Change to Mileage Tracker for 2012

I have removed the "walking lady" ticker from the top of my blog. It has been a problem. Sometimes it didn't recognize my pass word and sometimes it wouldn't take my additions. So I have removed the visual and put the totals in a small box on the side bar.

F is for Fall

I love everything about a Fall.

The changing colors of nature.

The cooler more refreshing temperatures.

The coming holiday season.

And most especially

the promise of winter with the beauty of snow.

Fall is nature's flashy way

of getting your attention

to announce

"Winter is Coming."

Winter is my favorite season.

Fall is the anticipation.

Winter is the main event.

Works for me!

E is for Engagement

Our family is about to grow in a most wonderful way.

Our son is engaged to be married to

his love,

his best friend,

his long time companion

....

this coming May

May 19th - the same date as my 86 year old mother's wedding anniversary of 1946.

How cool is that?

We are all thrilled at this logical and long expected step in their relationship.

My mind frequently rests on the upcoming union

of these two wonderful people.

Its a good place to rest.

D is for Dad

This picture is beginning to show its age,

just like the bride in the picture who is now 42 years older.

My dad had the opportunity to be the Father of the Bride the year before he died. Not every dad gets that experience. But despite the smiling faces, this picture always makes me a bit sad.

Your wedding day is supposed to be a joy filled day. Mine was filled with anxiety for him. He had problems in his life that spilled out daily onto his family. And my wedding day was no different. But on this day he tried ... tried really hard to be the father of the bride for me. And I know it was a major effort for him.

We looked happy there.

And although he didn't live long enough to see his own grand children, to give his other daughter away on her wedding day or to retire, he did get the chance to walk his daughter down the isle. This time he got a chance to be normal.

I know that meant a lot to him!

I don't recall ever saying this ... it is long overdue.

Miss you dad!

C is for a Copper Countenance

Lame ... I know, but I loved this copper leaf face the moment I saw it on the side of a neighbor's house. I took this picture a year ago and just never found the right time to use it.

Guess this is the right time to use it!!!

:-)

It is such a life-like face that I am often drawn to it on my walks. The eyes seem to follow you, seriously watching. The lips look like they could speak ... not too thin, not too generous. The nose is so perfectly formed.

A little less brow and a little more chin would make this face perfect, but ...

A serious face - not threatening.

Just a gentle warning that "Cooler weather is coming ... prepare".

It is the face of fall!

B is for Bulldog

The bulldog who holds our hearts without raising a paw is Meathead.

Actually his full name is Meathead Augustus Shanks. And like the Caesars of the old Roman Empire, he also holds a high position of honor among the humans, fellow dogs and resident cats.

He is a typical English Bull Dog. He loves his comfort and his exalted position. He snores, and farts and passes wind and flaps his jowls when he eats and drinks. Sometimes food can be found on his eye brows as well as the floor around his dish. But it is no matter. He has eager servants who can clean his face and the floor.

He spends many sleep over nights at his grandma's house - looking just like this picture. He knows his own mind and he probably knows the minds everyone around him - but he just doesn't care about other minds! His mind is the only one that counts!

And, if you ever want to share your life with a bulldog ... you need to know all these things.

But you also need to know that sharing your life with an English Bull Dog is the best of the best!

Truly!

A for dear Annie

Hello and Welcome.

You might be new here. So am I.

My name is Annie and I am a young African Violet.

I have the most striking beautiful flowers.

Really ... take a closer look.

I am a pretty face for sure!

Don't you think?

I am very new to this home. And it is a strange home, indeed, for a little plant like me. First of all there are no other plants to share my space with. Very lonely.

I discovered as well that the light in this home is very poor for plants. I do have, however, my very own light. How many plants have their own personal light!!!

And then there is the real reason why I am so alone. The other non-human beings in this home ... the resident cats ... like to eat plants!

Yikes!

This could come to a very bad end for me!

Oh well - those felines have not yet discovered me and I am loved right now. Keeping my fingers (uhh ... leaves) crossed that I continue to "bloom where I am planted."