Monday
Monday smiles, courtesy of: Violet’s state of can’t even. My beautiful miniature roses. A puppy’s love for his owner. There is always reason to smile. Always. Even on a Monday.
I Spy…
“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” – Henri Matisse
Tough Teachers
“I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers.” – Khalil Gibran During today’s run, I noticed several flowering trees in my neighborhood bursting through, in spite of earlier snows and hard freezes. For whatever reason, it reminded me of this…
I Saw That.
To the mom in the grocery store produce section with the toddlers in nuclear meltdown mode: I saw the look you gave me. The anxiousness. The embarrassment. The fear that I was annoyed or judging you, your children, or the impressive volume and endurance of their shrieking. To you, I say…not a chance. Oh, mom, I…
Of Course
The first day of spring coincides with the International Day of Happiness. Coincidence? I think not. Violet is worn out from the excitement. Wishing you happiness in the warmth and light of the new season.
Everything Will Be Okay
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” (unknown) Somehow quotes from “Unknown” are always so smart. Here’s to a new week and new hope.
I Am Lucky
From the imaginations at my church that brought you “I’m Not a Turkey” and “What Happened to My Snowman,” may I present “I Am Lucky.” “I am lucky to have toys so I can play with my brothers and so we won’t get bored. I am lucky to have trees so I can have fresh…
Life Lately…
Life lately…according to the iPhone. Heart sightings. Valuable reminders. Floral therapy. Beautiful morning skies. Fading tulips retaining their loveliness.
Saturday With Degas
This morning I headed to the art museum for Degas, Impressionism, and the Paris Millinery Trade, a remarkable exhibit examining Degas’ study of millinery production in Paris. While he was famous for his dancer subjects, high-fashion hats and the women who made them were the focus of a lessor-known period in his career. This exhibit is the…
Found
Nemo! I live for photos like this. And this. A leprechaun dinosaur in the neighborhood. Weird people are awesome.
Whoops.
After enjoying the snow outside in the Garden for a bit, it was time to bail on the 30 degree temps and head back inside for the annual Orchid Show. As a result, I was reminded of something today. Big temperature swings can fog up the camera lens. So the hazy effect in these photos? Yeah, that…
Snowy Saturday in the Garden
Plot twist! Earlier this week, temperatures were comfortable, flowering trees were glorious, perennial buds were opening, and then….boom. Snow. But I decided to make the most of it and had a date with my camera at the Botanical Garden. I wasn’t the only one with the idea; there were several photographers strolling along the grounds. One gentleman was so…
Whoa.
“When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.” – Mahatma Gandhi *Note: I was stopped at a light and not moving when I took this.
Here, Here!
“A Strong Woman… …is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter… A Strong Woman… …is both soft and powerful. She is both practical and spiritual. A Strong Woman… …in her essence is a gift to the world.” Pausing on this International Women’s Day to celebrate Strong…
Big Apple Birthday
“One belongs to New York instantly. One belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” – Thomas Wolfe Today I recovered from celebrating my birthday in New York City. I only took photos with my iPhone, so I didn’t have as many pictures to comb through. What I loved most about this trip,…
Little By Little
“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world. They hold an unshakeable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing…
What Happened to My Snowman?
From the students at my church who brought you “I am Not a Turkey” (post here), may I present “What Happened to My Snowman?” “Snowmen shouldn’t go to battle! They would get shot! They would melt! They might get hit by a tank! Finally, they can’t drive tanks! Snowmen shouldn’t go to BATTLE!!!” “Snowmen shouldn’t sit by…
Playing With Pikazo
Took a few photos of the art at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, last week. And for fun, I pulled the art photos into an art filter app called Pikazo. The app is designed to make regular photos look like famous works of art. Actual photo: Pikazo image: Actual photo: Pikazo…
Dream in Color
“If you inherently long for something, become it first. If you want gardens, become the gardener. If you want love, embody love. If you want mental stimulation, change the conversation. If you want peace, exude calmness. If you want to fill your world with artists, begin to paint. If you want to be valued, respect…
New Light, New Discoveries
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – unknown This weekend brought a sunrise run after a good number of evening training runs by flashlight. I was surprised to realize how much of a difference natural light makes. During my night runs, my attention is confined to the small sphere…
Love From Head to Toe
I didn’t pay much attention to them at first. I was waiting to pick up my to-go order and checking out my phone. But then I caught these lighted shoes out the corner of my eye. Ironman-red lighted sneaks. After I finally managed to look beyond the shoes, I had to check out who they belonged…
Happiness is…
…a really good chin scratch. Sweet Murphy boy.
Little Butterflies
“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.” Sunday afternoon with my Little Sister at the Butterfly House and the Faust Park merry-go-round. Almost 60 degrees in February. What a wonderful day. We even spotted snowdrops blooming and a little bee friend. It’s hard to believe she’s been my Little Sister for a year now!
Just Gotta Look Around
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” – Camille Pissarro, painter Tiniest old church tucked in a rundown area… Smiles from a building under construction… Random dominoes embedded in the pavement in the middle of an intersection. Beautiful blessings abound for those willing to take the time…
hey there, friends 