Beautiful things happen when we choose right. To act the right way,  re -act the right way, eat right, take care of ourselves right, and  do  right. Before you know it, you're looking at an ocean reflecting the sunshine, standing next to the person you love, thinking, "How did I get  here ?" " There's a ripple effect, In all that we do. What you do touches me, What I do touches you." -Author Unknown

Searching for a new run route, I set off towards a park I knew was nearby. I ran through neighborhoods, up hills, and all around town trying to find my way into the entrance of the park I just  knew  was around here somewhere. Finally, I decided I must either ask someone, or head home. I scanned the streets for someone to approach. My eyes landed on an older gentleman standing in his driveway. His white hair was mostly covered by a hat and his hands were shoved deep in the pockets of his jacket. But he stood as content as can be, next to a parked car. The backseat door was wide open, and he stared inside with an admiring smile on his face, as if he were  completely  mesmerized and enthralled with what he saw.  I called down the long driveway from the sidewalk, "Excuse me sir, do you know how to get to the park entrance from here?" "Sure!" He yelled back without glancing up at me. His eyes remained locked on the backseat of the car. "Come and meet my grandson!...

One of the perks about living in New Jersey, is being able to have the best of 2 worlds. The opportunities, culture, and excitement of New York City, and the suburb comfort of New Jersey. The option to see a world-renown performance on a first class stage, or the simple freedom of being able to drive to a movie and park in a parking lot. This area is still very much new and foreign for me, a midwest girl. And I've often struggled with our future here. Will we move? Will we stay? I can't see into the future, and that can be frustrating. But one thing I do know, is that  today , I can see for a loooong time. And that provide some clarity. These photos were taken in South Orange, NJ, 20 miles away from the Empire State Building you see in the center. ~~~ Love/Hate Top of the Rock

Driving along the stretched out country roads of Texas, I did a double take when I saw shetland ponies and sheep sharing the same pasture! I made Eddie do a u-turn so I could take a few shots and share them with you all. Is there anything more adorable than shetland ponies?! 

We all move at our own pace. Some gradual and steady... Others more quickly.  There are times when we bring out the beauty in others. And times when we stand out all on our own. And though sometimes we may feel like we don't fit in, Or look like everyone else, There is something that brings us all together if we focus on what's important.

There is a mysterious and rare flower called the Queen of the Night. It is a species of cactus that requires year round care and attention in order to be brought to it's magnificent bloom.  If properly cared for, the Queen of the Night will live up to its name. One single night out of the year, it will slowly open, layer after layer, until fully bloomed. The flower emits a strange and glorious fragrance unlike any other. And in just a few hours, it will wilt, not to be seen again for another 364 nights. This Queen of the Night bloomed at Thomas Edison's Greenhouse 2 nights ago. The photos were taken by my husband, Eddie, one of only two people to witness this rarity. "A rare experience of a moment at daybreak, when something in nature seems to reveal all consciousness, cannot be explained at noon. Yet it is part of the day's unity." -Charles Ives "It isn't given for us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can w...

Despite living in New Jersey for 2 years, and being married to a National Park Ranger, I just discovered today that we live only a few miles away from a pretty significant National Historical Site. The  Great Falls  in Paterson, NJ, dates back to the 1700s when Alexander Hamilton and a group of investors, began to look for a way to harness the power of the Passaic Falls. They developed the most significant power system of its time, and today the Great Falls and to this day remain the 2nd largest volume falls on the East Coast. The rain fall from Hurricane Irene has created a fury of water flow and brought some local and national attention to the site. President Obama even inspected the falls after Irene subsided.  We could see the water is unusually high. And sadly, the havoc from the flooding has swept an enormous amount of garbage into the water. It's a very powerful sight.

"I never see that prettiest thing, A cherry bough gone white with Spring. But what I think, 'How gay twould be, to hang me from a flowering tree.'" -Dorothy Parker "I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it." -Charles M. Shulz "Anything large enough for a wish to light upon, is large enough to hang a prayer upon." -George MacDonald "Hang in there like fruit, my soul, till the tree die." -William Shakespeare "You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will, but the scent of the roses will hang round it still." -Thomas More ~~~ The Unobvious Beauty Life Among the Rock

Much of New York and New Jersey is  under water . Yet somehow we managed to drive an hour south to shore to experience water that's enjoyable and still in its' rightful place. We were not allowed to swim, only wade knee deep. The only ones allowed in the water were lifeguards and surfers. These twin girls with matching fedoras were mesmerized by each wave that crashed in front of them. Nothing much changed for the seagulls. They still covered the beach like they own it. And scavenged for left behind food. This one found an entire unopened package of peanut butter crackers. The strong waves must have been ideal for surfing. It was nice to enjoy this water for an afternoon, rather driving a car through it, hoping you'll make it. Or passing a neighborhood of houses under water. Thinking of all those affected by the flooding today, and hoping the recovery is swift.

Last night I watched 2 heavy set ladies dancing in their yard. They provided their own soundtrack as the rain soaked them, singing, "Come On Irene" to the tune of Dexys Midnight Runner's, "Come on Eileen." They swayed and laughed, their very own rain dance. In the middle of the night, Irene did come. We were fortunate to have little damage and injuries. Just water, wind, and some downed branches. Goodbye Irene. Don't come again. 

And a few other things as well...I've been to this  park in Bernardsville, NJ  once before, but I had to stop again today on my way to work. It's just so lovely. I tried to come up with all captions from classic country songs since I already had the willow stuck in my head. It does get to be a bit of a challenge... "I stop to see a weeping willow, cryin on his pillow. Maybe he's cryin for me."  ( Walkin After Midnight  by Patsy Cline) "Ah, breaker, Big Ben, this here's the Duck." ( Convoy  by C.W. McCall) "Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing." ( Love is Like a Butterfly  by Dolly Parton) "The cattle are prowlin, the coyotes are howlin, way out where the doggies roam." ( Cattle Call  by Eddie Arnold) 

While my husband Eddie was at the Grand Canyon for National Park Service training, he got up early one morning to watch the sunrise. That evening, he watched the sun go down. He took the camera, and snapped a picture from the same vantage point every 2-4 minutes! I thought it would make a great time lapse video (keep in mind I'm not Steven Spielberg!) and you could get a sense of the wonder that is the Grand Canyon! ~~~ Goodbye Breath If I was a Squirrel, I'd live in the Grand Canyon On the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown Life Among the Rock I Spy

                          We could be little...                                                       Or big.    A different color... Or just plain  different !               And though we may be curious...                            Or even guarded at first,   We can get over it and play together!

Time to play "I Spy." Can you spy the pontoon boat at the bottom of the Grand Canyon? You may have to click to enlarge, or else put on the eye glasses you never wear! Here it is a bit closer...just a tad though (even though I zoomed all the way in). How about the kayak? (Thinking about my blogger friend at  Just One Life ) Here's the cheat sheet. And the fisherman? There he is. "No Picture or word, no brush or palette, no lens or paint, can extend the wonder of Grand Canyon beyond itself." - Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets  (IMAX) ~~~ Goodbye Breath If I was a Squirrel, I'd Live at the Grand Canyon On the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown Life Among the Rock