Hello! Time flies when you're having fun!

April through June just passed me by! 

 And what a couple of months it was!

 I spent the last of March and early part of April traveling the state of Arizona with photographer friends, Joyce and Diane. 

 We wandered 2400 miles across the state seeing the sights from Phoenix north to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, South to the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest and Tucson with so many stops at other places along the way.  These photos are from  Antelope Canyon which was my favorite  place of all we visited. 
The pinkish sandstone caverns are under the earth 
and we were in the cavern for almost 2 hours.  

It was spectacular and makes me very aware of how small and insignificant we really are when 
compared to this planet we call home.

Water caused the many swirls and lines found in the canyon.

It also washed out holes and made amazing sculptures.

The pathway in the slot, some rooms were large,

 some areas we had to move almost sideways to get through.

Arizona is known for its cacti!  And wow, were they blooming!

May found me in North Carolina where we enjoyed

 a new location and home for Tate and his family in a mountain valley.

  I love the mountains of North Carolina!

 Looking east from the front porch 

watching the sun come up!

June was another traveling month as Joyce and I made our way up along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Boone.   Hiking, photography and enjoying the scenery of the mountains.

Did I say I love mountains!?

Even in the fog and clouds!

Because I know the light will always get through!

Being at home while the heat of the summer

 is upon us is a time for being lazy, thinking about

and planning for other adventures in the future.

After all, there are always new things to see 

and always a new photo to take!  But some things are 

right here in my own backyard. 

All I have to do is just open my eyes and see!

Wonder and magic is everywhere!

Hello March!

March 18

February came with its Promise of Spring...





Tiny buds on a treee,  pushing themselves open

Leaves unfurling and stretching out

                                                 Flower buds showing off their color





Tiny spring flowers pushing up from their winter's sleep

While tiny creatures come out of hiding to warm themselves in the sun

               Field of daffodils where horses frolic in the warm spring sunshine...


                  And then there came March, full of blooms, butterflies and bees...

Until that day, March decided it would surprise us!

March shared with us two seasons!

Wondering what April will bring!

Hello February!

Saying Hello to February as January just came and went like the wind!

Instead of being restive and calm, January ended up being a month of going and doing!  

 Driving two hours to the mountains to see the snow!

 Seeing the early morning  fog lying low over the fields.

Gazing at the reflection of winter trees in the pond.

Feeling the warm sunshine while watching clouds dance on water.

Catching the last of the sunlight crossing the bridge at the lake.

Hearing the chattering of redbirds hiding in bare trees.

Catching sight of  a heart carved by Nature.

I can't wait to see what February will bring!

Hello to January 2017

     January begins a new year with many people

 making lists of resolutions and things they want to get done

    with good intentions but usually never fully realizing those resolutions.   This is not for me.

 Instead of being full of energy and movement

 and jumping into new things,

 January is a quiet month, 

a time to sit  in the warmth of a fire,

 maybe reading or researching new interests. 

A soothing, gentle time to recoup energy lost 

in the frantic pace of the holiday season. 

 A time to regroup and recharge before 

moving on to the adventure of what the year holds.

For each new day of 2017 holds a surprise for me!

I can't plan what I want to do until

 I look and see with wide open eyes what is being offered!

A little Winnie the Pooh wisdom.

"What Day is it? asked Pooh.

"It's Today!" squeaked Piglet.

"My favorite Day!" said Pooh.

December 31 My word for 2017 is-

   Hello!

This is my word for 2017!  Why!? 

I want to greet each day like a new friend. Hello!

I want to greet old friends the same. Hello!

I want to walk in the world with wide open eyes

looking at everything as if it was the first time. Hello!

When unhappy thoughts or circumstances occur, I want

to acknowledge them and then make the best of the situation.  Hello!

 Waking each day with hope and faith and love!  Hello!

Have a wonderful 2017!

This was the wonderful sunrise on New Year's Eve 2016!

Hello! 

December 29 Thank you for..

Thank you for...

This prompt is not a good one for me.  Not that I don't give thanks daily but who is You?  So I am making You be Me.

Thanking myself for picking up a camera and discovering a creative side to myself that I never knew was there.  Thanking myself for not letting fear or trepidation stop me from sharing this creativity on social media where I found people just like me who are now a part of the whole creative process.   Thanking myself for not judging or labeling what I see as good, bad, ugly or pretty.  

Giving thanks for this gift I gave to myself.

December 29 My wish for 2017

   My wish is for others---

                           joy and happiness,

                                 health and wellness,

                                       faith and hope,

                                            friends and family,

                                                work and prosperity.

                                                 

                                                               Peace for all. 

            We all have a new beginning each morning as the sun arises.  

             My wish for myself is to live each day fully, 

                               spreading love and light 

  

                                         to all that I meet.