Happy Mother's Day - Happy Sunny Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you! Whether your babies are children, adults, or pets, I hope you are having a fantastic day!

I've had such a good week. In addition to seeing Debbie, Lori-Ann, and Courtney on Wednesday night, I was happy to catch up with my friends Sheri and Lisa on Friday night. We've been friends for about seven years now. When we first met Lisa's oldest daughter was in 1st grade. She's 14 now. Amazing how fast time passes, isn't it?

This is my first Mother's Day without my mom. I wasn't sure what to expect but it's not been horrible. My tradition was to call mom 1st thing in the morning to wish her a happy mother's day. So instead I called my sister. Luckily she is like me...an early riser. I think it might be genetic. My grandmother and my mom were both "early birds" - up early every day even if they didn't have anywhere to be! I've been like that for years and love it!

I wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather so I went for another walk! I bet you guys wonder if I ever leave my neighborhood since so many of my blogs focus on what's going on right here in our subdivision. I promise I do and someday soon I'll take my camera with me to prove it! For now, I hope you'll join me as I wander around the area.


These two trees are at the top of the hill in an open area. I guess they have grown crooked from the wind? I like to think they are dancing!

I've walked the trail through our neighborhood hundreds of times but today I noticed this path off the trail. It leads to a clearing. Looking at it I had a flashback to the neighborhood where I grew up. We had lots of woods around us. I found one tree where the branches had grown down to form an enclosure of sorts. My friend Karen and I would go hang out in there. We called it our "hut!" I guess that's the closest I ever got to having a tree house!


We've had A LOT of rain this past week so I was delighted to take a picture of the fabulous blue skies!




When the rain finally stopped on Friday I was so excited to see my shadow. Today I was still happy to see my shadow! Hmmm...I wonder if this is how the groundhog feels on February 2nd???


The birds were enjoying the sun too!

This pile of grass clippings seems really out of place along the walking trail. There's no grassy areas to be mowed really close by. There appeared to be an opening. I wonder if it's a burrow of some sort. Any ideas what animal might have made it?

One of the things I enjoy about "exploring" the neighborhood is to see the lawns. It fascinates me to see the ways people decorate their yards...

But as cheerful as the pinwheel is the prettiest colors are the flowers and shrubs





I believe the pink is a rhodedendron









and the white is an azalea.



Both are beautiful aren't they?




So now I'm back at home where my "babies" always give me something to smile about :)

I recently saw a journal prompt that I like. Complete this phrase in as many ways as you can... "Why do...?"

One of my immediate thoughts: "why do cats always want to sit or stand between the keyboard and monitor?"

I hope you're having lots of sunshine wherever you are!

P.S. - I'm having a tough time with formatting today so if things are not lined up properly that's why! Blame the computer gremlins LOL

Sunset Blues

This week has been a sad one around our house. Our appointment to have Tyler put to sleep was at 6:30 on Tuesday evening. By 7pm we had said our farewells and our sweet baby had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. In a way it was a fitting time...just as the light was leaving our day so too was the light of my Tyler leaving our family! Each day since I've found myself growing sadder as dusk approaches. I know that Tyler is in a much happier, healthier place and that he would not want me to experience the Sunset Blues. So today I decided to take a walk. One of the things that always provides me with pleasure is taking pictures. Here are a few things that I saw...





This tree is in a neighbor's yard. Every year I take a picture of it. They probably wonder why I don't just get my own tree!



















I admit that I can't tell the difference between a crow and a raven. Whichever one this is, it was beautiful against the blue sky.







The largest cluster of daffodils I've seen blooming together. It makes such a dramatic statement to see them like this. The Dutch say that Americans always want to plant flowers like "soldiers in a row." I agree this is more striking!








During meditation recently I had the thought that "it's all in my hands" so when I saw this petal lying on the ground it caught my eye! Interestingly enough I couldn't see a tree nearby that would have this bloom! (I know...I know...I need a manicure LOL)






It's hard to tell but this is a bicycle tire way up in the crook of a very tall tree! Somedays I feel equally out of place!

I'm not sure what this tree is but I love the pureness of its white blossoms!

The many colors of Dolly


Thanks for stopping by and for all of your love and support this week! Have a wonderful Easter, or as my friend, Susan, says "wishing you chocolate smiles and jelly bean grins!"