Offering a Better View

Offering a better view is in deed exactly what a vacation does!

"If you want to be happy, be."

Just so you know,  I've included the wisdom of Leo Tolstoy
 through his quotes here today.

This one quote by

Henry Ward Beecher explains his thoughts on books, yet it makes
 perfect sense for trips, even day trips.

"A book/trip is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, 

a party, a company by the way, a counselor,

 a multitude of counselors."

A few highlights from my Nashville and Alabama trip.

Huntsville Botanical Gardens.

"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time."

Nope, I didn't cut my hair, it's just up, as the day went from 52 in the morning to a humid 80 something by afternoon!

"Everyone thinks of changing the world.

but no one thinks of changing himself."

I disagree with this Tolstoy quote.

I believe a good many of us are constantly changing,

for the better 

with each new day

and showing ourselves to those around us.

Trust me children are always watching us too!

Incredible Kinetic Sculptures by George Shorewood
at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens.
You only capture his true work by seeing it for yourself, 
as this video shows.

"If you look for perfection,
you'll never be content." 

Something my mother never learned.

"Respect was invented to cover the empty place

 where love should be."

"Spring is the time for plans and projects."
Leo Tolstoy
But also every single day you wake. Me


"The best stories don't come from good vs. bad 
but good vs. good."

"It's much better to do good in a way that no one knows anything about it."

If you ever get the chance be sure to make this event on Thursdays.

Stein and Dine

Biergarten

at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center!

It began in March and runs through October, so you still have one more this year!

Thanks for stopping by!
Seize all the moments of happiness that you possibly can.

Salutations

Hello everyone, October has arrived, and what are you all going to do about it?

I can't be the only one believing these last few months have flown by in a flurry.

It's up to each one of us to make a difference, 
to create a major impact on this month of October
 so we don't feel cheated.

Treasuring a gift prepared with love by my daughter!

Canning up some yummy food!

(My mother's famous chicken noodle soup recipe 

handed down even to my munchkins)

"If a year was tucked inside of a clock,

 then autumn would be the magic hour."

Victoria Erickson

Dress up your Scarecrows!

Be kind.
Be gentle.
Kiss a Knight!

Play with Black and White photos! 

Catch a butterfly (by camera)!

Bring out your brushes 

or buy some delightful pieces waiting to come home with you!

If I may stress one very important must,

 it would be,

Plan as many day trips as possible!

Visit towns close to you, by day and

for evening highlights!

Never pass up a conversation with Twig, the Fairy!

Check out as many Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes that you can!

Dance like a chicken and see what they do!

Build bigger bird houses for winter!

Don't forget to feed and water this winter!

"It is with absolute certainty that falling into a corn pit
is not the pits,
but living fully!


"The human spirit glows from a small inner light
our beating hearts on fire
 with every breath we take. 
It's up to us to spread it around."

A Whisper of Saturday Critters

Welcome to

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

Autumn has arrived by calendar,

not so much in the air.
A few cooler evenings.
Thankfully. 

Still, you will see hints of autumn, 

but also, see if you can catch a few hints 

of Halloween throughout here.

These bones were made for rattling!

To be human is to keep rattling the bars of the  
cage of existence, hollering,
"What's it for?"


Be like a warrior and pull up your fishing line!

Even little fishes matter.


Caught while,
Out taking photos of her critters!

Be grateful for the beginning of little things

they give us peace

another way of touching, feeling,

 living one moment to the next.

You will remember the little things,

long after you've forgotten the big things.

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play (or a tweet)
than in a year of conversation."
Plato


Fishing, is much more than fish!

No worries, this little fishy is going back into the water!


From the next two photos,
Some of you may think, Who is this ugly creature, critter or man?

A Video of the magic of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival here.

To me this little bobblehead of the Minnesota RatCatcher brings sweet memories of years of happy and pleasurable skits from The famous RatCatcher and his visits at the festival,
which will be forever remembered.

Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire!

Always be hopeful.

"Life must be lived as play.
Playing certain games, making sacrifices,
singing and dancing
and then a man will be able to 
propitiate the gods,
and defend himself against his enemies
and win in the contest."

Plato

One thing about autumn arriving is

what season comes storming in after it.
Winter.


"There are two things a person should 
never be angry at,
what they can help,
and what they cannot."
Plato

Just enjoy every season to its fullest!
Thanks for stopping by 
and take good care of you!

Sometimes A Big

You're never too big
or too beaky for a little cuddling!

My what a long beak you have!

Sometimes a big hug is all you need.

Welcome to SATURDAY'S CRITTERS


Brave, Bold and Strong

Sometimes a silent hug is the only thing to say.

Grasp life with all four paws, and take a spin in a coffee cup!

A hug is like a boomerang 
you get it back right away.
Bil Keane

Meet my daughter's two kitty cats! 

Boldly without hesitation.

Sparkle wants to be right in the center of your attention!

Lou-Lou just wants to rest very close to the action!

Sparkle will help herself to anything, just saying, guard your treats.

Did I ever mention my daughter has a couple new hobbies! 

Back to the subject of hugs, this is my 
favorite hugging moment 
so happy I caught it.

Beauty is only purr-fectly fur deep.

Some of my very own grown grapes, and Monster, our grounds-keeper who sadly crossed over the rainbow bridge a few years ago.  We still miss you.

Last but not least, look fast because this is Amir the beer drinking Gnome who loves to disappear! 

First he's here and then

and then you look again 

"What are humans?  They are unserious creatures

in this serious universe!

And because they are unserious,

they appear and disappear quickly."

Mehmet Murat ildan