Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Bits and pieces

It’s sleeting as I write this post and if the forecast is correct, we may have a snow day tomorrow. It will be a surprise if it happens, but I’m rooting for it.

There is something joyful about storms that interrupt routine. Snow or freezing rain suddenly releases you from expectations, performance demands, and the tyranny of appointments and schedules . . . and the heart is suddenly and unexpectedly a little giddy.

Wm. Paul Young, The Shack

I went to the grocery store this morning to get a few things and picked up a book to read as well (just in case we do have that snow day). I’d never read The Shack and am finding it pretty interesting so far.


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I also brought home a bouquet of pink tulips to brighten the place up a bit.

What I didn’t do was take my walk today. Or yesterday. I don’t want you thinking that I’m always doing the right thing, you know. It’s lazy of me not to exercise but I’m not going to beat myself up about it.



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Miss Blackie sits on her pillow on the windowsill in the master bedroom. This is one of her favorite spots in the house, where she can sun and view the birds in the dogwood tree.


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We have lots of bird books. Recently, I’ve had to begin using glasses to read. My husband thinks it’s about time because he’s been using them for years.

And that’s one of my favorite coffee cups, from Starbucks. I like mermaids and I believe I used to be one in a former life.


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No I didn’t. I just made that up.

Bet I had you wondering, though.

I think this looks like a handwritten letter ‘k’, don’t you? I found it while I was sitting outside yesterday watching the birds.


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This male house finch is King of the World on the top of the dogwood tree. That reminds me - Titanic was on the other night and I watched part of it. I love when they stand at the bow of the ship and hold out their arms . . .

Speaking of movies, today I sort of half-watched two on AMC: Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Moonstruck. And now I’d better go because my pooch is giving me the eye and he’s brought one of his favorite stuffed toys for me to throw.

Enough of this silly blogging, he tells me. Play with me.

So how are tricks with you?

123 Signature

42 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

I love the "K" squiggle!

Sounds like you had a nice day off - and maybe another tomorrow?!

Even if you skip your walk 2 days in a row, you're still doing better than me...

Linda said...

Ha! So you have me confused!, it's Monday evening, eastern time. Your post reads Tuesday, and you may have a snow day on Wednesday?. We got another 8 inches today. More coming our way?. On Wed?
The winter that just won't quit!

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

I love, love, LOVE Breakfast at Tiffany's....one of my favorite movies of all times.
Hope you get your snow day tomorrow:)

Hilary said...

I just went and read the review of 'The Shack', and thought it was so interesting, I had it delievered to my Kindle.
I can't wait to read it.
I think you might have been a mermaid. I find that quite plausible.

Deb said...

I get the same thing from Nolan and Rooster they both bring balls to me...and get very impatient when I'm taking photos...and not playing with them...

Bluebird49 said...

I wasn't into the Shack....but I have talked to many people who seem to like it for one reason or the other.

I was thinking---that yesterday's picture of the hawk with his prize in his talon belongs in a wildlife magazine. It's so beautiful. One can almost feel the fast heartbeat of the prey and the conquering pride of the eagle-eyed hawk. So achingly beautiful!

Michelle said...

Wow; when I saw the grapevine I thought it looked like a tightrope walker with a balance pole!

I have to wear reading glasses now, too, after a lifetime of above-average eyesight. It is most annoying....

Gayle said...

Aw, Miss Blackie, you are ever the sweet girl! I love your portrait!

What a glorious day you had, book, movies, kitty, doggie, approaching storm. Perfect. Thank you for a beautiful and REAL sharing.

A hilarious, mystery romp....am reading Unzipped on my Kindle by Lois Greiman. I am chuckling my way through it.

Reena said...

Oh, Love Miss Blackie. What a lovely post today!

I agree with Bluebird49, yesterday's post of the hawk's conquest was superb even though nature can be so cruel.

Beautiful!

Hilary said...

"No I didn’t. I just made that up." Lines like this just so crack me up.. it's classic Kate. Beautiful pics as always. Just like Michelle, I see a tightrope walker.. balancing with a pole. It's a great shot.

Merisi said...

All beautiful, a delight to walk through your blog!
Thank you for sharing your world with us.
I smiled reading about your husband beating the squirrel, quite a feat! Mine tried too, when we still lived on the other side of the pond. The squirrel won! ;-)

Country Girl said...

Oh, I can see the tightrope walker, too. Hadn't even noticed that.

~ C.G.

Devon said...

Ok, I do see the tightrope walker also.. and the letter K.

I love that quote from Paul Young... as you see, my blog is Loves Rain, for pretty much the same reason MR. Young gives.

BTW, The Shack is one of my favorite books. There is a sense of love found after an act that makes no sense.

Hope you get that snowday after all, I still have hours of paperwork tonight and more patients to see tomorrow!

Lloyd said...

Awesome shots.
Your blog is great. I love everything on this blog. Congratulations.

Thanks for sharing this to us.


Seattle Real Estate | Office 2010

JaneK said...

thanks for sharing your day in words and pics. I love it when folks share the "mundane" things of life for those are often the most important.

deborah said...

I do hope you get your snow day! It rained so hard for an hour or two here...wasn't cold enough for sleet or snow, thank goodness!

Chrissykat said...

Tricks here are busy...new carpet, yay! Reorgainzing & rearranging, yay! All good. Lovin' me some Miss Blackie but you already knew that. Miss your Fishs Eddy mug though...

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I enjoyed Moonstruck - it was odd and funny and real.

Now I'll have to check out that book!

Anonymous said...

Sleeting?! You have it worse than we do - it's a lovely sunny day here, very cold but fresh.

A mermaid, my daughter's favourite!

CJ xx

Suzette said...

I'm sort of with Michelle. Except, I saw a warrior with a long spear! Guess I'm in one of "those" moods tody! LOL....

ELK said...

I hope you get the snow day Kate ..this series looks like you are ready for it!! do not make the walks a "have to" that takes all the joy out I think

Anonymous said...

I laughed out loud when I read this, "I like mermaids and I believe I used to be one in a former life." You are one funny gal!

Debbie from Illinois

Country Gal said...

Nice post and photos. I have to wear glases for reading and the computer as well I have only had them for a year. I think we all have a favorite mug or tea cup I know I do! Miss kitty looks comfy on her pillow. Have a wonderful day

Char said...

those are two fantastic movies to indulge! love them.

enjoy the day!

Daryl said...

Saw Breakfast at Tiffanys recently and was disappointed it didnt 'hold up' I remember it being better. Never have seen Titanic dont think I will ... I think you were a mermaid ...

beth said...

but i do think i was a mermaid in a previous life....are you sure i didn't know you then :)

and wow....that really does look like a K !!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

See, I completely believed you when you said you thought you were a mermaid in another life. You looked like a mermaid out on Hills Bay last summer. Could have fooled me.

Do mermaids swim through cornfields? Because I thought I saw that too.

Anywho, love that vine shot. Took me a while to see the K.

Joy said...

I loved The Shack. It was deeply moving. Be careful not to read it when you're overly emotional, though. You may cry a lot. Like me. But I can be a bit of a crier sometimes. Silly hormones.

GailO said...

Sounds like a thoroughly enjoyable day with a little bit of this and a little bit if that...yesterday was like that for me too except that I did go for an incredibly cold walk:)

Heading to the Children's Museum today...probably a crazy thing to do during school vacation week but what Mr J wants I cannot refuse:)

Carolynn Anctil said...

If it weren't for the snow, I would love snow days very much. *smile*

I haven't been yoga-ing for a few weeks now. It's good to listen to our bodies, even when they want to play hookey for a while, I think.

I read The Shack a number of years ago. I liked it, but I don't remember much about it now. Will have to put it on my 'list' again.

I didn't like Titanic. It literally gave me nightmares after I watched it. I dreamed of people drowning in dark, frigid water the entire night.

Re: the mermaid thing...you know, there's a little bit of truth in everything we say....*wink* A temptress, huh? *smile*

Blessings & hugs to George.

Carolynn

LivewithFlair said...

I just took a picture of the same gnarled vine but in Central PA! How interesting! It's so barren here, and I took pictures and remembered the prayer of Habakkuk for some reason. Anyway, here's the vine photo: http://livewithflair.blogspot.com/2011/02/this-morning-i-recall-prayer-of-prophet.html

Jan's camera said...

Hi, I love mermaids, too. I also have that same Starbucks cup. I love the photo of the finch in the tree. Lovely. Did you know that the date on your posts are always one day ahead? Breakfast at Tiffany's and Moonstruck are two of my favorite films. I can watch them over and over.

Mary said...

Moonstruck is one of my absolute favorite movies, in part because I come from an Italian family on my mother's side and could relate to so many of the characters and situations there...

Cold but sunny today... trying to get out for a walk, because I do tend to beat myself up when I fall short (which is a LOT)... :)

Enjoy your week. I'm off to see if I can spot any green shoots in the garden.

xoxo

ahomespunyear said...

I'm hoping we don't get anymore snow as I'm so looking forward to more spring flowers and getting out to dig the vegetable patch. At the moment all we seem to have is rain.
Very interesting bird...quite different from anything we have in our garden.

Skogkjerring said...

Love love Love your tulip shot, I love tulips, they are right up there with peonies for me...Love them!
Yeah Kate, you should have entered my contest, I was a little offended you didn't. Figured my beach bag wasn't good enough for you ;-) Hahaha...just kidding with ya!!! ;-))
I expect you to take a walk tomorrow and take some photos- no lazy business Missy!!! ;-))
Uff, I'm in a mood aren't I? Ok, I'm outta here...have a great day/afternoon!! Saw George had a snow day on facebook so I imagine you did too- hope you did something fun and maybe relaxing??

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

My first thought, when I looked at that little twist of stem, was that it looked like a little man, with a twisty tail, holding a spear. Isn't it funny how we associate shapes?

Dawning Inspiration said...

Oh wow - I can't get past that tulip - it's soooo lovely!

Tammy said...

I love Tulips, they are definitely my favorite Spring flower. The Shack has been on my list of books to read for some time now, I just haven't gotten to it yet.

Jeanne Walker said...

Better late than never.....

I think 'it' looks like a tall, skinny creature with a tail and holding a spear with a rope attached. Could it be 'it' is looking for Moby Dick?

Everyone has been telling me to read The Shack...in fact a friend of mine loaned it to me. I guess I ought to read it or return it...albeit she hasn't asked for its return as yet!

I don't tire of the snow photos since we so seldom are gifted with it down here.

Thanks for praying for my little sister.

Hugs, Me

Gail Dixon said...

You are such an inspiration. That tulip is gorgeous! Now I will be leaving the office and going off to buy a bouquet of flowers to photograph. I need color! It's supposed to storm pretty fiercely this afternoon, so that will be something to do indoors that I thoroughly enjoy. :)

Lili said...

Love the mermaid cup and I had to laugh at your made-up story. There's a lady I met here that once told me we were both mermaids in a former life. I just smiled at her as I didn't know if she was serious or not. I love that artsy "k" squiggle too, so cool that you noticed it, I always enjoy what you capture for us. xo ~Lili