Category: Wordless Wednesday

#Beach Blues – Wordless Wednesday

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When those September clouds start to roll in – the end of summer blues set in.
Dock sitting seems desolate when the sky is cloudy and the river water is a dark blue. (Note how long the freighter is in the background.)
It makes you grateful when the sun comes back out and sparkles on the water.
But there’s still time for one last trip to the beach.
There were lots of sailboats out, behind the beach grass.
We’re lucky to have a hundred acre park with a beach right in the city. This photo is from the 1950’s before the parking lot was paved and before erosion set in.
The section in the top of the photo is private property with deeded beach rights, so you seldom see anyone walking along there. I’ll take the house with the gazebo!
There were lots of different variations of blue, depending on the intensity of the sun.
Darker blue with more sailboats.
The circle of smaller sailboats in the distance is the beginners class from the yacht club.
I like to check out all the colorful beach umbrellas.
It was a picture perfect day – something to store up until next year.

#August Flora and Fauna – Wordless Wednesday

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Beach grass.
River birches along the beach. I love to watch their silver leaves blowing in the breeze off the lake.
Fall flower beds at the entrance to the park.
Woodland path in the park – an example of a Carolinian forest according to the sign. I intend to walk this some day when tick season is over, as it is home to a snowy white owl and many species of birds.
Another park with beautiful beds. I’m always happy to see pinks in the park.
A shady spot to sit and watch the water.
A riot of color in front of a riverside condo.
My harvest of “novelty” purple bush beans. The verdict – pretty color – tasted like a bean when sampled raw – but somehow lacking in flavor once cooked.
Zinnias for sale at the farmers market.
Walking past the dill reminds me of my mother canning pickles.
Summer fruit…..one of the best things about August.
And now for the fauna part – kittens at a fruit stand out in the country.
A big attraction for the kids.
And last but not least – my new summer favorite flavor. Hey, it’s green!

#May Flowers – Wordless Wednesday

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Lately I’ve been taking pictures while walking in the neighborhood
These purple irises deserve a a second shot
I’ve never seen a peony with multi-colors like this one before
The owner said it’s a woody shrub not a bush, and blooms earlier than other peonies.

She said this is catnip – a lovely sight if you’re a cat!
My rescue basket of pansies post CPR – the nursery was going to throw them out but all they needed was some water.
My Virginia bluebells are always nice but one strand came up albino this year.
It’s right beside the lily of the valley, so maybe I’ve created a new species?
Inhale the scent!
Lilacs over my neighbor’s fence.
Make for a nice place to sit and read a book!

#Yellow and Purple – Wordless Wednesday

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Yellow and purple are complimentary colors
Common in the first flowers of spring – like crocus
and Hyacinths
Which contrasts nicely with yellow daffodils
Cheerful pansies in bright
and pale shades
Violets sprinkled across the lawn
make the dandelions look sunny
Bright purple vinca stands out
as does the regal purple iris.
And last but not least forsythia – the welcome sign of spring!

#March Madness – Wordless Wednesday

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A photo recap of March.

First sign of spring – pussy willows for sale
Reading The Maid – a charming murder mystery with a maid turned sleuth – instead of spring cleaning!
Leftovers from the Mediterranean Diet
A March hare munching on the Mediterranean diet.
Lawn damage from the Merry Band of Moles who wintered under the front deck.
Anxiously awaiting those 80 bulbs I planted last fall. Note the piece of dryer lint the moles have scavenged for lining their nests so they can go forth and multiply….
Saw this magnificent spring garden painting by a local artist at a gallery opening.
A friend’s spring-like quilt – if it hadn’t already been spoken for I would have bought it….like I need another quilt….
This week’s excuse for not writing a blog post – that second dose was wicked.
This week’s excuse for not walking. It’s hard to find a spring jacket in a nice color. Plus there’s freezing rain forecast to send March out like a lion, which is kind of what that mustard color reminds me of….
Better to stay in and do a cozy puzzle….this one has it all…..fire, cat, dog, book, drink, snacks – what more could you want.
And for true March madness – imagine being shot in a lineup while buying bread. I remember reading the book The Cellist of Sarajevo. It’s sad and disturbing to see history repeating itself – prayers for Ukraine.

#Ireland Paintings – Wordless Wednesday

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A selection of my mother’s paintings of Ireland.

Irish Cottage – an older oil painting which has darkened over the years
Irish Cottage – Acrylic – 2019
Irish Cottage – 2019 Framed in blue like the door.
You can never have too many Irish cottages – this one has lots of texture.
Shep, the Sheep Dog – 2018
When Sunshine’s in the Meadow
Heather – 2018
More heather
The Lakes of Killarney
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

#Spring Thaw – Wordless Wednesday

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Let your photo(s) tell your story.

Waiting for winter to leave….
A walk in the woods – blue skies and birch trees
Spring Thaw – 2005 – one of mom’s paintings
Not too much ice this year
Seven swans a swimming – six plus….
….one diva!
The Swans…..another painting
Seagulls in March
Waiting for spring to arrive….

#Puzzlepalooza – (Almost) Wordless Wednesday

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January 29th is National Puzzle Day. You sit down intending to just add a few pieces and soon a whole hour has gone by. It’s the kind of mindless activity which is relaxing and meditative in a way.

I used to buy my mother a 1000 piece puzzle every year for Christmas, before she started painting. The puzzle would be spread out all over the end of the dining room table for the whole month of January. I might help out with a piece or two, but never had the time to do more. Now I’m seriously addicted!

Started the puzzle season by re-doing last years Christmas puzzle.
Flower Shop – I buy the 300-500 piece ones for my mother – the more colorful the better.
She remembers going to square dances when she was young.
Lake Cabin – buying from Michael’s was getting pricey so I went to the thrift store. People are always donating old puzzles.
This one took almost a week because all the sunflowers looked the same.
Skating at Twilight – January’s 1000 piece project, while pretty, proved way too challenging – too much of the same color and the pieces were so tiny.
Cats and Books – the perfect combination. I gifted this one to a book lover, but wish I had bought it for myself.

Do you enjoy doing puzzles?

#Christmas Candy – Wordless Wednesday

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Let your photo(s) tell your story.

Pot of Gold chocolates have been a family tradition for over sixty years.
So I was really annoyed when they changed them this year. Where are all my old favorites – the rum butter caramel, butter creme and mocha caramel? They’ve gone back to those horrible strawberry and orange ones we used to feed to the dog when we were kids. And don’t tell me it’s supply issues……
My mother still enjoys a candy cane as she grew up in the Depression when Christmas morning meant peppermint candy and an orange.
I must have bought twenty of these, but most of them were given away – either to friends or the pharmacy, doctor’s office, snow-shoveler, grasscutter – anyone who helped me over the past year. It’s amazing how happy a box of fudge can make people, and I still have a few left to hoard until Valentine’s day.
These hot chocolate bombs filled with mini-marshmallows were great, and justified as I’m supposed to be increasing my calcium intake, and the dark chocolate is full of antioxidants.
These thin individually wrapped chocolate covered mints are nice served with coffee after a big meal, when you want something sweet but don’t have room for dessert.
Saving these for New Years – note the wrapping is still intact!
Also for New Years – I like the idea of creme brulee, pecan pie and raspberry cheesecake in a mini chocolate dessert cup. Some years just require more treats.
A reward for gingerly walking in snowy weather.
If we can’t have Paris, we can have Christmas in Paris tea! Gimmicky I know, but good, probably because of the chocolate.
Not candy but a New Year’s resolution – an alternative for people like me who can’t swallow big pills.

Do you have a favorite or traditional Christmas candy?