"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Monday, February 26, 2018

Awww Mondays AND Sparks! February 26, 2018

 
Our nearby neighbors have a new puppy.
Toby in front is about 8 months old and
the little guy in back just joined the family!
Ryder is about 2 months old and cute as
the dickens! We haven't met him yet, but
pretty soon we will.
 He starts obedience school next week and
judging by how well Toby picked up
good manners Ryder won't be far behind.  
 
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo # 58
 
And Whoops- look what we woke up to!
And my Spark of the week is..... 


 
 
Have a lovely week!
~~~~~
 


Sunday, February 25, 2018

Shadow Shot Saturday February 24-25, 2018

Our week long class is over.
Hard work paid off.
Amazing how well everyone did.
Thanks to our fantastic teacher!
Friday evening we invited all our friends and
neighbors to join us at our little art opening.
We all  brought tasty bites and the gallery
provided wine and soft drinks.
It was a fun evening.   
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo # 56 

 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #57 
Above are my four paintings...
Below are everyone else's paintings.
I am always amazed at how everyone
makes art.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 23, 2018

Feline Fridays! February 23, 2018

 
Artist Henri Matisse with his cat.
Not only a fabulous artist,
but also an obvious cat lover!
 
Meanwhile I am still painting away
in the week long painting workshop!
I'm not Matisse for sure, but I am having
an enjoyable time learning more!
Tonight we have a little art opening and then
we take our paintings home!  
 
2018 PhotoProject
Photo # 55
 
Have a great weekend!
Thanks Sandee for Feline Friday!
~~~~~
 

Thursday, February 22, 2018

2018 Photo Project Art Worksop Expressing Your Purpose

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 53
 
There are eight of us in this painting workshop.
 
It's fun, but also work.
We are lucky to have such a great teacher.

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 54
 
Here's my painting so far...
it's a work in progress.
Have a lovely day!
~~~~~

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Wordless Wednesday February 21, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #50
 
Black Butte with a touch of snow.....
 

2018 Photo Project
Photo #51
 
A portion of the Trinity mountains....
 

2018 Photo Project
Photo #52
 
The same portion of the Trinity mountains...
not quite so close up.... I never get tired of
seeing this range of mountains.
Simply glorious and this was on my drive
to the dump. Not everyone sees  this on their
way to the dump.  We are so lucky to be living here.
~~~~
 

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

2018 Photo Project February 20, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #47
 
What on earth? This "Christmas" Cactus out
did itself over the holidays and I guess it 
now is a "Valentines Day" Cactus!
Meanwhile I am taking a week long fun art
class. Our teacher is so creative in how she
plans our day. It's like being a kid again in a way!
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #48
 
Yesterdays assignment was fun- we shared painting
on others paintings. Going around the room and
eventually coming back to where we began and
then we were told to divide our original painting in half.
My painting partner and I decided to divide
the paper like a puzzle piece. Unlike others.
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #49
 
 I think I prefer what others
did, but it was my idea and we cannot undo it!
Today we will begin to make another painting.
Have a great day!
~~~~


Monday, February 19, 2018

It's Awww Monday February 19, 2018

I've been down with some sort of flu
the past three days- hence I am posting
more than one photo, but none are new
photos for my 2018 Photo Project.
I am back to feeling normal thank goodness!
 
 
 
One of Lucy's favorite winter spots!
Late for Shadow Shot Sunday....
 
 
 
This is one of the many cute dogs
we've gotten to know since moving here!   
 
 
 
This is Tabitha....my youngest Great Niece...
and she definitely is great!
Thanks Sandee for Awww Monday
and thanks McGuffy's Reader for Sparks!
 
Here's my Sparks for this week.....
 
 
Have a great week!
~~~~~
 
 
 
 
 
 


Friday, February 16, 2018

It's Feline Friday ! February 16, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #47
 
Lucy will sleep anywhere if there is sunshine!
She is our purrfect cat and we love her to pieces!
Have a great Feline Friday....
And do thank Sandee for Feline Friday!  
~~~~~
And here's my Friday Fill-ins!
Each Thursday Annie of McGuffy’s Reader and Ellen of 15andmeowing, provide Friendly Fill-In statements. On Friday, we post our answers with a link-up for you to join us with your own responses. We hope you will copy and answer these on your blog, but please remember to link up at McGuffy’s Reader. If you need help, please let either
Annie or Ellen know and always have fun!
 
1. My Chinese zodiac is the horse.
Those born under the sign of the Horse are a flexible group of people. They tend to be stubborn when it comes their ideas, but they are also incredibly patient when it comes to hearing out what other people have to say. They favor straight forward, occasionally blunt conversation. And yet they generally avoid starting up any unnecessary trouble. This combination then makes those under the Horse sign a bit of a puzzle to the people around them. Though this certainly does not stop people from trying to figure them out.  
In spite of some of their misgivings, Horses are also incredibly loyal friends and partners. Perhaps it is because first impressions have a lasting effect, or simply that they are inclined to do well by others. Whatever the case for an individual, however, they are consistently there when friends need a person to turn to or a shoulder to lean on. They are also quite capable of resolving conflicts, both their own and other people's. Altogether then, those born under the sign of the Horse are some of the most favored members of society; and though they don't often aspire to greatness they tend to achieve a manner of it through the compliments and adoration of their friends.

2. My zodiac sign is Libra.
Symbolized by the Scales of Justice, Libra epitomizes balance and fairness. This sign’s influence helps restore equilibrium to all affairs, no matter how big or small. From settling a major legal or ethical conflict to determining the best place to hang a painting, Libra energy will stop at nothing to establish interpersonal and aesthetic consonance. Under a Libra planetary transit, we can regain our footing in relationships and seek more balance in our lives. The essence of Libra energy is charming, lovable, fair, sincere, sharing, beautiful and hopelessly romantic. Negative expressions of Libra energy can be vain, indecisive, melodramatic, manipulative, spoiled and delusional. Libra energy enhances our social graces and turns our attention to beauty and style. In Italy, there’s an expression known as la bella figura, in which Italian natives not only dress to impress but also exhibit their brightest, best personalities when in the company of others. Libra transits help us achieve that kind of inner and outer beauty, making us feel like the fairest of them all.
 
3. Income Tax season is when we see if we paid
enough up front to not have to pay more.
Usually we break even.
 
4. In hindsight there is no point in whining about taxes.
We're damn lucky to be living in this country.   
~~~~~

Thursday, February 15, 2018

2018 Photo Project Railroad Park Resort February 15, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 46
February 14, 2018
 
We had Valentines dinner here at the
Railroad Park Resort in Dunsmuir, CA.
It's also a unique motel - with railroad cars
and cabooses as your room.
The stunning Castle Crags are in the background.
We had a fun time!     
 ~~~~

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Wordless Wednesday February 14, 2018

 

2018 Photo Project
Photo #46
Full Moon Over Mt Shasta

2018 Photo Project
Photo #46.5
Lenticular Cloud Over Mt Shasta
 
Two views of Mt Shasta from our deck. 
Anytime of day the view can be spectacular.
Happy Valentines Day Sweethearts !!
~~~~

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Last Evening's Alpen Glow

2018 Photo Project
Photo #45
 
Alpen Glow
February 13, 2018
5:39pm PST
 

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Awww Monday! February 12, 2018

 
Where is the cat?

 2018 Photo Project
Photo #44
Ah-hah...I see Lucy!
 
 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #44.5
 
Who never fails to make me laugh!
Look at her cute feet!
Have a great week!
Thanks Sandee for Awww Mondays!
~~~~
And here's my Spark for McGuffy's Reader
 
 
~~~~~
 

 



2018 Photo Project

2018 Photo Project
Photo #43
Manzanita Blossom
 
Manzanita is beautiful, but so hazardous
because it is so flammable and we live in
an area where you need to be mindful of wildfires.
So we are always diligently cutting it back
and pulling out the little seedlings. 
The deer are helpful also as they eat the leaves
as they meander outside our home.
Have a lovely Sunday!
~~~~
More Sunday Shadow Shots here.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Shadow Shot Sunday February 10, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 41
 
Early morning shadows...
Early morning visitors....
These cuties will be a year old in June.
Have a great weekend and
here's the link to Shadow Shot Sunday.
~~~~

Thursday, February 08, 2018

Feline Friday! February 9, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #40
 
Lucy in the sunny bedroom window.
All cats seek a sunny spot and there is
no lack of sunshine here.
Have a splendid day!
And do thank Sandee for Feline Friday!
~~~~
 


2018 Photo Project Photo # 39

2018 Photo Project
Photo #39
 Winter Moss
 
Moss does not grow on us as
we are always busy.
Have a wonderful day!
~~~~

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

Wordless Wednesday February 7, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #38
North Old Stage Railroad Crossing
 
I never impatiently wait for the train
to go by so that I can drive on....
I enjoy listening to the clickity-clack on the tracks
and the long loud whistle.
Have a lovely day!
~~~
Thanks Sandee for Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

2018 Photo Project February 6

 
2018 Photo Project
Photo # 37
California Blacktail Fawn
 
I've lived here now for 6 years and
even though a lot of our friends view these
animals as pests...I still think they are adorable.
Have a great day!
~~~~ 

Sunday, February 04, 2018

Awww Monday February 5, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 36
 

Photo #36.5
 
Lucy McMapdogg
Such a splendid and oh so patient a dog
while we humans sit and talk while sipping
a beer and she would rather be out hiking!
~~~~~
And here's my thought for McGuffy's Reader....
from one of my favorite authors....
 
 
Have a lovely week.
~~~

2018 Photo Project February 4, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo # 35
Puddle Reflections
 
Another photo from yesterday's hike.
I love finding reflections.
Have a lovely Sunday!
~~~~
Enjoy more Sunday Shadow Shots here .

Saturday, February 03, 2018

Shadow Shot Sunday February 3, 2018

 
2018 Photo Project
Photo #34
Dale Creek Hike
 
Yesterday we went on a lovely
morning hike around Hammond Pond.
Not far from where we live.
We are so lucky to live here.
Have a lovely weekend!
~~~
Go here for more Shadow Shots!

Friday, February 02, 2018

Feline Friday February 2, 2018

2018 Photo Project
Photo #33 
Lucy Playing series
 
Lucy seriously loves to play....
indoor cats need to play every day
so they do not become bored! 
 

 
Whoops...missed it...
 
 
 
I'll get it this time!
 
 
 
Determination!
 

 
 
Hah! Got it!
We play this game with Lucy
several times a day.
And do not forget that it's Happy Groundhog's Day!
I borrowed this image from McGuffy's Reader!
 
 
And here are this week's fill-ins
also from McGuffy's Reader!

 1. Trust your instincts-they are usually right!
2. I will always protest unfairness to others.
3. I have always seen the bright side since I was a kid.
4. Right now, I need to get ready for our Friday hike! 
~~~
Thanks Sandee for Feline Friday!