Week 39

"We are rare, not perfect...we need to soothe ourselves, not blame ourselves." ~ Mark Nepo

Walks, bike rides, art in the backyard, leaves changing color, clear sky in the west, Hurricane watch on the east coast, and these adorable grandchildren of mine. All is well and we're all okay. Thank you.

I love watching the Liquidambars change. 

Out for a morning adventure with this cutie.

Noticing.

I gave him a new pad of paper when I picked him up from school. 

He walked into the house, gathered his supplies, and went straight to work on his masterpiece.

My heart!

Straight out of my camera (phone).

Burn baby burn.

As we watched the weather channel all evening, I  made a little graphic from a screenshot.

Then we watched again the next night as Ian headed towards Melissa in SC.

Thankfully, all of our family made it through okay.

Paisley highly recommends this book. 

It is eye-opening. 

She liked my happy face Sun.

Got all three of them together. 

More Liquidambar (aka Sweetgum) leaves.

Those are some big eyes staring down at me - like I'm prey. 

This is one of the White-tailed Kites that has been hanging out at Hub's office. 

Week 38

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall." ~ Oscar Wilde

I took a lot of photos this week, and it took a bit to sort through them all. Then I had to pick my favorites. 

The highlight of my week was playing with Paisley's new bubble machine. Well, also photographing flowers, birds, a butterfly, and the clouds, and, oh yeah, IT'S FALL!

An American Goldfinch. 

They are getting more comfortable with me sitting a little closer to their food source.

We had some amazing cloud-scapes this week. 

Signs of fall.

Best bubble machine EVER!

"My bubbles."

Cosmos at Heather Farms.

Just practicing with manual focus on a Mexican Sunflower 

when this Gulf Fritillary decided to have a snack. 

Miss Cleo on one of her thrones.

Art in the back yard, every chance we get. 

Test drive.

City Hall, again. I love the reflections from the pond. 

Week 28

As I add these photos, I think I may need to rename this project the "Logan and Paisley Show." They're just so adorable I can't stop myself. I brought out my big-girl camera this week and I'm happy I did. 

Morning yogurt facial, of course.

My heart!

Still waking up here.

A moment of cooperation and sweetness. 

He's on top of the world!

Early morning light and shadow fun.

I got them out of the house for a walk. 

One loves to explore and doesn't want to leave the house.

This is one of the many cute houses in their neighborhood.

She's living her best life.

Three generations. 

The older ones talk about work ALL. THE. TIME.

Analog art for calming the nerves.

Sharpie and Crayola markers.

354/365

 

Today...

Woke to a crystal clear sky and then the fog rolled in. 

We went for a drive, picked up some lunch, and then hiked up a hill.

Needed to get out of the house so we wouldn't dwell on the fact that we were supposed to be on a plane to Florida today for our Christmas vacation with our girls and grandkids.

We managed to forget about that and this pandemic for a few hours. 

I remind myself, often, about how we are healthy, we have a home, money, food, perfect grandchildren, and adult children who love us and especially each other. I'm happy my girls get to spend the holiday together. I just miss them so much it hurts. 

Is this dumpster fire of a year over yet?

342/365

 

Today...

I want to remember: Mike put up strings of white lights all around the living room. It looks so romantic, I love it. 

303/365

 

Today...

I started by taking pictures before I did anything else. It was an idea that came to mind along with the 84,000 thoughts that bounced around in my head through my mostly sleepless night. 

274/365

Today...

A morning visit from Jesse and Logan.

Logan wants to set up a sleepover.

Finally getting a mani/pedi! 

Getting voice text from Logan.

Chatting with my sister.

Playing with my Lens ball and refraction photography.

Having fun making a mess in the office/studio.

Planning our Christmas trip.

Takeout for dinner.

Watching the NBA playoffs with Mike.

242/365

Today...

A two-mile morning walk.

Listening to a Liz Gilbert and Martha Beck podcast.

Listening to Amazon music while going through old photos.

Taking down curtains, cleaning windows, getting shit done.

Getting to see Jesse, Bri, and Logan for a few minutes this afternoon.

Seeing how happy and more relaxed they are in there own home.

Scouting kayaking location with Mike.

Walking around the marina and the wetlands.

Crossing bridges and walking another two miles.

Seeing Egrets, Red-tailed hawks, and Osprey

Watching people fly kites.

Another new recipe for dinner: Spicey shrimp over Creamy Cauliflower rice.

132/365

Today...
Up with the sun. I'm trying to make this a habit.
Starting another Whole30 reset.
Sunny in the morning, grey and dreary in the afternoon.
Taking pictures and using my tripod.
Visiting Spain again - through my photos.
Editing photos.
Chatting with my Sister on the phone.
Rain.
Roasted chicken sausages and vegetables for dinner.

Wildflowers

99/365

Today...
Sunshine.
Making Hippy Banana bread this morning.
Cleaning up my inbox.
Getting the property taxes paid.
Having the funds to pay the property taxes.
Another 100% quiz in my online class.
An afternoon walk with Hubs.
My Son calling to check in.

White Rose