stop the tailgating

why are you right on my rear end?  tailgating me?  could you possibly get any closer?

now i know these are geese - but do you ever wonder this with cars?  why they have to get so close to your back bumper you can't see the front end of their car? 

or driving along the road, one minute nothing is behind you - the next - boom!  a vehicle is suddenly there.  right.there.on.your.tail.  really?  where did he come from?  out of nowhere, a car has appeared - going very fast; not slowing down, expecting you to do the same.  and when you don't... well, they believe the closer they get to you, the faster you will go. 

tailgating.... 

it doesn't work for me.  in fact, quite the opposite.  the closer someone gets to me, the more i have a tendency to want to go more slowly.  it accomplishes nothing.  i get annoyed with the other driver.  did they go through driver's education?  did they learn the "following at a distance" rule?  what about being able to see the back tires of the car in front of you when you stop?  those kinds of tips?  little things but they can work... plus it's simple courtesy - being nice - especially, when you're in a vehicle that can literally be construed as a weapon on a vast tangle of roadway.

so let's be considerate to one another, people.  allow some space - a bit of breathing room, shall we?  stop the tailgating.

happy day.....

a reflection...

when you look in a mirror, you see the reflection...  an image of yourself...

if the lighting is right when you peer into water, you can view a likeness of yourself, too - usually, it's more a profile or an outline versus an exact image.

but then when there is a tree that overlooks a pond or lake - the sun slightly hidden behind clouds - the light refracted just so... and the reflection then of the tree on the water glistens - it is a thing of beauty to behold. 

it's moments like these, i'm thankful to god that he created me to be able to relish in the wonder of nature.

happy day.....

icy tears and bubbles

spring time in the rockies...  whereas yesterday was warm, windy and sunny - this morning there was snow on the ground; cold, blustery air and a reminder that winter isn't yet over.

additionally, it wasn't quite cold enough for the snow to really stick so there was a lot of dripping... this caused leaves and buds to be encased in ice forming crystal clear teardrops and the neatest bubbles ever...

i stood, looking upon this beautiful sight in wonder realizing that the rose bushes that hadn't had any buds several days ago, now did - and hoped that the ice wouldn't stunt their growth. 

then i grabbed the camera and with puffs of my warm breath hitting cold air, began to snap pictures.  the drips; bubbles of water turned to ice... bubbles stopped in mid-drip looking like tear drops.  trying to capture reflections - knowing i wasn't really doing justice to the created beauty before me, but hoping that maybe i'd strike upon that one shot... the perfect one.  it's not here, but i'm sharing anyway.

happy day.....

seize the moment

so the day began cold and overcast... the sky full of clouds...

and then... suddenly as i was outside snapping some not very impressive photos - ones i didn't think i would really want to use for my online photo journal - i felt the sun trying to break through those clouds... i happened to glance up.

between kind of dark and menacing clouds was this break... a hole beginning to form where the sun was wanting to shine through. i couldn't really see the rays of the sun - and i thought there was no way my little camera could do justice to what i was actually seeing - but i had to give it a go, right? how often do you see a hole in the clouds? or what appears to be a hole? so i snapped and looked and thought... "is that the right setting?" i glanced back up and the clouds had moved. that was my one shot - the hole was gone - just that fast! i should've clicked and clicked and clicked some more and not worried over settings... too late.

so this is what i have - a one shot deal for the day that i still think is pretty cool... because i look at it like this: god opened his heavens for me this day to see a bit of blue sky when the rest was dark and dreary... and for one precious moment i had a joy, joy experience. it doesn't get any better than that!

so be prepared at any time to seize the moment... your moment.  because you don't know when it will be - when it will be presented to you - for how long... be on alert and believe it will happen.  today.  tomorrow.  the next day and plan on god being a part of it.

happy day.....

corn-on-the-cob imposter

i love corn-on-the-cob... 

and doesn't this look just like it?

apparently, the squirrels thought so too... they were climbing the tree and hanging from the uppermost branches - eating away.  it took me a minute to figure out what they were doing and then i thought, "if they eat all the little buds, does that mean the tree will be bare all summer long?"  well, probably not would be my guess, but still... the greedy little things...

happy day.....

first robin

when i was at my mom's house a couple weeks ago, she said the sure sign of spring was to see a robin...

today i saw a robin!

to be honest, i didn't think there were robins in colorado... i've not really noticed them before. and this one was only there a moment... i was standing at the bay window in the dining room staring into nothingness - you know how that is, right?  but then i saw a movement... and thought, "self, that is a robin..." and then, "no it's not..." "yes, it is..." (don't ya love how i talk to myself?)

i grabbed my camera fast and got off a few quick shots i was sure were going to be nothing but a blur, especially through the window... all the while continuing to mutter to myself. by this time, gracie was meowing along with me in my excitement and disbelief at the prospect of my potential 'find' for the day.

and look what's happened after all... an honest to goodness robin. in my backyard - perched on the peach tree no less... i don't know if i'll ever see another one. doesn't matter, though. it's that proverbial sign of spring - mom's are right after all!

happy spring...

happy day..... 

st patrick's day

today is st patrick's day - the wearin' of the green. 

on behalf of that, here is a special song close to irish hearts...



happy day.....

here duckies...

the little girl was running here and there - her laughter pealing forth in glorious tones as she chased geese and ducks... they were not amused with her antics.

she then jumped up on this boulder and twirled about; yelling for more "duckies" - much to her parents dismay. i admit to laughing with her for she was just too cute for words even though i knew she was startling "my" geese. i figured it would be short lived... and since i was at a distance, her parents couldn't see my reaction to her delight. let children be children and relish in simple pleasures. she was only on the boulder for a moment before jumping off again and running down the path... her mother looked positively frazzled.

i think it was meant to be a peaceful outing.

i enjoyed it.

happy day.....

happy birthday, joanne

do you ever wonder about social networking?  is it valuable?  does it take up too much time?  does it really connect you to others in a significant way?

i ponder those questions on occasion however, i usually come away believing that the kinds of networking i do - and the results i reap - are much more rewarding and priceless than i can put into words.  i have a whole boatload of blogs i visit on a weekly basis... i also have a facebook account to keep in touch with friends...  i belong to a daily online photo journal, too...  it's all very time consuming - and i've asked myself many times if it's worth it.  but then...

i came to know joanne through beth moore's website one day.  on january 11 of this year, joanne suffered a major stroke - at the age of 38.  joanne is a christian... along with an unwavering faith, she has an incredible husband (toben) and family surrounding her.  toben has been remarkable with providing updates on joanne's blog; being extremely transparent with what has been happening, day-to-day struggles and prayer requests.  her sister, kristen, also posts wonderful accounts of joanne's progress.  joanne is a testament to our god being a big god and one of miracles.  she has come out of her coma, is now talking, writing and standing; making incredible progress.

and today is her BIRTHDAY!  happy, happy - joy, joy...  her friend, janna, sent the most charming message to her that included pictures of charm bracelets... because joanne loves charms - and wears a charm bracelet that includes about 63 charms on it...

pretty isn't it?  i imagine it jingle, jangles all the time as she walks.  according to one of joanne's own blogs, she's been collecting charms since she was 7 years old... sheesh, that's a long time.  we want to hear those jangles some more, joanne...

here's wishing you a happy birthday... blessings galore and prayers that god will continue to answer big the requests we are lifting up on your behalf - for more miracles in your healing journey...

and here's to social networking - the connections that god can make possible via the web so his children can pray for each other and be a testament to others.

happy day.....

view from a plane

if you have to travel early, it's a bonus to have a splendid view... be able to capture it, then share with others. 

i didn't really think it would turn out - an airplane is not the best place to take a picture after all... or should i say to take a picture out of - small windows - dirty windows... the aircraft is shaking... balance is hard to maintain... i figured it would be blurry at best.

but, boy-oh-boy... getting up at o'dark stupid paid off with a glorious surprise and blessing from god in a sunrise i haven't seen the likes of in some time.

i have made no changes to this photo except for cropping.  otherwise, it is as it came from my little digital camera and how the sky appeared this morning.

then looking down on the city, i wondered how the twinkling city lights might turn out.

this picture does reflect processing to an extent to create a more abstract image... since it was still dark and the lights were but a blur far below the plane.

always fun to play - always fun to see our creator play on his playground of the earth, too!

happy day.....

duck yoga

i've always been fascinated by yoga... the concept - the ability of others to manipulate their bodies into those ridiculous positions...  stating how yoga gives them a sense of peace and oneness with themselves, not to mention the overall benefit of fitness. 

i struggle with getting my body to contort itself into the various required positions...slipping and sliding, shaking - feeling my muscles quivering -  am i not balanced enough?  bendable?  flexible?  one with myself? 

today i happened upon a duck...

downward dog

reverse back bridge



standing one-leg



modified warrior



and breathe

i suppose if a duck can manage, i should be able to right?  but this didn't really motivate me... it only made me laugh - actually it was more like snorting; fortunately the little duck carried on... paying me no never mind which made it even more funny.  i so enjoy not having to pay for entertainment.

happy day.....

water baby

it's been warm enough the last several days to melt the ice on the lake... so the geese and ducks have been having a time of it... floating, taking nose dives, feet first landings, water baths... i even saw a couple of duck water fights...  such fun.

but i hear it won't last... ahhh - such is the case with weather forecasters, right?  they're not going to let you bask in the luxury of springtime temptations too long...  it is, after all, still february in the mountains and that means snow can come at its leisure. 

until then, i'm enjoying this short spurt of sweater weather and freedom for my tootsies.

happy day.....

flexibility

don't you wish you were flexible?  could bend just a little bit more... stretch to the left - stretch to the right - all the way down to your toes?  me, too! 

there are some days i'm grateful i can simply roll out of bed... and that's all that's required, rolling... no bending at all.

i caught a glimpse of this ditty and laughed out loud.  mind you, it's only hands... but if my hands could do what these hands are doing... and then i thought, if my body could do a fraction of what these hands are doing... whoo-hoo, hot-diggity...



happy day.....

balancing blunders

sometimes a picture is all it takes... no words are necessary...  these are like that and of course, carry on with my duck and geese theme of late.  just can't help myself when the opportunity presents itself...

happy day.....

squirrels and choosing...

there were many squirrels out playing today... they were not mindful of the weather - that it was cold, it was windy or slightly overcast.  they were only interested in running about. 

once they saw me, it became a game in how to outdo one another - jumping about, climbing the trees, doing funny little tricks to capture my attention... running up very close to my feet and then running away very fast.  squirrels are smart creatures.  watchful, alert, on guard but playful and living in the moment...  they are creative and imaginative...  they have to be in order to survive the elements.

we are a lot like them - or is that they are a lot like us?  in our everyday we need to be watchful and alert, on guard yet creative and imaginative in how we live our lives, how we choose to be.  life is full of pitfalls, challenges and struggles but i like to remain positive; empowered by the strength of my faith - knowing i can be bolstered by living in the moment - in the now - and not give anything away.  

sometimes it is the simple things, small moments, pleasures and enjoyments we need to take advantage of and choose more of in our day-to-days.  it's funny how it sometimes can take squirrels to get you to think... make you wonder... have you ponder...  what do you choose?

happy day.....

duck, duck, goose...

shot some more pictures at the pond the other day...

low flying ducks and some geese sliding in on the ice for a landing...  always entertaining...  always magical...

happy day.....

simple pleasures....

anyone who has a cat will appreciate this simple, yet very funny little clip... simple pleasures that more of us should take the time for, even if pointed out by an animated kitty...




enjoy a spontaneous moment today... on your own, with a friend, with a loved one or family member, a neighbor... have some fun.


happy day.....

winter textures

warmer temperatures mean it's easier to get out and about...  today there were a lot of runners, walkers and bikers around.  made me want to let my toes out of my shoes to enjoy the sunshine... but i didn't since snow was still on the ground.  i figured it would be a stretch.  however, i do plod around the house in full tootsie freedom....can't help myself.

with camera in hand, i took some experimental shots this afternoon.  i decided it was time to venture out of my comfort zone and try for something new... play around with landscape a little bit even though it is not my forte and i might say it scares me some.  it shouldn't but... what can i say?  there are those who have a definite skill for taking wonderful landscape pictures.  they can capture a scene, the colors, the shadows just so.  me? not so much.  i see it with the naked eye, i frame it with my camera but then once i'm processing it, something seems to happen...

but today... well, i'm more pleased with my effort.  perhaps it's the way the sun was shining - or the time of day - or god was having favor with me... whatever the case, i am encouraged enough to actually publish this one for all to see. 

and to try again another day to see what wonders nature may have in store for me to behold.

happy day.....

flying low....

i admit it.... i've been on a ducky mission these last days... but you must agree - they are amazing whether on the ground or in flight... as this one is... actually, this poor fella was trying desperately to get away from me. 

i really was approaching quietly but the other ducks around me were doing their incessant squawking and honking - so who can be quiet around that?  they all had no fear at all on this day, gathering around me as though i was a sudden best friend but all i had was my camera doing its slight beep and click. 

i was just about to capture this one when he spread his wings - i was only a foot away from him, ever so close to have those gentle wings open in front of me.... i was so startled i nearly dropped my camera.  by the time i recovered, i knew the shot would be out of focus and probably no good... in reality it turned out not so bad at all... i think the slight blurring adds to the effect, especially since there's still snow on the ground. 

the story, too, makes up for any mishap....it's how life is - how things happen when we least expect them, right?  and then we just go with it - hoping for the best... flying low, under the radar maybe because the least disruption from us or in our lives is most preferable.  we are funny creatures that way...  sometimes i like to fly low - coast along... other times i believe it's best to fly smack into life full force regardless of the disruption. how about you?

happy day.....

little one...

after the squirrel debacle of yesterday and my feelings of guilt, i went back to the pond today.  i drove up but had to park on the other side of the road because there was another car where i usually stop mine. 

no sooner had i turned off the ignition, did the ducks begin their squawking...  looking out the window of the car guess what i see?  a line of ducks waddling across the road towards me oblivious to other vehicles that are coming.  one car was honking at them and they just stood their ground.  grabbing my camera, i got out quick and herded them back across to the grass laughing and talking to them the whole way.  they must really have wanted those pictures taken...

this is the little one i chose for the day... he was standing all alone, looking around... looking a bit lost... no other ducks were standing near him... i wondered why.  he looks young... i was so close.  where were his folks?  and why weren't they fussing about me being so near to him?  even so, he doesn't appear to be particularly worried - he's standing tall in the midst of it all...head held high. 

made me think that's what i need to do and remember.  stand tall... stand firm...  stand my ground...  when the going gets tough, when the going is good... either way - stand tall.  the good news is that i have a god who helps me to stand firm during those times and actually becomes more for me during the times when i think i am alone.  a versus that speaks to me about this is from john 3:30: "he must become greater; i must become less." 

happy day.....

look at me, lady...

so check out the little creature who captivated me today... 

i was at the pond snapping pictures of the cutest ducks ever... and this rascal comes running up, fearless as can be staring me down.  he was jealous, i'm certain of it, knowing the ducks were getting all the attention and he wasn't having it. 

so he stretched himself up to simply get in my face and pose like this as though he had something very important to say...  he chattered for a minute and then ran off.

now he's gotten his 15 minutes of fame... but i feel bad i've ignored the ducks and must go back to make it up to them so they can have theirs, too.

happy day.....

flappin' about 2011

well it's here... a new year... what to do, what to do...

to me it's just another day... what about you?

i am not one to make a fuss over deciding what new thing i'm going to do, new resolution to keep or start up, a new diet to tackle, a new hobby to begin, etc., etc.... i believe it's good to review the year behind but think it should be done on an on-going basis as it's happening day-after-day, month-after-month; without waiting for the year to end.

take the good with the bad, throw out what doesn't work, rejoice in what is... hope that i'm becoming a better person, pray that i am making a difference, making an impact in some small way - make changes to make it so; step boldly in the world if i can and do the very best that god would have me to do.

and somehow, someway enjoy the simple moments that are given me to me every day and be grateful for them... then share them with others... that's what my new year will be about.

happy day.....

hoppin' into 2011

isn't it fascinating that 2010 has rolled to an end already?  that a whole other year is beginning?  i remember when years used to just drag on and on...  it seemed like time took forever to pass...  i had all the time in the world to get things done or do whatever i wanted to do...  now though - tick tock, tick tock...  i must hurry up or it's going to just whip by me before i know it.

how does that happen and why as we get older?  shouldn't it be the other way around?  slow down as we age?  doesn't quite make sense to me but it's only one of many things.

what does 2011 have in store for you?  many blessings i hope and pray...

have a safe happy new years eve. 

happy day.....

o come all ye faithful

"so they hurried off and found mary and joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  when they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  but mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising god for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."  luke 2:16-20

happy birthday, jesus!

merry christmas, all...

happy day.....

from the mouths of babes...

don't you just love it when children tell stories?  the perspective they have?  the words they use?  the innocence?  they just say it like it is.... here's one version of the christmas story.  it is precious beyond words...





happy day.....

christmas thoughts...

this little story was forwarded to me and i thought it was worth passing along... 

too many times we get caught up in the hustle and bustle at this time of the year... we worry about the exchange of gifts - what to get for whom, what we're going to get from whom.... do we stop for a moment to breathe, to reflect, to realize the true meaning - it is the birth of baby jesus - and to give pause that really it shouldn't be just at this particular time of year we should be doing these things but throughout the whole year?  we should be nice to each other, give gifts, pray for peace, share blessings, bestow generosity, be thankful... if only...

this will make you ponder...

An excerpt from

The Simple Blessing of Christmas

by Mark Gilroy

Norman Vincent Peale, noted minister and author from the previous century, tells the story of a young girl from Sweden spending Christmas in big, bustling New York City. She was living with an American family and helping them around the house, and she didn't have much money. So she knew she couldn't get them a very nice Christmas present - besides, they already had so much, with new gifts arriving every day.

With just a little money in her pocket, she went out and bought an outfit for a small baby, and then she set out on a journey to find the poorest part of town and the poorest baby she could find. At first, she received only strange looks from passersby when she asked them for help. But then a kind stranger, a Salvation Army bell-ringer, guided her to a poor part of town and helped her deliver her gift. On Christmas morning, instead of giving them a wrapped present, she told the family she served what she had done in their name. Everyone was speechless, and everyone was blessed - the girl for giving, the wealthy family for seeing others with new eyes, and the poor family for receiving an unexpected gift.

All of us have opportunities both large and small to show kindness, especially at Christmastime. We can help strangers by delivering gifts to needy kids or serving homeless families at a soup kitchen. Or we can simply look for everyday ways to be kind, like allowing someone to go ahead of us in a lengthy line at the department store, or giving that bell-ringer a little change and a few encouraging words.

Maybe it's because we're in gift-giving mode anyway that giving to others becomes so important at Christmas. Or because we're more aware of our families and friends and communities. Or maybe it's because two thousand years ago, the earth received the most perfect, most loving gift of all, helping us to understand true kindness.

Whatever the reason, don't let Christmas pass you by without showing kindness to someone. Because it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

happy day.....

talking geese

the weather was beautiful today...warm and sunny.  as i was making my home after a mid-day appointment, i was driving by the park and happened to glance over and saw geese just lining the grounds.  hmmmm.... i thought to self.  what a wonderous opportunity for photos.  i wondered how close they might allow me to get to them.  so in i drove and parked.  at first, they seemed fine but i was keeping my distance being pretty passive.  as i moved closer, they got a bit restless but still appeared okay so snap, snap.

then suddenly, they began this quick line up to march away.  it was so funny to watch.  they didn't go in a flock...they literally lined up in a single file, heads bobbing as they waddled away from me as fast as could be.  but not before i'd captured some pretty decent shots.

and then i heard the honking - immediately overhead and the swooping began.  in waves... wave upon wave for about 10 minutes they came.  in big formations and smaller formations, a site to behold.  do you know how difficult it is to capture moving geese even though they are rather large birds?  but i think i did okay with them... i was fascinated with how they moved, the lines they kept, how they all seemed to have their place within their bird-community.  it was fun to observe these geese patterns today on the ground and in flight if only for a very small moment in time.

see the fun...

happy day.....

give thanks

today is a day of giving thanks...  why just one day?  why not every day?  i think we should set aside moments of our every day to be grateful for what we have - as human beings, as americans...  to be thankful and to say thank you to those that matter... for what we have, for those we know, for the things we have. 

i was driving through the city the other day running errands and was at a stop light.  i happened to look up at the sky because it was starting to cloud up a bit and this is what i saw...

it reminded me then and now today how grateful and relieved i am, that i can worship freely in this country and proclaim unabashedly of the love i have for jesus and his saving grace for me.  for that, i am very thankful.

i am also thankful for...

• a loving family
• a multitude of friends
• those who freely give of themselves to protect our country
• church family
• god's provision for me
• god being far better to me than he has to be
• holy scripture - that i can openly read every day
• nature

the list could go on and on...  i need to remind myself to be filled with gratitude always...  "...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is god's will for you in christ jesus."  1 thess 5:18  it will help to set my day - and yours too if you so choose to view it that way.  that would be my prayer for you this thanksgiving day...

here is a small piece of creation specially designed for you this day... flowers are one more thing i am thankful for...

happy day.....

birds of a feather

we get a variety of birds around the area... i was visiting a friend and yay... with rather warm temps out i was able to sit on the deck enjoying the mountain scene.  the bird feeders were full so there was no shortage of the wee little - and larger - ones flying quickly in and out.  i was trying to sit quietly, snapping shots with my camera hoping for good pictures. 

mostly though i was marveling at how quickly they were able to grab and go.  isn't that just like us humans?  we grab and go with everything we do these days, don't we?  barely stopping to enjoy anything... or pause to breathe... to take it in... to simply embrace what life has to offer us, be it good, bad or otherwise.  we just grab.  and then we grouse, because we haven't paused long enough... taken the moment we should have taken.  once these birds did their grabbing, they flew off to a nearby tree to sit for a minute and chomp on the seeds they'd gotten.  and to trill a little message to friends letting them know where the good stuff was at so they, too, could come and feast - take part in the eating.

i was blessed to be so near to god's itty-bitty creatures... see their markings, tiny faces glancing at me but too focused on the want of food to be afraid, the bold ones who dared to make direct eye contact... so cool.

relive some of the journey with me...

some of the top pics are of mountain black capped chick-a-dees.  the one bird who has the very sad looking eyes - which i think is because i told him i only wanted to take pictures of "pretty birds" - shame on me... is a house finch, i think.  it's not his fault he's on the dull side and actually "he" might be a "she."  and i'm not sure what kind the "groucho marx" look alike is...perhaps someone can help with him.  the ones towards the bottom are morning doves.  they weren't in any hurry at all... weren't going anywhere as they just sat in the food for quite some time.  you can tell because in the black and white doesn't it appear the little bird is having a bit of a chat with the doves?  as if to say, "ummm, hey fellas...don't ya think you've had enough already?  now it's my turn?"  i think that's just too funny.  i had quite the experience....

happy day.....