other is demanding a do-over day.

I'm so not loving Squarespace at this point.

A Rural Journal: {Random 5 Friday}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:35:00 +0000

White Crowned Sparrow

(Posting Random 5 Friday here at A Rural Journal as some participants are having issues with my new blog and feed. Sorry for any inconvenience.)

Welcome to another round of Random 5 Friday, where you may share 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

The Random 5 Friday Meme post will be available at 12:00 am every Friday.
My (not so) Random 5 Facts this week (about my move to Squarespace:)

1. I transferred my Google Reader subscription list to Feedly. If you haven't yet figured out a solution to Google Reader going away in the next couple of months, I suggest you check out Feedly. It allows you to easily load your Google Reader feeds, delete which feeds you no longer follow and organize your favorite feeds in a collection. Oh, and the absolute best thing about Feedly? You can leave a comment by clicking on "Preview" and not leaving the Feedly site. Love!!

2. I apologize I have not made it around to everyone this week to comment on your blogs. Learning this new blog platform is taking more time than I anticipated. But I'm catching up.

3. If you leave a comment on this blog, but aren't signed in with Squarespace, I do not have a link to your blog and can't visit you to return the favor. Please consider taking just a minute to sign up with Squarespace so that I can easily find you. Please and thank you.

4. Many of you have asked about why I changed blogging platforms and whether I like Squarespace. In a nutshell, I was growing weary of Google's continual changes pertaining to Blogger. I'm also anticipating that Blogger comments will eventually be replaced with Google + and I'm not down with that. I know I want to continue to have a blog, so now seemed like a good time to switch.
As with anything new, there's a definite learning curve involved -- but I'm getting the hang of Squarespace and am enjoying the clean look and add-on options available.

5. I struggled with letting my previous blog -- A Rural Journal go -- but decided if I was leaving Blogger, it was the right thing to do for me. I did migrate all of my old blog posts over to this new blog, to retain some continuity. I am not receiving the number of comments I was when I was on Blogger, but I imagine as readers become used to the new look and name, they will feel more comfortable in leaving a comment here.

Sharing with Favorite Photo Friday, Camera Critters

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Now it's your turn!

Guidelines:

1. Link up a blog post with 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!
2. Posts not containing 5 random facts may be deleted (sorry, but I don't ask much!)
3. Visit a few other participants if you are able. This is a very friendly community!

Tuesday Muse

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:08:00 +0000

The Tuesday Muse post has been published at the new blog address: http://nancyclaeys.com/blog.

If you did not see the blog post in your feed reader, please consider adding the above address to your list of blogs and removing this one. Thanks and I apologize for any inconvenience.

PS: This blog will be de-activated (not deleted,) at the end of this month. I appreciate your support and friendship.

Nancy

A Rural Journal: {Random 5 Friday}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another round of Random 5 Friday, where you may share 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

The Random 5 Friday Meme post will be available at 12:00 am every Friday.

My Random 5 Facts this week:

1. When heavy snow slides off of the metal roof of our house, it booms so loud -- the dogs bark and the cats run for cover.

2. My husband called me this morning, about an hour after leaving for work, and asked me if my truck was warmed up. I said "oh, no." Usually this conversation ends with me putting on some clothes, warming up the truck and having to pull him out of a ditch.

This time, he was kidding and he was calling from the jobsite. Not funny.

3. I recently received a tooth-whitening product to test and review. However, after trying it for a couple of minutes, the burning was so bad, I rinsed my mouth out and I threw the entire box of stuff in the trash. Regardless of the old cliche -- it's always wise to look a gift-horse in the mouth, as it were.

4. As I indicated on my Facebook page earlier in the week, I cut a few tulips and daffodils to bring inside before the snow arrived. I'm so glad I did. (Oh, and if you would like to connect with me on Facebook, feel free to send me a friend request.)

5. On a happy note, my son Chris passed his CDL test yesterday. He is now a full-fledged trucker and will begin job-searching in Texas.

Sharing with Floral Love, Favorite Photo Friday

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Now it's your turn!

Guidelines:

1. Link up a blog post with 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

2. If you see a red "X" by your submission, you can click on it to delete and start over.
3. Posts not containing 5 random facts may be deleted (sorry, but I don't ask much!)

4.Visit a few other participants if you are able. This is a very friendly community!

A Rural Journal: {Rain}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Rain clouds come floating in,

not to muddy my days ahead,

but to make me calm, happy and hopeful.

~ rajuda

(We actually received rain, sleet and snow yesterday and more snow is expected today. I feel so sorry for all of the little birds at the feeders. It must be quite a shock after the previous weekend temps in the 80s.)

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Sharing with
Little Things Thursday
NF Winged

A Rural Journal: {Is I is or is I ain't?}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Jack ponders her indoor status.

To be continued...

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Sharing with Rurality Blog Hop.

A Rural Journal: {Tuesday Muse}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Apple Blossom.

Sharing with Texture Tuesday

Tuesdays Around The World
Tina's Picstory Tuesday

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Tuesday Muse is a weekly photo meme

where you may share any photo you've created .

The Tuesday Muse Photo Meme post will be
available at 12:00 am every Tuesday.

I'm looking forward to seeing your submissions.

Guidelines:

1. Link up a photo. (It does not have to be textured or edited.)
2. Share the Tuesday Muse badge or a text link on your post to this post.
3. Visit a few other participants if you are able.

If this is your first time visiting A Rural Journal, I invite you to subscribe for the latest updates, join our Rural Bloggers Co-op, and check out our two weekly memes -- Tuesday Muse and Random 5 Friday.

Thank you for being here.

A Rural Journal: {10 Things I've Learned from Bees}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Bee courteous.

Bee determined.

Bee patient.

Bee graceful.

Bee hopeful.

Bee strong.

Bee kind.

Bee humble.

Bee yourself.

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Sharing with

Homestead Barn Hop

Hello Monday

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A Rural Journal: {Ice Cream}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

If your arteries are good, eat more ice cream.

If they are bad, drink more red wine.

Proceed thusly.

~ Sandra Byrd, Bon Appetit:

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Sharing with A Favorite Thing Saturday, Sunday Snapshot

If this is your first time visiting A Rural Journal, I invite you to subscribe for the latest updates, sign up for our free textures newsletter, join our Rural Bloggers Co-op, and check out our two weekly memes -- Tuesday Muse and Random 5 Friday.

A Rural Journal: {Little Black Duck}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:16:00 +0000

Did I ever mention that my husband brought home two black ducklings for our anniversary a couple of weeks ago? No?

Oops. My bad.

Anyways, they've been hanging out with the young pullets and doing very well.

At first I thought they might be Cayugas, but now that they've grown a bit, I think they are blue runner ducks -- due to their upright disposition and long necks.

Funny Little Black Duck story -- yesterday, one of them was standing by the water pan and a pullet scared him/her. He jumped and landed in the water pan. Obviously, it was the first time he had ever been in any amount of water -- and decided "this rocks."

He laid down in the pan and began to go round and round while the other one watched in envy.

Cutest darn thing I've seen in awhile.

No names yet -- just "Little Black Ducks," which reminds me of the Burl Ives' song, "Little White Duck," which I remember listening to on an LP we had when I was young. I loved that album. Who knew I would have two Little Black Ducks on my own farm someday?

If you have any name suggestions (one is male, the other female I believe) -- let me know.

In the meantime, wishing you all a wonderful weekend. xo

Sharing with Weekly Top Shot, Camera Critters.

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A Rural Journal: {Random 5 Friday}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another round of Random 5 Friday, where you may share 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

The Random 5 Friday Meme post will be available at 12:00 am every Friday.

My Random 5 Facts this week:

1. Happy Arbor Day! Happy Spring! Let's put a fork in Winter already. Please and thank you.

2. Our 17 year-old Torti house cat, Maggie, had some kind of health issue this week and didn't eat for a couple of days. I honestly thought she was not long for this world -- but I'm happy to report, she's back to her old pester-y self and eating again. I've often joked that she will outlive us all -- now I'm wondering if there may be some kernel of truth to that statement.

3. I apologize for the over-abundance of daffodil photos this week; however, that's all I got at the moment in the color department. Good news though -- with warmer days ahead, my tulips should be open soon. Fingers crossed.

4. Some of the more adventurous ornamental chicks are beginning to venture into their enclosed outdoor area. I'm having so much fun watching them discover this little rock and that piece of leaf.

5. And remember my recent story about our old Mallard drake Freddie who tries to get amorous with the goose-ladies? Seems the geese are playing hide and seek with Freddie -- I watched him walk around the house at least three times yesterday, looking for some action. He never did find any.

Sharing with Floral Love, Sneak Peek Friday, Favorite Photo Friday

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Now it's your turn!

Guidelines:

1. Link up a blog post with 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever!

2. If you see a red "X" by your submission, you can click on it to delete and start over.
3. Posts not containing 5 random facts may be deleted (sorry, but I don't ask much!)

4.Visit a few other participants if you are able. This is a very friendly community!

A Rural Journal: {Mother's Little Helpers}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Most days, I feel like the Pied Piper.

Whatever I'm doing, there's a disorganized line of vocal pets or farm critters trailing behind me.

Jack is no exception. She was my self-designated photography assistant yesterday, convinced that this cup or that daffodil needed her expert design skills.

Thank you, Miss Jack. I couldn't have done it without you.

Sharing with Little Things Thursday

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Thank you for being here!

A Rural Journal: {WW and $50 Cafe Press Giveaway}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I was recently approached by CafePress to either receive or give away a $50 gift certificate to their site.

I thought it would be fun to provide a giveaway to my awesome readers, so here's an opportunity for you to win!

If you are not familiar with CafePress, here is what they have to offer:

Custom t-shirts and other unique gifts that express people's unique personalities. You'll find millions of one-of-a-kind designs on every topic you can imagine (and some you can't) - from political expressions, funny t shirts & stickers, to all sorts of merchandise with cool personalized designs.

Plus find themed gear from major brands such as the Twilight Saga, American Idol, Star Trek, and more. You can also make your own personalized gifts with their easy design tool which allows you the ability to add photos, text, images, to even creating designs or logos from scratch.

Merchandise you can customize includes high-quality products such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, pajamas, posters, bumper stickers, coffee mugs and much more.

CafePress prints each item as it's ordered, and products usually ship within 24 hours.

I think this would be a great place to shop for a unique Mother's Day or Father's Day gift.

Of interest to my photographer friends, they have a sale going on right now for

Photo-to-Canvas Art for Mother’s Day –Flash Sale! $38 for one 16” x 20” gallery-wrapped canvas (a $124.94 value*). Guaranteed delivery by Mother's Day! Includes Shipping and Handling and 100% Money Back Guarantee.

Disclaimer: I was provided with the opportunity to give away a gift certificate to one of my readers from Cafepress.com. The opinions stated above are my own.

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To enter the $50 CafePress gift certificate giveaway, please follow the Rafflecopter prompts.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to U.S. residents only please.

Good luck and thank you!

Sharing with Rurality Blog Hop

WW @ Tina's Picstory

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Thank you for being here!

A Rural Journal: {Tuesday Muse}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Kim Klassen Violet Texture

Nancy Claeys 0420 Texture (desaturated)

I need to run to town this morning, but there's a chilly deluge happening outside, so I think I'll wait a few minutes to see if it subsides. I don't really like getting wet. Neither does my hair.

Flop.

Anyways, for Texture Tuesday and Tuesday Muse, I selected one of my Spring-y Mikasa bowls, a sprig of dried rosemary from last year's harvest and a vintage rooster from a long-past thrift store romp.

A couple of new textures for you. The 0420 Duo, which you may download here.

Receive additional free textures by subscribing to my newsletter.

Sharing with Texture Tuesday

Tuesdays Around The World
Tina's Picstory Tuesday

Tuesday Muse is a weekly photo meme

where you may share any photo you've created .

The Tuesday Muse Photo Meme post will be
available at 12:00 am every Tuesday.

I'm looking forward to seeing your submissions.

Guidelines:

1. Link up a photo. (It does not have to be textured or edited.)
2. Share the Tuesday Muse icon or a text link on your post to this post.
3. That's it!

A Rural Journal: {Hangin' Around}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I thought that the Dark-eyed Juncos would have high-tailed it north by now --

but here it is, April 22 -- and they continue to enjoy the seeds and suet in our front farmyard.

What a strange Spring it continues to be!

Sharing with Homestead Barn Hop

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Thank you for being here!

A Rural Journal: {Illuminate}

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Claeys) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

An old Mrs. Stewart's Bluing bottle,

a goose feather found just outside the back door,

and a white Portugese soup bowl

provide some photographic inspiration

while I continue to wait for my spring flowers to bloom.

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You have to find what sparks a light in you

so that you in your own way

can illuminate the world.

~ Oprah Winfrey

Sharing with Weekly Top Shot, Sunday Snapshot

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Thank you for being here!