The Latest Installment….

 

of Guess That Novel!!  Yes, I have been missing getting out and doing this one.  I’ll try to contain myself to one every couple of weeks or so.  Mainly because I’m still not as mobile as I would like to be.

I’m torn about how to describe this one, because I don’t want to make it too easy or too obscure…but devious little me is leaning toward obscure.

So, you may cry foul at the end, but in the meantime we’ll have fun. :)

 

 

 

It might help you to know what this lovely bush is called…..

 

This book is a classic within a specific genre.  Good Luck!

Unknowen…..

 

This is a photo taken on a trip with my BFF, Annie.  We both enjoy quiet walks through old cemeteries trying to connect with times gone by.

As this is Memorial Day weekend and we all should be remembering our loved ones who have gone before and those we may not have known, but who have served to give us freedom, I thought this was an appropriate photo to reflect on.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend filled with fun, but also with memories of those who have gone before us laying the stones on the path we will one day walk.  

And the winner was….

 

 

Did you think I was going to talk about American Idol?  :)

Nicole chose “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. 

I loved all your comments, but one in particular got me to thinking.  Lizzi at  Bellingham Daily Photo mentioned about some recent controversy with Huck Finn.  I’m terribly ill informed sometimes and had to go and look up what she was talking about.  The controversy is about the use of the “N'” word.  Now I don’t like or approve of the “N” word, but understand its use in certain works of literature that were written during certain times. 

This statement was written by (I believe) Robert O’Meally in the Endnotes of the copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that Nicole has.

“Because of the casual use of this racial epithet throughout the novel, many readers have been put off by The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Many have even believed the book should be banned, despite the fact – some would say because of the fact – that “n*****s” is used by the novels favorite characters, including Jim, often with affection.  The challenge for today’s reader is to confront the word in all its violence and contradictions, and to consider its meaning for various audiences – for nineteenth-, twentieth-, and twenty-first-century readers; for blacks, whites and those of other races; for children and adults. Readers also should consider the fact that much of the novel is satirical – intended to spoof and upend the prevailing values, racial and otherwise, of the characters and communities it describes.”

(The asterisks are mine)

Nicole’s copy is the original.  I do not want to offend anyone in anyway and probably should stay away from such topics, but what kind of a mom would I be then?

I personally find several words that I find in today’s literature repulsive and offensive.  I don’t like to be filling my tank at the gas station and have to listen to someone’s music that uses not only the “F” word, but also the “N” word.  I’m embarrassed and ashamed by the use of either word. But I believe in our freedom of speech rights.  I don’t believe it would be right to ban or edit Mark Twain’s book.  Reading it is a choice and one that everyone should have the right to make or not make.

Okay, let me step down off of my soap box and continue spreading flowers and sunshine.  That is what I do, isn’t it?  :) 

Summer reading….

 

This is Nicole’s summer reading (recommended) for her AP Literature class her Junior year.  Except with my old brain cells, I mistakenly got “Great Expectations” instead of “The Great Gatsby”.  I’ll have to exchange that one.  Then she has another list to choose two books from that she’ll need to do book reports on.

Can you guess which one she picked to start with?

 

PS: I had an absolutely wonderful evening with two close friends.  We went out for an early celebration of my birthday. Bookstores,  Mexican food and coffee smoothies!!!  It just couldn’t get any better.  Thank you Annie and Alice…what wonderful friends you are.

Layers and layers….

 

I have been battling some personal demons the last few days.  Times like these are hard, but when I finally climb up out of the abyss, the world looks brighter.

 

Glad to know that at the end of the journey there are flowers and friends. 

Tuesday Night Lights…

 

Last night Greg and I went to our grandson’s last Little League game of the season.  It was a lovely night – sweater weather even.

  Sunflower seeds are a must.

Sandals and jackets to keep score.

 

Sadly, Joseph’s team didn’t win, but they played some very good baseball.  Final score 6-5.

He’s a winner in our book no matter what the score was. Don’t you just love that smile???? 

Be the bee….

 

Soak up the sun, kiss the flowers, and defy science and fly.

Walking….

 

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about walking.  Maybe the fact that I’m not able to do much of that now has prompted the thought.  I’m wondering how much difference you see in the phrases “walking through” this world or “walking in” this world.   I feel there is indeed a big difference in the two and when I’m able to be up and about again I want to go “walking in” this world. 

Thinking about all of this brought to mind a picture I took during a trip with Tracy and Kathy to the Desert Botanical Gardens last year.  I didn’t post the pictures of this statue because I wasn’t as pleased with them as I would have liked.  They don’t really do the statue justice.  Sadly, I didn’t write down or photograph the name or information about the statue either, but I’m hoping my blogging buddy, Sharon, will be able to help me out here.

 

She is “walking in” this world….being a part of it and it a part of her.

 

From what I remember, she is a depiction of a Native American Spirit.  I know I can go online and find out what I need to know, but isn’t it more fun to wait to see what Sharon will remember?

Two if by land…

 

seven if by sea????

 

I know I’m playing fast and loose with the quote, but couldn’t help myself.  It’s the first thing that popped into my head.  All three of my cacti were in bloom this morning.

 

And then when I singled out these blooms….

What light through yonder blossom breaks….

I hope you’re all having a great weekend so far and that you find time to get out and be inspired by nature.  

Red are my roses….

 

 

 

“I know a little garden close

Set thick with lily and red rose,

Where I would wander if I might

From dewy dawn to dewy night.

And have one with me wandering.”

William Morris

 

I know a website with  some woes

Set thick with pix and witty prose,

Where I would publish if I might

From early morn to late at night,

If  they could just keep it working.

Nancy Veich – Poetess Most Awfulest

:)

City farmer in the country….

 

For Mother’s Day my brother built Mom a new bird house and Greg replaced my flower bed.

 

I wanted to immediately plant some beautiful flowers….but my brother, who has immense influence over me, mentioned what a great place the new bed would be to grow…tomatoes.  Not flowers, tomatoes.

So what do I do?

I plant tomatoes.  I bought two Better Boy plants and one heirloom called “Rutgers”.  I also picked up a yellow bell pepper plant, crookneck yellow squash and zucchini squash.  Not a flower one went into that bed.  I did manage to pick up a couple of flowers to replace pots that had gone by.

This is called a Lemon Zest petunia.  The name refers only to the color although I wish it referred to the scent also.

 

   

The bird house is a success and families are already moving in.  The old bird house (which still had babies in it) was moved to the tree you see in the back ground. The families were all reunited and life is good.

I am sure eventually some flowers will find their way into the new flower bed.  I can almost guarantee it. :)

The saddest thing….

 

happened today.  I turned on my camera to look at the latest pictures I had on my memory card and it said….

                                      FOLDER CONTAINS NO IMAGES

How sad is that???  Always before I never went anywhere without my camera in hand, taking shots of all kinds of interesting (well at least to me) stuff.  I find myself out and about all the time now without my camera.  Dang broken foot!!! 

On another note…does it bother anyone else when the word verification thing says you spelled the word wrong?  I feel offended.  I want to see the word again and see what I did “wrong”. Although in my heart of hearts I don’t believe I could have been wrong.  Come on…prove it to me…I want to see. Not that I’m a little OCD or anything.

And since we’re talking about things like this, has anyone ever seen a duck land on land?  I’ve been racking my brain to see if I have that image filed anywhere…nope.  I know it must happen though. Do they do a little run as they’re coming in? Or do they skid in the dirt like they do on the water?

I think I need to get out of the house….

Isn’t it amazing…

the things that catch our eye and imagination?

 

 

 

 

I find these things in trees all around any area where people fish.  Either bobbers or lures “fly” fishing in the trees.  Why do you suppose I’m fascinated enough to take pictures? 

Tracy is coming to visit me today. I think I need the company. I’m a little worried about leaving my mind to its own devices. :)   

Watch out!

 

I have heard lately that these little guys are causing an outbreak of leprosy in the Southern United States.  Well, not this sweet little fellow who sits in my brother’s backyard just soaking up the sun.

 

He communes with chipmunks, doves, hedgehogs and even a sweet little butterfly.

I spent some time at my brother’s house yesterday visiting with him and Lisa.  We had a lovely lunch outside on their back porch. And, yes, my foot was propped up! :)  

All tucked in….

 

I hate to keep going back to this, but I’m still overdoing things and paying the price.  So I had to reluctantly cancel plans I had for today and I’m going to stay tucked in all safe and sound in my little nest.

I tried to post this yesterday, but my computer was giving me fits.  Thank goodness I’m still checking in with my blogging buddies though.  I get to see some gorgeous pictures and read some wonderful words. Thanks for being my window on the world.

The nest pictured above is a Verdin nest.  I thought I could find one of my pictures of a Verdin  easily, but I couldn’t….sorry.

Frankenstein….sorta…..

 

Well here it is….the boot.

Not trying to be artistic with this shot…strictly utilitarian.

The cast came off and the crutches have been relegated to the bedroom for use only at night when the boot is off.  I have a habit of jumping into things with both feet, and did so yesterday – literally.

After I got home, I made lunch and cleaned up the kitchen.  Then I sat down for a couple of hours….should have stayed down longer.  Annie called and had some errands to run and being the zealot that I am, I went along.  After Bed,Bath and Beyond, Lowes, Ulta, Barnes and Noble, Maycayos, and Target - I have to admit, I overdid it.  I paid for it last night and again this morning.  Surprisingly, it’s my knee that is giving me the most trouble.  So today, I’m trying to be a little smarter – spending time off the foot, putting ice on the knee and contemplating my limitations. :) But I had fun!!!!

Sunsets….

I’ve been looking through some of my old photos to try and come up with something that expresses how I feel about the cast coming off on tomorrow.

 

                            The rains have come and gone.

 

                                 A burrowing owl bidding the day a found farewell.

 

 

                                 A tractor left in the field to begin again tomorrow.

 

              The canal where Star and I will soon be walking again.

 

 

And Justin Donald riding off into the sunset or saying “kiss my woof” – both sum up how I feel about the cast.  :)

Spring, Easter, rebirth….

 

To me this is what the season is all about.  Beginning anew…fresh starts.  And as it’s been a week since I’ve posted anything, I think this qualifies as a fresh start. :)

Life and young ones have returned to the clothes pin bag nest for Mr. and Mrs. Finch.  I thought there were just going to be two new babies in the second batch, but amazingly I think I count four little noggins.

I think anyone would be hard pressed to say they’re cute at this point, but soon they’ll fledge out and be sweet little feathery cheeping bundles of joy.  Not so much right now.  But that’s also something this time of year represents for me.  It’s a good time to reflect upon what we might see as ugly or flawed in ourselves and make changes to correct and improve the person we are on the inside so the person on the outside shines with  beauty and grace from within.  

Thank you all for hanging in there and supporting me through any changes I might need to make.

Puttin’ down some roots……

 

My niece, Leslie, said these words this weekend on facebook and it made me think of what I wanted to do….for awhile anyway.  I’ve been on the run way too much lately and it’s not good for my foot.

Annie, Nicole and I enjoyed our time in Strawberry very much.  No rain, no snow, no frozen pipes and no blown up soda cans.  The plumber met us Saturday morning and I realize now that I should have taken a picture of his truck or him.  Nothing more momentous happened.  Sadly, the irises weren’t blooming yet.  They were so close though…maybe in a week or so.  But I’m done with road trips for awhile.  The javelinas did go through the front yard Saturday night, but didn’t linger.  It was quiet, peaceful, relaxing, and very low key.  Just perfect.

I found in looking at my camera to see what picture I might post, I had only taken two pictures!!!  I know, I can’t believe it either!!!

I saw lots of opportunities to take some pretty pictures.  But like this study in everything done wrong, they would have required me to get down off the porch, squat or bend to get the angle right….and well, I’m just not up to that right now. :(

But I’m counting down the days until the cast comes off and I can get strong again.  Spring is all about rebirth and I’m ready!!

On the road again…

 

Annie and I are dusting off the old Malibu,

 

icing down some Pepsi,

and heading off to Strawberry again this weekend.  I’ll be back late Sunday and hope to have pictures of these beauties blooming for you…

  

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!