The Joy of Color

Embrace your inner you, whatever that may be!

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Life Unlimited

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it. - Sai Baba

Born in India in 1835, Sai Baba was an Indian spiritual master and was regarded by his followers as a saint, fakir and satguru. It was uncertain whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Muslim, but he was revered by both. 

Some things never change. This was true from the perspective of a 19th century Indian guru, and it is true today. Step up to the challenges, meet life head on with joy and song, and make the most of everything. Stop chasing life and live it.

Once again, my posting has ended up on the back burner. Good intentions and all... Anyway, happy mid-week y'all. I hope everyone is having a good summer; ours has been interesting. Please feel free to share your adventures. 

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An Ancient Beverage

He was a wise man who invented beer. - Plato

Now Plato lived some 2,300 years ago in fourth century B.C. and beer had already been around for a long time.

Tests performed on ancient pottery from Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq and parts of Iran, Syria and Turkey), indicate that beer was produced there some 7,000 years ago, and a 3,900 year old poem contains the oldest known recipe for beer. 

The process of making beer was passed along to the Greeks who then taught the Romans. Beer was important to the early Romans, but was eventually replaced by wine as the alcoholic beverage of choice, rendering beer at that time, fit only for barbarians. Obviously this opinion didn't hold for long as beer brewing has continued throughout the centuries and in many cultures. 

If you doubt the historical importance of beer, consider that the desire to make beer led people to give up a nomadic lifestyle to form villages, cultivate crops and develop agriculture, thus leading to civilization.

What started small thousands of years ago, rose to a multi-million dollar industry and mass production, is now returning to it's roots with this new concept of microbreweries and craft beers. 

Last night we met up with some friends at the tasting room of a local brewery. They have lots of different beers on tap, some with exotic names and flavors. However I chose Carolina Blonde, a cream ale, which is lower on the bitterness scale. It is light, smooth and refreshing, especially on a hot summer evening.



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Breathe and Enjoy Your Day!

You don't always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust and let go and see what happens. - Mandy Hale

Enroute to Skippers Fish Camp in Darien, GA

We did have a plan when this picture was taken. A very definite plan, indeed. Dinner at Skipper's. What was different was our choice of routes. This was by far more scenic and well worth the change to our plan. 

Not every aspect of every day of your life needs to be planned out to the letter. Sometimes it is better to just go with the flow and see where you end up. Allow your day to be like a Sunday afternoon drive in the country with no definite place to go. One of those you'll know when you get there kind of days.

So sit back, ditch your well-thought-out plans, take a deep breath and go where life leads you. You may find something great waiting for you just around the corner.


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Smiles Matter

Image Source: Wikipedia

It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living. - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Smiles cost nothing, are easily given and may do more good you can possibly know. They can brighten days, change minds, modify opinions, enhance first impressions, bolster spirits and make both the giver and the recipient feel better.

Often we march through life with our faces in neutral, or worse, frowning or scowling at some injustice, whether real or perceived. If you see that person without a smile, give them one of yours. If you are that person, look around you and find something to smile about. 

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Troubled Times

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein

I have come across this quote often over the years and passed it by in favor of more upbeat, positive choices. Now I think it's time has come. It appears the world has completely taken leave of it's collective senses. I can't imagine, nor do I want to know, what goes through people's minds when they commit such atrocities as we have seen recently. 

Human beings are blessed with the ability to think and reason, and the capacity to feel empathy and compassion. We also have been taught the difference between right and wrong and good and evil. Yet there is so much anger and hate brewing around the world now, and groups that continue to perpetuate feelings of ill will and violence. 

I say it is time we get over ourselves and quit labeling and categorizing people and stop promoting violence against them. Whether your life matters shouldn't depend on what color you are, what restroom you use or what you do for a living.

We should just live our lives and tend to our own business and let others tend to theirs. I still believe mankind as a whole is good, but looking at recent events I'd say there are more than a few tainted apples in the barrel.




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What was I Thinking?

We are what we think...
All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.  -Buddha

Often we find pearls of wisdom from many different people and cultures. When I first read this I wasn't sure that I agreed with Buddha's statement. We don't always act on what we are thinking, and thankfully so or many of us would be in a world of trouble.

However, I believe there is some truth here, and most certainly something to be taken away from this quote. 

On the negative side, too often we are hit with "What was I thinking" so we should guard our thoughts and be aware when what we are thinking is something with which we would not want make our world.

The converse is also true, and if our consciousness is filled with good, kind and loving thoughts, we can indeed make a better world for ourselves.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July, everyone!



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Some Things Never Change

Image Source: Wikipedia

The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and to have courage when things go wrong. 

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

We live in a world that seems to be far removed from that of the author of this quote. But is it, really? We have automation and technology which have considerably changed the way we do things, but when you really look at life itself, things are pretty much the same. 

We laugh, love and dream and if we treat people well, look forward to each day with thanks and accept the ups and downs with grace, then we are pretty much living as many generations before us have lived.

Let's take a little time today and look around at what's really important in our lives and how we present ourselves to others.


I have fallen off the blogging wagon lately. I've been somewhat uninspired and out of focus on writing, or maybe just plain lazy. I would like to change things up a bit here at Roses to Rainbows, but haven't come to any conclusions thus far on what that might be. Thoughts, comments and suggestions are welcome!


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Just Thinking

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think. ― Lorraine Hansberry

I would say these pelicans have got that down pat. 

They are living out their days at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores on the Gulf Coast of Florida.



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Moments

We do not remember days, we remember moments. - Cesare Pavese

Not all of my moments are preserved in pictures although it is much easier now, in this digital age, to pull out my phone and snap a picture. 

Here are a few:

This is a huge Live Oak in St. Augustine just across from the lighthouse. It is magnificent. It would have been nice to have that in my back yard when I was a kid (read tomboy). I loved to climb trees.

A close up of Rosie after devouring his birthday present at his Sweet Sixteen party. Details here. Miss you buddy!

This is one of the best pictures I have of Dood. He never seemed interested in the cat tree. That was always Sophie's domain. Until one day when he decided to venture up to the second perch right next to the window.  I miss you too, Dood!

What's better than a beautiful sunset at the beach? We were vacationing with friends and this was our bon voyage gift from the beach.

They are more than just moments, they are precious memories. The days go by...the moments remain.


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Spring Cleaning?

He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions. - Confucius


This sort of goes along with last week's quote by Robert Frost. Considering all the nothingness that is being spontaneously spouted about over the air waves, it seems that there are more questions being asked than answers being spewn forth from those from whom we would like truthful and straightforward dialog.

Such is any election year when the telephone rings non-stop and your mailbox is filled with dead trees upon which the candidate of the day is touting his pristine record while slinging his (or her) opponent a mud pie to the face.

Outright lies and half truths are the pitfall of modern politics, but no doubt this has been the case, on some level, since the beginning of government. I think it is time for a little Spring cleaning.

Let's start with some Windex® so we can see through the hazy rhetoric, some bleach to clean up around their back doors, and a hand truck to move them to the curb. Who's with me? Rubber gloves and dust masks provided. Beer and pizza when we're done.



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Say What?

Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it. - Robert Frost

I am going to just let this speak for itself because I think there is enough nothing being said in today's world.



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Just Listen!

The earth has music for those who listen. - Shakespeare

The earth is constantly trying to get our attention. Every time a species is added to the endangered list. Every time the words climate change are uttered. Every time we read about a fish kill from contaminated water. We have but one planet and it's resources are not unlimited. Let us listen to what it is telling us.

Earth Day is Friday, April 22.



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Through The Storm

When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about. - Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami is a contemporary Japanese writer whose works have been on the best seller list in Japan. Born in 1949 in Kyoto Japan, he writes both fiction and non-fiction and is often criticized as un-Japanese and influenced by Western writers.

What kind of storms is he talking about? No, not storms like hurricanes, blizzards or dust storms, but real life storms that have the potential to be life changing events. I expect that many of you can relate. 

Considering that I am a fan of The Walking Dead, there are so many ways I could go with this, but I am choosing to see it in a positive light.

I think what Murakami is saying is that no matter how rough the storm that we pass through, the potential is there for us to emerge stronger or wiser or more compassionate and that surviving the storm can change our outlook and perspective. 

What do you think? How would you interpret this?



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Let Us Begin

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. - Mother Teresa

The passing of Winter, the arrival of Spring and the anticipation of Summer represent the past, present and future. With Spring comes a sense of renewal, of life beginning afresh. We need to be present in the here and now and make the most of this day. Shall we begin?



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Where in the World Are You?

A day comes in the springtime

When earth puts forth her powers

Casts off the bonds of winter

And lights him hence with flowers...

- Dora Read Goodale

Do you ever read things that you know that you should know but that seem to have fallen through the cracks? Today is the Vernal Equinox, albeit a chilly one in my neck of the woods. Spring arrived here two weeks ago and slipped out the back door yesterday. I was going to share some Spring joy with all my friends, but that's not the case for everyone.

While it is Spring here, on the other side of the world folks are wrapping up Summer and sending it packing. One thought led to another and soon I was considering things like hemispheres and who was where, and if the dividing line circles the globe how come we have four hemispheres? Did you know the United States is in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres? 

There are two dividing lines. The first being the Equator, or zero degrees latitude, which divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The second is the Prime Meridian, or zero degrees longitude, which divides the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. While the United States falls completely in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres, there are some countries which are intersected by these lines. The Prime Meridian intersects eight countries and twelve fall directly on the Equator. Depending on where the lines fall, you could be part of up to three hemispheres.

I am sure I must have learned this back in the day somewhere between Bedrock and Google, but I needed a refresher course.

So for my friends around the globe, in which hemisphere(s) are you located?

There is a good explanation found here.



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They're Everywhere!

Look for the small miracles and you'll find they're everywhere. -unknown

Baby Hedgehog

Life is a miracle. Enjoy yours.

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What Are You Doing Today?

What you do today can improve all your tomorrows. - Ralph Marston

The things you do each day impact each of the following days. For example, working out or even walking with a friend or strolling alone with your thoughts, can change how you feel tomorrow. Making good choices today, whether it's exercise, the food you eat or what you allow into your thoughts, put you in a better place for the days ahead.

What are you doing today to prepare for a better tomorrow? 



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Where's The Pizza?

Nobody's perfect, and our fondest memories of anyone are of the hilarious ways they proved it. - Robert Brault

Oops, no pizza in here.

This is so true!  Around our house there is always something to laugh about, and it is usually the stupidest simplest thing that sets off another round of guffaws.

Most of the time I am the one who does or says something that triggers it, and I am the one who laughs the hardest. But a few weeks ago on pizza night, Hubby got his turn.

It's always his job to pull the pizza out of the oven when it's done. Now what you need to know here is that the oven and the dishwasher are both black and right next to each other.  So with the over-sized oven mitts he got for Christmas, he goes to retrieve the pizza, stands squarely in front of the dishwasher, and starts to open the latch, pause..."wait, that's not right." 

We all have those days don't we?  Care to share, or tell on someone else?




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A Clean Slate

Whatever your past has been your future is spotless. - unknown

Our past may hold the stains of our mistakes, but what lies ahead has yet to be touched by our words and deeds.  Our future is a clean slate. How clean can we keep it once it becomes our present?


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