Fade Into You

I’ve been away from my computer, and out in the world. I think it’s good every now and then to take a self-imposed break from the internet, and technology in general. Ok, well maybe not technology in general ~ that might be a little too much for me. I need me my smart phone.

I returned this afternoon from a visit to see my sister, Charlotte, who lives in nearby Pennsylvania. It’s always good seeing Charlotte. She was exceptionally busy, but she cleared some time to spend with me. She and her husband are wonderful cooks, and it’s a given that the food will always be delicious. But I really go for the dose of Char. The food they serve me is only the icing on the cake.

 

I’ve been practicing with the S mode (Shutter Priority) on the camera. I set the shutter speed to 6400, capturing this image. I’m getting more daring, although I have no idea I’m doing everything right. But that’s the beauty of it. I’m not here to be judged.

 

 

I’m here to share the images. It keeps me grounded.

And speaking of grounded, I took a lot of shots from the ground these past few days.

 

It was windy here on Easter Sunday. Quiet, too. Sometimes I wish I could host huge family gatherings like my sister does but after hearing her family stories, I decided that I really prefer the quiet.

 

Dogwood blossoms that I set in a vase and placed in the dining room window.

 

I think the grass needs to be cut . . .

 

And the poor old lilac bush that’s been here for what I’m sure must be over a half a century, is about to give up the ghost.

I counted five blooms of this size on what is left of this dear, old, gnarled bush. In May of 2009, a large and very dead tree fell on top of the lilac bush, splitting it in two. And each year since then, although it has created many new shoots that sprout out of the formerly crushed half, it has consistently produced less blooms than the year prior. This year, the bush has but a few blooms but I’m optimistic enough to hope for better next spring.

 

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While at my sister’s house, as she worked on an alteration project for a client, and I read a book, we listened to Pandora on her TV. I liked this song above.

I also watched a lovely movie over the weekend called Mao’s Last Dancer, available as an instant stream from Netflix. It’s based on a true story and I thought it was beautiful.

A delegation from Madame Mao's Beijing Dance Academy selects 11-year-old peasant villager Li Cunxin to study ballet in far-off Beijing, where he trains for seven grueling years to become one of China's greatest dancers. His efforts win him the opportunity to dance in America, opening his eyes to a new love and the possibility of a dramatic defection from China in this remarkable true story based on Cunxin's autobiography.

~ from Netflix

 

Thanks for coming by and visiting my small place in the blogosphere today. It was good to see you again.

 

And George says hello.

Until next time, my friends . . .