National Geographic Bird Book, BOTD

Since I have retired from a 45 hour week job, I have began enjoying the birds in my area more. I still work to keep from being bored but its a 20 hour job of enjoyment. Makes all the difference in the world.

Coming from the south and used to the gulls and pelicans of Florida, you get the mindset of pelicans being a sea/gulf bird, well at least I did. But according to the bird book, they only go to Florida in the winter. Guess that’s where the term snow bird comes from??!?

The ones we see here along the Mississippi are beautiful. They are the American White Pelican.

While they winter in Florida and South America, they then head to the Dakota’s, Montana and Canada for spring breeding, then to the midwest and southwest for summer and autumn. The ones that are not of breeding age can be seen most anywhere or anytime including east to northeast. The interesting things you learn when you don’t have to always concentrate on an 8-5 job.

As you enjoy the birds around you look to see what interesting things you can learn about them and from them. They understand kindness as well so try to always be kind to all kinds, not only mankind.

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Join in with Granny Shot It on her explorations of Birds of the Day and see the beauty of flight.

Sunshine’s Monday Macro

This beauty was found none other than…Lowes. Worse than the candy store to me. But what an awesome shot.

I am still amazed at what my phone camera can do for closeups but I miss a lot of distant shots, just not enough detail.

Heaven’s Sunshine created a fun new post for us all to see the details of this world close up with Sunshine’s Macro Monday. Come join in on the fun.

And as always, remember to be kind…we can always be kind.

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A Quick Word

I wanted to say a quick word of encouragement this morning before heading to work as I was blessed by my devotion this morning from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and wanted to share it with you.

Grow strong in the Light of My Presence. As My Face shine upon you, you receive nutrients that enhance your growth in grace. I designed you to commune with Me face to Face and this interaction strengthens your soul. Read Psalm 4:6-8

My prayer for you today is to feel the warmth of His Light and Love as He shines upon you this and every day. As you take in that warmth and light, reflect it on others and always be Kind.

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Tuesday Photo Challenge, City

This week’s Tuesday Photo Challenge is City. Since I have lived in several cities of various sizes, I can see good for all sizes depending on the natural vibe of each city.

Coming from over 20 years in a big city(Atlanta) to the midwest was a welcome change of less chaos, less heat(duration, it still gets too hot here) but the jury is still out on me liking the cold. I traded one very large city for 4 medium sized cities, the Quad Cities. Its a metropolitan area divided by the Mississippi River between two different states with two cities on each side of the river.

Quadcity — Green is Davenport Iowa, Yellow is Bettendorf Iowa, Red is Rock Island Illinois and Blue is Moline Illinois, together we are the Quad Cities.

What that does is create enough business and culture within the 4 cities without too much massiveness, about 400K total. But these cities have been on this river with its history for a long time.

IMG_20190720_185908 — Looking toward Illinois

IMG_20190827_095219 — Looking toward Iowa

IMG_20190827_095232 — One of 5 bridges connecting the Quad Cities, one being totally rebuilt.

Growing up on the rivers of Florida, I have a special love for rivers. I enjoy the interesting mix of tug boats and play boats. I apologize for not have the right camera for far distant shots but thought you could still enjoy.

I found this new street art today about the uniqueness of the 4 cities and wanted to share.

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And though the river does rule us from time to time when flooding, we still enjoy its heritage and its beauty.

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As you celebrate your city, remember its history as that is what makes the city what it currently is, and as always remember to be kind.

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CFFC, Roofs

Cee has challenged us with a fun topic this time of ROOFS. Its a part of our homes we sometimes don’t think about until weather is bad, then we are oh so grateful. I have a small leak around my vent so I have someone coming to look at it Thursday. But when I think of interesting roof lines, I think of the old beautifully architecture you usually find on castles or cathedrals. Since we don’t have either of those in the midwest, here are some wonderful old church roofs, with a few others mixed in.

And then next one is not mine but proof of the hail damage we can get here.

The last one is a fun one down at the river…where the musician play during festival times.

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And as I always close with a reminder of wherever you are you can always find an opportunity to be kind.

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Trust God — Unashamed of Jesus

And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Luke 12:22-23 We spend a lot of […]

via Trust God — Unashamed of Jesus

National Dog Day, Frisky Business

Judy of lifelessons wrote an awesome poem celebrating our canine counterparts for this National Dog Day. They are without a doubt part of our family as we take pictures of them all the time and post them to bring laughter not only to us but to others. We tell their stories, write poetry about them and even a few songs show the ability for them not only to steal our supper but also our hearts. Below are Mimi and Max. Max is the basset.

Max n Mimi 2 (2) — How can you not laugh at their patience of “NOT BEGGING” for people food.

While these two are my and my daughter’s current household loves, below are well remembered loves of past that I thought I would share.

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This is Junior, aka Dittims. 185 pounds of the most gentle dog I have ever had. If you can ever adjust to the size of this breed, they are awesome. He is the main character in the book I have written, due out soon.

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Nope this is not Mimi. This is Baby Ruth. She was my heart throb for 16 years. Still miss her. Yes this is a favorite breed. Our other favorite breed is below, bassets.

In all fairness, Muffin, the tan one in the first picture is half basset and half beagle. Ruby, the middle picture was one of the first dogs from my early adult years and Sam(Samantha) actually belong to my mom when I was a teenager…but she loved me best.

Yes, our canines are our 4 legged children who love us unconditionally and only want to be loved by us. May we always be deserving of the love. In watching NATGEO special on the white wolves of the Arctic this week proves that all creatures just want to be loved. So lets remember that as we go day to day to show love where we can and kindness always.

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Frisky Business: Animal Mischief

Leaf Color, FOTD

I find the leaves of plants almost as interesting as the flowers themselves. They are varying shades of green sometimes with other colors mixed in, some are thick, some are thin, pointed or rounded, fuzzy and slick. It shows the artistry of God in creation.

But my violets, which are always consistent, have a leaf of inconsistency and I though it interesting as its had the same amount of sunlight it always gets.

Even the leaf with its back facing us is correctly colored.

Its like it didn’t receive an even amount of chlorophyll.

Come join on on Cee’s Flower of the Day and share the beauty or curiosity that you find. And as you share here with beauty, remember the smiles they bring and share that in kindness as all things should be treated kindly. It makes life sweeter.

My Weakness, FOTD

Yes, flowers are a weakness of mine, therefore going to get supplies at Lowes is risky business. I have been real good as of late but Saturday…I gave in to my weakness. They gave me no choice to behave. They didn’t even have a sticker on them telling us what they were, didn’t care. Bought one anyway. If anyone know what it is, I would be grateful. Rich dark green fuzzy leaves and a beautiful stalk of small purple tubers.

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A close up…

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I hope it is a perennial as I would love to have these blooming next year as well. I am in planning stages of building a humming bird flower bed. With all the flowers I had this year I did see quite a few but I want them to stay closer so maybe I can catch them on camera.

Cee Neuner give us the fun challenge of Flower of The Day so I am enjoying this challenge. As you enjoy the fun of challenges and the beauty of other’s pictures, remember the lift and enjoyment they bring and share that lift with others. Help brighten each others day and always be kind.

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Technically Not Flowers, FOTD

Cee has wonderful fun challenges for us to play with and today I am going a little off path with the Flower of the Day.

Between working part time, playing with the children at Party in the Park events, blogging and trying to write a book, several days in a row of heavy rain…who has time to cut the grass.

FOTD is supposed to be flower of the Day, well flowers are growing beauties, so I reached in and pulled out my clowning silliness and I give you….’shrooms.

Boy, the difference a day makes….

IMG_20190823_081102 — This morning’s view

They are kind of cool and I was going to wait and share the one below for Sunshine’s Monday Micro but its going to be tomorrow before I have a chance to mow so we will see what they look like tomorrow.

IMG_20190823_081033 — Beauty all its own

Each creation has a beauty all its own and as poisonous as some ‘shrooms are, they can really be beautiful.

Remember the beauty of your creation as God made you special to do what you do. Allow your beauty to shine and reflect God’s love on others.

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