photowannabe

HISTORY AROUND TOWN

2012-01-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share some wonderful murals displayed
in our area.

The murals are in Old Roseville, California.

They commerate the First Transcontinental Railroad links
to Sacramento in 1863.

Enjoy your weekend.
I just can't believe its the end of January already.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " B "

2012-01-23T17:46:00.000-08:00

Round 10 of ABC Wednesday.
Today's letter is " B ".
I like this shot of the BROWN vintage BICYCLE wheel.
It seems like it's seen BETTER times BECAUSE of all
the peeling paint.

Here is my BLACK and white image of the BARBED wire
fence.
I think it is very BUCOLIC, as in rustic.
BE cafeful to not get BRUISED trying to climb BETWEEN
the BARBS.

BLACK and BLUE BUTTONS make an interesting
BOARD.
These are from days gone BY.
You can definitely BUY them.

On a BRISK day last fall we discovered what BUCKY
BEAVER had done to one of the trees.
It was BROKEN BY his powerful teeth.
BE sure to go and BROWSE the other BLOGS for their
take on the letter B.
I BET you will enjoy them.
Enlarging the pictures will show the detail BETTER.

WE HAVE RAIN!

2012-01-19T23:55:00.000-08:00

Finally the rain has arrived and there is snow in our mountains.
Two more storms are on the horizon.
I hope it won't be too messy for the Playoff game in San Francisco.
Go 49ers!!

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " A "

2012-01-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

AGAIN we have ARRIVED AT the letter " A " for
ABC Wednesday.
Its hard to believe that we ARE AT Round 10!
I call my first photo...Life Begins ANEW.
Even though we haven't had very much Winter AROUND
here, the buds and signs of new life ARE popping out ALL
over the AREA.
ALWAYS enlarge the pictures to get the best detail.

ANYBODY hungry for the AROMATIC flavor of Red
Delicious APPLES?

AS you ASCEND the steps,
take a close look AT each stair.
Each step is polished AGATE and other beautiful stones.
I think they ACCENT the steps so ARTISTICALLY.

Use your ARTFUL imagination to see this ANCIENT
Sphinx.
I know you ARE ABLE to do that.
If I can't see the ANTIQUITIES for real
I guess I will have to see them in my minds eye.

Be sure to go to the ABC Link on my sidebar to see what
other ARTISIANS have posted for the letter " A ".

BACK TO THE ARCHIVES

2012-01-12T21:27:00.000-08:00

I haven't been on a photo shoot for a while.
Even Picasa was giving me fits tonight.
I just can't seem to get inspired.
So here we are back into my archives.
Taken at the Grist Mill.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " Z "

2012-01-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it?
Here we are at the end of ABC Wednesday .
ZED... the last letter of our alphabet, " Z ".
ZAMBINI says he will read your palm and tell you the
future.
It only costs a quarter!!

Don't you love all the brilliant facets of the ZIRCON?
The ZIRCONIUM almost picks up the fractles of light just
like the real thing.

This photo probably rates a ZERO in the good photography
department,
but it works for the letter " Z ".
We captured the ZEPPELIN ZIG ZAGGING across the
sky during the twilight full moon.
I wish my camera had a better ZOOM lens on it.

Now here is another ZANY high heeled sculpture.
I love the ZEST of the artist that came up with this
idea.
Be sure to ZIP over to the link on my sidebar to check
out what others have posted for the letter " Z ".

OUT MY WINDOW

2012-01-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

My Camillias are really blooming right now.
There are four on one branch trying to peek in the dining
room window.
I can see at least two buds that will explode within the
next few days.

What I did discover (well, I knew it already)
My windows need washing!
I put the lens directly on the window pane and shot the
wonderful stamen and pistils of the flower.
The photo is full of noise but I rather like the texture that
it created.
Enlarging the photos will confirm that my windows need
a wash job.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " Y "

2012-01-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

Here we are at the next to the last letter of the alphabet.
The letter is " Y ".
This post is going to be just a bit different than most I
have blogged.
I had a YEN to think about some direction for the new YEAR.

If YOU will go back to my last post YOU'LL see that my
Hubby is now 70 YEARS YOUNG.
He celebrated his birthday YESTERDAY, January 1st.

Here are some thoughts and quotes for 2012.

I think this is a great time to contemplate what we do with
our money.
Do we care for those less fortunate than ourselves?
Let's keep the YULETIDE Spirit going and be generous
and get the focus beyond ourselves.
I really like these thought provoking quotes. They are
something to think about.

-Peter Marshall: "Give according to YOUR income, lest God
make YOUR income according to YOUR giving."

-George Mueller: "God judges what we give by what we keep."

-Martin Luther: "I have tried to keep things in my hands and
lost them all, but with what I have given into God's hands I still
possess."

-J.D. Rockefeller: I never would have been able to tithe the
first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first
salary, which was $1.50."

-Jimmy Carter: When it comes to giving, some people
will stop at nothing."

-Mother Teresa: "If YOU give what YOU do not need, it isn't giving."

Interesting life words to chew on.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2011-12-31T21:53:00.000-08:00

January 1st
My hubby is now 70 years young!
Wishing you many more years of joy and
happiness.
Love you bunches...
Just Me....

OUR BELATED CHRISTMAS PRESENT

2011-12-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!
A lovely gift we received two days ago.

We got rear ended as we were making a left hand turn
near our home.

Thankfully no one was hurt and now its up to the insurance
people.
This is the kind of gift I wish we could return or exchange.
Putting the inconvenience aside
I want to wish all of you a Happy and Blessed New Year.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " X "

2011-12-26T12:47:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that we are almost to the end of the
alphabet.
ABC Wednesday is finally to the letter " X ".
This letter is getting more difficult to define.
My first photo I simply call: " X " Marks the Spot.

Las Vegas is full of eXtreme designs.
Here is a spectacular one.
This is the Ocean Club Restaurant inside the Crystal Mall.
Enlarge the photo to see the tables set inside the bulging
part of the structure.
I would have been eXcited to eat there but my wallet wouldn't
allow it.

Our mornings have been eXtremely cold lately.
This morning it was 24F. or -4.44C.
For our part of California that's cold.
No snow or even rain in the forecast,
just lots of heavy frost.

Here is an eXhortation I saw on the wall of the Abraham
Lincoln eXhibit at Disneyland.
Wishing we could all live in unity and peace with each
other.
I'm pretty eXhausted from the holiday activities so this
is a short post,
But
I do want to wish all of you a Healthy and Happy New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " W "

2011-12-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

WELCOME!
WELCOME to the WONDERFUL WORLD of ABC
WEDNESDAY.
Today's letter is " W ".
The first photo shows the WACKY Award WIENERS
WALKUP restaurant at Disneyland.
It says they have the best WIENER in a supporting roll.
I love plays on WORDS like this.

I love this picture of the WATERING can hanging as
WINDOW dressing .
I saw this WHILE WALKING down the WEST WING
of a mall.
Its rather WHIMSICAL.
Don't you think so?

Last June we had a WILD WEATHER front come through
our area.
The system WAS so fascinating that WE WAITED until
it WAS over before going back home.

Finally WE WANT to WISH all of you WONDERFUL
Blogging friends a Merry Christmas.
I don't WANT to be too WORDY WITH my W's.
This WISH comes from my heart.

OUR WISH TO YOU AND YOURS

2011-12-16T10:33:00.000-08:00

25th ANNIVERSARY

2011-12-14T23:11:00.000-08:00

December 14, 2011 was the 25th anniversary of the
Big Thunder Ranch located at Disneyland in California.
The ranch and its delicious barbeque, served family style,
has been a favorite of ours since it opened.

We visited in September and ate too much but enjoyed
it and the Western entertainment.
Everyone needs to visit "The Happiest Place On Earth"
at least once in their lives.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " V "

2011-12-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

We are coming closer to the end of ABC Wednesday.
Today's letter is " V ".
I think I have suffered VACUITY and have had a VERY
difficult time finding photos for this letter.
The first picture is for VERSACE.
These huge windows show show the designer's skill.
It seems the models can't be VOLUPTUOUS to show off
his clothing designs.
Be sure to enlarge the pictures to see the detail.
It was quite dark in this hallway of the Mall.

Louis VUITTON is also famous for design.
Here are some VERY expensive sunglasses.
You can see his name lit backwards in the store window.
In my VIEW, I would have to be VAIN to spend that much
for a pair of these just to stay in VOGUE.

This well VARNISHED stairway gave me VERTIGO just
looking down the side of it.
The Crystal Mall had little VIGNETTES of art forms
everywhere we looked.

Last but not least, take a look at the VIEW through the
" V 's" in the fence.
I like all the VARIED textures and colors.
Now don't VACILLATE!
VA MOOSE over to the ABC link on my sidebar to see the
VALIANT efforts everyone has put forth.

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

2011-12-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

I love my little Christmas angel that's handcrafted by
Kristin .

Don't those eyes make you want to say awww?

Christmas here in the Central Valley of California means
Camillias.
This is one of our first blossoms. I took this through the
diningroom window.
There are hundreds of buds geting ready to pop.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " U "

2011-12-05T11:51:00.000-08:00

Again ABC Wednesday rolls around. Today's letter is " U ".
I'm calling this weeks theme,
UNIQUE and UNUSUAL.
The UNEVEN terrain of the Nevada park called the
Valley of Fire just begs one to USE their imagination.

The UMBER and red rock formations have remained
UNCHANGED for thousands of years.
I love the UNCANNY animals I discovered while at the park.

The ULTIMATE in UNBELIEVABLE rock sculptures is
this vintage car riding down the cliff.
The UNRELENTING winds and rain have created quite
a sight.
This is exactly as we saw it.
You have got to admit that it is both UNUSUAL and
UNIQUE.

75 steps went UP the cliffside so we could see these amazing
petroglyphs.
No one is sure what they mean but the Indians must have
thought they were important to climb UPWARDS so far.
I URGE you to visit my ABC link on the sidebar to see
what others have posted for the letter " U ".

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

2011-12-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

A PILE OF ROCKS

2011-12-02T01:20:00.000-08:00

What do you see?

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " T "

2011-11-28T16:04:00.000-08:00

We have arrived at THE letter " T " in our TRIP around
THE alphabet.
I missed last week but am glad TO be back again.
THIS THANKSGIVING wasn't your TYPICAL TURKEY
Day holiday.
We TOOK a TRIP with some of our family TO Las Vegas
for a few days.
One of THE highlights was visiting THE Valley of FIRE.
THE TEMPERATURE was perfect and we had a chance TO
see a fabulous TABLEAU of TAN, gold and red colors
and TEXTURES.
I guess I could be on a TANGENT about THE eerie beauty
of THE place.

We also TRAVELED THROUGH some TACKY and
TAWDRY parts of TOWN as we headed out TO THE
desert.
THE Stratosphere Hotel TOWER is a landmark seen
from all over.
Can you believe THAT THERE is a full sized Roller
Coaster on THE TOP of THE TOWER?
Its TERRIFYING for me TO even THINK about
riding it.

A TRIP THROUGH the resort casino malls is always fun
TO do.
THIS TRENDY clothing store certainly knows how TO
grab one's attention.
Do you see THE THIRD floor THREE?
I couldn't find THE number TWO THOUGH.

While we TRAIPSED THROUGH THE Las Vegas sights
we saw THIS TEMPTING sight.
TASTY TREATS such as TAHITIAN Vanilla and TARAMISU
gelato were offered TO TANTALIZE our TASTEBUDS.
At $6.50 a scoop we said No THANKS!
Be sure to enlarge THE photos TO see THE detail.
THEN TROT on over to the ABC link on my sidebar TO
see what others have posted for T.

SENSATIONAL SCENES

2011-11-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

SINCE we were away when ABC Wednesday rolled around
I thought I would SHOW you a SENSATIONAL SCENE.

We almost wore our cameras out SHOOTING the SCENERY.

This is the Valley of Fire located in the STATE of Nevada.

Its hard to believe that the desert could be SO colorful.

Be SURE to enlarge the photo to SEE the detail.

IT SEEMS LIKE OVERNIGHT....

2011-11-17T14:49:00.000-08:00

It seems like overnight Fall has exploded at our house.
The glorious orange and red tree in our front yard looks
like it is glowing in the sunshine.

Even our backyard has a golden glow in the late afternoon.

Fallen leaves on our glass topped patio table make a
perfect place to display their colors.

The Crape Myrtle tree has a beautiful variety of color
in the shaft of sunlight.
As always, enlarging the photos will show more detail.
Enjoy the upcoming weekend everyone.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " R "

2011-11-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

Today we are at the letter "R" in our ROMP through the
alphabet.
I call the theme REFLECTIONS.
Enlarge each photo to REALLY see the multi-layered
REFLECTIONS.

I think the ROUND shaped capsules are RADIANT in the
REFLECTIVE mirror.
I would be REMISS if I didn't REASSURE you that the
insects inside the capsules are huge and definitely dead.

I love all the REFRACTIONS of this photo.
Its confusing .
I like the way the ROAD looks like its RUNNING up
the wall.

Here's another type of REFLECTION.
I often go back into my archives to REMEMBER our time
in Haiti.
These two girls are going to do their laundry down at the
RIVER.
They are crossing the ROAD which is actually the
RUNWAY for small planes to land.
As you can see, the area is quite RURAL.
I RECOMMEND that you go to the ABC link on my sidebar
to see what others are RELATING about the letter "R".
Just to let you know that I cannot comment on some of your
posts.
I can READ them but blogger won't let me comment.
I am so sorry
Nanka, Tim and several others.
I REGRET not being able to tell you how much I enjoy your
posts.

FINALLY.... FALL COLOR

2011-11-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

What you say?
This doesn't look like Fall?
Our Manzanita tree blooms with soft pink bell shaped
flowers and these beautiful orange colored balls every
Fall.
Don't forget to enlarge the photo.
Enjoy the weekend everyone.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " Q "

2011-11-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

Here we are again at the ABC Letter " Q ".
It always has me in a QUANDRY over what to post.
Fortunately, Disneyland again pulled me out of the
QUAGMIRE of photo choices.
The QUEEN of Hearts from Alice In Wonderland
QUALIFIED as the perfect " Q " word.

Look at that face.
Does it make you QUIVER and QUAKE?
I don't want her to QUARREL with me or yell
"Off with Her Head!"

Here is a QUIZZICAL and QUEER picture I took a
While back.
Its certianly not a QUALITY photograph.
While driving down Highway 80, this QUIXOTIC casket
sped QUICKLY by the passenger's side of our car.
Where this QUAINT carriage was going, I haven't a clue.
It certainly got my attention.

I call this last shot: The QUIET before the storm.
I think it has a feeling of QUINTESSENCE to it.
I hope you enjoyed the QUARTET of photos I posted today.
Be sure to check out the QUANTITY of pictures and thoughts
others have posted for the letter " Q ".

FALL COLORS

2011-11-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

I love the yellows and oranges of this time of year.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
Don't forget to enlarge the picture to see the detail.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " P "

2011-10-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to ABC Wednesday. We have arrived at the
letter " P ".
I have PERCEIVED that PUBLIC PHONE booths have
gone the way of the PLATYPUS.
They are PARTICULARLY hard to find.

This PAIR of PONIES (neither of which are PALOMINOS
or PINTOS) are very PLACID while PATIENTLY waiting
at the PHONY POST Office.
Did you notice that they are standing PARALLEL to each
other?

I won't be PUSHY or give you any PALAVER.
These PASTRIES are POSITIVELY PLEASING and
PALATABLE.
Jean PHILIPPE'S PATISSERIE in Las Vegas creates, with
PANACHE, the most delictable PARCELS of yumminess.

It is POSSIBLE that this is the biggest PAINT brush I have
ever seen.
There is a full POT of PAINT beside it.
We passed this PAINTED wall PICTURE on a Disneyland
ride.
The Roger Rabbit Ride is PERFECTLY PECULIAR.
Enlarging each PICTURE will show more detail.
PLEASE leave a POSITIVE comment and then POP
over to the ABC link on my sidebar to do the same
for the other PEOPLE.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-10-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

LAKE TAHOE WALK IN THE WOODS

2011-10-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

I think my Hubby took some wonderful photos of our
walk in the woods at Lake Tahoe.

The leaves didn't have their usual pazazz but they were
Still beautiful.

The spawning salmon love the deep pools created by the fallen
trees.

The rich afternoon sun gave a golden glow to everything.
Enlarging the shots will show the detail better.
Have a wonderful weekend.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " O "

2011-10-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

I'm taking the OPPORTUNITY to be a little
OBTUSE with my letter " O " OFFERINGS this week.
This number ONE photo I've titled
"Looking inside at the OUTSIDE."
The picture is a bit OBSCURE but I like its
ODD look.

This photo is " OFFICIALLY" called
"ON the OUTSIDE, looking inside at the
OUTSIDE."

Here is an OUTSTANDING young photographer who
happens to be ONE of my Granddaughters.
I think she's ONE in a million.
That's my OBJECTIVE OPINION!

I found an OFFBEAT ODDITY.
Its an ORIGINAL.
The ORANGE fish is part of the OUTDOOR playground.
I've OBSERVED kids ON more than ONE OCCASIONenjoying every moment they played OVER, under, around and
through it.
No OBLIGATION but please go to the ABC link ON my
sidebar to see what others have OPTED to post for the
letter " O ".

FALL BEAUTY

2011-10-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here are several reasons I haven't been on Blogger for a
few days.
My Hubby and I made our fall trip to Lake Tahoe.
The colors aren't quite at their peak yet but to me they
are beautiful anyway.

The blues of the sky and its reflection in the water is so
vivid at the higher altitudes.

The Kokane Salmon have begun their spawn up Taylor
Creek.

Some of the Aspen trees are loosing their leaves before they
really can show off their finery.
Enlarging these photos will show the detail more clearly.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " N "

2011-10-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

I NOTICED this NONCHALANT NANNY goat NAMED
NANCY at Disneyland.
Her NOSE was in such a NOBLE pose.
NATURALLY her NASEL tones were NOT too pretty.

While in the Old Town NEIGHBORHOOD of Orange, CA.,
I NOTED this display of NOSTALGIA.
I waxed NOSTALGIC for Beemans Pepsin Chewing Gum
and Black Jack too.
NOT much NUTRITION but quite NUMMY flavors.
Do you recognize any of the gum NAMES?

I found it NECESSARY to add the NOTION of NONSENSE
to this post.
If you get down to the NITTY Gritty of it
Don't we all NEED some NUTTINESS in our lives?

I'm NEARLY finished.
The last photo is a rather NOVEL one for me to post.
Here are a NUMBER of NUDES in NASHVILLE, Tennessee.
Apparently they are NIMBLE and dancing au NATURAL.
I wish I had the NECESSARY information about these
NAKED cavortors.
Don't NEGLECT to go to the ABC link on my sidebar and
NOTE what others have posted.
I am posting early since I'm going on a daytrip to see
NATURE at the Lake.
Hopefully I will NOTICE Fall foliage and the Mama Bear
and her two cubs.
They NEED the NUTRITIOUS vitamins from the Salmon spawn.

A 6,400 FOOT FALL

2011-10-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

I know this is a repeat of my last post. I'm just trying
to figure out a posting difficulty I seem to be having.

Fall flowers
I love the yellows and golds of Autumn.

I really like the curves of this seed pod.
It almost looks like a ballerina dancing.

My pomogranetes are just ripe for the picking.

A 6,400 FOOT FALL

2011-10-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Photo taken at Lake Tahoe...6,400 Ft elevation.
Fall is finally beginning to show its colors.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " M "

2011-10-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the MIDDLE of the alphabet.
Today's letter is " M ".

MEMORIES

I'm thinking about a variety of MEMORIES.
MEMORIES of delicious food at the MONGOLIAN BBQ.
I chose MANY different MEATS and veggies to MAKE
this MEAL a wonderful MOMENT of gastric pleasure.
A MODICUM of garlic and a MINISCULE amount of MONEY
MADE each MORSEL worth visiting the restaurant.

MAKE sure you enlarge this MEMORABLE photo.
Five years ago two of MY friends and I visited this Deaf School
in the country of Uzbekistan.
The MAGNIFICIENT young ladies danced to MUSIC they
couldn't hear.
To them the MELODIES were MUTE.
They could feel the beat and watched their teacher to
MOVE in time to MUSIC.

MEMORIES of Las Vegas
This huge Train was a MASS not a MESS of handMADE
MARSHMELLOWS.
I think its quite a MARVEL.

Last but certainly not least are MEMORIES of the MONTH of October last year.
The trees were a MYRIAD of MULTICOLORED leaves.
I need to return here to MARVEL at God's Handiwork.

WEEKEND BITS OF THIS AND THAT

2011-10-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

There is no rhyme or reason to my post this weekend.
I just thought I would post some pictures from my archives
that I like.
I hope you do too.

The architecture of Las Vegas is fascinating to me.
These crazy buildings are part of the Crystal Mall.
If you look carefully at the top of the last tower I think
you will see an alien ship landing.

The sky is always so different and beautiful.
I loved watching the rain come rolling in.
Don't forget to ENLARGE the photos to get the best effect.
Have a terrific weekend everyone.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " L "

2011-10-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the middle LEG of our journey through the
alphabet.
Today's LETTER is " L ".
I call the first photo:
LIFE LESSONS
or
Words to LIVE by......

LIFE Mural
or
the artist's LABOUR of LOVE

LIFE Preserver
and
LIFELINE

LIFE'S LITTLE pleasures
LUCIOUS LICKS

LET'S LOOK at others LANDMARK entries for ABC
Wednesday.
Go to my LINK on the sidebar and LEARN a thing or two.

SUNDAY PROMISE

2011-10-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

God's promise.

WISHIN'

2011-09-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

I'm sure wishing we were back enjoying Disneyland right now.

I love all the fun things to do and just plain people watching.

They had a super night time show.
Anything is better than my achy wrenched knee.
What a crazy couple of weeks.
So tired of feeling yucky.
Anyhoo....
Have a great weekend and I promise to stop whining!

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " K "

2011-09-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

In trying to fix my post I accidentally deleted my entire
entry.
Talk about the KIBOSH on me.
How can everything go KAPUTT?
I don't KNOW, perhaps some day I will get the KNACK
of dealing with Cyberspace.
My first picture is a KNOBBY KNOB, taken at a
winery (K)astle.
Can you imagine KNIGHTS and ladies wandering around?

You know the saying about a town being so small that if you blink
you'll miss it?
Well, here is the real deal.
Going up Highway 50 towards Lake Tahoe is the town
of KYBURZ.
You are welcomed and saying Goodbye all in one blink.

Only in Las Vegas!
KISS Bail Bonds.....KINDA KOOKY....

Lastly I have posted the picture of the KINKED KETTLE
hooks.
I'm glad I don't have to (K)ook in the KITCHEN with these.
Now please KNUCKLE down and go to my ABC link and
give lots of KIND KUDOS to everyone like they are your
KITH and KIN.

AFRICA - DISNEYLAND STYLE

2011-09-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

I'm posting this picture in honor of Melissa and the team
that just arrived in Kenya, East Africa today, for a 2 week
Mission Trip.
The team will be involved with H.E.A.R.T. which empowers
women in the slum city on the outskirts of Nairobi.
Many women are able to support their AIDs ravaged families
through new jobs provided by small loans and education.

ITS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

CONTRAST

2011-09-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

After the most exciting day today....NOT!
I decided to just play around with a few photos.
Who knows you may see some more.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " J "

2011-09-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

I don't feel very JOLLY this week.
A miserable cold has come to visit both my husband and I.
Besides the cold, we got new phones.
My brain has been JANGLED trying to figure out how to
work the thing.
I JUST don't get some of the JARGON.
So, maybe I should take another JAUNT to Disneyland and have a cool
refreshing Mint JULEP.
Ummm, JUICY!

Next month we will be seeing the JEWEL of Halloween,
the JACK-O'-LANTERN.
Doesn't he have a JAUNTY, JOCULAR smile?

Here are several silly JOKES to read.

Do they make you feel JUBILANT or make you want to
do a JIG?
Nah, me either!!!
Don't forget to go to my ABC sidebar to see what others
have JOTTED down for the letter " J ".

GOD'S HANDIWORK

2011-09-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend consider the work of God's hands.
The intricate detail of His creation is a sight to behold.

Enlarge the photos to see the wonderful details of each flower.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " I "

2011-09-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Here is the INSIDE scoop on where we have been for the last week.
Disneyland finally wasn't a figment of our IMAGINATION.
We went and set our INHIBITIONS aside and had a grand time.
While standing IN line for a ride and trying to IGNORE the
two IMPISH boys IN front of us, we turned around and
saw this little cutie.
She was IMPERVIOUS to everything around her but her
wonderful chocolate ICE cream cone.
There was chocolate all over her face, hands and shirt.
I thought she would be INCAPEABLE of finishing IT.
She did!
Her Mom cleaned her up and even put
a new shirt on.
I was IMPRESSED.
P.S. she loved the ride too.
Thanks Mom for letting me, a perfect stranger, take her photo.

Now ISN'T this the most INANE and rather IMBECILE like
creation you ever saw?
He has such an INSIPID grin on his face.
He actually is a saxephone that "played" music.
Disney can certainly peak the IMAGINATION.

Here are some real INSTRUMENTS, not
IMITATION.
I thought this was an INTERESTING display
by the bandstand IN New Orleans Square.

IMAGINE buying fruit this big.
I guess I would have to hang my purse on the
banana too.
The shopping cart was hard to IGNORE.
I had to take a picture of IT.
IF you have an INCLINATION to see what others
have IDENTIFIED as " I " words just go to the
ABC link on my sidebar and be IMPRESSED.
Don't be IDLE, just do IT.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " H "

2011-09-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Now be HONEST.
Isn't this HUGE HIGH HEELED shoe a HOOT ?
I really don't think any HUMAN is big enough to fit.
Las Vegas HAS some HUMOROUS things to see,
such as the Six Foot tall brightly HUED shoe.

It seems everything is HUMONGUS in Las Vegas.
HOW about this HARDROCK Cafe guitar?
The "instrument" is HANGING over the entrance
to the restaurant.
I HARDLY think it's the real thing.
Do you?

HERE I am with my HONEY of a HUSBAND and our Pastor.
HUBBY is on the right side of the picture and Pastor is HUGGING me.
We were renewing our wedding vows.
There were lots of HUGS and such a HAPPY time in our
HOME a few weeks ago.

I love this sculpture that seemed to be HEWN bronze.
The HANDS belong to Miss "HOWDEEEE" , HERSELF,Minnie Pearl and HER beloved friend Roy Acuff.
They made Country HUMOR and musical HISTORYwhile performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Minnie was HILARIOUS in HER HOMESPUN ways.
Now
Please HASTEN over to my ABC link on my sidebar
to see what others just HAPPEN to post.
As always, ENLARGING the photos will show the detail.
HAVE a wonderful week everyone.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

2011-09-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

The quote by Melody Beattie is so simple yet profound.
To be content with what I have and know that it is enough,
This is my prayer.

Enlarge the photo to see this more clearly.

Have a wonderful weekend.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " G "

2011-08-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

I GUESS I must figure out what to post for the letter " G ".
The first picture is a GORGEOUS piece of GLASS created by Chihuly.
I love the GLITTER and GLEAM of his work.
The GLAZE makes the GLASS GLIMMER.
Chihuly always incorporates nature into his art.
Its not a GIMMICK.
He loves the GRACEFULNESS of shells and flowers.

Which pair would look GLAMOROUS on you?
I love the way the GLASSES are displayed.
I can imagine how much they cost just by the way they are displayed.
They might as well cost a GAZILLION dollars.
I can't afford them.

When fellow blogger Bev and I visited Nashville a few months
ago, we were able to GO to a live radio show.
It is The GRAND Ole Opry.
The program has been around for at least 50 years.
We were so GLAD we went and could enjoy so many
famous Country singers and comedians.
Be sure to enlarge the shots to GET the full effect of the show.

Larry GATLIN of the GATLIN Brothers performed
"Houston" and several other GREAT hits that they made famous.
GO to my ABC link on the sidebar to GET a GLIMPSE of
what others have posted for the letter G.
Thanks for stopping by.
Nothing GLITZY about this post, just GOOD fun.

TO BRIGHTEN YOUR WEEKEND

2011-08-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Brilliant Chihuly ceiling and flowers at the Bellagio Resort
to brighten your weekend.
Enlarging this shot will show the intense colors and detail.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " F "

2011-08-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the letter F in our trip around the alphabet.

I am FINALLY back to blogging after taking a week off.

This post is about FAMILY, FRIENDS and FOOD.

Saturday Dave and I renewed our wedding vows after
FORTY seven and a half years.
The years seem to FLY by.
Life is on the FAST track FOR us.
I know that number seems strange but the timing was right.
We had a FABULOUS time.
The party was held in our backyard with perfect weather.
Our younger son and FAMILY came FROM Oregon.
Our other son and his FAMILY live near us.
Both FAMILIES helped to make a FIRST rate party FOR us.
We had FELLOWSHIP around BBQ and the decor was lovely.
Thirty FOUR people helped us celebrate, some FROM FARaway.
It wasn't FANCY and the FOLKS seemed to have FUN.
Our vows weren't FLOWERY either,
but said how Dave and I FEEL about each other.
They were and are our FOREVER Vows.

Our daughters in law FASHIONED beautiful bouquets FROM
FRESH daiseys FOR each dining table.
I think they did a FINE job.
When the (FOTOS) are FINISHED I will FIND time to
share more of our special day with all of you.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " E "

2011-08-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

I can't come to ABC Wednesday and the letter " E " without including ELVIS.
I think ELVIS was an EXTREMELY wealthy ENTERTAINER.
Unfortunately he EXPIRED far too EARLY to really ENJOY his lifestyle.
ELVIS was on of my favorite singers,
ESPECIALLY in his younger years.
This statue was outside a very ECCLECTIC collectibles shop.

Talk about EXORBITANTLY wealthy.
This store was so EXTRAVAGANT and ELEGANT.
I think only the very ELITE could afford to ENTER the store.

I love the multiple EIFFEL towers in the windows of the
Crystal Mall in Las Vegas.
I think my Hubby did an EXCELLANT job of capturing
the ESSENCE of France.

The ESCALATOR in the mall made an interesting photo op.
The stairs were quite steep and I think the ELDERLY would
have a difficult time EVALUATING and ESTIMATING the
stairs moving upward.
I have EMPATHY for them.
Sometimes its difficult riding them,
So I take the ELEVATOR.
Don't forget to go to my link on the sidebar and see what EVERYONE
ELSE has posted for the letter E.
ENLARGING EVERY photo will show more detail.

BLACK & WHITE SQUARES & LINES

2011-08-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

Just entertaining myself before taking my Granddaughters
Ice Skating, compliments of their Dentist.
My Dentist never did anything like that for me!
They should enjoy the time as the temperature is
registering 98* right now.

Enlarging this photo will show more detail.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

2011-08-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

My Hubby's favorite Uncle passed away.
Today we will celebrate his life.
He was a delightful Gentleman, always caring and a good
conversationalist too.
He will be missed.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " D "

2011-08-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

Today we will be DEFINING the letter " D " in many
DIFFERENT ways.
All the way from photos to poems.
I'm so happy you DECIDED to DROP by and take a look.
My first shot is from the DRY and DESOLATE ghost town
of Bodie, California.
The town is slowly DECAYING.
Some buildings are simply
DECREPIT.

I guess you could DEFINE my series of photos as
DISCOMBOBULATED.
There is no rhyme or reason to them.
The DOGGIE DINER was a San Francisco institution
many years ago.
They served great hot DOGS from the
DAFFY DACHSHUND'S DINER.

While in Las Vegas I spotted these DANDY DOGS having
a DISCUSSION.
It appears they have this DIALOGUE DAILY.
Such DRAMA....
I said with a DEADPANNED expression.

Thirsty anyone?
DON'T know exactly what the neon sign means but....
DROP by and wet your whistle.
You won't be DRY anymore.
Now DON'T DAWDLE.
DO go to the ABC link on my sidebar to see what other
DIVERSE posts are there for the letter " D ".
DO make a DELIBRATE attempt to enlarge each picture.
That way you will DISTINCTLY see the DETAIL.

WISHIN' I WAS HERE

2011-08-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

Wishin' everyone a wonderful weekend.

Wishin' I was by this cool rushing stream.

Wishin'

Just Wishin'.

Enlarging the picture will make you feel refreshed too.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " C "

2011-08-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

I CAN'T believe how time flies when it COMES to ABC
Wednesday.
The newest letter to CHALLENGE us is the letter "C".
My first photo is all about CREAMY CASCADES
of CHOCOLATE, CAREENING down the glass CLAM
shaped shells.
The CHOCOLATE was making its way to becoming
CONFECTIONS of yummy goodness.
I COULD hardly take my eyes from it.
Unfortunately it wasn't CHEAP, so I had to CONSIDER
buying something else.

While at the CRYSTAL Mall in Las Vegas I saw this
CHILD having the time of his life CAVORTING among
the COLUMNS of CONTAINERS of water.
The lighted waters revolved like CYCLONES CONSTANTLY
whirling about.

CREATIVE artwork was on the hallways of the
COSMOPOLITIAN Hotel in Las Vegas.
Who would ever think of dipping CHOCOLATE on glasses
and then CAPTURING it on CANVAS to CATCH the
CUSTOMER'S eye?

Schworzsky CRYSTALS made up a huge floor to CEILING
CHANDELIER in the mall.
It was quite unbelievable. I COULDN'T CAPTURE the
whole thing from any angle where I stood.
Now be sure to COME on over to my ABC link on my sidebar
to see wonderful COMBINATIONS of C words and photos.

SUNSHINE

2011-07-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a sunshine filled weekend.
Be sure to enlarge the picture to see the detail of the flower.

MORNING HAS BROKEN

2011-07-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

Morning has broken
Like the first morning
PRAISE

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " B "

2011-07-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

We have BEGUN our 9th session of ABC Wednesday.
Today's letter is " B ".
The BELLIGIO hotel is the BEST place to start.
They BUILT the most amazing ferris wheel with BRIGHT
and BRILLIANT BALLOONS and BOLD colors all around.
BE sure to enlarge the BLOG photos to see the detail.

One of the displays was this BICYCLE BALANCING
against the shed. I love the BASKETWEAVE BASKET and
the BEAUTIFUL shades of green.
The landscape was so lovely. I wanted to pick a
BOUQUET of Sunflowers.

Where else but Las Vegas could you find the
BLUES BROTHERS BELTING out their special BRAND
of music?

This BUILDING is nicknamed the
BATMAN BUILDING. This was taken
in Nashville, Tennesee.
It's a BRANCH of the A.T.T Technology
department.
I read in the dictionary that the word
BATMAN is a real word, not just the name of
a comic BOOK hero.
BATMAN means an orderly of a BRITISH
military officer. I learn something new every day.
Now don't BE BAFFLED.
Just BOOGIE on over to the link on my
BLOG to see what others have posted.
Take a BREAK, BREW some coffee and
BROWSE to your hearts content.

WEEKEND WOOD NYMPHS

2011-07-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of gentle wood nymphs to entertain you
this weekend.

Hope everyone has a wonderful time this weekend.
Try to stay cool.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " A "

2011-07-18T23:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, isn't it AMAZING?
Here we ARE AT ANOTHER round of ABC Wednesday.
Today's letter is " A ".
The first picture is full of ARCHES in AN ASSORTMENT of sizes and colors.
AS ALWAYS, enlarging each photo will show the detail.

ALL I can say is AHHH when I AM in AN ALPINE meadow.
The AIR is fresh AND APPEALING.

I really like the ABSTRACT feel of this picture.
Does ANYBODY know what you ARE looking AT?
I think its AN AESTHETIC whirlpool of water.
AS the water goes AROUND AND AROUND its
ARTISTICALLY lit by ASSORTED colored lights.

Lastly, we AGAIN ARE looking at ARCHES framing the
APPEALING miniature hot AIR balloons.
I think they ARE quite ARTY.
Now don't forget to AMBLE over to the link on my sidebar
to see what ABC Wednesday is ALL ABOUT.

SUMMER SUNSHINE

2011-07-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

Today is dull, gray and chilly.

We need some sunshine!

Pretty summer roses will have to do for today.

Don't forget to enlarge the shot to see the details.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " Z "

2011-07-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

Because I didn't want to end up with a big fat ZERO for
ABC Wednesday, I'm posting my Letter " Z " today.
I won't have internet available for several days.
So,
here we are at ZED, the end.
I thought I would show you the soft ZEPHYR winds of the
Pacific Ocean.

How about some ZIGZAGGING ropes going around the anchor
posts?

Lastly, some beautiful ZEBRAS from our Africian safari.
I loved seeing these animals in their natural habitat and
not in a ZOO.
ZIP on over to the ABC link on my sidebar to see what others
have posted for " Z ".

PRETTY FLOWERS FOR A PRETTY DAY

2011-07-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining
The A.C. is running
The ceiling fan is turning
Its a good day!

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " Y "

2011-07-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Its hard to believe we are at the next to the last letter of the
alphabet.
We have arrived at the letter " Y ".
The YELLOW railings zig zagging up the walkway caught my eye.
I do hope my selection of photos from my archives won't
have YOU YAWNING.
Life has just been too busy.
I haven't shot anything new for a while.

Ah YOUTH!
Two cousins at a wedding.
One is YOUNG, but the other is YOUNGER.
In fact,
I guess YOU would call them YOUNGSTERS.

Now here are two wonderful people that are truly
YOUNG at Heart!
I have to admit that I don't YEARN for hair that color though.
I hope when I get to be their age I will be willing to
YIELD to the activities and be YOUNG at Heart too.

Lastly, we are looking at a Toll sign at one of nine
covered bridges located in California.
This single span bridge goes over the South YUBA River.
As you can see, the cost of crossing the river was quite
expensive.
It was built in 1862 and was used for transport
to the mining camp of Bridgeport.
The mines in this area produced some of the richest placer
deposits of that YELLOW treasure called Gold.
Thanks for YOUR attention .
If YOU have a YEN to see what others have posted
for the letter "Y" ,
just go to my ABC link on my sidebar.
As always, enlarging the photos will give YOU more detail.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

2011-07-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for our Freedom which was bought with a price.
Happy Independence Day, America.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " X "

2011-06-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

This time around I have totally "X"ed out.
Failed!
There's not a single word beginning with " X " in the bunch.
What we do have in the first shot is an
eXtreme closeup of a lovely Amaryllis.

Are these eXtinct dinosaurs down by the Lake
or
just twisted roots at the water's edge?

I enjoyed an eXcellent breakfast on a Nashville Riverboat.

Here we have an eXtra picture I couldn't post for the
letter W last week.
I love the brilliant moss on the woodpile.
I make no eXcuses for the missing X words.
Thanks for looking and after you have eXamined them
don't forget to see what others have posted.
Go to the ABC link on my sidebar.
EXcellent....
Thank you.

REASONS

2011-06-24T18:19:00.000-07:00

Here's the reason I haven't been posting for the last week.
This is the final Rally from the first week of Breakaway
"Quest of the Time Travelers".
This summer day camp takes place at our church in
Granite Bay, California.

About 3000 kids from 1st grade through 6th grade and almost
2000 volunteer leaders attended this week for the morning session.
What an amazing, fun time.
Be sure to enlarge the pictures to get the full effect.
Next Monday my Hubby and I will return for another week
of total fun in the sun.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " W "

2011-06-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

Oh how I WISH that's this WEEK'S letter WAS " Q ".
WE are beginning our Church's Day Camp called Breakaway.
The theme is "Quest of the Time Travelers."
By the time the camp ends WE Will have had 5 to 6000
Time Traveler kids descend on our campus.
Besides all those energetic bodies, WE are experiencing a
WARMING trend in our WEATHER.
WELL, not WARM
but just plain Hot!
Tomorrow the WISE WEATHER WARNINGS say it will be over 102F.
So everyone WILL have to stay hydrated.

One WAY to keep cool is by eating WHOLE WATERMELONslices.
I didn't WEAR any of my WOOLY WARDROBE today.
It WAS just too hot!

WHILE in Nashville, Tennessee a few months ago, I saw
this star in the Celebrity WALK of Fame.
I have to WONDER about a WHOLE Board devoted to the
promotion of WATERMELON.

Friend and Fellow Blogger Bev and I visited the Country Music
Hall of Fame in Nashville.
They WERE featuring Tammy WYNETTE.I have to admit that this album WOULD be
a WASTE of money for me.
I'm sorry to say that
I'm not her most WONDERFUL fan.
Be sure to WALTZ on over to the ABC WEDNESDAYlink on my sidebar and visit their WHIMSICAL and
WILD posts.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2011-06-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

I'm wishing a special Happy Father's Day to my Honey, Dave.
You are a great Dad to our two sons and a good example
of what a Father should be.
Love you bunches!

REFRESHING

2011-06-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Refreshing frigid water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Enlarging the photo will give more detail.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " V "

2011-06-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

We are almost to the end of the alphabet. Its hard to believe.
Today's letter is " V ".
My first picture is of the VERDANT forest and VINES
of Auburn, California.
The weather was wonderful,
practically on the VERGE of being Summer.
Sunday we had a family barbeque along the river.
The following pictures will show what VARIOUS members
of our family do to VANQUISH the cares of the week.

Photography makes Some of us feel like we are on a VACATION.

VISUALIZING our worries VANISHING in the VOLUMES
of snow melt water is truly theraputic.

Dreaming and VIEWING the future in our thoughts can
actually give us the VIM and VIGOR to make them happen.
Enlarge each photo to see all the detail.
Please VISIT the ABC Wednesday link on my sidebar to
VIEW the VARIOUS posts.
I'm sure there will be a VAST VARIETY of submissions for the letter "V".

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

2011-06-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

One week ago this was the scene.
Cold
Rain
Hail
Mini tornados

Today the temperature is in the 80'sF.

Sunny
Warm
Lazy
Summer

What a difference a week makes.

Don't forget to enlarge the photo to see the details.

PLUMS X 2

2011-06-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Here's an example of the funny oval shaped "plum" and the
large unripened green plums that can be found on my tree.
There are multiples of green fruit and just a single pinkish
plum per stem.
TO BE CONTINUED.....

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER "U"

2011-06-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was so UNCERTAIN about how to UNDERTAKE this ABC
Wednesday.
The letter " U " seemed UNUSUALLY difficult this time around.
Then I decided to call this post,
UNIQUE Perspectives
and my post was born.
The first picture is
UP or down?

Were we going UPTOWN or downtown?
The Nashville Capitol could be called vintage in an URBAN
setting.

Never UNDERESTIMATE the UNBELIEVABLE talents
of those with Special Needs.

These bowls were created by adults with retardation issues.
I'm so glad they were able to UTILIZE their talents for a
fundraiser that helps feed the hungry.

ULTIMATELY I decided this fruit is a plum since its on my plum tree.
Why is hard for me to UNDERSTAND that its a plum?
Its only an inch tall and most of the plums
on the tree are green and 3 times as large.
The green ones are all UNIFORM in size and the shape is very round.
These little guys are UNIQUELY oblong.
I can't wait UNTIL they ripen and I can discover any differences in them.
Now please don't ULULATE that I've come to the end of this post.
Just go to the ABC link on my sidebar and view the
UNPARALLELED entries from Bloggers around the world.

MAGNIFICENT

2011-06-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

Is this amazing or what?
This evening we had the most amazing storm come through
the Sacramento Valley.
Thunder, Lightning, Hail, Rain and Mini Tornados.
Hubby and I had to stop on a hill in an open space and just gape
at God's handiwork.
This photo is untouched. No photoshop or color adjustments.
I am totally amazed by this.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " T "

2011-05-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Its TIME again for THE posting of ABC Wednesday's THEME.
THIS TIME THE TOPIC letter is " T ".
I really like THE TABLEAU of TABLES and THEIR crisp
white TABLECLOTHS.
THE photo was TAKEN at THE Gaylord Resort in
Nashville, TENNESSEE.

I found THE TEXTURES on THESE TREE TRUNKS quite
TACTILE.
THE photo was TAKEN at the Sutter TIMBER Mill in
Coloma, California.

Lake TAHOE is THERAPY for me.
It can calm my grumpy TEMPERMENT in THE TWINKLING of my eye.

Even THE TOSSING and TURNING of the waves
onto THE shore is music TO my ears.
I love THE TOPOGRAPHY of the granite rocks THAT have
created THIS pristine mountain lake.

Here is Molly, a TOTALLY even TEMPERED and TRANQUIL
Shih TZU.
She absolutely owns her TWO loving people, Don and Wanda.
Wanda is a dear friend and fellow Blogger from the blog
Brushstrokes From THE Heart.
We had a TREMENDOUS TIME visiting THEM last week
at Lake TAHOE.
Now don't TWIDDLE your THUMBS.
Be sure TO visit others on my ABC link and enjoy THEIR offerings.

I have been having TROUBLE commenting on many of your posts.

Hopefully Blogger or Goggle will get THINGS straightened out
quickly.
I am frustrated and want you TO know THAT I am looking at THEM.

Of course, as always enlarging each of my photos will show more detail.

SPRINGTIME STORM APPROACHING

2011-05-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

A few days ago we went to one of our favorite places.

Lake Tahoe seems to give us the refueling that our minds
and bodies need.

One day the sun was out and the Lake had so many jewel-like
colors.

The next day the winds blew whitecaps and waves to the shore.

It was still beautiful to me.

Be sure to enlarge the photo to see the detail more clearly.

ABC WEDNESDAY - - VERY EARLY

2011-05-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

SINCE I will be on a mini vacation when ABC Wednesday
rolls around,
I thought I would SIMPLY post today.
Today's letter is " S ".
I SPOTTED these two SIGNS at a McDonald's Truck STOP
going SOUTH on Highway 5.

McDonald's SIGHS.....

McDonald's SHAKES.
What a SWEET combination.
Let's go back to the "Good Old Days."
SHAKES for twenty cents.
SOUNDS too good to be true.

SPIRALS and SWIRLS

SWITCHES, on or off?
These are the SERIOUS questions of life.
Thanks for STOPPING by.
Make SURE you SCOOT over to the link on my
SIDEBAR
and SEE what others have posted
for the letter " S ".

SPRINGTIME IRIS

2011-05-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

The temperature is finally warm and I do believe Spring is
actually in the air.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " R "

2011-05-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

We are now at another ROUND of ABC Wednesday.
Today's letter is " R ".
This picture shows one of the REASONS I need REST and
RELAXATION.
The mass of RED shirts are worn by 650 RIGOROUS students
and leaders which we fed at our RUSTIC camp in Mexico
this year.

Before Mexico I visited Nashville, Tennessee with my very special
blogging friend Beverly.
We ate at the RED ROOSTER RESTAURANT and had
REALLY delicious ROASTED chicken.
No comment about wheather it was the REMAINS of a
ROOSTER or not.....

The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville had ROW upon
ROW of Entertainers Gold and Platinum RECORDS on display.

Elvis REMAINS one of the top RECORDING artist of all times.
He is REVERED in the Country and Gospel field.
Here is one of his RECORDS that gained Gold status.
It is on the RCA RECORD label.
Even though he is celebrated in the Country Hall of Fame,
I think most people think of Elvis as being the King
of ROCK and ROLL.
REMEMBER to enlarge each photo is see the detail.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " Q "

2011-05-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

Here we go again with the ABC letter that seems to leave us
in a QUANDRY.
Its the letter " Q ".
This post is going to be a QUICKIE.
Life is going at QUANTUM speed and I am trying to catch
up with it.

I thought you would enjoy the QUIESCENT and
QUINTESSENTIAL looking sunrises from Mexico.

The photos were taken at around 5 AM.
It was very QUIET at that time of the morning.

Here is a QUAINT view of an alley with the buildings from the late 1800's.

This QUIRKY shot may not QUALIFY as a QUALITY photo,
but I had a good time playing with it ... no QUESTION about it!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2011-05-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

My Mom and Mother in Law on our wedding day.
This photo was taken in 1964.
I miss Mom alot. Its been 15 years since her passing.
I'm greatful for the Godly upbringing and the love that
was given me.
I'm proud to be her daughter.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " P "

2011-05-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Its time again to POST another addition of ABC Wednesday.
We're at the letter " P ".
I wanted to continue by showing a few more PICTURES from
my Mission trip to Mexico.
The first PHOTO is entitled PRAYER.
This lovely elderly woman was housebound with a PLETHORA of ailments.
The biggest being her inability to walk on her own.
She was upset that she couldn't PARTICIPATE in her local church services.
We PRAYED with her and gave her food to help her for a short time.

It was truly thrilling to PASS out to a hospital, a nursing home and
some PHYSICALLY needy PEOPLE ,90 wheelchairs PLUS walkers and crutches.

I am PLEASED to report that the PRECIOUS woman
in the PREVIOUS PHOTO was able to receive one of the wheelchairs.
It will give her such PEACE of mind to have the ability to actually leave her home now.
The organization "Joni and Friends...Wheels Around the World" and
a PRISON in the Bakersfield area (inmates refurbish the chairs back to
PRISTINE condition) donated a total of 200 wheelchairs, walkers and crutches.
They were all loaded into a box truck and brought over the border.
This equipment made the POSSIBILITY of renewed life for many.

I just had to share these two PHOTOS of this PERKY little girl.
Don't you just love her concentration on the PINK PIECE of
bubble gum?

I had to PERSERVERE to finally get a PICTURE of her PROFILE.
She was constantly POPPING from one thing to another.
At last she PLOPPED down for a few seconds and I snapped this shot.
Honestly she had more PEP than the rest of us all rolled into one.
PLEASE enlarge each PHOTOGRAPH to see all the POIGNANT details.

SUNDAY IN NASHVILLE

2011-05-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Just a random shot I took a few weeks ago when I visited
Nashville with my dear Blogger friend Bev.
Wishing everyone a wonderful day.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " O "

2011-04-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back from an OUTSTANDING Mission trip to
Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico.
There were 615 High School and College students giving up their
Easter vacation to share God's love.
There were so many
OPPORTUNITIES to help make lives better.
Six homes were built in ONE week and a school classroom plus
an Internet cafe were completed.
What an awesome job!
The first photo shows huge Army OILCLOTH canvas tents
that we slept in. Around 16 to a tent. We looked like the
OLD TV program "MASH ".
Please enlarge each picture to see all the detail.

This is the OUTDOOR kitchen where I spent my time. As
you can see we ate very well. Tri-Tip for a special night's dinner.
ONE of my jobs was OATMEAL duty.
We went through about 12
huge pans every morning.
90 Dozen eggs were cracked for scrambled
eggs each day too.
OUR kitchen staff prepared 3 meals a day, for 9 days, for over 650 people. That's at least 17,550 meals!!!
We were always busy, chopping, slicing, dicing and mixing something.
A gazillion ONIONS being chopped will clear anyONE'S sinus'.
What ORGANIZATION and OUTSTANDING team work.

Exactly ONE year ago the town we were in was devestated by
a large earthquake.
At there best homes are very poor.
After
the shaker they were even worse.
Many condemned, but with
poverty so high, where do these people go and find new shelter?

The ONE day I was able to leave BaseCamp and see what the kids
were doing in the community will remain in my mind forever.
This is my new friend Antonio. He stole my heart.
Antonio ran up to me when I got OUT of OUR car and hugged me forever....
He didn't speak English but we communicated with smiles, hugs and my
fractured High School Spanish.
Antonio didn't want me to leave and tried to hide his tears.
It makes me ache just writing this.
Where is his future? I really don't know.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " M "

2011-04-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

Todays letter for ABC Wednesday is the letter " M ".
" M " is for MEXICO.
That's where I'm headed on Wednesday.
Our church is MAKING a MAJOR MISSION trip over the Easter break.
Its hard to fathom something of this MAGNITUDE.
We are traveling enMASS with 615 High School and Collage students.
That's a lot of cars and box trucks caravaning MANY, MANY MILES from California
to a small town in MEXICO.
We MUST bring everything with us, in fact people say our compound looks
like a MILITARY MASH unit.
MY job is being part of the Food Team.
That's a lot of MEALS for 600-700 people every day for a week!
There will be MUCH MUSIC and MAD-CAP fun.
So I think I will be off line for the next 10 days.
No internet, phones or MALLS.
I hope to have a MYRIAD of photos on my return.
MUCHAS gracias for all your MANY thoughts and prayers.

EXPERIMENTING

2011-04-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Playing with my camera and trying to post
another picture.
There is still some disconnect between posting and the
photo appearing.

GIVING " IT " ANOTHER TRY

2011-04-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Being a computer illiterate is for the birds.
I just returned from a great week with a fellow blogger
in Nashville, Tennessee.
Frankly, I'm too tired to think right now.
I will pursue all of this more when my body and mind

come back together.

I see that my postings are still impossible to view so.....
Here I go again.
Lets see what happens this time.

L IS FOR LIPS

I saw these fascinating LUSCIOUS LIPS on a statue

and thought they were perfect for ABC Wednesday.

2011-03-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

KNOBBY KNOB Hello KYBURZ Goodbye KYBURZ KINDRED Spirit KINKED KETTLE Hooks

ABC WEDNESDAY REPOST #3

2011-03-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

All the pictures disappeared from my post. Please look at these and then go to my previous post . It has all the wonderful K words. I'm just too frustrated to write everything again. KNOBBY KNOB Welcome to KYBURZ Now leaving KYBURZ My KINDRED Spirit KOOKY KINKED KETTLE HOOKS

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " K "

2011-03-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know if someone put the KIBOSH on me or not. My entire post went KAPUT and its lost in cyber-space. I just KEEP on trying and maybe someday I will KINDA get the KNACK of all of this. Anyway...the first shot is a KNOBBY KNOB taken at the winery (K)astle a while ago. You KNOW the saying about the town being so small that if you blink you'll miss it..... Well here it is for real. Going on Highway 50 towards Lake Tahoe is the "town" of KYBURZ. You are welcomed and saying goodbye in the blink of an eye. I'm so excited. Wednesday I am meeting Bev, my KINDRED Spirit fellow blogger. We are staying in Nashville for a get together weekend with gospel singer Sandi Patty. Bev and I finally met last October after several years of writing each other on our blogsites. We KINDLED a wonderful friendship. We have a special KINSHIP. In fact I think we are like KITH and KIN. Lastly I have to put up this KOOKY picture of the KINKED KETTLE hooks. I'm glad I don't have to (K)ook like this in my KITCHEN. Now please KNUCKLE Down and go to my ABC link. Give lots of KIND KUDOS to everyone that has posted.

PRETENDING ITS SPRING

2011-03-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Since this week has been one deluge after another
I thought I would post something" Springy. "
Our poor blossoms haven't gotten much of a chance this season.
I guess we will just have to wait and see what develops.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " J "

2011-03-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Today we are at the letter " J ".
I seem to have posted quite a JUMBLE of " J " words.
Did you ever see such JUMBO eyes on a frog?
JUST JOKING.
He isn't real.
If you JABBED him he would pop!

I think someone was a bit JIGGLY when they painted the
emblem on this old truck.
I guess it stands for the elephant
called JUMBO.
If we were going to use the Swahili word for hello we could say...
JUMBO to JUMBO. The hello word is pronounced JAWMBO.
Kind of JAZZY sounding, isn't it?

When we visited fellow blogger Wanda at Lake Tahoe , she
suggested we take a look at a carving on the way back to the main road.
Perhaps someone used a JACK KNIFE to cut the full figure
of JOE Montana.
This is a pretty good likeness carved from JUST one tree.
He was the moving force on the San Francisco 49ers Football Team.
JOE led the team on a wonderful JOURNEY to victory.

JACK Sparrow, from the Pirates of the Carribean seems to
be living the JOIE DE VIORE at Disneyland.
I would say he's a JAUNTY likeness of JOHNNY Depp.
Be sure to JOIN the other bloggers and enJOY their posts
for the letter " J ".
JUST JAB the ABC link on my sidebar.

BUSY WEEKEND

2011-03-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend is going to be beyond busy.
All the events and busy-ness are very worthwhile, but...
sitting in the garden and reading a good book would be a
lot of fun too.
I guess I'm dreaming since we have a pretty big rain storm
actually approaching as I'm typing this.
The wind is blowing hard and the
first drips are falling.
Ah .... Sunny California!
Enjoy your weekend .

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " I "

2011-03-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

IN MEMORIAM

I just want to offer my thoughts and condolences to the
INDIVIDUALS of Japan.
Their lives have INDEED been IMPACTED by the
INCOMPREHENSIBLE earthquake, tsunami and aftershocks.
I cannot IMAGINE going through the tragedy that has occurred.
My prayers go out to them .

OUR SUFFERING WORLD

2011-03-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

I am thinking about the devastation that has affected so many
during the last few days.
My prayers go out to those who are hurting now.

ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " H "

2011-03-07T22:02:00.000-08:00

We HAVE arrived at the letter " H " in our travel through the alphabet.
All of my photos are about HANDS.
I HARDLY know where to begin.
HAPPILY this HAND isn't HUMAN.
It certainly HAS seen better days.
I don't see any HANGNAILS but she needs some new HEAVY DUTY nail polish.

On our HOLIDAY trip to San Francisco with my HEART "Sister"
and blogging friend Bev, we saw this HUMOROUS sign.
It was HANGING on the fence in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.
We HAPPENED to watch joggers run to the HANDS and touch them.
Then they HURRIED and turned around to complete their run.
I HAVE a HUNCH the sign was HUNG by someone named HOPPER.
Thanks to HILARY of Smitten Image, I Googled this sign.
Its a fascinating story about a very HUMANITARIAN effort.
Please check out http://www.hoppershands.blogspot.com/
You won't be sorry.

HANDS clasped in HARMONY could be the name of this statue.

Another statue HAD an HAUNTINGLY beautiful HAND
HOLDING a single blossom.
HOP on over to the ABC link on my sidebar.
There you will find HIGHLIGHTS from HIS or HER post for the letter " H ".

HAVING A PICNIC WITH PICNIK

2011-03-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Having fun this Saturday with the Picasa tab called Picnik.

I took some of my archived pictures and had a good
time just experimenting.

The old Pacifica seawall.

Enjoy your weekend.
Remember, enlarging the photos will show more detail.