Oh, how true is that! The 2" total of rain we got and the drop in temperatures with cloud coverage has sure made a difference in plants putting out blooms and new growth.
The passion vine was wilted every day but now look at the blooms which have a strong scent. Amazing when you walk past and get a smell.
The colors in the sky at sunrise are another noticeable difference as fall approaches. The clouds in this picture are one of my favorite patterns. I have lots of pictures like this over the years.
Of course, I do enjoy the evening pictures too with all the colors of the clouds. What is your favorite time of day? Yesterday after taking a panoramic picture, two hummingbirds that I had seen playing in and around the Vitex tree, went up about the roofline and hoovered in mid air for a minute. As I was about to get my iPhone up to video them, they dive bombed me. What was your day like?
For months we have watched and waited for rain to come our way. It would get so close to us and just dissipate. Now it was our turn and we were singing praises.
Here, hold this please while I just touch it, feel it, and maybe even play in it. I just kept going outside to watch it because I couldn't believe it was really raining.
Do a little dance! And shake your booty!
We ended up with 2" over a 2 day period which was just enough at just the right rate. Sun came out late in the day. Yes, lots of areas got way too much rain way too fast and had flooding areas. But crazy people would get out, check to see how deep and still drive into it and then get stranded and rescued. The cooler temperatures are wonderful.
So, how was your weekend? Did you go anywhere? Do anything fun? Shop? Go out to eat? Now, don't be too shocked.
But we actually went out to eat at a sit down Italian restaurant! We celebrated with our friend who turned 66. There were a total of 9 couples in the party room and we didn't know any of them (except the birthday couple). However, the loving fellowship was so evident (4 of the couples go to church with our friends).
They were nice enough to start the party at 6 pm so we could get home as it was getting dark. Now let's get this new week on the right track.
Friends, family and people you don't know yet are all part of sharing your smile and showing love to each other. Hope your weekend was blessed and you are ready to start this new week off on the right track. Let's do this!
Want to take a guess at how long ago this was taken? It was 18 years ago in 2004 that we went on our Alaska cruise. We all enjoyed it so much that we wanted to get a job on the cruise ship and just go again and again.
And how about this picture in Australia? It was the Millennium year of 2000. Where were you and what were you doing?
In 2001 we were hunting and fishing and mowing at the Ranch in South Texas. We often rode motorcycles and had too many different ones to count.
Fun trips to Big Bend, to Austin, to Toys for Tots at Christmas. So many memories. Do you like to reminisce and look at old pictures? I have almost 500,000 pictures on my external hard drive and TUBS full of polaroids, black & white, and various other pictures and film strips.
Let's travel this Friday. I also always wanted to go back to Lake Louise in Banff, Canada and take my hubby. I was there for a very short trip with an oilfield organization before we met.
In fact, it has been so long ago that I don't even remember much about it at all. I don't even have any pictures that I can find either.
Of course, that would also mean a trip through the Rocky Mountains by train. Have you been there? Or have you been to Banff?
How many pictures do you think I could take of the beautiful scenery? There are just so many beautiful places to see. What are some of your favorites that you have been to or that you still would like to go?
Have you ever wanted to drift through the air in a Hot Air Balloon? Just imagine what you can see in the still and quiet of the morning.
I have always loved Giraffes and Hot Air Balloons. Maybe I would just like to be taller, to reach things on the higher shelf. I love watching them inflate the balloons and hearing the sounds of the hot air going into them and then... the silence.
Here are my kids before they had kids going up in one. What about you, want to go with me on a trip? I have always wanted to see the Giraffes in Africa from a Hot Air Balloon.
Or maybe the lavender fields in Provence, France. Let's just sail away to another world and let go of all our worries on this beautiful Thursday!
It is an amazing Wednesday morning and time to get out and share your smile with others. Time to shine and show love to everyone you encounter today.
There is so much beauty out there to be seen and shared. Go take a picture and then share it with someone. Share a conversation in person and it might lead to a hug.
You might even end up taking a trip somewhere with a new life long friend. Where would you like to go if you could go anywhere? Thanks for being my friend forever!
Tuesday is "hoppening" today. I sure hope you have a fun day planned and maybe even get to eat Tacos today. It looks like it could be a good day.
Did you get any rain? We could sure use some more. Or is today your day for a bath? Just be sure to test the water before you jump in.
If you are going for a run today, don't forget to stretch before and after. I don't want you to get a cramp or get an injury of any kind.
For me it should be a lazy day. My chores are almost done and I just want to read a book and maybe even take a nap. After all the partying at night and into the wee hours of the morning, lack of sleep is getting to me. Just remember...
The month is flying by and I think I have more weeds than beautiful blooming flowers. How about you? We have been so hot and so dry and even after our one day of showers the hot weather is back again.
I think I have all these flowers somewhere in my yard and not one of them is blooming or looks this happy! I have lost a few of my favorites this year.
Have you ever seen a Skeleton Flower that turns from white to Translucent when it gets wet? God is truly amazing! Don't forget to share your smile and share Blessings too!
Sunday is such an awesome day of the week. Time to relax and reflect on the past week and look forward to the start of another week of new possibilities.
New memories to be made for the young and old. New ways to share our love with each other and to make each other laugh out loud.
Make the most of today and remember to tell your friends and family how much they mean to you each and every day.
Instead of wearing a tree, how about living in a treehouse? Do you think a permanent home in a tree would be fun or would it get old?
How about a vacation in a treehouse? Would it be nice to get away for a while and disconnect? I think it would depend on the view.
One of my son's friends, Doug Thron, built this tree house in California, I believe it was in the mid 1990's. He was an activist for the Headwaters Forest. He is now a very famous Drone Aerial Cinematographer who is now saving animals in Ukraine. You have probably seen his drone work on National Geographic (Shark week) or his videos on YouTube.
Good Morning! I need some advice today... Does this tree make me look fat? Now I need an honest answer.
I mean, after all, I spotted this tree first. And I really thought that I would have people staring at me if I wore it. Don't you agree?
Maybe this tree looks better on me. What do you think? I am so glad we are friends and I can trust you to tell me the truth.
I have been trying to stay away from bright colors like in this tree. OK, it might have been the lightning that I was trying to stay away from. But after 65 days with no rain, I might just have to throw caution to the wind. Can't wait to hear your suggestions!
Do you EVER have one of those mornings? You know, you wake up to problems. Then several hours later you are finally ready to start your day and still need some coffee.
I guess it really started at 12:45 am. The dogs all decided to bark and run out the doggie door after waking up the entire neighborhood. Thank goodness I fell asleep early watching a movie and already had 3 hours sleep by then. Went back to sleep for another three hours after finishing the movie.
Ok! So now let's get this week started.
Monday Monday... so good to me!
After all, it only has to get better and I hope you sing like Mama Cass song all day long now!
It is so HOT that fake plants are the only thing that might be alive right now. If you walk on the grass next to the driveways, it just CRUNCHES under your feet. There is no green anywhere.
Our friends have flown the coop. Ok, they are driving back to Lubbock. Just say a prayer that the doctors find out the cause of her balance problems. She just wants a solution so she doesn't end up not being able to walk.
They drove off and I just collapsed on Hubby's shoulder. I cried for a while. I already miss them so much. I used to do that everytime my son drove away. But we will see them again... until then our love will continue to grow!
Well, all 7 tests were done and they also talked to the surgeon. He is not 100% sure of the problem and doesn't want to do surgery and have her wake up and tell her that wasn't the problem. Woo Hoo for him! So they are staying another night as she has a balance test this afternoon.
As you can tell, I am excited that they are staying another night. I had so much fun yesterday with all 6 dogs. Pink is so well mannered, she won't come in or go out the door until she is given permission. Our dogs run over you!
So I am heading off now to spend more precious time with them this Friday before she has her balance therapy. Have a Blessed day and a great start to the weekend.
After 2 bowls of Chicken & Dumplings each, we are all four very full. Then had a light dinner with maybe another bowl for at least one guest.
Before dumplings and after dumplings were added. Now this pot is at least half empty! Then came the laughter to help settle the full tummies.
They have a small dog, like our 4, and this magnificent standard Poodle, named Pink. Carly and Pink played and played and played. Everyone gets along except for eating each other's dog food. We are blessed by our best friends of almost 50 years.
Our friends have left Lubbock and are well on their way. So excited! We have been friends for close to 50 years.
There will be LOTS of laughter going on and NO suppressing it! Can't afford any more spread to hips! So now I am off to clean bathrooms! I know you are jealous! Sending Blessings & Hugs because well...
The front and back yards have been water; groceries purchased and put away; Taco Salads from Rosa's have been eaten; and dogs brushed. I feel a nap coming on. We have company coming tomorrow which means vacuuming, moping, bathrooms cleaned and a million other chores. If it wasn't so hot outside, when they get here, we could just sit and enjoy the sunset. Can't wait for the laughter and love to begin but until then, I hope you already have your chores done and...
Can you believe that some schools in the DFW area are starting today? My girls start on the 10th. Most all schools are starting a couple of weeks early because of time they missed during the Pandemic.
Even as hot and as dry as we are this year, I would rather have summer than a freezing winter. Which one do you prefer?
This was the Dallas area yesterday evening. And once again we did not get a drop. So near and yet so far; all around us. But one day soon, it will be our turn.
So just what are you doing this weekend? Do you have any fun plans?
I hope you make time to laugh with friends or family. Laughter, helping, kindness and love is what makes the Blessings of life. Don't you agree?
We all need to make time to help others. Sometimes it is doing something good for them. Sharing your smiles helps make others wonder if you are up to no good or just helps to put a smile on their face too.
You might even speak to a stranger, just say "Hello" and make them feel noticed, alive and important. Being kind to someone might also make them smile. You could take a drive in the evening to watch the stars come out. Whatever you do, share your Blessings with others every day.
