110/255 + 1

B and I went over to the boardwalk last evening, the air was still and temps at 78 degrees. What a wonderful night for pizza at our favorite place and a stroll. I tried to capture a shadow photo of B and I by the fence. I didn't have my settings correct and the exposure was way to long. I moved the camera and captured the nearby light, creating the etching. I kind of liked it and it is different from any thing I have posted prior. So for today a mistake made into the POD.

My Retriever:

Orlando is not your typical lab. Oh sure, he’s the happy-go-lucky, tail wagging, full of life is wonderful exuberance that labs are made of, however, in his nearly 12 years, he has never retrieved a thing. No, not one tennis ball, not one stick, no nothing! In fact, on the numerous times I have tried to teach him to retrieve he looks at me as if to be saying, well if you want it why the heck did you throw it? Leaving me to make the long walk out to the far end of the field to retrieve the tennis ball all while he stands watching me. This wasn't much fun for me, I gave up.

So you can imagine my surprise when the other day, during our walk, when he came running up to me with a stick. Even Murphy seemed surprise and took great interest in Orlando’s treasure. I wondered if Orlando had gone mad, senile, forgetting himself in his old age. Then, upon closer examination I realized, in horror, he had found a bit of venison. Good thing B was there to save me from having to touch it.

When the Dogs Say Goodnight:

For those who are not aware, B is an “on air personality” at a local radio station. When we first met, I would often call him during his show and request "What A Wonderful World" as this is one of my all time favorite songs. Although, this song is not on his playlist, he would somehow manage to seek it in. Years later, while on one of our long distance road trips, he put in a CD with the song, I’m singing along (which sounds more like a shrieking sound) and get to the words “When the dogs say goodnight”. B bursts out laughing, I think he is amused at my “so called” singing, when he looks at me and says, “The Dark Sacred Night.” Oh, ok then. With dogs being a large part of my life for so many years, and witnessing their evening routine, “When the dogs say goodnight” made perfect sense to me!

...I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself:
"What a wonderful world!"

Beeee!

Hey has anyone seen B? Beeeeeeee!

(yes, I do call him B)

the Colors of the Rainbow:

...so pretty in the sky. The day started out cloudy and rainy. Late morning the sun started peeking out, so I gathered up the dogs and headed out to the fields. I’m glad I did.

and the Winner Is:

Looks like LW is better at hide & seek than the little cardinal boy.

Hide & Seek:

I didn't have the heart to tell this little guy that he didn't stand a chance of winning a game of hide & seek.

Turn Around Point:

Chances are:

According to BBC weather the chance of being hit by lighting is 1 in 3 million. The chance of winning the lottery is 1 in 14 million. The chance of finding a fun loving "goof head" like B, 1 in a trillion!

The Week's Treasures:

This is the latest of several posts. Being on Spring break allowed for long walks in the fields outback. Each day, we looked for new treasures and found ouchie, twisted, and feathered things and creatures with happy faces. There is beauty to be found everywhere.

Photo Friday: "Found Object"

Perfect timing; those of you, who follow my blog, know while on my morning walk, I have been on a quest to find new treasures. I was planning on posting my new finds on Weekend Snapshots, however this weeks Photo Friday appropriately called for “Found Object”. This Curly Q is one of my favorites.

Pleasants:

Pleasant runs are scattered all through out this acreage. My dogs tell me the only remains are a few feathers and the scent of these long ago fowl.

the Walk Continues:

On the far side of the field, out past the old barn "stands" a ghost town. Left on their own these homes, barns, and storage buildings have fallen victim to the harshest of elements, called age and weather. Yet when I look at them, I can picture the life which once resided within their walls, and on the tail end of the wind, I swear, I can hear a tracker running and the sound of children playing.

Spring Morning Walk:

The tree lined path leads to a large open field. At the paths end I often have the feeling as if I am opening a door to a new room. My dogs will generally run, like the wind, to reach this field. Once here they leap over the tall grasses in hopes of finding a new treasure. Seldom are they disappointed.

Spring Break:

Although I am nearly 30 years older than the 20 somethings I attend college with, I am as excited about Spring break as they are. I, unlike many of my classmates, have no plans of heading to Florida on the “Girls Gone Wild” tour. My big plans are to spend some quite time here in the comfort of my home, to take my dogs for longer than usually walks, and yes, I am sorry to say, I may even get ahead start on my spring cleaning. Of all the joys life has to offer, I am most content when I am enjoying my morning walks. My dogs have a wonderful way of showing me there is something new, some times hidden, to be found in each day. So as the day begins I adventure out to hunt for new treasures.

This Buds for You:

On this mornings walk, I was overjoyed to see many of the trees and shrubs were full of signs of rebirth. Some were even showing off their new little leaflets. So in honor of Spring… “this buds for you.”

Weekend Walk:

I put my new tele-converter lens on my camera and walked to the bay in hopes of catching sight of my favorite avian friend, the Great Blue Heron. My feathered neighbor was not at his usual hunting spot and in spite of the fact that this heron stands at almost 4 feet, I did not spy him anywhere. Then just as I decided to head back home, I spotted him, with his long neck tucked, resting among the reeds and low bushes. Perhaps one day he will raise his long black head plumes for my camera and I will share, with all of you, his beauty. As you can see, plumes raised or not he is one stunning bird.

Sunday Blessing:

... may our tea
be steeped in serenity,
sweetened by sharing,
and surrounded by the
warmth of love.

(Irish Blessing)

On Yesterday's Walk

Today's Walk