Tag Archives: fun

LEAVES

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Yesterday, I watched a multitude of vibrant colored leaves fall to the ground caused by a strong southern wind. What once was green grass is now red and pale maple leaves (the pale being the underside of each leaf).

Within a short period of time I was looking at a carpet laid down by nature…fascinating!

I recalled as a child witnessing the same spectacle while sitting inside our home and looking out of our picture window. Then, leaves in abundance meant leaves to play with. Did you ever rake-up huge piles of leaves then run a jump on top of them? I did, along with my sisters. Running and jumping into the pile wasn’t good enough so we climbed our large Silver Maple tree from where the leaves came from and dropped onto the pile.

Unfortunately the pile didn’t cushion the falls as well as we wished so we kept adding more and more leaves to the pile and climbed higher and dropped farther each time. Eventually, the effort and the pain wasn’t worth it so we would stop, but boy was that fun for awhile!

Mom would have liked us to finish the raking job, but we just couldn’t as hot chocolate needed our full attention.

Remember when?

 

Hole in our Hearts

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Carson left us today, but we believe we will see him again in Heaven.

After prolonged pain with his collapsing trachea which created difficult breathing and constant hacking, along with anxiety and stress, his suffering is over.

The decision was agonizing to make, but necessary. He is a part of us. Oddly, when I first got home from our veterinary’s office, the first thing I did was look for him.  I imagine there will be several habits related to Carson which will take time to lose.

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He was combination of many contrasting things: handsome, playful, independent, fun, stubborn, exasperating,  silky soft, gentle, tolerant, an eating machine, and the list goes on. He had a playful bark that sounded like a larger dog, although he didn’t bark much. He was great around our grand children-even when they were a bit rough with him.

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He was Cheryl’s shadow and she was the best thing that ever happened to him.

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He became my closest buddy, especially after his health deteriorated and I spent more time with him. How could you not love this guy?

Carson's Cert of Adoption

Although we only enjoyed his presence for seven years, it seems like seventeen. The Little White Dog Rescue non-profit organization is one of many terrific groups who help place needy canines with responsible people. For a bit more information about Carson, please go to my post on December 23rd, entitled White Christmas. Thank you.

Gone, but not forgotten. We will always love you, Pupdog (one of his many nicknames).

 

 

 

A Lot

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Do you ever catch yourself saying something to the effect, “It was a ………. year.” ? Obviously, a fill-in-the-blank answer is needed.

Almost halfway into January of this new year, I can honestly state that I wouldn’t answer that question in the most positive of terms. Perhaps some of you can relate. At the same time, I know it is critical to answer because if I don’t acknowledge where I have been then I am doomed to have a pretty crummy start to this new year. I also risk spiraling downward into a funk of sorts which I don’t desire to do. Been there, done that.

Below is my grandson working hard to push the wagon forward with his little sister in the front. What I like about this image is the determination. And, Elliot has no concept as to what my question is about. He just does things because he feels like it or he sees a need and wants to fulfill it. Either way, I love his gumption. He is a matter-of-fact sort of person, even at age three when this photo was taken. He is now four years of age.

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So, if I were to ask Elliot what type of year he had in terms he could understand, he would probably answer like this. ” It was fun.”

May all of our days in this 2018 be fun. Smile a lot. Laugh a lot. Rejoice in other’s success a lot. Choose to have no self-pity a lot. Be thankful a lot. Share a lot. Receive graciously a lot. Risk a lot…at least some. Look outside of ourselves a lot. Thank God a lot. Give a lot. You get the idea…do something positive, daily, and do it a lot.

Wishing you the best this year…a lot  !!!

Reflective

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I’m a sucker for colorful sunrises and sunsets. The splendor of the Sun’s rays illuminating heaven and earth is quite inspirational…almost a spiritual experience for me.

Watching an Appalachian mountainside come to life or a golden ball drop from view into the ocean is enchanting. Living in the middle of America this geographic area has no mountains or oceans, but we still have magnificent sun rises and sun sets. We are located in an area where warm air bumps into cooler air regularly and clouds often develop. I enjoy clouds as much as the morning and evening light shows.

I recall as a child lying on my back and staring at clouds as they passed by. Usually with a friend or my sisters we would call out to one another the variety of shapes that resembled objects we were familiar with. Often, we would see animals and people’s profiles. Clouds could appear happy or sinister and would change quickly as they moved through the sky. Pure joy.

I recall a time where I was with a group of people and we hiked up to the top of an eleven thousand foot mountain. It was a bright day, but a storm was fast approaching. As the initial wave of clouds began passing over us I recall feeling so small and helpless. We were in an area of the Rockies where there are many Fourteeners. These huge mountain peaks and valleys which surrounded us became even more menacing as the large clouds passed by. Their shadows rolled over the rocky terrain effortlessly. As the wind increased and became much cooler I easily imagined how one could perish atop one of these peaks without proper clothing and shelter. It was intimidating.

The image above captures one of our colorful sun sets. I like taking reflective photographs occasionally and thought it fun to shoot the sky reflecting off my Jeep’s window along with my silhouette. It appears I am shooting myself with the camera. However, I can assure you that my Canon has no bullets, only buttons and dials.

Three Amigos

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The Three Amigos is a movie made in 1986. It is a comedy starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short. The theme of this flick has to do with three movie cowboys who become employed by a town in Mexico to save them from the bandit, El Whappo. However, they did not realize the scenario was real. Needless to say, with these actors and the theme, it is a very fun movie to watch. I named this post because these three horses are always together; grazing, sleeping and even cooling off in their own pond. I am fortunate to see this site regularly. I will miss these equines once the property sells.

I present several photos of these fine trio of horses, plus a surprise at the end of this post!

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Amigo No. 1

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Amigo No. 2

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Amigo No. 3

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All three amigos together. Yes, No. 3 is sticking his tongue out! Of the three actors, who do you think is No. 3? One more photo…an onlooker behind me watching this show. Carson didn’t get too excited, though….just curious.

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Please check out my next post of these horses in a totally different light (literally), and thanks for visiting.

 

 

 

Collateral Damage from a Day of Fun

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Despite the gloomy weather of late as the seasons change from Summer to Winter with little evidence of Autumn, except for the lovely foliage colors, I thought it appropriate to share this photo. Yesterday it was 70 degree F. in the afternoon, and today it was a cool 27 degrees F. this morning. Regardless, I like this image because it is the aftermath of grandchildren playing with some of their toys at our home…they eventually were picked up with their assistance. They have learned responsibility.

These toys are considered rudimentary these days, but they bring back fond memories for me. We try to keep life simple, yet Elliot (4 years) can maneuver through an iPad faster than I can turn it on!

Our lives seem so complicated these days. You may call me a bit old fashioned, but I believe there are just too many activities, too many videos, too many texts, too many tweets, too many meals outside the home, etc.. Families and friends have little time for, well, family and friends.

Funny, as I have aged I have become more introverted, but I value relationships as much-if not more- than when I was younger. Rather a paradox which I don’t quite understand at this stage of life. Perhaps circumstances are to blame, however, it doesn’t really matter.

What does matter is that we don’t take a moment of life for granted. Whether very young, an adolescent, a young adult or full-fledged adult with a family…every day is precious. I’ve been through depression so I know what it’s like to not feel this way, but feelings are deceiving. Even during my worst moments, I knew deep down inside that every day mattered, and vowed to wait for the good moments to reappear. That took quite some time. I still struggle, as do many of you, but I consider myself fortunate.

Be encouraged by God’s word; ” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Sometimes we just need to have faith to get us through the tough times. This doesn’t necessarily mean loads of money or excellent health or even stellar jobs…It simply means to be blessed with His presence of peace which leads to a prosperity of a far better kind. I had to learn to be patient, and I am still learning. Please join me.

 

PINWHEEL

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A pinwheel by definition is “a child’s toy consisting of a stick with colored vanes that twirl in the wind”. They can be found across the globe. Parades and birthday parties are among the most popular places to find them. They are whimsical, fascinating to watch, and just plain fun. Their simplicity is partly what makes them so enjoyable…they can be made from paper and plastic or we can buy one for a small amount of money. A simple rush of wind is all it takes to make them spin. Yet, they are still popular after centuries of playful use!

This is nature’s pinwheel. Actually, one of many such flowers with this type of configuration. This is a Vinca flower which grows from a vine and is actually a ground covering. Simple, but lovely. I am always amazed as I witness something from nature which has been copied or imitated by man. Think of planes and birds, for instance. One cannot escape the resemblance nor the actual physics of both.

We, as humans, strive to become more intelligent and better than the generation before. We are on a constant quest to develop technologies which advance whatever field they may be in. This is natural, I suppose, however, let us not forget who is the Original Designer of all that is beautiful…God. To imitate Him is the supreme compliment.

Let us not forget this fact in our hast to rush ahead to the next ‘discovery’ or ‘cure’. Man is always a step behind. This is better than not being in line at all, though. I certainly am grateful that He allows us to explore His creation for the betterment of mankind. Enjoy the simplicity as well as the complexity of this world we have been given to protect and magnify. And, guard against those who would manipulate His creation for evil intent.

Dawn’s Light

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As the early morning light filtered through the leaves of our red maple tree and illuminated the wall, Carson was wakened from his slumber to greet the morning.

Now for a bit of breakfast followed by squirrel chasing, much sniffing around the trees, and a walk around the perimeter fence to look for intruders, it is time for another nap.

Wouldn’t it be fun to be Carson for a day!