I read  this post  at Robin's blog,  Ramblings with a Cantankerous Old Mule  the other day (great blog, check it out), and it reminded me of this story from many years ago: My older sister, Regina, and I were quite spirited little girls. Before our little sister was born, it was just the two of us together all the time, either playing or fighting. I remember car rides when she and I would sit in the back seat and drive my mother nuts. But our mom soon discovered a trick that may have saved her sanity. It was called...The Quiet Game. You may have guessed, the object of the game was to see who could remain silent the longest. It just goes to show, you put the word "game" at the end of anything, and children will buy it. But here's the kicker and what puzzles me to this day. My sister and I took this game  very  seriously. We were  very  competitive. And though we didn't enjoy being quiet, we would do it with the focus and concentration of an...

Here are the  rest of the pictures  taken at a local greenhouse of all things  not  flowers. It's just more proof that beauty is everywhere, in likely and unlikely subjects. The camera I'm using is a Canon Power Shot S95. We've owned the camera for a few months, but I've always kept it on "auto" and am just now starting to explore the many settings on it. It's so easy to use and I'm always impressed with how most photos turn out...it's making me wonder if maybe I'll work my way up to an SLR camera one day....hmmmm. :) I gave them all names...they're not the technically correct names of the plant species... Squiggles Soft Star Pointy Star Praying hands. Burnt leaf Leaves on leaves Flowers on flowers Beautiful, soft colors. This turned out to be my favorite.

I've enjoyed experimenting with our new camera. One of my favorite places to take pictures, is a greenhouse at the park where my husband is a National Park Ranger. The other day, I decided to find beauty in all things  not  flowers. I never thought much of cacti, but I discovered they can really be quite beautiful. (Click to enlarge) These slouchers made me laugh. Not your typical prickly cactus, but soft and fuzzy. This is what I'm used to. Looked like this cactus was waiving to me. There were so many different varieties, and they were all so neat! I'm not sure why, but this might be my favorite picture of all the cacti. "A creative person has to create. It doesn't really matter what you create. If such a dancer wanted to go out and build the cactus gardens where he could, in Mexico, let him do that. But something creative has to go on."  -Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) ~~ You might enjoy: Color The Unobvious Beauty

Today marks 4 years (1,460 days) being married to my husband, Eddie (He is a number genius and appreciates that kind of stuff...he probably could calculate the minutes and seconds in his head faster than I could add them with a calculator). As I type this now, 4 years ago, I was attempting to sleep on the floor of my sister's unfurnished, new  town house. Trying in vain to get some sleep before my wedding day, and trying  not  to panic about the rain that just started to fall outside. The rain stopped, I slept, and  the wedding was perfect . As cliche as it may sound, I knew there was something about Eddie,  literally   the moment we met . Of course, I never believed anything could happen between us, being military - he an NCO and myself an officer. This is strictly against the fraternization policy. Despite that knowledge, I found myself pulling a 24-hour shift at the staff duty desk one night, thinking about that guy, Sergeant Grimes. Before I knew it, ...

Eddie finds the coolest things for us to do! He discovered a small zoo called  White Posts Farms  on Long Island, with an enclosed outdoor avery full of parakeets, cockatiels, and canaries. Visitors can take popsicle sticks of birdseed into the area, and low and behold, you are covered with dozens of bright, beautiful, singing birds on your arms, shoulders, and finger tips (yes, there is a risk of being pooped on, but I was more than willing to chance it!). We stayed inside the avery for a long time (the only 2 adults without children with us, but oh well! We're children at heart). I had a blast looking at each lovely creature, and trying to capture some moments on camera (click to enlarge): Eddie snapped this one. Eddie made the mistake of putting his popsicle stick in his mouth for a split second! Parakeets do NOT like to share! Hello, Mr. Handsome.  These birds have a lovely home.  The action shots: I spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out shutter speed...

I wrote this short poem after reading a friend's facebook status. A Soldier herself, she is visiting D.C and typed this: Unforgettable Moment: At the Vietnam Memorial watching a man touch his battle buddy's name while his hand shakes and says "There he is..." ~~ "What Raises a Hand?" By Elizabeth Grimes What is it that compels a hand,  To voluntarily raise, And say "I will go and sacrifice,"  With no reward or praise? Perhaps it is also what,  (Once the uniform is donned), Raises the soldier's hand in salute,  Executing above and beyond. It must be what I feel,  When I hear "O say can you see." My hand is pulled to my heart,  Out of unwavering loyalty. The same sentiment I saw, When at a wall of stone. He raised his hand to touch a name. And said, "My friend, you're never gone." "Vietnam Reflections" by Lee Teter

Eddie took this short video at the park where he works as a National Park Ranger. By far, the most numerous critters that live within the grounds, are chipmunks.  One of my first visits there, I heard the loudest, shrillest "chirp" sound, and swiveled my head from tree to tree, looking for the bird making that call. That's when Eddie told me it was a chipmunk, not a bird! I didn't believe him at first, but he finally caught it on video and there's no denying it. These guys are everywhere and I find them irresistibly adorable. Hope you do too! ~~ You might also enjoy: The Critter Awards The Adventures of Beach Day The Four Cats