Photo Art Friday

Minimalism is a place I would like to be, but I struggle with a clutter of ideas that keep hampering my attempts.  I explored this concept through different means and came up with several versions.  I have my favorites, but would love your opinions as well ...

This picture is from my soul ... Nature is what I live by and the spiritual powers of the the Indian culture and how nature was intricately woven into their lives leads me to where I want to be ... where things that matter are savored and protected.

In sharp contrast, this is an exercise in simplistic shapes ... does it have a meaning, I am not so sure.  Maybe to someone else who lives it that world :)

Again this speaks of nature ... of the oppressive burden placed on wildlife and all of nature by man's destructive habits ... just my opinion.

 This piece speaks of motion ... a restlessness that I often feel.  The need to be doing things (keeping busy, my husband calls it).  I don't see it as a bad thing, but it can be pressing ... sometimes I just look forward to a peaceful moment to unwind.

 Even the smallest life is important in the scheme of things ... I can't bring myself to step on an ant or kill a spider.  I love what God gave us, every little thing ...

 

Cat Thursday

Da Boyz

Most of you have meet my not so little brothers, but for those of you who haven't, this is Chachi, the spokesperson for the entire Animal Kingdom (His favorite platform being food) and Fonzi, King of the Beasts.  Fonzi is the Alpha of all of my pets(including my dog, Izzi) and probably the most patient and loving cat I have ever had.  We, of course, love them both to pieces.

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday 29
http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com

Winter can be really wicked ... wind, snow, cold temperatures.  How these little beauties survive, I will never understand.  But, year after year they have come to my feeders all winter long, never showing any sign of distress.  As harsh as nature is known to be,  nothing is left to it's own devices.  The ability to survive is passed on as it has been since the beginning of time ... and they just do what comes naturally.

There is nothing more beautiful than a Cardinal ... They take my breath away ...

FYI

Cat Thursday

Blog Award

I am no longer excepting awards, not because I don't appreciate them, but because they take a lot of time to do right ... and I seem to be short on time these days.  This award, however, was passed on to me by my friend and neighbor, McGuffy Ann, who I adore and, for some reason, can't seem to say no to :)  So for her, I will go through the process, because she is the best and deserves a good response.  When I say the best, I mean it ... go see her on her blog and see for yourself ... http://mcguffysreader.blogspot.com/

There are several rules we must follow in order to accept this award:

1) Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.

2) Acknowledge that blogger on your blog and link back to them.

3) Answer the 5 simple questions.

4) Nominate blogs for the award and notify each of them.

5) Display the award on your blog somewhere.

Here are the 5 questions and answers:

1. If you could change one thing, what would you change?

  

 I am sure if I gave it some thoughts there are many things in my life I would change, but things are what they are and, though my life isn't perfect, I can't complain.  The things I would change are not so much in me, but in things that have happened to people I love ... once again, not within my purview.  So, that said,  if I were going to say that I would want to change something, it would probably be to change the fact that I can't change what is ... confusing, right?

2. If you could repeat an age, what would it be? Any year?

Repeat an age?  No, No, No ... now if you would ask me if I want to stop the aging process, we would have something to discuss.  But, I am perfectly happy with where I am ... no need to go anywhere else.  I just plan to keep plugging and let nature take it's course ... and fingers crossed that what is in the cards for me is positive:)

3. What is one thing that really scares you?

I am not going to go deeply into my answer to this question ... Suffice it to say, that it scares me that there are people who want to force me (and others) to live our lives by their rules ... not the rules that we grew up with or believe in.  I love my freedom of choice and won't give it up easily to anyone.

4. What is one dream you have not completed, and do you think you'll be able to complete it?

I have lived a good life.  Not an extravagant life, but I am healthy, happy and financially stable (for the moment).  So I am not going to look that gift horse in the mouth and wish for more.  There are things that I need to do, but they have nothing to do with dreams.   They have more to do with responsibilities and I do certainly hope I am able to complete them.

5. If you could be someone else for one day, who would it be?

I would like to walk a mile in the shoes of every person who has said "walk a mile in my shoes" so that I could be more insightful and a better friend to those who need a good friend. 

I have many favorite blogging friends who I would like to pass this award on to.  Unfortunately, most of them, like me, don't accept awards because, again, it takes a lot of time.  But, there are those few deserving friends who might like the idea of an award, so I will pass this award on to them.  Please take the time to go visit each one, because, if you enjoy my blog, you will most certainly enjoy theirs ... 
 

Miss Edna's Place (http://missednasplace.blogspot.com/)

Elephant Child(http://myjustsostory.blogspot.com/)  Elephant Child is facing some difficult times and I know she won't be able to respond to this award.  But, I want her to have it so she knows I am thinking of her.
 

Life in a Canned Ham(http://lifeinacannedham.blogspot.com/)
Be Currie (http://becurrie.blogspot.com/)
The Butterfly:Metamorphasis from the cacoon(http://thebutterflymetamorphosis.blogspot.com/)

 

 

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday 28
http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/

This week I am continuing with my Winter Birds at my feeders.   It is so cold out here this week (-19 wind chill), I worry about them making it.  Extra food and keeping the bird bath full ... then fingers crossed :)

The Blue Jays are exquisite against the stark white background ... I love them even if they are bully birds :)

Stay warm, my little feathered Friends ...

Mandarin Orange Monday

This is my first attempt at a digital painting ... pretty basic, but it was fun :)

Photo Art Friday

This prompt could have gone on and on ... there were so many choices, so I tried to pick those that meant something to me personally.

This picture speaks to the Rehabbing of Raptors ... how some recover and are once again set free and how some remain in captivity because of their injuries ... One can only hope that we are able to provide a quality of life worthy of these magnificent birds.

This is Izzi (The little Aussie) and her friends Raven and Riley(German Shepherds) at the ranch where the Frisson horses live (Aren't they awesome?).  Have you ever watched your dog sleeping and dreaming with their little feet running as fast as they can ... this is how I imagine  Izzi's dreams :)

Repose was one of my words in Bonnie's previous prompt ... rest and relaxation.  That is one of my goals for this year.  I sometimes get so busy I fail to take time out for myself.  I am hoping I can correct that ... and what better way than to get lost in the music of the gorgeous and talented  David Garrett :)

As a country we have much we need to talk about.  We live in a culture of violence  and have, pretty much, managed to ignore it as long as it didn't effect us personally ... but we can't hide from the truth anymore.  Our children have been slaughtered with assault weapons and, even since that horrible day, over 900 citizens have died from gun shot wounds.  This is the rule, not the exception.  It will continue to go on around us until we stand up and be counted.  There is nothing wrong with responsible gun ownership.  That is not the culprit here.  It is guns in the hands of people who are dangerous to themselves and to others ... that is what we need to address.  It is a cultural issue, the cause of which we don't even understand.  But we must start talking about it, looking for reasons and causes and then addressing them in a responsible way.  Our future, our children and grandchildren deserve better.  Now is the time ... start by letting your congressmen know what you expect from them and then hold them accountable.  Start be reading and listening ... learning and searching for answers.  Join in the discussion ... Be a part of the Solution.
Amen ... Sorry for the rant, but hay, you gotta do what you gotta do :)

Cat Thursday

http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/2013/01/cat-thursday-i-got-this.html

Sun Worshiper

Zendella Dare

Zendala Dare #40

I don't know if it is because I am new at this or what, but it seems to take me forever to finish one challenge. When I come over to see this weeks challenge, there are already people who have finished and linked up ... I hope, in time, I will get a little speedier ... So here is my version of Zendella Dare #40.

Wordless Wednesday

 

This young man was a guest in my house while his handler was away.  He is a male American Kestrel, the smallest of the Falcons in the United States.  He is an education bird for the Illinois Raptor Center.  Because they are migrating birds it was necessary to bring him in the house because it was too cold for him in his mew.  He is a wild bird that was injured (left wing) and though he could still fly, he could no longer hunt well enough to survive in the wild.  He now travels to schools, park districts and organizational gatherings to educate people about the important  role of the raptor in the balance of nature.   Is he not a handsome boy?

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday 27

I have a lot of birds at my feeders in the winter.  I love the winter pictures because the colors seem to stand out against the white or grey background (as opposed to competing with the colorful summer foliage and flowers).  I also like when the birds puff up to keep warm.  I feel sad for them, but they seem to do fine in the cold as long as they get enough to eat.  This week I am focusing on the Purple Finch.  Enjoy ...

I don't see the Purple Finch often in the summer.  They are not really migrating birds but in the winter they will move around an area to look for food.   The name "Purple Finch" is deceiving but really comes from the word purpureus which is a Latin word meaning crimson.

This is a stock picture of a Purple Finch Female.  Strangely I don't seem to have any pictures of the females.  It may be that I didn't spot her because she blends in with the sparrows at the feeder.  Her only distinction is the white eyebrow.  Now I am challenging myself to find her with my own camera :)  Have a wonderful week everyone ...

Gymnastics

This weekend I finally was able to attend my Granddaughter's High School Varsity Gymnastics Meet.  She is so good and I love watching her do her stuff!  I do have pictures but, poor lighting, distance and movement made it hard to get any really good shot, so bear with me.  I put it together into a collage ... Enjoy!

Izzi ... Up and at 'um again

When my Granddaughter was here over Christmas, she ran Izzi in another Agility Trial.  Sorry folks for the braggadocio, but what's a Grandma to do  ....... :)

Normally I would do the weave pole series as a GIF, but my GIF is not working for me today:(

Woo Hoo I got my GIF to work ... proabably too little too late, but here it is ...

These pictures are complements of Steve Delaney of Paw Print Pictures ... Thanks Steve :) 

http://www.pawprintpictures.com