An American Beauty

Metallic magenta pops against a green bower backdrop, defying the drought. 

I'm pleased to introduce American Beautyberry, now appearing center stage by our little pond, 

for our viewing pleasure and the nibbling pleasure of neighborhood deer and cardinals.

It's a limited engagement, I'm sure. 

Ready to Explore

I had heard of  FlickR, but until a few months ago, I had no idea it was this other world allowing dual-citizenship for thousands of photography addicts from around the world. Soon after strolling around in there a bit and meeting several other citizens, I became aware of FlickR Explore, an honor bestowed on the "best" 500 photos every day, determined by an algorithm which rates each photo by factors such as how many have viewed a photo, how many have commented on it and how many have "favorited" it.

Of course, right away I longed for one of mine to be chosen, but after nearly three months of citizenship and almost 200 photos submitted, I realized it probably wasn't going to happen, especially when I compared mine to those that were chosen.

Then, surprise! This email appeared from fellow FlickR citizen RuudMorijn: This beautiful picture is quite rightly chosen for EXPLORE. Congratulations!


My Morning Moon photo did it! Some of my contacts have had numerous photos chosen; I'm not sure if it's that big of a deal to anyone else and there's no trophy, ribbon or monetary prize attached to it... in fact, my photo is buried somewhere in an endless web album of other photos by now... but for me, it ranks up there with Homecoming Queen and almost with getting my first essay published. Thank you, FlickR!  

Click here to see more FlickR Explore.

Summers are for Weddings

Whether young love or hearts made young with love, in Wisconsin or Texas, the vows are the same... 

I do... want to spend the rest of my life with you. 

I will...ignore those irritating things I'll inevitably notice about you and focus instead on the awesome ones that made me fall in love with you in the first place. 

I do... promise that from this moment on I will see you as I see you today, with the sun kissing your face and your eyes looking at me like I'm your whole world. 

I will... love you always.

I do. I will.

Amen.

Hootenanny!

Follow the trail into the woods by the light of the moon. Hear the music? Hear the laughter?

 It's the Hootenanny!

Heaven for musicians and singers... just step onto the stage and join in. 

Heaven for non-musicians... just climb the hill, find a seat, listen and enjoy.

"Happy birthday, dear Jimmy..."

Some just listen and enjoy...

Others play the guitar, play the flute, play the drums, joining in after playing their paid gigs... 

On most nights, musicians outnumber listeners. 

The stage overflows, the music plays on, deep into the night.

Daddy's birds

Daddy and his bird feeder, the neighborhood avian hangout. 

Mesmerizing.

A place of Action. Drama. Diversity.

A place where even Rock Stars are treated like everyone else.