• Plants,  quotes,  trees

    Happy Birthday, Chris

    November 30, 2015

    A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give. 

    Laurel Atherton

    It is beautiful but cold down here and for those who are residents, it is real cold. I went for a walk Sunday afternoon with bright sunshine but into a slight breeze from the west. Let me tell you that breeze was chilly. Been here a week and enjoying the time with my parents, having them all to myself. But, this time with them brings the awareness of their increased years. Spending time with them is precious to me.

    Also, today is my oldest daughter, Christine’s, birthday. As each birthday celebration of my children or grandchildren comes along it brings an awareness of their aging and mine. The number of years is irrelevant as life is moving way too fast. Time with them is special and sometimes seems like there is not enough. Anyway, Happy Birthday, Chris! You are a star! I love you!

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  • Family,  People/Portraits

    I Love My Family

    November 28, 2015

    Marcee and I
    Marcee and I

    I spent my first five nights with my sister and brother-in-law. They spoiled me and I loved it. I’m now at my parents place for the next few days before heading back to Colorado. The weather is colder than normal for this time of year but I think I can suffer through it. I love my family!

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  • Cactus,  leaves,  Plants

    November 27, 2015

    Jumping Cholla Cactus
    Jumping Cholla Cactus

    It seems that in a world of complaining it is nice for us to sit down and reflect on that we can be thankful for. Traveling, the health to travel, visiting family, good food, are some things I’m grateful for. The real task is to carry this gratitude into the full year.  I hope everyone had a wonderful day of Thanksgiving.

    Palm Tree Leaves
    Palm Tree Leaves

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  • Plants,  quotes,  sunsets,  trees

    Palm Trees

    November 23, 2015

    Palm trees against the western skies
    Palm trees against the western skies from the patio

    As you can tell from this image I am in a very different place than my last post which included rain and snow and cold. I arrived Sunday afternoon in Phoenix to much warmer temperatures and the warm embrace of family. My brother-in-law, John, cooked up a chicken on the new grill for dinner. We sat on the patio in shorts sleeves to eat. I snapped a photo of these Palm trees just after the sun set from their patio. They live in Sun City Grand, Arizona. I think I’m going to enjoy my time down here and be present to family and the food.

    “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” ― Thomas Merton

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  • fall season,  Travel,  window

    Heading South

    November 22, 2015
    Rain, sleet and snow
    Rain, sleet and snow

    I am heading south to Phoenix for a visit with family and some warmer weather. I’ll spend some time with my sister and brother-in-law and some time with my parents. I was hoping for some nice weather so I could go barefoot and get away from the cold here but they are expecting temperatures on Thanksgiving day to be right around freezing. Be back in two weeks unless the family gets tired of me. 🙂

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