I meet wonderful people here....

People seem to find a way to complain...

about some of the strangest things...

even other bloggers.

Not me.

I have had the most incredible luck 

in the blogosphere.

I have met women that 

create...

with their words,

with their photos,

with their hands......

good golly!

 there are some talented

people out there.

And sometimes

I stubble upon someone that I take an instant

liking to....

like PJ.

If you haven't seen her 

"Weekly Bleatings"

then you haven't laughed.

no, I mean REALLY laughed.

She is self-deprecating 

in a good way,

I love people that 

can laugh at themselves,

and have the nerve to tell others what they

are sniggling about. 

Suffice to say,

I was very delighted indeed to have her ask me 

about a featured spot on her blog

"Seens from the backs of my eyelids"

Yesterday was that day.

I am truly grateful when anyone

appreciates my work.

I am doubly grateful when that person 

is someone whose work

I admire.

And 

Triply grateful when they have 

the gift of gently used sarcasm

and wit.....

smiles.

Today....I guest blog....

For the first time 

EVER!

I was so excited to be contacted

by 

Rachel

at HUE

She was preparing to have a baby!

Sweet!

and needed to line up a few 

people to help her with the task of keeping her blog

on schedule.....

(I was just glad that she didn't need help with diapers!0

And I was...

and am 

honored!

Truly...

that she would trust me.

So....

what is my favorite color?

YELLOW!

An Ode to Yellow

find it

HERE

Biggest of 

smiles....

Tis the season.....

For weddings....

you may find that you are attending 

many social functions this time of year.

Graduation....

birthdays....

Showers.....

all sorts of events that require

a certain amount of social grace.

Most of these events 

have been planned months in advance.

But....

the weddings that 

you  attend may have been planned...

in some cases...

for years.

No kidding.

You may think I exaggerate...

but if you have never planned 

a wedding, say for 250 guests....

well, you may have no idea.

When my studio was in full swing,

we booked October

(yes, the Halloween month!)

at least a year in advance.

And I mean BOOKED.

and we had to 

turn girls down....

and refer them to other photographers.

The church,

the reception site,

the caterer,

the cake maker,

the florist, 

and the photographer,

all of them should be booked,

contract signed, 

and deposit made,

at least a year in advance.

Especially 

if you plan to marry in a month

that is popular for your region.

Yes, 

it is a regional thing,

the weather in my fair city is lovely in October,

so much nicer than in June,

which by the way is sweltering......

So, the dates and places go quickly.

I guess my whole point here

is this....

If you find yourself at one of these 

large wedding events, 

make sure to find your way to the 

host and hostess

before you leave.

Thank them....

for the invitation, certainly...

but also for all the hard work,

that obviously, went into the event,

and tell them how lovely it all was....

so that they may find a moment 

of peace in the chaos.

smiles....

This is what I saw.....

Well, close....

this photo is actually from a bit earlier in the year,

But it gives the general feeling for what I am about

to describe...

I woke up early

(sorry k, it's unexpected)

and was clearly not going to be able

 to roll over and shoot for another short dream

so....

down the stairs,

just in time to watch my sweetie start his car

and pull out of the drive....

poured myself a cup o' joe,

staggered into the living room

to scan the paper.

I always open the sliders

wide, early in morning

even on days that promise to 

hit the 90's,

because lately, I have been yearning for 

contact with nature.

I am not really able to explain this but 

suffice to say, I will endure hot flashes 

in order to hear the birds,

listen to the rustle of the leaves

as the breezes dance by,

and all that romantic stuff....

I figure it's just a side effect of the hormones

 that don't know 

how old they are 

(that's a whole different story).

This morning is glorious.

The breeze is light,

the birds are singing their littles throats raw,

and the hummers (birds)

are hitting the new juice like "Ali".

I finished what I could stand of the paper,

and grabbed my coffee for a sit outside on the deck.

The hummers kept coming to the feeder even though it was only

3 feet from where I sat.

The squirrels took a much needed break

 from eating all of my bird food.

And then,

the sun started to peak through the pines....

(I know it sounds like a James Taylor song, but it's true)

and as it did,

about 100 yards away, a spider web

was illuminated....brilliantly!

I was transfixed,

(actually still, and mouth open)

Wait! 

I have a set of binoculars@!

Once back in my seat,

"bios" in hand,

I took a couple of seconds to adjust the settings,

and wa-la!

there is was...a huge...

no HUGE  spider web at a "sissy comfortable"

distance away from me.

It glowed..

and before I could think,

a plane making it's initial approach to our local airport

began to pass within distance,

as I watched it thru the bios,

it passed in front of the sliver of moon....

WOW!

how cool is that, even with these tiny specs

I can see the craters on the moon!

Cool!

Then I was hooked..

how many other things can I get an unusually close look at

in this morning clarity?

Lots I am afraid...

I could be there still, as the air is till cool,

and the breezes are bekoning 

and the birds are enticing,

and the pines.....

well, they are as mesmerizing as JT,

and as feathery as goose down....

I know now what I will do in my retirement.

I will do as my father does,

I will sit on the deck,

with the small bios,

and a cup o' joe,

and watch.....

smiles.

God Bless America

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home.

No matter who you are,

where you are from,

what your color, creed or allegiance 

if you live here....you know....

This is a great country,

we make big mistakes,

we make large errors,

we are a bunch of goofballs, at times.

But we are united in this

idea of freedom. 

Be grateful today....

smiles.

Is there a Monster in the Maze?

Do you remember a time...

When the only thing you could do at the sound

of a monster was SQUEAL!?

That was the scene on Sunday...

at a 5 year old's birthday party...

Mayhem...

complete and utter mayhem....

The monster was one of the little one's 

Daddy...

but when you are in the midst of a maze...

well,

you know...

things seem a bit 

creepy...

( seem to be hummin')

and 

scary 

and 

well....

Whoosh...

time to RUN!

smiles.

Ordinary thoughts....

Several years ago...

my son suggested an writer/artist/singer

 that he listened to and thought that 

I would like....

He very nicely cam over,

loaded some songs 

and said that I would especially like 

the first one....

Honestly,

it slipped my mind.

Then,

a few months later,

I listened....

and liked.

And over the years 

I have listened a bit more....

and 

well, I have come to the conclusion

that I should listen more seriously to 

what my son suggests.

John Legend,

his song

"Ordinary People",

makes one believe that men

think....

have feelings....

mourn...

wound easily...

heal...

and 

love.

smiles.