Day 134

Have you ever noticed the incredible variety of leaves? There are broad leaves and narrow, compound and simple, serrated, lobed, and a thousand other fascinating variants. And when they come together, they can create the most beautiful tapestries.



There is art to be found in their patterns.



Soon my camera (and, so, this blog) will be filled with the blaze of autumn's glorious turning. And I love it. But there is extravagant beauty at any time of year if you only pay attention.

Day 133

Ahh, morning. So much of creation rejoices in the coming of sun. The dawn of a new day, the glister of early sunbeams, the reminder of the beauty that lay hidden in the dark of night.

The drying out of wings.



Everywhere there is basking.





(There is also wariness--which is one reason for blurriness. I couldn't get close to this dragonfly without spooking it, so I zoooooooomed).

Day 132

Saturday morning, bright and early, I was waiting in the Big Lots parking lot for the doors to open so I could get me a brand new mattress set (yay for layaway and super sales!). Waiting...waiting...wait...Wait a minute. What's that in the distance?



Oh, how fun! I do believe it is someone hang gliding on this lovely weekend morning!



Still can't quite make him out? Not even when you click on it to make it bigger on your screen? Understandable. How about now? (I apologize for blogger and its confusion about how to post this picture. Please, tilt your head).



And it was far enough away in real life that I didn't know it was a rainbow colored chute (glider? umbrella??) until I got it home and zoomed in. Fun!

Day 131

Every year a local charity called "The Dwelling Place" holds a fundraiser. They put on a great concert and follow it up with an gala under the stars. And every year, the owner of my company buys tickets for anyone who wants to attend.

This year featured the Glenn Miller Orchestra and they were phenomenal. And I'm still blown away by the voice of one of the trumpet players who ditched his trumpet and sang several songs. I'd buy his record in a heartbeat.




My program against the backdrop of the blouse I wore that evening. Shiny!

Day 130

Did you know puffer fish can be grown in a garden?



Apparently this is a lemon cucumber. And, according to my agricultural friend Melissa, all varieties of cucumber have spikes. Who knew they came with defenses?

Day 129

I'm tired, I'm stressing, and I don't feel very good. There ain't no theme this week, folks. That's right--we're back to random pictures, at least for the moment. But I'd like to heartily thank you for continuing to drop by. Bring your friends! Become a "follower" of the blog! Leave enthusiastic and fawning comments! Click on the pictures to make them bigger!

And check out this picture I think is pretty. I mean, it's no dandelion field (earlier this week), but it's still nice.



There. Now don't you feel better?

Day 128

Nostalgia: Day Seven

On my grandmother's vanity were two peachy glass dishes with sculptured handles shaped like deer. These dishes held her jewelry--watches in one, earrings and rings in another.

I used to go through those dishes, festooning myself with the clip earrings and one or two silver watches, pretending I was a society lady attending a function or a fancy dinner or just Tuesday tea with the girls. I'm sure I wore some of the jewelry outside to play, though I'd bet that was a serious infraction of the rules.

None of the jewelry was particularly valuable--at least not that I know of--but I felt like I was wearing real diamonds and pearls.

My aunt has recently been sending me some things of my grandparents, both of whom are gone now. And a month or so ago, another box showed up. Inside were the two glass jewelry dishes. I had completely forgotten about them somehow, but the instant I saw them peeking through the bubble wrap, I went flashing back to those days in rural Arkansas when my grandmother's jewelry made me feel like a princess.



Thanks, Aunt Janie.