Happy Halloween------

Do they bob for apples anymore

go out for trick or treats

candied apples

cold crisp night air

costumes, so much fun to create your own, a do it yourselfer

hayrides, parties, tricks and treats

go to houses that you know

nice to get candy, quarters and apples

ring doorbells at scary old houses, run to the bushes watch and see

----------WHAT?

Went away for the long weekend, NC< took loads of photos.
I cleaned both my hummingbird feeders and put them out, in a matter of seconds, they came a swarming.
Fascinating to watch
buzzing here and there
getting ready for the flight
with not even a care
Little tiny legs and claws
and little bitty wings
body extended in air
with not even a care
Posing for photos
how far will they fly
maybe to Florida
and maybe stopping by.

My water heater broke yesterday, water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink! It was fixed this morning, now for carpet and putting things back. I found things that I forgot I had, If I ever buy another purse, please someone commit me.

http://www.allright.com/Poems/TOLRailway/TOL.htm I received this email this morning and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Jer and I had two friends pass away this week
Len, was one of my watercolor friends, and Jerry's woodturner friend.
Manual was 102 years young, a beautiful person and so loved.

They both "Drove the Train"

I used Retro camera to get this shot, (new Phone gadget)
Red is our Australian Shepard, her real name is Betty Boop. It isn't easy taking pictures of our dogs, they are hyper. It has been sooooooooooo hot lately, they seem to have calmed down enough to get some nice shots.

Our Little Secret

I'm so fast
Red can't even see
that I get there before
the three
I eat my mangos
then I am free
to do as I please
Luckily Red doesn't see
that I am faster than she!

My name is Red

and I love MANGOES

so there, I have an addiction

and so, I have gained a little weight

So what, I am happy

What am I going to do

mango season is almost through

forget about the other two

their not fast enough

and neither is Suz

Let me make this perfectly clear

This is my space and I have no fear

Under MY umbrella I keep cool

and when your not looking I swim in your pool

Lizard

OK, I know what kind of lizard the top one is but have no idea about the other.
In south Florida we call the bigger lizard a Jesus lizard, they walk on water, some people call them Cuban lizard.
The smaller lizard, ?.! Looks like a cross between a lizard and alligator or snake.

Wanted to share something beautiful.
http://nickylinzey.blogspot.com/2010/07/im-surrounded.html

MGTD

Well, I am not enjoying the stock market, and before all my inheritance is gone, I thought I would buy me a car. A 1953, MGTD. I have always wanted this car. My first car was a MG 11000, I borrowed the money from my grandmother to buy it, paid her back every week. Worked really hard for that car. My parents worked really hard for this one, I think they would approve. My mother would have loved to go to lunch in this car.

4th of July & Apple Pie

Old House

Does it ever make you sad, when you pass an old empty house
Thinking of the mysteries and what it's all about
Wondering who lived there, and why they had to leave.
Only in their mind, could they relive the past, maybe in a nursing home or maybe they have passed.
Time & time again, I think about my childhood house
Wondering who lives there
and thinking what it is all about
hoping they will love it
and bring happiness once again.
Here's to old houses, may they live again

Check out the books I made, not bad for being out of it all weekend with a migraine headache. How bout that stitching!!!!! We used regular paper for the inside (signature) and inside the little book I made wraps for each signature to match the pretty paper, outside. The instructor was wonderful - Joyce Sievers.

Dahlonega, Georgia

I took a bookbinding class at the Campbell School over Memorial weekend, it was so much fun. Made three books, two came out really nice, the third was a bit lopsided.
On our drive home we drove through a small town in Georgia, called Dahlonega. I have visited this town before and really loved it. On Memorial Day the town put up flags and crosses with the names of the fallen soldiers, back to World War One. I gotta tell you it brought tears to our eyes. What a wonderful tribute. Gotta love those small towns.

Labyrinths

A meditation labyrinth, based upon the ancient Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in France

FYI-Labyrinths are circular pathways within the great outer circle reflecting the spiritual journey of life. The difference between a maze and labyrinth = Labyrinth there is no wrong way to walk. Thousands of years old, a metaphor for one's journey to the center of understanding and to God. A sense of peace, can inspire change, a deeper connection with the divine. A sacred place and a universal symbol of peace.

Everglades

Peacock - isn't he a beauty. Spent my birthday taking photos of birds in the Everglades. I am just sick about what is happening in the gulf, wish some of these brilliant minds could think of something. Maybe sometimes brilliance doesn't cut it, and you need someone with imagination, I don't know.

Dupuytren disease

Dupuytren disease
May 20, 2010 - Sorry I haven't posted lately, hard to type. I went to the hand doctor yesterday about my little finger, (I had a fall last month and my little finger made a right turn, ) I have to keep my two fingers bandaged for a month, go back in a month. While I was at the doctors I showed him the palms of my hand, he said that I had Dupuytren's Disease. Check out - http://DealingWithDD.com There are injection that can help. It tends to run in families. It is more common in individuals whose ancestors are from northern Europe. Now I know what is wrong with my brothers hands.

The Last Egret

www.TheAdventuresofCharliPierce.com Just received a gift of a wonderful book, written by Harvey E. Oyer lll-The Adventures of Charlie Pierce The Last Egret" Wonderful childrens book about the adventures of one of South Florida's Earliest pioneer settlers. Love it, we are all children at heart, right?

Swans

Lakeland, Florida, what a beautiful place, although it is very hot there. The lake is full of swans and ducks and the homes and the oak trees, wonderful. The swan pictured above was white with tan, I don't know whether it was a young one or a different varity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeland,_Florida#History I love history and enjoy looking up the history of places I visit.

Quoth the Raven, Nevermore

My mother always read to us as kids, she loved to read. The poem that really stuck in my mind was the Raven. That is what inspired me to paint this painting.

Raven by Edgar Allan Poe -

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend! I shrieked, upstarting-
Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Le no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!
Quote the Raven, Nevermore
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door:
And his eyes have all the seeming of a Demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted-nevermore!

Where there is a will there is a way

Where there is a will there is a Way-
My little friend comes each day-takes my food then runs away-not caring what anyone says-hanging around without a care. Doesn't work or pay the bill-all he wants is his fill.

The birds come first to see if it's safe-then little friend comes in for the chase-takes the food and runs away-eating along the way-spilling seeds for later that day. Making sunflowers you might say, where there is a will there is a way!

Wine

Out with Sister Dearest today and look what she bought for me, love it. I am trying it out tonight, hope it is good, and yes I am the middle child, but that's a good thing, right. I am a touch eccentric, I guess. Well gotta go it's almost Happy Hour!!!!!!!

Sony Cyber Cyber shot

Is this too cool! Just found out my camera can do this!!!!! So excited, wow wow wow dee wow wow!

While watching TV last night I saw an advertisement of a camera, looked really close and they were talking about my camera. This morning i looked outside and the leaves were blowing off the trees, weather like a perfect fall day, then I remembered about the the advertisement, just think of the possibilities, had to share. I need a little practice.

Florida Sunshine

Fooling around with those small canvas, kidda fun, good practice. Think I will start doing one everyday, yeah.

Golden Paints Color Poster ooooo

ooooooooooooooooooooooo, check out this blog http://thriftycollageartist.blogspot.com/ and the color chart! Made by http://goldenpaints.com/ gotta have it even if you don't paint, to beautiful!

Have to find a place for it on one of my walls, maybe the ceiling?

Look who is enjoying our pool!!! Well at least there not in the pond, snacking on koi, like the great big beautiful Heron that came to visit, leaving with two Koi.

Ibis?

While out strolling with one of our dogs< I happened to notice a flock of birds. They looked like black Ibis, I always thought Ibis were white, except for the young ones. I will have to check that out.
Continuation of the park that use to be a dump-
The picture was taken at a nearby park, this park, the one that use to be a dump. It has been turned into a beautiful park, with playgrounds, kite flying, a horse corral & trail, model airplane strip, even the people that fly those one seated, little motor, wing thingies that fly strip.

spoiled dog

Spring is here!!!!!! This picture is Jerry and our dog, who is getting a bit spoiled (the dog) Thought we would take her for a walk and give her full attention. Yes this is south Florida, we have a really nice park that use to be a dump.

Jerry calls me a "button pusher" While fooling around with my new purse size camera, it took on a mind of its own=it shot this photo all by itself. Think it's trying to tell me something, like clean up this stuff. The painting on the wall is something I did awhile back, it is called "Moo Cow" the little fish painting I did about a month ago and framed it with a wooden ruler.

Wanted to post a photo on the other blog but the computer has a mind of its own too, go figure.

This weekend Jer is showing some of his stuff at a wine and food thingy in West Palm Beach. Nice part is that it's going to be inside and we will probably use only the pedestals. :) Of course it has wine and food and that is another plus.

New Camera-testing testing

I love my Sony Cyber-Shot 12x etc. etc. but it is too big for my purse! Went out today and bought a small Sony 7x zoom to carry at all times.
This last weekend we took a trip to Punta Gorda for a car event, took some pictures with my cell phone, not the same.
I took this photo to test out my new camera, one of my self portrait paintings.

Creative

The weather here is going to be rainy and stormy, have to stay inside, so I thought I would set the mood to get creative= good smelling candles, the smell of rain, surrounded by neat stuff, OK, need to create a masterpiece.

The following is one of my favorite poems that really inspires me-

By Javan

WE ARE BORN INTO THE WORLD

LIKE A BLANK CANVAS

& EACH PERSON THAT CROSSES OUR PATH

TAKES UP THE BRUSH

& MAKES HIS MARK UPON OUR SURFACE

SO IT IS THAT WE DEVELOP

BUT WE MUST REALIZE THERE COMES A DAY

THAT WE MUST TAKE UP THE BRUSH

& FINISH THE WORK

FOR ONLY WE CAN DETERMINE

IF WE ARE TO BE

JUST ANOTHER PAINTING

OR A MASTERPIECE.

Imagination!

I wanted to post a better photo of this painting but my computer has a mind of its own,maybe that is for the best.
This painting is called "Eggplant Parmesan" While I was fooling around with a self portrait, I noticed eggplant and a tomato coming out of a shopping bag. Figured I would get out my old dried up paints and paint a little bit each day. I have a new kitchen, ya know, and now it is one of my favorite rooms. (did I just say that)!

Wedding

Jerry and I just celebrated our anniversary last month, lota years. Had the reception in our back yard, a beautiful windy day in February. Jerry was in the service at the time, so had to plan the wedding around him being home.
L-R My brother, father, sister, Jerry, me, Mother, grandmother and my grandfather. Still have the dress, size nothing and the veil I made myself, Corny. The train on the dress was so beautiful that I was wanting to come down the isle backwards. The train was the reason that I bought a short sleeve dress for a Feb. wedding, what was I thinking!!!!!! The day was windy and a bit chilly, I was told.

Flowering Tea

Flowering Tea-My mother always had fresh flowers in the house, I don't know how she did it, I don't remember one day without flowers in the house. Now with the tea balls I can too.

I was reading a blog this morning about what to do with old glass jars, interesting.

http://familycorner.blogspot.com/2010/03/cooking-thursday.html

Happy Anniversary Jerry-

Some of the family over the years!
Today is our anniversary. Last night we went to a wine event for a pre anniversary celebration- Marc Mondavi gave a run down on his family, we tasted 6 or 7 different wines, all very good. We bought a bottle which Marc Mondavi signed, a nice evening.

1st in Wood

As I wrote on our other blog, Jerry won 1st place in the wood category, out of 20 very good artist. He was so surprised.

I wanted to display his ribbon where our visitors would notice, think they'll will?

He won a blue ribbon

in a very special show

Sold some nice pieces

and was given the dough

He was so surprised that he won such a prize

and also had some nice buys

They brought out the trumpets

put a blue flag on top of our booth

and gave him the loot.

Raining Cats & Dogs

Not a clear day

no sun is in sight

It is raining and raining, outside is a fright

cars are a stalling

now where is the canoe

The dogs are barking and want to go out

but can't find their booties and raincoats that match

I am not complaining, we need the rain

so glad it's not snowing, instead the rain is flowing

Glad to live in Florida and not North Dakota

Aerial pix over the Florida Keys http://www.edtruthan.com/tileproxy/keys/floridakeys.htm

Civil War photographs

This is a very large file. It took a long time to open. Once you get it open, you can put your mouse on a picture and there will be a caption. Or you can double click on it and the picture will be enlarged. Be patient. Well worth your time! The second link is priceless..

http://www.mikelynaugh.com/VirtualCivilWar/New/Originals2/index.html



You can click on any one to enlarge it. These are really a treat.............
Original Civil War photographs

Woodpecker

Took this picture on Sunday when we had all those birds in the tree.

It's cold out this morning, 60 degrees out back, seems colder and looks like it is going to snow. Even Birdie, our African Grey parrot thinks it is cold. As I came in from out back- she says, "It's cold out there" she is right, had to turn the heat back on. Yesterday was a picture perfect day, never know.

For the Birds

What a productive day it was yesterday. We are finishing up the kitchen, still have to paint. I did some much needed weeding. The end of the day we had the birds fly in. Birds everywhere, it was kidda strange, thought maybe they were trying to tell us something. I guess they were just saying, it's warmer, hot diggity dog lips!

The Legend of the spring

Visited Andersonville prison - My mother always told the story of her, I think it was her Great Grandfather, was in the Andersonville prison and when he came home he was so weak that he died. I have always wanted to visit and finally did. Very emotional, especially the POW museum, with videos, photos etc.

Photo 2 - The legend-the prisoners had little water and what they did have was contaminated, one night there was a very bad storm and lightning hit the ground and water started to flow from an underground spring.

Photo 1-This picture, the soldiers graves are further apart than the Civil War Prisoners. The prisoners were placed shoulder to shoulder.

http://www.moonfairye.com/library/nebel/fog.htm This is such a great poem, Thanks Cat for posting. I have been so busy, kitchen man came yesterday and finished up, we still have to put in a couple of tiles and paint. We will test out the new kitchen on Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday to all!

Happy Thanksgiving

I received this email - The Turkey test. Thought I knew a whole bunch about Turkeys, well, I don't.
Pretty interesting.

http://home.aristotle.net/Thanksgiving/trivia.asp

Kitchen

Starting to get excited about the kitchen, not really liking the dust and all the insulation in the attic,that is now all over the house. Went to Home Depot and pick up some paint samples, to much to choose from. Lovin color but really like the neutrals, we will see. I can't go to overboard, Jerry is finally use to the Bougainvillea and mustard in the bedroom and the lavender and green in the studio.

Motley Crowd tis is- Thanksgiving 2008
-Before Hurricane Wilma, we always had our gatherings outside-We had a screened in patio, never rained, always beautiful weather. Things change, but they somehow remain the same. We are redoing our kitchen, I am busy unpacking cupboards, going to be so different. Thanksgiving won't be at our house this year. Gonna miss this old kitchen.

Thanks for the Memories-
My Thanksgiving Poem




While packing up our things
thought it will never be the same
so much fuss, so much stuff

Memories in the plates, for goodness sakes
Mother, we miss your apple pie
and Mom your pecan pies
and the family ties
Grandma Zieman's rolls
never taste the same
but we'll keep on trying


Sometimes we take for granted
what we have been granted
Grown up too fast
but what a blast


Aluminium foil
Tupperware that sometimes disappeared
and then reappears next year
family together, some gone forever
but yet right there, in some dish that we have prepared
Generation after generation
marriages and kids
The family tradition
wouldn't trade it for a thing


Going to miss this old Kitchen
with all it's broken things
we'll have a new kitchen to
gather in once again.



Happy Thanksgiving!

Flamingo

I really don't think a person can take a bad picture of the Flamingo. They are so BEAUTIFUL! The date doesn't do much for the photo, but a least it matches and she looks like she doesn't mind. I am so fortunate to live near an aviary with such wonderful birds. (the Flamingo aren't in the aviary, there not going anywhere. The black birds got in during hurricane Wilma and they won't leave. The ones on the outside are really trying hard to get in.

Sorry I have to post My Family Tree- I just got this in a email- Didn't know until right this minute that I was related to Vincent!

Family Tree of Vincent Van Gogh--His dizzy aunt --- Verti Gogh-The brother who worked at a convenience store --- Stop N Gogh-The grandfather from Yugoslavia -- U Gogh-His magician uncle --- Where-diddy Gogh--His Mexican cousin --- A Mee Gogh--The Mexican cousin's American half-brother --- Gring Gogh-The nephew who drove a stage coach ---- Wells-far Gogh-The ballroom dancing aunt -- Tang Gogh-The bird lover uncle --- Flamin Gogh-The fruit-loving cousin --- Man Gogh-An aunt who taught positive thinking --- Way-to-Gogh-The little bouncy nephew -- Poe Gogh-A sister who loved disco --- Go Gogh-And his niece who travels the country in an RV ---Winnie Bay Gogh-There ya Gogh! Time to Gogh.......Oops I gotta Gogh!!!

A Turtle

I am a Turtle Turtle in the pond
Gotta get out and look around
Look and see what I have found
Another beautiful sunny day to crawl around

Subject: Fw: CRABBY OLD MAN

Has a message for all of us...PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ.

---
CRABBY OLD MAN When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value .Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, They found this poem . Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital .One nurse took her copy to Missouri . The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem. And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.Crabby Old ManWhat do you see nurses? . .. . What do you see? What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?A crabby old man, . ... . . . . not very wise,Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . .with faraway eyes?Who dribbles his food . . .. . .and makes no reply .When you say in a loud voice ..'I do wish you'd try!' Who seems not to notice . . . .the things that you do ..And forever is losing . . . . . . A sock or shoe?Who, resisting or not . . . . . lets you do as you will,With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking?. . Is that what you see?Then open your eyes, nurse . . .you're not looking at me ..I'll tell you who I am . . . . . . As I sit here so still,As I do at your bidding, .. . . . .as I eat at your will. I'm a small child of Ten .. . . .with a father and mother,Brothers and sisters . . . . .. . . w ho love one another.A young boy of Sixteen . . . . . with wings on his feetDreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet.. A groom soon at Twenty . . . . .my heart gives a leap.Remembering, the vows . . . . ..that I promised to keep.At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . . . I have young of my own.Who need me to guide . . . . . .And a secure happy home. A man of Thirty . . . . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,Bound to each other . . . . . . . .With ties that should last.At Forty, my young sons .. . . . have grown and are gone,But my woman's beside me. . . . to see I don't mourn. At Fifty, once more, . . . . . . . babies play 'round my knee,Again, we know children . . . . . My loved one and me.Dark days are upon me . . . . .. .my wife is now dead.I look at the future ... . . . . . shudder with dread..
For my young are all rearing . .. young of their own.And I think of the years . . . . and the love that I've known.I'm now an old man . . . . . . . . and nature is cruel.Tis jest to make old age . . . . . look like a fool. The body, it crumbles . . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.There is now a stone . . . . . . where I once had a heart.But inside this old carcass . . . . a young guy still dwells,And now and again . . . .. . . . . my battered heart swells. I remember the joys . . . . . . . I remember the pain.And I'm loving and living. . . . . life over again.I think of the years, . . . . . . ..all too few gone too fast.And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last. So open your eyes, people. . . . open and see.Not a crabby old man. . . . . . . Look closer . . . . see ME!!Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within . . . . we will all, one day, be there, too! PLEASE SHARE THIS POEMThe best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart.
God Bless All who read this Poem and send it to those on "YOUR" mailing list

Flamingo

Whose feet are those
I do not know
Too big to be mine.
And the toes
whose are those
only three.
That could not be
Lets look again
Oooooh!!! they belong to meeeee!