Theme Thursday-Wheel

As I watch the remnants of the "Chiclone" float by in the night time sky, I laugh because I began my month in Chicago and have felt like I've been riding a merry-go-round trying hard to get back to writing but I just kept going round and round and then it hit me..Huh!



All's good and I'm back. "Tis Thursday and the Theme  is "wheel'--spin on over here..

Theme Thursday-Reveal

As a symphony of bees and crickets plays on,  golden beams of sunshine reach down into the garden and the hydrangea nod in the breeze.

He sits waiting for her as he has done each Sunday for the last ten years. A moment in time, his heart beating a bit faster as he notices the flowers seem to stand taller and the butterflies float in the air.














Never quite certain until the scent of lavender and lilacs envelop him and she turns to meet his gaze.

                                              

For more revelations--check out Theme Thursday!

Theme Thursday-Palm

If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. Anonymous

Been working the summer away --very little time and energy for posting --this shall change and I will return---until then, I wish you all beautiful sunsets and rainbows---enjoy!
 
By the way --it is Thursday and the Theme is Palm-drop on by ..no sunscreen required.
 

Theme Thursday-Brown

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.

-Rachel Carson

There are many shades of brown, my favorites are found on the trail. Hike on over to Theme Thursday for more.

Theme Thursday-Park

New Jersey has been experiencing searing heat for the last two weeks and it is starting to make me just a little crazy. Never good, because I have an ample amount of crazy already, the humidity and the too early dog days (sorry Max) of summer make me want to hibernate like I do in the winter parked in front of the tv watching a movie or slouched in chair reading a book. My rule is the couch potato 'thang' is only allowed during the winter months. After March, it is written, I must move. Given this heat, moving means sweat---I know, girls do not sweat, they perspire or mist----hello, I sweat and therefore, wish to park myself in front of a large air conditioner and herein, right now, lies the problem. It is hot, humid and just plain not conducive to my rule. That's life, sometimes rough when you want it easy. No worries, there's always a song to get you through.



That video was done is 2008. I will never have Tina's legs, but I aspire to her energy and doo doo doo doo! Don't be afraid to sweat. Put on the hiking boots and go find a park here or here or here.

It's Theme Thursday and there is a place to park here.

Theme Thursday-Help!!!

Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward.


Henry Ford



If there is a place in this country that epitomizes character and the ability to move forward against all odds, it is New Orleans and the Gulf region. The gulf oil spill is not only an environmental disaster unlike any that we have experienced but also is an event which threatens a way of life for the people who live and work in the area.

As BP works to stop the oil flowing into the Gulf, the companies who were working to find oil safely (if there is a safe way) are leaving the region and a moratorium has been placed on future drilling. So those jobs along with fishing are in danger of being lost for good.

The Gulf Oil spill is a wake up call to all of us to recognize the limits of our fragile environment, question our reliance on oil and find a way to "do the right damn thing."

Let's move forward and start thinking how we all can help.

Today is Thursday and the theme is help. For more thoughts on the subject, take a look here.

Theme Thursday-Ball

Arnaldo Pomodoro's sculpture "Sphere within a Sphere" is located in the Vatican City in Rome. I first saw it in '99 when the city of Rome was getting ready for 2000. Rome was sparkling--no graffiti or soot. I was mesmerized then and took many shots, all film. I am disappointed that I can't show my view in '99 next to my view in 2007 when Mr. Jackson and I visited on our honeymoon.

For me this particular shot reflects the heavens above and  the 'skyline' of ancient Rome separated by what looks like technology or progress. Today, I can't help but think about the Gulf oil spill and the wars that continue.

Today is Theme Thursday. Drop by here.

Theme Thursday-Blue

when I am feeling blue I turn on the music, think of this shade of blue and somehow everything is all right...

It's still Thursday and today's theme is blue---check out the shades of blue here!

Theme Thursday-Camera

The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box.  Henri Cartier-Bresson

Once again it is Theme Thursday--focus and look here!

Theme Thursday-Pets

Fish are beautiful but I can't pet them. Iguanas are interesting but I can't imagine walking them down the street. Snakes? Sorry. No offense to cats, I'm allergic. I am a dog person. Pure joy and love in one big furry package.

Today's theme is Pets--visit Theme Thursday for more!

Theme Thursday-Bicycle

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein

A bicycle memory--Edgartown Martha's Vineyard.

Patti, my best friend way before there was BFF, her two children, Paul and Amanda and my nephews, Chris and Justin decide to take on the bike path. This is how it looked---Patti on her skinny tired 10-speed with Amanda on the back, Chris the oldest of the young people, rolling his eyes because he could only ride 1 mile ahead, Justin itching to go fast, Paul wanting to ride the big boy bike because Chris and Justin were but not really knowing how and Aunt (said Ont not Ant) Cheryl at the rear on her mountain bike. This is how it sounded---Patti took off riding serenely and bravely with Amanda in a bike seat calling Chris to follow. Chris taking off like Lance Armstrong at the last leg of the Tour de France, Justin immediately following hoping to draft on his brother's speed , Paul not really understanding the need to pedal continually but giving it his best shot and finally, Aunt Cheryl,  pedaling smelling the sweet breeze that only the pine and salt of the vineyard can create. It was all good until I saw a group of cyclists on the horizon pedaling towards us, I stood up on my pedals and yelled, "Justin! Right!" About this time, Paul became disenchanted with the idea of moving his bike forward and began dragging one leg, pushing his bike along one foot on a pedal. I moved behind him and gave him the only words of encouragement that made sense, "Pedal, Pedal, Pedal!" Meanwhile the pelaton was approaching, I looked up and yelled, "Justin! Your other right! Chris coming close to the point that he knew he would have to stop began the call that has been heard throughout the entire east coast, "AUNT CHERYL!!!"  The pelaton swerved around Justin as he smiled listening to a song only he heard and Amanda waved as they went by. I yelled to Chris, "Next Two!" With that Justin and Paul pedaled ahead with new resolve as my dear friend pedaled along with a squirming toddler on the back of her bike. We made it to the beach "no harm,no foul" looking forward to that glass of wine only FIVE hours away knowing that the ride back would be a new adventure.


Today, I ride my new bike hearing my nephews and niece yell, "Pedal, Pedal, Pedal!' with the following as background music.


s

Today is Thursday and the theme is Bicycle--pedal, pedal, pedal on over here!

Theme Thursday-Draft

with the draft...



without the draft...





The draft was discontinued in 1973. Currently, selective service requires men ages 18-25 to register in the event a draft needs to be resumed. To our veterans and soldiers overseas, thank you for your sacrifice, your dedication and a daily reminder that freedom is not free.

It is Theme Thursday and today's theme is Draft. For more thoughts on the theme visit here.

Theme Thursday-Lunch

After walking for hours, seeing amazing sights, Mr. Jackson and I began to feel hungry and as luck would have it, we were given a choice..

or

this lovely establishment... guess which one we chose? Here's a hint... thin crust pizza piled with fresh tomatoes and fresh mozzarella isn't served at Mickey D's even in Venice...lovely place where the gondoliers stopped for a break and then ventured forth into the Grand Canal, singing ---O Sole Mio ...now that's lunch!

Are you hungry? Lunch is served here! Happy Theme Thursday!

Theme Thursday-Yellow

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

The color yellow makes my heart skip a beat for so many reasons...

Yellow is playful, silly and makes no excuses for being.

Yellow means unequivocal faith and trust















Yellow is ageless, evocative and oh so spring and summer ...here comes the sun...do di do do ...

It is Theme Thursday and it is all about ---Yellow--take a gander here! While your at it, stop by Magpie Tales , dance with the daffodils and see where they take you!

Theme Thursday-Sign

Cowgirl Cafe Santa Fe New Mexico

Life ain't about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

I took this Theme Thursday prompt "Sign" as a sign that I need to get back to Santa Fe soon, not just for the amazing frozen margueritas and ribs at the Cowgirl Cafe but also for a reunion with good friends, the air, the mountains and the feel of red dust on my skin. Time to pull out the hiking boots--
For more signs of the times--Check out Theme Thursday

Theme Thursday-Hats

When it comes to buying a hat, size does matter. Found this contraption in an antique western wear store in Taos, New Mexico.
It was used to measure cowboys' and yes, cowgirls' heads for custom made hats. Turns out that I am a 7 1/4 --a large head for a cowgirl, I was told.

Something tells me that Georgia had a large head too and didn't much care. I am going to get me a hat just like Georgia's when I move to New Mexico with my darlin' Mr. Jackson.

It is that time again--Theme Thursday is here and it is about hats--take a look and try one on here!

Theme Thursday-Green

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.”

Eleanora Duse

Ahhh, the smell of grass on the first warm day of spring--let it be soon!

It is Theme Thursday and today is an ode to green.

Check it out!

Theme Thursday-Bottle

"Wine is bottled poetry"-Robert Louis Stevenson

Filled to the brim
Effervescent
Champagne
Prosecco
Ruby Red
Montepulciano d'abruzzo
Vino Nobile
Chianti
Pinot Noir
Shiraz
Golden
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Reisling
each
bottle
tells
a
story...........

Return your bottles here! Happy Theme Thursday!

Theme Thursday-Bell

When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest.

Henry David Thoreau

London England

New Mexico

Siena Italy

Rome Italy

Today at two pm est  Barry will be ringing the bell signalling victory! Let's join him--ring a bell, applaud or cheer. Send him your well wishes here!

Today is Theme Thursday and we are ringing the bell for Barry!

Theme Thursday-Mirror

Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray; nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared.



Jane Porter

 
For more reflections--visit here!