FLASHBACK FRIDAY

 Flashback Friday

I am glad I piqued your interest for my contribution to Wordless Wednesday.

As I said before, I love the strange, abstract and different types of photography.

The photo was one I took way back in 2019.

Our whole family was able to get together at our son's home in Oregon.  We did many touristy kinds of adventures.  One particular day we drove to Mount Angel, Oregon.  Its a tiny community that has German Bavarian roots.

We visited the Mount Angel Abby and the Queen of Angels Monastery.  There was a lovely chapel and museum there.  

I have spent hours trying to find my photos from there but alas they are no where to be found.  The only photo that remains is the one I took through the glass door window out into the hallway.

Of course it caught my eye because of the shattered window in an otherwise peaceful setting.

From that Abby visit we then went to the tulip fields  and spent hours OOooo-ing and awe-ing over the magnificent colors.

Guess what?  In looking for my tulip photos I found a shot of our family walking towards the Abby... yay.

Oh brother..I didn't want this photo but can't seem to remove it.  This shot is of Multnomah Falls, Oregon.  Sigh ... we did visit there another day of our visit.

Here's one of our Granddaughter and Dave and I enjoying those amazing Tulips.

Such wonderful memories.

How can it be 7 years ago already?

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless Wednesday

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THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 Thoughtful Tuesday

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY

 Flashback Friday

Everyone has been posting pictures of the snow in their areas.

I thought I would share photos of our one and only morning of snow since we have lived in this home in Rocklin,CA.

The year was 2008.  We had only been in our home for a year.  It was pretty exciting for the few hours it was there.

It was fun to go back into my archives and think about the Snow That Was.

Today the sun is shinning and the next chance for rain is Tuesday.

Hope you all have a great weekend, stay warm and dry.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless Wednesday

Even though the title is Wordless Wednesday, I thought I would do a little explaining about my choices for photos.

I like rusty, rugged, textured, colorful,  black and white, odd, abstract, etc.

Some things I post really don't have any deep meaning, or perhaps make sense to others.  Sometimes it's all about how a shot makes me feel.

I hope you will enjoy a trip into my mind on an occasional Wordless Wednesday.

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Always be Kind

MONDAY MEANDERINGS

 Happy Presidents Day ... celebrated in the USA ... 

I hope you all had a great weekend.

We celebrated Valentines Day by going to a much needed grocery shopping.

I hadn't darkened the doors of the store for 3 weeks and we were out of just about everything.  Our first meal of that day was samples at Costco ... haha ... some little sausage thingies were pretty good for starters...

Then it was on to Walmart.  Walked our legs off but got most of what we needed.  Next on the agenda was putting drain cleaner in all of the house drains.                    CAN YOU FEEL THE PURE ROMANCE?

Dinner was hot dogs and baked beans in front of the tv watching the Olympics.

We were so pooped that it was all we could muster.  But you know ... It's all good when you do the mundane things of life with your Best Friend.

Now we are in for a full week of much needed rain.

Thankfully we have our pumps at the ready.

I sure hope the rain and wind won't blow all of our blossoms away this year.

All it's taken is one good soaking and the weeds are having a field day.

Very pretty greenery but oh my aching back in the future.

I guess I have meandered long enough so I'll say:

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THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Today is Thankful Thursday though we should be thankful for every day ... 

First of all, I am so very thankful for what arrived in the mail yesterday.

I had to submit a form to the courts to request a permanent exemption from serving on a jury.  I had to give them a reason for a dismissal. 

It finally came yesterday and I am so very thankful for the approval.  Between my age and all of those issues and my hearing being less than stellar, I guess they thought it was better to have me stay home and behave myself.  There is no exemption for being a certain age in California.                          

I am also thankful for the spritzes of rain we had yesterday.

They encouraged our almond and tiny plum tree to show off their spring finery.

Thankfully the rain and wind didn't blow away the blossoms of our trees.

Today there is nothing but bright blue skies and just a slight breeze.

And

Of course I am thankful for friends like you !

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

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MONDAY MEANDERINGS

 Monday Meanderings ... 

Yesterday morning as I was sitting at my "office desk" I heard the most awful squawking noise that kept going on and on.

I looked out the window but couldn't find anything making the noise.

It kept going on so I finally went out in the front to figure it out.

I saw that there were 2 huge geese on the neighbors roof peak.

I guess it's that time of year around here ... mating season.

In all the time we have lived here geese have never landed in our neighborhood  and especially not on the roof of a house.

I only had my cell with me so the photo isn't very clear.

When we came home from church the LoveBirds were gone.

This morning there was no activity either.

Just another bit of Wildlife in our cozy neighborhood.

What a noisy alarm clock for our poor neighbors.

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THIS AND THAT

 Good Morning ... 

It seems that this is a This and That kind of day.

I looked out our window this morning and was surprised to see blossoms on our almond and plum tree.  A few days of warmer weather started the buds to popping.

I'm so happy to see some life in these old trees, but oh my ... 

The rest of our yard is terrible.  All our hard work clearing the weeds last season has gone to "ugly".

I just don't know if we can crank up enough steam to gets things back to pretty again.  I guess its going to be one baby step at a time.

On another note ... 

I couldn't stand my hair any longer ... literally ... 

I finally gave myself a haircut.  Pretty satisfied with the job but I just can't get the selfies to work out well.

So

What you see is what its going to be.

Well, this old lady is sending you some smiles and saying enjoy your weekend watching the Olympics and Super Bowl.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 THANKFUL THURSDAY

When Life gives you lemons ... 

These are humongous lemons from our neighbor's tree.

You make lemonade !

"Ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts, For the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace."

Devotion for today ... February 5, 2026                                                                       Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

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MONDAY MEMORIES

 Monday Memories ... 

Thank all of you so much for the lovely comments and wishes for our 62nd wedding anniversary.

They were so touching.  We truly appreciated every one.

Dave and I celebrated by having a fantastic dinner at the Texas Roadhouse.

My mouth waters just thinking about it.  I am thankful for gift cards and a good sale on eBay that allowed us to enjoy juicy steaks and side dishes.

Dave's steak and ribs ... 

He was one happy guy !

My steak was done to perfection and the garlic grilled shrimp was soooo good.

I don't look very enthused but I was saying take the picture so I can just dive in !!

Then Sunday after church our son Steve, Sigrid and granddaughter Amanda took us out for dinner at Chili's.

Great food and good conversation.  It was so nice to catch up on everything.

Of course we were too busy for a snapshot.  Oh well, that's the way it goes sometimes.

Last night we finally had some Color in the sky.  It sure perks everything up to have a pretty sunset.

I guess that will do it for my Monday Memories.

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A 62 YEAR MILESTONE

 Today marks 62 years of marriage for Dave and I.

Its truly hard to believe!! That's most of my life ... 

I wouldn't trade any of it for anything.

And today ... 

More wrinkles ... more pounds ... more learning experiences ... more love ... 

Its ALL GOOD

I thank the Lord everyday for the life we have had and for everyday He continues to bless us with.

62 Years and Counting!!!

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THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday

I am so grateful for each new day that is set before me.

Thankful for the sunshine today and how it just lights up the morning skies.

Thankful for a much needed good nights sleep.  Its amazing how it can change one's perspective !

After reading a fellow blogger, Pamela's blog post about the Challenger's explosion 40 years ago, it made me think about how fleeting our time on earth really is.

I am thankful for each day and for those we hold so close to our hearts.

I am so grateful for the colors of the seasons.

The pinks and softness of the coming Love Month are so lovely.

I am thankful that I am able to photograph and capture these moments.

AND

I am so thankful for EACH one of you !!!

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless  Wednesday

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MONDAY THOUGHTS

 Monday Thoughts:

Well, it's happened ...

I thought I was excused from CA jury duty because of my age !

Nope

This came in the mail Saturday...

I am not a happy camper.  Now I have to see if I can be excused again. 

I do know its our civil duty but I don't think I can handle it any longer.. Prayers appreciated.

So this is the message to MYSELF !

On a different note I think I will dig out some of my Valentine type things to get me in the mood.

We will see where this all goes ... 

That's all I've got for today.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

SATURDAY

 I just thought I would give all of you a bit of an update on life around here.

First of all, thank you so much for all of your concern and prayers for our son Steve.

He really has not had any ill effects from his car accident.  His brain has been kind of worn out from dealing with the insurance companies, but there is good news on that front too.

The insurance company of the "crasher" has totaled Steve's car and is giving him a a very nice settlement.  Not really enough to get a new car but it will help him get a good deal . He also got a car rental to carry him through the process.  We will see where it all goes from here.  Its been a real answer to prayer.

Subject #2

Remember the wonderful sale we had on the glass hen candy dish?  Well ...

It arrived broken and irreplaceable.  Fortunately we had insurance on it so it will take care of the bulk of the cost.  We are so sad and we know it was packed really good.  This isn't our first rodeo.  Can't cry over broken glass but ... 

#3

Dave and I had our sweet daughter from another mother ... Karen ... over for dinner last night.  She is really doing very well since the death of her mother and my good friend Lynne.  It was fun to chat and laugh and even watch a bit of tv together.

No photos, I completely forgot. 

I'm so glad that Dave and I are finally feeling like part of the human race again.

The stomach flu is ugly stuff but the good thing is I lost a pound and a half in the process.

Some bright tulips from my archives to brighten your day.

Have a great weekend and hope some of you aren't frozen in the Arctic Blast!

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THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday

First of all, thanks for all of the questions on my last blog post.

I guess you are realizing that I really like quirky things and am always on the lookout for them. 

When my Hubby and I were roaming around in an old antique shop in the Foothills near our home we saw all sorts of interesting things.

The Cow Milk container is actually medicine for livestock.  The side of the box gives a bit of information.  I thought since Wednesday was Wordless it would be fun to see everyone's reaction to the display.

Now on to Thankful Thursday ... 

Yesterday our son Steve was in a car accident.  He's okay so far ... 

He was going 35mph onto the highway following a dump truck.  All of a sudden a car came up behind him at full speed and slammed into the back of him.  I thank the Lord that the rear end collision didn't push him into the heavy dump truck in front of him.

This happened in Las Vegas where Steve was for business.  He managed to tape, bandage and tie up the car and drove home to Sacramento ... over 600 miles.

He made it home and has been involved with insurance companies since then.  I can't imagine how stressful and tense the drive was coming home.  Thankful that the car was sort of drivable.  I haven't talked with him yet today since I know he is busy with the whole car thing.

This is certainly not something that he needs right now.  Financially its a huge blow and makes his independent photography business a lot more difficult.

I am just so thankful that he is okay.  It could have been awful.

I'm also thankful that he didn't have to contend with the dense fog in the valley.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind