ode to an era that is no more...

got an email from my mom tonight... it made me think of a bygone era - one that exists no more.  you see, she sent a link to youtube - nothing new there - she enjoys watching clips every now and then... me, too, if they're amusing or interesting. tonight's contained a clip of dancing great rita hayworth - remember her?  she was phenomenal - beautiful to the eyes, graceful on her feet... this particular video had been produced by someone taking a number of rita's film scenes - slicing them together into one continuous piece to the muscial number stayin' alive...  to their credit, it was well done - fluid - with dance movements in sync to the music and i even found myself tapping my toes along to the rhythm... 

i've never seen this done before - the taking of old films, putting them to newer music (or from what i found, 80's tunes) - slicing together...  to me it almost felt as though the films had been corrupted - i'm certain, not everyone will agree with me... many people are probably fans of this technique and the capability of what technology is now capable of doing - would say to me "bah-humbug..."  i suppose that's fair... they're entitled to their opinions, as i am mine...  it made me wonder what the greats would say - how would rita feel?  would fred toe tap away?  as i searched through youtube, i discovered fred astaire, vera-ellen, ginger rogers, danny kaye - and no doubt many others as well - have fallen victim to having their film scenes spliced and diced...  perhaps i'm just a fan of the old school - want to remain living in the era that was - unchanged... unblemished...  'cuz you see, movies such as those don't exist anymore.  no longer made... in fact, actors/actresses in that genre don't  come around either.  i don't know why... we've simply moved on, i guess - so let's keep pure what was, is all i'm sayin'... 

and while i'm at it - i found an original clip from the 1950 movie three little words - with fred and vera-allen (yes, you'll recognize vera because she was also in white christmas)... it's a song/dance routine of thinking of you - simply priceless - her dress is gorgeous... dancing is flawless - like they are dancing on air, you almost don't want it to end... and if i recall, i believe there was a rumor that fred enjoyed vera the most as his dance partner... but being a gentleman, was never actually quoted saying so - gotta love him for that...



happy day.....

peachy keen

nature amazes me... a few days ago, there were no buds on the peach tree in the backyard - really!  today - it's flourishing with blossoms... how does that happen?  i'm not complaining - it's a beautiful sight to see and simply incredible how quickly these things occur.

at any rate... we'll see what happens this year - in terms of actual fruit bearing.  the great tree has had its ups and downs over the last 6 or 7 years - a mind of its own in terms of producing fruit... does it go dormant after several years of giving peaches and then need some time off?  perhaps it means the tree is tired... requires a vacation... come august - peach juices may be dripping down chins and arms, making fingers sticky... the canning equipment pulled down off the shelves for jam, butter and salsa -

in the meantime - enjoy some delightful peach blossoms in the springtime...

stay tuned - to see what happens...

happy day.....

water droplets...

i had some fun the other day... playing with geese at the lake...  one was drinking water - we experimented with water drops...

then... he just gave me the eye...

happy day.....

unusual colors...

nature is awesome - surprising, too...

a recent visit to my little lake - held a welcome treat, actually 2...

a caramel colored duck -

... which i've never seen before  - i've seen a white duck there - and of course, the typical mallards... but this softly striped, beige caramel was a new addition - very pretty... but kept distance in the water.

then, i spotted a black squirrel -

... yes, black!  typically i've only seen them in the high country - up in the mountains... and then in groups of at least 3.  this was just the one - all alone - yet very friendly... leaping around in the tree branches - frolicking playfully with me...  he was a little bundle of black - kind of reminded me of a chubby black bear...  such fun!

i love it when the day brings about unexpected joys like this... when you least think something extraordinary is going to happen - you're just going about the day - pleased at least the sun is shining... believing that is enough.  having had the camera now for such a time - has brought about a greater awareness of my surroundings - to look for opportunities as this - to keep my eyes open - be on the lookout so i don't miss what might be right in front of me.  i am grateful for what i am able to see - not taking it lightly - trying to capture it... record it - to remember, then share the blessing.  for that is...

a

happy day.....

ravens...

...were taking over - flooding the shoreline - attempting to intimidate the gulls - calling to each other in a loud raucous fashion that echoed off the mountain...

on a day filled with wind - billowing clouds and disappearing sun... it was an appropriate scene.  i stood in the sand, the wind whipping my hair around my face, taking in the sight - deciding to chat back to the ravens... feeling a bit foolish, although getting caught up in the moment not caring if anyone heard me...  being comfortable with myself - the ravens seemed to sense a kinship with me... allowing me to get fairly close before feeling a breach in their space - then flying off...

due to the conditions of the day - the cloudy overtones and intermittent sun casting shadows... post-editing and processing gave me an opportunity to play with my portraits of the ravens - to color outside the lines of just an ordinary picture - adding some creativity and innovation...

ravens get a bum rap - for being a bad bird...  when they really are very intelligent; equally beautiful - creative - innovative...  one has only to give but a moments' time to them versus a snap judgement - or preconceived notion to recognize their ultimate value in the wildlife world.

happy day.....

spring is on the way

there are signs of spring everywhere...  this is new growth already occurring on the rose bush in the backyard:

it's twins on the christmas cactus... apparently confusion reigns in its mind regarding what season to bloom.  doesn't matter to me - i'm fine with it producing flowers year-round if it wants to...

ducks are holding lessons on proper landing techniques... as well as free-winged water skiing... next classes will be held at 11:00 a.m. - don't be late:

squirrels are gathering for the neighborhood coffee klatch.  i've seen groups of 5 and 6 hanging out in trees... chattering away non-stop - getting caught up from winter goings-on:

and soon all kinds of outdoor flowers will be in full-blown blossoming... for everyone to enjoy:

happy day.....