Small Things

Carolina Chickadee drinking from the backyard bird bath.

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."   ~Mother Teresa

A Hibiscus for Independence Day

"Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die."     ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

Wishing everyone celebrating the 4th a happy and safe Independence Day!

Until next time...

Cindy

From the backyard

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” 
~Edward Everett Hale

 

I just wanted to share a few photos with all of you.  I've been ill and posting hasn't been something I've really been interested in doing.  I'm feeling much better now and thought while I was in the mood to post, I should.  The photos aren't anything special but I like them. 

 

Until next time...

 

Cindy 

It's been awhile

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~Thornton Wilder

until next time...

Cindy

Morning and Evening Light

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary." ~Aaron Rose

The first photo is of some wild grass or weed. I thought it looked rather pretty with the sky and evening light behind it. The other flowers are Mexican Petunia's taken this morning. I love how the light shines through the blooms. 

Until next time...

Cindy

Magnolia Blossoms

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us."  ~Helen Keller

Happy Wednesday everyone.  

Until next time...

Cindy

Feathered Friends

Tufted Titmouse

Carolina Chickadee

I wish the Chickadee was more in focus but I like the bokeh in the background.

Blue Jay

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Just a few feathered friends I thought I'd share.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Until next time...

Cindy

Smiles of Nature

"Colors are the smiles of nature."  ~Leigh Hunt

Annie update:  She ate her breakfast a little slower this morning because she's still a little drugged.  Also I think her throat might be sore from the breathing tube they had in her during surgery.  She's been crying off and on since just before breakfast.  I'm pretty sure she needs to go outside but it hurts her to go down the ramp, which is the only way for her to get out.  She goes back to the vet at 3:15 for a clean bandage and possibly a pain shot. Clean bandage wasn't due until Thursday but it got wet when she went out earlier.  We sure don't want her paw to get infected.  A big thank you to all of you who have asked about her and sent prayers and well wishes.  Annie and I really appreciate it.  

Wishing everyone a wonderful day.  

Until next time...

Cindy

I'm feeling artsy today

I dug into the archives for these.  Hope you don't mind.  These photos were taken last year (May 8, 2012) while out on the boat with my sister and her husband (my BIL).  I did post one of the St. Pete skyline but that was all. The photos themselves didn't come out very well which is why they have a cross hatch effect applied to them.  I kind of like it and I think it enhances the retro feel of the buildings, especially the first two.  They look artsy don't you think.


Brightwater Towers Condominiums on Snell Isle

One of my favorite buildings in St. Pete (Snell Isle).  I believe it was built in 1962.

St. Petersburg Pier

I've been here a few times in my life.  It's a nice way to spend some time and it's on the water so you can't beat that.  This pier is set to close soon and a new one built.    If you're interested to see what the new pier will look like watch the video here or visit the photo gallery here and look for the gallery link at the top of the page.  The inverted pyramid pier seen here opened in 1973 but the pier has existed in some form or another since 1889.

St. Petersburg skyline

Most of the day was spent right here around this spot.  My sister and BIL fished while I took photos.  I like to fish but my main objective was to take photos.  So while they messed around with smelly bait and fish I sat back, took photos and got sunburned. Overall it was a great day.  

:    :    :

Please send good thoughts and prayers Annie's way tomorrow.  She's having surgery to remove one of her toes.  She's such a sweet baby.  I can't wait until tomorrow is over and she's home and doing okay. 

  

Annie

"How sure I feel, how warm and strong and happy
For the future!  How sure the future is within me;
I am like a seed with a perfect flower enclosed...."
~D.H. Lawrence


Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday afternoon and a magnificent Monday.

Until next time...

Cindy

Pretty in Purple

"The search for happiness is unlike any other search, for we search last in the likeliest places."  ~Robert Brault

Mexican Petunias planted by my sister a couple or so weeks ago.  The blooms are very pretty but they don't last very long. 

Wishing everyone a super Saturday night and a wonderful Sunday.

Until next time...

Cindy

In Sweet Remembrance of Mama

I've had my Mama on my mind all day and I've worked on this post off and on all day.  Not sure what I really wanted to say but knowing that I wanted to in some way make it about her.  So as I sat here wondering what to write it occurred to me that flowers have special meanings and so I set off in search of the meaning of Periwinkles.  After a short search I found out they can represent, fidelity, spiritual harmony or sweet remembrance.  So, I post these simple but beautiful Periwinkles in remembrance of my Mama who passed away eighteen months ago this past Sunday May 26.  It's hard to believe it's been that long.  She was an amazing Mother and friend and is loved and missed beyond measure.  I wish there was something more (meaning better) that I could do for her than just post some flower photos.  

The Periwinkles are from my sisters planter garden.

 

"It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree.  The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”  ~Rose Kennedy

Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday night and a fantastic weekend. 

Until next time...

Cindy

Perseverance

 

This little guy got himself caught up in the Oak tree by Annie.  She wasn't about to let him come down and get away.  He made many attempts to get to one of the feeders but Annie was always there to run him back up.  I eventually felt sorry for the little guy and took the dogs in.  I'm sure he feasted after we went inside.  Isn't he a cutie?

 



Annie is so determined to catch a squirrel.  She can sit and watch the tree all day.  Thankfully she's never caught one.  Isn't she a beauty?

"Perseverance, secret of all triumphs."  ~Victor Hugo

Wishing everyone a wonderful tomorrow.

Until next time...

~Cindy

Zebra Longwing (I think)

I found this little butterfly on the Lantana growing next to the fence.  I think it's called a Zebra Longwing, also known as the Florida State Butterfly (not the university). 

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."  ~Nathanial Hawthorne

Wishing everyone a marvelous Monday and rest of the week. 

Until next time...

~Cindy

The Young Ones

My mornings are spent outside in the backyard with the pups.  While they roam and explore the yard, I sit back, relax and do a little bird watching.  Lately, we've been getting outside around 7am.  The sun is just barely up and so there is plenty of cool shade to sit in.  The birds are extremely active at that time of the morning and I get quite a few different visitors to the feeders. 

This past Thursday I had four visitors.  A Cardinal pair and their three fledgling babies.  They tried eating seed on their own but unfortunately they weren't very successful.  I did manage to get a couple of shots of Dad feeding them but they didn't come out very well.

This baby looks comfortable sitting on this branch.  I have noticed that the babies aren't as easily spooked as the parents.  They didn't care if the dogs barked at them or if other birds landed near them. 

This is a more recent photo.  All three of them have started to exhibit a little more red in their feathers.  At first I thought they were all female but now I'm not sure. 

 

This baby kept trying to eat the black feeder hook.  It tried quite a few times and then gave up.  Only to return later and try again. 

 

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Until next time...

 

~Cindy



Today, tomorrow and beyond

"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond."  ~Irish Blessing

I've been trying to get a good photo of a butterfly for a week or so now but this is the best I've gotten.  I like the subtle difference in its color from one photo to the next.  That's a leaf in the background but it looks like something else or at least it does to me.  What do you think?

Happy blogging

~Cindy

I ❤ Woodpeckers

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."  ~E. E. Cummings

I took these early evening yesterday while sitting in the backyard.  I love the bokeh effect.  I used the iPad app PhotoToaster to add the white vignette and the soft white frame.  

Happy Tuesday everyone and happy blogging.

~Cindy