Halloween 2012

 Wordless Wednesday

Quote of the Week

How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days.  - John Burroughs

As beautiful as the leaves are in the green freshness of their youth, they gain their own identity in the twilight of their lives.

Intracoastal Sunset

I love sunsets, especially at the beach.  I usually focus on those over the Gulf of Mexico.  The most beautiful sunsets are those with interesting clouds to absorb and reflect the sun's rays.  This evening, however, the beauty lay in the other direction.

Here are some satellite pictures of the area.

I took the picture from the end of the Boardwalk facing the islands.

The drawbridge has been replaced and was under construction when these images were taken.

This was one way to get from our condo to the Boardwalk.  We love having such a great choice of restaurants within walking distance.  

This was truly a beautiful evening!

Falling Creek Falls

Who knew you could find waterfalls in Florida.  I think of beaches, swamps, beautiful sunsets and lots of seafood.  We usually spend a week or so in Florida every fall, and almost always discover something new.  This year we detoured to Lake City on our way to St. Pete (more about that in another post). 

While picking Google's cyber brain for things to do in the area, I found this lovely little side trip only minutes from the interstate.  It is an easy walk from the parking lot to see the rapids that culminate in a drop of about 10 feet, forming a caramel-colored waterfall.

This may not have the grandeur of Niagara, but it has a quaint charm all its own.  Falling Creek Falls was also the site of the first settlement in the area.

Quote of the Week

Here's to the corkscrew - a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the gate of pleasant folly . - W.E.P. French 

From the wine list of Commander's Palace in New Orleans, LA 

Good Friends, Good Wine, Good Times!

Tis the Season

Today

They are all 

Blown away

More will fall

Tomorrow

Quote of the Week

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.  -Rabindranath Tagore 

Sunsets are like snowflakes, no two are alike.  It is amazing to sit and watch the evolution of the sunset.  It is a constantly changing scene in slow motion.  

The clouds that create the spectacular sunsets are like the people and things that move through our lives shaping each day moment by moment. 

The Pool Rules

I am randomly participating in the 30 days of photographs hosted by Ziva and MikeWJ.  Go here for the rest of the rules.

Unlike the pool, vacation has no rules.  Just relax and enjoy!

Quote of the Week

My view this morning

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man. - Heraclitus 

 Although the river may look the same and the man may look the same, neither really are.  Both are constantly evolving, renewing.  We may not always like change but, like the river, without it we would grow stale.

We are taking a little R&R this week so I may not follow my normal schedule.

Above My Head

I'm jumping in on day 3 of the 30 days of photographs hosted by Ziva and MikeWJ, however my participation in this challenge will be sketchy.  For today I did find this squirrely thing that was definitely "above my head", which is completely different from being "over my head".

Go here for some more upward looking photos.

Quote of the Week

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.  - Aristotle

We continue today with another quote from an ancient philosopher.  Aristotle was a student of Plato, who was taught by Socrates, and together with them, he was one of the most important founding figures of Western philosophy.  

In recent generations we have heard the term "finding ourselves" among the young.  This may be more than just a hollow excuse for poor behavior, but growing individuals struggling to understand themselves and find their way in a world of new experiences and opportunities.  There are choices and decisions to be made.  Wisdom is, therefore, not an age, but an understanding of self.  

***********************************************

And now for the moment you have all been waiting for...Drumroll please!

Hubby drawing the winning name.

And the winner is:

Babs is author of the hilariously funny and truly delightful blog Beetle's Memories & Ramblings.    

Looking Ahead

This is a photograph taken at Reynolda Gardens that inspired the name of this blog.  While you sometimes see them here, the blog isn't about roses or rainbows, but about life and what goes on in my head.  This is expressed through fiction and poetry, through pictures, through the antics of my cats, and thoughts and questions that come up through every day living.

Thank you for joining me in my journey over the last three years, and as we look ahead to what life holds in store.

Reynolda Gardens (How I Named my Blog - Part I)

It's All in the Name (How I Named my Blog - Part II)

Today is the last day of the Roses to Rainbows Third Anniversary Giveaway.  The winner will be announced tomorrow.

 

The Good Stuff

Click to enlarge

While it's no secret that we enjoy a nice wine, and have traveled many miles to taste the fruit of the vine, we only traveled as far as our local wine shop for this delicious Grüner Veltliner from Austria.

This food-friendly white wine from the Skeleton label is bottled, not in the standard 750ml bottle - but a full liter, and instead of the traditional cork or screw cap, as is becoming more popular, this wine had a pop top like soda bottles used to have.

We really enjoyed this, and as you can see it was quite a hit with Sophie, too.

Remember, leave a comment and you are automatically entered in the Roses to Rainbows Third Anniversary Giveaway.

Mairzy Doats

 

The late afternoon sun perfectly illuminated this ivy leaf.  In thinking about this picture and the story it could tell, I remembered this little ditty from my childhood.

Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey.

A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you? 

And that prompted me to look deeper into this silly song.  It was written back in 1943 by Milton Drake, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston, based on this English nursery rhyme.  

Mares eat oats

And does eat oats

And little lambs eat ivy

A kid'll eat ivy, too

Wouldn't you?

It seems that Drake's daughter came home singing "Cowzy tweet and sowzy tweet and liddle sharksy doisters."  Which translates to "cows eat wheat and sows eat wheat and little sharks eat oysters".  This gave Drake the idea to write a silly song.

However, at that time no one wanted to publish a silly song.  Finally he pitched it to his friend Al Trace, who liked it and performed it with his band the Silly Symphonists.  After this, it was a huge hit for Merry Macs in this 1944 recording.

Remember, leave a comment and you are automatically entered in the Roses to Rainbows Third Anniversary Giveaway.

Quote of the Week

Person who chases two rabbits catches neither. - Confucius 

So who is Confucius and what is trying to say here?  Confucius, 551-479 BC, was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician and philosopher.  Apparently he wore a lot of hats.  His life and his teachings are complex, but mostly center around virtue, moral behavior and kindness and respect of others.  He followed the principle "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself", a precursor for the Golden Rule as we know it today.

Now back to the rabbits.  Picture trying to chase after two rabbits with each running back and forth in opposite directions.  First you pursue one and he runs into the briar patch, then you turn back to the other who scurries into his hole.  You go back and forth between the two, and at the end of the day you have caught neither rabbit.  Now apply this thought to several projects.  If you split your focus between the two, neither getting your undivided attention, you may find that at the end of the day both projects remain unfinished.  Being torn between two options is like trying to get both rabbits - it often leads to neither being fruitful.


Remember, leave a comment and you are automatically entered in the Roses to Rainbows Third Anniversary Giveaway.

Welcome to Autumn

From our house to yours - have a great weekend!

Today is the first day of Autumn 2012.  Unlike Septembers of recent years, there is a crispness to the mornings, and the daytime temperatures are more in keeping with the changing seasons.  Many years, September is just an extension of summer in our neck of the woods.  One year I was blowing leaves in 90 degree heat.   In my mind there was something really wrong with that picture.

This year takes me back to my elementary school days, where the start of school meant sweaters in the mornings, and enjoying the warmth of the sun rather than longing for shade. With luck we'll have a long Autumn before the arrival of old man winter.

What are some of your favorite Fall activities?

Remember, leave a comment and you are automatically entered in the Roses to Rainbows Third Anniversary Giveaway.

Celebrating 3 Years of Blogging with a Giveaway!

Another year has rolled around.  Can you believe how fast time flies when you're blogging?  For some of you it was a long, hot summer (wasn't there a movie by that name?) and some of you barely saw the sun, let alone beach-worthy temperatures.

Either way, Fall is just around the corner and so wraps up another year for me in the blogosphere.  No year of blogging is "just another year".  There are things to be learned, people to be met and new experiences to be had.  One of the highlights of this year was participating in a month-long writing marathon hosted by  Nicky and Mike of We Work for Cheese.  These innovative individuals decided it would be fun to come up with 30 topics and see how many people would or could post for 30 consecutive days.  I entered this challenge with doubts, only promising that I would give it a shot since I normally post 3 days a week. 

It was fun and most definitely a learning experience.  I learned that I could take 30 random, off-the-wall topics and write a post for each one.  Granted some were not the most spectacular pieces of literature ever to grace the internet, but I was pleased enough with each to post it for all to see.

After the high of writing for 30 straight days and/or nights, the summer slump hit hard, and it seemed as if much of the blogging world went on sabbatical.  I'd like to end summer on a positive note, so to celebrate my third year of blogging and say "Thank You" to my readers,  I am giving away a $25 Amazon gift card.  One lucky reader will be chosen from a random drawing to be held on Monday, October 1.  This is my first giveaway, so the rules are very simple.  All you have to do is leave a comment on any post, starting with this one, through 11:59 p.m. September 30.  Each comment will count as a separate entry.  

The winner will be announced on October 1, following the Quote of the Week.   Good luck and thanks for visiting Roses to Rainbows over the past three years.

What's That They Say?

Image source:  mojado.com

Days of anger

Days of pain

What's that they say

That I'm insane

If that's true

Then who are you

Someone whose story

I wish I knew

Days of sadness

Lies and fear

What's that you say

Someone might hear

What has been hidden

From everyone's view

That mine is the story

I wish I knew

This poem was written for dVerse Poetry and is purely fictional and not reflective of my life.  Also see "The Voices are Silent".

Quote of the Week

You may find the worst enemy 

or best friend in yourself. 

 - English Proverb

Treat yourself kindly and reap the rewards or constantly criticize yourself and live in misery.   It's your choice.  Your life is up to you!

Crooked Words

Image source:  gingerbeardman

Follow me back in time to the far away land of the wrinkled rhyme where the words were all crooked and walked with a limp.  Some letters were tattered and others torn.  Of better days they did now mourn. They were all a craggy lot who lived in a place that time had forgot.


Written for Friday Flash 55.

If Your Recycles Could Talk

Yes, this is the inside of my recycle bin.  This was last week's contribution, and the bin was at least 3/4 full.  This Spring we switched from the small green bins (we had two) to the large 96-gallon roll out bins. 

With the smaller bins and were required to separate the recyclables, one box for papers and chipboard and one for glass, plastics and metals.  Now we put everything in all together.  If it is recyclable and will fit in the bin, you're good to go, and they are collected every other week.

I have always liked the idea of recycling.  It's like protecting our planet from ourselves, which in turn is protecting us.  So I am always happy to see the bins out on recycle day.  They are covered now so that the contents are kept dry on rainy days, and your neighbors don't see what's in there.  The evidence of who had the party last weekend is hidden.  Your brand of soda and where you shop remain your secret, and no one knows if you didn't remove the caps from your bottles?

If your recycles could talk, what would they say about you?

Quote of the Week

People know you for what you've done, not for what you plan to do.  - Author Unknown

This is true about each of us, no matter our accomplishments or failures.  In either case, it is what we did that is remembered.  All grand plans go out the window unless we follow through with action.  Those who do not are soon forgotten.

Another box - just for me?

Got Doughnuts?

Picture this scenario.  Tina and Ryan are lounging in front of the TV watching a Food Network marathon when Tina yawns and says "you know what would be good right now?"  Ryan stands and stretches.  "Well, we just watched 3 hours of food shows, so I'd be surprised if you're not hungry."  

"You got that right!"  

"So, what do you want?  Are you having a Big Mac attack or is the piece de resistance a bucket of the Colonel's chicken?"

"Nope.  Do you remember where we used to go late at night after hours of old movies?  That last show reminded me."

"Let's see, the last show was about a family of immigrant bakers.  You want bread?"

"No, silly, doughnuts.  More specifically, Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  A chocolate covered, creme filled piece of pure deliciousness - and a large diet Coke, please.

Image source:  Steve Jurvetson

Now as I reside in the Krispy Kreme capital of the world, there is some measure of reality here.  

I remember as a teen going to a pajama party (I think the current term is sleepover) and the girl's dad worked 2nd shift.  When he got off work, he took a half dozen wound up teenage girls to Krispy Kreme for doughnuts at 2 a.m.  What a treat!

On another occasion, before we were married, hubby and I went and got a fresh hot dozen of the classic glazed doughnuts after some late night TV.  Now I think they close at 11:00.

This was written for Write on Edge.  This weeks prompt was to write a fiction or creative non-fiction piece in which a local or regional item or industry plays a role.  I chose to honor Krispy Kreme for 75 years of making the best in doughnuts and memories.

Let the Sun Shine

Hot days

The sun shines

The grass dies

And then

Gray days

Clouds hang low

More rain

And then

The sun shines

The grass grows

Now we mow

Repeat

This is summer

It seems that it is either feast or famine.  We lamented the long weeks with no rain while we watched the grass dry up.  We sweltered beneath triple digit heat indices.  Then came August and the temperatures and the rain were once again moderate.  The grass greened up, we mowed.

Next we got a new garage door for my parents' house which exposed new (or old) problems with the 50+ year old structure.  The door became the secondary issue and much work was involved before we had a functioning door.  The riding mower was safely installed behind that door.  Of course this when the rains moved in and every afternoon or evening - more rain.  You know what that means.  Thankfully, the door is now functional.  Let the sun shine!

What frustrates you this summer?

Quote of the Week

Take rest; a field that has rested gives 
a bountiful crop.  - Ovid

A rested body yields a fertile mind.  

Happy Labor Day.

Web Wonder

There was a lot of fog yesterday morning which served to highlight the busy night had by the spiders in our yard.  Here are just a few.

 All of these are different webs.

Some in the trees.

Some in the middle of the yard.

 

Some in mid air tied to the ground with long lines. 

It looked like we were surrounded.

I wonder if I can break free?

A lot of work went into building all these webs.  
See up close how they do it.

Beyond the Window

Big Room, 1948, by Andrew Wyeth

Beyond the window he could see her sitting in the garden.  A sad look clouded her sweet face.  He wanted so much for her...would give her the world if he could, but she did not want it.  She never wanted this.  The large house, the servants, the driver who would take her anywhere she wanted to go. Still she felt like a prisoner in her own home.  Long hours spent staring at the clock upon the mantle while she waited for him to return.  He knew she wasn't happy, and hadn't been for a long time.

If we can just make it through the next few years, he would tell her, then things will be different.  Ah, but she had heard that all before. 

As she sat on the bench beside the pond she felt him watching her as she watched the goldfish.  She turned toward the window and pasted a smile upon her face.  She knew he tried.  He knew he failed.  He knew she would be better off without him.  She knew she could never leave.

What happened next would free them both...

Written for Magpie Tales.

Quote of the Week

To create more positive results in your life, 
replace 'if only' with 'next time'.  - unknown

It is universally accepted that we can't change the past.  However, we don't need to carve those 'if only' moments into stone.  From every 'if only' moment we have learned something that can help us change the outcome next time.

The Note

Kenny arrived home from work, late as usual.  These long hours were paying off, he thought, as he parked his shiny new Lexus in the garage.  Sharon would have dinner holding in the oven.  It was Friday night, so it was probably lasagna.  She would be waiting in family room, a glass of her favorite red wine on the table as she played bejeweled blitz or some other Facebook game, with the TV on in the background.

prowellwoodworks.com

Kenny walks into the kitchen, the light is on, but there's no familiar smell of dinner waiting.  He calls to Sharon, "Hey, I'm home.  Did you want to order in tonight?"  No answer.

He goes to the family room, no Sharon.  He goes from room to room, but she's not there.  Wait a minute, her car was not in the garage.   How could I have not noticed that? he thought. 

Worried now, he headed to the bedroom.  He glanced around the room and then he saw it, there on his pillow.  "Good-bye" was all it said.

As Kenny sat and stared numbly at the note, it hit him.  There was so much he hadn't noticed.

Written for the prompt "Note" at One-Minute Writer - Friday Fiction.

Beneath the Streetlight

Shadows on the Street

Wordless Wednesday

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

We find our energies are actually cramped when we are overanxious to succeed.  - Michel de Montaigne


The pressure we put on ourselves to succeed creates anxiety, which in turn hampers our abilities.  Success is achieved not only with hard work and perseverance, but with patience. Let us be patient with ourselves and success will follow.

A Day at Ft. DeSoto

Stepping back in time, we take a brief look at Ft. DeSoto in Pinellas County Florida.  I know I post a lot about Florida, but it is one of my favorite vacation places, and Ft. DeSoto is a "must visit" every time we go.  

Last year we were there in November, somewhat later than normal, and it was unseasonably cool that week.   As usual we headed out to Ft. DeSoto for the afternoon, only this time instead of fishing we rented bikes.  This was something we had wanted to do for years, but it was always too hot.  Now was our chance!  The temperature was in the 70s and there was a nice breeze.

Practically everywhere you can go by car, there is a separate bike lane.  We had a grand time, and put in several miles of tooling around, stopping for lunch at the snack bar next to the Gulf Pier.

Our method of transportation today (mine has the basket).

This was our view at lunch.  It is hard to tell from this photo, but the specks you see are really dragonflies...large dragonflies...and lots of them.  This pier faces the Gulf of Mexico and is a great place for fishing or just strolling along watching the birds.

Gulf Pier

Just up the road from here is the Bay Pier, which faces Tampa Bay.  Between these two piers is where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico.  It is definitely a beautiful place.

Beach at Ft. DeSoto with a view of the Sunshine Skyway.

There are still remnants from the war at the Fort, and many of the rooms are open for exploration. 

Ft. DeSoto has something for everyone including swimming, boating, wind surfing, fishing, picnic areas, bike and kayak rental, and offers great photo opportunities.  There are also several snack bars and a gift shop.

I am looking forward to my next visit and more biking and fishing this fall.

New Beginnings

In response to The One Minute Writer prompt Era, our life is in the Era of New Beginnings.  Times are changing and we are charting a new course, taking up new interests and renewing some that have fallen by the way.  Our world has expanded significantly, and I see good things on the horizon as we sail toward all that life has to offer. 

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

If I am what I have, and if I lose what I have, who then am I?  - Erich Fromm

We are more than the sum total of our possessions, and our lives have meaning beyond what we have accumulated.  What we are inside is who we are, not what we have or don't have.

Running Away

Mile after mile she sped down the highway, hoping with each passing town she would be further from the past that has haunted her every waking moment for nearly two decades.  She would be eighteen now, graduating from high school and starting life as an adult. Jenna hoped her daughter would make better choices than she had at that age as she reflected back on those days of drugs, booze and indiscretions which resulted in a life-altering moment as she gave up her first-born child.  

This current upheaval came about the week before when she received a phone call...one that she had dreaded for eighteen years...Mom?

Knowing in her heart of hearts (albeit mistakenly) that this was the best thing she could do for the daughter she abandoned all those years ago, she did what she has always done when her life runs amok, she runs away.

Written for Five Sentence Fiction based on the prompt Distance.

The Frogs at Salem Lake

This was filmed at Salem Lake a couple of years ago when we were serenaded by a bunch of frogs.  Not the peepers of Spring, but big bullfrogs.  At least I think they were bullfrogs - we didn't actually see them.

I am in the process of learning how to edit my videos.  This was done using Windows Live Movie Maker to edit out the dead spots and other conversations.  Any tips for the beginner?

Quote of the Week

 


Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.  - Sally Koch



Anywhere, at any time, you may be presented with an opportunity to help someone in need.  Yesterday, it took two men little more than 5 minutes to change a tire for a lady in need in the church parking lot.

I was not the lady in question, but my husband was one of the men.  People helping people; it's a beautiful thing.