Our Beautiful World

Everywhere I look there is so much beauty and diversity, I can't help but try and make it my own through photographs. I've spent some time this week purging old stuff from my library in order to make way for new things. Turns out, Picasa, my photo keeper, is not necessarily designed for people who take photographs daily, rather for the casual photographer. As such, on occasion it struggles to keep up with me, however, Matt has worked things out, for which I'm grateful.

So, what do we have to look at today? Plenty, as it turns out. If you've seen a more beautiful color of gerbera daisy, tell me about it. Almost raspberry colored, wouldn't you say?
More often than not, when I see something I think will please a friend or family, I stop on my ride to capture the scene. Karen Howard loves our Florida clouds.

In our yard we have SIX gigantic long needle pine trees--the above is a short needle version taken down the street. Bruce spent about a half an hour Saturday picking up all the "cobs", or what I'm calling them, in our yard. The squirrels are feasting on the pine cones, dropping the remnants, and in general, making a huge mess. Surely, you're not surprised.

Finding this plumeria petal on the ground, I put it in my bike basket to have fun with it at home.

Bonus points for awesome fragrance!

Is there anything more cheerful than a sunflower? Well, maybe a daisy....

The other evening, just before dark, following another rain storm, I went into the side garden and saw something flying around my declining salvia. The light was poor, and the insect's wings were going a mile a minute, but I still tried photographing something entirely new to me. I'm wondering if it is some type of cricket? Checking the web, I did not see one pictured as such, but the web doesn't know everything. Or does it?

Any ideas?

Yesterday morning Dave and Michelle needed a ride to the airport. You know who played the part of the chauffeur. Killing a little time before the store opened, I drove through the "peacock neighborhood", hoping to find some babies. Apparently I missed them when they were tiny, but I did see these two before they are all grown up.

Oddly enough, there were very few peacocks to be seen on either street. Very puzzling because at times I've counted nearly fifty of them. Where could they have gone?

This morning, wondering where to ride my bike, I decided on a visit to Eric's house as it's been a while. It's so weird because he lives with his parents, and I feel as if I must knock on the door to ask if he can come out to play. Well, he couldn't because he was off to serve, something he does with great regularity. This time he was on his way to teach gardening and healthy eating at our city neighborhood centers. Other days he delivers donated food to the Russell Home, and other places where donations are always welcome. Thus I was left on my own.

Spraying myself liberally with insect repellent, provided by his Mom, I roamed the gardens. It takes a real gardener to know what to plant for year-round color. Eric would be one of those. I'll show some of the blooms another day because by now I have probably taxed your attention span. What I do want you to see is a hawk; pretty much the closest I have been to one in the wild. He was right under my nose, however my attention was focused on a shore bird. But then I saw it a mere 20 feet in front of me.

In truth I am the worst at estimating distances, but it wasn't just the same. Perhaps he sensed me because he flew up into a nearby oak tree laden with spaghnum moss:

Some wing span, huh? I'm thinking he's looking for insects in the bark below. I was pretty darn excited, I'll tell you that much!

Now, if only my eagle would come so close! Generally I see the eagles in trees that are 100 feet tall, rather than 30.

Tonight is FAVO, and although I'm mostly ready, there are a few last minute details to work out. Wish me luck because I'll need it, between the ever-present threat of rain, and no ac in my space!!!

Let Me Let You Go!

While watching a David Sedaris video last evening, between laughter, something he said rang oh so true. He said he talks to all the people who come to his book signings, going so far as to poll them on strange subjects. Explaining that he spends a lot of time alone while writing, so it's good to get out in the public and hear ideas that are not his own. Allegedly, he talks so much that the attendees finally say, "let me let you go." This could be me talking! Just a week or so ago I got into a lively discussion about health care marketing with an unsuspecting man who came to my table. He talked about keeping things true to the "brand" and the like. You can imagine my reaction to that kind of baloney.  Branding, billboards everywhere you look, marketing--is it any wonder the cost of health care has increased? Finally I shut up, uttering the same words as those folks use with David. No doubt, he was relieved to leave me! You would think I had strong opinions or something and I do, especially about medicine. Is it any wonder I write a lot of letters to the editor of our local paper, including one published on Monday?

Counteracting the above rant, I give you something pretty:

Isn't that the most lovely shade of gerbera daisy? My word!

It felt good to be back on my bike yesterday morning, having missed my ride for days and days.

It won't be long before the jasmine blooms are gone for the year, thus I'm enjoying them while I can. I hadn't noticed it in person, but this garage door looks kind of like a little face in the photograph, doesn't it? The iffy weekend weather has vanished for the time being, replaced by another few beautiful days. Waking early to the sound of the birds,  I got right up to write before we spend the cool morning working in the yard. Bruce went into the office yesterday, and after all we have to do today, he may wish he was still there!

Other things seemed to have gotten space in this blog causing me to leave out something of great importance until now. As you well know, when I like something, I like it a bunch, including my new navy blue Keds. Except, after wearing them for about six weeks, the color faded to a purplish hue. What's a girl to do? This girl called Keds, learning if I sent them back, I would receive a new pair in a timely manner. I don't know how they felt about it, but nearly two weeks doesn't seem all that timely to me. Finally, around dinnertime last night, the new shoes arrived via UPS. Oh happy days! Is it just me, or do you too only notice the spot on the top of one?

Bruce seems to think it is glue; try as I might I could not remove it. Ahem....

We'd just finished a tomato tart I hadn't made in ages. Because I still have gobs of basil, not to mention a crust I'd saved in the fridge, I bought tomatoes yesterday while at Clemons.

The crust turned out pretty in a tart pan, don't you think? One thing is that I can never make this tart without thinking of the months caring for our dying Mother. She was crazy for this tart. Maybe it was a subconscious thing, what with the Sunday's day of honoring one's Mother?

This is always a hard time of year for me. No, not because of my Mom, I still miss her, however, I know death and separation is inevitable, so after nine years, I'm okay with it. No, it is something much more mundane:

Times like this is when I miss my big freezer! The fellow behind the counter told me he had a customer  on Saturday buy fifty, yes 50, jugs to store!

So, guess what? I went to the wrong side of the tracks, make that I-4, to take my calendar photos. I kept wondering why I did not come across Cornell, and now I know! Goodness they make these contests hard on a photographer with only three streets to choose from! Believe me when I tell you there are very few houses worthy of photographing, and there are twelve months to fill! This house has a guard kitty on the porch:

This looks very peaceful doesn't it? I-4 is literally two houses away, well make that one house, and one empty lot. For those of you not familiar with I-4, it is the main interstate highway running through Orlando. During rush hour this neighborhood must be anything but peaceful. Then too, while talking with one of the residents I learned that Florida Hospital owns several houses, and wants more of them to build a hotel. Stick with healthcare! See above....

Finally, on my drive home, I got a good look at this super cool power box, one of many painted by local artists to add some excitement to the landscape.

Bruce is up, the sun is shining, and the yard work awaits. Let me let you go.

Frugalista

Do you think Mama Cardinal looks pregnant yet?

Isn't she adorable? Although I thought the recent visits to the Nuttery a few weeks ago signaled nesting season, to date I've been wrong. However, with a blog history such as mine, I see that it shouldn't be long until, once again, I'll be peeping into the Lady Palms, looking for a nest!

I wish I could tell you that Mr. Bruce is excited about his pending retirement, but if I did so, it would not be the truth. What he is feeling is more along the lines of "what will we do without a steady paycheck?" I keep reassuring him that we will be fine just as we've always been. If we had lived our lives waiting to do things until we had money we would never have had four children I can tell you that much! In the spirit of what I've just told you, I am now having to adjust myself to having another frugalista in the house. One is more than enough! Whereas before he hardly looked at the price of a purchase, now he's doing some comparison shopping. Just last night he returned from Wal Mart with some bags of Smarties, the candy I give out when I'm out selling. "Do you know how much I got these for?" Yep, I do because that is where I prefer to buy them when they are in stock. Lately, however, I've had to resort to Walgreens where they cost about 75 cents a bag more which doesn't seem like much, but when you give out as many as I do, it all adds up.

While Bruce does still have a paycheck we are getting things done. Among them was the eye exam we both had at Costco on Monday afternoon. I'm still good to go, his prescription has changed a little bit. New glasses are in the works. I'd made arrangements with Sarah to stop by Sun Dance on our way so Bruce could see the operation. I knew he'd be just as impressed as I was when I took the tour some months ago. Graciously, we were shown around the facilities. Here a guy is using some sort of cutting machine:

And here, pictured on the upper left, Sarah is showing him some of the products they produce:

Sweet, sweet, Alejandra is pictured on your right. As you can see Sarah doesn't have long until her next baby is born!

My sunglasses broke on our way to Costco. Well, more accurately, while pulling them out of my handbag they broke, so we stopped at Ross on our way home for a replacement. Except, in our new shared frugal existence, I bought four pairs for the price of one.

Seriously, can you believe how cheap they were? Who has ever heard of a pair of sunglasses for 99 cents?? This little $9 purchase should last a long time!

This is sounding really kooky isn't it?

With nothing really in mind for dinner, I looked around the kitchen to see what I could fix. Why, how about cabbage soup?

Kathy, our market neighbor, asked if I wanted a cabbage from their garden on Sunday. Apparently, they are nearly cabbaged-out following their bountiful harvest. As a child I hated cabbage with a passion. Why? Our school cafeteria cooked it to death, basically turning it into green slime. And then there was the smell! That said, somewhere along the line I tried cooking it myself, and I fell in love with cabbage. This is my first attempt at cabbage soup, and by golly it was pretty darn tasty.

Potatoes, some left over corn, diced carrots, along with some celery and onions gave it more flavor. This would make a nice vegan meal had I not put the chopped bacon on top. A rainy, dreary day, made it the perfect lunch yesterday.

And the frugal ways continue as we leave in the morning for a little overnight camping trip to Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights, Florida. Never heard of it? Neither had I until Bruce found it in one of his books. Four years have passed since our last camping adventure which is just plain shocking to me. It is going to be super cold however, as in overnight lows in the middle 30's! Once again we are going to sleep in the car which sounds super weird, but isn't. The Element was comfortable, the Pilot will be more so because it is roomier. Using the little mattress from our fold up bed, we'll be nice and cozy. The cost for the campground? $20. The gas will cost way more than that! Despite the cold, I'm looking forward to seeing a part of Florida that neither of us have ever visited before.

In not so frugal news, our bike rack did not fit the Honda, thus a spiffy new one that hooks into the trailer hitch made its way to our driveway yesterday afternoon. I can hardly wait to ride my bicycle on the small hills there, in what should be brilliant sunshine, and coolish temperatures. Sounds perfect, right?

Trying to remember how we did use our old bike rack that time, I went back into my photo library to check it out. While there I found this photograph of what our home looked like back then, before the tree had to be removed. Made me a little sad...

Of course, had the tree never been removed, I would not have my bird obsession because the tree was so gigantic I never could see what they were doing up there. Although I was tired of that color scheme, looking back on it now, I wonder why?

I'm sick of this frugal stuff, aren't you? Let's do some nature shall we?

Just when I thought I would never see my eagle again, Monday morning, as I was nearing the home with the tree, he flew right over me!!! Parking my bike in their driveway, I ran into the backyard to get a shot. He did not stay for long, taking off for parts unknown.

In my last post I mentioned my gerbera daisy, but did not show you the evidence--well, here it is:

Lo and behold, here's what it looked like after yesterday's rain:

I'm pretty darn excited to tell you the truth because I thought it would never bloom again!

Most of yesterday afternoon was spent signing prints, new ones, and replacements for those sold. Here's a stack which represents what I sold over the weekend.

Unbelievable. Who knew I could make something of this? As we were leaving Sun Dance Bruce remarked that they all loved me. "Really, is that the impression you got?" It is all like a dream sometimes....

I've made a little fun of our frugal ways, but really, it is the smart thing to do, whether you have a steady paycheck, or not. Using resources at your disposal, re-using, smart shopping, these are practices everyone would do well to adopt; perhaps our economy wouldn't be in the mess it is, if, both private citizens, and our governments got into being frugal!

A Tale of Lost and Found

Or perhaps, better said as, left and recovered.

First thing is this: I'm having a heck of a time with my keyboard, so I'm going to do the best I can with the post before it goes haywire once again. The good news is, I still have some months left on my Apple Care, and if all goes according to plan, I should have a new one later today. Or, so I hope.

Friday evening a friend of mine was doing a live art demonstration, as well as a showing, at a gallery at Pointe Orlando, a big place on International Drive, otherwise known as the tourist strip of Orlando. Because we had a gift card to Capital Grille, located in the same general area, I thought it would be a great evening out. And it was. Renee looked super, the gallery swank, and the weather ideal.

For our evening out I decided to dress up a bit, wearing a purple dress Bruce likes, high heels (gasp!), and instead of my usual handbag, I carried a small clutch. Bruce, on the other hand, was all set to wear jeans, in fact, he had them on, when I requested he wear nice clothes as well. This middle-aged couple looked pretty darn nice.

So far, so good. Seated in one of the private dining rooms, we enjoyed our luxurious meal with a lovely bottle of Sequoia Grove, a winery we visited all those years ago in Napa Valley. I mentioned the purse earlier because, no matter how small my Olympus is, there is no room for it in a clutch. I took it because I wanted a few photos of Renee, so once that was done, I set it on the floor adjacent to my chair which was against a wall. And that is where it remained once we left the restaurant....

Of course I did not realize that until Saturday morning while preparing my bag for the market. Trying not to panic, I searched the house, and then it sunk in. Immediately, following my departure for Winter Garden, Bruce drove out there only to discover they do not open for lunch on Saturday. To make a long story short, eventually, we found out that, indeed, it was turned in and was waiting for me in the safe. Whew! I would say that I'll never do that again, however, never is a pretty big word. I HOPE I never do that again!

We certainly have had all kinds of weather this month. Rain out, freezing temperatures, and this Saturday I got a sunburn! In another location this week, I was out in the bright sunshine all day. Not without a benefit however, as sales were pretty darn good. Plus, the Goldsmiths picked up their Stik figure canvases and were as pleased as punch.

Joseph Martens is performing for the crowd, which got larger as the day progressed. Don't those bright green trees look awesome??

For Christmas Jonathan got us season one of Mad Men which we finished watching Saturday night--what a show! I'll be looking for the rest of the seasons at the library. Next I think we'll dive into Downton Abbey and see what all the fuss is about.

Sunday was beautiful. I met some new folks, I talked to some folks I know. This little girl was playing a little hide and seek in my booth before I turned my camera on to her:

She asked if she could try my camera, so making sure it fit securely in her hands, I posed and this is what she got:

Almost made it! Despite our weather challenges, March has gotten off to a great start. Between both markets I believe I sold 46 items---lucky gal that I am.

I have a scad of prints with some sort of heart theme, mostly because it's worked out that way. This swan nearly fits the bill in that regard, although my dear readers are the only ones who will ever see it.

Neat isn't it?

The other morning during my bike ride I came across a lovely shade of Gerbera daisy growing in someone's garden:

Which reminds me, my solo gerbera plant is fixing to bloom again, very surprising indeed because it was in the ground for nearly a year before it did so, and that was around Christmas. Happy days.

I made it! The keyboard worked perfectly, until it won't once again.

Breakfast time for this blogger....