Circles of Light

Circles of light. (Click picture for larger view)

"A circle may be small, yet it may be as mathematically beautiful and perfect as a large one." ~ Isaac D'Israeli, "Miscellanies"

What do you see in these circles of light? What imaginary world of fairies and fireflies, dewdrops and sunbeams or starlight and diamonds does it bring to mind? What happens to that wonderful childlike imagination as we grow up, where did it go? Do children now have the vivid imagination to weave fantasy tales of princesses and knights, or has it been reduced into the symbolic purple dragon named "Figment" at Epcot?

I remember summer nights hot, with windows wide open trying to catch a little breeze. I heard the "whoop, whoop, whoop" sound of sirens and saw the round full red circle moon and imagined that Martians were invading our town. I remember flying down the hill on my bicycle, wheels spinning, hair flying and feeling like Velvet Brown on her beloved stallion. Actually, I couldn't decide on the perfect name so in my mind I was Lori, Cleopatra, Velvet, Anne, Edwina Martin. Why Martin? I don't know, it was make believe. I've always thought daydreams were much nicer and richer than those of the night; perhaps because we have more control over them, and I am a bit of a control freak.

Now that I have completely gotten off topic... in this picture I see lights in the mist, small perfect circles of light and just beyond in the shadows there awaits....
all that is in your dreams.

Submission for LensDay topic "circle". (end of post)

Miss Scarlett Goes To The Vet

Miss Scarlett 2005.

"Everything I know I learned from my cat: When you're hungry, eat. When you're tired, nap in a sunbeam. When you go to the vet's, pee on your owner (or on the vet)." ~ Gary Smith

Miss Scarlett has always been a butterball, pear shaped, heavy in the behind. Just two years ago she weighed in at a little over 16 pounds. Scarlett made friends with my mom and started sitting next to her at mealtime. She developed a love of ice and would push an ice cube all over the floor, so we started giving her a small bowl of ice and she would sit licking the ice to her hearts content. Scarlett became more active, turning and twisting and rubbing up against any hand offered; sleeping for ten or fifteen minutes in one place then moving. And the weight loss started. It has been gradual, over a full year or perhaps longer. She still eats well, stays hydrated, but the weight continued to come off. We thought at first she was just working it off or that the ice and water intake decreased her food intake.

Miss Scarlett, January 2007

I noticed that she tended to run to the cat box often, perhaps two or three times an hour and the weight loss seemed out of proportion to her food intake. My first thought was diabetes or hyperthyroidism as these are both common in older cats. So Scarlett went to the vet where she purred through the whole exam and then peed on her vet. While she had lost over half her body weight, her tests for diabetes and hyperthyroidism were negative and there was no indication of liver failure or kidney failure. He gave her a de-wormer as a precautionary measure and did an x-ray. No visible tumors, but a rather large bladder stone. Bladder stones don't normally cause weight loss, but explain some of her symptoms. So we are waiting for a consult with the specialist, but I feel certain this will have to include a surgical removal of the stone.

She has her picky taste in wet food too. What will she eat and eat voraciously? Fancy Feast, but only beef, liver and beef or mixed grill flavors. She turns her nose up to chicken and any sort of seafood. Miss Clover on the other hand, wants nothing but salmon pate. Rhett, Willow and Chloe will eat anything. Nicky, just as he was as a little kitten, is always the last to the table so usually he doesn't get the wet food, just the dry kibble. As I type, Miss Scarlett is having her breakfast in peace and quiet in the sunroom, with only Max looking on (and drooling) from the outside. Will let you know how things turn out....

Update: The special consultant thinks she needs a Thyroid Suppression Test before any surgery. Anesthesia is more dangerous on cat or human with hyperthyroidism. So we shall see.

Miss Scarlett loves to visit with other kitties, as long as it's on the computer and not in her personal space. So she will be heading over to Cats on Tuesday, hosted by gattina. She may be a little hyperactive but Scarlett will still board the Friday's Ark, hosted each week by The Modulator. She also wants to go to the Carnival of the Cats, hosted by Tacjammer this week. If you don't hear her coming, it's because she took her collar off again. She loves to run around without that bell.

(end of post)

Nature Throws A Curve

Sisyrinchium albidum, White blue-eyed grass. (Macro)
(Click picture for larger view)

"In life, as in art, the beautiful moves in curves." ~ Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton (1803 - 1873)

The blue-eyed grass is back, at least the green blades are; no buds or blooms yet. This wild flower is beautiful with the pastel blue petals and the central curved vein running through to the tip. I have looked at this picture on and off all day. It reminded me of something and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then the lights came on in my head (if only for a moment) and it hit me! These curves remind me of the old nylon stockings with the thick dark seams in the the back. Does anyone remember those days, long before pantyhose, when women expended much effort to keep the those unruly seams straight? All to no avail, as a line along the curve of the calf will never stay completely straight. I was very, very happy to see those things go out of fashion and the fishnet stocking of the '60's show up. Ackkkk! What am I saying? Must go to bed... eyes drooping shut....zzzzz!

Submission to MacroDay for topic "curves" (end of post)

Alien Ballerina

Folios lichen (Parmotrema sp.) attached to tree limb.
(Click picture for larger view)

"If you are not willing to see more than is visible, you won't see anything." ~ Ruth Bernhard

I went exploring along the drainage ditch behind the house. Here trees have fallen to bridge the water and in some places the dense brush makes it almost impassable. I found a broken limb with this attached frilly lichen and thought the colors were wonderful. Both the limb and the camera were sitting on a wooden platform but it looks as if the ballerina lichen is balancing on point and the tree branch isn't visible. I thought it both strangely alien and hauntingly beautiful.

A new photo site started up last week called Shutterday. Posting begins each Saturday and runs through the week. The topic this week is "Put that camera down!"; sounded interesting. The idea is to post a picture taken without the camera being hand held or attached to a tripod. Pictures taken with the camera on a wall, windowsill, the ground or any other object is satisfactory. And so it begins.

(end of post)

As Soft As......

....feathers on velveteen.
(Click all pictures for larger view)

"I was always a lover of soft-winged things." ~ Victor Hugo

Goose feather pillows and down comforters, luxurious and soft, they soothe the sleeping child. Thick feather mattresses top the wrought iron farm bed as the small little girl gets a running start and leaps high into the air. She lands in the middle of the bed and sinks down into the warmth; there she will stay all night long. These are memories of my grandmother's hand made feather bed; of the soft light of morning flowing through the sheer curtains and that oh so difficult task of climbing out of that deep plush cocoon.

.....the down of a thistle.

"Soft as the hair of an angel.." ~ Unknown

Crisium arvense, Canadian thistle, at least I think so; it is more dense than a dandelion with this thick crown of soft hair that takes quite a gust of wind to loosen the seeds. I inhale and blow, sending hundreds of little parachutes on to a new adventure.

....a baby's first blanket.

"Nothing is so soft and cuddly as a blankie made with love!" ~ A.B. Kauffman

My grandmother could look at an afghan or piece of lace and crochet it perfectly, without pattern or instructions. She decided in her mind that my brother Stephen would be twins and made him two beautiful blankets out of the softest baby brushed cotton. Unfortunately, he weighed in at 10lb 8oz and longer than the nursery bassinet, much to big for the small blankets. Never fear, she simply crocheted them together... one giant, but soft blanket. This one was knitted, on display at a local yarn shop, waiting for that new grandbaby.

....the rabbit's fur coat on a sleeping Ragdoll.

"The cat seems the incarnation of everything soft and silky and velvety, without a sharp edge in his composition, a dreamer whose philosophy is sleep and let sleep." ~ H. H. Munro

Of course, no photo theme titled "soft" would be complete without a picture of a cat. Willow's Ragdoll tummy feel warm an cozy on bare feet and she loves having her tummy rubbed. I have never seen a cat who could so utterly and completely relax as she does on a daily basis. Sleep softly sweet Willow.

The theme for Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt this week is "soft". You can go here to "Grab the Scavenger Hunt code" and here to join the blogroll. This really cute logo is available there as well. The link to other participants is in my blogroll on the sidebar.

(end of post)

She Sells Seashells.....

Sea urchin shells. (Click picture to enlarge)

"I search for the realness, the real feeling of a subject, all the texture around it ... I always want to see the third dimension of something ... I want to come alive with the object."
~ Andrew Wyeth, artist (1917 - )

The summer job in a knick-knack shop at the beach was not always exciting and much of the merchandise was at best, tacky but it was a job and Nyssa worked hard. While I was waiting on her one day I snapped pictures of gaudy coconuts fashioned into flamingos, plastic molded fish with silicone enhanced lips and juice glasses with "Virginia Is For Lovers" written on the surface in hot neon colors. The shells were a pleasant contrast and I found these sea urchin shells in soft colors and wonderful textures. All was not lost.

Submission for PhotoFriday topic "textured". (end of post)

The Timid Birdwatcher

Nicky, quietly birdwatching, checks to see who is watching him.
(Rebel) (Click picture for larger view)

"Cats too, with what silent stealthiness, with what light steps do they creep up to a bird!" ~ Pliny the Elder

The winter birds are here; the finch, mockingbird, cardinal, mourning dove, the chickadee and others. It is the advent of birdwatching season for the cats. While the Siamese are noisy with chattering and flailing of tails and pawing at the windowpane, Nicky creeps into the room silently. He jumps to the chest top with a grace that belies his fifteen pounds and sits staring quietly out the window, even as the Siamese snore peacefully in dreamland on the bed. Such a timid fellow, he turns as soon as I walk in with that... "I didn't do it, honest!" look on his face.

And what would he be watching today? It's a very bossy, talkative but tiny little thing and brave with that window screen between he and and the kitty....

Chickadee, probably Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)

Nicky and his friend will board Friday's Ark today and his chickadee will have to tag along with him over at the Carnival of the Cats on Sunday. The carnival is hosted this week by Scribblings. See you there!

(end of post)

The Power of Purple

Scaevola aemula (Australian fan flower)
(Click picture for larger view)

"Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts." ~ Sigmund Freud

It is time for a little color... something to go along with the 60+ degree weather today. Purple has long been associated with royalty, power, nobility, luxury and ambition. It conveys wealth and sometimes hints at extravagance. Purple is also associated with wisdom, dignity and independence. I particularly like that aspect. It is creative, mysterious and magical. These were found in Williamsburg, blooming in summer.... the picture a promise of seasons to come. I hope you all find a little purple for your life today!

Not quite a purple cow, but ever so much better.

(end of post)

Fast Track Through The Tunnel

Through the Hampton Roads Bay Bridge Tunnel at 55mph.
(Click picture for larger view)

"Moving fast is not the same as going somewhere." ~ Dr. Robert Anthony (1916 - ) "Think, Think On and Think Again"

OK, you can stop shaking your head and wagging your pointer finger at me; NO, I wasn't driving... this time. We were in Nyssa's little Civic, so all I had to do was look for picture opportunities. The Hampton Roads Bay Bridge Tunnel is the main route to take from Norfolk and Virginia Beach to Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg and areas farther north and west. It still freaks me out a bit just to think of the depth and weight of the water on top of that tunnel and quite weird to see a large ocean going vessel in the process of moving up the channel, just before taking the plunge into that black tunnel entrance. It really isn't dark in there with all the fluorescent lights along the ceiling and the sides... and the walkway. Yes, there is a walkway to one side. The speed limit is 55, but most folks are doing 60. The only rule? DON'T CHANGE LANES IN THE TUNNEL!!! I'm always leery of the big 18-wheelers and confess to feeling a bit claustrophobic if brake lights flash on ahead of me; but all in all it's not a bad ride through. Of course we've never had to sit stopped at the very bottom for ten minutes and watch the little trickle of water on the wall and start thinking about the story of the little Dutch boy either. My favorite time of day to "ride" the tunnel is between 1-3 AM. The roads are almost empty and more often than not I am the only one in the tunnel and that means... I can drive down the middle!

Submission for Thursday Challenge topic "fast". (end of post)

Triptych

Brooklyn Bridge. Summer 2006.
(Click picture to enlarge)

"The bridge was a huge sentence diagram,
You and I the compound subject, moving
Toward the verb. We stopped, breathing
Balloonfuls of air; and noonday sun sent down
A hard spray of light."
~ Alfred Corn, "The Bridge, Palm Sunday, 1973"

Someday I will again walk the Brooklyn Bridge; this time in the Spring when the world is re-awakening and the cherry blossoms are covering the trees in the Botanical Gardens and bulbs are springing forth in the brownstone window boxes. Or perhaps it will be in the Fall, with fog rising from the warm river as it meets the frosty air and the gold and crimson leaves flying across the wooden walkway, high above the pavement. Or perhaps I'll make the trek at sunset with the deepening blue sky as background for the yellow and pink and purple reflections from cream puff clouds overhead. But this day the sun scorched and there was no breeze and the dark shade of twin gothic arches was little comfort from the summer heat. Still I would walk it again, at high noon, in languid heat... simply to see its majesty.

Submission to LensDay for topic "triptych". (end of post)

Two Tummies for Tuesday

Miss Chloe showing more tummy than she'd like. "It's Nyssa's fault!! Yeoow!"
(Click pictures to enlarge)

"The cat is the only animal which accepts the comforts but rejects the bondage of domesticity." ~ Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon

Sleeping belly-up in a sunbeam is one thing, but being forced to show the tummy and having it tickled while being held by the girl is another thing entirely. Miss Chloe has her back feet in the kangaroo position, ready to kick if the opportunity arises. Don't worry Chloe, Nyssa is back at college now so she won't be putting you in this compromising position again for a while. Miss Chloe really doesn't like being captured in these less than dignified poses.

Miss Maggie (Magnolia Blossom) shows her tummy as she rolls on her "mommy's" feet.

Miss Maggie is not as concerned about her poses; she is just happy that all the other cats have been herded out to the sunroom for the night. Now she has the whole house and that includes her "mom" and "dad", all to herself. She isn't thrilled with the camera and wishes that I would sleep with the felines as well. I will say though, that this is one of her less "angry" looks. Maggie belongs to my parents... I guess that technically makes her my sister.

Don't tell, but I'm going to send both of them on over to Tummy Tuesday, hosted by catstuff. They will also see what the kitties are up to at Cats on Tuesday, hosted by gattina.
These two tummies will board Friday's Ark and if they recover their dignity in time, they might make an appearance at the Carnival of the Cats on Sunday. The carnival is hosted this week by Scribblings. See you there!

(end of post)

Why?

Seagulls on the breeze. Mt. Trashmore. (Rebel)
(Click to enlarge)

"No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings."
~ William Blake (1757-1827)

Seagulls in flight seem suspended and floating against the force of the wind; they almost hover without flapping their wings. What that must feel like, the lift of the air beneath wings, twisting a bit this way and that to maneuver here or there. What a view below; a birds-eye view of the earth to be sure. Do they see the cars as tiny toys and little people as ants scurrying on the streets below as we do at the top of a tall skyscraper looking down? Or can they soar so high that the farmer's fields look like little checkerboards of green, brown and yellow? And how are they able to see the tiniest fish in a vast ocean and be able to dive and pluck it up, squirming in its beak.... lunch? A schizophrenic bird indeed; but this day, only the beautiful and majestic aspect show with glowing white wings and graceful landings.

Poetry in motion.

I wonder...why I wonder?

(end of post)

Petals Pink

More pink petals... variety unknown.
(Click picture for larger view)

"It is at the edge of a petal that love waits." ~ William Carlos Williams

Five equal petals of pastel pink, and rose colored eyes. I love these pink flowers that were growing in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Now if only I knew what they were. I have considered garden flox, impatiens and even a form of vinca, but I don't know what they really are. So, any gardeners out there, if you recognize these gorgeous blooms, let me know... please!

This has definitely been the week for pink... pink hearts for Valentine's, pink candy M&M's, pink roses and two photo memes with the topic, "PINK". I think it must be the Valentine Syndrome, or Cupid trying his best to keep active. It seems that love is in the air and I really don't mind. With the snow and ice up north and the cold wind around here, I can use all the pink I can get.

Submission to SeeItSunday for the topic "pink". (end of post)

It's All Relative

There are antiques....

Eclipse steam engine. Frick Company. 1885.
(Click pictures to enlarge.)

"I'm the oldest antique in town." ~ Norman Rockwell

"All those things that are now felt to be of the greatest antiquity were at one time new; what we to-day hold up by example will rank hereafter as precedent." ~ Tacitus

We found this rusted steam tractor sitting on a grassy knoll by the side of a country road in western Virginia. It is powered by the Eclipse steam engine, manufactured by the Frick Company in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1885.

In 1876, the Centennial Exposition was held in Philadelphia, Pa. The Frick farm engine which carried the "Eclipse" trademark was presented with the highest award in its class. In 1880 the same engine triumphed over 25 others at the great exhibition in Melbourne, Australia. Frick steam engines received numerous awards at exhibitions and fairs all over the world. These steam traction engines opened a great new era in power farming.

And then there are ANTIQUES......

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic relief. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Temple of Dendur, ca. 15 B.C.E.; Roman period, Egyptian; Nubia, Dendur.

The Temple of Dendur was built about 15 B.C. by the Roman emperor Augustus, who had succeeded Cleopatra VII, the last of the Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt; it was dedicated to Isis. When the rise in water from the Aswan dam threatened the structure it was dismantled and presented to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Egypt in appreciation for all the archaeological help through the years.

It's all relative....

The theme for Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt this week is "antique". You can go here to "Grab the Scavenger Hunt code" and here to join the blogroll. This really cute logo is available there as well. The link to other participants is in my blogroll on the sidebar.
(end of post)

Captured in Marble

Self-portrait in glass. (Clicking makes it larger)

"We are the painters of own self-portraits. Who we become will be determined by our attitudes, our actions and what we learn." ~ Mary-Ellen Drummond

My daughter, Nyssa loves to hold the digital camera out at arms length and capture her picture. It doesn't seem to matter if she gets only a foot or hand or face or even an open, screaming mouth; she loves to take self-portraits. I on the other hand, avoid being in any picture like the plague. Therefore, it is usually an accident and a shock to see my face reflected in a photo, especially when I wasn't thinking about it. So for PhotoFriday I scoured the most recent files for something. I found a picture of my feet in socks and in tennis shoes, my shadow, and most disturbing was my reflection in a macro shot of our cat's eye. It was really too detailed and scary to post. But here, trying to take a macro of some beautiful glass marbles, I found it... my self-portrait, or at least as much of one as I can reveal at this time.

I hope that my real self-portrait is evident from my inner character; in the way I've tried to raise my daughter, in the principles of honesty and fair play I adhere to and in the deep gratitude I feel for my God and His love. Our character, after all is what will remain in the memory of others when our physical bodies are long gone. Beauty may be only skin deep, but an ugly, wretched character goes straight to the soul. I want to be beautiful on the inside, where it counts.

Submission for PhotoFriday topic "self-portrait." (end of post)

Cats and Pumpkins

Sir Nicholas (Nicky) and his "fairytale" pumpkin.
(Click pictures to enlarge)

"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats." ~ English Proverb

We grew Fairytale pumpkins this year and several had to "sit a spell" and ripen in the sunroom before cooking. The cats sniffed and tentatively touched them, recoiling at the prickly stems; then accepted them as part of their scenery. Oh, yes... they make good props to pose with when the lady has her square flashy box out.

Mr. Rhett wants this pumpkin off of his table.

The pumpkins basked in the sun in the sunroom until their skins were orange and ripe. The cats learned to share their space, although grudgingly at times.

Miss Chloe in deep contemplation, with her pumpkin.

Finally it was time. The pumpkins were ripe and ready to cut. Kitties came from right and left to say a final good-bye. No. Not really. They were just glad to have their box back.

Mr. Rhett, wondering when those huge things will go away. He wants his box back!

Yes, they are gone, cut and cooked and frozen. Two seventeen pound pumpkins to make twelve pies. And I only found a few claw marks on the outside... wonder who the culprit was?

The cats and their pumpkins will be visiting Friday's Ark hosted by the Modulator, as well as the Carnival of the Cats. This week the carnival will be hosted by Pet's Garden Blog. (end of post)

My Bleeding Heart

Pink bleeding hearts. (Dicentra spectabilis)
(Click picture for larger view)

"A flower touches everyone's heart." ~ Georgia O'Keefe

I meant to get this posted before Valentine's Day ended but no such luck. These "Bleeding Hearts" bloom from late spring through early summer and these grew in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in the enclosed hot house. The hearts hang from an arched bough and below each is a single drop.... thus the name "bleeding heart". In flower folklore it stands as a symbol of undying love.

These last two weeks have been dark and damp and dreary here with cold days and even colder nights. Even those days with warmer temperatures have been cloudy and fierce wind and rain hit last night. Now another cold spell. But these "hot" pink flowers are just the thing to warm the heart. Every once in a while, you just need some color in your day.

Submission to Thursday Challenge topic "pink". (end of post)

Hearts And Flowers

Hearts and flowers abound....

"No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever." ~ Francois Mauriac

Yesterday the best cooks in the church (the grandmas, and grandpas for that matter) gathered for their monthly lunch and the theme was "Valentine's Day"; as if it would be anything else. It was soup and salad day; my dad made his famous homemade broccoli and cheese soup, while I made my oriental chicken salad. Everyone ate too much. For part of the program, the audience (keep in mind that at 50 something, I was the youngest person there) participated in singing two songs. One was a hymn that everyone knew but the other was an Elvis Presley ballad. I can see those heads shaking out there already. Yes, an Elvis song..I Can't Help Falling In Love With You. The tempo was slow enough but not too many were singing. In the middle of the song, my mom turned to Dad and I and said, "I don't know this song". At this point, Dad leaned over to her and whispered,"I don't know it either, but the words are exactly how I feel about you...we were meant to be." OK, here come the Ahhhhhhhhhhs! Yes, this may be one of the reasons they have been married for almost 56 years.

Another little lady, the speaker told us that she and her husband got married at age nineteen. No one counseled them or gave them personality profiles, they didn't live together first to see if they could manage, they just got married because they loved each other. Years later they took those personality tests and discovered that they were complete opposites and completely incompatible. So, of course they've been married for 60 years and counting! Who knew!?

So, today there are couples from teenagers to senior citizens who will exchange cards, candy, flowers, and probably a few kisses. For some it is a fresh new love and for others an old comfortable love that will be celebrated. And for some the day will be renamed "SAD" (Singles Appreciation Day). I seem to fall into this category. For us there may not be roses or sugary sweet cards, but we still have those who cross our path every day and bring light and joy. To all these people.. these friends from our past, friends from our present and even those here in this mysterious universe we call the Internet whom we have never met in person.... I wish you all a special day of happiness, peace, joy, sunshine and above all else.. LOVE!

....and chocolate, don't forget the chocolate!

And would someone please pass me the chocolate?

Happy Valentine's Day!!

All pictures by srp.
(end of post)

Clark Gable Lives

Mr. Rhett shows off with his "bedroom" eyes.
(Click any picture to enlarge)

"With dogs and people, it's love in big splashy colors. When you're involved with a cat, you're dealing in pastels." ~ Louis A. Camuti, D.V.M.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, so who better to feature than the Clark Gable of cats, Mr. Rhett. He is the "lover boy" of our group; quiet, composed, attentive, Mr. Rhett would shower his girlfriends with red roses on Valentine's Day, if he were human.

Lounging like a movie star in leather and lamb.

Sometimes he sleeps with his sister, Scarlett and other times he sleeps on his side with front paws pulled up and curled beneath his chin. He snores a bit and dreams; in dreams he twitches his whiskers and paws and occasionally talks in tiny little mews.

Steely stare aside, Mr. Rhett is a softy like his namesake.

While thoughtful and most often respectful, he will unashamedly stare up with wide, pleading eyes until his subjects resistance is all but gone and he is invited onto his favorite place... a lap, preferably a female lap with a fleece robe or throw already present. Here he will make himself comfortable, but always remembering to give attentive sideways glances at appropriate intervals, he will place his head and front paws on the offered arm and gently "kneed" as he purrs to show his contentment. Rhett will stay in this position for hours, all day even, unless forced to move. Women so engaged with him have been known to use this as an excuse to forego housework, cooking and cleaning..... "I can't move right now. Rhett is so comfortable, he just won't get down." How could anyone not love this "Babe Magnet".

"Babe Magnet" Mr. Rhett is aptly tagged.

Mr. Rhett sends a tuna scented Valentine out to all the cats at Cats on Tuesday, hosted by gattina. He includes roses for all his human girlfriends, especially Nyssa, Miss M and his grandma. He heard that Miss Boo fainted over his svelte form last week so he wanted to send her a Valentine with kisses attached... and of course, he still pines and sighs over the fluffy and rounded form of Miss Sophie, even if she is snubbing him for those pesky lizards right now. Ah, unrequited love... what did you expect? It's Valentines Day, after all.
(end of post)

In A Dark And Weary World.......

....a candle lights the way. (rebel)
(Click picture for larger view)

"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world." ~ William Shakespeare

Have you ever compared the light given off by candles? More specifically, have you ever compared the light from candles of significantly different sizes? For twenty years I used candles as a mantle decoration for Christmas and had them in all sizes from extra tall and slender to short and squatty and all heights and circumferences in between. The red candles mixed with fresh greenery and holly made a lovely mantle piece and the glow of the candles with their flickering light brought a peace and serenity to the chaos that can accompany the holidays. But the light output from each candle was the same; it made no difference if the candle was twelve inches tall or a tiny votive, the light it produced was the same. Only trimming the wick, changed the flame. So it is with us. Some may be wealthy or famous or accomplished while others are poor or just an average person who works hard but never seems to get ahead. These things don't determine our sphere of influence; the number of people whose lives we touch, whose way we make a little easier. It is only how bright our light shines from within that determines how much darkness we can banish in this world. In the long run, it's not how much "wax" we have on the outside; but rather, how trim is our inner "wick". Shine brightly!

Submission for SeeItSunday topic "candle". (end of post)

All Things Broken

Broken robin's egg. (Click pictures for larger view)

"I'm youth, I'm joy, I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg." ~ Sir James Matthew Barrie, Scottish playwright, author of Peter Pan (1860 - 1937)

This weeks photo hunt theme is broken and lately there have been a lot of "broken" things around here, but none very photogenic. Starters and alternators in car engines, storage bins that fell into the floor with broken all-purpose cleaner bottles and the oven... well, the oven is intermittent, it turns itself off sometimes.

Bent and broken daffodil

"Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good; a shining gloss that fadeth suddenly; a flower that dies when it begins to bud; a doubtful good, a gloss, a glass, a flower, lost, faded, broken, dead within an hour." ~ William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

So I searched my pictures and found a few colorful examples. I think these are much nicer than the picture of Nyssa's cell phone... also broken this week.

A broken egg... uh,oh!

"If you've broken the eggs, you should make the omelette." ~ Sir Anthony Eden (1897 - 1977)

Doesn't it seem as if everything breaks at once? Getting older seems to work on this same premise. I had a friend who had never been in the hospital, not once since he was born; he hit forty and within one week had to have an emergency appendectomy. Yep! Things all tend to break!

Broken clouds. (rebel)

"Kind acts are as bursts of sunshine through broken clouds." ~ Unknown

I love the glorious colors of sunset reflected in the broken clouds and the rays of light that shoot through the dark storm clouds as they dissipate leaving the world feeling fresh and renewed; and I love the pastels of sunrise over the mountains as morning breaks. So, let's see what's broken in your neck of the woods!

The theme for Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt this week is "broken". You can go here to "Grab the Scavenger Hunt code" and here to join the blogroll. This really cute logo is available there as well. The link to other participants is in my blogroll on the sidebar.
(end of post)

Eye Spy!!

Clover: The eyes spy something big ~ suitcases!"
(Click picture for larger view)

"Of all domestic animals the cat is the most expressive. His face is capable of showing a wide range of expressions. His tail is a mirror of his mind. His gracefulness is surpassed only by his agility. And, along with all these, he has a sense of humor." ~ Walter Chandoha

This week I pulled a black and white picture from the film archives. The year was 1997 and Clover was still a youngster only four years of age, although her "Bucky-esque" (Get Fuzzy) attitude was fully developed. We were going on vacation for two weeks and I had someone lined up to stay at the house and take care of the cats and dogs. I put this box on top of the dining room table for the massive mail that would accumulate and labeled it (what else?)..... MAIL! Maybe the suitcases were already closed, maybe she was trying to make a statement about our leaving her alone with all these other mongrels, or maybe she just likes to sit in a box on a table and look down at everyone else; but when I walked past, there she was. She didn't flinch, didn't make a sound, didn't move a whisker; I'm not sure she even blinked before we got the camera. Clover must have thought she was completely hidden! I like to think her innate sneaky nature and unquenchable curiosity made her a very good spy. I just wonder who she was working for and if she realized her ears were showing!

I told Clover that she couldn't take the box to Friday's Ark as there is limited space on board and who knows, this week an elephant might show up. She is still trying to worm the box in at the Carnival of the Cats this Sunday. We'll see! The carnival is hosted this week by When Cats Attack! See you there! (end of post)

Cute and Fluffy

Maxwell (Max), the cute and fluffy version.
(Click picture for larger view)

"A dog will steal your heart and give you theirs." ~ Unknown

Angelic and cute in his fuzzy-wuzzy state, Max is still doing well, considering he has now lived with cutaneous lymphoma for a full year. Each day he can run and play, chase his ball, chew his chewbies, bark at the squirrels, irritate his buddies next door by peeing through the fence, gobble down his food and beg for treats is a good one. He has his share of Cocker Mix problems besides his cancer but this hasn't stopped him yet. His "cute" expression is fine tuned and Max, can pull it out at the drop of a hat whenever he spies my mom in the sunroom. He is also quite good at persuading someone to feed him.... even if he had his supper only an hour before. We may have to start calling him "Piglet".

Submission for Thursday Challenge topic "cute" and though it is really hard to beat out Nyssa's baby pictures as an expample of "cute", Max did with this one. Max hasn't been to the Friday's Ark lately and he also wants to let the dogs at Carnival of the Dogs know he is still alive and kicking, or rather, chasing his basketball. So he'll see you there. The carnival is hosted at Mickeys Musings.
(end of post)

Beyond The Sunset

Virginia Beach at sunset. January 3, 2007. (Rebel)
(Click picture for larger view)

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Here the Atlantic Ocean spreads east to touch the shores of Africa, England and Europe; the sun and moon rise over the water with fire and ice beauty. I didn't think the sunsets could be as spectacular here with no ball of fire dropping into the ocean water; but I was wrong. It was a cloudless sky and the colors developed one after another in deepening shades, as if a video of the sunrise was played in reverse; the reds and golds fading into purple and deep blue fading to black. And the ever present seagulls walked the sands and soared in the sky as night fell; then disappeared somewhere beyond the sunset, to where? Where do the seagulls go when the day is spent? I wonder.

Submission for PhotoFriday topic "sky". (end of post)

Morning Has Broken

Sunrise over the Blue Ridge. June, 2006.
(Click picture for larger view)

Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

~Lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon (1881 - 1965)

I love to drive at night, if going on a long trip. The highways are less crowded, the trucker's rigs line exit ramps with their yellow and red lights as they sleep, the dense forest spreads a canopy over both sides of the road glowing in the reflected headlights. It's quiet; often the air is still and there is such peace in the rhythmic clickity-clack sound of the tires on the pavement. The day slowly sneaks up on the sleeping world and at first you notice no distinct change in the sky, just the sensation of more light. Then the beautiful color show begins with navy, purples, pinks and yellows until at last the burning disc appears over the forest or mountain or ocean. Sometimes partially hidden behind a cloud, the rising sun will radiate smoky rays to push away the darkness and herald a new day. What is a sunrise? Hope. With each sunrise hope is renewed afresh. The time of sunrise may not be important; but that the "sun rises" is.

Submission to Tuesday Challenge for topic "sunrise".
Submission to LensDay for topic "light".
(end of post)

The Cat Who Loves Music

Mr. Rhett...music aficionado extraordinaire.
(Click pictures for larger view)

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." ~ Albert Schewitzer

In the living room, Mom sits down at the piano, adjusts the bench, turns on the light, opens the music and begins to play. In the back bedroom Mr. Rhett is soundly asleep on the light blue chenille robe, snoring gently. Suddenly, he hears the first strains of music; his head pops up, ears in motion back and forth and in less than two seconds he is off the bed and heading toward the door.


Within a minute, Rhett is sitting on the bench beside my mom, watching her fingers move over the keys and listening to the strains of hymns and the classics. Here he will stay until she is finished; sometimes rubbing his head on her arm or tentatively touching her hand or even the piano keys.


Sometimes he simply stares off into space as if taking the music deep into his body and letting it relax and loosen his muscles. It is at these times I wonder what deep profound thoughts go through his head, if any.


Excuse me Rhett, I know you have a sensitive and gentle nature; one that is obviously affected deeply by music. This tendency has been present for years. When Nyssa was small, Rhett and his sister Scarlett sat with her as she practiced her piano. Scarlett was primarily interested in her long swinging ponytail or braid. You see, Nyssa cannot practice or play without moving with the music. Scarlett sat on the bench with her back to the piano and batted that braid of hair as it swung back and forth. Rhett, on the other hand sat in the large wing backed chair next to the bay window and listened, always staring at the piano and the keys. (Click "Read More" below)
Rhett: "This is my grandma. See how fast her fingers
move over the piano. What beautiful music she makes!"

"I love her. She lets me sit here and enjoy the music
and she lets me sit on her lap all day."

"A cat could not have a better life... music and laps.

Mr. Rhett will be showing off his grandma at the Carnival of the Cats this week. The carnival is being held at TBIFOC, the original carnival site.

Mr. Rhett knows how the Blogger switch has given his mom a major migraine today, so he asked if he and his grandma could go to Cats on Tuesday, hosted by gattina. I said "yes"!
(end of post)

Poetry In Motion

Water off a duck's head. Mt. Trashmore Park. (Rebel)
(Click picture for larger view)

"Everything is energy in motion." ~ Pir Vilyat Inayat Khan

"In motion be like water... at rest, like a mirror. resound like the echo; be subtle, as though nonexistent." ~ Tao Proverb

Subtlety is not this white duck's forte. Smaller than the white geese, but larger than the mallards, these lovely creatures are in constant motion in the water and out. It was getting colder by the minute, a cold front blowing in from the northwest and the wind picking up; yet the ducks splished and splashed as if it were a balmy 75 degrees with little "quack-quack-quack-quack-quacks" filling the air. They kept dipping their heads under the water, sometimes submerging their whole bodies. I love the way the water rolls off their backs, or in this instance, his head and the motion is frozen; captured in a moment of time, ice-like and yet still so very fluid.

Submission for SeeItSunday topic "motion". (end of post)

PS: Yes, I used the new 70 - 300 Canon EF lens with image stabilization for this one Vicki. It will likely be my primary lens. This may be the first in a series of water shots.

The Corpse Flower

Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum). Corpse flower.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden. August 2006.
(Click pictures for larger view)

"The boys' restroom smells, but the girls' restroom doesn't." ~ Devin, age 10

The titan arum is one of the world’s most remarkable plants and this one was procured by the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in 1996 after being started by seed in North Carolina. The titan is native to the tropics and produces a large underground storage tuber. During the growth phase the tuber produces a single, very large leaf that absorbs sunlight and makes food to be stored in the tuber, allowing it to grow bigger. The leaf will grow for a year, then turn yellow and collapses as dormancy ensues. Dormancy usually lasts several months before a new bud appears. This will produce a leaf or a flower (followed by a leaf). It may take many years and many cycles for the plant to flower; in this case ten years.

The flower spike (spadix) surrounded by a crinkled,
pleated, bell-shaped bract (spathe).

In cultivation the leaf may reach 12 feet in height and growth is phenomenal, sometimes four to five inches a day. The rare flower bud may reach 4 to 6 feet in height. The Brooklyn titan broke dormancy in mid-June and on July 31st botanists noted the beginnings of a flower instead of a leaf. Over the next eleven days the flower spike grew 30 inches. We were visiting the gardens about five days before the bloom actually unfolded.

The spathe unfurls over two days to produce the large flower look.
This is when the stink really comes into its own.

The bloom opens in a matter of hours and lasts for only two days, at most. This "corpse" flower's claim to fame is the revolting, gross stench that disseminates when the bloom opens. It is said to smell like rotting meat or a putrefying body with a nauseous scent that comes in eye-watering waves; and so strong that the human nose can detect it over half a mile away! This attracts the carrion beetles and sweat bees that succeed in pollinating the numerous inconspicuous female flowers clustered in the lower half of the spike (spadix), when growing in its native state. The botanists become fertility doctors for those growing in "captivity". Gross enough?

We missed the smell but watched the gorgeous bloom appear via the webcam. It was a rare and beautiful sight to see; especially since we didn't have to "smell the smell"!

If that isn't gross enough for you.....

"When you lick a slug, your tongue goes numb." ~ Bethany, age 11

Here are a group of slimy, icky, squirmy slugs... just one of the "gross" creatures we can't seem to live without, although I haven't really figured out why.

The theme for Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt this week is "gross". You can go here to "Grab the Scavenger Hunt code" and here to join the blogroll. This really cute new logo is available there as well. The link to other participants is in my blogroll on the sidebar. (end of post)

Curb Appeal?!

One man's trash is another man's treasure. But in this case I certainly hope not!
(Click picture to enlarge, but really, why?) (Rebel)

"I realize that there are other people who have days stranger than mine. I don't know them. I don't know anyone who knows them. But I'm sure they're out there. Somewhere." ~ Sarah Hoffman

I found them! These beauties belong to those people who have stranger days. I'm sure, or at least I think these pistachio and baby blue toilets were once at the pinnacle of decorative home fashion; right up there with matching tubs and sinks. These, of course were coordinated with the kitchen sinks and appliances... although, I believe the favorite color schemes in the kitchen were called "avocado" and "gold". These look to be from the era of shag carpeting and bead curtains and were definitely in need of an update. Can anyone suggest a rational for the brown tank cover? These would be strange in the bathroom and were quite strange on the curb.... a few days later they were gone. I hope no one picked them up thinking... "My, these would make unique flower planters!!" Stranger things have happened!

Submission for PhotoFriday topic "strange". (end of post)

Snow Day

Snow in Virginia Beach. (Rebel) (Click all pictures to enlarge)

"The present never ages. Each moment is like a snowflake, unique, unspoiled, unrepeatable, and can be appreciated in its surprising-ness." ~ Gail Sheehy

YES, we had snow today. No, really!! We had snow today! You can see it in the picture above. Yes, those are really flakes and it came down for at least an hour, honestly it did.


It didn't accumulate, but the snowflakes, moderate in size, tried to stick to the holly leaves. I'm sure the flakes would have looked beautiful coating the branches and leaves.


But soon, it changed over to ice and then into rain. See the ice on the small spider web? Really, that IS ice! Now it is simply raining; the day is gray and dark with cold, cold rain!


Even the mockingbirds took shelter from the snow and ice. So how was the first day of February in your neck of the woods?

(end of post)