tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42962840515024963272024-02-02T13:27:56.561-05:00Chronicles of a Country GirlCountry Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.comBlogger1684125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-74376287644467820072018-08-13T18:10:00.002-04:002018-08-13T18:10:50.050-04:00All shall be wellHello, my friends. If any of my former friends are out there listening . . .<br />
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I know it's been too long. I know this and I am sorry. But so many people lately are telling me to update this place, and to let readers know what's going on my life so I thought I'd follow their advice. Not because I think what's going on is so extremely interesting. But I am still here. In the old manor house on the hill.<br />
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For one more month from tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxVMRoheTf6n-lG_vHZL7Hls0Ea8IoEhPWiSBNpONzGnce8ChB14Flco0guu8LicSEkY7NTruSxg3cSwib97Kgno_ImctJjxmsAz7BjTRJRZse3dOA6BY_WufBYPAJDQGMU7A-SuRjfGt/s1600/DSC_5670+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxVMRoheTf6n-lG_vHZL7Hls0Ea8IoEhPWiSBNpONzGnce8ChB14Flco0guu8LicSEkY7NTruSxg3cSwib97Kgno_ImctJjxmsAz7BjTRJRZse3dOA6BY_WufBYPAJDQGMU7A-SuRjfGt/s640/DSC_5670+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Yes, I am moving. And believe me, it's time to go. The owners are putting the place up for sale and in order to get the remaining issues dealt with, it's better that the house be empty. I found a little place nearby for at least a temporary fix. And it is tiny. It is the smallest place I will have ever lived in. But it's got character, and I can take George and Miss Blackie.<br />
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But purging things that I've been carrying around for years is most difficult. I've sold some items, donated many others, and just plain trashed a lot as well. I'll miss so much about this place and the refuge it has been for such a long time for both myself and my husband when he was alive. But I do want (and need) to move on.<br />
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I took the photos above just a few nights ago. This little family of deer has been visiting a lot lately and they're quite content here. There are two fawns, a yearling buck, a doe, and an older buck. I won't be getting action like this at the new place . . . it's in a quiet residential area, something I'm going to have to get used to. Prior to coming to the major house, I'd been living on horse farms all my adult life, where open spaces abound. But I can do this (although I don't relish the idea of having to walk George on a leash when he wants to go out first thing in the morning!)</div>
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I posted this picture of Miss Blackie on my Instagram account a week or so ago and entitled it <i>Still Life with Kitty and Packing Boxes</i>. This change will be stressful on all of us but we'll get through. And all shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.</div>
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And with that, I bid you adieu. Until next time, my friends.</div>
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Respectfully submitted,</div>
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Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-67815885009540377192018-02-04T11:21:00.002-05:002018-02-04T11:21:37.803-05:00So I lie to make excuses No, I don't. It's just that I can't get this song out of my head. The lyrics have nothing to do with me. (I don't lie to make excuses and I don't tend to blame everybody else). But it's a cool tune and right now, this is my current favorite station on Pandora. It's by Susie Suh and there's a link to the song at the end of this post.<br />
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Because I like to share.<br />
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It's a chilly day here in Maryland and it's just begun to snow. My house is a bit chilly too but I kind of like it that way. I do not like when I go to people's houses and the heat is on full blast. This is comfortable and as long as I have on layers and my fingers aren't cold, then I'm good to go. I took the photos in this post yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny day, although cold. But in the sunshine . . . so good. My good friends from NJ had come to visit in the morning. I can't remember when they were both here together, but it was good to have them here. We went out to lunch later and they headed home from there.<br />
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I keep my camera and the long lens by the window in the kitchen. I have a chair there and the feeders are right outside the window. Sometimes I'll walk by like I did yesterday, and the light is just so pretty that it makes me stop in my tracks.</div>
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I saw this White-breasted nuthatch land on the feeder and grabbed the camera.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCaXuRtZugV6uyqjANVymQHzqve9uhuicJJWVPp5M75QxhVNYe6VQOG0UwgbAgpOrwkkNnJW5OLEPGNLMmZbFHmTj9RmfJF_cG8FtB4EMKmLBm2t32rXHL1wtPMQAwpSWrvUU-SVGAitl/s1600/DSC_5177+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCaXuRtZugV6uyqjANVymQHzqve9uhuicJJWVPp5M75QxhVNYe6VQOG0UwgbAgpOrwkkNnJW5OLEPGNLMmZbFHmTj9RmfJF_cG8FtB4EMKmLBm2t32rXHL1wtPMQAwpSWrvUU-SVGAitl/s640/DSC_5177+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then a Tufted titmouse came along and shooed him away.</div>
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Mine. Mine. Mine.</div>
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This copper feeder was quite pretty when I first acquired it several years ago. I bought it <b><a href="https://www.duncraft.com/Copper-Palazzo-Bird-Feeder" target="_blank">[here]</a></b> at Duncraft, but did not pay the price they're asking for it now. Good grief. Since then, the weather and the squirrels have pretty much beaten it up, which is a shame because it was such a pretty feeder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEtT9iPzNhtuhKuRDvl4WJOXcR3z2GPN4jeVSBYFhBXnq145iprmmdwt7Ye9tN71WPG_qhtrFQ6o0sOt_MYs4L6KlmihWFTFqjRBy5ByxvDNu8HBEuPKaLmzThaZiX9S5lAkXLHLtc7On/s1600/DSC_5195+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEtT9iPzNhtuhKuRDvl4WJOXcR3z2GPN4jeVSBYFhBXnq145iprmmdwt7Ye9tN71WPG_qhtrFQ6o0sOt_MYs4L6KlmihWFTFqjRBy5ByxvDNu8HBEuPKaLmzThaZiX9S5lAkXLHLtc7On/s640/DSC_5195+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whenever I see a feather like this, I am always reminded of the Emily Dickinson poem. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“Hope” is the thing with feathers -<br />That perches in the soul -<br />And sings the tune without the words -<br />And never stops - at all -</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -<br />And sore must be the storm -<br />That could abash the little Bird<br />That kept so many warm -</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I’ve heard it in the chillest land -<br />And on the strangest Sea -<br />Yet - never - in Extremity,<br />It asked a crumb - of me.</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYPTis10K08CE0sKisXDpTSRSChWgRnPSzXDuM_gKvghcfrweckZ4EksQ9PHqLGrL52wRr3G5GaBzmwvoW2m-jn4YbglkyCNncn5lcv1sEibmKdw3n2FcZv7hhMxdoKbEKvCiwCwKpD4J/s1600/DSC_5205+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYPTis10K08CE0sKisXDpTSRSChWgRnPSzXDuM_gKvghcfrweckZ4EksQ9PHqLGrL52wRr3G5GaBzmwvoW2m-jn4YbglkyCNncn5lcv1sEibmKdw3n2FcZv7hhMxdoKbEKvCiwCwKpD4J/s640/DSC_5205+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I put the macro lens on the camera just for fun and took some photos of one of the geraniums that's beginning to bloom. I brought all my geraniums in when the weather turned cold and they're all lined along the west-facing windowsills on the first floor. </div>
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They're cheerful to see when it's cold outside.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJqxpT89sCteZxvaE3ndl8N8cPNiCwa7ndW_b3c7PwXWKHxjfb9S7tbcmzbey3plFBzWXfPoLICKU6gDk3PyNSgKGIOitDcabKVOotr75UpSvIFL3iTcpCdy8wpbXCtRbVi_4HhMbqA5K/s1600/DSC_5206+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJqxpT89sCteZxvaE3ndl8N8cPNiCwa7ndW_b3c7PwXWKHxjfb9S7tbcmzbey3plFBzWXfPoLICKU6gDk3PyNSgKGIOitDcabKVOotr75UpSvIFL3iTcpCdy8wpbXCtRbVi_4HhMbqA5K/s640/DSC_5206+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I turned to the left and this is the view with my macro lens.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN9YhxDM9_KeICZ_xnHNkPv0q9u09RtjoiQ7hlZG47Azw-SdyvrgvIKW0NRTWdREljrN9WLtCaDyNsZL_AcNfOKQinPvbApFRB_kdLpa0cBeT6otfRefT-Yn_8nVp-dG1BCMmFRL8-rO4/s1600/DSC_5208+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN9YhxDM9_KeICZ_xnHNkPv0q9u09RtjoiQ7hlZG47Azw-SdyvrgvIKW0NRTWdREljrN9WLtCaDyNsZL_AcNfOKQinPvbApFRB_kdLpa0cBeT6otfRefT-Yn_8nVp-dG1BCMmFRL8-rO4/s640/DSC_5208+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And more to the left.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWQv47xoWq448Xln413lgkUhCieZsMvNfx4itWdUEWAsetlCcAEUdcQgTdSBRVV9j9h5Yv77mCrAecfQ8iH0p56r0PaFf1k31utVSLSTFzeKGqdRnOuFfWYDwIRK0yPDEG4CXwTwO9BVt/s1600/DSC_5212+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWQv47xoWq448Xln413lgkUhCieZsMvNfx4itWdUEWAsetlCcAEUdcQgTdSBRVV9j9h5Yv77mCrAecfQ8iH0p56r0PaFf1k31utVSLSTFzeKGqdRnOuFfWYDwIRK0yPDEG4CXwTwO9BVt/s640/DSC_5212+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I own several tealight holders and this is my favorite by far. I found it in an interior design shop many years ago while vacationing in Ocracoke, NC.</div>
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The print is from a photographer that I admire: <a href="http://georgiannalane.com/paris-photographs" target="_blank">Georgianna Lane</a>. Her ethereal Paris photos are simply beautiful and I own several. She always sends extra little prints and is a generous soul.</div>
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A little more to the left and I see that it's time to clean the silver candlesticks again.</div>
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Oh, bother.</div>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0i-ns_w141w/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0i-ns_w141w?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Here's the music I mentioned above. </div>
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Hope your Sunday is a good one. Did you notice I didn't even mention the Super Bowl? I mean, I know I should care because our local team is playing but . . . I just don't. </div>
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And I'm not apologizing for it either. I do wish them well, though.</div>
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Thanks for coming by. It's always a pleasure to see you ~</div>
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-13403774909056722692018-01-21T13:39:00.001-05:002018-01-21T13:40:13.479-05:00Visitor at my feedersHello and a late Happy New Year to you all. Let me preface this post by saying that if pictures of a raptor bother you, please move on. Hawks aren't everybody's thing but I find them very cool. And interesting. I'm not often able to get many great photos of them but I caught a few decent ones only yesterday.<br />
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I'd come home with a small load of groceries and while I was unloading them onto the kitchen counter, I happened to glance out the window to see a hawk perched directly outside on the dogwood tree by my feeders.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRl2iakwhkDp9MxTvljjb7KpkMv20Yad1TINbGOBaZM7BIX_gpO8vyB70Em5ImDmF_glZ1ZWWOp4fd8A-d7c9I6NyBgPbAyT2DcxXHtadygk3wqbQfRu9281L8p4VAFVWS7GltNAo1t0h/s1600/DSC_5076+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRl2iakwhkDp9MxTvljjb7KpkMv20Yad1TINbGOBaZM7BIX_gpO8vyB70Em5ImDmF_glZ1ZWWOp4fd8A-d7c9I6NyBgPbAyT2DcxXHtadygk3wqbQfRu9281L8p4VAFVWS7GltNAo1t0h/s640/DSC_5076+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hunched down in the kitchen and crawled to the window, lest he see me and fly away. I keep my camera there at all times while I'm at home, and I carefully maneuvered the long lens in between my geranium and ivy pots, snapping the few photos you see here.<br />
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I was greatly satisfied to get one of him ruffling his feathers here.</div>
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I'm using the term him loosely, as I'm not sure whether this is a male or female. And I was also having trouble deciding whether this was a Cooper's or a Sharp-Shinned Hawk. If it's the latter, then it's probably a female, as they tend to be larger than the adult males. And this was not a small bird.</div>
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I'm going to go with a female Sharp-Shinned.</div>
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It's not often that a hawk will show up at my feeders looking for an easy meal, but when they do, it's nice to have the camera nearby. If I see this one return too many times, I'll take the feeders down for a couple of weeks as I don't want to encourage this kind of behavior. Hawks will come to backyard feeders but they tend to get most of their diet elsewhere. </div>
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Coolness.</div>
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After about ten minutes of being crouched on my floor, I felt the need to get up. And the hawk immediately flew away just as I'd suspected.</div>
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She landed in the dead dogwood tree outside outside the breakfast nook and I managed to shoot this through the window. But I thought maybe I could do better. So I put on my shoes and a light jacket and went outside. It went up to 56 degrees yesterday. I almost put on my flip flops. Ha. It was zero just a few weeks ago. </div>
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I managed to get close enough to the tree and get a few shots before she flew off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUO6sIhv2pPfyFM8sEO0rq7PHxKztu7N3KSMHLVPunrOiUJf4StPSxJ-_XJQd7Z1F5wNPHU1q2tpqWkfyYkq38ODUGFOBwCHxVBOXD4OIz1xyCywlPTjHSPNKQFcWb8Yt25ll0NUybusZ/s1600/DSC_5130+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUO6sIhv2pPfyFM8sEO0rq7PHxKztu7N3KSMHLVPunrOiUJf4StPSxJ-_XJQd7Z1F5wNPHU1q2tpqWkfyYkq38ODUGFOBwCHxVBOXD4OIz1xyCywlPTjHSPNKQFcWb8Yt25ll0NUybusZ/s400/DSC_5130+copy+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Look at that red eye.</div>
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Dang.</div>
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I got almost right under the tree before she departed and was glad with these shots.</div>
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My husband used to get really excited when a hawk would come into the yard.</div>
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Or when he would see one along a roadway.</div>
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Or whenever he would see one, actually.</div>
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So hawks tend to remind me of him. And a couple of things happened after he passed away that had to do with hawks and owls. But that's another story for another day. Suffice it to say that I sometimes think that certain birds (or their feathers) are a sign from the other side. </div>
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And on that note, I'll bid you adieu ~</div>
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~ along with the wish that your year is one filled with more good than bad. </div>
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And I thank you for stopping by today.</div>
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Your friend,</div>
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-28551227335004535562017-12-28T19:44:00.001-05:002017-12-28T19:44:15.946-05:00Christmas greetingsHello, my friends. For those who have been reading this blog, you'll know that for the past several years I've been spending my Christmas in Florida visiting with my in-laws with my sons. I've just returned home today to temperatures in the teens after spending a beautiful week of sun-filled warm days. It was heavenly.<br />
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I met a lovely couple during my flight home and we chatted for a bit and showed each other our dog photos. I missed George terribly and he was ecstatic to have me return home.<br />
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(Hello to Bill and Peggy from the flight. Hope you have a wonderful visit with your family).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxLUWXKSYiDDpaXYXUq1t-fJaFXZMdOdY5ZmlXX59MsUgAZ6kdsUAC1ilrSujvTlqbZ5THanG7NNuV55MrWGxF5iRrvGmmcEg8fbqfbJh0p2vwq_SJAR-fIi30wBTYaffxWtEFAbfWZtc/s1600/DSC_4109+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxLUWXKSYiDDpaXYXUq1t-fJaFXZMdOdY5ZmlXX59MsUgAZ6kdsUAC1ilrSujvTlqbZ5THanG7NNuV55MrWGxF5iRrvGmmcEg8fbqfbJh0p2vwq_SJAR-fIi30wBTYaffxWtEFAbfWZtc/s640/DSC_4109+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These photos were all taken at the Venice Rookery, which remains my favorite place to photograph Great Blue Herons while they nest and raise their young. The nesting area is on a small island in the middle of a lake and photographers come from all over to capture their images.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCWb8F4Wt0rmD8KM7X1dAsTWWjw29jKq0NRC4GhdmpaM0cs97wQKW7GawX5QPuWQ3gKbSmTNnwmnLsd3NMowuj9udLtRqfOMjWzLce9aru4eMYlvRB3y4aXQ7Se9IRqoPMXmTX-D-TB9e/s1600/DSC_4115+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCWb8F4Wt0rmD8KM7X1dAsTWWjw29jKq0NRC4GhdmpaM0cs97wQKW7GawX5QPuWQ3gKbSmTNnwmnLsd3NMowuj9udLtRqfOMjWzLce9aru4eMYlvRB3y4aXQ7Se9IRqoPMXmTX-D-TB9e/s640/DSC_4115+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I tried to get a better photo of this couple as they went back and forth getting food for their young and greeting each other during each return but oh well. I am only there for such a short time and every year I say that I need a better lens. And I need to bring my tripod. You should see the gear these photographers bring. I have serious lens envy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmQONRjUPDd5cKhwNYnzmMBd20iPnTzYGicVJFgzeAuzlIfAJHL9xS05Pn7kzhhoWGn9BjNi4x6x23uzrq6rip_ZFKjnjcf6xHnHlua4He4CDVTkQjYgKXoZoOkvpeTYna8sEb84B67Gh/s1600/DSC_4129+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmQONRjUPDd5cKhwNYnzmMBd20iPnTzYGicVJFgzeAuzlIfAJHL9xS05Pn7kzhhoWGn9BjNi4x6x23uzrq6rip_ZFKjnjcf6xHnHlua4He4CDVTkQjYgKXoZoOkvpeTYna8sEb84B67Gh/s640/DSC_4129+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These were all shot with my Nikon D7000 using a <a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1349415-REG/nikon_20068_af_p_nikkor_70_300mm_f_4_5_5_6e.html" target="_blank">Nikkor 70-300 lens</a>. I've had it for years and the darn thing sticks sometimes and won't auto-focus. But I make do. Unfortunately, I lose some key shots because of this problem.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxterAjkCeHMTe32iXEeTRSFsbLSqP15-bloWjKRImsQ3q5lkEnigYswbt_6j-UMVLD1y_AVIT_rlGrxfK9zl-OozFrFvSo2MeQ_zQq27uVj57nBuVj1CVM18ul7v_9IF0-CjAAruBSGc/s1600/DSC_4130+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxterAjkCeHMTe32iXEeTRSFsbLSqP15-bloWjKRImsQ3q5lkEnigYswbt_6j-UMVLD1y_AVIT_rlGrxfK9zl-OozFrFvSo2MeQ_zQq27uVj57nBuVj1CVM18ul7v_9IF0-CjAAruBSGc/s640/DSC_4130+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I find it so pleasurable just being still with my camera and watching these beautiful birds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZ20RkjpyqF7Yl9C1k685vCFZZKJ6CV4AGadrt12Ny5Ihi4p54_rRVSE0ak_1Jjm-IorRc7180Dz1aI7V18NZmrb7kDqUwczzs7vnSBMswvOvFmSP45zChH1oH4dEIqmNf3xo7F0dt0Hv/s1600/DSC_4147+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZ20RkjpyqF7Yl9C1k685vCFZZKJ6CV4AGadrt12Ny5Ihi4p54_rRVSE0ak_1Jjm-IorRc7180Dz1aI7V18NZmrb7kDqUwczzs7vnSBMswvOvFmSP45zChH1oH4dEIqmNf3xo7F0dt0Hv/s640/DSC_4147+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here, a nestling is being fed by its parent. There are several more in the nest but you can't see them.</div>
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But I could hear them. They are so loud!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholD_FxIdhEfHi20na8_jGtrX-jaGBZDlH3ULL_-m7vIzHMUe3_XWeSKNtOiL_pb1UQtbqk0cRWKi0N0f0SPyn0ogYI-aWgeur5-3BuupDcNAc741VaRQKDKf_boj4BBtmid3LJZl6yuk-/s1600/DSC_4166+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholD_FxIdhEfHi20na8_jGtrX-jaGBZDlH3ULL_-m7vIzHMUe3_XWeSKNtOiL_pb1UQtbqk0cRWKi0N0f0SPyn0ogYI-aWgeur5-3BuupDcNAc741VaRQKDKf_boj4BBtmid3LJZl6yuk-/s640/DSC_4166+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here a nestling stretches its wings on this beautiful day.</div>
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You can see some others in the background.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WCuR5vG3NECaBGiZvOWVLFQttvpR_XLWckLRKH-uXl2TWF1AM85hkhdtuovF1WN_27yan9uzkddXazsuwiy0xtQelI63nQipfxPci99A0VHEHnFSybPX3dizppK7ivRANa-sjgWotZ4I/s1600/DSC_4207+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WCuR5vG3NECaBGiZvOWVLFQttvpR_XLWckLRKH-uXl2TWF1AM85hkhdtuovF1WN_27yan9uzkddXazsuwiy0xtQelI63nQipfxPci99A0VHEHnFSybPX3dizppK7ivRANa-sjgWotZ4I/s640/DSC_4207+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The male brings much of the nesting material to the female who then proceeds to build the nest. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP2fAHehh7cTYSfhHkvKyDI_JzuUEQGvUGj9fyqNKB7HXjyl30oPuUd24eaxLjsIlz5X3KCVNLBHIw4eWee7G6jvh6DotHLtgux3ku57onmS09hfgieH1Ocl7PY2uHSrkIUmPsqRk0TST/s1600/DSC_4212+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP2fAHehh7cTYSfhHkvKyDI_JzuUEQGvUGj9fyqNKB7HXjyl30oPuUd24eaxLjsIlz5X3KCVNLBHIw4eWee7G6jvh6DotHLtgux3ku57onmS09hfgieH1Ocl7PY2uHSrkIUmPsqRk0TST/s640/DSC_4212+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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They are such graceful birds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS2Q4dDtFaA2Vl-l3fveNQLLNt-8katGMxH_GDFKgZT-wg2gT5sh1joSZk_yag9mfKfp1vadFL6YcKNg4FHt5n1-EkpVFRUdsBLml9N5c7VI3rU1YUXUHdmfhMu8GVKhBWNmhPb_b1W_3/s1600/DSC_4213+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS2Q4dDtFaA2Vl-l3fveNQLLNt-8katGMxH_GDFKgZT-wg2gT5sh1joSZk_yag9mfKfp1vadFL6YcKNg4FHt5n1-EkpVFRUdsBLml9N5c7VI3rU1YUXUHdmfhMu8GVKhBWNmhPb_b1W_3/s640/DSC_4213+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I went at a difficult time, as the sun was quite glaring. I fixed what I could with editing but still . . . I am my own worst critic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBMfWA6Wty7ICxsWFPJ643dRDrXZ3Hd0o1LAqZp3_mNU6BU62m4xGW4j7Hp-EtTar6yHuPqjiusFTFj5V7u5yORf3JjhqRWREX2_VIbR5Q6LAEgdYtJETSFisG1SRfemCoevAG-2sWTCT/s1600/DSC_4229+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBMfWA6Wty7ICxsWFPJ643dRDrXZ3Hd0o1LAqZp3_mNU6BU62m4xGW4j7Hp-EtTar6yHuPqjiusFTFj5V7u5yORf3JjhqRWREX2_VIbR5Q6LAEgdYtJETSFisG1SRfemCoevAG-2sWTCT/s640/DSC_4229+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope that your holidays were pleasant. </div>
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I find Christmas difficult to get through sometimes as do some of you, I'm sure.</div>
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I'll be posting more as I go through my files and hopefully it will be soon ~</div>
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Thank you again for all your lovely comments.</div>
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Until next time, my friends ~</div>
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-88854251544224190842017-12-09T17:07:00.003-05:002017-12-09T17:09:46.298-05:00The miracle of the falling snowHello and wintry greetings from Maryland on this beautiful Saturday. It began snowing this morning and I should have gone out before it did because I really need some groceries. Unfortunately, I slept too late. I like sleeping in a little bit on weekends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ0DWu0uvMfJvqQHhD2bwk8QyCJpzcFDHgKgiX5i2jAOPL_i2H6o1NCgvIUFhrp6y5ueOfC4b3Q_M9aU32uGnA7fqPpRwDEdeCbe5aIp93GEV6_hBr1oaPT6XN57OLgjwztrylfXWpPsQ/s1600/DSC_3940+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ0DWu0uvMfJvqQHhD2bwk8QyCJpzcFDHgKgiX5i2jAOPL_i2H6o1NCgvIUFhrp6y5ueOfC4b3Q_M9aU32uGnA7fqPpRwDEdeCbe5aIp93GEV6_hBr1oaPT6XN57OLgjwztrylfXWpPsQ/s640/DSC_3940+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is one of my favorite trees on the property and it's beautiful when it snows.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR9bIxIDWFgJzigvRgxL9ZknwqmqZaKhnOGWaHlwKkCbMoBzc4SiymVg9C6l5EXMOKbuVdwbnFuClXgMwX5dyh18_TuCCZI-SZY_OC2uBHdkYectaEUJeEDQXBMgVwv1w9A6867bMp78r/s1600/DSC_3822+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR9bIxIDWFgJzigvRgxL9ZknwqmqZaKhnOGWaHlwKkCbMoBzc4SiymVg9C6l5EXMOKbuVdwbnFuClXgMwX5dyh18_TuCCZI-SZY_OC2uBHdkYectaEUJeEDQXBMgVwv1w9A6867bMp78r/s640/DSC_3822+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first thing I did when it began snowing was to fill the feeders.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubnEtnXCujGV0HieMp6NxoJbNsF7V2VsuRysR7UIp3RFlqMX2k-nTyr7m60K11WcKrET0QxodwXYbh6nCiFiB5GfqHqQdyrO_p5mFjRDCHlVTWTf0VTzU1WzC30Y_OE-uVmENjzMCbvpf/s1600/DSC_3847+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubnEtnXCujGV0HieMp6NxoJbNsF7V2VsuRysR7UIp3RFlqMX2k-nTyr7m60K11WcKrET0QxodwXYbh6nCiFiB5GfqHqQdyrO_p5mFjRDCHlVTWTf0VTzU1WzC30Y_OE-uVmENjzMCbvpf/s640/DSC_3847+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9q7zCZV53L3SrBeECQpHUOqlOwTqPOAX_t-yXMujsBJr9VTSGAIoAoiOMFEpySrfIxsP0dFyzXh7MpEt8KAyrm2LdTAhCKXoRv0WgtqILLsOkvc1I0GXLPjDouvHOQ3TCv8DMx_EgGkW/s1600/DSC_3876+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9q7zCZV53L3SrBeECQpHUOqlOwTqPOAX_t-yXMujsBJr9VTSGAIoAoiOMFEpySrfIxsP0dFyzXh7MpEt8KAyrm2LdTAhCKXoRv0WgtqILLsOkvc1I0GXLPjDouvHOQ3TCv8DMx_EgGkW/s640/DSC_3876+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was a gifted this new feeder for my birthday.</div>
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It's supposed to be squirrel-proof.</div>
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This isn't that great a photo but I liked how this male cardinal was perched on the hanger.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xoprta3Ih4J_2CbS_X3ycWF6IKk72uE_8Xqoh4ahBhHo8UEvErTqStBvkqMOmRM1uGxOi3yJWRWsmLdyEC17FKJ9d7hIe7mQfrtGgww4FyvibbCgi4mnoylpRqrJiNp2b8aYKO-yjN_V/s1600/DSC_3911+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xoprta3Ih4J_2CbS_X3ycWF6IKk72uE_8Xqoh4ahBhHo8UEvErTqStBvkqMOmRM1uGxOi3yJWRWsmLdyEC17FKJ9d7hIe7mQfrtGgww4FyvibbCgi4mnoylpRqrJiNp2b8aYKO-yjN_V/s640/DSC_3911+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The squirrels are ruining this feeder. </div>
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Wings!</div>
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I have a baked potato and a yam in the oven and the house smells of them cooking.<br />
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I just thought you needed to know that.</div>
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About an hour ago, I looked out the breakfast nook window to see these three mourning doves huddled on the snow-laden branches. They're all fluffed up, keeping warm.</div>
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It's near dark as I write this and the snow has stopped, leaving us with about 3 inches.</div>
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Today reminds me of a story that was written a long time ago. I found it online and it's about snow falling.<br />
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This is a small excerpt from it:<br />
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Look up at the miracle of the falling snow, ~ the air a dizzy maze of whirling flakes, noiselessly transforming the world, the exquisite crystals dropping in ditch and gutter, and disguising in the same suit of spotless livery all objects upon which they fall.<br />
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<i>~ John Burroughs</i><br />
<i>from "The Snow Walkers" 1896</i><br />
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Until next time, my friends . . .<br />
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-50877507969969846472017-11-22T11:32:00.002-05:002017-11-22T11:41:40.140-05:00Waiting for my real life to beginI'm really not waiting for my real life to begin, although it does kind of feel that way at times. I'm actually sitting in my living room listening to Pandora with the Colin Hay station on and that song came up. I don't know what the urge was to actually write on this blog today but I think it had something to do with having it in my mind lately, the holidays coming around again, and a lovely e-mail from a reader asking why I hadn't blogged in so long and that she missed me. Thank you, Yvette, for making me remember why I had been doing this in the first place.<br />
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I think it's about connection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCoh4mnHeTHHH3tonDCxobqdYUcU_2MuH6_S79VKPxO_UJUGaNY5zArKzHsX2Rqswy0LY4hj9n3Kzi2XMlzlISvMEgNM4_8lls0w_5ymKEn5yFQgox3gmwMi0UMKuCzYYC8cDOBDDF3rf/s1600/DSC_3640+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCoh4mnHeTHHH3tonDCxobqdYUcU_2MuH6_S79VKPxO_UJUGaNY5zArKzHsX2Rqswy0LY4hj9n3Kzi2XMlzlISvMEgNM4_8lls0w_5ymKEn5yFQgox3gmwMi0UMKuCzYYC8cDOBDDF3rf/s640/DSC_3640+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For those of you who know me and have visited me here before, you know I can't have a post without photos. So there I was, perusing my deplorably scant photo files looking for something to share here. I finally came to the realization that my camera must be lonely without me. I have very few recent photos.<br />
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The one above was taken a few weeks ago during a visit to Florida to celebrate my father-in-law turning 90. You would never believe the man was this age because he doesn't look or act it. It was a good family visit and I'm so glad so many of us could come.<br />
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This photo was taken during another trip to Florida -- to St. Petersburg for an impromptu Labor Day weekend trip with friends. I've been doing more traveling than I had in the years with my husband. I am still living in the old manor house on the hill and the owner is prepping it for sale. I believe it may go on the market next Spring and then I'll be finding somewhere else to live. It's fine really. It feels like it's getting time to move on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV1CIpRI2J6z5ZHSNeAr6E0IR8yXHxlCkSUT90Ac6VIiIOyUMm50suOKy83eoQcK5JMxlSF8erV4FHslhde8ppG7WvMUER09haFb7sdeVT374dTjeUdTCAoevq8ZgyfpXvkRWtExBPjDY/s1600/IMG_4628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1147" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV1CIpRI2J6z5ZHSNeAr6E0IR8yXHxlCkSUT90Ac6VIiIOyUMm50suOKy83eoQcK5JMxlSF8erV4FHslhde8ppG7WvMUER09haFb7sdeVT374dTjeUdTCAoevq8ZgyfpXvkRWtExBPjDY/s320/IMG_4628.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
George is still here with me and turned 10 years old in July.<br />
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He suffers occasionally from a bit of arthritis in one of his front legs -- maybe it's his hip; I'm not sure. But he still acts like a puppy sometimes and he does love a good game of fetch be it with a stick, or a frisbee, or one of his current favorite toys.<br />
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And yes, he still knows the <a href="http://chroniclesofacountrygirl.blogspot.com/2010/08/scary-bird.html" target="_blank">names of his toys</a>. But if you don't work with him on it, he will forget over time.<br />
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I took this late this summer. I'd gone outside because the light looked so pretty and saw a hawk in one of the tall trees in the west lawn. I went back inside to get the camera and coming out again, he began to fly away, screeching while doing so. </div>
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There is a small herd of deer that visit each evening. I took the photo above late in summer when the bucks were still in velvet. </div>
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I got up early today because today's the day I'm celebrating Thanksgiving with my <a href="http://chroniclesofacountrygirl.blogspot.com/2013/11/of-cloudless-climes-and-starry-skies.html" target="_blank">sister-in-law and her husband</a> in NJ. I'm taking a <a href="https://stupideasypaleo.com/2016/11/13/roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-pomegranate-recipe/" target="_blank">brussels sprouts side dish</a> and for dessert, an <a href="https://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/apple-pie-cake-with-brown-sugar-and-rum.html" target="_blank">apple pie cake with brown sugar & rum sauce</a>. I hope they're really good. This is a first for making each.</div>
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Tomorrow I'm going out to dinner with long-time friends, Jeff & Karen, in NJ. I've been spending a lot of time with them since my husband and my best guy friend, Warren, passed away in 2013. Warren was Jeff's brother. 2013 was a crappy year. My husband's brother, Richard, also passed away that year. Three deaths, all so young. </div>
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But life goes on. And it's ok. </div>
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Oh, crap. I meant to tell you but am almost embarrassed to do so but I signed up with Match.com last month. I dislike it immensely. And that's all I have to say about that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGCdkhQAxZdevaCzGAvUo2gsdW-NIzOVQwTxWOhz4RPJYxYjWxJzxA9tGMjFdpLOuj7xboMRAZ_ow0Qj2mFl7Z-cfSoTXoV2IeAbWw11stOfAkneWmN4agqdrH2xykz-sdrptQA52cQOY/s1600/DSC_3628+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGCdkhQAxZdevaCzGAvUo2gsdW-NIzOVQwTxWOhz4RPJYxYjWxJzxA9tGMjFdpLOuj7xboMRAZ_ow0Qj2mFl7Z-cfSoTXoV2IeAbWw11stOfAkneWmN4agqdrH2xykz-sdrptQA52cQOY/s320/DSC_3628+copy+2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
One of my relatives snapped this photo of me with my sons while we were in Florida earlier this month. My youngest, Shaun, is on the left and that's Matt on the right. I'll see both of them today for Thanksgiving (I hope).<br />
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Here's hoping that all of you in the States have a wonderful holiday. I'll try to post more in the future!<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0sSOY9xjEUszlhUvD1FeeZQ6T-RfT46VG8q9hhyphenhyphenNC8TX3lqivSno9A0sEGP7YvQZPSQRdVdJ_vHtTfAsxAdsOHVYIB209TV7o2CsjZZ-1K45GRyu3me_lUbBjCjbPF2jCT3swY4npl1s/s1600/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="422" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0sSOY9xjEUszlhUvD1FeeZQ6T-RfT46VG8q9hhyphenhyphenNC8TX3lqivSno9A0sEGP7YvQZPSQRdVdJ_vHtTfAsxAdsOHVYIB209TV7o2CsjZZ-1K45GRyu3me_lUbBjCjbPF2jCT3swY4npl1s/s200/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-89534846168834336302017-02-22T20:54:00.003-05:002017-02-22T20:54:49.969-05:00Whatever makes you happyWell now. I hope I can remember how to do this . . . it's been so long since I've been here that I'm a little rusty.<br />
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But I missed it here. And I thank you for the kind comments you've made over the past year since I've blogged. Well, nearly a year anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkBj1eSgVzEzubWMuqw6qg0hwzpbdCqw-9pFMxdgvynNNc9vAtnukBf0vzSmMHcWNJrQKEjTKQ5vxBZ-fuBzFGUOmg3ePAb_YV3vDM9c4RCbAEa6N_hzwocQxBOBtuV0EMvRCXoTJ_46n/s1600/DSC_2570+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkBj1eSgVzEzubWMuqw6qg0hwzpbdCqw-9pFMxdgvynNNc9vAtnukBf0vzSmMHcWNJrQKEjTKQ5vxBZ-fuBzFGUOmg3ePAb_YV3vDM9c4RCbAEa6N_hzwocQxBOBtuV0EMvRCXoTJ_46n/s640/DSC_2570+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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George is still here (thank heavens). And we're still living at the old manor house on the hill. This evening after work, I spent some time in the yard with my buddy, throwing his favorite frisbee. The weather has been surprisingly lovely for February and we've hardly had any snow at all here in Maryland. I'll stop now before I jinx it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bjockdEM8rf_Iw6VKBzwTmgAwx0eHUcnqgVEtsxMXatfm9loP38W3mt0UevpDFEn2P9VaPXvLNpx96kkU_iHJ2fOYOXq-bv8U8JgIPyRCWs26LdjPxe9BqMS4vVcpY9Ig7zJz6x8mfgO/s1600/DSC_2597+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bjockdEM8rf_Iw6VKBzwTmgAwx0eHUcnqgVEtsxMXatfm9loP38W3mt0UevpDFEn2P9VaPXvLNpx96kkU_iHJ2fOYOXq-bv8U8JgIPyRCWs26LdjPxe9BqMS4vVcpY9Ig7zJz6x8mfgO/s640/DSC_2597+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rather than posting here, I've been uploading photos to my FB page and occasionally on IG. I was actually going to post George's photos on FB tonight but I remembered a co-worker who is going through an illness with her beloved Great Dane and I thought it would be unkind of me to post photos of a happy dog, just in case she's browsing Facebook tonight and it comes up in her feed. So rather than the possibility of hurting her feelings, I decided to come here and try this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtY9i2ic070BsqCGeYlVI6dofvCBSzi79csQUTOp5yTfjJSDKwR-eWj7t6uiwb6aV0BZBvzM881JTS0vxKfrT2Pfp43ZvG9nw7zZM-y7ztEb1DK3AmEDBxbZxF7n-vRFImMIeSSf0KPaI/s1600/DSC_2596+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtY9i2ic070BsqCGeYlVI6dofvCBSzi79csQUTOp5yTfjJSDKwR-eWj7t6uiwb6aV0BZBvzM881JTS0vxKfrT2Pfp43ZvG9nw7zZM-y7ztEb1DK3AmEDBxbZxF7n-vRFImMIeSSf0KPaI/s640/DSC_2596+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I guess not a whole lot has changed in the past ten months since I've written. I can't remember the last time was that I visited a blog . . . and I don't understand that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYYkQydP0mzpvpRGltLhR7cIZ8z4yRtSCOK-nQJ6G_Bnas05X_IowCuy19p_nZ36rUb6G5yFbDNUHRB4LjwONqvblzWG4ohH4iWextkMuSlPuv4ctS3CRlyDnA2dCbMYmqchLhSVbLZwm/s1600/DSC_2587+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYYkQydP0mzpvpRGltLhR7cIZ8z4yRtSCOK-nQJ6G_Bnas05X_IowCuy19p_nZ36rUb6G5yFbDNUHRB4LjwONqvblzWG4ohH4iWextkMuSlPuv4ctS3CRlyDnA2dCbMYmqchLhSVbLZwm/s640/DSC_2587+copy+2.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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Sometimes when I look at this tree, especially from this angle, I remember <a href="http://chroniclesofacountrygirl.blogspot.com/2009/11/vignette-1.html" target="_blank">[this]</a>.</div>
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It's a good memory. And who doesn't like a good memory, eh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWDFl-Nf10jAMjxfUr2oRtGXwEXPN4I_t8UrZsElPgU0_LkXX22tIbvvLR7X4FRV9zhH3QeEDn-X3nlFUMTzImCHVxXjEDj4AQcP0JrL52MwUr-2PZl6ivChZl15hLAWFCkH1ZPEZNtW9/s1600/DSC_2599+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWDFl-Nf10jAMjxfUr2oRtGXwEXPN4I_t8UrZsElPgU0_LkXX22tIbvvLR7X4FRV9zhH3QeEDn-X3nlFUMTzImCHVxXjEDj4AQcP0JrL52MwUr-2PZl6ivChZl15hLAWFCkH1ZPEZNtW9/s640/DSC_2599+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The owner is planning on (eventually) selling the house. And last fall, had someone come cut all the bushes down to nothing so that they could sandblast and paint this spring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZEgGpcZxeHuWzwbiZ3vshEv4_kVNGXin-k1INZDx5erG4gPcfU9brneSMrISecCiMNyU1txdpqaF2oKKgH5M9Sd5sKC3g2N7_Qe4P6OxfRCvkNN65WDJ4gLQdODriDNfCthqHFVToJjH/s1600/DSC_2581+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZEgGpcZxeHuWzwbiZ3vshEv4_kVNGXin-k1INZDx5erG4gPcfU9brneSMrISecCiMNyU1txdpqaF2oKKgH5M9Sd5sKC3g2N7_Qe4P6OxfRCvkNN65WDJ4gLQdODriDNfCthqHFVToJjH/s640/DSC_2581+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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George and I will find somewhere else to live . . . eventually.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lqVa45tUbRWS_1vl23ozSLTg9pZ4uARgCW6FTqmQvipu8O9TmRaZ5mhtlUpG_NiPGQC-evX75eUyxUoeyHDPbUW5X60LapWWS_9AOLxooo3tJDPfzpAFl3DVUeAmzMAMzOmfynxnX8-x/s1600/DSC_2571+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lqVa45tUbRWS_1vl23ozSLTg9pZ4uARgCW6FTqmQvipu8O9TmRaZ5mhtlUpG_NiPGQC-evX75eUyxUoeyHDPbUW5X60LapWWS_9AOLxooo3tJDPfzpAFl3DVUeAmzMAMzOmfynxnX8-x/s640/DSC_2571+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He looks like a crazy boy going after that frisbee, doesn't he?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-_wnZMBiTNB45xOiDD1NgLYR5F0KDwHdFOdY019tV0vXDhWkLNnKHFeCko6j5nWu7YNKCsoNJ0Z1RYMMz9vrMJUOm6me2M7jZNG6-4UVTJz9dUV4Ngykc0BIRpYln7hA_2vr7v7HYYy5/s1600/DSC_2602+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-_wnZMBiTNB45xOiDD1NgLYR5F0KDwHdFOdY019tV0vXDhWkLNnKHFeCko6j5nWu7YNKCsoNJ0Z1RYMMz9vrMJUOm6me2M7jZNG6-4UVTJz9dUV4Ngykc0BIRpYln7hA_2vr7v7HYYy5/s640/DSC_2602+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He's still sweet as ever.</div>
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A bit lonely while I'm away all day at work, I'm sure.</div>
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But I thank God he's still in my life.</div>
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Until next time,</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLEF9nr9qfP_T_koRZjAtixqhI5rQO14kao_q9J5hL8cD-k3dhgh2zEfNPbFQEzu_5JVSWFLdFRlwwedaDkcJQTKzW6az9pFAqREiktumL2DYF5glsLon9-_bs4meZhumLyfhuMDn3Z1c/s1600/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLEF9nr9qfP_T_koRZjAtixqhI5rQO14kao_q9J5hL8cD-k3dhgh2zEfNPbFQEzu_5JVSWFLdFRlwwedaDkcJQTKzW6az9pFAqREiktumL2DYF5glsLon9-_bs4meZhumLyfhuMDn3Z1c/s200/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's a beautiful spring day here in Maryland and I've spent most of it outside working on the area at the back side of the house. One of the bushes was damaged in a snowstorm and needed serious cutting back. There's also mulching going on and I just had to take a break. Just a few years ago, I needed much less breaks. I could have had the whole side of the house done by now. </div>
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So much has happened since I last wrote in February . . . and I'm so glad that Spring has finally arrived. My Outback was totaled in an auto accident late that month but luckily I ended up ok. I had to buy another car and went again with Subaru, because it kept me alive. This time, I bought a Forester and I like it fine. </div>
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Here's a few photos from my phone. I haven't had the big camera out much at all lately.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_pmZNr6eKw08SAbmPgY_tUi9NK0nwr3-waZ2Meb-tNG8Li76cp2wxBMDgpBXph-3-TpAcOJsRa4uKW6-z9IADfe0Lwi13KI8oJHNVzZUqI-WhLWdH8abfwQkMOjHFDpVUwRKa0r2z7mn/s1600/Photo+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_pmZNr6eKw08SAbmPgY_tUi9NK0nwr3-waZ2Meb-tNG8Li76cp2wxBMDgpBXph-3-TpAcOJsRa4uKW6-z9IADfe0Lwi13KI8oJHNVzZUqI-WhLWdH8abfwQkMOjHFDpVUwRKa0r2z7mn/s640/Photo+%25284%2529.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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The dogwood tree at the back side of the house is finally in bloom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEolixvnRIuRsHnDPgBHsNOhwwei5B58W-9TW5WaXceK6y2tFM-KvM2oXN25joTXp9NRPe0RG57cMCLBfeKjJWju9v4g91-bvXcohNASB1-2cx1rj7ACMUfYOHssXcMW7EY5VNfWD7VLDv/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEolixvnRIuRsHnDPgBHsNOhwwei5B58W-9TW5WaXceK6y2tFM-KvM2oXN25joTXp9NRPe0RG57cMCLBfeKjJWju9v4g91-bvXcohNASB1-2cx1rj7ACMUfYOHssXcMW7EY5VNfWD7VLDv/s400/IMG_1504.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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And I planted some pansies in containers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cT-EnLtiVYN4fR2475tNheSd0BwgwaHXsIy0BWDYjaVyxqVsIfbFEtmlUn6_zIzNkiiS_vU14KHM4A0unAGla9ZmeM7mUIqkywT_Z8OnUK5t4ibjns-HdnJRqHnq-EwGrEUADqYJNSBM/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cT-EnLtiVYN4fR2475tNheSd0BwgwaHXsIy0BWDYjaVyxqVsIfbFEtmlUn6_zIzNkiiS_vU14KHM4A0unAGla9ZmeM7mUIqkywT_Z8OnUK5t4ibjns-HdnJRqHnq-EwGrEUADqYJNSBM/s400/IMG_1503.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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They're happy flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcgm9N-Y2ykv8Sqg4MJ8LG6GgurfO21io8Yw684u7xyBFcVPKoGhc3CoqUSRtKCN1D5AlW1YPpgvbGknE51s6EaiKU80wVwOJtiZ3zybY45tPzkvVFkk4mNoDM-gU4zPeIauMIN7Hvc5H/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcgm9N-Y2ykv8Sqg4MJ8LG6GgurfO21io8Yw684u7xyBFcVPKoGhc3CoqUSRtKCN1D5AlW1YPpgvbGknE51s6EaiKU80wVwOJtiZ3zybY45tPzkvVFkk4mNoDM-gU4zPeIauMIN7Hvc5H/s640/IMG_1506.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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My beautiful George.</div>
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The day I had the accident, I was heading home to take him to the vet. He'd not been right and my son had texted me to make an appointment because he was concerned about the dog.</div>
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It turned out that he'd probably eaten something bad outside which wreaked havoc on his digestive system. After some meds, he recovered quickly, which was a good thing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVlzF9eVbxjdTk7MTh7UsoeU18k0L4TkH54P76mx-aqIg4JZhS5kkjIfUbIUEp7gPWo5vxAQ7U-Oqy_ifNRhgO0xfVFFUxFDxz5IU1kAfbDD2SgjuwZ1dxrLvo7XMsvVvk6L1TDVoZfEO/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVlzF9eVbxjdTk7MTh7UsoeU18k0L4TkH54P76mx-aqIg4JZhS5kkjIfUbIUEp7gPWo5vxAQ7U-Oqy_ifNRhgO0xfVFFUxFDxz5IU1kAfbDD2SgjuwZ1dxrLvo7XMsvVvk6L1TDVoZfEO/s640/IMG_1507.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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He loves the weekends when I'm home.</div>
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I can tell, you know.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAgC2QuwrXQnld1yWLcThZynUXKedO5-HPAcX9j1UEyX0WQJjCuAnXNXZ_j-no6F2vGpYAwMdHKT6yh7f-HYn2I-ge1f-qlExasALhQZu622ooFjtwbvO1hRpOZvNdhSp6vPUwXcmpeNf/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAgC2QuwrXQnld1yWLcThZynUXKedO5-HPAcX9j1UEyX0WQJjCuAnXNXZ_j-no6F2vGpYAwMdHKT6yh7f-HYn2I-ge1f-qlExasALhQZu622ooFjtwbvO1hRpOZvNdhSp6vPUwXcmpeNf/s400/IMG_1516.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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He's not in love with my son's cat, though. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lXsJMHhvBd1oADWhcQw0-lKN2swu5kysREEq3AheSx0HndncBStPgSwnsVoNWOMC829gJot3-gNNe4waLSO_OUPv626HkMTApQoaH1NVjfKANIEX_IDOuo3z_eysE3PCaEa_CntTkeQc/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lXsJMHhvBd1oADWhcQw0-lKN2swu5kysREEq3AheSx0HndncBStPgSwnsVoNWOMC829gJot3-gNNe4waLSO_OUPv626HkMTApQoaH1NVjfKANIEX_IDOuo3z_eysE3PCaEa_CntTkeQc/s400/IMG_1478.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made a pie last weekend while staying at a friend's house in NJ.</div>
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It was to celebrate the season premier of my favorite TV show ~ Outlander. </div>
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My TV hasn't worked for over two weeks and looks like it's probably going to be at least another week until things get straightened out. I've been a DirecTV customer for nearly 20 years but my internet is through Comcast. So I decided to delete DTV and go with Comcast TV. Unfortunately, the line outside is damaged somewhere and it seems to be taking them forever to fix it. So I went to NJ to watch my favorite show. That pie crust was fun to make and I used my new pie bird and it turned out delicious. Here's the link to my favorite apple pie recipe:</div>
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<a href="http://katespictureaday.blogspot.com/2009/12/apple-pie-that-wins-hearts.html" target="_blank">The Apple Pie that wins hearts</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9a_OIIpIdFsTSTQC0igPrFU-78V1LO1XlE5Phg9qv1qPKvuJJVXjIBi1moWDtYMBFZ0ES-epvR6pDifZ0YzUazi4I2DR6GBsiwwX5c6xLz15oOQGHZewqnn2yv35usm0KYgA9IkC7RPjt/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9a_OIIpIdFsTSTQC0igPrFU-78V1LO1XlE5Phg9qv1qPKvuJJVXjIBi1moWDtYMBFZ0ES-epvR6pDifZ0YzUazi4I2DR6GBsiwwX5c6xLz15oOQGHZewqnn2yv35usm0KYgA9IkC7RPjt/s320/IMG_1519.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And on that note, I bid you adieu.</div>
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I've got to get back to work.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by to visit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yOL0pQ_Y_qzHIuev-BuyR0wk18PvqjhvP1QnwTCdTUSAtxupkxeBpN2detxX5uOJVbZxAhFYg7OSjZKBYNWUlaSmU39dCYOAXTqusGtfDMalCt7WysJz6IsDlOUDnYCGT05h7jEZbsU2/s1600/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yOL0pQ_Y_qzHIuev-BuyR0wk18PvqjhvP1QnwTCdTUSAtxupkxeBpN2detxX5uOJVbZxAhFYg7OSjZKBYNWUlaSmU39dCYOAXTqusGtfDMalCt7WysJz6IsDlOUDnYCGT05h7jEZbsU2/s200/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The post title came from the first words of a song I like by City and Colour.</div>
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You can listen to it here: </div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er5BJuO0KEo" target="_blank">City and Colour - We found each other in the dark</a></div>
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Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-43479829578632147442016-02-14T09:40:00.002-05:002016-02-14T09:40:33.478-05:00To better daysIt has been so long since I've last posted and I thank those of you who have sent me kind notes inquiring as to how I'm doing - maybe a little worried because you hadn't heard from me. I am fine and that was very nice of you. I figure if I post about once a month, it's fine. I miss you, too.<br />
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I've been sick since nearly the beginning of the month and was diagnosed with bronchitis last week. Today is the first day that I actually feel almost "better". I'm trying not to overdo it, although George would love to have me back in form much faster than I'm able. But he is a patient pet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr-FQzWROt0X7GtqVh3dvTdGNd6AR-2l2kNjAP-HeQASPLiSoJNzbWSQc7XsKYqVLfjStnwkFw3hOMOjM8bwOEGbLFWsHUUIeOV6H-Nte6Wvk22x81-libQmBxdU-5LeeUvQu5j80kDGv/s1600/DSC_0809+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr-FQzWROt0X7GtqVh3dvTdGNd6AR-2l2kNjAP-HeQASPLiSoJNzbWSQc7XsKYqVLfjStnwkFw3hOMOjM8bwOEGbLFWsHUUIeOV6H-Nte6Wvk22x81-libQmBxdU-5LeeUvQu5j80kDGv/s640/DSC_0809+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We had some snow and still have a nice layer of it on the ground here. I've been keeping the feeders filled, which sometimes sucked the life out of me, but it's good to see the birds. They have been good company and an inspiration for my camera lens.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfglr1qtKKnPvPdjoQpRPzo01giN3cUsI3NgURO7tzLZeRsMGmoquYRqfmf3JeHTMrfSoMNs0Aki6fdJHrE486sZ2SKdQfirzLOyf5UMLKIf2w7UjTcBBobmJHcZGd_P-vljGClWpbIziu/s1600/DSC_0821+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfglr1qtKKnPvPdjoQpRPzo01giN3cUsI3NgURO7tzLZeRsMGmoquYRqfmf3JeHTMrfSoMNs0Aki6fdJHrE486sZ2SKdQfirzLOyf5UMLKIf2w7UjTcBBobmJHcZGd_P-vljGClWpbIziu/s640/DSC_0821+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I often post my bird photos on Facebook. It's easy to do and doesn't involve writing a lengthy post here in blogland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlH8fASi1-gik_whWjeiTVk0VCIghM4onLM9XWnqbxCXhf6ap3YfO2KdMUEDruJJVhB8tKp2sQPmsJxf12c86X2vrzeL8cLZQ-9lfaAWnkkSEZSJrnCOIcOFKpk2GaS74dAyMxm3lRbkx/s1600/DSC_0807+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlH8fASi1-gik_whWjeiTVk0VCIghM4onLM9XWnqbxCXhf6ap3YfO2KdMUEDruJJVhB8tKp2sQPmsJxf12c86X2vrzeL8cLZQ-9lfaAWnkkSEZSJrnCOIcOFKpk2GaS74dAyMxm3lRbkx/s640/DSC_0807+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Divebomb!</div>
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I like this one. Pretty colors, too.</div>
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I use a lot of Florabella actions when I edit. The bokeh is a texture layer I added.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6rV48VWlBy7nMr7Sgvkxk9L4bhB8bvoh73UjTFWzSxS0LLrhqFO52wDzwpJIFwcZtfcv_fEh8jsxPJBjyINeRd8Zef9rTb6sJrZN1pe-iOdw5sbgMturTszBXvzZGam5r5hlVh1oD62n/s1600/DSC_0798+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6rV48VWlBy7nMr7Sgvkxk9L4bhB8bvoh73UjTFWzSxS0LLrhqFO52wDzwpJIFwcZtfcv_fEh8jsxPJBjyINeRd8Zef9rTb6sJrZN1pe-iOdw5sbgMturTszBXvzZGam5r5hlVh1oD62n/s640/DSC_0798+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The suet cakes are rock hard.</div>
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This morning, it's 9 degrees here and feels like -3. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO2TxMmDjajdgsCyFy_Qzl9wmN8r8ojOlK5rels9jCVU3IMIuXa5dqdNCs09255N6-pmtY3y2O4ffOLBP9ZoHyPPfEiMLtpkJ_DbmqwBYaruPV4BLV3zpZaeYLsvuDonTZD6rNvW34SHN/s1600/DSC_0794+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO2TxMmDjajdgsCyFy_Qzl9wmN8r8ojOlK5rels9jCVU3IMIuXa5dqdNCs09255N6-pmtY3y2O4ffOLBP9ZoHyPPfEiMLtpkJ_DbmqwBYaruPV4BLV3zpZaeYLsvuDonTZD6rNvW34SHN/s640/DSC_0794+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We had several flocks of red-winged blackbirds that came through here, eating me out of house and home as far as seed was concerned. But everyone's got to eat, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46DU4H9y0SUKQwUjaasZZIdyzRQme2Bni0VmvV15RSw_P-ydIWJP73x4KRXevRW_HbDblXfw5onKc9058sJss8ewwLHSVrvt9bP_zaUxyLzIrZYmU2OnCDS0FhDLD6oBNGt1NPqiBaYy3/s1600/DSC_0745+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46DU4H9y0SUKQwUjaasZZIdyzRQme2Bni0VmvV15RSw_P-ydIWJP73x4KRXevRW_HbDblXfw5onKc9058sJss8ewwLHSVrvt9bP_zaUxyLzIrZYmU2OnCDS0FhDLD6oBNGt1NPqiBaYy3/s640/DSC_0745+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even the squirrels.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwuCFv0S1A-YrO7wzZF_cVn0z00mUT8gFrotTGJ-U3A2pVkq3qTbYLqISuNG3lpS2N_z6yNknigUt1ULbuIN7VDKygzBgo_3oaUshe5BsQ-VlsRgjwoajLDBzaTlYOYZYilwNFLutkNkY/s1600/DSC_0786+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwuCFv0S1A-YrO7wzZF_cVn0z00mUT8gFrotTGJ-U3A2pVkq3qTbYLqISuNG3lpS2N_z6yNknigUt1ULbuIN7VDKygzBgo_3oaUshe5BsQ-VlsRgjwoajLDBzaTlYOYZYilwNFLutkNkY/s640/DSC_0786+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today I'm going to venture out to the grocery store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mQrj0c-IfyxK421KIR4u1B_SoJJvnSvm8kN0QTm9NQYbIzmkkx0KKVBYtD1i543hJFE4iPEywsOn-4bNUu5N1vp0f7z8-ZPMjUbJUN903aHjeqeXDof4M5G9HiTysiW9igwacfVhQZaz/s1600/DSC_0770+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mQrj0c-IfyxK421KIR4u1B_SoJJvnSvm8kN0QTm9NQYbIzmkkx0KKVBYtD1i543hJFE4iPEywsOn-4bNUu5N1vp0f7z8-ZPMjUbJUN903aHjeqeXDof4M5G9HiTysiW9igwacfVhQZaz/s640/DSC_0770+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Down the long driveway.</div>
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I plan on roasting a chicken for dinner tonight.</div>
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I love the smell of roast chicken on a cold winter afternoon, don't you?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmO5lzk4DHAVsyKxluZ4zXl7evSgPjk8EMOpIV9OE5R2pjz_dIJ20oxmugr6EVm3JIS1Aztv_Q0VTi5r3f3PIxcz44iNhs_JaN4dPpcSw6v_7a0ljbeO8d7tJKdyE2NR4ifis_p6D-28A/s1600/DSC_0766+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmO5lzk4DHAVsyKxluZ4zXl7evSgPjk8EMOpIV9OE5R2pjz_dIJ20oxmugr6EVm3JIS1Aztv_Q0VTi5r3f3PIxcz44iNhs_JaN4dPpcSw6v_7a0ljbeO8d7tJKdyE2NR4ifis_p6D-28A/s640/DSC_0766+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What a beautiful week we've had (although I was too sick to enjoy it).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiN-f5B8qP0FEjOXCQJWU_SXaeL2u90HfkCT-Tt42Zq7fluwTzLg4oGwFEuACjHdDdXGPRqSk1g9g4mPTzwUvfj9qhKcmaIGksXMJCK90Sa-CzjDhgQRCKx04GGN82rI5joJp0vr8BFAI/s1600/DSC_0748+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiN-f5B8qP0FEjOXCQJWU_SXaeL2u90HfkCT-Tt42Zq7fluwTzLg4oGwFEuACjHdDdXGPRqSk1g9g4mPTzwUvfj9qhKcmaIGksXMJCK90Sa-CzjDhgQRCKx04GGN82rI5joJp0vr8BFAI/s640/DSC_0748+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At least I could sit by the window and be entertained.</div>
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Thank you for stopping by to visit me here today.</div>
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To better days, then ~</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgehoGRdDZdTsUj29mlzsTMLrTNz7zNqSyfUCt0N6Fj-ljDQuaVFBjCmBuerGRDztmL2kSwbiqpnhJ0rVPKzUT8etnp2yKfjfcmlMfz9RKXaL_ZiKvCqEvKshdtFIoPEKTFJukgWODvjrz/s1600/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgehoGRdDZdTsUj29mlzsTMLrTNz7zNqSyfUCt0N6Fj-ljDQuaVFBjCmBuerGRDztmL2kSwbiqpnhJ0rVPKzUT8etnp2yKfjfcmlMfz9RKXaL_ZiKvCqEvKshdtFIoPEKTFJukgWODvjrz/s200/123+Signature%255B5%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-84790055157704185152016-01-18T11:44:00.001-05:002016-01-18T11:44:04.514-05:00January images<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings from Maryland on a cold Monday in January. Winter has finally arrived and yesterday, we even had a little snow. I've got the day off and was up early this morning, making coffee and then packing my bags to come home. I stayed a couple of nights at my friend's house in NJ. George gets to come too.<br />
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I'm writing this on Blogger, something I haven't done for years . . . since 2009 maybe . . . not since I began using Windows Live Writer. Something's up with that program however, and I don't feel like discovering what's wrong. The only reason I began using it in the first place was the ease it affords in the placement of images. But it looks like Blogger has gotten a little more user-friendly in that department, so I'll give it a whirl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL87qUhwjZMmL3ihuyfq2DRsfE9elQPfG2FREPCL9yKDcoTHhkcav6wf9QMHfQ45uo1xSAKzkDXnN2SOQEynV69UoPzdbefGMMnVZ4xJ_W-xY3nqIALSuzheZCMumPHJTLTCQhWT1XjfW8/s1600/DSC_0310+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL87qUhwjZMmL3ihuyfq2DRsfE9elQPfG2FREPCL9yKDcoTHhkcav6wf9QMHfQ45uo1xSAKzkDXnN2SOQEynV69UoPzdbefGMMnVZ4xJ_W-xY3nqIALSuzheZCMumPHJTLTCQhWT1XjfW8/s640/DSC_0310+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a> This was taken last week some time. I had opened the front door to let one of the kitties in and looked up and liked what I saw.<br />
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A little nuthatch waits for a turn at the feeder. Taken through my kitchen window.</div>
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I took this female cardinal yesterday through the living room window while at my friend's house. It had been snowing for a little while and was actually sticking to the ground and the branches. Very pretty.<br />
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Ditto for this little white-throated sparrow.</div>
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I was walking through my kitchen last week when I saw this lovely glow coming through the window. I grabbed my iPhone and took this while standing on my front porch. I love the colors!</div>
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I think I was heading to the grocery store last weekend when I snapped this image of my driveway and a crazy cool-looking sky.</div>
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George waits patiently while I sew up a tear in a toy that he'd gotten for Christmas. </div>
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He had chewed a little hole in it which isn't like him.</div>
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All fixed.</div>
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Hope all is well in your world. Thanks for stopping by mine.</div>
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-4744342903213497352016-01-01T15:13:00.002-05:002016-01-01T15:27:34.961-05:00Christmas in Florida<!-- AddToAny BEGIN -->
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Hello, friends. I’m still here although my visits have been sporadic this
past year. Happy New Year, by the way! I hope the year brings more good than bad
to everyone. I spent the week over Christmas visiting my husband’s folks in
Florida along the Gulf Coast. My sons were with me and it was great to be
away.<br />
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And the weather . . . oh my stars. It was like summertime.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BTUErw9fShdHwO5u76ShuCcuAnCNu58CtRH9hD67-dpP9CwxN8zj7DSyl05qHzRgHUBUAXEvMcqBEDn6RPf_nbARD-3bYaDt73p8BDHlPLAR3dRKj0Wvh6FO8vpWOrm8rHETZOgl_KCx/s1600/DSC_9724+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BTUErw9fShdHwO5u76ShuCcuAnCNu58CtRH9hD67-dpP9CwxN8zj7DSyl05qHzRgHUBUAXEvMcqBEDn6RPf_nbARD-3bYaDt73p8BDHlPLAR3dRKj0Wvh6FO8vpWOrm8rHETZOgl_KCx/s640/DSC_9724+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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One of the many highlights of my trip was taking bird photos the
Rookery/Venice Area Audubon Society. There were so many nesting birds – it was
amazing. Can you see some of them in the photo above? This was an island in the
middle of a small lake and there were so many egrets and herons in there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5xdeQvciohfv22QTjwwD_Dtad7T7g_TSCIyVhrA9vA505PekaO1hHOhxyvcF3P3egf_HFkE3ArHxBhQU07CGWKlCF53z3R9pldcltqQ9C15_0c1mGaCvWuYojsXgJi4crP7uoVHn1zbM/s1600/DSC_0055+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5xdeQvciohfv22QTjwwD_Dtad7T7g_TSCIyVhrA9vA505PekaO1hHOhxyvcF3P3egf_HFkE3ArHxBhQU07CGWKlCF53z3R9pldcltqQ9C15_0c1mGaCvWuYojsXgJi4crP7uoVHn1zbM/s640/DSC_0055+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I managed to capture this one of a Great Blue Heron.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbZJQaPfsGJ7F6G4F50RQ_dzPCIPzEjTXVG27CJVbxF0VolIcW5MgOuf_BULa7X1WWUfZkI0K9gpBurR_DIRxPPy4If_81aFrHavefugOVMLqexosn6M8RpBcCC7sYEK2bkPjNbHjzUQ7/s1600/DSC_0078+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbZJQaPfsGJ7F6G4F50RQ_dzPCIPzEjTXVG27CJVbxF0VolIcW5MgOuf_BULa7X1WWUfZkI0K9gpBurR_DIRxPPy4If_81aFrHavefugOVMLqexosn6M8RpBcCC7sYEK2bkPjNbHjzUQ7/s640/DSC_0078+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this one of a mother with one of her nestlings.<br />
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I love how graceful they are in flight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8-L35D207WpS4ytr05xSaJinvOWSykVagfMjariwRPg0yylNEqgpsqYROHQDmE3lWy3KfMgjqp-8L3iIo5E89cPL3TsU9r-Y_I5iur3fMy62GoNf7LnVPZK8HmmOpJiolzqAdpT4bL5K/s1600/DSC_0021+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8-L35D207WpS4ytr05xSaJinvOWSykVagfMjariwRPg0yylNEqgpsqYROHQDmE3lWy3KfMgjqp-8L3iIo5E89cPL3TsU9r-Y_I5iur3fMy62GoNf7LnVPZK8HmmOpJiolzqAdpT4bL5K/s640/DSC_0021+copy+2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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I found this on the beach one evening and thought it was pretty
cute.</div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD_3_oK1uI1POC1LxGDWHEHFxNcNv7w_W_s3fODgR4TCuobbAziZp510p3f2SeLhD89NGJxU272B44BIlQrqUyS61M2bNQDzIsNcjjLvl3B37z_QfSZWi8G2IN0hkEhLGX_WNnQvqZyNF/s1600/DSC_9989+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD_3_oK1uI1POC1LxGDWHEHFxNcNv7w_W_s3fODgR4TCuobbAziZp510p3f2SeLhD89NGJxU272B44BIlQrqUyS61M2bNQDzIsNcjjLvl3B37z_QfSZWi8G2IN0hkEhLGX_WNnQvqZyNF/s640/DSC_9989+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is a Great Egret that came right up to our table at a
waterfront restaurant one day.</div>
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Love that green.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyzAIiQyEjRaOo_0dxRrAFRjViGOEjiJ5U_vPgAT3-rIxGHRZYlADZ1AHhUesIAfR4c703OO0pJNOH9fLFB7Wro_LuY2wN9WIrbnZ3JtnrmAJat7yMZoMzPeJhfbRP7KjeVKAX19mpCi2/s1600/DSC_9911+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyzAIiQyEjRaOo_0dxRrAFRjViGOEjiJ5U_vPgAT3-rIxGHRZYlADZ1AHhUesIAfR4c703OO0pJNOH9fLFB7Wro_LuY2wN9WIrbnZ3JtnrmAJat7yMZoMzPeJhfbRP7KjeVKAX19mpCi2/s640/DSC_9911+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Wish I had a bigger lens sometimes because I could have gotten a much better
shot of the elusive Roseate Spoonbill if I had. Caught this one in flight at
Myakka River State Park while on a boat tour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTpYnII_k7iCbGogJ66jYMh2yq0W7JhFUFogGPfkMGGTyZs_QAzzpWDXZ2LvvpTmPI7QoLToR3CzlOWBcHuSDmzRtwht5evJaIXTEC6320FhQvpPVABno0s_zWkGGOQmqh9kzQbK2emkG/s1600/DSC_9929+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTpYnII_k7iCbGogJ66jYMh2yq0W7JhFUFogGPfkMGGTyZs_QAzzpWDXZ2LvvpTmPI7QoLToR3CzlOWBcHuSDmzRtwht5evJaIXTEC6320FhQvpPVABno0s_zWkGGOQmqh9kzQbK2emkG/s640/DSC_9929+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is one of my favorites from my bird shots. A Great Blue Heron coming
down for a landing with ruffled feathers galore. I love it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MljKjBdA3TeQc5nsz4eUWpQ3gel-G26BfDU3Ob9NBvPjHU55LbULi9p-P2UB8Bh_xx7zEHF4tPFg6mZAjyfS6sxhTGb3EW6JDmDPZ9EeTnQqnVhe4LMfpQVTCo4LN_nvNXD_fVFtFaDu/s1600/DSC_9972+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MljKjBdA3TeQc5nsz4eUWpQ3gel-G26BfDU3Ob9NBvPjHU55LbULi9p-P2UB8Bh_xx7zEHF4tPFg6mZAjyfS6sxhTGb3EW6JDmDPZ9EeTnQqnVhe4LMfpQVTCo4LN_nvNXD_fVFtFaDu/s640/DSC_9972+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We took a little tram ride through the park and this was a
pretty scene from my seat in the back row.</div>
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A sailboat glides through Venice Inlet on a beautiful afternoon.</div>
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I had a restful holiday over Christmas. Hope yours was good.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by today ~</div>
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Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-7471449727864419752015-11-25T09:22:00.001-05:002015-11-25T09:22:01.041-05:00Photos in November<p>Hold onto your hats folks, because I’m posting twice in the space of a week. Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are, but the fact is that I’ve been taking pictures again lately and wanted to share some of them with you. </p> <p>It’s the morning before Thanksgiving and our school is closed until Monday for a holiday break. Yesterday was Grandparents’ Day, a lovely tradition we honor at school and it’s always a nice way to spend the day before break. It’s crazy and hectic but so worth it to see the little ones with their grandparents or special friends. We always have an early dismissal so I used the afternoon to get my Thanksgiving food shopping done but realized this morning that I neglected to buy pecans. Now I have to run out again. Typical.</p> <p>The photos I’m sharing here were all taken within the month of November – one of my favorite months of the year. I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There’s good food, love of family, and no pressure to buy presents. It’s really quite lovely.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSnTwdjmEe6n3ZrygHpWPjW8Li1DK-w0kSAqbwU89XvjecMipfP5X77N2UPFy3mfrDsGtU0hwfwAmbJYytiVFoTEI1L5YVS5x5cCJP1FFe8DFPEtqy3tL3m8fC_OY4lkKobEGgUz4dAs/s1600-h/DSC_9592%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9592 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9592 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyDkSXG_k6lMnTxWIPt2I91Hkp8R5pvsuRIyE694oTQfb5fWMXfRPD8-2IxSrTL98S9PrzTHwYiQV6TLfNOkzA1jx2ikTFyNBc-UDC38TeopRGDESyJbTJCVigKJTO4iV1z3aD2dk9XE/?imgmax=800" width="683" height="467"></a></p> <p>I never rake leaves on this property as you can tell from this photo. The lawn service came a few days after this was taken and they mowed them into nothingness. The wind blows the rest of them away into the woods ~</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXdgdXYPMdrM1WNjkPPBQpPpyc159xuhajCi-FivIK2ESnsgs0RnztCvVVsKzgXxX-OhTILz_D3IqEAvaVpiwXvYkouRi6zmaNnY8x8DWCVH8xtDYO4M3lRC0QqbRONJtEb0k5GOOW2A/s1600-h/DSC_9589%252520copy%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9589 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_9589 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvgEfg1oRvde4ttr9hoE3UVcYLjoy4wyXbiRSc4CXQfsXiiwBsziyfQ4oXSkX85yB2GyTXhgKL5z0yYsAbVj2gwM_fP_OXd44p17sc6Q8sPW7pbbLMld_PLA6m7P98xlKSMJ7NsuFQBU/?imgmax=800" width="416" height="648"></a></p> <p align="center">This is the hickory tree and its pile of leaves.</p> <p align="center">I love the hickory tree in the front yard.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNsEeBtck60E7N-qP0sBdqaipXoQgs8v0w9zoAP5NXDvSNI55ReoJow39U8msciA58U8fnsnkZlH1cf_aLdq2x97jAdeo_Zm8RxJuGcUh5L19JqB0wa9CwYJ_vAeJUWGCQc0RnEsGJeg/s1600-h/DSC_9596%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9596 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9596 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkv3BBE78kSDjIe_Pnh0yLEIk2y1Qpqr_3pY_PHUcw_o_uA1hfKr-9KA1uG83W6z-Z3fvoIq_HKFi52M-8zB4ol1OZT1vVq5kvOqBZvMJi1-P7WRy9ZxWiViFraZehIlC08v3adzS8Gw/?imgmax=800" width="678" height="463"></a></p> <p align="center">And this guy.</p> <p align="center">Even though he rubs his neck in fox poop every time I give him a bath.</p> <p align="center">My friends asked how I knew it was fox poop and not some other poop.</p> <p align="center">I just know that it is. I caught him rolling in it once and it’s right in the line that the fox travel on the property.</p> <p align="center">It’s fox poop.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKzlB0563W7XK8YWpwV6jz3_lo5lIaNxfBUsU1FyxcusCvZEIYhVPTwPNXGyr0vDgofWckHpQHCOrJ50quByaGCbiDW9acqItu9DBaOBIhVmkInsHcJfl2ydl0egV7vdWE6MZnJD_fIbO/s1600-h/DSC_9613%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9613 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_9613 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiif9c6RhGgGP3Cj7-oZAAetjx-b5mjQzlj1FCAs-A2CK-BNHaP4vYlNuZPx93_mbu3mFtDpNsD1hyphenhyphenN6R0zbkFwJf-7idORzL-Q3r0FHgzeiP0CEWVCtiIYQkNqK58LIKA7u3jzuepwwhM/?imgmax=800" width="587" height="501"></a></p> <p>Blackie is a sweet girl, even sweeter now because she puts up with the new kitty. He seems to adore her and follows her everywhere. When she’s had enough, she lets him know and he’s clever enough to stop.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILsWp2Br0Q-_KRh27DNIdFjsFvnvwy1qzEApqnvCFNntb3V7iIt_sf3if5P44OwbGYmIubO8UPnqqa5fEbIJ9kFgARLkTL9hLuBKdhYZBL1lkL6yMkvuAWYIZYSXFgYZniffl7EA5omA/s1600-h/IMG_0836%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0836" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0836" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzzOudU8Go26nEUtEJbofkP7TdKKfeSIpPOT2LZzXxcZ9uoWUm0JfBUQJQkAtYyNHzJqU2LOezQZ_EA_ykZb1GZCRh8PG90kjBoPKBfZxdZrOMNEKkPMJhb93jyeHouBEITP_64bhzTo/?imgmax=800" width="519" height="404"></a></p> <p align="center">He is a snuggler and loves to be held and pet.</p> <p align="center">Blackie . . . not so much.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KcgboD9sfYneRYC-V_4KVVMq9ziVTZucRzyQqxkM4B_bq9-HrIQN5DTQSdOp2hYQbWDZpROZ1r-3EOgDepIbHNUa_yjQBbtt_4Y4cYgLe2l_uNq6l3ZBIhGZa908jMiqvAZkcnccYkU/s1600-h/DSC_9633%252520copy%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9633 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9633 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipp93WBKJWsr8KP532xMxR5wqFIPrzx1z8ikQHIPRasiMBKhOSKfY_Qg_OIgeL5mjTd2jySlbdELPuy0vEsu_J3NXVWk94eLfZDIs1Zt4qAEnyx6Y6EB7epNuxi3bINRl1eqp2QyOzWJE/?imgmax=800" width="682" height="471"></a></p> <p align="center">Hickory branches in the morning light.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1QLDdoti-JU5kL8XYVE9SqPtep0m36QND7rtdnf3cmZr50AUMI3H0Nb1_OiNdrVZZcNk50IbRLEZQWG9fhtB42qya46jnj7XY4zJOfzTyurho-vmr0PKHahPWAPTuJ2hLl9cZbww6s4/s1600-h/DSC_9636%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9636 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9636 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDkYO3VYtFvmXNv0BGNvbfungRXmjV0_wRy8vECw7fwuhhZ_LWGBSPnLV1z7IA4SDbQOJUEMj8QwWL5RTgNCVheWsd45tBjh-bhiJcKTHvZ_zW3CvUcOGp0kwzu3QG4fGC3fwm8SGMFk/?imgmax=800" width="680" height="465"></a></p> <p align="center">And border collie in the morning light.</p> <p align="center">: : :</p> <p>One of my favorite things (and if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times) is enjoying my coffee on the lawn in the morning. I will wrap myself up if it’s cold, but the feel of the sun on my face is just wonderful. I toss the stick or a frisbee to George and the cats come around for cuddles. And life feels good.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNT5_hjlGQ3Pfv5MJfFnxjfjJ-c-Sz-wr3HXT7JSVMUiBcb5OAqpepnjuAlk6gmJcfWdFCVKmEXVtmK6dPtqO7n9R3HNH4rwZYQ_cNsmMmO4lk2a-8I90ymfGYQcU_UJTw5W6_ZRurqo/s1600-h/DSC_9652%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9652 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_9652 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteOaeppdSj2k1mjAHAeL0Wl_ZrchAR3nlckrFE2NjARJ-keXkNJvpRPdgwD5b2vFpSnf2gZii3OTNmVYS-0y1RpRLKAcr1IJcMVMGWSMQQSWw2-M0VlLVCtAVsW8SWzMpQrjnHyabyTn7/?imgmax=800" width="502" height="769"></a></p> <p align="center">The setting sun.</p> <p align="center">* sigh *</p> <p> </p> <p>I have a number of things slated for today, some of which include making two of what have become my signature Thanksgiving dishes. I am really not a fan of pumpkin pie, but when I found this recipe years ago, I realized how good pumpkin pie can be. This recipe calls for a layer of caramelized apples topped with a layer of pumpkin goodness. I posted the recipe here:</p> <p><a href="http://chroniclesofacountrygirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/pumpkin-pie-with-secret-layer.html">Pumpkin/Apple Pie</a></p> <p>I’m also making a glazed sweet potato casserole this year which I’ll let you know whether or not is a hit. This is the recipe that calls for the pecans I so inadvertently forgot. I’m also bringing an autumnal salad that’s got a poppy seed dressing that is so delicious. A relative gave me this recipe:</p> <p><a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/contest-winning-festive-tossed-salad">Festive Tossed Salad</a></p> <p>I’d better get a move on and get this day started. To everyone in the States ~ I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow. To everyone else ~ I hope you enjoy your weekend to come. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. It’s always appreciated.</p> <p align="center">Until next time ~</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPGTIaYa3TuC9oZC51OIv35267G8vLny3WiDP211e7wSr1N6XUYf548iPRlBuHrVQ0kuwCOoQIANGA7C9Qa7158PNulKHKauNyKOtSBy_Z8u-Lge31NfykjoUtibNemz9PbzGsotx9rA/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1ljnfBMllpw/VlXEB7zAQwI/AAAAAAAAczc/6QkK-9jxp0Y/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="74"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-73846974953623610232015-11-21T08:56:00.001-05:002015-11-21T08:56:24.835-05:00Nothing gold can stay<p>It’s been over a month since I’ve posted here and all I can say is that all is well, all is quiet, all is calm. Well, it usually is, anyway. And it’s been a beautiful autumn.</p> <p>I have been doing much and my weekends are full. In fact, in a couple of hours I’ll be off on another quick trip – this time to visit my sister who lives a couple of hours north of here. I’m going to see a local play with her, one in which she’s helped in creating the wardrobe for the actors. I was so looking forward to sleeping in this morning and not getting up until 7:30 or (gasp) even 8. But someone furry woke me at my usual time and after letting him out, I found I could not fall back to sleep. </p> <p>And so I got up and made some real coffee. I usually use the Keurig machine that my husband bought for me years ago. It’s quick and it’s easy and although it gets the job done of waking me up, the coffee never tastes like something out of this world. But this morning, I had some extra time because the sun wasn’t even up yet ~ and so I brewed freshly ground coffee beans that I keep in the freezer and poured boiling water over them into my husband’s old Melitta coffee pot. And my stars, was it ever delicious.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk_orR8M8pfXnBsjTGXU41upcEv6OwdCIPOJ9HTjqigQmHwXV3HK2h7OJ1GgrtzrqoA_bGIPgrXB3yyA_breaQrpDDv2n3sNpwov9gM0nb9Chz5_JAs-hTPU_XWOpYcCIqTaB1NlXlg-N/s1600-h/DSC_9631%252520copy%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9631 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_9631 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqc1PE84siVll26rAYWAkN3LkZw05rot5SRoFKxb14gwl78DYa5icx9VMS5_Dqe46vJEwmwpngoJ3dZgqpj3nb2q4bdDZ9AXj3irwusJsFmeo7ekQ1aHjnowk2dA-94sWTmkG71k5Zlh0/?imgmax=800" width="502" height="780"></a></p> <p>And I took it outside and set up a chair in the line of the sun, and in my coat and scarf and fingerless gloves, I watched as the sun rose on my little world here on top of a hill in Maryland. And as I tossed a stick to my furry friend, I felt that all was right with the world. </p> <p>It’s just an illusion with everything going on in our world today, but watching the sunrise on a beautiful fall day just feels good. </p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p><em>Nature’s first green is gold,<br>Her hardest hue to hold.<br>Her early leaf’s a flower;<br>But only so an hour.<br>Then leaf subsides to leaf.<br>So Eden sank to grief,<br>So dawn goes down to day.<br>Nothing gold can stay.</em> <p>~ Robert Frost</p></blockquote> <p align="center">Thank you for continuing to stop by. Until next time ~ <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BxcXPSJyAKDDYLNQne-NXQk5pUtxlE1e_9CUUaDyKcO5v4ZPQlvIznT_9BAQDvfZwwNeqMmnGSbWmuSjVrt1a2x9pbHDbd0-O_PSu28zneV3E-LxkJPbrJDkvUjH_oxMRAaeKqe8Xh4/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4bua8qh-AHS5XiZc-WNDTxkqsvRJ27ycNCrlVYoc5KTPTv5AWeOgYD9NAwVKAkLJKrdbMop1b6SJeLNI10JQd5hbqclfy48myoGrJq6WYdSv9xl9z59tlEmLvsI7cokH4kANQ22l1RE/?imgmax=800" width="154" height="55"></a> <p>(I spied this little hickory nut hanging on for dear life on the end of the branch and went back inside for the camera while the morning light was still right).</p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-685331270090669662015-10-18T14:21:00.001-04:002015-10-18T14:21:11.010-04:00Am I in heaven here or . . .<p>Greetings from Maryland on a crisp, chilly October day. As I write this, the clouds have moved in so rather than take my Kindle outside to read a bit, I decided to stay in and actually write a post . . . something that’s been long overdue. Because here’s what I think:</p> <p>Thank God for this blog.</p> <p>When I am feeling down, which thankfully is not all that often, I can go back and read about happier times. It’s also a resource for photo storage. What I mean is that I’m one of those people who detests filing. And my photos are filed by month and year. This has been working for me, especially since I have this blog – because when I forget when I took that one certain photo that I’m searching for, I can run a search on my blog and voila – the date of the post shows up and when I hover over the photo, I now have the image number. Unfortunately, all too often it’s a photo that was lost in the Great Hard Drive Crash of 2011 – what I call what happened when I lost 85% of the photos I’d taken since 2006. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONgB6vADjmKxnX5qF2ZSpSd2LVKcugrjXAqMuJanxHsLd93H3SneCGzIJefA4GyOm6u3Xd32RGxZUTF3Kjw5xcnZPfOuC5ECAUbVTADP9zCX-nbgHmnRDotMQkPjZ4EHpF_SPthX47yQ/s1600-h/IMG_0517-copy-25.jpg"><img title="IMG_0517 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0517 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9c2PWGrT3tSPQSQEbPOPEkcutKBIqNa-nXnR7VCFW_-hz1y1Wi9S9cehnpTGQS6lqAYxDPYeTEwLNzhIFYHWkivJ039L_LyMzLJ1Acf0LgSdKjCrg5DX8WKDRaLvpeaP2EbwS918mqo/?imgmax=800" width="681" height="532"></a></p> <p>When that happened, I was pretty upset but was going through a difficult time with my husband’s illness which overshadowed the photo issue. Besides, I had some key pictures saved on what I thought was a cloud with a company that I will not mention (because it’s not their fault). Unfortunately, last month all of these key photos were lost – deleted – from said company. Why? Because I didn’t purchase something from them in the time frame stated on their policy. </p> <p>I actually cried when I found out. My husband’s cardinal – the female cardinal in snow – that he took and I edited and sold so many copies of – was gone. I contacted my gallery and told them I didn’t think I could do this anymore (to which they said that they hoped I would change my mind). I closed down my etsy site (because all of my photos for sale were on said company’s website and were now gone). The company told me to simply upload them all again. But I couldn’t . . . because they were lost in the crash.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqV9gd_FDjXNNcU50JjxkH-4P8I2xx9IuDTdycK2Df4ZKtKkJaybn7Y97KRF6Cdf5UcV4o_uhQ5VYOoLy-zkbYQlQkifh_dwPZsLhLtH0sU0Ak3DxBLCBvFAuCP7cD7s5PMehSn0cTd0/s1600-h/IMG_0524-copy-24.jpg"><img title="IMG_0524 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0524 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgnBAbe_6QXDBeBJZ1N7W3H9nVbWUbojYWZ3bW0x-IcVDrM9oRjYB5UbkV27WObue4CGwdswoRqca6yXL80L3Xh70Shv5aKzrh3i3gpNebmpCM5ngJLKSzK_iobYehp4Bc-Rb-ewhBJU/?imgmax=800" width="682" height="469"></a></p> <p>Or so I thought. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo23vTK_ovnPx3rkD5Pa3xXwvcEJ03dpfGDs-25eiLrSsdoL01kiAAF7Wem8P8KKizul5z7VNvgVCFsWbnJ3dlTaZDWS2UL3647qqH3htSptfHr7aqWmjvaqyyIhUVkyS6S8n9O_QesEw/s1600-h/IMG_0515-copy-24.jpg"><img title="IMG_0515 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0515 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_rJ-p9fLk_nN5Eq467TwR8pIrLiExfZF1uCs5CMWoVSkA0c0hmh1wzbKocGIAEdtHKYt4EYwWOA2hbV54Kpw66gk68vLOalBvoTNWn1eYl905r_kpIEKp5VyL2vj6B36jjncwRBk5k8/?imgmax=800" width="684" height="470"></a></p> <p>I found the cardinal this weekend. I remembered that I’d e-mailed it years ago to a publication for cancer patients. The full resolution size was in my gmail account! And my bluebird . . . and my mourning dove . . . and my hawks . . . all found because of the blog and my filing system by dates. I still don’t have all of them but that just means I need to start taking pictures again. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1apVY8Cw3BgAInp0CZvjXxNhEOh2yC063KEAzAPrXwjafHgLswvdEguyBQdxA1XFJ1EPzlzkIXnB5bnzdEAh4fzobCu92tXS_HSl66j9fZxz1Vo0650jkGbzKK4JUfXWh-AZXU5b0QcFq/s1600-h/IMG_0513-copy-24.jpg"><img title="IMG_0513 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0513 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNPZbiJ60lycH88IV7eD3KE9hPCLgIUw8FmN8pphnAnHTjeW-sVy-SEAft4S5s19dVnJs1k1PlGuVJA6cmwIJkPF9MpfCN4CuIjipjH3QpNsiPpMc44F1DjixoO2viQNTPjbNkRpzGZI/?imgmax=800" width="685" height="525"></a></p> <p>These were all taken over the weekend using my iPhone 6 and edited with Photoshop for the most part. It was beautiful this morning and most of yesterday and I took George for a ride in the car to run errands, taking the long way through beautiful countryside. </p> <p>I saw a starling murmuration (see example at end of post) and slowed down to watch, noticing that several other cars had done the same. It was like watching a graceful ballet with thousands of little birds all synchronized in flight and it was absolutely stunning. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b1UegCx738-Uyd3XLT_TeqI6eCAzYl4CR8XJGeeuG-s8-Hd1a_YZxZMDH77yg3Rk185eh-MRIQfiKMvAzYcRvunAzD3eIeNd6HojwPIc9_Egp8az130gKqREhTUAqKIGMufo1vN7rZPV/s1600-h/IMG_0545-copy-24.jpg"><img title="IMG_0545 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0545 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rMkwWigBTqgJUhQz-Gq-n01ymfvqo6IuyGpRBUp5QIaFdUsmWFJbgUa9Pd5Fmj9K-1yYKCMuYN4iD_YXTZBLUNOO7SRRauPnYEhae5STBAZpy_gsH95ZO2i8HdnYl2pqhTWQ3wkswxI/?imgmax=800" width="686" height="529"></a></p> <p>I took this one coming up the driveway this morning after a trip to a grocery store a few towns over. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqez4DP_gjxYrDCZXehQr_M88vpprTFqfAvl_kD-bfjsyumXuvYiXAPCGQCr8UQaprbeOIhlP1X7XCWGC5zCTvBAXDgWPbUKS67-lzrPFF96Jp_Njpsk7ONM8ofMXmFUGDvlSf114obY/s1600-h/IMG_0492-copy-24.jpg"><img title="IMG_0492 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0492 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp5dY7KG39aTDmvflYNqqLPhJzjL8n-rNSvNSzdUAywWoxT8QfZHFNvgibJaezac-jzIt716oWZq0THsGpAHhVXcy2ZyPqEXWr1aUePwkLsAw6bKUCE0T8FttvL7AOVpxS9-JwBTl1OgC/?imgmax=800" width="423" height="432"></a></p> <p>One thing I love on a weekend morning: If the sun it out, no matter how cold it is, I like having my coffee outside. I will wrap myself up in a blanket and wear a coat, hat, and gloves if I need to – but it’s really nice just listening to the birds and watching them go from tree to tree. The distinct sound of a pileated woodpecker, geese flying overhead, nuts falling from the trees and squirrels scampering about.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZW3bVDEBvItuA_dKeALpHNQ2DojuuspdIQ9xJzkXbazwQS1FzQHy2RJ9a75XXMP7EBOQkNIXiXcNJ6jJSutGGbTipw7GU30EHAWWh02aUd17cAX7LrN1IcHNsNFAU15AjzpJs_P0DnHY/s1600-h/IMG_0485-1-copy-24.jpg"><img title="IMG_0485 (1) copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0485 (1) copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhiERoCdS_UnAIUjN58fOAZnflDvZ2KVdtoYAFBOz_tMWueOtF9PmUFXQu5MvoO1zfc8hUCcZ9QPXVyAmbuZC0SQlkJo2dDI40CYFyaawQy74p2_T6kd3hxCQFqP3QQEdFHquKO5lMvA/?imgmax=800" width="425" height="578"></a></p> <p align="center">Hello, my friend.</p> <p>For supper I’m making a roast pork loin and some butternut squash soup which I plan on packing for lunches this week. I’m making an apple crisp for dessert and will probably take some to work tomorrow. If I leave it here, I may end up eating the whole thing.</p> <p>And life is good.</p> <p align="center">Hope you are, as well. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX0tyxBzUSxBzQ6xY4Bcmtx4Xwky4nFrPd5MlvspUOnTd8XxgGN3ggT6Al1xkanueneGkmmEMFYO6Wiiq6EZY97OgqELnXtqK5ZWAaI0i0Mo2QJkgg7LJQTwFaYl5xrI_vdZuAjnvpynC/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UCCxMLQJbTsyfJiYklGBvsPa8NhqYgQMW2dJCsj2VClc4Az6Ig0_qIYV_iIFOPVxTFG4YbkqCmHwCYbTdmw26sHJ1uj1M3CPN1o1FVm3fYMHhHOkGrSrMRrAJZ6UlkQrRIPcW7UJQ54/?imgmax=800" width="186" height="66"></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakKfY5aHmY">A Starling Murmuration</a></p> <p>Post heading is from <em>Hold On </em>by Sarah McLachlan.</p><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-91719158679466765312015-09-13T18:55:00.001-04:002015-09-13T18:55:57.708-04:00Hello it’s me<p>It’s been a decent weekend and today’s weather has been fairly glorious. I woke to chilly temperatures, enough to warrant a light jacket while enjoying my coffee outside on the patio. I took my time waking up, knowing that come tomorrow, it’s back to work and a busy week ahead.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfKLMYe0vT-Yoz8asFeIAPQKhMmcTRrHvfZJtZhzmnUAcp-pKBBwzRheZ_Gpr9_lkFkEpxhzP3o8J9GVHnSbJ6oyK3sgror_A9u5u3yZXAt4lXx6FLQJHoJgAeV6ZmJHoGQa3njTAfHg/s1600-h/DSC_9528%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9528 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9528 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nyOZsGH5EeZzNI-Dgd4aCNbYXJh3jVpdHdzjZzvlpUxJLkvBw_VI29RSktO6NS54geAG8T_6qbjkM8FuGvaEBHmTHaAhecEewKzu3_tKM3_W_yLNAGa1oDkxeDLFtaOEVbUmdDCBLxk/?imgmax=800" width="669" height="460"></a></p> <p>I found some wild morning glories growing in some weeds on the property and snapped this with my macro lens and my trusty Nikon.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SWs9XGLDiK2Im5_l1JK7737LxuklHUESOeSjXFvI-B6lO08H2h-zU02303LmEEP_zx87HjWocwhkOhx4wRVjlDrrWezy3TzJ3sS20VWzVbtgjOklQHQCwSkjE6QEtTf99eRVUEkmj8g/s1600-h/IMG_0343%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0343 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0343 (1)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhEaKWwRdOMJ13NcOe5ZkH755pdQ-_VlaUmhKkEnMVq5uXYw66kn32MlK9ULFgrtmvFue4F1DsBSC4DoGKigOvYFAcroYqt7W0TnlGMkfqegUutc2GSXkaD4tVtUkcLAYKscggcTyilQ/?imgmax=800" width="672" height="686"></a></p> <p>And I baked an apple pie. I never thought of myself as an actual cook but there are some things that I make that don’t require me reading a recipe. This pie is one of them. And hot damn, it is delicious. Recipe here:</p> <p><a href="http://katespictureaday.blogspot.com/2009/12/apple-pie-that-wins-hearts.html">{favorite apple pie}</a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">And because it felt so much like fall today, I roasted a chicken.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIgokLoFyDO8Zh0ZGoDGE7RBbhww24AyA56IQxgnk18WnJY-QD07PS85woc8Zp1WbwhubvD5PVsqOOmI4LX2YGgmbyfc-Jli_S3C3b5Q4IDTrarb3XMcPSd98ZGZ2l5qqiUxl-FXFudCj/s1600-h/RoastedHerbChicken750-624x708%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="RoastedHerbChicken750-624x708" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="RoastedHerbChicken750-624x708" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOXOUpRMcFrqMacQESVL9ep69NgRNHVqEtYV-WtfUTUN2Dx_-Khyphenhyphen2RJ9jpx3l7eBubrsquA-ie0LrramzmavVUVTN7TDs5l0FCy7MXXd3pdWZk_wLHXdLXVcXI72HLNgoLuhbvipRqtU/?imgmax=800" width="543" height="628"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>image courtesy <a href="http://www.tasteloveandnourish.com/">taste love and nourish</a></em></p> <p>This is a fabulous and easy recipe. I made a separate dish of roasted vegetables using tiny little yellow potatoes, onions, and carrots. And I made gravy for the first time in my life. I am in my late 50’s and I’ve never made gravy before. It was excellent and I can’t believe how easy it was. Jeez Louize. Here’s the recipe:</p> <p><a href="http://www.tasteloveandnourish.com/2013/04/30/roasted-herb-de-provence-chicken/">{Roasted Herbs de Provence Chicken}</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Ok, now. Everybody who knows me in real life (and maybe even here on this blog) knows that I’m an Outlander fan. I love the books, the Starz show on TV, and I’m missing it dreadfully. I can’t believe I have to wait until early spring 2016 for the next season to begin. A friend took pity on me, recommending a historical drama on PBS that she thought might be up my alley. </p> <p>And oh my gosh . . . it is. It’s no Outlander, and Ross Poldark is no Jamie Fraser but he’s a good man and this is a beautifully filmed production. The title character returns to England after nearly dying while fighting against the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. He finds his home in shambles and the woman he loves engaged to another. As he begins to rebuild his life, facing almost insurmountable obstacles, he finds love where he least expects it.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3HbV4ySSpXS0NwpSBwuwDyd9fLi_y0vW3lZoe6JMj-hIEMOmNHAOKM7nSV98e5N74C6KVCZ1RP3y4jbGHx6wQI_Wom0897KVJvOTqK2Yr-sgpSjRv0B8rja9gOy0dTRhEAyefChti8Pj/s1600-h/Aiden_new_3213459b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR07jyVZjh3oizehoGxuLqFw2fE5-McucaXPTnZ3MPh1Y8PPedfNtUKwUb-IBJkFCFnvXBzPK5O236SLVlPlQOLshhBm7J5mCBAKcDybSWAMZ2zy3BTZ9Xr-sPFWGou8eyTZvYxngkMU/?imgmax=800" width="661" height="427"></a></p> <p>The scenery is exquisite and it’s filmed against the rugged and beautiful backdrop of Cornwall’s coastline. Highly recommend this series, although I’m only on season 1, episode 4. I’ve been watching it here: <a href="http://uk.watchallchannels.com/poldark-episode-1/">{Poldark}</a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzFLrOwT3AAKir3VMQT3hbmPTeZH7TaLXLwbrn4g0rrV4eks6EaWz1bfOwz6An5z5fLXQ206jtXMTJqb6VHyU_MI-lmcJ4NdlwNIxICRWkYpBUUg3Ey34Q3wT0LRiGYtdfWWo_HLJ1OY/s1600-h/IMG_0338%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0338" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPtbQtRIcL8VFe7NvVMuU6T6dTYQzX9h3IAp5nXhi5VUeiI4rxnFV6efpTuNuMpnzYWCPVJiaArA7VXh48pv-EAbsun4AJsnwOlqlcYBsTTMYR9k9UBSIVhcEu58VxI23T8LQJLBKLJ8/?imgmax=800" width="337" height="349"></a></p> <p align="center">And lastly, I have a new favorite drink. It’s called a Moscow Mule. </p> <p align="center">Pour a little vodka over ice, then splash on some ginger beer and top with a squirt of lime.</p> <p align="center">Delicious ~</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9sNWVDw9QvkCkVG8L5Ne3WbPa2KGw4gBdNaFNq-e5DsA_jovCsUq7EgwhUNtAR99FrvejHGLJXhpwvyz4llwjWq7bNcwxj5FeQ_QPPtASUUhjPOSzeRmRcr3FWcsEbxihQ0FQ79VPZs/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTDVK9OgnQAHbrJF86cIIWMq89WQ_4cukqVV-qaPr7-67KcmURkb6QMVPcRCNrdFFlzweBcw2GFzhwGyTfxmNaEZ6rY_uEmcvbuIpn3myva8IfeSHw5D8OqIhW2ClRkSZpmGhVo2LuP4/?imgmax=800" width="181" height="64"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-43895224133257761582015-09-06T14:43:00.001-04:002015-09-06T14:43:58.683-04:00A walk in the park<p>Today I took George for a walk in Battery Park, which lies along the Delaware River in Olde Town New Castle, DE. It’s about a half hour drive from my home and it was 72 degrees and gorgeous. </p> <p>I’d never been to this colonial coastal village before and plan on going back this fall to get some photos of the buildings because they are simply charming. It reminds me a little bit of Williamsburg and even Federal Hill in Baltimore. I was looking for a walk where I could bring a dog, somewhere near the coast so I could feel the breeze and when I got out of the car, the first thing that hit me was the scent. It was fresh and salty and perfect.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DPRFoVUL0TsuG652waKIpUj88cAHaUmEu-xIKgEOeUos9w8seim4zl4QJvsxnhlmlhFPxMUUd2F6cIHOsRg6FDpWhR_n5I66Lnur34H60BLQ1RIR3AAhpy9oBYoELASSZZjTP1EJj0o/s1600-h/DSC_9464%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9464 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9464 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz5nnXO8ooUZIzaxIK1yGXXQenS8oA6KUZNH7BTVi3Yt3MA4NAscGZ_98fzWsF0IZci8YkOQIhMb-K8NzkmPoVpmrNZRPLB5eV3LVxq219KY9XHNqD-JcJruFoo-SvPHcnVFLGn8vMQY/?imgmax=800" width="684" height="470"></a></p> <p align="center">It was early yet and the park wasn’t very crowded which was good because I could get clear landscape shots.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_L8HeVqmvJTW7JEp3-TPAIwc8-QCSNwRUHi_g4xQuYIbiNHPq-ehELqRMEAJCFPCBOcm9vd1doGWE0mQNeKGxLE4OFx1eVsIyF9Kq9XVoPYt50GgONyWvSQRbkuPeBI_QieuamUOsF_k/s1600-h/DSC_9463%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9463 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9463 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU7a26OgZ6nyaKE8xr_ARKsvtIidKSOkSQuLWc2kL7Nsc8jd2_r75Q70rAMzAOjztD7HkslLvwJFV7fex_udADvPc1puU0MfOPV2WpZMoqkYeI20QbbjsTmh9_zaEXt8ziGM2dP_hOmg/?imgmax=800" width="684" height="470"></a></p> <p align="center">There’s a little beach but it doesn’t allow swimming or wading. On closer inspection, it was full of goose feathers.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-ET2x2xI7laKTm06GNOTEA8NZlsPCxc8TcMg61ygqoS3YmPTi04jR-EAltBy3De6gMXDH0yBnZrilPZ_WgTo5qpe7NbKZVIW19VXSBBO8Hb6E67SdKlOSR8HCVbIPlW7RFGdOg0EExo/s1600-h/DSC_9482%252520copy%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9482 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_9482 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VYd0ioCD-w5lwZ9ttrUqCeLED7hoOoLsU17jR5o7RPw_-la5CLqWnp1YqitA1J1uW5CFvcChKX3hrU3pF4OE573oreZr8QDDI4aYb1bhtSQ2P0hnpTktMuG-6v1a8-auiu5UUAKPFFU/?imgmax=800" width="437" height="679"></a></p> <p align="center">Flocks of Canada Geese were in attendance.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24gOZqwls0Q92cKHj5OjNF7M557YQEKn-k4-LlgvpqugO5hyOynvLDKp45rBO2icAWe6A1lovRIDU9zcGwHHxHldXz5jtg2k9dxnww4aiNBtPhZMAkfKz3b7eI_KWWVvYbqMCshn__54/s1600-h/DSC_9494%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9494 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9494 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L7ulWvsteGvZPfoyKQoxe2xugK8HuAKQ8uCMvA2my8Gl9_VlJv6e4TLZmjG7t28Uf41QRrF9mvvZQuSfjqRXEYud6JS8WY3zWY5EbJNuv1pmmS6uWrIVxi7fudLtsH0kQmHg5Vv8ng5k/?imgmax=800" width="678" height="463"></a></p> <p align="center">And it was lovely sitting along the shore on a piece of driftwood and watching their graceful landings.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeab1bvntYLzsq0SUImBrevWqbJ6-NjxLDILGEecrNfP91UmKnYTqX5uOoEpzahyVwFMB3XPcnTNcZ10glT8SpxxnIwIzOBSV10mSmZlph1D3x2pyM3P8F2SbYVYZ5OQSABxx5i1qVTeE/s1600-h/DSC_9504%252520copy%2525202%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9504 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9504 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5JFLY0q2RKizxM-KUuUz9VzSQFNyD71soPI0lH7wlTSLaUwk31FFkZlSOJm_juYZdHhB5a0oiHCJY7ok8r8v3BKIdNnhWIuwsBwbHSHY_3_tfsM1r1993NftnR1yaUyW3hXGhyQjn7M/?imgmax=800" width="680" height="465"></a></p> <p align="center">They seemed to revel in soaking themselves and then looking for bits to eat.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvvtl11TbiLeNxQ4R3Ps5K25Py-ZmTVU4QsEtUJmlOvuVOa5Aky4z7myM4qwy6lAE5VTX_kEzUsV3p9zDcRiti-zUJR_KHbJybKLZuICCsfloX9AmIduUg75cq0YWfIBZn6Tr6qOmUkg/s1600-h/DSC_9481%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9481 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_9481 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLOnWsMC6AO2O7sZx6gWLhAQZrnpWDBix5zPT4WNsFTVqNmI8p1cvNltd_LdEJt7IQq6iwxpPM0XROzm22VfyoH62t-vMzOa4GzVhHWXOyNvPx9fs5luFKs-iy5EQ-CVriU3CxfscGdw/?imgmax=800" width="458" height="701"></a></p> <p>There is a paved path that runs directly along the river with a large grassy space on the other side. People were riding bikes, or jogging, or sitting on benches, children were taking advantage of the playground, and every other person seemed to have a dog with them. There were several steps such as this as well.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK4W50jqHTLmwV72hcGcaMKBJ-7Xxd21j4QVbrtH5oiq68z4Yl7s-9rNYypZHl0vFbKlRnHZR0xmIBiZGhQDo-1gQdVwLE2dVTD3MYOzBLVdP3S_rymaAfFKHBMn9IP8Ca6aeqFM1Jh1P/s1600-h/DSC_9520%252520copy%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9520 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9520 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSCLymQ2-TNjh9o9NgGN9jO7o8ebOR1J_dard-yYNG-jK50zJG_SI1Fk042mPCWOJXK7YkkpPUNea9LrsuVfWfyW1EiS7wkIMpNYRldd58lV2wDaR_wqY-8dCao18Ji38sCWCYTpoHymk/?imgmax=800" width="683" height="472"></a></p> <p>After a bit, I sat on a bench and called my husband’s parents – something I’ve done every Sunday morning for years. Sometimes I would sometimes forget that it was Sunday and 10:30 and my husband, when he was alive, would always remind me. It was his way, too, of saying hello to his parents once a week. This morning, I hung up as this tanker was slowly making its way down the river, heading south to meet the Atlantic Ocean and points unknown.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooz23WyEo6uWnUUz4MNOvURebDFNfGXtPZM4M7GeMzIyHVG0yjxQYjsXmhmydOs_mFClhJlot7AEaeZGuosVJvDMzQpdCKTNzOMKvNfdCysBqARM0pequ4bAMus38VaKmbzAl7sPcWOk/s1600-h/DSC_9480%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9480 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_9480 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yhDQHj8QHx_iKiKRUG32reM6dvg4vWcemt1sWnKK6ES3iLTDsyxdKtxs4ga7rZh-wSwB_K1yY5afW1AVd4zzXUIhB2XIhZFKCtn04k0g8BmcbwhhIlQGxqMh9C11xRcjQq64vW8XUOyL/?imgmax=800" width="451" height="695"></a></p> <p align="center">There were also many large and beautiful trees, some marked with plaques as to their description.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ202zJnz_0AtO7PpUXQPqrMCQvwxQ4HdiB2Oyp-OEMHyRIQcLuUblWUsRPMx5cn6FOb2XeeeAT1_UWrPyj68IhT-6eABMHcFx1LK8wuP1_N8225Azp6U1ykTdb8M4toaegEHn1j82pk8/s1600-h/DSC_9516%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9516 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9516 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCqFRLHBP9yGNFjBcKTnyrBdvgLlvq8ghjJH9RhRy38xtX_Prm6d1nJSgJ3e32KPY64gbLC7uqQU7qbI3Xe201tnz4m5nEBRRsEGxiefxDfHJuhgG-ETXCfgOdklBUXYo3ZSBzQ3aYc0/?imgmax=800" width="681" height="468"></a></p> <p align="center">George seemed a little concerned at the fact that I might be leaving so I assured him I was only taking a picture.</p> <p align="center">He loved it here and I received lots of compliments on him which was unexpectedly nice.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12WkNSPS_B1gyfJ0coqQNV3FcLBc7XJ7tDCkifZhRV720JFMwsVEzKtvvw3cUBLAr3T5DgKafaF_PwQyvdmRI4jvG0oLNrQmjzEL3D2X1FB1Y0mMwmSUechgvyKdk8YLiHOR8K6Mw6PUm/s1600-h/DSC_9498%252520copy%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9498 copy 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9498 copy 3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFwGLpdRl4wAjY82pE025gQOHrX1hFe1YD0G7fBjq3C_11HIuD0DNZ6jdxOFOCM7mMLx6R7oOIZvEY9xiOb-3us8cr_ssULuCUx8TJaElGbyBwU0_ZjGLBbEpWL_FP3eQdOJ5hXrditV6/?imgmax=800" width="682" height="466"></a></p> <p align="center">What a beautiful start to a gorgeous September day.</p> <p align="center">Hope your Labor Day Weekend is a good one, my friends.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYhhUH6rlXusYNNChgwd5KK-nD-dtc6vBGJLPKgpadkJvrTgi_w3Xba6-IZOrBETLlWdmKX4R4zQ60fhFYF85lbaOPsrsn6cPSyiXXF1ACNYGqGlHDCTfoRsoK3_TUUa1yzjmssKsiyX1/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68LO57ULp6r7C_Yqv6EYmRcyaEmSphZ7qOu9LK1XhOxUBgHRYztv0sA42JjVDNoLv_Aat1FhUYdknVVZyfnSxPUqsSZdrM3jhKmqdxZciOghTBQ102SKH5_Xcf2FAG3cO21BvQUdhSvU/?imgmax=800" width="173" height="61"></a></p> <p align="center">And yes, I know – two posts in the space of a week. Bazinga!</p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-86945206060020211662015-09-01T20:38:00.001-04:002015-09-01T20:38:39.988-04:00For my sisters (and everyone, really)<p>I’m sure I’ve mentioned in the past that my three sisters and I write to each other on a regular basis. This is done via group e-mails and has been going on since our mother passed away in 2006. We have always been close, but it was her death that brought us closer and I’m sure she’d be glad to know that. </p> <p>I actually began this blog about a year later, in 2007, as a way to write to my sisters and incorporate photos I’d taken and wanted to share with them. It was private back then but they liked it and I was encouraged to open it to the public. And so I did. And I became extremely popular in the blogging world.</p> <p>I’m kidding. Just making sure you’re all still with me.</p> <p>* snort *</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6v56S6tGBxe2bd_0QJItojUuBrXYtap7OsCHcIK4X-0zkznFAn7-FLj1_55-9dmfp6DhbmTrD4cC5qDAbRG5aTZTLgeUlK8yurOWzHZrQHAvW99orNz7jb0uuVNjGhtJtygZrhZphII/s1600-h/DSC_9316%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9316 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9316 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-GIlEhVNtRKjLQ7vqzFbpyUpsRkIOybWSIrLnzd4IfLa3yfR7YXb7CPtXZqKB8W5-h6Q7Ped05b09J2eGOnDHvea0FeIZW7BJRpEVJckoMYDKHzFBgDjEAFfhThrmFXaHZzejnhDUOI/?imgmax=800" width="672" height="462"></a></p> <p>My sisters have been telling me how much they miss my posts. </p> <p>And after reading the latest group e-mail this morning where my youngest sister, Ginny, asked why I couldn’t just write once a month rather than not at all, it really made me think. I haven’t written anything since the first week of August. Good grief! </p> <p>And so here I am, coming to you live from the old manor house on the hill on a dark and quite warm night, with George at my feet, Miss Blackie in the windowsill seat nearby, and the gray kitty, who my son has named Squeakers, sitting on the rocking chair.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYpmNz_Cb6svA6rcznWV7zi8WCLI4ShYlrwMTff794XsP7t5rfrGuTUpgb3x0IZKeN_lizpCWqv5M9Eb_zYqVTeOAdyTWp_sgnlTaNCgUg5wj9tNKtbLJgOWBgQ_36kerme9XEalTOz0/s1600-h/DSC_9239%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9239 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9239 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmIlkox18v3Xi2bj6MP3L0HHe3Kik9yGV85JLowy84rS2AQA1rClChNXbzo3hHqva2ih59O8nKUPie3DpP7ZDUN4Nkvj7KPHVv5xTF5BZ9kTUrulpQjAj6OWXH2u4XyZR4VKm1coVzVw/?imgmax=800" width="672" height="462"></a></p> <p>I am sharing photos I’ve taken over the past month – the first three from a tour that I went on with my school this past weekend. We toured the Historic Tome School for Boys in Port Deposit, Maryland which was named a National Historic Site in 1984. It’s been crumbling for many years but the remnants of what it used to be are still there. The buildings were designed in the beaux arts style by one of the premier architectural firms of the times, Boring & Tilton. And the grounds and the Italian Gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5syjTywFD9dw0y1VdhWjq6jKujLwZhUCFAbmVnpKzqG5vYPDnGo4-2zmQAMqCt6aK3yBaisUxNvG_181k2Ad9f5yCFmbl2gmLu2_-M7zv2GjWHL2Dz-Y4zrW_uWapLDtcIWpAynko6M/s1600-h/DSC_9370-1%252520Photomerge%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9370-1 Photomerge copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9370-1 Photomerge copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVFlOSqdGWDgaC-zuPc3N1E4pqnpXSRaJwsp01C_IJdSghQA9CtzMbfv8OrxSPtdknBDJo2bzLTEo-hvAdmPGSD0JWp8qqCD6sDSacMZAkCfDu-AAqr7Yk8q6PKV-ZZmLf7sNELeZXeo/?imgmax=800" width="670" height="243"></a></p> <p>This is the old football field, looking toward the Susquehanna River which is through the trees and down the hill. The buildings surround the field. If you are interested in reading about the old school, which was one of the premier educational institutions on the east coast, here is a link:</p> <p><a href="http://www.bainbridgedevelopment.org/#!tome-school/cz0w">Bainbridge Development Corp – Tome School for Boys</a></p> <p>And if you want to see more of my photos taken that day, here is my Flickr link:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/katydid56/albums/72157658030752651">K.Young Photography Flickr – Tome School for Boys 2015</a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSELHwEdG7iRadlaG-U1C0_xo8jiPGEpFu57j1Zw_Ct7Gde4uVHmkK2OvarQVnleKdAhEagjmvwhHTaXvPdUX0TFu960Uh8YuJ3FWJ_jZt7EhT5l_-whkOTIrqAJG5Axu1J0N7lXdjrR8/s1600-h/vscocam-photo-1%252520%2525281%252529%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Processed with VSCOcam with 6 preset" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Processed with VSCOcam with 6 preset" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSNhCMQ3JlHz2mq7pLRfeCvfZidb4YEyD8ROp7SaFjhMt9Lip7iR2pg-TScHnDbYJrvnWSTNSpdYYxjkm1XKPfXVhIRsNtSpMjD4LhaORbAoT6T9GmWpPThzl0jFS8f8LiIgJaNVcaAI/?imgmax=800" width="669" height="516"></a></p> <p>The rest of the photos in this post were taken with my iPhone using VSCO Cam. (Thanks for telling me about it, <a href="http://onthem104.blogspot.com/">Daryl</a>). I’m not sure if you remember that I was working on this shade garden back in May but here it is in full bloom. That potted bush is actually a pussy willow that my husband rooted using a bunch of them that I’d brought home from the grocery store several years ago. I’m going to have to plant it in the ground . . . </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFBi51xRXu8hhCWVmBQuFPf8xV-q3FaS1PO0Aw6Pnd788u_sUCLbbClGS7Hh1Tbv52PyVapjYmNTNrroixiAp9ZEjL_yamzJmpneZkhC8my_i3KYBkepkEq7QWVX0rofoFoib8d9QndkZ/s1600-h/vscocam-photo-1%252520%2525282%252529%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Processed with VSCOcam with kk2 preset" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Processed with VSCOcam with kk2 preset" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuzz2WwMMoYrUlnen1z90pgJGw446WPr_IviZNPL-UgIlR0B9yUJwt6JnatO-PTR1tzZjTDmZ42XFAp7Q9Y9H2mRguH9q3g6xTPb1zh7qXEi3B4YHHsu0KUBZSuW8XaN-AMFuh-xp6U4/?imgmax=800" width="430" height="585"></a></p> <p align="center">And George, of course.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW43B9fyLFXLqJ22ACk_HeE2rpteroNM2jqrFIDMS5ZDUN7zZTe8Z2hxqhDpS3AMKNYAFJAlG9RkzhyphenhyphenyUQXTZwYULkRxyaU-lXmQFLYETg8t_Fq-1z8uCvt5vHdeMYtveMuJO5neP4VZk/s1600-h/vscocam-photo-1%252520%2525284%252529%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 preset" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 preset" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV4o2cp4miRrEMQvi56iWs27DnjObjG4O7p33Kataxa35MCFRSwPu8RyYumiWUCf_OsXleu9HpyEERQPQxSKi5E9Gi1ZAFwNBl_t4wOSaWsaXvf0l3PfQ3wM0KkHzb8rIEeX4xVyyXXE/?imgmax=800" width="490" height="625"></a></p> <p align="center">The iPhone 6 takes some pretty good photos and I’ve enjoyed playing with it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1dhNnZkaLYkKh4cwRVkfe_HwIvq1BgXmf8yguMwoexulf0zHfdtq5jwpSyigTD8IkeAuV6RnW7hIT9xapVVkGV7gnz0dr6c3eUfJydg1bsZZgWKR_5lJllvsx1haRNP3RI8NHSxyOmc/s1600-h/vscocam-photo-1%252520%2525285%252529%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hp5fHA0WmdTVR0Y1WirkUiQYI3EAFNzDY8DrCEanbaUWXb7C0OVCteL3ZaZqqVHlaW3Q9jH_-2mshVvk6qvouddAfWAkuTuNXh_mC-OSCLNAcDc25S4h_x7GBjNLjGTlvl2TljpXfYKF/?imgmax=800" width="490" height="625"></a></p> <p align="center">Kitty aka Squeakers</p> <p align="center">(ugh – I really dislike that name)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMX2ORzMlIjq4CRamfy8CoTlw3sK_JQrMAFSD7Crcc4tjXaGTCVSZPnlgiUkPH82GOPVCZUvy7_wiCiqSrGgUPQMBXMuVQLgFfi_YmdqDAyb28acz1y_Pnb6azH0OM7-BxWIJ4mgSPBE/s1600-h/vscocam-photo-1%252520%2525286%252529%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Processed with VSCOcam with b1 preset" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Processed with VSCOcam with b1 preset" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48Uy6ThEFP7GCDlB-7be8WPuYbNDJaUq0y6oatG_NXPWW-XrVHfMTP04psNouIH-B70rJLnfh5F2TfuHknttJGPstq1IJ7Q7Vf6nI58Wyjc_SSOYb1TghncsZarJxysR4S-k_AUnS6ebq/?imgmax=800" width="525" height="536"></a></p> <p align="center">And Miss Blackie who I have to sneak up on because she has this thing about having her photo taken.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdi8JNYz2B9MnxtQ86XaSBA5EMl4kuy3ri6DicYmiuAaGDKh42k-s6EE4WuvGmy7tHW2Y_c1zgdLc-WzRtxFkr0drz2rnW2lzPzwoYT8G6_WfowPE52H2dLtsjnP5gvnNqbrPD90t_i9E/s1600-h/vscocam-photo-1%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 preset" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 preset" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6VyCwzkatBFil6HsWZEyswM6D_b37Roxu32plC4_2y3_vGSBA8SQWhq5IAJfVQA0x-I1JWC9DXoXcYXuofazw6MGNtJbl7I5b35FbVCC1aPDHgT1CMOZ2PVT1Ztijq31-FsLjTk3X7c/?imgmax=800" width="647" height="499"></a></p> <p>I met a friend for dinner last week and stumbled on a vintage car show in the nearby town. (The gallery where my photographs are displayed are right up the street). </p> <p>And well . . . I guess that’s about it.</p> <p>Oh, except for the fact that school started on Monday and it’s really nice having all the children back. I mean I like summers and all and I can get lots of work done but it’s all about the children. And it’s good to have them all again.</p> <p align="center">Until next time, my friends. And I’ll try not to make it so long until we meet again ~</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH2rmcJ8kf75XdheeXy-SKgazqkdZDXATKYQr2Po09iWF0IHADFtwscd-6pOX_5GprkNG3m8a_98IVtx6UHoE-LDadHcWxl6XAbFUHxonucEaoua1e8OfPvHGtP1DSpZFemUppKDRYcQ/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxpaHUOb7N8pNfUuMpD7a-PsSSF2FOjBsOVhGOGBOu-PwWFhsCzgEvVkKm4JJWdBdeh_RbburFpplwtbpnaSHFzcsI_SS3sTwWTkpp2nSyfpeuvvlo5RDbjVUkAnPsoPgVcLXK6nuoB8/?imgmax=800" width="189" height="67"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-51943539273552215222015-08-01T13:32:00.001-04:002015-08-01T17:04:58.381-04:00Pictures from my new phone<p>It has been too long. Yes, I know this. But I have been wanting to write and to share my photos with you and I believe it’s high time I did. July is not my favorite month, but August is worse. I am not a summer person – the heat wilts me but I am blessed to have air conditioning. </p> <p>My phone was due for an upgrade and ever since doing a routine software update a few months ago for my Samsung Galaxy, it had been running weird, half my apps didn’t work, and I kept saying that I was going to just get an iPhone. All of my iPhone friends and all of my sisters have been asking me what was stopping me. I have never been an iPerson is why but after getting my first iPhone last week, I don’t know why not. Because I love it.</p> <p>I especially love the camera in the iPhone 6 and all of the photos here were taken with it.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmt3GUBETowsupRFYYdrOfXCoBnpl8MtkESQgdCdXQWtiGXSkYUKBxwOT9O1MbwVEZWUe73EjqikcPhTEFSLosK1uZ5JUF2_wQDGm0jjLoAwyyZWtH6QGEfUZ0FhyphenhyphenJZCBiw2zQ0v64HyE/s1600-h/FullSizeRender%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="FullSizeRender copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="FullSizeRender copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMaQbVwuI04zlQZNbzdwaeLuMcm1k_jpslDQ2NTqVsR1w5v5iEwwtR79ppaxr-uBskDDp5nelSgRL5vY531vLC__BO9VATllbYO-tmquVo23JGjMM0N048JU-6meLrFtWFpGiYmo9qtoD/?imgmax=800" width="666" height="513"></a></p> <p>This was the first picture I took with the new phone – of my living room in the early morning light last Saturday. It would have been nice had I vacuumed the rug but I opened up this one in PS and cloned out the chunk of dog hair that was on the rug. </p> <p>* snort *</p> <p>No. I really did.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveUvsbhyivvHxQx2nT6gBi6RiFTjhg315QgPTRe8zu0EbxjT3XXB6DXkY-2-DTgQQoM9QBGGvHQtYSlFyfpR-ReLTZnaunJ8UXw3a5OHz9AAGKrzvDULIfDAsAnAgK9ybGU9n5dhgYMM/s1600-h/IMG_0082%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0082 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0082 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5T5AD1QqguVZs0UKP3RQsPQ3wfeRufAaM49VQ8tFEl24774ty1cqR7q04BOUm-YHzo33ucqtNGycWF5KZupShIpL41fUPeoB50jaYHJOg8FjQhzE-2NHYXzylsJCUb6LH6jnCZe5Ez4/?imgmax=800" width="532" height="523"></a></p> <p align="center">This is my sweet grand-niece, Colleen Elle, who I met last Sunday for the first time.</p> <p align="center">Lovely lovely little girl.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49gQ2lody5rZlNNemjB_A27d26NXU7JePKErSnf9w8Etn7c7yyo0rx98PqL1B1i1Vi4QtkuxDsU_M3CNGT8xq4IZCRIlXy-jDLfnIPWnSzSJA1k50hMLZMQmnAV3ncAMmDj2CvBO_AFU/s1600-h/IMG_0116%252520%2525281%252529%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0116 (1) copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0116 (1) copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YZPJa52QII3yKzuhCr-MQW0YnKajQ_z5pN6_-24h7brCA1umrOqtnTzNGB361xBrVgLzQLd6bNyPRdY35AHNRcY4noEmtl1n8Nuz-kwBs6koaDtz5xAhHC_5b_MFYk1WUhZy-Fye3Ao/?imgmax=800" width="534" height="387"></a></p> <p>And this is a dog who was caught trying to pull his shark stuffed animal from the wash pile.</p> <p>After this was taken and the wash hung on the line, I spent the better part of the day scrubbing my kitchen floor. This is a huge job and one that would have taken me half the time in my younger years. I do try to keep my floor clean, but every couple of years or so, I scrub off all the old finish product and all the dirt that forms in the little crevices. On my hands and needs. And when it’s dry, I apply Pledge Floor Finish. A clean kitchen floor is happiness. </p> <p>But then so is a good cocktail. A good movie. Jamie Fraser in a kilt. And a number of other assorted things.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueqTf71tJs-K7wklB478HDnXfLQFcHJCFtkw5XIZChmXD5EcOffpQB-myQtb8cxCM5VcZDhyDTUdcPRfVBoNRDlNVv-lqUWmGDWyJIz-_Zi-tnMoAlCrfO1InBk8xjCSoz5uaK0a78wM/s1600-h/Photo%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Photo copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Photo copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuLjRWE4-UEGIssuuLyTuTOJ6_7_ubhhNWB4LuddVSNGgKBlHNz1-GhQossObPmRLMsV8MjE9bRSM6PH9EIPSU-vpQbtAdEdrGS04gmbaj4-NLaa5_U9027MUfvXIUgJI4sCU5Fvmce4/?imgmax=800" width="421" height="573"></a></p> <p align="center">My clean kitchen floor.</p> <p align="center">Because I am just so certain you wanted to see it.</p> <p align="center">(not)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PIyr06cIdJ-UtBdwyF1Utxo_iFSCWoIk9_uG3iEL4dHqJTk3qMjgkqQSnr6oISAJhGA1aBfLrKczpSsylCqsruZwzPFOgI0oshyphenhyphenmCWEtdunsjHva1zy3W32zwJbWrtU_uLmhCbMayMg/s1600-h/IMG_0106%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0106 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0106 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UZdqgJt_dqOWUxQD784UZeVxCxeRKjdg72ZMwI7yC8JgrPVjPD6L_J1n7Oy05-V0OUo_Z-i58DWBGYEYbmIpc3Ck5PUUE0oEDrIdGwXyIwu-ctLkFqO94m2TMX5hkeGtxhMpJOm4Seo/?imgmax=800" width="660" height="509"></a></p> <p>It rained the other day. I came home from a long workday, angry for some reason or other. I know what the reasons are, but I just don’t want to share them. So I sat and read in my living room (which is not air-conditioned, by the way). I asked my son to put a unit in the window and he never did. It’s in a difficult area to install. After three times, I stopped asking and ended up realizing that I don’t really need it. I am sitting in here now and it is not bad at all even though it’s 88 degrees outside. Plus, not using it really cuts down on the electric bill. Anyway, back to the story which really isn’t even a story. </p> <p align="center">The sun suddenly came out. </p> <p>I went outside and saw this picture you see above. Underneath the trees, it looked as if the rain was still gently falling. And I thought it was beautiful.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAuXLJ4tRLxzflodmEfD4reQ253CL8291T-sqQV4PKNkeCH7RfCSakquhVvVZDDX4Gwkf1WCYPNtULPQa6K0CVXqb48NOelXhpCj6CDCqh0RFbjvx6qaxeECkcwzq1MtO7vCIHtUNCMU/s1600-h/IMG_0113%252520copy%2525202%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0113 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0113 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHFkqvFWipAT9xbRki-iEcBYt9SF7TrNymaxzJ8Vn_bFPooCEvXHbKWkDvenX-V_I6sYpo28ciIrkktdv4N8mIljQYH6SzOSZtw-c-cbrXwHeZok0mavXpN8RqgCY-6kyF6k_pXg7y1o/?imgmax=800" width="632" height="487"></a></p> <p align="center">This is the same scene, after using the Waterlogue app.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>"I remember every moment, every second. I’ll never forget when I came out of the church and saw you for the first time. It was as if I stepped outside on a cloudy day, and suddenly the sun came out."</em> - Jamie Fraser, Outlander</p></blockquote> <p>Don’t even get me started on Outlander quotes. I am a total geek. One of the file cabinets got stuck at work this week and I pounded on it saying, “Open up, ya wee besom.” I was surprised to hear this come out of my mouth. I hadn’t meant to say it – it just. happened.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb-i0V3CMrowT3qEPPMJGK24gWAeDkWb6E9sO0M04954YYAqmQKjwZF6TfJQT6Ox1clKJM7He013dfCiPNSEm8ZaqfcfCvewoS2FivPi6QWngxBXm3qzNzZU71p-W1BRAoqquyNqnBWmj/s1600-h/IMG_0105%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0105 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0105 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IlPxOEsh9O22Ojyq-65FI06_TTtoPee7ufZp9o5sJlU8z3nKokz6QnNqZSphfe4pCB2yhyikgYnIC8ccFffc8KzuVjxa-UnEMbJdWrTe21l_EZkWaZZ2ftk9w0uQdi_uFlYDaQi4PlI/?imgmax=800" width="513" height="524"></a></p> <p>And finally, the wee kitty who still has no name. I call him Kitty. Were he mine, I would have named him but he belongs to my son. Kitty comes when he is called. There have been many nights when I have let him out after dinner and before I go to bed, I will call him and he has always come. He is a good cat and very sweet.</p> <p align="center">I hope your weekend is a good one. I would visit you if you lived closer and had a pool.</p> <p align="center">ha.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx-fQl5SULOHHocx88cRUDVjDbjFmmHIb_ctI51Bo2j1lwA48S04WEuwlnUUtD29Mv6G92SPT3Er9NdRYA4JifEZ1JEimK4nPcD_tZqeM39RtEqLk0iY6lqp3V5wyaBl8T2iZMFz6JZU/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0Bof2u9YeNjJz5Dh8PtSuEv7csz4v8dOBD1R_dwqwbFmH9-HZas_96lXvbvavmqyjS1VCfC2PuLz3FlGqD9GeYASzN6Hc_nmKc5X3LDiUqJQ3ZBPZ28dvXDT6qY7a9-vnTcmzKsvac0/?imgmax=800" width="172" height="61"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-74332917832632880112015-07-05T11:56:00.001-04:002015-07-05T11:56:33.922-04:00Long weekend<p>It’s been a quiet weekend here at the old manor house on the hill. I was invited to a couple of 4th of July parties but I really just wanted to stay home, although I made a couple of salads to take just in case I changed my mind. Now I have plenty to pack for lunches this week.</p> <p>I did attend one gathering last Thursday, though. It was a going away party for Beth, a long-time friend and co-worker. She and I became friends when I moved to Maryland in 1996 and our sons met in the 4th grade. She was a substitute teacher at the time and ended up coming to work at our school full-time about 15 years ago. The party was held along Pembrey Beach on the Elk River. I walked out onto the dock at sunset to capture a few photos.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVm3pd391gVD9-ojXNjfavhw-SdaQexy409iI8B3NZIUpJBEGiNhBSibd3fj8szy4zMTIcpO_1NC7m5LnCZIcuFcyZ17iQLsG8T-0Jv2fS7mSsy4mowvBtynSPyzgmxFSnrTsOEivB88/s1600-h/20150702_203546%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150702_203546 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20150702_203546 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMq5pLjqV3bUrooaQ1z-ZMQX6KYLwIvjO5WqDxYqw4QtBOhjRrxiSe0xS5EKsmAM9dXoqFl5-eAzK6ySm-Zs9AELaTJU7TSO__PwwJdev1qt5ygbSTU2pMgmo-8Ehs-oHEq-Fp_dLjJnY/?imgmax=800" width="685" height="414"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztGGGnRyMpu22SbvtErVHVTZn_8zJ8mvuN4uw5Y1qL0v_-VkR5Xl2p1wI4-qvSPD0MNOThXwuZrYbV-5yRgeNP2oKjtXr-dEMlDoEr4Dd-l2HgSSNHi3Y5TOpNGRcbauDJpvknqoOjtE/s1600-h/20150702_203445%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150702_203445 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20150702_203445 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv5EqcRgvHheJspw_sSdufLiEaMY3p1Lzq3dty5J_LG5hp1mRfve9dasoZg_AMDSEmJ8OA3g94HEgD2Q8MhQM7R1dorgoIm9WGO2ygspCFob2M82BWuH66tqbDTteVdsxP18PAmFA_ek/?imgmax=800" width="685" height="414"></a></p> <p>I tried to photomerge this one and the one below but my program was having nothing to do with it. So I gave up rather than become frustrated. It really was not that important.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgtXCAIzI9J4wlToO8fYElWFb4Bm2Z-gnjDgO3bQh-RKUNFfbHKAUbVYBbx3qBUdLQ_uhnxSHKYHfM5jM4fBLbiK210C-hhlTKFeXrj18fIsfJi37VlGSolPhHGRSHR5-8oZ-2ICz_f4/s1600-h/20150702_203406%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150702_203406 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20150702_203406 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg_QfPy2ec39LeyQVcxqpB9mbvSKnpfzgvNHwMDzYHQGHkOobZdqmAUdWxEnE-3ecN8TnLdn075AXE_rU8nvj5l_BWepu-5hkYZOSBqqa7hyphenhyphenU5WD3XOCMDK6HiIedQdrReQY9wtkcPv0/?imgmax=800" width="684" height="413"></a></p> <p>The party was nice and it was a good way to say goodbye. Lately I’ve been saying goodbye to some of my favorite co-workers but I have to remember that life is about change. Nothing can stay the same. </p> <p align="center">: : :</p> <p align="center">I had the day off on Friday and spent it doing some much-needed chores.</p> <p align="center">I also had a visitor to the property on Friday evening.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2K-gE9bMrCmzQF0OGK1Zvn5_-uq_zenpDEX_aUmHu2mFVbCG5ZlbQqQfCgIGMnbsj54Q4VYKY8gyla3UOEnTXpXCKQ-cW4-J88u2bR9ITvktCdg66Y7lUHij3e2Us9ocALIBpFJgXcSU/s1600-h/DSC_8978%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8978 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_8978 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOJz__vHh3RwcCk8WAmfVv4IxdHyHK5UdekuTuLZYGGqUHKZSuX4NXTPHGi9SIj6tsakPaHkHdNWWcQ7CZLx-cYFvLe3nhkSvhoH7trRHO3aj-PQ7ce4vmGm6Gag4Fvyz-ai517eq2mU/?imgmax=800" width="487" height="416"></a></p> <p>I was walking through the dining room on my way to the kitchen and saw a shape out of the corner of my eye which made me stop. It was a little doe with her nose to the ground. I went back to get my camera and she looked up as I ever-so-quietly opened the door. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9N-HKW7YX-FQtCr-JQYmL1liJZSLcV1hCGVqd_WfW1cxXut7X86bmICi2NKNXkdIx9dsImOsgtjdktKg4PjvUjPh2nVLUz_UCyw3KoFp0MqoKMLwfWKzQkm_AuN0myTw3pQzNAoGAN7k/s1600-h/DSC_8983%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8983 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_8983 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyCjtJH3asCNPB8gL5BSXqGRLnmxx0ve1gXA8sJufg20fw5jZOJ7LGKqGljdpJOuOu6AgQWnhyphenhyphenuKBfkHCnZluN5MrSyFhTHkalcQ0Lcr4IH4WfN8KhLm9Kf5IQCWld5S7GeFlhcrPnfg/?imgmax=800" width="492" height="420"></a></p> <p align="center">And then she bounded away.</p> <p align="center">: : :</p> <p align="left">No big plans for the weekend other than getting some chores done, some of which I’m not finished and I keep putting off because I don’t want to do them. I need to get over it, though. They’re outside chores and they involve cutting back masses of vines, a chore that my husband did quite ably. I also have to attack the patio weeds because they are voracious with all the rain we’ve had. I almost want to weed it with my hands but the last time I did that, I had pain for weeks. So this is what getting old feels like! </p> <p align="left">I bought the ingredients for a spray to combat the weeds (thank you everyone for your suggestions) and plan on using it today if it doesn’t rain again. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mf7m_FdVQqNediO4k_GT8G3-AysHWVh5iFvuVIjJtu4OupFVfHXnvXmFJniP8HVThankk4DxbBJD5Q3hPHuIlmDnMSnGR442n3v1sGGDfNt_DZusiPjlwAOD1uEQY83fuwnsbTxpg_4/s1600-h/DSC_8988%252520copy%2525202%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8988 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8988 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NHPUDwIBw2RZar3EhrSMx_fm_dhKIPw0D4kAtc9f-ly5V9ul60FAMPFFZ-LMKPr8ChfdcWbo9IFM6XY4t4pGSozvu1jNYLuNBMX1ll2IebfCJlR1PSSsW15VTNAKjFKbEJiBMU16-hg/?imgmax=800" width="681" height="478"></a></p> <p>This morning, I set up my camp chair and table under the old hickory tree on the front lawn and enjoyed my coffee accompanied by bird song and cool breezes. I had my camera and a pair of binoculars and eventually began to wake up. Sometimes it takes me awhile . . . </p> <p>George wanted some stick throwing and the cats were exploring as I sipped the delicious brew that began to make me feel more alive. “Thank God for coffee”, I thought, as I reflected on just how lucky I am to be here in this place, watching the bluebirds darting to and fro looking for their breakfast in the tall grass. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyuzm9Fx7si-WzRAMEy3xHxgnuZqHlL9qM_labsIKWmiGsE7FZYy_tPJbikhU4iTcCIECX6xpWWoyLX0MN-wbpwpaQy6VtvWxIIDr7rsu07VnlSpVIcmD6AVtIldAOIVr0ujktr0EmZzE/s1600-h/DSC_9008%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_9008 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_9008 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE3jfV3ZGlLHMPhnqeJPMGNDjvmxU3nHMFbssoTGotd7t9-M-A7GKlohAA9Za7ri0XdQqO3MEhWVt9Vsr3IjeBTzI8CKeEPbYf0qqqvdVeFUyAYf_KaxT4cJqO2pV1-FY6R9eRmLoVQU/?imgmax=800" width="682" height="469"></a></p> <p>Miss Blackie sticks close to home but the younger cat was out and about. He still doesn’t have a name but then, he’s not my cat. He’s my son’s.</p> <p>My son is the one who should be clearing away the vines. Let’s not even begin that discussion.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx90K274yF1Lptg8dSPBDs6WeuiTY3-zcunKEVCSQYW-b531siw3lkgr6-Rq2mZyADE61D-ZWM6OSqMZdyWUnzeU6YQMgnPgllQyOOj3pdpYt-dXM_EYqo-YkdmqsyKEP6_JVdHy2RIGs/s1600-h/DSC_8997%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8997 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8997 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgve61a1aTm3knFQxq57kxdfEFn8j46OesW09TCL8EczMq7MrzOpuG7arilYpV4zS5drTxr8VVQdjQhymBCb5iowWsmjxS4v-4be7w-x1fDpZUQaP5sBgDUcvaal1oT3j-QB30kIODhNkk/?imgmax=800" width="683" height="467"></a></p> <p>I downloaded a book on my Kindle yesterday that’s full of dog tricks, one of which is teaching your pet to put all the toys away into their toybox. When I saw that trick mentioned, I thought “this is the book for me”. George can go and get a toy that he knows by name, but I’ve never been able to figure out how to get him to put all the damn things back into the box and each night before I head up to bed, I’m always putting away his toys. I’ll keep you posted on this trick, as it should be interesting.</p> <p align="center">Thanks for your kind comments and your visits here. I hope you all are having a nice weekend ~</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbaf4JxzqqNhi2EVeU6uRYKwT2Iq5xSFp27XUHsdw5dJ1azAI9kARVNL5ty-atH4J2ZPXli7upm-WJAyXGK_80iwOvLfgngzNGV7vQicXgHe8tlOqRyYmb0kv-oS19SGys9eoBjQu8U4/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-yOzny124bVohYh1vSiJJiotKjM1cocf1FE_U4OJxk9UDlaEqcqWrV3x2j7c7TtN2TMwXrXzj5Afi8Pv2gHOjPFCHF6DJzYKIQd5tPAP3G9Bt20XD9vVrPUJEI8M28Yq8zKWs95sRAk/?imgmax=800" width="197" height="70"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-62749142590593937692015-06-27T20:07:00.001-04:002015-06-27T20:07:57.558-04:00Home again<p>I ended up not taking my laptop up to Maine with me this year. I knew that if I took it, I would be buried in it, editing photos or wasting time online and not spending time with my friends. So I left it home, posted once or twice on Facebook while I was gone, and basically stayed off the grid for the 8 days I was away.</p> <p>And it was marvelous. We stayed in the coolest place, the weather was perfect (even when it rained), and we ate lobster and all kinds of great food, even finding a new and fantastic restaurant right near our rental.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcgTsEM95HFDuEbDVwh1faX_IVkpSIVA9PZFQfERm91_4hh0xO3Xg5T2nWOZFdDtbsfzIpH5-Huhv6-2p2g0sTD3ZIwB79e4NcINeLutCdpHLmBTrHi04_JKaAvX9li8YJkWN4QJyrrs/s1600-h/DSC_8528%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8528 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8528 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh3QjYeOnmQhnzrd6sne8VbLEUFwktMioH_mshLm_FPY325IS_5ACsEaRaUQQ1ekRHd_8z2-lLtFskNy4k27_6vcN2_VkXb8tQPGBh4sRl-T9sCIETikT-kkTHSmZ7L5FDhG7csRfp58/?imgmax=800" width="698" height="480"></a></p> <p>The first thing I did was to head up to Cadillac Mountain to be close to my husband. This is the view looking down onto Bar Harbor.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnBnn6wHuL3Z21YdQmQ2aUAk6hajQM6GAPXJRVcJOf5vJaki87oYE6BGOUNKZF2YwMuifPy4alRA4lSCIaBeQK9iWU42iHJf5s7dSWvzwFeumrLxEbEpA5-x1SjMVvNA_bpi4yVVeI9Bk/s1600-h/DSC_8564%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8564 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8564 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhbQTk6uOo8v-_bZOCXvC9SWeCVZ8ZaRAhluNeLyssRhgkM9vKrGlLa9MGRq3-gNSFH0Okg3EXDpaWjHkF1B7Q8Czfvu-rW_VVyfYSh_xN7U6kx-IH6PDbGQPvV2grFwwBL-YFkI9Tbs/?imgmax=800" width="697" height="479"></a></p> <p>And this is the view from our rental cottage. I was shocked to find, upon arrival, that the mountains were this close. They looked much further away on the online photos. So this was a great surprise.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf67xr7yuh2ONwUt3q5MrgnuQxb_tmLJebGslzO1BM2LA-3M0Tt433oUazpebacO0r05jgAtjXL0yKxf2Anb3f4ekG7y__vFqy0Bxy53T8eS00RoSuLxSHsNhImrWQ2cM8J3wfZ0nihrU/s1600-h/DSC_8687%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8687 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_8687 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTHektfYrXP-h28rtsMhE-TeMp65yLTfApj947SQ9Fwj1jgqnTsuKM8be9FRidldqHIXFyI7JrTjzL3waBq8E1GhBn5UikXa14PpfXqXbMVL6P-GQ01CEZv8kviqe6GO5ag0UjtNCJ7Zo/?imgmax=800" width="411" height="629"></a></p> <p>I am fairly certain that this is a broad-winged hawk. The island had several of them and this tree seemed to be their favorite perch as it was the highest.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEsQmgyXwNLOAf6PaaKNFhLC2jcrA50FtmYaH1C2J-AwE3CLVsJay7jZEoxsEgzrOsQ_4P16cfFF7Goj4ie2xHV_MTCwnxxfDbd5jclAC-XBEsHFaJBG2s42CIytoHLaiwJO-hieeiBs/s1600-h/DSC_8692%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8692 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8692 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKIJo5lmwyATcD_wVajil86LEX5m1A1hwp9DT59NPF4iRRNJ3zVThva4XiFbnkf4P1Nb554HKYyy0OK1eEzwfpvNpZ2i9fUc4pRJ3N3mFHuOLEKnQ1DN0v7Yu58b7HqDE17mJvXpMs80/?imgmax=800" width="697" height="479"></a></p> <p>Cadillac Mountain in the clouds on a rainy day. We never minded the rain. It was a good excuse to drink sherry by the fire and read a good book. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi350icoCegU_I0JKCbNgBx9k5X8E_hC-I6uLy77i56zqAKgqtE8ccSSRXJwvbybiP6c7cpzGBAKFLsUBZhHAWLBMYxDWo9FsQ0r9b4dwfXIV9SfVW9r48GNOdr2wC8jkC94lAM5_J_kXU/s1600-h/IMG_20150621_093657%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20150621_093657 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_20150621_093657 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ndkAzSxf0xzdEJuj1XEhpQISXFLW8EdTgEw8neFPWZgwGYfXyHdEKx3gZfQN_PiTLya_VYD7WA6cyKMzazlT5u78PuPBLhA5Hik_ufdShs5zEOt4uMchgoJNVdA9w3tXR3q-OjOthOo/?imgmax=800" width="416" height="307"></a></p> <p align="center">My seat by the fireplace.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhwfKxPALD5_pN3Lqm0mkZpIpARitTnlBj9wbiIP2W_l0E4_SQhTPSGNTLgRQupmq5rntIKtd1ZFI88MRZsB0FN87PQw6glvUlZxIRjGzyS5FXO_255ldTyle0onuNM0rbpP02GfCb-M/s1600-h/DSC_8747%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8747 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8747 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafywaRzG_Q8xhpnNV9IcpXKSHBTcwslVrkMNB_lPPCQlzaLXsHn4-i8mH5Qzwbr1XWFk-AzE5wbmn1tQuDjShjHgGXzmAiOaruODn2hXUE7_Bck7mx6a2M6_qwP4Dm99LK37M5O2ihnE/?imgmax=800" width="700" height="478"></a></p> <p align="center">A field of daisies taken along Point Road in Hancock.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuO1eO1btGRqT140hL-zXr53qEECTbPqTjw3UDIQqwGjqJGYJzGX3nCsphcl68o1QwD6wEI1aJHL5p8eIpIJxlvuRMmQz6aswZsBkiu_FX_I9PuXkI7Lnm3MzWaXgIOa9ZRWFRDb82hM/s1600-h/DSC_8834%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8834 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8834 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXnYDv4HpIfs30ddxUcs3uxziehSQRBVHkm1Ouu7VF26dAn0W7Dsse-1XZVoe3TJbGfGa9wA0CZKpPHUUqNxh8O40HBL-JQYI35WdDficDMrmVVRiH5JbVaQ-BpWGlB3GwtdLGHhItlQ/?imgmax=800" width="701" height="479"></a></p> <p align="center">George was the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BPVEzRZ_eD8BfBparp7-xxzVy6IwG1YbC6SnsEPrrwpTJSLKqkx_C3A6Z7GH2Wd4ueS3k2cPASjXHAYOOaMy0Qjj4uSAmYL2FdNWB1h7cgDD4zXoXZYngE5vMAw4kDemLKRbHRV7IW0/s1600-h/DSC_8837%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8837 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8837 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHRA1r2U2fPNMHNVUaR3x_jekarqy5lDVme25-1wVSRa8V93wbrqCWf2GqsXL17VLwsFMM5pThc7PsSqrGR5JI7DYJhgo4cI5WP_r_nc2Ly2B_HCpFRr4Y5nVNPeCKv2Ee4FtaLT7oIk/?imgmax=800" width="701" height="482"></a></p> <p>Our rental cottage. It sits on the rocky ledge at the tip of Ford Island and is the only house on the 3-acre property. It’s owned by a family who runs a lobster pound. The house is accessible by a bridge that runs from the parking area over the water and up and around the length of the island. I’ve got a photo below that shows a section of the walkway with the house on the right, through the trees. </p> <p>I was going to review the house but this is their last year of renting it out. The owner told my friends that he’s been renting it for 25 years and he’s going to be moving into it. I believe it’s open one more week this summer in late August. It is a fantastic place that I highly recommend. It might be available this fall too, but I’m not sure.</p> <p><a href="http://www.heartsofmaine.com/surfside.htm">Surfside Cottage</a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzikc40xKATPcL3fRx3Bj52PsNWVq8Ho8JvVfp-ThDDwtciE_vuOgn-OtebUFv4Jqp51swjqeQkDw0Qdv6Xww4B44Eq5QHzJHODbPDiQyLDVkReGlUcWy-BQi7Se1-QUxcOkoQwHR0x7A/s1600-h/DSC_8936%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8936 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_8936 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMbPnyIkoTLZM7nHa_7xbkZr8WZTlm1kSTfZotnY-NHukSLuDDpjM4zpU1OKwZet8Mx7oxAZxG21j3PT5rZaGwNFxLtOqTYY0NdBBWpWoAlNk1Pai97fgEZArQbGoQejhTEfclL5Mnlo/?imgmax=800" width="415" height="284"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVPXQv9sP8UkuYGIq9GJt_RTxAvTdIU_Utu5Jzor1YNjlbniQsRqtV7v1ipiDTx_L3sLFtr8nq0RnFwjGibrUSE4osjDLAVL60aDpX26ZG3t00GJivVT6sWV7rqW5sPsWKQ1I2D5X2Ltg/s1600-h/DSC_8848%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8848 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8848 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1vIOQ3AiVDc7vsIy5H9E2FrfgKUktd6gTP8LC0fBmPv9M6zREbknxy0fU4Klkqi5_sk0LasmfOBfy5o80wvLzifddqi0_87Ge2RcWj_n2S2XVh6VZ9U_JP6LVBbj4shZTjkyYFOZbM8/?imgmax=800" width="701" height="479"></a></p> <p>I ventured out by myself several times, once to visit my friends, Lili & Henri Vansluys who live in nearby Sorrento. I took this photo at the lookout spot along Rte. 1 between Sullivan and Gouldsboro.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y9rQtJbZbhyphenhyphentoRMXHDJB1EcS-K4l8LpQ7TceFPg_jZJ_aPxhgRoPxTN9R4crpPV5yGcB8XItcyWf7IWDsX54AFk-9wzSVoHuCYpI69hTmfrqI439yIz1zziqEqKcBmaq_lXw380mKRs/s1600-h/DSC_8863%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8863 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8863 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tcpHI18g4gabopxmZPlpAGnP2rZpVozQ2lG3bAmXUAI-EULYzXwwVPyGQFzT-vV0xr05vCdrKLcragcNWeGSaPdIhc7xp47ZCT5sKcu4Rlm5aDe0e9-xuIQ2FRBzlAU4dv2W0i9uFNw/?imgmax=800" width="701" height="482"></a></p> <p align="center">Sorrento</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd42CdZh00-RTcpKImdlrmY9dj2uqZ8Qmoa-NZs3CpGdnkVGocGnqEyk4mHeFETI00lLgCaDDU8s2WuqZ7Rrr-eHs-zgRUXgdDOTLxGhUYt_e6FiR5In8vVmdK_CSh8i7mZZldybngGXQ/s1600-h/DSC_8887%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8887 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8887 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNDhH6rmmfm8YKln4NrIRBFRJJLhe2qHxycVfhDq30H8ep4YlX-X_jvkcNI3MDQRXtd_bhIQwmZfo22UKfNTJP_2CXK2vTI2ojEyUdHMcSvlJ6co2Du-JrWF2HaDsINCdAzEaBX_gbhw/?imgmax=800" width="704" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center">Cool-looking sky at Schoodic Point. Mount Desert Island in the background.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOojIAuadF8BBkrH6QovsUSe7U-aRtUqRh7gG6tWTbsZkZsBWdxbNn6qSZ_PtGVVDQl5MBK0PmmLyzmz1nH8FonaV1FYXDCNTXGGqmEWgPG-9G8LkxUnyXwXQZ5IustqUoq1FFB39pfK0/s1600-h/DSC_8919%252520copy%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8919 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8919 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSf5mBt_Q4sQcyqfQAiF5-Dsj6sxFtJd6ceo8ngpd1nPE5le6Q62kyLgDHjZ7VXTPdBhA6QwoEqJ-m7f7OV4CGfHITbIsHAToJk-9IA1hta2oz4OJB6P2f5j8c9cnxjYwg_2ksfSL288/?imgmax=800" width="704" height="489"></a></p> <p align="center">I had a picnic lunch at Prospect Harbor.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBu_TAaW_jRw5uymVc-olorfrfVw1PD7auPbA93QSP_NE3BssDho8ejoV1KdFoaHYUGUKktoSaNjLmPlpir2k21_5DU3DuOTmg0unmXtPPh9gemLQauWHGkOLuoZOumzSLj2ro8SJa6M/s1600-h/DSC_8922%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_8922 copy 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_8922 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH7aH2dW9oE8k9CCzWn7FLVtUP-ca5dSBIpHtGtiq6sQqUJ5XoN9-cJBfs_ioxk5XUr72vU7gGR2qrirDF4YtBeY7VFlogU5XU5pG7_p7iufYlhcllvft1GY14InicZ1kbnDgzn_10jA/?imgmax=800" width="704" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center">Prospect Point Lighthouse.</p> <p>I had hoped to get a few photos so that I could sell them through the gallery and on my etsy site. And I think I may have realized my goal. </p> <p>It was a vacation worth waiting for. Good to be home, but I wish I was still in Maine ~</p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Thanks for stopping by today.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHTqQ8mjUZoG7Ax9nSTopR8OZ0bWdFExQjiTWUhqlqNZtZ7dSvphVKntVeliXxGHVCWWX14ouaJkhIo174Q8WHUQVXRurgOwl7XQl1yNYAvRrHd3HsoFA_oET4CH6xTCCbvwfJgT86cg/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2m2hL4PmewKQbqEFuA1ttgMx6aOGd2oIgqZMxSnq42OKkvE384EoGs8YqAyqbhkbM0T2_JGGDWxR2W1gWSaOxtLgatLbAQwr-5zwxK2bCfQC1jSukSU68D-mOIgHtq0YyutgZjPymx7Yo/?imgmax=800" width="203" height="78"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-48109407772876104622015-06-16T21:02:00.001-04:002015-06-16T21:05:09.715-04:00Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low<p>I just finished reading <em>The Scottish Prisoner </em>and was wondering why on earth I was so melancholy. And then I realized that it was because the book was finished and I hadn’t wanted it to end. Earlier this year, I discovered the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I’d heard about it years ago but dismissed it, thinking it it had something to do with that old Highlander TV series and I just wasn’t interested. </p> <p>This turned out to be a good thing, in the end. I’d shut the internet off to the house (it’s a long story involving my son) and while it was off, I needed something to do and decided reading would be best. So on the advice of a friend, I downloaded Outlander to my Kindle. By the time the book got to Scotland in 1743, I was totally hooked. And then, about two thirds through the first book, I discovered there was an entire TV series on Starz. And so began my obsession. Since February, I’ve read all of the books and, just for kicks the other day, decided to read one of the Lord John Grey books. He was a minor character in the Outlander series, showing up in nearly every book save the first.</p> <p>Are you asleep yet? </p> <p>Well, wake up! I promise I’ll stop talking about Outlander. I have some photos to share, all taken with my cell phone.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGLY8vOGaJjoLniDcMiazG1QNv5hLvCrwTfCqVzUXiEabyzCTxvWIKaVxGvoX7E1RXZfWu0gBS4dS0K-PZd1UgXSmv-kxADAnF9z37TRsEr22bZQGNGyFvCKp5dgyCWKCNVOO5A_VgbA/s1600-h/20150605_132635%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150605_132635 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="20150605_132635 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8VA77CwA9WmKT7TaiJP5VYa-p2fqwpstvjESsAEoHAg6QpeVDTbmeU4frVPG9Np_dTKqxiyFvsVvpqa93X9zMw7GKSB_co2VsIsmHlFmRQR6Ch96Hg5oYP-wfRR7pOQVhajCLj7HcNw/?imgmax=800" width="677" height="378"></a></p> <p>I shot this through the window of a charter bus, rented by our school for a faculty trip after the year finished up. We were heading through Amish country to Strasburg Railroad in nearby Pennsylvania.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOazDsuaPeh2yt0bqUlERy03PgZjvvYNyH7EHn4fmqmv3jPZhiRde0VSha_-21TZTAk6Lot5QT1lnehNHmxIU1XvLWTyvJaT2ejmtxz7Zb7edMjgYK3Z6m6GiSeEiBSyMf4Eg6l359Tw/s1600-h/20150605_105340%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150605_105340 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="20150605_105340 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoAQY2FGTPMwjc1gKHelEdb06vTpFzLD9zH5N2TP_k9Q7wuBq3m16Xncy2WqTodDxzVbIlNIHOV01ij7mU3FT634XcbvZI2R3CMpev3fF5VqHYOASnBWjq4RNWB9WQ_Yk_oQUO-8VoFY/?imgmax=800" width="676" height="428"></a></p> <p align="center">We had tickets for lunch in a private dining car and later on, a tour of the mechanical shop.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx95gGv9UgeGMfYdQ4z9tJFjVnsYvuUCI8LTMwUx0N4AWtGVxp1KFF9cOfhxoP3_vpaOapcWu166MNA-W9SM7yeUxG3aGaiE0mRePBb6S3En7U0KUgbNUFu0BKPwNOTptgLxGgYGsSh2v/s1600-h/20150605_110620%252520copy%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150605_110620 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="20150605_110620 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZuXbOhYvO-LbN_x3HkF_tr393jjPBEEhTsQGnYMRg-G52245vfS2XEn_m3gDRVoioybUMqObJk3OMq0zfWZX6BiFxKwNN0Gu5G0g82foHyEf6i2J5SIuqhrqVSlUqs5NV74PWJ99hqU/?imgmax=800" width="676" height="357"></a></p> <p align="center">The view from my table as the train began to chug along through the countryside.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">We were served a lovely meal as the train slowly made its way east . . . then stopped and went back the other way. It was fun and everyone was in high spirits (which might have had only a little to do with the fact that someone brought a couple boxes of wine along). It was not me but I thought it was a good idea.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a_-fI-lya-1wbq84Oh2Gq3GKblKtX4_YJea1N2xaIMeRQxTtjWG1UZrLeadcTjT1xuhRNQV4tiqvCAGTPkJINmzLFMDEBlx8Pj5q67MUPdHZ32bGXxFz-B6qJ8E92ya_br6uVsLRRAY/s1600-h/20150605_113703%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="20150605_113703 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="20150605_113703 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9Znvu-RaChMR0L2PdChopn37rsbtjK8J2gH6sfCuwuOPcj3NnYED2q59h5QVuP89y4X6PmrfFEAmhIHwu0Z0Tk1LvWetfr5L8R7nPqk_w3WYbv_3WfBY2deqCeuEfzjfKK56ijjU1y0/?imgmax=800" width="677" height="353"></a></p> <p>The trip was nearly two weeks ago and ever since, I’ve been busy clearing out the old school year and beginning to gear up for the new. People are always surprised that there’s much of anything to do at a school in the summer but there are a million things. And I’ve got a deadline, set by myself, to have so much done by this Thursday. Because on Friday . . . </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9p1ff_TED234AqXzXOgzzWFalY7xKVNTU9iqSq2C9PgYPJzOYX4-CU_lxjYsbkAF4owcJ2rwxT1j8gIKbeGSxZtcaONk99CnaqI4mQ79hP29cKdPn-RvG3KADa65Cro0GObRARzv-k0/s1600-h/DSC_0746%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0746 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0746 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ39G-Pob_6yf18pKQ7hfZDrMpJQDHhtir0jdqB0U9qkGuuhyuLf_DxCa65xh_2yjsGTDreHQSmU3fZ_okYsjQW9NGOUw8BxZ9O6AG44TfnWb2PUo82k7X4jAmslC9DSimEq7osC2DChg/?imgmax=800" width="387" height="264"></a></p> <p align="center">I leave for Maine!</p> <p>Long-time readers of this blog know how much I love coastal Maine and this year, I’ve rented a house with a couple of friends on a small island that’s only accessible by footbridge. My friends have the place for two weeks so are already there. And George is with them. My dog is on vacation without me! Anyway, I plan on taking my laptop and hopefully posting from there. Hope you’ll come back to see the photos.</p> <p align="center">Thanks for stopping by today ~</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwBkLCjhemqa5erEGujCMF17RXEculkT4FDafJG9Pb2dJzw8ji0SbdDfWrFvhlRGG3LcXQqTrvQSFtv3JTO4j92En-sEDK3jckC8WG9vaoFs70wtgq_KWQQKVZ07o6mT7fFMcTdrymTI/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxMfEkXznpRRayb93_JaZkVrLq0ceelGJpP3i__4fqpaZvVK1cDWEQ16d3CXRvdps47yZzgi69LK48rHGGC3mOaghGOBbfS4EYZhAQJ-ENgxZ7gWGHyQUUEWb7gZkp8fpLyzFOO35wYk/?imgmax=800" width="196" height="69"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-59262889851477256872015-05-30T09:46:00.001-04:002015-05-30T09:46:11.925-04:00Hello yet again<i>I am having a huge issue with Blogger vs. Windows Live Writer. From what I've been able to discover, it's a Microsoft issue and Twitter blew up over it just a few days ago. Until I get it figured it, I'm trying to post directly through Blogger, something I haven't done in years, so bear with me!</i><br />
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It goes without saying that I haven’t been putting myself out there in
blogland lately, but there . . . I’ve said it regardless. I’m not going to
apologize but I will admit wholeheartedly that I’ve missed you. I’ve missed your
kind words and your visits to this space and I’ve especially missed writing. I
really have been busy and I don’t think there was a single weekend, until this
one, that I’ve actually been home.<br />
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Earlier this month, I was in Massachusettes for my youngest niece’s
graduation from Smith College.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkThBstyt030zLWZ79j6Ibb3avPe0XvH4TB6WQ9ySnuJriIDUX-3GT78AXDctuvIzyH7eSJe_znFMj1FJ_giBKheaD1DoIwl7QYB8gpLWmMH7LxinaPfv9UocQz-fsRy1CD4hwBhwWs3l_/s1600/DSC_8293+P+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkThBstyt030zLWZ79j6Ibb3avPe0XvH4TB6WQ9ySnuJriIDUX-3GT78AXDctuvIzyH7eSJe_znFMj1FJ_giBKheaD1DoIwl7QYB8gpLWmMH7LxinaPfv9UocQz-fsRy1CD4hwBhwWs3l_/s640/DSC_8293+P+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was beautiful. The weather was perfect and spirits were high. And it was
such a pleasure being with my family. I’m sure they are still waiting on the
photos I took that weekend but I haven’t had much time to work on them. Excuses,
excuses. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFrn1hJy41q51gkpnGVHXTS4MmwCN76kYavAZx4LPliEoyHZweMnw22JYQKgBVQyjtD9jQ2dKZrLZ9UnfWUX1jls_I0CO10u0tkrRoT6dk9UfbvLa91-H7BPPP1fCKXs89MhCRp2-pUH8/s1600/DSC_8292+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFrn1hJy41q51gkpnGVHXTS4MmwCN76kYavAZx4LPliEoyHZweMnw22JYQKgBVQyjtD9jQ2dKZrLZ9UnfWUX1jls_I0CO10u0tkrRoT6dk9UfbvLa91-H7BPPP1fCKXs89MhCRp2-pUH8/s640/DSC_8292+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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My computer is running a bit slow and it’s taken me over an hour so far to
edit the few photos I took this morning, then to open my blog writing program
(Windows Live Writer). I ended up having to shut down once. <br />
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I’m afraid the writing is on the wall with this laptop. I’ve had it since
August 2010 but I’m not going to say anything out loud for fear that it will
hear me. I’m like that with machines ~<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVycjxVUhmwnKYJbWqIhyphenhypheng2Te2YVIGHFM_-MFNYsRBEsjOeWMCFTzpJRxxR_2a2Pv40S7cT3Z14nq3MeX5639vFYudyGC8Ad_BCakh9eMl2DnZYrkKVKZMOed0ao5lM1VxVNSSey8oUIrR/s1600/DSC_8282+copy+b%2526w+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVycjxVUhmwnKYJbWqIhyphenhypheng2Te2YVIGHFM_-MFNYsRBEsjOeWMCFTzpJRxxR_2a2Pv40S7cT3Z14nq3MeX5639vFYudyGC8Ad_BCakh9eMl2DnZYrkKVKZMOed0ao5lM1VxVNSSey8oUIrR/s640/DSC_8282+copy+b%2526w+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My niece on her graduation day. I have such high hopes for her future. She
graduated with honors and has a great job lined up, a new apartment, and a new
life away from her long years of study. So glad for her.<br />
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Last weekend, I visited friends in NJ and then went to a barbecue at Helen
& Bob’s. Helen is my husband’s sister. My son (the one who lives in NYC)
came down for the weekend and it was so great to see him again. <br />
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And look who is getting so big!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmyhRq4c9x7y-CWt6T1rD9t-mBRyVPPZgq1CMZkrarVohapZ134LghRXfRPPgZcladEoujxLU5uyFepoP1R6_Q7OUL6VmuODRqb-NgS_5Y90qzuI3O4H3Oj6ca4YjJGQDOadQNhgOoB7V/s1600/DSC_8428+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmyhRq4c9x7y-CWt6T1rD9t-mBRyVPPZgq1CMZkrarVohapZ134LghRXfRPPgZcladEoujxLU5uyFepoP1R6_Q7OUL6VmuODRqb-NgS_5Y90qzuI3O4H3Oj6ca4YjJGQDOadQNhgOoB7V/s400/DSC_8428+copy+2.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn8qkSXZC7KM_Cx3urtFx4NFMcXHGJQ9bDhnWLJCArAcxAhd_QwiafQdjixS7sqI55iW0Pf_kNryas9srBOwrwOVigbJPRZlikL1OMucLWJwYGisSibwoJUQIzYKU1_xW-1xw4Y2UM2xP/s1600/DSC_8413+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn8qkSXZC7KM_Cx3urtFx4NFMcXHGJQ9bDhnWLJCArAcxAhd_QwiafQdjixS7sqI55iW0Pf_kNryas9srBOwrwOVigbJPRZlikL1OMucLWJwYGisSibwoJUQIzYKU1_xW-1xw4Y2UM2xP/s400/DSC_8413+copy+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Baby M turned two in March and I think it’s time to stop calling her Baby M
on this blog. Her name is Maddie and her new bff is my eldest son, who she calls
“Unca Matt”. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlx5XG_viuyPx4-h6LIki3gwGLYwyTxBtnzAErpt3EfIsqiIz1PKi-ZuevheBWS9EST77hkuHPRX0eBInNoOdylwDcl-ZXfiVUR00IzUHa8WM8-Xs6RDZIzVGdvaDW5KUlU-COWmldx_q/s1600/DSC_8426+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlx5XG_viuyPx4-h6LIki3gwGLYwyTxBtnzAErpt3EfIsqiIz1PKi-ZuevheBWS9EST77hkuHPRX0eBInNoOdylwDcl-ZXfiVUR00IzUHa8WM8-Xs6RDZIzVGdvaDW5KUlU-COWmldx_q/s640/DSC_8426+copy+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Blowing bubbles with Unca Matt.</div>
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Maddie’s mother. My lovely niece, Kim. </div>
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This morning my alarm went off at 5:48 AM like it was a work day.
At first, I was very upset because I was certain that my work week had ended but
I guessed that I was wrong. Then I quickly realized it was Saturday but now
couldn’t fall back to sleep. So I came downstairs, put on the coffee, and then
opened the front door to let in Miss Blackie, who had spent the night camping
outside. </div>
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And zoom . . . from behind me raced Kitten Kitten. Oh, holy
heavens. I’d let my son’s cat outside.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMkk0FOHGR9anZ3AKzOrRRjG3v88BWNn_GC23FiHEjmXdtJexBAnXgm0M8m-4eZnCiDktGhyphenhyphenCXDGL7lzERnD_mN0gaGmOdWsSWgpuYZWvP9VdvX4JKDgBucZYxYqlsD2PWyqjaN5P2cRK/s1600/DSC_8462+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMkk0FOHGR9anZ3AKzOrRRjG3v88BWNn_GC23FiHEjmXdtJexBAnXgm0M8m-4eZnCiDktGhyphenhyphenCXDGL7lzERnD_mN0gaGmOdWsSWgpuYZWvP9VdvX4JKDgBucZYxYqlsD2PWyqjaN5P2cRK/s640/DSC_8462+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the first time the cat has gone outside without being constrained. I
think it’s silly, quite frankly. The cat belongs to my youngest son (the one who
lives here with me) and I believe he’s afraid that the cat will run up one of
the giant trees on the property and not be able to get down. My opinion is that
it’s a cat. If they run up a tree, they’ll eventually come down when they get
hungry. But my son doesn’t really listen to me.<br />
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I fretted for a little bit, especially after the damn thing promptly ran up
one of the big trees on the property. I’m not kidding. Then I decided to relax
about it and went inside to get the camera. By the time I’d popped on the long
lens and came back outside, the cat was making its way back down the tree. All
was well.<br />
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As you can tell from the photo above, I still haven’t addressed all of the
weeds on that are growing between the bricks of the back patio. I have most of
it done but the cats preferred to stay on that weedy section of it for this
morning’s photo shoot.<br />
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* snort *<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9lo5Y0J666ABP_5AAPQSE_GkS6tY_CDrnu9mjoPZ5B0EtRtC5mvYAXfeV3IjU62WnHDCEHtmoo4Kl3jFXDYLx83MJD7qGt-OsBmeqquCkkj9ohbdU-LysLJW1fpMmBN9Ohca-z-Ijbc9/s1600/DSC_8470+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9lo5Y0J666ABP_5AAPQSE_GkS6tY_CDrnu9mjoPZ5B0EtRtC5mvYAXfeV3IjU62WnHDCEHtmoo4Kl3jFXDYLx83MJD7qGt-OsBmeqquCkkj9ohbdU-LysLJW1fpMmBN9Ohca-z-Ijbc9/s640/DSC_8470+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can also see, I still have pansies and johnny jumps in my planters.
This is something else I need to address this weekend.<br />
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My best buddy.</div>
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Kitty poser.</div>
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I finally got the kitty back into the house although he yowled
with displeasure at this affront to his freedom.</div>
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I really think he can go outside from now on, though. My son is
just being over-protective.</div>
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My goal for this weekend: Clearing out this weed garden, putting in my
husband’s giant aloe plant tubs and planting shade flowers around it. I have
been meaning to do this all month and finally have set some time aside for this
task. Wish me luck, ok?<br />
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So good to see you again. Thanks for taking the time to visit me
here ~</div>
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<br /></div>
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-49301976052807910092015-05-30T09:25:00.000-04:002015-05-30T09:33:52.928-04:00Hello againI have just written an entire new post using the program I have always used for this blog called Windows Live Writer. Perhaps because I've not posted in so long, my account went stale. I don't freaking now. What I do know is that I've spent a good two hours working on photos on this old laptop and when I went to hit publish, Blogger returned the error to WLW that I am not found. I give up. I have things to do. Just know that I'm still alive.<br />
<br />
So exasperating.<br />
<br />
Apparently, it is a Microsoft issue and twitter blew up mid-week over it. Thousands of people have been affected. I'm going to try to attempt to write directly into Blogger. Annoying because the reason I use WLW is the freedom I have with my photo size and position. Blogger does not have this.<br />
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<!-- AddToAny END -->Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-36263816540823894072015-04-27T19:57:00.001-04:002015-04-27T19:57:25.596-04:00Another week on the hill<p>Oh, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? It’s chilly here in Maryland as I write on this Monday evening while watching the news. The local news has been on an extended version due to the looting and rioting going on in Baltimore. It is disgusting and I am finally changing the channel.</p> <p>Our weather here began taking a turn for the cold over a week ago after several days of quite warm weather that forced all the blooms to burst forth on redbuds, dogwoods, lavender, and spring bulbs. It’s been kind of interesting because all these blooms have stayed lovely and not wilted in the heat. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT6NW_ZRfJD6Z20zhd76C3hlkXxHIzw43o8eB731Mgql6NmP_8hTaf2JLJmYKjfkARLFrhkUFlMl_bILm4fVSnUkIwEHCxrGjKewKoXDZUqM5vjevccItjsRL90w8xeN73zKWrd0OcqA/s1600-h/DSC_7707-copy-23.jpg"><img title="DSC_7707 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_7707 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4XKFosvPb4OhYf-GqSzkYM8x3kERJ3bj7M5efmC9drwDMR0wAjP6meDPX_yCQ9PWv2sSpFoVg6zFauFhv6B_DX_DLBexYUVwyN3luABMQPqEZKSVZopasCxDl-8xOCLWZJPZBzNJ-64/?imgmax=800" width="671" height="573"></a></p> <p align="center">The fountain at Logan Square in Philadelphia.</p> <p align="left">Last weekend, I attended a National Geographic photography workshop that was sponsored by B&H Photo. It was held at the Museum of Art & Sciences in Philadelphia, on Logan Square. The one thing I took from this workshop is that I basically suck as a photographer. But I’m sure that wasn’t the presenter’s intention. It sure as hell isn’t going to stop me taking pictures and editing them using my archaic knowledge that doesn’t include Lightroom and/or advanced methods of photo storage. A lot of what was discussed went over my head and I sat in the front row, taking notes, and wondering at one point if I was the stupidest person in the room. And then someone raised their hand and asked a question and I realized that I was not. Thank God – a kindred spirit, and probably many more who were also in that room but afraid to raise their hand and speak.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqWNqi9mrlwn49u8GIJOJ3G14qz7jLbzKjFN0CKAWOdXJU_xB_jwCSBrikpmp-i8WGjZSAdWEr-kSHZx0E2tnIvc4JtQy0mK204PxxEtBpAFp-M90rbqFR6OXuNR6AD9lqJb9l50gn2c/s1600-h/DSC_7698-copy-25.jpg"><img title="DSC_7698 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_7698 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNTIAjIH4ocjwGB_52NkyJhGM4veAGpS1RcKb_kho3uvzyWoCbXcJ5pCFyP4UCNuzMW23yT2T0Zor2nc8kpKtbtwgca_8QpyP3yf66_Nvu2ihMnXmnlH_GCtp7mxjGPKAOR9niTOUPag/?imgmax=800" width="623" height="538"></a></p> <p>I came out of it with some good advice however, some good tips, and a few things I already knew. Met some friends for lunch (read: drinks) afterward on that warm and beautiful day in Philly. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP8QMyZ9sr6vV-4okcg5rqkM6IoazXrYByKwcClLWLvXcxG6oMcmIIRNI54rfwigTUM9Oit1SzKzuXMTIO9eG2exeTR5HZpiTVO8aha2yOEUTbmJDGOSENbKt9_nu12i9jMJcHczwK5Q/s1600-h/DSC_7726-copy-24.jpg"><img title="DSC_7726 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_7726 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaJKg4w0KlUSDvL4Gm17o8j7V2DzD5zqgt9O-puVjq-37FteKmz-iwHRZv13BeymUw4hmrtPWaPrrtqIxS_C_VZxLMzE4jThZqlUR3EgnGrOIw8oW3B-C48Xp_m4fwfJze1L8JREjsQw/?imgmax=800" width="551" height="379"></a></p> <p>I shot this from the back seat of my friend’s car window within the split second that I saw it. I want to go back and find this place again and while I’m there, to find other really old structures like this. Buildings were formed around this tiny old place. Look at the brick and the slates on the roof. It’s got to date from the 1700’s. </p> <p>Sounds like a photo expedition to me. Could be fun, too.</p> <p>Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVTwv62mwl4_UjM0zbKcXdBg9FeeOtITgbvjOHAevN8cHD-0TeRPkdAB_RiiYaYBqQtmQNH4ZXLKU4a8Z3tGe7e2hRlf6qLeu654FWh3pg8wncP7QpwjWaMggcAlxLW-LfIZCQ1i7Lu0/s1600-h/DSC_7739-copy-25.jpg"><img title="DSC_7739 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_7739 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4FwhGV15R7n8GxsTyPIoMR9pyjDylQbX3XbeQV8Z4B_QT8MPyr4jk7MAUksl_DDFtyCFlY5ezHXZLoRMMKaTT6dOJufnWG7WvzDM86M2PWjz3lAYkVPg3wYsY8guuTe3TA9Un3uYTPo/?imgmax=800" width="672" height="579"></a></p> <p align="center">My best friend sits at the edge of the patio.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgSuXpL_gRS_Q8EebTFwJMmjAfha-sBdGczYEkJOJaMAuUZ__xwy3J6h-C4QwJV-Wy56DZioxTnfrWJMUIT5KiAlsekjhvhyphenhyphentUm7PbVL4VO8NrQNbuEvtdcvUpVJZ6dZelYpYqdw7po0/s1600-h/DSC_7751-copy-24.jpg"><img title="DSC_7751 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_7751 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmhpx5H89Czg75STu0bAATcnUDDIO9sD-5w1lFzxJowIDOch6ctNT2dtmxVdQOa_rDDA5zh0DpMDheAP-5cE990Rsb03ks6eYWQ3apzq3u22qfs_O3pJhE08n7HqqhKS1Lbw0Y7gnks8/?imgmax=800" width="470" height="720"></a></p> <p align="center">A black-capped chickadee waits its turn at the feeders.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkexQcPpWLFYr-XtDlllS2JGJvioe-ZsaG2yL_Aca1qZ45ES8J9R5RH9NUpiabyZRfPfUHb2LYKDkyO2-6jWy5JqbdsNnHnD3lLKq1Njo4WqQ5uN8ZHjGyckeOMAdvLMqS6HwwtdkjgM/s1600-h/DSC_7763-copy-25.jpg"><img title="DSC_7763 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_7763 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhloY4wyIXRPRHFUda62Vv_WjEq3zKVWih2ao3Z0WHFQLZGms8TsHPc7jYnYUPYcMQo_u8TEk1onUMlFj4zy60MqSO0i2kJnm3XOuuZqqqQHuXPcBzvGBN438LpjcWr5qUsMcRZQVl0Lk/?imgmax=800" width="667" height="464"></a></p> <p align="center">A robin gathers nesting material.</p> <p align="center">This was a rare capture for me, and my favorite of all the images here.</p> <p align="center">I took several of this bird as it came back and forth with different colored grasses but it was this one that had all the right colors, the best bokeh, and that distinctive spotted red breast.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FhRFwTRRDD9GcrqZQJAMxewoeb8cY7TdmrN5OJBBWyJqtJZZaGuHxyqoliLnf4Ov5TIizGmAu7rZyPJFDXu8AKk4ZwQ_cuSDKrKQD-88uBMOkxZ4B5le1fWYCezyqP5CBG4WgTOPks3r/s1600-h/DSC_7861-copy-24.jpg"><img title="DSC_7861 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_7861 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTAB47CpTzKhQGyb-PgxUoiTILifQh1mSzJQS8Ve0AcPeu1fVa4i5pSlKskm1tBKYUhas7QdE4ILXVxZIR8uGh9iBAuV6yStl5PBXkb4fg0SlNd9nVKVZ3jMOx3vgwP-8i8vB6ihvnVE/?imgmax=800" width="666" height="458"></a></p> <p align="center">A white-throated sparrow at my pretty pottery feeder.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_5ebvENjKS2oWSIjKRxsIy25uoTHS0e2SuuGAt7HwjUnVDkv5Bd-qAFu7myH8TWKa8DW-jvBnX2SFq9VuC3rPYrVRUGqt0MdglSuIAn_FPgn1pIUlDfF8ME5fnfczJIPH6pA1MlodNQ/s1600-h/DSC_7837-copy-24.jpg"><img title="DSC_7837 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_7837 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQozIYlMjXebtSmiQr2NX_vu7tPS_cjxDLqQ_VKc-iDpgdDvlIU5iLE7Smvix-38AHZbbISG1oKwNY0Y5X6U7pPV2monOtxBDbyrpuhS-DksJxXm9Dv88iZbNZcDualpjqJVe3bLKDbL4/?imgmax=800" width="663" height="456"></a></p> <p align="center">And a mockingbird alights in the dogwood tree.</p> <p align="center">: : :</p> <p align="center">A work crew showed up this weekend to take down the old and dilapidated fence line that runs all around the old paddock area in front of the red barn at the edge of the woods. Although I’m glad to see that old fence gone, in a way I’m going to miss it. When we moved here, my husband did his best to shore it back up and he’d erected several bluebird boxes along its length. I am going to miss this. </p> <p align="center">But things change. And that’s all there is to it.</p> <p align="center">Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.</p> <p align="center">You friend that hasn’t forgotten you ~</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHsBH2GvK5OFCaMp7gCC8AlUNvRZ_iE9i1ki34jWHZOfJx3KAL1-B9XIVs22yKJJT2OZd1OpITet0sefkup58wwe5-b1SY_s3wH832vPKM-YBA36ht-1d-W1qLQz6uM7EY3iT370evTQ/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAMtI0TEcgU0DUMdPVBbhCSXqpwlnYVjDQkXY7QxMBD7TOG3M5z0acvFjf7EUVkRAHqFHSRh_9LdYexN7zj5W6EwoUl2Wy7XskbZ9eip0D7C-aVK1Xobe1Vg9OikHECrzpo7s2y3yDI8/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="65"></a></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296284051502496327.post-82189733539239566862015-04-14T19:29:00.001-04:002015-04-14T19:29:07.729-04:00I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife<p>I am not here to tell you my sins. I often use song lyrics as post titles and this one comes from a tune I heard last week over Spring Break. It’s by Hozier, called Take Me to Church. I was driving around in NJ with a girlfriend, listening to a station I like on Pandora and she asked me if I had Hozier on my playlist. So at the next red light, I quickly added it and before I knew it, this song came on. I’ve tried to load it onto this post but despite my best efforts wasn’t able to it through Windows Live Writer, so here’s a link to it: <a title="https://youtu.be/MYSVMgRr6pw" href="https://youtu.be/MYSVMgRr6pw">https://youtu.be/MYSVMgRr6pw</a>.</p> <p>Groovy tune. Weird lyrics. But what the hey. I do like a good tune.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82wsl_akZZfYBJrnfvFlCBZRS3PRpAhI4ybFolHVl2vp7Gj9SoBU9Xy3XXfVTLV1PQvZO7fDwfm1xF3ycw9rdCItS0SPAjCt1S7w2_8UG0AdQq5-gnGKoWIuwpiJf-N5AvoKPc7WBgLPJ/s1600-h/DSC_7612%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_7612 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_7612 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvhDkZB4npOGAetH-dZy8eVPcssjRT_EkoKIjlFcOj1bBfEE-it-A9GaGidc9FPgCkmggWYnjtmlYNcCbNEmXbtWiK_zJG2b-E_F_G0vubGiR1xqBe8vJBo4y-udl7PzurNwP7Pgv654/?imgmax=800" width="609" height="520"></a></p> <p>I have been so absent but offer no apologies. I think that blogging was a lifeline for me for so long. It was comforting - to write every night, sitting in the living room with my husband while he did his thing and I edited photos and worked on a post. It made me feel connected to the outside world and gave me a creative outlet. I am so thankful for it and for the friends I made through this blog. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFnu5ejzP0CTb5l40t0VaPVybUJS_KZ0dedQhsJZ6zGo6a-cal9NEJ6hjjQTpGy7xhwv8kff6nNq38T1eougW2PwK59Z7XDR65aDg-7q25p2zeJoqvGOEell2sD0jKMu-kP63AFFULnY/s1600-h/DSC_7651%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_7651 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_7651 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqF4MA-VFKA6ivRZ6ig0y4qs11BCef8DPx6aj6XN7Jw1g2bMgwuamIc9tkNpIYYkOY9tyJQ8bEyT7Q7ebGxIJDewTUuToEId3ABNb0tDTijOIw-7x48F1rtzLmX0b-KC92savgV-HgQQ/?imgmax=800" width="609" height="520"></a></p> <p>I have been busy and trying to do new things. I took eight framed prints to the gallery and after they saw them, they asked for four more. My sister, Char, came to visit over the break last week and I took her up to show her where my photography is being shown. She was very complimentary.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizev8oXEUBoPjpRRuj3LaR22Vb896Uo3j8JqyhILWPbA7sCtXLL9R9wwhX1Uw2b5kOtOddGgWzGf9ljbg-yW-R9r1VEJtI-PJz9ux8MLXr_1ZDQwD7ZeWhv9owfcKOVjUG43v1AMeyzw/s1600-h/DSC_7678%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_7678 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_7678 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvuNHLg9XJRpEOrdhBCHnhfsF-OxYbyNAxWlwB1wSvTiwPkO9E3jTWMadnavEMUHZL3M_Fl9xLab-Nyp_j_kk-XFSfRKw-Rx3jQDHtMCgGARAmOwNgKJ2S5wE1rYyuS3kMglj_U0A338/?imgmax=800" width="608" height="519"></a></p> <p>We had fairly lousy weather last week and I was wearing my winter coat and scarf again. But on Saturday, the blessed sun finally came out and the air was soft and mild and so I spent the day cleaning up the bird feeding station out by the patio and planting some pansies in planters. I did several loads of laundry, hanging them on the line to dry and fell asleep that night with the scent of fresh sheets that smelled of springtime.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAhhGDoOdfnoRurxVWkkToL_6yZr0-seMZe1Db16wLU53Fgx8y4jIr1tOhYl7d7jU78mtfb-Sk0atiMin29tRFmCSV_z_1DzZy8m1patgrLBChdfxVR-kIJbKtNK45v4W7tdVeEv5e9g/s1600-h/IMG_20150412_061404%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20150412_061404 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_20150412_061404 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNZKr9fzUGoph4srtoglBh7MHJqttjtc0MxR-PVm-tWzKCjWJT6dRJXiSWKJ24yIgVy47OFkcsPgHRTYoDx3TY4gNiuPZS5wQhoYYlXmNG8k9eTeNI0owWtnSUtMCQGohoHwl8p83T_8/?imgmax=800" width="470" height="694"></a></p> <p align="center">After I got done my chores, I sat outside in the sunshine with a cocktail, a book, and my best buddy.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaDwKOFRyQ04-8XxKDGXuD6xE5CKOnEhPFvxTkXspIDoZ40GsjC4tEED2YVle4CCePnNEtgVyUYeoD3pVvAWsuWyJKCWrkwFHTpf4kkxdtyiz6ww57vAq_fhKJPENNr9YHMP925siNYY/s1600-h/IMG_20150412_061559%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20150412_061559 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_20150412_061559 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-7cTMFSMfIh9AsBiZUWywawhaDeNSB4AGR4vLqk86Czx1nxC8pkOy19ows-qmPREfnYyZxCbldoWsKzIiyGah6Pb7scpihYdR7JHyZIzd3DJXZe8I8qIHUjWlTmDDqv8kvh41cPEme8/?imgmax=800" width="461" height="748"></a></p> <p>If anyone knows of a way to get rid of weeds between the bricks of a patio, please let me know. My husband used to use Roundup but I refuse to use the stuff. Last year, I did a section at a time and hand-pulled each weed. I would almost resort to chemicals before I did that again . . . ugh.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLMU6eVb_ihHKbdKJYGW5eIyKTFb0_nR8UbJg1UXGpKrB3biX0SrCqlYoic7xAALRnFz0CoVAfUfEmtQFba3qOCpkJFDT96YzQ_j070QN9AZbjH-Ny46gf9pf1NRUWtBskMyjYA8boFs/s1600-h/IMG_20150412_062532%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20150412_062532 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_20150412_062532 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_1ijzLwzKDvBvHh5FeNq33FegohdYFLGofsw5qYmRmt-F94Pu-3MfUIaYXQbaT4Y5mf_-J-qpprPacrvYeWa_GFW7dR_w5V9lf5SMX2fna4pgiii91FRKopcUPtfIB-6a6SzyVje8Ms/?imgmax=800" width="568" height="393"></a></p> <p align="center">Kitten Kitten loves to sit by the open window and look outside at the birds.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFP8n90dusYM9bazZ7DnreFbQaELJgO2so2q29ak8-cxd8QCXOnVEyK6wEe8JPO7HYYT9zxC4MN5MbTwnHnQyc2ZRrnv_ISPbh1qccz7sVyxs7SkFJfZiEEYNkR5Q5Qa7d2rxFkf0mWA/s1600-h/IMG_20150413_043435%252520copy%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20150413_043435 copy 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_20150413_043435 copy 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLNkSeIqTVCk50MndYekj0vvF4Le-7shQHYgT3X1056z0g6wihwM9jGO2_HvEXDgBZpYO1edVe51re9sBsU8BsJSQDRHPSOZMuS37ZYmrojJpBcV6-ogLIa2JLjdDVEuhyphenhyphen6P9U-fGDKCG/?imgmax=800" width="545" height="436"></a></p><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --> <p align="center"><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- AddToAny END --><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- AddToAny END --><!-- AddToAny BEGIN --> <script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script>And life is ok.</p> <p align="center">I hope it is with you, as well.</p> <p align="center">Thanks so much for stopping by today. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Bge9iX8iLw3d71dfRU36Crdd-XIJXarVq0W6bCjw_ViBed9AuC9x2KaJpd3mmwzK1v89Svgsd4tRIKUpgq6hDP2uoDaeR-tewT7nVwc0dksmm4IpdLX9viBdicpJE105A7XfOEbodks/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="123 Signature[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="123 Signature[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXs6Bao9jrrY1f-BMkbRvhOuApu9Ruxb7WhsVrvyB9Dz-gWMis2kroZuUQKxI92QsYYEHjYj7IBbac177D1HEmQaS-qrKup6T99zC7q6IJBX2usZmf8x_XFcK200tsPSb3gOCj3CAR-k/?imgmax=800" width="183" height="65"></a><!-- AddToAny END --></p> Country Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.com34