The Soul of Spring #SoCS

In these very troubled days for our world, life has become a roller coaster of emotions for many people, even those who perhaps don’t acknowledge such things. Depression, mood swings, panic attacks and listlessness are all signs of discomfort of the heart, mind and soul. 

This prolonged Winter, along with its erratic weather patterns and anomolies, haven’t helped the situation much. We, as a species, are a contradiction of emotions and desires. While we love the freedom to explore at will and throw caution to the wind for a thrill when we choose, we also love and need constancy in our often fragile existence.

Things like the sun rising each day, our feet staying planted firmly on the ground, and the seasons changing on time are touchstones for the human psyche.

 

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Besides the health benefits of sunlight each day, our souls thrive in the light. Studies have shown the negative effects that light deprivation have on both physical and mental health. This has been a long and trying dormant season for so many people. Even though we aren’t buried in snow here, there have been too many gray and gloomy cold days for this human’s soul. 

Hope reigns supreme, however, as Ms. spring is trying to stretch her stiff and frozen fingers, stretching towards the light for energy and inspiration. I see glimpses of her smile.

 

 

Her sole purpose is to renew this world, to work her magic over the dead, brown earth and paint the landscape with beauty and color once more.

I know she’s near

so do not fear…

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Perhaps her soul is weary

at the thought of what’s to come…

 

 

If the human’s don’t remember

where their sustenance comes from.

If every hair on every head

is numbered, as is said,

why is wisdom blind

and we can’t even find

a common ground?

 

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No wonder She is timid, slow to come.

But come, she will, for Nature does not fail.

Her soul knows joy in Creation,

love of life, her sole motivation

and we should be ever thankful

for her grace- her place

within the dream.

 

As for me, I am heading into the #Free48 with my soul full of hope and my sole reason for getting up to find and appreciate the beauty in this world. Maybe do a bit of my own creating too. 😉

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Beaded sculpture, maybe the next light catcher. I call her Mermaid Rising
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Blackberry Mug Cake! So easy, so good
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I love my coffee in the evening. Oh! That is a yummy Carrot Cake for two recipe.

Oh, and maybe to find some good food and a nice brew.

 

As always, thanks #Wahlburger’s at The Battery.

This post brought to you by Linda Hill. Her #SoCS prompt for today was soul/sole. Check out her blog for all the great prompts and posts from other bloggers there.

And if you need a cold brew and some techno talk, join Dan A of No Facilities. But, be warned, the good bartender is off today. 😏

Entrails/#SoCS

and I feel certain there must be an organ or two in there as well…

 

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I snapped this shot of a single thread web strung between hydrangea branches as we headed out the front door.

And this character scurried across the windshield when we pulled out of the driveway…

 

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Obviously making a fast getaway. I thought I caught a menacing glare as I took this photo. I hear there was an untimely accident involving windshield wipers and water….

The first photo and the next were taken using my nifty new little “cheap trick” gadget. I had seen this set of lenses for the cell phone before but always walked on by. I mean, cheap means cheap; and I have wasted more bucks on ‘almost real’ items before. This time I said, “Go for it,”and did. At $10.99 I thought it was worth the risk.

The set includes a macro lens, a wide angle lens and a fish eye lens. So far I love what the macro lens brings to the table. I already get really nice macro shots with my iphone, but this lens gives greater detail to those tiny bits and pieces. The wide angle lens is cool for selfies as it pushes the image back, allowing for a more natural look and more subjects to be included. The fish eye lens is, well, a fish eye. And there’s even a nifty little lint-magnet bag to carry them in! 😀

What do you think?

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The Crape Myrtle blossom was lying on the hood of my vehicle.

Cool beans, huh?

What?…Where were we going? Well, one day I will share my recent ideas regarding the death of customer service in America; but let’s just say we tried a new burger venue that sent me a free birthday burger coupon. 🙄 Big mistake.

We ended up going to my very favorite burger IN the universe-#Wahlburgers. Always consistent, always fresh, friendly service-at the bar-and my tummy is always grateful. That’s #Wahlburgers boys and girls, in #thebattery in #Atlanta. You guys rock!

 

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The entire menu looks great, but I have yet to branch out
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I could dive right into this Spiked Cherry Coke!
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Always perfection. The bacon and cheese…my tongue tingles just thinking about it.

I can think of no better way to start this #Free48 than with this meal and Linda Hill’s #SoCS promt, ORGAN.

I sure hope yours is filled with simple pleasures…

like an airshow. Be sure to check out Dan’s recent adventure at an air show.

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Worth Repeating…#Thursdaydoors

Now, I have to say up front that I try my hardest not to be redundant and to find something original for all my posts.  And I do hope you don’t roll your eyes in boredom when you see the backdrop for my Thursday Doors post today. This prompt is brought to you by the talented and adventurous Norm Frampton. 

If you visit his link above you can find the details for this fun weekly event and even join in! If you click on the hoppy blue frog, you can find more great doors posts too!

 

Now, I say ‘backdrop’ because, while a door is involved and required to successfully participate, it isn’t truly just the door that is the focus of my post today. You might even say it is about a theoretical door, one that ranks high on my list of favorites; for when friendship’s door is opened, my heart is happiest.

 

Most anyone who knows me knows I don’t let go of things easily, especially my relationships. I have friends that go back to my grade school days and I can still recall our best times together. So, when a friend said she would be passing through town and wanted to stop over for a night at our house with her son, I was thrilled. This is someone who made work seem like fun for years at a place I still consider the best job I ever had. Don’t ask. Life happens. Costa Rica happened. Moving on happened. But we have stayed in touch and I treasure her as a friend-a friend who loves sports, especially LSU-go Tigers!  When she saw my photos of last week’s adventure to the new Atlanta Braves stadium at the Battery, she said the Braves were once one of her favorite ball clubs. Woohoo! A great reason to visit the Battery again and guess what- she is a burger lover! And, so class, Where is the best burger I have had since we moved here? That’s right!

Wahhaaaaalburger’s of course! As soon as I got home and changed clothes we headed to the Battery and walked the main drag, took photos, shopped for sports ‘stuff’ then headed to our spot for food and drinks. Of course, Wahlburger’s did not disappoint. And it was great catching up on all our mutual news, gossip and current events. When we left I was going to snap a quick photo in front of THE door when one of the servers offered to take the photo of all of us. Oh Yay!

 

 

 

I loved this picture. I quickly posted it to Instagram on my little phone and shortly after I got a message from my son laughing about the photobomber in our shot. 😀I never even saw it but I love it. He was the host and a very amiable fellow.  It was a memorable evening and I hope they can return sometime for a baseball game and we can explore some of the other food and beer venues. It’s just so hard to walk past those burgers……sooooo seductive.

 

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Just. Can’t resist those charms.

Oh….and on the weather front, Mother Nature is teasing us with some warm days and new beautiful things. I say….

 

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Let there be Spring!

B is For Baseball/#photography

Okay, well not just for baseball; but that is kind of the theme for my post today. It was an accidental theme due to our adventure last evening; nonetheless, it is the focal point of the evening.

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to my special guest on today’s post-the letter ‘B’!

B is indeed for baseball, for Battery, for Braves, beer, burgers, bunting, bikes, and bring it on ! 

My last week was mentally gruelling although I am fast forgetting why, due in part to our visit to one of Atlanta’s newest sports arenas- SunTrust Park’s Battery.

 

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Now, it takes a lot to get me pumped over public venues, and I might well have my enthusiasm curbed if ever we find ourselves swimming among the sea of fans at one of the events here; but, as far as the location, the buildout and the resataurants, I am duly impressed. They are still growing and many unopened venues promise much more shopping, food and spirits coming soon.

Meanwhile, I will take you on a brief tour of the main strip down the center of the Battery. There are also restaurants, bars, shops and ticket venues on the main road as well as four major parking lots with several levels. We hit it just right with four free hours of weekday parking if you arrive before four pm. After that the free time decreases.

A walk down the main strip takes you by Wahlburger’s. I am slow to jump on any bandwagon that is overly hyped; but I have to tell you honestly that this was the best diner style burger I have had in years. I kid you not…the meat was seared and crispy on the outside but perfectly medium inside and they were double so a lot thinner than a big ole medium burger. Add a splash of wahl sauce, shredded lettuce, tomato, kosher style pickles, two perfectly crispy bacon strips and -dare I say it-good ‘ole American-or as they say on the menu- gov’ment-cheese. The fresh bun toasted to a golden brown held it all in place. Kind of. But I ate every last sniff of it. Oh, and there was a cup of Yukon Gold fries too. What? Did I take photos? Oh paleeeease….

 

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Thank you, #Wahlburger’s all!
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Such a welcoming casual atmosphere
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Had my Chopsecutioner half drunk before I thought to snap a photo!
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Spiked Cherry Coke. Yummmm..
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This was the double Wahlburger, my new best friend. Helped me forget the week.

 

‘Waht’ (😉) could we do after such a meal but walk? So we made our way up the strip a second time. Other venues include an Italian pizzeria, a wine bar, NY bagel grille, Fried Chicken restauarant, Yard House-where we ended up-Terrapin Craft brewhouse with barbecue diner, El Felix Mexican, an Oyster Bar, Todd English Tavern, Sports and Social-a grown ups playground-and various others. For a complete list, check the link above. Oh, I have a few more photos for ya. Oh…that beer? It is by Terrapin Brewhouse and is purportedly brewed over baseball bat chips…I wasn’t sure how I felt about that but had to give it a try. It is a pretty lightweight beer but has a decent flavor, very mild and not hoppy at all, really. Just a little 5% kick though. I’m wishing we could serve a few of these at the bar, Dan.

 

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Welcome to SunTrust Park
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Who doesn’t love a Harley Davidson shop?
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This fountain was beautiful, changing every few seconds
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Under the glow of Baseball
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My friend Al would love this place!
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Ahhh…my good friend the Terrapin Tortuga!
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Obviously reporting the main events.
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Just had to get this shot with the neon baseball.
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Inside Sports and Social.
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What a view. Never saw an indoor monitor this large. 30 feet tall!
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The men’s room. No, I did not take this one, though I have done worse on a dare. Or accident. 😂
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The Chick-Fil-A mascot inside the stadium
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As it got darker, the night life awakened
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Imagine this area in the middle of playoffs!
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Yard House. Largest beer selection on tap
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My choice for after dinner was a Jameson Mule. Giddayup.

 

And while my post didn’t make it in time for Norm’s Thursday Doors, this would have been my entry. Oh well, there’s always next week. Meanwhile, you guys get out there and enjoy some sunshine if ya’ got it!

 

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File this under my “#I love Atlanta” diary entries. 😀💕