Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Did you or are you celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? I have friends and family members out drinking green beer and Irish whiskey. Me? Well, I celebrated in my own little way. I did where my green Ireland shirt today. When I was in the store, I noticed a group of employees running around trying to pinch each other because none of them were wearing green.

I also splurged earlier with this delicious cake donut, the chocolate frosting, and Shamrock sprinkles were very yummy. And nowhere near on my current healthy eating list.

It's allowed on St. Patrick's Day, right?
It’s allowed on St. Patrick’s Day, right?

I am currently listening to Celtic Thunder, one of my favorite groups.

For me, the day was simple but very enjoyable. If you are out and about this evening…I wish you safe travels.

May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

Until next time….peace

Cold River

Posted on by Rebecca C.

As I work through these old photos, I wonder about the people’s lives. I can’t help it. I enlarge the photos to find different clues. Even though a year was not provided, the photo was written on with the date July 4th. I would like to think the gathering was to celebrate Independence Day. They are definitely sitting on benches with tables under tents in the background.

The photo is also identified as being taken at Cold River. From research, I can tell you that Cold River runs over 16 miles through western Main and enters into New Hampshire. Currently with the White Mountain National Forest, the area is popular for camping with a picnic pavilion. Since I can only guess the year, I am assuming they are within a picnic area for holiday fun.

Until next time….peace

 

Happy New Year!

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re

I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful,

and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

― Neil Gaiman

I came across this quote a couple days ago. I don’t think I could have found any better way to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope 2016 brings everyone peace and happiness with over amounts of joy.

Right now, I am just under six hours until midnight. I plan to spend the rest of the evening doing what I love…writing. The Michigan weather has brought a very cold New Year’s Eve. I am grateful for the fireplace this evening.

Once again, Happy New Year! Happy 2016!!

May we all find fewer things to stress about and more things to rejoice about in the following year.

Until next time…peace

National Flashlight Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Can you believe there is actually an entire day dedicated to the flashlight? Today, December 21, 2015, is National Flashlight Day. From my research, I have found out the flashlight has actually been around since 1898 or 1899. David Misell had the flashlight patented on January 10, 1899. I guess, I didn’t realize the flashlight was that old.

The reason for the name “flashlight” was due to the fact the light stick’s batteries would produce a sudden “flash” as they died. The batteries did not last very long. Over the years, the flashlight has definitely improved.

In my childhood, flashlights were used as part of playing. I can remember being outdoors after dark with my cousins and neighbor kids. We would use flashlights to see during hide-n-seek or to tell ghost stories. I also slept with a flashlight by my bed. I would use the light to read by after everyone in the house was asleep.

I think one of my favorite memories is when the electricity went out. My mother hung a sheet. We used the flashlights as a way to make “hand puppets”. The simple ways my mother found to entertain us when we were bored.

Of course, I now use flashlights as a way to peer out into my yard at night. I always have some critter on my porch. Tonight was a very small opossum.

Until next time…peace

Santa’s List Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Did you know there’s an official day for making out Santa’s list? Today, December 4, 2015, is Santa’s List Day. The interpretation of the unofficial holiday varies from site to site.

Santa’s Naughty or Nice List

One way to view, Santa’s List Day is to imagine him sitting at his large, old oak desk at the North Pole. Do you the image in mind, yet? Picture the newly fallen snow blanketing the entire area around Santa’s workshop and the reindeer stables. Better image? Now, imagine him picking up a magical white feathered quill to makes his list of who has been naughty and nice. As he writes out a name, the ink will glow Christmas green for nice or a candy cane red for naughty. Most years, the Christmas green is overpowering the red. Where will you name be?

Your Personal Christmas List

Another way to view Santa’s List Day is to make your own Christmas wish list. If you could get any wish this Christmas, what would you ask Santa for? Mine….peace for all mankind. I think the world needs a little Santa magic.

Did you make out Christmas lists as a child? I did. To this day, I believe in the wonderful magic on the holiday season. My childhood Santa list usually consisted of toys, a horse and a goat. I know what a combination to ask from Santa. Well, I usually did get a couple of toys from the list. We would also receive new clothes. I never did get the pony or the goat. Of course as an adult, I can understand why that wish was never fulfilled.

If you have children, I think Santa’s List Day could be a fun addition to your holiday season. Prepare the lists together. Of course if you are anything like my mom, she started her Christmas shopping months in advance. (She still does, well we both do now). I think making Christmas list could be a family fun project. You could be as simple as using a piece of paper and pen. Or you could make an entire art project out of the day. I think the most important part is the time spent interacting with your family.

Until next time….peace.

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.

Oprah Winfrey

 

From my house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. If celebrating today, I hope it was filled with good food, family and friends. I will be celebrating tomorrow with my family. We had to delay a day to ensure everyone could be there.

I know I have been behind on my days of thanks challenge. I must confess, I have been ill with a cold and cough. But my days of counting my blessings were never gone. I have so much to be thankful for, life is pretty amazing right now.

Until next time….peace….

 

Happy Sesame Street Day!

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today, November 10, 2015, is a Sesame Street Day. Who has watched Sesame Street at some point in their life? On this day in 1969, Sesame Street was first aired on television. I love the theme song, I mean “Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?”

Me holding my two favorite Sesame Street characters. I was about 8 years old.
Me holding my two favorite Sesame Street characters. I was about 8 years old.

 

My favorite characters were Burt and Ernie. I loved the puppets, the lessons and everything else to do with the fun loving kid’s show. Well, I even found myself watching Sesame Street at 2 am the other night. I could help but watch for a few minutes when I was flipping channels.

So, Happy Sesame Street Day!

Until next time….peace….

30 Days of Thanks

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing

it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

So I was asked to participate in a couple different challenges for the month of November. The first one is the “30 Days of Thanks” challenge. The basic concept behind the challenge is to give thanks to all your blessings throughout the month of November. The reason for November is for the Thanksgiving holiday. Even though, I personally feel you should be thankful every day of the year for what you have in your life. I do like the idea of dedicating a whole month to recognizing specific details.

Day 1

I am thankful for my house and where I live. My house is old. Like any old house, the place has some issues. The old structure could use a new roof and a fresh coat of paint. But, I still love the old place. I have wood fireplace that I absolutely enjoy during the cold, winter months of Michigan. One of the best parts of where my house is located; my parents’ house is right next door. I get to see them on a daily basis.

So, is anyone else out there participating in the challenge? I would love to hear (or read) your daily thanks.

Happy Memorial Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Happy Memorial Day! I hope your extended weekend was enjoyable. I did what I loved to do this weekend. I took nature photos and spent time with family and friends. I am truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life. Of course, I worked a little too. My mother and I went to the cemetery earlier in the week to put flowers on the grave sites. Remember those who are no longer with us, reminds me how short and precious life can be at times.

I joined a volunteer organization years ago, called Soldiers’ Angels. I have met some amazing people through this group. I took to social media to thank all the men and women who have served over the years. As well as a moment to remember those who are no longer with us. My father served in the Army. I have the utmost respect for all who have served or currently serving.

The weekend has been filled with little moments. I was standing at my kitchen sink when I viewed a Bald Eagle flying low over the field. Of course, he was too quick for me to grab a camera. But the view was spectacular.

I was out photographing a Barn Swallow. The bird sat on my weathervane; he was at the top right in the middle. When I went out to photograph him (or her), I realized the Barn Swallow was coaching the babies to fly out of the nearby bird houses. I know only a true nature nut would like the idea of standing in the yard while little birds fly around her head. I just loved how the adult Barn Swallow was so vocal to the little ones.

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Today, I was able to spend time photographing baby geese. There’s just something fun and heartwarming watching the little goslings swim around the river. The mother kept gathering them together. She would nudge them to the safety of the lily pads if she thought they were in danger. There are a lot of vehicles that travel on the road; louder ones would cause her to scurry them to safety.

And of course, I have no words to describe the the sunset this evening.

Memorial Day Sunset
Memorial Day Sunset

Until next time…peace.