Pristine landscape, abundant wildlife, courtesy Costa Rica conservation.
Living perfection, courtesy of the Creator. Show some respect before it disappears again.
I have been so discouraged that the majority of people I meet and speak to daily care nothing about what the future holds-for our planet, our country, or our mental and emotional well-being. It would seem people are most comfortable complacently assuming things will somehow just work themselves out. And I meet so few ready to fight for a better way, not even willing to speak out for it. I long to live on an island, not be an island surrounded by a sea of heartless humans…
(The Enya is for you, Debbie. We shared everything. Still miss you so much.)
The National Battleground was closed on Christmas Day so we stopped by the Cemetery. I’m sure it wasn’t everyone’s idea of a fun way to spend Christmas afternoon. But we’d had lots of fun for a week. A visit to any cemetery with a long past history is always a treat for me. I wonder where we will end up next year…..
The cemetery is filled with unmarked graves of Civil War soldiersSometimes I am drawn to the epitephs, others just the sheer age of the graveThis tree looks like it found a place to die..It’s just like a stone neighborhoodI had fun using my new photo editor on this oneObviously…Damn, it’s cold..Somehow I feel I’m the only one enjoying this side trip. 😏
If you would like to know more about this cemetery visit the Here,
This week’s prompt is television. But what to choose? My mind is a traffic jam of excitement right now. Not that I couldn’t live without tv. When I am alone I rarely have it on, preferring music to the lull of voices that draws me from doing anything purposeful to sitting in front of the set as though I have guests that need attention.
My mother was ill most of the time in my teen years so coming home from school included chores, making sure she had what she needed and making tea for her. We spent a lot of time in quiet conversation, with me sitting on the floor by her bed. She would encourage me as no one else has ever been able to, and the feeling of her hand on my head remains the most comforting thing I know. I miss it so much.
The highlight of my afternoons was whatever was on tv and I watched until I was forced to go to sleep. Back then there was so much to choose from and always something new, especially when they added the new magical ABC network! It had all the fun stuff on it. The Movie of the Week, ABC After School Specials and so many tv shows in Prime Time. My high school years found me enjoying everything from the Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family to Chico and the Man and Welcome Back Kotter. Hellooooo Vinny Barbarino! Then there were Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley and Mork and Mindy. I stood in line in a Little Rock mall to get an autographed photo of Henry Winkler once.
What? Where? Why? Oh John…..
Then there was nighttime. So many to mention, but recently I watched a marathon run of Here Come the Brides. Bobby Sherman was cute but I always loved the older guys too. Jason Bolt was a hunk of a lumberjack. When Night Gallery came along I was glued to the set. We had always watched reruns of The Twilight Zone which was awesome. Just ask my friend Dan. He never misses the yearly Zone marathon sessions. He is a true fan. Most people don’t remember Kolchak, the Night Stalker series with Darren McGavin. It was a one season wonder which I loved. Now that I look back I think it must have paved the way for me to be obsessed with The X-Files and Grimm. I miss them all. 😞
Now, with the advent of Smart tv and Roku, I am back in tv bliss so I don’t mind so much spending time in front of the set in the evenings. I can revisit old friends and check out the newest films and made for video shows, like The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. You have to check her out. It is the funniest show I have watched in ages. And it speaks to social progress over the years for ethnic groups and women in show business. I would hate to see us slide so far back into darkness and ignorance…
Okay, enough I know! Who would think I have time for photography, jewelry, art, excursions and cooking? Suffice it to say I don’t “veg out” very well.
Happy #Free48 everyone. I hope this storm does not cause harm to any of you. Stay warm and stay in touch. 😘
PS OMG! I forgot to mention The Carol Burnett show. Flipper. The Monkees and Gilligan’s Island. Wonderful World of Disney. We can’t even go into the reruns that I didn’t even know were reruns and not of my age which I loved as a child…and still do! Lucy, Andy, Laurel and Hardy, Saturday with the Little Rascals and the Three Stooges. If I left you out, I’m so sorry! Eddie Cantor! Okay, I hear the cue music for me to stop talking now…..
In the past ten years I have been privileged and blessed to be able to see and photograph so many amazing animals in several states and even another country! While it would be impossible to choose a favorite, I have to pay special homage to my feathered friends who always show up when I bring my camera. They preen, clean, hunt, fish, flirt, fluff and fly for my viewing pleasure. At times I have felt they were asking to be captured in a photo for posterity.
Birds of prey fascinate me, the connection I feel with them very strong. The Osprey and Hawk are fiercely efficient hunters and fishers. It was not unusual to see them flying overhead with a fish or small animal in their clutches. On this particular day the adult osprey flew over the hood of our car right in the middle of Port Orange Florida, lunch firmly in its grip, and swooped into the tree in a nearby parking lot. You must know what happened next-one of hubby’s famous batwing u-turns to get me back to where that bird was about to enjoy its meal. Thank goodness for my zoom lens and the fact that my friend the Osprey was more enthralled with its fish than being concerned about what I was doing.
I hope you like my very #FeatheredFriday post! I plan to share more with you next week. Happy #Free48 everyone. You are welcome to join me in sharing your own #FeatheredFriday images and you can link back here in the comments if you like.
When I saw the SoCS JusJoJan prompt for today I was nearly giddy with excitement. Finally something easy. But, wait, what kind of art to post about.
You see, I am kind of an art ADHD, in that I am not committed to one thing. I am sort of an artsy Jane-of-All-Trades and perhaps Master-of-None. I love creating but am constantly moving from project to project. It isn’t that I get bored. I just feel maybe I should move on or that time is wasting. I haven’t figured out yet what this semi-neurosis stems from but will keep you posted should I work it out. Maybe it will come to me in a dream. Many of my dilemmas are worked out during dreams.
Meanwhile, what to choose…so difficult! Since I am currently working as feverishly as I can on my Dawn of the Dream novel I think I’ll post a snippet. And maybe a photo or two of projects. I hope you enjoy them.
No matter what, I hope you find your own artistic outlet. Don’t even try to say it to me. Everyone has an artistic vein. It just takes something special to pull it out of us sometimes. Just ask anyone who has done a Cork and Canvas class. 😉
Okay, from the journals of my mind wanderings which will hopefully cohese into a novel. Someday….
from Dawn of the Dream…
Inside the Sorceress’s hut, the Hunter and Ella were not thinking of sleep. It was awkward, so long since either had known passion; and Ella tentatively worked at conversation. “Eolas, do you think Saol is comfortable in the cave, without..” Eolas put his finger to her lips and pulled her close to him.
“There is no need to worry about Saol. She is well cared for. Now, there is only us and we have so little time.” The Hunter took a deep breath, as though inflating his courage. The smell of lavender wafted across the room like a breeze. In times past this would have given him pause for sorrow; but in that moment, he felt comforted. It was as though Eagna was reassuring him.
‘Live, my love. Show our daughter what love can be.’
Eolas wasn’t sure exactly what the journey would bring; but he knew in that moment, for the first time since his world crumbled, he felt an almost overwhelming desire to love again. Ella pulled his hand from her mouth and slid it down to her breast. “I know we have both been here before, but I feel so…” Eolas silenced her again, but this time with his lips. There were no more words as they recalled the fire and desire of physical union, making the most of the moments they had to share. Neither worried for the lost sleep or when the sun would rise-only that it rose on them lying together…..
To be continued..
A bit of sizzle for your Saturday. And hop over to the bar. Our buddy Dan is back on his feet and having a beer!
Here are a few more of my happy distractions…
Capturing Nature’s emotions
Tree of Life jewelry piece. One of many I have done
My latest watercolor adventure!
Cake making used to be a favorite
Music and movie watching
Seeing living art and saving it for posteruty
Caprturing Earth’s handiwork
Finding art
In the most amazing places!
Making food is a favorite art form
The sky is Mother Nature’s canvas
I love making jewelry
Tap lightly on an image to see the caption. Happy #Free48 everyone! Be your creative, artistic self. Oh, and if you haven’t already, try to catch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Netflix. It’s fantastic!
This is from one of my favorite movies since my boys were young. I can’t even recall how many times I have seen The Neverending Story, a touching, imaginative film from the 80’s.
Beyond the main theme which guides the film-that we dream our world into existence and when we stop believing in our ability to dream and imagine, our world is in danger of disappearing-there are a dozen sub-themes such as self worth, loyalty, trust, vision, standing for something and fighting the forces of darkness.
In the clip above, our young hero Atreyu, who is tasked with saving the world from the rapidly encroaching Nothing, is approaching the portal where he can ask an important question. Many have tried to pass through the Sphinxes Gate, but none possessed the confidence to pass through and were killed when the power of the Sphinxes was released after seeing into their souls.
It is one of the best moments of the film, although there are many. Simple in terms of CG and special effects, the movie is still magical. It speaks of courage, friendship and loyalty, tenacity, hope and defiance in the face of almost certain defeat. It teaches the message that the only thing which truly destroys us is giving up.
When we took a hike last weekend, I was so excited to be able to actually see Into the naked woods, with the trees undressed and showing their basic character-no frills. We were close to the end of our four hour walk when we came upon these nearly twin giant Chestnut Oaks. As I looked to the tops of them at the sky peeking between their reaching branches, I was immediately reminded of this scene in The Neverending Story.
Maybe you just had to be there….
After this gate, Atreyu must pass through the Magic Mirror Gate which was said to be the hardest of all to accomplish, for one must look into the mirror and see their true self without succumbing to madness and horror. It is in this moment that a stark realization happens for two of the movie’s prime characters.
Most people think they know themselves well, but if we look very closely, sometimes what is revealed is not all that we thought or that we would wish of ourselves. I like to look at my beautiful children and hopefully see a bright reflection of my best self within their eyes.
If you haven’t seen this movie at some point you should. And if you have a child, do bring them along….
Our lives are all entwined as we walk the path of this Neverending Story call life.
For Ande, my own “Atreyu” and Barrett, “Bastion” .Never keep your feet on the ground!!
"I have enough time to rest, but I don't have a minute to waste". Come and catch me with your wise words and we will have some fun with our words of wisdom.
Dreaming Reality 
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