Fallen Leaves

The other day I watched as this guy use a leaf blower to clear the path of the fallen leaves at the Mariner. I came back the next day to see leaves covering everything. It does make for a pretty picture.

My mind feels like that sometime. It does not matter how many times I try to clear it of bad memories, harmful thoughts or fear of the future, the next day they all come back to haunt me. I need to replace these with good memories, healing thoughts and hope for the future.

Each seasons in life brings good and bad things. When I can focus on what is good and deal with the bad in a healthy way, I find there is always hope for what tomorrow will bring.

So, let the leaves fall. I will grab my leaf blower and clear the path.

Coming Home

After a busy day of chasing dragonflies and other delicious insects, these Eastern Bluebirds looked forward to coming home.

It does not matter how far you travel or how long you are gone, nothing beats the good feeling of coming home. After a hard day at work, getting to seat in your favorite chair and putting your feet up, you let the tensions of the day roll off your body.

There is something about home that makes you feel safe and secure. It could be the feeling you get from your family when they greet you with open arms. In my case, I am greeted by my cat with open claws.

Another possibility is that when you walk through the door, you can close it to the world outside and retreat in to your own space. There you can fine peace from what was a hectic day.

In any case, home is where you find your heart. There is one home that I have yet to come home to. Out of all the homes that I have enter the doors of, the one leading me to God is the one that I can not wait to go through. There, I can finally say, "I am home for good."

Birds Of Plenty

For the past two days I have been blessed to see plenty of birds flying around the Mariner. I am trying to beat the record of another birder who has documented 113 different types of species. I am at 101 now, due to two new birds.

Yesterday, while driving into the Mariner, I came across an old friend birder, George. Every time I see him there, i know there is a new bird to discovery. He was sitting with one of his friend, cameras pointing at a post. So, I pulled over and asked what was it that they were trying to catch.

For the first time ever, I got to see a red-breasted nuthatch. Of course my camera could not compare to theirs, but I still got my picture.

The day before this, I got a shot of a black-throated blue warbler. Another first for me.

After visiting with George and Andy, We parted our way and walk around to see what more we could catch on camera. E ran across each other one more time with no new sightings. As I turn the bend and was hoping to see the black-throated warbler, I was frightened by several bird flying past me as a cooper hawk landed on the fence. My two friends were too far away to call them back. So I just took my shots.

After that blessing, I came across another birder. He was hoping to see some eagles. He ask if I had seen any this day. I had not. So we parted ways and right after he got out of sight, these two eagle came out of nowhere and start to battled. He was too far away to call out and I got this shot.

There were many other birds flying in and out of the bushes and trees. I caught a yellow-rumped, a white-breasted nuthatch, white-throated sparrow, chickadees, just to name a few. There were plenty of birds and I plan on going again today to see what I can catch on camera today.

Pastor Breakfast

This month is pastor's appreciation month. So this morning I got up early and set off to get the pastors of our church breakfast from Dunken Donuts. With the funds I collected from the Fellowship Circle of women that I have been a part of for many years, I was able to get donuts, coffee and breakfast sandwiches.

Every year this group of women who I am proud to call my friends, serve our pastor by providing a meal. Many years we served lunch, but with the growth of our church, the numbers grew to 50 plus and it became to much for us to handle.

Now we just provide breakfast. Yet, we continue to pray for all who serve. I count it a blessing to be part of a church with several great leaders. I also count the great blessings I receive from the Fellowship Circle women.

Pink Elephant

One of the last thing that made this vacation worth while, was seeing this pink elephant. This made my trip complete. Since there was no way to take it home with me, we pulled over to get this picture and I was not drinking.

Everywhere I travel, I always see elephants. It might be a statue, a trinket and in the clouds, everything looks like elephants to me. But that is just fine. Because, I love elephants.

I still have some of the elephants that start it all when I was just a teenager. Every elephants I have holds a special memory for me. This pink elephant will always remind me what a great time I have this past week.

Life Is An Adventure

Yesterday we went to the Panama Park. It was a place to explore the tower rock formation that defined the landscape. As we enter the office to pay our way, we were giving a quest to find the lost treasure.

This made the trip into the park exciting. We took the challenge seriously and looked under every nook and cranny to find the clues to the next location.

After finding all the clues and answering all the questions we were able to fine the strong box with the combination lock, which we were able to decode with the magic work. Inside was one last glue. We were to go back to the office and say the magic phase and put our hand together like a bird and caw like a crow to get a share of the treasure.

The phase was "Life is an adventure." The treasure was, "there was none," She did give us a wooden nickle for our effort.

This whole week was an adventure. The treasure was spending it with Marge, Donnie , Kathy and my brother Ken. The only regrets was the my cousin could not stay the whole week and today we leave my brother and his wife to head home.

Life is an adventure. That is the treasure everyday. Cherish it.

Catching A Rainbow.

Today was the best day to catch a rainbow. All the years that I have visited the the falls in Niagara Falls, New York, I have never seen such vivid colors.

We went on the Maid of the Mist, the Cave of the Winds and the Falls, (yes I actually got on the Maid of the Mist.) There was not one place that did not have rainbows. Many times we would see a double rainbow as well as full arches. In the picture my brother is trying to catch a rainbow in his hand with my husband standing behind him.

This was another day that we were blessed with a beautiful day, vivid rainbows and good company.

Tiled House

Sight seeing around Niagara Falls, we came across this house that did not fit in the neighborhood. The rest of the houses were drab and run down. The tiled house was the work of the family who lives there for many years.

There is a plaque that reads: (And as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be also in the days of the Son of the living God. Luke 17:26 Prophet Isaiah.) It also give the phone to call for more information.


There was no way to take in the wonders of the house as we past by, so we had to turn make another u-turn to pull over to get these pictures. I wonder how many people call the number on the sign, or made the next steps to finding God.

This tiled house does give you food for thought and a sight for the eyes. It was a treat for a great day with my brother and his wife and my cousin and her husband. I can bot wait to see what the next day will bring.

Chipmunk Love

Everyone knows that when I go on vacation with my cousins, I am always on the lookout for chipmunks. So this morning I spend about thirty minutes chasing chipmunks around the condo where we are staying in. In the process I got myself turned around and could not find my way back. I was lost.

Soon, I was able to make my way back after getting at least one shot off of a chipmunk. But it was not a clear picture.

I went into the condo to find that everyone was up. After a good breakfast we made our way to Allegheny Start Park. I looked and looked trying my best to get pictures of chipmunks, without success.

But, than we headed into the local gift shop and there sitting by the door way the biggest chipmunk I had ever seen. I was in love.

I will get some good shots of chipmunks before the week is out. But in the meantime, I will be happy to have this picture with my new chipmunk love.