Off to see the Wizard

Me and the car are headed--- we HOPE, over the Mountains in the morning.  Trouble is, they are solidly predicting snow in the mountains...even elevations as low as 3500 feet.  Accumulating snow and high winds.  If that remains so, I have to stay home.  I have asked my son about next weekend and he said rightly to wait till morning and see what it says.

Now my wallet is busting to be emptied in the shops in the big city!  I love that shopping.  I have "rounds" I make each trip and I never come back empty handed.  I always show you some of the things or at least what I see what I wish I could have!

I have an assortment of outer wear already hanging up in the car.  The temps will be low in the mountains and I gotta get out at least a time or two.  Want to be warm if I do while in the 30's temps and wind.

He's a teacher, the son I am going to and he has promised a grading party when I get there.  Not my favorite thing but at least I can help a little bit.  It's Science.  AND we are going to watch a video he has and make up questions to of with it to teach the kids about the city in which I live.  It's rich in history.  You can join us!  We could use the help!!

One of my tulips.  The temps are going so low these next several days I fear for them.

Sure hope I get to go in the morning.  See you later Gators....

What a Difference

What a difference.  There were torrents of rain all day yesterday until about 5 pm.  (See?  I didn't say 1700).  It was horrible. MY fit bit said I didn't get the requisite 250 steps in per hour at least, never mind 10000. So when I saw a glimmer of sun at 5, I left the house for a good walk.  Here is what is was like at the Civic Center where I went this time.

water water everywhere 

So instead of dodging dog piles, I got to get extra steps in walking around water "masses".  But it was so nice to be out and walking. Besides, it got me extra steps in.  When I got home, I decided to do what I usually do these days and start walking around the house before going in.  It is a minor work out as my home as are all of them on my street is built on a hill.  The back of the house is a lot higher than the front of the house though it is a one story home. As I descend down to the back of the house, there is a slant to walk along until I start up the side yard to the front.  Across the front and do it again.  Fitbit gave me a "floor" for each pass through the side yard walking upward.  A floor is indicated by a change in elevation.  I got a total of 7000 for the day.  Beats the 2750 I started out with at 5 for a walk.

I headed to the park instead this morning but the mowers were there to dodge.  Can't win.  BUT it was a sunny warm walkie.

Home stretch to the car again.

Heading Over the Mountains Soon

I'll be headed over the mountains Friday.  Thing is, snow sometimes happens even in April there in the mountains  I got a bad  snow surprise once only, but there may be a second time.  You never know.  I won't be gone long.  My usual.  And I hope to come back with a lighter wallet after going to the better consignment stores as I always do when I go see my son who lives over there.

Ir's raining enough to drown everything out there in the yard.  But the past three days have been heavenly.  Warmish, sun.  Sun is the most important thing for me.  We see so little of it here.  MY walks get more and longer when it's not cold, raining and so on.   Thank  goodness the lawn mower will be here tomorrow IF it doesn't rain.  Looks really really bad out there.

This time I won't have either of the usual pet sitters.  One that has sat for my pet for years and years is quite ill with vertigo, and the other one is awaiting the arrival of her first grandchild.  She texted that she's not taking any business during that time.  I have requested Katie's Vet Tech's assistance and she said she would.  Some folks may think "Oh, it's just a cat.  Throw down some food and water and leave".  But I don't. She is a family member and when I pay a pet sitter I liked knowing she was well treated and played with as well during the times of visits for feeding.  This will be a new experience for me and for Katie.  I trust the Tech or I wouldn't hire her-- so I am looking for another good experience.

Well, see ya on the other side.  I am about to head out into the rain.

Taken at our Marina

LOOK Who Was Out Today!

These little sweetest faces in the world were out today!  I got to take a walk finally what with the below freezing weather and rain when it got to just above freezing.  I have been doing some walking in the stores trying to get some steps in but today...ta dah...I got to go to the park.  And these little ones were there to greet me.  They know I love them, so they were happy that I came to see them.

I have loved violets since I was a very small girl.  Those who recall me in my MSN Live Spaces blog  we started out in years ago, may recall the many stories I have recalled there of my beginning and teen as well as adult years.   And one memory is important to me.  The memory of gathering as large a bouquet of sweet violets...purple, light blue, yellow, white; and all with innocent dear faces looking at me above their thread-like stems.  Stretching all of three inches upward they looked back at me as I smiled lovingly at them.  I knew instinctively they were not afraid of me.

I picked them for my Daddy back then.  I wanted nothing more than to bring those faintly fragrant beautiful thumb print sized sweet faces back to my home in a big bouquet that would only fit a little girl sized fist.  I was so proud of my gatherings.  I carefully chose all of the colors as they were all blooming in that large grassy field. It was the outer reaches of our playground.  No other child bothered me as I constantly moved forward, bent over, plucking the unprotesting violets as I went until my small hand could hold no more.

When Daddy came home from work, there they were in a small short glass of water proudly set on the table so he would see them when he came in and before he left for work the next day.  He always said thank you.

Just a memory for you today as I passed those darling little works of art.  The park where I go to walk  is beginning to be covered with their abundance.

I wish Dad were still here so that I could pick the first violets for him again.  Miss you Dad.  Always have and always will.

Arboretum

The header picture is a little section of the University's arboretum where I like to go many times in the Spring and Summer to take pictures and walk.  It's just a mile or so away.   There are several stair step areas throughout and I never fail to be charmed.

It is another--- the third in a row--- sunny day.  I am so grateful!  It is always so overcast here and so rainy these past 5 years that I think I am affected by the seasonal whatever disorder.  I am situated in the woods with trees over 90 feet tall.  They effectively block light anyway and on a rainy cloudy day, all the lights are on in the house all day.  I am grateful to have a day to complain about, mind.

Last night, I woke to see what time it was and after having looked at the clock, I put it back. While on my back, I turned to face the other direction only to find myself  pressed forehead to forehead with Katie.  I had no idea of course that she was there.  Her head furs were as soft as eiderdown.  She waited politely to see if I would cease and desist but I did not.  She reluctantly crawled a few feet farther down and fell back to sleep.

I am about to head out.  I may take the camera and hope for something somewhere pretty.  We had another freeze last night at 27 degrees.  With the non-winter, many of the spring blooms are here already and being damaged by the two freezes we have had in a week.

See ya on the flip side.....

Christmas in Springtime and I Love It!

Guys, I went up to someone's house this afternoon to pick up a product I had bought to support this Junior High school student's band.  (GO JEFFERSON JR HIGH!) I don't know the folks, I just recall the boy from a month ago when he stopped by my place to see if I would buy something for the cause of the Band.  I did decide to buy as all my kids went there, and I like the school.   So, there I am talking to the boy and the mom when she herself mentioned the Christmas decorated fake tree there by the front door.

Still has its lights on.  She said it has remained just like this for three years now as birds come and nest in it!  COOLNESS, guys.  I envy that!  Here's a few nests for you to see.  They leave them there.

Isn't this the coolest?

Nest to the right of center

This nest is barely to the left of center

 Made my afternoon!  Took my box of biscuit mix home and had the pleasure of meeting a great family too.

Oh--- and the header picture is tulip poplar blooms.  Some people refer to them as magnolias.  We don't around here.  Southern Grandiflora Magnolias are dinner plate sized white intensely fragrant blooms.  These pink tulip poplar blooms above that I took  last about 2 weeks is all and the petals fall to the ground.  They are so gorgeous.

Here is a Southern Grandifloria Magnolia dinner plate sized opened bloom I took one morning at 0815.

What make a Day Significant?

Katie was commenting on a favorite kittie's blog, Nellie.  And Nellie had posted a wonderful saying for us.  The blog was about what we can appreciate and be glad of.


Katie answered with this:   Nellie, mommy found the truth to that statement you made for us all some time ago and it is so true. To be significant, an event does not have to be huge, big, or even life changing. It is the warmth of the sun on your furs or skin...the sound of loppers trimming and cutting bushes, the fragrance of grass, a kitty snoring, coffee making, a family member talking in the other room, a dearly loved pet walking or running up to you.  Newly turned earth, anticipation of a visit, a well cleaned home, a baby.  Cold water when you are really thirsty.   The simple act of waking to another day. All is valuable, and one day will be looked back on and we will smile at the memory.

I just added a little to it for here.  The sentences above are what makes me smile most often.  The fragrance of outside air as I walk along should have been included.  The feel of the sunshine on me as I walk should have been as well.  The changing-- however subtle--of the leaves and flowers and surroundings.  The possibility of seeing a friend or acquaintance while out.  The pleasure of finishing a task...the sudden unexpected feeling of joy that sometimes comes upon you as you are all unaware but then!  There it IS!

There are many more things that make us glad to be alive.  I do not want to focus on the opposite of that here today.

Friends, family and being of service even in tiny ways are all I need to be content and glad.